- Last minute babysitting job with two of the sweetest girls I have ever met
- A goofy and laughter filled visit to Wal-Mart at 6:30 in the morning with Zeb
- Running the garage sale with Katy
- playing with Ryder and Shadow
- A beautiful bridal shower hosted by two of my very best and attended by some of my favorite women including my newest family members from OKC!
- An evening filled with hot dogs, smore's, good friends, and great conversation
- A sweet little girl's birthday party
- A superhero themed night at Kid's church that ended in crazy dancing
Monday, April 11, 2011
Life is Full of Reasons to Smile
This weekend contained many things that made me smile. Here is just a small list.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Climb
Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Women's Entrepreneur (WE) Inspire Conference that was hosted by my very own college that I work for. I was not asked to go for work, I simply went for my own pleasure. The entire day was focused around women business founders and owners. We got to hear from many different women who had begun their own venture and are now doing quite well. There was even a woman who failed once, started over, and is now thriving.
I took many notes throughout the day. I found myself engulfed by all the knowledge there was to take in. I hardly spoke to anyone the whole time I was there, which is rare for me, but yesterday I felt I was called there just to soak. I really felt like yesterday I was just suppose to soak in as much information as I possibly could. When I first found out about this conference a few weeks back I knew I really wanted to go. Yesterday, though, I prayed over and over that God would just allow me to take it all in. I don't know why I wanted to be there so bad or how it would help me in the future, I just knew I was supposed to be there.
We were also able to hear from a woman named Catherine Ann. Her story is incredibly inspiring, so much so that Hollywood is making a movie! She was abused, starved, and homeless most of her life. She never finished high school and had a son at the age of 15, but she didn't let any of that kill her spirit. She kept going and at 35 she started her venture that has now made her a very, very successful woman. If you think you can't do it, you can.
At one point in the day I was sitting there, waiting for the next speaker, and I just began to smile. I could not help, but think about how blessed I felt to be in that position at that time. You see, I believe in the constant cycle of learning. I believe that there is so much to take in from others that you would be foolish not to take advantage of these opportunities. I also believe that I am so lucky to live in a country that these opportunities exist and even luckier to be surrounded by women who want to help other women. I can only hope and pray that one day I can give back and help a young lady the way I have been helped. Finally, I believe that I was made with purpose and while I have not quite figured out what that purpose is yet, I feel closer to it than ever. God is using these opportunities to help me prepare for whatever it is He has in store.
I heard the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus twice yesterday! Twice! That is more in one day than I think in the entire last year! God was just trying to get my attention. So like Miley says in the song..."I can almost see it. That dream I am dreaming...It ain't about how fast I get there...it is the climb."
"Everything that happens in the world happens at the time God chooses. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does"-Ecclesiastes 3:1.11
I took many notes throughout the day. I found myself engulfed by all the knowledge there was to take in. I hardly spoke to anyone the whole time I was there, which is rare for me, but yesterday I felt I was called there just to soak. I really felt like yesterday I was just suppose to soak in as much information as I possibly could. When I first found out about this conference a few weeks back I knew I really wanted to go. Yesterday, though, I prayed over and over that God would just allow me to take it all in. I don't know why I wanted to be there so bad or how it would help me in the future, I just knew I was supposed to be there.
We were also able to hear from a woman named Catherine Ann. Her story is incredibly inspiring, so much so that Hollywood is making a movie! She was abused, starved, and homeless most of her life. She never finished high school and had a son at the age of 15, but she didn't let any of that kill her spirit. She kept going and at 35 she started her venture that has now made her a very, very successful woman. If you think you can't do it, you can.
At one point in the day I was sitting there, waiting for the next speaker, and I just began to smile. I could not help, but think about how blessed I felt to be in that position at that time. You see, I believe in the constant cycle of learning. I believe that there is so much to take in from others that you would be foolish not to take advantage of these opportunities. I also believe that I am so lucky to live in a country that these opportunities exist and even luckier to be surrounded by women who want to help other women. I can only hope and pray that one day I can give back and help a young lady the way I have been helped. Finally, I believe that I was made with purpose and while I have not quite figured out what that purpose is yet, I feel closer to it than ever. God is using these opportunities to help me prepare for whatever it is He has in store.
I heard the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus twice yesterday! Twice! That is more in one day than I think in the entire last year! God was just trying to get my attention. So like Miley says in the song..."I can almost see it. That dream I am dreaming...It ain't about how fast I get there...it is the climb."
"Everything that happens in the world happens at the time God chooses. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does"-Ecclesiastes 3:1.11
Monday, April 4, 2011
Being Different
You see, while physically it would be easy to attribute the run to the last month I have spent walking at an incline and now my endurance is just built up, I believe it was all because of where my mind was. I didn't start that run on Saturday morning for the health of it or even for the attempt of slimming the body down. Saturday I was running because it was beautiful outside, I was up early, and I wanted to spend some time outside praising God for what He created. My mind was different.
As I started step one of that run I had every intention of slowing back down to a walk in a short 200-300 yards, but then that passed and then another hundred yards and before I knew it 1 mile was down and I wasn't ready to stop. I was smiling and singing out loud when I knew I was far enough from other pedestrians to not be heard. My body was filled with joy and that is what was carrying me through the run. That is when it hit me. My heart was different.
The last few weeks have felt easier. It has been easier to get through life. It has been easier to be kind to people. I haven't spent much energy on worry or stress. I haven't fought that much with Zeb and joy has pretty much surrounded everything I do. So when I thought about why or how, only one thing came to my mind. My entire existence has been focused on my Creator. I have been so engaged through prayer and reading that I have just been different. My burdens feel lighter, my stress is virtually non-existent, and my heart is so filled with His love that it is overflowing in my body. My heart is different, my mind is different, and my life is different.
Today, on my birthday, it is different. My 24th birthday is unlike any birthday I have ever experienced. Today I am so thankful for my life. I feel so blessed to have the family and friends that I have in my life. Today I don't want it to be about me at all, but about the One who created me, the pair that have raised me, and the many others in my life who have helped to make me who I am today.
"that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever!"-Psalm 30:12
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wedding Contest!!
I have got another contest that I am recruiting help for. My sister has entered the Crate and Barrell Wedding Contest. If won, she will get the wedding of her dreams!! This would be awesome for her so I am asking for your help. It is really easy! Go to the link below and click vote. You can login either with Facebook or an email address. If you want to help double time you could vote once with your facebook and once with your email! Thanks in advance for your help! The voting ends April 30th!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
She Speaks!
Today I was wandering through my blogs that I follow and happened upon some information on a conference in North Carolina. This conference looks like such an AMAZING opportunity. It is the She Speaks conference. This conference is all about encouraging, teaching, and empowering women in their calling from the Lord. There will be Christian authors, bloggers, and speakers at this conference. They are all dedicated to helping other women grow in their writing or presentation skills in order to spread the word of Jesus Christ just as they were called to do.
Of course I am dying to go to this conference now! I know that I am being called to do something and I am pretty sure women are suppose to be the focus. I have not quite figured out what it is but over the last 6 months I have had so many hints. Next week I am going to the Women's Entrepreneur conference that OSU is hosting in the City. I am excited for this because I will be able to meet other women who feel empowered to create their own story and venture, but also because I will gain lots of knowledge hopefully to store away in my "toolbox" for the future.
I am so excited to see what the future has in store for me, but I know right now I have to take it one day at a time. Unfortunately I will most like not attend this conference this year, but it is one I will keep on my radar for the future. I know the timing must be right and I am not sure this summer is the right time. Although, it is really exciting to know that there are events out there such as these to help women along in their journey. Thank you Jesus for beautiful, smart, and Christ-centered women that have the desire to breathe life into rookies like myself!
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