A Love Story

This weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the Designed for Life women's conference at James River Assembly. Sharing the theme of A Love Story, powerful speakers Debbie Lindell, Christine Caine, Priscilla Shirer and Dianne Wilson encouraged more than 4,000 ladies to share the love story that they have with Jesus.

I was so encouraged, blessed and moved. Like one the speakers said, it was like going on an amazing getaway date with God as He wrapped us in tremendous reminders of His love all weekend. We were reminded and encouraged to share where He brought us from, that He will deliver us and how He has given us each a hope and future.

I also love that my love story with Jesus began 22 years ago today! At the age of 7, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and I'm so thankful that I know He's been with me through every day of my life! To mark this special day, I thought it only appropriate to share some of my story.

On September 30, 1990, I met my Savior during junior church at Park Crest Baptist Church. While I can't remember every detail, I can remember raising my hand to acknowledge my need for a Savior and going into the classroom next door where I prayed with one of the teachers. I also remember running to my Daddy to tell him that I got saved and him writing it down in my pink Bible. 

For about a period of five years, my family was in and out of church as we went through the trials of separation, divorce, my Momma's first heart attack and my parents' remarriage. In 1996, my dear friend, Amanda, invited me to go to church with her at Valley View Baptist in Walnut Grove. I quickly fell in love with the church and invited my parents to attend also. I was excited to find out some of my parents' friends attended there also and they quickly made more friends also. 

We became greatly involved in the church as a family. My Dad would share what God had laid on his heart from time to time; my Mom sang specials; she and I sang in the choir and worked with the little ones together. I also participated in two missions trips to Mexico and felt the Lord's call to work with children and youth while I was in Mexico. I loved God and was encouraged to share His love with others.

In the summer of 2000, I began visiting friends at High Street Baptist when my parents could not attend church. I enjoyed going to church with many of my friends from school and meeting new people. I was challenged and encouraged to grow in faith. My amazing youth pastor, Ron, and his wonderful wife, Cindy, invited us into their home for Bible study, took us on camp trips to Colorado and Texas that challenged, stretched and grew our faith even more. I shared many talks with Ron. One that made a tremendous impact was the afternoon we talked at a wrestling match about what I hoped to do with my life. I knew God wanted me to help teens; however, I knew He also wanted me to be a writer. So Ron suggested that I work for a Christian teen magazine and as soon as he said it I knew that was what God had for me. It laid heavily on my heart in high school, college and led me to where I am today.

I graduated from the youth group in 2002; however, I was tremendously blessed to serve as a youth counselor in the Varsity youth group for a brief time in 2003-2004. I loved working with my freshman girls and getting to know all the teens. Counseling them allowed me to grow as I wanted to be a positive influence in their lives and encourage them in their faith walks. I loved every minute with the teens! It was my great love for them that helped me to work hard on my magazine prototype in my Magazine Editing & Publishing class in college. It was my baby and a dream that God birthed in me to make a positive impact in the lives of teen girls. It's a desire that I still carry in my heart today and I know God is bringing me closer to making that difference each day.

However, it was also in 2003 and 2004 when a series of tough times really hit my family. In 2003, we saw my grandfather and cousin sadly pass away. My mother took a horrible fall in 2004 that would drastically change her life. Shortly into the beginning of my senior year at Evangel, my Nanny (Daddy's mother) passed on September 27, 2005. Although we celebrate that she is in Heaven, her passing was a major loss to our family. She was the glue to our large extended family. Her love was amazing for her 7 kids and 19 grandkids. 

Then, at the end of my senior year within the matter of a week, my family went through an emotional roller coaster. On April 26, 2oo6, my uncle Butch (Mom's brother) unexpectedly passed at the age of 51. My parents' 24th anniversary was pretty much forgotten on April 27. The visitation was held on Sunday, the same day a party was held by my Dad's brothers and sisters to celebrate his 60th birthday. The funeral was on Monday, May 1, the first day of my finals. My baccalaureate was held on Thursday, May 4, Dad's birthday and my college graduation was on Friday, May 5. 

Then, the biggest blow to our lives came when my Daddy passed away on Thursday, June 15, 2006, just days before Father's Day. It was six weeks after my college graduation and nine months after his mother's passing. My world as I knew it was changed forever. Although I can remember many details from the time, the pain and loss led me to pretty much feel like a walking zombie for the next two years. The loss of my Daddy is something that I still have to deal with today. It's hard to just be in complete peace when someone who made such a huge impact in your life is gone, and to know that there will be so much of my life that He will not be here physically to celebrate with me. As we were coping with these hard losses, we endured another sadness on August 25, 2007, my Grandma (Mom's mom) passed into eternity. Although her passing was the most beautiful heavenly home-going, we literally sang hymns around her beside, the loss was almost like pouring salt on an open wound. I literally feared 2008 coming because I did not want to see another member of my family pass away.

However, I know that it was truly during this time that my Jesus carried me. He still carries me and He will always be there for me.

Oh, there is so much that God has brought us through I could go on and on in the details. I truly could write a novel. Thankfully, in 2008, He truly began to restore the joy in our lives. On May 4, 2008, the day my Daddy would have been 62, Momma and I joined Graceway Baptist. Although my time there was short, I am so thankful for the healing and friendships I found in that church. I was able to jump into ministry again and saw God move in our situation. It was the turning point that truly showed me that we are His children and He will always be there for us.

It was during this time that I also began working at the General Council of the Assemblies of God that led to me writing for Oncourse magazine, the national youth magazine for the AG. It was also during this time that I turned over my lifelong struggle of weight to God and He miraculously began my journey of weight loss. He blessed me the knowledge, opportunities and strength to lose 140 lbs. And, it was during this time that I met amazing people that encouraged me to visit James River Assembly, where I have been overwhelmed time and time again by the amazing presence of the Holy Spirit. In a little more than a year, I cannot keep up with the count of the messages that I have felt so moved by God's message that I left with a tear-stained face.

I am overwhelmed by God's amazing love. I talk so much about the amazing friendships that God has blessed me with throughout my 29 years. So many of you have truly touched my life; however, the friendship that I share with Jesus is the greatest friendship and love that I could ever know. I am definitely more in love with Him today and pray to be more every day. As I begin my 29th year of life, 22nd year with Him, my desire more than ever is to be in His will, to go where He wants me to go and tell our amazing Love story that we share to all He wants to hear.

Thank you, God, for this amazing journey.

Love Always,
Jenn

Read my guest blog post!

My first guest blog post just went live! I would love for you to read the post on the Thrive Personal Fitness blog. It's a wonderful blog and very beneficial to anyone wanting to make any healthier choices.

Have a wonderful week, friends!

Many blessings,

Jenn

More than I can imagine

Hello, friends!

So it looks like I'm playing catch up on the blog again. I'm very excited to report though that as the temperatures have become warmer, my life has become busier!

In May, I began two wonderful volunteer opportunities and both involve being a positive influence in the lives of women. Amazing! I know that God is able to do more than we could ask or imagine but it's still hard for me to imagine myself being in my current status.

First, I'm blessed to be a mentor for this year's local BetterU Challenge. I've created a private online group for the 10 amazing women to communicate and encourage each other through the challenge and have been so pleased to see how the ladies are coming together in just the first week. I'm also excited to be journeying with them through the workouts, informational meetings and more. In case you missed it, the News-Leader did a nice write up on the kick-off event that you may read here. I'm also thrilled to have the opportunity to have a guest blog post with Thrive Personal Fitness on Monday. That's definitely not something I would ever say or be given the opportunity! So be looking for more frequent post as I go through the journey again with the encouragement of these amazing ladies as my focus.

Second, God made amazing divine appointments when I was volunteering at the JRA men's conference in April. I was talking with a friend who told me about an amazing women's organization that she works for called LeadHer. God is still working out all the details as far as my involvement with this amazing organization; however, I am excited to get to know these ladies at the local monthly meetings where I am so encouraged and blessed. Our local group also volunteers in Ozark once month ministering at a women's shelter. So thankful for God's leading and excited to see what He has in store.

As for June, I'm thankful for the Lord's leading and healing. Since my father's passing June 15, 2006, I have dreaded this month. However, this year has been so amazing and I have just been so blown away by the works of His hands. I'm thankful to feel His loving embrace and find myself surrounded by such loving family and friends. Also, more work opportunities have opened up with freelancing, working part time and watching kids. I am so blessed by all God has done and just can't wait to see what He has in store. I know He is at work! Now, I just have to keep telling myself to wait and He was He is going to do.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." 
-- Ephesians 3:20-21


Many Blessings,
Jenn

3.2.1... Nearing the Finish Line

Today I hit a major milestone in the journey. I knew it was coming and have anticipated it for months and years. Talk about endurance. 

I stepped on the scale today and the beginning number was new and it signified the tremendous change that God has made in my life. He has made me a new person and this journey in my life is nearing the end. He has stretched and strengthened me. I am doing so many things with joy in my life for the first time. I still have no "athletic ability;" however, I sure love the activity and laughing at my attempts as I'm learning and adjusting to this new life God has given me. Today, I stepped on the scale and my weight began with a "1!"

So here's the honest truth, family and friends. Everyone knows that women do not like to talk about their weight. However, I will happily share this because I praise God for the grace He has given me. When I started this journey in February 2010, I weighed 340 lbs. Today, I stepped on the scales and it fluctuated in the 190s. (Yes, I have to weigh several times to believe the reality and the scale changes every time. :) ) I am thrilled! I have less than 25 lbs. to lose and I will be finished with this journey. My finishing weight will be near 175, nearly half the weight I once was and much healthier. As a healthy, strong woman I will be able to fulfill the desires God has placed in my heart. I will be able to juggle all the tasks set before me with more ease, including the day, when God sees fit, for me to be the wife and mother that He created me to be. God has prepared me and I'm going to be in the best shape that I've ever been. I'm so excited to see what the future He has for me holds. 

Speaking of the future, I am happy to report that He is preparing me for a new journey. His messages have been so clear that there are great things coming. I do not not know what they are yet; however, I am so thrilled to know that He has prepared me to be spiritually and physically ready for what He has planned for me. Please pray with me as I seek His direction for this new and exciting chapter.

Again though, I have to Praise God for the work He has done! The most amazing thing about this journey is to see how God has been with me through it all. Obviously, it's not been easy. There have been a lot of rocks and possible detours, including: death, job uncertainty, relationship changes, moving, family health issues and more, that could have sidelined me during the journey. However, God was and is my constant companion. He's challenged and encouraged me every step of the way. He's ran beside me, even when I felt like I couldn't hear His direction, and He brought many amazing people into my life along the way to help cheer me on as I proceeded. Thank you, all, for your continued support, and most importantly, Thank you, God! Aaaahhh, He is so AMAZING!

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." -- Exodus 15:2 

Many Blessings,

Jenn

Direction

Two years ago this month this amazing journey began to take care better care of myself. I truly realized that my body is the temple of God and if I wanted to fully serve Him, then I needed to make sure that this temple is healthy.

I was inspired to begin this journey after working at my first National Fine Arts Festival. It's an experience that I will never forget. We were coming close to the beginning of the Celebration Service (the best part of the entire week) and we had to run across the convention center before the start of the service. I ran as hard and fast as I could but I just could not keep up. I did catch up with everyone and was overwhelmed with tears when I arrived. I could not believe that God had brought this truly amazing opportunity into my life to be able to help young people "discover, develop, and deploy" their God-given gifts and now I was going to be able to watch these amazing youth share in front of a huge audience in an American Idol Finale-like style. It was the following February when I was thinking of returning to the festival that I was determined that I did not want my lack of health to keep me from doing what God was leading me to do any more.

Since then, God has amazed me time and time again through this journey. In two years God has given me the strength to lose about 130 lbs. and be in the best shape. He has given me so much energy. Anyone who knows me knows me knows how much I love kids and playing with them. I have so much more energy to play with them and that just puts the biggest smile on my face. As I have said before, I finally feel like I am becoming the woman that God created me to be, fulfilling the desires that He has placed in my heart.

However, to fully become the strong temple that He wants me to be I realized that I needed to slow down a little and get back to what mattered most, my relationship with God. Throughout the last year, God not only did a great work in my health, He also began a greater work in my spiritual health. In August, He led me to take another big step in my life and follow Him. I began attending James River Assembly and have felt His spirit move more in my life than ever before. He has grown great friendships that I had and brought amazing new ones into my life. I have tremendously enjoyed attending the amazing services and getting involved with James River Women rallies, working with the infants and my awesome life group.

I've dug deeper into my relationship with Him and He has blessed me with the most amazing opportunities. He's expanded my writing opportunities and opened doors to share what He has done in my life with so many people. How can I do anything else but Praise Him?! Don't get me wrong, it's not been all daisies and roses, our family has had plenty of trials in the past few months; however, our God is way more Powerful and Faithful than our problems and He's leading us through this storm just as He has every other storm. He's never left our side and He never will.

A few days ago I was reading through Facebook and was delighted to see this in the Message from God application:

On this day, God wants you to know...

... that it is important to care for the temple of your body.

Even more important is your spirit, which is the light within that temple. A beautiful temple may attract others, but it is the light that will touch hearts.

Imagine the peace and reassurance it brought to my heart. Putting Him first is always the right answer. He will always guide us down the right path. When we feel like we have no hope, we can turn to Him and He will always lead us in the right direction.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. -- Matthew 6:33

Thank you all again for your tremendous support and encouragement. You all are loved and appreciated so much!

Many Blessings,

Jenn

Here's to a Happy, Healthy 28!

On the eve of my 28th birthday, I am overwhelmed by the grace God has shown me this Summer, during this 19-month journey and in my 28 years. As of today, I am down 117 lbs. Wow! I can only say that it is truly the strength God has given me to endure this challenge. To think of this amazing gift that He has given me, it brings tears to my eyes.

I've completed my final appointments with the trainers and cardiologist and both were very pleased with my progress. During my assessment at Fitness Together, I was able to improve in all my physical fitness testing and most of my measurements decreased. I was thrilled to learn that I've burned off 20 lbs. of body fat weight, lowering it 20 percent, and I increasing my lean weight by 4 percent. My heart is in great shape and improving. I've decreased my heart rate 25 beats per minute and that adds up to a savings of 13 million beats in a year. So I know that if God continues to bless me in this journey of losing weight, that it will be a much happier and healthier year.

I'm thrilled beyond belief in these results because I know it will not only benefit me, it benefits all that matter to me. I will be able to have more energy to spend time with the ones I love: assisting Mom and Grandpa, chasing kiddos, taking run/walks with friends and just enjoying every breath that I take. It gives me new initiative to bring more excitement and activity to my 28th year. Thinking of the amazing opportunities God granted me in my 27th year challenges me to think of all I can do in the next year. I truly cannot wait to see where God takes me. Here are just a few that have already crossed my mind...

•  Watch Chipper Jones and the Atlanta Braves play against Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals. 
•  Speak at the Go Red for Women Luncheon as one of the 10 magnificent women who participated in the Better U Challenge.
• Watch "The Lion King" 3D on the big screen & relive some favorite childhood memories.
• Volunteer & "Just Be" at the 2011 Design for Life Conference.
• See my fantastic Floridian cousins in the STL!
• Take an amazing road trip to Tulsa to experience The 7  Tour (David Crowder Band & Chris August)  with my dear friend, Bethany Weatherly.
• Enrich my soul at Fresh Grounded Faith with family & friends.
• See the Kansas City Plaza at Christmastime.
• Participate in a 5K with the Heather Hansen!
• Stand up for some amazing friends, who are like family, as they begin their new life together... Love ya, Jessica & Justin! I'm so excited & honored to be a part of your special day!
• Volunteer/Work at Louisville2012 watching some of the brightest, most talented teens deploy their God-given talents.
• Achieve my weight loss goal and maintain a healthy weight.
• Continue to write content for amazing Christian publications using the gifts God has given me.
• Grow more and more into woman that God wants me to be... 

Thank you again to my amazing family & friends who have been a tremendous blessing & support. Thank you for being encouragement on the sidelines & in the race! I pray the Lord bless you all as you have been such a blessing to me.  Above all else, remember to Praise Him in every situation because He is Everything!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Many Blessings,
Jenn

Reflection

So much has changed in my life in the last few months that I have a hard time realizing the person staring back at me in the mirror is really me. I knew she was in there but to actually see her is... unbelievable.

The same is true, not only regarding the change in my overall health and looks, but also in my life as a whole. This week, a lot of change is coming as the 3-month Better U Program, the American Heart Association health challenge and heart healthy makeover, comes to end. Likewise, this is also my last week at my amazing job that I've held for the past 3 Summers. Little did I know, in both situations, how much I would truly grow.

When I started the challenge, I knew it would be a great opportunity as I had recently lost 100 lbs., and it could only help me come closer to my goal of becoming healthy. I would be under a doctor's care and receive additional training and nutrition. I had no idea how much the overall change would become a part of me. I love my workout times now; I miss them if I am not able to get them in, even though I did get most of the workouts in during the challenge. I crave the healthier foods and am pretty disgusted by the things that are not "good for me." I'm challenged and want those good numbers to reflect in my assessments next week, but I know I have learned so much more than could ever be shown in numbers and measurements. To top it off though, I have made wonderful friendships with the women in the program and learned so much from the fantastic trainers at Fitness Together. Although I know I will continue working and maintaining, I am going to miss this program.

Similarly, three years ago when I began working with the National Fine Arts Festival, I never could have imagined the blessed opportunity that had been given to me. I've had the amazing honor of helping some of the most talented teens in the country participate in a festival that encourages them to "discover, develop, deploy" the gifts God has given them.

Each year as I've watched these amazing young people perform, tears have filled my eyes. They are so inspiring and full of ambition. They know God has given them a great gift and they are eager to share it with others. At the same time, I've also been able to watch my passions, helping youth and writing, grow and come together. I've had the amazing opportunity to interview some of these amazing young people, write their stories and other great content for "ONCOURSE." 

Working for NFAF and writing for "ONCOURSE" is definitely a great part of God's will being unfolded in my life. I can remember it just like it was yesterday, the Summer night in Mexico when God called me to work with youth. Then, the afternoon sitting at a wrestling tournament chatting with my amazing youth pastor, Ron Hullett, about the dilemma I had as I loved writing and wanted to work for a magazine; however, I knew God had placed this great passion for youth in my heart. It seemed so unbelievably clear when he said, "Well, why don't you work for a Christian Youth Magazine." It's pretty awesome how God works out those things! Then, as if it couldn't get any better, I have made the most amazing, lifelong friends.

So forgive me if I've become a little emotional, I feel like I'm actually growing into the woman that God created me to be. I feel like I'm making myself an overall healthy person who is going to be able to complete every task that He sets before me. I know that even though there may be questions that He will never leave me. He will always provide for my every need. I know He has great plans and I am excited to see what He has for my future. I'm excited to see how He uses the challenge even more for His will and I'm excited to see where His will will take me.

Thank you for all of these amazing opportunities, God. Thank you for planting these desires in my heart. Thank you for all You have done and are going to do.

Many Blessings,

Jenn