Random Thursday: Summer Nights

by Allie Marie Smith

Last week I got to sneak away to San Diego for a week of work and play! It turned out to be the highlight of my summer so far. One night we were hanging out at our friend Britanny's house which is filled with adorable vintage finds like antique trunks, old records, a typewriter and a closet full of vintage clothes. We ended up playing dress up, belly laughing, doing one another's hair and make up and taking photos.

Meghan, who is a professional photographer just posted some of the pictures and I thought I would share a few of them with you because they're so girly and fun and especially because I wanted you to see Kayla's beehive up-do! It was out of control.

You'll never guess what's hiding under her bee-hive.

It's not a bump-it
It's not a birds nest
It's a beanie!!! Haha...

Here's to lifetime friends and summer nights...

If you're bored, throw your girls a party...

In case you didn't know, girls in their 20's are still allowed to play Ring a Round the Rosie.

I forgot to pack my shoes...

Fierce...

King me please...

Someone please tell me what is going on here! Caption contest?

This hair do will go down in history...

When's the last time you played dress up?

An Adoption Story

by Allie Marie Smith

I thought you would like to see this video of my friend Brittany and her husband's adoption story. It's been truly amazing watching them throughout this year and half, painstaking long process. The adoption journey is never easy and international adoption is a whole another level. It moved me seeing their love for the daughter they never met. Their love for her compelled them to move mountains to bring her home into their family. Adoption is such a reflection of God's persistent unrelenting love for us.

Loving the Least of These - Ethiopia Adoption from Ian Bentley on Vimeo.

Could you see yourself adopting someday? Have you been adopted?

Real Life Ministry Versus Professional Ministry

by Allie Marie Smith

I thought I'd share something I'm learning lately: "Professional ministry" can be easy. Real life ministry can be messy.

Unlike a lot of people assume, apart from a few speaking engagements I don't get paid for the work I do within WM. So while it might not be my paid profession, I can easily let it have the safe parameters of someone who has a big-time ministry platform.

Think of an A-list Christian speaker or author. They fly first class to their speaking engagement, get picked up by their escort and taken to their clean, manicured hotel room. They get treated to a nice meal out, enjoy the company of their host and then go back to their hotel room. They wake up, get a free Starbucks, walk out on stage, give a message they've given thirty times before, sign books, smile and then take a flight home.

I admit I'd much rather hide behind my Macbook, share my testimony from time to time and write books or blogs I hope will help someone. But it's a lot harder, a lot messier to stick my fingers in someone else's problems and walk alongside them in their brokenness.

I confess that the longer I'm free from my own struggles, the more I like to keep myself at a safe distance when it comes to helping people. I don't want their mess to spill over into my clean, drama-free life.

But Christ doesn't redeem us and save us so we can be comfortable.

So I'm trying. Trying to be there for girls God clearly puts in path. Like a 15-year old girl named Maribelle who lives with her mom and four younger siblings in a broken down motel room. She's experiencing friend drama, just found out her dad has another family and two months ago lost her close friend in a car accident. She thinks it's her fault and lately she can't stop believing that lie the world would be better without her. She's alone, depressed and disadvantaged. That's real life. Real life ministry.

I'm trying to love in person, in conversation and in action; not just through the words I type or the prayers I pray.

Do you think professional ministry can be easy compared to "real life" ministry? Is it hard for you to stick your fingers in someone else's problems and be there for them?

Ssekos Make My Toes Pretty!

by Allie Marie Smith

Fun news girls...I just bought my first pair of Sseko sandals!

I'm so pumped I had to show you a picture of my feet looking pretty (that is a rarity in itself!). Now if you know me, you know my feet have been the source of a lot of jokes (monkey toes, octypus fingers...the list goes on) so this is a big deal for me to show you a pic of my uber long toes!

"Why Allie, what BIG toes you have!"

"The better to surf with," I say!

I hate to say to be prideful [insert sarcasm], but don't they look sooo pretty in my Ssekos?

Paul and I had the joy of hosting the smart, talented, beautiful and hilarious Founder Liz and her adorable husband Ben (am I allowed to say that Liz?) last summer when they came out for their road trip! They are a truly an unforgettable couple - inspiring and sooo much fun to be with.

I'm already looking forward to buying another pair of straps (I got teal of course!) - they are totally interchangeable and you can wear them a hundred different ways so it's like having a new pair every time you wear them....and they are so boho-chic! And the greatest thing is to know that my purchase helps support the education and empowerment of the beautiful Ugandan women who make them.

Liz, you are such an inspiration to all the wmGirls!

Thoughts On Failing Forward

by Allie Marie Smith

For high school graduation, my principal Ms. Miller gave me a soldered silver paper weight with this simple question engraved in it: "What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?"

When I moved across the country to start college on the East Coast it moved with me. When I had to withdraw three weeks later because of the dangerous battle with depression I was wrestling it got shipped back home. Twelve months later I packed it again to take with me to Pepperdine for my second stab at college. When I was forced to withdraw two years later once again due to depression it made it's way back to my teenage bedroom. Four colleges and five years later it sat on my desk as I finally had a dipolma under my belt. Today it sits in my WM-home office.

At the time it seemed like I was constantly failing. Failing to finish college. Failing to be happy. I would take one step forward towards my dreams, then to take two huge steps back. But I kept moving.

In failing, my broken dreams became pieces God would pick up and put together to create the dream He had for me. A dream better, richer, more beautiful and outward-focused dream than the one I planned for myself.

I wonder if in your life God is doing the same.

What is it in your life that it seems you're failing at? What do you think it means to fail forward?

Monday Funday: Your Summer Bucketlist

by Allie Marie Smith

Sunday at our beach day I noticed one of the girls in our youth group had a braided string around her neck. I asked her what it was and she pulled out her summer bucket list. On a cute envelope her and her best friend had written down 25 things to do this summer. Brilliant!

If we want to have a fun, fabulous, meaningful life, I believe it helps to plan for it! Our shared calling on this beautifully broken earth is to ENJOY God and GLORIFY Him. Now and forever. What are some of the things you love? Things that make you feel fully alive and free - and inspire you to live with your arms and heart wide open?

I was so inspired I decided to make my own & invite you to share yours.

My Summer Bucket List (*in no particular order)

• Surf or SUP (stand up paddle) twice a week
• Go hunting for shooting stars
• Go blueberry picking (Last summer I worked at our friend's blueberry farm and they are like God's candy!)
• Throw a bohemian-chic party for some girlfriends! Bare-feet, summery dresses and flowers in your hair are required! I might even try to get my friend and some girls to play bluegrass!
• Lead a "Designed to Shine" study for high school girls at my friend Holly's surf shop (Backdoor in Solvang)
• Spend a week in San Diego with some of my besties surfing and playing (I get to check this one off next week!)
• Go sailing (Christie's sweet boyfriend Will teaches lessons!)
• Go to a bluegrass concert
• Train hard for a triathlon - I just signed up for one in Carpinteria (best beach CA town in my opinion).
• Finish our outline for the Wonderfully Made Bible study we're hoping to publish
• Complete a Beth Moore bible study with some Jesus loving/seeking girls
• Do unexpected acts of kindness
• Wear a long, summer dress at least once a week
• Keep my toenails painted. This is a hard one for me!
• Keep a fridge full of fresh fruit. Watermelon mandatory.
• Laugh so hard my stomach naturally gets a killer work out. Everyday.

Your turn! What's on your fun summer bucket list?

Challenge: Make a point to thank God for the simple, beautiful pleasures of life.

Bare-Naked Leadership: Thoughts On Influence & Not Having it All Together

by Allie Marie Smith

I imagine a lot of you girls regularly fight the temptation of feeling like you have to have it all together. Can I get a witness...any one? On top of this, I think the temptation to appear "together" is compounded for those of us who are in some sort of leadership position.

To be real with you I'm struggling with this right now - specially in regards to my HEAL Journey. I'd much rather not admit that I've been experiencing some unexpected struggles in this area of my life because as someone who has written a book on the topic, you might expect me to no longer be a work in progress. But I am. The truth is I'm still on my HEAL Journey and always will be because this is a journey of inward transformation and lasting change.

God has truly freed me from disordered eating behaviors that once plagued me. I no longer struggle with restrictive eating, bingeing, purging, chronic dieting or hateful thoughts toward my body. I am free, but I believe there is more freedom to be had. Sometimes on our journeys, whatever journey it may be, we take one step closer to freedom then to take two steps back.

I trust that there is good to be found in my recent setbacks - God is still doing a new thing in me. This is what my setbacks and shortcomings are teaching me:

He's not finished with us yet.

His promise is true: "...Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." I believe Christ is more than capable to give us complete freedom from addictions, illness and disordered behaviors this side of eternity. Even greater is the promise that He completes His work, healing and redemption in heaven.

Your flaws, doubts, shortcomings and weakness don't disqualify you from leadership or influence - they qualify you. God uses our struggles to equip us to relate to other people. They create compassion for others and force us to rely greater on God for our strength. Honesty creates an environment of authenticity and authenticity brings hope and freedom.

In what area of your life can you relate to feeling discouraged from not having it all together? Do you ever struggle with being authentic?

TOMS Next Chapter - The Reveal

by Allie Marie Smith

Just in case you girls haven't already heard the exciting news TOMS revelead! Now you can get your Warby Parker prescription glasses, TOMS sunglasses and deck it all out with some 31 Bits bling!

Let's be girls who shop not just with style, but who shop compassionately!

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. -Proverbs 31:20

Your Legacy: A Life of Consumption or Contribution

by Allie Marie Smith

I love pretty things. I like to buy pretty things, wear pretty things, decorate my house in pretty things and dream of someday owning lots of expensive, pretty things. I spend tons of energy lusting after, searching for, and investing time in getting stuff I want but don't need. Like a lot of Americans and like a lot of girls I am a big consumer. A consumer of food, movies, clothes, jewelry, make-up, gas, technology, music, and TV.

During one of my episodes of lusting after something I wanted, but didn't need, this question stopped me: Do I consume more than I contribute?

Will my legacy be one of contribution or a life characterized by consumerism and consumption of stuff that has no lasting value or eternal significance?

As American girls, we’re reared to be consumers. We believe the lie that the more we consume, the happier, more beautiful, more desirable we become. In the end I believe our life will be characterized by one or the other, but not both.

A life of consumption is self-centered; it takes more than it gives. A life of contribution is an outward-focused life; it creates more than it takes. As daughters of God, we have been created and called to contribute more than we consume.

What kind of life are you living now? Is your life characterized more by consumption or contribution?

It's A Cupcake Party!

by Allie Marie Smith

Hoo-rah...it's Friday & it's par-tay time!

I am pretty excited about today because I'm hosting a special picnic party for the junior high girls of our local Christian School. For six weeks, I've had the privilege of sharing God's truth in regards to lots of topics such as media, guys, body image and our worth in Christ.

I coaxed their teacher (my friend Kelli) in to letting us do something extra special to love on the girls. So we're going to have an outdoor picnic in a beautiful lawn owned by Saarloos & Sons and my friend Amber of Enjoy Cupcakes offered to make us some of her amazing treats. Her cupcakes are seriously the most beautiful, delicious and creative little creations that will ever taste! And she's also the owner of the fabulous Shasta trailer that inspired my crazy vintage trailer dream for WM (remember?).

I can't wait to show you girls pictures from our special day together! Ashley Hylton, the sweet, spunky and fabulously talented photographer who shot our last WM Conference is blessings us with her mad photo-taking skills. She's going to take a portrait of each girl! I think it's so great for every girl to have a picture of herself she loves that captures her true beauty!

If you could plan a dream party for someone in your life who would it be for? What would it be like?

Tips for Blue Days

by Allie Marie Smith

Some days it feels like the life has been sucked right out of you. Can you relate? Today is one of those days for me. So was yesterday and the day before.

Sunday I came down with a cold - I think the fact that I spent my birthday playing outside with wet hair in the cold wind might have had something to do with it. I've noticed when I get physically sick, I also tend to get mentally weak and that's a bad combo for me.

As someone who has wrestled with depression and wrestled with it dangerously I know I've got to move. I can't get stuck. I know idleness only makes me feel worse and keeps me imprisoned.

Here are some tips I've found to help me rise above my blues. Some tips I am going to put into practice as I soon as I publish this post. I hope you girls will find them helpful too because let's be real - we all have our blue days!

Assess the situation
Take an inventory of what's been going on. Try to pinpoint some of the factors that have led you to feel this way. Write them down. Understanding possible triggers and identifying causes can help you rise above them.

Reach Out
Isolation keeps you a prisoner in your own mess. We're not meant to do life alone. The truth is there are people in your life who love you like crazy and want to be an encouragement and comfort to you. As your inner circle for prayer. Call a mentor, your best friend or a church leader you trust. Consider finding a counselor. Fight the temptation to isolate with all your might.

Silence the Lies
The lies we hear about ourself are always louder when we're feeling alone, vulnerable and depressed. Refuse to let your mind rant with self-doubts, worries, anxieties and self-criticism.

Fill Your Mind With True Things
Play your favorite worship music. Read a devotional. Pray through the Psalms. Spend hours in the word. Declare the truth about who God says you are as His daughter. Pray without ceasing.

Play the Praise Game
Out loud tell God all the things big and small you are grateful for. Yes, the one rule with the praise game is you have to say them out loud (even if you're alone!). It helps, I promise!

Get Moving
Get outside your four walls. Go for a walk or a jog. Or a walk-jog. Go to farmers market and buy yourself some flowers. Invite someone to coffee. Drink in the sunshine, let the rain fall upon your head or the wind brush against your face.

What are some things that help you rise above your blue days?