A Tribute to My Grammy

I wrote this for my grandmother (my mom's mom) for Thanksgiving 2015 and read it to her that day in person in PA. We call my grandmother - Grammy. :)

Proverbs 31:31 says “Honor her for all that her hands have done.” There is so much that you have done that is worthy of honor. Worthy of respect. Worthy of praise. As far back as I can remember, coming home to Grammy’s house in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania has filled me with joy. One of the greatest reasons is knowing I will walk into a home filled with peace, love, and incredible hugs! In my almost 30 years of life, I have never met anyone with as sweet a presence…as gentle a spirit…and as loving and compassionate a heart as you. Your kindness warms every soul you encounter. Your sweetness is contagious and makes everyone want to be around you. Your calm and peaceful demeanor is so overwhelming that it can break even the strongest tension in a room. Everything about your demeanor and character is a wonderful display of how I picture Jesus Christ was during his ministry on earth. A loving wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother of three children, a grandmother to six grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to five great-grandchildren – what a legacy you have created, and your love can be seen spread throughout all of them. On this Thanksgiving holiday, let me list just a few things about you for which I am thankful…

Your incredible hugs

Your character

Your love and support no matter what I do

Your quality time playing cards with me

Your millions of delicious homemade meals

Your sweetness

Your faith in God

Your interesting stories

Your love for cats

Your love for your family

Your positive perspective on life

Your generosity

The list could go on and on. Most of all, I want you to know that I am incredibly grateful for you, and I thank God for you. I love you. Your family loves you. This Thanksgiving, we honor you, Grammy.

Hello From The Other Side

It's the New Year, so I always like to take a look back at the year that just passed to reflect on how the Lord blessed me, and be grateful. Each experience we have helps mold us and it's important to remember them so we can learn and move forward.

JANUARY 2015:
I went on a weekend retreat to OBX with 30 other women from my Leadership Training International course I was taking. That weekend was powerful. Three things God revealed to me: (1) God understood why/how things happened in my last relationship, and reassured me I would move on and be redeemed from it all. (2) God told me that He plans on using my greatest hurt in ministry in the future somehow. (3) I received prophetic words from a pastor that I will use the power and gift of discernment to call out Truth and lies in others, and that my ability to identify those own lies in my life will be used to help others find healing.

MARCH 2015:
After 4.5 yrs as Director of Communications at Orphan Helpers, God gave me peace that it was time to move on and that He had other plans for me. So, I accepted a new job as Marketing Services Manager at Operation Blessing International.

Also, got to attend Wave Church's Women's Devoted Conference with some amazing ladies.

Lastly, went to Christian concert of one of my favorite worship leaders, Chris Tomlin.

APRIL 2015:
The miracle of new life left me in awe once again when my family and I welcomed my first niece, Haven McClain, in this world on April 10th.

MAY 2015:
Graduated from a year long course on Christian leadership through Leadership Training International. I deepened my understanding of different leadership styles and understanding people's personalities and spiritual gifts so I can best lead them.

JUNE 2015:
Hiked to McAfee Knob with one of my closest friends, Bridget. I love nature and seeing God's Creation. The elevation climb was high and me being out of shape, it was hard! But the end result was totally worth it to see everything from the top!

Got to see two of my closest friends from college get married! Yay Nick and Mary!

JULY 2015:
Road tripped with some of my favorite people to Charlotte, NC for Elevation Church's live album recording of their latest CD "Here as in Heaven" at Time Warner Cable Arena.

AUGUST 2015:
Went on a week long vacation with my family to my favorite place in the world, Outerbanks, North Carolina. It was my niece's first vacation with us in OBX, and also one of my best friends Kori joined us for most of the week! Cherish family, friends, and nature.

SEPTEMBER 2015:
Got to witness two dear church friends, Nancy and Shane, get hitched! It was such a fun and beautiful night.

OCTOBER 2015:
Went to Wake Forest, NC to visit my brother's family and celebrate my brother and father's birthdays!

NOVEMBER 2015:
Spent Thanksgiving holiday with my parents, Grammy, and Aunt Mimi in Stroudsburg, PA. Got to spend quality time with my 95 year old grandma who is the sweetest lady I've ever met.

DECEMBER 2015:
My brother's family came to Newport News to visit us the weekend after Christmas. :) Love them!

I also moved into a new apartment, and now have my own place with no roommates for the first time in 28 years.

Finished out the year strong at Elevation Church's NYE Praise Party with some awesome friends from WEC!

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

At the start of 2015, I want to take a few moments to reflect on the best moments of 2014, remember how God blessed me, and give thanks to Him.

Here are some of the highlights from my 2014...

JANUARY: Celebrated my nephew Forrest turning 1 year old in Warsaw, VA.

FEBRUARY: On February 2nd, I was baptized as an adult at Waters Edge Church.

MARCH: Went to Frederick, MD for an Orphan Helpers dinner gala and fundraiser, Seeds of Hope, with my colleagues.
















APRIL: I went to Wake Forest, NC for a weekend to visit my favorite little man. #NephewLove

MAY: I went to Sarasota, FL with college friend Mary to see my college roommate Melissa get married to Joel. :) First time in Florida.

JUNE: Went to South Nags Head in Outerbanks, NC with my family for a week long beach vacation. OBX is pretty much our favorite vacation spot. :)

JULY: I road tripped with 20 friends from my church to Charlotte, NC for Elevation Worship's live album recording of "Wake Up the Wonder." I got to worship with ~13,000 people in the Time Warner Cable Arena!

AUGUST: Went on a 8 day Royal Caribbean cruise with my friend Nancy to visit Haiti, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, and Mexico. It was my first cruise and most definitely won't be my last!

SEPTEMBER: Went to visit my high school best friend Kori out in Los Angeles, CA. It was my first time to California and my first time to the West Coast.

OCTOBER: Went to Wake Forest, NC for Halloween to visit my little nephew, aka elmo. ;)

NOVEMBER: Enjoyed a snowy, white Thanksgiving with family in Stroudsburg, PA.

DECEMBER: Celebrated the birth of my Savior Jesus Christ for Christmas in my hometown, Newport News, VA.

It was a year filled with immense blessing, huge travels and adventures, and many loved ones. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me in 2015!