So there’s all kinds of speculation as to whether this shot is actually real or an allusion of special effects.

What fascinates me about it is that it COULD be real.

If I were the one trying to knock a bottle off someone’s head with my tennis serve, I might actually get the job done but only because I took out the person, not just the bottle.

But when Roger Federer, possibly the greatest tennis player who has ever lived, takes a shot like this there is room to believe it could be real.

That’s the power of excellence.

Excellence fascinates me because it’s the product of hard-work, dedication, discipline, devotion… the list could go on.

Excellence isn’t given. It’s earned.

Excellence isn’t a bonus.  It’s a reward.

Excellence is something we all aspire to, but rarely are we patient enough and committed enough to realize it.

What do you hope to be excellent at someday?

This week has been an “I can’t catch my breath” kind of week.  Good stuff…  just a very full schedule.

But my crazy week has a payoff.  I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for months!  Merlyn and I are headed to Cincinnati for the Western & Southern Tennis Open, part of the US Open Series.  I’m so excited!

Right now it looks like we have a good chance of seeing Federer, Nadal, Murray, & Djokovic.

I’m kind of giddy.

So, follow me on Twitter this weekend.  I’ll be sure to tell you all about it!

What is on the horizon that you are looking forward to?

Whew!  It’s been a full week.

It’s Friday… my day for catching up.  My day for reading, running, Cultivate Her planning, errands, writing, dreaming and shopping (if I can fit it in.) Oh and laundry, but I try not to think about that one.

I always try to pack more into Friday than I ought to since it’s supposed to be my winding down day, however today my mind is racing.  I didn’t get everything done that I needed to this week.  In fact I missed a few things that I really needed to get done.   But here is some of what I did do this past week:

• Partnered with Justin to lead the very first Discovering Cross Point class for the Bellevue Campus. So fun to share vision with a new group of potential CP members.  It was a great night!
• Had a great “All Staff” meeting with our team.  We’re gearing up for some fun stuff with our staff this fall including attending The NINES conference on September 9th.  Are you registered yet – it’s free?  Our team is going to making a fun day of it.
• Had the privilege of hanging out with the Buckhead Church staff on Wednesday and I got to share my passion for being “Confident in our Calling” as church leaders.  I love how Jeff Henderson leads his team.  I’m always trying to learn as much from him as I can.

I’m also excited about the launch of our new series this Sunday!

DNA returns, now in 3D.

Seriously, be ready to get your 3D glasses when you arrive Sunday at all of our campuses and prepare for some Cross Point DNA delivered to you in 3D!  Here’s a little preview:

Love our team and the work they put into making this stuff happen!

August 18th is our next Cultivate Her event here in Nashville and our team is excitedly gearing up for it!

This month we’re going to be talking about the power of influence.

We’ll be celebrating stories of women who have influenced our leadership in a significant way.

Was there someone in your life who believed in you even when you didn’t believe in yourself?

Is there someone in your life that is a constant support and encouragement to you?

We want to hear YOUR stories and we want to inspire you with the stories of others.

Here’s my story…

I was 15.  shy.  insecure.  timid.  nervous.  scared.

Standing over to the side of her busy ice cream shop, I waited patiently for an opportunity to inquire about a job.  I’m quite certain that I nearly bolted out a few times, but I needed to do this.  I wanted to work here.  I needed a job to earn money for college and I was going to stretch myself to branch out.

But she noticed me. This kind, outgoing, sweet woman noticed me.

** Hop on over to the Cultivate Her blog for the rest of the story and the details for the August event.

Need I say more?

But I will…

Jes and I are having a blast getting away for a few days.

So far we’ve:

• Sat on the beach
• Read on the beach
• Shopped
• Eaten
• Sat on the beach
• Read on the beach
• Walked on the beach
• Shopped
• Eaten

Today we’ll:

• Run/walk on the beach
• Eat
• Lay on the beach
• Lay on our rafts on the water
• Read on the beach
• Eat
• Shop
• Eat again

Totally predictable & fabulous!

What are you doing this weekend?

Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters,
Never had to have a chaperone, no sir,
I’m there to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from rome
She wore the dress, and I stayed home
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain and sun
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who’ve seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
** Lyrics from Irving Berlin’s “Sisters, Sisters”

For the next couple of days I’m hanging out with my little sis at the beach.  This time together is so therapeutic (at least for me… I hope for her too.) I’m pretty sure that no one else on earth knows me quite as well as Jes does.  There is just something about a sister bond that can’t be replaced.  She’s known me her entire life and she still willingly hangs out with me!!

So while I’m feeling a little sentimental, here are some of my favorite memories that we’ve shared:

• Scrounging the couch cushions for enough change to buy each of us an ice cream cone.  We’d then hop on our bikes and ride across town to our favorite ice cream shop.
• Watching Samford & Son together.  Seriously, she LOVED that show.
• Me yelling at her to come back home when she packed her suitcase and decided to “runaway” on my watch.
• Convincing her to do a crazy jump on her bike that landed her flat on her face (I still don’t think she’s completely forgiven me for that one.)
• Spending precious moments with her on my wedding day while she did my hair and makeup before I walked down the aisle.
• Welcoming her through my front door when she moved to Nashville.

Hoping we make another great memory this week!

Do you have a favorite memory that you’ve shared with one of your siblings.  Share it!

This week flew by!

Fortunately it was a very good one.  Here are some things on my mind today:

• An important project that I’ve been working on (which happened to be one of my thorns), is officially complete today!  Holy cow, that’s a wonderful feeling.  I’m not sure how to adequately celebrate it.
• It’s been a roller coaster week for all things Cultivate Her.  Some good news, some bad news, some big dreaming and then a great event this past Wednesday with our guest speaker Tami Heim.  We’re dreaming and scheming some amazing stuff for all things women in leadership, so stay tuned.
• Our Cross Point missions teams are back home this week.  Our team in the Dominican Republic came back Tuesday and our Honduras team gets back tomorrow.  So proud of each of these teams for serving so big!  You can check out highlights from the Honduras trip HERE.
• Almost finished with Steven Furtick’s new book Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible.  This one is making me think and pray BIG!  It doesn’t release until Sept 21st, but you can pre-order by clicking the title.
• Gotta finish up my talk for The NINES this weekend.  Are you registered to attend?  It’s FREE!  Our entire staff is going to attend this year.
• Can’t believe July is almost over.
• I’m working on some big planning and leadership development stuff for our team for this fall.  I’m getting so excited – love people development stuff – LOVE IT!
• My thumb which I smashed during flood week is growing back really funky.  Kind of afraid it’s going to stay that way. 
• Going to the beach for a few days the end of next week with my sis.  Can’t wait!
• Walking with Ash in 30 minutes!  Love that sweet little Audrey Beth but she has messed up our weekly run/walk time.  Excited to get back to it!
• Hoping to see Inception this weekend.  Everyone is raving about it.  Have you seen it?

Find some joy in your weekend and tell us about it!

Ahhh, I love Fridays!

I actually have a full day planned today, but all things that I am looking forward to.  Here’s what’s on my mind today:

• Excited about a collaborative meeting with a few of my favorite women to brainstorm long-term plans for Cultivate Her.
• Had the privilege of talking with Greg Darley this week and learning more about Backstage Leadership.  If you are looking for an intensive, leadership development opportunity where you can connect and learn from some amazing leaders, check this program out.  They start another class this fall!
• My dog is crazy today.  C R A Z Y !  I can’t figure out what he needs… he’s pacing like a mad man!
• Just started the book Strong Women, Soft Hearts by Paula Rinehart.  Really great book that I first heard about from Jessica and Angie for Bloom Book Club.  Just read the chapter on desire and am wondering if I really know the true desires of my heart.
• Gotta register for Story today.  Only a little over 100 seats left and best rate ends today.  Are you going?
• Right now a 5 mile hot, humid run is ahead of me.
• Maybe the pool tomorrow…

Love the summer!

What’s your plan for this weekend?

According to the L.A. Times, Eclipse opened with first week sales of $175.3 million making it the most successful first week sales for any movie so far this year.

And yes, I too am a sucker for the Twilight Saga.

I have been challenged on many occasions by my more rational friends (usually of the male gender I might add) to explain my fascination with vampires, werewolves and far-fetched story lines…

So here’s what I’ve got for you…

Everyone needs an Edward.

(And guys, before you choose to check out, hang in here.  I think I have a nugget for you too.)

Everyone needs an Edward because…

Everyone needs a fierce defender. Someone who loves you that ridiculously and protects you with the fiercest love and devotion.

Everyone needs someone who understands our fragility. Someone who understands how fragile you are and cares for you with the ultimate gentleness.

Everyone needs someone who believes in them.  Someone who believes in the good you are and are yet to become.

Everyone needs someone who watches out for our heart. Someone who cares for and protects your soul.

One of my favorite John Maxwell leadership laws is The Law of the Inner Circle.  John explains the importance of having a team of people around us who play different roles in our life: Intercessor, Listener, Encourager, Creator, Discerner, Giver, Defender, Implementer, Celebrator, Resourcer, Sponsor, Thinker, Networker, Mentor & Protege.  (I’ve talked about this before here.)

We long for teammates who complete us, who complement our gifts and champion us to be our best.

So maybe, just maybe that’s what all we raving Twilight fans are connecting with.

Maybe

Go Team Edward!

The 4th of July is filled with so many fond memories for me:

• big parties with family
• tables and tables of red, white & blue deserts (some of those were just plain weird)
• fear that someone was going to blow up the neighborhood
• lazy days at the lake
• fireworks shows that seemed larger than life
• lots of laughter

I hope you are enjoying a fabulous 4th of July with family and friends!

Have a favorite 4th of July tradition or memory?  Share it with us!