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Raise your hand if you have an iPad.
Well if you were here you would see that my hand is not raised. I've always wanted an iPad but could never really find a use for it in my life. That was until I started finding conferences I wanted to register for. Seriously, nothing says "I go to conferences" like an iPad. I thought I'd share some of the awesome conferences coming up and if you want to join me, feel free to holla.

Verge: Missional Community Conference (February 28-March 2, 2012) in Austin, TX

Killer Tribes Conference (March 31, 2012) in Nashville, TN
*My goodness, I have seriously debated about taking a road trip, this sounds amazing!*

Catalyst (May 9-11, 2012) in Dallas, TX

Living Proof Live with Beth Moore (July 13-14, 2012) in Cedar Park, TX

Looks like I'm going to have to get me one of them there fancy iPad machines, yeehaw!

How To Not Hate Valentine's Day

This is a story of how I snagged not one but five dates for Valentine’s Day. Don’t worry, I will share my tips for success and you too can be looking forward to February 14^th with the rest of us. Move over Millionaire Matchmaker, I got this.

So before you get all excited, or call me a playa (which I am not, I just crush a lot. Shout out to Fat Joe), you should know that I am related to all my dates. No, this isn’t some crazy story of backwoods country folk who marry their relatives (I just offended someone, I’m sure of it). Every Valentine’s Day my family goes out to dinner, exchange gifts and just enjoy each other’s company. I didn’t realize until recently how something so simple was so foreign to some people. I shall explain.

While at work I recently declared that I love Valentine’s day, which was quickly followed up with a coworkers response of: “Oh Traci, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend”…I don’t, and apparently everyone is in the know about it, thanks social media! I felt I needed to explain why I love a holiday that is despised by so many single people, and when I said it was because my family celebrates it together the response was met with unfamiliar gazes. That got me thinking, every year all the single ladies (you’re singing Beyonce now, aren’t you) brainstorm ideas on ways they can completely ignore the day, and some of those ideas involve chocolate ice cream and voodoo dolls. Women will confess that they hate men and the holiday is stupid. Girl please, we know you don’t hate men because come February 15^th you will be back to Facebook stalking your current crush. (I do not speak from experience; all of these thoughts and ideas come from extensive research.) I feel like Valentine’s Day brings out the worst insecurities in us. For some people it reminds them that they have been single for way too long and for others it brings back memories of relationships gone wrong. So get out of that Valentine’s Day rut by celebrating the people you love in your life, not by dwelling on the fact that your ring finger has been feeling a little cold lately.

So as a single lady or gentleman, embrace the idea and get creative. Make Valentine’s Day something you look forward to. Ladies, have a girl’s night that doesn’t involve a fire pit of ex-boyfriend photos, and find comfort in the fact that you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Men, gather your guy friends to watch a basketball game and spit or slap each others butts, you know, whatever y’all do when you’re together (I’m not judging). If you don’t have friends, which you should because that would be sad, be the first in your family to start the tradition of celebrating with each other. Gifts aren’t necessary but spending quality time together is. Get dressed up, make reservations and be an example to everyone out there that a day of celebrating love isn’t confined to a relationship or marriage.

Happy Valentine's Day!!