Coffee equals Encouragement

I wasn't always a coffee drinker. It was my third pregnancy, at it's peak in the heat of summer that turned me on to iced coffee, full of sugar, full of flavorings. And it just grew from there. I began to look forward to my specialty drinks... sometimes more chocolate and cream than coffee, but little by little, I lessened the amount of sugar in an effort to be "more healthy" so much so that a friend of mine made me some coffee this summer and she went a little heavy on the sugar... I couldn't even drink it! :)

To make a long story short, I gave up coffee twice in the last year in an effort to see how caffeine affected my mood swings. I'm still not sure it's made a difference, but I am currently avoiding caffeine again.  But there is still something to be said about a cup of coffee with a friend--encouragment before we even say a word.

My friend, Holley Gerth, is starting something new this year called "Coffee for Your Heart."  It is all about encouraging your readers, so when I am actually blogging, come back here on Wednesdays for a little bit of love and encouragement.

Today, it's the reminder that when you are feeling down in the dumps, the best thing you can do is encourage someone else. Instead of sitting around thinking "oh, woe is me," Look around, see who needs a bit of encouragement themselves.  Make a phone call, Bake something for someone... make some eggnog for your family, or Send a handwritten note, maybe even written on a handmade notecard. But most of all, start with prayer.

Ask God to help you see  the needs of others, look outside yourself and your wants/needs, and be aware of what you can do for someone else.

And when all else fails and you can't shake your doldrums... go get some sleep!!

Happy New Year! Let's make it a year of love and encouragement!

Are you an encourager? If you have a blog, join us on Wednesdays at Holley Gerth's blog for a linkup to spread the love? Not a blogger? --find someone to encourage today and make it a priority to share the love this year!

When my (in)RL meetup didn't happen

Early this week, I posted about the effort involved in being a friend. I would love to have you join the conversation.
I feel like a failure in this area. I feel like my local friends don't understand my online friendships, but I desperately wanted to introduce them to each other during (in)RL ... I'm sorry to say that didn't happen.

The post I wrote back in January? I'm all talk, no action. The whole idea of hosting an (in)RL meetup was terrifying to me... terrifying enough that I didn't make the effort, didn't pursue and invite and encourage my local friends to attend, didn't find childcare for my kids... the list of excuses is endless.
Partly because my husband's work schedule created a conflict, but mostly because I was lazy, I ended up doing (in)RL all by myself with a huge pile of laundry while the kids had quiet time, and finished it up while they were outside running off some energy.



And all those stories on community and staying and mentoring, they spoke to my heart and encouraged me. And I loved following the tweets and instagram shots of those across the country that were a part of (in)RL. But it could have been soo much more.

Imagine if I had made the effort to see if I could have hosted an event in my church building and invite ladies of all ages to be a part (side note: there was a conflict at church, too, but that is not the point). We have mentors in our church, and we have mentorees (is that a word?) in our church, too. But to grow that ministry and to encourage more women to step out and ask for a mentor... Well, this would have been the perfect opportunity.

I don't have the answers and I don't know if I will be any more successful next year, but I am being honest with you. I have a desire (maybe even a God-sized Dream) to be better at community!!

Some things I loved about (in)RL...

• Seeing the lovely faces of those dear friends that I met face to face at Allume.
• Hearing those voices again... I love voices (which is kinda funny because I hate the phone)
• Being challenged and encouraged to stay... even when it's difficult
• Listening to others tell their mentor stories... and giving thanks for my mentor
• Listening to the Incourage writers read their blog posts out loud... again with the treasure of voice.
• AND the "bloopers" reel... I watched it AT LEAST three times!!

It was such a blessing to watch these videos as I experienced "real life" ... folding laundry, loving my kids, feeding my kids, breaking up fights, missing my husband, laughing and crying and connecting on twitter...

I've been blessed!





If you don't want to wait until next year (and I hope you don't) to be a part of the (in)courage community, stop by and join their incourager groups... there is something for everyone!

and they have a facebook page

Community Conversation: Did you participate in (in)RL? ...by yourself or with a group? How do you connect with your local friends?

Five Minute Friday: Friend

Five Minute Friday always gets written in the leftovers and sometimes there are no leftovers and no writing. When I saw the prompt friend this week, I immediately had 2 or 3 ideas pop into my head, but by the time I could sit down and write, those ideas had fled! I hate the leftovers... but it gave me another idea for my 5 minutes.

Start: Friend

Sometimes, If I'm honest-- most times, my friends, my real-life-I-can-touch friends get my leftovers. {I'm not proud of this fact and I want to change this}

• I'll call her ... after I get my laundry started.
• I'll meet you for coffee ...after my homework is done.
• Go to Salvation Army together on half-price Wednesday? Nope, I'm too busy picking up the pieces of a house showing serious signs of being lived in.
• I should really have so-and-so and her family over for dinner, but we already have Awana and karate and... and I would rather veg on the couch this evening.

A man that hath friends mush show himself friendly--- what does friendly look like?

Is it just a smile and a wave in pickup line at school?
Is it a deep felt but short "How are you, really?" on Sunday?
Is it a 10 minute phone call, when it's convenient for my schedule?

Or
Is it stepping out of my comfort zone, risking rejection and inviting someone to my home even when my fridge is nearly empty and I desperately need to go grocery shopping.
Is it writing an encouragement note from my heart for ONE instead of writing a blog post for many ... or a few.
Is it meeting for coffee, praying together, being authentic, making a sacrifice.

Being a friend takes effort. Are you willing?

Am I willing?


Community Conversation: What is one way you connect with your local friends?

In Real Life Community

Do you remember junior high?

Maybe you had two groups of friends... your school friends and your church friends? and while you loved them both, you never really mixed them together. Your church friends didn't go to any of your school activities, never came to your sports events, never came to the school friend's birthday parties ... and your school friends? They didn't mix too well with your church friends. They had their own lives so you didn't invite them to the church, to special events, to youth activities.

No, that wasn't you? Maybe it was just me. Maybe I have a personality flaw.

Because it has happened to me again.

I have two great communities of friends that know nothing about each other.

I have my in real life friends. The ones I go to church with every Sunday. The ones whose kids go to school with my kids. The ones who call me on the phone and I don't mind chatting (even though I HATE the phone). The ones who have seen me freaking out over some child's latest mishap, the ones who have seen me cry. The ones (you know who you are) that MIGHT read this blog every time I share it on facebook, but NEVER comment.

And then there is my online community. I call them my twitter friends, my blog friends, my (in)courage friends, my Allume friends. The ones that up until this past October, I had never met in real life ... and some I still haven't met, YET! The ones that respond to my twitter updates, that love and encourage me across the miles. The ones that read my blog posts and cheer me on in writing, in child rearing, in crafting, in home-making. The ones who are friends, even if we have never talked on the phone (because I hate it so much). The ones who "get me."

I have an opportunity to combine these two communities!  It's called (in)RL! It's a weekend conference! It's right here in my home town (and in your hometown) and IT'S FREE!!

Mark the date on your Calendar! April 26-27, 2013!

I really felt God was directing me to reach out and host (or co-host) one of these local meet-ups, as part of my #GodsizedDreams to Create this year... to create connections and community!  And then I looked at the date and I wavered (there is a family conflict) ... would you pray with me, that all the details will work themselves out?

If you are one of my local in real life friends (or just a reader I've never met that happens to live in the Clarks Summit/Scranton PA area), would you consider joining us? I'm hoping to make it spectacular! I'm even planning some giveaways, free stuff ... and of course, there will be chocolate!

Go to this page to join the Clarks Summit (in)RL community!!

Please join me!!

Click here to visit the (in)RL page to register and find out more. Because:

1. It’s FREE!
2. Everyone who registers today and TODAY ONLY gets a copy of our (in)courage 365 Daybrightener while supplies last (US residents only).
3. Everyone who registers TODAY AND EVERY DAY gets a copy of our first eBook: Best of the Beach House 2012: A Collection of Your Favorite Posts from the Writers of (in)courage.

Five Minute Friday --Together

It's Friday again... (and it's still Friday) and I'm going to get my Five Minute Friday post in before Friday is over! :)

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back with Lisa-Jo and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:

TOGETHER


For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 
Matthew 18:20

There is something about praying together that encourages and strengthens. Something about hearing someone else pray for you, with you that strengthens your faith.  Prayer is powerful, prayer together is unstoppable.

We met in a room at church, just four of us this time, but God was in the midst of us. Beginning with praise we communed with God. Giving thanks to God... for WHO HE IS, not just what He does.

Continuing in prayer for our spiritual growth, prayer for our husbands, prayer for our church and community.  Following the leading of the Holy Spirit we brought our requests before the Lord.

Coming boldly before the throne of God, praying believing, shedding some tears, begging God for revival... let it begin with me.

We aren't meant to do this spiritual journey alone, we are meant to do it together. And when we gather in His name, He is there together with us!!




Can you share your 5 minutes on Together?

Five Minute Friday --Brave

Today's Prompt... BRAVE

She thought I was the amazing one... having 4 kids in 4 and 1/2 years. She didn't know how I did it. She prayed for me and encouraged me. While in reality, she was the brave one!!

Pregnant and not knowing if she would ever carry her baby to full term. Not knowing if her baby would survive outside the womb. Not knowing what kinds of birth defects and disabilities would ensue. I remember feeling guilty for complaining about being so overwhelmed, etc, when I had completely healthy children.

She was brave through months of bed rest, months of testings, months of unknown.  Her baby was born ... and survived. And faced heart surgeries, angioplasties, cranial surgeries... I could research more if I had more than 5 minutes.

Her baby is a miracle baby... and now she's 3 1/2, and growing and walking (running), and learning words, and always, ALWAYS smiling!

This week, I had the opportunity to help out in her little class! It's always a blessing to see her miracles... so many things the doctors predicted and she has surprised them all... but she hasn't surprised God!  and her mom... still amazingly brave as she ventures into each new discovery and each new stage!

STOP

Just a Five-Minute tribute to my friend Julie, and her sweet Elisa!!

Women of Influence

Sue ... she has been a mentor to me, a prayer warrior for me. She keeps me real and corrects me when I beat myself up over past mistakes. Her kids are grown (I give her advice on how to be a better mother-in-law) :) She has been through it and encourages me!

Amy ... one of my few college friends that is still local (well, that's a lie... we knew each other in college but really weren't close friends) Our husbands roomed together and when we both ended up back in "collegetown" area, we reconnected and are closer than ever. We worked together for about a year. We had our first kids 6 months apart and we get together often.  She is a true friend in that she recognized that I needed help after baby #4 and she wasn't afraid to confront me about it. I began seeing a counselor thanks to her and she keeps me accountable to keeping my attitude in check.

Jeni ... another "friend I knew in college, but didn't really KNOW her until later in life" We connected at church about 7 years ago. She intimidated me in college so I was nervous when I saw her at church, but NO FEARS... She is AWESOME (and down to earth). She has challenged me in my devotional, prayer life. One of those people that isn't afraid of what people think when she speaks her mind about hte truth of God and God's Word.  She has encouraged me to pray out loud. The devil can't hear our thoughts like he can hear us SPEAK God's power over situations in our lives.  The bible talks time and time again about our VOICES and praying God's power out loud.  I am still working on this... SUPER self-conscious!

Joanna ... the perfect example of a Titus 2 Woman. She goes to my church, although I met her when my husband was in Seminary (she was a faculty wife) and I gleaned much from her teachings in seminary wives meetings. Then we ended up in the same church and I am still gleaning from the wisdom God has given her. She has been married 45 years! and just spoke to our mom's group last week on Philippians 2 and how this applies to our marriages! I also have the privilege of attending her Monday Night Bible Studies... this fall we are studying Psalm 106 and God's Continuous Grace ... oh how I see myself in the Israelites and Moses!

Women in my church growing up... to this day, I still remember attending Wednesday Night Prayer meeting as a young girl/early teen and listening to the older women pray when we broke up into small groups for prayer.  I think churches need to get back to this prayer time with older women praying with younger women (and older men with younger men). I have greatly enjoyed being a part of my current church's prayer group on Sunday night ... once again I am listening to the older women pray (and praying with them)!

Cathy ... another friend that is right there in the thick of it with me. We talk, commiserate, encourage, and help each other out. She does such a great job of encouraging me and being there for me... I only hope that I am doing the same for her!!  She gives even when there is nothing left to give!

My Mom ... not that she was perfect, (after all, I did get my housecleaning skills from her) but the things I remember most about growing up is always finding her on the couch in the morning, reading her Bible and praying.  AND that will do more for my kids than all the other "Stuff" in life!!

and some online influential women...

Ann Voskamp (A Holy Experience)... reading her blog is what challenged me to get back on track in counting my blessings. Her book always said the right things at the right times (finding God in messy stuff, too) Her way with words, her peaceful voice, her encouragement, the reminder that ALL IS GRACE!!  Go read her blog, go buy her book!

Courtney (Women Living Well) ... a godly woman striving to be a Titus 2 Woman online. Her blog greatly encourages and motivates women to living Biblically in their home (and she's real about it, too... she shares her mistakes and failures)

Beth Moore (Living Proof Ministries)  I first did one of her Bible studies 5-6 years ago and they are life changing! She gets into the Word and speaks truth...(and she's funny!!) I can't even begin to tell you what her studies have taught me. and to be reading her blog regularly has been an encouragement when I am not focused on a study. I have been taking part in this year's Siesta Scripture Memory Team and while I will not be able to go to Texas for the Celebration! :(, the verses I am working on are just what I need in my life right now!

This post was written as a part of Home With the Boys' 31 Day's series

and is linked up with TopTen Tuesday with OhAmanda!

Five Minute Friday --Friends

It's Friday again... which means Five Minute Friday!!


Won’t you join us?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back with Lisa-Jo and invite others to join in.
3. Go a little overboard encouraging the writer who linked up before you.







Here's my Five minutes
On Friends

START

Friends show up on your doorstep when you are stranded at home because you are down to one vehicle for a week and starting to go a little crazy... and your house isn't one that you can just "stop by because you are in the neighborhood" It takes effort to get here! She will also bring a playmate (her daughter) for your 3YO to be occupied while you two chat it up! and she will bring chocolate!! :) Thank you, Cathy!

Friends call you 5 minutes before car line to see if you want to meet at the park with your kids after school. So thankful for Fridays when you don't have to worry about homework and for SUN after days of rain!! Then you sit at the park for over an hour while your kids run around together and play. and you talk about everything and anything and forget your train of thought while you stop to break up fights and tell everyone to get along and be nice. and you share struggles and joys and ask advice and listen and then when you are driving home you think of three more things you meant to talk to her about. Thank you, Amy!!

These are my two In Real Life Friend moments this week!!

STOP

unbelievably, I don't think I have a picture of myself with either of these friends... so it's a pictureless post!