Birthday Blog Launch

If you're reading this it means that you've fluttered down and landed on this humble blog, my little interNEST, and I'm so glad you've landed here for a little while. I dearly hope that you find something to read that will encourage you, spur you onward to love and good works, and hopefully be a little peek into the depths of my heart.

I launched this website as a gift to myself for my 40th birthday (which is today)! Nearly fifteen years ago I bought the domain jasminhowell.com with the intention of starting a blog, and after nearly fifteen years of renewing the domain name with big plans and THINKING about having a blog, I thought "enough silliness, time to GET one!"

And so, here I am, lovingly bringing this blog into the world just in time to step into my fourth decade.

As an idealist, my plans and hopes are often bigger than my time or energy permit, but I have learned that the best way to do something isn't to wait for inspiration, energy, perfect opportunities, amiable emotions, clear skies or straight roads...the best way to do something is to just start, even if all you can do is move forward little by little. I mean, that's actually the most realistic way to do anything. That's how one raises children, fills the freezer with meals, sews a quilt, builds a home, stays married, writes a book, and...well, you get the idea. It's not enough to DO THE THING when you're on top of the world. To move forward you must do it when you're sad, when you're tired, when you're sick, when you're lonely AND when you are blissfully happy. Perfect never comes. It's taken this idealist dreamer a very long time to figure this out, but that's okay. I DID indeed figure it out.

I was so blessed to ring in 40 years with many sweet cards, texts, phone calls, and then a little dinner party in the evening with so many lovely friends both new and old. I laughed my head off, enjoyed the company of every single person who was able to come, and thanked the Lord for all that has transpired in my life to bring me to today. Every struggle, every victory, and all the living in between (much of which is recorded on this blog)…has been a privilege to live to the glory of God and I pray that the next 40 years of my life might be a pleasing, fragrant offering to my Lord. 

So here’s to 40! It’s been a good, GOOD life and I’m thankful for every breath.