This morning as I brushed my teeth, the phrase, "When God moves, do you?" popped into my head.

Excellent question!

Last week an influencer contacted me about working on a collaborative project. Yikes! I've never done what they want me to do. Out of fear, the unknown, lack of ability, it would have been easy for me to say, "Thanks for thinking I could tackle this project, but no thanks."

But in our conversation, I felt God moving. So I tentatively committed but then spent the weekend in prayer, consulting with trusted advisors, and researching. 

As I read through a book on the topic, fear turned to excitement. And then the writer said, "It's a gift."

Tears welled up in my eyes; God gave me the answer I needed to move forward through that one-word gift. 

Gift is my word. I love it. It's a word I live by every day. I'm a daily gift giver!

Don't get me wrong; I still have doubts. And to date, this will be the biggest project I've embarked upon, but as my husband so eloquently stated, "Stephanie, this is one of those moments you don't want to look back on and wonder what would have happened if you would have taken on this project. Have no regrets."

I knew I married that guy for a reason! He's a man of few words, but when he speaks, I better listen, as it's going to be good. 

So today, friend, if you see God moving in your life, but what he has laid at your feet seems too big and too scary, go to Him in prayer and take the first step of faith. What I've discovered over and over again is that when God moves, and then I move, a whole new world I never could have dreamed for myself opens up. But He requires our obedience and trust. As the old hymnal by John H. Sammis goes, "Trust and obey, for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"

Happy May! I typically don’t share many insights into my life as a police wife, but something happened this weekend and I shared what it’s like to live the police wife life. At the end of the day, I’m always so grateful for our first responders. May is the month we celebrate National Police Week and Peace Officer’s Memorial Day. Please time time this month to thank the police officers in your community.

Last night we went to a retirement party for a state trooper.

As his wife spoke, I couldn't imagine the emotions she felt.

He made it.

He survived.

We have four more years until my husband hits 25 years and can retire. I never want to waste time away, but I'm tired of this police life.

I'm tired of the media.

The Monday morning quarterbacks.

The liars and haters.

I'm scared everyday that my husband, who has had an impeccable career, might need to make a split second decision, do everything right, and still lose everything we've worked for and built.

This year I've asked him on more than one occasion to retire early.

To lose part of his pension and other benefits because the risk is too great.

And yet he is unwavering to the oath and commitment he made.

And last night was no different.

As we drove home from the party, at 9:00pm, after a full day of working in his woodshop, on this day "off", he answered his dang work phone.

I hear him utter the phrases I've heard tens of times over the years, "I need to drop off Stephanie, change, and then I'll be enroute."

And that's exactly what he did.

We don't own our schedule.

We don't have the luxury of coming home from a long day and chilling.

He always answers the call.

I use to wait up and worry. I stay up as long as I can, say a prayer, and give him to God.

He rolled into bed at 3:30am. I knew what he dealt with couldn't be good as he had a fitful night sleep. No one will ever know what our officers see when they close their eyes.

Horrific scenes beyond comprehension.

I don't share much about our police life because I choose to focus on giving, gratitude, goals, and my faith.

But every once in a while I think it's good for wives to share our life to counter all the lies and negativity from the media and those who know nothing about law enforcement and the lives we live.

Today, like every day, I'm grateful for the men and women of law enforcement.

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"

Happy Spring! Oh, what a wonderful time of the year. The dead, bare branches, are popping with sprouts of color. In a few short weeks, we will not recognize our surroundings. 

At the beginning of each season, I like to look ahead over the next three months and ask what can I only do during this season of the year? Or what fun activities do I want to do over the next three months? We always need to make sure we balance the busyness of everyday life with activities that fill up our cup and give us energy. 

These questions ensure we are not just going through the motions. They can help us take advantage of our time, stay focused, and maybe embark on a few new adventures. 

I challenge you to look at the next three months and ask yourself:

1. What do I want to do?
2. What do I want to see and experience?
3. Where do I want to go?
4. Who do I want to spend time with and soak in the beauty spring has to offer?

For me, I want to go hiking at four state parks, have a mini-book club with a friend, watch some of my favorite athletes play baseball, start bike riding on trails, run a few of 5ks, attend a fundraiser for a police memorial, and celebrate a couple of birthdays.

What is on your list?

Blessings,
Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

The more women I talk to about their goals, the more I realize we all struggle with the same challenges. 

Mindset. 

Change. 

Distractions.

Time.

Confidence.

And the list goes on.

I have created a no filter video series live from the trail, where I share tips, tricks, how-tos, and insight into how you can finally do what you have always wanted to do.

Friends, this is no makeup. No soft white lights. Just me, my iPhone, and sharing what God lays on my heart, as I am huffing and puffing on my trails. 

I believe God laid a calling on each of our hearts, but often we feel alone and do not think others are struggling like we are.

That's a lie.

I know it looks like I am accomplishing a lot of goals. I am, but every single one only happens because I keep fighting my way through the constant mental battle and obstacles that come my way. 

I keep moving and tackling my struggles because I know God has given me this grand life for a purpose. 

I also do this for YOU! 

I want nothing more than to help you get organized, lose weight so you can play with your children/grandchildren, pay off debt, write your story and share it through a blog or a book, start a nonprofit to impact your community, take a class, grow a garden, or learn to love yourself a little more. 

That's my WHY, friends.

That is why one day, I hit record and decided to start this series. I want to empower you to take a little time for yourself so that you have no regrets when you get to the end of your life. No saying, "I wish I would have done...(fill in the blank)."

So lace up your hiking boots, grab your walking stick, and hit the trails with me. Hiking isn't easy. There are thorns, holes, stumps, fallen trees, but there is so much beauty around every curve. So much joy. Come on this journey with me, and let us accomplish our goals together and get to giving your best life!

Check out the first four videos, with new videos dropping weekly!

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

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

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"

Hello from the Bolt Farm Treehouse in South Carolina. I've been here over a week and I have lots of lessons to share, but those stories are for another day, as I'm still living and processing the experience.

Yesterday on Facebook, my husband posed the question, "What's your dream job?". Immediately friends engaged in conversation. 

Some joked with their responses, such as, lottery winner. Many were serious, with over a hundred people commenting on their "dream job."

As I scrolled through the list, I realized that only a few mentioned they were doing what they wanted to do. 

Why is that?

It's a question I'd love to know the answer to. Some of their dream jobs seemed very realistic. They were not impossible. Others, okay, may have been a stretch, but you never know until you take the steps to turn a dream into an actional goal.

For me, it's to be a full-time author. I'm working on that dream. Everyday, I take actions that put me one step closer to accomplishing that goal. With that said, that dream has evolved over time, and it's taken me years to get to where I am today, and maybe years to get there. But the way I look at, the days will continue to go by. I should be doing something I love. Something I feel God has called me to do.  

So, what's your dream job? Are you doing it? If so, AMAZING!!! If not, why not? Is there one step that you could take that could get you closer to that job? If so, what are you waiting for?

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

I'm grateful for the opportunity to vote early, as I'm heading out on an adventure on the 3rd.
With an hour to wait, I took the opportunity to get to know the lady in front of me.
I gotta be honest, she struck up a conversation with me. I welcomed the distraction, as I was not dressed to stand outside in the cold.
We didn't talk politics, even though we were there to vote.
I have no idea if she was a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or writing in a vote for Kanye West.
We found common ground in chatting why were voting early.
That discussion led to me sharing about my life as an author and a speaker.
We moved onto chatting about travel, where we discovered we both want to visit Italy.
We ended on the topic of running. In her late 60s she's still an avid runner. And even though she doesn't feel safe to hit the roads at 4:30am, she still hops on her treadmill.
In the hour we stood out in the cold, my shivers subsided, and my heart warmed with a new friendship, even just for the hour.
If we shut off the news and stop scrolling through social media, we'll discover we have way more in common than we think.
Who will you meet at the polls?

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"

As we move into the final week before the election, I want to challenge myself, and my community, to step up our giving, but not monetarily.  

As we engage with our family, friends, and strangers, before responding, whether in person, on social media, or via text, let us respond in one or more of the following ways:

1. Giving others the benefit of the doubt
2. Speaking a kind word
3. Showing grace
4. Providing a listening ear
5. Wrapping them in love
6. Focusing on understanding instead of debating or responding
7. Practicing gratitude
8. Lifting others up in prayer

Check out my Facebook and Instagram to share the giving challenge with your friends. Let's start a wave of goodness!

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”