Soap for Jesus

No, this isn't the one I play. This is my grandparents' one from Woodstock, Canada; it used to be in their home in Bridgend, Wales. My dad inherited it; my mom hates it. So my dad is leaving it to me in his will. It needs a lot of revamping, and requires a LOT of knee and leg work for the bellows and sound effects, but it makes awesome sound! (At least, the in-tune keys do. :D) (Yes, I'm in my guinea pig/chicken clean out clothes. You're looking at the ORGAN. :P)

Recently, as the Lord has been getting my own Bible reading under control (with much thanks and blessings to my friends - Mrs Beals, Kyle, Braden and Kiehl), I've heard of more and more of my friends struggling with Bible reading and/or prayer time, if not in the morning, then at all through the day. Our strongest Relationship needs to be with our Heavenly Lover throughout our lives, above any earthly attachment. God has been showing me this; and at some point soon I will share it with you. I love this little poem that so aptly describes what happens in our lives as we start to neglect the most important Relationship in this life and the next. I got up early one morning, And rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish, I didn’t have time to pray. Troubles just tumbled about me, And heavier came each task. "Why doesn’t God help me?" I wondered. He answered, "You didn’t ask." I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock. God gentl...

Considering I deal with blasphemy, cadets joking about sleeping with me, being laughed at for my faith, trying to control indecent talk...I often wonder even now, especially when people ask me, why I stay at 196. Until I get this. (7:56:14 PM) Jenny: you only have to do the odd numbered questions (7:56:47 PM) Holly Mae: ah thank God (Y) (7:56:54 PM) Jamie : xD... (7:57:05 PM) Jamie Y entered the room. (7:57:12 PM) Holly Mae: brb (7:57:37 PM) Sian Jones: Amen. (7:57:51 PM) Jamie Y: heyy (7:58:04 PM) Jamie : sian (7:58:16 PM) Jamie : why's God always called 'he'? (7:58:24 PM) Holly Mae: http://www.emaths.co.uk/SAT%20PAPERS/KS3%20SAT%20Papers/Mathematics%20KS3%20SAT%20 Papers/Mathematics%20KS3%20SAT%202009/68P1.pdf (7:58:28 PM) Holly Mae: :| (7:58:59 PM) Jamie : SIAN (7:59:10 PM) Jamie Y: lol (7:59:16 PM) Sian Jones: Sorry. (7:59:35 PM) Jamie : why's God always called 'he'? (8:00:09 PM) Sian Jones: Just getting the right answer. :P (8:00:17 PM) Jamie : okie :P (8:0...

Last week I woke up early in the morning; tired, dragging myself around, I was not appreciative of being rushed out of bed to go and clean out the chickens. I stepped outside and looked around casually as I carried the cleaning items over to the chicken house...and gasped in happy surprise at what I saw. I noticed even more when I was scrubbing down the roost, so much so that I pinched my brother's camera because I wanted to show you. Spring crocuses: Purple and pale lilac: The forsythia blooms: Unfolding its flowers: Snowdrops: Whiter than snow: Crocuses on the other wall: An overview of the snowdrops: These are only a small selection of what I saw. There are daffodil plants just starting to glint with gold at the edge. Bluebell leaves are stirring in the dirt. Sticky new buds are appearing on nearly every tree. Life is starting again God is not finished with you. Spring returns, and so will life for you. Lift your head and look at your future, not your present. Who you are doesn...

I blogged a while back on the idea of making over this blog, due to some changes in my lifestyle and myself. Due to comments from Zac Cannottell and Kiehl , and with great help from Jay , my blog is now done over. Thank you all so, so much, for your helpful suggestions and your aid! I've changed the fonts on my blog title and my tabs to more reflect my personality. My profile has been changed from being "wrapped up in military life" as I am not that way any more. On Jay's suggestion, I changed the title to Cadet for Christ ~ Running the Course, as my background and future is not and will not be completely cadet/Forces based again; however, I am still a cadet. My blog description has gone from being "A Christian Air Cadet's history" to "Products of my active and thoughtless brain scattered here for your entertainment and encouragement. I pray you find both laughter and blessings within!" As I rarely, if ever, use this blog to tell of my cadet en...

If I ever get married, this is the music I want to walk down the aisle to. It's beautiful. Hope you don't mind, husband-to-be-whoever-you-are! XD :P

Today's words of praise while walking the dog! #61 Being trusted with keys to the house (today was the first time!! :D) #62 Having Sparkie. He is such a blessing! #63 The crisp bite to the air #64 The silence on the streets #65 The smell of a coal fire more than the usual choking exhaust fumes #66 The field at the end of my road #67 The road being 20 minutes long for a walk! #68 The field looking like a small section of country penned in by roads #69 My God-given charm with a lot of animals #70 God's grace granted to smile at people and the blessing of their smiling back!

I am cleaning out the chickens, bending over the chipboard floor, cleaning off the muck and disinfectant with a few scraps of kitchen towel. My MP3 plays out John Waller's "While I'm Waiting". Suddenly, I hear Dad calling my name and look up, removing one earplug from my ear. A horrendous racket hits my ear from some loudspeaker. Dad, grimly: It's Arabic. Me: It can't be!! It's Sunday, not Friday! I run to the fence and look over the next two gardens to the street, then turning my head to the right so I can catch a little more of it. I listen, intent. The Church of St. Peter's is chiming its bells. It is 10am. At first I think it could be someone driving around speaking the Gospel, since it is Sunday morning, and I cannot distinguish any words. Then I hear a slur on a sentence and I have no doubt. The accent is too clear. I turn to Dad: Why? Dad: Either because it's Sunday, or they could be calling out to their comrades because of what's going ...

Today I have: Got dressed Prayed Read my Bible: Matthew 26 - Mark 1 Today I intend to: Walk the dog Eat dinner Email ten people; nine from Hotmail, one from Gmail Do "Debugger" for Jay Blog two more posts Make ten bracelets/paint a plate Stop at 5 pm and polish my parade shoes and iron my uniform Go to cadets Come home and go online Manage about twenty chats and hopefully go on OYAN There are 10 goals to complete, and it is 11:45 am. I'm just getting makeup on and will be off to walk the dog. I also have to figure out tea somewhere in there. I will let you know how I fare! Please keep pushing me - I need some kind of schedule back in my life. Love in the Lord and In Christ, ~Jane

This is a notice to all of my American friends. If you don't know me fairly well, then please ignore this. Due to circumstances with the family I planned to stay with expecting their first grandchild around the time I am (God willing) in the States, I am wondering if any OYANer in Olathe, Kansas, in the surrounding area or who plans to go to the OYAN workshops would consider taking me in for two-three months. I know that this does sound rather cheeky, but I promise that I will work very hard if that can be in exchange for room and board. I seriously do not want to impose upon the good people who intend on taking me in at a time like this. They will have enough to do without the burden of a strange guest on them also. They were intending on taking me in anyway; this is just my attempt to relieve some of the stress. If you are interested in having a wild-and-crazy Brit in your house for that extraordinarily long amount of time, email me at: forgodsgloryjohn3.16@gmail.com In Christ, ~...

Warning: Not suitable for younger readers. Thursday morning during work, my brain was working overtime. I guess that comes with fervent praying and thinking, something which is not an unusual process with me, but one that I haven't subjected myself to for some time. Results of this being, 1) I was able to write an email with prayerful consideration, and 2) three blog posts I wanted to write. This is a minor one, but still an interesting note. As I was cleaning down the front of her fridge, I noticed that my employer had a certificate on it from her boyfriend/partner. "The World's Sexiest Female". A few of the words underneath were, "hot, sassy, sexy, flirty". The cute little picture in the corner was one of those little-girl stick figures, with an angelic smile, red horns in her head, a pointed tail and a trident. (No, it wasn't me. :) ) It struck me as I looked at it that that is entirely the world's idea of love. All guys want in a girl is the hott...

I should've put "can cook" on my advertisement for a Yankee husband on OYAN. :P :D This post is mainly for my little sister Darla and my little brother Brandy. I made this for dinner for Mom, Dad and myself today. It was scrumptious, creamy, tasty, chewy, slippery, smothery, colourful, fishy, and lip-smackingly lovely. :D For your eyes' delectation and delight: Pasta Tuna Bake

Yesterday, I posted this on Buzz. OYANers, forgive me... *hangs head in shame* I just spent £4.18 on a bag of sweets.... No, seriously, it wasn't my fault. The price wasn't listed clearly, and by the time we got to the checkout, they were jumbled and we had to buy them...we were all in hysteria so it was good for a laugh...but this is my last bag of sweets for a long, long time. If ever. I'm irresponsible, airy headed and daft, but I'm rarely if ever irresponsible with my money - something God taught me in a family nearly always tight for money. So forgive me this once....I won't ever do it again...and yes they do taste good...and yes Dad keeps teasing me...and yes I'm sitting here chewing a jelly snake... *slinks away in humiliation* I promised photographs of the bag and the sweets... *coughs and wriggles away from the post button* I did want some sweeties...I haven't had some in years, only once since the sweet shop shut when I was eight/nine...*sniffle* T...

This following chat was used by permission. The first block text from my cadet "Lee" is a text from his girlfriend. Both of these are real-life 'adopted' siblings and fellow cadets. (6:24:26 PM) Sian Jones: Lee? *gently* (6:28:36 PM) Lee: "Lee I have been thinking an awful lot about my life and I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship long term I am so sorry I will always love you but I am not ready I have a lot of things going on in my life and I can’t juggle school, family life, course work and a relationship all at the same time. I don’t want it to end but I’m not ready for anything yet. can we be good friends please I don’t want to do this but I am thinking of my future I am so sorry it’s not you it’s me I promise I’m not just saying it but I need some time to think xxx I know I am probably hurting you right now and I’m sorry for all the pain I’m causing you and its hurting me to balance everything right now xxx I’m sorry xxxx don’t be sad don’t hurt yourse...

One of the things I hate most in life is being short. A "midget", as my ex-cadet sergeant teased me once. Thinking about it, I think that any situation that I dislike, I will create a post about and blog ten things to be thankful for. Jay and Carissa, I will never be able to thank you enough for this...my outlook on life is brightening amazingly. The cure for almost every soul ill must be thankfulness. #51 Exercise for my neck. I look up at taller people and down at shorter ones. #52 Being taller than my Mom, my nephews and my niece. Ignoring their respective ages. :P #53 Easier to find a guy. *nodnod* Most of 'em are taller. :P #54 You learn to practice your sewing skills. To take up long clothes and let down shorter ones. #55 More things fit you. #56 You fit easier into someone's arms for a hug. Ignoring that I choke Mike when my shoulder goes into his Adam's apple when he bends down for a hug... :P #57 You blend easier into a crowd. #58 It's easier to reach...

*chuckling* Apparently my web address needs some explaining. Why do I have my blog title as "Cadet for Christ ~ Running the Course" and my address as an apparently random "http://jjwatc1290.blogspot.com"? To explain. JJ are my pseudonym initals - Jane Johnson. W stands for writings. ATC is the branch of my organisation - the Air Training Corps. 1290 is the Squadron I then desperately wished to join - Wednesfield. So in short - Jane Johnson's writing; Air Training Corps (Squadron) 1290. Random to thee, but not unto me! Hope this has explained. ;) ~Jane

I would like to introduce you to Countess Drakuline. We hear so much of Count Drakula in all forms of book writing, but never of his good dame. Here she is. Please, have as good a laugh as I did! ;)

This blog post marks my 101st post. I am grateful to God for allowing me to create this blog, for the friends that have helped me with it along the way, for my 21 followers and faithful encouragers and supporters, and for those others who do not follow me on here, but read it on Buzz and through Twitter. Today's thankful list. #41 Cars so we can cover distance more quickly. #42 God's Holy Word, a source of inspiration and encouragement to our lives #43 Breakfast #44 Pork pies! #45 My collection of old Dickens books that my brother bought me on holiday last year. I have a bagful. #46 For the many, many clothes I've been blessed with #47 Tissues! #48 That I'm alive today #49 All of my many books #50 10 hours of sleep :D

Yes, I'm eighteen. Yes, I'm nineteen in five short months, near enough four now. I'm writing this blog post for myself, so if you don't like me writing for me, switch your screen down right now. *cheerful grin* I love inventing my own fashions. No, I don't like walking around in skin tight leggings with boots that look as weird as did those old fashions when the toes were curled up to the knee. No, I don't like wearing thick makeup that completely obscures my face or having hair that hangs in my face. I strongly dislike tops that are extremely low cut and/or reach up to show the midriff. I'm sitting here right now in a tight sky blue (with white polka-dots) vest top with spaghetti straps given me today as a late Christmas present by my Auntie, with a mint green blouse thrown over the top for modesty's sake. My hair is pulled back off my forehead with metal combs elasticated together with bright blue beads; an ankle length sapphire skirt to complete. But ...

A while ago, I buzzed a comment asking what people would like me to blog on next. Out of three people, two asked for a blog on music. The third asked for a hole-pick in musicals - something which, although I love them, I am looking forward to doing. To start with, I'm going to cover my MP3 in several blog posts. :D That might give you a kind of idea of what I listen to. I also may post links of songs that are special for me, and/or the lyrics that make that particular song stand out. I'm expecting participation in my Buzz and my comments on here, since you asked for this! :D To start with, I'm a weird person, and my ranges, like my moods, are wild, weird and wonderful. Ie, varied. I'm not going to go through and tell you every button on my MP3, because listing "Record Now", "Now Playing", "Music", "Genre", isn't anything to do with it. Go on, smile....you thought I was being blonde. :P And no, dear politically correct people, ...

I woke up this morning. 1 - Early. 2 - With a blocked nose. 3 - With a raw throat and chest. 4 - I could barely talk. 5 - I had to climb out of my cosy bed into a pullover and jeans to clean out the chickens. I started to get ready and thought - I need to think of something to be thankful for in all this. Because all I want to do is list what I'm NOT grateful for! So I'm writing today's to ensure I stay thankful. :D 31# Modest blouses. 32# The song, "Just the Way You Are" 33# My twin brother snoring in the next room. It means he's home for another two days. 34# Kyle 35# £25 in notes on my desk 36# An MP3 hand-held speaker. I can sneak it up to bed. :D 37# Fake parasols that I wear in my hair 38# Mascara to hide my blonde lashes 39# Kiehl 40# Brandyce

Some of you might like to see an update of my beautiful little niece... Here she is at the age of three months! She can: Gurgle baby coos, Smile, Laugh, Support her own head (was doing that at two weeks), Roll over, Attempt to sit up alone, Attempt to stand up. My twin brother Jose and I, with Ayanna in the mirror. The photos to the left are Jose and I as children. :) Ayanna and me, again in the mirror. Ayanna, her Mom - my sister Sam - and me. :D A little blurred, but Ayanna smiling. :D

Have you ever felt like the world may be about to turn upside down? That even though you'd prayed and submitted to God that you'd wait and seek His will, that even though you claimed to have no idea of your future, that you'd formed a vague, distinct shadow of it and when the world threatens to cave in on it, you STILL want to freak out? Meh. One of the hardest times of trusting God is then. And if you don't see that you've created that shadow, well, that makes the resubmitting of it to His guiding Hand so much the harder. We humans have the most awful tendency to like constancy, even when we profess that we love adventure with our hand in God's. (Five fingers pointing back.) Living with God IS an adventure. A complete adventure, when you're living submitted to His will and in the light of His presence. I knew that long ago - I know it again. But every time, God still has to break down that wall of fear as I stand back shrieking, "NO I CAN'T DO THIS...

I am sure I'm going crazy. Right now, my wild mood is on me. To replace the fact that I can't go anywhere, my fingers are typing as fast as possible to ease the tension. I wrote a poem, too, that I'm not going to publish, and thankfully that has eased it a little. It's that horribly wonderful time when I have an almost uncontrollable urge to fling open the door and run down the street and not stop until I find some howling wind or some dashing waves to slap against my face and make me stagger with cooling power or to spray my face and fill my ears with mighty roaring. I hate it at 9pm! I hate it in the middle of Walsall with nowhere to go! I hate feeling this way, shaking like this, and I can't go crazy! Why does life have to be such a pretense of formality!! I'm restless and wild and I can't stay still! I want to run anywhere instead of sitting here letting my fingers do the running for me! I'm shaking right now. I long to run somewhere, anywhere, nowhe...

I was showing one of my brothers some photos the other day. He passed comment on one, saying how much younger I looked - I was 16, almost 17. I replied, "That was before Andy and the bad websites." He said, "Ah, that makes sense." It lead to a curiosity - how much have I changed, going through the past twelve months? I saw my own face harden and start to soften again... Watch my eyes in the next few minutes, and tell me. Have I changed? When going through some trouble at the Squadron, before anything - and I - changed. Roughly August/September '09. Given my heart away: Andy, cadet Stephen C and I: My twin brother and I, the same day: February, three months after Andy left and one month before I saw him again for the last time: Then cadet Lucy T. and I, when we were friends: At the Bower Parade: During and after the websites: During - June 26th. I got involved a few days before my 18th birthday. When I was nearing the end of my involvement: By the way, my photo o...

As God has been working on me and things are changing in my life, as I start my last two years of being an Air Cadet and intend on missing a good section of that for the States, and as I do not blog that much about cadets, I have been considering whether to revamp my blog. I admit, I am proud of my identity as a cadet corporal. I still support our Armed Forces and will do so in any way I can. However, since the Boss left, I have grown away from 196, and I think I only still go for the sake of the past. I have no future with either the cadets or the Armed Forces - a fact which, once admitted, will probably shake loose a lot of my followers from Twitter who put up with my Christianity and follow me as a sub-member of the Forces. I am still a cadet for Christ, but the atmosphere is no longer untarnished - God knows whether it can ever become clean again, thanks to my stupidity with Cadet Rivers. I know God has forgiven me, but the fingers pointed and the sudden drop in language watch (min...

I like the thing that my big brother, Jay Lauser , and big sister, Carissa Mann , do. So I'm going to do some of it. I started once via Buzz, but no one kicked me and I forgotted. Bad me. :D So. A list of things to be thankful for. (At least I think it was thankful...or was it grateful? Hmm. Is there a difference? :P) 1# The glimmer of sunshine coming through my bedroom window 2# Nice fleecy clothes in a cold winter 3# The beautiful ruby-and-diamond (probably fake :P) ring on my finger, that I used as a purity/engagement ring. (So people take me for engaged.) I symbolise the red with love, and the clear/silvery/white as purity. 4# Glasses because I am shortsighted 5# For God's grace in saving me - and restoring me - three times 6# For the healing of my broken heart, which I thought would never happen 7# For the power, passion and beauty of prayer 8# Prayer walks with my dog around the streets 9# My doggie. I prayed for nine years for him. 10# God's grace, strength and patie...

Andrew B.: Who is your favorite actor in westerns? Me: Wellllll. I only know John Wayne is pretty popular in them. I've now seen Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Eli Wallach. Considering that for those, three of them I associate with The Great Escape, one with The King and I, one with Zulu Dawn and one with Spartacus, I'm not really sure. :P My favourite kind of actor is someone like Sir Alec Guinness or Sir Ben Kingsley. (Yes, I know I'm a raving Olivier fan, but I still don't think he's the creme de la creme.) And the reason for that is that it's someone who can so change with their part that if it wasn't for a certain feature in or of their face, you can't recognise them. Richard Harris is always distinguishable by his voice. Olivier by his face. I'm not saying they're bad actors. Just that the best ones are those who change completely with their part. And John Wayne doesn't do tha...

Even before I start, I know I will not express this clearly enough, or be able to tell everything that means love to me. But perhaps, the main point of this post is more of the subject line. What is love - to you? Think about it. God, becoming Man. Laying aside the majesty, power and glory, all of the advantages of His being God, to take on the dust form of His creation. To become the lowliest of men, out of sheer love. To save those from the despised walks of life. A man who puts aside comforts, advantages for himself, to honour another. To stoop to someone from the darker side of life, when he could choose someone better. This is love to me. What is love to you? God, Himself hurting for our pain, causing momentary, though strong (and maybe in earthly time, lasting for a long time) pain for our future good. Staying with us through it, holding us, sticking with us even though we lash out at Him for the pain. Even when we bring it on ourselves. A man who, although hurt by hurting, cause...

New favourite, by Michael Card. Unfortunately, I can't find a video anywhere of him singing this, so I'll just post the lyrics. :) Hope it blesses you too! Song of Gomer Don’t know what He sees in me, he is spirit, he is free And I, the wife of adultery, Gomer is my name Simply more than I can see how he keeps on forgiving me How he keeps his sanity; Hosea, you’re a fool Chorus: A fool to love someone like me, a fool to suffer silently But sometimes through your eyes I see, I’d rather be a fool. The fondness of a father, the passion of a child The tenderness of a loving friend, an understanding smile All of this and so much more you’ve lavished on a faithless whore I’ve never known love like this before; Hosea, you’re a fool CHORUS This God of yours would not have told To lift a love that you couldn’t hold And though time and time again I flee I’m always glad to see you coming after me Simply more than I can see, how he keeps on forgiving me The wife of adultery, and Gomer is m...

Yes, I know it isn't a word. Ah well, who cares. Last night, I was on the receiving end of this truthful observation of a close friend of mine. "You're being kinda silly tonight." It lead to a serious of complicated thoughts. Was I being kinda silly, or was I acting kinda silly? Because being is one thing, and acting is another. Being implies a state of being, acting invokes a state of action. Of course, I could be acting a being, but could I be being an action? I guess action could be a state of being, and yet, is being a state of action? It could be an be-tion or an action, but was I actioning or be-tioning? This is as far as my thoughts took me before I got muddled. ~From the definitive silliness of Yours truly.

Some of you might find this interesting...here is a chat on relationships I had with one of my close friends. What really amazed me is that there's no way that I could've phrased all that myself. I think God was showing me a few things as He spoke through me. Hope this blesses someone in some way. (11:24:15 PM) Rich: I learned that her mom things a break would be a good thing for the both of us (11:24:33 PM) Rich: That she thinks Danielle is distracting me from my life at college (11:24:46 PM) Sian Jones: ... (11:25:48 PM) Rich: I... (11:25:56 PM) Rich: I can't handle that... (11:26:12 PM) Rich: I'm depressed already because Danielle's gone for a weekend (11:26:22 PM) Rich: If she was gone longer... (11:26:26 PM) Sian Jones: *softly* (11:26:37 PM) Sian Jones: You learn that there are times that you need to be apart. (11:26:45 PM) Rich: But a break? (11:26:49 PM) Rich: *voice cracks* (11:26:50 PM) Sian Jones: Especially if you're going to spend the rest of your l...

Two of my closest girl friends have to be Kiehl G. and Lindi/Anjel C. God has blessed me so richly with and through their friendships. Both encourage when times are hard, speaking truth even when they know it hurts them and me. And the support they've given through the last several years has been incredible. I pray God will bless them both richly and shine their candles out in a blaze to the world. Yesterday, Lindi (as those of you from OYAN will remember her) sent me this song. I heard it once before - it's used in the film "Fireproof". I liked it then, but forgot it. Lindi, it has blessed me so much. It's been on repeat all morning. You blessing! While I'm waiting. I will worship and serve You while I'm waiting. Well, for starters, I'm going to go back to my emails and pick up contact with eight of my female friends. I'll decide whether to with my guy friends later on. Mrs. S Lydia DeW. Angelique Alena Lindi Hannah M Hannah-le Sandy And two of my...