As we are getting organized, let's also get acquainted. If you would like, please give us a quick introduction to yourself (what you want us to know :)), and a short bit on why this whole topic interests you.
I'll go first. My name is Becce Bettridge. I live here in Friday Harbor and have for almost 3 years. I love it and love the people here who have become very dear to me. I read this book for the first time as part of a Spiritual Formation program I am participating in as part of my study to become a Spiritual Director. I have always been very "busy" for God, but in this new season of my life, I want to move into what I do through the doorway of who I am. This idea of "vocation" helps me do that.
I am Charlene Amsden. I have only lived in Friday Harbor since January. I moved here from Honolulu, Hawaii, but I am originally from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I spent most of my growing up years in the PNW and its inland empire. It is good to be home again where the air is fresh and crisp. I come to this study seeking direction from God in this new season of my life. I am looking forward to the coming weeks as we study and grow together.So enough from us . . . anyone else? Introduce yourself in the comments. (If you don't know how to do that, please see the previous post.)
I am Nancy O'Kelly. I live in Massachusetts and I do bookkeeping at a church and I work as a grower and clerk at a wholesale/retail greenhouse operation. I also manage a food concession at a small theme park in the fall and winter. So,even though I do alot of things, it has never been clear to me what my vocation is. And that's why I'm here!
ReplyDeleteI'm Meg Chesley. I have lived on San Juan Island for three years after my husband and I embarked on our dream on board a 41' catamaran in 2006. Friday Harbor is our call as well as a dream destination. I learned about this book through Becce as we prepared for our women's retreat this past Spring. We are on the move on our boat most of the summer and I thought this would be a great way to be connected to the women in Friday Harbor even when I am away.
ReplyDeleteI'm Cathy. I also live on San Juan Island and have for the past 5 years. I have been happily married to my best friend for 20 years and we have 3 children from ages 9 to 16. I am a wife, mother and work outside the home part-time as an administrative assistant/secretary/receptionist/bookkeeper. My "vocation" as I understood it was Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (helping people with disabilities find and keep jobs). I have mey M.Ed. in Rehab. Counseling and my Certification (CRC). So the meaning of voaction...well, I'm all about this book. It's a new concept for me to think of vocation as something other than a job or career track. I am excited to get into the meat of this book and start on the track of finding my God-given vocation.
ReplyDeleteI am Patricia. I live in Friday Harbor. My husband and I moved here four years ago. I am an early retiree and probably the senior member of the group. I have had many vocations over the years and am now wondering what my next vocation may be. I am looking forward to this study to help me pull together many unfinished tasks and to make a difference in our world according to God's will and not my own.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing. It is fun to know who our conversation partners will be. We will post our first discussion questions over the weekend. If you know people who are planning to be part of this group and have not yet signed in, give them a nudge :).
ReplyDeleteHere is a question I would like you to be thinking about in the meantime:
Remember a time when you were involved in some activity during which (and after which) you reflected upon that experience and said "I loved doing that!"
Hello everyone! I'm happy to see the folks here have varied backgrounds and jobs. I think this will make the study very interesting. I'm looking forward to working and learning with all of you!
ReplyDeleteHi, I am Debbie Noonan. I live in Houston, TX. However, this summer, I am fortunate enough to stay with my sister in Friday Harbor, WA for two weeks each month. I work as a flight attendant flying internationally which keeps me away from home about 50% of each month. I love the flexibility of my job and the opportunities it has given me over the past 20 years. I often thought the words "vocation" and "calling" were for people with more time on their hands. Now I'd like to learn more. I'm really looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteHi, I’m Andi Zaehring. I’ve lived on San Juan Island for 20 years. My husband and I are in business together doing accounting and financial management for small business owners. Our son and his wife are living in Edmonds and expecting their first child later this year. Our daughter and her husband live in Tacoma with Hazel Meg, our first grandchild, who is now 3 months old!
ReplyDeleteWhen I graduated from college (in 1963) I thought I had a definite career path—I was trained to be a high-school Spanish teacher. Little did I realize then how many different jobs, tasks and ministries to which God would call me over the years. I’m looking forward to this conversation this summer about vocation. I see how the lines between “spiritual” and “secular” are often blurry and not as distinct as I thought when I was younger.
Hi! I am so glad people are signing in and connecting. I'm looking forward to getting started.
ReplyDeleteI'm Julie Ross, I have lived on the Island for 20 years with my husband and 4 sons. I was always very secure with my "calling" being a mother, wife, home school teacher and nurturing my family and home and working in our construction business. In the last few years, major changes have occured, all the sons are living off the island in other states, some married and some with children and some still single. Our business has virtually shut down and I find myself in a wonderful job as a private caregiver. I think all the years nurturing my family has been preparation for this season, but it still looks different than I thought it would. I love reading this book and being in conversation with others about the changing seasons of our lives.
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ReplyDeleteI am retired and am really searching for what I am called to do with the rest of my life. I have recently moved form Nevada back to the land of my family, Oklahoma. Even though I was away for 18 years I now realize that my true calling is "something" in the lush green Oklahoma hills or the vast wheat country of western Oklahoma. I am looking forward to searching with other Christian women
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ReplyDeleteIf you can see two deleted posts above, you'll know I'm new at this and had problems posting...but I think I've got it!
ReplyDeleteAs a wife of 15 years, mother of 14- and 12-year-old boys, and a business owner, I find it hard to "cope with competing needs and demands" but really want to "craft a balanced, ordered way of living" (as the back of the book says). While I'm eager to explore my calling, I also need practical shot in the arm, so I'm also reading "The House That Cleans Itself." My goal this summer is to stay in the Word while getting my house in order AND involving my family in that process for support. You can pray toward that end.
Hi I'm Kitty. I've been blessed to live in Friday Harbor for almost 5 years now. For most of my adult life, I have been a wife, mother and now grandmother, and have always considered this the BEST calling of my life. As a child, my only dream was to be married and have children, and I feel so fortunate to have lived that dream. I have never been a career woman, but have had many jobs, including teaching school, social worker, travel agent and shop girl. Twenty years ago I began quilting, and it open a whole new world for me, offering me opportunities I would never have thought possible. I am looking forward to this book study with everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis is Merilyn. I MADE IT IN...ON...WHATEVER! All I can say is after spending 2 hours getting to this point I have nothing else to say. My eyes are watering, my fingertips are bruised and my brain is fried. I'm just hoping I can learn how to navigate these modern communication devices. I'd really rather just discuss this in my living room over a cup of tea. Come on by...I live in Friday Harbor and if you are not a serial killer I'll give you my address. If you are a cereal killer I have Cheerios, Total, and Honey Bunches of Oats.
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