When It Rains It Pours

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
John 13:7

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

Everyday I continually remind myself of these verses. Knowing, praying and believing that God is working all things out for HIS good. Some days I have no idea what he is doing...well most days I have no idea! It seems thought that when it rains is pours. 

This past weekend Nick had all of his hunting gear stolen off of our back porch. His gear was in a tub and he was leaving it there so that the scent of the inside wouldn't get on his gear. The crazy thing is his boots were out there and a really nice tent was out there too..they didn't touch those. I mean how would they know what was in the tub? It was so frustrating and we were really upset. Nick and I aren't rich and we have worked really hard to get what was in that tub. I bought his camo that was in the tub as a wedding gift and he worked to sell t-shirts for him to get a really nice backpack. The total cost of everything in the tub was roughly $500. Nick doesn't look at hunting as a recreational sport he looks at it as a way to provide for us. This is also a time for him to be with other guys...and building those relationships that he was made for. Even throughout this time...I looked at it as an opportunity for God to show off even more than what he has been doing. 

On Monday I found out that I got approved for unemployment! Even though the amount isn't great it is still something and I give God the glory for providing! Last month God provided $2,000 and this month he has already provided $1,500...It's as if he is paying us for the job that I don't have. I know I had mentioned the interview that I had...well it got pushed to Wednesday from Monday. The interview went so well...and she said that I should hear something by the end of the week! I will keep you updated. This week Nick and I launched our t-shirt/apparel company and website. Even though he has been working hard at it since 2012 we are making it more official.. together! Check out our site at www.legacyhelms.com 

Now to this weekend. I have been planning and preparing for our youth retreat as I have been asked to be the speaker. I'll tell you what... God has something so amazing for these teens and adults this weekend! Satan has been attacking...fighting... and well.. let's just say... I want revenge! I ask that you please pray for our teens, workers and myself as God leads us...directs us...and frees us! 

Oh...and we have found a name for our car... Rubyletta Jenkins... Ruby for short! 

I also tried to attach our wedding video to this post but it was too big. You can view it on YouTube. Just type Nick & Kendra Jones Wedding and it should come up! 

Thanks for Keeping Up With The Joneses! 

A Blessing In Disguise

I have been hesitant in typing this blog because of multiple reasons. I have contemplated it over and over again but I feel that now is the right time. Nick and I don't really live a private life but at the same time we don't find it necessary to blast our whole life on social media. I don't write this post for pity at all but instead I write it because I need to brag on our creator.

Exactly four weeks ago I called Nick on my way home from work crying and so upset. I had gone to work that day as if it was a normal work day only to find out at 2:40pm I would be losing my job. I was just as shocked as you are...if not more shocked. My world had ended! I was furious and immediately bitter at the situation! There was no way out of it and nothing that I could do. Nick and I hadn't even been married a month and this had already happened. I dreaded that short 12 minute drive home because I had to call Nick and tell him that his loser of a wife had lost her job. I got home, walked thru the door to be greeted by my knight in shining armor. Nick held me, let me cry and vent about how unfairly I had been treated. Once we called our families and the important people in our life we thought of a game plan. I would file for unemployment and he would work overtime. The thought of him having to work 10 hours of overtime a week to pick up my slack made me sick to my stomach. Of course I asked God why in the world he would allow this to happen...how could this happen? Nick and I have been working so hard to pay things down so that we could do ministry the right way...and this is what I get...no job?! Throughout this time though...God obviously has been showing off... here is how...

Within these last 4 weeks Nick and I have had more money now that I am not working than we had when I was working...God blessed us with an extra $2,000. Also, in this past month Nick and I have been able to spend so much quality time together (since he works from home). We were also able to make a trip to Nashville/Knoxville TN to pick up our car from the car accident that we got into on our honeymoon. In the beginning of November I found out that my home church board voted me on as Part-time Children's Pastor so I have been able to spend much needed time planning and preparing. I have also been able to plan and prepare for our youth retreat that I will be speaking at in a couple of weeks. Nick and I have launched a new t-shirt design...check it out on his website www.legacyhelms.com Our newest blessing came today... Nick and I had been tossing around the thought of going down to one car...because his car payment was just crazy expensive and he works from home...so right now we don't need two cars. We were able to get into a brand new Kia Sorento with a cheaper car payment by trading in both of our vehicles. We are now looking for an old truck for Nick to have that we can pay for out of pocket. Our God is so big and so great! We thank him for this time that I have had off of work...because of it...I have been able to see his blessings more clearly.

*Another great blessing. I had an interview a little over a week ago. It went REALLY well...and out of the 10 people they interviewed I was top two. I received word Tuesday that I didn't get the job. About 3 hours later I received a phone call from a company that I applied for about 5 weeks ago asking me for an interview! It is Monday...Don't you worry The Joneses will let you know ;)

Thank you for Keeping Up With The Joneses

Nick's old car on the left "Kitty LeRoy"
Kendra's old car on the right "Charlie"
New car on the top "Yet to be named"

A Little Bit Of This...A Little Bit Of That!

*I know this blog will be a little all over the page... so please bare with me =)

*At least once a day I hear Nick say to me, "you're my favorite." It feels so great to know that he has a favorite...and I am that! Tonight I said to him...never in a million trillion years did I think we would be us. It's crazy where life takes us. I am thankful that God has given me such an extremely giving, caring, loving and Godly man. Nick sacrifices so much for us...and I am proud to call him my husband. Now that that's out of the way... here is what is going on with us!

*In the very first weeks of our marriage Nick and I decided that every Saturday in the cold months would be Chili night! We both love chili...and while this was my idea...I never took into account how gassy we would be! HAHA! Well the first chili we had was turkey chili, next white chicken chili, then we had chili from Wendy's =) and the most recent one was chorizo chili. If you want any of these recipes let me know =). I'll probably do a blog soon and rate them =)

*Nick returned from Pennsylvania and I couldn't have been more excited! I can't believe how much I had missed him. Really...I thought I would be okay... I mean we dated long distance for 7 months of our relationship but it was so hard. I got used to him being around all the time...me cooking for him and us waking up to each other. Thank goodness for technology and FaceTime! 

*Because of the revival that he spoke at we had a little extra money... He decided that I needed some new things that would help me get back into some of my hobbies. He took me to the craft store (my favorite) and bought me a wood burning kit (I feel in love with one of these when I made our cake topper for the wedding). Along with this he also bought me some stuff to organize my art/scrapbooking/card making stuff that I have wanted for years but never would buy for myself. I love the fact that we both embrace each others hobbies. 

*Nick and I both became members of Obetz Church of the Nazarene and we are excited to serve! When Nick was gone at the revival he realized how much he missed traveling and preaching. We know where God is leading us...but we are in a time of preparation... this is a hard place to be. However we are so excited to see where God is taking us!!! 

Thank you all for Keeping Up With The Joneses!!!