Terri

Terri with her Sunday School students

     Terri is a great example of someone who is dedicated to her God and to her church.  She is the church secretary, she teaches beginner's Sunday school, and she works with middle school girls at youth group!  She is also my neighbor and my friend.  

     Every time I call my church on the phone and Terri answers, I think to myself, Terri was made for this position!  She has a friendly voice and is helpful and organized.  She is the first person people see when they come in needing assistance.  She is accepting and nonjudgmental and I appreciate her so much!  But, being a secretary is more than answering phones and greeting people.  It's a ministry all it's own.  Terri writes, "I am in a unique position of seeing a lot that is going on in the church 'behind the scenes' that others may not know about but for which I can pray, especially if it's a confidential matter - I can pray for the situation or people without anyone but God hearing about it from me."  And, Terri is a prayer warrior.  I've asked her to pray for me and my many prayer requests and she is always faithful to pray.

     I am on the list of substitute Sunday School teachers at church.  One Sunday this fall I had the opportunity to teach the beginner's class that Terri usually teaches.  It was an enjoyable hour, but a very busy one!  Terri writes, "I love that age...most start out a bit apprehensive, not knowing what Sunday School is all about, but by the end of the first year they are very much engaged."  Terri has her students two years in a row because pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten are in the same class.  She enjoys using a curriculum that is very interactive.  She writes, "I think it is perfect for that age with their short attention spans and eagerness to try new things."  Terri's eyes sparkle when she tells about teaching Sunday School.  God has gifted her with energy, patience, and love for His kiddos.

     When I was in junior high, I had an adult mentor (Lynn) who led my small group time.  I always looked up to her and appreciated her.  Terri is just such a mentor to a small group of middle school girls.  One of Terri's favorite verses is 2 Corinthians 5:17:  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; the old has gone, the new is here!"  What a great message for all of us.  I'm glad those girls have Terri to help them learn such a life-changing message.  Terri writes, "God is the God of second (or another) chance(s).  He alone can make things new."

     In addition to our faith, Terri and I have something else in common.  We both married our wonderful husbands later in life.  We both learned how to love our teenage stepchildren and then watch them grow up and leave home to make lives for themselves.  We have both learned how to see and appreciate God's faithfulness in our lives during all the ups and downs that come our way.  One of Terri's favorite verses is Lamentations 3:22-23 which says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  

     Terri inspires me to see God at work all around me and to be aware of His faithfulness in my life.  She inspires me to have a servant heart as I teach my kiddos.  And, she reminds me that God can make all situations new and fresh because of His deep love for all of us.  I'm glad God gave us friendship.  Be blessed today!         

Terri and Greg

If you would like to learn more about the "31 Days of Friends and Family Who Inspire Me" project, just click on the following link:  http://journalingjennifer.blogspot.com/2014/12/intro-to-31-days-of-friends-and-family.html

Yasuko

 Up, Up With People!  You meet 'em wherever you go!  

Roma, Jen, Yasuko (1996)

  

     I had the privilege of traveling for one year with the international organization Up With People.  To learn more about my experiences with the program, you may enjoy reading a blog post I wrote in 2011:  http://journalingjennifer.blogspot.com/2011/08/up-up-with-people.html

    This past summer, I had the privilege of having a small reunion with five of my cast mates whom I hadn't seen since the last day of Up With People in 1996.  Four of them were in California and one in Oregon.  Each of these cast mates were people I admired, so I was thrilled to get to reunite.  I was especially looking forward to spending two days with Yasuko and her husband and kids in Bend, Oregon. 

     Yasuko is originally from Japan.  We had three members of our cast from Japan.  I felt connected to them because my sister, Patty, actually lived in Japan at the time.  I remember talking with Yasuko about the fact that she was from the very same area where Patty was living.  Yasuko was a bubbly, happy, outgoing, kind person whom everyone loved.  She was fun to be around and I always appreciated her warm personality.  She sang a Japanese solo in our show wearing her lovely blue kimono.  It was one of my favorite parts of the show. 

      After traveling in Up With People, I went on to college and Yasuko continued to travel with Up With People as a staff member.  She met her husband, Scott in the program.  After they got married, they settled down near Scott's parents in the high desert region of central Oregon.  Scott and Yasuko have two adorable girls, Maya and Karina.  Yasuko is a math teacher.

    As mentioned earlier, my sister, Patty lived in Japan while I was in Up With People.  She came back home to America for a while and then went back to Japan to live there for two years with her two boys (her husband traveled back and forth for visits).  She returned to the same area where Yasuko's parents live.  She was there when the earthquake and tsunami struck in 2011.  That day in March was one of the hardest I have ever known.  We went for nearly 24 hours not knowing if Patty and her boys were safe or not.  Yasuko and I were Facebook friends and she wrote to inquire about Patty and the boys.  We emailed back and forth quite a bit.  Yasuko wrote that there were shelters set up all over Kesennuma and that Patty and the boys were probably safe and sound in one of them.  She will never know how much that information meant to us.  On the TV News it looked like all of Kesennuma was either on fire or under water.  Yasuko's words gave us hope.  Later that night (around midnight) we did find out that Patty and the boys were safe in one of those shelters that Yasuko told us about.

    When Todd and I arrived in Bend this past summer, I felt a bit nervous, but the second I saw Yasuko and gave her a hug, all nervousness melted away.  Yasuko and Scott were so very welcoming.  They were the first members of Up With People that Todd had met and I felt happy that he got such a great first impression!  

   Our time in Bend fell over the Fourth of July.  We did tons of visiting with Yasuko, Scott, Maya, Karina, and Scott's parents, brother and brother's wife.  We enjoyed some fireworks, went on a hike to a waterfall, walked through a lava tube cave, climbed on a butte made of lava, went out to eat in downtown Bend, and explored the high dessert land where Yasuko and Scott are going to build their home someday soon.  It was an enchanting couple of days together.  I absolutely fell in love with Maya and Karina.  Such clever, sweet, pleasant, joyful girls they are!  

   Yasuko and I were able to talk, truly talk about our Up With People experiences... the good and the bad.  It felt so good to get down to the nitty gritty and have someone understand some of the hard stuff and the depth of feeling that goes along with those experiences.  We also laughed and shared stories and remembered from our hearts.  It was so good.  It was healing.      

   As Todd and I were driving away after saying our goodbyes on the morning we left, I felt a huge lump in my throat and a stinging in my eyes.  It was hard to have discovered a true friend and then have to leave, knowing it may be another 19 years before we see each other again.  It's hard to explain the feeling.  I tried to explain it in an email to Yasuko and she wrote back: "Someone told me once before that the true friendship will never end no matter how far and how long you are away from each other. It is so true!!"       

Yasuko and Jennifer in the high dessert of Oregon (2014)

Yasuko with her beautiful family (2014)

If you would like to learn more about the "31 Days of Friends and Family Who Inspire Me"project  just click on this link:  http://journalingjennifer.blogspot.com/2014/12/intro-to-31-days-of-friends-and-family.html

Kimberly

David, Patty, Jennifer, Kimberly (around 1982)

Kimberly and Jennifer (around 1979)

David, Patty, Jennifer, Kimberly (around 1988)

Kimberly came to visit me at college (1998)

     I have two older sisters and one younger brother.  We are each three years apart.  Kimberly and I are the middle children.  We grew up with our bedrooms right next door to each other and we shared many experiences together.  We both loved Christmas time and enjoyed decorating the tree together.  On Christmas morning, we both eagerly anticipated that seventh bong of the grandfather clock when we could race to our stockings and open them up.  Mine always had an apple in the toe and Kimberly's always had an orange.  Santa knew our favorites.  We both practiced our musical instruments diligently each day in our family's music room.  Sometimes we played piano duets (or trios with David).  We watched Disney movies and favorite TV shows together of "Little House on the Prairie," "Avonlea," "Perfect Strangers," "Full House," and "Cosby Show."  We lay on our tummies together on the living room floor and watched the fish swim around in our awesome fish tank that was an eight foot tall cylinder.  And, we sometimes played games on our computer together (Kimberly was always so good at technology).  Good memories of childhood.  

     I always admired Kimberly's abilities as a student.  I struggled in school (especially math and science) and Kimberly thrived in all subject areas.  I will forever be grateful for the time Kimberly spent helping me learn my Spanish the summer of 1997.  For two and a half months, I attended my Spanish classes from 8 to 3 at U of M in Morris and then came home and Kimberly was my tutor in the afternoons and evenings.  She was an excellent teacher.  She was so patient with me.  She knew how to build upon what I had mastered to help me move forward in my skills.  I look back on that time together very fondly.

    I have also always admired Kimberly's ability on the cello.  She has a very musical touch.  It is inspiring to listen to her play.  She can read music AND play by ear.  Sometimes Kimberly plays her cello during worship time at her church and she has to make up her own part.  A person would never guess she is making it up as she goes!  I have enjoyed playing string quartet music together when my siblings and I get together.  We are the "Iverson String Quartet," but have only performed a couple of times.  Kimberly majored in Music Education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.

    My siblings and I grew up being fascinated by other cultures.  

After graduation Patty lived in Japan, I traveled with Up With People, David moved to the mountains of Tennessee, and Kimberly?  She did a two year mission trip to Papua, New Guinea and later a two year mission trip to Thailand!  She was very adventurous and I have always admired that.  In Papua, New Guinea she was a teacher for the missionary children there.  She sent home to us postcards made of bark, and shoulder bags called Bilums made of colorful yarn.  She told stories of talking in a language called Pigeon that seemed to be a mishmash of English baby talk and other languages.  Her photographs were fascinating.  Later, in Thailand, she studied the music of different people groups.  She was doing a project to complete her degree in Ethnomusicology.  Again, her photographs were amazing.  She gave me a doll wearing a beautiful blue Thai outfit, playing a traditional Thai musical instrument.  Kimberly always did understand my love of dolls.  

     I've mentioned Kimberly's photographs a couple times.  Kimberly is very good at taking pictures.  At times when I would never think to take a picture, she has already taken ten!  She knows how to frame the subject and use the best lighting.  My grandpa and my dad were both great photographers and I think she takes after them.  She inspires me to take more pictures!

    In 2010 Kimberly married her husband, David.  They had a lovely wedding on the campus of St. Olaf in Northfield and then settled down to live in Northfield.  They now have two darling children named Kit and Tia.  I have enjoyed watching Kimberly become a devoted mother.  Her children simply adore her.  Once when Kimberly had to be away from home for a few hours and my mom was babysitting, Mom said to Kit, "Pretty soon your mom will be home and then..."  Kit interrupted and said, "And then the kids will be happy!"  So cute!  Both children are smiley and loving and smart.  Kimberly and David are doing a great job with them.                

At Kimberly's lovely wedding (2010)

The Iverson String Quartet (Thanksgiving 2012)

Kimberly's beautiful family (2014)

Kimberly with daughter, Tia (visiting Walnut Grove in 2014)



LuAnn

Jennifer and LuAnn on a Maple Grove shopping trip

     I have a friend named LuAnn.  She was one of my first friends in Becker.  When I left my friends at my small Christian school in southern Minnesota, I prayed that God would provide me with friends in my new public school in central Minnesota.  And, just as he has proven himself faithful over and over again, God was faithful to provide such friends.  LuAnn's third grade classroom was next door to my third grade classroom back in 2003.  
     Each day after school, we had great conversations about the joys and struggles of teaching, our busy everyday lives, and our ever- growing faith in God.  After that one year at the Intermediate School, I moved across the parking lot to the Primary School to teach second grade.  I have been there ever since.  I miss seeing my friend at school, but we stay caught up through phone conversations, walks, and fun outings together.
    For quite a few years LuAnn and I attended the Women of Faith conference together in Minneapolis.  We listened to fabulous speakers and worshipped with talented musicians.  It was always an inspirational time and I'm so glad I got to share that experience with a good friend.  We don't attend the conference any more, but we often exchange books by Christian authors with each other and talk about how we see God at work in our lives.            

Jennifer and LuAnn at Women of Faith

     LuAnn and I like to take shopping trips together.  Craft stores are our favorites because we both love creating art.  We enjoy shopping for other things too.  One time we were on the lookout for lemon decorations for LuAnn's kitchen.  That was fun!  Another time we were searching for the perfect presents for our husbands.  We once bought matching denim skirts from Eddie Bauer.  Who can resist a good sale?  Our latest adventure brought us to the world of Whole Foods.    

     We also both enjoy walking.  We can often be seen walking the school hallways in the afternoons or evenings.  The positive endorphins are good for our brains.  But, the best part is getting to spend time together in conversation.  LuAnn always encourages me.  We never run out of things to talk about!

     LuAnn has a beautiful family.  Some of my favorite memories of her kids include Angela's 12th birthday party at the Mall of America, listening to them play piano, pool parties and horse rides (when my nephews were visiting).  LuAnn and Dan have a beautiful, welcoming home.  

The Kaspers

     LuAnn inspires me to be the best me I can be.  Faith, Family, and Friends... that is what is most important to her.  When I find myself losing sight of priorities in life, LuAnn inspires me to step back and remember that Faith, Family, and Friends are what it's all about.  When I start to worry about the future, LuAnn reminds me that God is in control and wants His best for me.  So, if I lose my job (for example) then God must be using that opportunity to bring me to something better.  Nothing happens by accident.  God has His children in the palm of His hand.  I'm thankful God gave me LuAnn for a friend.  

To learn more about the "31 Days of Friends and Family Who Inspire Me" project, click here:

http://journalingjennifer.blogspot.com/2014/12/intro-to-31-days-of-friends-and-family.html       

Pauline

Pauline and Jen in North Dakota (1999)

     Pauline and I met in college and were roommates our junior and senior years.  I have wonderful memories of those days.  Laughter, talks, prayers, baking, friends, and fun!  Pauline was an excellent student and was also very involved in campus ministry.  She knew she wanted to be a pastor someday.  We had good theological discussions and I enjoyed reading her papers.  I knew she'd be an excellent pastor some day... and she is!  

     Pauline grew up as a missionary kid in Cameroon and Senegal, Africa.  I was always fascinated by the stories she told.  One time she got to be the guest speaker at a convention for ELCA Missionaries.  She spoke about the ups and downs of being a missionary kid.  I was so proud of my friend!  I have always enjoyed visiting with her parents when they were home from the mission field too.  Their home base was near Minot, North Dakota.  I have fond memories of sitting on a hay bale with Pauline looking over their pretty farm with the creek nearby and rolling hills all around us.  No place does sunsets as beautifully as North Dakota.  

     The summers in-between college, Pauline enjoyed working at Camp of The Cross on beautiful Lake Sakakwea near Garrison, North Dakota.  I visited her many times and even volunteered there a few times.  Pauline was the perfect camp counselor - loud and crazy, joyful and fun... and really good at rope tricks!  The kids loved her!  After college, Pauline worked at camp full time.  Camp is where she met her husband, Larry.  They were made for each other!    

 Graduating in 2000

Henna! 

 Pauline and Jen

The wedding day of Pauline and Larry in 2003 

     Larry and Pauline were married at a small church near Stanley, North Dakota where Larry's family farm is located.  They had a lovely ceremony on a Sunday morning (as part of the church service).  There was one bridesmaid (me) and a groomsman and a flower girl.  Our friend, Amy, came to provide beautiful flute music too. Afterwards, everyone went to the community center for a festive potluck reception.  It was an exciting, emotional day.

     Larry and Pauline lived at Camp of the Cross for the first few years of their marriage.  They had two happy boys (Joshua and Michael).  I am godmother to both of them!  Pauline began her seminary training, which led them to the Twin Cities for a short time and then on to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota for Pauline's internship.  It was fun having them closer to Becker.  Larry was always very patient with us while we played piano duets, sang hymns, watched Anne of Green Gables, put Henna on our toes and hands, giggled and talked for hours on end, and played with the boys.  But, I think he was glad when Todd came around in 2008, so he could have another man to visit with when we got together!  Todd and Larry never run out of things to talk about!     

Michael's baptism

 I love being godmother to Joshua and Michael

     Pauline and her family now live in Bowdon, North Dakota where Pauline is the pastor for three different churches.  Her boys are in second and fifth grade.  They love school and are involved in music.  Pauline and Larry are fabulous parents!  Larry has built his own shop in town and has a ministry of his own to all the men of the community.  Pauline and her three "boys" just fit right in to life in Bowdon (and are making it better for the other residents).  Todd and I enjoy visiting them when we can.  It is fun to see Joshua and Michael growing older and developing wonderful personalities, just like their parents.  

     Pauline inspires me in so many ways.  She is always ready with an encouraging word and a big smile.  She loves life and loves God.  She is dedicated to serving Him.  She inspires me to live like that too.       

Pastor Pauline of Bowdon, North Dakota (2014)

Joshua with Bob, the cat

Michael with his mom

Our most recent visit (June of 2014)

To learn more about the "31 Days of Friends and Family Who Inspire Me" project, click here:
http://journalingjennifer.blogspot.com/2014/12/intro-to-31-days-of-friends-and-family.html

Rebecca

Standpartners at Concordia in 1996

At a Texas Rodeo in 2007

I met Rebecca my freshman year of college (1996).  We were stand partners in the Concordia College Orchestra and became fast friends.  I will forever be grateful to Mr. Hoglum for putting us together.  He was an inspiring conductor and we all loved him.  We had such fun writing quotes from Mr. Hoglum on our music: "dead chickens" and "swoosh!" are two I vividly remember scribbling onto the music.  Rebecca and I had stand partner bracelets and matching Concordia Orchestra sweatshirts. She had a love of languages and taught me how to say, "beautiful music" in Russian.  We laughed a lot.  Rebecca has a wonderful sense of humor.  I remember having a blast on tour together too.  Fun memories!  Rebecca was only at Concordia that one year.  We were going to be roommates sophomore year.  I was so sad to see her go.  
     The Concordia Christmas concert was a major highlight for both Rebecca and me.  Rebecca wrote about her experience:  "[I remember] coming to tears because our Christmas concert was so powerful and sounded so amazing that it overwhelmed me to realize I was a part of such a group."  I remember that feeling too and it was all the more powerful sharing it with a friend.  Neither Rebecca nor I were music majors, so we were both choosing to spend our time in the Orchestra, knowing this may be our once in a lifetime experience with such a fine group.      
     Rebecca had a passion for the violin that inspired me.  She considered being a music major, but fell in love with Latin instead!  She explained it well in an email to me, "I loved music, but poured blood and sweat (yes, my fingers had bled before!) into it to get where I was, and would have to continue that pace in order to keep my edge.  It was part of me and a beautiful hobby, but it didn't come to me as naturally as the Romans and Latin and getting others fired up about it.  Call me weird.  But, all Latin teachers are; I consider it a badge of honor."
    Rebecca's Latin teachers inspired her in her studies and later in her vocation.  She wrote, "I had two teachers that kindled my interest of languages into a bonfire of passion for the language and culture."  These teachers encouraged Rebecca to compete in the Junior Classical League as well.    
    Rebecca taught Latin in Texas for a number of years, but she stays home with her daughters now.  She writes, "Teaching is a very close second to me (after motherhood) as my dream job and most important job in the world.  You have all this time, every day, you spend with the same people, so why not make everyone benefit from that time and when we all go home for the day, let's be able to say, 'I left today better off than I came into it.'  That, and everyone expects Latin teachers to be weird, so I can be myself and no one is surprised!"
    Rebecca went on to write,  "It is so empowering to empower others with a classical education.  It's not just about the Latin itself.  It teaches you how to think logically, expands the vocabulary, promotes perseverance and patience, builds the ability to memorize, teaches you about your own culture and language, your place in the world, a sense of heritage, and the interconnectedness of it all."   
    In 2002 I had the opportunity to visit Rebecca in Colorado and then in 2007 I got to visit her in Texas.  Both were such joyful reunions!  We laughed a ton!  We did sight seeing and played violin duets together and made new memories.  In Texas, I got to meet her daughter, Kaitlyn.  What a doll and she is one smart cookie too!  I haven't met Hunter or Nessa yet, but I look forward to the day when I can!  What a beautiful family!



Rebecca and Hunter

Rebecca with Nessa and Kaitlyn

To learn more about the "31 Days of Friends and Family Who Inspire Me" project click here:

http://journalingjennifer.blogspot.com/2014/12/intro-to-31-days-of-friends-and-family.html

Sister-in-law Julia

David and Julia and I at Cousin Kia's wedding

     I grew up with two older sisters and one younger brother.  One by one we left home to attend college.  David chose St. Olaf and I'm glad he did because that is where he met his wife, Julia.  They actually met in the Men's Chorus!  Julia is an amazing oboe player.  When she plays it sounds like beautiful singing.  So, Julia was the oboist for a piece with the St. Olaf Men's Chorus and that is where the magic began.  I'm so glad God brought them together because I soon found that I not only had a new sister, but a new friend too.  

     Julia always amazes me with her art: making puppets out of pipe cleaners and googly eyes, upcycling old crayons to make new, using magazine clippings and card stock to make cards, creating pop-out paper projects, and recycling Winnie the Pooh wallpaper border by turning cut out pieces into flannel board characters.  Julia was doing Pinterest projects before Pinterest existed.  She is naturally creative and that inspires me.  Her sweet daughter, Anna, often wants to do crafts with her mom (or anyone who visits).  They have a whole bin of craft supplies that are four-year-old friendly!

     Julia is also the kind of artist that Emily P. Freeman talks about in her book, A Million Little Ways.  She describes an artist as: "A person who is brave enough to move toward what makes her come alive."  She describes art as: "What happens when you dare to be who you really are; when what is most alive in you is offered as a gift to others."

     Julia is an artist with her words.  Did you know you can get a degree in Storytelling?  It's true!  Julia has a BA degree in Psychology from St. Olaf and a Master's degree in Storytelling from the University of Tennessee in Johnson City.  I once got to hear Julia perform one of her stories at a Storytelling Concert in Northfield.  It was amazing!  Julia artistically described a time when she was a girl and her barbie doll got stuck in a tree.  As she shared her tale, the audience roared with laughter!  It was a gift to her audience.  I see Julia cultivating this gift for story and language with her daughters.  She tells them stories and they recreate stories together using props.  Her household is rich with literacy activities.  You would be amazed at the vocabulary of David and Julia's four year old daughter, Anna.  Spending her days with stay-at-home-mom Julia has had a wonderful impact on Anna (and sister, Naomi).      

   Julia is an expert at the art of conversation.  A mutual friend recently wrote this on Julia's Facebook page, "I will take advantage of this moment to share with you how very much I appreciate the genuine connection and friendship you always cultivate with everyone you meet. That blesses me more than I can say. You are truly loved, Julia."   

    I so agree with this friend's words.  And, I want to echo them.  Julia knows how to connect with people on a deeper level (when most people are still talking about the weather).  She asks wonderful questions and is able to get even the most reluctant conversationalist to chat away for hours at a time.  One would think that with Julia being such an amazing story teller that she would dominate all conversations, but honestly, it is the opposite.  Julia cares about other people and wants to hear what others have to say.  She is fascinated with their stories and just wants to hear more and more.  It is an art and Julia has mastered it.  She inspires me!      

     Julia is an artist in the ways she makes a difference in the lives of the "Needy."  Talk to Julia for more than a few minutes and you find out she is very passionate about helping others.  She is constantly on the lookout for good deals of supplies to put into Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.  She even makes her own gifts to add to the shoeboxes as well.  After visiting Haiti on a mission trip, she spent time brainstorming ideas for how to help the artists there.  Feed My Starving Children is another of Julia's favorite ministries.  She created a fundraiser for them:  A Chocolate Fair!  It was amazing and tons of money was raised.  She inspires me to look for ways I can help others too.      

The Iversons

Julia with daughter, Anna

Julia with daughter, Naomi