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Tuesday 1 April 2014

Waiting and Loving It!! Feat Jena and 'A' Branch

Hello everyone! I am delighted to be featuring today's couple... Well, I wouldn't quite say couple as it's the wife who's doing the interview today. However, I can assure you that you would be blessed!

I 'met' Jena in an interesting way - She commented on one of the Waiting and Loving It posts and I was drawn by her comment, so I checked out her blog 'Perfectly Human' and I was even more drawn lol (It's on faith, family and fashion!).. I asked her if she wouldn't mind sharing her experience in full here on the blog and I was delighted by her positive response (Yayy!) lol.. And God is wonderful in the way that He works as her story is one that relates to the question that was asked by a reader of the blog last week and was posted HERE and HERE.. I wouldn't talk too much (as I am want to do hehe) and allow her share.. I'm sure you'll be blessed. God loves you! xxxx

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1. Hi Jena, great to have you here and thanks a lot for agreeing to share with us! Could you please tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Jena, I am a 26 year old newbie mom! I work on web marketing strategies by day and I'm a blogger over at I'm Perfectly Human, by night :) I am from Minnesota, USA where I also currently live with my husband 'A' and gorgeous 2-month old baby girl. I am still a newlywed, being married now to my husband for 1 year.

2. Fantastic! Could you tell us how you met?

My hubby and I actually were neighbors at one point when we were young! He was a few years older than me so he actually went to school with my older sister. We eventually crossed paths again after high school and the rest is history.

3. What was the initial attraction for both of you?

He had always been very attractive to me so that quickly drew me in. On our first official date, it was refreshing that he was so down to earth and I felt like I was talking to someone I had been friends with forever. It sounds cliche, but I knew there was something different about him.

4. How did you know that you wanted to marry him/her?

We dated for 4 years. We ended up moving in together. We went through ups and downs, but we stuck everything out and always pushed together. We knew there was no one else we could see ourselves with and it just worked. I had been in relationships before where I felt like it was forced. Everything with us was just so easy. We were honest with each other about everything, we communicated well, and we respected each other which helped us grow. I had always wanted to be married. He wasn't in much of a rush. 
Once I was born again to Christ in January of last year, I wanted to make all things in my life right by God. Marriage was the next step. He proposed the next month!

                 

5. Please tell us what made you make the decision to wait. 

We had been a couple for 4 years and after I decided to live for Christ, there were a few things I made a priority to change in my life. We had been intimate, we had basically been living as a married couple for a few years. I did not want to dishonor God any longer and so as hard as it was, I talked to him about being celibate until our wedding day. It was a tough pill to swallow because he felt that I was taking something away from him. We also struggled in how we showed affection to each other because we were so used to doing things a different way. 
We fell into temptation a few times, and I cried and prayed to God to forgive me and help me be strong during this time. God led me to write my beau a letter with my feelings on why waiting was so important to me and what it truly meant to be able to share that with him once we were wed. We talked after he read the letter and it was as if we were talking about it for the first time. He truly understood my deepest feelings, my love for Christ, and that I still loved him but had to put my relationship with Christ as top priority. It became less of a struggle when we were on the same page. We got married last year and it has been amazing knowing that I am in order with my Lord and Savior. My Father above!

6. Thank God for His grace. I'm sure a lot of people would want to know the next question - How did you come to have a relationship with Jesus?

My father is a pastor, so needless to say I grew up in and around the church. However, I never really knew Jesus until about a year ago. Growing up I had seen so much "religious" doctrines through the church and it seemed that many people that were born again were not full of life. I thought, "Why would I want to be like that?" I went the complete opposite direction - finding pleasure in the world and everything it had to offer. I vowed that when I gave my life to Christ I was going to be serious about Him and I wanted to know Him. 
Well, January of last year my entire life changed. I had been feeling lost, stuck in a routine of life and I began to stop caring about things because I felt nothing would ever change. I had a divine visitation with God one night. It was an eye opening experience. I felt His words when He spoke to me. I remember Him telling me to follow Him because He is the creator of ALL, and not to look to man. That the way people live life in this world, is NOT what life is. I remember that ringing in me. This wasn't life at all. I decided that night to follow Christ, I called my father and he had me give my life to Him right there in my bedroom. It has been the most rewarding and life changing experience I have ever had. My life has been abundantly beautiful ever since AND Jesus has been everything He said He would be for me.

7. Thank you Jena. What advice would you give your single self now that you've crossed the marriage line?

There are a few things I would tell my single self now that I'm married. Hindsight is always 20/20 right? ;) First off, I would tell her not to worry about the men that don't seem to worry about her - don't waste her tears. I would tell her that when she finds someone it will not be forced. I would tell her not to live with a man before you are married. There's something true about the old saying: "Why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free?" Some men don't see the benefit in marrying you when you are already playing house. Not saying this is all men at all! But, I mean what will change once he gives you the ring? You already cook for him, clean for him, take care of him and most cases are intimate with him - you haven't required anything more from him at this point so why now? In someways it drives your value down.

Most importantly, I would explain to her that God's way of doing things is there for a reason. It is there to protect your heart. It is there to help you have confidence in your value as a woman. It is there to give you a good foundation for an enriching marriage. I really wish I would have protected my heart more when I was younger and I wish I knew that I was the prize to be won. When you treat yourself as such, those that are interested must also treat you that way. In the end it worked out for me, but that is just because Jesus took care of me. It was a dead end road I was heading to until I did things His way. Follow Him, He will always lead you the right way.


8. The best part of being married in 3 words - 
Peace.
Confidence.
Joy.

                                 

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Once again, thank you very much Jena for sharing your experience with us. 
I had a warm feeling reading her story because I was reminded of the depth of God's love for us all irrespective of how far we have gone. God hates any form of disobedience to His word but He loves us and extends His mercy to a repentant and willing heart. Also, not only does He want obedience from us, He gives us the grace to do so - how wonderful!
It's not too late to make that decision - first, in your relationship with God and consequently in other areas of your life.... God loves you sooo much! xxxx

"'Come now, and let us reason together', says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land" - Isaiah 1:18 - 19

"... but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" - 
1 Corinthians 10:13b

Remember you can send an email oneplustheone@gmail.com
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24 comments:

  1. Thank you 1+The One for the waiting series. Reading these stories gives me faith, encouragement and will power to turn around even when I fall.

    Not forgetting the real reason why spirituality is so different from religion. Still single but I connect with Jena on the inner struggle to find balance with God and herself. Marital bliss to Jena & A.

    xoxo

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  2. I absolutely love this episode! So real

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  3. Hiya Ms J.S Bass! It's been a while.. Lovely to ready your comment. I say Amen to your prayers for Jena and her beau and I pray that God will continue to give you grace to walk the walk with Him xx
    @Anonymous, thanks for your comment. I'm glad you connected with the post, thank God xx

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  4. This is amazing especially for young people who have derailed. God's ever ready to receive you.

    God bless you for this.

    ebunoluwole.com

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  5. There is a beauty to every story written by Christ. There is no distance he won't go to woo our hearts. Beautiful story... Beautiful Couple!

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  6. I'm so happy Jenna found inner peace and freedom in Christ. So proud of her for sharing her story even though it is not the "perfect" experience; I appreciate the realness, relatablitiy and honesty of Jenna's experience.

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  7. oluwatosin Ugbene1 April 2014 at 14:24

    Thanks for sharing, it gives a light to the date situations some people find themselves. Makes them know that no matter how far you think you have gone, God's love can still reach you and draw you out. It's a lie of the devil to think you are completely stuck.

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  8. God bless you Jena. Truly if a man really loves you and not just 'lust' after your body, he'll do the right thing. Respect you for following the Truth by agreeing to take you to the altar, declare his love and total commitment to you before God and before men. Then both of you can begin to do what married people do. I thank God for giving you such a sensible and kind husband. May you both live long and enjoy the bliss of marriage together.

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  9. @Ebun, Amen.. Thank you very much xx
    @Inthe, No distance at all..thank You Lord xx
    @HF, I think that's what I also loved the most about her story - it's a reflection of a lot of people's experience.. God's love never fails..
    @Oluwatosin, heyyyy! Welcome and thanks a lot for commenting dearie.. We can never go too far beyond the reach of God's love!
    @Abi, I say Amen to your prayers! Thank God indeed fo giving her an undestanding husband xx

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  10. Thank you everyone for your kind words and thanks to Ayo for featuring our story! There is so much beauty in love in the honesty of how God touches each and everyone of us. I feel like my story was perfectly written for me. I am glad that you are doing this series to help those get back to who Christ wants us to be in Him :)

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  11. This is my favourite so far...especially because it is mine and many many people's story of not having a "perfect" start. God bless you for being so real and open. It is a perfect story. God is amazing, he makes ALL things new.

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  12. @Jena, thank you very much for the opportunity to feature you.. I pray that people who read and engage with the series will be blessed and above all that it will inspire a desire to have or renew relationships with God, build better relationships and give God all the glory.. God bless you dear, thanks for being a part of this!xx
    @Anonymous, I am glad you could relate with this feature.. He sure does! :-)Xx

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  13. Always a delightful read and this kinda goes in line with the recent question. kinda.

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  14. Beautiful story of grace and redemption. That's also my testimony. Hubby and I also waited and the most beautiful part of waiting I think, is the testimony thereafter. Now I can bodly advice the ones coming after me how hard but also rewarding it. Thank God for grace.

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  15. That's wonderful Tolulope! Thank God for the grace for you and your husband to wait! May your lives and marriage continuously be a testimony xx
    Thanks for commenting! :-) xx

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  16. This is a lovely read. God is a merciful God

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  17. I can pick so many beautiful points from this post but two of them blesses me most- "God's instructions are there for a reason- to protect our hearts" and "I was the prize to be won. When you treat yourself as such, those that are interested must also treat you that way".
    God bless you and your home Jena & 'A'. Your story is beautiful because Christ is in it.
    Thank you again 'The One' for always bringing 'real' to us xxx

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  18. This is the best "Waiting and loving it" post I've read yet. It speaks volumes about Christ's grace and His open arms waiting for those who are lost.

    I was kinda waiting for you to share something like this, honestly. And you didn't disappoint, lol! :)

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  19. @Isioma, amen! Thanks a lot hun.. You're right, it's great to be reminded again and again that I am a prize! I am 1 oh, God is the main The One! :-) Thanks my darling darling xx
    @Maggielola, I am really glad you liked this feature! The grace of God is just what it is - amazing! Thanks hun! xx

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  20. I really love this post and thank you so much Jena for sharing. I'm sure million of young ladies will be so blessed by your story and be inspired to wait till marriage.

    God bless your home and keep you in Him.

    Well done again sis. God bless you and keep inspiring you to do much more.

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  21. I really love this post and thank you so much Jena for sharing. I'm sure million of young ladies will be so blessed by your story and be inspired to wait till marriage.

    God bless your home and keep you in Him.

    Well done again sis. God bless you and keep inspiring you to do much more.

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  22. Thank you so much Funmi! I say a big AMEN!
    Thank God for the Branchs.. Their story is really inspiring xx

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