Jnettie18's Xanga

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:50:19 GMT

Okay so its been a few months! Thanks to prompting my Chanell I have returned!

I don't even want to attempt to write an update. Too much....So I am just going to write about today.

Today was good. I saw an elderly couple walking with a new puppy. Old life and new life. It was contradictory and so cute! I also drove behind a truck transporting 5 pool tables. That was unique.

Work was good. In the office all day which was actually refreshing because I got a lot accomplished. I like my job. I like working with the families and I like answering their questions about adoption. I love that I feel like the work I do all day actually is purposeful, not just mindless and pointless work.

After work Jacob and I went to dinner at Wingnnuts. We intended to make dinner but the electricity went out all day at his apartment and the defrosting meat was sketchy by the time we got to it tonight. So we ate out and it was very fun. Then we walked to Barnes and Noble, and like usual I found myself in the architecture section completetly enthralled. I am so interested in architecture. It is something I really appreciate. I think it is a new hobby of mine.

Now it is bed time. And although this hasn't been a recap from february to now, at least there is something written on this blog!

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:17:17 GMT

Oh man...
At least I can say my life is never boring...

After doing all my grad school apps I realized that honestly I am not ready to be back in school next fall. I am not ready to be studying again, and don't really have the motivation to devote myself to it. Although it feels like grad school is the logical next step in my life, in my career, I have decided not to be logical.... I have decided to follow my gut instinct instead.

Hahahaha..

I felt kinda bad upon deciding this for awhile. Felt kinda ashamed. I didn't want to get excited and tell people about getting into grad school because I feared that people would judge me for not going and think I was ridiculous. I didn't want people to judge my priorities in life and look down upon me. But Sabs thankful called me out on this and told me that its just my own junk that is making me think that way. That if I am happy and proud of my decisions than every one else will be. And she reminded me that I should be excited about all the acceptances I get, even if I end up denying them all.

So here it is:

This is me EXCITED, telling the world that I got into the Social Welfare program at BERKELEY!!!!!

but I am not going.

And I am happy about it! I am so happy about it! Its such a relief to not even care.

I am happy I got in, but happier that I am not pressuring myself to go. And that I don't feel guily about it. I feel so peaceful in this decision.

Instead I am staying here another year. I think I am going to get a new job. Something totally different. Move somewhere new in May. Possibly back home, but hopefully just to a new apartment. Plus I will get to stay near my family (In 2 years Liz graduates college and Rachie graduate highscool and my Mom moves to Portland), and I get to get more invloved in my church which I love. And invest in time with my friends here! And get to spend quality time developing my relationship with Jacob. And I think all of these are super duper important things...

Here are photos of what I love about my life...

Icescating Fun. I love the friends I have made here. Esp. Khoa! He is an amazing guy and so funny. I appreciate him.

Christmas Party Sillyness. I love my apartment.

This is my family. My sisters, and Chad and Jakey. I think they are the bestest!

My Valentine! <3

On a totally different note:

The missions trip I went on (check last post) was AMAZING! SOOOooooo amazing. I was blown away! I want to go back. It was such a challange but very worth it. Went to the town of Ixcuintepec Mexico. Seriously no travel agency will get you there. We arrived after an 8 hour bus trip up the mountain that felt like the indiana jones ride.The whole week it felt like I went back 150 years in time...Cooking outdoors on clay stoves in the middle of a tropical jungle, learning the native indian language, helping harvest coffee, hiking to waterfalls with machettis! I spent my time just loving on the people in this town. Especially the children in the church congregation. We went to paint a mural, that turned out to be such a small part of why I felt I was called there. The most amazing thing was to see how joyful everyone in the town was with how little they had. Their life was so primitive and simple, but they knew nothing else and praised God for everything they did have. Man, I came back with a totally different perspective on my life. I will never again take for granted the simple luxeries of a toilet, a shower, and a solid roof over my head.
Praise God!

The Town of Ixcuintepec! Isn't it gorgeous!

This is a shot of coffee beans drying out on a roof in the village.

This is me in the kitchen with the women and little Obed!

The town of San Agustine. A costal town near where we flew in. Spent an afternoon here. Felt like I was in Maui or something... well I am have been to Hawaii but its what i imagine it being like.

Thanks to everyone who still reads this even if I am a sporadic poster. I love you guys!

Tis the season

Sat, 23 Dec 2006 21:19:42 GMT

Merry Christmas Everybody!

I hope this season is full of old traditions and new beginnings for all of you!

I love the holiday season. Its my favorite time of year. I love wrapping gifts, and even more I love watching the people I give them to unwrap them. THE BEST FEELING. I love the colors and the lights and smell of the tree. I know that it is just an arbitrary date that we celebrate Jesus's birth on, but I would have to say we celebrate it well. The commercialism of Christmas shouldn't be there, but at least with my family, the heart of it what Christmas is really stands out. I love that. This year has been extra special, because there is an extra special person in my life. I haven't really told many people, but I have been dating someone for approximately four months now. And I feel so blessed that he is in my life. I am boggled daily about how this happened, or what to do with it. But its going really well, and I thought that it was about time I shared with all of you. It just a big thing that going on for me, and I want to guys to know whats really up so you will be able to pray for me. I have known him for over 2 years and we were good friends for a long time before we started to date, and now he is my boyfriednd. crazy huh? I feel like such a girl writing all this, but its exciting and I do want to share that with my close friends. God is totally working in my heart because of it. I feel like I am being stretched in my faith, to learn more about being selfless, and about what love is. Please pray for wisdom and guidance, and for me to remain thankful.

ALSO!!!

I wanted to let everyone know that I am headed to Oaxaca Mexico for a week in January. Instead of re-writing all of this I am going to copy and paste part of my prayer letter below. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers January 7-14th. Thanks!

Greetings!

I hope this Christmas season is bringing you and your family much joy!

I am writing this letter to let you know that I am headed to Oaxaca, Mexico for a week in January!
I am have been given the opportunity to go to the town of Zacatepec with a non-profit organization called Growers First. (www.growersfirst.org) Growers First’s primary mission is to reach out to the indigenous coffee farmers in the mountains of Oaxaca. Their efforts are targeted at long-term sustainability for the Mexican people, meeting their health and economic needs. Through micro financing, environmental planning, and organic certification, Growers First aims to equip the farmers enabling them to be successful. The church I have been attending for many years now, The Church by the Sea in Laguna Beach, has committed to partnering with Growers First to help meet both the practical and spiritual need of the families in Oaxaca. I have been eager to join with this organization for many years, and I am very excited to be going from January 7- 14th to help in the effort.

There are nine of us who will be going down to the small town on the Guatemalan border. The main focus of our trip is to help beautify a church in the community. The church was built a few years ago, and is widely used by pastors in the entire Oaxaca region. However, it has never been painted or decorated. We would like to bring the artistic talents of the citizens of Laguna Beach to Zacatepec in order to help make the church a point of pride in the community. We will be there during peak coffee harvesting season, so there are bound to be many other ways for us to get involved with the families. How exciting, I will get to be a part of the harvest!

After the summer I spent in East LA two years ago, I am increasingly aware of the need for people to step out of their comfort zones, to care for those less fortunate in our world. I am going with expectations that God is going to teach me more about his heart for the poor. I truly believe that I am going to be ministered to equally as much as we hope to serve the farmers.

I am so excited to see the fruit that comes from this trip. While I realize our time in Oaxaca is limited, I am confident that our efforts will have a long lasting impact on the community and the church. I also know that it will be a life changing experience for me.

Thank you so much for keeping me in your prayers during this time.

Again, I hope this season is a wonderful one for you and your family.

With Love and Best Regards,

Jenette

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 17:49:07 GMT

YoHo YoHo A Pirate's Life for Me.
The Little Church By the Sea's Pirating Crew

Hey did you guys know that November is national adoption month? It is! If you could spend time praying this month for all the orphans in our country that would be great. I work with so many amazing children with no parents. Its sad that the word "Foster" has decieved our nation to think that we don't have orphans any more. It is not just the governments responsibility to care for these kids, its our responsibility.

"Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us." James 1:27

Please pray that good families would rise up and begin to care for these chilren and give them loving homes! Ok, enough of me being on the soap box... but this is on my heart. Thanks everyone!

Monday, October 30, 2006

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:03:20 GMT

Hello World.
Hello Friends.
Hello Internet
How are you?
Me?
I'm good. Dandy. Yes... I am doing well.
Whats new, you ask?
Well I'm going to be a pirate for halloween, I am addicted to LOST, I spent a Saturday in October at the beach, played skeetball and airhockey, had Chipotle for the first time, got burnt while cooking french toast, my car is filthy but I bought a hose to wash it with, noticed that by the time I get home from work it is dark outside, been having crazy dreams lately, my foot is tingly asleap, I listen to the Snow Patrol CD at least once a day, I am falling more in love with Jesus, have had a few dance parties in my room lately, saw a youth theater play with the girl I tutor last week, and am researching grad schools...
And you? I would love to hear.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 01:47:57 GMT

Biore + Good Friends = lots of laughs

Too Good for a Caption

My awesome roomies

I went to Hollywood!

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 01:45:08 GMT

Oh geez... I am so not good at keeping this website up to date...

Lets see what shall I tell you all about what is going on in my life. For starters I had an awesome summer. I love skirts and sunshine, and friends not being stressed out about writing papers. I feel like everyday I came home from work and had a fun activity planned. But just this past week I have been able to start wearing sweatshirts again which is so comforting. And I am still having fun most the time, but having my roomates back in school has put a dent in the fun factor. This weekend I went to Disneyland Friday night (yay for a year pass) , San Diego Saturday, and Sunday went to an awesome Jazz Club in Fullerton. In San Diego Saturday I saw the movie Little Miss Sunshine, it was in indie film at the Sundance and got released in theaters. It was funny. I recommend it. Hey pictures speak a hundred words right, or is it a picture speaks a thousand words... I don't know. But maybe a few pictures will help. I am not really feeling like pouring our my deep thoughts or emotions right now, but it felt time for an update.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 03:49:01 GMT

Why am I up at 1am by myself reading Xanga. Because I don't want my birthday to end.... It was so awesome and I don't want to call it quits. 364 days till this comes around again. 23 is under-rated. I am really excited about it. I will fill ya all in about the mounds of fun I have been having later. God is good to me.

new photos

Sun, 23 Jul 2006 21:24:59 GMT

PA was great! Thanks for all your prayers. It was a such need break! The wedding was gorgeous and time spend with my dad was nice. was great just to chill with him and let him make me pancakes and coffee in the morning. I haven't been able to spend good time with my dad like that in 4 years or so. I really felt like his daughter again. A total role reversal from a few months ago where I felt like the parent. Yeah it was good....

Here are some recent photos for ya'll to see.

Fun with my friends at the beach!

Downtown Disney Silliness!

It was so humid back there, and no AC. I was melting. Becky on the right has been a close friend since 6th grade.

The bride and I after the ceremony.

Joe and I. (Best Man & Maid of Honor)

4th of July

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 12:24:26 GMT

Happy Independence Day!

Things here are good. I'm keeping busy and trying to enjoy the summer season. Been out doing bunches of fun things lately and working long hours too. I will post some photos soon. I leave to head back to Pennsylvania on Friday to see my dad and be in a wedding. Please pray for me to remain confident in God's plans for me also pray for good fellowship! Thanks everyone. Have a wonderful holiday!