I love baby calves. Yes, this seems like a really odd comment. However, I saw my first one for the year on the way to work this morning and it really got me excited. When I was a little kid my grandpa would take us to my great-grandpa's cow farm all the time and I loved it. We would feed them corn and I would get the biggest kick out just getting to touch their nose. Believe it or not, when we were older we even used to ride along when they bailed the hay. (and "help out", whatever it is that we did at the time) Well, that's enough reminiscing for now.

As I got to thinking this morning the calves ended up being quite a reflection. When they are just born their fur is all matted and they have those wobbly, skinny legs, but let's be honest- they're still cute. Little forms of full grown creatures are just that way. They have done nothing to merit it, but they are. Hm...well isn't that just like us?

I recently watched an episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Law and Order is one of my fav.'s because of the twist and turns that usually don't end up being horribly scandalous. In short, the mother of a child born with spina bifada was suing her doctor for not doing further tests that would have warned her of the child's condition prior to her birth. It was quite saddening...at this point the child was in her 20's and because of this lawsuit was questioning the love of her parent. However, her brother did everything in his power to make sure that she knew she was loved, amazing, and a special person. Each one of us has a unique beauty within us, no matter what physical, emotional or spiritual struggles we may have. How often we forget that!

Just like those baby calves, we slowly grow... It's a rather funny thing to watch a calf stand up for the first time. (or even get up at all when it's little) What a challenge! But, momma just stands nearby, probably agonizing over the fact that her little one could (and most likely will) fall at least once. Sometimes I look back on the past and regret the mistakes I've made....the times that I've "fallen". It is during those times that I forget that God uses my weakness as a part of his plan. Even when I do something wrong, or make a mistake, he uses that.

Someone told me an analogy once about the end of our lives. They said that when we get to Heaven, it will be like we are looking down on a woven blanket. The design will be beautiful, and it all will make sense. However, while we are here on earth, we will only see colors, parts of the pattern, and light shining through the strands of yarn as we look up toward the blanket, trying to catch a glimpse of the picture. For we are looking at the bottom of the woven blanket...the wrong side to see it's beauty.

I guess until that glorious day when we meet our maker we must settle for our wobbly legs....

The Family's Trip to CO... At the beginning of March the family came out to see glorious Colorado for the first time. I had a fun time showing them around and hopefully they got a chance to relax while they were here. Here's a quick recap: Saturday we ventured to Estes Park where we went to a glass blowing shop, shopped, ate, and explored Rocky Mountain National Park (where mom was thrilled to see animals). On Sunday when I was done with work we took a stroll in Washington Park in Denver, where we tried to walk the wiggles out of Carmel. Monday we found ourselves at the Denver zoo (a fav.) and relaxing in the evening with a movie. See the pictures below!

Jen in Estes Park

Jen and Mom

Check out that jagged peak!

In Rocky Mountain National Park...I love the mountains! Although sometimes the twists and turns of driving through them get to me (that's why I like to drive) I can't get enough of 'em!

Some sheep at the zoo...we watched them for awhile. These were drinking and there was a baby that was meandering off by himself and was quite amusing- he was a little wobbly on his legs.

Elephants- the one on the right was resting his trunk on that stool all day.

The baby cub...isn't he cute?

I'm a big fan of the gorillas. This one is the grandpa of the crew. They had two little guys, but neither one would come close enough for a picture. : (

My office is like Antarctica. This is not a joke folks! I am currently huddled by my computer and my freezing fingers are barely making it across the keys. The Weather Channel reports that it is currently 28 degrees here in Monument, CO, but somehow the two inches of snow on the ground and the heating problem in this school are making it seem much colder than that. Haley, my officemate, and myself have taken dire measures. We have been wearing winter coats all day, got our "emergency blankets" out of our cars and bundled them around our legs(oh...this is what they are for!), and have recently been boiling water to fill our Nalgene bottles and have placed these cocoons of warmth in our laps. Personally I am very thankful that the Trane repair man has arrived and finally declared that, after four days in this cold building, there is something wrong with our heater! Ya think? Maybe soon I will be able to take off my snow boots and retire my heavy wool ski sweater and turtleneck.

Oh spring, wherefore art thou spring! How I long for thee! ; )

Why a Blog? Why Now?

So I'm sure everyone is asking the same questions. Why is she creating a blog? Why now? (And my mom is probably also wondering...what the heck is a blog anyway?)

After much encouragement from these handy websites of my friends and their comments about them I've decided that I need to have one of my own. For one, now that I've moved across the country it's a great way to keep in touch with everyone about the daily happenings of my life. Secondly, it's a great way to keep conversation going about the random insights myself or others encounter in our journey toward our Heavenly home. Finally, I've discovered that I really like to write...a lot. I suppose this is an excuse. : )

Welcome to Life...this is the title of a song by the artist Matt Maher. (one of my favs by the way) This is one of those tunes that I found myself jamming along to in the car one day (don't laugh-I know you've all done it!) when I began to be puzzled by the words I was singing. They are simple lyrics, yet there is a profound depth behind their truth. I chose this for the title of my blog because since graduating from college almost two years ago I really feel life has definitely been thrown at me full speed. Before even walking across the stage to receive my diploma I knew that there were challenges, joys and sorrows beyond my imagination awaiting me past the doors of Finnegan Fieldhouse. However, I don't think I quite had in mind what was waiting for me outside of the rolling hills of Steubenville....

Some of you reading this may have known me prior to the beginning of this "real world" journey, others may have been with me walking through those doors (or watching from nearby) and still more I have met since that day. Regardless of the point at which you joined me on this beautiful, yet mysterious journey of life, welcome! Until next time....

Welcome to Life

Hello, good morning, everyone underneath the glorious Son. I wrote a little song for you.

Sometimes we forget we are the image of the Love of God.

So please, if you don't mind, let me remind you.

That we were made to love each other as a sister and a brother, imitate perfection in this imperfect world.

So, welcome to life; I hope you enjoy it in between yesterday and tomorrow.

Welcome to life; I hope that you get it right.

And on the way I do confess we stumble, fall, and make a mess of everything we try to hold dear. So be honest when you pray, and maybe thank him for today.

Let go of the future so unclear.

Listen for the voice of mercy, cast out all your fear and worry.

Can't you see you've only got room for the cross?

And you live and you'll die; you'll be honest and you'll lie.

Put your trust where the truth is and your treasure where your heart is.