Jamie Janosz

Like thousands of others, I am praying today for the people of Nepal. The country is devastated - physically and emotionally. How many lives must be lost, oh God?  I am praying for help and peace and comfort. How it aches our hearts to know that we cannot do much except pray and send a check. Such little to do with such overwhelming need. When I was a little girl - probably 5th grade or so - my parents talked about becoming missionaries to Nepal. They were both public school teachers, and they had heard of great need in that country for Christian teachers. We talked about this - as a family - and we were all ready to go. Then, the country closed to outside missionaries, and our plans were cancelled. But dreams of Nepal stayed in my heart. When I was packing for our move, I found my construction-paper covered report from 5th grade on the country of Nepal, its people, its products, and other random assorted facts written on large-ruled notebook paper with encyclope...

I walked on the beach this morning. And, as I walked, I prayed. I asked God to be with my good friend Jill as she says goodbye-for-now, today, to her father. for Teryn who has battled illness for the past year. for my friend Amanda and her daughter Meg who is serving God across the seas. for my friend Ben and his sister Stephanie, who is grappling with a diagnosis. for my brother-in-law Dave and for Bob and his family. for my friends Rachel and James and their baby son. for Junias, and Anna, and Melissa. for so many of you who have shared with me your fears and worries and struggles and concerns. I prayed and asked God for His healing and comfort - for His peace and joy - to do what only He can do. And then the sun came out, it peeked over the clouds, and it changed everything. God can do that. We serve an amazing, awe-inspiring God who can do anything. He holds all of this - all of our cares, worries, sicknesses, fears, concerns, all...

Here's some helpful job-searching advice from former graduates who are now working (many of them in their desired field)! I received so many suggestions that I'm stretching these out over two more posts. On Getting Your Foot in the Door… Volunteer! Sharon writes, “My current job, as well as one previous job, I got through volunteering.  The organization knew me and valued me as a volunteer, and thought I would make a valuable employee.” “If you can’t work for money, work for free. Don’t be afraid of a day job, but keep building your portfolio,” Karen said. Nailing That Interview . . . Candy was impressed by one particular “fresh-out-of-college” candidate, “I hired Kaitlyn right out of college. She was professional, to the interview a few minutes early, sent me a link to her online portfolio, had good questions, and seemed to be a learner. I have continued to be impressed.” Finding Job Possibilities … “Make connections and network,” advises Kaitl...

As a former college professor, I still get Facebook messages from students asking me for career advice. One of the most common is - How do I find my first job? I know it is daunting. College provides a sense of security. You know exactly what you are doing for the next four years. Then, many books and exams later, suddenly it is senior year, graduation, and the unknown is thrust upon you.You are forced to make some serious choices. Should you return home to live with mom  and dad? Find a job? Get an apartment? Go to graduate school? Just a few bits of personal advice if you decide to attempt that first job search: 1) Go for your big dreams first. My first round of resumes were sent to my dream jobs. I think I had ten of them. I was wildly unqualified. I had education, but not a huge amount of experience. Nevertheless I sent those first resumes out with high hopes and prayers. I only heard back from two, but two was great! One was an actual interview. The second, my le...

I am a new resident. My husband and I moved from the Chicago area to Ormond Beach, Florida, in January. And one of the reasons we chose this town is that my husband has always loved Daytona Beach. It is one of the few beaches where cars are allowed to drive - directly on the sand and next to the ocean. Every year, we would vacation in Daytona and try to get a hotel room that looked directly at the Atlantic Ocean. It was the only time of year my night-owl spouse would rise early. He'd jump out of bed, grab a blanket and cup of tea, and watch the sunrise. Then we'd pack up the car and head to the beach. In Daytona, you can park right where you are relaxing. You can keep your belongings in your car and return to it as often as you'd like. No need to lug your children and belongings from a hot parking lot and trek to the sand. We'd open the trunk and maybe play the car radio. He loved to watch the cars drive by. Some have their windows tightly shut, air-condi...

Sometimes life can be too much. Too much to accomplish in too little time. Too many worries flooding my brain. I turn to my computer, flit from page to page. I am distracted, unable to focus. Help. We are muddled, and messy, and worn. Lord, is there room for You in these crowded moments? Is there room for your peace, and hope, and light? Breathe deeply, friends. Not just to center ourselves, but to seek emotional, spiritual and mental rest in Him. Leave your burdens at His feet, knowing He cares for you. He is our resting place in times of trouble. He steps into our lives and tells us to set down our nets, to sit at His feet, to follow close. He has a better way. He is enough. Quiet your heart. Still your brain. Allow yourself to feel cared for And loved. God sees you now - even in the messy - even when we don't see Him. Knowing I am seen, and that God has my back, gives me strength and peace today. He doesn't take away my to-do l...

In a local Florida antique mall, my husband and I were struck by a scenic painting that captures the beauty of the Florida coastline. Then we noticed another, and another. The clerk explained to us that these mid-century paintings were the work of a group of artists known as the Florida Highwaymen. In Chicago, we've met individual street artists, but this was the first time we'd ever heard about this group of Florida men and women who left behind a legacy of landscapes. This group of 26 self-taught, African American men (and at least one woman) sold their paintings on the side of highways in Florida in the 1950s. At the time, collectors paid $20 to $40 per painting. Today, some are valued in the thousands of dollars, and the prices continue to rise for the originals. Not only are the paintings beautiful, but they show their ingenuity, resilience, and remarkable talent. A few more facts from this helpful website: They painted on Upson board (compressed paper),...