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

It’s Love

 

Yes…it is that time again. It is definitely time for what I'm loving Wednesday!!! Ignore the fact that I was too busy to do it last week. Time to link up with Jamie!!!

I am loving that I met the classroom of precious babies I will be teaching my 317 unit with. We are teaching at Grenada Elementary and I am loving how UH-mazing that school is and that I get to experience it. There is a MUSEUM within the school!!! Awesome…very much. This school offers multi-age, looping, and traditional classrooms. I’m loving that I  was placed in a multi-age K-1 classroom. I am thankful for this experience and challenge it will be to develop lessons in this class, but also that these two grades are my desired grades, if I can be completely honest. Our theme is pumpkins, and I’m loving all the cute ideas that are already running through my head with some pumpkins!!!

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I’m loving the sweet reconnection that can take place with old friends. Isn’t that just wonderful?!? I thought so. Who doesn’t like good conversation and coffee?!?

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I’m loving that the Beth Moore simulcast is going down this Saturday. I love that woman, and I am so inspired by her. I am doing a Bible study of hers right now (Psalms of Ascent), which I would strongly encourage. I’m loving the application that I am gaining from the study and the blessing it has been in my life.

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I’m loving that on September 17th I will be jumping out of a plane with the all new DSU skydiving class. I don’t think I could be more exciting. I’m an adrenaline junkie!!!

Isn’t that cute?!? I’m loving that I get a t-shirt with that design on it.

 

I’m loving that I actually had time to share what I’m loving!!! Till next time reader friends.

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

Eek I’m scared!!!

So…tomorrow I will start my senior year of college. This is my last real semester of college. I have counted down the days literally until the day I could leave this little delta town, and now that it is time to leave I have thought of reasons to stay. I am growing nostalgic and have found myself in random crying spurts.

                       

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I want to enjoy this semester. I want to do all the things I haven’t done during my time here due to busyness and such. I want to focus more on the people around me, rather than being so caught up in the task. I want this to be an UH-mazing semester. I’m gonna go out with a bang!!!

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There is one little problem. I am an elementary education major at Delta State University entering Block Two. In short, that means my life will be taken from me by all of the requirements that come along with this semester. I have been warned by many that this is going to be a TOUGH semester…and I am scared. I don’t want the obligation of this semester to take its toll on my attitude. It definitely did last semester. Stress took over, and I allowed my joy to be drained. Hold me accountable guys!!! I want to stay positive and make the most of this semester. Can’t wait to tell you what I’m loving on Wednesday!!!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole

Blessed Beyond Words!!!

Okay, so this is the main reason I wanted to start a blog in the first place:  

Who doesn’t like to talk about what they love?!?

Well, it’s a link up with Jamie every Wednesday. I’m pretty sure it will be one of the highlights of my week.

Well…for starters I am loving that one of my beautiful besties, Amber Marie, has toted me around and allowed me to take her car while my poor Sarafina has been broken. Not many people would do that, but she’s a pretty generous gal. I kinda love her a little bit. If you want to check out her blog you can. Just click here. She’s a wonderful writer, and I think you would thoroughly enjoy her blog.

Yes, we’re close. Ha

I’m also loving that a precious couple at FBC Cleveland heard about my need, and handed me the keys to an extra car they have. They told me to keep it as long as I needed it, and if my car could not get fixed then I have a really good deal on a set of wheels. Can ya say answered prayer?!?    
   

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I’m loving that I got to go running tonight. I did not think that I was going to get to, but I got to go a lovely two miles. I’m also loving that I did not squash any of the froggies that plagued the track as I was running. I was able to successfully avoid them finding their fate under my running shoes. One did get kicked, but he is still alive. Hey, he should know better than to hop on a running track!!!  

  

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Lastly, but NOT least, I am LOVING that some of the students I have the blessing of working with at FBC have come and asked me how they can be involved in missions this summer. They have come and asked for applications and how to get to applications, and it REALLY makes my heart smile...BIG!!! Can I get a “hallelujah, praise the Lord, AMEN”?!?

It’s been a wonderful Wednesday, and I’m loving a lot!!! I am truly blessed beyond words. Can’t wait to tell you all about it next week!!!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Nicole