California Dreaming

This blog is long...but life for us is about to drastically change. We couldn't be more overwhelmed! Along with being overwhelmed we are overjoyed by God's great blessings and today we want to share those blessings with you. So where did this adventure begin? Well I am happy you asked.

As many of you know I unfortunately lost my job just about a month after marriage. I was approved for unemployment benefits...but I battled back and forth with my past employer. I would love to tell you the whole story here but I will spare you the details. Let's just say I won after many lies from the other party. Thankful that truth always reveals itself. Anyway...when I lost my job this forced me to start sending out resumes ANYWHERE. I sent my resume to places that I didn't even really want to work but the $194 in unemployment wasn't doing it for us. Don't get me wrong we were so blessed with any amount of money but it was extremely difficult to get by. Rice, beans, ramen and chicken have been staple items for us as of late...and yet the Lord continued to provide. My unemployment was coming to an end in April and around that same time a friend of ours offered me a job as an as needed Pharmacy Tech. This job couldn't have come at a better time.

In May as I was pushing pills onto the machine to be packaged I started praying, evaluating our life together and thinking about the future. Nick and I know that full time ministry together is where we will eventually end up. We know the leading and the peace that comes with this. I asked myself what we were doing to pursue this further. Sure I was the volunteer Children's Pastor at our local church and Nick is involved in media at the church and other odd and end things. Now don't get me wrong we have been so blessed at Obetz Church. Our Pastor is a man of God, the people are amazing, I have a phenomenal group of leaders in the kids department and wonderful kids to minister too. Obetz is blessed greatly and the truth of the matter...we are called to full time ministry. I have been working bi-vocationally and it has been trying...exhausting at times but this is where God has us even if it has been for a season. I came home that day at talked with Nick about what I was feeling and together we started praying and we both agreed that I would look for a full time ministry position. I spoke with some Pastor's to see if they had heard of any job openings and sent some resumes to District Offices of the Nazarene church. I also went to the Nazarene Job Board and posted my resume. I sent my resume to pretty much all the churches that had posted for a full time children's pastor and the only place that I didn't send one were the listings in California. Even though Nick encouraged me for two weeks to do so, it was too far. So far away from family and friends. I am sure Nick was thinking what would it hurt.. Well I decided to send the resume but when I sent it I never ever thought that the pastor would get in contact with me..because why would a church all the way out there want someone from the Mid-West? Well here is where the adventure really starts...

Before I continue with California...I need to tell you that Nick and I had previously been interviewing with another church and he and I both just couldn't get the peace that we needed to move on with the process...we were pretty deep into the process with this other church and I had to call the pastor and let him know that we couldn't continue further with them. This was such a hard call to make because this church was amazing...it just wasn't for us. Once we turned this down the Lord opened us up to California...

In June the pastor in California called...I was shocked...I didn't expect it at all! Well he and I had an amazing conversation...A peace fell upon me...I can't explain it and even if I try I wouldn't do it justice. In this conversation the pastor asked if we would be open to flying out for an interview...of course I thought what could it hurt. Well...the waiting game began. Two weeks later we heard from the pastor. The board had approved us to fly out for an interview...and the waiting game continued. We finally found a weekend that would work best for all of us... the weekend of July 16th is when we would make our trip out there. I must say that this time of waiting to fly out was strenuous on the both of us. At times we would allow our human thinking to get the best of us.

I do have to say that I am extremely blessed to be married to a man of God and a man who listens to the leading of the Lord. We decided that we would pray and fast during this time. We had three weeks from the time that we got the call to go out there until we made the actual trip. The first week of our fast we gave up dinner, the second week we did a Daniel fast...and quickly realized how much we love meat and the last week we didn't eat at all. God stretched us so much and at the same time Satan fought us...there were so many questions, what ifs and at times worry would start to set in. At this same time peace would remain. The night before our flight Nick had to work and I couldn't sleep...I was too excited, nervous and anxious. On July 16th we headed out for California and one thing I learned is that Nick is TERRIFIED of flying which I on the other hand, love it!

On the airplane BEFORE the terror set in! 

Now on to our weekend:

Thursday: We arrived in San Diego and was warmly greeted by Pastor Bill. He was so welcoming, friendly and felt so great to finally meet him. From there he took us out for BBQ at Famous Daves. We were amazed at how beautiful the city was when we flew over it.

Once we were done eating Pastor Bill took us to where we would be staying. WOW! We were amazed at the generosity of a couple at the church who allowed us to stay in an apartment that they built above their detached garage. The couple uses this home for reasons like ours and mainly for missionaries who come into town and need a place to stay. Here is what it looks like. 

 

The view from the apartment 

Friday: Pastor Bill came and got us in the morning and we went to breakfast at a diner. Once we were done eating he took us to to the church and gave us a tour. The church sits on top of a hill and is surrounded by mountains. 

That night Pastor invited us to a Lake Elsinore Storm (farm team for the Padres) Baseball game. Of course Nick made t-shirts! Everyone was shocked that we had t-shirts and it was funny to watch the faces of people when we told them that we owned a t-shirt company. We see many orders in the near future. We met so many people from the church this night as there were over 150 in attendance from the church. It was truly an amazing time of fellowship and Nick and I already felt accepted and loved. 

Saturday: This was a BIG day for Nick and me as we would interview with the church board that morning. We were prepared with our list of questions and at the same time so anxious. Nick and I felt that we had a lot to share with them about our life before we were married, our life after we were married and about our call into ministry. The board had over 22 questions and the interview lasted a little over 2 1/2 hours. We walked away with a peace and were so thankful for the opportunity for us to share our hearts. After the interview we HAD to get IN-N-OUT with the Youth Pastor (Wally) and his wife (Susan). We loved them and you would have thought that we were long lost best friends by the end of the meal. 

That night we were invited to an Introduction Reception for the church congregation to come out, meet us and ask questions. During this time we had people ask Nick and me questions about ministry, life and anything else that they wanted to know. By the end of the day...I didn't want to answer questions or have another question asked of me! LOL After the reception we went to dinner with the Youth Pastor, his family and another couple from the church. It was a fun night full of laughter. 

Sunday: We went to church and Pastor Bill introduced us to the church and asked us MORE questions =) Nick and I were able to stay for the first service but had to leave during the second service to catch our plane. 

Vacation Bible School was about to start that week so the platform was decorated for it. The church is revamping things and this is a temporary platform until the new one is built. The lady (Sarah) playing the piano and the man singing (Rick) are the Worship Pastors at the church.

We got home pretty late Sunday night/Monday morning. And once again...we waited as we knew that they Pastor would be calling us that Saturday. This week we were full of nerves. We knew the peace that we had received ever since the very first conversation with Pastor Bill up until that point. With many decisions in life there is another party involved. Did they like us, why would they want someone from the midwest, what if they don't want us? All of these question flooded our mind. Not to mention this week that we were waiting to hear from the Pastor I was offered a full time position at a company here in Columbus. I had to turn this job down...which was scary because we didn't have a for sure answer from California. The only thing we had was a peace and how we felt.

On Saturday Pastor Bill called us and offered us the position! We were so excited! There are SO many things confirming this move to California:

-The obvious peace that we BOTH felt since the very first phone conversation. 

-I had been looking for a job in Columbus 7 months and couldn't find one. I start looking for a ministry job at the end of May and had MANY phone interviews and great possibilities to find a ministry position that we both had so much peace about 2 months later. 

-I prayed so hard that Nick would really connect with some amazing men out there and did he ever! 

-The church honors their Pastor's and provides for them (which we prayed for during this process)

-Our vision lines up with the Pastor and Youth Pastor (as I will be working with him a ton) 

-This church provides so much for our future as Nick will be able to continue to pursue ordination within the church. 

-Oh and I almost forgot our lease is up at the end of August... talk about perfect timing on that one! 

Ministry positions are hard to find as you MUST be like minded and sometimes the process can take forever! My first ministry position I ever had it took me a year to feel at peace with one after seven interviews and many ending in the church offering me a position. 

These are just some confirming points as the Lord continues to direct us! We ask that you please pray for us...here are some ways to do so. 

-that all things fall into place as far as the move goes. 

-for safety as Nick and I will be driving cross country. 

-I will be flying out August 18th to look for houses, please pray she finds one for us to live in.

-for us and our family as this is a big move...they/we will be missed so much! We are thankful that it is a flight away and we have FaceTime! 

-for the children's ministry at our new church.

-for Nick as he continues to pursue ordination and that he can get plugged into ministries at the church.

I know its a bunch but we are so grateful for all of you! If you have made it this far into reading this blog...you are awesome and deserve a cookie! 

...and the dust returns to the ground it came from...

I'll never forget the events of that day... each time my thoughts overtake me and the next thing you know my eyes are filled with tears... I try to wipe them away but it's as if the tear ducts in my eyes have broken... April 18, 2011 you are not my friend... and Monday... were you ever really on my side?

It was weird day...I woke up cranky and not feeling well...heck I didn't even shower. I threw on clothes, put my hair up and went to work. I didn't talk to many people...only if I had to. Maybe it was the Monday blues? Best thing about Monday was our weekly young adult small group...I was always excited about small group...I even invited a friend to go...she reluctantly said yes...and only because I begged her. We were hungry on the way there and thought Chic-fil-A would hit the spot...we had just pulled into the parking lot...when my mom called:

Mom: Kendra, are you alone?
Me: No, why what's wrong?
Mom: Kendra, who are you with?
Me: My friend Stephanie...why mom what's wrong?
Mom: Your dad is gone.
Me: What do you mean he is gone, did you guys get into a fight? I'm confused...
Mom: No, I came home and I found him dead on the kitchen floor!
Me: (My mind racing...trying to catch my breathe...as I fell to the ground...it was like a movie with the world spinning around me...and I let out a loud shreek of terror)

My dad was gone...forever...never to return...his body remained...but he was gone.

The events of that day are a blur really...we rushed to the couple's house who held our small group and Sarah held me in her arms. My friends Doug and Morgan helped me get back to my house where I could pack my belongs and drive to my moms... they insisted on driving me...2 1/2 hrs there. We met some family half way. I continued to pinch my self over and over again...it must have been a joke. A very cruel one... I hadn't eaten all day so we thought we should stop and grab something when all I wanted to do was to just have my dad hold me in his arms. We stopped and got something to eat which I later threw up all over myself. My families house was only 20 minutes from where we were so they let me stop and take a shower before we got to my moms. Once we arrived I walked through the doors...and so many loved ones were there...but my dad wasn't. It wasn't a joke...he wasn't there...and he wasn't coming back...The days after were some of the hardest days of my life.

Even through that time of trial God was always there...protecting...and watching over us. I will never forget those ones who were there to help along the way... I will never forget Stephanie..in those moments she was there...I wasn't alone...she drove us to Tom and Sarah's. I'll never forget Sarah and her holding me in her arms comforting me. Doug and Morgan who filled my tank with gas and drove an hr to meet my family half way and an hr back to their home..and helped me pack my stuff. Lynn and Judy who picked me up half way, held me in their arms, let me throw up in their van and use their shower to clean myself up. Paul for being there with my mom until someone could get there. Mike for driving my mom and sisters to the burial site. All of the ones who showed up at my dad's viewing and funeral...over 1,000 came through the doors. My heart is full as I type this knowing all of the loving people and the kindness that pours from their heart...

Dad...you really were the funniest man that I knew, you and Nick would have had a ball! I'll never forget the corky way you would say my name...the way you would pick things up with your toes...your smelly black socks...your corny jokes (we call those dad jokes)...your smile...your laugh...the way you would sing bass...the way you would praise Jesus in the choir at church...how you encouraged...how you led...how you hugged...how you mowed the lawn in your daisy dukes...the way you ran...or how you touched your tongue to your nose...they times we would watch nascar or the times you would take me to the races...I'll never forget our trip to Puerto Rico and the morning we went out and watched the sun rise...spin the bottle with the ketchup bottle...ants in the microwave...peanut butter and miracle whip sandwich...how you made mush just perfectly (I can't get it right)...the time I was dancing in my room and you joined...when you saved me from getting hit by a car even though you fell in the process...our many talks about ministry...how you pushed me to make it another day...our talks about scripture and our beliefs...the dip in your chest and we would joke about eating cereal out of it...your love for milk with ice cubes...your love for mint chocolate chip ice cream (Nick too) or milkshakes...the way you would dress in your crazy colors...

The list really could go on... You are missed...my heart misses you...we miss you...the pain of grief really never ends but I stand here today blessed that I had a father who loved the Lord with reckless abandon...thank you dad for 26 years! You are loved and one day we will meet again...and I'll come running to you!

...and the dust returns to the ground it came from, 

and the spirit returns to God who gave it...

My Happily Ever After...

I have been wanting to type this post for sometime now... but have never gotten around to it so...here it goes...


There is so much hype about the 50 Shades of Grey and honestly I don't know much about it to really start a fair debate...what I do know is that I have seen the previews and that is enough for me to not want to go see the movie. This blog isn't being written to sit here and even argue a point... or even to talk about this movie. What this blog post is for is this... 

Let's stop settling for scraps.

Let's stop being naive and lukewarm.

Decide today that enough is ENOUGH.

Lisa Anderson

Before I dated Nick...I had my fair share of the dating world...trust me. From blind dates...to online dating...I had tried it all. Each time they ended in heartbreak, or me not wanting to settle. I have had my share of men or should I say boys who were in it for something other than Jesus... Being single is lonely... I get it... trust me do I ever. I was someone who moved due to ministry jobs... and each time...I was single...alone...lonely...longing for more. I longed for someone who would be enough for me...I desired a man who would treat me like gold...who would protect my virginity as if it were a true treasure. I looked high and low and even tried to talk myself into relationships that I knew would never be. I cried at night holding onto my pillow because being married to a man who respected me for me and for the choices that I have made in life was such a deep desire for me. I longed for it...I was no different than most other single girls. One thing that I didn't do though...is I didn't let it hold me back...I didn't obsess.. I didn't sell myself sort but one day I decided enough is enough. I had to put on my big girl panties and I had to stop being so naive. What I mean by this is I had to realize that love doesn't happen like it happens in the movies... Its unrealistic...and honestly I was living in a fairytale world! I will never forget the countless nights that I watched The Notebook while in college with my old roommate. Every time after the movie was over we would have a HUGE cry fest! We would say to each other... Why can't I have love like that?! Some nights we would cry ourselves to sleep. As I got older I looked back at that movie and I thought.. Is that really the kind of relationship I wanted?...Sex outside the confines of marriage... To me if you fall into sex before marriage you don't respect yourself...and you don't respect the other person. I know that may seem like a bold statement...and I am okay with that because biblically...sex is for marriage.  Love isn't like the movies... it is SO much better! Because love in real life...is a REALITY! Wake up world...and stop being so NAIVE! 

My husband is amazing... and not because he is married to me...but because of the man that he is, the man he is becoming and because of the man he wants to be. I have never known someone who wants to better themselves more than Nick does. He is an extremely hard worker and he sacrifices so much of his wants to provide for us. Some of you may see this blog post as a mushy, lovey dovey blog and you know what I am okay with this...because I waited 28 years to date the man of my dreams and 30 years to marry him... So you are just going to have to deal ;) I also find myself writing this and posting it as we ring in another birthday for him (tomorrow)... Happy 34th my love! Nick and I before marriage abstained from sex. Nick respected me...I respected him (we still do). My eyes are only for Nick and Nick's for mine. Sure we may think that someone is pretty or cute...that's not wrong. I am here to tell you that it is possible to not have sex before marriage...to respect not only yourself but the person you are dating. I am so grateful that I didn't settle for scraps. I am proud of my husband... sure he isn't perfect but who is? He messes up...who doesn't? He doesn't do things the way that I would do them...but thats okay. What he is...is a follower of Christ, a provider, protector, someone who respects me, encourages me, my personal comedian, he leads us and longs to be something greater. Ladies...pray for a man like that. 

Thank you Jesus for my happily ever after... 

Welcoming a New Year!

       

Each year I send out an end of the year email and I have decided to put it in a blog. Here you go! Hope you enjoy the read =) 

       In life there are procrastinators, I confess I am one of those! I really wanted this email to be done right before Christmas but as you can tell my gift of procrastination got the best of me. Instead of saying have a Merry Christmas I will say I hope you had a Merry Christmas. I don’t know about you but I am somewhat happy to put this year behind me. I am ready to move on to the new year…I am happy that I no longer have to do it alone! As all or at least I would hope that all of you would know that I GOT MARRIED!!!! This past year has been crazy and here are the reasons why.

In March I made the decision to make the move to Columbus Ohio to be closer to Nick. This would mean that I would leave a great job, an awesome church and my mom behind in Indiana. It was a bittersweet move for me as I knew that I would be moving closer to Nick but leaving home once again would be hard. With the move to Ohio came a new job. I accepted a position as a Behavior Support with a school for children on the Autism Spectrum. The trip to Columbus was eventful as Nick and I experienced our first flat tire together. We borrowed a truck from a friend and knowing nothing about trucks this made changing the tire eventful for two extremely tired people. This would lead us to an eventful year! 

In June Nick accepted a position with Apple Inc. as an At Home Advisor. With this job he has been able to work from home and was able to take a pay raise. This was a huge transition for him as he was working days and now he is working four nights a week with 10 hr shifts. He continues to be a hard worker who continually finds ways to provide for us. 

July was an exciting month for us as a couple. Anderson First Church of the Nazarene had us as the guest speakers at a weekend Children’s camp. I was in my comfort zone with kids but for Nick this was a challenging weekend. He did amazing and the kids really connected with him. This was a great challenge for us as a couple and in our ministry together! 

September 20th I became Kendra Jones…and it was one of the best days of our life. We celebrated with some great friends and family. It feels so great to have someone love me the way that I love them. I could make this section really mushy but I won’t. If you would like to check out our wedding video you can view it on youtube at this hyperlink: http://youtu.be/lsH-n7p57lo

As many of you know Nick and I got into a car accident while on our honeymoon in Gatlinburg, TN. We hadn't even been married for 48 hours! This was the beginning of an eventful marriage! We are so thankful that all parties involved walked away from the accident with no injuries. With the accident happening in Tennessee this would mean that we would have to make a trip back out there when our car was done getting fixed. Frustrating but once we got our car back we traded in both of our cars for a brand new Kia Sorento…We love it and we praise God that he provided for us! 

In October I unfortunately lost my job which ended up being a blessing in disguise. The day I lost my job it felt great to come home to a loving husband who held me and let me be angry. He has been amazing to pick up extra hours at work when needed and I excitedly got approved for unemployment. Yet again God provided for us! November would bring great things for us! 

Nick spoke at a revival that he booked four years ago in Monongahela, PA and God continually blessed him that week. This revival provided some extra income for us this month and it was yet again another way that God provided for us. Are you starting to notice a trend? November was also the month that our local church, Obetz Nazarene, hired me on as their Children’s Pastor. I am loving every minute of being back in church ministry. 

This month Nick and I celebrated our first Christmas together. The whole family traveled to visit with my sister and her family in TN. This time with the family was amazing and we continually thank God for his blessings every day. In the months a head Nick and I will be teaching a discipleship class at our local church and we are so excited about this opportunity! 

As you can see this year has been a year of amazing adventures and has taught us to fully rely on God for his provisions. We pray that your family had a great Christmas and will have a great new year!

With Love,

The Joneses 

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!!!