LDI Girls: a short story of awesome

When I was a wee girl, I would always dream of having my very own group of ladies to be deep with (when I was a wee-tyke, being deep meant catching salamanders but still, deep). We moved around a lot, and while God was gracious to keep some good women in my life, I consistently craved those women that I could just be real with. As I got older, that need became more and more apparent. In each stage of my life God has done more and more in this area. After graduation from college, I started a job, and I felt my heart crave that real contact with women again that I was experiencing through college. With so many of my college girlfriends moving in different directions of life, I was wondering just how I could get deep with women in that same way. Then I got plugged into Hope. And I tasted that in my Small group, then God did even more and brought me to the LDI Program.

This is a story about how God is awesome. and how I'm blessed with a bunch of awesome women in the LDI program. And this is the part where I talk about how  awesome they are. Because this is fun to talk about. And because I got to take some pictures of them.And their beauty overflows even outside their good looks.Which will be further elaborated in every single paragraph.

 I love you LDI girls in a real, real deep way.

So, let us begin.

Laura- Laura is our LDI women's leader who, being a LDIer herself is awesome and providing insight and being generally encouraging. She's a gift to the LDI girls. When I started meeting her one on one, I was quite moved at just the capacity she has to encourage and to show me how real women fall in love with a real Jesus. 'Leaders' in my life have always been someone to look up to and emulate. She fits this wholeheartedly, but in addition to that she's shown a vulnerability in ministry that has allowed me to see that I can be vulnerable too. This has caused my heart to be ministered in a deeper way that I ever had experienced before. Outside of character stuff, she's just plain fun to be around. She's goofy and quick to laugh and quick to take time to help me figure stuff out. She's like...the southern woman who always invites people over. She makes you feel like Christmas inside. And her hanging out with you is the one giant awesome present you had hoped someone would get you but hadn't told anyone.. 

What do I love most? That girls laugh. I'll be a good 4 rooms away and I can hear it. I cannot help but smile every time. Its so real and genuine and just plain awesome. ha. I'm giggling to myself right now over it. I love that girl's laugh. If you don't know her, it might be worth going and meeting her just for the sake of hearing it.

Kari- She was the first 'future' LDIer' that I met. She's such a genuine girl, that its easy to give you a quick description, (She's super fun, says catchy things and for the most part will tell you how she's feeling about things-which is incredibly refreshing!) but I'm discovering this girl has depth like no ones business and quick descriptions aren't the half of it. First impression of Kari is she's lighthearted and silly, super fun to be around. This is true. She's also super contemplative. and uses the word super often :) She's deep. and she's consistently surprised me by her innitiative and consideration. I love her. She predicts peoples needs and meets them. This is a crazy gift. Something I've been blown away by more than a handful of times.

What do I love best? Her impromptu dancing sessions. Girl, you can break it down! Ha. . It frees me from being so business oriented in ministry and teaches me just to find joy in Jesus, even in writing emails for Him. I love it.

Danielle-Oh Danielle! She's got a big humor and an even bigger heart. I LOVE sitting next to her, or sitting across from her because we will inevitably chuckle about something. ( Or I will chuckle at what she said even if she doesn't realize it, because she's hilarious.) What I love is that while she is quick to laugh or quick to share funny stories, she's also quick to be real and she's someone I've already been able to be geniune with-even with scary stuff I'm worried to share. She's met it with grace and love and I've felt Jesus through those conversations with her. I get the urge to hug her on a consistent basis. She's a gem. A real Gem.

What do I love best? When I ask her how's she's doing. She tells me truthfully, then generally tells a funny story. She shows me how to find joy. Period. If its a rough day, she'll state it, then share the humor of her day. If its a good day, we laugh the same. Her laugh is pretty awesome too. Its one of those good laughs that make you feel it deep down. I don't know if I could describe it. But i love it. I love her. Oh, and she's got some nice lookin legs.  ;)

Alisa-Goodness. She's something. She's got a presence. She's one of those girls that when she laughs, you feel special at what you said, and while she does carry that, she's quick to laugh, quick to extend grace and quick to be real with you. I've gotten to drive with her many a time and those conversations we have are always so refreshing to me. She's the other 'married' gal, and I love getting to share with her how LDI fits in the context of marriage. Her willingness to do this with me has ministered to my heart. I love her.

 What do I love best? She says things that cut to my heart. She'll share just her personal thoughts and what God's doing in such a way that I'm left changed. While we have a good chunk of fun pretty much ever time I've ever been in her presence, I also walk away feeling freedom and understanding in my relationship with Christ and with Ben. Its hard even to describe, but its awesome. I like this mucho.

Bekah- Girl. She's a lighthouse. A giant light-of-grace-house. I think any one who comes into her presence feels the grace that comes with Jesus. She assumes the best and is so kind to people. I love watching her with other people. They. LIGHT. up. There's some individuals who being in their presence makes you feel pretty good for knowing them-that you benefited from them, and there's others who when you hang out with them you walk away feeling like you have something big to offer.She's the latter. She empowers people. She makes them feel like they got something big to offer and that is a phenomenal gifting. I love it.

What doI love Best?- her intense desire to love on people. It's everywhere. When she has conversations, she's there. She takes people seriously and her self not so much. Its a big big BIG deal. I admire it and love it.  Bekah, You got something good going on.

Katie-Sweet Katie. Talk about a girl who pretty much can do anything. She crafts, she works with the wee-babes, she cooks, she laughs, she's a professional photographer, Basically wonder woman. But a midst her insane ability to excercize in all of these giftings, she's always ready to have a great conversation. She reminds me often what it means to have real relationships and to take time to build into others. There have been countless times where I've said things in passing, that she's asked specifically about, and I'm grateful for her kindness and consideration. She's quick to help out and quick to be a blessing.

What do I love Best? Katie is considerate in a way I've never seen people be considerate. She's quick to find out what really blesses people and then works to make it happen. She's shown me the most LITERAL sense of blessing people and it's really challenged me to get to know how to really minister to the people around me, not just assume I know. I love that about her.

Shannon-Shannon was the first girl I said " I think she really gets me." And I had only known her for a few days. I've loved every minute with Shannon. She talks directly, and genuinely, which has been awesome for my heart-since I talk a wee-bit directly as well. And she laughs with me. Boy does she laugh with me. My belly aches with any extended time with her. She's allowed me to 'let it all hang out' and just be real, even when that means me being not so awesome. And she's loved me all the same. At first i thought 'boy am I special!' While I do think that to some extend, she really is ready to love on people and be real with anyone willing. Which has shown me just how to do the same. She's ready to tell you how God has changed her life and how he can do that for you too, and she's unwilling to just leave you to do it alone. that is BIG. And she's really pretty. Which makes me a little giddy.

What I love Best? Her full throttle humor. This girl is funny. I love the laughs we can have in sticky situations, like floating downstream in water or not being able to get back up on a dock when our swimsuit breaks and spider webs are everywhere, or when we have to get events organized. She's able to find joy which, for someone as intense as I am, is so awesome. She's making me live longer, people. I love her.

Naty (right)-The Betty Rizo of the us LDI Pink Ladies. She's awesome. She sets a standard that as women, we're gonna love on other women because of what Jesus did. And she shows us just how to do that. She's set a whole new standard for how I view women's ministry and I've become excited at just how many women, including myself can have real deep awesome relationships with women free from cattiness, or anything negatively labeled 'female.' She cares. Genuinely. And I've admired her so much for that. She sets the bar high and we are a blessed church to have her lead the Women's Ministry.

What I love best? She's shown me that to have a dynamic ministry, the individual leading doesn't have to be all bells and whistles. Naty is fully capable of being the bells and whistles, but she's chosen not to outperform others, but rather raise people up.  She's chosen to allow real women to function in ministry and outside of it in such a way that they can continue to be real while loving Jesus- which means not putting on a show. Its liberating. And she's funny. I might have peed a few times when laughing because of her.

Oh, and I've learned to listen to her extra close because she says things packed with wisdom in passing. Its uncanny how those little comments are what God has used to show me how to really minister to my friends and family and people in general. Listen close girls, those side comments are a gold mine.

Rachel (left)-While she's not an 'LDI'er, she is the glue. She's a major part of the Women's Ministry and pretty much keeps Hope running. Every time I get to talk with her, I always leave with a smile on my face. She's generous with her assistance, and she's quick to laugh at jokes-even if they're lame. She's just awesome. She's taught me how to go about getting things done, while also maintaining the caring nature of ministry. She's probably set the most practical example for me. I've benefited greatly from it.

What do i love best? She's incredibly silly in her emails and has an incredible array of catchy sayings. 

Oh and she loves green, and I love green. Which is way nice. Oh, and she says funny things. and has a nice smile...I stare at her sometimes.

So thats all the LDI ladies.

  This is the part where I want to walk up to each of these ladies and hug them and squeez them and dance around for a bit. I know a good half of them would find this incredibly awkward. SO I wont. but know, if i could-that is precisely what I would be doing.

And so I'll just continue staring at these pictures. Its ridiculous how beautiful you girls are.

I especially love writing these type posts because it allows me to see (and hopefully a few of you to see) just how unique what you have to offer really is, cuz this is real stuff not fluffy-made-up stuff.. Each of these ladies has shown me something about Christ, about ministry, and about friendship that I had never ever considered. Its amazing the way God has shaped us and its so encouraging as I see just how much each of us has a crucial place in the body of Christ. Thanks girls for being real. and letting me share life with you gals.

Over and Out,

Brittany

P.S.

Extra Extra shout out to Katie for taking pictures with me and Kari for organizing this little photo op.