If you ask, Tell me about Jodi, the important stuff. . .
I’m a noticer, a word-wrestler, one who uses up the last drop of her daily allotment of grace—and often has to ask for more. I rarely get things right the first time, but I’m learning that starting over in multiples isn’t as bad as you might think. I wonder…a lot, about a lot of things. But not so much that I’ve lost my sense of wonder with this adventure called life.
I gasp at the sweetness in my three grandgirls’ faces and I’ve been known to blow kisses to trees with the pink of spring in their hair. That “grow old along with me” poem?? Yeah—Don & I are doing that (slowly, I hope). But I love him more now than when we said “I do” back in the 1970s—even though we had NO idea WHAT we were doing! God gave us three sweet kids along the way—and no, you never stop being a mom or asking them to let you know they made it home safely, even when they’re all grown up with wonderful spouses capable of monitoring such matters, thank you very much!
What do I want to do with the rest of my life?
I want to keep having meaningful conversations with others about things that matter. I want to write in a way that compels minds to think, hearts to open, and spirits to stretch Godward on tiptoe. I want to resist the pull to play it safe, be moderate, & show only my best side. When I pray, “Be big in me, O God,” I want to mean it. And one more thing…I want to drink good coffee and eat cupcakes whenever possible.
A few official things:
I write books. The Jesus-Hearted Woman: 10 Leadership Qualities for Enduring & Endearing Influence, was released in 2013. My latest book, The Settled Soul: Tenaciously Abiding with a Tender God, was birthed (it sure felt that way!) during the 2020 pandemic.
I was a columnist for The Seattle Times, one of America’s leading newspapers, for several years. (LOVED it!)
I’m a certified coach who helps my clients get “unstuck” so they can reach their goals.
I’m a frequent speaker at various events and conferences for all kinds of groups across America (and beyond). I absolutely love to talk to people at heart-level about things that matter most.
I have a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) seminary degree in leadership and I serve as an adjunct professor at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington.
I live with one of the BEST guys God ever made, my minister/photographer-genius husband, Don, in the rainy Pacific Northwest where lattes are always a good idea.