tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69302945525912490932024-11-01T07:23:49.071-04:00"...let us run with patience the race that is set before us." ~Hebrews 12:1cJennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.comBlogger189125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-25424797367060406432021-11-08T17:55:00.001-05:002021-11-09T08:11:48.425-05:00

There are children next door that my kids love to play with just about every day.  They know when the neighbors will usually be home and wait in anticipation for them.I had a neighbor friend, too.  I'd constantly look over to see if he was out.  It would make my day when he was sitting on his carport.  I would cross the street, sit in a plastic chair and chat. When Loyd would

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-6650758220052120072020-11-14T11:59:00.003-05:002020-11-14T12:08:52.672-05:00

 As my therapy recently concluded, I've been reflecting on the process.  It's been quite an extraordinary journey.  I started in a state desperate to change worn patterns that were like dusty, back country roads that had been traveled often but never repaired.  I finished soaring high above it all.I've said this before, but it's worth saying again; not everyone is going to

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-9092271884588487182020-10-05T12:06:00.003-04:002020-10-06T09:32:34.331-04:00

There’s more to life than feeling happy and blissfully unaware of the faults, failures and pain around us, whether that’s in our own homes or miles away.  Once this mindset is challenged, one can stop waking up every day thinking of what makes them feel good, even if that might seem selfless, and begin to be humbled, to take the gut blow to pride.   Because no matter the situation,

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-88634884576350328282020-08-26T14:02:00.002-04:002020-08-26T14:19:51.847-04:00

DefinitionEMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.  Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-55724218571887787772020-04-14T10:51:00.000-04:002020-04-15T09:37:23.192-04:00

I think many of us never had a specific conversation with adults in our lives about what marriage really looks like.  I hear many people say that they had no idea what marriage would actually entail.  They only knew of a dream.  Once they got married, they were unprepared for what life would be like.  I was definitely one of those people. I have two young daughters, who may

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-58381134630625891182020-04-13T16:10:00.000-04:002020-04-13T16:35:23.119-04:00

The dynamics involved in family units can be quite understated.  Quite unique.  They may have existed for decades or longer. They can be evolved over time to serve a purpose.  Yet, when the problem or crisis is over, many find it difficult to move out of ways of relating to one another that should not be permanent.  They have a hard time moving forward, moving on. For

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-28911086719152321332020-03-16T16:34:00.000-04:002020-03-16T16:34:33.790-04:00

Darkness assails. It's winds and high seas- The uncertain constancy. Yet, I do not fear. though my captives would cheer. I press on and believe for I have been saved. My hope lies ahead, in the pure bliss of what's read. His Word promises me, life and eternity. I will not fear, For my redeemer is near. He lends his ear, to this weary soul. Giving reprieve and rest for the faint hearted, but

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-58389957352857112862020-01-29T12:02:00.001-05:002020-01-29T12:02:18.417-05:00

Time is such an elusive, cosmic, yet static phenomenon.  Are we ever truly present in the current moment?  Is that even possible?  With all of the memories housed in our brains and the concerns and hopes for the future...how can time possibly stand still? I'm not trying to sound like a smarty pants here.  No.  Not at all.  That kind of writing irritates me. 

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-70607691859374908232019-12-13T14:04:00.000-05:002019-12-13T14:04:37.313-05:00

After my father died, I was a mess and so was my family.  By this time in my life, I had lived in abuse for most of it, and become accustomed to being awoken in the dead of night by my mother, because we were leaving my father again.  When he killed himself, the running stopped, but the fear and anxiety did not. I was 8 years old suffering from migraines, a nervous stomach and

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-4810207019712506882019-08-25T08:21:00.000-04:002019-08-25T08:21:20.533-04:00

The day a child is born is magical.  There truly is nothing like those first few moments when you see, hear and hold your child for the first time. The word "perfect" is often used to describe the new blessing. While children certainly are gifts of God, beautiful creations and demonstrations of his handiwork, they are far from perfect.  I do believe we are doing our children a

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-61510773572934034182019-07-11T12:42:00.001-04:002019-07-11T12:42:52.496-04:00

How can a "leader" in church not want to talk about Biblical application in a social setting?  I was recently taken aback when I brought up what I was learning in my own personal Bible study with a pastor.  Instead of joining in the conversation, he was quiet and seemed disinterested.  The conversation quickly went back to light frivolity.  I wrongly thought that a person who

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-47541194633839919432019-07-03T11:42:00.000-04:002019-07-03T11:42:37.923-04:00

I used to detract from the notion that I am a statistic.  I fought hard to not be included in the statistic of those who grew up like me.  I didn't want to be included with those who eventually became abusers, addicts, who created their own broken homes, or had done jail time. I made myself learn.  I educated myself.  I went to therapy.  I became the one to help those

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-83179174848468185382019-04-23T12:30:00.000-04:002019-04-23T12:54:59.762-04:00

Sometimes I feel like crying, and I have no idea why.  After lots of reflection, I can often backtrack and pinpoint the reason or reasons why.  Sometimes it is vaguely clear.  Other times, it's not. It feels like you're standing in the ocean.  It's calm.  You're about waist deep.  Then suddenly a huge wave smacks you under water out of nowhere.  You didn't

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-13803600957640143052019-04-19T14:34:00.000-04:002019-04-19T14:34:44.095-04:00

I really don't like waking up and realizing it's my birthday.  That may sound crazy, but I would be over the moon happy if I could just skip that day (which is today) altogether.  I get anxious just thinking about it coming up. I don't get upset that I'm getting older, that I have more gray hair, or more aches and tiredness.  It's not about the actual process of being older that

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-78687531007258794232019-03-07T10:13:00.000-05:002019-03-07T10:34:55.722-05:00

I don't know why I don't just expect to be hit hard every year.  I still get somewhat shocked at the emotional toll this time of year has on me.  After 29 years, I still feel like someone gut punched me as memories, feelings and flashbacks flood my mind. I've come to forgive, to feel sympathy, empathy and sadness for my dad.  I think of how he died.  Alone and afraid. He

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-69868067912678887512019-02-06T09:59:00.000-05:002019-02-06T11:44:08.678-05:00

Having gifted children is amazing and exhausting.  They are active and not necessarily just physically active.  We have one that cannot stop her brain from needing input, creating, making and asking.  We have one that is curious and physically everywhere.  We have one that wants to be with you wherever you are, creates her own language and new words.  She was using 3-5

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-52169123038517668862018-10-11T15:40:00.001-04:002018-10-16T14:25:22.519-04:00

I'm a mom of 3 young kids, and many of my Facebook friends have kids as well.  It's fun glancing at birthday pictures, kids smiling and having fun at carnivals, hayrides and on vacations.  My newsfeed often has pictures of little ones who have made a mess with the parent making a joke in the caption or hashtags. Kids are awesome.  They are beautiful little beings that God created

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-22416133414239668352018-09-30T16:09:00.002-04:002018-09-30T16:09:55.423-04:00

Do you remember having to run the mile in gym class?  In about middle school, I remember dreading this day!  I never saw the point of running in a circle over and over again.  I didn't particularly enjoy running and was more interested in boys and what my friends were wearing that day.  I would have chosen to do a week of extra homework over running the mile. Then, at the

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-25543467880276921062018-09-04T16:24:00.000-04:002018-09-04T16:24:54.267-04:00

The scenery is beautiful when I run. The trees sway back and forth in the wind. The sun beams down on the earth warming and brighteneing everything it touches. Wild roses cascade over a fence to say hello. Mirrors of dew on the grass reflect the big world above. But these aren't the only beautiful things I see. I see people. I see people showing kindness. They smile, say hello and wave as I run

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-19999947395937971252018-08-08T09:38:00.000-04:002018-08-08T09:38:00.853-04:00

I'm sure you've heard, as I have, that kids are resilient.  Usually one says this when discussing a hardship the child may be going through or has endured.  They are reflecting on the seeming lack of sadness or bad behavior they observe from the child though they may just had a parent or loved one die, gone through a big change such as moving or had their parents divorce. I have heard

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-37591913171933488722018-05-23T18:36:00.001-04:002018-06-28T16:33:35.823-04:00

I had no idea.  I couldn't even begin to fathom what others were talking about when they told me their spouse was gone for extended periods of time.  There was a nodding of my head, furrowed brow, concerned look and probably some sort of comment like, "I don't know how your do it!". No, I had no idea what it was really like.  You just can't understand such a life until you've

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-36222359805261881892018-04-25T08:20:00.000-04:002018-04-25T08:20:05.525-04:00

I'm typing while a baby snoozes in my lap and two slightly older children are in the next room wrestling.  I periodically hear things falling to the floor as they laugh and scream.  I know these are just some of the things I'll miss.  I'll miss not being able to hold them and see their chest rise and fall with every precious breath.  I'll miss not hearing them say, "I love

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-42012659648270311602018-03-12T11:08:00.001-04:002018-03-12T11:08:32.767-04:00

It's been 28 years since my father's death.  I've danced with every imaginable emotion over and again as I process his death through every stage of life.  God has brought me to a place of understanding that has been painful and beautiful as I continue on this journey of life at an age when he had already left. I've come to know how one could succumb to such a fate.  I've come

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-22967664894974623182018-01-03T11:57:00.000-05:002018-01-04T14:32:57.122-05:00

I remember playing with baby dolls as a young girl knowing that this is wanted I wanted to do when I grew up.  Above all else, I wanted to be a Mommy.  Sure, I wanted to see the world and have a career, but I knew in my heart, at a very young age, that the job that would be most important would be Motherhood. So, when I was pregnant with our daughter, I was elated.  My

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6930294552591249093.post-22426681994819839842017-10-04T17:02:00.000-04:002017-10-04T17:02:51.041-04:00

How often do we make judgment calls about other people's lives when we don't really know what we're talking about?  How often do we see ourselves as wise in our own eyes, when it's really pride?  I see this in myself through each passing tide that rolls in and out of my life.  I see that what once gave me confidence is really selfishness and arrogance. It feels good to think you

Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04813413547312580973noreply@blogger.com0