My Life Is A Mess

I have a friend that says her life is a mess when her room needs picked up and cleaned. With packing and everything going on right now in my life, I find myself thinking "my life is a mess." I know that the mess I have created from packing will soon be put back, but there are other messes that I am not so sure of being put back in order. I also think about the messes I will come in contact with in the near future. Really all of our lives are a mess. The only way that our lives can be put back in order is through Christ. I am thankful that I can go to the Ultimate Cleaner and find restoration.

These past couple of weeks have been interesting. I have been able to spend a lot of intentional time with a lot of my friends. I wanted to tell as many people bye in-person as possible. By Sunday, I was pretty much an emotional wreck. I am not a big crier, but I found myself wanting to curl into the fetal position and bawl all day. I have to be honest and say, I am not looking forward to leaving the communities that I have been blessed to be apart of the last four years. I also have say that I am excited about the new communities I will become apart of this next year.

When I am faced with change I tend to become fearful of the future and with drawl into my shell. I know this is something that is not good for me to do. Living in fear of being hurt or vulnerable is no way to live my life. My friend Korey made a CD for me the other day and there is a song by The Almost called Amazing Because It Is. The song has original verses, but the chorus is Amazing Grace. I am telling you all this because the song talks about living in fear. The song goes on to talk about being addicted and needy. I am both of those things, but there is grace and acceptance in Christ. Jesus Cleans up the messes of our lives and I am so thankful for that.

Yes, I am scared about moving to a new city where I do not know very many people. Yes, I am sad to say goodbye to my awesome friends in Oklahoma, but I am ready to be cleaned up and to experience the cleaning process with my new friends in Chicago.

Here is a link to the song I wrote about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt6R78qXhd8. Check it out, it's good stuff.

Thanks for reading,

~jenny

Time is Ticking Away

Wow, it is hard to believe that we are half way through August!

The two speaking engagements that I had have come and gone. They both went very well. I spoke about my fears and excitement and how I believe God is bringing redemption to the city. Not only is God redeeming Chicago, but God is redeeming communities all around. When I spent a week with INTRSCT for spring break back in 2008, that was one idea that stuck with me. God wants to redeem any geographical location through whoever lives there. He does call people to move to new places, but he also enables his followers to serve where they are. Part of the Urban Dwelling experience is understanding what it means to live intentionally wherever you are. I'm praying that this experience will help me understand that better.

In my earlier post I wrote about the money I need to raise to spend this year in Chicago. I am happy to say that I am about 80% funded! God has been so good! Thank you for helping me on this journey! It wouldn't be possible without you all!

God Bless

~jenny

Chicago for a dolla!

Well, here is my first blog post. I will be posting updates about my experience as an Urban Dweller throughout the year.
As part of the Urban Dweller experience with INTRSCT, they have asked the Urban Dwellers to raise 20% of the cost is takes to fund the dweller program. The full cost for the program is $10,000. My responsibility is $2,000. Since I received confirmation that I was accepted into the program this knowledge of having to raise $2,000 has not worried me at all. Back in 2007 I participated in a spring break mission trip where I experienced INTRSCT for the first time. I had one week to raise $500. I did so by carrying a milk jug that said Chicago for a dollar! I was able to raise enough money to go on the trip by simply asking one person at a time if they could spare a dollar. It worked. I am hoping it will work again. Although, this time I will have to ask a lot more people!
On Sunday August 1st, I spoke at Silver Creek First Church of the Nazarene. The were gracious and gave an offering of $300! I am very thankful for their prayers and their financial contributions!
This Sunday, August 8th, I will be speaking at Bonner Springs First Church of the Nazarene. My uncle Nathan pastors here and said he would be happy to let me speak and share about INTRSCT's mission. I am praying that God will do His thing and people will be challenged and moved to dwell in their neighborhoods.
I am very excited about this new journey! I invite you to come along with me through your prayers and if you are able, your financial contributions. If you have any questions feel free to email me at jehann87@gmail.com! All I need is 2,000 people to give a dollar :)

Thanks! And check back here for more updates!

~jenny