Girls On The Run

Our Beautiful Girls from Rogers Elementary

Since it's Thursday and I'm being intentional about sharing how grateful I am for the many gifts God has given me, I really want to tell you about these sweet girls. Our season is just about half over and I have already learned so much. The curriculum the YMCA offers for GOTR is wonderful. If every girl had the opportunity to learn what they we are learning (4th-6th graders), it would be a better world. They We are learning so much about self-confidence and being healthy mentally and physically. If I would have been exposed to this program at their age, God only knows where I would be today.

The other day I was the main leader/coach. Usually I am the snack person and mainly "help" the other two coaches, but this week I was in charge. Although I had read through the day's lesson plan, I felt totally out of control. I told the girls that since the other coaches weren't going to be there I would need extra cooperation and needed them to help me out. One of the girls took me aside and "coached me" on how to coach the girls. She told me that I was going to have to be a little strict and mean because I am too nice and they would take advantage of me. She said that the other girls weren't going to listen to me unless I got a little mean. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but this girl in particular holds a special place in my heart. Isn't that so cute?! She wasn't going to be able to attend that day, so she wanted to make sure I was okay before she left. 

I was so exhausted by the end of the day. I hope they got a little something out of our lesson. The weather was freezing and I swear I saw snowflakes and it was very windy. Those aren't an excuse, but oh my goodness! I have a new respect for teachers (and substitute teachers). I hope they learned that when they are faced with peer pressure  and someone asks them to do something they aren't sure they want to do, they should stop and take a BRThRR. They should take take 5 Breaths... Think... Respond... and Review. 

Of all of the lessons I've learned so far, the one thing I know for sure is that I'm doing exactly what God wants me to do regarding my occupation. I am so much more comfortable with one-on-one relationships. I would love to mentor just one or two girls at a time and go through this whole curriculum again. 

I am getting so much more out of being a "coach" than I could have ever imagined. I am Blessed Beyond measure.

The Greatest Love of All by George Benson

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody is searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me.

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all.

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of 
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love.

Travis Cottrell

Nine reasons I miss the early days of blogging.

• I was a better wife. It was impossible to be ugly to my husband while writing sweet words here. It really held me accountable to God and myself. 
• I was on fire for God and looked for Him in my daily life. Well, I wasn't actually looking for Him, but it just felt like He was everywhere. I had never known that kind of Faith.
• I didn't realize it was a season and would change. I thought I'd live out the rest of my days. I thought I could make it through anything.
• I didn't question or judge my writing like I do today. I wrote what was on my heart.
• I was validated by total strangers; I'm not going to lie, it was great. I still remember so many of the ladies by name and even some comforting words they shared, especially when I was in the midst of losing several family members. It was a huge support system and made me think God loved me so much that He would send people from all over the country to say some kind words that I must have needed.
• I didn't feel the need to spend endless hours clicking around FB, trying to find something to fill an empty hole. The insecurity that FB gives me is ridiculous. I could click over there right now and go back to 4th grade, feeling rejected and left out. I have to  remind myself that I'm 53 years old, and it's okay. 
• I was exposed to some of the most amazing music. 
• I met women who weren't afraid to share what God was doing in their lives. 
• It was a precious time. 

I'll always "remember"

This song... I remember it not being just a song, but my prayer when I didn't have words.

It takes me to a very special place deep in my soul. It wasn't too long after my brother passed away. My son had just moved home after graduating from law school. He had passed The Bar in North Carolina but decided to come back to Michigan when he didn't find a job soon enough. I believe with all my heart that he wanted to be near his family and it was all part of God's plan. 

I can't remember exactly how much time it took before he found his current job. At the time it felt like forever! It wasn't really all that long, but I will never forget him spending a lot of time downstairs alone, sending out resumes and searching for jobs. I was a little worried about him. Actually, I was very concerned about him, but knew his life was totally out of my control and it was up to God to help. As a mom who loves his child so much, I wanted to intervene with His plan. If you know my son, you know how driven he is and that it bothered him when things weren't happening quick enough. (He and I are both control freaks.) I never wanted him to know how worried I was, but it was exaggerated because at that time I had had not one, but several friends who had recently lost their close relatives because they took their lives. I thought about our own family and how many times we had close calls when they were down. 

I love how a song can hit me to the core and at unexpected times. When I hear this one in particular I thank God for stepping in and proving once again that He is Faithful; He has everything handled; and He is good! 

Bring Him Home by Josh Groban from Les Miserables

God on high

Hear my prayer

In my need

You have always been there

He is young

He's afraid

Let him rest

Heaven blessed.

Bring him home

Bring him home 

Bring him home

He's like the son I might have known

If God had granted me a son.

The summers die

One by one

How soon they fly

On and on

And I am old

And will be gone.

Bring him peace

Bring him joy

He is young

He is only a boy

You can take

You can give

Let him be

Let him live

If I die, let me die

Let him live

Bring him home

Bring him home

Bring him home.

I hope you take a moment today to think back to a time and remember a time when you needed God at a critical time and He proved He could be trusted.

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all of your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds." -Psalm 77:11-12


Much Love, Peace and Joy,
Angie xx 

"Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings" ~Psalm 17:8

Please pray for a little girl who has the most beautiful smile. As I looked in her eyes and at her face the other day I recognized that smile. It could have been mine when I was her age. Mine was hiding a lot of stuff I didn't feel comfortable sharing either; still don't.

I'm so grateful for:

• Journals
• Music
• That God brings people (who might not be our family) in our lives to tell us we are beautiful, and teach us how to love well.
• That although she might not want anyone to know the truth... God knows.
• That our painful experiences can help us years later, when we look in other little girls' eyes.
• For opportunities to give a hug and a real smile.
• That with God, we are never alone.
• That I'm still like a little girl sometimes.

p.s. Please pray for hurt people who hurt people.

Real Beauty

"The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul." -Audrey Hepburn

Happy Easter

Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say,
Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper's spots
and melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
Jesus died my soul to save,
my lips shall still repeat

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow

O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
He washed it white as snow

A week ago.

My last night with my favorite daughter in Santa Monica

Authentic Smile

Memories like this are priceless... :)