October Joy Project

I absolutely adore the month of October! There weather is still quite pleasant, but it’s beginning to get nice and crisp. Sweaters, boots and scarves are unpacked and lovingly worn, while strolling around the Hill, sipping on coffee and enjoying the fall leaves!

My October was filled with excitement, a trip to the Midwest, and lots and lots of work! Things have been quite busy around the office recently, which has meant longer days! Even though October has been busy, I’ve tried to be purposeful about resting and making sure that my time with the Lord is a priority!

If you’re new to the Joy Project, you can read all about it here and catch up on last month here!

Enjoy!

This sunset

I was at George Mason University all day for work. My co-worker and I set up our table, and chatted with students as they passed by. One young man stopped by and was initially very hostile to me and my colleague, not only about our conservative views, but also about our Christianity. After chatting with him for a few minutes, he soften and had a discussion with me. He didn’t have a radical conversion or anything, but the Lord gave me opportunities to plant seeds or truth, and we exchanged numbers and he said that he would be open to more conversations about Christianity. I’m planning on taking some of my guy friends to meet up with him.

I had another article published on “The Gospel Coalition“. The piece is entitled, “How Long O Lord?” and it’s discussing suffering. Check it out here.

My friend and I met up for dinner and were planning on going back and watching a movie at their house, however we ended up having quite the adventure that evening. On our way to my friend’s house, there was a man planting flowers in his front yard and listening to classic rock. I complemented him on his music and we all started chatting. After exchanging introductions, it began to pour rain. My new friend Randy invited us inside. (Don’t worry, I wasn’t alone!) What started as a quick run inside for shelter from the rain turned out to be a three hour conversation. It turned out that Randy was a Mormon, and one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met. We spent hours discussing our different beliefs. I was encouraged by the conversation, even though Randy didn’t convert to Christianity it was refreshing to engage in intelligent discussion.

The beautiful view on my run to the Lincoln Memorial. Once I arrived at the Lincoln, there was an Almish chior singing hymns. I listened for about 15 minutes. What a treat to hear them praising Jesus in our national’s capital.

My office, Concerned Women for America partnered with Governor Mike Huckbee to do a Stand with Israel Rally. The event was a huge success and it was so neat to gather with like-minded men and women to support Israel. One of my favorite moments was when Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA”

The Benham Brothers

Congressman Trent Franks

Received the sweetest note of encouragement from a lady who had read my article on The Gospel Coalition. It was such a refreshment and encouragement to me. Sometimes when I publish articles, I feel extremely vulnerable, and I appreciate the Lord allowing me to see that my life experience and words have helped someone else.

This text from my brother 🙂 It’s a long story, but his nickname for me is “Zebra”!

My Dad was recently in Texas and brought home a stuffed armadillo for my sisters. This picture from home made me smile!

The parenting class at the local pregnancy center has started back again, and I got to hang out with this cutie!

Found a small piece of home in D.C.

Walks around D.C. in Autumn

The Capitol on my 6:00 a.m. run

Found my last name in D.C. – These street signs sure are fun 😉

Waffles

One of my co-workers went out in the rain because we were running low on coffee. I was happy!

Went to hear Robbie George lecture. If you’ve never heard of Robbie George, you’re missing out! He’s a Conservative Professor at Princeton university, and one of the most dynamic an brilliant men I’ve had the pleasure of hearing speak. He used his time to speak on the importance of marriage. Afterwards, I chatted with him for a few moments, and he super down to earth, which was refreshing!

(Sorry for the horrible quality picture!)

The Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center, where I regularly volunteer hosted their annual fundraising banquet. I was humbled to have a bunch of my friends come out to hear more about the center. It’s a place that’s so close to my heart, and I appreciated them giving up their Friday evening to come.

I had the privilege of sharing a story of one of the families that I’ve gotten to know through the center. My friend Yerom, who’s story I was telling was there, and it was such a sweet evening!

Some of my sweet friends who came…

My friend, former co-worker and roommate Caroline came to spend the weekend with me! We had a wonderful day together, and that evening attended the nicest event either of us had ever been to. The gala was to support The NorthWest Center, one of two pregnancy center’s in D.C. To read more in depth about our evening, click here.

One of my friends snagged a few extra tickets to the White House Fall Garden Tour. The weather was absolutely perfect for our White House adventures!

This picture is my favorite from the day….The Selfie Stick! HAHAH #CaughtInAction

Lunch at a local grilled cheese bar in D.C. This place is the bomb!

Sweet notes, and coffee gift cards from friends!

Playing tourist!

Today was a rough day. Long story, but things at work were weighing heavy on me. I had planned a big conference in Iowa, and was discouraged that things weren’t going as they should. Someone said something hurtful to me, I was sick and absolutely exhausted. I took a taxi home that evening and started crying in the taxi. My poor driver, he kept trying to comfort me, but I just needed a good cry.

One of my dear co-workers gave me a “Get well” gift, and it meant the world to me.

I hopped on a plane bound for Des Moines, Iowa for a work trip. I loved being up early for flights, and sat by the window on my way out to Iowa.

I spent the day with our State Director in Iowa, and got to see part of the state! Isn’t it gorgeous?!

That evening, I attended a dinner for a local pregnancy center dinner (I’m becoming a regular at these events!). Gail McWilliams was the keynote speaker. I had the extreme privilege of having dinner at her table and getting to know her. She’s completely blind, but one of the most joy-filled people I’ve ever met. When she was pregnant with her children, the doctors told her that she needed to choose between her eyesight or her baby. Obviously she chose her baby! Read more about her here.

The Young Women for America (YWA) conference was wonderful! All week, I’d been praying that the Lord would bring who He wanted to be there, and He sweetly answered that prayer. I not only got to talk with the gals about YWA, but I also got to share parts of my testimony and pour into them spiritually!

Also – this sunset stole my heart!

Watched the sunrise from 20,000 feet in the air!

After arriving home from an exhausting work weekend, I decided to work from home during the morning and take the afternoon off. I was so thankful to have time to sleep, do three loads of laundry, grocery shop and meal prep for the week. I wasn’t feeling well, so it was the perfect day to catch up on life.

After work, I went for a run through D.C. The weather was in the upper 60’s (which was fabulous for late October), so I laced up my sneakers and headed out at dusk. Isn’t this view from the Library of Congress perfect?

One of my roommates is 67 (she’s a widow and moved down to D.C. to live with her daughter and be an older woman at the church). I asked for her wisdom on a particular subject, and my sweet housemates spend over an hour pouring into me and offering counsel. I am so thankful to live with such Godly women!

This e-mail from my Mom. January 27 is my birthday, and the count down is on!

Happy Reformation Day!