GOODBYE, and HELLO!

This blog (obviously) is no longer an active blog...

Visit my new blog: http://www.jennietalks.blogspot.com

-Jennie

HUGE HAPPENINGS!

Dear Family and Friends,

I want to let you all know about something huge that is about to happen. As most of you know, I started as a Mary Kay Consultant back in August. I have enjoyed it so much, and business has been great. I have added 8 wonderful women to my team and I'm ready to progress in this business! So I have decided to launch into Mary Kay as a career. I am planning to be a Independent Sales Director! This will allow me to quit my job and just do Mary Kay, which will be awesome as Dustin and I start thinking about having a family :). I am very excited.

What happens next is a DIQ (Director in Qualification) period. I will have to work really hard to make this happen. I will have some huge goals ahead of me (with time limits) on team production and number of team members. I have to say that I'm nervous, but I believe that this is where God wants me to be, and HE is able to make this happen. I will have four months to complete the goals, but I can finish earlier if everything happens quickly.

I am writing to let you know about this so you will know what's going on with us! I am going to be working Mary Kay full-time during DIQ, and I'll still be working my part-time bank job, so things will be a little crazy. Dustin and I have decided that these four months (or less!) will be worth the long-term gain.

I am also writing to ask you all to help me. Here are some ways that you can do that, if you are willing.

1. Please pray for me. This is known in the MK world to be a tiring and stressful time if you don't do it right. I am hoping that I can do it right! But I will need every prayer as I push to meet my goals. Thank you!!

2. Please hold a Skincare Class/Party for me! Even if you have held one before, think of some other girlfriends and let's do it again! The way I'm going to finish DIQ is to meet ALOT of women. Please help me with this. Send me an e-mail or give me a call and let's plan a girlfriend party!! These are so fun, they are FREE, you'll get great hostess credit (free products and gifts), and you'll be doing me an enormous favor. Seriously, second to prayer this is my biggest need. Would any of you be willing to help me [again] with this?

3. Please send me referrals! If you know someone who would be an awesome MK Consultant, give me her name and number. I'll call and give her a free gift and do an interview with her, and if she becomes part of my team YOU will get $100 in free MK products. And if you know someone who needs products, you know where to send her!

4. Please allow me to interview you! I will be doing a large number of interviews during the next four months. They will consist of telling you a little about the business and finding out what you think. There is no obligation, and there are no strings attached. Even if you can never see yourself doing MK, you can still count as an interview for me! AND you'll get a gift from me :)

So what do you think? Would you be willing to help me in at least 3 of these ways?? I will be so grateful!

PS: When I make Directorship, I will also be driving around in my FREE Mary Kay Silver Pontiac G-6. Help me get there! I can't do it without you! YES, I AM BEGGING!!

Thank you so much... Remember, if everyone says "I don't have time," no one will write me back. Think about what you can do and how you can make it happen. I will be forever grateful.

Jennie Harrell
Independent Beauty Consultant
Mary Kay Cosmetics

336.293.3396
http://www.marykay.com/jennieharrell

Some of Dustin's Recent Masterpieces...

Yes, he has been painting more in recent days- to my delight!! He has so much talent and I love seeing what comes from his paintbrush. He is selling paintings now, so if you are interested, let us know... He will also do custom paintings. More to come!!!



I love this yellow lily... it's my favorite. Dustin painted this one for our bedroom wall. Isn't that amazing?
This is one that he started a few years ago... it was gorgeous in black-and-white, and now it has a neat new look.
This one is just incredible to me!! The camera doesn't do justice to the real thing. It is stunning. I love how Dustin did the reflection at the bottom.
This is a Stargazer Lily... He saw a picture of one and decided to give it a try. It may still be a work in progress. He wants to add to it a little.

DUSTIN IS HOME!!!

I am so thankful to be able to say that Dustin is safely home! I have realized again how much I take our time for granted. I am so happy that I have him back!!

Thank you all for your prayers. He had an awesome trip! He will be posting pictures and commentary in the future.

Funny Stuff in Ecuador

Check this out! You can hear Dustin laughing in the background!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4l8dV11ckI

Wow...

Here is another incredible update fro Ecuador! Amazing...



Let us start from Friday. Friday we were supposed to arrive at the church for the first part of the conference for the church in Quito. Due to the massive storms in the area, Juan and Guillermo were not able to pick us up until around 7:45 P.M. We got to the church after 8:00. By then the majority of the people were leaving even though they knew that we had arrived.

Around eight to ten people remained there after the pastor had invited us into the church. The manual was introduced once more and the lesson on the authority of Scripture was taught. Lessons from the manual were given out to be presented the next day. The morning (Saturday) we arrived at the church before 9:00. Well, only three other people besides the pastor showed up for this session. At about 9:45 the pastor told us to move the chairs into a circle because the group was so small. We were not able to go through the lessons given out the previous night because so few showed up.

During our stay here in Ecuador, in both Quito and Puyo we have been praying for key men to present themselves and help with the purpose of returning "The Church" back to God's Word. The conference turned quickly into a small meeting lead by the Pastor. The Pastor asked Juan to help Him to teach the manual! After this Juan began to take over and go through the goal and key points of the manual. We watched as Juan assumed his role of leadership and with much passion he went through the key points and the ultimate goal of the manual. The pastor inserted his comments in complete accordance with what Juan was saying. (Keep in mind that the church in Acts acted in one accord, with one mind and one Spirit).

Juan and the pastor began discussing on how to work together in unity and with the help of the manual to train up key leaders within the church to reach "The Church" in Ecuador. This was a huge answer to prayer and a great foundation that had been laid on that day. We sat back and watched the Holy Spirit at work in both of these men's lives. This was enough for us I believe but God was not through quite yet. If it had not been for the rain (God's intervention) making us late to the meeting and thus shifting the whole outset of the conference, this most valuable meeting would not have taken place.

Today (Sunday morning), the pastor asked Tim to speak for the service and to teach a section specifically from the manual on our relationship with Christ, our marriage and family, and the church. He even printed out the diagram from the manual as well. The Holy Spirit was at work here as well. The pastor wanted his church to be revitalized by a message specifically from the Word and not from himself but from a fellow brother from the United States. After the message, we enjoyed great fellowship with the people there at the church .

At this point we thought that our mission was through here in Ecuador and we went to eat lunch with our translator Catherine and her mother at Burger King. Afterward, Catherine's mother left and we went to the mall to enjoy some coffee. During this time Catherine mentioned to us that we were to meet Juan, the pastor and another contact of theirs at 3:00 p.m. At three we met and had coffee with these men and this is the finale (as far as I know) of our trip. The meeting begins with the pastor. Fervently he declares that the churches are dying and falling off of the map. He begins to explain the purpose of the manual and though we could understand very little, with great confidence we knew that the Spirit was at work.

We weren't quite sure of the role of their contact except that he was the president of some alliance. We found out that their contact is the president of the alliance of all the independent (meaning non-denominational, non-affiliated) churches in all of Ecuador. How about 2,000+ churches! Juan now takes over and begins to go through the manual with this president going through page by page and summarizing all of the key points. Almost immediately this brother is on board. In the end he agreed to meet with Juan and the pastor and two other key men to complete the manuals. After they complete the manual they are going to lead meeting of their own to train more leaders and so on. The goal being to spread through out all of Ecuador. Two last key points. 1. Their contact has contacts in several other countries in South America that he wants to share the manual with as well. 2. He has agreed to sponsor whatever funds necessary for more Spanish manuals to be produced for "The Church" here in Ecuador! To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen. The Lord is at work and His Gospel will not cease to spread throughout the world!!!!!!! We ended the meeting in prayer and afterward stood in awe as we had the entire meeting. What a wonderful God we serve!

An Update from Ecuador!

Dustin with a translator

Here is an e-mail that Tim Bunn sent out about the status of the trips. Tim is the one who has written this incredible manual that is solely based on Scripture. Dustin is traveling with him.

"Juan and Laura along with Dustin have a vision to take GPCP to South American.

It is almost 5:00 here in Quito Ecuador. We are preparing to go to the church we visited last year at this same time. We are praying that God will provide a key man here in Quito during these conferences. Our past visit to this church there were a lot of godly women there wanting to learn more of the Scriptures but there were no men to be found except for the pastor and for his assistant. So we pray that there will be someone there who will catch the vision, a person with a passion to see the Gospel go forth not just in Quito but all over Ecuador.

Westernization of the churches as well as legalism and traditionalism plague the churches here but God is working and moving in the hearts of His children around the world. Our trip to Puyo was very profitable. There are several men including other brother and contact Juan, who have a passion for the Gospel. We believe that a foundation was laid, that the people there at the church in Puyo have received a clear description of what needs to take place in their church as well as all of the churches in the area for the Gospel to flourish. We pray for the Holy Spirit to continue His work in their hearts. We also pray that by our next visit that the people in Puyo (particularly Juan) will lead these conferences fully and completely without our help. Thank you for all of your prayers and support."

Things are going great!!

Here is the latest e-mail from Dustin... Things are going really well!! I'm in Dallas now on a training retreat with Mary Kay, and I'm very thankful to have something keeping my mind off the fact that my husband is on the other side of the world.

Please keep us in your prayers!

"Today was the last day for Puyo. It went very well. The people were so nice and sweet in saying their goodbyes. They gave us gifts as well. Tim gave Juan a challenge that by the next time we come that he is teaching the whole thing. Tim really wants to see this thing take off and he know Juan is capable. He definitly has the heart. I also had a chance to teach today and that went well. It was a difficult topic to discuss bu the Spirit got me through. After the meeting we ate lunch and said our goodbyes to the people that we would see no more. Tommorow we leave for Quito by bus. Oh, this afternoon. We went to go see monkies! We drove out to part of the jungle to a monkey rehab center and their were 6 different species all walking and climbing about, one even got on top of Juan´s head. It was great."

God is working in Ecuador, and in Dustin's heart!

Here is the note I got from Dustin tonight! Sounds like things are going GREAT!! I'm am thankful for what God is doing in Ecuador...

"It is so encouraging to hear from you and how you are praying for the Lord´s work over here. Well, today went well. We spent 8 hours! in the Word and the manual. It is great and I am learning alot. I don´t know what I am going to do with this when I get home. There is so much to teach and its right here at our fingertips, Amazing! I will have an opportunity to teach tomorrow so pray for that but pray more for the people that this takes with the leaders here and that the churches shape up and that the people get excited for evangelism, church planting and TRUE DISCIPLESHIP. I am very encouraged. We will be here together next year. God´s Word is sufficient even though I am not. His Holy Spirit is the best teacher there is and we get one-on-one lessons! Free of charge just devotion and effort on our part."

Praising God for Safe Travel!

Here is the e-mail I got this evening... I am so happy that Dustin is safe! When he is gone I really realize how much I take him and his safety for granted. Thank you Lord!!


"we are here in Puyo. We traveled by bus and I wasn´t a fan. It was like a huge rocking ship about to tilt over and you know the road" (note from Jennie: last time on the road to Puyo they nearly flew off a cliff- really, they almost lost their lives.) "After a while I finally just got used to it and trusted God to get us here safely. It reminded me of the disciples on the ship during the storm and they woke up Jesus and He told them they had little faith. It was a massive storm and he told them they had little faith. The same apllies to a bus going as fast as possible around the mountain. God is going to get us where we need to go no matter what the circumstance. It is not until He says its time until our life on Earth is finished. We start our work tommorow. Juan's family welcomed us with hugs and pepsi and we are getting ready to eat."

Safe in Ecuador...

Here is part of the e-mail I received this morning...

"I am here in Ecuador! The flight was great and I got a lot in the manual done. Juan and Guillermo are excited to see us. We are staying at the "Missionary Inn". I'm not quite sure what the name is but it is where we stayed at the end of our trip last time. We will be headed to Puyo tommorow. I'm sorry I did not get a chance to call. I looked for a phone, but since we were dumped out at the exit there were none to be found. I was so encouraged by all the reading that I did on the way."

YAY!! I'm so glad he is safe! He also said that he would try to call me today... I'll keep you posted!

Dustin is on his way to ECUADOR!

I can't believe this time has already come again... Last October Dustin took a trip to Ecuador (you can see pictures and details of that trip here: http://theharrellblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Ecuador

Today we are at a very different place in life, and many of the changes that have taken place were results of last year's trip. We always knew that we wanted to be heavily involved in missions. Dustin has been called to be a missionary, and I have been called to follow him and support him. We were not sure how all this would happen until last year. During his trip last year, God really moved in our lives and taught us alot about missions, and how He wants us to be involved.

We made alot of decisions at that time that have changed our life. Last year we lived in Wake Forest, NC. Dustin was contemplating whether or not to continue in Seminary, and I was working full time. We were renting a house and traveling back and forth between Raleigh and Winston-Salem to spend time with our families. After that trip to Ecuador, and in the months that followed, we decided that we should uproot and move to Kernersville, NC. We felt the need to find a home base where we can plant permanent roots so that we can travel overseas increasingly often for week-to-month-long mission trips.

Dustin decided that there was not a need to complete Seminary... He learned so much in college, and one more degree is not necessary to proclaim the name of Jesus! We did not know exactly when the move would happen, but in February of this year Dustin was able to start a job in his Dad's family business. This job was a huge answer to prayer! It will allow him the flexibility to come and go- a benefit that most jobs would not allow. When we found out that the job was available, we made plans to move within one month. I quit my full-time job (which was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do- I was a nanny for a precious family with a wonderful little boy!). We found a house to rent in Kernersville, and within a month we were living two hours away from Wake Forest.

While we were renting we looked for a house, and now we are homeowners! We feel so grown up! We are thrilled to be living here so close to Dustin's family! And we are happy to be able to see my family for longer periods of time than we did before. Dustin is working full-time at Paul's Cycling and Fitness. I am now a Mary Kay Consultant, which is an amazing job that I am planning to make my "career" and my stay-at-home-mommy "job/hobby." And I also work part-time at RBC Bank.

So life is completely different now. The biggest change is that we now have a clear direction as to where our lives are going, and we have a definite knowledge of our purpose. We are so thankful.

All this to say... the time has come again! Dustin is on a plane RIGHT NOW! He departed at 1:05 PM, and he will land in Miami at 3:10 PM. He will then depart Miami at 6:50 PM and arrive in Quito Ecuador at 9:45 PM. Please pray for his safety!!

I will post his e-mails, as I did last year, so that all who are interested can keep up with how he is doing. I am confident that this trip will be incredible just like last time. It is an awesome thing to be able to dedicate 10 days to serving the Lord. I am thrilled for Dustin, and I can't wait to go with him next time!!!

Please pray for me as well... Last time he went was the worst week of my entire life. I am praying that this time will be easier. I wish I could cry all my tears out at once, but I have found that it's just not possible. When you are married and one of you is away, you feel like a huge chunk of you is just GONE... missing. I have booked myself solid with Mary Kay facials, skincare classes, training, etc. And on Thursday I am flying to Dallas until Sunday to take part in more extensive Mary Kay Training. Now I am closer to family than I was before too, which is wonderful! I am hoping that I can find the time to blog.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!

BIG NEWS!!

Check out our NEW HOUSE!!

Click here: http://theharrellhouse.blogspot.com

I Miss Blogging!!

I haven't given up on blogging!! I have really missed it! We have had so much going on during the past two weeks that I feel like I have been in a whirlwind. I have barely had time to even THINK about blogging. In the next few days I will explain more about all that has been going on in our corner of the world.

Right now it is 11:30, and I have been going non-stop all day (actually all week!). So before I drift off to dreamland, I want to tell ya'll about something crazy that happened last week. Last Wednesday morning I walked out to my car at 8:15 to head to work. When I got near my car I heard a soft but high-pitched sound that I thought was a mockingbird. Then I looked down and saw the most adorable little fluff that I have ever seen! It was a precious little kitten. She hobbled over to me and rubbed around my pants. Of course I could not leave her there!



I ran inside to wake Dustin up (it was his day off, and his day to sleep in... sorry Sweetie!) I brought the kitten inside, put her in our laundry room, and ran off to work. Dustin took her to the vet later in the day and dropped her off to get checked out. When he dropped her off an adoption agency was there, and they donated $100 for us to get her vaccinated, de-wormed, and tested for feline leukemia.

I picked her up when I got off work that evening. The doctor said that she had alot of cuts on her neck area, and that her right shoulder was really sore. He said that she had probably been attacked by another cat. He also said that she was probably about seven weeks old. She was starving for both food and attention. So I took her back home to rest for a few days. She lived in our laundry room, and she slept alot. We really had fun watching her roll around and play. We really wanted to keep her with us, but Dustin and I decided that we don't need to add one more expense to our budget right now.
On Friday I took her to work with me. She played behind the teller line and got some loving from my co-workers and from many of my favorite customers. Finally, that afternoon, one of those favorite customers volunteered to give her a wonderful home. I have talked to the new owner since then, and the kitten is doing great! Her shoulder has gotten stronger so she does not limp anymore, and she seems happy and healthy! I am so glad that we were able to rescue such a sweet little baby!!
Then the story takes an unfortunate plunge. On Thursday morning I suddenly realized that my wallet was not in my purse. I skimmed the house before work, and looked all over my car. All day I wondered where it could be hiding... I figured it must be under some boxes in the house. But on my lunch break I got the sinking feeling that I had sat it on the top of my car when I was putting the kitten back on the car at the vet hospital. I drove home and searched my house just in case, and when I still could not find it I decided to drive over to the hospital. I looked all over the parking lot, and then I started to walk up and down the street.

My heart was sinking lower and lower with every step, especially since my wallet contained my license, social security card, debit and credit cards, and some gift cards that I got for my birthday. I was so excited when I found three of four of my photos lying on the ground beside the street. I thought I was at the start of a little trail that would lead me directly to my wallet. No. After about an hour of walking up and down the street in my business attire (including heels) with tears brimming and sweat dripping, I called Dustin and begged him to come help me on his lunch break. He did, and we found several more pictures, but still no wallet. We looked under bushes, through poison ivy, and in wooded areas near the road, all the while praying that God would make it turn up!

All the pictures we found were damp and torn in places, but each one offered a glimmer of hope. After two hours we gave up. Had my wallet not contained my SS card, I probably would not have put so much effort into finding it. So I drove back to my very understanding co-workers and cancelled all my cards that afternoon. What a terrible feeling...

My new credit and debit cards have been arriving over the last few days, and yesterday another letter came as well. It was from the Kernersville Police Department, and it told me that someone turned my wallet over to them!! I was so excited, relieved and grateful!! So I went to the station on my lunch break and got my wallet. Many many thanks to Keith Oleker who found it and turned it in!! I tried to look him up so that I could thank him, but he is unlisted. There is no record of him at all in the triad area. Makes you wonder about angels on earth...

So there is a tiny snippet of what has been going on with us. Thankfully that part is over, and more exciting things are yet to come!! I'll be posting more about those things over the next few days.

I hope I haven't lost all my readers because of the long periods between posts lately. I promise I will get back on track! I miss blogging!

Two Days and One Night at White Lake

After our trip to Charleston we got to stop at White Lake, where Dustin's family vacations each year. We had a great time!! We rented jet-skiis!! It was so fun!
Sadie playing on the board walk
The ducks were hanging around all weekend. Look how nice the water is!
I got a surprise birthday dessert!

Grandma Angell and Grandma Sparks
We played Uno- I had lots of yellow!

Dustin- always being silly

Our Romantic 5-Year Anniversary Get-Away!

For our Five-Year Anniversary, Dustin planned a special trip for us. He started planning back in February, and it all came together this past weekend (June 7th through 10th). We left on my birthday, and I really did not know where we were headed! When I found out that it was Charleston, I was so excited!!! I have wanted to visit the historic town for years, and it was a dream-come-true. Dustin had planned all sorts of activities for us, and he had even made reservations weeks before at restaurants that had vegetarian menus. I was so surprised!!

On The Way

This was Dustin's TOP SECRET envelope. It had been floating around the house for a while, and it was so hard not to peek inside!

We're going to Charleston!!!

Upon Arrival

When we got to our suite we found a gift was waiting for us! Dustin's parents love Charleston, and they had told us so much about it. They called and arranged for a gift bag of Charleston goodies to be in our room. How sweet!!

The fountain in the lobby (picture taken from the top of the stairs)

Tristan

One of the places where we ate was called "Tristan." It was the best meal that we have ever had, and we've had alot of meals! The restaurant itself was beautiful. It was dark, romantic, and very modern inside. It was the kind of restaurant where the waiter puts your napkin in your lap for you- very fancy. I am a very girly girl, so it was really fun for me to get all dressed up and eat in an elegant restaurant.

We both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. Dustin had chicken, and it was so tender that it almost melted in your mouth (yes, I tasted it!). I had a vegetable pastry dish that was so full of flavor and freshness I was sad when I'd eaten the last bite. There is such a difference between your typical chain restaurant, and restaurants that make their dishes an art. The food was beautifully arranged, and carefully prepared. Wow... That was a meal I will never forget.

After such a delicious meal we HAD to see what the dessert would be like. I got a caramelized pear and bread pudding combination, and it was amazing. The restaurant actually has a pastry chef on site who designs and prepares each dessert. When Dustin made the reservation weeks before, he told them that it would be our anniversary. So they wrote a special message on my plate, and gave us the dessert for free! Dustin had handmade apple dumplings with cider. Both dishes were amazing.Someone took a picture of us after dinner, but it was so humid that the camera lens got foggy.
I love these shoes. On the way back up to our room...

The South Carolina Aquarium

It was like an aquarium and a zoo put together. We had a great time!



Outside the aquarium We made a few new friends, and had alot of fun (we also got some strange looks.... haha)

This guy needed help getting back to the water.


Our Walking Tour

Waiting for our tour guide to arrive.
Through a spider web
A neat rooftop on the tour
This was a really neat tree

After the tour we got to go to our tour guide's house in the historic district. She made us iced tea, cucumber sandwiches, and cookies.

A Night on the Town

We had a really delicious dinner at this great Italian restaurant.

After dinner we took a walk to the battery.

This dog was so funny- he looked like he was smiling.

Charleston has so many beautiful buildings! It was a romantic walk.

We got to watch the sun set.
Marriage is wonderful.

We had so much fun!
I love this picture...

I have the sweetest and most handsome husband in the whole world!

All the gas lamps along the streets made it so romantic!

I loved the cobblestone streets!

Dustin asked for an Italian Soda after dinner, and we got a good laugh over how small it was. Here he is showing it off.
Our Suite The living room and dining area

The 1/2 bath downstairs

The kitchen

There were steps leading up to the bedroom!

The bathroom was amazing!

The jacuzzi tubLooking back down the steps
The view of the market from our balcony

Other Charleston Adventures

The Art Gallery

We didn't eat here, but it was funny, so we snapped a picture.

This resturant was delicious. We had brunch here one day, and they put a tropical twist on all their dishes. It was yummy.

We had lunch here one day, and it was also delicious!

Here I got one of the best milkshakes that I've ever had. Charleston is full of good food!

And delicious ice cream!
These bike trolleys were all over the streets. I thought they looked like alot of fun!

We didn't take a carriage ride, but it was fun to see all the beautiful horses!
The courtyard behing our Inn.It was really fun to shop The Market.

Deep in thought... and enjoying a cold coffee drink.
It was a great trip!


Us being silly with a street mirror.

Isn't this gorgeous?
We went into a cigar shop, and I had to get a picture with this guy.
Dustin really likes this picture.

I had not been awake long in this picture.
We saw some gorgeous flowers!

If you've never been to Charleston, you should make a point to go! It is its own little world. Even though it is busy with tourists, it is quaint and romantic. I've never been anywhere quite like it. What made it most fun was enjoying it with my amazing husband. I am so thankful to be married to such a man. He proves his love for me every day, but I can't tell you how special I felt after seeing all that he had planned for me. I can never thank him enough.

I can't believe we have been married for five years. The time has flown by! And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with Dustin Clay Harrell.

Happy Anniversary Baby... I love you.