2010 : The Ten Peso Version

   2010 came and went like the wind. I remember sitting at my desk last year at this time and finishing the book. It feels as if it was just yesterday.

  2010 brought me and my family tears, and heartache and some of my greatest achievements. And as it comes to an end I feel as I am stepping into a new chapter of my life and am ready to take 2011 by storm.

2010 Highlights: 

- My Father-in-Law was diagnosed with Cancer this past year and was healed this year as well. I am so blessed to still have him with us as we head into 2011.

- FAST21: I was given the vision for fast21 this year...this in itself could be a blog post :)

- My First Nationally Released Record Released on ITUNES this past year along with the book that tells the stories of the album. You can check them out at http://charise.org.

- This year I was honored to serve on the worship team along side my best friends and celebration church. I've always served at my home church  but 2010 brought it to a whole-notha-level!

- My business has really flourished this year as well. Its really scary when you put yourself out there, but God is so faithful. I KNOW that I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and that feeling is priceless.

- I have gained a WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE: 2010 changed the way I look at things, showed me what was really important and how to trully trust and see God even if my reality looks bleak.

I am looking forward to the transitions 2011 is gonna bring. This coming year I turn 30 and I feel like for the first time in a long time I am making a difference with my life. This life is so short and I want to live it with an eternal mindset. My goals this coming year are to be more intentional in pouring into the next generation. My heart's desire is to allow God to use my life in such a way that when that day comes and I am standing in his presence he'll just high five me! lol

So bring it on 2011... I am ready for you...


- chari

The Holidays

My life is INSANELY BUSY....I miss writing my blog, so bare with me...I'll definitely have some fun stuff after Christmas to share...

till then check out some cool pictures from my Thanksgiving holiday...

Gale Force Winds!

So I know I talk ALOT about people that influence me. I know this. But It's important to surround yourself with people you can be honest with and people who will make you better! Doing life alone without people to walk along side you to laugh and cry with you is just not life at all.

Last month I was asked to come along side one of the people I look up to the most ( Linda Riddle ) and assist her in a pretty major project at my home church. I am so humbled by the work, and that I get to do what I love all while hanging out with my friend! Every Wednesday I pretty much am living my dream. Today I spent 7 hours in an office making graphics, laughing and crying with my friend. I mean, seriously, I have the best job in the world.

Things I Learned/Experienced today:




1. My middle name sounds awesome sung like a Mexican lullaby 
2. the words " DO IT " sound great with a new jersey accent
3. Dr. Pepper and Chipotle is of the Lord
4. The word "squeeze" will forever traumatize me
5.  Leaders serve loudly.

moral of the day: "serving, no matter in what capacity heals the soul."

I like to Drive Fast.

I was asked to help lead worship out at our camden county campus this past Sunday. It's a bit of drive but I enjoy driving. For some reason it seems to calm my soul and I am able to clear my thoughts enough to hear from God.

Lately my work, stress, and life has clogged my heart and my ears and I've felt like God and I needed a moment. I put on my Ipod, and just drove.

I thought about the songs I'd be leading, and prayed I'd remember the words and guitar parts. I worried about the meeting with a friend and hoped I'd not allow myself to be too emotional. I was bombarded by my work and the realization I am behind in and all the things I want to accomplish but feel I might never reach them. Needless to say my calming drive to Camden became an anxiety trip on all the things I can't control. Just then I noticed a truck on the side of the road with a flat tire, and I felt God say, "Chari, things could be so much worse!"

I seem to always come back to this.

I am driving 80 miles an hour past my life and I am missing the life moments, the life lessons I need to learn. These are the lessons I need to survive the next season. I'm rushing through the levels without getting all the points!

I read this morning in 1 John 3 "If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with humility that comes from wisdom."

I sat at my desk and closed my eyes, "Dear Jesus, am I living an honorable life?"... "Does my life reflect a life of humility that only comes from wisdom?" The verse went on to say that , "Wisdom from above is first of all PURE, it is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness."

I started thinking of the people God had but in my life that embodied these things...

First was my husband who before anything is the wisest person I know and always has the purest intentions. It never matters how or if he was wounded in the situation he always takes the high road and seeks God about everything. I can't believe I was blessed with him as my husband...its mind boggling.

Then I began to think of Lindsey V (the lindseystar) who is the most sincere person I have ever met. I've watched her yield any personal ambition, and even the call on her life so she could build others up., and see others flourish. It's awe inspiring to sit down and hear her speak of the vision she has for the ministry in which I serve. I hope to one day be half the woman she is.

Then there is Carter, who makes my heart hurt. This kid will seek after God with such reckless abandonment that one might think she's fallen of the face of the earth...She is my reminder that this life isn't about me but about those that are coming up after me.

...each makes me long to be better and...the funny thing is these are the 3 people I argue with the most. And yet they love me, and encourage me, and remind me that in order to live this life the way I feel called to, that I need to yield, and stop driving so fast through this life.

So here I am thanking God for every moment, every simple drive, every person in my life that makes me better.


- Chari

What if you never reap what I've sown, Will I still sow?

I find myself asking myself this question recently. I've been plagued with "WHAT IF" for as long as I can remember, and pressing through the uncertainty has been difficult but something i've grown accustomed to doing.

I could actually make a list of my "what if's"...they include serving, and my career, and whether I am making the right decisions, because the outcomes have not been what I expected. I'd think I have it all together at this point but alas I don't. I watch people I love suffer through disappointment and loss and I wonder, is it worth it?

----

When I was 19 I watched a woman break a bat over her knee. Her name was Janet Abraham-Clark. She was part of the Power Team. Even at 19 I was ready to give up, I was then, like now, consumed with the "what if"...She took the remnant of this wooden Louisville slugger and wrote out Galatians 6:9.

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

---
Not sure why at 11 p.m. on a random Thursday evening I feel compelled to share that I yet again do not have it all together, and question God constantly. Not sure why, especially since my list of things God has walked me through outweighs my "WHAT IF" list, but then again I am imperfect and broken.  I am human and God is bigger than all my distrust and questions.

So to answer the question...What if you never reap what i've sown, Will I still sow? 

Undoubtedly, Yes

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I hope one day I can stand before the throne and see Jesus face to face and have him say, "good job Chari, you did exactly what I asked of you..."




-Dreaming Big. Loving God.
Chari

The 10 peso Version: My life in a matter of months....

     In May I sat through and served at the Shine Conference, and felt God lay the burden of FAST21 on my heart. Those that know me and have been with me a while, know that music has always been my goal. And at this point I really believed the album would forever be stalled and that the direction I was headed would not include that aspect of what I felt God had called me to in my youth. I was wrong, in June of this year  the album released as well as the book that accompanied it. In July I felt compelled with the help of my dear friend, Jenna Brut, to launch Fast21 with a Benefit Concert. Our goal was to raise money for the A21 campaign and showcase various artists, and the FAST21 Tees. And on Sept 10, 2010 we were successful in just that. 

   At the end of that night I was beyond humbled, and moved to tears. But as the night settled I began to think, "What next, Lord?" I am so excited about all that God is doing with Fast21, and all God is doing to use my existence. My hope is that at the end of my days, that people can say I used all I was for the kingdom. But more than all that, I hope to remain transparent. 

" For I resolve to nothing, but Christ and him crucified..."  ~The Apostle Paul

Thank you to all those that have supported me and keep me lifted up.
Get ready, the best is yet to come.


- Chari

My crazy life.

WorshipJunkie Media ( my day job ) and The Fast21 Initiative have currently moved into our own office and my life has just gotten so much busier if that's even possible. Between work, The upcoming event, serving at my home church, and my everyday life as a wife, I have found I am taking WAY more naps.

It's amazing all that God is doing. For example...

1. This weekend (29th) Celebration Church will be singing a new song at Midtown and Orange Park that I co-wrote with Dougie Fowler, and Lindsey Vartanian. It's called "for the glory of you". I am beyond words, beyond humbled.

2. The Fast21 Event is going to be life changing. Please make sure you get your tickets either online, through me, or coming by the office (4519 Beach Blvd, Jax, Fl. 32207. We are in build 4200 in rm. 104)

3. Our Fast21 tees will be here next week and im awestruck at finally seeing this come to pass. Excited isn't a good enough word to explain how I feel about it!

and that's just a few things....SO PLEASE make sure to spread the word and get your tickets. Hope to see you guys soon.

Chari.