I Have a Life?!

I just love when life gets in the way of blogging ... it means I have a life! :)   But seriously, Colten and I went on vacation this past weekend, which was a BLAST!  (stay tuned for more on that later this week...hopefully!) At least until I got very, very sick.  Yesterday was spent in bed...seriously, the entire day!  Today is much better, and then tomorrow starts the long holiday weekend, so I'm pumped about that!   Today, I'm being featured on the wonderful Brittany's blog.  We were paired up through last month's Cara Box Exchange and it's been great getting to know her and her sweet, sweet family.  I did a short little Q&A for her, so hop on over to check it out to learn a little bit more about me! :)   I also canNOT believe it's July already!  Holy smokes!  Seriously, half of 2013 is over already.  Plus, it's officially summer, which means it's HOTT!  But on the plus side, less than 6 months until Christmas! ♥    Also, the lovely Google Reader is disappearing right before our very eyes.  At least, that's what I hear.  I've had multiple reports (from various bloggers) that some still have access and some do not.  So I'm not sure when or if it's actually leaving for good, but in case it is, have no fear, I'M STILL HERE!  You can follow me on Bloglovin', for starters!  Just click on that pretty blue button ...     Or, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook! You can also follow my Pinterest boards or email me.  See those pretty pink icons over there (under my blurg about myself)? <------------------------------------------------------> Yeah, you can CLICK ON THEM and they'll take you to the different social media outlets in order to reach me.  Pretty cool, huh?  Yep, I thought so too.    And, some encouragement for this beautiful Tuesday:     Go forth and LIVE YOUR LIFE, friends! Happy Tuesday! Make it count :).

{Anxiety}

I have been struggling with anxiety recently, most of which I was unaware I was even experiencing.  But then came the panic attacks, and I could no longer deny it.    A little over a week ago, I spent an entire day running test after test and going from doctor to doctor; luckily, all of the serious conditions came back negative.  Praise the Lord!    So the culprit?    Anxiety.    Thinking on it, there's not one thing I'm overly stressed or anxious about, but when you start adding everything all together, WHAM!  It's a lot!    So, today I went back to the doctor, as our previous treatment plan was very temporary, to control my panic attacks.  But just because those attacks are now minimal doesn't mean the anxiety is gone.  It still hurts.  It's still there screaming away at me.  Kind of like a banshee.    So, I followed up with my doctor today.    And let me just say that I am absolutely, 100% satisfied with my new doctor!  This is the second 'illness' I've seen her for since becoming a new patient within the past year, and I'm impressed!  I've never had a doctor care so much or really dig around to find the root of the problem.  I've never had a PCP I actually could stand going to.  She's very personable and relatable.    And today, she proved it once again.  Not only are we trying a new treatment plan, she quoted Scripture before I left the appointment!  How truly blessed am I?!  I was humbled reminded that I should not be anxious.   

  I know that I am not worrying or anxious on purpose because believe me, I'd stop immediately!  It's in my nature, and I've struggled with it before.  It blows my mind how it just sneaks up on you when you least expect it!    I have no doubt that I will struggle with this for a very long while in my lifetime, as it is in my nature and part of who I am to worry and always please others.  However, I am also very confidant that as my relationshp with the Lord grows, my anxiety will be lessened.  I know that this is just another bridge to cross to reach eternal salvation.  I know that I will overcome this adversity and not fear it.  For God is bigger than my fears!  

  These are just a few Scriptures helping me through this tough time.  And they are great daily reminders, anxiety or no anxiety.  :)     

#SheReadsTruth

I've recently discovered She Reads Truth, a blog devoted to sharing the truth of God's word with women.  From what I've experienced so far, they have ongoing 'plans', and they use the YouVersion bible app to help do so.  I caught the end of the Fresh Start plan, which was 19 days long and had begun on January 1st.  Since that time is up, a new plan is in place.  This plan, I believe, has already been done before, but they had so much success and positive feedback the first time, they decided to do it again!  It's called the Soul Detox plan.  Today is day three, and so far, I'm loving it!  I can definitely tell why this plan has come back around! 

She Reads Truth can also be found on Instagram and Twitter!  It's very motivating to see all of the dedication and commitment that this community puts forth every day!  It's also great for me, because I can take it with me on the go.  The daily readings aren't super long, although some days are longer than others, and the devotional content (the in-depth analysis) is amazing!  I feel energized and inspired every day!  What could be better than that? 

How about the fact that in using their 'Weekly Truths', they always have an iPhone lockscreen created with the bible verse of that week.  It seems that they don't keep up with it every week though, and I found myself wanting more.  I downloaded and used their lockscreen from Day 6 of the Fresh Start devotional: The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still - Exodus 14:14.  From memory, folks!  It's helped me memorize this verse, as it's a powerful one!  But there are so many others that I want to begin to memorize and really live through.  So, this is where I came to a standstill.  Still, I wanted more.  I browsed around through old Weekly Truths with lockscreens, and saved several for the future.  But I was hungry.  I wanted yet MORE!  Let's face it, how many times do you look at the lockscreen of your phone?  Many, MANY times a day!  Such a great way to memorize Scripture. 

Thus began my hunt for a way to find more scripture-based pictures that I could save and use as my lockscreen.  But I quickly learned that many of the ones that already exist were not quite what I was going for.  I needed something to be simple, yet draw me in at the same time, so that I would really read the words I was looking at.  Again, I saved the few that I actually liked.  I even went as far as to purchase the 'Bible Lock' app (luckily, it was only $.99).  However, I still wasn't fully satisfied.  Which led me to come to the sad realization that I was going to have to figure out how to make my own!  What better way to really get what you want anyway?

So last night, the research began.  I spent HOURS perusing forums, blog posts, and random websites.  As with all research, you have those finds that are real treasures, but you also have the epic failure finds as well.  I sorted through what I had, and decided to give it a go.  Why not? 

Well, maybe because it was going to be much more of a challenge than I had anticipated.  For those of you that don't know me very well, I'm not very creative.  I know what I like and what I don't like, but as far as getting to that point, well, I suck.  This led to a huge portion of time in just playing with the way everything looked, making sure the fonts were the same, the colors matched, the pixel size was just right, and so on and so forth.  Sheesh!  Talk about a major project!  And now, if you don't know me, you're probably thinking that I'm pretty technology-illiterate and have no place attempting what I was.  The latter may be true, but I'm actually pretty good with computers and programs and settings, etc.  I also love photography, but it's the creative aspect that I lack (weird combination, I know).  However, I muddled through figuring it all out, and I was left with a gorgeous depiction of my all-time favorite Scripture!  So far, it had worked.  But then the test was to get it onto my phone and in place as the lockscreen.  One hurdle at a time I suppose. 

I got it to my phone and was very hopeful that all would turn out as I had planned.  Well, two touches of the screen to put it as my lockscreen and .... VOILA!  I had a beautiful reminder of this verse to look at every time I went to my phone.  This may seem to be something small that most of you could do in a matter of minutes, but I felt so accomplished!  I was soooo excited - just ask my husband.  I'm pretty sure he was very 'over' me telling him to look at it and to see what I had done!  I was pretty much on cloud 9, especially after realizing what lies ahead - so many verses and lessons to learn!  The possibilites are endless, and I'm so excited to really get into it!  And not only with learning Scripture .... this is going to help my blog tremendously as well!  Headers, buttons, fonts, tools ... my husband is in for many nights of, "Ooohh, look at this", "Look what I just did", "Another one!", "Babe, come HEREEE".  Oh well, he loves me and always supports me, and this new venture is no different.  He was proud that I accomplished this on my own (well, with the help of the Internet of course...).

And now, the unveiling of my masterpiece! 

This verse is near and dear to my heart.  It was also the center of our wedding day, as we had it printed on the back of our wedding koozies, of which I still have a ton to use not only as a holder for my drink, but also as a reminder of our special day and that God is a major part of not only my life but of our lives together.  I'm pretty stoked about this creation and look forward to making many, many more!  I'm super proud of myself and can't wait to learn more!  This is definitely going to come in handy as I go through the Soul Detox and other plans.  Favorite verses are going to stick out to me, and I'm going to know exactly what to do with them. 

So, thank you She Reads Truth.  Thank you for this new love and passion that has developed in me.  :-)

Surprisingly Satisfied

Judging by our current position in line as women today, in this culture, the 'secret' to being content has been manipulated and misunderstood.  What we hear described as the secret of our satisfaction sounds a lot different than it did when it was first spoken and handed down many centuries ago.  Today, we hear a philosophy of happiness that's actually been training us for a long time not to be happy.  It says there's always something else, something more, some additional requirement we need before we can really enjoy life the way it was meant to be enjoyed.  So, the advertisements bombard us with suggestions, dripping with recommendations intended to whet our appetites and tantalize our taste buds, encouraging us to get rid of the old and acquire the new. 

If you're single, you should have the security of marriage.

If you're married, you should have the freedom of singleness.

If you live in an apartment, you should own a home by now.

If you own a home, it should be bigger than the one you've got.

Getting the message?

Your clothes should be from this vendor.

Your appearance should look like that trend.

Your kids should be more like those kids.

Your standard of success should be measured by these standards.

The fallout from this is inevitable.  Fed by such a steady diet of unclaimed desires, we can hardly help but develop a level of disdain for our current circumstances.  Caught in this vicious cycle, we consequently feel incomplete and substandard.  Unhappy.  Uncontrolled.  Unfulfilled.  Dissatisfied. 

This is precisely why a satisfied woman is such a surprising woman.  She is shockingly noticeable to a world that lives on a watered-down version of the secret - a secret that she obviously got the truth about.  Contentment wasn't some unique gift the apostle Paul had been given.  It was a skill he had chosen and adopted, then had mastered and applied to his tumultuous life experience.  As a result, he could say with biblical assurance:

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am"

Philippians 4:11

Paul's secret was this: he had resolved to be content. 

Just imagine - being completely content in everything you have and do.  Do you have your dream job?  Do you own and wear the finest clothes?  Are you perfectly happy with the people in your life?  Your friends?  Your family?  Your significant other?  Are you content with the path you are headed down that leads to your future?  Are you? 

For most of us, the answer is 'no' to at least the majority of those questions.  Or if not, it was at some point in your life.  This definitely hits home for me.  I find myself dissatisfied in my life in several aspects.  Just last week, I was a frustrated blogger, not knowing what to do or really what exactly it was I wanted.  I just knew I wanted more.  However, I am reminded by Paul's determination and acceptance to be content with what I have.  The more you believe that God's grace to you is overflowing, the more you'll be convinced that you will always have everything you need.  I need to put my complete trust in God that he will grant me the supply I need to excel at His purposes.  If I do'nt have it - whatever it is - I don't need it.  I may WANT it, but it's not necessary in order to accomplish what He knows is most important for my life today.  I'm resolving to be more understanding and to be more content in my life and the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.  Every decision I need to make, every task I need to accomplish, every relationship I need to navigate, every element of daily life I need to traverse, God has already perfectl ymatched up with an equivalent-to-overflowing supply of His grace. 

Now, I'm not saying that this isn't difficult - because it's definitely not an easy thing to accomplish ... this being content.  It's hard work.  Some days, we break, and no amount of consoling is going to alleviate the situation.  But in the midst of those discouraging days, it's a great reminder to know that God supplies us with the grace and mercy to face our demons head-on.  And I must admit, that when I step back from my current discouraging circumstances (it's always something, let's admit it), I am surprisingly satisfied.  I am learning to not judge my life based on the luxuries that others may have.  We don't know everyone's story.  They may have something that you want, but you don't know what they've had to sacrifice or lose to get it. 

What might God be trying to grow in your character or cement in your relationship with Him by keeping you separated from some of the things you want but don't yet have?

The Worst of Times

Sunday morning's sermon was very eye-opening, and quite honestly could not have come at a better time!  In life, we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle, and when things don't go our way, or in some or most instances, go completely awry, we are stressed and 'freak out'.  I admit, I've had so many of these 'freak outs' that I can't even begin to count them.  But, as discussed this past Sunday, we are so burdened with tunnel-vision, that we cannot see anything outside of the terrible things that are happening to us, in which we are so quick to place blame.  Instead, we need to turn to God and praise Him.  Philippians 4:4-8 is the go-to passage for these not-so-easy-to-be-thankful moments:

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

We are being told to always rejoice in the Lord.  No matter the situation, especially in the worst of times, turn to him, with thanksgiving (which, let's admit, it's hard to be thankful for what we have when we're faced with hardship) and give Him thanks!  Rejoice (it's so important that it's said TWICE) in what you have been blessed with and do not worry.  'Do not be anxious about anything.'  This is probably the hardest part for me.  For example, when burdened financially - let's say quite a bit more money was taken from my account for student loans than what we were told - I asked, how am I supposed to NOT be anxious?  Of course I was anxious!  It was our finances and it put us in quite the bind.  However, I did not let it seethe within myself.  As always, the good Lord provides, and he allowed us to be helped where help could be given.  And for that, I am eternally grateful.  When school wasn't quite going as well as I was wanting, I was completely anxious, but I wasn't supposed to have been.  Instead of only seeing the hardship that was my Kinesiology education, I had to be thankful for everything else that I had and know that God would get me through it.  And boy, did he ever?!  I took a complete 180 degree turn in life and pursued my paralegal degree, and now I'm at a job that I thoroughly enjoy!  It is true - do not be anxious about anything and rejoice!  I know that it's easier said than done, but it all happens for a reason.  So, I challenge you.  We all know that tragedy and hardship strikes nearly every day - but it's up to you how you take that and deal with it.  I challenge you to write this scripture verse down and put it somewhere that you can come back to.  And when things aren't looking your way, pull it out and remember to present your requests, with thanksgiving, to God, and always think about anything that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy in your life.  Think about all of the good that outweighs the bad.  I challenge you to not let the worst of times overwhelm you.  I challenge you to pray.  I challenge you to let go, and let God. 

This sermon was such a great reminder - especially because I get so down on myself when things aren't going right.  I don't like for things to be out of my control, but that's part of life.  I logically know that I cannot be in control at all times, because only God is in control of my life.  It's hard to let go, but I'm trying more and more each and every day.  And lately, I see and know that it's working.  While I was sick these past few days, it was dreadful.  I felt miserable and had no energy whatsoever, but I was thankful for my family and my husband for helping to take care of me and provide for me in what I needed.  I was thankful for the shelter I was able to confine to and for the food I was able to eat.  There is so much good in my life, it helped my sickness be more bearable.  I have a post-it note on my computer monitor reminding me:

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess.  Just breathe, and have faith that everything will work out for the best.  Let go and let God. 

I love seeing the reminder every single day.  There's also one particular song that comes into mind in helping deal with the worst of  times: Gary Allan's "Every Storm".

I saw you standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning

I know you're feeling like you just can't win, but you're trying

It's hard to keep on keepin' on, when you're being pushed around

Don't even know which way is up, just keep spinning down, 'round, down...

Every storm runs out of rain

Just like every dark night turns into day

Every heartache will fade away

Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain

So hold your head up and tell yourself that there's something more

Walk out that door

Go find a new rose, don't be afraid of the thorns

'Cause we all have thorns

Just put your feet up to the edge, put your face in the wind

And when you fall back down, keep on rememberin'

Every storm runs, runs out of rain

Just like every dark night turns into day

Every heartache will fade away

Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain

It's gonna run out of pain

It's gonna run out of sting

It's gonna leave you alone

It's gonna set you free

Set you free

Every storm runs, runs out of rain

Just like every dark night turns into day

Every heartache will fade away

Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain

It's gonna set you free,

It's gonna run out of pain,

It's gonna set you free

This is such a great reminder that it's going to happen - there's no way that we can go through life with no storms to weather.  But, every storm runs out of rain.  Every dark night turns into day.  It's going to run out of pain and sting.  If God puts you to it, He'll get you through it.  I personally know that the last thing you want to have lectured to you is that it'll get better, that things are going to look up.  But it's true.  It is going to get better.  You've got to keep on keepin' on and not let the 'thorns' of life keep you down.  Lean on your friends, family, and most importantly, God, and you'll get through the struggles of life.  Because part of living life is enduring the storms that are placed in our path.  You've got to enjoy life and make the most of what you're given, and this song is definitely motivation to do so.  Don't wait for your life to start, because in doing so, your life turns into waiting for reality to happen.  And what kind of life is that? 

So, in the worst of times, rejoice in God and give thanks for what you've been blessed with.  And remember, every storm runs out of rain. 

Advent Season

This time of year, we look forward to Christmas - to the celebration of the birth of Christ.  So, I will take this time to now bask in the presence of His glory. 

I recently purchased a devotional for this advent season, wishing and hoping to deepen my knowledge of this season and the true meaning of Christmas.  I'm not sure if it's just the way I'm perceiving and absorbing Scripture these days (it's definitely deeper than I used to!), but I was entranced with only the first entry! 

It is only in Him that we find our true dignity and purpose as people.  He is the author and finisher of our faith, the One who remains faithful even when we are faithless.

How true is this?!  This is just one of the many glorious things that I am very grateful to be a part of.  Just think of someone who remains faithful when we aren't.  Someone who will be there with open arms to receive you when you've been absent from the relationship for years and hasn't moved on.  That's right - no one comes to mind except our Savior.  Jesus Christ wants everyone.  He wants to accept you, me, my neighbor, your friends, the homeless, the non-believers - everyone!  No matter how long you've been away or haven't come to Him yet, he is waiting to welcome you into His loving arms.  I'm blessed beyond words.