giving back

If you know me at all, you know I’m passionate about a few things…primarily helping people and supporting the local community.

This weekend I had the opportunity to do both!

I wanted to take some time to tell you about a few local ministries and organizations that are bettering the lives of many and are right here in our community of Jackson, MS.

Friday night I had the privilege of working with Sonbeams (a ministry of Pear Orchard church).

This amazing ministry helps in giving back by offering a “Parent’s night out” for those with developmental disabilities. Every other month, Sonbeams offers parents a night off while we (the volunteers and staff) get to know their children better and engage in a variety of activities.

This past Friday, we assisted in helping prepare boxes for Operation Shoebox drop (Christmas in July) to children all over the world who live in poor countries and have virtually nothing. We painted boxes and lids and I was amazed at our creative the children were.

We also played a lot of basketball, sang songs, and had a story and snack time.

I had the honor of being “buddies” with a 19 year old non-speaking girl. She immediately stole my heart. She held my hand as we walked around the church and was so kind and gentle. She was so alive and so full of life and yet this precious little girl can not communicate with the world like we do. But she does it in her own way. And she understands everything we say to her.

My heart was so full of joy when I left and I can not wait to go back and work with them again. My little buddy helped me more than I’m sure I helped her. And she didn’t even know it.

Last night (Saturday) I was honored to be a part of the JFP's  7^th Annual Chick Ball.

What is the Chick Ball? ( you may be asking)

The Chick Ball is a super awesome fund-raiser that celebrates women and supports the fight against domestic violence.

My dear friend and yoga teacher, Tara Blumenthal, pulled me in this year to help her Emcee and lend a helping hand.

I am pleased to say everything went much better than I had anticipated (in my head) it would. Hal & Mal’s was packed. At one point we had to shut the doors because the number of people inside exceeded the fire code!!!!!

There were so many amazing musicians who participated and every single dime went to the Center for Violence Prevention.

At the end of the evening, we all cut loose and danced the night away. I left sweaty and tired but again, my heart was full of joy.

Giving back brings me more satisfaction, more happiness, more joy than anything else in this world.

God has blessed with me an amazing life—full of sorrows and joys—but He’s blessed me with two working hands and feet and a mind that seeks to understand and know people—so that I may serve them; so that I may be used as a channel of love for others.

The purpose of my life is not really to be an Occupational Therapist someday. It’s not to be rich, skinny, and fabulous (although those would be great)…it’s not to be a mother, daughter, or sister.

My purpose is to be of maximum service to God and others.

My purpose is to give back as much as I can, wherever I can, to all the people I can.

And my purpose is served through being an Occupational Therapist someday, through being a mother (someday), through being a daughter and a sister and a friend.

I woke up this fine Sunday morning feeling good about my life; feeling good about the direction it’s taken for the past few years; feeling good about the world and the people in it. And I know it’s not because of me or anything I’ve done really. It’s because of letting go and surrendering and allowing people to come into my life and letting people leave my life.

Tomorrow I may feel differently.

But today, I’m super grateful.

With deep love and gratitude,

Jen

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more”

 ~ Anthony Robbins

Wonderful Whirlwind of a Week!

The past week/weekend has flown by with such gusto that I only managed to document very small segments. But I wanted to share what I did capture.

My life is so full and I am so blessed. I really, truly am. Although I’ve been struggling with some issues lately (see latest blog posts) I am still constantly overwhelmed with how awesome life is. And how beautiful it is!

Last Sunday, I enjoyed a fun, relaxing, and easy day with my bestie, Lydia. We wandered around Lemuria for hours and enjoyed lunch at Broad Street. Isn’t she just lovely?

Wednesday of last week my sweet mother came up to spend some quality time with me and help me get my home ready for an Aloette Party! My dear friend, Leslie, is selling Aloette and I promised her when I moved I would host a party so she could come and tell us all about her wonderful product!

My mom and I attempted to hang pictures in my house, but the walls MUST be made of concrete. We couldn’t get a nail to stay in the wall to save our lives! We even bought nails that were supposed to go through concrete, but that didn’t even work. We only managed to get these two Klimt pieces up framing the door-way to my kitchen….and the rest we will leave up to a drill and my dad!

mom, hard at work!

We made a stop at Everyday Gardener in Fondren and bought some lovely flowers to adorn the house. Most all the time I have fresh flowers in my presence. I believe I can never have too many. I’ve been buying flowers for myself since I was about 16. Fresh flowers are the way to this girls heart!

We also stopped at Campbell’s Bakery and although there were only 4 Cannoli’s left, we managed to find other pastries that were equally as yummy!

The party went on without a hitch and I enjoyed visiting with friends. I also got a whole new line of skin-care products of which I am about to try! And since I am a product junkie, I am very excited!

Friday began our full weekend of the Yoga Workshop with Desiree Rumbaugh. I literally cannot say enough about how amazing it was to study with Desiree. I learned new things, discovered muscles I had never used, laughed, almost cried, and just was overjoyed all at the same time. Our Kulu here in Jackson is amazing and I am just thrilled to be a part of it. None of this would be possible without our local yoga teachers!!! Scotta and Tara prepared us well. I think I’ll dedicate an entire post on Desiree and what I learned from the workshop, but I snapped only a few pictures that I’ll share from this bountiful weekend.

Friday night after our yoga session, a few of us ladies went for dinner at Local 463. Appropriate since Tara’s husband (Dave) owns it. Dinner was divine (as always) and our bellies were so happy when we left!

During lunch on Saturday, a group of us dined at Alladin and enjoyed sitting outside in the sun. It was a much needed break from backbends and foreword folds!

Saturday night after yoga, I managed to run home in time to shower before heading to a dinner party with my co-workers! I don’t know if you remember my post back in December, but we had a similar dinner party. The company was lovely and the food was to die for. Literally, Vasch’s sister, Yas, is the most amazing chef possibly EVER. She wined and dined us until I was falling asleep on her couch!

Sunday we wrapped up our final yoga session with Des. When I went to hug her good-bye, there were tears in my eyes. Nothing but warmth, love, and wisdom flow from her. Her parting remarks to me were, “keep on making those green smoothies, Jen!”.

“yes mam” I replied. Yes mam, indeed.

Who would have thought 2 years ago that I would have a consistent yoga practice, love green smoothies, and be in grad school??

Not me!

For those of you who made my week/weekend so marvelous, Thank You! I hope my gratitude for you shows in my actions but also, incase it doesn’t, I wanted to verbally acknowledge how amazing the people in my life are.

I'm winding down from this long whirlwind of a week by laying on my couch and watching Ratatouille and thinking about my long upcoming week.

May we all go forth into this next week with ease and grace and so much love!


As always,
yours,
Jen

Acceptance

Friends,

It is with great joy and much relief

to let you know

that I was accepted today into the Masters of Occupational Therapy Program.

I will begin grad school May 31^st, 2011.

One day soon, I will be an:

This would not have been possible without some very important people:

My Parents—who continue to encourage and support me with unconditional love.

A friend and former love-interest—Brad. Without your encouragement I doubt I would have even attempted such a feat as early in my recovery as I did.

To my wonderful sponsor and second Mother—Libby. I would not be who I am today without you. I am eternally grateful I have you in my life!

To my brothers—Clint and Brian. and my Sister—Caroline and precious Nephew---Irwin.

To my many WONDERFUL friends who are really too many to name…but here goes—Cathy, Lydia, Eric, Mac, Jessica, Denise, Vasch, Tara, Scotta, Rachel, Richard, Hawmi, Sarah, Leslie, Malcolm, Bill, Cleve, Kelly, Chris and if I left your name out, forgive me. I’m a bit tired. Big day.

I am very excited about this new chapter in my life.

I believe that

 I am filled with SO much

In other news, I’ve gotten moved into my new place (well, mostly moved in) and it already feels like home.

 Come visit!