What if ... we were inspired to learn more about prayer?

Prayer has been something I feel we should always be willing to learn more about. I believe there are no right or wrong ways to pray but it is something we each should personally develop in our own lives. Not only to help us get through our trials in life but to deepen our walk with the Lord and have fellowship with our Father in heaven.

What if ... we were inspired by others to learn more about prayer?

Bonnie St. John has inspired many people with her own life and what she has accomplished despite her disability but wanted to share how prayer was a big part of it all and has written a book titled "How Strong Women Pray". The book also shares what twenty seven other inspiring women such as Barbara Bush, Kathy Lee Gifford and Amy Grant said about what the power of prayer has done for them in their lives in her interviews with them.

To learn more about Bonnie and watch a video of her interview on Conversations with Carlos Sanchez at: http://www.howstrongwomenpray.com.

Also, you will get a chance to see Bonnie on November 2nd as she will appear on the Today Show on NBC to discuss her new book.

For California and Randee

God, make me brave for life: oh, braver than this.
Let me straighten after pain, as a tree straightens after the rain,
Shining and lovely again.
God, make me brave for life; much braver than this.
As the blown grass lifts, let me rise
From sorrow with quiet eyes,
Knowing Thy way is wise.
God, make me brave, life brings
Such blinding things.
Help me to keep my sight;
Help me to see aright
That out of dark comes light.

(author unknown)

What If...You Were Saved From The Fire?

I sent this email out to the women of the Pink Collar Club this morning. I wrote the letter yesterday morning and updated it this morning when we got the news.

Dear Pink Collar Club,

I sit in front of my television screen at the prompting of my husband only to witness the most intense devastation I've seen in a very long time. Only this time the devastation hits a little too close to home.

I have family directly in the midst of these destructive fires and a brother-in-law who is fighting the fires. Double whammy. (I am referring to the southern California wildfires.)

My husband and I are glued to the screen most of the day and praying in between news flashes as we watch the areas closely. Neighborhood after neighborhood is being wiped out. Hundreds of thousands of individuals evacuated from their homes. Total destruction. The flames are blazing.

I shudder as I try to stay in the moment but my mind begins to drift into the thought of eternal fire and destruction. I shudder again and try as I might to maintain my focus...the here and the now.

Will you stop for a moment to pray for those in the midst of this fire and more importantly those on their way to eternal fire? God help us.

Blessings,
Randee

Recent Update:

The phone rang at 4:21 this morning. My inlaws have been evacuated and placed in a local community center among other "displaced" individuals. The fires have hit their neighborhood. It doesn't look like their house will survive the fires. The material culmination of a lifetime gone in moments but praise God for saving them.

What If...You Were Saved From The Fire?

Both temporary and eternal. Are you?

What if ... we witness for Jesus on Halloween

Halloween is a very touchy subject for many Christians and are often confused whether they should participate in Halloween or not. Last year at the Virtuous Women's Retreat I had someone speak on the topic where he shared how we should participate in the holiday but participate in order to bring the light of Jesus to the world rather then the darkness that is so often portrayed.

I came across an article with 4 fun alternatives for Halloween at: http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/Christian-Halloween-alternatives.html
to help you plan how you are going to spend this Halloween if you haven't already done so.

What if....We Defined Success Differently?

I was interviewed by the producer of a show called “Anything But Ordinary” which provides inspiring stories of individuals’ success and the road that led to it. As I have put together my interview questions, the “What is Success?” question I have asked coaching clients over the years has really provoked a lot of thought as to what message I want to convey to the audience. Since my passion is helping others LIVE OUT LOUD, take a look at the list below to help you think how you really have been successful in YOUR own way.


Here are a few thoughts to help you define your personal success:

1. Are you living your life according to what’s most important? (living your priorities?)

2. Forget about how society or others define success. We all have a unique design and cannot be put into a cookie-cutter mentality.

3. Answer this question: “How do I define success?”

4. If you are not feeling successful, you must be willing to determine if you are living by others’ expectations or by your God-given design.

5. Are there any roadblocks to your success? (i.e. your own thoughts saying you aren’t successful, current life circumstances, etc.)

6. MONEY DOES NOT EQUAL SUCCESS! Especially here in the U.S., that is how success is defined. Refer to above questions to define your personal success!

What If...You Let Your Dream Begin?

Lynn sent me an email a few days ago introducing me to a new community. She had been contacted by a member of the organization giving kudos to The What If...Women blog. They were generous enough to place a link from their blog to ours. I couldn't resist checking them out and now I'd like to share this beautiful community with you.

Let Your Dream Begin is a community of dreamers led by Josh Golder.

Josh Golder has overcome incredible adversity in his own life in order to live his dreams. Now, he’s on a mission to help others achieve theirs by building a community of like-minded dreamers...a community in which all members will help each other to live lives of passion and purpose.

What I find so refreshing is the generosity of Josh Golder. You needn't look any further than his website to find a man of intentional generosity. The focus of his community is on the dreams of others. He asks this question with four answers:

How Do I Start Living My Dream?

Join the Dream Community Mailing List.

Tell Us Your Dream.

Make Connections In The Dream Community.

Attend A Live Dream Event.

The What If...? Women blog is all about "pondering the possibilities" and I find it completely fitting that we would add our voices to the Let Your Dream Begin community.

I already have. How about you?

What if...We could build more courage?

My oldest daughter was nominated to be a Student Ambassador to Europe this summer. We are all very excited. She has her interview before the committee next week and is anxious about it because it reminds her of the interview she had last year for an opportunity to visit Japan through my husband’s work. She was not chosen for the Japan program, so she thinks this interview will turn out the same way. My husband and I reassured her that these are two very different programs and this upcoming interview is more of a formality, rather than a heavy part of the selection process. I also reminded her that she received all the points she needed on her Japan interview, meaning she interviews well. Sometimes, that confidence needs to come from within!

Does this ring a bell for you? Have you ever been a little ‘gun-shy’ about engaging in a similar situation that didn’t turn out in your favor?

TIPS TO BUILD COURAGE:

1. Be willing to evaluate the last situation that didn’t go well for you and examine the pros and cons. If you only see the negative, talk it over with a friend or colleague for a more objective point of view.

2. Courage means seeing beyond what you think and believe you want or need. If something doesn’t happen in your favor, it could be there is another opportunity to come.

3. Trust that you can gain a strength that God provides, and can give you a positive boost of confidence and energize you. You don’t have to do it alone.

4. List the positive characteristics and talents you have. Don’t be modest! Ask others for input. Keep this posted somewhere as a daily reminder of what you contribute to this world!