{Lissa and Game On: BRAVE}

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do.

But to hold it together when everyone else would

understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.”

I wish to tell you all about an amazing and bright light:

Lissa from Humble Pie:

She is amazing!!!!

Or rather, God is amazing through her and

she has given him her whole heart to bring out his perfect in her!

Lissa's life walk shows that one can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength!

Becoming Brave Amazing Women. Certainly our walks of what we are going through look to the eyes different. What is the same is that we are two women learning to stand strong, face their fears and fly. I am certain many of you might feel the same way walking through a similar walk. Learning to face storms with a fierce gracefulness. If you watch Lissa's posts you will see that goodness her journey has been challenging! What I hope you see though is what brave and just heart beautiful looks like from her perspective as a Wife, Mother, Sister, Daughter and what true love for Christ can do to a woman's heart. You can't help but get all sunshined up and feel brave after reading her posts and the tapestry of her true heart as she paints it with words and images of lovely and just cool is she.

I wish to tell you to watch Lissa on the outside and to be her friend, I am amazed and humbled by her and feel so very blessed that God crossed our paths as friends in life.

She is hilarious too people and just a blast to talk with!

Lissa you are a gift from God and I am inspired by you greatly.

I pray all your goals and dreams come true.

I pray you perfect in your heart and world, I just do!

More than anything, I pray God fully in your life and stand next to you as your friend cheering you on in half marathon, Brave Girl conference, anything you choose to accomplish, or just being fully you in Christ and standing as your friend. I am honored.

You are amazing Girly and I wish you to know we all see wonderful sunshine in you! Thank you for helping me see to that I can be brave and face storms, follow through with goals...even if a goal take the opportunity to learn drive a tractor at my Mom's farm,

learn how to build a swing,

begin training for a triathlon, or start taking steps to start a company, or just facing my storms while holding onto Christs hand. By your walk you have shown me to listen to God and find His true in me and really face me and my fears. You have shown me to turn my heart towards faith and become the woman graceful and true that God desires for me to be and trust in Him. I am certain you have shown this by your walk to many and we are all better women for it. More than anything you have shown me to lay down my hurts, my happy, my all before God and allow him to do his wonder and works to make me the best I can be for Him. For that many tears and smiles flow and I owe you so very much in friendship.

Like a kindred spirit you are to me and I am certain many. Grateful for you!

Many of you already know Lissa, but if you don't go and read her blog. Her life and journey will bless you and touch your life with amazing light!

You Lissa will be a true crown of splendor in the Lord's hand.

You just will in every way!

Happy Day to you all.

Mwuah, Me

{Flight Lessons}

“How does one become a butterfly?" she asked.

"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to

give up being a caterpillar.”

So very true. Funny, A little (very, smile!), cut and bruised deep from the journey, but it is still all good, because I realize that I am becoming authentic. Or, rather in truth, God is becoming authentic in me and I am becoming real and not a fake. Only soul growth can come from this. I know you are hearing me people!

The shortest and surest way to 

live with honor in the world is to be
in reality what we would appear to be.
-- Socrates

Did you know that you can play games and trick yourself out of depression. I have done this by thinking of sunshine, calling my dearest family and friends to giggle...or well, having a friend call and say hey...get out of bed, wash your hair and face your day, dust yourself off, look towards Gods face, be real and don't forget to find a smile. I have another friend that sends prayers to me and casts me sunshine just because it is good and one precious soul that makes me smile so much from the inside that I cannot help but have it throw sunshine and amazing smiles all over the place. Thank you friend, you are precious! I pray I can bless you all back a million fold!

Did you know that when a caterpillar goes into it's cocoon it almost completely liquifies before morphing into a butterfly....so much more fascinating information that I am amazed by. Yep, I have been liquified so to speak! No, it did not feel good!

I have gone through what seems to be every stage so far of

a caterpillar's stages to become a butterfly, but am now in this cocoon stage that I have just slightly (and I don't use that term loosely) broken to air, through a very tiny hole. I can see sunshine glistening, and smell and sense that fresh air is available. I am still in protective mode. My friends and family goodness have helped me so much through this. I owe them and God my life and owe them for helping me stand when I did not know if I could. To remind me to breathe in and breathe out. To give me faith and help me to stand strong in that.

....or just help me smile and remind me that is healthy too.

I pray I can give all of this kind of sunshine, strength, smiles and more to you all and many.

Goodness, I have tried to do this with integrity.

To be careful with friendships and still get burned, even though I thought I guarded myself well. I honestly think my neighbors say this when I drive down the road...."Yep, here she comes down the road to her home that sits as the only house in the very center of the cul-du-sac... she waived...she opened her garage door...and....she is in and the door is shut and she (me) is back in her cocoon."...and they giggle and say, "Bless Her". As if this home has become my cocoon of sorts. In here I have learned to enjoy my own company, face me and face my lonely. I have learned to pray and listen. Still learning that! I have learned who is my friend and who is not. I have learned even in many friendships to remain careful and keep integrity about me. What I have found is that there are going to be fires in life. Ones that we do not create, yet are standing in the middle of. But realize that God is there to stand with me boldly and gracefully. I pray that he is teaching me how to take my fierce and make it into a fierce gracefulness that is real and beams light of him. I pray that he is teaching me not to navel gaze so to speak but to pray and serve and love others and move my focus off of me. I know that is when He is blessed and goodness, I want to bless and please him alone with everything in me! I just do!

I know that God would never wish harm to me, but has desired me to grow and allowing things so that I can be all that he wants me to be. Not there yet God, but he knows that I am thankful and stronger for this journey.

What I realize is that God does have to take us through hard in order to move our hearts to better.  If we can do this, I am realizing that this is where strength, character and true integrity sit in our hearts. This is where the face of God eventually shines to others as we become less us and more likened to Him.

I know that this is not exactly a happy or cheery, Labor Day wish, but for anyone else going through life challenges, know that I would pray for you if you needed me to and will if you request. Know that God is real and can meet you right there in the middle of your storm if you will allow him.

"...there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your life, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and Mine angels round about you, to bear you up." 

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! Phil: 4:13

Mwuah and many smiles and prayers to you all!

xo-me

{Wednesday Thought}

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

...Lord help me please!!!!!

Image via: William Wagman

{A Love Note}

Come home, sweet baby. The lights are on...soup's on the stove, warm bread in the oven. Just come home and let me love you, protect you, cleanse you from the world that ravages your very soul. I know you and the transparencies of your heart. I know what you have done and I know what has been done against you. I know how hard you have tried to be good and how defeated you feel. But you can rest now. My yoke is easy, and my burden light.

You don't need to be a Good Christian Girl.

Just be who you are ~ My Beloved Child

Love ~ God {Your Precious Daddy}

Image - via flkr Words via: Confessions of a Good Christian Girl by: Tammy Maltby

{Monday Thinking}

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness."

-Ralph W. Sockman

¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

Image: Via Citified

{Happy Friday!}

LIFE:

Live in the Moment 

Live it with Integrity

Live it with Wisdom

Live it Tenaciously

Live it with Thankfulness

Live it with a Forgiving Heart

Live it with a Gentle Smile

Live it with Out-Loud Laughter...

...the kind of Laughter that Makes Your Tummy Hurt

Live it Purely

Live it with God in Focus

and knowing you will never walk it alone

......and make it so Beautiful

that it will be worth Remembering!

Happy Weekend!!!! Hoping your moments beautiful!

Mwah!

Image via: I don't have clue, but it looks like Africa to me.

I want to be sitting at that table laughing, talking and enjoying company!

Found it somewhere long ago and thought it to be beautiful.

{Because this song makes for a big smile!}

Turn music off below first.

I hope it makes you smile and feel empowered too!

Happy, wonderful, sunshine-filled, successful day to you!

~Mwah!!!!!

Lyrics: Sara Evans: Low

Like your dreams were meant to fly

Like a bird up in the sky

Just like heaven`s somewhere up above clouds

I was made to raise my voice lift my hands and rejoice

Just like jesus they couldn`t keep him down

Low

Like the way your mama felt

The very first time you were held

The way your daddy still looks at your mama now

Ain`t that the way that love should be

Gets you high makes you believe

There`s nothing in this world get us down

Low

I`m gonna roll this stone away

Live my life my way

And stand up on my faith

Just like the sun rises everyday

The tide is gonna change

You can`t keep me low

When my worries seem too big

I`m gonna dance like david did

Cause hallelujah i am glory bound

No i won`t be afraid

When trouble gets in my face

I`ll turn my back and stomp that devil down

Low

I`m gonna roll this stone away

Live my life my way

And stand up on my faith

Just like the sun rises everyday

The tide is gonna change

You can`t keep me low

I won`t let dreams get buried

Even when i`m feeling down

I won`t linger in the darkness

I`ll be walking out

I`m gonna roll this stone away

Let the light shine on my face

And stand up on my faith

Just like the sun rises everyday

The tide is gonna change

You can`t keep me low

~And all God's children said, AMEN!

{Tuesday Thinking}

Know this today......You ARE a Miracle!

"Don't be afraid to be AMAZING!"

--Andy Offutt

...and well a little French for your day. Just because! {Smile}

"Il faut des rêves suffisamment grands pour

ne pas les perdre de vue en les poursuivant."

"One must have big enough dreams so as

not to lose sight of them while pursuing them."

--Yves Michallet

Image via: Papayalicious

{Superwoman Wanna-Be!}

Pour agir, il faut une forte dose de défauts.

Un homme sans défauts n'est bon à rien.

In order to act, we need a good dose of faults.

A person without defects is good for nothing.

--Jacques Chardonne

Oh, I got many of those glistening fault things...

Can I pretty please exchange them for good?!?!?! Smile!

My Mom always taught us we should be self sufficient, bold, hardworking and tenacious. She also showed me to be humble, honest with my shortcomings, but keep good and quiet confidence and know my value that does not have to shout it verbally to the streets, but more in the way I carry my heart, soul, mind in thoughts and life walk.

One of my dear friends said this morning that knows me well that I have a "bright fierceness" way about me. I thought wow, that is the nicest compliment. Could that be true? I know I am fiesty, but the "Bright" part, could that part be true? I desire to be that kind of woman. One that can face storms head on with tenacity and vigor and a willingness to learn, to grow to bend, to be humble and a bright fierceness of grace!

Then I think....honestly, is there a way

I can just become Superwoman?!!!!!

I wish!

You people know what I am talking about. The kind of woman that is strong and graceful and sees the positive always, takes hardship with ease, and still grateful to God for the blessings she does have. The kind of woman that is a encourager, a lover of people's hearts, that brings peace, good, strength and a very bright light that warms a soul and a keen sense of humor...Because my friends, you just gotta have that in life.

Is that real I ask?

Then I humbly look around at women that are my family

and best of friends and see that yes, it is real people!

I see it in these amazing women every day!

I desire to be the kind of woman beyond my life circumstances, that would rush to the rescue and not have herself on her mind because her focus is on the needs of others and brings smiles to all she meets. So when their soul leaves my presence they feel loved down to their toes and just that feeling as if they have had a good laugh in company to bring hope.

So, I have posted this quote below before. I think this sums it up.

I fall short of this, waaaaaayyyyy short, but am I going to try...most definately YES!

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others;

for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise,

walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

-Audrey Hepburn

So, to life's challenges I give you not my focus,

but to focus on loving others and allow all the

rest of the stuff to just work out!

Take that STUFF!!!

For that is where a SUPERWOMAN arrives!

I pray that for me, and for you too. To shine hope big!

Happy Day to You All! Happy Day! NO MATTER WHAT!

So SMILE Big Will Ya! Pretty Please!

Image via Rosie Hardy

{Happy Day Wishes}

Les voeux de votre jour beau!!!!!!

Meaning....

Wishing you a beautiful day, in every way!

Image: Naturally Nina

{Sunshine to You!}

"Those who bring SUNSHINE 

into the lives of others cannot 

keep it from themselves." 

J. Barrie

Yep...That is me looking all sunshine-like! 

(Glowy as we like to say, but we all know it is....shiny, smile!) 

An image from a happy day earlier this summer.

None the less, it is me saying to you that I wish you joyful-smack-happy in every way.

It is me throwing some SUNSHINE on you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sparkly kind of sunshine that you can't brush off! Nope don't even try to!

The kind that radiates, so others feel it too as if you gave them this amazing gift!

I am realizing that no matter the storm and trust me I am the spokesperson for them as of late, there is sunshine to be found if even a speck...it can still be found! If I can find it in my storms you can too. 

I know this to be true! So, give it a try will ya? Pretty please. 

So if you are feeling mighty low today, I pray you good sunshine all over you. 

If you are feeling happy, I pray that you take a memory picture of it for times you 

don't feel like sunshine is coming into the window of your soul.

Praying that for you today in every way!

Mwah and hugs to your day!