Jenni

Jenni's funeral service today was sacred.  It was holy.  Powerful.
I'm so thankful I was able to drive down and attend.

The church was crowded - so full of people who Jenni impacted, especially through this final season of her life.  The family sang "Jesus, Name Above All Names" as they entered the auditorium (so I was crying even before the speeches began).  Her father spoke, then her brother, then her best friend, and then her husband.  (My former teacher, classmate, Pastor's daughter, and CHA's most beloved coach.)  Each of them shared personal memories and talked about how Jenni's life pointed them and those around her to Christ, particularly in her suffering.  Then they played a clip from Jenni's testimony (video below, 43:28-44:38), followed by a worship song and picture slideshow.  

I sat with my dad and Rachael, and all I could think was how I want my life to make an eternal difference.  I want my heart to reflect the heart of Christ; I want to be bold enough to share my testimony with those around me who need Him.  I want to show compassion for others and have faith that every trial and difficult season in my life has a purpose.  In short, I want to know and love God more.  And I don't leave many funerals feeling that mix of hope and inspiration and desire.  So I'm thankful for Jenni's example and for hearing her family praise her character and seeing the huge crowd of people who admired her faithfulness.  There are a million things that can distract us from it, but in the end, Jesus is all that matters...  Loving Him and loving others in a way that draws them to Him.  Jenni did that well!

"Let us rest in what we DO KNOW rather than wrestling with what we don't know."
~Pastor Melton

"But what seemed failure from man's standpoint was a tremendous triumph from God's, because God's purpose is never man's purpose... As we go on in the Christian life it gets simpler, because we are less inclined to say, 'Now why did God allow this and that?' A [mature] Christian is one who trusts the knowledge and wisdom of God, and not his own knowledge." 
~My Utmost for His Highest

"Fellowshipping with Christ in our suffering guards it from purposelessness."
~Beth Moore

"Your reactions determine your reach.  People will know you by how you face hardship!" ~Lysa Terkeurst

This is a video of Jenni sharing her testimony at a CHA chapel service a few months back.  It's about 45 minutes, but it's worth it and I would encourage you to watch it all.


"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants."
~Psalm 116:15

"I will never forget this awful time as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!”
~Lamentations 3:19-24

*Please keep her husband, Heath, and their seven children (Maddie, Connor, Kelton, Macy, Brody, Reese, and Cruz) in your prayers!!

EDIT:  Here is the full video of Jenni's service for anyone interested...