Jesus, I am Resting

When life slows down what are the thoughts that come to your mind? What are the things you wish you were doing or could do? When you are not doing all the things that keep you so busy who are you really?

Tonight, I actually have a free moment to breathe, reflect, write, be myself. So far I have played the guitar, watched some reruns of One Tree Hill ( Haley, we need to have a marathon the next time we are together!), and sat in my living room with my roomie and a conversation that lasted longer than five minutes. These moments are few and far between for me now. I really can't remember the last time I had a night like tonight. So the above list doesn't really sum up my summer at all, but I am learning to appreciate it when it happens. I have traveled a lot already this summer but this next month I will be gone three of the four weeks. Here is just a little recap so you will know where I am and hopefully pray for me..i need your prayers!

July 4th-11th I will be in Nicaragua with 30 juniors and seniors in high school
July 19-25th- I will be in Chicago serving with 42 freshmen and sophomores
July 26th- August 11th- I will be all over Europe!! I am going to be backpacking with a good friend of mine here Ali Tanner. I will be flying by myself to London to meet Ali then we will be going to France, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland. I can not wait!!

I do have a plane ticket to come back from Europe! I am not crazy enough to not book one back. I know me too well. I know I would just stay. I don't have a plan anymore, I really can't picture one year down the road of what I think my life will be like. I guess it is a good place to be in. I don't have it together, I don't know why I think I do sometimes. I am just learning to rest. Resting in the gosepl. Resting in the fact that I don't have a plan. Resting in His. That's me. This is where I am. A scary yet awesome place. Anyone want to join?

When all the busyness of life slows down for a night this is the giant I am face. This is my struggle. I love you girls and I love seeing the pics and reading about what all is going on with each of you. I am putting the lyrics below to one of my favorite songs we sing at church. It sums up my summer, my life right now. Enjoy.

Jesus I am Resting


Jesus! I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For, by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

Jesus! I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

Oh, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea:
Oh, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart,
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings,
Thine is love indeed.

Ever lift Thy face upon me,
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.

Turner Summer

All is well & busy as you probably imagine...
30 weeks pregnant and because of a recent serious sinus infection, I have only gained 6 pounds! The pregnancy is fine and Gabriel is gladly sporting all six pounds low and in front it seems.

We have two new foster children who have been with us since May 23rd. Mackenzie will turn 3 on Friday and her sister Emma is 16 months. They keep us extremely busy to say the least. They are a long term placement and will most likely be with us when Gabriel is no longer suspended between earth and sky, but in our arms. Please commit to praying for them with us.

Andrew's cousin, Kristina, visited us earlier this year and her life was saved and radically transformed at a Ramp service. She moved to Hamilton in March to serve the ministry, be discipled and a part of what the Lord is doing here and she has been living with us as well. What a God-send she has been to me lately helping out with the house and girls.

The Ramp has a summer schedule like you wouldn't believe. We have four conferences this month alone. Summer Ramp 2 starts tomorrow night. Summer Ramp 1 was last week and it was life changing, our home is even a more amazing place because of how it so transformed each of us individually.

I love you all and wish we all could just get a way to the beach soon.xo jessica
So here is a video and some pictures...

Ramp Mission Video

Mackenzie & Emma @ Five Guys in AU while on "vacation" @ Nana (mom, Janet) & GandDude's (Dad, Randy) house!

Mackenzie in the front yard

Emma w/ Daddy (Andrew), her favorite :)

Summer Fun!

Bennett-18Months

This is what we are spending the hot summer days doing....

chasing bubbles

swimming with friends

playing at the park

mowing the neighbor's yard

more mowing(can you tell we love lawn mowers)

reading on the porch (sitting in Bennett's own "rock-rock")

pick'in up sticks

and "swing-swinging"

What is everybody else doing this summer?

Happy Birthday to Kelly!

My favorite memories of Kelly are Wild Tribe Mochas w/ Cookie Dough from Bizilia's, Hand Signals & Floral Arranging Class. However, who could ever forget the way she flosses her teeth on the steps outside Crusade meetings?! What is your favorite Kelly moments? I love you kels! jessa