Putting On My Warrior Boots: The Day I Decided Fear Couldn't Make My Decision & The Lisa Whittle Retreat!!!

Lisa Whittle. Lover of Jesus. Author. Teacher. Funny. Warm & Down to Earth. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting her until last weekend..

I'd been following Lisa's ministry for some time now... She posts. I open my email. That has been the pattern. Her way with words and biggest message, "God First." won me from first read. I've only known her to be authentic, and fiery, and uncompromising in her love for the gospel, so when she said she was hosting a retreat for just about 30 women to share her heart, upcoming book, and tips for aspiring authors, I knew I had to be there.

Problem?  Precipitation. The bad kind. Almost didn't make it!

Snow in NJ. State of emergency in NC. I LOVE flying, but I didn't sleep too well the night before heading out. The news exploited photos of car pile-ups in the typically "sunny south" as I heard deep down inside, "If you go, I'll keep you.." 

Your Friend, "HOPE."

HOPE:

 "A person or thing in which expectations are centered."

"The feeling that what is desired can be had."

It's the most wonderful time of the year... it is :) 
But in the midst of good tidings and Christmas cheer, it's no secret that the holidays often highlight  we've lost and now lack, or perhaps what we want and do not yet have.  And while we know the reason for the season, feelings of disappointment and loneliness still manage to seep their way in. The year wraps up and we're eager to cross over. We rejoice, but we can also be tempted to mull over missed opportunities, unfulfilled longings, and incomplete endeavors. 

You may be hopeful. You may be hopeless. 

And it could actually depend on the day (YIKES! and #nojudgment)..

But, if your hope needs to be steadied and is under attack - and if you've given up parts of your life to whatever may come, I'm writing to fight with you.

You'll need your hope in its purest form and most proper place to keep at life in every season. 
This is a virtue you cannot forfeit..

You'll need your friend. You'll need your HOPE.
HOPE IS NOT YOUR ENEMY.
(It gets better, keep reading!)

30 and Worthy :)

Mood Leading Up to My 30th

OK, I promise... I do understand that I've been an adult for at least the last 5 years, but THIRTY? What. The. Flip? My cutesie twenties are officially leaving the building, but I hear it gets better from here, and that's nice... I'll take it :) 

To commemorate the end of my roaring twenties, and begin my celebration to THIRTY, here are 30 lessons I've pulled from my last 10 sets of 365 days :) 

1. You don't have to be wrong to apologize first.
2. Save your money. You'll need it.
3. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk makes a great breakfast. 

Divine Valentine

Valentine's Day is experienced in so many ways. There are couples who go out of their way to celebrate and others who do not. There are singles who make the day about self-pampering, singles who take heart and love on their relatives, singles who insist the day bares no significance, and singles that go into hiding, admitting it brings pain. Some people are new to the grief that the day could bring because of death, divorce, or breakup. Some others find it to be a joyous occasion because they've recently embarked upon a new season of love, engagement, or marriage.

Whatever the situation,  I spoke to a friend who spoke to an ex-boyfriend.. . She said he still loved her & he missed her -- but he's newly engaged, to someone else.

I've Learned (#2) ..."...that if you're going to pray, you might aswell be honest. He knows already, anyway. "

 Growing up in church, I must admit I've heard all kinds of prayers. Wordy prayers. Short prayers. Prayers that were full of heart, and prayers that lacked luster and thought.. Prayers full of scripture, and prayers full of drama. Prayers of faith, anxious prayers, and prayers that I just simply could not understand... another case of the deacon and his lost dentures? ...Perhaps.

(#1) I've Learned "...that sometimes you can only love someone in the love language they understand."

It's practical, I guess.

When two people intend to share their love for one another, you would think that the message is successfully sent without any undue interference, confusion, refusal to accept, and etc. for all other possible hindrances.

You could assume one's determined demonstration would yield happy receiving..

But not always...not so much..