Jen Owen

an interesting observation

Jen Owen Schaefer — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 20:33:57 +0000

This week I am away from James for the first time since we married, almost 4 months ago. I am in SC a few days early for my brother’s wedding, and James will fly here Friday after his classes. It’s only a short while that we’ll be apart, but it’s so much harder than I expected. He has become my bff, my reference point, my pillow time companion and a host of other things. Who do I cook for? I’ve been trying to cook for my Grandma all day, but she just won’t let me! Being “one” is real and when apart from your other half, you just don’t feel the same. I can’t quite explain the phenomena yet, but I am feeling the separation so I know God has made me “one” with my delightful husband, James. He is God’s gift to me.

Now, I don’t promise much profundity in these blog posts, just my thoughts! I love being a homemaker (I am not working outside of the home). I had no idea how much I would love cooking. I think I avoided it for those 10 years after college when I was single. I’m not sure what I ate, but I didn’t enjoy the process of preparation before. (thanks Ash for feeding me!) Now that I have someone to cook for on a consistent basis, it’s so fun! Even going to the grocery store is enjoyable to me. I received great recommendation from friends about some of their favorite meals and cookbooks and I feel like I have only just begun to scratch the surface of my new love.

Decorating has been rewarding too. Pottery Barn has a free one hour (one-on-one) interior designer consultation that I signed up for and its helped me a lot with pulling things together. I didn’t have to spend a lot of money (thank you outlets!), but our townhouse is looking and feeling more and more like a home to us. I’ll put up a picture next time.

hello, I’m back

Jen Owen Schaefer — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:22:59 +0000

After a much too long absence, I am back on my blog. Now, I realize I may have lost all 15 readers that I had… but alas, I have a deep desire to share with those who will listen what I’m learning about life and marriage(!) these days.

Hope Pregnancy Center

Jen Owen Schaefer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:07 +0000

This summer I worked at Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center for my internship for school. This fall Hope Pregnancy Center asked would I like a part time job. Hope is connected to a Baptist church in North Philly. Thus far, it has been an amazing experience of learning as I go! My previous supervisor from Amnion works part time at Hope, so I’m able to get biblical counseling supervision. I’ve seen about 15 girls so far who are coming in for free pregnancy test. Many of them are living below the poverty line and respond amazingly to me, someone so different from them. I know, and continue to pray, that is the love of Christ. I go in 15 hours a week and in addition to counseling, help the new Director with administrative things. Pray for her as she reaches out in North Philly to introduce our center to the community.

changing seasons

Jen Owen Schaefer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:03:47 +0000

As I look out the window at the changing leaves and as I pull on my wool socks, I can’t believe October is in full swing. I must say, I love being in Philadelphia in October. Though I’m pulling on wool socks, the weather here is so much milder than Minnesota. I miss you, MN friends, don’t take that personally! Our windows are still open and no snow in sight…

I will confess that there are two main reasons I haven’t blogged since June: I wasn’t in class this summer and there came into my life a man named James Schaefer! He’s still here and I hope to give more updates along the way. I obviously am not committed to blogging, and I’m sorry! He’s been more fun to talk to than sitting at my computer typing. He’s even more interesting to listen to than to talk to.

School has resumed, and I told you this why I started a blog: to tell you what I’m taking and learning: Apologetics, Survey of Reformed Theology, Survey of Church History and Biblical Theology 1. I learned a ton about Augstine last week and am being challenged to think about worldview, the authority of the Bible, and the Old Testament as a pointer to the cross. All amazing stuff!

Please do continue to read this… I’ll try to not take a 3 month break from now on!

“Learned desperation is at the heart of a praying life.”

Jen Owen Schaefer — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:02:56 +0000

“We don’t like God too close, especially if… we can’t control. We have a primal fear of walking with God in the garden, naked, without clothing. We desperately want intimacy, but when it comes, we pull back, fearful of a God who is too personal, too pure. We’re much more comfortable with God at a distance. A praying life opens itself to an infinite, searching God. … we can’t do that without releasing control, without constantly surrendering our will to God. “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mat.. 6:10) is actually scary. “

Paul Miller, A Praying Life (117)

my first day at Amnion

Jen Owen Schaefer — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:38:52 +0000

We can see God’s providence and care most clearly when we stop and look at the details of our life. I can see His providence in my life in great detail as of late. I am working part time this summer at Amnion, Crisis Pregnancy Center and every job/ministry position I’ve had since I graduated from college helped me to get it! The two years I spent working with CO in an administrative role, the 5 years on campus, the 9 months I spent in a law office and the one semester I’ve spent at WTS have equipped me to just jump in there . Administrative skills, theological training (CO and WTS) and a relational bent got me the job! The Executive Director is encouraged by how my background and training will help Amnion and I am eager to see how the Lord will work in my heart through the interactions I have with those in crisis pregnancy. Pray that every time the phone rings, I will be reminded of my dependence on the Lord for what awaits on the other line.

David Powlison

Jen Owen Schaefer — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:01:14 +0000

” Modern psychology in its most significant form is a markerplace of differing popular philosophies of life.”

David Powlison “Psychology and Christianity

It is well… always

Jen Owen Schaefer — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:21:48 +0000

A reminder before I fell asleep… “From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, from the first gathering of evening shadows until the daystart shines, in all conditions and under all circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous. It is so well with him that we cannot imagine it to be better…”

Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, April 14 evening

Bridge Community Church

Jen Owen Schaefer — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:30:27 +0000

I wish I was a poet, a creative writer or an artist. I feel things about my new church that words or pictures cannot describe. I wish you could come sit with me and experience the gospel with me there. I want to tell you something about it, so I will struggle to say something. I am falling more in love with Jesus because of the people there. The authenticity of the pastor and the elders who have preached is beautiful. The Holy Spirit is detectable and the fruit is breaking my heart. That is, the community I see and the mercy ministry and missions they have as a backbone electrifies me for some reason I can’t explain. It was wonderful to celebrate our resurrection hope today together. If the gospel continues to deepen like this, I can’t imagine what heaven will be like.

Easter Sunday

Jen Owen Schaefer — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:10:04 +0000

My friend Jen Carty