Why your value is worth more than you think.

This morning, after I got the beauty sleep I needed to function -- I live streamed church. I have heard about this church through my friend, Emilee, who ironically I went to middle school with years ago. Over the course of our lives that took separate paths, we lost touch. I think the irony here is that when I started noticing the ministry, The Lovely Project, which was founded at Northwestern Orlando Community church a few years ago -- I finally had the light bulb moment. This is the ministry that God has led me to where the sole purpose is to mentor, invest in the lives of and encourage/inspire the girls in our communities. I am now praying about how God wants me to get involved as this is the ministry I wish I had when I was growing up.

Sometimes there are messages that we listen to whether they are at church, on billboards, from our friends/family, or the news even that we know we needed to hear it for our own mental health. That was how I felt this morning while live streaming, and to my surprise, the pastor speaking was Dr. Crystal Evans, who is one of the pastors at Northwestern Orlando.


Her message filled me with encouragement and hope to be perfectly honest. I have been feeling so down lately as I've been having medical issues on top of my chronic congenital issues. Part of me has been angry at God as the congenital ones I did not sign up for and the ones that have happened in the last month -- I would have never wanted to face and confront them. Now I am seeing them in a different light. God knew that I would have to deal with this heartache and He still promises to hold me tight as I keep my trust and faith in His timing.

I really thought that my the time I was thirty, I would have at least two kids. I would be in the job I love, traveling the world and making lots more money.

While not all of these dreams are true, like the being rich at 30 and having kids, I am reminded that my worth in God is not only what I wanted for me, but what He has planned for me. It's about sharing what He has done in my life, keeping my faith in Him and remembering my value. He is going to reward us by In the world we live in, we're told that our worth and value is based off our jobs, our houses and how we prosper in society.

That's not how it is valued with Jesus. He values our worth by using it to help the lives of others who find themselves in the same situation. I know that while extended family and friends wonder when kids will be brought into the picture. I thought by now that kids would be in our lives but it's more important that I wait for His perfect timing.

So understand that your value isn't what car you drive or how much you make in a year. With Jesus, it's about how you give back and love your neighbor, how you live your life to impact the lives of others for Jesus, and lastly, investing your value in ways to glorify Him. <3

I've been wanting to get back into blogging and posting but after today's message about evangelism, and what this really means to me -- I wanted to share what's been on my heart and reflect on it.  Here's hoping your week is fantastic, full of good sleep and happy in all adventures you find yourself doing.

- Jess

Why we're a #DisneyCruise couple (before we have any kids!)

It's no surprise that since we went on our first Disney cruise 4 years ago that I am quite simply enamored just with cruises but with Disney cruises also.

Each time I go on a cruise, the convo always seems to feel like this, especially if its with someone who doesn't know me as well.
Friend: What are you doing on your vacation?
Jess: I am going on a cruise!
Friend: Oh, cool, what ship?
Jess: Disney!
Friend: ::insert awkward stare at ceiling:: minutes later: oh, cool.

Yeah, you called it - that obvious elephant in the room. I don't have kids and I love Disney cruises. Yes, Disney is geared towards families with kids. Yes, that's not my current family dynamic. BUT - here's why I Disney cruise. It has nothing to do with THAT.

1) I love kids. I grew up around kids and when GOD is ready to bless us with that next step, though we are very excited and praying for that to happen sooooon - it's gonna happen.

2) I love Mickey! My husband & I are both avid fans of Disney in general. We go to the parks often. We buy Disney souvenirs for our home and for each other.

3) We love time together on our cruises. We've been married for 5 years in June. But we are the very best of friends and while we enjoy soaking up the time on the ship ONLY for adults - we do welcome the trips and memories to make with our future kiddos on the family sides.

4) We are both kids at heart. Each of us get excited about the features and benefits of what Disney offers us on board like new movies on the ship, the chance to meet the characters & see Mickey at dinner, and the fact that you can order Mickey bars for room service. Each cruise is such a fantastic getaway and while we don't have kids -- we hope that will be changin' soon.

So, there you have it. In case you were curious why I Disney cruise and yes, we're that couple at dinner that doesn't have kids at our table or kids in our room or kids with us -- it's the type of cruise that honestly fits us just fine all the same.

Where our adventures have taken us - #bloghiatusover

Happy Friday. Every once in awhile - it's time to take a break for the purpose of refreshing and getting renewal. That's what I did with my blog. I started wondering if I even wanted to keep this blog going and well I'm back. :) To give a quick update on us. I am still working hard to lose weight & still working on my book. Everything kind of got put on the back burner for a bit but thanks to friends support - this is something I can't wait to self publish. 

This wife has been up to alot of adventures in these last months.

Shortly before Christmas - I finally got to start my new job in Education. I had to wait 3 months for paperwork to get signed but I absolutely love it - 4 months in as a Registrar. It's a phenomenal feeling to know you're supporting and serving students & faculty of the University you've been working with for 5 years. I absolutely love my team and what I do each day.

I spent Christmas with my in-laws, having driven to Missouri from Florida. People always act so surprised when I make this trip like I've lost my marbles but honestly - I love it. We take our dogs with us, we stay in hotels and we usually get to enjoy treats at restaurants that are not locally convenient to us normally like Whataburger.

& the work Christmas party with my parents. 

February: I got to treat my parents to dinner for a mistake and horrible lack of judgment on my part from when I was 16. This was something that felt great to do and healed a lot of hurt with them. 

March was a big month for us that we'd been waiting on for sometime. The first part was that my husband turned 30. I had saved up and made big plans for us including a hotel overnight stay which included a jacuzzi. New toys to play with. 

His parents came into town to celebrate spring break.
& then we closed the month with this two family dinner at 4 Rivers.

Last weekend we were in Disney's Castaway Cay on the Disney Magic cruise ship. 

For now, this is where I am leaving things. This weekend I am going to write why I Disney cruise. Since we don't have kids yet, alot of people wonder why I would do this kind of cruise because there are kids everywhere. I love kids - I grew up as the oldest girl on both sides so I have cousins of all ages and I have a niece/nephew I adore. But I will explain it all in my next post.