Get to Know Jody
Jody Armstrong has been serving with Activ8Her as our East Syracuse Co-coordinator for the last three years. She is one of our biggest cheerleaders and our Regional Coordinator. Jody took a leap of faith when she was asked to become a coordinator for our new Oneida chapter.
1. What is your favorite childhood memory? Outdoor night time games with cousins or friends. I grew up in the country, so these opportunities were when we went to camp in the summer or had an annual company party. Games like Hide and Seek or Kick the Can. It combined my love of the outdoors with a sense of community and belonging.
2. What's the most daring thing you've ever done? Standing up to surrender my life and my everything to Jesus, knowing that I would never turn back no matter where that took me. It has taken me places that I never would have dreamed. I have joy and relationships that I never dreamed would be mine. I have also been challenged to do things that I never wanted to do and some that I still don’t want to do, but there is unspeakable blessing on the other side of obedience that I knew nothing about.
3. What do you do for a career? I’m a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) which is reading medical provider notes and assigning the correct codes to send to the insurance companies for payment. It’s a lot of detail (and sometimes detective work) that isn’t for everyone – but I love it.
4. Are you married? Do you have children? I’m not married. First marriage ended in divorce, and I am a widow of my second marriage. I have a 25 year old son that lives in Ohio. He loves the Lord and we have a close relationship. I have a daughter that passed away at the age of 24.
5. Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time? Sharing a walk outdoors with a good friend, as we catch up on life and encourage each other with the goodness of God.
6. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? A combination of having good food and enjoying some games with family.
7. Who is your favorite author? John Townsend and Henry Cloud. Of course, they write individually, but also together. I enjoy that they combine biblical beliefs with their extensive training and research to provide practical books on boundaries, relationships and inner healing.
8. If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? I can’t think of any answer for this. I don’t have a desire to travel back in time for any reason.
9. Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without? There isn’t anything I couldn’t live a day without. I would prefer not to ever go a day without my Bible. It’s my life source. After that, it would be tea.
10. If you could share a meal with any 4 individuals, living or dead, who would they be? My son that is living, and also my mom, dad and daughter who are now with the Lord. We would have a wonderful time talking about how good the Lord is. My son and I would hear of their experiences in heaven, and they would see how different we are now that we are on a journey of growing with the Lord. We would be able to say things and express our love for each other in a way that we weren’t able to do while we were here on earth together.
11. What made you want to be a coordinator for an Activ8Her chapter? I wanted women to experience and grow from Activ8Her the same way that I had. I wanted to see women’s lives changed through the authentic and vulnerable relationships and unconditional love that produces the healing necessary to walk into the life that God is calling them to live. To see women walk out of the guilt, regret and shame of their past and into the life and calling that the Lord has prepared for them.
12. What is a highlight of your chapter meetings? As a lady in the chapter tells of a recent experience that highlights their growth in the Lord. Such as, the first time they recognized the voice of the Lord, or the first time they truly loved an enemy. Also, watching a lady step into leadership roles in her church and community when, just a couple of years prior, she had such low self-esteem that she didn’t think she had anything of value to say.
Jody with her sisters.