Love Everywhere

for better or for worse

2011-05-05T14:16:00.004-04:00

this week i have been thinking hard about marriage, because of some marriages i have heard of going though hard times. A marriage goes through many many ups and down , and this world can be brutal on a marriage. (man they should really emphasise the for better or for worse phrase in a wedding) We suffer many many wounds in this life, and we bring all of that in a marriage. so no wonder it's hard. so with that said the other thing i have been thinking about is Jesus. He really is all we have, and the one whom we need to put all our faith into. people let us down and we play the blame game, instead of looking to Jesus for the right answer and the right thing for us to do. i am guilty of the blame game! But it doesn't let Jesus work how He needs to. And i see how in a marriage it's Jesus we need first over ourselves and our spouse. He is the rock the firm foundation we need to cling to with every fiber of our being. SO weather you've been in a divorce, or are at odds with your spouse, or have been hurt by divorce remember Jesus has overcome the world. and he is the hope and the road to WHOLENESS. it may a painful road but the Son didn't suffer for nothing, it was FOR US.

Crazy/ Comfort

2011-04-21T13:08:00.008-04:00

yesterday was a day for the books . I woke up and started my period. Not only that i had very bad cramps(which i never have). After that my dog threw up on a rug and i had to wash it out. Later on in the day i remember i need to feed my sisters fish because she is out of town. So we get in the car and my son kicks his soccer ball (in the car mind you)and breaks the garage door opener. Now we get to my sisters house feed the fish and get back in the car to discover that my dog decided to throw up in the car and not only in the car but inside my purse. Nasty!!! But she didn't stop there she had one more left in her for the car ride home. The kids all said they were about to throw up as well. So i get home and now have to clean out the car and my purse. So we get through that and i get the kids in bed and sit down to check e-mail when my husband comes home from work around 10:00pm. i hear him in the basement and then i hear him coming up the stairs and he then informs me that the hot water tank has leaked all over the basement. I get up and head for the basement and for the next 3 1/2 hours i am mopping up water, and carrying wet things out of the basement.

All that to say i have never felt so calm and peaceful with so much chaos around me. all i can say is that it was Jesus. I felt very encouraged to have only lost my temper once that whole day and to have apologized for it later. Then i realized that this is part of life, and as i had that thought i had to laugh. Trials are a part of life and it's how we deal with it and see Jesus in that makes us or breaks us. And on my way to bed i said in my head....Life sometimes goes bad but You are still Good. And then i remember that this is Easter Weekend and think of all the trials Jesus went through for us. All the pain, all the loss, and heartache. And the One who went through all of that is with me in my stuff.

In Christ alone my hope is found
he is my light my strength my song
this corner stone, this solid ground
firm through the fieriest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
when fears are stilled, when striving cease
my comforter my all in all
here in the love of Christ i stand ....

i love this song!!! it ministers to me sooooo much, especially around Easter!!
Happy Easter!!!

Where I'll be

2011-04-18T10:39:00.000-04:00

Hello!

So as you know I, Candis Jones, am pregnant. And my due date, well it is tomorrow.

I thought I would update you on this factoid because I may not be able to post on Mondays for a short bit because of the whole having a baby thing. :)

Prayers and good thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

Until next time!

Proof of the power of words and thoughts

2011-04-11T10:33:00.003-04:00

I talked about the power of words and the things I tell myself about myself last Monday. This week I want to share with you a short video. You may have heard of Dr. Masaru Emoto. If not, here is a short biography taken straight from Wikipedia:

"Dr. Masru Emoto is a Japanese author and entrepreneur known for his claim that if human speech or thoughts are directed at water droplets before they are frozen, images of the resulting water crystals will be "beautiful" or "ugly" depending upon whether the words or thoughts were positive or negative. Emoto claims this can be achieved through prayer, music or by attaching written words to a container of water."

Intriguing eh?

So there is an experiment you can do at home to test what Dr. Masru Emoto claims. You basically cook some white rice, put a bit in a couple of air tight jars, tape the words "YOU FOOL" to one jar and the words "THANK YOU" the other and then every day speak those same words over each jar. Give it 50-100 days and watch what happens to your rice.

Here is a home video with the results from this couple's rice experiment:

See video here.

Pretty amazing.

If you are interested in seeing more, check out this video. It shows water that had certain words spoken over it and what the crystallized water looks like after those words were spoken. Make sure you watch long enough to see both the good and bad words spoken.

See video here.

Proverbs 15:4
The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

There is POWER in our thoughts and words!

Friday Inspiration

2011-04-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

I posted this on my personal blog on Wednesday, but I really just wanted to share this powerful documentary with you guys as well. My husband Andy had the honor of traveling with the rest of the Come&Live! team and putting together this piece. I have seen it numerous times now, and I'm still blown away by God's kindness.

It will inspire you.

NEW ZEALAND {Our Story} | A Come&Live! Documentary from Come&Live! on Vimeo.

Have a great weekend!

birthdays

2011-04-07T15:34:00.003-04:00

yesterday was my daughters 6th birthday and i had the most wonderday with her. i enjoyed her the whole day and was condstantly reminded of everything i love about her. what a wonderfull time to think about all the amazing ways God has made us. creating memories with ones you love make the biggest impressions and the longest lasting memories. i want to keep creating wonderful memories for my kids and showing them love the way God intended.

Time to Get Uncomfortable

2011-04-05T10:01:00.001-04:00

A week ago today, a chunk of my heart was ripped out. A suicide in the family left me feeling sad, angry, confused and very vulnerable. I've never dealt with death in this way before and I pray to God I never have to deal with it again. It's absolutely heart wrenching.

"If only he would have reached out."

"If only I could have tried harder."

"My love wasn't enough."

"Nothing we did was enough."

"If only he would have believed us when we told him we loved him."

I miss my uncle more than words can express. He was an amazing, talented man with a great sense of humor. Depression just got the best of him. My heart hurts for the pain that we are all going through, especially his daughters, parents and siblings. I feel more sadness for them than I do for myself because I know that the chunk of their heart that is missing is even bigger than mine.

I want to remember my uncle for his good qualities, not for what he did in the end. We can't go back. We can't change things that we wish we could have done differently. Our love was enough, but depression is a serious, serious thing and without the Father, it's hopeless.

What can we do? Move forward, keeping him alive in our hearts. We can live out our regrets by putting them into action towards others. We can make a difference to someone else. We can try even harder. We can go out of our way to call someone daily, just to tell them we are thinking about them and that they are loved. We can lay our lives down for the people we love, and why not also do it for the people we don't?

Express your love fully, today. Make your feelings known by showing people that you care about them. Go out of your way and get uncomfortable, because it will make a difference. We like to think that love is this comfortable, peaceful thing. Sometimes love is just the opposite. Sometimes truly showing love means that we might need to get in someone's way. We might need to take ourselves out of a place of feeling secure and safe. The interesting and awesome thing about this uncomfortable and uneasy love is that the more we practice it—the more we make it a habit of our daily lives—the more we will get comfortable sharing this amazing, real, deeper-than-superficial love.

Self Love

2011-04-04T10:06:00.002-04:00

Someone once told me that studies show people in general believe and trust themselves more than anyone else. And that we retain information better by reading what we are trying to learn out loud in repetition.

This has stuck with me.

Recently I have been thinking about the things I think to myself about myself. I have realized that most of the time I am verbally punching myself in the face.

Words we think are powerful, words we speak even more so. I had this brief, light bulb moment that seemed to come out of nowhere the other day that the negative thoughts I have about myself have
got.
to.
stop.
And the way that the thought came wasn't in a judgmental way or a pull up your boot straps and try try try to stop thinking those things way...it was more like this gentle voice declaring, "that's enough, it's time to look in the mirror and call yourself good. It's time to see beauty instead of flaws, it's time to grow up."

I mean truly, isn't it really is angsty and immature to continue to call myself bad? To always be looking at myself and scrutinizing my big thighs or round face?

I've never looked at the negative thoughts I have about myself as immature before this. But right now it is making so much sense.

I feel like God is saying to me, "Being a woman is realizing your beauty. Being a woman is feeling good about you. Being a woman is doing those things so that others can be free to do it too. It's time to grow up and be a woman in this way. I made you. I'm happy with what I made"

Because isn't it really freeing to be in the presence of a woman who loves herself? You don't have to play the game anymore...the "don't worry I hate myself and think I'm fat and ugly too" game. Women, you know we do this. It's rare to meet one of these free women, but they exist and they give room for the rest of us to feel at peace with ourselves as well. Their understanding of their beauty gives space for us to start to see our own. I want to become that kind of woman, don't you?

I'm ready to allow myself to consider myself good. To not dwell on my shortcomings and mistakes. I'm willing to become more conscious of the words I repeat over and over to myself and give myself permission to believe and repeat and KNOW that I am a good and beautiful woman worthy of love and this wonderful life I have been given.

My son is going to need a Mama who knows who she is and lives life confident in her abilities and beauty. My husband will benefit greatly in a wife who's joy isn't limited because of her constant rain shower of negative self thoughts. My family, friends and strangers will all benefit.

It is time to grow up a bit. For me, for us.

Join me?

Congrats to the winners!

2011-04-01T17:55:00.001-04:00

Ok so I have to first and foremost apologize for my delay in posting the winners to our very first contest ever here at Love Everywhere. I hate excuses, so I'll spare you the long explanations and just get to the fun part...

Winners of the Encouragement Card sets are:

Some0nesAngel21

Rachael

Amanda Dudley

Amy Sue

Email us your mailing address and we will get these shipped out right away!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Love Notes

2011-04-01T15:25:00.001-04:00

{Image Credit: A Joyful Life}

Whenever my husband goes out of town I like to hide love notes in his suitcase, clothing, shoes and camera equipment that says things like, "I'm proud of you" or "Can't wait to see you soon!"

He has told me that he enjoys discovering my notes when he is away, and when we can talk on the phone he usually mentions that he found another note. It's a fun way for me to show my love for him, and definitely a contributing factor to this whole Love Everywhere concept.

Who can you hide a love note for today? Even a simple hand written note can be a blessing to someone you care about.

2 way love tunnel

2011-03-31T10:49:00.010-04:00

so i have been thinking about sharing love and what that looks like for me, but what i realize is that where i need to share it more is in my own home. I love my family very much but i think i end up being very complacent about intentionally sharing love with them. the kind of love that really speaks to their hearts. it is very easy to get comfortable with people you are with all the time and for me it's easy to just go through the motions. so lets share some love with our spouses, kids, or who ever you live with. maybe start with a note or a letter sharing how special they are, or what you appreciate about them, or maybe a thank you note. ask God how to bless them and what to say. share love everywhere!!!!

Mini "Love" Study

2011-03-29T08:39:00.004-04:00

After doing a mini study on "love" this morning, I came across this:

Romans 8:38-39

38 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

This was just really sweet to hear this morning. So often I find myself feeling unworthy and not good enough. I compare myself to other Christians and feel guilty for not reading the Bible enough, or not being, well, "Christian" enough. But God doesn't love me on a "how much you've read your Bible" basis. He doesn't stop loving me when I fly off the handle with anger. His love is unconditional. We don't have to earn it, and we will never lose it!

Secret Millionaire

2011-03-28T09:37:00.000-04:00

I watched Secret Millionaire on Hulu.com yesterday and of course cried all through the ending.

You can go here to see the episode I watched and have a good cry yourself if you're into that. 

I have never been one to want to be insanely rich. More money would be nice, oh yes, but I am not a money driven person and never have been. But this show makes me want to be a millionaire, because then I could give away A LOT of money and still have plenty.

But when you look at what the show is actually about you see people that don't have a lot giving their all to help those that have surprisingly even less than they do. Well, that helps me to realize that I don't have to be a millionaire. I mean, it would be nice, and I am going to do the best I can to be responsible with our finances so that someday we can give more. But, it's good to be inspired by not only the kind millionaire on the show, but mostly the extremely generous everyday people on the show who get the blessing they deserve in the end.

Trust in the Lord

2011-03-25T10:48:00.000-04:00

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes things happen in life that we just can't understand and might not ever have the answers to...but one thing is certain: The Lord of all creation loves and cares for you and wants to lead you out of confusion, fear, and distress and into His love.

Comfort in Jesus

2011-03-24T21:39:00.006-04:00

A couple of weeks ago i wrote about perspective and i think it is really helping me. what a difference when i can see outside my self and see the bigger picture. My problems my losses and failures tend to wrap me up, but with a slight change in perspective that all changes. i'm a wife a mother a teacher and a daughter and on and on and that alone can be consuming (with all my failures in every category) but when i can "zoom" out and and listen to the still quiet voice truth sets in. truth that gives me hope in what HE is creating in me. And i realize it is always his name that i call when i'm at my end, and i see that it is at my end where He picks it up again. I have comfort in knowing that it's only Jesus that can change me,and Not my best effort and not in my flesh.

Food For Thought

2011-03-22T09:21:00.005-04:00

Not feeling too well today so I'm going to leave you with this:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

Go get em'!

2011-03-21T09:43:00.000-04:00

I'm going to bet you have a cell phone.

And I am going to assume that there is someone out there that you care about that hasn't heard from you in awhile. They just appeared in your minds eye most likely.

Here is my proposal to you today:

Finish reading the rest of these few words, then stop before you go to the next blog, or Facebook or go to tweet...get your cell phone out and text that person something kind. It can be as simple and meaningful as "I love you" or more of an encouragement about who they are to you or as a person.

Ok, 1, 2, 3....GO!

No really, get your love text on!

(but not while driving (ever) please!)

Weekend Announcement: Our First Giveaway!

2011-03-19T10:00:00.000-04:00

We're sharing the love with you by giving away a five sets of our Encouragement Cards!!

{ Click here to see close-up shots of each card }

Here's how you can win:

1. If you haven't yet, follow this blog by clicking on the "Follow" button on the right.

2. Write a Twitter or Facebook status mentioning Love Everywhere and using this link: http://bit.ly/igObSX

3. Let us know where to find your post by commenting on this blog with a link to your status update!

That's it!

This contest ends on Friday, March 25th at 11:59 EST. Five random winners will be picked and announced on Saturday, March 26th!

For Bonus Points:

You can enter once per day by mentioning Love Everywhere in your status update (just don't forget to come back here and post the new link to each status before the contest ends!)

Spurred on toward love

2011-03-18T06:00:00.002-04:00

All week I've been reflecting on last Saturday's very first encouragement note drop. It was such an amazing experience—most definitely one of the most meaningful and fun things I have ever been able to do. To me, hiding these notes for others to find felt like that same feeling you get when you've just given a loved one the Christmas gift that has been at the top of their list for months. It was pretty AMAZING. One of my favorite things was watching Candis, Chrissy and Ciara hide some notes at the library. These girls sought out specific book titles and put cards that might be relevant to the type of person reading the book (a fun example: a book about pregnancy got a note that said, "Dang, you look good!") Such creative and thoughtful placement of these simple notes. I love love loved it!

Last weekend we spent time hiding notes for other people to find, but in the end, it served as a blessing and encouragement to me. Doing small things for others has a big benefit! For me, it helps to put life in perspective: People should always come first. Not work. Not cleaning the house. And definitely not Facebook or Twitter...Actual real people that I encounter in my day-to-day routine. We all have hectic schedules and experience our own breed of chaos with each passing day (or hour, or minute...) so it can be easy for me to cop-out—keep my head down and not engage with others because I've already got so much else going on at that particular moment. But I have found that if I actually try taking just a few minutes out of the day to say something kind to a coworker, provide a warm smile and a "Hello" to a stranger on the street, or even hold the door open for that sweet little old lady at the market, the rest of my day is impacted in a very positive way-it's like getting a big spiritual hug from the Lord and passing it along to someone else; and there's nothing better than that!

I came across these verses this week and thought I'd share:

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. -Hebrews 10:22-25

Have you ever been encouraged by a friend or loved one (or even someone you did not know)? How did it make you feel? I'd love to hear your stories!!

Oh, and there's still plenty of room if you're interested in doing your own encouragement note drop! Just shoot us an email at ShareLoveEverywhere@gmail.com

Have an awesome weekend, and take some time to love someone!
xoxo,
Ashley

A big God

2011-03-17T10:29:00.004-04:00

hello again it 's me chrissy

so on tuesday i went on a long walk with God,and was talking to him about the things i see in me that i desperately want him to "fix". sometimes it seems like issues or wounds in your life take too long to get better, and it's as if this thing is going to hang around for the better part of forever. But as i kept walking the magnitude of His Presence hit me. sometimes i need to remember how big He is. i started thinking about all the times He's been there, and it just so happens that is't always. (even when i don't feel him) i think about all the testimony i've heard and all the impossibilities that He has done , and i am filled with hope again and not just for me but for this broken world. i know He cares for me and for His people. Japan is a big disaster but my God is Bigger. It's always amazing to me that when my focus changes from me to God that my perspective changes. (and thank God for that) And even though my situation hasn't totally changed, i am filled with hope that leads to perseverance and that is just what i needed.

so be encouraged that God wants to fill you with what you need, even if it's not what you think you need.

So be always hearing and bless someone today.

And God knows who needs encouragement from someone who wants to share love everywhere!! love

Ugly Cry

2011-03-15T14:09:00.003-04:00

Ok. I admit it. I love reality television. I don't know what it is, but it's so addicting. My husband and I have shared this obsession for years. I'm thankful to have a partner in this guilty pleasure of mine.

My most recent obsession is the show Secret Millionaire. I believe the show is on it's second U.S. season right now, which debuted on March 6. This is one of those shows that literally has me ugly face crying throughout the whole thing.

This week's episode featured a man named Marc Paskin,a successful real estate investor. He came to Detroit with only $50 for food for the week. He spent his time looking for volunteer work in the community. At the end of the show, he donated large amounts of money to the organizations for which he volunteered, as well as people he came in contact with that had incredibly touching stories. Super sweet stuff.

The biggest thing I took from this episode was something Marc said right before the show was over.

"Not every body has money to give but people can give their time and their love. If everyone did that, the world would be a better place!"

I couldn't agree more. But I find that I don't often put others first. I don't often share my love. I don't really like hugging or sharing my feelings. Looking back I wonder how different my life would be now if I were able to love, just a little more. If I made more effort to get involved. If I hugged more. If I cared more.

I want my life to feel like Marc felt in those moments of blessing those people.

I want to ugly cry out of joy. Every day.

Weekend Love

2011-03-14T08:14:00.000-04:00

So we did it.

We successfully completed our first love drop!

It was simple, exhilarating and fun! The weather was lovely and fit the mood perfectly. Clear blue skies, gusty wind and warm sunshine.

Our first stop was the library. Ashley gave us each a stack of love cards and we were off!

Tucking those little sweet cards into books was

stinkin'

fun.

Next stops were Target and the grocery store.

The possibilities were endless on where to put the cards...

It felt like so much more than a colorful encouragement

tucked in an oven mitt or a carton of eggs.

I felt like we were connecting with people we may not ever meet.

And somehow when they find this card,

and it makes them smile

or laugh

or think differently about themselves,

that we are a part of that.

We are all so excited for the cards to be found and hope that some of the recipients make their way here and introduce themselves.

Want to spread the love?

We are coming up with a plan on how we can help you spread love just like we did. We'll send you files for the cards and some guidance on how to make it happen.

If you are interested email us at:

shareloveeverywhere@gmail.com

Sunday Post

2011-03-13T13:27:00.002-04:00

Hi friends! As you know, Saturday was our first drop of encouragement cards :)

We'll be sharing more on how it went tomorrow, so stay tuned for that!

Just incase any of you happen to find one of our notes, we've now got a form you can fill out to provide some feedback! It's the link at the top bar titled, "I found an Encouragement Card!" (also below)

******************************************************************************

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Heavy

2011-03-11T10:42:00.000-05:00

{ Image Credit: NY Daily News }

I had a completely different post in mind for today, but instead felt that I would better use my time praying for the people of Japan and those in Hawaii, the U.S. west coast, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and others who have been impacted by the earthquakes and tsunamis that I am sure you have seen in the morning's news coverage. My heart was heavy as I learned of the news and devastation that has happened as a result of this historically powerful quake.

Please join me in prayer for all these people who are dealing with these events today, and consider making a donation to the Red Cross. You can do so through your cell phone, text redcross to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can always head over to www.redcross.org as well.

"For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
-1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

perspective today

2011-03-10T22:04:00.000-05:00

hi, my name is chrissy tillar and this is all new to me. (blogging i mean) i am 31 years old and home school 2 of my three children. so my posts might be all over the place based on my day or week. awww life. i love music of all kinds and enjoy making it with my husband jon who is a very talented musician ( i will probably post his lyrics every now and again) i love adventure and being outside, i enjoy all the seasons (well i think now i am officially over winter get me outside), and love fiddling in my garden. i don't like cleaning and i enjoy cooking when i'm inspired ( my husband is a wonderful cook) i don't mind doing laundry except the act of putting it away. it's the strangest thing i don't mind all the other steps of laundry. does anyone else have this problem? let me know. i am the clean laundry in the laundry basket queen. ok sorry for that tangent i've got a lot of laundry to so since vacation

moving on..... i just got back from a ski trip in lake tahoe. it is one of the most beautiful places ever, but more than that i am in awe of flying. being able to see so much earth from so high up will never cease to amaze me. there is so much detail in this earth we live on and it take a birds eye view just how wonderful it is. i love feeling small is a big world. i love the detail that is not left out of the world we live on. to go from flat lands to rolling mountain in about an hour is too much for words. i find it so hard to read or relax on a plane when i have a beautiful view to behold. it makes me want to do more and be more than i am today. so today i will try to embrace what today is for what it really is and not for the state of mind im in. i know those can be fleeting words but hey today i'm in touch and i'm thankful for that. so today is an enriched day. tomorrow? who knows? my kids might drive me up a wall, but perspective today could mean peace tomorrow. we'll see and i'll let you know if it does

you never know so enjoy today!!

The cards are in!

2011-03-09T12:25:00.001-05:00

I'm SUPER stoked to share with you all pics of the cards we'll be hiding all over town during our very first ever Love Everywhere drop (happening this Saturday)!!

We have 6 different cards to help us spread the love...

{You Are Loved Card }

{You're Simply Amazing Card }

{You're so AWESOME Card }

{Perfect You Card }

{DANG! Card }

{You Are On Purpose Card }

I'm definitely not a graphic designer, but I don't think they're half bad for someone who doesn't really know what she's doing!! On the back it says "We don't believe in coincidence."

I'm so excited to start circulating these :)
Be on the lookout for an update next week on how the drop goes!!

Mama Bear

2011-03-08T08:25:00.000-05:00

Mama Bear. That's the name I've been given by my husband and close friends. The name comes from how protective I am of my my friends and loved ones—my "cubs." I would easily lay my life down for any one of them. If someone wants to hurt them, they have to get through me. I'm not really sure why I get so fired up. Maybe it's my short temper. Maybe deep down I feel like I have something to prove. I'd like to believe, although some of these factors may be slightly true, that love is main reason.

I make such an effort to protect people, acting like this big tough girl that can handle anything that comes her way. Yet deep down, I'm weak. I find that I'm constantly ridiculing myself and destroying my self esteem by not only focusing on the bad, but dwelling on it. I've given up so many things in my life because I didn't feel I did them well enough. And Lord knows the types of things that go through my head when I see my reflection.

More often than not, in the midst of protecting others, I am attacking myself.

A verse I have always struggled with is Matthew 22: 37-39:

"...'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The question I always ask is, "Well, what if I don't love myself?" I think I ask it to justify why I can be so hateful sometimes. But honestly, how am I supposed to love someone if I can't love myself? I understand that the proper Christian response would be to love myself like God loves me, but too often that seems like such a lofty concept, and sometimes God needs to give us a more humanly, practical example.

So, for now, I've stopped asking this question.

I’m realizing that in my case, and the case of many others, the idea needs to be flipped. Love myself as I love others. I know this may seem a bit self-centered, but if I loved others as I currently love myself, I would spend the rest of my life lonely. I'd be the worst person to be around. I mean, who would want to be made fun of all day long?

I deserve more than I give myself. I deserve more than I allow myself to have.

Sometimes I think I need to be my own Mama Bear.

Oh, Patty.

2011-03-07T08:18:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone, it's me, Candis.

I am going to be honest with you, I'm not feeling on my game right now. Because of this I feel like anything I would try to write for this post would come out stilted and uninspired and who wants to read that?

So instead I will share something with you that is quite wonderful that I didn't write. A lyric by one of my favorite singer/songwriters Patty Griffin from her song "No Bad News"

"I'm gonna find me a man, love him so well, love him so strong, love him so slow

We're gonna go way beyond the walls of this fortress

And we won't be afraid, we won't be afraid, and though the darkness may come our way

We won't be afraid to be alive anymore

And we'll grow kindness in our hearts for all the strangers among us

Till there are no strangers anymore"

To me it is a war cry song. It is loud and upbeat and confident. For me, it is about telling the darkness, the loneliness, the hopelessness, the naysayers to get lost. It is boldly stating that I don't need your bad news today. I am going to choose lightness, hope, freedom.

If I am listening to it alone, it is almost certain to make me cry. I think because it presses on a part of my heart that seems to always have been locked that I desperately want opened. But it's one of those circumstances where I can't find the darn key. And it seems the harder I search without finding it, the more hopeless I become. Have you been there?

When I listen to this song and sing it at the top of my lungs, for about 2 good minutes I feel the ice on that frozen part of my heart start to melt a bit. It brings me hope that maybe someday I'll find the key to unlock it, or the magic hairdryer to melt it.

I am posting a link to the song below so you can listen to it in it's entirety if you'd like: (don't deprive yourself, have a listen.) :)

http://www.playlist.com/playlist/21621219595

Is there a song that gives you hope? Is there a quote, lyric, or verse that has given you a glimmer of hope in a place of hopelessness?

Do share.

:)

The transforming power of a small encouragement

2011-03-04T12:30:00.000-05:00

Although this is not my first post to Love Everywhere, this is my first content post, so I thought I would introduce myself a bit more before jumping into the goods.

My name is Ashley Reale. I'm almost 28 (next month...yowza!) I love to dance—the fact that I have no sweet moves and very little rhythm does not change this! I frequently get caught by other drivers at redlights when I'm singing my heart out in the car, I have a big hairy dog named Ralf, and I've been married to a wonderful guy named Andy for nearly 5 years. I keep a personal blog called Get Reale (Oh—I also really love puns, haha) so feel free to stop by there any time.

Every Friday I'll be here posting and wrapping up a week of awesome writing from Candis, Ciara, and Chrissy (she's out on vacation this week, so you'll get to hear from her next week!)

Now that the introduction is complete, here's something that has been on my heart lately...
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Recently my mother has been caring for a three year old little girl named Rylee. She's absolutely adorable, but she came from an unstable lifestyle; parents who took her from place to place because they didn't have a house of their own or jobs to support their baby girl. She never really had a bedroom, or many clothes and toys...only what could fit in a travel bag.

When Rylee arrived at my mom's house, she didn't have much...but my mom got some hand-me-downs from friends and family, and even went out shopping for some new clothes for this sweet little girl. My mom told me that the first time she got Rylee dressed and ready for the day, she looked at herself in the mirror and said, "Wow, I look like a real person!"

It's been about seven months since Rylee came into my mom's life, and now their morning routine looks a little bit different than it did that first morning: right before they leave for preschool, Rylee looks in the mirror and recites what my mom taught her... "I'm beautiful, and I can be anything that I want to be." Then, my mom picks her up and tosses her in the air three times shouting, "You're a star! You're a star! You're a star!" and Rylee smiles and laughs the entire time. It is a wonderful sight to behold, and something that I plan to do with my own children some day.

Seeing this transformation in a three year old girl in just seven short months got me thinking about our mission here at Love Everywhere. There are so many hurting people out there, and one kind and sincere word can completely alter the course of someone's day—I've experienced it, and it is my prayer that through our small efforts of hiding encouragements here and there will do the same for someone who needs it.

Jesus loves us so much, but so many of us don't know how to embrace our value in the Lord's eyes. My prayer is that when you look in the mirror you'll hear the voice of the Lord whispering to you "You're amazing and you can be anything that you want to be." Because He really does think the world of you.

Have a wonderful weekend friends!!

The Father's Love

2011-02-28T11:45:00.000-05:00

Love.

Such a complex word. To be quite honest, it's a word I struggle with—loving myself, loving others, loving life.

My name is Ciara. I'm 27 years old. Ever since I was 12, the torments of childhood really took a toll on my self-worth. Throughout the years, I was in and out of counseling, on numerous types of anxiety medicines and antidepressants, self-medicated with drugs or the affection of men. I've never valued myself. I've lived a life believing the lies that have been spoken over me by my peers. Just like any kid, I wanted to be loved. I wanted to be accepted. I wanted to fit in. I never did.

But boy did I try.

I have always felt like an outcast. A black sheep. A freak. A loser. Ugly. Fat. It's funny, I look back at pictures of myself when I was in high school and realize how tiny I was. I would give anything to have that body again. But being like most women, it doesn't matter how big or small I am, I'm never happy. I tend to get pissed off at my skinny friends who complain about being fat. It hurts my feelings because, realistically, I am bigger than them. And if they think they are fat, then I must be the Goodyear Blimp. But every woman struggles. If it's not weight, it's height, or skin, or hair, or some other stupid flaw that shouldn't really matter, but does.

My husband and I have been together for 8 years, married for 4. He loves me, and I know that to be true with every ounce of my being. At the same time, I have a very hard time receiving his compliments. When he tells me I'm beautiful, I believe that he thinks that. But I feel like he has to say it because he's married to me. I have lived my life acting like I could give two craps about what people think of me, but down at the core, I really do care. If I didn't, I wouldn't be constantly comparing myself to others. I wouldn't take so long to find an outfit just to go to the grocery store. I wouldn't avoid looking at my reflection. I wouldn't be so, well, miserable.

I'm not going to sit here and say that men don't struggle with these issues, but women have it pretty rough. The media is constantly portraying a "normal" woman to be a certain way. There's no variety (except maybe hair color). Men are fed these images of big busty women with tiny waists and long flowing hair, collar bones popping out, curves in all the right places. In my 27 years on this earth, I've found that most men want that woman. And most women want to be her. We idolize this image of normalcy, totally forgetting about who we are. Think about if we all looked like that. The world would be pretty nasty, and boring.

I can talk the talk about this subject but it's hard to walk the walk. I compare it to a maze. It's easier to find a way out of a maze when you are looking down on it rather than being in it. It's a learning experience for sure. I'm forever trying to apply the truths into my own life—ignoring the lies, the media—people whose opinions don't matter.

I have to stop trying to earn the love of people and lean more into the love of the Father.

Having children has really opened my eyes to the true meaning of the Father's love. I have these two sweet little boys, ages 1 and 2 1/2. They are bone of my bone. Flesh of my flesh. I (with the help of God, and my husband) created them. I never knew this much love existed in my being until my oldest son was born. And I never knew that my love could grow even more until my youngest was born.

I have good days and bad days with my boys. Days of cuddling, singing songs, watching movies, rough housing. And then days of pain, screaming, fit throwing, defiance, often ending in a total mental and emotional breakdown. But nothing, not one single thing, can take away the love that I have for them. They can grow up to be mass serial killers. I will still love them. They can end up homeless junkies. I will still love them. They can turn and denounce the Father—I will still love them as much as the day they were born. You get the point. When my oldest son tells me no and hits me in the face, I still want to hold him in my arms and tell him how much he means to me. Nothing can change that.

Luke 15:11-32 is the story of the Prodigal Son. A passage that has never got to me until I became a parent. A passage that makes me cry. Every. Single. Time. Dustin Kensrue, the singer of one of my favorite bands, adapted the parable into a song, called "Please Come Home". There's one part that never fails to leave me sobbing:

I still stand here waiting
With my eyes fixed on the road
And I fight back tears and I wonder
If you're ever coming home
Don't you know son that I love you
And I don't care where you've been
Yes and I'll be right here waiting
'Till you come around the bend
And I run to you and hold you close
Won't let go again
So, please come home

The Father doesn't care what we look like, how we dress, what job we have, how much we weigh, our social class, our political views, etc. He loves us UNCONDITIONALLY. His love is never changing.

Just like my love for my sons.

Where to start...

2011-02-28T08:15:00.000-05:00

Hi. I’m Candis Jones. I write a blog called “Lady Lee in Process” The Lee is because my middle name is Lee. The blog is because I like to keep a record of my life with my husband Drew Jones, our dog Scout and soon to be son (I'm 33 weeks pregnant...weee!). I’ll be writing a little something for Love Everywhere every Monday and am happy to be doing so.

Here is a photo of Drew Jones and I this Valentines Day. Scout was taking the picture. Just kidding. Bad joke.

To warn you, I am a very simple writer. Drew Jones is constantly finding typos in what I post because I am generally a first draft kind of lady. I find myself to be more honest that way. I find my writing to be more conversational that way, because really I’d rather be sitting in my living room with you, telling you my stories and you telling me yours. But that just can’t happen all the time, so I use the magical internet and I don’t always catch my gramatic mistakes. Like how gramatic isn't a word. I knew that, just testing you.

So I’ll be here on Love Everywhere on Mondays if you want to come by for a chat.

And now, I am just going to jump right in with my first post!

.....................

I think one of the most outstanding people to live was Mother Teresa. One of her many quotes that I love is:

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”

I have a copy of it sticky tacked to the inside of our front door.

I put it there because to be honest, it is easy for me to be nice to people I don't know:

Want to cut ahead of me in a line of backed up traffic on the highway?

Go ahead!

You are pushing a stroller and the door to the store isn’t automatic?

Let me get that for you!

You were just an “okay” server for us at the restaurant?

Don’t worry about it! We all have bad days! Here’s 20%!

I smile at strangers if I make eye contact. I will engage in conversation at the grocery check out. I wave at small children and make funny faces at them to make them laugh.

Yes, I am that girl.

But here's the thing...

I don’t always give my husband a hug and kiss when he gets home from work.

Lame.

I don’t always look him in the eyes when he is talking to me and give him my full attention.

Lame.

I snap at him when the dog has an accident in the house and I want him to put the paper towels I used to clean up the mess in the garbage not realizing that he is just trying to keep her from snatching one those paper towels and tearing it up. (I did that one last night)

Lame.

What I know for sure is, I will never be a perfect wife. And when our baby comes I will never be a perfect Mama. BUT if I am not intentional about recognizing the places where I do fall short then I will never get to the humble place of asking for forgiveness and doing better next time.

I have found that for me, how well I treat my husband is a better reflection of how kind and loving I actually am than how well I treat strangers (or even friends).

I am really looking forward to sharing in the mission of Love Everywhere. Dropping beautiful simple messages of love and kindness in unexpected places for strangers to find. It lights up a place inside of me that is in my very nature and always has been. It will bring me satisfaction and joy and hopefully do the same for the strangers that find our notes. I think it is valuable and needed in the world today to spread good news, good thoughts, good vibes to those around us that we don’t yet know.

So what I guess I am saying with all this is that I am going to let the Love Everywhere project be an encouragement and reminder to not only continue to be kind to strangers, but to make sure to remember that Everywhere means home too.

I hope you are inspired as well.

High-fives all around,

Candis

We want you to get involved!

2011-02-18T16:53:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness!

After just a few short days of sharing this idea with the world wide web, we are completely blown away with the feedback and support from you all!

Several of you have expressed interest in joining us in our mission to spread Love Everywhere, which is TOTALLY & REDICULOUSLY AWESOME! Once we've successfully completed our first drop we'll have further details on how you can get involved.

In the meantime, please email us and let us know that you are interested, "Like" us on Facebook and invite your friends to do the same! You can even grab the button freebie on the right for your blog or website if you wish!

Keep us in your prayers as we are getting our first set of note cards printed this weekend! We'll keep you up to date on how they turn out and when we will be making that first drop :)

Have a lovely weekend!

We are here!

2011-02-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

This project is seriously a long time in the making. I initially thought of this idea in December 2009, and over the last year or so I've gotten a lot of great advice from friends and loved ones about how to make it work. Finally, I am beyond thrilled to announce that it's actually happening!

The idea is simple: Share love with people I may never have the honor to meet in random ways with no ulterior motives. I adore the idea of stumbling upon a random love note or to-do list someone has left behind, and I thought...what if I could hide notes of love and encouragement everywhere I go so that others would find it-and perhaps their day could be a little bit brighter because of it? It's an experiement of small bits of Love Everywhere!

I've enlisted the help of three friends Candis, Chrissy and Ciara to help me share the love. The four of us will be dropping love notes at random locations starting very soon, and we'll each be blogging weekly about all sorts of lovely topics, so stay tuned!