Monday afternoon around 5 PM, I jumped. Monday afternoon around 5 PM, I took that giant leap of faith, or some might say insanity, that turns a comfortable existence right on its side. Monday afternoon around 5 PM, I accepted a job as Director of Community for Project 7.

If you are not familiar with Project 7, it is a cause-related company founded by “social-capitalist” Tyler Merrick that makes every day consumer goods, like bio-bottled water, gum, mints and coffee. And with every purchase of a Project 7 product, tangible good is done in 7 areas of need: Feed the Hungry, Heal the Sick, Hope for Peace, House the Homeless, Quench the Thirsty, Teach them Well and Save the Earth.

Gnarly, huh? {Yeah, I don’t imagine I will ever be able to pull off that word. I better stick with cool.}

Cool, huh?

And my job is even cooler. As Director of Community, I’ll be overseeing all strategic partnerships, relationships and sponsorships in faith-based channels. If someone could craft a position just for me, I believe this is it. It will allow me to utilize the various marketing, merchandising, and communications skills and the relationships that I have honed over the last decade at Thomas Nelson and Books-A-Million.

I know what you are thinking, none of this sounds so crazy.

Well, the kicker is that the job will be based in Southern California. I am still in the process of working out logistics of how to close up a home, and a life, in Nashville and begin anew in Orange County, CALIFORNIA, but imagine I’ll be west coast bound in early September.

So truth be known, I am feeling excited, scared, sad, and a tad bit overwhelmed. But most importantly, I feel a gentle peace about the decision. I know it is the right thing and I am ready to start this new adventure. I hope you will join me on this journey. And I am sure there a lot more to come {read: weepy posts} in the next few weeks as I begin to process this big change.

Appreciate you all!

The last few days I joined what seems like the rest of the internet spellbound as I read the following two posts by Donald Miller. And even more so by the comments that ensued.

 How to Write a Great Love Story – For the Girls

How to Write a Great Love Story – For the Boys

Things you should know before you read any further:

1. I have much respect for Donald Miller. I absolutely loved Blue Like Jazz. And think A Million Miles in a Thousand Years might be one of the most definitive books I have ever read. It changed the way I think. More accurately, it changed the way
I live.

2. I understand that I, and maybe others, have, and will continue to, use our blogs as a safe space for us our thoughts out there. And sometimes Tom, Dick, and Harry will read said blogs and become enraged by how we are trying to redefine Truth when what we were really trying to do is provoke candid honest dialogue, clarify our thoughts on a particular subject or drive traffic.

3. I truly appreciate the thoughtful conversations that Donald Miller provoked both online and off by opening this proverbial can of worms.

4. I think Don spoke a lot of truth. Come on, girls, we shouldn’t be slutty. We do need to have some self-respect. We do need to have some faith. And men, we are begging for you to be someone worth waiting for, we want you to demand more from us than a one night stand, and we would love nothing more than to see you get off your couch and start living a story that we are proud to be a part of.

5. I am no expert on dating or great love stories. I am, in fact, somewhat of an expert on being single {although that is not anything I would ever want to be remembered for}.

Okay now for my thoughts, or really, my questions.

What is the role of a woman in a great love story really? Surely all the single woman are not supposed to stay home eating Bon Bons, praying, crying, and wearing matchy-matchy flannel pajamas?

Why is so much attention put on a woman’s seductive ways? Yes, Eve caused the fall in the garden but didn’t the same story teach us that Adam should have taken responsibility for his own bad choices?

Can single women be close friends with single guys? I know. We’ve covered this one. But can they?  It never seems to work for me. Well, it always starts out nice and then at some point it takes a turn for the crazy. One thing leads to another, feelings develop, and instead of the creation of healthy boundaries, my “crush” {aptly named} begins to validate himself by my unrequited attention and admiration. Or maybe that is just me? Maybe the rest of you have navigated this better?

Should a women ever initiate a relationship with a person of the opposite sex? Or is that just too bold? Is that the work of a temptress? When is the right time for faith in waiting? And when is the right time for faith in action?

How do you put yourself “out there” so guys want to date you? How much of my time should I spend focusing on my singleness and how much of my time should I focus on living my own great story? Shouldn’t I just concentrate on being the best version of myself, on closing the gap between who I am and who I am created to be, and the “right person” {if that exists} will find me attractive?

I would love to hear what you think. As always please keep it civil {or your comment won’t stick around.}

And I will leave you with this bit of Truth that Paul shared with the Corinthians. It has provided comfort and direction for me in this time of singleness.

 ^32-35I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you’re unmarried, you’re free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I’m trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions. 1 Corinthians (The Message)

For the last almost-three weeks I have been in Dallas, trying to keep track of the time as it flies by.

The bulk of the first two weeks was spent enjoying my three nieces who were visiting from their home in Raleigh. We had so much fun, experiencing a Texas safari, swimming every afternoon at the pool, and boating on Lake Texoma. Those girls have some energy. I have a new appreciation for moms everywhere!

And then last week was filled up with coffee dates {nope, not that kind}, lunch meetings, and the Echo Conference. One of the highlights was having the opportunity to introduce some friends to my parents, show them where I grew up, and serve them one of my dad’s famous margaritas. Good times.

The last couple of days things have settled down and I am getting ready to disappear for some much-needed alone time. Tomorrow I am heading to the lake for a couple of days to read, think, process, dream, and finally finish some homework a friend gave me in January {yep, just call me slacker}.

Then, Friday, Nashville.

Oh, how I’ve missed Nashville.

What’s going on in your world? Is your summer flying by too?

Today I am guest posting on Jennie Allen’s blog. I had the pleasure of spending some time with Jennie several weeks ago as I was finishing up at Thomas Nelson. And I just adore her. She has the kindest spirit. She is fun. She has a heart for adoption. {She and her husband just adopted a three year old boy, Cooper, from Rwanda.} And she lives in one of my favorite places, Austin, Texas.

I have seriously considered quitting my job {oh yeah, I already did that}, packing up my belongings, and moving next-door to her so we can be the best of friends. And eat Mexican food every day.

Oh yeah, and Jennie is on the cusp of some HUGE things. Her first curriculum, Stuck, is being published by Thomas Nelson this fall. And she is working on a trade book. God has BIG things in store for Jennie Allen.

Jennie asked me to share thoughts on the following words: Risk. Change. Faith. Waiting. Uncomfortable. {I know I thought they were pretty tough words too. Next time I am hoping the words will be: Annoyances. Ice Cream. Holiday. Animal. Amusement.} Well, anywho, check out the post here. 

Be sure to go here to follow Jennie on twitter. 

And here to subscribe to her blog. 

What are your thoughts on the word: Uncomfortable?  

I have trouble fancying myself a creative, or a writer, or a blogger for that matter.

I don’t know. I guess that I just think we all do what we do. And I blog. Which necessitates that I write. Which necessitates that I create. That I be creative.

Defining myself as a creative almost presumes that creativity oozes out of me. Which is certainly not the case. At least most days. Most days I labor over planting seeds, cultivating crops and harvesting ripened fruit. Only to wring my hands and squeeze until I am blue in the face for a worthwhile drop of juice.

For me, the process is always evolving but it always consists of these staples.

1. Surrounding myself with inspiration. Reading good books and blogs. Listening to great music. Talking big ideas with challenging friends. And always being up for an epic adventure.

2. Finding a safe blank canvas. It’s the weirdest thing but the only place I really enjoy writing is in the “Edit Post” space in WordPress. It just feels like a comfortable shelter for my thoughts to live before they are ready for the world.

3. Honing my skills. Always asking the question “What can I do better?” and searching fearlessly for the answer.

4. Giving myself time and space. As an extrovert, shying away from the crowd so I can give my ideas the time and space to take root is definitely the most cumbersome part of the process.

What does your “creative process” look like?

This post is a part of Darrell Vesterfelt’s series on the “the personal creative process.” Check out the other posts here. 

I have noticed the strangest thing.

The more “free” time I have, the harder it is for me to get things done.

Since I left my job at Thomas Nelson three weeks ago, I have felt more behind than ever. My inbox certainly isn’t anywhere near zero. My blog has been for-all-practical-matters abandoned. And my life, and my home, are just plain messy.

I wouldn’t say I have been wasting time…exactly.

In fact, my priorities seem crystal clear.

For once in my life, I haven’t been all about “getting things done.” But rather “loving others well.”

And so I’ve chosen waiting in line in the Texas heat so that my three nieces can experience the magic that is an In-N-Out burger,  juggling two leashes and my favorite 3-almost-4 year old for an evening stroll around the block so that the dogs can go “poopie”, and listening to Macon {the 9-year-old skeptic} and Anne Shelton {the 7-year-old daredevil} recount their first-and-totally-epic trip to Six Flags Over Texas.

And hopefully the other things can wait…

Do you have a hard time getting things done in your “free” time?

is a question I get asked a lot.

I hear it from friends, acquaintances, and strangers.

Folks who want to help me find the missing pieces to my life puzzle.

You know… the missing pieces.

The job.

And the man.

If I could just let them in on what the perfect piece looks like they will help me sort through the riff-raff and uncover the one hidden piece with the just right fit.

I am grateful for the help.

There is one problem.

I haven’t let myself define what those pieces look like.

Yeah, I can answer  their questions in broad strokes.

I would like a man who is strong, kind, and funny.

But surely there are other things I would like in my dream man.

I would like a job putting my strengths to work for a cause that I believe in.

But there is more I should be able to pin down – what am I good at, what does my dream role look like, and what do I want to avoid.

I find myself terrified of pinning down the specifics.

Ambiguity is safe. Ambiguity leaves room for me to settle. Ambiguity attempts to save me from my setting my expectations to high.

But unfortunately ambiguity also keeps me from understanding my God-given desires. And ambiguity denies me the thankful “aha” when God brings them to fruition.

This summer I am forcing myself to answer both these questions with specifics. And so when the right job, and the right man, come a knocking I will recognize them as the missing pieces to the puzzle that is my life.

Have you clearly defined what you are looking for? 

It is July. JULY. I can hardly believe it. JULY. I think I wouldn’t believe it had I not barely survived the chaos that was the Fourth of July festivities at the Wilson’s. JULY.

We are six months through a year that is best described, by quoting the “Fresh Prince of Belair” theme song.

The year my life got flipped, turned upside down.

I can’t help but laugh as I reflect on how I thought, how I assumed, how I prophesied, this year was going to unfold. And just how off base I was.

Job changes. Friendship changes. Life changes.

It’s silly, really.

The way we make plans. The way we casually assume that tomorrow is going to look like today. The way we delude ourselves into believing we alone are in control of our destinies. The way we make judgments about right and wrong, good and evil, and even the past and the future.

There are really only a handful of things that we can count on with complete certainty.

One. That change is inevitable.

Two. That life is hard.

Three. That God is good.

Four. That in all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Five. That this life is temporary. And we MUST stay focused on things eternal.

What else can we count on? 

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.