Friday night, Alece arrives in Southern Oregon once again. I love this girl. Everything about her. Y’all know what a rough couple years she has had. So, our hope, while she is here, is to spoil her rotten. Whatever that looks like, we’re gonna do it. And I’m sure that will involve a lot of junk food. And hopefully some random videos. Maybe even videos of her playing Rock Band!
One of things I love most about this community is how we rally around one another. When someone is down, another rushes to help lift them. You all are a wise group of people. So, I would love if you’d be willing to share the biggest piece of wisdom in life that you have. Maybe it’s an old saying handed down from your Grandparents. Or, a favorite verse. Or something you’ve learned in your own life-journey. Perhaps share words of encouragement…
Whatever it is, share it here. I know she will love reading through them!
I love Alece and haven’t even met her in person. Yet! And I’m so happy you’re going to spoil her rotten!
I’m not sure it’s advice, it’s just a strong gut feeling and a bunch of life experience… God is going to bless her like CRAZY for hanging onto Him through her past few years. He redeems EVERYTHING if we let Him. And she is letting Him. He loves that and is going to lavish His love on her like only He can.
mmm…i love this. and it's truth!
beautiful words…
amen to that
thank you for your heart-strengthening words, emily. love you!
don’t let fear have the power. be faithful to the struggle and live to fulfill, not understand.
*hug her for me*
woah. there is SO much in those few words, fritz. and i just want to ask you "how" for each thing you said. what does it really mean to be faithful to the struggle? and i will be thinking about "live to fulfill, not understand" for a long time.
oh the conversations we never get to have! seriously… i love you, sara.
Now words of wisdom…. just an adult temper tantrum….. TOTALLY JEALOUS!!!!!
Love you both!
p.s. we're coming home in June now. Tell her to come back in June. ;o)
i hope i get to see you in june, BM!
"Never undo in doubt what you did in faith."
And I'm not letting Alece get by with coming to town again without meeting her! Have a wonderful time!
ooooooh. that's good, candy! and seriously – we are so getting some face-time next time i'm in iowa!
Enjoy Alece…..
Next week I'll be in the PNW too. taking in a real life SABBATH from life…
(unfortunately too high North to be hugged by you. ) someday…. I hope!
"For Attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.”
Ms. Audrey Hepburn
i've always loved that audrey quote! thanks, heidi!
I love Alece! So glad I got to see her in person this week!
“God is good AND He is sovereign. Believe these truths at the same time.”
wow. that is gooooood, amanda! thank you, friend.
He will turn your mourning into dancing. =]
can't wait to dance with ya!
we're gonna get our dance on, girl!
God told Joshua and the people to "be strong and of good courage" 4 times just in the first chapter of the book of Joshua. He knows what we're going through and He knows it's not easy for us. He just wants us to hang in there and follow Him. Thoughts and prayers.
i've always felt encouraged reading that phrase so frequently in Joshua… thank you for reminding me of that much-needed truth, jamie!
I've probably said it so many times but… God always brings good out of the crap we go through in life.
it's so true. He redeems all things. even this… even this…
thank you, laura anne!
Awwww, I love that you all GET to have Alece for a while! I hope you have the most fun, refreshing, encouraging, funny, God-glorifying and friendship-sealing visit EVER! Big hugs to you both!
ohhhhh! thank you, mary! love to you!
This quote has gotten me into a little bit of trouble but I do think it is still a great quote if one uses it the right way.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
yes this was by Nietzsche and Kanye West but I like to apply it to struggles people face and the hope for becoming more like Christ rather than going with the Nazi side of it
you've gotten into trouble over that one?! sheesh, girl! all kinds of reality and truth in that quote!
thanks, kamrie!
Dear Alece,
Weebles wobble but they dont fall down.
Selah.
With love,
Grant
this put a huge smile on my face. thank you, grant!
selah…
I'm not jealous at all that you guys get to hang out. I know that time in the Hodge Lodge will be good for her and honey for her soul. Alece you have gotten quite a bit of really good advice and wisdom on here already. I don't have much to add except to say that among the many names that Jesus is called, remember that He is Emanuel, God is WITH us. When it gets hard and impossibly difficult remember that He is Emanuel and He is with you. When everything feels dark and there is no light to be found, He is still Emanuel, God with you. I pray the sweet assurance of the Father's presence will wrap itself around your heart and mind and may you find rest in His loving arms. Sending you love from the other coast, always and forever!
oh wow, makeda. that is such a beautiful and timely reminder. God is WITH me. Emmanuel…
thank you, friend! love you.
I think spoiling and loving on friends is the best thing we can do for eachother… I absolutely LOVE visiting my bestie(s) and having time at the spa or just laying out by the lake with them!
Have so much fun together, laughter truly is some of the best medicine!
and we are getting in LOTS of laughter! thanks, miranda!
Ons is almal so lief vir jou! Jy's sterk en lieflik en snaaks en braaf! Jy's my vriendin. Dankie. Soentjies en baie drukkies aan jou, my lief!
~Lisa-Jo
i had to whisper this out loud to translate in my head… (i thought you might get a kick out of that.) thank you, dear friend. your words always mean a lot to me.
kiss that baby girl of yours. liefde, my vriendin.
Also…JEALOUS! Oh how I would love to meet all of the incredible and mighty women I only "know" online!
Everything that befalls us – no matter the pain or pleasure – is for our benefit because we are beautiful daughters of the most high King!
I'm praying you catch a glimpse of the face of Jesus during your time together. Love y'all!
mmmmm… thank you so much, judi. some days it's easier than others to believe that everything is for my benefit, but i know that is truth. thank you for your prayers.
Thanks for the encouragement of this idea of choosing a word for the year. It's taken me almost 2 months to narrow it down to two. I may finally have my actual word. I'll post it soon. Hope you have a fabulous time with Tam and fam. We know you will.
oh wow, amy. i would love to hear your word and your thoughts on it…
Tell her to just enjoy being spoiled by those that love her. And that it was great to meet her this past week. I wish we had a chance to spend more time together. She is an amazing lady.
i wish we'd had more time together too! hopefully we will have another chance at recreate12?! (it could happen!)
Just met Alece. She is a wonderful person
My big word for 2010 was “do not fear”. Over 300 times in scripture it says this and I finally realized that if God says that this much there must be a reason. So Alece do not fear for God is with you.
i'm so glad i got to meet you at re:create, jim. thank you for the reminder that i don't need to fear because He is with me. my heart breathes easier when i am mindful of that…
I'm not the best at passing on wisdom – wise-cracks, maybe.
Alece knows I've walked in her shoes, and have seen God work wonders in my life since. What I would pass on is what others have said, cling to God with all you've got.
Another thing I would pass on would be to let go of the fear of trusting. Even when we think it's gone, that we are trusting (especially men), if we look closer, we realize we're keeping them at arm's length.
Then, don't be surprised when seemingly strange things crop up in your life. My first marriage broke up at 12 years. When my second marriage neared that mark, I started acting from a place of fear without realizing it. Thankfully, God ever-so-gently showed me and we moved past that, now about to celebrate 20.
Sweet Alece, you know God has a plan for you. He hasn't given up on you. He hasn't put you on a shelf. He's still got you imprinted on His mighty hand. When the time is right, He will draw back the curtain to show you another step. Even now as you visit with Tam and family, you are experiencing our Father's mercy and grace and healing. Who knows, He might just show you a glimpse of that next step now — He might even give you a clear vision of the whole plan. Be ready. Be willing.
In the jail the other night, I watched women weep when one of our ladies sang this chorus: "I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten. I am not forgotten. God knows my name." Seems we all need to remember that. God knows your name, Alece Ronzino.
wow, faye. my eyes filled reading this. there was so much in there i needed to hear. thank you.
Let’s see….I walked the wilderness for a solid year and hated every bit of it. But…I learned how to have full blown utter dependence on the One who WILL provide. It’s so very scary but I hung onto every promise I could find. YOU are His treasured possession….He has this. Walk with Him….let Him lead the way…one stinkin day at a time!
So much love,
Fran
TN
thank you so much, fran. i can't wait to hug your face someday…
My biggies are :
There is no darkness which God cannot reach.
Be still. God will fight for you.
Enjoy every minute together!
thank you so much for this, tracey. sometimes it feels as though there are places too dark and deep even for Him, yet i know you are right. and thank you for the reminder that He will fight for me. that He IS fighting for me… i needed to hear that.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! She is there
Ok, Tam now it's your job to keep Scooter McFlossy in hugs and lovesalot… to help you out, just sending some extra big hugs your way today!!! 
love y'all and can not WAIT for the fan-tab-u-lous HodgePodgeLodge videos that are sure to cometh 
love you, bootz!
I am just now catching up with the blogs I follow…and I just saw this. If she is still with you…please let her know she is thought about often on my end. I am glad she has been able to get away and hang out with encouraging people. I know only as much as she has revealed on her blog…but what she has revealed is enough for me to know God has something great in store for her. My prayers are continued for her…and I look forward to see her back to blogging when she is lead to.
and i am only just now replying to all these! o_O
thank you for your thoughts and prayers — really means a lot to me, marni. i appreciate you!
i completely suck for only coming to REALLY read these all now. but wow… i still can't believe you did this. actually, i can. you love me well, friend. and i am so grateful for you.
i love you more than words can say. and, clearly, all these people do too…
and how have you and i never played rock band? not even once. hmph.
thank you again for this, Sis. thank you for you – and for your heart for me. i will never be able to thank you enough for all you have so graciously and generously done for me. but for now… from my toes… thank you.