Five Things Happening Right Now...

Here's a five things that are happening right now....


**The business is booming, which is good.  It means Hubs is very busy, but also very happy!
**Both kids are running at full throttle all. the. time.  Which means we spend an inordinate amount of time in the car.  Thank goodness we like our vehicles.  Baseball hasn't even started yet either...oi!
**Actually, I just filled out the family calendar with the events I am aware of through the end of June (when both kids are done with school) and Lord have mercy, it's about to get CRAZY up in here!!

**I just bought my first ticket to a Women's / blogging conference!!  WooHoo!!!  I'll be heading to the Declare Conference at the beginning of August, and I'm terribly excited.  and nervous.  and excited.   I know virtually no one, well except the ones I know virtually, so this is going to a stretch for this quiet, introvert.  But I'm going to get everything I can out of it.  Advice on preparation? Anyone?

**I'm reading It Starts with Food.  It's enlightening and scary what we put into our bodies on a daily basis.  i was in the grocery store yesterday and though I am only on chapter five or something of the book, I find myself reading more labels and wondering what some of those additives really are... I'm seriously contemplating doing the Whole 30 elimination diet.  I really think that I need a "reset" in my system.  The headaches are back regularly now, and I just feel icky overall.


Okay, so that was kind of a stream of consciousness kind of thing.   But hey, at least I wrote something...  What is going on in your world?  

An Influential Women Linkup

I'm so excited to be linking up with the ladies over at Influence today for  AN INFLUENTIAL WOMEN LINK-UP.   I think it's such a cool idea to be able to get to know one another like this, and build community between members before the conference in the fall.  

...This is me...
Three things get-to-know me things: 1.  I've been blogging for awhile - since 2009. BUT it's only been in the last few months  where I've caught on to what God  really had planned for it.
2.  I love the color purple...not sure why, but I do...
3.  I laugh. Alot.  Loud.  My Husband & kids say that's how they locate me at social functions...they follow the laughter.
What really drew me to the Influence Network was the concept of like-minded women who come together to support one another as each one endeavors to "make their online life mean something." 
It's such a cool concept!    But actually becoming a member? That was God's idea...and I went with it!   
And I'm so excited to meet a whole bunch of you through this link-up!

My Re-Branding Process

Re-branding, Re-working, Re-designing...I don't really know what to call it, but after much work, I feel like this little blog here has some direction.  WooHoo!
Background Back in 2009 when I started Enjoy The Process, it was designed primarily to keep long distance family apprised of goings-on in our household.  We had a 10 and 12 year old a the time and things were changing quickly for us.  Over the years, the look or design has changed on a regular basis.  I think I thought if it was cute enough or looked just right, that it would be successful.  What I didn't grasp until recently was that it's what is behind the scenes that is the heart beat.  I've run hot and cold from day one, never really finding "my voice" and always ending up frustrated.  Until recently...
Re-Design Late in 2012, I decided I needed to "invest" a little bit in my blog.  To date, I had always used free templates and did what I could.  I learned ALOT, don't get me wrong.  But now, I really felt like I needed to invest some money in it...where your (treasure) money is, is where your heart is. (Matt. 6:21)  
So I contacted Amanda @ Royal Daughter Designs.  She did a great job of setting me up with a design that is clean and simple and suits me.

Early in 2013, I joined the "movement" if you will, to choose One Word for the year.  Don't you know, God chose Intentional for me.  Since then, I've still run a bit hot and cold - only posting sporadically, and never really feeling comfortable with what I was doing. Until...
Until I began to pray.  Yep.  I began to pray for my blog.  And the readers.  And my voice.  And His purposes for all of it.  And because He is who He says He is, and He loves me so much, He answered me...a couple Sundays ago in church...during worship.  You can read about it here.

VISION Using my voice on Enjoy The Process  by Him and for His Purposes.


Re-Working That of course led to this post, and a re-working of my ABOUT page.  I also re-worked, updated the Me & Mine (Family page) which was way out of whack for some reason.  And finally, I even created a couple of buttons for the sidebar.  See, I'm getting there....
All that brings me to this weekend.  I was poking around The Influence Network and came across a thread about creating an "Elevator Pitch."  I'd heard of it, but never put much thought into it.  But I distinctly felt a nudge from God to work on it.
What I ended up doing as I put word on paper was actually to create my mission statement, which really began with my tagline - Living Well, Laughing Often. Loving Much.

MISSION Mine is a Christian lifestyle blog with a heart to encourage families (esp. moms) to Enjoy The Process of everyday life by:
Living Well - maintaining good health "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."  1 Cor. 6:19-20 NKJV
Laughing Often - laughing is not only a form of praise, but His joy is our source of strength "Then our mouth was filled with laughter,And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”" Psalm 126:2 NKJV
"Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, forthe joy of the Lord is your strength.”" Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
Loving Much - he who is forgiven much loves much... "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”" Luke 7:47
It's my hope and desire that by sharing our story, families would be strengthened, encouraged and learn to enjoy their walk with Him as they pursue His Purposes in their daily lives.
Now, I have to admit there is a phrase here that I am not altogether comfortable with.   "Christian lifestyle blog" seems so overdone or over-used maybe, but through prayer it came down to the fact that that is what this is...a blog about Christian life.  God said to use it.  So I did.
Then I reduced that down to a simple statement...my elevator pitch...

ELEVATOR PITCH Enjoy The Process is a Christian lifestyle blog designed to encourage families to LIVE well, LAUGH often and LOVE much while pursuing His Purposes in their daily lives.
So, what do you think?
Do you have a Vision / Mission Statement or Elevator Pitch?   Let me know in the comments, I'd love to see yours...

What is Ordinary? {FMF}

Ordinary. What is ordinary?  I ask myself that question all. the. time.  Because I feel so ordinary sometimes.   But maybe that's what I'm supposed to be.   After all I am fearfully and wonderfully made.   I am the daughter of a King - a princess to be sure.   I am the wife of a fabulous man, and two wonderful people call me mom. Sometimes I struggle with it "being enough".  Usually when I'm looking at others and their "ordinary." Sometimes I struggle with it "being too much".  Usually when my focus has left the One who created me for this time and season.  Ordinary.  Yep, that's what I am... Linking up with the Flashmob of Writers known as Five Minute Friday @ Gypsy Mama's.

I give myself away...

Worship during a Sunday morning service seems like a strange time to get the vision for my blog (and maybe even my life), doesn't it?  Well, that is what happened a couple of weeks ago.  This is the song we were singing...

I've been praying for weeks about what direction to take with my blogging.  I came to a point where I was a mere button push away from deleting the whole thing.  I just couldn't do it...push that delete button. Then I realized that the reality of it was this - I liked the idea of being a blogger.  I liked the community aspect and the wisdom exchanged in the blogosphere is tremendous, but I found what I was really reckoning with was - whether or not I wanted to put in the work it takes to be a blogger.

I am keenly aware and understand fully the principle of "we make time and space for things that are truly important to us," so this bit of truth hit hard.  Real hard.

I've struggled for quite some time with "not finishing" things.  Projects, crafts, scrapbooks, photos, etc.  I have stacks of things that have gone undone...unfinished.  And I've just not wanted blogging to be added to that pile.  And by deleting it, that's exactly what would have happened.  In the long run, it's really much less about what I want and desire and more about simple obedience to what God has said - what He has quickened in my heart.  It's about giving myself so that He can use me in whatever way He sees fit.  It may be my words on a screen, or a comment I make.  It may be a hug and a prayer with a real life friend who needs them.  

Whatever He desires is really my desire. I look back and when I was standing there singing those words with hands lifted high, I truly understood the vision of my life and my blog.  I've always understood the words, but now I know the truth, the reality of it.  
My life is about giving myself away in such a way  that I can be used by Him for His purposes -  so that His Kingdom is advanced here on earth.  
It boils down to this - it's a choice.  Am I going to walk down this path of writing with all of its vulnerability and human-ness, building community so that God's purpose and plan can be achieved in the lives of myself and others?   Or am I going to be content to wonder what could have been?   Am I willing to step up and "punch fear in the face" as Jon Acuff says, and write?  Just write, comment, and interact...not for me, but out of simple obedience to the One who has called me to this place in time?  It's an honor really.  To be chosen for such a time as this to affect the sphere of influence HE has given me... It's really an act of my will, this writing challenge (and every other area of my life)...
My willing and intentional response to His call to "give myself away so that He can use me." 
Linked with: Fellowship Fridays Desire to Inspire Women Living Well

What Mom & Daughter Wore...

This is the post where I tell on myself and then enjoy the happy photo find!  And somehow I connected both What I Wore and What Works For Me.... another happy connection... First the tell on myself part...
I have a love / hate relationship with the digital photography realm.  One the one hand, I love the instant gratification of seeing the photo you just took and knowing what it looks like and whether or not you want to take another. But what I really dislike, and can't seem to get a handle on, even after all these years of taking digital photos is the "processing" of them.  No, I'm not taking that little roll of film to the store to have it developed, but there is still a process - unloading the sd card, filing the photos, editing, and backing them up. Friends, it's confession time - I stink at this process.  I'm pretty good at getting them off the sd card, but once they enter my laptop, forget about it - literally.  And the backup - mama mia I can't tell you the last time...I know....  {sigh} Case in point - I switched laptops in the fall... about 4 months ago, and just now have I begun to put the photos on my new laptop.  Part of the problem is the learning curve with iPhoto - SO, if anyone has any tips on using this program,  and wouldn't mind helping a sista out, I'd be terribly grateful!! Now the happy photo find...
But I digress.....  In the uploading I just finished I was pleasantly surprised to find a photo shoot I did with my Dollie last fall.  It was a sunny Sunday afternoon after church and we both looked cute, or so we thought, so we had some shots taken...

   These outfits are really typical for the two of us.  I love the skirt, boot, top look for fall and winter and it works for me, so I go with it.  She is really into the blazers/jackets right now. My outfit - black skirt: Macy's, print top: Macy's, boots: Famous footwear Her outfit - not sure - black jeans: Macy's, top & jacket: Charlotte Russe, boots: Famous Footwear Linking up with: What I Wore Wednesday @ The Pleated Poppy Works For Me Wednesday @ We Are THAT Family

About Me Page...

Welcome to Enjoy the Process, where I endeavor to share my story ~ 

First & foremost, I'm a Jesus-girl, a sinner saved by grace, walking everyday by His empowerment!  I'm married to the Man of my dreams - literally, and together, we are raising two teenagers.

My life is all about Living well, Laughing often, & Loving much, so that is what I share.  Things like...

• our gluten-free diet lifestyle, including recipes and links I find helpful...
• our teen-raising challenges and triumphs (as much as I can post without embarrassing them)...
• our marriage and parenting successes and not-so-successes...
• the insights that the Lord is sharing with me...

Bottom line?  I have a heart to share my story in the hope of encouraging & moving others forward in theirs.

A Few Random Facts about me...

1.  I had a dream about my wedding and the groom even before we were dating.

2.  I am a Guillain-Barre miracle recovery story.

3.  Purple is my favorite color.

4.  I work part-time for our church doing everything from weekly bulletins to social-media.

5.  I have a love/hate relationship with Apple i-products.

Taco Seasoning Mix {WFMW}

This morning I was mixing up a batch of Taco Seasoning Mix and I had the thought - "doing this takes so little time and yet it so works-for-me."  Then I had a slap-my-forehead moment when I realized I should share it with the masses on Works For Me Wednesday.   I only wish I had made a note of where I originally got the idea and the recipe, though we have tweaked it over the years. It's easy to make.   It's easy to use. It tastes great. And you know exactly what's in it...unlike the envelopes...

TACO SEASONING MIX 1 Tbs. Chili Powder 2 tsp. Onion Powder 1 tsp. Cumin 1 tsp. Garlic Powder 1 tsp. Paprika 1 tsp. Oregano (optional) 1 tsp. Sugar 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt Mix together.   Store in an airtight Container.  (My TW snack cup holds a double batch.) I believe one batch is about the same amount as one of those envelopes, but honestly, I just eyeball it. I also typed up the recipe and put it on the fridge so I don't have to look for the recipe when we run out.  (Because I'm efficient like that...) Linked with We are THAT Family - Works For Me Wednesday

My heart is full...

"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine" Song of Solomon 6:3
This week my heart is full.   Monday we celebrated 18 years of marriage.  Eighteen!  Someone please explain how that is possible?!?  Seems like only yesterday we walked into that church on such a beautiful, sunny February day - only to come out a little while later to a blizzard.  Ahh February in NY!   Thursday we celebrated Valentine's Day.  I use that term celebrated loosely, because around here our love is not reserved for just one day, but for everyday.  We have always purposed to show it and be it on a daily basis.  For each other.  For our kids.  For our Heavenly Father. But yesterday this week, my Man went all out.  This whole week has been an extra special showering of gifts and flowers, candy and hugs.  For me and our kids.  Truly amazing how he knocks my socks off again and again! And tonight...tonight we celebrate big, with a night out.  It's been awhile since it's been just the two of us.  We usually go out with the kids - we like spending the time with our teenagers and they with us.  But tonight, it's just us...and a host of other couples from church, all dolled up ready to eat, dance, and enjoy our way through the evening!   It's our evening to celebrate one another and the love formed over time.   This week, my heart is full. Linking up with Lisa Jo and a host of others at Five Minute Friday! Also linking up with Fellowship Friday

Happy Anniversary!

Thank you sweetheart for 18 unforgettable years!  

There have certainly been ups and downs, 

but through it all, God has been faithful 

and we have grown!  

I cannot imagine my days without you!  

I love you more than I did on that sunny/blizzarding day back in 1995!

Happy Anniversary!!

Winter {Sunday Community}

“As long as the earth endures, 

seedtime and harvest, 

cold and heat, 

summer and winter, 

day and night will never cease.”

Genesis 8:22

Linked with: The Sunday Community

A daily life pattern {#hellomornings}

I'm a work in process.  Sometimes I enjoy it and sometimes I don't.  These past several weeks - not so much.  I could give you a list, but what would that accomplish?  
Suffice it to say that I KNOW God is at work.  
How do I know that?  Because He does things like shake up my life - all of it...marriage, kids, work, school, finances, business, everything.   Yeah, He loves me THAT much.  
Know what else?  He urged me to sign up for the Winter - Hello Mornings Challenge.  I didn't look into it...I just went and signed up.  What are we studying you may ask...Why, Job of course.
Job.  
Go figure.  I love the Bible.  And I know it's God's love letter to me.   But really God? Job?   Now, in this season?   Yes daughter, in this season.
He loves me SO much, He's reminding me how a man, a regular man, with a wife, 10 kids, and all of the stuff that we deal with on a daily basis, dealt with a boat-load of adversity.
We finished the first chapter today.  Yep, just the first chapter...
Actually, I could have parked there for weeks.  So much.  So real.  So life.
Let me share a few of my "take-aways" from this first chapter...
1.  Job was a regular guy.   He had regular issues.  He had a wife and kids - 7 sons and 3 daughters.   I'm sure he had some sort of job because verse 3 lists his possessions and ends with "this man was the greatest of all the people of the East."  He was a busy and important guy.
His lifestyle wasn't wrapped up in that though.  Verse 1 indicates that Job was "blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil."  My Bible has a great footnote that says because Job was blameless and upright doesn't mean he was without sin, it means his daily life pattern was toward righteousness and away from evil.
A daily life pattern.  Toward righteousness.  Away from evil.
In verse 8, God describes Job as blameless and upright.   Now, who on earth wouldn't want Almighty God to say that about them?
2.  Job was not exempt from trials.   We all know the book.  We may even know some of the trials he faced.  But have we stopped to think that he was a regular guy facing these trials?
Now, God was aware of what was happening - He always is.  In verse 12 - He even put a limit on what satan could do - he couldn't "lay a hand" on Job - he couldn't touch his physical body.
So satan did what he does - what he still does to this day.  He used people - the Sabeans and Chaldeans as well as natural elements - fire and wind to take away Job's children and possessions.  
3.  Job's response was exactly what God expected. Verse 20 "Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped."  WHAT?  His kids, his stuff it's all gone and he's worshipping?!?
If only I could say that that is my response to trials.  I can't.  More often than not, I complain, cry, moan and groan but I don't set my heart to worship in those times.
And finally, verse 22 - "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."  Again, I wish I could say this is my response, but honestly, this Jesus-girl has a long way to go when it comes to dealing with trials.  
In my mind, I can almost imagine Job in the midst of his worship saying something like...
"This - all of this is not God's fault.   And because it's not God's fault,  I'm going to worship Him through these situations,  because I KNOW that I know HE is faithful,  HE is true, and HE loves me."
I don't know about you, but I want that to be my response in all matters, my prayer at all times.  I want to become a woman who lives her life toward righteousness and away from evil - daily - creating a daily life pattern that is pleasing to God - so pleasing in fact that He can't help but take notice...
What do you think?  Are you reading through Job too? How do you handle trials?

Cherished {#FMF}

It's Friday again - how does that happen? 
And that can mean only one thing - Five Minute Friday, where a group of women come together to write just for the sake of writing.  It's five minutes - who doesn't have five minutes, right?  
Cherished
I saw the word this morning and immediately thought a specific conversation many moons ago.
I was pregnant, probably about 6 months or so.  
One day, I was having a conversation with a lovely yet very lively (older than me) lady at church.  
All of the sudden she put her hand on my swollen belly and with tears in her eyes, she said these words 
I'll never ever forget... 
"Don't take any of it (parenting) for granted.   Cherish every minute.  Don't even blink, because if you do,  you'll open your eyes and she will be 18 and off to college."
I was stunned her words.  After all, I hadn't even labored or borne this babe, and here she was talking about college.  Well, she must have been right.  
I blinked.  
That babe is going to be a junior in high school next fall.  
She'll be taking four college credit courses...her junior year.
I blinked.  
But honestly, I've cherished it all...every minute, every milestone, every season.  

Holding My Peace...

Have you ever gotten out of bed in the dark of the morning only to look back at it wondering, wanting to climb right back in and pull the covers over and call it a day?  Right then and there, before the day even began?  
That was me this morning.  
Getting up was extra tough.  I'm tired, physically, mentally and emotionally.  There are situations facing us right now (I'll spare you the details) that we simply have no control over.  Yet we have to walk through them.  We have to persevere.  We have to press.  
And it's hard.  It's hard sometimes to remember that He is the Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the end, and that He already knows the end. (Is. 46:10)
It's hard to remember that He knows the plans He has for us, and that they are for good and not evil. (Jer. 29:11)
It's hard, but not impossible to remember these things.  They are the reality.  The situations are facts.
How I long to cling to the reality...to Him.   But sometimes it's just plain hard.
I've been reading Exodus 14 for several days now.  
It's so full of wisdom, and encouragement and that's where He has me right now.  
Because I need it.  The wisdom and the encouragement.
The chapter is all about The Crossing of the Red Sea.  These people were in the midst of some circumstances, and their faith had to go to a whole new level.  
There was no hiding under the covers - the Word says they went out with boldness (v.8), even as they were being pursued by the the Egyptians.  That doesn't mean they didn't want to go back...(v11-12).  
They did some serious complaining, but in the end, they went forward. 
 Going backward was not an option (v15).
That's how I feel.  
We HAVE to go forward, but backwards is so much easier, more comfortable and familiar.  
BUT GOD in all of His wisdom, knew we'd have days seasons like this so He made a couple of promises here...
v. 13 - "Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid.  Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today.""
v. 14 - "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Don't be afraid.  
Stand still.  
Hold your peace.   All wonderful promises from an AWESOME God!  
Sometimes, and maybe it's just me, but sometimes they are a little difficult to walk out in the midst of life.  Am I alone here?
When life appears to be crumbling or at least wavering a bit.  
Don't be afraid.
When we want to fix all of this stuff that is going wrong.  Surely I can come up with an answer.  
Stand Still.
If I think enough.  If I pray more.  If I talk about it a little more surely we'll find an answer we didn't think of before.  
Hold your peace.
That's the one that really gets me.  Hold your peace.  Our peace (in Him) is the key.  Our peace (in Him) is the key to our joy.  And our joy (in Him) is the key to our strength.  
So today, I'm challenged.  
Challenged to hold onto my peace.  
Challenged to not allow the circumstances of the day to rob me of my peace, my joy or my strength.  
That's my challenge.  And it is a challenge, because circumstances look big. 
BUT GOD. Linking up with New Life Steward - WIP Wed and also with Amanda - Desire to Inspire

Do You Dare? {#PrayerDare}

Hey Friends!
I'm so excited!  I am working with a a group of women to launch #PrayerDare under the leadership of Amanda over at A Royal Daughter!  It is a project that holds so much promise in the way of changing our lives as we pray on a daily basis, the lives of those we are praying for on a daily basis, and also the community we are accountable to, on a daily basis! Amanda has written a beautiful introduction she has asked each of us to post, so I'll let her do the rest of the 'splainin....

Hi y'all. My name is Amanda and I blog at A Royal Daughter. I'm really not here to talk about me, so if you want to know more, head on over to my little space on the internet and say hi!

I've been working with a handful of amazing, godly, praying women, and together we are excited to announce the launch of a brand new, year-long community initiative: #PrayerDare

What is #PrayerDare?

#PrayerDare is: an online community initiative with the goal of equipping, encouraging, and holding women accountable to practice the daily discipline of prayer. Each month, the #PrayerDare community will dedicate the entire month to praying for a specific topic. #PrayerDare will launch on February 1, and we'll be spending the "month of love" praying for our husbands*.

*For those of you who are not married, PLEASE don't feel excluded. In fact, we want to extend a special invitation for you to join us one of two ways:

1. Join us by spending 28 days praying for a man in your life who holds special importance, but is married to someone else. We're talking about guys like your dad, brother, pastor, or maybe even your best friend's husband. The point is, they need to be prayed for, and there's nothing that says it can't be you praying for them. 

2. If you do not feel called to singleness, why don't you consider joining us by spending 28 days praying for your future husband? We know that God's not bound by time or circumstances, and spending a month praying for your future husband is probably one of the best things you can be doing for your future relationship.

All the Single Ladies....

...please join us!



The first goal of #PrayerDare is to equip women to practice the daily discipline of prayer. On February 1 we will be providing free downloadable prayer cards on aroyaldaughter.com. The prayer cards are intended to serve two purposes:

1. A daily reminder - After downloading the prayer cards (they will be available in black & white and in color), print them, cut them out, and place them somewhere in your home where they will serve as a daily reminder to spend some intentional, quality time in prayer. Maybe you can put them on your refrigerator, or bathroom mirror. Or you can put them in your Bible or quiet time journal. Just don't put them in file 13. They're no help in file 13. 

2. A daily guide - The Lord told us that His Word will not return unto Him void (Isaiah 55:11). Each prayer card will offer a concise and specific prayer that is based on the Word of God. The prayers that we've written are meant to guide you as you begin (or continue!) to practice the daily discipline of prayer. We'd recommend writing your own prayers, or prayer requests, on the back of each card. They will serve as a sort of testimony to your prayer life, and will allow you to go back and see how God has answered your prayers.

Our second goal is to encourage women to practice the daily discipline of prayer. We'll be building our community of praying women primarily on Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #PrayerDare. Following the #PrayerDare hashtag is an easy way to connect online without having to get involved in another website or follow another blog. We know you're busy, so are we! But we're not too busy to spend a few minutes each day praying, and then connecting online and encouraging others to join us.

Our third goal is to hold women accountable to practice the daily discipline of prayer. This is the doozie, right? We think that having someone (or a few hundred someones) holding us accountable is exactly what a lot of us need. So how are we going to do that?

Using the hashtag #PrayerDare, we want you to check in with the community every day. You can tweet, "Hey #PrayerDare sisters! I'm just checking in - have a great day!" or you can be more specific: "I love teaching my kiddos how to pray for their daddy. #PrayerDare" <--- It doesn't matter how you check in, just that you do. And here's where it gets real good, friends. Our idea is that if you miss a day or two or three, someone is going to notice. And it's their responsibility to reach out to you and make sure you're okay.

Did you see that? In order for #PrayerDare to work, each and everyone of us has to take responsibility. We have to be responsible for ourselves: that we check in each day. But we also have to be responsible for others. We need to be actively encouraging other women to pray, and reaching out to them if they slack off. And we need to do it with loads and loads and loads of grace. 

FAQ:

I'm not on Twitter or Instagram, how can I connect?

We've created a Facebook page for #Prayer Dare. However, please keep in mind that the primary location of the community will be happening on Twitter and Instagram. So if find yourself on the Facebook page, you might find yourself in a leadership role right away! Feel free to take the reigns and get that community growing!

How do I follow a hashtag?

You can't actually follow a hashtag, so we'd recommend a two-fold system to stay in touch with each other:

1. Search for the hashtag #PrayerDare.

2. Create a list on Twitter for #PrayerDare. As you see new people in the community, add them to your #PrayerDare list. 

How will I find people in the community?

Well, you can start tweeting and using the #PrayerDare hashtag! Get the word out there, we don't mind! And on February 1 we'll be hosting a link-up so all those who want to be a part of the #PrayerDare community can link up their Twitter or Instagram accounts. That will be a quick and easy way to make connections!

I'm not really active online, how can I participate?

While the original idea of #PrayerDare was to be an online-community, we DO NOT want to exclude those of you who aren't very active in the virtual world. You are more than welcome to print off the prayer cards. In fact, print as many as you want as often as you want. You can even use them to start your own #PrayerDare community in your local church, MOPS group, gym...you get the idea. The point is: if you do not want to be a part of the online community, make it happen in your own personal sphere of influence.  

Can we share prayer requests?

Yes! In fact, if you're comfortable sharing prayer requests, please do. You'll have at your fingertips a whole community of women who will be able to pray for you at a moment's notice. You might want to take advantage of that!

How can I get the word out?

We're glad you asked! Start tweeting using our official hashtag, and it would be super helpful to point your followers to this post. Feel free to share in any way your heart desires. If you plan to join us, you can also put our badge on your website or blog. 

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If you have any questions that haven't already been answered, please contact us!

We can't wait to see you on February 1!

So what do you think?  Wanna join us?  We'd love to have you!

Diving In... {#FMF}

One of my favorite times of the week is when a flash-mod of women get together with Lisa Jo and write.  Just for the sake of writing.  It doesn't take long, and it fills me up.  really, it does.

This week the 5 Minute Friday prompt is DIVE.

I'm not a diver.  Truth is, I'm not much of a swimmer either.   I don't really care much for the water.   I like the beach - sitting there watching the waves, listening to them,  and enjoying the warm sun.
As I type those words, I realize that is pretty much my life too.   I'm not one to jump right in and get involved.   I wait.  I watch.  I look & listen.   Sometimes I enjoy this process and sometimes not.   But seldom do I just dive right in.  
I like the sideline.  I like the view from here.   
But I like to be involved as well.  It's a weird dichotomy.   I think maybe that is why God gave me the word INTENTIONAL for this year.    I need to be intentional about not sitting on the sideline all the time, but maybe  taking a few risks...getting involved...diving in...