Communication is key...

This year has been busy with the kids. Guitar, taekwondo, and tball. Each day it's always somewhere to be and something to do. Even though most days I can't tell if I am coming or going, I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. God has blessed me so much beyond measure this year. I love Him and he loves me. He love you too!

Recently I have began writing again. I have always loved to write. I feel as if I have a lot to say and hope that maybe I will say something that will be of comfort to someone in need.

God talks to us through scripture, people, songs, and things we read. Sometimes just hearing something can help us in ways we never imagined.

I want to share something I have written.

The one thing that we all have in common is that we have relationships with people that are in our lives. Our spouses, friends, parents, siblings, and children. The number one thing that can make or break these relationships is communication. We have to communicate with these people on a daily basis. No one ever goes one day without talking to someone in our life. We were made to yearn for relationships and communication with those in our lives. It isn’t optional; it would be hard survive without talking to someone. Yet talking with and communicating with God is optional to so many people. Sure you can survive without having to say a word to him. Your life here on Earth will get you as far as you can take yourself. However, our eternal life is forever. Carrie Underwood said it best in her song, Temporary Home. You could get so much farther if you choose to communicate with God every day. You can only go so far on your ow. With God, all things really are possible. He can close doors no man can open and he can open doors no man can close.

I think so many people are afraid to believe that He is real & does exist. I think it’s because we can’t see him. However, if you have a relationship with him, you will feel his presence; you will hear him talk to you. You will know He is real. He is a living God that wants us to be close to him, he wants us to have a relationship with him. Just as your parents want to be a part of your life, they want you to need them and want to have a relationship with them. So does our Heavenly Father.

The other day while cleaning, I was thinking about our Lord & I was thinking I bet if Jesus were to make a one time, one day literal appearance here on Earth in a certain location, I am convinced people would be lined up for miles and miles. The line would consist of two types of people. The first type, those who already have a relationship with Him & believe with all they have that want to just see him and stand in his presence. The next type, would be those that want to believe, but just aren’t sure if it’s worth the hassle of standing in that long line. Thinking to themselves the whole time, “well what if I stand here for how ever long it takes, we get there and he isn’t real, no one is there and we just wasted all that time for nothing”. On the flip side what if HE is real, he is there! Well ready yourselves because like it or not HE is real & we are all going to be standing in a line one day, waiting to see our fate. Wouldn’t you much rather be in that line because you already have a relationship and want to just stand in his presence? In the end don’t you want to be in line already knowing your final destination instead of wondering what is going to be stamped on your ticket? Now just know that I am not for certain about the line and I am sure there isn’t anything that is going to be stamped on judgment day, these are all examples I am using to help you understand the importance of the most important relationship in your life.

Look at how many people stand in long lines, fight crowds the day after Thanksgiving in hopes of getting that certain something. Saving that money is worth it to them. Those lines are worth that new computer, ipod, or whatever it may be. Let me ask you, what’s your life worth to you? My life is worth a whole lot. You know what the beautiful thing is; there are no long lines, or large crowds to fight to be in the presence of our Heavenly Father! All it takes is you believing in Him, talking with Him, loving on Him, praising, Him.

Like my pastor said, Jesus is in our home each and every day. He is there already, just ready and waiting for you to acknowledge him and communicate with him. Would you let your mom, dad, or friend come into your home and not say anything to them? I certainly hope not. Our heavenly Father should be no different

Think about something just for a minute. You have insurance of some sort. Car, health, life, home, something, you are insured in some way shape form or fashion. You pay, why? Because you have it to give? No. Because you like paying bills? No. You pay to protect yourself. To cover yourself because of “in case of” or “ maybe” or “what if” Well let me tell you, leaving this earth is not a matter of if, but when. Yet so many of us live every day with no protection for our eternal life. So in the event of an auto accident, or our home burring down we are so thankful we had insurance to save us from more harm than the accident itself caused. We have it, pay for it, and hope we never need it. Protecting our eternal life is so important; it’s a policy that you will have to cash it. Having a relationship with our Heavenly Father is the best insurance you can have. I am not comparing God to insurance; I am merely using it as an example.

For My Crosspointe Family doing the fast.

Hey guys! I hope that during this point in your fast you all are having less of the things you don't need and getting more of what you do need. I am not talking about food.

I can't facebook this, so I decided to blog about it. I remembered that my blogs link directly to my facebook. At least I think they do. LOL

I downloaded a book on my Nook that I am convinced will help each and every one of you on the fast. Or at least it will make you understand even more than you already do just exactly what this fast is really all about. Getting more of HIM, getting closer to HIM. Leaning souly on HIM. I am only on page 15. At page 10 I jumped up and said to myself " I have to tweet this or blog this so my Crosspointe family can read it right now!" The book is called Made to Crave:Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not food. Already this early in the book Lysa Terkeurst, the author, has mentioned so many thing that I can realate to on so many levels. So I wanted to share it with you all. I can't vouch for the whole book, just the first 15 pages.

I myself, am loving every minute of this fast. Have there been moments and times when I wanted something that I gave up, you betcha! BUT... I remember why I am doing this & it is all better. God has given each and everyone of us so much, that giving HIM these 21 days and the REST of our lives is nothing compared to what HE has done. If any of you knows me well, then you know I am not a patient person. I want what I want right when I want it. Been that way all my life. Well guess what, not once, not even one time since the start of this have I said or thought "I'll be glad when these 21 days are over." Even I am in shock at that!

Anyways, hope you all are well. Miss chatting with ya'll! I hope this is a blessed time in each of your lives. See ya Wednesday :)

Happy New Year

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. This Christmas was especially important to me for many reasons. First and foremost, because for the first time I truly cheerished the real meaning of Christmas. I mean I always knew what it was celebrated for, but this year I felt different on the inside. Secondly because my kids are older and they were so excited and their excitement warmed my heart. Lastly it was the last Christmas of my 20's.

That' s right, I'll be 30 in 14 days! I'm not upset about it one bit. I am embracing my age because with age comes wisdom.

I want to tell you all the best way you can start off 2011 is to find a church. Get a closer relationship with the Lord. With him all things are truly possible. With him your life will become so fullfilled and so much happier.

I want to take this time to personally invite you to my church. Crosspointe Christian Fellowship. 6400 Blocker st Olive Branch, MS. Two services first one at 8:30 the second one at 10:30. Great sermons that I promise you, you will get so much out of them. Awesome music! Wonderfully nice people. Both services are the exact same.

I hope you all have a blessed and prosperous New Year! I'll leave you with this. I couldn't resiste in clicking on the link that took me to my horoscope for 2011. I have to tell you it was scary acurate!
http://shine.yahoo.com/astrology/capricorn/yearly-overview/20110101/

Changing directions & reflections on 2010

Changing directions and reflections on 2010. Who I am, who I was, and who I hope to be. That's what this post is about. My absolute best thinking time is in the car while driving. If I could blog my thoughts it would be amazing. Sit back it's a long one. This was written little at a time over the course of a few weeks :)

The other day I ran into someone that I have known for 13 years. She doesn't know me well. I guess you could say we know of each other but don't "know" each other.

Anyways...she said "Jennifer, there is something different about you." She noticed I had lost a little weight, she mentioned that. But then she went on to say that I just seemed different. Now if someone that knows of me but doesn't know me, then surely those in my life that know me well can tell. I told her that I have changed. A lot. Not just that I have changed but that people, situations and circumstances in my life had also changed. Which are all good things. Everything I am referring to are good things. Even though there were bad things I had to go through to get to the good ones. But that's life. The saying what doesn't kill you makes you stronger is so true.

I can only give so much credit to myself for the changes I have made. The true credit goes to the man above. To God be the glory! I give him all the praise. I used to hear people say when you get a stronger relationship with Jesus, everything gets better. Notice I said better, not easier. Having a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father doesn't give you a "never have any more problems or bad times or no drama card" it just makes your faith, how you handle and react to those problems better. I decide a few months back to focus on a few things. First and foremost I wanted to strengthen my relationship with the Lord. 2) I wanted to focus on losing weight. 3) I wanted to keep being the best wife and mom that I can be. That's what I wanted and that's what I have done. Of course it is still and will always be a work in progress. Especially the losing weight part. hehe.

I can tell that Jesus is truly in my heart. I have traded cussing through my problems and pain for praying through them (I was at the dentist getting a tooth pulled. Old me would have been cussing up a storm in my head. I had a bad mouth on me. I mean BAD. Instead I was praying telling God that I have faith he is gonna make it all good) I have traded picking up the phone and calling my girlfriends to tell them my exciting news to giving praise to the Man above. I have traded putting my 2cents in about people or their problems to listening and seeing where I can be of help. I have traded in when someone upsets me or makes me mad to praying to God to calm me down. Another thing that I used to hear that I honestly used to think was garbage was "forgiveness isn't for the person that wronged you, it's for you." Well I am here to testify that it is true. By forgiving those that hurt or wrong you you are really doing a great service to your heart and soul. I thought, you know, how can I expect or hope for God to forgive me but yet I withhold forgiveness from those who hurt me. Just to let you know how Good God is, HE will still forgive us even if we don't forgive others. That is how much he loves us!

This year has been so up and so down. So many good things and some bad. I have met new people and friends and am building relationships with people that I know will last a lifetime. I have lost bonds with people that I loved & that I would have at one time had their back anytime hands down no questions asked. I truly hate it. I wish things could be different. Those people can think what they want of me. They really don't even know me. I know what's in my heart. The Lord knows what is in my heart. I forgive them.

That's how it is. People come and go. Some people are meant to be in our lives for a short time some forever. Think about it for a minute. Do a quick checklist in your head of who has came and went in your life. Everyone that comes into our lives is for a reason. Unfortunately some people come and don't bring pleasant things or experiences. As much as that may hurt, it's for a reason. It taught us something. I had to distance myself from some people. I felt bad for feeling like the best thing was distance or separation. I felt mean and heartless. Then it occurred to me. No, it's not wrong to know when to put distance between people that don't belong there. I mean after all there are actually some marriages that just don't make it because they just can't get along, or don't see eye to eye on things. Those marriages end. It's sad. Not to say that you have to part ways being bitter enemies or on bad grounds, but that you just agree to disagree and move on. I mentioned marriage only because friendships and other relationships are not that much different than a marriage. They all require work, time and attention. Trust, love, and laughter. The people in our life should bring out the best in us.

Are ya tired of reading yet? Like I was saying so much about me is changing. I was cooking dinner tonight and I was giggling on the inside at the thought of how much my Friday nights have changed. No joke every.single. Friday night my husband would take me to dinner. Let's see we have been married for 13 years. No kidding we went out to eat every Friday night for the first 12 of those years. For the last year we have been eating at home. Even for the rest of the weekend. We used to eat out Friday night, Saturday night and most Sundays. Now we only eat out on Sunday's after church. I'll take the kids for pizza once a week as a treat. That was just an example of how much my life has changed. When Jason & I had MacKenzie I was at the mall every single weekend buying new clothes for she & I. The last time I got a new article of clothing was last December when I was supposed to be Christmas shopping for others. (hehe) I used to get a new purse once a month or so. Last new purse I got was last year for my Birthday. So yeah my life has changed drastically. And ya know what? I couldn't be happier.

I'll tell you something else. This time in 2009 I said "2010 is gonna be a good year!" I said it. I meant it and for the most part it was. So I'll say it again, "2011 is going to be awesome!"

I hope to continue getting closer and closer to the Lord. I hope God uses me in every way to lead others to HIM and that HE tells me where HE wants me to serve in our ah~mazing church Crosspointe Christian Fellowship in Olive Branch! I hope to strengthen those new friendships. I hope to keep working at those old friendships. I hope to spend more time with my parents. I hope to grow our business. Lastly, I hope to finally finally lose this weight and become healthy!

Merry Christmas & A Happy & blessed 2011 to each and everyone of you!

Fall Update { Byhalia & Olive Branch, MS Portrait Photographer}

Hey All! I hope you are having a happy fall! Halloween is just a little over a week away. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Christmas is about 66 days away. Whew....

I have been pretty busy with fall outdoor sessions. Right now is the perfect time to shoot outdoors. So if you want in on these beautiful fall colors, you better get a date set now.

Also in the next week I will announce my Christmas specials. So be watching for that post.

My website is down right now. I am changing a few things up so it will be down for just a bit.

Haven't had time to blog much, I've been so busy. This is the first chance I have had to get this done.

Funniest Pictures Contest {Byhalia & Olive Branch, MS Portrait Photographer}

I had a cutest baby contest that was a lot of fun and a huge success. I want to do another one, but this time a little different than my last one. All kids are cute, so it's always hard to decide. This time I want to do a funniest or silliest picture. Submit a funny picture of your kid. It can be maybe a silly face they make that cracks you up or perhaps of them doing something funny.

For example I have a picture of my daughter licking the door hinges on our door. It is hysterical. She just loved those door hinges. haha.

I will divide up the entries into similar age groups. If most of the entries are for around about the same age I may divide them up into a boy group and a girl group. It just depends on the entries.

Rules: One entry per family.

Winner will be determined by the # of votes per picture.

You, your friends and family can vote daily. All who vote must be a friend on my "fan" page.

They can vote once a day for the duration of the contest.

The contest will last for one week.

Submit pictures via email to Jenniferbennett@jennifermichellephotography.com
with the subject line as "contest"

WHAT THE WINNERS WILL GET

All Participants will receive a Free Session fee just for entering.

1st place~ A $55.00 Value
No Session Fee + $25.00 to spend any way you would like.

2cd place~ A $45.00 Value
No Session fee + 15.00 to spend any way you would like

3rd place~ A $40.00 Value
No Session Fee + $10.00 to spend any way you would like

Our Church {Byhalia & Olive Branch, MS Portrait Photographer}

I mentioned in my last blog post that I had several announcements and news to share. This blog post is about our home church that we joined in June.

Let me introduce CrossPointe Christian Fellowship. This church is amazing. The people are super friendly. It's not your typical stuffy environment that you find at a lot of other churches. The Pastor and his wife are so wonderfully talented. I believe that any skill can be learned if someone wants to learn it bad enough. With that said let me tell you that Doug nor Brandi had to learn either one of their trades, it comes naturally. Brandi has the voice of an angel. When Doug preaches I get so much out of it. I learn something new each week and I feel all the more closer to Our GOD. I also laugh. Yes, I said laugh. Oh and then there are times when I cry. I cry for so many reasons. One Sunday I cried because he preached on something that hit home with me and my life. One Sunday I cried because I could feel the love the church leaders have for their congregation. There are many more but I won't bore you. My kids love it. This is a church that truly cares about the people and the community that it serves.

Just to give you a brief run down of our history. I have always wanted to be close to GOD. I was baptized when I was a preteen, but after becoming a woman, wife and mother I wanted to rejuvenate that part of my life. I have always wanted to be involved in a Church that my kids could grow up in. My husband was raised pentecostal and I was raised Baptist. While their is nothing wrong with either of those religions, finding a church that suited both of our needs and desires was going to be a difficult task and nothing short of a miracle. Jason loves good singing, praise, and worship music and I like a good sermon. In 13 years of marriage we tried right at 24 different churches but never could find one that felt right. Until we went to Crosspointe & I knew immediately. It was LOVE at first visit.

If you are searching for or know of someone that is searching for a Wonderfully Excellent home church, I implore you to please come visit us. WE would love to have you.

Sundays at 10:30

http://crosspointeministries.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=46374