"Dream Big. Work Hard. All things are possible"
- Ursula M. Burns, CEO Xerox
(first black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company)
Welcome! You've found the home blog of Janine Wiggins. If you're looking for my "Nuclear Winter" blog, you'll have to go to the high side. Feel free to email me anytime!
Dream Big
Posted by J. Wiggins on Saturday 06 February 2010 - 00:05:03
Moving to Barksdale
Posted by J. Wiggins on Monday 25 January 2010 - 22:39:21
I have received official notification that I am moving to Barksdale AFB, Louisiana in July. I will probably depart Montgomery the week following the General Assembly. Please spread the word, and keep us in continued prayer. Thank you.
Friendship Fo' REAL!
Posted by J. Wiggins on Friday 15 January 2010 - 18:25:22
Are you tired of those sissy 'friendship' poems that always sound good but
never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises
that actually speak of True Friendship. You WON'T see cutesy little smiley
faces; just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a
spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!
2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be
involved in.
4. When you're scared, we will high-tail it out of here together.
5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much
worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!
6. When you are confused, I will use little words.
7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again. I don't
want whatever you have.
8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off-- After I laugh till my side hurts!
This is my oath. I pledge it to the end.
'Why?' you may ask; because you're my FRIEND!
(Remember, "Friendship is like wetting your pants. Everyone can see it, but
only YOU can feel the true warmth")
never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises
that actually speak of True Friendship. You WON'T see cutesy little smiley
faces; just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.
1. When you are sad, I will jump on the person who made you sad like a
spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew!
2. When you are blue, I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.
3. When you smile, I will know you are plotting something that I must be
involved in.
4. When you're scared, we will high-tail it out of here together.
5. When you are worried, I will tell you horrible stories about how much
worse it could be until you quit whining, ya big baby!
6. When you are confused, I will use little words.
7. When you are sick, stay away from me until you are well again. I don't
want whatever you have.
8. When you fall, I'll pick you up and dust you off-- After I laugh till my side hurts!
This is my oath. I pledge it to the end.
'Why?' you may ask; because you're my FRIEND!
(Remember, "Friendship is like wetting your pants. Everyone can see it, but
only YOU can feel the true warmth")
Change We Actually CAN Believe In
Posted by J. Wiggins on Wednesday 23 December 2009 - 22:55:14
After 4 days of travel delays, I finally made it home. Since I’m flying right back out tomorrow afternoon, I decided to get take-out rather than cook. I didn’t realize how generously sized the portions would be, and was surprised when the waitress brought out two large cases of food. I pondered how to balance two cases of food, two large styrofoam cups, a sleepy toddler, and a “you fiend” purse, and had decided to make two trips (and hope I didn’t get robbed), when a white teenage boy offered to carry both cases to the car for me. I glanced at his southern belle of a mom, who further surprised me by nodding her approval, and thanked him heartily as he grabbed the cases for me, opened the door for me, then carried my dinner down to my little red bug at the far end of the parking lot.
This event surprised me for two reasons:
1. My girlfriends and I had just been whining about how the more self-sufficient a woman is, the less likely anyone is to offer her help. It’s a vicious cycle: because you have confidence to do things yourself, you get offered less help, b/c you get offered less help, you have to learn to do more things for yourself. So I was not expecting an offer of help.
2. I’m back home in the Gump, and, well, when was the last time any of you readers saw a white boy offer to help a black woman (unless she was paying him)? Race issues have been heavy on my mind for a while now, and this is the angle I’ll take with the rest of this post.
My thinking about race began a couple days ago when I went to dinner with a friend. I love to try new restaurants, so was excited to go. However, from the moment I walked in, something didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel right when the hostess pointed me to the ladies room, and the feeling didn’t lift when I returned to the foyer at the same time that my friend arrived. The feeling grew worse when we were seated at the worst table and requested to be moved. My friend was rightfully irritated because the place was practically empty and the other two parties were comfortably seated in the far corner. The feeling so colored my perceptions that when my friend discussed “those people” in the white house, I was horrified; having misinterpreted “those people” to mean blacks, not liberals (as was intended, and quickly explained).
The feeling left me a poor dinner partner, I suspect, because it so occupied my mind that I was rendered useless in holding up my end of what should have been a spirited political debate. With few exceptions, I shrugged off each topic with, “you’ve got a good point,” and returned, inwardly, to my reflection of how different it is living as a black person, even in the most powerful nation in the world.
Before I continue, let me say up front that being black in today’s America is NOTHING like it was 50, 40, or even 20 years ago. My struggles pale in comparison to what previous generations had to endure. I am ever so grateful that they kept on keeping on, that they fought the good fight of faith, and that they persevered so I can be where I am today. Praise God for your sacrifices! I am truly thankful.
As I munched on my stale bread and picked out the mushrooms I had asked them not to include in my salad, I thought how different life was for me and my Caucasian friend. I won’t go so far as to accuse the restaurant of seating us by the kitchen to slight us, because we weren’t in the deep south, but I’ve been in many places where there was “meaning” behind giving my group the worst seats in the house, behind getting our order wrong, and behind serving us poor quality food. My friend requested a new seat, but I was caught off guard by the request because I’m quite used to it by now. Not only have I stopped asking to be reseated, but I don’t even notice it anymore. I would never have complained about the stale bread and requested more because I’m used to it. Again, I’m not accusing that restaurant of being racist (this was after a bad blizzard, and it’s far more likely their supply trucks hadn’t come through) but it got me thinking about all the times when such incidences WERE on purpose.
When did I stop insisting on proper treatment? When did I stop noticing? When did I get used to being a second class citizen? When did I switch from outrage at not being served in a store (“uh, no I’ll take the guy behind you”), to acceptance (that’s just the way it is-go along to get along, don’t rock the boat, don’t make life harder for the rest of us)? How did I go from arriving in the USA as a 16 yr old, ready to experience the melting pot, the rainbow, and the land of the free, being shocked at the “isolated” incidences of bigotry I observed that first summer, to the young woman who doesn’t bat an eye when informed of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, or told “your son will never attend this school so stop trying.” Perhaps it happened when I moved to a city that has “Cradle of the Confederacy” smack dab in the middle of its city seal.
I tell of my experiences with a smile on my face. It’s a funny aberration of an otherwise great nation. I joke about the “white door” and “black door” some establishments still have (not labeled, of course, but you learn to pay attention after the first time of walking in the wrong door). Why smile, why joke, when it’s really not funny? Because it covers up some of the pain and dissipates some of the anger at not being able to DO anything about it. I tell myself to fight it with my conduct, for as Lt Col Herb Carter (an original Tuskegee Airman) says, “the antidote to racism is excellence in performance.” I try to fool myself by saying it’s a compliment when locals discus, “those people,” or, “the blacks” and qualify their statements with, “but we’re not talking about you.” That is a compliment, right? Right? Yeah. Right.
I thought about a lot more during that dinner, things that I would not feel comfortable printing here, and things I certainly wasn’t going to discuss with my Caucasian friend: experiences with which my civilian, military, and spiritual mentors have held me spellbound, stories they have told us behind closed doors, advice and warnings they have provided that, while contrary to my optimistic, glass-half-full mentality, has always served me well.
In spite of this, I look at how our nation has changed in just a few decades: A friend was telling us how as a teenager she couldn’t go into the restaurants and stores of her home town, but now, in her 60s, she can turn on the TV and look upon a (half) black president. The walls are coming down, the glass ceilings are slowly being broken. I’m not sure things will ever truly be equal, but I do know that my son can aspire to be whatever he wants to be. It may not be easy, but all things are possible. If a young white boy, in the “Cradle of the Confederacy,” is willing to carry a black woman’s packages to her car, and the leader of the free world has some color to his skin, our nation has indeed seen change… change we can actually believe in.
Please remember that I've disabled comments on this site. If you would like to comment on this post, please email me and I'll post your comment.
This event surprised me for two reasons:
1. My girlfriends and I had just been whining about how the more self-sufficient a woman is, the less likely anyone is to offer her help. It’s a vicious cycle: because you have confidence to do things yourself, you get offered less help, b/c you get offered less help, you have to learn to do more things for yourself. So I was not expecting an offer of help.
2. I’m back home in the Gump, and, well, when was the last time any of you readers saw a white boy offer to help a black woman (unless she was paying him)? Race issues have been heavy on my mind for a while now, and this is the angle I’ll take with the rest of this post.
My thinking about race began a couple days ago when I went to dinner with a friend. I love to try new restaurants, so was excited to go. However, from the moment I walked in, something didn’t feel right. It didn’t feel right when the hostess pointed me to the ladies room, and the feeling didn’t lift when I returned to the foyer at the same time that my friend arrived. The feeling grew worse when we were seated at the worst table and requested to be moved. My friend was rightfully irritated because the place was practically empty and the other two parties were comfortably seated in the far corner. The feeling so colored my perceptions that when my friend discussed “those people” in the white house, I was horrified; having misinterpreted “those people” to mean blacks, not liberals (as was intended, and quickly explained).
The feeling left me a poor dinner partner, I suspect, because it so occupied my mind that I was rendered useless in holding up my end of what should have been a spirited political debate. With few exceptions, I shrugged off each topic with, “you’ve got a good point,” and returned, inwardly, to my reflection of how different it is living as a black person, even in the most powerful nation in the world.
Before I continue, let me say up front that being black in today’s America is NOTHING like it was 50, 40, or even 20 years ago. My struggles pale in comparison to what previous generations had to endure. I am ever so grateful that they kept on keeping on, that they fought the good fight of faith, and that they persevered so I can be where I am today. Praise God for your sacrifices! I am truly thankful.
As I munched on my stale bread and picked out the mushrooms I had asked them not to include in my salad, I thought how different life was for me and my Caucasian friend. I won’t go so far as to accuse the restaurant of seating us by the kitchen to slight us, because we weren’t in the deep south, but I’ve been in many places where there was “meaning” behind giving my group the worst seats in the house, behind getting our order wrong, and behind serving us poor quality food. My friend requested a new seat, but I was caught off guard by the request because I’m quite used to it by now. Not only have I stopped asking to be reseated, but I don’t even notice it anymore. I would never have complained about the stale bread and requested more because I’m used to it. Again, I’m not accusing that restaurant of being racist (this was after a bad blizzard, and it’s far more likely their supply trucks hadn’t come through) but it got me thinking about all the times when such incidences WERE on purpose.
When did I stop insisting on proper treatment? When did I stop noticing? When did I get used to being a second class citizen? When did I switch from outrage at not being served in a store (“uh, no I’ll take the guy behind you”), to acceptance (that’s just the way it is-go along to get along, don’t rock the boat, don’t make life harder for the rest of us)? How did I go from arriving in the USA as a 16 yr old, ready to experience the melting pot, the rainbow, and the land of the free, being shocked at the “isolated” incidences of bigotry I observed that first summer, to the young woman who doesn’t bat an eye when informed of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, or told “your son will never attend this school so stop trying.” Perhaps it happened when I moved to a city that has “Cradle of the Confederacy” smack dab in the middle of its city seal.
I tell of my experiences with a smile on my face. It’s a funny aberration of an otherwise great nation. I joke about the “white door” and “black door” some establishments still have (not labeled, of course, but you learn to pay attention after the first time of walking in the wrong door). Why smile, why joke, when it’s really not funny? Because it covers up some of the pain and dissipates some of the anger at not being able to DO anything about it. I tell myself to fight it with my conduct, for as Lt Col Herb Carter (an original Tuskegee Airman) says, “the antidote to racism is excellence in performance.” I try to fool myself by saying it’s a compliment when locals discus, “those people,” or, “the blacks” and qualify their statements with, “but we’re not talking about you.” That is a compliment, right? Right? Yeah. Right.
I thought about a lot more during that dinner, things that I would not feel comfortable printing here, and things I certainly wasn’t going to discuss with my Caucasian friend: experiences with which my civilian, military, and spiritual mentors have held me spellbound, stories they have told us behind closed doors, advice and warnings they have provided that, while contrary to my optimistic, glass-half-full mentality, has always served me well.
In spite of this, I look at how our nation has changed in just a few decades: A friend was telling us how as a teenager she couldn’t go into the restaurants and stores of her home town, but now, in her 60s, she can turn on the TV and look upon a (half) black president. The walls are coming down, the glass ceilings are slowly being broken. I’m not sure things will ever truly be equal, but I do know that my son can aspire to be whatever he wants to be. It may not be easy, but all things are possible. If a young white boy, in the “Cradle of the Confederacy,” is willing to carry a black woman’s packages to her car, and the leader of the free world has some color to his skin, our nation has indeed seen change… change we can actually believe in.
Please remember that I've disabled comments on this site. If you would like to comment on this post, please email me and I'll post your comment.
Congratulations, Ari, on your nomination to President Obama's Council on Disability!
Posted by J. Wiggins on Wednesday 23 December 2009 - 08:10:36
Ari Ne'eman has always impressed me. From the time I first watched him, as a high-schooler, create a national-level organization to support those with ASDs, to the time he somehow got me (who had never been involved in government and was quaking in my shoes) to testify before the MD House in Annapolis. This kid is a dynamo.
Now, President Obama has nominated him as a member of the Council on Disability. This, I hear, makes Ari the youngest (21) nominee of Obama's administration. Ari will bring a unique perspective to the Council. I will admit to being a bit concerned about his lack of real world life experience (or for youse-guys, "street-cred") and his occasional lapses in understanding/appreciation for those on the lower end of the spectrum. Nonetheless, Ari is a great example to our Autistic youth- he has shown that one can learn what it takes to overcome the social and sensory difficulties associated w/autism, and rise up to do great things.
Way to go, Ari! You Da Man! But remember: use your superpowers for good, not evil, LOL! Remember those on the far end of the spectrum who not only need the respect and dignity for which you advocate, but also need a little more assistance than you and other HFAs you work with.
Here's the link to the official announcement: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-121609
Now, President Obama has nominated him as a member of the Council on Disability. This, I hear, makes Ari the youngest (21) nominee of Obama's administration. Ari will bring a unique perspective to the Council. I will admit to being a bit concerned about his lack of real world life experience (or for youse-guys, "street-cred") and his occasional lapses in understanding/appreciation for those on the lower end of the spectrum. Nonetheless, Ari is a great example to our Autistic youth- he has shown that one can learn what it takes to overcome the social and sensory difficulties associated w/autism, and rise up to do great things.
Way to go, Ari! You Da Man! But remember: use your superpowers for good, not evil, LOL! Remember those on the far end of the spectrum who not only need the respect and dignity for which you advocate, but also need a little more assistance than you and other HFAs you work with.
Here's the link to the official announcement: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts-121609
A Heart of Thanksgiving
Posted by J. Wiggins on Thursday 26 November 2009 - 00:55:09
I'm thankful for so many things this weekend...
First of all, believe it or not, I can truly say I am thankful for all the crazy life changes that have happened over the last two years- especially the last 4 months. It's been a whirlwind, and many of my prayers have been something along the line of "Lord, what on EARTH are You doing?? Is this really YOU? It can't possibly be!!" but somehow things are settling down and I can truly say that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
I'm thankful for my family who, in spite of my oddness and occasional detached-ed-ness, love me, care for me, support me, and have been there for me. They haven't given up on me, and I love them dearly.
I'm thankful for my little Peanut (who is rapidly turning into a cashew). He is all boy, all smiles, too-smart-for-his-own-good, and keeps me on my toes. He's fiercely independent, but still insists on mommy snuggles before going to bed. He's a charmer- too much so, sometimes, scaring me by making conversation with perfect strangers. He has a knack for picking out the people in the crowd who most need cheering up and giving them their smile for the day. Every once in awhile, caring for him by myself gets overwhelming, but I remind myself that I cried out in prayer for 8 years that the Lord would open my womb. And as much of a handful as the Peanut can be, I wouldn't have him any other way.
I'm also thankful for my friends who've stood by me for years, patiently supporting me through life's ups and downs. I'm thankful for new friends, who normally would have run from someone going through all I faced this year, but instead, saw something deeper and stayed by my side. I am amazed at the people God has sent in my life- each placed carefully at the time they are most needed, as the scripture says, "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." You all are treasures, and I wouldn't have made it without you.
I'm thankful for the material blessings in my life- a great job, cool car, things like that. Life is usually pleasant, and I remember a time when it was not so.. I'm even thankful for the things that aren't so great (those who know...) b/c they serve as a reminder of why I must life each day to the fullest, and not let others hold me down.
I'm thankful for my health! Though I'm currently overcoming the worst flu I've ever experienced, I consider it a blessing to have typed this letter, drive a car, be healthy, run several half-marathons this year, do 50 pushups the other day. Why am I so thankful? Because 7 years ago I couldn't even button my clothing. I couldn't drive. I couldn't work out. I couldn't cook. I couldn't garden. There were nights I couldn't even eat without assistance. And I was about to lose my job. But now I can do all that and then some. Lord, I thank you.
Finally, and this really should have been first, I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the grace which He metes out on my life each and every day. I'm thankful for that Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who has wiped my tears and given me hope when I felt low. I most CERTAINLY don't deserve His grace, His love, His blessings b/c I'm far from, but I love Him and appreciate His presence in my life.
Take Care, and My God Richly Bless You,
Min. Janine Wiggins
First of all, believe it or not, I can truly say I am thankful for all the crazy life changes that have happened over the last two years- especially the last 4 months. It's been a whirlwind, and many of my prayers have been something along the line of "Lord, what on EARTH are You doing?? Is this really YOU? It can't possibly be!!" but somehow things are settling down and I can truly say that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
I'm thankful for my family who, in spite of my oddness and occasional detached-ed-ness, love me, care for me, support me, and have been there for me. They haven't given up on me, and I love them dearly.
I'm thankful for my little Peanut (who is rapidly turning into a cashew). He is all boy, all smiles, too-smart-for-his-own-good, and keeps me on my toes. He's fiercely independent, but still insists on mommy snuggles before going to bed. He's a charmer- too much so, sometimes, scaring me by making conversation with perfect strangers. He has a knack for picking out the people in the crowd who most need cheering up and giving them their smile for the day. Every once in awhile, caring for him by myself gets overwhelming, but I remind myself that I cried out in prayer for 8 years that the Lord would open my womb. And as much of a handful as the Peanut can be, I wouldn't have him any other way.
I'm also thankful for my friends who've stood by me for years, patiently supporting me through life's ups and downs. I'm thankful for new friends, who normally would have run from someone going through all I faced this year, but instead, saw something deeper and stayed by my side. I am amazed at the people God has sent in my life- each placed carefully at the time they are most needed, as the scripture says, "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." You all are treasures, and I wouldn't have made it without you.
I'm thankful for the material blessings in my life- a great job, cool car, things like that. Life is usually pleasant, and I remember a time when it was not so.. I'm even thankful for the things that aren't so great (those who know...) b/c they serve as a reminder of why I must life each day to the fullest, and not let others hold me down.
I'm thankful for my health! Though I'm currently overcoming the worst flu I've ever experienced, I consider it a blessing to have typed this letter, drive a car, be healthy, run several half-marathons this year, do 50 pushups the other day. Why am I so thankful? Because 7 years ago I couldn't even button my clothing. I couldn't drive. I couldn't work out. I couldn't cook. I couldn't garden. There were nights I couldn't even eat without assistance. And I was about to lose my job. But now I can do all that and then some. Lord, I thank you.
Finally, and this really should have been first, I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the grace which He metes out on my life each and every day. I'm thankful for that Comforter, the Holy Spirit, who has wiped my tears and given me hope when I felt low. I most CERTAINLY don't deserve His grace, His love, His blessings b/c I'm far from, but I love Him and appreciate His presence in my life.
Take Care, and My God Richly Bless You,
Min. Janine Wiggins
Thank You
Posted by J. Wiggins on Friday 23 October 2009 - 10:51:20
Thank you for such a wonderful birthday party for my Peanut. We had a wonderful time, and he loves ALL his toys. I praise God for sending such great people in my life to help me be a good mom to him and to be good friends to him.
Take Care,
God Bless you!
Take Care,
God Bless you!
Birthday, You Are Invited!
Posted by J. Wiggins on Monday 19 October 2009 - 22:51:39
You are warmly invited to celebrate my Peanut's birthday, this Wed the 21st of Oct starting at 7 pm. If you are available, please contact me directly for the location and directions.
Don't worry about bringing a gift, but should you desire to do so he likes:
Trains (especially Thomas)
Cars/Truck/Airplanes, etc
Puzzles
Anything artistic
Anything hands-on-creative (play dough, tactile balls, etc)
And, yes, the boy STILL loves CLOTHES!
(he has even taken to letting me know when something I'm wearing doesn't match!!!)
Whether or not you can make it, thanks again for all the love and support you've shown my little man. I really appreciate it, and pray God blesses you according to Mt 10:42, for your care and concern for him are like a drop of cool water in this dry and weary land.
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. - Mt 10:42
Don't worry about bringing a gift, but should you desire to do so he likes:
Trains (especially Thomas)
Cars/Truck/Airplanes, etc
Puzzles
Anything artistic
Anything hands-on-creative (play dough, tactile balls, etc)
And, yes, the boy STILL loves CLOTHES!
(he has even taken to letting me know when something I'm wearing doesn't match!!!)
Whether or not you can make it, thanks again for all the love and support you've shown my little man. I really appreciate it, and pray God blesses you according to Mt 10:42, for your care and concern for him are like a drop of cool water in this dry and weary land.
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. - Mt 10:42
Rather Serve Terrorists!
Posted by J. Wiggins on Sunday 27 September 2009 - 18:03:37
SIGN IN A WHITING, INDIANA STORE FRONT WINDOW
'WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1,000 AL QAEDA TERRORISTS THAN WITH ONE SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER!'
This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Whiting, Indiana . You are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement. However, we are a society which holds Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty.
And after all, it is just a sign.
You may ask what kind of business would dare post such a sign.
[ Read the rest ... ]
'WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1,000 AL QAEDA TERRORISTS THAN WITH ONE SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER!'
This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Whiting, Indiana . You are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement. However, we are a society which holds Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty.
And after all, it is just a sign.
You may ask what kind of business would dare post such a sign.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Reflections on 9-11-01
Posted by J. Wiggins on Saturday 12 September 2009 - 00:15:38
It's been a long day, and I was really in a grumpy mood when I finally got home. But, after sitting at home, checking email on my wireless, eating some caramel cremes, in my luxury apartment filled with old books and pretty decor I am struck by how blessed I truly am.
I can sit here, reflecting on 9-11, knowing that my one little "war story" involved no real combat, and talking to my peers, it now pales in comparison of the killing they did. I thank God, praise God, that my mind has not been ravaged by the insanity of war, that my limbs are intact, and that my Peanut still has a mother.
Rather than complain about the job, I'm thankful I have a job to go to.
Rather than complain that my feet hurt, I'm thankful that I have feet capable of running for an hour and then moving boxes all day.
Rather than gripe at my son having a meltdown, I'm thankful that he exists. That I'm not a mother whose child disappeared that fateful day when a terrorist took out the Pentagon Child Development Center.
We have a lot to be thankful for. And a lot to remember. So please visit the following links to join me in honoring the immediate victims of 9-11. Please also never forget that we are a nation at war, and many are making the ultimate sacrifice every day that you and I might have our freedoms:
List of All Victims
Complete List of Victims
Lists broken down by flight/building:
World Trade Center
American Airlines Flight 11
United Airlines Flight 175
Pentagon (view bios on DefendAmerica)
American Airlines Flight 77
United Airlines Flight 93
Stories of Survivors
Please note that comments are turned off. If you would like to comment on this post, send me an email at janine@janinewiggins.com
- Some people don't have email. Some countries don't have wireless.
- I bet the folks in Afghanistan don't have caramel cremes- unless some American GI provided them with a few.
- My luxury is white crown railing, a duck pond with fountain, and valet trash. In other countries, luxury is an extra pair of shoes, more than one horse, knowing where your next meal comes from, and not worrying about getting caught in crossfire.
- Old books? In some countries, people don't have TIME for such useless things has books- they are too busy trying to stay alive. I know, because I've visited them on the missions field.
I can sit here, reflecting on 9-11, knowing that my one little "war story" involved no real combat, and talking to my peers, it now pales in comparison of the killing they did. I thank God, praise God, that my mind has not been ravaged by the insanity of war, that my limbs are intact, and that my Peanut still has a mother.
Rather than complain about the job, I'm thankful I have a job to go to.
Rather than complain that my feet hurt, I'm thankful that I have feet capable of running for an hour and then moving boxes all day.
Rather than gripe at my son having a meltdown, I'm thankful that he exists. That I'm not a mother whose child disappeared that fateful day when a terrorist took out the Pentagon Child Development Center.
We have a lot to be thankful for. And a lot to remember. So please visit the following links to join me in honoring the immediate victims of 9-11. Please also never forget that we are a nation at war, and many are making the ultimate sacrifice every day that you and I might have our freedoms:
List of All Victims
Complete List of Victims
Lists broken down by flight/building:
World Trade Center
American Airlines Flight 11
United Airlines Flight 175
Pentagon (view bios on DefendAmerica)
American Airlines Flight 77
United Airlines Flight 93
Stories of Survivors
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Let the Consecration Begin...
Posted by J. Wiggins on Monday 07 September 2009 - 21:14:18
As I prepare for the Consecration, here is my list of reminders:
1. Don't forget to make "the list." Fully expect the Lord to move, with POWER, for everything on that list!
2. Soup first. Soup first. Soup first. Girl, don't break your fast on chips and pirouettes!
3. Be extra nice to your students. Let this be the first class during the fast to NOT give you the feedback, "No More Fasting."
4. And don't do THIS EVER AGAIN!!!
Saints, I pray that the Lord bless you mightily as we begin this series of fasts. May it be even as Isaiah 58:6-11
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
1. Don't forget to make "the list." Fully expect the Lord to move, with POWER, for everything on that list!
2. Soup first. Soup first. Soup first. Girl, don't break your fast on chips and pirouettes!
3. Be extra nice to your students. Let this be the first class during the fast to NOT give you the feedback, "No More Fasting."
4. And don't do THIS EVER AGAIN!!!
Saints, I pray that the Lord bless you mightily as we begin this series of fasts. May it be even as Isaiah 58:6-11
Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Liars in Church
Posted by J. Wiggins on Friday 04 September 2009 - 13:32:10
The Preacher finished the service one morning by saying,
"Next Sunday, I am going to preach on the subject of liars.
As a preparation for my sermon, I would like you all to read Mark 17."
On the following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin.
Looking out at the congregation he said:
"Last week I asked you all to read Mark 17.
If you have read the chapter, please raise your hand."
Nearly every hand in the congregation went up.
Smiling, the preacher said, "You are the very people I want to talk to.
Mark has only 16 chapters
"Next Sunday, I am going to preach on the subject of liars.
As a preparation for my sermon, I would like you all to read Mark 17."
On the following Sunday, the preacher rose to begin.
Looking out at the congregation he said:
"Last week I asked you all to read Mark 17.
If you have read the chapter, please raise your hand."
Nearly every hand in the congregation went up.
Smiling, the preacher said, "You are the very people I want to talk to.
Mark has only 16 chapters
College Loan Repayment Assistance
Posted by J. Wiggins on Thursday 03 September 2009 - 15:58:57
This just in:
Another type of repayment assistance (again, not a cancellation) is available through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program (NELRP). This program will help repay student loans for registered nurses in exchange for their service in eligible facilities located in areas experiencing a shortage of nurses. All NELRP participants must enter into a contract agreeing to provide full-time employment in an approved eligible health facility (EHF) for 2 or 3 years. In return, the NELRP will pay 60 percent of the participant's total qualifying loan balance for two years or 85 percent of the participant's total qualifying loan balance for three years. For more information, call NELRP, toll-free, at 1-866-813-3753 or visit www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/nursing/loanrepay.htm.
Create the Future
Posted by J. Wiggins on Tuesday 25 August 2009 - 06:02:48
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
- Stephen Covey, author
- Stephen Covey, author
Another Great Quote for Dealing W/Tough Times
Posted by J. Wiggins on Friday 21 August 2009 - 18:58:02
“When something hard happens to you, you have two choices in how to deal with it. You can either get bitter, or you get better. I chose to get better. It’s made all the difference.”
~ Josh Shipp, quoted in Donald Miller's new book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
~ Josh Shipp, quoted in Donald Miller's new book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
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