But it’s been said that the thing we hate about others is the thing we see in ourselves. So I need to say thank you. Often times I will post a blog and request prayer and then never come back and tell you how God answered our requests?! I need a timeout for being an insolent brat who doesn’t say thank you. So thank you.
In the last post, I asked for God to give me some words to share with the women I would be teaching in San Diego. Hundreds of women gathered from around the globe to be empowered and educated on a wide range of topics. I taught the keynote session, but the that wasn’t what was stressing me out. For the first time ever I was asked to speak about my life as a step-parent.
Eeeeeeek. Can you say awkward? I feel like a parenting failure, but on most days I feel like a parenting fraud. I make this stuff as I go. [You want to eat leftover cupcakes for breakfast? Sure! Just don’t come crying to me when you have diabetes. <—A serious conversation in our household.] However, what came out of the honest conversation was hope and honesty and pain and life.
God is big and could do anything He chooses, but I just want to take a moment to thank the people on the world wide web who prayed for me. Because I felt it.
It was a crazy weekend! But being able to share the gospel, see life-change, hear stories, and give big hugs to new friends was quite possibly the best things evah. Oh wait, no. The best thing evah was being able to meet—get this—Crystal Lewis.
Some uncultured Philistines who didn’t listen to Christian music growing up [read: Matthew Olthoff] have no understanding of the magnitude of this meeting. But the 10 year-old in me who can still sing every line from Only Fools just about died when she lead worship after I taught. I mean really, I DIED. The girl in the front row who was dancing and shaking what her momma gave her was yours truly. You’re welcome.
Crystal, me, and Izzy (Crystal’s talented daughter)
Crystal and I follow each other on Instagram which basically means we’re best friends now. Duh. And because she’s my friend, I will continue to sing all her songs and be the first one to download her new album releasing in 2014. That’s what friends are for, right? [Dear Crystal, if you ever read this, I’m not a crazy stalker. Well, I’m not a stalker. #Bye]
Before this NeverEndingStory ends, I wanted to share with you something fun that my friend Suzanne and I are doing. She’s super rad and has a heart for prayer, so we’ve dedicated a day to pray—her in England, me in California. Because I’ve shamelessly asked for prayer from you, please know that it would be my HONOR to pray for you. Feel free to leave a prayer request and know that you’ll be prayed for today. On behalf of Suzanne and I, know that you are loved.
XO
You know when you asked me if I trusted you………………………………………………
(and I was so happy to see you blogging again.)
I’m glad to know you’re my prayer partner 🙂
Hey Bianca,
long time lurker I love your blog.
Please pray for me I am currently
preparing to speak at a conference next week. It is my first conference presentation and I am feeling a bit nervous and unprepared because I don’t like public speaking.
Please pray for wisdom during preparation and courage when presenting.
Thank you 🙂
You got it! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Singleness. Nuff said. 😉
Ashley, right there with you, hun 🙂
Love you both. I’m praying too.
Singleness. Healthy familial relationships. Direction & guidance as I enter a new season of life (ending graduate school).
Been there. Done that. Got yo’ back!
Dang it. I got send too soon!
You look so pretty in both of those photos! Looking good while speaking is no easy feat! 🙂
We just moved to a new house and I have two small children (which is making unpacking/organizing a serious challenge). And my daughter is starting preschool, this week. And other, even bigger problems that I don’t want to go into detail about.. I am OVERWHELMED. Prayer please!
Oooooooh I feel you! I’m praying for you right now 🙂
One of my many titles at work is behavior interventionist at my job working with students with Disabilities. I have a secondary student that has been having some rather rough days. Please pray for all who work in the situation (including me) and the student that no more injuries will occur and a great behavior intervention plan will get in place and work and that just the right staff will be in place. Amen
Also I get to test some really cute little people this is new for me. 🙂
Thank you,
ps. Raised 7 girls my last one graduates high school this year. 2 were step daughters though we have totally adopted each other as if they were mine from the start. Made lots of mistakes had lots of adventures and shared lots of love. God makes it work in the big picture.. Your doing a great job and Im sure God blessed your speaking to those women with encouragement tears and smiles. God bless you
Wow, what an encouragement. Thank you so much for your love and support! We will be covering you in prayer.
Hi S and B 🙂
Please pray that the LORD would bless me with a wonderful husband in His time, but I would also like for my eyes to be fixed on Jesus and my heart to be content while I wait.
Thank you.
You—like so many others—are wanting this and you better believe we will pray for you!
Hi Bianca-
Could you please pray for my health and a family that is so critical about me being a Chrustian? I seem to always walk away being hurt and so discouraged. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I do.
Also, for my daughter to repent and asking Jesus for her life to be reflection of Jesus with five kids.
Feeling really sad these days. Thank you so much for all you do. You are such a inspiration to me, and I always look forward to reading everything you write. Please pray for me.
You got it!!! We are praying for you!
My prayer is that I will thrive and stop looking to the past as my Hope, but to look ahead. Thanks Bianca.
Me and Suz are praying for you!
I met Crystal this summer also. Awesome gal!
Ana Sofia – definitely praying for you (and if you receive any insights into contentment in this season, feel free to share with the group! 😉 )
Hey Bianca
Following you on your blog, FB, Instagram and listening to you interview Christine Caine on her podcast makes me feel like we’re BFFs although we’ve never met. (The day will come.) You’re a hilarious inspiration and I appreciate every bit of transparency you share.
If the prayer offer still stands I could use some…
Today I start a brand new job, career change, working as a personal trainer. Making people fit for the kingdom (whether they know it or not). But it’s a big step of faith that I know God has been telling me to take for many months. The pay is way different than what I had been making and I’m scared out of my mind to be stepping into something new. My requests are for crazy confidence, favor, wisdom, contagious joy, all my needs met and some.
Thank you!
I am also praying for you.
Nat
(Natalie)
Girllll, that is AWESOME. As one who has struggled with weight for years, I appreciate you.
Don’t. Give. Up.
XO
Dear Bianca and Suz
Can you pray for me as well?!!
I am still unemployed and would love to have a job soon.
God bless ya
Huggeronies
herta
Of course!
I’m lost. I can’t see my way out of the hopelessness that I feel. I know God is present but I just can’t see, hear, or feel him. Please pray for me as well.
I know this feeling, Sandra! Please go read this book by Dan Allendar entitled, “The Healing Path.” It’s AMAZING!
So we’ve been praying for you lovely ladies for a few weeks now – how is everyone doing?
Hey Suzanne
Thank you so much for your continued prayers! I still need em!
My emotions are throwing me for a loop daily. Over the past 3 yrs I have been on a journey where God has helped me overcome a life of living in constant fear/anxiety. Taking the step to enter into this new career path (2 weeks ago) was one of those steps I never would have taken if I hadn’t gotten to this place of freedom. Since starting this job, this new season of walking by faith, my emotions have been up and down and yet at the same time I know I am doing exactly what God told me to do. I’m feeling like the Children of Israel wandering in the wilderness., daily picking up the mana and waiting for the next step. 🙂 I want to be Joshua & Caleb, not the other faithless spies.
Please keep praying for me. I appreciate it!
Nat
Thanks for the update Nat – the transition stage is hard, but if you are following God’s will, it will come good in the end. You should be so proud of yourself for the steps of faith you have taken – your faith and the journey it takes you on will inspire others.
Our prayers will definitely continue and the transition will even out soon enough. Keep trusting and you will reach the promised land!
Be sure to keep us posted!
Another update:
Hey Bianca and Suzanne
God has connected me with some amazing people in these last few week and out those connections I have interviews at 2 new places of potential employment. On on Monday 10/7 & the other on Tuesday 10/8.
Here are my prayer points;
– Good interviews- I’d grow and learn and build a good relationship with these organizations even if I don’t get offered a job.
– If a jobs are offered I’d have clear direction on which one to take.
– All financial needs (and more) would be met during this time.
This is my prayer:
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Cor 9:7-11
Thank you so much for your continued prayer! I will continue to keep you updated 🙂
Totally praying for you! How crazy and awesome.
Got you Natalie – thanks for the update. We are with you in this!