Hey there, strangers! It feels like I’ve been away forever. I wrote the following blog post last week on Friday afternoon just before I kicked off speaking at a fabulous girl’s conference in Dallas, Texas. I’m excited to share more about my long trip and adventures, but first… some quiet reflections.

Confession time.

I am writing this blog entry while sitting driver’s seat of my dad’s car while parked in a church parking lot in Dallas, Texas. It’s a lovely spring afternoon, and I am enjoying my solitude with all of the windows down. My baby girl keeps kicking me. I’m not any happier about the way lunch made me feel than she must be. It was really good. It was just so spicy. I stopped at a gas station to buy some gum, but ended up also picking up mini packages of Kleenex, a tiny travel toothbrush set, and a lemonade flavored Vitamin Water. All of these things are to combat the spicy effects of my lunch.

And why tell you all of this?

Here’s where the real confession comes in. I’ve been in Texas for almost a full two weeks. I had the opportunity to speak at a school for a few days last week and then took a break while visiting family before driving up to Dallas to speak at a girl’s conference. It’s a win/win for me. I get to work and see the people I love. But when I speak and travel I have a pretty singular focus. I want to soak up all the time that I can with grandparents, siblings, parents, and the students that I’ve come to speak to. With over 25 years of living in Texas, I have SO MANY AMAZING people who I could see every time that I’m in town. The guilt starts setting in even before my plane touches down. I don’t know how long I will have the opportunity to do this; have the long extended times with family members, and because of that I become almost overly protective of the time that I do have. I flew under the radar this trip, partially out of exhaustion. (I’m just so sorry I had to miss out spending time with so many of you. I need a full month to do the Lone Star State justice.)

But after almost two weeks of solid interaction and communication, I need a breather, so I’m sitting in a parking lot and typing on my laptop. Rather than going into the large church with friendly volunteers and staff members, this is my place of quiet. I need this space to rest, to read, and to write.

I don’t know if you noticed, but my posts last week were all over the place and scattered. I feel like I had nothing much to offer and I apologize that I threw out scraps or reposted old material. When I step back and think about this space on the Internet, I’m reminded of why I started this blog in the first place. I didn’t have a burning desire to write. This would be so much easier if I did have that desire. Instead I feel compelled to continue what I start every time I walk into an auditorium, classroom, or sanctuary. The conversation that begins in front of a group of young people or moms doesn’t end there. More than anything I want to be a resource, a vessel, and an encouragement to you. I don’t need thousands of followers. I just want to point back to the one I’m following.

That’s all for today. I’m going to read some more before I head inside. I can’t wait to meet the 300 young women coming tonight. I’m looking forward to beginning a new conversation.

Your questions and thoughts fuel the material that you read here. I would love to hear from you.

Following,
Ginger

p.s. Thank you to the many girls who have written in over the weekend! I’m so encouraged by your willingness to share and look forward to responding to each of your questions!