from humbled hands

90 degrees, overhead fan spinning keeping the hot air from sitting still against our unacclimated Pacific Northwest skin. Church planting couple, Stu and Jen and their 4 kids, 13 years ahead of us in life, invited us to sit on the patio with them. This is a normal event for them, something anyone might spot if they come up the drive around 8 pm on any given night.  "What would you do differently?" We asked Stu and Jen.  "What was it like growing up a church planter's kid?" We asked the kids. "What was hard?" "What was good?" Trying to live in the moment while simultaneously picturing our kids as adults home from college on summer break.  How can we pour into them? How can we point them to Jesus? How can we involve them, yet not make them carry the burden that God has given us? I'll never forget those nights on the patio. Time is moving as fast as those spinning fans. from humbled hands, jessie

While we were sitting in a coffee shop in Shingle Springs, CA working on mail chimp, reading church planting books and taking notes, we met Barry and Jerri. They'd been up and down, on the phone and in intense conversations when Barry popped over to our table to see what we were working on.  "We love Jesus and He's called us to Utah to tell people about Him," I shared. "Do you know Jesus?" I asked.  "Yes! Oh, do we!" He resounded.  They had grown up in Southern California during the Jesus Movement and had followed Him closely ever since. As a gardener, he knows a thing or two about cultivating and climates, not so different from a relationship with Jesus and navigating these days. Currently, they are working on a solution for her mom's living situation as age and medical concerns have caused a need for change.  We prayed for each other and encouraged each other and thanked God for being with us through all of life's ups and downs. As they l...

I've recently started making and selling chalkboards and signs and have thoroughly enjoyed being able to add a bit of personality to the chalkboards while honing my hand lettering skills.  I take custom orders. They make great birthday or wedding gifts. I've started a collection of my creations for people to get an idea of what I can do.   Below are some of my items:

Easter. We celebrate our risen Savior! Cora's second and Thea's first Easter. I so want them to know the significance of today and for them to celebrate their salvation alongside me and Vince someday. Today Thea is one week old and yesterday Cora turned 13 months! I don't want to forget these days with my girls. I need a place to share the happenings and memories. So, this is that place. At least for today. Cora can't get enough of her baby sister. The way she kisses and snuggles her is enough to burst my heart. Her voice gets high pitched and she slows down around her. Cora slows down. That's huge. How does she know what a special bond they share?   Thea is up past her birth weight! She went in on Friday and was already at 6 lbs 11 oz. Her birth weight was 6 lbs 8 oz. I am so thankful for how she is nursing so well. It makes me sad looking back that Cora did the best she could and battled delayed gastric emptying and GERD from the beginning. ...

Cora's Birth Story 3/4/2014 I dropped Vince off at work on Monday March 3rd at 1:30, 2.5 weeks before our baby's due date, and came home to a list of things to do. First on the list was my weekly checkup. Still no more progress from the previous week, just a half a centimeter dilated. After I got home I went on a nice long walk with Jack. It was so nice out, we took some pictures together... Me and Jack's shadow. Cold, but nice.  I didn't say they were good pictures.. I put together a frame with a few of our sonogram pictures and put the rest in an album. At about 5:45pm I had to leave to pick Vince up from work. I knew I would have to battle traffic. Vince had dinner for me at work-a leftover chicken sandwich from his boss's 50th birthday party the previous Friday. It wasn't much but I didn't feel like cooking. I dropped him off at campus and I went to bible study until about 10:00 pm. After bible study I had a conversation with my friend about t...

It has been one week since Hugh Oser D.D.S diagnosed Cora with a class 3 lip and tongue tie and performed the laser surgery.  It was a very quick procedure, just 10 minutes in the waiting room for us.  The first two days were extremely difficult and I worried it had made things worse.  Turns out she's in pain, go figure, and she has to relearn how to use the muscles in her mouth and jaw properly.  Poor girl.  Sunday we started seeing some improvement.  She was no longer clicking when she nursed which means she wasn't taking in as much air. Since then we have only been getting better.  Nursing is actually enjoyable.  I can't believe I said that, up until now it has been very difficult and something I have had to work so hard for.  She isn't crying as often, throwing up as much, and is all around a much more pleasant baby.  Her latch is so much better and I am feeling zero discomfort. She has had extended periods where she is awake, alert,...

So humbled by everyone's response and prayers. All of you can help spread the word about lip and tongue tie to those you know. Two days ago I went to the Lactation Care Center and my suspicions about both Cora's weight gain and her lip tie were confirmed. She had only gained under 6 oz in 15 days. Not good. And she is hungry, but my milk supply was withering. My lactation consultant said that she does, in fact, have at least a lip tie, if not both lip and tongue as well as a moderately high palette. See, when a baby latches improperly and doesn't empty the breast completely you stop producing as much milk. At this point a good latch and transfer of milk is difficult because of her anatomy. We got set up with an electric double pump yesterday and we are both trying to build up my supply and get her what she needs. This is the process: I offer both breasts, then pump both breasts and then give her the expressed milk in a bottle. My supply is already increasing and I have even...

Cora arrived March 4th, 2014 with a bang...or splash? I'll post her birth story for the five people that want the deets someday when I'm sleeping a little more regularly.  I know that post is not for everyone and neither is this one. BUT THERE MIGHT BE A MOM OUT THERE THAT NEEDS TO HEAR THIS! So, if I can help even just one person from this post, it's worth it.  I am a pretty stubborn person so when I committed to breastfeeding I meant that I would do any and everything to accomplish that goal for the sake of my daughter.  At 2 months now, we have not had it easy.  From the get-go she couldn't latch so with the help of lactation consultants we hand expressed the colostrum and gave it to her by a spoon. She continued struggling with the latch so we reverted to the nipple shield.  I was very thankful for these things because my daughter was getting what she needed; she was getting what was best for her, despite the annoying interventions.  We had to use t...

Today, I am thankful. So thankful, in fact, that I want to share my thankfulness with the world! To spare you the time I'll just talk about one thing today, mmkay? VINCE REDIGER How does he do it,  this man that holds my heart? Gently loving me, carefully tending to my needs His service comes from the depths of his heart. A natural response from his love within. Quietly listening,  holding me close. His sacrifice is mirrored after the Lord's. An example he joyously follows. This man who holds my heart- He cares for it as his own. I am so thankful for my husband.  This past year hasn't been a cake-walk but the Lord has used it ALL to bring us closer to Him and closer to each other.  So thankful that God has given me Vince as a gift.  from humbled hands,  Jessie Rediger

destitue, displaced, distraught all I give, I give for naught intentions immoral, I quarrel with my pride mechanical motions busting out notions of love and charity for me my glory my honor  my story is me. not You. take me, break me make me Yours- use me. use me for Your story,  for Your glory. give me a burning passion to bring honor to Your name. i'm sick of satan and this game. forget about me and my wicked desires. i turn to you and live with a passion full of raging fire. i'm at your will,  waiting for Your call. Lord, You have my all. from humbled hands,  Jessie Rediger

I live in a place surrounded by death. W e live by dead people, work with the families of dead people, and even mark where those dead people will be buried.  (Occupation= Cemetery Sexton...its real, look it up ) Strangers come to me after they have lost a loved one and I help them with some of the essential aspects of a funeral.  We determine the location of the grave and I schedule the opening/closing of the grave.  I go through the motions, I deal with the emotions.  I empathize with the hurt and try to be as helpful, understanding, and comforting as possible.   I tell people, "It's not supposed to be like this.  You aren't supposed to lose your teenage son."  What I mean is that God didn't intend for us to live in a world marred by sin and thus by death.  We were made for eternity.  That is why death is so hard.  Death hurts because we were made for life, eternal life with our Father God and Savior Jesus Christ.  While deat...

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5 Amen. Thankful for that truth today. It has not ever been overcome by darkness and it will not ever be overcome by darkness. Even in the dimmest and bleakest of situations God's light is shining.  Today is it from a small crack in the wall, a faint flicker of light from a distance- God's promise that he is there through the trials and pain, through the hurt and sin? Look for it, it is there. Or is it like the sun, an overwhelming reminder that His abundant grace is new each day bringing life, healing, growth, and restoration?  Whatever it looks like or feels like in your situation, it is there ever reaching, ever shining, ever piercing the darkness in this world.  From humbled hands,  Jessie Rediger http://www.flickr.com/photos/wtlphotos/1010219236/

I have this problem. Generally, its called sin. Specifically, its called believing false things about myself and my Lord and Savior.  I picture it as looking at things other than Jesus. My eyes often stray from Him, the founder and perfecter of my faith, to, say, lies of the Enemy.  Lately these lies have been debilitating.  When my eyes shift, things become disproportionate.  My perspective becomes distorted. I look at myself as a failure. I believe that lie. Then I begin to wrench my neck around to see more.  I see my situation as hopeless.  I believe that lie.  I take a step to turn myself around so I can get a better picture of what else I am supposed to see. I am already walking the other direction when I realize how low and discouraged I have become.  My head is down.  All I can see are lies.  Only darkness.  Everything feels heavy and unbearable. We can't do it on our own.  Thankfully, Jesus doesn't let us.  He is...

I can only share this because I have overcome my fear (at least of this one roach): Roach. Gross. Agile. Alert. ALIVE! Creepy crawling. Speedy Running. Hiding under dusty desky. I am dancing, prancing. Sweating, fretting. I'm a wreck. Heavy breathing, tip toeing. Check here, over there.. Oh, under that!!! It fits?? So huge! He sprints. Stops. Stares. I spray. Douse. Destroy. It disipates and then I see him. There he lay. He's donefor. Roach. Gross. from not-so-big-'n'-bad and humbled hands, Jessie Rediger

Pinterest. You haven't lived until you've joined! That's how I feel.  Suddenly I want to cook, create, collaborate. I want to decorate, dazzle, design.  It is truly inspiring.  Lately I feel like there isn't enough time in the day for me to discover more and more recipes, tips, and home remedies on Pinterest .  The thing is-I haven't actually tried any of my "repins."  I keep telling myself that I'll make the projects when I have time, I'll make the recipes when I go to the store to get the ingredients.  Who am I kidding?? When I go to the store I get the staples: popcorn, granola bars, apple juice, and peanut butter.  I don't typically run to the store to get fun things like vintage tea cups and lacy doily things or cool desks for bookshelves.  I can't just run and pick up a sewing machine.  Golly, I figured that in order to save money and live healthy I have to buy a sewing machine, kitchen aid mixer, double boiler,...

What do those letters even mean?  I took a personality test and apparently those four letters ( INFJ ) mean I'm rare.  I would say, "like a gem, rare?" or, "like a thick juicy steak, rare? but some might say, "no, you're like a mosquito bite with Lyme disease, rare."  Ouch.  So I'm a little different, ok? I always thought I was complicated, and this test proves it.  It was a little discouraging.  I was thinking some more about it, though, and realized I was actually grateful that someone had catagorized me, even me ! I don't exactly prefer to be "in the box," but I at least like to be known, understood .  I am thankful for this personality, though I don't often understand it myself.  I am thankful for it because without INFJ's this world would lack the intuitive feeler, the self-sacrificing nurterer, the compassionate leader, and the logical and creative visionary.  I suppose I am proud to be one.  (I'll just subtly leav...

(cue the Trumpets) The Dishes Are Done. For now... I'll have to get down and dirty in the sink after I finish making this honey whole wheat bread (I'll let you know how it goes) and then again after we eat dinner.  My hands get all soggy.  I splash dirty, soapy water on my shirt.  AND, if that's not bad enough, there isn't enough room to dry them all.  So, I'll stop halfway and dry and put them away and then finish washing the rest. I'll intend on washing them right after we eat or right after I finish baking.  But a lot of times I put it off.  Vince will distract me or I'll find something better to do.  I'll say "Oh I'll do it later, after I write in my blog or after I read this chapter or, or, or.."  What I've found is that it is more of a burden the longer I wait.  The longer I wait, the more I don't want to do them and the more necessary it becomes that I do them.  This reminds me of sin (I always have the most ran...

Those of you who read my last post, or know me, know that I struggle with coupons.  Here is the account of my first real attempt at couponing : I got a coupon in the mail from Target. One free loaf of bread. I continued to read the size 1 font, ensuring there were no "catches." Simple. All I had to do was go claim my free, fluffy, fresh (and healthy) loaf of bread before October 1, 2011.  It would be whole wheat, of course. I prepared our trip to the grocery store: had a list, highlighted "bread" knowing that I had to get the Archer Farms brand AND that it was a priority (like I would forget it), double-checked the pantry to make sure I had recorded everything that we needed, and we made our way to the car. As we pulled out of our apartment parking lot, through our security gate, I realized I forgot the most important item...the coupon.  Great start . Vince pulled over, I ran inside, snatched it up, ran back, and we were off. I was excited to be usin...

Today we had our Internet installed.  AND we got lucky because the man who installed it only had a modem and wireless router combo left..woo baby! So we have wireless, too. Boy howdy. Suddenly, I have a list of things to do: take pictures of books to sell, post them online, and attempt to sell them, blog about all of this- happening now (these are real time updates, people!), check Twitter (I could do that on my phone, too, but I have Internet AT MY HOME now), look up "recipes for those on a budget," and search "how to use coupons," again. Is it just me or are coupons so confusing and overwhelming?! I guess they just haven't 'clicked' for me yet.  Thus, the research ensues.  <<Stay tuned for my couponing update>> (That's for you, Sarah). Well, with all this interweb at the tip of my fingers-wherever I want it in the household-not just confined to the desk-whenever I want it-not just at the DTS library-I will never be bored again!!...

A date with my hubby at the DTS library...check! Free wi-fi...check! Bible reading...check! Journaling...check! Prayer...check! Wow, I am doing good today! I've been thinking a lot lately (what's new?) about my devotional time, the time I spend with God throughout my day.  I try to sit down and have a "quiet time" with just me and Him, my Eternal Father.  Oftentimes I get stuck in a rut and just read the Bible to read the Bible. How can I forget that the Bible, the word of God, is living and active?! Am I so proud as to think that I know what the Creator God is going to reveal to me in His word?  I hope not, though I act like it all too often.  And when I pray, I feel like I am speaking empty thoughts. Father, God, change my heart; mold my heart to be more like Yours.  May I no longer heap up empty phrases to You, may I no longer pay You lip service.  You deserve my all: thoughts, actions, AND time.  Everything belongs to You because You hold...