Brooke

Where to begin with Brooke? SO many good things to mention! :)

Brooke and I went to 24 Hour Fitness to work out together the other night and she kicked my butt! Seriously. Talk about sore arms the next day.

Working out is actually a really good analogy for Brooke. Working out takes time, endurance, creativity, and it’s a whole lot more fun when you can be with someone else. Brooke, you always make time for those people and things that are important in your life (aka me! lol). You have endurance like no one I know, and this is most evident in your Arbonne business. It doesn’t matter who gets to the top the fastest – it’s about getting there, and I know that you will get there. And you are creative.  Amazing dance moves aside, you are creative in many ways – your fashion sense, your horse back riding, the way you run your business, your great cooking… I’ll stop there so I don’t bore you with all the wonderfulness. And you are genuinely fun to be around. You truly have a gift with people. Whether it’s your friends’ kids, the awesome girls at your job, your sisters, your nieces, or with your friends, you keep things interesting and fun! I mean, for your birthday, you wanted everyone to spend the afternoon playing kickball together – who thinks of that but someone fun like you? :) Brooke, keep being the beautiful woman God created you to be. Don’t ever stop pursuing your dreams – even if they are so hard you want to give up every few steps along the way. Nothing worth having comes easily. I’m here for you and I love you!!

Andrea

Nate

This blog wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you, babe. In fact, I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. When I know that you believe in me, it’s one of the best feelings in the whole world. So I’m going to brag on you a little (or a lot), and you will probably pop up frequently in my posts.

Nate has always been the supportive type. For years I have been talking about how I want to write a book someday. It’s kind of wishful thinking, but for some reason I’ve always wanted to do it. Nate is always open to hearing my ideas and he is a good listener, so my book topic has come up often over the course of the years we’ve been together. And now, it almost feels like our book because he is in on the dream too. And that’s one of the things I love about him - how what is important to me also becomes important to him. 

(Someday we'll write that book!)

Thanks for believing in me and for reading my blog everyday.

I love you so much!  You change me for the better everyday!!  S'agapo.

Andrea

Keleen

Keleen and I (and her beautiful daughter Leila) got to spend the day together on Saturday at the Stock Show and Rodeo. What a fun time we had! Seeing all the rodeo events, walking around and looking at the booths, and of course – the petting zoo! It had been months since we had a chance to hang out – much too long in both of our opinions, but finally, we made it happen.

Keleen, you are such a terrific mama to your little girl. Just hearing you talking to her on our way out to the parking lot - asking her if she knows what a special girl she is, and how lucky you are to have her for your daughter. You couldn't speak more beautiful words into her life than the assurance that she is loved by you no matter what. Keep being the amazing woman that you are. All of your hard work is paying off! (And you will be through school and be an RN before you even know it!!) Love you!!! Andrea

Julie

It's fitting Julie would be the first person I post about - for 2 reasons. First of all, it's Julie's birthday today! Yeah! Happy Birthday Julie! Hope it was one of your best yet! And second of all, Julie was the first one to tell me that I am an encourager. :)

I first met Julie through Timberline church in Fort Collins. We were in a bible study together. It turned out, we were also both taking classes in nutrition to eventually become RD's. Not only is Julie smart and driven in her career, but she is a woman after God's own heart. I have never known anyone to pray so faithfully and trust in the Lord through any circumstance. We can go months between our conversations on the phone, and she never fails to bring up very specific prayer requests I have shared with her, and ask me how things are going. She inspires me to always treasure prayer - the amazing communication available to us with the Creator of the Universe. Julie, thank you for all the wonderful things you have shared with me and taught me along this journey. You are truly a light to this dark world. Love you!    

Andrea

Encouraging Words - Beginnings

Here is the story of why I named this blog "Barnabas By Design..." 

One of the things I enjoy doing most is writing cards to people. I love sharing encouraging words with others with the hope it brightens their day. I also love knowing they can keep cards and hopefully look back at them from time to time and be reminded of what a special person they are. Encouraging others is something I truly enjoy, and I was pleasantly surprised to come across a person in the Bible who also shared this tendency. 

His name was Barnabas, which means "son of encouragement." You can read about him in the book of Acts. He first comes on the scene in Acts 11:23, "When he (Barnabas) arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." So since Barnabas and I both share the desire to be encouraging to others, that explains the first part of the title.

The second part of the title, "by design," comes from my belief that I am created by a loving God - who knows me personally and more intimately than anyone. I believe what Psalm 139 says - that God "created my inmost being; He knit me together in my mother's womb" (verse 13). I believe He designed me uniquely and purposefully. 

So, in essence I believe God designed me with the gift of encouragement, and that I can kind of be a present-day Barnabas to others while I'm here. Hence "Barnabas By Design." 

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I will be posting encouraging words and stories about people in my life, and those I encounter, that have touched me or others in some way. I hope to shine the spotlight on them to display some aspect of the amazing person God created them to be.