What I am Loving Wednesday

So yes today is Wednesday which means my sporadic WILW post

What I am Loving Wednesday

Thankfully, there is a lot I am loving today!

My sister Beth, brother Chris, nephew Jace and niece Sammy

My brother's little girl and mother are up this week and spending a couple days in Enumclaw

It is Sammy's (2 1/2 years old) first time meeting Jace and first time up here

They have been having non stop fun going to the zoo and aquairium 

I have been at work and unable to go but been going down in the evenings for dinner 

Loving my results with AdvoCare products

and starting another 24 Day Challenge after Labor Day!

I love helping people!

Tina's first day helping me get organized- the right is my inspiration wall :)

Just when I think God couldnt be more amazing

He surprises me with answering a request I didnt even bring to Him.

 I was getting a little overwhelmed with some duties at work and wanting to hire a student to help me I decided to hold off on an email one morning until after I met with one of my student workers, Tina.

Not knowing why she wanted to meet up, she told me later into our conversation that she is very interested in working athletics and asked if she could job shadow me.

 Job shadow!? Are you kidding me, I want you to work for me!

PRAYER ANSWERED

This is exactly why I have a passion to help childen

Lord, give me a platform to serve and help Your children.

Give me direction and discernment on what doors You are opening

Give me Hope and contenment with Your ways and plan

Loving this quote

Wherever You lead me- sigh

Enough said

And I am starting my first ever Fantasty Football league tonight!

Lastly, I am LOVING the excitement for fall

My absolute favorite season for many reasons

Thankful to live in a city with four seasons

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I Like Myself- Say it with me

No Matter how often I fail, I will not give up,
because God is with me to strengthen
and sustain me. He has promised
to never leave me or forsake me.

Hebews 13:5

I like myself.

I dont like everything I do, and I want to change
But I refuse to reject myself

I am right with God through Jesus Christ

God has a good plan for my life.
I am going to fulfill my destiny
and be all I can be for His glory
I have god-given gifts and talents,
and I intended to use them to help others

I am nothing, and yet I am everything
I myself I am nothing, and yet in Jesus Christ
 I am eveything I need to be


I can do all things I need to do,
everything God calls me to do,
through His son jesus Christ
Philippians 4:13

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When Life Seems Too Much

Do you ever have one of those days weeks where the world
seems to be crashing down on you? 

Almost crushing

I have had my fair share of those
Especially this week

Something that seemed comfortable and stable wasn't anymore 

What I thought I could handle on my own

What I thought I was strong enough
I ended up being bulled over

I am so weak

But you know what is so amazing?
God isnt weak
God doesnt want us to be weak either

God showed up in a moment of complete weakness last night

I was folding laundry in my room, listening to the radio
 A usual weeknight for me...come join the fun:)

My mind racing
What was going on in my comfortable, stable life?
I was drowning in anxiety and loneliness

Then a song came over the radio with the lyrics  

"God is enough for me. He is everything I need." 

It only took an instant for me to realize that
this was God comforting me

I fell to my knees and cried

Tears of exhaustion
Tears of thankfulness
In the midst of my weakness God found me, comforted me and gave me peace 

Many times I think we try too hard to rescue ourselves
"I can do this on my own. I don't need help."
We internalize our pain and think we are strong to overcome it
We try to hard to be strong because that is what the world tells us
When really it is quite simple

We are human = we are weak
He is God= He is strong
He is our strength 

He is enough
...His grace, His love, His mercy and forgiveness
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But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10  

Asking an all-loving God, who asks nothing from us,
wants to be our strength, wants to give us peace, is a lot less stressful
 than looking to a world that will only drain us of our strength 

Anxiety comes when we obsess about
what may or may not happen to us.
Peace comes when we obsess about
WHO God is making us to be!

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Something About the Ocean

The dream in your heart might be WAY bigger than the current environment you're living in

Let your heart & mind dream BIGGER. Believe.

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Life lately

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately

I was able to take some vacation time and get away for a bit

First stop: Camping reunion 2013

Winthorp, WA

I was spoiled with an amazing childhood

I have so many great memories of many camping trips

There were five families with children all around the same age

We went all over the northwest 

beach, lakes, mountains

The children have grown up, married and now children of their own

We thought it was time for a reunion

Finally, we made it happen!

Throwback Sunday!

Megan Cleveland and myself 

Thanks mom for the wonderful girlie haircut 

Second stop: NBC Camp

It has been three years since I have coached at NBC Camp

This place has made one of the most impacts on my life thus far

So when I found out my sister and some other friends of mine were coming back to coach, 

I knew I had to come out of retirement!

This place feels like home away from home

Being able to play the game I love and share my faith = One of the best weeks of my life

...more on this later 

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One Year Journey

Welcome to my blog!

This is my story of the past year

With so many new doors opening and opportunities coming in my life 

I needed a place to write my thoughts down

I gave my heart to Christ when I was 13 and been truly blessed with an amazing, very safe life

But I was not living a life surrendered to the Lord 

After years of trying to plan out my own life, my own way

I was exhausted, unsatisfied with where my life was going 

I was looking and wanting more

I prayed that the Lord would show me His will for my life 

Show me how He wants to use me for His kingdom-not mine

It has been a year since I decided to fully surrender my life to the Lord

To just let go...

Fully surrender

Search farther

Believe deeper

Trust more

Dream bigger

I haven't traveled all over the world (yet), I am have no husband or children (yet) 

I haven't done anything extravagant by the worlds standards 

In fact, being on this journey of "finding myself" God has turned my world upside down

 I have lost more of myself then I dared believed 

but found The One where my true identify lies

We serve a big God so shouldn't our dreams be just as big?

He has placed big dreams, goals and passions on my heart I never thought possible

I finally decided to just let go and let God take over

Yes, there are some many days when I try and take control again 

and God quickly reminds me He is in charge 

I am discovering over and over His plan is WAY better than mine 

When we finally believe that we were created by God and for God 

When we finally decide to surrender to His Will

He places us on the ride of our lives...

...And that is a ride I want to be on forever  

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Highlights and favorite blog posts from my past year

July 2012

Let the adventure begin! My very first blog post!

I experienced my first Creation Fest

I traveled to Memphis to tour St. Jude Children's Hospital 

August 2012

I discovered that maybe I am a morning person

I don't have to have all the answers 

Keep fighting the good fight 

September 2012

Becoming a Women of beauty and strength

I celebrated my 27th birthday

My beautiful, more precious nephew was born

October 2012

We are chosen for ministry 

The importance of praying for my future husband 

My dad had a birthday and Halloween!

November 2012

30 Days of Thankfulness

Nov. 7th 

Nov. 12th 

Nov. 22nd- Thanksgiving!

Nov. 27th 

December 2012

Tis the Season

Purpose Driven Life- Big Dreams!

Marriage and Mission

The true present of Christmas

January 2013

Looking at the year 2013 
God is LOVE
God wants Followers 
Dream it. See it. Write- Africa!

February 2013 
Do you need rest? 
The day of LOVE
You are worth more
Dream without fear

March 2013

A Dream fulfilled 
We are made for great adventure 
Dear 18 year old Jessie

April 2013
He is Risen 
When you forget your cell phone 
Heaven on Earth- Chris Tomlin concert 

May 2013
St. Jude Half Marathon
The Jessie Rees Foundation
He Knows 

June 2013
Climbing the Mountains of Montana

July 2013

Ignite Gods passion in your life 

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Attitude of Gratitude

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I just had a converstaion on the phone with a best friend

We were dreaming about our future couple trips like we do often

She listened to me about my dreams, goals and longings

She listened while I was sharing my passion God has put on my heart for children

  And like a good friend she started asking me what I am doing about those goals?

Why dont you start doing XYZ

Have you talked to ________?

Have you looked into moving there?

Wait, what!?

In the midst of her helping me to pursue my dreams
I started freaking out!

Honestly, my stomach was going in knots

What she was saying are great options and would definitely help me;

But I am not ready yet!

 See, I am exactly where I am supposed to be

I am thankful that God knows my heart

I am thankful He knows my deepest desires and dreams

I am thankful He knows that this is where my heart belongs this season of my life 

SPU soccer camp-summer 2013

My heart still finds great joy when students stop by just to say Hi

When student-athletes email to work during their off season

 but turns into a conversation about their summer 

 When I take my student-worker out to Starbcks for their birthday

and talk about The Bachelorette 

When a student-athlete runs over to say Hi when I am walking across campus

When I can walk 10 feet to tell a story to my best friend

When I receive a text from a former-worker thanking me
 for supporting her and encouraging her

When I walk into a summer camp and

feel at home with the SPU coaches and student athletes 

When I can put on a St. Jude school wide fundraiser

 AND have the opportuniy to start a club that fights pediatric cancer

When I call children's hospitals and use our platform to volunteer

and bring hope and joy to children 

Those are the moments I have come to cherish
 I am not ready to let go... just yet

St. Jude fundraiser and my student board

You see, God has given me dreams

 BIG dreams you guys!

So big that they scare me thinking about them

But dreams take time to fully develop

God doesnt need time but I do

He knows that I am not quite ready for those dreams

He is still developing, maturing, preparing me for what He has planned

I heard this anaolgy and loved it:
If a new born baby comes before it is fully developed there are complications

If you force a dream before you are ready then there will be complications as well

But if you wait for the Lord

Wait for His timing as He prepares you

Staying obedient in the process

Then when the dream is ready a door will be opened
You wont feel rushed or forced
It will be scary, taking that leap of faith
But you will have  peace
(AKA- not a stomach ache like I just did!)

It will be better than you imagined because
 it will be fulfilled by the Lord in His timing, not yours

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,"
2 Peter 3:9
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I think all too often I am trying to rush His process

I am looking ahead without Him

I am looking ahead without being thankful how I am being used now

He is blessing me daily with those small interactions

with my co workers, coaches and students, and sweet emails and texts

He shows me everyday why I am supposed to be here

He reminds me daily that He is in charge of my life

and that in His perfect timing those dreams will be fullfilled

 I will be grateful for the platform I have now
The blessings He is showing me now
The dreams He is fulfilling now
 But I know and have HOPE that, in His timing, He has something
even greater in mind for me, for His purpose

Can it get any better?! 

Enjoying the ride home from Montana with milkshakes

" Give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thes. 5:18

Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to be a part of this community

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Ignite God's Vision for your life

Happy Wednesday!

Just a quick post to share what I am loving this week!

Not only am I reaching my fitness and health goals

I am making new, deep, lasting friendships through AdvoCare

I am being encouraged in my faith

Pushed to dream a little deeper

Go a litter further out of my comfort zone

Love what this company represents

Love what it stands for

Love that is continues to help people reach their goals physically and financially

And of course we have the BEST spokes person ever!

And what is even more amazing AdvoCare become Title Sponsor of Texas Kickoff!

Kicking off the college football season on August 31st, Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State.

Football and Advocare, two of my favorites!

This book will change your life

We just finished this in our Bible Study (friends I met through AdvoCare)

 and I am on fire to be Greater

In fact, God created us to be GREAT

Are you ready to open your imagination to the possibility

that God has a vision for your life that is greater?

We all have honest moments when we’re gripped by a desire to feel

 that what we’re doing matters more.

That who we are matters more.

And according to one of the most shocking verses in the Bible,

Jesus wants the very same thing for every one of us:

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

-John 14:12



Dream Bigger.

Start Smaller.

Ignite God's Vision for your life

The Jessie Rees Foundation continues to burn pasison in my heart

I will continue to use my platform at SPU to create faith, hope love and JOY to children

I wrote this post back in winter when I first heard about this foundation



My motto for this week

What would you do with your had no fear?

And just because I miss this little guy!

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The New Has Come

The night before Jackie's wedding 2009

This past weekend I went down to Portland for the weekend to visit one of my best friends

We were teammates and roommates in college 

We always had a great time

For better or worse

Jackie and I summer 2008

This past weekend we did what girls do best

Lots of shopping, walks, talks, and Starbucks 

We talked about our jobs, family, old friends and caught up

However, as we reminisced about our past, our conversations went something like this:

"Remember when we did_____? I cant believe that happened"

"Remember you and _____? Oh man that was an emotional roller coaster"

"The old Jessie would not think twice about that!" 

Lovely. 

........But this time those stories felt different

Instead of the normal laughter from me, I felt shame

Painful, gut wrenching shame

I didn't want to laugh anymore 

I wanted to run far away

Can you hide from God?

Of course, we shared some great stories

We do have many amazing memories

But I couldn't stop thinking about the "other" memories

The "not so good" stories where I was supposed to just laugh at
Shrug my shoulders and say

 "that was just college"

Are those the stories I left people with?

What was I doing?

Why did I do that?

Why didn't I let him go sooner?

Why did I act that way?

  I was not honoring God in the way I lived my life and that left me with guilt 

I spend the entire car ride home asking myself,

Who was I back then?

Sarah, Lisa and myself in Cali 2009

The car ride home ended up being extra long
4.5 hours from Portland is NOT OK!
But, God knew I needed some more time to reflect

AMEN 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; 

the old has gone, the new is here."

2 Corinthians 5:17 

See, the "old Jessie" was not living a life that glorifies the Lord
I wasn't pursuing Christ
I was not putting Him first

But you know what is so amazing?

I don't have to be tied to the "old Jessie" any longer
The old has gone

I am a new creation
He has forgiven
He has redeemed
I am anew
In Christ

And that brings me total freedom

In Christ. 

United with Christ through faith in Him and commitment to Him 

New Creation. 

Redemption is the restoration and fulfillment of Gods purposes in creation 

and this takes place in christ, through whom all things were made

 and in whom all things are restored or created anew

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Oldies but Goodies

Europe adventure 2009

Pool time with roommates and teammates 2005

SPU Falcons 2005-2006 

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