"You also must be patient. Establish your hearts (other translations: stand firm, take courage, strengthen your hearts, don't give up hope, keep up your courage) for the coming of the LORD is near!" ~James 5:8
Today, I am thankful for:
1. God's faithfulness, and Him having good plans to give me a future and a hope (yesterday's verse of the day)! Also thankful for cooler weather, outdoor walks, and God's protection!
2. This timely message that made me decide to stop, rest, and pray rather than stay busy with onboarding tasks leading up to an important meeting.
3. Mom getting her long-awaited iron infusion at the hospital in Shawnee this morning! Praying she feels better and stronger throughout the two weeks ahead!
4. Two FB posts on my list today - Henry Cloud coming in strong with some words of wisdom!
5. This leaf-nado swirling around me on my walk as a welcome reminder that fall is here, and God is shaking things up!
7. Mark Anthony finishing his triathlon during Rachel's birthday weekend in Waco - love their race day signs! I miss the Shoemaker fam, but I'm thankful they're loving Texas life!!
8. Sophie's weekly email updates - always entertaining and make me feel more connected to her and her people!
9. Jace Michael being in such a good mood after his game - God was in all of that, and I'm thankful it was a fun and lighthearted night all around!!
10. That God goes before me, and I can simultaneously rest in Him and move with courage (still learning how to navigate both at once, but definitely working on it in this season!)
Jace Michael had his first football game on Monday (the first one he's played in all season, and he started on offense and defense and played the great majority of the game)!! It was also the first game Mom has attended in person, and we're very grateful that she felt good and it all went smoothly!
8th Grade Crusader Crew
I was all worried about Mom feeling weak, then she hopped out without her walker to go take some pre-game pics. Football gave her the energy she'd been missing. lol
Asher and Jaceman
This one makes me happy! (Jace is #72)
They got to do a run-through for the first time... fun!
(J is between the C and the H flag below!)
Hadley, Ellery, K-Faith, and Emberly
Yay, God - thankful for answers to lots of prayers on this day!
Jace tackling the Meeker quarterback!
Adoring fan club!
I kinda like that everyone else is in the shadows and he's stepping into the sunlight here =)
Carter Lee came to support him!
Bigger fan club! lol Kyndal and friends joined us to chat with Carter for a few minutes!
Fun pic from one of the few times Jace was on the sideline!
Girls pic - yay!
CHA victory!! ❤
Axel chatting with Mom post-game... he and Jace's friends all love her, and it makes me happy!
So happy about the win!
Jace told his friends, "We have to win this one for Mamaw!" ...and they did!! =)
Axel and Jaceman
Mom and Axel
Yay for Bill and Jill coming to cheer for him!
Dad wasn't photo ready, but J's smile in all of these makes me happy!
Mom and TJ
JB helping Jace take off the sweaty jersey! lol
Me finally asking for a pic with him after all that! ❤
Kyndal Faith's classmates, Titus and Knox
Jace with Sheriff Johnson (and TJ's siblings who love Jace)!
Ace (a great CHA Dad that Mom really admires) and Jace
Fun group pic
Siblings!
J, K, and TJ! They're the most fun! lol
It was awesome weather and a fun, joyful night all around!!
P.S. Happy Birthday to Jeffrey Edward - hopefully he "made it a great day!"
Started a new FB page yesterday! Two of my CCU professors are now following it, which initially shook and then strengthened my courage. I'm going to focus on a different theme every month, starting with courage because there's so much fear-based content pushed in October. I have loads of ideas, so I'm reminding myself to keep it slow and simple and submitted to the Lordship of Jesus! Praying for wisdom and a positive impact - that this would glorify God, encourage readers, and give me a good foundation for future speaking/writing projects. ❤
I do LOVE the mountain sunset cover photo and the name I landed on... Kingdom Hope has been a theme in my heart since I heard John Eldredge's Hope in the Coming Kingdom CDs in 2013. And Leadership is obviously a rising theme for me, and counseling a resurrected one. I want to gradually become a trusted source for strengthening faith, mental health, and leadership identity, so I'm excited about building this!! ❤
A random FB ad talked me into buying this embosser thing for my books - FUN! =) I have zero real need for it, but it does make me happy!
Also happy about my long-overdue hair appointment with Janelle on Friday morning! Michaela is back in place (the shorter extensions), and Janelle and I are caught up on each others' lives... and I had time for a Los Cabos and Laurannae run that afternoon!!
Cookie Mamma is right across the street from Wildflower Blu, so I stopped there for myself and the Wilson fam!
The Jenks Laurannae was far more on point this time, with a delightful selection of cupcakes - of which I grabbed one of each. lol Apple cinnamon, cookie dough, blackout chocolate, and bride's cake... all truly fantastic!
Throwback to me, Kristin Renee, and Kim at the Utica Starbucks with the Changie group, Fall 2007! Yay for having friends who've been in my life for almost 20 years!
Miss Paige Evelyn was bouncy and happy to see me! =)
Group pic at the South BA Chick-fil-A! I was happy to see all of them again on what may have been my first Tulsa trip since Chet's birthday!!
JW and Annie F. back at the conference where they met last spring - love it!
Count me ALL THE WAY IN for this party!!
(It's Lisa Harper, Beth Moore, Christine Caine, Priscilla Shirer, and Shelley Giglio celebrating Christine's 60th birthday!)
'Twas a slumber party event with themed costumes, dancing, cheesy photos, laughter, great food, and undoubtedly phenomenal and God-honoring conversation!! =) HBD, Christine! Thankful for each of these women and their individual examples, genuine friendships, and impact on my life and walk with God!
Aww, look - it's me trying to quietly pull out of CCU and counseling, and Dr. Burkhart reminding me of a few things and convincing me to push through (his talk was far more nuanced and tactful, but this was basically the vibe of our 8-26 meeting).
Ironically, I wrote about that very scene in his Leadership class last August (quoted HERE). Of the plethora of movies I know and love, it's surprising to me that I'm coming back to this one so often, but I've always identified with Dottie's character on some level, and seeing how much he cares in that scene makes it land and feel poignant!
Ashley sent me this adorable pic of Miles looking proud of himself at the jog-a-thon! Go, Miles, go!! =)
Okay, friends! We can do hard things, and sometimes, the "hard" is what makes it great!! Having said that, may we all have a RESTFUL Sunday ahead where God can strengthen and refresh us for the hard work ahead!!
