A New Direction

I'm not even going to attempt to catch up on all that has happened since my last post in March, except to mention a few highlights. I went on the trip to the Grand Canyon and Pacific coast with my friends Anne and Laura, and it was incredible. I worked at Wilderness Ranch all summer, which is always a special place, and it was a good summer. This fall I have been working casually at the University of Alberta hospital on my plastics ward, volunteering with youth group, volunteering with the pregnancy care centre, taking a prayer ministry course, and taking an oil painting class, among other things. I feel I've slightly overbooked myself, but I'm loving every part of my crazy schedule.

On my night shift last night I was reading a book called "Keep a Quiet Heart" by Elisabeth Elliot, which I highly recommend, and one small bit stood out to me incredibly. It was in a section called "where will complaining get you?" Briefly, she talked about the Israelites and how they complained just before they were about to enter the Promised Land, which resulted in them not being allowed to enter it. Nothing was ever good enough for them. They weren't satisfied with God's promises and His ways. Elisabeth talks about a friend who took a 14 day complaining fast after meditating on this story, and how it changed her outlook on life drastically.

I've been thinking about this for the past few hours, and have decided I also want to go on a 14 day complaining fast. I realize that I've formed a habit of negativity in my thoughts and speech, and I don't want that to characterize me. I'm going to flesh out this challenge a bit. My main goal is to not complain, but added to that is to not speak anything negative about other people or myself, and to "offer a sacrifice of praise" by journalling about what I'm thankful for. I'm aiming for at least 3 things per day for which I am thankful.

I want to do this online for a few reasons. I doubt that many people will actually read this in the near future, and I'm not doing this to show off my spirituality, but I feel I'll be more accountable if I do this in a public setting. I'm also hoping this can be encouraging to anyone who reads it.

So, my blog is taking a new direction. This direction will be more specifically about my adventure with God. This year has been a year of a lot of change, and a lot of refining and purging of junk in my life. It's been a challenge, but I want whatever purpose God has in store for me, and I have to be able to praise Him in the midst of the good and the harder times. Sometimes I feel like my soul is shriveled and old and sad and worn, and I just want to be back to the Jenna who was carefree, vibrant and joyful. However I know that this is a time where God is testing me and teaching me how to be his disciple and building character in me.

Thus, here begins my journey of thankfulness and praise. Today I am thankful for:

1. This idea
2. a very thorough and efficient coworker on night shift last night, which made everything run so smoothly.
3. a good talk over the past few days with another coworker about love and relationships, in which I was able to share a bit more about my faith.
4. my father who bought me warm fuzzy bed sheets yesterday on a whim
5. Night Church yesterday and worshipping God to incredible music - it revived my soul a bit
6. A delicious dinner yesterday made by my Mom, which kept me going all night

There's so much more, but that is just a few specific things.

If you're reading this, I dare you to take the challenge with me! May God be glorified!