I Married Adventure
Luci Swindoll
(Reviewer - Rebecca Brown)
2003 Thomas Nelson/W. Publishing
ISBN: 0849917433

Looking at Life through the Lens of Possibility.

In this fun & creative full-color jewel of a journal, filled with photos & artwork, Luci Swindoll gives us a fascinating trek through a life well lived, one which she purposefully chose.

“Adventure starts in the mind, then travels to the heart. If it lodges there long enough, it heads to the ticket counter, gets on the plane, and flies to China. I've never been to China.” (P. 29)

With the challenge to stop saying “if only...” & “why me?” & start asking “what if?” & “why not?”, Luci Swindoll encourages us to lead truly adventurous lives that yield countless blessings, lessons & inspiration. Rarely has anyone modeled the joy & adventures of the journey of Life with such clarity & insight.

“One of the greatest lessons I tucked under my belt ... [t]hings of value cannot be had for nothing. My ... years at Mobil Oil Corporation were the testing ground for this truth. More often than not, deferring the rewards of today gives us the future we dream of tomorrow... (P.30)”

During those 30 years, Luci Swindoll didn't simply come home after a long day at the office & drop in front of the tv, she auditioned for the Dallas Civic Opera Company, & sang her heart out while meeting extraordinary people from around the world ... & never once left town!

I was drawn to I Married Adventure as a fascinating journal, filled with photos, images, stories & yes ... wisdom & humor. It is a personal tour of one woman's unique approach to squeezing the most out of a life led by & dedicated to God.

“When we trust God outside of our comfort zones, anything can happen, anywhere. And sometimes what happens is utterly delightful.” (P.80)

Luci Swindoll, working for World Vision, a relief organization that brings optical help to developing countries, under the auspices of Women of Faith, got to see much of the world.

On regrets: one of which is she never learnt to become fluent in more than one language, another is about having pets: “I'm sad to say [I] never wanted an animal ... I view myself as somewhat cold-hearted. I don't think I wanted the responsibility, but had I had the responsibility I think I would have become a softer person, more generous in my spirit toward all creatures because that is the way all my animal-loving friends are.” (P. 182)

I Married Adventure is a great way to think about transforming your mundane, little life. It will show you how to fill your days with design, how to gather your stories, & thus change your otherwise regular days & occurrences into experiences worth living ... & remembering!

& for those who are offended by the thought of a woman dedicating her life to something other than husband & children, housework & service, Luci Swindoll's dedication to her faith & being in service to those in need, even as she is, in fact, a wage-earner, gives much to ponder ... mostly about being present in your life, telling people how much they mean to you, & keeping your Faith alive in everything you do.

I Married Adventure has made me look at everyone a little bit closer, made me stop & find out what stories they have to tell, & what inspiration has kept them going.

A charming, spiritual, womanly keeper!

More from Luci Swindoll:
You Bring The Confetti, God Brings The Joy
Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
Celebrating Life: Catching the Thieves That Steal Your Joy.
(05/30/04)

Rebecca