An 11-Year Long Reflection

One day, I packed up all my crap in a U-Haul, attached a car-carrier to the back of it & drove 1500 miles from Chicago to Ft. Laud. It's been 11 1/2 yrs. since that day. Though I've gone back, I've never looked back. God wanted me in Florida, but what did God use to GET me to Florida? Well I love nature, so that's what He used:

1. palm trees
2. the aqua, turquoise, navy & royal-blue ocean
   
3. 365 days ABOVE freezing!
4. Hibiscus & Bougainvilleas
5. the contrasting canvas of green landscape against azure skies

I'm not a photographer, so as best as I could, the above pix captured my pleasure in God's creation of Florida. It also goes without saying that I'll never be able to capture all the blessings that accompanied the day I took a leap of faith & followed Him here.

My Fav Top Ten List

Every year, Bert Decker of Decker Communications comes out with my fav Top Ten List, coined, "The Top Ten Best (& Worst) Communicators of the Year." And I have to give props to both the best & the worst because they allow us (who didn't make the list) to become better communicators as we glean from both their failures & successes. So who's #1 for the Best Communicator of the Year? Barack Obama! Who's #1 for the Worst Communicator? Swing over to www.bertdecker.com/experience to find out!

The Lego Epiphany

The best toys in the world start off as piles, lumps, stacks: piles of tinker toys, lumps of play-doh, stacks of legos. They start off as nothing, but with concentration & imagination, they become something!
Today, we visited Lego Playland. As I watched hundreds of kids turn stacks of nothings into somethings, I had an epiphany:
"God, for 2009, please give me concentration & imagination to take nothings & make somethings! So that when anyone looks at what we've made, they can only say, 'Surely, that was God!'"

"Can You Tell Me How To Get..."

C'mon, sing along if you know it! "Sunny days, keepin' the clouds away, on my way to where the air is sweet..." I know I'm not dating myself if I ask, "have you seen Sesame Street?" 'Cause it's been on since before I was born & it's STILL on! Sesame Street boasts almost 40 years on TV, aired in 120 countries & awarded 109 Emmys!! I'm a HUGE fan of it. The LONG-lasting impression on me is incredible. I still recall learning: Spanish, manners, counting & ABCs. I still recall Mr. Hooper dying, Gordon & Marie adopting & Linda being deaf; and as they dealt with their life, it prepared me for mine. All that to say...yesterday? I'm not sure who appreciated meeting the cast more...my kids or me!

If I Could Capture Wonder in One Pic...

...it'd be this one of my boys seeing sharks swim over them.










"God, I pray for wonder. And if I've lost it as I've grown, I ask for its return."

The Knight Who Lost

Tonight, we went to Medieval Times, a dinner show with knights, horses & lots of action. We sat front row, in the Green Knight seats. For 2 hours we jeered his opponents & cheered for the Green Knight, our soon-to-be hero...or so we thought. In the end, the Green Knight would lose in a dual to the White Prince. DJ was particularly upset by this (even chucking his green crown in the trash). The car ride home stunk cause both boys were bummed. But secretly? I was glad. Life's not always on the winning team, and without me having to say it...the Green Knight said it for me.

A Christmas Reality Slideshow

The stars are brightly shining

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born...

I've been singing that since Thanksgiving Day. I know I've already told you that its my fav Christmas song, now I'll tell you WHY. As a Christ-follower, at Christmas, I get to celebrate the birth of the One who came to rescue me. So in my heart, Christmas Eve truly is the 'O Holy Night.' And you've gotta celebrate this night with us! If you live in South Florida, click HERE. If you don't, click HERE.

Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease...

Around South Florida in 5 Hours

Today, Pastor Troy & Steph did a FRC Multi-Site Tour, speaking at all 3 of our South Florida campuses in a span of 5 hours. It was nuts & totally adrenaline-pumping. I loved it! Myself and an SUV full of leadHers followed them all the way. We started at our Sawgrass campus, then our Hallandale campus & finally our Doral campus. Thanks Barby, Michele, Lilibeth, Espie & Ann---glad you got home safe & sound (esp. the way I drive, eh? ; )

Hey, you need a church for Christmas Eve? Check out mine! No matter where you live, we've got a service for you. Click HERE for scoop!!!!

A Few of my Favorite (Christmas) Things

For 20 days, DJ's been telling us how many days left 'til Christmas. Kids definitely keep the intensity & energy for Christmas going in the home! Today I was thinkin' about a few of my favorite Christmas things:
1. Fav song - O Holy Night
2. Fav movie - A Christmas Story
3. Fav TV - SNL's Christmas Special & A Colbert Christmas
4. Fav Beverage - Starbucks Egg Nog Latte
5. Fav Treat - PUMPKIN PIE
6. Fav Story - Luke 2:18-20

What are your Christmas fav's? Do tell!

The Search is Over

I've been hittin' gyms for 18 yrs., so I'm kind of a Gym-Diva. Over the last couple weeks, after researching, testing & praying, my search is finally over. I'm excited to introduce: "Mind Body Connection." Today I did a kick-my-bootie class called, "Extreme: Gravity & Elliptical." Holy crap...it was brutal! There's so much to share about this cool gym, instead of listing it all here, I've added their link in the right-hand column.
So what does this have to do with leadHership? Again, I'm gratefully reminded that every kind of prayer matters to God. NOTHING is a waste of God's time & nothing is too big or small. It's just like my boys. When my boys ask me for something seemingly small (change the TV channel) or something big (hold them 'cause they're scared) I want to do it ALL for them. No request is a waste of my time w/ my kids; and no request is a waste of God's time with you.

Bus Drivers

A bus-driver superintendent recently told me, "Bus drivers are heroes too--there wouldn't be great achievers inspired by great teachers if it wasn't for bus drivers getting them to school." I never thought of it that way. So when I recently had the chance to love on some bus drivers, I did so in a way that made up for all the years they helped me & I didn't thank them. Here's to you, bus drivers: Thank you & God bless you!

Who's Influenced LeadHership?

Today, while in Memphis, Raul visited the hotel where one of the greatest died: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Not too long ago, I expressed my elation over our country electing its 1st black pres. So it goes without saying that I've always wanted to visit Dr. King's memorial site and pay my respect; I hope to someday. This photo got me thinking about people who have influenced my leadHership. I'll never have an official list, 'cause it's always a work-in-progress. But I do know one who is permanently etched on it: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Who's influenced your leadership?

The Cuban Ain't in Kansas Anymore!

Today, my better whole (who I endearingly call "The Cuban") left 84-degree Ft. Laud. for 33-degree Memphis. Now the Cuban & I loathe cold weather. Our vacations? Only destinations above 75 degrees. Our pool? Only if it's heated to 90 degrees. Our thermostat? 81 degrees...during the day...in the summer. We like it hot! Anyway, one of his traveling buds (Miller) sent this pic. It's the Cuban, in the Memphis airport, BEFORE he even stepped outside. Poor thing. Hey guys, have fun on the Gift Revolution Rally and remember, "if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?" :)

Christmas Drop In

Tonight, Pastor Troy & Steph opened their home to the entire staff for a Christmas Drop-In. This year was unlike the last few years in that I didn't go alone. Instead, I got to go with a team!
Pastor Troy & Steph: Thanks for opening your home to all of us!
LeadHers: Thanks for joining me tonight AND thanks for joining me on this wild-n-crazy adventure of reaching our God-potential!

Prayer Request Drop-In

The holidays can be a roller-coaster ride. Amidst giving & celebrating can arise pain & need. There can be nostalgia & doubt, running on the same track. Joy & turmoil in the same heart. The best thing to do is pray. From start to finish, on this holiday roller coaster, we need to give it all to God. Today's post is a prayer request drop-in. If you have a prayer request, click on the word "comment," drop-in your request & we'll pray for each other. Glad you're here today, let's pray...

Corruption in my Hood

Yesterday, the Governor of my hometown was arrested in his home. The U.S. Attorney said, "The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering." The part that sucks is just a month ago, the city of Chicago was on a celebration-high when their Senator became the 1st black U.S. Pres. How quickly that has been eclipsed by power-hunger and unsatisfied bank accounts. It's OK, Windy City, you'll bounce back, you always do.

The Year I Didn't Send Christmas Cards

This was suppose to be our Christmas card family picture. Every year by Dec. 1, I mail it out with 75 Christmas cards. This year? Not so much. I got the pic...but fell WAY short of my Christmas card goal. I guess I could look at this one of two ways:

1. I saved money and time--money I will use toward TheGiftRevolution.com; time I will use with my family

-or-

2. I am not a good manager of my time because if I managed better, I would have found time to do this.

I'm going for #1. In the holiday spirit of giving , I'm gonna give myself the gift of a positive perspective. :)

"Does anyone know what Christmas is all about?"

Linus: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
Linus: Lights, please
Linus: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Look Out! I'm Thinking 'Daring & Uncomfortable'

Today, I was talking to my bud, Steph, about some ideas I have for the Gift Revolution. This week, I wanna step out of safe & comfortable and do something daring & uncomfortable. I think a couple of my ideas sounded kinda nuts to her (could be my med.s' talking). So I'm gonna consult God for a little more direction. I DO know it won't be "safe" (like buying a cup of coffee in a drive-thru), I also know it won't be stupid, like walking up to some criminal in the middle of an armed robbery. But it'll be somewhere in between. Hey, you up for it? Wanna join me this Tuesday night for a little daring Gift Revolution? I double-dog dare you! EMAIL ME HERE.

Hospital

Didn't exactly elude the hospital this time. But since ER/hospital trips are pretty routine, I make the trips alone, it's doable 'cause I travel with God. I talk to Him alot 'cause I know He's there. In the last 24 hrs., He's done great things: in the ER, God helped quickly move me from the waiting room to triage to a private ER room. Thanks God! God helped by having my brother, Jason, be on shift yesterday. He was a huge source of comfort during the not-so-fun moments like the blood-gas injection to my artery. Thanks God! Thanks Jason! God helped by having my ER nurse be Jessica, who loves our church and knew me. In the ER, we weren't just patient/nurse, we were friends. She even picked up dinner for me after she finished her shift. Thanks God! Thanks Jessica! God helped me fall solidly back to sleep after 4 wake-ups between 12am & 4:30am. Thanks God! God helped me bust out with The Gift Revolution by giving a nurse a GiftRevolution.com card AND a gift I had on me. Thanks God! And I just wanna boldly remind you that God's always (& already) where you are. Oh sure, you have to ask Him & you have to let Him. But when you do, you get blessed by Him, even in tough times.

Feel Better, Mommy

Holy smokes! For the 4th time this year I'm sick with my disFUNKtional lungs. Not sure what's up, but still finding reasons to be grateful. For one, I've eluded the hospital twice! And then there's stuff like this video, which makes me grateful to be in a church family, to be a mom & to be alive.

I Emailed Obama & Joe

My friend Elizabeth forwarded me a link where you can email Barack Obama & Joe Biden your idea on how you can change the world.
Well I was ALL over that!
The site is: www.change.gov/yourvision
I'm sure it's one of those strategic ploys to get my personal data, but I don't care.
It still allowed me to share my voice and our vision for The Gift Revolution!

DJ, Dollar, Done.

Yesterday, Pastor Troy and Stephanie inspired the boys and girls at DJ's school to take the $1 given to each of them and give it to someone for The Gift Revolution. DJ came home and had a complete cow. Crying & ticked, he said, "That's not fair. I don't even have a dollar. Why do I have to give this one away?!" Oh the drama. I calmly spoke to it & left it.
This morning...SHAZAM! DJ woke up with a change of heart & a new idea. So off we went to implement his idea. We went through the McD's drive thru. He gave the $1 and a Gift Revolution card to the drive-thru cashier so he could pay for a cup of coffee for the person behind us. Whew!
"You go, God! In the flash of a night, you can change my little man's heart...Thank you!"