As of July 2014 –
I’m moving websites and will no longer be blogging here.
New blog at journeyingjenna.com
Click HERE to go check it out.
Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog! I’m so thankful for this opportunity, and for all of your prayer and support.
Hello.
I’m Jennifer Malinen, but please, call me Jenna. It’s no longer even a nickname, it’s simply who I am. Most people have no clue that it’s not technically my name.
I left for the Race in September 2011 as part of the 2nd generation A-squad, and returned to America at the end of July 2012.
I joined staff with Adventures in Missions early in 2013, and quit the end of July 2014.
Love ’em, simply don’t work for them anymore.
Currently live and work in Missouri. Since summer of 2014. Love it.
Pre World Race Bio
I’m 22, and recently finished my last semester at the University of Wisconsin. I’m a wanderer, rover, traveler at heart. To be honest, I don’t have a “hometown” or a place that I say I’m from. I’ve spent my life in Minnesota, California, Washington and Wisconsin. [Wiswashifornisota]
I love being alive. I am confident that there is more to life than the “American Dream.” I feel a calling to go after more. I desire to step out, to break the monotony, to truly be alive. I believe there is a great God who has a desire to see this world reconciled to him. I cannot sit by, idle and without purpose, but must go. Following God and going on this journey to share his love with others is the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever experienced. It makes me giddy with excitement simply talking about it. I know that this upcoming trip will have incredible impact on my life, and the lives of others.
A few things I enjoy:
writing copious journal entries. glow-stick adventures. drinking tea. ancient history. the smell of musty basements or old books. Magnum ice cream bars! taking risks. soccer. the “Ha!” game. laughing until I cry. road-trips in any form and of any length. playing Settlers of Catan. reading all sorts of books. lists. rainstorms. building forts.
My favorite youtube video (in case you were wondering)
General details:
I have a wonderful family, consisting of my parents Bill and Mary and two siblings, Rachel and Michael. Several cats are also involved. I’m the middle, and I love it. I’m a read-aholic, and I always have a book on hand. One of my favorite things is meeting new people and making new friends. I love hearing others’ stories. I enjoy singing loudly in the shower, and the car. I like challenges and dares.
I frequent coffee shops. I’m slightly an adrenaline junkie – I’ve been skydiving, ziplining, river rafting, parasailing. Currently looking for an opportunity to bungee jump. 🙂 [I bungee jumped while in Uganda over the Nile river in Jinja!!!]
I am a Badger and will honestly bring a small Bucky stuffed animal on the race. Pictures will be posted from every country, promise. Click here to see my post of all of them!
I could write a lot about who I am, where I’m from, and what I do. My identity is found in Christ, and that’s the most important thing I could tell you about myself. I’m excited to share this with you, and my hope is that you’ll join me. I know that I have been changed to bring change; I have been blessed to be a blessing.
Please feel free to contact me, ask me anything. I’d love to have you join this conversation and get to know me better and see how the Lord is working as I get ready to embark on the Race, and while I’m gone.
If you read all of this, then I declare us friends. That’s super exciting. Have a great day!
