jana michelle

Road Trip

2006-06-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

we have road trip pictures on our new Idaho blog. go see!

lifeinthebigpotato

2006-06-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

community- sharing, participation, and fellowship. affinity, identity, kinship, likeness, sameness, semblance, similarity

sweet home alabama

2006-06-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Did you know we move in 5 days. 5 DAYS!

I wanted to finish updating on our family tour from which we just returned. Our last stop on the family tour was Alabama to see my mom and my new step-dad Floyd.

Floyd took us on a hike to a beautiful waterfall on Friday. Yeah we almost died, but it was fun. My mom was making really funny faces and noises on the last end of the trip.

The beautiful waterfall.

2006-06-10T08:19:00.000-07:00

This is my little sis and her fiance. They also came to see us while we were in Alabama. They are going to be married August 12th in Hattiesburg.

So is it just me or do Luke and Bennett look alike in this picture? Weird.

HOUSTON

2006-06-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from our time with Bennett's family. There's nothing like a bubble gum snow cone from Houston, MS.

2006-06-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

We were able to celebrate Bennett's mom's retirement from 25 years of teaching. In her speech she said to the students "You made me cry. You made me laugh. But I think we all learned a little something."

2006-06-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

Emma likes to watch Sandy play a little ball, and she loves trying on my shades.

2006-06-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my niece Sandy at her softball game. She was about to bat.

sunday mornings and pyrex dishes

2006-05-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Bennett spoke today at his home church, FBC Houston. The message was from John 17 and Jesus's prayer for his disciples. It was a powerful word about living life in the world- where Jesus has sent us. He also shared about our move to Idaho, and they have been so supportive of Bennett's call and our decision.

We forgot what it was like to dress up for church so here is a picture of our Sunday clothes. We bought that suit with the our Belk gift cards from the wedding. Thanks for all that gave us pyrex. You really can have too many.

destin

2006-05-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

Bennett and I just got back from Destin, Florida. In my opinion this is the most beautiful beach in the country. When I was small, I spent many summer vacations with my mom, dad, and sister in Destin. There are many memories of sunburns, sandcastles, and salt water fights.

We were able to spend some meaningful time there with my dad this week. I think he loves the place just as much as I do. That's him under the umbrella chillin.

Ok. One of my favorite things to do in life is to sit by the ocean under an umbrella and read. The greatness of the ocean always makes me think about how HUGE God is.

Tomorrow we head to North Mississippi to visit my new family, maybe catch my niece's softball game, and celebrate my mom-in-law's entrance into retirement. Bennett is also speaking at his home church on Sunday morning. It is so good to be able to spend this time with family before our big move.

update

2006-05-13T10:13:00.000-07:00

“What’s in Idaho besides potatoes?” This is a frequent question that I have been asked over the past few days. Well, there are about one million, five hundred thousand people in Idaho. What else is in Idaho? A church that was started a little over one year ago named Northstar in one of the fastest growing counties in America. And what else? A Field. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Bennett and I knew when we were married that we both wanted to serve in an area where there was a need. There is an enormous and overwhelming need in Northern Idaho for people to hear the Gospel, and after much prayer and seeking godly counsel from our friends and church, we feel this is where God wants us to move and plant our lives.

Our plans are to come home to Mississippi for the last few weeks of May, and then come back to Fort Worth, pack up our apartment, rent a moving truck, and continue on the incredible journey we began together on December 30^th of 2005. We will drive across country in order to get there for Bennett’s first day on staff on July 1^st.

I am excited about moving across country, and then there are days when I think to myself, “Oh my goodness, I am moving across the country.” This is however an act of faith I am willing to make not just for the need or the one million and five hundred thousand people but for the sake of my Savior’s great name. It will be an act of faith because we will be required to raise part of our support. The church and partners of the church will pay us a housing allowance; however, we will raise the remaining part of our salary.

Please pray for us during the remaining weeks. Pray that God would continue to unify our hearts for His one purpose. Pray that He will supply the means for us to move there and live. Pray that He will be glorified in Northern Idaho, that His name will be exalted there, and that people will be drawn unto Himself.

I can not forget what one of our seminary professors told us a few weeks ago when we met with him for dinner, and we were considering the move. “You’re young. It’s an adventure. Go and have fun.” Oh yeah. That’s what we plan to do.

We love you and are thankful for you,

Jana and Bennett

happy happy birthday

2006-05-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

today is bennett's birthday. about 27 years ago this picture was taken. right mr. bobby?

this morning i asked bennett what he wanted for breakfast. he said melba toast. i think he meant french toast. well that's what he had.

happy birthday sweet husband. i love you.

2006-05-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

For around $38 you can have this nice insullated box of Idaho potatoes shipped to your house.

Or we could bring some to you because we are moving to Idaho!!

our trip across country

2006-04-25T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is Northstar Church (and the corner of the blue little neon we drove around all weekend). The church is just about one year old.

90% of the population of Coeur D'Alene is unchurched. That is what could motivate us to go, but His Glory revealed is what will call us.

2006-04-25T20:00:00.000-07:00

There is a park that surrounds this side of the lake, and during the summers there are concerts, basketball games, canoeing, and frisbee.

2006-04-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

this is lake coeur d'alene. dad we need the jet ski.

2006-04-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

we are home, and idaho was beautiful. i begged bennett to pull over in the traffic to get this picture.

idaho?

2006-04-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I have questions about my life I call up my old student minister. I really value his opinion and believe he always gives me a good piece of wisdom when we talk. I asked him the other day, “Should we move to Idaho?” I just wanted to know what he thought. I just needed some direction. We talked for a while about life, and this is what I remember:

He said that there are some people who dream up big things for God to do and then they ask him to be a part of their plans; however, there are others who find out what God is doing and ask him if they can be a part. I wonder all the time if God is doing something God-sized in northern Idaho. I can’t really tell you what my dreams and plans are for the next ten years or fifty, but I know I want to be a part of what He is doing.

Saturday we leave for Idaho, and we will there until Tuesday. Please pray the Holy Spirit would guide us and that we would get to learn His voice in our lives.

2006-04-02T19:53:00.000-07:00

he's my best friend

2006-03-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

Today is one of those perfect days for riding around with your windows down drinking a Sonic smoothie.

what is worship?

2006-03-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Worship is our response to God for who He is and what He has done, expressed in our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions - Louie Giglio

This weekend I am teaching a group of high school and junior high students about worship. Please pray that God would speak through me. Pray as we look at Romans 12:1-2 that God would teach us how through His mercy to be living sacrifices and that He would reveal to us what we worship.

Photo by Steven Blan

banana pancakes

2006-02-19T12:57:00.000-08:00

I was just inspired by Jack Johnson to post this receipe. This is for you Amy. It is rainy and cold here in Fort Worth. I think I saw snow this morning after church. We are just staying inside today.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ripe bananas, mashed

DIRECTIONS:
Combine flour, white sugar, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.

cajun chili cornbread heart

2006-02-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

thanks shauna for the dish. let me know if you want the receipe.

the summer of 2003

2006-02-04T19:51:00.000-08:00

Here are two of my favorite pictures from the summer I spent in the Middle East. The first picture was in a village in the northern part of the country. When we arrived at the village they separated our team into men and women. They took us to a small house where all of the women and children gathered in as close as they could, and then they began to fan us and bring us drinks. We found out later we were the first Americans to ever visit this small village, and the leaders told us that their ancestors had dreamed of and prayed for this day for thousands of years. Please pray that God would send more of His children to this place one day and that they would come to have a relationship with His Son, the Prince of Peace. They desperately need Him.

The second picture is of the family that I lived with for that summer. I love and miss each one of them so much. They taught me about family, and they taught me about the power of God because through prayer and God's grace I saw Him begin to draw each one of them to His heart. Please continue to pray for them. That summer God changed my life.

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations."

Isaiah 61:11

Happy One Month Bennett

2006-01-30T19:29:00.000-08:00

"Married life is likened to single life as a long stanza of Whitman's is to the first phrase -- a continuation, but with the connection only fully appreciated after you've felt the whole piece. It is rich, as I have always known life to be, but richer in its complexities. What intimacy I have known outside of marriage is now hardly worthy of the name. The living-together-alone lessons that I have learned with Bill, Pete, and Ed are all of utmost significance in living with Betty, but none of them were such whole-hearted, enthusiastic "cooperators" as she is, indeed, as she has need to be. I never declared my love to them; with her, the affair is public.

We have committed ourselves to love each other and are publically at state to make good the commitment. I am finding it no effort."

The Journals of Jim Elliot

2006-01-23T18:02:00.000-08:00

please pray for my best friend who is far away telling her students about Jesus, and pray for my husband who is in idaho.

the honeymoon

2006-01-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

introducing the sandersons

2006-01-15T20:15:00.000-08:00

the journey has just begun

our big day

2006-01-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

My new dad-in-law wrote this. He should write books.

Well, it's a done deal.

Dj and I are proud to announce a new daughter: Jana Sanderson. (First time I've written or said that name, will take a little getting used to.)

The wedding went off beautifully at Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg. The unique and moving service was held under a big white tent on a veranda overlooking a lake with fountains. And Bennett surprised Jana completely by singing a song to her in the middle of the ceremony. The look on her face was priceless--she expected someone else to sing it, so when the preacher handed Bennett a mike she looked quite confused and shocked.

I must say we felt like big dogs riding on Jana's family's coat-tails. We had the rehearsal supper at a beautiful lodge out in the woods of Ellisville owned by her Uncle Jay Fenton. You can't believe how pretty a place it is--in fact, I don't think I know of a home around Houston as nice as the lodge at Adventure Lake. And the Canebrake is like a castle among a community of mansions. Tomorrow Bennett and Jana go to Gatlinburg to stay in a "cabin" owned by another uncle. I've seen pictures of it on the web and it's another elaborate and beautiful setting. It's gonna be tough on them to return to the reality of poverty (hehe).

Among others, Miriam and Todd were attendants and Sandy was the flower girl. Emma went in with Dj and I and sat with us. All five of my girls (including Dj and Jana) looked just stunning. After they had taken their positions, Bennett had me read some scripture regarding love, marriage, and family. Then the preacher surprised them by detailing much of their meeting and courtship. He brought several chuckles and a few tears with his comments of their dedication to each other and to the Lord and His work. I guess what made the ceremony so unique is really the fact that it was based on such an old-time traditional exchange of real vows and a serious worship service done in a relaxed and modern way. It was a very intimate and worshipful time.

Jana drew a chuckle, too. After the preacher gave Bennett permission to kiss his bride and he had done so with appropriate gusto, there was a moment's hesitation before Jana returned for another kiss. It was so spontaneous and beautiful and just made everyone more aware than ever of the love they share. If those two weren't designed for each other then no couple ever was.

Please pardon my rambling, but I'm just mighty proud of my son and my new daughter and I wanted to share some of my excitement with other folks I love. Oh, and as they were leaving for their honeymoon, a pretty impressive fireworks show was set off in front of the Club--a nice finale to a wonderful evening.

Bobby

2005-10-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

kissing at seminary

2005-07-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

The South African Airline's strike is over so that means I might come home on Sunday. Please pray for me today and tomorrow as I say goodbye to my friends here. This afternoon we will show the Jesus Film to our ESL class. Pray for their hearts to be open and sensitive to God's voice as they watch the love God choose to display to us all. Pray for us that we will have words to express the source of our hope. I will see ya'll soon. Enshalla...

Two More Weeks

2005-07-16T06:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent update from Stephanie, one of the college students on our team.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58

We sat there and stared at each other for a moment. I had once again laid it all out there: why I am here, what Christ has done in my life, and what God wants to do for every person. He blinked, politely agreed that Jesus was a very good prophet, and redirected the conversation. Sigh. I've done everything I know how to do and I've said everything I know how to say, but I can't change anyone's mind. In fact, I can't change anything more than bandaids. All I can do is be obedient to the God who knows more than I do and let Him open hearts.

So I'm asking you to pray. Pray constantly remembering that "The prayer
of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). Pray for Alassane
who is so close to accepting Christ he can taste it. He and his friend Alassane
have been to church twice, and want to come next week. He was supposed to leave for Belgium two weeks ago, but has had his visa delayed. I guess the Lord wants him here for awhile longer. Pray that God will convict his heart and that he
will be open to the truth, but do NOT pray that he will get his visa anytime
soon. ;)

Pray for the Alassane and Pap who live between the pelican and the monkey. Pray that God will break though their hardened hearts and that He will bless our conversations, filling them with salt and grace. Pray for the nurses and cleaners at the hospital where I work who have or will soon have copies of the Gospel in Wolof. Pray that they will listen to the tapes and have the boldness to respond.

Pray for the talibes who are always in need. Their bellies hurt with hunger, their bodies are covered in sores, and they cannot even remember the loving embrace of a parent. Pray for their physical health and even more that they will someday know a God who doesn't delight in their abuse, but longs for their love. This Thursday Phil and I will do a Gospel presentation to give them a reason for the hope we have. Pray that they will hear and understand.

And if you aren't too tired out from all that praying, please pray for me and for my team. We are all getting worn out, discouraged, and homesick. Personally, I'm ready to see results. Please pray that I will work with energy and joy, trusting in God's timing and not my own. I realize that this has been a very needy email. I should say that in between the hard stuff I'm having a lot of fun. I recently got to see a twenty-four couple wedding where some of the brides and grooms were only a few weeks old, I just about split my pants when my roommate stepped in rat glue and I got to see her slosh around our apartment with a bucket on her foot, and I'm learning how to play the drum. Watch out BCM PBJ! So yeah, things are good.

As I write to you, I am humbled again by what a blessing you all are to me. I cant tell you how much your encouraging emails or even the knowledge that you are praying for me means. Thank you.

With love,
Stephanie

Choff ?

2005-06-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

Am na choff? This is a question my new friend Papa asked me that caused me to really laugh hard. When you are greeting people here many times they ask "Where is your husband?" I get to tell them about my fiance Bennett Sanderson, and I show them pictures too. They then ask me, "Am na choff?" which translates here to "Is he a big fish?" Let me remind you that I live on the beach in Africa, and fishing here is life. They eat fish for almost every meal, and they smell fish all day long. So now when people ask me where my husband is I am able to tell them "Am na choff." He's a big fish or as we would say "Great Catch."

On a serious note, please continue praying for the people here. I see the effects of prayer, and I am very encouraged. For example, two people on my team have been building a relationship with a couple of guys from here both named Alhasan, and they came to church with them on Tuesday night and were asking some great questions.

As for me, I am still teaching English and visiting the families of my students. One group of boys shows up at our door every morning even though their class only meets twice a week. They are eager to learn or maybe just hang out. Please pray for Lamine, Issa, and Sewrou (just a few of our students). Please pray for me too as the heat is really here, and it is easy to get tired, frustrated, and discouraged. Pray that my faith would increase and that I would know God more. I love all of you. Thanks again for your prayers.

2005-06-25T13:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you for praying for the precious people in the village of Yoff. God is at work here in mighty ways.

2005-06-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

This is Bachu showing off her moves. I love this little girl.

2005-06-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Lately at night the children have been playing drums they made out of cans infront of our apartment. The girls also did some dancing for me after our English class.

2005-06-25T13:09:00.000-07:00

We went to see Senegal play Togo in soccer to qualify for the African Cup. I wanted to show my support with the flag I bought for a dollar. The stadium is in the background.

2005-06-25T13:06:00.000-07:00

Aminata has a white scarf on, and she makes me smile so much.

2005-06-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

The word for dance in Wolof is "fetch." This is one of my favorite pictures so far because it really shows how beautiful the children are in Senegal.

2005-06-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

Me, Amy, Carrie, and Erin

2005-06-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we eat with our hands.

2005-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Beach Life

2005-06-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

The Streets of Yoff

2005-06-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

This is the view from our apartment. I love the ocean.

2005-06-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

This process took about three hours. It has taken me about 2 hours to take them out tonight.

2005-06-23T15:21:00.000-07:00

Today I got my braids. Pretty?

Pictures

2005-06-18T04:42:00.000-07:00

I am having trouble getting my pictures on to a computer so if you would like to see pictures from our summer look at www.carrieinsenegal.blogspot.com. Click on June under her archives for all of them. She is one of the journeymen serving here in Senegal. Please pray for the people on her site.

Yesterday we rode a boat out to a deserted island, and I felt like I was on Survivor. It was a nice break from the village life that I am becoming used to. Today we are going to a soccer game, and they say it can get pretty crazy. Sounds like LSU football. I will let you know how it goes.

reflections

2005-06-05T03:25:00.000-07:00

It is Sunday, and we are about to go and worship together on the beach. The water is beautiful here. There are great big waves perfect for surfing. I am living in an apartment about a five minute walk from the ocean. The small streets are covered with sand and cars that attempt to drive down them often get stuck. The past week we had orientation and learned about their language and their culture. One night we invited African drummers to the roof of our building and discovered again that white people can't dance. They tried to teach us, but we looked more like we were doing aerobics.

Monday our ministries begin, and mine will be primarily teaching English to children and teenagers. The other half of our team will leave today for the village where they will do medical work. Please pray that as we split up for a few weeks that our hearts will still be one.

When I get frustrated that the farthest point that I can get in a conversation now is "What is your name?" I am comforted by this hopeful promise, "For the Earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Hab 2:14

I am very encouraged by your prayers for us.

2005-05-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Bennett Sanderson asked me to marry him on Friday, and I said yes. Am I dreaming?

Here is the story.

From Bennett...
"Ok, ok. Here goes. We had talked about when we should get engaged, and we had looked at rings so that she and I could both get an idea of what we wanted.
I told her that I would not be able to buy a ring before the summer, and I also thought it would be a good idea, since we would be apart for the summer, to wait so that we could both have more time to pray and seek out God's will for the future.

Well, I changed my mind. I began taking pictures like the one below with people that Jana and I both knew. When her parents were in Ft. Worth for her graduation I got one with them. I didn't tell anyone when I planned to ask her--partly because I really wanted it to be a surprise and partly because I hadn't really made up my mind.

Instead of buying the ring that we had looked at that she liked, I decided to wait until I got to Mississippi to see what kind of deal the local guy would give me. To my great disapointment the ring that the guy had was, let's just say, not acceptable. I only had until Sunday before I left for camp, so I left the next morning to go to Starksville to see a jewler my uncle had recommended. They weren't nice to me and didn't really make any great offers so I left ready to panic. Jana was planning on coming to Houston to visit on Friday morning. I had a day and a half to come up with a ring so I could ask her to marry me before we were separated for the summer.

I went home and my only plan left was to go see a guy in Pontotoc on Thursday. In frustration I looked on the internet just to see what deals were out there. My day was going badly so I knew that nothing good would come up. That is just how my luck runs.

Then I found the exact ring that we had looked at! Anyway, after a good bit of research and a long phone conversation with the nice lady at diamonds.com I ordered a ring and had it shipped overnight. It had to be set and so couldn't be sent until Thursday. That meant that it would show up Friday, the same day Jana was coming. This made me very nervous. Friday morning I paced around watching my driveway. Finally, I saw Jana's car coming down the street. I was disapointed that she got there before the ring, but I was glad that she was there. So, I quickly walked to the back door to welcome her. When I walked outside I saw a huge brown truck. So it turned out that the ring and Jana showed up simultaniously at 12 noon. I played it cool and told her it was a package for my mom.

After I non-chalantly took the package back to my room (I hadn't even seen the ring yet) we sat around and chatted and watched some TV. She got on the computer to check her email and I went to "brush my teeth." I got the box and struggled to open it silently so she wouldn't hear me. I even made tooth brushing sounds just incase she was suspicious. I finally got out the ring and saw it. I don't know what I would have done if it had been wrong. I felt a great since of relief to have it in my hand. So I decided not to wait any longer.

I told Jana I had made her a gift and I wanted to show it to her. We sat down together and looked at a sort of photo album I had made for her. It was kinda like a going away present since she is going to Africa for the summer."

(from Jana's perspective) "Well I had no idea what was about to happen and was just excited to receive another one of Bennett's creative gifts. I started reading the book out loud which was filled with pictures of us an

2005-05-08T19:13:00.000-07:00

Jana, Bennett, and the Crosbys at a Rangers game.