New Beginnings – The Coffey Break

100 Days of Happiness on The Coffey Break

I’m a big believer that you have to be intentional about getting out of a funk, and I’d like to think it starts with parameters. Romans 12:2 encourages us: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will…

Well, two of my best friends are about to leave the state & country for grad school, combined with a significant handful of life shits that seem to have set up camp in my once easy breezy beautiful carefree world. And in case you’re wondering, they were not invited. Things just happen (or don’t happen), and I’m finally starting to be okay with that. What draws me to the #100HappyDays challenge is that it is such a special opportunity to confront this crazy season by choosing to seek joy (in its fullness) and acknowledge the importance of consciously capturing life’s beautiful moments, big & small. Care to join? Visit http://100happydays.com/

Btw, a few months ago Pastor Jeremy Foster posted an awesome podcast called: HAPPY – When you don’t feel happy , and I still reflect on how the timing of that podcast couldn’t have been better. He said something that I still think is so powerful: We think God’s gonna do it one way… It’s hard to be thankful when I don’t know what’s going on. But this is the part that really struck me, God doesn’t have to live up to your exception but He always lives up to His word. He’s an on time God, and that’s good enough for me. Speaking of which! Tuesday is the vision party for his new church here in Houston, Hope City. I haven’t been this excited about something in a long time! Like praise lap, screaming the time has finally come at the top of my lungs happy haha

In case you’re wondering, Pastor Jeremy is the founder of The 429, a church I attended (and actually joined!! for the last few years. I love the Lord, praise and worship, bible study, but I was fully convinced church just wasn’t really the thing for me, so to find a place that I liked enough to join and actively serve was and still is the coolest thing for me. I’m so looking forward to supporting him, and Ms. Jennifer as they embark on this new chapter. It’s going to be such a blessing to this city. If you’re in the Houston area feel feel to join us Tuesday night at 7:30 at Minute Maid Park. You can register for the event here: Your Hope City. The best is yet to come!

Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chels

Coffey Break Chat: Girl Talk with The Coffey Break

Hey there!

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with a few of my awesome girlfriends for the very first Coffey Break Chat group chat! Join us as Janae, Deidra, Andrea, Nina and myself share a recap of 2013, highlight everything from faith to finding love and the qualities that make up the men of our dreams! Stay tuned as we roll out parts 2 and 3 over the course of the day. Enjoy!

Part 1: A Year In Review -2013 Recap

Part 2: Top Five Qualities In A Guy

Part 3: Relationship Reflections

Peace, Love & Sunshine, Chelsea

The Gift of Vunerability

Reflection has this way of sneaking up on you at the most unexpected times, and sometimes reflection comes in the form of a gift from another’s thoughts that reveal a part of you you didn’t even know you needed to feel. Over time, I’ve learned that vulnerability is the cornerstone of a any relationship worth having, and finding someone who makes you feel that you can be vulnerable is something to be treasured. Bob Marley’s quote below is timeless, beautiful and nothing short of the truth. Enjoy

Peace, Love & Sunshine -Chelsea

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
― Bob Marley

Today, we lost our grandmother Coffey.

Roller and coaster are the only two words I have to try to describe the last year. God has blessed us over and abundantly, and yet we have taken a few substantial blows this year… I understand that life doesn’t always make sense and some days are going to be bad days and others good, but at this point it is simply time for a new season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that “To everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance”

As a family, we have no choice but to stand and believe that this time will prove to be a testament of our faith. Yes, I can hope that all of this is leading to a really big blessing somewhere along the way; however, the reality for us is that we now have a mother who lost her mother less than a year ago and a father who just lost the mother he adored.

For anyone sorting through the emotions of losing a loved one, cling to God and your faith and allow Him be your support system. He is bigger than even the greatest pain, and His love is more than we could ever imagine.

Verses to carry you through:

Psalms 31:9 Oh Lord have mercy on me in my anguish. My eyes are red from weeping; my health is broken from sorrow.

Proverbs 3:6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

Psalms 147:3 He heals the broken heartened, binding up their wounds.

Jeremiah 31:13 I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

John 14:27 I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give is not fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

My humble advice is to take the time you need to mourn and then channel that energy into something positive. Claim control over your emotions and your circumstances and do something incredible! Volunteer in your community, create a charity, open the bakery you always wanted, start saving, set goals and take that trip to Greece. Life is precious and God is good, so go! You can do it.

Standing and believing,

Chelsea

In loving memory of Emma Jean Coffey: July 20, 1933 – April 12, 2012