Hodgepodge

I hadn't compiled a list of random thoughts in a really long time. With a house full of sleeping kids I thought now might be the perfect time :)

1. I could eat the Thai Chopped Chicken salad from Panera at every meal & never tire of it.
2. I own way too many pairs of TOMs...but it's kindove like philanthropy, right?
3. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about how much I miss Israel.
4. Pandora is constantly playing on my phone. Either on the Michael Buble, Meredith Andrews, or Brooks Fraser station. 
5. Im on a quest to try all things outdoorsy this year: zip-lining, rock climbing, camping, kayaking...you name it.
6. I got my first cold sore this week. It really took everything  in me not to stay in my house till it went away. Unattractive. 
7. Fall cannot come soon enough this year! But I'm going to miss driving on the blue ridge parkway...an annual tradition.
8. I babysit so much that I find myself doing weird things like reading "Charlotte Parent Magazine" & printing off free kids-meal coupons in my spare time.
9. I just discovered and fell in love with Mat Kearny's music this week...amazing.
10. In 6 days I will be living in a new state, in a new home, with new people, a new body of believers, a new school. It's all new! I'm thoroughly stoked and already packed :) 

She Speaks, You Speak, I Speak...We Speak!

It is no secret that us women speak.

Constantly. Commonly about whatever comes to mind even.

But what if an entire movement of Godly women decided that they were going to speak in order to bring glory to our Heavenly Father?

In fact, what if we made the choice and were empowered by God to speak with "wisdom and faithful instruction" (Proverbs 31:6)

Would not our day to day lives look drastically different?

Imagine the potential of Godly women, willing to speak with the urgency and persistency that is so often used for frivolous matters.

This thought brings conviction to my core.

Well, there is a ministry who caught that very vision, and has since drastically changed my life: Proverbs 31. The host of the annual 'She Speaks' conference.

In fact, God utilized this very ministry to continue to crystalize the call on my life to women's ministry. Y'all I can not adequately convey with words the burden I feel for women living in captivity, living under the domain of darkness, trapped by controlling lies. There is freedom in Christ, and only in Him and I yearn to spend my life telling each and every precious daughter of Christ who I possibly can just that. 

Upon discovery of Proverbs 31, while not personally knowing a single staff member of theirs, I felt an immediate connection because I knew that they understood what makes me tick, my passion, my God-given calling. 

These women also understand that upon receiving a calling, whether it be to lead a women's small group, enter into full time women's ministry, or even just hold a couple mom's accountable, there comes a point where we all ask "how" or "what now?"

In order to answer those questions by equipping women for ministry, Proverbs 31 ministries has created the amazing, inspiring...She Speaks Conference.

During this three day conference held right here in my home sweet home of Concord, the Proverbs 31 team discusses an array of topics from speaking, to writing, to leadership...you name it really.

I tell you all of this to say: attending this Christmas would thrill my heart more than having Christmas, my birthday, and 'all you can eat Ben and Jerry's' day...all in one!

Extreme, but true.

Two years ago, I knew I was called to ministry, but never would I have ever dreamt it would be women's ministry. Now, I could not imagine doing another thing on this planet. After having endless confirmation these past couple months that women's ministry is most certainly the area the Lord has called me, having the opportunity to learn from this group of women who have so much so touched my life would be like none other. I would soak in every second of it all.
 Honestly, the idea of this area of ministry is still daunting to me, in more ways than I can describe, probably because I know...me. Therefore, being equipped to lead my sister's in Christ from a team of my own role models would be a blessing comparable to none other.
As I read the description of the conference, I could not contain myself. Speaking, writing, ministering to the needs of hurting and broken women, distinguishing direction.
Countless discussions I would hang on to every syllable of. 
However, financially, attending the conference would not be feasible this year with college on the horizon. Hence why I literally jumped out of my chair when I found an opportunity for a scholarship! 

I know two things as well as I know my name: 

First, I love my precious savior more than life itself.

Secondly, I was created to do women's ministry.

My strong desire to attend the She Speaks conference to be equipped and trained is nearly inevitable coupled with those two things.

I may be young, I may not be the most experienced, but I know a God who does not look upon either of those factors.
Next school year, my first in college, I will begin my first year as a part of the Preministerial Scholars Students, as we seek to discern and prepare for the Lord's call on our life. Having this training under my belt, if you will, would prepare me for more than I could even fathom.

So to the She Speaks Conference Team: I would love to be able to look back on July 22-24, 2011 twenty years down the road, while serving in women's ministry, knowing that is where the Lord began to equip me for the call on my life.

May we speak with wisdom and faithful instruction today. 

In Summary

Life!

I love it. I tire from it. I thank the Lord for it.

The month of January and thereafter has proven to be the most hectic, yet amazing, and formative time of my life. It would take ample time to recount all that has occurred over the days that have passed since Passion, Christmas break, et cetera but there are a few high points I simply must hit.

I was reminded of God's many blessings to me as I have had the oppurtunity to reconnect with so many of my precious friends who have already entered the college 'chapter' of their life. We have shared so many memories lately and there is much more joy to be had. Most recently, we had the pleasure of celebrating the engagement of two of our best :) Alyssa and Richard! They have set a date in August and we are all currently basking in the fun that comes along with planning. The other weekend, Alyssa took all of her bridesmaids to one of the most fun days of my life...bridesmaids dress shopping! Ahh what excitement. God has given me the greatest girl friends that I could have ever asked for. Thank you, Lord.

Then! There was the Dominican Trip which call for many seperate blog posts that will soon be coming :)  May I just say though that God rocked my world that week and things have not been the same since...can't wait to share!

God answered my prayers for a job! Yipedoo. I have been working upwards of twenty, if not thirty hours, a week lately (hence the lack of blog posts). However, ironically enough, the Lord has shown me so many lessons through this job that I truly cannot wait to tell of. 

SAMFORD! SAMFORD! SAMFORD!

: )

I had the great privilege of traveling down TWICE in the last month to interview for scholarships, which the outcome of is still pending (I should hear back in the next week or so - ahh!). God is so sovereign, if you ever doubt that, I can offer countless stories to strengthen your faith. Chance does not exist. Coincidence? No such thing. He has given me seemingly endless confirmation about this process and the  details are soon coming. Those two weekends were simply unforgetable.

In summary...I basically just proved how much blogging I have to do! And to think, I simply touched on the high points in this post :) 

I am itching to share details with you! Stay tuned for more and if you are at a place in life where you simply just do not what to do, where to go from 'here,' et cetera. Take heart, I've been there, and God is in your yesterday, today, and tomorrow! May I encourage you with a passage that the Lord laid upon my heart this past month:

Exodus 14:14

 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  

(Some translations have silent in place of the world still. Maybe if you are like me, God desperately wants to speak to you, He just needs a chance to talk.)

Keep fighting the fight! The battle is already won.

Confessions

1. I will not miss high school. Nor will I be one of those people who constantly try to relive "those Glory Days." I love my school, memories I made, friends I intend to keep, but I'm ready to move on to the next chapter. (Someone remind me I said this when I'm sobbing at graduation.)


2. Reading the Bible is an intense struggle for me. I love reading about the Bible, learning theology about the Bible, and I even sincerely love the Bible. Something about opening up God's Word and reading them though, triggers fears sometimes. 
    Fear that I will miss 'the point.'
    Fear that I will interpret something incorrectly.
    Fear. 
    But I don't let the devil have that battle, because the Bible tells me that "perfect love casts out fear," and that it does.


3. I might not have dated in three years and I tell people 110% of the time that it never bothers me.
That's not true. Sometimes, it secretly does. Well, I guess it's not 'secretly' anymore. But then I remind myself I will not wish away my single years and that I find my satisfaction in Christ alone...and all is well again : )


4. I have all of my children's names picked out. It's true, corny and true, but I can't tell you, because that would solidify the corniness. Plus, I intend for my future hubs to have a say-so in the matter. 


5. I struggle with accepting the fact that Christ loves me unconditionally and sees me as beautiful, just the way that I am.


6. TV Commercials annoy me. They are a consistent reminder of the demise of our society. Bleh.


7. I have never written anything I actually like. Yes, I am my toughest critic.


8. I am addicted to 'Just Dance 2' for the wii. Horrible, but addicted. I'm actually not sure I will survive without it in college.


9. I am totally a Facebook creeper. It's true. I try to keep myself occupied in order to avoid it, but a sleepless night here or there leaves me with few options.

There ya have it...confessions of a snowed-in-senior. 

The Manhattan Declaration

I believe...
Christians should not shy away from intellectual pursuits, political debates, and other academic endeavors.
I know...
There is a place for Christians in every area of science, government, so on and so forth.
I have hope...
That if we band together as we are called to and unite as the body of Christ, not separated by denominations and other factors that seek to divide and destroy our witness, that there are still brighter days ahead for America. However, the opposite is true if we shrink back into the subculture  so many Christians feel most comfortable in.


What I'm coming to terms with is sometimes the right thing isn't the comfortable thing, it is not the easiest most nearly accessible, most palatable option. Typically, it will take every ounce of passion and fight within you and I am grateful there are Christian leaders standing up today on behalf of that reality.


Do you want a means by which to stand with them? 
Start here: by signing the Manhattan Declaration.


This movement speaks, shouts even, at three horrific issues in America today: The sanctity of life, the dignity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and religious liberty. 
Divorce rate, abortion statistics, prevalence of homosexuality and its impeding legislation, as well as threatened religious freedom must be addressed! The Bible speaks to these issues and we must defend what is true, right, noble, honorable, etc. and this is one avenue which that can be done through. 


Nearly 500,000 already have, will you do the same?

Who Alone Can Number the Clouds by Wisdom?

Job 38

³¹"Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades

   or loose the cords of Orion?

³³Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?

   Can you establish their rule on the earth?

 ³⁴"Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

   that a flood of waters may cover you?

³⁵Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go

   and say to you, 'Here we are'?

³⁶Who has put wisdom in the inward parts

   or given understanding to the mind?

³⁷Who can number the clouds by wisdom?

   Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,

³⁸when the dust runs into a mass

   and the clods stick fast together?

As Job needed a little reminder of the vastness and supremacy of the Lord, He got just that. Sometimes, when the pool of faith seems to be running short, we need the very same thing in our lives. Job 38 has provided the perfect reminder on countless occasions. My God is the God who numbers the clouds by wisdom and looses the cords of Orion (picture above). When I look up at the stars at night, this passage often comes to mind. When all else in the world does not seem right,"The Lord's Answer to Job" seems to put all things in perspective.

Will you trust in & be amazed by this God today?

I Love Laminin

Are there days that trusting God seems like too great a task to engage in?

Let me encourage you with this: Laminin.

I know, random huh?

 If someone had looked me in the eye a week ago and said "laminin" when I have been grappling with faith, I would have either laughed or been peeved. 

That is, until I heard this sermon from Louie Giglio.

Now, Laminin is the perfect reminder for me.

Please take a moment to watch this...God will 'wow' you!

It’s a part of everyday life, something every human being does on a regular basis. Granted, some are much better at the concept than others, but nonetheless, we all wait. In fact, it could be said, that at any given point in time, we are all waiting for something.

Children wait for play time or for the day when desert is the main course at every meal.

Some wait to win the lottery.

Others wait for love.

Stockbrokers wait for the economy to turn around.

Students wait for school to get out, mothers wait for school to begin.

We all wait in lines at the grocery store, at red lights, for pigs to fly.

You name it...we wait for it.

All humans are subject to the 'waiting game.'

But what about waiting on the Lord? Do we wait on Him too, or do we expect instant gratification when it comes to spiritual matters?

As my college search has commenced, the Holy Spirit has undeniably been convicting me about my unwillingness and apprehensiveness to be still and patiently wait on the Lord’s timing. He knows my heart and is fully aware that I would love nothing more than to have the ‘writing on the wall’ type of certainty throughout this process, but that is not God’s ‘style,’ if you will. However, there is endless beauty in that, because if God worked in such ways all the time, there would be no need for faith, prayer, or trust that the Lord will reveal His plans, on His watch.

Do you, too, find it difficult to wait on the Lord at times? Well, thank goodness I am not alone.

Luckily, one of the endless plus sides of following an omniscient God is that He anticipates and equips us for our areas of struggle.

For instance, Psalm 37:7 makes God’s instructions crystal clear as it instructs us to, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”

Or how about Psalms 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord,” you see, God wants us to find strength in knowing that it will all come together, when He is ready to reveal His plan, and he will! We must, you guessed it, simply wait.

It is easier said than done, no doubt. Luckily though, unlike those who are waiting for that winning lotto number, God has given us the assurance that He will direct our paths, He will answer us when we call, He will provide, and He will do it at the perfect time.

So, as I am learning to do, may I encourage you to “be strong and take heart” as you wait for the Lord. He is so worth our patience!

Aspiring Coffee Lover

1. I would love to live anywhere new, not that I don't love NC or would not stay here, I'm just not opposed to change of that nature. 
2. I don't mind public speaking, on most occasions. 
3. I often throw in random Spanish words in conversation and I have found that it annoys many people. 
4. I have never been stung by a bee or wasp. 
5. I had one of those "I am going to die right here" moments when I was in elementary school: my sister locked me in our 'dress up chest' and went downstairs to play. Lack of oxygen? - yes! 
6. I type speedy fast because I spend way too much time on the computer. 
7. I am allergic to sulfur based drugs - just in case you were wondering. 
8. I think the concept of 'pancakes in a can' is hysterical. 
9. I cried when I was younger upon realizing that I was the only person in my mom's side of the family with green eyes, or any other color than brown for that matter. 
10. I don't like to use the telephone - texting, talking, etc. 
11. I think the Jonas Brothers are overrated. 
12. I am bound and determined to make myself like coffee. 
13. I love to garden and I greatly admire my aunt who oversees a garden at a beautiful estate in Charleston. 
14. I once caught a fish with my bare hands and a 'Propel' water bottle. 
15. After running the mile in 5 minutes and 44 seconds, I begged my mom to call an ambulance (out of all sincerity). 
16. I was once lost in Guatemala for 3 hours, at night, with one other teenage girl - Miss Brittany Brooks. Truly an experience I do not wish to relive. 
17. On my trip to Guatemala the next year, my wallet was stolen at the same location Brittany and I went MIA at. 
18. I would go bungee-jumping or skydiving in a split second, but not alone. 
19. The day the movie 'Dear John' comes out will be better than Christmas, my Birthday, and Tax Free Weekend combined, in my book at least : )
20. I once won a free year of Chick-Fil-A at a Knight's Baseball game. That day was certainly a highlight of my life.

Life As A Missions Trip

My school, Hickory Grove Baptist Christian School, recently implemented an idea that was birthed during 2009. The vision of multiple members of administration at my school was to fill a week full of missions. The idea was targeted at educating the high school students on what missions truly means, the various ways it can be done, how each of us can find our calling, and more. The majority of the senior class headed off to the Dominican Republic for their senior trip at 1:30 a.m. on Monday morning, which left the rest of the high school to embark on the first annual Missions Week.

I must say that being as in love and passionate with missions as I am, I was thrilled at the idea. Not only was my love of missions the root of my excitement, but my curiosity was as well. I know that my idea of 'missions' is very specific and naive, if I was honest with myself. I'm realizing that missions is not simply a cross-cultural submersion for long periods of time. Life is missions, if it is lived as God has desired for it to be. He gave each and every one of us the Great Commission to be lived out everyday of our lives, not just the 2 weeks I may dedicate each year to traveling overseas on a short-term missions trip. I'm also realizing that if He cannot trust us to perform our call here, in our own city, how can He trust us to reach the world? I ask myself this question just as much as I do anyone else. 

My youth pastor, Bobby Price, always challenges the members of Kingsway Baptist to "live life as a missions trip, and live it well." I don't succeed at that everyday, but my prayer is that as I embark on my journey through this new decade that I will fulfill that premise to a higher degree. 

Today, I would like to challenge you and myself with this: let us fulfill the Great Commission with each new sunrise. We have been called, let us answer. We are not promised tomorrow, but we have today. 

Matthew 28:18-20

"Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

'Solo' Cups

1. My right foot is about a half a size larger than my left.
2. I took about 15 minutes of a ballroom dancing class with my Aunt one summer.
3. My favorite scent is vanilla: vanilla candles, soap, body spray...Vanilla everything!
4. I love surprises!
5. I hate throwing parties for myself but love doing them for other people.
6. The movie Super Size Me actually made me crave McDonald's fries...haha.
7. I am a perfectionist, but I'm working on it.
8. Redecorating my room has almost become a hobby of mine.
9. It would be a dream come true to intern for a major author one summer.
10. I have always wanted to go camping, but my family relentlessly denies my request to venture into the great outdoors for a weekend.
11. My initials spell the word JEW.
12. The Melting Pot is revolutionary in my book.

13. The phrase "just drink it off" annoys me more and more every time I hear it. May I just say, not only will your problems still be there when you regain sobriety, you will then too have a headache. (so I hear, I don't know from experience)
14. I love random and useless information. For instance, did you know that you blink approximately 84 million times in one year OR that every single citizen of Kentucky is required by law to take a bath at least once a year?
15. I have only had one cavity and I still say "it was not my fault."
16. I had a horrid experience while para sailing one summer after I didn't have my harness properly put on...scary? YES!
17. I consider myself a southerner, yet I hate sweet tea
18. One of my favorite toys as a toddler were red 'Solo' cups. I was easily amused.
19. I use to try and alter the results of my eye examinations because I wanted glasses so badly.
20. I was named after the character 'Jordan' in the movie Cocktail starring Tom Cruise. 

And this concludes yet another series of '20 Random Facts'

Chubby Bunny

20 RANDOM FACTS

1. I am quite the "Chubby Bunny" Competitor, if I may say so myself :) 
2. I find the website 'Goodreads.com' much more addictive than 'Facebook.' 
3. I would love nothing more than to publish a book one day, but more importantly, a book that would change someone's life. 
4. One of my children will be named Peyton. (Hope my future hubby agrees). 
5. Yankee candles are an obsession of mine. 
6. When learning a history lesson, I more often times than not find myself turning the story into a movie in my head. 
7. My previous fear of needles kept me from receiving numbing medicine before having stitches put in my thumb. That was one of my "top 10 dumbest ideas ever." 
8. I have 3 siblings, one of which lives with me. 
9. My dad played football for NC State while in college. 
10. I once ate a piece of turkey off the floor of a Lowe's Foods grocery store & my mom will never let me live that one down. 
11. My first job was at Little Otter's Swim School - that was short lived. 
12. Rebeca Webb taught me to surf at Wrightsville Beach a few years back, and I miss it to this day. 
13. Salmon is my favorite fish and Red Rocks cafe, in my opinion, has the best Salmon I have ever tasted. 
14. I love to play Israeli board games. 
15. I am addicted to Trident or 5 gum and am rarely not chewing a piece. 
16. I would rather go casual than fancy most days. 
17. My hand was once caught in a mixer on high speed for much too long. 
18. I am a horrible decision maker, which is why I hate shopping; having to pick a store, color, size, etc. is just a little too much for me. 
19. I tried breaking up a fight between two boys at a pool party and got punched in the face. I have no desire to do that again. 
20. If I could have any super power in the world, I would choose to be able to stop time. That would be the life.

Eggs & Ketchup

Whenever I really want to get to know someone, I love asking to know random facts about them. Therefore, I thought it might be fun to post a list of 20 random facts about myself from time to time. Just for fair warning, I would like to re-emphasize the word random...

1. I am currently reading 7 books, or at least attempting to.
2. I have a phobia of eye drops, but have long since conquered my fear of needles.
3. I have never been farther west than Nashville, TN within the 50 U.S. States.
4. I cannot eat eggs without ketchup. Well, I suppose I could, I just prefer not to.
5. I have watched every single episode of One Tree Hill that has ever been filmed.
6. I met Ty Pennington at the beach one summer and he asked my uncle to go sumo wrestling with him - on the Fourth of July. (I would not lie to you)
7. My idea of an enjoyable night would include a stack of books + a smoothie + a library. Wanna hangout tomorrow night? ; ]
8. I lost the spelling bee in the 5th grade on the word "marshmallow." And I just had to use spell check to get it right for all you intelligent bloggers. Oh my.
9. My favorite flower would have to be a...daisy.
10. I have spent exactly four weeks of my life in a public school.
11. I read a book that changed my life last year, 'Lady In Waiting,' and since then I have made a promise to God to abstain from a serious dating relationship until I graduate from high school.
12. I am severely OCD - hence the fact my closet is not only color coordinated but also divided into pants, Capri's, skirts, long sleeve shirts, short sleeve....well, you get the picture.
13. The longest I have gone without showering is one week. TMI? ...sorry : )
14. One of my biggest fears is letting people in.
15. I cannot dance to save my life, and if you ever happen to see me dance, consider yourself special.
16.I was once attacked by a swan, or a bird of similar resemblance, I now know him as Ted.
17. I never could catch on to being obsessed with 'teen heartthrobs.' I guess I was too much of a realist in that sense.
18. Duck is the most 'exotic' food I have ever had, and I thought it tasted like chicken.
19. I sincerely believe I would have loved living in the '80s.
20. I miss around on travel websites for fun and fully intend on seeing the world, or as much of it as possible.

Random, I know : ]

In Summary...

My name is Jordan and I'm currently 16, going on 25 according to my mom, and a Junior at Hickory Grove Baptist Christian School. I'm definitely not naive to the fact that most 16 year old teenage girls do not spend their time blogging away on the Internet. However, as I am so often told, most of my interests are not typical for people my age. In fact, my friends joke that my interests are more paralleled to that of a "grandmother" than a teenager, and if I was honest with myself I'm not sure I could completely deny them of their claim.

My blogging journey didn't begin for any particular reason, but instead more of a compilation of reasons. For starters, just to be honest, I haven't seen the light of day for over a week now due to the flu and boredom is threatening my life. Second, I love to write and more importantly I love to read, because I learn so much from others when they can speak without interruption. I am no Mark Twain, William Shakespeare, or even Doctor Seus, but rather; I am an admirer of authors. I figure the only way to improve my writing ability is by doing just that. My third point of reasoning would be that I have never held myself accountable for journaling as well as I have hoped and I'm thinking that blogging might work in my favor. I love going through my mom's old notes, yearbooks, and even day-planners from high school because I feel like, even if just for a moment, I am there with her. It seems more real than just hearing bits and pieces of stories. I suppose I would love for this to become my account of my journey through these upcoming years of life, something to look back and reflect on, but most importantly to help me remember, even the smallest of details. Maybe this blog can also be my mom, friends, and other family's way of feeling as if though they were with me through all the memories. Lastly, it is my prayer that this new decade will be a time of growth for me, that I will grow to be more and more in love with my Savior everyday, a more loving daughter, sister, and grandaughter, a better friend, and a stronger person. Hopefully anyone who reads or follows this blog can then too observe that growth, development, and change occurring in me. It is my prayer that this blog can also therefore be used as my testimony to whomever stumbles across it.

I must put my disclaimer out there: Much like myself, this blog will probably become more filled with random blurbs than structured series.

Whatever the product may be, here it goes...