7 Quick Takes {vol. 7}

Happy TGIF!  Some quick-a-roo takes with Jen...

Writing and reflecting on the week as Jim sits here playing his guitar; so relaxing and soothing...

 {1}

Last Saturday Jim and I were at an all day conference with Renewal Ministries; we absolutely loved it!!  One of the best things we heard??? "Sometimes we only need to be the jackass Jesus is riding in on."  That pretty much sums it up for me...of course there was MUCH more awesomeness than just that!  Jim thought that was so hysterical he leaned over and asked me "Could I get that as a tattoo?"  My response: "Only if you work to be less jackass-ish at home" true love!! ;-)
We walked away with some great tools in our spiritual tool box like how to share and draft your personal testimony, the practical how-to's of sharing your faith, and took a spiritual charism inventory to see what our spiritual gifts are.  It was SO cool because where I was strong, Jim scored lower...and where he was higher, I scored lower; guess God is working out our crazy to do something  cool in this world:)
That evening there was a time of prayer and worship...God really spoke to my heart in a way I have been praying and needing for a good long time.  Hoping to write and reflect about it more this coming week.

{2}

Saturday my friend Rebecca and I are taking a road trip to Ohio to visit our dear nun friend, Sr. Rita Clare for her community's open house.  The three of us go way back from pilgrimages to Ireland and Medjugorje, lots of trips to Coldstone, and many laughs and heart felt talks.  We will be able to visit and celebrate Mass at their community chapel (which is freaking gorgeous!) go have a night of praise/worship with some college students, and then drive home that night....bring on the strong, black coffee! ;-)

Sr. Rita Clare at her first profession of religious vows

Some of nuns in training preparing for the open house ;-)

{3}

This just frustrates me. a lot.
A 15 y/o cannot get a flu shot w/o parental notification, but they can get birth control??
I don't know much more to say than this.
I gave a chastity talk on Wednesday night and had SUCH a great discussion about this with teens, very insightful and full of a dose of awesome:)

Cause this makes so much sense.

{4}

We got our tax refund back!  And boy oh boy were we pleasantly surprised...like a couple thousand surprised.  Saving, paying down some debt, saving some for my WYD pilgrimage, and starting to buy Jim some handsome professional work clothes is on the agenda.  Any idea's of nice places that aren't too expensive to help build up a nice professional man wardrobe?

{5}

I had dinner with my sister Annie this week.  She is getting married this October, and I'm so excited her and her future hubs will be living in the local area.  I'm already loving that all our future kids will be able to grow up together and be close.  It's funny but I feel like we have so much more in common and get along better in life now that were both kind of on the same path now; working, marriage, how to make it all work, etc.  I mean we never fought or didn't get along, but I feel like we're actually closer because of our current life situations.  I'm actually 5 years older so sometimes growing up it felt we weren't as close because of where we were in life.  But since we've gotten older, we have grown closer...she's my fashion consultant, another closet to raid through, and one great listener. 

Sisters. Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters...('White Christmas' reference:)

{6}

I am slowly becoming a cook...very. slowly.  This week, I tried out another Weight Watcher recipe: Bubble-Up Enchilada Casserole.  

 Here's the link to the recipe.  Very easy to make!!  Take a 1-1 1/2 of turkey meat and brown and drain it.  Then add enchilada sauce and tomato sauce.  Then cut into 1/4 refrigerator biscuits.  You pour the meat and sauce mixture into a casserole dish and mix in the quartered biscuits.  Then bake at 350 for 25 minutes.  Pull out the dish and sprinkle cheese on top and let it bake for another five minutes so the cheese is all nice and melted.

Final result??  Jim loved it but I thought it was a little salty, maybe too much enchilada sauce??  I
 just be doing something right this week, cause I'm down 2.1 at WW!  Woot woot:)
Just. keep. working.

{7}

I know living in an apartment means you have to deal with the people who live above you (because we're on the first floor), but wow.  The guy living above us is about to get another noise compliant.  I have no problem with folks who get all geaked up for sports; BUT at 1:00am when you awaken either me and/or both my husband that's not really pleasant.  Last time we complained he was vacuuming at 2:00am...I'm all about being neat and tidy, but at 2:00am it is really not ideal.  Unless you wanna see Jim bust open a major can of whoop a$% then go ahead an be my guest.  Sorry for the sass, but I'm a light sleeper and I already sleep with ear plugs...hoping I can be nice about it and he can handle himself better at wee early times in the am.

Happy Weekending :)

  

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!