Dear lifeasmission readership, I have a special treat for you today. By way of interview, I get to introduce you to missions mobilizer extraordinaire, Amy Garrington.
lifeasmission: So Amy, first things first, tell us all just a little bit about yourself?
Amy: Just a simple mid-west gal, grew up in Iowa, went to college and worked for a number of years in Indiana, and I recently finished up a graduate degree at Fuller. In college, God gave me a heart for the nations and I have had the opportunity to travel to a number of places through my time as a missionary and as a missions mobilizer.
lifeasmission: What the heck is a missions mobilizer? Sounds lame.
Amy: Right, lots of people ask me that. Basically, by way of recruiting, training, and strategic placing, I get to try and help people and churches in North America develop a heart and passion for being a part of God’s global work. And… you’re lame.
lifeasmission: Gesh, that sounds incredibly boring and basically meaningless. Have you done anything that actually matters?
Amy: Hmm… guess I misinterpreted that whole life-as-mission thing?! To try and be a bit less boring, I also had a brief career in Hollywood appearing on Eli Stone, Samantha Who, NCIS, and Bones, but you’re gonna have to look pretty hard to catch me in the crowd scenes!
lifeasmission: Now you’re talkin’, that’s more like it. I guess you’re pretty versatile and you mentioned before that you’ve had the chance to do some traveling. We here at lifeasmission would love to know about some of your favorite traveling spots.
Amy: I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to meet some pretty amazing people (and try some pretty amazing food!) in places all over the world! Choosing a favorite is pretty challenging. After living in Russia for a year, the city of Vladimir will always have a special place in my heart. Other favorite spots might include Beijing, China, Vienna, Austria and the greater Los Angeles area. Any chance I get, I love exploring new cities with good friends!
lifeasmission: Done any exciting travel lately?
Amy: Oh, yes! In September I began a trek across the Western United States, starting in California and traveling through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska and Iowa. Since arriving in my new home state of Illinois, I have had the opportunity to travel to Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, and most recently, Tennessee!
lifeasmission: Any more traveling planned in the near future?
Amy: Most definitely! Over the next several months I’m looking forward to making a handful of trips to visit some special people in my life along the banks of the Mississippi, but I am most excited as I anticipate my first trip to NYC in February! Did I mention it’s over Valentine’s Day?!
lifeasmission: Ooooh, Valentine’s Day!! That brings us to the important stuff. Everyone knows that you are one of the most sought after bachelorettes in the Windy City. How’s playing the field going for you?
Amy: Funny you should ask
Soon after arriving in the Windy City, winds from the south blew a very special man into my life in a new and unexpected way. Though we’ve known each other for almost 2 years and been cultivating something of a friendship from a distance over the last year and half or so, his “coincidental” visit in October left both of us feeling that there may be something more there. Keenly aware of his need to move quickly, he soon after told me of his feelings and desire to pursue a dating relationship in spite of the miles between his home in Memphis and mine in Chicago. So the past few months have been full of phone calls, packages, emails, text messages, and all-too-short visits. So I guess you could say this Windy City bachelorette has been swept off her feet.
lifeasmission: Wow, I can hear the sound of hearts breaking all over Internet. Sounds like a pretty special deal.
Amy: Yes, definitely special, but that’s not the 1/2 of it. Through this one new relationship has come a ton of other great new relationships as well.
lifeasmission: Cool, tell us about those.
Amy: I’ve been invited into a whole network of very special people and it’s been a joy to eat, laugh and spend time with all of them! I’ve had the opportunity to meet some pretty great folks in the Akron/Canton area as well as the greater Memphis area. I’ve felt pretty blessed by the hospitality I’ve received and the circle of community that I’ve been welcomed into.
lifeasmission: Sounds great. Barring any sudden calls back to Hollywood or boring mobilizer stuff, will you be available for comment and questions from the great reader base here at lifeasmission?
Amy: My press secretary is actually off for the holidays, so I will do my absolute best to respond to whatever your readers throw my way.
lifeasmission: I know I speak for everyone here at lifeasmission when I say that we will be anxious to hear much more from you in the future. Any parting words?
Amy: Keep reading, loyal readership! Hopefully this won’t be the last you hear of me!

Emily said...
1Glad for the virtual introduction, Amy. =) Hope for a real one in the future!
12/21/08 9:37 PM | Comment Link
David Fitch said...
2geeez and I thot you 2 were playing it coy
12/21/08 10:07 PM | Comment Link
JR Rozko said...
3If by coy you mean, “affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way,” then you got us pegged!
And hey, what the heck, how you gonna comment on this and not my last post, come on man!
12/21/08 10:19 PM | Comment Link
sarah christoph said...
4God is Good! I’m excited for you both! Looking forward to meeting Amy and hearing more great news in the future! Is Amy by chance of Brizilian decent??
12/21/08 10:06 PM | Comment Link
Alex Rozko said...
5Is this kind of adorableness what we have to look forward to in the future? If so… AWESOME!
Very cute, Michelle and I especially look forward to the NYC trip
12/22/08 9:15 AM | Comment Link
Zach C said...
6Journalism Rule#1 Stay emotionally unattached to the subject.
I question your journalistic integrity.
12/22/08 1:59 PM | Comment Link
JR Rozko said...
7What can I say, some things are worth the price!
12/22/08 2:34 PM | Comment Link
Amy said...
8Hey there new friends!
Emily – I hope so, too. Any trips this way planned in the near future?
Sarah – I’m flattered but, no, I do not have Brazilian roots (and sadly, have never even been to Brazil).
Alex – Looking forward to some time with you and Michelle in NYC, too!
12/22/08 6:21 PM | Comment Link
JoeyG said...
9I doubt that’s the last we will hear of you if its up to JR, and thankfully so. Y’all are great. We enjoyed the meals with you, Amy.
12/22/08 9:45 PM | Comment Link
mark foshager said...
10i love the whole thing – concept, couple, dashed hopes of male chicagoans. the future: yea! and yikes! LOVE the stealth communique, jr. amy, we need to talk.
12/24/08 10:49 AM | Comment Link
Andrea S said...
11am i allowed to comment even though I’m amy’s friend first? since i’m not a huge blogger, the extent to which i’ve been following this blog makes me feel a bit like a stalker. but i’ve just got to keep up with this guy amy seems so taken with
. you two look adorable together and… tho it’s not the first time i’ve heard amy unplugged… it’s probably one of my favorites so far. looking forward to meeting you JR.
12/29/08 12:34 PM | Comment Link
JR Rozko said...
12Hi Andrea. All commenters, especially those who may drop little interesting tid bits about Amy, are perfectly welcome. Thanks for the kind words, look forward to meeting you.
01/5/09 9:06 AM | Comment Link
Some Me Stuff said...
13[...] to begin? Remember my interview with famed, “Amy G.”? Let’s start [...]
02/4/09 6:19 PM | Comment Link
michae kaspar said...
14this is great. JR–I look forward to meeting you someday. I know Amy through SVM2. Until then, I look forward to see what your writing and blogging . . . you can find me at http://michaelkaspar.blogspot.com/
peace.
02/9/09 3:18 PM | Comment Link
jrrozko said...
15Thanks Michael. I'll get over and check out your blog.
02/9/09 4:32 PM | Comment Link