About Me

Hi, I’m Jenn Swank Shuffle. My maiden name is so awesome that I kept it as my middle name. I remember, when I was 7 or so, carrying handfuls of tiny pieces of paper with me in the car. My mother wanted to know what I was doing with them – making a huge mess no doubt. I told her she just wouldn’t understand, that I was BEING CREATIVE. I have since gone on to such greatness as starring in the LPHS/LLTC production of Guys And Dolls and Kiss Me Kate for two consecutive summers, making several student films at Wheaton College, graduating from that institution with a lot of debt, marrying Henry Shuffle and bearing his four children. And there’s a lot more where that came from.

I started this blog because I was told I had to write in order to advertise my now defunct business – jewelry making – and my archives will show you some of my earlier attempts at this. Over the course of 12 years, having had four babies, weathered the financial crisis and moved from Wheaton, IL to Detroit, MI, my focus and priorities have changed.

The title of this blog was taken from the 2003 film “Master And Commander: The Far Side of the World.” There is a scene where an old sailor admonishes the new one with the letters tattooed onto the first knuckles of both hands: H O L D  F A S T. In the next scene, the viewer watches in horror as one of the sailors is swept into a stormy sea, unable to be saved. Early on, Henry and I decided this was a good metaphor for marriage. In the ensuing 12 years, I haven’t found a better one, except maybe this:

(“But I am going to Mordor.”
“I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I’m coming with you.”)

These musings have been a pretty good testimony to God’s goodness so far. Can’t wait to see what happens next.