Gonna Be You

 

Good morning friends.

Some mornings you just have to refresh yourself and thank God for the friends and memories you have.

This morning, I'm sitting in my little 2-bedroom Villa at Hilton Head Island.  My girlfriends and I made our annual trip to the beach this year to stay at one of the two Disney beach resorts.  (One is in Hilton Head, and the other one is in Vero Beach, FL.)

Each resort is smaller than any Disney counterpart, and they are a little difficult to book.  Luckily, we were able to finally snag a room in February (our traditional Christmas room hasn't been available for the past two years).

To say this trip has been memorable would be an understatement.  We have have laughed, we have cried, we have eaten (so, so much), and we have had our libations.  It's been a good four days.

I couldn't do life without these two girls.  They make me stay up late, they make me laugh.  They make fun of me.  They give counsel.  When I'm cranky because I have to stay up past 8pm or I sleep in past 8am, they just poke the bear and carry one.

Sometimes, you have to just get away to strip back all the layers of your regular, every day life.  Get real with the people that know you best.  Play "Talk to Me" or "20 Questions" to answer questions no one should know the answers to.

This weekend, we've yelled at each other (sorry about the dog movie); cried tears to each other; and shared all the food and alcohol good friends should share.  We (well, they) danced in the kitchen well past Midnight teaching each other how to Wop and how to sing this song 👇

Life is so much better with these two.  Maybe more to come later.  Right now, packing needs to be done, coffee needs to be sipped, and the last sunrise needs to be documented.

I love you girls more than life itself.  Thank you for yelling at me, laughing together, and making me crawl out of my bubble (okay, maybe you dragged me out of it a bit).  It was a great birthday weekend!  Happy birthday Michelle!

Hit play below.  I woke up to this song this morning, and it was the inspiration for this post.

You can never underestimate the value of good girlfriends!

Who are YOU?

Travel Agent Meet Up #BeYourself #BeReal

Reposting from my facebook page.  It's time people.  Time to #BeReal and #BeYourself.  Drop the highlight reel and be real.  Great devotion this morning...and deserving of a blog repost!  Enjoy!

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Last night, David and I again had the good fortune to be a part of the Jasper community.

Kyle and Rachel have built a business based on good business principles, good business relationships, faith, family, love, and good times.

We have met their family; they have welcomed us in; we have met other picking couples from neighboring states; we have met long-haired country boys; we have met older business-owning men from Jasper; we have met Lucille; we have met and loved the Smith family. We are blessed each Saturday we attend their auction house.

My devotion this morning reminds me of last night. Because I feel like it represents what Kyle and Rachel have created and how it prompts us all to be better people.

Do me a favor. If you are not reading the devotional called, "Holy Hustle" inside Youversion the Bible App, search for it. The devotions are short and simple, but they are impacting. Here is today's. Yes, this post is long and most won't have made it this far, but if you have - take it as your "sign."

Happy Sunday my friends!

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"We sat on the folding chairs of our church gym one Sunday morning, having chosen to attend the more contemporary service instead of our usual service in the sanctuary. With five Sunday morning services to choose from, our church has found a way to be good stewards of their space, resources, and community by offering options that are inviting to everyone while maintaining the same strong Scripture-based messaging throughout their ministries. You might be in a gym with a preacher wearing jeans, but you will hear the gospel preached as clearly as in the sanctuary with a pastor wearing dress pants and a tie.

Last Sunday my husband and I were listening to a powerful message about generosity. At the end of the service we were asked to share what we would do if we found $100—ours to spend any way we liked. What did our family need most at that very moment? How would $100 change our circumstances? Listeners shared a few ideas—home improvement projects, new clothes for school, a meal to share with extended family. Across the room a woman spoke through tears. She would use the money to take her children away for a night to a hotel with a pool so they could laugh and play and be away, just for a few hours, from the abuse and fear of the night before. It was stunningly honest, vulnerable, and heartbreaking.

The pastor called her to the front, pulled $100 out of his wallet, and gave it to her. No strings attached. “You have no idea. You have no idea,” she sobbed. Church members in the seats nearby rose and surrounded her, a wall of prayer and support building around her as she wept. It was unplanned and unexpected, but a powerful challenge.

Would you do it? Would you use $100 for no other purpose than to outdo someone in honor and love by blessing them when God says “Give”? Whether you happen to have the money already in your wallet, or you need to save for six months, can we decide together to take the challenge? As we do the work God has given us, let’s be good stewards of the resources He provides and show others that holy hustle is different because we care more about people than platforms.

Kindness matters."