There's a looong list of women I admire, and I want to start highlighting them because I hope to be like them someday.

My first Honoree is the author of the blog, Biblical Homemaking: Mandy Ballard.

Check out her blog here: http://biblicalhomemaking.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html

My hope and sincerest desire is that I will have a heart that is totally consumed with Jesus. I want Him to be a part of every breath, a part of every triumph and every failure. I want to be one with His Holy Spirit.

I want to delight in his mercies, and share in His sufferings. I don't want to complain when times are tough, but I want to rejoice because I know I have a true provider who will take care of it all. I want to truly believe everything that I read in His word. I want any shadow of doubt to be eliminated. There is freedom in Jesus Christ and power in His name. I will not be ashamed of Him, but raise my hands high to the one and only King who saves us with His redemptive power.

I want to love God's people with a relentless passion - learning to be selfless in the process. I want to rid myself of comparison, jealously, anxiety, and fear.  I want to be wholly consumed with Christ and moving according to His will. I want to be at the center of His will, working according to His purpose.

"Since I Have My Life Before Me"

By Brooke Bronkowski

I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles. 


You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I'll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In fact that's all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I'll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I'll set an example for others, I will pray for direction. 


I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will give me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!

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This poem was written by a twelve year old girl with a relentless passion for pursuing God. She was killed in a car accident two years later. I can only hope to embrace my faith as she did.

8.24.11 - I'm thankful for my church family, my biological family, and all the people God has put in my life. I'm thankful for Beth Moore and her ministry. God speaks through her in incredible ways. I'm thankful for all the things in my life that have not happened yet, but I know they are in God's plans for my life. I'm thankful that God protects me on my daily commute, to and from work (Seattle drivers, can't be trusted!).

My friend, Carly, once told me that she keeps a daily log of the things she is thankful for each day. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle of life that you forget how incredibly fortunate you are. I am blessed. May I never forget that.....

08.16.11 - I am thankful for the beautiful day, a peaceful night's rest, my pretty salmon-colored dress, my job, and the opportunity to get it right the next time.

In Memory of Rachel Beckwith

"Live your life to the fullest" may be one of the most overused, yet least actionable statements people say. What does it really mean? How can you really live each day as if it were your last?

I think I can include myself as one among thousands of people who consider themselves blessed to have learned how to do this from an inspiring 9-year old girl, Rachel. Last week, a girl from my church, Rachel Beckwith, died from injuries sustained in a car accident. After attending her memorial/celebration service last night, I have to say that I am inspired by her relentless pursuit to express God's love in her everyday life. After hearing about the joy this child shared with friends and family, it touches my heart to see that this young girl was able to leave an indelible mark in the lives of those around her.

This was demonstrated through her Charity:Water campaign.  At just 8-years old, she decided to give up her 9th birthday in favor of raising funds for children and families without access to clean drinking water. She fell short of her $300 goal by $80. However, after news of her passing spread throughout the world via CNN (click here to see coverage), she is blowing that goal out of the water with every hour that passes. (As of right now, she is well above the $140k mark, and I'm excited to see where it will be by morning.)

Not only is it impressive that this young girl eagerly committed this selfless act, but it leaves me in awe that this girl was able to understand the enormity of selfless giving and compassion even before she'd lived a full decade. God bless this precious little girl and all those she has helped.

http://www.mycharitywater.org/p/campaign?campaign_id=16396