Washington D.C. with CWA

I just got home from five wonderful days in Washington D.C.  It was one of the most holy spirit filled couple of days.  Sadly my trip started with the horrific news of Charlie Kirk's assisnation.  Mary and I said so many times we were glad to be together with other believers during such a sad time for our country.  God was moving through our entire conference and we were encouraged by the women in our circle and worshipping our God who works all things out for our good and His glory.  I came back changed.  The picture above is all the women from IL and our CEO, Penny Nance.  

On our final night in D.C., CWA put on a "Red, White and True" banquet.  It was cocktail attire so Mary and I got dolled up.  We loved it.  

One of the highlights of our trip was lobbying.  This is the IL women with Darin Lahood's legislative assistant.  We lobbied on two bills - the mom's act and protection of women in olympic and amateaur sports act.  I really enjoyed being at Capitol Hill and experiencing what it was like to lobby with legislators.  Being able to share my faith with others and pray over our electred officials is very meaninful to me.  

 There was over 200 women at this conference.  We ranged in ages from 20 something to 70 something.  It was such a positive experience for me and I'm forever grateful to Mary who not only encouraged me and gave me a gentle nudge to get my CWA group up and going but she continues to walk alongside of me, being my biggest cheerleader.  I am so grateful to her.  I came back from this trip with lots of ideas and can't wait to see how this next year plays out for me as a CWA leader.  I thank God for this opportunity because I am no where close to being equipped for this role but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.  

Fall weekend

Even though it's only early September the weather feels like fall.  The weather this weekend was absolute perfection.  Yesterday we celebrated Aaron - Jay's best friend since first grade.  I cannot believe these boys are turning 24!  What a blessing life long friends are.  

          My crew!  I just love these four kids!  The girls make everything sweeter! 

This, that and the other

 It's been a minute since I actually wrote something of substance for my blog.  There is a reason for that so keep reading.  I know I've taken a lot of trips and I document those trips in my blog not to brag (to the maybe 5 people who read my blog - ha).  Instead, I document my trips so I don't forget them because my brain is mush.  Last week when I posted a picture of an airplane (with nothing else) someone commented "you're on another trip, where are you going this time?"  I get it.  I've done a lot of traveling this year and I'm so thankful.  I've enjoyed every single one of my trips, especially Greece.  Spoiler alert I'm headed to Washington D.C. next week for C.W.A.  Mary is going with me and I can't wait.  I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to travel so much.  He's provided for me financially and given me the flexibility in my job and personal life to do it.  

So overall how am I doing, when I'm not traveling (ha)?  I'm in the depths of menopause.  My worst symptoms are night sweats, hot flashes, foot pain - I have plantar fascitis like nobodys business.  I have belly fat that needs it's own zip code.  My libido is non existent.  My anxiety is also heightened.  I have what I believe to be frozen shoulder in my right arm.  My brain fog is also concerning.  I'll walk to another room to get one thing and in the 30 seconds it took me to get to that room I've fogotten why I'm there.  We implemented a new system at work and I've had to learn new states.  The struggle has been real.  I feel like the weakest link on my team.  I've also lost all desire to write, hence why I haven't written for my blog.  What can I say?  It's a season of life I'm getting through.  Thankfully I'm not experiencing mood swings, only increased anxiety.  My hair hasn't been effected (yet), thankfully! I'll be honest there's a lot of myself I just don't like right now.  I hate some of the thoughts I have.  I really hate the way I look right now.  I'm impatient, tired and at times grouchy.  

The other side of all this.  There are days I feel God must really be disappointed in me but scripture tells me that's not true.  I know without a shadow of a doubt I need Him every second of everyday and even though I'm battling fear related to my anxiety I know God is good and when I look back on my life He's been SO faithful.  In TN last week I said to Mike Ausili that the Lord has sure been good to the eight of us and Mike agreed, commenting more than we deserve.  Isn't that the truth?  I'm so thankful for life long friends during this season of my life.  

TN 7.0

In December I asked my boys if they wanted to take a vacation in the summer.  Instantly they both said they wanted to go back to TN one more time with the Ausili's - before they all got married and had kids.  Jenny and I put our heads together in January and started planning dates and where we would stay.  We rented an airbnb big enough for the 8 of us right on the main road.  For the first time we flew to TN.  When the boys were little we would always drive the 10 hours but we're older this time and decided to fly.  It was worth it!  We all came together from IL, TX and AZ.  It was such a special time.  I kept thinking the Lord has sure been good to our families - more than we deserve, as Mike Ausili said.  To God be the glory for this friendship that has lasted 40 plus years.  

I believe the kids are 10 (Faith), 8 (Jay and Curt) and 4 (Nick) but I may be off a bit.  Looking closer at Nick and Faith I think they may be 12, 10 and 6.  This year they were 25, 23 and 19.  The last time we went to TN was in 2016 and it was trip #6.  

Faith made this post.  We hiked to the waterfall this year.  I laughed because I hiked it but I sure felt it.  Nine years ago I was thinner and younger - just saying.  

 And here we are.  I just love this friendship so much.  Thank you Jesus for the gift of friendship.  And thank you that we were able to make this happen.  

August Meetings #7

 In 2011 I was hired with my current company.  The summer of 2011 was my first summer attending what has been called during their 75 year history, August Meetings.  It use to be that all the employees would come together every August in Cincinnati.  Several years later we started to meet every odd year.  That's all I've known, meeting every other odd year minus the Covid years.  This year we met in Nashville which to my knowledge is the first time ever we met anywhere other than Cincinnati.  My team is scattered throughout the United States so it is always nice when we can be together face to face.  This picture was taken out in front of the Grand Ole Opry.  We are missing Shelly but other than that these are the folks I work with everyday.  We are a small but mighty team conquering the wild west, as we like to say.  

No doubt my job has changed signficantly in 5 years.  In 2020 I started handling the state of Arizona which was challenging but 2025 has been by far the most challenging year in a long time.  We got a new system and in all seriousness I have been the weakest link in learning it.  Brian has been a life saver in teaching me.  Then I'm learning all the ins and outs with the state of CA.  It's been alot for my menopausal brain to handle.  I'm getting there but it's been a process, that's for sure.  

Texas Visit

A few days ago I flew to TX to spend some time with Jenny and Faith.  I have been able to see Faith every month since April.  It's been a rare and unexpected treat.  The three of us hung out in the pool a lot and did some shopping.  Jenny and I worked a few of the days.  It was super relaxing.  Lately I've thought a lot about how God has gotten me through every storm.  He makes a way for me every time.  It was hard when the Ausili's left IL for TX seven years ago but this 30 plus year friendship endures.   

Proverbs 17:17; A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity

 

4th of July Shrimp Boil

There has not been a shrimp boil that I didn't like but this one was extra special.  This year Lauren came along and spent the day with us and Rylan and Hannah joined us also.  These 3 girls are so much fun to be around.  The weather was HOT (like always) but we managed.  

The food is always great and Mike's butter that he makes is always a hit! 

Jay and Hannah.  Jay has been dating Hannah since March.  They are a sweet couple.  There is such a sense of peace in this new relationship.  

Two of my favorite people! 

So there has been a lot going on with Nick.  On June 26 Nick started a new job, only to get an offer from the company he's been wanting to work for for almost year.  Nick worked at the other job for 2 days and didn't accept any pay from them.  He felt bad about quitting but he accepted the offer from the other company and started what he thinks in time will be his "dream" job on June 30.  Neal Douglas who hosts the shrimp boil and is one of our dearest friends and also works for the company Nick so desperately has wanted to work for (and now does) helped put things in motion for him.  Nick just wrapped up his first week of work and seems happy and confident. 

This fourth of July just felt different, in a good way.  There has been so many things near and dear to my heart that I've prayed for this past year as a CWA leader.  I've seen many of my heartfelt prayers answered this week.  On top of that I read a book while in FL about WWII and the events leading up to us dropping the atomic bombs.  It was truly humbling.  I live in the greatest country on earth and I'm incredibly thankful to the men and women who sacrificed so much for my freedom.  Freedom that gives the opportunity to celebrate our great land each and every fourth of July.  God has extended His great hand of mercy over America.  It's in and through God that all things are made and all things are possible.  Happy 249th birthday, America.