Encourage a Bloom Member

Angie and I were so touched by this email we received from a fellow Bloom member. Would you consider blessing her with a card of encouragement?

I'm writing with a prayer request. I'm 22 years old, a nanny, and finishing up nursing school. I had a beautiful life, got back from a fabulous vacation after last semester (in May) and 2 days later I found out I had a tumor on my liver and would need chemo and a liver transplant. This is uncharted territory for me, and I'm so scared. I was wondering if it would be too much to ask all the Bloom girls for words of encouragement. I've already begun the chemo, and right now I'm on the organ waiting list, which is miserable.  The doctors had me quit school and my nannying, so I wait day in and day out.

Any day I will undergo surgery for a new liver, spending an average of a month in the hospital. I just got over a rough breakup with my fiance of nearly 3 years (it was what God wanted) and I'm just still in shock over how my life has gotten here, and why.

I'm just devastated and feel so alone in this.

My birthday is August 2nd and odds are, I'll still be waiting or in the hospital. I didn't plan on this - no one does - and I just don't know what God's plan in this is.

My blog of this journey is http://amandasjourney.tumblr.com if you'd like to stop by

Thank you and may God bless you.

Amanda Goodwin

If you would like to send Amanda a card, please send it to:
Amanda Goodwin
281 Cheltenham Ln
Munroe Falls, OH 44262

We are praying for you Amanda!

Send a Card to Sara

As many of you know, Sara/Gitz's dad passed away very unexpectedly this past Friday. Because of Sara's chronic illness, she is homebound and can't attend the funeral.

We wish we could drive to her house and hug her, but we can't.

Thankfully, DaySpring is giving us all the opportunity to love on Sara through a card basket they are planning on sending. Each one of us can send her a card - for FREE!

Will you include a card in it and let her know your prayers are with her? 
It will mean so much to her.

Here are the instructions for making the free card: 

• Pick a Design &; personalize it. (Feel free to start from scratch or pick a pre-designed card. Add a photo of you, and/or write out your message.) These two links are great places to start: Sympathy or Hope & Encouragement

• Add to Cart & Proceed to Checkout

• Use GCSARAJULY21 promo code in the Checkout Details. This will ensure that your card is included in the card basket.

• For the Shipping Address, enter YOUR shipping address. This will NOT BE CAPTURED, since all of the cards will be gathered up and sent to Sara.

• Your order total should be $0.00.

• You have until Wednesday the 21st to make your card to be included in Sara’s card basket.

Thank you for loving on Sara.

To read an update on how she is doing, click here.

Peace be with you today.

Chapters 10-12

Well, we did it. We made the last video for Strong Women, Soft Hearts. It is worth watching the whole thing - not only is Charlotte in it the whole time, but we end it well. :)


Strong Women, Soft Hearts - Chapters 10-12 from angie smith on Vimeo.

Like we mentioned on the video, we are going to be transitioning from using ning for our discussions to Facebook. The "like" page is VERY bare bones right now, but we would be grateful if you would go ahead and "like" us now! :)

We will be taking a break for the summer, but have big plans for the fall, so keep in touch!

We love you and are thankful for you.

xo
Jess and Ang

Chapters 6, 7, & 8

A lot to discuss here...hope you all are loving the book as much as we are!

Bloom Chapters 6, 7, & 8 from angie smith on Vimeo.

Jess and Ang

Strong Women, Soft Hearts, Chapter 5

We are SO happy we filmed what we did before Charlotte came! Oh the irony that today we are talking about being overwhelmed...

Here is our discussion of chapter 5.

Strong Women, Soft Hearts Chapter 5 from angie smith on Vimeo.

Check out the Shattered Dreams series that we mentioned here.

Here are our questions:

Are you like Angie and I - do you have a problem with control?

What happens when you get overwhelmed?

Do you equate waiting with control? Why or why not?

Waiting is a time to let go of our God. When you are waiting, what do you do to spend time with God? What verses do you meditate on?

What is the biggest dream you have ever had to surrender?

What do you struggle with controlling that you need to hand over to God?

Quick update: We will be filming the last two sections next weekend and wrapping up this study by the end of June. We apologize for the delays in video and discussion, but we pray that God is using this extra time for more of you to read and join us in this book. It is so rich!

Peace be with you today.

Jessica and Angie