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Spanning the Globe – Roctober Edition

I’ve been blessed to travel the WORLD over the years for work, vacation and short-term missions trips.

Oh, what a big and beautiful world it is …

I never wanted to keep a tally of my travels because I wasn’t trying to reach a certain number by a certain timeframe.

But I thought I’d finally do a count to see where things stand so far.

I’m sharing my current total for the first time … these numbers don’t include any layovers in different countries/states and the total doesn’t include that I’ve traveled to five of these countries and a few of these states several times. Each country and state are included only once …

Drumroll please …

God has allowed me to (so far) travel to:

  • 6 Continents
  • 22 Countries
  • 17 States + Washington, D.C.

What an honor and blessing it’s been to see God’s fingerprints all throughout the globe!

Only God knows when and where I’ll go next.

I appreciate your prayers!

The short video above is just a glimpse of some of the beauty I’ve seen on SIX continents and out west … this doesn’t include all the states or countries I’ve been to… just some of the highlights …

God has spoken to me in such special ways during most of these trips ….

If’ you’d like to read about how I’ve seen God’s fingerprints across the globe, check out By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad.

There’s also a chapter on living your God-given dreams and discussion questions you can use with your connect group or book club.

By Faith is available on Amazon. If you’ve been blessed by By Faith, please take a moment to leave a kind Amazon review and rating.

You can watch videos of some of my travels on Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel.

I may not be traveling as much these days, but I’m so grateful that through Abounding Faith’s FIVE Christian living books and devotionals and by speaking online etc… I can continue to reach more and more Readers and nations.

Abounding Faith’s Readers are located (so far) on/in:

  • 5 Continents
  • 10 Countries (outside of the U.S.)
  • 16 States

Gracias for staying on this faith journey with me!

I hope Abounding Faith’s books, this blog, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, and Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel and social media posts, etc… have been a blessing to you and yours, wherever you’re located in the world!

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Thoughts on Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15-10/15) 🎉 As you celebrate the rich and vibrant Latino/Hispanic culture, please keep in mind these friendly reminders:

✨ We’re a very diverse group.

✨ We come in all different shapes, sizes, colors and heights.

✨ We don’t all speak Spanish.

✨ We’re not all immigrants. Many of us were born here. Some of our families have been in the U.S. before it was even U.S. territory. Others are automatic citizens (Puerto Rico we see you).

✨ Your kindness will go a long way in helping newer immigrants feel welcome.

✨ Asylum seekers and refugees allowed into the U.S. are NOT illegal aliens.

✨ We’re more than just entertainers and athletes or tacos and guacamole (although, that’s all muy bueno).

We’re also doctors, lawyers, authors, business owners, NASA engineers, politicians, teachers, social workers, nurses, pastors and so much more …

We’re here ALL throughout the year …

Some are doing back-breaking work or are essential workers who helped keep the economy going even during a global pandemic. (Have you thanked an essential or service worker lately?) Others have served in the military (for generations) to help defend our freedom 🇺🇸

So during this Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond:

✅ Celebrate and learn about our different cultures and heritages.

✅ Invite us inside your communities and save a few seats for us among your tables of influence.

✅ Hire us, pay us fairly, and support our books, businesses, art, causes, etc..

✅ Lament with us when you see news reports about how our gente and communities here or abroad are suffering.

✅ Help to amplify and promote our stories and voices whether it’s in English, Spanish, Spanglish or other. Positive representation matters!

GRACIAS to those of you already celebrating with us 💕

How do you celebrate the Hispanic culture? Let me know on Abounding Faith’s Instagram.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Ladies, Join Us for the Upcoming Mighty Women of Valor NYSB Online Class

“It was a good lesson. I enjoyed it.” – Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith over Fear NYSB Student

How are we already at the midway point of this semester?

What a delightful time we’re having in class learning how God came through for men and women in the Bible. And it’s lovely having a student in PA joining us.

If you couldn’t join us this time around, you can find the encouraging and inspiring Abounding Faith: 3O Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible devotional that this class is based on on Amazon.

And great news …

Ladies, registration is now open for the upcoming Mighty Women of Valor class that starts on the evening of Tuesday, November 8.

It’s going to be an encouraging and empowering time of gaining insight from the lives of women from Bible times, church history and modern time.

Don’t miss it!

Over the years, I’ve had students in Taiwan, North Carolina and Pennsylvania join us.

I hope you and your friends can join us in November from wherever you are in the world.

Learn more about the class here and help spread the word.

P.S. Fellas, please tell the ladies in your life about this empowering online class!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Happy Roctober!

Happy Roctober! Let the birthday celebrations begin.

Guess I’ve always been fascinated with crowns lol … 

I’m loving this verse:

“You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” (Isaiah 62:3 NIV)

A future author was born this month … yup, here’s yours truly already hard at work.

Actually, I didn’t grow up dreaming about writing books. That seemed so far out of reach and wasn’t even on my radar during my journalism days.

But God!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV)

If you’d like to read more of my story and how I’ve seen God’s fingerprints on 6 continents, check out By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Keep Dreaming & Doing – Monday Motivation with Coach Nancy, Abounding Faith Coaching & Consulting

Hey Audacious Dreamers and Doers, I hope you’re having a wonderful September and a lovely start to fall!

How is this new season going so far?

Are you reaching your goals and staying on track?

Or are you hitting walls and facing obstacles?

If you’re going through a hard time, don’t quit. And don’t place limits on what God can do in and through you.

Keep dreaming and doing!

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about what to do in this season, now is a great time to get some help.

I’d be delighted to come alongside you and coach you through your process to help you reach your breakthrough.

As your Life Coach, I’d be honored to prayerfully help you gain the clarity, confidence and courage to say yes to God’s call on your life.

I can prayerfully help you:

  • Discover your God-given gifts
  • Develop your unique giftings and skill set
  • Dare to live your God-given dreams

Let’s SOAR together in this new season!

Be fierce. Be faithful. Be fruitful. Be who God is calling you to be!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Writing Breakthroughs with Our Daily Bread Ministries

I’m delighted to share my first article for Our Daily Bread‘s Discovery Series has been published on their website.

I hope you’re encouraged by the “3 Keys to Help You on Your Faith Journey” article.

Please encourage others by sharing this link with them.

Thanks for your prayers and for sharing this link far and wide.

I’m also excited to share …

I’ve also written the entry for Day 3 of Our Daily Bread‘s new “Serving Together” online reading plan for Hispanic Heritage Month. You can find the 10-day reading plan on YouVersion and on Our Daily Bread‘s app.

It’s my first time being part of a YouVersion reading plan. I wrote about the late Luis Palau, who I had the pleasure of meeting twice in NYC (pic below).

Please also share the reading plan near and far.

This September marks eight years since I won Our Daily Bread‘s Online Writing Contest for Readers (pic below).

That was such a delight and honor and such confirmation that I was on the “write” track with my writing career after my journalism days.

I’m thrilled that I’m now a contributing writer for Our Daily Bread‘s VOICES Collection and have written entries for their Rhythms of Rest devotional book and their On the Shoulder of Giants devotional booklet.

I’ve even done some marketing writing for ODB.

Only God could do all that!

I appreciate you staying on this faith journey with me!

I look forward to having more writing news to share with you soon. Blessings!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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My Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Today is Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

It’s truly the end of an era (the second Elizabethan era to be exact) and a historic moment.

Regardless of your thoughts about the monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II was truly a living legend.

I’d like to take a moment to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7 NIV).

She reigned for a staggering 70 years … She was the longest-serving British monarch. She met 13 U.S. Presidents and has been served by 15 British prime ministers.

All politics aside, I’ve been struck by so many of the images these last few days and by the tributes from those who knew and loved her.

At a petite 5’3” in height, she was a giant at heart and a formidable force on the world’s stage.

There are many thoughts I could share, but I’d like to share a list of some of the incredible words that I’ve heard people use to describe her during recent TV interviews and past documentaries.

I share these not to exalt the late Queen (of course, not even the late Queen was perfect), but as inspiration especially for those who are called to leadership and public ministry and service.

The words are in alphabetical order. I’ve bolded the words that were mentioned two or more times.

30 of the Qualities/Attributes that People Admired Queen Elizabeth II for are her:

  1. Commitment
  2. Confidence
  3. Courage
  4. Decency
  5. Decorum
  6. Dedication
  7. Deep faith
  8. Determination
  9. Devotion to duty
  10. Dignity
  11. Diplomatic deft
  12. Duty
  13. Fortitude
  14. Grace
  15. Graceful service
  16. Humor
  17. Inner Strength
  18. Intellect
  19. Kindness
  20. Leadership
  21. Loyalty
  22. Modesty
  23. Sacrifice
  24. Selflessness
  25. Selfless public service
  26. Soft Power
  27. Stability
  28. Strength
  29. Stoicism
  30. Wisdom

How People Described Queen Elizabeth II:

  • Prime Minster Winston Churchill said the Queen showed an “air of authority” when she was just 2 years old.
  • One of her granddaughters said her grandmother taught her to stand up and be strong.

Others Noted Queen Elizabeth II:

  • Had a deep faith, which was the anchor in her life
  • Had a lovely smile and a twinkle in her eye
  • Was steady
  • Was tiny in stature, but had an enormous impact around the world

These are all such lovely and noble qualities for any leader to be remembered by.

May it be said of us that we lived and lead with similar qualities.

Some Indelible and Poignant Moments for Me so Far:

  • The Queen’s children standing vigil by their late mother’s casket, especially in Scotland, was touching
  • The proclamations announcing the new king was historic
  • The somber music in the processional from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey was haunting
  • Hearing that some people waited in line for four days to be some of the first to pay their respects to the Queen while she was lying in state at Westminster Hall was amazing

At her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II bowed before the Lord recognizing that He has ultimate power and authority. That was powerful to watch all these years later.

Yes, even Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16 NIV)

And yes, we are a royal priesthood (Romans 8:17 NIV) and the daughters and sons of the King and co-heirs with Christ (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

Glory!

I leave you with this snapshot (below) of my visit to London during my Epic European Adventure.

I kinda got the royal treatment when I arrived in London lol … I share about that and much more in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad (Available on Amazon).

I had a lovely time in London.

These pics were taken outside of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Parliament and their Olympic stadium.

I’m not really a tea person, but I’ll be raising a cup of tea in honor of the Queen as I watch her funeral in a few hours.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15 – 10/15)

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15 – 10/15) 🎉 I’m kicking off this festive month by opening up my “Disney Vault” to share this Ode to Latino/a entertainers and elite athletes 💃💃💃

LONG before I was writing books, I was a journalist who got to meet plenty of celebs, Olympians, politicians, etc.

Many of these pics have never been seen before 😎 I hope you enjoy this glimpse of my magazine and journalism days…

There’s obviously a story behind each pic .. maybe I’ll share that another time.

If you’re curious about God calling me out of my journalism career, check out By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad. There’s a chapter on living your God-given dreams and discussion questions you can use with your connect group or book club.

Wanna try to name all of mi gente in these pics? Take your best guesses and post them in the comments on Abounding Faith’s Instagram.

(Amigas, yes that’s them in the first two pics 😯) 

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Motivational Monday – Happy National Day of Encouragement

Watch this short Feisty Faith promo video RIGHT HERE

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 6:11 NIV)

With all that’s going on in the world and even in our individual lives, it’s nice to be able to stop and celebrate the National Day of Encouragement.

Every and any day can be a day to encourage and spur one another on in our faith as the Bible verse above exhorts us to do.

If you need a boost in your faith, why not grab a copy of the encouraging and empowering Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 365-day devotional? The daily Bible verse and inspirational message will uplift and edify you all throughout the year.

The Bible verses are some of the ones that have impacted and inspired me during my faith journey. The devotional entries are words I would share with you if we were sitting together.

Enjoy this short promo video. Blessings!

P.S. – Yay, I’ve been part of CWEN’S Prayer and Devotional Team for a Year. What a blessing it is to encourage, inspire and pray for fellow Christian women entrepreneurs across the country and the globe with entries from Feisty Faith. The video above is a clip from my recent monthly message to my CWEN Sisters.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Are You Growing in Your Faith?

5 Lessons from the Grapes

“Are You Growing?”

My late Senior Pastor used to love asking the congregation that question.

Pastor J knew and stressed the importance of growing and maturing in the Lord (and in different areas of our life). He emphasized that God wanted His children to grow and mature just like earthly parents expect their kids to grow and mature and develop.

How do we grow in our faith?

Some key ways are by consistently spending time reading the Bible and praying and worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers.

It’s that simple and yet that challenging …

If you’re one of my faithful Readers, you probably already know that God likes to show me things through nature.

I’m sharing the above pics of grapes because these pics speak volumes to me.

I took the pics on three separate occasions earlier this year to document the growth process.

The grapes show some truths about growth:

  • Growth takes time.
  • Growth happens in stages or seasons.
  • Growth happens as we stay connected to the vine.
  • Growth can be painful, but pruning is a necessary part of the process.
  • Growth happens on God’s timetable. We can’t rush the process.

The grapes didn’t grow overnight.

Neither do we.

Are you growing in your faith?

Or are you feeling stuck or stagnant?

Are you staying connected to the True Vine?

Consider what Jesus says about abiding in Him. These are some of my favorite Bible verses:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8 NIV)

If you’re looking to grow in your faith, here are a few ways I can help:

Empowering Online Class for Ladies: Don’t miss the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith over Fear course that starts next Tuesday evening on September 13. Learn more here.

Personalized Life Coaching: I’d be delighted to help you grow and go from feeling:

  • frazzled to focused
  • frustrated to fruitful
  • fearful to fierce

Learn more about Christian Life Coaching here.

Inspiring Books Be encouraged and inspired as you walk by faith, prepare for your breakthrough and dare to live your God-given dreams. Abounding Faith FIVE Christian living books empower and equip you to stand firm in your faith.

Uplifting email: Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list and get a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty Faith Devotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon). Looking forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.

Encouraging Social Media: I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Be encouraged as you scroll throughout the week.

Edifying Podcast: The uplifting Abounding Faith for Today podcast has 40 short and encouraging episodes that will help bolster your faith. You can listen to the Abounding Faith for Today podcast wherever you listen to podcasts including:

Inspirational YouTube Channel: There are 155 encouraging and uplifting videos on Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel that will inspire you and help spur on your faith. The short videos are shot near and far (including during past short-term missions trips, vacations, around NYC and trips to my bday castle…). Check them out and be sure to subscribe, like, comment and share the site with others.

Let’s grow and flourish together this year!

And may your faith be fueled, your hope ignited and your heart set ablaze with the love of God!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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