Sweet Jenny

I have another post I was working on last Wednesday, after they amputated her legs, but it just doesn't feel right to publish it. So, I won't. Instead I want to share more about my friend.

Jenny and I went to Abilene Christian University together. She was a young chick, and she pledged under me. I remember NUNU ROSS. So sweet. She liked to tell a story about pledging when she and another Nunu were walking and complaining about pledging when I walked up behind them. I had heard their grumblings, but she said that I looked at them in calm voice and said, "Didn't you know you would have to dress this way before you pledged, didn't you know you would have to pledge this long, so why are you complaining, make the best of it." Confession, I don't remember that at all, but she did.

2003, Stacey and I were attending Lake Cities Church of Christ when they were in search of a new preacher. Rick Ross came to try out, and Jenny, David, and Malaya came to support him. We reconnected. They drove from Mesquite to Trophy Club every weekend, then eventually moved to Keller. We lived in Corinth at the time, driving to Trophy Club for church and to Keller for about everything else, because that is where our friends lived. I vividly remember the Biz family bringing dinner to us just days after Parker was born, with Jenny listening to me as I moaned and groaned about delivering a 9lb 13oz baby! Malaya was bigger if I remember. She was so calm and a great listener. I remember us driving to Granbury to a drive in theater. That was fun. We soon moved to Keller, in their same neighborhood.

We lived life together. She was who I called when I went into labor with Emaline during the night. She came over and stayed with my kids until Stacey's aunt and grandmother got there. She also kept Emaline 2 days a week so that I could work at preschool. There wasn't room for Emaline in the preschool nursery at the time, so they got to hang out on those days. She was a wonderful friend.

I cried with her during her infertility. Cried. Hurt. Screamed. She needed more babies. She longed for more babies. She loved them so, and was SUCH a wonderful parent. I would get angry when others got pregnant, even hesitate to tell her I was prego. She was the first that knew I was pregnant with Bowden. Even before Stacey. I was so in shock. I hated to tell her though. We hadn't planned it. It just happened. I totally understood she was happy for me, she didn't want my baby, she wanted her OWN baby. She taught me so much. There were times when we would discuss parenting. One of the most recent was talking about body types. She helped me understand a bit more about a strong willed child, like Malaya. I am so glad she is.

We got up at 5:30 3 times a week for a month to go to boot camp. That only lasted 1 month! :) We joined the same gym and attempted to go at the same time, but that didn't always work out. I loved the ZUMBA class, but she almost passed out. She was next to us when I backed over a BMW after gym one day. Nice.

My favorite times were Friday or Saturday nights with the Biz family. We tried to go out as often as possible with each other on the weekends. Cheddars was convenient. That was our place. I love to cook, so when I had extra, I would always invite them over. They loved my lasanga. One night she brought dessert. It was the greatest ice cream bar known to man. I couldn't believe all she brought. EVERY topping you would ever want. Malaya BEAMED as she laid out all of our choices. You could tell the Malaya and Jenny had so much fun picking out all those toppings.

Most recent Jenny and I took the girls to see the Frog and the Princess. Then we went to Jason's Deli after Freebirds was too busy. Then we went to their house to just hang out. What we did best. Our kids play so well together. Parker and Emaline adore Malaya. The like to sing for us. I think the boys were watching the Mavs game, and Jenny and I were sitting side by side playing on the computer. I was showing her some digital scrapbook stuff and she LOVED one set and said it inspired her to redo Malaya's room. Which maybe for her M's birthday, I can make that happen, if she wants. Then we started talking about church. She asked about the Sunday that we now refer to me as "Pastor Paige". So we found it online and listened to it. She listened so intently. Afterwards, she looked right in my eyes and said, "I am so proud of you." I will cherish it always. She was proud that I spoke about my faith to others, and how I had grown.

She taught me so much about walking with Jesus. SO MUCH. She is still teaching me. Below is a comment I found on my blog from 2005, I think. WOW! I needed those words right this very minute.

I am so sorry you are hurting! But you are soo right, God does so much work through our pain. I don't understand and never will but it is truth. He knows what places to take us and how to take us there to get our utmost attention. God WILL use you! Your example will be His witness. I am praying for your perseverence and your focus and for Satan to keep his lousy rear out of your business:)

SERIOUSLY! JENNY BIZ is teaching me right now. I will talk about yesterday, but not yet.