Rebuilding What Was Destroyed

One thing that stuck with me from the 9/11 Memorial Museum tour last January was seeing and touching this massive steel column that had buckled and folded over itself when the South Tower collapsed.

It stood out as the only artifact in the museum we were encouraged to touch - our guide even told us to work together to try to lift it.  Feeling the literal weight of that multi-ton piece of steel (that landed amid 360 million pounds of rubble) made me step back with renewed awe at the level of destruction.  The full magnitude of the Ground Zero clean-up work felt heavier and more real.

* * * * * * *

A recent podcast I heard brought that experience back to mind.  The host was emotional describing a time when her public reputation was unjustly maligned, when everything she had spent years building seemed to collapse at once.  The idea of rebuilding felt HEAVY and required a lot of support.

I could relate thinking about my journey within the counseling profession and all that happened last fall...

From February 2012 when I started night school classes at SNU to October 2025 when I pressed pause and felt like giving up, internally and externally, I had been BUILDING toward a counseling career path - a goal I had set with the belief that it had lasting Kingdom value.  Brick by brick, pursuing counseling has required tremendous personal courage and growth from me:  the applications, interviews, residency trips, presentations, papers, role plays, hundreds of practicum and internship hours, counseling children and adults, facilitating grief and divorce groups, challenging feedback, research, confusing rejections, wrestling with ethical questions, strong mentors and friendships, questions of identity and calling, repeatedly pressing through self-doubt, and consistently seeking God's direction!  (And what a gift every bit of that has been, looking back.  I love the grit and confidence it has gradually instilled in me!)

Still, watching my adoption plans/dreams crumble to the ground last fall took a serious toll on my identity, hope, determination, and faith.  Some negative feedback from a misaligned supervisor in that season added fuel to the fire, and it became surprisingly easy to believe I had misheard God about the adoption and the counseling dreams.  It all seemed too hard and heavy, and I opted to quietly fade back and let the LPC dream go.  But God never let go of me.

"Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery?   Of course not!  ...For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]."  ~Romans 11:11-29

*Adding that one to my board of empowerment ASAP.*
After passing the National Counselor Exam and navigating the painfully-difficult process of becoming an LPC-Candidate in Oklahoma, the 104 clinical hours I earned last fall have now officially expired.  So I am starting from ground zero in that area.  When you spend years building something meaningful, watching it collapse can feel like a personal failure.  Standing among the wreckage of something you poured your heart, energy, money, prayers, and effort into can make walking away seem more appealing than rebuilding.

BUT what if I am supposed to acknowledge the brokenness and devastation around me as the work of the enemy, learn from it, and intentionally CHOOSE to start over and rebuild with God?  What if part of leadership is having the courage and audacious faith to rebuild what the enemy worked so hard to crush and destroy?

The challenges I've experienced here have been humbling, sobering, and educational.  My accumulated hours will no longer count toward becoming an LPC, but there was real value there (for my growth and hopefully for the clients I served), and I'm building from a stronger foundation of wisdom and experience now.

It also brings me great JOY and comfort to realize that the Bible passage I chose for my vision board and my grad school announcement in 2022 -- the very same one I posted on this blog a full decade earlier (the week I started classes at SNU Tulsa) -- concludes with this poignant verse about rebuilding:

"They will REBUILD the ancient ruins.  They will RESTORE the places destroyed long ago.  They will RENEW the ruined cities..."  ~Isaiah 61:4

God is bringing so many pieces together in my mind and heart lately.  I was always called to rebuild - I just didn't think it would start with my own God-given dreams and identity.  (But honestly, why would it start anywhere else?  God establishes things internally before He increases our Kingdom impact.)

Exciting News:  This afternoon, following a 3-step interview process, I signed the offer letter and was hired as a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate for Momentum Counseling & Consulting, a growing firm based in Colorado and recommended by a trusted mentor.  I'm genuinely excited and grateful... and a bit reflective as I anticipate the changing of seasons and all that it may encompass.  Breathe - one step at a time.  I feel a good nervous energy, like I'm standing at the start line of a marathon, gearing up for a challenging course ahead, knowing there will be hard hills and meaningful support and unexpected turns, and trusting that the finish line will be worth the effort!  I am determined to represent Christ with wisdom, grace, renewed JOY, and endurance.

The word "rebuilding" usually sounds hopeful to me, and for good reason.  There is beauty in casting a new vision, but there is heaviness and pain behind it, as well.  It means there was real devastation - something you built with great care that was crushed, and now you have to reassess and do the work a second time.

Someday soon, I will undoubtedly have clients and future grad students who are rebuilding parts of their lives... sifting through the wreckage of dreams, plans, and/or relationships that were shattered.  And this experience will inform and strengthen my response.  I am growing in my firsthand understanding and ability to slow it all down and sit. with. people. in the midst of devastating grief, honoring their emotions and valuing the full magnitude of what they've lost.  And when the timing is appropriate, I believe God will empower me to speak words that help strengthen them with renewed hope as He provides the courage needed to rebuild.

Going back to the top of this post, after touring the 9/11 Memorial Museum, we went to see the view from the top of the Freedom Tower.  You can feel it when you step into it - that building tells a new story of hope, one that is powerful and redemptive and special.  Beauty for ashes, you might say.  Obviously, the entire story matters, and it mirrors the larger Kingdom narrative.  I believe that will be true in my life, as well - our losses matter, and what we build moving forward with God's help matters.  What a gift that God loves to write redemptive stories!

I'm reminding myself that Kingdom work is opposed, and rebuilding was never intended to be easy.  This work requires great effort and heart, and God understands that.  I am starting with a sparkly clean slate in a new state system where I can build my caseload and counseling skills while building a trusted reputation for Godly wisdom, excellence, and integrity! #goals  My capacity may be limited, but I will have a team of solid supervisors for support, and I can lean on Jesus and continually invite God's help and guidance!!

❤

Important Perspective:  In spite of losing my accumulated hours, I'm so thankful I took the past year "off" from counseling and schoolwork.  There was needed healing and growth, and I'm in a much better place to move forward now!  When you are wounded and surrounded by the wreckage of a broken dream, have grace for yourself.  It is 100% okay to pause and grieve over what has collapsed.  Acknowledge all that you invested, then take inventory of what was ruined and what remains.  Most importantly, DRAW NEAR TO GOD, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).  He will guard you with fiercely protective strength, gently bind and care for your wounds as you heal, then give you a fresh perspective and renewed strength for moving forward.  He is with you in your lowest moments; He has not forgotten you.

God rewards those who sincerely seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

He shows up when we seek Him wholeheartedly (Jeremiah 29:13).

Promises, not exaggerations.

If you are in Christ, the rubble does not get the last word in your story!

Jesus is still writing new chapters.

The one true God is FOR YOU, infusing you with His power, His love, and sound wisdom that overcomes lies, fear, and timidity.  All is not lost.  Some doors may be closed, but stay alert for the new doors God is opening before you.  His hope is still the secure anchor for your soul, and He has not withdrawn His gifts or changed His mind about calling you!!  When the time comes to rebuild, press forward in faith, trusting God to redeem E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G the enemy intended for your destruction.

"Those who look to Him for help will be RADIANT WITH JOY, and no shadow of shame will darken their faces."  ~Psalm 34:5

Go in the strength you have, and do the work!
Build something new and stronger with God, one obedient step at a time.

The best is yet to come! ❤

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work.  Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is WITH YOU.  He will not fail you nor abandon you [but will GUIDE YOU in the construction] until you have finished all the work..."  ~1 Chronicles 28:20 

 ❤ ❤ ❤

Calling & Commitment

"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.  Never underestimate the power of BEING SEEN - it's exhausting to keep working against yourself when someone truly sees and loves you."  ~Brene Brown

Any fruit that ever comes from my future work in counseling, writing, or speaking, Dr. Burkhart will get some of the credit for it in Heaven.  The ripple effect of his Godly leadership is real, and I am SO GRATEFUL for his choice to really see, invest in, support, and exhort/encourage me.  My talk with him was the pivot point and the main reason I stayed in it when I was ready to leave the CCU Masters program in 2023, and he is now the reason I am surrendering the resistant side of myself to what God has been clarifying by sticking with the CES degree and charting a new course as a Colorado LPCC!

I sent him an email about a week before Mom's wreck explaining my situation and the desire to pursue the Liberty DSL degree... telling him I value his insight and would appreciate hearing any feedback or thoughts he had on that topic.  He did not say one negative word about Liberty (nor would I have expected that).  He said (paraphrased) "Liberty has a fantastic program, and I know they turn out a lot of great leaders...  (intentional pause looking at me...) and unfortunately, I can't hire them to teach here."  (Because a CES degree is a CACREP requirement for counseling professors, not because of anything about Liberty).  And that was the perfect clear, subtle, meaningful thing to say to me in that moment, and he probably knew that.  The rest of our talk that day was also good - he called me out on some of my small self-doubting comments and said he thinks I have a tendency to be very philosophical and think deeply about the things I hear, and he (correctly) thought I may have internalized some wrong ideas about myself related to the counseling profession.  He asked sincerely and wisely whether I loved the content of the Leadership course or the fact that I had a professor who really saw me and appreciated my work, and I answered honestly with both, expounding further on that.  

He told me he will cheer me on and write a very strong letter of recommendation for me if I feel sure this is the new direction where God is leading me, but that he wanted me to take a minute and be certain I am not walking away from counseling because I've made wrong assumptions or agreements that I am not cut out for it based on the fact that the path has been surprisingly difficult.  He said I am trying to bring light into a dark world and bring something functional into a profession that is somewhat broken and dysfunctional, and that is always going to be a hard road, and it's not because I am inadequate or in the wrong place, (but because Kingdom work is opposed).  He said he sees great potential in me to become an author, teacher, and speaker - that he would encourage me to get back on the horse and get my LPC hours if I decide to fight for this degree.  (And he emphasized again that there is no wrong decision here, and he didn't want me to stay in it for the wrong reasons either.)

But honestly, God had already spoken to me on July 28th (the Icy Strait Point whale watch excursion, Alaska cruise).  From that dramatically answered prayer to a series of daily Scripture emails from Chris Caine, it has been an incredibly clear and consistent message to stay the course and finish what I started at CCU, so I am diving back into it and doing my best to be wholehearted, set apart, and tuned into God's leadership in new ways!!  And part of that will include meeting more regularly with Dr. Burkhart to LEARN from him and help keep my vision and sense of identity/calling/commitment on track.  My respect for him is high, and he sees me and believes in me in a unique way that fuels my desire to become everything God intends for me to be!

In other news, re-reading this older post today was fascinating.  I wrote it three days before the appointment where I learned about the fibroids then gradually decided to let go of the embryo adoption dream.  And then, I took a year-long break from counseling and doctoral studies because I felt like I couldn't trust myself to hear clearly from God about anything.  But none of that is quite true.  The enemy was working overtime to kill, steal, and destroy what God was gradually building, but he will not get the last word in this story.  I'm thankful that we serve a God of hope, redemption, and renewal!  And after a year of being "offline" without a muted voice in the counseling realm, God is renewing that dream, and I am re-committing myself to *walk with Him* into a new era there as life moves forward!

(From my post on 9-12-2025:  A couple months back, John Eldredge warned that the enemy would be rolling out a new wave of death and despair... the death of dreams - the  temptation to lose heart, to despair... to give up, let things go, and quietly walk away from our God-given missions and callings.  And rather than cooperating with that by giving up or retreating from the fight (the pull toward that is stronger than usual right now)... our God-given role is to ENGAGE, to push forward, to shine, to be intentional in what God is uniquely calling us to do.

Where our spiritual enemy seeks to bring division, God's people are called to bring UNITY.

Wherever he is bringing death, we pray for and bring LIFE!!

He brings despair... we bring HOPE.

He brings chaos... we bring ORDER.

He brings anxiety... we pursue PEACE.

He pulls us toward sadness... we lean into JOY.

He dehumanizes... we lead with LOVE.

He brings darkness... we shine the LIGHT.

He assaults us with fear... we choose proactive FAITH.

He destroys... we RESTORE.

❤ ❤ ❤

(Also an appropriate message on this 25th anniversary of the 9-11 attack.  Jesus is still the light of all mankind, and His life, hope, faith, and love have the final word.)

Failure that Needs Forgiveness

 Happy Labor Day, friends and fam!  I hope you get to relax a bit and enjoy some time off!!

Two things that have been helpful to me lately on a soulful/spiritual level:

We may not have this in common, but when anyone hurts me, it is my very strong tendency to try to assume good intent in the other person, reminding myself of their good qualities, thinking about what they might be going through, how they might be having a hard day or have endured childhood pain I cannot understand or be processing life through a different lens, etc.  I would argue that it's valid and wise to remember that no one but Christ is perfect, and we are all flawed human beings who will hurt each other occasionally (and often unintentionally).  But sometimes in the midst of all that, I end up minimizing my own hurt and bypassing my own need for healing.

The idea that everyone is doing the best they can does not ring true for me or align with Scripture.  And I really loved the reminder from John Eldredge last week that our hurts and disappointments matter to God and should not be minimized or glossed over.  Especially with major betrayals or deeper childhood wounds, we need to view those events (or hurtful words or actions) as a FAILURE that needs to be FORGIVEN rather than an inadequacy that needs to be excused in the person who hurt us.  Yes, please to that truth bomb!  ...Trying to make excuses for things that were devastating and damaging is unhealthy, and ironically, it blocks our ability to see it clearly and forgive and move forward well.  Whatever else was behind it, there are multiple people who have failed to love me well, to see and hear me when I needed them, to show up and help out when it was within their power to do so... and I want to stop minimizing that failure.  We can have Christlike mercy and empathy toward others, but "you can only forgive someone genuinely once you name what you are forgiving."

Yes, John Eldredge, and thanks again!❤

Secondly, Psalm 147:3 says: "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

That verse has come to mind repeatedly as I am the makeshift wound-care nurse for Mom this month.  When I used to hear it, I would picture something more like a large Bandaid binding a minor cut.  This gives me a new context for it that feels more accurate and powerful.

The current wound on Mom's left leg is large - jarring for anyone the first time they see the graphic photos or see it in person.  (I won't post those pictures here, but it was an open oval-shaped wound, similar in size and appearance to a pound of raw ground hamburger meat.)  Now that her second surgery is completed, the wound care process has begun - we are cleaning it daily to prevent infection, gently washing, rinsing, and drying it, then carefully covering it with xeroform (a sterile, non-adhesive dressing soaked in petroleum jelly), cushioning it for comfort, wrapping all of that with layers of gauze, and securing the wrapped covering with an elastic-like burn net.  It is an ongoing and meticulous daily process that requires attentive care on a larger wound that will take months to fully heal -- which all feels like a far more accurate picture of what Jesus does for us when He heals our broken hearts and binds up our wounded souls.  And the truth of that image is comforting to me.

In summary (me talking to myself here):

Your heart matters,

And God is not indifferent to your wounds.

Acknowledge the places where others have failed you,

and then pray through forgiving them...

Trust Jesus to bind even the biggest, most raw and sharply painful wounds.

He is an expert on healing and restoration.

He is with you and for you.

He allows nothing without purpose,

And He cares enough to join you in the daily process of healing.

He will be patient and gradually renew your strength.

Take heart; the best is yet to come!

❤ ❤ ❤

"The LORD remembered her..."

Please enjoy this slideshow with a few of my videos from the incredible whale watch excursion at Icy Strait Point!

Yes, I used MJ's song from Free Willy... and yes, I played that (along with several other songs) during the actual experience. lol  Love it!!

We were parked out there for over an hour, and they put a hydrophone into the water to amplify the whale sounds - it really was a rare, awe-inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience all around for most everyone on board to see and hear these massive, powerful whales so close to us in the immense wild ocean - some of them swimming up a little too close for comfort. lol

It was the most sacred part of a God-centered week for me - an answer to prayer and an undeniably holy and meaningful moment with God that I want to be careful to honor as time moves forward.  I am grateful that there is "fullness of joy in His presence," that He sees my heart and cares enough to "make known to me the path of life."  (-Psalm 16)  The race marked out for me feels a bit daunting, but I also feel renewed faith and hope, and I am choosing to trust Him deeply as I take the next steps forward in becoming Dr. Lindsey Muecke.

❤

...After seeing the orcas, I thought quietly to myself "the only thing that might've made that better is if there were seven of them."  (I was incredibly grateful and reeling with the meaning of it all, but I'm a numbers girl, and that fleeting thought crossed my mind after we saw five of them.)  While resting in my room two days later, lazily looking out the balcony window, I unmistakably saw two orcas jumping in the distant north Pacific Ocean!  It was awesome, and once again, it felt personal - like divinely-ordained timing.  *Again, not about the whales themselves, but about God knowing my heart and caring enough to come through in big and small ways -- He is kind and playful, and He is powerful and personally invested, and I needed those reminders on this trip!  (I'm writing about this because I cannot verbalize it well yet, and most people aren't interested in this level of detail anyway.)

❤

John Eldredge writes about how God shows up through creation in ways that are both epic and intimate.  I felt both of those on this trip.  The ocean views were vast and powerful, a bit overwhelming, but calming and centering at the same time.  I thought several times about the disciples saying, "Even the winds and waves obey Him."  The mountains and glaciers were breathtaking, and waterfalls are among my favorite things in all of God's creation.  Seeing the otters, sea lions, eagles, orcas, and humpback whales in their natural environments was amazing.  Then there was the intimacy in the colorful detail and stunning variety of the gardens on my first and last shore excursion - I adore yellow roses, and this is one of my favorite pictures (taken after nightfall in Butchart Gardens) - the level of precision and layered detail in a single flower speaks something very comforting to me about God's heart and how He values small things and makes them uniquely beautiful. ❤

A verse that rings true and feels extra-significant to me right now:

In spite of the lovely photos, my first two days on the ship were a bit rough and lonely - day two was a full day "at sea" with no planned excursions... I knew no one but Sarah, and I didn't have her number yet - I didn't understand where to go for dinner, so I was on my own for every meal...  no social media apps and no reception to make phone calls mid-ocean... I felt tired and more isolated than I had expected... and I was a bit disappointed to learn that Beth was teaching on Leviticus (historically one of my least favorite books - but obviously, God led her there for good reason).  I reluctantly forced myself to turn off the movie and tune into Scripture - I grabbed my blanket and sat on my balcony and journaled and prayed - praying with some level of desperation through the discouragement for real connection with God and with others on the ship, for clarity about what is next for me, that my week on the ship would not be wasted time, far more importantly - that my life on earth would not be wasted, for a fruitful life and a story with greater Kingdom impact.  ...And God heard me and took notice.

Looking back tonight, it feels really encouraging to see the first thing I wrote down from our first session on 7-25-26.  Ironically, I had forgotten about this...

My paraphrase from Beth's first teaching on Leviticus:  

When Scripture says "the LORD remembered" someone, it may be a distressing thought to us that He would ever have forgotten them in the first place... but that's not what it means in the Hebrew context.  When we see "the LORD remembered," it means the LORD responded or acted on their behalf.  God always hears us, so this is not God recalling someone He forgot or lost sight of; this is Him being moved to respond with "decisive, compassionate action" to fulfill His promises.

❤

*I'm aware that it often meant physical pregnancy when God "remembered" women in the Bible (Hannah, Sarah, etc.).  At the heart level, it was God opening doors and answering their prayers for a fruitful life, bringing more hope for their future, new life, and a renewed sense of connected purpose and legacy for these women He loved.  God is strengthening my faith to see what that pattern might look like in the context of my own story and personal walk with Him.  

"...Anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  ~Hebrews 11:6

I believe it!

316-7-828

The details are clear in my heart,
and I believe with humility, gratitude, and confident faith

that God "remembered me" this week.

❤

It was a quiet and compelling start to a long story with a profound and multifaceted ending - and God is always faithful to complete what He begins.  Right now, I feel gratitude and responsibility here - that I cannot waste the profound grace of God or let it be in vain (1 Cor. 15:10).  I believe His promise that we will find Him when we seek Him wholeheartedly, and I am determined to press into that more deeply from this day forward.  That means repeatedly choosing courage over comfort, trusting God enough to allow Him to cut away any entangling sins, harmful soul ties, and/or worldly comforts that would hold me back.  1000 times easier for any of us to say than to live out.  I do not want to get complacent and settle in the metaphorical wilderness; I want to push through the fierce opposition and take possession of God's promised reward for those who earnestly seek Him.  Even with increasing clarity, the journey of spiritual formation and the work of stepping into Christian leadership feels daunting.  It's as if I have a compass rather than a clear map of everything that lies ahead, so union with Jesus is and will remain vital!  I'm reminding myself that I am not in this alone, and God will guide and strengthen me as I continue to seek Him and abide in Christ.

*I didn't know this until yesterday, but this week is "desk week" at the OCC - one of three weeks each year that is set aside with no court hearings so that we can catch up on transcripts (and sleep). ;-)  Another well-timed gift, seriously!

On that note,  I took this screenshot as I absorbed this song on our way back from the whale watch excursion:
"You are the light and rest for my soul.
You're God, and I will be still and know."

Song of the Week = Be Still and Know by CeCe Winans

❤ ❤ ❤

Best of Both Worlds!

This makes me very happy.  Me with my feet in the pool + J&K swimming, and it shows the view of the Tinker Air Force Base fireworks show from my parents' backyard -- there's a perfect clearing between the trees, and their 250th-year fireworks show lasted around 20 minutes!!

So in the end, I'm thankful for the 4th of July storm - for starters, it made my evening at the Wilsons' more memorable, and same for J&K's time with their Dad in Mustang... then we all got to come together, along with my Aunt Charlene, for the postponed TAFB fireworks show last night!  I would very much appreciate this always being a two-day event so that I can celebrate with both friends and family! =)

These are my new Nike Alphafly running shoes... very cushioned and lightweight and recommended by my online running coach, and they felt great on my test run! =)  Excited to train for the Route 66 Half ahead... I'll be printing my official training plan later today!

Last night also included a belated birthday dinner for Kristin at The Ranch in Norman!  It was a last-minute change of plans after we learned Gaberino's closes on Sunday, and it did not disappoint.  We spent a couple hours catching up on everything - (yay for her and Rach both joining me in the 40s club now)!  I had their beef medallions, and she got the scallops, then we shared the fried okra, au gratin potatoes, bananas foster, and cinnamon roll bread pudding desserts!  "Nom nom for us, David!" =)

Saw the Young Washington with Mom and Dad yesterday afternoon... it's the part of George Washington's life I knew very little about, so it was interesting to learn what shaped him and how he became the respected first leader of our nation... I had assumed with the Independence Day weekend release that it would be at least a little focused on the Revolutionary War period and the building of America, and it really was not at all.  Bottom right pic = catching up on life over dessert post-fireworks!

Dad and Charlene behind me on one side, Mom and Rach on the other, my feet in the pool, and a really great fireworks show!

K-Faith beginning a very long and detailed account of their weekend + Jace re-enacting part of it for us! lol

❤ Happy 250th Birthday to America! ❤

And happy 5th of July from all of us! lol

Charlene had just gotten back from her Alaska cruise with Dana and the Myricks, so it was good to get some details about all of that as I prep for mine 22 days from now!!  Yay for the possibility of seeing eagles and whales - I'm so looking forward to a restful and refreshing week there!

Just a friendly reminder that God is with you and for you, having good plans for your future!

I'm feeling this one lately.
If I had to sum it up in a word, it'd be RENEWAL. ❤

  I've been off of GLP-1s for a couple months now.  And yes, my appetite for food has gradually increased... but so has my appetite/energy/zest for LIFE - for trying new things, seeing new possibilities, setting new goals, etc.  Bible reading, leading lifegroup, run training, Club Pilates, book writing, public speaking, all coming off of mute in the background.  Staying healthy will be more challenging (the protein goal is decidedly helpful there), but it's important to me not to numb my desires or emotions or hopes for reward moving forward!  #chooselife  I want to live a full and expansive life, not to settle for a low-energy imitation/sensation of fullness.  Lots of complex thoughts about that topic, but I'll save them for the book!

Hope you had a lovely weekend, and I hope your week is off to a great start!

❤ ❤ ❤

Halftime Pep Talk!

And now, some goals and plans for the second half of this year!!

I'm Looking Forward To:  Kristin's 40th birthday, America's 250th birthday, Chet's 38th birthday,  my 1st Alaska Cruise at the end of July!, Dad's 73rd birthday, Kyndal Faith’s 13th birthday, writing my book, another raise (hopefully), taking the Biblical Foundations class in October, and most everything about the holiday season ahead!!

POWER PLAN: 

• PLANTS & PROTEIN:  (My overarching goal is to reach my goal weight before my 3-year surgiversary next summer.)  With that in view, my goal is to focus on hitting 150 grams of protein per day and to incorporate fruit and/or vegetables into my daily diet!
• PILATES & PELOTON:  I'm signed up for 90 days of Club Pilates workouts (goal = 5 classes per week); I also plan to do a full-body strength class on the Peloton app 2x a week
• PEN TO PAPER:  (I will, of course, be typing, but I needed to keep the alliteration going. lol)  Goal #3 is to follow the schedule I've created and finish my Strong Over Small book draft by October 1st; then have some trusted friends/mentors review it and help me make edits, then have it ready to self-publish by the end of this year (I will not actually publish until 2027 just because I prefer those date numbers. lol)
• PERSEVERANCE & PEACE:  Start the Bible Recap plan tomorrow and go through their full Bible reading plan by July 1, 2027!
• PACING PUSH:  Sign up for the Route 66 Half, and train to run it under 2 hours and 30 minutes (which will absolutely be challenging for me)
• PUBLIC PRESENTATION:  Join a Toastmasters group by end of August to practice and grow in my speaking/presenting skills!*
• PERSONAL PRACTICE:  Post 12 new talking-to-camera videos by the end of the year (length and topic of my choice)
• PRAYER & PIVOT:  Prayerfully plan my next life/career move, and be prepared to pivot as needed! =)

So there you have it.  I'll be pressing in and pushing myself with food, exercise, reading, writing, and speaking goals as the year moves forward!  And reminding myself that proper planning prevents poor performance! ;-)

*For the record, Shadé Zahrai inspired the public speaking focus in her Unlocking Strengths MasterClass:

"How do you differentiate yourself in a world where everything is becoming the same?  In the past, people who wrote really well would often stand out.  But now, most people are using ChatGPT to write their emails and presentations, so unfortunately, it's a sea of sameness.  When everyone is suddenly very good at something, no one stands out.  So I think one of the most important strengths you can develop is the ability to verbally communicate, because that is something you cannot go to ChatGPT to do for you.  If you can think about how you can get better at speaking, presenting, connecting, that is going to serve you so well...  In a future that is going to be shaped by AI -- in a present that is shaped by AI -- how you make people feel is your most powerful advantage!"  

I know she's not wrong.  And I want to grow in that!!

PEP TALK PORTION:

Don't get complacent now, and don't let the fierce opposition intimidate you.  This matters.  The power that lives in you is greater than anything coming against you, which means you are poised and ready for a comeback victory!!  Remember that you can do hard things!  Choose goals that are aligned with your values and desires, then pursue them.  Don't be afraid to try new things, and do not be afraid to TRY as hard as you possibly can to reach your goals, to grow, to lead, to step up. #maximumeffort  God's JOY is your strength, and He will empower you for what He calls you to do!  Choose life, choose health, and choose growth -- for yourself and for the sake of the people God calls you to impact!!  Strong and healthy mind, strong and healthy body, strong and healthy soul, strong and healthy spirit!  Do not shrink back and hide, and don't you dare make yourself small to please people - the spirit of fear has no place in your life.  You never walk alone, so move with confidence.  God is with you and for you, giving you His power and love and a sound mind.  

You do care.  

And you've got this!

Keep moving forward - let's finish strong!!

❤ ❤ ❤

In Other News...

My word for 2026 is Renewal, so it catches my eye any time I see it.  Yes, please to Jesus being my Shepherd and renewing my strength and guiding me along right paths that bring honor to His name!!

Made me laugh to get the full welcome packet after registering for the Biblical Foundations class this fall!  I've been here for four years now, but thanks for the extra swag! =)

Random pic I saved from FB - maybe it's AI, but I'm choosing to believe it's just adorable pom puppies that bring my heart the most joy!!

Sophie Hudson is writing a book that's a tribute to her Mom and also includes a cookbook with lots of her old recipes - as a longtime podcast listener, I freaking love that journey for her! =)

Grabbed some Gourmet donuts this morning for a friend who's going through a very hard season... this would help cheer anyone up, right!?

Lindsay Jane with Phoenix, Memphis, and Wavy - I don't get to see her much these days, but I'm praying for God's very best for her and her kids!!

My CleanEatz meal delivery kit arrived right before my DoorDashed Mexican food dinner and dessert, and the irony of that made me laugh!

Michael reclaimed the #1 spot back from Devil Wears Prada 2, which is incredibly appropriate, as that movie was over-hyped nonsense, and Michael is fantastic!  Mom and I went to see it again this afternoon! =)

5-22 = my old address, Tman's graduation day, and Elizabeth Jane's birthday, which I still always think of that day!  I'm very unsure about what went wrong there, but I love and miss her and sincerely wish her and her husband all the best!  It's honestly a fairly long list of people I will be thrilled to fully catch up with in Heaven, but we will have the time and the relational capacity and love and understanding and personal wholeness for exactly that - what a GIFT!  Kudos to her for training hard and conquering multiple marathons over the past few years!!

Here's Kate and Tman on the subway in Boston!

And Triston and Reese at a Red Sox game!

K-Faith and Laynie (her classmate, Colin's older sister)

Jace Michael and Gavin (his Senior "Big Brother")

Dad's new car (and mine behind it)!  Rach and I came over to hang out with them and watch the Thunder playoffs game last night... Jaceman called approximately 15x throughout the game to gloat about how well his new fav Spurs player, "Wemby" (Victor Wembanyama) was playing! lol

Cute picture frame at Amber Marie, but not really worth $130!

MacKenzie is proud of her stuff! lol

And that concludes the random pics I wanted to throw in here somewhere. =)

❤ ❤ ❤