September 2016 - Stephanie L. Jones

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September 2016

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Dreaming Big September 22, 2016

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by Stephanie Jones

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MY MISSION
is to encourage you to live a bold life, establish and accomplish big dreams and challenge you to bless others in everything you do.

© 2021 Stephanie L. Jones, Giving Gal

Two years ago, I keynoted a women's giving circle

Two years ago, I keynoted a women's giving circle event. All the women in the room had one mission, to give back to nonprofits in their community. I miss speaking. As I type this, I should be keynoting a women's retreat, but it got canceled due to weather. I could look at… * what I do not have right now. * the money I am losing in my business. * the opportunity to meet and connect with others in person. (FYI, Referrals are the number one way I book speaking gigs.) * the drop in books sales, as I sell lots of books at events. Yet I am making the choice to look at the opportunities to work on because I have the "extra" time. There are several fun projects in the works that only came about because I was not speaking. If you are doubting where you are in life, or life does not look like what you've had planned, don't worry, God knows exactly what He is doing. His timing is always perfect. I am reminded of His timing by reading Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." With gratitude,
Stephanie

We met in the police academy in January 2000. We w

We met in the police academy in January 2000. We would go our separate ways and reconnect in 2002. December 27, 2002 we went on our first date. Less than two months later, on February 21, 2003, we got engaged. We hopped in the car and showed up at my parents house surprising them with the news. They had only met Mike one other time. Shocked is an understatement of how they felt. Here we are 18 years later, still in love, supporting each other in the pursuit of our big dreams, and thankfully still married. Many thought we were crazy for getting engaged so soon but why wait?! When you know you know.

As the days begins, I spend the first hour soaking

As the days begins, I spend the first hour soaking up the word of God. Today, Proverbs 3:27-28 catch my attention. “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”” How often do we pass by someone in need? Do we make a quick judgment call they are not deserving of our help? What about being to busy to check on a neighbor or provide a warm meal? This morning our neighbor called and asked my husband to find someone to plow his driveway. We don’t have the equipment to do so or my husband would, as he has become our neighbor’s personal handyman. I was so annoyed at how demanding this neighbor has become. And yet as I popped on social media, my husband had already made a post asking for a recommendation. This giving gal wasn’t so giving this morning. Wasn’t living out Proverbs 3:28. Convicted, I logged into a referral group and found five local snow removal services and texted them to my husband. Tomorrow begins the Lent 40-day giving challenge. If you want to be stretched in your giving, and I’m not talking about money, just being intentionally in acts of service, join the challenge. The link is in the bio! Let’s stop withholding good and give it away freely. Blessings,
Stephanie

After giving a gift almost every day for a decade,

After giving a gift almost every day for a decade, one thing I know to be true, is that one person can make a difference. I have this crazy dream that if we all focused on that goal, finding a way to give to one person each day, we would change the world. Don’t know where to start? Join me on the 40-day giving challenge during the Lent season. It’s free and simple. Just sign up and you will receive a welcome packet and daily emails with a story and a challenge. Will you join me on changing the world, one gift at a time?

I love my hubby and a close second is books...lol!

I love my hubby and a close second is books...lol! Happy Library Lovers Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day! How will you say I love

Happy Valentine’s Day! How will you say I love you today?

A friend gets diagnosed with cancer and in an act

A friend gets diagnosed with cancer and in an act of love, support, and a bit of craziness, my mom and I signed up to walk 60 miles. Every step we wanted to show we were in the fight right beside her. As I thought about walking 60 miles I knew the only way I would be able to do it is if I did it for others instead of myself. I printed out 60 labels with the names of friends, family, and friends of friends, that I would walk in honor or memory of. Each mile I swapped out a name and dedicated the mile to the person I’d stuck on my chest. I tried to remember to snap a picture and then share with them or their family member. A simple gift that made a big impact. Today, is world cancer day. May we never forget those who have lost their life to this terrible disease. And may we never stop supporting those who are fighting the battle. We can pray for them. Remember their treatment days and send them a text of encouragement. Make meals for their family. Mail a gift to brighten their day. Make a payment on a medical or other bill. Watch their child. Or drive them to their treatment. No matter the way, show up and support your friends who are fighting this battle.

It’s the love month! Well honestly every month

It’s the love month! Well honestly every month and every day we should lead and pursue others in love. We train our bodies for physical events, we train our minds to get us through difficult times, but how much time do we invest training our hearts to love? Get in the habit of doing everything in love so that anything outside of love doesn’t feel right. That’s the way Jesus lived. Every action he took, up to his last breath, was done in love for you and me. Let’s us do everything, each and every day, in love.

Here in northern Indiana, inches, and inches of sn

Here in northern Indiana, inches, and inches of snow fell from the sky and blanketed the ground. My husband hopped on the 4-wheeler with a plow and began moving the snow around to clear off our driveway. I grabbed a shovel and worked on the sidewalks. My job took less time, but my hubby seemed to be having way more fun as he sped up and down the driveway with a big smile on his face. After I finished shoveling the sidewalks, I slipped my boots into my snowshoes, grabbed my hiking poles, and hit the trails. Some areas had been untouched by nature, and other spots looked like a racetrack where deer, squirrels, and rabbits sped along the cleared paths. As I worked my way through the woods that lined our driveway, I noticed my husband standing in the middle with a garden shovel, not a snow shovel. What in the world was he doing? I glided off the trail and clickity clacked up the driveway. The closer I got to my husband, a big heart revealed itself in the driveway. Oh, I loved it! What a thoughtful gift. I wrapped my husband in a big bear hug, thanking him for such a sweet gesture. When we got into the house, I looked out the living room window and commented how I loved looking out the window seeing the heart. He responded, "I made it so you could look out your office window and see it while you are working." Wow! He had put some thought into the heart. My office is on the second story and overlooks a portion of the driveway. As we head into the month of love, find simple ways to say I love you. Maybe it is a heart in the driveway, cooking someone's family meal, drawing hearts on your sidewalk, sending out Valentine's day cards, or better yet, carrying a few around to hand out to strangers. No matter what gifts you give this month, put a little heart and soul into them. How will you show and share the love this month? Love, Stephanie

Friends, this is Temwani Chilenga. She is from Mal

Friends, this is Temwani Chilenga. She is from Malawi, Africa and a dear friend of mine. Will you keep Temwani and her community in your prayers? They are often stricken with tragedy beyond our comprehension. This precious child passed away along with another child. One from malaria, and the other by having a wall fall on them. The loss of a child is not rare in their community. In the coming months, I’ll be sharing more about how we can help Temwani. Thanks for your prayers.

Are you writing a book or working on a goal? Toda

Are you writing a book or working on a goal? Today, I chat on my podcast about the five lessons I learned writing my first book. Maybe my lessons will save you time and a little heartache. Enjoy!

Happy 4th Birthday to The Giving Challenge. I nev

Happy 4th Birthday to The Giving Challenge. I never dreamed I would be an author but God had other plans for my life. As a thank you to all my supporters, everything on my site is 25 percent off. Enjoy!

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