Your 10 Favorite Posts of January

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I'm gonna miss January. Here are your favorite posts from this month at JM. Got a fave that didn't make the list? Post the link in the comments! Happy Thursday. ~


1| No Presents, Just Freedom // Love 146 + Our Birthdays


2| Why Has No One Written About Ambitious Women & Wives


3| In Every Season // One Girls Journey Through Infertility


4| New Year's Resolutions // The Maddness of Dreaming


5| 10 Things Your Heart Needs to Hear You Say


6| Love 146 + The Story From Rob Morris 


7| 7 Inspiration Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making


8| Sundays are for...Sleeping


9| I Wish Someone Had Told Me


10| Becoming Conference // My Weekend

How a Cup of Coffee Can Show a Girl You Love Her

**This post is part of our 40 Day Birthday Party. Read more here.  Ty and I are asking for your support of this organization for our 40 Day birthday celebration. Instead of us receiving gifts, it is our wish that you donate to the freedom, restoration and love of these girls. Donate here. 

I told myself I would never do this.

Everyone does it.

I thought it was a shame tactic.

Now I'm doing it. But not as a shame tactic.

I'm doing it because I was sorely convicted. 

I'm doing it because, because I'm guilty.

This is my fetish. This is my obsession.

In November I'm pretty sure I had a Gingerbread latte at least every other day.

**This is not to say that buying coffee is bad. On the contrary, buying coffee is good because it stimulates the economy. Plus, Starbucks is for fair trade coffee. So that's good.**

But I am asking you for just this month, or even this week, or even just today, spare the coffee and give these girls the chance to be free. Show them that love is worth it.

Give them a chance to live free of fear.

Give them a chance to live free of abuse.

Give them a chance to live free of torment.

Give them a chance to live free, full of hope, and new love.

Our Goal is $3000 

We already have $2,056.00 (Thank You!)

Which gives us $944 left!

Give a coffee's worth.

Donate here 

If you'd like to learn more about the issues of sex-trafficking and Love 146's organization before donating, go here. (love146.org)

Why Has No One Written About Ambitious Women & Wives

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Today I googled, "How to be a godly wife and a godly leader...." 
Do you know how many results I got? None. The only articles that came up were either for women in leadership or women as wives, but none of them combined or even slightly approached the topic of the two together. I was discouraged. 


It's no secret that I'm a pretty independent and a go-getter type girl. And it's also no secret that I love being Tyson's wife. But I've recently run into this OVERBEARING dilemma that I can't be both. At least not at the same time. I'm either Miss Change the World or Mrs Morlet; both positions I love dearly. 


However, I got to a breaking point this week where I felt like I wanted to quit all "side projects" and just be a wife. You know, the clean house, dinner on the table and strawberry pie kind of wife. My house was is a mess, the laundry was is getting dusty, there are impending errands that need to get done, and my poor husband has been eating girly yogurt for breakfast way too many days in a row because I can't find 2 hours to go grocery shopping. I feel like my priorities are scrambled and I am desperate for a code to unscramble them.


But it seems like this is a situation no one has addressed yet. I can't be the first wife to be wired like this and feel this discouraged. One of you has to know what I'm talking about and have some answers. It's times like this when I wish Beth Moore and I were B.F.F's. Anyone got her number? 


There is no punchline to this story, except that someday I hope to write that article. I know this season in my life is purposefully positioned to continue this path of growing and maturing, but I felt like this discussion should be laid out onto the table for some discussion.


My questions are: 
-Are you or do you know a woman with this tension dilemma? (Being a wife & Being a go-getter)
-What are your thoughts on this tension? Can it work or not? 
-Any biblical guidance that came to your mind to aid in this process?


**Please keep in mind that I love being honest with you and getting your opinions. Even those of you who may disagree.

I Heart Singing E-Course Deal!

This course is going up in price (just a little bit) in 2 days! Get it before it does! You don't have to start right away. Or you can buy it as a gift for someone else! Details below. 

A JM E-course

A 7-Week Course

I have something to say. Some of you will laugh. Some of you will  cry. Some of you will just stare wide-eyed. But its truth. It's fact. Are you ready:

Everyone Can Sing!

I know, I know. I know what you're thinking because I've heard it for way too long. If you heard me, you wouldn't say that. But just trust me. If you can hear, feel, think and practice, you can sing. 

My E-Course, I {Heart} Singing, will give you the tools you need to understand the method and magic behind singing [I'll give you a hint, it's not as magical as you think ;)]. It will also push you outside of your comfort zone to connect heart, mind, and soul through song. 

Taught all through video, each session includes an instructional video with me walking you through the lesson, homework for that week, and a journal prompt to complete. Each portion of this course is intricately weaved so that you are engaging your head, heart, and hands through this whole process. 

Sessions Include:

Daily Vocal Exercises

Warming up and exercising your voice is the first and most important rule of the singing thumb. These videos will walk you through 8+ techniques for developing your range, tone, and vocal strength.

1: Everyone Can Sing

In the very first lesson of this course I can prove to you that everyone can sing. In this session I bust some common misconceptions about the vocal chords and whether singing is talent or work.

2: The Logistics of Singing

Just like any part of the human body, there is never just one thing working. It takes 4 of the major organs in your body to make singing happen. Find out what those are in this session!

3: A Universal Language

Ever wonder why people can have strong speaking accents, but when they sing their accent seems to disappear? This sessions talks about music and singing specifically as the universal language.

4: Breathe Like a Baby

We are born breathing correctly. When we grow up, we need more air more quickly and develop new breathing habits. As singers, we have to retrain specific muscles in our body to breathe the way we did naturally when we were born! Weird right??

5: Singing is Listening

Did you know that one of the most important singing organs in your body are your ears?? Find out why! And I promise you, you are probably not really tone deaf.

6: Music Communicates

Music speaks to the deepest part of your soul. It does more than just sound beautiful. It communicates in ways that nothing else can. This session teaches you to do more than just sing. It teaches you the tools and need to communicate through your singing.

7: Meet Stage Fright

Everyone gets it and most people never overcome it. This sessions gives you real practical techniques and exercises, that I personally use, to get through the brick wall of stage fright.

Goodies

Stories, health extras, wallpapers, downloads, and much more fun stuff for you to play with!

Everyone loves music. Everyone loves singing. That's a no brainer. 

If you more information on this e-course at juliannamorlet@gmail.com

Available NOW!  

$80 I Heart Singing E-Course

*Cost will raise to $100 on February 1st.

Sundays are for Worship // My 4 Go To Worship Blogs

+David Santistevan 
I met this guy through Twitter (oh how I love that bird!). His blog has boomed out of control these days with some amazing content and conversation over everything worship. My favorite article right now is 27 Habits of Effective Worship Leaders. 


+Vicky Beeching
I've written about this girl before. Her blog is amazing, insightful, and has expanded from worship articles to posts about everything religion and Christianity. Her recent article, What is the Role of Women in Church and in Marriage?, hit a chord with me. You'll love her sweet spirit and booming leadership style. 


+Gungor
A husband and wife duo, these peeps know how to write music and lead worship. I saw them once when I lived in Michigan back in the day. The husband writes on the blog mostly and his posts are...well, let's say controversial. Good discussion starters for sure. Like this post on Why the Christian Music Category Shouldn't Exist. I'd say this blog is less of a "How To" on worship leading and more of a "Think About It" brand. I don't agree with everything, but I keep reading so that I am not ignorant of topics that are relevant today. 


+The Worship Community
A collaboration site with worship leaders from all over. Good insight, interactive segments, and every week you can contribute your Sunday Set List of the week. It's fun to read what songs other churches and cultures are doing! 


Enjoy Reading!


Up for Next week: The Traditions of Worship: Are They Necessary? 

Diana's Love Story // Love 146

**This post is part of our 40 Day Birthday Party. Read more here.  
Ty and I are asking for your support of this organization for our 40 Day birthday celebration. Instead of us receiving gifts, it is our wish that you donate to the freedom, restoration and love of these girls. Donate here. 



Help us give these girls love. Donate here

Friday's Lovely Links

There are some good links today. Most of them you chose from Pinterest repins or Facebook likes. Happy Reading! 
- - - - - 
I want to buy one of these Pearl Friendship Necklaces for all my friends! (Simply Soles)


Do It Yourself clothing projects are a huge deal right now. These are some of my faves: Lace Heart Cadigan (Sincerely, Kinsey),  Sew Your Own Mittens (A Beautiful Mess).


Goodandlovely is one of those pay-per-month and get a box of goodies type deals. I'm so excited to try this one out. It's easy peasy and if after the first month you don't like it, you can opt out! Tell me if you try it :) (Goodandlovely)


Going to make these delicious muffins for my sister's baby shower next month. I wonder if there's a sugar free version. (Annie's-Eats)


I'm in the market for a new iPhone case. My got damaged in the 30x's I've dropped it. (Etsy)


For any of you dream business starters (like me!), try out this e-course for some guidance and inspiration. (Indie: Compass)


Calling all list makers! Cute stationary for ya. (Life Made Lovely)


This is my dream hair color. One day... (A Beautiful Mess)


And last on the list for this week, this youtube video. Here's the deal. The first time you watch it you'll giggle, the second you'll laugh, the third time, well, just prepare yourself. **Also, despite bleeped out title, there are no cuss words in this film. (Tripp & Tyler)


Oh Friday. 

5 Steps to Breakdown the Battle of Singing

Photo Credit (altered by JM)

Over enunciate your words. 
You will feel like a clown and if you talk like you're supposed to sing, you will most definitely look like a clown. But it's just the hard facts. Practice saying the lyrics of your song while over enunciating. This will begin to get your facial muscles accustomed to working bigger. Rinse and repeat. 


Win your audience!
A singer can have the best voice at the Grammys but if he/she doesn't engage his/her audience, no one will care. You have to tell them a story, make them see and feel what you're singing about. Practice watching yourself sing in the mirror or video yourself singing. Examine and practice certain facial expressions. You might need to get rid of some too ;)


Use your butt, not your throat.
When reaching for that golden note, the common move is to  s t r e t c h  the neck. This does nothing but damage the vocal chords because of the unnecessary strain. S t r e t c h i n g the vocal chords does nothing because the power comes from the core of your body: Abs, Gluteus and Buttocks. So next time you need to get high, trying squeezing those three target areas and see what happens!

Adequately hydrate your body.

Your voice is most effectively hydrated when you drink water at times other than right before you sing. The average person's necessary water intake is 64 oz a day. One thing that helps me drink that much water everyday is a cup or water bottle with a marker for a certain amount of ounces. It's a simple way to help me keep track. 

Invest in an exercise program.
There are so many options but my favorite is Singing Success by Brett Manning. I have personally gone through the program and saw an improvement in my voice. Most importantly, the program trained me to exercise my voice on a routinely basis. *If you're not ready to make the financial commitment required for Singing Success, you can take my introductory to singing course for less than half the price. More information here. 


Happy Singing!