I'm so excited to announce to you all, the Beautiful Truth is heading toward another 8 week (or more) series starting in January! Woo hoo! Since launching the ministry for the very first time January of 2011 at Columbia Bible College, a lot has changed in my own life personally. My husband and I moved to Bellingham, WA almost exactly a year ago for his job. I've also starting working full time as a receptionist at a real estate company. We are on the hunt for our very first home, which is much easier being that I look at new homes on the market for a job. My brother spent a very long, grueling year and a bit in Afghanistan as a hard working, sleep deprived soldier. It was obviously difficult for him, but also for my family. My baby brother started high school, which means he's growing up! Ahh! We also plugged in full force to a new church in Lynden, City Bible Church and have fallen in love with the vision and the people. It's such an incredible place to be and you are welcome to join!
Aside from all the incredible changes we experienced over the last year, there was a stirring and cooking in my heart for the Beautiful Truth. From the moment the first series ended at CBC, I knew I needed to take some time to evaluate all that was done and experienced. I wanted to take time to get to know people in Bellingham and allow God to bring new friends in my life down here. It's always been my desire to have local women a part of this ministry, so that there could be continuous friendships created. My heart will never forget what was done in Canada with this ministry, for it was the actual beginning! It was the beginning of something great and beautiful. That, I will forever remember.
It was interesting to see who God brought into my life and how there were many similarities to my own dream. Some were there to encourage me to keep dreaming, while others would end up joining my team for the Beautiful Truth 2012. It's incredible! All of them have become good friends, and that's even more wonderful.
I've also been on my own journey this past year in speaking truth into my heart. There were times where the battle to feel beautiful was really strong, and I felt like I couldn't get past this stronghold. It's interesting to see how God takes us on these journey's, where at times you don't struggle at all. Then there's other times where you feel like your running against a wall over and over again. I began to focus to much on losing that 10 lbs I had gained over the last few years, and created an unhealthy mindset. Working full time definitely changed my workout routine, and up until a few months ago, I struggled to enjoy the time I worked out. I didn't want to go to the gym, or if I did I was thinking about losing weight rather than just taking care of my body. I realized this a bit ago after I took a 7 week class on CrossFit. It was incredible to learn how to use my body and weights and be challenged beyond what I ever thought I could do. It was so challenging and so much fun. Yet, I noticed my mindset was a bit off kilter and needed a re-booting. Once I was done with the class, I ended up not continuing Crossfit at the gym because of conflicting schedules. So I worked out at the gym where I live, but was unsatisfied because I no longer had my own personal trainer pushing me harder and harder. I started to think that the only wait to lose 10 lbs was to do the Paleo Diet, and Crossfit. And that's just not true. I took some time to re-evaluate why I wanted to be healthy. I dropped the whole "I want to lose 10 lbs" and changed my way of thinking. I read "Who Switched off my Brain" and realized that God calls us to renew our minds, and that scientifically it's possible! We are able to renew that way we think, and actually take captive our thoughts. Through a 21 day journaling study, you actually renew the way your mind works. It's exactly what I've needed, to break the stronghold of unhealthy thinking and LIVE in God's truth. Crossfit was incredible and I continue to do some of the workouts. I kept a journal of every warm up, work out, stretch, so that I could apply to my own routine after the class. Even though there were some curve balls in relation to my battle to believe TRUTH, I had gained a renewed passion for a healthy lifestyle. That's not something I would ever change.
Through my own journey, as well as conversations I've had with other women in their early 20's, I've added different topics to the Beautiful Truth. I've realized that there are so many other things that we are struggling with, that impact ALL areas of our lives. There's a need to bring God's truth back into our personal lives with friends, guys, sex, beauty, insecurities, fear, lifestyles, struggles with gossip, lust, materialism, YOU NAME IT. Therefore, we're going to talk about it. We're going to dig into the truth of God's word and get rid of the lies we've come to believe. I'm so excited to see freedom come through the conversations we'll have, the challenges, and prayer times. Jason and I have started going to this church called Ekklesia that meets Friday nights. It's filled with about 300 or more young adults ready and willing to worship our God and it's incredible! Every time I'm there, I see so many incredible young women that just might need to be reminded of God's truth, in a way that isn't necessarily discussed when a bunch of gents are around. I'm believing that God brought me, this ministry, and my team to this area for a reason.
So where do we go now? Basically right now I'm working on branding the Beautiful Truth. I'm also trying to listen to God in a new way because I desire to be mindful of every message I share. It's going to be a fun ride everyone, are you ready for it?
Here's what's coming up....
In December we are doing a fundraiser to get the word out. It will be a dessert night, meant to share my story, as well as a few others. I want to let every person out there who's interested in on what God has in store and what this new series will bring. Keep your eye out for a date for the fundraiser, and a few other things we have planned. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces soon!
Britt
P.S If you made it through this entire entry, props to you! It was WAY too long my friends:D Thanks for baring with me....
Aside from all the incredible changes we experienced over the last year, there was a stirring and cooking in my heart for the Beautiful Truth. From the moment the first series ended at CBC, I knew I needed to take some time to evaluate all that was done and experienced. I wanted to take time to get to know people in Bellingham and allow God to bring new friends in my life down here. It's always been my desire to have local women a part of this ministry, so that there could be continuous friendships created. My heart will never forget what was done in Canada with this ministry, for it was the actual beginning! It was the beginning of something great and beautiful. That, I will forever remember.
It was interesting to see who God brought into my life and how there were many similarities to my own dream. Some were there to encourage me to keep dreaming, while others would end up joining my team for the Beautiful Truth 2012. It's incredible! All of them have become good friends, and that's even more wonderful.
I've also been on my own journey this past year in speaking truth into my heart. There were times where the battle to feel beautiful was really strong, and I felt like I couldn't get past this stronghold. It's interesting to see how God takes us on these journey's, where at times you don't struggle at all. Then there's other times where you feel like your running against a wall over and over again. I began to focus to much on losing that 10 lbs I had gained over the last few years, and created an unhealthy mindset. Working full time definitely changed my workout routine, and up until a few months ago, I struggled to enjoy the time I worked out. I didn't want to go to the gym, or if I did I was thinking about losing weight rather than just taking care of my body. I realized this a bit ago after I took a 7 week class on CrossFit. It was incredible to learn how to use my body and weights and be challenged beyond what I ever thought I could do. It was so challenging and so much fun. Yet, I noticed my mindset was a bit off kilter and needed a re-booting. Once I was done with the class, I ended up not continuing Crossfit at the gym because of conflicting schedules. So I worked out at the gym where I live, but was unsatisfied because I no longer had my own personal trainer pushing me harder and harder. I started to think that the only wait to lose 10 lbs was to do the Paleo Diet, and Crossfit. And that's just not true. I took some time to re-evaluate why I wanted to be healthy. I dropped the whole "I want to lose 10 lbs" and changed my way of thinking. I read "Who Switched off my Brain" and realized that God calls us to renew our minds, and that scientifically it's possible! We are able to renew that way we think, and actually take captive our thoughts. Through a 21 day journaling study, you actually renew the way your mind works. It's exactly what I've needed, to break the stronghold of unhealthy thinking and LIVE in God's truth. Crossfit was incredible and I continue to do some of the workouts. I kept a journal of every warm up, work out, stretch, so that I could apply to my own routine after the class. Even though there were some curve balls in relation to my battle to believe TRUTH, I had gained a renewed passion for a healthy lifestyle. That's not something I would ever change.
Through my own journey, as well as conversations I've had with other women in their early 20's, I've added different topics to the Beautiful Truth. I've realized that there are so many other things that we are struggling with, that impact ALL areas of our lives. There's a need to bring God's truth back into our personal lives with friends, guys, sex, beauty, insecurities, fear, lifestyles, struggles with gossip, lust, materialism, YOU NAME IT. Therefore, we're going to talk about it. We're going to dig into the truth of God's word and get rid of the lies we've come to believe. I'm so excited to see freedom come through the conversations we'll have, the challenges, and prayer times. Jason and I have started going to this church called Ekklesia that meets Friday nights. It's filled with about 300 or more young adults ready and willing to worship our God and it's incredible! Every time I'm there, I see so many incredible young women that just might need to be reminded of God's truth, in a way that isn't necessarily discussed when a bunch of gents are around. I'm believing that God brought me, this ministry, and my team to this area for a reason.
So where do we go now? Basically right now I'm working on branding the Beautiful Truth. I'm also trying to listen to God in a new way because I desire to be mindful of every message I share. It's going to be a fun ride everyone, are you ready for it?
Here's what's coming up....
In December we are doing a fundraiser to get the word out. It will be a dessert night, meant to share my story, as well as a few others. I want to let every person out there who's interested in on what God has in store and what this new series will bring. Keep your eye out for a date for the fundraiser, and a few other things we have planned. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces soon!
Britt
P.S If you made it through this entire entry, props to you! It was WAY too long my friends:D Thanks for baring with me....
