Pure Joy

Have you ever had one of those days (or seasons) where one thing after another just seems to go wrong…or one stressor is piled onto another? I think we can all relate. I have a tendency to worry and stress. I am very much Type A personality, and I won’t things in order, and I want them in order way before it’s time to actually have whatever it is done. Wedding planning has driven me crazy, and I feel like I am at the point that nearly every bride gets to when they say, “I just want this all to be over. I just want to get married.” Yes, I am there.

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So, this is what I have realized recently. Satan wants to remind you of the things that are not going well, and he does not want you to see what God has done and is doing in your life. He wants to steer you as far away from God’s truth as possible and will make every attempt to make you feel without hope and keep you in a pit. He reminds you of what you do NOT have and points out the negative and never makes mention of God’s goodness and provision. He will completely steal your joy if you let him. I HAVE LET HIM! What am I going to do? Well, I’m glad you asked. I am appropriating God’s truth in my life, and I’m telling Satan to shut up. Did you know that in the name of Jesus he has to leave? We have that power through the Spirit. Pretty neat, huh? Only if we allow it to be so in our life.

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What truth have I brought back to the surface? Wow, y’all just ask all the right questions. I would love to tell ya.

(1) I have been in the situation many times where I tell God that I don’t feel like something is going to get taken care of financially or otherwise. You want to know how many times He has left it not taken care of? ZERO! Why am I at this point again? It’s craziness. Silly humanness.

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(2) God has written me one of the most beautiful love stories that could ever be imagined. My journey with Zach could make a pretty great movie if I say so myself. He is the most amazing man in the entire world! I might be a little biased, but you should be jealous. He’s pretty wonderful, and I love him a whole bunch. I never question if He is going to lead me Biblically. I never worry about whether or not my future children will have a good Daddy. They are going to have the most amazing Daddy there ever was! I never worry about being treated with respect. I never worry about any of those things. I know that our beautiful love story will continue on until one of us meets our Jesus. I am SO excited that he is going to be my partner for the Gospel. Again, I might be biased, but I think we make a pretty excellent team. I can’t wait to say “I do”.

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(3) My bridesmaids are some of the most amazing women in the world. That’s why they’re bridesmaids. Duh! They have been a HUUUUUGE help in all of this, and I am so blessed to have them. Even aside from them all of my wonderful friends and family are AMAZING. I can’t tell you how much support I have received not only through this wedding planning but through everything. I am soooo grateful for them. Again, I am marrying the best man in the entire world, and I have the best friends in the world. You should be even more jealous now.

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(4) I am marrying into an absolutely amazing family. I have never received so many hugs, kisses, and heard “I love you” so much until I walked into the  homes of this family. The support and encouragement that I have received from them has been overwhelming. I’ll ignore the fact that they’re already praying twins on us. Ha

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(5) God cares about my life more than I do. He has plans for it, and my worry masks those beautiful plans. Life is SOOOO much more full of joy when your eyes and heart are focused on God. He wipes all those little things that we can magnify in our lives and gives us a new perspective. I choose that new perspective. I choose joy!

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I know we all have those instances where we want to let our stressors take the wheel. I am number one, I promise. Let’s choose joy together, reader friends. Happy Thursday!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica almost Hardy

It’s Not So Far Away

It’s that time again. It’s time for…

I’m linking up with Jamie to share all of the love in my life. As usual, there is a lot to love.

1) First of all, I am loving that I have had the opportunity to work a recreation day camp in my college town for the last two weeks. It is called Okra Camp. Hey, don’t hate on our mascot! I am learning a TREMENDOUS amount as I go, and that has been very fun. Has it been trying at times? Yes. Am I tired? YES! But I am very thankful for the opportunity, and I am learning a lot not just about sports. It has been fun to meet and get to know the staff members, and the children never allow for boring moments. I’m also getting a pretty neat tan. It’s almost a burn. I’ll get some sunscreen.

 

These kids are getting to do things that they would probably never be able to do. It is very rewarding to see them as they enjoy these activities and learn more. To see some more of what we have been doing you can go here!

2) Second, I am LOVING that on Friday I will be going back to Hernando. Guess what?!? Zach is there as well! This will be the first time in almost a year that we will be in the same town for good. I am PRETTY excited. As soon as he moved back from Texas I went off to camp, and I’m ready to just be together.

 

3) I am loving the welcome that I am getting from the Hope Sullivan crew before I have even gotten there! It makes me so excited to start off there and slightly chips away some of the nerves.

 

What are you loving this Wednesday, reader friends? There’s much to love.

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica

Unplugged

 

We all have excuses. This was mine: I moved back to my hometown after being gone for college. I am in a crazy transition stage, because I know that I will be here for only seven months at best. I shouldn’t really invest too much, because I will not be here that long. Yes, all of this is true. This is an incredibly awkward transition stage, but all of these excuses are just that. They are silly excuses.

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We were created for community, and I can tell the big difference that it can have when there is no sense of community. If I can just be honest, this semester has been hard. I MISS my Cleveland family. I MISS my best friends. I MISS my fiancé. These are all of the people that made up my community, accountability, encouragement, challenge…the list could go on. I’ve been without them this semester, and I haven’t enjoyed it. I’m used to being at my house and having people CONSTANTLY come in and out. I’m used to late night/all night hang outs. No worries, they were always clean…but LOTS of fun memories. The only real alone moments that I had were when I got up earlier than everyone else for that specific purpose. All of that to say that this semester I have definitely been unplugged when it comes to the community aspect.

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Leaving Cleveland would have been hard regardless of the circumstances or what I was leaving for, but this semester could have been easier if I had given more effort to be plugged in here. Accountability is important. Discipleship is important. Quality time with others is important. I am sad as I look back at my excuses this semester. I refuse to let the excuses continue. Do you have an accountability partner? Are you investing in anyone? Are you allowing anyone older and wiser to pour into you? Are you encouraging others? Are you allowing others to encourage you? I’ve realized the importance of these things because they have been missing. I hope that you, reader friends, are experiencing the blessing of community.

 

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica

It’s Official: I’m Going To Be a Teacher…of Second Grade!

It’s What I’m Loving Wednesday! It could not come at a better time, because there is so much to tell you guys! I have a lot of love going on right now! Let me give you the skinny.

 

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1. First and foremost, I  am LOVING that I was offered a second grade position at Hope Sullivan Elementary School! Did I accept? Well, of course I did, sillies!Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh EXCITEMENT! I cannot WAIT! This is such a sweet little school, and all of the people I have been able to meet are just so helpful and friendly. I can’t wait to get in my classroom to organize it and decorate it. Did you hear that?!?  I have my own classroom! I’m thinking maybe an India theme…maybe musical. I’m not sure, but there are definitely ideas rolling! Also, if anyone has second grade level books just lying around that they are wishing to rid themselves of, I surely would not turn them down!

          

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2. I am loving that I am walking across the stage to graduate from Delta State University on Saturday. The last four years are coming to a close, and I will celebrate that as I walk across the stage to receive my diploma. It’s crazy that I am seeing the last four years of my hard work coming to a close. It’s so bittersweet. I will be an Okra forever!

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3. I am loving loving loving that my man comes home this weekend! I am super excited! I kind of like him a little bit.

4. I am loving that Amber Marie is home, and I get to spend time with her. She needs to come home more often.

It has been a wonderful week in which God has reminded me once again that He is the Provider. What are  you loving this Wednesday?

 

Shaped by Grace,
Jessica Calvery

It’s Really Not Funny…Or Is It?

Have you ever had an instance where you completely and totally saw God provide? Then, when you looked back at how you were in the midst of the waiting period, you can hardly contain the laughter as you observe the stress/worry that overtook you? Yes, I have been there plenty of times! I firmly believe that a promise made by God is a promise fulfilled by God, and I have innumerable instances in my life to support that statement. But here I am again, and I am in the waiting period. Right now…it’s just not funny. Right now, there is zero laughter. There is only the usual stress that makes its way to the depths of my shoulders and makes its home there as it continually pokes me with its knife-like fingers reminding me of its presence. This stress makes chocolate and Mountain Dew so much more appealing.

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As I reflect on all of the many situations in my life in which God has provided, it is just CRAZINESS that I am here again…in this state of distrust. That’s really what it all boils down to. I am allowing my perception and thoughts to override what I KNOW God can and will do!

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Oh, how I wish the recognition of the problem was the solution. I mean, I recognize a lot of imperfections in myself. I wish that my recognition of my worry made it disappear. I wish that my recognition of my impatience made it not a problem. I wish that recognition of my distrust made it go away. That would be great, wouldn’t it?!? Or would it?

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You see, I’ve thought about this a lot. I tend to do that. As I have thought about this perplexing issue and conversed with God about it, asking Him why recognition was not the solution, I got a brilliant answer. That doesn’t leave room for His sanctification. That doesn’t leave room for the pruning process, for Him to chisel away imperfections/lies and replace them with His truth. That leaves room only for you to say that you did it. This whole “working it out” business is not easy. It’s actually quite difficult, because you kinda have to work at it as He works in you. But the working it out is what will allow you to look back and be filled with joy. I am being taught big lessons right now. That’s usually how it’s going with me. I’m continually learning that I have a lot more to learn! I want to trust Him so much that I laugh at the days to come as the woman depicted in Proverbs 31 does. My prayer is that He will clothe me with strength and dignity as He chisels away my worry and distrust. I desire to be that Proverbs 31 woman. I desire to not just say that I trust Him, but trust Him with relaxed and pain-free shoulders! It would make my heart smile if you would join me in that prayer. Pray that I will laugh at the days to come! Have a wonderful week, reader friends, and please let me know how I can be praying for you!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Calvery

Absolutely Beautiful

It is an ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL Saturday! I will continue to admire the beautiful weather when I start out on my first of three treks to Cleveland this week. I have not done a confession blog in a while, so I thought that this relaxed Saturday should be the day.

 

1. First, I hate driving. This might be in part to my lack of navigational ability or that my car dependability history has been a little on the lower end. My hatred could have also been heightened by the fact that I do not have a radio in my car. I am excited about going to Cleveland this week, but I abhor the drive. I’m so glad that my dear Zachary likes to drive more than I do. Hopefully he will do most of the driving once we’re married. I know that he does not enjoy his 16 hour round trips from Texas, but I am SO thankful that he chooses to make them anyway. Thanks, love!

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2. I have a countdown going for lots of different things. I am in a pretty exciting season of life right now. I have 6 days until I turn in my LAST crucial assignments of my undergraduate degree. I will turn in my resource notebook for my course and finish that course up, and I will present my portfolio of all of my work over the last 4 years. Ahhhhh this is so sweet. It is all downhill from there. I have 2 weeks and 6 days until I see my blue eyed man again. I have 3 weeks exactly until I graduate from Delta State University. I have 5 weeks and 3 days until I complete my internship. I have 7 weeks until my man moves back to Mississippi and I don’t have to wait weeks at a time to see him!!! I have 84 days until I become Jessica Hardy. That’s just a big heap of excitement, reader friends!

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3. Wedding planning is DUMB. I want to elope.

HA HA

Ha ha I’m only kidding! I have dreamt about my wedding since I was a little girl, but some of this stuff is just silly. I don’t care if you like the food at the reception. I don’t care if you think my decorations are too simple. I don’t care if everything isn’t exactly perfect. I just don’t care about all of this silly detail. I just want to marry Zach Hardy!

4. I LOVE giving gifts. I just got my bridesmaid gifts, and I’m excited to add some more personalization for the girls. I almost got me one too, but I refrained. Ha

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I hope that you enjoy this beautiful Saturday!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Calvery

I Know What Day It Is

 

I have just completed two major tasks of my internship, so I am celebrating. How do I celebrate? I take time to write a blog post. I am a very exciting person, I know! I am going to do a What I’m Loving Wednesday Thursday post. I am known for confusing what day it it, but this time I am aware that it is not really Wednesday, but I’m writing a Wednesday post because I can. Pretend with me for a moment.

1) First of all, I am loving that I have a job interview set up with DeSoto County in exactly one week! This is what I have been working diligently towards for the last four years, and now…it is here. I would very much LOVE to be working in DeSoto County.

2) I am loving my engagement ring! It is super shiny and pretty, and it distracts me when I am trying to do…well anything. This is such a sweet season of life.

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3) I am loving Zach Hardy! I know that I talk a lot about him, but I just want you guys to know just how amazing he is. I’m not sure that my words can do him justice, but he is incredible!

I LOVE this man!!! :)

4) I am loving that I will never have to write a TIAI unit or a Teacher Work Sample again!!! That’s a pretty big deal. It makes me want to dance, actually. Now, I am loving that I get to actually teach the unit I invested so much time in. It will be a fun time with those kiddos. I am teaching about the body systems, and I LOVE science.

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5) I’m loving that I made time to write a blog post, because I have very much missed the world of blogging.

Happy Thursday, reader friends!

Shaped by Grace,

Jessica Calvery