Thursday, April 23, 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

What tests do you have? May newsletter article

Nothing frustrates me more than when some electronic stops working like it is supposed to. Whether it is a computer, phone, stove or the TV, I am an equal opportunity distributor of angst and gritting of teeth to one and all. I hate when things hang over my head because they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. I try to move and they follow me. You know what I mean? We’ve all been there. Standing before this piece of plastic, trying to get something else done, but we can’t concentrate on anything save that solitary issue. We have expectations that things should do what they were meant to do and we don’t think about them when they do them.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. When bad things happen that are so much bigger than something not working, what do we expect of God? Do we pray and get no answer and expect God to “fix” our problem…now? When things aren’t going well we often turn to God and cry and beg and plead that this would be taken from us. Listen to what Jesus said to Peter:


Luke 22:31-32 (The Message)
31-32"Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."
Most of the time when we go through trials of any kinds, the thing that Jesus most often does is pray for us. How amazing is that?! Jesus prays for us. We all have to be sifted and ground down sometimes. It is then that our faith grows and we rely more on God than before. Christ often intercedes for us rather than intervening for us.

So no matter what you are going through, no matter what the world tells you will happen to you, know that Jesus is praying for you. Right now. Before the Father. On your behalf. You can get through whatever it is you are facing because you have the same power in you that raised Christ from the dead! You have the same power in you that was used to create this world. God still reigns. He still loves you and He still has the best for you in mind. Period.

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Jellyville Update 4.7.09


Hey all...just wanted to update on the goings-on of the Jellison's of the North!

10. Does anyone else HATE having something hang over your head? I was feeling very overwhelmed this morning and so I had a great idea (where most of my great ideas come from...) while I was in the bathroom. I went and wrote down everything. split it into categories of personal or church related. Pressing or Future. After I got done, I realized that there is always more above your head in your head than there is on paper! HA!

9. We turned in our Honda's...both of our cars for the past 3 years. Sarah got an '06 Ford Freestyle. I got an '06 Chevy Equinox. We are very happy with the new vehicles and are ready for Baby Jelly.

8. Sarah is really starting to show. She has gained 1 pound so far but everything else is shifting! It was like WHAM and everything decided to move up front! She is still so amazingly beautiful...

7. Basketball season ended last night. That means I can now look forward to an IU season in which they win more than 6 games. Only 213 days until they play again!

6. We go in for our ultrasound on April 22nd! We will definitely post the first ever pics of Baby Jelly soon after.

5. Only 58 days until we go on vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC! I love going down there. It is so relaxing and I love the people and family down in South Carolina...

4. I am stat heavy today...there is only 140 days (possibly) until baby Jelly joins us! wowsers!

3. I love the winter season. I love being able to put on a hoodie and taking off. I am always hot so the winter gives me a break. However, I am done this year with snow and cold and ice and snow...seriously...snow in April?!

2. It is odd seeing my sisters (on my Dad's side, that are younger than me) on Facebook. On the internet alone is crazy! We weren't allowed to have a TV...the internet wasn't invented yet but I do remember my Grandpa making a poster up one time that had the alphabet assigned to numbers and the word computer somehow added up to 666! HA...unbelieveable you say? Think again.

1. Please keep Sarah and Me and Baby Jelly in your prayers. Like always we need wisdom and grace and mercy as we are going down this crazy journey we call life!

Hope you have a great day!