This is just a sample blog post, testing out the launching of my podcast and making sure everything is working! This is a little interview I did with my son to test out my mic, and now to test how out to link and sync everything together! Lol… I will remove this post eventually but it’s a cute little interview. 🙂
Here is the link
I mean really. Why in the world would I as a Pastor, who fills my time with discipleship, ministry meetings, staff meetings, preaching, mentoring, leading, serving, decide to get into something as “shallow” or “materialistic” as the fashion industry? Good question. I asked myself that MANY times. And I realized I never really shared the “why” behind that with you who’ve watched and may have wondered the same thing. So, if you’re interested, here’s the short version: It fell into my lap after about two years of the Lord prepping me with prophetic words, bizarre happenings, and ultimately the most powerful, open-heaven dream experience of my life. That’s the short of it. Here’s the full story if you’re still reading…Fashion is something that always caught my eye as a girl. Make up, pretty things, makeovers, I always loved it. But not as much as I loved ministry. I’ve been doing ministry, discipling and teaching others since I was 14, knowing the call of God on my life to do missions and make disciples. I have been happily doing this for 20 years, with no sense of lack or want. The Lord has been faithful to give me opportunity to minister, and I’ve been in ministry for 12 years along side my husband, with eight years before that. So why add anything to it? Well, because I’ve always wanted to be sure I’m being sensitive to what God’s doing in my life. And a handful of years ago I came across the teachings by Lance Wallnau about being a modern day “Joseph”, going into all areas of influence in our culture to disciple our nation from the inside out, not just from the place of the pulpit. Taking our giftings into the work force (business), the Arts and Entertainment industry, the Education, Medical, Government, Family and Religious mountains. These are the areas that influence a nation the most. And we as believers have a responsibility to establish the Kingdom of God (bringing peace, joy and righteousness) to every one of those areas. As I tore into this revelation, scriptures connected to it, it stirred me on the deepest level of my spirit, it felt somehow prophetic for my life, but I assumed that was because I was called to the “Religion” mountain, called to pour my life into serving and discipling believers. Little did I know what the Lord had in store. (Look up “Lance Wallnau: 7 mountains of influence” on Youtube… mind blowing.)
Then these strange things started happening. For about two years total (probably because the Lord knew I’d need some serious confirmation to put my energy anywhere besides the church), EVERY SINGLE PROPHETIC WORD I received (and there was a lot of them living in a prophetic culture at our church) had something to do with fashion. It was “I saw you in a blazer and high heels, and the Lord was saying he is giving you more authority and raising you up…”, or “I saw you in an ornate wedding dress and there was a line of people behind you and you were explaining the different gemstones on the dress to them…”, and the list goes on and on. It was happening so frequently I began to laugh about the irony of it. At the same time, anytime I went anywhere, it was like there was an invisible spotlight over my head and everyone from friends, to students, to strangers began to approach me and ask me to style them, help them learn to dress themselves, or straight up invite me into their closet to put outfits together. It made me uncomfortable the level of attention I was receiving surrounding this topic, but I knew it was the Lord because I couldn’t even make this stuff up. I mean, when strangers approach you with these requests out of nowhere, it’s like, “Ok really? What’s going on here?!” I mean, that’s NOT NORMAL. I began to second guess myself and wonder if I was dressed too over the top. But I was confused because there were LOTS of other women I knew who I considered even more fashionable than myself. Putting a cute outfit together had become a creative outlet for me because it only took a couple minutes and was something I could do while juggling four young boys. It didn’t take as long as sitting down to write a song or paint a picture. It was an outlet for me, yet these freaky occurrances were happening everywhere I went. Finally, I was like, “Lord, are you trying to get my attention about something? I mean, if you want me to get into fashion or something, you’ll have to be REALLY obvious because I refuse to put my time into something that won’t bear an eternal impact. I want every minute of my life to matter for eternity. Plus, I don’t have anywhere to go with fashion right now anyways, so if you’re trying to make a point, you’ll have to make it OBVIOUS because these prophetic words and perfect strangers commenting on my clothing is just weird.”
Then I had a DREAM. The most heavenly, unreal, powerful, exhilarating dream I’ve had in my life. I won’t go into the details of it, but in the dream it felt like I was under an open heaven; there was literally no barrier between me and heaven. It was as though heaven came and settled down upon me while I slept. There was such a sense of expectancy, hope, and the message of the dream was that the Lord was wanting to expand my “ministry” (place of being used) and promote me into something new if I was to respond with a yes. I didn’t know what that meant yet, but I am always willing to do anything as long as I know God is in it, so I told him yes. Shortly after, someone told me about *the company I currently work for* and said, “You should style for them!” I was like, “What’s that?” I went and googled the company, read what the stylist does, and was like, “HOLY FREAKING COW! This job was MADE for me!! I already do this with all my friends when we’re out shopping, how cool to get paid to do this!” So I applied online, and waited for a response prayerfully.
A few weeks later, I received an invitation from the company to come interview. I prayed about it, and strangely felt a check in my spirit that now was not the time to apply. I asked Stephen what he felt. He felt the timing was not good too. After all, we didn’t know if we were going to have more kids, were busy with college ministry, so I decided to trust the Lord and put it down. I was a little confused, but decided to trust.
The weeks following were life shifting heart changes for me about my season of life with having children and such, and I found such a place of peace and freedom as we decided to close the door on any more children, and just move forward raising our boys and growing up with them. So much peace settled into my heart as I set both feet firmly into a new season looking forward.
My thoughts wandered back to the Stylist position and I found myself a little confused. I went back to that dream and said, “You know Lord, I receive and accept anything you want to do in my life. Whatever shifting you need to do, wherever you want to use me, I will obey. Whatever that looks like. I’m confused about the fashion job, because I had a check about it, but if that was you and the timing was just off, I need you to make it obvious. I ask you to open doors no man can open. And close doors no man can close. Make it plain where you want me to step so I can embrace all that you have for me and my future with you.”
The NEXT DAY, I randomly received three emails, one after another, from *the company I work for*, asking me to re-consider coming to interview for them. Now get this: I had no prior formal experience in fashion. I would be the first stylist this far out from their Austin headquarters, and I had already turned them down once. Yet, here are three emails (the number of the Lord), asking me to reconsider. I took this as an “open door” from the Lord, and stepped through. The rest is history. I’ve enjoyed styling for this company for over 15 months now and have styled over 3000 women to date, soon to add men to that number.
I have felt from the beginning that this company is not my landing point, but rather a preparative season. I won’t be there forever, but in the time I’ve been there, I have learned SO VERY MUCH. I have built some really beautiful relationships, some have already created opportunity for ministry. I have gained some really valuable skills for both communication AND styling, and been so encouraged to be so challenged by a secular company with such a beautiful heart to serve, love, and show kindness! I’ve gained skills that will no doubt be useful in future seasons of my life, whatever that may be (because God wastes nothing), and what I find the most refreshing, is I feel connected to the LOST world who needs Jesus! This has been so wonderful, because ministry can, while being my favorite place, can become like a bubble, and feel a little disconnected from the lost world.
So now, as I carry most of my working hours still in ministry, and part-time hours in the fashion world, it’s been an interesting balance. I realize that most people have no idea why I would have taken a job like this that seems so “superficial”. Some have been offended by it. And I understand that. It’s hard when you relate to a leader one way, and they shift into something new without you understanding the reason, it’s hard to shift with them. Which is part of why I wanted to explain for anyone who wondered. And to put to words the significance of a job on any of the other six “mountains” outside of the church. For me, it’s not really about the clothes, though that’s definitely fun! It’s always about the people. This “superficial” task of teaching people to dress themselves has a profound way of accessing people’s hearts. Jesus was really great at meeting practical needs as well as spiritual (hello his first miracle of turning water into wine because people didn’t want to stop partying…). People are people. They have very practical needs. And for the church to act “hands off” with people unless it comes with spiritual verbage is quite frankly, RELIGIOUS, and not in a good way. Jesus found needs, and met them. He asked us to do the same. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, use your gifts to serve one another. So, that’s what I do. And I love seeing how I am able to serve women (and soon, men) with this skill the Lord grew in me for fashion. It’s encouraging when I hear feedback from clients who are honest, that having nothing to wear and no knowledge how to dress, which has brought them shame, fear, and held them back from getting out, and after helping them learn to dress themselves and putting some tools in their hands, they can get out and start to explore life. It’s a starting point. Its not the answer for all their problems. But it helps. And it refreshes. And it’s a way I can use my creativity to to serve others. I’m loving this wild ride.
So for those who wondered, that’s why I as a Pastor, decided to become a stylist for one of the nation’s fastest growing fashion companies. It wasn’t something I went looking for, it took lots of convincing from the Lord, and I’m sure down the road I’ll be able to look back and more fully understand the “why” behind the “this right now”. Either way, I’m having a great time, and loving the fact that God can work outside our religious boxes, and infuse purpose into things that we might consider “superficial” or “unspiritual” or “just a job”. I consider it an honor to expand influence from just the “Religion” mountain that shapes our culture, to include the “Arts and Entertainment” mountain. I just want to do, whatever I do, to please the Lord. To be faithful with my gifts, and bear fruit, that is my heart’s desire. And if that be in fashion for a season, so be it. 🙂
You may find yourself on the Mountain of Education, shaping our future’s minds. Or on the Medical mountain, serving people’s healthy. Or in Government, God’s servants. Or in Media, being a voice to our culture. Or in Arts and Entertainment, capturing the heart through expression. Or on the Family mountain, serving the health and healing of our families. Or in Business, creating the tools needed for all the other mountains to operate. You are needed. Your job isn’t just a job. It’s a way to disciple a nation from the inside. This has been my journey from the “Religion” mountain, to the “Arts” mountain. How about yours? It matters. Bring Peace, Joy, Righteousness in the Holy spirit wherever you are, and you’re establishing the Kingdom of God. Thanks for reading!
You’ll have to forgive my lack of enticing seducing photos… These brownies disappear so fast it’s a miracle I got the one I did!
So, I came to this recipe browsing on Pinterest searching for a brownie recipe I could eat without guilt. And I didn’t want to use beans!! Yeah. They don’t exist. Or that’s what I thought until I found this recipe!! (Insert happy dance here! Thank you, Running with Spoons!) After weeks and weeks on the HCG diet I wasn’t going to ruin it with careless brownie eating! I was prepared to run to the store for all the foreign ingredients I would surely need to buy, and conveniently I had everything the recipe called for (another miracle), and I got eagerly started. Now, of course there is no such thing for me as sticking TOTALLY to a recipe, so I will give you my slightly tweaked version below. Be prepared for chewy, chocolatey delicious brownieness!! You might need to hide them from your children. ;).
Every Mama’s Dream Brownies
Bake 350 25-30 minutes
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Enjoy your delicious brownies, and be sure to let me know what you thought, as well as stop on by the “Running with Spoons” blog to tell her thank you!
Below are photos of the Arrowroot powder and Coconut sugar if those are new ingredients for you. I found both on the baking aisle, and the powder cost me around $6, while the sugar was about $3.50. The powder is what gives the brownies their “normal” texture without including flour. Without it, you’d probably end up with fudge. 🙂 And coconut sugar is supposed to be more easily metabolized by our bodies. Hurray!
When the new season arrives it’s always a little challenging to know where to start. Well, with spring weather here I thought I’d post some of my favorite looks I’ve been rocking.
Here are some tips for what’s hot this year:
Remember, be you, dress for the weather, and confidence is your best accessory. (No but seriously, it really is!).
What do you believe about yourself? Who do you think you are? What do you think people think about who you are? Are you satisfied or disappointed with yourself? How do you know if you’re believing the truth about yourself? So. Many. Questions.
What you Believe about YOURSELF forms your identity. This is one of the two most important things to evaluate how you are thinking. The second is what you believe about and relate to God himself. But today is about what you believe about YOU. Everything you do, the ways you speak, behave, relate to others, opportunities you take, choices you make, are all IMMEDIATELY related to what you believe about yourself.
As an exercise, take some time and write down perhaps the things you’re believing about yourself that are not helping you accomplish greatness and the destiny God placed in you… anything that is a lie. Satan is an accuser, he brings shame, he brings a sense of insufficiency, a sense of inadequacy and failure and incompetance. Any place you feel this way, its very likely you’re believing a lie that was formed in hell. It may have come through the mouth of someone you love, which is what makes it believable, but that doesn’t change, that if its not what God says about it, ITS NOT TRUTH. People speak out of anger, out of hurt, out of disappointment, out of selfishness, and things spoken in these attitudes are not rooted in truth but in their own distorted version of you. The best thing you can do is see what God says about you in the Bible. Another thing I love to do is see what he says about me by simply asking. He loves to tell us. You can know its his voice when you see it is compatible with what Scripture says. He will never contradict scripture. But he loves to speak to his children, because he is a good, attentive Father. Search yourself, and discover how amazing he has made you. Dare to throw off the lies and live this year in the TRUTHS of who you are, and what the Loving God thinks about you. 🙂
Let me give you a spoiler: YOU . ARE. AMAZING!! Ok. Read on. 🙂
BY RICK WARREN — MAY 21, 2014
“And we … are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)
| “God is asking you to believe he is who he says he is, believe you are who he says you are, and then live like you believe those things.” |
This week’s devotionals are by Buddy Owens, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of ‘The Way of a Worshiper’.
I want to help you learn to confess your faith, and then let that confession lead to life change so that it demolishes your old way of thinking and gives you a new way of thinking about life, God, yourself, hardship, your family and your world.
And here’s how to do it: Stop confessing lies. Confess your faith! Say the same thing God says about you. Let it change the way you think . . . and it will change the way you live.
Here are some things the Bible says about you that need to become things you say about yourself. Start every day by confessing these truths —
My Faith Confessions
When you say what God says (confession), you begin to think what God thinks (repentance). So let this be your confession of faith. And let it be the foundation on which you build your new life.
This is not the power of positive thinking. It’s not your good thoughts that will turn your life around. God’s power will turn your life around. He’s just asking you to believe he is who he says he is, believe you are who he says you are, and then live like you believe those things.
Does that mean bad things will stop happening? No. But it does mean you will experience many more victories than losses because the Word of God is at work in you.
Here is another list of things God says about you.
I am God’s child.
Galatians 3:26
I am Jesus’ friend.
John 15:15
I am a whole new person with a whole new life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
I am a place where God’s Spirit lives.
1 Corinthians 6:19
I am God’s Incredible work of art.
Ephesians 2:10
I am totally and completely forgiven.
1 John 1:9
I am created In God’s likeness.
Ephesians 4:24
I am spiritually alive.
Ephesians 2:5
I am a citizen of Heaven.
Philippians 3:20
I am God’s messenger to the world.
Acts 1:8
I am God’s disciple-maker.
Matthew 28:19
I am the salt of the earth.
Matthew 5:13
I am the light of the world.
Matthew 5:14
Wow. After four kids, a momma just might have some baby-weight to lose! Thankfully, mine was only about 30 lbs, but it was sure stubborn and not coming off! In fact, the scale slowly climbed, and despite my best efforts, it was not budging. I had prayed earlier this year, earnestly asking the Lord to help me and connect me to the resources to have success in this area of getting healthy again, and I stumbled across a little bottle of hCG diet drops at a Ross near me. At first I thought it was excessive and ridiculous, but after doing a lot of research online, there was SO MUCH positive feedback, lasting results, and knowing it was designed by a doctor helped too, so I decided to try it. And I am so thankful. My pre-self wasn’t out of control, but I know me best, and I have always been lean and healthy and wanted to stay that way. Now that you know the backstory, want to know my results? Here are the details:
The total diet lasted 40 days (about 6 weeks), and the transition out phases lasted a total of 6 weeks. So, here it is:
I went from 156.8 lbs, to 138.2 lbs. That’s a total loss of nearly 19 lbs!!
And I lost… ready for this? A whopping NINETEEN INCHES all over!! I lost 3.5 inches in my hips, butt, and almost 3 inches in my waist! I went from wearing a Large top to a Small top. And I fit a bunch of my clothes that had gotten too small. 🙂 Here are the photos…
This was my first Before/After series
Its amazing to me the results I saw in such a short time!
Before and After. The “after” shot is just before finishing the diet.
Before and After.
Some of my new outfits in my new clothes. 🙂
I always wanted to wear a dress like this. Now I can!
Super thankful.
This jacket couldn’t button before!
These are the drops I used, found at Ross and Burlington, though they dont regularly carry them
I learned so much on this diet! Because of how it’s built I learned a lot of what kinds of foods to reach for that will fill me while benefit my weight and health goals. Now, before you starting judging and think I ‘m crazy to have weight concerns over twenty or thirty pounds, please understand, I liked myself even at my heaviest, and I like myself now. I’ve never hated myself. I have always believed in making the most of what you have to work with. But I also believe in being the best (healthiest) version of ourselves as long as we can control it. For me this wasn’t about becoming a supermodel or anything a magazine might promote. Rather, it was about reaching a weight goal that I felt would be healthy for me. Actually, after having my first baby and not really knowing how to relate to my I’m-a-woman-I’ve-birthed-babies body, I had asked the Lord what weight would be healthiest for my frame, muscle/bone makeup, lifestyle, etc. I mean, he made me, he knows what’s best for me, wouldn’t he know the healthiest weight for me too? And I kept coming to the same number (as un-round of a number as it was), and when I looked it up on the weight-range index, it was in a perfect spot in my healthy weight range for my height, and appropriate for my lean structural build. So, that’s how I came to my goal weight. For some that may seem a little over-spiritualized, but I’ve always felt, God knows best and so why not just ask him. He loves being involved in those details of our lives. 🙂
So, starting today, I’m actually on my second and last round of the hCG diet, this time with two friends, to try to get the last 6-8 lbs off to reach my goal weight. Then I’ll be able to start toning muscle a little bit, and have the happy satisfaction of knowing I’m taking the best care of this body that I can, while I can. I want to live long, healthy and vibrant all my days. Keeping my weight under control, eating healthy, exercising, detoxing a couple times a year, resting when needed, hydrating, all those are disciplines to be a good steward of this temple, this body. I read a lot to keep my mind sharp, laugh a lot to keep me happy, and lots of other little disciplines that are healthy for longevity. I hope this blog was encouraging to you, and if so, please leave a comment! I’d love to hear! As for now, I’ll see you with my next before/after post. Stay tuned! 🙂 I wish you peace for the journey!
I mean, after ten years of raising little ones, this is pretty life-shifting for me! It marks a new season, it marks a new phase, and I realized I hadn’t shared the excitingness with you yet, my sweet blog friends! So, read on, as I share my happy celebration with you!
I was recently suggested to apply to be a Personal Stylist with a company called Stitch Fix; a company I was completely ignorant of at that point.
So, I did a little looksy looksy online and found out that this is a company who styles people through the internet and mail! What?! That’s a thing?! The more I read, the more convinced I was that this is a job that was seriously designed with me in mind! I already style my friends without asking their permission when we are out shopping. 🙂 I also have taught a few fashion and learn-to-dress-yourself classes at the request of people who were interested, and already am a go-to-fashion advisor for a few people I know personally. Well, why WOULDN’T I apply to do this and get paid?! Its a no brainer. 🙂
So I travelled to Austin, had a wonderful time with a friend of mine, interviewed with Stitchfix and found out a few weeks later:
I GOT THE JOB!!!
I GOT THE JOB!!!
I GOT THE JOB!!! (Doing a happy Dance!!)
Ok for real, you have no idea! I have been in my house raising sweet precious boys for ten years now, and I have been praying that whole time for a job I could do from home, that I would enjoy, so I could help financially, but also just to have something other than parenting I could put my energy into. Some mommas need that. I am a Pastor, and have been for years which I have LOVED, but unpaid since my husband is the one on payroll. I wanted to contribute financially! So, getting this job is a huge life-shift for me. I get to help out! I get to do something I love! I’m officially not a mom of toddlers anymore (well, I kind of knew that already)!! This is kind of a big deal for me.
So, I thought I would share this news with you, my sweet blogging family; and in case you were like me and didn’t know what Stitch Fix is, share the brilliance of this company with you! What celebration is complete with out sharing it with others?! So, that’s my news. 🙂 I’m so thankful to the Lord for providing a job which is so perfectly tailored to my life and loves! If you’re actually interested in learning what this company is and how it works, read on. I am not making a sales pitch as I am not responsible for building my own clientele, I just thought it is so cool and helps so many people out, I wanted to share it in case you’d benefit from the service. 🙂
Here are some Austin-road-trip photos for you to look at and imagine you came with us. 🙂 That would have been lovely.
Hitting the road with Jackie!
Oh, but gotta stop at Panera for lunch first 😉
Coming into Houston.
Her first trip to Bucees!
Supa-model status
Driver status
Our awesome quarters for the night. We slept in the same room that has hosted Georgian Banov and his wife. Anointing!!
Outfit dilemmas for my interview. I ended up combining them.
Stitch Fix Headquarters!
In the heart of Austin… Hi state capitol building!
We lived on Bucees Salads!
This was my splurge from my hCG diet on this trip!
Sugar-free Peppermint Mocha with a slice of Pumpkin loaf bread!
Chilling at the San Marcos Tanger Outlet! It was enormous!
What fun is a girl’s trip without shopping?!
Can’t go to Bucees and not kiss a beaver!
Or hug a hundred…
Aw snap! Got pulled over at 2 am after four hours of driving, within five minutes of Jackie’s house. I prayed for favor and grace like a crazy woman! He let me off with a warning. #jesusreallylovesme #dontspeedevenwhendelirious
Curious about Stitch-Fix? It’s simple and BRILLIANT!
If any of you hate to shop, don’t have time to shop, don’t know how to shop or just want someone else to do the thinking and leg work for you, this company might be a convenient membership for you to consider!
Here’s how it works:
Isn’t this so brilliant?! I’m thankful I don’t have to build my own clientele, but I wanted to share this with ya’ll for anyone who was like me and didn’t know this brilliance existed! And, if you DO decide to sign up with Stich Fix, you actually CAN request me as your stylist in your notes if you prefer. 🙂 Just sayin’… our beautiful relationship can continue on in other world-wide-web capacities…I know, I know, now your dreams are coming true, right? 😉
That’s it! Its brilliant, simple, and who doesn’t love getting a package in the mail?!
Until next time! Love ya’ll!! Thanks for celebrating with me!
