Sometimes it is just hard...

The last few days have been rough for me..I have been feeling pretty awful (attack of the cold sores AGAIN). I know it is because i have been working a lot and not sleeping a lot and my body just can't handle it. It is so easy for me when I don't feel good to emotionally get really down as well. I really struggle not get depressed when I am sick. It is really good to see the sun today. I feel like though getting sick is just the end of God teaching me something really important. The last few weeks I have had to rely on Him so much. I have just felt tired and warn out or just straight up not wanting to do the things that have to be done and instead of complaining (bible says to not complain about anything) I have been trying so hard to just trust God and lean on him and I cannot even explain how much easier and more fun these tough weeks have been because I looked to Jesus.

He is my hope, peace, joy and salvation. I have no idea how I made it 18 years without him. But what I do know is that I would never ever go back. He is my everything.

Why we don't have a television...

We have been staying with some friends kids while they are out of town this weekend. It has been fun as always but one thing that I always get excited about is that they have tv with cable. We have been here since Friday. Now I had a really long week last week and had the whole weekend off with no plans and was not feeling well at all so that plays into this a little. But I just realized that I have spent the whole entire weekend watching TV. I feel like I have been sucked into countless episodes of Law and Order.

I was just in the bathroom (I always have profound thoughts while visiting this room) and I realized that my praying and bible reading has been overtaken by the TV. I realized I have not worked out and I have pretty much done nothing because of the tv. Now I know this a lack of self control and that chances are I could have a tv and I would not spend every waking minute watching it but I suddenly miss the silence. I would rather not have to choose to watch tv or do something productive. I really appreciate it not being a option.

These are just my random realizations of why we do not have a tv. I do not think TVs or bad nor do I think those who have them should not. Just for me personally its not such a good thing. **disclaimer**

"Buy the truth" (Mark)

I just read this: "Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding." This was shortly after the author encouraged his son to be careful not to overwork himself for the sake of riches and gain.

Basically, this author has seen and done it all, and he's drawn the conclusion that very few things are 'worth it.' From a guy with this perspective, I think it's worth noting that he says "Buy the truth," and especially "do not sell it." Truth is worth the price to buy, and so valuable that once you have it, you should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER sell it (yes, that was a "Martian Child" reference).

This poses the question, what does it mean to "buy truth?" I think for me right now, it means pay whatever price is necessary to gain 1) wisdom, 2) discipline, and 3) understanding. As a person in a situation that makes me feel like I lack all 3, I can see how valuable these things are. I pray to God that He would help me grow in this way.

Just thought I'd share what's on my mind. When so many things are vying for my time, it's just nice to hear what's important from someone who knows what they're talking about.

Guess who has there camera....

I finally brought my camera with me now the challenge is figuring out how to do this right...

I am going to post a few from when we went back to Cincinnati. Mark was a groomsmen in his friends wedding so we made a long weekend visiting the family and friends. I took lots of pictures of the beautiful tulips, our monopoly games and our trip to Greaters ice cream which is the best ever. Potter family tradition is to compare who had the biggest amazing chocolate pieces in their ice cream. And then there are pictures form the wedding.







Alrighty, that only took me 3 tries to get these on here. But yea that was some of our trip in Cinncinatti. It was s great time away.

This past weekend was really good. We went to the beach and a bonfire and a cookout. Beautiful weather. Lots of fun!



Beautiful Beach. I love it!!

life...

So, Im pretty sure that I earn an F when it comes to updating my blog. I seriously stink at it. I think about it a lot, in fact I often think of amazing things to write and then when I actually get to the internet I have a blank mind. Mind you I only get to the internet maybe once a week. BUT GOOD NEWS...I can get internet at Starbucks now! This may not be half as exciting to all of you as it is to me but since I am here ALOT I will have more chances to say hi to all of you:)

So my life lately: I am now working as a waitress at Pizza Hut Wing Street. And it's ok. I am really working on the Philippians 2:14 Do EVERYTHING without COMPLAINING or arguing. For those of you who don't know me that well I complain a lot. So I am trying to have a positive attitude about my new job (it has been hard). And overall trying not to complain about life. You would be amazed at how much easier and happier it makes things:)

I am preparing to lead a LifeGroup next month. I am really excited about it. It will be 20's Women and we are going to a bible study called "Getting past the Chitchat". Its about relationships. I think it will be really good although I have to admit this definitly wasn't my idea. It was one of those times that has happened maybe twice in my life where God very obviously was like "Hey Jen, you are going to do this and you are not even going to try and get out of it". And so here I am. God has given be a strong desire and excitement for it. So please be praying for this group as it forms.

Other than work, and church I have been pushing myself really hard to work out and eat well. I have been wanting to become a runner and I am up to 2 miles which is really exciting for me. But the eating well part well it like one day on one day off. I need a buddy who will keep me in line. Accountability works best for me.

I still have a lot of pictures I want to post. The problem is I never have my camera. When i do go to use the internet I take basically everything I own and camp out for hours paying bills, sending emails, catching up on life so I always forget the camera. Well thats our life. love you all.

Update!

Its been quite a while since I have gotten a chance to update our blog. I rarely ever make somewhere to use the internet, usually only about once a week and at that point I have so much I want to do that I never get around to updating my blog. I will try to be better at it:)

Things have been going very well lately. Mark and I have been having a lot of fun enjoying each other and the nice weather! We went to Cinncinatti for the weekend for a wedding. I am going to update about that when I have my camera.

Starbucks is still going really well. I love it. I also just got job as a waitress as well for a little extra cash so we will see how that goes.

I really don't know what else to say. I would tell you all about Mark and Journey but he would do a better job than me so I will encourage him to do so.

I guess thats all right now. I guess I don't have much to say which doesn't happen often...

SUNNNSHIIINNEE!!

I left for work at 4:30 AM this morning and I looked at my sun glasses on the counter and thought "hmm maybe I should take them, I might want them after work....nahh the sun never comes out in michigan." As I left work at 1:30 (the benefit of going in at 5) I had a bitter sweet moment. Something like this--yay sun!--boo no sun glasses!

I got an award at work today. It is called the mug award. Basically I was sweet today working "the bar" and the coffee master (its a whole new language inside the coffee world) gave me an award because I worked so well with him and I just finished training. I did a dance when he gave it to me! Oh the things that excite me:)

I registered for classes yesturday. Im really going to be a student again. Woohoo!