God is purposeful and my AdvoCare story

Unlike most AdvoCare distributors, no one introduced me to the company or had me sample a Spark.  Nope, my story seems to be rather unique.  Let me explain.

I had started working as a personal trainer, and though clients continually asked about supplements, I was never comfortable recommending any.  One day, I noticed another trainer giving his clients some AdvoCare products.  Since I did not care much for the other trainer, I opted to go on the AdvoCare website to investigate the products and company for myself.  The sci/med board caught my eye immediately, and I even recognized some of the names from having studied to become a personal trainer.  I instantly felt good about the quality of the products.  The testimonials of product users and business builders as well as the endorsers blew me away.

Having never spoken to anyone, I chose to become a distributor and ordered products based on what I read others used as I scrolled through their tesimonials.  As AdvoCare distributors know, when we sign up with the company, we have to sign up with someone.  I clicked on "find a distributor" and a few names popped up.  The names of one couple (Mark and Tricia) were familiar to me thanks to the church we went to, though we did not actually know them.  I signed on, and so began my story.

Tricia called me to welcome me, but I basically blew her off.  However, after I received a $25 check in the mail from AdvoCare following an order placed by a client, I knew I had to find out what this was all about.  God so orchestrated things that Tricia and I were about to begin a fitness class at church.  We would be co-leading this new ministry, and God so designed the circumstances that we spent a lot of time together.  Through her friendship and personal story, I decided that the AdvoCare family was one I wanted to be a part of.

Not only is AdvoCare helping me to meet my own personal health goals, and keeping the rest of my family healthy, but it is also the vehicle that will bring us financial freedom.  AdvoCare is opening up so many doors, to wonderful people, but also, wonderful places.  God has been using and continues to use my involvement with AdvoCare to encourage my own growth, my faith, and my confidence in who He has created me to be.  I am setting out to make life better for myself, my husband, my daughter, for those around me, and for those whom I have never even met.  Every moment, I have found, has been purposefully designed by the Creator.  And for that, I am very thankful.

From Matt Chandler

Honestly, these vlogs are sermons in and of themselves.  God is shining so brightly through him as he goes through cancer treatments that I'm about to be blinded.  Enjoy this message from Matt.

Double Trouble

Susan May Warren's delightfully funny heroine is at it again ... P.J. Sugar finds herself in Double Trouble this time!

My thoughts:
As soon as I started reading this book, I found myself doubled over in laughter.  The first few chapters had me wiping tears from my eyes as I met the heroine in this story, PJ Sugar.  She is flawed, fearless, confident, desires success, and the queen of wit.  I love this character, love her humor even more, and enjoyed watching her battle the bad guys, with donut holes even!  HA!  This is one book you will need to read, especially if joy is missing from your life and you find yourself wanting to cheer on an unlikely heroine.

Click here to read other reviews.

About the book
With one solved case under her belt, PJ Sugar is ready to dive into her career as a private investigator. Or at least a PI’s assistant until she can prove herself to Jeremy Kane, her new boss. Suddenly PJ’s seeing crime everywhere. But is it just in her head, or can she trust her instincts? When she takes on her first official case—house-sitting for a witness in protective custody—Jeremy assures her there’s no danger involved. But it soon becomes clear that there is someone after the witness . . . and now they’re after PJ, too.

About the contest!
Be sure to enter the Double Trouble Prize Package Giveaway by clicking on the ‘Double the Sass” button!  Susan’s giving away an iPod prize package that is anything but troubling! Check it out!

Prize Details

Double Trouble, the brand new PJ Sugar novel by Susan May Warren, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re running a HUMDINGER of a contest!!

One Grand Prize winner will receive a $150 SUPER SLEUTH prize package that includes:

* A brand new iPod Shuffle (perfect for those all-night stakeouts)

* A $10 iTunes gift card (we recommend the ALIAS soundtrack)

* A $10 Amazon gift card (why yes, they do sell spy pens)

* A $10 Starbucks gift card (for fuel, obviously)

* A pair of designer sunglasses (be stealthy AND super chic)

* A gorgeous scarf from World Market (can also be used as a blindfold, and/or for tying up bad guys)

* AND signed copies of both Nothing But Trouble & Double Trouble. (romance! danger! intrigue! sooo much better than Surveillance for Dummies!)

We’ll announce our super sleuth winner on March 1st.

Head down, focus on the goal

Ever since my moment of reckoning, I have found myself focusing more, being bolder, and more excited.  I hit a big goal by getting my first advisor!  That is a big step, but now I know I need to multiply that and introduce more people to the products.  There are times I honestly do not understand why people are so hesistant.  A solid company, products that are proven (tested like crazy by independent labs) safe and effective, yet some just will not get on board.  The only thing that bothers me is that I feel like I'm offering them stacks of gold and they are just turning away and saying, "No thanks."  I will never understand that, but, I cannot force them either. 

In fact, the quarterback of one of the teams headed to the Super Bowl is an endorser of AdvoCare products.  Does he get paid?  No.  Not a dime.  He endorses the company because he knows they work, he knows they are safe. 

Everywhere I go, I am working on listening more to what people are saying.  What are they wanting in life?  Are their present actions helping them attain it?  How would what I have help them?  I want to help them, to present them with a proven vehicle.  I find myself speaking up more, at least letting them know there is a way to obtain financial freedom and better health.  The bottom line is, I want people to be able to enjoy life, to live it fully, without anything holding them back.

Now, time to make my list of things I need to take care of today.  You know, work that will result in me being in Hawaii November 17-22.  Want to come?

Click here for more information

Matthew3:16- WFW

Matthew3:16- WFW
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Matthew 3:16:After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit PennyRaine.

Worship and Praise Sunday

I am not sure I can adequately explain just how much I love Casting Crowns. They are some phenomenal writers with abundant gifts! Their concerts are more like worship services, and they have yet to sing a song that doesn't affect me in some way. The following song, Until the Whole World Hears, is just amazing. In fact, while at Success School and having my reckoning moment, I decided that when I am on that stage and telling my story, this is the song I'm walking out to.




Lyrics | Casting Crowns lyrics - Until The Whole World Hears lyrics

Blueberry oatmeal bars

This recipe is from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious Cookbook:

Servings: Makes 12 bars

Ingredients:
Blueberry Oatmeal Bars (with Spinach)

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup Balance trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread , chilled
• 1 cup low-sugar blueberry preserves
• 1/2 cup spinach puree

 Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°. Coat an 8" x 8" baking pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and vanilla and stir to mix well.

Add the margarine and cut it quickly into dry ingredients with two knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal and is no longer powdery. Do not overmix—bits of margarine will still be visible.

Set aside about half of the oat mixture; press the rest firmly into the pan. Bake until lightly browned at the edges (but not fully baked), 13 to 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix the preserves with the spinach puree in a small bowl.

Spread blueberry mixture over the partially baked oat layer, then sprinkle with reserved oat mixture. Bake until topping is slightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool completely before cutting into 12 bars.

This Little Prayer of Mine - check this out

I know you're up in heaven, God,

and can hear my voice from there.

I'm just a little child.

Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God's readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.


With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near--watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They'll also learn that prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.


Most importanly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.


Check out his blog here.
Order the book here.

Matt Chandler's Latest Update

Talitha Koum!

On my journey to the metroplex this past weekend, I decided to take advantage of the fact I was alone and enjoy some quiet time.  For one hour, it was just God and me.  No radio, no phone conversations, just my heavenly father and me.  I started with the usual, "Ok God, we need to chat."  As usual, the response was, "Yes, and you need to listen."

Last year at Success School, I called Andy to tell him my goals for the coming year.  I had a vision of what I wanted our AdvoCare business to look like, and it was sweet.  In fact, I told him that by this time, our income from AdvoCare would match his salary.  That is what I set out determined to do.  In fact, I am pretty sure there were tears in my eyes as I told him these goals, my vision for us.

Out of all the goals I set, you want to know how many I reached?  None.  Zero.  Zip.  Not a single solitary one.  Ouch.

I began telling God about this fact, about my disappointment over the fact nothing went as I had wanted it to.  Of course, I asked one question, "Why?"  The answer I got in return?  "Your actions didn't match your goals."  Double ouch.  This began an intense dialogue, mainly of God speaking and me listening, as to my motivations, the desires, my insecurities and fears, and the answer to the "why".

During this time, God showed me one simple, yet profound fact: for every desire He has placed in my heart, for every vision for my family, for every goal, He has already given me everything I need to obtain them.  All the tools I need are there, either they have already been given, or they are coming, at the right time, when I need them.  But, they are all there.  What I must do is walk forward, confidently, and without fear, in that knowledge.  It was if God was saying, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” (Mark 5:41)

You see, my failure was a result of my lack of action.  I sat, expecting everything to happen, so I should not have been surprised at my failures.  I even had my list of reasons ready, "my advisor moved," "I'm a stay at home mom, I don't meet many people," and the list went on.  But my reasons were just excuses, not valid, not viable. 

I had to come face to face with the fact that I have seen the stress my husband carries as the provider for our family.  He has even voiced his worries since we moved away from a large market to a smaller area, one that does not have as many opportunities should something go horribly wrong with his present job.  He carries a large burden, and I know I have the very vehicle that could ease that for him!  I have the exact thing that will lighten his load and I have been doing nothing with it! 

God, in his loving way, brought me face to face with the truth I needed, and then informed me I had to forgive myself.  I cannot change the past year, but I can learn from it and I can grow from it and be a better leader because of it.  I can move forward, fearless and determined, with mercies that are new every morning. 

It is no surprise to me that at our team meeting Saturday night at Success School, our leader prayed for us.  And do you know what he prayed for, specifically?  That we would not walk with a spirit of fear.  He prayed that we would know God did not give us the SPIRIT of fear, but the SPIRIT of power, and of love, and of sound mind and to not let that spirit steal our power, our peace of mind, and our joy.  It was powerful, it was good, and it was right on time.

When I returned home, I came back to a child who wasn't sleeping and who is sick, a husband who was worn out, one thing after another that would have been "reason" to not go forward.  But, I reminded myself I am not walking in fear, there are things to accomplish, people who need the freedom AdvoCare has to offer, and there are no more excuses.  I did a 3 way call that night with a girl fired up and excited about the products and the company.  I scheduled another, and talked to even more people about what the products can do for them.  All of us tired, sick kid in tow, we are going forward.

It's a new year, one with no excuses, more action, forgiveness, and a very decided heart.

WFW- Matthew 28:5-6

WFW- Matthew 28:5-6
Originally uploaded by chelled.

Matthew 28:5-9 (New International Version)

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."


So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

How wonderful, how great it is that we serve a living God.  Death could not defeat him, a tomb could not keep him.  He is alive, and he is calling your name.  Run to him, fall into his embrace, and remain with him a while.  It is good to be a child of the Risen King!

Be blessed today, and for more, wonderful Word Filled Wednesday posts visit Susan @ http://susan2956.blogspot.com/.