Q&A With Lindsee

Hey loves!

First off, I feel like I should say Happy New Year since it is indeed, the new year and this is the first time I'm writing you. I'd love to say that at some point I'll get this blogging thing down, but I don't want to make any promises I can't keep. So I'm just going to say, I'll blog when I blog and yada, yada, yada. How's that?

We've already had our Winter Retreat which is nuts! So much of me is glad it's behind us, because of all the work that goes into it, but the other part of me is so sad it's over because I love me a good retreat weekend! And Love Conspiracy did not disappoint.

Anyway, I won't terry to long because I want to get straight to the point here. At the Girls Retreat each year we've had a neat Q&A time. This is honestly one of my favorite times with y'all because it gives you the chance, anonymously if you don't feel comfortable asking it up front, to ask any question you want and hopefully in return, receive some Godly wisdom. However, each year, we have far from scratched the surface to get them done, so I thought it would be fun to have a Q&A time each week on the blog. Not only will it be fun, but it will also keep me accountable to actually get on here and say hello. Some weeks they may be some of the serious questions you asked (sweet mercy y'all can ask some serious questions, which is great!) and some weeks it may be the silly, more fun questions. I guess it will depend on my mood! ;)

So, why linger on? Without further ado, today I'll answer one serious and one fun question!

What is your favorite place to shop?
I am so glad you asked! Seriously, I love, love, love to shop. I'd like to say it's one of my hobbies, however, if it was an everyday thing, I'd be considerably broke. What I do like to do is shop sales! I never, I repeat never, buy anything at full price. I'm a bargain shopper at best! With that said, some of my favorite stores to shop at are TJ Maxx, Ross, Target, Old Navy, Gap and Forever 21. I clearly have long legs, so buying jeans for me is no small task, nor cheap because of my insanely long inseam, however the store Buckle always seems to do the trick and a website called Alloy.com also provides me with long pants and jeans at a very discounted price. I love it!

Where do you like to shop?

If your friends are going through hard times, how do you help them?
Inevitably, girls, you will always go through life where either you are going through a hard time, or a friend is, so this question is perfect. Just the fact that you want to know encourages me! Your friends need you during hard times, whether or not you think they need you or if they even let on that you're needed.

The number one thing you can do is first off listen to them. Sometimes it's better not to say anything and just listen to how they're doing, or what's going on. We get so anxious sometimes because we don't feel equipped to help our friends, but the Lord gave us two ears and one mouth. Truly listening and validating their feelings is your first duty.

Another encouraging thing to do is to send them a letter (I personally am a fan of snail mail!) or an email to let them know you're praying and thinking about them. It's easy to get caught up in life and forget about certain situations, but when the Lord brings them to mind, stop and take a moment to pray for them, or send them a message on facebook. What you may think may be mundane, may mean the world to your friend.

I think this one goes without saying, but pray for them. You don't have to pray some outlandish prayer, but just ask the Lord to give them peace in their situation and wisdom and that they would become more like Him in whatever they're going through.

And lastly, ask them what you can do for them. They may not have an answer for you, but just you asking let's them know that you care and are there for them when they need you!

Well sweet girls, I hope you enjoyed the first rendition of Q&A with Lindsee. Just know that I have plenty more to answer. This is going to be fun!

Love to you today,
Lindsee

Behind the Scenes Favorites

Wow, girls! I don't even know how to start this post. To say that you girls bless me immensely is quite the understatement. You have surely stolen my heart and have made it so full! Do you know how much I love each of you and love to serve you? Oh, I do. And I hope you hear that with such a genuine and authentic attitude.

I had such a blast this weekend at the retreat! Did you not just love everything about it? Chandra Peele? Jourdan Burks? They did such a good job this weekend, didn't they! They have such a heart for teenage girls as well so it was so much fun serving with them.

And need I even mention the beauty pageant? Oh girls. Y'all are one creative bunch and certainly made me laugh my ever livin' head off. I cannot wait to see the pictures Michaela took, because I know they will be good.

I so want to hear your favorite part of the weekend. So, please feel free to comment and let me know what you loved about this weekend. It can be fun, serious, silly or whatever. I just want to hear from you!

However, before I let you go, I'll share with you my favorite moment. This is hard because I truly loved the whole retreat. I just did. But, I think my favorite was the very end when Chandra shared the gospel and when 4 girls responded to the gospel by accepting Jesus Christ for the very first time. Sweet mercy! Do you know that that is the most important decision you'll ever make in your entire life? It was the sweetest, and I mean sweetest thing to watch. It was also encouraging and chilling to see so many of you be so bold to make other commitments to Christ this weekend. Clearly, it brought many tears to my eyes. I could have bawled if I'd of let myself. Girls, He wants and deserves your heart. He is so worthy! And you can certainly trust Him with your heart and your sweet life. He knows what He's doing.

I hope and pray that this weekend you had a paradigm shift in your mind in heart in what it means to live for Christ. To live an authentic and real life before Him and others. There is no need to hide Behind the Scenes. If you're living like that, you're not living life to the full like He's called us to live. If any of you sweet things ever need anything, or just an ear to talk to, please know that I am always here! I love you girls dearly and look forward to what He does in each of your lives. It is a pleasure to sit back and watch it all take place. He's up to something, girls!

I love you! And so does our Jesus!

Now, spill the beans! Tell me your favorite memory! I can't wait to hear some!

Lindsee

A Little Bit About Me

Girls, check it out! Two blogs in one week? That is unheard of. Just trying to stay true to my word and blog more often! Anyway, I did this fun questionnaire on my own blog and it was super fun so I thought I'd share it with y'all. I'd love to hear some of your answers! Hope you enjoy!

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while your blogging?

This would be hands down, Dove Milk Chocolates. I’m enjoying one right this very moment. They don’t get your hands all sticky and dirty when you’re typing. Plus, sometimes those inspirational sayings get me all inspired. Profound, I know. (Shout out to my 2:42 loves!)

My two most current inspirational sayings:

“Success is the sum of many small efforts.”

“Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”

If those words don’t change your life I don’t know what will.

2. What is one thing you don't want to live without?

Water. Not really for drinking, (although I do love drinking it) but more for bathing. I am OCD when it comes to shower cleanliness and after spending a week in Mexico with only one shower, I’ve come to the conclusion that I do not like living without water.

3. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?

This is a huge tossup between the mountains and the beach. I have to say though, that if you lived by a beach you could only really be able to enjoy it for so many months, whereas the mountains you can enjoy year round. So, I’ll go with the mountains.

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?

I’d have to go with laundry. I don’t mind putting it in the washer and dryer, it’s the getting-out-and-hanging-up-or-putting-away-before-wrinkling that I really loathe.

5. Who do people say you remind them of?

Not a fat clue. But one time my aunt told me I looked like Jennifer Garner. True or not, I’ll take it!

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying home with the fam?

I love both. I’m such a people person and love, love socializing, but I also really enjoy some comfy couch time at home just relaxing.

7. What's your all time favorite movie?

This is super hard! I’m easily entertained so I enjoy a lot of movies, but I think I’ll have to go with Father of the Bride. It’s such a classic and without a doubt I cry every time as George (Steve Martin) is about to walk Annie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) down the aisle. In his words, “This was the moment I'd been dreading for the past six months. Well, actually for the past 22 years.” Tear.

8. Do you sleep in your make-up or remove it like a good little girl every night?

I am a very, very good girl. I haven’t missed a night of washing my face since 7th grade. And I’m not even exaggerating or kidding. There are few (okay, maybe not “few”) things in life I’m anal about and this is one of them. Let’s face it, I didn’t go on Accutane two years ago to ruin my face now by not washing it. We’re not going down that road again!

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?

Maybe it’s my obsession with Biggest Loser? I don’t know, but I think it would be fun to be a Personal Trainer. That’s so weird, I know. But to make it non-weird, I also think it would be neat if I could dance really well. Or maybe even be a counselor? I honestly have no clue. There is a fog in my brain and at the moment it’s all I could come up with. So much of a fog that this was the last question I answered. I was that lost.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?

I don’t know if it’s strange, but I think I’m pretty good at planning events. I am a very detailed person so this really helps in the process. I’m also strangely good at making custom plates for people with my super neat handwriting. Or writing on anything for that matter. (Another thing I’m good at, I guess?) Speaking of those plates, I’ve totally fallen off that bandwagon for the time being. I’m just too busy to actually sit down and do them.

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

This is not applicable to my life. But if I did have a spouse, I’d like to say it was his eyes and sense of humor. And if you want Godly, I guess how much he loves Jesus! Hey, a girl can dream can’t she? See #2 quote on question #1. Words to live by, folks. Words to live by.

12. What is something you love to smell?

I love the way Clorox bleach smells. It’s that super clean smell that gives you a sense of satisfaction. But I also love Laugh by Brighton. Hence why I wear it.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

Besides talking about my singleness…Ha!

No, I’m not the best about staying in touch with those who live far away. I would much rather see them face to face and enjoy their company, which makes talking on the phone super hard for me. I do it, but I’m not the best at it.

14. When you have extra money, what's the first thing you think to do with it?

Easy. I’m a girl. I love to shop.

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

Again, both. Most times I start out loud, with a super high pitch at the end, but if it continues to be funny, or I’m really tickled, I go into the silent, snorty (is that a word?), hard to breathe laugh. To say that laughing is my favorite hobby would be the biggest understatement of my life. I’ve been known to laugh a time or two during inappropriate situations. Like say funerals, or when a deaf man took my order at TGI Friday’s once, or when my BFF and I were singing at our other BFF’s wedding and during the middle of the song, the unity candle popped out of the holder and we were worthless. Thankfully we pulled it together, but really? Worst timing ever.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Target. Forever 21. Ross. TJ Maxx. Gap. Macy’s.

17. What is one thing you would do more often if you had more time?

I would probably read and write more often. Although I’m not the best writer, I do thoroughly enjoy it.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

I am frugal for the mere fact that I never buy anything at full price. I am a super great bargain shopper thanks to my mom, however, I’ll spend a chunk of money, on non-full price items every few months.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time? (from a movie or a book, can't be real)

I’d have to say either Michael Hosea from Francine River’s Redeeming Love or Michael Vaughn from my all time favorite T.V. show Alias. Two completely different characters, yes, but I think the way they’re both passionate about what they do and fight for the people they love is why I love them so much. How ironic that they’re both Michael’s? I just realized that. Maybe it’s a sign. But it’s probably not.

20. Would you want to be famous?

I go back and forth. I think for a time it would be fun. Not super famous like Oprah, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt or so on, but I think it would be fun to excel at something for enough people to notice where you get all the perks of being famous. What I would not like is the fact that I’d have no privacy and people constantly judging every cookie I put in my mouth or step I took. And I always wonder if famous people are really happy? I mean, where does their joy come from? The fact that people love them and are obsessed with them? I think that’s strange. So maybe it’d be fun for a day or two.

There you have it, folks. The randomness that is Lindsee Lou. It would be fun if you did this, too!

Love,
Lindsee

Behind The Scenes

Hey girls! How is life? Look at me. I said I'd be all better about blogging here and clearly, I am failing miserably. Anyway, our retreat is in a little over 2 weeks. Can you believe it? Yours truly has hit the ground running with all things details for the retreat and all I'm sayin' is, you do not want to miss out.

In case you haven't seen the brochure, here is a little bit more about the retreat.

Scripture: Psalm 32:3-5 “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” (NLT)

In today’s culture we all go and go and go and put on a façade that all is okay, but the truth is we are all dealing with real issues, and most times, no one, not even our closest friends know what’s going on with us. It is my heart’s desire that each and every girl that comes to the retreat would feel the freedom to be real and talk about what’s going on behind the scenes of our everyday lives. God doesn’t call us to live a secret, shame-filled life, but one of great freedom and life to the fullest. Psalm 32 will take us through this process and it is a sweet one. It’s a psalm of thanksgiving that I am praying we all leave changed by! You can also check out the song, Behind the Scenes, by Francesca Battistelli as that is our theme song for the weekend.

Date: November 13th – 14th

Place: Embassy Suites Houston – Energy Corridor
11730 Katy Freeway,
Houston, Texas 77079

Worship Leader: Jourdan Burks (www. jourdanburks.com)

Speaker: Chandra Peele (www.gabministries.com)

Cost: $60 (Includes: Room cost, breakfast & lunch on Saturday, t-shirt, and other fun stuff.) *Scholarships are available

Who: ALL Middle School & High School Girls (6th- 12th grade)

Time: Friday @ 6:00 p.m. – Saturday @ 4:00 p.m.

Registration Deadline: November 1st at midnight

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Do I need to provide transportation to and from the retreat?
Yes, as a parent you are responsible for getting your girl to the retreat and back. Since it is only a short distance it is cheaper than providing transportation. However, feel free to carpool with other girls, meet somewhere and come together. I know a lot of groups have talked about doing this and I think that is very fun, and wise.

2) Will there be a chaperone in each room?
Yes, there will be at least one adult/college lady in each room. Each room is a suite which holds 6 girls, so there will be 4-5 girls in each room with one adult.

3) Do I need to eat dinner on Friday night before I come?
Yes, Saturday breakfast and lunch will be provided and we will have snacks all throughout the weekend, but it is your responsibility to eat before you come.

4) How many nights is it?
One night only and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

5) Is a t-shirt included in the price?
Yes, this year when you register and pay, you are automatically guaranteed a t-shirt if you register by Nov 1st. That is why we you to fill out the exact size you want on your registration form.

6) Will my daughter be in a room with her friends?
Each of the girls will be in a room with their grade. So, I can’t promise that she’ll be in a room with all of her friends; however, we have a spot on the registration form to request 2 roommates of your choice. I will do my best to put the roommate choices in with one another. She will know at least one or two girls in her room for sure. Especially if your daughter has invited a guest, I’ll be sure to place them together.

7) Can my daughter come early/leave early?
Yes, for sure. However, if that is the case I need to know by you filling out the time away form that can be found in the student ministry office. This must be signed by one parent.

8) How can I register?
You can either register by going online to cypressbible.org/students and click on the web link or you can pick up a registration form in the Service Station or SM Alcove, fill it out, attach a check/cash and turn in to one of the 3 tool boxes. If you register online you have the option of paying with a credit card.

Well sweet girls, I hope that each of you are planning on coming and bringing a friend. It is going to be a blast and I absolutely cannot wait! If you enjoyed it last year, you have no idea what you're in for this year.

Thank you for letting me serve you girls and for making is so much fun!

Lindsee

And We're Back In The Game

Girls!

Bless my heart! I have ignored you since March! How dare I??

Needless to say, it was one fast and furious summer and I can't believe it is completely over, in every sense of the word.

Summer is gone. Fall is here. Where does time go?

Well, there is no reason to tarry on about something of the past, so we'll move onto new, exciting things for this fall.

At least I hope they're new and exciting.

First off, our first BLAB of the semester will take place at my new house starting next week. I am so excited to get back at those! It gives me a chance to see all of you sweet things during the week and talk about strictly girly things with no boy distractions. We need no distractions every once in a while! This first one is for just high school girls, but middle school girls, no worries, yours will start soon. So, next Wednesday evening, the 23rd, be there or be sorry.


Since putting my address on the world wide web for all to see would be plain stupid (Girls, you should NEVER do that, either) just be sure to grab a BLAB flyer at church. It has all the information you need on it. Or, feel free to call or email me at the church office!

Secondly, you should get super excited about our 2nd Girls Retreat, Behind the Scenes! I am just thrilled to pieces and am hoping you'll join me in the excitement. It's going to be even bigger and better than last year! This year we're having it and staying at a hotel, and seriously, who doesn't love a hotel sleepover with your favorite girlfriends?? Oh no, you do not want to miss out. That date is November 13th - 14th so be sure to put it on your calendar now! More details and information will be coming to a church near you very, very soon! Also, registration will start soon as well, so be on the look out for that, too. Get excited, girls!

Well, how's that for a lame re-entry into the blogworld post? Ha! I promise to be better about blogging from here on out.

However, I'll leave you with one other random fact of the day:

Tonight, my favorite show ever premieres! What is it, you ask? That would be The Biggest Loser! To say that I am slightly obsessed with this show would be an understatement. For some reason I love it to absolute pieces and miss it tremendously when it's not on. There is just something about watching real people transform their lives right before your eyes. It motivates me to live a healthy and active lifestyle. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit and it is only right that we take care of the bodies we've been given to reside in here on this earth. Plus, it reminds me of the transformation that can take place in our lives through Jesus Christ when we allow Him to truly transform us. (Romans 12:2 & 2 Corinthians 3:18) He is more than willing to work with us to transform our lives, and even fights for us (Exodus 14:14), but we have to be willing to do the work it takes to be a free people and to live the lives He's called us too! It's a sweet transformation if you ask me.

Okay, enough about that silly show that has clearly stolen my heart.

What is your favorite show? Premiere week is this week so I know something is coming on that you've been dying to watch all summer. I'd love to hear it! Spill the beans!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Lindsee

I Want to Hear from YOU!

Hey Sweet Girls!

First off, don't you love our new layout? I sure do. It kind of reminds me of a baby girl, but still, I like it nonetheless.

Anyway, I just got to thinking about BLAB, and to be honest, sometimes I have a hard time coming up with what we might study that particular night, so, I had the grand idea to summon you, the girls that actually come to hear a Word!

So, riddle me this, what is something that you are really interested in and want to hear about? What is something on your heart that you would love to learn more about and dig into God's Word about? I know in high school I had a gazillion questions about this and that but never asked anyone because I simply didn't know who to ask. I wanted to give you the opportunity to let me know what you are interested in.

It seriously can be anything. I am here to serve you, and hearing from you helps me serve you better!

If it is something that you think is embarrassing or shameful, feel free to remain anonymous. Or, just remain anonymous anyway!

I just want to hear what is on your heart.

You girls are awesome and I love getting to serve you. I hope you hear that from a sincere heart.
Hope your Monday was great!

Lindsee

P.S. Also, I wanted to remind you that we are having BLAB in April for both Jr. High and High School, so be looking for the dates and places to be announced soon.

P.S.S. For the High School girls, one last thing, I am going to be at the McDonald's at Jones and Grant at 6:30 a.m. this coming Wednesday to spend some time in prayer with those who want to join me before our day starts. It has been a great way to start our Wednesdays and I have loved the times we have had these prayer times. They are so sweet! I hope to see more of your faces there.

Real Beauty

I know a lot of our 2:42 groups are going through the Bible Study: The Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. My group (which is the Junior Girls) is going through it also and personally, it is kicking me in the rear. It has been just as good for me to hear as it has been for those girls! What has been so intriguing is that many of these lies we are discussing are lies that are not so obvious and that really bog us down. As hard as it is to do the bible study and realize that you have fallen victim to these oh, so subtle lies, it is rewarding to, in return, to replace those lies with the truth of God's Word.

Yes, it is much easier said than done, but our minds are being renewed slowly, and frankly, Satan hates it.

One of the last lies we discussed was that beautiful girls are worth more. At first I struggled with this lie, because honestly, I know that is not true. I know it is inward beauty that matters. However, I really searched my heart and thought about it, and of course I believe that lie! The reason I struggled with it is because I am not one that has pictures of models taped all over my walls, nor do I read magazine after magazine, or even watch any of the model shows that are all over T.V.

So, what is feeding this lie?

That would be me, myself and I. I don't do any of the things listed above, but I do compare myself to every other girl out there. Who is prettier, has better hair, better skin, a better body, you name it, I compare it! And then to add to that, I see any one of these said girls with their prince charming and immediately my thought is, well of course they have a boy, they're drop dead gorgeous! And that is when I feed the lie, because it is then that I believe that I am not.

The truth is, however, is that 'the King is enthralled by my beauty' (Psalm 45:11) and who am I to compare myself to anybody else?

In all reality, I don't want anybody to like or love me for my looks, especially a boy, but more importantly because of my heart and that Christ would truly shine through me. That I would radiate a light that can only come from Him.

To love and accept somebody merely for their physical appearance is by far one of the most shallow things to do in life. And not only shallow, but it is a sin according to God's Word, check out James 2.

I want to be a person that not only attracts people because of the light of Jesus Christ living in me, but I want to be attracted to those people, too. And, in my short twenty-three years of living, I can name a handful of people that have truly shined the light of Christ. It's just so inviting, and unmistakable. It is contagious!

That is what I was taught from that lie. To no longer compare myself with every pretty girl in the universe, but to truly strive to have that beauty flowing out of me despite what I may or may not look like.

You may be the girl that has posters all over her room and wished you looked just like said poster. My encouragement to you is to take it all down, and start replacing it with truth. The longer you look at those posters, the more you will be disappointed. Our God is a redeeming God and He can redeem your mind! And sister, I pray that you let Him. It doesn't happen overnight (not that it can't!) but it takes patience, perseverance and some serious time in the Word and in prayer.

With that said, I want to share with you three things that are mind boggling to me. We all know that photo shop is our friend and that it can do magical things in pictures but, I am here to tell you that photo shop is every models best friend. It truly does wonders!

Check out this website and this website to see the touch-ups that have occurred to produce the perfect girl you feel that you need to become. Sometimes I want to scream when I see these things because of what it is doing to each of our minds. It's all fake!

I'll be honest with you and tell you that as I have refreshed these websites time and time again the past few days, I've had a weight taken off me (no pun intended!) and burden that has been lifted that I no longer need to have the perfect hair, perfect teeth, or perfect body. There is no such thing as perfect! Praise the Lord that the one true perfect thing, if we are in Christ, resides in us.

Thirdly, take one minute, literally, to watch this clip that Dove produced. I do love Dove and their campaign for Real Beauty! Keep it up, Dove!



And lastly, I pray that each of you, myself included, would honestly start replacing each of these lies with Truth and that you would be the kind of girl that is so inviting because of your pure heart and love for Jesus. Let His face shine upon you, sister!

Love,
Lindsee