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.

© 2020 Stephanie L. Jones, Giving Gal

The best part of being an author is connecting wit

The best part of being an author is connecting with incredible people. Jamie, the owner of, Turn the Page, has been one of my biggest supporters, not just with my books, but she’s invited me to speaker at her church’s Women’s event. Please go like her page, order from her online store, or if you are local, pop in and support her store. It’s my favorite bookstore and I always feel welcome! Thanks Jamie for your friendship and support. I’m proud of you sister!

“When you have an opportunity to make a memory,

“When you have an opportunity to make a memory, take it.” @jesseitzler My hubby is at the police academy and I hate staying home by myself. My dear college friend agreed to come spend the week with me. I found out today the winery down the road does picnics. You order your food, they give you wine, a blanket and a bag and you can set up anywhere on the property. I have so much work from my day job. I have book drafts due. I’m doing a fundraiser radiothon all day tomorrow that I need to prep for. But it’s rare there are blue skies, sunshine, cool temps and no humidity. A perfect night. We had a fabulous conversation and enjoyed stepping away from work to hangout and relax. The work will always be there. Our friends and family won’t. Take time to give yourself, like you give to others.

This past week I celebrated 12 years at Cisco (the

This past week I celebrated 12 years at Cisco (the big tech company, not food). I took time to reflect on how I got there, and at the end of the day, one pivotal decision, led me down the path of where I am today. At the time, when the opportunity opened, each day I found myself velcroing a bulletproof vest around my chest and holstering a gun on my side. My days as a police officer seem so far away, almost like they never happened. I wasn't seeking a new job or career. I'd spent seven years chasing down the dream of being a police officer. But sometimes God opens a door at unexpected times. I remember making a pros and cons list. So many fears swirled in my head about leaving the comforts of law enforcement to go work in an industry where I had zero experience. Doubts and fear crept in and just as I was on the verge of closing the door, I had a heart to heart conversation with my shift partner. Long story short, I realized the fear and doubt I felt, had nothing to do with the new job. I was overwhelmed with the thought of letting down my current employer. What would people think of me? How disappointed would they be that they invested a lot of time and money into my training and I chose to walk away. This revelation was powerful. At the end of the day, I needed to follow the path I thought God was leading me down and do what was best, in the long run, for my family. I took a step of faith, and after thirteen interviews, I landed a new job. Was it the right decision, only time would tell, but after twelve years, I can now look back and say with 100% certainty, God had a plan. But it required me moving forward into an uncharted territory. I wonder where my life would be if I hadn't taken that step of faith? Only God knows. Is there an opportunity that you are facing, but the step of faith seems scary? Is there a door that has opened, but you are hesitant to walk through? Here's my suggestion, don't focus on the what-ifs and the twelve steps ahead. Focus on getting through the first door and keep moving through the doors as long as they stay open. Pray, and seek God's will for your life and he'll lead you down unexpected paths.

Usually, I’m sharing a book with you that I love

Usually, I’m sharing a book with you that I love, but have no relationship with the author. This week, I’m sharing the new release of JoyKeeper, by my friend Suzie Eller. Suzie had a year of unthinkable heartbreak, more than one family should bear, and through it, all, even on her knees weeping, she found a way to discover joy. If life is throwing more at you than you can handle, JoyKeeper might be the book that helps you through this difficult time you are experiencing.

What a fun day of giving! I FINALLY got to go to

What a fun day of giving! I FINALLY got to go to the community foundation for a meeting. Just seeing the staff made my day. And then bonus! I forgot I had bid and won several silent auction items to support @gotrofnwi. I always talk about giving and expect nothing in return, but silent auctions are a win/win! And who could turn down a basket of my favorite peanut butter and chocolate! And then school supplies! I love school supplies! And even though I don’t have children, there are lots of needs in my community and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to give school supplies. I spent time at Staples and I felt like a child picking out sparkly pencils and colorful notebooks. With a little time left I swung by First Fruit Gives to drop off the supplies. What an amazing grassroots nonprofit. Thanks @cisco for Time2Give. Here’s to Living the Giving Challenge

Monday I celebrated my 43rd birthday. There were

Monday I celebrated my 43rd birthday. There were no big parties or piles of gifts. Thanks @cisco for giving me my birthday off. I spent the day filling up my cup. And I couldn’t have a perfect day without a cupcake and a book. Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott was an interesting read. Not my favorite book by Lamott but I appreciated how she gave light to the daily struggles of life, many deal with, such as mental health, divorce, caring for an aging parent, purpose, tragedy, and love. Two questions for you. How do you celebrate your birthday and do you quit books that you don’t enjoy? Inquiring minds want to know.

We’ve done life together since kindergarten. He

We’ve done life together since kindergarten. He took me to my first concert, @mwsmithofficial and I think we’ve been to a 100 others since, most recently @lionelrichie. Which was incredible! Through life’s ups and downs,no matter where we are, he is always a text or a phone call away. He’s struggled with addiction, but I’m in so proud that he gets up fighting every day. He shares his story to help and inspire others. Today I’m grateful for one of the best friends a gal could have. Happy Birthday Eric! May the Lord flow blessings and opportunities your way in the year to come. Who are you grateful for today?

Need a break from non-fiction, self-help books? Ne

Need a break from non-fiction, self-help books? Need a book with short chapters, is easy to read, and is fast paced? Look no further. I love James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series. Reading the book series has become quite the tradition in my family. I buy the book, read it, and then pass it along to my mom. When she is done reading the book, she passes it to my sister, and she keeps it moving along from there. Do you have any book traditions?

An emotional, and hopefully inspiring interview wi

An emotional, and hopefully inspiring interview with @writergirl0801 ・・・
🏔Tomorrow is Monday, so it’s time to climb! 🏔I’m so excited for this interview because I think the message my guest has to share will be such a comfort to this confusing and hurting world we’re living in today. It’s my honor and privilege to have my sweet friend and author of The Giving Challenge, @giving_gal on this episode of Mountain Climbers. 🏔Many years ago, God showed Stephanie that our culture needed a shift back to a spirit of giving and selflessness. So she began a journey of giving to others with the goal to show them that they mattered. Once she started she never stopped and finding ways to give to others every day is now a way of life for her. 🏔So be on the look out tomorrow for this inspiring and uplifting story and may you be challenged and determined to change the world by giving! #mountain #mountains #mountainclimbing #letsgoclimbing #themountainsarecalling #movemountains #mountainmover #giving #givingback #give #spiritofgiving #selfless #selflessness #godslove #serve #servant

Oh friends, Just Mercy, broke my heart. The author

Oh friends, Just Mercy, broke my heart. The author, Bryan Stevenson, is an attorney helping to save those on death row that were wrongly convicted. The stories of the African Americans that were convicted for crimes they didn’t commit and how they were treated by the justice system are unthinkable. The book is an eye-opening look into the racism we still have in America.
Bryan and his team at the @eji_org fight for ending mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality.
Check out Just Mercy and the EJI. We’ve come a long way in this country, but have a ways to go.
Bryan’s story and passion for justice, is inspiring because he didn’t sit on the sidelines talking about what needs to be done to make change, he took action and committed his life to making a difference, one person at a time.

Overcome with emotion, I scroll through remembranc

Overcome with emotion, I scroll through remembrances left for Private First Class, Daniel Dean Bruce, a Marine, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam on March 1, 1969. I first heard his story, this past week on the Charlie Adams radio show. PFC Bruce grew up just miles from my current home. According to Wikipedia, PFC Bruce, within less than a year of joining the Marines, on night watch at the Firebase Tomahawk in Vietnam, the enemy threw a grenade. He caught the grenade, secured it near his body, and took off running. The grenade exploded, killing him instantly, but saving the life of three Marines. The next day, after risking everything for his brothers, his wife gave birth to a baby girl. I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to comprehend making such a selfless decision, knowing there is a life ahead you’ll never experience and child you’ll never get to see or know. For his bravery, he received the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. May we take this day to remember Marines, like PFC Bruce, and all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. With gratitude,
Stephanie Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13

What I’m Reading…Whisper by Mark Batterson Th

What I’m Reading…Whisper by Mark Batterson The title, cover, and author drew me into buying this book months ago. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have to put a book on shelf and comeback to read it when I feel it’s the right time. I finally pulled it off the shelf and am slowly making my way through the book. At times, I can only read a section. I need to soak in the words and often find myself journaling my thoughts of the effects his words had on me.
For me, this isn’t a book you pick up and read straight through in a couple of days. For the words sink it, you have to allow them the space to do so.
If you’ve struggled with hearing the voice of God, Whisper might be what you need to read.

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