A Woman of Faith - My Friend Jenni

Many of you have heard me talk about my friend, Jenni Kufahl.  I've known Jenni since I was a freshman in high school, when we cheered together under the direction of her mom, Deani - our Cheer Coach.  I thought Jenni was so cool and so beautiful, and she still is! 

Life has gotten a bit busy for us both as she married a coach and has seven gorgeous children.  I've been busy too with our NKH Journey and all that has come along with it.  Jenni organized meals when Ellie Kate was first on hospice that first year, and it meant so much to me.  Then we reconnected when Lucy was born, and she came and visited us in the NICU, bringing notes of encouragement and love from the students in her husband's class at Christian Heritage Academy.  We stayed in touch on-and-off, and then Jenni was shockingly diagnosed with cancer about two years ago.  Cancer.  My friend who is a wife, a mother to seven children, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that seemed to come out of nowhere.  And her fight began. 

During her fight, Jenni has continued to encourage me.  You may remember me posting about how Jenni came up to the hospital that last day Ellie was inpatient, the day she came home from hospice.  Jenni brought me a Dr Pepper that morning (one of my favs), and prayed with me and over Ellie Kate that day.  She took a picture of EK and I together - one of the last ones I have.  She also visited us the day before Ellie Kate passed away, bringing a sweet gift along with her.  I was also with Jenni when Conner broke his arm, and because of her connections, we were able to take Conner straight to the Orthopedic doctor and straight into surgery.  This girl is a blessing, ya'll. 

Recently, Jenni spoke at the chapel service at Christian Heritage, and I wanted to share that video with you.  Watch it, listen to it; let the words sink in.  Let the Lord and His Spirit permeate your spirit through His Word that is spoken during this testimony of faith . . .

Jenni's Testimony

I'm asking you to pray for this friend, this Woman of Faith.  Jenni is in the hospital now, undergoing more chemo as her cancer has spread yet again.  She's fighting hard, and trusting the Lord and His Will for her life.  We know, without a doubt, that God WILL be glorified no matter how He chooses to heal Jenni.  He is FOR Jenni, and is FOR her family.  His heart is pouring out over her suffering, and yet He has allowed it for His glory and for her good.  That's what God does with tragedy and with trials in the lives of Believers.  He allows bad things to happen so that He alone can be glorified in ways we could never imagine - big, mighty, amazing ways!  Like Heath making a half-court shot at a Thunder game - and thus the Gospel was shared on ESPN, CNN, local news, and more! 


Trials are blessings because God is with us in an intimate way during them.  They are blessings because He uses them to mold us and make us more like Him.  They are blessings because it causes those around us to cling more to Jesus, and what could be more precious than that? 


Please Join Us in Praying . . .

• Pray for Healing for Jenni's body, here on earth
• Pray for ease of pain and that Jenni will feel comfortable and at peace
• Pray for Heath, Jenni's husband, as he leads his family and cares for Jenni
• Pray for Jenni's parents and her brothers and sister, as they care for Jenni and for each other during this time
• Pray for all seven of Jenni's precious children.  Pray that God would surround them with immense peace.  Pray that they will feel loved and secure during this trial.  Pray for God to meet them where they are.

Jenni and Heath - God has and is working through you in a mighty way!  We are so very proud of the way you have handled this adversity.  God is truly well-pleased with each of you and with your family.  You are blessed.  You are loved.  We are pleading to the Lord on your behalf!  May you feel His rich presence surrounding you.  May you hear Him sing His words over you.  May the Spirit of God fall on your shoulders, filling your home, your hospital room, your car - every place that you may be.  You have created a great and rich, godly heritage for your family and for the world to see.  Thank you for using your fight to bring glory to Jesus. 

Ryan