Speaking and singing required two different microphone packs, each clipped onto my pants. I wore in-ear microphones, looped over my ears and very, very large hoops 🙂
I’m baaacck! And just in time for my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I missed you all so much!!
October /November was like a whirlwind full of first-time experiences(including my first time getting Covid). Our guest room is still littered with remnants of carry-on bags.
It was my first year serving with a dynamic group of women through Leading and Loving It: Re:Treat. Their strength, wisdom, and authenticity are the real deal. They’re also funny as heck! The Re: Treat in Vegas was transforming! Too many Holy Spirit moments to count. I lead closing songs of worship after a couple of powerful messages. Check out one of the songs here!
Being asked to be a part of the leadership team of Leading & Loving It has been a significant part of my recovery from grief. Last year, as I was processing some ministry hurts, I shared with the co-founder what I was walking through. Through that friendship, I reconnected to Leading & Loving It and was asked to share the Found By You Bible & video plan on the YouVersion app. Now, thousands have chosen to be encouraged by that small study.
Powerful things happen as we share our story.
It was the first time I launched a new website to shift my focus from worship leading to speaking. With the guidance and encouragement of a friend(I won’t mention names cause ya’ll will want to call her up). She led me through a coaching session to refine my mission and how I can continue to equip leaders in the spotlight. Of course, I was afraid of what people would say if I did something new. But she kept reminding me to clarify my intentions internally, and the results will flow externally.
A couple of weeks later, a friend asked me to speak at LifePoint Church in Lake Stevens, WA; ironically, the conference was called “Found.” Now I don’t know if ya’ll know this. But “Found” is a favorite theme of mine. That talk was the first move towards a new boldness in sharing my grief recovery. I had the best time with the women of this beautiful church. As a bonus, I got to lead worship with the team.
God is so good like that!
He continually shapes and reframes our gifts; all for our growth and his glory
It’s not lost on me that these “firsts” happen just at the two anniversary of my mom going to be with Jesus. November 10th was her birthday. If you’ve walked through a great loss, you can understand what I mean when I talk about the merry-go-round of grief. As I sang and spoke from my heart, I could feel the love of my mom surrounding me like big giant swirls(weird but true).
I am so thankful for you, my dear readers. Thank you for sending me messages and encouraging me to keep writing. As we barrel to the close of 2023, may you can think back to the people who speak life and goodness around you.
