It Was Violent To Me...

After hours of tossing and turning, I finally got some sleep last night.  I woke up this morning feeling as if I had been kicked in the stomach.  I know exactly what that feels like because it's happened to me before.  I am a survivor of domestic violence.  I am a survivor of rape.  I am a survivor. If you don't know my story, you can read about it here:

Transparency: This will explain a lot

Your Voice Will Save You

"When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending."

Last night, we all had the opportunity to vote on some major issues - but I cannot express enough how disappointed I am in California's uninformed voters.  When you voted for Proposition 57, did you ever look into what was meant by "nonviolent" crimes?  Here is a list of some of those crimes:

• Rape by intoxication
• Rape of on unconscious person
• Human Trafficking involving sex act with minors
• Drive-by shooting
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Hostage Taking
• Attempting to explode a bomb at a hospital or school
• Domestic violence involving trauma
• Supplying a firearm to a gang member
• Hate crime causing physical injury
• Failing to register as a sex offender
• Arson
• Discharging a firearm on school grounds
• Lewd acts against a child 15 or 15
• False imprisonment of an elder through violence

We live in a state where we voted to not put condoms on porn stars, and to increase parole and good behavior opportunities for felons convicted of the crimes I listed above - many of which are the actual definition of violence.

Here is the argument you might use against this: "They aren't guaranteed to be released." No, they aren't.  But neither is the survivor.  While in the midst of trying to put their lives together, survivors will now have to re-live the crimes committed against them at each parole hearing.  If you've not been through these things, you have no idea just how traumatic that can be. 

This proposition truly had good intentions in some areas, but we should never vote to pass something that is only kind of good.  Push for something to come along that is truly good.  Rehabilitation of criminals is definitely needed, but it doesn't excuse what they have done.  Being truly rehabilitated, they should be apologetic to their victims - accepting responsibility and punishment for their crime rather than dragging the victim through it again.  Speaking from personal experience, domestic violence offenders are master manipulators.  They know exactly what to say and what to do to try to convince their victims and the public that they are truly sorry and won't do it again.  I don't think their tactics will change any further when it comes to them trying to earn back freedom they don't deserve. 

We let down a lot of survivors yesterday, California.

It was violent to them.

It was violent to me.

-jennilea

  

My Incredible Summer!

It's been quite a few months since I have been able to write anything.  My summer was incredibly busy - but so awesome!  Here is a update on my life.  :]

My Loves:
-Jadelynn turned 10 this year!  I seriously cannot believe how much she has grown since I first met her at 2 years old.  As most of you know, after my divorce, I am so blessed by her mom that she has allowed me to continue to love on Jadelynn and be such a huge part of her life.  This year she started gymnastics - and is doing a fabulous job!  She is doing great in school, and is just a sweet little lady whom we are all incredibly proud of. We had adventures this summer too:  One Direction!  Of course I had to take her to see them again.  :]
-Cobie is still just as awesome as ever.  He is 1.5 years old now and has started to calm down a little bit - which is actually pretty nice.  Haha.
-My boy.  We had all of the adventures!  He surprised me with fancy dinners, trips to the ocean, birds, the Seymour Marine Discovery Center, dolphins, whales - and overall has been the sweetest and most incredible man I have ever met.  I thank God every single day for the blessing I have received through our relationship.  Thank you for who you are, for praying with me, praying for me, leading us, providing way more than you need to, for making me laugh, for respecting me and being patient, and for the love and adventure of a lifetime.  9 months down into forever. <3
-The Dungeon:  Still working it out with team Dungeon!  It was hard to mix my gym life with my summer work life, but eventually I was able to figure it out and go in as often as I could - even using online sessions and hotel gyms when I was working out of town.  At this point - I have finally dipped below the weight I have been at for months! I know the numbers on the scale don't matter...but we all know it's nice to see them drop.

Family and Friends:

-My older sister moved back!  I don't have any photos with her - which I lame and I will have to fix when I see her later. :]  I have been able to spend a ton of time with her and her kids - getting to know her even better.  I love her so much! I went to Disneyland with my oldest sister, which was way fun too!

-I also went to Disneyland with my giiiiiiirrl - and watched my other "giiirrl" Zach graduate from the Sheriff Academy!

-My friend Nikki wrote her second book - which I was so blessed to be part of!

-Christina introduced me to ArtMix and got to by my hero at work.. :]
-The birth of Mini Mimi, dancing (killing it at the wobble), camping, wedding planning, pumpkin patches, and adventure happened with my new family and some of the best friends a girl could ever ask for.

Adventures with K-LOVE and Air1:  

My job probably kept me the most busy this summer.  Going into promotions, I was prepared to have weird hours, minimal weekends off, and the time of my life - and that is exactly what I got!  My summer was full of prep for event, going to some of the most amazing worship nights and concerts, community events, wonderful volunteers, listener stories, and travel!  One of my favorite things was being able to travel to Colorado for our team Summit and to serve with my amazing coworkers from Denver, Arizona, and So Cal, Texas, and Kansas at HeavenFest (2 days) and Harvest SoCal (3 nights) - which are weekend festivals full of music and fun.  Here I had the opportunity to set up our HUGE K-LOVE and Air1 tents and experience for the first time what it's like working a festival with K-LOVE and Air1.  It was busy and so exhausting, but every now and again, we would hear these amazing stories from our listeners, which quickly lifted my spirits as I remembered why I am part of this ministry.  I've said it a thousand times: I love my job!

Next up - I'm going to Italy!  Jessica and I will be on a 2-week adventure in less than 1 month!

Life is beautiful.

In other news:  The first motion picture theater opened in Los Angeles on April 2, 1902.
Find out more cool California facts here!

-jennilea