Thursday, November 18, 2010

Free Write (Where was I born?)

I was born in Yakimah Washington, but I lived in Farmington New Mexico from the age of five to ten. I now live in Hermiston Oregon, where one of our mint farms is. As far as identifying with where I was born, I think I do and don't. I do because I still have family over in that area, and I don't because I only lived there for a short time in my life. I know that I live in Hermiston Oregon, now for seven years, but I still feel like a newby sometimes. But not in a bad way. I think the land here is absolutely beautiful. The people are nice too. It is a small place, but I do know that this is my home. I think Hermiston is a very nice place to live, there may not be very many places to go, as far as restraunts and such, but we have people. And these people need God just as much as people on the other side of the world.  I know that God has called me here, and Hermiston is not altogether too small. I don't know what else to say, no not really. hmmmm writing can be exhausing because you have to really express a lot.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

First Post

Hello my fellow friends and students alike, my name is Jessica, and I am so excited to begin this blog through the course of English Composition. During this class I hope to learn how to write a paper in Turabian format. Until attending the School of Urban Missions in August, I had never written a paper (or even heard of) of the Turabian format. Although I I used this format for my first trimester, I still am not sure if I did it right! I am sure that this is something that I need to know to do well during my college career, and I know that Professor Galvan can help me!


Outside of the wonderful classes I take at the School of Urban Missions, music is my second love. My first is Jesus, but I have always been quite taken with music. All of my family, actually, is quite musical. My older sister Amanda, and I both sing and play instruments (I play the piano) and are worship leaders for different areas in our church and community. So I would have to say that I think about music a lot. There is just so many different styles, and options. But, yes, it can be overwhelming, and if you don't know who you are in the Lord you can quickly lose your identity. That is why it is so critical to remember who you do music for and why. So me, I just do it for the Lord.

There are other things that share my life as well though. Such as my family, friends, and my dog. My family, now that I think about it, is actually number two in my life. Don't ask me why I put that music was. It was an accident(music is actually probably number four or five)! My parents are my confidants, not so much my friends actually. Reason being, I know that they have a lot of wisdom and will always tell me the truth. I'm trying to be wise with my life, and with my friends too. That is why I have only a few close friends... I don't want everyone knowing everything, and honestly I only have time to invest in a few. But I certainly can give much through the love of Jesus to others. Because His love is the kind of love I myself cannot produce. Thank You Jesus! That is why I want to share Jesus with others, and minister to them through music. God has given me a love for others. And lastly, I have a dog, Sophie. Well, really she's my family's dog, but I enjoy her. Seriously I don't even know if my family even knows how much I like her. Probably because even though she stares through the french glass doors, I don't always pet her. But I am sure Sophie loves me, no matter how committed I am to her! Dogs, got to love them!

Well I will leave you with a Bible verse I have been meditating on:
"The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty." Proverbs 21:5

This verse encourages me to organize this next trimester well, and invest time into friendships.