I am wrapping up my first week OFF the job {so far, so good} and thought I should check in and let you all know that…

1. I am alive. And well.

2. It might be 2011, but it is still not too late to put a 2009 spa gift certificate to good use.

3. Massages and pedicures are quite relaxing. Especially when you don’t have to pay for them.

4. You can, in fact, get a big ol’ sunburn when it’s overcast with a chance of rain. {I know. I am dumb.}

5. Part-time “Interning” for some of my favorite stay-at-home moms this summer might not pay big bucks, or any bucks, but it’s sure gonna be fun.

6. Catalyst knows how to hold a creative meeting.

7. The cafeteria at Chick-fil-A has an overwhelming amount of lunch options. And piles and piles of “life-changing” {and you know I don’t use those words lightly} Chick-fil-A sauce.

8. I am incredibly blessed with wise friends. I don’t deserve them. Or the advice and encouragement they continue to bestow.

9. Atlanta traffic can bring you to a standstill in the middle of afternoon. {I just don’t get it.}

10. This weekend is going to be epic. First-Ever U2 Concert + Out-of-Town Friends + In-Town-Friends + Fireworks = One Happy Girl.

What do you know?

Since I made my big announcement, I have had several people inquire about my position at Thomas Nelson. The position has been posted here. If you have the following skills, experience and education, you should go and apply online.

Skills: Desired candidate will possess relationship building, social media tracking and monitoring skills. Will also be proficient in Office software. Excellent established relationships with press and media, intimate knowledge of Facebook, Twitter & Blogging is desired but not required. Expert in Microsoft Office Suite or Mac equivalent.

Experience: Incumbent will have 5 – 10 years product, publicity or corporate public relations experience.

Education: Desired candidate will have a bachelors degree in Mass Communication or equivalent. A masters degree in Mass Communication, MBA, or equivalent is desired but not required.

Thomas Nelson is such a wonderful place to work. And this here is a great job to have. Believe me, I know.

PS – Thomas Nelson has several other interesting positions open right now. Go here to see the complete job listings.

The countdown is on. I only have two more days of work at Thomas Nelson. {I know. I know. I am a little in shock about the whole thing too.} I thought it would be fitting to write about some of the things I have learned the last four years, so here you go:

1. I don’t know as much as I think I do. BUT I am capable of more than I can possibly imagine. Michael Hyatt shared this awhile back. I have never believed it more than I do right now.

2. People would much rather follow a person than a brand. Customers are skeptical. They want to know the who and why much more than they want to know the what.

3. Change is inevitable. It’s a lot easier to embrace it than fight it. And don’t get too settled in your new reality, more change is coming. It’s the one thing you can count on.

4. Relationship before opportunity. I learned this one from my friends at Catalyst. They live it out well. Invest in people first. Pour into them without giving a second thought to what they can do for you.

5. Books and events change people. They really do. When I look back on my own life and see the catalyst for change and transformation, I usually find a book I’ve read or an event I’ve attended. And I am thankful to have heard hundreds of stories of how people have been inspired by Thomas Nelson books and live events.

6. Surround yourself with people you would want to emulate. It’s truer than we admit. We are shaped by those we surround ourselves with. So I surround myself with great people.

7. Social media brings people together. If I had never worked at Thomas Nelson, for Michael Hyatt, I am pretty sure I would be a social media skeptic. But instead I have witnessed first-hand how it brings people from around the world with common interests together. It has revolutionized my thinking, and my relationships.

8. Set a goal. Share it with others. Live with intention. You don’t drift into real accomplishment.

9. Control is the greatest of all illusions. Pete Wilson shared this awhile back. And this is probably the single greatest thing I’ve learned in the last six months. The good news is once this truth is realized, a huge weight is lifted off our backs.

10.  Security and comfort are over-rated. I am in a place in life where I want to be, scratch that, where I NEED to be, stretched. I am ready to live a life that’s a little uncomfortable.

What lessons are you learning right now?

I don’t know much about what this fall, next month, or even next week but I do know that I am going to “Be Present” at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta this fall. It’s happening October 5-7 at the Gwinnett Arena and includes high-octane speakers, powerful worship, and an experience unlike any other.

Truly, it’s unlike anything you have ever seen or done.

Join me and learn from leadership authorities including Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Francis Chan, David Platt, Priscilla Shirer, Mark Driscoll, Dave Ramsey and Judah Smith, along with several innovative thinkers and practitioners like Princeton professor Dr. Cornel West, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, Global Soap Project founder Derreck Kayongo, Hillsong United visionary Joel Houston, Barna Research President David Kinnaman, and adoptive mother of 13 Katie Davis.

Be sure to register for the Catalyst Labs so you don’t miss Michael Hyatt (Thomas Nelson Chairman of the Board and my former boss), Reggie Joiner, Mark Batterson, Pete Wilson (my pastor who is real, authentic and rocks quite “a do”), Tim Elmore, Scot McKnight, Margaret Feinberg, Bob Goff (the whimsy master and probably my favorite person to follow on Twitter), Mike Foster, David Kinnaman, Mary Graham (one of my very favorite women of faith), Samuel Rodriguez, Jon Acuff, Lecrae, Jo Saxton and Vicky Beeching (two of my favorite Brits), Eugene Cho, Lysa Terkeurst and others.

Best Rates on Catalyst tickets end on Thursday, June 23rd, so register now. Call 888.334.6569 to speak to a Catalyst Concierge, or register online at www.catalystconference.com. Use Rate Code FOB and receive a ticket price of $199 (savings of $120 off regular prices).

Catalyst will sell out, so make sure and register early!

Here’s the preview video:

Catalyst Atlanta 2011 {Be Present} Preview from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Okay, who’s in?

So a week from today is my last official day at Thomas Nelson. How crazy is that? It feels crazy, really crazy. And I am still sorting through my plethora of emotions…sadness, happiness, excitement, fear, optimism, and of course grief.

As I read through the emails, comments and twitter encouragement after my announcement, I was struck by how many people are feeling unsettled in their careers. I think part of that is a tension that we should always live in, after all this is not the place are destined for, this is not our eternal home. But I also think that there is a time to be bold, be courageous and follow our hearts. That there is a time when in fact God is nudging us to make a move.

Once I knew it was time for me to make a move, I began to process through what it might look like to leave well. Because the last thing I want to do is blow-up four years of hard-earned trust and respect. Here are a few things I am learning about leaving well:

1. Have an open and honest conversation with your employer. As soon as you have made a decision about leaving, have a discussion with your boss or HR executive about what it might like for you to leave well. (Now I know that this won’t work for everyone, but I have a feeling you would be surprised at how smoothly this conversation will go if you are open and honest with your employer.)

2. Make a transition plan. Outline current projects and ongoing responsibilities and create a plan to bring them to completion or find someone to oversee them until permanent replacement is found. Try to prevent anything from slipping through the proverbial cracks.

3. Stay in touch. Make it clear that you don’t want to leave them in a lurch. Leave  cell phone numbers and email addresses and encourage colleagues to use them as need arises. Because 9 times out of 10, need will arise.

Have you ever left a job? What other things did you do to ensure you left well?

About a year ago, I was in Chicago for the Q Conference. I remember feeling a little nervous as I sat down at my assigned table, unsure of what exactly I’d gotten myself into, when a man about my age introduced himself and asked me what I thought were the standard conference questions. I quickly, and a little too proudly, spewed out what I thought he was looking for — my name, the company I worked for (I mean, it is the world’s largest Christian publisher, surely he would be impressed) and my job title. But instead of acting sufficiently impressed, pitching me a book idea, or casually moving on to the next guy, he paused and asked me if I felt like I was living out my passions. I think my jaw must have dropped on the table when he said, “Do you feel like you are doing what you were created to do?” When I shrugged reluctantly, he explained, “This conference might be tough for you…being surrounded by people who are.”

Ever since then I have struggled with those questions. Those questions are the fodder for countless conversations with close friends and mentors. Those questions haunt my comfortable American dreams. Those questions give me peaceful certainty that now is the time to resign my post at Thomas Nelson.

Earlier this week, I turned in my notice at Thomas Nelson. I will continue working with them until June 24, finishing up projects, transitioning duties and saying what I’m sure will be a lot of tearful goodbyes.

I can’t move on without saying, I love Thomas Nelson. I love the books we publish. I love all of the people I have worked with over the course of my tenure here. I love the business, social media, and life acumen I’ve learned from Michael Hyatt and many others. And I love that even though I will no longer be an official part of the team I can forever be a fervent champion and a loyal customer.

But it is time for me to embark on a new journey. Time to search high and low for my next step. Time for me to get to work, knowing that for at least a time I am right where He wants me, doing what I was created for.

So the obvious questions…

What’s next?

Honestly, I have no idea. I have a few leads, a few ideas of what my ideal career move looks like, but I am trying to keep my heart and my mind open to any and all possibilities.

What would your ideal career move look like?

I would love to find a role where I would be responsible for communications as it relates to community building. Several tech-start ups have created a Director of Community position. Ideally I would find something similar, but with a ministry, non-profit or social entrepreneurship, where I was fired up about their mission. But again, I’m open. If there is one thing I have learned from being single is that we can’t get too fixated on what we think we need or want

What can you do to help?

Two things.

One. Pray. Pray that I will continue to feel peace throughout this transition. Pray that He will guide my path. And pray that I will walk bold, courageously, faithfully into the future.

Two. If you have any advice or know of any organizations that I should speak with, don’t hesitate to speak up.

I appreciate you following along with me as I set out on new adventures!

I imagine if you grew up around churches, or Christian summer camps, you probably are all too familiar with the song “I’ve Got the Joy.”  I can still hear it echoing through the church gymnasium sung by voices too innocent to realize they are off key. In my personal experience, way off key.

“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy…”

A couple verses in we’d sing,

“I’ve got the peace that passes understanding…”

I had never given much thought to that term, the peace that passes understanding, until recently.

Until recently when I discovered a peace that didn’t make any sense. Until recently when I discovered a peace that was unfathomable in light of my current circumstances.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (King James Version)

Until recently when I discovered a peace that had to be from something, Someone more powerful than me, or my worries de jour.

A peace. A peace that is of God. A peace that is keeping my heart in tact and my mind sane. A peace that is washing over me, eliminating fears and anxieties, and replacing them with a fresh cleansing hope.

A peace that passes my very-limited-and-oh-so-human understanding.

My peace I give in times of deepest grief, Imparting calm and trust and My relief.

My peace I give when prayer seems lost, unheard; Know that My promises are ever in My Word.

My peace I give when thou art left alone, The nightingale at night has sweetest tone.

My peace I give in time of utter loss, The way of glory leads right to the cross.

My peace I give when enemies will blame, Thy fellowship is sweet through cruel shame.

My peace I give in agony and sweat, For mine own brow with bloody drops was wet.

My peace I give when nearest friend betrays, Peace that is merged in love, and for them prays.

My peace I give when there’s but death for thee, The gateway is the cross to get to Me. – L. S. P. (Streams in the Desert)

When was the last time you felt a peace that you didn’t quite understand?

And did you know that according to Wikipedia there is a verse that goes “I’ve got the far out faith that freaks out farmers…”?

Because I had no idea.

I have one very simple but important piece of advice for anyone who wants, or needs, help…

Make it easy on the person that you want, or need, help from.

I know it sounds silly, obvious even. But you would be shocked at how often I get requests for help where all the onus is put me…the person that they want, or need, help from.

I get requests to meet someone for lunch or coffee that necessitate me going miles out of my way.  I get requests to blog or tweet about something without all the necessary reference information compiled in one easy to navigate email. And I even get requests for information or advice where after I spend time giving them a thorough answer over the phone, I’m asked to email them an abbreviated summary.

Every time it happens I want to knock them on the side of the head and yell, “You want MY help? Then WHY are you making this so hard on ME?” But since I am a people pleasing type of person, I usually just sigh an exasperated sigh, get over myself, and get on with helping them.

Now I know I am guilty of this too.

But I am learning to stop and ask the questions, “How can I make it easy for ______ to help me? What information should I include for ________ to best assist me? And what obstacles can I eliminate that might get in the way from ________  coming to my aid? ” before I extend myself and make the ask.

Next time you want help from me, or anyone else, think through how you can make it easy on the person who is sacrificing their time and energy to go out of their way for you.

Please.

Thank you.

{Steps off soapbox.}

Has anyone asked you for help lately but made it hard for you to help them? Or you have asked someone for help but not made it easy?

On Sunday, thirteen friends (some of whom I just met the night before) and I came together from all over the United States, completed the San Diego Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon and raised over $10,000 for Compassion International.

It was the perfect day, the perfect setting, to run a half marathon.

The sun was out. The sky was blue. The air was dry. The breeze was cool. The bands were…loud. And the crowd enthusiastically cheered us on, right to the finish line.

And we did it. All 14 of us. We finished our race.

I don’t cling to my life for my own sake. The only value I place on my life is that I may finish my race, that I may fulfill the ministry that Jesus, our King, has given me, that I may gladly tell the good news of God’s Grace.

Acts 20:24 (The Voice)

Congratulations Jennifer, Tim, Marijke, Milyn, LV, Chad, Sarah, Cassidy, Christine, Jessica, Melissa, Lauren, and Scott! I loved finishing this race with you.

And a big “thank you” to everyone here who supported us with prayers, words of encouragement, and donations. We couldn’t have done it without your love and support.

What did you get into this weekend?

My friend, hustling creative, and Zondervan author, Sarah Cunningham recently interviewed me on…women.

I will let you in on a dirty little secret….

Same sex friendships can be a struggle. Same sex working relationships can be a struggle. Same sex familial relationships can be a struggle.

I don’t know what it is about other women, but with the same passion and energy that I can love them, they can drive me crazy.

But they are definitely worth the work.

The women in my life…they love me well. They hear me out. They feed me dinner. They wipe my tears. They sing my praise. They challenge suspect motives. They question bad decisions.

In short, they keep me sane.

Here is what I’ve learned in the last 34 years of cultivating these relationships. (Click here to read the interview.)

And be sure to check out Sarah’s interviews with some of my friends and favorite ladies –  Jenni Catron,  Ann Voskamp, Jena Nardella , and Heather Whittaker.

Ladies, it’s your turn…Do you struggle with jealousy and competitiveness with other women?

Can you share a time another woman reached out to you that helped you believe in the good potential of women-to-women friendships?

Can you tell me about a time another woman reached out to you that helped you believe in the good potential of women-to-women friendships?