“Hope begins in the dark - the stubborn hope that if you just show up & try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.”

wednesday is my favorite day of the week!  i wake excited to greet this day.  i love that when i get my morning coffee, and the barista boy asks me if its gonna be a good day, i reply with a big smile and say “Yep, its gonna be a great day, it’s wednesday!” 

it’s on wednesday that i get the opportunity to leave the four walls of my office, close my lap top, and say goodbye to the projects that fill my brain.  wednesday is the day we pack the car up with snacks, posters, journals, and love and drive downtown.  it’s on wednesday, my favorite day of the week; that we drive up to a local high school, unpack the car, buzz the buzzar at the front door, look into the camera and say “We’re here with CHANGE”. i love wednesdays because it’s on this day that we get the chance to speak life, hope, inspiration, love and joy into the lives of young teen girls!  it’s on wednesday, that THEY know they can leave the cares of their world behind for at least one hour … and … just BE.

“i cannot not say i’m beautiful … because i am ugly” one girl says as the tears roll down her BEAUTIFUL brown cheeks. but guess what … she is NOT ugly … and on wednesdays she gets encouraged!  it’s on CHANGE days, they will not be told they are stupid, because today negative words will NOT be spoken over their lives. they will not be put down, & told they wont amount to anything. today they will not be judged and we refuse to let them be just another statistic. 

the girls know, that when they walk into OUR room, they ARE beautiful, they ARE accepted, and they ARE loved! it’s on wednesdays that we have the opportunity to wrap our arms around these girls, and if they realize it or not, we are bringing the love of jesus them! altars aren’t being filled with 100’s of salvation …  BUT, lives are being changed.  and, my MOST favorite thing about wednesday … is that these girls … are NOT allowed to leave our room at the end of our session without giving us a hug!!! :D  and, of course at the beginning … they have mile high walls … some roll their eyes & smack their lips, some refuse to hug back (so WE hug them as they just stand there!). BUT! by the end of our six weeks … THEY’RE lining up to hug US! it’s on wednesdays that, not only do WE encourage the girls to be the CHANGE they wish to see in THEIR worlds … but i am encouraged to be the CHANGE in my world as well! 

it’s on wednesdays, that my heart is filled with joy, and i know that i’m at the right place at the right time … exactly in the will of god … and i smile! :)

“i will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.”

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” 

-Steve Jobs

and the greatest of these is love

my father is the type of guy, who can go into the gas station and while paying for his gas, make friends with everyone inside!  he just possesses this ‘thing’ that invites people in for conversation.  he is a people person! and if i like it or not, i have inherited this gift.

a girlfriend and i have this on going joke when traveling. you see, when she arrives on a plane and settles into her seat, almost religiously the first thing she does is: puts in her ear phones, turns on her ipod and purposely shuts out the world around her. and, in return - people actually LEAVE HER ALONE! now, I on the other hand - can do the EXACT same thing and the person next to me does not understand that this is a ‘do not disturb’ sign. and, in return engages me in conversation! EVERY. TIME. i (the queen of avoiding) can not avoid it.

last tuesday has been permanently stamped into my memory. it was a lesson that i will not forget.  after work, i headed to walmart with ONE intention: to rent a movie from the infamous RedBox.  i stood staring at the screen - and realized that none of these movies captured my interest.  so i then ventured into the store & headed back to the electronic department to see if there were any good movies on sale. 

i have a tendency, to sometimes bite the inner wall of my cheek, or bottom of my lip. i don’t know why. blame it on nerves or chalk it up to pure boredom - but its what i do.  so, as i was walking (on a mission to get a dvd!) i heard this old (grumpy) man bark at me and say “are you biting your lip! you’re too pretty to do that, you should be smiling!” i awkwardly laugh as i turn around to see who’s speaking to me.  and in front of me stood a man - who was wearing these massive (old man) thick framed glasses & smelled like a mix of an auto garage and cigarette smoke.

i immediately felt my walls come up. and i TRIED to gracefully walk away! and then the next question came “did you have a good christmas?” “i did, thank you. how bout yourself?” “oh yes … i ate way to much.” he chuckles. and steps closer. i take a step back. “and what about your new year. how was that?” i thought to myself … he’s not going to stop talking to me, is he? and he didn’t!  he talked to me about sports, vegas, and … “you know, hugh hefner? you hear he’s getting married … AGAIN! can you believe that? shes probably only 22.” he says … almost as if he’s poud of mr. hefner! i laugh. 

i stood there with this gentleman for about 10 minutes (remember, i was only coming to walmart for a dvd from the RedBox!) listening, laughing, & taking one step back as he took one step forward. :)  at the end of the conversation he says “well, thanks for talking with me!” (though, he did most of the talking!) and then … it happens … this stranger … HUGS ME! haha.

i walked away - and immediately heard in my heart “amanda, sometimes people just need a little love.”  and i realized that i had gotten away form the gift that i had inherited from my father … the ability to love people. but life is about taking the time to actually SEE people, and not just walking past them.  sometimes people need a little encouragement, joy, a smile, or just a simple conversation at walmart.  be encouraged and inspired today to impact someone’s world around you with a little “sunshine” (as my momma calls it)!

till next time … x 

“Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.” - 1 cor. 13:13

“to reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor” - oliver wendell holmes

dear 2011 ...

• it’s time to focus on one book at a time … this whole reading 3 & 4 books at once is exhausting!

• i will embrace my lips! (weird, i know) but, i tend to always wear nude lip gloss … not no more! time for some COLOUR!

• coffee, coffee, coffee. oh, how i love thee. however, you’re slowly killing my kidneys … must … cut … back … well, maybe?

• my closet will actually have clothes hanging in it! time to pick things up off the floor, and put em on hangers!

• i suck at driving. i don’t think there’s any fixing it … BUT, i will work on my road rage!

• i will walk by FAITH and not by sight!

• sometimes people just need one or two lines of encouragement - so in 2011 i will write encouraging notes … a little love goes a loooooong way.

• i will not freak out when someone uses one of my sharpie pens & DOESN’T return it to me… (but if YOU are one of those people … PLEASE give it back!)

• i will try and wear less black … but i will continue with black eyeliner. LOVE.

• look people, i am NOT a morning person … so, i will EMBRACE my evening God time … it doesn’t matter what time of day he hears from me - as long as i talk to him!

• i will continue to wear BIG gaudy jewelry. sorry, if my overuse of it offends you. too baaaad. :P

• my weakness is bbq chips … i promise not to eat an entire bag in a week!

• i will try and keep my office clean - yes, it IS the messiest office in the entire building… maybe that will change this year. HA!

• girl nights are important for 2011 - sometimes, we just wanna have fun … bring on the margaritas!

• vanilla candles are my favorite. so why do i spend money on different scents. no more! when you walk into my house, it will only, and always - smell like vanilla! yum.

• i will be open to chat with random people at the grocery story … i am my fathers daughter! :) (and i will realize, not everyone is trying to abduct me!)

• i will try and get my oil changed more than twice a year … don’t want my car exploding on me.

• well, it seems i’ve acquired a taste for country music … dont judge me … in 2011 i will listen to it more! :)

• when i’m lost … i will enjoy the scenic route ;)

• i will embrace my ‘flowery’ personality!  i can’t help it … i love people & i’m the eternal optimist … so don’t crush my spirit …!

• however, if my spirit does get crushed, i’m a fighter … so i’ll bounce right back.

• i will CONQUER fear … greater is HE that is IN me!  come on amanda … you’re twenty six … grow up!

• i will welcome the open road! i will travel to a new place this year … and maybe an old place - but travel i must!

• oh, awkward dancing - totally happening in 2011.

• i will make the elliptical my friend this year. BFFS for sure.

• on saturdays - i will wear little make up … sometimes my face just needs to breeeaaathe.

• no time for gossip in 2011!! if you talk about people when they leave the room - sorry, we won’t be friends this year.

• i will walk with the courageous and the dreamers, the bold and the doers … people who see the BEST in others, and don’t focus on the negative.

lets make it a good year friends!

till next time … x

"Jesus received sinners and ate with them."

-  Spurgeon

the good news!

i’ve been making my way through the book of psalms via the message bible over this past week and a half.  its been a beautiful journey so far - full of guidance, inspiration, correction, love and hope! Thought i’d do a bit of a ‘mash up’ and share some of my favorite scriptures thus far…. Enjoy!

God charts the road i take; i will not fear. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your alter & watch for fire to descend. I thank you Lord, for you make things right – I will be committed to singing your praise!

God, your name echoes around the world! When I needed you – you were there – making things right, taking charge. God’s a safe-house for the battered. A sanctuary during bad times.

My heart will find rest when I arrive at your feet. I am singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers. Thank you Lord! I will Walk straight. Act right. Tell the truth. And, keep my word, even when it costs me.

I love you God, you make me strong! God is bedrock under my feet the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight! My choice is You, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You made my life complete, when I placed all the pieces before You.

You cleared the ground under me, so my footing was firm. God, you are a floodlight to my life;I’m blazing with Your glory. Thank you Lord for your Word! It warns me of danger, and directs me to hidden treasures. Otherwise how will i find my way?

Show me your strength God, so I will not miss it! I’m out singing the GOOD news! From the corners of he earth people are coming to their senses. They are running back to You. Long lost families are falling on their faces before you.

Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life! If I keep my eyes on You, I won’t trip over my own feet! So I will never lose sight of your love, but keep me in step with you, never missing a beat.

God make your people strong!  Give your people peace!

Psalms Chapter 1 – Chapter 31

till next time … x

“Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free til they find someone just as wild to run with them.”

—	sex in the city.

the road less traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

life lessons aren’t always fun, but they are necessary.  growing pains aren’t pleasant either - yet we have to experience them. we can either choose to avoid the lesson (which i have done for some time!) or we can choose to yield and learn the lesson at hand. So, as i stood face to face with the decision to avoid or yield, i heard in my heart “Amanda, you took the road less traveled.” be encouraged to yield to the lessons that you must learn.

till next time… x