DeeDee Lake's Blog

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Close your eyes and think of your happy place, what comes to mind? Who and what are you thinking about? Have you discovered where you find joy? Where is your joy place?

Me? Well, I’m happiest when I am hanging with my gal pals, chatting, and laughing. Talking about relationships gives me energy. I couldn’t have articulated that when I was young but as I look back over the years everything – jobs, friends, volunteering, activities, and my passions- centers around something to do with relationships and connection.

Dante Bowe’s “Joyful” is a great song to remind us of our joyful place. Check it out at https://www.dantebowe.com/  

The Gift of Finding Your Joyful Place

The benefit of being able to look back is a gift that we don’t have when we are young. Well, I suppose we always have the gift of discovering our joyful place, it becomes more significant as you age. It is easier to connect the dots to our places of fulfillment and joy as we experience more of those moments.

We choose to create a place for special people and moments in our lives. God wants to be extraordinary in our lives and He is our safe place. We will know joy as we have never known before.

When Trouble Comes

However, He does not promise that if we accept Him as our Savior, we’ll never have disagreements, pain, or sorrow. In fact, the Bible says in two places not “if” but “when” trouble comes.

“For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.”

Psalm 27:5 NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters,

when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.”

James 1:2 NLT

Finding Your Joyful Place

Check out Biblegateway to see the same scripture verse in different translations of the Bible. It can help us understand the scripture a little better.

Being a Christian is not easy, but it is rewarding. God’s Word (the Bible) has the power to teach, guide, love, give wisdom, correction and challenge our behaviors, and comfort us. It is God’s love letter. Spending time in God’s Word is a great place to find your happy, joyful place.

My Advice:

Take a moment to review your life. Connect the dots of similar situations and see God’s perfect design for you in your joyful place. You’ll be glad you did!

Coming to Colorado Springs on Saturday, November 6th is the Imagine Conference Colorado. An all-day event for teen and tween girls (parents, coaches, and youth pastors are welcome too.) Hit me up on deedeelake.com for more info!

#DanteBowe #FindingJoy #ImagineConferenceColorado

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Imagine Conference Colorado

Masterpiece 2021

Have you heard about Imagine Conference Colorado, the one-day conference happening just for girls between the ages of 12-18? You won’t want to miss all the fun.

Experience the live worship music, breakout sessions, interactive speaker, vendors, and much, much more. Keep checking this Facebook group to see who and what will be happening on November 5th.

At Masterpiece 2021, you’ll discover God’s design for you as His masterpiece. Did you know you, yes you, are God’s greatest piece of work, a work of art?

Well… You are!!!

Your Purpose

God created you for a purpose and has a beautiful design for your life. Christ made you in His image, and He has a wonderful plan for your life. Come learn about living your life with Christ.

Don’t worry if you’ve never been to church or you don’t know anything about being a Christian. This is a safe place you can ask questions and connect with other teen girls (and mentors, coaches, or youth pastors). Being a teen is hard enough, doing it alone is way harder.

You’re not alone. God wants you to know His great love for you. We are looking forward to meeting you on November 5th at Imagine Conference Colorado 2021.

Ephesians 3:20-21, from the ESV Bible, “20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Imagine Conference Colorado’s purpose is to encourage, teach, strengthen, equip, and prayerfully bring teen girls to the Lord through life-changing conferences. Find out about us at www.imagineconferencecolorado.comImagine

The post It’s happening! appeared first on Dee Dee Lake.

Click on the link to join me as I speak with Patti Shene on her podcast Step Into the Light blog talk radio show. Patti is an awesome host and Christian. We discuss the devotional I wrote for tweens/teens girls, my story, and the business (cross my fingers) we hope to launch in 2021 - Cherish Relations Retreats and Workshops. The book, "Next Step. You've Accepted Jesus ... Now What?" is available for purchase on amazon.com or https://www.deedeelake.com

I am a people watcher. I amuse myself all day, imagining and writing people’s life stories as they walk pass me. 

People Watcher

 I can read lips too. Being deaf on and off from the age of four, I learned creative ways to communicate and reading people’s body language just became a natural source of communication. Often, when people walk past I can catch a glimpse of what topic they are chatting about. It usually makes for some great distraction as I try to pass the time.  

Being the observer of people that I am, I have noticed people are either purposeful about their lives or they are not. You’ve seen them too. When I first met my military officer husband he would say, “Walk into a room with purpose, even if you aren’t sure if you know what you are doing, look like you do.” I think that must have been some military training. He has a great stride.  

What does God Want?

That got me to thinking about other areas of our lives. What does God want? Does God have a plan? Where would God want us to walk with purpose even if we are unsure? 

When I found my life verse in Jeremiah 29:11, I releaized God has a plan and a purpose for me. I was reassured to know our God, my God knew me and has things under control. I don’t have to worry. No fretting for this old girl.  

 I need to know that I have a purpose. I need to live purposefully because our God is not a god of chaos. Therefore, I choose to purposefully love God, love His people, seek God first in all things, love my neighbor, and share Christ with all that I can. A friend once told me.” I choose to go to heaven empty”.  (Lisa Edmonds www.Gotoheavenemtpy.com)

I hope to do all the things here on earth that God asked me to do even the things that make me uncomfortable at times. For those are the times I grow the most in my faith. 

Dream Big, Pray Big

I challenge you today to look at your life. Are you living with purpose? Where do you need to set some goals? Don’t be afraid to set some big hairy huge outrageous goals – Dream Big, Pray Big. You can’t out pray what God can do. What do you have to lose?  

Write down your dreams. Put them in a safe place or give them to someone who will hold you accountable. It is good to have short, medium, and long-term goals. You can do it. God is for you. 

My Advice

You may not be an observer but, you can live with purpose!

#TheConnection Expert #NextStepDevo www.deedeelake.com https://www.amazon.com/author/DeeDeeLake

It’s only a few more days until Christmas. Are you ready? Christmas feast all planned? Gifts purchased and wrapped? How about the Christmas decorations? Are you hearing Christmas carols in your sleep? Is your to-do list growing?  

Been there.  

Here are a few lessons how to do Christmas your way, make memories, and create traditions.

Lesson #1 – You Can’t do it all!

I know that isn’t what you been told your whole life.  Times are different and it is time to delegate. Delegate even if it isn’t done as you would do it.  Less on the to-do list makes a happier you. Give to others not only gifts but expectations and responsibilities.  

The Little Red Hen, by Golden Books, is an old folk story about the Little Red Hen who tried to get a pig, a cat and a frog to help make bread. At every step, they refused to help until the bread was done. The Hen employed wisdom from the bible when the pig, the cat and frog wanted to eat the bread. 

The NLTB 2 Thessalonians 3:10b says, “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” The very clever Little Red Hen didn’t feed those who would not help. It is a great lesson to teach your family – the virtue of work ethic and personal initiative especially in this season that is often fraught with consumption. 

Lesson #2 – You don’t do things the way your mom did

Your mom didn’t think you would do everything just like her either but eventually, she learned to trust you. Give the next generation opportunities to learn your holiday traditions like cleaning the house for Jesus’ birthday, being pleasant to seventy-nine-year-old Auntie Nellie (even when she takes her teeth out), or taking turns entertaining the rowdy, younger cousins. 

We are not born knowing our traditions. They are taught and then caught by the next generation. Traditions can be wonderfully fluid to fit your family’s needs. 

Lesson #3 Your Feast Is Only Momentary

The same meal you planned, cooked, and fretted with for hours . . .  your family will lickety-split devour. Soon you’ll be left with the turkey carcass and empty bowls. In all corners of your home, their happy selves will be stuffed with the Christmas feast and enjoying their new gifts. 

Even if Christmas is the only time you cook a huge meal, and you don’t cook the rest of the year, keep it simple.  Invite everyone into the planning and the kitchen during Christmas. 

Your family and friends cherish times with you more than your blue-ribbon-homemade biscuits.  Store bought buns are quite delicious.

Lesson #4 Make Memories

Slow down. Take time to make memories. Make the most of today and put away your list. Spending time with those you love and need is worth more than gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Christmas isn’t about meals, gifts, events or shopping. It is the one time of the year; the whole world slows down and shares in the celebration of the baby Jesus. Wouldn’t it be grand if we all lived like Christmas, experiencing the peace, joy and love of the Savior, every day of the year?

My Advice:

I have more lessons to reveal but I am taking my own advice and keeping it simple. May you be blessed with love, peace and joy! 

#TheConnectionExpert #NextStepDevotional www.deedeelake.com

Some Choices are Easy.

Drive on the right side of the road? You bet, especially since we don’t live in England.

Some Choices Require Mental Muscle!

Unleaded or Premium Unleaded gas? Go on. Try super unleaded because you can. 

Country or Urban living? Take a trip to the other side and see how the rest of the population celebrates Thanksgiving. 

Cable or satellite to watch your favorite football team?   Whoa! Wait a minute! Let’s not get crazy. Traditions like football during Thanksgiving weekend are sacred. It might be time to decide to purchase that big screen TV. 

Some Choices are Decided for Us.

Turkey or ham this Thanksgiving?  

I wonder, how did the Pilgrims choose turkey as the main course for the first annual meal of gratitude?  Perhaps, the conversation went something like this: 

Jeb said, “Sarah I think we should have turkey.” 

Sarah replied, “Are you crazy Jeb? You know no one in their right mind will want to eat that ugly bird. All my friends will laugh me out of the quilting bee.” 

Jeb nearly choked on his cider. “Them turkeys are just running out loose in the yard.  Easy to catch.” 

Sarah crossed her arms and gave Jeb a determined look. “Jeb, I won’t be going to this Thanksgiving dinner with you, if I can’t take a wild duck, goose or a swan. I would take eel before taking that ugly bird. My word! Turkey! I can’t believe you expect me to show up with one of those.” 

“Fine. Give me my gun.”  

Jeb wasn’t a particularly good hunter. Much to her dismay, Sarah had to compromise.  Their first meal of gratitude included ugly turkey. 

Switch Things Up!

I propose this Thanksgiving we all switch things up a bit. Instead of bowing to peer pressure, let’s go rogue like my family did this past Easter. We gave the pig a pass and ate hot wings. Mama prepared several flavors of hot wings in hope no one would miss the ham, deviled eggs, and desserts. 

The porky-little-diet-buster was neither mentioned nor missed. 

 Go wild! Eat hot wings, or whatever else you may choose for your traditional gratitude meal. 

You can prepare a traditional meal of turkey and dressing. Just remember to check the cooking instructions. You can’t pop a frozen turkey in the microwave and expect it to be ready for you guests in twenty minutes. 

If you choose to cook turkey instead of calling “1-800-Pizza”, remember to take the little bag of giblets (the nasty sack of organs) out before you shove the bird in the oven or deep fryer. 

Whether choices are easy, require mental muscle, or decided for you, live purposefully aware of your options and the consequences of your choices. 

According to the Smithsonian, some of the entrees the Pilgrims ate included wildfowl, venison, wild turkeys, Indian corn, passenger pigeons, eel, lobster, clams, and mussels. 

I’m glad old Jeb didn’t bag a swan or catch any eel. Could you imagine swan or eel being the main course of our annual Thanksgiving meal? 

I know I am thankful for turkeys. 

#ConnectionExpert #Thanksgiving #turkey #choices https://deedeelake.com/my-blogs

Lofty ideals are attainable when you live purposefully. Are you building a reputation of integrity? What motivates you in your life as you make decisions?  

We hear politicians promise “transparency” but we are often disappointed when their lack of it is evident. Live your life in a way people can easily see and perceive your motives. Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if we all lived transparent lives? 

Are you living a life of transparency, truthfulness, and trustworthiness? 

Often, we choose to put emphasis on other people’s character, yet fail to examine our own motives? Honesty is possible. Make a commitment to live your life operating in truth. Sorry, Sis, it’s not okay to fib to your boss or lie to the IRS. (The tax people always find out!) Your words are a testimony of your character.  

Some people will only know you by your words. Live in truth and you will never have to worry about being caught in a lie or deception. Your word is your bond. Your word is reliable. 

Transparency. Truthfulness. Trustworthiness.

Are you the kind of friend who is trustworthy in your words, deeds, and intentions? A true friend is worth more than their weight in gold.  

We want those in authority and the ones closest to us to have integrity.  

 No one wants to let a crook loose with their banking or personal information. That would not be good!  Just as we expect others to be worthy of our trust, may we be found worthy also. 

2020 is nearly over. Are you planning good things for the New Year, 2021? Working on any new year resolutions? Go for it. You can accomplish your New Year’s goal just like an ant eats an elephant, one bite at a time. Build integrity one conversation, text, or deed at a time. Include transparency, truth, and trust in your life then see how your life improves. 

Dear Sister, I am looking forward to an amazing future for you and your loved ones. Will you live a life of transparency, truth, and trust? 

Bibical Wisdom:

Proverbs 11:3a NLT “The integrity of the upright guides them, . . .”  

Transparency. Truthfulness. Trustworthiness. 

The other day, my husband and I were driving home. We saw our neighbor’s teenage daughter, enjoying her mom’s Cadillac, as she drove past us. He mentioned that she liked to drive it more than her own pickup truck.  

Wondering why she liked the Caddie made me think of my limited knowledge of all things automotive.  I am by no means a “car person”.  My husband had a love of cars before he could ride a bike. I’m just content if I can find my car, get from A to B in relative safety and comfort, and have a working radio. 

Most importantly, on my must haves for an automobile, is the ability to locate it when I’m prepared to leave. I’ve lost my little car in several parking lots. Honestly, I could probably lose it in my own driveway.  

While visiting our daughter out of state, she and I went shopping. Inside the store she remembered she needed her glasses. She asked me to get them out of her car. I took her keys and walked confidently outside. Her car was a sedan. White. Four doors. I was fairly sure she had parked near the store. Maybe?

Strike One

I began my typical meandering around the mall parking lot until I could locate the correct vehicle. There must have been a hundred (okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration) white, sedan, four-door cars.

Strike Two

A few unsuccessful minutes had passed when I thought to look for her out-of-state car tag. After seeing even more out-of-state licenses, I remembered. We were in her home state, not mine. Oops. 

Strike Three

Being of sound mind and reportedly very intelligent, I thought, I can do this. People do it every day. I decided to give it a try. You’ve probably guessed what I did next. Yep. I walked up and down the rows pressing her key fob hoping a car would chirp and I would be free from this rambling car hunt. It was getting Texas hot and this fair-skinned girl needed shade.

Success!

 Just as I was about to abort my mission, I walked by the parking spaces closest to the store. Yep. Don’t you know? It was there all along. 

My triumphant quickly faded to questioning.  Why was I looking for her car in the first place. Hmm? 

I decided then, I can hardly wait for traveling by teleporting. Although being directionally challenged, I would probably never get to my destination. That’s okay.  I always have fun along the way. Hope you do too! 

My Advice:

This blog was originally published in 2017 when I owned a tiny, cute Kia Soul. Since we live in Colorado and endured a historic hail storm my adorable red car was totaled. I now drive an amazing Hummer (used of course because we still have lots of hail) that I can easily find – most of the time.

My advice: Enjoy the journey wherever it takes you!

While watching TV, I heard a person asked, “What three things would you take to an island?” The person picked three things. Of course, now my mind wandered and wondered. I’m not normally so easily sidetracked but, on this day, I was very distracted by the question and the answer.  

The TV person answered they would take their little dog, a laptop and internet. Really? If you are on an island how will you get an internet signal? How long do you think your laptop would stay charged? As for the dog, what will you feed it? I found myself chatting to the television.

Imagination Fills in the Blanks

Being a person with a healthy imagination I began to go down a rabbit hole trying to figure out what I would need, want, or take to this mystical island that only has enough room for you to bring three things.  

How quickly our imaginations fill in the blanks when we aren’t given full details. Jerry Jenkins who wrote the “Left Behind” series teaches writing classes. He says let the reader fill in the details. In this case, what kind of island – tropical or glacier, what time of the year, and are you alone on this populated or deserted isle? 

I’ve lived all over the world different continents, isthmus of Panama, peninsula of South Korea, coastal states along with landlocked states. All this traveling and living in different places helps when my mind fills in the details when I read. 

Because our mind fills in the minute, missing details we are normally disappointed when we read the book before seeing a story at the movies.  Often you hear, “the movie wasn’t as good as the book”.  

This ability to fill the gap is wonderful when we read or hear a fictional story. Substituting missing details is not so great when we confuse our imaginations and think they are facts. Rumors can easily spread and gain momentum and becomes “truth”. 

Fact or Fiction?

Next time you hear a story, ask yourself is it fact or fiction. In this time of “fake news” it is always a good idea to check the information source. 

Now it’s your turn, what three things would you bring to an island? Me? I would probably bring my bible (and reading glasses), plenty of pens and papers and music or I would bring a huge hammock, sunscreen, and lots of food.  I can’t make up my mind. I suppose it is good that I’m not heading off to any mystical island any time soon.

My Advice:

Enjoy your God-given imagination and enjoy your journeys. 

#ConnectionExpert #NextStepDevo https://deedeelake.com/my-blogs

Last time I left off at the story as the phone rang and we had received our first load of household goods.

I picked up the phone. 

The female voice identified herself as my husband’s Department of the Army assignments officers. I thought, this is odd, why would she be calling. I told her he had just left and asked if I could take a message.  

Hard Conversation

She informed me that he would be receiving a change to his orders and be stationed in Kentucky. I just stared out my new front door. Stunned but not totally surprised. I realized she was still talking when I had checked out.  

I said, “Ma’am, we just bought a house here near Fort Rucker.” 

She said it didn’t matter they would be changing his orders and that she was very sorry. She was sorry?! 

I wasn’t sure what we were going to do. She was still talking, and I checked back in again. I told her thank you for calling but I needed to go the movers had just arrived. 

“Excuse me?” Now it was her turn to be taken off guard. 

“Yes, the movers are here with our second load of household goods.” 

There was a long pause, then she said “Tell him to disregard the change in orders. Once your household goods have arrived in your home, we must leave you in place for a year. Thank you for your time. Goodbye.” Click. 

Boxes. Boxes everywhere!

Is that all it took? Our stuff had arrived. I was never so grateful to see boxes and boxes of glorious stuff that kept us grounded in one place. Then I realized it was only a reprieve not a total cancellation of what could happen in a year. 

That was one phone call. One moment of extreme stress. Military members are faced with separation, worry for your soldier, and their worry for the family back home, stressful work environments, physical and mental requirements to perform. They also carry all the duties of a typical family with finances, childcare, activities, and so much more.  

They often work long hours. They have no say in how long they will be at work, while their family wonders if they should hold dinner or go on without them one more time. Children and spouses feel stress. It is almost normal to be on high alert.  

We know that is not how God created families.

The stress of deployments often brings back soldiers who are vastly different from when they departed. The unit says they will be gone six months that turn into nine or maybe longer. The unknown and uncertainty weigh heavy on the military member and all those who love them.

It is hard to explain to a four-year old why Daddy can’t come home to play with them before bed. This sounds rough because it is. 

You say, the military member has chosen this life. That is true, but their children never had a choice. No one knows the difficulty of all the sacrifices, big and small, before they swear an oath to protect our country. 

But in the end, the end of the day, the end of their careers, most military members, their spouses and children would say. . . . “Hooah! We would do it all over again.” 

This military lifestyle is only truly understood by those who have experienced it. It is one of the greatest opportunities to live free, to live as an American patriot, to live with an amazing global view. These families know what honor, trust, sacrifice, patriotism, and freedom cost. 

Thank you Veterans.  

Thank you Spouses.  

Thank you Military Brats. 

Not just for today do you have my gratitude, but every day I wake up in this free country! You are not forgotten.  

Stay strong. Stay Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard and Air Force Strong. Our nation owes you the highest respect. 

God has his hand on each of you. Your part matters. God has designed you uniquely for the task you have been given. Not everyone is built to be a Military Family! 

Hooah! 

Thanks for my own military member husband, our military brats, my dad, brother, uncle, grandfather, brothers-in-law, son-in-law for all your sacrifices. 

#connectionexpert #NextStepDevo https://deedeelake.com/my-blogs