Wednesday, December 21, 2011

home

with all of this warm weather it's been hard to wrap my head around the fact that christmas is just around the corner..one thing that definitely brought me some christmas cheer was caroling in jackson square..a tradition that has been going on for many years in new orleans..a few of my roommates and i joined about 8,000 other carolers on a chillier night than most and enjoyed the candlelight and christmas tunes..
and as i cross things off on my packing list (this is my must have for any trip) i am considering many things...how nice it will be to be home, back in pa with that wintery wind in my face..spending time with my family and friends...it'll be comforting to be back at my church and to experience the beautiful christmas decorations..and to embrace all that is home....but i will miss many things..this lively city and all the uniqueness that comes with it..the russle of the leaves that are still on the trees..although it will be nice to have time to relax i will miss my work and those who i serve...last but certainly not least i will miss my roommates who often provide me with laughter and inspiration..
"home is wherever we are..if there is love there too"
jack johnson

peace & love
jillian

Friday, December 9, 2011

trusting

i've been feeling a bit lost lately...like i'm floating around waiting for the wind to blow me in the right direction..searching for...something from god..or maybe meaning for this occasional disorientation...  

and for a person that tends to enjoy having some kind of plan in mind..at least to adhere to..tweak..or even to revamp entirely.. it has made me feel uneasy.. and to be honest i often find myself in this position more often than i would like to admit...i'll have these wonderful meaningful beautiful blissful days..(and have had more serving in this city than ever before)..and then all of a sudden..out of the blue it's as if i wandered into some heavy fog..thrown off balance and questioning things i thought i was so certain of


maybe it's a way for god to remind me who is truly in control when i feel like i know exactly what i'm doing and where i'm going (notice all of those i statements)..and although i completely hate when this happen i always end up with a clearer view...after i've taken a while to let god show me what is in store for me and my life..he has a detailed picture of something so spectacular for all of us that it's a shame that i often struggle to follow his guidance opposed to the flawed sketch i make for myself..

"count your blessings..once you realize how valuable you are..and how much you have going for you..the smiles will return..the sun will break out..the music will play..and you will finally be able to move forward with the life that god intended for you with grace..strength..courage..and confidence" og mandino

peace & love,
jillian

Monday, December 5, 2011

updates

"grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled..as to console...to be understood..as to understand...to be loved..as to love" saint francis



just to update all of you on a few things

if you're interested in making a contribution to my ministry this year the address has changed..please send to..
   Kathy Lee (YAV Program)
   Presbytery of South Louisiana
   4505 S. Claiborne Ave.
   New Orleans, LA 70125
(please put my name in the memo line)

also if your in the mood to read some of my favorite quotes and catch a glimpse of this beautiful city...here is my tumblr account..... http://musingsbyjem.tumblr.com/ 



peace & love
jillian