my vida loca?

Well first of all, Ive been doing Spanish homework for almost an hour and I LOVE it. I want to learn the language so much that it is kind of all I want to study. I have 5 super hard classes with a TON of homework, but I keep telling myself that I will do the other homework later. Ha I'm going to be kicking myself when "later" comes... but at least I might be able to have enough knowledge one day to be able to communicate with more than just English speaking people. I sure do hope so. There is a big world out there with a lot of people in it, and from the little taste that I've got, I love it and definitely want to be apart of God's bigger picture than what I see here. If he leads me in that direction then I will for sure pursue that but I don't know if that is where my calling is.

Right now in the present, however, I'm starting to see that my calling might be to stray away from the people that I've known for so long and meet knew people. Right now I'm praying that He will bring more people into my life that push me towards Him. I have to put myself out there and try and make a difference.  I can have a big influence in my team's life, but at the same time it's a hard situation to be in.  Every time I am around them I feel like such an outcast... Almost like I'm one of the freshman and I don't know any of them. I just sit there, and that is not me at all. I almost feel like I can't be myself around them all the time because I'll just get made fun of. Now I'll be the first to admit that I can handle that, but it also gets old and I'd like to be somewhat taken seriously and listened to at times.  I'm starting to think that my time where I am is almost over, but I need to take the time I have here not for granted and spend it doing whatever He wants. Maybe this is all just a learning opportunity for me to continue to lean on Him.  Like I wrote before, I've definitely felt alone in the past but this is a different feeling.  I don't necessarily feel alone, as much as I just feel like there is so much more out there.  There is such a big world and so many people for me to experience and get to know. And so many ways to make a difference.  I pray every day that I don't let these opportunities pass me up because I'm sitting around feeling sorry for myself.  I want to make a difference and every day put a smile and do something for at least one person.  Like they always say, "its the little things."

So I encourage and challenge you to every day do a little thing for someone else, and maybe this world will start to be a better place. :))))

Hasta luego,
Jenni

Happy Birthday Tommy :)

Today is my favorite (current) Braves player Tommy Hanson's 24 birthday! So Happy birthday Tommy!!! I hope it is better than you performed last night....It happens though. Can't be perfect every game. I will still be wearing my "Big Red" Shirt whenever you next pitch. :) and hopefully you'll have the amazing (and attractive) beard and maybe some longer hair in the back... Just sayin ;)

What To Say

Well, I should go and ahead and start out by saying that I really should be sleeping right now but I just don't think I can. I really didn't even want to write anything tonight but I guess I have a big heavy heart to just talk about blessed I am to have some amazing people in my life.  God has really been showing me here lately that you don't have to spend every moment with a person, or even see them every day to grow so close to them. I think as young women, we often spend so much time searching for "the one".. our future husband; when really God wants to show us friendships and how valuable they are. (I could, and probably will, write a LOT more about that topic ) I am so lucky to have some amazing people in my life who love me (even when I maybe don't deserve it), challenge me, keep me on my toes, and are basically just there for me when all I need is someone to listen. Being an only child, and somewhat introverted (if you know me any at all you would never expect for me to call myself an introvert, but i am in some ways) I have always felt somewhat alone. This past year I moved into an apartment out of my parents house and can honestly say I never felt more alone in my life.  I would sit at home sometimes and just cry because everyone else was out doing things I didn't want to be doing and I felt like I had no one. Or the only person I did have sometimes annoyed me (Ha. ) Even though it was a hard time in my life, and noone really knew about it, it really drew me closer to God and made me realize that I'm never alone. I would constantly be in the midst of tears of sadness and out of nowhere would start flowing tears of joy. I'm not alone. I'm never alone.  Having only been in school a week, and around my team even less time than that, I can already tell that this is going to be a tough semester. Even though I am basically the "black sheep" of the team (I guess I should say white sheep... trying to be pure in thoughts and actions anyways ) I have never felt like I will have so many opportunities to be bold.  Just knowing that there are so many people who don't understand why I am the way I am, and that I live for my one true King is so inspiring because I know He has put me in a position to do great things for Him. I'm not really the evangelist, thump you in the head with a Bible type, but from what He has shown me this far it is a lot more than that.   I do my best to spend every day with a smile on my face, being positive and still stand  up for what I believe in.  I know this is going to be probably one of the toughest times I've encountered, but God has sent some angels in my life that I have as an outlet to get through these times.  And even if they live what seems like a billion hours away, I know they are always in my heart and mind... and are only a phone call or skype message away. I'm so thankful for this awful beautiful life I'm living and I know it can only get better

Love always,
Jen

p.s. Only in the South can you use the word "awful" as a positive word =))