My Everyday featuring... Jennie Lusko

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.

My husband and I risked the ocean together, along with one guy and then a handful of some of the best people I know, and we started Fresh Life Church above a super old bar in downtown Kalispell, Montana. I know, where the heck is that, right? Exactly. God brought us from South Orange County to a far off place where cows supposedly die in the winter, and yet He had totally gone before us (as He’s known for doing). We started with 14 people on January 14th, 2007, and it was 14 degrees. 

Six years later, we are continuing the ride of our lives as God is moving and shaking the state of Montana. We have an amazingly stellar team, five campuses in four cities, thousands of lives surrendered to Christ, more lives changed by the Word of God, and plans to continue to risk the ocean for the rest of our short lives on this earth.

My husband preaches life and death every weekend, and life became more urgent as our five-year-old daughter, Lenya Avery, died of respiratory failure four days before Christmas 2012. My husband finished writing his Christmas Eve message the day she went to heaven, as we were looking forward to a rocking “Friday Family Day” the following day full of ice skating and frozen yogurt. We had had the busiest week of our lives, and Lenya went to heaven that Thursday night. My husband got up three nights later and preached boldly and passionately about the hope we have in Jesus Christ, and it’s by God’s grace and strength! 

Although we have never experienced such aching and pain, we’ve also never experienced God’s peace in such a deep, real way. We’ve never yearned for heaven with such intensity and fervor. We are going to run this race hard because just as our Lenya’s life was such a vapor, our lives are also, and when we die and are in heaven with Jesus and our Lenya Lion and all the saints who have died in Christ, we will look back and this will have been such a short window of time to do all God has put within us. In the words of a song written by a dear friend Izzi Ray, “Nothing can stop us from spreading the Truth! Our time is now!”

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?

My favorite time with these sweeties is the morning. I love morning snuggles and I love their sleepy, scrunchy faces and their amazing bed head. Our little Lenya bird who is in heaven now was our early riser, so I have many sweet memories of snuggles with her in the morning, and with her right by me while I read my Bible, such a special time.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.

@hollyfurtick / @mallorywickham / @sarabairb 

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
2012 was a pivotal year in my life. To begin with, I feel like I learned more in that year than in my whole life prior to that, combined (perhaps slightly exaggerated, but it’s how I feel). All the series and messages from God’s Word in our church literally changed me and my perspective, specifically and most importantly in my home with my husband and children. I learned to cherish and value my time at home with my most important people in my life. I learned about embracing my calling and being passionately creative at home first. It made all the difference in the world for me. When our Lenya Avery died four days before Christmas, all that I learned that year came into focus all at once. I was (and am) so thankful for how God taught me especially in the last months of her life, to cherish the moments - even the difficult ones - with my children and to teach them everything I possibly can about being passionate in all of life. 

[#5] What are your staple go-to pieces from your closet this month?

It’s spring in Montana, which means anything can happen at anytime. It’s currently amazing and 70 degree weather, but there’s usually a sucker punch of cold and snow anytime until July. So my favorite things at the moment in my closet are my 2013 skull church hoodie (you can get one at skullchurch.com!) and an amazing Hurley blazer made out of hoodie material - seriously THE BEST comfy, cute thing!! And I always wear some sort of jewelry with a lion or an anchor, as the anchor has become a symbol of hope in our grief - Hebrews 6:19 “this hope we have as an anchor for our souls, both sure and steadfast.”

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
My living room, because it’s such a HUB of activity - reading, movies, dance parties, picnics, night-time tea, morning/day-time/evening snuggles, etc...

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.

➳ Jennie just launched her blog over Mothers Day weekend! Be sure and check it out, bookmark it and leave her some love! Welcome to the blogging community, Mrs. Lusko!
blog:: www.mrslusko.com

Be sure and follow @jennielusko on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms