Got Milk?

Ok, so I'm a woman.... who knows how to laugh at our kind sometimes. You have to. It's healthly-- or something. So when I saw this, I just had to chuckle.. and share it with you.

Best Milk commercial yet! | Send To Friends | Funny Pictures at JibJab

Thoughts about what happened yesterday...
Maybe a country gets exactly what it deserves. And maybe we've just been far too blessed.

Only time will tell.

Make your voice heard

Something I love to do... and I wish more young people in our country would take seriously.

I don't care wish party you side with, or even if you don't care about all the issues. We have such a gift in thie country. If you don't play an active role, you really have NO room to complain about what is happening. We live in a free society and our government is only as good as the willingness of our people to participate.

A lot of the races are probably going to be really close... so your vote WILL matter. They've said we won't come out, they've said it won't matter, they've said that no one cares, they've said that we are too depressed to try.. Let's show "them" that they are wrong.

I triple-dog-DARE you!

Doing What is Right

On the eve of yet another election, I just wanted to share an email that I got today from one of my professors over at the Institute.

Unless you have been in a Rip-Van-Winkle nap, it has to have been abundantly obvious that, leading up to this election, the mainstream media has been on a desperate mission to persuade the populace towards its worldview. The deep bias in reporting has been breathtaking, to say the least. It used to be just a sly wink or the well-timed smirk. Now it is blatant.

None of this, of course, should be surprising to any of us. The Pew Research Poll of 2004 showed what anyone with a half-discerning eye and ear already knew: "liberals" outnumber "conservatives" by a whopping 5 to 1 ratio in the old mainline media outlets. And, it clearly shows.

Why?

Because our worldview shapes everything we do, both professionally and personally, and it is especially evident in the creative works of man. The painter seldom paints that which does not come from his own passions. The filmmaker rarely produces a movie that does not send an underlying message about which he deeply believes.

So, the lofty notion that a journalist or a newscaster can be totally "unbiased" in their work is virtually impossible to achieve--on either side. The selection of stories, their order and timing, the wording of a headline, the data reported versus the data left on the floor, page one versus buried in Section D--all of it is going to be crafted, consciously or subconsciously, according to one's worldview.

Now, this is not meant to be partisan, but it is meant to make us aware that we have all been affected by this. We live in a culture in which much of the media that bombards us is heavily slanted and often represents a worldview standing diametrically opposed to God's truth.

So, on this election eve, I want to remind you how deeply possible it is that you and I have been swayed by this onslaught. In many cases it has been carefully orchestrated, not so much to get you to change your position, but to get you to remain at home on Election Day. In today's world, the way to win at the ballot box is not so much to change minds, but to get more of your people to the polls and discourage more of the opponent's people so that they stay home. The people who stay home lose.

This is not an option for us.

In God's design for the state, He has placed the civil magistrate in a position of authority and holds him accountable for how he wields that authority. He is to punish evil and not allow it to reign. He is to condone what is good. In our constitutional republic, part of that authority has been delegated to us and placed into our hands. We bear the authority of appointment, the selection of those who will provide leadership within the civil government. This is a high responsibility and we are bound by duty and obligation to act righteously with that authority.

I know that this is sometimes very frustrating, especially when we are faced with having to make a selection between two imperfect alternatives. But, my friends, that is always the case. No one is perfect. So, spend the time and effort to determine which appointee will do the best job at diminishing evil and condoning good. Do not stay at home as the media has been persuading you to do. To do so is to let the greater evil reign.

See you at the polls.

Del

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin."
-James 4:17

P.S. Information regarding the moral failure of a leader is often held until the closing days of an election. This has happened again. Though we find ourselves disappointed, discouraged, or even disgusted by these revelations, they should not be allowed to dissuade us from setting our minds to persevere and act righteously. Resolve to do just that. Pray fervently and then do what is right.

Seriously... if you are able, and registered, please take the time tomorrow to VOTE.


Jen endorses this message ;)

Trick-or-Ouch

Just because...it's good to laugh

Picture update

See below post for Fray concert pics...

weekend pics soon to come :) weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Random Jen-ness

I'm off to Chicago for the weekend. Get to go to a wedding with the guy and his family and then watch the Nortre Dame game... and well, just have a jolly good time. It will be good. Cold, but good. I unpacked all my fun winter hats just in time. I can't wait to see if I get another fun one this year. (I shall have to post pictures of the ones I have so far for you all)

I got a flu shot today. ouch. my arm hurts. Hopefully I won't get sick from it like I have the past two years.

I can't find my chord for my camera, so still no Fray shots for you. Sorry. I really can't finish that post until I get the pics.. it just wouldn't be complete. so, sorry you have to wait.

I'm TOTALLY cheating on my South Beach Diet tonight. I mean, come on... it's CHICAGO deep dish pizza!!!

Next week we at looooooong last get to move into our new desk areas at work. I am excited... and trying to think of new excited decorating ideas. Any ideas from my beloved audience??

Next week is also my two year anniversary at work. wow. too crazy.

It also is my guy and I's 4 month anniversary. Time flies when you are having fun.

My dear sister is home for Fall break. It has been fun to catch up with her. She is one amazing gal and I am privileged to have her as my sister.

I love all of the fall colors.

Ok. well, all of you have a great weekend, and I shall see you soon.

The Fray Concert

I finally found the chord for my camera, so I figured it was about time I put up some pictures from the Fray concert. It was one interesting and fun night. Took off after work and headed up to Grand Rapids. A quick pit-stop at Panera Bread for some dinner and then it was off again to the Delta Plex.
The Venue-- Um, wow. It was a hockey arena and definitely NOT what I was expecting. Got frisked down at the door and then headed to the main floor. It was standing room only on the floor. It was interesting because I felt like we were in a fish bowl of sorts... all the people sitting in the stands around us.
The opening band--interesting. Not the worst I have seen in my concert going career. They were from the UK. I guess vests are coming back in or something. two of their band members were sporting them.
The surrounding crowd--um, wow. What do you get when you cross minor with alcohol and other random (although never officially seen drugs)?? Obnoxious, half drunk people that like to throw their bodies all over the place and even try to start random fist-fights! Yes, it was interesting to say the least. The guys to our left would go from overly upset and angry.... and pushy, to all lovey-dovey over their girlfriends in about 3.5 seconds flat. Drama queens. And then you always have the crowd pushers... the people that think because they got to the concert late that they somehow have the right to push all the way from the back to the front. yeah. The gals in front of us were great, making a human barricade. Seriously, good, sweaty times. (ha!)
The Fray-- AWESOME! These guys just looked and sounded like they were having soo much fun! From playing "We will rock you" to the Beetles famed "Eleanor Rigby" to I would say the majority of the songs on their CD, these guys were rocking the house! Despite how "big" they are (as of last week their song "Save a Life" was the #1 downloaded song on itunes) these guys are still riding the "newbie" wave. Fame hasn't gotten to their heads yet and you can tell they are still in awe that so many people come to their shows and like their music. During "Cable Car" and "How to Save a Life" especially, the crowd was almost louder than the band themselves and it was fun to see the expressions. I thoroughly enjoyed the music and their presentation. I think the guys thoroughly enjoyed the fact that only a few weeks before they saw the main singer, Issac, in person at my alma-mater (Grace College). Yeah, I was jealous.
Some randomness-- more towards the end of the concert the Delta Plex (remember, it is an ice hockey arena) presented the band with an ice sculpture... yes... an ICE SCULPTURE!! I laughed. it was random and really awesome at the same time, because, I mean, who does that?!?! So yeah, that was a fun highlight.Me looking tired after the concert. Er, tired or me and the guy trying to be wanna-be-emo... I don't know.The drive home-- we all piled out of the plex. I was exhausted--from the standing, cheering, and bumping. It was a happy tired. Good band, good road-trip, good friends. Amazing night.

God Poke

Do you ever feel like God is poking you? I mean, like not just subtly, but almost "ouch" in the side? Or maybe for some of us it come in the form of a whack over the head because we've gotten used to the "pokes". I've been getting poked lately. Yesterday was particularly bad. I just felt SO down! Like my emotional, physical, and spiritual tanks were running on fumes and there wasn't a gas station in sight. I was sitting at my desk, looking through groggy eyes at the overflow of "to-do" folders in my in-box and just wanting to go crawl right back in bed. Arg. I was tired, cranky, and just had an overall sense of blahness. I was angry at the world for no particular reason and just wanted a break. and then... the poke.

Ouch.

some pokes are good. They make you see stuff that you might have been too distracted to see in the first place. Other pokes are more painful, because they require actions of you that you would rather just run from. God was poking me.

I didn't want to listen.

But. Neither did I want to wait until I had to be royally whacked either. So after trying to shake the feeling on my own for awhile, I finally gave in and over my lunch break went out to the car and pretty much just told God to have at it. I guess this time the poke was all about priorities... or my lack of them lately. I realized that i hadn't given God the time of day pretty much all week, and well, honestly, I've been pretty inconsistent for the past month. I also missed church this week and hadn't gotten much of a chance to hang out with others in my spiritual community. Hence the reason the spiritual tank was getting so low. The physical tank was low because I haven't been exercising as regularly as normal, and also, I've been getting to bed to late. And emotionally, well, I hate to admit this, but this on-set of grey weather really gets me down. I am NOT a grey girl. Also, I'm still adjusting to the whole being a girl-friend thing, and the balance of friends, family and boy friend. It's a lot! (I honestly don't know how some of you could date in high school and then college! I would have had NO time! or at least not been able to graduate in 4 years!) It's been amazing so far, but I didn't realize how much it can take out of you, especially when you try to do everything.

So yeah. It was a good realization. To actually be able to break it all down. And pray about it. A big key to pokes is not just to feel them, but react... and then DO something in your life. So. I decided that there needs to be some change in my life.

• Put God back to first-- I'm thinking this is going to mean I get up a half hour earlier so I can do it in the morning. I've been trying to do my time with God before I go to bed, but lately I've just been soooo exhausted by the time I get there it's almost pointless. Or, on the days I exercise and already get up early, I will set aside time with God during my lunch hour.
• Go to bed earlier. Yeah, this is going to be easier said than done... but even if it's only a half hour it's something. And now with it getting darker earlier, it might not be so bad.
• Set aside at least one day a week for "Jen Time". I have a list of things I need to do..and WANT to do that's about as long as my arm... but keep putting them off. And so they never get done. Silly stuff... like cleaning out under my bed. yeah. lame I know, but it all takes time, and I wasn't giving myself enough of that time.
• Get back to the gym-- I've been rocking on this South Beach Diet thing, but Taebo Billy has been kicking my butt. I've gotta get buff to fight off those winter grey "blahs"

These are just a few of the things I'm going to do. It's not going to be easy (um, hello getting up even EARLIER than I already have to!) but when God pokes you-- from my personal experiences-- it's always better to listen.

Happy Birthday... to my guy :)

The Noise

So I know I don't usually do this, but I read an article the other day that really resonated with me right now. I am a subscriber to a magazine called Relevant and it's sister magazine Radiant. That being said, I also get short articles emailed to me as well... The one from last week was particularly interesting and I wanted to share a small portion of it with you. It's authored by Joy Williams and you can find out more about Raiant here.(and if you are interested in the whole article let me know and I can forward it to you or something)

ADD and Groceries

I am a noise-addicted woman in a culturally distracted world. Don’t believe me?

I went to the grocery store just a few days ago. While I was busy thinking about dinner, I found myself humming along to the top 40 hits blaring overhead. I was reaching for glamorous articles (like toilet paper and lettuce) when I thought about changing the ringer on my phone … it was time. I went out to my car after purchasing my groceries, and my car stereo was tuned to the classical station. While I drove, my mind meandered, and so did my hands on the radio dial. I went from Vivaldi to Kelly Clarkson, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to the Doors. Before I knew it, I had pulled into my driveway without absorbing one single song all the way through.

With groceries unloaded, I went into the spare room to check out MySpace. Different profiles had carefully chosen songs, colors and banners to burst onto the scene with each visit. I stayed at this online dance club for a half hour and read several blogs of every emotion and opinion imaginable. All the while, in the background was the low hum of the TV I’d inadvertently turned on in the other room.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I took stock of these “natural” habits I’d formed in my day. The only word that came to the forefront of my thoughts was oversaturated.

Have you ever felt this way? Has the noise in your life risen to a louder decibel? I am beginning to wonder if we are quietly suffocating ourselves with the noise by which we so quickly surround ourselves."

Yeah... I totally can relate to most, if not all of the above. I feel like I'm always just going going going... and if not physically, mentally going, going, going. And if I'm not, well, then I feel like I might go crazy just "sitting around." I always seem to have the radio on at work or am jamming to my itunes... in the car I fill the "quiet" void with talk radio or the latest CD. And then.. I wonder, why isn't God speaking to me these days?!? Why can't I hear His voice?? Maybe He IS speaking... yelling even, but I can't hear him over the hum? And am I afraid that He WILL speak?

Am I afraid of the quiet?? It is in those quiet moments in our life when we can truly focus on what is going on. Reflect on our lives and where we are. Do I want to see what I've become and am becoming? It's kind of a frightening thought sometimes, but it's something we all need to do at times or risk never reaching our full potential because we don't know who we are. And more important that introspective reflection, we might even be able to hear that "still, small voice" again. The one that we thought went away... and realize, it was always right there-- we just chose to drowned it out.

So today-- will you chose to say NO to the noise? Even if it's just in the small things, like reaching down and turning off the radio for a few minutes as you drive to work? Or taking time out to go for a walk outside (by the way, in most places in the country the fall leaves are awesome right now!) You'd be amazed, even though it might seem really awkward at first, how this quiet refreshes your soul.

God's waiting to talk to you.... are you willing to listen??

The Power of Nature

Can I just tell you how much I love storms? Yeah, ok, sometimes they can be a little scary and intense, and sometimes they can do a lot of damage, to structures and people, but they are just sooo awesome! I love to hear the rain patter against the roof and my window, and hear the rumble of the thunder... and the streaks of lightning really are God's natural fireworks show (and since I happen to love fireworks, it's pretty sweet) We've had a slew of big storms around here it seem lately... and it's been reminding me a lot of God's Awesome and Mighty Power. Nature is something that is totally beyond us and out of our hands, but it always seems to give me a little deeper glimpse into the Character and Nature of my heavenly father. Whether it's the power and intensity of a storm, the gentle billowing of huge cumulous clouds on a sunny day, or the glorious water-color painted setting of the sun... little sparkling of God's character are everywhere. And boy is He ever the master artist as well.


The times in my life where I have felt the "closest" and most intimate with my heavenly father always seem to take place in moments where I am just immersed in His nature. Whether it was when I was high upon a mountain peak in Colorado last summer, or just driving to work in the wee hours of the morning and seeing the gold of the sun come up and spotting a rainbow-- I always find myself lost in awe and wonder at how great my God is.

Anyway, just some thoughts running through my head tonight as the rain is pouring down.... *happy sigh*

TGIF

I love fridays. Maybe it's because everyone is so much more laid back. Maybe it's because we know we have two days off that we don't (usually) have to give up to corporate America. Maybe it's just because we have hope.... that tomorrow we can sleep in, watch cartoons, stay up too late or just pretty much do whatever we please. Yes. I love fridays.

I'm going to see Donald Miller speak tonight with my guy and some other friends. I am excited. He is the author of one of my favorite books "Blue Like Jazz." (well, he has other books that I really like too, but that one is my fav and probably the most well known) It should be good. More details hopefully to follow soon!

Have a great weekend everybody.

Wacky Wednesday... The Bag Lady

So I get sent a lot of random stuff being the kind of person that I am, but this one was new for me. I think I could DEFINITELY enjoy doing a job designing something like this though...





Fun times...

Chipotle- YAY Burrito!

Ok, so I know I'm a bit late on this, but I couldn't just NOT post about it because I've been too busy the past few days.

I discovered Chipotle last summer during my Colorado Adventure. Originating in Denver, CO, this restaurant has grown in popularity over the past few years. In Colorado it was like starbucks-- one almost on every street corner, but when I checked their website upon coming back home, I noticed that the closest one was about 2 hours away. (pretty much in any direction) what?! I emailed the company and said -"what are you thinking?! I am going to have withdrawals!" So... a few months ago when i heard that they were adding a Chipotle locally, I was ecstatic. And even more excited when I got the email below.
HA! The people at Chipotle are very punny... and funny too. Last week they celebrated their grand opening with a free burrito day.
Ok, so I'm currently doing the South Beach Diet (which, by the way, is going really well so far... I'm actually feeling really great about eating healthy) but I totally HAD to "cheat" for this one. And it was well worth it...even if I DID have to wait over an hour for it! (can't you tell by the look on my face?!)
At least there was some entertainment along the way... people diving all over the place for free t-shirts (well..with a phrase like "Usually when you roll something this good, It's Illegal." who wouldn't want one?!) ... hanging out with my guy and sister.... meeting a friend along the way (and seeing lots of other people I knew from "somewhere" in line too) yeah... it was just fun.
Chipotle. Whoever knew a burrito could be so good-- AND so bad! ha! I hope this isn't my downfall....

WOohoo ND!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO IRISH! :)

yes.. what a game. I think my heart is finally slowing down a bit. I don't think I've seen THAT much drama in awhile. My whole fam was going nuts. yeah. good times.

Friday Fun

Yeah. I'm a nerd, but onlly Level 1 Beta... and proud of it. ;)

Being Grateful for Community

I just want to take a quick moment to say how blessed I am to have such great friends! After graduating from college life was pretty hard. There was a big void in my life where all of my college friends had been, and I felt like I was floundering with no grounding. Then God put me in a group of people who have become my "family." People who I can laugh with, cry with, and just pretty much live every-day life with. It's great. Everyone has this deep need to belong, to feel like they matter to God and others around them. The Christian walk is not meant to be lived alone in a bubble. Even in the New Testament it says that the people met daily. I think to often now days people get so caught up in the business of life that they cut community out of their lives, and then wonder why their spiritual life seems to be lacking... empty.

Living in community with others teaches you a lot of things-- gratitude, forgiveness, patience, humbleness, how to be a better servant, how to listen to others better, how to better accept and give spiritual advice and correction, and just how to really live the walk and talk the talk. Jesus didn't live/work all alone-- but rather was surrounded by his closest friends and disciples. If we really desire to follow Him, we will do as He did. I'm so glad to be in community, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it will continue to push and mold me.

Thanks to all of you!

Colorful skies, helicopters, pirate randomess and the South Beach

Why is it that on days where you REALLY could use your camera you always seem to leave it at home?!?! Today as I was driving into work I saw the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen in my life! I guess it was the most beautiful rainbow most people have seen in awhile because everywhere I looked there were people driving with their necks all craned in awkward positions... quite a road hazard... as seen a bit later down the road in a 3 or 4 car rear-ending accident. "Um officer, I was just looking for the pot of gold!" Ha! But seriously, it amazes me how artistic God is. From the very beginning of my drive to work this morning it was like an art show... the sun gently coming up over the horizon--tipping the billowing clouds in gold.. and then the bright, resilient colors of the rainbow. wow. I could even see the faint outline of a double rainbow in there. And it wasn't just one of those dinky half rainbows, but a full-blown horizon to horizon one. *happy sigh* yeah. and no camera. go figure.

ok. and now.. there is a helicopter that just landed on our test track here at work. and again. no camera. what in the WORLD?!?! I guess they are shooting some arial shots of my business...

In other randomness.. yesterday was national "Talk like a pirate day." I really wanted to wear an eye-patch to work, but resisted. It made me happy though. I wanted to run around, drink rum and get a gold tooth... um, not really, but it was a fun thought in my head. I couldn't drink rum even if I did want it though because currently I am on the South Beach diet and that definitely would be a no-no. It's almost been a week and even though it's been difficult on this phase-one-eat-almost-nothing part, I am determined to stay on it and stick it out until stuff starts happening. I'm doing it with my boyfriend and his sister (well, his whole family almost is doing it) so that really is cool because all the extra support totally helps and keeps me motivated and on track. I also am stepping up the exercise/weight training, so that might mess me up a little on the weight thing (because we all know that supposedly muscle weighs more than fat) but that's ok. I need to work off all this desk-job fluff that's been piling on! So yeah. I will have to keep you updated.

I hope you all have a great day. Be reminded as I was today by the beautiful colors in the sky, that God always keeps His promises...

im back

it's been awhile. yes, i already know this. i just needed a break. to do other stuff in my life... live a little without being attached at the hip to my blog. it was a good break. i needed it. but i did miss you. i missed the sharing of stories, the documentation of a journey.... i missed the randomness.

so. yeah.

i thought if i WAS to come back, i couldn't just show up... i had to re-enter with a splash. hence the updated blog "look". i guess a lot went down here at good ol blog spot. some really cool stuff (like now all you non-web people can more easily customize your blog look... color-wise, layout-wise and all that fun jazz) and lots of other nifty features that i really think i will like. but along with the new comes figuring it all out again. so, please bear with me as i continue to iron out some kinks on my blog (hoping to add fun new sidebar headers and such.... if i can figure out all the crazy new code they have added!!)

life is an adventure... a journey....
are you ready to run with me??