Friends -- and I do mean friends! --

I'm getting this question a lot: "What do I do now?" It comes with all sorts of topics because the whole world is upside down and backwards, and we have to learn how to navigate it differently weekly, if not daily.

1. Shopping - Am I required to wear a mask? What if I don't? Will I really be fined?

I think it would be super helpful if we had a list of "friendly" stores for starters. I heard yesterday that the Euless Walmart let someone shop without a mask. That same day the same person went into the Hurst Walmart to return what he'd bought in Euless, and was not allowed inside without a mask.

You have 4 options that I can think of at a store...

• You can walk out if asked to put on a mask.
• You can put on a mask.
• You can try to educate the employee that your Sheriff and/or city is not enforcing if that's the case (that's another list we need to get going). However, an employee really has no authority to change the rules usually.
• Or you can claim a medical exemption (IMO we all have a medical exemption because the masks are dangerous).

Regardless of what you do, always stay calm and polite. A store has the right to refuse service, and that's ok. Just take your business elsewhere or choose to stay and mask, but no need to be rude or impatient if you can muster the strength not to be. ;-)

2. Citizenship - How do we push back? What can I do to fight for my rights?

For starters, NO ONE has any room to complain if they have not contacted their State Rep and State Senator. You MUST communicate with them. It is not hard. Use this link https://truetexasproject.com/contact-representatives/ to get contact info, then call, email, Facebook, Tweet, etc, to tell them you want them to go to Gov Abbott and demand a Special Session. He has usurped their power. They are the ones tasked with legislating, not Abbott. They need to take back their authority! Only the courts or the legislature can dissolve an Executive Order from the Governor, but the legislators have to be in session to do it. And only the Governor can call a Special Session. The Governor will obviously not want to do that, so he must have immense pressure. That pressure should come from the legislators who are reacting to pressure from We The People.

3. Teamwork - Who are the good guys? Who is working with us? How can I support them?

More and more legislators are starting to speak up. They will need and deserve thanks and encouragement. So far on my list I have Representatives Tony Tinderholt, Kyle Biedermann, Matt Schaeffer, Briscoe Cain, Jonathan Stickland, Mike Lang, and Cole Heffner, as well as Senator Bob Hall. Please let me know who can be added, but be able to back it up with a public statement. It cannot just be your favorite rep that you really, really like and is so nice and remembers your birthday, and you're just SURE is on our side... but has done nothing.

4. Protest/Rallies - Where can we protest? Who is organizing one?

Protests have their place, but if you have not already done step 2, don't even talk to me about it. For a protest to affect change, you must have massive numbers. MASSIVE. If you cannot even contact your legislator, can you be counted on to stand in the July heat for a couple hours? Doubt it. A lot of time and effort goes into organizing a protest, and there may be a time and place for it. For now focus on Step 2... and repeat daily!!!

5. Help -- Who else can we turn to???

Legal minds are working on this. I was asked about an effort to "stay the order." I brought this up with a group of leaders today and various attorneys are looking at this, as well as the poor wording in the Executive Order, etc. I don't have answers at this point.

6. Encouragement -- Are we gonna be ok?

Eleven years ago God took a gal that didn't know a whole lot about politics and gave her a platform. For 11 years I've learned about limited (and bloated) government, processes, communication, self-control, leadership, timing, organizing and faith. In other words, I've had 11 years of practice for exactly such a time as this. Today I was on the phone with about a dozen others just like me -- some with way more than 11 years. And we as leaders are surrounded by Texans from every stage of the same game -- rookies to geniuses -- all with different gifts and talents they can use for our cause! Was it by accident God gave us 11 years as a tea party to prepare? No! God raises people up. He gives them a platform. He puts words in their mouths and ideas in their heads. He is solely responsible for any success I or True Texas Project had. And He didn't do it just for kicks. Again, it was for such a time as this. We have built relationships, learned to talk to officials, defined what we believe, and encouraged each other in the faith. Take your training and USE it.

For the team,

Julie McCarty
True Texas Project CEO

PS. True Texas Project has an amazing night planned for you in Tarrant County on July 13 or in Denton County on July 14. We also have a book signing in Dallas County during the lunch hour on July 14. Two days...three counties. THIS is the time to gather. Get plugged in. Build those relationships. Support each other. Receive encouragement. Learn together. All details are on our website calendar.