I Never Thought I Would be Thankful for This...

The most difficult week of my life was when Dustin was in Ecuador for ten days and I was home alone. I'm sure that sounds really silly to some of you, but it is absolutely true. I felt so lonely even when I was in a group of friends. Every day seemed so long because I couldn't look forward to seeing Dustin when I got home from work. I think I was pretty pitiful, and I'm sure my parents and Dustin's parents can attest to that.

One night when I got home from work I walked in the door and realized that everything looked exactly the same as it did when I left that morning. The dishes were done, the table was wiped clean, the floor was spotless. Doesn't sound too bad, but it was very depressing for me. Suddenly I realized that there was no evidence that Dustin had been home that day. I was alone. I had no one to nurture. I found myself wishing that I could just have SOMETHING to clean or pick up or cook or fold.

At that moment I realized how much I had complained. Dustin has a million incredible qualities... he is a wonderful singer, guitar-player, listener, chef, artist, and much more. However, his personality is very different from mine in the organizing and picking-up-after-yourself department. I don't know if I could count how many times I have huffed, puffed, whined, or rolled my eyes while picking up socks, towels, shoes, plates, cups, candy wrappers, etc. I know that Dustin does not leave his stuff around the house to make me angry; he just does not have the pick-it-up reflex.

That night was a wake-up call for me. I decided that I will never again whine about wet towels on the bed or dirty socks on the floor or any other messes needing to be cleaned. I finally understood more clearly how much I should be thankful. Those things that I would have complained about before have taken on a new meaning. They are evidences that I have a husband who loves to be home with me. Wow...

I have not gotten over my relief that Dustin is safe at home with me. Tonight we took a drive, took nutty pictures of ourselves in the car, and laughed like crazy. When we came home I saw some socks on the floor. I smiled, picked them up, and hugged my precious husband. I am praying that God will maintain this attitude in me; I know I cannot do it on my own.

Something New

I was tagged by Adrienne (http://ourlivesasvesselsofmercy.blogspot.com/). It is a "7 Random/Weird things" meme... What's a meme? I just found out that it's something that's passed from blog to blog.

Rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2. Share seven random or weird things about yourself.
3. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 Random/Weird things about me:

1. I love to fill out forwarded surveys and doctors office forms, etc. If Dustin has any forms that need to be filled he brings them to me. What is so exciting about name/address/phone? I have no idea.

2. I have been a vegetarian for half my life because my Mom read something to me about how chickens are processed that grossed me out. I lost my appetite for all meat and haven't gotten it back for 12 years.

3. I am very particular about bedsheets. When I put new sheets on the bed the flat sheet has to be folded down a little at the top. And the comforter and the sheet HAVE to stay together. If they separate I get a little stressed out. And if there is a stray sock in the bed I will wake up and I cannot go back to sleep until it is out. I usually wake Dustin up saying "there's a foreigner in the bed!"

4. I have an aversion to Monopoly. Some of you know about this. I will never play it again because it takes too long and it is stupid.

5. I have a favorite nightshirt that I absolutely love. When I see that it is clean in my PJ drawer I smile and hug it. Dustin laughs.

6. I am allergic to citrus- strawberries, oranges, kiwi, lemons, etc.

7. I laugh hysterically at stupid corny jokes, but it usually takes a few tries for me to get the really good ones.

Yay, that was fun. I am tagging Joy, Nicole, Rachel, Caitlin, Cheryl, and Elise.

Annual Gingerbread House-Making

Every year my family has a Gingerbread House Party. Usually on the weekend after Thanksgiving we will all gather at my parents' house where my Mom will mix, shape, and bake homemade gingerbread houses. Then she makes the icing and we all set up the dining room table with every kind of candy for decorating. When we were little we would all help with one family house to share, but now Mom makes several. Katie and Josh decorate one (which Mom will keep at home and use for decoration), Dustin and I get one to take home, and Emily, TJ and Ellie each get one for their bedroom decoration. Dustin usually comes up with the design for our house, and he repeatedly tells Katie and Josh that their house looks like dirt compared to ours. It has become a competition that involves a lot of competitive banter throughout the process (which is hilarious). Then we stay up late talking and playing games. We look forward to it every year!

Mom and "the big girls"
Making the icing
A "before" shot
I love the gumdrops!
Daddy helping Ellie with her house
We are all hard at work
This is how things looks when we're finished. Cleaning it all up is no easy task.
The back of our finished house

TJ and his house

The finished products. Left to right: Katie and Josh's house, Ellie's house, Emily's house, TJ's house, our house.

Emily cracking up at Dustin

The girls

TJ's birthday was the 20th, so Mom had some cake and candles for him.

Josh aggrevating Katie, heehee!

We are watching the elf dance (to see it click http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9566097144

Thanksgiving with the Harrells and Angells

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with Dustin's side of the family. We went to one house for Thanksgiving lunch, and then to another house for Thanksgiving Dinner. We had a great time being thankful with that side of the family. We spent the night with Dustin's parents that night and travelled home on Friday. Then Saturday we went to celebrate with my side of the family... pictures to come.

Grandma Angell playing on the Nintendo Wii!

Making more elves!

Aunt Donna and Grandma Angell














Me and Uncle Tommy














Kayla waiting her turn on the Wii














Dustin's Mom and Dad














Dustin and his Dad beating Uncle Johnny and Uncle Dale

Dustin's Mom and Indy (Meredith and Nathaniel's little girl)















Dustin and Nathaniel had fun with a pilgrim salt-shaker and some depth perception camera tricks... Dustin is holding the salt-shaker and Nathaniel is several feet away.














Nathaniel, Meredith, and the kids departing

Beware: Side-Splitting Laughter May Follow

As humiliating as this is, I had to post it! My friend Adrienne told me about this site where you can "Elf Yourself!" Her elf was so funny I had to try it for myself and for Dustin. Click on the link and watch us dance like crazy elves!

The funny thing (which is also a little humiliating) is that Dustin tells me all the time that I look like an elf. Since we've been married he's called me "The Little Elf." He says it's a compliment, which I still find hard to believe, and that I just have "cute elfish features." He's going to die when he sees this tonight!

The other funny thing about it is that the pictures are completely accurate- If we were really dancing like crazy elves, Dustin would be completely in character and I would be laughing the whole time. See for yourself!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9566097144

Interesting Song for your Consideration...

I heard one of my favorite Christian radio hosts talking about this song by Point of Grace... Thought ya'll might be interested in hearing some of his comments and some of mine (the comments are in capital letters).

I am so disappointed in most of the "Contemporary Christian Music" on the radio today. It seems that it is getting more and more shallow. Check this out... if you can bear it. This is secular humanism at its best. You wouldn't even be able to tell that it's a Christian song!
(Read through the lyrics first and then go back through and read the comments).

(By Point of Grace)
Verse 1:
Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess
and make lots of wishes (MAKE LOTS OF WISHES? HOW ABOUT PHIL. 4:6)
Have what you want (WHAT ABOUT BEING CONTENT? PHIL. 4:12)
But want what you have (THERE'S A LITTLE CONTENTMENT)
And don't spend your life lookin' back (NO, DON'T SPEND YOUR WHOLE LIFE ON IT, BUT DO GRIEVE OVER YOUR SIN. 2 COR. 7:9-11)

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it (WHAT IF YOU TAKE A FEW CHANCES THAT SHOULD BE REGRETTED?)
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cuz it's not who you knew (WHAT IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW JESUS? THEN IT MATTERS!)
And it's not what you did
It's how you live (SO ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT YOU'VE LIVED A FUN LIFE FULL OF TAKING CHANCES, WEARING A RED DRESS, MAKING MESSES, AND USING YOUR BEST DISHES? THAT SOUNDS REALLY FUN, BUT IS THAT REALLY WHAT MATTERS?)

Verse 2:
So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet (THEY ARE MAKING A LIST HERE OF THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO LIVE WELL, AND THERE IS NO MENTION OF BEING DEVOTED TO CHRIST. BUT THEY DO MENTION GOING TO BALLGAMES AND BALLETS. HMMM.)
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay (WHAT ABOUT THE NEED FOR FORGIVENESS? "JUST FACE IT AND YOU'LL BE OKAY?")

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live (IT IS ABOUT WHAT YOU DID, THOUGH. IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE IT. THERE SHOULD BE A CHANGE IN YOU. I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN JUST BY SEEING YOU LIVING IT UP. MATT. 5:13,14)

Bridge:
Oh wherever you are
and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

Verse 3:
So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving (THE ONLY REFERENCE TO ANYTHING HOLY)
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you (A LITTLE KARMA MESSAGE? WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND?)
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself (MAKE PEACE WITH YOURSELF? THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE "LOOK AFTER #1" MESSAGE OF TODAY.)
'Cause in the end there's nobody else (WHAT ABOUT THOSE YOU'VE WRONGED? 2 COR. 7:11)

Chorus:
Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew (ACTUALLY IT DOES MATTER. MAYBE THEY COULD MENTION THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING CHRIST SOMEWHERE IN THE SONG!)
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

That's the end of the song. What do you think? I'm not saying that every Christian song has to have a sermon in it, but I am always disappointed when Christian writers confuse what is truly important. I do love some mushy-gushy romantic country/secular songs, but not on Christian radio. I would love to hear your thoughts...
Jennie

*The show I mentioned is called "Way of the Master Radio" with Todd Friel. You can download free podcasts at http://www.wayofthemasterradio.com/

Yay for Fall!!

We are so excited that our favorite season has finally arrived!! After all the heat of the long summer, it is exciting that we now have to throw on a jacket before we walk outside. Both of us share a love for fall colors and temperature, especially because it reminds us of when we first got together.

We met in August 2001, and on the following November 9th Dustin told me that he wanted to pursue a relationship with me. It was such a special day! I was working at an art gallery at that time, and he drove all the way to Cary (a 45 minute drive for him), interrupted my work (a welcome interruption!), and took me aside to tell me he couldn't wait any longer to tell me. Then we had our first hug!

So the fall season brings back memories of long walks, holding hands, nerve butterflies, anticipation, and excitement!! We also love to get out in nature with our bikes and our cameras. Check out some of beautiful sights.

Take a Peek at Ecuador!

Dustin recently took a trip to Ecuador to help introduce and teach a church-planting manual that has just been translated into Spanish. It was a great trip that really changed the way we think about missions. Check it out... Excited about dinner on the plane
Look at the Pacific Ocean from the plane!
The sun setting
This is Tim, the author of the manual. He has had it translated into lots of languages around the world, especially in Asian lands. It is an incredible tool for churches around the world. It is all based solely on Scripture with absolutely no personal commentary or opinions.

These birds are native to Ecuador. This is on a roof. Some of the surrounding Andes Mountains
Rice, chicken, beets, and potatoes Quito is over 10,000 feet above sea level. The clouds were amazing!
Tim Bunn introducing and teaching from the manual
Tim would always hold up the Bible when things started to get off-topic. Always bring it back to Scripture.
Tim and Juan. Juan was the host, and he has been very instremental in the Spanish translation of the manual.
Look at these driving abilities! The driver is passing a huge truck while another truck is plowing toward them. Sharing a meal
In Ecuador they have soup with almost every meal.
After Tim and Dustin introduced the manual, they would assign parts of it for the attendees to teach during the course of each conference. This was a great way for the people to really learn the information from Scripture.
Juan and his wife.

Look at this mall! Some of them were 4 stories tall.
There were VW Beetles everywhere.
A banana truck
One of the children of their host in Quito.

In Ecuador the houses are almost stacked on top of one another because of all the mountains.
Tim and Dustin got to enjoy coffee at a little cafe'.
They paid $2 each to visit a serpent and lizard museum.
Dustin and the pastor's assistant.
Dustin drew pictures for the kids to color.

Just to show that Quito is not poverty-stricken. This is the Marriott.
Look at all those America businesses.
On the way to Puyo for the second half of the trip. This is a cliff that is at the exit of a tunnel. Dustin and Tim were riding in a van and another car passed them just before the tunnel. When they emerged from the tunnel, the car took a sharp turn to the left and they weren't sure why. The driver decided to follow the car, and it's a good thing he did. If he would have driven straight ahead they would have plunged off the cliff! there were no lights except headlights. God was definitely protecting them!
Dustin and an ACTIVE volcano. Yes, it is active and smoking! When they visited the Inca ruins they saw "demonios" written with stones. This area is often used by satanists who travel here to worship satan. Dustin and his guide changed the word to say "Christo" (which is CHRIST in Spanish). They prayed and reclaimed this area for Christ.

At the Ecuator! Dustin is standing on the line.

From the top of the museum at the equator.

Bags are packed... ready to go home!