Life in the IceCube

 Rainy days are perfect for blogging.

And guess what, it's raining outside. 

So. . . seeing as how I can't really go out and play in it (lightning is such a buzzkill.) I just thought I'd take the opportunity to update you on life as I know it. 

            10 Need to Know's: 

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1. I have moved up in the college world. #JUNIORSTATUS

2.  I Live in a icebox
(Our room is below 70 degrees at all times).
3. I have 2 brand NEW ROOMATES (One of whom you may recognize as HANNAH from "The Hannah and Jacqueline show" and the other is miss ELIZABETH!), that are each pretty fantastic.

"The problem is not that we are bad roommates, it is that we are to good of roommates."
- One Of Us 

4. I have A NEW CAR! (The ladybug stayed in KS for my siblings to figure out -I wish them LUCK!).
5. I have a new love for BOBA TEA
(or as it is known in Cola "Bubble Tea").
6. My Favorite class this semester is... TO BE DETERMINED, but will probably be the one with the least amount of reading
(Haha, this is sad but true).
7.  Currently my favorite Spotify station is
"NOT YOUR MOTHERS CHRISTIAN MUSIC".
8. My most used social media app is TWITTER
(You can follow me at @JacReim).
9. My leisurely reading these days is "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows". 
10.  2nd Peter 3 is on my "things to finish memorizing" list.

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     There you have it, 10 of the most recent happenings in my life. It may not be super spectacular, but each new day is a chance to be reminded of God's abundant GRACE and MERCY.
And sure life has its ups and downs (especially when you talk about visiting my friends who live on the third floor) but it is the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that keeps me going. (1Peter 1:3)
May it be also for you.

     Anyway, I have to go do some reading for my Romans class and my Lit class. You could say this weekend was more of a "it's the though that counts" weekend in terms of homework. Haha.
But you enjoy your Monday, drink an espresso, and learn something new!

Till next time, happy reading!

#WatchOutForTheIcePuddle

    Unless you have been living under a rock, or hibernating for the last 4 weeks (like I wish I could be doing) you have probably heard about the south and the sudden #snowapocalypse2014 --- and, No I did not make that up it was a legitimate tag on twitter in reference to the condition of good 'ole South Carolina.

     It's a scary place folks! Walmart ran out of bread and water,  people have lost power, all businesses have been shut down, schools been out for the last 3 days, and driving would be right up there with committing suicide (just a joke). . . As the picture below so beautifully points out S.C has been closed.

Courtesy of Stix blogs

     It hasn't been that awful, although for me to say I am ready for spring and summer is for sure an UNDERSTATEMENT!

I do have to say though, that It is Awesome how God gives us EXACTLY what we need, when we need it most. I was just telling my friend the other day that I needed a day off - where everything would be cancelled and time would stop for a bit while I caught my breath... and look what happened aside from time stopping.

     All this to say, even though I learned my lesson from the last snow day and have worked on a toooooooon of homework in the last few days - They have been so great!

     


















    
     Time with people, plenty of  laughter, olympics, and lots of good things to think about are what have marked my days and made them good gifts. . . and since I know that it is Valentines Day and all, I'm just gonna conclude by saying I don't deserve any of those good gifts, especially the love that I have been given at such a costly price, but I will accept them and dwell on the giver that ultimately gave me life. 

     Anyway, I hope you have a moment in-between eating chocolate and giving hugs to your closest friends today to think about the good gifts God  has given you recently;  and if you are in the South or anywhere with snow or ice really - grab your boots and grab you gloves and watch out for those ice puddles! :)

Love the Arctic penguin 

   

Home for the Holidays

     I realize it may be a few days late, but Friday was a busy day! I began my day in Columbia...

and ended it in Wichita... but since it was Friday, and even though we had a ton too do, we made it happen! We decided to let you catch up with us as we packed to head home. . .

 Who would have ever though that much stuff would fit in a suitcase. . .  But the good news is We both made it. A few airplanes later . . .

Hannah should be starting her day in Bosnia (which you can read about here --- http://diaryofamissionarykid.wordpress.com) and I am currently winding down mine. 

     In 10 days it will be Christmas, which is why I have no doubt that  Christmas music is playing on the nearest radio station. As I sit here by my Christmas tree, curled up on the couch with a open copy of Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1 laying next to me I can't help but think of the classic christmas tune that sings the line ... "there is no place like home for the holidays." Preach it!
     Already, I have settled back into the Reimschisel routine, made numerous trips to the mall and other places picking out gifts that will best show my family and friends that I know them and that I Love them, enjoyed the freedom of sleeping in, and spent some quality (much needed) time with My family.

    

     All this to say, It is good to be home! God was good the day he inspired the Wright brothers to invent a flying airplane and even greater when He got me home safely day before yesterday.but enough about me, wherever you are, I hope that you spend christmas with someone you love and that you are just as blessed as I am this christmas season. 

Love Jac 

- your world traveler. . . 

The Kindness of a Stranger.

This post is dedicated to the kind ole' gentleman that helped this city girl change a tire. 

      After today,  I can no longer say "Never have I ever.." been stranded road side due to a obnoxious tire. . .or if you want to get technical a nail that lodged itself into the side-strip of my tire. I had just finished my last shift of the holiday weekend at the good ole' Depot and was headed back for a relaxing saturday afternoon at my friends home (since it is Thanksgiving break after all!!!) and all of a sudden, well -you can imagine my surprise as a few cars rolled up beside me mouthing words and pointing anxiously at my back wheel. It was only after I pulled over in a neighborhood that probably isn't the safest place to be stranded in alone; that I did the only thing a single girl thinks to do when she has car trouble. . .
Called my daddy (who I might add is over 500 miles away and does not have a personal jet at his disposal... but I called anyway). I may or may not have teared up a little bit but hey, being on your own has some scary moments. Needless to say it was about this time the gentleman.. named George walked up to my car and asked if I needed help.
I had a decision to make. I could trust this guy and have immediate help, or wait 3 hours and call AAA like I'd been planning to do.
     I must have looked pretty nervous (after all I'd seen my far share of CSI , NCIS, and all the informative TV shows now a days) because the gentleman called me on it said that It was okay - he told me he had a daughter about my age and he'd want someone to offer to help her if she was ever in my situation. So I decided if worst came to worst I had pepper spray.
     I popped my trunk and within 30 minutes he had the "Donut" spare on and I knew a little bit more about this kind fellow. I eventually got home with daylight to spare and now the next thing on my to-do list is make a stop at the tire shop to get a new tire.
    I will probably never see that kind ole' gentleman or his wife again, but I am sure grateful for the kindness of that stranger. I made it through that seemingly impossible situation - I got home safe and sound, learned some new tire lingo, and have one more story to tell my kids someday. After all 'tis the season to count your blessings and today was just another gift that showed me what Gods goodness looks like.
Have a good one Guys!
- Jac

Sunshine and Seashells.

There comes a point in life where it is necessary to get away for a bit. 

Go away somewhere fresh, alluring, and spontaneous. 

For me, that place is the beach. 

A week ago was fall break. A random set of 2 days off school for people to go home, catch up on hermeneutics (which has been plaguing most of my friends lately) or go someplace adventurous. 

Meet Elizabeth, my traveling companion. . . and after that weekend, my even better friend.

 Both of us journeyed up to the beautiful city of Charleston where we stayed with a good friend. This time was filled with lots of much needed rest (somehow, sleep evades me in my dorm room), plenty of laughter, SO MUCH YUMMMMMMMMY home-cooked food, (as well as the deliciousness you can find in Charleston diners and what not - By the way if you are ever on King street in charleston... GO TO BELGIAN GELATO--- One of the BEST ice cream places in the city... and I might even go as far as to say as the world, but that might be a little extreme.) and wonderful adventures.  

- - - - - - - 

Anyway, by far my favorite day was FRIDAY.

Wanna know why...

Well, if you have not already guessed by my collection of pictures; it was because we spent the day at the BEACH. 

It was just what I needed. 

Sometimes you need to shut your phone off for a bit (believe it or not the world will not end... I know Shocking!) smell the smell of sea salt, feel the sand between your toes, and look out on the horizon and soak up some sunshine. 

 God gave us his creation to enjoy, SO ENJOY IT. 

Personally, my favorite things to enjoy are his seashells - each one different and unique from all over the world brought to a place where I can pick them up; and that is one of the may things that brings a smile to my face.   

I took a mound of them home with me that day, and I will pick up more when I go again. 

I don't know why exactly, but maybe it is because sunshine and seashells remind me of Paradise.

Roadtrip'n

I love long car rides, especially with AWESOME people. This particular one was one of the shorter ones I've gone on but it took us to the not so little city of Atlanta, Georgia.  

Heres how it all happened:

1.) It started last semester when I learned of a church that sponsors a conference that is pretty popular with college students - A place Called Passion City Church. It was about 4.5 hours from where I am going to school and I figured I had a car and friends and when or if I had time it would be a good use of time. 

2.) Fast-forward to last week on monday night. My friend Melissa and I decide to go down to Atlanta Sunday and make a day of it since we have time and nothing that we HAVE to do that day (a rare occurrence for both of us.)  So we started looking up fun places to visits and did our research. 

3.) Sunday Morning came and as we agreed on we left at 7 AM........ (I am not a morning person, I have never been and I don't think I will ever be.. and I love coffee - GOOD COFFEE) which is precisely why we took a 20 mile detour into the little city of Akin to get Starbucks. (it was kind of essential since I was the only one driving all day.)

 4.) We sang songs at the top of our lungs, told stories of Jacqueline the Jacalope and Katie the cougar, Stopped in a little place called BUCKHEAD (which is REALLY fun to say if you need a new favorite word) to get gas and rode a old carousel... you are never to young to ride those right? Haha....

Did I mention that this gas station had 50 cent tattoos? We all Got one! and wore them proudly. -- temporary OF corse!

 *** Insert quip about hacking each others twitter and Facebook statuses here.

 5. We get into Atlanta about lunch time and after possibly making the most awkward turn around ever!!!!!!!!! We get some lunch.. and all of a sudden..... (it had been sunny all morning and 3 out of the 4 of us had decided against bringing our rain coats.... which was REALLY unfortunate because...)

it POURS. . .

 So we try and wait it out... and when it gets really light we decide to run for it.... Unfortunately at that moment it decided to majorly downpour and... well...

6.) We Got drenched. (we were just around the corner of the restaurant.)

7. ) However even in the rain the skyline is BEAUTIFUL!
 We (Katie and Hailey are the other girls that went!) had decided we wanted to go downtown.  After finding out that there is NO free parking in atlanta,  and driving through a super sketch parking garage we picked one and headed into.....

8.) ... UNDERGROUND ATLANTA. ---> It was a cultural experience, Dry, had lots to explore, and it had a Johnny Rockets.

 9.) Everyday is a ice cream day.

Sugar has a way of bringing out the crazy side of people. I'm blessed to have such Kooky friends.

10. ) Then Finally 5:00 came and we were able to walk into the church we'd come all the way to visit. It wasn't anything like I was expecting... It was better. 

 Kristan Stanfill is a gifted leader, when the leader is really reverent and the music has just the right kick, It will make anyones soul dance. 

Louie Giglio is on point. How sweet it was to be reminded that I should dwell in Gods rest and that He is all I truly need. ---> the one I watched is in the link underneath....  It is well worth your time if you have a minute.

                                 http://www.passioncitychurch.com/watch#PCC-090113-V1

 It was worth the Drive. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. 

I once heard somewhere that there is no other time in your life than in college to do spontaneous things, but I think even when I am old and grey I'll do spontaneous things because they Give me new stories to tell and new adventures to live.

A Rich Summer.

This summer has been rich!
...But to see the richness you must look closely.

   This will be one of my shortest posts mainly because tomorrow morning I leave for a vacation with my family - one that is long overdue. Tonight the thunder is loud and the lightning is bright. The pitter-patter of rain on my roof follows the rhythm of my thoughts as I try and grasp the reality of what will take place in just a few days and look back and ponder all that I have been blessed with.

  Let me just brag on God a moment!

Because despite all the brokenness of the world, the catastrophes that take place every day, and whatever you lack in this moment... GOD IS GOOD. 

I won't go into detail, but this summer He has given me more than I was expecting to get out of working long hours as a nanny to three kids and a cashier in a supply store.

They certainly made my days fun! I already miss them.  

He has encouraged my spirit through building strong relationships with several people I didn't know at all and making stronger relationships that were already in place. So many sweet conversations, long handwritten letters, and moments of belly shaking laughter have taken place with many of the great people in my life.

I saw changes in my siblings as they grew up. 

  

Wrote letters to this beauty till my hand cramped all summer  & it was well worth it when we were reunited today. Even if it was just for a day it was Perfect. 

This girl, she ROCKS! God has the best way of surprising you when you need it most and She was a sweet wonderful answer to prayer. 

 And there ARE SO MANY MORE I could name! 

Each one making an impact in my life and on this summer. 

Along with hanging with great people I was also able to reach my money goal for the summer and add a thousand to its number! EVEN while spending a week at an overnight camp as a counselor to seven 5th Graders and volunteering to help in the morning at a day camp for a week. To top it all off Seeing two girls surrender to Christ for the first time made my summer worth so much more than I could ever imagine! 

 If there was one lesson I learned this summer it would be this.... 

"The secret to being content and enjoying life is fixing your eyes on christ and placing your hopes and dreams in the possibilities God has for your future." 

This is true even as I pack up to go back to school. It may not be the easiest thing in the world (in fact it is probably one of the hardest things I have to do over and over again.) but it is a guaranteed adventure when I am focused on all the things I can do with Christ as my strength and comfort - when he is my Constant rock and when he is my home. 

This guy said it best . . . 

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” 

- C. S Lewis 

Nothing of this world can satisfy me. Although this summer wasn't one you'd find mentioned on the cover of VOGE and despite that it is usually the last kind of summer people want It was Great! Great because I had the Best of the Best and was richly blessed by his Goodness.