Friends, today marks the halfway point of this very eventful leap year... 183 days before this, and 183 days left in 2024. I have a Colorado trip, a Nashville trip, a Disney trip, losing 60 pounds, finishing the Tulsa Half-Marathon, two major exams (NCE and CPCE), and completing my Masters Degree on the schedule for the next half of this year! Just keeping it super light and breezy. lol I'm honestly more curious about what unplanned surprises God has in store for me, as that has been the most interesting and exciting element of the year so far...
My Highlight Reel, 2024 Part One:
New Year's Day Lunch, 1-1-2024- “I recently said out loud, ‘Ugh, where is anyone to help!?’ about a new client with a feeble support system... and even as I said it, I realized it was me. God continues to open my eyes and bring hope as I consider HIS power to do new things in me and through me, even and perhaps especially in situations that appear dire or dark or hopeless.” (1-11)
- “If the world feels especially dark, pray for the light of Christ to shine in you and through you… When we feel helpless, we bring God's power and strength into that. It’s a simple yet powerful concept: Think about what you're dealing with lately (which reflects what is coming against you spiritually), and bring the opposite against it in the name of Jesus!!” (Bring the Opposite, 1-16)
- “Reaching this matching milestone has not been a short or simple path. And I'll strongly emphasize that there are no guarantees moving forward, other than that God will remain faithful and true!!” (Embryo Adoption Match #1, 1-25)
- “In Scripture, 40 often indicates a period of trial or faith testing, closely followed by God fulfilling a promise, bringing ‘new life, new growth, transformation, a change from one great task to another.’” (2-16)
- “Hooray for starting off my 40th year surrounded by the world's best group of friends and my wonderful family!!” (2-17)
- “I understand having a lot of things together but hiding the cringey, messy stuff. I understand reading and writing about God's love but quietly wondering if He's ready to give up on you or deliberately keeping His distance. I am starting to remember and understand the power of confession and getting real and feeling God fight for you in a new way.” (2-29)
- “I'm embracing authentic accountability in places where I'm used to hiding my faults. I'm human and prone to wander, but rather than pretending all is well (putting my image over substance), I plan on getting serious and painfully honest with trusted friends about where I'm falling short... keeping it in the light, seeking support, then repeatedly asking for God's help while genuinely pursuing change… Small compromises add up and snowball. But so does small progress.” (3-3)
- “My emotional sensitivity is UP, and I hate feeling this way. Some questions/ comments are unintentionally striking a nerve lately. I don't want my life to be forgettable, and I don't want to be pitied or mocked. I want belonging and shared joy and connection and purpose and love. (All of which have genuinely increased in my life over the past five years, and none of which are exclusive to motherhood/parenting.)” (Time Change, 3-10)
- “The version of me that I dream of being does whatever it
takes to stay closely connected to Jesus - she is humble and repentant and
fiercely devoted… She lives a life of love that flows from a pure heart, a
clear conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5)!! ❤
He
who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it!” (3-18)
McAlister's with the Whitaker Fam, 3-21-2024- One of Many Tulsa Club Volleyball Tournaments, 4-6-2024
- "I firmly believe there are wonderful Christian single men in the world, and that God knows how to connect us if I really open myself to that possibility and pray for His direction and timing. The natural odds are irrelevant to Jesus, and in fact, He specializes in working with people most of the world has written off as too old or not good enough. So whether it is children or marriage or a thriving counseling practice or a book that changes lives or some combination of all of that, I'm saying yes to everything God desires to give me in this life. And I trust His heart toward me, with faith that He will protect me, give me wisdom, and open new doors for me here if and when the timing is right. ❤" (4-7)
- “God is truly good, and holding fast to our faith does not make us shallow or naïve… We all go through hard seasons, but gracious, embrace every bit of JOY and goodness you find in this earthly life. Look for the good - choose love - choose life - choose to hope in Christ.” (The Hopeful Poets Department, 4-26)
Kyndal's Final 2024 Club Tournament, 5-4-2024- “Shoutout to Chettles and Jeffrey Edward for being excellent friends who consistently show up when it matters with fun-loving, supportive energy! ...Best Brothers Ever! ;-)" (5-6)
- “My strong desire is that God will use everything the enemy intended for evil in my story to rescue and empower others and bring them closer to Jesus! …Also praying for God to continually reveal and remove anything sick or secret in my life moving forward.” (5-10)
- “I appreciate the reminder that women without a husband
and/or children still have the God-given opportunity and the responsibility to
be fruitful and multiply. God did not
leave us out of His Kingdom or of that command, and I'm genuinely grateful for
that! …I'm still waiting on His next
move in my story, but I trust that God is good.
And my highest hope is not in marriage or children, but centered in the
stability of Christ!! ❤” (Mother’s Day, 5-12)
- “Motivational Interviewing = encouraging change talk over ambivalence… The therapist works with them to establishing a compelling vision (what do they really want in life?), take a shame-free, painfully honest look at the discrepancies (where is their current life not aligned with their vision?), build their HOPE that lasting change is possible (by looking at their own past successful changes and the success stories of others, knowing they have a solid support system, and leaning on God's grace), and finally resolve to make small changes that will lead to their desired outcome!!” (A May audiobook that lined up perfectly with my conversation the Wilsons the next week, 5-16)
❤ 5-18-2024- “He [Chet] was in a very unique position to help me reframe surgery as a potentially healthy option to help me live a happier and longer life, without that feeling condescending or calculated or toxic or pressured. I trust his heart toward me, and God prompted him and he spoke well, and I just feel very convinced that God worked all of this out so that my stubborn resistance would not get in the way and I would trust the new narrative and feel this peace from Him. ❤” (In Every Detail, 5-22)
- “I think bracing up is kind of the knee-jerk reaction, and it probably stems from your history with rejection… and that's so understandable. But this is the new, healthier Lindsey, and there's no need to carry that forward!" (Dropping the Sword, 6-3)
- “She [Mel] says to be so careful not to say that someone who treated you terribly "loved you" - that it's dangerous because it changes your standard and lowers your bar for what LOVE should look like and how you deserve to be treated!” (6-5)
- “Mom came in and we held hands and prayed together, and I loved that! One of the nurses mentioned that I was their 7th surgical patient that day, remarking ‘Lucky number 7!!’ Mom and I both looked at each other and smiled - so many little nods from God.” (6-8)
- “The great majority of the changes I've made over the past 3+ years were internally motivated by the hope of adoption and motherhood. I'm uncertain whether that will ever happen, but increasingly confident in God's goodness and power to change things quickly... and I think part of His goodness to me in this season is getting to love and connect with my close friends' and fam's kids, who are very precious to me!” (6-13)
- “In my immeasurable thoughts, prayers, and intentional efforts toward motherhood/adoption as a single woman, my heart is never in *complete* alignment with that goal... the thing that gives me the most pause is understanding the value of a good dad in a child's life.” (Father’s Day, 6-14)
- “On Tuesday, I received news of the 3rd rejected embryo adoption match. I was surprised, but not devastated - more curious what God is up to." (6-20, God was clearly preparing me for this news in what I wrote about the week before in the two quoted posts above)
- “I feel repeatedly in awe of all God has done and all He is doing, reliant on His daily grace, aware of His power and my own inadequacies, growing in humility and hope for the future. Surely God's goodness and mercy are following me, and He is directing my steps and calling me forward.” (6-27)
- “When I got to work today, I promptly registered myself for the Route 66 Half (exactly six months from my pre-op diet start date) and the OKC Memorial Full (on their 25th anniversary next April)… I love you and believe in you, and I believe in your ability to reset and remember who you are... and to live in better alignment with your values and God-given strengths!! ❤” (6-28)
Kate's 3rd Birthday Party, 6-29-2024
YAY for the 7 photos and 24 blog quotes that best represent Part 1 of my 2024. Yay for bookending this post with the Wilsons and Fultons, for whom I am infinitely grateful. Yay for good friends and wise counsel and a solid support system and slowly surrendering to change! Yay for seeing God's hand at work as I look back over the past (and when I slow down and pay attention in the present). Yay for this fresh start and for feeling hopeful and excited about what lies ahead in Part 2 of 2024!! Happy Monday, Happy July, and Happy Birthday to Malori today!
God is WITH us and FOR us, and He will be faithful to complete every good thing He has started inside us as we are faithful to intentionally walk in step with Him!! ❤
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