HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY! I hope and pray everyone felt special and loved in some way today. I just wanted to share how blessed I was. I don’t ever get to go out to eat during the week since I homeschool my daughter and 2 grandsons. Well, today I was able to take my daughter, Leslie, out for lunch to a nice sandwich shop and she drove me there. Was nice and quiet. I was already blessed by the opportunity to eat alone with her but we were doubly blessed when she went up to pay and they told her it was on the house. I was surprised and thankful so told them so. They just said they appreciated what our family does for our comunity and that was their way of saying thanks to us. So sweet (embarrassing too). Sure teaches or reinforces to Leslie what it feels like to have a good name in a community. We then went down the street where I had pre-ordered her valentine gift……chocolate covered strawberries that are to die for. She requests them every year. When I got home, all the kids and I gave a try at making chocolate roses from a recipe I found. To my amazement, this non-creative, non-candy making blind girl made one by herself. Leslie said it looked just like the picture. I was blessed to accomplish something new on my first try. Hidden talent? LOL. I was also given 2 already paid tickets to a pancake feed for Sat. that was a fundraiser and gave them to a couple of guys at the dinner tonight who couldn’t afford them. Pass your blessings. I also was blessed last night listening to our middle child, Jennifer, teach on the 5 love languages to the ladies of our church. Then, of course, I feel blessed every day to be married to Steve and to live in America. May you be blessed in the little things as well as the big.
Last week we were able to send a whole truck full of food to Mexico. I am not sure how we even had enough but it was pretty neat. Our Kansas weather has ben pretty crazy this year. The temperatures will be normal for 2 or 3 days then will have a real cold one then warm up to above average temps, and so on.
We are still tired from the holidays. We try not to do anything if we don’t have to in January. Better go for now. Take care.
Unfortunately, I forgot the last episode of this show was airing tonight or I would’ve reminded a few earlier. I’m watching it now but quite a few people opted not to (just weren’t quite ready). We were over there the week this was being done and talked to a few volunteers. Prertty amazing. Still a lot of emotional attachment. I hope some of you are able to watch this even though it doesn’t begin to explain what you see or feel having gone through it or even for those of us living close by. Keep Joplin in your prayers. Steve and I hope to buy a brick from the Joplin Highschool. God bless each and everyone of you.
The weather is actually pretty nice still. It is cool in the mornings when you wake up then is hot by afternoon, then cools back down fast after sun goes down. Most days are in the 80’s and cools down in the 60’s at night. However, the fall temperatures are tricky; it might drop to 40’s for a night or two and could even get up in 90’s so causes many colds. There are also a lot of allergies here right now; especially with everything the tornado stirred up.
Also had a big birthday party for Leslie Sept. 17th. She turned 16 on the 14th. Sorry about not having any pictures.
This was taken almost 3 years ago. We were on a missionary trip in Mexico. I don’t remember the name of the church but it was a Mexican church in a village. Steve, Leslie, and I were doing a special where they sang and I played flute. That means Leslie was around 13 then. Enjoy.
Better go for now. Keep in touch! Bye for now, my friend. Love, Jena
Actually, we don’t eat much potatoes at our dinner because of time peeling or cooking. Make instant mashed potatoes 2 or 3 times a month. We cook lots of casseroles or soups. We use lots of pasta - noodles, macaroni, or spaghetti to make dishes or we use beans for chili, etc. We make sandwiches every Wed. night. Sometimes, we get frozen meals already made like lasagna. That’s nice when we run across those specials. Our weather is still hot also. Longest hot weather of my life. We are getting back to normal for Aug. though. The last 3 winters have been really rough here so I’d rather be in Hawaii. Smile.
It was a forward someone sent me. That means, someone was creative and being funny, made it up and sent it for people to share for entertainment. It is just for pleasure to think about. Jena
My job search
“This is quite clever. I wonder who thinks of all this stuff. ”
1. My first job was working in an Orange Juice factory, but I got canned. Couldn’t concentrate.
2. Then I worked in the woods as a Lumberjack, but just couldn’t hack it, so they gave me the axe.
3. After that, I tried being a Tailor, but wasn’t suited for it — mainly because it was a sew-sew job.
4. Next, I tried working in a Muffler Factory, but that was too exhausting.
5. Then, tried being a Chef - figured it would add a little spice to my life, but just didn’t have the thyme.
6. Next, I attempted being a Deli Worker, but any way I sliced it…. couldn’t cut the mustard.
7. My best job was a Musician, but eventually found I wasn’t noteworthy.
8. I studied a long time to become a Doctor, but didn’t have any patience.
9. Next, was a job in a Shoe Factory. Tried hard but just didn’t fit in.
10. I became a Professional Fisherman, but discovered I couldn’t live on my net income.
11. Managed to get a good job working for a Pool Maintenance Company, but the work was just too draining.
12. So then I got a job in a Workout Center, but they said I wasn’t fit for the job.
13. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a Historian - until I realized there was no future in it.
14. My last job was working in Starbucks, but had to quit because it was the same old grind.
15. SO, I TRIED RETIREMENT AND I FOUND I’M PERFECT FOR THE JOB!
3 million dollars in preliminary damage estimates
597,500 cubic yds. of debris already removed by 6/19
18,000 cars destroyed
6,954 homes destroyed
5,000 jobs lost
1,150 injuries
875 other homes damaged
500 businesses lost
155 deaths
These numbers could still change. Pray for Joplin. Benefits are going on everywhere.
Several people in my town still haven’t gone to Joplin because they don’t want to see the war zone. Words can’t describe nor pictures let you know what it is really like there. It has changed our life and it didn’t hit us direct. That is where people work we know, where people go to doctors, and where we shop. You want to run an errand and have to stop and think where that business was to know if you can shop there or if you’ll have to go to another town. Inconvenient. Still people in hospitals and funerals happening. Sad. Got to run for now. Take care.
Leslie got a job this week as a server or waitress at a barbeque restaurant located one block from our house. It is her first job other than babysitting. She has worked hard to learn how to give change properly and memorizing the menu. Had a church group stay 3 days at our church that came up from Oklahoma to help with the tornado in Joplin. They put up tents. That’s all for now. Getting quite warm - in the mid 90’s. Be blessed.
The most useless thing to do … ……..Worry
The greatest Joy………………….. ……..Giving
The greatest loss……………..Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work…………. …Helping others
The ugliest personality trait………………….Selfishness
The most endangered species……………….Dedicated leaders
The greatest “shot in the arm”………………Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome……… ….Fear
Most effective sleeping pill……….. …Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease….. ….Excuses
The most powerful force in life………….. ……..Love
The most dangerous pariah……………………………A gossiper
The world’s most incredible computer… …The brain !
The worst thing to be without……………….Hope
The deadliest weapon…. The tongue…….
The two most power-filled words……………”I Can”
The greatest asset………….. …Faith
The most worthless emotion…………….Self-pity
The most prized possession…………….Integrity
The most beautiful attire……………. …A SMILE!
The most contagious spirit………… …..Enthusiasm
Everyone needs this list to live by…pass it along!!!
