Stepping down and stepping out

The purpose of Emmaus is to grow Christian disciples so they can better serve the church.  Not just the local church they attend every Sunday, but THE CHURCH – the Body of Christ.  In February of 1997, I attended my Walk to Emmaus, and that was the beginning of an incredible journey. 

The 3-day experience was life-changing, and living intentionally in the 4^th Day has made me who I am.  My participation has afforded me opportunities that never would have come my way otherwise.  I’ve attended countless Candlelights and Gatherings…served in the conference room as an Assistant Table Leader, Table Leader, ALD, Board Rep and Weekend Lay Director.  I’ve shared this gift with many by sponsoring them on their own Walks.

I continue to be held accountable in my 4^th Day by my family and friends, and most especially by an extraordinary woman God knew I would need for years to come.  Not only was she my Weekend Lay Director, but she is my weekly prayer partner and dear friend. 

I’ve served on the local Board of Directors and been Community Lay Director. I became a Certified Trainer in 2005, the Northeast Regional Leader in 2007, and the Southeast Regional Leader in 2014.  I led the first women’s Emmaus Walk in the Philippines in 2012, and I represented the international office at the National Australian Emmaus Conference in 2013.  I have been to Emmaus communities from Maine to Florida, plus California, Wyoming and Puerto Rico.  Nashville has been like a second home to me for over 10 years.  Not only have I traveled extensively, but I have witnessed story after story of how God has used the Emmaus movement and its people to change the world – one life at a time. 

I have served with incredibly talented and gifted people who laid down their lives for their friends time and time again.  I’ve been humbled in ways I can’t even explain, and I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Now, as I step down from the international leadership team, ‘thank you’ seems so insignificant for nearly 20 years of growth in grace and love.  But I’m looking ahead and I’m ready for what comes next.  I know that God goes with me, and I know that no matter what…Love Never Fails!

Love and blessings to all –

Ilyse

Spend the Day With Me - swap-bot swap from Happy Mom

Hello swappers!  I am crazy about seeing everyone's photos and sharing mine - even just the typical places people go on a day to day basis are so interesting to me.  So, for this swap, I snapped all my pictures on Saturday, July 23rd, and have posted some here for your enjoyment.  It was a pretty uneventful day, which is a welcomed change for me!  

My day started out the same as it always does - Morning coffee in my spot in the living room.  I can't function without it.  This was 7 AM:

Not a pretty sight, but we're all friends here, right?!

Here's a shot of my kitchen - early morning and late night are my favorite times of day.

Since it was Saturday, I treated myself to breakfast at a local spot called "The Egg & I" - my new favorite breakfast place.  I'm following an eating plan called "Trim Health Mama" and it's easy to stay on-plan there.  I love bacon but don't like cooking it at home.  After breakfast, I checked for Pokemon Go and found one in my car :)  I snapped this one before I captured him!

After breakfast, I did some shopping - I'm going to Phoenix in a few weeks and was hoping to find something to wear to dinner with my family.  I found some good buys at Kohls, and also shopped at Office Depot for a new printer.  I did a little work - updated my account list, got my week ahead lined up and gave the dog a bath.  As I was out and about, I checked the time and temp - it sure was hot, and today is supposed to be even hotter.

At 5 PM, I had a massage -- It was amazing!  I snapped this picture of the geese outside Massage Envy - they are cute, but there's geese poop everywhere...you really have to watch your step!  Gross!  

After my massage, I decided to get Chipotle for dinner, since no one's home but me.  Daughter is out with boyfriend and hubby had to work.  I actually stayed on plan again for dinner - only ate 1/3 of this burrito bowl:

Still crazy hot outside - even at 7:30 in the evening - this is from my car's dashboard:

Good to be home - and the doggie was happy to see me.  "Princess Leia" is the best, most chill dog ever.  She's 9 years old and always my faithful friend!

Snapped this as I walked Leia - you can see the outside of my car, and my house :

We walked by the big neighborhood sign and the community pool, which is where I'm heading today!

And that's about it for the day - watched some TV and got to bed around midnight.  I hope you enjoyed spending the day with me, and if you're one of my swap partners for this swap on Swap-bot, please remember to post a rating!  Thank you!

My Favorite Photos from June, 2016 -- 

Swap-bot swap from Happy Mom

Total Bedroom - Office - Closet Makeover!  

My pictures this month are mostly of my new digs.  What started out as a simple plan to have my office and bedroom painted, turned in to a total makeover.  It's amazing how much stuff a person can collect in 24 years, and how much you can get rid of once you get started.  I donated 12 of the large lawn & leaf trash bags full of things I no longer want or need, and threw away at least that many.  I sold some furniture, donated some and repurposed some.  All-in-all, I couldn't be happier with the way everything turned out!  I hope you enjoy the photos!

So, in all the decluttering and reorganizing I did, I came across lots of old photos of when my kids were little.  My son just turned 23 and my daughter is 25.  I snapped pictures of some of the photos and texted them to the kids.  They'd kill me if I posted them on Facebook, but I thought I'd share them here.  My son lives out of state, but my daughter lives here with me.  I'll include a recent photo of the 3 of us just at the end.  Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the selection of my favorite

 pictures from June!