Blinders

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.

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.

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.

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.

A calming presence

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.

 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.

In the busy of your day are you breathing life or stress?

Unrealistic expectations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

So tonight after I've had a day where I've not met many unrealistic expectations..... I am enough.

You are enough!!

Busy Busy

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.

Yesterday was so exciting seeing our website go live. She Dreams Ministries

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.

Exciting News

Our website is up!! Go check it out! More on the blog this week! Can't wait to catch up and share more about conference!

She Dreams Ministries

And the Winner is.....

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Don't forget to check out our She Dreams Ministries Facebook page for more information and giveaways.

Today starts my spring break! I'll be taking a few days off the blog to spend time with family and friends. I will post when our She Dreams Ministries website goes live. 

See you soon!

Are you giving life or taking away?

I've been reminded a lot lately how crucial it is to encourage others. Our words do only two things: give life or take away. No other choices. I know when life gets busy, when feeling stressed, or when we are frustrated at life.....it easy to allow all that built up in us to come rolling out of our mouths.

I guess that's what happens. What ever we have inside will work its way out. We think its hidden. Our insecurities, fears, hurts....but they shine out our pours. Most of the time landing onto our friends, family, co-workers.

My prayer is that we can allow God to make us a new heart and that His love shines above all else. 

This is my earnest prayer. I want to strengthen, build others up, and have a responsive heart. How are you doing at this?

Don't forget to try for a chance of free registration for Worthy of the Dream conference.

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Wednesday Shout Out

I'm so excited to share with you this weeks shout outs! I love when God puts great wisdom from others in your path. I hope these encourage, challenge, and excite you like they have me.

Faith, film, and food is a blog by my friend Micheal Ramsey. He grew up here in Hayesville and now lives in Raleigh. This post is about order and it really has made me think a lot about chaos and how it brings in more stress than necessary.

Hannah Brencher is so transparent in her posts and I love how each one challenges me.

The Lipstick Gospel was sent to me by a dear friend and I can't tell you how excited I am because ill be meeting her and attending her conference in may. Me and 15 other women who I haven't met yet but I know are going to be dear friends. She is passionate about helping others know their story and how to tell it!! Please read her bio and how she got her title!:)

Grandfather Home is where my sister Jessica works and I've loved getting to watch her love her job and be such a good advocate for children in need of a good home. I'm praying and working on being more involved. More news on that later.

Bring Love In is an organization that my friend Diana shared with me and has helped in donating items to go in helping these families that they are helping. They work in helping prevent orphans by investing in families. Right now all their needs for a family sponsorship are being metbut as soon as there are more needs, I want to get involved.

I would love to hear your thoughts on these sites. Don't forget to try and win a free registration for the worthy of the dream conference. Ends this coming Monday! 

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Investing in Others

I can put others first by serving them. This was the focus point in my lesson with the girls I help teach Sunday mornings! I've been thinking about this concept a lot. We discuss how kids these days feel so entitled but us adults are in the same boat. We expect people to meet our every needs and leave no room for serving others. In every memory I've had of helping, investing, or putting others first.... I have been so rewarded. I hope for a servants heart and to look for ways to serve others. 

I Need Your Help!

Found a raining and dreary day when I woke this morning! But there was still a great excitement in my heart. Registration forms are making their way to women's hands. It blows my mind that I voiced an idea and dream in January and what has all transpired since then. I'm so excited!

So for your Monday challenge... I need your help. I need help getting the word out to your family and friends. I've created a contest to help motivate you to participate. I will have a winner announced next Monday. Winner receives a FREE registration for the Worthy of the Dream conference. So get to sharing!

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Friday Favories

Even though its Saturday, I wanted to share my Friday favorites! This week has been so busy with errands and catching up, but I've had some great things to share.

1. REGISTRATION is up for Worthy of the Dream conference. Head to She Dreams Minstries Facebook page to download a form. Or check in our website in the next week to see all about our conference, ministry, and registration. Shedreamsministries.org

2.  I love having a smell good body wash. I have found the Tone brand to be my favorite. These two fragrances are wonderful.

3. You've seen my love for julep nail polish! My April box was another great box of goodies! Two pretty summer colors and a pretty blush!

Now off to watch my nephew Maddox play ball!!

Busy days ahead

CAN I GET AN AMEN!!:)

My days have been very busy this week with catching up at home, running errands, and working on details for the conference. Teachers and students are getting the summer itch!! Sunshine and wanting to be outside has a way of bringing that out in us!

Summer is time I use to catch up with visiting my family and friends! Especially my nephews!

What are your summer plans? I hope you and I can use our time to invest in others and love on some people!:)

My view tonight while visiting The Browns!

Wednesday shout out

I love the thought of scattering sunshine wherever I go. Have you ever met someone for the first time and they leave you filled with such joy? I have a group of women I've had such the privilege of getting to work with in the past couple of month. She Dreams ministries exists because of them. These women fill me with hope, encouragement, and love everyday. They are wives, moms, talented career ladies.... And I'm so thankful for their love for Jesus and people.

 So today, they are my shout out. Please help pray for us as we continue on this journey and check out our Facebook page. Our website is going live VERY SOON!

I love you Diana, Heather, Kelly, Kristi, and Brooke!!

Not pictured: Brooke

It is well with my soul

The last few days have been beautiful! The sunshine and warm weather. Today I smelled mowed grass and it flooded me with memories of childhood of playing outside with my sisters. Spring always reminds me of hope. Through the winter and rough days.... We long for better days. But without winter, we couldn't appreciate the spring.

This past year has had it's highs and lows. I thought I knew how my story would go next. But God always shows me He has a great plan.

I hope you and I will not settle. He has written every word of our stories! I love stories and am humbled that He keeps calling me to tell mine and its just getting better each day. Not easier.... But exciting.