Photo career or not?

So, I love to take pictures. If you look at my website, www.jelejada.com, you can see all my pictures. I've had several people tell me lately that I should go into business as a photographer. I have no clue how to even start. So, do you think I'm good? Do you have any ideas on how to start? Leave me comments on these questions.

Moving beyond myself or It's not all about me!

What happens when you let God move you beyond yourself? More than you'd ever imagine.

I, by nature, am a very selfish person. I don't like to admit this, but it is the truth. I am stingy with my time. I don't want to help others. I want to only do things that benefit me. I want my "me" time, my stuff, my way!

But, by the Grace of God, I'm learning to move beyond myself. It's hard. It's a constant struggle to let God have control of me. I want to do things my way. I have to daily, no-minute by minute, ask God to take control & make me to be what He wants me to be. When I pry my fingers off my life & the things in my life & hold those things up to God, some pretty amazing things happen.

First, I'm filled with joy! Indescribable, unnatural joy. I'm not just happy, I'm overwhelmed by joy, God's joy (I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11).

Then I have Peace. God's Peace (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27). This peace makes no sense. I am calm even in the midst of crisis. I have no fear of the unknown When normally I would panic, I don't. I just know deep in my soul that God is in control & will work everything out for good (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28).

I also have a desire to serve God & others. This is totally out of my nature. Normally, I just want to do the easy thing which is to not help anyone & not talk to anyone. But I just thank God that He is moving me beyond self. I truly want to help others now. I love to be behind the scenes & do menial tasks that make others shine. I'm going to give a few examples, not to make myself look good, but to show you how God is working in me.

I have been helping with my daughter's dance program, One49. The easy way & the way I would chose normally, is to just drop her off at practice & not really care what is going on with the program and to just come to her recital & leave. But God has laid on my heart a great love for this program. Bess has made it more than just a dance class. She is teaching the girls to love God, to serve God, to be modest, to be loving & to praise God with their dance. She pours herself into One49 with all she has. God has shown me that I need to pray for Bess, for the girls & for the program. But I need to do more than just pray. I have to put action behind the prayers. I make myself available to help Bess in whatever way she needs. It would definitely be easier to not do any of this, but I miss out on the blessings. My family & I have developed a wonderful friendship with Bess & her family. I get the blessing of watching Bess's baby daughter during dance. I get to help set up the classroom for the girls & to pray for each of their lives. I have the privilege of setting up, baking cookies & running sound for the recital. Why is this such a privilege? Because it is at this recital that God is glorified & His Word is proclaimed & He is praised. To be allowed to participate in this kind of program has changed me.

Another area I have learned not to be selfish in is my home life. I am learning that by giving up "me" time, by giving up my desire to do my own thing, I am gaining such a wonderful life. I am privileged to be wife to a wonderful hubby & mother to 3 amazing kids. If I remain selfish, I miss out on the little moments. I'm like an outsider just watching my family. So I have to chose to let God love through me & then I can be a part of this wonderful family. I get to nurture the kids & teach them God's Word. I get to love my hubby & to support him and encourage him.

I'm not really sure why this subject is on my mind today. Maybe it is in response to all the people that seem to think I am doing something special by helping others. It's not me! It's God! He is working through me & moving me beyond myself and making me a blessing to others. So don't thank me if I've helped you recently. All the thanks goes to God! Praise Him! Then pray for me that I will continue to hold my life and the things & people in my life in my open hands that are extended to God!

Luckiest Girl in the World

Have you ever had one of those moments where you realize just how blessed you are? I'm sitting here listening to it rain & am overwhelmed by the fact that I have a big wonderful house that keeps us dry & warm.

Then as I listen to the kids playing, 3 more blessings come to mind. So many people struggle to have children & I have 3 wonderful, healthy children. They may need disciplined sometimes, but overall they are really great kids.

I have a wonderful family that loves me & supports me. I couldn't ask for more wonderful parents or in-laws. They all love God & teach my children that love. They love to take the kids when Hubby & I need to do things. I also have a wonderful brother & sister-in-law who share their farm with us! If it wasn't for them, my kids would not know anything about the country & farm life!
I am blessed to have a church that teaches the Bible. Our church is our family. They support us & love us. They love my kids & all the teachers really care about them & their spiritual walk. I have friends that love me & my family & make sure I am walking the right path! (Thank you!!)

But my biggest blessing here on earth is my hubby. I don't know how I landed him, but he's one of a kind! He loves me! He is not only my hubby, but he is my best friend. I love hanging out with him & 

spending time with him. He knows how to make me laugh when I really need it. He knows how to de-stress me, & how to get me to talk. He provides for me & the kids. He spoils me! He puts up with all my faults & goofs. He leads our family & works hard to make sure we are cared for. He helps around the house & he plays with the kids! I know I make him sound perfect, but he isn't. None of us are. We have our share of disagreements but no matter what, I know he loves me! (even when I don't always show love to him!) At the end of the day, there's no one I'd rather be with. He's my knight in shining armour! He rescues me from myself & I love him so much!

You know, I don't know why God has blessed me so much. I just know that I love God & He blesses those who love Him (Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3) I am going to sit here & count my blessings & praise God for every one of them. That is the perfect thing to do on a rainy, dreary day that would normally cause me to be down. So the next time you feel down, why don't you join me & count your blessings. You might find out you are the luckiest girl (or guy) in the world!

Where do I draw my strength from?

Today has been a day that I would rather be in bed. I'm achy (fibromyalgia flare caused by the cold air) and I'm fighting a headache. The headache makes me want to crawl in bed & just stay there. But, I can't. Hubby works noon to 10pm today. So I've had to be alert & focused on the kids. So, how do I do it?

It's hard, but my strength comes from the Lord. "I love You Lord, my strength!"(Psalm 18:1) "But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble." (Psalm 59:16)

I cry out to God during these times of pain & misery. He has never failed me yet! Some days, He eases the pain. Some days He just gives me extra-ordinary strength to prevail over the pain. Other days, He just holds me as I walk through the pain. But God is always faithful to give me a way through it.

So today I will cling to my Savior & He will be my strength! He is all I need. He is all you need! "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

Where have I been?

So, I stink at keeping this thing updated. I really need to stay on top of it, but I just can't seem to do it reliably. This week, I'll blame it on my hubby's schedule. He's working crazy hours so my schedule & the kids' schedules are all thrown off. It's a good thing our school year is officially over. We still have a few days worth of work to finish off our books for this year, but we have our 180 days in already.

We grilled out this afternoon & enjoyed the beautiful weather. The kids' had a blast playing on the playground. Then we did a little schoolwork with Princess while Little Princes & D-Dog picked up toys. Then we ate supper. Then Miss Elaine came over. She & I watched a movie while the kids played Legos upstairs. They played together so well today.

Little Princess sat on the potty today - 3 times. This is a big success as previously she would just walk into the bathroom & look at the potty chair & scream. I got her a seat that goes on the big toilet & she cried a little when I put her on it, but quickly calmed down so I could read to her. She got a sticker each time she sat on the potty. We put a yellow (her favorite color) piece of paper on the wall by the bathroom door so she could put her stickers on it. This is a start! Hopefully she will catch on & start asking to "go potty".

The kids are all in bed now & Hubby won't be home for another hour. So I am going to go relax & watch a little tv. Have a wonderful night!