What a weekend we had! It started Saturday with a friends BRIDAL SHOWER. It was a wonderful shower filled with great women, great food and great fun. All in the name of celebrating a young woman and her new journey into marriage. We giggled as we rummaged through our purses in search of items, we teared up as stories were told of first dates and their unique proposal and we remembered our own big day or dreamed of our big day to come as she unwrapped beautiful gifts - shiny new and useful gifts.
That night continued with a WEDDING. A beautiful wedding - truly. The details in this wedding were unlike any other. I was continually wowed by the personal touch in everything surrounding this day. After the vows were exchanged and the meals were served, the speeches began. The brides dad gave one of the most beautiful speeches most of us had ever heard. He started and ended his message by painting a visual of us of when his daughter was just born and he was able to hold her for the first time. From birth to now, this was his little girl. There wasn't a dry eye in the beautiful venue as we all visualized our own lives that had passed so quickly.
The next day continued with a VISITATION for my great uncle who had passed away at 83. He was given about 3 months at Christmas time - and now here we are, family and friends who had gathered to celebrate the life a wonderful man, son, father, grandfather, husband, hero, friend, uncle, brother, nephew, great uncle, farmer - hard worker and so many other things to the people who knew him well. I marveled at the photos collected to help us reflect on the life he lived. Included were old photos of him has a young toddler. 80+ years ago this picture had been taken, yet it is still included as a significant piece of his history.
Monday rounded our events with a peak into my belly via an ultrasound to meet the life that started there 20 weeks ago. A boy. We were having another boy! Oh the hopes we have for our children. The excitement that comes in wondering who he will be. Will his dad teach him how to treat a lady so one day he can marry the woman of his dreams? Will he have children of his own and one day give a speech that his daughter will never forget? What legacy will he leave at the end of his time on earth?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Voice of Truth
Voice of Truth by Casting crowns: Oh what I would do to have, the kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I am in. Onto the crashing waves. To step out of my comfort zone, into the realm of the unknown, where Jesus is. And He's holding out His hand. But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me. Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed. The waves they keep on telling me, time and time again. Boy you'll never win. You'll never win.
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story. The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid. And the Voice of Truth says this is for My glory. Out of all the voices calling out to me. I will chose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
This song really spoke to me today as I am once again finding myself stepping way out of my comfort zone because I believe I am being called to do so.
About a year ago a wonderful lady partnered with me and together we created a workshop called Rejoice. An opportunity to help others strengthen their walk with Christ. We gave it a pilot run and we weren't able to complete the seven week journey, for a few reasons. Even though I believed we had a great program - it still felt like we had failed.
She has recently called on me again to give it another run and even though I have many voices in my head that are trying to fill me full of fears and doubt - I am going to listen to the voice I chose to be the loudest! The Voice of Truth!
My hopes are for you as you read this, if you are being called to do something that you are afraid to try or think you won't be any good at - ask yourself - who's voice is that? The voice telling you that you are no good and not worthy of success. Omit that voice from your head - because it's really not doing you any good. The more you can erase those negative voices, the clearer you will be able to hear the one - the only one - that counts. The Voice of Truth.
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different story. The Voice of Truth says do not be afraid. And the Voice of Truth says this is for My glory. Out of all the voices calling out to me. I will chose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth.
This song really spoke to me today as I am once again finding myself stepping way out of my comfort zone because I believe I am being called to do so.
About a year ago a wonderful lady partnered with me and together we created a workshop called Rejoice. An opportunity to help others strengthen their walk with Christ. We gave it a pilot run and we weren't able to complete the seven week journey, for a few reasons. Even though I believed we had a great program - it still felt like we had failed.
She has recently called on me again to give it another run and even though I have many voices in my head that are trying to fill me full of fears and doubt - I am going to listen to the voice I chose to be the loudest! The Voice of Truth!
My hopes are for you as you read this, if you are being called to do something that you are afraid to try or think you won't be any good at - ask yourself - who's voice is that? The voice telling you that you are no good and not worthy of success. Omit that voice from your head - because it's really not doing you any good. The more you can erase those negative voices, the clearer you will be able to hear the one - the only one - that counts. The Voice of Truth.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Awake in the middle of the night
Happy New Year! I hope that 2010 is a year of prosperity, renewal and peace for you.
What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night? Assuming you are not a new parent and nothing has alarmed you out of your slumber, I would guess you use the bathroom, get something to drink or eat and work hard at getting back to sleep fast. But what if you toss and turn and can not quiet your mind?
My husband and I exchange our results of last night's sleep first thing when we wake up. We celebrate each others night of sound sleeping or sometimes groan over stories of being awake off and on all night. I have even found that this is my first question to my 6 year old "Did you sleep good, hun?"
Okay, so you're awake. Really awake. You feel like you could get up a run a marathon! Consider your options: lay in bed with your eyes shut tight, awake. lay in bed this way so long you start to get stressed that you are awake. turn on the tv and give up the idea of ever having a good nights sleep.
OR...try this: Get up. Go into a quiet room. Turn on the lights. Grab a pen and paper. Watch some great thoughts spill out on paper. I'm serious. You never know what kind of creative energy or thoughts will reveal themselves during these wee hours.
The BEST part of this middle-of-the-night rendezvous with yourself... you will not be interrupted! No one will need you. If you can relax about the fact that you are awake - and enjoy that you may be awake for a reason, it can be a wonderful piece of your day. It is possible that you will have enough good energy to get through your day if you can embrace this time.
So the next time you find yourself awake in the middle of the night - embrace it!
What do you do when you wake up in the middle of the night? Assuming you are not a new parent and nothing has alarmed you out of your slumber, I would guess you use the bathroom, get something to drink or eat and work hard at getting back to sleep fast. But what if you toss and turn and can not quiet your mind?
My husband and I exchange our results of last night's sleep first thing when we wake up. We celebrate each others night of sound sleeping or sometimes groan over stories of being awake off and on all night. I have even found that this is my first question to my 6 year old "Did you sleep good, hun?"
Okay, so you're awake. Really awake. You feel like you could get up a run a marathon! Consider your options: lay in bed with your eyes shut tight, awake. lay in bed this way so long you start to get stressed that you are awake. turn on the tv and give up the idea of ever having a good nights sleep.
OR...try this: Get up. Go into a quiet room. Turn on the lights. Grab a pen and paper. Watch some great thoughts spill out on paper. I'm serious. You never know what kind of creative energy or thoughts will reveal themselves during these wee hours.
The BEST part of this middle-of-the-night rendezvous with yourself... you will not be interrupted! No one will need you. If you can relax about the fact that you are awake - and enjoy that you may be awake for a reason, it can be a wonderful piece of your day. It is possible that you will have enough good energy to get through your day if you can embrace this time.
So the next time you find yourself awake in the middle of the night - embrace it!
Friday, April 3, 2009
What is Shoes of Life anyway?
It's a message about the "shoes" we wear during different stages of our life.
Examples would be:
baby shoes: anytime we begin or try something new. Job, parent, community, church, relationship, etc. How does that "baby" shoe feel and look.
casual shoes: now we've got the hang of it! what does this time of our lives look and feel like? AND does it ever get boring?
high heel shoes: accomplished! successful! appreciated!
worn out shoes: sick, sad, unsupported - let's get out of these shoes, AND HOW!
running shoes: motivated, goal oriented, ready to take on the world! be careful to protect these shoes from "scuffs".
flip-flops: vacation, time-out
I encourage the audience to not only think about the shoes they are wearing - (and if they don't like the shoes they are in, can they change them?) BUT ALSO, what about the people in their lives, what shoes are they in?
I LOVE the discussion that presents itself during each event. I ALSO LOVE that the speech can be tailored made to any event. The core is always there, but the topics can be so different.
Every event I have had has been so exciting because the audience is always different and their response is always unique. I have just a blast every time!
My favorite quote ever, which I have been able to fit into my message: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you feel about it." - mary engelbright
Examples would be:
baby shoes: anytime we begin or try something new. Job, parent, community, church, relationship, etc. How does that "baby" shoe feel and look.
casual shoes: now we've got the hang of it! what does this time of our lives look and feel like? AND does it ever get boring?
high heel shoes: accomplished! successful! appreciated!
worn out shoes: sick, sad, unsupported - let's get out of these shoes, AND HOW!
running shoes: motivated, goal oriented, ready to take on the world! be careful to protect these shoes from "scuffs".
flip-flops: vacation, time-out
I encourage the audience to not only think about the shoes they are wearing - (and if they don't like the shoes they are in, can they change them?) BUT ALSO, what about the people in their lives, what shoes are they in?
I LOVE the discussion that presents itself during each event. I ALSO LOVE that the speech can be tailored made to any event. The core is always there, but the topics can be so different.
Every event I have had has been so exciting because the audience is always different and their response is always unique. I have just a blast every time!
My favorite quote ever, which I have been able to fit into my message: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you feel about it." - mary engelbright
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Upcoming events
I have been blessed to be invited to two upcoming events!
Church retreats! One at a resort in Detroit Lakes this June and the other in Battle Lake this September. I am looking forward to these retreats and pray that my message adds some additional insight into the lives of the woman attending.
Upping the ante!
Up until this point my speeches have ranged anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes. Until I got the CALL!
We would like you to host a two hour workshop.
WHAT? 2 hours! Okay, bring it on!
How was I going to fill two hours. I got it...let them do the talking! Let them do the thinking! So, I made journal pages that went along with my message. Now they get to personalize my message and truly understand it and apply it in their own lives.
I added exercises, time for sharing their journal entries and what do you know - it worked! Again, a fabulous discussion.
Well, that was a boring post. Trying to do too much in one day, I guess. My point, however, is that I have now discovered that my little shoe speech can actually be used for many different events and I can speak for 10 minutes to 2 hours. What a cool thing to learn. I feel blessed that I have been asked to stretch waaayyy beyond my comfort zone and beyond anywhere I had ever hoped to be with my public speaking.
We would like you to host a two hour workshop.
WHAT? 2 hours! Okay, bring it on!
How was I going to fill two hours. I got it...let them do the talking! Let them do the thinking! So, I made journal pages that went along with my message. Now they get to personalize my message and truly understand it and apply it in their own lives.
I added exercises, time for sharing their journal entries and what do you know - it worked! Again, a fabulous discussion.
Well, that was a boring post. Trying to do too much in one day, I guess. My point, however, is that I have now discovered that my little shoe speech can actually be used for many different events and I can speak for 10 minutes to 2 hours. What a cool thing to learn. I feel blessed that I have been asked to stretch waaayyy beyond my comfort zone and beyond anywhere I had ever hoped to be with my public speaking.
Do you believe things happen for a reason?
My husband and I were searching for a church after moving. We truly thought that God would bring us to our new church home. We literally got up one Sunday morning, got dressed, got in the car with a phone book in hand and said "God, take us to our new church." We drove around all morning and ended up at Perkins, defeated and hungry. After a year, we were still on the search. We tried every Church it seemed, and we didn't even care about the denomination. It was a Sunday night. We had missed another Sunday. I was online desperately searching. I came upon a church that I had seen in passing while driving around our community. Their mission statement fit ours and I declared this was the church we would visit next Sunday.
That Monday morning I got my first call as a result of my postcard mailing. It was the same church I had found online just the night before.
The voice on the other end declared: "We just started a women's group called Sole Sisters, and now your postcard is here on my desk!"
I told her that her church was the one we were ready to visit next. And so the next Sunday this woman and her friend invited me to church with them.
I felt peace. I felt at home. There was no doubt that this would be our new community and within a month, we were members.
Six months later, I gave my speech, at their church brunch. Again, it was just wonderful! I had declared to my husband earlier that week that my shoe speech career was going to take off and replace my current job within the year. After I gave that speech, I upped my deadline to 6 months. Yes, I am a dreamer. NO, it didn't happen. But I am still dreaming!
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