My Glitter TOMS

I love heels!  I love boots with heels!  I love to wear them with skirts, dresses, and jeans.  I haven't rocked them with shorts, but I have thought about it.  Well my heels and I are on a break, a temporary break, but a break nevertheless.  When I started having issues walking I realized I was in need of flats.  It is super hard for me to find flats that I like.  My poor husband has schlepped me from store to store to try to find me some flats.  Then one night I was checking my email and there it was, an email from Zulily.  They were having a TOMS sale!!!!  I scrolled through my options and that was the first time I saw them, Glitter TOMS.  My husband laughed and doubted me when I told him I would wear them a lot.  Glitter is a neutral!!!  I love my Glitter TOMS.  Wayne (my hubby) was chuckling a couple of months ago, because I wear them so much.

Then today happened...

Last week my Lupus was giving me a rough time and on top of that Wayne and I came down with a virus.  Today I woke up feeling good and I came up with an idea!  I told Wayne I had a surprise and we got in the car.  Powell Gardens has a butterfly exhibit going on right now, and I thought it would be neat to go.  It was neat and the butterflies were very friendly.  We decided to check out one of the trails.  I say we, but my man did have some reservations.  I was so excited to be feeling good, to be with my man, the weather was beautiful, there was no holding me back.  It was beautiful, but then the trail got muddy.  But we kept trucking.  I did at one moment comment that I think I was the first person to walk the trail in glitter TOMS.  We chuckled.  Little did we know what was up ahead.  We rounded a corner and there it was a five foot wide section of very wet mud.  I joked that I should walk it bare foot to protect my shoes...

I made a poor decision and got stuck in the mud with my shoes on!  Actually the mud tried to claim one of my shoes and I had to battle to keep it!!!  The look on Wayne's face!  That made me laugh even harder!  Yes I was laughing.  How ridiculous am I?!?!?!  I cleaned off as much of the mud as I could and put my shoes back on and kept walking.  I was giggling so much.  Wayne was laughing and shaking his head.  Spontaneity does have its causalties sometimes.  

Now don't cry for me just yet...

YES!!!!  So in November Zulily may have had another TOMS sale.  I may have bought a back up pair of Glitter TOMS!!!  Yes, yes I did!!!   GLITTER TOMS 2.0 BABY!!!

Review: Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane

Confession:  I have been a slow convert to drinking hot tea!  I have always loved iced tea.  I have memories of my mom filling a glass drink dispenser with water and some tea bags and setting it outside to make sun tea.  I loved drinking.  I love drinking sweet tea, because it allows me to pretend that I could pass as a Southerner.  I know it isn't true, but I still.  I do have relation from Kentucky and due to my Southern Indiana roots, when I am angry an accent does come out.  If you don't believe that residents of Southern Indiana have a drawl you haven't been there or you are from there and don't recognize it.  Okay back to the tea!  So I have been slowly testing out the hot tea waters...he he he...you like what I did there?  I have been surprised to find out that I like herbal tea!  I think this also goes hand in hand with the changes I have been making in the nutrition department of my life.  I was excited to receive Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea, complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  I love peppermint anything around Christmas!!!!  This tea is delish!  It has that lovely peppermint flavor without the sugary guilt.  I will definitely be buying this during the Christmas season from here on out!

Frosty VoxBox Review - The Good, The Bad & The Lovely

I learned about Influenster several months ago, and decided to sign up.  I love trying new products and if someone will send them to me complimentary the better.  They emailed me a survey for the Frosty VoxBox Campaign and I got picked!!!

Here is a picture of my VoxBox

Inside my #FrostyVoxBox

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense ADVANCED Serum

• Pro:  It doesn't have a medicinal smell
• Con: It stung on some spots of my face & it left my neck red & splotchy

NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum

• Pro: I love the Sugar Plum shade, the shine, the longevity of the color and it smells nice.
• Con: I didn't try it sooner

Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea

• Pro:  It is delicious!  It tastes like Christmas in a cup for those not looking for something super sugary and artificial tasting
• Con: none

EcoTools Hair Brush Styler + Smoother

• Pro:  This is a great brush when I blow dry my hair...
• Con: ...except for my bangs.  I need a round brush for them.

Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

• Pro:  It is gentle
• Con:  It is too gentle.  The bottle states it will remove waterproof mascara and it doesn't.  It also doesn't remove waterproof eyeliner.  I am not a fan and will not purchase this, EVER.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner

• Pro:  Waterproof.  Perfect shade of black.  Doesn't smudge.  Easy to Sharpen.
• Con:  None.  I am very impressed with this eyeliner.

McCormick Gourmet Thyme

• Pro: Delicious!  But I wouldn't say there is anything special about this particular Thyme that would make me buy it over a cheaper brand.
• Con: None.

Fruit Vines Bites Cherry

• Pro:  I don't typically like cherry flavored candy, but these tasted pretty good.  They were soft and chewy.
• Con: Artificial Flavoring.

I have had a great time testing these products and can't wait for my next VoxBox experience.  I would totally recommend for you to check out Influenster.

Conviction at a Food Pantry

A friend called me and needed some help.  They were out of work, out of gas and out of food.  I knew I could help them with either gas or food, but not both.  Then I remembered that my church, Abundant Life Church has a food pantry on Wednesdays.  I called a friend who helps out with it for the details.  I told my friend, whom we will from this point call this friend Sally, that my church has a food pantry.  They were hesitant at first, of course, but when we talked and I explained that I could give them a gas gift card and would drive her to a couple of places to fill out applications.  But at the end of the day she needed food.  Sally agreed.  I am ashamed to admit that I have given food every now and then, but I haven't faithfully prayed for this ministry, I haven't looked at their needs list and looked for deals to donate on a regular basis, and when I was healthier I didn't volunteer to help.  After going through the process with my friend, and seeing how the people who come in there are treated, spoken to and prayed for, I cannot continue to be lackadaisical. 

We sat next to one gentleman who was very excited about a job interview that he thought went well.  I sat next to a lady whose young child was sick and after she got food for them she was going to take him to Urgent Care.  They needed food for the week and she had to delay that visit for her child to get food, how hard of a choice was that?  There were a good number of senior citizens which made me even more aware of how we tend to forget about them and their lack of ability to work.  Even if they can work, I have seen thorough older friends that they can get passed over for jobs because of their age.

Later on when I was home by myself, I apologized to God.  I apologized for taking for granted the food, He has supplied Wayne & I.  I apologized for not being faithful about taking care of the body He has given me like I should.  I apologized for emotional eating when I know I can cast all of my cares on Him.  I apologized for not following through on ideas of using coupons to donate food & personal care products to the food pantry.  The awful thing is, it wasn't even two years ago when I was looking for a job and a couple of friends were buying me food, when I couldn't.  When I read in the Old Testament I catch myself wondering, how could they forget how God had provided for them and protected them in the past?  There I sat realizing I had done the same, stinking thing.  Yuck!

I'm sharing this for a reason, Abundant Life Church distributes Thanksgiving boxes to those who are ministered by the Abundant Life Food Pantry.  The last I heard they are short about 60 boxes.  Sixty!  6-0!  If you are about to donate one or more of the items on the list below great!  If you are too far away, we can work it out and you can send me money through PayPal and I will buy items for you.  If you can't contribute, get the word out.  PRAY!!!  Pray for the people receiving these boxes.  Pray for the people distributing the boxes. 

Each Box Should Contain:

• A turkey
• 2 cans/jars of turkey gravy
• 1 large can of sweet potatoes
• 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can of French's french fried onions
• 2 boxes of hot roll mix
• 2 boxes of dressing/stuffing
• 2 boxes of instant mashed potatoes
• 1 bag of marshmallows
• 1 jar/can of olives or pickles
• 2 cans of fruit
•  A Large Tub with a Lid

Donations are need by Wednesday November 19th between noon and 6pm.  If you and I can't meet up, you can take your donations to Abundant Life Church 414 SW Persels, Lee's Summit Mo 64081 816-554-8181

Shut Up! Just Shut Up!

Today I read this quote from Zelda, the daughter of Robin Williams regarding social media, "I will be leaving this account for a [bit] while I heal and decide if I'll be deleting it or not," she writes. "In this difficult time, please try to be respectful of the accounts of myself, my family and my friends. Mining our accounts for photos of dad, or judging me on the number of them is cruel and unnecessary. There are a couple throughout, but the real private moments I shared with him were precious, quiet, and believe it or not, not full of photos or 'selfies.' "

 On Monday, my heart was hurting for a family that I know, because the patriarch of their family had died.  Then later on that day I found out about the death of Robin Williams and I prayed for his family as well.  Losing my own father in 2012 has made me extra sensitive to those who lose their own.  With that said I would never try to compare my grief to their grief.  A dear friend of mine, who I  called to vent after someone had made hurtful remarks about the loss of my daddy, wisely stated that you can't compare grief, grief is different for everyone.  For example, I have two brothers and we have handled our grief differently and we lost the same dad.  But we each had an unique relationship with him.

In my situation I was grateful for social media during that time, because I could pass along info without having to talk to a lot of people.  Weeks after the funeral I would go out to eat by myself to parts of the Metro that I didn't know anyone, so I didn't have to talk to anyone.  Don't get me wrong I spoke to those nearest to me, but there were days that being asked how I was doing was annoying.  How was I doing????  It had felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest.  I was dealing with mean & hurtful words from people because I didn't grieve "publicly" enough.  I put it in quotes because I'm not famous.  God knows how much I grieved and how much I still grieve.  Last night I was watching a tribute to Robin Williams and they showed this side angle of him somewhere and he was wearing a baseball cap, he had a grey gotee and something about it made a picture of my dad flash in my head and my breath caught.  With that said I am very grateful that I had heard some talk of Beth Moore's about how she had full freedom to tattle tale to God about things people say to her.  He and my close friends got an ear full.  Why anyone stays friends with me is beyond me.

I am so grateful that my dad was not a celebrity.  I don't know if I would've had enough restraint to just respond with taking a break from social media.  I probably would've taken a baseball bat to my computer, after seeing some of the things Zelda saw on social media.  I probably would've also taken the baseball bat to my phone, tablet, the TV, the radio in my car...you get the point.

An area in my life that I have been praying for growth is empathy.  I don't know everything someone else has gone through.  It is impossible and I guess that is why I get so mad, when I hear people judging and tearing apart others because in their mind they would've handled things differently.  You don't know that!  See I'm struggling with the being patient with judgers (totally made up word) part of this whole growth process.

Why is it so hard for us to love others where they are at?

This Is What Happened In My Kitchen

Hello 2014!

Here is a fact about me, I love recipes!  Love them!  I love reading them, even if I know I will never follow them.  I am very excited about some of the cooking that took place in my kitchen and I decided to share these happenings with you...my six followers...lol

First up is Olive Oil Mayo.  When I first attempted the Whole30, I only made this mayo as a basis for an avocado sauce.  Oh how I was so naive, so blind.  Hold up I know you might be thinking like I did, I don't use that much mayo regularly why would I use it in the Whole30????  Because it is more of a sauce than just mayo!  I love to make a Pale, Whole30 compliant pumpkin sausage soup and put a small dollop of Olive Oil Mayo on my serving....delish!  It adds a lovely hint of creamy lemon flavor that rocks my world.  I have had some fun experimenting with this mayo to figure what works and what doesn't.  I will say it is lovely in a traditional sense to make coleslaw & cucumber salad.  I will note that I use a pasteurized egg because I am married to a health inspector and every time I eat something that may have a raw egg in it or runny yolk, he asks me, "Why do you want Salmonella?!?!?!"  For the record I am not living life on the edge with every bite of food thinking, will this be the day I get Salmonella?

Second, Blueberry Breakfast Sausage, I know the title sounds scary, but it is in fact yummy and Whole30 approved!  I have one go to sausage recipe I have used A LOT!  But, I was looking for breakfast items for my hubby & I and I came across this Blueberry Breakfast Sausage paired with a Coconut Carrot Souffle.  I have not made the souffle yet, because vanilla bean is super duper expense at the one grocery store I could find it at.  Thank you Internet for helping me find Beanilla, who was having a great sale & my vanilla beans should be here very soon.  I'm not sure how the snow will affect their delivery time.

Sorry, back to the sausage!  I had gone to the store, bought the ingredients and was excited about trying a new recipe.  Then my husband & I had dinner with some friends where he mentions that he isn't a big fan of anything blueberry!!!!  I decided to make it anyway to see if he would even notice the blueberry.  He loves this sausage recipe!!!  Why?  Because it rocks the house!

Third, Silky Gingered Zucchini Soup.  Actually that is not true!  I made chicken broth so I could make this soup.  I have searched far & wide for chicken broth/stock & beef broth/stock that doesn't contain sugar.  Oh my word is it exhausting and aggravating!  I did find a beef broth at Whole Foods, but it is at Whole Foods.  I am rarely in Kansas.  Sorry, I just can't believe how much stuff has sugar in it!  HyVee had whole chickens on sale for $0.88 a pound.  I bought one and made some broth and I was able to use the chicken meat to make the next recipe....don't scroll down and ruin the surprise...just kidding.  I would've totally scrolled down.  The soup is lovely.  As a matter of fact we had it for breakfast with a side of Blueberry Breakfast Sausage for breakfast yesterday and today. 

Fourth, (I would say last, but I have a pork roast that I'm planning on putting in the oven soon) Buffalo Chicken Shepherd's Pie.  I realized that after I put this in the oven that I only used half of the amount of cauliflower called for.  This did not bother me because I love spices & flavor explosions.  This didn't bother my man because he despises cauliflower & the cauliflower taste was hardly detectable.  I love this dish.  I can't wait to make it again.  I love spicy food & did not need to add hot sauce to this dish.  Oh I almost forgot I did not use buffalo sauce, I substituted Louisiana Hot Sauce.

I will apologize for the fact that there aren't pictures of the food I made on this post.  I am really bad about taking pictures of food I cook.  I love sharing pictures of food others cook or I eat out.  I guess I'm just weird that way.  Try these recipes they are yummy!!!!

A More Disciplined Life? Day 1

I am linking up with Hello Mornings and going through the book 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life by Crystal Paine.  The title of the book pretty much sums up the goal.  On Day 1, we are given an assignment to pick one Mega Project that we are going to tackle over the 21 days.  We are to work on our Mega Project everyday.  Well my Mega Project is the wedding.  It is 30 days away and I still have loads to do.  I keep telling myself I have plenty of time and that my dear friends is a lie.  I am hoping that I am not in over my head.

You see what happened was...

Friday night my sweet man and I went out for a date to celebrate six months engaged & eight months dating.  Well due to the Whole30 our restaurant selection was narrowed greatly.  We decided to enjoy Seasons 52, if you haven't had an opportunity GO!  They change their menu with the seasons, nothing on the menu is over 475 calories and they don't cook with butter.  The food is amazing.  So I scoured the menu, asked my server multiple questions (lucky me I'm friends with the server).  I ordered and was excited to be enjoying yummy food and obeying my Whole30 guidelines.  Yeah that was short lived.  The food arrives and it looks great!  I then took a bite of the slaw and that is when I tasted it....sugar!!!!  There was a sauce used as a garnish and I didn't see it because of the way the food was plated and the dining room has romantic lighting.  So I sat there beating myself up and trying to figure out how I could possibly start the Whole30 over the next day.  I wasn't worried about getting through the 30 days themselves, my problem was what would be transpiring during this particular 30 days.  I was discussing my dilemma with Wayne and he brought up a very good point.  I will never been at this part of my life again.  We are getting married and there are events leading up to the wedding day that he doesn't want me to miss out enjoying.  So I am continuing with the Whole30 guidelines, except when I have a bridal shower for example.  This is actually harder for me than the 11 days I fulled with the Whole30.  It is harder because it is all on me, it isn't just a contracted amount of time.  I'm sorry to anyone I have disappointed.  I will say that I am grateful for the Whole30 and I saw an improvement with the changing of my eating habits and I will continue to eat this way the majority of the time.

Whole30 Day 6 Super Duper Yummy Breakfast!

I decided to participate in the Whole30, and seeing that it is after midnight I just completed day 6! Woo Hoo!  To be honest it hasn't been that hard since I have items in my fridge to throw together.  Wayne and I were talking about it today and I told him I'm surprised I have made it this far.  He started laughing and complimented me on keeping with it, especially with all the temptation.  There was a plate of Hershey Kisses on the coffee table.  I signed up for the Whole30, not Wayne and not my roommate.  So I have not gone through the house and thrown everything away that has sugar, dairy, grains, legumes in it and I haven't thrown away the processed foods either.

Friday night for instance I made a Whole30 compliant dinner including a yummy avocado dressing.  However there is an avocado dressing I made for Wayne before that has Greek yogurt (I admit is out of this world delicious).  So I made that for him.  For last night's dinner (Saturday night) I made a Chocolate Chili (Whole30 approved) and I ate that with some cauliflower, olives and onions & my dressing.  While Wayne ate some jalapeno cheddar sausages he grilled.  Some he topped with the chili and some with the Greek yogurt avocado dressing.

OKAY I have to tell you about breakfast!  It was YUMMY!  However I have to make a confession, I totally stalked Hannah's blog, Shanks for the Memories to find the recipe.  I posted a question on my Facebook asking if anyone had done the Whole30 and Hannah said she had.  Well I thought to myself that she is a way better blogger than I am and I bet she blogged about it and SHE DID!  It was encouraging to read a blog by someone I know who has done the Whole30 because it made it more attainable to me.  If that sounds weird, I'm okay with that...I'm weird!  Anyways she posted a Breakfast Egg Casserole Recipe and I thought I'm going to try that.  Now I did make the sausage but I used ground beef because that is what I had and I substitute mushrooms for the zucchini.  I told Wayne that I have made a couple different breakfast casseroles in my day, but they have either had milk or cheese or both in them.  With this casserole I don't miss them!  Truth be told I am looking forward to breakfast in seven hours.  Try it, you will thank me later!

Baby I'm back!

Dude I have not posted in months!  Well I blame Wayne ;)  Who is Wayne you may ask?  He is the amazing man that I am marrying in 44 days!!!!  It has been a whirlwind for sure!

• On January 18, 2013 God brought him to my doorstep.  I was hosting a movie night for the Singles Sunday School Class and someone invited him.
• January 27, 2013 he asked me out to dinner.  I was super nervous!
• February 6th we went on our first date to Cafe Trio.  He gave me Christopher Elbow Drinking Chocolate as a gift!  The guy is smart!
• March 4th we made it official as boyfriend and girlfriend.
• March 27th he PROPOSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• November 2, 2013 is our Wedding Day!

God has blessed me with a man of prayer!  He loves the Lord and has a desire to love me like Christ loves the Church.  I had no idea what it felt like to be cherished and cared for.

Day 41 - Afternoon Acts of Kindness

"Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."  Psalm 86: 11-12

Thought for the Day:  What if I could be courageous enough to act and react like a complete person - a Jesus girl who is filled, sustained, and directed by God's joy?

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I want to be courageous enough to act and react like a complete person today.  Please help me to see areas where I need to change and grow.  I desire to crave You and Your truths more than anything else because You are the ultimate filler of my heart.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Today's Made to Crave Devotional, Lysa was talking about how instead of turning to a snack when someone says something ridiculous to her, that she prays for the Lord to place someone on her heart to encourage.  This reminded me of something Beth Moore said about the power of acknowledgement.  What that means is acknowledging someone's presence.  For example I try to interact with the cashier and ask them about their day.  It is amazing what that can do to someone's day.  I know that not by them telling me, but by the fact that I know how it feels to feel ignored, & looked over.

Day 40 - The Curse of the Skinny Jeans

"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight."  Ephesians 1:4

Thought for the Day:  Tying our happiness to food, skinny jeans, relationships, or anything else sets us up for failure.  But tying our security, joy, and identity to God's love is an anchor we can cling to no matter what our circumstances may be.

pg 126, Made to Crave Devotional
(I substituted my name.)

• Mary, the forgiven child of God (Romans 3:24)
• Mary, the set-free child of God (Romans 8:1-2)
• Mary, the accepted child of God (1 Corinthians 1:2)
• Mary, the holy child of God (1 Corinthians 1:30)
• Mary, the made-new child of God (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Mary, the loved child of God (Ephesians 1:4)
• Mary, the confident child of God (Ephesians 3:12)
• Mary, the victorious child of God (Romans 8:37)

Day 39 - The Power of "I Can"

"Everything is permissible for me' - but not everything is beneficial."  1 Corinthians 6:12a

Thought for the Day:  Lest we start mourning what will be lost, we must celebrate all that's being gained through our pursuit of health.  "I can" instead of "I can't" is a powerful little twist of phrase for a girl feeling deprived.

So pretty much I can't have bacon everyday....yeah I've dealt with that sadness.

Day 38 - I'm Not Defined by the Numbers

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5

Thought for the Day:  A scale is an excellent tool for determining our weight, but it is a terrible tool for determining our worth.

Prayer:
Lord, I want this truth to sink deeply into my heart and my mind.  Help me to remember to process the thoughts and comments of others through the filter of this question: "Is this true, beneficial, and necessary?"  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

God's timing is funny, I actually read Day 38 a couple of days ago, but am just now typing it up.  I know, I know you aren't surprised...lol.  As I'm typing this I have been mulling over an annoyance by a friend, which of course isn't processing the comments through the filter in the prayer.  Man there are days I can't wait to get to Glory because I know there I will finally stop putting my foot in my mouth.

Day 37 - I Could Never Give Up That!

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  Galations 5:22-23a

Thought for the Day:  By God's power, we are empowered.  Humanly speaking, this is impossible.  But with God, everything is possible.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I don't want to be caught making the statement, "I could never give up that!"  Instead, I want to believe that self-control is possible because of Your strength.  I want each of my decisions today to be made from a heart full of confidence and peace in You.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

I don't have anything to add to today's Made to Crave Devotional.

Day 36 - I Want Legs Like Hers

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."  Proverbs 14:30

Thought for the Day: Every situation has both good and bad.  When I want someone else's good, I must realize that I'm also asking for the bad that comes along with it.

"...but envy rots the bones."  OUCH!  I'm grateful (not boastful) to say that envy isn't something I struggle with all the time.  Oh I do have moments of struggle with envy, especially on ugly/fat days.  Guys don't understand those days, because no matter what a guy looks like he will look in the mirror & think "I look GOOD!"  I am working on being healthier but I can say for probably the first time in my life, I like the way I look.  Again please don't take that as prideful, because that is not my intent.  Last year the Lord convicted me about being an image bearer of Christ & that my body is a temple.  Well since I am an image bearer of Christ & my body is a temple, it doesn't make since for me to constantly be hatin' on my looks, shape, etc.

Day 35 - You Were Made For More!

Today I'm changing the title of today's entry in the Made to Crave Devotional to I was made for more!

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."  Ephesians 1:18-19a

Thought for the Day:  We were made for more!  More than the failure, more than this vicious cycle of defeat, more than being ruled by our taste buds, body image, rationalizations, and guilt.  We were made for victory.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for the truth that I am made for more.  Please help me to soak this truth in and to live it out.  Enlighten the eyes of my heart so I may believe and receive what You have for me today.  Show me a new perspective as I seek to honor You with my choices.  In Jesus' name.  Amen

I am grateful that the Lord loves, especially with how stubborn & downright stupid I can be sometimes.  To get something through my thick skull the Lord used a person to put a mirror to the insecurities I tell myself over & over, He used the Miss & Mrs event last night, this devotional & a Christian man I trust to speak some truth to me.  Now of course these people didn't know the Lord was using them, but oh I did!  Even to type the following words I have value are almost tearful for me to type.  Ridiculous I know!  I hate quoting this movie but it is true in Pretty Woman, Julie Roberts' character tells Richard Gere that, "the bad words are easier to believe."  They may be easier to believe, however that doesn't make them true!  I have value as the daughter of the King.  As a person of value I have the right to set boundaries & set stricter ones with those who treat me like I don't have value.

High Five Friday Coming to You on Tuesday???

This past weekend was soooooooooo crazy busy that I didn't have time to post my High to the Five Friday. Once again thank you to the six people who read my blog for your patience!

1.  My dear friend John had an EIGHT hour surgery on Monday.  Praise God he came out of it well & he was released on Friday to go home!!!

2.  This week was the one year anniversary of my dad's death.  The Lord has provided me with some dear people in my life who came along side me to pray with me, to encourage me & to acknowledge my hurt and sit with me.  One dear friend just sat there on the phone & let me cry.  The Lord has been abundantly gracious to me.

3.  Saturday I worked for Totta Italian Sausage at a local grocery store.  I did a food demo.  If you haven't tried this sausage you are MISSING out!  A. It was great to work! B. It was fun interacting with people and introducing them to a great local product.  C.  I received a surprise visit from a friend and was able to bless them with an introduction to Must-A-Kraut!

4.  Also on Saturday was the celebration of Ross & Chris & their 27th birthdays with a combo Super Hero Birthday Party.

 

I was the Fictionist, my super power: Unfiction - the power to turn any fiction story true...scary huh?

I made my mask out of make up...that was my fave part of my costume :)

5.  I know it isn't a new thing, but this past week I have been especially grateful for my support system of friends.  A sweet friend in California talking to me late at night about a ridiculous situation.  A pastor checking on me to see how I was handling last week.  Text messages from some of the funniest people I know that seriously made me laugh out loud.  I hope that I can be at least half the encouragement they are to me, to them.

Day 34 - Overweight Physically and Underweight Spiritually

Finally caught up with my posts...I am glad to report that I have been reading the Made to Crave Devotional daily, just not posting about it.

"If you want to be perfect [whole], go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me."  Matthew 19:21

Thought for the Day:  Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only one capable of satisfying them.

pg110 "Jesus meant his comment for anyone who wallows in whatever abundance they have.  I imagine Jesus looked straight into this man's soul and said, 'I want you to give up the one thing that you crave more than me."

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I admit that there are plenty of times that I am overweight physically and underweight spiritually.  Help me to give up anything I crave more than You.  I want to redirect my misguided cravings to You because You are the only one capable of satisfying them.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

To work on redirecting my misguided cravings I have taken to prayer journaling before I go to sleep.  It has been helpful to write out to God what is going on in my head & it has actually been helping me to sleep straight through the night.  I haven't been able to do that on a consistent basis for years like over a decade.  I am grateful that God loves me through my mistakes and my stumbling!

Day 33 - Why Shouldn't I Indulge?

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Psalm 139:14a

Thought for the Day:  In its proper context, eating is not the problem.  God gave us food for nourishment, strength, and even celebration.  the problem comes when pleasure is unrestrained.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, if I'm being honest with myself and You, I know sometimes I rely on food more than I rely on You.  I want to recalibrate my soul and change for the right reasons.  I want to see You in and through this entire process.  Please be with me, Lord, each day.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

Here's the deal, I typically read this devotion in the morning before I start my day, but that didn't happen yesterday.  I read it before I went to bed of course after I made an unhealthy, indulgent decision!!!!!  Man that is ridiculous!