When I was growing up, I had lofty aspirations of becoming an astronaut. In retrospect, this desire was likely sparked by watching SpaceCamp one too many times rather than by any real interest in scientific advancements or lunar landings. (And, for the sake of full disclosure, maybe I was also enthralled by those cute little packages of astronaut ice cream.)
But when it came down to it, the greatest pull of the astronaut life was the adrenaline-laced takeoff. After months, maybe even years, of training, it all comes down to one big moment. As the seconds tick backward from ten, you hold your breath, knowing that this critical juncture marks the difference between launch and disaster, success and failure, life and death.
That moment contains all the drama of new beginnings, new explorations, new adventures.
In good news for all of us, this website launch has significantly less drama attached to it. And unless for some unforeseen reason I die of embarrassment at some point along the way, the stakes are not life-or-death. But even so, I am holding my breath in eager expectation of this new beginning.
I’m looking forward to connecting with you, hearing your stories, and sharing glimpses of grace together. God tends to do some wildly beautiful things when he brings people’s lives to intersect, and I’m eager to see what he has up his sleeve for all of us.
So thank you for joining me here. I invite you to nose around the website, check out Sarah Parisi’s beautiful work, and make yourself at home.
And now, for that SpaceCamp moment you’ve been waiting for: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . takeoff!
I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
—Isaiah 43:19
***
In honor of the website launch, I’m giving away a free necklace today. It was made by a woman who was rescued from the sex industry in Bangkok, Thailand. I had the privilege of serving on a short-term trip with Kay and Mike Killar of Samaritan Creations several years ago, so it means a lot to me that this necklace was made by one of the precious women in their ministry. To see more beautiful products made by at-risk or rescued women, check out the Women at Risk site here.
For your chance to win, simply answer this question in the comment section:
What new thing is happening in your life right now? Is there something you’re getting ready to launch?
Be sure to submit your answer by Friday, February 28!
awesome job. Launch day has been a major success. I have a little idea of how much effort went into getting this dream off the ground. I am sure this site is going to soar and that those of us who visit it will soar from your creative combination of words that will cause our minds to lift off into a new space in our hearts. thanks for being obedient to God. I am a grateful RECIPIENT of your obedience. thanks for living your life for Him first 🙂
Thanks so much, AT! You have been an encouragement and an inspiration ever since this was just a little seed of an idea.
What new thing is happening in your life right now? Is there something you’re getting ready to launch?…..
mY ANSWER IS A BIT OBVIOUS…..MY WIFE’S WEBSITE LAUNCHES TODAY!!!! SOME oTHER RANDOM THINGS THAT ARE NEW FOR ME; a NEW HAIRCUT, NEW SONGS LEARNED ON GUITAR AND SOME NEW SHOES.
tHE WEBSITE lOOKS gREAT!!!!!!!!
Hmm, that’s news to me! In other news, you make a good Jackson Browne. 🙂
We are gettinG ready to launch a new book study (finding glory in the thorns) at FBCG for parents of children with special needs And adulTs with special needs.
Sally, that’s wonderful news! I know you will be a source of hope and encouragement for those parents. Blessings on your new endeavor!
So proud of you, Stephanie!! Loved working with you and am so happy the site is launched! 🙂
This new endeavor is ending for you, but I have a feeling there are some new ones on the horizon! 🙂
i’M STARTING A NEW JOB AT THE AGE OF 58 (AND 1/2). i DIDN’T EXPECT TO BE DOING THIS, BUT hERE i AM. eVERY MORNING i FEEL LIKE IT’S 10, 9, 8 ….BLAST OFF!
Congratulations on the new job, Mary! I imagine this can be a bit of a scary launch, but I believe God will give you just what you need for each day. Blessings to you in your new role.
the site looks fantastic! i’m so happy for you and proud of you! not much new going on over here other than the everyday newness (and silliness) that comes with toddler life.
Thanks, Tiffie! I think if you live with a toddler, every day is a new adventure!
yay!! so excited for you Stephanie!! I guess the newest thing going on around here has been my podcast. Enjoying trying a new medium. Can’t wait to see how God uses you in this space!! (a gorgeous space, might I add).
That’s awesome, Heather! Your words have been an encouragement to me on many occasions, and I’m so glad more people get to hear them too!
We’re getting ready to move, so we’ll be launching forward once we find a place that we like.
Moving can definitely be the best of times and the worst of times. Blessings on you as you begin a new chapter in a new place.
It seems things are always new in this season of life: my first full-length book for first time expectant parents comes out in the fall and I’m having my third child in August. We’re also looking to move into a house (from our townhome). So lots of changes ahead! Love the website!
Hi Suzanne! So nice to hear from you here! Wow, so many new things ahead for you. And congrats on the new book! What’s the title?
Kinda looks like Daniel’s new thing should be a new computer– his caps lock is broken 🙂
Congrats Steph! My new thing, hmmm… I got nothing!
hAha! It wAsn’t daNieL’s faULt…tHeRe wAs sOMethinG wonKy wiTh tHe siTe earLieR.
Hi Stephanie! I am so very happy for you! I know one day soon, I’ll be selling YOUR book to readers hungry for more words and perspective from their favorite blogger/author!
My new launch…well, I’m preparing to “launch” my middle child out of the nest and into college this fall. She’ll do great…but Mom will miss her. ;’) Thankfully, she’s only 45 minutes away, so we’ll still be able to enjoy simple pleasures like a Saturday lunch at Qdoba when we need them! Congratulations, again! 🙂
Thanks, Wendy! Oh wow, that’s a big change to send your middle child off to college. I am confident she’ll be a light in her new world as her mom is in hers. 🙂
I had to check out your new launch over my lunch hour. What a beautiful place to spend a few minutes! I look forward to checking back often because I know God will be using your site to pour his grace into many people’s lives.
Thank you so much, Kim! I say amen to that–may people forget about my words and encounter God’s grace here.
I am in the process of launching a new support group for women who are suffering in silence with fear and shame from having an abortion. True healing of any spiritual or emotional wounding can not take place apart from the grace and love of Christ.
Kristy, what a wonderful ministry! And I can’t think of a more prayerful, empathetic person to lead it than you. Blessings to you and those ladies on this new adventure!
Love love your website!! We are getting ready to launch into spring and summer and hoping to be able to foster care more consistently in those seasons.
I second the vote for spring and summer. 🙂 And I’m praying for you and those precious kids that God may bring into your home.
We’re doing our home study to adopt a fourth child. We have three biological children, but this is a whole new world.
You’re web site is lovely. I can’t wait to see what God does here. I’ve heard it said that a good strategy is to look where God is working and join Him. So, here I am. 🙂
So sweet! Thanks, Linnea. I’m praying for you and your family as you prepare for the child God is hand-picking for you.
Congrats on your new website!
Thank you so much, Nadia! A warm welcome to you.
Does having a baby count? 🙂 Every day is full of new surprises and smiles, and a reminder of God’s love and amazing handiwork! As far as launching goes, all the launching we do around here involves spit-up!
Ha ha! I cracked up about launching spit-up. I definitely think it counts to launch a baby into this world. Love you, MMM!
The website looks AMAZING! I love it. It feels like you, looks like you and has the grace and beauty that are you. Can’t wait to see what wonderful words you have yet to share with us.
As for what am I about to launch, what is something new in my life? The reality is nothing really. However, I am hoping that this year this month this moment God launches me into a new awareness of who He is, not only in my life, but in everything around me. Every day is new and I am hoping to be launched from an attitude of complacency and comfort into what Jesus really desires my life to be.
Again love the website and so excited for this new adventure for you!
Aww, that’s such a high compliment, especially coming from someone whose opinion I value so much. Thank you, Kara. And I love your perspective about asking God to launch us into his desires!
This is so exciting! You look wonderful Stephanie, you were always smart and beautiful in school. Thank you for this amazing and positive place! My newest launch is starting my own blog, a big step for me. Mine is more of a journal of sorts. I can’t wait to see all you have in store! Blessings!
That’s awesome to hear about your blog, Angie! What’s the link? I’d love to follow you.
Stephanie,
You’re blog is beautiful and I look forward to reading future posts. Not much is new in my life, but I have been trying to focus on keeping my relationships “fresh”. It’s so easy to fall into a busy routine as a working mother that I find that my time with my kids and husband is not often quality time. I can’t squeeze more time out of my day, so I’m trying to appreciate and enjoy the moments I have. I guess you can say my perspective is new.
I love that, Marie! Sometimes the new thing isn’t a tangible thing, just a new perspective on the now.
Lookin good, lookin good! and the site is wonderful too! Super excited to see what all comes next, and for a very long time!
New…well, to quote Stephen King, “A sort of hush fell over my…creative life–not a writer’s block, but a sense that it was time to stop goofing around with a pick and shovel and get behind the controls of one big great god a’mighty steamshovel, a sense that it was time to try and dig something big out of the sand.” To that end, at the prodding of a friend, I have ordered a very small laptop I can tote on the train for writing on my commutes…
Thanks, Nate! And wow, that’s exciting to hear about the writing-during-your-commute adventure! I can’t wait to tell people about how you wrote your novel on the BART…
I am launching a personal study for 2014 to gain a deeper understanding of the person of Jesus Christ through the scriptures.
I am so excited for this website to launch. I will be able to say I was there from the beginning. I have no doubt that many other people will find out why we love you so much. Blessings!
That sounds like a wonderful journey, Nancy! You have been there in many ways from the beginning…praying for me before you even knew me. 🙂
Congratulations on this new endeavor Stephanie! Your website looks amazing and I’m enjoying your writing. You have a true gift. A transition committee that I co-chair is launching a new website too. I’m hoping that Daniel had a hand in the development of yours so that technical assistance is only a yell over the cubicle partition away!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Sara! Yes, you know Daniel–he has lots of technical skills and artistic skills, and I got a great package deal!
I’m starting a new volunteer position at a non-profit organization. I’m excited!
Congratulations on the new volunteer position, Melissa! From all I’ve heard about you, I know you’ll be a blessing there.
congrats! looks great (and i think it’s super cool how your husband is supporting you in this.)
at this point, i feel like i’m back at mission control, watching some people i love who are starting new missions. but that’s cool…someone has to package up the astronaut ice cream!
It’s only a matter of time before you get that job as a personal book-selection consultant. 🙂 I love the way you shine in all that you do, Kelli.
As someone who has known you since you were a little girl, I could not be more proud of your accomplishments. You always stuck to your guns and weren’t afraid to share your belief in Christ with anyone. I hope He continues to bless you as you grow this website!
Aww, thanks, Bonnie! I have so many fun memories of going to church with you and riding in your Jeep when I was a kid. Blessings to you!