Friday, January 20, 2012
Come See Me At Our New(er) Blog
http://natejenny.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 2, 2009
Trip around the world... or so it seemed
I was told the water at the retreat was "solar" heated... But that basically meant "ice water" and I was VERY SORRY I took a shower at all... I went to bed that night under five blankets, with four layers on and a beanie and still woke up in the middle of the night, not from fear, not from jetlag, but because I was shivering so hard :) ha. During our days, we could see our breaths in the meeting rooms and as you can see, we were COLD. :)
On our way there, we had a short flight to Delhi, India, with an overnight layover... We were graciously housed at an MBMSI house and had another adventure in a taxi cab... I am not sure how this happens, but taxis in India seem to be interesting experiences for me, without fail...
Upon leaving, we were in the airport and I walk down the stairs from the washroom and who do I see, but a familiar face in an unfamiliar land. My good friend's brother was there! We had to stare at each other for a while, because really, why are we seeing each other in the airport in Kenya?!!?!? After a few moments of this staring, we realized it was true and said hello, chatted for a while, and I sensed God saying, "see, my child, you are always home, with familiar faces, as long as you're with Me." I don't know why, but that was comforting and exciting.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wow....
We have been rabbits for a marathon. This is possibly the freshest in my mind as it just happened yesterday. As Curtis (Nate's sister Sheila's hubby) ran in the marathon and faced the test of feeling like he would pass out, I was reminded of how precious our walk with the LORD and OTHERS is. How we all get to be together on this journey, to support, encourage, and hopefully more often than not, strengthen one another with love. Curtis, you did a great job! We're so proud of you for pushing through and we know your Father in Heaven is proud of you for persevering. All for His glory. Awesome. It was also fun to see your wife concerned for you and so proud of you... Love is cool. I'm challenged by the testimony of those who don't give up, even when it hurts. Nate ran last year with severe cramping in his legs at the end and still finished. Curtis ran this year when he thought he wasn't going to make it. That's God at work in and through you. Thanks for challenging me.I have to make one more note, from me to my dear husband... I cannot begin to tell you or the rest of the world what it has meant to be married to you. The care, love, and strength you show and WALK OUT daily puts me in a place of immense awe. You are incredible. Your walk with the Lord amazes me. Thanks for being used by Him in my life to challenge and bless me.
We miss some of you so much! It's been far too long since we've connected. But also know, we love you!!! You are in our hearts and minds daily!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Sometimes I can do nothing but sit in awe...
Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and watch— and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." OH YEAH!!!!!!!!!!
At the beginning of this week, Galen asked me to prepare some reports for him, so I did... What I discovered caused a new stirring and excitement in my heart... I'll try to sum it up below... There were other things on the report, but these two figures reminded me of WHY I'm here... It's sweet.
From 2007:
No. of New Fellowships/Bible Studies/Churches
283
No. of New Believers (not just raising their hands, but INVOLVED in church life)
9576
And all this based on programs I am privileged enough to work with. It's so cool, it makes me want to sing His praises. These figures represent about half of the programs we work with as some don't record this info and some were still on outreach when we were collecting reports. It amazes me that today, I get to SERVE a group of such amazing people... Such amazing ministers... Such amazing servants of God... It humbles me really...
This past week I was able to begin a new study by Joyce Meyers called, "Battlefield of the Mind" with some girls from the last study I did and some new ones. There's not a whole lot sweeter in life than fellowship and growth with old friends and new ones. I'm excited to just BE with these women and learn about them and love on them! Nate began a 25 week study on "Quest for authentic manhood" (or something like that...) and I feel God calling me to pray for him while he's there. The challenge is that my study is Tuesday nights and his study is EARLY Wednesday morning, but I think God will give me grace when my heart is to pray for my husband!?!? Yeah!
I feel like God is challenging me a lot lately and perhaps some of my friends, too about marriage/family... The challenge to me personally is this: why are we so much nicer to people we don't know well or have much contact with? Why is it so easy to be unkind to those we love the most? I can think back to childhood (okay, today, too) and how I treated my family, how I treat my husband and I wonder why... Even in the smallest ways... The frustration in my mind so easily transfers into the tone of my voice (my mom is probably nodding her head so hard it might just fall off :)) My questions come from my prideful heart (thinking I KNOW so much more, so the question is coming from pride, not from wanting to know...) So the challenge I feel from God, especially as it relates to my family and especially my marriage is this: be kinder to them than anyone else. Don't settle for the world's standard of love... Aim for His. Yep. That's a big challenge, but I think a good one, when I think of the state of marriages in our world. This is such a vastly used section of Scripture, but it's really the basis of this challenge for me...
1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I could write a book about this... Maybe I'll spare you for now... But my heart is stirring!
Nate and I have been experiencing a lot of joy in our marriage and I'm so grateful for that! It astounds me really that life could have gotten this much sweeter with marriage. But that's part of God's plan, right!?!?! It's so much fun to learn and grow together and experience God together. I am continually reminded of what a blessing it is to be with such a strong, kind, loving man. It's rare to experience this, I know... And I don't take it for granted!
I went shopping the other day and am so grateful we have enough money to eat, and to eat well. I thought these delicious nectarines looked beautiful on our cool tray we got for our wedding... I thank God for His provision for us... I miss my mom and sister so much and it's hard being so far away from them. My sister decided to stay on for at least two more years in Switzerland and I'm excited for her life there (as she really seems to enjoy it!), but do wish she'd come home sometimes, too! It's just hard sometimes. But I'm glad that the holidays are coming up and I can see them soon! YIPPEEEE!
It's fun to get to know Nate's family a bit better. I look forward to more time with them, becoming family as well.
I'm so grateful for my friends... I have such a great crew of people around me here, across the US, around the world. They are inspiring and amazing and challenging.
Last night, Nate and I had the privilege to have dinner with his former coworker, her husband and their cute kiddos. I didn't know them really at all, Nate didn't know the husband, but it turned out to be a great night and as we got to know them, I was amazed at how much variation in our lives God creates. It's so cool to find similiarities and differences and unique way we are shaped. I enjoyed myself so much and I look forward to more interaction with them!
Okay, so I know this became quite long, but I just had to share my appreciation. God is so good. I can't even count sometimes how often I'm simply in AWE... As I look at WHAT and WHEN and HOW and WHY God has directed my steps, I am amazed and SO GRATEFUL.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
What a wonderful...
We got to babysit three wonderful kiddos this weekend while their parents who are wedding photographers were out doing their thing :) These kids are far from ordinary. They are articulate, smart, well-behaved, and so funny. Gabriel is the best big brother, taking care of his siblings and he's so sweet, he didn't even try to take advantage of the fact we didn't know anything :) He was so helpful all day! Noah cracked us up all day saying things like, "that plane is SUPER fast", and when Nate dove off the diving board, we were informed that it was "SO huge". Ha ha. Little Lilliana is all girl and needed a couple hugs and kisses throughout the day to get over her "grumpy" mood. When she was pouty, I would ask her to tell me what was wrong and to use her words. If she wouldn't say, then I'd ask her, "do you just need a hug?" and she'd say, "yes" and so there we were, hugging. That seemed to fix everything :) Gabriel, who I remember holding YEARS ago (well, six to be exact) in Colorado shortly after his birth. I love him even more now and feel SO, SUPER blessed that this awesome family lives so close now! I'm including lots of pics for mom and dad below :)
We ate our mac and cheese, grapes, and red peppers. Yeah, these kids like red peppers. Very healthy :)
Then we put the kids down for naps, well, Lilly napped, Gabriel sat quitly downstairs reading, and Noah explored in his room :) I don't think he likes to slow down...
We got the kids ready, put sunscreen on their faces, buckled them into their car seats, and off we went for our "surprise" adventure! The suprise was a missions aviation fest and when we pulled into the airport, a parachute landed just near us! What a fun start! Then we went and looked at the planes, went through the tent, got balloons, watched planes and helicopters take off and land, and watched some demos of how misson planes drop supplies into remote areas (ie Jungles and stuff). Then we were off to collect our balloons :) orange ones for the boys and a blue one for Lilly :) Then we went to the little ride where Noah, looking dapper in his sunglasses, rode for a bit I don't know what this ride is called. It was HOT outside, and the kids did great, barely fussing at all about the heat...
Lilliana, Jenny, Noah, Gabriel and cool plane :)
So we took them to the Creamery in Strasburg, where they politely sat eating their vanilla, chocolate, and fudge swirl ice creams. Seriously, these kids are so well behaved...
Then we went home and swam for a bit in the pool, then ate dinner of pizza, apples, and more red bell peppers. Noah, who can't really sit still, was standing, sort of shuffle-dancing, looking up at the sky, and suddenly said, "look, Gabriel, a rainbow". And sure enough, there in the middle of a cloud was a rainbow. So cool. Then Noah said, "how does that happen?" so we explained the way the sun hits the moisture in the clouds, etc... and he said, "cool, a sunny day rainbow!". Then they swam some more and let me tell you, they can swim so well and jump off the pool and do flips. Crazy kids. They LOVE Nate and took to calling him uncle Nate, which is so cute.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Cheerful
Love you,
Jenny