My Space

I decided to join the herd...I now have a my space

www.myspace.com/jessicamaples

It is very new & still under construction, so please bear with me!

Prayer Requests

The following people have physical conditions that I am praying for & I invite you to join in me...

My sister, Allison - pregnant with baby number two. She had a doctor's appointment today & all is well.
God, grant her & the precious child she is carrying health, safety, blessings.

My mom, Ann - She has an awful stomach virus, and has been vomiting all day.
God restore her. Give her energy & an appetite again!

A friend & co-worker, Patty - diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has undergone surgery recently & her pathology tests look promising.
God grant her peace, rest, assurance that you are always with her & health.

A friend & co-worker, Christy - her mother has been diagnosed with brain cancer. She has opted to not to have any medical treatment (such as chemo or radiation) and is trusting in homeopathic remedies.
God, please let her faith be in you & nothing else. May she be healed, in Jesus' name, & testify of Your power to others because of it!

A friend & co-worker, Ellen - Her husband, Shay, suffered a really bad concussion last night. He has been to the ER & all the tests confirmed it was only a concussion, but the physician said to expect his symptoms (confusion, nausea, pain, etc.) to last for a few more days!
God please remove all symptoms quickly. Heal him completely, in Jesus' name. Give Ellen & her children peace.

Friend of a friend, Cindy Owen - Cindy is the preacher's (Kevin) wife from Montgomery Church of Christ in Albuquerque. Cindy has been in severe pain for weeks now and was admitted to the hospital last week on suspicion of gall bladder problems but the doctors soon found out that she had a large mass turning out to be cancer. The cancer had already enveloped and her colon, uterus, ovaries, small intestine and other areas. They said it is a very aggressive form.
Lord heal Cindy. Envelope Kevin, Cindy and their three small boys (Chase, Reed and Trey) in your arms & hold them close. They are all a tremendous blessing to this world with their faith in our Lord Jesus.


Thank you, Lord, for always listening to our prayers & for answering them. You said, if we ask we shall receive. We ask, Lord, & we believe in your might. We know you are Almighty and the True Physician. Thank you for loving us. May we remember you in times of trial and times of triumph! Amen.

Diet or Meal Plan

A dear friend of mine is on a diet. Except he refuses to call it a diet. Instead, it’s a “meal plan” with calorie limits and all.

Do you think the name makes any difference in the likelihood of sticking to it?

I personally don’t...but I am really proud of him for doing it! I sure don’t give any thought to my caloric intake! So diet or meal plan - I should probably follow suit!

VOCATION

I started reading a book from our library (all the books we had to buy and "read" in college and others we have collected over the years). It's titled "How to Think Theologically"... I know, I'm a dork...but 16 pages in & I'm already hooked. Anyway, I found a bookmark in it from one of John's classes at ACU & I had to share what it says.

Vocation

from the Latin vocare "to call"

Two rules for differentiating God's call from all the others
1 - The work is what you need most to do (you get a kick out of you're work)
2 - The work is what the world needs most to have done

It goes on to say that if you're bored or depressed (or overwhelmed - I added that one) by your work, then you probably aren't helping the world much.

I also recently read (in another book - I already admitted to being a nerd, don't rub it in!) that Benjamin Franklin reflected daily on himself and scored himself daily in the areas he thought were most important in life. He wanted to make sure he was keeping a pulse on himself & making a difference every day. I think that's pretty amazing.

Just wanted to share it:)

The Photographer

The boys get tired of me always taking pictures of them...But they are just going to have to get used to it!
And one of my favorite times to take pictures is when they're in the bath! They always have a blast!

We can learn so much from kids - aahhh, to enjoy the simple things in life...to make every second fun...to laugh til it hurts...to forgive & forget...to make waves!


And, in case you were wondering...It's true Lubbock water ain't the best, but in this case it's because we used green foam soap!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Wishing all mothers out there a very blessed Mother's Day!

Although I am of the belief that most holidays have become over-commercialized & a way for all of us to be guilt-tripped into purchasing gifts, cards, flowers &/or candy that the receiver may not want or need...I am a BIG believer in the reason for most holidays. I love to celebrate! And what better thing to celebrate than moms?!

I have been blessed with an amazing mom & amazing grandmothers! If I am at all a good mother today it is in large part because of the models I saw live out love in my life daily growing up. I couldn't help but to emulate them, and I know that my boys are better off because of my blessed childhood! I have many moms of friends, friends themselves, sisters, aunts, cousins, etc. who have been great examples of Godly moms, too! Thank you to each one of you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Yep, the Queen of Inconsistency

I told you that I would be the Queen of Inconsistency doing this. And I am - the entire month of April passed by without even a thought of blogging. I will try to be more consistent, but no promises...

Nothing new or exciting going on with us really...
John is coaching Little League & we go to all the games we can. The boys can't wait til their big enough to play!
Ethan got a nice gash above his eye today at daycare - boys are so wild. I can never get a portrait picture taken when they don't have visible battle wounds! But there is no doubt they have fun every day!
Nolan is fascinated with motorcycles & bicylces. He can spot hem half a mile away & he announces their approach to anyone who will listen.

This week was Nurses Week. Mom & Dad took MaMil & me out to dinner to celebrate. And I won an "Outstanding Nurse of the Year" award. It was nice to be appreciated! Please tell every nurse you know how thankful you are for them - the world couldn't function without nurses.