Perspective From The Parsonage

Family Photos...

2009-11-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

Last week, my friend Treena took some family photos for us. We are so thrilled with how they turned out! Here are few from our session! I think the one @ the top of this post might be my favorite... it is so fun!

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If you're in our area, I will be glad to give you her contact information! She is fabulous! Thank you, Treena!!!

Married to the Ministry Scavenger Hunt

2009-11-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Amber for posting this! I'm playing along with Lisa's Married to the Ministry Scavenger Hunt. Here are my answers to her questions:

1. First Name - Jennifer

2. State and Country of Residence - TN, USA

3. Husband’s Ministry Title - Senior Pastor

4. Length of time in Current Ministry Location - 2 years in January

5. Children? Yes. Olivia and Allison. They are almost 6 and 3, respectively.

6. Number of unique homes in which you’ve lived during your marriage - In our seven years of marriage, we have lived in several homes. We lived in an apartment while @ our first church. Our second church we lived in 2 different houses, one a rental, and the other the parsonage. In between churches 2 and 3 (where we are now) we lived with my parents. Yes. I know. It could have been a reality show. And, we also had a rental for a few months. We currently live in the church parsonage.

7. Cook Sunday lunch or eat out? It depends. I am big into meal planning and once a month shopping for the bulk of our groceries, and I usually factor in a time or two to eat out during the month. We eat at home a lot. Occasionally we are invited to someone's home to eat, too - which is always fun! We also go to my parents' every now and again for Sunday lunch since we live fairly close to them now.

8. Typically on time for Sunday School or not? No. We all go to church @ the same time. I ride with the pastor. I don't have an excuse. Now, it is humorous that while we were on our ministry break, we attended a church for a while and were almost NEVER on time to SS.

9. Favorite TV Show - The Biggest Loser. Clean House. Law and Order SVU. Any CSI. Cold Case. 18 Kids and Counting. The Dish. The Soup. What Not to Wear. Food Network. I also love me some ER and Little House on the Prairie reruns.

10. Something you watch/like/do that you would never tell the church people... I frequently get distracted in the checkout by the celebrity smut rags. I. Can't. Look. Away.

11. Most annoying church-related pet peeve - church politics. Also, the phrase/attitude "We've never done it that way before."

12. One thing you need to throw away but can’t bring yourself to do it - Looking around the room I am currently in, I can see a lot of things..... I have been on a purging kick as of late.

13. The one food you can not live without - Orange juice. Cereal. I have a bit of a dependency on both.

14. Parsonage or have your own home? La Parsonage.

15. Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for a visitor? I don't really freak, but I also don't run to the door. I have a strategy. This strategy has gone to the wind somewhat now that both children can easily open the door. Not a good thing when you may not be wearing a well... you know where this is going.

in pictures...

2009-10-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

First - I made this wreath. Made it. So proud of myself! Our local library had a wreath class and I jumped at it. Hoping they do a Christmas one.

Anyway, here's the perspective from the parsonage over the last few months...

Miss A proving she is indeed tall enough - by half an inch - to ride everything @ the fair. It would have been an episode if she wasn't. Glad we didn't go last year for this very reason.

Miss A and Daddy on the Ferris Wheel.

We grew sunflowers. A project all summer in the making.

Miss O and Mommy on the Ferris Wheel. We all had a blast @ the fair this year.

With Lizzie - the parsonage mutt - at the dog show. She didn't win this year, however she won first prize last year. It was hot. Like, look out the window and sweat hot. Note the sweaty, dirty children.

Miss O graduated from preschool . So grown up.

Around the Parsonage... October

2009-10-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Blog. It has been a long time. I apologize. Lots to catch up on. For now, we'll start with this:

Got this from Sarah. Love the idea!

Around the House: October

Reading: Just finished the Tales of London series by Lawanna Blackwell. Really enjoyed them! Not sure what is next!

Enjoying: Family. Fall. Getting rid of stuff. My Thirty One business. Scarves. Homeschooling.

Learning: How to deal with hard issues of leadership. When you're a people pleaser and hate confrontation (fabulous combo, I know!), this can definitely stretch you! Also, learning how to balance all the roles in my life. And learning to love getting up at 4:45am to go to the gym and exercise.

Watching: The Biggest Loser. Love it. The stories are so inspiring. Clean House. Little House on the Prairie reruns.

Anticipating: Christmas. Actually, I anticipate fall all summer long... and once it gets here I start thinking on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We're planning to add more Jesus, less stuff to our holiday celebrations this year. We want our girls to see that it truly is better to give than receive.

Realizing: This extra weight didn't come on over night. It isn't going to come off overnight, either.

Pondering: How did my girls grow up so fast???

Studying: 1&2 Kings (with some minor prophets,too) on Thursday mornings @ Community Bible Study. Love my CBS group. My girls love it, too.

Wondering: If and when we'll have baby #3. I think I know about 10,000 people who are pregnant or just had a baby. This is fueling the fire. :) Haven't seen those 2 lines yet!

Remembering: HE IS. I am NOT.

Praying: that we all stay healthy. For revival, both personally and for our church.

"Show Us Where You Live Friday"

2009-05-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

One of the blogs I love to read is "Kelly's Korner." She is a true Southern girl, and she loves Jesus, and that little Harper is just precious!

She started Show Us Where You Live Friday - so I thought I would jump in on this.

This week's feature is the kitchen.

Here you have it, the parsonage kitchen. Which I admit - was taken just after I cleaned it "The House That Cleans Itself" style.

Our kitchen has WHITE. Lots of White. While it looks crisp and clean, I would love to have some ideas about how to add some color here and there. Directly to the right in the picture is our kitchen door that goes out into the carport/covered patio area. Directly to the left is what appears in the second photo.

Love my red cookbook stand. I love cookbooks, and the one on the stand is one I use a lot. The church purchased the new stove and fridge for us when we moved in last January.

If I can get the kitchen table cleaned off tonight, you can see the dining area of the kitchen. That's a big if. It's been a day.

I'd love to hear your suggestions about adding some color to our kitchen.

my new endeavor...

2009-04-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Thirty One? If you haven't - I know you'll love their stuff!
I just signed on as a consultant - I had a party in March, and I was sold!
Love that they are a Christian company. Love their products. Love that I became a consultant for only $25!
Here's a link to my Thirty One website:
www.mythirtyone.com/jenniferjulian

Be sure to check out the new 31Kid line - the stuff is too cute!!

Farewell, ER.

2009-04-02T12:41:00.001-07:00

I am bummed about the end of the tv series ER. I have been a faithful fan since it's debut in 1994. That means I have been watching this show for half of my life, people. I even love to watch the reruns on TNT when I get the chance. I have last week's episode DVR'd, and will do the same with tonight's episode.
I wanted to share with you a couple of my favorite ER moments, courtesy of YouTube:

Love this one, but the video quality and sound quality isn't great.
allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364">

Are you an ER fan?

inside the mind of your pastor's wife...

2009-03-30T17:37:00.000-07:00

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/03/life-of-ministers-wife.html

Take the time to watch all three segments. Seriously. You'll be glad you did.

throw it off...

2009-03-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

Along with the "Parsonage Purge of '09," comes an effort to get off that last 25 pounds. After our second daughter was born, I lost a whopping 50 pounds. It all stayed off for almost a year, until I stopped nursing. Then, before I knew it, about 15 had crept back on. Funny how the "nursing diet" of eating whatever you want, whenever you want doesn't really work when you're no longer a food source. That bowl of ice cream @ 11pm finds its way to your hips faster than you can fill a sippy cup. My weight has been something I have struggled with since I was a teenager. Couple that with the fact that I LOVE to cook, and don't make time for myself to exercise, it definitely makes for a battle..
One of my favorite shows is The Biggest Loser. I am so inspired by the transformations that take place, both inwardly, and outwardly with these contestants. Right now I am dead even(weight wise) with one of the female contestants. I am going to see if I can get the forst 15 off by the end of the season in May.
So I would love your prayers as I embark on this journey to get the last of the weight off. I want to throw off what hinders me, and quite frankly, the weight hinders me in many ways. I don't want to be held back by it anymore. I want to someday run a 5k, and maybe even a 10k and someday a halfmarathon, if my knees will let me.
No more excuses. Time to get this temple into shape!

time to clean house...

2009-03-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Spring has sprung. And for this parsonage family, this year, that means some spring cleaning! I recently won a copy of a fabulous book "The House That Cleans Itself," over at Life in the Parsonage. Thanks, Sarah!!! It's written by Mindy Starns Clark, and while I am only a few chapters it, what I have read is wonderful!

First, let me say that I am reformed packrat. While I am not where I want to be, over the last 7 years or so, having moved 5+ times, a couple of those being across town, I have become much less attached to "stuff." Combine that with the natural amount of clothes, papers, toys, etc., that accumulate over the years as a family grows, it's really not hard to look around one day and find yourself - and your house - being overtaken by clutter! It affects every part of your life - when your house is in disarray, and cluttered, it often leaves you feeling discouraged and exhausted. Can I get a witness??

So, I am on a mission - declutter, simplify, and keep it clean. And I am not just talking about the house, girls. There's lots of spiritual truth there, too. When our lives are so cluttered with "stuff" - while it may be good, God-honoring stuff - we can often miss what He's really trying to show us.

Who is with me? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

overheard today in the parsonage...

2009-03-20T17:25:00.001-07:00

Olivia (5 years old) to Allison (2 years old):
"You never hit a princess. Now, you be my servant."

Priceless.

if i could write a letter to me...

2009-03-06T08:45:00.001-08:00

and send it back in time to myself at 17....

That's the title of a recent country song by Brad Paisley. What if you could? What would you say to your 17 year old self? . My bloggin' PW friend Lisa over at The Preacher's Wife blog, also addressed this in a post not to long ago.

I listen to a lot of country music, and I hear the above mentioned song occasionally. I heard it today, in fact. Every time I hear it, I do think about what I would say to myself.

Dear Jennifer,

It's your older, wiser self. Since I've got 11 years on you now, I want to pass along a little wisdom and advice - so that when you're here, you won't look back wishing you could get some do-overs.

First, know that while you are at a pivotal time in your life - 17 isn't as good as it gets. That heartbreak you're hanging onto - let it go. It isn't worth it. He's not the one for you. The one for you is so much better than anything you could imagine. Don't place your worth in the way you're viewed by boys, or how popular you are. You won't have a prom date, but it's okay, really. It might seem like social suicide now, but highly unlikely anyone will remember that at your 10 year reunion. If they do, they aren't going to mention it. I know this, because I went, and it never came up.

Love Jesus, and love others. in a few months time, you're going with 35 other teenagers on a trip to the Holy Land. Soak it all in. Treasure every moment that you walk where He walked. It will be something you look back on and wish you'd been more of a sponge to the whole experience.

Cherish your friends, but don't hold them so closely that you are slow to let others in. It might surprise you to know that a good majority of the close girlfriends you have at 28 won't be the ones you spend all your time with now.

Don't cut your hair short when you're a sophomore in college. It isn't a good look for you. Trust me.

Don't be quick to fall in love. When it's right, you'll know it.

Hug MeMe a lot. Go and see her often. The time is shorter than you might think.

Accept God's forgiveness, and forgive others. His grace covers a multitude of sins.

You won't believe the blessings God has in store for you. While it's been a bumpy ride getting here to almost 29, God's plan is perfect, and He is good. Trust Him to work out the details.

See you in 11 years!

PS: Really. I mean it. Don't get your hair cut short. Please.

Let's hear it - what would you say to the 17 year old you? Write your own post and let me know!

caught in the middle

2009-02-28T07:46:00.000-08:00

Last night, after the kids were in bed, thankful for a little peace and quiet, I sat down to catch up on a few blog reads and check my Facebook. To be quite honest, I was tired, frustrated, and a little mad. My 2 year old had squirted almost ALL of my liquid makeup on the bathroom floor. My 5 year old hadn't been listening very well. There had been several fits, trips to time out, and more yelling than I'd like to admit. Not my best day as a parent, by any estimation. It felt like my worst, to tell you the truth.
Anyway, one of my first stops after Facebook was Angie's blog - Bring the Rain. I didn't read any more blogs after that. Her post titled "In Between" left me with so much to chew on. So here it goes, my own personal in-between.

My husband is a pastor. I sometimes feel so unworthy of the role of "pastor's wife." I know I should read my Bible more. I struggle with having a daily personal quiet time. I always have the best of intentions regarding this, but they get pushed to the side in favor of other things way more than this PW would like people to know. I sometimes would like to sleep in on Sunday. I don't always have joy on Sunday mornings about going to church, and I often feel as though I am going through the motions. I want to be like Jesus, but I feel like I am caught in the middle.
I am so blessed that I get to be at home with my girls. I would not trade that for anything. I know that a lot of moms out there don't get to do that for one reason or another, and believe me when I say I don't take that lightly. There are days, like yesterday, when I really struggle. I don't show enough patience with the 500+ questions. I don't show enough patience with disobedience. I don't show grace when I should show grace. I am short with my husband for no reason at all. I am often a frustrated parent, something I don't desire to be. I think a lot of that is because I don't spend enough time in His Word, and covering my home and my children in prayer. I am caught in the middle.
Beginning this summer, I will become the coordinator for our local MOPS group. This is something I am so excited about, yet very intimidated by as well. I want this ministry to do well, and to be a blessing to the moms who are a part of it. I need to be on my face for our moms, and for our group, begging God to help us be His hands and feet to the mothers of preschoolers in our area. I want to be on my face for those things. The truth is, I want to be on my face about so many things. I want to be a woman of prayer. I want to get into the routine of having a daily personal time with Him that is a MUST-HAVE before I start my day with the girls. But I'm caught in the middle.
I like my sleep. I stay up too late. I enjoy watching TV. I am selfish at times. I don't always have the best attitude. Those things are on one side. On the other side is the personal time with God, prayer, and reading of His word. Writing notes of encouragement to moms that I know are struggling. Baking a loaf of bread for someone I know who has had a rough week, or just taking a little extra time to play with my girls rather than get them doing something on their own so that I can do what I want. Exercising, and getting up early so that I can do that, which takes discipline I don't know if I have in me. I am so caught in the middle.

Thank you Angie - for being so honest and real in your post. It has changed me. It is spurring me on to love and good deeds, and for that I am grateful. Today, I am starting on a new path. I want to be more on the side of things that are worth it. I don't want to sit down at night filled with conviction over how I have shown love or grace to those in my life. I want my home and family to be covered in prayer. I want our home to be a place that is clean, safe, and peaceful. Not full of stress and frustration. Most importantly, I want to be a student of the Lord Jesus - who is the only one who can keep me out of the middle.

new.

2009-02-23T08:01:00.001-08:00

I overhauled the blog this weekend. I thought it needed a new look, as did my photo - which showcases my new 'do - ;) Along with the new header I made over at Scrapblog.
I was thinking a lot this weekend about why I blog. I started this blog originally to keep family and friends updated while we were in transition 2 summers ago. Then I began to find other blogs that I loved and wanted to keep up with. I have been inspired, challenged, encouraged and convicted by bloggers like Angie, Amy Beth, Sarah, and Kathryn and Lisa , among counteless others. I have come to see blogs as a medium where our thoughts and the events in our lives - the good, the bad, and sometimes what appears to be the mundane - spill out onto the keyboard - and God uses them as part of His master plan.
So along with a new look for the blog, comes a new intent. Blogging with a Kingdom purpose. Yes, I will still post family updates and photos, and a good recipe from time to time, but I want the bulk of my posts to be about three things - marriage, motherhood, and ministry. I want the perspective from this parsonage to be on God at work all around us. And I don't want to be on the sidelines.

No Eating Out Challenge!

2009-02-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

ETA: Link to Kami's blog is now correct! Sorry about that!

I jumped in on the No Eating Out Challenge at Kami's blog - Home of Five. While I do menu plan for our family each month, eating out is something we could definitely do without to help our monthly income stretch more each month. So, Michael and I decided last weekend that we're going to eliminate eating out this month and see how it goes. Then today I saw Kami was doing this challenge - very cool!

Who else is with me?

Happy Birthday, Allison!

2009-01-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

Enjoying that birthday cupcake - 1/20/09

Written on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

Two years ago tonight, we held you for the first time.

Two years ago tonight, our family of three became a family of four.

Two years ago tonight, you made Olivia a big sister.

How it has flown by...

Today you're quite the chatterbox, and you can spot a dessert a mile away...

We love you, our little princess. We are so thankful that God has given us you!

I have a video of Allison singing the "Bir-day" song - but Blogger wasn't cooperating last night... I will try again today!

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

2009-01-15T19:13:00.001-08:00

blowing out FIVE candles today @ preschool - 1/15/09

"rockin' out" with her Sharpay wig and Barbie guitar - 1/13/09

Our Olivia Kate - January 2004 - not even 24 hours old.

Five years ago tonight, you made us a mom and dad.

Five years ago tonight, a two became three.

Five years ago tonight, our world changed forever.

We are so proud of you! You light up our lives with your excitement for everything! You are our little artist, our princess, and our gift from God.

We love you, sweet girl!

Preach on...

2009-01-07T12:45:00.001-08:00

Amy Beth touched me again with another post from Ministry So Fabulous.
I'm passing it on...... and will do my best to take it to task.

http://ministrysofabulous.com/2009/01/05/practice-what-you-preach/

Please pray for Stellan...

2008-12-30T06:40:00.000-08:00

Please pray for baby Stellan. You can read more (and get updates!) @ his mama's blog: www.mycharmingkids.net
He's one sick little guy and needs our prayers.

Christmas in the parsonage...

2008-12-29T07:37:00.001-08:00

Just a few scenes from Christmas...

The whole family, including Lizzie the dog...

The reason for the season...

Our tree...

Christmas Eve in matching PJ's

Chex Mix made by Mommy and Olivia

Peppermint Bark made by Mommy and Olivia

Happy Birthday, Michael!

2008-12-27T15:32:00.000-08:00

Happy 36th Birthday to my wonderful husband!
I am thankful for you every day!
I love you!

Decorating Daddy's chocolate cake...

Happy Birthday to you!

Cake was decorated with love by Olivia.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2008-12-17T06:40:00.000-08:00

It's been brought to my attention by a certain person that my blog was in need of updating. And, there are lots of updates to share... so let's get to it!

It really is starting to look like Christmas here in NW Tennessee. Schools have been closed for 3 days now because of ice. I don't really understand Monday's closing, however, b/c the predicted ice didn't even start till the late afternoon. They could have gone half a day.... but I don't make those decisions. Anyway. Due to the school closing, that meant no preschool for Miss O - Monday or Tuesday, which meant NO Christmas program or Christmas party, or making gingerbread houses with her class on Tuesday. We were all really disappointed. I had hoped to share photos with you of those events, too.
Last weekend, we made the trip to Campbellsville, Kentucky (where we lived before moving to NW TN) to attend my brother's graduation from Campbellsville University. He now has a Bachelor's of Science in Physical Education. We are so proud of him!
While we were there, we got to see some old friends, which was SO nice.
This coming weekend, we're hosting an open house for the families in our church. Which means starting tomorrow, I have to get baking! The house is all decorated, and in the process of being cleaned, and we're excited about opening our home to the people who have made our first year in the parsonage so wonderful. This will be the first time many in the church have seen it since it was renovated, so I want everything to look really nice!

More to come on the parsonage Christmas happenings!

Totally worth reading...

2008-11-13T19:53:00.000-08:00

if you want to read something that will speak to your heart... then you need to read this post from Angie over at Bring the Rain - what a beautiful post.

The Glorious Hem

Get your kleenexes out first... don't say you weren't warned.

Such a good read.

October Photo Madness!

2008-11-02T13:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some photos of the events I mentioned in my last post...

Allison's new friend she made at the Halloween party we went to on 11/1 (he is a big baby!) - she kept saying "hug puppy" and wouldn't come with us to get in the car until she had hugged him goodbye.

The one decent photo I got of Allison in her puppy costume.

Olivia in her spider costume on Halloween

Our little scarecrows @ Harvest Day

Olivia walking Lizzie past the judges in the pet show...

Anniversary getaway... a rare picture of just the two of us!

Olivia with her ribbon and $10 prize for winning the dog show... note that the dog has run out of the picture...

A little of this, and a little of that...

2008-10-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have gone by in such a blur! Revival at church, fall break from preschool, MOPS, the pumpkin patch, our anniversary getaway, Harvest Day, a Pastor appreciation lunch at church, our association's annual meeting, a wedding... whew!

Michael and I celebrated six years of marriage on October 19. We were able to have a short getaway to a place we found online, the Aire Castle Bed and Breakfast. The place is beautiful, and close to home... we're definitely planning a return trip! Mike and Anne, the innkeepers, were absolutely fabulous! Truly a precious couple with a heart for the Lord and for serving others. It was so nice just to have an evening to ourselves and sleep late the next morning - something that is a rarity these days, but needed every once in awhile.

Upon returning from our getaway, we went straight to pick up the girls and the dog and headed for our town's Harvest Day. Part of the Harvest Day events included a pet show and we had promised Olivia she could enter our dog... Lo and Behold - our Lizzie took first prize! Olivia (well, actually the dog, if you want to get technical...) got a blue ribbon and $10! She also got third prize in the pumpkin painting contest. I took Olivia to the movies on 10/26 to see High School Musical 3. We went with some others from church and had a great time!

Photos coming soon!

Allison's vocabulary continues to just explode. We are so thankful that her ears have remained fluid free since her surgery in June. Michael and I really think that the sweet little thing just couldn't hear much at all... within days of the surgery she was trying to say so many more things.
Lately her favorite words/sentences are "NO" (with a foot stomp!), "not like" "Hi Puppy" and "Light ON!" She also has a stuffed Clifford that goes everywhere, as well as a little white stuffed dog which she has named "Other One." I guess because we have always said to her "pick up Clifford, ok now pick up the other one!" They have to sleep beside her in bed too... The girl is dog crazy!

We're gearing up for our Fall Festival/Harvest Party @ church this week. Should be a fun time for the kids in town!