Purpose

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." 

- Mark Twain

I've heard this quote many times before, but these words didn't mean much to me until I heard them again just a few weeks ago.

In 2010, God put a desire on my heart to put a youth conference together called Fuel the Fire.  After almost a year of fundraising, booking, scheduling, practicing, promoting, etc. the event finally came together.  We had over 500 people attend from all over California.  75 dedicated their lives to God that night.  The altar was filled with countless people who had a life changing experience that night.  At that point in my life, I really wanted to be on stage - singing for Jesus, not working behind the scenes.  However, this night changed everything. 

During altar call, I went to the back of the building we were using to just take in what God was doing that night.  I took this photo in complete awe at what He has used me for.  This event was bigger than anything I could have ever imagined; it had a real impact on lives - bringing people closer to who God wanted them to be.

Right after taking this photo, I realized what God wanted me to do.  Suddenly, putting events together had become my passion.  I especially loved booking and promoting. 

In the middle of my paramedic program at ARC, I switched to a major that would bring me closer to doing what I had become so passionate about:  Music Business. 

I was starting over - but it was completely okay because I knew where I was going.  I didn't exactly know how God had planned for me to get there - but I knew He had it covered.

Fast forward 5 years:  Just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to bring Air1 to the My City youth conference at Capital Christian.  During Hillsong Young and Free's worship set, I decided to snap a few photos of the event to add to our social media.  After taking this photo, I looked at it and had a moment of realization:  I'm right where God wants me to be - Doing the exact thing he had set a fire in me to do.  I am blessed with the opportunity to be used by Him daily in a full time ministry - working with music, connecting with people, and being led by God to make a difference in the lives of our listeners.

I feel such peace and joy;  I feel overwhelmingly blessed to be able to do something I am so incredibly passionate about - knowing I am right where He wants me to be.

God has such an incredible purpose for each of our lives.  There are no words to describe the feeling of knowing what that purpose is - and this is only the beginning of the wonderful things He is doing in my life.

On that note, I leave you with my favorite verse:

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " -Jeremiah 29:11 

-jennilea

Long Overdue

This post is long overdue!  By now, you might know that I've finished my Day Zero Project.  In my final days on the project, I went through a whirlwind of experiences to finish my list.  This included the following:

Reading the Bible
Finish books suggested by friends
Visit Manda in Oaklahoma
Complete a 3D Puzzle

Oklahoma was OK!  I went with Brian to see his brother graduate from basic training - Good job, Steven!  After, we went to visit Manda!  All flights and drive time were full of reading or listening to the Bible on CD.  I underestimated how long that task really would take.  It was actually one I was working on right up to the final minutes of the project!  Completing it felt amazing.

We were also able to complete a 3D puzzle of a bird.  I've come to really love puzzles...since I've completed one of the three thousand piece puzzles I worked on.

I learned so much over the last few years, but the most valuable lesson I learned was that things sometimes need to change - and you have to be okay with that.  There were so many other things on my list I would have loved to complete, but was unable to for lack of accounting for proper time to get them done.  I was disappointed the first time I had to change something on the list - but then I realized that this is exactly how life is.  We often make plans for our lives - our future - we have this idea of how we will live, what traditions we will follow, what we will be when we grow up, etc...The reality is that these things sometimes change, and we have to be able to change right along with them.
When I had to make my first change to the list, I felt like everything was pointless then, but it wasn't.  I simply needed to add something else that would bring me to completing another goal!  While I still tried to limit the amount of things I made changes too, when the time came that I had to trade in a goal, I was able to do it - not feeling defeated, but knowing I did my best and other opportunity will arise in the future.

Another thing I've taken from this is that if I want to do something - I should go do it!  This is within reason of course.  Ha!

For example, I really wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride.  I didn't need a list to get it done - I had the ability to just go out and do it, and luckily enough, I had a wonderful friend who treated me for my birthday. :]

We had an all day adventure of hot air balloon riding, travel, and the ocean.  It was a complete blast and I would most definitely do it again.

Also, during the lift, I realized I am definitely not afraid of heights anymore.  I rocked it, completely fearless.  I definitely have my list to thank for that as well. My fear of heights was one thing that held me back from doing a lot - and I am so happy to be done with that.

So, now that my list is over, I plan to make new goals - and conquer them!

Another recent goal I've hit is graduating from Sac State!  I completed my schooling in 3 semesters, as planned, and will be graduating on Friday!  I also plan to update this blog more frequently. :]

In other news, my puppy is adorable:

This gorgeous pup is 20 pounds of awesome.  Cobie is probably one of the best decisions I could have made.  He's just amazing.

Finally, with Christmas coming up soon - I wish you all a Merry Christmas - I sure am excited to be giving a ton of gifts this year - especially knowing that these are gifts my friends and family will definitely enjoy.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and super fun New Year.

-jennilea

Dear Santa...

The photo to the left will be explained further into the post.  Spoiler alert: it is awesome:

Speaking of awesome, for Christmas this year, I got season 7 of HIMYM!  Marathons will be happening for WEEKS!
In addition,  How I Met Your Mother has been signed for a 9th season with all original cast members.

To top it all off, the Backstreet Boys performed this morning - nailed it.  All my dreams...

My last post discussed the Dear Santa program; we were able to adopt 3 letters!  I headed out to buy presents for the families (with Christina), and we ended up meeting a lady at WalMart who was selling things to raise money to buy presents for her kids.  Our church had received a lot of donated, unopened toys, so we were able to help out this family as well - for a total of 4.

The first family had 6 kids!  The college group and I headed out with their gifts, including a crib and two mattresses, When we arrived, the kids opened their presents with excitement.  Their mother pulled me aside and let me know that this was their very first Christmas they had every had, with presents.  They were very excited over getting presents, coloring books, crayons, jump ropes, cards, tiaras, etc. I am pretty sure the puzzles were their favorite though.  I was happy we were all able to see them open their gifts!

The next family was the one with the letter from the little boy. We bought his grams a Bible and had her name engraved it in.  She was so happy to have her new Bible and couldn't wait to open it up!  They were very grateful, and even gave us a thank you card.   In the photo to the left, the boy in the red sweater is the one who wrote the letter.  It was a very sweet moment to see them interact together.  She was so proud of her grandson for thinking of her and for his heart for God.   This was an absolutely amazing thing to be a part of.

We did not get to stay to see the other two families open their presents, but they really appreciated their gifts.

Four families lives where impacted this Christmas because of Carmen's suggestion to add Dear Santa to my list.  This has been an great experience altogether, and I plan on doing it again next year with the College Group.

On another note, school is out, which is nice.  I was lucky enough to be able to enroll in all the classes I need for the next semester and will have my AA by May 2013!  I have also applied to Sac State and am ready to transfer over.  I will be majoring in Communications, and can't wait to see where this will take me.

In the time off, so far, I have enjoyed spending time with mySteven.  Definitely long overdue, as my night classes took over my life, and he had to work late nights.  I have also began working on my new puzzle.  This one is tough.  A lot of the colors are very similar.  So far, the border is done, and two birds.  Photos will come as I get a wee bit further.  Toilet training my cats is getting better. We will be punching out our first hole this month!

I also attended one amazing Ugly Christmas Sweater White Elephant Gift Potluck Game Night with my awesome friends.  We were all dressed in our best for this wonderful occasion.  I am grateful to have all of these wonderful people in my life.

I am also looking forward to running again!  I have not ran in a month.  Disappointing.  I have found a web site that tells me all of the runs that are coming up, and have found a few that I may consider for my half marathon!  Training really needs to ramp up though, because it will be within the next month and a half.

2013 is going to be crazy, fun, amazing, and full of new and exciting experiencing!  I cannot wait for it!  Next year will be my last opportunity to go to New York for the new year, before my list is up, so that will be happening.  I am looking forward to all of the traveling and adventure that will be had!

In other news:  "The pattern of your heartbeat changes to mimic the type of music you're listening to."
(Follow UberFacts on Twitter)

-jennilea