Checking in with y’all about my new “influencer” role, and so much more!

Goodness gracious! I’ve got so much to tell y’all, I’m having a hard time deciding where to begin. Fair warning, I feel sure I’m going to get longwinded here, but here we go, (in no particular order!)

This fall’s speaking schedule is winding down even though it feels like it just kicked off! I’m headed off to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania this weekend.  True story– I only know where I’m going because it’s the next event on the schedule. My family enjoys teasing me because they’ll overhear someone ask me about a meeting that is weeks down the road and they can tell by my face that I’m clueless about the details because it hasn’t made it to my radar. I can promise you, with the Good Lord as my witness, I do invest my whole heart and prayers in whichever gathering is right in front of me, but otherwise, there’s only so much bandwidth in my head. LOL! 

Of course, I’ve collected stories along the way, and I must share one with you. File this in the SRC (Straight Running Crazy) folder. Have you heard about “The Tired Girl Look”? I can’t make this up, but apparently, there’s a new beauty trend called “Tired Girl.” These sweet young things are smudging makeup under their eyes, using the palest makeup they can find, and wearing messy lipstick, just so they can look exhausted.

Bless their hearts. Here at 62, on the tail end of this travel season, I’m not just on trend—I am the trend.

Should you see me in person or in pics, you aren’t looking at a “tired girl” makeup job, y’all. Between grandkid sleepovers, my parents’ doctor appointments, a water leak in the foundation of my house, (you do not want me to elaborate), editing deadlines on the new book, and people asking me to “jump on a quick Zoom” while I’m searching everywhere for the smartphone –  that’s in my hand—  I get this tired girl vibe the old-fashioned way. I earn it.  And by the way, if my phone was that smart, it would help a girl out and call off the search. 

But seriously, I went down a full out rabbit hole reading about The Tired Girl look and watching influencers give tutorials on how to contour oneself into appearing perfectly exhausted. Please. I’m leading the movement— and my tired is legitimately tired, as in au natural.  Again, I don’t buy makeup for this look.   

Which I’ve decided makes me kind of like a beauty influencer, right? Kinda. Sorta. So, while we’re on the subject, here’s another tip, for free, just ‘cause. Magnifying mirrors are not our friends! I used my bestie’s magnifying mirror one time a few years back and I’m still not over it. Clearly, I have less time on the planet than I realize.  I kept looking for writing on the mirror that said pores and wrinkles and brown spots are smaller than they appear…and y’all do this on purpose? Girlfriend, get yourself a regular mirror. I asked Red why she tortures herself like this and she said, “I have to, Shellie. I can’t see what I’m doing.”

Here’ a Pro Tip if you will, from your novice beauty influencer. Use some of that multi-purpose makeup. I’ve seen it. Eyebrow makeup that can be used as eyeliner…lipstick you can use as blush—just throw it all up there and let it land somewhere close…Watch my socials. I’ll do a tutorial soon…Right now, it’s that time, again! Drum roll…

In other news, 30 Days of Thankfulness is right around the corner. It’s time for us to come together and do something bigger than we could ever do alone! Beginning November 1^st, this community will embark on our annual 30 Days of Thankfulness Drive. Can you believe we’ve been at this goodness for almost two decades! Some of you were here for it’s inception! (THANK YOU for that, no pun intended.) Backstory for newcomers? 

Together, we’ve supported local charities and met international needs. We’ve been part of building a Hope House in Rwanda and drilling water wells for two remote African communities. We’ve sponsored numerous children through Compassion International, and we helped build a high school for 600 orphans in a war-torn area on the border of Sudan! And that’s a partial list!

As usual, I’ll be the proverbial squeaky wheel for thirty days to keep this drive before our eyes with gratitude quotes and anecdotes, (all while praying you don’t snooze me.)

I’m willing to be squeaky because the relentless human need flooding our news feeds once paralyzed me. I felt helpless in the face of so much desperation. Then I made an important discovery. When I’m living giving what I can, I’m able to look at suffering without being overwhelmed by despair. I want that for all of us— but more importantly, I want it for those who need us to see them.

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2: 16-17

Let’s live out our gratitude before we celebrate Thanksgiving with our families because honestly, if our gratitude doesn’t lead us to action, are we truly thankful?

The recipient of this year’s drive is Arctic Barnabas of Kenai, Alaska. You may remember I traveled to Alaska this past April to speak to the AB staff and fell in love with their mission! Arctic Barnabas exists to strengthen and encourage pastors and missionary families in remote Alaska. Fuel costs to minister to remote bush communities that can only be reached by plane and boat are incredibly costly. Let’s help! I have a benefactor willing to match our efforts. My goal is $5,000, and we can do it! All gifts help whether you can give $5 or $500! Give and we’ll trust the Lord for the increase.

One more thing…This year, I’ve built some lagniappe into our campaign. Sierra’s Story, the novel I first read to y’all on my podcast, is now in print. And on Nov. 1^st, I’ll release news of my novella, A Gray Family Christmas: Sierra’s Gift. It’s actually live already on Amazon but I wanted y’all to hear about it first! I enjoyed catching up with the Gray family with this little recap, and I hope you will, too! You’ll find them on Amazon. And beginning TODAY through Nov.31st, 100% of the proceeds from both will go to our drive. It’s my way of saying thank you for joining me in this campaign. Perhaps you’ll want to order a print set for yourself, and a second set for a Christmas gift as a win/win for everyone? (Special thanks to my sister, Rhonda Rushing Faubion for her help catching my mistakes since I’m doing these Sierra projects without my regular editor and publishing house. But if we missed any, do blame me!)  Direct contributions can be sent to 610 Schneider Lane, Lake Providence, LA or Venmo Shellie-Tomlinson with “30Days” in the description.

 

 

On the subject of writing, my Feb.3rd release, “Don’t Try to Pray Like Her” will be here tomorrow. I’ve finished edits and I’m knee deep in some marketing efforts. I say that tongue in cheek because my marketing leaves a lot to be desire, though I try. I do try. I’ve even designed some long-sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts for the launch. Only in my true break the rules fashion, when they came in I loved them so much I’m already putting them on the product table. Here’s a pic from an event in Oklahoma. I’m wearing the long-sleeve and my friend LeeAnn Hart is wearing the sweatshirt, (third from right.) Should I put them in the shopping cart? You tell me.   

The Super Six are growing and going. We’re trying to keep up with as many of their activities as possible. 

Oh, and many of you write to me to ask about my parents’ health, and I so appreciate that. Mama took a fall and fractured her foot in a couple places but she’s making the best of the situation with a walking boot. And Papa? Well, he is still trying to do more than she wants him to or thinks he should do, but old habits die hard and the Queen has been overseeing her Longsuffering King’s activities far too long to stop now! 

I’ve got something else on my heart, but I’ll drop it in our Quiet Time Bible Study feature. Blessings, friends. I love catching up! Let me know how I can pray for you.

Hugs, Shellie