Tampa Practicum - Day ONE

Mary, Lynn, and Jessica!

Jessica is doing a G-R-E-A-T job running the Tampa Practicum.  (Especially when you consider that she is about to give birth in just a few weeks) 

Day one is always scary and exciting.  You don't know your audience yet (They don't know you, either)  It's scary because it takes a few minutes to make the connection and fun because my #1 strength theme according to my Strength Finder 2.0 test results is WOO. (Winning Others Over)  


What does Winning over an audience mean?  It's when the Lord allows this great group of moms and dads to see your genuine love for HIM and for each of them!  It's also that moment when you can just sense that their hearts are connecting with yours.  You go from being with a lot of strangers to lingering with friends.

I begin the morning and my good friend Lynn brings it home.  Day one is all about understanding these important truths:

• We are not called to be June Cleaver
• We only get one shot at raising our children and we want to make every second count
• Homeschooling and parenting can become idols if we don't watch our hearts
• We must seek God first, every.single.day
• We can't give away what we don't own ourselves
• We are not trying to duplicate modern education, but walk out a Classical Christian Education
• Grammar stage of learning is for birth through 12-14 and it's all about drilling

Lynn inspires your heart as she walks through how important it is to begin learning math right where you're at.  She beautifully and practically talks about starting over.  She shows us how to go back to find out where we missed important foundational grammar and understanding.  

Lynn's time is to practically walk out how moms & dads can begin the journey of redeeming their own education.  It makes you excited to look at math in a whole new light.  

The picture above shows my good friends Tonya and Rita encouraging moms in our audience.  I always love pulling my friends into conversation.  Tonya has become so precious to my heart, and her mama Rita has always been such a strong tower of wisdom.  What a blessing to look up and see their smiling faces in the audience.  They graciously shared encouragement and practical tips for moms wanting idea's on how to balance school work with house work.  Tonya is the most organized woman I've ever met. (Well, she and my friend Kim Coley)

(Note that I did not try to answer that question;)

 We were so glad to have Christa at the Tampa Practicum.  She is attending Essentials training (as am I) in the afternoons.  Christa selflessly and diligently put together our power point presentation.  What a blessing and gift that is not to have this one item on our plate of responsibility.

Okay, time to get off my computer and begin getting ready for day two...... 

Stay Tuned!

Challenge A Strengths Workshop!

Lots of different, wonderful, and unique personalities! Once again I am reminded of the motto, "We're Better Together".

The book Strength Finder 2.0 has a very humanistic worldview.  The author is very obviously not a believer.  They base their understanding of strengths on the idea that we use our strengths to make ourselves better. 

 

 

The purpose and goal of any Strengths workshop should be to point to the creator of any and all good gifts, Jesus Christ. 

  

 

Strengths discovery apart from Him is fruitless and purposeless to the believer.

  

 

 

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.~ John 15:5

 

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.~ John 15:5

Facts About Strengths:

1-  They can be used for HIS glory or they can be used for personal gain.  When we use them for HIS glory they become a SUPERPOWER, but when we use them for our own personal gain they become our KRYPTONITE.  They can cause us to stumble or they can be the very vehicle God uses to draw us to Him.  Apart from HIM we can do NOTHING!

2-  The order of your strengths is very important.

3-  Strengths without grace and mercy can become a weapon, but when walked out under the authority and perfect love of Jesus Christ they become a bridge to draw others to HIM!

4-  Though we start off by learning about our strengths our true goal is to learn and understand how God made each of us differently and uniquely.  No strength is better or worse, just different, and perfect for your purpose in this life.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.~ Psalm 139:16

One of our assignments is to highlight only the part of the definition that truly describes us.  I loved that almost every single line was highlighted in B's description.  This indicator test truly captured who she is. 

Colton finally took the adult test.  

His Strengths are:

1. Reponsibility
2. Deliberative
3. Harmony
4. Input
5. Belief 

From the first time I held each of my boys in my arms I knew that God had made them for a very special purpose.  My job was not to help them become who I wanted them to be, but to walk with them as they discovered who God made them to be. It took me years to understand this truth.  What freedom. 

My pray for any of our Student Strength Workshops is that it would cause us to see Jeremiah 29:11 in a fresh and renewed way!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:8-9 

Most Amazing Ministry Experience!

I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.  With my whole being, body, and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God! ~ Psalm 84:2

Yesterday, the Lord allowed me share HIS love at Starkey Road Baptist Church.  This incredible group of ladies have one of the most well run moms groups I've ever visited.  It was their Moms Of PreSchoolers organization and it was truly refreshing.

This wonderful team was overflowing with warm hospitality from the moment I walked through their front door.  From their greeters, to their decorations.....from their outstanding newsletter.....to their outgoing friendliness, these girls had it going on!  They were a well oiled machine working together to pour HIS love into the hearts of hungry-for-more moms.

My Strength radar was overstimulated with so many obvious giftings being used to make it a day of refreshing and renewal.  I truly enjoyed watching the Lord weave together HIS beautiful Masterpieces (ladies) into one place with a strong purpose!  

Just look at some of the work these incredible women invested, and you can see HIM!

 I was very impressed with the attention to detail put into every single table.

 Not only did I feel welcomed and loved by their personalized newsletter sitting at each spot, but I also happen to be forever friends with a graphic designer (Hi Christa) and was in awe of how well this precious gal laid out each article and picture. 

 As I first laid eyes on their speaker sign I couldn't help but think of all the time invested behind the scenes when putting together this meeting each month.  The leadership team at Starkey Road Baptist has an obvious heart for others.  You know that every single woman walked away inspired, refreshed, and renewed!  

Everything was put together to make each person feel special, wanted, included.  (and you girls would know that my includer would notice that!)

Even the staging area was designed with detail and thought. 

Listen, I love talking about my Jesus!  I am energized and blessed by helping women discover their God-given strengths and who HE made them to be.  It's my delight, passion, and in this season it's my purpose.  The truth is, I would stand in the middle of Wal-Mart if God told me too.  But I simply cannot tell you what a blessing it was to be ministered to and blessed in the process. 

Thank you for having me Starkey Road Baptist MOPS Ladies!

Challenge A Strengths Dinner #3!

We had a special December, Challenge A Strengths Dinner.  Our precious friends husband gifted our group with a huge gift certificate.  

We were able to meet in The Melting Pots private dining room which allowed us to surprise our precious friend and mentor, Lynn Doto for her birthday.  It was such an incredible night of connecting.  

As a matter of fact, FOUR of us have connectedness and we had incredible conversations about what the SUPER POWER and KRYPTONITE of this particular strength theme are!

Connectedness is what helps us pull things together. (information, scripture, people, relationships)  

The SUPER POWER is when we use our connectedness to connect to the Lord and then to help those around us get to HIM too.  

The KRYPTONITE is that when we are not connected to the Lord we can connect to the wrong things. (Idols that pull our hearts from  the Lord)

Happy birthday to Lynn!

 Sweet Sisters In the Lord!

 Dee Dee loving her white chocolate fondue!

It's such a chore to lead these Strength Dinner Clubs.  (smile)

Thank you, Mr. Larreau for blessing our dinner club.

Challenge "A" Strengths Dinner!

WOW!  Thank you, Carolyn Thames for arranging our location.  We had a posh, elegant, beautiful, intimate private room to sit and soak in God's presence as we discover who HE has created us to be.  I loved how the Lord weaved understanding and purpose into our hearts.  Hang on for the ride of your life!  This is just the beginning.

Don't forget that our assignment this month is to pull out any scriptures from your quiet time that help bring light to anything strength themes related.  We are seeking and asking the Lord how to use them to work to draw others to HIM and to serve, but also to point out when they become self-serving and pulls us AWAY from God!  

I thought it was GREAT that as I read through 1 Peter this morning He immediately pointed out WOO and how to use it for HIS glory! 

 

Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. ~ 1 Peter 2:11-12

Yes!  Lord, let me focus my WOO on winning others over to see your love, mercy, grace, hope, and purpose!  Please show me anytime I am using it to draw attention to myself.  That would lead to death and I want to always choose LIFE! 

I can’t wait to see what HE shows YOU this next month.  Make note and keep track so we can open up our next meeting with God’s word!

Loved our big beautiful table!

Lynette, I LOVED how transparent and genuine you were with where you're at.  I loved how God answered your question through Christa.  Your "RELATOR" (# 1 strength theme) is struggling because you've left where you've always related and are starting all over again.  Relating takes time.  I'm so glad that we get to be the ones to walk with you in this new journey.  

Dee Dee, you know what I adore about you?  I feel like we've been friends forever and I feel like we WILL be friends from here on out.  My heart so understands, gets, and LOVES you!  I love that Empathy proceeds your Communication and Includer themes!  You my friend are a builder!

Tonya, I love you Achiever theme!  Your strong sense of responsibility and organization will equip many of your fellow mama's, as you share with us those things that come so naturally and easy to you.  I look forward to you sharing your weekly schedule the next few weeks to model how you walk out Challenge A in your home! 

Erika, I was blown away by how God gave you understanding and clarity like never before.  I thought it was incredible that you and DeeDee have the same first theme, but coming from introvert/extravert how different it can look, yet it leads to the same outcome!  Empathy, allows you to be super sensitive to the emotions of those around you!

Our dinners were out of this world!  I hope we get the same wonderful waitress.  (Carolyn, can we request her?)

Carolyn, I think you are going to come back next month filled with facts, scriptures, thoughts, and idea's as your Learner theme activates to understand more fully how it works in your life and how you can use it to draw closer to the Lord, to your husband, and to your children!

Christa, though I have heard you talk about your Consistency theme many times I think you had a HUGE aha about Sam!  I can't wait for you to share that with Lynn.  I love how you are so teachable, humble, and engaged.  I could never do these dinners without you by my side.  I love you my friend! 

Love you ladies!  Tonya and Lynette, I'm sure you are sad that you left before I snapped this snazzy photo.  But don't worry there's always next month!

Remember that our goal this month is to dig into the Word and take note when we see God bringing understanding to our strength themes.  Write it down and we will open next month by sharing what GOD has shown us.  

Strengths Dinner With a Twist!

So, what in the world is a Strengths dinner with a twist?  

Well, it was our last strength's dinner club of the series.  It only took us a whole year to complete it.  We began last August and went strong through December, but after my dad passed away and my new job training began we just could not fit the last one in...... UNTIL last night!

Oh how I love these precious friends.  

Lynn, my responsible achiever!

Christa, my consistently adaptable relator!

Amie, my learning intellectual input connector!

Tracie, my responsible believing connector!

Erika, my Harmonious relator!

We missed our Amy P, our consistently responsible friend who was on vacation!

These gals inspire me as they share how the Lord has put them together.  I am so thankful that we had five intimate dinners to dig and discover those gifts God has given us when we remember John 15:5.

Tracie's cute little toes;)

The TWIST?

We celebrated my Christa's birthday!  Oh how I love this precious friend of mine.  She is the Oak in my storm.  I love you, ladies!  Mwah!

Strengths Dinner Club Extravaganza!

The Lord is so good!  He is SO good.  He birthed the idea of hosting a large dinner club once a month where we spend five months pouring through our strengths. (one-at-a-time)  It was a wonderful night filled with tons of laughter, tears, and amazing fellowship. 

 Let me just say that this table was trouble.  We had two that had Responsibility/Achiever and then Achiever/Responsibility! (smile)

Beautiful ladies with tender hearts for their children and the Lord!

I cannot believe that I forgot to get a picture of our biggest table.  Especially since my beloved mama and aunt were sitting there.  Next month for sure!  

The testimonies were moving and full of God's glory!  Not about us; all about HIM!

NEW Strengths Dinner Club Starting Soon.....

Discover!  Uncover!  Develop!

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." ~ Psalm 139:16

 Discovering your God-given strengths and those of the important people in your life can be an incredibly exciting, fun, and even life-changing event!  We only get one shot at this life and we want every single second to count for HIS glory!  As busy women, it's so easy to get burned out or stuck in a rut. 

Come find out how incredibly energizing and revitalizing your relationships can be!  (Especially the one with your Savior) Learn what roles line up with your natural talents and and those of your family.  Discover how to connect and communicate effectively with your children, your spouse, your friends and even complete strangers.  Be prepared to laugh, cry, and share (only if you want to) in this exciting, interactive, fun-filled dinner club aimed to re-ignite your vision while allowing you to remember what you love most about your life!  

WHEN:  2/17, 3/16, 4/20, 5/18, 6/15

 

WHERE:  Piccadilly Cafeteria Private Banquet Room

                 1900 34th Street North

 

TIME:  6-8:30

 

COST:  Donation baskets will be available for you to give as the Lord leads.  All donations go towards covering personal cost involved to hold monthly dinner clubs.

COMMITMENT:  Barring emergencies, we ask that you only commit if you are able to attend all five dinner clubs.  This is a team event and your presence is vital.

 

MATERIALS:  Strength Finder 2.0 book or print out of completed test results, highlighter, notebook with pen.

 

R.S.V.P  ONLY:  Swshmary@yahoo.com