by Jill Pearson
Doesn’t life sometimes seem like a spirograph design, with lines moving in interesting directions, circling back, intersecting old lines, and ultimately creating a fascinating pattern? I’m experiencing that right now as I compile the inagural post of Calvary’s new women’s blog: The Stir.
You see, this is not my first go-round at being a “journalist.” Circle back with me to 5th grade at Albany (Illinois) Elementary School, when I wrote, among other things, an advice column for our school newspaper, The Grade School Gazette, advising anonymous classmates on how to navigate crushes, strict parents, and other such dilemmas. I’m sure I offered some golden nuggets as an 11-year-old!
The line spun round again my senior year when I was the layout & design editor and wrote articles for my Clinton, Iowa high school newspaper, The Clintonian. From interviews to opinion pieces to breaking news of Vandalism in the Girls’ Locker Room, I was hot on the beat with my 80s bangs and press badge.
Then we circle around to my foray into a new thing called “blogging” in the 2000s. I was in the thick of parenting and homeschooling, longing to keep a shred of my former identity, and used blogging as a means of “talking to adults” on a personal Christian blog called Deeply Drawn.
I just turned 50, and my relationship with news has been deeply affected in recent years. I now feel the need to curate my newsfeed, discern fake news, and curtail my exposure. Sigh. I long for simple headlines…
Man Reads Poetry to Wife at Hospital Bedside Boy Raises Money for Grandpa’s Cancer Treatment with Lemonade Stand Deaf Baby Hears Mother’s Voice for the First Time
So in the spirit of fun, encouragement, and heartwarming news, I’m circling back once more as the co-editor of The Stir, a publication meant to uplift, connect, and inform the vibrant women of Calvary and to celebrate God’s meticulous, spiraling design for our lives.
I leave you with a question: is there a recurring theme in your life…an interest you’ve returned to over and over? Share in the comment section so we can learn more about each other.
Jill Pearson is co-editor of The Stir, wife to Dave, and mom to three young adults who have flown the nest but are easily lured back with an offer of dinner. She owns and operates Riverwood Studio, an art education business, and finds creative ways to serve at Calvary.
6 thoughts on “Welcome to The Stir”
Babies are perhaps a recurring theme in my life. Loved Anne Geddes’ baby photography as a kid, loved to babysit in high school and college, have always had a heart for pro-life causes, and am now expecting our 3rd child at age 40!
Congratulations on your pregnancy, Martha! I remember those Anne Geddes’ babies in the day. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely a wonderful website! I am so loving getting to know more of the women of Calvary! The brunch today was so nice and you have to love Pastor Kyle. Marching orders and comedy! I have been blessed to get to know many of the “older” women at Calvary and according to my grandkids, I am one myself! It was the loving compassion of the women in Prayer and Care that brought me to and have nourished my faith and life these past years. Oh how I hope some of you get to know some of us better!!
That’s the beauty of this blog, Connie! We’ll be highlighting women of all ages and stages of life. Can’t wait to get to know you better!
I love the spirograph analogy! Great work on getting this off the ground so quickly.
Thanks, LeeAnn! We’re excited about the possibilities.