Carousel of Progress

After Ashley's book signing event, I grabbed a cupcake-lunch at Laurannae (YUM!), then met Chettles and the kids for H-Tea-O and Woodland Hills mall... Karli Marie wasn't feeling well, so he took the kids so she could enjoy some peace and quiet as she recovers.  It was happy hour at H-Tea-O, something I didn't know about, but it definitely draws a crowd!!  The free samples are a treat... and Chet paid for mine, so the free tea was a treat, as well!  The seasonal cherry and the Texas chai were both better than I'd expected, but my fav sweet blueberry green tea was the winner, as always! 

We walked over the the mall, entering through the new Scheels - yay for a Tulsa-themed photo op!!  On our way out, the kids wanted pics with the statues, so I was happy to oblige! =)

They have a pretty cool mini-aquarium or massive fish tank at the entrance.  We stood there for a while as Tate and Parker watched "Nemo and Dory!"  Chet FaceTimed Jace (who was excited to chat and see all the fish)... then Jace told Mom later that Chet and I had called him from Dallas (bc that's the only Scheels he knows of). lol

Whilst Chet and Tate went to the bathroom, I got to shop with Parker Elizabeth, which was an entertaining treat.  Every dress was her favorite, and she would hold them up to herself and say "Oooh, it fits me!!" lol  This "favorite" white dress that she loved was a bit big, but she'll grow into it!  The way she carried it (for the very short time she wanted to hold it) made me laugh.  Garment bags for the win!

We rode the mall carousel and I got dizzy very quickly!  Still fun, though!

I told Chet her odds are looking good for being my most-photographed person once again this year. lol #somuchcuteness

Anyway, fun afternoon with the mini-BFFs and Chettles... then a delish Los Cabos to-go dinner + going to see Freakier Friday when I got back to Moore - all in all, a pretty perfect "rest day" from life's responsibilities! =)

Truth... still deciding where I want to be moving forward, but I am grateful that I have the power to choose that and don't feel "stuck" anywhere.

Some Shutterfly gems from this week 17 years ago (summer 2008)!  Movie with Jennifer Diane, Morgan Elizabeth, Sarah Bliss, MiMi's Cafe with Malori Riah, Haley and the Switch Youth girls, Melting Pot with Megan from lifegroup, and helping JB at Deer Creek!  Okay, to sum up my deeper thoughts on this: I'm grateful that all of these pics hold equal weight for me in this moment; I no longer feel pain, longing, or loss when I see photos with Malori.  Thanks to the '7 years and 12 days' revelation from God, the soul tie that was gripping for me is finally gone.  The difference I am talking about is internal and intangible, but I am deeply aware of it - the power this once had over me is gone, and that's not a small thing.  Outside of JoBug, all of these were seasonal friendships, and I'm grateful for the memories and what I learned from each of them.  And I'm thankful for God's ability to heal and change us over time!! ❤

We find what we look for. ❤

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

Okay, now I'm off to bed early to try to make up for going to bed very late last night!  Yay for the accompanying sounds of the storm outside.  Now I'll be focusing on homework and will see you back here next week.  I love you and believe in you, and I am confident that God can heal the deepest wounds in your soul as you keep seeking Him!

❤ ❤ ❤

12!

My youngest niece turns 12 on Thursday!  They celebrated with a colorful slumber party on Friday!! 

Rach took them out for a movie + mall fun + Ted's dinner, then Triston, Jace, and TJ joined the girls for a glowing night swim at Mom and Dad's!

The decor was awesome and ever-so-slightly over the top, as per usual! lol

Rach went all out with the posters, banners, tents, balloons, and aerials!

Where Rach gave this party 190% effort, the MWC Sam's gave it a heartfelt 10% effort on his cake. lol Still tasty, but the decorating job was very rough!! 

Kyndal has been planning this party for several months, so I hope it was all she wanted it to be!  The matching tutus, shoes, and sunglasses are pretty cute and fun!! =)

Happy last full week of summer to the niece and nephews, and happy Monday to my lovely blog readers!

❤ ❤ ❤

I've Never Been Here Before

So I've been following Ashley's blog and Instagram stories for. a. minute.

(15 years and counting now).

Saturday, I had the privilege of meeting her in person for the first time! ❤

She had a book signing event at Book and Bloom in Broken Arrow... an adorable bookstore & flower shop that she said reminded her of You've Got Mail.  For real, Main Street in Broken Arrow is the best, and they chose the perfect location for this event!  Oooh, and I stopped by the Laurannae Bakery Ashley had recommended afterward and had the very best cupcake ever, but let's not get sidetracked. lol

The entire Campbell family was there... they're all kind and down-to-earth people who probably found the book-signing dynamic a bit awkward, but they're basically celebrities from my vantage point!!

Fun fact: My favorite photo wall at 522 was inspired by Ashley Ann!!

Campbell fam exactly ten years ago on Saturday. ❤ 

I felt very happy and proud for Ashley that there was a steady crowd of people from 10am to 1pm for this book launch event - amazing!!

Love the whole Campbell fam more than you might think possible - their childhood stories and photos, and the way Ashley celebrates what makes each of her kids unique - gracious, it's been subtle and gradual, but her writing style, eye for detail, love of adventure and color, exceptional photography skills (#snapshops2011), and her genuine love of humanity have shaped my life and taught me so much!! ❤

For a while, Chris and Ashley had three boys and one girl, and that dynamic reminded me of my preshface niece and nephews.

After a long road in the adoption process, in 2012, they traveled internationally to adopt Evann, who completes the awesome Campbell fam party of 7! ❤

In 2022, they took a highly-anticipated year-long trip around the world, visiting 20 different countries and learning from all the people and places along the way.  Ashley wrote and published her first book detailing their memories and stories from that trip, and it is phenomenal!  Genuinely.  Highly recommend it!!

I loved seeing their whole family there in BA supporting her and signing books with her!!  Blogging creates such a fascinating dynamic... I understand that I'm a kind and supportive stranger to them, but I feel like I've known them well for years, and I am so cheering for them right now!!

Each of her kids wrote a personal essay that is included in the book, so I marked their pages for them to sign! =)

Chris was greeting people in the line, so he was the first to sign my book... then I reached Corbett, Hudson, and Everett... the awesome men of the Campbell fam!  I loved following their Instagram posts and stories during their world-traveling adventure, and it made me happy to see them in person!!

I was also really happy to see Breese... fun fact: she has loved baking since she was little (left pic)... she now has her own side business called Sunshine Baked Goods.  And this summer, she baked and decorated the cake for her oldest brother, Corbett's wedding - so cool!

Finally, I was delighted to meet the youngest member of the Campbell fam... following Chris and Ashley's adoption journey was inspiring for me - I was among the hundreds who donated to the Incubator Project for the orphanage, and I cried when Ashley cried the day she met her daughter almost 13 years ago.  I so LOVED reading Evann's essay about conquering her fears and food aversions and embracing new things throughout this trip!!

Ashley Ann was the last person I connected with at the signing table.  The friendly woman next to me in line knew their family well and announced that I had traveled from OKC to be there.  Ashley thanked me for that, and I told her I've followed the blog for years and congratulated her on this massive accomplishment!!  We talked about the cute bookstore and the book launch team and got a photo together, then I stepped forward to keep the line moving.  All in all, my time in the bookstore was relatively short, and there was no way to adequately convey my deeper thoughts or level of gratitude there... but it was a fun Saturday in the Tulsa area, and I'm really glad I came out to support them!

This ended up being more of a tribute to their family than an official book review... but the book is exceptional!  How could it not be!?  I'll write a shorter review for Amazon later this week.  Ashley is a gifted writer and photographer, and her debut book is brimming over with high-quality photos from their trip - (mostly taken by her, but some courtesy of Corbett's impressive drone photography).  Anyway, following their family's trip in real-time was great fun, and it's awesome and expansive to get the behind-the-scenes stories in the book, vicariously experiencing the new people, places, foods, and great memories they shared!  

As a long-time blogger who aspires to be a book author someday, I can appreciate what opening this box meant to Ashley!  Well-deserved joy!!  I really love that Chris and each of the kids wrote their own essays that are included in it - what a gift and keepsake this book will be for their family, and what a gift for everyone who takes the time to read it!  Even the way Ashley formatted the book has inspired me creatively - it's unique, and it's exactly what it should be.  I am deeply thankful for Ashley's wisdom, warmth, and personal strength - over the past 15+ years, her subtle influence on my life has been positive and profound.  The Campbell family is such a light in the world, and I'm happy this book will carry that light a little further!!

❤ ❤ ❤

Thankful Thursday #229

"Study this Book of Instruction continually.

Mediate on it day and night

so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.

Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do."

~Joshua 1:8

Today, I am thankful for:

1.  This book.  The #1 book I would recommend as it's the #1 book outside the Bible that has changed the course of my life.  I reread it last week preparing for my presentation next week...

2.  On a very related note, I'm grateful for the many stories that demonstrate the positive impact a seasoned guide/mentor can have on someone's life and identity!   I love this topic, and I'm excited to create a video presentation on how it relates to counseling professors and their students + counselors and their clients!! ❤
**If you think of another good example of the guide/mentor from books, TV, or movies, please message me!! =)

3.  That Dad was celebrated well on his 72nd birthday, by his staff and family and friends!

4.  AFD and Edward V. Kaufholz, III. =)  I'm forever a fan of their friendship and so happy they're back to regular podcasting together!

5.  Dr. Ku, my Dallas IVF embryo transfer doctor, who is on Instagram as drknockedup, which made me laugh pretty hard this morning.  Our meeting early this week went well - what felt potentially catastrophic last week should only cause a minor delay either way, so I am grateful for his insight, sincerity, and medical care!

6.  PELOTON... after five great years, my membership expired on 7-27-25.  I did my final Intention Setting walk with Kirsten Ferguson on Friday the 25th.  I'm thankful for the rides, the laughs, the strength workouts, the walks and jogs, the yoga workouts, the stretches, the music, and the coaches who inspired me and made working out feel more accessible and so much more fun from the start of the pandemic to today!  At this point in my life and schedule, I  usually prefer outdoor jogs and listening to podcasts or chatting with friends, but I will always be grateful for the way Peloton shaped my life and my identity!  My "Board of Empowerment" would not exist without those coaches, and they walked me all the way through my first (and likely only) marathon!  I'm forever grateful for the way the Peloton coaches and community helped me experience the joy of movement and exercise!!
"Live, Learn, Love Well."  "Peace, love, power, and respect!!"  #lindseyclaire7  ❤

7.  A really good day of counseling yesterday!  I'm grateful to be building connections and feeling more hopeful and confident about this work, and for the reminder below that God's power to transform our lives and our world is abundant and infinite. His perspective and resources are unlimited, and He is happy to share with us. ❤

I love you and believe in you,
and I hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead!
❤ ❤ ❤

The Hard... Is What Makes It Great

As Jesus reminds His followers, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Matthew 25:29).  Even in the face of systemic problems that feel overwhelming and well beyond our personal ability to resolve, we have a God-given role.  When His disciples pointed out that the massive crowd was hungry and exhausted, Jesus answered, “You feed them,” giving them the responsibility to find and collect the available food, organize the crowd into smaller groups, and hand out the food He graciously multiplied (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Mark 6:37-44).  As a Christian counseling professional, part of strategic planning is being intentional about upholding my values and ethics, resisting temptation and submitting myself to God’s authority, which calls for more proactive engagement and advocacy (James 4:7)...

My personal philosophy of leadership and advocacy begins with a God-given calling and the practice of personal integrity that sets committed believers apart.  In any leadership role I embrace, one of the most important factors will be upholding personal integrity and moral authority.  Based on that, I know there will be continued temptations to compromise, settle, or take shortcuts to reach my vision (Stanley, 2005).  Godly mentorship, collaboration, and accountability will be important safeguards for me as I move forward with this plan, one step at a time.  Implementing an action plan for advocacy is rarely simple or linear (Chang, et al., 2021).  It requires pressing through our fear and intimidation, making multiple revisions and adjustments, and celebrating our progress along the way (p. 91).

At this stage in my life and career, the biggest challenge before me is overcoming my own subtle cowardice and love of comfort, and wholeheartedly stepping into all that God has planned for me.  I wish that were a one-time heroic decision, but I am learning that it happens one surrendered step at a time.  As a professional counselor and future counselor educator and supervisor, I feel a sober understanding that my willingness to submit to God will impact every life I have the sacred privilege of influencing.  Serving as a counseling leader and advocate will undoubtedly require courage and intentionality, and it will hold foreseen and unforeseen challenges.  And what comes to mind as I reflect on that tonight is the quote from Coach Dugan in A League of Their Own, “It’s supposed to be hard.  If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it.  The hard… is what makes it great” (Marshall, 1992).

Conclusion

This paper articulates my personal philosophy of leadership and advocacy, detailing a personal advocacy plan of action that aligns with my philosophy.  I am confident that the finest counseling leaders are set apart through their God-given calling and personal integrity, embracing a growth mindset, inspiring positive change, and serving through advocacy.  This philosophy is shaped by my theoretical orientation, supported by research literature and personal experience, and aligned with my future aspirations and Biblical values.  This paper also examines how conditioned passivity and perceived inadequacy negatively impact counselor advocacy, detailing a practical action plan and proposing strategies to overcome conceivable obstacles.  Our calling to serve as advocates can be thwarted by learned helplessness, emotional overwhelm, and apathy in the face of systemic problems and social injustice.  We are limited and finite, but we are not helpless, and we serve an all-powerful God.  Leadership and advocacy roles are vital for Christian counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors, and we must be bold and intentional about doing our part and trusting Jesus to multiply our efforts.

That's a small portion of the paper I wrote a couple weeks back.

Some good reminders for me today.

I very much want to live with a growth mindset.  Not the safe and small life, but the adventurous, expanding one.  That means when I feel like I'm not good at something, I focus on how I can learn and grow and improve (absolutely possible) rather than how quickly I can quit and retreat and change course.  Stepping into a new identity is challenging, and counseling feels complicated and messy and hard right now, but God has given me enough little breaks and enough clear confirmations to stay the course.  Even if circumstances change and I do not finish the LPC hours and/or the PhD program, my choices in this season will still count and MATTER to God (and to my self-respect and character).  God wastes nothing, and I trust Him!  And in the end, I believe it will be true that the hard is what makes it great.

❤ ❤ ❤

The Next Right Step

Hey, friends!  I'm praying for wisdom and clarity... Craig's sermon today was a good reminder that seeking God's heart leads us closer to understanding His will.  I'm on a good track there overall, but it's been a hard week, and I feel an increasing disenchantment with the counseling career path, and I'm uncertain about the next right step forward.

So pray with me for direction - for the strength to press forward or the courage to change course - whatever is most needed here!

Mom and I just had a good, long talk about all of the above, so I feel less inclined to write a crazy-long post and more inclined to rest and finish my dessert from Andy's. =)  

Here's a happy summer pic with Parker Elizabeth just so this post will have a photo! ❤

And a couple memes I've saved lately, because why not!?

Life rarely goes according to our original plan, 

but I'm confident God has good things in store!

❤ ❤ ❤

72

Today is Dad's 72nd Birthday!

I joined Mom and Dad for Life.Church and lunch (5 weeks in a row now).  We did a brunchy meal at All-American Diner today.  We ❤ breakfast food! lol 

I had a virtual counseling session at 2:00 and a potential-client consult at 3:15, then I joined the fam for dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse at 5:45!  Here's our happy table pic. =)

Mom and I got the $5 strawberry pecan side salad, which was pretty awesome and much more food than I'd expected!  We talked about how we love everything except the lettuce. lol 

Our waitress was pretty great, and they brought a complimentary b-day dessert for Dad!

Random guy outside offered to take our group pic, then he took 5 from different angles, so I applaud him for that!

The last half of the past week was discouraging and emotionally-heavy, so I'm very grateful that last night's walk with Kristin and most everything I did today felt light and happy!

Since we were a mile away from the new Andy's in Norman, we ended the day with some frozen custard!

This one makes me happy... at first, you could only see my dessert, so I told J to hold his ice cream up too, then everyone did it at once, and Rach (who doesn't care for ice cream) did a quick thumbs up! lol

Happy Birthday to Dad!!

❤ ❤ ❤