The beginning...

  Obviously, we have a ways to go with this blog... But I (Lonna, Jenessa's older, loving, & awesome sister;)) wanted to get this started.  As I said in the blog description, this is our way of letting family & friends, wherever they may be, in on the happenings with Jenessa on "her journey before & during her time serving as a missionary..."

  As the title to this post says, this is the beginning of the road on that journey!  Jenessa has decided that going on a mission is what she wants to do- sacrifice & dedicate the next year & a half or so of her life to serving our Father in heaven where ever she is called to go! Be it the Mesa, AZ Temple Mission (which is probably not going to really happen Mom... I'm just speaking hypothetically! Hehe just kidding... but seriously!:)) or a labor mission in Mongolia, she is ready & willing.  She has been going to all of the many appointments & filling out her papers.  She can turn those in as early as Nov. 21st.

So naturally, as soon as you make any righteous & life-changing decision & begin to carry it out, Satan tries to throw a few pot-holes in the road, right from the starting line...

  As most of you know, Jenessa has been hospitalized, recieved blood transfusions, Iron I.V.'s, & was treated for what they thought was thalassemia, within this last year.  Basically, her red blood cells are too small & deformed, resulting in her having an iron deficiency.  So when she got her routine blood tests done for her mission papers, they found that her Iron has dropped significantly again since she was released in May.  Unfortunately for her, Jenessa is having to resume treatment & put her papers on hold until her Hemotologist gives the her/us the 'OK' for her to go...  She has to go in for Iron I.V.'s again twice a week until further notice.

This is where Satan came in... Obviously, she already had this illness before & had been dealing with it, but in hearing this news & having it delay the process with her papers, it has sure dampened her spirit a bit.  If you could keep her in your thoughts & prayers as we are, that would be fantastic!  As her sister, I'm sure I can speak for our family that doing so would surely be appreciated! 

Real quick, I also wanted add a few thoughts of my own to Jenessa-
Some of you may already be aware that I started a mission blog for our younger brother DP as well(elderpedersen.blogspot.com).  You'll notice that the themes are a little different.  His is a "Called to Serve" theme & her's is a "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" theme.  I have been teased by a couple people, who shall remain nameless, for having picked this for her.  This is one of the great thing about having a sister to do this for because DP (or any of my brothers, for that matter!) would never let me pick or write things like this!:)  Even though both Jenessa & David are being called to serve, I made their blogs different for 2 reasons: 1. So Nessa wasn't feeling like she was getting sloppy seconds for what has already been started with D, since he's a little further along in the mission process:) & 2. The theme I picked for her, says a lot about what I think of her.

Nessy-
When I think of that phrase, that scripture in the header, or even the word 'light,' you are one of few people that come to my mind- right on up there with Jesus Christ & Pres. Monson, if that gives you an idea of how great that is:)  All of your siblings can attest to having experienced you on your "cloudy days," shall we say?:D  As everybody has those days!  But spiritually, you truely are one of the brightest- a beakon in the night.  Your testimony of the Gospel is so strong & unwaivering!  Because of this, you are an example to anyone who knows you.  This is something that will help you get thru this time, as well as help you on your mission.  In my opinion, one of your greatest strengths is & will be that you will teach those brothers & sisters, wherever you are called to go, by your example & by your testimony.  As you are serving our Heavenly Father as a representative of His church, you will be that light that will show them your good works & glorify our Father...  You will be a SUNBEAM!:)  So now you can't make fun of this theme I picked, because of how speacial it is to me (& hopefully to you too, a little bit at least!).  I love you Seastar & am so proud of you for making this choice.  Keep your head up & know that I think you are awethome!;)

So.......  Now what?  Well fortunately, like I've been saying, this is NOT the end... only the beginning!!!:) This time & the things Jenessa is/will be going thru is merely a bump in the road.  A bump she will surely get over.  Check back & we'll keep everyone updated!:)