Dear Uncertainty...

Yeah I just wrote a letter to " Uncertainty", seems odd but strangely enough seeing it made me think about the last few years of my life. According to the dictionary, uncertainty:is the unknown, the doubtful, the one thing that has not been revealed. In the last few years uncertainty has been the one thing in my life that has been constant among other things.  If anyone knows me well enough and close enough they know that things have not been easy. I have at times questioned, wondered and prayed about these uncertain times.
And guilty mostly at allowing it to ruin my day sometimes. I get caught up in the sadness, disappointments, or setbacks. I have had to ask forgiveness, reset, and regroup over and over again.
There are so many things that we will never understand. The past few years I have dealt with all of this personally or have seen this happen within my inner circle: the death of those we loved or didn't have a chance to love, rejection from those we trusted in, accidental deaths, incurable sickness, the bipolar and untreated toxic family member who continues to cause chaos, mental illnesses, the job losses, the financial crisis, depression, loved one's who betray us, loved ones who choose not love you or be part of your life! All of it happens and all of it hurts,confuses, and bewilders even the strongest of souls.
How does anyone even get past it all? How can you go on with this darkness in your spirit sometimes that you feel is beyond being lit again, how can you soar when you feel like you have lost all will or reason?
I have learned that to question is ok... but in times where it seems "bittering" we need God. Not a god, but the one true GOD. We can stand on the corner of bitter or better and choose to walk in bitter but if we do it will destroy you from the inside out. We need a hope to believe in, we need a foundation stronger then who we are, and what we think were made of, and it only comes from obtaining faith. Faith is not a crutch, faith is the reason and hope that we all need when we go through things we don't understand.
We must choose in our minds that today will not be a day we will allow uncertainty to ruin us.
Whatever it is that you are going through today, you have to know that you are certainly not alone, this time is only temporary, and tomorrow is a new day.
But as for today... do not allow what you don't understand keep you from all that God has purposed you for in this lifetime.

INSPIRE- Book Release- Order it on AMAZON

I was so excited to be part of this beautiful journey in authoring a book with 20 other women this past year. This inspirational book is full of joy, heartbreak, victories, and overcoming life's obstacles. It is a sure way to motivate anyone that has felt down and needed to know that HOPE exists. Check it out on AMAZON today- http://www.amazon.com/Inspire-Stories-Accomplishment-Encouragement-Influence/dp/0692234241/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404269268&sr=1-1

Restoration- How God used an old barn door to help me tell a story!

Over the weekend I had an opportunity to spend a day with my mom and dad. I love the chance to go back home, something about being home calms and centers me. Maybe its the fresh mountain air, or the memories of a childhood full of laughter and fun, I don't know but whatever it is, I love being there and as I get older I cherish it more and more. Well, I know some of you do not know my dad, but he is a "collector" you could say of things he feels he will use one day. Some may say hoarder..but that is taking it a bit too far. I find his garage and shed to be a place of great options for projects!! I know my mom does too! I mentioned to my dad I needed some old barn wood for a project. ( I knew he would have just what I needed somewhere) That is the best thing about my dad, he has a "supply" and the nails to go with it anytime you ask. I loved that about my dad growing up, he could fix anything, and create stuff with old things. Maybe that is where I come up with these ideas? Although, I know this time he did not see my "vision" for these pieces of barn wood.
We dug out the wood and I told him I wanted to transform these banged up pieces into art for my wall. He looked at me several times and kept asking, "are you sure?"
We worked together at gathering up the wood then he helped me assemble my little masterpiece. You see, I had a plan, the entire time of what I wanted to do with that old discarded board. No one really could see it but me, even during the process, I could tell even my dad who was helping me so willingly was wondering what in the world I could do with this old stuff that had clearly seen better days! But I knew.... I knew that restoration and restoring wood takes time. I knew that the time put into it would require some work,polishing,cutting and sanding! In the end  though I knew if I could take these broken pieces of material and assemble something beautiful it would be worth it. It was even better that I was able to work on this with my dad. It has been years since I could work beside him, when I was a little girl I never wanted to leave his side...always wanted to help! I am sure I slowed him down more times than he would ever admit, but he never pushed me off or scolded me, he always let me tag along.
Anyway, back to my project...so I brought it all home, put it down in my garage and started to brush off the cobwebs, the dust, and old paint pieces. Obviously this wood has been around quite a long time!

After the sanding, cutting, and pounding back together.I started to stain the wood and because of the neglect for years, the stain just sunk deep into its very core, the deepest parts of it's being was thirsty and ready for change. ( I was ready for it too!) Seeing it soak it up reminded me of myself, when I am so ready for the things of God to really fill me. to satisfy my deepest parts. I could relate!
Then I brought out the paintbrush, a detail you can not overlook in the restoring process, the brush will get the tiny cracks and heal where no one else really sees. (But those cracks they are so deep, so so deep, and need to be filled! They need to be filled with only what the master artist could fill it with!)

I worked for hours, my back was pounding and I was ready to get this baby hung up on the wall, but I knew I needed to keep going and the process would be worth it. I thought of quotes, millions of quotes, which should I pick? I spent hours trying to decide what would be best for this precious piece, that by this time I have grown to love and adore. My goodness, the whole family now was really excited and waiting too. My little girls have been wondering what is happening out in that garage, mom has been out there for hours! So I began to paint, and this is what came out!I thought how much time must God put into us, our mistakes, needs, and desires. He knows it all and yet pursues us with a passion and love that only He could give, He see's our true potential. He knows what we are capable of no matter what we come from or what we have done.

Funny thing about the phrase, "It is WELL with my SOUL...." is that the very words were penned during one of the most heartbreaking moments in another mans life , yet he knew where HIS anchor was and that no matter what happened, God would not forsake him.
So true and ironic this old barn door, what we see in the natural and what it looks like, looks alot like us, before God gets hold of us, He takes what is otherwise considered useless, discarded, and restores it to a beautiful creation. The deep and edgy cracks that no one sees or runs away from he fills with His healing power and spirit. He makes all things new, and believes in the possibilities of what could be! He believes in you! He believes in me. I mess up, I need him daily. I am hoping this old barn door which I plan on hanging today will be that reminder to me. God is an anchor for my soul and IT IS WELL!

Mom, you are beautiful!

It was one of those days, I am sure if you are a parent or have had a parent you can relate to what I am about to share. The time on the clock seemed to somehow reach out and slap me in the face as I quickly glanced at it and realized it was not even 8 am. A weekday! Yes a busy work filled, purpose driven day, full of everything it needed and most of what I did not in that moment. I was a mom, a wife, a women's leader, a business owner, and the list goes on. I had a list of orders to fill, clients to call, laundry piling, and a mound of 58  socks that I can not seem to find their mate! I had a puppy barking for breakfast, a husband who could not find his keys, a 5 year old who had a bloody nose, and a 2 year old who pooped her way into a new day! It was lovely. I had no time for my needs. I wanted a shower. I wanted to do my hair, I wanted to brush my teeth, drink some water, and make myself a healthy breakfast, but that was no where in sight; not for at least an hour or two ( if I was lucky).
I felt sick, I felt overwhelmed. I needed strength! I need a life coach for crying out loud! I needed to go down stairs and read some of my own material! What I really wanted though was to get in my car drive to the nearest Starbucks, get my misto and check in to the nearest day spa and stay there until it all just went away. The needs, they were great. The neediness of my little family, my adorable puppy,endless emails, the job,church ministries,unpaid bills, my ghastly hair, and my hungry stomach; it was screaming silently at me. And I wanted it to just, "Stop!"
Have you been there? If you are being honest I know you can relate! I was tired, deeply! In that moment I went to work, I pushed through how I felt. I packed the lunch, kicked the 58  socks into a corner, pulled my out of control hair back, and cleaned up the poop. (literally)
But I was sad, overwhelmed, and exhausted. It was not even 8 am remember! I managed to sit for a few moments to sip the cold coffee I poured 30 minutes ago and my five year old looked at me,as she was getting ready to walk out the door for school. Her free spirit and love of life captured my heart. Here was this beautiful little child, my child! She had no idea of the pressures of life I had been living through, she did not know that mommy had a bunch of bills to pay and there was not enough money,she did not know her sister had welcomed the day with a dirty diaper, she did not even care that there were 58 pairs of socks laying on the floor. All she knew was that I was here with her, (as bad as I felt).
I bent down to kiss her head and she grabbed my face and looked up at me and said, "Mom, I think you are beautiful! "
I could have given her a million kisses in that moment if it were possible. She spoke life into my very being. I can assure you I was not beautiful in that moment. I felt hurried, tired, broken, and obviously un-showered. I will not forget that moment in time. It was just a second, a small phrase spoken by my little brown eyed girl, but she was used to speak an incredible amount of renewed energy into my very being.
You see; moms and dads, we do a ton. A ton of which is never seen by anyone at times. Most times, most people have no idea what is really going on in your life. There are moms out there who are tired, worn down, and lost in the transition. There are dads out there who seem to try to do it all with no end in sight. You are not alone and this is not in vain. ( I am taking this all in!)
You have no idea the difference you make in the lives of those you live with. To them, you are their world, you make it what ever you display.
I know it is stinken hard, I am not going to say I think parenting is easy. I think its the toughest job out there. This is coming from a girl who worked three jobs in my 20's just to survive. I am telling you being a parent, working, and keeping your family strong is a major deal! A huge sacrifice.
I never knew how much was invested. I can tell you one thing, I appreciate my mom and dad more now than ever before. Now that I'm the one up to my elbows in poop, stress, and mornings without a shower. I can tell you one thing, I know it won't last. These day are fleeting and we need to hold on to the moments when we can find solace in the eyes of your children, the beautiful little one's that you will hand off your legacy to. Let it be one worth handing over.

Take a deep breath! It's going faster than you think!

Become all you were meant to be!

Do you feel like you constantly are up against a wall? Discouragement and sadness can come in like a flood and overwhelm. There are so many things that can come against us from day to day that can feel like everything is gone, you will never be happy, your life will never turn around. But it can! Reclaim your life...reclaim what negative things have tried to take from you. God wants you to soar and be all you were created to be.
In this FREE ebook which downloads automatically you can experience renewed perspective and hope.
Download today!!

Are you setting up to fail?

Let's check out some of the warning signs or red flags so to speak.

Keep in mind failure is not bad, unless as you learn from it. We all have all failed or made mistakes. Learning from them and getting up is what will make the difference.Ask yourself some of these questions, ask some trusted people in your life what they think as well.

Ask ... Am I this way or do I tend in this direction? 

- You are a major people pleaser. When big choices need to be made, you consult with everyone around you. Come up with a team and getting everyone's opinions about a decision you just need to make but won't because you don't want to offend, is a warning! 

- You stay in places and relationships that are not healthy or working. What would cause you to stay around people or places that you know are not beneficial? Is it low self esteem? Are you willing to let it go so you can be stronger?

- You secretly thrive on drama whether yours or everyone else 's. Gossiping about others whether you are in a professional group or not is wrong. Pretty good chance is they are talking about you too. Leadership needs to function at a higher standard. Adding fuel to the fires of slander and gossip only destroys people and unity. 

- You have no specific plans on how to reach a goal. Dreams are planted in all of us but without a plan you will never reach the goal. Set steps up as mile markers to achieve along the way. 

Is it follow the leader?

I've heard the phrase from time to time that, "you know when you are a leader when you turn around and people are following you." A true leader in business , ministry, or community leads by example. If you need to constantly remind people that you are the leader, there's a pretty good indicator that your not doing your job. Setting a standard for how things should be done needs to come from the top down. Things just don't fall into their places without clear vision and direction. I'm even more motivated to have clear goals, set forth vision, and standards for how I carry my own life and business. The last few months I have seen poor examples of leadership, makes my heart heavy and my spirit motivated. If you have found yourself in a position where you are not valued, your are being taken advantage of or abused, get out of the unhealthy place you are in. Unhealthy places and people take on many forms. I want to encourage you to stay true to who you are no matter what comes against you. Progress is necessary for people to grow and thrive. The process can be painful but just know that anytime you are doing great things , there are those who will not want to celebrate that with you. Shake off the dust and move on, they are not worth your time and energy.
It starts with you...be the positive changes you want to see!!