100 Days: Weekend Edition

Please excuse me from my absence. This weekend was super busy, but I have also been battling my allergies, and unfortunately when my allergies start acting up, so does my asthma. My lung has been in rare form lately, and to be honest, it just hurts. I actually toyed with the idea of going to the emergency room, but I'm going to see what I feel like in the morning after my inhaler kicks in.

Church was so amazing today. Psalm 57 was our scripture reference, and what sticks out the most from the sermon was how David praised while in the midst of his crisis. Sometimes I'm not so good at that because I'm kind of just holding my breath, waiting until its over. It definitely helped me, and I took a lot of notes over it. I should make a mental note to go back and read them...you know so it's actually beneficial...

The hardest part of walking by faith is hoping that everything will be ok when you finally get there...it's enough to take your sanity sometimes.

I fear that this post is not one of encouragement. My apologies...it is however real..and that's all I can promise...!

Off Kilter...

Another post from my phone...

Today was hard...I had a cruel dream, and it kind of through my entire day off. It was a busy day all around, and to be honest, I didn't devote all of the time that I wanted to for prayer.

That dream really did me in because it was so beautiful yet will probably never happen that way with those specific details...not being pessimistic, just realistic!

One little nugget I left bible study with was conviction brings about change...if that isn't good teaching I don't know what is...

On to day four...


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A Rainbow for your Trouble...

I'm posting late but I had a busy day today!

Let me say this...I knew when I started this that a whole lot of 'stuff' would transpire as a result. You know who doesn't like when you start praying...

With that being said today was a doozy...it's funny how situations and people that need an ear or an encouraging word come near you when you're sensitive to it. My day was filled with tears from others...my heart aches for them because so many really have no clue...

My scripture for today was Psalm 138:8 and it'll probably be mine for tomorrow as well...I could write an entire post on that scripture alone...read it!

This is a short post but I survived...this will not be easy...but I'm sure worth it!

I'll leave you with this...it's a pic of a rainbow I saw while driving Monday. My Dad says rainbows are a sign of God's promises. I'll take it!

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100 Days Will Change your Life!

Exactly 100 days from now is August 22, 2012.  (I hope my math is correct...if I goofed, just let me know--you know I teach English and not Math smile...)

Have you ever had an idea come to you over and over again, and it finally hits you in the head that MAYBE you should do something with it?  For the past few years, I have toyed with the notion of 100 Days of Prayer.  In the past my prayer life has been very reactionary (is that even a word), instead of proactive.  I talk to God all day long, here and there, but it has been a very long time since I have sought out His presence, carved time out of my schedule to REALLY get on my knees, and go to Him purposefully. I mean really just prayed.

One of the most beautiful things I left Baylor with was being taught how to pray.  How to go to God on behalf of myself and others, and HOW to wait and listen.  I have said this a million times, but I am FOREVER grateful for the life lessons Baylor taught me.  Way more than handing me my degree; and so much more about developing my life as a Christian and a person.  The Baylor way is real...if you are seeking Him.  I can remember the day I sat in Chapel, and really got it.  Sure I sat in Chapel many more times and rolled my eyes at the length of time I had to spend in there, but that day...Jesus and I had an exchange, and it was real!

So..here's my plan, and bear with me because I'm developing as I type:
1.  I will set aside the same time (or come very close to the same time) daily to go to God.
2.  I have very specific things I am praying about (I may not get the answer I want, but He says to ask, so hey...I'm asking)
3.  I'm taking requests...for 100 days, I won't be selfish and just pray for myself, and my list.  I want to pray for you too..
4.  I will journal openly on my blog for those 100 days.  Rest easy that if you share a private request with me, I won't use your name, or anything that could let others know it's you...trust me..what you say is in the vault.
5.  I believe with all of my heart that something will happen.  After 100 days of talking to God, spending on purpose time with Him, I'm going to change, and some things will change...isn't that exciting?! 

One of my most favorite scriptures is Exodus 14:14, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  I can't tell you how many times I can sleep soundly knowing I've done everything right, and it still doesn't click the way I think it should....the Lord has my back...and yours too! 

So...welcome to my 100 day journey.  I really am excited about this...because I'm sure that 100 Days of Prayer can Change your Life!

~J

P.S.  If you'd like to send me a prayer request, e-mail me at noelle.daughrity@gmail.com  And remember, it's in the vault!

90 to Nothing...

Life.is.crazy!  I mean really...it never ceases to amaze me how much one can stuff into 24 hours.  This last week has been pretty full.  Monday, we had to come to school, but the kids got the day off.  The girls had a basketball playoff game that night, and now, they have progressed to the regional tournaments in Waco!!!  I am SO EXCITED to get a chance to take my girls to Waco.  I have so much planned for us, I hope we get to do most of it. 

THEN, the boys basketball team played a game last night, AND THEY WON!!!  So now we have two basketball teams in the playoffs, and BOTH of them are playing their next game on Friday night...anyone know how to split oneself in half?  I could sure use that right now.

Meanwhile, on the Pink front, things are just as busy as usual.  The Junior League of North Harris, South Montgomery Counties voted PDG in as a community program for the next FIVE YEARS!!!!  This is HUGE for us!  I mean really big!  God is so faithful, and good.  Basically, this means that beginning with our next fall conference, we will receive volunteers and some funding to offset the costs...for the next 5 years.

We have a fundraiser on March 18th, and I'm pretty excited about it.  It's called Vino Artino, and you paint a custom picture while an artist teaches you.  I have never done this before, so I am excited to get a chance to do this, and help out my organization. 

BUT, the most exciting thing this week was attending Great Day Houston, and getting a chance to talk to the host, Debra Duncan.  She invited us on the show in the summer, and said she would host a session this April if the date doesn't conflict....HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!  I have pictures that I will post.  They are on my camera, so I will do it!  Promise!  We looked so cute in our Pink Army tees, and EVERYONE kept asking us about PDG, so that was great to get our mission out there! 

Random, but this morning I awoke at 5 a.m.  Now, I'm going to be honest here and tell you that I knew I should have gotten up and had quiet time, but I just lay in the bed to get a game plan for today together.  It is not very often that I get time to just sit and think quietly, so I hope next time I'll actually get up and crack open my Bible.  Today begins the first day of Lent, and I am giving up fried foods and making sure that for the next 40 days my words are edifying.  I also want to spend more time with the Lord. 

This area is always lacking...I never feel as though I do a good job at deliberately opening my Bible.  I talk to Jesus all day, but I need to get in the word more.  I want to do a better job at this.

Oh, and just in case you're wondering, I do manage to spend time with a certain 6'2'' fella...he definitely makes long days better...it's so good to be in love!!! Did I just write that?!  Who am I?!

I hope I haven't bored you to death with all of these details, but it feels good getting them out!  How was your weekend?

A Request

You have NO IDEA how happy I am that today is Friday.  This week has been so long.  In case you didn't know, I'm a teacher, and while I love my students, I am secretly counting down the very weeks until summer break...can I get an AMEN?!

I also moonlight (literally because most of the work is done when the moon is out...lol), as the Founder and Executive Director of my non profit organization, Pink Defying Gravity, Inc.  Pink was born out of a need I saw in the classroom and while walking the hallways.  In a nutshell, we wish to help each girl that encounters our organization realize their uniqueness, and help them discover their potential.  You can click on the link above to learn more about our organization.

It would be a vast understatement to say that I LOVE pink.  I love our mission, I love when I plan PDG events, I love the people that love PDG, I love it!  So it is SO HARD to not focus on it 100% of the time while I work my 'day job.'  My prayer has been that God would open doors financially for us so that we can transition some of our present board members into full-time paid postitions.  Grants are currently being written, we are amping up our community presence and relevance, and we are waiting. 

This has to be the hardest part of the process, because in essence, it's as though I am working two full time jobs.  Of course it is worth it, but my heart is ready to commit to PDG full-time...so the waiting game is growing me..

I really have no idea who reads this blog...I imagine a lot of you are like me...you read silently, and never leave a comment...which is totally fine.  But, if you are reading this, I'd like for you to pray for our fundraising efforts.  I solicit your prayers, and while I'd love to give you a list..(and I just may in a couple of days), I'd rather you go before Him knowing that He knows every need that we have, and which ones He'd like to fulfill first...this journey is less about what I want, and far more importantly what He wants us to accomplish from this. 

Thank you in advance for going to God on PDG's behalf.  I do not take it lightly...not one bit!  I look forward to the move that will take place as a result of God's people going to Him...this brings a huge smile to my face! 

Enjoy your Friday people...

Valentine's Day 2012

I had such a great time yesterday for Valentine's Day.  It started off of course at work with my kiddos.  They were full of hugs and love, candy bags, cookies, SUGAR, SUGAR, SUGAR!!!!  I don't know if my sugar levels will return to normal this week, but I am definitely in detox. 

Then came the surprise that I really didn't expect...well, I guess that's why they call it a 'surprise.'  I had been called to the office to complete some paperwork, and while I was on my way back to the classroom, one of my students saw me in the hall and said, "Ms. D, you missed it..."  I was clearly confused as to what I missed, and she wouldn't tell me.  Meanwhile, my phone started ringing, and I saw that it was Levi.  I answered, and he asked me what I was doing. 

I always laugh at that question because he calls me at work...so you know, I'm working...lol!  I told him I was walking back to my classroom.  Then he said...oh ok..so you're talking in the hallway on your phone, and I replied, yes, so I need to get off now.  Then, I didn't catch this from the beginning, but he mentioned my principal being in the hallway, (and she was), but I was so focused on getting back to finish that power point presentation, that I didn't catch it. 

Well, when I returned to my room, I had flowers, a balloon, and a stuffed animal on my desk, and MY KIDS WERE GOING CRAZY!!!  They were talking all at once, I couldn't make out what they were saying.  Finally, they calmed down enough to tell me that L had come to my classroom to surprise me with my gift...SWOON!!!

I was so embarrassed because my kids were telling me that I was smiling and blushing, but I was so shocked and SAD that I missed him.  I really don't know what I would have done if I were in the room when he came in, but that was really the best surprise of the day.  Trust me, it wasn't the fact that he bought me anything...I'm not really materialistic, but when we discussed exchanging gifts, I just wanted it to mean something, and to be thoughtful...and he FAR exceeded my expectations. 

Plus, my students were so tickled that they got to witness that...I may never live this down...lol!

I managed to finish the rest of the day but it was so hard....I just wanted to head home to get started with our date night!  The cheerleaders and I had a little V-Day party, and that was filled with more hugs, and SUGAR!  I definitely have enough candy to last me a while. 

After work, I came home to get ready for my date.  It was my turn to take L out because Saturday was his V-Day celebration to me (not to mention his surprise visit).  We went to dinner and dancing...it was so much fun, and very funny...I think I laughed more people watching... I love to people watch!

We started off at The Cheesecake Factory, but I LOVE PF Changs, and he didn't mind going there since the wait was a tad shorter.  Well, I was at the CF, and he went to check out the wait, so when he came back, he said we can get seated right away.  I was a little apprehensive because EVERYWHERE was packed, but I trusted him and off we went. 

Little did I know, but he had worked it out with the hostess for us to get seated right away...I was so thankful because I hadn't eaten since lunch, and I was starving!  Wasn't that sweet?!

It was a wonderful day, and I can honestly say that it was better than I could have imagined!  I'm thankful for this season in my life, and just taking it day-by-day...and trying not to flee the state...but that's another post for another day...

I hope all of you had a lovely V-Day full of LOVE and lots of SUGAR!!! 

~J