waving goodbye to Spring 07

I got this email from one of my ESL students on Friday (font not changed for the purposes of this picture!!!). Check out the subject too! At that point, we had only missed ONE CLASS!! I will give my last final for the semester on Wednesday. I realized Friday that I'm really going to miss my students. I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to teach them and learn from them over the last four months.

I pray that they learned more than English. ...that they increased their confidence, that they learned to work more effectively with others, that they learned to ask good questions, that they realized that each of them matters, that they learned that their voice (spoken or written) has power when they use it the right way...and so much more... I hope that each of them has been challenged and that when they look back, they will see that, in some way, they are not the same. I know that is true for some; I pray it for the others as well.

joy

So I finally have time to do classroom observations (I was supposed to be trying to do them all semester!), and I've really enjoyed it...except for having to sit still for so long (this is only one of the many reasons I hate school!). In doing so, I've gotten to spend a lot of time with one of the teachers, and for me, it's been a real blessing.

I've realized that in this wonderful profession of teaching, it is tough to build real relationships. You interact with people, but it is difficult to attain any real level of depth. Students, well, of course there must be boundaries. You can love them, you can share about your lives with each other, but there are definitely lines. So of course, build relationships with the other teachers! When!? We rub shoulders walking across campus and in fun and exciting meetings. We even exchange ideas, strategies, advice. But when and how does it go beyond that to real relationships? This is so foreign to me! In all the other jobs I've had, relationships got real. We didn't just know each other in passing, but we walked along side each other. I miss that. I love people. This is rough for me. I love people. I love being real with people.

So, all that to say, it's been really fun for me to at least begin to see past the surface of one of the teachers and to get to share some real thoughts, struggles, laughs. ;) Also, in observing her class tonight, I realized how much fun teaching can be. I was drained (note aforementioned lack of sleep), but two seconds after she asked me to help work with some of the students, my face began to light up. In just a few minutes, I got to watch a few students 'get it,' I was asked at least 4 times which classes I'd be teaching in the future and if they could be in my class, I got several good laughs (don't worry, the students were laughing too!), and I had some real interaction. The next time they started a group activity, no request for my assistance was needed. I jumped up as quickly as I could and got up in there with the students. So many things about teaching drive me crazy, but when it all comes down, I love the actual teaching part. I had a blast tonight. I walked out of that room with a smile on my face and feeling refreshed. I'm blown away every time I step back and look at all the ways God built me, and then I consider where He's put me...He knew what He was doing.

another long, but good day

I was gone all day teaching, observing, and Triple 7-ing. I got home around 10 and for the first time in...uhhh, maybe never...I didn't have any prep or grading to do...for tomorrow's class anyways. So I played around on my guitar for awhile and caught up with a couple friends, emails, and blogs. Now, I want to sleep...because I can and it's not 2...or 3...or 4am yet! But first (for Leah's sake ;), let me note a few highlights from today.

1. I accidentally discovered Dad had no lunch plans, so we both dropped everything for a quick, unexpected lunch date. Always a blessing.
2. I finally have time (2 weeks before the end of the semester!) to observe some of the full-time teachers and try to learn some new tricks. I got to observe/participate in two classes today, both of which I'll be teaching soon. I learned things in both, and even got a few laughs.
3. Somehow, I've become popular amongst the students of one of the classes I'm observing, so the teacher and I stuck around for awhile after class chatting with some of our faithful fans. It was fun, and I even learned more about grammar in the process! Did I ever mention that I love foreigners!? When it all comes down, I love that I get to spend my time with them everyday. What a blessing.
4. 777. What is Triple 7, you ask? It started as a group of crazy guys, and now, there is also a group of crazy girls, and they're all learning to lay down everything to live for their Savior. Pretty awesome stuff. Bonnie just had to ask once and now, I get to spend every Thursday hanging with a handful of these women, and they're even willing to suffer through my guitar playing! I feel blessed and refreshed every week. I am so thankful that God lets me love on those women, be a part of their lives, and learn from them.

So now, it's almost 1am, an hour earlier than my normal bedtime, and I'm fixin' to hit the sack (sorry, got a spurt of southern flowin' through me!). I hope you all are having a great week. I'm looking forward to an awesome Friday. I hope my eyes are open to what He wants me to see tomorrow.

Much love! Peace.

fun encounter

Oh ya, I forgot to mention... At the end of the class I observed, one of the students approached me, determined to take one of the my classes in the future. Prior to this, we had not spoken, but she had eavesdropped on a conversation I was having with another student/acquaintance. We discussed the classes I'd be teaching and she asked me my name several times. When I asked hers, I was perplexed. Usually, when it comes to cute asians, I can make fairly accurate speculations as to their origin based on appearance, accent, and if necessary, name. Yet with this one, I was unsure. So being the nosy and direct person that I am, I asked. Imagine my astonishment when she said Vietnam! So, in order to make her equally astonished (and perplexed), I quicly responded in Vietnamese! The look on her face was priceless. It was part smile, part confusion, part shock, and a little more confusion. She didn't really know what to say. Some odd noises came out as her jaw remained momentarily dropped. I love that kind of shock. She was giddy with excitement and even more determined at this point that we would meet again because she would most definitely be taking some of my classes. Fun stuff. She was cute.

I also got the pleasure of having a real conversation with a sweet German student I've met on several occasions around campus. On top of that, I got to catch up with a precious woman who I first met when I was working in Admissions. I helped her add a class...that I happened to be taking too, so we got to hang out for three hours everyday last summer learning English grammar. She's a sweety and just makes me smile.

Did I say it was a good day? Ya, it was.

a typical day

Hmm...long day, but good. I had my morning class, as usual. The first great thing was all the great reactions I got to my hair when I walked in. I love those students! They're fun. The second great thing - I walked out after class feeling like I'd accomplished something. Those are always good days. I feel a connection with the students, I feel like they're getting it, and we even laugh and have fun. Those are the moments I understand why God made me a teacher.

Tuesdays are my long days. I have my extra class - Prepositions. I would be perfectly content to never, ever teach this class again. My hope is that I will not have to. Every Monday night I realize how deeply I despise the class (not the students, just the content...and the fact that I only see the students once a week so I hardly know them). Nonetheless, today was fun. After brainstorming with my roommates for awhile last night, we determined that the most fun and educational thing I could do in class today was to have the students do skits. So we did the normal routine - a quiz, then homework review - then they worked together on their skits. It was fun actually being able to interact with the individuals in each group, which is a rarity because this class is so brief. So that was a blessing.

To make my typical Tuesday longer, I stayed to observe my mentor teacher (she is teaching one of the classes I'll be teaching in the Spring...and today I met some of the students I'll have in that class...shh...don't tell them they're not going to pass her class!). It was a blessing though to be there. I was encouraged to be reminded that she and I have very similar teaching styles, but also recognized many ways in which I could improve my teaching. It was also refreshing to talk with her after the class for awhile.

Hmm...from there, I've basically been procrastinating. It is now 1:12am and I still need to prepare for tomorrow's class. So, with that said, I will going. I was just going to leave a quick message, but I guess this gives you a picture of a day in my life, which is the title of this blog, right!? Ok, so what I originally wanted to say was... Go check out Carlos Whittaker's blog if you haven't already. Yesterday, they brought home Losiah, a baby they've been trying to adopt from Korea for two years. It made me cry, but it's precious and exciting. If you want to see the journey, click on "Adoption" to the right and you'll find a collection of videos. Ok, I think it's finally homework time or I won't get any sleep tonight! God bless.

angels gettin' crazy

Ok, so I was talking with a friend today about how I sometimes struggle with teaching ESL because there are more important things in the world than getting your commas in the right place, knowing the difference between an adjective and an adverb, and understanding subject-verb agreement. I love that I get to be surrounded by people from around the world nearly everyday of the week. I love that they love learning (most of them). I love that I get to challenge, inspire, motivate, and equip them, and who knows what they'll do with those skills later. But really, in the grand scheme of things, who really cares if they can write a good paragraph!? Sometimes I struggle to motivate myself to "waste" time learning the grammar or figuring out creative ways to teach it when I am constantly thinking about the bigger picture. I want to live for more. I want to give people hope. I want to see people come alive. So, my friend who was totally digging what I said, gave me a great pep talk on how I'm making a difference. Ooh yay, somebody thinks it matters...but still... It's not that what I do doesn't matter or isn't important, but I want more!

Well, apparently, God was listening to my plea for greater purpose. One really cool conversation (the listening ear from above), was followed by another, and yet another. With a few friends, we spoke of all the craziness in the world (namely Uganda and Sudan), why it matters to care about all that, and how we could make a difference. I'd say that's inspiring. I leave that office and crash into a couple other friends. We got to talk about Ramadan and fasting. Again, a conversation that made a couple of the individuals really think about some things...myself included. Then, trying to go home once again (those of you who have ever tried to leave somewhere with me know how ineffective that can be when I run into people!), I encountered some long, lost Vietnamese friends. I stopped to catch up for a moment, which turned into almost a two-hour conversation. It went all over the place, but we talked about God, Christianity, and Buddhism for quite awhile. Wow, wasn't even trying. But get this, none of that even compares to what's coming...

I get home and Chris Chris comes to visit. See, God's been tugging at her heart for awhile now. She has all but given herself to Him for a couple months. She adjusted her life's path in order to follow Him and serve people for Him. She started letting go of things that were not of Him. He has been rearranging her way of thinking, doing incredible work in her heart...telling her daily, "I want you. I'm waiting for you." She's told me countless times in the last few weeks, "I want to live for Him. I want to be His." Yet something was holding her back. Today, she finally said she couldn't even figure out what her excuse was. What it came down to was the fear of 'no turning back.' She knows He won't let go. After some time, some thinking, some praying, some more time, some more praying...she said, "I want to jump." So jump I did...on Riss and Six who were sleeping. They came in to join us during the first minute (12:01 a.m.) of Wednesday, October 25, as Chris prayed and handed her life over to Christ...completely..."marked in Him with a seal" and now "God's possession" (Ephesians 1:13-14). Freedom...finally, freedom... Beauty, righteousness, purpose, identity, unconditional love, worthiness, no more shame...all through Him. Praise God!

"You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed."
(Psalm 139:16)

Happy Birthday Chris Chris!!
Wednesday, October 25, 12:01 a.m.

P.S. I was trying to find a picture of angels celebrating. The picture up top was the best I could do! But hey, it might look something like that up there!!

the house saga... part iv

Dare I say that my parents' house has sold!? It appears as though God is answering the prayers of many in very cool ways (as He often does). There was a family in need of a home to own, with all the financial resources and no restraints...and their good friends live up the street from my parents. Papers have been signed and they are in escrow to soon become neighbors! So, as far as we can tell, God is answering the prayers of my parents, and at the same time, meeting the needs of this other family that desperately needs to own a home. (Brief Insight: They are trying to adopt a child from Russia and one of the requirements is to own a home. The Case Worker visited the house last week, and it seems their on their way to having a new daughter by the end of this year. What a blessing to them and to my parents!)

Please continue to pray for my parents as they work out all the details and get everything packed up (again!). The plan is to move them up to Arrowhead on November 4. Let's see what God has in store this time around! (This is the new place.)

Oh, and please lift up the family (Jared & Jennifer) that was unable to buy the house. God didn't put them in my parents' life on accident. Pray that they would know how to be a blessing. Pray for the family as they discover what God has in store for them.

undeserved

Right now, I feel overwhelmed by two things: 1) Exhaustion (but that's pretty normal for me), and 2) Gratitude for precious friends that I don't deserve. Yesterday, I was feeling consumed, growing incredibly discouraged, feeling trapped by several things. The more I sat and thought, the more discouraged I grew. But Paula called and asked if she could come watch a movie. Paula, thanks for just being here when I need someone around with a smile on their face.

When she left, I began to sink back down into my previous pit once again. Knowing that would not be good, I began chatting with Mina who I knew would listen to me, then encourage me, then challenge and pray for me. Two hours later, I knew that was a wise choice. Thank you, Mina, for your amazing heart and for always encouraging me toward the path I need to be on, often struggling toward that same path yourself.

Then today, I got to be Chris' schofer for her dreaded GRE. She was thoughtful enough to schedule it in Colton, my lovely hometown. So as I waited in a nearby Starbucks with the intention of grading and planning for my classes, I decided instead to call Donna, a long lost friend from high school who I love dearly, but see rarely. She was spaztic as usual when I called and was quick to set aside her day of relaxation and hop in the car to come join me. As we shared about what God's been doing in our lives and then poured out our war stories from teaching, I was greatly encouraged. I was given hope for some of my "problem children" as she shared of her many bouts and victories with her "problem children" (she teaches 7th and 8th grade English...it's amazing how many of the same issues we've confronted in our classrooms considering her's are teenagers and mine are full-grown adults, and hers are native speakers and mine are not...kind of humorous if you ask me). In addition to encouragement and inspiration, she also brought an abundance of much needed laughter (for those of you who don't know her, she's a nut...very much a unique individual). Thank you, Donna, for just being you. I look forward to learning more from you.

Surprisingly, the day kept encouraging me. Chris and I got to have a heart to heart, laugh, cry, and just love on each other. God's got cool plans for her life, we're just not sure what they are. It's fun to watch her grow and learn to trust though. I'm excited to see what He'll do in and through her over the coming months. I am convinced it's going to be pretty amazing. Thanks, Chris, for being real with me...even though it hurts sometimes. You've challenged me in many ways and put so many smiles on my face. Thanks for letting me walk this road with you.

Then we got to go to dinner with Yukai. Yukai...Yukai...crazy big/little Chinese brother. You just make me smile. (And was able to observe that Paula is equally as reserved in Chinese as she is in English...interesting insight!) And, because Yukai wanted some Pho, I got two huge hugs from my favorite Vietnamese restaurant owner, Lai, and had a fun chat with her husband too, while eating some incredibly delicious Pho Bo (that is, beef rice noodle soup)...mmm mmm good...

Then, for a cherry on top, I came home to an email from a dear friend who I don't deserve to have. We had a brief time to get to know each other several years back, and somehow, God knit us together and she's been a blessing to me then and since even though we've spent most of our friendship in different countries. Thank you, Cresta, for your prayers, your transparency, and your unconditional love for me.

I am blessed. I don't know why. I certainly don't deserve it. I've screwed up too many times, I haven't made the time I should to call or spend quality time, I've said things I shouldn't, I've acted selfishly, I've failed everyone God's placed in my life. But He continues to use them to help me to see Him. I often don't recognize the blessing; I don't notice all the gifts He's placed around me. But, God, thank you for putting people in my life that help me to see how much YOU love me.

Hurray for Lois!

This is an email Shannon worte this morning. It encouraged me, and brought some tears.

Dear Friends,

Lois arrived at the finish line last night (Sunday) at 11:47 PM, and is now rejoicing with the angels in the presence of the Lord. In true Lois fashion her last words to us were, "OK you guys, I'll see you later. Jesus is calling...tenderly calling." Trav's response was, "Go mom!"

All the kids and my twin brother Brian were gathered around when she made that announcement. Then she smiled really big, and started laughing softly just as if she could see the finish line with Jesus waiting there for her. A few hours later she was gone, and those were her last words to us.

The kids and I are genuinely excited for Lois, and clapped when we knew her time among us was finished. With big sighs of relief all around we talked about how in heaven there are no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow, no more medications, IV's,. wheel chairs or canes.

And we could only imagine the reunion Lois was having at that moment with our first daughter Erin who's been there waiting for Mom for over 20 years now.

It's been the most joyous and sorrowful day we've known as the M-gang - but the joys of having Mom home far outweigh any sorrows we might feel. We'll be getting back to everyone with details about the memorial service later this week.

More later as the situation develops,

Shannon for the M-gang

Please continue to pray for this family.

on to glory

I don't really have any idea who reads this, but I want to share with whomever is listening. I just got news today that a precious woman is on her way to glory. Her name is Lois Murray. She has been battling for years against cancer, trying to honor Him in it all. He has brought blessing after blessing, but has also allowed some very difficult and painful times. She has struggled, as any of us would, but she has clung to His grace like only a warrior could. His grace is what has brought her this far. I praise Him for the testimony I've watched in her.

On one hand, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that she is soon to be free from pain for the first time in a long time. I'm grateful that she will soon be gazing into the eyes of the One who has held her close to His heart throughout it all. I'm grateful that, as she and her family know well, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain," and that she is moving ever closer to "the God of all comfort." She is so close to the glory, the freedom, the peace, the joy, and the awe that she has dreamed of and lived her life for.

On the other hand, my heart breaks. By His grace, and through His story, she has been a testimony to many. She will be loved and missed by many. There will be a huge hole in the Murray home and in many hearts. Pray with me that God would wrap His arms around that family even more tightly than He has already done throughout the trials of the last several years. Pray that the lessons, love, service, and words of wisdom that she has poured into her family would radiate in each of them as they learn to better serve each other in the coming years. Pray that the seeds of her trust and reliance on her Father that have been planted in those who have been touched by her, particularly her children, would grow and blossom and glorify Him even after she is with Him. Pray for her in her last moments. Pray for her husband, Shannon, and her children, Cara, Travis, and Alisa, as they trust Him for so much.

my portion

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." ~Psalm 73:26

How long have I been watching my flesh and my heart fail, and yet I lean on my own strength. It is not my intent, nor my desire. But it seems almost out of necessity, I cling to my own strength. But how absurd is that!? God knocked me on my face (or rather, quit holding me up while I thought I was doing the holding) to remind me that my strength is not enough. I rested for a few days, and jumped right back into it.

And physical weariness is nothing compared to the emotional burdens my heart has been carrying. For so many nights, I've finally laid down to rest, and I realize I'm breathing so fast and my heart is just pounding. So many emotions running through me, regret, pain, frustration, longing...and all because of choices I've made when I was foolish enough to live as though my own strength was enough.

God places incredible blessings in our lives, and I don't know about you, but I feel so responsible to give all that I've got to give, to pour myself out until I'm empty so that I do not disappoint God, so that I make the most of those things, so that I take the best care possible of the things He's placed in my hands. But in doing so, I'm running on empty and I struggle to find time for Him. I become very aware of how desperately I need His strength and guidance, and yet I don't know how to add that to my plate.

Is that His desire? Not at all. He wants us to seek Him, to rest in Him, to run to Him, to hide in Him, so that HE can be the strength of our heart and our portion forever. Oh that I would learn to trust that again.

Is it me, or has there been a pattern with these heart-felt posts?? Ya, this is something I struggle with constantly!

sold!

At times, the Lord does choose to lay blessings in our laps. My parents signed papers today; their house is sold! There is much packing and preparing to do, but they're very excited. Somewhere around the end of the month, they should be happy residents of Arrowhead! Weird, but very cool. Please pray that amidst all the work, they will get some of the rest they've been neglecting for several weeks. We know what happens to Hermans when they don't get enough rest!! Thanks for praying and being exciting with them.

blessings out of the blue

I know I struggle with believing that God enjoys surprising us with blessings from time to time. This week, both my mom and another friend said, "We pray for things, then when God answers, we're surprised! Why are we surprised that He does what He says He'll do?"

So what blessing did he shower today? Some of you know my parents have been in the process of trying to move. Yes, trying. They have found several "dream" houses, yet as soon as they get their hopes up and the paperwork begins to flow, something falls through. On the other end of the spectrum, they've had a few good offers made on their house. Again, they all fall through. A couple weeks ago, they found the house I think they've been dreaming of for years (they thought the other houses were it, but this one is what I picture everytime they talk about a new house). They signed papers with a contingency on selling their current house...which has been on the market for 3 months with no luck. So they decided to take extreme measures.

For a little over a week now, they've been doubling as professional painters during every waking moment outside of work and church. The house looks amazing...with the exception of all the tape on windows and corners and the lovely arrangement of each room's furniture smooshed together in the center of the appropriate room. So like all other nights, tonight, they came home from work and put on their painting clothes. As soon as they began, there was a knock on the door.

A couple renting a house across the street had been eying ours for some time, but had yet to make a move. When they saw the "For Sale" sign come down (during renovations), they feared it had been sold. Over and over they made clear how desperately they wanted to buy our house. After 3 months of making sure every little thing in the house was in order each time we left, this couple was blown away with undone paint and absolute disarray.

They really want the house, they have the financial means to do it, and It appears that all their ducks are in a row. Please pray for this couple, my parents, and their precious realtor over the next couple days. Perhaps God will bless my parents by plopping a blessing in their laps.

"I prayed for this class"

So Friday, all the students had left except one. She and I began walking out of the classroom and she says, "Teacher, I prayed for this class. All the others were full and I wanted to study English so bad. I prayed that God would give me a class." I said, "That's cool! I prayed for this class, too, I just didn't know it!" She smiled and began going on her way. Then she turned back. "I prayed for my teacher, too." Wow... I said, "Please keep praying for your teacher, ok?" She smiled again and agreed.

One blessing after another, I tell you. I mean, really, that's just cool! I pray that I would learn to be amazed by all that He does. I also pray that I would be disciplined to pray for these students constantly. That's really the best thing I can give them.

Day two starts tomorrow...

did someone say "Miss Herman"?

For those of you who haven't heard, God blind-sided me with an amazing blessing (I think!) last week. As many of you know, I have been waiting, sometimes patiently, sometimes not so much, seeking His direction for me. Several practical and appealing opportunities have presented themselves, but although logical, I had a peace about none of them...and so I waited...and waited. Most of you know that waiting is not one of my strengths. I like to move, I like to go, I like to do.

A good friend reminded me of the story of Jacob wrestling with God. He refused to give up, he refused to move on. She pointed out that God knew it took obedience and restraint for me to wait, and so He blessed me with a "suddenly". There were several paths I could have taken (many have said I 'should' have taken them), but I refused to be in any place He did not take me to. So I waited...wanting so bad to do, but not knowing what to do.

So I'm at work Wednesday. While trying to answer students' questions in the lobby of Admissions, I'm approached by a gentleman whom I knew to be an ESL instructor at RCC. "Are you Jenelle?" "Ya. Why?" "Oh, good, I've been looking all over for you." "Why? What do you want?" (Note: I'm in high-speed mode. The lobby is quite crowded with antsy and confused students and I'm anxious to help them out and clear them out.) "You have your MA in TESOL from APU?" "Ya." "We've had a higher demand for ESL classes than we expected and we need another teacher. Would you be interested?" "Uh, ya." "That's great!" "So what do we need to do?" "That's a good question. Let me go find out!" "Uh, ok. Do you want my number?" "Ya, tha'd be great!"

Stunned. Shocked. Overwhelmed. Amazed. I'm not sure which most accurately describes the emotions I felt. However, shocked is not an emotion I experience often...yet it remained all day without ceasing.

Within minutes, I received a phone call asking me to come interview with a couple of the ESL teachers, with the assumption that things would go well, I would observe a class that night, and start teaching Reading the next week. Mind you I'm dressed in my typical attire, but on the more casual end of that! They said that wasn't a problem. So off to the interview I went.

I quickly realized that my handle on TESOL concepts and terminology were no longer at the tip of my tongue. Usually, performing in such circumstances is one of my gifts. That was not so this time. We did enjoy ourselves though.

Shortly after the interview, I received a call telling me it was a go...except I'd be teaching the Grammar and Writing class...and I would begin on Friday! Either they were absolutely desperate or they somehow overlooked all my shortcomings in the interview and somehow saw some potential in me. Nevertheless, it was mine! Not by any means because I'd earned it, but purely because God had given it to me.

The shock increased when I realized I'd be teaching in less than 48-hours and had no idea what I'd be teaching, nor did I even know which textbooks we'd be using! There's nothing like a little pressure and uncertainty when you start something new! I went home completely thrilled...and terrified as I realized I had no idea what I needed to do to prepare and I would be in a classroom in front of students very soon.

A phone call that night from one of the teachers, an encounter with him the next morning, and a meeting that afternoon set my fears at ease and the excitement began to win out. Thursday night as I prepared and Friday as I entered my classroom I was still at ease. I expected to be nervous, but it felt right...righter (pardon the gramar) that I ever thought possible. Perhaps God is beginning to answer His promise to me that He would develop in me a love for teaching. Time will tell.

My students were precious. Respectful and quiet, yet responsive and willing to participate. They range in age from probably 18 or 20 to a cute 62-year old woman. They seem hungry to learn, and even appeared hopeful that they could one day love writing as I have grown to.

I still feel overwhelmed and am certainly a little lost as to how to do the best job for these students. But I am definitely excited and anxious to watch them grow. I think I could see a lot of positive results in my own strengths, but I can only make a true difference if I rely on His. I pray He will continue to teach me how. I pray for people around me who will model that for me, and at the same time, challenge and encourage me to do the same. I pray that His gift to me will be for His glory.

P.S. I told them they have to call me "Jenelle". I was never one for formalities! I can handle "Miss Jenelle", but "Miss Herman"? ...just couldn't do it!