::Tuesday's Tea With Me::

Golly it has been so cold in the mornings. It was so cold the other day my hands nearly stuck to my steering wheel. However... it's been perfect for a nice hot tea to start off the day No?


So I was fiddling with my new record player yesterday and I was trying to get certain radio stations to come in clearly. I was turning the knob this way and that, and out of the radio pops this voice that says, 

"Good intentions will not provide spiritual strength." 

I sat there thinking on that for a second and the voice kept going...

"We cannot possibly be prepared for life's challenges without practicing spiritual discipline such as fellowship, prayer, and reading about God's promises."

The man kept talking but I quickly fumbled for the off button so I could process those words before my brain moved on. That's pretty deep. 


How will I have time for spiritual disciplines such as prayer (connecting with God) if I have 5 gadgets in front of me, that with the touch of a button, connect me to people? I can become so over-connected with people that there is no opening to hear that still small voice. And frankly that quiet gentle voice is the one that really matters. It's what guides me along my very own unique path. I don't want to follow the masses. I want to be Jenna.


How can you observe a discipline daily, that will strengthen your spirit? That will cut your attention loose from all the wires and let your soul take a breath of fresh air? Is it a morning walk? Is it charging your phone in the kitchen instead of your nightstand? Is it keeping electronics out of your bedroom? Spending 20 minutes of undivided attention with one child, or one pet? Not answering phone calls for a day or two and returning messages later? How can we block all those things that seek to grab our attention and distract us. Because meaning to slow down, is not slowing down. And delayed obedience is disobedience.


Just something to think on. Love you guys. Hope this cold weather affords you a quiet moment to reflect and be intentional with your time. Your life.


Hugs,
-Jenna Jill

::Tuesday's Tea With Me::

Let's take our tea out onto the patio this afternoon. Oh and look who came out to join us in this graceful day... LADYBUGS. I love ladybugs!


In other news, Rose (the character in my book) and I both have poison oak at the same time. I was pretty tickled about that. What are the odds of that? Mine is almost all cleared up though. What would hiking be without an occasional fee?


And onto other matters of the day... Facebook Sabbatical update:


So far my life has not been drastically altered. I thought something was going to "happen" and I'd miss it. So far... nothing has really "happened." Then I started thinking since when has the responsibility of knowing "the scoop" fallen on us? Didn't it used to be, that if something happened that you were unaware of, someone would let you know? Preferably someone that was involved. When did it shift to me needing to check Facebook everyday to be sure I don't miss it? And then I started thinking that maybe my need to check Facebook so often was actually due to my own need to feel like I was in control. 


You know the person at work that is always trying to get the scoop first. But she gets it in an unorthodox way, creating boundary issues along the way. Why is it so difficult for us to lean back, and let information find us? Because if we are first to know... what? If we know first we are important? We are smart? We are what? Stressed if you ask me. If I don't know, I don't worry.


So far I haven't noticed anything that I have missed but I have discovered an overwhelming since of peace and rest. Shoot, I pulled out cards today to write a couple hand written...with a pen, paper, and a stamp... letters. Remember those things? (That just gave me a thought. I shall write them by candlelight, while listening to a record next time.)


Yep. This is the life for me. Candles. Letters. Records. Reading. And my friend Camille got me back into poetry mode. Yes. Been a while since I wrote a poem. Ahhh... Satisfaction. How costly it is, and oh how worth it. [deep sigh]


Love you guys. May you go into this day with a deep sense of God's powerful presence with you. 
Xoxo
-Jenna

Sunshine

I really don't know how to express what joy this little fur ball brings me. She's just so cute and cuddly. And she loves the sunshine just like me.

Mmmm....

You know I might not claim to be a fabulous cook, but I sure do like baking. I love the way it makes the whole house smell like a delicious treat. 

I opted to pull together something a bit more complicated than brownies today. I think making pie crust actually requires some practice, but that's not bad for my first try. Plus I didn't have a rolling pin and I had to find a pinch-hitter. (A can of Pam. Lol.)

But the house smells heavenly.

Little Dandelion

"Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close emerging, 

As if no artifice of fashion, business, politics, had ever been,

Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass--innocent, golden, calm as the dawn, 

The spring's first dandelion shows its trustful face." 

"Leaves of Grass," by Walt Whitman