Friday, August 28, 2009

Interesting...

I found this online today...


How Happiness Is Contagious

Hands in a circle
Photo: © 2009 Jupiterimages Corporation

"Six degrees of separation" isn't just a good plot line. Science shows the theory has dramatic implications for spreading cheer from one person to the next.

The theory that everyone on the planet is only a half dozen people away from knowing everyone else was popularized by John Guare's 1993 movie Six Degrees of Separation. Now research by a pair of social scientists might have Hollywood thinking of a sequel: Three Degrees of Connection. 

Using statistical analyses of thousands of subjects, a study in The British Medical Journal has shown that happiness actually spreads from person to person, up to three connections away. "So if your friend's friend's friend becomes happier, it ripples through the network and affects you, even if you don't know that person," says author Nicholas Christakis, MD, a medical sociology professor at Harvard Medical School. Proximity plays a part: A happy sibling who is a mile away can increase your probability of happiness by up to 14 percent; a nearby friend, by 25 percent; and a next-door neighbor, by 34 percent. Interestingly, the effect also applies to smoking and obesity, Christakis has shown. "If people around you gain weight, it changes your expectations about what an acceptable body size is," he explains. "Our work strongly suggests that when one person quits smoking, loses weight, or becomes happy, others around her follow suit. I am reluctant to suggest you pick your friends solely on this basis, but one could say that helping a friend do better is a roundabout way of helping yourself."

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Houston Oh Houston

Monday: I made the 4.5 hour drive to Beaumont where I drive right past downtown Houston. We had 60 people at the Golden Corral as a team and the energy was great. I was on the road to my moms by 8:45 but didn't arrive at her house until almost 11:30 because of a wreck and construction just outside of Winnie (its normally just 1.5 hours to get there). All in all it was a great day and I am excited to have a new teammate in the Beaumont area to work with!

Tuesday: I slept in in my own old bed...so. comfy. went for a slow jog, made coffee/breakfast, showered and got ready for my date with Houston traffic court. Two months ago I got citations for speeding (70-60), following too closely, and failure to signal when changing lanes for a total of $550.00 in fines. I plead not guilty in court last month and had to reappear today for the trial by judge. He was impressed that I drove from Austin to see him (ha..I did not tell him I was already in town) and told me 2 stories about when he went to UT. I smiled as big as I could and acted very interested. Two of my citations were dropped and I just had to pay $200.00 and I  can't get any tickets for 90 days...whew...glad I didn't have to pay the full amount and totally worth fighting for. I was back at my mom's by 4 and we met my aunt candy, Evelyn, and my cousins for Mexican food. 

Wednesday: My plan is to work out, go visit my mom at her new school, present at the Houston meeting at 7:30pm, leave by 8:30, and be home to my husband that I am missing VERY much by no later than 11:30. 

Time for bed!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Can't Sleep

For a few months now it seems that one of the major things that tugs on my heart in my quiet moments with the Lord is Prayer. Pray without ceasing Jenny. Pray for your dreams Jenny. Ask Jenny. 

I must share a brief story about this very subject. I believe this is where this story must begin:

In the summer of 2003 the marriage of my mom and dad fell apart after 26 years. Their divorce was final in January of 2004. I would turn 21 in a few short weeks. I was angry, frustrated, confused, devastated, sad, depressed, and down right wallowing in my new reality. Two homes. Two places to choose from on holidays. No home. Confused. 

I went to speak with the counseling center at my then church in New Braunfels, TX called Oakwood Baptist Church where a lady named Deva "Diva" prescribed me the medicine that would begin my very lengthy healing process. I was to join the prayer ministry. I was to commit to said prayer ministry for one hour a week for a WHOLE year. Sounds simple enough. I met with the nice lady who ran the prayer ministry there the very next day and learned an amazingly powerful thing about Oakwood Baptist Church. Someone from the church is praying over the prayer requests of its people every single hour of every single day. WOW. That'll make you pause and feel peace! "Really?", I asked. "Yes" said the sweet soft spoken prayer ministry leader and she continued to tell me of the protocol. I committed to Tuesday afternoons from 2-3 and could not wait for my time in that prayer room. 

Upon arrival I was to first get my heart right with the Lord. I was told that if it took the whole hour for my heart to get right before I prayed over the requests of our community, so be it. It is important to be without distraction. 
Next, I was to stand in from of the "answered prayer" bulletin board and praise the Lord for all He has done. 
After these two steps I was to grab the binder(s) full of the requests and begin praying over each request. If I felt lead by the spirit to pray for only one request for the remainder of the hour I must. If not I could pray over as many as I felt led to. Only stipulation was that I was to leave the marker that read "start praying here" on the page where I had stopped for the next prayer warrior. This insured that each prayer request was lifted up within a day. Every. Single. Day. The reality of this stunned me. Changed me as I began to forget about the pains of my heart and my losses. I prayed over requests of those who had lost children to death, drugs, prisons, prostitution. I prayed for people who were yearning for their bedridden mothers and friends. I can't even describe to you how this healed me. Forced me to step aside and intercede for others like He does for us. 

I'm praying for a prayer ministry like this one for Manchaca Baptist Church and for all of your churches. I'm praying for a healing in this land like none before and that we will throw off the sins of this world and move forward into His light! I'm praying for healing in the hearts of those around me and those that I do not even know. I've come before the Lord and I am ready to rise. He calls us to that ya know?? We have every opportunity to approach His throne but some of us have no idea where to start (me). I'm praying for my church. I'm asking the Lord to search my heart. I pray that you would begin seeking the Lord on where you should serve and where you can "rise". 

I have a meeting at 9:30AM with some very dear people at my church to share this story. 

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

I Will Rise

Chris Tomlin

Verse 1:
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, It is well

Pre-Chorus:
Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

Chorus:
And I will rise 
When He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God 
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

Verse 2:
There's a day that's drawing near
when this darkness breaks to light
and the shadows disappear
and my faith shall be my eyes

Pre-Chorus:
Jesus has overcome
and the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

Chorus 2X:
And I will rise 
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God 
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
Worthy is the Lamb!

And I hear the voice of many angels sing
Worthy is the Lamb!
And I hear the cry of every longing heart
(background:Worthy is the Lamb!
You are worthy! You are worthy!
Worthy is the Lamb!


Final Chorus:
I will rise 
when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise, on eagle's wings
Before my God 
fall on my knees,
and rise...
I will rise....
I will rise....

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Friday, August 14, 2009

Ten Steps

I found this today and just feel like I should share it. All of the below is by Joyce Meyer (one of my favorite Christian authors and speakers)

Ten Steps to Building Confidence: Joyce Meyer

  1. Never speak negatively about yourself
  2. Celebrate the positive
  3. Avoid comparisons
  4. Focus on potential, not limitations
  5. Exercise your gift
  6. Have the courage to be different
  7. Learn to cope with criticism
  8. Determine your own worth
  9. Keep your flaws in perspective
  10. Discover the true source of confidence
Daily Prayer while learning confidence:

"I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. I prosper in everything I lay my hand to. I have gifts and talents and God is using me. I operate in the fruit of the Spirit. I walk in love. Joy flows through me. I eat right. I look good. I feel good. I weigh exactly what I should weigh."





Thursday, August 13, 2009

BOOKS

Paper Backs $1.00
  • The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson
  • The Case for Christ by Less Strobel (SOLD)
  • A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
  • The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (of the Traveling Pants) by Ann Brashares
  • Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller (SOLD)
  • A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
  • More Ready than you Realize by Brian D. McLaren (SOLD)
  • I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris (SOLD)
  • 1 Minute Bible Study 4 Students by Doug Fields
  • Twenty Something Girl by Donna Margaret Greene
  • Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot
  • Sex and the Supremacy of Christ by John Piper (SOLD)
  • Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
  • The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (SOLD)
  • Help I'm a Small Group Leader by Laurie Polich
  • How to Stay Christian in College by J. Budziszewski
  • I Heard That Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark
  • Real Life Begins After High School by Bruce and Stan
  • The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
  • The Power and the Glory by Graham Greene
  • Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott
Hard Back Books $3.00
  • For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
  • The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
  • Girls in Pants The Third Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
  • Forever in Blue The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares
  • Letters From God

Garage Sale

114 Phalarope 
Buda, TX 78610

Saturday, August 15th
7:00AM-12:00PM

Jewelry
White book shelf 
DVDS 
Books 
Picture Frames
Clothes
Shoes
Purses (some designer)
Digital picture frame (new in box)
Kitchen stuff
4 table chairs white and brown
1 white wood desk chair 
1 brown wood end table (or printer table) 
Christmas decorations
formal dresses
plates
mugs

a little bit of everything!

Hope to see you there!


Blame it on the Swine...

On July 21st (the same day I found out I had H1Ni) I posted the following blog:

Who's In?

Last fall most of you started reading about the series of races that I was challenging myself to. I completed all six with the ultimate accomplishment of ending the series with completion of the Austin Marathon. I started looking online the other day for the new schedule and it doesn't seem to be up yet but I would like my readers to consider joining me on this adventure (as in challenging yourself to complete the series as well). Judging from last years schedule the series should begin in mid October and WILL work you up to completion of a marathon if and when you stick with it. First race is a 10K (6.2 miles). Who's in!??
Since I had not a single comment on this post I am going to go ahead and assume it was because of the news that I had that horrible flu (and not that you just have no interest whatsoever in running 6 races with a marathon at the end) so here it is. THE schedule for the 2009-2010 Austin Distance Challenge. 
ARE YOU IN??

1. Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009:  IBM Uptown Classic 10K
2. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009:  Run for the Water 10 Miler
3. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009:  ARC Decker Half Marathon
4. Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010:  RunTex Twenty Miler
5. Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010:  3M Half Marathon
6. Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010:  Austin Marathon & Half Marathon

If you are participating in the Austin Distance Challenge, you must own your ChampionChip.  More information and official rules may be found at: http://www.austindistancechallenge.com/

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Press On...

Press On Like an Olympian:

Sunday was complete confirmation to Kyle and I that we are exactly where we are supposed to be at exactly the right time. Our Pastor at Manchaca Baptist Church spoke about pressing on like an Olympian. He preached over Philippians 3:7-4:1 

I want to share with you the notes, meditation, and reflexion that I took down in my journal during Sundays church service.

Spiritual focus and goals get us past where we are

Paul had 3 specific goals
  1. I want to know Christ
  2. I want to be found in Christ (when you look at me you know I'm aligned with Christ)
  3. I want to be like Him
verse 12
  1. We celebrate what God has done and we know there is more for us who believe
  2. I'm gonna keep pressing on
  3. There is a finish line
  4. **Forget what is behind me!
  5. **My life is about what is in front of me!
Recognize who we are and who we belong to
Eagerly wait for Jesus

ACCOMPLISH A PERSONAL BEST FOR GOD EVERY SINGLE DAY


Can you imagine what you could do if you lived Paul's words every single day?? I have made decision after decision to press on but not a single decision is actually made until there is action. I have heard this quote over and over again in the past few months and I have to share it with you. "Success and Failure are on the same street...success is just a little bit further up the street" I urge you my friends to keep persevering in your goals, dreams, ministries, relationships, etc. 

Hebrews 12: 1 and 2 
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."







Saturday, August 8, 2009

It's Easier to Lose

When I ran track in High School I absolutely hated the 400 meter dash. Dash? I never understood why running a FULL lap around a track is considered a dash when the best time I ever clocked was 62 seconds (which is REAL quick when I think back to that now). In most track meets you have to run a preliminary race to make it to the finals. There would be several heats of girls 400m dash and I HATED waiting for the other girls to complete their dash so I could just get mine over with. Back then I would PURPOSELY lose in the preliminary race JUST so I did not have to run said DASH again later on in the track meet (if I made it to finals). Yes, that's right! I would quit trying and let people beat me so that I didn't have to work hard later on. 

I still wonder today what I could have done with that 400 meters. What if I would have put all of my effort into each stride? What if I could have run track in college if I would have wanted to work? What if then I wouldn't have student loans to pay for because I ran track and got a full scholarship? How much more passionate would I be about running? 

You see, I thought back then that it was much easier to lose. Give up. Not try. Quit on myself. 


I say all of this to say that today I went to a training for Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference center in San Marcos, TX. Our trainer was Mr. Todd Rowland. Todd Rowland was introduced to Fortune Hi Tech Marketing as a high school teach and football coach 6.5 years ago. It took him 4 months to get to regional sales manager (it took us 6 months) but he kept showing everyone he knew. Last year, after persevering for 5 years, he began making just over 20,000 PER MONTH! He stuck with it another year. Stayed out late. Drove for hours. Answered the calls he didn't' necessarily want to take. Spent time away from his family. Missed TBall games and birthday parties. Last month (one year later) the check that posted to his account on July 20th was over 156,000 for one month. 

Is it really easier to lose? No way! 

I'm blessed that my husband Kyle saw what he saw on September 21st of 2007. I'm even more blessed that he prayed for me and waiting patiently for Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing to make sense to me. Nine months later we had made enough money with FHTM that we doubled on a monthly basis what I was bringing home as a teacher and I was able to make the decision to quit teaching and work together with my husband for our future. 

I'm a new me. It's not easier to lose.  

www.lifewithapayplan.com

Monday, August 3, 2009

Monday = Beaumont

Hello friends! I wanted to let you know that I have 2 blogs now! Some of you have already figured this out but I wanted to make sure that all of you know how to find me. Aside from gottaruncatchmelater I now have myfortuneupdates.blogspot.com. This is a blog devoted to our Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing team as a way to stay connected with the folks we are working with and to let everyone know what is going on with our team as far as meetings, trainings, and conference calls are concerned. Feel free to check my team blog out so that you know what/where we are from day to day.

Hope you all are having a wonderful start to August!


Sunday, August 2, 2009

I Just Call You Mine


I pinch myself 
Sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream 
That's how it seems 

I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known 
It feels like home 

And here I am 
I want to be your everything 
There you are 
Turning winter into spring 

And everyone that sees you 
Always wants to know you 
And everyone that knows you 
Always has a smile 
You're a standing ovation 
After years of waiting 
For a chance to finally shine 
Everyone calls you amazing 
Yeahhhh 
I just call you mine 

I fall apart 
And just a word from you 
Somehow seems to fix 
Whatever's wrong 
Ohh 
You reach into the weakest moments and remind me that I'm strong 
You gotta know 
I'd be a fool not to see or even worse to forget 
That you're more than I deserve 

Cause everyone that sees you 
Always wants to know you 
And everyone that knows you 
Always has a smile 
You're a standing ovation 
After years of waiting 
For a chance to finally shine 
Everyone calls you amazing 
I just call you mine 

Nothing makes sense when you're not here 
As if my whole world disappears 
Without you what's the point of it 

Cause everyone that sees you 
Always wants to know you 
And everyone that knows you 
Always has a smile 
You're the dream that I've been chasing 
After years of waiting 
For a chance to finally shine 
Everyone calls you amazing 
I just call you mine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine