when I say the words….
social media
what are your first thoughts?
pleasant? or no?
do those two words make you want to say an ugly word? or do they make you smile?
I get it.
Some days I’m either or, other days I’m both.
Social media and I have a serious love hate relationship.
But then there’s this thing: community
It’s been just over two years since I left the public work force and I’m still trying to figure out why lots of days are crazier than they were when I worked 8 hours a day away from home (that’s another story for another day)
Do you need community?
I do.
I miss that part of the rat race. Some days, terribly.
In my quest to stay sane, I have sought out an online community to engage with lest my ability to converse with adults fade away.
This community…this online gathering place I have discovered ….
Though it can be an overwhelming beast at times, it’s also a place where good things are happening.
If I may take just a minute to share a few places that I hope will be great sources of encouragement for you and your people.
If you’re a pro-blogger, a newbie blogger, blog reader, entrepreneur, a crafty, artist, lover of coffee, non-profit fanatic, intrigued by adoption, a BIG dreamer or all of the above The Influence Network is a great place to start.
“THE INFLUENCE NETWORK is for creatively minded women, who are looking for an uplifting community where they can be encouraged and also resourced to make their online lives MEAN SOMETHING.”
I stumbled upon this community last year after guest posting A Royal Daughter. It was at the Influence Conference while listening to Lara Casey speak that I felt compelled to more intentionally pray and pursue this whole writing and speaking thing.
Another group I share coffee with most mornings is the Instagram community.
“A picture’s worth a thousand words.”
True story… and if you’re a visual person or lover of color and inspiration like I am, Instagram will be your new favorite online place.
Saving the BEST for last….
IF y’all.
is-my-fav
The IF community is growing by leaps and bounds.
IF: Gathering, IF:Local, IF:Pray, IF:Table
What is IF?
An online community with this heartbeat..
“WE EXIST TO GATHER, EQUIP AND UNLEASH THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN TO LIVE OUT THEIR PURPOSE.”
That statement alone make my heart beat like a drum. Jennie Allen, author of Restless and Anything is the founder and visionary for this community. I’m going to meet her tomorrow at CATALYST in Atlanta. (and I’m so stinkin’ excited!)
This community is gathering women ALL OVER THE WORLD, seriously.
Equipping with the Word of God.
Unleashing each one to GO and DO WHAT IT IS THAT GOD HAS FOR THEM TO DO!
Can y’all hear my heart beating?
If you don’t visit any other white space I’ve mentioned, fine.
Visit this one.
www.ifequip.com
It’s simple.
The word.
and then
IF: You believe that passage is true (and it is. God’s Word is true.)
Then what does that passage mean about:
GOD?
ME?
THE WORLD?
Followed by a quick video and comments. It’s all good!
You shouldn’t take my word for it, you should totally try it for yourself. Particularly the last one.
*****************************
In other, 3D NEWS
(meaning life with the people who are breathing under our roof)
The FAIR ROCKED this year.
Seriously we heart the fair.
The nostalgia, the friends, the food.
The boys love it more each year which makes us love it more, of course.
Our blue ribbon boys won first place with their chickens.
Tuck actually had a hen place in the KING & QUEEN’s COURT OF POULTRYDOM.
Did y’all know that was real thing? No? Me either.
He also got a Best of Show for a painting (SHOUT OUT TO MRS. JAYNE ROSS-his art teacher)
Jake won a ribbon for a leaf owl colage that he had made as a home school project and I won a flower award.
The cowboy came home with several new chickens that were auctioned after the 4H Chicken Chain competition.
Cheesy to some, lame to others but as far as the Smith’s are concerned the VFW Fair 2014 is going down in the books as a #WIN.
Last thing……
Many are asking when and what will the next study begin….SOON and VERY SOON…
Mark your calendars for SUNDAY OCTOBER 19th
at 4 at WILLS VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH….
We are going to take a quick 4 week journey TOGETHER….
I will lead be leading a simple study, kind of a HOW TO
READ THE BIBLE
PRAY (& JOURNAL)
the crazy important and yet, often neglected disciplines of the Christian faith.
We’re going to look at and discuss VERY APPLICABLE WAYS to make these two disciplines a part of your every day and if you are already practicing these disciplines WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU…
We learn differently.
We will look at a variety of ways to study the word, the simplicity of prayer and the benefits of journaling!
PLEASE ~PLEASE ~TELL ALL OF YOUR
FRIENDS
MOMMAS
SISTERS
CO-WORKERS
You ONLY need A BIBLE, A PEN AND A NOTEBOOK.
You do not have to be a member to attend, there is no cost, there will AWESOME insight from MANY WISE WOMEN…
Seriouly, be there!
It’s going to be a GREAT TIME of fellowship and sisterhood!
GOSH!
too much to say
love y’all sweet dreams!
PS
IF you missed the READER SURVEY POST-there is STILL TIME…I would love for you to go HERE and let me HEAR FROM YOU!
Lots going on on the homefront the VFW fair was last week always a big local event fun time spent with family and friends the nostalgia of blue ribbons funnel cakes cool evenings always takes me back the boys made quite a showing this year J called them our blue ribbon boys chickens paintings peppers a smorgasbord of entries in other news we had a very special if pray gathering this past Sunday if you are not a part of this online community I challenge you to inquire and visit many have asked what study will be next beginning October 19we will begina four week study on how to read the Bible and pray there is more I don’t know then do know that have asked otherwise women to join efforts were going to make this a very simple steady getting into the word learning how to use of journaling and discussing the benefits of both I hope that you will consider joining us bringing your mom sisters coworkers if gathering.com it’s an amazing group of women gathering equipping others and unleashing them to do what it is God has called them today a few updates as usual I’m reading too many books the best yes by Lisa Turk Hearst fresh wind fresh fire by Jim some Bolha
Karmen
Therenis much i can say about social media…it can be a distraction or a blessing, depending on what we allow it to do in our lives. I too enjoy IF, although I sometimes miss the postings, it is a wonderful tool. I so love the way you articulate your experiences with your family and friends. You actually paint a picture of words and God shows up every time. Making memories and building a foundation in love and faith is God’s purpose for our lives. Thank you for all that you share. You are blessed!