To truly chronicle the beginnings of For the Girls International I would need to write a book but below you will find a synopsis of the events of my personal journey this year only.
When 2008 began I knew that this was the year. I just felt it in the core of my being. I didn’t know how or exactly when but I knew that I must start moving on this vision that has been in my heart for several years now. I made a commitment to myself and God that I would start moving forward even if it was the smallest of steps. That was January 1st 2008.
Fourteen days later at 2 o’clock in the morning I received a phone call that would change my life and the landscape of my extended family forever. My beautiful, adorable, bubbly, carefree and fearless cousin, Alex, died that night in a car accident. She was only eighteen. It is really impossible to describe how that news impacted me. It felt so final even though I knew that she was immediately with Jesus and that I would see her again. I felt so helpless. Shock and grief is so difficult to put into words. There is an overwhelming feeling of wanting to turn back the hands of time and do something to prevent it. How can you describe the emptiness and hopelessness you feel when you lose someone you love so dearly? There are no words.
In the months that have followed it has became evident to me that time is short. That NOW is when you have to step out and follow the dreams that God has placed in your heart. No one knows the day or the hour that God will call us to be with Him, and so we must live fully engaged in today, fulfilling our calling and purpose here on earth. I knew that I couldn’t wait much longer to begin this new journey called For the Girls International.
A month later, in February, while I was slowly emerging from the initial deep grief from Alex’s sudden death, I attended a conference for my husband’s business, Chick-fil-A. It’s a seminar for the Operators and their spouses to get refreshed and inspired for the coming year. It is always personally inspiring as well. Chick-fil-A is a company founded by committed Christians that live to inspire people on every level. As I sat through the sessions, I felt the fire of the vision of this ministry burning strong. On the second evening of the seminar I was having trouble sleeping. I felt compelled to write out my vision in the notebook given to us at the beginning of the week. At the top of the page I wrote... PERSONAL GOAL… and then wrote out, not very eloquently either, what was in my heart. I made it a goal to get started this year. I never intended for anyone to read it. It was for me and God - a little note to God.
The next day my husband and I went to the sessions and events, but that evening when we got back to our room I realized that at some point during the day I had lost my book. I was really bummed out and my husband didn’t understand why because he thought it was just full of notes I had taken, so I told him that I had written out my vision in it. Just as a side note… I am, and this can be confirmed by anyone who knows me well, on the spacey side of life. I lose my keys several times a week. I lock myself out of my car on a regular basis. I leave things everywhere (including my children). So this was not really out of the ordinary for me. My husband just rolled his eyes when I told him I couldn’t find my book.
The next morning as we rushed from breakfast to the general session, I checked with the lost and found desk that Chick-fil-A had set up and found several notebooks there (so I wasn’t the only airhead!) I flipped through them and found mine. I was so glad to have it back, but we were in a rush, so I just grabbed it and ran. When we settled into our seats I wanted to read my vision again so I flipped through to get to the page I had written it on. When I came to the page, I was completely taken back. There was someone else’s handwriting on the opposite page! Someone had written in my book!
Here’s what she wrote…
I found your book and was looking for a name when I saw this (arrow pointing to vision).
I’d love to help you with this.
Lysa TerKeurst and her cell phone #
Proverbs 31 Ministries proverbs31.org
I was completely freaked out! It was like God had written me a personal note to tell me that He loves me, He got my note, He knows the desires of my heart and that He was going to help make it happen. My heart was racing, my hands started to shake, and I couldn’t hear anything else that was going on in the room! I honestly just stared at it in disbelief for quite a while. What are the chances that out of 1500 women at that conference and hundreds of bathroom stalls that Lysa would follow me into the stall where I had left my book? Then, on top of that, what are the chances that she would open to the very page that I had written my vision on and read it?? Being the space cadet that I am, the chances of me losing something while I was at the conference were great, but all the rest of the “coincidences” completely defied all the odds.
Now, I had heard of Proverbs 31 Ministries because they do radio spots on my local Christian radio station but I didn’t think in my wildest dreams that it was the same ministry that was on my radio. I was excited just at the idea that someone already involved in women’s ministry would be offering to help me. For me the big thing was the acknowledgment from God and the fact that I could also get help and direction was completely over the top. After the conference ended and I got home, I looked up Proverbs 31 and was completely blown away by the magnitude of the ministry. It is a wonderful organization and the President of the ministry wants to help me!!!! I got in touch with Lysa who was a great help and encouragement and she suggested that I attend the She Speaks conference in June. I figured that would be the start of things for FTGI but God had other plans. On the same day that Lysa found my book, my friend Cynda (co-founder of FTGI) was receiving confirmation of her own through a phone call and before we knew it, we were set up for our first ministry trip to NYC.
One of my former pastors once said that oftentimes God takes a long time to move suddenly. That has certainly been the case for me.
As long as this first post is (and I promise they won’t all be this long), this is only one of many, many ways that God has confirmed over and over that He wants to do something great in the lives of women in this day and age. I am thrilled and humbled at the thought of being a part of that and can’t wait for what lies ahead.
Next step is She Speaks in NC next weekend!
Lots of Love,
Tracey
You can check out the blogspot for FTGI at http://www.forthegirlsinternational.blogspot.com/
Every time I read that story, it is still crazy. An "aristotelian confluence of events" as Sam Seaborn put it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, you do occasionally forget your kids, but who doesn't. ;)
Love you,
Shaun
You are so inspiring! Reading your story made me want to drop everything I am doing in this moment to get up and change the world.
ReplyDeleteYou've once again renewed my excitement for what God is doing right now. I'm looking forward to being neighbors and witnessing God on the move.
Hosanna in the highest!
Tracey,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your email last week after reading my blog. Thank you for sharing your poem about the cloak and for giving me a link to your blog. I remember Lysa telling us about your notebook. Wow!! To read it on your blog and hear all that was going on behind the scenes just made me cry. What a breath-taking call of your heart I see the Father pursuing. I can't wait to meet you at She Speaks.
Thanks so much for your prayers for me. I can really feel them!!! I am doing so much better. The cloak and the clouds have been lifted by prayers and the power of God's Word!
Seeking Him with yoU!
Renee
Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI just popped over to your blog from the Pantylines blog. your story is so inspiring and just what I needed to read at this moment. I look forward to meeting you and would love to chat even before the conference. I have a long car ride so I will email you to get your phone number and hopefully we can meet via telephone.
I am new to the whole blogging world as well, but oh so inspired by everything that I read.
Looking forward to meeting you.
Blessings,
Paige
Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI found you through the Pantylines blog, too! I actually go to church with Paige, and at a recent small group leadership meeting, discovered that we both felt God's call to speak and write. She told me about the She Speaks conference and, while it's too late now for this year, I'll definitely look into it for next year!
After getting more info on Proverbs 31 ministries from her, imagine my delight to read your story! That is AWESOME! God's blessings at the conference and Praise Him for your new ministry! WooHoo! Go God!!
What a story! I pray SHE SPEAKS was yet another step of confirmation toward your beautiful vision for FOR THE GIRLS. I pray God's blessings as you reach out to change hearts and free women from the ties that bind.
ReplyDeleteOh Tracey you are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYou just have to start posting more because I can't wait to read more about the wonderful way God is working in your life.
Luanne
Wow! Tracey it was so cool to hear "our" story from your point of view.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link so I could read it.
Please keep in touch and keep me posted on how things are going with you.
Much Love!
wow, definitely put together by God. I know God's plans for us are great, as long as we live in His will and listen to His voice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that story, just proof of how we can sometimes get lost in the moment of how WE think things should be, and how God uses those "crazy' moments to show HIMSELF in it!
God's timing is PERFECT timing alright!!
x Nadine Horl
Hi Tracey! I am now re-reading your Blog in a Prayerful mindset, and looking back at the chain of events that has occurred since meeting you, first, at the Music Mentorship Class in Jan 2007, hearing you sing at CCWC, some trios during a Christmas Concert(you,Cynda and Karla,per my memory),seeing you with your precious daughter falling asleep in your lap in front of me at CCWC, and now seeing you venture in Faith with the FTGI vision the Lord has laid on your Heart. Each time I have met you, or Cynda, there is ALWAYS a WELCOMING Presence. That is unusual in this age of most having such busy lives. I think that is CHRISTLIKENESS to the UTMOST.
ReplyDeleteTHANKYOU for that, from me!
I'll end with a Poem, that I shared with Cynda, but not you:
PORTRAIT of a CHRISTIAN:
Not only in the words you say,
Not only in you deeds confessed,
But, in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed.
Is it a beatific smile,
A holy light upon your brow?
Oh, no! I felt His presence
When you laughed just now.
For me 'twas not
the truth you taught,
To you so clear, to me so dim.
But when you came to me,
You brought a sense of Him.
And from your eyes
He beckons me,
And from your lips
His love is shed.
Till I lose sight of you
And see Christ, instead.
I pray the HOLY SPIRIT does ALL
HE intends through FTGI, and guides you and Cynda continually every step of the way!
Love, your sister in Christ, friend, & Prayer Warrior for FTGI,
Julia