Sabbath Thought

My back is killing me right now. My herniated disc is hurting real bad. I don't like pain. I've got low pain tolerance. But then, I think of Christ and how much he suffered so I would have a chance to live with Heavenly Father again. And that's when my back pain, well, it's just back pain. I love my Savior so much and as we prepare to celebrate his birth, I want to reaffirm that I know He lives. He is the Savior of the world and I love Him.

Are you tough enough?

I know one who is. My awesome husband participated in this two weeks ago. We drove to New Jersey for the event and had a blast. I stayed on the sidelines this time but I sure will be in next time.

12 miles. Rough challenges. 40 degree water. Shall I say more? Just take a look.

Chris had so much fun. I did too, although I was mostly running after him trying to get some good shots.

Now, to sum it up, here is my favorite shot. Can you see Chris?

If you think you're tough enough, join us in April for another one.

My man is always tough enough.

Thanksgiving

This year's Thankgiving was spent "giving". Giving of our time and love to others. I had the privilege to work that day and we made dinner for the homeless individuals Miriam's Kitchen (my work) serve. It was the first real Thanksgiving Dinner Miriam's Kitchen ever had so it was fun. The menu was fabulous (not vegan though but for meat eaters it was perfect). There was mustard marinated turkey, cornbread, mashed sweet potatoes, salad, and pumpkin pie. The guests loved it and it was wonderful to talk with some of the ones I know best and get their feedback on the meal but also hear how they are doing.
Chris and I had our Thanksgiving Dinner on the Saturday with the French missionaries and the senior couple we adore. We made a complete Thanksgiving vegan meal, everything made from scratch except for the roast,pie crust and ice cream, and it was fabulous.

Our menu was:
. Veggie Roast
. Mashed Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes
. Homemade Stuffing with Nuts
. Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios
. Homemade Mushroom Gravy
. Green Salad
. Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Milk Vanilla Ice Cream

We had fun making this dinner and certainly enjoyed every bite of it. I might start putting some recipes up so everyone can enjoy them.

It was so wonderful to have the missionaries over. They just bring an amazing spirit into our home. The Woffindens (senior couple) is leaving in three weeks as they will be done withtheir mission. I don't know what we'll do without them. They have been such a rock for us since we got to Maryland. Patient, loving, ever giving, and full of a love we don't get too often because we are so far away from family. Many times, they've been a saving grace and I'm thankful to our Heavenly Father for sending them here on their mission. We love them so much. We just can't wait to go on a mission together. They sure gave us even more reasons to want to go.

Our yummy Thanksgiving meal

Love those people so much!

That pie was so delicious and with the ice cream even better!

Thanksgiving is not about the food we eat but the thanks we give and the giving we do. Thankful for a life full of blessings and trials to grow, and thankful for everything we've been given by those who touch our life each day.

25

Last month, Chris turned 25! I know, this post is way overdue (like every other one).

I have been married to this wonderful man for almost 3 years and I can't believe each day how much he amazes me. For his 25th birthday, I'd like to share 25 reasons that make me love him more each day...

1. He took my breath away the second I met him and he still does every day.
2. He has more patience than I thought could ever be possible to have.
3. Want to know the meaning of hard-working? Take a peek into his life.
4. He always sees the glass half full. The glass is NEVER half empty.
5. I've never met someone who didn't get along with him. He always sees the best in others.
6. He always finds a new challenge to tackle.
7. He can make me speechless (that's a feat, trust me).
8. His smile is always on.
9. He is a really good cook.
10. He is the most handy person I know.
11. He never lets you down.
12. If he doesn't know how to do something, he'll learn and get it done.
13. He puts up with me on a bad day and always finds a way to tell me how much he loves me.
14. He always makes time to listen to me.
15. His testimony of the Gospel is unshakable.
16. If I can't believe in myself, he sure does.
17. He is the best friend I can't live without.
18. He is everything I ever dreamed my husband would be and more.
19. Chris never says never.
20. His blue eyes melt my heart every day.
21. His best friend is Jesus.
22. He sends me roses randomly.
23. I love to hold his hand and know that he is there.
24. He believed in us no matter what came in between.
25. His love makes me love in a way I never thought possible.

               He is my best friend, my true love. I have no doubt we were meant for each other.

                                                  I love you Sweetheart. Forever and more.

A sweet visit

Lincoln Memorial

On the ferry...

Fort McHenry (Baltimore)

Great Falls Virginia

Waiting for our ferry...

In the NYC Metro

Times Square

In October, my mom and sister came for a two weeks visit. It was such a good feeling to have them here with us. They visited every inch of DC they could, we went on a trip to NYC and had fun together. I love them so much and so grateful to have them in my life. Let's hope the next visit is soon.

There is a plan.

My friend Megan passed away. That same week, one of my co-worker lost her grandma on her birthday. A few days later it was my grandma's 2nd anniversary of her death. Tough week it was.

Despite the losses and the pain, I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father has a plan. A perfect plan. We will see our loved ones again and live with them forever. We must rejoice for the lives that have been lived and the moments shared on Earth. We must learn from them and continue to move forward. God will never leave us comfortless and always has a plan.

Whatever the plan may be for each one of us, it is a perfect plan, the road is bumpy but the end glorious.

Jen

Pray for Megan

My friend Megan is fighting a really acute leukemia and has had difficult complications. She is an amazing person and a wonderful example of love and kindness.

Please keep her in your prayers and if you can fast for her, please join us. You can read her story at www.prayersformegan.com

Megan, we love you. Keep fighting this, thousands are joining in prayer each day to implore Heavenly Father to give you the miracle you need. Stay strong. We love you. You will beat this.

Sabbath Thoughts

Jen: Today was a wonderful Sabbath. Well, it's not over yet. I'm going to the Youth Standards Night tonight with my Young Women, they will be singing and I'm just so proud of them. It's only been a few weeks that I've been in Young Women, and despite my initial scare (I mean..come on..teenagers are scary!), I love it more and more every time. Those girls teach me so much and I'm so grateful. Today, I taught a lesson on "Wise Choices" and all I want to do is share this quote from President Spencer W. Kimball:
"Life gives to all the choice. You can satisfy yourself with mediocrity if you wish. You can be common, ordinary. dull, colorless; or you can channel your life so that it will be clean, vibrant, progressive, useful, colorful, rich. You can soil your record, defile your soul, trample underfoot virtue, honor, and goodness, and thus forfeit an exaltation in the kingdom of God. Or you be righteous, commanding the respect and admiration of your associates in all walks of life, and enjoying the love of the Lord. Your destiny is in your hands and your all-important decisions are your own to make." (The Miracle of Forgiveness)
We are all free to make our own choices and with that come the responsibility to accept and live the consequences that come with those choices. I hope I can always choose what will make me happy, bring me closer to my Savior and worthy of Eternal Life.

Chris: I am always excited when General Conference comes around. I know it is still a couple weeks away, but I am excited anyways. Today the Stake President was visiting and he talked a little about one of his experiences with General Conference. He had just had a child, and his wife was in the hospital, and he was going to General Conference. He explained that with everything going on in his life, and he being bishop (which takes up an enormous amount of time), he felt that maybe he should slow down a little on the church stuff. Not a testimony problem, but a problem of, "man, I'm really worn out from all this and I don't know if I have what it takes to put everything in there and have left over for everything else." He went on to explain that he went into General Conference with the attitude of, "if I don't get something that will really boost me, I'm cutting back." Well, he came out with over 25 pages of notes and plenty of steam to keep moving on. I have often felt a little tired and worn out, and I really connected with what he had to say. I love General Conference because it has always been a time to recharge my spiritual batteries. I know that as we go into General Conference time prepared to ask questions and seek answers for problems or situations in our lives, that the Lord will pour out His Spirit upon us and will inspire and teach us in ways that go beyond the already very inspired words that are being spoken. I know that my Savior lives and that He loves me. I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who listens to my prayers and answers them exactly how and when I need it the most.

Happy Sabbath.

Chris' New Adventure and Blog

Chris has wanted for a while to get into cycling, triathloning and other endurance sports. Lack of money and time make it difficult to make such things come true. However, he decided that somehow he would make the time and find the funds to make his dreams come true (with my complete support).

He decided to top it all off to start blogging about it. It will help him stay motivated, keep a journal of his adventures and maybe get others interested along the way.

So here is his new blog!

Congratulations to him for signing up for this crazy event!

He is beyond thrilled and I can only keep on grinning...his excitement is priceless.

Love that man!

VegFest!

Well, for all of you who say that it's boring being vegan, we have photographic proof that it is positively delicious! We had fun at the annual DC VegFest with our awesome friends, the Marshalls. There were tons of booths with lots of free samples, as well as speakers ranging from Oprah's chef to a vegan bodybuilder. It was a lot of fun, and very informative! Ready to go vegan with us?

Sabbath Thoughts

Sunday is "Share a Spiritual Thought Day" at the Dean Home. We probably've got more than one thought to share, but we'd figure we'd start sharing one thing each of us learned on Sunday.

Chris: "In Sunday School we were talking about Job, and it reminded me about when we first moved here and I was riding my bike what seemed like a million miles every day, and it was really hard for Jen to find a job. Every morning at 3:00 AM I would leave the house in work clothes on my 1987 Peugeot and ride to UPS. The 12-mile ride gave me time to think about life, and often I found myself asking questions like, 'I wonder what I'm supposed to get out of this?' or 'Why is this happening to me?'. Two points that I was reminded about today that hit me: First, Elder Scott said that it's okay to ask questions during trials, but not all questions will get you somewhere. Second, the Lord is always protecting us, but sometimes allows us to pass through trials so that we can be refined and purified. I am grateful for the events, both good and bad, that the Lord allows to come my way, and I know that He is there to help me through them."

Jen: "I was called to Young Women a couple of months ago and it's been an adjustment. I've never taught Youth in Church, just nursery kiddos and new converts. I'm trying to find a way to adapt my teaching so it connects with the girls. Today's lesson was on self-mastery, I was so grateful for the manual to have simple activities to illustrate the principles being taught. I think it truly made a difference to show rather than simply explain. One of the things that stood out to me was this: "Decide what you're going to do, find the steps to accomplish it and then make yourself mind it so you can do it." Self-mastery doesn't come in one day and we sure need to take things one step at a time. We don't become perfect in one day. The important part is to choose one goal at a time, find how we can accomplish it and then do it. And build on from there.
This little exercise stuck to my mind: We sow our thoughts and reap our actions, sow our actions and reap our habits, sow our habits and reap character, and from our character we reap our destiny. What kind of destiny do I want? Exaltation and Eternal Life. With that in mind, I can't give up, I must keep trying. I love that Heavenly Father takes us as we are and refines us. We just need to trust in Him."

Happy Sabbath from both of us.

Food Inc - Official Trailer [HD]

If you haven't seen this movie, it's about time you do. Everyone should know this information. Educate yourself. If you have Netflix, it's available on instant play.

A Vegan Change...

About six weeks ago, Chris and I took a leap, we went vegan. Yes, for the past six weeks now, we haven't had any meat, dairy of any kind or even seafood. Veganism simply means plant-based. So we are now eating a plant-based diet. That's all.
I'm sure many of you are wondering why? Let me tell you why.
I had been researching it for the past month or so and really was fascinated, because it went along with my values: I want to be kind, compassionate in every way possible and I love animals. I went vegetarian a few years back but that didn't last long. Anyways, funny how things work out ( and I know who helps there..) but after a check up at the doctor and some blood test I was told my cholesterol levels were very high and let's just say, it scared me a bit. I was in the highest risk range. The doctor only told me go on a low fat, low cal diet...Yeah right! And at the same time said: don't lose any more weight! yeah doc! Anyways... after researching a bit more, I decided I would try a plant-based diet, simply because it removes all the crap from my diet and I wanted to see if it helped reduce my cholesterol. Chris said he would do it with me so I wouldn't be alone. He is such a good man. Well, we started a few days later and so far we have loved it. But the amazing part is not just the food, is that it opened our eyes and minds to things I woudn't have imagined. From knowing what's actually good and bad for your body (and trust me, there is a whole lot of things that are being smashed into your brain that aren't true...), to being compassionate in a true way, because not only do we eat gently but we hep the environment, help our country by buying local, help animals who are absolutely ill-treated and the people who are at the mercy of those companies too...I can't even begin to explain how much I've learned in the past 6 weeks, I feel like I was blind my whole life. Oh, go ahead tell me I'm stupid or mushy or whatever, it doesn't matter. I'm not raising my kids being part of free cruelty, I'm not endangering my own body even more by eating stuff that are actually not meant to be put in it. I'm a christian aspiring to be kind, compassionate and I feel that being on a plant based diet helps me achieve one more part of that.
there is so much to learn and most people are very uneducated about what a plant based diet entails.
I have seen amazing changes in our bodies since we have been on a plant-based diet. No more bloating,or other digestive issues, no more itchy eyes, more energy and more peace, we are not as nervous in our ways. I haven't had a headache once, which is a miracle, I always get weird headaches. It's truly changing me inside out. Chris doesn't mind it, I think for now he is more going along with it than anything else, I don't know he would have to share but we are definitely way more aware of the impact of what we eat.
Anyways, it's a very long post and I'm sorry. If you'd like to educate yourself a little, check out " The Kind Diet" by Alicia Silverstone or "The China Study" and many other books and websites. And no, don't believe that just because there is a campaign "Got milk?" it means it's good for you!
By eating a plant-based diet, you can save 100 animal lives a year, that's huge and you'd be kind to the planet,the environment and your body!
Thanks for reading and taking it all in...
Jen

Cherry Blossoms

Yesterday, Chris came to pick me up from work. We left the car in the garage of the building where I work and walked to the Tidal Bassin to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. It was over 80 degrees yesterday and so it was nice to walk around at the end of an afternoon. Everyone was out, the tourists were everywhere...I was so annoyed with them, but who isn't? And I guess, they need to see the sites too, after they came for a vacation and to see stuff. It was crowded but beautiful. We enjoyed our time and can't wait to see the blossoms again next year.

Fun in the Sun

This past Saturday, Chris and I spent the day with our friends Jenn and Kayne. Jenn is one of my coworkers and I absolutely love her. We are very much alike which truly makes conversation easy and fun flowing. We knew it was going to be somewhat sunny so we planned a little cookout at their beautiful house. ( After 9 months here we still don't have any furniture, making it difficult to have people over so we opted for their place...way more inviting) We met at Ikea ( I had some stuff to pick up), then went to a little carnival outside the mall...We did some bumper cars and then found those Euro Bobbles...Those were the best, truly! We had a blast playing in them.
I want some for me and Chris and our future kids. If we ever have a pool, I'm so playing in those. Awesome.
We then headed back to their house, had our little barbecue (Chris and I made some veggie burgers..homemade. We thought they were awesome. I don't what Jenn and Kayne really thought about those.) Kayne had an event for work so Jenn, Chris and I watched a movie while he was there. When he came back we played Mille Bornes (a french card game) and the newlyweds game. We had a blast spending this day with them and can't wait for many more. Can I say that Kayne and Chris get along wonderfully as they talk about cars non-stop...Jenn and I love to talk and pet Dioge (their amazing beautiful dog).
Chris and I came home super late and let's just say that the next day was really rough. Since we go to bed so early msot of the time because of schedules, it was like being hit by a train the next day. But oh so worth it!
Thanks Jenn and Kayne for letting us play with you guys! We love you!

PS: We helped in the proposal process a couple of weeks ago...Congratulations to the lovebirds! They are engaged and we couldn't be any happier for them.

Stake Champions!

Bryant, Chris, Greg, Jason, Sam and Nate- Stake Champions!

It's basketball season at Church also and it's pretty intense. You'd think with it being in a church building and the rules to follow for being able to play, people would just take it easy and just enjoy. For the most part they do but man sometimes, some of those guys just can't keep it cool. Me and a couple of other players wives came to pretty much all the games to support. Our team was in the semi-finals and we won! Chris made the winning shots and he was so happy. They all were really. It was cute, in a guy kind of way of course. They are just so proud. We cheered hard on the last game and it was worth it. So now,as stake champions we advance to the regional tournament which should take place in a week or two. Let's hope we win there too!

Birthday

A couple of weeks ago, it was my (Jen) birthday. I turned 26. 26!! Can you believe it, I still feel like I'm 20 and to be honest and I wish my age count would have stopped there. I like nice round numbers like 20, that's all.
It was a Thursday, I had work and volunteering that night so I wasn't home until past 7pm. I thought my day would be kind of lame because I had no time but my wonderful husband showed at work (by surprise), set up some nice vegan (more on that later) cupcakes that said "Happy Birthday Jen" and even sent me flowers. The flowers came after he showed up, while I was volunteering. It was so sweet of him. It truly made my day that he thought about all those little touches. My day wasn't so lame after all and turning 26 wasn't so bad. The only thing I want next year is candles... I haven't had candles on a cake for two years. Last year, we watched the sunset in Waikiki while eating strawberry cheesecake.It was wonderful and so was this birthday this year!
Thank you Sweetheart for always making me feel special.
Je t'aime.
Flowers also came from my family!

Farewell to an amazing man

Papa Denis is from the Congo. He was in the States for the past 3 1/2 years. He learned about the Church here, turned his life around for the better, served with all his heart while here and a couple of weeks ago, he went back to Congo. We know he will be an amazing servant of the Lord there and that he will bring many to the knowledge of the Gospel. He was always with the missionaries here, despite the language barriers ( he barely spoke French, and no English), teaching those who were ready to listen. We had a little party at Church for him and said our farewells. We can't wait to hear all he does in Congo because we know we'll hear about him. No doubt about that. He is a fireball.
Merci Papa.

One of a kind cupcakes

A few weeks back, we had a baby shower at work for a coworker and his wife. The theme was zoo animals. I asked if I could some dessert of some kind and came up with those. We got the templates for the animals online but made them all by ourselves. Chris and I spent a few hours doing those but they looked amazing! At least we thought so.
I think everyone liked them, I'm not too kind on eating the fondant (it's pure sugar pretty much) but it makes for nice looking toppings for cupcakes and cakes!
We bought plain white fondant and then colored it in the different colors and made our little animals. It was fun!