Building Up

With it being the start of a new month, I have some new goals to accomplish.

The first of which is to start (and stick with) a regular exercise regimen. I am sick of being unhealthy and it needs to change. I know it will be hard with the holidays around the corner, but thankfully, I'm not usually one to stuff myself on those days anyway.

Another is to be more positive and be more of an encourager to those around me. One of the ways I plan to do that is through this.

I'm also going to start by having this be my prayer for this week:


May we all encourage others with our words this week.



(I've been working on my blog layout this week and I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out. Sorry if things look a little messy)

Thankful

I was reading Rachel's blog the other day and was so excited to see what her post was about.

She is doing something called Thankful on Paper that she started last year.

Here is the excerpt from her page to explain what it's all about:

*The 4 Wednesdays (beginning on Nov 2nd), leading up to Thanksgiving, I'm going to write one person and tell them I am thankful for them and why. I will send it to them them that day (or drop it off at their house) and hopefully express to them how much I care for them and how grateful I am that they are in my life. I would love you to do the same.

*The 4 Thursdays (beginning on Nov 3rd), leading up to Thanksgiving, I will write a simple blog post about who I wrote to and why. On those Thursdays, I would love for you to join me, write a post on your personal blog and then come link up on each Thursday, here, at No. 17. If the person is someone you would like to keep private, that is also fine. You can opt out that week or write a general post keeping it private, but sharing some sentiment of Thankfulness.

*It's as easy as that!

I am really excited to write four very special people in my life and tell them what they mean to me. I hope you will consider joining in the fun. What a blessing we can be to someone who's been a blessing to us!

Fall Pretties

I won a giveaway at the beginning of the month on Tara's blog!

The giveaway was for my choice of three Twillypop necklaces!!

I had a hard time choosing colors...as she has so many beautiful ones to choose from!

I ended up going with some fall-ish colors.



Aren't they gorgeous?!?


I'm excited to wear them in different combinations.

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It's finally starting to feel like fall around here. It was 67 degrees in my house this morning when I woke up! I think it's almost time to change to flannel sheets.

How are you enjoying fall?


To see some of my other fall inspired posts, click here and here.

Through Me

This is my prayer this week.

I don't want to respond like Breeann or act like Breeann...I want to respond and act like Christ...so that people don't see me...they see Him through me.

Break Time

I can share about something that has officially changed.

I am taking a break from singing on the worship team at my church.

This change has been brewing for a couple of months now. Tonight was my last night until at least the beginning of the year.

With everything else that my hubby and I are praying about, it's just a good time for me to take a break. I don't want to be doing something just because I've been doing it for a year and a half. I want to do it because it's truly what God wants.

So, I am going to take this time to truly meditate and figure out if this is something God still wants for me.

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.
(Psalm 7:17, NIV)

I'm excited to see what comes of this break.

(Source)

Change is Brewing...

The hubby and I are spending some serious time in prayer this month.

We both feel like change is brewing...and it's exciting and scary all at the same time.

In the midst of everything going on in our lives, there are some things that (thankfully) are not changing.

Our love for one another.

Our love for God...and His love for us.

Our love for those around us...including this little beauty that I can't get enough of.



Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8, NIV)

Thank goodness.

Accessorizing

It's time for Gussy's Inspiration Workshop!

This week's prompt was your favorite accessory.

I have a couple that I love.


{just.lovely.things}



I absolutely love these headbands! They are super comfortable and add so much to any outfit...and any style of hair (especially those messy hair days).


Lisa Leonard Designs


I love my new necklace! I have worn it every single day since it came in the mail. I love it and what it means to me.


Scarves

It's that time of year when I would be wearing a lot of scarves...if only it was cold enough. Hopefully that will change in the near future! I have collected quite a few scarves over the years and love what they add to an outfit.

What do you love to accessorize with?

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Just a few more days to sign up for my Secret Sister Blog Party!! You have until Friday, October 21st! Learn more here. Sign up here.

Over the Top

I went to the Women of Faith conference this weekend (this year's theme was Over the Top).

This was my third year going (you can read about my experiences from past years here and here). Each year has been unique in what I've taken from it and the things God has taught me there.

The worship was amazing, the speakers spoke awesome truths, and I got to spend some time with some wonderful women.



Some of the big points I took away from this weekend were:

• Everything we do makes a difference to the world around us (kind of like the butterfly effect. Even something small that we think won't affect anyone, really will). It really made me think about how I spend my time.

• Our cravings will never be satisfied here on earth, but we will be completely satisfied in heaven (as in, we are constantly looking to the people around us or earthly things to make us feel satisfied in this life, but we will always be wanting more. Nothing is going to make us feel complete here on earth, no matter how hard we try). It really made me think about the things I pursue or chase after in this life, that really have no worth eternally.

• Change can be good. One of the speakers shared that she is one of those people that hates change...unless she's the one doing the changing. And, that is exactly how I feel. But, change can definitely be good sometimes. Without change, we just remain stagnant and can't see the things that God could have in the works for us.

• When we have dreams, and it seems like God is saying no to them, that is not the case. God isn't saying no to our dreams...He's just saying yes to ones we haven't had yet. How cool of a thought is that?

I also had a huge breakthrough on Friday night. Mandisa was up there singing one of her songs, Broken Hallelujah, and I just lost it... At first, I didn't understand why I was so overcome by that song, but God began speaking to my heart as I sat there, literally shaking and sobbing. He told me that I need to stop worrying so much about the people and situations around me, and just focus on Him. I have definitely had some situations in my life recently where I've been letting other things take my focus off Him... I've also been allowing fear to reign in my heart in other areas of my life...and I didn't really realize until that moment how much it was actually affecting me. I just sat there, with tears pouring out of my eyes, letting the words to that song, and the truths God was speaking to me, seep into my heart.

With my love and my sadness
I come before You Lord
My heart’s in a thousand pieces
Maybe even more
Yet I trust in this moment
You’re with me somehow
And You’ve always been faithful
So Lord even now

When all that I can sing
Is a broken hallelujah
When my only offering
Is shattered praise
Still a song of adoration
Will rise up from these ruins
I will worship You and give You thanks
Even when my only praise
Is a broken hallelujah

Oh Father, You have given
Much more than I deserve
And I have felt Your hand of blessing
On me at every turn
How could I doubt Your goodness
Your wisdom, Your grace
So Lord hear my heart
In this painful place

Hallelujah
I lift my voice
Your Spirit moves
I raise my hands
I reach for You
(Broken Hallelujah, Mandisa)

She then began singing Blessed Be Your Name, which, if you've been reading my blog for any length of time, or know me in real life, you'll know it is my favorite worship song. She ended by singing the Heart of Worship...which really hit me as well. At times, I let my worries of what people think of me hinder the way I worship...and I shouldn't. My worship to God is not about the people around me...it's about me giving glory to Him.

(Some of the beautiful women I went with)

There, of course, is so much more that God spoke to me over the weekend...but I will leave you with this:

Never give up.

God knows what you need, He knows all of your hurts and fears, and He loves you still. Never give up...because He will never let go of You.

Have a blessed week, my friends.

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You can still sign up here! Click here to find out more info.

Random

Life has been a bit busy lately.

I spent the majority of my weekend at the Women of Faith conference with a group of women from my church. It was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship, and I am excited to share some of the things I learned (which will be saved for another post).

(Me and one of the women I went with)

On Sunday, I helped my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law throw a baby shower for my other two sisters-in-law and their baby girls. It was a lot of fun to celebrate new life...with lots and lots of pink!

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I also recently won a giveaway on Danielle's blog for a $50 credit to Lisa Leonard's shop!! I had a hard time choosing which item I wanted, as I love so many of her products, but I finally settled on her Faith Hope Love necklace.

(Such pretty packaging!!)

(So pretty!)

Since there was the option to put something on the back, I choose this verse:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
(Psalm 62:5-6, NIV)

(The back)

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I also wanted to share pics of the treats I made for my Girls Night In a few weeks back. Both were found on Pinterest and I shared about them in this post.

(April's candy corn bark)

(Cookies and Cups Pumpkin Spice Krispie Treats)

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!!



P.S. I'm also extending sign ups for the Secret Sister Blog Party until this Friday, October 21st!! Feel free to spread the word!! You can sign up here.



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On Waiting...

Have you ever felt like a big change was coming your way...but didn't really know what it looked like?

I've been feeling that way for about a month now. And, I don't really know how to describe it...

I just feel...like my life is going to change and get shaken up a bit.

I'm honestly really excited to see what that's going to look like.

One of the things I've learned, though, about any kind of change or waiting period, is to not just sit around and wait for something to happen.

I hear people say all the time that they are "waiting on God's timing" or "waiting for God to reveal the next step" or "waiting for God's direction". While there is absolutely nothing wrong in any of those statements, I don't think God calls us to just sit around and wait for some huge sign to tell us when it is time to move. I think in those moments, when we aren't doing anything and are just waiting for a sign, we can easily miss out on the many opportunities (no matter how small they are) that God puts in our paths.

Plus, I know of a few specific things that God calls all of us to do...

Love Him (Matthew 22:37)
Love other people (Matthew 22:39)
Share Him with everyone (Matthew 28:19-20)

If we spend our days doing those things, I know we will be doing the right thing. All the bigger stuff will just fall into place naturally.

Good Week

This week has been a pretty good one.

It rained three days here...it was amazing!


I got to spend lots of time with my new niece.



I also got to help my friend throw a surprise party for her hubby's 30th birthday.

(All the ladies)

(Birthday boy is the second to last one on the right)

I'm also in the process of making a pretty big decision...but it's one that I know is going to make me much happier in the long run...and hopefully give me some time to really process what I should be doing. Vague, I know...but until a final decision has been made, I'm not comfortable talking about it.

And, one of my dear friends found out she is having a girl!! So excited about all these beautiful little baby girls this year.

What is on your heart this week?



And, you have until October 15th to sign up for the Secret Sister Blog Party. Click here for the form.

Feel free to post the button on your blog to spread the word!



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Fall Inspiration

It's time for Gussy's Inspiration Workshop!

The prompt this week was fall.

This has me really excited because I am hosting a girls night at my house this weekend, to ring in fall and all it's gloriousness (is that even a word?).

I am going to be making the following treats:

April's Candy Corn Bark

Doesn't that sound amazing?

Cookies and Cups Pumpkin Spice Krispie Treats

I can't wait to taste these!

We are also visiting our local corn maze in a few weeks with some friends. It's going to be a blast!

How are you ringing in the fall?





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(Have you signed up yet? You have until October 15th!!)

Holding On

Life has been full of disappointments lately.

If I would have written this blog post last week, like I was thinking about doing, it probably would have come off pretty bitter and down.

The more I've been thinking about everything, the more I've been realizing I can't let myself get so down about this stuff.

Because it's people letting me down...and we all know people are famous for that.

But, there is One who never lets me down...and I just need to keep my eyes fixed on Him.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
(Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)

While I am by no means terrified or afraid of anyone, I just love the message of this verse. No matter how I'm being treated by people, or how often people disappoint me, God is always with me. He will never leave me.

And that, my friends, is something I can hold onto this week.

(Of course, I am also holding onto this one this week...literally)

Home

My beautiful niece is now home from the hospital!


Thanks for all of your prayers and kind words. She is doing fabulous and I love her to death.


Isn't she gorgeous?!?