Our Full Circle Moment

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by Sprinkle in marriage | Leave a comment

 

When I share our story I like to start it by saying, “Be careful what you ask for”….

Twelve years ago, when Jon and I were dating long distance we would stay up late at night talking and dreaming on the phone. We would share our deep desire for giving hope to broken marriages. We both came from marriages that defined us – good and bad – so we knew the importance of them. Our heart was for marriage ministry and we proclaimed that one day we would write a book and speak at conferences…..on marriage, something we thought we knew, but knew nothing about.  I have no doubt God was laughing from above and saying “Oh, you naive 23 year-olds. You think you have so much to share….I am going to let you live a story worth sharing”

And so 3 years into our marriage we found ourselves separated twice and hanging on by a thread. That’s right, our dreams of an inspiring marriage were shattering right before us and we were searching for someone else’s marriage story that would inspire US to hang on. The first 7 years (yes, SEVEN!) were the hardest years of our lives. But somewhere in the midst of all the pain and loss, I remembered that deep desire giving hope to marriages that we had in the beginning….and I chose to believe that we hadn’t misunderstood God’s calling. I trusted that calling and chose to believe it was God’s way of saying….

“BELIEVE…..I’ve got this, and this is your story….embrace it, trust it and lean into it. The power of the Resurrection is the SAME power that will resurrect YOUR marriage…trust Me. I’m writing the story you will tell.”

 

Oh was it hard…so hard. And there are still hard moments, but they are fewer and farther between. As we began healing these last few years, we chose a year ago to start ReGen at our church – a year long program that challenges us to face and deal with the hurts, habits and hangups in our lives. We believed that this was part of the work God needed to do to prepare us to share. And just like clockwork (ie. God’s perfect timing), we both finished our year long program this week and have been asked to share our story along with 5 other couples on a marriage panel this Saturday.

It will be the first time we publicly AND together share what the Lord has done in our lives….Our full circle moment. We sat in church yesterday, hand in hand as our pastor, Todd Wagner, talked on marriage and our hearts were full….full from experiencing the resurrection power in our marriage. This quote from Todd resonated with us so deeply: Love is Hard, scripture defines it with a cross.

If you are in the Dallas area this weekend we invite you to join us with other amazing and brave couples who will be sharing their stories.

This is (the beginning) of our full circle moment.

-jon & jenn 

 

So what you are saying is you are always poor?

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by jenn in Entrepreneurism, Living the dream | 1 Comment

 

I was asked to speak this week on Branding at a networking event. I got there a little early and started meeting some people. My husband and I decided several months ago that when people ask us what we do that we would answer the question by saying “I am a serial entrepreneur” – to us that did two things: 1. prepared the person who was about to hear our laundry list of endeavors and 2. break the ice a little, people usually smile.

One of the first people to introduce themselves to me at the networking event was a Financial Advisor. When asked what I did, I answered with a confident “I am a serial entrepreneur”…..no smile, no “oh, that’s awesome”….what I got was “Oh, so you are always poor?”

Trying to stay professional, I just laughed it off, but as the week has gone on, I have become increasingly annoyed, for a few reasons.

(enter stage right, with hand on hip, a little head wobble and a snap 1-2 of the fingers, with some attitude thrown in)

1. What a negative thing to say! Just on sheer principle, don’t say something like that to the person you invited to speak at your event.

2. Its people like this that are “discouraging” our community of entrepreneurs! Entrepreneurs are already up against the fears, risks and hard work that it takes to pursue their passion. But what makes those people GREAT, is that they PURSUE ANYWAY! Why is it that so many people in our society believe that if one chooses a life of entrepreneurship we choose a life of poverty….that they go hand-in-hand?

3. Define “poor” to me? I know what you are thinking, here we go with the cliche, “but I am rich in love and friendship”…..I am not even talking about love and friendship. I am talking about the fact that having a roof over your head and food on your table is far from poor. It really fires me up to watch our society continue to define rich and poor with such clear cut parameters. This is “the standard”  that stops passionate people in their tracks from making sacrifices, from redefining their values and lifestyle and from leading their families into a NEW definition of success and what it means to be “rich”.

‘SAVE THE DREAMERS’……. We need to redefine success. We need to encourage others in their calling. We need to support them as they take those scary steps. Our society is killing dreamers……

If you are reading this and ARE an entrepreneur either you 1. Have fought the good fight and are secure in your pursuit 2. Are in the midst of the transition and need a little encouragement to drown out the haters 3. Are stuck under the pressure of our society’s “ideal” of what success looks like.

Where are you? How can we encourage you?

if you need a helpful reminder to hang on your wall- we sell this as a poster. click here

 

 

My night in ICU

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by jenn in marriage | 12 Comments

My younger and only sister gave birth to her son Bennett on December 10, 2011. Seeing that I don’t have children, my friends all told me that once he comes into the world that I would know……. I would know if I wanted kids or not. What I did know was that I fell in love the moment I held him and thought “how could I ever love someone more than I love this sweet little child and I don’t even know him yet” ?

When Bennett was born, he had two holes in his heart. We hoped and prayed that the Lord would heal them but they continued to grow and Bennett continued not to grow. He was burning too many calories as his heart pumped too fast to compensate for the holes. So on May 25th, little Bennett went into the hospital to have open heart surgery to repair the holes.

One of the most precious 12 hours of my life happened when I had the honor of taking the night shift his second night in ICU. Jill and Ben needed to get some rest so I volunteered to stay at the hospital overnight.  Jon reminded me days later how special it was that my sister AND her husband entrusted me with their child in ICU – he was right. I don’t think many people would do that. I guess because we are so close, it just seemed normal to me. Bennett had been sleeping for over 36 hours, so we were waiting for the moment he opened his eyes. That moment came at about 1:30am. He woke up hungry and I got to hold him – he hadn’t been held since surgery. It was such a sweet moment. I felt guilty that Jill wasn’t there….well, a little guilty. After he was done eating I laid him back in bed and just sat and watched him. I could have watched him for hours. He was so calm and brave. He just looked around at me, at the nurses, at whatever was going on. Tears streamed down my face as I said out loud “You are awesome, you are so awesome” In that moment, God had not just healed his heart, He had changed mine. I loved this child more than I did the day he was born.

  

Some of you may be asking – “so do you know if you want kids now?” -Honestly, I still wrestle with it some times. Especially last night, I had spent the weekend with sweet Bennett and the thought came to mind – If I love him this much am I missing out on something greater? I also turn 35 today, and we all know what the doctors say about 35. But when I sit still, even in my wrestling tears, I am reminded that the Lord has us right where He wants us, without the calling to be parents and trusting that if and when the calling comes, that God’s timing is never too late. So I continue to love my sweet Bennett with every ounce of me I have to give him and continue to be thankful for our moment in ICU.

Thank you to everyone who supported our family through prayers and encouragement. The Lord was faithful to not only heal Bennett but show the doctors a couple of other things that needed to be fixed. I made this little video of his 5 day journey in the hospital (yes just 5 days!). He is home now and eating twice as much as he did when he went in – he is even rolling over. Praise the Lord!

DAY 13 & 14 – PROJEKT 14.400.14 – MACARONI & DREAMERS

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by jenn in Entrepreneurism, Living the dream, Product, Shows | Leave a comment

Yesterday was an unfortunate day of computer meltdowns and email crashing. Its quite difficult to get anything done, but thanks to the GENUIS at the bar, I am back up and running. So this last day of poster design includes Day 13 & 14. The first poster is from the archives and one of my favorite. Its a quote from the movie, Juno. You Are the Cheese to my Macaroni…..

The second one was something I wrote as I think about what it means to be an entrepreneur in a society where still, so much security and confidence continues to be sought after in the six figure jobs, climbing ladders and living in the big houses. The design was inspired by amazing typography work I love so much and the creative inspiration of Steve Jobs. Its a summation of this project – Save the Dreamers!

So this is it, the last day of our poster a day project and 24 hours away from the end of our Kickstarter campaign. Although we have reached our goal, we will continue to offer our posters and other rewards through midnite tomorrow. Thank you again for reading our daily blogs and viewing our new designs each day. Your support means the world!

To purchase this 11×14 poster or any of the others before midnite April 12th –  simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin and see all of our posters!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

DAY 12-PROJEKT 14.400.14-MIDNIGHT GENIUS

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by jenn in Entrepreneurism | Leave a comment

WE DID IT – we reached our Kickstarter Goal and are climbing. The climbing is a blessing considering our actual budget is close to $10k. So THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our campaign by buying a poster or logo or album!

DAY 12 poster is actually a day late because I have been having computer problems. So here it is. I thought of this last year when I was laying in bed trying to sleep but my mind was racing with ideas. My husband requests often that I shut down my computer at least an hour before bed so that this doesn’t happen. But the BEST ideas come in the middle of the night, don’t you agree. I ended up creating a journal to keep on your nightstand with a light up pen so you could just roll over, jot your ideas down and go back to sleep, never to forget another one again. A friend mentioned a poster would be fun to create of this concept, thanks Kim!

We still want to get closer to our poster goal to help as many entrepreneurs globally through KIVA that we can so we will continue designing for two more days. 

To purchase this 11×14 poster before April 12th – which will help us reach our KS goal, simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Get updates of each design daily: Subscribe here or join our virtual facebook event here. Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

DAY 11 – PROJEKT 14.400.14 – OVERCOME

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by jenn in Entrepreneurism, Living the dream, marriage, Product, Shows | Leave a comment

I love words, if you haven’t already figured that out. I fell in love with this word several months ago when I first heard the song and saw the video. The word OVERCOME means so much to me. I have overcome alot of struggles in my childhood, Jon and I have overcome pain and separation in our marriage, and I have overcome the challenges of being an entrepreneur and launching a business. But most importantly, especially this Easter day, this word reminds me that Christ overcame so that we could OVERCOME. THAT is why I love this word.

 

THE STORY BEHIND THE SONG

THE SONG

To purchase this 11×14 poster before April 12th – which will help us reach our KS goal, simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Get updates of each design daily: Subscribe here or join our virtual facebook event here. Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

If you have requests for poster ideas, let us know! If your poster idea is designed and you pledge for a poster, we will give you an additional one!!!

DAY 10 – PROJEKT 14.400.14 – ANGEL

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by Sprinkle in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

As I have mentioned before, readers and friends have shared poster ideas, quotes and verses that they would like to see designed. This one came from dear friends of ours who have recently experienced a miscarriage. They tearfully shared with me that as they talk about their experience with others, that so many people have opened up and shared their personal experience with miscarriage with them. They wanted me to design something that would honor and remember their child. I loved the idea of adding a date to this quote in remembrance of that precious life.

We can customize this poster with a date.

To purchase this 11×14 poster before April 12th – which will help us reach our KS goal, simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Get updates of each design daily: Subscribe here or join our virtual facebook event here. Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

If you have requests for poster ideas, let us know! If your poster idea is designed and you pledge for a poster, we will give you an additional one!!!

DAY 9 – PROJEKT 14.400.14 – MELODY

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by Sprinkle in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Kickstarter update Day 24 of 30 – $4280 of $5000 – 6 days to go!

Yesterday we received an exciting delivery for our album launch!!!! The binders came in. All we have to do now is fill them with designs and start selling. In the last 3 days we have sold 11 albums through Kickstarter!

A few days ago I posted on Facebook for people to post their favorite song lyrics. If chosen for a poster design you would win a FREE poster!!! Well, only one faithful reader commented, my cousin, Brent. So, here you go Brent! Happy Friday everyone – don’t say I didn’t ask…..

 

To purchase this inspiring 11×14 poster before April 12th – which will help us reach our KS goal, simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Get updates of each design daily: Subscribe here or join our virtual facebook event here. Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

If you have requests for poster ideas, let us know! If your poster idea is designed and you pledge for a poster, we will give you an additional one!!!



 

DAY 8 – PROJEKT 14.400.14 – ALWAYS & FOREVER

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by jenn in Entrepreneurism, Living the dream, Shows | Leave a comment

So last night was a sad night.  I really enjoy my TV shows, and when a series comes to an end, I feel like I am saying good-bye to dear friends. I am still mourning the loss of Sydney Bristow. She and I were BFFs. I miss her.

Last night was the series finale of One Tree Hill. Either you have never heard of that show or you know it as a teenage drama. Regardless, there was always awesome music and great quotes! But after NINE wonderful years, this was the best quote. Trust me, its worth weekend marathons on HULU. In honor of the series finale……

 

Kickstarter Update – Day 23 of 30 – 7 days to go – we have reached $4030 of our $500o goal!

To purchase this 11×14 poster before April 12th – which will help us reach our KS goal, simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Get updates of each design daily: Subscribe here or join our virtual facebook event here. Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

If you have requests for poster ideas, let us know! If your poster idea is designed and you pledge for a poster, we will give you an additional one!!!


DAY 7 – PROJEKT 14.400.14 – WOVEN

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by jenn in Living the dream, Product | Leave a comment

I have been excited to release today’s design. Each time I release a new poster through our blog, I ask for people to submit ideas or quotes. A few days ago one of my college friends, Erica, emailed with a quote she had written about adoption. I absolutely LOVED it. (I also love that their son’s name is Jett) I have so many friends who have chosen adoption for their families and I have loved reading their stories and watching the support among the adoption community. I am grateful to design this for all of them in honor of their commitment to these children whose lives they have changed the course of for eternity.

Kickstarter Update – Day 22 of 30 – 8 days to go – we have reached $3140 of our $500o goal!

To purchase this 11×14 poster before April 12th – which will help us reach our KS goal, simply go to our Kickstarter campaign here, and pledge for the $25 poster. We will email you after April 12th to confirm which poster design you chose! By prebuying a poster you are not only helping a dreamer here but also in another part of the world, who dreams a better life for their family! $2 from every poster purchase goes towards a Kiva microloan to aid an entrepreneur in another country. Our goal is 400 posters in 14 days to help 14 global dreamers. click to learn more about PROJEKT 14.400.14 poster-a-day.

Get updates of each design daily: Subscribe here or join our virtual facebook event here. Visit our PROJEKT 14.400.14 “poster -a day” pinterest board to repin!

Don’t know what Kickstarter is? click here to find out.

If you have requests for poster ideas, let us know! If your poster idea is designed and you pledge for a poster, we will give you an additional one!!!