I usually start thinking about my weekly letter over the weekend and then write my thoughts to you on Monday. This weekend was different though. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. There’s plenty more to tell about our housing situation with the mold, etc. There’s FFH news to update you on. And there are things that the Lord taught me over the past week that I’d usually tell you about. But this week is different. Even with plenty of things to share, I can’t begin to write them. I’m just so SICK of talking about myself. This constant limbo of being forced to stay away from home and the rarity of the situation have made our situation the topic of conversation with almost everyone we know. We appreciate so much the thoughts and notes and prayers of our friends and family but the whole thing is, in a way, making me a little self-absorbed.
Here’s how I’d like you to help…
I’m looking for stories, your stories.
Over the next couple of weeks I’m imploring you to email me your stories of hurt, love, hate, life, and experience. Maybe it’s a story of redemption, or an account of how our God has put the pieces of your life back together. Maybe it’s your story of love and faith and perseverance. Maybe it’s about a friend of yours or a parent. It can be funny, serious, silly, or sad. It doesn’t matter, as long as it is true and honest. Jennifer and I will sort through (and pray through) your submissions and pick one each week to post on FFH.net and FFH Facebook. For now we’ll call the blog “Travelers IRL (in real life)”.
Six thousand (or so) web surfers hit our sites. By sharing all of our stories, not just the escapades of our family, we’ll all benefit from one another. This is the kind of community Jennifer and I hope to enable through our music. Let’s give it a try. Send your stories to us at ffh@me.com. All messages come right to my laptop and cell phone and nobody else. Don’t worry about perfect spelling or grammar. I’ll make sure to let you know if your submission is chosen for the weekly post and you’ll have a chance to make any changes.
Cool?
Hope so-
Have a great week-
Jeromy
I recently heard your song “Follow Love” and it has touched me deeper than I probably would have liked it to (I cry almost everytime I hear it). See both my brothers are fighting cancer and my little brother’s fight is a very hard one and its looking more and more like the Lord will be calling him home soon. I live in Texas and he lives in Oregon. I know that everytime I leave him, I have to say goodbye and it maybe the last time I see him. Your song describes both Mike and I. We follow our hearts and where our love for life takes us. It has lead us down some tough roads, but we have had some of the most beautiful experiences leading our life this way. He tells me everytime I “Your heart and love is in Texas and that is where you must go” but I leave a piece of my heart with him everytime I leave. Soon he will follow God’s call and follow the love of all loves home to his resting place where he will be made whole again.
Susan
Another beautiful day on Cocoa Beach. Although the water is still warm, it was quite choppy and not really rideable. The bills need to be paid, but I’m still unemployed and job hunting 1 1/2 months after lay-off. After a vocation in telephony for 38 years, I’m trying to figure out what the Lord wants me to do next. My strongest passion is His music, and I can pick my banjo/guitar pretty well, but not confident it is a vocation. Please pray for the Lord to open the right door so I may serve Him in whatever He calls me to do.
Oops, I made a big mistake – - in the last sentence of the first paragraph , it should say “How can I live “WITHOUT” not “with.”
Thanks!
Hey Jeromy,
Life is a pain in the neck here on earth, isn’t it? Sometimes is just seems like we are not supposed to have too much fun here, because then we won’t keep our eyes on Heaven!
When we lost our 12-year-old son over one and a half years ago, I honestly didn’t think I would ever have joy in my heart again. How could I possibly live, let alone be happy, with one of my two children?
Well, because I chose to trust God and believe, somehow, that He really does know what is best for me, I finally feel joy, peace and hope!
When really bad things happen in life, it is so hard to believe that God is “all-good” and “all-powerful.” How do you put all of your trust and faith in a God that doesn’t make sense? How can I love and believe in a God who thinks that my life is better without my son, or my son’s life is better without me – either way you look at it, IT HURTS!!! I know my son is better off in Heaven and I know his sweet soul is with Jesus right now and I know I will see him again and spend eternity with him. But, the pain and the loss is still in my heart, and always will be. The good thing is that I know God understands my pain – - He watched His only son die, just like me. I know God is big enough to listen to my complaints, whining, questions, ranting and raving. I know God will give me all of the answers someday, even though it probably won’t be until I die.
So, in the meantime, I can finally wear those cute t-shirts that say “Life is Good.” Until recently, I really wanted to make my own shirts that said, “Life sucks, or Life hurts” or something annoying.
So, Jeromy, and anyone else who reads this . . . my encouraging words to struggling believers who are experiencing pain, sorrow, confusion, unfairness, loss, or any of the other negative things that come out of living on this fallen planet . . . hang in there and hang on to Jesus’ promises. He will give you all of the fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Kindness, Faith and Self-Control if you just keep surrendering completely everyday. The more I give up figuring out why things happen and what God is thinking, the more I experience all or most of the fruits of the Spirit.
Thanks for the invitation to share just a little of my thoughts today.
Take care,
Sally
z-foundation.org
Now *this* is honesty you won’t see from too many people. I know I can’t detect when I’m being self-centered (although I notice quite a few “I’s” in this sentence
).
My story will be on its way.
I will start emailing you our Newsletter from our Motorcycle Club!
(I am the guy who did sound for you in Watsonville, CA)
Blessings on you!
Subject: Life
I’ve been doing a lot better now that I have the Lord Jesus as my personal savior. It’s a lot better having a relationship with Jesus Christ then anything. Well Things are going slowly but I love to just be there whenever Jesus wants me to go places. Thanks for giving me the time to talk a bit. Thanks
hey jeromy , thanks for being so honest . it`s refreshing . i`ve always wondered if you guys struggle with what your going through right now . i`ve seen you live , and heard you speak . to me , your motive has always been to lift God up , not yourself . for me, i always have to check my motive . i have to make sure it`s for lifting God up and not me . you have done a great job of lifting God up , through your music and from what i can see , the way you live your life . you have helped me to say to God “how” do i get through this , not “why ” have you have You done this to me .
i felt a need to share this with you , now i need to pray about sharing my story (surrender )with you . have a great day …keith
thanks for sharing your honesty with us
Wonderful idea Jeromy. I so appreciate your honesty and your openness with your fans. This makes you guys since a lot more real than a lot of other Christian artists and the best part is I know you are doing all of this for the right motives. May God continue to bless and watch over your family.
What a great idea, looking forward to it !
Hey,
I am checking in to see what I can do to help. Call me at 319-3153.
Donna Brevard
Village Real Estate