Beauty in the Inbetween

A quick catch up with Sharleen Kato

Sunny days with a very healthy side a warm

Felicity, the orchid, and Lisa’s tip on how to take care of it

The epic July road trip to Pensacola is mapped out, complete with a couple more Dream List items to check off

TWLOHA Blue gift arrived on a perfectly timed day

Finally getting to wear my new favorite sundress

“We laugh because we love, not because we judge.”

A perfectly fun night out with Laurie and Hannah even if our comedy show was cancelled

Saturday happy hour with Rob and Anna

The Acres’ Insider Tours are off and running and though not perfect I feel good about where it will grow

Another incredible woman signed up to come to the Chamonix Intensive

The Costa Rica Intensive is moving from dream to reality

Megan’s diligent and hard work to create the Acres Ambassador program and getting to attend the first training

Mother’s Day lunch with my mama

Kondo-ing my bathroom and closet and being okay with paring down even more

Celebrating Katie Love with a Masquerade Murder Mystery and a karaoke after party

GiveBIG raised over 500 nights of safety for moms and kids living at Acres

The next Sweet Dee and Liz Lemon, featuring Leonard Hoftseader, is just 9 days away! (Bring me all the breakfast ice cream on a white sand beach)

Lunch with Gen and solid laughs and conversation as always

Finally a doctor who listens and tests for all the things and discovers the cause of my five months of fatigue and sickness

B12 shots are pretty much a game changer

Waking up with energy for the first time since December

That Kim is always willing to set me up for work out class if I’m running late

A team that genuinely supports me in my…

Getting to touch base with Katie Callow and how much she’s brought to the Acres’ social media

The realization just how much Erin and I have already accomplished in just four months!

When board meeting presentations go just right

Myles’ openness to share his family’s story and his reminder God’s timing is what matters, not mine

A sweet trip down memory lane

Working with my team to create our…

Checking an item off my DreamList… flying via private jet.

The amazingly generous individual who made said flight possible

Quick and safe arrival into Dallas and breezy check-in

A city view room (complete with view of the grassy knoll and the “X” where JFK was shot)

Inspiring TED talks at the CLA Outcomes conference

A great trip with a great woman and coworker

The first of many informative, challenging and affirming workshops that will help me become a better leader and businesswoman

Sneaking out to catch up with Remy and Stephanie at Rodeo Goat (Hot Bastard Burger + Dutch Beer = delightful)

Stephanie’s kindness to pick me up from the hotel

Finally wining at a raffle!

Hard Eight BBQ and Mike’s generosity to treat the group

Falling asleep to a lightening storm and watching the ominous clouds roll in

Another safe flight home and getting in a couple few hours earlier than expected

A long sleep in my own bed

The flexibility to take an introverted work day from home

Pomegranate happy hour with people who get me and also like to find the funny in the hard stuff of life

A bright, sunny Saturday and getting to wear my rose gold snake skin shoes

Carrie’s tickets to PNB’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and another treat yo self outing with Lollie

A very sweet gift from Kari

Easter lunch with mom and dad and seeing mom before she heads out to Scotland again

Game of Thrones viewing with Hi-Chews sans Strawberry

The incredibly talented women on my team

When meetings cancel and I get the gift of time

My episode on Take Me With You is out!

Celebrating another big decision made with The Jack wine

That brainstorming with Erin always leads to an even better idea than when we started

Jenni sharing her experience with Intermissionary

My favorite Starbucks at the airport

Meeting the founder of Acres of Diamonds and hearing her inspiring life story and conviction to say “Yes”

Catching up with the Gibbs family and hearing more about their upcoming adventure

Getting to share about my Mercy Ships experience with someone who really wanted to hear

A ride to the airport

The Go-Giver

Rich connections and fellowship that meet a soul need you didn’t know you had

Sleeping in my own bed after a 20 hour day and two flights

Florida trip is coming together, complete with Disney princess and villain face masks

Cirque du Soleil “Crystal” with Lollie

Treat yo self Sunday with a mani/pedi

Spontaneous lunch with Mom and dad

The gift of time with a delayed flight to Dallas and not needing to rush through errands

Game of Thrones season premiere

Chocolate cake and bubbles for dinner

Book club dinner and discussion full of laughs, wine and good food

“You are faithful, why should my heart be afraid”

The opportunity to take a trip down memory lane for the upcoming Take Me With You podcast

Unplanned… powerful movie with a powerful message

A great new haircut from the salon right across the hall at work

Getting into the groove of Barre3 workouts

Tours, tours and more tours… but the opportunity to connect with the mission

Quite possibly the best voice to text fail I’ve sent

Elevation worship concert

Tipsy Cow dinner complete with battered and fried maple bacon

The chocolate chip cookies came out perfect again

Birthday cake frozen yogurt and waffle cookie

Spotlights that just looked pretty to me

An unexpected and divinely timed direct message of encouragement and challenge

Lunch with mom and dad at Tavern Hall and a very delicious banana waffle

Eight Bethel Victory Tour tickets that are going to be perfectly used

AAA is very easy to set up in a pickle and very quick to respond and send someone out to fix my car

When recalls are just a one day fix and the loaner car is brand new

That the sign of a good week isn’t how many photos I take

Though it’s still quite cool, its been almost a full week of sunshine, clear skies and lovely sunsets

Red trousers

That I have the flexibility to work from home, especially thankful for this when the maintenance guy is having fun with the nail gun

Gift with purchase at Nordstrom

A tangible reminder to keep believing and dreaming big

One very hilarious book that reminds me its all about…

A clean and warm blanket fresh from the dryer

Nancy Nelson sharing her fundraising wisdom

The lasting work that TWLOHA is doing

Everywell’s at home food sensitivity test – maybe I’ll finally get to the bottom of this four month fatigue!

A very long walk on a warm winter day without a cloud in the sky

Post workout dinner with Kim complete with laughs, solid conversation and delightfully messy…

A total introvert day

The Intermissionary map is on the wall!

Making an official Dream List with 100 things to do or experience

Geneva flights are booked, including a bonus stopover in Iceland to tick off a Dream List item: the Blue Lagoon

A moment where I meet the full force of God’s kindness with dreams fulfilled

An unexpected but lovely skype call with my sister and the littles

Discovering a…

12 month growth goals written down and a plan starting to fall in place to make it all happen… including getting Howard the Jellyfish

Catching up with Anna and another happy hour discussing life and books

A quick phone chat with Dianna and how great it is to have a friend to laugh with and who I get to see in person in just two weeks!

A walk in the woods to clarify and relax my mind

The start of…

The sun is back!!!! Coffee breaks in the sun

Easy filming segment for the Assistance League of the Eastside’s fundraising video

Making a good life choice… even though it felt far from good

Going to my first book club meeting and having a wonderful time with a group of women who enjoy life

“You and I aren’t promised a life of ease. We are promised a life of presence.” – Matt Chandler

Not one, but four sermons on promises fulfilled

A stunning sunset that reminds me spring is really coming and I will be ok

JuneBaby dinner with lovely new friends and great conversation

Trying fried pig’s ears… and yes they were pretty darn good!

Free massage that I desperately needed

Casting Crown’s Just be Held song

Being brave and standing up for my heart and knowing that I am supported by wonderful friends who help me stay brave

Firefly Ridge

Trying new things and experiences

Homemade chocolate chip cookies

Learning to cook fresh pasta three ways at the Sur la Table cooking class

The kind woman at the Safeway checkout who let me go in front of her

Little spider tickles

Productive and yet somehow still lazy Sunday afternoons

Coffee chat with my parents before their retreat

Catching up with Gen and having a safe place to go and be for a little time between appointments

Clearing out the inbox and getting back to zero action items

Planting my office succulent and yet another lesson in patience

Having in person 1:1 meetings with my team instead of over the phone

Finding the missing bottle of vitamins

A memory picture on my drive into work

Clean water from a faucet… will never take this for granted

Coming into work and seeing a very thoughtful and sweet gift waiting for me

When a sweet co-worker offers to bring me a coffee

In spite of scheduling mishaps and technical difficulties I made it on my first Firegirl Academy call and was rewarded with nuggets of encouragement and reminders to keep going and ask myself the million dollar question, “What am I making this mean?”

Back to working out and walking the sunny but cold waterfront

Dinner at Din Tai Fung with Lollie and running into new friends

That Larry David moment in the elevator

The gift of a happy light for a bit and how quickly it brightens my mood

The opportunity to speak again and share some wisdom with young women

Helping out with Operation: Girl Scout Cookie Drop

Hand warmers on a very cold morning

Pink water 🙂

Finally getting to catch up with Jillian and trying Tavern Hall’s Mardi Gras menu

Unexpected but very successful shopping trip and some lovely new clothes that were a steal of a deal

Game of Thrones marathon with Flipside wine and Samoas

Finally trying Woodblock and catching up with a lovely new friend

A lovely walk in the winter night and time to think, process and plan

Dreaming big and trusting God for even bigger when it comes to Intermissionary

Intentional time of prayer for what comes next and believing big dreams

“Strawberries… does that mean something?”

A very happy reminder of a Disney getaway

Snow plows and maintenance that made it possible to finally escape the apartment

Chatting with Jenny and Henry and building out a to do list for The Gathering… challenge accepted.

Intermissionary is officially recognized by the State of Florida!

Leaving the snow behind and heading for some sunshine

Driving through West Covina and stopping for Ashley’s first In-N-Out experience

Casa de Palmer was even more amazing and perfect in person and a sweet welcome from Papa Palmer

Rainy SoCal days don’t stop us… movie matinee and relaxing afternoon at the house

The most amazing memory dinner at Cork and Fork and a bread pudding I won’t soon forget (so good there wasn’t even time to take a foodie pic!)

Waking up to sunshine streaming in and a perfect cloudless day

Road trip through Joshua Tree National Park and matching TV shirts to prove it

Incredible views and incredible sights

Car karaoke singing along to U2 and Queen

Missing all the road damage from the rain storm

A mostly full day without mobile service just beautiful friends in a beautiful part of the world

Discovering a local gem, Pioneertown, and another delightful meal at Pappy & Harriet’s

Late night hot tub happy hour under the stars

Starting a lazy day with fresh mimosas made from the orange tree in the backyard

Late morning naps in the sun and getting just a touch of color

A little round of putt putt in the shade

The return of the Mada Bike Gang

Starting the list for the next annual Palm Springs getaway

An sunset pontoon cruise and happy hour with our future selves

Easy flight back home after one last great brunch

Coming home to a cold but sunny Seattle

Knowing the next trip to the sunshine is just a month away!

Going to bed refreshed, full of memories and oh so thankful for forever friends

UberEats on snow days and perfectly spiced Pad Thai

Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies… and cookies for breakfast the next morning

An awesome snap chat documentary about Steve… the guy who shoveled the snow on the hill across the way

Uber and Lyft drivers who saved Girl’s Night at the Ballet

  The gentle thud and squeak of toe shoes on the stage and the glitter of crystals in the spotlight

The reminder that even fairy tales aren’t real they reflect something that is very real

Melting Pot dinner and remembering High School memories

Reading a book cozy by the fire

Palm Springs is just a day and some change away!

Dreaming up big things for Intermissionary and Girl Catch Fire

The Gathering has dates!

Valentine’s cards for Acres are signed, sealed and on their way

Finally getting to work a day from the new office

Going to bed and waking up to this winter wonderland

  Laughing with Gen until I felt sick and nauseous

A wonderful meeting with Misty and getting to share some best practices

“Life’s short. Love is rare. Regret sucks to live with.”

Cross stitch Sunday

Happy hour with Krissy on her whirlwind last trip to Seattle

Friday night Costco run and making the best of adulting

Making new friends and laughing about the football team in our apartment

Taxes filed

Game of Thrones marathon has begun

Wearing a reminder of the beautiful people in Sakete

Roomie night and pretzels at Cinemark Reserve

Safe, sound and cozy in bed by 9pm

The opportunity to mentor and coach a peer and how life giving the first meeting was

Acres finally moved into our new office space!

A solid and fun spontaneous happy hour with quality friends

Finally cleaning out my closet of all my old clothes

Intermissionary had its first seed money and made a great new connection

Trusting God is scary at times but the little nuggets that remind us we are not alone are very, very beautiful and comforting

Weekend photos from Erin’s trip to Nashville

Sharing my purpose

Winter sunsets

Quick trips to the doctor’s office and no wait times

Unexpected but glorious sunny days

Warm and cozy workday in front of the fire while it snowed outside

A great conference call with Katie Callow and dreaming up ways we can better tell the Acres story

Team building and creative time at Northwest Art Studio

A long walk on a crisp, sunny and gorgeous morning

“God is more interested in the success of your soul than the success of your bank account.” – Judah Smith

Getting to meet and share with some Vision House interns

Marco Polo with Dianna and the reminder how awesome Kid President is

“Love does that, it just keeps going, even when things are dark.” – Kid President

Prepare for success not for…

Kind messages from so many about my new role at Girl Catch Fire

Getting to work alongside a woman of passion, conviction, big ideas and FUN!

Letting the roots grow deeper

Girl scout cookies from Gen and Syd

Wisdom and discernment while making a difficult decision

The peace that comes with making said decision, even if it isn’t the decision I thought I was going to make

Catching up with Tanya…