I refuse to write another post about work.

I will say only three things about work, and then I will post-pone all work-related entires for a long time. :)

1) Since starting my new job at IWU last Monday, I quit Cracker Barrel.  Whew!  I painted my fingernails red for the Chinese New Year... and they are still red! [Something Cracker Barrel wouldn't allow.]
2) Simply put, I am 1 of 2 Administrative Assistants in the program of Graduate Studies in Leadership... and I am still learning what that means.  So MUCH MUCH MUCH to learn! Wow!
3) As anticipated, I miss my babies at Lakeview very MUCH MUCH MUCH.  I visited once this week during my lunch break, but this little face - one of my favorites - was home sick. :( Sad!

Not write about work??  Ugh.  Why do I feel like this is all that is happening in my life right now?  This is harder than I thought it would be...

Two weeks after the new year started, Titus and I started reading the One Year Bible together in bed at night.  No devotional book... no commentary... no "spiritual self-help book"... just the written Word of God, as it was intended to be read.  Laying beside my warm husband, hearing the strength in his voice as he reads to me... one of my favorite parts of the day.


"A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." ~ Charles Spurgeon

One of the benefits [I should say 'BLESSINGS'] of working full-time at IWU is free tuition for not only myself, but immediate family members.  Wowie zowie!  Seriously, what a huge blessing!  In my "free time", I have been exploring the list of classes that I regrettably did not (/unfortunately could not) take during my 4 years of undergrad at IWU, and I'm praying about pursuing a 2nd degree in Biblical Literature.  Titus is considering transfering his Bible College credits towards a degree in Christian Ministry or... something else. ☺   We'll see!  It's been exciting just thinking about it!  Right now our hearts are longing to be in ministry in Cambodia, and while we can't be YET... this will prepare and equip us to be better-used in helping to expand God's Kingdom in Cambodia.

...and I see God putting together the puzzle pieces of His will.

Love love love,
Jewel

2012's first Friday's Fave Five

Log on at Living to Tell the Story and share your own Friday's Fave. Five!

1. Family Game Night ♥♥♥

Although the time was short, it was wonderful having twin sis home for the weekend.  She just returned home - engaged! - from the Philippines and returned to New York 2.5 days later. On Saturday night, we went to sis & bro-in-law's house for dinner and games (after crazy fun and goodnight kisses with the baby girls.)  We played Quelf - random & unpredictable! "As you move around the game board, as one of eight quirky characters, crazy things start to happen. Your friends start talking strangely. Your mom's face is wrapped in toilet paper. Your dad is acting like Dracula. And you are reciting a poem about your armpits."

2. Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides ♥♥♥

The Pirates of the Caribbean movie series has been one of my favorites since the first movie in 2003, and I finally saw the last movie on Saturday and LOVED it - my favorite Pirates movie yet!

3. USCIS ♥♥♥

Tuesday morning, Dad, hubby, and I drove to Indianapolis to the US Immigration office for Titus to have his fingerprints taken.  The first step towards Titus' Work Visa and Green Card (and eventual citizenship) was the initial application, and the second: finger printing!  So I am very grateful for this morning's appointment and very grateful/proud of Dad's patience and willingness to drive us.

4. 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp ♥♥♥

My sweet husband bought me this book for Christmas and it is changing my life - at least my mentality.  It's like a love song.  I'm reading it slow and anticipating reading it again.  Thanks to the wise and beautiful Suzanne Howell for recommending this book.  I'm recommending it to others!



5. Journey to Adoption ♥♥♥

My friends Bridgette and Trey are in Uganda right now awaiting court (at 3am this morning.)  They began their adoption journey 1 year ago, and it has accumulated to this: bringing home Baby Solomon. [Lord willing...]  Please pray for Bridgette, Trey, big brother-to-be Trenner, Baby Solomon, and their judge, and lawyers.

Until next Friday...

Blessed and Grateful,
Jewel

Immeasurably More!

I took this picture this morning from the parking lot at my work:

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
Psalm 8:1

I am humbled.  Humbled by His power. Humbled by His presence.

Humbled by His goodness.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

A week or two before Christmas, IWU (Indiana Wesleyan University) called me about a job interview. A what? A job interview? I already have 3 jobs! Since May, I have applied for almost every job at IWU that I have qualified for and I couldn't believe that I was finally chosen for an interview. This is a big deal... like a real, professional, GROWN-UP job.  I traded in my jeans and t-shirt for dress clothes and told the daycare that I would be an hour late, and I interviewed in front of FOUR very intimidating professionals.  A few days later, my would-be-boss called me saying that they were recommending ME to HR for hiring.  After enduring Christmas (& New Years) break without any news, I finally got a phone call on Tuesday with a job offer... a real, professional, GROWN-UP job offer.  I took it.

I knew after the first phone call that it was a blessing from God (seriously good benefits, including a salary that is twice what I make at 3 jobs right now, getting paid to work out and participate in the wellness program, and BONUS: free tuition for hubby) but I prayed about it everyday for three weeks, and God has finally given me peace.

I don't want to leave the daycare. I really don't.  I don't want to leave my babies. :( I don't want to not see them grow and learn and become little boys and girls that walk, and talk, and pee on the potty.  But... I don't want to be guilty of not embracing God's gift - His provision, His favor.

So, next Monday - January 16th, 2012 (I seriously just wrote 2010 and had to backspace!) - I start my new job as Program Support Specialist in Graduate Organizational Leadership.  I really do not have a good idea yet of what I doing (and that FREAKS ME OUT) but I know that eventually, I will.  Until then... this is what you get:

Love love love,
Jewel

Whoa 2011

What can I say about the new year that hasn't already been said?  December 31st ended a milestone year.  I graduated from college in 2011.  I planned my wedding and got married in 2011. I went on my honeymoon in 2011. I started my first (second and third) post-grad job in 2011.  I moved out of my parents house in 2011 and started paying things like rent, groceries, gas and electricity for the first time.  Also in 2011, my twin sister (who I have never been separated from for more than a few weeks only 2-3 times) moved to New York for a year. In 2011, my precious grandmom got very very sick, moved into a nursing home, and eventually got better, stronger, and moved home. In 2011, my Prince Charming (and how my husband) moved himself to literally the opposite side of the planet to be with me - to a new world, and into a new culture.  2011 was big.  God was so good to me  - so, so, so good - in 2011.  I look back at this year with a grateful heart and an anxiousness about what God is going to do (and what He has already done in only 3 days) in 2012.  Look forward to the next post...

Love love love,
Mrs. Titus Romdenh