tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90262369156490673942024-03-13T17:42:19.644-07:00Walking in the JourneyBreezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-73842428546361549972015-05-07T05:47:00.000-07:002015-05-07T05:49:17.543-07:00What Breaks My Heart<div class="s4">
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week I had an awesome opportunity to attend the Orange Conference in Atlanta, GA. This conference is hosted by a man named Reggie Joyner. He is the founder of <a href="http://www.thinkorange.com/">Orange</a>. He was burdened by the lack of connections between church and family for students and kids. So he created a curriculum for churches to use that helps bridge that gap.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">The <a href="http://villagechurchnc.org/home/home/">Church</a> I attend has been using this curriculum for a few years, so it was awesome to get to go and be </span><span class="s3">equipped</span><span class="s3">, encouraged, and refilled. The breakout sessions, speakers,</span><span class="s3">and music were awesome. Attending things like this always raises my lid of perspective, to dream bigger, and share the knowledge I have learned with others.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my favorite pastors and speakers is Andy Stanley. He spoke about “What Breaks your heart?” As he spoke I was challenged to reflect on myself and try and figure out the answer. I feel like God has really been refining this area for me in this past year and it brought me back to the last time I had been burdened for co-workers and friends after hearing conversation after conversation of them giving up on their dreams.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">As I sat in the arena trying to hear and understand the places God continued to reveal more of the picture of what breaks my heart and what He wants me to do about it, I was reminded of the conversation I had just overheard in a breakout session of a wife talking to her husband. She </span><span class="s3">was having</span><span class="s3"> to give him specific direction about everything that needed to be done while she was gone. </span><span class="s3">The child’s schedule, where the camera was, phone numbers and people to call.</span><span class="s3"> The "parental guidance" went on for about 10 minutes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Of course my single brain was first like, “Can the dude not do anything for himself?” As I recognized my freedom to concentrate on the session, </span><span class="s3"> I couldn't help but wonder how this lady could even begin to glean knowledge from the presentation because of all the things clouding her mind.</span></span><br />
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In that arena, surrounded by so many busy women trying to juggle their "hats", my heart broke into a million pieces.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">It breaks my heart to see Moms who </span><span class="s3">sacrifice</span><span class="s3"> their dreams and put</span><span class="s3"> them</span><span class="s3"> in the back of the closet because </span><span class="s3">they </span><span class="s3">feel responsible to put their husbands and children first.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Please understand, I’m not saying that </span><span class="s3">women</span><span class="s3"> shouldn't put their families first!! It’s the part of losing their dreams that breaks my heart. Women can’t be the best wife, mom, friend, or co-worker if what </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is within her isn't flourishing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">With being single and having no kids yet, it’s hard to have the courage to speak about these topics. But coming from a divorced family….. </span><span class="s3">my</span><span class="s3"> desire is that women have a fulfilled marriage.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here are some of my thoughts that have been roaming around in my brain about this topic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1</span>.</span><br />
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <u><b>Husbands support your wives</b></u></span><br />
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have some great friends who live this out daily. I get to watch their husbands support their dreams. It takes a team. Women need to know they can step out of fear and go after their dreams with their husbands being their biggest cheerleader.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> 2. <u><b>Women trust your husbands!</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">I know that most moms have control issues. They know how to clean the dishes the correct way, what outfits the kids to need to wear, and so forth. Your husband will never step up to the plate to step</span><span class="s3"> in</span><span class="s3"> when you need to be absent, </span><span class="s3">if you don't trust them and allow them to recognize his own capabilities. Otherwise, he may n</span><span class="s3">ever rise to the occasion.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.</span></div>
<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <b><u> You can’t be the best wife and mom if you’re running on fumes.</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Women need retreats, time alone, and to be refilled often. You are a vessel that is always doing and giving. Please take the time to be refilled.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What breaks my heart is something I know God has given me and I am in pursuit to use my life in helping find solutions.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What breaks your heart?</span><br />
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day this Sunday! Whether you have kids, foster, adopted, or like me one who is an aunt and teacher... We all mother in some way to someone. Let's invest well and live out our dreams!</span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-29810425069456481392015-05-05T10:35:00.001-07:002015-05-05T10:35:37.432-07:00The Fog Will Lift<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYhqe3iezRQ/VUj_MLlfRAI/AAAAAAAADos/7YNZCxT2J9I/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gYhqe3iezRQ/VUj_MLlfRAI/AAAAAAAADos/7YNZCxT2J9I/s400/15%2B-%2B1" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My bags
were in the back, sunglasses on, and music playing. Road Trip!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even
though it was going to be a quick trip, I was looking forward to spending time
with my nephews and my twin sister at a resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As I
traveled, following my sister, we started over the mountain. As we got closer
to the top, it became very foggy. It had been raining a lot lately. My speed
had dwindled down to where I was just inching along. If it </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">hadn't</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> been for the
headlights, I </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">wouldn't</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> have been able to even see my sisters car. The road was
narrow and I knew that I would need to drive very slow so as not to drive off
the side of the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hurry.
There is fun to be had. Impatience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There
were several miles I could just see what was right in front of me. Then
suddenly around a bend, the fog had lifted and I could see a stretch laid out
in front of me. Then another patch of fog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My life
has felt this way recently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Restless. Impatient. Can’t see too far ahead of where I am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
our lives are like that foggy road. God giving us enough light to take one
small step and then around a bend we are able to see more of the picture and
direction He is leading us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
suddenly the fog lifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
reveals His plan and we can see for miles and miles His story for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe
you’re in a season like me where your just moving inch by inch because you can’t
see any further. Here are some encouraging things to remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
light will shine on your next step.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God
will reveal the next part in your story chapter by chapter, page by page. He
will make sure you know enough to know your next step. When we </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">aren't</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> certain
of the next step, this is when faith steps in. To have faith that God will
continue to shine a light in the direction to go. His word is a place where we
can go to for this guidance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Keep
moving forward.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We may
know our destination but having to wait patiently during the process of getting
to it. We can’t just stand still while we wait. We must keep pursuing Him and
be active in our time of wait. This has been the equipping stage for myself.
God equipping me for what is next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The fog
will lift.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We will
not stay in the fog forever. This is the hope we hold on to and know there is joy
in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this
process we learn how to lean into Him and rely on His help to get us to our
next destination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-58212751506514125182015-03-31T10:26:00.001-07:002015-03-31T10:27:11.625-07:00Hard Conversations<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I.Hate.
Confrontation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have been the person who will
dodge and stay away from it as much as possible. I am a people </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">pleaser</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and
physically get sick when I am not able to miss confrontation and it’s staring
at me face to face.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My body, mind, and heart shut
down. I am not able to </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">communicate</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> or even process. So frustrating to not be
able to communicate what I was wanting or needing to say.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Running away is the safe route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Not wanting to have to deal
with these frustrations and lack of control, running was my choice. When a
conversation got too hard, I would shut down and run. Always leaving things
undone or worse than before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>I have lost a lot of time
running.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When my parents divorced and I
had no idea how to have the hard conversations with my mom. I ran. For several
years there was very little conversation. It was too hard and I didn’t want to
deal with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A friend and I had a very
different vision and opinion about something very important. I had no idea how
to navigate the conversations and couldn’t see a way to deal with the
confrontations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>So I ran.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you see a common theme? I
lost time and relationship because of not wanting to have the hard
conversations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am thankful God has provided
some guidance and wisdom to show me how to stop running when things get hard. I
haven’t gotten it all right and still have moments where I want to at least
sprint, but I give myself some grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I started wanting to fight for
my relationships and watched how hard conversations would strengthen the
relationships and that I was still able to stand afterwards.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you a runner? Do you run
away from hard conversations?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Here are 3 things I hope will
encourage you to slow down, stand and watch God empower you to fight for
your relationships.</b></span></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you
believe in what you’re fighting for?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have that in the forefront of your mind,
it’s easier to remind yourself what’s important and you will do the hard work
to fight for it. The friendships were important to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s ok
to agree to disagree</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
there isn’t a right or wrong answer. You have to either find common ground or
allow yourself to be ok if you disagree. I saying I repeat often to myself is. “I
am only responsible for my response and my response is to respond to God.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Allow
yourself time to process</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A lot of times we speak out of anger, hurt, or
frustration and don’t allow some time to reflect and figure out the heart of
the issue. Take some time to gather your thoughts so that the other person can
start to hear what you have to say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There
is no </span><span style="line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">manual</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> for these things but what I have seen and experienced is it’s
moments that have stretched and grown me more than the easy moments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope
you’ll take courage the next time your faced with confrontation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-83222984041530797582015-03-26T19:56:00.000-07:002015-03-26T19:58:48.187-07:00Silencing The Noise<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is your guilty pleasure? A pint of ice cream and movie marathon, shopping, or a day at the lake?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">TV and people magazine are mine. Just like when I shared <a href="http://www.walkinginthejourney.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-book-that-changed-my-life.html">Tuesday</a> that I love a good story, I love when a good story is playing in front of my eyes. I love chick flicks, action, and reality TV.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When one of my former roommates and I both had nowhere to be and we would order a pizza or Chinese takeout, position ourselves with one claiming one couch and one claiming the other, and melt away our worries by watching a move or our favorite Gilmore Girls episodes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One summer after coming back from a youth trip, we both decided to cut off our cable. We both felt we needed more quiet space to invest in others and ourselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">White Space.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have used a lot of different things to crowd my heart and mind. Music, TV, relationships, and other things. These things aren't bad but when used to fill a void or not wanting to deal with life... they can be a distraction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I found when my roommate and I cut the cable off was exciting adventures of things we were able to do with our time. Investing in some teenage girls in our youth group, inviting people over for dinner, learning more who we are in bible studies, and much more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moments still arise where I feel I need a period of time to quiet the noise and back away from TV, social media, and other distractions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">White space creates a place for God to pursue me and gives me time to write, reflect, and invest in others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you in need of some white space? I encourage you to check out Andy Stanley's series called <a href="http://northpoint.org/messages/breathing-room/">Breathing Room</a>. He gives such applicable advice and wisdom of how important this is and how we can achieve it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know we wont to get to the end of our lives and say, "I wish we would have watched more TV!"</span>Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-19368757616603202752015-03-24T13:43:00.000-07:002015-03-24T13:50:27.285-07:00The Book That Changed My Life<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have always loved a good story. If you know me at all, that doesn't surprise you. I have been known to be able to make up a good story in a quick moment to calm a crying child, get my nephews to sleep, or late nights with friends or youth on overnight trips. It soon became known as "Breeze's Story Hour".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have fond memories from an early age of being read or told stories from my parents and grandparents. I can still see the cover of the book my dad would read our favorite bible story from. It was about Samuel and when God was calling out his name.... "Samuel, Samuel". My dad's voice was what I knew God's voice must sound like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My twin sister and I shared a room and would make up stories to tell each other as we were trying to go to sleep. Mine involved 10 kids getting lost in the grocery store and a family finding the California Raisins(which if you don't know what these are, you are really young!) in their kitchens dancing and singing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My favorite thing as a teacher has been reading aloud stories to my students. Picking the ones with meaning or a moral to learn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stories are food for my soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other day I was rekindled with my long lost love of one of my favorite books that changed my life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I read this book over 10 years ago and it was a huge turning point for me. Bruce gave me permission to not only dream big but that I was created with a God-given Dream. The book is written into two parts. First part is a parable about a boy named ordinary who lived in the land of familiar. Until one day a feather floats in and he knows it's his dream and he was meant for more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The feather gave me a sense of hope and direction. 10 years later and I'm watching my dream become real. This feather has been a symbol of hope and knowing I was meant for more. This is why She Dreams Ministries uses a feather as their symbol.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What books have changed your life or perspective? Do you love storytelling or know someone who is? I would love to hear about them.</span>Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-17372202703349921722015-03-19T13:15:00.000-07:002015-03-19T13:17:47.763-07:00When I Almost Let Fear Win<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I might as well had been paralyzed. I layed on that couch and I couldn't move. Sitting with my legs curled up and all was hidden underneath the blanket but my face. I needed to be able to see and hear. My body was turned so I could see the front door.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waiting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">See I wasn't paralyzed physically. Nothing was wrong with my arms or legs. Even though my body felt like lead if I tried moving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was paralyzed by <b>FEAR</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>FEAR</b> had sneaked in a small crevice of my mind and had spread like a disease. Out to kill me. Until it literally had camped out and overtaken my whole being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You may be wondering what I was waiting for and what had happened for me to get to this state.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was waiting for something bad to happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The worse thing had happened in my life up to that point and it had opened the flood gates of a harsh world and busted my fairy tale bubble I was living in. My parents had just </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">divorced. For me this was devastating. My mind had a hard time processing and I started thinking irrationally. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"If this could happen, then all these other things are possible. A stranger breaking into my house, a house fire, and other things I had never worried about."So I sat there night after night watching the door. It finally became too much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I needed to feel <b>SAFE</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When our worlds turn upside down. Whether through a break up, divorce, loss, or any other </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tragedy we find ourselves at our weakest. Satan knows this and will attack us while we are down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I am weak, He is <b>STRONG</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After weeks of fearful nights, lots of tears, and knowing I needed to feel safe again...... I ran to my dad. He took me in and gave me a place to feel safe. He used encouraging words, reminding me of how BIG my God was, and making sure there were nightlights in the hallway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I needed to feel<b> SAFE</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't that what our heavenly Father does? That in a broken world we can know to go to Him and give Him our fears and troubles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My fears weren't fixed in one night. Sometimes they still pop out of no where. But I go to the place I can feel safe again. In the arms of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you tired of carrying your fears and burdens? Let's start giving them to the one who wants to set us free!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-21045493694962725992015-03-17T13:06:00.001-07:002015-03-17T13:06:56.532-07:00He Is Enough<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My eyelids fluttered and opened as my alarm clock was going off. I was tired and my feet hadn't even hit the floor. 5 hours of sleep wasn't enough to feel refreshed. I stumbled to the shower after I had gathered my things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I knew I was going to need some warm water to help me feel refreshed. Clear up my clogged up brain and help me be ready for the tasks at hand. Today was the beginning of a weekend retreat for high school girls. With being a table leader and giving a talk, it was going to require me to be on my A game.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having just 5 hours of sleep wasn't the main reason I was tired. I had been pouring out everything in me in the last couple of weeks. Organizing and doing a women's conference, helping my family due to sickness, and my normal duties. Without time to recoup and restore, I was starting this week exhausted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Physically, mentally, and spiritually!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing. Left. To. Give.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever been so tired and overwhelmed that you felt like you had nothing left? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I found that day was that God knows how and when we need restoring. I thought I needed rest and a surge of energy. It never came. But what did come was God showing me He is enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I am weak, He is strong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you resting in Him today or trying to figure it out on your own?</span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-73113286979257095962015-03-12T09:06:00.000-07:002015-03-12T09:09:13.996-07:00Being Intentional With Friendships<div dir="ltr">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">Releasing
a sigh of relief, we relaxed against the airplane seats. We had made it! Months
of planning, excitement, and dodging obstacles of a winter storm, we were off
on our girls trip. Heading south to warmer weather and sunny skies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We had
decided last fall that we needed a girls trip. We both love adventure and being
single provides some advantages of </span><span style="line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">flexible</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> schedules. Not that you can’t travel when you’re married, but it requires a lot more planning and discussion
between your spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">Our
trip to Orlando consisted of a Luke Bryan concert, full day at Disney, a day in
our Pj’s reading and collaborating on some upcoming projects, and great food
and conversation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">Our day
at Disney was so much fun! A highlight of the day was walking from different
countries and experiencing the different cultures at Epcot. We decided to
capture this experience by taking photos at each location with us wearing hats
that represented the country we were in. This became such a fun game of which
hat we were going to use and laughed at the ones we found.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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France, we stopped at a bakery that we had been told we must visit. We were not
disappointed. Who knew a sandwich and dessert could taste so good. It was a
wonderful day with perfect weather, not too crowded, and reminded us of magical
places and dreaming big.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;"><b>What do
you and your friends do together for fun?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">Maybe
you’re in a season and having a hard time finding a time to hangout with your
friends. Whether due to your busy schedules, newly married, or raising kids.
Maybe you have forgotten how crucial it is to have quality time with your
friends and have fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 115%;">We have
taken some time to answer some questions that we hope will encourage you and
give you some ideas in helping you invest in your friendships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. How do you keep up with your friends?</b></span></div>
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<b>Brooke:</b></span></div>
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<span style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My friends will tell you I am a terrible phone friend. It is actually one of my goals this year to be better at catching up with friends on the phone! I do make it a point to text friends often to say hi or to send them some encouragement. And I do love the old school way of communicating, sending letters or cards in the mail! I think the important thing is just to be proactive in keeping up with your friends! I love how with many of my friends it doesn't matter how long it has been since we have chatted we pick up right where we left off! </span></div>
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<b>Breeze:</b><br />
Friends that are close by I usually see every week. We also will text each other throughout<br />
the week. These people are who I go to for advice and share my days with. The friends that<br />
don't live close, I have to make sure and be more intentional at having "phone dates" and<br />
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catch up with each other. I love to talk on the phone but I know several of my friends have<br />
families and sometimes it's hard to coordinate a phone call. My goal this year is to be with friends more face to face.<br />
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<b>2. What is something we can do when we are so busy to make room for fun with friends?</b></div>
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<b>Brooke:</b></div>
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Be intentional! As women we are always juggling lots of plates. Whether you are in college, working, single or married, we tend to over commit ourselves which lead to friends being put on the back burner. We must be intention in making time for friends, in order to foster those relationships. Set weekly or monthly dates and put them immediately in your calendar. Set phone dates or Facetime dates. <br />
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<b>Breeze:</b><br />
I agree with Brooke. Be intentional. Sometimes you need to plan ahead and set some fun get togethers. A group of my close friends and I have set Memorial Day weekend as a beach trip for the past 10 years or more. Now that school gets out later, we choose to go in June. It's something we all look forward to. It doesn't have to be a long trip somewhere. Plan a evening to paint or do pottery together at a local shop.</div>
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<b>3. What are some of your favorite girls nights out for you and your friends?</b></div>
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<b>Brooke:</b></div>
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I L.O.V.E girls nights! One of my very best friends and I have a weekly girls night to watch one of our favorite TV shows together. I go to her house in my pjs and we set up shop in her<br />
girls playroom and watch Scandal. It is one of my favorite traditions. I love grabbing coffee<br />
or dinner with friends. Going to concerts, movie nights, are other fun outings I love to share with my friends. Weekend getaways are a great way to connect with friends and explore and enjoy new places. <br />
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<b>Breeze:</b><br />
I love evenings when we cuddle up in blankets on the couch and talk. Eat junk food and share each other's dreams. Sometimes it's Zaxby's and watching one of our favorite shows. I also love movies and popcorn.<br />
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<b>4. How do you encourage your friend's dreams and goals?</b></div>
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<b>Brooke:</b></div>
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I think it is so important to invest in your friends enough to really know what it is that makes them come alive. It is such a great feeling to have people get excited about the things that we are passionate about. On those girls night mentioned above, take some time to really listen to what your friends goals and dreams are. Then help them move toward them. Encourage them, look for ways to challenge them to move toward the things they love! Partner with them in making their dreams come true!</div>
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<b>Breeze:</b></div>
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I absolutely love hearing about my friends dreams and plans. I love getting to be a part of encouraging them with my words, help, or time to see their dreams come alive. I am not the friends who is able to give good steps and ways necessarily to get the goals achieved but I love to encourage a long the way and remind them to dream big and positive feedback.</div>
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We hope you will be encouraged to be intentional with your friendships. Tribes are </div>
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important and need quality time.</div>
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Please check out Brooke's blog <a href="http://friendbrooke.blogspot.com/">Everyday Blessings</a> and follow her on Instagram </div>
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@friendbrooke.</div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Brooke resides in Hickory, NC but will always call Asheville, NC home. She is a teacher who loves to travel, go to concerts and shop in her spare time. Brooke is passionate about encouraging others through her blog, by sending cards and by making people smile! </span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-8291824055824151202015-02-24T12:52:00.001-08:002015-02-24T12:52:28.607-08:00Where Dreams Come True<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I recently got to go to the "Happiest Place On Earth". You can feel the magic as you drive up to the entrance. I was giddy with excitement. From the parking attendants, security men checking our bags, and the cashiers their smiles were genuine and showed they were excited we were there. They made me feel like they had been expecting me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was caught up in the details. The entrance with scanning our cards and fingerprints, the flower beds arranged with Mickey's silhouette, and the detailed buildings and atmosphere that transported us to a different country. No matter your age, this place makes you feel like your dreams could come true.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It all started with a mouse.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walt Disney started with a dream. And years and years later, this dream is reaching millions of people in giving them a place to dream and believe in magic.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"All your dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them!"</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Walt Disney</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That is my heart for <a href="http://www.shedreamsministries.org/home/">She Dreams Ministry</a> . That when women step out of their cars this Saturday for our women's event, they are met with volunteers who are excited they are here and have been expecting them. That through every song, session, and experience that they feel like their dreams can come true and see God's hand in every detail.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It all started with a feather.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A feather that represented a dream of a college graduate girl. A dream that she knew God had given her. Something only she could do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm humbled and excited to watch my dream come alive. This Saturday women will gather together to be encouraged, equipped, and empowered to live and believe the dreams God has placed inside their hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dreams take courage!! Be a dreamer!!</span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-47175212704235686002015-02-20T07:26:00.000-08:002015-02-20T07:26:04.368-08:00When No isn't always something negative<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">No. Not yet. You're not ready.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever been told these words?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When it was your parents answer when you asked for candy, to spend the night with a friend, or when you wanted to practice driving the car before you got your permit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Those may have seemed hard to hear at the time but they weren't devastating or life altering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But what do you do when it's your dream? Something you've been waiting a long time for. These words seem like an earth shattering echo over and over in your head!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">NO!! No!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">If you're like me, my mind processes these words in several stages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Surprise. Hurt. Rejection. Failure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I first usually get stubborn and do everything in MY own power to get my way. Pitching two year old fits if necessary. Then I run and hide and distance myself because I feel like a failure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But what if we could recognize the "No's" as protection from things we aren't aware of and save us from hurt and frustration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our parents knew candy was something our bodies didn't need. That we weren't developmentally ready to make decisions on driving or dating young.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">God knows when we are ready for our dreams. In the waiting, He is equipping us for everything we will need. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let's take hope and not be afraid we will lose our dreams if the answer is no or not yet. He has something even better coming and He is never late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Ephesians 3:20</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or ever could dream to ask.</span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-76804257556547332832015-02-17T18:40:00.000-08:002015-02-17T18:40:27.016-08:00Allowing Yourself A Time Out<div style="font-family: Georgia;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever been in the middle of a huge decision and your brain won't stop screaming and chattering?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Which college should I pick? Should I buy this house? Is this a good investment? Is this church the place for me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And if it's not enough that the questions you keep asking yourself overtake your head, suddenly your heart decides to get involved and joining the conversations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What will my friends and family think? Will I let them down if I make the "wrong" decision? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I recently went through this torture fight of back and forth questions. All I could hear was noise. I felt tense, overwhelmed, and no peace. I was trying to make the best decision and was struggling knowing what that was. I appreciated the wisdom and advice was given. But I also heard a lot of opinions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What I needed was a time out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time to allow myself to process all I was feeling and wondering. I needed to find a </span><span style="font-size: large;">place and time I could sit alone and hear nothing but God. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzbnLT-5RIc/VOOz8qrBxOI/AAAAAAAABoQ/RAEF8pIyeZI/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JzbnLT-5RIc/VOOz8qrBxOI/AAAAAAAABoQ/RAEF8pIyeZI/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's ok to give yourself space. To allow the advice, wisdom, and opinions to quiet for a moment so that you can hear the only voice that matters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I gave myself a time out, do you know what I found?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peace. Encouragement. Courage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peace that passes all my understanding. Encouragement that I could and would make the best decision possible. Courage to do what I knew needed to be done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The next time you are in a process that feels so overwhelming..... Take a time out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It will do your heart and mind wonders!</span></div>
Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-54698583800364908572015-02-12T10:09:00.000-08:002015-02-12T10:09:18.837-08:003 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day Single<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Conversation hearts. Roses. Chocolates.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know exactly what these all equal
up to. Valentine’s Day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For some of you this day of showing
people you care how much you love them, can bring joy and excitement. Plans of
candlelit dinner, movie without the kids, or even a simple moment to share with
your husband or significant other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But for those of you single, this one
day can be a day of feeling more lonely than any other day and a very easy day
to feel insignificant or allow comparison to sneak in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why do I allow ONE day to change the
way I feel about my life and feel less loved?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You’re Not Alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have spent a lot of Valentine’s Days
being Single. In fact, I probably could count on one hand the times I had a
date or boyfriend on this day of Love. In the past I have allowed myself to
envy those co-workers who had flowers sent to work, jealous of friends or
sisters who had plans on this day and it left me at home alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The industry has over done the hallmark
commercials, the pressure of needing flowers and chocolates to feel loved and cherished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have the choice to get sucked in and
made to feel we aren’t important and loved or use Valentine’s Day to bring us
and others joy by doing something for ourselves and others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>3 ideas of how to spend Valentine’s Day</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serve</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we turn the direction of our
thoughts from ourselves to others, we are able to have a new perspective on our
own circumstances and in most cases are able to be filled and blessed far more
than we would have ever thought possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Offer to
babysit for a friend, co-worker, or family member while they can go to dinner
for a much needed time together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take valentine’s
or homemade goodies to a local shelter, hospital, or place with people in need<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Plan a fun outing or host a party for
your single friends</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Showing hospitality
in having friends over can make others feel special. It doesn’t take much but a
few cute decorations, simple prepared food, and a fun movie or games.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Check for
events with your local churches, community organizations, or venues that you
could get a group together and enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do something for yourself</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
forget that it’s important to take care of yourself. Find something that you
enjoy and do it. Sometimes singles can be made to feel bad when choosing to do
things that may appear to others as being selfish. Singleness can have it’s
advantages when having a more flexible schedule, using your money how you want,
and much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 115%;">This
Valentine’s Day, I’m choosing JOY!! My best friend and I are going to a local
spa and having massages, pedicures, and facials. We are both so excited! </span><br />
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How are you spending your Valentine’s Day this year? No matter how you are
spending it, know you are worthy of Love, you matter to others, and you have
lots of love to give to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-39777704484922044512015-01-27T17:43:00.000-08:002015-01-27T17:43:54.941-08:00Allow Yourself to Celebrate<div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cL0w0-Wj6RU/VMgImZC7waI/AAAAAAAABl8/RsFWXswHMVg/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cL0w0-Wj6RU/VMgImZC7waI/AAAAAAAABl8/RsFWXswHMVg/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" height="320" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever hit a milestone and you felt the need to celebrate? An anniversary, lose 10lbs, or a new job. Sometimes we make a personal goal, reach it, and have the desire to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes we think our reason to celebrate May seem silly to others. That we don't really have a good enough reason to get out the balloons or confetti.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is never too small a reason to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This past weekend the <a href="http://www.shedreamsministries.org/home/">She Dreams Ministry</a> team/founders woke up early and met at a resort nearby for a special breakfast. There was no ballond, party hats, or even cake. But there was French toast, warm hearts, and a feeling of accomplishment and gratitude.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was She Dreams Ministries one year birthday!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The journey God had led us down this past year and did things through our ministry was far more beautiful than we ever imagined.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We wanted to celebrate together and so we did! We all have crazy schedules, families, and other obligations. We decided this was important to us and met around 7:30 that morning to have a few hours to be together before needing to get the day errands and things started.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpuTTIBc8QA/VMgIjUw2QwI/AAAAAAAABlY/z0BuuRHlEsw/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CpuTTIBc8QA/VMgIjUw2QwI/AAAAAAAABlY/z0BuuRHlEsw/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She Dreams team (missing Kelly)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't matter the reason. You deserve a time to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All you need is some close friends who get your vision, time marked out, and a way you want to celebrate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Confetti. Balloons. A new outfit. French toast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*i would love to see how your choosing to celebrate this year. Comment below or take a picture and post on Instagram. @Breezlei #celebratenow2015</span></div>
Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-67900294651106580842015-01-26T15:19:00.001-08:002015-01-26T15:19:53.891-08:00How I learned to Let Go<div class="s4" style="text-align: start;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9A2xtviay5I/VMbKeoJS89I/AAAAAAAABkw/x4m9VbGOgnY/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9A2xtviay5I/VMbKeoJS89I/AAAAAAAABkw/x4m9VbGOgnY/s1600/15%2B-%2B1" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bring it out of the Darkness</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My knuckles were white from holding on so tight. Tucking it away so no one could see it. If no one</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">ever knew, then I could pretend it never happened and move on. No one would ever look at me differently, know the crazy </span><span class="s3">decisions</span><span class="s3"> I’ve made, and see what I felt.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shame.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Why did hiding my Shame keep bothering me? If </span><span class="s3">it’s</span><span class="s3"> been buried shouldn’t the “Out of sight, out of mind” come into place?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shame. Hurt. Anger.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They played a loud game of tag in my mind. Racing and running around and they wouldn’t quit their game. They were winning and I was losing.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Loser.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why do we convince ourselves that hiding the “Real” us will bring us comfort and joy?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">“When He came there was no Light. When He left there was no darkness” </span><span class="s2">Mark Batterson </span><span class="s6" style="font-style: italic;">All in</span><span class="s6" style="font-style: italic;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s2">Have you ever wanted to keep something you have done or become hidden? A messy house, empty bank account, a lie you’ve told? Maybe it’s an addiction you have developed. Spending too much money, hours upon hours on social media, cheating, or something you can’t even speak of </span><span class="s2">out loud</span><span class="s2">.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are convinced we are the only ones who have this “dark” spot in our lives and what in the world would people think if they knew the real you.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When He Came there was no light. When He left there was no darkness.”</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If we could confidently hold out our hands and unclasp our fingers to let go of the thing we are holding so close, God can shine His light on it and that’s when the healing begins.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We will find that no matter what we’ve done or become, God loves us. He loves us enough to not keep us where we are but to guide us towards a place of redemption, forgiveness, and peace.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take the first step. Let’s count together.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1,2,3….</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now open your hands. Let go and Let God.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I found when I let go was Grace!</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grace</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I sat down with some close friends and trusted them with my story, they were able to remind me I wasn't alone. We all have things we hide and try to bury. But when we allow God to hear our confession.... Healing begins.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Healing. Peace. Grace flooded every part of my body and overtook the shame and doubt.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's worth it my friends to be brave in telling your story. Confess and healing.</span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are you waiting for? Be free and fly!</span></div>
Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-4894715140037673722015-01-13T10:41:00.000-08:002015-01-14T17:51:54.961-08:00Jealousy and Doubt<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks and washed over me like standing under a waterfall and there was nothing I could do to stop it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jealousy </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why is this happening to her and not me? My heart was tied to the string of a yo-yo. Back and forth it swayed. Happiness for my dear friend who had just announced she was engaged to swinging over to jealousy and doubt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doubt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is something wrong with me? Why am I the only one who seems to still be single in a 20 foot radius of my group of friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever been riding along the journey of your life happy and free. Enjoying the season you're in and BAM!! Jealousy and doubt pop out of no where. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe it's when someone loses another 10 lbs and when you look in the mirror all you feel is that you found those 10 lbs. When a co-worker receives recognition for the work and effort you also do but has seemed to have been overlooked. Maybe it's another woman who has announced she's expecting and the loss of your unborn child or emptiness of not being able to conceive is still very raw.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jealousy and doubt seem to go hand in hand. We want something someone else has and we start to doubt our worth, story, and God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three things I'm learning to do when those </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">two words try to surface:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <b>Recognize and admit:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hardest part is admitting to yourself that you're feeling jealous and doubt. Especially doubting God. What I'm learning is you can't move forward until you deal and process your feelings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. <b>Find that friend:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One you trust to share what your dealing with. Be honest. They will understand and be able to be a listener as you process out loud your feelings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. <b>Everyone needs an outlet:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe it's running, painting, or something you enjoy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Writing has become a tool for me to get my thoughts on paper and reflect on things I'm learning. Find your outlet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jealousy and doubt are easy targets that will distract us from God's love and His plan for </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">us. Let's help fight together to protect our hearts and stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Please watch this video and near the end, allow John Piper encourage you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;">"Therefore, do not lose heart!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://youtu.be/qyUPz6_TciY">Shane and Shane "Though You Slay Me"</a></span></span></div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-59104796772196132072015-01-09T17:23:00.002-08:002015-01-14T15:09:43.924-08:00Hide and Seek<div class="s4">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">So there I was </span><span class="s3">laying</span><span class="s3"> on my worn red couch, bundled head to toe in blankets. You could only see the form of my body. I was hiding. Not from the cold wind that was pressing against the house and howling. I was hiding from my failures. Here it was just January 2nd and I already felt defeated.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3"></span><span class="s3">A failure.</span> </span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2015 was laughing at me and punching me in the gut. The blanket hid my eyes to the mountain of laundry, unwashed dishes, unused exercise equipment, an empty wallet, and a blank piece of paper that taunted me with its bareness of words and a power of fear that held me under the blanket.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Under the blanket I felt paralyzed. My goals I had started working on for the </span><span class="s3">new year</span><span class="s3"> seemed like giants looking down at me and I had run and hide. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Have you ever been fearful to start something that you never </span><span class="s3">begin</span><span class="s3">?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Maybe for you </span><span class="s3">it's wanting</span><span class="s3"> to start a new job, go back to school, lose weight, write a book, overcome your finances, or buying a new house.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems so scary and all you can do is run and hide because the feeling of failure isn't something we want to taste often.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I lay under those blankets and all I could hear was the wind beating down.... Suddenly everything got quiet... Still. These words started flowing through my head and heart.</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I did not give you a spirit of fear. But of power, love, and a sound mind!"</span></div>
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<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The tears began to flow! Peace filled my whole body. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">I wasn't a failure. I am a woman full of power, love, and of sound mind. </span><span class="s3">A mind that can conquer a blank sheet of paper and a mountain of laundry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s3">Let's not give up. Don't hide. Run towards Him, lean into His arms, and say "yes", YES to His dreams for your life! </span><span class="s3">One step at a time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Photo credit: Chris Tomlin</span><br />
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-59582944723438770992014-12-17T09:37:00.004-08:002015-01-14T15:10:22.208-08:00Silent Night During the Chaos<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 17px;">This past weekend was one of the busiest I've had in a long time. Two weddings, a very quick trip out of town to give a talk, church, and several other things crammed into two days. I wasn't so sure I would make it through as I started Friday, but I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #222222;">Sunday evening</a> I had a wonderful experience of hearing God lead me and show me some details He wanted for our upcoming women's event. It wasn't an audible voice but just a feeling. I knew the thoughts going through my head wasn't me. There were moments that flashed back from the chaotic weekend and I could see Gods fingerprint through several moments.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How can God speak so clearly even in the midst of chaos and noise!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I couldn't help but think about this song. During this season of advent and the expectation and waiting of the celebration of Jesus' birth, I'm sure that there was chaos and noise in the lives of people in Bethlehem. People traveling to be taxed, their daily jobs and tasks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But that night God was able to send His son that would change lives for an eternity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Am I looking for God in the chaos and silence of my day? I know that I sure don't want to miss out on what He wants to share with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's spend this Christmas season getting wrapped up in His love and wisdom than the gifts we buy. May we be able hear His soft whisper.</span></div>
Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-51374833015528128052014-06-03T18:36:00.001-07:002014-06-03T18:36:09.943-07:00Empathy vs SympathyIf you have been reading my posts, at some point you've caught on that I love words. Words to encourage, learn, and create with. But also how I'm horrible with knowing how to use them in the correct context sometimes.<br />
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Empathy and sympathy are words that are usually universally confused or used incorrectly. Both are used to define your feelings concerning people. The difference is empathy is fully understanding the other persons situation or feelings because you've been there. Sympathy is having feeling of concern or feeling with the person because you care.<br />
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Have you ever went through a hard situation, phase, or time in your life and in the midst had trouble why you were having to go through it. But years later, a close friend or family member had to go through the same thing or something very similiar and you were the first person they called. They knew you could EMPATHIZE. You had been in their shoes before.<br />
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Yes, we can care and be there for a close friend who is going through something hard. But sometimes there are no words that feel right and we don't want to say the wrong ones.<br />
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I have had several moments that God was showing me that He could use me. When you are the person who has gone through something tragic or hard and with the help of God...... walked out on the other side. Walked out of the wilderness into the promised land. Someone needs your encouragement. Your guidance, shoulder, and words to help them know they are going to ok. That God is still there in the midst of the circumstance.<br />
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Are you using your story to help encourage and empathize with others?<br />
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This week I've had such a great and fun opportunity to do this with my fellow co-workers and friends while they have been administrating end of year testing. Since moving to 2nd grade, I have not had to deal with the huge weight and stress of these tests. So I decided that I needed to take all the energy I would have had towards the tests and put on loving, encouraging, and supporting my colleagues.<br />
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Sausage biscuits, fruit, and suprise cans. It doesn't take much to let someone know you understand and want them to know you love them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unseal the bottom of can and fill with candy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make sure to get a can with pop top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tape bottom, cover with wrapping paper, and tie ribbon on top.<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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Use something you have been through to help encourage others. It's so rewarding.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-9931807022284956802014-06-02T18:12:00.000-07:002014-06-02T18:12:55.851-07:00The Living Room book giveaway!Last week I shared with you about a conference I went to in Atlanta called The living room. Three young ladies whom I now call friends and I are doing a book giveaway! You will love learning more about these girls and their writing.<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba91e31/" id="rc-ba91e31" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-79283117573835752012014-05-28T17:21:00.002-07:002014-05-28T17:21:45.873-07:00What do you do to unwind?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Do you ever find yourself stressed and overwhelmed? Maybe by work, forever list of things to do, over piled baskets of laundry, and you just need a time a space to unwind? Where do you go and what do you do to unwind?</div>
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We are all at different stages and places in life. Students, newlyweds, mothers but we all need moments to catch our breath, be refilled, and take care of ourselves so we can do the tasks and things we are needing to do in running this race and pursuing our dreams. </div>
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Whether you're a mom, wife, or single chick like me...... Sometimes we feel selfish in taking time for ourselves. There is always something or someone who needs our attention. But what I'm finding by listening to your stories is that in order to be the best us, we need to make sure and carve out that time for unwinding.</div>
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There are many ways I unwind and create space and time to allow my body, soul, and mind to be rested and encouraged. It changes with seasons and what I'm particularly needing at the moment. </div>
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Spending time with family and friends, a chat poolside with my best friend, or like today.... Being at the pool solo. Reading, praying, and soaking up the sun.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read some of this today and helped remind me why I'm doing what I'm doing!</td></tr>
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There are some things to remember:</div>
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1. You are worth it to find time to rest.</div>
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2. Plan and carve out time so you're not tempted to decide you don't have time to "rest"</div>
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3. Taking care of you makes you a better person for others.</div>
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Sometimes it's the small things that can soothe a tired mind.</div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-22526734170415866812014-05-27T16:53:00.000-07:002014-05-27T16:53:47.020-07:005 things I've been up to! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm back!! Thank you for your patience. I've missed being able to share with you and encourage you through this blog.</div>
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As most of you know I took some time off to focus on the women's conference I was a part of putting together and it's been hard knowing how to put into words all that's been going on. This week I plan to share some tidbits of what I'm processing.</div>
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So here is in a nutshell what I've been up to these last few weeks.</div>
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1. The Worthy of the Dream conference: our first event couldn't have gone any smoother. God showed up and showed out. I felt His spirit all around. The things our team prayed for that the women would enter knowing they had been prepared and prayed for, that every detail they would feel special, and they would be encouraged and reminded that their role in this story matters all were answered. I am still getting phone calls, text messages, or comments of amazing things Gods doing from this conference. We already have next years date set and working on our next event which I'll share later this week.</div>
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2. I've started a whole new adventure by taking foster care classes. I've just started and lots to process. I'll also be sharing more about this in the coming days. But one thing I do want to say is you never know until you move forward at what God has in store for you.</div>
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3. Preparing for end of school year and beginning of summer!! Every teacher knows these last few weeks are the hardest. One thing God is trying to remind me right now is: the kids are the point!! Not the paperwork, testing, meetings, frustrating parents, or stressed co-workers. It's the kids!!! I desire to spend these last two weeks loving on my kids and making sure they know WHOSE they are. It's easy to get stressed and frustrated! I did today!! But I hope I can remind myself to stay focused and that the kids are the point.</div>
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4. I went to a conference a few weeks ago and met the most amazing people. It encouraged me and taught me a lot about writing and this blog. <a href="http://thelipstickgospel.com/">Stephanie May</a> is the author of The Lipstick Gospel blog and learned so much from her. Her obedience in doing the conference gave me courage and helped remind to be brave as a walked forward in our own conference coming up.</div>
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ore to share this week!:)</div>
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5. While at the conference in Atlanta I was able to do a photo shoot to use for my blog and other </div>
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events coming up! <a href="http://throughlensandpen.com/">Lacee Peloquin</a> is a great photographer and made me feel so comfortable in front </div>
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of the camera. So thankful for these pictures to use in the future.</div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-26314941402140271512014-04-29T17:48:00.001-07:002014-04-29T17:48:10.020-07:00Blinders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's the thing you should already know to be on the lookout when you're moving forward in doing something with God. Sometimes the excitement of walking in your passions you don't think ahead until its hit you right in the face! There is another force pushing, trying to derail us, and doesn't want us to succeed. The devil wants to crush our dreams.</div>
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This past few weeks I've had one distraction after another. It wasn't until this past week while talking with a friend and she said, "Breeze I don't want you to allow these distractions to consume you. You know the devil is going to send anything he can to distract you as we get closer to the conference. I couldn't believe I hadn't recognized it. He will use many methods.</div>
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Friends we need your prayers as we continue to run towards this dream, ministry, and conference! Thank goodness there is a force much stronger. God is on our side and we know He's already won.</div>
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He gives us life so we can live for Him and bring Him glory. So I'm strapping on my blinders that they use on horses to discipline and learn to focus on what's up ahead.</div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-79920675579832292912014-04-28T19:23:00.000-07:002014-04-28T19:23:23.841-07:00A calming presence <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Do you have that friend or several who bring a calmness to your heart? Those who no matter the circumstances or time of day, you can be sitting with them and a calmness breezes in and takes over. I have several who have this affect on me. I love being around them because it lowers my anxiety, fill my heart, and gives me the encouragement that everything will be ok.</div>
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I hope I bring that calmness too others. Some days I feel like the craziness that's in my mind comes out and spills onto others. I want to be a fresh breath of air for others. A "breeze" blowing away the hurt, frustration, and stress off others and leaving a calmness in their hearts.</div>
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In the busy of your day are you breathing life or stress?</div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-43284595751357690722014-04-24T19:32:00.003-07:002014-04-24T19:33:40.155-07:00Unrealistic expectations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week has been crazy and busy! Thank you for being patient as I balance all the tasks in preparing for the conference. I also have a lot going on at school with us coming down to the last 36 days left, there are meetings, evaluations, and lots to cover before I send my kids to 3rd grade.</div>
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One thing that has really been hitting me a lot is expectations. Expectations of others. With teaching it comes in from parents, our administration, the state, and myself. I want to be the best teacher I can for my students. But let's face it, with teachers being evaluated by their test scores..... Does anybody care if I love my students, truly care for their well being. I'll never forget my first year teaching and was at a first year teacher meeting. One of the speakers was employed at our central office. He said, " I want you all to remember something. Good teachers have good test scores!" I remember getting in my car and crying!! Unrealistic expectations..... I could be the best teacher ever and still have a group of students who don't pass.</div>
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Performance.... How I'm a friend, sister, daughter, aunt. How many times do we go above and beyond helping others and it never fails that someone needed us to bend two notches more.</div>
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When you perform a task.....cleaning, singing, making something, putting an outfit together. When you've done your absolute best...... And you get no praise but what you should have done better.</div>
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I think it's being used right now to distract me. A dear friend reminded me of this today. The devil is shooting targets. Distracting me as we get closer and closer to the conference.</div>
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So tonight after I've had a day where I've not met many unrealistic expectations..... I am enough.</div>
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You are enough!!</div>
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Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9026236915649067394.post-18545353375682972412014-04-22T19:59:00.000-07:002014-04-22T19:59:48.719-07:00Busy Busy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello!! I've missed you all! I really enjoyed my break and I can't wait to share and tell you all about it! It's another late night post! This week I've hit the ground running trying to get a lot accomplished in preparing for our conference.</div>
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Yesterday was so exciting seeing our website go live. <a href="http://www.shedreamsministries.org/home/">She Dreams Ministries</a></div>
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We've already had a lot of feedback and more excited about registering. In the next few weeks leading up to the conference, you will be reading a lot of my thoughts and more info about the conference. Also, I'm going to do my best to continue to post each week day, but as my to do list gets longer, there may be a day or two I don't. So be patient with me as I'm learning to balance my schedule and put a lot of my energy towards this dream. Thank you for all your support and prayers.</div>
Breezleihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15852209057799940862noreply@blogger.com0