Friendships and Opportunities

I know it's not technically Friday anymore...but I'm going to pretend like it is for this post.

I have a lot on my heart today. I got an email from a beautiful friend today about something hard she is going to have to do next week...but something that God is going to use to truly enrich her life. I am very excited to see what He is going to do in her through this.

My husband and I had a great opportunity come up today for us that would be amazing for our future...but it was quickly squashed by something unforeseeable. Thankfully, I am not disappointed. It was one of those "great if it happens, great if it doesn't" situations.

I was asked to guest post on a blogger friend's blog... I was so flattered and humbled. She is one of my favorite bloggers and a beautiful person that I really do hope to meet in person someday (She also happens to be the one who hosts this lovely link up party each week). If you want to read my post, click on over to Casey's blog.

I also am just feeling very blessed to be where I'm at right now. I love my hubby. I love my family and friends. I love my church family...and the fact that many of them are just as close as family to me.

We aren't made of money.

We don't live in a huge house.

And yet, I feel so very blessed.

What is on your heart this week?

(Linking up with Casey)

Promises

So our weather has been crazy...like it's been everywhere.

We went from thunderstorms and lots of rain this weekend to 80 degree days...which feel really hot compared to what we've been experiencing.

Anyway, the hubby and I were driving to the store on Saturday, while there was a little break in the rain, and noticed a beautiful piece of a rainbow in the sky. It wasn't all the way across, just one little side of it. But, it was beautiful nonetheless.

When we got out of the store, the rainbow was bigger and brighter...and stretched all the way across the sky. It was amazing. My hubby grabbed my phone and took a couple of pics of it while we were driving home.


Beautiful.

As I admired this rainbow, I couldn't help thinking of God's promises. The rainbow is the evidence of His promise to never flood the whole earth again. Yet He promises us so much more.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(John 10:10)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)

Show us your unfailing love, O LORD,
and grant us your salvation.
I will listen to what God the LORD will say;
he promises peace to his people, his saints—
but let them not return to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
(Psalm 85:7-9)

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.
(Psalm 145:13)

If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.
(John 14:15-16)

Without weakening in his faith, he [Abraham] faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
(Romans 4:19-21)

See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.
(1 John 2:24-26)

Of course, there are many other promises in the Bible. Just read through the Old Testament!

I am just so thankful that I serve a God that keeps His promises.

Inspiration Workshop - Kitchens!

I'm linking up again with Gussy of Gussy Sews for her weekly Inspiration Workshop!

The prompt this week was kitchens...either your current kitchen or what you'd like yours to look like. Since I pulled my left calf muscle last night and can't move much today, I wasn't able to take any pics of my own kitchen. So, I went to pinterest and found some that I really love!

(Sorry the pics are so small. They were small on pinterest, too)

This first one I love, because of the red and aqua combo. So cute!!

(pinned by Christine Tan via kitchenisms.com)

This one is so Beauty and the Beast to me...which is why I love it so much! (If you click on the link for the actual website, there are more photos of this kitchen...and you'll see why I think it looks like it could have been in Beauty and the Beast)

(pinned by Ginger Park via kitchen-design-ideas.org)

And, there is something I just love about a chalkboard wall in the kitchen. The kids could create art on the walls...and they wouldn't be ruined! And, you could write down all sorts of useful info. Very practical.

(pinned by Jazzie Fizzle via designsponge.com)

What inspires you kitchen-wise?

A Time to Live

First of all...does it seem like this week flew by to anyone else? Or is it just me?

I seriously feel like Friday just past...

Anyway...

I've had an emotional week...lots of good emotions, but a few bad. It's been a very busy week and I haven't gotten a ton of sleep. I finally got to catch up on things a little bit. I got some laundry done...after not doing any in a week. I replied to some emails that have been sitting in my inbox (for about a week). I'm starting to feel a little more normal...

But...

I finally realized something very important about myself. I haven't been truly living my life in quite some time. I still live a normal life and get to do a lot of fun stuff...but there are definitely things I've put 'on hold' since I started this whole trying to conceive journey. I haven't really exercised regularly for fear of possible harm (I know this wouldn't be the case if I'd been exercising regularly to begin with, but I was just nervous if I started to of what could possibly happen). I haven't gone to the dentist, for fear of the x-rays being harmful. I avoid eating certain foods (like sushi) unless I know without a doubt that I'm not pregnant. I haven't really taken any medication when I've been sick or when I have a headache...again, unless I know I'm not pregnant.

I know some of those things are silly and trivial...but I've just been realizing that I've been walking on eggshells for quite some time now...trying to keep myself free from things that could potentially harm a growing baby. And while I know it's good to take care of your body and be cautious about things when trying to conceive...I think I've gone a little overboard.

So, from now on, I'm no longer worrying about this stuff. I'm just going to live my life and trust that God will take care of me and my future child.

It's a piece of this puzzle that I haven't given up my control over...and I'm honestly sick of having any control. I just want to be me again...and to do things without reservations.

I think I'm going to be a much happier person now.




On an entirely different note, I got a couple of wonderful things at Target this week.

I was getting pretty bored of my shower curtain. I didn't even really like it that much when I bought it...but it was cheap and I knew it would look good with our yellow bathroom. So, when I saw this one, I knew it needed to be a part of my bathroom.

A closer look at the pattern

It's a beautiful navy blue...which compliments the yellow so well

Yes, it's true. I now own this beautiful print! I just need to figure out where I'm going to hang it...perhaps in my room...what do ya think?

I've also decided that I need to exercise on a regular basis...like for reals. One of my friends is doing P90X and asked me to join her...so I'm definitely considering it. I think it would be so good for me.



Ahh...the weekend. It seems like we just had you...but I'm glad you're back.

(Linking up with Casey and Jeannett)

Inspiration Workshop

I think it's safe to say we all thrive from inspiration...or maybe it's just me...

Either way, there's something amazing about being inspired by someone or something to be a better person, to create something beautiful, or to dream up the perfect home.

Gussy of Gussy Sews has started a new link up called the Inspiration Workshop. Each Friday, those on the email list for the workshop will receive an email with the topic for the following Thursday's link up party. The first topic she choose was handmade...which is perfect for her...since she creates some very beautiful handmade things!

Since the only thing I really hand make (is that even how you'd say it?) is jewelry, I decided that would be what I focus on this week. But...since I haven't made anything in quite some time, I used good ol' Pinterest to get some inspiration...and found this little beauty:

(found on Pinterest from Tamar Bostock via Bellissima Jewelry)

Isn't it gorgeous? I love the color combo...and how unique it is. It has definitely inspired me to try some new ideas with my jewelry making...

What inspires you?