the deeper things

several months ago, my friend marilynn said something that initially struck me as odd, but as it settled in my soul i decided i couldn't agree more. it was freeing. i didn't write it down, so don't quote me on this, but the gist of it was...

anyone can know the simple things about my friend; i am more interested in knowing what stirs her soul.

at first that sounds abrasive, as if she doesn't care about her friend's likes and dislikes. i paused and the truth of what marilynn was saying washed over me. grin. yes. amen. praise hands.

we're all wired for relationships. we can't do this life alone. we aren't meant to do it alone. it's much too hard that way. long ago i realized that i'm not only wired for relationships, but i'm also gifted at creating meaningful ones and maintaining them across all sorts of distances and time zones. people are important to me and are worth the effort. [this isn't an attempt to toot my own horn; just simply claiming what i know to be true about myself and have learned to embrace as a strength.]

for years i chided myself for not knowing simple things about some of my best friends. things like how she takes her coffee, her favorite animal, gold or silver, where she'd vacation if she could go anywhere, her favorite book, crest or colgate, tulips or hydrangeas. you get the idea. i assumed that a good friend would know all these things about her friends since casual acquaintances often know them, but i didn't. i still don't.

and that's okay.

it's okay because i know the deeper things. the things she fears. what makes her soul come alive. what drives her. why she loves Jesus and His people so. how she is gifted. where she is weak and strong. how the Lord is breaking her.

these are the things that matter most. why? because in knowing them, i am a better friend. i love deeper. more fully. and Jesus is able to shine a little brighter through me.

anyone can take my friend a cup of coffee or her favorite flower to brighten her day, but speaking truth and love into someone means knowing her. knowing more than what her barista, florist, or pharmacist know. it means taking the time to ask hard questions, rub elbows in all seasons of life, serve together, and pull off the masks.

i want to be that friend. i want to bring life. hope. joy. truth. love. kindness. i'll probably bring you flowers or a gift that makes me think of you when i see it, but that's not my end goal. i want you to know in your bones that you are known and loved for who you are.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

an unexpected wedding perk

if you know me at all, you know i spend a significant number of weekends on the wedding scene. i love to travel and can think of few reasons that are better for travel than a wedding...especially when said wedding is a for a dear friend.

i know of several people who have met their spouse at a mutual friend's wedding. you'd think the odds would be in my favor on this one given the number of weddings i attend, or am in, each year but so far no luck. instead, i have made a few unexpected yet fabulous new friends along the way and i'd call that a win. i mean, let's be real...you love the bride, i love the bride, why wouldn't we love each other and be friends? cue instant friendship and someone new to stalk know and love.

i had the absolute joy of spending quality time in texas with three of these unexpected fabulous friends last weekend. i flew into dallas for a weekend of wedding fun for a former kanakuk kamper turned friend and, as a result, got to steal quality time with these gems along the way.

beth [kat's wedding]

jenn [joy's wedding]

sarah [tanya's wedding]

not that i didn't lurrrrve seeing all my texas peeps while i was there, but spending time with those three friends was especially sweet because it's such a powerful reminder of how the Lord designed us to be in community and how He orchestrates it in the most unexpected of ways. here's to my next wedding friend being my future husband? a girl can dream...

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

arthur: my first hurrication

i've mentioned here before about how much i love my #TopsailTime and the "people" i spend that week with every year. y'all, they are simply the best. on the real, i look forward to that week more than Christmas.

this year was a first though. we had our first ever hurrication (hurricane vacation). knowing that a storm was a brewin', i stole the chance to ride around the island in what was quite literally the calm before the storm. grin.

and before we could throw a genuine hurricane party, we women folk did a little shopping. naturally.

we then proceeded to hunker down with 20 of our closest friends (and 15-20 more in the house next door) to wait out the storm. that blue dot would be us as arthur was making his grand entrance...

[note: it was far less intense than we anticipated.]

during our hurricane party, we played a lot of cards, ate a lot of food, watched movies, and laughed constantly. we also managed to run across the beach access to scope out the waves between bands of wild wind and rain. we are a special kind of crazy, but we have fun memories to show for it!

in the middle of the storm, my Weather Channel app kindly notified me that Mecklenburg County (i.e. Charlotte) was under a severe thunderstorm warning. thanks for that...

here's to only having to wait 337 days until #TopsailTime 2015. it cannot come soon enough.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally

10 ways to lose friends and irritate people

i can't begin to take credit for this 10 ways list, but i can tell you i completely agree with it. in my 27 years of meeting people and making friends, i've gravitated away from the types of people detailed below and i've sprinted in the direction of people who avoid these 10 oh-so-common relationship faux pas.

i greatly value relationships and put a lot of time and effort into creating rich, meaningful, authentic ones. that takes time, which we all know is a limited resource. i can't go out and get more time. i can pick up a second or third job to make a little extra money, but i just can't create more than 24 hours in a day. as a result, i consider time my most valuable resource and i'm extremely intentional with how i spend it. when i choose to give someone a piece of my time, that's one way i communicate my love for them.

when i read this list of 10 ways to lose friends and irritate people, they all seemed to point back to a disregard of someone's time in one way or another. since wasting time is a hot button for me, i'm purposing to do a better job of valuing others' time and communicating interest and care to each person i encounter...especially to those who tend to be invisible in our fast-paced world. my trust and respect level multiplies exponentially when someone's behavior communicates value. my loyalty and love vastly increase too. i'd like to be a woman who is trusted, respected, and loved.

so, since i can't say it any better than jeff haden already did, i'm simply re-posting his article. if you'd rather read his original version, you can do that here.

Want to win friends and influence people? Here are 10 things that ensure you won't:

1. You thoughtlessly waste other peoples' time. Every time you're late to an appointment or meeting says your time is more important. Every time you wait until the grocery clerk finishes ringing you up to search for your debit card says you couldn't care less if others have to wait unnecessarily. Every time you take three minutes to fill your oversize water bottle while a line stacks up behind you says you're in your own little world—and your world is the only world that matters.

Small, irritating things, but basically no big deal? Wrong. People who don't notice the small ways they inconvenience others tend to be oblivious when they do it in a major way.

How you treat people when it doesn't really matter—especially when you're a leader—says everything about you. Act like the people around you have more urgent needs than yours and you will never go wrong—and you will definitely be liked.

2. You ignore people outside your "level." There's an older guy at the gym that easily weighs 350 pounds and understandably struggles on the aerobic and weight equipment. Hats off; he's in there trying.

Yet nobody talks to him. Or even seems to notice him. It's like he's invisible. Why? He doesn't fit in.

We all do it. When we visit a company, we talk to the people we're supposed to talk to. When we attend a civic event, we talk to the people we're supposed to talk to. We breeze right by the technicians and talk to the guy who booked us to speak, even though the techs are the ones who make us look and sound good onstage.

Here's an easy rule of thumb: Nod whenever you make eye contact. Or smile. Or (gasp!) even say hi. Just act like people exist.

We'll automatically like you for it—and remember you as someone who engages even when there's nothing in it for you.

3. You ask for too much. A guy you don't know asks you for a favor; a big, time-consuming favor. You politely decline. He asks again. You decline again. Then he whips out the Need Card. "But it's really important to me. You have to. I really need [it]."

Maybe you do, in fact, really need [it]. But your needs are your problem. The world doesn't owe you anything. You aren't entitled to advice or mentoring or success. The only thing you're entitled to is what you earn.

People tend to help people who first help themselves. People tend to help people who first help them. And people definitely befriend people who look out for other people first, because we all want more of those people in our lives.

4. You ignore people in genuine need. At the same time, some people aren't in a position to help themselves. They need a hand: a few dollars, some decent food, a warm coat.

Though I don't necessarily believe in karma, I do believe good things always come back to you, in the form of feeling good about yourself.

And that's reason enough to help people who find themselves on the downside of advantage.

5. You ask a question so you can talk. A guy at lunch asks, "Hey, do you think social-media marketing is effective?"

"Well," you answer, "I think under the right circumstances..."

"Wrong," he interrupts. "I've never seen an ROI. I've never seen a bump in direct sales. Plus 'awareness' is not a measurable or even an important goal..." and he drones on while you desperately try to escape.

Don't shoehorn in your opinions under false pretenses. Only ask a question if you genuinely want to know the answer. And when you do speak again, ask a follow-up question that helps you better understand the other person's point of view.

People like people who are genuinely interested in them—not in themselves.

6. You pull a "Do you know who I am?" OK, so maybe they don't take it to the Reese Witherspoon level, but many people whip out some form of the "I'm Too Important for This" card.

Maybe the line is too long. Or the service isn't sufficiently "personal." Or they aren't shown their "deserved" level of respect.

Say you really are somebody. People always like you better when you don't act like you know you're somebody—or that you think it entitles you to different treatment.

7. You don't dial it back. An unusual personality is a lot of fun—until it isn't. Yet when the going gets tough or a situation gets stressful, some people just can't stop "expressing their individuality."
Look. We know you're funny. We know you're quirky. We know you march to the beat of your own drum. Still, there's a time to play and a time to be serious, a time to be irreverent and a time to conform, a time to challenge and a time to back off.

Knowing when the situation requires you to stop justifying your words or actions with an unspoken "Hey, that's just me being me" can often be the difference between being likeable and being an ass.

8. You mistake self-deprecation for permission. You know how it's OK when you make fun of certain things about yourself, but not for other people to make fun of you for those same things? Like receding hairlines. Weight. A struggling business or career. Your spouse and kids.
It's OK when you poke a little gentle fun at yourself, but the last thing you want to hear are bald or money or "Do you want fries with that?" jokes. (Bottom line: I can say I'm fat. You can't.)

Sometimes self-deprecation is genuine, but it's often a mask for insecurity. Never assume people who make fun of themselves give you permission to poke the same fun at them.

Only tease when you know it will be taken in the right spirit. Otherwise, if you feel the need to be funny, make fun of yourself.

9. You humblebrag. Humblebragging is a form of bragging that tries to cover the brag with a veneer of humility so you can brag without appearing to brag. (Key word is "appearing," because it's still easy to tell humblebraggers are quite tickled with themselves.)

For example, here's a tweeted humblebrag from actor Stephen Fry: "Oh dear. Don't know what to do at the airport. Huge crowd, but I'll miss my plane if I stop and do photos... oh dear don't want to disappoint."

Your employees don't want to hear how stressed you are about your upcoming TED Talk. They don't want to hear how hard it is to maintain two homes. Before you brag—humbly or not, business or personal—think about your audience. A gal who is a size 14 doesn't want to hear you complain that normally you're a size 2, but you're a size 4 in Prada because its sizes run small.
Or better yet, don't brag. Just be proud of what you've accomplished. Let others brag for you. 

If you've done cool things, don't worry—they will.

10. You push your opinions. You know things. Cool things. Great things.

Awesome. But only share them in the right settings. If you're a mentor, share away. If you're a coach or a leader, share away. If you're the guy who just started a paleo diet, don't tell us all what to order.

Unless we ask. What's right for you may not be right for others; shoot, it might not even turn out to be right for you.

Like most things in life, offering helpful advice is all about picking your spots—just like winning friends and influencing people.

Now it's your turn. What would you add to the list?

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

i didn't know i needed it

there are moments in life when you don't know what you need until you have it. i had one of those moments recently as one of my dearest friends blessed me in an unexpected way.

i sent what could be called an S.O.S. text to some of my closest friends and asked them to pray. mind you, i've texted this group many times before and they always rally so it wasn't odd for me to send a message like this. but this time, i didn't know how to put it into words. i just knew i had reached a new level of overwhelmed and needed their prayers and support more than ever. i knew they would pray. their track record is perfect.

but there's no way i could have anticipated the way they rallied to check in on me, encourage me, and remind me how much they care for me. it almost brings a girl to tears. almost.

fast forward to two days after that text. i answered a knock at my door (expecting my neighbor) and had a friendly man hand me these...

...to say i was surprised is an understatement.

the smile on my face was instant and lasted all day. you see, it wasn't my birthday, valentine's day, or even a friendly housewarming bouquet from my parents. it was a hug from my friend who would have been at my door in an instant if she wasn't busy moving her life across the country.

her thoughtfulness and timeliness blew me away. i was surprised, but not surprised at the same time. this is so very like her.

so while i didn't know i needed this little bouquet pick me up, it was exactly what i needed after all. kat, thank you for being a faithful friend who loves me well. i treasure you.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

supposed to be

image credit

every time i visit branson (aka "Btown" or "hillbilly vegas"), i question my decision-making skills. that little ozark mountain town casts a spell on me and i wonder how i ever managed to leave in the first place. in case you don't remember, it was gut-wrenchingly hard. but i usually snap out of the spell and i'm overwhelmed with gratitude that the Lord allowed me to stumble upon kanakuk and branson to become a local for 3 years. it's a special place for me. always a home.

i just got back from 5 days in missouri and i've returned to eastern standard time a much nicer person. i feel encouraged, refreshed, and like i can finally see a break in the clouds. grin. getting face time with some of my dearest friends and friends turned family is always a treat. i'm nothing short of amazed at how our relationships continue to thrive despite the 1000 mile separation.

[side note: i'm praying that God sees fit to give us the new earth now and rearrange the US geography to place MO next to NC. you've been warned.]

as i caught myself in that spell of wondering how i could ever have left in the first place, i was reminded of the truth that God has me right where He wants me for a reason. my time with kanakuk was a short season, but it was a tremendous blessing with a lifelong impact.

my high school english teacher asked us one simple question every day. i didn't recognize the wisdom in it at the time and typically rolled my eyes when she asked it, but now i just smile when i think of her. mrs. goffin would faithfully ask, "is there anywhere else you would rather be?" (like i said, i rolled my eyes. what high schooler wants to be in english class??) now, however, i realize she was helping foster an attitude of contentment with where the Lord has me in each season of life.

so, while there are days i wish i'd never left branson, i know i'm where i'm supposed to be. that town will always feel like home. i will always go back to visit my friends turned family there. part of my heart remains in the ozarks and always will, but i know i'm exactly where i need to be. and, in that, i rest with anticipation.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

back where i belong

i spent time with one of my dearest friends recently and was encouraged by how easy it is to be with her.  it was a simple dinner in and american idol finale, but the conversation was easy, rich, and filled with laughter. these are the kind of friendships i desire and constantly strive to create.

when she got here, her first words struck me. she took one look at me after walking in my door and simply said, "you're happy here. this is the bekah i know."

so it turns out i not only feel happier and more settled, but i also let it show in my demeanor. maybe that's why everyone here seems so much nicer and friendlier?? just a theory.

it's hard to know how draining a season of life can be until you're on the other side of it. i'm on the other side of one of those seasons now and i can see just how frustrating florida truly was for me. i learned a lot, but it was not a fun season of life for me. i did my best to stay engaged where the Lord had me and enjoy the beach lifestyle, but it was never home for me. i never had a sense of community or belonging. so when ginny stepped in my door the other night, she saw it all over my face. this is where i should be.

[note: ginny is a friend who has faithfully visited me in every season and city of my life, so she's got the life history advantage on this.]

all that to say, here's to many more moments of laughter and fun with friends in my new city. God has been good to me.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

charlotte :: clarity & courage

i've written about my board of directors (affectionately known as my BODs) on here before, but i can't express enough just how important they are to me. they're some of the first ones to know my life details ranging from the mildly important to the life changing. they're my sounding board and my voices of reason and wisdom. they know how to question my motives and then encourage and build me up by speaking my love languages loud and clear. they stand with me to celebrate and challenge me when i need it.

needless to say, i absolutely love sharing my life with them. but for the sake of your time and my desire to delay the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome, i'll just suffice it to say that, individually and collectively, they are one of the biggest blessings in my life.

so what's my point?

well, once again my BODs have pulled through in their beyond awesome ways. my life is about to get even more crazy awesome than usual and these men and women are standing by my side (not literally...don't go thinking that i'm about to announce an engagement. i'd need a man first.). however, my heart is bursting with anticipation and excitement over what the Lord is doing. God is proving Himself faithful once again and proving that my plans are mediocre at best, while His are abounding in grace.

i've been praying for both clarity and courage over the last 5 months. clarity to know what the Lord wants for me and courage to act in faith once i know. that being said, i'm moving to back to the tar heel state in the spring when my lease runs out down here. charlotte to be exact.

[i made that sound neat and tidy, but, honestly, there's more uncertainty than certainty. it's pretty much how the Lord works in my life, so i shouldn't be surprised at this point.]

i don't have a job lined up and i don't know where i'll live...but this territory is all too familiar for me as i step out in faith trusting the Lord to provide. i know He's faithful to provide and He's going before me. the Lord is doing something big. i'm not entirely sure what yet, but He's working. and i'm hopeful.

i'm patiently waiting and seeking. and i'm faithfully calling & texting my BODs for moral support on the days when i question the sanity of this whole shindig. thanks to each of you (and also mom, pops, & the sis) for your support and encouragement during yet another crazy phase of life for me. i am one grateful girl.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

weary but so worth it

to say i'm weary is an understatement. i've kept the skies hoppin' lately with my nonstop travel. seriously. my suitcase has been in a weekly cycle of pack-unpack-repack for 2 months now. i'm all for a good road trip (more like flights when you live in florida), but it eventually takes its toll on you. don't get me wrong though, the airline miles & points are completely worth the chaos. not to mention, the fun people on the receiving end of my trips make the chaos completely worth it.

all that to say, and for the sake of not falling too far behind on here, i'm taking the lazy route and giving you a photo recap of my trip to b-town last weekend. i hate saying goodbye and boarding the plane to leave branson, and i have been sick to my stomach (literally) the last two times i left. these friends are family and i just can't get enough. grateful is a gross understatement for how i feel.

rollercoasters with april before the SDC "run to the lights" 5k.

mary beth was my kamper back in the day. now she's doing the tute and becoming a branson local. i'm old.

post-race with tanya. we survived. and the hot chocolate was worth it.

throwin' deuces with shay shay and tanya.

my 15 year old best friend. obsessed.

 
baby shay shay is no longer a baby.

andy's with some branson faves. obvi.

boone girls are my long lost sisters. love them!

trish the dish is beyond words unbelievable. still learning so much from you, friend!

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

we do

it's wedding season once again for this girl. three weddings in three days. and another one coming up this week. i know. it's crazy. let's just establish that out front and move on because that's not the point of this post.

while it's true that weddings are one giant party with your favorite people, delicious food, cake, drinks, and plenty of dancing and pictures....that's not the point.

the point is that the Gospel is on display.

the families and wedding party aren't the only ones standing in agreement with the bride and groom on their wedding day. every single person there is agreeing to hold the couple accountable for a lifetime. in essence, when you RSVP 'yes' on that snazzy little invite card you got, you're saying...

"we do"

so don't take it lightly. you might be there to party, but most importantly...you're there to hold the newlyweds to their covenant vow of marriage. to encourage them to honor one another and display the Gospel through their marriage every single day. that's what a wedding is all about. it's fun to party, but the Gospel on display and a lifetime of accountability is the real purpose.

all that being said, one of my best friends married the woman of his dreams and is now officially man and wife. i'm so grateful for Corey's faithful friendship and his example of Biblical leadership. and i'm grateful for Steph's example of confidence and security in Christ. what a blessing to have this man and woman in my life long term. here's a little picture recap from friday night's fun.

every girl needs a man friend like Corey. so blessed by you!

beautiful lady with a beautiful heart to love and serve for a lifetime.

Corey didn't waste any time.

happy marriedness, y'all! loved celebrating with you. put the Gospel on display.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

colorful colorado

colorful colorado. it's not called that arbitrarily. this past weekend was jaw-droppingly (yep, another new word) beautiful. i don't even think you have to be a leaf nerd like myself to be caught gasping for breath. and not because of the altitude. i think God was in a reeeeeeally good mood when He created colorado. see for yourself.

kat's front yard. stunning!

white river national forest.

standing atop the continental divide with brad and kat.

aspen trees in aspen, co.

hillside on independence pass.

camping in the maroon bells.

breakfast burritos!

brad and kat were fabulous hosts and made my trip to denver (and aspen) absolutely wonderful. so much so that i contemplated moving into the guest room and calling my roommate to tell her to donate my florida clothes and ship my fall and winter wear to me.

yeah, it was just that wonderful.

it might have a little something to do with the fact that kat is one of my all-time favorite people on the planet and i could spend infinite amounts of time with her without being annoyed or bored, but that's beside the point.

[there aren't many people in the world that i can say that of without lying a little. but kat's one of them.]

kat earned the ultimate adventure buddy status back in 2009, and it was fun to see her world and get a visual on what her life is like in colorado. i've been wondering for a solid 2 years now. 'bout time i made my way out there.

the weekend was a smashing success and i am so grateful for friends that feel like family and for the chance to get away and be refreshed. and fill my lungs with quality oxygen once again.

tomorrow i'm homeward bound. fall does something to my soul that the other three seasons just can't match. if you ask me, it's pretty cheap therapy for a florida girl like myself.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

heading a mile high

well blogger friends, i'm headed to denver this weekend to visit the bestie and her semi-new hubs. you may recall that i jet-setted (new word, embrace it) down to NOLA for their wedding in may and had a blast.

when i booked my flight for this weekend, i was instructed to google "maroon bells." why? oh, because that's where we're camping this weekend. it looks a little something like this...

credit

jaw. on. floor.

i booked the flight last minute (about 3 weeks ago) and the day has finally arrived. i kid you not when i say that i've been giddy enough to border on needing a pair of depends to keep from peeing all over myself with excitement. the good news about booking this trip so last minute is that i haven't had to wait forever and a day to get on the plane. oh praise the gift of spontaneity.

[fyi: kat is single-handedly responsible for any ounce of spontaneity you find in me.]

that being said, in t-minus 9 hours, i'll be a mile high (is it really a mile high?) in denver embracing mountain time. fall leaves and 50 degree weather....here i come!!!!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

just call me picassa

[picasso was already taken, so i'll go with picassa. feel free to call me that from now on.]

this was my first attempt at a "sip and sketch" painting class. i'm not sure which one i did more...sip or sketch. but judging by the outcome, i didn't do as bad as i had anticipated. it's slightly more challenging than your typical paint by number activity in elementary (cough...middle) school, but for a perfectionist like me...not too shabby.

court was patient and gracious enough to bear with me when i got frustrated over my black grass or leaves that looked more like clusters of grapes. i think i might even go again. i'm not sure what i enjoyed more though, the peach chardonnay or the painting. either way, it was a blast and i'm grateful for friends like courtney that are willing to go on groupon adventures with me. yay us.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

what few can claim

"it's not about getting a scholarship, getting drafted, or making sportscenter. it's a deep need in us that comes from the heart. we need to practice, to play, to lift, to hustle, to sweat. we do it all for our teammates. when we miss something, we don't let down an entire state, but we let down our teammates, coaches, and fans. but the hurt is the same. we train hard, lift, throw, run, and go to class. it's about pride, in ourselves, and our alma mater. it's about love and passion for the game. when we walk off the court for the very last time, our hearts crumble. those tears are real. but deep down inside, we are very proud of ourselves. we will forever be what few can claim: college athletes." -unknown

...on that note, i'm headed to God's country (a.k.a. chapel hill) this weekend to reunionize with my teammates for some volleyball, football, celebrating, and the inevitable creation of more inside jokes. yes, Lord, yes.

go heels :: ram it :: turn it blue

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

i'm goin' fishin'

credit: Shayla Helsel

i don't fish. i never have. truthfully, i've actually never held a fishing rod for real. i used to pick up my papa's old ones and play with them, but i've never actually been fishing. not my thing.

[disclaimer: if you have a boat and go deep sea fishing, please feel free to invite me. it's on my bucket list.]

that being said, i fish. yep, you heard me. not literally. that's gross. but i fish in the sense of searching with all my might for what i value most in life, the things i just can't go another day without. bear with me here...

background: the disciples had literally just seen Jesus crucified, buried, risen, and reappeared to them in private. all after their homeboy Peter denied Jesus 3 times like he said he wouldn't. oops! that being said, they were probably a little emotionally fragile and unstable. so...they did what most of us would do. they went back to what was comfortable and what they knew. they grabbed a boat and went fishing. that's where Jesus finds them and where this picks up...

"[Jesus] called out to them [disciples], 'Friends, haven't you any fish?'

'No,' they answered.

He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.'

When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."

-john 21:5-6 

i don't stake my livelihood on my daily catch of fish like the disciples did. but i do place a high premium on relationships and building a strong sense of community. my "fish" if you will. it's no secret that both of those departments have been severely lacking down here in the sunshine state. i knew it would be hard leaving my k-world branson fam. and it was. still is. i just didn't think i would be sitting here 16 months later still struggling to have a community to provide accountability and life-on-life encouragement. but i am. 

it's discouraging more often than not, but i take comfort in the Truth from john's words that Jesus knows where the fish are. He knows where i should cast my nets, where i should invest my time. as i trust Him to provide, my nets will overflow. so while i feel like i'm still sitting here in the midst of a long night of nothing, i'm trusting that Jesus knows where the fish are.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

nashville meets vegas for old folks...and a little bit more

if you've been around me long enough, you've heard me refer to branson as...

"nashville meets vegas for old folks"

...and while that's definitely true, there's also a lot that gets missed in that description. like the incredible views of the ozarks and the sunset from my little spot on sunset inn atop mount branson. or the community that rallies to meet needs that haven't even been verbalized yet. the way this community serves each other is unparalleled. it's a special, quirky, little town that stole my heart. forever.

there's something to be said for the safety and familiarity of your biological family. you can be mean, and ugly, and a downright pill, but 15 minutes and an apology later....you know you're still family and you're still loved. because you're family and that's what you do. that's part of sharing your dna. you love the good, the bad, and the really really ugly. and they know the real you. from day one to your current state. they know you. and they love you.

but i also think there's something maybe even slightly more special about friends who become that kind of family too. because they don't have to love that way. that's not the expectation or the norm. instead, they choose to love unconditionally. they see the ugly (and are ever so quick to call me out on it) and then go on loving me just the same. they choose to stand in the trenches with me and choose to fight my battles with me in prayer. not because that's the expectation, but because they've chosen to become my family of friends.

if i've said it once, i've said it a thousand times, my k-world branson fam knows how to speak my love languages better than anyone else on the planet. it takes all of 0.2 seconds into a conversation to feel the warmth, acceptance, love, encouragement, and sharpening take place. it's uncanny. and man, does it make a girl feel like a million bucks!! and it makes me a better person, because i want to look for ways to return the favor. i've learned so much from the men and women in that little ozark town, and i've only begun to scratch the surface on paying my debt of gratitude to each of them.

so in the meantime, as i sit here and bask in my moment of overwhelming gratitude, enjoy some pics from my trip to b-town over labor day.

no trip to branson is complete without some quiet time in the mountains.

devouring andy's with LB and shay after the vb matches. if i had children, they would be my daughters.

proof that my legs are much longer than trish's legs. she graciously loaned me her car all weekend before i could even think to ask. her generosity blows me away.

catching up with dan dan the army man is always a treat.

brunch with my girls. T and LB bring the humor to my life (among many other things).

lunch with my SJVC kiddos. slightly more grown up than when they were 14 and 15. love them!

branson fam: thanks, once again, for welcoming me into your homes, your cars, your lives, and your families. this florida girl aches with every humid breath i take, but i'm grateful for the opportunity to still walk through life with each of you. i'll be back soon because i left my heart and soul with you. my heart can only take so much separation.

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

a pirate's life for me

 

bucs in the red zone. 

bucs touchdown!! 

terrible field position for the bucs, but the action was on our end!

with our fearless leader, vicki, and amy after the game.

i'm not sure there's a better way to spend a sunday afternoon than watching some nfl football on tv. unless of course, you're watching it live. you know, say....front row with a large diet coke in a souvenir cup and a container of chicken strips and fries? yep. i'd say that's a pretty good way to spend the day.

kudos to vicki for scoring free tickets and coordinating another family first outing. and excessively loud cannon fires to the bucs for actually winning this time. way more fun to watch when the home team wins.

go bucs!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

my life is a trip

no, seriously. the past two months have been one giant trip. in the most literal sense of the word. about the time i get unpacked, i pack again. then i unpack. and pack again. repeat ad nauseum.

now, all these trips have been fun but let me make it known that i loathe packing. unpacking is a breeze. but packing is my enemy. that being said, i'm at it again.

after our All Pro Dad Father & Kids Experience at the Bucs stadium on saturday morning (tomorrow), i'm hitting the road to st. augustine, florida to spend some much needed down time with ginny and her sweet family. and i'm hoping to use the drive to catch up on some long overdue phone calls to friends who probably think i've fallen of the face of the planet the last few months. oops.

but seriously, i could not be more excited about this trip. our agenda will consist of reminding each other to roll over and re-apply sunscreen when needed. that, my friends, sounds divine after all the moving and flying and going that i've done lately. not to mention, her family is a riot. card games are a given and they're quite the competitive bunch. here's to hoping i can hold my own with the erwin clan. i'm sure there will be a recap blog with pictures to share. :)

happy weekending everyone. anyone else have fun plans you can't wait to start?

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

two become one

putting this past weekend into words isn't possible. the love and respect i have for kat and brad is immense. these two love the Lord with all they have, and they serve one another like crazy. so, naturally, when kat asked me to stand beside them and support their marriage from day one, it wasn't even a question. this is a couple who will continue to honor the Lord individually, but even more so collectively.

that being said, the weekend was a perfect representation of their personalities. it was high energy, full of laughter, lots of dancing, delicious food, and pockets of chill time to re-group. and most importantly, the Lord was at the center of everything. His name was lifted high. kat and brad were only secondary.

so in light of the fact that i can't really put my gratitude and enthusiasm into words, here's a picture recap to show you some of what the weekend included. i also posted an album on my facebook page with more pictures of the weekend. enjoy!

brad :: somebody just wants to fast forward to wedding day

fried goodness :: no trip to NOLA is complete without a meal at Cane's

E is a fabulous barista :: mocha velvet ice is like crack cocaine

gettin' crafty :: sashes for the bachelorette party

sisters :: dinner at chimes before dancing downtown

limo to downtown NOLA :: let the dancing begin!

cafe du monde :: beignets and frozen cafe au lait

beignets :: fried sugary goodness

tyler :: groom's sis & master of the awkward, ugly dance...hysterical!

bridal luncheon :: english tea room

tablescape :: i fell in love with a tea room, who am i??

sno-balls :: no snowcone will ever compare

rehearsal dinner :: mardi gras style

kat :: gettin' her nails did for her man

kat :: ready with all the essentials for her wedding day

beth :: my new favorite person on the planet

kat :: the batman shorts only make her more beautiful

mama nancy and kat :: love these two women!

brad and kat :: first dance

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.