About Terri

Hi! Is this weird to have a personal blog for a non-profit? I think it must be because I spent months researching and looking for examples of other non-profit leaders blogging.

I looked for just one example of someone doing what I think I am supposed to be doing just to confirm that it’s the right thing to do.

I could not find one. On the entire Internet.

Sure there are non-profits that have blogs but they are all about their non-profit, events, or how they are doing amazing things in the world.

Which is great! I love that! And up until now, that’s what we’ve shared here. Sort of, in a haphazard way.

There are non-profits that blog about the non-profit world (some are very smart or funny and others give awful advice, in my opinion).

We’ve shared a weekly devotional (all written by beLydia team members, Deborah, Amanda or Christina) published every Tuesday, some educational posts on sex trafficking and promos for our events.

But we didn’t have a personal blog.

So why a personal blog on a non-profit website?

Pretty much since the beginning of having a website (summer of 2016), I have felt God wanting me to share something more personal.

Why do I think He would want that? I think because He is the one that completely uprooted my very comfortable life to start this non-profit.

In other words, there is more to this beLydia story than just a group of people getting others to use hospitality to prevent child sex trafficking.

There is a story of a spoiled, lazy, impulsive, funny in a quirky/strange way, creative, insecure, loving (most of the time), lady (me) who loved God but was afraid to say “YES!” or even “yes” (or even :::whispering::: yes) without having some sort of caveat. The kind of YES where it’s “YOUR WILL, LORD” without holding anything back. Open hands raised high kind of YES.

I had the “beLydia” dream and two months later finally said “Your will, Lord.” That is the first time I said that kind of “YES!”

And away we went!

That’s my story.

beLydia is so much more than a non-profit. It’s not just my story, but everyone that works for me has their own story of how God completely changed the trajectory of their life when they said “YES!” to Him and beLydia.

It’s pretty amazing!

God put this blog on my heart to share my part of this crazy story and honestly, I didn’t want to do it. I’m super transparent and that is scary on the Internet.

I know I’ll say something stupid and offend someone. I spent more time passing notes in English class rather than paying attention to grammar rules. I will definitely get something wrong theology-wise. I’m not a writer (but I’m also not a leader, and here I am leading this incredible ministry/non-profit/movement which is, hi God, CRAZY!).

So, finally, I’m just going to be obedient and if I mess up, well, I mess up.

Maybe you’ll learn something from my mistakes or be inspired or maybe you’ll curl up in a ball and start sucking your thumb because I’ve scared you.

THIS is scary.

And it will all be ok.

God is a loving teacher and when I mess up, He will draw me closer and I’ll pivot and make a change. And you’ll be here as a witness if you follow along.

Lord, what on earth? ——-> said just about every day since March 12th, 2016.

A bit about me

5 Values:

1. I value authenticity which is why I struggle with Instagram and other social media platforms where you’re creating a version of yourself to please other people.
2. I value direct honesty vs. passive aggressiveness. Is it passive aggressive to share an article on passive aggressiveness? Probably! https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-honest-truth-about-passive-aggressiveness
3. I value my quiet time with the Lord every morning. Favorite part of the day and boy, I start early! I’m sure I’ll share more about that later because it’s something people ask me about a lot!
4. I value time spent with my family (husband, kids, dogs, parents) and friends.  I am learning to put my phone on Do Not Disturb when I spend time with others! It’s hard!
5. I value how God works in our lives uniquely, but when we are in tune with the Holy Spirit, our actions are similarly rooted in love for His glory. Wow! It’s so much fun to be apart of that!

10 Facts about me:

1. Huge fan of adoption! I’m adopted and adopted my youngest.
2. Thriving (?) amongst the chaos. Two kids, three step-kids, four step-grandsons, four dogs and a husband who always feels like he’s in the movie Groundhog’s Day. It’s THE BEST (but I still need alone time).
3. I speak softly but carry a big stick.  You may think I’m quiet and timid, but I’m pretty stubborn, strong and determined. DID NOT KNOW I was this strong or determined (I did know I was stubborn).
4. I’m SUPER impulsive. Please pray that I will pause and pray before acting on something, signing up, buying, selling, donating, leaving, posting, responding. I’m currently restraining myself from deleting this entire website while answering these questions because of #impulsive #insecure #anxiety.
5. My #1 desire in life is to be obsessed with God.
6. I have almost NO leadership experience, so I have to lean on God because I don’t know what I’m doing half the majority of the time.
7. I once drove away from the gas station with the pump still in my gas tank. This is a perfect example of how I move without pausing (see #4 and #9).
8. My favorite movie of all time is Mommy Dearest. Not sure what that says about me.
9. I’m easily distracted. I’ve started and stopped this list about a dozen times. Went on Pinterest. Wrote another blog post. Checked the weather. Found an old DVD player while cleaning out my cabinet that had a Care Bears DVD in it so I had to find my daughter and show her because #memories. Read part of a book. Fed my dogs.
10. I’m VISUAL. I need me some pretty. Before I can get to work, I want to design the space, whether it’s my house, office, venue or even this website. Before creating this About Page, I redesigned this entire site. #notkidding

–An aside: If you’re explaining something to me, please include photos. Bonus: I take the best notes because I visually have to see my thoughts down on paper.

New motto: Let’s all be brave together.

If you follow the Enneagram:

I am a FOUR with a three-wing. I’m creative, but if I’m disorganized, I am at my worst. I am driven but for sure the creative side of me runs the show.

To wrap up: I don’t know why I feel like I’m supposed to do this.

I have no idea what God is up to in my life. I just would much rather make a mistake trying to be obedient than miss out on a blessing because I was afraid of what other people thought.

Wrapping this About Page up, I am feeling like YES, I will do this (have a blog) but maybe not tell anyone. Maybe I’ll just write and never hit the “publish” button. If this is posted live on the website, it’s only because I prayed about it because honestly, I don’t want to do this.

Click here to learn more About beLydia.