Story Seeker: An Update
A few weeks ago, I launched something before I even really knew what I was doing. It has since become one of my absolute favorite things, something I constantly am thinking and dreaming about, something I can't wait to leave work and go do, something that makes my heart race and feel alive and full of joy.
I feel like this project is my baby in a lot of ways, and to be perfectly honest, I'm in love. I never expected Story Seeker would be this fulfilling, this surprising, this beautiful and full of God's love.
It's been a little while since I've shared where things stand with everything, so I wanted to give a little update. It's happening right now. It's in the works. Every week in my planner has a few coffee dates (and there's still room for so many more-- if you want to join in, don't hesitate).
I've been working out the kinks and figuring out all the logistics to make this whole thing come together, and it feels really good now. I feel like the parts of this project came together in a way that will paint a picture that shows the truest essence of every person and tells their story well in both their words and mine.
It's coming soon. It won't be long before you'll get to meet the people I've been meeting and read their stories. I really think you're going to love them. I've been blown away by each person I've met so far, amazed at their willingness to open up and share the hard, gritty stuff and the sweet, joyful stuff, too. I've left these coffee dates with an overflowing heart each time, in awe of the strength and courage I've seen in people who had been strangers just hours earlier.
My plan is to start sharing their stories once a week. I would love for you to grab a cup of your favorite kind of coffee, cozy up, and read these stories. I want you to feel like you were there with us, sprawling out in a booth at Panera until they were vacuuming under our feet, sharing craft beers and hard ciders and trendy food at Ipanema Cafe in downtown Richmond, sitting outside Lamplighter Roasting Company on metal chairs sipping almond milk chai lattes out of mason jars as the sun faded away and nighttime fell.
I hope you read these snippets of stories and realize you have a story, too. I hope you realize everyone does, and each one is unique and remarkable and so worth hearing. I hope you think about your own story, maybe even write it down, maybe even share it with someone, because so much good comes from that. If you want to share it with me as a part of this whole thing, I can't tell you how much I would love that.
It's like dominos when one person opens up-- it just takes that first person to take the leap, and the rest will follow in a way that will amaze you. I think you'll find you have a lot in common with people in ways you might not ever have expected. I think you'll find that people around you have just been waiting for someone to ask them the right question so they can unleash everything they've been keeping inside. I think you'll find that your life has more meaning, more worth, more purpose when you look back on where you've come from, where you are, and where you're going and share it with someone who has different perspectives, insight and encouragement.
So, I hope you'll join us as this project comes to life on our screens. I think you're really going to like the folks you'll get to meet. I know I do-- a lot. They're incredible. You might even get to be friends with them yourself! How cool would that be? I'll make sure you have a way to get connected with them.
I think Wednesdays will be the day. A Story Seeker story time every Wednesday morning...that sounds good to me. I hope you'll join us!