12 months to victory.

"Day twelve: A picture of something you wish you were better at."


Me and good ole' Johnson are slowly getting to know each other. Never mind the fact he's an old little guy and has a knack for getting out of tune every 6 hours. We're working on it. Just wait, in 12 months I'll be the next Taylor Swift except with more common sense. She's not exactly my favorite person, but her music..well.. i don't hate it. :) But in all seriousness, every year I tell myself this will be the year I learn to dabble in the guitar. This year I've been the most productive thus far. One of my dreams is to one day be able to sit around a campfire and bust out with some old time rock and roll.. that kind of music just soothes my soul. Or a little acoustic. You know, whatever just rolls off my fingertips. Worship music would be the ultimate. So what i'm really saying is meet me at the fire pit at my place 12 months from now.

Currently Listening too:

Eleven minutes after Seven.

"Day eleven: a photo of your evening."



Yes.. it's true. This happened at 12pm. I had a great evening that consisted of many other things, but this was perhaps the only thing notable of my time. I had a great night of catching up with good friends and making sure my homework took care of itself. Sometimes it's quite nice to forget your worries for the day and indulge in your hearts desires. Even if that means consuming way too many carbs at 1am. :)

Currently Listening to:

it's a 10 all across the boards for me!

"Day ten: A picture of the cast from your favorite show."


Self explanatory I'd assume. Man was the 80's my era. If I could I would forever retreat back to the days of kelli, zack, screech, jessie, slaytor, and lisa. What's funny about this is Saved By the Bell was popular before I was even potty trained and 90210 (the first season) was a thing of the future. I can't tell you where my obsession for this little piece of heaven stemmed or why it still remains the only thing I watch on tv, but I can say I'm just thankful being born in 88' still makes me a product of the 80's. Tonight I went out with some friends, it was dollar movie night at the theatre a few blocks up. I found myself wearing an acid washed vest (legitimently from the 80's because I most defiantly picked up that beauty at a thrift store) and a fluorescent pink and purple leopard print scarf. I was absolutely serious. Look on the bright side, at least I get the chance to shake up the California stereotype a bit.

Nine's Divine.

"Day nine: A picture of your most treasured item."



My Grandmother's High School class ring and the promise ring Mom's and Pop's got me for my 18th Birthday are my two most prized possessions. Both I received my senior year of high school, and both i've worn with pride every day since. My Grandmother's ring came to me all the way from Germany while accompanying the greatest woman this country has ever known. A product of the great depression's wrath, this precious ring was one of the few things my grandmother had the pleasure of carrying on into her new life. It found me my senior year of High School on yet another afternoon of rummaging through grandma's closet. It's nothing fancy but is quite honestly the most beautiful piece of jewelry i've ever seen. It's simplicity and history will forever captivate me. It's journeyed through much pain and sorrow as well as comfort and joy. I feel unworthy to wear such a treasure and am overjoyed at the opportunity to carry it on adventures of my own.

My promise ring was given to me for my eighteenth birthday by none other than the mom's and pop's themselves. It's a blue topaz stone in semblance of one of my favorite colors as well as my birth month. The detailing on the ring itself is beautiful and even from side angles, much detail was spent on making it just right and identifiably unique. It's truly just perfect for me. As with my grandmother's ring, I love the fact I get to take this treasure around on all my crazy adventures. Both serve as constant reminder no matter where I go or what I'm doing, there's someone out there praying for me diligently and loving me passionately. They are constant reminders of God's faithfulness, provision, protection, and spirit. I couldn't ask for bigger fans, or a more perfect way keep a piece of them with me. People always joke about the fact I use to be such a jewelry fanatic and now I could care less. I like to think it's because nothing will ever captivate my attention as much as these. I've said it before and i'll say it again, I'm quite a lucky girl.

The Ocho.

"Day eight: a photo of something you enjoy doing."



For those of you who haven't been paying attention to my life these past few years, this picture captures the essence of it quite marvelously. Out of the many things I have come to enjoy throughout my 22 years, perhaps my most highly esteemed are thrifting, blading, shenanigans, photography, and younglife. Truth is I'm a rollerblading FANATIC and a piece of me died when I had to leave them back in cali. My younglife girls loved to tease me about the fact I had two pairs of blades in my trunk at all times and a bag of thrift store 80's gear to clothe an entire army.

On this particular day the lovely ter-bear (Terra) and I had our weekly dateski. Naturally she was completely trusting, but when I dropped her off later that afternoon her mom quickly informed me that earlier when she had asked Terra what we had planned, Terra replied with an excited "I have no idea but it's Jamie so I'm gonna need to borrow your camera. I need proof of whatever it is we do so my friends will actually believe me this time!" I died a little but after her mom made it clear she wasn't the least but concerned, we both turned into proud mommas. Frankly I'm glad she got so much out of our bible studies. ;) Ha!

We went to the thrift store and picked up a few glory items (all under two bucks!) and then dove into my trunk for a day of epic proportions. I took her on this sweet trail I use to run in Folsom and we bladed for three hours! We sang along to our own tune while belting "the man who can't be moved" and discussed how immensely our sweet sweet Jesus loves us. We entertained all who crossed our path but more importantly ourselves. Life was stinkin good! (Not that I'm not just as spoiled now) it's just always a little more colorful with my younglife kids!

After the nostalgia of this post wears off I will find myself studying the final few hours before I embark on taking my first two mid-terms as a Moody Bible student. Prayers up the yang would be fantastic!


Currently Listening to:

seven minutes in heaven.

"Day seven: a photo of something you stand for."





Joseph Koney and his LRA rebel movement are using child soldiers to fight their invisible war in africa. It's invisible because these children are abducted from their homes without a trace and forced to fight. It is estimated 90% of Koney's troops were abducted as children. You do the math. War is all these children have ever known. For those who are safe from the rebel militia today, it is only because they've been placed in displacement camps on strict orders from their government. Forced from their homes to keep them safe they now struggle to survive each day due to malnourishment, overcrowding, and rampant disease within the camps. The motives of Koney and the LRA are becoming more ambiguous and their crimes more horrific. Join Invisible Children's fight to seek sustainable solutions to foster an environment that encourages peace. There are countless ways to get involved, will you do more than just watch?

www.invisiblechildren.com


“The race to be a leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants.” -Rick Warren

uno dos tres cuatro cinco cinco SEIS!

"Day six: a photo of someone you love."



I've had the privilege of loving quite a few deeply, but I will say my heart is especially missing this goof. We took this picture the day before he left for Iraq and although he's busy being my little freedom fighter, I wouldn't hate it if our interaction consisted of a little more than a few scratchy Skype calls a month.

As I embarked on writing my informative speech this afternoon, I spent a great deal of my time thinking about love, loss, and the like. I was humbled with the realization that I have encountered very few heart-wrenching losses in my lifetime. Not because they haven't been there, but because I have someone bigger than all the junk fighting for me. The Lord has been my warrior and I can confidently stand where I am today as a member of his army because of his leading in my life. Just as he fought for me when I was helpless, I want to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. I don't want to look back 40 years from now and wish I would've invested a deeper, selfless love in those who've been placed on my heart since the day I was born. I have these desires for a reason and each day I get closer to my dream, I get a little more jittery inside. This is real life and I am so stinkin excited to FINALLY be living in the reality of stepping into this crazy blessing of ministry.

In those 30 minutes of procrastination I was reminded of how extremely blessed I am to be able to live out a profession both sharing and indulging in the deepest desires of my heart. I am more than the sum of my past mistakes. The junk hasn't been the most pleasant, but it's been the most rewarding that's for sure. Perhaps a better way of phrasing it can be summed up on a magnet I saw everyday during my elementary carrer, (thanks mom!) "I know I'm somebody cuz God don't make no Junk." Now if only I could find a way to make it all happen ten minutes ago. I already feel the people of Uganda calling my name!

Currently Listening too:

I plead the fifth.

"Day five: a photo that makes you laugh."


This night was hands down the funniest night of 2010! I would explain it to you, but it just can't be put into words. My top ten favorite moments of all time will include this fantastic evening and that is all I have to say about that. I love my young life girls!

I suck and am double posting (thank you jack for pointing out I neglected to do so yesterday.) So, speaking in past tense here, I went to college group, had a minor hypoglycemic episode (which resulted in great conversation with good friends) which ironically resulted in me cooking dinner for the lovely stephanie and melissa. What can I say, just get me passionate about something and i'll start cooking up some mean chicken. Yay for the domino effect! Melissa and I ended up talking until 3am and managed to plan a trip to cali in the process. I'm convinced God couldn't have provided me with a more perfect roommate. Yeah, I said it. She's that big of a deal. Side note: I popped a breaker 12:30ish but wasn't really feeling getting up and going out in the cold, so we sat in the dark just chatting it up for a good hour if not more. If that's not good conversation I don't know what is. I refuse to mention studying because I blew it off and am hating myself for doing so. Tomorrow is going to kick my butt.

Currently listening too:

Fourscore and a few years from now?

"Day four: a photo of a place you'd like to visit."
alright.. so I couldn't pick just one!





Yes please! Hopefully it doesn't really take me forscore years to get there (80) but If I'm being honest, i'll take what I can get. It's always been a dream of mine to go to Thailand and ride an elephant. That's it. However, after many years of this dream not becoming a reality, i've learned to fall in love via research. I'd be overjoyed if i'd live to see the day I could immerse myself in the culture; the people, the markets, the canoeing, the wildlife. I am in love with all of it!! Oh if only. One day i'll send you all a postcard. :)

Today I get to spend time with my favorite 2 1/2 year old beside Caden. Sadie and I have really taken a liking to each other and I'm fairly certain today's going to consist of countless hours partaking in ring-around-the-rosey, gymnastics, and Mr. Potato Head. I find it ironic once I hit Wednesdays the week flies by. What can I say, she's a gem. The temperatures are in the 20's right now but it's quite deceiving. As I look out my window I feel like it's a nice spring day in California. However when look across the coffee table I see my heater on and cranked. Looking forward to hearing all your voices soon! Expect a call sometime this week! :)

Currently Listening To:

Day thre-zie.

“Day three: a photo that makes you happy.”


I can’t look at this picture without delighting in it. Everything within me beams at the thought of enjoying this wonderful little ball of fire again in the splendor and presence of our king. I get antsy looking forward to that moment of sheer bliss when I’m greeted with the never-ending party awaiting me at heaven’s gates. In the mean time, I suppose I’ll get Phil 4:6-7 with it and refrain from any feelings of anxiousness.

I enjoyed some much-needed R & R with my savior this morning. It’s my favorite when I’m reminded of who I am and whose I am all over again. My philosophy book and I got re-acquainted with each other this afternoon after we embarked on what will be a week long journey in preparation for my mid-term. I even sat at Tully’s coffee shop for a few hours doing homework while my roommate partook in a younglife meeting a couple tables over. Side note: I have found a new favorite drink. It’s called a “snickers”. I’d even go as far as saying I just might have reached the day I retire the old “white choc. mocha.” I know what you’re thinking; you never thought you’d see this day either… for all of the above. Truth is, I’m all about it. The coffee, the homework, the studying, and yes.. even the absence of younglife. I’m fairly certain at this point God’s calling me to younglife as a ministry for a great while, but in due time. I’m going to finish the semester strong and focus solely on my school work. However, come fall, watch out. A whole new young life season will be underway and you better believe I’m going to be all up in that business.

For Now.. DEAR JOHN'IN IT! Yay for roommates and chick flicks. Now if only I could find someone to write letters to. I'd be okay with that :)

Currently Listening To: