JOJO's Journey

Sunday, October 29, 2006

a full day of fun

so i haven't posted a blog in a while cuz i have been busy coaching basketball. yes, once ball starts my life seems to become wrapped up in it; in otherwords- i have no free time. for those of you that are Northwestern ball alumni, you might be familiar with our YMC day. Today was that day. We head west to camp iduahpi for some team building challenges. I went as a player 3 out of the 4 years i played and than i have gone as a coach for 7 years! so i am very familiar with camp iduahpi. the girls always seem to enjoy the day and as coach(es) we get a good idea who is good at what. we spend the morning doing games on the ground - some ground rope courses, some silly games and some 'thinking' challenges. in the afternoon we spend it climbling 'the wall'. all our girls made it up the wall which was good- since that was one of their goals for the day. i had to leave early due to a wedding so didn't get the chance to climb the wall. next time! i will leave you with a picture of the team this year so you can all see who is taking up all of my time. these girls are so much fun to work with and they bring so many good things into my life. i am glad that i enjoy them so much- otherwise coaching would be really hard to do day in and day out.

after a day spent outside with the team i jetted home, got all pretty up for the wedding, got in the silver bullet (my car) and drove to Mora for a family friends wedding. I was most excited about wearing a new dress i found a month or so ago at JePenny; it was a great deal...and i like the dress alot so was giddy about showing it off. the wedding was fun. my good friends ryan and darla were there so that was fun to spend some time with them. i miss seeing them on a regular bases. it was a nice small wedding with good eats, good cake, good converstation, and good dancing! a trip worth my time and energy! it's late- so i am going to leave you with some pics of the wedding. also- remember...we get an extra hour of sleep tonight!!!! yes!!!!!!!!


Sunday, October 22, 2006

school picture!

so even though i have been out of high school since 1993, i still get my school picture taken. not cuz i want to...but cuz the school i teach at needs us to take our picture for the year book and for our school id's. so- with that we get a package of pictures for free. it's nice. this year i tired to be extra funny and i handed out some of my pictures to some of my friends. i wrote on the back - like i did in high school; signed B/F/F (best friends forever). i made some of my friends giggle (and some of them thought i was just being a nerd) and it was fun to remember how life was back in the day. so...not much else to say on this blog. just wanted to post a current picture of myself for those that haven't seen me in awhile. i dont think i have changed much; except that i have a lot more grey hair and am finding with every morning my muscles seem to be a bit more tight and sore. old age- gotta love it!

Sunday, October 15, 2006

I think I might be high!

So i think i might be high from smelling stain and poly for the last four hours. Which means that my stair project is almost finished!!!! Let me explain... with pics too.

ok, so this is stage one of our little adventure in re-doing my stairs. the carpet is off, the millinos upon millions of staples have been removed...and this is what the steps look like. a big mess. dirty and scraped up!!!! we (mom, dad and i) woke up at around 7:30 this morning to start in...but didn't get started until around 9:00ish. we had to finish off two pots of coffee, a couple donuts, and we had to finish watching 'cable guy'. it was on tv and once we got watching we needed to finish. so we sort of got a late start. oh well! good times with mom and dad









this is stage two...which took forever. this is mom and dad making tons of noise in the garage making the new steps, the new kick boards, and the new tiny little piece that brings everything together. Mom loves to do this sort of stuff, but she has to do it perfectly, and if you ever have seen my mom works- it's pretty dog gone good. Dad, he does this sort of stuff cuz his daughter asks him to ...not cuz he really likes to, like mom does! So...with lots of patience on both my parents parts- we measured, we cut, we nailed, we re-measured, re-cut, fitted each piece into place and hoped that things would turn out ok.

so this picture is kinda the finish of step 2 and starting step 3. i know the picture looks kinda funny- i took it at a weird angle;. i hope you can get the idea. once all the boards were cut we nailed them in and than had to putty all the holes and than sand every inch down so it was smooth and ready for stain. i stated the job while mom was finishing up some nailing (and dad was taking a cat nap)...i guess i didnt do a good enough job cuz she had to go back over the stuff i did. thats the perfectionist in her when it comes to wood that drives me nutty....but i am glad she is that way cuz it will make the turn out look so much better.

step 4- this step gets me excited about the project...cuz it's almost done. and it makes me high....STAIN...man do i have a head ache! it makes things look super nice. so...mom did the first step for me to show me the in's and out's of perfect staining and then they had to leave for home. Dad has some truck maintaince to do and needed to get home before dark. anyways- i stained the steps and am so happy with the color and the turn out. i know this picture does not do it justice. so you'll all just have to make a visit and stop on it. the plateform at the bottom looks alot darker in the picture then it really is. and the other six steps you cant see cuz of the corner. but it gives you a good idea. i just got done putting the first coat of poly on them. i have two more coats to go but have to wait three hours for it to dry. so tomorrow night i will finish step 4 and the stair project will be done. i guess mom needs to come back to put the mop boards back on ( i need the nail gun to do that with and she took it home). but close enough to enjoy it! and close enough to say i am done!!!!

next project is the decide weather i want wood floor in my whole house, or if i want to put some carpet back in. i havent decided yet- input would be nice. let me know. hope you all had a great productive weekend! blessing and love.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

STAPLES SUCK!

SO I AM WONDERING IF THIS WHOLE REMODLING THING IS A GOOD IDEA???? THIS IS A SMALL PILE OF STAPLES THAT MY DAD AND I PULLED OUT OF MY STAIRS THIS EVENING. THIS IS JUST A SMALL (and i am stressing the word small here) PORTION COMPARED TO WHAT I PULLED UP THIS MORNING ON MY OWN. I
SERIOUSLY THINK IN THE FIVE HOURS I SPENT WORKING I PULLED UP A MILLION STAPLES. MY HANDS ARE RAW AND FULL OF BLISTERS....AND I HAVE A FEELING WILL BE VERY STIFF TOMORROW WHEN I WAKE UP. ANYWAYS- THE PARENTS CAME DOWN FOR THE WEEKEND TO GET THE STAIRWAY DONE. WE HAD HOPED TO GET THE NEW WOOD INSTALLED SO WE COULD WORK ON STAINING AND SUCH TOMORROW, BUT THE STAPLE SITUATION PUT A DAMPER ON THINGS. SO...WE ARE HOPING TO GET UP BRIGHT AND EARY AND GET THINGS FINISHED IN ONE DAY! HUH...WE'LL SEE. THATS WHY I AM WONDERING IF THIS REMODING THING WAS SUCH A GOOD IDEA! TAKES A LOT LONGER THAN I PLAN AND FOR SOME REASON THERE ARE ALWAYS ISSUES TO DEAL WITH. STAY TUNED FOR MY UPDATES.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

DEVOTIONS!!!!!!

On Thursday mornings at school I meet with a couple of teachers that are believers and we fellowship, share what God is teaching us and than prayer together. It is very refreshing and is so nice to have others that are on the 'same page' as you. Cory shared a devotion today that was very good, and I wanted to extend it to you all. Enjoy!

The disappointments of life are simply the hidden appointments of love. My child, I have a message for you today. Let me whisper it in your ear so any storm clouds that may arise will shine with golry and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let it sink into your inner being and use them as a pillow to rest your weary head. "This is my doing". Have you ever realized that whatever concerns you concerns me too? For whatever touched you touches the apple of my eye (Zach 2:8). You are precious and honored in my sight (Isaiah 43:4). Therefore it is my special delight to teach you. I want you to learn when temptations attack you, and the enemy comes in like a pent up flood (Isaiah 59:19), that 'this is my doing' and that your weakenss needs my strength and your safety lies in letting me fight for you. Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, never ask your opinion, and always push you aside? 'This is my doing.' I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident- you are exactly where I meant for you to be. Have you not asked me to make you humble! Then see that I have placed you in the perfect school where this lesson is taught. Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish my will. Are you having problems with money, finding it hard to make ends meat? 'This is my doing', for I am the ONE who keeps your finances, and I want you to learn to depend upon me. My supply is limitless and I will meet all your needs (Phil 4:19). I want you to prove my promises so no one may say 'you did not trust in the Lord your God' (Deut. 1:32). Are you experiencing a time of sorrow? 'This is my doing'. I am a man of sorrow and familiar with suffering (Isaiah 53:3). I have allowed your earthly comfortess to fail you so that by turning to me you may receive external encouragement and good hope (2 Thess 2:16). Have you longed to do some great work for me but instead have been set aside on a bed of sickness and pain? 'This is my doing'. You are so busy I coud not get your attention and I wanted to teach you some of my deepest truths. They also serve who only stand and wait. In fact, some of my greatest workers are those pysically unable to serve, but who have learned to use the powerful weapon of prayers. Today I place a cup of holy oil in your hands, use it freely, my child. Anoint with it every new circumstances, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient and every weakness you have. The pain will leave as you learn to see me in all things. 'This is my doing'.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Girl Pal

Annette Leander... I love having a girl pal like Netters. She is one of a kind, someone I strive to be like. We finally got to the chance to meet up and catch up on life after planning it for what seems like years. Annette and I met back in 1994. I was a freshman at Northwestern College tyring out for the basketball team, she was a sophmore also trying out for the team...and we made an instant connection. She wore #33, I wore #40- and I loved being teammates with her. She was (is) one of those people that worked her butt of no matter what - and always did it with a smile on her face, a great attitude, an encourging spirit, and a heart that was so after God... no matter what! I remember devo's....and whenever Annette did them she always had something inspiring to say, something that totally kicked my butt and made me want to seek God more. (she still is doing that...kicking my butt all the time) I remember one time I swore on the court (for all to see- and for some to hear) and she pulled me aside as my captian and talked it out with me...she didn't get mad, she didn't judge me, she just loved on me like a real sister in Christ and helped me see my fault and how to improve it. I loved her for that - and for many other things. And to this day she is still challenging me in my walk with God; in ways she proably will never know. She may not agree with me, but her faith is so inspiring!!!!! Netters was also my roommate for a year...probably one of the most stable roommates I have ever had. And I have had a lot! The things I enjoy most about Netters is her heart...her heart for God, her smile, her ability to read book after book and figure out how to apply it to life, her outlook on life, her ability to make those around her feel so special, the stability, her creativity, her blogs (she got me hooked), her athletic ability, the fact that she is so down to earth and easy going, and that even after years of not talking we can connect just like we did on the basketball team. Annette, I wish we had more time to hang out. I totally appreicate you and love you. I just read this verse tonight with another friend and want to share it. "When Christ, who is your life, appears, they you will appear with him" Rock solid! God appears in you so much Netters...keep seeking!
check out her blog. www.anniemarie33.blogspot.com
out-

Sunday, October 08, 2006

re-modeling begins!

so i have had this big idea brewing in my head and i guess i started it this weekend- no turning back. I got inspired by my friend Kara Lefto and all her house repairs she has been doing and thought- 'shoot, if she can do it, so can I.' I have been very grossed out by my carpet and have wanted to put new stuff in. but instead of replacing the old carpet with new i am taking a chance and am going to refurnish my stairs in wood. the idea is to take the old wood that was under the carpet take it out, sand it, stain it, and than put them back in. a big project - one of which i am glad to say that my mom will be doing most of. she lives for wood work and stain!!!!! my job in the next week is to get the carpet up, nails out, staples out and ready for mom and dad to start removing on saturday! once that project is done and i can enjoy it for a split second,; onto the next project, which will be ripping up the old kitchen tile and the carpet in the dinning room and laying down some sort of cool wood like flooring- honestly, i cant remember the name of it! thats why this project is a bit scary- i really have no idea what i am doing. again, i am glad mom is a fix it freak. once i can enjoy the kitchen for a split second onto the last room...putting in the carpet in my living room. i am so excited for new carpet!!!! anyways- that is the way i spent my weekend. shopping for the big re-modeling projects. oh yeah- i also got a knock out looking dress that was sooo cheap and i cant wait to wear it. and of course when i actually have something to wear to a wedding no one is getting married. of course! oh well, it was a deal that i could not pass up! hope your weekend was a fun filled as mine!

oh yeah- my pastor today challenged us to 'Shhhhhh' this week. To be still before God and actually use the word 'shhhh' in our life. i am going to try it this week. in my car - no radio. in the mornings- no music. working out- no music. and before bed- no tv. i need to SHHHHH my life down! night!

Friday, October 06, 2006

OCTOBER

SO MY CALENDER IS A MESS....AND FULL. I CANT BELIEVE HOW THE DAYS, THE WEEKENDS...MY EVENINGS GET BOOKED SO FAR IN ADVANCE. SOMETIME I HATE BEING THIS BUSY! BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT IS THE WAY I LIVE LIFE - AND IT'S MY CHOICE; AND I ENJOY IT. SO...IF YA WANNA KICK IT WITH ME - BOOK A DAY IN NOVEMEMBER! HEHEHEHEHE

Sunday, October 01, 2006

the hunt for the perfect apple

so off to afton apple orchard i went today with my friend sara and a couple of her friends from her church. it was an amazing day out; a day made for hunting for the perfect apple. i love the colors that fall brings and the smell of the air. this picture does not bring the colors i sow today to justice. we spent an hour or so picking apples, eating apples, and on occasion throwing an apple or two at each other. and than we spent a little over 1/2 hour in line waiting to pay for the apples. it was very busy at the orchard- i guess everyone wanted to get out and enjoy the 81 degree weather and pick some apples. in my adventure i did find the perfect apple. it was a perfectly round and the perfect color all the way around. i of course picked it and than ate it. it tasted as good as it looks. but after about 3 apples....i was done! you can only eat so many. our adventure ended playing on the 'horse' tire swings for a spell...yes, young kids were waiting for the old kids to get off the swings so they could have fun. come on...we are still kids at heart! i included some other pictures of our afternoon at the orchard.

on a complete different note i was very challenged at church this morning. pastor keith (not the normal pastor) talked about how to gain peace...he had 4 steps that as christians we need to put into practice.
#1- to slow down. which is so hard to do. i am so busy all the time. the challenge was to just slow down your daily routine. drive the speed limit, take time to drink your coffee at the kitchen table, walk slower than normal...you get the idea. i am very challenged with that step.
#2 - listen. taking time to actually listen to what God is saying is tough. i am constently surrounded by noise and i always need to be doing something. listening to God requires you to be silent and still.
#3 - so confess sin. again, i feel like i am not to good at this. i confess sin to God and am willing to take that step. but true peace may require you to confess out loud- to others...or to the one you sinned against. i am not good at that. i feel like my pride gets in the way a lot.
#4 - to memorize and meditate on the word of God. this i am horrible at. i can memorize songs, basketball stats, phone numbers...so way am i so bad at memorizing the word of God. it's an excuse- one that i am no longer willing to put up with. i am hoping to start putting ephesians ch 4 and 5 to memory. you all can keep me accountable. so that was my challenge from church this morning! a good one and one that may take awhile before i accomplish.