She Speaks Scholarship Contest

"If you want to make God laugh...tell Him your plans."

Oh how my life has become a testament to the accuracy of this little quote. I never planned on it being that way and certainly would not have set out towards the goal...but change it? Not for the world.

You see when life hurts...life happens. When life happens...love buds. When love buds...God blossoms. And when God blossoms...our hurts are healed. Only in these moments, may we choose to take the lives we've been given...and graciously give them back to Him.

Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." Luke 8:48

In this peace, He revealed a hidden treasure buried deep within my heart...uncovered after the layers of hurt were finally healed, patiently waiting there all along...

...a passion to write.
The seed was planted nearly a year ago when I stumbled across the She Speaks Conference website. She Speaks is part of Proverbs 31 Ministries. The conference promises to be a life-changing experience for women of all generations, equipping attendees to more effectively share the Word of God and reach a hurting world with the life-transforming hope of Jesus.

My heart skipped a beat when I discovered that they are offering a She Speaks Scholarship Contest for Bloggers. Winning the scholarship would be a huge financial blessing on my ministry salary, but more importantly it would confirm my calling to be there and discover His plans for this new dream and begin writing the story He's already written.

This blog post serves as my contest entry, prayers welcome! :)

I started out in life, believing there must be a God
...but I never thought I’d live for Him.

I started out in Corporate America, planning to climb the ladder
...but I never thought I’d jump from it.

I started out in faith, traveling around the world to show His love
...but I never knew His love would be shown to me.

I started out in ministry, hoping to help broken lives become whole
...but I never knew the most broken life would be mine.

I started out in school, hating to read and write
...but I never dreamed God would write a story with my life.

I started out in writing, fearful to begin
...but I then realized...it already had.

Unexpected Happiness

A rainy day often calls for the comfort of a couch and a movie. Wrapped under a handmade blanket from my mother...I found myself in joyful tears as the credits for "Saving Sarah Cain" rolled. I walked upstairs to the newly occupied loft...decorated with traces of adolescence...and smiled at the irony of the movie with the timing of my new roommate. As I stood there and considered moving the empty boxes to the garage, I was swept by emotion...of gratitude.

For someone who has grown accustomed to the refuge living alone provides....the idea of this young girl sharing my roof...brings absolute joy.

I walked back to my room and found a card nestled on my bed..."Thank you for opening up your home to me...especially on such short notice!"...signed with a smiley face and a heart.

The circumstances that have brought her here must feel more like a storm than a blessing...but as the cover for the movie proclaims..."Happiness comes when you least expect it."

"Our inner happiness depends not on what we experience but on the degree of our gratitude to God, whatever the experience." ~ Albert Schweitzer

a Sunday blessing

Sundays do not pass without the true awareness of the blessings they bring.

As my phone rings, often much earlier than desired...I roll over and answer it with a smile...knowing full well who's voice will be on the other end..."you picking us up for church today Brandy?"..."you know I am...see you around 10."

A few hours later, as we roll into church, I am quite certain that we are the only vehicle coming from the West End of Rock Island singing to the likes of Roger Miller. And it makes this country girl's heart smile. :)

After I check the boys into the children's wing...I join the others in the sanctuary...and our row begins to fill as the first songs of worship infuse the air.

From my teen girls...to Chris and his wife and their posse of teen boys...to our other church and ministry friends...our row is complete. And as I glanced down it today...a childhood quote my dad favored, popped into my head "what a motley looking crew." I considered the diversity of our backgrounds..."no way should this group of individuals be standing here together" I thought. And almost immediately I was hit by the reality that we wouldn't be...if somewhere along the way we hadn't all individually fallen in love with Jesus Christ.

We gather after church for food and fellowship...and count our blessings...and say our prayers...all grateful for the group...that Jesus built. :)

THANK YOU for everyone who has made possible my calling into full-time ministry...it is because of you...every Sunday...I am blessed.