Wednesday, April 16, 2008

30 & Loving It!

~ ~ ~ My computer DIED on me, therefore I only have access to a computer when Scott gets home at night, but then I'm getting dinner ready, we go out to play, and/or he needs to use the computer for work...so I haven't had much of a chance to check in on many of my friends blogs or update my own. They have a business center here at the apt, but I can't login to my own blog, nor can I get to many of my friends blogs...??? not cool...anyway, we're looking into getting me another, but it will be awhile, I'll check in when I can. Love ya! ~ ~ ~



OK folks, WARNING, there will be much meandering in this post. I won't promise that it will make a lot of sense, you'll most likely shake your head in confusion and browse to the "Jelly of the Month Club"(see video) page, to find more thought provoking entertainment...You've been warned... :-)

Ok, so I've been 30 years old for almost a year...that would make me closer to 31 than 30 but, it's the last 1-2 years that has lead to me sharing what I'm going to share...

I personally didn't have a hard time with it. I was asked why I didn't mind being 30? The first thing that came out was, "I was young and dumb, now I'm young and wiser." But, I've been thinking a lot about my life lately, and pondering about that statement...

WARNING WARNING WARNING Jelly of the Month Club is sounding better every moment...

I'm not saying that I should go into "The Guinness Book of World Records" for being in the top 10 of most wise people or anything, I'm just comparing myself to myself.

I've thought a lot about when I really started to feel a change. I've been blessed with many amazing "ah-ha" moments, I can't share them all with you..well I could but it would take me months, if not years to write...for I'm long winded...ANYWAY... Comparing myself:

-1st day in the MTC vs. the 1st morning I woke up in 18 months and didn't put my name tag on
-1st time Scott Woolsey asked me to dance vs. 1st dance as Mr. & Mrs Scott Woolsey
-1st day on the job with Alpine School District vs. the 1st day in Louisiana as a homemaker
-1st day at an orphanage in Haiti vs. 1st reluctant step onto the plain to return to the U.S.A

This isn't even the beginning, but I hope it gives you, as the reader, a better idea of what I classify as to being "wiser".

As Scott and I have moved out to Louisiana and have been packing up our "stuff", it's amazing all the memories you find. Yesterday, I was going through all my mission stuff, letters, tapes, pictures, journals and a wonderful scrapbook/s my mother made for me. Many times I lost focus on my project, but it was worth it. I read through letters from my parents/family, and my friends...I even popped in a few cassette tapes to hear voices from the past. It was awesome. It's amazing how much I have forgotten. There were so many small little things that brought back big memories. Seeing the faces of the friends I made in the MTC, in Portugal and in Cabo Verde, (Africa) brought so much love into my heart.

I'm amazed at how much more love I have felt at 30 compared to 20. I've learned that the more I experience life, the more I love, the more I love, the more I feel love from those around me. When I say I feel the love from those around me, it's not necessarily they love they have for me, but the love they feel for what surrounds them; their family, friends, etc. It's awesome!

Anyway, I have much on my mind but I will have mercy upon all of you and sign off now, but I will close with...

- Be more concerned about what God thinks about you than what peple think about you.
- Faith makes things possible not easy.
- Love is a journey, not a destination.
- A positive attitude brings strength, energy and initiative.
- Two things are hard on the heart - running up stairs and running down people.
- You can make more friends with your ears than with your mouth.
- You never saw a fish on the wall with its mouth shut.
- Your success reflects the sacrifice you're willing to make.
- Look for the small miricles and you'll see them everywhere.
- Individual commitment to a group effort, that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
- Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair.
- Smile, smile, smile...it increases face value.

"You can't define me by my look, but by my spirit, listen, hear it."

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jen, I love what you wrote. It is so true as we get older and wiser we see so much more around us and our bosoms swell. It that even how you spell bosom? Anyways I'm glad you put it down in words because I never seem to be able to, but I feel the same way. Love ya, Steph

Perla said...

Great post, Jen! I love reading your thoughts. Your list of wiseness comparing yourself thing was super cool and I really liked your quotes. Don't apologize for writing on your blog! I have missed it and love getting to know who you are more by reading what goes through your mind!

Heather said...

Not that I need reminding, but this reminded me how I adore you. Your friendship is a gift to me. If Scott had asked my permission on marrying you you would have passed the interview with flying colors (though as I recall he never did that!) I'm thinking around 370 days until you are teaching me to scuba dive-sound about right? Heather

Lisa said...

You're such a funny, smart, insightful person and I am loving getting to know you more. It sure makes my heart happy knowing my friend Scott is so blessed with such an amazing wife like you!

Devin and Elle said...

Hey can't wait to see you this weekend hope you drive dangerous. Start the car start the car... and get your butts down here. love ya see you soon.

Heather said...

Jen! What a great post! You are awesome and I totally know what you mean...I couldn't have said it any better. I am finally getting on the blogging train. I know, I know...you are so proud, right? I need lots of help, it is a work in progress, so stop by and let me know ALL your pointers!!
Heather Glover
www.glovergirls.blogspot.com

Kalley said...

Jen,
I have to hand it to you because you have a way better outlook about being 30 than I did. when I turned 30, all I saw was "getting older". Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this, you have changed mine and I appreciate wise insight.

Hait-through the eyes of my own camera - 2003