It has been a while!

Dear Friends,
It has been awhile and for that I am truly sorry. I hope this finds you seeking, living, and walking in the truth. I am going to write out a few different thoughts that Jesus has recently put on my heart due to two events in my life that HE has shown me. These two heart changing things happened with in days of each other and were truly painful at the time, however, through the pain there is beauty and for that I am grateful. So here it is...

Recently I was given a glimpse of Jesus' heart for us. HE loves us unconditionally, He wants that relationship with us, He wants to see us change, learn, live out our purpose, and ultimately walk in fellowship with Him, listening to Him and obeying Him. When we refuse to do this, or are so caught up in ourselves, or our sin, we fail to fulfill our purpose. BUT He still loves us, and that is when his heart breaks for us, His tears our shed for us, and the reason he went to the cross for us becomes relevant once again. When we turn a cold cheek, put on a mask, put up a wall, or whatever our defense is to not listen or hear from Jesus, His heart breaks, but He is still there, He is still calling your name. Little child, my beloved one, remember what I did for you, just listen to me, I can take the chains of sin off of you, just listen to my voice, repent, obey me, and love me. I then ask, Jesus show me to love you, show me what this means, and that is when He gave that above picture to me. If you are not listening, if you are chained, if you are having to put on a mask, repent and walk in the freedom of Jesus. Won't you so this? Won't you live free?

So many tears so many whys, and what ifs, so much sorrow and so much pain. But you lifted us, you freed us, you revealed yourself to us in this horrible time. You helped us stand strong and those who stood strong before us were a testimony to so many. May this be an example to live our lives in the freedom of you Jesus. To testify no matter what. To love, to trust to be joyful, so YOU can have an impact on those around us. Jesus thank you for this reminder, my heart aches at how it happened. Thank you Jesus that you help the ache, and the pain, and you know exactly what each of us are dealing with. Jesus I praise you for the life you have given here on this earth, and am so Thankful that life does not end here, for those who live free in You. Please if you do not know what it means to live free in Jesus ask me or some one who does.

~J

Ranting and Raving...Maybe?

So it is a Friday night the fall chill is in the air, and you can finally see your breath! Portland is recuperating from a week of its popular rain and slight wind storms, so the sidewalks appear to have colorful quilts on them...of leaves of course. I am a conservative middle class Jesus Follower who wants to ultimately see people have a relationship with Jesus. Is that to much to ask? My sis and I drive the hour to down town, picking up a few socks, and hygiene items before we approach the beautiful city lights. We meet in a building with friends and strangers all with one purpose...hopefully...bringing hope... and meeting practical needs. Some appear ecstatic, others a bit afraid and timid, others are like the 60-70 year old man who can't hold in his love and passion for Jesus. We approach the bridge with excitement, and meet the guests with love. So many wanting blankets and sleeping bags, others just wanting a hot meal, some just wanting to talk with someone to be accepted, to be loved, to be apart of society. How did they get there? Some are from other places just passing through, others are Oregonians who just could not make ends meat. Then there are those who are products of our decaying society who were making enough for you and me to live off of, but could not continue to live up to the high stresses that that life brings. Young and old, married or single, brown, white, black, or yellow, strait or homosexual, THEY ARE ALL PRECIOUS IN His SIGHT! They are all searching, all needing a warm meal and a blanket. Some are like the pregnant mother stoked to have a place to stay, even though it is filled with mice and bugs, it's not on the street, or they are like the 33 year old man who is trying to find a job, but has to live on the street for now. So many stories, so many faces, so many NAMES! They are surprisingly friendly after being kicked out of here or there, being called this or that not knowing if they would wake up alive as they sleep outside in the elements and among others who are not so friendly. As I leave there is a new quilt on the streets this time made up of blankets and sleeping bags, tarps and cardboard boxes, my new found friends hunkering down for the night, trying to keep warm and in legal spots of the city. Maybe processing the message of hope they heard from someone, or simply thankful they got a sleeping bag or blanket for that night at least.

1 John 3:17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

So...So...Long!

(Some of the ladies
on the Theology week)

Dear all,
It has been awhile since I posted anything. I have been tracking most of you on "Facebook", so I have not felt the need to update. I am sorry I skipped summer updates.
I had a great summer. I kicked it off by working at the summer camp that I grew up working at. It was a great time to get acquainted with the camp, old friends, make new one's, and have an awesome cabin! My girls were great, and Jesus did some amazing things that week. We had a great speaker who was relational, down to earth, and yet one of the most challenging speakers we have had in awhile at Camp Morrow. I was a cabin leader for a week of High School camp, and then attended the College weekend, and Family camp. I also made several trips during the weeks of camps to visit for an evening or afternoon! So FUN!
I also helped coordinate and lead the Oasis young adult group at my church. We were challenged to live out the Gospel in practical ways, by helping the homeless, each other, and being challenged to be aware of what is going on in our world concerning any kind of human trafficking. We ended the summer with an all day beach trip and bonfire, so much fun, including Russian Volleyball!
My Job throughout the summer went through a lot of changes with staff and shifts. I went from working most weekends, to working evenings, to working mostly days. A lot of stress, but all good learning and experience to tuck under my belt. We ended the summer with a three day out door adventure camp, which included the rock climbing, conueing, and white water rafting. I was extremely blessed buy this experience! Tomorrow staff head out for a much needed retreat!
My second week of September was spent living in community with some amazing friends. We were in Sun River for a week to broaden our horizon on Theology, my mind is still processing, so when I can get it out and onto paper I will type up some stuff. Until then check out my Friend David's Blog (listed on the side).
I am trying now to settle back into the routine of a schedule~boring~but I guess it is what is needed right now. I am still planning on attending PSU in the fall and I am looking forward to working my brain again in an academic way.
So until we meet or I update again Blessings
~J

Cali Pics!

(Above)
My Friend Sarah and her Baby!

Some of the YWAM Family

I love these two!

Surfs Up!

May Update! Plus California SUN!!!!

Hello My Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you, well, joyous and seeking the Hope of life. I do not know where to begin with an update... I am still working with the youth residents, and loving it more and more. I am moving up in rank, ability, and confidence. PTL I am also still working with the Oasis college group at GSCC. I enjoy getting to know girls and where they are in their journey. I have not traveled overseas as of late, but got to take a trip down to California. I got to see my Friends Sarah and Mike and baby Rachel, as well as the Whisner family. I also got to see five of my friends from YWAM. Two of which were from Japan. It was a fast pace refreshing time. I also got some much needed sun, unfortunately I am WHITE and from Oregon :-)! SO I am now undergoing the peeling process, as if I were a snake! Yuck! YET, worth the tan and the SUN! I am looking forward to summer here. I will be working at Camp Morrow for one week this summer, and continue to work at my job. I am also looking forward to pursuing PSU for the fall. I can't wait to begin to study again and glean more knowledge in the Child and Family development. As for the here and now I am still at home, and going to be helping out even more very soon. My father is going to be having knee surgery, if you think of it please pray. I am also trying to be wise in my finances and more consistent in my quiet time with Jesus so you can keep that in prayer also. Thanks for the prayer, how can I pray for you? Let me know!
Walking in Grace
~J

Not quite and update...

(Above) Hanging out with Paul and Yana friends from New Zealand
(Below) J.J., Jo, Yana

O.K. so it has been quite a while since I have updated. Sorry about that. I have not been overly busy, but busy enough not to update, I guess. This is not really going to be an update either. I will post one of those soon. This is just a shout out to everyone... Love and Miss you...check back soon for an update.
~J

Love is Patient, Love is Kind...

Jo, Elia, and I
On Valentines day some dear friends took us out to dinner and a movie!

The Guys

The Ladies

Me, Josh, and Jo

My Beautiful Mountain

Hello All, I am writing a delayed update and a short one at that. The snow is melting away at my house now, and the spring sun is shining brightly! It has been wonderful to enjoy the beauty that our Heavenly Daddy gives us, what a treat! The near future holds, bridal showers and baby showers for two different dear friends, more work, SFC Colorado visit to Oregon, hopefully some snowboarding, fellowship with Oasis ladies, and spending time with Jesus. PLUS visits to and from dear friends from across the globe. I am so excited for spring to come and go, so that summer can arrive and the blessed times of swimming in the lakes, white water rafting, camp, and fireside gatherings with new and old friends can arrive. Give me a ring or an e-mail and let me know how you are doing.
Blessings ~J

More SNOW pictures!

Our Snow Woman

The Snow Ladies
(the sun was out and it was BrIgHt!)

Joanna sinking into the snow!

My attempt at a Snow Angel!

The Snow Measured 11in in my front yard this morning. The forcast is for more snow showers tonight through Sunday at 1,000 ft or lower ~yep that's us! Blessings to you all
~J

O.K. so it has been awhile...Plus we have SNOW!

Hey everyone, I am so excited right now cause we have about 8-10 inches of snow in my front yard! It has been a fun couple of days just watching the snow fall from the warmth of my house. I have not been up the mountain recently, the snow is aMaZiNg but the conditions (wind) are not. :-( It is also hard for me to get in and out of my drive way, and I have had to work some as well. I am keeping busy with work, and hanging out with ladies form Oasis (college ministry), I have also been enjoying the Bible study we have had with SFC, and a study I am doing through Ecclesiastes. I also just finished a book called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, and I am half way through a book called "The Shack." Life is as normal as possible and I am looking forward to what God has next. I am really looking into going back to school and I will probably start at Portland State in Fall 2008. I am reminded constantly of Christ's character of grace, love, and forgiveness. May you find the joy of the Lord in you today ~J

Fun Event Pics

Sunset in Colorado Mountains

A Fun Lake in Colorado
(So cold even in summer it is illegal to swim or "play" in the water!)

Baby Jack's Night

Oasis Retreat (One of the Girl's House)

Tribute to Cheri

To a friend who is no longer on earth, but rejoicing in the presence of Almighty.

December 23rd, 2007

Cheri, today you went to be with Jesus. I know you are happy because you have completed your journey. You finished well, you went the extra mile, you loved until the end. I know there were rocks and bumps along the way, but you held on and so did we.
Cheri, you will be terribly missed here on earth, but I know heaven welcomed you without hurt. How is your new body? How is the banquet table? How are the streets of gold? Have you met Mary and Martha yet? What about Paul? How is dancing with and for Jesus? How is worshiping Jesus with so many other saints while bowing in HIS very presence?
Cheri, we will be okay soon, but right now it still hurts to know you are gone. Thanks for teaching us to the end. You are and always will be loved.
Cheri, I am so glad to have met you and walked part of your journey with you. I will see you when my journey is complete.
Love from earth~
Jerusala

Fillin You in...

O kay so I realize that I have not written in quite a while~sorry about that. I hope you are all well and enjoying the Christmas/New Year season! I want to back track to just before Thanksgiving, actually, and let you know a few things that have been going on in my life. I will try to be brief and not bore you with un- wanted details. The last post was on December 3rd so you have already read about my time with Bridge Town.
A week before Thanksgiving my friend Sarah and I went to Colorado for a Snowboarders For Christ (SFC) leaders conference. (check out www.sfcoregon.com) We were encouraged by the leaders there in Summit County and their love for Jesus and for Snowboarding, we got to ride (snowboard) for a day -way fun!- and we got to know each other even better. I love you girl! I am excited to say we are starting a Bible study on Monday Nights staring Jan. 7 for the Christian Snowboard Community. If you want to go riding sometime, even if you have never gone before, give me a call and we will go hit the slopes!
Thanksgiving brought Family and Fun with Jenell and Kris and his parents. It was fun to have the whole family here together.
December brought a few extra shifts for me and I appreciated them. I am blessed to have the job I do. I walk in every day praying that I would have the mind and heart of Christ for these boys. To see them the way Jesus does, and remind me how God feels when we do obey him, and when we walk away from him. How he is so willing to take us back with open arms. Now to be honest I do not always do this and I see when I am walking in Jesus and when I am walking in flesh. I thank God for this job and I am excited to see were he takes me.
I would like to go to Portland State university starting spring term, but we will see were that goes. Until then I am just going to continue working my job and mentoring at the young adults group "Oasis" at my church.
December 12th-16th brought me to Central Oregon for a long overdue visit with my Grandma, and a Retreat with Oasis. The visit was grand, and the retreat was good. ( See Pics on a later post.) The retreat was held in Sun River a beautiful town/village in central Oregon. It was fun to be with over 100 college/young adults and leaders to worship our dear Saviour together.
I was excited for Christmas and had a great one. I am anticipating the new year with more fun filled events such as weddings, births, and hanging and going deeper in Jesus with friends. Please see pictures on later post for more about Christmas.
Please also see the following post on a special friend who went to be with Jesus on December 23rd, 2007.

I pray that this finds you all following or seeking Jesus, be a friend to someone and hug some one you love!
Peace
~J

Bridge Town Ministries

WOW! What words do I use? How do you explain homelessness in the most wealthy country? So many people covering up the pain, hiding from their past, and tucking in under a bridge for the night. Probably many nights to come, and many have past, and they continue to seek shelter were they feel "at home" under a bridge. Some that I talked to can quote scripture better then me. Most appear more intelligent, or at least street wise and most if not all will look you in the eye and tell you their story and journey. Yet, the police man/guard, protector of the streets the one we are to "feel"safe around, past me by with out a glance or a return nod of the head. (Maybe, just maybe, he was having what he would call a "bad day".) There are the on-lookers that seem to appreciate and for lack of better words "cheer" you on with their looks and nods. The out of townee is amazed, and the homeless are great full. I was a bit restless and more conscious as I hung out with friends later in a warm restaurant eating WAY to much hot food. And as I lay in my comfortable bed, and tried to remember the names and the faces of the people I met that night on the street. My heart breaks once again knowing they are out in the cold, hopefully warm and little more hopeful then the night past. I could not help but wonder did they see Jesus in me and my genuine care for their health and spiritual well being? Did they just see the cookie? Or maybe it was the HOT Chocolate that warmed them for a moment? Did they remember me after the peanut butter got un-stuck from their mouth? I don't really want them to remember me, but Jesus in me and realize that a relationship with Him is far better then cookies, no matter if you are homeless or not.
~These were/are my thoughts after I spent Friday night in down town Portland working with a ministry called "Bridge Town." This ministry genuinely cares for the needy.~
Provers 31:8-9 Says,
"Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Seasons!

For Everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die
a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted
a time to kill and a time to heal
a time to break down and a time to build up
a time to weep and a time to laugh
a time to mourn and a time to dance
a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing
a time to seek and a time to lose
a time to keep and a time to cast away
a time to tear and a time to sew
a time to keep silence and a time to speak
a time to love and a time to hate
a time to for war and a time for peace.
--Ecclesiastes 3:1-8--
Whatever you find yourself in, I hope you are resting and walking
in the truth and peace that Jesus brings!

The 10th month came and went...

Hey all,
I will post pictures later, but I wanted to give you a brief update on a few things. First off, I think everyone should get "Skype." You can talk to other "Skype" users for FREE! It is amazing, check it out, and let me know if you have it! So that was my commercial! The second update is for my friends in California. None of them were hurt , and their homes were not destroyed! Some of their friends do not have houses though, so you can keep that in your prayers. All my friends had to deal with was smoke smell, so thanks for your prayers! The third thing is, I am now 25! Thanks to all of you who have influenced me to be the person I am today! And the last, but defiantly not least thing is, I am going to Colorado for a Snowboarders For Christ conference!!!! The Lord provided for me to be able to attend, and I am stoked to see what God has planned for Mount Hood after all! Please pray for clear direction for SFC Oregon, and all the details that go hand in hand with doing a snowboarding ministry.
Love to you all
~J

A few more pics!

My sisters and I a few days before my trip!









Sarah, Rachel (baby) and I, in California.









Saying "See you soon," at the train station.









(above)Hanging with Friends at Yokihama Port Japan.
(below)Sunset at the port. -Japan-

Please pray...

Dear All,
I would like to ask for prayer for some friends of mine, that live in California. They are in the fire danger, and if they haven't lost their house already, they may. They are all safe right now, but living in hotels and with family. Please pray for their safety and safe return to there home. Thanks
~J

Pictures

Japan

Dear Friends,
I hope you all are doing well. I am having a great time hear in Japan. Today (Thursday) I went on a tour of Tokyo area. It was amazing! I will hopefully have pictures posted soon. The weather here, right now is like a mild to hot humid Oregon summer day, then it cools off nicely in the evening. I have been staying with my friends from DTS. We have been staying at the home of Andy, who came and visited me last November. I have been having so much fun recalling old memories from DTS and making new ones. Andy's parents and sister are very nice, well versed in western culture, and amazing English speakers. YEAH! I love them! Thank You Nagasawa family.
Some fun points: some of the western toilets here have heated seats, the train (like MAX) is very busy and crowded some people are literally squished against the window,I often forget English words, but do not know how to explain in Japanese either, Bella -chan (the dog) loves me, and greets me every morning, most foreigners will not even give you a hello glance-now what is up with that?-. Many other things that I will have to share and show you when I return in one week.
Love and Blessings
~J

California

Dear Friends,
I am in Cali right now and enjoying my time with my friends! I will be heading out to Japan tomorrow (Monday). I will try to post some pics while I am there. I hope all is going well for all of you and I look forward to when we meet again! Until then peace, hope, and love.
-J