Tomorrow night, in honor of Jen and Ryan, we are having a Halloween couples shower. Also known as, come-dressed-up-with-your-significant-other, costume shower.

I am so very excited, except that I do not have a "couple!"

But, neither do 3 of the other girls.

So, since the 4 of us have no dates, we decided to all come dressed as something together. The problem is that we just couldn't come up with something that all 4 of us could be. So many ideas were tossed around, and most of them shot down.

We came to the conclusion about two weeks ago that we would be a baseball team. For all of us, this sounded really fun. I have no idea why, but it just did. So, that's what we are going as. A baseball team.

However, last night as we were conferencing on our phones (yes, we are dorks like that, but, we all live in different cities!) we could not for the life of us come up with an outfit. The thing is, though, we desperately needed to come up with an outfit, because frankly, the shower is tomorrow and I only had today to get things done.

Of course there are already "pre-made" baseball girl outfits that we could easily go buy, but to put it nicely, we don't want to wear those "pre-made" outfits. We're just not like that.

After we discussed many options about the baseball attire, Raven blurted out "This is a really athletic get up and I'm just not!" I immediately started laughing because come to think of it, none of us are really that athletic. Yes, we work out, do jazzercise, run, but none of us are the athletic type, if you will. I find it so funny that we are going to appear to be the athletic bunch, yet that is really so far from the truth. I guess that's what dressing up is all about, appearing to be someone you're not.

I mean y'all, I'm the girl that runs from the ball. When I played soccer, as a 5 year old mind you, I was the goalie and every time the soccer ball came near me, I ran. Needless to say, they moved me to outfield where I proceeded to pick flowers during the games. Soccer was not my thing. Never has been. Never will be.

Anyway, we finally came to a conclusion on the outfit choice, and it is precious! We will be the cutest baseball team you've ever seen! And I am so excited! (And of course, even more so excited that I get to spend half of the weekend with my girls!)

You will have to anxiously await pictures from after the event to see our final outcome. And I know you'll be anxiously awaiting.

So, if you were 4 girls, what would you be? I am sure y'all could be more creative than a baseball team...let me hear it! :)

Love you, peeps. Have a happy Halloween! Let your light shine tomorrow, even on such a dark day!

The past 2 weeks at bible study, we have done a little worship before we dig into the Word. At any other given Tuesday Night Bible Study, worship would happen at the beginning, no doubt. But, as I have said over and over, this study is so different from any other Tuesday Night Bible Study. Much more intimate and small.

However, there is a girl in our class, who, the past two weeks, has done a great job at leading us in a few songs. Beautiful voice, she has, and quite talented.

Tonight we started out by singing None But Jesus by Christy Nockels. If you were to look at my iTunes play list count of this song, you would think my obsession with this song has reached the point of counseling. Needless to say, this song is plum worn out on my iPod and iTunes play list. It is an absolute favorite of mine. (However, I am one of those people who loves a song so much that I listen to it over, and over, and over until I am just tired of it, and then I move on to my next song obsession. There always is another song, though. The Lord has never left me empty handed on this one. He knows my love of music and how it touches my heart!) :)

Anyway, you could imagine my joy upon hearing the first few chords tonight and being so excited to sing this particular song.

Tonight, though, my joy was a little more present.

You see, this semester I have tried to sit as close as possible to the front. For being the people watcher that I am, sitting up close really helps me because I don’t get so distracted. Plus, I just can! There aren’t thousands of ladies running for a front seat, so it’s nice just strolling in, and taking a seat in the front without 3,000 other ladies walking swiftly to it. (It is a sight to see, though, y’all! Not saying it’s bad, just a sight to see!)

Anyway, tonight I got there just in time to take my front seat, sit down, get situated, and then we started worship. There happened to be an empty seat right next to me, so Beth came and sat there as we sang None But Jesus. I know it’s not a big deal at all, just a sweet memory I will cherish.

As we sang None But Jesus together and I was sitting next to someone whom I greatly admire and respect, and who truly led me to fall in love with Jesus, it was everything in me not to lean over to her and whisper in her ear, “Thank you for leading me to Jesus. Thank you for loving Him so much that it is contagious and I have never wanted him more and He truly is IT! There is none but Him. And ALL my delight is in Him!”

Of course, I didn’t, because frankly that would have been weird for me, so I just whispered a little prayer in my heart of thankfulness.

Y’all, all my delight is in Him, because frankly right now, there is just nothing else for me to delight in. I take pleasure in Him. I am very fond of Him. He has my heart, and He fights for me and I find that so romantic.

Needless to say, it is a memory I will cherish in my heart forever, truly worshipping with one of the ladies who has taught me time and time again that there is no one but Jesus.

Recently I have just had it on my heart that I want to be that person. I want to be someone that when you encounter me, you want more Jesus. Not for my namesake, but for His namesake. That people would see my good works and praise my father in Heaven (Matth. 5:16). That people would see His spirit in me.

That I would be the stinkin’ real deal on the blog AND in the real world. Y’all, it is so easy to be “Godly” on the blog, so easy. But I want to be just in love with Jesus and just as Godly in the real world as I “seem“ to be on the blog. I want to be this to my family, to my friends, to my sweet girls I serve, to my coworkers. I want people to see Jesus in me when they meet me. That they would walk away and say, “She’s the real deal!”

I want people to know that there is no one but our sweet Jesus who loves us so and fights for us (Joshua 23:10)! That He is life.

This is hard, y’all. It takes work, and in my opinion an extra dose of the spirit. But, oh, how He wants it, too. He desires for us to be the “real deal!” He desires for us to delight in Him. And I am convinced that if we ask Him for an extra dose of the spirit to be “Jesus with skin on” to the people we encounter, He will bless that.

I love some of the definitions for the word delight: a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction, something or someone that provides a source of happiness, to enjoy. (Thank you, www.bible.com)

My prayer for all of us is that we would find extreme pleasure in Him, that He would be our ultimate source of happiness. That all our delight would be in Him and that we would realize there truly is none by Jesus!

I love y'all and hope you have a fabulous Wednesday! Huge hugs your way!

Hello folks! I just wanted to pop in and let you know about the fun weekend I have ahead of me!

This coming Sunday we as a church will celebrate our 35th anniversary! We serve such a faithful God who has been so good and faithful to us as a church and we are excited!

To celebrate, we are having our Fall Festival a week early, meaning tomorrow, and then we are having a huge BBQ and celebration service on Sunday at church. I am so excited! Mainly I am so excited because there are going to be tons of people there that I have not seen in forever, and I love that. Actually, today at work, one of the old pastors, who is actually teaching on Sunday and came in from out of town to be here, was walking through our offices and I waived and said hi, so he did the same. I knew he had no idea who I was, but our current pastor stopped and "introduced" him to me. He was shocked! I was no longer a little girl! That's what happens when you go to a church for your entire life!

I know so many of your churches have been going much longer than 35 years, but every year is a year to praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness. And, it's crazy to think that I have been there for 23 of those 35 years! Granted, I was an infant when I started going, but still!

If you live in the Cypress area and are looking for something to do tomorrow, consider this your invitation to our Fall Festival. It is always a blast for the little ones, and this year will not disappoint. We have rented like 39 gazillion "moonwalk" things that will certainly entertain your child for hours on end, not to mention the 89 booths we will have, also. And, it's even FREE.

Now for the "shameless plug" as my pastor would say. If you're ever looking for a good sermon to listen to, hop on over to Corkin Good Sermons, and take in a word from our very own, wonderful, humble pastor, Dave Gibson! He seriously has a great word every Sunday, and you will surely be blessed by his teaching. This next week he is headed to Moody Bible Institute to speak during their spiritual formation week! He is a blessed man, and we are so grateful for the leadership he provides for our church. I can say this because it's pastor appreciate month! But, seriously, go check it out!

So, needless to say, this weekend will be yet another crazy one, but a good crazy!



Yesterday, however, was a splendid day in that I got to have lunch with 2 of my favorite girls, Jen and Claire! Jen had the day off, and Claire and Russel just moved back from Missouri and are currently looking for jobs, and Thursdays are always my day off, so we had a great day eating at Olive Garden, then spent the rest of the day at Jen's house (literally) enjoying time with Cheryl, Jaclyn, and the precious Grace Parker! It was such a fun day. Except, now I feel spoiled because this won't happen every Thursday, but, I enjoyed it while it lasted! :)


Well sweet friends, I'm out! I don't have any plans tonight so I am going to enjoy some R&R. And just for the record, I never use the term R&R.

Have a great weekend, folks!

I know you are probably freaked out over my title, but have no fear, peeps, it's what we discussed tonight at bible study...

Except that I'm totally kidding. Well really, we did discuss it for all of 5 minutes and then we moved on, but basically we were talking about Amos 4:1 where the "cows of Bashan" are referenced, and we were trying to figure out what the heck the "cows of Bashan" were. It was very interesting! And needless to say, I learned something. References like this are the references that we really do have to take apart and study, because as "random" as these may seem, there is NO random in the bible, everything means something!

However, if someone asked what I learned tonight at bible study, I would just tell them I learned about the "cows of Bashan!" Kidding. Just a joke for Beth and Melissa. (Who will never read this, so really, just a joke for me!) Okay, wow, moving on.

So, I have totally been M.I.A this past week because I have been goin' ninety to nothin'! And, really, I've had to process all y'alls comments about my ring. Good gosh y'all came through, and every single input highly entertained me. It was the talk at my house for the week, that's for sure! Did y'all know that your opinions are split half and half?! Interesting, huh! I didn't plan on y'all taking that post that seriously, but y'all did! So, for a conclusion so I don't leave y'all hanging...I am going to leave the ring on. At least for right now. I promise I will explain why, but that will have to come at a later time, as it would take up too much room right now, and I feel it is more important to tell you about my weekend. At least you know I'm going to leave it on, but please don't hate me.

Anyway, this past weekend was definitely a whirlwind of fun, but definitely exhausting.

Friday after work I packed up and headed to Huntsville. It had been too long since I'd been there, let alone seen my precious Hannah. When I got there, I met her at a friends house where she was watching a movie with some other people, so I came inside, but instead of us watching the movie we just talked. SO, instead of being rude and making everyone hate us, we left and went to Subway to catch up, and eat some dinner. It was delightful.

I love Hannah, because both she and I are so similar. I mean y'all, I haven't seen her since probably June and when I saw her this weekend, it was like we hadn't skipped a beat. We both do much better talking in person than on the phone, and I love that about us. I love that it isn't awkward AT ALL when I see her only every 6 months. (I mean, it's not that bad, but I like to exaggerate!)

We had a fabulous time chatting (about everything), catching up, laughing, watching Princess Diaries, sleeping and just being us. I love her and miss her so very much!

Saturday, we got up, got dressed and met Megan (our newest newlywed) at none other than The Farmhouse for lunch. It was packed, but we stayed and all ordered the same thing. Bless that blue plate special. Unfortunately, Megan and I live about 10 minutes from each other in Houston, and haven't found the time to meet up, but that will end soon, because we WILL have a date soon! It was great hearing about her class though, and just catching up!


Soon after lunch, I left Huntsville and drove back to Houston to help Jen out at a wedding that HCC (Houston Children's Chorus) was singing in. The wedding was GORGEOUS in every sense of the word. Not only were the bride and all the bridesmaids drop dead gorgeous, but everyone that was simply attending the wedding had this beautiful look about them. We deemed it the "Beautiful People Wedding!" While there, we also got to see our Amy who has lost 67 pounds and is stinkin' gorgeous herself. Jen and I are so proud of our Amy!

After the wedding, we bugged Grant for a bit at the apartment, then enjoyed some Chili’s for dinner along with some wonderful conversation. I love my Jen. (Now if only I could have dinner with my Jo and Sal, my life would be complete! I miss them more than they know!) I then got home close to 11 and crashed. I was so tired.

Sunday was also a long day! After a leadership meeting in the morning, then church, I went to lunch with some of the girls, helped Kev deal with his car issues before he drove back to College Station, and then headed to my 2:42 small group. By the time I got there my eyes felt heavier than an elephant. They wanted to close so bad. But, alas, I made it through small group, teaching even, then went home and crashed again!

Y'all, I finally figured out why I was so tired this weekend. Well, first off, I just plain wasn't getting enough sleep, and secondly, my allergies and sinuses are OUT OF CONTROL! When my head is stuffed to the brim, and my eyes look like I've been crying for 10 hours straight, we know we have a problem. Plus, now my nose is getting all raw from blowing it so much. As much as I love fall in Houston because of the beautiful weather it brings, I absolutely hate it at the same time because of the misery it brings.

Well, friends, that’s all for me. I love you all dearly, whether I know you or not and am so thrilled you stopped by! Just for the record, if you visit often and have never commented, say hello and let me know! I would love to “meet” you!

Huge hugs,

Two nights ago I received a text message from an unknown number that said...

"Lindsee, take the ring off your left finger."

I was tickled because here recently, some people, who will remain anonymous, have been telling me that I will never meet a guy while I am wearing this ring on my left hand, on my ring finger.

They keep telling me that as long as I wear the ring, in their words, "A guy might be interested, see the ring, assume I'm taken, and move on."

One of my arguments is that I simply am not around that many single guys at one time. There is surely not a plethora of them hanging around Cypress, Texas. And if you remember my post, most of them can be found at HFBC, and I barely get there in enough time to attend church, let alone meet the man of my dreams. And really, y'all, who knows if he even lives in Houston?

Personally, I think God is bigger than a ring, and in my little mind, if whoever he is wants to know if I'm taken, he can get to know me a little better, and ask. Is that so wrong of me to think?

So, bloggy and non bloggy friends, what do you think?

To wear the ring, or not to wear the ring? Feel free to summon your husbands/boyfriends on this to get their opinion, too.

And just for the record, I am pretty partial to my rings...I keep them pretty consistent. So to change up my rings would be a biggie for me!

Have fun...can't wait to hear what you think!

P.S. As for that unknown text message?! It was from my pastor who is apparently very worried about my current status!

*If you are of the male species, I assure you, you do not want to read this post. Just move on, please. I've already had enough awkwardness for the day, and surely don't need anymore!

Today I had 4 gatherings to attend. A meeting at 7 am (yes, on a Saturday morning, and yes, I was bitter) at Panera Bread, Jazzercise, a Baby Shower, and then a Youth Worker Fellowship. In between Jazzercise and the Baby Shower, I had a small amount of time to get a few errands run, one of which was a trip to the beloved Target to get a gift for the baby shower and a snack for the fellowship.

Awesome. I had a plan and all was well.

Well, Target happens to be my weakness. The vortex makes me feel sucked in every time I walk into that store and I am instantly mesmerized by everything on the shelves and racks. It is a serious problem that I may seek council on, especially after today.

I guess since I had just worked out, I was instantly drawn to the Outerwear department. It was surely calling my name.

As I was perusing through the 75% off rack, I found some nice work out shorts for $3.98. I did a little happy dance because these shorts are actually shorts I really like but normally they are $15 and I just couldn't convince myself to ever buy them at such a price. So today I actually was able to buy more than one pair. Of course, in different colors. And we all know that with Jazzercise as apart of my routine now, shorts like that are running low on my part. So this purchase was easily justified. Well, these shorts are a little different in that they have built in underwear. Yes, I was shocked, too. But, I like them enough that if that small detail really bothers me, I can cut them out. Put them in the basket and move on.

As most of you know the Outerwear section is so conveniently placed next to the Sleepwear and Intimate section.

To be completely honest, this isn't the part of the store that you would normally find me in. My pajamas consist of shorts and a t-shirt so I have no need to really ever venture into this section, and plus, I am kind of a snob about where I get my "intimates" if you know what I mean, so really, in Target I mostly frequent the clothes, shoes or jewelry departments, but not this one.

Today, however, this was not the case. So indeed, I started perusing the delicates. And indeed, I found some delicates that I especially liked that were also 75% off so I proceeded to place those in my basket, too. I was feeling so good about myself in saving so much money from what I would normally spend on these items, so it was a good day.

After that it was really becoming crunch time, so I made my way to the baby section, where I completely drooled over everything, and finally after placing 10 gazillion precious outfits in my basket, I picked out 2 that I thought were adorable, put the rest back, and headed to the check out lines.

There was one lane that had the light on, and was completely empty, but there was also no checker present. But, I figured if the light was on, then indeed that lane was in service, so in faith started walking towards it hoping someone would come to actually check me out.

Let me do a quick review of the items in my basket:

1) A Bra
2) Underwear (Very girly underwear...we're not talkin' whitie tighties here)
3) Running shorts with underwear IN them
4) A baby outfit
5) And about 79 $1 gift bags from the 1 spot
6) Notice the absence of a snack for the fellowship. Food was the least of my concerns. It all worked out though because I took the left over delicous cake to the fellowship where it was demolished.

So, as I was walking, I hear, "Oh, hey Lindsee!" in a deep male voice.

My first thought was, "Are you kidding me, a boy is checking me out?!" Than it dawned on me, this kid clearly knows me because he said my name. I turned around to see that...

IT WAS ONE OF THE BOYS FROM OUR YOUTH GROUP. NOT ONLY THAT, HIS MOTHER WORKS WITH ME!!

Immediately I started sweating because I had no idea what to do. I was already pulling things out of my basket. And also, by this time, I was in a hurry. There was simply nothing I could do to make this situation less awkward. I mean, was I going to tell him, "I'm sorry, I need to go to a different checker because I have delicates in there that I would rather you not see!"

I tried to hide the "delicates" under things so that maybe he wouldn't see them, but he is one quick checker and the closer he got to those things, the more I cringed. I knew the major awkwardness that was about to take place, and there was simply nothing I could do.

So, there we were. As the items approached I simply turned my head, trying not to watch this tragedy take place. Yet at the same time, I've never heard anybody swipe things quicker. Youth group boy (I will refrain from saying his name!) got those things checked and in the bag faster than a cheetah could ever run. Awkward is the only word to describe the situation at hand.

I tried to strike up conversation, but I think we both knew we'd be in counseling by tomorrow to heal our wounds.

I'm not sure our relationship will ever be the same again.

After all was said and done and I had paid, I said, "Well, have a great Saturday! I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow!" In which he replied, "Actually, I am going to the Texans game!"

And I am so thankful. Because quite frankly, I don't think I could face him quite yet. I need more time. And my guess is, he does too!

Lesson learned: Next time I see any "youth group boys" and have things in my basket I would rather them not see, much less check out, I am running, as fast and far away as possible.

Last night at bible study before we started, Miss Beth asked a few people if they would share something they've learned so far. She and Melissa just needed to know if they are getting through to anybody. (Insert loud "YES!!" here!) It was awesome to hear the answers of some of the girls and nod in complete agreement to everything they said about why they were enjoying bible study, and what they were learning.

I didn't speak up, but if I would have, my answer would have been...

Growing up in church is a huge blessing. I see that now that I am older. But, that doesn't mean that those of us that grew up in church know everything or more about the bible than those of us that didn't grow up in church. That is so far from the truth. Yes, I went to Awanas and Sunday School and learned the books of the bible, and MANY bible stories, yes I did, but that's just it, I just learned them. Never really applied them, though. And here I am 15 years later, learning all those stories again and even the books of the bible again, and SO much more, and it is THRILLING. Y'all, it is a ride that I wish all of you could take with me.

For instance, last week, Beth took us through the WHOLE bible, from Genesis to Revelation. (All about the story of redemption and God's pursuit of man!) Absolutely amazing. Never, ever, have I done that, and boy was it fascinating. It was so nice to tie everything together and see the story of our Jesus from beginning to end. Thrilling. As she took us through it, she had us copy each part down on note cards, and then had us memorize them along with our other homework (Which took us through the whole bible again!). So now, I can tell you the story of the bible, beginning to end, without problem. Would I have learned that in church? I think not. Not dogging the church AT ALL, it's just not pulpit material normally.

She and Melissa have also taken us through where the bible came from, why bother studying it, the different languages, how the books of the bible were chosen, who wrote each part, the story of redemption and that really it is the "old covenant" and the "new covenant" instead of the the old and new testaments. And SO much more.

We are also going through two books that I would highly encourage you to get. They are extremely easy reads and are packed with information if you are interested in anything theological. On the Old Testament and On the New Testament by Mark Driscoll are definitely worth purchasing.

Last night we learned about all the different Bible translations and it was exciting to say the least. They were so right on last night when they told us that we'd need to take out a loan to get all the books they've recommended. I totally agree. On top of all the books they recommended, I am totally wanting more translations of the bible, too, but for now my checkbook will only allow Bible Gateway to translate for me.

The reason this study has meant more to me than anything, is because it has truly given me a desire and passion to know the WORD more. To know HIM more. To be a student of the Bible and to not stop learning.

Every other bible study I have done has been more about my "heart." Heart issues. Knowledge has been apart of those studies for sure. But this one is pure knowledge about the Bible, which in return is doing a work on my heart. And giving me a greater love for Him. You can't help but be in AWE of the one and only God of the Universe when you learn about the history of the bible, and how it is constantly changing lives. He has captivated my heart without a doubt during this study. And captivating is probably the word I would use if you asked me to sum the class up in one word. Captivating.

Not only is it an "Intro to Bible" class, it is a bible class on a way personal and intimate level. We are not only learning more about the Word, we are applying it to our lives and application is HUGE.

I have been to Tuesday night bible study during a normal semester, and sister, this is completely different. I mean, for goodness sake, we are asking questions during bible study. The ladies are checking our homework (accountability), and we are getting stickers, tattoos, chocolate, blow pops and even a book, as of last night. (That me and a lot of other girls won in a giveaway drawing. Fun!) Every Tuesday night on the way home, I thank the Lord for this amazing opportunity, and pray that I would absorb as much as He allows.

And I haven't even told y'all about the homework, but just know that it is GOOD, and it is one of my favorite parts because I get to search the scriptures for myself. For me, it is a bit difficult to actually finish, but I wouldn't ask for anything less. (And that's just because I'm busy and haven't given myself time to do it. We are SO working on that. And I'm happy to report I've finished it all so far! Glory to Him!)

This season/transition of my life has been a bit harder than I expected. As I said in an earlier post, I finally have realized that everything is different, and I am a grown up. It has been especially harder because I haven't met as many girls as I would have hoped to yet, and I am still living with my parents. (Don't get me wrong, I love my parents and living with them, I mean, they are reading this right now, but it is just a weird transition.)

During this transition, the Lord was so sweet in His timing to give me this bible study this semester. It has been the perfect thing, because it has made me dig into His Word and really truly find my fulfillment in Him. And be found in Him. I am so thankful.

I know that this is by far the choppiest post I've ever written, but I really don't know how to make it flow when I have so much flowing out of my heart. I wish I could type out EVERYTHING, but we'd be here all day.

So, that is what I would say if asked if I've gotten ANYTHING out of this study. YOU BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR I HAVE!

I hope and pray that Beth, Melissa (and Curtis, too) know the impact they are having on us young things. I hope they know the eternal impact they are having. Oh, the seeds they have planted. It's like a tease of a class because we want so much more, or at least I do. I pray huge blessings over their sweet souls for the time they have poured over this study! Because it has been the most humongous blessing to us.

Until next time, I pray that He gives each and everyone of us a passion and desire to KNOW Him through His Word. Oh, that we would be LIT because His Word IS like fire! Glory!

Four weeks down, six to go...

Is tomorrow already Wednesday? Goodness, my days are still so off. I have to remind myself everyday what day it is and what I should be doing at that moment (or that night). I find that to be a bit depressing. Does that mean I'm getting old?!

Kidding. But, I can't believe it's already almost Wednesday and I haven't told you about my awesome weekend. ;) I actually took myself and 3 other ladies up to Arlington for a Sage Conference all about girls ministry. Y'all, it was GOOD. And I am so thankful that I had 3 other sets of ears with me, because if I'd have gone by myself, I would have come back with major word vomit. People would not have been very appreciative. There was only about 75 people at the conference, which made it very nice and intimate! I liked that!

In all seriousness though, it is so nice to hear other people's perspectives and really nice for them to hear the same thing you are hearing, too. I think we all learned a lot, especially about counseling, which is the scariest thing ever, and we got some pretty stinkin' cute, ideas, too. I definitely came back more excited about Girls Ministry than I've ever been, so I figure that's a good thing.

It was nice having Dana along, because she was our human GPS all weekend. I am the queen (or maybe that's my mom) of getting lost in unfamiliar places, and maps really do no good for me, so it was nice that she was able to tote us around and know what she was doing. However, I think I was fired from the front seat map girl because I was no help to her. But, that's what happens when you give me a map with no written directions. Mass confusion takes place.

Of course, MAJOR laughing took place and that makes every trip about 189 gazillion times better, so that was fun.

But more than anything this weekend, I realized how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful support group of people who have my back. Y'all, I have got some support. I mean, when someone says your name and position and excited screaming quickly follows, you know you've got your back covered. These ladies have been nothing short of amazing in encouraging me and helping me out and I am forever thankful. So, thank you, sweet, old friends. I appreciate more than you know. And YOU know who YOU are. :)

Monday I was able to meet with a group of ladies that are helping out at the retreat, which made everything ten times more real (no pun intended) and I am so excited. I delegated jobs, and they are taking them and running with them. Thankful, yet again. And really growing in my delegating abilities. Because being the perfectionist that I am , I want to do everything myself. Delegate isn't in my daily vocabulary. We're working on this.

Today both of my bosses left for a conference in Atlanta, so it will be a very quiet rest of the week. Of course, I will get a ton of things done while their gone, but will be ready for them to be back next week, because when their gone, it really is kind of boring at times! We tend to entertain each other. And of course, tomorrow night you can find me running around like a chicken with my head cut off making sure both programs are going as planned. It WILL go as planned, though. No worries. :)

And last but most certainly not least, tonight was bible study, which was amazing. Y'all, the things I am learning are things I would have never learned in a million years, even growing up in church, but am just loving it. However, you'll have to wait till tomorrow for a full update on bible study, because I have far too much to say about it, and frankly, I've rambled on long enough for tonight. Plus, I do realize that I haven't written much about it, and some of you have been asking how it's going, so I'll fill you in on all the gory details tomorrow. You know, because they are so gory.

Well, folks, I'm out like a light!

Currently, my ring tone is I'm Letting Go, by Francesca Battistelli. (Yeah, try and say that one right on the first try!) I love that song. Everything about it. The words are superb, and the tune is quite catchy. Not only is it my ring tone, but it also happens to be the song I wake up to every morning. Thank you, cell phone alarm clock.

The chorus and the second verse say:

"I'm letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
Losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I'm falling and that's what it's like to believe
So I'm letting go

This is a giant leap of faith
Trusting and trying to embrace

The fear of the unknown
Beyond my comfort zone"

If that isn't my life prayer at the moment, I don't know what is.

You see, I had my life planned out since I was the little age of 5. I was, hands down, going to be a school teacher. As a child, you could have found me and my BFF in either of our room's playing "School" like no one else's business. I mean, good gosh, we played it for hours on end. And had every teacher supply you could imagine. Good times were had. And I just knew it was good practice for the future.

Fast forward about 10 years, where I went to Sam Houston State University, and pursued my teaching degree in early childhood education. Then graduated (5 years later) and am now a certified teacher in the state of Texas.

And here we are today, where I am not teaching, but rather working at a church. Where if you would have asked me as a high schooler where I wanted to work in the future, the church is the last place I would have said. So, what happened?

About my senior year I REALLY started loving the Lord completely, with my whole being. That's when He really got my attention. Yet I had grown up in church. I guess I could say, compared to all my friends, I was a late bloomer. But then again, everything is perfect in His timing.

A year after that, the Lord really put a desire in my heart to work with girls. Thus began my working with the freshman girls, where I led their small group (2:42 group) with Dana. I loved that, and am pretty sure I learned just as much as they did. Since I stayed home and went to a community college my first year, this was perfect.

When I went to Sam, I kind of felt lost for about a week. My passion for girls was still very there, but I knew NO ONE at school. I didn't know where to go to church, what organizations to get involved in, nor did I have any friends to ask. So, I just started going to things. Alone. Boy was that a stretch for me (because at home I knew everyone and upon entering my church could easily say hi to 50325 people before I ever entered the front door. That's what happens when you attend the same church your whole life) but it was a good thing. In attending new things, I met some girls. They were in a sorority and told me I should get involved. Yes, it was a christian sorority (not that secular ones are bad, I just wasn't into that kinda thing), but like I said, I wasn't into that kind of thing.

Well, push came to shove, and I ended up attending the first meeting of Sigma Phi Lambda, and joined that night. I had an instant connection with a few of the girls, and felt very accepted and comfortable there, hence my rash decision making. And alas, it was basically girls ministry in college.

To say that I loved Phi Lamb is a complete understatement. I wouldn't have become chaplain, or led small groups, or invested my life in these girls for 4 years if I didn't love it.

Of course, during all this, school was getting busier and busier and then I had to face the future. Graduation was upon me. What would I do?!

Right before my Senior year I interned as a Girls Ministry leader at my church for the summer and loved it. But I figured that that would be it, and after graduation I would get a teaching job, and just continue to volunteer as a leader.

The Lord clearly had another plan, because here I am today. A Girls Ministry Director at a CHURCH. Oh, but the love I have for this place and these girls. It is THERE!

Let me tell you why MY other plan was something I loved for a while.

I figured that when I started teaching, yes, I would definitely become a volunteer and probably lead a 2:42 small group, but in the mean time, I would attend Houston's First Baptist Church, because that is surely where I would meet my future husband. I mean, that IS what every single christian in Houston does after graduation if they're not yet married. If that was the plan, then I didn't have to worry about never getting married, because I would find my prince charming there.

Fast forward to now, where I can't attend that church because I clearly have an obligation to mine. Yes, I go on Sunday nights to big church, but the hopes of me meeting someone between the times of 6:30 and 8:00, DURING CHURCH are slim to none. I'm truly not complaining, just stating the facts.

That is the only reservation I had in taking this job. Seriously. How ridiculous is that?! That I would have sacrificed the best job ever, in order to be a teacher, just to go to a different church to meet my husband, where there is not even a guarantee that I would have met him there. How sad I would have been.

I'm not saying that I don't still wonder how I am going to meet my husband. I have not a fat clue. But, I know the Lord does, and I know He is going to have to be a little more creative in fashioning this meeting than me just meeting him at a church that clearly hosts every Godly, young single man in the city of Houston. Who am I kidding, though, he may not even live in Houston.

All of this to say, that every time my precious little cell phone rings, or my alarm goes off, I am reminded to LET GO. To let go of my dreams and the life I planned for ME. To lose control. That this is a giant leap of faith, and I am trusting and trying to embrace the fear of the unknown. And I am so thankful.

I'm letting go!