Ep 120: Bring The Joy with Jessica Janzen
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Ep 120: Bring The Joy with Jessica Janzen
Episode 120: Show Notes
All of us are constantly faced with many choices and possibilities, and it is the decisions that we make that shape our lives. On the show today to talk about the path she has carved out for herself and her family is the supercharged Jessica Janzen, author of the book Bring the Joy!
Jessica has such an amazing story and we are able to go deep with her, from her early days on a family farm in Canada to the twists and turns she has encountered in the different parts of her life.
She tells us about the instinctual choice she made to help a family with two children struggling with spinal muscular atrophy, and the ripple effect this has had on the rest of her life. We then spend some time exploring Jessica's marriage, the birth of her own children, and the loss of her second child, Lewiston.
Jessica is so open and honest about the ups and downs, and the lessons she has learned, delivering messages about showing up out of love, how acts of service can fill us up, and the hard work that goes into making magic happen!
To hear it all from this wonderful guest, please join us!
Key Points From This Episode:
Looking back at Jessica's childhood years and family life on a farm in Canada.
The financial constrictions that Jessica and her family experienced.
The ideological and religious ethics that were present in Jessica's home.
Bullying and turmoil at school; the feelings of non-acceptance that Jessica dealt with.
Jessica explains the emotional nudges and guidance she has always followed.
The ambition and dreams that Jessica had as a young adult; exploring her early ideas about success.
Jessica explains a little about spinal muscular atrophy or SMA.
Further explanation of the 'nudges' Jessica has had periodically in her life.
What it really means to care for someone with SMA.
The emotional impact of Jessica's work with the children; reaffirming gratitude.
How Jessica brought her increased empathy and drive to other work she was doing.
Meeting Hot Ronnie, inviting him to church for the first time, and falling in love.
How Hot Ronnie fitted into Jessica's life and work with the kids.
Jessica shares her story of breaking up and then getting engaged.
Falling pregnant, Jessica and Ronnie's three children, and the challenges that her third child, Lewiston, faced early on.
Rushing to the emergency room and the diagnosis that Lewiston was given.
The pact Jessica and Ronnie made in response to all the hurdles they were encountering.
The spiritual perspective that Jessica held through these times.
How Jessica took Lewiston's story public; what motivated her to use Instagram.
Tips from Jessica for helping anyone dealing with personal tragedy.
The structures and support that carried Jessica through the loss of her son Lewiston.
Bringing understanding and space into a marriage; what Jessica has learned about love.
How Jessica celebrated Lewiston's first birthday!
Jessica's message about showing up, staying the course, and doing the hard work consistently.
The choices we are constantly faced with and taking charge of pivotal moments.
The amazing story of how Jessica met Chad Veach and Levi Lusko.
A final message of hope and solidarity from our guest.
Tweetables:
“My dad worked two jobs up until probably I was in almost high school. So he would truck in the winter to kind of make ends meet. I mean, I remember Christmases where we would get bedsheets.” — Jessica Janzen [0:07:36]
“I figured it out. There was no plan. I just knew I needed to change, I needed to write a new chapter in a different city, where I didn't have the weight of my previous chapter sitting on my shoulders.” — Jessica Janzen [0:17:22]
“I want to help other people know that you can say something, it can be terribly wrong, and offside and really hurtful and it's okay. It's okay that I made a mistake and I said a really horrible thing.” — Jessica Janzen [0:20:26]
“It's almost like something's tugging at your heart, like pay attention.” — Jessica Janzen [0:28:27]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: