Just Another Day

I have not blogged in a while again....I just don't know where the time goes. It is only going to get busier too...holidays and all. But I did want to pop in and just write a little something.

This morning is full of chaos. Last night we went to the Pregnancy Care Center Harvest Banquet...which by the way, the entertainment was Mike Williams... www.mikewilliamscomedy.com and he was soo funny, it was wonderful. So, the point though is that last night was busy with that, and this morning is crazy busy with trying to get packed and in the shower and on the road to head to Medford. Sometimes all this feels very crazy, but in truth, it IS just another day in the life of the Jackson Family. Some people have nice quiet lives, things are relatively calm for them, others have somewhat busy lives...they still get the calm, but they do have a lot they need to get done...then there are families like ours. It is literally like riding a big people ride at Disneyland...we'll call them roller coasters. You know when you get on a roller coaster...straight from the line...you step in, they buckle you down and then it takes off immediately at about a million miles an hour....ya, that's us. Sometimes I have questioned God on why He put ME....someone who craves the nice quiet life....into a family led by the Grand Pumba of roller coaster operators (see included picture). Sometimes I wonder if people in nice quiet lives look into our life and think....what a fun way to live...like I do to them. Truth be told, I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world. I would like a rest sometimes....it's not all "peppermint patties and strawberry fields" as my husband would say...but I think I have been on this roller coaster so long now, that I would not know what to do with myself if I DID have the nice quiet life. God knows what we need, He knows what we can handle, He knows what is at the heart of our heart more than we do. Why do we envy other people? I am realizing with every passing day, that there is NOTHING to envy...they have what God has for them, I have what God has for me, I am so in love with Jesus that sometimes I feel as though my heart is going to burst right out of my chest....and I am fully aware of the fact that this statement does not even scratch the surface of the love HE has for me...we cannot even come close to knowing how well HE knows us, loves us, takes care of us, and gives us not only what we need, but what we want (in His will) and sometimes HE gives us the things we never realized we really wanted.

I am so blessed to have this wonderful life HE has given me, even with it's ups and downs....it really is like riding a roller coaster, and I choose to hang on for dear life with a great big smile!

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

So, here is my daybook, but I don't know if I will continue them because apparently you are supposed to set up a blog specifically for the daybook only, and I am not going to do that, but here goes:

FOR TODAY...October 20

Outside my window... the sunshine my husband needs to finish his job on the exterior of a house.

I am thinking... I had a wonderful weekend with my friends, and now bummed my daughter is sick.

I am thankful for... The AMAZING way God showed up (well, really He is always there isn't HE) at our Women's Retreat and wove everything together so nicely and took care of everything!!

I am wearing... Jeans, slippers, blue-ish green sweater

I am remembering... That being a Christian, and trusting God is the most amazing thing in the world!

I am going... to be taking care of sick Maggie

I am reading...not a whole lot

I am hoping... my daughter breaks her fever, and nobody else gets sick.

On my mind... What an incredible gift joy is.

From the learning rooms... if Jesus IS joy, then having joy is only contingent on whether or not you have Jesus.

Noticing that... people need each other more than they let on.

Pondering these words... Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:16

From the kitchen... meatloaf...salad, probably some corn or something

Around the house... pretty caught up on chores, so hoping for a relatively relaxing day.

One of my favorite things~ fellowship

From my picture journal... Some of our laides from retreat!!

So Much To Say

Don't let the title fool you...I probably won't make an actual novel out of today's blog, but I do have a couple of things to say....first, I will probably wait till tomorrow to do my daybook.

Next, I have to relate something that happened to me last week, I did not blog about it last week, because I was not sure if I was going to use it in any of my teachings at the retreat this past weekend. So, last week was the first week it really rained on us...we had a couple of days that it really poured...it was wonderful!!!! Most people who know me, know that I AM that one weird person in this world that actually loves winter and winter weather. OK, so, I was sitting at my desk, looking out my window, it was pouring down rain, all gray outside, with the green mountains in the background, and I had my candle warmer going with the scent of cinnamon, and I was wearing a nice warm sweater......and in that moment, that moment that lasted a few hours actually, I was overcome with the most complete peace and contentment I think I have ever felt. It literally was like the perfect moment. I just started thanking my God and praising him for giving me that, and I am looking forward to many more moments like it. Who knows, maybe today will be another perfect moment (except for the fact that Maggie is home sick...poor little thing).

Lastly, RETREAT!! It is a little hard for me to blog about the retreat, only in that, when you are the one coordinating it, and doing a lot of the teaching (I did have FANTASTIC help...thank you Annette and Natalie) it's a little hard to be objective about how it went. I think the true test of how it went is, how did the other ladies feel it went, the ones who did not have to teach, or make sure things got done. For ME...from my point of view, I had a wonderful time. I really felt the Lord met us there and did a great work, in me, and I know from comments from other ladies, God was doing a work in them as well. I am so thankful that we allow God to be in control and when we allow God to be in control, he completely takes care of every last little detail. There are so many "little details" that I could go into that was COMPLETELY God, but then I WOULD be writing a novel. So, let's just say, I have no doubt whatsoever that what HE wanted to have brought forth, WAS brought forth, people were touched, challenged, and excited about the future. What more can we ask for?

Whew...well, I think that about covers it for now...I DO have a sick daughter to tend to....so, Have a GREAT GREAT GREAT day....FULL OF JOY!!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook October 12

Outside my window... some of the trees are turning...cloudy day...nice and cool

I am thinking...what am I gonna do???

I am thankful for... a God who can give me direction in this situation

I am wearing... jeans, shirt, black Harley sweater, slip on shoes

I am remembering... that God is in control

I am going... to get some retreat shopping done today

I am reading...Bible and some Barbara Johnson

I am hoping... to get some things resolved.

On my mind... teenagers!!

From the learning rooms... how to deal with a strong willed teenager!! ;0)

Noticing that... this day is already going by way to quickly

Pondering these words... I'm sticking with "It Is Well, With My Soul" it may not sound like it at this moment, but it really is well...because I know the Lord is taking care of it.

From the kitchen... not sure yet

Around the house... almost all my housework is done...so just get to go shopping for retreat

One of my favorite things~ naps

From my picture journal...

THE TEENAGER!!! I LOVE HIM DESPERATELY....but I just want to bop him upside the head right now...I am confident we are gonna get this all worked out.....so nobody worries, he is not doing anything COMPLETELY stupid....just a little stupid, and it's got to stop!! By the way, this picture is of him getting promoted to E3 in the Army!! WOOHOO...so proud!!

It IS Well With My Soul

I am soooo thankful for the Lord's goodness and mercy and love and joy and....I literally could go on and on. The bible says He is the great I AM....so, that means He is anything and everything we need. WHEW!!! Am I glad I don't have to be anything and everything anybody needs, I would fail them miserably...but HE NEVER fails.
Ok...why am I rambling? Well, our Ladies Retreat is coming up fast....I am pretty much the head of this particular retreat, which is really weird for me, but I got God on my side, so no worries.....well that is not completely true...you see, I have been battling depression like you would not believe. Can you guess the theme of our retreat? JOY!!! I really wondered if I was on the brink of insanity, I have been that depressed. Not motivated to do anything, or study anything...just be a blob.
Well, God was having none of that....He let me waller in my self pity for a while, then He rescued me. I love Him so much for my rescue....and now, in all this studying, in all this worship, in all this love from God...I can truly say...and mean with all my heart....IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!! I will set my eyes on God....for HE is where my help comes from!!!
Have a great night, I know I will!!

The Simple Woman's Daybook October 5

FOR TODAY...October 5th from Andresa's Daybook

Outside my window... smoke coming out of my neighbors chimney....the wind blowing on the tree's, the sunshine making it look like it may be warm outside, but knowing there is a wonderful chill in the air.

I am thinking... how much I love when God takes you by surprise.


I am thankful for... God's reminders...and anonymous people who are obedient to Him....and blessing me.

I am wearing... jeans, t-shirt, and same ole sandals I want to wear to Disneyland


I am remembering... that there is more to God than we will ever know here on this earth...MAN
I LOVE MY GOD!!!


I am going... to be heading to church in a bit, we have Women's Ministry-Pot Luck tonight.


I am reading...Bible


I am hoping... for a wonderful Lord lead retreat in a couple of weeks.


On my mind... IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!


From the learning rooms... joy


Noticing that... I have an amazing family


Pondering these words... "It is well with my soul"


From the kitchen... made a pasta salad for pot luck tonight...hubby and kids will have hot dogs and pasta salad.


One of my favorite things~ God's timing

From my picture journal...

Ok, this picture is over a year old...for instance, I am no longer blonde, and I no longer wear contacts...but this is me and my wonderful sister Brandy...who is on jury duty right now, and I MISS MISS MISS our daily chats....I cannot wait until jury duty is over for her. One of these days, I will have a picture of me, my sister and our mom that I can post....looking forward to that too.