In Everything Rejoice...God is so good...
jrdude
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Name: Jessie
Gender: Female


Interests: learning more about God, missions, children's ministries, AWANA, reading, writing, photography, riding and training horses, scrapbooking, sports, outdoor activity, Akitas, playing guitar and mountain dulcimer
Occupation: Reporter for The Daily News
Industry: Print Journalism


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Member Since: 6/11/2006

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Sunday, March 23, 2008

I'm still here...just busy

I hope everyone is doing well (does hardly anyone still use Xanga anymore?). There used to be a ton of us on here all the time. It's too bad it's fading...Facebook isn't quite the same thing, but people seem to be dropping this for that.

Happy Easter Sunday by the way! Hopefully, if you're reading this, you have a relationship with Jesus Christ and understand the significance of this day. But if you're not, I pray that you will come to know Him soon, because I sure can't imagine life without Him!

It's been a crazy week in my life. I've been sick since last Thursday, so my cough is starting to get on my nerves (not to mention everyone else's). But God has been good, giving strength to make it through work, etc. Today we had our Easter program and I attempted to maintain my position in the soprano section...I'll admit, I probably didn't sound too great, but I had to try. I think about half the choir was under the weather, but hopefully the message still came out clear and strong. I noticed we had a few visitors, so hopefully the gospel was clear.

Big changes are in the works at my work. One of our reporters, Luke Stier, just got hired as a producer at WOOD TV 8. It's a great opportunity for him, both work-wise and testimony-wise, but we sure are going to miss him. He's a Christian, so if you could pray that God would use him in a mighty way over there, I'm sure he would appreciate it. Also, pray for the rest of us as we're going to have to readjust jobs and keep going with a hole in the newsroom. I don't know yet who will be replacing Luke, but I'm sure we'll all need grace to get through it. I always appreciated his cheerfulness and hard-work, when the rest of the newsroom lacked it sometimes...and I count him as a friend. So it will be a little rough for a while. We'll know more this week.

Well, I've been blogging on the Daily News Web site quite a bit lately...but it's mostly corny, funny or newsworthy blogs over there. If you want to read it, it's at www.thedailynews.com. Just go under "blogs" to "staff blogs" and "The Greenville Beat" is mine. I normally put something up once a day during the work week. There's some funny family and work stories, as well as blogs about other things that I've noticed. You never know what you'll find.

I just got a new computer (I've been saving up for it seems like forever). It's a MacBook Pro and I ordered Adobe Creative Suite and Aperture to go with it. I plan to use it mostly at home and for my photography business, so hopefully all the saving will be worth it. It's really fast and the resolution is incredible, so I've enjoyed that much so far. Kudos to Apple for mailing us our missing part overnight... Hopefully I'll be able to learn how to do some web stuff too, but that's down the road yet. Right now, I'm enjoying my photography hobby again.

Well, I'll let you go. I don't have a whole lot more to share.
God bless and Happy Resurrection Day, again!


Sunday, January 06, 2008

Why?

Sometimes life just doesn't make sense. 
And it's not supposed to I guess...that's why we can all look forward to going to heaven where we can spend eternity in bliss with our Savior.
I love my job at the paper, but sometimes it absolutely rots.  Just this past week I helped cover the tragic accidental shooting of a 10-year-old in the face at close range by his 15-year-old brother with a 20 gauge shotgun.  One of the other reporters and I were some of the first on the scene, only beaten by the fire department and police.  AeroMed was flown in, and neighbors were gathered around, all knowing the family to be a kind, wonderful family and wondering how such a thing could happen.
Sometimes I get too involved in my stories...just last night they announced on TV that he had died at the hospital from the injuries, after three days in critical condition.  I start crying every time I think about it, not able to imagine what that family must be going through.  I guess it must be because my Sunday school class is about that age group of kids, and the fact that I was able to talk with a scared neighbor girl during the whole incident, and apparently let the story penetrate a little too deeply within me.
All I can do now is pray for that family...life isn't fair, but God never said it would be.  We're not supposed to enjoy this life too much.

Take an extra second to love your family a little more today, knowing of one family who wishes they could say "I love you" one last time to a special little boy.


Currently Reading
The Swiss Family Robinson
By Johann Wyss
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Stayin' Alive, stayin' alive...

Yes, I still am alive...though sometimes it seems like just barely.

I thought I would be able to post on here more frequently (since we just got our internet connection back up and running) but sometimes the dial-up is so slow that it takes too much time to post something.
But it's after midnight and apparently most sane people are in bed by now.  I just got done emailing a local soldier who is stationed in Afghanistan for one of my articles, so I thought I might as well post since I'm online.  The connection isn't so slow because no one else is apparently on...imagine that.

Well, it's the sixth day of the new year and I decided I wasn't going to make any resolutions this year.  Other years I set goals that only in the aspirations of my mind I could accomplish, so I decided I would keep my goals feasible and not make myself promise I would keep them.  I would just make this year a "need to do better" year.

I've been furiously trying to journal almost every day, since it's really bothered me that I have kept track of everything God did this past year.  Sometimes I'll think of something and then wish I could go back and read the details.  But because I never wrote them down, I can't.  It's my goal to leave as many journals to my future relatives as possible...I already have about 4 full ones, but that's since I was like in 2nd grade, so I could definitely do better.

Reading the Bible every day is something that I should be doing anyway, but admit I haven't been perfect on.  It's incredible how much clearer your judgment becomes when you actually get your priorities straight.  Things that didn't seem so clear suddenly are when you take the time to make sure your relationship with God gets it's proper devotion.  It's too bad we don't realize that sometimes, until AFTER we've done something stupid (or didn't do something we should have).

After my trip to Mexico last summer, I realized that every day is a treasure that should be spent sharing the gospel.  Though my job restricts me from handing out tracts in parks for hours or running a Bible school, God has allowed me opportunities to live my faith at work.  Even little things make big statements sometimes.   And it's been neat to see how the work we did in Mexico with Catholics has helped me understand that religion better (and it's been exciting to see how many Catholics God has brought my way since then!).
I hope this next year I will be a better testimony for the Lord, even in little, everyday things.

I've been trying to find some good Christian books to read, too.  Jerry Bridges is an author that I have enjoyed, but I know there is a lot out there.  If you have recommendations, I would appreciate it!  I can always use titles to add to my "need to read" list.

Have a blessed Lord's day today...


Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Greetings from Michigan!

Well, at least my part of it.   As I speak, the clouds have forboding look to them, so we might have snow/rain here in the next few hours.  I think its in the forecast for Thanksgiving...two days!

WOW, I  can't believe Thanksgiving is just two days away.  I'm excited that I don't have to work tomorrow and I don't have to work Thanksgiving day...the paper puts out an early edition on the eves of holidays so we've got a late-night crew in there tonight making sure we turn out a paper for the morning...

I'm bummed that no one is coming home for Thanksgiving...Pat and Rachel will probably be staying in Ohio for the holiday because of work and Zach is just too far away to come home (he's flying home for Christmas break on the 13th, though!!!! YAY!!!   I think we're going to help out at the Thanksgiving community meal at our church though, so that should be fun.  Area churches and businesses are getting together to put this on, and our church is just donating the gym for the event.

 

I'm hanging in there at work (smiling).  Actually I really do enjoy it... A LOT.  I don't know if it's what I want to do for the rest of my life, but I'm definitely enjoying this stage at least for now.  It's nice to have a job near home that I actually enjoy that doesn't involve scanning items and counting money while standing in one spot for several hours.   That was just tough.

Now I just have to get over my terror of calling strangers to ask them questions, set up interviews, etc.  I love to talk to people and meet those in the community, but I've never been a phone person.  I think I'm getting better (I really have no choice!)  I'm thinking that God knew I needed to get over that timidity and so He gave me a job that required extensive chatting skills.

Today's big terror:  I set up an interview with Fred and Lena Meijer (the founder of Meijers, Inc, for those of you from Michigan/Indiana area) for early December and had to call a U.S. Attorney about a federal court case involving a Greenville resident.

Oh, a day in the life for me.

 

God has really been opening up opportunities for me to share my faith at work.  It's really been cool.  Actually, it's more of a "challenging other people in their faith at work" than sharing my faith.  God has provided neat opportunities to discuss things with my friends at work, things that they disagreed on but had never really thought about before???  It was really sad, actually.  But the more I'm there, the more I know God wants me here.  I don't know how long, but HERE is definitely where I need to be.

 

I'm helping out with teachin 3rd and 4th grade Sunday school at my church, and they nominated me (because I write???) to write a Christmas play to go with the songs they wanted to perform for the Christmas program.

I finished it (after LOTS of brainstorming for a few weeks) on Saturday night.  I was really struggling because the songs aren't really deep and I wanted a clear message of salvation in the play (or at least the real reason of the holidays).  Time will tell how it all turns out.  It's a huge group of kids we're working with, and though I love working with them, some of them aren't the best behaved.  So if you could pray that God would give me patience and that He would be glorified through our practices and performances, I would be grantful.

 

Well, I better go.  I'm typing this up on a stop before home, and I really want to get there.   I have a city council meeting tonight, so my home-time is limited.

God Bless!!!


Monday, November 05, 2007

Everything you want to know about me...and more! :-)

Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Oh, I don't know.  Wherever God puts me...but I'm enjoying my time at home for now.  The Daily News has been pretty good to me, and God has always been good to me.


How do you handle a rainy day?
I LOVE a rainy day...don't ask me why.  I always thought everyone was silly when they said a rainy day gets them down...

What is the truest thing that you know?
That there is One who will never let me down, even when others break my heart.


What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?
Hmmm...well, recently I rode horseback for 7 hours and that was WAY too long after not riding for weeks.  It was fun, but I almost fainted off the horse (long story).  The second would have to be when I found myself head-first in a bucket when I was little - needless to say, I had to get stitches.


Who have you hugged today?
To be painfully honest, the dog and cat.   I gave my mom a hug yesterday.  I'm not huge on hugs, but I'm working on that.


Who has done something today to show they care about you?
A friend at work went out of the way to drop something off at my house.  He didn't have to do that.

And it's been a pretty good day, so God has definitely showed His love and care today.


If you could learn how to do three things just by wishing and not by working what would they be?
I don't really know...math is the first thing that comes to mind, but I like to "conquer" things, so...


Which do you remember the longest: what other people say, what other people do or how other people make you feel?
What people say sticks with me longer than I'd like to admit.  But the feeling is definitely pretty poignant.

What 5 things do you want to do before you die?

1. Become a better servant of Christ and not of myself. 

2. Travel to all kinds of places and meet all kinds of people (though with what I get paid, I don't see how that is possible)

3. Return to Mexico.

4. Learn to play piano and fly a plane.

5. Write that children's book that I started when I was 12 years old.


What book are your currently reading?
My Bible and Trusting God by Jerry Bridges

Is there a movie that you love so much you could watch it everyday?
(laughing) no...


List five random things about yourself.

1. I can whistle invisibly (you have to look closely)

2. I train horses.

3. I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but words of wisdom (and the fact that I was very poor at science and math) steered me in the direction I'm in now.  I just have to fulfill that love for animals by keeping all kinds of them.

4. I don't like having blond hair.

5. I love to do random, crazy things, esp. outdoor activities... I'm never afraid to try something at least once (within reason, of course)

Have you ever dreamt a dream that came true? 
Yeah, I think so...don't remember though 

What is your idea of paradise?
I don't exactly what it will look like, but I know I'm going there one day and I can't wait!!!

What one thing have you done that most people haven't? 
Flown in a hot air balloon...though I know plenty of people have done that.  I've never flown in an airplane though. 

What is the kindest thing you have ever done? 
This is terrible, but I don't know!  I try to make it a habit so that it's just second nature.  I wish it was...    

Are you a patient person?
Yeah, I'm pretty good at this...though I do lose my cool sometimes.  It takes a lot to get me there, though.


Where is the most fun place you have EVER been?
Anywhere with my family...if close friends are added in, it's a BLAST!

When I went to Biltmore Estates in N.C. with two college friends, that was a lot of fun.

What is under your bed right now?
Nada.


Would you consider yourself to be romantic?
Hmmmm...depends what you call romatic.  I think I am, I just don't show it.

What is the one thing that you love to do so much that you would make sacrifices to be able to do it?
Tell others about Christ.

Would you rather give up listening to music or watching television? 
TV- that was easy.  Music I couldn't do...it's too much in my blood!  I'm always humming and whistling at work!  Sometimes they laugh at me, but I can't help it.  

List five people you love.

I’ll list them in order:

1. My family (you know who you are... I LOVE YOU!!!).

2. My extended family...love you guys too!

3. Close godly friends.

4. Friends.

5. The rest of you...


Have you ever lost someone close to you?
Yes...several.


Have you ever won a contest or competition?
I won Grand Champion English Equitation at our county's fair one year...that's about it.  Oh, I won the homeschool spelling bee back in the day.


Is there anything really interesting in your family history?
We're German...through and through.

Is there anyone you trust completely?
Actually, no.  God is the only one that I completely trust.  There are a few that are really close, but I really still hold back with them too.


Your favorite place in the world?
Ooooo....a good book out on a green hill next to a creek...under a really old tree.  My dog next to me, and maybe the significant other I haven't met yet.

What could a member of the opposite sex do to impress you?

Being a godly gentleman is a good start.  Don't worry, I pay attention...


Do you ever have moments where you feel like everything is all right in the world?
Not really...but there are very happy moments, though!

Favorite verse:
I've never been able to nail that down.  I have a few...how's that for avoiding a direct answer?

Person you admire?
My dad...my mom is a close second.


When you see a stranger on the street does your first reaction lean towards thinking of this person as a potential friend or as a potential threat? 
Well, it really depends on how they look (I know that should be, but it's true)...a girl has to go by instinct, and sometimes she just doesn't see someone as friendly.  I really wish I could trust everyone.  I've already had to learn to watch it. 

Vanilla or Chocolate?
Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, an occasional vanilla (I'm not entirely opposed to it)


Is it natural for human beings to fear and distrust each other, or is it cultural?
Depends on the situation...this is too deep for a simple questionaire.


You have to choose. Would you be happier marrying someone rich for their money or living in the streets and subway tunnels with someone you love?
The love, of course...but that would be tough, definitely...this is a loaded question.  I mean, who's going to say the former???

What do you feel unworthy of?
Salvation; the opportunity to share the gospel to the lost; having the job at the Daily News as a reporter with the highest responsibilities; having a godly, Christian family who sacrifices every day for me. 

What makes you want to be someone's friend?
If they want to be friends too...it's a mutual thing.


Is fifty dollars a lot of money?
Yeah, but it goes fast when used for bills...way to fast... 

Least favorite chore?
Changing the cat litter... yuck. 


When are you planning to move to a new home?
When someone comes to take me away....   Or if God tells me that he wants me to move out and on to a new place.  Of course I'd prefer the first, but you never know...God's timing will definitely be the best!


What instrument would you like to be famous for playing?
I wish I could be known for having a pretty voice, but I doubt that will ever happen...and I wouldn't to be famous...to much pressure.  Can't you just enjoy an instrument?

Which is more romantic: an expensive, glittering bouquet OR flowers that were hand picked as they grew beside the parkway?
The handpicked from the heart will touch the heart the most.  



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