One of my Favorite Places in the World

I wake as the bright winter sun rises just above the snow covered pine trees. I put my slippers on and peek out the frosted window to discover a new fresh layer of sparkly snow has fallen during the night. I walk downstairs and find my warm, cozy blanket waiting for me on the couch, right where I left it the evening before. As I watch a bit of TV and sip my warm hot cocoa, I gaze out the window at the Stellar Jays as they sing their morning song and perch on the deck to eat their breakfast.
Soon, one by one, the others awake and make their way downstairs and join me on the couch, and we enjoy the peaceful winter morning together.
Every moment is relaxing, and the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing is planned out, you just go with the flow. Perhaps that's what being at the cabin at the top of the Blue Mountains in Oregon does to people. If that's what it is, I like it. People should come up here more often.
After breakfast, the snow can't wait for us any longer, and the fresh powder that fell the night before is calling our name. We put on all of our snow gear and head out into the gorgeous, white, winter wonder land. Sledding, snow ball fights, building snowmen, and snowmobile rides are just a few highlights of our fun daily activities that we experience outside at the cabin.
As we go on a snowmobile ride across the mountain, it feels like we are on top of the world. The view of the white and green luscious mountains surrounding you, seem never ending. The trees still contain a layer of whiteness and as the sun gently hits it, some of it falls from the tree tops. The brisk winter air flowing through your hair and as you ride through the beautiful forest, is incredible. Often on the side of the trails in the untouched snow you will see tracks...I love it when shortly after that you spot the animal that carries those tracks.
The view is breath taking, and as we stop to enjoy it for a moment, I am captivated by God's creation. I am also reminded of his unfailing love. He created this for me, because he loved me, and wanted me to be in awe of His creation, and because he wanted me to enjoy the beautiful world that He himself made. As I stand at what has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth, I am reminded of that, and so ever thankful for my Creator.
As we make our way back to the cabin, my toes, finger tips and nose are beginning to get a bit cold. I am excited to get back and eat some M&M's and enjoy another cup of hot chocolate, read my book, and maybe play a game of Monopoly.
The Cabin: One of my favorite places in the world.

As I Fall Asleep Listening to the Rain

Its late, well past midnight and the house is silent. I lay down in my bed and try to sleep, but my eyes
don't close. I listen to the rain drizzle outside as I ponder the countless thoughts running through my mind.
The house is quiet, makes it easier for me to think, and the rain soothes me. So much is happening in my life, and when I finally allow my mind to consider everything, and try to sort everything out, I am overwhelmed. Some happy thoughts, others sad, tedious, exhausting, frightening....how will I ever figure it all out?
Sometimes I feel like my life is going great; things with my friends are going good, my family, my relationship with God, and my future is looking pretty bright. Whereas other times, I feel the complete opposite. I don't know what to do with myself and my life; where I should go, what I should do...I feel so confused, lost and far away from God.
As my eyes slowly start to close, and I begin to drift away in to the relaxing sounds of the rain hitting my window just a foot or so above my head, I am reminded that God will always be there for me, and that no matter what His plan will be worked through it all.
I will forever be blessed by Him, and His omnipotent love for me. No matter where life takes me, He will always be there to hold my hand and guide me through it all. Even when I wander away from Him, his loving arms will forever be there, waiting to embrace me once again.

Senior Pictures

Hello friends!
I got some of my senior pictures done last week. If you would like to check them out you can go to:

http://www.robinlongphotography.com/2009/11/jess-salem-oregon-child-photographer/

and

http://tuckerbleu.com/thescoop/?p=781

I will let you know when I get the rest done! Let me (and my photgraphers) know what you think! ~Jess

SKILLET Concert!!!!

Tonight I went to the most incredible concert I have ever been to in my life. No Joke! It was amazing. Words can't even describe how awesome it was.
Two bands called "The Letter Black" and "Decyfer Down" played first, and I didn't really care for them much. lol. Then Hawk Nelson came out and they were AWESOME! I have listened to them for tears, and every Christian teenage girl loves them. During Hawk Nelson we were down in the mosh pit getting warmed up, and it was a blast rocking out to their music, having fun. But that was only the beginning. We were saving the best for the band we had been waiting for all night. Skillet.
I had heard that they were one of the most incredible bands to see in concert, so I was excited to see them but I had no idea how amazing they actually were in concert until they started playing. HOLY SNAP! If you have never been to a Skillet concert before, you have to go to one!!! They are all so talented and passionate about what they do. They definitely get five stars. :)
After five hours of screaming at the top of my lungs, dancing, singing, jumping and listening to AMAZING music, I think it's time for bed. I don't think I am going to have a voice for about a week, but it was totally worth it. :)

UnFOURgettable Night #3 - 2009

Every October our youth group does something called the "Four unFOURgettable nights". Instead of normal youth group the four weeks in October we do special activities and have special Bible lessons. It is a special outreach event where we invite our unsaved friends to come and have fun, and also hear the Gospel. At the end of the lesson each week, my youth Pastor, Pastor Joe, gives an invitation for the kids to receive Christ as their Savior.
I look forward to the unFourgettable nights each year not only because we get to do special, fun activities during youth group, but also because I know that teens are going to bring their unsaved friends from school, work, etc. and some of them are going to come to know Christ as their personal savior for the first time. They are going to begin an everlasting relationship with God during these four special weeks in October. Isn't that just awesome?! I wish that every unsaved teenager that each kid in our youth group knows would come to the unfourgettables and hear of God's amazing love.
Tonight was night numero three. Different groups learned how to do magic tricks and then each group had someone perform the trick in front of the youth group. We had a good time, and it was really fun.
However, the lesson that PJ (Pastor Joe) gave tonight really meant a lot to me. It was basic and a story that I've been hearing since I was really little, but it impacted me in a new way tonight. I saw it from a different view and it really got me thinking.
PJ talked about how many people in this world have tried to make Christ's resurrection from the grave look like a trick, like something that anyone could do if they were sneaky enough. That after Jesus' brutal, insanely painful, worst crucifiction of all, he just went in the tomb, took a little nap, and three days later he woke up, healed and strong, and pushed away the stone; and that any other man could do that as well.
We know that is NOT how the story goes. That Jesus' death on the cross, and his resurrection from the dead three days later was not something that any sheep from the heard could do. No, only the greatest of all could do this.
Satan thought that Jesus had finally died, that it was finished, that he had won the battle, but no! Christ's death was the real deal. HE rose from the dead by the power of His father to show the world that he was the son of God, and to save the world from sin. Now THAT isn't something that any old guy on the street could do. AND He did it without twisting the rules, with no illusions, no tricks. He did it by the power of his Father, and for the people of this world.
What an amazing gift God has given us!! I am continually astounded by God's omnipotent power and neverending love. I can't belive the people of this world could really think that it was fake, that God cheated some way.
I can't wait for the day when the whole world sees and understands who God really is, and that He does everything by his power, and his power alone. No illusions, no tricks. Just Him.

Thank you Jesus for your amazing, one of a kind, genuine, no illusions or tricks attached, gift; freedom from sin. Thank you for showing the world who you are by conquering death, death on the cross. Thank you for the unbearable pain that you suffered for the world, for me. I love you and I could never thank you for all you have given me. Help me to live a life worthy of your praise, and that I would share your love with the people of this world. That I would share it fearlessly as I should. I pray that more teenagers would come to our youth group and learn of your love, that they would accept you as their personal Savior. Amen