My Response: "My Train Wreck Conversion"

Normally I don't read anything political or worldview-ish on facebook, but this title drew me in.

I read, "My Train Wreck Conversion" by Rosaria Butterfield

After reading, I was overwhelmed with ideas I'd like to share...

1.  In the article Rosaria said, "Oh, I had seen my share of Bible verses on placards at Gay Pride marches. That Christians who mocked me on Gay Pride Day were happy that I and everyone I loved were going to hell was clear as blue sky."
We as Christians should act out of love, not the harshness that Rosaria and her friends experienced.  "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1.  Christians, please be careful what you say verbally and through social media.  I mean, goodness, be careful how you tip a waitress!  Our words make a difference, they leave an impression.  This impression could mean the difference in some one's eternity.

2.  The way Rosaria felt God's love was for someone to come into her life, accept her, and love her.  She said, "They entered my world.  Met my friends..."
If I learned anything through my time as a SummerShiner or in my small groups, it is that God's love is meant to be shared through relationships.  After all, it is a relationship that God hungers for.  People actually respond to someone who has invested time with them and who has established a trusting, loving bond.  Conversations about topics like sexuality, politics, and normal daily chatter must be done in a loving, humble manner.  Hearing Rosaria's point of view pre-conversion has confirmed this for me.

3.  "I started reading the Bible. I read the way a glutton devours. I read it many times that first year in multiple translations."
"But the Bible got to be bigger inside me than I. It overflowed into my world." - Rosaria
I admire this so much, it makes me want to dig in and cherish the words God inspired for me to read.  God displays his power and knowledge by putting these words into motion many years ago, and still, they are meaningful and life changing.  They show God's supreme value over anything else.

4.  What do we have to lose?  Rosaria had her whole life, her worldview, her status. "I did not want to lose everything that I loved. But the voice of God sang a sanguine love song in the rubble of my world."
What do I have to lose by growing my relationship with God?  My impression of stability, my selfish desires, my own goals and dreams.  When we choose to love God and be loved by Him, do not linger on the loss of things left behind.  Let me remind you of the things to be expected. 
Peace
Love
GRACE
Eternity
Holy Spirit
Trust
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Let's discuss...What are some things you've gained from being in a relationship with God?

Attentive

New Year's Resolutions are NOT appealing to me.  I just don't like that they usually end up broken.  I don't make resolutions just because of the negative stigma.  Have you made/kept your resolutions for 2013?
What I did decide at the end of last year was that I would become for attentive.

Attentive: adjective. characterized by or giving attention; observant...

Not just this year, but in life I will be more attentive to my health, relationships, and walk with Christ.  I usually get slack in areas that don't take emergency priority or things that don't make it on the "work" calendar.  Now I'm not letting those things slip by unnoticed.  I'm paying attention.  Here's what I've been up to...

It just so happened that Mom and I decided to join a gym.  No, we aren't getting all bulky and muscley, just toning what we've got so we can function and be healthy.  I'd like to make it through a whole wedding day without aching...and being sore for 2 days after.  Mom would like to strengthen her muscles to help her hip/back.


Libby and I have been training for the Cooper River Bridge Run(10k, 6.2 miles) in April.  Until last week I had never run more than 4 miles.  Thursday we ran 6.27 miles and did it in a great time!  It's nice to have something to work for, that's what's kept us on track.  We're looking at a possible half marathon :) 

On the relationships side: A big thing is that I want to be available.  My top love language is Quality Time so I love by giving you my time and attention and I feel loved when it's returned.  The flexibility of my schedule is perfect for this and I've LOVED the past month.  Oh...and I'm also learning to say "no" when I need to.  No one likes being burnt out.

Mornings have become my favorite.  I get to serve my husband by preparing his lunch and helping him out the door.  Then I sit at the kitchen table with my YouVersion Bible and read whatever study I've got at the time.  The Joyce Meyer: Promises For Everyday Life is a great daily devotion.



Here's one thing I need to start doing more, journaling.  There's just something about putting your thoughts into words.  I document most everything in photos, but the written word is strong and shouldn't be neglected.  Sometimes I fear writing my thoughts down because it makes me come to terms with them...it also makes them a little more permanent and real.

PS. There's a Butterfinger and Reese's Pieces sitting beside my desk.  I don't know who put those there, but it was a bad idea. Don't worry, I'll take care of them.

29651

We are here.  In our third zip code in the last 5 months.

Table Rock, will hike this soon.

Jeff has one more move before his graduation in May!
After that we will simply call him "Doc."
Please pray for us as we try to figure out what God has planned for our next step.
For now, I'm enjoying family and friend time and being in the same town as my clients.
Jeff's clinical assignment has been great so far.  He's learning so much and has a great instructor!

Lower Whitewater Falls

Time flies {Lancaster}

    Hey, remember that time we moved to Lancaster for one of Jeff's clinical rotations? That time has come and gone so quickly. We are in our last week as LA dwellers. While our goodbye week is blended with the busyness of Christmas celebrations, I can't help but look back on our time here. I've read a lot, learned a lot, but haven't shared any of it with you!
    First, I have loved cooking here and doing the whole wife has supper ready when husband comes home from work thing! In Charleston we'd cook maybe 4 times a week, but it was usually quick meals with the help of my grill master. Here, I'd cook most nights of the week. I enjoyed the new adventure of meal planning and for cooking for more than just 2 people. We've liked having family over to join us around the table. Sometimes that was the only time Jeff could see them because of his work schedule. So here's some things I LOVE: crockpot, a freezer stocked with deer meat, Google, Aldi grocery store, and actually mashing potatoes.

    Reading over the past 3 months has been very beneficial to me. Whether is a photography how-to blog, a popular trilogy, or a psychology book. . . I've actually made time to SIT DOWN and read. I hope to share more about these books.
How Full Is Your Bucket- Tom Rath and Donald Clifton
Strengths Finder 2.0- Tom Rath
Hunger Games- ??
She Reads Truth- Bible study on You Version
Well now that I look at that short list it may not look like I've read a lot. . . But I usually don't read at all, so it's good by my standards. I've still got a Joyce Meyer book waiting for me.

    3 miles in 30 minutes or under has been my thing for Lancaster running. I don't like to go too far from the house so I stick to 3 miles. I usually get greeted by one yappy weenie dog, 2 ankle biters, and the 3 barkers down the road. Only one house along my route has their dogs fenced in so it's usually an eventful run. I've learned to avoid the route with the territorial pit bull. I'm looking forward to running more in Greenville with family/friends and reaching some new distance goals. Cooper River Bridge Run in 2013. . . I THINK SO!
    We've enjoyed visiting around our family's different churches. Elevation Church has also been an amazing place to visit. Lord help us find a God loving and serving church family in Greenville or wherever we end up.

Brothers!

Some more things we've enjoyed in LA: Sunnie able to run free(ish), Evenings out with Papa, Granny and the crew, Antioch Pumpkin Patch, birthdays and holidays, MapMyRun iPhone app, living with the ever insightful Chris, antenna tv here got more channels than in Charleston, and the list goes on :)

This is our usual spot.  Sunnie by my side as I edit away!

   More excitment coming for us: Celebrate Christmas in LA, Christmas Eve night move to Greenville, Christmas in Greer, Dec 28 visit Hartsville, Dec 29 shoot wedding in Bishopville, Dec 30 early am fly out west for a ski trip, Bring in New Year, Return to SC Jan 3, Jan 4-6 SummerShine reunion, Jan 7 Jeff starts clinical rotation in Greer!  We'll need a nap for sure.
   PS. I finished editing last Saturday's wedding.  I'm giddy with excitement and can't wait to access upload capable internet so I can share these pictures with you!!  Check my facebook at www.facebook.com/photobyjenny for a good look and my website www.PhotographyAndDesignByJenny.com.  Shameless plug.

November 28: I'm thankful for...

This post has been a long time coming.  Five years to be exact.  I've felt compelled to write about Dad, but have mostly put it off.  On his birthday or every November 28, I chicken out and don't write anything.

November 28, 2007

Five Years
It's crazy to think what's happened in the last five years.  Dad passed away at the end of my first semester at North Greenville University.  Since then, I did Summershine for three years, welcomed a niece and nephew into the family, graduated from college, married Jeff Williams, moved away, and built my photography business...and these are only the major life changers!

So much love

Thankful for my story
God's given me a story so that I can reach out to people.  When I see a facebook update about someone loosing their father or someone going through cancer, I try to comment and share encouragement.  Obviously, their wasn't an earthly victory over cancer, but I can at least relate to the hospital visits, chemo, and hospice.
Sometimes I'll include his story in my testimony.  It's extremely powerful to talk about a man who was diagnosed with stage 4 advanced cancer, given only 2 weeks to live, sitting in his bed quoting Romans 8:28 to his wife and six children after delivering his diagnoses.  Dad's positive attitude set the stage for our grieving, for our recovery.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 ESV

Dad & James coaching at BR

Good Grief
Obviously, I wish I had my Dad here, but I'll let you in on a little secret.  Dad lived his life with a purpose, a Christ centered purpose.  I know he would much rather be in Heaven than living life on earth.  So where do we go from there?  To my family.  We've grown closer through this experience, we cherish each other more, and we are at each others' side when one needs a hand.  We have a strong bond that is hard to explain.  I do believe our experience with Dad's sickness, the 2007 football season, and grieving his death has pulled us closer to each other in a way we couldn't have anticipated.  We've been able to help each other and proceed with life.  We all know that Dad wouldn't put up with whining, self pity, or complaining.  I think his former football players could tell you how that would go.
I've learned that it's healthy to share about my experience.  I love telling Jeff stories about the quirky things Dad would do.  His sneezes, his daily habits, his words of wisdom.  Sometimes I wish I could sit down at the table with Mom and Dad.  He'd be scribbling football plays on a napkin and I'd be spilling a dramatic story to mom.  Mom and I'd finish talking and debating on what to do about the situation.  Then Dad would put his pen down, look up, and within one simple sentence he'd set things straight and tell me what to do.
During dad's sickness and death, there was no shortage of support.  I remember receiving a gas gift card because someone thought about me driving from NGU to the hospital each day.  The Blue Ridge community, former football players, Mt Lebanon Baptist Church, friends, family, and North Greenville University really showed their sincere love and support!

No Pedestal Here
Dad was pretty awesome, but I want you to know these words are NOT to glorify him.  His life was spent seeking to glorify God, not himself.  Of course Dad wasn't perfect.  These words are to encourage you to embrace the people around you.  Don't waste a second questioning your relationship with Christ.  Take pictures, cell phone or camera, I don't care what with, but really take pictures. Live your life with a purpose, seek God for that purpose.

Here's a video of a former player's visit to Dad while in the hospital.  He explains things well.

blur blur blur

Photography
What does photography have to do with Dad? Well I was in the football stands and taking pictures of him on the sidelines every Friday night.  The setting was dark, lots of motion...this means lots of blur.  I remember crying over some of the pictures because they came out blurry.  It was then that I knew I needed a camera that would allow me to control the settings and produce the images I had in mind.  So there ya go, I got my first DSLR December 1, 2007.  Since then I've learned and learned, made mistakes, learned some more.  As I approach each session or wedding, my motivation for getting all family members and special people in different combinations is fueled by the collection of pictures I have of Dad.  I'm so thankful I have pictures.  You can never have too many, once someone is gone, you wish you had more.



So here's today's "I'm thankful for..." post
Day 28:  I'm thankful for the 18 years I had with my Daddy.  I'm also thankful for the last five years...A lot has happened since he passed away.  I've missed him through each step. 11.28.2007

Now for a few Farnham memories.  These pictures are priceless to me.  I can't believe these times were that long ago!  It feels like yesterday.

Dad's first year at Blue Ridge, notice the bruise on his forehead from head butting a player at practice

Daddy Vince(Grand father) always took family pictures at our holiday celebrations. 2001

Super Hero Day

Hunting Thanksgiving 2006

Relay For Life Pageant April 2007

One of our many visits to Clemson

Lots of support, November 2007