I guess there’s just something that shifted in me with the turning of this new year.  In a few short months I will celebrate my fortieth birthday and I have given myself over to fully embracing it.  In fact, I’m going to celebrate.  I’m considering this my year of ‘coming into my own’…the time when I will give myself permission to just go for it…be me.  I mean, really be me…just be who I am with reckless abandon.  Admittedly, it’s not without a bit of trepidation, a bit of “what-if-people-really-don’t-like-the-real-me” bouncing around in my brain.  But I believe God gave me a word for this year…and that word is “Courage”.  I believe He has called me to speak, and given me a voice, and now, he is calling me forth in courage to do, say and be all that He has created me to. I will try to stop apologizing for who I am…because in doing so, I’m really saying…

“I think God might have made a mistake here…”

He didn’t.  And it’s time for me to stop questioning Him, and just go with it…with Him.  So, like it or not…like me or not…I need to be alright with that.  Because He likes me.  He’s called me.  And I will resolve to live for His approval only.

So, with the encouragement and support of an amazing man and the best family and friends a woman could hope for…I step up and say…

Welcome.  Welcome to my little online home in my corner of the web.  I hope you find this to be a warm and encouraging place.  A place to be real, to talk about the fun things, the controversial things, the things that make us just a little bit nervous, because they push us to the edge of our comfort zones.  I also hope you find it to be a safe place.   A place where it’s okay to be who you are.  And you know what?  I’m going to do the same.

Just free to be me…