Who am I

I absolutely love the song Who Am I, by Casting Crowns, every time I hear it, I truly am thankful for our Lord in Savior. But the question is
Who Am I? I know I am a wife, daughter, aunt, sister-in-law, etc. But Who Am I, other than that. It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday chaos, where it's norm to be referred to as Philip's wife, Michael and Nicole's aunt, Jeff and Kitsy's sister-in-law, and on and on. Did somewhere along the way, I lose my name? The real question, did somewhere along the lines I lose my identity? I can honestly say after much reflection and soul searching, yes I did. For the most part in a good way. I used to walk around with some pretty bad self esteem issues, I was very guarded with my heart, and people had a very hard time breaking down my barriers. I did not trust people, and didn't believe people could love me. It took my years to realize I have been loved all along, a love that never went away. God's love. So many time I resisted God, I resisted his love, I believed in my faith, I believed in him, but I was not ready to be belive I could be saved. Why would God want to save me, why would he want me as one of his Children, I am and will never be good enough. After my dad and step mom divorced, I hit rock bottom, my world was spinning out of control. Then one day it hit me, WHAM, I got the message, God loved me, he needed me on his side, and I needed him. I gave my life over to Jesus, and at the age of 21 I was baptized. Gone was the old and in was the new. I was on cloud nine. I will not sit here and say I was perfect, I will not say I lived a great Chrisian life from that point on. A few years later, the Devil made his way back into my life, and he stayed around this time, for three years. No matter what I did, I could not beat him, and by that time, I was weak, being strong was not an option. I was down on myself and the situation I was in, I became bitter, angry, because I was alone dealing with the Devil in human form, and he was attacking me and someone who I loved so much, who I wanted to help but did not have the faith nor the strength to fight this battle. I prayed, oh how I prayed, Lord please take me away, take me out of this situation, and he did, just not the way I expected it. I almost lost the one person who meant the world to me, and from that moment on, I knew what my purpose was, and what God needed me to do. I witnessed God's work that day, and have not looked back since. I have learned over time, I am not perfect, I will stumble, I will fall, and I will make some mistakes, but I know I have a very forgiving God, and I know no matter what he is always with me. So it goes back to ask the question, Who Am I? I finally learned, I am who I am, because of God, I am his child, and everything I am and will be, is because of him. I am thankful each and everyday, I get to be Philip's wife, Michael and Nicole's aunt, Jeff and Kitsy's sister in law, I am ever so thankful for that. I am also thankful God really has been impressing upon me to be more open to new things, not be so resistant, out of fear. There is a program I am going to be starting for our young girls and even our Pre-Teen/Teen girls. I am really excited about this, and pray God will lead me in the right direction, to make this a really great program. I pray those that feel lead to will help me in getting this program started. Most of all I pray that along my journey, I will not forget above all else, Who I Truly Am?

Wacky Wednesday

1. I do not know why, but I am super excited about it being Wednesday, maybe because it's closer to Friday

2. I got a new phone, it is a LG slider phone, and I love it, can't wait to start surfing the net

3. I have really got to start decluttering my house, and get started on some spring cleaning

4. I really should have a garage sale, but the thought of setting it all up and getting up that early, sends me straight into panic mode

5. I know I have said it before and I am saying it again, I love my church and the people in it

6. Baseball and softball season has begun, practice, practice, and more practice. I am stressing out just thinking about it, Philip is playing softball with folks from the church, and both Michael and Nicole are playing, AAAAHHHH!

7. I have got to change my diet plan up, got a good report on my weight and bp friday, but a letter came yesterday that my triglycerides are up a bit, so between the low sodium diet and now this, I am gonna starve, not really but I will be sacrificing alot.

8. I did my first 5K this past Saturday, finished in one hour and three minutes, but it wore me smooth out, took a 4 hour nap, and to this day, I am still recovering, but it's ok, at least I did something I wanted to accomplish

9. I am going to enjoy some sunshine this afternoon and go walking in the park, hopefully I can do at least two miles.

10. Prayers and more prayers, Philip is going to have surgery at the end of April, it is oral surgery, but alot is involved and he will be put to sleep, so please pray for him and especially pray for me during his recovery time, since he is a big Baby, LOL.

I pray everyone has a wonderful rest of the week.

Jennifer

Monday ramblings

1. The weekend went by way too quick
2. I woke up Saturday not feeling on top of my game, went to the park to walk, after one lap around, I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest, I did two laps though
3. We missed church yesterday, both me and Philip woke up sick, and I was having trouble catching my breath
4. Washed laundry yesterday, and on my second to last load, my washer decided to quit, so we will be buying a washer, AAHH!!!
5. I pray my doctor's appt. Friday goes really well
6. I wish I would have taken some time off this week to spend with Michael and Nicole
7. Michael was really wanting to come hang out with his Uncle Philip today, but he has to work to pay the bills, besides his partner is out on vacation this week
8. I was going to put highlights in my hair, but talked myself out of it, I am deathly afraid I will ruin my hair, and I definitely don't want that
9. I hope I am well enough by Saturday, I am supposed to do my first 5k Walk, I need to get some walking in this week to get better prepared physically, and I will rely on God to prepare me mentally
10. Well I hope it's a good week, and I hope it flies by as fast as the weekend does.

Jennifer

The Westerfield's

1. It's Hump Day, praise the Lord for this, I have had a rough week
2. I worked off 600 calories last night, woo hoo for me
3. I love the Peanut Butter and Chocolate granola bar by Quaker Oats, and they are only 90 calories
4. Lately, I have had to pray for someone who is hindering another person's spiritual growth and may or may not realize it, I have asked our heavenly Father to impress upon this person's heart to see things differently
5. I am really tired this week for some reason, I am hoping I can catch up on some rest this weekend.
6. Daylights Savings is this weekend, we spring forward, therefore lose an hour, all I need is to lose one more hour of sleep
7. It's raining outside and all I can think of, is crawling up in my bed, listen to it rain, and then take a nice long nap
8. I need to go and look for mine and Philip's easter outfit, I mean really we could find something Eastery to wear because we have plenty, but I like getting a new outfit every year
9. Easter weekend, is the weekend before my 31st birthday, just as always, it is either the day of, weekend before, or a week or two before, which is ok, what better way to celebrate my birthday than to celebrate Jesus being resurrected
10. I have to make the dreaded trip to Wal-Mart tonight, I hate going there, I spend way more money than I plan to, there is never enough lines open, and people can be so rude, especially on the grocery side. But, got to do what I have to do, might as well suck it up and get it over with

Have a good day
Many Blessings,
Jenn

Where did my weekend go

Talk about two days flying by....

1. I walked my three miles Saturday, it was a good participation, me, my friend Debbie, Kitsy, Danyelle, and Chasity, time went by so fast.
2. Michael(nephew)had a baseball tournament in Brandon, he did really good. On Saturday, he hit really well, stole bases, Sunday same thing again, hit really well, stole bases, and even pitched.
3. Philip was one proud Uncle, Michael did really good pitching for his first time out there this year, he is left handed so he is a hot commodity.
4. I am beyond tired at this point, I can't wait to get home and go to bed early tonight
5. I am getting something done to my hair I have never done, and I am scared out of my mind, I keep thinking I will hate it then I will be stuck, I have until Saturday to chicken out
6. Lately people have been seeking my forgiveness, don't know why, but I guess it's part of their healing process
7. I missed the FLO class, and really, really hated to, but I really, really enjoyed watching Michael play ball.
8. I plan on doing some yard work this weekend, and can't wait until we can start buying some plants for our patio area
9. I am gonna attempt to add 2 more days of walking into my schedule, we shall see how that will work in my already busy life
10. I hope this weeks flies by, by the way only 12 more days until my first 5K Walk. Can not wait.

Jennifer

Woo Woo Wednesday

Yeah I know a weird title, but I am in a weird mood.

1. I have been looking up recipes of different healthy things to cook for me and Philip, so far I have 10.

2. My calorie counter watch said I burned 354 calories last night, but I am not sure if that is correct, cause a doctor I know said that is awful low for the exercising we do, but if it is correct then I need to step it up

3. I am going walking tonight, I will probably only do a mile, depends, might do 2 miles

4. I have to get organized in my house, any volunteers on this project.

5. I do not like clutter, and that is what we are faced with right now, and I am about to panic thinking about it.

6. I need to have a mani pedi, especially before sandal/flip flop weather gets here.

7. I am trying not to doze off sitting here at my desk, but it is so boring today, I finished with my work around 10:30 this morning

8. I am currently shopping for paint, so me and Philip can paint the living room, hallway, and kitchen, should be loads of fun

9. I saw these cute zebra print high heels, tried them on, walked around in them, and they made me tall. HA! But they were not for me, I would have fell on my head and broke something.

10. I am ready for the weekend, so I can enjoy this nice weather we are supposed to be having.

Jennifer

Chatter box

1. I have a tendency to be a chatter box, but really only with my husband, I know when he is not hearing me, he might be listening, but he is not hearing me, and I call him out on it everytime. LOL.

2. I seemed to be getting a little busier each day at work, which I like, cause I am not banging my head on my desk begging for the day to end, cause I am so bored.

3. My husband told me last night he was really open to adopting, whoa, blew me away, because before it was ain't no way, now he's open to it.

4. I see my husband making so many good changes in his life, and I am so proud of him

5. I really need a nap, but won't happen, tonight is Walk the Walk, and I am leading it tonight, Danyelle is in Washington

6. Yeah me, leading an exercise class, who would have thought it.

7. I love my new comforter, for our bed, now I am on the hunt for matching egyptian cotton sheets, this is my husband's forte, he will not sleep on anything unless it is egyptian cotton, can we say SPOILED.

8. I really hope I form long lasting friendships with people in our church, especially the ladies in our FLO class.

9. I really can't wait for some warmer weather, not hot, melt your makeup off your face, but nice and warm.

10. Lastly, I love the Special K, Fruit Crisp bar, strawberry flavored. Love it, that is my new breakfast.

Many Blessings,
Jennifer

Random thoughts

1. Well it's Monday all over again, I dread Mondays, I am always running behind on Mondays.
2. I had a great weekend- walked three miles in the park by my house, and really enjoyed a little time to myself
3. I turned over a full pitcher of tea in my refrigerator, and it went all over it and the floor, took me an hour and 45 minutes to clean it up.
4. I really, really enjoyed our FLO class last night, there are some pretty woderful women in the class, and I can not wait until I get to know them better.
5. I overcame one of my fears, and presented an idea of mine, and it was well received.
6. I really wanted to go walking tonight, doesn't look like that will happen, oh well
7. My boss ate egg rolls for lunch, now I want some, but can't cause they are packed with way too much sodium
8. Me and my dog Butters have a morning ritual, where we both have to go wake up Philip, he jumps on the bed and won't let me get near his daddy, I have to call out to Philip, and I try to reach over to Philip, and Butters will either swat at me, lick me, or nip at me, to keep me from getting near his daddy, I laugh at this every morning.
9. I realized I enjoy painted, but am not great at it. It's a good stress reliever for me.
10. I am ready for Friday, I think I am gonna go on a date with my husband

Well I hope we all have a great week.

Many Blessings,
Jennifer