The Altar, the Fitting Room, and the Kitchen Sink

This weekend had me moving in and out of these spheres-- the sacred, the silly, and the mundane.  It's delightfully exhausting to be a woman, isn't it?

I loaded up with 7 other Jesus girls and headed off to the dotMom conference in Chattanooga.  We needed a new battery about 45 minutes into the trip and stopped at Chick Fil A, Starbucks, and McDonalds along the way...before lunch.  (Delightful. Exhausting. Wink.)

The conference totally went beyond any expectations our group had.  48 plus hours away from home with hotel service, dinners out, and no one but our sweet selves to care for?  Oh, yeah.  A good time was a given.

But, man.  The teaching?  The speakers brought it.  This wasn't a "let's pat ourselves on the back as good Christian women" kinda thing.  It was encouraging, but also powerful and challenging.  I loved it.

About 5 minutes into the first teaching session, I lean over to my group and announce, "Are you hearing this?"  It was the truth.  There is a collective weariness in us as women.  The Happily Ever After.  The Perfect Portrait.  And we let that get in the way of the life to which we have been called. And as Jen Hatmaker remarked, "Jesus does his best work in reality."

Here are a few of my favorite W-O-R-D-S from the weekend:

On how to be "enough" for your family: "Just show them Jesus." -Vicki Courtney

and  "God can take you on... He's stronger than your natural disposition."
-Angela Thomas

On this generation of children being raised in church: "Behaving and Tithing will not inspire our kids' loyalty (to Christ and the Church.)" - Jen Hatmaker 

That one sunk down deep.

And basically every word a man named David Thomas (co-author of Wild Things: The Art of Raising Boys) said.  Basically affirmed in me that I am raising a boy.  First and foremost.  A boy who needs to be anchored in his mom's love, understanding, and protection.  And all the stuff my family is bending over backwards to do that feels kinda out there?  It's what ALL boys need-- space and time.  Ain't that somethin'?

I'm happy to report that all 8 of us ladies made it back safe and sound, still friends, with a lot of "this goes in the vault" kinds of stories and overshares and laughter.  And a trip to the bra fitter.  G-lory.  A proper fitting undergarment will make you feel like a natural wo-man.


I love being one.  It's the best.

Here's a 3 minute recap made by Lifeway:

Precious Memories, How They Linger

J-Man and I are up doin' the 5:30 Toy Story Wake-up Ritual, so I decided to do some therapy homework and shockingly got sidetracked.  I did a bit better capturing little moments this year with Rachel through the magic of the smartphone and automatic Youtube upload. Posterity will thank me, I'm sure.  I got to go out and bargain hunt last night with a friend, so I didn't get to put her down for her last baby sleep.  So I may have just accidentally walked into her room, kinda woken her up and rocked her back to sleep.  Because I know she's not changing in any essential way, but these kind of things, like your last night as an infant, need to be banked down.  I'm nothing if not ceremonious in life's big and little occasions.

With that preamble in place, I present Rachel's First Year.  Enjoy the riveting commentary.  And Happy Birthday, Darling Rachel Girl.  You are a perfect fit.  You are so loved.

And finally...

Day of H.O.P.E. 2013

Last year I participated in the Day of H.O.P.E. (Hope Offered in a Pregnancy Emergency) with Caring Solutions Pregnancy Center in Macon, GA.  I wrote a bit about it here and here.

Caring Solutions has two locations in Warner Robins and Macon.  They are a 501c3 non-profit organization which has been helping women and families facing unexpected pregnancy in Middle Georgia since 1984 and has held over 39,000 appointments.  Their purpose is to offer the medical services of free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and options counseling in an effort to share that HOPE is available, even when it seems like there is none. 

The Day of HOPE is being held this year on Saturday, September 21st and I am raising money to support this ministry.  The event includes a Children's Fun Run, 2 mile walk & 5K run followed by a cookout and inflatables for the kids. I will be travelling on the day of the walk/run, but am pledging to fundraise as an Encourager.

I am asking my friends, family and neighbors to sponsor me in these efforts.   Your donation will go to providing free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, counseling and parenting classes for expectant mothers and their partners.  More than mother and child are touched by this ministry-- potentially, an entire family's destiny is altered.  I can think of few greater opportunities for good.  I am so profoundly grateful for my own family and the One who created it.  I want others to know that kind of love, too.

Will you join me?

I am asking for 5 sponsors for $5, 10 sponsors for $10, and 2 sponsors for $25 or more. I have already given to kick off this effort.  Give a little or a lot... it all matters! 

You can make a donation electronically by visiting Friends of Caring Solutions  and clicking the Day of HOPE button or Donate tab.  Checks can be made to Caring Solutions Pregnancy Center with Melissa Young in the memo line.  Message me privately for my address to mail in the check.


Thank you for your support in bringing HOPE and honoring life.

Melissa