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I Met Tim Tebow
Last night I met Tim Tebow. Well, actually–I met his mom Pam! I had the pleasure of attending the annual fundraising banquet dinner for Alternatives Women’s Center in Escondido, CA. Their main speaker was Pam Tebow, whom we all know as Tim Tebow’s mom. Not only was Pam Tebow gracious, but she accepted an autographed copy of Not Another Dating Book to give to her son, Tim Tebow. Once she heard my story and how I had been single for 12 years, 10 months, and 24 days–and how God used the writing of that book to bring my husband Marc into my life–she asked if she could give it to…
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I Love My Body – Green
[Guest Post by Arlene Pellicane] – It was a breakfast appointment with an unexpected blessing. A green blessing! My husband James and I were at a business breakfast a few weeks ago with a group of realtors–my husband is a realtor–in fact, he sold Renee and Marc their house! Across from me, there was a fit, thin, and very energetic realtor wife. She happened to be a fitness instructor and as we begin to chat, her enthusiasm for the color green came out! “In the morning, I take a cup of spinach, a cup of kale, and a cup of collard greens, mix that up with a few grapes for…
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I Hate My Body
[Guest Post by Sarah Miller] – I hate my body. Or at least, that’s what I would have said if you had met me two years ago, before God decided to radically change my life AND my body. I had always been overweight–and ridiculed for it. From the age of 8, I started putting on weight and never bothered to take it back off again. By the time I was a senior in high school I was 250lbs–and at a place where I didn’t care what I looked like. Every day I wore the same outfit: baggy jeans, baggy sweatshirt, hair in a ponytail. No variety. No desire to make…
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I Love My Short Body
[Guest Post by Leeann] – I am exactly five foot tall and I have always hated my short body. I have hated my toes that are funny and irregularly shaped. I blamed my legs for my lack of height. Every year I was the shortest in my class. I try on pants at most stores and they are far too long. Forget shoe shopping–my funny toes make this a near impossible task. I can keep going… Everyone says to read Psalm 139 to remind yourself of the wonder of your body. I cannot tell you how many times I read those exact words. They meant nothing to me. The…
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I Love My Body – Baby Bump
[Guest Post by Kimberly Davidson Campbell] – Weight gain and the numbers on the scale have always been a troublesome spot for my mind and heart. From the time I was in 3rd grade I remember disliking the school pictures for the year book. I always criticized them and stared at them wondering if there was anything beautiful I could find in them. I recently finished a 39+ week maternity photo shoot. I sat at our dining room table and started glancing through them, then sobbed uncontrollably and buried my head in my husband’s side. I hated all of them. Why? No, my hair was great and makeup looked good…
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One Year Anniversary
Today is my one year anniversary! I can’t believe how quickly time flies. I feel like I have learned so much about myself, Marc, and relationships in general. I can definitely say the transition from saangle (really single) to married has been fun, interesting, and tiring at times–but so worth it! As Marc and I approach our one year anniversary, I thought I would share 12 lessons I’ve learned since I said–I do. 1. Don’t Force Love Years before I got married, my friend Angela told me not to force a relationship with Ishmael for God would bless me with Isaac (Genesis 18:10-15). I always held this close to my…
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Practicing Hospitality
During the past few months I’ve been practicing hospitality on my blog and in real life. First, I started with letting people share their stories. Then, I moved on to asking others to help me define the meaning of true friendship. Next, I asked others to write and answer pre engagement questions. Then I turned 30, and wanted to know if I was the only one who survived my 20s. After I lost weight, I released my latest series on why I love my body and asked others to share their stories too. Practicing hospitality means inviting, welcoming, and allowing two or more people to share with each other. Maybe…
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I Love My Body – Thighs
[Guest Post by Angela McNeil] – Thunder Thighs, more cushion for the pushin’, child bearing hips, Saddlebags… I can go on and on about the names I was called throughout my life–it didn’t stop at high school. Even when I was on the swim team super active in sports, the comments still came about my thighs. It was even more frustrating because, being a child of the 90’s I wanted a pair of Guess Jeans but they weren’t styled for curves. I have always thought pants would fit better if I got rid of my saddlebags. Many of moments in the dressing room with tears because a dress didn’t fit…
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I Love My Body – Hands and Feet
Hands and feet are the two body parts I used to hate and wish I never had. The two body parts that–along with my head–cost me almost ten years of my life. I’ve shared my story before and I’ll share it again. It was because of severe eczema that took the skin off my feet, face, and hands. I also gained one hundred pounds in ten months from taking Prednisone to control my skin. So when I say I love my body–it’s nothing short of a miracle! There were many times I felt like giving up or wishing I had someone else’s body or body parts. I always felt like…
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My Apologies
My apologies for writing on failure and not ending with a word of encouragement. In the moment I was feeling sorry for myself. I have learned since there is a difference between venting and sharing. Venting leaves the person with no hope, and sharing enters the author and the reader into a dialogue of hope. Maybe not right away, but eventually. What I’m not saying is that you have to tie a pretty red bow on something that hurts. What I am saying is sometimes you have to give your love away and not expect anything in return. I wasn’t expecting to receive a few straggling emails from folks asking…
