Everyday last week I woke up thinking this is the week that I am able to go home. Everyday I was disappointed when I realized nope next week. So this week the week that we are leaving is dragging by. The days go by like a man with a with a 1,000 pound boulder on his back going up a mountain. I love my job and I love what I do, but I haven't seen the mountains in almost seven months and that takes a tole on ones mind. Not seeing the mountains plus family and friends tends to make one a little on edge and unstable. We are leaving Friday after work and I cannot wait. I even told Kris to put the dogs in the car so we don't even have to go home. He laughed at me.
Yesterday I was fixing supper and I actually thought about what this week brings with it. We are a little over a month from being married for two years. It's kind of just flew by. Not kind of it has. Two of our friends were married in November two years ago and they have a one year old. That just blows me away because that could be us. Someone asked me the other day if I had "baby fever yet." I replied with a resounding "No." I know that sounds crazy. I look at the big picture of that kid is either normal because of you or they are completely screwy because of you. i am pretty messed up myself, so I figure that my kids don't have a shot and will be left in the screwed up for life category. I don't think Kris could even balance out my craziness, even though he does try. Maybe I just need to grow up a little bit more.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Forgotten or Just Put Away?
I am reading Francis Chan's Forgotten God. It is an amazing incredible must read kind of book. In the book he writes about the fact that hey there are three parts to the trinity. The Father, the Son, and the HOLY SPIRIT.
Being from the Bible belt, a Conservative southern Baptist Church ( that I went to all my life until a year ago), and going to a strict Southern Baptist College, has lead me to be one of these people who forget some times about that third "person" in the trinity. I spent a lot of time when I was younger thinking about how three things can be one thing. I also I am pretty sure drove my family crazy with asking him how it was possible. Chan writes about how the church in general has forgotten him as well. I certainly had.
How could I have forgotten the one who Jesus sent to be our Counselor. Who Paul, Stephen, and many more full relied on. Who with the Holy Spirit lead THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS to the cross. Jesus talks constantly about the counselor and that He is coming and will do more than he could have. So why on earth do I not think about the Holy Spirit?
We as a church have forgotten about the Holy Spirit. It doesn't matter rather or not that you are a Strict Southern Baptist, a Roman Catholic , or a crazy carsamtic. We all have forgotten. Most Southern Baptist churches would not know the Holy Spirit if the Holy Spirit were to come into the church walls with a sign around it's neck that says Holy Spirit. Then if they did they would have no clue what to do with Holy Spirit and more than likely ban it from their church. Because the Holy Spirit would cause rifts in the way things have been done for years.
Being from the Bible belt, a Conservative southern Baptist Church ( that I went to all my life until a year ago), and going to a strict Southern Baptist College, has lead me to be one of these people who forget some times about that third "person" in the trinity. I spent a lot of time when I was younger thinking about how three things can be one thing. I also I am pretty sure drove my family crazy with asking him how it was possible. Chan writes about how the church in general has forgotten him as well. I certainly had.
How could I have forgotten the one who Jesus sent to be our Counselor. Who Paul, Stephen, and many more full relied on. Who with the Holy Spirit lead THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS to the cross. Jesus talks constantly about the counselor and that He is coming and will do more than he could have. So why on earth do I not think about the Holy Spirit?
We as a church have forgotten about the Holy Spirit. It doesn't matter rather or not that you are a Strict Southern Baptist, a Roman Catholic , or a crazy carsamtic. We all have forgotten. Most Southern Baptist churches would not know the Holy Spirit if the Holy Spirit were to come into the church walls with a sign around it's neck that says Holy Spirit. Then if they did they would have no clue what to do with Holy Spirit and more than likely ban it from their church. Because the Holy Spirit would cause rifts in the way things have been done for years.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Home sweet home
Jessi Hardin Crippin is a homeowner. So this means Jesus might be coming back soon haha.
Right now Kris and I are praying about going to visit Jen. The other day I broke down because I haven't gotten to hold Lorelia and this makes me very sad. Poor Kris having to deal with my breakdowns.
Right now Kris and I are praying about going to visit Jen. The other day I broke down because I haven't gotten to hold Lorelia and this makes me very sad. Poor Kris having to deal with my breakdowns.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Cause I am gone to Carolina in my mind
James Taylor says it so well. For those of us who can not live there this song rings in your head constantly. I love Louisiana. I love my family here. I love my friends. I love,love,love my job. But there is one thing about it it's not home. Some of my family and friends just don't understand it. They think that South Carolina should just been some thought and not something I miss. i really want to ask them to pack up and move 8 hours from the place where they grew up and all of their friends and family still are. I don't think they have a clue how it feels to be buying your first house and your parents can only see Internet views. Or not binning able to go get coffee with your best friends when you want to go let a little steam off.
Anyways...off the box... I miss my family, I miss my friends, as crazy as it sounds I miss the food, and I miss the state it's self. I miss the fresh mountain area, the hills, the way something is always in bloom, the cool spring waters that hide in the mountains, the beaches, the winding roads that lead to observe quaint places, the accents, the stretch between Greenville and Columbia the lakes, the cover of the trees everywhere, the shag, the beach music and so much more. But most of all I miss the time. Time just doesn't seem to move as fast. Everything is a slower pace. I don't think its that I just seemed to have more time I did have more time. Mow I know that sounds crazy but even as we go home now we still seem to have more time. Here it is always rush rush rush. Even on the days that we don't have anything to do, that time together seems to move by a lot faster. I love the fact ,sometimes, that there is always something to do, but sometimes I just want time to slow down.
Often time I wonder if South Carolina is in some vortex or black hole. Because there is just something about it that seems to be untouched by the rest of the fast paced life. I think of South Carolina and oldies play in my head as scenes of my life there past by. That could be my parents fault with waking me up every Saturday morning to the oldies.
Anyways...off the box... I miss my family, I miss my friends, as crazy as it sounds I miss the food, and I miss the state it's self. I miss the fresh mountain area, the hills, the way something is always in bloom, the cool spring waters that hide in the mountains, the beaches, the winding roads that lead to observe quaint places, the accents, the stretch between Greenville and Columbia the lakes, the cover of the trees everywhere, the shag, the beach music and so much more. But most of all I miss the time. Time just doesn't seem to move as fast. Everything is a slower pace. I don't think its that I just seemed to have more time I did have more time. Mow I know that sounds crazy but even as we go home now we still seem to have more time. Here it is always rush rush rush. Even on the days that we don't have anything to do, that time together seems to move by a lot faster. I love the fact ,sometimes, that there is always something to do, but sometimes I just want time to slow down.
Often time I wonder if South Carolina is in some vortex or black hole. Because there is just something about it that seems to be untouched by the rest of the fast paced life. I think of South Carolina and oldies play in my head as scenes of my life there past by. That could be my parents fault with waking me up every Saturday morning to the oldies.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
All Night
Blogging at 5 in the AM let's see how this works out.
House number two underway. For those who haven't hear house number one didn't work out so much. House number two is a whole lot nicer and bigger so fingers crossed and prayers needed.
School starts in a week. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to finish everything because we have Orientation Tuesday. Year number two isn't near a nerve racking. I have very mixed emotions about this second year. I feel as if I can't have any cooler kids than I did last year and I am going to miss them. I am on the other hand excited to have a new set of students who will have another special place in my heart. I am trying, trying being the major word in this sentence, to get ahead start on being more organized. Let me tell you it's for the birds. Kris says I am going a little overboard but I just think he doesn't get it. I really want every kid that comes through my class to remember that year as the year they learned more and had more fun doing it than any other year before.
We have a new niece her name is Lorelia. I got to talk with her today. I am sure that she understood every word of the baby talk too :-). I really miss not being there and holding her. I had to hold back the tears because I was talking with them at work. EB is as cute as ever. It's just weird, like for me there has always been EB and she has been the wallpaper and back drop on my everything. She is also the one I go on and on about and people are giving me the shut up Jessi she's just your niece kind of look. And now she shares that spot with a little baby that is her sister. I just don't have a picture of them together so EB is back drop on everything but my phone. Phone goes to Lorelia.
I guess that is how my dad, sister, and brother felt. Haha! Man I wish I could really go to sleep. Lock in NEVER again!
House number two underway. For those who haven't hear house number one didn't work out so much. House number two is a whole lot nicer and bigger so fingers crossed and prayers needed.
School starts in a week. I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to finish everything because we have Orientation Tuesday. Year number two isn't near a nerve racking. I have very mixed emotions about this second year. I feel as if I can't have any cooler kids than I did last year and I am going to miss them. I am on the other hand excited to have a new set of students who will have another special place in my heart. I am trying, trying being the major word in this sentence, to get ahead start on being more organized. Let me tell you it's for the birds. Kris says I am going a little overboard but I just think he doesn't get it. I really want every kid that comes through my class to remember that year as the year they learned more and had more fun doing it than any other year before.
We have a new niece her name is Lorelia. I got to talk with her today. I am sure that she understood every word of the baby talk too :-). I really miss not being there and holding her. I had to hold back the tears because I was talking with them at work. EB is as cute as ever. It's just weird, like for me there has always been EB and she has been the wallpaper and back drop on my everything. She is also the one I go on and on about and people are giving me the shut up Jessi she's just your niece kind of look. And now she shares that spot with a little baby that is her sister. I just don't have a picture of them together so EB is back drop on everything but my phone. Phone goes to Lorelia.
I guess that is how my dad, sister, and brother felt. Haha! Man I wish I could really go to sleep. Lock in NEVER again!
Monday, July 12, 2010
I Don't Wanna Grow UP
So 210 N. Queens could be the house of our dreams (maybe).
Sometimes, well quite frankly most of the time I do not feel old enough to be buying a house. I do not feel old enough to be married, have a dog, take care of rent, have gown up job, and so on and so forth. But I guess that i am old enough I just do not feel like I should be.
The two things that make me feel the oldest...buying a house and the question on every single person I have talked to in the last six months children. When did I become old enough to even ask about those two things? When did I become mature enough to even think of those two thoughts? I look in the mirror and I can see the effects of aging already starting to take place. At the ripe old age of 21 ;-) the notion of living forever on this earth is hitting me harder than ever.
You know the AT&T commercial where the man sees the woman on the train and then they skip ahead to their future and their son is president...yeah that does not appeal to me. I feel like it should. To grow old with the man I love and to have children that I am proud of who will have child. To see my sister, cousins, and friends with their children makes me want one but to think of them growing up and me having to grow older yeah not so much into that. I am i having a mid-life crisis before my mid- life?
And then to top it off all of my friends are getting married or in serious relationships. We are having careers of our own, nurses, teacher, working for newspapers. When did our dreams become reality? What is going on? When did we all become old enough to be old enough?
I still re-late life situations to things on tv. Grown ups don't do that.
Sometimes, well quite frankly most of the time I do not feel old enough to be buying a house. I do not feel old enough to be married, have a dog, take care of rent, have gown up job, and so on and so forth. But I guess that i am old enough I just do not feel like I should be.
The two things that make me feel the oldest...buying a house and the question on every single person I have talked to in the last six months children. When did I become old enough to even ask about those two things? When did I become mature enough to even think of those two thoughts? I look in the mirror and I can see the effects of aging already starting to take place. At the ripe old age of 21 ;-) the notion of living forever on this earth is hitting me harder than ever.
You know the AT&T commercial where the man sees the woman on the train and then they skip ahead to their future and their son is president...yeah that does not appeal to me. I feel like it should. To grow old with the man I love and to have children that I am proud of who will have child. To see my sister, cousins, and friends with their children makes me want one but to think of them growing up and me having to grow older yeah not so much into that. I am i having a mid-life crisis before my mid- life?
And then to top it off all of my friends are getting married or in serious relationships. We are having careers of our own, nurses, teacher, working for newspapers. When did our dreams become reality? What is going on? When did we all become old enough to be old enough?
I still re-late life situations to things on tv. Grown ups don't do that.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Long Time No Blog
Life:
Why is life at times so busy that you do not even have a moment to stop and think.
I am blogging instead of finishing school work as usual. So a lot has happened in our little Crippin World since the last time I even thought about blogging. We are in a desperate search for a house. We can't afford our rent when it goes back up to it's original 1,300 a month. Now breath cause you know me and know that there is no way on this earth that I would pay that much ever. Our house payment won't even be that much.
I am going to school online which is always tons of fun! But the most unusual thing is that I have been shrimping at night with Kris and EJ. We need the extra money and Kris is working two jobs so I thought I would come along and make life a little bit easier on him. It's fun. Something I would have never ever seen myself doing. I used to watch Forest Gump and hey that's looks like fun. But never did I think that one day I would be on a shrimp boat shorting through all kinds of nastiness. Cause let me tell you it isn't for the faint of heart. As tough as I like to think that I am at times, I still get Kris to pick up some of those things that I just don't want to touch. Like sting rays...really you want me to pick one of those things up look what happened to Steve Erwin. Hello, I just now got to wear I will pick up crabs, cause let me tell you those things hurt. There is a catfish here that has stabbers in its fins that will make you swell and bleed....yeah I don't pick those up either.
Last weekend we went on a mission trip to Alvarado Texas. There are more Wickens, Witches, and Satan Worshippers in that one county than anywhere else in the US.
When I think about where I grow up and even where I live now. I have never seen really satan move. This week I saw satan work. I know that you are all going man Jessi has lost her marbles but many of you were saying that years ago. But you know why you could see satan in Alvarado and at the church we were at , is because there were people there that were messing up satan's plans. They were bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, preaching His gospel, and being used by the Holy Spirit.
That got me to thinking how long has it been since I have let the Comforter use me, How long has it been since our Churches have even let the Holy Spirit in? If you aren't seeing satan then I fully believe that you aren't letting the Holy Spirit do His job. It's something that every church has it's problems with cause you know what the Holy Spirit makes us all uncomfortable at times. As people that are very complacent we don't like to be taken out of our comfort zone.
I have heard many stories about people seeing demons or being demon possessed. But they all have been overseas in those "godless nations" Well it's not like we are a Christian nation. You know why they see demons because those who have converted to Christianity are not sitting on their butts and doing nothing to share their faith. They are going and telling everyone they know about the One that has come to give them life and life everlasting. They are "Making footprints, not butt prints". And because they are being used by the Holy Spirit satan and his demons are going to attack. Thank Cowboy Way for showing people THE WAY
Are you making satan mad?
Why is life at times so busy that you do not even have a moment to stop and think.
I am blogging instead of finishing school work as usual. So a lot has happened in our little Crippin World since the last time I even thought about blogging. We are in a desperate search for a house. We can't afford our rent when it goes back up to it's original 1,300 a month. Now breath cause you know me and know that there is no way on this earth that I would pay that much ever. Our house payment won't even be that much.
I am going to school online which is always tons of fun! But the most unusual thing is that I have been shrimping at night with Kris and EJ. We need the extra money and Kris is working two jobs so I thought I would come along and make life a little bit easier on him. It's fun. Something I would have never ever seen myself doing. I used to watch Forest Gump and hey that's looks like fun. But never did I think that one day I would be on a shrimp boat shorting through all kinds of nastiness. Cause let me tell you it isn't for the faint of heart. As tough as I like to think that I am at times, I still get Kris to pick up some of those things that I just don't want to touch. Like sting rays...really you want me to pick one of those things up look what happened to Steve Erwin. Hello, I just now got to wear I will pick up crabs, cause let me tell you those things hurt. There is a catfish here that has stabbers in its fins that will make you swell and bleed....yeah I don't pick those up either.
Last weekend we went on a mission trip to Alvarado Texas. There are more Wickens, Witches, and Satan Worshippers in that one county than anywhere else in the US.
When I think about where I grow up and even where I live now. I have never seen really satan move. This week I saw satan work. I know that you are all going man Jessi has lost her marbles but many of you were saying that years ago. But you know why you could see satan in Alvarado and at the church we were at , is because there were people there that were messing up satan's plans. They were bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, preaching His gospel, and being used by the Holy Spirit.
That got me to thinking how long has it been since I have let the Comforter use me, How long has it been since our Churches have even let the Holy Spirit in? If you aren't seeing satan then I fully believe that you aren't letting the Holy Spirit do His job. It's something that every church has it's problems with cause you know what the Holy Spirit makes us all uncomfortable at times. As people that are very complacent we don't like to be taken out of our comfort zone.
I have heard many stories about people seeing demons or being demon possessed. But they all have been overseas in those "godless nations" Well it's not like we are a Christian nation. You know why they see demons because those who have converted to Christianity are not sitting on their butts and doing nothing to share their faith. They are going and telling everyone they know about the One that has come to give them life and life everlasting. They are "Making footprints, not butt prints". And because they are being used by the Holy Spirit satan and his demons are going to attack. Thank Cowboy Way for showing people THE WAY
Are you making satan mad?
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Slap in da face
The past few weeks haven't excalty been the easiest weeks of my life. Life isn't suppose to be easy and I know this with all my heart but I like for life to fall into place like I want it to be. Last night life came to almost breaking down in the middle of the Wal-mart parking lot ( you know that's bad). My car has been a lot of my problems and yesterday it decided that it had enough and just quit. It quit with smoke and smelling like something on fire. So needless to say I was getting really mad a God in my head. (cause Kris didn't need to know my sin out loud).
In my head I was really asking God how can you let this happen "here we are trying to do what You want us to do, we've moved away from our parents, we live without a lot of stuff, we don't complain that much and then you just let things to down the drain." I mean I was really giving it to Him in my head' you know and of course mKing me sound like Saint Jessi patron saint of all the saints. Kris and I were both think like thousands of dollars to fix my jeep and where are we going to get money like that. We don't have any credit cards ( collective gasp from all reading this we probably are the only two people with out one , but if we don't have the money for it we don't need it) how in the world are we going to fix this. EJ pulls up and says awww no biggie it's just one of the battery cables is to short.
It won't cost much at all to fix it and the car will run like it should. He also said that it's been trying to reset its self. That explains a lot of Benson's problems. Benson is my jeep. We cranked it up after he had rigged it a little bit and it was almost just like new and boy did o feel dumb.
Why would I have ever doubted God. Why? When we were looking for a bigger apartment he provided for us with an apartment on discount. When Kris hurt his knee I had a job the next day. Then while working at that job He puts my dream job in my lap and also a job for Kris. he has given us more than enough and has never let us done not once. So why would this time be different? It wouldn't be. I was just being Jessi patron saint of Self.
Why is it that I always think that I am the one expectation the the rule. That God loves me more or something, that because I love Him and give up stuff for Him that the rest should be easy. That even though I make fun of him, but some where deep inside I believe Joel and his prosperity Gospel that he preaches. When I know that is not the way it is or should be.
Look at the twelve they had a hard life. All marytered except for John and he had boiling oil poured over him and lived and then was exiled to an island of criminals....you know that was some pretty bad weeks a lot worse than mine. But yet somehow my life is suppose to be different. You know those men didn't find joy or happiness in things but in Jesus Christ . Do you think that Paul would have gotten upset and broken down in the wal-mart parking lot cause his car wouldn't work? Or Peter angry with God because of things at work. I am thinking no. Just call it a wild gander. So why should I not look at these things as a time to praise Jahveh Rafa?
So last night I got a slap in Da face by how great God is and how little I deserve His love and all the many things that He provides daily. How constantly think woe is me and not how great is He.
In my head I was really asking God how can you let this happen "here we are trying to do what You want us to do, we've moved away from our parents, we live without a lot of stuff, we don't complain that much and then you just let things to down the drain." I mean I was really giving it to Him in my head' you know and of course mKing me sound like Saint Jessi patron saint of all the saints. Kris and I were both think like thousands of dollars to fix my jeep and where are we going to get money like that. We don't have any credit cards ( collective gasp from all reading this we probably are the only two people with out one , but if we don't have the money for it we don't need it) how in the world are we going to fix this. EJ pulls up and says awww no biggie it's just one of the battery cables is to short.
It won't cost much at all to fix it and the car will run like it should. He also said that it's been trying to reset its self. That explains a lot of Benson's problems. Benson is my jeep. We cranked it up after he had rigged it a little bit and it was almost just like new and boy did o feel dumb.
Why would I have ever doubted God. Why? When we were looking for a bigger apartment he provided for us with an apartment on discount. When Kris hurt his knee I had a job the next day. Then while working at that job He puts my dream job in my lap and also a job for Kris. he has given us more than enough and has never let us done not once. So why would this time be different? It wouldn't be. I was just being Jessi patron saint of Self.
Why is it that I always think that I am the one expectation the the rule. That God loves me more or something, that because I love Him and give up stuff for Him that the rest should be easy. That even though I make fun of him, but some where deep inside I believe Joel and his prosperity Gospel that he preaches. When I know that is not the way it is or should be.
Look at the twelve they had a hard life. All marytered except for John and he had boiling oil poured over him and lived and then was exiled to an island of criminals....you know that was some pretty bad weeks a lot worse than mine. But yet somehow my life is suppose to be different. You know those men didn't find joy or happiness in things but in Jesus Christ . Do you think that Paul would have gotten upset and broken down in the wal-mart parking lot cause his car wouldn't work? Or Peter angry with God because of things at work. I am thinking no. Just call it a wild gander. So why should I not look at these things as a time to praise Jahveh Rafa?
So last night I got a slap in Da face by how great God is and how little I deserve His love and all the many things that He provides daily. How constantly think woe is me and not how great is He.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Crazy Love
This morning I received some news that grieved my heart in a very unusual way. A teacher here at Calvary died. She was the other fourth grade teacher, we weren't close, but she was very sweet and kind. What grieved my heart more than here passing was how it would break the students hearts that I love dearly to hear this news. She is with Jesus and completely healed. I don't know if my fourth graders or the other fourth graders are going to get that. Like many they will just miss her dearly. We haven't told the students and as the clamored into the room today I had to draw back tears.
It's going to sound weird but we were talking the other day about having a true broken heart. None of them have ever felt that kind of brokenness before. I told them not the kind of broken heart from a crush or a boyfriend or girlfriend. The point was that God is always their. I didn't want to have to see their broken hearts. I will tomorrow or at the end of the day today.
I took Kris's book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan it's an amazing book. Today I was reading "You Might Not Finish This Chapter". It was very fitting. Chan say "Worry: implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives." He talks about how life is vapor. That resounds very true on a day you lose a co-Worker.
He goes on to say that lie is kind of like a movie. Where we are like an extra and you might see our hand in the whole movie but we still think the movie is about us and not God. "Isn't life always fragile? It is never under control"-Chan.
He started out the chapter with think about all it take properly for us to survive all the organ we take for granted unless your don't work like my Co-workers.
It' so crazy how we constantly think this life is all about us. Who made us? Who gave us life? Who gave us the things around us? Who forgive us of the wrong we do? God! So why on earth does would we ever think that this life is all about us? I know I do. I forget all that God has done for me on a daily bases. One day I won't be able to forget, but one day their will come a day where I won't be able to tell others about God's glory and what He has done for me. I forget that the point of my life is to point to Him and His glory.
I hope that you will go and buy CRAZY LOVE and contuine to fall more crazily in Love with the One who made you and Love's you and wants to spend eternity with you!
Pray for my students and the Co-workers family please
It's going to sound weird but we were talking the other day about having a true broken heart. None of them have ever felt that kind of brokenness before. I told them not the kind of broken heart from a crush or a boyfriend or girlfriend. The point was that God is always their. I didn't want to have to see their broken hearts. I will tomorrow or at the end of the day today.
I took Kris's book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan it's an amazing book. Today I was reading "You Might Not Finish This Chapter". It was very fitting. Chan say "Worry: implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives." He talks about how life is vapor. That resounds very true on a day you lose a co-Worker.
He goes on to say that lie is kind of like a movie. Where we are like an extra and you might see our hand in the whole movie but we still think the movie is about us and not God. "Isn't life always fragile? It is never under control"-Chan.
He started out the chapter with think about all it take properly for us to survive all the organ we take for granted unless your don't work like my Co-workers.
It' so crazy how we constantly think this life is all about us. Who made us? Who gave us life? Who gave us the things around us? Who forgive us of the wrong we do? God! So why on earth does would we ever think that this life is all about us? I know I do. I forget all that God has done for me on a daily bases. One day I won't be able to forget, but one day their will come a day where I won't be able to tell others about God's glory and what He has done for me. I forget that the point of my life is to point to Him and His glory.
I hope that you will go and buy CRAZY LOVE and contuine to fall more crazily in Love with the One who made you and Love's you and wants to spend eternity with you!
Pray for my students and the Co-workers family please
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Most Wonderful Time of Year
Today is March 1st. It is probably among my top favorite days of the year. March is my MOST favorite month. It's a time for re-birth for all of the things that have died over the past seasons. March means the best weather, the most beautiful smells, and BIRTHDAYS.
March, I like to think, is the month that God created just to tell me that He loves me. I know that is really selfish and not true. But it's nice to think that. I love spring it's the GREATEST of the four seasons.
Spring is all wrapped up in God's love and unfailing faithfulness to us. Just look around during spring. Things that have been dead for the past two or three seasons. Come back to life and are more beautiful than before. They show God's glory through their colors and fragrance.
We are like the flowers that die and fade out but God brings us back to his Glory so we can glorify him even more. We smell as a sweet fragrance to Him as we come back to show His glory.
I hope that you love this month as I do!
March, I like to think, is the month that God created just to tell me that He loves me. I know that is really selfish and not true. But it's nice to think that. I love spring it's the GREATEST of the four seasons.
Spring is all wrapped up in God's love and unfailing faithfulness to us. Just look around during spring. Things that have been dead for the past two or three seasons. Come back to life and are more beautiful than before. They show God's glory through their colors and fragrance.
We are like the flowers that die and fade out but God brings us back to his Glory so we can glorify him even more. We smell as a sweet fragrance to Him as we come back to show His glory.
I hope that you love this month as I do!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Katrina and the Saints
I have never been much of a fair-weather fan. I have never let a boy tell me which team I was going to pull for. I have always been and forever will be a die hard South Carolina fan, a Atlanta Braves fan, and now a Saints fan.
I became a "semi" Saints fan after Katrina because my heart felt for people that I had never known. The next year I was a Saints fan. Even though I had fond memories of the Carolina Panthers, I just wasn't that into the NFL.
Over the past four years I got to know the people, that I thought I would never know. Over the past year I have gotten to know these people very well. Hearing stories of what my family, friends, and students went through four years ago will break the hardest heart.
The story of a newly married couple losing almost every memento of their wedding. A family coming back and standing where their house use to be. A student literally having to swim for his life because they flood waters were coming into quickly. A grandmother coming back to find the house where she was raised, her children were raised, and her grandchildren spent many years utterly destroyed. All pictures ruined and gone. Every special treasure washed away, home movies gone, life as you knew it of any concrete memory they ever once had gone in a matter of seconds.
When my family and friends came back to what all they once knew, to find it to be gone. They had one thing to hold on to, the Saints. These people for 43 years have dearly loved their Saints but after Katrina that love became a bond. The people of Southereasten Louisiana are bonded to THEIR Saints. The Saints were these people. Their home the Superdome became home to over 30,000 people after Katrina. But like many peoples home was badly damaged. The Dome had to be fixed the Saints had to be fixed, the people's lives had to be fixed.
As the city of New Orleans was being rebuilt so were the Saints. The Saints gave these people hope, the bright spot to their Sundays. Something to make it through the messy weeks, months, and years. As the Saints won they rejoiced and that week was made nicer. As the Saints lost it was "Bless You Boys" and "There's always next season."
The Saints rebuilt the with the people, as they fixed their houses so did the saints. As people thought they were getting back on their feet but then found out that contractors had left town and stuck them with sulfuric drywall. The saints felt that blow with losing.
But as this season progressed so did the people. When the Saints reached 5-0 the people were rejoicing because I think they saw them in each game winning their own personal battles. When the saints became 11-0, they said to themselves we can make it through this. Just like the saints these people have always kept going with a smile on their faces, you could never knock them down so much that they wouldn't get back up.
When the Saints won the NFC Championship last night I rejoiced with my family as they saw something happen that none of us have ever seen before. The Saints win the championship and go to the Superbowl. I cried for my family because here was what they have been waiting for since before the Storm and looked forward to with even more anticipation after the storm. As some sign that if the Saints can make it through we can too.
Yes last night there was yelling in the streets, fireworks everywhere, and a lines a mile long waiting to get their Championship Shirts. One person commented, "Do they know this isn't the superbowl?" Well yes they do but to them this was just like have a perfect season and winning the superbowl three times all in one night.
No state, area, city, or people deserve this win more than the people of Louisiana. Bless You Boys :-)
I became a "semi" Saints fan after Katrina because my heart felt for people that I had never known. The next year I was a Saints fan. Even though I had fond memories of the Carolina Panthers, I just wasn't that into the NFL.
Over the past four years I got to know the people, that I thought I would never know. Over the past year I have gotten to know these people very well. Hearing stories of what my family, friends, and students went through four years ago will break the hardest heart.
The story of a newly married couple losing almost every memento of their wedding. A family coming back and standing where their house use to be. A student literally having to swim for his life because they flood waters were coming into quickly. A grandmother coming back to find the house where she was raised, her children were raised, and her grandchildren spent many years utterly destroyed. All pictures ruined and gone. Every special treasure washed away, home movies gone, life as you knew it of any concrete memory they ever once had gone in a matter of seconds.
When my family and friends came back to what all they once knew, to find it to be gone. They had one thing to hold on to, the Saints. These people for 43 years have dearly loved their Saints but after Katrina that love became a bond. The people of Southereasten Louisiana are bonded to THEIR Saints. The Saints were these people. Their home the Superdome became home to over 30,000 people after Katrina. But like many peoples home was badly damaged. The Dome had to be fixed the Saints had to be fixed, the people's lives had to be fixed.
As the city of New Orleans was being rebuilt so were the Saints. The Saints gave these people hope, the bright spot to their Sundays. Something to make it through the messy weeks, months, and years. As the Saints won they rejoiced and that week was made nicer. As the Saints lost it was "Bless You Boys" and "There's always next season."
The Saints rebuilt the with the people, as they fixed their houses so did the saints. As people thought they were getting back on their feet but then found out that contractors had left town and stuck them with sulfuric drywall. The saints felt that blow with losing.
But as this season progressed so did the people. When the Saints reached 5-0 the people were rejoicing because I think they saw them in each game winning their own personal battles. When the saints became 11-0, they said to themselves we can make it through this. Just like the saints these people have always kept going with a smile on their faces, you could never knock them down so much that they wouldn't get back up.
When the Saints won the NFC Championship last night I rejoiced with my family as they saw something happen that none of us have ever seen before. The Saints win the championship and go to the Superbowl. I cried for my family because here was what they have been waiting for since before the Storm and looked forward to with even more anticipation after the storm. As some sign that if the Saints can make it through we can too.
Yes last night there was yelling in the streets, fireworks everywhere, and a lines a mile long waiting to get their Championship Shirts. One person commented, "Do they know this isn't the superbowl?" Well yes they do but to them this was just like have a perfect season and winning the superbowl three times all in one night.
No state, area, city, or people deserve this win more than the people of Louisiana. Bless You Boys :-)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
If my head weren't attached I'd lose it
Today I sat at a gas station a prayed that God would send us money.
Have you ever put your hand in a winter coat, that has been put up for a season or two, and found money? Or (women) been switching out a purse and found that 20, that you forgot about sticking there? Or been cleaning out the couch and found more than food or change but a couple of bucks? Or my mom's personal favorite(my mom spent many years trying to get me to check my pockets) , doing laundry and finding that five in the loved ones pocket? Well today was one of those days that I prayed that, one of those marvelous miracles would happen to us. That poof money would appear because we NEED it.
I had ten dollars laying in my purse because I went under budget when going to the store the other day. When I say laying I literally mean laying in my purse. My purse was in Kris's car and had been since Friday. So I gave Kris my ten to get some more food from the store because we are running low. (A month with no paycheck and Christmas happening within that month will leave one a little or a lotta low on funds) The money we have in our account is there because the day we get paid is also the day the insurance comes out and we have just enough for that. So I got ten dollars worth of gas. Which isn't anything....I remember when ten dollars A. bought a WHOLE tank of gas and B. when is bought a Half tank of gas. Now it buys not even a QUARTER of a tank of gas...end rant...
So I prayed that God would send us money. I opened my wallet to get my debit card out and POOF there was 47 dollars. Yes I FORGOT about close to 50 dollars in my wallet. For anyone who remotely knows me at all knows that this shouldn't be that surprising. But it really was like slipping my freezing hand in that long forgotten winter coat and feeling some paper like thing and pulling a 20 into the cool crisp air. Oh how that moment brightens the most of dreary days.
Who would have ever thought to look in a wallet for money. Not I of course. I was praying that God would use a coat, a couch, clothes, or a purse to answer my prayers. Nope he used THE WALLET. Pretty hilarious.
So God provided for us in a big way, with my forgetful self. Luckily my Wonderful husband didn't kill me when I him told, that I forgot about 47 dollars and sent him to the store with only 10. But no he was just as happy as I was :-)
Let me tell you 47 dollars when needed can brighten this deary day any time it wants to. For me today was deary wondering about money, then only having 8 kids and one of those kids was basically doing everything but throwing up. Coughing all the time, blowing the nose all the time (I lysoled the test that was turned in). All day I had a head cold, we are behind on lessons due to lack of students, left the straightener on all day left a burn mark in the marble and etc deary day. My day was BRIGHTEN and prayer ANSWERED, but a great God who uses my forgetful self to further show me how wonderful He is.
*Pray for Jeni
Have you ever put your hand in a winter coat, that has been put up for a season or two, and found money? Or (women) been switching out a purse and found that 20, that you forgot about sticking there? Or been cleaning out the couch and found more than food or change but a couple of bucks? Or my mom's personal favorite(my mom spent many years trying to get me to check my pockets) , doing laundry and finding that five in the loved ones pocket? Well today was one of those days that I prayed that, one of those marvelous miracles would happen to us. That poof money would appear because we NEED it.
I had ten dollars laying in my purse because I went under budget when going to the store the other day. When I say laying I literally mean laying in my purse. My purse was in Kris's car and had been since Friday. So I gave Kris my ten to get some more food from the store because we are running low. (A month with no paycheck and Christmas happening within that month will leave one a little or a lotta low on funds) The money we have in our account is there because the day we get paid is also the day the insurance comes out and we have just enough for that. So I got ten dollars worth of gas. Which isn't anything....I remember when ten dollars A. bought a WHOLE tank of gas and B. when is bought a Half tank of gas. Now it buys not even a QUARTER of a tank of gas...end rant...
So I prayed that God would send us money. I opened my wallet to get my debit card out and POOF there was 47 dollars. Yes I FORGOT about close to 50 dollars in my wallet. For anyone who remotely knows me at all knows that this shouldn't be that surprising. But it really was like slipping my freezing hand in that long forgotten winter coat and feeling some paper like thing and pulling a 20 into the cool crisp air. Oh how that moment brightens the most of dreary days.
Who would have ever thought to look in a wallet for money. Not I of course. I was praying that God would use a coat, a couch, clothes, or a purse to answer my prayers. Nope he used THE WALLET. Pretty hilarious.
So God provided for us in a big way, with my forgetful self. Luckily my Wonderful husband didn't kill me when I him told, that I forgot about 47 dollars and sent him to the store with only 10. But no he was just as happy as I was :-)
Let me tell you 47 dollars when needed can brighten this deary day any time it wants to. For me today was deary wondering about money, then only having 8 kids and one of those kids was basically doing everything but throwing up. Coughing all the time, blowing the nose all the time (I lysoled the test that was turned in). All day I had a head cold, we are behind on lessons due to lack of students, left the straightener on all day left a burn mark in the marble and etc deary day. My day was BRIGHTEN and prayer ANSWERED, but a great God who uses my forgetful self to further show me how wonderful He is.
*Pray for Jeni
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Tis the season for King Cake and Crawfish Boils
One thing about living in south east Louisiana is that you live by fronts and seasons. When I say SEASONS I don't mean the four seasons, winter, spring, summer, and fall or the musical group. I mean Crawfish season, Shrimp season, Mardi- Gras season, Oyster Season(GROSS), Saints Football season. Each one of these season I have come to know and love, except for Oyster Season.
The season that I have been waiting for since my for induction into this Cajun world, almost this time last year. I was reluctant and hesitant about this season but now it's the season I cannot wait for. For me Mardi-Gras/Crawfish season are almost as wonderful as the Christmas season for most.
Twas the month before Mardi Gras, when all through the apartment
Not a creature was stirring, not even a nutria.
The beads and mask were hung around the apartment with care,
In hopes that Grand Marshall soon would be there.
Kris and Cocky were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of King Cake and Crawfish danced in their heads.
And Kris in his Saints pjs and I in my Carolina pjs,
Had just settled down for a long and yummy Mardi Gras Season
Their are two sad parts to the upcoming seasons. 1. DIET and 2. COLD.
1. KING CAKES are out almost in full force. If you have never had a King Cake from New Orleans/ Slidell you are missing out on one of the best things that God has ever instilled in man to make. Anything you want can be put in this slice of heaven they can do.
Now all that being said since it is so WONDERFUL it is so NOT WONDERFUL for you. Full of carbs and sugar, all the things I am trying so hard to stay away from. It's like the temptation of a lifetime. King Cakes are showing up every where and it's so hard. On top of the King Cake and it's horrible glory comes CRAWFISH!
Crawfish boils are AMAZING. These things we call MUD BUGS and use for BAIT in South Carolina have become the best Crustaceans on the EARTH. Potatoes, Corn, Sausage, Garlic, Cauliflower, MUSHROOMS, Onion, Lemon, Crab Boil, and Crawfish all in one pot boiled to perfection.
2. The fact the temperatures have reached a point here that people do not want to come out of the house. Temperatures that I don't think anyone here could have imagined in a lifetime. These BELOW freezing temps will put a longer wait for Crawfish. This makes me so very sad. These puts some less temptation on my "strive for skinny".
This is now what I am going to call my diet. Diet such an ugly word, I think I like "Strive for Skinny". My "Strive for Skinny" is actually going very well with doing at least an hour of working out 3-5 days a week and eating green things and fish. It's going to be hard with my two favorite season just around the corner. I will have to say there is a bag of chocolate on our table that I HAVE NOT TOUCHED. I know for those of you who know me you may now breathe. My strive for skinny has now over taken my love for chocolate. Mom and Dad I hope you are proud and Bon-Bon and Mr. Billy :-)!
The season that I have been waiting for since my for induction into this Cajun world, almost this time last year. I was reluctant and hesitant about this season but now it's the season I cannot wait for. For me Mardi-Gras/Crawfish season are almost as wonderful as the Christmas season for most.
Twas the month before Mardi Gras, when all through the apartment
Not a creature was stirring, not even a nutria.
The beads and mask were hung around the apartment with care,
In hopes that Grand Marshall soon would be there.
Kris and Cocky were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of King Cake and Crawfish danced in their heads.
And Kris in his Saints pjs and I in my Carolina pjs,
Had just settled down for a long and yummy Mardi Gras Season
Their are two sad parts to the upcoming seasons. 1. DIET and 2. COLD.
1. KING CAKES are out almost in full force. If you have never had a King Cake from New Orleans/ Slidell you are missing out on one of the best things that God has ever instilled in man to make. Anything you want can be put in this slice of heaven they can do.
Now all that being said since it is so WONDERFUL it is so NOT WONDERFUL for you. Full of carbs and sugar, all the things I am trying so hard to stay away from. It's like the temptation of a lifetime. King Cakes are showing up every where and it's so hard. On top of the King Cake and it's horrible glory comes CRAWFISH!
Crawfish boils are AMAZING. These things we call MUD BUGS and use for BAIT in South Carolina have become the best Crustaceans on the EARTH. Potatoes, Corn, Sausage, Garlic, Cauliflower, MUSHROOMS, Onion, Lemon, Crab Boil, and Crawfish all in one pot boiled to perfection.
2. The fact the temperatures have reached a point here that people do not want to come out of the house. Temperatures that I don't think anyone here could have imagined in a lifetime. These BELOW freezing temps will put a longer wait for Crawfish. This makes me so very sad. These puts some less temptation on my "strive for skinny".
This is now what I am going to call my diet. Diet such an ugly word, I think I like "Strive for Skinny". My "Strive for Skinny" is actually going very well with doing at least an hour of working out 3-5 days a week and eating green things and fish. It's going to be hard with my two favorite season just around the corner. I will have to say there is a bag of chocolate on our table that I HAVE NOT TOUCHED. I know for those of you who know me you may now breathe. My strive for skinny has now over taken my love for chocolate. Mom and Dad I hope you are proud and Bon-Bon and Mr. Billy :-)!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Those who can't do teach? (wrong)
Dear Every Teach I Have Ever Had,
I am sorry. I am so so so very sorry. I am sorry for all the homework I never did. I am sorry for the study guides that you made that I didn't even think about doing. I am sorry that I never did give much of any effort. I am truly and genuinely sorry. Thank you for all that you did to ever try and help me. I really I am and was truly thankful I am just sorry I didn't show my gratitude sooner. Thank you and sorry.
Love In Christ,
Jessi Hardin Crippin
As pay back for my many year of slothfulness. I had a kid come into class today and tell me that they had gotten into late to do their homework, when they had sat in extended care this morning for at least an hour. It is frustrating to get students to live up to their potential. I know that if they were to try and do their best, one could go to Harvard and be the next president, while another a nurse and helping others out, another a best selling author. I see this in them and it disappointing when they do not meet the goals that I set for them in my head.
I am not saying that any of my teachers would think that I would become the next president or doing any great deed. I know they expect more from me though then what I gave. I can bet you money not one of my teachers ever thought that one day I would be a teacher. With my loathe for homework, my hatred for being up early in the morning, my lack of studying, and my lack-luster organizational skills. I could only figure that my teachers would think the worst of what I would become. I am sure never in a million years would they think that I would become one of them.
Now that I join the ranks of the teachers who drove me to this point. I understand their pain with me and my classmates. Bless them for we were a bunch of lost, non caring, and wondering souls when it came to school. Now I am teaching those wondering souls. I hope that I with God's help ( because trust me that's the only way to do it) I can help them not wander any more and know where they belong and who and what they can become. For they truly are a GREAT bunch of kids.
Some are working hard and doing all the things they need to. It's just those few who are like me (poor them). I love them all dearly. And everyday I thank God for those 13 wonderful kids sitting in front of me five days a week!
I am sorry. I am so so so very sorry. I am sorry for all the homework I never did. I am sorry for the study guides that you made that I didn't even think about doing. I am sorry that I never did give much of any effort. I am truly and genuinely sorry. Thank you for all that you did to ever try and help me. I really I am and was truly thankful I am just sorry I didn't show my gratitude sooner. Thank you and sorry.
Love In Christ,
Jessi Hardin Crippin
As pay back for my many year of slothfulness. I had a kid come into class today and tell me that they had gotten into late to do their homework, when they had sat in extended care this morning for at least an hour. It is frustrating to get students to live up to their potential. I know that if they were to try and do their best, one could go to Harvard and be the next president, while another a nurse and helping others out, another a best selling author. I see this in them and it disappointing when they do not meet the goals that I set for them in my head.
I am not saying that any of my teachers would think that I would become the next president or doing any great deed. I know they expect more from me though then what I gave. I can bet you money not one of my teachers ever thought that one day I would be a teacher. With my loathe for homework, my hatred for being up early in the morning, my lack of studying, and my lack-luster organizational skills. I could only figure that my teachers would think the worst of what I would become. I am sure never in a million years would they think that I would become one of them.
Now that I join the ranks of the teachers who drove me to this point. I understand their pain with me and my classmates. Bless them for we were a bunch of lost, non caring, and wondering souls when it came to school. Now I am teaching those wondering souls. I hope that I with God's help ( because trust me that's the only way to do it) I can help them not wander any more and know where they belong and who and what they can become. For they truly are a GREAT bunch of kids.
Some are working hard and doing all the things they need to. It's just those few who are like me (poor them). I love them all dearly. And everyday I thank God for those 13 wonderful kids sitting in front of me five days a week!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Not The Usual Grind
After two weeks of "Vacation" I think that we need a vacation. Over the past two weeks we haven't stopped. Coming back from being out of town for two weeks leaves a lot for two people to do. On a check list full of things everything is done but only half way. Half the laundry done, half the stuff brought up three flights of steps from the car, half the house clean,I think you get the point. Even with an overwhelming list of halves. We woke up this morning, WANTING to get back to the grind.
The grind of spending countless hours at school and church. I couldn't wait to see my now, 13, wonderful kids at school today ( one left and moved back to Texas, its sad). For us both the "grind" is getting to hang out with kids/teenagers all day. Yes there are times where we have to be hard on the kids but more than none we just have fun and laugh with them. I know that I have learned more by being in the fourth grade again :-)
We loved spending time with our families. We got great gifts which we needed. As a kid I was excited to get the newest toys, bikes, dolls, baseball glove, bat, and more. Now I was excited to get our breaks fixed for Christmas, and a vacuum to insure that the dog hair is up. Sometimes I think this growing up thing is for the birds :-)!
Kris is running around all over the place trying to get things done for the church and school. But I know he missed it. Our daily grind is a lot more enjoyable than I think most peoples are. So yes we still long for the weekend, and pray for a break during the weekend, but we still love what we do and where God has put us. Yes, I and Kris are praying for a SNOW DAY on Thursday you are more than welcome to pray with us:-)
To switch gears Kris needs prayer and so does the youth group. Its unspoken but it needs prayer and a lot of it has to do with disappointment and discouragement.
The grind of spending countless hours at school and church. I couldn't wait to see my now, 13, wonderful kids at school today ( one left and moved back to Texas, its sad). For us both the "grind" is getting to hang out with kids/teenagers all day. Yes there are times where we have to be hard on the kids but more than none we just have fun and laugh with them. I know that I have learned more by being in the fourth grade again :-)
We loved spending time with our families. We got great gifts which we needed. As a kid I was excited to get the newest toys, bikes, dolls, baseball glove, bat, and more. Now I was excited to get our breaks fixed for Christmas, and a vacuum to insure that the dog hair is up. Sometimes I think this growing up thing is for the birds :-)!
Kris is running around all over the place trying to get things done for the church and school. But I know he missed it. Our daily grind is a lot more enjoyable than I think most peoples are. So yes we still long for the weekend, and pray for a break during the weekend, but we still love what we do and where God has put us. Yes, I and Kris are praying for a SNOW DAY on Thursday you are more than welcome to pray with us:-)
To switch gears Kris needs prayer and so does the youth group. Its unspoken but it needs prayer and a lot of it has to do with disappointment and discouragement.
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