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I have found something quite peculiar about the charming downtown of Greenville, South Carolina. I have been there twice in the past month.

Did I say Charming?

It has the cutest streets, the neatest shops, and lovely architecture. I am truly a sucker for downtown areas, any downtown especially when “historic” is rubbed into the description.

On our first trip we were walking along the streets with a few hours to spare before sound check at our downtown venue.

My husband and I and the rest of the band were  “oohhhing” and ahhhing” over the cupcake shops, old fashioned general store, and elaborate toy shop when we saw a sign bearing the picture of a waterfall.  Say what?

That’s right, the sign was pointing to a water fall just down the way. We all laughed at the thought of a waterfall sitting in the middle of this lively downtown.

We strolled along continuing to enjoy the sights and sounds, when we saw it up ahead.

Gigantic…..Beautiful……Peaceful.

I forgot that a few steps before I was in town, my feet continued to take me down the steps and over a bridge, I was so captivated by the magnificence.

All I could say is, “I can’t believe it is sitting right here in the middle of town.”

I mean, waterfalls are usually in the wilderness surrounded by grass carpet, hills and trees as far as the eye can see. Right?

I continued to marvel at this beauty, I took pics and I stood in front, listening to the water fall and watching it seamlessy pour over the rocks. I began to feel a bit of peace.

I continued to say to myself, “This is so odd”

 

We made the trek back to the channel as I set my mind to ponder thoughts of settlers and early town developers and I muttered a gentle “duh”, to myself – I mean what smart developer would not set up shop near a beautiful waterfall?

Just a few moments of watching the wonder of the fall and you feel refreshed, not to mention the benefit of abundant water in those early days.

The following weekend we were back in Greenville with the whole family. We spent hours downtown eating cupcakes, trying to find the perfect toy in the toy store, becoming extremely thirsty and hot.

When we’d had enough, we made the trek to the falls.  The kids played in the wading area while I sprawled out on a quilt to read.

I tried to read some scripture and I kept looking up at the waterfall, I was captivated so I began to listen to see if the Lord was trying to tell me anything.

This is what I heard,

I want to be like this waterfall in your life, I want to be smack dab in the MIDDLE of your busy life,  so close and part of the days when you are thirsty, hungry and tired.

I want you to know exactly where to go when the bustle of daily life is overwhelming, when decisions are weighing heavily on you, when you  just need to breath.

I don’t want to be far away from you – I want to be highly accessible to you. I have made myself close, won’t you dive into the refreshment I am providing?

Just, come, sit and listen. I may speak, I may not, but I am always here.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

I often measure success by wins and losses.

You know the drill: if losses outweigh the wins the failure mentality starts to rear its ugly head.

It occurred to me that sometimes the most beneficial part about a race might not be winning but participating.

Maybe its more about the lessons learned along the way?

May it be that in the races we mentally put ourselves in, that “win” we deem so important for success is not in God’s master plan?

I recently submitted a lengthy proposal for a scholarship to a conference, it took a lot of time, involved some changes on my blog and allowed me to share my ideas for a website.

No, I didn’t win, though I did receive a special gift and a few other perks. I knew being one of the chosen eight was unlikely.

Why?

For one, my stat counter has never worked until very recently, so I could not provide important information. Despite not “winning” the act of entering the competition forced me to fix the stat counter, and establish several important features on the blog. I also shared ideas that were read and recorded by the site, as noted in a personal thank-you message.

Recently my husband and I have explored the idea that maybe – just maybe – a ” win” in our mind is not the “win” God has in mind for us.

I was reminded while in prayer that some of the wins we have strived for in our life may not be in line with the prayers I have been praying…

It could be that the prayers I pray are truly His heart for me but the “wins” I seek would only achieve affirmation from the world around me?

So often we want to “win” a platform or title in order to be deemed important in the worlds eyes.

When our path does not seem to equate to the world’s formula for success we often get discouraged.

You see, Our creator is the ultimate “Creative“.

He is always thinking outside the box. He is always devising a way that could be different from our American way of life.

He has a plan for you and me, it may be a wild ride, friend.

So come along, let’s explore this idea..

Maybe, just maybe not achieving that particular goal is a way for God to move you closer to his plan.

Maybe that Loss is actually a Win???

 

*Picture taken at USA Pro Cycling Championships in Greenville, SC.

BEWARE: This is RANDOM.

A. It’s friday night, and I sit on the couch listening to the new Christa Wells Album.

It’s a unique collection of music from a neat girl. The C.D. is in my hands for review and can I just say these songs are a balm to my soul. More on this girl and her music later.

 

 

B. Next week, we are opening for David Walker on the debut of his new album in Greenville, South Carolina. This guy has some great tunes, he has been friends with hubby for about a year now and I am finally getting to meet he and his wife.

C.Today was the last day of Pre- K for my oldest. My, how time flies. The tear- jerker slide-show was enough for this mama. the whole deal complete with singing, pot-  luck lunch and good- bye presents. My baby boy hamming it up on the stage.

D.We have a pretty busy May, Crazy busy June, and had a healthily busy March and April in reference to Hope Farm Ministries. it’s a wild and crazy ride, one that has you holding on  for dear life at times.

This last week my husband had an out of town gig and came home with more “provision” than he had planned. He happily announced that I was getting a real good mothers day gift. folks, there is something I have really been wanting. I dare to say it was a want and not a need. My husband had told me in many a conversation that I would not get an iphone, since it was time for a new phone I would need to get the almost free one, you know the ones we always get.

On Monday morning we drive to the Verizon store and hubby announces that he is going to buy me an iphone. I attempted to talk him out of it, he told me that he had been significantly blessed and he, in turn wanted to bless me. Hallelujah.

I LOVE MY IPHONE.

E. I have an accountability partner for a few things in my life right now, just trying to find some discipline. Summer schedule for my kids is officially upon us right and any possible ” me” time is out the door without a little planning.

In an effort to seek more accountability in my life, I have the joined the Maximize Mornings  Challenge at Inspired to action. I am stoked about this, but might have a different tune come Monday morning. Getting up and having quiet time before the kiddos get up is something I had practically given up on. When I saw this challenge I just knew I had to dive in and join the 800 women around the world.

Random and a bit of this and a bit of that.

G’ night.

Like I said earlier, this writing thing seemed to come out of nowhere. I wrote my first Article several months back and then immediately began to work on another for Wayne County Magazine.

A little backstory:

In January, I read an article in a local magazine about a woman who had created her own organic skin care line. Unlike other skincare lines this one was waterless. Water is added to our cosmetics and is  considered a contaminant so therefore if you take out the water you take out the need for preservatives.

Aha. I was totally enthralled.

Being the information gatherer that I am, I sought to know all I could about this endeavor: I stayed up late reading her entire website and blog. I was so excited that I began to think it strange that this stuff excited me so.

You will never believe what happened next: the next day I received a phone call from a publication company asking me to write another article.

I listened for the details of the assignment in anticipation. I could not believe that he was asking me to write an article about the women I had just learned everything about, Suzanne Leroux: President and founder of one love organics Wanna read it? One love organics LOW-RES

I learned so much about the cosmetic industry and how less is more when it comes to the countless products, Suzanne is a big believer in the simple life and the need for less “stuff”.  I am totally on board with her ideas since the minimalist and natural lifestyle has always intrigued me.

The ability to incorporate creativity in this assignment was present as well. I have been dabbling in photo styling over the last year, working with my photographer friend Sarah Deshaw.

The more I learned aobut one love organics the more I realized this concept of waterless cosmetics was a new idea that was washing ashore in the land of cosmetics. This picture idea was born, I was honored that it was included in the article in a full page spread.

Also visit her website for more information!

Disclaimer: This is not an ad or paid advertisement, these are truly my opinions: I love these products and so do my husband and children. They can be used on babies, grandmas and everybody in between!