About Jenny
Who Am I?
I grew up in Colorado, went to school in Iowa at Luther, and now live in Minnesota with my wonderful husband, Joe. My retired but busy parents are overseas for missionary work but usually live in Colorado. My dad is a teacher there and is full of new ideas to keep them busy. My mom is a super cook, cleaner, server, sewer, and coupon clipper! My sister and brother in law live around the corner from my parent’s house and she is a 4th grade teacher and he is a contractor. They have adopted Cookie for the year! I have a very nice family and like to visit them when I can! I work at Mayo as a nurse in an outpatient GI area. At church I’m involved with the small group Bible study program and the women’s mentoring program. We have enjoyed getting to know the 5 couples in our group and learning how to best serve God now as a married couple. I have benefited from a mentor at church so am trying to help the program now with publicity to get others to experience a similar mentoring relationship that can help them become more Christ-like. Some of my hobbies are being with Joe, Frisbee golf with Joe, scrapbooking, decorating our home, walking with friends, and exercising. I also try to cook and clean to keep the home going!
My Testimony
God blessed me with Christian parents who introduced me to Jesus early on and I don’t remember a time not knowing about Him. Growing up in the church I came to the understanding that God had a gift for me and I need to accept Him since I was a sinner and being “good" didn’t save me from eternity without Christ. When I was seven, I remember praying with a woman at our church to accept this gift of salvation and commit to believe, love, and obey Jesus. Throughout my childhood and teen years I was always involved in church activities and was urged to read my Bible and pray by my parents. However, I kept my church life and school life fairly separate.
I. The college years brought me to the point where I made my relationship with Jesus my highest priority.
A. In college I moved from Colorado to Iowa and with this transition plus a break up with a long time boyfriend and being away from my family. I found myself feeling lonely and hopeless. Although this time was difficult I thank God for this time because it was one of the first times I became totally reliant on God and trusted Him for everything. Relationships with guys, athletics, or success in school did not compare to the joy I had in Christ.
B. I was also challenged in my faith while being exposed to religion classes that did not agree that “all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) Bible and by many friends who believed in a variety of ways to heaven. Through this struggle, God really worked in my heart to help me be sure of His authority and power.
C. My junior year also brought a time of wondering what the point of my life was when I was unsure of my choice to be a nurse. I was living in Rochester and didn’t enjoy my classes or living situation. Coming to Christ Community that year was refreshing to hear truth spoken! Again, God proved his love and comfort when I struggled. Sharing his love with others through a career in nursing was a great realization too.
II. After college I have been continuing to know Jesus and commit my life to him.
A. Last summer I was a “team leader" for some women at a summer training program with the Navigators. God really taught me a lot about making disciples starting with evangelism and also helped me realized the importance of spiritual growth through practicing spiritual disciples such as memorizing scripture.
B. Currently working as a nurse and being engaged to the man I am going to marry I have many new experiences that God has blessed me with. God had stretched me by putting people in my life at work that need Jesus and challenged me to focus on planning a marriage focused on Him. I’ve realized how reading the Word and being supported by fellowship with other believers can really help being based firmly in truth when facing the world.
C. Since moving here and becoming a member of Christ Community, I have desired to be baptized as an adult even though I was previously baptized as an infant. I believe God desires us to make a public confession of faith through a testimony and be united with Jesus through baptism. Like Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. I continually thank God for the new life he gives and strive to love and obey him.
