Jana's Jubilance

2009-10-02T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hello, this is Jessica and I am hijacking my sister's blog :) I don't know about you all, but I sure have missed having Jana into blogging world. Well, since she can't blog while at school, I decided to put a pic of her and also her address for the ones of you who don't know it yet, and would like to write her sometime:

Her email address is: jaduarte@ambassadors.edu
For Jana's mailing address and phone number click here
I am sure she would love to hear from you! She has been enjoying college life...but we have been missing her sunshine around here ;) I love you sis...
Wishing you all a blessed week...
Jessica

This is Janalee, Miss.B (the dean of women) and another brazilian friend :) (I can't remember her name...lol!)

2009-08-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

READ THIS

LET IT REALLY SINK IN

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!'

He was a natural motivator.

If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!

You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'

He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood

I choose to be in a good mood.'

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.

Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.

'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.

You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'

I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.

After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.

I saw him about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'

'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked

He continued, '..the paramedics were great.

They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'

'What did you do?' I asked.

'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'.'

Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'

He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude... I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.

After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Smile!

2009-07-29T08:37:00.000-07:00

Wishing you all a Great day!

Ice Cream Cookie Dessert

2009-07-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

SERVINGS: 12

CATEGORY: Dessert

METHOD: Freezer

TIME: Prep: 15 min. + freezing

Ingredients:
1 package (18 ounces) cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed, divided
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1 jar (16 ounces) hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine 3-3/4 cups cookie crumbs and butter. Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. dish. Spread with ice cream; cover and freeze until set.
Drizzle fudge topping over ice cream; cover and freeze until set. Spread with whipped topping; sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs. Cover and freeze for 2 hours or until firm. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Our family loves this dessert, and this chocolaty, layered treat is so easy to prepare. Make sure you try it out! You will LOVE it :)

Credits to Taste of Home.

Luckiest girl in the world!!!

2009-07-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got two BEAUTIFUL roses from my sweet brother!

I Truly believe that I have the WORLDS BEST BROTHER!!!

Isn't is Sooo BEAUTIFUL!?!?!?!?!?!

Jed! Thank you soo much for finding little ways to express your love for me. I Love you Very, Very much!

4th of July

2009-07-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

I had a great 4th of July with family and friends. Here are some pics you can also go to my family's blog for more.

With my cousin Stanley and Kevin.

Stanley and I

Holding little Isabella

Red, While and Blue

My dear sister's, I love you!

Hope you had a Great 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!!!

2009-07-03T16:00:00.001-07:00

Proud to be an American.
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God Bless the U.S.A!

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.
There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, '
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God Bless the U.S.A.

Written By Lee Greenwood

Happy Forth of July!!! Hope you all have a Great day!
Janalee Duarte

Brother

2009-07-03T12:21:00.000-07:00

“A brother is a friend God gave you; a friend is a brother your heart choses for you.”

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

A brother shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams. ~Author Unknown

The younger brother must help to pay for the pleasures of the elder.:) ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

After a girl is grown, her little brothers - now her protectors - seem like big brothers. ~Astrid Alauda

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time. ~Clara Ortega

All for one and one for all
My brother and my friend
What fun we have
The time we share
Brothers 'til the end.
~Author Unknown

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew

The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out his nose. ~Garrison Keillor

Dear Jed, thank you soo much for being my best friend. I thank God daily for giving me YOU!!!I Love you very much!!!

2009-07-02T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sisters

2009-06-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it? ~Jenny DeVries

Bless you, my darling, and remember you are always in the heart - oh tucked so close there is no chance of escape - of your sister. ~Katherine Mansfield

How do people make it through life without a sister? ~Sara Corpening

Sisters are different flowers from the same garden. ~Author Unknown

It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on! ~Author Unknown

Sister to sister we will always be,
A couple of nuts off the family tree.
~Author Unknown

I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 4-year-old named Lauren

In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. ~Author Unknown

A sister is a forever friend. ~Author Unknown

When mom and dad don't understand, a sister always will. ~Author Unknown

An older sister is a friend and defender - a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights. And sorrows too. ~Pam Brown

There is no better friend than a sister. And there is no better sister than you. ~Author Unknown

I LOVE you Jessica and Jenifer! You two ARE my best friends, Gods wonderful gift to me.

Laughing is the Best medicine!

2009-06-25T05:47:00.000-07:00

I Pray you Enough

2009-06-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

I Pray you Enough

A mother and daughter were in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, 'I love you, and I pray you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.'

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'

'Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I pray you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

She began to smile. 'That's a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.' She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I pray you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

They say, it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

Trust Me

2009-06-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

“Trust Me, My child,” He says. “Trust Me with a fuller abandon than you ever have before. Trust Me, as minute succeeds minute, every day of your life, for as long as you live. And if you become conscious of anything hindering our relationship, do not hurt Me by turning away from Me. Draw all the closer to Me, come, run to Me. Allow Me to hide you, to protect you, even from yourself. Tell me your deepest cares, your every trouble, Trust Me to keep my hand upon you. I will never leave you. I will shape you, mold you, and perfect you. Do not fear, Oh child of My love, do not fear. I love you” Amy Carmichael

Anger relief.

2009-06-18T05:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when you are angry with someone, it
helps to sit down and think about the problem.

2009-06-16T06:19:00.000-07:00

Families who are based in Faith are Fortresses.
~Kay Cole James~

Happy Birthday Sister!

2009-06-12T08:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Jessica, I love you and hope you have an Extra special birthday! Thanks for being such a great sister.

Ways To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity:

2009-06-09T12:12:00.000-07:00

> 1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point
a Hair dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.

> 2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.

> 3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want
Fries with that.

> 4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It "In."

> 5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten
Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.

> 6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Smuggling Diamonds"

> 7. Finish All Your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy."

> 8. Don't use any punctuation

> 9. As often as possible, Skip rather than walk.

> 10. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat, with a serious face.

> 11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is "To Go."

> 12. Sing Along At The Opera.

> 13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme

> 14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical sounds All Day.

> 15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party because, You're Not In The Mood.

> 16. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream "I Won!, I Won!"

> 17. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot,
Yelling "Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!"

> 18. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. "Due To The Economy, We Are Going To
Have To Let One Of You Go."

Regency Dress

2009-06-07T08:27:00.000-07:00

Here is the dress I made from the Regency Era (circa 1795-1825). My sister Jenifer did a photo-shoot with me. Thanks Jeni for being so patient and taking these pics of me. I Love them and you!!! The rose I am holding My "Favorite" brother gave to me. Thank you Jed and I love you!
Let me know which one you like the best.
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Accepted

2009-06-03T07:14:00.000-07:00

I have been accepted at Ambassador Baptist College, In Shellby North Carolina. My Sister Jenifer and I will be leaving here Agust 10th. Jedidiah will be escorting us :) I am Excited to see what the Lord has in store for my life.

He Maketh No mistake.

2009-06-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

My Father's way may twist and turn,
My heart may throb and ache,
But in my soul I'm glad to know,
He maketh no mistake.

My cherished plans may go astray,
My hopes may fade away,
But I'll trust my Lord to lead
For He doth know the way.

Tho' night be dark, and it may seem
That day will never break,
I'll pin my faith, my all in Him,
He maketh no mistake.

There's so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight's far too dim;
But come what may, I'll simply trust
And leave it all to Him.

For by and by the mist will lift
And plain it all He'll make,
Through all the way, tho' dark to me
He made not one mistake.

Paintball!

2009-05-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

My dear brother and sister convinced me to go paintballing with them yesterday.

We had a Great time!

Me :)

Jed

Jenifer

My sweet sister and me.

My Brother in law and sister. Jess thanks for taking all the pics and for being such a great sport.

Hi

2009-05-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

I have decided to start my blog up again. So here we go again!!!