Trivial Bits

So, as I have been under the weather lately, I have spent some time at home and had the opportunity to watch a lot more TV than normal -- an embarrasing amount of the Food Network and TLC and Oprah. So here are some little bits of trivia that I have to get out of my system:

• I like Paula Dean more than Rachel Ray. Annabelle likes to watch her with me and we call her the "Country Grandma." Her food is some kind of unhealthy, but boy does the sight of it make your mouth water!


• Speaking of Rachel Ray, I read that Oprah has designated her as the "Heiress Apparent" of her daytime TV legacy. But I'm confused about how a show based on cooking can fill the spot Oprah leaves when she (reportedly) retires in 2010. It's interesting to watch RR try to incorporate the various aspects of daytime talk shos into ther show. I like her though -- I think she'll work it out.


• I think I might be a proponent of socialized medicine. I know "Socialized" is a word that conjures up images of Nazi Germany for a lot of people, but after travelling to other countries -- particularly Australia -- I see that there are situations in which this can work. Did you know that 50 million people in America are uninsured and that just because you have insurance doesn't mean that you will get coverage for your illnesses? Did you know that America ranks 37th in the world in providing health coverage for it's citizens, behind Costa Rica? Just kind of opened my mind to another way of thinking about something.


• Does everybody really floss daily, or is that just an ideal that we should all aspire to?

Ok, now that you probabaly think I've got way too much time on my hands, le me say I have been working on several books but have hit a creative block...ARRRGH!!Ususally I just have to wait for my brain to clear and hope the creativity comes back. What about you? What do you do when you get a creative block? I'd love some tips! LBxoxo

SHINE ON!

SHINE ON!

SHINE 2007 was awesome! This year we saw growth to 1500 women and girls, and we saw 150 salvations and recommitments. I thought the Afterparty was a blast. All the girls really seemed to be enjoying themselves so much. We have gotten so many testimonies of what God has done through the confrence in the lives of His daughters!
So many people were inspired to step out and really pursue God's call on their lives, and many experienced freedom, joy and love that only being His awesome presence can bring.
By far, the number one comment I received was the unbelievable spirit of Christ-like servanthood that was shown by out staff and by our volunteers at every level. To all of you SHINE volunteers out there, you were the main attraction at the conference. Your heart of love, your willingness, and your leadership during the event prepared the way for God to move on so many hearts. I was so proud to be part of such an incredible team each time someone said to me what an amazing spirit is on this house.
I am already looking forward to SHINE 2008. You are going to LOVE Lisa Bevere---she is very genuine and sincere and a dynamic speaker as well.
Anyway, how can I even begin to be thankful enough for all that God has done this year in and through us? He gets all the glory and praise!
Love you girls!
Kerri
LB xoxoxo

I Got Some 'Splainin' to Do!

Ok -- I confess -- I have been a total BLOG LOSER the last, ohhh, let's say... MONTH! I cannot believe it has been that long since I have posted. SO my excuses are the usual -- travelling, work, SHINE, kids, family in town...anyway, I'm back in the blogosphere -- and the neighborhood hasn't changed a bit!

To catch up, can I backtrack to London? I went to London around April 21st to attend the Colour Your World Conference led by Pastor Bobbie Houston from Hillsong Church. This is an amazing conference that gathers 30,000 women across 3 continents annually (Sydney, London, and Kiev). That means she and her teams do that conference 3 times a year! This year, the theme was, "A Revolution in Value." How cool is that? I will tell you how cool. God spoke to my heart last year that them theme of SHINE 2008 should be "Love Revolution." Basically, a revolution of love. So it was really cool to show up at this conference pioneered by a woman who I totally respect, and the word of God is the same on both of our hearts. I am very blessed to be able to see on a global scale what God is doing among His daughters across the earth. More on that at a later date -- but much aligned with Stovall's message at SHINE this year.

Anyway in London I got to give a testimony to the Ladies at the Hillsong network about living the "YES" life. God is so good -- I met some great gals from Germany (cute little 28 year old and her husband have a church of 500 -- a full-on rvevivial in Europe!) and some incredible women from Holland who are pioneering a new day for women in the European church in that area. It's incredible to see some many people from so many different places with the same Spirit, and the same passion.

Then I got stuck in an elevator. I have always been afraid of heights, and one of my worst fears has been being in an elevator as it was plummeting down out of control. Well -- ok -- I was only on the second floor, but me and Lisa Stewart noticed the elevator acting kind of funky on the way up and thought we would take the stairs on the way down. But, in the fun of the afternoon meeting, we forgot and crammed in the elevator with Lori Champion, and her friend Debbie, Bobbie Houston, Lisa Bevere, and Chris Caine. So I'm pumped really, because I'm on the the elevator with all the key speakers -- how awesome is that? Then, clank,clank -- zoom! the elevator takes off falling down. And BAM! It crashes to a halt between floors. It was so funny to watch everyone's reactions. Lori - sangiune -- goes, "Oh, my gosh! Quick let's take pictures!" (Which she still has, and when she sends them to me I will post them), then me and Lisa just sit back and watch, Bobbie and Lisa Bevere just keep talking and don't even bat an eye, and Chris -- never one to stand by and just let something happen -- immediaitely drops to the floors, calls emergency and orchestrates a rescue.

This post is getting long, but I have to say something about SHINE -- I will save it for a different post, because it deserves it's own space.

To all my girls out there who I haven't heard from in awhile, I love ya'll. I could not ask for a better group of people to do life with than the ones we pastor at Celebration Church! Look for more on SHINE to come soon. In the mean time, live beautifully!

Love,
Kerri
xoxoxoxoxo