That's just how the story goes...

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them." - Hosea 14:4

Just in case, my first pic is giving you throwback vibes - It's actually a pic from today :)

That said, I was definitely feeling the 1970s as I let my stretched natural hair blow in the wind, complemented by flowy striped pants and big gold earrings!

The truth behind my look? I didn't feel like having tension on my hair so, when I let my hair loose this morning and it fell kinda cute, I decided to just go with it! Big hair suits my personality, anyway.

Honestly, my hair set the "go with the wind" tone of a pretty good day today.

As a Foster Parent Recruiter, you could probably imagine that I get a lot of NOs. The reality is that not all families that I meet are in a place to become a foster parent. Not every organization or business that I reach out to will have the capacity to help with recruiting foster parents.

That said, today I received some awesome YES's:

After corresponding with a church for a few months, I finally got a YES this morning to set up a table and speak with fellow church members. Yesss!

About an hour later, I had a meeting set up with a director at a local YMCA. When I tell you this was the kind of meeting that I pray to God for!

Usually I'm left to do all of the pitching for partnerships - not this meeting! This director had sooo many wonderful ideas for the Y to help with recruiting foster families and volunteers - from speaking at planned events, to connecting with the influential Board of Directors, to events to appreciate our foster families! They are all in to help our children. I was jumping up and down in my seat as we were talking!

Oooh God, I thank you!

As I walked to my car, I couldn't help but to think about how this partnership all began with a suggestion from my wise baby sister...

Alana plays soccer for the YMCA (...and she's super good at it, by the way!). One day, I told her that I didn't know if I would be able to make it to her game one week because I had an event to attend. Her reply?

"Why don't you just set up a table at my game?" Hmm...She might be on to something...

Shortly after, I reached out to the YMCA about tabling at the games and, sure enough, they agreed to let me set up. That began a relationship that's gone from setting up at a few games to a true ally in the community to help reach foster families!

(I told Alana when I saw her today that I owed her some Chick-fi-la!)

Remembering Alana's suggestion, along with this post from Tabitha Brown on Instagram, reminded me that we never know where we are in the story that God is writing for our lives. Something seemingly small can lead to something great.

Alana's suggestion lead to a huge potential partnership.

Tabitha Brown's food videos lead to her traveling the world and starting her own lines of food, clothing, hair products, home decor, and much more!

Never underestimate what God can do - with Him ALL things are truly possible!

Where God leads us, we have to be obedient and diligent.

Everything He's given us today, we have to be grateful and steward well.

We have to be loving and attentive towards the people that He's placed in our lives (especially the little ones!).

You never know how these things fit into the purpose and plan that He has for our lives.

I pray that Blessed Girl Problems becomes a brand and community that's uplifting, inspiring, and most importantly, glorifies God. I have my vision about what it could become someday, but I'll let God lead the way. I know His plans are way better than I could ever conceive. Until then, I'll continue to do my part by posting my blogs...

Well, I know this post is getting a tad long-winded so, let me leave you with some pics I took on a walk through Gateway Gardens. I'm so blessed to be able to get work done from wherever I choose. This garden was such a beautiful whimsical place to take a break from the day!

Until next time, keep turning the pages of your story. "Happily ever after" just might be next!