Power of Patience …

I don’t think I can go a week, a day, even an hour without having to learn the importance of patience in some way or another.  If you know me you know I am a planner, always prepared for what is next to come.  After high school…college, after college… grad school (okay I didn’t predict that one), after grad school… job…. And the list goes on.  But I find myself in a stagnate state, I have a job I love, semi-close to family and while I may complain… I’m blessed with a roof over my head and food on the table. 

So why patience you might ask?  As I wonder what’s next for me, a runner at heart, it feels so strange to be in one place and thinking about where I want to plan my future.  I have so many questions these days that I want an answer to immediately, but unfortunately that is not how it works.  My timing is God’s timing, he will reveal what he wants for my life piece by piece, but in his own way and on his own timeline. <<< Easier said than done right!

Whether it’s a job, the next chapter is in your life, marriage, a family… we all have wants (and what some of us may think are needs) but if you take a step back and look at past situations in your life, you see that God provided in just the right moment with the right thing to get you where you are today.  That’s a constant reminder for me to trust in all He has planned for my life and in hope that some of my desires come soon J

As you all know since moving to Southern California I have become a workout fen.  Bootcamp was so inspiring for me and really made me think about myself.  Recently I have come to find out I have torn my ACL again and have a slight tear in PCL.  Minor set back but just like the first time, senior year in high school, I am using this time to settle down as God uses crazy things to remind us of what’s important in life.  I am enjoying cardio and yoga now, using my Savasana (time of reflection) at the end of yoga class to pray about everything I am grateful for!

I encourage all of you who may be still searching for something and have a yearning desire for answers to have PATIENCE and trust that in time everything will be revealed to you.  Some day down the road you can look back and realize how blessed your life really is because of God’s timing!

Love to y'all ~Brie Lynne

Remember What Matters Most...

It has been FOR-EV-ERRR (much needed Sandlot reference!).  Needless to say these past three weeks have been a blur, and with one weekend off ahead, it all starts up again after.  I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying the Fall as it embraces us, FINALLY, and the holidays are right around the corner!

The last two weeks I have been on the go but a good on the go.  It started with our first Fall championships at the Big West, cross country the last weekend in October, just love watching people run! That next Friday I landed in the South to celebrate two very special friend’s birthdays! While I was only there for hours… maybe 60… Each moment is always great with my Memphis family.  This past week I traveled up North for the men’s soccer championship in Davis.  Luckily we had semifinals Wednesday and finals Saturday so I got to have some much needed time with the fam!

These past two weeks and being with my family, Memphis and Stockton, I have realized that is what life is all about! I am my happiest when I am surrounded by those I love most and those that care for me as well.  Work has swallowed my life to the core, which in my line of work can be an easy thing to happen, but I must step back and make time for the things that keep me going when overwhelmed.

Life can grab us and not let go, spinning us around and putting blinders up to the things that we need to have strength to get through.  While I have my routine, work, Saturday off for errands and regroup, Sunday church and then work, nowhere in there am I making time for me, or most importantly my relationship with God. 

Many questions stagger in my mind these days and I forget the ultimate answers lye in meditating and focusing on God’s will for our life and where he wants us to be.  But in order to listen to his calling we must first meditate on his word and go to him with all things.  We must walk in faith in every aspect of our lives, it is hard to give God everything, sometimes it means losing that that means the most to you.

 A dear friend recently reminded me of Deuteronomy 28:1-2, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on the earth.  All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.”

    

Love to y'all! ~Brie

Coming Back From Dormancy

I was reminded by a dear friend that I hadn’t kept up on my blogging, so here I am! So sorry yall it has been so long!  It has been a whirlwind of a summer already and to think it is coming to an end is CRAZY!  I hope this finds everyone well and enjoying the summer sun and having fun! 

Personal, Professional, Spiritual

Homes Away from Home...

A lot has happened already in these couple months I have been dormant but I will highlight my best summer moments so far…

Fourth of July:  It is always a pleasure to be able to spend such a wonderful tradition with my family.  We came to the conclusion that this was our fifth season going to the Stockton Ports game as a family and spending the day by the pool.  Mom has now adopted it as her holiday (Like Christmas Day for the in-laws)

I was lucky enough to take a couple vacation days from work and go home for a week and half to relax (or at least try) and spend quality time with family and friends!  If there is one thing I have learned, it is no matter how old you get, or far from home you are, there is always a place for you when you return.  It is so reassuring to know I have that security.

Back to the South: Last week I had the pleasure to travel to my Southern roots, Memphis of course, to visit friends and have my last summer hoorah before getting in the swing of sports starting at work.  WHAT A GREAT TIME I HAD! It was so awesome to go and not have a schedule but to relax and spend time with some quality friends I have made for a lifetime.  Time by the pool, hitting Beale Street, Water Park and the pleasure to spend time with my favorite Memphis family after their first day of school was such a treat.  This is another place I call home and always feel welcome with open arms when I return.  Thank you to all those who made my trip SUPER SPECIAL!

BIG title in the WEST…

Well folks, it is official, I know I announced going fulltime with the Big West, but know I am title official.  I am pleased to announce that I am now the ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NEW MEDIA AND MARKETING!  While I will be working a lot in social media and launching our first Big West blog, I will be also continuing work in communications, game operations for the basketball tournament and possible traveling for the Tour. 

I am very excited to help in continuing the success of the Big West but also anxious to learn new things and be a part of making it BIGGER AND BETTER! Thank you everyone for your prayers and support, it is crazy to think I have a big girl job now! No more skipping from one to the other!

Never Ending Presence...

One thing I have learned is that God never stops working in your life.  I continue to struggle in some areas of my personal life but in every moment when I feel like I am alone or cant overcome the obstacle that lies before me, he shows himself in a mighty way to confirm his great love and support for me!  Whether I like to admit it or not, I have become a workaholic at the age of 24… not ideal, but in this economy you have to hit the ground running to get where you want to go!  I hope to take this next year to focus on getting connected in ways I have never imagined.  Stepping out of my comfort zone is going to be hard but what is life without a little bit of risk, right!?!

Remember that no matter what you may be going through in life, there are always things to be grateful for.  Chasing the dreams that we want is a PRESENT MOMENT activity. There is no tomorrow, or later, or one day. TODAY IS ONE DAY! TODAY IS LATER!

Love ~Me

BIG decisions in the WEST...

Hello my dear friends. I hope this finds everyone enjoying SUMMMER and feeling healthy.  I apologize, yet again, for the lapse in time, things have been a little busy here as we end the spring sports and I have been faced with life decisions.

 First and foremost I want to just say how grateful I am to have such a loving support system in my family and friends as I’ve been faced with deadlines and life-changing decisions this past week.  It takes a lot of listening to God and seeking his will, but also confiding in the ones closest to you to help ease the process. 

Personal, Professional Spiritual

Kick my butt into gear... 

It’s no secret that it has been a bit of a struggle for me to get acclimated in the OC and really find a group of “friends.”  I have never been faced with this problem because I am definitely not shy or antisocial, just seems as you get older it’s harder and harder to find friends to live up to the AMAZING ones you already have.  My goal is to get more involved and really put myself out there.  I started a bootcamp class M/W/F with a gal from work and it’s KICKED MY BUTT, but has been so rewarding.  Despite having to get up at 5, I really have been enjoying working out with others and having an accountability partner.  Running is still a process, I have had a few set backs but after visiting my wonderful family members that kick butt in marathons, they have encouraged me to keep at it even if you don’t go far. 

Life has been such a rollercoaster ride, but I think I am ready for this next chapter in slowing down and concentrating on the present and living NOW and not for the future.  

 

Future in the …

As I come to a close of my internship at the end of the month, I have been seeking God’s guidance on what the next step is for my life and where that might be.  I was blessed with opportunities to grow in different areas, but it also made it difficult in saying no to some and yes to the one.  That being said I am excited to announce that as of July 1^st I will be a fulltime staff member at the Big West Conference.  God has opened the door to this next chapter in my life and for that I am grateful.

Hard to stop and listen…

Just in these past weeks I have learned a lot about just God, not necessarily by talking to him, but learning to just sit and listen.  One of the hardest things for me is to hear God and know that it is Him guiding me and not my own thoughts, but that’s where I have learned faith. 

It’s amazing to have the support I do from family to friends across the US and BC ;) But learning to make your own decisions is hard, I always want people to tell me what to do, but it is only me that can make the best decision for myself and my well-being.  

Life Is A Ride... HOLD ON...Happy Friday!

Things are continuing on here as usual, busy busy… and busier! With the end of the season for spring sports we have had spring championship tournaments the last three weeks, with track and field concluding today and tomorrow! Beside work life has been per usual, the up and down rollercoaster ride with a couple twists and turns to keep that faith walk in check!

Here are a few shots from the beautiful La Quinta, Cali. where we hosted the Big West Men’s Golf Tournament

Goodbye for Now... 

The month started rough as I look back and cant believe it has been two weeks since I said goodbye to a dear friend and mentor, Elaine Walsh that past away in Memphis.  I was blessed enough to make the QUICK trip back to share in the remembrance of the great life she lived on earth and the many lives she touched.   Every day we forget how lucky we are to be here and living with friends and family dear to us, I just hope one day I can look down from heaven and know that I did His work on earth and lived a life worth remembering. 

This was a note Elaine wrote to me in a book that the office gave me for my birthday a couple months ago.  I will cherish this and always think of her smile and how it touched my life in so many ways!

The Ride...

With just two months left of my Big West internship… job hunt has reached my doorstep yet again!  It has really been a learning experience for me to evaluate these past two years and see what I have accomplished and experienced, then to stir it all together to figure out where it is that I truly want to be  for this next chapter of my life!  I have been blessed with many areas of experience, while that’s great… it’s also a curse… I WANT TO DO IT ALL! But then I am reminded… it’s not up to me is it!?!?

I just continue to apply to everywhere on this green earth that sounds interesting to me and a possible great fit and hand it over to God, knowing he will open the right door at the right time to reveal exactly where he wants me to be!

“We pray for things to happen when we want them to, but that's not how it works. What's in the best interest of our heart and our mission WILL happen, but not in our time frame.”

Open Up...

Many times I talk about the basics, but lately I have really been working on my relationship with God… and well… with me.   As most of you know I am a very friendly person… I have LOTS of friends! It has been awhile since I have been in a relationship, love is in the air, (SO HAPPY FOR MY CLOSE FRIENDS) and sometimes that can be discouraging, but then I realized something!  I have to have a consistent relationship with God first…. And be confident in myself in order to let someone else in.  As I mentioned before I started running, it has really progressed and I am improving with each day!  It has really helped build my confidence and showed me that with hard work and determination I can meet my goals.  I have signed up for a small group at the church I am attending as well so I am excited to start on that journey of getting more connected with individuals and learn about God on a more personal level. Whewww… It was a stretch for me to open up like that but there comes a time where you just have to get it out in the open… As always I enjoy sharing my journey with y’all and hope in some way it may bring a spark of light to your own life!

I dare you to tell the truth about what you are feeling. I dare you to give up the search for significance and pick up the path of service. 

Goals & Faith Walk

As I sit here on the plane, just finished being distracted with my softball game notes, I find myself reflecting on just the mere last two weeks and how I cannot comprehend how present God has been in my life.  After my many adventures last month and the beginning of this month I decided it is time to buckle down, set some goals and work towards them, so far so good but it’s had its ups and downs…

Run Baby Run…

You can ask anyone who even knows my existence and they would be able to tell you I DO NOT LIKE TO RUN! But two lovely friends of my got me a new Nike+ tracker for my birthday, so I said…. Here we go, time to put it to use.

Mind you BABY STEPS, but I have been running at least every other day, anywhere from 2-3 miles either at the gym or outside (which I prefer).  I end the week with a nice trip to the beach to complete a 5K on a trail right above the wonderful Huntington Beach sands.  It has been such an accomplishment to be able to set goals and gradually impress myself by achieving those goals.  It has been a long time since I have been able to, more like had time to, focus on something and strive for it on a personal level. 

So far so good… mind you I am no marathon runner but I can’t say that maybe a couple 5K and 10K competitions won’t be in my futureJ

Time to Reflect…

With so much going on we all know that we NEVER spend as much time in prayer and meditation with God, and I guilty times 1,000 have made a step to change that.  I have been attending a later evening service with my roommate and her family at Beach Cities Community Church and I am so glad I have (hopefully) found a home. 

With that I am reading the book by Francis Chin, Crazy Love and doing a daily devotional in the morning with Jesus Calling.  While I may not spend hours reflecting with and on God and his presence in my life, I feel closer to him more than ever! 

But as we all know when we are closest to God is when those tragedies and struggles seem to swarm, testing us to see how much faith and trust we have in God.  This flight I am on is for a trip back to Memphis to attend a funeral service.  I was saddened to hear that one of my Memphis mentors and dear friend was killed this past weekend.  It has been a struggle to understand the details and why God would take such an amazing individual but with lots of support here and in Memphis God has shown me that timing is everything and we have to accept it and trust his will!

Prayer and FAITH has been my strength through this and I hope what I will need as I see those wonderful familiar faces when I land and feel saddened all over again. 

Faith has been the word of choice for me lately.  So many things in my life are at an area where without faith and trust in the future God already has planned for me, I would drive myself crazy… not saying I don’t a little anyways.  But little things like my running and spending time with God has shown me that in time he will reveal where my next step is in life… for a job… for friends… for love… and whatever else he will surprise me with.

A special thanks to all of those that have helped me get past these past few days, and the ones to come.  My Maa (mom) is my rock and without her support emotionally I don’t know how I would make it, and my Dad is my strength, he has been such a spiritual witness for me and the faith he has in God for his own life is a true testimony of God’s love.

We have to do our part in applying for all the opportunities, the one above will open a door at the right time to display where it is He will lead you!

“When we come into God’s presence, we begin to feel the life around us again, but we also encounter whatever we have been avoiding.  We must have the courage to face whatever is present/our pain, our desire, our grief, our loss, our secret hopes our love/ everything that moves us most deeply.” 

Month Recap...

What a busy past couple weeks it has been,but I finally found time this weekend to knock this out in hopes to update you and let out some thoughts!This post will bea little different but I promise you will like it. I hope everyone is doing well as the Spring is upon us with allergies… ugh… but the beautiful flowers in bloom ;)

March 23-25

My wonderful best friend Kimberli flew out for the weekend to spend some time catching up and celebrating the wonderful March birthdays we have. It is always good to be reunited with Kim and talk about the current and past memories and times we have together and apart! It was a pleasure meeting Kyle, her boyfriend and meeting some of his friends down here. He took us to the Clippers and Grizzlies game and oh was it a blast!

I am so blessed to have such agood friend in my life that no matter the distance between us, we are always there for each other!

March 30- April 2

IT HAD ARRIVED! I graced Memphis with my presence for a visit with old friends and fun! What an amazing time I had and feel so blessed to have so many friends and their supportdespite me moving back to California. While I miss Memphis soOoOo much… There is a place and time for everyone and right now I am in California, who knows if I may end up back there some day.

While there I was honored as the graduate student of the year for University College. Dr. Irwin presented me with the award and had so many kind words to say about the impact I have made on the program and department.

Between hitting Beale, surprise dinners and the Memphis Football scrimmage…TIME FLEW BY~ WAY too short! But I loved every minute of time I got to spend with everyone! Thanks for a great trip to all my friends and Memphis family!

April 3

I flew in late Monday night, hit the job for the day and then headed to LA for the Kelly Clarkson concert. I bought my sister and I tickets for her birthday and WHAT A DEAL! We not only saw the amazing Kelly, but she had four guest appearances! (Idol co-star, Michelle Branch, Blake Shelton, and Reba)

It is always fun to go out and spend some quality time with Britt and celebrate her amazing 27 years and 24 years of knowing me:)

April 7

I hit the runway one last time to head home for Easter. While exhausted… I found energy to see all my family and close friends for an awesome weekend! It was super special to spend some time with my best friend Kel and cruise around Lodi like in the old days… some things never change!

Saturday we headed to Sacramento and spent time with Bama and fixed, what is always, a great meal! It was also great to see my cousin Jeremy and hear he is doing well. Us grandchildren (minus 3 L) took a trip back to our childhood and made Easter eggs. What fun we all had, and no big deal I got a blue middle finger out of it, all thanks to J and the hole in my glove I had no clue about!

Sunday was church with family, and quality time with extended family and Maaa and Dad before I flew out.

At this point my life I look back on just these past weeks and am so grateful for every person in my life. I truly have been blessed with amazing support and family in friends and immediate relatives. Thank you everyone for making me feel so blessed and special, I wouldn’t trade the world for the amazing times I have shared with each and every one of you!

~Love Always~ Me

BIG Update...

WARNING: This is bound to be a long one, as it has been FOREVER since I have had time to sit and take care of this business! Hope all is well with everyone and you are enjoying (my west coast pals) the nice weather…

Personal, professional, spiritual

Birthday Festivities:

The Big 24 is right around the corner, which only means one thing… one more year and I am a quarter of a century!! AH! This past weekend I spent some time with Maa and Dad, as they came to visit me here in the OC. It was nice to get to spend some one-on-one time with them because when I go home I have to split my time with everyone else and they usually get the shorter end of the stick ;( But it was a great weekend of fun, shopping of course and some MPI work. It was a awesome start to the next three weeks I will be spending celebrating with all of the wonderful people that have become my close friends over the years. Tomorrow one of my bestest friends Kimberli will be visiting me for the weekend as well have lots planned. Nice March birthday celebration tomorrow night, Grizz vs. Clippers game Saturday with Kyle and of course… SHOPPING on Sunday. Can’t wait! But it doesn’t stop there… Next Friday I leave the OC Airport for Memphis! I am going to see all my wonderful friends for the weekend and Sunday I am attending the University College Awards Banquet where I will be presented the Graduate Student of the Year recognition, I am honored and humbled they even thought of me! Can’t wait to see the besties, Madesyn and Jenael along with the rest of the crew for lots of catching up and a fun night on Beale!

Upon my return to California I will be taking the most amazing sister in the world to the Kelly Clarkson concert April 3, celebrating her 27^th birthday! Of course during all this fun is the normal day-to-day grind at work but I feel so blessed to have all these amazingpeople in my life and cannot wait to spend some quality time with them all!

#BigWest Business:

Tournament is over and basketball has just finished for us here at the Big West. We had two automatic bids to the NCAA tournament, four women’s teams into the NIT and two men’s teams to the CIT. Not too bad for our conference, we are getting better! We have now transitioned to completely spring sports, for me softball, men’s and women’s golf and track and field. I am enjoying a little bit of a breather but still the same ole hustle and bustle at the Big West Conference preparing for the spring tournaments that start in a month!

I have enjoyed my time immensely here and still consider myself blessed to be working with such great individuals! Only God knows what the future holds, it may be here or somewhere else he calls me, I am continuing to remain open and pray for his guidance in my life and what it is he is calling me to do.

One thing I did want to share from the tournament was the amazing fun I had dressing up…

Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but …

While the parents were down I was lucky enough to have them introduce me to yet another new church. Family members of mine live in Fullerton and we attended the EVFree Church there, it was very nice. While I stood outside the traditional service with Maa and Dad waiting to go in, I decided to venture off and attend the contemporary service… so glad I did!

Many times we really get put in our place at church, this was another one of those times where I felt God speaking directly to me! One of the strongest muscles in our body, and the strongest representation of who you are… THE TONGUE!

James 3:3-15 teaches us that the tongue reveals what is really going on in your heart. The heart directs your tongue, which directs the course of your life. WOW RIGHT! Never thought of that when minor four letter words slip out of my mouth occasionally… not such a great representation of what I profess to believe. But there is hope… a transformed heart will lead to a transformed tongue. God can change your heart many ways, Pslams 141:3, pray… talk comes by nature but silence comes by wisdom, Prob. 25:11, the right thing at the right time… Ask God why you struggle with the things you do and ask how those things can be changed, and lastely Phill. 2:12-13, We behave who we are… Live out with a new behavior and a new tongue!

This is my prayer:

“Whatever it takes God, show my your way, I’m willing to waste what this world has to offer.”