Life's Grand Slams

I don't ever want to miss another bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, walk-off-grand-slam again!  

Friday night my friend, Jess and I were at the Padres game. The company was great, but game was pretty long, the score was tied, we were tired and things didn't look too good for the home team. Little did we know that after we left with the score tied at the bottom of the eighth, a guy who had already struck out four times, would become the MVP with a walk-off grand slam to win the game!  And we missed it!! 

We made it through most of the game, but somehow missed the best part. How many times in life has that happened to you? I think about a few specific times that I cut myself short by not seeing a project to the end or halfheartedly finished a task early because I was tired. Maybe you're still waiting for the "one" to come along or you're tired of doing "what's right" and still not getting a look for promotion. Or is that you've tried to help a family member or friend, but it's still not working. Could it be the leadership role you're in is harder than you thought? Whatever that thing is, I encourage you to persevere.

Ask God to continue the good work that He's started. Lean into His Truth so that you'll find strength not give up. Let's not cut ourselves short by settling for anything less than God's best. Because after four strike-outs, there might just be the greatest grand slam ever. Don't quit before it's your time to get there! 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ 

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬

#30B4thirty Adventures

I’m turning thirty later this year and in light of the celebration, I’m beginning a bucket list of thirty fun adventures (both big and small!) to do before my birthday.  I’ve started the list, but need some help! If you want to join me on an adventure, let me know! If there’s something fun I’m missing, send me a message. My intention is to share a little bit about each adventure (as I’m writing from my hotel room in Vegas) and who joined me. This list is dynamic, light-hearted and definitely subject to change. So please, consider joining me, as life is short, it’s full and fun! We have to love well, laugh a lot, be kind and generous, give grace and cherish the time we have with the people in our lives. So with that, come on y'all! 

1.       SD Padres Opening Day at Petco Park

2.       Vegas Weekend

3.       Girls Weekend Getaway

4.       JLSD Food & Wine Festival

5.       Harrah’s Dive Dayclub Pool Party

6.       The Gunion Run

7.       Del Mar Opening Day

8.       Girls Camping Weekend

9.       Palm Springs Weekend

10.   Wine Country Weekend

11.   Float the Caddo River

12.   Wake Board at Carlsbad Lagoon (Get a180 Ollie)

13.   Camp at the Nail Hilton

14.   Balboa Park Summer Organ Festival

15.   SD Movies in the Park

16.   Big Summer Water Gun Fight

17.   Ride the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel

18.   Smores & Stars Night on the Beach

19.   Sky Diving? (Suggested by Nancy)

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I'll write about the Padres Opening Day and Vegas Adventure later this weekend! #30b4thirty is off to a good start!

xoxo
Jes

Community = A Full Heart

Last week I posted a picture of the ladies from our Thursday night Bible study at Daybreak Church. Thursday nights are where my passion meets purpose. It’s where God changes lives, heals hearts, builds friendships, creates community, brings encouragement, redemption, love and laughter. It’s a night where we get to see a little bit of heaven and be reminded that:

God has great plans for our lives.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

He’s designed your life and mine with purpose. (Jeremiah 1:5)

Nothing in life is wasted--not the hurt, the pain or the heartache-- God uses it all for the good of His kingdom. (Romans 8:28)  

One of my favorite things about Thursday nights is the opportunity to meet (and forge friendships with) with some of the coolest women. Women who might not be in my every day circle of life, but women who are authentic and honest in who they are as they seek to live a life filled with the love of Jesus Christ. (See Galatians 5:22)

So what I'm learning is that each lady has a story. A story you’d never know by simply saying hello. One in which compassion, strength and forgiveness meet. A story she's overcome and that can easily be hidden behind a smile and kind greeting.  

Listen to me, we each have a story. And maybe you're her. We each have experienced love and pain, headache and heartache, unwarranted hurt and loss, indescribable peace and freedom, great joy when we never knew we could…we each have a story that will inspire, encourage and give hope to someone else.  

And we need to share what's God's done in our stories and in our lives.  We need our sisters and girlfriends to hear it. We need to let the girl next to us know that she’s not the only one going through it. We need each other. We need to be women whose faith is stronger than our circumstances. Ladies, I encourage you to find a community of Christian sisters and get connected. You need it. I need it and  I promise you it’s worth it. 

                                                                       Out to dinner last week with a few Thursday night ladies!

xoxo
Jes

She designed a life she loved.

I want this to be true about my life.

For the most, it is. Occasionally, there are days full of wimpy and winey, ones where my life is imploding and I can’t do enough or keep up. Those are the days where I’m just getting by and not aware or focused on the purpose for my life. The truth is I want a joyful and full life. One where I get to the end and am proud of the time well spent. A life that’s focused on Hope bigger than this world, friends and family, activities and adventures, great memory making and passions that bring smiles and life to others. I want to design a life that I love. I want to live a life that I love.

And in doing so, I’m back to blogging. In each of my journals the words “Teach. Write. Speak.” are written over and over again. I’m getting to teach and speak, but I’m not doing much writing. Mostly because writing takes a lot of work…emotional, thoughtful, soulful, heart bearing work and truth be told sometimes that’s tough.

So will there be more stories from “Her Little White Dress”, probably not, but there will be plenty from the girl who wore it. They’ll be real [authentic]; encouraging, soul bearing, funny, make you wonder is this girl serious, with some posts you can relate to and others you can’t, but know they’ll each be written with a truth seeking, prayerful heart.

I can tell you that almost four years post “Her Little White Dress”, life is good. I’m right in the middle of designing a life I love and you are every bit a part of it.

xoxo
Jes

Happy New Year!

Well hello, 2015! I can't believe January has almost come and gone! The new year is off to a brave new start. Last year I wasn't much in the mood to resolve, but this year was met with a new excitement. 2-0-1-4 was amazing! It brought its challenges, stresses, hurts and headaches as it was entwined with its joy, freedom, and laughter. 

This year I decided to resolve to: 
1. Wear more lipstick
2. Make every day count
3. Respect time (Be on time)
4. Write a blog
5. Start a nonprofit 

2-0-1-5 is met with action. The last year has truly been one of my favorites, but this year I want to Do. I want to Dream. I want to Dare...and I really, really want to stop talking about it all and take some action! So here I am! Action has started and obedience has begun. 

Wait, what's yours? 

Excited to tell you more!
xoxo
Jes