Dream: so last night I had a dream. I dreamt that my husband became president of the United States. In the dream we were entering the White House for the first time. My husband was whisked away with all the dignitaries and I was left to explore my new home. As I was exploring I realized I had a personal assistant by my side and she was showing me around my new home. A few women approached me and I immediately knew that they were being overly patronizing and nice to me only because I was the First Lady. My personal assistant stepped in and told them to stop talking to me. She then told me that it was time to establish what my new platform was going to be. Then I woke up. Later today I had time to tell my husband my dream. Before I could finish telling him dream he said "your platform is mental illness, trauma and addiction"
Yesterday I was buying 7 exercise mats at TJ Maxx and as I was checking out the female cashier asked me if I was a fitness instructor. I said "no, these are for my whole-person intensive therapy group for women with trauma, addiction and mental health issues." The cashier quietly inquired about the group. I proceeded to tell her that it was a faith-based whole-person group, meaning we treat the whole-person: Spirit~Soul~Body." She slightly teared up and said "I need to be in that group, I was raped 11 years ago, and I NEED TO BE IN THAT GROUP."
2017 has turned out to be an interesting year of testing. God seems to be quickly revealing my "platform" and the dream last night was just another confirmation.
Today I am part of a planning committee to build a bridge between the AZ department of economic security and the faith community. We are planning a mental health summit where my colleagues pastor Dan Steffan and Lee Pioske are on the panel along with Kimberly Konkle from Washington DC. We are birthing a community wide initiative to provide a better understanding & system of care within the communities of faith for those that struggle with mental illness, trauma and addiction.
When working with AZ DES I was told that there isn't another church like mine. So full of resources, expertise and care for the broken. Very soon I will be meeting with a state senator and continue to fight for a better system of care within the faith communities - building a care network that is far better than our broken system in Arizona.
I believe - only through my faith in God, that my faith community, Pure Heart Church is about to become the example of what Christ has commanded Christians to do.
I thank God every day for my not-so-pleasant childhood. It taught me to press toward the battle. I will not back down. I am about to embark on a journey that is far bigger than me. To fight for the disenfranchised and those people you see sitting in the church rows that suffer silently wanting connection, acceptance and healing. I will fight for them until my last breath.
Will you pray for me?
