On a rainy day...

...I am sitting in a lovely coffee shop that I finally ventured into. I spotted it during the first week of September and today was the day that my feet finally walked through their class door.

I was greeted by a smiling Asian woman, who cheerfully and graciously helped me pick out what I should eat for lunch.

I enjoyed a delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup, a nice quantity of potato salad, and a tasty Reuben sandwich.

After studying for a while, and getting a little chilly and sleepy - I decided to purchase a coffee...and when she brought it over to me, it was brimming with whip cream. You can imagine my happiness at the sight of such a large mound of whip cream...

Off on my left, there are two elderly men, sipping their coffee, who have been playing chess for hours. There is also a table of sweet elderly women who the owner likes to sit down with whenever the counter is quiet. I like this place.

I have found a jewel in the city of Langley, I have found my new escape, I have found my new study spot, this is grand.

ALSO...this week, I had my very first teaching experience in my 3/4 split class. We read through chapter 3 of Charlotte's Web, and then we worked through a worksheet. The closer I am coming to the end of my degree, the more daunting this teaching future is becoming. With each day, my dreams of having my own classroom coming closer on the horizon, and while I do have excitement, there is also a fear of not being able to remember all that I've learned, and the daunting idea that what if I can't figure out how to run a classroom?

Nonetheless, I still get pretty stoked to think of the moment when I'll finally, one day, feel comfortable as a teacher, with all those cute little faces staring up at me, and have some awesome lessons that will get them excited about learning:)

Well, I must return to the homework...much to do before I actually get that degree.

Blessings in Him.

JJ

100 posts. It's true.

It was hard coming up with a brilliant and celebratory plan for the hundredth post, so I decided to mix things up a bit. Here are 50 of my favorite things, which will be followed by some thoughts about the goodness of the Lord and what He is doing in my life, which will add up to an abundance of cool things. Alright…well this is it. This is the post of all posts…100^th post!

You ready for this?

1. The beach
2. Hanging out with my family
3. Chai tea latte
4. Great quiet time with the Lord
5. Daffodils
6. Whip cream
7. Reading a good book (especially on a crummy day)
8. Have a good legitimate laugh
9. Going fast on a boat or (a motorbike ride)
10. A good hug
11. Reading Children’s books
12. Capernwray, Thetis Island
13. Being with friends who love me for me
14. The number 14
15. Listening to/playing guitar
16. A fresh journal
17. Twirling in a twirly skirt or dress
18. Writing a good random song
19. All kinds of paper! Colored, designed, textured…
20. Dreaming of living in a castle
21. Getting mail
22. Rowing or kayaking on a still, sunny day
23. Being inspired
24. Someone surprising me with a coffee drink
25. Good roommates
26. Dreaming of roaming the green hills of Ireland
27. Fresh sweatpants and a new hoodie
28. Little Rascals
29. Hanging out with kids
30. Palm trees
31. A comfy blanket
32. A good sleep/nap
33. Anything to do with Christmas
34. Cookie dough
35. A good storm
36. Hanging out with my brothers
37. Solitude
38. Pictures (taking them and looking at good shots)
39. Playdoh
40. Flip flops that are perfectly fit to my feet
41. Stargazing
42. A cup of tea
43. The smell and taste of fresh bread
44. Answered prayers
45. Bouncy balls
46. Christ and my relationship with Him
47. Tim Horton’s
48. Bourne Identity
49. First snowfall
50. Seeing the redemption of a bad situation

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13 NIV)

I’ve chosen this verse as a ‘theme’ verse for my final year here at Trinity…

Before summer ended I felt that if I wasn’t returning to TWU in the fall, that I would be okay with that. Trinity has been a great experience, but my heart has no deep holds to this place. But as I came back this year, I really began to realize the impact people here have had on my life and the many ways God has shaped my life through being here at school, and thus I have come to value this place so much more.

Romans 12:9-13 has become a desire for how I want my life to be, the things in which I live by and the ways in which I honor the Lord and love Him and the people around me. It’s an exciting season of life to be in because I believe this will not be a stagnant year, but definitely a year of growth. As Christians, we should always be growing and being stretched, but often I like to sit in my little comfort zone. Nonetheless, I feel that if I seek the Lord and place my complete trust in Him, this year is going to be anything but normal. The Lord has already given me moments that have stretched me out of my comfy zone, and I am confident there will be more, and surprisingly – I’m stoked. I don’t want to be the same plain-Jen but I want to experience all that the Lord has to offer, to be transformed to be more like Him, and to have a life pleasing to Him and one that lives out the verse above. I’m aiming to be genuine…yes ‘Jen’uine and authentic in Christ.

I’ll keep you updated! Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts.