I love this series because I love getting to tell people’s stories.  Everyone has a story!  and no matter WHAT your profession, God can USE YOU for His glory!  That’s why I love today’s story.  I met Letty when she spray tanned me for my girl Chloe’s wedding.  and she has a story to tell.  I hope it both challenges + encourages you to look at the story you have + the gifts you have and find a way to bring Him glory in it all!  Meet Letty!

Anybody can change the world: I am just a girl who listened.

My story started when I was a young girl. Although I didn’t see it then, I realize now how God was conditioning my heart to bring me to where I am today and where I am going tomorrow. I have a condition called Alopecia Areata. Alopecia areata is a common autoimmune skin disease resulting in the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. It usually starts with one or more small, round, smooth patches on the scalp and can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or complete body hair loss (alopecia universalis). This was very trying as a young girl to deal with. I went through ridicule from other children and remember praying to God in tears to please let me wake up with a full head of hair. That never happened and I see now it’s because it was part of helping mold the Me I am today. As an adolescent I learned to “hide” my spots but as an adult I now accept my spots. I am not afraid of who I am anymore. I am beautifully made. I have come to the understanding that God made me exactly this way because he has a plan for me! About 2 years ago I started on the path I felt He had for me all along….

I was working your normal 8-5:00 office job and got this “idea” to start my own business. I didn’t know what,  all I knew was I had to work with women and do something to Give them the confidence they deserve to have. To make them feel  as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. To accept themselves fully as I have learned to do. I researched different options and came across airbrush tanning. I just knew this was it. I could work with women and promote safe tanning simultaneously .  I was being led! I went through the necessary steps to ensure I would be successful. I got trained, certified and started the process of promoting my new business. In the process of discovering what my business was going to be I realized this was not my idea at all…This was a calling placed in my Heart by God! At that moment I decided that I would be sure that He received ALL the glory of my business. That this business is His and I am but a humble servant. How could I ensure that he received glory from a tanning business?

I decided in 2012 I would Commit myself every month to choose a person or organization and designate a day in which I donated half of whatever I made that day all in His name. To show others the Love of Christ. What an amazing year it was… I was able to aid people who were sick, who had over came odds, people who are giving their life to spread the word in the mission field and organizations that were dear to my heart. These people inspired me! I was in awe of how amazing it felt to help others. Little did I know where this tanning business was taking me, Where He was taking me. I see the full picture now! It started with a little girl who struggled with her image to condition her heart for other women who struggle with the same which led to a bigger passion of pure GIVING! I can’t wait to see where He takes me because where He has brought me surpasses any Goals or dreams I could have set for myself!  I am committed to lifting the confidence of women and I am committed to Give back to others because I am committed to God and I am forever gloriously ruined.

My challenge: Turn down the noise of the world and listen to the whisper in your heart. Remain thirsty until you let it be quenched by His grace and love.  Forget the plans you have for your life and listen to the plan He has for you! All He asks is that we show up, so be present every second of every hour of every day.

Letty Pressler

432-556-3485/letty.pressler@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/CMB.TansByLetty

But lately I’ve been thinking about the dream I’m living!
I’ve been thinking about the dreams fulfilled.
I’ve dreamed for almost 4 years of being a mother!
And this Mother’s Day, for the first time my arms were full.
I’m living that dream!
Staying home to raise my two chickens is a dream fulfilled.

In 19 days I’ll be living another dream I’ve dreamed.
Leading a group to love & serve orphans in Africa WITH my husband! AND my bestie Jenna!
What??
I dream about spending my days on the muddy streets of Korah holding hands and loving on my precious Ethiopian sons + daughters.
I’ve dreamed about being in Ethiopia again with Jenna + getting to fulfill the great commission together!
We are living it!

Thinking about the road to those dreams fulfilled….it wasn’t/isn’t easy. But life as Christ followers isn’t easy. The road there is full of bumps & bruises. But it’s worth it. It’s my life’s work! The dreams & promises fulfilled only push me to keep dreaming and keep believing His promises for me!

I guess this is just a good old fashioned pep talk to myself.  a sweet reminder from the Lord to be in the moment.  To appreciate the season I’m in!

Don’t get caught up in what you aren’t doing or what’s to come! Live life in the present and be thankful for the dream you are living right now! For the promise fulfilled!

Dream and pray about the future but keep a good perspective of what God has already done& is continuing to do!

What dreams + promises has God fulfilled in your life?

I come to you today EXCITED to see how God is going to us all of us to bless the socks off of this sweet boy who has down syndrome in Korah.  Abraham!  My sweet friend Wendy [blog here] and her family have an amazing connection + compassion for this sweet boy and his momma.  I was with the Harpers when God introduced them in Korah, and it’s been such a great faith journey for them [and me as a spectator + prayer warrior] as they’ve seen God do immeasurably more than all they could have hoped!  A is in need a a surgery that cannot be done in Ethiopia, and by Gods grace he has the opportunity to get the surgery in Kenya!  This is a fast thing yall, his appointment is scheduled for  June 2!  Funds are being raised for airfare, transportation, etc for his big trip [with his momma!] to Kenya!  The surgery is FREE!  yall, this is amazing.  Project Hopeful has set up a tax deductible fund [you can read about it here] and we need to raise $6,500 ASAP!  Let’s press that donate button, ask God what we can give, and get this little boy the heart surgery that he so desperately needs needs!

[first time they met!]

[from Wendy's most recent trip in October]

Alright yall…LETS DO THIS!!!!!

Please go to my friend Wendy’s blog to read more!  HERE.  It really is a beautiful story.  The Harpers have two boys with down syndrome they adopted from Ukraine and on a home visit in Korah with Abraham’s family, Wendy [who is also a nurse] noticed some signs and has since fought for and advocated for this boy to not only get the surgery he needs, but the nutrition, support, and education his family needs.  It’s a beautiful, only-god-can-do-it thing yall.  Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of that?  let’s do it!

it’s not only for women who have children in their home with their same last name.

it’s not only for women who have babies with their same DNA, their same eyes and smiles.

it’s not only for married women.

motherhood defined is possessing the “qualities of a mother”, thank you freedictionary.com

that definition says nothing about actually birthing a child, or adopting a child, but it says motherhood is possessing the qualities of a mother.

I’ve been thinking about motherhood all weekend, and it doesn’t take my mind long to wander to the children across the world that call me “mom”. Spiritual sons and daughters that are forever a part of our family. Some of these children have biological parent(s), and some are orphans in every sense of the word. But they all cling to wanting one thing: a family. a mother.

I don’t know anyone in this world who doesn’t long for someone to call mother. someone who has those qualities that a mother possesses. someone to love them unconditionally, to encourage them, to always think the best of them, to fight for them, to believe in them, to dream big dreams with them, to support them, to hug them, to touch them, to show them that they are wanted and loved.

anyone can do that. you don’t have to be married, get pregnant, or adopt, you simply have to LOVE.

so today, on my very first mothers day, I celebrate you. the mothers with empty arms + nurseries. the mothers who’s hearts are full. the mothers who mother not only their “own”, but the children of the world who so desperatly need them. to the kid-less married couple who pour out their heart mentoring a young boy with no family support, to the empty nester who gives her time + attention to ”at risk” youth who so desperately need a mother figure. to the single girl who spends her vacation time visiting and loving on orphans all over the world.

all beautiful pictures of motherhood.

today, I celebrate you!

 [I love this image & the one at the beginning of the post.  This little girl is from Uganda, and the girl above Rwanda, but they have something in common.  both orphans.  both wanting someone to reach down and pick them up and love on them.  This picture [taken on my first Visiting Orphans mission trip to Africa] is often the image I think of when I think of “the orphan”.  Just a girl, longing for someone to reach down and touch them.]

I challenge you [and myself] this mothers day, to get involved in the life of a child.  a child at sunday school, a kid in the “head start” program at your local elementary school, a young boy without a role model, anyone!  being a mother [or father!] doesn’t only mean being their birth or adoptive mother.  I’m sure you have, as I have!, amazing women who weren’t your mother who helped shape who you are today!  Reach out and BE THAT WOMAN!  Nothing is sweeter.

I just really wanted to say how thankful we are to everyone who’s supported our Man Up mission trip!

It’s exciting to say we are now FULLY FUNDED!!  The money we raise between now & then will go towards specific needs we see while we are in country.

Thank you to everyone who was a part of my mini sessions, who shopped at the designer sale, and instasales + who donated to the blog giveaway!  It’s SOOO exciting to see people come together and support one another.

I just wanted to put one more plug in: we need your PRAYERS.  We are sent out by God, and it’s His spirit who empowers us, but we need the support and prayers while we are away.  If you would like to recieve prayer emails + updates from the field, please either leave your email in the comment section or email me [gloriouslyruined@gmail.com] to be added to the list!  We love and appreciate you all so much!!

I am honored to introduce you to my friend Alaina today! We literally met on Instagram.  How many friends can you say that about?  I love her sweet heart and I love her blog!  Yall, she has an amazing story and she is so open about it on her space online.  Her & her husband have battled infertility issues + are now in the process to adopt!  She is beautiful inside & out and has been such a supporter of me since we met.  I asked her to share her story with you today, so here ya go friends – meet Alaina!

Anybody can change the world: I just never thought I could.

I never thought I would be doing the things that I am doing today. I never thought I’d have the dreams I have today. I never thought people would see me how they do today.

I’ve learned to trust God’s plans. I’ve learned to believe in the dreams He gives.  I’ve learned to wholly accept who He made me to be and how He uniquely fashioned me – from the inside out. I’ve learned to embrace all of that and proudly boast in the Lord for everything He is doing through me.

I am the definition of an anybody. I’m the picture of the most awkward, introverted, odd person in a group that God has pointed to and said, “You… Come, child..” I’m looking around thinking SURELY He hasn’t passed over the prettier, more creative, more diverse, and skilled woman on my right.. or left. But, sure enough, He called out again, “Yes… my beloved. You. Come….”

To think that a difficult life would be the one to glorify God and draw me near to Him was unthinkable to me. Certainly, why would You want to use someone who is so broken, so not put together, so odd, so not the one most would desire in a crowd to do anything. Why me?

Why me was a question I cried out to God most of my life. I always asked the question in the worst or most uncomfortable times. Confused as to why life, every move I tried to make, was so difficult. Why my life or circumstances couldn’t be easier. Why everyone around me seemed to go through life with issues, yes, but not with the battles I dealt with on a regular basis.

As I grow up in Christ, I realize that all the while God was trying to pull me towards Him. Trying to get me to see that when I was trying to fit in and be like “her”, that He totally created me with the goal of setting me apart.  Putting me in positions to be the odd one out, the one who was left out because He knew there were things ahead of me that I’d have to do alone. I’d have to grow to be confident enough in Him to not long to be a part of or like anyone else.

I would say I wish that I could have come to this realization sooner but I’m so grateful for the years of being uncomfortable, searching, and longing for something I knew I didn’t or couldn’t have. These days I don’t spend my time trying to fit into the culture or with people around me.  I’m enjoying  walking the road to become who God would have me to be. Realizing that the only true joy we all seek and search for comes from Christ. That all things truly work together for good for those who love the Lord. That God can cause beauty to come from ashes. How would I have ever learned these things if I never experienced difficulty or brokenness? Hardship or disappointment?

I’m just anybody. Almost nobody in the world but I am someone living my life as loud as I can for God, following His lead, and using the gifts He’s given me to be all that I can in Him.

All of my life, all I wanted to be is a wife and a mother. That’s it. I didn’t have big dreams of becoming a hot shot lawyer or a doctor who cures cancer or even a teacher. An amazing husband and a house full of kids, preferably a couple sets of multiples, were my goals.

In my mid twenties, a man was placed in my life for reasons I had no idea of. This man was not my dream husband at all. As time passed, I began to believe that God was going to do some serious work through us. And, it began by telling our story. We were not a story book romance. Our relationship was difficult and trying as we were two completely opposite people with tolerances on completely different ends of the spectrum, and personalities that created … lots of opportunities to develop patience and kindness, they taught long suffering, grace, and forgiveness.

And, we stayed together. We worked through our issues and learned Biblical truths from the Bible and were counseled by the wisdom of older married friends. We dated a year and a half before we were engaged and were counseled before and after we were engaged… and married.

We had an gorgeous ceremony in our home church on January 17, 2010. And, have given friends relationship advice since. Why people came to us – only God knows. We casually answered questions and listened to couples in regards to how to Biblically respond to their mates when we were asked. Initially, I believe we were repeating what we were taught and believed but not yet completely grasped. But, as we began to grasp concepts and live those truths out regularly, we were about to really show women how  they can respond respectfully to their men in emotional times and how men could be more loving in their responses and actions. These couples who came to us dealt with the same issues that we had. They’re the same issues we all have. Our difficulties, all the times I cried out “Why me?” taught me that God is with us always. That his plan is greater than we could ever imagine or think. That we never go through anything for naught.

We are have grown up… matured as individuals, matured in Christ. Grown together.  I don’t cry out “Why me?” and that man that came into my life for reasons I couldn’t fathom has completely guided me towards God and is making me into a much better person than I even thought I could be.

Married. Check. Time for kids.
I want kids. Many. I want my house filled with laughter and stories, random songs, and sticky floors from little snacking people who won’t sit at the table because they just “have to” do something much more fun.

… But, I have endometriosis. “Why me?” And, I began to blog about my journey through infertility because I realized that I couldn’t be the only person struggling with this issue.

I had surgery to figure out what was going on, why I wasn’t getting pregnant….. only to find that my endo was so bad that it formed a cast around my fallopian tubes which prevented them from being able to catch eggs. Along with other scar tissue covering other organs.  Nice, Jesus. Thanks. “Why me?”

We had fertility treatments. I pumped my body full of drugs and hormones to prepare my body and eggs but those treatments didn’t work. And, I lived for months in a dark place. Crying and sitting in darkness and silence. Unable to hold back the tears, disappointment, and feelings of being overlooked by a God who promises that He sees me. Everyone else was announcing their pregnancies… in droves. They had all the reasons in the world to celebrate. Here I am “alone”. “Why me?” “Why me?” “Why me?”

So many of my friends, who were married before, the same time, and now after me are enjoying their first and second pregnancies. Accidentally. Easily. Some had to wait a little but they are all there together. And, I am all alone. Again. Not fitting in. The odd one out. “Why me?”

It’s funny how God so carefully knits your story together. It’s sweet. I laugh now. Not at the pain but the irony. The little details I so quickly forgot. The prayers my friends prayed so quietly. Different friends praying the same prayer. It’s in the details. God is in the details.

When my husband and I first began fertility treatments, I was talking to one of the older, must wiser, and plenty beautiful wives who helped me through the harder times of  my relationship. She asked, “Why not adopt?” My answer then was…. “Ehhh… I want to have my own kids first.”

See, I saw how my friends’ babies looked like them, acted like them, and came out of the womb with their idiosyncrasies. You could SEE how these babies belonged to them. They belonged. They fit. I wanted that.

Fast forward through a year and a half or so of breaking from treatments; they were just too emotionally difficult for me and I literally couldn’t handle them at the time. We decided to start up again the following year. {{I’m still blogging by the way.}}

And, to me, “the following year” began in January.

Two months before “the year”,   out of the blue, I wanted to adopt. Out of the blue, I promise I did not want this.  It was not a part of my dream. It wasn’t my plan.

Throughout the past couple of years God has done a number on my heart, soul, and mind. I have learned to love Him with a fervor and seek Him with intention. I’ve learned to forgive as I’ve been forgiven, as God forgives me, because He forgives me. I’ve learned to love because He loves me. I’ve learned to be gracious because God has been so incredibly gracious to me. I became so much more aware of who He is and who I am to Him.  My mantra, the words that echoed in my mind when I was put in the position to forgive, grant grace and mercy, or love through action was …. “Do it because it was done for you. Period.”

I went to my husband to tell him about my desire to adopt, to get him on the bandwagon of another idea (I always have a ton of crazy ones) and beg his “okay” to adopt. I prayed and prayed knowing that this was a great thing, knowing that it wasn’t something either of us had planned to do at the moment.

Now, you have to understand that my husband is a very logical man. A thinker.  Not one swayed by emotion or one who allows an emotion to give way to a certain response. So, I had to prepare my opening and speech in a way that was void of emotion. I couldn’t cry.  I couldn’t be tooooo excited because I’d lose track of what I had to say. I had to be focused. So, I’m explaining to my husband, how I’d like for us to expand our family. Telling him all the “regular” stuff . Ya know.. about how babies need homes and someone to love them, etc. etc. Then God gave me the reason He wanted us to adopt. “… because I’ve done it for you.” PAUSE. STOP. TEARS.

I wanted to live my life doing unto others as Christ has done for me…. Never once had adoption come into my mind.

God adopts us into His family. A family He created us and through the blood of His son Jesus joins us together. A family that will soon look like Him. Sound like Him. We, His children, will have His characteristics and idiosyncrasies. We will act like Him. We belong. We fit. We are His. That is what I wanted.

We are a family of people that come from all different corners of the world, speaking different languages, from different countries. Sisters and brothers who all have the same distinguishing features of their Heavenly Father.

We are set apart. We do not fit in to this culture. We do not look like the people around us. We don’t talk the same as them. We don’t behave the same as the people of this world. We weren’t ever supposed to.

But, if we keep trusting God and living to serve and honor Him, He will place people around us who do look like us, act like us, talk like us, and walk like us. And, the beauty of being with these like minded and like hearted people is that we’re not striving to look like each other – we’re all  striving to look like our Father.

Praise God that it is through our difficulties and trials that we, like the children we are, run to the only comfort we truly know will satisfy. Sometimes, it takes  a bit of fumbling around trying different sources  all while God is pulling us closer to Him.

“Why me?” “Why me?” “Why me?” “Why me?” “Why me?”

Dear child, why not you?

Why can’t you be the one who confidently stands out living your life differently, doing good, and serving others so that your Father will be glorified?

Why can’t you be one who doesn’t try to fit the mold of this culture but begs our God to shape your dreams and desires to serve Him? Why can’t you trust Him with your brokenness believing that He will make something beautiful of what you lay at His feet?

I am a grateful infertile woman who alongside her husband is in the process of adopting a little one to raise in the likeness of his/her Heavenly Father. And, I just use the gifts and experiences God has so graciously given and allowed me to experience to tell of His goodness. His mercy. His plan. His awesomeness.

I blog. And, to my surprise people read it. People from all over the world read what I have to say. To a girl who just wanted to blend in and have a story that read so much sweeter than it actually did (or so I thought)… that’s a big deal.

I don’t know what He has for me to do in the future. I don’t know what He will do with my family. I do know that I will continue to seek Him and strive to be more like Him and follow His lead.

I am one member of a body full of folks who have stories to tell and gifts to share with a dying world.  A world full of hurt and shame.  A world full of people who are in need of anyone who is willing to stand out.

“Why me?”

Mary, Moses, Jonah, Paul, and even Jesus were all in the same place you and I are when we are called to serve God…. We tell our God all about our frailties, issues, and give Him a thousand reasons why we can’t. We run from Him, we ask Him to remove our thorns, we cry out in pain wondering why He has forsaken us. We forget that we have thorns and “shame” are meant to be great tools to draw us closer to Him and complete a great work for Him.

I’m thankful that I can honestly respond to Him calling me out of the crowd with, “Yes, Father? What would you have me to do? Your will be done.”

Because, I now know that I am not just a girl in the crowd. I’m a daughter of the King meant to do great things for His Kingdom. WHY NOT ME?

so and YOUR CHALLENGE…

And, today I ask, “Why not you?” God created has fashioned each of us perfectly and in a way that is to honor and glorify Him in a unique way.  I challenge you to pray over your gifts, pray about your goals and how God wants to use them to build His Kingdom. Then, be open to Him when He calls you out of that crowd. Be open to the new dreams and goals He lays on your heart. Open to trusting Him and blindly following Him to make an impact in your home, community, and this world. No dream is too big or extravagant with God as your planner.

Pray. Ask. Say, “Yes!” to God in every opportunity He gives you today.

Read more about my experiences with infertility and how my adoption journey is going at unashamedgrowth.com! I’d love to see you there! And, send your “YES!” stories to unashamedgrowth@gmail.com  to tell me how God is using you to do His work!

I am so excited to be selling these FABULOUS Chrome Buffalo shirts to help raise $$ for our mission trip team!

my friend Morgan and her people came up with this fabulous way for people to EASILY raise $$ with T-shirts   so for every shirt sold [in the next 5 days!!] we sell, we get $11!  they design, print, and ship all orders.  isn’t that amazing?  so if you are wanting to fundraise for a mission trip, adoption, etc – this is for you!  visit their site here.

We are still raising funds for our team members + would LOVE your support!  This is a pic of my girl Alaina (whom you get to hear from TOMORROW with her anybody story!!)  in her shirt.  I love what she said,

“ totally just thought of you and Jenna as the fireflies lighting the night sky!!

And, wanted to say “shine bright little fireflies!!”

Like fireflies are very summertime (esque!! Lol)…. they grow and mature during the winter/spring months & wow us in the summer! they bring awe and wonder to everyone around them, pique curiosity and draw people to them…. That’s what you guys are doing for Christ!

Perfect shirt! Lol.”

Out of her mouth folks.  so head over to Chrome Buffalo and buy a shirt today!  Our drive ends May 6th!!! 

http://chromebuffalo.com/a/cb?drive=227

[kid sizes available too!]

since stephen & I are pretty much obsessed with the city, might be fun to actually visit.  not sure what it is about Nash, but the creative/adoption/missions minded people seem to be calling my name.  I have 1 day of FUN after the conference before I head back West.what’s your favorite thing to do in music city?

and if you are coming to the confrence – let’s meet up!  I’m excited to have the opportunity to sit on a panel with my girl Amanda Herdina with Visiting Orphans  to talk about

Creative Compassion: Using Artistic Gifts to Make a Difference

pretty cool huh?

so if you are going come find me!

can’t wait to hang with a few of my fave adoptive momma, africa loving, missions minded tattoo sisters

28, most importantly made me a momma.  I met my kids for the first time this year.  I fell in love with them + ultimently got to bring them home.  This was hands down, the most celebrated, highly anticipated, and glorious moment of my 28th year of life.  Nothing can beat it.

28 also made me a missionary.  living in Ethiopia for 9 weeks was my dream come true.  living with a missionary family, going to work everyday loving kids and getting a glimpse into the missionary life was a huge highlight.  I believe we are all missionaries right where we are, but for this girl who dreams of living life [with my family!] in the place we have come to love, the gift of a few extra weeks in Ethiopia changed my life.  It gave me a true passion for the lost, and I’ll never be the same.

28 was filled with lots of one on one time with my best friend + husband, Stephen.  my birthday trip to Catalyst West Coast was a dream.  being present, crusing the california coast, being taught by amazing christian pastors + leaders, and just being in the California sunshine was truly magical.

28 was filled of lots of waiting, hoping, praying, and wishing my babies were in my arms.  but in the middle of all of that, were a few beautiful days away from the heartache.  We took a trip to Austin right before we got our court date, and that trip was so good for my soul.  I went to ACL Festival for the first time with Chloe and there is something about being outside, being in austin, listening to music, and being around a lot of interesting people that just ignites some sort of passion + creative thinking in me.  That was the day she challenged me in what this blog was going to look like once the kids got home.  the “anybody” series was also birthed during this trip.  God was so sweet to me that weekend

We also spent some sweet time with our Man Up family in Springfield, had fun in Waco for Baylor baseball games, fun weekend trips with our No Kids Club friends, fun family wedding, and the list goes on.

There is no way that I can sum up these past 6 months with the kids home.  Celebrating my birthday today with THEM was the biggest gift.  Every day has been a sweet gift from God.  From the day they came home, to Christmas with the family, their birthday party, baylor homecoming at our casa in midland, trips to Waco, Austin + San Angelo, and all the play dates, park dates, and mornings at home in between – it truly has been the best time of my life.  easy, no.  but beautiful, yes. and the picture of god’s promise to us? YES.  I thank God everyday for blessing me enough to let me be Camp + Ashers momma.  I cry when I think about their biological families and all they are missing out on.  I can’t imagine life without them, and I”m so glad God called us to adoption.  It has been, by far, the greatest adventure of our lives.

 I can’t wait to see what year 29 will bring.  Thank you Lord for another year of life!