people we love :: jenna scheetz

From time to time, I like to bring attention to different friends or family members on my blog as a way to publicly honor and appreciate them.  I have called this little series, People We Love, and today I want to write about my dear friend, Jenna.

Today is Jenna’s 34th birthday, and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate her life (and the blessing that she is to me and so many others) than writing out a few…okay thirty-four…different things that I thank the Lord for when I think of her.

I know that a number of you are also friends with Jenna, so when you get to the end of this post, please feel free to add to my incomplete list in the comments!  Let’s show our dear friend some birthday love today!

34 things I love about Jenna on her 34th birthday…

1. She has a sincere desire to know, obey, and love the Lord with her life.

2. She has an incredible sense of humor, a seriously hurt-your-stomach-from laughing-so-hard kind of humor.  She can have an entire room of people dying from laughter- it’s so fun to watch!

3. She is the mother to four beautiful children and doesn’t pretend for a second that mothering is an easy job or that she ‘has it all together’.  Her children will rise up and bless her one day- I’m sure of it.

4. She respects her husband and speaks highly of him to others.  And they compliment each other so well…

5. She blogs and writes hilarious posts.

6. She blogs and writes thoughtful posts.

7. She is a sensitive friend (in the best sense of the word).  If you are hurting, happy, struggling, encouraged, confused, thrilled, frustrated, hopeful, angry, silly, devastated, excited, or just chill…she will feel it all with you.  Jenna mourns with those who mourn and rejoices with those who rejoice.

8. She gives me helpful counsel for all of my parenting questions.  From diaper rashes to tantrums, she counsels without judgment.

9. She goes along with my crazy ideas!

10. She takes a genuine interest in others and asks really intentional and thoughtful questions.  Others feel so important when they are around her.

11. She is skilled on the sewing machine and makes beautiful gifts for others.

12. She is quick to shed tears with someone when they are hurting or rejoicing.  If something matters to you- it matters to her.

13. She’s a great cook and is regularly generous with the meals she prepares…there is always room for more at her table.

14. She respects and speaks highly of my husband to me (and others) and I really appreciate that- what wife wouldn’t?

15. She’s a giver, not a taker.  This makes her an incredible to friend to others.

16. She loves my children, both born and unborn.

17. She spent hours painting our new home and provided food for us after late hours of renovation.

18. She’s a protective, wise, discerning, thoughtful, fun, and intentional mother.  She also knows her weaknesses and depends on the Lord for strength.

19. I can tell her anything and she understands.  She’ll say, “Oh, toootally” and that’s her way of letting me know that she ‘gets me’.

20. My mom loves her.  She absolutely cracks my mom up and I think Jenna is the real reason my mom comes to visit!

21. She is teachable.  And if she’s not being teachable, she knows it and asks God to help her.

22. She has never met a stranger.  When we are out in public, she helps others, talks to others, and makes others feel at ease (and sometimes surprised since a stranger is being so friendly!).  One time, we actually ended up in a complete stranger’s home (at night!) just because she asked to take a tour of their house (which was up for sale).

23. She is an intentional neighbor, especially to her neighbors who don’t know Jesus.  She meets them for coffee or dinner and talks with them about anything that’s going on in their lives.

24. She never makes me feel stupid about the questions I ask her, no matter how stupid they actually are.  And trust me, sometimes they are very, very stupid.

25. She is really wise with her family’s money.  She’s frugal, but very generous at the same time.

26. She makes my husband laugh and feel totally comfortable.  She is his friend, too, and I love that.

27. We sometimes have a “who’s funnier?” competition over text messaging to see who can come back with the funniest text.  I win every time, She’s really good at this.

28. I can trust that she knows my heart, no matter what I say.  She’s discerning and knows, “Jenny doesn’t really mean that.” and loves me anyways.

29. She shares her coupons.

30. She often has really good ideas about anything and everything under the sun.  I’m always thinking, “Wow, I would have never thought of that.”  I noticed this a lot when she would help us think through renovating our home.

31. She’ll spontaneously go on walks with me during the day or in the evening.  We have some of our best (and funniest) conversations on these walks.

32. She lives on my street, or rather, I live on her street since she’s lived there five years longer.  I love having her as my neighbor!

33. She doesn’t judge me for embarrassing her and dancing in the grocery store aisles, instead- she encourages it!

34. She leaves the world’s longest messages on my voicemail.  I always joke that when I see a message from Jenna, I go and put the kettle on, sit down, and enjoy an entire cup of tea while I listen to her talk.  Her messages are so long in fact, that I have been known to forget that I am listening to a message and will actually start talking back.  Yes, being friends with Jenna might just make you crazy, but it’s worth it!

Happy Birthday, Jenna!  I love you and thank God for your friendship…