I Was On The News!!

As many of you know, I was in a near-fatal car crash in 2005 with an 18-wheeler merely two weeks after my high school graduation from McKinney North. The crash and impact were so severe that it caused my neck to break, damaged my C6 spinal cord, and ultimately resulted in me becoming paralyzed.

We don't always understand why things happen and can spend our entire lives wondering, questioning, and reliving moments. Or we can embrace our past and present experiences, learn from them, and help others along the way. We have all been through unique and extraordinary events -- some of intense depth, pain, and struggle and others of amazing greatness and honor. We are all on a journey of understanding and purpose and all have something to offer this world.

In 2009, I started sharing my story - a story of perseverance from bullying, recreational drug and alcohol use, and extreme loss; forgiveness; self-discovery; and purpose. One of the organizations that I align with and share my story through is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). I was presented an opportunity this week to serve as a guest speaker at this year's Dallas and Tarrant County Joint DWI Task Force Press Conference (11/12/2014) held in Grand Prairie. The mission was to encourage responsibility during this holiday season and present recent updates to DWI offense handling.

 

 

Courtesy: @GrandPrairiePD 

Inspiration

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you" (James 4:8a NLT). Hallelujah! "Make your life a mission, not an intermission" -Author unknown "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect" -Mark Twain #Inspiration #Faith #Believe #GodIsFaithful

Happy Mother's Day!

This Mother's Day was an amazing day spent with my 2 Moms. It began at Covenant Church with an awesome worship service & also where my Mom was awarded as a "TOP MOM!" Then we had a wonderful lunch at Dos Charros & rented a redbox. I can never thank you enough Mom for your sacrifice every day in caring for me. You mean so much to me. You have my heart Mom! You too Second Mom.

My Top Mom Submission:

Where do I even begin?
Not a single word I could ever speak could begin to explain how amazing my Mom is and how she truly goes above and beyond in every way. She is an extraordinary mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, caregiver, and woman of God.
I was in a car crash 9 years ago with an 18-wheeler and almost died. In fact, I did die four times but God breathed life back into me and I'm forever grateful that He did because it is through such life that I learned how incredibly blessed I am, how much God loves me, and how much my family loves me. I was in inpatient recovery hospitalization for 5 months (in 4 different hospitals) and my Mom was with me every step of the way, every day. Nearly every night, she stayed in the cot next to my hospital bed and every day, she was persistently advocating, motivating, praying, and speaking life over me and still does to this day. In a place and state full of despair and can'ts, she reminded me that I still have a purpose and to keep my faith. When it was time to come home from the hospital, my loving Mom quit her job of nearly 25 years to become my full-time caregiver, a tremendous sacrifice. She released all of who she was and wanted to be - completely dropped it - to take care of me. She not only cooked and cleaned the house but now also dressed and undressed me, cleaned me when I messed on myself, bathed me, fed me, changed my catheters, turned me in the bed at night to prevent pressure sores (as did my Dad and boyfriend), and all the other many little (and big) things that able-bodied persons and families could not even imagine. She does and does and does for me and others until she can do no more and then, hunched over from exhaustion and grimacing from aching feet, still asks if there is anything else she can do. She is an absolute blessing. Her heart and spirit radiates and captivates the world around her. She gives and serves so much to those in need but hardly ever takes time for herself. I began my response in saying that words cannot express the kind of woman that my Mom is and I conclude with that same declaration. My Mom is so special, so deserving, so wonderful of a person and I just want her to know how much her love and sacrifice means to me. It is through her sacrifice and love that God revealed Himself to me and helped me to truly understand His love and who He is. "Greater love has no man than he who lays down his life." She lays down her life every day.

THANK YOU COVENANT CHURCH MCKINNEY!

Beautiful Pay-It-Forward Story

When I woke up this morning, I opened my Yahoo! homepage to this story. 

After experiencing the sudden passing of their 18-year-old daughter Alyssa Josephine O'Neill, this couple decided to bless 40 people in honor of their daughter by paying-it-forward at a Starbucks and it caught on - everywhere! May this story inspire your heart!

http://shine.yahoo.com/ellen-good-news/parents-pay-forward-pumpkin-spice-lattes-221300973.html

Ellen's Good News. "Parents Pay it Forward with Pumpkin Spice Lattes." Yahoo! Shine. 27 September 2013. Web. 28 September 2013. <http://shine.yahoo.com/ellen-good-news/parents-pay-forward-pumpkin-spice-lattes-221300973.html>

August and September Speeches

August 3, 2013 - Speaking to Biblical Community Church's youth located at 810 Lookout Dr., Richardson, TX 75080 at noon.

September 8, 2013 - Speaking to Christ United Methodist Church's youth located at 3101 Coit Rd., Plano, TX 75075 at 6:45pm.

September 18, 2013 - Speaking at MADD's Plano Teen VIP located at 900 E. 15th Street, Plano, TX 75074 at 6:15pm.

"Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets

I like to begin my day with praise music. Today, the song "Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets came on the radio. I've heard this song many times but this time, it spoke to me. I listened to the words and their meaning and was utterly inspired. This is what I want my life and my decisions to reflect. I hope the words inspire you as they have me.

Click here to check out the music video. It is powerful!!

K-LOVE. “K-LOVE - Sidewalk Prophets ‘Live Like That’ LIVE.” Youtube. 26 March 2012. Web. 27 July 2013.

"Live Like That" by Sidewalk Prophets:

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of us
Was my worship more than just a song

Chorus
I wanna live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything You say and do
Points to You
If love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back
I wanna live like that

Am I proof
That You are who You say you are
That grace can really change your heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don’t know my name
Is there evidence that I’ve been changed
When they me do they see You

I wanna show the world the love He gave for me
I’m longing for the world to know
The glory of the King

Sidewalk Prophets. "Live Like That." Sidewalkprophets.com. 2012. Web. 27 July 2013.

We Must Strive Harder to Be and Live as Great Examples

I was reminded yesterday that there is always someone watching and observing the people we are and the lives we lead and that is why it is so important to lead an exemplary life - one you are proud of and one that encourages and inspires greatness. Our behaviors, attitudes, words, and interests reveal who we are - our strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, feelings, beliefs, goals, and priorities in life.

The people who are in our lives are in our lives for a reason. We have been purposely placed at the locations we live, work, and frequent for a reason and these reasons are much greater than ourselves. May we recognize this fact and live as so. These people and places are our spheres of influence and you hold the power of the way they are influenced.

A friend once told me that there are three things we can do for a person - make them feel the same, worse, or better. The fantastic thing about this is, in most cases, we already know the potential consequences (good and bad) that a spoken word, behavior, or reaction can bring and make someone feel. That is the hard part and it is already done! We have been given the ability to recognize good and evil and right and wrong. May we take control of this ability and utilize it!

One of my speaking points is we only have one life, one body, and one chance to make the best decision in every situation. There is no going back. We cannot undo what we say, a decision we have made, or an impression we have given and we live in a society that is unforgiving and remembers every time you fall; every time you fail to meet perfection.

Your children, spouse, parents, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and community are your sphere of influence. It is time for us to stand up, rid ourselves of the things that hinder and corrupt us, and strive without ceasing to be and live as great examples and as the men and women God has created us to be because there are too many who are lost, who do not know God's love, and who are looking for "something" to fill and satisfy their void. These people in your sphere of influence - their lives, future, and very being - desperately depend on you and need to see God in you. So show them greatness. Show them love. Show how God has changed you. 

What is the point in all of this?

- Live a life that inspires.

- Live a life that encourages.

- Live a life that brings out the best in others.

- Live a life where God's love, fruit, and Spirit shines bright, radiates, and completely captivates others.

- Be an example.

As you do this, watch how you are strengthened and changed. This reward is as sweet as honey.

Pastor Natalie Choate

What an awesome and uplifting memorial service for Pastor Natalie Choate last night! As we all stood and sang praises to God, I gazed across the sanctuary and saw the most beautiful sight - the congregation with hands raised and voices united worshiping God. What a victory your life has brought God and us!! Pastor Natalie, I did not have the pleasure of knowing you while you were here on earth but I feel that I know you now. As Pastor Kevin mentioned, your name means "a gift from God." I have been praying for about 2 months for everyone I know & everyone they know to be motivated in life and faith. Through your life and legacy, we have been inspired and motivated to fight the good fight, to not give up, and to fully lead the lives God has for us. God has answered my prayer through YOU! Just as Pastor Kevin said, I thought I was strong in my faith and I thought I trusted God fully but through you Pastor Natalie, God has opened my eyes to what that means and how much more trust and faith I must and can have. Through you, God has strengthened me, reminded me of my purpose, and given me a deeper courage to be the woman He has called me to be no matter the depths, pains, struggles, or outcomes I will face and have - to keep pressing on and knowing that God has my best interest at heart and He sees the big picture always. You have inspired me and blessed me Pastors Natalie & Kevin Choate! Love you both! We stand with you arm and arm, heart and heart! — Covenant Church

Obituary: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Natalie-Choate&lc=4270&pid=165802289&mid=5599271 

July Speeches

July 10, 2012 - MADD's Plano Teen VIP located at 900 E. 15th Street, Plano, Texas 75074 at 6:20 pm

July 16, 2012 - Speaking to Farmersville Rotary Club for MADD located at Carlisle Civic Center (201 Orange, Farmersville, Texas 75442) at 12:00 pm