I am no Gandhi. I have more in common with a hurricane than I do with Gandhi. My natural self is impatient and selfish and ornery and always hungry and prone to complain. I think about my needs and my wants first. I cry over anything or anyone who has wronged me. Irrational and anxious…
Author: Jenna Maxwell
Blogger, Mom, coffee lover.
Why Chins?
“A little on the pudgy side aren’t we?” muttered the 90-something, silver haired lifeguard at the YMCA. It was a class field trip. Fourth grade. Silver hair was trying to adjust my life jacket and was clearly having a hard time. (the fact we had to wear life jackets in a pool was embarrassing enough…
Apartment 4
Early this afternoon, I climbed into what looked to be a 150 foot U-Haul truck with keys in my hand. Concerned civilians in the parking lot looked at my friend Sami, who had dropped me off there, and I heard them ask, “How far does she have to drive that thing?” One overly buff 60-something…
He is faithful: Reason 1
Part 1 of an unknown number of Reasons for my hope in Jesus Christ A few months ago, I wrote a blog post titled “When you have to look back” in the midst of the most painful and darkest time of my whole life. I was so blind with grief, heartbreak and sadness, that I…
Creative Juice Shortage
Lately I have been running low on creative juices. I am beginning to think my usual ‘fresh and overflowing with crazy ideas’ brain has taken a bit of a summer vacation, as well. It is not for lack of exciting things happening in my life- yesterday I successfully moved a couch out of my apartment…
E.Coli and Broken Hearts
Looking back on the “dark days” (a week or so ago when I was nursing a very broken heart and battling a stomach bug), I think I hit an ultimate low. Before you get out the tiny violin and tell me to stop feeling sorry for myself, don’t worry, I’m over it. The doctor prescribed…
When you have to look back
Due to some recent circumstances in my life, (spoiler alert, it’s a break-up) I have been supported and loved by so many people…(it helps when you announce it at a staff meeting). Family and friends and everyone who love me have reached out with incredible insight and support. A common reminder that I get from…
Steady in the moments
At the end of the day, I would love to have a little 2 minute film reel of all the moments I loved. I could pick a cheerful little song for the background music and watch the moments replay. A lot happens in the 15 hours I am awake, and I grieve that I cannot…
My Friday Afternoon Acceptance Speech
Getting to a Friday afternoon after a 5 day workweek is an accomplishment I do not take lightly. Some of you might chuckle at the phrase “5 day workweek” like it isn’t a real achievement. “Most people work at LEAST 5 days a week! Put on your big girl pants and stop whining!” Those people…
Worthy of Suffering
I love to be comfortable. I hate to be uncomfortable. A pretty easy formula to understand. I spend a lot of my life figuring out ways to keep myself at the highest level of comfort- and quite honestly, it isn’t difficult. I auto-start my car on freezing cold mornings. With the click of a button,…
Count Your Blessings, Not Your Chins. 