The Journey Behind Embrace the Journey

About four years ago, I sat down on Christmas Day with music playing in the background, determined to write a forward for a planner I had created for myself. It was supposed to be simple: a “how to use” section that would make the planner marketable.

But as I began typing, one phrase kept echoing in my head: “This is a book.”

I argued with it. No, it’s not. I don’t have time for a book. I don’t want to wait that long. Writing a book is too hard. I pushed the thought aside and kept writing.

When I sent that forward to an old friend—an English professor—I braced myself for her critique. I imagined all the worst-case scenarios: she might tell me to start over, that it wasn’t marketable, that I didn’t know how to write. Instead, her call came with words I’ll never forget:

“Jenny, this is a book.”

And in that moment, I hung my head and whispered, “Okay, Lord. This is a book.”

From that day forward, I stopped making excuses. I didn’t suddenly have more time or fewer challenges—but I knew this was something I was being called to finish.

The next four years were anything but smooth. Severe back injuries, life detours, and moments of doubt slowed me down. I put the project aside more than once. Some people doubted I’d ever complete it. Honestly, I doubted it myself at times. But here’s the thing: the very principles I ended up writing about in Embrace the Journey were the same ones that carried me through the process of writing it.

I had to reframe success, understanding that progress wasn’t just about getting to the end—it was about staying faithful to the process.
I had to give myself grace, learning to pause, heal, and start again rather than quit.
I had to embrace the storms, using the hard seasons as waymarkers that shaped me.
I had to keep my cup filled, finding moments of joy even in the middle of challenges.
And ultimately, I had to remember that the goal wasn’t only about finishing a book—it was about living out the message inside of it.

This book is a labor of love. It is hard-won. And it is proof that our excuses don’t have to win, that our setbacks don’t have to stop us, and that the journey itself is worth every step.

So as I share Embrace the Journey with you, know this: the very pages you’ll read were lived long before they were written. This isn’t theory. It’s a process tested in my own storms, strengthened through struggle, and filled with grace along the way.

We are all taking our best journey. Thank you for allowing me to be part of yours.