Please Pray...

Friends and Family, please pray for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman. They tragically lost their 5 year old daughter yesterday. For years now, he has been my all-time favorite Christian artist. I just heard this news this morning and my heart breaks for them.

www.stevencurtischapman.com

Please say a prayer for them today...

Meet Matt Bycroft...my BETTER half!

This is my man. I made him go out into our backyard and take this picture by our pretty flowers. Needless to say, he felt like a dork doing it. I kept reminding him that none of our neighbors were even home.....well, I don't think so anyway.

How often do you brag about your spouse? You may throw a compliment to him/her every now and then just to keep the "love bank" full, but is praising your spouse part of your every day? Most of you would sadly say, "no". Don't worry, I am right there with you. It's not that I don't think about it...I just have "other" things to do.

Matt knows that I love him. We tell each other that every single day. And he knows that I am thankful for him. I admit though, I don't always show it by my words and actions. I'm sure you all can think of those tougher times in your marriage. Everyone has them. But our good days far outweigh the bad. I am blessed to have him in my life...and I know he's blessed to have me. I know this because he tells me...and not just on our anniversary.

So Matt, this is for you. I wanted to take the time to brag on you a bit. And for those who want to read on, you just go right ahead.


Hey Matt,

It's me. You know there are many things that I have been proud of you for over the last 13 1/2 years we have known each other. We have had a lot of moments together for sure. But I wanted to highlight 3 that I am most proud of.

First of all, everyone that really knows you has seen how hard of a worker you are. It's not too often that you leave any job unfinished. Sure, things come up where you have to put things off a bit because of something more important, but those things that truly need done, you are right there. You show that example not only in our church, but here at home as well. There is not anything that you would ask someone else to do that you wouldn't be willing to do yourself...within reason. Your work ethic amazes me at times. You take on more than one person should have to at times. I know that is just who you are though and how God wired you. I am thankful for it.

Secondly, you are an awesome dad to our girls and a kind, loving husband to me. God could not have given me a better dad for our daughters. It's obvious that they adore and admire you. I think you do a great job in balancing your work with time with our family. And we know that's not always easy being in full-time ministry. No matter how tired you may be at the end of your work day, you still take the time out of every day to play with our girls. Thank you for being a "family man". You have told me time and time again over the years that you would rather be here with us than doing anything else. I am thankful for that and I don't take that for granted. You don't let a day go by without saying that you love me. There's not a day that goes by without you kissing me goodbye and wrapping your arms around me. You also show appreciation for me in the things that I do. Again, I try not to take this for granted because I know not everyone is as lucky as I am. I love our family and appreciate the love and commitment that you show to us. Thanks Matt.

Lastly, I love your integrity and your attitude that is so much like Jesus. I always knew this about you, but this has definitely become more evident within this last year. Needless to say, this past year hasn't been easy on our family. There have been a lot of hurts, some that we are still trying to heal from. The amount of stress that has been put on your shoulders has been more than I would have wanted you to bear alone. You have had many personal attacks come upon you and yet, your attitude remains like Jesus. Matt, you have no doubt lived out the verse in Philippians 1:27 which says, "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." You have a calmness about you that I admire. Your integrity in this whole situation has been one that I want to always emulate. You continue to do what is right, even when others aren't. You are the same person...all the time. When hard times have come, you get yourself through it by prayer. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, you take them to God. I admit...that's hard for me to do. But because of your example to me, I know that's the right way to go. So Matt, even though this has been (and somehow continues to be) one of the hardest years that we have had to endure, I know that we are a team. And God will get us through it. Needless to say, I don't enjoy these trials...who does, right?! But if I'm going to go through them, there's no one I'd rather have by my side than you.

You make me a better person. Thanks for letting me brag on you a bit. I know how much you don't really like attention. But I'm giving it to you anyway. I love you...

4-ever you and me...

Jenn


P.S. To show my appreciation to you, I would love to be able to buy you a 4-wheeler or a canoe or kayak...money is tight today though. So you'll have to settle on my love and commitment to you instead. Maybe someday we can purchase one of those!!!

Christ-Like Citizenship

Yesterday, Matt and I had some proud parent moments. I figured I would use this space just to brag a little.

It was awards day at our girls school. Macayla just finished her 2nd grade year today and she received several awards yesterday for her academic successes. One of the awards she got was for her reading...she finished 2nd in the entire school on her reading tests. She's always done really well.

Rachel just completed kindergarten today. I cannot believe it and yes, I am a little sad at how fast my "baby" is growing up. But that is beside the point. She, too, received some academic awards...letters, sounds, numbers...the usual kindergarten stuff. But the one that we were most proud of with Rach is that she won the "citizenship award" out of her class. It brought tears to my eyes as I heard her name read. What a special little award!

Now having said that, let me switch gears just a little bit. Before the awards ceremony even started, Matt and I were sitting in the gymnasium talking to other parents and paras when all of a sudden, we look over and witness a mom being escorted out by a police officer! I won't go into details, but this mom ended up being arrested and forced to leave the school. This mom has a little girl that is in Macayla's class, so our family had to have a talk about the day's events last night. Needless to say, this was supposed to be an enjoyable day for parents to take part with their kids and it just didn't start out very well. I was sad for that little girl...

I don't know about you, but I for one, am soooooo thankful that this is not our home! My family lives in Iola, KS...but our citizenship is in Heaven! Our mission in life is to try and take as many people to Heaven with us as we possibly can. I also realize that not everyone will accept the love and grace that Jesus offers. You don't have to look very far to see people clearly doing the opposite of what God has for them and their life. It can be very depressing. What we witnessed yesterday was not something I wanted our girls to see. It's reality though. But what a shame.

In the meantime, while we live on this earth, we can be positive role models for citizenship by doing these things:

-show concern for the success and safety of others;
-use non-judgmental language that does not offend or demean;
-do the right thing, especially when it is difficult;
-do the right thing, even when no one is looking;
-take responsibility for your actions;
-reflect on how your actions affect the welfare of others.

I didn't come up with these on my own. I did a little extra research after Rachel won her award. We have a big job to do. God has called us to do it...and for me, it took my 6 year old to remind me that this is not my permanent home, but while I am here, I better make the most of it by showing "Christ-like citizenship" to all those I am around.



"But our citizenship is in Heaven." Philippians 3:20

A Song For My Mom

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! Take a listen to a sampling from this song by Steven Curtis Chapman. When I hear this song, I think of the countless hours you invested in me and in my life. And now it's my turn with my girls. I just wanted you to know that on those days long ago, if you ever doubted the kind of difference you made and wondered if you should have done anything differently.....know that you changed the world "one little heartbeat at a time". Proof of that is the fact that I love Jesus and try to live my life the way he wants me to. So thanks, Mom, for all that you did and all that you continue to do for me. Job well done! Have a great day!!! I love you...your favorite daughter.

TREASURES

I.U. vs. K.U. Tennis Match...
Coach Loring, me, Rachel, Matt, Macayla and Ramiro


My beautiful Big Ten rings...
check out the diamonds!

While I was in college at Indiana University, I had the opportunity to be a student manager/assistant for the womens tennis team. I did this for 2 years and it was absolutely incredible! Not only did I learn more about tennis, which has come in handy now that I am a tennis coach for a girls high school team, but I also learned so many people skills and life lessons.

One thing that I do not talk about much with anyone is the fact that I am an official owner of two Big Ten rings...they even have my name on them. Of course my husband and my family back in Indiana know that I have them, but it's just not something that I talk about with people. Obviously, this is an area of conversation that just doesn't come up. Honestly, I would love to be able to "brag" just a little bit about it, but I don't. It's just something that I keep to myself. And people wouldn't know I have them, because I don't wear them very often. I have two daughters and two rings...they will get that "treasure" someday.

What are your "treasures"?? I have many...that is, if we are talking things here. Allow me to mention just a few. I love my camera, the pictures that I have taken with a meaning behind every one. I have an "encouragement envelope" where I keep notes and cards that different people have sent to me over the years. I treasure those. I love my tennis rings. No, I didn't play for the college team, but I was there every single day for 4 semesters helping out with the team. The coaches and players became my friends. To this day, I still keep in contact with Ramiro and Coach Loring. In fact, a year ago in January, my family went to Lawrence to watch I.U. take on K.U. There we sat, in the 1st Serve Tennis Complex in Lawrence, KS with our I.U. Tennis gear on!!! It was quite a sight!!! By the way, for those of you that care...I.U. won!!!

But as much as I LOVE that stuff, I know that my treasures need to be elsewhere. There's no doubt about it, I really do treasure these things I mentioned. And that's okay. We all have certain accomplishments and things that mean a lot to us. God gives us those opportunities and we need to thank Him for that. It's when these "things" get in the way of our relationship with God that is not okay.

I hate to admit it, but there are days that I'd rather be taking pictures or hitting the tennis ball around instead of reading my bible and praying. Those treasures are just more fun to me and it's less pressure. I am not a reader. Don't ever give a book to me while I am laying down...I just can't do it. But I know that my things that I love is just that...things. On any given day, someone could break into my house and steal my "treasures". I would be upset, but I would still have my real treasures...my faith and my family.

In The Message, Matthew 6:21 is translated this way..."The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." How about you? Where are your treasures? I want to store mine up in Heaven. I want my heart be there. I admit, I struggle with that at times. Let's do inventory this week and make sure that what we are storing up can't ever be taken away by anyone. After all, God will protect the real treasure. That's the treasure that will last...