The Jenn Stories
The adventures and misadventures, both real and imagined, of a middle aged American woman.
The Jenn of the Stories
Stuff you should probably know:
- I got married for the first time ever in 2012, just under the wire when it comes to being middle aged. My Paul is wonderful, and has an equally word-geeky sense of humour to mine.
- In October 2015, I was appointed to Campus Ambassadors through Missions Door to launch The Pilgrimage, a ministry to Campus Ambassadors alumni and other people more or less on the fringes of Christian community. Before that, I was a director of faith formation and outreach at a church. Who used to be a Starbucks barista, while occasionally simultaneously being a paralegal’s assistant and/or a freelance writer/copyeditor. Who used to be a living history interpreter. Who used to work with churches and refugees in East London. Who used to be a nanny. Who used to be a university student. Who spent her early childhood as a missionary kid in Honduras. Did I miss anything?
- I had breast cancer once. Then I had breast-cancer-induced migraines. Now I try to work out, and drink Shakeology when I have the money.
- I have a published children’s novel and would love representation (or, what the heck–just a publishing deal) for a second not-specifically-children’s novel about a rather well-known woman in first century Israel.
- My previous blog is located here. In case, you know, I haven’t said enough already.
- I like interacting with you and I like when you interact back. Go ahead–say hi!
How May I Help You?
Need proofreading or writing services? Let’s talk. Shoot me an email at jenn@thatsajennstory.com.
Been thinking about getting healthy but not sure where to start? Let’s talk. Shoot me an email at jenn@thatsajennstory.com.
Need something to read this weekend? We don’t necessarily have to talk–but I’d love to if you want to. Or you can just pick up a copy of Trees in the Pavement without talking at all.
I like it! That is so ironic I actually changed my theme today and then changed it back! 😉
Great blog.
Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking a look at my art, you have a very nice blog here!
Thanks to you, too! Come back and visit sometime. 🙂
Hi. Well I’ve said it. Hi. I have run out of places to LIKE. So I will LIKE this comment 😉 Ralph x
Like.
I will click 5 star excellent as well. Done
Hi Jenn, I’m a caregiver of an Alzheimer’s Mother, I write a blog Alzheimer’s Trail @ sheilamariegrimes.com to destress…i ENJOY your blog ….have a good day….daisy duck here!
Thanks so much for introducing yourself! I’ll check out your blog. My grandfather had Alzheimer’s for 15 years before passing. I’m not sure my mother will get it, but I’m almost certain I will (which probably doesn’t help!). I’m interested in what you have to say.
lovely place 🙂
Thank you so much for visiting. Please come back again. Your blog looks quite lovely, too!
thanks a lot…yes i will be back 🙂
I nominated you for an award http://contemplatinglove.com/2013/02/23/versatile-me/
Ah–lovely! Thank you very much!
Haha to my lib friends I’m conservative and to my conservative friends I’m liberal too! Isn’t it a strange place to be?
Completely. But…kinda fun? I don’t think I’d have it any other way, even when one of my hyper-conservative friends says, “If you travel in the middle of the road, you get run over both ways”!
1st, let me thank you for following our blog. We hope you’ll enjoy it. 2nd, I’m excited to find another middle of the roader getting run over from both directions! We’ve been in that position for decades – too socially liberal for our conservative friends, too fiscally conservative for our liberal friends, always being “wrong” at any gathering. Sigh. We learned to keep quiet and smile, but have to remind just about everyone that just because we don’t argue with them doesn’t mean we agree with them!
That sounds about right. 🙂
Thank you for following back!
Hi Jenn
I love your blog. You write with charm and style. I will be back often. 🙂
Thanks for visiting me over at The Rogue Healer.
Dear Jenn
I was surprised with this very cool award, so now I get to nominate some of the bloggers whose musing, writings and rantings are the highlight of my day (or night).
So, this one is for you.
The Wonderful Team Member Readership Award
Bit of a mouthful.
If you’d like to accept, you can…
Get your award here!
Or if the link doesn’t work…
http://furrynuff.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/yay-i-got-an-award-and-now-i-get-to-give-one/
Love Victoria
A well deserved award ! Congratulations, Jenn !
I am glad you agree!
Wow! Thanks so much, Victoria! What kind words . . . and you, too, Rogue Healer. I’m blushing . . .
I used to try to post these awards in the sidebar, and for some reason was only occasionally successful, so I took them all down, but maybe I’ll have to attempt to reinstate them. Thanks again!
Pleasure.
Hi Jenn, Love the humour and honesty of your blog, it’s such a joy to read, you have such a smooth and comfortable writing style.
Good luck with your books 🙂 and all the best x
Thanks, Jill–I appreciate the vote of confidence and the support!
Hi Jenn,
Thank you for visiting my blog and the follow.
I see we have much more in common than just our names.
Continued success and prosperity.
Jennifer
Thanks! Same to you! Yes, I was thinking we had quite a bit of commonality, too. Very cool. I’m sure I’ll see you around! 🙂
The humour and honesty in your blog is captivating. 🙂
That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you.
Dear Jenn, some of my best moments reading blogs have been on yours. To a kindred spirit here’s to you… http://furrynuff.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/feeling-the-love-best-moments-ever/
You’re crazy. But also? The best. Thanks, Victoria! (I found it even before you told me . . . somehow).
Psychic…
Yeah–not usually. Or else my inner psychic is usually into reverse psychic-ology.
Congratulations! I have selected you for the Versatile Blogger Award. For more information, visit http://lightsofclarity.wordpress.com/2013/05/29/another-generous-award/
Congratulations! I have selected you for the Versatile Blogger Award. For more information, visit http://lightsofclarity.wordpress.com/2013/06/03/another-generous-award/ (sorry for the error in site!)
Be flattered. Even when concerned you should be flattered, I think. It works better.
What a great place to keep your thoughts, stories, etc. Sounds like you have had an eventful life and had many wonderful (and one not so great) adventures so far. I like that despite a setback an current migraine (I understand I have had migraines since I was little and at one point had them daily for over a year) you have a great outlook and great goals 🙂 Hope if you and your hubby someday want a farm you get that dream. I love animals and can’t wait until we can have more 🙂 Keep up the good work 🙂
Thanks! You, too!
I’m adding #7 to your about me, The Jenn of the Stories, list…”I leave comments on other people’s blogs that make them feel good and laugh.” – at least this is the case for me. Thanks for giving me good chuckles now and then!
Awww–that’s sweet of you to say. For some reason it seems like it would be arrogant if I said that about MYSELF. But I’m super-cool about your saying it! 🙂
Well, I’m saying it then because it’s true! So thanks again!!!
Thank YOU! Heck–it’s fun. I love making people smile.
I’m glad I ran into your entertaining blog. I like your candid voice.
Thanks so much! I look forward to exploring your blog as well.
Hello! I see you’re a fan of the Punchy Lands so thought I would pop over and say hi. Hope you find my blog interesting too!
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll definitely go over to your blog post-haste (which, frankly, is no longer very hasty) and have a look!
I’ve nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. Details at
http://aholisticjourney.wordpress.com/2013/07/30/versatile-blogger-award-500-follows-a-word-to-my-readers/
Diana =)
Ah! Sweet! Thanks, Diana!
Hi Jenn! Just to say, as a thank you, I’ve nominated you for the Inner Peace Award, and no work required! Have a lovely day 🙂 http://sherrimatthewsblog.com/2013/08/07/inner-peace-award/
Oh lovely! Thanks, Sherri! That’s very kind of you . . .
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i nominated you for a Liebster award. Here’s the link: http://cindythedreamer1.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/liebster-awards/
Aww–how lovely! Thank you!
Excellent blog Jenn!
I’m really enjoying it- keep up the great work!
-Andrew
Thanks so much, Andrew! How’d you find it? Also: your blog looks pretty great, too.
Actually, just good ‘ol fashioned dumb luck, linked from another blog. It was either a comment section, or a blogroll.
Very happy I did- love the layout and format you have going. Plus, your writing is very engaging!
-Andrew
That’s so encouraging to hear. Thanks again. And . . . feel free to comment any time. 🙂
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Thank you for visiting and following my blog 🙂
It means a lot to me 😀
Thanks again 😀
~Ankush
Thank you, too!
🙂 x
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Really interesting blog!
Thanks! I’m honoured you stopped by. (That was thanks to revis and matticus, wasn’t it . . . ?)
I love the word “interesting,” don’t you? 😉
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Hi Jenn. We were acquainted back in college I think, though I was in the class of ’97. I heard about your book via the alumni news. 🙂
Oh wow–really? Who knew, Alumni News! So . . . are you gonna tell me who you are? 🙂 (You can contact me through the prayer request form on my “It’s Your Turn” page, if you want.)
Will do.
🙂
you have a great blog.i’ll look forward to read more..
Thank you! I appreciate it.
🙂
Hey,
Just happened to run into your blog. You have got a beautiful space running here. Loved your work. Its very subtle. I guess I will be hanging around here a lot. 🙂 Great work
That’s great! Thanks, Prasad, and welcome!
Jenn: your genuine, enthusiastic, witty, and wonderful self is truly great! I love reading through your posts, you are a very encouraging person. Keep it up!
Thanks so much! You must be pretty encouraging, too, because this comment sure was! 🙂 I’ll be visiting your blog shortly…
Run into your blog,I love it,well written,great content fun place to hang out,all in all good stuff.
That’s so great to hear! Thanks so much!
Came by the suggestion, staying by the intrigue.
Haha–nice. Whose suggestion?
Other bloggers that say nothing but kind and nice.
Well that’s nice to know. I am curious which bloggers, so I could return the favour . . .
I am following your blog; I have found it to be very uplifting. Please consider following my blog.
Senior Pastor
Equipping The Saints – Eph 4:12
equippingthesaints@outlook.com
http://gravatar.com/cchurchchurchblog
http://cchurchchurchblog.wordpress.com/
Thanks for following and the invite!
Ephesians 4:12 is our mission. John 17:3 is our desired outcome for everyone who receives our witness.
Thank you for allowing me to share the things that I believe are planted in my mind by God’s Holy Spirit.
Genesis 4:1/ Mathew 1:24-25/John 17:3
Senior Pastor
Equipping The Saints – Eph 4:12
equippingthesaints@outlook.com
http://gravatar.com/cchurchchurchblog
http://cchurchchurchblog.wordpress.com/
You’re welcome.
Spiritual food for thought. John 1:11
Great to know that you proofread 🙂 Can’t wait to start reading more of your blog,
thanks for subscribing to mine.cheers!
It’s a pleasure. I confess you probably won’t see me at your blog much until seminary’s basically over, but . . . at least you’re in my reader now, which ensures I’ll get over there as soon as I can! Thanks again for coming over here, and for your patience.
My story is just putting life in words – and so apparently is yours, and you do it well. It’s probably a gift for a reason… I’ll look forward to going back over your years of posts.
Thank you so much! I’m honoured.
Also–are you related to RevCD? 🙂
I don’t recognize the name but who knows?
That would be quite wild. You actually resemble her a little. (Same last name, was where the question came from though . . . although then I guess it would be through your husband)
Many thanks for the follow. I hope you will return again soon and often. Ciao!
I hope so, too! I’m pretty terrible about blog-reading (or even writing) these days, with so much going on for work and seminary, but my intentions are there, and your blog certainly looks worth reading! 🙂
You are a very busy woman! Seminary caught my eye. . . . Read when you can. It is a rather eclectic blog now that we are back from India I am reblogging some of my posts from India because I have many readers now that didn’t see them before.
You have been to India?
I went on a five-week trip in 1993. Can’t believe it was that long ago! Maybe I’ll write something about it today . . . for Memory Monday! 🙂
Oh do . . . . I would love to read it. . . . .
I’ll see what I can come up with. I don’t have any specific memory jostling for my attention right this second!
Animals , peoples , food , travel, celebrations ? Were you on a mission trip?
I was. 🙂
South or. North ? More Christians in south, but you probably know that . . .
I do know that. We were in New Delhi and Maharashtra.
Nmaste. . . . .
We did New Delhi and rode train through Maharashtra to Mumbai to continue on to Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Husband is profess of architecture and brought 11 students for a semester at CEPT in Ahmedabad. We traveled 2 weeks to the north and 10 days in the south. I know you are busy…won’t ask anymore questions!
Ha! No worries. I had a “morning off.” But time to get to work now! Sounds like a great trip.
Fantastic blog! Really enjoying your writing 🙂
Thanks so much! Sorry I haven’t BEEN writing much lately . . . hopefully resuming this summer.
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i really enjoy your blog and outlook and the feelings and sentiments. peace and the best
I’m grateful for that affirmation. 🙂 And same to you!
Thanks for visiting my blog. I love your backwards life story and all the things you have done. I share your principles and compassion, but not your faith. I would love the world to live and let live, everyone following their chosen faith, but not imposing it on others. For myself, I have long been an atheist.
Thanks so much for reading, commenting, and sharing a little of who you are. I’m always fascinated by people’s “faith” journeys, whether it’s in a divine being, or in NOT-a-divine-being. 🙂 I’m very curious how you came to be an atheist.
Hmm, I’m trying to think of a way to compress this journey. Mother methodist, father atheist, an early childhood with Church of England, 3 years boarding school in a Roman Catholic Convent in Belgium, 4 years in an English boarding school with a wonderful Quaker headmistress. A dawning realisation, starting at age about 11 years old, that no one religion was right or wrong and that most of them contained what (to me) sounded like a lot of fantasy. Going to lectures by theologians and discussing the subject through my teens, but already convinced that the idea of a supreme being was an invention of man to help understand the curiosities of the universe. Finding no evidence throughout life of anything other than the human brain in religious thought, action or history. Seeing much to admire in the kindness and compassion of religious individuals, but also much to abhor in the bloody and contentious actions of religious bodies throughout history – which look no different to the power struggles of any political entity. Finding no difference between myself and, say, an ant except brain size. So, personally, I would prefer to take responsibility for everything I say and do here and now and have no dream of any afterlife or guiding hand from anywhere else.
An interesting exercise. I have never tried to put this down as a potted ‘journey’ before. I’m not sure how much such compression really conveys, but thank you for asking.
Well, thanks for “potting” it. 🙂 I remain intrigued. Thanks so much for taking the time to share.
Hi there. Glad I found this blog. You have built a very impressive site! I blog on everything from politics to film review. Would be lovely if you can follow back. Thank you!
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and following! I will definitely check out your site soon.
Great blog, Jenn. I look forward to visiting it often.
Thank you!
Admire your blog and writing style. On the contrary, if content can be made little small per post, it would make it better.regards – http://YourWellWisherProgram.wordpress.com
Its a great blog!! Please keep blogging!!
That’s so kind of you to say! I’m sure I’ll be blogging again SOMEWHERE at some point…just have to reassess…
In the meantime, you could go back and read the previous 500+ posts. That should keep you busy for a while. 😉
It surely will 🙂
Thank you for sharing. God is using you in a mighty way. Please pray for a greater listening ear to His leading. He will definitely expand your spiritual horizon. Amen.
Thanks for that. I am indeed praying.
Hi! Fia Essen nominated me for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, and I’ve nominated you. Check it out. https://laurenjeffreywriter.wordpress.com
He Jenn! You have very beautiful blog! I enjoy it! I will be glad to see you at me in the blog. 🙂
Sure, I’ll visit! 😀
Hi, Jenn, you followed my blog after we interacted a bit on Tim Fall’s blog, so I thought I’d check out your blog. (How many times can I use the word “blog” in a sentence?) I’m glad I stopped by. I look forward to reading your stories.
Thanks, Laura! I’m kind of on hiatus…or redirecting…or something…but I’m glad to be connected! I’d love to interact more.
I love your blog and your story. Look forward to following you.
Hey Keith–thanks for saying that. As you may have figured out by now, I no longer blog here (which is why I only just now saw this comment–so sorry about that!). I’m not really blogging much at the moment at all because of a lot of writing I need to do in other (mostly academic) contexts these days, but there is a sort of occasional blog I have over at http://www.the-pilgrimage.org, if you’re interested. Thanks for visiting!
Hi Jenn,
Please visit and share your feedback for my blog @ https://javabysol.wordpress.com/
Cheers,
Ravi
Nice Blog. Keep the good work going 🙂