chew*

july discussion preview.

2010-07-21T22:04:00.000-04:00

Here are some questions to ponder before next Tuesday's chat, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments!

-Acts 4: 32-35: The passage about the believers being together and having everything in common, being of one heart and soul. What do you think that means?

-Where did the idea of community come from? Is that word even mentioned in Scripture? Is it the same as Christian brotherhood? Fellowship?

-In living in community with other Christians, we must be mindful of things that might cause our brothers to stumble (1 Co. 8:13, Romans 14). How was this played out in your lives?

-We are all a part of the body of Christ, each of us with a part that is a "manifestation of the Spirit for the common good," acc. to 1 Co. 12. Have you ever struggled to feel a part of the body? Do you feel confident in what role you play?

- Monastic/convent life versus what Bonhoeffer calls a "life not in the seclusion of a cloistered life, but in the thick of foes."

- Do you think often about how visible fellowship is a grace not enjoyed by believers everywhere? Does that change the way you think of it?

-Have you ever lived apart from Christian community? What was it like? Did you long for other believers the way that Paul did in his letters from prison (1 Thess. 3:10)?

- What do you think about Bonhoeffer's statement that "God has put His Word into the mouths of men in order that it may be communicated to other men"? Or the Rob Bell idea that worship is simply a place to gather and remind each other of the truth?

-What's the difference between Christian brotherhood and the extraordinary social experience that some perceive as being it?

- Despite the fact that “fellowship” has long been a mantra sung by churches across the country, the concept of “community” seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon touted in Christian circles. Why the recent increase in attention?

- How do our ideas of Christian community mesh with the ideas in Scripture of living in the world, yet not of the world?

- Does modern Christian community look anything like the Acts church? Can it?

- In what way does where we attend church impact our definitions of community? For example, is a “home church” a more accurate representation of the first century model, or can a mega church promote ideas of community as well?

- Is the blessing of community attractive to nonbelievers? Why or why not?

chew* episode 4

2010-05-19T19:36:00.005-04:00

Hooray! Our latest chew* discussion is finally up and running, and aside from the standard technical difficulties, I'm thrilled with the result. I got the impression that domesticity and the gospel is a subject we could all talk about for hours, and our brief discussion already has me thinking that we may need a part two. Below are some main points from last night's chat:

- Despite the fact that some of us our single, some of us are married, and one of us is a happy mom to one, we all could agree that domesticity boils down to being free. Domestication, for all of us, implied being forced into something, but domesticity allows us the freedom to experience the work of our hands, to choose and to utilize our many different gifts. It's being comfortable with who we are and making others comfortable in our presence (at home and otherwise).

- As one of our readers pointed out, domesticity is our way of mimicking the Creator. We were created to be creators, and, as Lindsey mentioned, we were also created to be servants. Genesis 2:18 describes women as help-meets, the same Hebrew term given to our Creator.

- Although domesticity has the connotation of women only, we're all called to be servant-minded. Just as Christ washed His disciples' feet, men, too, were created for lives of service.

- Just as we have spiritual gifts, we also have domestic gifts. Some of us are great cooks or bakers or decorators; some of us garden, others create. (See I Corinthians 12:14-18, MSG.)

- "Intentional is not perfect," said Lauren Winner. "We are not just meant to invite people into our homes, but into our lives."

- Domesticity can be--and perhaps should be--communal. We can learn so much from the women around us, but we also have to be careful of not falling into the trap that tends to befall us all: insecurity. We need to find relationships with others that help us balance and strengthen our own gifts.

- Perhaps part of the misconception with domesticity comes from the pendulum of feminism swinging too far one way or the other. The true beauty of feminism is that we can choose: mothers and wives, workers and creators.

- While all of us currently find work outside the home, there is a beauty and an adventure to be had inside the home (perhaps contrary to the more modern view that the domestic arts are mundane). Consider this G.K. Chesterton quote: "But of all the modern notions generated by mere wealth the worst is this: the notion that domesticity is dull and tame. Inside the home (they say) is dead decorum and routine; outside is adventure and variety.... For the truth is, that [...] the home is the only place of liberty. Nay, it is the only place of anarchy. It is the only spot on the earth where a man can alter arrangements suddenly, make an experiment or indulge in a whim."

Clearly we had a lot to say. Here are some links to things we referenced in this episode:

- G.K. Chesterton's What's Wrong with the World

- The Button Club blog and book

- Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking

- Lauren Winner's Mudhouse Sabbath

- Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Domesticity

And we close with a little bit of the girls. Is there anything better than a conversation that ends with a Gilmore Girls reference?

may discussion preview.

2010-05-12T23:12:00.002-04:00

Here are some questions to think about/ponder before next Tuesday's discussion. How does 7:00 EST work for everyone?

-How do you define (and view) domesticity? How does it differ from domestication?

-Going back to our discussion on simple intentional living, how do we balance that with hard work and productivity?

-How do we reconcile the Proverbs 31 woman with the fact that all women may not be cut out for the same tasks?

-What does feminism (particularly the most recent wave) have to say about homemaking?

-What (if any) delight do you take in cooking, crafting, sewing, knitting, gardening, and/or any combination of the "gentle domestic arts"? Why/why not?

-The discussion of these things often leads to feelings of comparison and inadequacy, as women naturally tend towards measuring themselves up to the successes/failures of other women. How can we give ourselves and others more grace in that?

- A question from a precious book, The Gentle Art of Domesticity, by Jane Brockett: What do we lose if we no longer value these skills and arts? What is their true value beyond their usefulness and visual pleasure of the end product?

-What do you think of finding community in these things through blogs and books?

- Is domesticity strictly a calling of the women of God, or is it something we're all called to do (in one form or another) as Christians? Could men benefit from some domesticity?

- What role does food play in the gospel message and in Scripture? Are we missing something when we fail to find the joy in cooking and eating together? Does God care about fast food vs. the slow food movement?

- When did attitudes about domesticity change? Is there a difference in how you see domesticity, how your mother views it, and how your grandmother views it? What direction is domesticity headed?

- If single, how do you balance caring for your community and also figure out how to live in the gospel while living alone? For example, what if a woman cannot seem to keep her house clean or cook for herself every meal, but her job includes caring for the poor and making sure they have enough food. Even though that is not in her own home, is it still "domestic"? When what God has given you is simple and lonely, how do you make it beautiful and life-giving to others?

Also consider these books: Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot and The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer.

If you have any other thoughts/questions to offer up for discussion, feel free to post here!

It would be easier if there were questions. Instead, I will just ramble.

2010-05-04T21:50:00.003-04:00

Hello! I'm Kari. I come from the great state of North Carolina, home of barbecue (always a noun, never a verb) and college basketball. I need for you to know how much I love where I live, so I am going to tell you a bit of a story. In Will Blythe’s sublime book about the UNC/Duke basketball rivalry, To Hate Like This is to Be Happy Forever, he talks about how his father wooed his mother by showing her the beauty of our fair state. And then he says, “He presented my mother with his love for North Carolina as if he were giving her a diamond necklace that would always remind her of him, which, in fact, it would, it did.” I like to think that I have shared that same love of my state with my husband, a transplant from Long Island by way of South Carolina. I am not one to have the travel bug, but I do like to visit and see new places. North Carolina, though, is my home that I feel in my bones. Also, the correct answer to the basketball question is always UNC.

When I went to college, I wanted to work in the Christian music industry. People who know me now would find that shocking, since it’s been years since I listened to CCM. I studied marketing and worked in a Christian bookstore and got very jaded about the system. In my last year of college, I commenced freaking out because I realized that I had no idea what I was going to do with my life. As I thought about the things that I value the most, books and information kept coming to the top of the list. And so I became a librarian. Yes, there were some things that happened in between, notably a master’s degree, but I haven’t looked back. I spent some time working in the public library, but these days I work as a librarian in a middle school. It is as wonderful and terrifying as you might guess. One of my favorite things about working in a middle school is that I can say it and big burly mechanically-minded men look intimidated by me. For the record, I am 5’2”.

I grew up in churches that tended to be more Charismatic, but now I attend an American Baptist church and take refuge in the space and time and grounding that the liturgy offers me. I believe in a God who knows and sees more than we do, and who is so good at taking our bad things and turning them into good ones that we don’t even realize he’s doing it most of the time. I no longer believe in the sort of God who is trying to Teach Me A Lesson. I try to believe in one who walks with me through the difficult things. And I do believe that, but I struggle with it, too. I believe it more for you than I do for me. I’m a work in progress, is what I am saying. I believe in the power of the stories we live and tell and share to change our lives.

I have been married since 2000 and have a large rabbit named Big Bunny. Some of my favorite things include excellent café au lait, Jane Austen, strawberry shortcake, that moment when a book just hooks you, swingsets, “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll, my husband’s crème brulee, lazy summer afternoons lounging by the pool, and any and all Mexican food. Also, I have the greatest recipe you’ll ever need for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. I will be glad to share it with you.

A little about me.

2010-05-04T20:43:00.002-04:00

Wow, I have loved reading all the bios and how we are all connected through Annie, and how each of us is dealing with transitions in our lives.

My name is Jennifer, or Jenn. I am a sleep-deprived, gloriously happy wife of almost 10 years to the newly Dr. Todd Brenneman and the mom to the cutest little girl in the world, Chloe Elizabeth.

We moved from Tallahassee last December when Todd graduated from FSU and currently we are living in Oklahoma while he searches for a teaching position. I am a RN for a home care agency and I do quality management and get to work from home. Gotta love that!! My hobbies are singing, card making, scrapbooking, and decorating cakes.

I was raised in the church and have known the Lord for a long time but in the last year I have really grown to be in love with the Lord and am striving for a deeper understanding of Him. I have been in the deep, dark pit of infertility and wept and cried out to my God. He is always faithful and always in control. His ways are infinitely better than any I could come up with. In September of 2008 the Lord blessed us with Chloe. She was born on my birthday and I was there for her birth. To me this is an example of my cup being empty and then not just filled by the Lord but filled to overflowing.

Motherhood has changed my perspective on many things. I am honored and awed at the responsibility bestowed on me to raise this little human in the best way possible, to mold her and shape her and raise her in the love of our Lord. I look at her and think, how can I teach her to have a deep love for the Lord if I don’t model it for her. It makes me want to be a better Christian so I can teach her how to be a Christian.

I am really looking forward to our time together and getting to know each of you better.

may chew* preview: domesticity & the gospel

2010-04-28T10:25:00.001-04:00

Hello friends!

It's been a while since our last chat, but with everyone back stateside, we're shooting for a May conversation. The topic? Domesticity and the gospel.

We plan to discuss the role that cooking, gardening, cleaning, and creating play in our position as God's children. We'll be posting our own questions and thoughts here in the coming weeks, but we'd love to hear what you have to say.

Post your thoughts in the comments below, and we'll tackle some of your ideas in our discussion.

May's conversation will be recorded on May 18, so have your comments in before then!

Interested in joining the conversation? We're looking for a fifth chew* contributor.

Find out more here.

chew* episode 3

2010-03-28T21:20:00.000-04:00

{part i}

{part ii}

{part iii}

{part iv }

{part v}

Whew! After more technical difficulties than I care to count, our third chew* episode is ready to go! This episode can be listened to in five parts. Don't worry; our entire conversation was still about an hour. You can just listen to the chat in shorter "chunks" of information this time.

The three of us (Lindsey's still enjoying London!) shared our thoughts on good storytelling (inspired by Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years) and how God is pushing us toward making great stories out of our lives. Some highlights:

- How we choose to handle the conflict in our lives plays a big part in what our story looks like and how it begins to unfold.

- Comfort can stop us from living bigger, better stories. By choosing to stretch ourselves, we give God the ability and opportunity to write incredible twists and turns into the plot of our lives.

- Our stories might not be about us. What's going on in my story might be for the benefit of someone else's story.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on what it means to make our lives stories worth reading. Feel free to weigh in through the comments section, or email Annie at anniesbutterworth [dot] gmail [dot] com.

march preview, part ii.

2010-03-23T15:06:00.002-04:00

Here are some thought-provoking questions to get the conversation started. Stay-tuned for our recorded chat!

1. Don says, "Somehow we realize that great stories are told in conflict, but we are unwilling to embrace the potential greatness of the story we are actually in. We think God is unjust, rather than a master storyteller" (31-32). Has this book changed your perspective when looking at conflict in your life or the lives of others? How can we embrace & engage conflict?

2. "A story is a character who wants something and overcomes conflict to get it" (48). When I heard Don speak, he emphasized the point that we should want more and it should be clearly defined. (See also Chapter 21.) What do you want? What conflicts have you had to overcome/ are you overcoming?

3. The story of the family in chapter 9 was so powerful to me. Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a story that you didn't want to be in? How did you find your way back to the role you were intended to play? Can you think of people in your life that need to be living better stories? How can we help to provide better roles for these individuals?

4. "The point of life is the same as the point of a story, the point of life is character transformation" (68). Don also says that if the character doesn't change, the story hasn't happened. Has story been taking place in your life? How have you changed? Are you in the middle of some transformation right now?

5. In chapter 22, Don writes about his hiking trip in Peru. It is said that "the more painful the journey to Machu Picchu, the more the traveler would appreciated the city, once he got there" (140). What do you think about this concept? Has pain made some of your stories more beautiful? Would you change anything? Why or why not?

6. "He said to me I was a tree in a story about a forest, and that it was arrogant of me to believe any differently. And he told me the story of the forest is better than the story of the tree" (198). How does this provide hope?

7. Chapter 34 is titled "To Speak Something into Nothing" and chapter 36 is "Where Once There Was Nothing". What can this look like in our stories? Do we take advantage of this gift that our Creator has given us to "speak something into nothingness" as He did?

8. Individually, how are you each living out a good story? Did Miller's book and thoughts change the story you were writing? Are there other ways you'd like to change to redirect your story?

9. A Million Miles -- along with Francis Chan's book Crazy Love -- got me thinking a lot about risk-taking (specifically, the family Don meets who bought a house on a lake to host diplomats and Don's last-minute cross-country bike trip). What does spiritual risk-taking look like? For those of us financially strapped, what's the difference between taking leaps of faith and being stupid?

10. Along the lines of the above question (and spurred in part by Kari's comments I mention below), how are those of us who live in less-than-Oscar-worthy scenarios still capable of writing a good story?

11. Before actually reading the book, I read Miller's blog post about surrounding our new year's resolutions with the elements of a story (for example, instead of "exercise more," sign-up for a 5k race with friends). His examples resemble a lot of the memoirs I've read lately, like 29 Gifts, The Happiness Project, Julie & Julia. These women all took rather mundane resolutions for themselves and turned them into pretty remarkable stories. My question is: What do you do when that part of your story is over? How do you continue writing a great story after it feels like the climax has passed?

12. This one was posted in a blog comment today by a blogger named Kari. I have to say, I agree with her thoughts, so I'd love for us to tackle her question: But I do have a complaint. Don is a writer and a lot of his professional life is under his control as far as what he pursues and his time and such. I, however, don't have the same luxury. It's easier for me to see how he is going to write a good story than how I am going to write a good story. I have experienced some profound professional disappointment in the past two weeks, and there's really nothing I can do about it. I am completely powerless to change the situation. What do you think the concept of "telling a good story" could do for me in this situation?

march preview.

2010-03-17T13:31:00.000-04:00

Just a heads-up that our next chew* chat will take place on Tuesday, March 23. I'll try to put the audio up on Wednesday.

We'll be discussing Donald Miller's latest, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Jenna will be facilitating our conversation, so send any topics of discussion her way, either via email or on the blog.

If you haven't had a chance to finish the book, Donald Miller's blog should provide interesting food for thought as well.

Looking forward to next week!

Still Thinking

2010-03-01T11:46:00.003-05:00

Oh, I'm still sitting with the truths we discussed last week for our February chew* chat.

Here are a few of the lingering thoughts:

-We can't stop at realizing depth of our wretchedness without seeing the direct correlation to the depth of His grace. "Hold a true Lent in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Do not stop at sorrow. Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once to the cross. There and only there can you get your spirit aroused." -Charles Spurgeon

-When we break lent, or miss the mark by failing to keep our promises, we remember His forgiveness, His perfect sacrifice despite our missing-the-mark-ness.

-The more time we have to reflect on our sin-bound situation, the more time we have to gain gratitude for the Cross. "A thankful heart prepares the way for the Lord."

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed the chance to be a part of such an engaging discussion that encouraged me to both study a pertinent topic and share in it with fellow followers. Looking forward to next month already!

chew* episode 2

2010-02-26T19:45:00.008-05:00

This week, we held our second chew* chat, this one focusing on the season of Lent and the traditions found in the church calendar. (You can listen to our chat by clicking the file above, or by going here. And don't worry. It's not really two hours long! Not sure why it's showing that...) Unfortunately, Lindsey couldn't join us due to some international Internet issues, so we're hoping she'll post her thoughts (via video or writing) on the blog to continue our discussion. (We missed you, Lindsey!)

Although none of us are experts in the subject, I feel like we shared a meaningful discussion on this Lenten season. We encourage you to join in this discussion with us; to help facilitate some more discussion, here are the highlights of chew* chat number 2!

-- Lent is more than just "giving up" something (whether it be music in the car, Diet Coke, or Facebook); it's about the state of our hearts.

-- Perhaps in a quest to focus on God's grace and Christ's salvation, the church has swung the pendulum too far and ignored or abused the traditions that the Jews and members of the early church held so dear.

-- Thinking of our own wretchedness can become downright depressing, but until we focus on how broken we are, we can't quite comprehend the greatness of His grace. (Jenna mentioned this quote by Blaise Pascal: "Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because he shows us both God and our own wretchedness.")

-- Celebrating Christian traditions brings deeper meaning to the entire year, provides a reminder of God's salvation plan, and marries the old and new testaments.

-- True repentance must be more than a slapping ourselves on the wrist. When we sin, we're not just breaking God's law, we're breaking His heart (Cory mentioned this in reference to a Tim Keller quote).

Of course, like last month, we still have questions, and that's why we're anxious to hear more of your thoughts, and more of each other's as we reflect more on our discussion. For reference, here are some links we mentioned in our chat:

-- Girl Meets God, by Laura Winner

-- Celebrating the Christian Year, by Martha Zimmerman

-- Crazy Love, by Francis Chan

-- Celebrating the Passover in your home

-- The Message//PAUSE (a one-year Bible that pairs an Old Testament book with a New Testament book)

-- A Lenten experience calendar from Mars Hill

-- The Jonah Bible study, also from Mars Hill

february preview.

2010-02-20T19:46:00.014-05:00

Stay tuned for our next chat about Lent. Here's what we're chewing on:

- Are you giving anything up for Lent? Are you “taking anything on” for Lent?
- How does your church prepare for Easter and/or recognize Lent? What is your church’s stance on these spiritual traditions?
- What does Lent mean to you personally as a Christ follower?
- How do we keep our minds sober and reflective leading up to Easter, especially while maintaining our regular schedules and commitments? Is this even necessary or important?
- Why is celebrating the Passover or sharing a Seder meal something many Christians have chosen, perhaps in light of the New Testament, to give up or ignore?
- Have we let Christian tradition (Advent, the daily hours, Passover, Lent) fall by the wayside in an effort to recognize that Christ’s death overcame the old law?
- Why is the church calendar still important and viable today?
- How do you practice the church calendar?
- How do our celebrations of this season deepen our understanding of the Good News?
- What does it mean to rend your heart and not your garments? (Joel 2:13)
- What does running from sin/repentance look like in our lives?

chew* episode 1

2010-01-21T20:59:00.003-05:00

Despite a few technical difficulties, we held our first chat tonight about living simply. You can access the audio file of our discourse here, or by clicking the play button above. (Part of technical difficulties meant no video this time, folks.) All in all, I definitely think our first chew* discussion was a big success. Here are, in my opinion, some of the highlights. Girls, feel free to add your own thoughts!

-- Simplicity is probably best defined in terms of what it is not: it is not chaos, it is not complex. It is the freedom of those things.

-- Living simply has to be a choice; the complexities of this life will follow, even to the Walden-esque places.

-- Being busy isn't a sin, but perhaps our motivation behind what's keeping us busy. Jenna talked about three questions she asks herself to assess her motives: 1) Am I neglecting the "better thing"?; 2) Is what I'm doing an idol? (Or does it have the potential to be?); 3) Am I trying to do this alone, or am I relying on God for help?

-- Intentional and simple living may be one of the ways God sets us apart.

And don't think we solved it all in one brief discussion. We've still got some questions we're contemplating, including:

-- How do we strike a balance between the Proverbs 31 woman, who kept her hands busy constantly, and Martha, who Jesus graciously rebuked for being a little too busy?

-- Do we want to, as a friend of Cory's put it, be "exhausted when we get to Heaven"? Or does God call us to moments of rest?

-- What are practical ways we can live simply and intentionally?

I think that about covers our discussion. If you listened to the audio file, here are some links to further our study:

-- Shane Claiborne and the simple way.

-- Sabbath, by Wayne Muller.

And finally, a beautiful verse Lindsey reminded us all of at the close of our discussion:

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

Small Bites

2010-01-17T12:41:00.002-05:00

I just wanted to let each of you know that I am greatly anticipating our chat this Thursday afternoon/evening/night. I've recently really been struggling with my pace of life, my inability to get a handle on all of my commitments, relationships and projects. I have a million things racing through my head, and while I think there is great worth to the going and doing and thinking....I also know there to be a need for the slowing, the sitting, the seeking.

I'm all too tempted to ask and ask and ask, but never to look for answers.

While I don't expect us to arrive at any great solutions this Thursday (although, who knows, maybe we will!), I am just grateful to have this week to prepare thoughtfully, prayerfully, academically and spiritually for a discussion that has already forced me to look deeper into something that has flashed through my brain before.

Here's to letting truth take root as we take a bite, chew and digest!

january preview.

2010-01-07T20:19:00.003-05:00

Stay tuned for our first video chat about living simply and intentionally. Here's what we'll be covering:

- How does God define living simply? Does He at all?
- Is being too busy a sin?
- Are Christians called to live simple lives of intention?
- What does a simple, intentional life look like?
- How do we each achieve simpicity in our lives?
- How can a simpler way of life please God?
- Consider the implications of simplicity in light of the messiness and complications of human relationships.
- How do we simplify in the midst of a world that is filled with brokenness?
- How does all of this fit into Jesus' invitation to take on his light yoke?

See you on January 21!

and one more...

2009-12-10T22:24:00.000-05:00

Girls, already your posts are proving that this little endeavor is indeed going to be a blessing. I see in you so much of our Father, and the way He’s working in your stories is amazing evidence of His goodness.

I feel like my life is constantly at a crossroads, at that proverbial fork where I am supposed to choose: the road less-traveled or… The road too-traveled, I suppose.

In May, I’ll come to yet another bend. Jordan will graduate from law school, and I’ll make the transition from law student’s wife to lawyer’s wife. I don’t think words could adequately express how badly I want to postpone that switch. After all, we’re talking about a girl who still uses her old debit card just so she can sign her former last name on Lowe’s receipts. (Please don’t tell on me. It’s pathetic, I know.)

The point is, just when I find contentment in my place and purpose, God moves me. To a new town, a new job, a new life stage. I suppose it’s His way of telling me that true contentment only comes from Him.

So, I’m learning to just live. Because, as is evidenced by the previous chapters in my story, God always comes through. May will arrive, and change will arrive with it. Or it may not. It’s hard to say what scares me more: the thought of moving and starting over, or the thought of not.

But either way, my God will pull me through; He will transition me through the ups and downs. That's just who He is.

He has made me to be an adventure-seeker. Not the climb-rocks-and-jump-out-of-buildings kind of adventure. More like the what-can-I-do-to-make-this-day-awesome kind of adventure. I just celebrated my one year anniversary with my husband and my 10-year-anniversary with Jesus (the two best kinds of adventure). I am a lover of stories. Can’t get enough and will take them in any format, as evidenced by my Google Reader. (Though I should interrupt to say: nothing beats the feel of paper to skin.) I’m in the throes of graduate school applications in the hopes that my acceptance will assuage this steady “what’s next?” feeling I keep having. And my family is more important to me than I could ever write here.

My background is journalism, and my day job is a theme and variation thereof. After a not-so-great job, then turning down what I thought was my dream job, I feel pretty happy here in my little office, writing and editing law-related news stories. God knew how much I could handle, and after months of praying for a new gig, He gave me one, and I love it.

When I'm not editing a piece until my eyes bleed, I dabble in graphic design, interior décor, and the ever-elusive art of homemaking. I wish I could sing, play guitar, and drink hot chocolate while channelling Thoreau and writing the next great American novel in my house by a lake in Massachusetts. Until that happens, though, I’m content in Tallahassee, learning to be the best version of myself. Even though I don’t always know what that means.

chew* is my effort at maintaining Anne-and-Diana friendships while stretching my brain to accept new possibilities, spiritual and otherwise.

Hello there.

2009-12-09T14:20:00.004-05:00

While I'm writing this I am sitting in my bed in a room that I will only be living in for a couple more weeks. Only 20-years-old, still in my undergraduate degree, but about to embark on a great adventure. Like all of you, I have been going through many changes, but the major ones are still ahead of me.

I am originally from Orlando, Florida, where my parents still live. I moved up to Tallahassee in 2007 to get my degree in Social Work, which I am finishing up this summer. I have spent much of my time in college attempting to find real community with genuine people, which I have found to be a difficult task. At the beginning of this past summer I found a group of friends that wanted the same thing, and by the end of the summer I was dating one of them. That happened to be Annie's brother, which is how Annie and I became friends.

The carefree summer ended, and with that ending came the beginning of a strenuous semester. The semester brought many new and difficult circumstances that began shaping me for where God is taking me now. I was attempting to do an internship, classes, work, and have my first real relationship. It proved to be a much harder semester than I anticipated.

My internship was working with victims of domestic violence, and ended up teaching me more than I ever learned in my classes. I had to learn how to take care of myself amidst taking care of others. I had to explore my own experiences of emotional and verbal abuse from my family. And most of all, I had to learn how to not hold onto the problems of the women I was helping, and truly believe that God is sovereign and in control. Beyond just my internship I was dealing with the ending of my relationship, the loss of friendships, and trying to understand what God was doing in everything.

Now I am in limbo. I am about to finish the semester, but I have an enormous transition ahead of me.

On January 6, my flight leaves for London. I'll be interning at another agency working with domestic violence victims, and will be living in a city for four months where I don't know a single soul. When I return, I'll be finishing classes over summer, graduating, and looking to move out of the state, where again I won't know anyone.

I have been on a search for community, and instead found God, coaxing me to let go of my need for people, and simply go on an adventure with him. I laugh as I write this because he knows me so well. He knows that I am terrified of being alone, and of stepping into the unknown. And yet he has given me a desire to know him more than ever, and to say, "Here I am, send me." And so I look to the near future with excitement and anticipation for what he has in store.

I am delighted that we have the opportunity to do this, and I have already loved to hear your stories. I look forward to having meaningful conversation and getting to know you all even more.

a little about me.

2009-12-08T22:40:00.004-05:00

It is pouring outside, and I am loving the light show that is featured with this storm! The weather has been pretty crazy up here in Huntsville. Snow. Sunshine. Rain. It can't seem to make up its mind! It all seems a little chaotic at times, but especially on a night like this, with the lightning etching its images in the sky, I am reminded of our very powerful God who holds it all in His hands.

I've been reminded of this a lot lately. When I look back over the last few years, I see a lot of what looks like chaos. A lot of transition. Many unanswered questions. Lots of changes. {Cory, after reading your post, I am even more convinced that we are all going to easily relate to one another. Very much looking forward to some discussion time with you girls!}

Anyways, here's a little background information on me:

I grew up in Cleveland, Tennessee. Oldest of three girls. Middle of many cousins. The first to really venture away.

After graduating high school, I packed up my bags and moved to Montgomery to attend Faulkner University {hence my connection to Annie}. I hardly know how to summarize those 4 years... So much happened. SO much. Most of which have nothing to do with my actual education. I am pretty sure that college is when I actually met God. Sure, I'd been learning about Him my entire life. Sure, I'd made the decision to commit my life to him when I was baptized in the 5th grade. I knew a lot about Him, and thought I knew all the answers, but I came face to face with Him in college. And I've never been the same. {I would love to expound upon this, but I won't try to tackle my whole life in one blog post.}

I graduated in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a second major in Vocational Christian Ministry. I had no idea what was coming next. Wednesday, May 9th, was my last night with the Landmark Campus Ministry. We were discussing Psalm 46. "Be still and know that I am God." That night, I heard God telling me to be still. Cease my strivings. Know that He is God. This was going to be my year of transition. Wait on Him. The next day I had an extensive job search planned out. I decided not to even leave my apartment. I took God up on His offer. I ceased my strivings and decided to wait on Him.

It was the right choice.

My year of transition sure looked like a lot of chaos. I was a temp receptionist for 3 days, an assistant home inspector for 7 months, an adjunct professor at Faulkner 2 nights a week for a semester, an administrative assistant/estimator for a subcontractor for 4 months, and I spent 2 weeks in China with some of my best friends that were serving as missionaries there. I did nothing to make any of this happen. Except apply at the temp agency and buy a plane ticket {which God actually did most of that too}. Long story short, in a dream, He told me it was time to move. It was no longer time to be still. Next thing I knew, I was moving to Huntsville to work with the Mayfair Youth Ministry. A dream job. Oh, and did I mention that I moved to Huntsville on May 9, 2008. Exactly one year from God's message to me. How's that for timing?!

Now I am a few months away from my 2 year mark in youth ministry, and this {somewhat} clearly defined role in my life has not really lessened the chaos. Our ministry is in transition, my life has many unanswered questions {you know, the basic questions a single, twenty-something is asking}, and life is busy. But especially on a night like this, with memories flooding my mind, I see the evidence that reminds me that our very powerful God holds it all in His hands.

And that is just a little bit about me.

Well, hey.

2009-12-07T19:36:00.003-05:00

Good evening, ladies. I write to you this fine and chilly night from the soft cushions of my new couch in my new home in Birmingham, Alabama. The furniture and the address are not the only new things in my life right now. In fact, if I were to ask my year-ago self to observe my current existence, my life would be nearly unrecognizable.

You see, I've been on a whirlwind of life changes in the last six months. But, let me go a bit further back...

I'm from Alpharetta, Georgia and attended the grand ole University of Georgia for my undergraduate education in Magazine Journalism. I was a Young Life leader all through out college (and until very recently actually): an involvement that had a profound effect on my social, spiritual and ministerial development. It showed me an extremely Biblical model of relational evangelism. Sharing Jesus with people first means knowing them, having them know you, earning the right to be heard.

After graduating in 2007, I moved to Birmingham for an internship at Southern Progress Corporation, where I met the lovely (former) Miss Butterworth. We were insta-friends. I found her faith and wisdom to be such a steady switch from the treacherous waters of an internship in a new town. The adjustment from college was tough, but her friendship was a real blessing to me.

After working at SPC for about 9 months, I moved on to take a position as the editor of skirt! magazine. I had been an avid skirt! follower for years, and absolutely felt like I was fooling everyone into thinking I was qualified for the position that I assumed. I definitely "faked it" until I "made it." Gosh, what a learning experience.

For about a year and a half, I was the single editorial staff person for the Birmingham edition of the magazine. I was in charge of all local content, as well as marketing, promoting and social media stuff. It was a crash course in all things media. It was joyous, challenging, heart-wrenching, life-changing. Through the course of my time there, I interviewed hundreds of incredible people, and I truly think of them as some of my greatest teachers. I mean, really... what a dream to be able to have quality conversations with people for a living. I felt like I was truly just "introducing people to their neighbors," and it that part of the job was so life-giving. There were other parts of the job that were not so life-giving. It was real tough for me to feel chained to the desk, confined to the office hours and misunderstood by many of my managers. As much as I loved the job, there was a part of me that was relieved when it all came to a close.

All that said, the magazine folded this summer, leaving me a bit shell-shocked. For six years of my life, I had been working toward and in a certain career field. When it ended, my gut reaction was just to GET OUT of an industry that is changing dramatically. So, I began working at a coffee shop (my favorite one here), and delved into my other interest: letterpress printing.

With very little experience under my belt, I applied for and got a work-study position for the 8-week concentration at the Penland School of Crafts in Asheville, NC to take a course in letterpress under the instruction of a renowned artist/printer. It was a scary leap to make, as it required me to virtually drain my savings account, leave my source of income and take a step in a completely different direction.

But, I did it.

God taught me INVALUABLE lessons in the process...ones that I'm sure will leak out all over our discussions. I want to go into more detail about my two months there, but I think I've babbled on long enough. I've been back in Birmingham for about three weeks now, and I'm so thrilled to see His hands all over what has been happening.

I'm back at the coffee shop now, freelance writing and working part-time in a couple of print shops. My eventual hope is to have my own printing press and business. I'm learning peace and patience, however. I'm really in no rush. It is my true hope that I will be like the Proverbs 31 woman: able to laugh at the days to come.

In conclusion, I'm really excited to e-get to know you each, and to engage in what I anticipate being some really meaningful discussion. I have no doubt that this will be the beginning of something quite wonderful.

an introduction.

2009-12-06T15:10:00.008-05:00

After I graduated from Faulkner, I felt a little empty inside. Life was going great, I had a job, Jordan and I were engaged, but... there was a hole.

After months of searching, I finally discovered what was missing from my life: discourse.

Discussion.

The free and open exchange of ideas.

I started a blog. I began emailing friends from college and from my internship who I shared common ideas with. Those emails and blog comments were helpful, but they've diminished over the past several months. Life gets busy, and sadly, I don't always have time to sit and write lengthy emails to faraway friends-- even if they are kindred spirits. It's hard to strike that balance between retaining old friends and making new ones. Slowly, I began to find peace and purpose in where I was. I made new friends, formed new bonds.

For once, I feel comfortable and content where I am (mostly).

But I still miss open discussion about spirituality, creativity.

Then this week, I logged onto Spring. It's a new project I found out about via a blog I read, and I think the concept is brilliant. Four ladies from four different cities and four different walks of life connected online, and now they're producing monthly videos about topics close to their heart and publishing them online. I watched, and I thought:

Why can't I do that?

Why can't, once a month, I sit down and video chat with my kindred spirits? In 2009, distance should be moot. We have telephones, Internet... I remember making three way calls when I was in 7th grade! What's stopping me now?

I'll admit, I've tried other things to keep in touch, to keep discourse alive. I've started a book club, created a joint blog... Some of these efforts fail, some succeed.

That's when this solution began to take fruition. This solution. An idea I'm calling chew*.

A place where kindred spirits can discuss topics like the Sabbath, church tradition, contentment, creativity, and passion.

These girls graciously agreed to join me.

In January, we'll start posting our thoughts via video. (If I can find a techie out there who can show me how.) Until then, let's get to know each other.

This week, if you can, post a bio of yourself. I know all of you, but you don't know each other. Explain who you are, what you're doing, what you're reaching for, and who you hope to become. Maybe let us all know what you'd like to come of these sessions.

I'm so excited about this endeavor. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I think this could be the start of something wonderful.