The Essence of Faith

It feel like forever since I have blogged! It really has only been a couple days but it feels much longer! Heres a little weekend rewind!

 

Saturday Sean and I went shopping with my family at the Mall of America! It was so much fun spending time with all my loved ones! Sean got some new clothes for when the warm weather finally decides to join us, and my mom tried no some dresses for the wedding :) Saturday night we got to spend time with Sean's family that was in town from South Dakota! There's nothing better than a weekend full of family time!

Sunday we had brunch at Granite City which was delicious! Then we ran a couple errands, and finally retired into some comfy clothes to watch the series The Walking Dead! Very very good!

 

Now for today...

 

At church on Sunday the message really stuck with me. We had a visiting Paster join us and share her ideas about changes in the church. She strongly believed that people would get bored with church if there weren't changes made to the way the message of Jesus is shared. In Indianapolis she started a very unique worshiping community that meets in a dinner theater. It has taken off and is now grown to 3 worships each Sunday. Amazing huh?

 

Since our church is expanding to a new location they are welcoming the new ideas and vision to create a unique new ministry. This is very exicting to me! Things like contemorary music, discussions, and more interaction within the fellowship will be implemented. Everyone seems to think it will attract a younger generation..what do you think?

 

The message that really stuck with me is this: "The essence of faith is risk." Faith=Risk...do you agree with that? I definitely do. Having the faith in Jesus doesn't mean you know the future events or outcomes...but you just rely on the fact that Jesus will take care of you and lead you down the path your meant for.

 

This reading fits perfectley with this post:

 

"But the Lord says, Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already-you can see it now!" ~Isaiah 43:18-19b

 

Jamie Leigh

 



Merry Christmas!!

Well, we are pretty much there!! Christmas Eve is tomorrow, my celebrations start tonight!! Tonight my sisters and I will be spending the evening celebrating with my dad! We plan on ordering chinese food, YUM, and opening presents! I CAN'T wait for him to open up the pictures we got taken! My dad has had the same old pictures of us around the house, literally like 10 year old ones. We decided it would be the best gift ever to get professional pics done from my sweet friend Riawho also did my engagement pics, my sisters grad pics, and will be shooting my wedding! She is amazing!! This is one of my favorites!

Tomorrow we will be heading up to Two Harbors MN to my grandmas house to celebrate with my dads side of the family! My grandma always makes the best food! We play games, laugh, and always have so much fun!
Saturday we will be going to Duluth MN to my other grandma's house and will be celebrating with  my mom's side of the family! They are such a hoot, it should be a good time!
Sunday we will finally be heading home, and we will be opening presents at my mom's house! Whewww lots of celebrating! 
I now have 5 days off work, and am finished with school! I don't even know what to do with myself!! 
Merry Christmas to all my blogging buddies! I won't be posting now for a while, God Bless everyone and enjoy the time you have with your loved ones!! 
OH one more thing! Today is Thankful on a Thursday, and the number one thing I am thankful for this week is Jesus Christ!! And of course my family!! I wanted to leave you with a song :-)
Jamie Leigh

Hello Break

I am SOOO happy to announce that I am DONE with my classes this quarter! This was definitely a tough quarter, lots of work, and very time consuming...can't say i'm sad its gone! I now have a break until January 3rd. I know that doesn't seem very long, but considering I go to school year round, I will cherish and enjoy every second of it! The end is in sight...only one quarter left EVER!
Here in Minnesota we just got through another snow storm...this weather NEEDS to go away so I can travel up north for Christmas! We are nearing the most snowfall in the history on MN!! Isn't that nuts??! They have been having to bring in snow melter's to get rid of some of it...it is taking over!
3 days until Christmas!! I can't believe how fast it came this year! I am pretty much finished with my shopping, just have to go pick up some treats for my work party tomorrow! Are you finished with all your shopping?! I wanted to share two quotes I saw they other day, It really reminds us to remember the TRUE meaning of Christmas.  Many people get caught up in the busyness that the holiday season brings, the shopping, the cooking , traveling, the baking....just take a minute to remember WHY we will be celebrating this special day! 
"Christmas is forever, not for just one day.For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away,Like bells, and lights, and tinsel in some box upon the shelf.The good you do for others is good you do yourself."
"God sent his only son into the world so that we might have life through him"                                - John 4:9
This picture says it all....  

Jamie Leigh

Will Jesus pick me up in a car?

So the boy I PCA for, Ryan, has autism. I met him through my other job 4 years ago, and always knew this little boy was something special. He is so much fun to be around, and has the best personality! I am very thankful that I was blessed with the opportunity to work with him. Even though he is only 14, he has taught ME so much about life, and shown me what it truly means to be thankful.
Ryan has been really curious lately about heaven and Jesus. He has been reading a bible for children, and has started to ask a lot of questions about life, death, and so on. I have to share one of our conversations, it was so sweet and innocent.
Ryan: When will I meet Jesus?
Me: When it is your turn, Jesus will come and pick you up.
Ryan: Will Jesus pick me up in a car? (after he said this, I honestly did not have a good response....this totally left me speechless, how innocent...)
After I tried explaining the idea of going to heaven more to Ryan, which was a challenge to say the least, he said one more thing that made me laugh so hard I cried.
Ryan: Where is heaven?
Me: Its up in the sky, above the clouds.
So he looked at me with this concerned face, and thought about what I had said for a couple seconds.  Then he replied, "No thanks, I'm scared of heights!"
Is this not the sweetest, most innocent, yet funny thing you have ever heard? He totally made my day with this conversation.  Kids sure do say the darndest things!!
Jamie Leigh