reflections in preparation for my coaching...

I wrote down notes.

I made a list of questions.

I made a list of things I struggle with.

I contemplated items to use as examples.

I started getting jitters.  Jitters in anticipation of the time.  Jitters wondering if I will remember everything I want to cover.  Jitters in wondering if I have spent enough time in preparation.  Jitters knowing I have life changing moments ahead of me!

I texted my prayer warriors...all 21 of them.  

I posted it on Facebook.  

I headed to the Wxyz Bar to get a class of red wine.  Between the two, prayers and wine, I know the jitters will diminish!!!  

I am ready...God is with me...he has a plan...here we go!!!

Heather's Story

I met Heather at the EntreLeadership Master Series I attended in Cancun Mexico November 2009.  Heather was one of Dave Ramsey's 10 Team Members that he brought there with him.  She was not one of the ones that I had a meal with or had any coaching sessions with, but we did chat some. 

When I returned, we connected on Facebook.  As usual with all my Facebook friends, I use it to interact and get to know them.  I like posts and I comment.  Some people are easier to do this with than others, because some post stuff for you to like and comment on!  

Heather and I haven't gotten to know each other real well, until the last year.  It started after a post about receiving my Dad's letter of apology November 2012.  She reached out again in June after one of my posts regarding counseling, after being a bit worried about me.  From there, the interaction has continued and she has opened up and shared more of her life with me...she has faced some horrific experiences also and can relate to what I am going through.  She has sent me a few private messages on  Facebook simply to encourage me in my journey and let me know that I can do this...and she has done just that.  She has been a HUGE encouragement!!! 

Heather and I met today over the lunch hour at Starbucks.  She only had a 45 minute lunch break, so it wasn't a real long time together, and of course it flew by!!!  We spent like 3 minutes [okay, that might be an exaggeration but it was very little of the time we had together] talking frivolous stuff, discussing her leaving The Lampo Group earlier this year, and then she launched in and started sharing with me more of her story.  I am not sure why I left my notebook in my car, I could have used it to write down the nuggets she poured out at me.  

She shared with me that she has been working through her story for the last 5 years.  She shared how God used certain people in her life and how things fell into line with the same Beth Moore Bible Study, Breaking Free, that I did last September 2012 - December 2012 with a group of ladies.  She shared how she had been given the book 4 years previously, but had never read it.  We both exclaimed how God's timing is always perfect and he knows what we need at the time we need it.  He is amazing!!!  She stated that she would not trade the years of pain for the 5 minutes of freedom.  She also shared how everyone told her that her issues were with God, and if she would just get that right, all the other stuff would go away or fall into place.  But in reality, God knew that she had to work through her circumstances first for her to learn the truth about him.

I have done my best to recap the nuggets she gave me from memory, but still feel like I am missing one or two.  I have a great memory, but even then, trying to remember all these things sometimes can be really tough.  Your mind starts wandering to absorb what you are hearing, to match it up to your own circumstances, to reflect and ponder on the nuggets you are hearing.

• God will Break You Down and Tear You Apart but he will always Redeem and Restore you.  [For her, she states the first part happens one year and the second part happens the next year, consistently has.]
• The hardest concept to grasp in stories like ours is that our stories matter.  We must believe that they do, even if we only believe it matters to God!
• Go back to your earliest memory of that feeling and work forward.  Even if you can't remember the details or all of it, work with the feelings it brings.  [If she only knew how much I wish I couldn't remember or how much I do remember!]
• People that can't accept your story in all likelihood somehow it has touched their life too personally and they aren't willing to face it.  Find people who will share their story with you, people who will be open and honest, people who want to hear your story.
• The more you share your story, the more empowered you become.
• You will always have to work at matching the lies in your head with truth.  It get's easier, but takes focused determination to learn truth.
• Many people will not be able to relate to your utter dependence on God, just to be able to breath, literally.  [This made me tear up and break down right in front of her...she was so sweet and gave me a tissue...she needed to go, but didn't feel she could leave me like that...our time was limited, but it was rich!!! My God wanted me to hear what she had to say, our time was all part of my courageous journey and working through telling my story!]

It is amazing to me, that though Heather knows very little details of my story, how much she relates...

Thank You Heather for your part in my journey...you have blessed me!

Day 2 in Franklin

Better luck at sleeping in...love hotels with room darkening shades to perfect the sleeping experience!  

Went to the left today for my walk and boy did I get some leg workout!!!  I did a full hour walk and jog over several inclines.  If it would only benefit the rear end would I be happy, instead of only affecting my calves.  Hahahahahahah!  I know I have made great strides at this the past few years, but only by my extreme dedicated effort to my daily walking routine.

Used my $5 voucher from a second day in opting into the "green choice hanger".  Got a 20oz cold bottle of refreshing water and black cherry greek yogurt [not a fan of black cherry flavors, but it was my only option in this style of yogurt].

I participate in a EntreLeadership Facebook Group, along with other attendees that have done the EntreLeadership Master Series.  Leigh [I will leave off her last name for privacy sake] is the EntreLeadership Liaison and posts frequently to the page giving us updates, asking questions, and interacting.  She posted a link last week for an event that was held this last Friday online for an EntreLeadership Reunion of Q&A's for Master Series Alumni only.  I wanted to participate, but was booked all day with clients and since the notice was not far enough in advance for me to block the time and plan, I was only able to "like" the post.  I engage in the forum as often as I can.  Leigh sent me a private message hoping that I would be able to join them.  I responded after arriving in TN, letting her know that I hoped they had another one soon and that it would be in advance enough for me to plan and participate.  I went on to let her know that I was in town and that I was going to be coming over to take the tour of Financial Peace Plaza.  She responded enthusiastically that if I would let her know when I was coming, she would give me a personal tour.  Awwwhhhhh, what a sweetheart!  

me and Leigh 

me standing against the wall where people write their debt free statements, after screaming "I'm Debt Free" live on the Dave Ramsey Show...pretty impressive!

[BTW:  I became debt free, other than my house, July 2009
would love to scream do to this when I am 100% debt free, hopefully in 3.5 more years]

Financial Peace Plaza signage in the lobby

I then had lunch with Heather.  

Heather was one of the Dave Ramsey Team that I met when I attended EntreLeadership Master Series in Cancun Mexico November 2009.  We connected on Facebook and have stayed in touch some, though I have largely gotten to know her personally much more the last year or so.  When I had made plans to come to Franklin, I reached out asking if we could do dinner, she responded that she was pretty booked and might be able to do lunch.  I let her know if she didn't have the time, that I understood, but wanted to see her if possible.  We made plans to meet at Starbucks today and have 45 minutes together (she doesn't get a full hour for lunch).  The time with her was absolutely amazing and another God Moment in my courageous journey.  I will have to share the details in a post all of its own or this one will be a nightmare and you will never finish reading it.  :)  I regret that I did not get a picture of the two of us together to share with you...but hopefully I will have a second chance of that later in my trip.

From there, I decided I needed some more sushi, I didn't get my fix yesterday.  The place I went to was called Basil Asian Bistro and their presentation was amazing!!!

a lobster roll with spicy mayo sauce...and yes, that is a hollowed out lobster tail!

delicious squid salad

just check out the details of the straw wrapper!!!

I spent the afternoon swimming for about 30 minutes and then laying in my favorite spot below listening to the music and chilling out.  I took a notebook with me to work on some thoughts in preparation for my coaching sessions that start tomorrow...and to read more of my book, but I did very little of that.  I felt the need to spend the majority of the time saying:  No, I am not gonna do anything, I am going to just relax...something I really don't know how to do very well, but am desperately trying to learn, so I must practice!  

relaxation at its finest!

The rest of my evening will be spent in prayer, blogging, and being refreshed for my time the next two days with Chris LoCurto.

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