A glimpse at my story

         My name is Jennifer Beth Rasmussen and I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I used to think that I would much rather be too cold than too hot because you can always put on more layers. I suppose that is easy for an Arizona girl to say. Well my feelings changed after I spent four years in Chicago for college; I would rather be too hot any day! I am the youngest of four, with two brothers and one sister. Joey-32– works for a transportation company called Comtrans, overseeing accounts receivables and billing. Although we’re ten years apart, we are very close! We love playing all kinds of  games together and have a huge tennis rivalry. Josh-31– is married to my beautiful sister-in

-law, Rachel, and they have one son named Micah, who is 2. Josh graduated from Notre Dame with his PHD in philosophy. We have had interesting conversations from the time I was a little girl 🙂 Amy- 28, just celebrated her one year anniversary with her wonderful husband, Ben. She is the music arts coordinator at our church and volunteers at the Musical Intrument Museum. As you probably have guessed, she is very musical! We have done numerous “sister duets” in our time! We love to go hiking together and eat icecream.

      My dad was a pastor for thirty three years and my mom served as his faithful pastor’s wife. Both my mom and dad have taught me what it means to live out your faith with Christ as the center of your life. They gave me freedom to discover what this faith was on my own while also giving me wise counsel and encouragment every step of the way. I have a special relationship with both my mom and dad. Dad and I love to go biking, work out, and watch sports games- especially the Phoenix Suns! Mom and I bond over shopping (which is great exercise too the way we shop) 😀 From the time I was little, mom always emphasised the importance of prayer. I have learned that in all things, whether big or small, I can “cast my cares upon God, who cares for me” (1 Peter 5:7).                                                             

I wanted to spend some time really sharing about who my family is and the special relationship I have with each one of them because my family has really shaped who I am today. My dad used to always say to us, ” we may not be rich in material wealth, but we are rich in family and relationships.” I feel so grateful to God to have been blessed with such a rich family!

   

I attended Pioneer Elementary School from kindergarten to eigth grade. I loved to sprint, and gained a reputation for being fast. My friends saw me as the “good listener”. When someone had a problem they usually came to me for my advice. I was a little counselor in the making 🙂 5th and 6th grade were defining years in my life when I learned that I had to make a choice about who and what I was going to live for. It was no longer “cool” to follow the rules and Christianity was often viewed as being all about rules. I often felt rejected but looking back, I see this was divine protection. God taught me that I was either living to please men or Him, but I could not do both.

Galatians 1:10 ” Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

I graduated from Cactus High School and ran varsity track all four years. My theme verse during track season became Hebrews 12: 1 “… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” In life, I knew God had a specific race marked out for me to run. I was not to compare my race with anyone else’s but to persevere, keeping my eyes fixed straight ahead on Jesus. I went on several mission trips, including Belize, Denver, Los Angeles and Brazil. God began stirring my heart for serving his people around the world.

   

 In August, 2007, I loaded up my 2000 Cavalier named Carl, and set out with my brother and our friend, Matt, on the 3 day journey to Illinios. Josh was getting married on August 11, and a week later I would be starting college at Trinity International University. I had no idea what God had in store for me during the next four years of my life. College brought some of the most painful, refining, yet wonderful years of my life.
Some Life Lessons:

• Comparing yourself to others will always leave you feeling empty; taking confidence in who you are as God’s uniquely created child sets you free. 
• Going running afterwards does not cancel out eating that pint of icecream 
• God is in control: I am not
• You cannot plan adventure; Adventure comes to you
• God can change people: I cannot change anyone
• God loves when I laugh and smile
• When man chose to disobey God, the result was separation from God, because God cannot exist with sin. God loves us so crazy much that he could not stand the thought of being separated from us. That is why he sent Jesus to die on the cross and pay the price of sin for us- The gospel is all about Love!
• Be careful when you go into the Target dollar aisle 🙂
• No amount of good or bad I  do can change God’s incredible love for me

I met friends who challenged me in my relationship with God and taught me about unconditional love. Staff and faculty  who taught me about servant leadership and empowered me with the tools to succeed. 

 

The next chapter in my story: Cambodia! I don’t know yet what these pages will look like; what lessons I will learn or people I will meet. I do know that the author of my story is in control and he has surrounded me with a community of my family, friends and boyfriend who are sending me out with their love, prayers and support. What a wonderful God!