Connecting with women

I find it funny that there was a time in my life when I didn't need an appointment book to keep my friendships going. There always seemed to be so much time for everyone but as the kids get older and life gets busier I find that my appointment book is a much regarded tool for keeping friendships old and new.

Sometimes its just to remind me to send them a note or sometimes its so we can coodinate our schedules to spend time together. I am a people person so for me my friendships fuel my life and make me a happier wife and mother. I am blessed to have a bountiful of women in my life. Some I learn from, some I cry with and others are my rocks through life.

I do believe that friends are meant to be a reason, season or lifetime. Over the years even the friends that were just a season and it broke my heart when we parted ways I have now been able to step back and relish in the memories made. I do have two women in my life who help me navigate and keep me on track. The first has been with me for over twenty years she is my heart sister our hearts break together but we also heal together and love life. The other one has been in my life for about seven years and we are way past best friends we weave in and out of each others lives. She is the one that makes life fun and celebrates all the big and little things in my life.

I hope that when my time comes to go to heaven that I have left the mark of friendship and helping women gap the bridge between different seasons and ages.

Sudanese Lost Boy Graduates

When I read this article yesterday it made me think of God and how powerful he really is. Not only did this child survive a horrible childhood he has become a man and graduated from University and will take his education and skills back to the Sudan to help the others that have been left behind.

It's such a powerful story. When you have a chance please read this and then reread it with an open heart and mind.

http://www.thestar.com/article/1009619--sudanese-lost-boy-graduates-university

God Chicks by Holly Wagner

I have read this book twice and every time I read it I fall more in love with the book and its themes about how women should live their lives. I found the website and just had to share it.

GodChicks
We think God had great things in mind when He created woman! She is not a second-class citizen or God’s afterthought – she is the very apple of His eye! We believe in the potential that resides within every woman, within every GodChick.

GodChicks is the women's ministry of Oasis Church located in Los Angeles, California. Founded by Philip and Holly Wagner, GodChicks exists...

•to inspire, encourage & challenge women to understand their value
•to help women begin, grow and deepen their relationship with God
•to empower women to make a difference on the planet, and
•to have fun on this journey called life!
GodChicks is all about gathering women together! Life is not meant to be lived alone. We hold quarterly and annual gatherings to inspire and empower women to live life to the fullest.

http://www.godchicks.com/about/

Gifted To Lead Conference

I was blessed today to have the opportunity to attend the Gifted to Lead conference by Nancy Beach. This one day conference was so amazing, powerful and attainable. All the lessons learned today can be translated into my daily life as a wife, mother and friend.

http://www.willowcreek.com/gifted_to_lead/

We learned that our top three gifts will be things that come naturally to us and that we have a burning desire to do. Once we learn what our gifts are then we have to learn how to put them in place. I learned that my gifts are Hospitality,Long Sufferng and Mercy. As all of you know I have an open door policy in my house and now I can see that is part of my spiritual gifts from the lord.

This has been two years of the lord stretching me and pushing me out of my comfort zone and I am actually looking forward to see what the next step will be. This conference showed me how to use my gifts with the type of personality I have.

Since I'm extroverted and a just go with it kind of women I need to find a way to use my gifts that leaves me open and not put into a small box. I am the person that has great ideas but I don't have the ability to always put these into place.

I will be reviewing my notes and digging into scripture to figure out how to use my gifts but also how to help my family learn their gifts.

Open Door Policy

I have always had an open door policy in my home for my friends,family and my kids friends. To me this was just a natural thing to do. The other day my neighbour asked how I can handle the chaos of never knowing how many people will be in my home. I had never that about it that way.

I have been pondering this question all week and tonight I realized that my open door policy is one of my gifts from God. I am blessed with this gift and the ability to willingly use this gift. I know who my kids friends are which says a lot since the older boys are 19 and 20. I am able to relate to their friends because I do have my own friends who are their age.

With this policy I have had many friends that were just there for a season because they needed help during a rough time but I have also made many lifetime friends from this policy because they know they always have a place to turn to during the good and bad.

I have celebrated, cried, danced, laughed and made more memories this way then most people will ever have the opportunity to. As my girlfriend says I am the keeper of lost souls. I am so glad that the lord gave me this gift and that I have been able to use it to the best of my ability.

When a soul shows up at my door with bags packed because life at home is just unbearable at that moment my heart breaks for them and then swells with comfort that no phone call required they just come. I have had family, friends, my friends children and even some people I barely knew use this policy and each of them says thank you for making me never have to ask to come but just being able to show up.

The other night I met a women for the first time and I had been too tired to clean or even pull together a half decent meal but she said to me that this was the best place she had been in awhile. I had to ask what she meant and her reply filled my heart. She said that instead of worrying about my house or the meal I had worried more about getting to know her and spend time visiting.

We all need to remember to make time for the people in our lives not just the stuff or our to do lists. We never know what that person needs but maybe just sitting and listening is the best gift we can give.