​Hi, my name is Abigail and I don’t have it all together.
​(Support group says, Hiiii Abigail)
Keeping up with your social media can be daunting, especially if you’re keeping a consistent presence on most of the platforms out there.

I use quite a few apps to assist me in creating content for my pages and the pages I manage for my clients.
I have to tell you though, I still feel the struggle of striving to come up with content and staying consistent.
I truly enjoy social media, but lately it’s become a bit stressful.
I took some time to evaluate my situation and found a solution.
I realized I needed to use more apps that automate and schedule content for me.
I’ve used one in the past, but I’m doing my research to find which ones are best for me. In the meantime, I wanted to share some apps I use to assist me with my content.

As a business owner, your social media is a visual resume and it’s imperative you represent yourself with excellence.
Check these apps out if you haven’t already and if you have any suggestions for me, please feel free to leave them in the comments!

“Real strength has to do with helping others.” – Mister Rogers

Editing Apps:
1 – VSCO
2 – LightRoom
3 – FaceTune (iphone)
4 – Snapseed
 
Scheduling apps:
1 – Preview
2 – UNUM
3 – Planoly
4 – Latergram
 
Graphics apps:
1 – Canva
2 – Unfold
3 - Photogrid
4 - PicMonkey

​I ask this question not with a judgmental tone, but simply with curiosity.
If you’re reading this blog, I’m sure you understand that the purpose each person has for their life is SO much bigger than them.
For example, that amazing teacher you might’ve had in grade school or college wasn’t great just to having bragging rights to say they were the best teacher. They knew the reward came from the hundreds of children that will thrive in life from having had them as their teacher.
Let me tell you,
​when I was being afraid and fearful to use my gifts, God CHECKED ME me! LOL Nah for real though. He said, “Girl, it’s not about you. It’s about the people that’ll benefit & be blessed from the gifts I’ve given you.  
That’s how God and I talk lol. He keeps me in check.
 
​After grasping that understanding, fear left and I became grateful He decided to use me as a vessel for these appointed gifts.

SO, I’ve grown to learn that one of my gifts is being able to connect with youth. I enjoy it and I do my best to stay actively involved with youth all around town through various organizations.

My most recent youth interaction was volunteering for Vacation Bible School at my church. This was my 3rd year doing it and it’s really a week I look forward to each summer. I think I look forward to the amazing decorations, new worship songs and exciting bible stories more than the kids do!
Any who, it’s a whole week packed with information teaching elementary students about the goodness of God.

​These days are long and can be quite tiring….but it’s so worth it.
It’s worth it because of the memories that are made, and the lessons taught throughout the week stick with these kids and guide them when faced with various decisions or situations in their lives.
I see the light bulb moments that happen when watching them listen to the bible stories and the excitement they get when remembering the bible verse of the day.
To be able to play the little part of being a crew leader throughout the week so they can get that experience is priceless.

​There’s this quote I found that says…
“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.” – Elizabeth Andrew.
It’s so true. Going to work for the rest of the day right after VBS and changing in the car to get there on time was a little hectic (Thank God for tinted windows LOL!) but again, it was worth it.
I remember going to VBS too…well our VBS wasn’t as extravagant as it is these days lol. Kids these days better be grateful! Lol But I remember my VBS days and now as an adult, I realize the people that taught us probably came straight from work (I remember it being in the afternoon) to spend time with us for free willingly.

​That gratitude hits differently when you now see it from an adult perspective.
​
Volunteering is so rewarding.
The feeling you experience knowing you’ve been a blessing by giving your valuable time and yourself to those you’re helping is priceless.

​I invite you to find some new volunteer work within your city.
Identify your gifts and find an organization that will benefit from them.
Are you a great cook? Summer camps need help in the kitchen.
Not a kid person, maybe the next person running for a position in your town can use your help campaigning.
Until you find something that fits you, checks are always very helpful too!
Comment below about your most recent volunteer experience! I’m excited to see how you’re using your gifts!

​“Volunteers are not paid—not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” - unknown
Xoxo,
ABnormally Ab

​The first night finally started. THE GRAPHICS and full on production I saw was SICKKK! From the entertaining opening acts, lights, oh and the LED stage they stood on (amazing) was supreme. I loved seeing this conference go all out for God. 
After getting over the packed out stadium and amazing visuals, then came the worship. (Dramatic pause) We worshipped our hearts out each and every night like it was our last day on earth. There were tears, arms lifted, people singing, souls being saved, and the spirit of God truly encompassing the place. I appreciated all the worship artists that led us into that atmosphere. (All artists and speakers will be listed below)
After praising our hearts out, the speakers that they chose blessed us with a WORDDDD you hear me!
My notes are filled with golden nuggets that they kept dropping. I couldn’t type fast enough and hope the messages will be posted up soon so you can hear them.
What I appreciated most about the speakers was that they were very much aware of the audience they were speaking to. As a speaker myself, I admired that. They made sure their teaching was able to be understood by a middle school/high school mindset and that it also spoke to us older folk… (the chaperones lol!)
Here are some nuggets I took away:

• Sometimes you don’t need to be blessed, you need to be blistered by the Holy Spirit. – Jentezen Franklin
• Faith is spelled R I S K. – Jentezen Franklin
• In the right arena, sex is honorable. – Lee Vylesco
• There’s salvation through Jesus found in every situation/weakness. – Dawnchere
• Our calling in life is to be a witness. Whether it be from a pulpit, the BET awards, or at your job. – Carl Lentz

I could go on and on, but I’ll let those simmer for now.

Now that I’ve talked about the conference,
 allow me to share my personal takeaway:
Before getting to the conference, y’all know by now that I do my research so I can know what I’m walking into.
After researching, I didn’t see any familiar worship artists I knew (so I thought) or guest speakers.
So here’s the thing, I grew up on a certain type of music; Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Kim Burell, etc. So I’ve personally had a hard time opening myself up to this newer contemporary type worship. I’ve tried! My church sings these types of songs sometimes and I’d learn the words, but it wasn’t quite moving me like other music was.
With that, I told myself, “Hey, I know the music at the conference isn’t what you’re used to, but go in with an open mind and let God handle the rest.”
So I did. I was excited to hear each artist and welcomed in their worship just like I would with what I’m used to hearing.
Man, did I have a spiritual breakthrough.
​

​Listen,
I think in the past, I subconsciously didn’t open myself up to feel when I heard this type of music. But what I realized is that it has the same power and the same anointing that flows through the music I grew up on.
Y’all, I was having like a whole mind-blowing epiphany within my own little bubble.
It’s amazing what going in with an open mind can do.
After that realization, I let myself go and felt His presence throughout each song I sang. It was an amazing experience for me.

With ALL that being said,
I had a phenomenal time. From seeing our youth worship, get saved, laugh and sing on the buses, build bonds with fellow youth and witness some of them wanting to get baptized so we did it in the pool of the hotel, I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Sleep deprived, yes. Worth it? Heck yes.
 
Xoxo,
Abnormally AB

Artist and speaker info below:
Speakers:
Jentezen Franklin, Carl Lentz, Levi, Luscko, Dawnchere Wilkerson, Reggie Dabbs, Ben Prescott.
Artists:
Hillsong Worship, Andy Mineo, Bethel Music, Passion Music, Free Chapel Music.