7 Random Things

This month became a deep reflection period for me… Here’s to a daily glimpse of me ~

  1. I aspire to be the baker my grandmother was
  2. I appreciate that I have inherited my mothers need to be fair rather than the world’s need to be right
  3. I hope I am a small anchor in Charcy’s past that helps stabilize her for the future
  4. In this season of harvest I hope to fulfill a need in someone (although, this is polar opposite of what I innately want …) God, help fulfill my purpose!
  5. So thankful my parents are coming to DC for both holidays this season! Can’t want to create in the kitchen!
  6.  How is it we set out on this path … only to be intersected … and set right for a greater purpose?
  7. Lastly, totally me – totally superficial – I LOVE SCANDAL!

WHERE AM I GOING?

Where am I going? After having put this category up I am sort of questioning if it was one of my more brilliant ideas. I am coming up with a pretty resounding no! The thought behind this classification was an outlet in which I would share where I was going (obviously) as I love to hear others’ stories about how they are evolving and where they think their next steps should take them. So, to be fair, I thought I would share mine in return. The problem is, I am so hesitant to put it out there. Reason 1. I have no clue. I have truly tried to dedicate my path to God over the past year and be obedient to where He is leading me. In this process I feel confused and much like a ping pong ball. So, how can I be an inspiration to others if I am this jumbled?

Reason 2. Putting out there where you are going is a big commitment. This creates a whole level of accountability that you better be prepared to live up to. If I say I am going in one direction there are a lot of people at that finish line looking for me to show up. That is a bit intimidating!

So, in all honesty of where I am going, I spend the whole summer in the book of Deuteronomy studying the act of obedience. Ironically, this week in class, I learned that Deuteronomy literally means “second law” or the fact that the children of Israel had to be told the law for the second time as they first time was not good enough for their comprehension and compliance. That pretty much summed up my experience. God had told me to move on from two relationships and I kicked and screamed and held on to them way longer than I needed to. In the process, I created a whole lot of unnecessary heartache. Stupid! 

Why do we think our reasoning is so much better than God’s? Why do we feel that we can really change the outcome of something God has ordained differently? It seems so rational in the process only to look totally idiotic in hindsight.

For those trying to move past something that you truly want to hang on to … let me help you – let it go! Trust me, God has a better plan. I am not sure what that plan is, exactly. But, I am hopeful, expectant and excited what it may be. I have learned that I cannot cling to the new without letting go of the old – you can only have one thing in your hand at a time.

7 Random Things

First day of the month you get 7 random things about me …

  1.  I love index cards. I write random notes on them – to-do lists, shopping lists, DCMC play-by-plays, need-to-remember importance, scriptures of encouragement!
  2.  There is – always - at least one recipe floating around in my bag or briefcase – usually torn out from bon appétit or Food & Wine.
  3.  I have (no less) than a dozen neutral shades of lip gloss in my bag – just in case the first 11 are not to my liking I have the one that will work.
  4.  I have an old school calendar that I carry around with me to keep my personal life on track even though I have had an iPhone since the day they came out. There is something about writing in a calendar that soothes my old soul.
  5.  I love October! First of all because its primary color it pumpkin orange!! Mostly I love this month because it symbolizes a season of change.  While most people balk at change I have always embraced it. Without change we are constant. Without change we do not grow. Without change God cannot move in our lives.
  6.  I love homemade pumpkin ravioli but suck at making it – wish I were Italian and had a knack for making pasta dough. Thank you to a group of lovely ladies who bring backup Popeye’s but appreciated my attempt nonetheless.
  7.  It is harder to come up with 7 fascinating facts about oneself than initially thought. Hope I gave you a brief glimpse into a “little more of me.”

Be Inspired - Be Inspirational

Inspiration is very important to me as it is often that crutch that can take me from one step to the next. I am fortunate to have a great group of ladies who do just that … probably, unbeknownst to them.  Check out their inspiration … Queen Ebony Halliburton – one of my dear, dear friends! She always makes me laugh even when I am so aggravated with her for signing me up for, yet, another project. And, she blows through books at the pace that makes me feel like an illiterate 4-year-old. So, instead of continually being intimidated by my lack of page turning I follow her at www.resolvedradiance.com and on Instagram @ebonyhall.

Katie Moore – just being around her makes me giggle and she makes everything pretty! I gain décor inspiration from her website www.oliosdesign.com while secretly redesigning my house (don’t tell my sister!).

Lindsay Tolar – www.pursuitofpink.com . Lindsay is an amazing new mom who is real and makes it look easy! My greatest inspiration gained was when she and her husband had a scare during their pregnancy and the grace, faith and poise in which they handled it was so encouraging. Plus, she has regular sassy outfit posts!

Tasha Punch – talk about keppin’ it real! She is my inspiration for all things real! She is not a social media buff but she does keep me rollin’ throughout the day with her tweets – follow her @chasengod. Tune in for a chuckle.

My deepest inspiration right now if Mercy Lokulutu – you know when you hear someone speak and everything just resonates with you? That is what Mercy is for me. And, to top it all off – her new book comes out October 1 - As You Wish: Finding True Strength in Surrender to God. I am fortunate to be part of a select few who got a sneak peek – and, let me tell you – it is awesome. This is the only word to describe it … me, at a loss for a more eloquent description!? It is so good that even Stacy is reading it (please, don’t kill me – you know I love you!). Follow her @MercyLokulutu.

The best of all, none of these women even know how much they drive me and their humility makes them all the more motivating and encouraging to me.