ENCOURAGEMENT in the Body of Christ

---> Being encouraged, believed in and Knowing that people want to see the BEST in my life has greatly impacted me.God has blessed me beyond measure with family and friends who come along the side of me and have encouraged and pushed me. I know my relationship with God would not be where its at without discipleship and encouragement/being believed in.


We are called to be the BODY of Christ. To walk together hand in hand. Lifting each other up. Encouraging, cheering and being real with each other. Moving forward- to win souls for the Kingdom of God.

But today satan has a different plan. If we aren't a body of Christ, we are just a body--> One person. and that's when its just about us- we get so wrapped up in our life. We don't have enough time for others and if we do we only want to spend our time with who we want to be with. We are selfish. ( and I'm guilty of this too)

We are all hurt, broken people. None of us have had the PERFECT life. We are all sinners saved by grace. and although our circumstances maybe different. We are not at all. 

I've messed up time after time and have experienced forgiveness and grace from both God and my leaders. and without it I wouldn't be in this spot.

So, when I look at others- God reminds me to look through eyes of grace.
Remembering I've been there and if I don't come along the side of them and encourage- I may never have another opportunity to run this race along the side of them.

The past month I've been on the road traveling with my Master's team. We've been to Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and of course Iowa-  and all the places we have been we've met people from so many cultures and living conditions and they are all at different places in their life.

I had to just take time to process it all- and to see the importance of life and how I was living.

I don't want to live to get the best material things or to have better fashion than the person next to me..

I don't want to be caught up on the latest gossip of my friends or the people in my church/town..You see- if we were a true encourager- we would STOP what is being talked about and go to that person and help them. (whenever there is drama among our friends, I don't care if  you are young, or old- it all has to with someone being hurt/brokenhearted /insecure) they NEED the LOVE OF JESUS- and you! The words you speak are life or death. Choose life. 

I don't want to see myself as better than anyone and look down upon the people God has called me to encourage and lift up-


I'm not called to one ministry. I'm not called to keep up with the latest trends, I'm not called to be about Brittany Bluhm.

 I'm called to show people Jesus. To encourage them. To walk beside them and hold them when the enemy attacks.




I believe with all my heart that if we would take the time to put aside these little things that build up walls between us we would see change in our world. If we could start looking through eyes of grace and coming down to the level of those who are hurting and help them find the HEALER- and walk with them as the BODY OF CHRIST-

we would be unstoppable for the kingdom of God.

So today I just want to encourage you to be the member of the Body of Christ who is going to move- be active. Think: who around you needs to be lifted up? Who is feeling shame and needs to know they are not being condemned- but can be forgiven. Who needs to know they are not alone on this journey?
Let's take back what the enemy is trying to steal and be THE BODY of CHRIST!

Encourage. Love. Bear each others burdens. and  Rejoice with one another.

What does GOD say about THIS issue or THAT issue?

My Favorite book: THE BIBLE! The Author: My God. My Creator. My Savior. My King!

It's sacred. It brings clarity to all situations. Any issue on life- there is wisdom. Every time I read it I feel like I'm reading it for the first time and falling in love with God all over again.

In this book we learn about Creation. How the earth, land, clouds and stars were created.  How man was created  and how you and I were formed in our mothers wombs. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

We see men and woman who feared God. They had an encounter with Him. Their lives were changed. They led by example and we get to learn from them!  


Then, we see men and woman who disobeyed God, turned their backs on Him and walked in evil and not in light and where the result of sin took them. 


We have the story of our Savior taking on the likeness of man and being born into this dark world and we see the perfect life He lived. We can learn about how He LOVED others and how He loves us. How He discipled twelve men and taught them His ways.

There is the story of His death ( He died to save us from our sins to have ETERNAL life with Him) and then we see His resurrection. (HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!)  and then He sent the Holy spirit to be a Helper to us so we could know the TRUTH. So that He could convict the world of sin! He guides us into ALL truth.

The twelve men He discipled went on preaching and teaching the Gospel. the way of TRUTH.
and we get to see His commands, His Laws and His LOVE. and SO MUCH MORE!!


The Bible is TRUE.
The Bible is TRUTH.
The Bible is the WORD OF GOD.

 
So my thoughts:  The past couple days there has been so much going on in our society and so many arguments here and there. I see it on the TV and social media. Everyone has their opinion of what is right or what is wrong.

What does God say is right and what is wrong? It doesn't matter what our opinion is. 

Through all of this my heart is breaking because of how far away from the Word of God this Country has become and how HIS truth is not being taught or sought after.

I'm hearing/seeing "Christian" men and woman argue against/for something and their views are not even lining up with the word of God.

People claim to be Christians but look just like the world and are going against what the Bible says. 

In the Bible God gives us commands of how we are to live. What displeases Him and what pleases Him. it shows us what sin looks like.

So why are we teaming up with the world and saying it's okay to do THIS, or to do THAT?

We have become blinded and numb to the word of God.
We care more about being accepted and pleasing man more than pleasing GOD. 

I'm praying that we can turn our hearts back to God and back to His TRUTH.

We all are sinners and all need Jesus and I'm so thankful that God continues to work on us, and He forgives us of our sins but we must walk away from that sin and not continue to live in it.

I challenge you to get into the BIBLE. Seek TRUTH!







 

"If you love me keep my commandments."  John 14:15


 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. " John 14:23&24

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action). 2 Timothy 3:16

I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law. Psalm 119: 15
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 12:4

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:22


I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart. Psalms 40:8




 

When you KNOW God- You don't stay the same.

Go to church.

Feel convicted.

Live off the sermon for the few days.

Go back to the same old life. 

This happens time after time. 

I lived my life like this for years and you know what?  I liked to feel convicted. That way I could feel like God was doing something in me. 

 I didn't know how to change or how to live a freed life and the bottom line... I was just too LAZY. 

I was raised in a christian home. Grew up in the church (3 days a week) Went to a private christian school. I could tell you every bible story, I could sing to you every bible club song. I didn't drink. I didn't cuss. I didn't smoke. I was a good girl. 

But yet I felt so empty.  

I tried to feel that void by whatever the world had to offer me and nothing changed. 

I think so many christians feel this way and don't really know how to change. 

They feel alone and think the rest of the church is judging them because they don't have the perfect christian life. 

well here is a secret... 

NO ONE has the perfect christian life. We are all sinners. We all need Jesus the same amount. But some people do whatever it takes to get to Jesus and lay aside laziness, and the lies satan throws at them. 

But others walk in apathy and go through the motions. 

Just showing up for church, singing some worship songs, listening to a sermon and then running to the alter isn't  going to be enough for you. 

We are broken people. We have hurts. We have pains that we have carried for years. and we think it's normal to walk a life in defeat. 

We go to church just to check it off our list. . . and we read the bible to comfort us because of the hard times we are going through and maybe throughout the week we will put a status on facebook about God and maybe we aren't doing anything "bad".

But thing you need to understand is His love! Because that's what changes us. 

He died on the cross because He LOVED us. So we could spend eternity with Him.  

Once you start to walk in His unfailing love and FALL IN LOVE with Jesus, you WON'T be able to stay the same. 

I think back to my life. I had such hurt and pain. I walked in insecurity and didn't feel worth anything. I was bound by lies and went through all the motions of the christian life. 

I took everything I was given for granted.

Yes, I had a good life. But a good life isn't enough and it won't satisfy you. 

but Jesus is enough. 

I just want to encourage you to do all you can to get to Him. It's a DAILY THING.

Set aside time for prayer EVERY DAY ( How awesome is it that we get to spend time with the Creator of the Universe?!?)  and we can KNOW HIM!!

Read your Bible! Fall in love with Him!! 

The more we learn about God and fall in love with Him, we understand who HE IS. Why HE created us and who we are in HIM. 

I'm free. I'm restored. I'm whole. I'm redeemed. I'm His. 

and no, I'm not perfect. But my Jesus is and I want to stay as close as I can to Him. 

I pray for each one of you that read this and that God really starts to stir in you a new desire, a new passion for Him. That you don't just go through the motions, but you FALL IN LOVE with Him. That you experience His unfailing love. and that you will be used of Him- to show OTHERS His LOVE! 

Be blessed today and remember- You're loved!!! 

I did absolutely nothing and He chose me because of love.

I'm not going to promise to be consistant on here.We all know how many times I have apologized for blogging only twice a year.

But, I will blog when God lays something on my heart to share and I know that if God is involved it's what  someone needs to hear.

It makes me so happy to know that I serve a God who cares. Who is faithful and loving. Who has given me so many chances and has covered me with grace. Who keeps on pursuing after me and has CHOSEN me to be his daughter.

YES- He Chose me.

That just BLOWS my mind. ---> GOD CHOSE ME. He has captured my heart and brought me to the place where I get to LOVE him with ALL of my heart, soul and mind.

I get to move the heart of God with my praise, my love, and my adoration to Him. He delights in it.
and you know what!? I didn't have to do ONE THING to deserve this love.

I think about celebrities...and athletes who the world will OBSESS with. ( I've had my share of celebrity crushes...and athletes) But when we think about it.. HOW SILLY. They are people. They are NOT my GOD. Although, I could worship them like they are and yes, people do-  They want their autograph. They will do anything to get a chance to see them in person. and then the real crazies CRY when they get into the presence of them. . . . and what do those moments do?



Do they change our life? ( maybe if we are obsessed enough)
Are we made complete and found our hearts desire?
Have we found the thing that will sustain us?
Are we going to be able to change other peoples lives in the eternal perspective of things? 

No to all of the above.

But I worship and serve God- The King of Kings, The Creator of the Universe, My Saviour.... and with Him I see hope arise. I see lives that are broken- healed. I've experienced a love that NEVER fails. I'm made complete and whole. I'm changed forever.

 He CHOSE me and I'm forever Grateful!

Do our feelings dictate how we serve God?

Here I am jumping up and down screaming "YES! YES THEY DO! " okay, I'll calm down.....

So.....The dictionary tells me that

"Feeling" (adjective) is : sensitive; sentient.

readily affected by emotion; sympathetic: a feeling heart.

indicating or characterized by emotion: a feeling reply to the charge.

and

"Emotion" (noun)  is an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness.

 If you know me.. you know I have A LOT of emotions. So, I suppose you can call me an "emotional girl". and NO... not EMO (beka;) and I know most girls hate being called emotional..but we have to just get over it. and be happy we feel everything:) :) *take note: Don't take things too personal or be overly sensitive..but be sensitive to peoples feelings..... and I will stop because this blog isn't focused to only emotional girls. Ha. okay!

But, when I'm happy I will laugh. When I'm overjoyed I will probably be creepily smiling in my own world. When I'm sad you will be able to see it in my eyes, and I most likely will cry. When I'm angry. I will punch the first person I see. Okay... Actually I've never really punched anyone. So, forget that- But, when I'm angry I will probably look angry and have an attitude problem. and my flesh...even though I have to pray against it daily and sometimes 72 times a day. It on occasion comes out. But by God's grace- I'm a work in progress!

Anyway- So, me being the emotional person that I am. It's easy to live my life on FEELINGS. and a lot of the time I do. When I wake up in the morning I have to tell myself not to live on feelings. and that usually gets me out of bed. Because otherwise, I would sleep until noon. and would NEVER work out. I would eat lots of carbs and go to dairy queen for a blizzard daily. and I would do whatever else MY FEELINGS wanted. Instead of doing what I knew I had to do or what was right to do.

A lot of the times, we let our FEELINGS dictate how we are going to serve God.

Our relationship with God is so much more than just a feeling. It's more than a hyped up worship service with lights flashing and every instrument going.  It's more than just attending a weekly church service. or conference,  It's more than just calling yourself a Christian.

It's surrendering yourself daily. 

---> I can go to an AMAZING church service. The presence of God is there and in that moment I know there is no place I want to be but right there. God always pours out his goodness on me and sometimes either shows me something in my life that needs to be changed, or something He wants of me. And every time, I'm ready to change. I no longer desire things of this world and all that matters to me in that moment is GOD. and I will serve Him no matter what.

All those things ^ They are true. and you maybe thinking- That's an emotion or feeling you are going off of in that moment. But what I'm trying to get across is, that we cant take this emotion or feeling and just LIVE OFF OUR EXPERIENCE. Because we were created to SERVE God NOW...and in the moments of being in His presence, It encourages us to go after Him and to continue to walk in His fullness.

In our daily life it can get hard because sometimes we don't always feel God and maybe we are going through a dry season but those are the moments you really have to fight your feelings, and choose to serve God. To read the bible, and to pray. to SURRENDER. and to remain faithful. and the world will tell us otherwise because world doesn't understand. The world isn't cheering for us to live a Holy life, consecrated to God. Satan is in the world, distracting us, discouraging us and wanting to destroy our life so we can't tell the world about a loving God. and we forget about what God showed us or changed in us and it start's to be about how we feel again, and not about the truth. and I've been in this spot more times then I can count.


But when it's about God I find Joy. I find peace, I find contentment. The things of the world pass away. and my emotions aren't about me. It's about living my life completely for my HIM.  ---> Let me decrease so that HE may increase.

Serve Him because He is WORTHY. He LOVES us even though we fail daily. He died for us so that we can live with Him for eternity, He delights in us, He is always faithful. and I know, & have experienced that His plans are far greater than ANYTHING!

Be BLESSED TODAY!!










 

Children are a BLESSING- especially to this AUNTIE! :)

I realize I haven't blogged since September and you know what? I don't feel that bad because I have been very busy...Well,  for the most part and when I do have free time, I only want to sit and do nothing. but today I was inspired. As you see- I changed my little header to "Bluhm (bloom) where you're planted. "  because BLUHM is my last name and right now in this season of my life I know I'm to Bloom right where I am. In EVERY situation.

So that's my update on my blog! AND NOW- I want to talk to you about one of my most TREASURED titles. "Auntie Brit"

I'm an auntie to five beautiful children.

Yes, FIVE is correct. But this first happen when I was 13 years old. I became an aunt to twin boys-
                                        Elijah & Jonah.

                     Elijah (curly hair) and Jonah (straight hair) Age:4 here

AHH! They are so CUTE! :)

                                                             STUDS!

I was so happy because I always wanted a baby brother or sister and this was the closest thing I got :) I remember the first Christmas we had with them I told my parents to spend more money on them and less on me. To me I was no longer the "baby of the family." and I was SO EXCITED to be an auntie. They were PERFECT in every way and they stole my heart the moment I saw them. and continue to do so EVERYDAY. they make me so proud and are growing up to be such HANDSOME, SWEET, AMAZING little men.






             Jasmine Rose

                                             Jasmine: 2 years old here

She came 3 years later. She is her own kind. A little fireball, spunky, shy, crazy, funny, a jokester and much more. She always knows how to make me laugh, even if she is trying so hard not to make eye contact and hold back her smile as I yell across the school in front of her classmates " JASMINE, I LOVE YOU!!.. Love me for who I am!"  She is BEAUTIFUL. and full of life. I love her so:)

              Jasmine (6 years old now) and I

                                                        VIOLET JOY

My birthday sake! Let's take a walk down memory lane: August 31st- My mom came in the room at 3:30 AM and said  " I'm going to Jaime and Cristy's! Cristy is in Labor and its your birthday!"
I jumped out of bed and started getting ready at 4:00 A.M. because 1. its my birthday ( had to get a start on my day) and 2. I was going to have a NIECE BORN on my BIRTHDAY! ( and there would be photos)
I went over to be with my mom at the house ( because the 3 other kids were still sleeping)  and I woke them up singing happy birthday to myself.

We got ready and arrived to mason city by 6:30 AM.

Went to Perkins and had a birthday breakfast.

and Somewhere around 7 something my brother called and said VIOLET JOY had been born at 7:00AM.

Crazy part? I was born at 7:03AM! so we are 23 years and 3 min apart.

                                                                 Auntie Brit and Baby Vi

                                                              With MY FOUR!

                                  Jonah likes to call her CHUBS. AHH! she is PERFECT:)

               

       WE LOVE EACH OTHER!

So as you can tell, Violet has captured my heart. and every time I see her. My heart gets happy and I can't help but kiss her a MILLION times. Her and I have a VERY special bond and it maybe because we have the same birthday or because we are both crazy:) She loves when I act all out of control. She sits there laughing and wants me to keep being crazy. I LOVE HER:) and I know we will be best buds!

                                                                      <3

          
       
        Judah Barton James

                                                    

He's just a little guy. So sweet. and CUTE! I will never forget the first time I saw him. (as I write this I start to cry) I got to be in the room as my sister gave birth to this little man. It was the most INTENSE, CRAZY, Life changing moments! I think I went through EVERY EMOTION in that delivery room and as soon as he came out,  I started SOBBING and ran over to the table to get a good look at him and as he laid there SCREAMING loudly, He looked at me. and again, I fell in love. HE IS A STUD! and even though he lives a state away. He knows his auntie LOVES him so MUCH! :)

                                             When we first met:)

                                                   Auntie and BABY JUDAH!

                                           Isn't he ADORABLE!??!?!?!? =)

                                              I LOVE BABY "BART" :)   



JUST SOME RANDOM PICTURES:

        So here they are: MY joys
                        

I thank God for these five and pray that they continue to grow up healthy and have a HEART FOR GOD! I also pray that I'm the BEST auntie to them and make sure they are always LOVED and spoiled:) But not the bratty spoiled of course!






SHOUT OUT TO my siblings that made this all possible: James&Cristy and Joel&Brook! :)


THE END!



















                                                 

Please Forgive me for my SLACKINGNESS

You see...Master's Commission started the beginning of this month so it has been NON-STOP busy moments!

Uh...Did you hear what I said? MASTER'S STARTED!

so- I will talk about Master's......

I'm expecting great things for this year! Relationships with God to go deeper, Restoration in our hearts and thoughts, Victories to be won, Strongholds to be broken and all together LIVES CHANGED for the kingdom of God. That we will take up the call and be a disciple.

                                                             Our TEAM:)







 This year we have 2 first year students and 2 second year students. and It's a BEAUTIFUL thing... I love the smallness and closeness of the group. I can already see God doing so much in each of their lives and it makes me SO HAPPY!!

UH HUH! That's me being excited & THIS IS DANAE my fellow second year"er".
She is always such an encouragement to me and it's been so awesome to see her grow the past year! I can't wait to see what is in store for her. I know it will be amazing. She is beautiful inside&out:)

  This is MISS REBECCA!..She is our young buck...our little grasshopper.  :)
 She brings a smile to my face and always is inspiring me to keep on telling jokes.(not always a good thing because my jokes can get me in trouble;) But I'm so blessed she is here and expecting God to do GREAT things in her life this year!! SHE IS WONDERFUL!!

  This is Mr. Jeremy Pietens. He is from Arkansas...so he has a PRETTY SWEET sounding acce--ACTUALLY... I would call it an accent..but he says we have the accent & talk funny...so its a lose-lose situation...Dontcha Know?! And dont be deceived by this picture.. He DIDN'T enjoy this Pig tie. Beka and I gave it to him because it made sense to us....PIG SOOOOOOOIE!?!?! I guess not.  Anyway- Its been awesome having him here. He is a good balance to our mix. And has such a servants heart! I'm also so EXCITED for all God is going to do in his life! Ohhh...and.. He is an awesome drummer! :O

 

As for me I'm LOVING every moment of it. I know that God has so much He is going to do in my life this year. Another year of cutting things from my life....Yep, there has already been times where it "stings"...But I know God is taking me through these moments and all I have to do is DEPEND on Him and HIS strength. He has never let me down. He is faithful. He is GOOD!





  And I'm sure you are wondering about our wonderful Directors!?

HERE THEY ARE... Such a good looking couple:) && I'm honored and blessed to have them as my spiritual leaders!! They are SO LOVING. ENCOURAGING. and AMAZING. :)  *shout out* Thanks for all you two do & for the Sacrifice you have given to follow the call of God upon your life!  you both are SO STRONG! Thanks for ALWAYS loving me! LOVE YOU!!!!!




Well that's all I have for now. But prayers are appreciated for our team:) GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Life is LOVELY in Iowa&&Master's Commission,
Brittany

Are we close enough friends for you to read about my love life?

First of all, this title is wrong in THREE ways. 1. You are a close enough friend.  2. I dont have a LOVE life. 3. I didn't know what to make this title and this is all I could think of.

so now that is all cleared up-

"Do you have a boyfriend yet?" is the question I hear at least once a week from my clients as I cut their hair.  

My first year in Master's was the easiest way to explain to people. "I'm in a nine month discipleship. We aren't allowed to date this year. " -End.Of.Conversation.- Unless of course the person was shocked that there are actually people that do things like this...and then they would ask lots of questions.

Yesterday I turned the big 2-3. So I should be dating someone or getting married soon.... I mean, people did throw the YET in there when they asked if I had a boyfriend!


 I started to feel like I needed a boyfriend. Ridiculous?! Yes!

and its so easy to feel that way because today in our society we think we need to have a relationship with the opposite sex to make us feel important or loved. We have sugar coated it and try to make relationships look like its the only way you are gonna be happy. We have a mixed up view of what LOVE is.

We watch love movies, read books, and begin to fantasize what we want or compare with the relationship we are in. Unless its of God.. we will never be completely satisfied. We can try and say its of God but lets be honest- God is not UNSTABLE and doesn't make LOVE complicated and difficult. True love comes from God. Love is Pure. Love is SIMPLE.


* * * *


1 Corinthians 7:35 says "I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible."

I LOVE how God gives us exactly what we need when we NEED it!


That last part, Serve the Lord with as few distractions as possible-it HIT me. Am I living a life with few distractions?! Sometimes I get SO WRAPPED up in where I'm at and with the question, "Do you have a boyfriend yet?" If I had one at this time...it would be a distraction because I know for this season in my life, God has made clear to me that I am supposed to be single and to SERVE GOD with my whole heart. I'm in masters for my second year and I have been given certain responsibilities and I know I can't have those distractions. and when its God's timing it will happen. :)

Someone asked me what my type was and if I was at least looking for "him"... NO! I'm not going on some man hunt! I have laid down the "type" thing. because God already has the man I'm going to marry picked out. God knows the desires of my heart and I trust him COMPLETELY!



So what God is dealing with me on? To let go of distractions and to use my singleness for his GLORY.

Living the Lovely Single life in Iowa,
Brittany

Featured Friday: My FRIEND-->JENNY!

"WAIT!.....Do you usually do a featured friday?".. I know that's what my 16 followers are thinking. 

And no... I don't. This is NEW.

    Okay. Now that's taken care of.

**

     In honor of her birthday yesterday....

JENNY ERTZ

 

                                          

She is BEAUTIFUL even while making silly faces:)        

       I met Jenny September 2007 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

My first impression of her:

 

(She looked just like Katie Holmes!)

It took Jenny and I awhile to become friends. I was scared of her because she was really good at doing perms. She was FAST. and always got done FIRST! So, I assumed she was older. and stuck up. Because if your good at a perm that's what happens?! LOL! :)

anyway- The first time I really talked to her was when I needed help with a perm on an ACTUAL client.. so I went to the BEST and asked if she would come help. and after that.. it's HISTORY.

Our friendship grew fast. Our first real BONDING moment was the night we discovered something we had in common!

I was over at her apartment with some other girls...and Jenny was over in the corner by the door doing something and soon I realized she was looking at my shoes..OF COURSE I was like -OH NO- she is gonna notice my shoe size! But before I knew it.. 

she SLIPPED her foot into my shoe and yelled out.. " WHO's Shoe is this!?" 

"uhh.. Mine?" I said quietly. 

Jenny smiled and said.. WE WEAR THE SAME SIZE SHOE! 

PHEW! all my insecurity left....and there was a  BIG RELIEF.

I had never had a friend that wore the same size shoe as me!

To all you normal sized feet people...insecurites do happen here.

****

Jenny and I became roomates and were inseparable. 

We NEVER had a fight or disagreement. 

She kept me sane during that year of being in Fort Dodge. 

She was REAL. She didn't fake who she was. She wasn't two faced. She didn't feed into all the drama. 

She didn't force me to do anything I didn't want to do. She stayed by my side when I knew something 

 was wrong and she understood why I didn't do a lot of things that everyone else did. :)

She never questioned my belief in God or why I believe EVERYTHING that I believe. 

 

She is a TRUE FRIEND.

 I know God placed her in my life because there is no way I would have survived the year without her.

Thank you so much for being one of my best friends.

Never forget how Amazing you are. 

and never LIMIT what you can do.. or what you can be. 

I know that God has such an AMAZING plan for you.

Thanks for always being you!

(Look me in the eye's and tell me you love me!)

Friends are a Lovely thing, 

Brittany

My time in Master's and how I LOVED IT!

I know I already talked about Masters Commission and how I ended up going in a previous post. But I just wanted to share of how those 9 months shaped me and changed me.

                (The night of our COVENANT SERVICE. All our Covenant Rings:)


Many people questioned my decision of going to master's especially since it was in my hometown. They told me to leave and experience the "world" ( hello people, I lived in Fort Dirty (dodge)  for a year =)...Or they said that It would ruin my relationships with people around here(that didn't happen either:)..I didn't go to FLOYD MC because it was "safe" for me.

I went because I KNEW it was where God wanted me to be.

You see, I had gone MONTHS without peace and the moment I said "I'm going."

I had peace.

I'll never forget the first Monday morning of Master's and we had concert of prayer.I was standing in the sanctuary and again there was the SWEET ABIDING PEACE!

From the beginning I knew how bad I wanted this. I knew that I wanted to dedicate those months to God and just focus TOTALLY on Him. I left a full time job with financial security and gave it to God. 
I knew it wasn't gonna be easy and that I would have hard times. But If I really applied myself to it, and gave ALL of me that God would see me through. and those months would REDEFINE me.

and that's what happen.

I experienced God in a whole new way.
and I was stretched in ways I didn't know was possible AND I got to travel&&go places I had never been and that INCLUDED TEXAS!

In Texas we went to Master's Conference and there were Master's Commissions from all over!

That's where I FELL in LOVE with Master's!

It wasn't JUST Floyd master's anymore. We weren't alone.

                                         ( Us with another Master's Team:)


We saw HUNDREDS of MC students doing the SAME thing we were. They had the SAME heart and SAME goal!


 After Conference we stayed in Fort Worth for a couple days and did a service for a youth group.

and I will never forget that service because that was the service that my love for the ministry changed. I knew its what I wanted to do. I had this passion burning inside me. and I'm still not exactly sure what I want to do in the ministry but I know I'm supposed to do something with it and God will show me:)

                      (Some PRECIOUS kids from the youth group in Texas)


During those months God was always doing something in my life. But I had to be willing for Him to work in me. .Everyday I had to get before Him and say "Whatever is in me that doesn't bring You glory, Change in me. " and He was always faithful.

Master's wasn't ALL easy. There were hard days. Days where I wanted to just go home an lay in bed. Days where I wanted to be able to do whatever I wanted. Nights where I wanted to stay out until midnight but since I had a curfew I couldn't.  There were times where we got assignments and they seemed IMPOSSIBLE to complete but once we applied ourselves we got them done :) YES, we had to go and do hard work But those were just little things that shaped us. IT WAS SO GOOD FOR ME!

OVERALL:
...Those 9 months were incredible....SO AMAZING!!

and I thank God that He gave me the desire to stay strong and not to give up or break the rules (except of course over sleeping a couple times:)

     (SLEEP is something you take advantage of in master's..Just don't get discipline because of it:)


He is so faithful and good and if I had to do my first year all over again..I would because my life was changed in the best way possible. . I mean, Seriously think about it..How could I not want to serve Him and do it all over again?!

Okay.. Actually...Speaking of doing it all over again...I should just throw out there that I will be going back to Floyd Master's Commission this fall as a SECOND YEAR!.. I'm so excited and cant wait to see all that God is gonna continue to do and to change me even more for HIS GLORY! :) 

                                        ( FLOYD: MC Team from the 2010/2011)


Life is lovely in Iowa and Master's, 
brittany 
 

the FIRST& worst MULLET I've ever cut.

It was halfway through my time at La'James International College (that's where I went for hair school) and by this time everyone knew me and my personality and how bad experiences to me and my humor turn out to be funny.  So, I am sitting in our classroom and over the speaker I hear "Brittany Bluhm Please come up front for a client." and of course I HATED hearing that because you never know who's hair you are gonna do. (a lot of times I think my teachers enjoyed giving me the sketchy people to get a good laugh- Shout out to my teachers. Thanks!)  

Anyway, like I was saying you never know who's hair you're going to do. Are they gonna be nice or mean? Will this be the cat lady? Will they be human? Is it gonna be a doll? (yes..some guy brought a doll) SO, You just NEVER know. 



 I get up and head to the front of the waiting area and my teacher has a smile on her face... and I just knew I was gonna have a story. I open the door for my surprise and there is a lady in her 50's sporting a HUGE MULLET!


   The first thing I do after I see her is start praying in my head because there is NO WAY I want to "freshen" up this cut or just "trim" it!


Training to be a professional you better be professional so I get my act together.......

 (this is not her, but very close! just take away the red hair and replace it with gray)
      


   
   So, I take her back to my area. She sits in my chair. I swallow hard and ask,  "What are we doing today?"

 She reaches into her pocket and right then I get a GLIMMER OF HOPE and I start to believe that she actually brought a picture and wants a NEW LOOK!

      "GOODBYE MULLET and HELLO NEW CUTE HAIR STY--- what?! NO!" *PANICK ATTACK BEGINS*  "That's not a picture of a cute hairstyle.....that's a CLIPPER GAURD!"

YES!..... a # 2 clipper guard. Do you know how short # 2 clipper guard is?! IT'S 1/4"...I REPEAT.. ONE FOURTH.....INCHES!

 
 My eyes FILL with tears as she tells me she wants the TOP part of her hair to be SHAVED the length of this #2 guard.


 I say to her....." The 2 guard is really SHORT. Are you sure this is what you want?"

 she says what I feared "YES".

So, I do what you should never do when cutting someones hair and do opposite because the #2 guard is SHORT. I take a #6 guard which is 3/4"  and I take the first chunk of hair of the top of her head. I stop and tell her to look in the mirror at the length and she says " THAT'S TOO SHORT!"

WAIT! What?!?!.....She wanted me to just do a #2 guard which is WAYYYY Shorter than what I just did. So I tell her what all just happen, how I did the 6 guard and she doesn't believe me! and....the client is ALWAYS right....So there I am. In shock...and I reason with her and she tells me she wants it a little bit longer than that. So, we move it up to a #8 guard ---> ONE INCH.

 At this point she is a HAPPY CAMPER.

Me on the other hand, Not so much. From where my chair and station are
I have a good view of my classroom. So I can see all my friends watching...some holding back laughter...some taking pictures... the nice ones watching with sympathy and I get emotional and I begin to CRY!..I am wiping tears away from my eyes before they RUN DOWN MY FACE!

 Maybe you are thinking...Why would you cry about this? Its because when she goes to the store or she goes to her best friends house they are gonna ask who did your hair? and she is going to tell them..................."BRITTANY FROM LA'JAMES!"


I wont have any CLIENTS! My reputation!

So as I am being humbled I'm thinking "I did this! I just gave this lady a GIANT MULLET.Worse than before. Why do I do hair? I didn't come here to give a GROWN lady- a MULLET! yes, maybe a Emo girl that wants a "stylish" one, or a teenage boy that wants to be funny... But not HER!



Do you know what this lady looked like when she left La'James International Beauty School?

    (This is not her either. But I PROMISE. This is EXACTLY what it looked like!)

And I wish that I made this all up....But FOR REAL- this is what the "CUTE NEW
HAIR STYLE" turned out to be.


My advice to you today is: 1. Stay away from the mullet and 2. ask your hair stylists if they have any good ideas of what would look good on you.


Life is not so lovely in Iowa with Mullets,
Brittany




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a Blog for my "ROGERS" FAMILY:)

    It's that time of the year again and we've been doing this for as long as I can remember and it never gets old.  But, I think this year it may be a little bit different because not as many people are coming and my heart is breaking! && I'm missing everyone that couldn't come.

    I pray this NEVER happens again because this SERIOUSLY is the BEST time of the year. 

  YES! It beats Christmas and 4th of July! and that's saying a lot because those are my TWO FAVORITE HOLIDAYS! But there is nothing like this... and that is:

The ROGERS FAMILY REUNION

  

FACTS:

• This is my mom's side of the family. 
• She has a BIG family.     
• 12 siblings. 
• 13 kids including her.
• My grandma was pregnant 9.75 years of her life. 
• I have A LOT of cousins. 
• I stop counting after 40. 
• Our family is still growing. 

---------------------------------------------

I'm blessed to know my family. To know my cousins and to have that many cousins. 

I admire my aunts&uncles&cousins for always making an effort to bring their family to the reunions. (this year some of you are going be in trouble for not coming...but we will talk later) :)

 Things I love.

• The Humid/Hot weather everyone puts up with when coming to Iowa. 
• The green grass that my cousins from the "dry states" can admire. 
•  The bonfires. 
• The sound of my aunt's singing.
• The SAME memories we reminisce about every year.
• The NEW memories we make every year. 
• The talent shows we have. 
• The canoe trips down the river.
• The late night talks.
• Our night games ----> CAPTURE the FLAG!
• The fact that we are in our 20's & 30's and still play night games.
• The bond between us. How you can go months without talking..& then pick up where you left off.

 

*I APOLOGIZE for the photo's below. Some are really blurry. But its mainly just to give you an IDEA of what some things are like:) && to my family that read this- I'm sorry if you are not in any of the pictures. I only could find a couple that would work! But know that I love you SO MUCH!

My Grandma Rogers. The Lady who started it all =)

My Mom with all her siblings&mom at my Aunt Ann's wedding in 1995

             

My girl cousins JAMMED into Brook's room (some not pictured)...doing hair & watching Anne of Green Gables!

*this is what I meant by blurry!* 

Not everyone is in this photo..& we have added quite a few since then:)

My Grandma and her children

a "few" of my COUSINS =)

*The Next 3 pictures below are of some of my cousins!

                                                                               

                                                                              

<3

Well, this is all I have for now. I will be blogging this next week about this weekend's

2011 ROGERS FAMILY REUNION!

I Wish all of you that couldn't make it were here with us RIGHT NOW!

 I love you & I'm so proud to be apart of your family.<3

P.S. you ALL better COME NEXT YEAR...No EXCUSES! ;)