immeasurably more

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]

There is no problem that God cannot solve. None. There is no sickness that God cannot heal. There is no miracle that you can dream of that God cannot perform. There is no prayer that God cannot answer. There is not one sinner that He cannot save. There is no backslider that God cannot bring back and restore. There is no mountain that God cannot move. There is no giant that He cannot slay. There is no need that God cannot meet. There is no marriage so broken that God cannot heal. There is no church so dead that God cannot raise up. You are amazing God, You can do immeasurably more than what we can ask or think.

I can testify.

We can choose to live our lives in the confines of our own natural understanding and perceived limitations, or we can choose to believe what God has promised for us - that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us! Our Father is the biggest, strongest and most powerfully wonderful Dad in the universe and He has promised that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or imagine!

Credit to Pinterest

All powerful, untameable;

Awestruck I fall to my knees as I humbly proclaim

'You are amazing God.'

Indescribable, uncontainable;

You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.

You are amazing God!

Incomparable, unchangeable;

You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same.

You are amazing God!

[Indescribable by Chris Tomlin]

Love love love, Jewel

Another Week Passed!

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

1. Lakeview Christian School Daycare ♥♥♥
Last Friday, I told you that I was just hired by Cracker Barrel.  I got another job this week!  On Wednesday morning, I turned in my application at a local daycare and on Wednesday evening, they called me and asked me to start Thursday morning! WOW!  It's been a little confusing/stressful trying to finish my two weeks notice at the cemetery, and start at the daycare, and arrange training at Cracker Barrel, while meanwhile being a church janitor. HA. BUT, I feel blessed to have three GOOD jobs.  I really really really loved the daycare yesterday. 19 2-year-olds on my first day was a little overwhelming, but I enjoyed the cuddling, the head-rubbing and back-patting during naptime, and the one-last-hug goodbyes.

2. Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) by Chris Rice ♥♥♥


Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die, o raise your head, for love is passing by. Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus and live!
Now your burden's lifted and carried far away; and precious blood has washed away the stain, so... sing to Jesus! Sing to Jesus and live!
And like a newborn baby, don't be afraid to crawl; and remember when you walk, sometimes we fall... so fall on Jesus! Fall on Jesus and live!
Sometimes the way is lonely and steep and filled with pain; so if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then... cry to Jesus. Cry to Jesus and live!
O, and when the love spills over and music fills the night; and when you can't contain your joy inside, then... dance for Jesus. Dance for Jesus and live!
And with your final heartbeat, kiss the world goodbye. Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side... and fly to Jesus! Fly to Jesus and live!

3. I Shot a Gun ♥♥♥

On Wednesday night, my college/young adult destination unknown group had a time of "personal and gun safety" and a local police officer came to advice the new college freshman on personal safety.  Marion isn't quite like Noblesville or Gary or Indianapolis, Indiana; but it isn't quite like Mayberry either.  So it was a good idea! After the talk, we went into outside to shoot real guns. I was nervous... pretty nervous, but I thought, "Go big or go home!"  So I shot the shotgun! TWICE!  *Crossing "shoot a gun" off my bucketlist! :)

4. Bangs... ♥♥♥

I got these yesterday. I haven't had a drastic hair change (if you can consider going from 'no bangs' to 'bangs') since I was probably 17, but I decided it was TIME.  I also really needed a trim - hoping it will speed up some hair growth (which is almost a foreign idea to me, despite how quickly my twin sister's hair grows!) before my wedding in only 64 (SIXTY-FOUR!) days.

5. Girls' Night ♥♥♥

I'm really looking forward to a much-needed, very fun girls' night tonight.  More tissue paper pomanders, more scones, more laughs, more memories, and who knows what else!  My fiancé could be arriving in America one month from today and I'm wanting to spend much time with my girls AND get most of the wedding things pulled together before he comes!

Love love love, Jewel

How to Make the Bed Unto the Lord:

I heard a convo on the radio a few weeks ago about making the bed unto the Lord and I have not forgotten it.  I have thought about it a lot in the last two weeks as I have been cleaning our church building.  If God has given me the assignment to clean His house, I'm going to let no streak remain on the windows, no stickiness cling to the trash cans, no scuff mark lie on the floor, no ink or dye stain the chairs, etc.  The perspective of working unto the Lord has almost blown away my mind.  I forget about ME.  I remember Something bigger.

"Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah)."

Colossians 3:23,24 (AMF)

It's not about perfection, it's about excellence. There's no bondage in it, there is freedom in it - it's about fulfilling the excellence He called you to.

Do Everything by Steven Curtis Chapman:



The way we do our work day by day provides the best exterior reflection of our commitment to serve the Lord in a real, physical way. It doesn't matter whether that work is in the home, in a corporate office, on the mission field, or in the janitor's closet.  May my clean carpets, vents, stairs, shelves, whiteboards, tables, podiums, chairs, toilets, urinals, sinks, mirrors, doorknobs, and windows be a testimony of my love for the Lord.

Love love love,
Jewel

Education

Contemplating and meditating on these two verses today:

"If you want to think one year ahead, plant rice.

If you want to think 10 years ahead, plant trees. 

But if you want to think 100 years ahead, give education to people."

[Ancient Chinese Proverb]

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"

[Romans 10:14 NIV]

Love love love, Jewel

A Bible That’s Falling Apart

Struck by the truth of this quote by Charles Spurgeon...

“A Bible that’s falling apartusually belongs to someone who isn’t.”

...and thinking of my Grandmom, who is a timeless example of a God-fearing, Bible-reading, praying woman.

Love love love,
Jewel

All Good Things!

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

1. Cracker Barrel ♥♥♥

Yesterday morning, I was hired to be a server at Cracker Barrel - one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world!  I have never worked in food, so I am a little nervous about training, but so EXCITED to start something new and make a little more money! [And seriously, I have had enough job interviews for awhile! 5 in 7 days!]
My supervisor at current job in the cemetery has been so so so good to me as I have been on the job search - totally understanding and allowing me to take extra long lunch breaks for interviews; I am very GRATEFUL for that!

2. Honeymoon ♥♥♥

I finally planned my honeymoon - booking a condo ON Daytona Beach. So excited to relax on the beach with my groom!  We are only about 1 ½ hours from Orlando, so we are planning on visiting Disney World one day. For those who have an opinion, should we go to Magic Kingdom or Epcot?  The "cultural village" idea would be very interesting for us both (since I'm American and he's Cambodian!) but I would also love the enchantment and fireworks at Magic Kingdom. Hmm...

3. Half.com ♥♥♥
Two years ago, I discovered the goodness of half.com and I have saved lots of money buying my textbooks online, and also made lots of money selling my textbooks online.  With the start of universities quickly approaching, our (Mom's, Jessie's, and mine) used textbooks have really been selling.  In August alone, we have made $911.70!! And that's after ebay took 10% sales commission.  SERIOUSLY INCREDIBLE.  Let me know if you want me to teach you how; I would be glad to share the secret! It's super easy; the hardest part is getting to the post office!

4. Good Deals at Goodwill
Dear Goodwill,
          Thank you for three pairs of Docker pants for $11! I can't wait to wear them to my new job.

From,

Someone Satisfied

5. Wedding Planning Progress

Mom and I went to the craft store on Wednesday and bought ribbon, string, and tulle for 20% OFF.  I also collected lots of sticks in the yard from a recent storm. One of my ushers has agreed to be an usher, my pianist has agreed to be my pianist, and another friend has agreed to help me make something like this 'S' [<---] as an alternative guest book (which I am super excited about!!)  I got an antique family heirloom from my grandmom to collect our cards in, and I have been looking at pictures of dessert receptions on pinterest and getting lots of yummy and gorgeous ideas!

Love love love, Jewel

Because you only have 4 years,

Reposting this:

I have finally graduated and my college career is over for good. When I was told, "Enjoy it; it will go by fast," I thought, "Yeah right, four years is a long time." I admit - it went by fast. I really cannot even believe it. I vividly remember moving in as a freshman, meeting my roommate, going to my first class, and starting my job on campus. Now it's four years later and I have learned so so so much. There are certainly things that I wish I had done or known earlier, and I would regret it if I didn't pass on a few words of advice to my friends who are still in college or are preparing to start this Fall. So, here's to YOU!

Campus Activities and Involvement:
- Try everything at least once - Crema, Exalt, FNL, prayer walks, the homecoming parade, basketball games, soccer games, etc.
- Look into student organizations that interest you - Business as Mission, WCF, etc.
- If you loved NSO, apply to be an NSO leader.
- Participate in the Finals Midnight Scream (hopefully that tradition carries on!)
- Mentor a child through the Marion Boys and Girls Club.
- When the weather is nice, don't stay inside.

Interaction and Relationships:
- Interact with your professors outside of the classroom. Your professors are an incredible resource and will completely change your entire college experience [for the better] if you let them.
- Don't spend hours chatting on facebook when you can be chatting at McConn or by the fountain.
- You will find community on IWU's campus when you look for it.
- Don't be too busy, bored, or conceited to listen when people are imparting words of wisdom. Listen when people are talking!!

Classes, Books and Studying:
- NEVER buy brand new textbooks and never buy without comparing prices. I have saved $100's by purchasing my books on Ebay and Amazon.
- Sometimes you can get by simply skimming or not reading a book... sometimes you cannot! Figure it out.
- The Bible is the most important book you can read. It offers incredible amounts of wisdom and insight.
- World Civ with Mark Smith is the way to go!
- If you can, take the following classes:
* Basic Christian Doctrine (Chris Bounds)
* Christian Spirituality and Experiencing God (Jim Lo)
* CS Lewis (Charles Bressler)
* Inductive Bible Study (Steve Lennox)
- For INT majors, take more Biblical literature classes than what is required. If you plan to be a missionary, you must know Scripture and know it well.
- Don't be stupid and save all your research and projects until the end of the semester or just before it's due.

Other: (These may be what I would emphasize the most!)
- Realize that your education is a huge investment into your future, but realize also that your grades and performance do not define who you are. Who you are becoming is worth more than your diploma.
- Make a college bucket list and re-evaluate it at the beginning of every semester. Four years will pass quickly, and you will never get to experience anything like college ever again.
- Take pictures of everything.
- If you have an idea or a dream, share it with someone and pursue it!
- Your legacy is more in who you are than in what you do.
- Above all, God is faithful. Seek His will and trust Him.

Love love love,
Jewel

A Magical Place

Last night, my mom and I sat down to plan my honeymoon.  It was an EXPERIENCE!  My parents have a timeshare (that we have been trying to sell for months and months and months!) and Mom and I spent hours on the RCI website last night looking at the few still available resorts in Florida - North, East, South, West, and the Panhandle.  Many had pictures that left much to be desired, others had beautiful pictures of gorgeous rooms, views, and property, but reviews included statements such as:

• "I couldn't turn on the kitchen light because the switch was behind the refrigerator."
• "If I were you, I wouldn't walk barefoot on the carpet..."
• "When we arrived, we found cigarettes in the ashtray, dirty glasses, and dirty linens." 
• "We couldn't sit around the pigeons on the balcony or through the pigeon poop on the already dirty window."
• "When you're sitting on the toilet, the sink stabs you in the side."
• "If you are looking for something nice, run in the other direction!"

YUCK!  My living standards are not extremely high, but I am not wanting to spend the first few days of my happily-ever-after in anything like what is reviewed above.  So it took some searching.  My only expectations were:

Finding a honeymoon spot where we can visit:

Disney World

and spend our days here:

The Beach

We finally found one that I expect won't be too cramped or gross.  I'm looking forward to having coffee and conversations on our own personal ocean-view balcony (hopefully not on the 1st floor,) taking early morning and late night walks on the beach, playing Scrabble on our little table, and exploring Daytona as husband and wife.

When my sister and I were maybe four-years-old, our parents took us to Magic Kingdom and it rained some before the day ended with a horrible storm.  I haven't been back since, and I have never been to (or heard much about) Epcot.  For those who have been to either or both, which would you recommend for two twenty-something newlyweds??  I'm leaning towards one, but I really want to know what others say, so thanks for advising!!

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom: Enchanting entertainment, classic attractions, beloved Disney Characters and spectacular parades and fireworks in a place where fairytale dreams can come true.

OR

Epcot

Epcot: Attractions and entertainment dedicated to technological innovation and the culture and cuisine of 11 nations.

Love love love,
Jewel

Lots of Excitement This Week

Log on at Living to Tell the Story and share your own Friday's Fave. Five!  You will notice that I had a very exciting and eventful week and I couldn't limit myself to only five points; I limited myself to six....

1. Church Janitor

I was recently hired onto the janitorial staff at my church and I started on Sunday.  I can't brag about working in a cemetery or being a church janitor, but I am content.  I don't enjoy scrubbing toilets (or especially urinals! Seriously guys?? How can you accidentally pee on the wall??) but I do enjoy praying for my church family during the still and quiet hours in the basement. [And by the way, I couldn't ask for a better church family!]  ♥♥♥

2. Phillip James Stuller III

On Monday, my funny and beautiful friend (and bridesmaid) Stephanie had her precious baby boy.  Welcome to the world PJ!  I can't wait to cuddle you!!!  ♥♥♥

3. Visa Interview

After 8 months of filling out documents, and waiting and praying, and filling out documents, and waiting and praying, and filling out documents, and waiting and praying, Titus has finally received his interview date and time for his interview at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. On September 20th at 7am (that's September 19th at 7pm, for all you Indiana and EST people,) my fiancé will stand before an authority and be interviewed in regards to gaining legal status to enter the United States and marry the love of his life. September 20th is farther away than we had hoped, but we are trusting in God's PERFECT TIMING, and we are grateful for a few more days to humble ourselves before the LORD, and ask Him to prepare the way and go before Titus to his interview.  ♥♥♥

4. Bridesmaids Shoes

Five pairs of these shoes landed on my porch Tuesday! After spending about 30 hours browsing 30 websites and looking at about 30,000 different pairs of shoes, I finally settled on the above pair of Old Navy sandals for my bridesmaids.  One of my wedding colors is bronze, and since pewter is NOT BRONZE, I am going to dig into my *Barney Bag* of creativity, and embellish them.  Look forward to before and after pictures!  ♥♥♥

5. DIY Tissue Paper Pomanders

On Thursday, 80 sheets of green and bronze tissue paper landed in my mailbox.  Once all my sweet ad wonderful crafty friends return from vacay, we are going to have a party and make tissue paper pomanders to decorate the pews and aisle at my wedding. Look forward to before and after pictures! Pretty pretty pretty... ♥♥♥

6. Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred

Also on Thursday, I received a MUCH-ANTICIPATED and MUCH-FEARED package in the mail from a kind member of ebay.  I cannot [and won't] tell you how many days it has been since I last exercised.  I have been dieting, but not exercising, and my dress-fitting is quickly approaching (in 33 days, to be exact.) Since becoming a full-time 8-5 employee at the cemetery, I have found it to be quite inconvenient to go to the gym or to Zumba class after work. SO, I'm hoping this at-home DVD routine will prove successful and motivational.  Let me tell you: day 1 and day 2 were ROUGH! ♥♥♥

Love love love, Jewel

Alive & Active

As I was reading Psalms this morning, this reference reminded me of a very special moment that I spent with Him - Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Creator of Me - on top of a mountain in Siem Reap, Cambodia two years ago.  I am thankful for that moment - a moment I hope that I never forget - and I am thankful that God's Word is truly alive and active TODAY.

Eternally Grateful,
and in Love,
Jewel

We have been waiting for today's news...

I am almost without words; without words, but not without emotion.

JOY. Anticipation. Excitement. LOVE. Fear. Submission. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation.


So much emotion.

Any idea what this is?

It's one small section of the visa interview schedule at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh.  The 7:00:00 hour on September 20th, 2011 is an hour of much JOY. Anticipation. Excitement. LOVE. Fear. Submission. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. Fear. Anticipation. ETC.

On September 20th at 7am (that's September 19th at 7pm, for all you Indiana and EST people,) my fiancé, Romdenh Chamnol (aka Titus) will stand before an authority at the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and be interviewed in regards to gaining legal status to enter the United States and marry the love of his life.

Who would DARE say no to that, right??

Trusting in His promises:

Love love love, Jewel

Getting a little crafty...

I'm hoping to find a pretty gorgeous frame at Goodwill's 50%-off sale today!


So I can make something pretty like this:

Love love love,
Jewel

August's 1st Friday's Fave Five

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

1. Storms ♥♥♥

According to the Weather Channel online, there's a possibility that it will start raining at 4pm today and storm through 9pm tomorrow.  Although that would put a damper on my plans for this evening and tomorrow evening, I'm pretty excited about the possibility of cuddling on the couch tonight and watching a movie while it thunders, lightenings, and rains allll nighttt longgg.

2. DIY Tissue Paper Pomanders

I can't wait to get together with some of my sweet and wonderful friends to make these tissue paper pomanders in green and bronze for my WEDDING.  Wedding plans are s.l.o.w.l.y. p.r.o.g.r.e.s.s.i.n.g. Pretty pretty pretty... ♥♥♥

3. A Niece

Munnith ♥♥♥
My dear dear dear friends Poleak and Malout, who are like my family in Cambodia, had a little princess last weekend.  Munnith was welcomed by my favorite nephews in the world - six-year-old twins, Peter and Paul.

4. A Package

Yesterday I received a MUCH-ANTICIPATED package in the mail from my kind friends in New York who recently returned from a trip to Cambodia.  Their daughter is one of the two flower girls in my wedding, and I asked them to pick out flower girl dresses, and a shirt for the ring-bearer.  The dresses are especially gorgeous, and the barong is "the bomb-diggity" too!  I also got a few other unexpected goodies from my fiancé. ♥♥♥

5. Healing

Since Grandmom had her eye removed at the end of June, she has been sick. Really sick.  She had an infection, and went into renal failure TWICE.  On Tuesday, she finally came home after weeks in the hospital.  Thank you, thank you Jesus for being present with her, for calling the Church to lift her in their prayers, and for touching her body with your healing hand.  She is still recovering and her body is weak, but she has come home with THE PROMISE that He is still working on her.  We are eternally grateful.

Love love love, Jewel

August 2011: An Update on What God is Doing Here and There

Friends, Family, and Supporters,

Greetings from a freshly-rained-upon Central Indiana. Praise the Lord for rain!! This past week I attended the Indiana North District of the Wesleyan Church’s Family Camp for at least my 15th summer-in-a-row. “What did you do at Family Camp?” I settled down two- and three-year-olds

in the nursery during the evenings, made special memories with friends around a campfire until
midnight, worshipped the Lord under a tent in the morning, heard the Word preached by powerful evangelists, helped organize a carnival, and joined 300+ others for meals in the dinning hall. Oh, and I dressed like Batman and rode a tandem bicycle with Superwoman in the children’s bike parade! At Family Camp, I have been reminded of all the ways that God has been faithful since this week last year. God has been overwhelmingly good to me in NUMEROUS ways. In the past few weeks my twin sister and best friend (Jessie) has moved to New York for grad school, Grandmom has been so sick and hospitalized since late June, and my fiancé remains 10,000+ miles away… but God has been faithfully present and real to me, especially during my loneliest times.

In July, Titus hosted a short-term missions team from a Wesleyan church in Rochester, New York. He translated for them, traveled with them, and assisted them in their ministry in various

churches, villages, and at an orphanage. He also enjoyed spending time with old friends, and meeting new friends. Thank you to Phalkun and Janell and their team for their willingness to deliver some packages to Cambodia for me, and for their willingness to shop for Cambodian attire for our ring bearer and flower girls. ☺ Their kindness has been a blessing to me! Last week, Titus had a medical exam at an international clinic to meet the visa requirements before his interview. He received the results from the exam yesterday and we are praising the Lord that Titus is healthy, strong, and able to travel. Please join us in praising the Lord for a good health report. There are three remaining documents needing to be processed by the Commune Chief, and we are presently waiting [and checking the website every hour] on the embassy to post Titus’ interview date and time online. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE join us in praying that he will be given an early date!

Despite not knowing when Titus will be granted his visa, I have p.r.o.g.r.e.s.s.e.d in planning our wedding, confident that God will bring him here soon enough. It has been very stressful, but I have enjoyed preparing for our special day because – while we have been separated by MANY miles for MANY days – the wedding brings the promise that we will spend the rest of our days together, as husband and wife, as partners in the ministry He has called us to. Throughout this time of waiting and preparation for Titus’ MUCH-ANTICIPATED arrival, I have been reminded of the privilege and mandate to prepare myself to be the Bride of Christ. In the New Testament, Christ, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the Church - those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal savior and have received eternal life - to be His bride (Eph 5:25-27). Just as there was a betrothal period in biblical times during which the bride and groom were separated, so is the Bride of Christ separate from her Bridegroom during the Church Age. Her responsibility during the betrothal period is to be faithful to Him (2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:24). At the Second Coming of Christ, the Church will be united with the Bridegroom, the official "wedding ceremony" will take place and, with it, the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Rev 19:7-9; 21:1-2). Oh how I greatly anticipate BOTH of my weddings!

Again, until our YWAM application is complete, processed, and approved, giving to our future ministry is limited to personal donations at this time. If interested, there is a PayPal giving button on this blog. If your church or any church you know would be interested in allowing us to come and share, please share their contact information with us. As always, thank you. Thank you for reading, for supporting, for praying, for loving, and for giving. The knowledge that you are simply behind us gives me confidence to pursue God’s will and the visions that He has given us.

Praying and Believing, 
Jewel (and Romdenh Chamnol)

Oh My Stars and Garters

Zounds, zoinks, and zippity doo, today is August 1st! AUGUST FIRST! No puedo creerlo (I cannot believe it!) My wedding is in 88 days. EIGHTY-EIGHT DAYS!  I am in disbelief that the time has flown by so quickly.  Disbelief.  I am overwhelmed that I have few days to finish everything.  Overwhelmed.

I need shoes...
and jewelry.
My bridesmaids need shoes...

and jewelry.
I have no gifts for the bridal party.
I haven't registered.
I have no idea what to register for.
I need to make the invitations.
I need to plan the honeymoon.
We both need rings.
I don't have a menu.
I have no idea where everyone will stay, OR how they will get from and to the airport.
What is a rehearsal dinner?
I need flowers.
I need decorations.
I need to confirm my cake design.
I need to find someone to videotape the wedding.
I need to ask my pianist to be my pianist.
The groomsmen need ties.
Who knows what else I am forgetting??!

Oh, and as of September 5th, I will unemployed! :)  While that means more time to pull everything together, it also means no money to pay for it! Woo hoo!!

Love love love,
the future  Mrs. Romdenh Chamnol