Live your passions... (PS 139:14)

Last week author and speaker Keith Ferrin launched his new book 10 Tips for Liking the Bible (because believing its true is not enough). Click on the title to check it out on Amazon. (You can even look for blythegirl's review!) It's a great book. I strongly recommend it, and the study guide. In fact, I got to preview it, as part of his launch team.

Today on his blog, KeithFerrin.com, he talked about how fulfilling life is when you live your passions. I believe that. Why shouldn't I? The proof is everywhere. 

Check out "Designs By Jennie" on Facebook!

My physical therapist is great at her job, because she is passionate about healing. Yesterday, the teacher across the hall shared about a documentary she'd seen about teaching - recognizing it's a calling more than a career. I have a cousin who's made a career out of helping young women overcome obstacles and develop their self-worth. Four of my dearest friends have even found ways to support themselves through art. 

Cool, eh? Digital art! Wow. 

Of course, passions don't always come with a particular job. My mom's passion is for random people and their stories. She loves listening to them and figuring out how to make their day a little better. That's why she was great as a waitress, and why she's enjoying her new career as an LPN. I have a friend, who happens to be a teacher, but whose real passion is helping kids with cancer. She dedicates much of her spare time to supporting and fundraising for this important cause. My sister's passion is for relationships. She loves making people happy, and spends her free time crafting cute customized monkeys. One of my favorite people is passionate about helping people with dietary restrictions find the numminess that most of us take for granted.

Facebook's "Gluten Free Princess" is a foodie extraordinaire!

There is nothing quite like finding that place where you "click."
We were each made with a very unique set of skills, talents, interests, and abilities.  Every single one of us has something we care about deeply; something that makes our hearts sing with joy or our blood boil in frustration. Embracing that enriches us. 

Check out the Olympia PubCrawl Page. They do good things.

Your passion makes you... well, you. Embrace that. Even if all the other passionate, crazy people in your world are making you nuts, give yourself a minute to stop, recognize, and enjoy. Even if you can only enjoy your passion part time, or for a few minutes a day, or when everyone else is asleep, do it! Then, give thanks to the God who made you. 

Wanna make someone smile? Send 'em a Punky Monkey!

Ready? Repeat after me:
I'm good at _____________.  Other people are blessed when I am ______________. I was made to ____________. 
God is smiling right now.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well! -Psalm 139:14

One FINE Day! (PS 118:24)

Imagine for a moment that you had to give up your favorite hobby for 112 days. Visualize 16 weeks of not doing one of your favorite things. 

Now imagine the day you get to break that streak. Today was that day for me. Today I got to drive again. Yup. Driving was the thing I missed the most in this whole broken adventure.

Danskin "Tanya's" (seriously)
 bought by mail in January,
great for hopping on one foot.

Oh, and I'm walking now, too. With a cane. And I don't have to wear the big ugly boot. But the doc really wants me wearing good shoes. You see, I have bad feet. Mom'll vouch for that. I was supposed to wear orthodics as a kid. Inside saddle shoes. You can probably guess how long that lasted. 

So, how did I celebrate?

Cinderella's Slipper

I went to VA Runners and got a really expensive pair of sneakers. And excellent customer service. If I ever make it to that fantasy-land where I'm a person who runs for fun, I'll definitely be shopping there.

My new Super-Shoes.
At least they better be Super. They were super-spendy!

My view from home this winter.
Lovely, but limited.

Next, I treated myself to some Starbucks. Apparently, they rolled out a hazlenut treat in the last few months. I had a sample. It was lovely. But today was for spoiling, so I had a simple frappucino. The last Starbucks I enjoyed was when my sister was here helping in January. That's 3 months, folks! That's waaaaay longer than Lent! Of course, it wasn't just about the drink. My joy was multiplied by sitting outside the shop, watching the Saturday traffic, enjoying the sunshine and a view that was not framed by my front door! 

Soooooooooo good!

While I was sitting at Starbucks, I decided I had the energy for one more stop. Should I go to the grocery store? Target? A movie?  I decided I needed a haircut. After all, when you're dependent on the kindness of strangers to shuttle you to work and  doctor's appointments, and to fetch groceries, cleaning supplies, and prescriptions, things like haircuts don't even make the list.

All - in - all, a good day. A very good day, indeed!

 I'm not a teen, and therefore not an expert at the phone-self portrait.
I was smiling in some of the really blurry ones. :-) Sorry!

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! - Ps118:24

Don't Look Back!

A little less than a year ago I decided to leave everything I had known for most of my adult life and move east, toward adventure, sunrise, and family.

It was a bold decision.
It was exciting.
It was a leap of faith.
It was really hard to tell my friends.

"Hi guys. I really love you. I love the way you include me in your family events. I love cheering for your kids. I love parties in your backyard. I love that you will come cook with me in the middle of the night when I'm restless. I love the way you get me. By the way... I'm leaving it all to start a new life by myself where I know no one."

Yea.
I'm a big people person. I have a lot of friends. So... had some variation on that conversation about a dozen times last June. Most times, it ended with the reassurance that if things didn't work out, I'd always be welcome back.

One friend's words really stood out. One friend refused to go that road.
He said, in essence, that I had to burn the ships. I was an explorer going to a new world, and I couldn't be looking back over my shoulder, second guessing myself all the time. I had to keep my eyes forward, looking to the horizon. If I was going to go through with this (and his wife really hoped I wouldn't), then I had to commit, fully.

I knew he was right.

In October, when I had to give up my "leave" at my old job, because it was unethical to keep that spot "open" when I had another job, I resolutely put my eyes forward, and submitted my resignation. That "leave" had been my safety net. Cutting it loose was tough.


In November & December, when I was homesick for the traditions of the life I'd known, I remembered his advice, and quit looking back. I went out searching for new traditions. I wrote about it on a post called "Home for the Holidays." I didn't find any new traditions yet, but I did have some fun.

In January, when I broke my foot, and had to beg for help with everything, I knew it would have been easier had it happened in a place where I was surrounded by long-time friends. Still, that wasn't God's timing. I've dealt with the challenges, and learned a lot about my "new world" and myself in the process.

I've grown, and realized that even with the hurdles and homesickness, I am glad I moved.

Sometime, in the last few months, I crossed a line. I don't catch myself "examining" life anymore, checking out another way, comparing it to what I knew, and weighing it out as if I have an option to rent or to buy.  Sometime in the last few months, it's settled in my heart that for now, for this season, this *is* my life. I bought in.

I like what I've learned about myself and another part of our little world.


I miss my friends, and am thankful for the modern technology that keeps me connected, and lets me share my adventures with them and share their lives even now.  My heart will always call Tacoma home. It is a beautiful, wonderful place. I will gladly take advantage of any opportunity to visit.

Maybe some day - a few more years into the future -  I might choose to move back. Not because things didn't work out. No. If I move back, it will be because I have realized that I'm ready to settle down, and there's truly no place on Earth I'd rather be.

For now, though, as I enter the last quarter of my first year in my new life, I know that I'm not done with my adventures yet. I don't know what the next year will look like (though I desperately hope crutches & casts aren't involved). I do know there's a lot to see and do yet.

I'm looking forward to it.

I know this is where I usually insert a verse... I don't really have one this week. The closest I've found was Phil.3:13, but I don't really want to "forget" what was behind, even though I am pushing toward what lies ahead. To be honest, it's an old Stephen Curtis Chapman song "Burn the Ships" that's been running through my mind. It's 1990's retro, but I've always liked it. Here's a youtube link if you don't know it.

Do you, dear friend, have a verse I should meditate on that supports this topic? Maybe through your eyes...?