Provision

Are any of you stubborn? I definitely fit into that category! One of the lessons God has been teaching me lately is that He is the Provider of any and every need in our lives. I tend to forget that, and try to deceive myself into thinking that I have the tiniest bit of control in my own life. God is funny, and He wasn’t going to let me overlook His blessing and the lesson He was trying to plant in my heart this time. He let the provision and blessing overflow all at once.

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I have the most amazing friends in the entire world! My computer broke this last semester, and my ridiculously awesome friends got together and got me one. These crazy people got a tacky Christmas sweater/potluck/end of the semester/Dirty Santa party together in which they would surprise me with the computer they got on Black Friday. It was an epic, successful surprise. They made sure that I received the last number, so that I would be the last to open a gift. Even when I opened the computer my thought process was, “Oh, that’s dirty. Those heifers put a broken computer in here.” Lol It took me a good little minute to catch on. You should watch the video on my facebook wall. It’s pretty hilarious.

These are my awesome friends involved. There are still some that could not be there. Love y'all!

Then, as I had to say goodbye to the youth I have worked with for 2 and 1/2 years and the wonderful church I love so much, they also greatly blessed me. I am very easy to surprise, and they did it…twice! The morning of my last Sunday I received a love offering from the church. Then, that night they had more surprises for me before the youth Christmas party. I had pretty bald tires on my car. They were actually dangerous to drive on, but new tires require money. So, I was waiting. They measured my tires while I was in the office one day, and they went and prepaid for me to get four new tires on my car! My car drives SO much better!

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They also made me a scrapbook of my time there and had the students sign it. That was so very precious. Then, I was given a large basket of teaching supplies as they sent me off. I was pretty excited. lol Then, Brad (my boss) had the students lay hands on me and pray over me. There were tears…lots of them. I can’t tell my friends, my church family, and those students just how much I love them!

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God is very aware of my stubborn nature, and He was making sure that He drove His point home this time. He is Provider of ALL needs! I need only to trust Him and let go of all worry. Not only did He use His people to supply my monetary needs, He used them to show love. I got a greater glimpse of how much He loves me and that He cares more about my needs than I do. He was also not going to let me miss that there are people in my life that love me and desire to take care of me. That meant more than anything. I kept saying over and over again, “I don’t deserve this.” God spoke over me, “Accept it, Jessica. You ARE loved, not only by me but by those in your life. Accept it.” This was not audible, but it was oh so clear. I couldn’t be more blessed. How have you been provided for, reader friends?

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

Twitterpated

 

Yay! It’s time for What I’m Loving Wednesday! Time to link up with Jamie!

First I am loving that I learned this fancy new word “twitterpated” last week. It’s just fun to say, and in this season of life it is just appropriate. Ha I have never seen the movie Bambi.

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I am loving that my VERY LAST night class in Jackson was yesterday, and I NEVER have to do anything for that ridiculous class again. No more wasted gas or wasted time. Let’s be honest, the class was a waste of my life, but it was required. What do ya do?

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I am very much loving that I get to call this man:

…my boyfriend…again. I couldn’t be more thankful for my season of singleness, because I learned SOOOOOOOOOO much! But now I am entering into another sweet, sweet season, and I’m happy with it. Our story is not like most, but it’s beautiful. He’s a winner, and I am a lucky woman!

 

I am loving that I am completely done with any and all kind of lesson plans until January. It’s just finals and then I am DONE with this semester! Yes, I do plan on celebrating! How? With food, of course! How else would we do it in the South?

I'm almost free!

There’s a lot to be loving in life! What are you loving? Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

 

All the Single Ladies

“Being single does not mean that you are incomplete.”
I wish I remember who said this, because when they did it hit me like a ton of bricks. I have always been slightly disgusted perturbed when I hear people saying that the other person “completes them” or they “can’t live without” the other. You might not WANT to live without them, but I PROMISE you can!

Okay, this is an exception! Ha

Anyways, I never thought that my mentality was that I was waiting on someone else to complete me. I did notice though, that at this stage in life the pressure for finding that person you will marry is RiDiCuLoUs! The norm is that you graduate college with a husband and if you don’t then there is something wrong with you, right? WRONG! This idea of society played into my thought process, and made not settling very hard during my single years.

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On November 2nd, I celebrated my two year anniversary of singleness. Yes, I do mean celebrated. First off, I don’t have that date marked in my calendar or anything. It just happened on a  significant date, so I remember it. Ha. Secondly, the reason I celebrated was because I have learned more about myself and about what a healthy relationship is in those two years than I have in my entire life! Was it easy at all times? No! Sometimes okay a LOT I was tired of being the third/fifth wheel. I was tired of not being able to share those  special things with someone. Also, being corrected is not easy, and it is not fun. I’m thankful that my Father is loving and gentle, and in light of that, loved me too much to keep me where I was. I could write a book on all of the things that I have learned in these past two years. True story. It has not been easy, but I KNOW that it will be worth it. I will not look back and think, “Man, I should have settled for that guy I know would have treated me with zero respect”. I could fill in the blank with many other things as well. I just know it’s worth it.

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It hurts my  heart when I see beautiful, wonderful girls settling for guys that just do NOT cut it, simply because they are tired of being single or they feel that they can’t do better. Satan is the father of lies, and I promise that one will be thrown out there. There is a tremendous lack of real men in this world, but sometimes we invite them to act as they do because we ALLOW them to treat us as they do. Ladies, I beg you not to settle! You should have a man that adores you, treasures you, and treats you with respect! You should have a LEADER of a man! You are not called to be the leader, woman. P.S. this is not only for single women. It also applies to guys (obviously altered) and to women already in relationships.

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So, in light of this conversation, I want you to watch this 38 second video. It is HILARIOUS, and I crack up every single time I watch it. (Which has been an awful lot)

Hilarious!

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I promise I do not speak as if I’ve got it all together and/or know it all. These are words from experience and struggle. These are lessons learned.

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

It’s That Time Again

It’s time for a little light hearted confession again. I enjoy laughing at myself.

(1) When I was younger I was so upset that I had green eyes, because that meant no one could sing “Brown Eyed Girl” to me.

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(2) I thought the song “Moves Like Jagger” said “I've got to move my dragon”. As I was singing it in the car with my twin, he very readily corrected me. I then said, “The weatherman?!? Why do we want to move like him?” *We have a local weatherman named Jim Jagger. Shameful, but I can laugh at myself. Ha

 

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(3) When I don’t feel good, I revert back to childlike tendencies. Most people want to be left alone and not touched. I want to be cuddled and comforted like a baby. Ha! I’m pretty sure Amber Marie knows me better than anyone in the world. So, when she walked in yesterday and I was on the couch crying, holding my teddy bear she immediately came over, hugged me, cuddled me, made me hot tea, and strongly encouraged me to get in the bed. I didn’t think she was coming home, so I was SUPER excited when she came in!

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(4) Afternoon is my favorite time to drink coffee. I am a morning person. Afternoon is my blah time when I need a little push from the coffee.

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(5) I would rather be on Pinterest than do homework. I am keeping this desire controlled though. It’s not a problem yet. Ha

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(6) I CAN’T WAIT FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK!!! I have had the countdown going for a while. I’m PUMPED!

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Happy Tuesday!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

Confession is Good for the Soul

Sometimes you just need to get it out, right? These posts will be light, funny tid-bits that will give you more of an insight of who Jessica Calvery is.
1) I still sleep with a teddy bear. I am a grown woman that still sleeps with a teddy bear, and I am not ashamed. It’s name is Sugar, and my “future husband” got it for me. My precious roommate, Amber, got him for me last year on Valentine’s Day along with a coffee cup that you can write on with chalk. She wrote me a letter from my future husband. But really I’m not supposed to know it was her. Shhh! Isn’t that presh? I thought so!

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2) I hate the neighbor’s dogs! Like…a LOT! I have never said that about any puppy dog…ever. Even the ones that bit me, but these things are the spawn of satan. Legit! They bite everyone’s ankles and poop on our porch. They’re evil. I’ve begun to bring a glass of water with me every time I go to my car, and I just cover them if they start charging me. I have conditioned them to know that if they come to bite my ankles they are gonna’ get wet! So now, they yap from their yard line. Then, as soon as we’re gone or not looking they come poop on our porch in retaliation. Grrrr

Okay, you're hired. This time though, we're going for the real thing! They're Yorkies. You can take them. :)

3) Seeing fathers playing with their young children makes me happy! This is probably because I know how much children NEED that. So dads that are awesome and actually spend time with their children, I commend you, and I like you a little bit. Dead beat dads, MAN UP!!!

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4) I cannot remember anything. I cannot leave the house without coming back at least once because I have forgotten something. When I tell Amber bye she says bye in return but gives me a look that says, “I know you’re coming back”. Ha! I’m like Dory. It’s ridiculous.

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5) I secretly want to be a princess. Ha! But really…I want to have a princess type wedding dress with the bunches on the bottom. I want a tiara to hold on my veil. I even like the princess cut on a diamond. Ha! (It’s not because it’s named “princess”. I just happen to think it’s beautiful.) My Daddy is the King. I can be a princess if I want! Ha 

6) Dr Pepper and Mountain Dew are my favorite. A Dr Pepper just for men?!? Pssh that makes me want to go buy one. Lol Tell me I can’t, and it translates to me as a challenge. I know it’s all part of marketing because men think diet drinks are “girly”, but just because they said it was for men I’m going to get one. Hmmmph!

7) I can’t blow up balloons. My throat makes this funny noise, and I can’t get enough air out. I can tie them, but I cannot blow them up.

8) I fully believe guys should open the car door no matter how long you have been together. It’s just precious, and it basically takes no effort to tell her in a small way that she’s special.

Whew! Well, that felt good to get off of my chest! Have a great week reader friends!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

What a Beautiful Day!

So, I have not written a post in a loooooooong while, because elementary education has consumed my life. But, I am super pumped that I finally get to link up with Jamie for What I’m lovin’ Wednesday!

 

First, and foremost, I am LOVING that I just turned in my teacher intern assessment instrument and teacher work sample!!! In short, that is a HUUUUUGE project that is the crux of my entire elementary education career at Delta State University, and it has stolen my  life and sleep. I don’t know what to do with myself now. My quality of life has increased MAJORLY, let me tell ya!

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Secondly, I am lovin’ that we got the ping pong table in the youth building fixed after 2 1/2 years. I am ping pong junkie, so this makes me happy, and Brad Beckwith (boss) is going down!

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I am also lovin’ that last night was Bedtime Story Hour. This is an annual program that Delta State’s Mississippi Early Childhood Association puts on where children ages 2-8 from all over the community come, and they are put in centers with rotations. The children are read books and get to complete activities that go along with the books. They get to wear their pajamas and bring their stuffed animals, and they are PRECIOUS! It makes my heart happy to see all of them. In order to work with kids, you have to be one. I fit that. I wore my footie pajamas and brought my teddy named Sugar.

Anna stole it, and gave it a nametag that read “Anna’s". Ha

There were babies everywhere!

PUH-RECIOUS! His project says, “Im go to git you!” Precious little invented spelling. Ha Man, I love children!

I spent most of the night hanging out with this little man. He is the son of one of my professors, and I want to steal him! Although, he is exhausting, as she will readily admit.

I am also lovin’ that Thanksgiving is only 4 weeks away! Time for good food, family, and friends. I have a countdown going.

Lastly, I am lovin’ learning the rules of football and baseball. Now that I am gaining understanding, I actually am starting to enjoy it. Who knew?!? Ignorance isn’t bliss. Ha Delta State University is number one, and as I watch their games I actually know what I’m cheering for. Ha I am keeping up with the World Series and learning about baseball. I am sad because the game was cancelled tonight. Meh. I want the Rangers to take it all! It’s actually REALLY fun to trash talk all the Cardinal fans around here.

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I’m really excited that I got to finally write a post. Happy Wednesday to all!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

The Questioning of Sanity

Do any of you have the proverbial “bucket list”? I do, and one of the things at the top of the list was…skydiving. I actually got to mark that one off the list this last weekend, AND I even got credit through my university for it! Crazy? Yes. Crazy awesome. It was a wonderful experience, and I definitely plan on doing it again! I’ll show you some picture documentation.

Walking to the plane with my wonderful instructor. He had my life in his hands. Ha It made me happy that they gave me a pink jumpsuit.

I’m not sure if you can read it or not, but the sign on the plane says “Please No Farting”. Ba ha ha I’m pretty sure the instructors really take that seriously, since we’re connected to them and all.  

This is my nervous face.

Making our way out of the plane. I asked my instructor to pretty please flip us out. It was awesome!

Free falling at a slow 120 mph.

The goggles coming off.

The landing. The hair doesn’t stay intact while flying through the air. I was looking Einstein.

I was all smiles for a pretty long while.

Since I have been back the main question is, “What was it like?”. That is a hard question to answer, because it is not comparable to anything we know. It’s NOT like a roller coaster drop as most people assume, because you’re not jumping from a stationary object. You already have the forward momentum of the plane. Also, the air kind of picks you up as you fall if that makes any sense.

 

Another question is whether or not I was scared. I was not. I’m sort of a dare devil with “little woman syndrome”. I was nothing but excited…UNTIL I got on the plane. It was a 14 minute ride to our 14,000 foot altitude, and the whole way up I was thinking to myself, “Oh my goodness, am I REALLY about to do this?!?”. I didn’t know I said it aloud until my instructor said, “Yes, you are. You used to be normal, but now you’re joining us.” Ha ha Then, it got even worse when I got to the door about to jump out. It was then that I REALLY questioned my sanity. My instructor had to pry my hands from the bar above the door. Then…we went, and it was absolutely amazing!!! I loved it, and I’m pretty convinced that every one in the world should jump out of a plane. Add it to the list.  

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

Cinderella

So…as I previously mentioned, I am going through Beth Moore’s Psalms of Ascent Bible study, and I absolutely love it! The particular week I am going to talk about we were in Psalm 123, and let me tell you, working through these Psalms with Beth is wonderful. I never knew you could go so deep with the Psalms, but you can. My book is MARKED up!!!

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Anyways, this particular week  had a teensy portion that contained a story of a weary prostitute who came and accidentally set in on the Breaking Free Bible study in Cape Town, South Africa. She was simply looking for a place to sit down, but she ended up staying through the whole study, and at the end she came to the facilitator of the study and told her, “I can never go back to my old life”.

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I don’t know if you have ever seen any of my notes or books that I own, but I am a slightly crazy note taker. I mean, if someone else were to read the book after me there would be no question in their mind as to what I was thinking as I was reading. My roomie, Amber Marie, makes fun of me often for the sounds and facials I make as I read. I’m an animated reader. Who knew that was even possible?!? Anyways, I say that to say that out beside this portion I drew a heart with a smiley face in the middle. Mine wasn’t as cute as the one below though.

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Her next statement got a little personal. This is what she said, “ Jesus Christ is the ultimate Prince Charming to every woman, especially the one who forgot she was Cinderella.” It got personal because I all too often forget that God looks at me and you and He ADORES us!!! I believe it for someone else, but sometimes it’s hard to believe it for me. It almost seems unfair, because I know I don’t deserve it. I’m pretty sure that’s the whole point of grace though. I KNOW that I forgot and sometimes still do forget that I am Cinderella. If you haven’t been there, ladies, you will be!!! We females are the most insecure, fragile, CrAzY creatures in this whole universe!!!

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Did you also know that we are also called in Scripture His “beloved”? I just love that language, and that idea just makes me bubbly. I write “one worders” from my quiet time on my hand, so I can be reminded throughout the day. For that day beloved was written on my hand. It was a good day.

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I am going through this Bible study with DeAnna Beckwith, the youth minister’s wife. They have become precious friends. I shared my excitement about all of this with her when we met, and her response was, “It’s gonna have to be a special man to get you.” Ha ha

Appropriate truth, rebuke lies. It makes life more enjoyable!!!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole