#sslove28

It was during my morning devotion when I came across John 21:12 and it truly spoke to my heart. God was giving me the answer to what so many ladies had recently shared with me in their search for community at church and overall in life. From that moment, God breathed “Breakfast in the City” and what followed has been a blessed journey of fellowship and togetherness. 

Now in it’s 4th month, Breakfast in the City meets every month at various restaurants around Seattle and surrounding areas. It’s the first subscription club of it’s kind, with a gift that keeps on giving, as you meet new people to grow into friendships and gather in community as Jesus calls us to do. 

When you sign up for Breakfast in the City, you immediately fill out a questionnaire of your breakfast likes as well as other details about your favorite things. You may wonder what does a list of favorite things have to do with breakfast? As you can see below, you walk away from the table with more than just a meal. Lovely sponsors have blessed each lady attending each month, with lavish gifts that I feature in their swag bags and on the blog. 

As the founder of Breakfast in the City, it is my prayer that you are fulfilled from attending our monthly gatherings. Increasing in your faith, exploring new faith filled friendships, all in addition to walking away full from a gourmet breakfast at the featured restaurant.  As part of Breakfast in the City, which I often refer to it as the John 21:12 Project, from how it originated through the bible verse, I can’t forget to talk about the charitable aspect. Jesus calls us to serve and be His hands and feet, and the John 21:12 Project allows me to do so by working with certain restaurants to donate a percentage of our breakfast tab to give back to local pantries or organizations. 

At the start of the year you may have made resolutions that benefit yourself and/or your family, and rather those resolutions are still in play or not, it’s time to step up your self-care game. Last year you may recall I asked God if I could take a month and be totally selfish. In a season where I had put everyone first and did for everyone else, I wasn’t burnt out on doing for others, but I had unintentionally stopped doing for me. You fill up the calendar with everyone’s schedules and plans, but neglect your own me time. 

After fervent prayer and processing what selfish meant, God blessed and encouraged me through “Selfish Shawni” month all February. Somehow people who didn’t follow me on social media, would see me at church and bring me gifts to celebrate what I dubbed #SSLove28, loving myself for 28 days through February and saying YES to me more often. 

Well now it’s your turn! I will be sharing more about #SSLove28 and encouraging you to join me on social media. God has led me through this, and I pray He is with you as you begin. “SS” is no longer “Selfish Shawni”, but Self-Care Saturday or Self-Care Sunday. You don’t have to spend 28 consecutive days like I did last year, but try to take 2 days a month for YOU this year, plus an additional day per season, totaling 28 self-care days in 2018. (If weekends don’t work, that’s okay, chose days that work for YOU.) 

This doesn’t have to be pricey, although I will share some fun ways to splurge on yourself, but for now put away your wallet and think simple pleasures. Quiet moments to yourself, binge watching a TV show, or spending time in the Word of God. I’ll be sharing various tips on my Instagram and a giveaway challenge, so be sure you follow me over at @seattleplaydate. 

God loved us first, so much that He gave His only begotten son. Think of that moment, as God gave up heaven for us, to come walk the earth as His son, Jesus and put up with all He endured, up to His very death. Now that is selfless, and started with Himself doing this act that only He could do. So we also have to do the act of self-care, so we can selflessly care for others. See how that works? 

I serve in children's ministry at my church and when you get past the dirty diapers, separation anxiety kiddos, and flu season, it's a pretty amazing place to be every weekend. What makes it fun for me, besides following a calling God has placed upon my heart, is introducing children to Christ and meeting other serving hearts in children's ministry. I've actually met some wonderfully made people in various ministries at my church, all through serving.

Last Fall God knew the steps He ordered for me, even before I received the opportunity, and He led me to create a serving team of talented leaders at my church. He said, it's not how you do it, but whom you do it with to determine the outcome. I couldn't have done the annual family Christmas event without them. It turned, what would have been an overwhelming stressed time, into coming together with a team all serving God, using gifts He instilled within us to put together an event that welcomed just under 2,000 people for an evening of fun, celebrating Jesus' birth.

Although serving God isn't always about fun, there will be times when He is molding you or challenging you to step up, which may be uncomfortable until He finishes shaping you for His purpose. Have you ever built something, like a TV unit or bookshelf? Think of it like that, with all the hammering, adjusting, and putting pieces together. It can be frustrating, but the end results are a work of art and that is how God sees us.

It’s also through serving, where friendships blossom as you connect with others on the path God has laid out. That is how I grew close with one of the sweetest people at church, who I truly enjoy serving with each week and she is crafty to boot, with such a honest and sincere heart. It’s when my ideas are running wild, she brainstorms and adds on to that creativity to come up with some cool projects, like the cupcake tower a couple weeks ago at church. 

This lovely cupcake tower for the 1,000 cupcakes we ordered from Confetti Confections, wouldn’t have been displayed so perfectly, without her creative touch. When I get an idea for buttons, which is what she is known for around bible camp time, she grabs the machine and cranks out what is needed to make the weekend a success at church, because it all brings glory to God. Or when I was planning a surprise brunch, and she surprised me with some stunning flowers that she made for the center piece. 

Yes, she made the beautiful fabric flowers to go along with the theme I had for a ministry brunch, which I will share all the details in another blog, but wanted to give you a sneak peak. So when I say serving is great, it's more than great when you connect with other Christ followers and can come together to further impact the kingdom of God using gifts to serve Him that also bless others. 

How do you serve God? Jesus told his disciples "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28 NLT

Coming off a supernatural week, the week prior and walking in Gods truth and light, I must say this past week of my selfish month, was truly spiritual. I’m all for sweets and being spoiled, but there is nothing sweeter than the Word of God and Him confirming your direction. The week provided an increase of trusting in God and lessons in not welcoming the distractions that Satan sets up.

Last month I listed 3 things that I was extremely excited for, as God reminded me of JOY, and last Tuesday was the 2nd one, which was the start of my Theology class at church. But let's talk about how Satan didn't want me at this class. Considering last week's experience, and my continuous talk to others about prayer life and trusting in God. So now for me to dive deeper in theology with a study by my discipleship pastor? Oh no, Satan says she must be stopped!

My car ends up at the shop for minor maintenance, which the devil intended for harm and stress. But oh how things have changed, I no longer stress about car maintenance after a lesson last year from Father God. So of course this small mechanical deal God worked out in my favor, which was nothing but a blessing.

So my car was in the shop, but that didn't stop me from attending Theology. Myself and just under 200 people attended and the first class was amazingly filled with so much history from the book of Romans. It also connected me with so many people, some with whom I serve with at church, but coming together in The Word brings about a certain bond as we increase our Faith and knowledge of God’s love letter to us.

So let me get back to 40 preschoolers and my sermon "Just Keep Praying". Satan wasn't for that either! Me, teaching kids about my fervent prayer life? Oh no, she must be stopped! So he takes my voice away that morning, but I guess he forgot about my Unstoppable God.

Do these adorable children of God look the least concern, as I rock out with them in praise and worship, lost voice and all? Then I go on to preach a sermon about our favorite bible loving boy, Skip, who talked to them about praying to God in times of fear. Thank you God for the steps that you order for me, down to this very minute of delivering sermons to me to write about, and delivering your message to the little ones, so they can spread the gospel. 

Living in both Chicago and New York City, I’ve witnessed the battle that is pizza between the two cities. Safe to say, nothing beats a Chicago stuffed pizza, like those of Gino’s or Giordano’s.

That is until you are back in Seattle and you stumble upon a pizzeria in the U Village called Delfino’s, and they blow them both out the park. Stemming from Chicago, the owners knew just what Seattle needed on the pizza scene and they didn’t stop short.

Not only do the owners make you feel like family, which is the Chicagoan way, but they’ve created specialty pizzas for me. One year I took my son to Disneyland for his birthday, and we had his dinner celebration at Delfino’s before we left town, and they created a Mickey Mouse Chicago stuffed pizza.

They’ve also catered a few events at my church for children’s ministry, and they are always a hit! Families love them when they come out for our big Summer camp and our family Christmas party.

We’ve also spent other holidays at Delfino’s, including Valentine's Day where we indulge in their heart-shaped pizzas; which is the photo pictured above from last week. It’s sort of become a tradition to us, to grab a pizza to-go and feast at home. This year we decided to dine in, and we arrived early to beat the dinner crowd.

Visit during lunch to try their pizza by the slice, or order a personal deep dish pizza, or a large that can feed a clan or two. We love Delfino’s leftovers! Then of course a stroll through U Village is always a treat after dining. There’s plenty to explore, and more treats from ice cream, cupcakes, and a candy store. Who wouldn’t love a day in the U Village?

Leave it up to God to deliver me a message in the middle of my first Soul Cycle class.

Last month, Soul Cycle invited me and a group of my friends to experience our first class, which was today. Super sweet “Galentines Day” gift, right? So we ventured over to Bellevue in cute workout clothes, check! Water bottle, thanks to our instructors tip via email to HYDRATE, check! Plus an equal balance of excitement mixed with uncertainty I might add.

Check in, grab your shoes, put your stuff in the lockers and go find your bike! I was bike #8, and at least in this setup, that puts me head to head with the instructor, front row center. Boom! The music rocks out of the speakers above my head, lights are off, candles lit, and I’m taking it all in. Then Kanye “Stronger” drops, you know “old Kanye”, and I was in a zone!

Now if you’ve been reading my blog, you already know how strong my faith is in God, but also how the past few weeks haven’t been a “joy”, my word of the year from Him! So as I hear Kanye pumping out the speaker, “Now that, that won’t kill me, will only make me stronger”, I know it’s nothing but God talking to me, and just like Kanye next words, “I need you to hurry up now, cause I can’t wait much longer”, is my response to God. I don’t know who Kanye was referencing in the song, but I was calling on my Heavenly Father, “I Need You Right Now” and this song was speaking to LOUD & CLEAR!

Not only did I need Him right now to get through 45 minutes of an intense cycling workout with 62 others, but also in what was recently ministered to me as “the waiting room”. What’s funny, is God has already revealed to me what’s coming and the JOY that is ahead, but this waiting period to “Be Still” has been tough. So I hear God telling me today at Soul Cycle, it will make you stronger.

I made it through the class stronger, which I have to give it up for Britt, our Soul Cycle instructor. She was phenomenal, very encouraging, set the tone for the room, and of course vibing with great friends, and a great group of 63 cyclist brings so much energy out of you and that playlist of all the right tunes. We all felt great afterwards, and can’t wait to jump right back on the bike again.

If you haven't visited the new Soul Cycle that just landed in the Pacific Northwest, then what are you waiting for? Plus if you act now, you take advantage of their 3-class special for their grand opening debut.  ...and if you didn’t know it, Frost Doughnuts is right next door. Of course it’s still my month to spoil self and I deserved this treat! 

I knew there would be something different about 2017! I just couldn’t put my finger on it, since it wasn’t the way the year began. The first 7 days were better than fantastic, and coming off such a blessed year of 2016, with God ordering every step, life couldn’t be better.

But here I am, kicking off February trying to find “joy”, the word of the year He placed on my heart. What does that mean I’ve asked Him? Well He’s guided me to remind people of the “joy” in serving Him, and in situations where people feel lost, He’s used me to present joyful opportunities and encouragement. He’s also been revealing upcoming joyful situations that I will walk into, yet they seem so far away when in the midst of trials. So what do you do? Remain in prayer!

In the days approaching February, I asked The Lord can I be selfish? Selfishly think of myself and pamper myself, while leaving all the troubles and stress of my surroundings and loved ones to Him, while taking His yoke so I can rest. Knowing that on March 1st, I would not pick up that burden, but He would provide as He always do, and have answers for a few questions I've asked of Him and bring forth clarity.

Now I'm almost a week into the month of February and not only has more burdens been laid at my feet, but since I'm not suppose to carry them, I love that He's given me the month off, for only He knew what was to come, and He is reminding me of "joy" while He handles the rest. Showing me that He not only knows our path and what lies ahead, but through continuous prayer and seeking His direction, He is with me every step of the way.

Meanwhile I've enjoyed some wonderful and tasty moments during my first week of being selfish. A few friends have partaken in reminding me of joy, and joining me on a few outings to spas, dining, beauty treatments, dessert crawls, and even brought me joyful surprises to church this past Sunday.