Love in the Joint

I posted a photo the other day on Instagram and realized that I may not have ever shared this story! Here goes:

Labor Day Weekend 1997 (I feel like Sophia Pettrillo). We had a gas leak in my neighborhood that weekend. We smelled a little bit of that rotten egg smell on Saturday, but by Sunday, we knew we had a big problem. Several neighbors called the city and even though they would have preferred to wait, we all knew that if this leak wasn't fixed, it was gonna be bad news. The utility trucks arrived around 5 that evening and when we got back home from church that night, they were still there. All in all, they would up digging five or six 6'x6' holes in the road to find the leak. (As an aside, my parents only live about a mile and a half from the Chattahoochee. If that leak has blown up, there would have been major damage to the river and water system.) All of us were assured that the city would not leave giant holes in the road.

The next morning, my Mom woke me up to tell me she was going to my grandparents. So, I got dressed in a hurry. I grabbed a teal Disney magic music days t-shirt, hunter green and navy Disney shorts, my gold round frame glasses, threw my hair in a ponytail and ran out the door. My mom and I got in the car and left.

This should be the end of the story, but, no.

The following Sunday night, as we were getting ready for church. My mom handed me a letter. It was addressed to "Babygirl" and although my address wasn't right, I thought it was a joke.

That is, until I read the letter.

Apparently, in the 30 seconds it took to walk from the back door of my parents house to my Mom's car, I'd made quite an impression.

What detail I'd seemingly forgotten is that the city, in an effort to save money, didn't want to pay the regular city workers time-and-a-half to patch those holes in the street on a holiday.

So they opted to use free, available labor -- the inmates from the county jail.

That's right, I got a letter from a prisoner.

So, if you're keeping track, my options for a beloved are as follows: a 17 year-old, an Inmate, and guys on the Internet. Lucky me!

(You should know that I wrote this post in Waffle House this am.) Just as I was finishing up, a 2-toothed cook lingered a little too long asking how my food was. So I'm guessing I should add him to the list too.

God help my future gene pool. And somebody help me.

That convent is looking better and better.

xoxo,
Jenn

30 days of Christian Mingle

(I need to preface what I write with this: I will do my best not to mention a single screen name. I am thankful for dating website and realize this posts could get me banned for life.)

Currently, I'm listening to a cover of a Celine Dion song that transports me (regardless of the artist) back to my 17 year old self. I'm not proud of this, but I was so cruel to a few boys. Boys that I never, ever in a million years meant to hurt, but now see very clearly, how badly I hurt them. (I'M SO SORRY. TRULY I AM.) Ironically enough, they're all married now. With kids.

(Maybe it's not karma, but it's definitely the golden rule. How you treat people will affect how others treat you.)

And even though I swore that I would never do it again, I joined Christian Mingle.

Right now, you're judging me. That's fine. I'm still judging me, so we're even.

I had one of those weirdo nights where I got very sad about being single. I have days where it truthfully just sucks. (There are also a lot of days where I have no time to dwell on my lack-o-relationship.) I joined and promised myself that I wouldn't tell anybody. And that lasted about two days. I was intrigued.

I justified my actions by not paying for the site. You can just be a member for free. You don't have to answer a million questions (I'm talking to you EHarmony) but what you write, and the pictures you want to post have to be approved. It just takes a day or two. Not a big deal. Very early after I joined, I got an email. Because I wasn't paying, I couldn't read the email. This is my one big Christian Mingle regret. (Later on, once I paid, I read the email and nearly cried because it was so sweet.) It was from a very kind guy and I honestly don't think I deserved the nice things he said about me – a complete stranger. Sadly, he's not on CM anymore meaning I missed my chance.

What I have gotten so tickled about though are the screen names that people choose. And the places they take photos. And the animals they take photos with. When I tell you that there are a few folks that have provided HOURS of entertainment, I'm not kidding. One guy was wearing an eye patch and I wound up speaking in a pirate voice for almost two days. ARGGH. One guy's photos all included his ex-wife. (He mentioned her in his profile. UUMMM, NO.) One guy was having a LOT of mental health issues and went into great depth to detail those issues. One guy took a photo in a windowless white van. (Thanks to a bevy of lifetime movies in my latter teen years, I am afraid of being kidnapped in a windowless white van.) A LOT of guys take photos in a bathroom. With visible toilets. Often lid up.

Side note: if you can't take a better photo than that, I must conclude you are NOT the man that God has for me. Thanks for playing. True story.

There are a lot of dogs that make photos. Strangely enough, no cats. One guy had a ginormous iguana/kimodo dragon/lizard that could eat him. Nothing screams "I'm sexy" like reptiles. (I should make a shirt that says that. #winning)

And the screen names. OH MY WORD. Every superhero, superpower, James Bond, bible verses, and more "Christian-ese" phrases than I can shake a stick at. I have seriously loved every one.

I went into this process with my very short list of non-negotiables: must love Jesus, at least 5'9", gainfully employed. Now my list is longer and I'm contemplating chucking the whole list out the window. (Seriously, who am I to know God's best for me?)

I haven't found love. Instead, I've started googling how to join a convent.

Single part 1

A friend of mine posted a hilarious tweet the other day:

"Me to Jesus: If I can't have sex, I better have some words of knowledge & miracles all up in here"

First off, I died laughing because my friend is hilarious. Secondly, I amen'd her because she's so right. This is how I feel more often than not.

Today I got a text from a lady at church:

can anybody take my place helping in the nursery tonight at 530? i feel awful n 2 ppl already cancelled.

I hate that this lady is sick, but her stinkin' thinkin' barely skins the surface of the frustration I feel sometimes, especially from church people.

Mostly because church people are the worst offenders when it comes to single folks. We have leprosy. We are undesired and unloved. That is, until there's a need, and then it's assumed we have no life and thusly no excuse to not jump in and help do the things that no one else wants to do because they've been blessed with a spouse (and possibly kids). And we should all be jumping to help because, hello... PURPOSE.

I feel that the older I get, and maybe, hopefully it's just a season, but I'm struggling with singleness. At night, my heart aches out of frustration. I get angry when people justify why I'm alone (God's just preparing somebody for you!), and as of the last few days, find myself more and more restless. It's exhausting.

I'm not angry at God. I would just like him to move a little faster. Expedite His plan.

And then there's sex... I should probably pace myself and save that for another post though...

Jenn

Thankful things, part 3

I know, bad blogger. (Do not guilty eye me.) life is fun and busy!

But I'm thankful!

31. Back on some medicine but no nausea!
32. Cooler weather!
33. Long sleeves
34. Not having to shave as often. Ha!
35. Friendships that are worth fighting for.
36. My mom (whose birthday is today!) I love her.
37. 5Ks and Fun Runs.
38. Carmex healing cream lotion (try it. It'll change your life)
39. Homemade makeup remover that keeps me from looking like a raccoon!
40. One of my best friends getting married next weekend!

Xoxo,
Jenn

Thankful things part 2

14. College friends getting together
15. That regardless of time, distance, or crazy -- these people love me, and I them. Deeply.
16. Making buckeyes candy with friends! Yum!
17. No traffic and beautiful weather for Sunday drives.
18. Quality time with teen girls discussing Jesus & life.
19. Heart friends.
20. Being able to smell fresh cut grass.
21. Saturday am walk. Woo hoo!
22. Snuggling with Ada!
23. Videoing Hudson telling me he loves me.
24. Meeting my best friends fiancé.
25. Alabama football. ROLL TIDE!
26. Laughing on the phone with my brother.
27. Worshipping my Jesus.
28. Tweets to start a Jericho march in church. :)
29. Focus at work.
30. People in my house! (I've missed it)

Hope you are having a great day!!

progress.

Nearly a week has gone by since my last post. I've been living. I make no apologies for that. :). I had a fantastic non-stressful weekend. I was able to accomplish several things that weren't on any to-do lists but that needed to be done. I got ALL of my clothes washed, folded, and put away/hung-up. For that reason alone, I'm giving myself a peach milkshake from Chick-fil-A tonight. (and all God's people should be saying AMEN.).

Last week, I bought Lysa Terkeurst's book Unglued. Granted, I don't have kids, but having kids is not a prerequisite for having poor reactions. This season of my life is heavily focused on how I react to things, and (more important than that) how others react to my reaction. I think I'm level headed until I'm in the proverbial hot seat, and then I'm as human as they come. I want my faith and my love for God, and His love for me (and you) to show in ways that my temper doesn't allow. I want to be a better example for me! Lysa spends time in the book talking about progress, and the baby steps of life. Sometimes, it really it just moving forward, regardless of the pace. And I like that. I want that to bleed over into other areas of my life so that I can fully give God the control of my life that He wants and I need.

I generally don't speak to those who read this blog directly, but today I pray that you are making progress too... in whatever area in your life is most burdensome! And that your Tuesday is fabulous.

xoxo,
Jenn

thankful things...

1. For the love of God Almighty
2. for grace that I know I don't deserve
3. A fabulous funny mother who is my best and loudest cheerleader.
4. Dr. Pepper.
5. Monday night dinners with my girlfriends.
6. A heater in my office that keeps me from freezing.
7. Barrettes for when I'm too lazy to dry my hair!
8. Chocolate covered marshmallows.
9. The best brother I could ask for!
10. Sorority sisters that are some of my best friends, even 11 years later!
11. Red comfy couches.
12. Being able to coupon for my extended family.
13. My favorite arab.

I hope you are thankful today! God is good!!

xoxo,
Jenn