Why am I writing this blog again?

 2009 - What a Year!
As most of you know, I never intended to write a blog.  In fact, I was anti-blog. I even made fun of bloggers!  Yep, it's true.

But then God put it on my heart to write down the events of my life that took place in the year 2007.  And before I knew it, I was writing a blog...the very thing I said I would never do.  Ummm...somehow I just shouldn't be surprised!

A Year of Searching for Help
 "My Story" was written down on a blog (HERE) for family and friends to read.  I wasn't writing for anyone but me AND I wasn't even sure that family or friends would actually read it!  To my surprise, not only were family and friends reading it, but perfect strangers were following along as well.  I got (and continue to get) emails from gals all across the country facing similar issues...all searching for help, answers and support!

(Syd's birthday 2006)

For the first time in my life, no one could argue with my opinion.  What happened to me that year (back in 2007) was MY reality.  It was MY story, MY experience and I had earned the right to say or feel anything I so chose.
So needless to say, the process of writing down my story (in a blog no less) was actually very cathartic and empowering all at the same time.  It even helped this Journalism School drop out (yep, it's true), to re-discover her love of writing and to actually start to believe she could be good at it.

Designed with Purpose
So in March of 2009, I started writing Designed with Purpose.  And just like the first blog, Designed with Purpose started as an honest, heart felt way to express my thoughts. But I was no longer writing about a crazy, life threatening illness that plagued my life for a year.  Nope, I was writing about my new found obsession!    

(our big adventure at the animal park!)

An obsession to search for the truth, no matter what!  An obsession that told my heart I was created to be part of an epic adventure!  An obsession that told me to press on and to not give in to resignation or mediocracy for me or anyone else I loved!  An obsession to find my purpose in life.

And a large part of 2009 was about finding purpose in my love of decorating.  Finding a relationship between my ability to make things beautiful and my identity in God...the ultimate designer!

The Time: 5:30am. The Mission:  To arrive on site at the large neighborhood garage sale before all the good stuff is gone! That's is Julie (with the coffee) and Hillary (my main partner in crime in decorating projects) 

Me and Andrea after our big day of garage sale hunting!  (Yes,she is pregnant in this picture!)  Question:  How can you tell if you are way too obsessed with finding deals at a garage sale?  Answer:  You actually contemplate purchasing a lawn mower from a guy while he is mowing his own lawn. Did I mention he was NOT having a garage sale that day? Seriously, you had to be there, but it was bad!

And that is where I am today.  Designed with Purpose is my "real time" online diary of sorts that chronicles my quest to find the Epic Adventure God has planned for me.  It is MY story.  My story that I am sharing because writing makes my head clear.  It helps me to see direction and what God is doing in my life.  It makes sense of things for me. So I will write!

And I will write only for myself and not for the praise of others or out of an unrelenting fear of rejection or needing to be "liked." Cause' as soon as I start to write about what I "think" people want to read, my writing gets BORING!!!

My radio spot on KSBJ.  Topic:  How to decorate on a budget!

 But even though I'm only writing for myself, I hope to find some other gals along the way that feel the same.  Other gals that are playing a role in the adventure God has for them....just by being themselves.

Bible study with just us girls...and Beth Moore!

Wow, so thanks for listening to me spew about myself for this long. Are you so sick of me yet!   I think I just needed to remember why I was writing this blog and to kinda get myself organized a bit!  Which by the way, organization is at the top of my goals for 2010.  HELP!

But getting back on topic...wanna know what I learned in 2009?  Wanna know what God has showed me about how to find my purpose in HIM?  Click HERE to read what I have learned so far.

Talk soon!