While I continued to follow Him, I became impatient with no resolution as to where I was supposed to go.  My impatience grew into discouragement.  After a brief conversation with my former pastor,Bro. Larry Powell, I received confirmation that I would indeed go somewhere.  We parted with Bro. Larry saying, “Jessica, you’re young.  I know you’ll move lots of different places.”  Little did he know that those were the exact words that I needed to hear.

Maybe you’re wondering why St. Croix?  After putting out my resume nearly everywhere, St. Croix was the only door that flung wide open.  After the interview and job offer, I literally had seven days to move.  I packed up everything I owned, either put it in storage or hauled it to Georgia, said my goodbyes and flew out to St. Croix.  This irrational impromptu move befuddled many, but after realizing this unique opportunity to move on a moment’s notice (without husband or family) to serve on the mission field, I received enthusiastic support from friends and family .  Not one to miss an adventure, I whole heartedly seized the opportunity.

So, hear I am: a newly minted twenty-four year old living on a beautiful island, working with some of the most sincere people I’ve ever met.  I’m thankful to the many people who have supported and prayed for me during this transition.  I am so humbled and grateful for your willingness to help a single gal following God outside of her comfort zone.

Who needs a pool when you've got the Caribbean?

Since I’ve been here, I thought I’d share with you a couple of observations:

1.  St. Croix is a US territory.  Hence, US Virgin Islands.  We use the dollar as our currency.  (You may laugh, but I’ve had several people ask about it being a foreign country.)

2.  We drive on the left side of the road.  In addition to driving on the left side, I get the privilege of driving a 15 passenger van on the left side.  Needless to say, I feel like a 16 year old with a fresh license having to learn everything like the first time.

3.  I’ve enjoyed getting to hear steel drums accompany our worship services.  It’s my goal to learn how to play them.  How many Southern girls do you know who play the steel drums?  That’s what I thought.

4.   Our church is very diverse.  On any given Sunday morning we have Indians, Puerto Ricans, Caucasians and every nationality in between (or so it seems) in our congregation.  It makes me wonder what Heaven will be like (not that my fallible mind can imagine it.)

5.  In case you were wondering, I spent my 24th birthday securing classrooms, checking out property damage due to Hurricane Earl, and hanging out with my St. Croix family.  I mean, not only did I get the day off from work, but I got to wear my swimsuit under my clothes and got to play in the rain on account of Earl!  It has truly been an adventure and one that’ll never forget with my new community of friends (who just happen to be my colleagues).

Straight from de Islands,

-Jyess

Jumping off a 10 foot pier.

1.  Perhaps, you’re wondering where the nickname “Jyess” came from. (Maybe not, but just humor me.)  Originally named Jessica, I have often resorted to people calling me “Jess” instead of “Jessie” as a nickname.  Last summer, at Cumberland Camp, my dear counselor friend Michael Shearon thought that he would impersonate me while saying my nickname.  Instead of saying, “Jess” quickly, he drug it out making it sound like, “J…Yessssssss”.  Other nicknames that I’ve accumulated over the years are “Wholesome Folsom” and “Grannay J”, but those are stories for another time.

2.  My least favorite meal at camp is Taco Salad.  My favorite is spaghetti.

3.  In the 6 years that I lived in Nashville, I’ve met 2 people (on different occasions) who knew where Tattnall County (my home county) was.  Unfortunately, they had both been incarcerated there. Needless to say after hearing this information we quickly parted ways.

4.  Speaking of prison, on my first day of subbing at a Christian school, I successfully convinced 2 sophomore boys that I had done time  Folsom Prison (my last name’s sake) and came out with a barbed wire tattoo around my biceps (I was wearing a sweater).  They were dismayed the next morning to see my un-inked arms when I wore short sleeves.

5.  My biggest fear in life is that when I meet God, He’s going to tell me that I didn’t use every ounce of talent, ability and creativity to please Him.

6.  My younger sister, Jennifer, and I are exactly 1 year and 364 days apart.  I was born August 30, 1986, while she followed in August 29, 1988.

7.  I have a passion for inner city ministry.  The more ghetto it is, the better.  I ain’t playin’.  I could go on this forever, but I digress for the brevity of time and space.

8.  For my 24th birthday I’m going to take up sewing.  I aspire to be as proficient as my late Grandma Folsom.

9.  For the past 2 years I’ve been working on a manuscript for a novel called Courting Miss Collier.  Essentially, the plot is a fictionalized version of the many misadventures that occurred during my time at ye olde Bible College.

10.  My favorite book (besides the Bible by default) is Pride and Prejudice.  If I ever met Elizabeth Benet in real life, I’m sure we’d be friends.

11.  During finals week in college, Desirae Clark and I jumped in empty trash bags and costumed ourselves as full trash bags in the dorm hallways.  As people approached us, we would jump out and scream at them.  A couple of our victims accidentally punched us out of fear.

12.  If I were to have been born in any decade, I think I would choose the 1940s.  In my opinion, it was a time the men were men and the women were women.

13.  Earlier this year, I met famed pop star Ke$ha at Goodwill.  My roommate and I were discussing trying on a gaudy 80s gold dress.  After much deliberation, we decided it to put in on the rack.  Before we could put it back, Ke$ha came over and asked us if she could try it on.  Her words were, “If you guys aren’t going to buy that, do you mind if I try it on?  It’s awesome!”

14.  Being that I’m about 5 years behind when it comes to seeing major blockbuster films, I always ask someone how the movie ends.  This way I avoid wasting my time and money on watching something I don’t like.

15.  One time in college during a violent thunderstorm, I woke up at 2 AM to the sound of thunder crashing.  I immediately sat up in my bed and proclaimed to my half asleep roommate, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of widsom!”  After wiping her eyes and replying with, “What?” I then said, “Well, it is” and fell back asleep.  The next morning I thought the whole thing was a dream.  We still joke about it today.

16.  Since I’ve graduated from college, I have accidentally called Mrs. Thompson (the receptionist) 3 times in the same day.  I had forgotten that I had my Bluetooth headpiece hooked up and I had misplaced the headpiece on my desk.  When I finally realized what I had done, I called Mrs. Thompson and explained that I was the obnoxious phone stalker.  I’m so thankful that she has a fantastic sense of humor.

17.  While most people are told that they resemble a specific celebrity, my claim to fame is being “the girl that was best friends with someone at that one thing…” by random strangers.

18.  My secret dream job would be to tour as a back-up singer/dancer for either the Jonas Brothers or Toby Mac.  The first one to call gets first dibs.  Toby, if you’re reading this, I could totally enhance the diversity of Diverse City.  Just saying.

19.  I have been less than 5 feet away from one of the Secret Services Most Wanted.  His name is Matthew Bevan Cox, and he was wanted for mortgage fraud and identity theft.  In college I worked aftercare for a Christian preschool where Cox’s girlfriend enrolled her son.  When I first met Cox, I immediately felt uneasy because he tried to be overly friendly.  I later dismissed it as a “personality quirk”.  However, I couldn’t get over how he consistently picked up his girlfriend’s son in a different luxury vehicle each week. (I worked for a small Christian preschool in a low socio-economic part of town.  High rollers don’t send their kids to our school.)  2 days before the Feds arrested Cox, I had a conversation with him about the behavior of his girlfriend (Amanda Gardner)’s son.  Feel free to check out the validity of this story.  Crazy times!

Until more is revealed,

-Jyessssssssssss

Hannah (Virgin Islands), Lindsey (Married), Me (Inner City), Amanda (China)

In dealing with such a huge transition of having my dearest friends leave, my friend Ashley affectionately called it “The Summer of Goodbyes”.  It literally was a time of insane transition which God sent my security blanket of friends off to make way for their interesting counterparts.  Enter Cumberland Camp May 2009.  For the past 7 years, I have always looked forward to summer camp for the fact that being a camp counselor means I get paid to run around outside and play (amongst teaching Biblical truths).  After being rejected by the Girl Scouts (true story.), I reluctantly applied for a counselor position at the desperate plea of a friend.  Her parents were the camp directors and they were in need of an extra female counselor.  I said, “Why not,” and thus sealed my fate for 5 weeks during the summer.

However, once the list was finalized of counselors, I was not pleased at the selection of guys I was to work with.  They were all 19-21, and since we went to the same school, I already knew what they were like.  In my world literature class, I was assigned to sit by Joel.  We developed a friendship on the basis of a girl who sat in front of him and made her romantic intentions known to him every day.  Often times, Joel would start a count down when said girl walked into a room as to when she would turn around and blatantly throw herself at him.  Yeah, we were “friends”, but this kid had a reputation.  Of what? I’m not exactly sure.  Next on the list was Michael.  Let me tell ya, that Michael kid drove me absolutely crazy.  He would approach my table at lunch, and once he sat down, he never shut his mouth.  Literally.  He would incessantly talk from the time he sat down until the time he left.  So, being as stealth as I could be, I would come up with an excuse as to why I needed to abruptly leave just to avoid his presence.  But now I was forced to be in his presence out in the wilderness for 5 weeks! And then there was Nicholas.  My first memory of him involves our camp director saying “Now guys, I realize that I’ve hired some beautiful, Godly girls for the summer.  More than anything, I want you to marry one of them (or at least someone like them).  Just do it after the 5 weeks.”  Immediately, Nicholas chimed in, “Hey ladies… so what are you doing after the next 5 weeks?  Can I go ahead a schedule a date?”

Throughout my tenure this past summer, I grew to love these gentlemen.  Not in a “you’re attractive, let’s go out” love, but a “I love you because of who you are and Christ is honored in it” kind of love.  Of course, my friendship with these guys took some time.  I don’t have a brother, so they graciously inundated me with “Manhood 101″ and in true Jyess fashion, I  boldly instructed them in the art of appropriate dinner table conversation.  For the longest time they thought I was a prude because I don’t talk about bodily functions at the dinner table, nor do I talk about my life in intimate detail.  We now mutually respect each other.  Those who I initially liked the least, I now love the most.

I'm Thankful for Unexpected Friendship.

Never saw it coming,

~Jyess

#1.) Patience, Young Grasshopper.

We live in society of instant gratification.  From iTunes to Facebook, and now Twitter, if we want something, we are just one click away from making it happen.  However, relationships (at least Godly, healthy ones) aren’t so easy.  They aren’t microwaveable TV dinners but rather pot roasts that take all day to marinate.  (Okay, now I’m hungry.)  Patience is key. If your interested in a guy, and you have subtly let him know of your interest, let him take the initiative to pursue you.  Don’t stalk him on Facebook, incessantly text him, or any other weird criminal offense that could land you in jail.  Desperate women + need for attention = orange jumpsuit.

Also, refrain from meeting a guy to marriage in 2.5 seconds. Let me clarify:

Sarah: Your name’s Webster? Webster….?

Webster: Davis.  I’m Webster Davis.

Sarah: (thinking to herself) Well, Mrs. Davis does have a nice ring to it.

I wish we all had someone to slap our hand every time we were guilty of this.

#2.) The Rise of Suzy Homemaker.

I used to cringe at the idea of stay-at-home wife.  Like seriously, who would honestly enjoy doing laundry, cooking and cleaning all day?  That was before I had a home of my own.  While I don’t enjoy the mundane task of grocery shopping, I’m now a huge fan of cooking dinner for people. Improve your marriage marketability by brushing up on your homemaking skills. Ladies, if you can’t run your house (or dorm room) now, it’s not going to magically change once you’re married. I’m sure your future husband will be ever thankful for your culinary, laundering and magnificent cleaning talents. Even if you never get married, you’ll still have experience efficiently running a household that can serve as a refuge for those needing a place to stay.

#3.) The Art of Mystery (or Reverse Diarrhea of the Mouth)

As women, communication is our strength.  However, sometimes this leads to our demise.  My beloved friend Mackenzie Wallace (not her real name) has a huge problem with being mysterious.  She’s so afraid that she can’t capture a man’s attention, that when she finally does, it’s like a machine gun avalanche of information.  I like to call it “Overwhelming Men with Your Awesomeness”.

Instead of giving him the bulleted spark notes version, give him time to discover you like a classic novel. In time, he’ll find out how awesome you are.  Retaining your mystery doesn’t mean that you avoid him altogether, but it does mean that you shouldn’t rush into talking about your life’s passions in intimate detail.  By not emotionally giving yourself to every guy who looks your way, you’re saving pieces of yourself for your future husband.  And believe me, that guy will have worked hard enough to deserve it.

#4.) Nobody Likes A Cry Baby … Or An Incessant Flirt

Manipulation is truly a force to be reckoned with.  It doesn’t help that shows like “The Bachelor” highlight such behaviors.  As women, we have the powerful tool of using our tears to make a man’s heart turn to sympathetic mush.  The problem is knowing when to genuinely let emotion escape through our tears and when we’re just aiming for dramatic effect.  It all comes down to the motive.  Are you crying because something has stirred your soul or are you using it as a last resort to get your way?  Check yo self before you wreck yo self, girlfriend.

By the way, I’ve heard many girls say, “I just get along better with guys than girls” as a just reason to why they have a plethora of male buddies and few female friends.  Why is that?  I find it interesting that the same young women who proclaim this statement are the ones who post on their profiles that they “can’t stand drama”.  I’m sorry, honey, but if you’re one chick hanging around a bunch of guys, you are inviting drama into your life.

While guys like the attention of an incessant flirt, a real man won’t settle down with one.  Leave your catty behavior at the back door and develop friendships with women of all generations.  Despite what society says, you need this fellowship more than you know.  The sooner you realize this, the less heartache you’ll endure later.

#5.) Kiss the Cookie Cutter Goodbye And Be Original.

During this time of singleness, find out who you are.  Find out what you like.  For heaven’s sake, please read books of intellectual depth.  Nothing pains me more than to see a gorgeous girl with cobwebs for a brain.  It is those women who have distracted the male population for far enough.  You can’t base the status of your entire love life on immodest clothes and ridiculously high heels.  Become a woman of substance.  One way of doing this is to take Scripture seriously.  It’s okay for women to become Biblical scholars.  Plus, men need women to hold them accountable according to Biblical standards.

#6.) Unrealistic Expectations of  Prince Charming.

Okay ladies, I’m going to be extremely frank on this subject.  Let’s talk about this whole “Prince Charming” notion.  Sure, it’s a romantic and classic fairytale.  However, as Mrs. Carol Reid eloquently puts it, “Prince Charming doesn’t exist, and even if he did, he probably wouldn’t  date you.”   I’m in favor of having high standards for my dating relationships. Why settle for McDonald’s when you can afford J.Alexander’s?  The problem with setting expectations too high is that no mortal man is able to reach it.  We are all fallible humans incapable of perfection.  If a strong Christian guy, whom you are friends with, asks you out on a date, you should go. You’re thinking, “But, he doesn’t look anything like the man I’d pictured myself with.”  Answer these three questions and if you can answer yes to all of them, YOU SHOULD GO OUT WITH HIM.

1. Is he a spiritual leader?
2. Does he treat women with respect?
3. Does he have a job?

Lastly, I’m a firm believer in mulligans.  If you got out with a guy and the date flops, at least give him another chance.  Maybe he was nervous?  Maybe he had a bad day?  Or maybe he was so enraptured by your beauty that he was unable to speak coherently.  Sometimes, you just gotta give a little grace.

And it came to pass,

~Jyess

In my observation, the ages of 19-21 are crucial in a man’s life.  Sure, you’re an adult.  You look like one and hopefully, you sound like one (unless you’re a late bloomer.  Patience is a virtue?)   However, these three years are major in your becoming the man God created you to be.  You have many lessons to learn.  It’s high time you realize the importance of this.

#1.) Stop whining… and start moving.

If you find yourself single for a season, don’t whine about it.  This is a time of preparation to get yourself for ready for your future “Mrs.”  Do you have a job?  If not, you should start pounding the pavement.  If you manage to get a girl without having any financial stability, it’s obvious that she has set the bar really low.

#2.) There’s a fine line between pursuing and pestering.

While we, the female population, are thrilled that you are taking the initiative to “man up”, if you consistently pursue a girl and she doesn’t show the same affections, it would be wise for you to take a time-out and evaluate your motives.  Are you pursuing her because you value her and would like to get to know her on a deeper level or is it merely because you crave female attention?  If you honestly identify with the latter, manufacturing a relationship out of thin air will inevitably fail.  Why?  Because you have no idea who you are.  Which leads to numero tres…

#3.) Friendship first.

I’ve talked with several young men who have blatantly described the attributes of their future wife.  While is it noble to have a list of characteristics for your future beloved, it’s foolish to expect her to fall from the sky.  No woman, if she is worthy of becoming your wife, is going to fall for your mediocre looks and flat one-liners alone.  Inspect the girl you’re considering pursuing.  Is she someone that you could have a genuine friendship with?  If not, you need to run.  Run far away, because a relationship that isn’t based on Christ first and friendship second is doomed for failure after the first date.  True love is formed out of a friendship that places the needs of the other before your own.  If you can’t be self-sacrificing in a friendship, don’t even bother with taking it to the next level.

#4.) Quit worrying about your outer appearance and deal with the inner man.

I have a confession to make.  I, Jyess and many other women, could personally care less what you look like.  Sure, there is some importance placed on the physical, but that isn’t what keeps us attracted to you.  It is your substance that maintains our interest.  You might work out religiously, but in 10 years it’s inevitably going to turn to flab.  We cherish you as a complete person (spiritual + mental + physical) and wish that you could see things from our perspective. If you have issues with anger, self esteem, or need to re-establish God as the center of your life, do it now.  If you wait until you have a girl, you’ll just be going through the motions per her request. Get busy getting your life in order now, so that when you find her you will be ready.

#5.) Humble soul searching earns the attention of Godly women.

As women, we desperately want men to pursue us.  Not just your average Joe, but a man who takes God seriously and has put in the time seeking after Him.  We don’t care how intelligent you appear to the masses.  We are primarily concerned with your true character.  Are you serving “the least of these” without seeking recognition?  Are you setting aside time to be alone with God?  Do you take your future marriage vows seriously by not giving in to lust or rushing into physical relationships?  We notice these things.  We don’t broadcast our observations, but take heed that we can see straight through your act.  If you’ve convinced yourself that the “bad boy” approach is what women want, you couldn’t be farther away from the truth.  In time all things will be revealed.  Make sure that it’s your Godly character instead of your hypocrisy that gets exposed.

p.s. I apologize if you have been previously led on by selfish girls (not women) who manipulated you.  However, let the past be the past and move forward.  If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve gotten.  ’Tis time to break the cycle.

With these truthful words I seal my fate,

~Jyess

Hazel, Mersadis, Gloria, Earline, Mary-Kate, Jodonne – these women, along with a plethora of others, have invested great time over the years in making sure that I developed into a young woman who whole heartedly pursed after God.  Without the influence of these women, I would have ceased to stay focused on who I am in sight of who God is.  Aside from the presence of women that I actually know, my other role models for Biblical femininity are Laura Belle Barnard, Corrie ten Boom, and Ruth Bell Graham.  Today, I’m going to focus on Ruth’s legacy.

I value Ruth because I admire her character.  She was witty and spoke her mind.  She loved people and adventure.  But above all, she was real.  She was transparent in revealing her struggles, and through it all she drew people closer to God simply by sharing her own story.  Her love for Christ was evident. I’m thankful for Ruth’s candidness in her writing and her honesty as she chronicled God’s faithfulness in her journal. Even after her passing, though people remembered Ruth’s humor and intellect, they could not stop talking about how her faith influenced them:

“If she’s talking to you, she’s talking to you, she’s not looking past you. You may only have her for a few seconds, but you’ve got her attention and she’s listening to what you’re saying.” – Dan Rather

~

“They asked her did she ever think about divorce and she said, ‘No, I’ve never thought of divorce in all these 35 years of marriage, but,’ she said, ‘I did think of murder a few times.’”
- Billy Graham, on Phil Donahue

~

“My mother was in love with Jesus…and that love was contagious,” Lotz shared. “She wasn’t caught up in religion or tradition or rituals-she was caught up in a personal relationship with Jesus.” – Her daughter Ann Graham Lotz

~

“Billy’s told me over and over again that Ruth is the real Christian in the family.”
- Barbara Bush

~

“She likes to help someone that’s in trouble. You know she couldn’t go to Tibet, so she endeavored to help people by her written word, and by love in action behind the scenes.”
- Karlene Shea

Carving out my own,

~Jyess

by Sara Groves

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I’ve seen and know
It’s more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones
and I cannot let it go

And when I’m weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

Lord it’s all that I can’t carry and cannot leave behind
it often overwhelms me
but when I think of all who’ve gone before and lived the faithful life
their courage compels me
And when I’m weary and overwrought
with so many battles left unfought

I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

I see the shepherd Moses in the Pharoahs court
I hear his call for freedom for the people of the Lord

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul

I see the young missionary and the angry spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear

I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sister standing by the dying man’s side

I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door

I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
and when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them
I want to be one of them.

~

Last fall, I was fortunate enough to get to see Sara perform this song on her “Art, Music, Justice Tour” as they made a stop in Nashville.  Here’s a clip of her singing the song live.

Sara Groves – “When The Saints”

Continue to stay focused to your calling,

~Jyess

-Amanda Fretter on December 4, 2008

~

If only I could expose all of the quotes from the coffee stained pages of this journal.  You’d see all the times in which I’d giddily write about something, and then a few days later have reality crush my hopes.  You’d also see the progression of personal growth dripping with irony.  Many of my individual life experiences have proven themselves to be worthy of literary status; thus, the reason for writing Courting Miss Collier.  Keep in mind that it is a work based on actual events that have been creatively tampered with for the sake of rich storytelling.  I apologize for the cumbersome length.

Today’s quotes follow the interactions and friendships of Rebekah June Forrester.  I’ll insert bits of plot to fill in the gaps, but I’ll leave it you, dear reader, to come up with your own assumptions as to her character.

Conflicts Between Wade and Rebekah.

Rebekah: You had no right to call me, Wade Stevens.  I’ve lost all respect for you.

Wade: I’m just a man… doing man things.

Rebekah: No, you’re not.  A real man wouldn’t have gotten drunk.  A real man wouldn’t have called me at 2 AM.  A real man wouldn’t have thrown a brick through my window after I refused to open my door to listen to your ridiculous illogical explanation.  A real man would deserve my respect.  You sir, are nothing more than a waste of time and energy.

Rebekah: Don’t call me.  Don’t text me.  And heaven forbid you should actually communicate with me face to face.  I can’t believe that you honestly thought that your drunkenness would somehow sway the affections of my heart.

~

Rebekah: Wade, you may call me later when you’re not inebriated and have a better command of your vocabulary.

~

Rebekah: It’s because I’m a lady that I’ll refrain from saying exactly what I’m thinking.  Wade, if you were any closer I’d slap you for being an ignorant excuse for a human being. I mean that in the harshest way possible. Let me kindly escourt you out.  I do not wish to speak to you again.

~

Rebekah: I guess that whatever we were will only be between the lines.

Wade: ‘Til the day I die.

Rebekah: Actually, being “between the lines” infers that we were on the same page.  I am pleased to inform you, Wade Stevens, that we are not.

More Interaction With Wade.

Rebekah: Okay, so what’s the infamous critique? Was the dialogue watered down, plot predictable, and musical score strategically placed to encourage a “happily ever after” ending?

Wade: Yes.  It was simply too sappy.  The whole two hours oozed with non-realistic expectations of how relationships are.  Overflowing compassion and humility? Show me the guy who possesses those qualities and I’ll show you the scars of unrequited love.

Rebekah: Sounds like someone’s become skeptical and a bit jaded.

~

After Wade asks for her honest opinion about his fashion choices:

Rebekah: (sarcastically) For someone who asked for my fashion advice and then rejected it, nice shoes Wade. Are they new?

~

Rebekah: Wade, I believe that 75% of the things you say are merely said to get a reaction from me.

Wade: And is it working?

Rebekah: Yes… I mean, I haven’t the fondest idea of what you’re talking about.

On Dating

Rebekah: Sometimes you get a gold mine, others it’s just really shiny dirt.

~

Rebekah: I could never date a guy that has more cleavage than me.

~

Issac: Don’t you date men?

Rebekah: I most certainly don’t date women, if that’s what you’re asking.

Enter the Acoustic Friendship with Isaac Gibson.

Rebekah: I’m slapping you with some serious silence.

Isaac: Oh, so we’re having an argument of alliteration?  Well then, the clouds will stop crying once you clear your conscience.

Rebekah: Personification and alliteration.  I never knew you had it in you, Mr. Gibson.  And the slapping of silence suddenly starts now.

~

Rebekah: You know what happens when you assume…

Isaac: No, please tell me.

Rebekah: If you’re not smart enough to figure it out, I’m not dumb enough to tell you.

~

Isaac comes to Rebekah for advice.

Rebekah: (sarcastically to Isaac) Well, I’m specializing in adolescent psychology, which actually may work in your favor.

~

After hearing Isaac’s first open mic night

Rebekah: Am I supposed to swoon now?

Rebekah: Sir, I’m sorry but I have no intentions of wasting your time or money.  I must warn you that any future efforts may be rejected.  These girls that meet you after shows mentally go from meeting to matrimony in 2.5 seconds.  I guarantee you they are already practicing their signature as the future Mrs. Gibson.

~

Isaac: Don’t you want the chance to make more money?

Rebekah: Why do I need more money?  My bills are routinely paid.  I have no substantial debts.  My needs are met.  I can’t complain.

Isaac: But don’t you want new stuff?

Rebekah: It is the love of money that serves as the root of all evil.  Besides, if I had more money I would be tempted to frivolously spend it which would acquire more debt, leaving me to my original dumbfounded state at how fast one can transition from riches to poverty.

~

Isaac: How are you so adventurous?

Rebekah: I discovered a long time ago that it is the Creator who gives life and takes it away.  You only get one chance to effectively redeem the time you’re given.  Choose wisely, lest ye not take advantage of providential opportunities.

Happy Sabbath,

~Jyess

Since you have proven your faithfulness to put up with my ramblings, I thought that I’d give you a sneak peek into the inner workings of my most epic writing project to date: Courting Miss Collier: A Fictitious Adaptation of Life and Love.  I have been working on developing the plot line for the novel since January 27, 2008.  Take heed in remembering that good things come to those who wait: a providential virtue that currently embodies my existence.

Over the course of this blog, I’ll drop a few lines that I have written thus far (I know, you’re dying in suspense).  As a Reading/Language Arts teacher, I am consistently immersed in the language of grammar and effective reading strategies, but I have to carve out the time for my own creative writing endeavors.  Thus, Courting Miss Collier will serve as my respite.  As you read the basic plot line, those of you who personally know me are going to assume that our heroine, Sarah Jane Collier, is my way of writing myself into literary form.  Your assumption couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Throughout the story, I have implanted glimpses of experiences from my own life and those that have come to respect, Sarah Jane is not me.  As the plot develops and as I slowly reveal character development, you may find a female character that embodies a bit of Jyess.  I’ll leave that interpretation up to you dear reader as the opportunity presents itself.  But just know that Sarah Jane, once again, is not my literary counterpart.

For those of you who have asked me about the book and its contents, I apologize for not giving you a specific answer.  Several themes will be interwoven such as sexual purity, self-discovery, rejection, etc.  If I could be frank, the book will hint at themes that I’ve dealt with in my past three years as a twenty-something.  As a revisit my tattered journal from college, it makes me laugh at what I thought I knew then and what I really know now.  Sometimes what we want and what we need are two completely different things.  Thus, in some ways my life does parallel to that of the characters in CMC, but then again this is a work of fiction not an autobiography.  If you wish to seek where my life ends in the story and where the true plot begins, you’ll have to ask the right questions.  I’ll leave you with an excerpt from Wade Stevens, a socially awkward manager of a used book store and who views Miss Collier as the object of his unrequited love:

“Your rejection was the best thing that could’ve happened to me.”

- Wade Stevens

~

I promise to reveal more of this story as time progresses.  All suggestions and critiques are welcomed.

The Inner Workings of an Analytical Mind

May you boldly live out your own story,

~Jyess

To my dismay, although Pat was the central character of the documentary, I was drawn to the story of Evan (Pat’s best friend).  Evan and his wife continued to take precious care of Peter while he was waiting for a kidney transplant.  (Evan’s wife even volunteered to give Pat a kidney and was denied due to less than perfect health conditions.)  Throughout the movie, the most memorable quote that stuck with me came from Evan who was trying to juggle both being a stellar father amidst his consistent tour schedule.  At one point, Evan took a hiatus from the band to spend time with his family, specifically his wife.  He said, “I just wanted to return home to the girl who volunteered to give my best friend a kidney.  All I want to do is simply hang out with her.”  I’ll leave the rest a mystery for those interested in watching.  To give you a glimpse at my reaction, I was so emotionally moved by Evan’s story that I actually felt as if I were there experiencing life with Evan and Peter.  I sincerely wish that more of my life echoed this kind of authenticity.

D Tour: A Rock ‘N Roll Movie About Life, Death and Bodily Functions

~Jyess