Count'n 'em

Peace.
I thought I had plenty.  Until my Bible study this week was on peace and I was talking to Seth about how I'm having a hard time applying the week because I don't feel like I'm missing peace right now.  Even as he chuckled a little and said, "Seriously?!" I started to remember Friday night, when I sorta freaked out, because he improvised on a recipe I was making.  And then the times my anxiety has ruled in the recent past came flooding into my mind.  My desire to control the things around me shrinks my life.  This is not truly living.
Is it because I lack trust in God to control things, that I feel that I must do it myself (even though, my control is just a facade anyway - none of us really have control around our circumstances)?
Ann Voskamp offers an interesting solution - "Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on."  Yeah, that should do it.
Here's a little blessing I visited last night.  She's about to be a big sister.

Determined to remain grateful today!

That's it?

I've been learning something recently that I wanted to share.  It's the simplicity of one word - gratitude.

Did you know that the mere act of giving thanks is life changing?  It is really and truly seeing God in everything.

After hearing Ann Voskamp speak a few weeks ago at a retreat, I bought a copy of her book, because I was so inspired.  She claims this is the secret to "living fully", a goal I have been pursuing thoughout my life, and with a revived strength most recently!  Ann took a dare to write down 1,000 gifts in her life and challenges us to do the same.  I extend that same challenge to you.

God is always doing something amazing.  When we actually slow down, truly take notice and let it sink in, I'm convinced our lives will be forever different.

With excitement, I give this dare a try!

Before and After

Before, I hated shopping...
Before, the beach was a bit of a curse...
Before, finding an outfit to wear was like punishment...
Before, I ate because I was bored, happy, stressed out, emotional...
Before, I actually looked just fine and was beautiful inside and out - I sometimes had a hard time believing that...

But now - oh but now!!!
After, I kinda like shopping, in fact, I can't wait to buy a new bathing suit...
After, getting dressed in the morning is easy...
After, I can run faster and longer than I ever thought I could...
After, I actually find the time to get up extra early in the morning to get that workout in...
After, I eat to nourish my body, to give me energy, and yes, also still because it tastes delicious!!!
After, I still look just fine and beautiful inside and out - and I STILL sometimes have a hard time believing that...

And the whole time - the whole entire time - I knew I was God's child....
The scale can never dictate the deep deep love that I know because of my Savior...
My weight will never define my worth...

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14


I'm so happy I lost over 30 pounds in about 5 months, and have kept the weight off already for 6 weeks (in Weight Watchers lingo, that means I'm now a lifetime member!), but I'm reminded that there are so many more important things in life than how much I weigh!  Taking better care of my body certainly helps me live this life more fully though!!  I'll have to find some before and after pictures to share!  And now that I shared this accomplishment with you, it's even more motivation to keep it off.


Have a great weekend!  Live joyfully and fully!!

All Linked Up!

I thought that the best way to communicate my life to you all today would be through links.
Here's what's important to me right now...
This lady - http://www.aholyexperience.com/
Ann Voskamp is the speaker at our Women's Getaway this weekend.  I'm so excited to hear her, spend some time laughing and relaxing with some great friends and getting to know some know folks!
Ann has an amazing story and I know it's going to be an amazing weekend.  I encourage you to read her blog!

These T's - http://sevenly.org/?utm_source=FB&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=FB_Sevenly  Please check out Sevenly.  It's a cool T-shirt company that designs t-shirts each week to support a cause.  This is the 2nd time World Relief has been featured.  Not only is your purchase supporting heroic women who work with WR in Malawi, you get a t-shirt that actually looks good!  I have the first one and it's the softest t-shirt I own - and ladies, your sizes come fitted, so they aren't super baggy!  If you don't need another t-shirt, watch this video and you might just buy one anyway!!  http://vimeo.com/36695007

These verses are keeping me going right now...

"Do you not know? 
   Have you not heard? 
The LORD is the everlasting God, 
   the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, 
   and his understanding no one can fathom. 
He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak. 
Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall; 
but those who hope in the LORD 
   will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
   they will run and not grow weary, 
   they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:28-31


I've been praying about being stretched lately, which I wrote about earlier this week.  Oh my goodness - the Lord is answering my prayer and then some!!  


Have a great weekend!!

Jolly Old St. Valentine

What?  Did I get that wrong?
Well, Happy Valentine's Day anyway!
This is my first Valentine's when I've actually had a boyfriend (even though he's not a huge fan of the holiday in general)!  As much as I'm so very excited to hang out with him tonight, I have to say, God's love is what's really overwhelming me today.

I know a lot of people think it's silly to have 1 day a year to show people we love them, but I think of it more as an opportunity to reflect on ALL the love in our lives.  And whether you know it or not, we all have a Maker who loves us so much.  Unconditional love is so hard for me to grasp, but when I get glimpses of God's great love for me, it completely overwhelms me!!

Bask in the love of our God who,
"...did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32


Seriously - He loves YOU that much!  Know that you are loved today!!

Stretching

My boyfriend and I just started a Bible Study by Beth Moore on the Fruit of the Spirit.  (yep - I have a boyfriend :-)) (yep yep, it took me a while before I could actually say the word "boyfriend", but it has grown on me!  It helps that he's pretty wonderful...)
ANYWAY, the Bible Study.  We watched the introductory DVD last week and one of the things Beth Moore said really stuck out to me.  I've been thinking about it all week.
"If you don't feel like you're being stretched, you probably aren't walking in the Spirit."
Meaning, the Spirit was given to us to give us power to do what we can't.  If we feel like we are handling everything on our own (not being stretched), then do we really need the Holy Spirit?
I haven't felt very stretched lately, but the idea of God giving me something to stretch me is a scary thought!  Stretching can be painful! (If you've done P90x you know what I mean).  It is so necessary though if we want to live our lives to the fullest they were meant to be lived!
How are you being stretched right now?  I welcome you to contemplate that with me!

Let's Get Away

It's a new month.  And although it will be 64 degrees in Baltimore today, it's still winter.  It will be cold again.  I get an extra week of vacation this year.  I want to lay on a beach under the warm sun. Right.Now....


Crystal clear waters?

Sounds good.

How about some palm trees?

Well alright.

Sunglasses and a bathing suit?

Yes please!!!!!!!

Actually, I'd take just laying in my bed and dreaming about the Caribbean at this point :-)  Sometimes that's the best vacation there is.

We are one month closer to Spring!!