tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170618962024-10-02T09:50:44.817-07:00Stories of Faith, Hope, Love and FoodJemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-59186249812762155402014-02-04T12:08:00.001-08:002014-02-04T12:08:23.500-08:00

I know I already mentioned that there was going to be some changes around here.It's happening!With MUCH encouragement from my husband, a lot of prayer and some fancy HTML footwork, I am ready to launch my new website.Sometime today I'll post my first new piece. I've already imported everything from here. It is just a matter of fine tuning a thing or two and I can get back to what I love...

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-59064025863976622342014-01-28T20:58:00.000-08:002014-01-28T21:09:09.881-08:00

We have referred to both of our daughters as princesses. Each one for different reasons but nevertheless, we have treated them with value. As Christ followers we believe we are children of The King so it has always made sense. In the past year or so it seems en vogue to separate our daughters from the pressure of being a princess. Perhaps it is the notion that all princesses

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-54595323753969145602014-01-17T09:46:00.000-08:002014-01-17T09:46:01.702-08:00

I'm getting a makeover! Okay, not me really. It's time to turn my blog into a website. It is way past time that it start reflecting me and the stories within. Image edited from original at http://www.domusinc.com/ You see, I've been wondering for a long time what direction I should take with my writing. You know, should I just pick one topic and stick with it? Should my readers be able

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-80338550894510218262014-01-04T15:10:00.002-08:002014-01-04T17:31:41.563-08:00

"We spend more time talking about our relationship than we do actually having one." He blurted out from across the picnic table with wind snuffed candles and half eaten chicken. He was right. It bugged me but the truth was right there. We had met under strange circumstances and kept seeing each other without a sense of direction or purpose. What I do know is we both

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-8304356296064345712013-12-04T13:58:00.002-08:002013-12-04T18:52:33.812-08:00

Each table was decorated with excruciating details of every imaginable Christmas theme from whimsical to elegant and dramatic to simple. Over one hundred women calmed the chatter as the speaker took the podium. Leaning in she began, "Merry Christmas! It's CHRISTMAS! I refuse to say Happy Holidays!" She laughed and continued with her talk. To this day I have no clue what she said after that. I

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-39064260341518532312013-12-03T17:00:00.000-08:002013-12-03T17:00:25.776-08:00

I find it interesting that the term Pinterest has found its way past a title to an adjective. Recently, I read someone describe their nuptials as a “Pinterest wedding." For those few who may not be familiar, Pinterest is a website where users set up “boards” (think, online bulletin board) and they “pin” ideas to their boards by saving photos with links to websites in order to access them

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-1420067401880267642013-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:002013-11-13T14:59:33.509-08:00

Last week was the launch of a beautiful book written by a gutsy, brave, intelligent woman whom God has gifted with more than just a poetic style. She has a heart that follows hard after her Saviour and a life that is devoted to speaking love and life into the church, Christ's bride. She speaks into the need to bring healing to every place in the world that needs the hands and feet of Jesus.

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-4011574688712148232013-11-09T11:50:00.000-08:002013-11-09T11:50:23.076-08:00

The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes were the colors streaking over the trees. The painted sky shows through the branches. Just last week the amber leaves fell, opening the confines of our yard and stretching out the view into the surrounding mountains. I shifted toward the french doors to soak in the beauty of a new day. Mindful not to wake my husband I took in the

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-81862029036263109562013-10-25T15:43:00.000-07:002013-10-25T16:14:06.500-07:00

I wanted to wait until I was at the end of my journey to write about this one. The problem with that is, this won't end until my life on earth is done. That will be the day I'll receive my heavenly body and the story that I am living now won't really matter. It matters now so it is now I will begin the telling. Food, weight, body image, diets, exercise and anything in between has

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-60151210980602114622013-09-25T13:54:00.000-07:002013-09-25T13:54:10.572-07:00

Christmas Dinnerwhere I am showing off my new doll I am from lunchboxes with glass thermoses from smocked dresses and a canopy bed I am from the one story ranch style  the smell of baking cakes  and the smell of anesthesia. I am from the violet bed, bouganvilla and yucca The maple tree whose long gone limbs  I remember as if they were my own. I’m from dinner at the

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-41230610935179146872013-09-23T19:39:00.001-07:002013-09-23T19:48:35.434-07:00

Courtesy of A Shared Lens I enjoy reading the work of authors who inspire me to live better, love freely and immerse myself in grace. Some writers encourage me to appreciate my children, others give me great ideas for health and nutrition while others inspire me to dig deeper in my faith. It occurred to me recently that I often post links to my favorite writings because I

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-10747506952035534642013-08-21T10:15:00.000-07:002013-12-04T08:27:18.246-08:00

I'm well aware that the title of this book will raise some eyebrows. I'll admit it took me off guard at first too. Thankfully, knowing who wrote it, I knew what was inside was worth getting past my own preconceived notions of the word "feminist". When I opened it up I unearthed treasures of grace, beauty and substance. This went far beyond expectations into a place in my soul

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-19703751702967942922013-08-01T11:43:00.002-07:002013-12-21T15:02:48.447-08:00

My dear friend and mentor was faced with terrible news this week. Her son-in-law was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer. Before 24 hours had passed she was already hearing comments that were not only unhelpful, they were painful. She posted the article, What Not to Say When Someone has Cancer. I read it with great interest because not only to I want to be a comfort, I've been on the

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-26991459970573805732013-07-18T10:16:00.001-07:002013-07-18T10:21:47.557-07:00

These days I'm having a love/hate relationship with the internet. Maybe I always have but lately it seems that the "hate" side it gaining ground. Who knew twenty years ago how much this form of communication would connect and divide us? With the continual onslaught of information we have some to care so much that we run out of energy to care enough.  I'll admit it, I don't know where

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-18412582718398285572013-07-13T11:50:00.001-07:002013-07-13T16:14:13.314-07:00

Garden Lettuce I just came in from working in my little garden. I pulled weeds, picked tomatoes, left a zucchini to grow a little more and I pondered. I pondered a lot.  These are my lessons from my garden today. Very early on I should have spent more time in my young garden. As the new sprouts emerged, a daily visit or two to my raised beds would have allowed me to know

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-79630476705011480092013-05-21T22:42:00.000-07:002013-05-21T22:42:28.548-07:00

I like tea. I'm enamored by: ~the sound it makes when you pour it. ~the sweet aroma that drifts upward as it steeps. ~tasting the perfect blend. ~the warmth it brings a cold, rainy day I like the way it makes me slow down, even for a few moments, to soak in the quiet beauty of life. Today, after a weekend of activity, travels and returning to work on Monday, I sat on my rumpled

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-36327382121476657882013-04-05T11:33:00.000-07:002013-04-05T11:37:36.598-07:00

If there is one thing I've learned about the internet it is that it takes very little to raise someone's hackles. The slightest misstep in wording can cause a storm of words that make a Kansas tornado seem tame. A lovely woman who has weathered many of life's storms openly in her writings found herself the battening down the hatches this week. The piece she wrote for Prodigal Magazine&

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-38211259803650687002013-03-21T22:47:00.000-07:002013-03-26T22:33:31.299-07:00

My cousin Louise was one of the funniest people I knew. Confident and quick witted, she had us laughing at some of the most awkward times. She had compassion that ran deeper than some may have known. It was obvious that she had a special affection for The Princess. She would call me out of the blue "just because" or on special occasions to see how we had celebrated. We had several

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-8755498333958021922013-03-13T19:21:00.001-07:002013-03-13T19:22:34.357-07:00

Once upon a time we spoke of dance lessons. The chance to have a night out, just the two of us, learning together, holding hands and laughing through it all. Time and opportunity never intersected to bring us to that place. We dance anyway. We don't just save it for special events anymore. In our family room we dance for The Princess until her giggles overtake tears. Slow dancing by the

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-24459976053548020142013-01-16T18:11:00.002-08:002013-01-16T18:19:14.590-08:00

Today I am privileged to be a guest blogger. Action or Acceptance? Even in her text I can hear her desperation. Her husband is deeply depressed again. He finally admitted his desire to leave the marriage. He’s been thinking about it seriously for two years but hasn’t found the strength to follow through. With depleted emotions they both plod through their moments trying to make it to the

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-53944073110774227282013-01-02T18:22:00.002-08:002013-01-03T12:27:41.464-08:00

I love a new year I believe it is the ultimate in do overs Lord knows I need do overs more than most If each new day is a fresh start then each new year is a whole new beginning This year on my little blog I have plans for fresh ideas I'll share more of me It won't be the most hilarious or poetic or well written It certainly won't answer the biggest questions of our world Don't come here to

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-88799104892358525662012-12-31T22:47:00.002-08:002012-12-31T22:47:18.543-08:00

I love words. I jumped at the chance to jump on the #OneWord365 bandwagon with little hesitation. As I searched for just the right word I came upon galvanize (or galvanise for my British leaning friends). What I think struck me most is that although it has more than one meaning, it didn't matter which definition I used, it fits me. Galvanize is a synonym for inspire. It means to

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-4015021856446506822012-12-27T22:43:00.001-08:002012-12-27T22:57:38.528-08:00

My mom's Caramel Corn is legendary She was hired to make this several years in a row for a local doctor who wanted to give it as gifts Really It's not only really good it is really easy I've made it four times this season so I decided while I was making it tonight I'd share it with you! The Coffee Guy took photos tonight I think he just wanted to be near me or He

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-20640242526809919292012-12-24T23:10:00.000-08:002012-12-25T08:21:08.029-08:00

My Dearest, Twenty four years have passed since you knelt in front of a fireplace in your living room. You officially asked me to marry you. There was no doubt what I would say was there? Exactly three years later you made me laugh so hard my water broke. Two days later, our first daughter arrived. We all held our breath as she let out the tiniest cry. Prayers filled the chaotic

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17061896.post-2059131851224663762012-12-04T22:55:00.000-08:002012-12-04T22:55:16.362-08:00

Two years ago today my oldest daughter got married in a beautiful evening ceremony. It was delightful, stressful, magical, memorable and our hearts were so very full. The ceremony was holy, sacred and lifted the hearts of everyone there. We walked away confident that the God that saves us cared about every detail. Even the ones that didn't go our way. What a great start to a sweet marriage.

Jemelenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09082191275070224847noreply@blogger.com1