Idol Worship

As I've mentioned occasionally on here for months, I've been doing the Bible Study of Kelly Minter's- No Other Gods. It's all about Idol Worship & the many forms that it can be found in. I first did it mid-to-late 2013 & it was wonderful & exactly what I needed…& evidently something I still need. I've done a few other Bible Studies since then, but I keep going back to that one & even do it while doing other Bible Studies with friends. It's like God is telling me to just camp out there. So I am. He has used that Bible Study along with separate Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons, Sermons & seemingly EVERYTHING ELSE to reveal so many things to me about myself. He'll reveal one of my idols, we'll work on it, & then it's the same thing all over again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
I hate that I have so much work to do. I truly want God to be not only my first priority, but my only priority. Don't let anyone tell you the journey of sanctification is easy.

In the event of full disclosure, my struggle with Idol Worship lately is: People Pleasing. I am, by nature, a people pleaser. I don't like conflict, I hate hurting feelings, I can't stand confrontation, if we agree-we must agree to disagree, I just want everything to be hunkee doree 24/7. As we all know, that is not practical. It's ok, to want to get along with people, but when it consumes your thoughts, worries, when it turns into something you meditate on instead of the Lord, THAT'S when it becomes an idol. Let me just say, guilty.

Father, help me to seek Your approval over Man's approval.
Help me to desire Your love over Man's.

January Dunn Fun

I feel like we Dunns started the year off right! We had a wonderful January!

After our family Christmas/After-Christmas vacay, my parents took the boys back with them (while Mom was still out of school) & D & I took little trips. Not together :( but no fear, we will have one soon b/c this is the year of our 10th anniversary! I went on a girls' trip, so D went on a hunting trip.

Some church friends planned a girls' trip to Gulf Shores. It was to relax, refresh, & discuss & pray about the many things God has placed on each of our hearts lately.

It was freezing that week, & I think it's hilarious that not one of us stepped foot on the sand, but we still very much enjoyed the beach. Every sunrise & sunset, smell of the salty sea, sound of the crashing waves called us to worship the Creator.

We shopped, ate, studied & discussed the Bible, did crafts, stayed up way too late talking about ministry & how we met our husbands. The whole trip blessed me so much.

John had his 18 month well baby visit & all was great! His head size is in the 97th percentile, his height is in the 94th percentile, & his weight is in the 68th percentile. Thank You Jesus for my healthy babies!!

D & I went to a Dinner Theater while church friends kept the boys. They got to go in their pajamas & just had the time of their lives.

I got to sub again for Bunco & the theme was to represent your favorite sports team. It was fun, but it was the 2nd day of the Daniel Fast, so most of us were super tired. We were not ourselves that night. It was hilarious.

Here I am in my Saints Fan garb. I'm embarrassed for "selfies" & for when people take them & post them seriously. (They aren't embarrassed, but it's just one of those things where I'm embarrassed for them.) 

I do, however, think a selfie is called for when: A) I'm looking absolutely ridiculous & loving it! & B) D's not home to take my picture or refuses to b/c I look so crazy haha!

Check out my photo-bomber John. I think he might be embarrassed for me!

We were so out of it that night, that we forgot to take a group pic. Boo!

John being cute-wearing one of the outfits Pops & Belle Belle got him for Christmas. It's NSU-John's representing Uncle Jessie's school!

The boys had a blast at Playshop a couple of weeks ago. The theme was cars. They made steering wheels, had races, played with matchbox cars, made tire tracks with paint, & had story time. John loves story time so much, he likes to stand right in front of the book while it's being read. That's what he does at home! It's only a problem when 20 other children want to see the book! :) The third time I pulled him away, we diffused his tantrum with the snack for that day.

My 2014 Erin Condren planner came in. Happy! Nuff said.

Our church did the Daniel Fast for most of the month. I'm sure there will be some blog posts to come :)

D & Jax the Sunday night we broke the fast together.

The boys waiting for their ice cream cone at Mimi & Mitz's. They gather around Mitz acting excited & crazy. It's their "thing."

Two happy campers!

The boys eating at Smitty's Pizza-a place where Mom took me & Chris when we were kids. (It was Pizza Inn then.) Brother & I have the best memories of Summer fun & that includes many lunches there. It's really cool that my boys get to eat there now.

Both boys love to go up to the Air Zone building. Jax loves to, "go work at my shop" when he visits my parents. That day, when Mom took them to visit Mitz, she drove around the corner & John saw the AZ sign on the building he said, "Yaayyyy!" He knows the sign! lol

Those are some highlights of last month.

We've just started February & both boys have had a little bug already, but they're already getting better & we're glad to get that out of the way. 

Some things to look forward to:

-We're doing a no-spend February just for fun. :) We were inspired by friends here & are excited to take this challenge. We have $125 a week to spend on anything we need: groceries, gas, diapers...necessities only! We have some ambitious financial goals for this year & a no-spend month will put us ahead!

-The Great Valentine might bring a goodie or two for fun! (All VDay shopping was completed in January. Dustie, I mean no one ;) is getting away with not giving a gift. Ha!)

-I can't wait to share the Lord's blessings & how He reveals Himself to us this February!

Love y'all, friends!

Fifteen Fun Facts

Just having fun & wanted to start a tag b/c I love these things. (This is what happens when I'm up all night with a sick child!)

Here are 15 fun facts about me:

1. My first name is Jennilyn. I hated it as a kid & made everyone call me Jenni. Only my childhood friends & family call me Jennilyn. I actually love & appreciate it now & sadly, rarely hear it.

2. I'm 1/2 Filipina. (Although D will call me every other Asian heritage. Think Hank Hill's, "Are yew Chinese or Japanese???")

3. I slept with a stuffed animal until I got married. (Yes, in college too.)

4. My degree is in Journalism w/ a minor in business. My plan was to do PR for a company.

5. I'm a scaredy-cat. I'll run & jump on the bed so whatever's under it won't grab my feet. I make D take me to the restroom in strange places...& sometimes at home. lol

6. I get more embarrassed for others when they're embarrassed (or should be) than I do for myself.

7. I'm not so graceful. I fall often. So often that my Mom says I bounce b/c I can get up so fast (trying to play it off haha!).

8. I'm really fascinated with how people think. I love to read biographies of famous/infamous people. It can be anything from a celebrity to a serial killer. I'm curious about what makes people tick.

9. One of my dreams is to be a cartoon voice. The ultimate would be to be the voice of a Disney Princess.

10. A huge pet peeve of mine is people not taking responsibility for their actions.

11. I choose to think positively.

12. In regards to #11-I can't stand when people assume my good/positive attitude means I'm naive, dumb, or haven't experienced anything bad. Everyone goes through ups & downs, whether we respond positively or negatively is a choice.

13. I'm a planner & love to make lists.

14. "Gifts" is one of my love languages. Getting them is fun, but I LOVE planning, making, & giving them the most!

15. I'm a product junkie. I love shopping for the latest things & trying them out!

Ok, so those are some really useless things about me! Now, for the fun part! If you've read this, I "TAG" you to do this too! I LOVE learning this kind of stuff about others!

Comment below, or in your own blog, or on your social media page: 15 Fun Facts about yourself. (If 15 is too many, try to at least do 5!) 

Tag me in your post when you do it, so I can read yours! Can't wait!