An Authentic Actuality

There is something about going away that just makes me think.

We had the opportunity to travel to Mauritius for about 10 days. We started our trip helping out at a conference for youth and ended with some R&R.

It was wonderful.

I learned far more than I taught during the conference.

The wonderful people that we met during our time there truly touched my heart and made an everlasting memory.

Really, they were such hospitable, kind, generous, and loving people with touching stories behind each of their smiles.

They have hearts that long not only for change within the lives of their friends, but as well for their entire country.

They live with an awareness of the reality of God’s salvation for His people and with that knowledge they love their friends by being unashamed to share the Gospel.

This is courageous for teenagers/young adults to do.

What touched me the most, were their stories. Many had seen deaths of siblings, parents abandoning families, violence, etc. but they lived with a deep and convicting joy and thankfulness.

From my time with these young people, I feel as if they are in the process of mastering the following verses in James:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

What is important to notice is, it does not say if you meet trials, it says when.

We will all meet trials in our lives, therefore it is a given.

These trials will be challenging, difficult and just flat out hard.

But the outcome of these trials will be a reflection of where we are rooted.

Will we count them all as joy? Will we be able to understand that we are gaining endurance or steadfastness? So that we may one day be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing?

When I asked one of the girls to tell me her story, she simply said “Life has not always been easy, my mother left when I was 7 and I have 3 other siblings. It’s been hard at times, but Jesus has been my rock and there are always reasons to be thankful and to have joy.”

When we have thankfulness in our hearts, joy is the byproduct. We can easily look at every/any situation and see the negative side to it. What do we choose to see? What do we decide to make our reality?

Are we able to see joy in the most difficult of times and situations? A parent leaving, a sibling dying, circumstances changing, rejection, failure, do we understand that our Father is good and always means good for us.

I can look at my own life and see how my perspective can so quickly change depending on if I choose to see the glass half empty of half full. Let’s take this small example of a choice I have every morning when I wake up. I can either see my reality as…

I live as a foreigner here, marginalized by the society due to my accent or lack of cultural competence. I cannot use my talents to their full potential and am not good enough.

Or

I get the opportunity to live in a foreign country, learn a new language, and culture. Grow and prosper in patience, gentleness, peace, and love in all areas of life.

So my friends, the choice is ours. Who do we want to be, how do we want to see life and do we want to choose joy in our various trials.

The Sumptuous Surprises

Hello fellow readers,

I am happy to say after encouragement from friends, family, and even strangers I am back at it.

Writing about the beautiful ways in which I encounter pieces of heaven in my daily grind.

The past two months, I feel as if I was on a roller coast ride looping through what we call life.

SO MANY great things have happened. I am looking forward to explaining them to y’all!

Let me just begin by giving a praise to God. He’s the almighty, the alpha and omega. He truly knows our hearts, to the very last detail. Amazing.

Now before I had taken this little writing break, I had said that I was coming out of a fairly intense time of learning, processing and most of all growing.

During this time I hit a point, where I said in all honesty to my husband, “Abraham I feel like I am giving everything to God I am sacrificing my own wants and desires to follow Him and I just feel like I am forgotten.”

Those who know me personally, know that this is not a normal statement that would come out of my mouth. God is good, no matter what…period. Regardless of the hardships, he has EVERYTHING under control. So what lead me to say this?

Well ultimately the answer is an unthankful heart, but in this moment I could’ve listed one million reasons of how life just hasn’t quite turned out as expected.

So I gave my situation to God in prayer. Just spoke out my heart—the good, the bad, and the ugly. While I received the freedom that comes from openly speaking this out, I remembered,

“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

This verse changed my prayers. It’s amazing really. By simply taking delight in Him my desires seemed to change from what I do not have to simply what I long for.

This change, although small, had an impact on my heart. When I focus on where I am lacking, I am already setting myself up for a mental failure and an unthankful heart.

When I focus on what the Word says is true for those who delight in Him and how well He means for those who love him, I am focusing on miracles, heaven on earth, and a positive future. My heart becomes thankful and encouraged for what is to come!

Now let me tell you a few ways of how God answered. How He heard the deep desires of my heart, the majority of these desires I did not even bother to speak out.

HE SIMPLY KNEW IT.

He gave me the opportunity to meet the newest little addition to my family while enjoying a wonderful vacation with the rest of my family.

He sent one of my dearest friends from the states to visit me for two weeks. Where we just talked, traveled, drank coffee, talked some more and simply rested in the joy of being together.

He just so happened to plan an event in Zurich that one of my closest college friends will be planning! Which means we will have 5 days after her event to travel to the beautiful country of France for our stay in Paris.

He gave my husband and I the opportunity to take a trip to the beautiful island of Mauritius, where we will work a conference and help out a local church there. Afterwards we have an additional 7-day stay on the island—with everything paid!

Now last, but certainly not least. I have been given the opportunity to encourage, be encouraged, love, be loved, guide, be guided, be a witness, witness, and celebrate all for the glory of His kingdom!

God is so good—with or without the gifts, the trips, the opportunities, the money.

He hears us and knows the desires of our heart. He is a good father, who means well for us. I encourage all of you to know that where you are, you are so deeply loved, you are not forgotten and you have a father that means deeply good for you, independent from your worldly circumstances!

A Writing Recess

Hi y’all,

I am sorry that it’s been quite sometime since I've last written here. I have been occupied with conferences, celebrations, work, dinner parties, meetings, you name it. It’s been a crazy, full, but yet refreshing time. I’ve gained much knowledge and insight during the last month or two, but everything is kind of floating around. I will take the next month to grab all of those floating thoughts and put them down on paper, while enjoying the beautiful sunshine and summer in Switzerland:)

Love&peace,

Jeanna

Celebrating Life's Circumstances

My husband and I began running together, in the hopes of completing a half marathon…. As long as we stay injury-free for the next few months (fingers crossed and for my German-readers drücke die Daumen ;))…which I can honestly say has been harder than expected after our past 2 months of training

This morning we ran to the home of fellow church leaders, where our morning prayer/leadership meeting was being held. After the meeting we ran back to our apartment and towards the end of our run we began to pick up the pace and lifted up simple prayers that were on our hearts. We prayed about the day ahead of us and specifically over the idea that we can so deeply and freely love those around us. Also that the freedom that the cross gives may revive us to love and rejoice, regardless of the circumstances we are put into.

What does that even look like? How could we live a life, where peace is an everlasting state and emotion, where we can celebrate when we are rejected, put down, or just struggling. Sounds crazy right? Well maybe I am a bit crazy, but I know that the freedom to choose how circumstances effect us IS a promise of the cross.

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things,[ nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth,nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Last year, my husband found out he would be receiving a new position within the company, but that entailed a slight pay-cut along with it. How did we react to the news? We celebrated. We bought a bottle of wine, some fresh cheese and bread and toasted to Gods provision, knowing he's got everything under control.

So what is holding you back to day from choosing love, from choosing to be independent from the circumstances that your life brings to you, from accepting the freedom of the cross? Is it your reputation, laziness, career, family, finances. I encourage you to let it go today and accept the freedom, love and joy that comes from Him who died so that we may live, and not only live, but live to the fullest.

The Rich Life

My husband and I took the jump into, as they call it here in Switzerland, "WG living" which essentially means community living. We are currently living in an apartment with his brother, sister-in-law, and 5 day-old new born. Before we made this move, I had my moments of thinking, "What the heck are we doing, who thinks it's a good idea to move into an apartment with a new born, that is not your own!"As time grew closer to our move, I began to realize that this opportunity is so perfect for us. The apartment is just right, with more than enough space and privacy, as well as practically sound proof walls which has filled our nights with a deep, sound sleep.

With a working from home status, I have the flexibility to help my sister-in-law out with cooking, cleaning etc. during this hectic time as a new mama , but that does not even compare to the ways she's been able to help me. She is beyond disciplined with speaking German with me and encouraging me to do. They are always willing to help me with the translating work I am doing.  If it's snowing, raining, or just unbearably cold, they lend me the car to go grocery shopping, meet with friends, or make it to my appointments on time. It's been a blessing for me to be able to help them and in return receive there gracious help. 

Now, of course we have had our challenges of learning how to live with one another, respect what is important to each other, and make small changes from our previous way of living so that we could somehow make this "WG" work. But all in all, it is just simply a rich life. To share life on a daily basis with those around you, have a place where there are often people just hanging out or stopping by for a coffee or a meal, and a place where people are accepted exactly how they are. 

It's a gift, really. It's what life is about, it's not meant to be kept to yourself, but rather shared with your neighbors, family and friends. Everyday gives us a reason to celebrate and have gratitude towards those around you. Regardless how big or small the reason is, it's purely important to find one. 

Boundless Bliss

This past week I received a text from my Dad, explaining how he had a dream that I was not happy. Because this dream was so strong and being the amazing dad that he is, he decided to follow up with me. I was so touched with this text, really. But than I began to ponder, am I truly happy, what is happiness in general and why do I feel like my generation chases after such a fleeting feeling?

I realized that I could not honestly answer this question. A cup of coffee or glass of wine makes me

happy. When I sit down and write with a candle lit in my office happiness comes. If I spend time with my husband, family and friends, I become happy. But these temporary things are quickly finished. They do not last. So why is our world raising up a generation, who strives after these temporary pleasures? Why do we not strive after something that is everlasting?

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

Now we often use the words joy and happiness interchangeably.  But I believe there is a difference. According to Merriam Dictionary, happiness is a state of being happy (temporary) and joy is a source or cause of great happiness.  Therefore, if a person does not have joy, he or she cannot be truly happy since joy is the source of happiness. If the Bible says that in God's presence we experience the fullness of joy, than can we truly be happy without God?

And that's where I began to explain to my papa. I am not running after happiness, if happiness comes that is a byproduct of my joy which ultimately comes from the presence of God. Life is often, just simply hard, but the fruit of these hard times is joy. I believe, the longer we follow Jesus the quicker we are to find joy through the difficult times. We strive or put our hope in something that is far beyond us. Joy is alive in my heart, but it is not based upon my worldly circumstances, which is great because if it was than as soon as I lost my job, family, health, culture my joy would be gone with it.

God is good. He is always good. 

Be Loved

As I woke up this morning, made my coffee and began to think and pray about what I should write about on this special day honoring love, I began to think of an area where I seem to struggle the most in. Being loved.

Sounds easy right? I mean you don’t really need to do anything; you just need to simply be. This weakness of mine has been magnified through my marriage. Life has given me moments where I could completely doubt that there is existing love for me in this world from my husband, friends, family, and most importantly God. Now how can that be?

It is not the fact that the love isn’t there, by any means. I have some of the most loving and intentional people around me, not to mention a God, who is love. I believe it is the fact, that I do not allow the time to soak in the love around me.

Yesterday, I had this realization and decided to start making a change to soak in love; to start to appreciate the little moments of pure joy through out the day and make an effort to be loved.

I was taken back by the amount of little moments, where I was overwhelmed with joy, peace, and most importantly love. From sitting in silence and simply being with my husband, to running into my Swiss family at the grocery store and being greeted as if I was a celebrity by my father-in-law, to hearing about an amazing trip my aunt and uncle-in-law had to Guinea, and finally to hosting a welcome party for our neighbors and being so surprised by the amount of people that showed up and as well the relationships that are beginning to develop in our new neighborhood.

Now each of these examples, are nothing extraordinary, but they are simple moments of love given by God. Each day He intervenes in our lives in such powerful and simple ways, but if we do not take the time to be and soak in lives little moments, we can so easily pass up the opportunity of being loved.