Please Pray

My best friend, Joanna's, seven year old nephew, sweet Carson, went to be with Jesus after his long battle with cancer late last night.

It's been a 3 1/2 year journey, but my heart absolutely breaks for them. They've done everything to fight for their little boy, and although the Lord has chosen to heal him in this way, and God is still on His throne just as much yesterday as today, it still stings.

And although I don't understand cancer in any way, shape or form, especially in children, I know that God is still good, and good will come of this. We're praising the Lord that sweet Carson is no longer in pain and completely healed. His joy knows no bounds.

But, we grieve with hope alongside them.

Please join me in praying for the Richardson family. And please feel free to visit his caringbridge site here.

Hope you all have a restful Sunday.

From The Mouths of Sixth-Grade Girls

I’m just going to lay it all out there. As much as I love working with my High School girls and leading my senior girl’s small group, there is something about Middle School girls that is so very intriguing. I think it’s their level of brutal honesty that I’ll never get over. They speak what’s on their mind with no hesitation whatsoever. It’s kind of refreshing, if I’m being completely honest. They’ll ask any question they have, say any thought they’re thinking, and cry at any given moment.

Granted, I know most of this is due to their lack of maturity, but nonetheless, it’s very entertaining and refreshing at best.

Once the girls get into High School, automatically self-consciousness grips them and suddenly they become very quiet and reserved, afraid of being judged on every word they speak, ask, or think or even the way they dress, or even sadder, their personality.

But, that’s another topic for another day.

The reason I’m really blogging is because last night I witnessed some of the most hilarious conversations that I feel so compelled to share with y’all.

I was elated to visit the 6th grade girl’s small group and it was exhilarating to say the least.

Please humor me as I recount to you the funniest conversations of the evening.

On discussing about God being omniscient:

Girl #1: What does that mean?
Girl #2: It means that God knows everything! He like even knows if you’re going to trip on your way out to the car. (Yes, that’s exactly what I was thinking.)
Girls #1: Oh, so does that means He knows if I’m going to be famous?
Girl #2: Um, yeah, He totally does.
Girl #3: Yeah, God is like super smart.

What I wanted to add to that was that He also knew that Nordstrom Rack would open today in Houston, which is why He may or may not have blessed us with a sunny, beautiful day. Jesus loves US, this I know.

On animals going to heaven:

Girl #1: My cat just died, is he in heaven, or you know, down there? (Pointing to the floor.)
Girl #2: Oh! Me too! My dog just died! My mom told me she’s in heaven!
Girls #3: (To me and no one else) Yeah, my sister had two mice and they both just died. I think it would be really neat for her to see them in Heaven again. She would love that!

Y’all, if seeing our dead pet mice in heaven is as excited as we can get, that’s pretty sad. I think once I get to heaven I won’t even remember that I once owned to mice. Ew.

All joking aside, we did try to explain to them that animals are here for our enjoyment and we’re supposed to take care of them, but at the same time, they don’t have a soul. Some of the girls totally got it, but some of the girls looked as confused as Ellen on American Idol.

They were seriously cracking me up. I may visit every week just for some comic relief. How can you not love that?

Fortunately, I didn’t laugh once, but scribbled it all in my brain so I’d remember to blog, twitter and facebook about it. Which is now what I’ve successfully done.

Of course, this was all said after they once said to me upon my wearing my tall black boots to church one day that I looked like a giant.

I wasn’t sure how to take it. Yes, to them I may be a giant. They come up to my knee. But do you have to tell a girl that?

Way to bust this girls self-confidence right when I was finally accepting the fact that I was indeed a tall giant.

Maybe I should go back to 6th grade so I can cry about it and no one would make fun of me.

Or maybe I just need to continue reading So Long, Insecurity.

Say Cheese!

For Christmas, my mom's side of the family came to Houston not only to celebrate Christmas with us, but also to escape the ridiculously cold weather that was blessing Colorado at the time. Unfortunately, it wasn't much warmer here, but at least it wasn't snowing!

For an entire week we all relaxed at home, took off work, and enjoyed each other's company! Our ages ranged from 10 years old to 89 years old, so you don't have many options when it comes to entertaining. It was a fabulous week! Since they're all in Colorado and we're clearly in Houston, we don't get to see our family near enough, but it makes it all the sweeter when we do see them because it's so few and far between.

This time, since my great aunt even joined us, we decided to have a friend take some family pictures of us. We really needed some updated ones that Grandpa could put in his briefcase that he carries everywhere and that Grandma could put in her photo album that she carries around in her purse! My grandparents truly are the epitome of a Grandpa and Grandma. Ask anyone that knows them, they'll agree. We love them!

Unfortunately, our friend realized after he took the pictures and downloaded them that his camera was broken. He doesn't think the pictures turned out well at all, but we think they're great! He did better than we could have done setting one of our cameras on a timer, so for that, we are very thankful!

Without further ado, I present to you, my wild and crazy family.

My crazy brothers! Older and younger. I'm the only girl. And the middle child. Yes, I love that. Clearly, our house is split!

Cousins/Grand kids from oldest to youngest! Eddy's to Jesser's!

The entire clan!

We love Grandpa and Grandma!

Irene, our great aunt, snuck in on this one! She's like another Grandma to all of us.

I just love this! She was told to go stand on the sidewalk, but instead chose the bushes. Bless her heart. She turned 90 last week!

The original four. Special.

My Uncle John and cousin Jill!

When I wasn't in the picture, I was taking some pictures. Typical.

Sisters. How cute are they?

Sisters. The younger version.

Big brother Brien and Irene. They're like two peas in a pod.

Jesser family!

Eddy family!

I'll call this the Firetruck series! After our "formal" pictures, we went back to our playground at church and played around. By far the most fun part of the photo shoot!

Kevyn, my little brother!

Are we in jail?

If only Brien was smiling...

There's nothing like the cousins to the rescue...

How cute is my cousin Jill? When she was born (along with my other little cousins on my dad's side) I announced she'd be my flower girl. At the rate I'm moving, it's looking more and more like she'll be a Jr. Bridesmaid, or something to that effect. Ha!

We love the tires.

Facebook profile picture 101.

Framer for sure! Grandma and Grandpa should be so proud.



Mom and Dad!

Love this. Love him!

On Unique Seasons & Friendships

I've come to terms recently with the fact that life happens in seasons. It's one season after another, none more important than the other. Different than the other? Absolutely.

I had an epiphany this weekend that I'm currently, in what I like to call, a weird season of life. I know weird can have a negative connotation, so for that reason, maybe I'll just call it a unique season. Because the last thing I want you to think is that I'm not enjoying this season, because I most certainly am!

After I graduated I prayed that I would get settled with my job at church and then eventually find a group of girls my age to do life with. I imagined I would join a small group with other young adult single girls working, we'd hit it off, and therefore, enjoy life together.

Two years later, my prayer has most certainly been answered, but not in that specific way.

I've never been one to lack friendships. I may or may not have said that before, but the Lord has blessed me beyond imagination in the friendships He's provided me for practically my entire life. I think it helps that I grew up in one church my whole life, giving time for certain friendships to blossom, but either way, I don't take them for granted.

So of course I'd assume that after graduation He'd bless me with friendship after friendship, and maybe even a relationship. You know, with a boy.

My first year back and working was probably the loneliest year I've had to date. I had just graduated from college, which automatically is a huge change, and also the time in life when all of your friends scatter. We all graduate, move and become adults making is a very strange time of finding your way again.

Graduating from High School is similar, but there are still the breaks where you all come together again and meet up.

At college graduation you don't have that guarantee that you'll see each other every Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break or whatever holiday comes to mind. You have to work much harder at attaining your friendships after college. Add to that the fact that it's a huge wedding season after college. Marrying off BFF's doesn't get easier.

That first year back, even though it was the loneliest, was also sweet because I was given the opportunity to press into the Lord and make my relationship with Him all the more stronger and sweeter. No, it wasn't always fun or easy to do that, especially since I'm such a sanguine person, but looking back I wouldn't trade that year for anything. I grew a lot that year.

When I finally gained a routine, I realized that a lot of the people I was hanging out with were either our youth workers, specifically the ladies, all of whom are married with kids or high school students, of course, the girls.

At that time I was still praying for friends, without even realizing the blessing, and the people He'd placed in my life at that time. Or without being grateful for the girls He had placed in my life journeying through this season with me, but just didn't live in Houston.

Yes, at times I had many a pitty party because I was tired of feeling friendless. I just wanted some girls here that knew what I was going through. And yes, while I believe that we most certainly need people around us that know and understand are in the same season of life we're in, I'm even more convinced that He knows better what we need more than what we think we need or want.

As of this weekend, I'm even more convinced of that.

For the past two months or so, I've continued to hang out with two very distinct groups of people.

Those groups are high school girls and young moms. Those that are youth workers, and those that I met through mostly blogging.

On Saturday I spent all day hanging with my high school girls and youth workers at our Vision Conference. Everything about the whole day was wonderful! We get each other, we click, we laugh, we talk, we take pictures. They know me, I know them. Never, for one minute, do I ever feel friendless or wish I was somewhere else with "people my age." Quite frankly, I love spending time with my girls. Especially my high school senior girls.

And quite frankly, I love spending time with our youth workers. Dana, Anna, Alison, Lauri, Janet, and so many more. (Angie, we missed you!) I would consider each of them a mentor to me, whether they know it or not. They've worked in youth ministry longer than me, and they encourage me to press on when I feel overwhelmed or like I want to throw the towel it. It's a huge blessing to me, those church peeps.

Then, immediately following the conference I headed to meet Missy and Amanda so we could head to Debra's where she invited us to an evening at her house. She cooked us chicken spaghetti, salad, some yummy bread and most importantly some cupcakes. We had the best time sitting around chatting and just enjoying a quiet, simple evening. While any other girl may have felt out of place as they chatted some mommy and wife business (which is so not all we talked about, BTW), I felt like the most blessed girl in the world to be sitting among them gaining wisdom and advice from three ladies who are a few steps ahead of me in the adventure called life! And while they may or may not know this, I'd consider each of them to be a sweet mentor to me as well.

I feel that way every time I get the opportunity to hang out with them, which has been more often lately due to our blogup dinner, the scripture memory celebration, Valentine's Baking day and some other fun occasions. We had such a good time that we stayed until almost 10:30! I hope we do it again. Thanks, Debra for being such a fun host and for serving us! I hope you three ladies know how much you blessed my heart that night. I'm thankful for y'all!

If those aren't unique friendships, I don't know what are.

I've learned and accepted the fact that for what we think is best, the Lord always has better, and never fails to give us the better, because He is a God of grace.

Where I thought a handful of single girls would be the best for me in this season, and of course, maybe even a relationship, He's sent better friendships my way.

He's sent older friendships my way, ladies my way who can encourage me to press on in life, pour into me and guide me in this season, where in return, He's then placed those a few seasons behind me that I can in return, pour into and mentor them along the way.

They may be unique friendships, but I'm certainly the most blessed to call each of them my friends. And truly thankful that the Lord knows what I need in this season.

Thank you, Lord, for sending me better than I could have prayed, asked for or thought I even wanted.

The ABC's on Friday

*My BFF Jen posted her own Alphabetical Friday and I thought it was genius, so I decided to copy her. Because that's what BFF's do.

A is for Apple. Because my new obsession of a snack is sliced apple and organic peanut butter. Every. Single. Night. It is the bomb dot com. If you think I'm lying about the obsession part, just ask my roomies.

B is for Blogging because well, it's obvious. I love blogging in every way shape or form.

C is for Coffee because I drank some this morning. Grande' Vanilla Latte with non-fat milk from Starbucks to be exact. What is it about that drink that hits the spot?

D is for Daunting because completing this post feels like a daunting task to me. But I'm determined. Even if ever letter is as boring as peanut butter and jelly.

E is for Elderly because I got to call my sweet great aunt last night and wish her a Happy 90th Birthday! 90 y'all! During our conversation I asked her if her neighbor liked the scarf she bought her here during Christmas, to which she replied, "You made kraut burgers tonight?" I held my laughter until we hung up with each other. Bless her heart, besides her hearing she doesn't act a day over 60.

F is for Figure Skating. I was so proud of Evan Lysacek last night when he won his gold metal. I also get so sad for the rest of the Olympians when they fall or mess up. I would be a blubbering mess.

G is for Girls Weekend because we haven't had one in a while. Ahem, Jo, Jenn & Sal. Let's get on it.

H is for Houston and humidity because naturally, those two things go together. I have a feeling that the humidity is slowly making it's way back into our normal forecast. Blah.

I is for Idols. Because these have constantly been on my mind. You think I have one or ten I need to burn? Oh, it's messy.

J is for Jillian Michaels. Jillian Michaels stands for Biggest Loser because right now I'm really missing my show. Two more weeks, folks. Two more weeks. (That's my one beef with the Olympics. They take away my best-loved shows.)

K is for Kristy. My sweet mom who just went to get me lunch from Chick-Fil-A. I love her.

L is for Living Proof Live because in July I'm headed to California to go to just that. Remember when I won those tickets on the LPM blog? Totally unexpected. We're making a girls week out of it and are hoping my aunt and cousin from Colorado can join us too! In fact, I got my tickets to it in the mail just this week. I'm so excited!

M is for Mascara because it's my favorite make-up item. That's all I'll say about that.

N is for NyQuil. Also know as my BFF this past week. NyQuil Sinus to be exact. Oh, it is a treasure.

O is for the Olympics. I love them. In fact, today I'm wearing my Olympic shirt that I proudly bought at Target for $12.99. It's neat.

P is for Plane ticket because I just bought one to Atlanta with my BFF, Jen. We're hoping our other BFF's Jo and Sal can join us! Hello, check out letter G! I think it's a grand idea for the perfect Girls Weekend.

Q is for Quadragesimarian. Say what? Quadragesimarian is one who observes Lent. It's too bad I don't fall into this category. I've thought about it multiple years, but every year I can't come to a conclusion on one thing to give up, so I give up thinking about it. Are you a quadragesimarian? How do you even say that word? What are you giving up?

R is for Rain because it looks like it might do just that outside. I'm thankful it doesn't rain inside. How weird would that be? And miserable.

S is for So Long, Insecurity because I think anyone breathing that is a female should read it. It is phenomenal. And I may or may not be insecure writing about the fact that I'm enjoying it so much. It's step-on-your-toes kind of good.

T is for The Beatles. Hey Jude is currently playing on my Pandora play list so this is all I've got for T. Oh, speaking of Jude, I'll get to see him soon. Sally is coming in town in ONE WEEK! Praise be!

U is for Unlikely. I thought it was unlikely that I would actually finish a post like this, but apparently, I'm almost done!

V is for Vision Conference. This weekend kicks off our Missions Week here at my church, and we're starting off with a conference just for our students. We're so excited to have George Murry, president of Columbia International University and Robbie Seay Band here with us for a small conference tomorrow. We're praying that the Lord would begin to work in our students hearts. We're not all called to go, but we are all called to go, give or pray and we're praying the students here clearly which part they are to play!

W is for Waiting. I'm in a season of waiting. As if you didn't already know that! Ha!

X is for Xerox because that's what I've been doing all morning. Xerox, cut, repeat.

Y is for YOU because you know what to do so let's Par-tay! Ha. That's the end of an old camp cheer. However, it really is for you, because I love YOU, my sweet, precious blog readers and friends. You make my world a much happier place.

Z is for Zipper. Isn't is embarrassing when your zipper is down? Unfortunately, this happened to me about two weeks ago, but thankfully, I was wearing a dress like shirt that covered up this unfortunate incident. Some people aren't always so lucky.

Happy Friday!

Tuesday Night Love

Seven years ago, Tuesdays quickly became one of my favorite days. It seems odd that Tuesday would hold such a high standard, because it's so close to Monday, however, seven years ago I was a Freshman in college and stayed home that first year to attend a local community college here.

It was that Fall that I attended my first Beth Moore Bible study. We re-taped Living Beyond Yourself that semester and from the first night I was hooked. Totally enamored and intrigued might be better terms to use. My mom had been attending the studies longer, and I knew she'd done a few Women's events at our church back in the day, so when she suggested I come with her, I figured why not?

I would consider myself a late bloomer due to the fact that although I grew up in church, I didn't claim my faith as my own until my Senior year of High School. So, being very new in my own pursuit of Christ, I knew I had nothing to loose by attending Bible study. And I wasn't wrong.

I'd never, in all my years in church, seen somebody teach with such passion and authority. Needless to say, it was contagious. So contagious, in fact, that I went home and devoured my homework. I did it at night because let's be honest, I had no interest in setting aside an hour each morning, but that worked really well for me. (Little known fact, I still do it at night. I have a different routine in the morning.) I knew I was really growing that year, because never in all my years of small group Bible study, had I ever finished one completely, and that year I finished Living Beyond Yourself. It still to this day continues to be my favorite study of all, I think it's just really special to me. It was a mature mark in my walk, if you know what I mean.

I so looked forward to Tuesday nights back then and since then, that still holds true.

The next semester we did When Godly People Do Ungodly Things. That was a tough one, but so incredibly good and eye opening.

I'm not gonna lie, there were many Tuesdays that I went to see Beth. For me, she so held my attention and captivated me. I wanted what she had, and frankly, people are drawn to her. Yes, I wanted to hear a Word, but I loved that she made me laugh and love Jesus all at the same time. I was smitten. I'm not sure that's not how God ordains things. As we are babies in our walk, He plants people in our path to point us to Himself. For me, Beth was that person. It was a few years later that I stopped depending on Beth and following her, but to truly follow Christ himself. Yes, I still hold Beth in high esteem, no doubt about it and she's still such a spiritual mentor to me, but I've matured with time, Praise the Lord.

I knew it would be hard for me to move the following Fall semester because I would no longer to be able to attend Bible study and I was so sad about that. Probably more so than anything else.

But isn't it just like God to send another Bible study in place of that one? Once I got plugged into a church in Huntsville, I immediately found myself volunteering at a Bible study called Truth. I was so hungry for a Word and didn't care who gave it. It was a sweet blessing that it just so happened that Afshin Ziafat took that place. And it was there that the Lord did some mighty work in that little heart of mine. Thankfully, Truth was on Tuesday nights. Still making it one of my favorite nights.

I wouldn't trade those 4 years of Truth for anything in the world. Yes, I always looked forward to breaks when I'd be able to go to Beth again, but I loved my little community there.

When I graduated I was just sick that I'd no longer be able to go to Truth, but then it dawned of me that I had Beth's Tuesday night Bible study to attend again. Oh, the excitement.

That first semester I came home we did Breaking Free. Since I was student teaching and was still technically a full time student, the homework overwhelmed me and I didn't even try it. I think if I did I wouldn't have followed through with it. However, Tuesday nights never disappointed, and it was the one night that seemed to relieve every piece of stress.

Then came LIT. Oh, can we just give Him some praise for that class? Still one of my all time favorites. So focused on studying God's Word, just for girls my age, and intimate at best. At the most they were only allowed to host 25o girls due to the fact that they were remodeling the main sanctuary. I will be forever grateful for that class. It was a mini-bible class, and I still use that information and to this day study that binder of notes at least weekly. To say that that class came at perfect timing is an understatement. I realize I'll probably never get that opportunity again, so I don't take it for granted one bit.

Of course after that we studied The Inheritance, then Revelation and now we're doing a Heart Like His.

And through all that, Tuesday nights have still continued to be my favorite nights.

The difference now and then are my intentions. Where as before I went to see Beth, now I go to hear a Word from my God. And when I go expecting to hear a Word from Him, He always comes through. Because He'll come through anyway, willing heart or not. Of course, I love me that sweet, little, petite Bible teacher and feel so privileged to sit under her teaching weekly, but I also love me some Jesus.

I also love the fact that my mom and I have gone together all these years. It's our little date. Our Tuesday routine has remained the same and I love that. We don't get there crazy early, nor do we sprint out of there, which I love. We work at the same pace and that's a blessing.

If we get there early enough, we save seats for our peeps, if not, Debra holds down the fort. I get to hug so many of my favorite people each Tuesday night, church, life and blog friends alike and that is thrilling. It's the best, actually.

I've been to a Living Proof Live event and I've been to Tuesday Night Bible study, and without a shadow of a doubt, I'd choose Bible study over an LPL event any time. LPL's are Bible study on steroids, and I love them to pieces, but I also love that I'm one of her home girls. There's just nothing like it. And I think we can that Jesus for that. He's the common bond between young and old, different denominations, statuses and everything else in between.

That, my friends, is why Tuesday nights will continue to be one of my very favorite nights of the week.

And it's nights like tonight that I'm reminded how extremely blessed I am. Thank you, Jesus, for Tuesday nights.

Here's a before scene shot of Bible study. The stage is ready, mom and I are in place, seats are saved and we're just waiting on the ladies. Soon, close to every seat will be filled.

Worship. It's as sweet as it looks.

Some of my favorite Bible study peeps. We're each other's seat savers. Everyone needs a peep like that.

It's A Blessing That I Don't Know What I'm Missing

Every single holiday or birthday that roles around I deal with a sense of excitement, but also with a sense of discouragement and sadness, if I'm being completely honest.

Excitement because I love a good holiday with all my sweet family and friends alike. And believe me, I've been blessed with some of the best! I'm naturally a happy, sanguine person, so those days just increase my annoyingly happy personality.

However, discouragement and sadness because a part of me longs so deeply to be spending that day with my husband-to-be.

It's that time in my life when most of my best friends are happily married and always endure the stresses of having to split their holidays between each family. Most people think I'm living up the single life with all of my other single friends, but the truth is, the single friends are few and far between. And those of my closest friends that are single, don't live in Houston. Part of that is due to the fact that my job has different demands not allowing for tons of "single" time, and part of that is just the fact that almost all of my friends are married. Not complaining, just stating the obvious facts.

However, there are those rare gut wrenching moments that I'd love to be the girl that has to split her time between two families. That would love to come home to my man waiting for me to cook him dinner. That would love flowers on Valentine's Day or for no reason at all. That would love to email him during the day on a whim to see how it's going. Or that would look forward to getting butterflies in my stomach upon seeing him.

I know I'm probably making it sound so much more romantic than it really is, but the blessing in all of this is that I don't know what I'm missing.

And honestly, I think that is the biggest blessing of all.

There are many days that I wish I knew what it was like to be asked on a date. To be pursued. To be cherished by one man. To get a sweet little gift on Valentine's Day or Christmas.

But at the same time, I'm grateful I don't know what it's like, even at the age of 24, because I truly don't know what I'm missing out on. I'm not one that can say, "I don't know what I've got till it's gone.", because nothing is gone.

I think that's such a sweet blessing from God, because when I'm not one to guard my heart all the time, or even the best at guarding my heart, He's guarding it for me in this way. I'm positive that if I knew what I was missing out on, I'd struggle even more with this season of singleness. Maybe the Lord knows that (I mean, of course He knows that) and maybe that's why I haven't been blessed with a man yet. He does know what my heart can and cannot handle.

Before each holiday, I've started praying (sometimes with tears) that the Lord would allow me to enjoy that day more than me dwelling on the fact that I'm without. And every Holiday, He has not disappointed. He will never fail me and most importantly, I know He hasn't forgotten me.

God's always been so sweet to send little blessings and reminders my way that He cares about my heart, more so than any other man ever will.

This Valentine's Weekend it came in the form of a fun Saturday with some sweet friends. Best friends and blogging friends. And a fun Sunday spent with some of my favorite senior girls watching a movie and the Olympics, with some tear-inducing laughter to go along with both.

It came in the form of Red Velvet cake all over my hands, a sweet little reminder that I got to show a little 5 year old how to make them, all while learning how to make them myself.

It came in the form of little Mollie Kate's smile. The little girl who made my day!

It came in the form of a fun morning with these girls and fun lunch with my BFF over Chinese food, of course.

And lastly, it came in the form of roses from my Dad and a hilarious card from my parents, and a card from my aunt.

Oh, how He loves us so.

And to this single girl, it's a blessing that I don't know what I'm missing. Because thankfully, I'm not missing the greatest Being that will ever love me.

Call Me Curious

As most of you know, I am the Girls Ministry Director at my church. I have the honor of working with and ministering to girls from Middle School to High School. Here in Houston, that is 6th - 12th grade.

So, I'm curious! How many of you that read my blog either have teenage daughters that age or work with girls that age? And by work I don't necessarily mean full time ministry, but maybe you volunteer in your churches youth group. (Some cities/states consider 5th grade apart of that group, so we'll consider that age as well.)

If you fall into one of these two categories, would you be so kind to humor me and let me know by leaving a comment? It would be fun to know your name, where you live and what your favorite thing is about girls this age.

For all I know there could be no one, I'm truly just super curious!

Happy Weekend!

Valentine's Day Love

The other day sweet Kim at To Know Him sent me an email explaining that she has been given the opportunity to lead and mentor a small group of young women. First off, I highly esteem what she is doing. I think mentorship between older and younger ladies is so necessary and biblical, yet it doesn’t happen near enough within the church for whatever reason. That group is blessed to have Kim intentionally investing in their lives, loving, encouraging them and bestowing upon them wisdom that they may not otherwise get.

However, her email wasn’t just to tell me she’s leading a small group. Really, she had a question for me. A question that was so appropriate and encouraging that I thought I share it with y’all.

My next meeting with my group is right before Valentine’s Day. I know Valentine’s Day can be a source of sadness for some when they are single...not always, but for some yes. Is there anything you can suggest that I could do for the ladies of my group that might bring them a smile...encourage them to stay strong and love God?

Seriously, how sweet is she to want to love them so well, point them to Christ, and encourage their hearts on a day that can be truly depressing to a girl that is surrounded by love but has no physical man to show her that love? So thoughtful. I shared with her a few things that have been an encouragement to me over the past few years, and just things that go through a singles girl’s mind, things they wish someone would do for them.

Here’s the deal, I don’t despise Valentine’s Day at all. But it’s also not my favorite day of the year. I am a hopeless romantic at best, so for me sometimes it’s fun to just watch what goes on around me as far as romance is concerned. But at the same time, it’s nice to know that someone, male or female alike, loves and cherishes you as well.

If you have a daughter, or a single friend, or you lead a small group, or you work with college girls, or single girls, or whatever, I hope these will be helpful to you as you minister to them on what can be a very SAD (Singles Awareness Day) day.

1) Acknowledge them! Listen, we’re single. Enough said. So to point it out in a loving, encouraging way isn’t such a bad thing. The last we want is for people to ignore the current season we are in. The truth is, it is just a season, so this too shall pass! Amen!

2) There is nothing sweeter on Valentine’s Day than to get a card from a friend, mom, or mentor wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day. It’s encouraging knowing that you are not forgotten and that you are indeed, treasured, cherished and loved deeply. Especially when other friends or girls are being showered with gifts from the men in their life, it’s sweet to be showered with love from people that you know care about you.

3) Send them a little note or post through facebook on Valentine’s Day. Seriously, folks! I know that sounds so petty and easy, but it’s the simple things that lift our spirits.

4) If you have the budget, believe me when I say to receive a flower or a bouquet from someone is the greatest. There’s nothing like receiving a single stemmed “friendship” rose with a hand written note or something of that measure. Maybe even a piece of Dove Chocolate. I’m saying we need the chocolate, but we certainly won’t deny it.

5) Lastly encourage them where they are at. Validate what they are feeling, but also remind them of the hope they have in Jesus Christ! He will not fail them, nor has he forgotten about them. Remind them to trust His timing and His plan. Remind them to pray for their future husbands, write them letters! And if they do start dating somebody, remind them to pray for their single friends. To remember the Lord and His faithfulness to them and where He’s brought them.

I’ll never forget last year when sweet Melinda surprised me with a package of fun items, including flowers, chocolate and a card. They did the neatest thing with the Siesta Fiesta blog and she happened to get my name. It made my weekend! I also planned a little get together with some of the high school girls, a While We're Waiting, party and it was so fun!

As a true single girl myself I want to have a heart of compassion for single girls even as I start dating and eventually get married. Being single never gets easier. But to trust that God knows exactly what we need and when we need is freeing. If nothing else, He’s making my faith in Him stronger and for that I am so thankful.

One thing I've learned (every year it seems like) the hard way is that if I'm hoping in my relationship with Jesus to flourish, and I want that more than anything, then I can't be disappointed. His love won’t disappoint me. But if I'm hoping in my circumstances, and what MIGHT come, I'll be sorely disappointed.

I hope this was helpful to you! I’m certainly not telling you what to do, or that you even should do it, but if you have a heart to encourage some single gals on this Valentine’s Day, there are a few ideas that are more common sense than anything. Also, please know that I didn’t write this so that you would all do this for me. Not at all! Please here my heart here. Love to all of you! Happy Valentine’s Day! I do pray you have a sweet, sweet day.

Mean Girls

If you've ever wondered if mean girls really exist, I'm here to tell you that indeed they do. I don't think it's necessary that I even tell you that they're real and roaming around, but sometimes we just need a reminder. And if I'm being completely honest, it irritates the snot out of me that some girls have the mindset that they can have complete control over another girls, or hundreds of girls for that matter, emotions and thoughts. More often than not, I'd love to slap some sense into those girls, of course, in grace and truth.

Who do they think they are? That's what I have to say to that.

Of course, like in all situations, there are two sides to the story.

So as much as I have a word for the mean girls, I also have a word for the girls who get knocked to the ground by every word thrown at them by said mean girls.

Who do they think they are to take it? To obey? To be defined by what the other girls think of them? Oh, my heart hurts for them. It's insecurity and no self-confidence at it's deepest level.

These girls feel the need to comply to fit in which makes me sick.

I can't say that my whole life I've been an individual and never worried for one second what other people thought. Quite the contrary, actually. I mean, there is a reason I'm reading So Long, Insecurity, by Beth Moore.

So, imagine my horror today when I pulled up this article about a sorority at Cornell University with a strict, strict dress code. It made my stomach turn.

What in the sweet US of A are we raising our girls to become?

My heart is so burdened for the girls that feel the need to join that sorority, and follow those strict guidelines just to fit in. Do they know how fake that is? Can't we have a little individuality and it be okay? The upsetting thing is, most of these girls won't get it. They will go their whole life living like that, thinking it's okay and acceptable, only to raise their girls like that. Mean girls is truly an epidemic. And it doesn't stop at high school. We all know it continues well into adulthood.

Maybe I'm passionate about this because I'm constantly surrounded by this.

But y'all, passionate or not, our girls need some major Truth poured into their lives.

And I pray to God that I am used by Him to be a vessel in sharing that Truth.

Sharing that Truth to the mean girls and conforming girls alike. They all equally need a wake-up call. Life does not revolve around them. Nor do their lives revolve around what people think of them.

Currently there is a song out called More Beautiful You by Jonny Diaz. He speaks such Truth over the girls and it is the sweetest thing.

God created us each with our own personality, our own style, our own gifts. There can never be a more beautiful you. He's created us each with a purpose to Glorify God and it looks completely different from your next door neighbor. And news flash, that's okay.

Please join me in praying for our girls. They are being so attacked in every way, shape and form and it breaks my heart.

Mean girl or not, they all need Jesus (just like I do) in a major way. Only He can change their thought life. The way they perceive themselves. And most importantly, their heart.

Lord, give us all a passion to have a heart like yours. Amen.

A Delayed Weekend Post

This weekend update is two days late, you know, since it's Tuesday and all, but it's better late than never, right? If I hadn't have had a wonderful weekend, I wouldn't necessarily care about documenting it, but I did indeed have a wonderful weekend, so I feel the need to post.

We'll start with Thursday! Thursday was an average day spent at work, but almost the whole day I spent obsessing and checking Twitter because Ernest was on his way home with Ronel. For various legal reasons, once they left Haiti they had to make a pit stop in Miami. It wasn't until about 3:00 that day they were given the go ahead to leave, so just in the nick of time they made it to the airport to catch the last flight home to Houston. Definitely an amazing race! Once Debra knew they'd be home for sure, she made the call and planned a big ole' par-tay at the airport for their homecoming. Nancy, Sara, Amanda and I all hopped in the car and headed to the airport, with two very cute signs, I might add, neither of which were made by me. Ha! Once there we were greeted by Carly, Debra's daughter and the most outgoing child you'll ever meet, and Debra. She was glowing! As anxious as I was, I can only imagine what was going on in Debra's mind.

After waiting for a little while with great anticipation, Ernest and Ronel finally made their was down the escalator. It is a sight I will not soon forget! Ronel's smile said it all. They were home, and he was happy. And of course, overwhelmed. Everyone got really quiet so they could have a family moment and then all the rest of the hugs began. It was a sweet emotional scene.

Finally it was time to go and we hugged them all goodbye. Debra said to us, and I'll never forget, "If someone wakes me up from a dream I'll be so mad!" But, praise the Lord, it was no dream. It was a reality and her boys were home.

I did take some pictures, but all of mine turned out awful. So, I stole some from facebook! These are all taken from various people who had their cameras out and ready to capture the big moment. You can also go to Debra's blog to see some videos! We're all so glad you're home, Ronel! Welcome to Texas!

This was Sara's sign. How cute is that? I didn't get a pic of Amanda's sign, but it was super cute as well. And she made it out of Annabeth's birthday cake box. Very clever.

I'm so glad someone got a picture of this! We were all happy to see our sweet friend.

I stole this one because I can only imagine what Carly was telling us. She's a hoot!

Pure joy!

I'll let the rest of the pictures do the talking.








Praise the Lord for this family of six!


Friday night after work I headed straight to the movie theater to see Dear John with Dana and Anna. I really enjoyed the movie! Here are my thoughts without giving anything away: Yes, I cried my eyes out at certain parts, scenes I didn't see coming. However, it wasn't what I expected, in a very good way. How's that for confusing? After the movie we ventured to Lupe Tortilla where I enjoyed some much needed Chicken Fajitas. Oh, they were good.

Saturday, my friend Missy hosted a Valentine's Baking Day at her house and it was beyond fun. I was excited from the moment I got the evite because I knew I'd be learning more baking skills other than my skills of baking Funfetti cakes. And that I did. Kind of. I mainly stuck to dipping the strawberries in chocolate, but after those were done, I ventured over to watch the amazing mini cupcakes or cake balls being made.

Missy is a Kindergarten teacher, need I say more about how organized everything was? When we got there we were told to choose a station. At each station were all the directions and supplies for baking that particular item. Genius and perfect all at once. Thank you so, so much Missy for ALL you did. You are the bomb! And my roommates and mom thank you too since they are all enjoying the fruits of our labor.

(Please note that I stole all of my pictures from Missy, Callie and Ashley. Thanks girls!)

That chocolate may or may not have touched my tongue, and Heather may or may not have put it back in the bowl.

Working our stations!


See the pink pieces of paper? Yes, those were our instructions. Organization at it's best.

Cake Balls.

Chocolate covered Strawberries.




Fun group and fun times!


Saturday night I headed to HFBC with my roommate, Mandy, to watch a variety show that the singles ministry put on. All the money went to support their mission trips this summer, which is awesome! We had a great time and definitely had a few laughs.

Sunday after church I had a leadership meeting, then headed straight to the store to buy supplies to make Dana's Queso Dip. It is divine! Then, some of my girls came over to watch the Superbowl, or should I say the commercials? We did have the game on the entire time, I was so proud. And right along with our goodies from Saturday, brownies that Mary brought, Guacamole that Mandy made, and queso that I made, we even ordered pizza. Have I ever told you that girls can eat? Oh yes, yes they can. We laughed more than we watched the game, but we had the best time.

Monday I got up and literally went straight to demolishing my room and everything else in sight. I didn't even head downstairs to eat my cereal right away! I spent the entire day cleaning until 5 when I hopped in the shower then met my family and Jonathan and Tara at BJ's for dinner. All day I accomplished washing my sheets, putting them back on my bed, washing my duvet cover, two loads of laundry, did the dishes including unloading the dishwasher twice, cleaned our bathroom, vacuumed the entire upstairs, dusted and de-cluttered my room. It was a productive day to say the least.

Definitely the best way to end a fabulous weekend. (For the record, I don't have Thursday to Monday off, those were just the days I decided to document. Ha!)

Now it's Tuesday. My (almost) favorite day of the week! It's Bible Study night and Biggest Loser night. I lerve it.

How's that for the longest post of all time? I'm so sorry you had to read all that.