Jenny Masche, from WE tv’s “Raising Sextuplets”, gets married, takes on a new name, and begins a new season of her life. She shares all of the heartwarming details with Imperfect Women.
By Jenny McClendon
March 8th was the big day! We had been talking about getting married for many months, but had to wait for some details to be ironed out. Interesting enough, the closer it got to us getting married, I became more hesitant and Levi was just as sure as sure could be. I didn’t quite understand that since I was the one bringing six little ones into our new life together. That’s a lot for anyone, but seeing his confidence and quiet assurance definitely helped.
The one thing I knew (and know now) without a shadow of a doubt is that I didn’t want to go through all this again (divorce, and all the ick!). It was so much harder than I ever thought. And in my opinion if there was even a 1% chance that we could end up the same, I didn’t want it. Levi and I were sitting at breakfast Sunday morning March 4th and I opened our joint journal (we were going to write out some life goals together) and written big on the page was “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” It was very, very sweet! Simple, honest and sincere. I wrote on the opposite page YES!
I was on a long stretch of work, we had seen each other very little (he had written it two days prior) and we wanted to get married as soon as possible (since we had been talking about it so long!). The only day that would work in the following month was 4 days later… March 8th. We just wanted us and our eight most precious blessings. We decided to rent a passenger van (the only thing we could all fit in) and I emailed some dear friends in San Diego who I lived with a bit during PA school. They are a very sweet Christian couple that are like my second parents. I thought if anyone would know a perfect pastor to marry us it would be them. Marilyn and Tom thought they knew the perfect man for the job. He was a Young Life Area director and had performed many wedding ceremonies. The only thing we worried about was that he was not going to be available on such a short notice.
The next day I received an email back saying Eric would be flying into San Diego that day around 3 p.m. and he would be more than happy to drive to the beach from the airport and perform the wedding. It was perfect! We had a few conversations with Eric that week and were very thankful that God picked him. Four days after the “official” proposal we headed to San Diego for our big day. Levi and I had always dreamed of getting married barefoot on the beach, so here we were getting to experience this with the eight people who matter the most in our lives!
We stayed in a precious, quaint little Inn in Sunset Cliffs. We woke up the morning of the 8th and took a walk along the ocean, watched birds swoop in the sea. It was seriously the most picture perfect day in San Diego (not to mention the kids were on PERFECT behavior, it was crazy and amazing!). Not a cloud in the sky and 70 degrees. Around 2:30 we headed to my favorite little beach spot in La Jolla. I called it my “secret beach.” It was a beach that I found back in the summer of 2001. I would go there and pray and run and just sit and enjoy God’s creation. At that season of my life, I was single and I prayed a lot about my mate and what I wanted, dreamed for, and desired in a husband. And here I was 11 years later about to get married to my very best friend and kindred spirit, with our eight most favorite people, and eleven years of CRAZY events behind me. It was surreal!
Eric showed up and he was awesome. He was so fun, enthusiastic, and the perfect fit for our crazy family! He talked to the eight kids first about marriage and what we would be doing. He had the kids make an aisle in the sand. Levi played the song “Marry Me” and the sextuplets walked me down the aisle to join Levi, Treyton & Griffen. Levi had tears rolling down his face with the cutest, sweetest smile… and I had the biggest smile I’ve ever had. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me! I never felt deserving of this (finding this kind of love)… still don’t many days, but felt it was 100% God’s grace (Undeserved favor) pouring over me and the kids.
The ceremony was perfect. The little boys playing in the sand, the girls sprinkling flower petals everywhere, Treyton & Griffen standing up like perfect gentlemen listening to every word spoken, and pastor Eric speaking God’s truth and promises over me and Levi. It was genuinely the most “perfect day”. I wish our family could have been there to witness the day, but with just the 10 of us it was such a special time for the kids to feel special, involved and chosen! That night the 10 of us ate pizza in a circle on the middle of the floor of our honeymoon suite. The kids all wanted to take a bath in the Jacuzzi tub overlooking the ocean… and finally we crashed with a sense of fulfillment and
joyous fatigue!
I sit here almost 3 months later reflecting on the day; still so thankful for how God orchestrated that day and how perfect it was. I still have very hard days, plagued with guilt over decisions I’ve made and sin. There is no changing choices or sin of my past and I have to continually cast it off of me and TRUST in the grace and mercy of Christ. I know more clearly now than EVER that I am ONLY saved by His Grace. The only thing I can do from this day forward is move forward and pray for His Presence in My home and in My marriage. I don’t justify anything I have done in my past that is not pleasing to the Lord. I’m more than thankful for Levi; he is one of a kind to choose me and my kids. I genuinely could not have asked for a better man, husband, or partner!
Ultimately, I’m extremely thankful for second chances… Levi and I call it our “Mulligan”. 
Here is my hope in sharing this. For starters, divorce is very painful and very hard. I don’t recommend it and say fight for your marriage if you believe God can redeem it. Second, if you are already divorced or know that you are headed in that direction… God will walk through it with you, He loves you, there is Redemption, and there is Sunlight and blessing on the other side!
To read previous blog posts by Jenny, click here.
Comments
33 Responses to It’s A New Season For Jenny Masche – Meet Jenny McClendon!
Congratulations, Jenny, to you and your family! May you all have a blessed life together.
Congratulations! My best wishes to you, Levi and the kids. God walked me through my divorce, carried me is more like it. And you are right, there is sunlight, blessings, and peace on the other side.
Oh Jenny, such as sweet and heartwarming story. I had “happy tears” reading it. Funny how when it’s meant to be, everything works out. I am so happy for you and your new blended family. I wish you lifetime of happiness.
Jenny,
Some years back I did some research on the word sin.
In Latin it means a ‘miss’ ‘a missed opportunity to make a better choice’
In the Christian culture my experience has led me to believe ‘sin’ is used to control through ‘guilt’ and is in no way the true teachings of Christ our Savior.
Thanks for sharing your perfect day with us Jenny! May there be many more to come too you & your new family!
Deborah, I’m so sorry that was your experience with the Christian culture.
Jenny- I am so very, very happy for you! Great proposal by the way.
Congrats Jenny. Thank you for sharing your heartwarming story. Hope you have a wonderful happy life with Levi and the kids.
I think it is beautiful story. Also, in my humble opinion, God did not make any mistakes when he brought you and Levi together.
Jenny,
Wishing you the best and peace for everybody.
What a wonderful article. Best wishes to Jenny and her new family. What a wonderful day!
What a perfect wedding. Thank you for sharing.
Jenny, thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us. You are such a great writer! I really feel like I’m at the kitchen table or at the beach with you and Levi!
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I agree with all the kind wishes. You seem to have done a lot of thoughtful prayer and contemplation on the past and the future. I believe your kind spirit will continue to guide you and make for beautiful times to come!
Congratulations and best wishes to you, Jenny.
I’m confused as how someone can claim to be religious, commit adultery? What church would that be?
LisaM, I don’t know if adultery was committed, but I do know that the Bible says, “Judge not lest ye be judged” and “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” I don’t know of any religion that expects a person to be perfect, and in fact Christianity teaches that everyone is a sinner.
The Bible also teaches forgiveness.
It also teaches not being hypocrites and being accountable.
I am confused by people who equate ‘religious’ with ‘without sin’. In case you haven’t noticed; NOBODY is without sin. It’s how you deal with life and learn from your mistakes that matters.
If the entire article is read, you will see that Jenny says, “I still have very hard days, plagued with guilt over decisions I’ve made and sin.”
That doesn’t sound like somebody who is casual about their past.
I guess the ‘Church Lady’ mentality out there is strong. Perhaps people who are so willing to cast stones should stop and take a good long look at their own lives. Just because you define yourself as ‘religious’ or ‘Christian’ does not make you superior to the rest of human kind.
If you believe that way of thinking is right then you are COMPLETELY missing the point of what God’s love is all about.
Diane,
I so agree with everything you said. I loved this post. Very heartwarming. What a great way to start off a life together.
Nothing but best wishes for this family.
I have just watched raising sextuplets in western Australia, and loved it!!! You are such a beautiful inspiring woman Jenny you inspire me to be a better mother and to be happier more thankfull person. I think you are amazing!! Thank you sharing your lovly blogs!
Congrats to you Jen, here in australia they are replaying your show boy did you do it tough,So glad you are now with a man that will make you and the children happy.have a wonderful life.to all those haters check out your own back yard before being somean to others isn’t that a more Christian thing?????
I know this woman personally and professionally and although I am not a “Christian” nor do I believe in any organized religion, this woman is the perfect example of what it means to live by example, to love others as you would love yourself and making ultimate sacrafices. She literally nearly died to bring her wonderful children to life. Her heart is a big as the world and to hear her speak of “sin” and being “sinful” breaks my heart. She is what we all are, a human being with human emotions who makes the best decisions for the circumstances. I love and respect her and wish her nothing but happiness. If you who read her article or watch her show cannot do that as well, and recognize that you like she and me are humans with all our faults and imperfections and wonderfullness, then go ahead, cast the first stone…be forewarned, however, that someone like me might just be there to catch it and toss it right back at you.
You go on Jenny. Your life is just that, your life and I for one trust you completely with it.
Love,
Katie Auer
Thank You so much for that Katie #22.
It hurt my heart also to hear her speak of ‘sin’
As if…
Beautiful Story!!!!
Beautiful, beautiful story. Wishing you and your family all of the best life and love has to offer.
Katie,
Jenny is loved and respected by many people. I’m sure we all have had difficult paths to walk in our lives at times. It’s her life, her choices. You are a wonderful friend.
Jenny I don’t know you or your story, I’m guessing it’s on paytv (foxtel) here in Australia. It matters not, I just want to say a heart felt Congratulations. Every human has the right to happiness, especially to bring unity and happiness into the children’s lives. My parents stayed together because of the rules of the church and it resulted in a life of hell for us kids. Hence 3 out of 4 kids walked away from their belief in God. Follow your heart, find happiness chase it, grab it and don’t let it go.
Jenny, i think you made a perfect choice. With all respect, but brian wasn’t tread you right. He had such a big ego and he used verbal domestic violence against you!
You go girl!
Jenny, I have just seen season 2 of your show in Melbourne Australia. I have a 20 month old, and draw such insperation from seeing you manage your six toddlers (children now!). Best of luck for the days ahead.
I was treated by this woman in lake havasu when I was extremely sick from my battle with alcoholism. I heard later about the show, but that day I met a normal PA who stood out because she was so sweet and kind and listened as I broke down and didn’t judge me. This was about 5 years ago. I’ve been sober a long time but she made an impact on me that day. So much so that I ended up here
as far as a the judgmental comments I am sorry for the people that will continue to be bitter and ugly inside because they have no faith in God’s forgiveness and unconditional love.
Jen and Levi, I wish you nothing but the best. I am so happy for you both and all of the children. I watched the show, Jen and I couldn’t stand how Brian treated you or the children.
Um yeah. I’ve seen a few episodes of your show. I wish you and you new hubby all the best. You’re going to need it.
I didn’t get to see the two seasons of “Raising Sextuplets” and have been trying for months to talk WE tv into re-running them, with no success. I would love to buy/rent this series and wonder if you can suggest something. I am 80 years old and house-bound and want to see this series more than anything else I can think of. I saw the last half of the last show and have been trying ever since to get a copy of the two seasons on video. Please, please don’t delete this request but forward to the person who might be best able to help me. Thank you ever so much!