beWARM

Most of you who know me may not know that I am a slow starter about some things.  I tend to let ideas “incubate”, sometimes interminably!  So it goes with a vision I had about 8 years ago.  I had just finished listening to a radio interview of a Christian author who wrote a book about celebrating women in midlife ( alas, here I am!).  Her main points were 1. Enjoy and celebrate the wisdom of your years rather than bemoaning the loss of youth, 2. Though finding new creative and intellectual outlets are important, focusing on and strengthening the relationship with your spouse is of the highest priority now, and 3. Never underestimate the value of being a mentor to younger women. Lamentably, I never got the name of the author or her book title!  After this, I had a remarkable experience unlike any other before.  As I relaxed during a massage, I actually “saw” these words in my mind – beWARM…Women Actively Reaching for More…Spirituality..Support…Serenity.    I was blown away!  My only conclusion was that this was a message from God.  My question was, what to do with it?  After much prayer, and conversations with trusted friends, I concluded that, at the very least, this was how God wanted me to live my life, and that I should surround myself with other women with similar outlooks.  At the time I thought about creating a website, not having a clue how to go about that – but it just didn’t feel right. So…I have spent these past years striving to “reach for more” in my relationship with God, doing much reading, praying, and conversing with other women about their faith journeys.  My awareness of God’s presence in all things has brought me joy, comfort, and inspiration.

So how did I get to this moment?  My three beautiful daughters, Emily, Kristy, and Abby, have been supportive of this vision from day one – and this blog site is their gift to me for my 60th birthday! Kristy just happens to be a talented graphic designer; I had asked her some time ago if she could help me articulate a vision for bewarm – but I had no idea it would come to this! (and to think there were many years when my daughters weren’t always receptive to what I had to say!)  My amazing husband Joey has also been a tremendous support of being WARM, and of my spiritual growth;  for that, and his love, I am so grateful.  My family is one of my most treasured gifts! I have no idea of where all of this might lead – or even what I am going to write about – but I trust that God has a purpose for this, and I am praying that the Holy Spirit will help me with some thoughts…   I would welcome you as fellow travelers on the journey…