She Goes

I am sitting here in red shoes typing in the comfort of the airport...on my way to She Speaks...woo-hoo!  Me and my little red shoes are MORE than excited.  Excited to experience and see God in some huge ways in the next few days.  Excited to hug the necks of some most amazing women.  Women who I have been very fond of from a distance...and now I get to love on them in person!  Yeah.  Part of my heart is still at home with one Engineer and two adorable little boys...so will you join me in praying for them.  Praying for them to bond, have super fun times, eat boy food, and to know that I love them.  Thank you friends for living life with me.  I love you, and am praying that you have a super duper day! 

On Purpose,
Nichole

ps.  Just so you know TSA (airport security) does NOT count how many pairs of shoes you pack!  That I am sure qualifies as a form of grace!

What do you want?

Hello and welcome to the blog. Friends thank you for stopping in. I have to warn you that life anywhere around me is a tad bit chaotic these days. So first you can lift praise that you are not the Engineer and his two adorable little prodigies. For I am truly lifting praise to God for them. For they are dealing (or rather coping) in such amazing ways with this momma who is very low on patience and high on tears, emotions, and stress of all sorts! The Engineer and the boys have been helping, encouraging, and praying me through this, and I can’t thank them enough.

This morning something the Engineer said right before he left for work led me into a conversation with God.

The Engineer:

“Nichole I see you wanting this so bad, and you are trying so hard, and I think that’s why it’s not happening.”

Stay with me for a few here and this will all make sense…or I hope so!

So after the Engineer heads off to work I sit on top of my bed with my Bible on my lap and I begin to read Psalm 141

O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1-2

And I hear God reply;


“What do you want?”


And I respond:


Well I don’t want to be so stressed and overwhelmed. I don’t want to be making my family suffer through this. They weren’t called into ministry, why should they have to sacrifice?

And God asks again;

“What do you want?”

And I respond:

I want a 3 minute and a 5 minute talk for She Speaks. God you remember its next Friday night right?

And He responds;

“Nichole do I need to remind you that I created the entire world in 6 days!"


And to be perfectly honest now I am getting a little upset and thinking 'God can’t you not see the stress, the chaos, the un fun times that I am having and my family is going through. I am lacking in patience, kindness, niceness and any or all other good girl qualities right now! '

And then He asks real quietly again;

“What do you want?”

And from deep inside my heart I scream out:

You God I want You. I want more of You.


And it is these next few moments that I realize that more of Him is all and everything I need. More of Him will push aside the stress, the chaos, and the ickiness that surrounds me!


I am praying this morning and asking for more of Him to wash over my heart. For I want my prayer to be;

But my eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign LORD; in You I take refuge. Psalm 141:8

Part of me wishes I could say that in these moments of working on my heart that He also wrote a 3 minute and a 5 minute talk and zipped them to me Air Mail from Heaven, nope.
—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13

I am just a girl, desiring to live life so close to Him that all the world can say is at least she knew and breathed her Jesus.

May the work of His hands continue!

Are we there yet?

“Are we there yet?”

Do you remember asking that question as a little kid?

Or maybe now you have been on the receiving end of that question as a parent or grandparent. I have answered that question a few times in my journey of motherhood. I am blessed to be able to say now to my little guys…

“Boys only two more Backyardigans and we will be at Nana’s house.”

**Backyardigans are little cartoons and are usually 20 minutes in length.

Most of you here reading today did not have the privilege and blessing of such a distraction on a road trip. We toughed it out…right?

Lately I have been asking God this question,

“Are we there yet?”

When I ask this question it truly is loaded with a whole lot, I am a woman and wired completely so that truly shouldn’t shock you, well maybe the shocking part is that I am bold enough to ask God a loaded question!

Anyway I have been asking Him this question and its meaning is packed with,

“Have I arrived at the point where I will not struggle with pride?”

“Haven’t I made it to the destination of not trying to tap dance for You and get Your stamp of approval?”

“Did I miss the stop points on how to do this whole relationship thing? Because I still don’t have all these earthly relationships mastered, nor the one with You?”

“I must have missed a turn off or exit somewhere, I feel like I am going the hard way.”

“Is the road closed that is leading to the ministry You have called me to, why are we going a different way?”

This morning as I read 2 Corinthians 3 I am reminded of the major distances between the Old and New Testament. In the Old Testament people traveled on roads focused on rules, rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices. While the people of the New Testament had some new paved roads to travel on. The signs along these new roads shined with grace, love, relationship, and freedom.

God whispered to me this morning in 2 Corinthians 3. As I am reading of the difference between the Old Testament and New Testament. I hear Him say…

Nichole you are performing, trying, doing and going all in the old ways. You are back there driving on those roads. You are caught up in the old way of doing it, there is a new way. A new way in which I have made for you, a way that is surrounded with freedom, grace and love. A new way that focuses on being in relationship with Me.

Friends I have found myself with a veil of pride wrapped so tightly around my eyes that I can’t even see where we are going.
I have removed the veil for you Nichole, that’s what Jesus did for you. You don’t have to do anything! Just be with me, enjoy the ride and know that when we get there, it will be on time.


“But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

P.M.S.

P.M.S.


Pretty. Much. Stressed.

My head is a whirlwind of thoughts, and chaos these days!

Why you might ask?

I am prepping for a conference next week, making lists, lists of what to pack, lists of what needs to be done before I leave, lists of what to buy for food for the boys while I am gone, weeding the yard, scrubbing toilets, cleaning floors, trying on outfits, prepping my talks, feeding the dog, trying to be a momma to two energy filled boys, making meals, remembering to brush my teeth, trying to get enough sleep, trying not to procrastinate, prepping for the oldest little guys birthday, trying not to forget back to school is just around the corner, checking the mail which leads to stress when envelopes get opened and bills appear from out of nowhere, thinking about whether my eyebrows need to be tamed, still working on being the supportive, loving submissive Engineers wife, oh and did I mention it’s the week in which hormones are in a bouncy house having a hay day?

So there you asked!

Oh wait that’s right you didn’t ask, so why in the world share all of it…especially in such a public forum?

Because as I re-read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 this morning, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any troubles with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.”

I am reminded it’s not about me and my story. It’s not about me being worried about being misunderstood, embarrassed, or ashamed. It’s all about Him and His story. I am trusting and believing Him this morning. He has some love and grace to give. And maybe, just maybe that person clicks on today and gets loved on…now that will make this all worth it!

For what we go through in this world cannot separate us from the love of God.

Nothing can.

Not hormones.

Not our own agenda.

Not our sleep deprived minds.

Not our dogs, toilets, weeds in our yard.

Not our lack of parenting skills.

Not our bills, money, and credit cards.

Not even our out of control eyebrows.

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39

Nothing can.

Friends that is a promise that is filled with God, back by God and will be fulfilled by God.

May you hold tight and know that today.

May you know that in the Pretty Much Stressed times of your life you are still surrounded by a God who loves and adores you and that this is part of the story and He will tell it when and how He needs too!

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

Same Place

Do you have a favorite place?

A place that you go to that just works for you?

I think in my life I have tried many of 'places'.

But there is truly one place that when I am there I find the most joy, the most peace, the most love and grace.

That place never moves.

That place is the same place.

A place to do life.

A place to work things out.

A place to celebrate.

At His feet surrounded by His Presence.

A place filled with love and grace.

Not me...but Him

There have been some minutes, moments, days lately that I have been a little overwhelmed and stressed.  There is alot going on...and doing life purposefully takes energy and commitment.  And sometimes I get lost and the focus gets blurred.  I get lost in pride, emotions, and selfishness.  I find it hard to see the ultimate purpose.  I want to just not play anymore...the game is too big.  Leading takes courage.  Listening takes patience.  Obedience takes trust.  Being strong takes strength.  All of these things are not in me. 

So the other day God in all His love and grace reminded me.  Its about Him.  Its about loving His people.  Loving on them for Him.

I know He asked me...but without Him it won't happen!

Friends He has asked you too!  He needs all of us to love, love the lost right into His arms.  But will you join me today, listen to this song, and remember what it takes to love all comes from Him!

Better late than never

Hello!  Well I come to say thank you for extending grace and waiting so patiently.  I have found myself enjoying and celebrating life with the Engineer, our T- Squad, friends and family members.  This celebrating has had me in the parks, by the pool, and traveling out of town. 

I also come to announce the winners...better late than never right?

The winner of the signed copy of Joyce Meyers book Eat the cookie...buy the shoes is Kati M!!!

Congrats Kati! I trust and know Jesus will love on you through this book.

And the winner of the $10 ecard for Zappos.com is Cindy!!!

Congrats Cindy...have fun picking out some cute shoes for your feet!

Again thank you for your grace and patience!

May your day be filled with some great summer moments!

Discipline Yourself to Celebrate

I am singing, “I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah Another day of living, I just want to celebrate another day of life” ( lyrics by Rare Earth)


Hello! Welcome to the blog! I am SO glad you are here today. We are celebrating!

We are on the last Chapter Discipline Yourself to Celebrate of  the Joyce Meyers book Eat the cookie…buy the shoes.

And I want you to do just what the title of this last chapter says…and join in the fun today!  Oh and spread the celebration...invite your friends to join in!

This book has been all about learning how to lighten up and not be so strict with ourselves, seeking true balance, celebrating and learning how to reward ourselves for progress.

I am a real girl and I realize first hand there are unexpected and unpleasant things in the day to day life. An unexpected bill comes in the mail, something breaks, the car needs to go to the mechanic, a 4 year old tries to demonstrate he has the same DNA as me when it comes to stubbornness.

Day to day life my friends is why we need to celebrate. And when we learn the fine art and balance of celebrating it will help us not to feel so overwhelmed with all the unfun stuff we have to deal with.

It is NO coincidence that we are celebrating today…why you might ask? Well being a girl who chooses to believe God is purposeful and intentional…He has us here today celebrating…and He purposefully planned it on a weekend that is all about celebrating freedom.

Friends there are things that cause us to be sad, mournful, disappointed, upset, frustrated, mad, angry, overwhelmed…did I cover them all? But our focus shouldn’t stay there.

God sent His Son to die on a cross for us. For us to experience true freedom. Our focus should not remain on the sadness and death that was displayed on the cross, aware of it, yes, but rather we should go on…move on to celebrate the freedom we have and celebrate it and live in it each day!

The last chapter of Eat the cookie…buy the shoes is packed full of some super great encouraging and motivating advice on learning how to discipline yourself to celebrate.

So being a girl who lives on purpose…we are celebrating today!

The Book

First of all there is a signed copy, yep by Joyce Meyer herself, Eat the cookie…buy the shoes. A huge thank you to Joyce Meyer Ministries and the very generous heart they have!






The Shoes

Second of all there is a Zappos.com $10 ecard to be given away!!


This is a fun picture of my Red, White and Blue shoes!





And the great news is that everyone wins this:





The Cookie

Third here is a recipe for “double doozie” cookies. Now I am not sure that this is the exact recipe for the ones Joyce refers to celebrating with at the end of the book. But by reading the recipe and seeing this picture…its looks and sounds worth of celebrating with in my book. The boys and I will be making these today and eating them up! Yum!



"Double-Doozie" Cookie Recipe

FOR THE COOKIES:

1 cup softened margarine
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
12 ounces chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup M&M's
FOR THE ICING:
1 pound confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons hot water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Mix together margarine, baking soda, granulated sugar, brown sugars, vanilla extract and pudding mix. Add eggs. Gradually add flour (may need to add a little more as dough needs to be stiff, but not too stiff). When mixed well, add chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheet. After cookies have taken their form, place the M&M's on top and edges.
Total bake time is 8 to 10 minutes. Cool.

While cookies are baking, make icing:
Mix together confectioners' sugar, butter, shortening, milk, hot water, salt, vanilla and almond extract.

Apply a layer of icing between two cooled cookies to form a sandwich.

These freeze well!


Join in the celebrating…leave a comment and share your favorite pair of shoes…your favorite cookie! There will be two winners, one for the book Eat the cookie…buy the shoes and one for the Zappos.com ecard. I will draw the lucky winners next week and announce!

The only thing that would make this celebrating even MORE fun…is eating these cookies in person while wearing our favorite shoes!

Friends doing life with you is always great and amazing. Thank you for walking alongside and seeking balance and celebrating.

Choose to celebrate with me and sing along…

“Celebrate good times, come on!
Celebrate good times, come on!
There’s a party goin’ on right here.
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you!” (lyrics from Kool and the Gang)