The Dare Dreamer Movement by Julene Fleurmond

I’ve got the song “Hold Me” from Jamie Grace stuck in my head – it’s so upbeat, unique and catchy. For the past couple of weeks I’ve played it on repeat for the 1st and second grade girls who I teach at church, to get them focused on their art projects (and to stop talking about Justin Bieber:) and they love listening to it too as they sing along and color. Glad they appreciate great music:)…

TobyMac recently signed Jamie Grace to his label Gotee Records and her EP that was released in February is funky, soulful and creative – something I think anyone will enjoy. (You can preview the EP on her Facebook page here.) I got to see her in action at Women of Faith’s event for teens The Revolve Tour Dream On event in January (check out some pictures I took at the event) and her testimony and how focused she is at only 19-years-old is so inspiring. She shared her testimony of how God helped her to deal with a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome when she was 11-years-old and how she started acting and playing music despite hardships and dealing with discovering who she was. She also shared her song “Hold Me,” and an original song dedicated to Revolve. Despite being her first time being on the Revolve stage she seemed like a seasoned pro and was really inspiring and relatable. She’s an awesome inspiration to me on how God can launch you into your dreams if you trust, practice your craft and give all you do to Him.

I’ve been following Jamie Grace on Youtube since a few years back after I stumbled across one of her videos when I was randomly looking for a review of High School Musical 2 (don’t judge me, I was a bored college student;). I loved her videos talking about dealing with Tourettes and song covers she did with her guitar. Now she’s sharing her story and songs around the country; she’s really come a long way and I know this is only the beginning for the amazing places she’s going!

For more info on Jamie Grace and to order her EP you can visit jamie-grace.com or connect with her on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter: @jamiegraceh

Also check out this cool fan supporter site for Jamie Grace to help spread the word: http://jamiegracefans.blogspot.com

Below check out a clip of a video of Jamie Grace in action at Revolve in TX:

This video interview with Britt Nicole is from 2007 but I think it is awesome to see how she got started in her singing ministry and all that God had done through her obedience. I’m sure you’ll be inspired as I was!

Some of my favorite parts of the interview:

– How Britt trusted God when she felt He was asking her to obey and stay home instead of going off to college, even if she didn’t see the way ahead.

– She shared the verse 1 Chronicles 28:20 that she was encouraged by: And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

“If it’s God’s plan for your life it’s going to work out, you’re not gonna have to force it and make it happen and beg people to work with you or beg people to support you or believe in you…” – Britt Nicole

Britt Nicole’s song “Walk on The Water” from her latest album The Lost Get Found is great inspiration to anyone to have faith in God and take chances when following the dreams in their hearts:

Walk on the Water Lyrics

You look around
It’s staring back at you
Another wave of doubt
Will it pull you under
You wonder

What if I’m overtaken
What if I never make it
What if no one’s there?
Will you hear my prayer?

When you take that first step
Into the unknown
You know that He won’t let you go…

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A new show called Secret Millionaire premiered on ABC recently, with a wonderful premise: millionaires go into impoverished communities to find unsung community heroes who serve others, and reward them with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money. The first episode with Dani Johnson, a successful entrepreneur who was once homeless and on welfare, was inspiring, you can watch the full episode below. You can really see Dani’s heart for giving and how her real desire was to serve and give in secret in the second video below, the post show webcast (one word, WOW):

Above: Britt Nicole at the Revolve Tour in Dallas, TX. Check out more pics and my coverage from Revolve on my youth website SOAR.

I first heard the song below “Have Your Way” by Britt Nicole live at the Revolve Tour in Dallas this year, and just had to get her album “The Lost Get Found” afterwards. The lyrics brought tears to my eyes and really speak to the heart. I’m sure we’ve all had those experiences where we feel lost, burdened and alone, and where we can turn nowhere except into the arms of God to bring us through. I love how Britt has poured her heart to create music that is so personal, relatable and real!

After volunteering at the Revolve Tour event I got to meet Britt briefly and was inspired by her ministry and how she took the time to encourage each girl who was in her signing line. Before she had to leave for the airport she took the time to take a picture with me and gave me some words of encouragement. Thank you Britt for letting His light shine through you!

If you haven’t already gotten the album “The Lost Get Found”, definitely check it out! Some other favorites of mine are the songs “Walk On Water,” which has really encouraged me to start following the dreams in my heart that I have felt fearful and unqualified for. “Lost Get Found” and “Headphones,” which I’ve posted the creative video for on my website for youth, SOAR (click here), are two of my other favorites. I also loved this interview that I posted on my other site Dream in Soul about how Britt began in her ministry, the video is an inspiration to anyone following their God-given dreams, check it out.

Britt Nicole – Have Your Way lyrics
Feels like I’ve been here forever,
Why can’t you just intervene?
Do you see the tears keep falling?
And i’m falling apart at the seams.
But you never said the road would be easy,
But you said that you would never leave.
And you never promised that this life wasn’t hard,
But you promised you’d take care of me.

So I’ll stop searching for the answers,
I’ll stop praying for an escape,
And I’ll trust you, God, with where I am,
And believe that you will have your way.
Just have your way.
Just have your way.

When my friends and my family have left me,
And I feel so ashamed and so cold.
Remind me that you take broken things
And turn them into beautiful.
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One of my first blogs that I started back in 2007 was called GEM and was hosted on Blogger. It started with a poem I wrote called Little Brown Girl, inspired by girls I’ve witnessed in the inner-city who seem to be losing hope because they don’t know hope exists.

From seeing girls getting pregnant to dropping out of school, my heart breaks to see any child, whatever the background, fail to realize their purpose and worth. We see how women are objectified in the media and the way positive role models for African American girls are so few on TV. It’s up to us – mothers, sisters, aunts and mentors – to instill confidence in the next generation.

Overtime I started other blogs on my own domain and discontinued the GEM blog, but I recently was inspired to revisit it…

A few months back via the Internet I met an inspiring woman named Kara Norman who co-founded a wonderful organization for girls called GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group with Adriane Simmons. Kara and I connected and she took the time to encourage me – she is truly a kind-hearted person who is being the change she dreams of seeing in the world.

Learning about the work the GEMS and Jewels Group does to motivate girls, from organizing etiquette classes to college preparation field trips, really made me begin thinking about how I could also mentor girls in my community. Remembering my own childhood and teen years as shy, unconfident girl, her group would have nurtured me so much to grow as it is doing for so many girls today. If every girl had dedicated mentors like Kara and Adriane I’m sure there would be more strong, confident women in the world.

The GEMS and Jewels recently had their Kick-Off Celebration for the year and below is a booklet I had the pleasure to create for them and a poem I’ve written dedicated to their vision and girls:

Dreams of Gems and Jewels

Your eyes glint
With passion for life,
Your dreams sparkle
So very bright.
You have purpose,
Worth, power and gifts
So walk and dream
With confidence…

You are one very special girl,
Who has the power to change the world.
You’re precious, unique, talented,
Intelligent too,
One day your dreams
Can come true!
This is why we celebrate you
Because you are truly
A Gem and Jewel!

More Information About the GEMS and Jewels Empowerment Group for Girls:

Website: http://www.gemsandjewelsgirl.com

Mission: The mission of the G.E.M.S. and Jewels program is to promote self-esteem, self-awareness, self worth and respect within the lives of young girls and teens. Through enrichment workshops/activities, cultural awareness, community service projects, mentorship, leadership/educational programs and social activities G.E.M.S. and Jewels will accomplish these goals and create confident young women who will make a difference in our world!