My new online course FINDING THE YOU YOU’RE LONGING FOR is now available!

If you need a positive and encouraging boost in your life right now or want to head into 2021 with a fresh start and more confidence, I’d love to have you join me in this course!

All the scoop is on the course website here, but here’s some quick info:

What is FINDING THE YOU YOU’RE LONGING FOR?

This course takes you through the full self-discovery process I use with my one-on-one clients in my 6-week coaching program, but you’ll experience it through a series of uplifting videos and exercises – not only to give you a more budget-friendly option than coaching, but also to provide you with a roadmap that you can start immediately and follow in a way that works best with your schedule.

In FINDING YOU, I coach you through five key steps to help you experience more clarity, confidence and purpose – and you’ll identify your unique value and distinct edge to better understand the impact you can have in the world.

What is it NOT?

This course isn’t about puffing yourself up or trying to make yourself into something you’re not.

And it’s not another “self-discovery” journey that’s just about you, either.

(Being confident and having the kind of impact you were meant to have starts with you, but in the end it’s not about you at all. Which is actually good news, because the pressure’s off!) 

FINDING THE YOU YOU’RE LONGING FOR is really about helping you discover who you are and your unique value so you can have the kind of impact you’re meant to have – whether that’s in your family, your career, your neighborhood… or the world.

No more:

• Holding back because of a lack of confidence or clarity.
• Feeling discouraged or like you’re not sure if you’re making a difference.
• Wondering what your gifts are.
• Guessing what your next step should be.

I truly believe you are here for a reason, your life has a unique purpose and you have gifts the world needs.

But you can’t share your gifts intentionally if you don’t know what they are.

And you can’t step fully into your potential and purpose if you don’t know who you are.

2020 has caused many of us to tak stock of our lives – our priorities, our plans and even our purpose. Wherever you’re at in your journey, I’d love to come alongside you through this course and help you head into the next year with more strength, optimism and confidence.

I’d love to help you find you, maybe for the first time in your life.

If you’ve ever wondered about coaching or wanted someone to help propel you forward, this course is a great place to start.

And if you’ve never taken an online course or not sure what it would be like, don’t let that stop you! (Sometimes, doing something new is the very thing we need to shift our life in a more positive and exciting direction.)

Head over to the course website and check out the welcome video, free preview, FAQs and more!

1. A free guide to help you find meaningful work you love

Whether you’re looking for work, facing ongoing change in your current role or wanting to set out on an entirely new path, this guide can help you move toward your sweet spot and give you clarity for your next step. I created the guide with my good friend and fellow coach Sue Dahl-Robertson (she’s amazing; you’ll love her!) and we’re excited and honored to give you a resource to support you in your journey.

Simply click the image below to download your guide – and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions!

2. An invitation to The Happy Career Circle

Because finding and operating in your sweet spot doesn’t happen overnight – and because support and encouragement are so important along the way – Sue and I have also started a small and supportive Facebook community The Happy Career Circle. We’d love to have you join us!

The goal of this private community is to give you inspiration, career strategies and an authentic and safe space for you to show up and be seen for your unique strengths and value – and be inspired to take steps to share your gifts with the world.

You’ll find:
• Guidance and support
• Resources and tips
• Information and inspiration
• Career strategies
• Authentic conversation and connection
• Stories and insights from other amazing women

In summary, this will be a place to build you up! And if you’re already in a job where you’re living in your sweet spot, that’s awesome. We’d still love you to join our Facebook group so you can share your journey and insights with others and encourage them along the way. We can’t wait to feature women’s stories and successes; we can learn so much from each other!

Questions or Feedback? 

These are challenging times and the journey of finding work (and work you love) is a process. Having a guide beside you can help. I’m happy to talk with you or answer any questions you might have about choosing your path, getting clarity on your strengths or figuring out your next step – so feel free to schedule a free consultation any time. 

I’m cheering you on in your journey and hope these resources are helpful to you! 

With love,
Genny  

I’ll be co-presenting Enhancing Your Personal Wellbeing on Monday, May 17th with my friend and colleague Valerie Davis, EMBA, SPHR, SHRM-SPC – and we’d love for you to join us! 
Here’s the lineup for all of the sessions, with links to register:

ENHANCING YOUR PERSONAL WELLBEING AS A COACH  
COACHING LEADERSHIP SELF-AWARENESS   
RECALCULATING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CLIENTS   
RAISING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION AWARENESS   

You can read more about International Coaching Week and all the amazing coaches and presenters HERE.

I’d love to see you there! 

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions you might have anytime. 
With love,

Genny

Date: Thursday, April 1st
Time: 12pm – 1pm MT

Now more than ever, many women are facing new challenges – with work, family and their overall wellbeing.  Maybe that’s you…

• Maybe you’re job hunting right now, looking for work and trying to navigate applications, updating your resume, networking in a virtual world and prepping for interviews.  
• Maybe you’re in a place where you have a job, but you want to find a different position that better aligns with who you are and the life changes you’ve experienced.  
• Or, maybe this past year has given you reason to pause and examine your priorities – and you want to find work that you’re more passionate about. Work that fills you with a greater sense of purpose and meaning.

Sue and I have helped many women in their career paths over the years and there’s one mistake we consistently see that can hold you back from finding work you truly love – and we don’t want you to make it.
 
In this live, 60-minute webinar, we’ll not only share what that common mistake is (so you can avoid it), we’ll give you several specific, practical things you can do to position yourself for a more blissful and happy career path.

In this webinar, you’ll get:

• Practical, but powerful steps to help you avoid the big mistake we see so often as career coaches.
• Key tips on getting clear on who you are and what lights you up.
• More confidence and clarity about the steps you can take in your quest for fulfilling work.
• Inspiration from stories of other women just like you.
• A workbook to apply your learnings and take your next steps.

We will keep it real, have fun and give you important information that can help you right where you’re at. We’ll even have a gift for you at the end to thank you for joining us (who doesn’t like free goodies?!). 

So stop the job hunt. And start the joy.

Don’t miss this equipping and encouraging opportunity to invest an hour on yourself that can pay off in big ways in your future.

Simply click the button below to register and you’ll get an email with the link to join us. You’ll also get another email before the webinar with a workbook that will go with the content we’ll be sharing – we want to make this as easy as possible for you to capture steps and put them into practice toward your own future and success.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions you might have. We hope to see you there! 

With love,
Genny

Event:

Finding Your Unique Value – Identifying Your Distinct Edge to Improve Your Impact

Registration:

https://fairygodboss.com/events/bFuYiibuR/finding-your-unique-value-identifying

Hop on over to Fairygodboss and read about the webinar and how it can help you make more of an impact… by being you!

• Fall fashion tips

• Fall Decorating ideas

• Outdoor Activity recommendations

• DIY ideas

• Fun fall recipes

And I’ll be sharing about ways to have a positive mindset, even in the midst of challenges or stress.

Register here!

I hope to see you there!

For more information and registration:

Tuesday, May 5 – The Path Forward in Your Life
https://lnkd.in/gqf48wv

Wednesday, May 6 – The Path Forward For Your Business
https://lnkd.in/gHVF_HN

Thursday, May 7 – The Path Forward for Your Well-Being
https://lnkd.in/g5Q4ktG

I’m also going to be celebrating International Coaching Week by featuring some of the AMAZING women I’ve had the honor of coaching over the past couple of years. (I’ll be posting their stories on Instagram and Facebook, so be sure to connect with me there!) Today’s story is from Molly:

I hope you’re encouraged by their journeys and their determination to discover more about themselves, pursue their passions and apply their strengths to make a difference.⁣
⁣
I also hope you’re inspired to find someone to come alongside you in your own journey, especially during today’s challenging times – whether that’s a coach, a friend or someone else. There’s power in having someone guide and motivate you – and help hold you accountable.

p.s. I have two more exciting things coming up that will hopefully help you navigate your path forward, so stay tuned:

• One is a free session on how to rebuild your personal brand (which is key when it comes to finding your voice, communicating who you are and establishing your influence). Date and registration coming soon.
• The second is a coaching series for women that I’m creating with my friend (and amazing coach) Susan Dahl-Robertson. We love supporting and coaching each other, and we’re excited to be creating resources for women to help them find meaningful work they love – you’ll be hearing more about that in the next few weeks too.

There’s no question; these are tough times. If you want to learn more about coaching or want to talk about how it might help you in your life right now, I’d love to talk to you. Feel free to reach out any time for a free consult. And if there’s anything else I can help you with, don’t hesitate to let me know. Stay well!

I’m cheering you on!

Genny

It was powerful to see so many women lift each other up and share with each other about faith, hope, pursuing dreams and rebuilding lives.

And, especially today, we need to remember to keep doing that. We need to keep building each other up and touching each other’s lives… because connection is what we need to thrive.

HOW we connect in today’s times will look different because of COVID-19, but we still need to do it. Whether that means making more phone calls or setting up video meetings, or going for walks outside with a friend (and staying 6 feet apart :), we need to hear each other’s voices, and we need to see each other’s faces.

We need encouragement too, especially now.

To help with that, I’ve decided to offer some live, virtual sessions of my professional development training The Power of Your Personal Brand  (free) to bring people together and encourage and equip anyone who is interested in strengthening their personal brand. Whether you have lost your job permanently or temporarily, or simply want to reset and take stock of who you are and what you want to do with your life, you’re invited! The sessions will be in Zoom and there will be no cost to attend. As a life and career coach, I simply want to find a way to help as we face this crisis together. 

Where there are challenges, there is opportunity. And when people gather in community, there is hope. I’d love to come alongside you and help you strengthen YOU during this time.

If you’re interested in joining others and attending one of my free sessions, simply visit my CONTACT page to learn more and sign up. More info to come!

All my best,

Genny

I’ve had a great few months travelling around and sharing with different organizations and groups – all amazing companies and people. Things have been busy over at my coaching and consulting practice Her Team Success too, so I’ve gotten out of the habit of posting updates here. I thought I’d pop in to say hello and post some quick photos of my travels and speaking engagements to share what’s been going on. If you were in these audiences, it was an honor to spend time together! And as always, feel free to reach out with any follow up questions or feedback.

I loved speaking about REBUILDING at Foothill Boise’s recent women’s event. We all have an area in our life we can work on rebuilding – whether that’s a relationship, our health, career or life goals, healing from a past hurt, or something else. And when women get real and come alongside each other, so much more can be accomplished because we rebuild TOGETHER. Thank you Foothills Boise for hosting such an incredible event and Gather and Graze Boise for treating us to such amazing (and beautiful!) food. Loved being part of it all, and loved seeing women take that courageous next step! 

Another organization I loved visiting and sharing with a couple of times this season was MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). There’s nothing better than seeing moms come together for support, friendship and real connection!

It was also an honor to share about how to network with impact with attendees of the 2019 Women and Leadership Conference at BSU! Thank you to Boise State University’s Andrus Center for Public Policy for making this event happen and for bringing so many incredible women together. It was an inspiring two days:

I had so much fun sharing a keynote on The Power of Your Story at Texas Roadhouse Restaurant’s 2019 Women’s Leadership Summit. Amazing people, a beautiful location (Tempe, AZ), and I’m always moved by seeing women lifted up and encouraged. I love this company’s passion to inspire and equip women leaders—so grateful to be part of it!

I was thrilled to be asked to share a professional development seminar on Personal Branding at the Wyakin Foundation. It was truly an honor to come alongside and serve men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country. This organization does great work to position our warriors for future success; please take a minute to check out their website and support their efforts!

Last, but not least, it was fun to visit the dynamo team at Peppershock Media (adorable office dog Piper included ) and share about Personal Branding to help position their team for greater growth and impact. We dug into questions like: What are you known for? How do others see and experience you? How does your personal brand impact your company’s brand, your relationships, your work and your life? It’s always fun helping people better connect who they are to what they do for the greatest positive impact.

If any of these topics or talks would add value to your team or organization, or if you’d like information on my other speaking topics or workshops, feel free to reach out and I’ll get right back to you. I’m always happy to customize a training or presentation to meet the needs of your team or audience too. If I can help you or your team take your next big step in 2020 – whatever that step is for you – don’t hesitate to reach out!

All my best,

Genny

I’m excited to share my article in Sandpoint Living living magazine that will hopefully give you some answers!

“I had a conversation with a young woman a while ago who’d recently gotten married. She and I were talking about the new phase of life she was in, and I asked her what her biggest challenge was. She answered, ‘I guess I would have to say my own individualism, since I’m in a different phase of life and I’m newly married now. Sometimes I think about who I am and what I’m supposed to be doing … I want to live passionately now, not just in the future.‘

We all have that longing to matter—to do something significant that we are passionate about. But how do you know what that “something” is? How do you find your purpose and live it out with passion? Some of you reading this might be in a place where you’re doing exactly what you know you’re supposed to be doing in this season of your life—and you’re excited about it. And some of you might feel so far from that, you don’t even know where to start. (If that’s you, it’s OK! You’re not alone.) And even if you are operating in your sweet spot, things change as life changes: relationships, jobs, health, finances; all these things can change over time. And especially during those times of change, questions like “What’s my purpose?” and “What am I passionate about?” seem to stare us in the face. 

The good news is, the answer to those questions doesn’t lie in having it all figured out…”

Keep reading and learn three things you can do to realize the power of your personal brand — and live your purpose with passion!

The first resource is one I talked a lot about at our LIFT event for women this year, which was held at Boise State University. First, here are a couple of photos:

In my talk, “4 not-alone-hacks that will help you make #realconnections,” I shared one sure hack that will keep you from holding back in your life:

Remember that awkward is normal!

(If we’re being honest, we’re ALL a little awkward at times, right?) Which leads me to… 

AWESOME RESOURCE #1:

Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards. This book is packed with fun facts, research and easy how-to’s that can help you successfully navigate social situations and become more effective interacting with people (even in the awkward moments). I honestly can’t stop talking about it. It highlights the importance of non-verbal communication, talks about how to maximize conversations and be more memorable, and shares a ton of other great tips… so, so, SO good!

After LIFT, I was honored to speak at the Inaugural Young Women and Leadership Conference hosted by the Andrus Center for Public Policy.

What an incredible day coming alongside high school students, encouraging and equipping them in their leadership skills! Another great book that will help you on your path to leadership, no matter what age you are or where you’re at in your journey:

AWESOME RESOURCE #2:

(Forget a Mentor) Find a Sponsor by Sylvia Ann Hewlett. Don’t get me wrong; mentor relationships are key and I’m always actively mentoring women, and being mentored. But sponsor relationships are the ones that can help you gain real traction in your path to success. Check out Hewlett’s awesome book for all kinds of great information on the how and why!

After the Young Women and Leadership Conference, I headed to California to speak at the Thrive Women’s Conference. What an incredible event!

I loved being able to share on one of my favorite topics – How to Pursue Your Dreams With Passion and Confidence. And I loved encouraging women to lean into who they already are and their strengths, instead of focusing so much on their weaknesses or comparing themselves to others.

Which leads me to…

AWESOME RESOURCE #3:

Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham. I first heard Marcus speak at a Women of Faith conference years ago and was instantly captivated by his strengths-based work and how it has transforms lives, and companies. This book is full of insights and inspiration that will help draw out your strengths so you can show up as your best self. Love it.

A couple weeks after Thrive, I traveled to beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho to give a keynote at the 7 B Women’s Conference. The Bonner County Daily Bee wrote this fun announcement you can check out to learn more about the organization and event. I love the way this group carves out a day every year for women to unplug, invest in themselves and connect with others. It was a powerful conference, headed up by an amazing team of leaders:

I also loved that they showed this AWESOME TED Talk at the conference: Jia Jiang – What I Learned from 100 Days of Rejection. If you’ve ever feared or struggled with rejection (or if you just want to laugh and appreciate a good story), be sure to check it out!

Most recently, I’ve been working with this amazing company (below), sharing a two-part Women’s Skill Builder series within the Americas as part of their diversity and inclusion initiatives.

The first Skill Builder is on the importance of developing mentor and sponsor relationships — something I love to help women with because I’ve seen the power of these relationships in my own life. Which, of course, leads me to…

AWESOME RESOURCE #4:

Strategic Relationships at Work by Wendy Murphy and Kathy Kram – a book filled with great information about how to cultivate relationships in work and life that truly make a difference and fuel your success. Great stuff!

The second Skill Builder I’ve been presenting is on the power of your personal brand, which–if you know me–you know is a huge passion of mine. And of course I can’t just list one great book to help you strengthen your brand, so here are

a few AWESOME resources

that can help you dig in, understand your unique value proposition and start to cultivate a distinct brand that helps you stand out:

Strengthfinders 2.0 by Tom Rath and Gallup (comes with a code to take an online assessment and figure out your strengths)

Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Bradberry and Greaves (comes with a code to take an online assessment and determine your level of emotional intelligence)

Dare to Lead: Brave work. Tough conversations. Whole hearts. by Brene Brown. I love all of Brene Brown’s books, and this one has a chapter on Values that is really worth digging into (because any personal branding journey starts with knowing your core values and what you stand for). 

It’s been great to work with such talented people at Hewlett-Packard who have a genuine desire to make a difference!

Well, that resource list will keep you busy for a while! :)) I hope this encourages you on your next step, whatever that next step might be. And as always, I love hearing from you, so feel free to reach out with questions about these resources, or anything else. You can also always visit me over at my coaching and consulting practice, Her Team Success.

Here’s to YOUR success – I’m cheering you on!

All my best,

Genny

When you know who you are, your vision for your life becomes so much clearer, and you find more meaning and significance in what you do. All the scoop about the show is listed below–I hope it helps you, right where you’re at!

Show notes from Peppershock:
Listen as CEO Rhea Allen is joined by Genny Heikka, Personal Branding Expert | CEO of Her Team Success. In this podcast, you will learn how Genny uses her marketing and business background to help women and corporate CEO’s understand the importance of their Personal Brand. Take a listen!

• What makes Genny Heikka an expert in Personal Branding – 1:00
• Personal Branding – a tree analogy- 3:25
• Company brands and Personal Brands – 4:35
• How Genny engages with people –6:07
• The four phases of Personal Branding-7:16
• Find your passions. Don’t fake them – 8:20
• How long does it take to go through the 4 phases? – 10:23
• What are some of the things you work through in your company workshops? – 11:29
• The benefits of discovering your strengths and weaknesses –16:00
• What are the benefits of having a coach? – 19:07
• Does the coach have a coach? – 20:22
• History of “LIFT” (Live, Inspired, Fearless, Thriving) an annual conference held in January – 26:10
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – 27:53
• Advice, tips and tricks – 32:20
• Other resources – 34:16

And a note from me:
If you want to chat about your personal brand, feel free to reach out to me. And if you’re interested in bringing a personal branding workshop to your company or group, check out more here! 

One by one, rejection letters came in, and it was hard. Time passed and the rejections continued. Then I heard someone wiser than me say, “You don’t have to be published to call yourself a writer.” And that was a turning point for me. I started telling others I was writing and I began to see myself as a writer. I went to my first writing conference, I joined a critique group, and I signed up to volunteer with SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).

Which is how I became friends with authors Patricia Newman and Erin Dealey. (Here’s us at a SCBWI Conference in Los Angeles where we had the honor of meeting Newberry Award Winning Author Richard Peck):

When I spoke at Women and Leadership last month about how important it is to have mentors and sponsors in your life, I shared how these two women impacted my writing journey. Patti and Erin were farther along than me in their careers, they had already experienced success, and they were selfless with their time, knowledge and expertise. Getting to know them and other writers, and spending time with them helped me grow in ways I never would’ve on my own, and it made my direction clearer than it had been before.

That’s what mentors do:

“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and help them navigate a course to their destination.”  — John C. Maxwell

I share all of this for two reasons:

1. Having mentors can change your life and I want YOU to have mentors like I did to help you pursue your dreams. The more people I work with in my coaching practice, the more I realize that mentor relationships can be hard to cultivate: we are either too busy, or the idea of approaching someone as your mentor is intimidating. But I look back on that writing season of my life and my challenges and successes (I got hundreds of rejection letters before I got my first book contract), and I know my path would’ve looked different without mentors. It might’ve even stopped before I got that first “yes.” So whatever your dreams are, if you don’t have a mentor in your life, PAUSE RIGHT NOW and think about who you’d like to build that kind of relationship with. Be intentional and know why you’d want that person to mentor you and what you’d hope to learn. Then step out and ask them to coffee and begin the conversation. Be brief, kind and appreciative. But don’t hold back and miss out on asking. A closed mouth doesn’t get heard.

2. I don’t want you to keep your dreams to yourself like I did. If you’re writing, call yourself a writer. If you’re starting your own business – even if you think it’s small and you haven’t landed your first client or had your first sale – call yourself a business owner. There’s power in your words, and even greater power in sharing what you’re doing with others. Doors open in community much more than they do in isolation.

So tell others about your dreams, build mentor relationships and surround yourself with community. And if you do all that, there will be GREAT THINGS AHEAD!

p.s. to Patti and Erin and all the amazing mentors who have come alongside me in my life – thank you, thank you, thank you.

(If video doesn’t appear above, click here to watch.)

We love getting women together like this in community—whether at events, discussion groups, or workshops—and exploring some of life’s big questions:

• What’s your purpose?
• What impact could you have on your world?
• What’s holding you back?

It’s been awesome seeing so many women of different ages, backgrounds and perspectives come together and build friendships — and we’d love to have you join in! If you want to bring LIFT to your city and help women live inspired, fearless, and thriving, let’s chat!

And if you want to learn more about LIFT – come check us out at liftedhigh.org! 

All my best,
Genny

Personal Branding – Living your purpose with passion.

I had a conversation a few months ago with a young woman who’d recently gotten married. She and I we were talking about the phase of life she was in, and I asked her what her biggest challenge was.

She answered, “I guess I would say my own individualism since I’m in a new phase of life and married now. Sometimes I think about who I am and what I’m supposed to be doing… I want to live passionately now, not just in the future.”

We all have this longing to matter — to do something significant that we’re passionate about. But how do you know what that “something” is? Some of you reading this might be in a place where you’re doing exactly what you know you’re supposed to be doing in this season of your life — and you’re passionate about it. And some of you might feel so far from that you don’t even know where to start. (If that’s you, it’s okay! You’re not alone.)

Even if you are operating in your sweet spot, things change as life changes. Relationships, jobs, health, finances… all these things can change. Especially during times of transition, questions like “What’s my purpose?” and “What am I passionate about?” seem to stare us in the face.

Living out your purpose with passion isn’t about “finally arriving” or finding that one thing to do. After all, you can live out your unique purpose in different ways in different seasons of your life. It actually has more to do with truly understanding who you are and finding ways to live that out, right where you’re at.

So how do you do that? There’s more to this than can be captured here, but a few keys things you can do — even today — are:

1. Know your strengths. Know the things you are naturally good at. Don’t speculate or guess — actually take time to discover the things that come easy to you. There are plenty of assessments and resources that can help — some online, and several books. And if you want to keep it simple, just think about what you were good at as a child. What did you gravitate towards doing when you were little, and what did you find rewarding? Often, those are the things you’re naturally strong at. The years that have passed, and all the life that’s happened since then, might’ve caused you to forget. Knowing your strengths can give you clarity on your direction and point you toward things that you’d likely find great purpose in doing today.
2. Know your passions. What fires you up and fuels you? Is it hiking or business, cooking, or traveling? Or maybe it’s fighting for a cause? Identifying your passions is easy for some, but for others, it can be hard. Give yourself permission to dream, and don’t try to be passionate about what you think you should be passionate about. (When I became a mom, I thought I should be passionate about crafts. It took me a few years to figure out that leading craft projects just wasn’t for me. It was liberating to realize I didn’t have to volunteer to do that anymore, and there were other moms who not only loved crafts but were way better at it than I was!) Doing the things that excite and interest you will energize you, not drain you. You’ll also likely make the greatest contribution, because you’ll be doing something you love and care about.
3. Examine your experiences. You might’ve gone through the same thing as someone else, but you didn’t experience it the same way, because you are you. Think about the experiences in your life — the challenges you’ve faced, the successes you’ve had, the things that have helped to shape you. Your experiences, positive and negative, are a valuable part of your story, and they often uniquely equip you to make a significant difference in the lives of others.

All these things — your strengths, passions, experiences, and more — combine to make up your personal brand: who you are and how you live that out. And when you spend time discovering more about yourself, your purpose and passions become clearer.

But… there’s another important step to living your purpose with passion, and that’s doing it with others by your side. If you do all this work and dig into who you are, and figure out your strengths and direction, but live that out in isolation, you’ll still miss out. Look for opportunities to make a difference in the unique way only you can, and do it in community.

Years ago, when I first started pursuing my dream of writing books, I was a closet writer. I felt like I needed to be published or have my writing perfected before I told anyone what I was doing. But then someone wiser than me said: “If you’re writing, you’re a writer. You don’t have to be published to call yourself one.” That gave me courage to share what I was doing. I realized you don’t have to have it all figured out before you step out and pursue your dreams. When I started calling myself a writer and doing that journey with other writers by my side, doors opened.

Not only did doors open, I had a community around me when doors closed. And believe me, that was important. I got hundreds of rejection letters before I got my first book contract. But having other writers in my circle who were going through the same thing made all the difference. I didn’t lose my passion when I hit roadblocks; that’s the power of community.

Putting yourself out there in a new way makes you feel vulnerable (I know!), but it creates opportunities you would never see otherwise. I saw that in my journey as a writer, and I saw that when I started my coaching and consulting business. One of the first things I did was share what I was doing with others, and that fueled my courage — and my business.

So if there is something you’re longing to do, or unknown territory you’ve been wanting to step into — do it. Take time to understand who you are, then put one foot in front of the other and don’t worry so much about the outcome or if you’re “ready.” Instead, recognize the unique value you bring to the table and the unique contribution you can make. And be sure to share what you’re doing with others. Because living out your purpose with passion is better (and way less terrifying) with friends by your side.

Genny Heikka is an author, speaker, and coach/consultant to women and corporations. Find out more at HerTeamSuccess.com and gennyheikka.com.

(publishing credit: Idaho Family Magazine, April issue, 2018)

There were many other great moments too — it was incredible to see women coming together in community and being encouraged and inspired. Check out our blog for more details, and see ALL the photos in our event album in our FB Group.

Here are a few shots from the night (a huge thank you to Merritt Photography):

The night was more than we could’ve hoped for, and it was fun to see the doors that opened to talk about LIFT before the big event. Pam, Kirsten, and I loved sharing on Channel 7’s KTVB evening news (here’s just a quick excerpt):

and on KTSY’s morning show:

I also loved being a guest on Julie Turner’s podcast and chatting with her about the ups and downs (and frustrating and funny moments) of my journey over the years — from stay-at-home mom, to author, to speaking and working directly with women and companies. (Somehow, we even ended up talking about my imposter syndrome and water anxiety, lol!)

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks, and so much fun. After the LIFT event, Pam, Kirsten and I just sort of sat back and sighed with gratitude over all that happened. The response we saw from women was amazing and the texts and emails we continue to get have been both heartwarming and powerful. We love knowing how gathering in community, being real, and sharing each other’s stories touches and changes lives.

I’m grateful to have so many amazing, talented and caring people in my life–and I count you as one of them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And on the topic of LIFT… I have exciting news:

We’ve chosen our date and venue (Thursday evening, January 25th at Foothills in Eagle, Idaho) and will be opening registration on Cyber Monday–with the lowest ticket prices we will be offering for this year (just $12 each). More information to come on our LIFT blog, but be sure to mark your calendar. I’d love to see you there!

If you want to bring a girls’ night out to your city that gathers women together for fun and inspiration, let us know! We’d love to talk.

When I first thought about sharing all that’s been going on lately, I envisioned a “polished” announcement letting you know about my new venture. But as things have taken shape, I realized that many of you may be in the same place I was when this all started. And that it might be more helpful (and more real) to simply share my story…

If you know me, you know I’m passionate about helping women. I’ve loved coming alongside so many women over the years — moms, writers, small business owners, leaders — and helping them believe in themselves. If you heard me speak at the Boise Botanical Gardens a while ago, you heard my story about how I felt a pull last year to write less and work directly with women more. (If you weren’t there, just know that the decision to let go of a regular writing schedule and resign from my literary agent’s representation wasn’t easy.)

But sometimes you have to let go of something good to make room for something new.

After I made that shift in where I was spending a lot of my time, doors opened and I stepped through them not really knowing where they would lead.

And I started to see a pattern.

As I found myself getting more requests to meet with women one-on-one, I realized that even though each woman’s situation was different, the things we talked about were similar. Things like how to gain confidence and not compare yourself to others, how to face your fears and overcome challenges, how to discover (and actually believe in) your strengths, and how to take that next step in life, especially if you don’t know what that next step is. Things I’ve walked through and wrestled with, and things I care deeply about.

So I would be sitting there with someone talking through these things over coffee, and my marketing and communications background would kick in, and the next thing I’d know, we’d be going through a really fun (and caffeinated!) personal branding session. It was exciting to see women — some friends, some strangers who had reached out to me — light up as they began to recognize their value and embrace and communicate that value in whatever they were going through.

And as more of these conversations took place, I realized I was operating in my sweet spot. 

It was as if all of my experiences — the years working with women, my time at HP, the writing and speaking, the college classes I taught on leadership and human resources — had prepared me for exactly what I was doing. So I did this big brainstorm session and feverishly wrote a business plan outlining my strategies to help women. I wanted to formalize what I found myself doing organically and help more women, especially through things I had gone through: life and career changes, discovering my purpose and passion, pursuing my dreams, wrestling with fears, finding my unique voice and brand.

I bought the domain HerTeamSuccess.com (I wanted a name that spoke to the importance of community and team, and to helping women be successful leaders) and I fumbled through creating my own website.

Then, even though I wasn’t sure if I would ever have any real, “paying” clients — and I knew my website totally needed work — I published it and decided to just put it out there. (I also quietly added my site to LinkedIn, joined Thumbtack hoping to somehow get clients, included my url in my email signature in tiny little font, and added a page about it on my personal website.)

And then I did probably the most important thing: I shared what I was doing and my dream for this new business with some friends. Their support and encouragement (and their awesome feedback on how to help my website!) made all the difference.

A couple months passed as I got busy with speaking and with LIFT, and then…

I got contacted by my first client (she found me online).

We set up a coaching session and I couldn’t wait to work with her. But right before our first meeting, as I sat there getting ready for it, a huge case of IMPOSTOR SYNDROME set in. (That’s the whole who-am-I-to-be-doing-this?! thing and that sinking feeling of being totally unqualified.)

I said a few (desperate!) prayers, pressed through the nerves, and went into my meeting with my first official client.

It was amazing. The minute we began, my nerves stopped and were replaced with that calm reassurance and excitement that comes from doing what you were meant to do and being able to truly add value in someone’s life.

I’m happy to report that she didn’t run for the hills. In fact, we are still working together and it’s been incredible. I’m also happy to share that since then, more doors have opened with new clients, new opportunities to work with companies, and new speaking engagements. It’s been an exciting adventure and I know I have a ton more to learn.

But here’s what I’ve learned and have been reminded of so far:

1. Giving up something good is hard (but incredibly freeing).

2. Stepping into the unknown is scary (but amazing).

3. Putting yourself out there in a new way makes you feel REALLY vulnerable (but it opens doors to opportunities you would never see otherwise).

4. Investing in people is what really matters (and the relationships and life changes that happen when you do make everything worth it).

5. Taking risks is better (and way less terrifying) with friends by your side.

The other thing I’ve been reminded of is that before I even took one step into this unknown territory of opening my own coaching and consulting practice, there were others who had gone before me–and that gave me courage. In fact, when I started this journey, one of my LIFT co-founders, President of Platform Idaho, Kirsten Holmberg, had already walked this path of forging new territory. Her experience and the way she just did it made me more confident that I could too.

And that’s why I’m sharing this whole long story with you instead of just announcing HerTeamSuccess.

Because I hope if there’s something you’re longing to do, or something you’re being challenged to give up to make room for something new, or unknown territory you’ve been wanting to step into–that you do it. That you put one foot in front of the other and not worry so much about the outcome or if you are “ready,” but instead recognize the unique value you bring to the table, believe in yourself, and take a chance.

And when you do, be sure to enjoy the journey along the way.

Because it’s awesome.

ps. In other super fun news about equipping and encouraging women: Our new LIFT video is out! It’s a short 3 minutes and captures on film the BEST part of what we do–hearing from the women whose lives have been impacted!

LIFT (Live Inspired Fearless and Thriving) Conquering Fear Workshop
Saturday, June 17th, 9:30am – 12:30pm

Location: Banbury Golf Club, Eagle, Idaho (lunch included)
Registration: Coming soon at liftedhigh.org (subscribe for automatic updates – seats will be limited!)

Sharing the Journey – Women’s Event
Wednesday, June 28th, 6:00pm – 9:30pm

Location: Boise Botanical Gardens (this outdoor event is going to be gorgeous!)
Registration: Sharing the Journey tickets

Parenting Conference
Saturday, September 23rd, 8:00am – 4:30pm

Location: Caldwell, Idaho
Registration: Family Experience Conferences

I’ll also be speaking at:

Eastwind Fall Retreat: Discovering Your Unique Purpose in McCall, Idaho, September 29th –October 1st, three seminars centered around the book SHAPE by Eric Reese.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) events in Meridian and Boise, May 16th & June 21st, talking about How to Survive (and Thrive!) During the Summer With Your Kids. If you have kids and are looking for connection with other moms, connect with your local MOPS group and get plugged in!

Last week, Pam, Kirsten and I had dinner with these two amazing women below–Jessica and Emily–to talk about plans for 2018. (Can you believe we’re already planning next year?! We can’t wait.)

Not only did they have great ideas for LIFT in general, they’ll be playing a lead role in our planning for next year.

(Fun fact: Jessica and Emily actually met at LIFT 2016. We will share that story over at our LIFT blog soon because it’s pretty neat.)

These girls are extremely talented with planning, marketing, and pretty much everything that goes into making an event special. We couldn’t be more excited–or more grateful–that they are volunteering their time to help us.

Please join us in welcoming Jessica and Emily to the LIFT team, and hold onto your seats for all they have in store for LIFT 2018! They are dynamo gals doing amazing things in our community – and we feel lucky to have them on board!

We were also contacted for an interview by Idaho’s premier magazine and were grateful to have the opportunity to share about LIFT — what the event is, how it got started, our heart behind it, and some of our own personal stories.

Read all about it and join us in sharing the link and spreading the word! We have great things in store for LIFT 2018 – and, as we always say, the more the merrier.

If we haven’t already, we’d love to connect with YOU on our LIFT blog and in our FB Group! We have a lot of fun, share some great resources and encouragement, and make sure you are the first to get LIFT news and updates.

But before I share details, here are a few pictures of our time together…

It was snowy and gorgeous and SO MUCH fun. The weekend was filled with hard work, plenty of laughs, great food, and late nights talking. You were on our minds as we mapped out the year ahead and we are looking forward to several exciting activities that will help you overcome fear, discover your purpose, set and achieve goals, and live a more thriving life! READ ABOUT some of them now!

Here are just some of the moments…

Thank you to all of the generous women who provided gifts for us to give away, all of our amazing volunteers who worked so hard to make the night happen, and all of YOU who came to the event. (We were blown away by all the donations you brought for City Light women’s shelter; thank you so much!)

We are already looking forward to LIFT 2018 in Boise, Idaho, so be sure to stay connected with us at our LIFT blog for details in the future! (More photos over there too!)

More to come after the big event tomorrow night – I can’t wait! If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so until midnight tonight HERE! Hope to see you there!

We sat there, laughing and nodding as we shared stories and experiences around the long restaurant table. We started out with generalities and small talk, but quickly, our voices turned to the meaningful and significant. And before dinner was even served, we were leaning in close and talking about challenges we’ve faced as writers and women, failures and successes, and issues we grapple with.

A few of us knew each other from writing meetings, but our gathering was mostly made up of new names and faces.

Still, there was that connection.

So as we ate (and long after, actually), we talked and encouraged and supported and laughed.

We took interest in each other’s projects.

We listened to each other’s ideas.

We rallied around each other’s causes.

And as the night passed over minutes and hours… READ MORE over at our LIFT event blog here!

A few weeks ago over at our LIFT blog, Pam, Kirsten and I asked for your videos about how last year’s LIFT event impacted you. And what better time than the start of a new year to share one of your inspiring stories! So here’s Lori… READ MORE AND SEE HER VIDEO HERE!

Happy New Year, everyone! I’ll be back here soon with exciting updates on how LIFT 2017 is shaping up. We can’t wait for January 25th! (Seats are filling up fast, so if you haven’t registered, don’t wait!)

It’s been an exciting time of listening and planning (and coffee, of course) as we’ve been putting together details for January 25th. But before I share some of the inside scoop (and before I announce an exciting Cyber Monday deal for you!), here are a few photos, for fun…

The three of us meeting at one of my favorite coffee shops – The Brim, in downtown Eagle, ID:

(Isn’t it beautiful?!)

And here’s a snapshot of Pam’s recent magazine article (in which she tells the story of conquering her worst fear on her summit trip in Washington). I love how nothing on that caution sign held her back!

I also love how her story has reminded so many women to listen to the truth of who they are instead of the negative voices we tell ourselves sometimes. Pam’s biggest fear led her to community, not quitting, and that’s a lesson we can all benefit from.

It’s that community and encouragement that is the heart behind LIFT and we are super excited the date is approaching. Here’s the scoop on the latest happenings:

–First, a surprise for YOU:  

We want you to be able to take advantage of Cyber Monday and get your LIFT tickets for the best deal we’ve offered so far. Get your “Bring a Friend” ticket for just $7.50 each when you enter the code THRIVING to your order (normally $25.00 for two!).

*Discount code good only on Monday, November 28th.

-Second, one of your favorite things from last year’s event is shaping up to be an exciting part of this year’s event too: PRIZES AND GIVEAWAYS! We’ve been contacted by some amazing, talented women who have beautiful gifts we are going to be giving away to some lucky LIFT attendees the night of the event. Just like last year, we can’t wait to surprise some of you with awesome gift baskets, great books, gorgeous home decorations, and other fun stuff!

–Third, if you haven’t heard, we have a NEW venue this year, and it’s amazing. The Ambrose School is beautiful, has plenty of space (last year was fun, but packed!), and is in a great location in the Treasure Valley – easy to get to no matter what direction you’re coming from!

We’ve been talking about decor for the night and are excited about the vision (think beautiful and cozy). It’ll be January in Idaho–cold and probably snowy–and we can’t wait to welcome you and your friends to a warm and inviting night of fun and inspiration.

I’ll fill you in on more details as the event gets closer, but for now be sure to save your spot now before seats fill up. We can’t wait to see you!

It was an amazing time... a beautiful mix of sharing and listening, laughing and crying, exploring outdoors and gathering together in a cozy event space lined with string lights and flowers.

It was a time of holding on to what is good and letting go of all that hinders, a time of silencing shame and overcoming fear, and a time of remembering… you are enough.

I got home Sunday afternoon, reflected on all that happened, and cried. An overwhelmed, happy, how-does-God-do-that kind of cry. How does He take the stories from my life — the good, the bad, the small, and even the embarrassing — and use them to help other women, right where they’re at?

I’ll be totally honest. Many times, as a speaker, you head into an event and think who am I to be sharing? What do I even have to offer?

And then you realize that all you really have to offer is you — the real you and the stories from your life. Stories about successes and failures, stops and starts, fears and epiphany moments and the times you felt the most alone. Stories about being a mom and being a friend and messing things up, and learning in the repairing. Stories about feeling lost and finding your way and covering up, and breaking free.

But God takes your stories and does amazing things with them, if you let Him.

And so you say a prayer and get up there and allow yourself to be seen. And in doing so, you give others permission to do the same.

Then, one by one, what Brene Brown calls the power of “me too” unfolds… and you see the nods, the laughter, the tears, the arms around each other, the friends praying together, the woman coming up to you and thanking you because what you said is how she feels… and she doesn’t feel alone anymore.

When you let the walls down and invite others in, your story becomes an “our” story, and that’s where the real blooming happens.

That was the theme for the retreat, by the way: BLOOM. And I love how it created space to talk intentionally about becoming the woman you were meant to become.

We talked about how when you open yourself up to God’s amazing, free grace, it changes everything (because you start to live from a place of being unconditionally loved).

We talked about giving yourself compassion (why are we so hard on ourselves sometimes?) and giving each other compassion too (life has enough challenges; let’s not judge each other).

We talked about shame and how everyone experiences it. (I think Brene Brown’s definition is the best I’ve seen: “Shame is the most powerful master emotion. It’s the fear that we’re not enough.”) When you realize you’re not the only one who has ever felt that way, it empowers you to bring your shame out of the dark and into the light. Another favorite Brene Brown quote of mine: “Shame can’t survive being spoken.” And it’s true. Test it.

We talked about fear and how to overcome it (and the fact that overcoming it doesn’t mean getting rid of it. It just means walking with it in a new way so it can propel you forward, not hold you back.) I love Sheryl Sandberg’s thoughts: “We need to shift from thinking I’m not ready to do that to thinking I want to do that and I’ll learn by doing it.”

I could tell you story after story about the learning and growing and letting go and new beginnings that I saw happen in that peaceful setting by the lake this weekend. Women held each other’s babies, and they held each other’s dreams too.

And that’s where I’ll end this – talking about new life and new dreams and next steps and moving forward together.

Because that’s what the weekend was about: beginnings and flourishing and becoming…

and blooming. 

And it was a beautiful, beautiful thing.

My friend Kirsten and I attended the Global Leadership Summit recently and I’m still thinking about all the inspiration, information, and encouragement we got! It was amazing to hear from leaders like Melinda Gates, former Ford CEO Alan Mulally, culture strategist Erin Meyer, emotional intelligence guru Dr. Travis Bradberry, and more!

Instead of repeating what Kirsten already wrote, click on over to our LIFT blog and check out her great summary. It was an amazing two days packed with important information that anyone can learn and grow from. Because, truly, if you think about it, we are all leaders in one way or another! Enjoy!

Pam, Kirsten and I loved sharing our stories about times we let fear hold us back, and times we moved forward in spite of fear and got to see all the good on the other side. Oh, and if you want to check out the video that goes with Kirsten’s zip-line story, she just posted it over in our FB group–(search FB for LIFT if link doesn’t work). I love the look on her face in the video!

Throughout the workshop, we examined different kinds of fear and the way fear impacts our lives, we talked about some key truths to help re-frame the way we view fear, and we explored how our fears can actually help point us to our calling (my favorite part!).

But maybe the best part of the whole morning was the fact that we spent it together. Each story shared, each question asked, each smile and tear from the women it the room, was a reminder that we’re in this together – and we can LIFT each other up.

It was a great time of coming alongside each other and learning how to take that next step–whatever that next step might be for each woman–and not let fear hold us back. (And it was a fun time of food, coffee, and laughter too! :)

If you joined us on Saturday, we’re so glad you could be there! And if you weren’t able to come, we’re planning more workshops in the future and will keep you posted. We’ve also gotten several requests for livestream and webinars and are working on those as well. Be sure to subscribe to our blog, connect with us on twitter, or join our FB Group to stay tuned.  And if you’re interested in bringing a full LIFT event or Conquering Fear Workshop to your area or group, feel free to reach out to us here. Good stuff on the way! 

It was an amazing morning and we can’t wait to do it again!

-Genny

When I was a little girl, my family and I went hiking in a place called Bonanza King. We were on a narrow trail high above a whitewater river, and I slipped and fell. I remember grabbing onto a rock on the side of the steep slope, terrified that I was going to fall. And then I remember my mom’s friend Gail—who was on vacation with us—reaching down, grabbing my hand and saving me.

I also remember a time my family almost had to evacuate our home because a grass fire was burning too close. We lived on a hill with fields all around and I remember the only thing I wanted to pack when we got ready to leave was my blanket.

And then there was the time in elementary school, when I was walking home one day and a car with a man driving followed me slowly. I remember the car stopped and I ran into the bushes and up a hill to get away.

In all of those situations, I felt real fear – the kind of fear that is tied to real situations of danger and threat, and the kind of fear that can help you survive.

But there’s another kind of fear that often crops up in our lives that doesn’t have to do with keeping us safe or signaling danger. This other kind of fear is often tied to our beliefs about ourselves and others and it can hold us back — from pursuing dreams, taking risks, taking that next step, speaking up, changing, living fully, and a whole long list of other things. And this is the kind of fear Pam, Kirsten and I will be focusing on in our LIFT workshop on Conquering Fear on Saturday, July 16, 2016, 9:30 – 11:30am. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to plan for this short morning workshop and we can’t wait to share with you!

We all face fears; it’s part of being human. But, it’s our hope that this workshop will equip you to walk with fear in a new way and move forward in freedom to live a life of possibility and opportunity, not hesitation and holding back. I love how Author Brene Brown says, “We’re all afraid. We just have to get to the point where we understand it doesn’t mean that we can’t also be brave.” 

In the workshop, we’ll explore:

• some key truths that will help you re-frame fear in your own life
• how our fears can actually help point us to our calling
• and how we as women can get to a place where we can take that next step, and not let fear hold us back

Whether you battle daily fears, or simply hesitate in certain areas of your life, it’s our hope that this workshop will help you:

• understand fear (and shame – the fear of  not being enough) better
• gain a new perspective on fear
• identify helpful steps to face your fears
• move toward growth and freedom

And the best part? We’ll be doing this together. (There’s courage to be found when we come alongside each other!) To learn more about the workshop, or about LIFT – Live: Inspired, Fearless, Thriving, click on the link below! You don’t have to have attended our LIFT Boise Event to come to the workshop; all are welcome!

Seating is limited and space is filling up so grab your spot now. Cost is just $12. Hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER!

We had lived in our house in California for eight years at the time. It was a beautiful two-story at the corner of a quiet court, and we loved it. We loved our neighbors too.

But after being there for eight years, I started to get an itch for change.

It wasn’t that I wanted to leave where we lived. In fact, thinking about that was the hard part. Our kids had many friends in the neighborhood, and so did Mike and I. It was the desire for something different that drove me: I had grown up in a single story with acreage, and I craved open space. The thought of living on more land was appealing.

A round of house hunting began. It started out simple: we wanted to find a single story house on a bit of property. With our daughter about to go into middle school at the time, we also wanted to live near a smaller school so it wouldn’t be such a big transition for her. The kids were excited and the idea of a new house was an adventure—at first.

As we looked and looked (and looked), … READ THE REST OF MY STORY over at TheMomInitiative today! 

We’re thrilled so many of you have signed up for our follow-up groups, we’re excited to be planning future LIFT events, and we’re working on a date / location for our Conquering Fear workshop and should have that announced soon!

And the best thing about all the fun happenings? You’ve been talking too… about LIFT! Here are some of the things you’ve been saying… READ MORE over at LiftedHigh.org! 

Pam, Kirsten and I have been working on some new things behind the scenes and I’m thrilled to share a quick update and show you our new look! LIFT has continued to gain momentum and we couldn’t be more excited. Pop over to our LIFT site to check out all that’s going on and read more.

Also, after our #LiftBoise event, we had a lot of interest in a workshop on conquering fear. I love how Jennifer Dukes Lee reminds us:

“The greatest risk in this life is never taking the risk… never taking the next step.”

This is what we’ll be talking about in our workshop–what holds you back from taking that next step. We all face fears; it’s part of being human. But it’s our hope that this workshop will help you walk with fear in a new way and move forward in freedom to live in possibility and opportunity, not hesitation and holding back! Check out more details about the workshop here.

As I shared in my schedule update, I won’t be writing here frequently, but I’ll be sure to pop back in to keep you posted on all the new happenings! Take care!

Pam, Kirsten and I have been asked to bring LIFT to a city near Boise later this year (details will be posted at liftedhigh.org) and I’ll also be working on some follow-up workshops for women that resulted from our January event. With speaking engagements, the women’s groups I’m involved in, and teaching high school students at Launch Ministries, my plate is pretty full–in a good way. Which is why I’ll be taking a break from writing and updating here for a bit.

You can still find me over at TheMomInitiative.com, as well as twitter or my author FB page. And of course, you can always reach out to me for speaking requests or any other inquiry here!

We laughed and cried and lingered long after the event was over. It was awesome seeing so many women come together to Live more Inspired, Fearless, and Thriving!

Pam, Kirsten, and I are already talking about our next event, so be sure to stop by our LIFT website for updates. And don’t forget to check out our follow up options too!

Talk soon!

Genny

And so I write to you—the woman who might be frazzled by life or disconnected from what you’re truly passionate about. The woman who might be focusing on things that aren’t important to you, simply because other people think that’s what you should be doing. The woman who has dreams tucked away, high on a shelf, unsure if you’ll ever be able to pursue them. The woman who longs to live with more significance and meaning. I write to you because I’ve been there. I know how it feels to lose sight of the things that make your heart sing.

When I found myself in that place years ago, it was the start of a new journey for me. And I began to realize what the missing something was. As it surfaced in glimpses of insight and understanding (and sometimes even in whispers) things started to become clear. One of those glimpses came the first time I spoke to a large audience. I remember walking on stage with my knees shaking. But beyond the nerves, there was exhilaration… and a strange sense of peace. There was something in that moment that spoke to my soul. When I talk to women, hear their stories, and cheer them on, I feel it too—that sense of certainty that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. That sense of knowing my purpose.

When we come to understand who we are and the difference we can make simply because of our uniqueness, we find our voice. Our passion grows and we begin to live in that sweet spot of being truly authentic.

We begin to live: inspired, fearless and thriving.

Does that mean you’ll never get scared? That once you understand more about who you are, you’ll be totally sure about the path ahead and what you’ll be doing in the next several years? Hardly. It just means that your understanding of why you’re here will allow you to live more intentionally, and more bravely. When you have a strong sense of what you’re supposed to be doing, you’re able to move forward and do it—even if it frightens you.

These are the things I’ve been talking about with my friends Pam and Kirsten lately. (The three of us are passionate about helping women see their true value and thrive.)

I wish you could have been with us in Kirsten’s dining room, the rain pounding outside as we talked a mile a minute about our hopes for women to live full and fearless lives. I wish you could’ve shared your own story as we shared ours with each other over morning conversations at coffee. I wish you could’ve sat with us on the patio that afternoon in the sunshine as we brainstormed ideas for helping women to live free and unstuck.

But even though you weren’t there, you were on our minds. And through those conversations, LIFT was born – a gathering of women on January 28th in the Treasure Valley in Idaho, to help you Live: Inspired, Fearless, and Thriving.

How would your life be different if you better understood your value? What impact could you have on your world? What’s holding you back? These are the questions we’ll be exploring at LIFT, and we’d love to have you there. You’ll take a step closer to discovering the real you and living more fully.

Pam, Kirsten and I aren’t perfect and we don’t have it all figured out. We’re just three women with different stories who have learned that knowing who you are and why you’re here can make a huge impact in your life, and the lives of others. We hope you’ll join us!

Genny

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE: https://liftedhigh.org

Pursuing your dreams is exhilarating, but it can also be challenging. Especially when things aren’t happening as quickly or as smoothly as you thought they would.

If you’re at a place in your path where you feel like your dreams have stalled, here are five things to consider:

1. Are your expectations realistic? When I first started out as a writer, my dreams were BIG (and of course they were going to happen FAST). Imagine my surprise when rejection letters started coming in from publishers… and months began to pass. There was no book deal that first year (or the second, or the third…) and in fact, it was several years until my first book was published. But I’ve come to know, and I’ve also learned from many other women who have seen their dreams come true, that’s usually how it happens — over time, more gradually than not, and after much perseverance and determination. So if you’re feeling impatient and things aren’t going how you want them to, consider adjusting your expectations a bit. And, more importantly, enjoy the journey. One day, you’ll reach your destination, and all the little challenges along the way will be the very things that will make your success so sweet.

2. Is fear holding you back? Many times, fear is keeping us from moving to the next step. We know where we want to go–we can feel it in our bones–but when we picture actually doing it, we clam up and hold back and stay in that place of wishing instead of stepping out. Long before I started actively speaking to women,… READ MORE OVER at GodSizedDreams.com today!

I pored over my old writings, reading and remembering… and realizing the passion I had for words, even back then.

Inside a poetry binder that I’d turned in as an assignment for one of my English classes, I found a note from my teacher, Mrs. Wilson. It was written on several post-its, stuck together from the top of the page to the bottom, and had a list of compliments about my poetry (she was sweet; I think she said something nice about every poem I included in the binder).

And at the end of her note, she’d written something I’d completely forgotten about… READ THE REST OF MY STORY over at GodSizedDreams.com!

In my work with moms and women, I’ve had countless conversations about how we often struggle with our self-image. We look in the mirror and instead of appreciating our unique qualities, the negative self-talk begins. As someone who has struggled too, I know how it is to battle these feelings, and even obsessions. But there are things we can do to develop an attitude of love and respect for our bodies, instead of criticism. So the next time you aren’t feeling good about your body, remember:

1. Your body has been good to you. Be thankful. Even if you aren’t in perfect health, there are many things about your body you can be grateful for. It performs highly complex, miraculous functions, day in and day out. You’re amazing, whether you realize it or not. Think about the fact that your heart never rests, your brain works continuously, your digestive tract serves you non-stop… I could go on and on. Have compassion for those legs and arms that have worked so loyally for you over the years. Be thankful to be alive, for the health you have (even if certain things aren’t running perfectly), and for the body that is uniquely yours.

2. You are not alone. If you don’t feel like your size, shape or body function is ideal right now, join the many who share those feelings, and know you’re not alone. I’m not saying throw your goal to be healthier out the window; just don’t beat yourself up anymore. If you want to make improvements—in your health, your fitness routine, your nutrition, your energy, your perspective—you can still move forward even if you didn’t make progress today. We all struggle with body image in some way at some point in our lives; don’t be so hard on yourself. Talk to a friend about your feelings, and encourage each other to stay positive. Sometimes, just knowing that someone else feels the same way you do makes all the difference.

3. Kindness conquers. It affects you when you talk to yourself negatively. We say unkind things to ourselves that we would never say to another person. We get frustrated. We get discouraged. We even get mean. It would hurt somebody else’s feelings if you talked to them like that, so don’t underestimate the power of your own words to yourself. The next time you start thinking a negative thought about yourself, stop that thought in its tracks and replace it with something positive and kind.

4. There is no perfect. Don’t compare yourself to the magazines, TV, and internet. That’s not real life. And don’t compare yourself to others either. You are you. There’s no one else like you; get excited about that and find ways to identify and celebrate your uniqueness. If you find yourself falling into the trap of comparing, take action to reset. It’s not a one-time step; it’s an ongoing awareness and intention. Maybe you need to get off the internet, stop watching that show, get out of that social group, or immerse yourself in positive influences that will help you see your own strengths. (Read Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection.) There’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve your body, but it becomes unhealthy when it’s a comparing game, negative or obsessive.

5. You’re more than your body. Give yourself grace; let go of perfection and rest in who you are. You’re much more than your physical body–more than just skin and organs and bones and a brain. You have a soul. Your mind works in amazing ways (we as humans even have the unique ability to think about what we are thinking about). Don’t tie your identity to what you look like; your appearance is just a small piece of the puzzle. The more compassion and grace you give yourself, the more you’ll be freed from the desire to be perfect, and the more you’ll be able to discover your true identity (your purpose, your passion, and why you’re here). And when you live from that authentic perspective, you’ll feel more beautiful, inside and out.

Spiritual nugget:  If you’re struggling with your body image, don’t go it alone. Reach out to others and share what you’re going through. Seek help and resources if the struggle has become dominant in your life. (Some resources to check out are listed at the end of this previous post). And remember the power of prayer and God’s love; you don’t have to try to fix things all on your own. I’ll never forget those years in college when I secretly struggled with my self image and food, and how when I read Matthew 6:25-34 for the first time, something deep inside me began to heal. The verses are about not worrying, and they spoke directly to my heart at the time. It gave me such hope to know that God saw me, He knew what I needed, and I could stop worrying. I just needed to focus on Him, instead of my worries and myself. And that changed everything…

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. –Matthew 6:25-34

A friend asked me recently how we did it — how we moved our two teenagers across states like that with one going into 8th grade and one going into 10th.

How did we make it look so easy? she wondered.

It wasn’t easy, I promised her. There were tears and unknowns and excruciating goodbyes.

But in all of that, there was God.

So there was peace.

That’s not to say I didn’t have any fears; I did. How I felt this time last year is still fresh in my mind — the what-ifs looming as we left our friends and family in California to move to Idaho. But I was excited too, anticipating whatever was ahead. I remember feeling, even as I wrote this post before we left that us moving was all part of a bigger plan.

There’s peace in knowing that whatever you face, wherever you go, whatever you lose or leave, God is there. <Click to tweet>

Change has a way of pushing us out of our comfort zone and reminding us how little control we actually have.

Change is humbling.

But it’s also a beautiful certainty.

Nobody goes through life in one straight line, the path perfectly predictable. Seasons shift and change comes. It can be expected, like a birthday or holiday or new pair of shoes for your growing son.

It can be embraced too because sometimes change is the very thing that helps us grow into who we were meant to become. <Click to tweet>

And that’s where the beauty is.

Sometimes, life’s side trails — especially the ones that seem rugged and unpaved — lead you exactly where you’re supposed to go.

What if we had said no? 

I sometimes wonder that.

What if we hadn’t moved?…

I watch my kids laughing with their friends around the fire pit and I marvel at how they’ve flourished through all of this. They’ve learned about being open to new paths and making the most of what life brings. (And so have Mike and I.)

I listen to them talk about the fun they had at kickball at youth group and I think about how our church feels like home.

I remember the lonely days when we first got here and how I clung closer to God than I ever have before, and how I came to know Him in new and deeper ways.

I look at the Idaho sunset in our backyard and am struck by the colors. And I realize…

I would have missed all of this.

Sometimes, in order to see the next thing in our lives — and to discover more of who we are supposed to be — we need to pass through waters, or even walk through fire.

Sometimes change is just God opening a door to an opportunity we don’t see yet.

And if we raise our eyes for a minute and embrace the change in front of us — the beautiful certainty that it is — fear fades, peace comes, and we can take that next step knowing we won’t be overwhelmed…

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; 
I have called you by name and you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…– Isaiah 43: 1-3

“We all have 168 hours in a week and one life to live.”

I look at those words written by Jessica Turner at Ann Voskamp’s blog and I pause.

168 hours.

When you say a week, it sounds like a week – routine and packed with this, that and the other thing. But when you break it into hours?

An hour is the blink of an eye.

And there, the question looms in front of me as if I’d never considered how I was going to spend my time: What are you going to do with your hours? 

With this hour?

I look at the clock.

It’s 7:39.

What would change if I lived my life in hours? 

Just a couple months ago, a young dad at our church died from cancer. He was 34 and left behind a beautiful wife and two small boys. My sister-in-law lost one of her friends recently to a blood clot. He was in the prime of his life and nobody saw it coming.

We don’t have to look far to find stories like these.

And we all have our own timelines, our hours unknown.

Yet do we live like we realize that? Like time is precious and every day counts? Or do we keep doing what we’re doing, going from week to week, from goal to goal, from plan to plan, from stress to stress, forgetting to stop and think about the meaning of it all? Forgetting to consider the big questions? Questions like who am I? and what’s my purpose? and who can I love better? and what happens when I die? 

168 hours isn’t a lot.

But that’s the point.

Because when we look at our lives and the things we’re spending time on through the lens that we’re only here for a short while, a beautiful change starts to happen…

We loosen our grip on the sense of control (that we think we have). Our friends and family become a higher priority. We have more courage. We have less regrets. Our relationships deepen. Our life has more meaning. We worry less.

We love more. 

So does it really matter what we do with this week — these 168 hours ahead? 

Our hours make up our days that make up our months… that make up our life.

So, yes, it matters. One hour lived well can turn into two, then three… then 168 and more. A daily discipline, that one good choice, the courage to reach out, the willingness to be real, the sacrifice to serve others, that new skill learned, that one risk taken, the decision to love — these little things aren’t little at all. They accumulate, and they count.

Small surrenders add up to victory. Baby steps lead to open doors. And little changes build dreams. Click to tweet.

So what do you want to do in the next seven days?

What changes do you want to start making?

Who do you want to reach out to?

What big ideas and questions do you want to explore?

What will you do with the next 168 hours?

What will I?  :)

Links and short videos to explore big questions for your life:

If you’ve never failed, you’ve never lived

7 Ways to Identify Your Calling

Knowing God (Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs. Find out why he loves God.)

Is God Real? (from a former atheist)

How to find your life’s purpose in 5 minutes (TEDx talk)

That was the question that spurred me to finally share a secret I had kept for 33 years (that I can actually laugh about now).

But before I get into that, let me back up a bit.

I recently read Brene Brown’s NYT Bestseller Daring Greatly in a book club with over twenty women. It was a powerful experience of coming together with others from different viewpoints and in different phases of life. Yet we had so much in common. And through the connections that were built, I was reminded of the importance of being vulnerable, and the doors that open when we are.

I was also reminded that when we share our stories, we help others share theirs.

And joy grows.

And healing happens.

So today, I’m sharing the story of my 33-year-old secret (in a video clip from a keynote I gave at a conference in Florida). It’s my hope that by hearing a little of my journey, you’ll be inspired to think about the things in your life that might be keeping you from experiencing true freedom and happiness. And to consider what might be hiding under your own tent so your burdens can be lifted, and joy can grow…

(To view the full version of this part of my talk, click here. Or, if the excerpt above doesn’t work, you can watch it here.)

Looking for other ways to find more joy?

Love, for real

Ask for help when you need it

Slow down and enjoy the journey

That is the question my friend Jenny Williamson asks readers in her new book, and it’s a question that changed her life and set her on a journey of discovering her, “water-walking, giant-slaying, history-making destiny.”

A few years ago, when I was watching The Next Food Network Star, one of the judges commented on a contestant, saying,

“It’s so interesting to me when we find these finalists who are running from the very thing that is in their bones. I saw a lot of passion in her; she just doesn’t have any focus.”

And I thought: that’s me.

As someone who has been passionate about many different writing projects over the years, I’ve wished more than once that one story would stand out above the rest as the only one I should be working on. I heard the judge say that and I instantly wanted more focus.

So I went to my laptop and sat down, determined… READ THE REST OF MY STORY over at GodSizedDreams.com

I hope you are all doing well! I’ve missed being here, but things have been busy. I’ve been working on some new writing projects, getting involved in some ministries for moms and women, and enjoying getting back into speaking, now that we’ve settled in. Hard to believe we’ve been in Idaho over nine months, and even harder to believe Katie turns 16 this weekend (16!). Take care, and I’ll be in touch soon!

Join me over at TheMomInitiative today, where I share six things you can do as a mom to stop the squabbles (and increase the love)! 

“If you ever wonder how in the world God could use you to change the world, look at these people. What people? The people God used to change history. People who found hope, not in their performance, but in God’s proverbially Open Arms.”

I’ve looked at the card countless times, yet each time I read it, the quote hits me as a fresh reminder.

Because over the years, as I’ve pursued my dreams of writing and speaking, there have been times I’ve forgotten that truth and put too much emphasis on my own performance. I’ve set goals and bent over backwards to exceed them. I’ve compared myself to others and let results dictate how I feel. I’ve faced challenges with a fierce determination to just try harder…

READ MORE over at GodSizedDreams today and see how the beautiful unfolds when you view your dreams with boldness and stop putting all your hope in yourself…

Finding Bliss at the DMV (Plus a Giveaway) by Lori Wildenberg

Have you ever had your child miss the school bus because she was on the toilet?

Have you ever had your preschooler help himself to cereal, only to dump it all over the floor?

Have you ever had your daughter insist on wearing only swing-around dresses, multiple headbands, and dishtowels on her head (going for the shepherd girl look) , or a son who wears buckets on his head?

Yes to all of the above at the Wildenberg house.

And my guess is… you have your own crazy, because you are a mom!

This is what my friend, Genny, would call Mommy Bliss; the moments where we choose joy over un-joy.

Sometimes that isn’t easy. I covet my time so anything that gets in the way of my schedule is the obstacle to my mommy bliss.

When my college-age daughter needed to get a new license, we waited at the DMV for two hours… (you feel my pain, don’t you?) We made the best of it. Walked to the Subway shop next door and had lunch. Then we returned to the DMV to sit in the hard, smashed together chairs. But we were talking and laughing. Time with my kid. Precious. I had bliss and a good perspective. Two hours. So what?

Finally number 234 was called.

We approached the attendant. I had the check book, all set to take care of business.

Do you wear corrective lenses?

Yes.

Do you have them in or with you?

No.  (No?)

Mom, you didn’t tell me I needed them (okay…what?)

The bliss was blown.

You will have to get your glasses or contacts and come back.

Can we go to the front of the line when we return?

No. You will need another ticket. (Seriously?)

Irritation replaced the bliss. In a show of total resignation, I dramatically dropped my forehead to the counter. Ma’am you need to step away from the counter so I can help the next person.

Driving back home to retrieve the forgotten lenses, God spoke to me: Your daughter is with you. Enjoy the time. Let it go. (Yes, the lyrics popped into my head.)

Perspective.

I now had the chance to choose. I could make this a humorous memory or one that put a wedge between my daughter and me. Praise God he broke through my annoyance and showed me something better.

Bliss.

Love is patient. Love is kind.

This was just a day. But a day with my daughter. So I chose bliss. God has shown me that parenting is all about love: decision making, action taking, strength giving love. The love found in 1 Corinthians 13.

Lori Wildenberg, co-founder of 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting and co-author of three parenting books, is a mom of four who loves to encourage and support parents in their quest to be the mom or dad they want to be. Raising Little Kids with Big Love and Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love are books that help moms (and dads) parent in a way that builds relationships to last a life time. The fifteen character qualities of love and four different yet successful parenting styles are woven into the fabric of the text. In the midst of little kid tantrums or big kid teen attitude (you know the big sighs and rolling eyes) we can still parent in a way that grows our kids’ character (and ours) and increases desirable behavior.

Check out the list of how-to’s these books will help you with HERE!

During the LOVE Month, February, my co-author and I are celebrating. The 1 Corinthians 13 Parent Series: Raising Little Kids with Big Love and Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love and their companion study guides, is being formally launched. So…Becky Danielson and I wanted to spread a little love around.  We are giving away over $400.00 of gifts: books, jewelry, and one-on-one parent coaching with either Becky or me (we are both licensed parent and family educators.) See some of the gifts HERE! To be eligible for the gifts, comment on this blog post or on an article over at www.1Corinthians13Parenting.com during the month of February. Winners will be randomly drawn each Friday and notified via email. Thank you for sharing in this special month long event!

For more information on the 1C13P ministry go to www.1Corinthians13Parenting.com. Connect with Lori at www.loriwildenberg.com  or visit the 1C13P facebook page www.facebook.com/1Corinthians13Parenting

If this post was a blessing to you, head over to Amazon or Barnes and Noble where you can find more great faith-based and easily applicable tips and information in our newly released books:  Raising Little Kids with Big Love and Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love.

I sat at the table and opened my daughter’s Bible.

I took a piece of tape and gently placed it around the edges of the tab that marked Psalms. We got the tabs five years ago so she could easily find each book, and now there were tiny tears along the sides of them, threatening to rip the thin pages.

I sat there for about an hour, slowly turning the tabs, taping the tears, touched by the highlights and notes my daughter has recorded over the years.

It made me reflect on how much my own life has been impacted by the power of these words too.

And that’s when I started to cry.

The irony of the situation struck me…

READ MORE about the words that have impacted me during some difficult times over at GodSizeDreams today.

“We’re almost home!”

When I saw her text, I smiled.

Because we weren’t actually home; we were staying in a hotel.

Our house–as of five months ago when Mike’s job got transferred–was now in Idaho. Spending time in a hotel over the holidays was a new experience for us and we were going from place to place, trying to fit in as many visits with friends and family as we could.

But to my daughter that night, the hotel room was home. Because that’s where we were, together.

And it reminded me of that saying: Home is where the heart is.

Maybe you’ve had a big move in your life, too. Maybe you’re in a place of transition right now–or in the middle of change–and you’re worried that Christmas won’t feel the same this year. Or maybe you’ll be spending Christmas on the road, like we did for Thanksgiving.

Worry not, sweet mom.

A home for the holidays isn’t about location and address…READ MORE over at TheMomInitiative and learn 5 things you can do to make a home for the holidays, no matter where you are!

“Are you okay to go if it rains?” My friend’s text pops up on my phone just before we’re supposed to go walking together.

I look outside. Dark clouds hover where it was clear just minutes before.

“Sure!” I text back.

Even though I don’t hesitate when I answer, I have to admit, if I wasn’t going with her, I might decide not to go. Instead, I might stay home or go to the gym where it’s warm and dry.

But we head out together, and the hour flies by.

We barely notice when the rain starts to fall… 

Read the rest of my story over at GodSizedDreams today – an inspiring site to help your dreams set sail!

We started out with generalities and small talk, but quickly, our voices turned to the significant and meaningful.

Before dinner was even served, we were leaning in close and talking about challenges we’ve faced as writers and women, failures we’ve known, issues we still grapple with, and stories from our lives.

A few of us knew each other from writing group meetings, but mostly, the table was filled with new names and faces of women we hadn’t met until now.

Still, there was that connection.

So as we ate (and long after, actually), we talked and encouraged and supported and laughed.

We rallied around each other’s causes.

We took interest in each other’s projects.

We listened to each other’s ideas.

And as the night passed over minutes and hours, the connection deepened.

Because that’s what happens when women say yes to things like showing up to a dinner with people they don’t know, so they can meet others with similar interests and passions.

That’s what happens when women are open about their lives and experiences, and are willing to be real and reachable.

That’s what happens when women intentionally step out of their routines and inner circles to touch and be touched by the lives of others.

It can be easy to get caught up in our schedules and routines.

We’re busy. We have a lot on our plate.

We don’t have a minute to spare.

Or do we?

What would happen if we raised our eyes and saw things differently this holiday season?

What would happen if we intentionally got out of our comfort zones to spend time with, or serve and encourage, others?

What would happen if we bravely said yes to something we might normally say no? (It may be something as simple as going to dinner with complete strangers.)

Lives would be enriched, people would be encouraged, friendships would be formed.

Often, a simple yes can lead to something so much bigger. (It turns out dinner that night wasn’t just about meeting other writers; it was the beginning of some lasting and meaningful friendships.)

Because when we approach life with a sense of adventure and an attitude of being intentional, we see doors open that we didn’t even know were there before.

And the best part is, we don’t have to walk through them alone.

Want to meet one of the bravest women I know? Read about my friend Jenny Williamson, the CEO and Founder of Courage Worldwide. Her brave yes led to many girls being rescued from trafficking. Take a minute to VOTE FOR HER and make a difference in the lives of these kids (she was selected by Loreal as a top ten finalist for their Women of Worth award!).

[pullquote width=300 float=left]A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. -Ecclesiastes 4:12[/pullquote]

The poem I share in the beginning was written by a 14-year-old, if you can believe it. His name is Jason Lehman and I was so struck by his wisdom!

(If the video does’t display, you can watch it here.)

p.s. if you missed the video I shared last week on How to Love, for Real, you can catch it here.

(It’s about how letting your walls down, reaching out to others, and just being real can make YOU a more joyful person.)

I hope you’re encouraged today!

How to love, for real:

When the song

I remember one morning, driving with my windows down and the volume up, singing…

You call me out upon the waters,
The great unknown,
Where feet may fail.
And there I find You in the mystery, 
In oceans deep, 
My faith will stand…

I remember pausing, feeling a stirring inside I can’t really explain, wondering for a second what my great unknown might be. But it wasn’t until I finished singing the chorus–tears in my eyes–that I stopped short…

READ THE REST OF MY STORY  about how the path to my dreams has taken a turn over at God Sized Dreams today!

I got the recipe a few years ago, right in the middle of soccer season. One of the families from my son’s soccer team had a beautiful&nbsp;apple orchard on their property, and after a tournament one Saturday, the whole team went to their house to hang out and spend time together… READ MORE at TheMomInitiative.com.

Here’s a little about each of them, in their own words (be sure to read through to the end because some of them give great nuggets of parenting advice!)…

Julie Sanders

I’m blessed to be the mom of a college daughter and a high school son who have taught me so much about myself. We’ve lived and traveled far together, but the miles have bonded us close to each other and have given us a heart for people. Now we make the Southeastern US our home, where camping has been a sweet spot for family times. I’ve learned to embrace mothering the way God made me and not try to be someone else’s mom. Mothering is not what I expected, but so much more than I could’ve dreamed! https://www.juliesanders.org/

*Julie didn’t mention this, but she also has a passion for helping victims of trafficking and recently spearheaded the book project Released – 30 Days to Stand for Freedom. She also has a new book for expectant moms coming out this year, so stay tuned for that. Yay, Julie!

Jennifer Edwards

I’m a writer, blogger and editor. I’m a mother of two amazing teenagers, one of which is about to leave the nest and head to college. So exciting, stressful, and nerve-wracking all at the same time! After staying home with them for the past 18 years, I am rediscovering myself and what I want the next half of my life to be like. Two years ago, I discovered a love for writing and established my own writing and editing business. I recently launched my blog Truth Bites to provide a little insight, a new perspective and some clarity about many of the issues we as women face today, motherhood included. I’m also the author of a Bible study companion guide to God’s Radical Plan for Wives, by Gil & Dana Stieglitz, and I write a monthly e-newsletter, The Radical Wife. If there is something I’ve learned about motherhood, it’s this: My kids are their own people with goals and dreams of their own, many I may not necessarily like or approve of and don’t necessarily have control over. That being said, I can rest knowing that God loves them more than I do, and He has good things in mind for each of them. My role during these tumultuous years is to listen, guide, and help where I can, not judge, demand, or criticize. God’s got this and it will be ok. www.jenniferedwards.net

Joyce Moy

I’m a business major turned PreK teacher turned stay-at-home mommy to two little girls. I like to dabble in a little bit of everything, from writing newsletters (for our family and for MOPS), to crafting, to trying out new recipes…basically I like to try new things. I am married to Norm and our girls are ages 7 and 4. Some of our family favorites are trying new foods, going on walks, and doing anything related to music. I love God, family and friends, date nights, board games, books, and blogging. I have a heart for family ministries, and connecting families with resources to help them grow together. You can find me at our family blog Keeping Up with the Moys or over at HelloMornings.

Charissa Steyn

I believe every day is an adventure, no matter how boring or mundane it may feel. The adventure really took off when I met and married my best friend and South African sweetheart, Michal. We have a passion to see people all over the world encounter the life-changing love of God, and are currently fulfilling a dream of living in the Netherlands. I enjoy getting out for an early morning run, encouraging others to live adventurously through my writing and life-coaching, and filling my home with yummy food and beautiful friends. I have a fun-loving 23-month old son, and a precious baby girl. My favorite thing about being a mom is the way it challenges me to let go of myself constantly! {and how rewarding and freeing that actually is!} If I could give mamas one bit of advice it be: never ever forget that your work as a mother is eternally significant, even on those days where you fail miserably or feel invisible. www.steynfamily.net

Satin Pelfrey

I’m a wife, step-mamma, daughter, sister,friend & writer at My Heart, His Words. I love Jesus more than anything in the world. Transparent writing is most important to me, as you will see my heart in all my writings. I’m passionate about Jesus and the life He’s blessed me with and I want to be a willing vessel He can use. I love being a step-mamma and watching God teach me as much as He uses me to teach my stepson. My one piece of advice for mammas and step-mammas alike: Don’t be afraid to be transparent with your fears, your frustrations and your failures. You’re not alone! God has given us each other to lean on for encouragement, support, love and prayers.

Barbie Swihart

I’ve been married nearly 26 years to an amazing man and we have four beautiful children (23, 20, 13 and 10).  They are a family of worship leaders and worshippers, all using their vocal and musical gifts to glorify the Lord at the house of prayer where I am also employed full time. When I’m not teaching Sunday School, doing church administration, painting as worship, or prayer leading in the house of prayer, I blog at My Freshly Brewed Life where I share glimpses of His love and sprinkles of His grace for every day living. I am the author of Coffee Talk With Jesus: Intimate Chats With The Savior, which are letters from the heart of God to his daughters. On stressful days, I enjoy a few cups of good coffee and a lot of chocolate!

Lindsey Bell

I’m a stay-at-home mother to two ornery little boys, a minister’s wife, and a blogger at www.lindsey-bell.com. I’m also the author of Searching for Sanity: 52 Insights from the Parents of the Bible. My favorite thing about being a mom is getting the chance to cuddle with two amazing little boys who will one day grow up to change the world. If I could offer one piece of advice to other moms, it would be this: Enjoy the moments, because what they say is true: it really does go by fast. And these moments–even the hard ones–are the things we will remember some day with a smile.

Deb Wolf

I’m blessed to be part of the Finding Mommy Bliss team. I wish I’d had this book years ago when my children were still at home. Today, I’m blessed to enjoy each day with my dear husband and one-year-old Cavapoo, Sadie, and I cherish every visit with our children and grandchildren. As a blogging fanatic, I’m Managing Editor at 5 Minutes for Faith, a writer for HomeGoods – Design Happy Blog, and sole proprietor at Counting My Blessings—and Celebrating the Grace-filled Life. My nugget of advice to moms is this: It’s not always your fault, dear mom. Your children have free-will. Love them. Guide them. Forgive them. And FORGIVE yourself . . . just as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven you. You are loved and you are doing a great job!

Pam Thompson

I have been married to my college sweetheart, Matt, for 19 years. We have six children ranging in age from 17 to 4 year old twins. (Next school year they will be in five different schools from University to Preschool!). I’ve been blogging for the past 7 years and have seen Dakotapam.com go through as many changes as I have gone through, from a home school mom blog, to a mom of twins blog, to what it is now: a blog for encouraging all mothers, but especially those who work outside the home and struggle with balance, guilt, and trying to “do it all.” My favorite part about being a mom is watching my kids grow and develop unique personalities and talents. My best bit of advice for moms would be: “Motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint–don’t burn yourself out in the first 13 miles!’ https://dakotapam.com

Leah Blomberg

I’m a child of God, a farmer’s wife, a homeschool/work-at-home mommy of three. I work as a Usborne Book Consultant and blog over at Among Many Blessings about faith, being a mommy and a homeschooling. I love being able to create messes, make memories, and instill a life of faith and learning into my kids. Being a mom was a beautiful blessing. One piece of advice I would give is to let go, embrace the imperfectness of our life, and look for God’s beauty in the mundane. 

Cay Gibson

I’m a Louisiana native and I live with my husband of 28 years and our five children. I work as the director of religious education in our church parish, while writing literary resources on the side. I enjoy reading, camping, traveling, raising chickens, and pretending I’m a hobby farmer. You can look for my new children’s book “Cajun ‘Ti Beau and the Cocodries“ published by Pelican Publishing in Sept. 2014. I blog under Cajun oaks at https://cajuncottage.blogspot.com

*Not pictured here, but also a key part of the Mommy Bliss book launch efforts and team:

Farah Jasmine, Julie Gorman, Carolyn Hutchinson, Hayley Stevens, Tonya Speelman, Emily Simmons, Joanne Viola, Coleen Austin, Tosca Johnson, Lynn Cowell, Kris Whitman, and Mary Hampton.

Thank you, amazing ladies for being part of my book launch team!

The Better Together conference in Florida was amazing.

And since a picture really is worth a thousand words, I’ll just let the photos sum it up…

There’s nothing else like hundreds of moms getting together–learning, laughing, and loving. It was a powerful and inspiring weekend, and I was honored to be part of it. For more photos of all the fun, stop by themominititiave.com or connect with us on our FB page. And if you are interested in finding out more about mentoring or how to start a mom mentoring group in your area, there is information about that over there too!

Well, after our year together, one of the amazing women on the team, Christine Wright, felt a pull to continue the dreaming and writing and inspiring of others… so she spearheaded the creation of GodSizedDreams.com – a beautiful site that will encourage and challenge you as you set out to pursue your own dreams. And I’m excited to share that I’m joining the team of writers over there as a regular contributor!

You can check out the announcement here at Meet the New Sailors. And be sure to take a minute to browse around while you’re there. I know you’ll be inspired!

More posts about pursuing and achieving your dreams:

A mom with a dream (who is now a magazine publisher!)

A mom who writes (and why failure can be sweet)

Who is your Sherpa?

How to help your kids pursue their dreams

As I expected, there have been good days, a couple of hard ones too… and it seems like there are a million things to do as we make Idaho our new home.

So as we unpack, and as I get ready for the Better Together conference in Florida that I’m speaking at later this month, I wanted to pop in and say hi and let you know I probably won’t be around here much for the next couple of weeks. (Be sure to read to the end of the post for what I’ve got planned for you in the near future!)

In the meantime, here are some photos from our move so far, including the one about what we woke up to last Sunday morning. It was too fun!

I’m working on some exciting things for moms and writers that I’m really looking forward to sharing with you toward the end of the summer. There is also an amazing group of moms that has been part of my book launch team and I’m super excited to share more about them–and more about forming a book launch team–with you as well. It’s been a wonderful experience. Stay tuned!

One of the moms asks me about the move and how I’m doing.

I tell her we leave in less than a week, the movers come tomorrow, and things are chaotic as we try to tie up loose ends and get ready. She nods knowingly as I list everything that needs to be done before we board the plane on Monday, and she gives me a great tip about putting cat litter in a pair of nylons in my fridge to soak up moisture when it’s packed.

I’m talking a mile a minute and I can feel the stress… and then this sweet mom leans in and says, “Just remember to give yourself a pass on the hard days. Because they will come, but everything will work out.”

The second she says that, I feel a lump in my throat. I look away as I nod. Because if I don’t, the tears will fall and I’m sure Katie wouldn’t appreciate me crying in front of her friends. I’m excited about the move and the possibilities ahead, but it’s been an emotional week.

This mom has been in my shoes more than once… she moved her family from a different country to Southern California, then to Northern California a few years later. She knows what it’s like to say goodbye to friends and imagine holidays without family and leave all that you love for the unknown.

She knows the angst of moving your teenagers to a new city and praying with every fiber of your being that they will find loving friends and a strong support system… like they have now.

But she also knows what’s on the other side.

She’s seen her family (which is amazing, by the way) grow and draw closer together because of their journey. And you can tell that her faith has only been strengthened by the adventure and the stepping out… and the going.

So as I watch our photo albums getting boxed this week, and as I paint over the growth chart on the wall that has marked my kids’ inches from the toddler to the teen years, and as I walk through each room one last time remembering all the good that’s happened here, I will think about what she said.

If the hard days come, I’ll try to give myself a pass… to feel, to grieve, to rest… to just be.

And then I’ll dust myself off and settle into a new routine and look forward to the journey in front of us, knowing that everything will work out.

Even though leaving is hard, I have a strong sense that great things are ahead and that moving to Idaho is all part of a bigger plan.

And in the middle of all the packing and craziness and laughter and tears, there has been a silver lining: many sweet times spent with family and friends. Here are just a few:

If you’re in a situation like me—moving or saying goodbye to people you love—here’s a great idea I got from the sweet gal who cuts my hair: she said her grandma, who lived in another state, would never let her say goodbye when they left each other. She would only let them say, “See you later.”

So that’s my new saying: See you later. :)

Take a minute to read how her own story and her heart for moms led her to start The Mom Initiative and write her book. I promise you’ll be inspired! And be sure to read to the end of the post, where you can click to pre-order her book and check out a sample chapter!

QUESTION: How did your passion for mentoring moms begin and what prompted you to start The MOM Initiative?

Stephanie: The ministry (The M.O.M. Initiative) was conceived in a parking lot of a gas station when I glanced over and noticed a young girl waddling by. She was young in years, but great with child. And I couldn’t help but wonder if she had someone who was going to take her mom journey with her or if she was going to have to go it alone. I reflected on my own mom journey and remember how hard it was as a teen mom, as a single mom and even as a married mom.

Motherhood was messy for me and as I talk to moms around the world, they say the same thing. Motherhood isn’t easy and children don’t come with instructions.

After I became a Christian I remember wondering where all the Titus 2 mentors were and why couldn’t I find someone who could help me in my mom journey.

So, as I sat in the gas station parking lot that day, I wondered what it might look like if the women inside the church walls would mentor young moms, not only there in the church, but also beyond the four walls of the church. 

Wouldn’t that be an amazing way to impact our communities and this culture for Christ through the power of mentoring? 

QUESTION: Why do you think moms feel so alone and overwhelmed? Why don’t we have more support?

Stephanie: I think there are a multitude of reasons.

1. We live in a culture of very independent lives. We go home, close the doors and we barely see our neighbors. We grow up learning to be strong and independent, so we often confuse the need for others as some sort of weakness. Sometimes it’s hard to allow ourselves the luxury of having someone speak into our lives and help us along the way.
2. It’s not always convenient to set aside time to be with other women. We are always on the go taking care of things for our families, so slowing down long enough to nurture other relationships other than the ones within the walls of our homes is very difficult. If we are going to enter into the culture of community that Christ created us for, it will have to be something we are intentional about.
3. Being a mentor is intimidating. The response I get from almost every woman I have ever asked about mentoring is basically the same… “It’s scary! What would I say? What would I do? What would I use? And I’m not smart enough… or I’m not good enough.”

That’s why I started The M.O.M. Initiative and wrote The Making of a Mom… the provide church with the support and the resources that would give small group leaders and mentors the courage and confidence to step into their Titus 2 shoes.

I wanted to write a book that would answer those 3 questions. 

1. What would I say? There are questions at the end of each chapter that will serve as a catalyst for conversation so leaders won’t wonder what to talk about.
2. What would I do? There are venue specific Planning Guides at the end of the book that will help leaders know what they can do during their time with a mentee or group of mentees.
3. What would I use? The Making of a Mom is written to be a resource form moms to read on their own and for the church to use to minister to moms in the midst of their mom journey to help a mom discover what real life biblical motherhood looks like.

QUESTION: What do you hope to accomplish through The M.O.M. Initiative and The Making of a Mom?

The ministry was created and the book was written to minister to the hearts of moms who know Christ and to reach those who don’t. While it lays a solid biblical foundation of motherhood and provides 12 key ingredients to the making of a mom, the ministry is evangelistic in nature and the book is a resource for the church to not only weave mentoring into the fabric of the church but to also make mentoring missional and minister to moms who are unchurched.

This is the part where you might think I’m crazy, but I want to change the world.

And if only 3 moms in 1/2 of the churches in the United States would mentor just 3 other mothers, that would translate into reaching a MILLION MOMS for Christ and impacting over 2.5 MILLION CHILDREN!

I can’t get past that. The calling is so compelling and we can literally change the world through missional mentoring.

Mothers mold the heart of the next generation, so if the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world, then the church that mentors those hands will win it.

I’m asking every ministry leader to link hearts and hands with me to help me minister to the precious moms who know Christ…to reach those who don’t and to change the world one mom at a time.

Will you?

To find out more about how you can begin a M.O.M. Group, click this link.

To find out how to sign up to be ONE in a MILLION MOMS who would like to be connected with a mentor and raise your children to know Christ, click this link.

To find out how to order The Making of a Mom.

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Sample Chapter ~ Not Alone

CLICK the link to download The Making of a Mom~Chapter Sample ~ NOT ALONE

 

Tweet: It reminded me that as moms, whether we have a green thumb or not, we are still gardeners.

Sure, our kids can be rough and tumble (and impossible and frustrating) sometimes,

but they are fragile and delicate too…

READ the rest of this post over at TheMomInitiative.com today!

“This all has to stop,” my friend sobs on the other end of the phone.

I listen and nod. “I know,” I tell her. “I know.”

And as I grapple for words–any words that might give her comfort right now–my heart breaks for this sweet friend of mine.

This friend who, just an hour before our conversation, watched as her car was repossessed right out of her driveway on the day of her daughter’s 8th grade graduation.

This friend whose amazing husband has struggled with his health for years and can barely get out of bed some days.

This friend who has worked so hard to save their business and their home, only to lose both within the space of a year.

This friend who cares for her family (and for anyone else that crosses her path) with passion and perseverance like I’ve never seen before.

This friend.

Right now, she sees all that she knows crumbling around her.

She sees the goodbyes and closed doors and loss and heartache.

But I see how amazing she is.

I see her faith–rock solid and unwavering–and it increases my faith.

I see her determination to lead her family and let go of material things, and it makes me examine my heart and remember what’s really important.

I see her holding the ones she loves closer and tighter, and it makes me appreciate my own family even more.

I see her living on her knees, daily, with tear-stained cheeks raised to the Heavens, praying, waiting, and pressing on with expectancy.

Expectancy because she believes without a shadow of a doubt that God is good.

I see her celebrating her daughter’s graduation, even in the middle of their storm.

I see her encouraging me in my upcoming move to Idaho, reminding me that her family has moved too, and it all worked out.

I see her facing each day as a gift and cherishing each moment with her four kids (on the good and bad days).

And even though she cries on the other end of the phone, after a few minutes, her determination swells and her voice rallies, and once again she is filled with fire and hope.

This friend.

She’s going to get through this; I’m sure of it.

And not only that; she’s going to use what she’s been through to help others.

When she stands on that stage a few years from now, or writes that book to share her story, I know there will be many women out there going through the same thing who need to hear how to get through it.

And this friend of mine?

Even if she may not feel like it all the time, she’s got that one down.

Would you say a prayer for my friend and all the other moms and women out there who might be struggling with something right now? And if you have someone in your life who is facing challenges, take a minute to be intentional about encouraging them today. 

If you’re struggling in some way right now too, here are a couple of encouraging links:

Why you have to stop waiting for the future and begin living now

I need to rest

When your heart is breaking

And of course, a little chocolate never hurt!

A verse to inspire:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

But a lot has happened this month.

Mike’s job got transferred to Boise and it’s been a whirlwind few weeks with all kinds of emotions–worry about how the kids will handle the transition, sadness about the thought of leaving family and friends… and a sense excitement about the opportunities and possibilities ahead.

We were able to go on a preview trip to see Boise, and we absolutely loved it (the kids did too). Everyone we met was really nice, and the area was gorgeous. Here are a few photos:

Big changes and adventures ahead. I look forward to sharing our journey with you!

Facing a change or move yourself? Here are some reads I’ve found inspirational or helpful:

Moving forward when you’re afraid to fall apart

Keep your eyes above the waves

Finding people who move you forward

Lifehacker’s stress free quide to settling down in a new city

I’ll be honest; going to a book signing is a little nerve wracking. I wondered if I’d be sitting at a table alone or if anyone would show up… and I was so surprised at the fact that my book sold out! How fun to share this exciting time with all of you.

In case you missed it, here are a few photos from the event, and the link for the TV segment from Good Day Sacramento…

Here’s the segment:

And here are some photos from the day:

This Saturday, May 3rd, I’ll be on Good Day Sacramento again, talking about my book, Finding Mommy Bliss. I think you can catch the segment between 9 – 10am, but if you miss it, I’ll post the video here afterwards.

I’ll also be doing a book signing at B&N in Roseville, CA at 1pm, so if you’re local, be sure to stop by and say hi. I’d love to see you! Here are the details from B&N:

Genny Heikka, author of Finding Mommy Bliss—Discovering Unexpected Joy in Everyday Moments, will be signing copies of her book beginning at 1pm. A portion of the sales of her book will go to Roseville City School District the day of the event. At 11am that morning Barnes & Noble will have a storytime and activity for the young readers in your life. So come early to share in the joy of reading with your kids and stay for an author event all about Moms. Finding Mommy Bliss is a wonderful Mother’s Day gift and the proceeds will help students in our local community.

And if you want to pick up a copy of my book for yourself or the moms in your life for Mother’s Day, you can also get it online at B&N and Amazon!

Super exciting and so glad to have you part of it!

Dear Moms Everywhere (What You Really Need to Know)

When people asked me as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up, “mom” was always on the top of my list. Being a mother was something I dreamed about…something I just knew I would love.

And I do love being a mom. I adore my children more than I ever thought possible.

But there’s also a part of me that (if I’m honest) admits the reality of motherhood doesn’t exactly match the picture I had in my mind. I assumed I would love every minute of being a mom. I assumed my heart would be overflowing with love for my children all the time.

I do love my kids, but I don’t love every minute of being a parent.

There are some moments (some days) that are just plain hard. The lovey-dovey emotions aren’t always present in my home. Some days—often those that are busier than normal—I have to fight to find joy.

As a “list person” who loves the feeling of accomplishing a task, being a mother is difficult. There aren’t many things to cross off a list at the end of the day (unless, of course, I can count picking up Cheerios and toy cars numerous times).

There is no reward for cleaning vomit or scrubbing floors.

There is no trophy, promotion, or bonus for a job well done.

But today, mom, I want you to know something: Though you might not receive a reward in this life, you WILL receive one in the next. 

Someday, God is going to look at you with tears in His eyes, beaming with pride, and say, “Well done, Mom.” He notices when you stay up all night with your child. He notices when you respond in love (even when everything inside of you is screaming another reaction). He notices when you fight for your marriage. He notices when you give your child time after a long day of work.

He is the God who sees, and he sees YOU.

What you do every single day matters. It matters for the here and now, but it also matters for eternity.

You are raising world-changers. You are making a difference.

On those days when you wonder if what you are doing matters, please know that it does.

– Lindsey

To celebrate Mother’s Day, Lindsey is giving away 1 copy of her new parenting devotional called Searching for Sanity every week until May 11^th! Use the Rafflecopter form in this post to enter to win. Then, check her blog every week to find a new giveaway!

Let’s Talk: What is one thing you think all mothers need to know? 

About Lindsey: Lindsey Bell is the author of Searching for Sanity: 52 Insights from the Parents of the Bible. She’s also a stay-at-home mother of two, minister’s wife, avid reader, and chocolate lover. You can find Lindsey online at any of the following locations:

Her blog: www.lindsey-bell.com

Her website: www.lindseymbell.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LindseyMBell

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLindseyBell

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/LindseyMBell01

About Searching for Sanity: 

Have you ever looked at your beloved children and wondered, what in the world am I doing? Why did God trust me—of all people—to raise them? Motherhood is the most difficult job many of us will ever take. Searching for Sanity offers moms an opportunity to take a breath, dig into the Word, and learn from parents of the past. In short devotions designed for busy moms, this book uses the parents of the Bible—both the good and the bad—to inspire today’s mothers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Look here:

B&N also has it officially on sale. 

This is only the beginning. 

And while I initially felt surprisingly calm seeing Finding Mommy Bliss officially out in the world…

that only lasted a minute before I wanted to jump up and down.

Because this book is a reminder to moms about how important their job is.

It’s a reminder of what a difference they make – to their kids and to the world.

And it’s a reminder that there is joy in the journey – even in the middle of the messy and mundane.

I’ve talked to a lot of moms through mentoring and speaking and–even though we’re all different–at the end of the day, we all want to be good moms.

We also want to be happy, and we struggle with finding that joy sometimes.

When I posted a giveaway for a signed copy of my book over at TheMomInitiative the other day, a precious mom left this comment:

“I am in a very hard season right now of working, homeschooling, and everything while my husband is looking for work. I can’t see past piles of clothes, dishes, school papers, and work schedules.”

If you’re a mom, you’ve probably been there too–not able to see past the chaos, responsibilities, and schedule. You’ve probably had moments (or days) where you felt discouraged, frazzled, frustrated, and maybe even lonely or sad.

We all have.

But there is hope, and there is bliss.

Even in those times.

So if you’re struggling to find joy in the messiness of motherhood,

if you’re longing for more happiness, more peace, more… something,

or if you’re just in need of a little inspiration and encouragement to brighten your day,

I couldn’t be more excited to share my book with you.

Enjoy it, mama.

And enjoy those moments.

This is only the beginning for you too. 

Click HERE to purchase your copy for yourself or the mom in your life, just in time for Mother’s Day!

It’s in the quiet singing of your preschooler as he sits in the corner during his timeout.

And it’s the smile of your eighteen-year old as he walks across the stage to get his high school diploma that–after all the challenges he had in school– you weren’t sure he was going to get.

Bliss. 

It’s there.

Sometimes we just need a little help finding it…

Which is why I’m so excited about this giveaway over at The Mom Initiative today! 

Be sure to stop by and enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Finding Mommy Bliss, filled with practical tips and inspiration to help YOU discover unexpected joy in your everyday moments.

*Book will be awarded just in time for Mother’s Day! 

p.s. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, you can head over to B&N and pre-order. Official release is tomorrow, 4/16 so I’ll be posting more info and links soon!

To be honest, it’s a little scary too.

I fluctuate from being really excited, to wondering how my book will do, to worrying that I’m not doing enough to promote it because I’ve been so busy.

But then I remember why I wrote the book in the first place.

It wasn’t because I wanted to sell a gazillion copies or make a bunch of money or make a name for myself. It wasn’t any of that.

I wrote this book because I couldn’t not write it. In fact, I took a seven month break from my blog to write a different book, but this is the one that grabbed my heart and held on tight… and I ended up writing instead.

I was on fire for moms–wanting to encourage them and cheer them on and remind them how much they matter.

And I still feel that way.

Even more so.

Maybe that’s why, in the middle of all the excitement and activity that comes with a book release, and in spite of the unknowns that tempt me to worry, I have a sense of peace about it all. I know deep down that I wrote this book for a purpose, that God put a passion on my heart for moms for a reason, and that He’s got this.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have to plan and work hard as my book release approaches. It just means I don’t have to worry about the outcome.

And you know what?

That leaves me feeling pretty blissful. (No pun intended :)

**Many of you have asked me where you can get a copy of my book and if you can order it yet and the answer is yes! It’s going to be available at Amazon, B&N and wherever books are sold after it releases in mid-April, and you can pre-order a copy now at B&N. 

So today, I thought I’d share with you what I shared with them.

While interviewing doesn’t have to be a stressful thing, it should be something you prepare for and approach with thought if you want it to go smoothly…

Here are ten tips to think about when interviewing someone:

1. Be yourself. That’s what makes you interesting, and it will make the interview more interesting. Don’t be staged; just be you.

2. Set the person you are interviewing at ease. Put aside a few minutes before the interview for small talk and let them know the framework for the interview (casual? short? give talking points, etc.) The more comfortable they are, the better the interview will flow.

3. Research the person you are interviewing ahead of time so you can ask relevant, meaningful questions.

4. Don’t think so much about being the “interviewer.” Simply have a conversation. Instead of a formal Q&A, let the conversation flow naturally.

5. Think of questions before the interview and have several to choose from. You may not get to all of them, and that’s okay. But planning ahead will give you the freedom to switch gears if needed, rather than thinking on the spot for something interesting to ask.

6. Even though it’s good to plan ahead, don’t be overly concerned about sticking to the plan. Going off course can be the most interesting part of your conversation. Listen for the little nuggets hidden in their answers to your questions. They can often lead to unexpected, more interesting questions and answer.

7. Find ways to draw out people’s experiences and stories. (There is such power in story!)

8. Pause long enough to allow the person you are interviewing time to talk. Don’t rush from question to question.

9. Keep within the timeframe you planned. It shows respect and professionalism.

10. If you have a choice, record the interview instead of taking notes. Writing or typing while you are interviewing someone can be distracting.

And speaking of interviews, I’ll be interviewed on Good Day Sacramento tomorrow morning, talking about my podcast! I’ll post the clip as soon as I get it. Fun!

Glorious.

It’s not the typical word you hear when people talk about teenagers.

But that’s exactly how I’m describing teens over at The Mom Initiative today.

Stop by and find out why. Looking forward to seeing you there!

From mid-March to the end of May, I’ll be encouraging the mamas on this team to come alongside each other as we follow the steps in my book to find more joy as moms.

Your involvement on the team can be framed around what works best for you. (This will not be another stressful “to-do” on your already busy plate!)

Instead, it will be an experience that will refresh and energize you, right where you are.

I look forward to building this amazing team, and will be reviewing applications and getting back to you by March 15th if you’ve been selected.

Would love to have you be part of it. Click HERE to find out more and apply!

“If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”

Does that ring true for you?

I know it does for me.

As a mom, I’m acutely aware that my mood impacts the whole atmosphere in my house.

If I’m on edge, the next thing I know, Katie and Luke are on edge. If I’m stressed, it trickles over and Mike gets stressed. If I’m impatient, there’s tension. If I’m sad, there’s worry. If I’m frustrated, there’s friction.

I could go on.

Yet (and I know you probably feel this too), if I’m at peace, if I’m laughing and calm and thankful and patient, somehow my family follows suit.

It’s a lot of pressure to be able to set the tone and impact lives of the people we love like that,

but it’s a privilege too.

And so much about how we feel as moms has to do with our perspective — how we look at things, what we see, and what we miss.

Being a mom can make us feel worn out, stretched thin, tired, searching for more purpose, more peace, more . . . something.

But it can also fill us with more joy than we could ever put into words.

There IS bliss in being a mom, even in the middle of the messy and mundane.

Sometimes, we just need a little help finding it.

Which is why I’m so excited to share this news with you:

I’ve mentioned before that I will be building a Mommy Bliss Team and I’m starting now!

If you want to start on a journey of finding more happiness as a mom, you can apply to be on the team here by March 8th. (free, of course)

You can be local or live far away and you don’t have to have a blog to apply. I’ve got some fun things planned for us, some perks for you, and some surprises in store too!

Do I love you because you’re beautiful, or are you beautiful because I love you? ~Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderella

I was never much of a dog person until we got our dog Bailey. (Now, I have to admit, I’m a tad ridiculous.) She’s a tiny little Shih Tzu and she’s the sweetest dog I’ve ever known. I probably tell her she’s a good dog at least ten times a day.

And you know what? She really is.

I was thinking about this the other day as I was scratching her head, telling her how good she was, and I started to wonder… is she good because we love her so much and show her affection and praise all the time? Or is she just naturally good?

And then I thought about my kids.

I paused, wondering:

How many times a day do I affirm them – loving them out loud and praising their character and qualities?

Or,

how many times a day do I correct them, pointing out what they are doing wrong or what they need to work on?

As I sat there pondering which comes first–positive words or positive behavior–I was already sure of the answer.  READ MORE at TheMomInitiative.com…

To give you an idea of where my site was when I began my redesign process with Aaron Robbins, I probably need to share a little about my website history. I began blogging in 2008, on a free Blogger blog at the URL www.mycup2yours.com. The platform served my purposes well (writing parenting posts geared toward moms) and I was happy with the functionality and design.

Over the next few years, as my blog began to grow and my passion for writing in the parenting genre became more serious, I changed the appearance of my site, added more selections to my navigation bar and more widgets in my sidebar. I’ll admit, at the time, I didn’t really have a long-term vision for my site. I was just sort of tweaking it as I went. I also bought the domain for my name and created my own website through WebSiteTonight for gennyheikka.com. While I wrote about parenting regularly on mycup2yours.com, this second URL was where I had my writing bio and information about the children’s books I had written.

Managing two sites turned out to be difficult and time consuming, so a little while later, I made a major change, switching from mycup2yours.com on Blogger to gennyheikka.com on WordPress, combining the two. So not only did I switch blogging platforms, years of blogging at mycup2yours transitioned to gennyheikka.com.

It was a hard decision and one that came with some complications in terms of SEO, redirects, and lost subscribers, but it was the right thing for me to do for branding purposes. I wanted one place that readers could find me and all my work, rather than going to one site for my blog and another to find out about my books, speaking, and other writing.

All of that to say, when I looked at redesigning my website recently, the site I had was a combination of what was pulled together as a result of that transition, and that had basically just compiled over the years. I wasn’t sure what to keep, what to toss, or what look I even wanted. The only thing I knew for sure is that I wanted my new design to be clean, simple and welcoming.

I love how it turned out. 

Honestly, I have Aaron to thank for how it looks and functions. I love the forms he put on my Speaking Page, the video, audio, and photos he suggested for my Media Page, and the different ways people can connect with me.

While I went into the process focused on what my site would look like, he asked questions that helped me dig deeper into why I write, how I’m impacting those who read my work, and how to best tell that story (all things that would impact my design, though I didn’t realize it yet.)

Some of his questions he asked me–that I’d encourage you to think about if you are considering a new author or writer website–were:

Why do you write?

How would the world change if your point of view wasn’t available?

Who are the people already reading you?

Why are they reading you?

What needs does your writing fulfill in others?

What do you have of value that you can give away regularly?

I never knew there was so much behind website design, but I learned that going through a detailed process of answering these types of questions and making sure your site aligns with your answers makes your digital content much more clear, compelling and useful.

While I give the credit for my site design to Aaron, I do have a few nuggets of advice that I learned from my experience. If you are looking at redesign your existing site, here are some tips:

1. Ask questions before thinking about appearance (what do you do, and why do you do it?). Your answers will impact your site’s look, feel, and functionality.

2. Take time. A well-thought out website doesn’t happen overnight. My website redesign took about four months and it was definitely worth the process.

3. Look at other people’s websites and become familiar with what you like and don’t like about them, but then focus on your own unique site and what you want people to do or feel when they arrive there.

4. Choose a good designer that you enjoy working with. (Read more about Aaron at the end of this post if you are looking for someone. He specializes in authors, and I highly recommend him.

5. Be open-minded. Several times in my design process, Aaron introduced ideas for things I never considered for myself, but that I love (forms for people to contact me for speaking engagements, a beautiful gallery for my book thumbnails, a media page with video, audio, and photos, and more). Looking to the expert is definitely a good thing!

If you want to learn more about designing your author website or building your online presence, you can also listen to Episode 16 and 18 of my podcast (Part-Time Author Podcast, free on iTunes), which are dedicated to these topics, and in which Aaron goes into a lot more detail.

And if you want to learn more about Aaron, watch his fun video below, or visit aaronrobbins.com. He has a heart for authors and loves working with them to tell the story of their stories.

I’m truly grateful that the amazing designer Ben DeRienzo was able to design the cover. And can I just tell you how much I love it?!

I love it!

It makes me want to get on that swing right now. :)

Stop by Hallway Publishing to read more about the book and get all the scoop. And stay tuned around here for more details about release date, fun launch activities, some great giveaways, and more.

It will be a perfect chance for you to win a copy for yourself or another mom in your life just in time for Mother’s Day!

And if you’re interested in being on my book launch team, or getting a free copy of the book to review on your blog, simply leave a comment or email me at genny(dot)heikka(at)gmail.com. I’d love for you to be part of it!

If you’re a writer, I’m sure you’ve heard of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month); after all, it’s the biggest writing event in the world and takes place every November. While I’ve never joined in on NaNoWriMo, I’ve written two novels–one took me a full year, and the other took way longer than that!–so I truly admire the dedication it takes to craft a work like that in one month. I also love the sense of community and support that NaNoWriMo fosters.

Inspired by NaNoWriMo, SnippoWriMo invites writers, authors, bloggers, and anyone who has an idea, story, or expertise they want to share, to sign up this month to create a Snippet. You don’t have to finish it by the end of the month, although you could if you wanted to; Snippets are shorter than books (1,000 words or less per chapter, and you decide the number of chapters).

If you want to join me in SnippoWriMo, you are more than welcome! Just head over to the SnippoWriMo page, sign up, get your participation badge, and start creating! It’s totally free. Whether or not you joined in on NaNoWriMo, and whether or not you finished, you’re invited to participate in SnippoWriMo. And you don’t have to already be published to create a Snippet, either.

If you want to learn more, you can check out Snippet’s FAQ page for more details. And you can also download the Snippet App onto your iOS device for free if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet: Get the App here.

Feel free to leave any questions you might have in the comments here too and I’ll be happy to answer them!

And a side note: this is not a sponsored post and I’m not getting compensation for writing it. I’m just sharing a new, fun way for writers to share their voice and their AMAZING work.

And while all of that is great, it can leave us feeling a little overwhelmed.

It can also cause us to plow ahead, busier than ever, missing the moments that really matter.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. 

Take a minute and listen to my story about a moment I almost missed, and hopefully be encouraged to slow down today…

If you can’t view the video in your reader, please click the link below.

Genny Heikka – On The Moment I Almost Missed from Genny Heikka on Vimeo.

I love that quote from Holley. Not because it promises all good things and instant success (obviously, it doesn’t), but because it’s true. With fear and failure and letting some things go, courage does come.

And, when you have courage where you didn’t before, and you start to say yes when you used to say no, doors open and your life takes a new path.

You also experience opportunities and victories you never thought possible.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since I first read Holley’s blog post inviting women to apply to be part of her God-Sized Dream Team. I remember when I read it, I stopped and reflected… what is my God-sized dream?

And then I started writing. (In case you missed what I wrote in my application, you can read it here.)

After I sent it in, I smiled. It was almost like I realized for the first time how God has been shaping me the past several years–patiently steering me away from my idea of what my life should look like, and growing the passions in my heart to lead me to what I’m supposed to be doing. It hasn’t been easy, but I love the journey I’ve been on (the stops, starts, failures, and all) and I love how I’m still learning to let my own agenda go.

Even now–a year later–I’m reminded that moving forward to pursue dreams sometimes means not trying so hard, and instead just being open and willing… and brave.

Sometimes I think we look at the years ahead and wonder what we should do with them. But when we pause and consider that maybe it’s not entirely up to us, that maybe we’re part of a bigger plan, that maybe we were put here for a specific purpose, it changes our perspective. And it makes us more open to new possibilities, instead of trying to figure everything out on our own.

This God-Sized Dream journey has been an amazing one, filled with new friendships, new opportunities, dreams fulfilled, and new dreams sparked. And you know what? It’s a journey that doesn’t have an end.

I look at some of the things I have coming up–a book launch, a keynote speech in Florida, two teenagers in the house by February (when my youngest turns 13!), and I’ll be honest–if I think too long and too hard about any of that, I feel unsure… Will my book do well? Will my keynote be inspiring? Will I be the parent they need? 

But then I remember… courage.

And I remember the advice of my good friend Jenny Williamson: to, “Move forward even if you’re knees are knocking!”

I also think about the times in my life I have moved forward, and how, when I leaned on God and looked to Him (instead of myself), I’ve been blown away by what He did with each circumstance. (It was always way more than I could’ve done on my own.)

With the end of 2013 here and the start of a new year right around the corner, I encourage you to take a step towards following your God-Sized Dream, if you haven’t already. Like Holley says, it can be scary and there will be failure, but don’t let that hold you back.

With each step you take, your courage will build.

And as your courage builds, you will see more opportunities to take more steps.

And the next thing you know, you won’t be wishing you were pursuing your dreams anymore.

You’ll be pursuing them every day, simply in the way that you live. :)

Want more God-Sized Dream inspiration? Stop by the new and beautiful God Sized Dreams – Where Dreams Set Sail site, launching today! Inspired by Holley’s life-impacting book, and created by one of the amazing women on the God-Sized Dream team, Christine Wright, I know the site will encourage and inspire you!

Every survival kit should include a sense of humor. ~Author Unknown

We all know the truth in the saying, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

And any mom knows it’s not always easy to be happy, right?

We’ve all heard of moms (or maybe you’re one of them) who can tell horror stories about finding furniture smeared with Vaseline or walls marked with ink. And while I’m not saying you should throw your head back and laugh when these kinds of things happen (not that you would even if I suggested it!), I am saying that these kinds of moments come with motherhood and the more we can look at the lighter side and not worry, the better off we’ll be.

And so will our kids.

With each situation that happens and each challenge we face, we have a choice as moms to handle it positively or negatively.

We have a choice to stress out or take it in stride…

READ MORE over at 5MinutesforMom today and get your free gift!

You, the mom who might be grabbing a few minutes to read while your kids are napping or at school, or while you’re standing in line at the store.

You, the mom (especially at this time of year) who might be feeling worn out, stretched thin, and longing for more peace, more quiet, more joy, more… something.

Being a mom can make you feel like that, I know.

So today I want to remind you, as you make that mad dash to the mall to find the perfect gift for your daughter, or as you stay up late baking cookies for your son’s class party, or as you wrap gifts and decorate the house and take your kids to look at Christmas lights… that it’s all worth it…

Stop by 5MinutesforMom to read more and find out about a free gift for moms. No catch, just a gift for you, for all you do! Be sure to browse a while over there too–it’s an amazing site packed with resources and tips for moms!

I wrote the books in 2011 and was seeing them for the first time, two years later.

Even though my kids weren’t jumping up and down shouting, “Mommy! Your books!” like they used to (they’re 12 and 14 now and barely noticed when I got the package), I still had that feeling of joy that comes from seeing your ideas and hard work turn into something you can actually touch and feel.

Something you can read.

To be honest, as I sat there leafing through the pages, I felt like I was reading my own words for the first time. Of course I remembered the stories, but because I’d written these books two years ago, reading the words again (and seeing the illustrations for the first time) was a fun process of discovery.

I wrote both of these picture books–Where’s the Mouse? and Birthdays Around the World–for Tun Tun, a publisher in Korea that creates books to help children learn English as a second language… READ MORE over at Kirby Larson’s blog (who, by the way, happens to be a Newbery Award Winning Author, and who also is the one who inspired me so much in my writing journey several years ago!). Don’t miss visiting her beautiful site!

Do you ever wonder how you can help?

Would you take a step to learn more and pray if it would make a difference?

“You’re pretty.”

I did sort of a double take, thinking she was talking to someone behind me, but there was nobody there.

By the time I realized she was talking to me, she’d turned the corner and disappeared.

There I was, in all my post-workout glory–sweaty, messy pony tail,

feeling very much less-than-pretty,

and yet,

that’s exactly what she said I was.

Those words from a total stranger made me smile (especially because I felt so not-pretty when she said them).

But you know what?

That’s how God sees us, ALL the time…

beautiful.

Regardless of how we look (because it’s SO not about that).

Regardless of how we feel,

or what mistakes we’ve made,

or what regrets we have.

Regardless of what the world often says,

He says we are beautiful.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. -Psalm 139:14

So, if nobody has told you that today,

You are.

You are beautiful inside and out–

your heart, how you’re made, your character, your dreams, your gifts…

all unique,

all you,

all beautiful.

Take a minute to listen to this song, “Beautiful,” and let the words soak into your heart today. (If the video doesn’t come up, click here to listen.)

*Post previously published, but I’m posting it again… because we all need this reminder from time to time!

A couple months ago, after I spoke to a group of moms, one of the women in the audience came up to me and shared some of the challenges she’d been going through with her twelve-year-old.

Fighting tears, she told me she wasn’t sure how to handle his behavior.

I could tell she wanted to parent her son in the best way possible. But I could also tell she was questioning herself and doubting how she’d been handling things. (What mom hasn’t been there at one point or another?)

She talked, I listened, we hugged, and I told her that she was a good mom. I saw how concerned she was and how much she wanted to do the right thing.

I wished so badly that I had the “one right answer” for her, but like so many parenting challenges, there wasn’t a cookie-cutter solution.

And even though I wasn’t able to give her anything more than a few suggestions of what I might do in her situation, I saw hope in her eyes when she left — the hope that comes from telling someone else your struggles.

And as I drove home that morning, I thought about some of the times I’ve been in the same place she was: grappling with how to handle a situation with my kids, wanting so badly to know the right answer.

And I thought about the advice one of my friends gave me a while ago about parenting:

“When in doubt, just love them.”

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT

Just love them.

No matter how many books we read, or how many kids we raise…

READ MORE over at The Mom Initiative today! It’s an amazing site packed with resources and hosted by an incredible team of women. Can’t wait to see you there!

To give you an idea of where my site was when I began my redesign process with Aaron Robbins, I need to share a little about my website history. I began blogging in 2008, on a free Blogger blog at the URL mycup2yours.com. The platform served my purposes well (writing parenting posts geared toward moms) and I was happy with the functionality and design.

Over the next few years, as my blog began to grow and my passion for writing in the parenting genre became more serious, I changed the appearance of my site, added more selections to my navigation bar and more widgets to my sidebar. I admit, at the time, I didn’t really have a long-term vision for my site. (I was just tweaking it here and there.) I also bought the domain for my name and created my own website through WebSiteTonight for gennyheikka.com. While I wrote about parenting regularly on mycup2yours.com, this second URL was where I had my writing bio and information about the children’s books I had written.

Managing two sites turned out to be time consuming, so a little while later, I made a major change, switching from mycup2yours.com on Blogger to gennyheikka.com on WordPress, combining the two. So not only did I switch blogging platforms, I changed URLS and  years of blog posts at mycup2yours transitioned to gennyheikka.com.

It was a hard decision and one that came with complications in terms of SEO, redirects, and lost subscribers, but it was the right thing to do from a branding perspective. I wanted one place that readers could find me and all my work, rather than going to one site for my blog and another to find out about my books, speaking, and other writing.

All of that to say, when I looked at redesigning my website recently, the site I had was a combination of what had compiled over the years and what was pulled together as a result of that transition. I wasn’t sure what to keep, what to toss, or what functionality I even wanted. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted my new design to be clean, simple and welcoming… READ MORE over at Chip’s blog (and see a cool video from Aaron over there too!).

As an author, it’s been amazing to be involved with Snippet. (If you missed my post a couple months ago about how Chip became my agent and how my upcoming book became a Snippet, you can catch up on that here.)

Even though Snippet has already gained thousands of readers, it’s still new, so I’ve included some information in my post about my own experience and about Snippet in general to answer questions you might have, so head on over to Chip’s and check it out!

If you’ve always wanted to write a book, or you have a story in you that you’d love to share with others, request access to Snippet’s Writer Dashboard and begin creating your own Snippet at any time. And if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer them!

And if you want to see what a Snippet looks like, mine is free for a few days in the Snippet store so you can check it out.

-Simply go to the app store and download Snippet App for free onto your iPhone or iPad.

-Then scroll through the store and tap on Finding Mommy Bliss to download it.

Enjoy!

Since some of you are relatively new around here, I wanted to take a minute to welcome you and give you an opportunity to introduce yourself. (Which is why I’m re-posting my “Welcome new readers!” post.)

Take a minute and share a little about yourself so others can get to know you and stop by your site if you have one. (Thanks Jennifer at Conversion Diary for this idea!) So glad you’re here!

Some things to share:

1. Where do you live? What’s your favorite thing about living there?

2. Do you have any kids and if so, how many? What parenting advice would you give in one sentence?

3. Do you have a blog? If so, what’s the name and URL? What do you typically write about?

4. Tell me a little more about yourself: your favorite food, your hobbies, your profession?

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say hi! I look forward to getting to know you!

p.s. This post was originally for a giveaway–which is why you’ll see the mention of it giveaway in some of the comments–but I learned so much about everyone in the comments that I wanted to save them and create an “introduce yourself” post. :)

I’m so excited to be speaking with the amazing team from The Mom Initiative at our M.O.M. conference next summer! And I’m just as excited to be able to host this giveaway for one free conference registration (doesn’t include travel or lodging)!

What do you have to do to enter? Simply leave a comment on this post on or before Friday, November 1st. I will be randomly drawing a winner from the comments below and will notify you if you won by November 8th.

Ways to enter your name more than once:

Tweet about this giveaway (and leave another comment saying you did)!

Share this on FB (and leave another comment saying you did)!

Share this on Google + (and leave another comment saying you did)!

Want to know more about the conference? Here’s some information from TheMomIniative.com so you can plan ahead and mark your calendars! We’d love to see you there:

2014 M.O.M. Conference ~ BETTER TOGETHER

scheduled for July 31st – August 2nd

in Jacksonville, Florida at Trinity Baptist Church

Want to know what to expect?

MOMS ~ Expect to be encouraged, refreshed and refueled as you connect with other moms just like you. Enjoy and celebrate the mom-life and draw closer to Christ. 

• Whether you’re expecting your first child, or you’re a new mom, a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, a mom in a blended family, or a mom with a special needs child, you will leave strengthened and encouraged in your God-given role as a mother, knowing you are not alone in your journey.

MENTORS & MINISTRY LEADERS ~ Expect to discover new ways to weave the God-given tool of mentoring throughout the fabric of your ministry.

• A special hands-on banquet for you where you can learn how you can make mentoring missional in your own community and find the support and resources you need to nurture and foster mentoring relationships not only within the church, but beyond her four walls. Find out how you can become the agent of change you are looking for.
• Discover how you can lay the ministry ground work necessary to not only leave a legacy of faith but to reach your community and this culture for the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of mentoring.

EVERYONE ~ Expect to belong!

• Whether your a mom-to-be, a young mom, a single mom, a mom in a blended family, a mom with a special needs child, a middle-aged mom, an older mom, a grandma, a ministry leader, a mentor or a mom who is considering becoming a mentor, YOU BELONG! 

 EVERYONE ~ Expect to grow and be encouraged in your journey as a mom, a mentor or a ministry leader!

• Through the over 35 breakout sessions that are available you will find new resources, perspective and encouragement from Bible teachers, parenting experts, ministry leaders, mentors and moms who are just like you.
• With over 35 breakout sessions, you can find those that will suit your needs best. Topics for the breakouts will include everything from Marriage, Single Moms, Blended Families, Children, Teens, Self, and  Mentors/Ministry.

EVERYONE ~ Expect to have fun, meet other moms, find hope and encouragement, and laugh…a lot! 

• Great worship with the live band
• Lots of giveaways!
• Late Night with the M.O.M.s on Friday night!
• Lots of opportunities to shop in the Exhibit Hall!
• 15 Minute M.O.M. 2 Mom appointments where you can meet a M.O.M. and chat about what is on your heart
• Lots of breakout sessions (over 35) to help you in your mom journey, your mentor journey or your ministry journey!
• Panel Talk on Saturday with some of YOUR questions answered by the M.O.M. team!

EARLY BIRD RATES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 18TH  so click on over the TheMomInitiative to find out rates (it is so reasonable!) and hotel and travel information!

We hope to see you there! It’s going to be amazing. :)

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I wanted to put up a post to send love to one of my best friends, Lisa, and my mother-in-law Carolyn, who are both amazing women, and breast cancer survivors!

Lisa is amazing, is eight years cancer free, and just ran a half marathon a couple weeks ago with a team of other survivors. If you’ve been reading here a while, you might remember that she’s my friend who first showed me the original Pink Glove Dance Video… and was in the sequel!

She’s the one with brown hair, wearing jeans and a pink and white tie-dyed shirt, skipping in a circle with another girl by the water in the video. It’s near the end of the clip and she’s on the right side of the video. (Can you tell I don’t want you to miss her?)

Check out the video; you’ll be glad you did; it’s so inspiring and I guarantee it will leave you with a smile on your face!

You rock, Lisa! Love you!

*It’s been a really busy week so I’m putting this post up again, as a quick reminder of how much we impact each other. :)

Because of you…

I was at the gym the other day when I overheard two women talking…

“I did not feel like working out today,” one of them said.

“Well I’m glad you’re here,” the other answered.

“I’m not here because of me,” her friend said. “I’m here because of you. If you hadn’t called me, I wouldn’t be working out.” They both laughed..

And it got me thinking about how much we can impact each other. And the way others can impact us.

For those two friends at the gym, it was one getting the other to exercise.

For me, there have been many times I’ve been motivated to do something because of someone else…

Because of Mike, I skied down a black diamond slope once (well, okay, mostly I slid, and I haven’t been back on a black diamond since, but at least I tried it.)

Because of my kids, I’ve really worked on slowing down and being more patient (which doesn’t come naturally to me).

And because of one woman’s speech at a conference, I decided to become a writer.

I could go on and on.

There have been so many people throughout my life who have inspired me to step out of my comfort zone or who have motivated me to put extra effort into certain things, and I’m so thankful for that. :)

What about you? Is there someone who has helped you to do something? Take a minute and thank them today!

I’m SO excited to share that I’ll be speaking with the amazing team from The Mom Initiative at our M.O.M. conference next summer!

Here is more information from TheMomIniative.com so you can plan ahead and mark your calendars! We’d love to see you there:

2014 M.O.M. Conference ~ BETTER TOGETHER

scheduled for July 31st – August 2nd

in Jacksonville, Florida at Trinity Baptist Church

Want to know what to expect?

MOMS ~ Expect to be encouraged, refreshed and refueled as you connect with other moms just like you. Enjoy and celebrate the mom-life and draw closer to Christ. 

• Whether you’re expecting your first child, or you’re a new mom, a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, a mom in a blended family, or a mom with a special needs child, you will leave strengthened and encouraged in your God-given role as a mother, knowing you are not alone in your journey.

MENTORS & MINISTRY LEADERS ~ Expect to discover new ways to weave the God-given tool of mentoring throughout the fabric of your ministry.

• A special hands-on banquet for you where you can learn how you can make mentoring missional in your own community and find the support and resources you need to nurture and foster mentoring relationships not only within the church, but beyond her four walls. Find out how you can become the agent of change you are looking for.
• Discover how you can lay the ministry ground work necessary to not only leave a legacy of faith but to reach your community and this culture for the Lord Jesus Christ through the power of mentoring.

EVERYONE ~ Expect to belong!

• Whether your a mom-to-be, a young mom, a single mom, a mom in a blended family, a mom with a special needs child, a middle-aged mom, an older mom, a grandma, a ministry leader, a mentor or a mom who is considering becoming a mentor, YOU BELONG! 

 EVERYONE ~ Expect to grow and be encouraged in your journey as a mom, a mentor or a ministry leader!

• Through the over 35 breakout sessions that are available you will find new resources, perspective and encouragement from Bible teachers, parenting experts, ministry leaders, mentors and moms who are just like you.
• With over 35 breakout sessions, you can find those that will suit your needs best. Topics for the breakouts will include everything from Marriage, Single Moms, Blended Families, Children, Teens, Self, and  Mentors/Ministry.

EVERYONE ~ Expect to have fun, meet other moms, find hope and encouragement, and laugh…a lot! 

• Great worship with the live band
• Lots of giveaways!
• Late Night with the M.O.M.s on Friday night!
• Lots of opportunities to shop in the Exhibit Hall!
• 15 Minute M.O.M. 2 Mom appointments where you can meet a M.O.M. and chat about what is on your heart
• Lots of breakout sessions (over 35) to help you in your mom journey, your mentor journey or your ministry journey!
• Panel Talk on Saturday with some of YOUR questions answered by the M.O.M. team!

EARLY BIRD RATES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 18TH  so click on over the TheMomInitiative to find out rates (it is so reasonable!) and hotel and travel information!

We hope to see you there! It’s going to be amazing. :)