The Storyweaver

I first want to say thank you for everyone who took the time to vote for me, shared my link, and encouraged me as I tried to win a trip to Rwanda with Noonday Collection. The contest isn't over yet, but I'm slowly slipping behind a few spots, and that's okay! I am honored how close I really got. At one point I was 33rd out of almost 400 women. I feel loved, truly!

One of my favorite parts of vacation is reading, finishing books, and starting new ones. I've had Tales of the Not Forgotten for awhile now. I have to be honest and say I didn't read it right away because we were waiting for Zola and it made me nervous. No idea why?! This book is amazing! It's by Beth Guckenberger. I've been lucky enough to hear her speak twice now. She speaks to my soul, verbally and written now.

I get upset when books are spoiled, so I won't say too much. What I do want to say though is, this book is about The Storyweaver. By the end of the book, you feel moved, excited, and ready to do something. As the Noonday contest is coming to a close it was a wonderful reminder that I don't have to go somewhere to do His work. I can find ways to help and serve. Maybe that's supporting a ministry, serving locally, or maybe one day there will be a trip away included. The Storyweaver didn't have this trip to Rwanda in my story, at least not yet. But, I entered, people shared, voted, etc and now more people know about the ministry of Noonday and my heart for Africa. Thank you Storyweaver for this opportunity to be used, even in the small paragraphs. 

Number My Days

On the mornings that I work, on my way I usually listen to an Andy Stanley message. He is one of my all time favorite pastors, I love the way he teaches, he challenges me, and I love the mission of the church.

Wednesday I started a series called Breathing Room. This morning was all about Time. How do we create breathing room in our lives when it comes to time? What should I be adding and what should I be taking out of my schedule.

He told a story a woman who takes care of people who are terminally ill for the last 12 weeks of their lives. She said people's biggest regrets is not making time for things they had dreamed of. " I wish i had the courage to live a life full to myself, not what others expected from me." Funny how fitting that is for me right now. I am dreaming of winning this trip Rwanda, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "why would people vote for me to leave Zola?" "Who will help take care of Zola?" "Will Kyle be okay?" These are all things that I think other people will be thinking of. Some of them, I worry about. But, Kyle and I have talked and he is on board with the idea. I would miss Zola immensely, however I want her to see us taking risks, making our dreams come true, and watching us follow The Lords calling.

Even if I don't win, that's okay. I took the risk, I tried to pursue my dream right now, today! That's what God is asking, to make the most of our days. I truly believe that God has a plan and if this isn't trip He has planned for me, then another door will open. 

Dreaming... with Noonday

Often when I think about daydreaming, I think of school aged kids not focused on what they are supposed to be doing. When I stop and think about how I dream or even daydream I have come to realize it's a part of who most people are and it makes me excited!

When I get an idea in my head, I think about ways I can use that idea for the good. If can be part of this ministry, or start something of my own, then I can give back to the people in Africa. Then I call Kyle or wait until Zola goes to bed and we dream. We talk about how things can work, what type of marketing we could, what "group" we could target. It comes up every so often, but we haven't done much with our dreams... yet. We know God will open doors when the time is right, and I'm thankful we can dream together. I love the thought of daydreaming now, because I realize it's one of God's ways of communicating with us.

Recently Kyle and I have been chatting about how we can partner or sponsor women in Africa. Like a mentoring program almost. We love to idea of opening up a way to communicate, and have a relationship. I was just invited to a trunk show for Noonday by a gal that I have been "following" since we started our adoption process. I was lucky enough to meet her a few months back, and she made me dream a lot about Noonday. Noonday is a ministry that partners with women all over the world who make beautiful jewelry to sustain their living expenses. I bought my first pair of earrings a few months ago and wear them All The Time, if you've seen me lately, I probably had them on. I actually ended up selling some of my old jewelry to make room for Noonday pieces, because I love them, and because I truly believe in this ministry. You can check them out here: Noonday

In this specific invitation, there was more than just an invite to see the beautiful artwork these women make. I found out that Noonday is offering an all expense paid trip to Rwanda for a woman who is on board with the ministry of Noonday and who has a heart for these women. They will get to meet the women in Rwanda who make beautiful pieces of jewelry. I have signed up, but all I need now is for you to vote for me to win this trip!

If you click on this link Noonday Vote! scroll to the bottom, and vote for me, I'd be so grateful. You can vote once a day.  If this is the door God has open for me, then I'm so excited. If not, it's a great way for you to learn more about this ministry and all they do. Maybe you can start to dream more too.

Cinco de Mayo

For the past 5 years Kyle and I celebrate Cinco de Mayo in our own little way. It started out in Florida 5 years ago today, I made chicken enchiladas and that night he proposed on the beach, and I said "yes!"

Each year I make the same meal and we talk about that night and that special vacation we had together. Unfortunately I'm not with him this year to celebrate, but I still started thinking back on that day, that night, and that week. All that he was "signing up for."

It's amazing to see how much God has done in those 5 years. Kyle had no idea that he was asking to marry a woman who would never be able to have bio kids, or be in line for a lot of medical issues. I thank God he asked though, because I couldn't imagine doing all of it without him. When you're younger you have this vision and dream of what your married life will look like. When he asked, and I said yes, we had no idea what was really about to happen.

I like to think that even if he knew those things, he would have asked me anyway. I think that way, because never once has Kyle made me feel guilty, or less of a woman because of my infertility. We are actually thankful for it in many ways. He is always supporting me in anything I do, and we are following the story that God has written, instead of us.

Our lives have been forever changed by the things we have gone through at such a young age, and I can't speak for him, but I love it. I love being a younger couple who has adopted, a couple who will only experience children through adoption, a couple who has been to Africa together, a couple who have made through it a lot with God on our side. We stand up for each other, we balance each other, and we dream together.

These past 5 years I could have never imagined what was going to happen, and I can't wait to see what the next 5 will hold. Kyle, thanks for asking me to be your wife, your best friend, your cheerleader, and now the mother of your first child. We are blessed.