Rebecca Billups

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
I love the wisdom that comes with this age, and I am comfortable in my own skin. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to appreciate who you are and how God designed you.

DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
Yes. The freedom of turning 50 is a luxury not everyone gets in life. I truly have made peace with my past and am looking forward to the next part of my life. I have probably lived over half my life already, and so many times I worried about things that never happened. I appreciate everything so much more now. I choose to slow down and take time to breathe in God’s goodness.  

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
I have always felt confident because my confidence and trust are in Jesus. I also have supportive parents who encourage me to follow my passions and have shown me what real strength is. 

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
My children and my family. We have always celebrated birthdays and gathered for holidays. It brings me such joy to spend time with my family. 

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
Perseverance and never giving up. 

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Raising my kids to be kind and caring, with good heads on their shoulders. I have had an amazing career over the years and have felt privileged to work for Jack DeBoer and to have him as my mentor. He was one of the first people I contacted when I started the ministry.  He was influential in my life, and he supported our ministry for many years.  KWCH, Channel 12, was one of the best places to work. I worked with so many talented individuals. Founding the ministry later in life has been a tremendous blessing, allowing me to fully appreciate and focus on leaving a legacy for my children someday. 

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
I have two Highland cows and a baby longhorn, and they bring so much joy to visitors to our ranch. The ranch has been such a blessing, and our program participants love spending time out here.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My bible is my first one, and the second one is my grandparents’ church pew, passed down to my mother and then to me.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Going to the Caribbean. I love the ocean, and we try to go to Gulf Shores Alabama as often as possible. 

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Living on my ranch with all the animals, spending time with my kids, family, and living my purpose.

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
Perseverance. I have survived many hardships in life, but have always leaned on Christ to get through anything. 

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?
I had a stroke after having my oldest daughter, and it was challenging to have a newborn and deal with the effects of a stroke. That adversity taught me that I can persevere through anything.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. What seems like rejection is just God’s protection or His redirection.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
You are God’s beautiful design. Do not look to the world for your worth but to our Savior. 

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
That which does not kill me makes me stronger.
My favorite verse is: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillippians 4:13

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Loyalty. I have a group of friends from high school that we still try to make time for each other a few times a year to catch up. We have loved and cared for each other in many seasons of our life. 

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
I have changed by really realizing what matters most in life. God, family, then career. 

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would say to stop and smell the roses more. I always go a hundred miles an hour, so I slow down more to appreciate things. Enjoy the small moments and appreciate everything, even the adversity. 

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?
Unity and help one another. I pray for our future generations to continue to seek the Lord. 

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
As a woman now 51, I would give younger women advice to appreciate the season you are in. There is a purpose for it all.