Approach life gently. Treat life kindly. Live life fully and with enthusiasm.
Respect life--always.


Sunday, November 17, 2013

You Looking at Me?!

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On one of our many adventures exploring Southern California’s farming country, we happened upon quite the spectacle—an osprey enjoying a sushi lunch atop a power pole.

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Enjoy yourselves as well,

Jenni and Ken

Saturday, November 16, 2013

A Sorrowful Yet Joyous Goodbye

Okay, so here goes. This is the first post for my new blog and also will be the last post for this, my old blog. Believe me, this is no small undertaking, nor is it done without much thought and prayer. It is difficult to leave something behind that has been my companion, my outlet for so long.

God has been prompting me again, quite insistently as He does at times, especially when I am not listening to His still small voice. He has instructed me to start a new blog totally dedicated to our mission, Bethel Grace Abbey. He has prompted me that RV’ing the Dream needs to be left behind. I cried out to Him that I would lose all my followers if I stopped writing on RV’ing the Dream. Our Benevolent Father assured me, however, that those who are meant to follow, will continue to follow even if I leave my old blog behind. God assured me that when I switch over to a blog totally dedicated to our mission, Bethel Grace Abbey, He will populate my online community far more than the few (His word) who follow our adventures on RV’ing the Dream.

I argued with Him, as I often do because I am human. I argued that this is the most popular my blog has ever been. The number of hits soar daily. So it is difficult for me to leave behind something that has finally come into its own. And maybe that’s the problem. The Dream was never to be “its own.” The Dream has always been His, even though at first I imagined we would be on a wonderful journey, traveling these beautiful United States of ours, for at least five years.

But as you can probably tell, as time has passed, the entire flavor of my blog changed. Everything I do is now in pursuit of the calling He graciously placed on my heart many years ago. My whole life is consumed by His calling. As each day passes, the mission, the dream, the calling becomes clearer and clearer in my mind and in my heart. As each day passes, more and more of my time and energy are spent in pursuit of His dream for my life.

So it is with reluctance but also with great anticipation that I now leave “RV’ing the Dream” behind and start anew on this new blog, “When He Reigns” that He wants me to write. I am placing a link here on RV’ing the Dream so that all who desire to continue to follow, can.

Please find it in your heart to bless this mission of ours by spreading the word about our mission to humbly serve the heartbroken and homeless of Southern California, because when He reigns, it pours! And I can feel we are on the brink of something huge and glorious happening in our lives.

Thank you all for seeing me through all my heartache and pain, my trials and fears, and for continuing with us on our journey into this glorious new day.

In His Holy Name,

Jennifer Joy

 

P.S. If I have recently given you one of my business cards or told you personally to seek us out for help, I apologize that I am now changing things up. Sometimes that is how God works in our lives. Please follow the link to our mission. My email and phone numbers are still the same. The only thing to change is my blog. I love you all. Hang in there. Help is coming soon!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Romance, Sex, and the Palm Date

PB040481Okay, so, no this really isn’t about romance, dating, or even sex, though we may as well go there since we seem to have already jumped into the TMI arena.

There’s a whole fascinating history behind the cultivation and propagation of the palm date, but I won’t go into detail here. You can find that information here on Wikipedia or by looking up Shields Date Gardens on the internet.

PB040500Turns, out, this luscious albeit forbidden fruit has to be hand pollinated, and to get our facts straight, we stopped in Mecca and talked with one of the palm date farmers and got the scoop directly from the (eh hem, excuse the turn of phrase) fruit fornicator’s mouth.

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Oh, please, put your indignation away. I know you at least chuckled at my attempt at humor.

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And I know you will chuckle again next time you go to buy some dates for your holiday baking needs.

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After all, “Humor results when society says you can't scratch certain things in public, but they itch in public.”  ~Tom Walsh

Joy and laughter to you and yours,

Jenni and Ken

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“Humor is a reminder that no matter how high the throne one sits on, one sits on one's bottom.”  ~Taki