SUMMER HEAT HITS LAS VEGAS

That title is really what it should read on the front page of the News Paper. But instead I was shocked today to read, "Residence of Las Vegas pleasantly surprised by a cooler start to summer." Although I do find myself adjusting to the climate of the desert ... it doesn't matter how you slice it 104 isn't a cooler start to summer. I admit, last year was warmer...and 104 still isn't a cooler start to summer. The desert wind has begun to blow, the sun is shining, and summer is here to stay!

This beginning of this month marked my one year anniversary at Rapport Leadership International. A lot has changed over the past year... I have moved in with a roommate, settled into a church, have a Las Vegas land line phone number, and find myself saying "home" (referring to Las Vegas) a lot more often. Yet, one thing that still seems to remain a mystery to me is finding my way around the city. I still manage to get lost... and I believe that "Mic" (my GPS) may be coming back out to stay a bit longer. It's pathetic and so very true!

Last week I was visited by another SAU face, Jay Mansur, VP of Advancement for the University. Jay joins a group of 14 other SAU Rapport Grads! It's always fun to take the trip out to the Retreat for Graduation... and a special treat when it's for a friend! Mike England from the University also came out to surprise/support Jay in his class.

As for my summer plans... they keep me on my toes (just how I like it!)

• Next week I will be traveling out to Alamo, NV to host Camp Mend-a-Heart for the Children's Heart Foundation (June 26- July 1).
• July 2-6 I will be taking a much desired trip to Michigan to spend some time with the fam and ring in my favorite holiday of the year...the 4th of July :) Bring on the fireworks!
• July 12th I am putting on my first ever Charity Golf Tournament. The whole thing has been a HUGE learning experience as my knowledge of golf ends at a putt-putt course! The tournament is to support the Power Packs 4 Success Project I am hosting in the fall. We are looking to have 144 golfers, a great banquet, someone will win a 2007 Silverado, and in the end we will have raised enough money to support the project!
• Throughout the month of July I am speaking at churches that are helping with the Power Pack Project. Each church is doing a school supply drive to fill the backpacks for elementary students in need. All that to say on Aug 1 I will be getting "Slimed" when they meet their goal...yikes!
• August 26th is the big distribution day in which 700 inner city Las Vegas elementary students will receive a backpack filled with supplies on the first day of school. I will be doing an assembly to welcome the students back and give them their Power Packs!

God is at work and continuing to surprise me every day! My needs are met...but God also goes above and beyond and meets my desires to be used as well. Hopefully I'll be able to update more often... yet it's difficult to make these trips to Panera on a regular basis to use my Internet. :) And, it's just another excuse for a mango smoothie!

Sending some summer heat your way!!!

Love,
Vanessa

A good Good Friday :)

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!!

I can't believe it is already Easter time... what that means is that it is inching closer to the fact that I have already been here one year! Crazy! There are a lot of cool things in the mix! Yet first... and update on what's been going on!

*Currently I do not have Internet access in my apartment as the Oh-so-kind neighbor that I was previously "borrowing" my Internet from has moved. This has been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I spend my time doing more active things, a curse because a girl that lives alone with no TV and no Internet ... just not cool! Although I must admit I don't spend much time at home.

*Robin and Homer Smith (from SAU) both came out and took LB1 2 weeks ago... yet not at the same time.. which is kind of funny! Both had great class experiences and enjoyed Vegas too! Robin and I took a trip to Red Rock for the morning and she bought me an annual pass to the park ... awesome!!

* Melissa, LD, and Clare took their first ever trip to Las Vegas... and actually Clare's first trip on a plane! She was a CHAMP the whole time among time changes, hours on a plane, and time off her mother's "Schedule." It was so fun as they got to do life with me for a whole week. Meliss and I went to Bible Study,LD enjoyed time in a real LV Poker Tournament, we hiked at Red Rock, went to the Belagio, the Piano Bar, Freemont street to see Kelly Pickler, and of course Melissa's favorite... YOGERTLAND! :) We did a lot yet it was a really relaxing visit. It was great to just have Meliss and LD here! I miss them a lot... and meliss says that means I'm supposed to move to NC. ha!

*I'm currently involved in an amazing Bible study every Thursday night! I absolutely love it! It's women from all ages and stages; about 12 of us. We are doing the Beth Moore study "Living Free." God has really been using this study and this group of women to keep me encouraged... yet I will admit I am extremely challenged by all of them as well!

*My office currently purchased a ping pong table and I'm not really a fan. All about having fun... not all about getting hit with ping pong balls! I'm the lucky girl that has a window into my cube directly behind the table... prayers or helmet needed :)

*This weekend I am spending Easter in Overton with Lindsey. She is in charge of running Outreach booths at the Clark County Fair and I will be hangin' with the cowboys haha!

There is a lot coming up and it's really exciting! I feel like tomorrow is June 1st. God continues to open doors for new opportunities.

* I'm currently in projection training once a week at work. This is training to strengthen my voice as well as teach me new breathing, speaking, and vocal techniques in speaking. It's a great learning experience and I'm pretty sure those living in my apt building LOVE when I practice! The reason for this training is that I am currently training a Level 2 Leadership class for high school students. This is a 6 hour class on effective communication and agreement gaining skills... in teen lingo - being liked and getting what you want :) I will be delivering this class in Calgary Canada April 16-22, Salt Lake City May 2-4, and back in Calgary Canada May 12-15.

* I AM MOVING!!!!!! Woo hoo!!! May 16th is the big day! Lindsey and I will be moving in together to a 2 bedroom/bathroom apt! This is a HUGE upgrade for me and I'm so excited!! I'm excited to have more space, less financial responsibility, and a friend to talk to when I get home everyday!!! I have realized how much I miss just having a physical person at home to talk to each day. We are both excited to be moving and have plans for a party underway :)

Man, that was a long update!!! Yet there always seems to be much going on! Life is fun... teaching me and growing me! Sometimes missing the comfort of home... oftentimes loving the adventure!

Have a wonderful Easter!!!
Love,
Vaness

Caution: God At Work!!!

WOW!!

The past week or so has been absolutely amazing! It's crazy to think what has happened in the past year! My mind just can't comprehend where its been and where it going. God continues to leave His love notes everywhere for me to find as well as some challenges to keep me calling on Him.

Last week I had the opportunity to fly back to Michigan with Bridgit (my boss) for a truly awesome week. My worlds all seemed to come together and collide in some strange way... yet it was really unique too! Bridgit and I traveled to Spring Arbor University to meet with student/faculty Rapport grads as well as some future grads ;) to talk about how Rapport gets to support SAU moving forward. It was truly amazing to sit in a room and see how God was using me 2-4 years ago to prepare me for where I'm at in this moment. Relationships formed as far back as 5 years ago are just now beginning to reach a point of fruition and impacting people I haven't met and may never meet. It just continues to stretch my comprehension of God and how absolutely HUGE He is!!! And it also reinforces in me this desire to constantly nurture and pour into the people in my life because it may be my investments that God is using for a purpose much greater!!

The "Collision of the Worlds" did not stop there... :) Bridgit and I also traveled to my old high school, Franklin, where I delivered School Assemblies to students. Holy Smokes!!! High school students are just SO cool! I love that they make you work for their attention, but that once you capture it... they totally just "get it." It was awesome to sit in an auditorium with 800 teenagers as they proclaimed the dreams they had for their life, yet have been afraid to share. By far one of the coolest moments was when a student was selected to come on stage and in front of all of his peers made a phone call I believe he won't forget for a very long time. Chris made a call to his Dad to share with him all of the things he has never shared with him before... how much he loved him, what he appreciated about him, and as the phone call was coming to an end Chris asked to speak to his Mom as well. The phone call continued as this teenager shared with each of his family members what an impact they have had on his life. With an auditorium of students listening to every word... you could have heard a pin drop... students witnessed the recently crowned Home Coming King pour his heart out to the people that mean the most in his life.

When asking the teachers, "what is the number one challenge you see students facing right now" their response went straight to my heart: the economy. Teachers shared that 1 or 2 students every day walk in burdened that they have no where to live, they are losing their home, or a parent was just laid off. "Hopelessness" was the word that many gave me. What an opportunity I (and each of us have) to share hope with others... this ability to pick someone up and bring them to a place that is just high enough for them to catch a glimpse of their promise land to know that it still exists. I'm heartbroken for the current situation... yet highly motivated to be that opportunity for elevation to others.

That evening I went back to Jackson to attend church with Mike England and Kim Hayworth (from SAU). And God CONTINUED to show Himself as I simply experienced Him. After a few days of consciously looking for how God was at work it was so freeing to come before Him and give Him the praise He deserved.

Sunday I had the opportunity to share with the youth group at Merriman Road...and by this point I'm thinking... Okay God, really?! The opportunities just continued to present themselves. It was amazing to watch the school assembly I had just given be TRANSFORMED as I gave the same presentation, yet inserted the name of God into the equation and the power of that message grew! I found myself learning from the words I was speaking because it was obvious I had become the mouthpiece for the message God wanted to share.

One more story...I promise! Today, back in Las Vegas, I met with the principal at Hinman Elementary School (inner city Vegas) where I have put together a project to supply 700 students with back packs filled with school supplies for next fall. This school is tubular (for the purpose of using a word other than amazing). I'm looking for ways to get our community to join together to meet a need and this one simply popped up in perfect timing. Today I had the chance to play with the students, go in and out of classrooms, meet faculty, and be a kid!! :) The staff were simply amazing as they shared with me their passion for these students and their development. The school has a "clothes closet" on campus to provide for children who are homeless or in need. It's a rough place to be in... yet the school counselor looked at me and said "I have the BEST job in the whole world!" I can't wait to see where this project leads!!

I could go on and on about the ways in which my life was blessed and how God is at work ... and it just makes me so very excited to move forward WITH God. I do realize the challenge that goes with that. I get to continue to familiarize myself with the voice of God so that I may be obedient ... and I get to continue to add armor as I march forward. Yet what a great place to be in!

With much gratitude!!!
Vaness

The blonde has gone...

And the brunette is here to stay! Yes, it's true! After living life as a blonde I decided change is always a good thing and took the plunge! Yet, I told Breann at work today... it's my heart that's blonde... not my hair! And I prove that WAY too often :)

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go to New Port Beach, CA and LOVED it! 80 degree weather and the ocean...sigh! I went with some others from work to a seminar called "THE STAND" put on by Justin Fitica (a Christian), author of Hard as Nails. I've heard his stuff before and was a bit nervous about going just because the approach is quite different than I'm used to. However, it was a great experience! The main message was about taking a stand for those in your life that don't take a stand for themselves. After the seminar we ate dinner down on the boardwalk, spent some time on the beach, and retired to our rooms! Breann and I decided we were going to make it a true vacation and woke up to room service breakfast in our PJs on the balcony looking at the water. AMAZING!! I've never done anything like that before in my life... and the $$$ of it means its probably going to be a while before I do it again! :)

This week I am preparing for my trip to Michigan (March 11-16). I'm excited to mix a little bit of work with a little bit of play :) I'll be doing Student Assemblies in Livonia, Garden City, and Detroit, as well as heading up to Spring Arbor University to meet with some of the Rapport Grads and go to church. And while I'm home I get to celebrate my birthday with the fam and catch up with some friend! Love it!

Just around the corner, when I get back to Vegas I am heading to L.A.with Lindsey to celebrate my Birthday in Hollywood! Woo hoo! We are staying in Hollywood... taking the Walk of Fame, visiting the Hollywood sign, going to the beach, and of course searching for a trace of someone famous. However, we were also personally invited by the winner of the TV show "Bromance" to go hang out as well. That's looking a bit shady... but we will certainly see :)

And it would be a complete shame if I did not verbalize my disappointment with the TV show The Bachelor. Although I must say the "fellowship" (as we called it) that took place around the show was quite enjoyable :)

Well, this brunette needs to catch some shut eye!
Happy March!!
Love,
Vaness

A little bit of everything

A night at the Fountains ... my favorite!

A picture with the Birthday Girl (Gabby turned 1) and Lindsey... my soon to be roomie!

Gabby digging into her Birthday Cake! YUM :)

Cooking up a Valentine's Day Surprise in my new apron :)

Happy Valentine's day!! Of course I am sending love and WARM wishes to you all the way from Las Vegas! Today the sun was shining and the temperature hit 70 and it was great!! My laptop is still set for Michigan and I'm always reminded of the cold when I log in... I'm blessed :)

Today I had quite the surprise as I was purchasing my plane ticket to head to Detroit for work in March I realized that I have a 1.5 hour lay over in Charlotte, NC so Meliss and Clare are going to meet me for a coffee date... just flyin' in for some coffee with my big sis :)

This weekend is a relaxing weekend just hanging out at home... I honestly don't remember when I had one of those! And I'm taking full advantage of it! Pampering myself with a haircut tomorrow and a clean sweep at home.

Work has completely taken a HUGE shift for me this week... although I have always enjoyed my job... this week has been different. I feel as though I have found my niche and enjoy all of the elements of what I do. I was told (before leaving home) that if I find a job that I absolutely love then I will never have to go to work again. Although I don't know that Rapport is a forever thing... I do know it's a God thing. And I absolutely love where He has lead me. Through the backpack drive to the Children's Heart foundation camp to hosting the Nation-wide Rapport Teen Speaking Contest I feel as though I'm reaching out in my community and making an impact... and that is where I strive to be! Simply knowing that who I am makes a difference in this world. I love that God picked me to be a part of this!

I'm growing...I'm being challenged daily! I'm being stretched outside of my comfort zone... and I believe that's where the most growth take place. There are days that I miss playing an active role in the lives of my friends and family, yet there is no way I can complain!

If you are up for a vacation to somewhere warm, sunny, and has palm trees...give me a call! :) ...still it's strange that I live here!

Miss you!!

Love,
V

Buzz Buzz Buzz

Hello all!

I've been a very busy little bee the past month! It seems like the week just flies by so quickly (and really I wouldn't have it any other way!) I've had the opportunity to do some great "Vegas things" as well. I went to a hockey game with Rapport, a Rebels UNLV Basketball game (tickets that my friend Lindsey won for telling a gross story on the radio), as well as attending the 2009 Miss America Pageant hosted at the Planet Hollywood Casino (tickets given to me by a client from work). It's all been a ton of fun and I feel like I've actually done things that only Vegas locals would do :)

Besides simply going out on the town (ha!) life in general keeps me busy. Work is going well ... I recently found out I will be the host of the 2009 Children's Heart Foundation Camp that is hosted at our Rapport Executive Retreat Center. The camp is 3 days long for students (and their families) who have recently had heart transplants as well as those living with heart disease. I'm really excited about it and feel so honored that I was asked to put the project together. Along with that I am getting ready to launch our "Power Packs for Success" project that will allow our staff as well as Rapport Graduates to donate a "power pack" (back pack) filled with school supplies for an inner city elementary school here in Vegas. And last, but certainly not least I will be heading to Michigan March 11-15 to do some schools assemblies (including Franklin High School). I still have a few spots available for my trip if you know of any schools interested. I'm very excited that I finally am able to do what I'm most passionate about... that is meeting new people, sharing my passion, and allowing others to see life through a new set of eyes. My own portion of the website will be up next week (fingers crossed). You can see it at www.RapportEducation.com/Schools just click on School Assemblies. (If it's not there when you visit the site it means that it's just not up yet).

I'm staying active in my church as well. We recently just changed locations (outgrowing the old building). We are not meeting at Silverado High School in Las Vegas where attendance has sky rocketed to 2,000! God is unbelievable! I normally attend the Saturday night Services and hang out with friends after. Sunday nights I continue to mentor my 6-7th grade girls and attend "Refuge." Currently I'm looking at starting a small group in the fall for single ladies ages 22-30 to meet once a week. I figure if God has given me eyes to see the need then He has also given me the heart to meet it. I'm continuing to pray over exactly what that looks like!

No week would be complete without some time with the girls :) Every Monday night my apartment transforms into THE BACHELOR stadium! And I LOVE IT! A few of the girls from church come over and we make dinner, watch The Bachelor, and rant/rave over the drama we are so thankful our lives lack :)

As I draw closer to the time when my lease will be up in my apartment I am continuing to pray that God will send me to exactly the right place in this town. Lindsey and I will be moving in together... the question now is simply "where?" And all in the perfect timing we will know :) I am excited about having a roommate again... just to have someone to talk about the day with is a nice life addition (not to mention the perks of splitting rent!!!!)

Like I said life continues to move forward and with it I continue to move! My learning curve never ceases to amaze me... last month was learning how to pay student loans and this month....TAXES!! God bless us all :)

Sending love from the West Coast!
Vaness

Changing the World

This past weekend I was re-framed by 9 close friends that came to visit. Visiting me was really not the bullet point on the agenda (instead just an added bonus as I see it) they came to attend the young adult Leadership Breakthrough One (18-22) class at Rapport. Every single one of those students left Las Vegas saying... "Thank you, this experience has changed my life" yet what they don't realize is that they played an important part in changing mine!

As I spoke with each of them debriefing their experience and looking at life through new sets of eyes, the lessons of my own Leadership Breakthrough One experience as well as lessons I had never learned before re-framed the way I see my life! I was reminded today in an Email that I received saying: "You said that it only takes 3% to make a change...I want to be a part of that! I want to LIVE my dash. THAT'S ALL!" Powerful words, spoken by a powerful leader! What would happen if each of us decided we were dedicating our lives to living as a part of the 3% that WILL change the world!?I told each of the graduating students that they were selected to go to this class because I saw the "difference-makers" they are in their world! And that if each of them commits to living as an agent of positive change in their world... the rest of the world begins to take care of itself!

All of a sudden not only do I see this change as a responsibility, I also see it as a HUGE opportunity. For maybe the first time I see that I have access to a tool that truly allows people to see their potential unleashed in the world! One student stood up and shared ... "I finally see what you've seen in me all along!" What would happen if young people began to really understand their own strength, ability, and the difference they bring to this world! And perhaps the most amazing thing about it all was that these students had stood and publicly given all the glory to God! Not only are we talking about difference makers in the world... we are talking about ambassadors for Christ comprehending Jer. 29:11 - (For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future!) And staking claim on it for their own lives!

I continue to approach this role that God has directed me to fill for this chapter of my life with gratitude and with a heart eager to learn from others! I'm ready to step it up and to truly BE the change!

Happy 2009!!!

Happy New Year!!! I wish that I could tell you that my new year's eve was filled with fun, fireworks on the strip, and friends... but in all honesty...I fell asleep at about 9:30. Partly because I'm lame...partly because of Michigan jet lag, but MOSTLY because I have an awful cold that has completely wiped me out! I've spent the first day of the new year in my PJs, watching movies, reading, and drinking hot cider... not a bad day :)

I was able to go home to Michigan for a week and spend some much needed time with my family! It was great to have EVERYONE back together again! I can't believe how many changes have taken place in the last 6 months let alone the last year! I graduated from college, moved to Las Vegas, a niece and a nephew were added to my life, I have my own place and a career...and that is just the change that can be seen on the outside! The past year has been filled with SO much growth its hard to believe I was a part of it all.

Next week my Mom is coming out to visit and I have 8 SAU students and my cousin Kevin coming out to Las Vegas to attend Leadership Breakthrough One (18-22). It will be SO awesome to have them all here, but also to watch them go back home and live!! When my boss and I go out there in Feb/March it will be interesting to see the impact it has made on the SAU Campus!

I will be heading home in Feb/March to do a couple of High School Assemblies. I'll keep you posted on the dates.

As always, I continue to learn more and more the longer I'm away. I told my family that I need to either start dating someone or get a roommate because the more time I spend by myself the more selfish I can feel myself getting! Ha!

Here are some of the new discoveries I have made:

• THIS PORTION OF MY BLOG HAS BEEN EDITED AS REQUESTED BY MY MOTHER. PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION :)
• The importance of leaving your heat on when you are away for a week in the winter
• It takes approximately 3.5 hours to heat a small apt after leaving the heat off for a week in the winter
• And last... but certainly not least... how important it is to have a girl tool kit handy at all times (Thanks Crouson's for the gift!!)

Yet it's that time of year to say out with the old and in with the new... I know several new life lessons are waiting just around the corner of 2009! Wishing you all a wonderful year ahead and thanking you for yet another year well spent!

Sending Love...

Vaness

December in Vegas...STRANGE!

What a strange concept to experience winter in the desert! I often leave for work in the morning wearing a light jacket, sunglasses, and open toed shoes. Yesterday looked like the first day of fall blowing through when a few leaves fell from the trees. I was even invited to a beach volleyball game and garage sale...I thought I absolutely hated winter out here because I just wasn't experiencing all four season....THEN I went home!:)

My first trip back to Michigan just shy of 7 months away from "home." I explained to my Mom how confused I was on the plane when the woman next to me asked if I was going "home" for Thanksgiving. Yes, and I was also leaving home. Strange concept! It was absolutely wonderful to get to Michigan and see my family!! It's so funny to me that after being gone for over a half of a year, stepping back into my parents house was still the same as it has always been. Funny! I had a wonderful surprise the day after Thanksgiving and that was my nephew, Jayden Wayne Vann was born :) That makes it official, I am the good luck charm for child birth :) Strange! What a perfect way to spend Thanksgiving! He is the cutest little boy and it will be fun to see him and Clare together for Christmas in just a few weeks.

The week after Thanksgiving I decided it would be a super idea to go BACK to Michigan. This time my trip was all about friends :) I got a round trip flight for just $40 and it was obvious why when I got on my plane. What could I expect though, right? I'd do it again for sure :) I landed at 5:30am Saturday and was back in Vegas by 10:00pm on Sunday! My weekend was spent up at Spring Arbor University and although it was a quick trip, I believe there is not one other person I could have squeezed into the trip! AND...SNOW!

It's hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner! Christmas shopping is just about done (and most of the presents in Michigan)! Woo hoo!

Life is good...God continues to be good...and Nevada ain't too bad either :)

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope to see you all on my visit back to Michigan this Christmas. I will be in Michigan Dec 24-30!

Sending love and Christmas wishes :)
Vanessa

Growing, Growing, Growing...

Brought to you from the green couch on the second floor of the Palm Villas Apartment... it's Vanessa Vann with another Vegas update :)

I now know why I'm supposed to write in this thing on a regular basis... because I've started writing and deleted everything 4 times now. There is just TOO much to say!! So I might as well start from the very beginning. Grab your favorite treat and a comfy blanket cause this post is going to be a bit lengthy!

I now have THE most beautiful new addition to my family! Her name is Clare Jane Jackson and she is the cutest little girl in the world! I was able to take a whole week off of work and fly to N.C. to meet my new niece. It was so exciting to be there for the WHOLE thing (even the false alarm :) ) It was great to see Meliss (who is a ROCK STAR) and LD (who is a stud) especially because it had been so long. Because Clare decided to come in her own perfect time, my trip over lapped my Mom and Dad's too which was perfect!!! The Jackson crew will NOT be coming home for Thanksgiving so we will all have to wait till Christmas to see them! I miss my big sister like crazy!!!!!

Very exciting at work...in just over a month, I've been able to watch 3 SAU employees (Kim Hayworth, Mike England, and Mallary Wiley) go through one of our Leadership Programs at Rapport! It is so fun every time to watch two of my worlds collide with one another. But more importantly, I get the joy of watching so much growth take place before my very eyes! As much as each of them has thanked me for the opportunity I was able to give to them, the amount of growth they provoke in my life as they continue to ask questions and stretch themselves is a blessing to me!

We also just launched our new website that I've been working on since I first got to Rapport. www.RapportEducation.com

One of Melissa's friends from High School got married out here on the Strip so it was lots of fun not only to go to the wedding, but also to see some more familiar faces :)

I've always been told that growin' up ain't easy... and sometimes more than others I realize that! Along with voting...Today I got to go to Court to defend a speeding ticket I received and left feeling like such a grown up :) I walked out with the exact intention I walked in with (in other words... God was completely on my side :) ) I constantly call my Mom and Dad and ask questions, advice, and for prayer... and I think that's how it's supposed to be. And if it's not... well then it is my intention to redefine adulthood :)

I am now a proud member of "The Ladybugs", a group of women that meet once a week for dinner and a Bible Study. There are about 35 women of all ages in the group. I also was able to attend the Hope Women's Retreat at Mt. Zion in St. George Utah. BEAUTIFUL! There were 85 women there, a great speaker, and awesome worship! I also continue to lead a group of eight 12 yr olds in "Refuge" (youth group) once a week. We are having a slumber party at my apartment in a few weeks. Bring on the nail polish, chick flicks, and pizza :) I love being 12!!!

This weekend I will be traveling to Tahoe to host a "Spaghetti Cook Off Fund Raiser Dinner" for work. I believe that's why I like my job so much... i get to do a little bit of everything. Today I was reminded of how absolutely blessed I am to not only have A job, but one that I love and makes an impact on the world. The economy has caused many people to lose jobs and take pay cuts... and as I watch that happen around me I am so humbled. I again go back to having complete confidence that this is the place God has me because this is the place He desires to use me. God's provision continues to astound me every single day!

I am SO very excited to be traveling home for some Turkey this Thanksgiving! I believe Thanksgiving will take on a whole new meaning for me this year as I have arrived at a place in my life that I truly do appreciate family, friends, and faithfulness. Holy smokes...I'm growin' up!

Again, thank you for your prayers!! I feel every single one of them! I look forward to seeing you all on my visit home! Drop me a line to let me know how you are doing: vvann@rapportleadership.com.

(Obama JUST became president)

Sending love from Vegas,
Vanessa