authenticity by the slice
The me that you see here at The Grit is genuine. It’s not all of me, but it’s not a fabricated form of me either. While I don’t share everything about myself or the things going on in my life, what I share is authentic. I’m not a different person in real life than I am in the blogosphere. In real life, you’ll see and discover different aspects of me, but it’s all still me.
The Grit shows only a slice of who I am. But it’s a genuine slice. No artificial ingredients.
I’ve worked hard in the past 18 months to be more transparent, more open. In some ways I’ve taken great strides; in others, I haven’t. Some things you may still only discover about me by reading through the lines.
No need to read between the lines, though, about my imperfections and shortcomings. I’m more weak than strong. I’m more doubtful than faith-filled. There is much lacking in my leadership abilities; I’m trying everyday to be a better wife; I am not a very good missionary. Praying is hard for me lately, and my heart feels heavier than it has in a long time.
But this much I know is true: I treasure my blogging friendships. You’ve each helped to shape, challenge, encourage, and inspire me. As I’m starting to wrap my head around the fact that I’ll be on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean by Sunday, I know that I’ll miss the close connection I’ve felt with so many of you these past few months.
Thanks for reading. And commenting. And sticking around. For even caring to get to know this little slice of me.
Oh Alece I love you! You are so wonderfully honest and sincere! I love that and it’s something thats REALLY hard to find in friends. I know this is only the beginning of a life long meaningful friendship!
@cassgirl says:
I love you more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow, and cannot even begin of how much I will love ya in the future..
Oh BTW you rock!!!
“The me that you see here at The Grit is genuine. It’s not all of me, but it’s not a fabricated form of me either.” I think you hit it here. “Now we know in part” … it’s part of that whole thought.
And I do think … we humans are a great deal harder on ourselves than He ever is on us. He loves YOU. Not the someday-you.
Thanks for being authentic. It’s a lovable, admirable, and attractive characteristic. You do good.
wow… this is a good post and something i need to work more on myself – being transparent. thanks for posting this.
@ventigrace says:
You are beautiful Kitty… all of you. And… I love you… and I wish I could lighten your load.
You land Sunday… and then I’ll be there too within the week. Oh my cow.
Alece,
I think what we all love about you – is your authenticity. Through Rebecca’s experience with you at Thrive … I learned enough about you to want to know more! Wanting to know how to better support you through prayer – was the reason I first started reading your blog. Then I was hooked! I thoroughly enjoy your blogs!
It is often a highlight of my brief time on-line each day to read what you have to share! I have been challenged in so many ways … by your insight on a passage of Scripture … by the inspirational stories … and more. But, what has touched my heart in the last few months even more … is insight into the love shared by you and Neil and the deep relationships you have with your family and friends. I have been challenged to look at my own relationships and seek to deepen them … just because of what transpires here on g&g.
Keep blogging … God is using you in ways you may not ever know. You are loved.
Jean
Alece,
I think what we all love about you – is your authenticity. Through Rebecca’s experience with you at Thrive … I learned enough about you to want to know more! Wanting to know how to better support you through prayer – was the reason I first started reading your blog. Then I was hooked! I thoroughly enjoy your blogs!
It is often a highlight of my brief time on-line each day to read what you have to share! I have been challenged in so many ways … by your insight on a passage of Scripture … by the inspirational stories … and more. But, what has touched my heart in the last few months even more … is insight into the love shared by you and Neil and the deep relationships you have with your family and friends. I have been challenged to look at my own relationships and seek to deepen them … just because of what transpires here on g&g.
Keep blogging … God is using you in ways you may not ever know. You are loved.
Jean
Alece,
I think what we all love about you – is your authenticity. Through Rebecca’s experience with you at Thrive … I learned enough about you to want to know more! Wanting to know how to better support you through prayer – was the reason I first started reading your blog. Then I was hooked! I thoroughly enjoy your blogs!
It is often a highlight of my brief time on-line each day to read what you have to share! I have been challenged in so many ways … by your insight on a passage of Scripture … by the inspirational stories … and more. But, what has touched my heart in the last few months even more … is insight into the love shared by you and Neil and the deep relationships you have with your family and friends. I have been challenged to look at my own relationships and seek to deepen them … just because of what transpires here on g&g.
Keep blogging … God is using you in ways you may not ever know. You are loved.
Jean
Alece,
I think what we all love about you – is your authenticity. Through Rebecca’s experience with you at Thrive … I learned enough about you to want to know more! Wanting to know how to better support you through prayer – was the reason I first started reading your blog. Then I was hooked! I thoroughly enjoy your blogs!
It is often a highlight of my brief time on-line each day to read what you have to share! I have been challenged in so many ways … by your insight on a passage of Scripture … by the inspirational stories … and more. But, what has touched my heart in the last few months even more … is insight into the love shared by you and Neil and the deep relationships you have with your family and friends. I have been challenged to look at my own relationships and seek to deepen them … just because of what transpires here on g&g.
Keep blogging … God is using you in ways you may not ever know. You are loved.
Jean
Alece,
I think what we all love about you – is your authenticity. Through Rebecca’s experience with you at Thrive … I learned enough about you to want to know more! Wanting to know how to better support you through prayer – was the reason I first started reading your blog. Then I was hooked! I thoroughly enjoy your blogs!
It is often a highlight of my brief time on-line each day to read what you have to share! I have been challenged in so many ways … by your insight on a passage of Scripture … by the inspirational stories … and more. But, what has touched my heart in the last few months even more … is insight into the love shared by you and Neil and the deep relationships you have with your family and friends. I have been challenged to look at my own relationships and seek to deepen them … just because of what transpires here on g&g.
Keep blogging … God is using you in ways you may not ever know. You are loved.
Jean
i feel overwhelmed… thank you guys.
I don’t WANT just a slice! I want the WHOLE PIE, girlfriend!
Grieving with you. That may sound extreme, but I think you know my heart. I want to meet you this side of Heaven.
(pout)
@mandythompson says:
I love you!
I don’t know what else to say right now but that…
Thank you for being you here.
I ain’t goin’ nowhere, sister.
@atangie says:
So the itty bitty suit cases are being packed and repacked and packed yet again only to be rearranged one last time and weighed to make use of every precious ounce allotted to you.
You are making runs to the stores for last minute purchases and wondering how the heck you are going to fit this stuff in. Thank God for carry ons.
Counting down the hours until you can be sleeping for hours in route.
But the most wonderful thing about all this change, travel, packing, migrating and time zone hopping is… are you ready for this?…
WE are still with you!
I know – it’s deep. :-) But it is just the coolest thing.
The “I am not” paragraph is entirely too long, and I suspect not entirely true. ;-) I think you are incredibly strong. You have inspired me by your incredible faith. You have shown yourself to be a wonderful leader here at The Grit. ;-) You’re a better missionary than I could EVER be. I suspect from AB’s hilarious comments about you, you are a great wife. And friend, I know you pray, and your prayers are heard. That is all that matters.
I cannot even tell you what a joy it’s been to find a friend in you. I love you, and I’ve never even seen you face to face. Or talked to you on the phone….which we need to fix before you head south for the winter. ;-)
Love you!
I am with @ngie on this one too….. blog friends can’t move away! I love it! ;-)
And I hope to get to know you Alece:)
My heart has been heavy too…maybe its God’s heart right now, because we aren’t the only ones…I love to see with His heart…although sometimes its not always easy:)
Be Blessed:) and safe trip!
@atangie says:
I am with Brandy on this one too… the “I am not” paragraph is entirely too long, and I suspect not entirely true. ;-)
And, I’ve only just gotten to taste just a sliver!
I look forward to knowing you better. I wish you well and pray God’s bountiful blessings on your life.
@cassgirl says:
” I’ll be on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean by Sunday, I know that I’ll miss the close connection I’ve felt with so many of you these past few months.”
You’ll go back to work, and go through some major adjustments, I am sure you’ll blog about it and all of us, (I know I will) be waiting. There will little or even grand lesssons that we will all get out of it.
Your not leaving the world, you are just going to Africa!!!
As long as you have internet… WE ARE HERE!!!
Cmon.. we need to know how everbody in Africa likes your hookers shoes and new words like huggaboochin and lullaboobie..
I love you.
We love ‘you’ all of you and I’d much rather be in your presence (which allows us to see more of the real you) than here on your blog. I’m praying for you and hope we can chat sometime about the stuff we’ve been emailing about for so long. I’m glad Kitty will be on base with you soon… CH <
@moweezle says:
aweeee, I love the bloggin Alece and the “in the flesh” Alece…you’re both one great slice!!!
You are beautiful….
I love your authenticity alece, you get such a great sense of who you are on your blog :)
So sorry to hear of your heavy heart though, hope you’re OK.
you, my friends, made my heart swell this morning. thank you.
Hey Babycakes….this is an amazing letter. Thank you for sharing it, and as I just began my American journey…I can already feel myself echoing your words. I hope that I can follow quick quick close by because that is how I want to live my life. No holding back…Now is the time! You are an amazing example of that truth.
thanks for this, kristi. and YOU are the rock star!
I too have enjoyed getting to know another slice of you here in blog world.
thanks, chardonnay…
@tamhodge says:
we never see ourselves quite the way others do.
the running theme here in the comments is almost the opposite of what you wrote. you, my dear, have impacted every one of our lives who come to the grit. how? through you being the perfect you that He created. by you living out, through your gifts He filled you with, and letting them spill out onto others. you have created change. you have fostered community. you are leaving an imprint of His beauty on everyone you touch…and His glory continues to spread out even more because of that!
i love you alece! thank you, for being exactly…you!
wow, tam.
umm…
thank you.
Oh, wow…I am loving you. Or rather, loving God in you. Why are we just now meeting?
I need to spend some more time here, please…
leigh anne — mmm… thank you for that. i’m looking forward to getting to know you!
There is so much strength in authenticity and vulnerability—thank you for being transparent and showing off your “grit”—awesome stuff!!
thank you, rindy!
and i’ve got PLENTY of grit to show off!