Family.
A long time ago I read a quote, “The family you come from isn’t nearly as important as the family you will someday have.” I find hope in that. Not just because I don’t have relationship with much of my earthly family, but because of the dreams I have to start my own. With that in mind, I've decided to dedicate some space to someone in my life who is like family to me.
There is no magic in a bloodline- and rest assured she is not “blood.” The only blood we do have in common is the blood of Christ himself. And that, my friends, is more magical than any family lineage could ever offer.
JENN.
A long time ago I read a quote, “The family you come from isn’t nearly as important as the family you will someday have.” I find hope in that. Not just because I don’t have relationship with much of my earthly family, but because of the dreams I have to start my own. With that in mind, I've decided to dedicate some space to someone in my life who is like family to me.
There is no magic in a bloodline- and rest assured she is not “blood.” The only blood we do have in common is the blood of Christ himself. And that, my friends, is more magical than any family lineage could ever offer.
JENN.
I don’t know anyone like her.
We became close friends over the years. Through letters, cards and a connection we both felt. After a series of circumstances, the world might have told us to nix the friendship. Not because of our lack of love and care for one another, but because of "other" things going on - but we knew better. And God knew what he was doing. The Jenn I know today has been molded by those very hard decisions. But my oh my, how those decisions have blessed her. Beyond what I'm sure she could have ever imagined. I am blessed by the narrow road she has chosen.
If you ever get a chance to meet Jennifer, you must ask her about her story. How she became a believer, why, the wonderful man she married, how they met, and the two children they have: Joyful and Josiah - (That she gave birth to naturally, I might add. In her own home in San Francisco. With much of her husbands support. She is my hero. And that is a whole other story).
She wouldn’t say this about herself and she probably finds it odd that others would see this in her, but she is hands down one of the strongest, most gentle, and encouraging woman I know. She is one of my favorite people in all the earth. She has a quiet heart. She is fed by the truth she reads in scripture; it’s so apparent in the simple ways she talks, the life she walks out, her role as a wife, a mother, and a follower of Christ.
She lives in an RV (well, an old bus turned into an RV) with her family (both kids are 2 and under). How, do you ask, does a 28 year old mother of 2 raise 2 youngsters in an RV? Ask her. I bet you her answer will be simple. Oh and also, they have a huge chocolate lab named Baloo. To explain to you how exactly they were called to live in an RV is another story entirely. And the story of how they got it? That is a divine one. She’s just a bunch of amazing stories rolled into this Godly ball of goodness that is Jennifer Miller.
She has gifts. I’ve witnessed her prophesy. I’ve been on the receiving end of her powerful prayers that actually do something; it’s as if the angels snatch up her words and take them up to the Heavenlies. I know they do. She has been my pen-pal, as much of our friendship has been over some sort of geographical distance. We don’t like this, but my heart has never been nearer to a woman who loves with the compassion and commitment that she loves. She loves fiercely. She prays boldly. Her heart actually responds to what God is doing in her and others. She is no passive disciple.
She is a remarkable photographer. She had no problem conveying her love for God through her photos at a very liberal San Francisco art school. (And if she did have a problem with it, you wouldn't notice. Because the opinions of her class didn't stop her).
She reads and she dreams. In fact, she dreams a lot.
She has visions of a unified Christian community (Can’t we all just live on some land somewhere and start our own farm and grow our own food?), dreams of sailing the world with her family, starting a business with her husband that will speak truth in love to thousands… And they will. She wants to be a doula (and one day I may take her up on her skills). These are only some- she has many. And I want them all for her.
She struggles. With finances, bank overdraft fees (those thieves), sick kids, what jobs to take, where to park the RV, the calling of being a missionary, and the friction of the family she came from with the family she now has. She has been wearing the same suitcase of clothes since she moved to southern California a year ago (and for a woman, that can be tough). She takes showers in the local workout gym because her RV doesn’t get hot water. I don’t even think her husband can fit in it.
She is a runner, a worker, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and an incredible friend. She is a dreamer, a doer, and she recently let her husband chop off all her hair with table scissors because, well…why not?
She can make some of the funniest faces I’ve ever seen. She isn’t easily grossed out (which I very much appreciate about her). I could share other stories, but I wouldn't want to embarrass her on a public blog I'm sure no one reads, and she’s traveled out of the country by herself – a true mark of a very daring, yet trusting woman.
I would really like to browse Whole Foods Market with her one day – as I believe it would be quite an interesting adventure. There are certain items found in that store (not appropriate to mention here) that we both have pondered trying, “Have you ever heard of ____? “ “No, what is it? People make that?” “Are you going to try it?” “I’m going to go take a look at it.”
I’m sure no one has any clue what I’m talking about. Except those few women I've shared it with. Why we find humor in it is beyond me. But humor is a must when it comes to being a woman.
I am continually refined by the life she lives. I am continually encouraged by the Joy she lives in. And I am continually filled with hope by the stories God has written on her life thus far.
We became close friends over the years. Through letters, cards and a connection we both felt. After a series of circumstances, the world might have told us to nix the friendship. Not because of our lack of love and care for one another, but because of "other" things going on - but we knew better. And God knew what he was doing. The Jenn I know today has been molded by those very hard decisions. But my oh my, how those decisions have blessed her. Beyond what I'm sure she could have ever imagined. I am blessed by the narrow road she has chosen.
If you ever get a chance to meet Jennifer, you must ask her about her story. How she became a believer, why, the wonderful man she married, how they met, and the two children they have: Joyful and Josiah - (That she gave birth to naturally, I might add. In her own home in San Francisco. With much of her husbands support. She is my hero. And that is a whole other story).
She wouldn’t say this about herself and she probably finds it odd that others would see this in her, but she is hands down one of the strongest, most gentle, and encouraging woman I know. She is one of my favorite people in all the earth. She has a quiet heart. She is fed by the truth she reads in scripture; it’s so apparent in the simple ways she talks, the life she walks out, her role as a wife, a mother, and a follower of Christ.
She lives in an RV (well, an old bus turned into an RV) with her family (both kids are 2 and under). How, do you ask, does a 28 year old mother of 2 raise 2 youngsters in an RV? Ask her. I bet you her answer will be simple. Oh and also, they have a huge chocolate lab named Baloo. To explain to you how exactly they were called to live in an RV is another story entirely. And the story of how they got it? That is a divine one. She’s just a bunch of amazing stories rolled into this Godly ball of goodness that is Jennifer Miller.
She has gifts. I’ve witnessed her prophesy. I’ve been on the receiving end of her powerful prayers that actually do something; it’s as if the angels snatch up her words and take them up to the Heavenlies. I know they do. She has been my pen-pal, as much of our friendship has been over some sort of geographical distance. We don’t like this, but my heart has never been nearer to a woman who loves with the compassion and commitment that she loves. She loves fiercely. She prays boldly. Her heart actually responds to what God is doing in her and others. She is no passive disciple.
She is a remarkable photographer. She had no problem conveying her love for God through her photos at a very liberal San Francisco art school. (And if she did have a problem with it, you wouldn't notice. Because the opinions of her class didn't stop her).
She reads and she dreams. In fact, she dreams a lot.
She has visions of a unified Christian community (Can’t we all just live on some land somewhere and start our own farm and grow our own food?), dreams of sailing the world with her family, starting a business with her husband that will speak truth in love to thousands… And they will. She wants to be a doula (and one day I may take her up on her skills). These are only some- she has many. And I want them all for her.
She struggles. With finances, bank overdraft fees (those thieves), sick kids, what jobs to take, where to park the RV, the calling of being a missionary, and the friction of the family she came from with the family she now has. She has been wearing the same suitcase of clothes since she moved to southern California a year ago (and for a woman, that can be tough). She takes showers in the local workout gym because her RV doesn’t get hot water. I don’t even think her husband can fit in it.
She is a runner, a worker, a mother, a sister, a daughter, and an incredible friend. She is a dreamer, a doer, and she recently let her husband chop off all her hair with table scissors because, well…why not?
She can make some of the funniest faces I’ve ever seen. She isn’t easily grossed out (which I very much appreciate about her). I could share other stories, but I wouldn't want to embarrass her on a public blog I'm sure no one reads, and she’s traveled out of the country by herself – a true mark of a very daring, yet trusting woman.
I would really like to browse Whole Foods Market with her one day – as I believe it would be quite an interesting adventure. There are certain items found in that store (not appropriate to mention here) that we both have pondered trying, “Have you ever heard of ____? “ “No, what is it? People make that?” “Are you going to try it?” “I’m going to go take a look at it.”
I’m sure no one has any clue what I’m talking about. Except those few women I've shared it with. Why we find humor in it is beyond me. But humor is a must when it comes to being a woman.
I am continually refined by the life she lives. I am continually encouraged by the Joy she lives in. And I am continually filled with hope by the stories God has written on her life thus far.
The other day I asked her for prayer. I was feeling insecure about various woman things (shocking) along with the fear of my future, my relationships, what’s going to happen, where I’ll be, and comparing my life lot to the lives of others my age (feeling inferior in the process and that they're somehow "ahead" of me). She said something so simple; it diffused me in ways most people cannot:
“Be excited that you are against the flow of your surroundings. Just trust and enjoy. Be thankful for the struggle this has been because it has reaped true joy that not many fully experience. Grateful hearts are the difference in this world…this world of greed and false comfort. God will continue to bless you and “this” in his timing. You’re facing opposition because what's been given to you is so good and from the Lord. You can’t compare anything to what is his.”
“Be excited that you are against the flow of your surroundings. Just trust and enjoy. Be thankful for the struggle this has been because it has reaped true joy that not many fully experience. Grateful hearts are the difference in this world…this world of greed and false comfort. God will continue to bless you and “this” in his timing. You’re facing opposition because what's been given to you is so good and from the Lord. You can’t compare anything to what is his.”
She’s so right – I can’t compare; especially not myself. Because I, and everything in my life, is His.
She is a valiant warrior. A true testament to the Grace of our Father. The love he has showered on her would break any heart – that good kind of breaking. The kind of break that loosens the levees in our souls and allows his living water to flow through us.
That is what she is: a woman who bathes in his living water.
Somehow, amidst the tension and the ordinariness of life, she seems unaffected. Not unaffected by the power of God, but by the powers of this fallen world. She just keeps choosing him… over and over. And it blows my mind.
Jenn, you are a sister to me. You are a steadfast spirit when my wavers. You make me laugh. Your words often bring me to tears. You challenge and you inspire. I love our long phone talks when your kids are napping. And I am so thankful that our Father introduced me to you. He has been so good to us. I look forward to living alongside one another; in his Kingdom, for his Glory, for now and eternity.
So, my friends, meet Jennifer. This barely scratches her surface, but she is unlike any other.
That is what she is: a woman who bathes in his living water.
Somehow, amidst the tension and the ordinariness of life, she seems unaffected. Not unaffected by the power of God, but by the powers of this fallen world. She just keeps choosing him… over and over. And it blows my mind.
Jenn, you are a sister to me. You are a steadfast spirit when my wavers. You make me laugh. Your words often bring me to tears. You challenge and you inspire. I love our long phone talks when your kids are napping. And I am so thankful that our Father introduced me to you. He has been so good to us. I look forward to living alongside one another; in his Kingdom, for his Glory, for now and eternity.
So, my friends, meet Jennifer. This barely scratches her surface, but she is unlike any other.
3 comments:
Amen to everything - Jenn is a true blessing to all those around her... Praise God for kindred spirits :)
Wow! I love this. It sounds like you guys have an amazing friendship. I love the new look of the blog too!
Also, I need to know what these items in Whole Foods are...I am so curious.
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