I hope you are all doing well! I haven't talked to many of you for a while. I haven't really had much to say because I've been waiting for things to become clearer and more understandable in my life.
I thought I'd update you with the latest information about my life, my plans and my health.
I have had a good, but challenging winter in some ways. I'm slowly but surely getting back to my full strength and energy. I've been working a lot more lately, which has been good. I definitely do love being a nurse. I've also taken training to begin volunteering with the Pregnancy Care Centre, a counseling centre for women with unplanned pregnancies. I really enjoyed the training and am very supportive of how the centre operates with such faith and trust in God.
I've really struggled with an uncertainty about going back to Africa and really couldn't figure out why exactly. I felt like God was saying this wasn't the time, but the reasons behind that was hard to understand. I really love the ministry of Mercy Ships and have wanted to do some sort of mission work all of my life. I've been working towards that for a long time, and feeling such uncertainty about all of this really took the "wind out of my sails". God has been teaching me more about how much I need to trust Him in everything and go to Him with all of my needs. I certainly struggle with wanting control over my life and my future! I want to allow Him to shape my hopes and dreams for the future and be willing to trust that He has way better plans than I could concoct for myself!
Everything has been up in the air for the past few months as I've waffled back and forth over what I should do. Today I had a doctor's appointment, and I got the results of a recent MRI of my brain. I had this done because I've had headaches and numbness in my right lower leg intermittently over the past few months. We couldn't really figure out what was causing it. The MRI showed that I have a spot on the right frontal parietal area of my brain, and they don't know what it is. So, I have to have another MRI which will be more detailed (using contrast dye), and probably see a neurologist.
This was the answer to my prayers about whether or not to go to Africa in the fall. For now, I've decided to drop all my plans of going back to Africa until I know for sure that everything is okay. I'm actually quite excited to just allow God to shape my plans, and to learn more how to trust Him in all things.
It's funny actually that I've had bouts of being quite anxious about my health and future throughout the winter, and now that I have this new information, I feel less stressed about everything. I'm not really anxious, and I've decided to not think or worry about what it could be, but just trust it into God's hands (Matthew 6:25-33 - a theme verse for this past year!). Whatever is going on, it's much better for it to be in God's hands than in my own.
I'd definitely appreciate your prayers. I'm going to pay to have my next MRI soon (probably within the next week), rather than waiting 2 or 3 months. I'd rather know right away and be able to deal with whatever it is. I'll let you know as soon as I find out any more information.
I love you guys very much. You all have a special place in my life and in my heart.
God bless,
Jenna
"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!" ~ Isaiah 26:3
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." ~ Proverbs 3:5-6
"Do not be anxious about anything. Instead tell your requests to God in your every prayer and petition - with thanksgiving. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7
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