For Freedom

     If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then you might have seen my post yesterday about how these past couple of days of the IF:Equip I Believe study over on the IF:Gathering App and at www.ifequip.com are pivotal to my faith.  All that I believe when it comes to my faith rests on whether or not I believe that Jesus, who became God in the Flesh, came to earth, lived a sinless life among us, was crucified for my sins, died, was raised to life again on the third day, lives today, and is coming back one day! If I don't believe this core truth, then my faith is dead.  Pointless. Paul says it best in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." But thankfully, THANKFULLY!!!, Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.  I am eternally grateful! Literally!!

Thoughts on the Trinity

     I've been thinking about the Trinity -- God in the three Persons of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit -- and how my belief in this 3 in 1 God informs my faith and life.  In the Bible, God is always referred to as ONE God.  And I BELIEVE that He is the ONE, TRUE God.  Yet, He also shows himself to be three different, unique persons, each with certain characteristics and qualities. How do I begin to grasp this concept, to wrap my head around something -- Someone -- that I clearly do not fully understand?

The Week In Pictures - March 20th

     This week was spring break for us.  I was SO ready for it and had big plans for all of the things that I was going to accomplish.  And almost none of my 'list' got done. Looking back, I now realize that I had completely unrealistic expectations of how the week was going to go.  Ha. Funny how things work that way sometimes.  All in all, it was a good week, though. We stuck close to home and enjoyed time with friends and explored new places. 

     Spring has definitely sprung here in Oklahoma.  We enjoyed beautiful weather the first part of the week.  The cold has come back for a few days, though--seems like it happens this way EVERY year--and scarf weather is not quite past us!

With Great Expectation - Thoughts on IF:Gathering 2016

    I love orchids.  Years ago, when we lived in Florida, I had a dozen or two hanging in the oak tree in our backyard.  I just couldn't get enough of them!  I still can't.  But I now live in Oklahoma, and our weather isn't quite as conducive to leaving orchids outside year round.  So, I now have one orchid in my kitchen windowsill. One orchid that hasn't been in bloom for almost a year.  One orchid that is now putting on buds and will eventually bloom again soon!  And I CAN. NOT. WAIT. I wait in great expectation as day after day passes and it gets closer to that inevitable day!

     This is the SAME feeling I had leading up to the IF:Gathering.  I was so EXPECTANT.  So EXCITED.  So READY.  As the weekend grew closer, I saw the buds of excitement growing in other women.  And over the course of this past weekend, I saw the beginning of beautiful blooms.  Women chasing after God.  Women allowing the love of Jesus into their lives.  Women DECIDING to take that next step in their lives that would put them on the path to walking WITH GOD, not just living for God. And not to overuse the word...but IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!

Ready for the IF:Gathering!!

   
     Three years ago, before the IF:Gathering first started, I remember trying to figure out what exactly IF was.  I would mention it to friends, but then wouldn't really know what to say except that they needed to be there.  No one could really explain it, not even those who had the vision for it, because it had never happened before.
     Fast forward to 2016.  After attending once, hosting once, and getting ready to host for a second time, I have an answer.  To me, the IF:Gathering is all about women in community with one another, being unified, learning from one another, lifting each other up, meeting Jesus for the first time, being released from bondage to walk a life of FREEDOM.  It is women being equipped and encouraged to walk out their faith, their gifts, their callings, no matter how big or small in the eyes of the world...RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE! 
     IF is SO much more than that, but if you asked me today, that would be my answer.  What does that mean for you? It means, find an IF:Local near you!  And Go.  It's not too late. Don't worry about whether you know anyone or not.  God will do his God thing and bring friends and connection right where you are.  Be Brave.  Have the courage to live the life that unfolds before you.  (NOTE: That last line is not original to me...if you haven't read "The Wilderking Trilogy" by Jonathan Rogers, you should!)
     If you are not able to attend an IF:Local, then do all you can to watch it live from home this weekend! Comment below and I will send you the live link tomorrow (Friday 2/5).

Blessings to you, friends! ~Kendra

*If you are in the Tulsa, OK area, join us at IF:South Tulsa!  There is still room!

My November Stitch Fix

Yes, I know that it is now December.  But I still wanted to post this!  It's no secret that I like Stitch Fix! When I mentioned it in my Favorite Things series, I was challenged by my friend Shanti, from Life Made Full, to blog about my next Stitch Fix experience.  Well, I'm not quite ready to model each piece and then ask for everybody's opinion.  Maybe next time. :)  But I will be happy to talk about my experience!

When you sign up to get a "Fix", you fill out a profile and answer lots of questions about sizing, style preference, etc. You also have the option to give feedback to your stylist about what kinds of pieces you might like.  I haven't yet started a Stitch Fix Pinterest page, but it's another way to help your stylist pick items that you might like!

 I specifically asked for a pair of Just Black skinny jeans.  I've received 3 other pairs of this brand of jean through Stitch Fix and they are my favorite, hands down! I try really hard not to request them every time, but this time it's just what I really wanted.  And my stylist nailed it with a pair of dark blue ankle length skinny jeans that are perfect with my ankle boots. I had asked for a professional shirt or two that could be worn with jeans, that I could either dress up or dress down, and also for some fall items.

Here are 4 of the 5 pieces I received this time...2 shirts that can dress up or dress down and would be great for business events, a beautiful sweater with cozy pockets for my hands, and a poncho sweater. They are all great pieces that I have already worn and absolutely love!  

Your stylist will send a card that has each item, ideas with what to pair it with, and styling suggestions!  I keep these cards, as they are great to go back and get new ideas for how to style my pieces!  I hope that you will check this service out!  You might just love it. :)  Here is a link to get started today. Try Stitch Fix!   (*Note: If you try Stitch Fix, I do receive $25 in referral credit.)

October Favorite Things: Stitch Fix!

Are you looking for a fun, stress free way to shop? Then let me tell you about Stitch Fix!  It is so fun and extremely easy to do! Every person is different, and I personally do not prefer to go shopping for clothes.  I would much rather be outside exploring or doing any number of other things.  But clothes wear out and have to be replaced, and I occasionally have to be 'presentable'.  This is where Stitch Fix comes in for me!

To get started, all you have to do is create a profile that helps them to style you and then  schedule  the date to receive your fix. You have the opportunity to give feedback and can even create your own pinterest page to help your stylist pick what might be best for you.  Your stylist will then pick out some fun items for you to try.  Then they ship it to you, and YOU decide whether to keep all, some, or none of the clothing items.  There is a small styling fee that is charged when they ship your clothes, and if you decide to keep one or all items, that fee is applied to your total.  If you decide to keep all of the items, you get a nice discount!

My favorite part about Stitch Fix is being able to try new styles that I wouldn't normally pick out for myself!  It gets me out of my box and helps me to be more adventurous!  I have been thrilled with the pieces that have been picked out for me by my stylists!  They are some of my favorite things to wear and what I get complimented on the most!  I encourage you to Try Stitch Fix Today! It might become one of your 'favorite things' too!!

October Favorite Things: Noonday Collection

I am so excited about today's post! Noonday Collection is one of my all-time favorite fair trade companies to buy from!  I love the heart behind what they do and how they help to bring social responsibility along side the designing and selling of beautiful, inspired jewelry and accessories.

Noonday has ambassadors who help to tell the stories of each piece of jewelry or accessory that is created.  Behind every piece is a person who is valued, appreciated and justly compensated for the amazing work that they do!  I had the privilege last spring to meet a local ambassador here in the Tulsa area, Emily Collins! She is beautiful inside and out and has a contagious passion for what she does! At the beginning of the summer I hosted a Noonday Trunkshow with her! It was so much fun!  I enjoyed hearing some of the stories behind the Artisans who make the pieces as well as seeing many of the pieces in person.

I will be hosting another Trunkshow in 3 weeks!  This one is extra special because 10% of the show sales will go towards the adoption costs of a sweet family in the middle of the adoption process right now! Noonday Collection was originally started to help fund raise for adoption and the company is passionate about supporting families who are in the process of adopting!

 The Howard Family, who will benefit from the show, are friends of friends and they live in TX, not too far from where we used to live in Allen, TX.  I am so honored to be able partner with them to help raise funds for their adoption! If you want to learn more about the Howard Family and their adoption story, click here!  If you want to help support their adoption in other ways besides the Trunkshow, click here to learn more.  

**And if you want to participate in and shop at the upcoming Trunkshow, comment below and I will get the info to you!!  If you are in the Tulsa area, please save the date (November 5th) and join us!  If you are out of town, no problem!  You will still be able to shop online!  Hope to see you there!  

Here are the boys and I out getting donuts awhile back...and I'm wearing one of 

my favorite pair of Noonday earrings, the Calypso Earrings!

Promise #3 - Strength

I don't know about you, but this is exactly what I need today!  God gives us strength to do whatever it is we need to do.  As I get ready for work, prepare the boys for a snow day at home with their dad, and think ahead to all that needs to get done today, I can't do it alone.  I can't do it in my own strength.  But I can do it with God's help.  And I can do it well!  My hope and prayer for you (and for myself) is that we  will believe this promise today and walk in it's truth!

Promise #2 - Strength to the Weary

This promise couldn't have come at a better time.  Do any of you out there feel weary or weak?  Then rest in the words of Isaiah.  

God gives us the strength that we need to make it through each moment of each and every day.  He gives power to the weak...to US when we feel weak and overcome.  I know it's not popular to think of ourselves as weak.  I like to be independent and to do everything in my own strength.  But I'm beginning to believe that it is better to be weak, and to live through HIS power and HIS strength than through my own.  :)

I don't know about you, but last week was a long week.  Good, but long.  Between my husband being out of town on business, the boys having a snow day, having to be at work nearly every day, and having an event finally come to fruition after months of planning...whew, I was weary.  I can't say that I sought out God's strength at all times.  In fact, I know I did not. But, in the times that I trusted Him for his promise, the days were not perfect, but they were Better. With Jesus, everything is Better! 

What the IF:Gathering Means to Me

It's funny.  Actually it's ridiculous.  I have sat down to write this post more times than I can count.  But the words haven't come.  And it has been very frustrating.  Because the IF:Gathering means so much to me.  It was almost a year ago, at the first IF:Gathering, that I really started to dream again about where my life was headed, to remember what Jesus really means to me, to think that the impossible really can happen.

I was newer to the area and had been following the beginnings of the IF:Gathering through Jennie Allen and Jen Hatmaker.  What they were pursuing was a refreshing, pure, simple desire to seek God and to ask tough questions.  What would it look like to live life IF I truly believed God for his promises, for who He is. I wanted to host an IF:Local in my home, or at the church I was attending, but I was scared.  I had fear.  That no one would see what I saw.  That no one would join with me. So I didn't do what I felt called to do.  To put myself out there, trust God, and see what happened.

Fortunately, my story doesn't end there.  I did seek out another church in the area hosting an IF:Local. And I was immensely blessed by my time there.  I did not know a soul and they welcomed me in like I had already been a part of their group for a long time.  I had rich conversation with women of all ages and left the weekend as encouraged by the women I had spent time with as with the Gathering itself.  What a blessing it was!

This year I am very excited to help host an IF:Local!  I am excited to finally be doing what I should have done a year ago. I'm so thankful for the opportunity and I can't wait to see how God is going to show up and move in the lives and hearts of women in our area.

In just over two weeks, on February 6-7, 2015, women from across the nation and around the globe will come together to worship, learn, be encouraged, and equipped to live more fully for God where they are.  I want to encourage every woman I know to come!  Find an IF:Local near you!  Join us here in South Tulsa.  Or host your own!  It's not too late!! There is a powerful movement for Jesus billowing under this.  It is Spirit filled and prayer covered.  It is not perfect, but there is love.  Much love.  And Grace.  And Freedom.

Click here for more information about the IF:Gathering.

To find an IF:Local near you or to host an IF:Local, click here.

And to join us for IF:South Tulsa, please click here!