A New Chapter.

I started this blog at the end of Grade 12. 2009 was its year of birth to be exact, and it all happened when the whole concept of blogging wasn't that popular at all. In fact, I'm pretty certain I was the only one in my grade who even had a blog! I can't even tell you how many times people asked me: "You have a blog...what's a blog?".

And then...the internet exploded! Nowadays, (six years later), everyone knows what a blog is---no! Scratch that, everyone and their mom HAS a blog. It's actually pretty awesome though. I am all for the inviting of oneself into the big ole' Blogosphere. Everyone has their own goals, intentions, and desires when they click that "Create Post" button for the very first time.

I remember my original reasons for starting a blog, and well look-y here! Long ago I wrote a blog entry all about that:

"So, how does a young 18-year-old girl like me, get the outrageous idea in her head about starting a blog? That's a good question. And for a question like that, I'm pretty sure that I have a legitimate enough answer:

As I was browsing through blogs on the internet the other day, it got me thinking: Wow, blogging about your personal life is actually pretty risky business. I mean, think about it! By keeping a blog, you're pretty much opening up a window to your soul for the whole world to see. And it's not just the people living 3000 miles away from you who are reading it, it's your next-door neighbor. It's your ex-boyfriend. It's that dude in high school who you were ALWAYS in the same class as, yet you never spoke a word to each other. It's that little girl who always sees you with your big posse of friends and desperately wonders what makes you "so cool". It's that guy you met at camp who's seriously crushing on you. It's your sister. And dare I say it, it's your mom! So what I'm trying to say here, is that anyone, and I mean anyone can read your blog. It's a huge statement of vulnerability, and for some reason, that attracts me. The thought of expressing my deepest feelings and concerns to anyone and everyone out there, in writing form, intrigued me. It's a huge challenge, and a huge leap of faith to let someone who's not even your best friend, into your head and pick apart the way you think.

Since my number one career goal is to become a writer, I figure that having this blog would be a good idea. Writing anything, from books to magazine articles to songs, play a HUGE part in vulnerability. I mean, wouldn't you agree that when Taylor Swift wrote, "Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see...", that she was wearing her heart on her sleeve? And wouldn't you agree that when Stephanie Meyer wrote Twilight, she was inspired enough by her own thoughts, feelings, and emotions to create the intense love story between Edward and Bella? That's what I wanna do! I want to be adventurous enough with my own thoughts and be able to write something truly amazing, just simply based on my personal experiences and stories. I believe that the only way to do that is to not hold anything back, and to just write exactly what you're feeling. Like, who cares who's going to read it? Who cares what they'll think? All that really matters --(insert cheesy/inspirational line here)--> is that you're being true to yourself. So if I'm going to fulfill this dream of being confident and 'naked' with my thoughts one day, then why not start right now with a blog?

Hmm...sounds good to me."

Wow, I really was quite the firecracker back then, wasn't I? And double wow, SO MUCH has changed. First of all, just in case you skipped over the very first sentence, I wrote that when I was 18 years old. Never ever in this 24th year of my life would I admit to the world that I read Twilight. (But that I listen to Taylor Swift? Oh, I will shout that from the rooftops!) 

Continuing, what has changed most of all would be my intentions with blogging. To sum it all up...

18-Year-Old Jennifer started a blog to: be vulnerable, brave, practice her writing skills, and express a little teenage angst (haha!).

24-Year-Old Jennifer writes in a blog to: share about her relationship with Jesus, extend prayer request & praise reports, keep friends and family who live far away updated on her life, to have a voice, write about unique experiences, share favourite recipes, practice writing skills, and be inspirational & uplifting. Because writing in a journal and keeping it shut from the world just isn't enough for me. I want my words to have some fruit to them, some meaning, some effect--in a positive way only.

One intention that hasn't changed since 6 years ago though, is that I have always wanted to "be true to myself" . I want this blog to be a mirror reflection of me. On the social spectrum, I am a little more on the shy side; I'm soft-spoken (my voice seems to completely cut out when approaching high volumes haha!) and more often than not I feel anxious in social situations. So it's not unusual for me to feel like I haven't successfully given my 2-cents. Which is why, when friends/family/random strangers tell me "hey, I love reading your blog!", I am absolutely overjoyed because my blog is me! It's a little corner on the internet where my heart is on display. :)

In conclusion, being that I am in this whole new chapter of life (marriage, living in a different country, ect!), I felt that now is a great time to give this ole' blog a makeover! Enjoy! :)

Friendship

Despite the bridal/bridesmaids photo, this blog post is not about my wedding. (Phew!) This blog post is about friendship, and the girls in that photo are some of my most closest friends/sisters, whom I love and miss dearly!

So, let me begin by saying that I have a huuuuuge praise-God report to share with you all, and I am just beyond ecstatic! But first it requires a little back story;

Any one of my friends whom I have talked/chatted/skyped with since I got married and moved from Canada to the USA, knows that I have been struggling with finding a tight-knit community of women here who are my age and love the Lord. (a.k.a- close friends!)

This experience is new to me. This feeling of being without a best girlfriend who lives in the same town as me is something I've never known before.

Not to sound conceited in any way, but I have always had an abundance of girlfriends! I have always been that girl who has never experienced a shortage of girlfriends. I am just a total "girl's girl", I guess you could say?!?

Now, at 24 years old, I am married to a guy who has a lot of MALE friends, which has made newlywed life quite interesting. It's been a whole 'lotta air-softing, shooting tin-cans, xbox parties, fishing, watching sports (football, hockey, soccer), and talking about sports (football, hockey, soccer). Don't get me wrong, these activities with our friends have been fun (and frankly, quite educational. I mean, I know more about hockey than I ever have, and at the same time I'm actually loving it! "Loving It" as in loving hockey, NOT football--no thanks, I'll pass). Haha!

Those things are fun, but they're not my first choice of fun. I'd rather be going out for coffee and chatting, shopping, watching romantic movies, going for walks, having a fun photoshoot, (and don't forget that all of these involve food).

Yes, I know that some of those things I can do with Jarryd.

Yes, I know that I have Jarryd to talk to and spend time with, and I love him more than I could ever love another person.

But...to be 10000% honest, it's just not the same!!!!

Husband time is not the same as girl time.

Please understand, I am not saying that any of the two are better than the other, I am saying that they are both such a blessing in their own way. (Ask any married/dating woman and she'll agree--hands down!)

As my own personal opinion, they are both ESSENTIAL to my overall well-being. Especially since I am someone who is relationship-oriented over being goal-oriented, I find that I am far from myself when I am not experiencing the joy and fulfillment that only female friendships can bring.

I love the verse that says "as iron sharpens irons, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17). What good am I by myself? How am I becoming any wiser when I'm keeping my heart to myself and not seeking Godly wisdom from anyone? Again, my husband is my best friend and we have the best talks in the world. But again, my relationship with him is different than my relationship with my female friends.

I mean, I have witnessed first-hand the differences in communication between men and women. For instance, when Jarryd and his friends talk about relationships, I am absolutely mystified...Let me introduce to you Exhibit A:

Men:

Friend 1: So, you hung out with your new girlfriend yesterday?

Friend 2: Yes.

Friend 3: What did you guys do?

Friend 2: Well, we did this, this and this. And then later this happened, so we did this.

Guy: Okay

Friend 1: Cool man, cool.

Friend 3: Glad things are going well, man.

Friend 2: Thanks guys. So ANYWAY, can you believe that the Pats traded blah blah blah?!! 

Like, laugh out loud. This is NOT how my friends and I talk, especially about our relationships!! Exhibit B:

Women:

Friend 1: How was your date with you new boyfriend?!

Friend 2: It was AMAZING!!! He was wearing this blah blah, and he smelt like blah blah, and his hair was just sooo blah blah blah.

Friend 3: Really?!?!! What shoes was he wearing?!?

Friend 2: He was wearing blah blah, which totally means blah blah.

Friend 1: Oh my WORD! What were you wearing?!??

Friend 2: I was wearing this, this this, and then this, this, this and this and this. When he saw me he was like blah blah, blaaaah blaaaah blaaaah.

Friend 3: HOW SWEET!!! So how are you feeling about it all?!

Friend 2: I feel so blaaaah!! I have never been so happy!!! His family thinks blah blah, and mine are all like blah blah. BLAH!

Friend 1: EEEEK! :D

If there's one thing I have learned about men, it's that details are just...not quite as important. I am constantly prying Jarryd for more details about things. I just HAVE to know every little thing about every little thing! Perhaps I am just over-generalizing about men and women, but at least I know what I want. And that is details! So it's a little tough being surround by guys who "converse" differently than I'd like. :)

Anyway, I feel I have truly gotten off on a huge tangent! To sum up this back story, I have really missed the fulfillment that comes with having good Christian girlfriends (that I don't have to skype with in order to see).

I have put this whole ordeal in a pretty positive and entertaining light, but it has had its rough moments for sure! I've shed so many tears about the whole thing that I don't even know how I have any tears left. 

If there's anyone out there reading this who is in a similar situation as me: you're in a new community and desiring to make some friends, then you're gonna want to keep reading! Over these past eight months I have learned ALOT and would just love to share with you four tips, which are in no particular order of significance, that I have found to be key in starting new friendships! :)

1) TIME. Give it TIME. Settling in to a new place takes time, and getting to know others takes time. I think since we live in a world where everything is just "instant" (Internet, fast-food, ect.), we expect EVERYTHING to be instant. Making a 100% close, solid, and trustworthy friendship is not an instantaneous thing. Yes, it can be really hard when it's Friday evening and you're sitting at home remembering all of the things you used to do with your friends on a Friday night and the tears start flowin'. But give it time, and take your time! (Remember, God doesn't work according to our measly schedules).

2) USE YOUR TIME WISELY. Sometimes God likes to get you all alone so that you can finally remember what you've been missing: a wonderful, amazing relationship with HIM. So spend your time with Him, strive to become like Him, and strive to become a person that someone would WANT to be friends with. The same is true when you're single and you're looking for someone you'd like to spend the rest of your life with in marriage. "Stop spending all of your time searching for Mr. Right and work on yourself, work on becoming somebody's Mrs. Right"! I love that!! Be the kind of friend that you would love to have!

3) BE YOURSELF. Don't settle for the first person that comes around, because that could get pretty ugly. If you're someone who struggles with gossiping and you feel like gossiping is your one and only new friend's favourite activity...then you'd better take a step back. Proverbs 13:20 tells us that "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm". Surround yourself with people who uplift you and help you be a better YOU. If you feel like you have to change who you are in order to become closer to someone, then that relationship will go nowhere fast! Be your weird, quirky, yet-still-socially-acceptable-self, and you'll see that you'll attract the right kind of friends! :)

and...

4) PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. You can't always expect for everyone to make the first move, to come up to you and start a conversation with you. Yes indeed, it is SO nice when you are new and somebody makes the effort to get to know you (those people are awesome!), but not everyone is that outgoing. Not everyone has the confidence, notices you, or even thinks you want them to talk to you. Sometimes as a "newbie" I have felt totally guilty in feeling entitled that others should make the first move. Big mistake! This just isn't real life. I mean, who wants to be in a friendship where one person is always initiating the hang-outs?

This one was a toughy for me because I'm pretty introverted. I'm definitely not one who loves going around a room starting conversations with people whom I barely know. (It seriously gives me the sweats)! Haha!

Here are some examples of how I have "put myself out there":

-When you see a familiar face, don't just walk on by. Smile, say hello, and start a conversation. Trust me, I'm no social expert on this but it makes you look like an approachable person.

-Get a job. (I haven't been able to do this yet, but it's definitely a great way to make friends!)

-Get involved. I find that the fastest way to make friends is by finding a church and getting involved in it! Through church and church alone, I help out with the preschool kiddos (I'm not trying to become best friends with four-year-olds here, this has just helped me get to know other leaders/teachers!) , I am one of the Jr. Youth leaders (again, helped me get to know other leaders),  my husband and I are in a "young married couples group" (which actually has never even had a meeting yet...LOL),..AND last but not least, I joined Apples of Gold, which is my praise report!

Apples of Gold is a program that my church adopted 10 years ago. It is women's ground where the older women mentor the younger women group based on the verse Titus 2:3-5, "Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behaviour, not malicious gossips or enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the Word of God will not be dishonored".

I absolutely love that I'm a part of a church that still holds onto traditional values and passes them on to the younger generation.

I have only attended one meeting so far, but as time goes on I will definitely dive into that whole topic on another blog post!

But the reason why it's such an answered prayer for me is because I feel like I really cliqued with the women there. And the mentors kept instilling in us that even though this ministry is only 6 weeks long (6 meetings), the friendships you make here will last a lifetime! (Which was what I want!!) And our mentors are our 9-11. If we have a problem or need specific prayer for anything, they have provided us with all of their contact information so they're always there to help us.

And on top of this, I just had a spontaenous sleepover with one of our friend's girlfriends which was really fun and the girl-time was much needed. :)

I'm just feeling super happy and so blessed by these opportunities God has placed into my life, and I'm so thankful to any of you who have been praying for me during this time!

With much love and thanks,

Today I am:

Making: this blog come to life! It needs some serious work. And my sister has been hounding me about it. :P

Cooking: Creamy Italian Sausage & Potato Soup for supper today. I've never made this before so I'm VERY excited to see the outcome!!

Drinking: Red Wine Sangria. Hee hee, you caught me. It has chia seeds in it...is that weird?

Reading: I am about to start Reedeming Love by Francine Rivers...one day soon...

Wanting: to finish the "About Me" section on my blog. Why is this taking me so long?

Looking: for a job. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much luck in this area, but I'll keep searching! Don't you worry!

Playing: "Today's Country Hits" on Songza. With this warm weather these days, I am all about the country! ;)

Wasting: time, sweet time. Not gonna lie, I started playing the game Tropico 5 on my computer and it's crazy addicting. But I decided to put it away for now so that I could work on the blog!

Sewing: pff...me? Sewing? I'd better break it to you now, you won't ever see me sewing. :)

Wishing: I had signed up for the ladies retreat at church this weekend. I was scared that I wasn't going to know anyone and felt weird about it, but now I wish I would have signed up! They are going to Ocean City, MD, which is somewhere I'd love to go. Maybe next year :)

Enjoying: this time that I have to myself while Jarryd is at work. It's hard to be productive when he is home when we're having so much fun together. :)

Waiting: to receive my "Advanced Parole" from United States Citizenship & Immigration Services so that I can go visit my family and friends in Canada. I cannot WAIT! (!!!)

Liking: being a Jr. Youth leader. Yesterday's meeting was probably the best one yet! I'm starting to remember everyone's names, the kids seem to be more comfortable with me, and I'm starting to feel more comfortable in general! Praise God!

Wondering: what life will look like for us within the next few months, in regards to employment. I guess we will see! :)

Loving: the new women's group I just joined at church. I'm so happy about all of the fellowship I have to look forward to, and I'm excited for all of the wisdom that our mentors are going to shed on us. :)

Hoping: that the Winnipeg Jets win tonight!!!! GO JETS GO! Game time is at 8 pm; be there!

Marveling: At how God has taken such great care of Jarryd and I. I know that He has always taken care of us, and that I should be used to it by now, but I absolutely cannot get used to it! I'm so thankful!

Needing: more time with Jesus. <3 I have neglected doing my devotions today thus far...

Smelling: my Wonderstruck perfume by the miss. Taylor Swift. Ooo la la! ;)

Wearing: Lululemon pants, a big comfy sweater, and giant fuzzy slipper booties.

Noticing: the dust on the coffee table. I swear I JUST wiped it clean the other day! Where is all this dust coming from?!

Feeling: 100 times better than I felt yesterday. Yesterday was just stressful, rough, and I was being emotional, of course. Today I am feeling hopeful and optimistic! :)

Knowing: that I am on a serious asparagus kick. Like, wow. Asparagus baked in the oven with a little olive oil, salt, and parmesan, is just golden! Thank you Costco for satisfying all of my cravings in mass quantities.

Thinking: that drying racks for your wet clothes are the BEST thing you could ever buy! I mean, running a dryer is expensive, so a drying rack is definitely a top-notch investment in my books!

Money Wise.

When I took this photo yesterday, it was honestly the most perfect morning.

The sun finally came out of hiding and completely enveloped our apartment in light and warmth.

Jarryd and I heated up our homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast and drizzled them with the oh-so-sinful cream cheese frosting.

We turned on the Keurig and let it do its thing: fill our mugs with delicious coffee (OK, it's not THAT delicious, since we buy the cheap-o brands, but it gets the job done).

We brought our breakfast with us into the living room, made ourselves comfortable on the couch, and opened up our devotional book.

We are not so disciplined with doing devotions. Something always comes up...[insert lame excuses here]...blah blah blah. So when we actually do get around to doing them, it makes the day feel so much more special.

This book, "You and Me Forever" by Francis Chan and his wife Lisa Chan, is probably one of the best marriage books I've ever read. Granted, we are only about half-way through, but from what I've read, it hits the concept-of-marriage nail right on its big complicated head.

This book is ALL about Jesus. "When two people are right with Him, they will be right with each other". I love it! As it states on the cover of the book, it really shows you marriage in light of eternity. Reading a book that is more focused on Jesus than it is about the do's and don'ts of marriage, is a complete breath of fresh air.

So yeah, as I was saying, basking in the sunshine, drinking coffee, eating cinnamon rolls, and reading this devotion with my hubby was the most wonderful way to start the day! Like, I was on cloud 9. (What is this cloud 9 business anyway? And why am I saying it if I have no idea what it is?) I felt like nothing could burst my balloon of happy spirits. (It's a pink balloon by the way, in case you needed some visual aid).

And then, all of the sudden came the pin. That sharp little pin that is capable of doing a great deal of damage.

"Ohhhhh no..." I exclaim from behind my laptop. "Ohhhhh noooo..."

POP! There goes my shiny pink balloon of rainbows and dreams-come-true...

Our bank account had a little less money than we thought it did. Nah, let me rephrase that, our bank account had a LOT less money than we thought it did.

"This bill was due today?!" (Blasted car insurance, grrr!)

I was so discouraged because a few days prior I was so strategic and smart with my grocery shopping. I planned it so that we'd have a certain amount to last us until glorious pay-day. I had no idea that this car insurance automatic-withdrawal-bill was due the very next day. Shoot. (You can say that again!)

Shoot, shoot, shoot.

Money-wise, things have been tough (tough = total understatement) for Jarryd and I.

About 3/4th's way into our engagement, he lost his job, after we'd already put down deposits on practically EVERYTHING for our wedding. (And here in Maryland there are practically no jobs, which is just mind-boggling to a girl like me who comes from a farming-community just LOADED with jobs). So literally, the first 6 months of our marriage were spent job-hopping, with Jarryd working anywhere that he could possibly get his hands on so that we could pay the rent on time. With me being on a marriage-visa, I wasn't legally allowed to work until I recieved my EAD in the mail (which I did just last week!!).

So...TWO people, surviving on ONE measly-minimum-wage income, with all kinds of bills to pay, expensive visa paperwork to file, car importing, student loans, sponsoring a child, ect., just doesn't happen. It's not plausible, at all.

And it's like this bank account incident was the last straw for me. I just got so sick of our financial situation. All of our friends are buying houses, cars, new clothes, gorgeous home decor, going on trips, while we are just trying to survive here.

"God, I would just like to say that I have persevered through this financial pit long enough, and I think we deserve to get out of this hole of despair now! I have had enough! I am ready for you to give us what we want!!!"

Those were literally my thoughts yesterday, as I moped around all evening. I was having a major pity party, and it was probably the top pity-party of the season!

Looking back and processing what my emotions went through yesterday, just leaves me absolutely mistified. I was having an awesome morning endulging myself in His word...God was so good...and then as soon as I take a peek at our bank account God has suddenly let me down in the worst way and I spend the rest of the day angry at Him? um...WHAT?!

Emotions.

Feelings.

I blame my emotions & feelings. My feelings of fear and worry about our finances totally encompassed my mind, and caused me to forget that we are STILL here!

We are still paying the rent, and all of our other bills--on time, mind you!

We have a roof over our heads, and as of this past weekend, a fridge full of Costco groceries.

I mean, God has provided for us in more ways than we could possibly list.

As I said before, two people on one income in our circumstances, should not be surviving right now...but we ARE! We are OK and alive! And that is all thanks to God. Honestly. I couldn't put it any other way.

As Lisa Chan wrote, "If there is one thing I positively know, it's that feelings cannot be trusted. Not for a second. Too often, feelings are based on perceptions, self-preservation, fear, and emotion."

"God said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong". 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

What an awesome verse. And to think that I read that passage right before this whole bank-account mess just proves that I have alot to work on! I desperately needs to keep these emotions at bay.

So, on a practical note, today I wrote on a piece of paper WHEN each of our bills are due, WHAT bills are due, and HOW much $$$ these bills require. And I hung this paper right beside our calendar. So no more surprises! (I'd take a photo, but I don't want the whole world seeing our financial-battles haha!). It's a small step, one that I should have done, oh I don't know....FIVE YEARS AGO?! But I think it's a step in the right direction! :)

30 Things About Me That May Surprise You.

1. Ever since I moved to Maryland my eyes are ALWAYS red and I've had several people here ask me if I'm OK. (!?!) I promise I'm not a miserable person! I get lots of sleep and I'm not always crying! Sigh...

2. I am in no way a health "freak". (The furthest I go is avoiding Aspartame, only because I dislike the icky aftertaste). I love sugar, I love meat, I love fat, and I love carbs. Mmm...

3. I don't exercise...scratch that, I don't -intentionally- exercise. But I probably should! Haha!

4. I hate talking loud. It hurts my throat.

5. I taught myself HTML when I was 12. I distinctly remember creating websites on domains such as Angelfire and Geocities. I always wanted to learn CSS coding, but I think once I grew out of my Neopets.com phase, I just never got around to it. LOL.

6. I truly used to believe that I was a good judge of character based on "first impressions". But today I can wholeheartedly say that I am 99 times out of 100: WRONG. In fact with some people I'm good friends with now, I didn't think I meshed well with in the beginning. How funny is that? And no, I'm not naming names. :P

7. I went to Culinary school...but some days the last thing I want to do is cook...is this normal? Am I normal?

8. In high school my best friend and I used to video ourselves dancing and lip syncing to our favourite songs. This would take place in the car, in our bedrooms, in our living rooms...anywhere and everywhere!! We even uploaded them to YOUTUBE. How embarrassing! (I've removed them since, but I am keeping them on my computers' hardrive forever).

9. I have recently rekindled my love for XBOX and it has totally siezed any chance I have at being productive. Jarryd and I just can't put the controller down!!

10. Not that anyone cares, but I have finally confirmed my year-round drink routine at Starbucks:

February-August: Caramel Macchiato w/ extra caramel.

September-October: Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

November-January: CARAMEL BRULEE LATTE <---obviously the best drink ever.

11. I'm not the biggest fan of DIY projects. I did it once the other day, so now I'm good for like 3 years. I choose convenience over hard-labour. (Haaa!)

12. I LOVE hockey! For some reason, my 22 years in Canada didn't do a thing for me hockey-wise, but as soon as I move to the US it's what most of mine and Jarryd's evenings consist of! (Go Winnipeg Jets!!)

13. My absolute favourite food is honey-garlic chicken...Oh! And also my father-in-laws' cocunut chicken curry. (I grew up on a chicken farm, I can't help but like chicken!)

14. I'm one of those people who thinks about the past more than the future. I have a habit of flipping through old photographs and bringing up old memories when I'm talking with my friends (Remember when we...ect, ect.). It's not the most productive thing in the world, but it sure makes my heart warm. :)

15. I love wine. And Pepsi. Not Together. Separate.

16. I take really long showers, like I'm talkin' 45 minute long showers. As a female with long hair, there is just so much that needs to be done!!

17. As much as I love having moved to a whole 'nother country and exploring what this part of the world has to offer, I still go through these really deep-cutting moments (moments that last a few hours usually) of homesickness. It sucks. Sometimes it feels as if the whole Manitoban-Canadian-girl inside of me has died and I miss her, her friends, and her family, so very much. I love my life, but it's not always easy.

18. After all of these years of country to pop transitions, I still love Taylor Swift...and her scottish-fold cats. (SO CUTE!)

19. I'm a Jr. Youth leader at my church. (Surprised? ME TOO!!) It's so stinkin' challenging for me, but God is teaching me so much through it. I feel like I'm growing. (?!)

20. Sometimes when I look back at my wedding I get really bitter feelings...toward myself! Like, WHY did I spend so much money on that? WHY did I need to do that? Oh Jennifer if only you would have saved your money so that life would be a teeny wee bit simpler now...Sigh.

20. I would love for my next trip to be to Nashville, TN. Perhaps see a Predators game and a country concert of any sort. Who wants to come with meeeee?

21. Mine and Jarryd's wedding was 9 months ago and we're STILL working on Thank-You cards. It's so overwhelming and haunts me in my dreams!! We are so close to being done though!

22. I help out with the preschoolers class at church on Sunday mornings. A lady from church asked me if I would help and I said yes, just because I was new to this church/community and wanted a place to put my time in serving. I never thought I'd love it this much! Those little ones bring so much joy to my heart, like EVERYTHING is just so wonderous and exciting to them.

23. I just got my EAD (Employment Authorization Card) in the mail, which means I can now legally work in the USA! Half of me is super excited for this, the Netflix-internet-cooking-blogging-cleaning-sleeping-in-reading-xbox half of me is quite distressed.

24. I installed curtain rods & curtains in our apartment a few weeks ago and felt SO empowered, as if I could do ANYTHING now.

25. I have realized that the most difficult part about moving from your home to a new place (or country, if you will) in your mid-twenties, is making friends. Everyone already has their set group of friends and routines that it's hard to fit new people in. Oh well, things like this take time!

26. Two things from Costco that Jarryd and I ALWAYS have in our freezer: Mrs. T's potato & cheddar pierogies, and Tyson Panko Chicken Breast Tenderloins.

27. I was actually sad when I found out that Josh & Andi (bachelorette) broke up. Do I know them? No, not at all.... LOL.

28. I really miss the innocent mind I used to have. The more places I go, the more people I meet, the more articles I read, and the more things I watch, the more music I listen to, have totally taken my brain to places that I never want to go again. I'm really learning the importance of Philippians 4:8: "Whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is ADMIRABLE--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things".

29. The top 5 things I say to my husband each day:

1)I'm cold.

2) I'm hungry.

3) I need a massage (!!!)

4) I'm cold again.

5) I'm sleepy.

Pretty much every bodily function. HA!

30. I hate to be rushed. It makes me feel like I'm being pressured, which then makes me feel irritated. I take my time with almost everything, especially this blog. (Not always a good thing, haha!)

Taco Soup for the Soul and Sinuses.

A week (or so) before this past Christmas, I got sick with a horrible cough. A few days into my sickness, Jarryd also got acquainted with this horrible cough. So for three days straight, our lives together consisted of couch, blankets, pillows, binge-watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix, kleenex (rolled up, all over the floor!), and of course bowls and bowls of taco soup.

This soup is absolutely amazing. Apart from Summa Borscht, and Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana, this has got to be my favourite soup in the world. Not only is it crazy easy to make, it makes your life crazy easy. Prime example, I always double or even triple the recipe, so that I have easy-to-reheat leftovers for days (#fa daaaays!), or when I freeze it, I have ready-to-go meals for weeks!!
And honestly, how can you resist a bowl of soup topped with Nacho chips?!

My hubby and I highly recommend making this soup as hot & spicy as possible, to clear out your sinuses and get those nasal passages flowing! And be sure to keep a box of kleenex's within arms reach. ;)

Taco Soup Recipe - (Mennonite Girls Can Cook)

Start with a large pot!
Fry together until meat is cooked & veggies are tender:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 diced onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• Optional: some chopped jalapeño!

Add to the pot:

• 1 398 ml can of tomato sauce
• 1 341 ml can of corn, (with liquid!)
• 1 398 ml can of kidney beans (drained!)
• 1/3 cup of salsa (I usually leave this out, just because I don't feel like buying a jar of salsa haha)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 3 tbsp of taco seasoning (mild OR spicy, the choice is yours!)
• 3 cups of water

Simmer for 15 minutes!

After served in bowls, soup tastes great with a dollop of sour cream, some shredded cheese, and of course, Nacho-cheese chips!

Enjoyyyyy!

xoxo Jenny

New Years Eve!

1. Tell me something about the person you kissed on New Year’s Eve 2013?
He is my husband, and he has the most gorgeous brown eyes. AND he has great taste in hockey teams, The Winnipeg Jets!!
2. Three good things that happened in 2014?
1) Graduated culinary school!
2) Got married!
3) Went on the honeymoon of my dreams, Disney World!! :) (Yes, I am actually 12 years old at heart).
3. The biggest change of 2014?
I definitely want to say moving to the US. Marrying Jarryd didn't even feel like that big of a change, compared to me moving to a whole different country!
4. What are you most looking forward to in 2015?
To get more settled into our new community, and to feel more familiar with the area, the people, and the way of life here.
5. Two things you have planned for 2015?
1) Visit home (Canada!!)
2) Get a job!! Hopefully it is somewhere doing something that I love!!
6. What’s your New Year’s resolution?
To start a "read your Bible in one year" thing. I haven't exactly started it yet though...but it is something I have always wanted to do!
7. Have you lost any people in 2014?
Thankfully no, but moving away from home kind of feels like I have. On that note, I am so thankful for Facebook, FaceTime, and Skype, for making it so easy to keep in contact.
8. What age will you become in 2015?
24 years old! My goodness!! But hey, this means I am one year away from having my car insurance drastically drop in price! Yay!
9. What stage will you be in your job/education in 2015?
I am done with education...for now, I think. As for job, it will be just the beginning!
10. Something bad that happened in 2014?
Thankfully, nothing painfully bad. I'd say the worst of it was my major anxiety from January 'til June...regarding all things wedding. Haha!
11. Who do you think you will kiss on New Years Eve 2015?
Do you even need to ask?
12. What are your plans for this New Years?
We double-booked ourselves accidentally, so we will spend a few hours at one party and then make our way to the next! ;)
13. Are there any big changes you want to make in 2015?
I know that this may sound trite, but I honestly just want to grow closer to God. Jarryd and I are in the middle of reading "You and Me Forever" by Francis Chan and his wife, and the greatest piece of advice you could ever receive from a marriage book or ANY self-help book for that matter, is that when your relationship with God is thriving, the rest of your relationships will thrive. This is what I want! I want my thoughts to be transformed.
14. What do you hope to achieve in 2015?
Well, since you asked...I would love to make more girlfriends here, finish reading my massive culinary textbook "Professional Cooking" by Wayne Gisslen, read some more books, blog on a regular basis, do as much traveling as possible, finish all of our thank-you cards from the wedding (Yikes!), learn to cook and bake more things, possibly start exercising again...possibly/maybe...it has been SO long, visit the ocean (naturally, of course), be as good of a pianist as I once was (practice! practice! practice!), and...learn to live outside of myself. :)
15. What is happening in your country in 2015?
I don't want to talk about it...not at all. Haha!

Happy New Years, and here is a photo of us from our very first Christmas together!

xoxo Jenny

I Shall Not Want.

From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me O God

From the need to be understood
From the need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God

And I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

From the fear of serving others
From the fear of death or trial
From the fear of humility
Deliver me O God
Deliver me O God

And I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

No, I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

When I taste Your goodness I shall not want

Newly Wedded.

1. How long have you been married?

5 1/2 months! Woweee, that sure flew by!

2. What is your biggest pet peeve about your spouse? 

Hmm...I think it's extremely weird that he drinks our milk, juice, and any liquid for that matter straight from the carton! I cannot fathom this strange habit of his... (Although I feel quite lucky that this is the worst I have to deal with! haha)

3. What is your relationship with your in-laws like?

I truly love my mother and father in law. They're some of the most welcoming and generous people I've ever met! For example, when Jarryd and I first stepped foot into our little apartment post-wedding/honeymoon, we were welcomed with brand new beautiful couches that they bought for us, a fridge and pantry filled with groceries, and a sweet card & photo from our wedding placed on our dining room table. It was so awesome coming home to that! Besides that, my in-laws are seriously so hilarious, and tell the best stories. I'm constantly entertained. :)

4. Do you and your spouse tell each other everything?

Yes, absolutely yes. We talk about anything and everything with each other, which was always a staple in our relationship since it began four years ago. (His openness and honesty is something I've always greatly appreciated about him)!

5. Is there anything you would change about your spouse?

I wish he disliked my baking, then there'd be more left for me! Hahah, jokes. (In fact I'm so thankful that Jarryd loves my cooking and baking!)

6. If you could be at any stage in your relationship what would it be? Example: {dating, engagement, wedding, newlywed...etc.}

I love this question! Well let's see, hmm...dating was an absolute blast! I loved how in the beginning I had so much trouble eating because he was all I could think about. I was a nervous-butterfly-filled mess! And one of the amazing parts about long distance was finally (after 3+ months apart) disembarking the plane at the Baltimore airport, and walking out to the baggage claim to see Jarryd, holding a bouquet of flowers, and finallyyyyyyyy hugging while our hearts bursted and melted at the same time. Reuniting after months apart was one of the most magical feelings! Despite many years of long distance, it never got old. <3

When it came to the Engagement stage of our relationship...I'd say that was my least favourite. The day after that gorgeous ring went on my finger, our "simply love, and be in love" romance suddenly turned into a "plan plAN and PLAAAN some more  takeover! With our long distance giving us limited amounts of time together anyway, the time we did have together was just spent planning...we hardly had time to talk about "us" things. I swear we almost eloped, wedding planning was just not for us. But we survived and are glad it's over! ;)

The being married/newlywed stage...is my FAVOURITE. I just love everything about it. I love how it's so team-oriented, companion-focused. We work together to maintain this beautiful bond that we have. I just appreciate how he's always there, how we love reading the Bible together and can bounce ideas and questions off each other for hours, how I always have someone to watch movies with, how we watch hockey together (Winnipeg Jets!!), and how he appreciates all things FOOD as much as I do. :D

7. What would your spouse say your best and worst trait(s) are?

He always tells me I'm an amazing cook and baker. He's literally loved every meal I've ever made, (well, except for that overcooked butternut squash disaster which we won't talk about).

He also thinks I'm really funny, which is just beyond me (I see myself as rather awkward). He finds my introvert-esque tendencies to be fascinating.

But overall, I know he appreciates my morals/values and outlook on life. I'm more traditional than most and he really loves that about me. <3

Worst trait? He doesn't really like how long it takes for me to admit what is upsetting me. For example, "Jenny, what's wrong?" Me: "Nothing." Aaaand repeat 10x and I'll finally have my real answer. :)

8. What would your spouse say your most attractive features are?

He would say: literally everything. What a sweetie. But he especially loves to comment on and admire the shape of my face...

9. What is your favorite part about living together?

I absolutely love being totally goofy together in the comfort of our own home. We are so incredibly weird but I love it! I also love the safety and security of having a strong man around the house, to kill all the spiders for me. <3

10. Who does the cooking?

It depends! In the rare occasion that he's had a relaxing day off and I've been out and about, he will offer to make dinner. But because he's the one working full-time, it's usually me. And I have a culinary degree, so it's obviously something I love to do!! Then there's days where we just cook together because we have so much fun doing it, (he is amazing at it too!!).

xoxo Jenny.

Our Wedding Highlight Video!

For those of you who haven't seen, the highlight video from our wedding is here!! Just 3 minutes and 17 seconds of the most romantic and fun day of my life {although the amount of work to get to that day wasn't so fun, haha!}. Please watch and enjoy!!


Jennifer & Jarryd from Jordan Popowich on Vimeo.

xoxo Jenny