September 2, 2010: Ever notice that, no matter how old you get, life still revolves around the school calendar? The mere recollection of new shoes squeaking on freshly waxed linoleum can make a lackadaisically paced person (aka, me) want to locate a locker, reconnect with friends, and expand intellectual horizons. (As long as I don’t have to set an alarm clock.)
I won’t be hopping on any yellow buses this month, but I am taking strides to shake off vacation mode and beef up my daily schedule -- setting regular writing hours and even hoping to launch some regular (weekly) features on my blog. (Feel free to hold me accountable. I probably need it.) Speaking of the blog, if you haven’t stopped by lately, I posted lots of photos from our time in the NW. Islands, architecture, and there may be a few of Harper in there . . .
Happy Summer-Becoming-Autumn, eveyone!
Love, Jeanne
August 2, 2010: Good gravy, it’s hot. And humid. It feels like some cosmic giant is ironing Texas, and the steam button got stuck on full blast. The forecasted high today is 106, and yet, just look at me. Still smiling. And you want to know why? Because in a few days I get to go to a place where the high today is 77, and where snow-capped mountains and the Pacific Ocean compete for best view, but the best view is waiting for me at Gypsy Cottage, smiling and cooing and holding my heart in her tiny little hand.
Love that baby and her parents. Love Seattle. Love, love, love.
This month I have wedding photos to process, novel chapters to write, praise band music to play and sing, places to go and people to see. Thanking God for family, friends, daily bread, conviction of sin, repentance, and new mercies every morning. Also thanking God for air conditioning.
See you in September. Love, Jeanne
July 12, 2010: I like to update my website at the beginning of each month, but July 1 found me vacationing with extended family in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In spite of (or perhaps because of?) my temporary disconnection from the world wide interwebs, I had a wonderful time, made especially enchanting by the presence of Harper Sparrow in all her two-month-old glory. Babies have a magical power. Curtis said it feels like you’re walking around carrying a bundle of light, brightening the lives and expressions of everyone you meet. Suddenly, a once indifferent world is filled with friendly aunties and uncles, all wishing the new parents everything good. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could capture that magic and good will, holding and sharing it freely with everyone? Hmmm. Sounds like a good excuse to spend lots more time with Harper. (For research purposes, of course.)
For additional news, photos, etc., check the blog and other links above. Wherever you are and whatever life has been handing you lately, I hope you’re basking in God’s goodness and then passing it on. Just like Harper. Love, Jeanne
June 1, 2010: I returned to (sweltering) Texas from (refreshing) Seattle on May 24 and have now managed to endure a whole week away from the presence of newborn perfection. (Impressive, I know. Feel free to send congratulatory messages and cash prizes.) I’m so thankful I was able to share the first month of Harper’s precious new life. Leaving was hard, but happily I will see her again at the end of June. (Prepare yourself for a pattern to emerge.)
Not sure exactly how long-distance grandmothering is going to work, but meanwhile I plan to apply myself to the novel I’m writing. Despite the cuddly competition cooing for attention in the northwest, this story has captured my heart in a big way. I pray for the inspiration and creativity to tell it well.
Wishing you all a splendid summer. Love, Jeanne
May 1, 2010: Let’s see. What can I possibly share of interest? I’m in Seattle right now. Great city. We’ve been enjoying delicious raisin brioche from Macrina Bakery and pleasant walks around Green Lake. Oh, and I also spoke about God’s purposes in suffering at a women’s conference here April 23-24 and really loved connecting with some amazing women. Hmmm. What else. Oh, yeah . . .
HARPER SPARROW ROMJUE WAS BORN! Oh my goodness gracious sakes alive! I didn’t know I could be this in love with such a tiny human! She arrived April 24 at 4:20 AM after 25 hours of intense labor. Grace delivered her at home with the help of midwives and without any drugs--such a powerful picture of entering into purposeful pain with the assurance that God intended to bring good out of it. It was a privilege to share this experience with her and Curtis.
Everyone is happy and healthy. We can’t stop staring at this gorgeous baby! If you want to stare, too, check out the photos and links on my blog. I promised lots and lots of pictures, and I think you’ll agree I’m making good on my promise. :) Enjoy!
Love, Jeanne
April 1, 2010: This year I’m not going to post a fake update in honor of April Fool’s Day, because . . . well, let’s just say I’ve learned my lesson. (But I did have fun learning it. )
Besides a few fun events and a women’s conference I’m very excited about, my calendar is mostly wide open this month. There’s a reason for that. I want to be ready at a moment’s notice to hop on a plane and fly to Grace’s side to welcome Harper Sparrow Romjue into this crazy, beautiful world where she is already loved more than words can express.
Please pray for her safe arrival. And prepare yourself for pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.
Love, Jeanne
March 1, 2010: Hard to believe Luke and Sarah have already celebrated their one-week-iversary! The wedding was beautiful and worshipful, pointing hearts to the day when Christ will return for His Bride and present her faultless before His Father’s throne. For a little taste of the abundant wedding feast we enjoyed February 19, click here.
This month I’m looking forward to three speaking engagements and some other fun activities. (Click the Calendar link for more info!) I also plan to file my not-so-fun taxes, because I want to be ready to jump on a plane and head to Seattle should Grace go into labor before her mid-April due date. Harper Sparrow will be here soon! So many beautiful gifts our loving Lord is lavishing upon us. I pray you, too, are receiving His goodness with joy.
Love, Jeanne
February 1, 2010: Only eighteen days until Luke and Sarah’s wedding! Their showers were wonderful and marked by sweet fellowship. I enjoyed the delightful privilege of taking Sarah’s bridal portraits, and all the last-minute details seems to be falling into place. Meanwhile, the MHS choir performs their 1940s swing-dance show this coming weekend, filling this week with a final flurry of rehearsals to iron out any kinks and crank up the pizzazz. Curtis and Grace arrive the following weekend--a week before the wedding--for a couple of baby showers, and then it’s the final countdown to Here Comes the Bride. Such fun, wonderful times!
We couldn’t be more grateful. Wishing you a fabulous February, too. Love, Jeanne
January 5, 2010: Happy New Year! 2010 promises to be an exciting year for the Damoff family, and we’ve hit the ground running. This month I’ll be fully entrenched in a choreography project with the local high school choir. The first weekend in February they’re staging a 1940’s USO-type show with lots of high-energy swing dancing. Fun! I’ll also be attending three showers for Sarah and Luke as their February 19 wedding date approaches. Meanwhile, Harper Sparrow Romjue continues to grow and frolic in Grace’s womb as her April due date inches closer and closer. What beautiful blessings from our gracious Lord.
May He draw near and make 2010 a year we all learn to know and love Him more. Love, J.
December 1, 2009: This year our family enters the advent season with extra-joyful hearts. Grace and Curtis had an ultrasound yesterday, and the verdict is in. IT’S A GIRL! What an amazing gift! The photo of her tiny smiling profile, safe and warm inside Grace’s womb, reminds me of the miracle we celebrate at Christmas. Unto us a Child is born! And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
Merry Christmas, everyone! May we all embrace the wonder. Love, J.
November 1, 2009: Today I fly to Seattle, and tomorrow The Great Northwest Speak-a-thon begins! Seven events in nine days. (If you want all the details, click the calendar link above.) I’m honored and excited to share our story with so many people, and I also look forward to spending time with Grace, Curtis, and OUR FIRST GRANDBABY!
Okay, so the baby’s not born yet. But I still get to see Grace’s bulging tummy and dream with them about fun days to come. We even plan to squeeze in a little Luke time in Vancouver. Such wonderful blessings! Please pray for safe travel, good health, and God’s grace to abound.
Two days after I return to Texas I speak and lead worship at a local women’s retreat. The second half of the month promises to be filled with meaningful work and precious family times. Much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Love, J.
October 1, 2009: SUPER FUN NEWS! Our son, Luke, is engaged to marry Sarah Wilson, a beautiful, creative, gifted, intelligent, and godly young lady. We love her so much, and we couldn’t be happier for both of them. Please pray for them as they prepare to begin their life together.
I’m gearing up for a couple of speaking engagements this month and then a jam-packed first half of November, most of it in Washington state. I love these opportunities to connect with various groups! What an honor. I’m also working on my novel and have recruited some stellar critique partners to provide feedback and keep me on task. (Why am I such a procrastinator? Ugh.)
As autumn settles in, I hope you’re enjoying the changing colors and temperatures and the unchanging faithfulness of God. Love, J.
September 1, 2009: I can’t believe summer is winding down, students are back in school, and Fall is just around the corner. We had a great summer with lots of family time and travel, and now I’m looking forward to productive months ahead, working on my new novel, and preparing for a busy speaking schedule. I also have some fun news to share, but the time is not quite ripe, so I’ll have to leave that fruit dangling just out of reach for now. (Don’t you hate it when people do that?)
If you haven’t checked out my website pages since the recent makeover, have a look around. And let me know what you think! I love hearing from you. Love, J.
July 26, 2009: Sorry for the long silence! I left town June 24 and returned July 14. During that time I visited five states, slept in eight different beds, attended two weddings, two family reunions, five birthday celebrations, hiked a couple of mountains, strolled on a beach, took thousands of photos, and enjoyed time with my dearly beloveds. Now that we're back home, I have thousands of photos to process and lots of writing to do. I've also been keeping a busy speaking schedule with more coming up. All very exciting, fun, and a huge honor. For more specifics, click the schedule link above. Thanks for your interest! I appreciate you. :) Love, J.
June 4, 2009: My biggest project right now is a new novel based on a true story. The main characters are a British woman and Thai bar girl whose lives converge in the grace of God. The more time I spend with these characters, and the more they blossom in my imagination, the more convinced I am that I'm not writing a story but discovering one that already exists in the heart of God. May I watch closely and listen well.
In other June news, George and I are leading music for EPC's VBS, and at the end of the month I travel to Detroit to photograph Heather Yanke and Jonathan Lunneberg's wedding. I hope your summer is off to a lovely start. Stay cool! Love, J.
May 1, 2009: Okay. Sincere (cough) apologies to those who had a heart attack before they reached the punch line on my last update. I have to say I'm deeply honored (and flabbergasted) that anyone actually believed me. What great, supportive, gullible friends I have! Alas, April has ended and delusions of grandeur must be set aside, but there's still lots to get excited about. Check the schedule for upcoming events. Also, if you want up-to-the-minute coverage of what's going on in my world (Hi, Mom) the best way to spy on my life is through Facebook(Jeanne Damoff) and Twitter (@JeanneDamoff). If you hang in one of those cyber-hoods, let's be friends. :) Love, J.
April 1, 2009: What a difference a few weeks makes! Since my last update, Parting the Waters has hit the NY Times Bestseller's List and been optioned for a major motion picture through Fox Studios! As if that weren't enough excitement, one of my Thailand photographs was purchased by National Geographic for their June cover, and I was contacted by Dancing with the Stars to be a contestant for their spring 2010 season. I should also mention that today is April Fool's Day.
So, yeah. None of that was exactly (or even remotely) true, but life is still very wonderful with lots of interesting developments. The story I mentioned in my last update has blossomed into a full-length novel idea that my agent and I are both excited about. I have a slew of upcoming speaking engagements (see schedule), a radio interview, and some fun photography projects on the horizon as well.
Spring is in full bloom in East Texas, creating a fragrant, colorful backdrop for everyday adventures, and making me want to frolic with delight. (Yes, she really did say frolic.) May we all have eyes to see beauty and a heart open to the ache. Happy Spring! Love, J.
March 10, 2009: Wow. I hardly know where to begin. I returned from Thailand March 4 with almost 3000 photos and a heart filled with even more images and thoughts to process. While still in Thailand I posted the seeds of a story on The Master's Artist, and I plan to share lots of photos and more stories in the days ahead. In the meantime, big thanks to everyone who prayed for Grace and me and the rest of the staff and attendees. God abundantly answered your prayers. It was beautiful, amazing, heart-breaking, life-changing. Much more coming soon. Love, J.
February 1, 2009: I've been overwhelmed and amazed by the response to Parting the Waters. Last week The Blog Tour Spot hosted a tour and fifty bloggers posted reviews. I pretty much cried my way through reading them--not because they were bad, but because the readers connected deeply with God in our story and poured their personal reflections into the reviews. Beautiful! And such an honor.
Upcoming news: In eleven days I leave for Thailand! I'll be there three weeks, serving as official photographer and helping lead music for Women of Compassion retreats. Our daughter Grace is also going as a musician and a videographer. We even get to be roommates! I have a sneaking suspicion we're going to have lots of fun!
For info about additional upcoming events, please check the schedule. As always, thanks for dropping by!
January 1, 2009: Happy New Year! I haven't made any measurable resolutions this year, but I do have a daily goal: to believe what God says about Himself, to live aware, to embrace beauty, and to be grateful. The calendar is filling up with exciting opportunities, but only God truly knows what lies ahead. Isn't that both a comforting and exhilarating thought? Here's to securing all loose articles and eagerly looking forward to the ride!
December 16, 2008: Big thanks to Chris Paddie of KMHT radio and Bob Dutko of KMUZ (Detroit) for two lovely interviews today! What an honor to be on your programs. I'd also like to welcome anyone who's stopping by after hearing one of those interviews. I'm delighted you're here! Click the Publications link above if you want more info about Parting the Waters. Please make yourself at home!
December 5, 2008: I've been shut out of my website since Nov. 5, but tonight a friend helped me move to a new host, so now I can update with all kinds of fun news! Parting the Waters released mid-November, and KSLA News 12 produced a beautiful story that aired the evening before Thanksgiving. You can watch it here. (Click the red camera.) The Marshall News Messenger ran a full-page interview with photographs on Nov. 30th and another article yesterday reminding the community about our launch party that evening. We had a fabulous turn out and loved visiting with so many people who've supported our family through the years. I signed almost 300 copies! View photos from the event here. For book ordering information, click the publications link.
This month is full of adventure. Click the schedule link for a peek! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a beautiful Christmas!
November 3, 2008: Here in East Texas leaves are just beginning to change color, but Christmas decorations are already going up around the square--fit symbolism for a typically frenetic holiday-season pace. And my calendar is no exception. Lots to do, but lots to celebrate as well. Parting the Waters releases this month (ordering info on Publications page). Choreography rehearsals for the high school Christmas show commence this week. George defends his PhD dissertation on the 21st. And then we gather with family for a Thanksgiving filled with good food, great music, and lots of love and laughter--resting up for another month of go, go, go!
If you live in the area, please mark your calendar for a come-and-go book release party from 4:30 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 4 at the Marshall Visual Arts Center. We'll give one free copy of Parting the Waters to every family in attendance as a small token of our gratitude to the individuals, businesses, and churches of this community who've blessed and comforted our family in countless beautiful ways over the years since Jacob's accident. We love and appreciate you!
October 1, 2008: Big news! Parting the Waters is now available for pre-order! Click the publications link above for details. Grace and Curtis also have a big month ahead, because JUBILEE is touring the west coast. If you live in Washington, Oregon, or California, check the calendar on their website to see if they'll be playing nearby. They'd love to meet you!
Luke is settling into seminary at Regent College in Vancouver, and George is working hard to wrap up his dissertation while teaching part time. Busy days, but good ones. I hope all is well with you, too!
September 5, 2008: This month's schedule is overflowing with activities and celebrations. After breaking for the summer, MOPS kicks off a new theme for an exciting new year. I'm also embarking on a couple of new personal adventures. First, I was invited to participate in a Community Chorus. I haven't sung "real" choral music for a long, long time, and I'm really looking forward to having all those voices swell in stereo around me. I've also joined a ZUMBA! fitness class, which uses Latin-inspired dance moves set to popular Latin and hip-hop flavored music. Great exercise, a few new moves I may be able to incorporate into future choreography projects, but mostly just lots of dancing fun!
We're in the final tweaking stages with Parting the Waters, and it should be ready to release in the next couple of months! When I have a definite date, you can be sure I'll shout it from the housetops. Or, on second thought, maybe I'll just spread the word online. More people will hear about it that way, and I stand a much better chance of not breaking my neck.
July 24, 2008: Consider this a July wrap-up/August pre-view. I usually try to post an update in this space at the beginning of each new month, but July snuck up behind me and then darted past. I'm just now catching up.
On June 30th I picked up Luke at DFW (first time to see him since September 26th!), and the next day the two of us plus my nephew crammed ourselves and our luggage into my Mini Cooper for a road trip to the Rocky Mountains. (More about that adventure here.) A few days after our return, George, Jacob, and Luke headed to Florida to visit George's dad, but George landed in the emergency room with an assortment of odd symptoms, apparently resulting from the fact this his post-Africa malaria medicine was actually battling malaria! (He's much better now.)
We have some fun stuff coming up in August, including our niece's wedding on the 9th, which I will be photographing. Look for upcoming samples on the photo blog. For more about where I'll be in August and what trouble I'll be getting into, click the schedule link above.
I hope you're all staying cool and enjoying a relaxing summer. See you in September!
June 3: After I assist with VBS next week, I'll escape the Texas heat and travel to Seattle to enjoy ten days with Grace & Curtis in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, George is three days into his African adventure with Luke. At the end of the month they'll both return--Luke having completed a nine-month internship with World Venture. After a few weeks to rest and regroup, he'll head for Vancouver, BC, where he's registered to attend seminary at Regent College. That will be quite the change in climate and daily routine!
Things are moving along with Parting the Waters. I've approved a cover (I love it!) and am waiting to approve back-cover copy and proofread galleys. I'll let you know when I have a definite release date! In other news, I still love my camera (see photo blog), blogging at The Master's Artist, and leading worship at EPC. There never seems to be a shortage of creative opportunity, and for this I am truly thankful.
May 3: Lots to celebrate this month! Our 29th Anniversary on the 5th, Grace and Curtis arriving on the 9th, Jacob's birthday on the 10th, Mother's Day on the 11th, Curtis' birthday on the 12th, Stuart and Anna's wedding on the 17th, and George's month-long adventure in Cote d'Ivoire beginning on the 31st. Then there are the usual May milestones that touch almost everyone--the end of a school year, graduation, recitals, and the like.
Sounds like a non-stop party to me. If you're in the neighborhood, drop by and join the fun.
April 17: Every spring the wisteria manages to surprise me. All year long I know its vines are snaking their way up through the trees, brown and unobtrusive. I know they're there, and I even remind myself from time to time. But I can't see them. Then one day in early April I wake up and the woods are exploding with lavender fireworks all the way up to the treetops. It takes my breath away.
God is kind of like wisteria sometimes, isn't He?
Wishing you a surprising spring.
March 20, 2008: I'm home, but my thoughts keep returning to Croatia, swirling around the people, places, and ideas I encountered there. For stories and pictures, check out my blog and photo page (links above). I leave again next Wednesday for the annual FDDDS+M (Father, Daughter, Daughter, Daughter, Son + Mom) Ski Trip with my family of origin. Looks like March will be characterized by my absence from Marshall! But it's nice to be home during this holy season of Easter.
He is risen! And we are redeemed! I know of no better news than that.
February 1, 2008: What an exciting month ahead! I've got one more week of choreography rehearsals with the Marshall High School choir students before their Broadway Musical Revue, which is going to be a fabulous show. (You should come!) After that's over, I'll shift the bulk of my attention to preparations for Croatia. Just last week I found out what my role on the staff will be. Actually, I've been given two specific "jobs": help lead worship, and take pictures. Yes, you read that right. Can you believe it? How fun is that! They might as well have said, "We want you to be the chocolate taste tester. And, if you don't mind, we also need you to test all the pillows for nap-ability." Jobs schmobs! The past few days I've been getting to know the woman in charge of worship, and she's hilarious. So, I guess we'll be laughing a lot. Another one of my favorite things.
I realize this retreat is for the missionaries who will attend, but I sure am liking the ways I've been asked to serve them.
Luke has been in Cote d'Ivoire for four months now experiencing all kinds of adventures, and is still posting once a week to his blog. Grace and Curtis are happily married, settled into Gypsy Cottage, and are launching a new business (in addition to their band, JUBILEE). Jacob is precious, and George is still Prince Charming in a lab coat. Could a girl ask for more?
My next update will be mid-March after I return from Dubrovnik! Meanwhile, have a Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.
January 5, 2008: Happy New Year! Ours got off to an interesting start. We were supposed to fly home from Colorado on Dec. 31, but we couldn't get to the Denver airport. I-70 closed due to white-out conditions, ice, 72 mph winds, and avalanche danger. So we hung out in Eagle Vail a couple more days, enduring the torture of a cozy condo and a breathtaking view of winter's wonderland. We finally arrived home Jan. 3, and the past few days I've been busy unpacking, plowing through mail, paying bills, organizing my files, taking down Christmas decorations--basically packing up '07 and making room for '08.
My jubilee is officially over, but the fun promises to go on. I'm about to sign a contract with WinePress Publishing Group to publish Parting the Waters, a development I'm very excited about. Stay tuned for more news on that front. Next week I begin working on choreography for a Broadway musical revue to be staged mid-February, and the first two weeks of March I'll be in Croatia helping staff retreats for 150 missionary women from the area. Check the blog from time to time to hear more.
I hope your new year is off to a glorious start. In the words of Rich Mullins, "Let mercy lead, and let love be the strength in your legs, and in every footprint that you leave, there'll be a drop of grace." Here's to mercy leading and drops of grace in our wake!
