Day 31.

Or should I say Day 31 + 4? I had the best intentions of getting my final blog posted on July 31… but sometimes, life just happens!

For those of you who stopped by to read an occasional post and to those who stuck by me on my daily personal challenge to think four:eight… thank you! I treasure all the kind comments and words of encouragement. But I realized that even if no one read a single post, that was o.k. Even though part of my personal challenge was to help me overcome my hesitancy to post, I gained so much more through being intentional at living a joy-filled life and looking at all of the reasons in my life to think four:eight!

I have put together a video filled with images which speak of joy and the heart of Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

The song, The Bright Side couldn’t be a better fit! It was written and sung by and incredibly gifted young man, Zion Rempel. As I write this, he is in Western Nigeria on a missions trip with Circle of Love, a medical missions team bringing medical aid and God’s love to those in need around the world.  Hmm… another reason to think four:eight!

I hope as you watch this video you have a smile on your face and a song in your heart… and know how much the God of the universe dearly loves you!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

Today is my mom’s 75th birthday! Our family is gathering tonight to honor and celebrate her life. She is deeply loved by her four children and their spouses and adored by her eleven grandchildren as well.

My mom is a hero to me… to us all. As a young nurse, she tackled life with four very young children (just 5 years between the oldest and youngest), while my father pursued his doctorate degree in Education. When I was seven years old, my parents divorced and my mom took on the role of being a single parent. At that time we were living in Macomb, Illinois. Wanting to create a new life for us all, she took a job when I was ten years old as a nursing coordinator for the soon to be built Desert Samaritan Hospital in Mesa. To a ten year old, the unknown seems like a great adventure. But now that I am a parent with my own children, I can’t even imagine the courage and fortitude it required as a single mother to leave everything behind and cross into the unknown.

As time passed, my mom continued her role as a single parent and a nursing coordinator. Her reputation of being an outstanding nurse and leader greatly preceded her. It wasn’t long before she was promoted as the hospital’s evening Nursing Supervisor. Even though she retired from that position twelve years ago, whenever we run into nurses at the hospital who worked under her, we get the same reactions again and again… “Your mom was so amazing to work for…  Your mom battled on my behalf when I was treated unfairly… Your mom is a legend at this hospital”!

Not only did my mom rise to the occasion in her profession, she did the same in her role as a mom. Because I was the youngest and she didn’t remarry until I was out of high school, she took on the roll of “mom and dad” to me. I had the fortunate position of being able to spend a lot of time with my mom alone as my older brother and sisters were actively busy with school and work. I still remember spending Friday nights with just the two of us watching The Donny and Marie Show, enjoying cinnamon toast and hot chocolate and then ending the night curled up on the couch together. I remember she would inevitably drift off to sleep from a long day at work. As I laid on the couch curled up beside her, I would see how still I could be and I would carefully and deliberately match my breathing to hers… it felt as though we were one.

My mom is one of the most selfless people I know. She dedicated her life to ensuring we were loved and taken care of. It’s funny, looking back I realize how very little money we had growing up, but it never felt like it at the time. My mom gave us so much more than “things”, she gave us her attention. While I was in jr. high, I cannot tell you how many dog shows she would cart me to during the weekends so I could show my Bedlington Terrier as part of my 4-H club. She never complained, even when it was blistering outside!

I previously referred to my mom as a hero to us as her children. She is not only a hero as a mom, she is a hero as a woman. Last year my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was so fortunate and we were so grateful that the doctors caught it in its first stage. However, she still needed to undergo a lumpectomy and radiation, which would cause even the strongest person’s faith to teeter. My mom handled the whole situation with such grace and courage. She knew God was in control and took comfort in His promises. I am happy to report that she is cancer FREE and just needs some medication for the next five  years! God is so good!

I am so honored and proud to write about my mom. She is such a treasure to all who know her and we are so greatly blessed to have her in our lives.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My precious mom surrounded by her kids: Julie, Don, Becky and me (Jennifer)Mom surrounded by her pride and joy… her grandchildren!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

Meet my nephew, Estevan Joseph Miller.

Estevan’s story is nothing short of miraculous. Nearly five years ago he was born 10 weeks premature, weighing in at a mere 2 lbs. 3 oz. He was abandoned at a hospital by his birth mother, who unfortunately had numerous chemical addictions. She didn’t think he would survive so he was left there to die. It wasn’t long before the hospital staff recognized baby Estevan for who he was… a fighter. He was moved into a group home until he reached a viable weight allowing him to leave. Finally, at six months old he was “heavy” enough to leave. He weighed 8 pounds.

During Estevan’s stay in the hospital, another part of his story was unfolding that would forever change his life. My sister and her family had felt the Lord leading them to adopt a child. When they heard about Estevan, they were immediately drawn to him. The doctor’s informed them that they couldn’t guarantee if he would ever talk, walk or eat by himself. He would need to be fed through a G-tube and his life would be filled with endless doctor and therapy appointments. In spite of the doctor’s prognosis and after much prayer, my sister and her family knew Estevan’s home belonged with them.

When Estevan turned one, I created the video below for my sister’s family to celebrate his life… his story!

To me, the fact that Estevan and my sister’s family found each other is a miracle enough. But our God is a BIG God and the miracles didn’t stop there. Estevan is walking and running, talking and singing and although he still has to be fed through his G-tube, he is learning to eat by himself!

Anyone who meets Estevan instantly recognizes that he carries with him a a special and unique gift. He radiates the love of God. When he looks into your eyes, it’s as though he reaches straight into your soul and then deposits a smile and a hug before he leaves!

I am so grateful for my nephew, Estevan. I am so grateful for one more life that exemplifies Christ’s love for us. He saw us for what we were… abandoned, desperate and alone, yet He provided a way where we could be rescued, loved and set free. This is truly a reason to rejoice… truly a reason to think four:eight.

I’d like to share some pictures I took today of Estevan playing in the rain. He also wanted to show me how he could put his braces on all by himself. I love this series of pictures and how each image shows his determination and delight for accomplishing his new skill. (The one with his tongue sticking out while he is concentrating is my all time favorite!) My sister had to help him with his shoes at the end, but that’s o.k… he’ll eventually figure it out, he always does!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

Tonight I made one of life’s simples pleasures… chocolate chip cookies. To some of you, baking cookies may not seem worthy of a blog post. However, this wasn’t any ordinary batch of cookies!

Recently, I’ve had horrible luck with my attempts at baking chocolate chip cookies. I would follow the Nestle Toll House recipe to a tee and my cookies would always come out super thin. The only form to them was the chocolate chips standing tall amongst a thin sheet of “cookie”. They tasted all right but it was like eating a bumpy wafer!

I happen to mention my cookie dilemma to my good friend, Lynnette. (She makes some of the best cookies around!) She knew exactly what I was talking about and excitedly shared her remedy. She said she never follows the package recipe but instead has tweaked it to guarantee cake-like chocolate chip cookies every time.

So tonight I decided to put her recipe to a test. As I pulled out the first pan of cookies from the oven, I carefully watched to see if they were going to flatten out as my previous attempts had. To my delight, they remained nice and tall and cakey! As each sheet emerged from the oven, I became more and more excited as I was secretly worried that the first pan was just a fluke! (We ARE talking about living a joy-filled life, aren’t we?)

For those of you who enjoy cake-like chocolate chip cookies but haven’t found the right recipe, I’d like to share Lynette’s recipe with you:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Cream together:

• 1 C sugar
• 1 C brown sugar
• 2 sitcks butter – slightly softened

Mix in:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla

In separate bowl, mix:

• 3 C flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda

Add dry ingredients to butter mixture and blend

Add 2 cups chocolate chips (and nuts if desired)

Bake cookies for 10 minutes.

If you decide to try out this yummy recipe, let me know what you think!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

Parker Lee Jones.

From the moment he came into our lives, we could sense that his life would always be involved with people. Even as a baby, his charismatic personality seemed to magnetically draw people in around him. His tender heart and keen awareness of how others were feeling, seemed to always move him to reach out with compassion to those around him.

I should have realized there was something different about our little boy when he got his first cd player at age 7. We asked him what cd he wanted and he immediately requested Frank Sinatra! I was shocked. Don’t get me wrong, I love music from that era but we just didn’t play it around our house. It wasn’t long before Parker had every song memorized. Not only was he able to recite every word, he would include every move, every gesture and every inflection as he performed for us on “stage”, (i.e. our raised wood entryway)!

Through the years, Parker discovered many avenues in which he was able to express himself. One of them being art. While he was in school, he was exposed to a variety of different art classes in which he flourished. He loved experimenting with all the different mediums. However, because he was color blind, he quickly discovered that watercolor and pastels were not amongst his favorites. Although I do have to say that he has produced some very unique and “colorful” pieces of art!

Parker’s passion for creating found another means of expression… music. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing his guitar or bass, singing or writing… he can get completely lost in the creative process. It has been so fun watching his passion for music join up with his two friends, Nick and Spencer. Over the past couple years, their band, The Broken Rhodes, has worked hard to discover their own sound. While writing all their own music and lyrics, I think they’re discovering more than just their sound, but a part of themselves as well. {If you would like, check out their music on iTunes here!}

I am so proud of the young man Parker is becoming. I love the fact that he recognizes where his creativity comes from… His Creator. As he enters his sophomore year of college, I am filled with anticipation to see what God has in store for him!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

{My Babe!}

Today is a very special day!

It was 31 years ago today I went on my first date with the love of my life, my husband Neil!

Actually, Neil and I have known each other since jr. high but it wasn’t until the end of our junior year of high school he decided to make his move! He was a new fixed-wing pilot and asked if I would like to go flying with him sometime over the summer. I told him I would love to but I honestly thought he was just making small talk and I would probably not see him again until the next school year. Fortunately, I was wrong!

It was July 26, 1979 and the night began with a hot red car pulling up in front of my house. Neil (might I add, hot himself) arrived in his bright red 1972 Ford Mustang Grande. It was absolutely pristine with its white leather top and white leather seats. After meeting my mom, he took me to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory on Mill Ave. in Tempe. We nervously navigated through the “getting to know you” small talk but at one point in our conversation, Neil shared that the two men he admired most in his life were his father and his pastor. It was at that moment, I quickly recognized there was something wonderfully different about this 17 year old boy.

After a great dinner, we drove to the Chandler Airport where Neil buckled me into a Piper Warrior airplane. I can remember that moment as if it were yesterday. I was already experiencing “first date jitters” and my stomach was really nervous. Plus, I unfortunately had a history of motion sickness. As you can imagine, I was fervently praying the whole flight that I would not throw up. Now, you would think that being in a small plane with a newly licensed seventeen year old pilot, returning safely to solid ground would be the main focus of my prayers. Nope, I was only concerned about keeping my dignity and keeping the cockpit clean!

The flight was magical! The moon lit up the whole sky and the city lights sparkled below us as if mimicking the stars from above. Neil flew the airplane with great skill, adding to the flight bits of history and trivia. After we landed, (with no major incidents), we finished our first date with a coke at Bob’s Big Boy in downtown Chandler. I remember after Neil walked me to my front door, politely saying goodnight, an unexpected sense of wonder and curiosity followed me inside. I had just spent the evening with a young man who was unlike any other boy I’d known before.

Well, the rest of our story is history! We dated for 5 years and have been married for 26! We have weathered hard times together as well as experienced incredible seasons of joy. Our life has been richly blessed with three beautiful children along with dear family and friends. Although I deeply treasure all of these things, to me, the greatest blessing is being married to a man who loves God with all of his heart and strives to create a home where Christ is the center.

Philippians 4:8 is a picture of what Neil has been to me in my life. Is he perfect? Absolutely not… sometimes he walks way too fast when we go places and he doesn’t like to play games.

But for the record… he is still hot and still drives a hot car!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

I think we all could learn a lot about living a joy-filled life if we had the heart of a child!

Go ahead… give yourself permission to be silly!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

Today as I was reading, I came across the following quote from theologian Kosuke Koyanna describing God’s love:

“God walks “slowly” because he is love. If he is not love he would have gone much faster. Love has its speed. It is an inner speed. It is a spiritual speed. It is a different kind of speed from the technological speed to which we are accustomed… it goes on in the depth of our life, whether we notice or not, whether we are currently hit by storm or not, at three miles and hour. It is the speed we walk and therefore it is the speed the love of God walks.”

These words struck a chord deep within me. I have always been known as the “slow” one whenever we are walking places. At Disneyland, I am usually several paces behind everyone else as I feel compelled to take in every sight and sound surrounding me. When visiting new places, if I happen to have a camera in my hand… time stops. I become lost in every detail as I explore the world around me through my lens. Although my family has always been more than gracious as they patiently wait for (and beckon) me to catch up, I still feel like I am hurried inside. I guess that’s just the way I’m wired.

When I read the above passage about God’s love walking at “three miles and hour” because it is the speed we walk, I couldn’t help but smile. I felt such comfort in knowing He sees me right where I am. He is right beside me, no matter how slow and how long my journey takes.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

Mr. & Mrs. James & Allene Jones  {09.02.1960}

My mother and father-in-law are getting ready to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on September 2nd! I have had so much fun going through their photos as we prepare to celebrate their special day. Every photograph brings to mind what amazing people they are!

Their story has been such and example of living out Philippians 4:8. They have touched so many lives over the years through their love and care for others.

As a daughter-in-law, I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws! Because I never had a father figure in my life growing up, James stepped in from day one and embraced me as his own daughter. (Having two sons of his own, it turned out to be a great fit for both me and my sister-in-law, Janet!) Allene embraced me as her own as well. Quickly recognizing my complete lack of homemaking skills, she was so patient and kind in all her interactions with me. Even to this day, we can laugh about my shortcomings as a cook and I never feel ashamed or judged… just completely accepted!

As for grandparents… well, just ask our kids! I have been so amazed how Grandma and Grandpa Jones could be so actively involved in our kids lives over the years, many times on a daily basis, yet they didn’t “cross the line” in regards to respecting our wishes as parents. To me, that shows such great character and love. (OK… I’m sure the kids occasionally got candy and treats when they weren’t suppose to… but isn’t that to be expected?)

I am so honored and blessed to have been welcomed into such an amazing family. Their love and faith for God has been a source of strength and comfort to me over the years. I am forever grateful to know that our children have been given such an incredible legacy to carry on for generations to come.

I could go on and on sharing all of the blessings my mother and father-in-law have given me, but I think I can some up in one word the greatest blessing of all… my husband, Neil.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}

O.K.. totally cheesy picture of Neil and I… not even completely in focus, but had to post about one of our favorite things… the San Francisco Giants! We were blessed with great tickets tonight to see the Giants play the Diamondbacks. Our seats were five rows from home plate, the tickets came with valet parking, and the best part… the Giants won!

I’m thankful for the “fun” in my life and being able to share it with my “one and only”!

{Hmm… maybe someday we will be able to adjust to this whole “empty nest” thing after all!}

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

{If you are new to my blog, click here to read the story behind My Personal Challenge: think four:eight.}