Lent: A New Way Of Thinking

Why Helloooo!
So for the past 3 weeks I have been in the process of celebrating (do not know if that is the correct usage of the word) Lent! Woo! Ya Jesus! But as I was in this process, I came along some bumps in the road. First I said that I would no longer eat fast food, well, NOBODY told me that COSTCO counted as fast food! haha So right after I posted the Countdown to Easter post, I ate fast food, but I promise you that I did not know that food from Costco counted! Heck that is all my family lives off of: Costco and Sam Club meals! So there was no way that I was going to be able to do that one. Now onto my second bump in the road! I said that I would replace all my usual drinks (coffee, tea, soda etc) with water and I must say that that had been going pretty darn good UNTIL Mexico. So I recently went to visit the fambam down in Mexico and I was doing good there. They offered me cafe, soda, and lemonade numerous times and I turned them down. Ya, I felt good and I thought in my head 'This is for you Jesus!' lol anywhoo we went to sit down and eat lunch and they had given us all our meal accompanied with a nice glass of lemonade. So the lunch was BOMB DIGGITY! We had manaray! yeah the fish! Craaazy good! So probably like 3 hours later, as we were driving back home, I realized that I had taken 3 sips of the lemonade. Trust me, when I say sips, I mean sips. Anyone who knows me, knows that I guzzle down drinks like no tomorrow. But apparently, I just took some sips without even thinking or really even enjoying it.  So when I realized this, I started beating myself up about it because I really wanted to make it through the whole thing without even cracking.
So fast forward to last week: My friend Kailie and I were talking in the car about out Lent experiences and I told her about all the stuff that I had been craving recently and how it was becoming a little bit more difficult for me. Then her gorgeous genius butt told me to not get legalistic about it.
 The concept of Lent will not bring you any closer to God people. Now stay with me now, I am about to explain. The only reason why Lent will have an effect on you is if YOU  allow it to. Lent is not about giving and sacrificing, it is about CHOOSING to do something else. If I just went through the motions of Lent and it wasn't about giving glory to God then it would be pointless. Lent is an act of worship not an requirement. If you do not do Lent, then you will not backslide in your walk with Christ. Even if you participate in Lent, there is chance that it won't have any affect on you whatsoever IF you do not have the heart behind your actions. So Lent is not about me giving something up and suffering in the process. Here is how I think of it:

1. God should be our number one in everything!
2. For Lent, I will give up something that I really like because God is my number one and is better then that thing anyway.
3. During Lent, my FIRST choice will be an alternative to what I really like. For example juice. My first choice will not be juice or soda or etc. but it will be water.
4. Say that I am in a restaurant that does not sell water then either I will not have anything to drink OR I'll drink some light lemonade. I do not HAVE to do anything. It is all about choice, intent, and where your heart is. God knows that my first choice would be to glorify Him by drinking water, but if that is not an option, then there is nothing that I can do.

So obviously if someone is Catholic then they are not going to agree with me on this, but this is what I believe to be correct. As Christians, we always totter on the lines of legalism and it is not about the practices or rituals but about the relationship! Well, Happy Lenting! Hope this helped! :)
-Te Amo
Jazz

Let's Have a Hurrah for Trials! =D

Hola Bonita!!
OK so this post is a little bit difficult for me to write...but I think it is for the best if I do!
So today I received my first rejection letter...ouch I know! I knew it as soon as I saw the letter! The envelope was too tiny and it just did not feel right. And then I read that they appreciated that I sent in my application, but unfortunately they did not choose me to receive the scholarship. The scholarship that I applied to was the Ames Leadership Scholarship for Seattle Pacific University. I have to admit that a wave of sadness and a little bit despair came over me, but then this verse came to my mind.

 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

-James 1: 2-6 NIV

So after it came to my mind (after I moped for a couple of minutes hehe) I looked it up and isn't it amazing?! First, we should consider it pure joy when we are faced with trials, conflicts, or rejection letters because faith produces perseverance! And then perseverance produces wholeness and maturity! Second, when you are going through these trials you can ask for wisdom and God will give it GENEROUSLY! So not only does He mature and complete us with trials BUT He also gives us wisdom to get through it! So He helps us as He is making us better! How great is God?!? And all we have to do is get through it and BELIEVE without a doubt! Crazy right?! So now I am excited because this scholarship is not what is best for me and God has something even BETTER for me! Wow! Maybe SPU is not the place for me after all and He wants me to go to Pepperdine. I have no clue. But yes so even though I do feel a little self conscious and maybe even a tinge of disappointment, I am glad that I have a God who loves me and is in the process of making me complete! :)

Pray for Me!

Te Amo <3

-Jazz

The Unknown Factor

Hey Amazing!
So this past weekend, I went to vist my family in Mexico. It was amazing and I still wish that I did not have to leave. Everyone there is so amazing and just down right stinkin awesome! I love everyone and miss them very very much! As I was riding back to California, I started to think that when I go off to college I will not be able to see them as much anymore. Partly because I would be in Seattle and secondly because SPU is on the quater system which means that our breaks do not match up...which stinks! These people are a major part of my life and a part that I do not want to give up. So you know, now I am not so sure of where I want to go to college because I need to factor in how this will affect my Mexico family...ay caramba..
Please pray for me :)
Te Amo
-Jazz <3

日本のために祈る- Praying for Japan

I can not even imagine what they are feeling right now...As I sit here completely saddened and feeling helpless, I remember that I do have the power to make a change. This power comes from the One within me who is MORE than capable to make a difference. So as I sit here, I am doing the most powerful thing that I can do for Japan, I am sending my prayers up. Here is a poem that I found really powerful and a great insight into the situation...



The Haiku - We Are Thinking About You 

By Robert T Gasperson

First there's an earthquake
Then the ocean surges in.
Destroys everything

The ground should be still;
Something sturdy to stand on;
But not on this day.

The floor is moving.
It's shifting beneath my feet.
Can't keep my balance.

Shelves and cabinets
Are dropping all they can hold.
Then they fall over.

All the people brace
Trying not to be buried,
Hoping they don't die.

When the shaking stops
It takes a few moments for
People to come out.

Eyes slowly open
Fear burning deep within her
Tears flowing from him

Everything destroyed.
There is nothing left standing
'Cept maybe our pride.

It was not over.
Nature had one more surprise
For us to endure.

Everyone wide eyed
Watched as a wave crashed towards them
Washing them away.

Go online and find out how you can make a difference. A little effort goes a long way...

Te Amo
-Jazz

First Post: First Date ;)

Hey beautiful!
So this is the first post of my first blog, but we will just say that it is our first date! ;) But in this blog I will be writing about my love for God, food , fashion, and just interesting tidbits of my life! But yes, I hope you will enjoy reading this blog as much as I will enjoy writing this! Anywhoo! This is me! and yes I really do love you!!

and this is my family! lol not of blood o sangre but of my heart! I went on a trip down to Mexico and I fell in love with the church down there and I can not wait til I can see them again! I miss them soo much!!!

Don't worry I will post more pics of my life soon! ;)

But that is all for today!

Te Amo!!!! -Jasmine