It's the Little Things...

Danny Elfman said it best in his song, "The Little Things". 


Lately, I have been thinking about the little things that we take for granted. Think about it, there are so many nifty inventions that have made our life easier and better for many reasons. When you ask people to think about the inventions that they couldn't live without, they will typically say things like electricity, cell phones, transportation, etc. Granted, all of these are wonderful things that have aided countless humans in their daily lives. However, I think there are some smaller inventions that often go unnoticed. Hopefully you'll appreciate this sudden epiphany that I had and maybe get a laugh or two in along the way. Enjoy :)


1. Toilet Paper: Seriously, where would we be without this handy-dandy roll of glorious paper?! Although I often complain about the price it costs for something you use to wipe your lower region, I am forever grateful for this invention. I would also not care to think about what was probably used beforehand. The day that some man said, "Hey, let's roll up some paper and put it to good use" was a fine day indeed! 


2. Alarm Clocks: Have you ever wondered how people woke up before alarm clocks were invented? Did they just wait for the sun to rise, or the rooster to crow, or for the first morning grunt of their fellow caveman? I can't imagine how my life would be if I had to wake myself up...on my own...no annoying beep or delightful ringtone. Seeing as I often sleep through BOTH of the aforementioned alarms, I'm fairly certain my body would not wake up on its own. I'm pretty sure I could sleep through a nuclear explosion and a train wreck. 


3. Google: I honestly can't remember what it was like before Google. I remember using it for the first time around 2001. I was in school working on a research project, and the teacher showed us how to use Google. I was so confused and bewildered at the time. Now, I use that sucker ALL THE TIME! It has aided my life in countless ways! If I want to know the score of the Ironbbowl four years ago, I Google it. If I need to know how to get from point A to point B, I Google it. If I am trying, for the life of me, to figure out what in the world Sir Elton is singing in "Benny and the Jets", I can Google it. This little website has literally changed the world. Not to mention, it has greatly helped stalkers worldwide. Within a few clicks of the mouse, a grade-A stalker can find the address, phone number, and satellite view of the house from Google Earth in order to know the whereabouts and locations of their potential victim. 


4. Things that work automatically (or automation for those who wouldn't need a dictionary to know that word): Do you remember the last time you flushed your own toilet in a public place? Who knew that we would come to the day that we would no longer need to turn on a sink, flush a toilet, open a door, or even walk on our own (thanks to the lovely conveyor belts as seen at airports-honestly, I think I move faster than those things, but you get the picture!). Seriously, think about all of the things that work on their own- escalators, ice machines, engines, paper towel dispensers, etc. Maybe the next invention will be a washing machine that automatically recognizes the load and and washes it.(If that hasn't already been thought of, I'm gonna patent that sucker!)


5. Photo Tags: I am forever grateful to Facebook for their contribution of tagging photos. Considering my horrible skills in photography, I never take pictures. Whenever I'm with friends and we encounter a Kodak moment, I say, "tag me!" It feels so natural to say that even though this invention hasn't been around all that long. How cool is it that you could probably go the rest of your life without taking a single picture and would still have access to memories thanks to the loyalty of friends?! 


These are just a few examples of  the many little wonders that have changed our lives. After looking at these, I have come to this conclusion: we are lazy! All of these inventions were made to make our lives easier, and they have succeeded! What would we do without our toilet paper (okay, maybe we shouldn't get rid of this luxury!), alarm clocks, Google, automation,or photo tags? 


What inventions do you enjoy?


Happy Friday! :)

There's No Better Friend Than a Sister

One of my favorite quotes says, "There's no better friend than a sister, and there's no better sister than you." 

My sweet sister and mother holding me

This phrase is so true, particularly in my life. My sister is the one person that I can always count on, no matter how much we get on each other's nerves. I guess after sharing a room with someone for the majority of your life, you form a bond that cannot be broken. Even though I have moved around a lot in the past few years, I still consider my sister, Stephanie, to be my very best friend. 

I cannot believe that I am actually old enough to be saying these words, but MY SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED! On October 1st, I will stand alongside by best friend, sister and role model and watch her marry the man God created especially for her. I know that Stephanie will be a beautiful bride and amazing wife. Blake is a blessed man! I cannot wait to see how much God blesses this union in the years to come. I pray that the Lord continues to guide you both as you grow closer to Him and each other. 

I have been so privileged to live under Stephanie's guidance and leadership. I would not be the woman of Christ that I am if it were not for the many lectures, prayers, and arguments that my sister shared with me. Stephanie is definitely the kind of big sister that every girl should be privileged to have. No, she's not perfect, but she has lived a life that has influenced me in many ways.

People have always said that Stephanie and I look just alike. Although I tend to disagree, I must say that I have always loved when people say that we favor. Who wouldn't want to look my sister? She is one of the most beautiful and amazing people that I have ever known. I consider it an honor to be compared to her. Stephanie is one of the most self-less people that I know. After our grandmother died her senior year of high school, Stephanie took it upon herself to move in with our grandfather to take care of him. I watched her nurse him during his last days with his fight with cancer- something I could have never done. I look up to her for so many reasons, but her strength and faith in God are two of the primary ones! 

Steph, I love you and am so thankful for your impact on my life. I was blessed the day that God decided I should be your sister. Thank you for your constant support, words of wisdom, sense of humor, and cleanliness that overcame my messiness throughout our years of living together. I love you eternally and cannot wait to be by your side as you become Mrs. Creel! :) 

Blake- you did a great job on the ring...and the girl! ;)

After the Storm

And after the storm,
I run and run as the rains come
And I look up, I look up,
on my knees and out of luck,
I look up.

- Mumford and Sons

As you know, Alabama was changed forever on April 27th.

Fatal storms devastated towns and took the lives of many. 

My family, friends and I were fortunate enough to not sustain any 

harm or damage throughout the day's events.

Not only was my current city of Tuscaloosa affected, but my hometown 

was destroyed as well. 

I honestly don't think that the tragedy of this storm really hit me until recently.

I was too busy rejoicing over finals and classes being cancelled to truly realize what 

had occurred in this state that I call home. 

It wasn't until last week that I truly became humbled and awe-struck by this event. 

I started summer classes last week (joy!), and in the midst of my complaining about all of the 

work and stress I have going on right now, I was reminded how blessed I truly am.

A girl in my class- with the same workload that I have- said that she lost everything in the storm.

All of a sudden, my selfish grumbling turned in to a piece of humble pie. 

This girl- the same age as me- lost EVERYTHING and was still enduring the bore of summer classes 

and the busyness that comes with it. 

Who am I to be bitter about all of the books that I have to read and the hours I am spending 

doing work that I would probably just waste away watching corny movies anyways?

Suddenly, all of the stress I have been facing lately dwindled...

Shortly after this, I had another encounter that changed my perspective.

While at work, I had the honor of meeting a precious elderly couple from New Orleans.

They spent half an hour telling me all about their wonderful and beautiful granddaughter. 

Then, they revealed to me that this angelic woman they had been describing lost her life

in the tragic storms that came through Tuscaloosa.

They gave me some pictures of her, a Catholic prayer card, and a momentum from her memorial service. 

I treasure these items because it is just another symbol that I was only a mile away from this girl-

who is close to my age- and she was taken- I wasn't.

Her family is forever changed and the lives she touched will never forget her. 

I wish that I would have had the privilege of knowing the girl who was the apple of her

grandparents' eyes. 

My prayer is that the loved ones of this sweet girl, Ashley Harrison, and all others affected

by this tragedy will be able to overcome this somehow. 

As the song lyrics I posted above stated, after the storm, many were left on their knees and out of luck.

All they had left to do was to look up.

So, look up.

Whatever storm you are enduring right now, there is only One who can calm the turbulence 

around you and help you overcome it. 

You won't find it in a significant other, the bottom of a bottle, or a Saks 5th Avenue. 

Look up! 

Lastly, I want to share with you a video that literally brought chills on every surface of my body. 

They played this at the vigil in Downtown Tuscaloosa that was in memory and honor

of those who lost their lives in the deadly storm. 

It's hard to imagine how Tuscaloosa will ever be able to rebuild the damage that we experienced.

However, we're coming back. 

Happy Mother's Day, Pam Underwood!

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

- Abraham Lincoln

Because I am a horrible daughter, and apparently very forgetful, I did not post this on the actual day that is Mother's Day. So, this is coming one day later...sorry, Mom. 

An Ode to Mama: 

If there were words to describe my mother, I would use them. 

If I could list all of the reasons why I love her, I would. 

However, the greatness of my mother knows no bounds. 

So, here is my attempt to explain a few ways why my mama means so much to me. 

1. She has a servant's heart. 

I have never met anyone who has a heart for service bigger than hers. 

Whether it's been opening up her home to those who need it, caring for her husband and children, nursing her late parents, providing for those less-fortunate, or serving in her church or community, my mother has always sacrificed her own needs to replace them with those of others. I have never known her to do anything for herself. Her heart truly beats for others. 

2. She is SuperMom.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to raise four children all two years apart. (She deserves an extra blessing because Andy and I were smacked right dab in the middle and were only 19 months apart...and let's just say that we were not the easiest kids to handle.) My mother quit her managing position at Princeton Hospital so that she could be a full-time Mom. She devoted her time, money, effort, and love to ensuring that we had the best that life could offer us. She raised us in a godly home, sacrificed thousands of dollars to send us to a private school, and enriched our lives in more ways than I could explain. 

3. She is the Proverbs 31 woman.

My mother's act of service is first of all shown through her love for the Lord. She is one of the godliest women that I know. She has undergone more trials and suffering than most people can imagine...yet she never complains. She has devoted her life to the Lord and serves to glorify His kingdom. To add to her list of accomplishments, she has led at least 4 people to the Lord. Because she allowed the Lord to use her, Stephanie Michele, Jennifer Renee, William Andrew, and John David Underwood's names are written in the Book of Life. 

4. She is an inspiration.

Many may label my mother as a "goody-two-shoes," but I claim her as my inspiration. She is a woman of strong morals and values and has tried her best to instill those into everyone she knows. I know very few people who can claim that have never smoked or tasted alcohol. I'm not saying those things are bad, but it is inspirational to think that my mother never has. She is so strong and determined that she is never tempted by these things. She sets goals for herself and always achieves them. I hope to one day be at least half of the mother that she is. 

5. She is my angel mother.

As good ole Abe stated, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

Without her, I would not know how to make peanut butter cookies, drive, tie my shoes, blow a bubble, wash clothes, love, serve, read, curl my hair, respect myself, be modest, make my bed (yeah, still working on that one)...the list goes on and on. 

My mother has taught me to set goals for myself, dream, believe in myself, reach my full potential...and never give up. She never allowed me to quit anything as a child because she knew that I needed to learn that life lesson. I am so grateful for my mother and the blessing that she is in my life. I cannot imagine where I would be without her. I owe her more credit than I give and she never complains. 

Mama, I love you. 

You are my angel, my role-model, my inspiration, my confidant, my best friend.

I would be lost without you. 

Thank you for being EXACTLY what I needed. 

Every girl says they have the best mother in the world...not that they are wrong, but their mother is certainly not like mine. 

25 Truths Every Decent Human Being Should Know...

I have seen several of my friends post 25 truths in their blogs and I decided to jump on the bandwagon. Hopefully, no one is offended by any of these.


1. Rainy days are meant for napping…period.
2. No girl really NEEDS 75+ pairs of shoes…but name one man who really NEEDS every new tool Home Depot produces.
3. Every woman is fully capable of opening her own door. But, if you are a man, and your mama raised you right, we expect you to open it for us.
4. There is no such thing as a stupid question…only stupid people.
5. You can never truly have “just one” cup of coffee.
6. LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS!!! (This also includes tights, panty-hose, or any other form of hosiery meant to be worn UNDER your clothing!)
7. Retirement is meant to make up for all of the sleep we lose in college.
8. If you have to ask someone if your outfit looks okay, then it probably doesn’t.
9. Waiters are paid by your tips…it isn’t their fault if the food is expensive or if it wasn’t cooked right. TIP THEM!
10. People can see what you are doing at a red light. You are not invisible and your windows are not that tinted.
11. Fanny packs have never and will never be in style.
12.The blinker in your car is only meant to tell fellow drivers that you are turning. After you make said turn, you can turn it off. I promise.
13. Just as a baptism does not save you, a wedding is not what marries you. You should plan and pray more for your marriage than your wedding.
14. If a guy (or girl) wants to be with you…they will make it happen. If not, then he (or she) is just NOT that into you. (If you haven’t seen this movie, I suggest you do.)
15. It is not cool to hang out in a Wal-Mart parking lot.
16. If you do not pronounce the “h” in humble, I consider you my friend.
17. Nascar should not be considered a sport.
18. Brussel sprouts will never be appetizing, no matter how you cook them.
19. O.J. Simpson is guilty and Tupac is dead.
20. GIRLS: bugs will not kill you. I know they are gross, but screaming will not scare them away.
21. Burping is a natural part of life and you should not be ashamed to do it.
22. You will only be single once (technically speaking). ENJOY IT! Don’t wish it away or try to rush into anything.
23. The left lane is for fast drivers. I repeat, THE LEFT LANE IS FOR FAST DRIVERS!
24. Shape-ups will not help you lose weight. I do not care what the person who sold them to you told you…you will not wake up tomorrow and look like Kim Kardashian. Sorry they fooled you.
25. Finally, yellow lights are not meant for slowing down…they are a warning to hurry your butt up!

"...be thankful in all circumstances..."

As Thessalonians 5:7 references, I have learned to be thankful in all circumstances, these past few months especially. Friday, February 4th, marked a special day for me, and I had the opportunity to celebrate it with great friends. To many, a simple Japanese lunch does not sound so exciting, but for me, it was amazing! I figured I would take this moment of celebration to finally tell many of my friends/family, who have yet to hear, about what has been going on in my life the past few months. 


On October 4th, I went to class like every normal Monday. During my first class, I passed out and proceeded to  be very sick for the next few weeks. I woke up every morning feeling absolutely horrible and went to doctor after doctor. After several weeks of not getting any better, I finally went back to the doctor. That day, they felt a small mass in my stomach and decided to do an ultrasound. A few days later, after hours of worrying and prayer, I heard the results that nothing abnormal was found in the ultrasound. As exciting as that news should have been, I was also upset because once again, the doctor had no idea what was going on. So, they sent me to a specialist. 


After a series of examinations and blood tests, the specialist decided to perform an endocscopy so he could see what was going on inside my stomach. During that procedure, they found several pre-cancerous cells and abnormal tissues. They sent off for several biopsies and told me it would be about ten days before they had any answers. THOSE WERE THE WORST TEN DAYS OF MY ENTIRE LIFE! 


I am one of the most impatient people in the world, so having to sit around and wait to hear if I had cancer was a very testing experience for me. It was very easy for me to get upset or worry, but God was trying to show me that I needed to find rest in Him and allow Him to work through me. Thankfully, I did not go through those painful ten days alone. I am so grateful for the multitude of friends of family that God surrounded me with during those times. I had people constantly sending me words of encouragement and prayer. 


One of my close friends sent me an e-mail that had many Scripture references to give me hope during that time. One in particular, that we often quote but don't really meditate on is James 1:2-3. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." 
I don't know about you, but during times of trouble, I often do not consider it "pure joy." But, God truly used this testing of my faith to develop perseverance, and to grow me so that I could experience Him and His grace in a whole new way. I truly learned to "be thankful in all circumstances."


When I finally decided to let go and allow God to show up, I got the phone call from the doctor that I was cancer free! Naturally, these words were music to my ear. Throughout that time, I couldn't help but to remember all of the loved ones I have lost to that horrible disease, especially my precious Grandfather who meant more to me than any man in the world. Even though I came out of this experience with good news, God truly used this to continue to break me and mold me. Now, four months later, I can celebrate by eating...which was something I did not get to experience during those months of sickness. There are still a lot of things I cannot eat or drink, but I am thankful.


I pray that God will continue to work through me...and through you. May we all strive to be thankful in all circumstances. 


Blessings,
Jen

Love Is in the Air...

Well, it's that time of year again. Valentine's Day cannot go unnoticed. I'm pretty sure Target started putting out those wretched pink hearts and chocolate boxes months ago. So many of my friends dread this time of year because it reminds them, once again, of their single status. I, however, have always felt the opposite. Not that I enjoy V-Day, I actually think the whole idea is sort of stupid whether you are dating someone or not. But every year, I get together with my closest friends and celebrate solidarity and each other. I mean think about it...for those of you who are single...this is the ONLY time in your life that you will be single. Why do we try to rush things? What is the need in trying to hurry ourselves into the arms of a significant other or a trip down the aisle. ENJOY BEING SINGLE. This is not a deadly diagnosis. Being single has its perks, and after all, the best things in life are worth waiting for. So, get off the couch...put the Ben and Jerry's back in the freezer...go buy something  fabulous...and rock this V-Day with a multitude of single people...I know I will be. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore, "Solidarity, sister!"

On that note, let's talk about relationships. As I mentioned in my last post, I am writing this blog for a class and one of the main things we have been discussing is how to work on being better communicators. I find this ironic because it is slightly congenial to one of the goals I made for myself this year. I am not one to don a list of New Year's resolutions. Instead, I try to set goals on areas of my life that I need to work on...not just throughout the year, but permanent changes that need to be made. Well, this year, I decided to work on my relationships. Now, most people hear that word and immediately think of the current McDreamy that inhabits their thoughts. There are, however, other relationships than the ones comprised of boyfriends and girlfriends. Not that those aren't important, but that is certainly not my focus.




Naturally, the first relationship I need to work on is the most important one to me...my relationship with God, Abba Father, my Savior. I have always found it strange that I can grow so close to Him at the beginning of each year as I try to start the year anew and focus solely on Him. However, as the months come along, I always end up falling further and further behind. Through the help of my AMAZING church, Safe Haven Church, I have really been encouraged to "Encounter" God every day as we walk through our sermon series together. I am so grateful for this body of believers and the work that God is doing there. I love everything about SHC and cannot wait to see what is to come for us all in the future. If you are looking for a place to worship our Savior and grow closer to Him, check us out! http://safehavenchurch.com/




This year, I am trying (really hard I might add) to work on my relationships with others. This will not come as a surprise to most, but it has always been REALLY hard for me to befriend girls. I don't know what it is, but I  have never been able to get very close to female friends. So, one of my main goals was to work on that. After moving to Tuscaloosa in August, I met an awesome girl named Casey at the BCM on campus. She has basically been my saving grace these past few months, and we will be living together come July. Although we have become very close, I was really trying to make other "girl" friends. Throughout the past few months and even weeks, I have grown very close to other ladies that I have met through Safe Haven Church. We get together at least once a week (sometimes more) and have a great time. Just having these ladies to fellowship with, talk to about life, and encourage and pray for one another is a tremendous help and I greatly look forward to our "girl time."


As well as my relationship with God and other girls, I am also trying to grow closer to my family and old friends. I have been really bad about not keeping touch with these precious people as I moved throughout the past few years. I am hoping that I will get better at communicating and spending time with my family and friends that I have had for years, but often forget to talk to. I know that sounds horrible, but it is so true. I often just forget to talk to people. I don't realize how long it has been since our last conversation, and I will let it go on for months unintentionally. What can I say? I am a work in progress.


So, instead of being depressed this Valentine's Day, think about all of the relationships you do have. Which ones could you be working on?

There's a First Time for Everything...

After several failed attempts, I present to you (without further adieu) a Jen U. original blog. People have always told me that I should blog as a way to keep in touch with people and update close family/friends on my life. However, I always laughed at those individuals because anyone who knows me closely is fully aware of my lack of communication. I, Jen Underwood, am a horrible communicator. I hate talking on the phone, texting, e-mailing, Facebook, etc. Most of my friends have assumed that I have dropped off the planet because I rarely ever "keep in touch." 

Well, I am taking an Intro to Human Communication class this semester. (Thanks, University of Alabama!) One of the first things my professor mentioned was how to be an effective communicator. Sheesh! She has also been trying to get us to blog for the past few weeks. So, after thorough pondering (aka I am procrastinating working on the never-ending to-do list that I have) I decided to give this thing a whirl. 

Although I highly doubt that anyone will read these entries on the mundane events that occur in my life, I will hopefully work on being a better communicator, and will earn some bonus points in my class at the same time. 

Thanks for reading!

Jen