There's so much to be thankful for | November 2015 Reflection

Only a few more days until December but the red holiday cups are hot in Starbucks and I'm sipping a Chestnut Praline Latte as I reflect on this eventful November!

• So what's new? This past month was exciting because my hubby Joules finally released his EP 'JOHN' that he's been working on for quite some time. I wanted to be sure to support him in every way I could, and as much as I wanted to work with him on my originals, I knew he wanted to give his all to his project. We just released the Official Music Video for "Lady Luck" which I sing on as well as his song "Occupations"
• [vsw id="voFrVxI1Npw" source="youtube" width="425" height="344" autoplay="no"][vsw id="f63hl5VGWGc" source="youtube" width="425" height="344" autoplay="no"]You can listen to and purchase the EP at http://thefuturisticvintage.bandcamp.com

• What about your own originals you mentioned? I promise they're on the way! My friend Josh Fu & I have definitely been working a lot with fun covers for everyone, but we just finished writing and recording an original Christmas song which I'm so excited to share with all of you. We're hoping to release it soon so that everyone can hear it and hopefully sing along throughout the holidays! Now that Joules released his EP, he also told me that we'll be able to go into production for the originals I had written for the Steadfast Singles! Friday night I invited over my team of friends I've been working with: Denver Bailey (videographer), Eric Sun (Audio Engineer) and Josh Fu (Artist) as a huge thank you and bonding night.There's really nothing like having a group of people you can work with but also enjoy each other's company with. Speaking of having a team of people you can work with and hang with, I wanted to give another huge shout out to As it Seams for helping me with print designs I hope to post online for sale! They've become great friends here in Atlanta and can't wait to see what we have in store in the future. I also had the pleasure of reuniting with one of my OG fans when she visited Atlanta. She started watching/listening to me when she was in high school and now she's graduated and came to Atlanta for a job interview! There's just something about the connection you have with someone who's seen you pursue your passions from the beginning - though we may not know every detail of one another, it's a familiar and sentimental place.
• What else have you been up to? Believe it or not, photography has become a huge part of my art of expression lately as well as livelihood. I started off really from taking photos for fun, then for work when I was at lululemon athletica, then I started getting bookings by referral for photos. The holidays have been great since I've been taking photos for families at our church. If you're my friend on Facebook, you know that there was a period of time in College and soon after where I uploaded photos constantly. I didn't think much of the composition or point of view as much as I was trying to just keep the memories, but now instead of snapping away I try to capture the few moments that encompass the moments. I enjoy capturing the honesty that people are experiencing in that snapshot. It's such a treat to be able to share that moment with others. If you know anyone in Atlanta who's interested in a session, feel free to e-mail songversationswithjennifer@gmail.com
• What are you thankful for?
  • Thankful to be thankful.
    • To be aware that I have so much to be thankful for rather than wanting more.. we'll always want more, but to want what we have already is something we always have to work on. I have a wonderful family, wonderful friends, an genuine pursuit for what I believe I'm called for.. everything else is extra.

Our 1st year - Love really does

Yes, this picture captures us in a warm and fuzzy light - pure bliss. Most of our pictures do. Let's be honest, who takes pictures when they're caught up in full on arguments and crying ugly cries?

When things are good, it's really good. But when things go bad, it's really bad.

We're definitely not your average twosome. We got in touch for the first time in January of 2013, met in person for the first time & got engaged a month after in February, and got married on April 20, 2013. (Yes, 4/20 - the high of our lives) We just knew.

Now we've been married a year. Our anniversary was this past Sunday (it was also Easter Sunday.) That means we've really only known each other less than 2 years.

What were we thinking? We were crazy. We're still crazy. It's all crazy. We knew so little of each other but we knew enough. He listens to Mos Def, I listen to Sara Bareilles. He uses dark filters for pictures while I love brightening things up - yin and yang. We're completely different but our similarities are solid.  We're still together and we're still working. By God's grace we got together, and by God's grace we stay together.

We realize we're not only newly weds.. we're newly acquainted and newly committed in every way possible.

I ask that you continue to pray for us, that we'll continue to be centered in Christ more than anything because if we don't we'll probably tear each other down rather than build each other up.

This is the verse that Joules shared with me the night of our anniversary. Despite the sentiments of the day, we were still able to get into a huge argument when the day began but it ended in peace with the Word. I hope that this encourages everyone - married or not.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17

Love really does.

I mean it.

Thank (verb) - express gratitude to someone by saying "Thank You" When was the last time you took a moment to think to yourself before actually uttering these two words? It's not that you don't say it, but how thankful are you really when  you say it?

It's been a little over a month now since I've been working at Lululemon Athletica, and these are two words I've been saying and hearing way more often. We're encouraged to be present & express gratitude not just to guests but to one another. This is something that should be practiced everywhere.

The way I say it throughout the day and hear it throughout the day are all so different:

"Thanks!"

"Thanks."

"Thank you."

"Thank you!"

"Thanks so much!"

"Thank you SO much."

"Thank you sooooo much."

Sometimes I don't hear it at all.

Ever since we were young, many of us were programmed to say it instinctually when someone does something for us... even if it wasn't much anything: "THANKS... FOR NOTHING!"

It really rubs us the wrong way when we don't hear it when we usually do or "are supposed to", and it rubs us the wrong way when someone thanks us with the wrong tone: "Ew. RUDE." <-- but even when that happens it's silly because that means we expected reciprocity and that really isn't doing something out of the kindness of our hearts. (Forreal though, some people should learn some manners and I even mean grown folk.)

But really, I realize that I can never thank someone enough when I'm really grateful. I don't want to be annoying about it, but when I do say thank you, I want people to hear me and feel me.

When I say thank you, it's me acknowledging the fact that you didn't have to do "this" or "that" for me.

When I say thank you, it's me acknowledging the kind words you said made me feel great and I'm thankful for your uplifting words.

When I say thank you, it's me acknowledging I'm not entitled to anything. I'm just super blessed to be surrounded by folks that constantly stretch my heart and give me the feels <3

I know that when I hear and also feel the thank you, it brings a huge smile to my face.

When John & I first started working on music together in our home studio, I had this problem of not saying thank you enough. I'm usually really good about this especially to people I've just met, but there's the tendency to get comfortable with close family and friends - I think this is where a lot of us fail at and that's remembering that we can't ever stop being grateful especially to those who have stuck by us the longest. John felt like I was just bossing him around & we talked about it so now whenever I ask him something I make the effort to say please & thank you even if I'm flustered with myself because of my own vocals :p

I have a lot to be grateful for in this lifetime. Many people have lent their talents, time, and love to be there for me & help me get to where I am today and continue to help build my path ahead of me. I can't ever say thank you enough and I know that I'll have the rest of my life to not only say it, but show it to them. You know who you are.

Reader, I challenge you to say thank you with all your heart from this moment forward. Take a moment to remember those you haven't said thank you to in a while even if the interaction you had with them was long ago, no matter how big or small it was. Even if you've already said thank you, I bet it would make their day to hear from you again as you remind them how awesome they are to have touched your life the way they did. Nothing is in vain.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I mean it.

Conversations with John #2

[At Target for errands. We are in the beauty section. There is a concerned look on my face. My bangs are always at risk of getting in the way during workouts. Not okay.]

Me: I need more bobby pins..

John: There are 2 things I see the most at home. 1) hair strands  2) bobby pins. everywhere.

[I proceed to place the bobby pins in the cart. He accepts.]

This is love.

Conversations with John #1

John: This is heaven, isn't it?Me: hmm? John: Our home is a mess, we've got laundry surrounding us, but this is still heaven. Me: For sure  our home, our laundry that's going to get washed and we have 2 dogs running around our living room (our Toby and neighbor's pup we are sitting) [J Dilla instrumentals playing in the background]

It is all a beautiful mess. Take time to acknowledge your beautiful mess and thank God for being fulfilled.