November challenge...

Hoping all is well with you, beautiful one! 

I am sitting at home drinking a cup of hot tea, listening to Evan and his friend in the other room laughing as they are playing Xbox.  I love hearing them laugh!  As a parent I love it when my kids are enjoying life.  I love Saturday afternoons - time to breathe and think!  I love the privilege of living in Washington, D.C., too.  I love that I GET to do life with pretty amazing people.   There is so much to be thankful for when we think about it isn't there?

I am so thankful for what God is doing in the lives of our "Beautiful You" girls, as well.  I am thankful that the "Be the Love" campaign is picking up momentum - more and more girls are coming on board!  Gab, my daughter, and I just finished taping the November "Be the Love" challenge and you are going to LOVE this one. (Check out the "be the love" blog to see what's happening.)  I am even thankful for the laundry I GET to do because it means I have a family healthy enough to get dirty! (haha!)  I am thankful that I GET to live in the DC metro area, in spite of the traffic!! (At least there is a Starbucks on every corner!)  I am thankful there is a God in heaven who believes in me!

One of the most powerful perspectives that can change everything is being "thankful."  It can take the WORST situation and totally turn it around, don't you think?

WHAT  IS "BE THE LOVE"?

I was reading the Bible and ran across this verse:

"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.  Mostly what God does is love you.  Keep company with Him and learn a life of love.  Observe how Christ loved us.  His love was not cautious, but extravagant.  He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.  Love like that....Thanksgiving is our dialect."  Ephesians 5:1,2,4 

This is the scripture that is the inspiration behind the "Be the Love" campaign.  Have you ever read something that immediately pierced your heart and moved you?  When I read, "Keep company with Him and learn a life of love," I was encouraged.  But, it wasn't until I read, "His love is not cautious, but extravagant...love like that," that I was challenged.  I thought about how many times that week I had loved someone...and how many times that love had not been extravagant.  Not only to those close to me, but to those who crossed my path by chance throughout that week.  I felt I was being challenged to "observe" how Christ loved us, and then to be intentional to "be the love" in my world.

Girls, I am convinced that this is your desire as well! I know you want to make a difference on the planet.  You don't want life to pass you by or just "exist".  I believe that in the heart of EVERY woman is the desire to be empowered to impact their world.  Daily we see so many areas that need an answer, need justice, need a friend, need encouragement, need change - it can be overwhelming!  I believe God has called each of you to see amazing things happen in your world - one "be the love" moment at a time.

"Be the Love" = living a life of loving like Christ did, with simple, daily acts of kindness

 When we reach out to someone else, we have the power to not only change their moment, but their life and their eternity.  Forever!

NOVEMBER "BE THE LOVE" CHALLENGE

Part 1: "Let thanksgiving be your dialect." (Ephesians 5:4) "Be the Love" on your own doorstep.

 Every day take the time to say thank you to at least one person.  Whether it is the waitress who is serving you, your husband, you boss or your enemy =0) - be intentional to do this at least once a day, each day of the month.  You can do it with spoken words or write a card or give a little gift. 

NEVER underestimate the power of thanking someone!  For you, it may just be a few words but to the recipient it may be a "life-line"!  By the end of the month, not only will 30 people have been touched because they felt appreciated, your life perspective will begin to change, because a thankful heart changes EVERYTHING!  DON'T forget to share on the "be the love" blog what you're doing!

Part 2: Come to the Christmas TEA!! - "Be the Love" globally.

Just by coming to the Tea, you and your friends are partnering with Beautiful YOU and Joint Aid Management to help Rwandan orphans begin a life of independence.  We have committed to purchasing a "Bicycle Transport Kit" for forty-five children that will enable them to start a bike taxi business. Together we are giving these young men and women an opportunity to ride into their future with hope and confidence.

If you are unable to come to the Tea this year or want to find out more opportunities about how you can help, click here.  This is a great opportunity for your friends and businesses to give during the holiday season. 

I am so excited that we get to do this together.  I love that you are opening up your lives, sharing your journey and your stories, and that we are becoming a company of women, responsive and willing to make the world a better place.

Can't wait to hear about it!
Committed to seeing you do life magnificently!

All my love,
Pdonna