What Purity is.

 Purity..  A word that is often mistaken, misused, and really misunderstood.

If you were to ask me what purity was and what it meant four years ago the answer would have been  different than my take on it now.. In fact total opposite.

I would have told you that purity is when someone saves sex for marriage. That was it. A very limited inside the box answer. But that's what I thought and believed defined purity. And unfortunately I wasn't the only person who thought  that.. My answer was influenced by older generations of women who believed that and passed it down to me and I have spoken to so many young women who believes the same thing..

Yes, saving sex for marriage is so so important and it's an act, an example and  a stand on purity but it's not what purity is. In fact you could still be a virgin who hasn't even kissed someone before but that doesn't mean you are pure. Because purity isn't physical. It's spiritual. It's a heart matter.. If your saving sex for your husband/wife but then looking at pornography, and lusting after young men or women it's really no different than hooking up with them in the first place. Because Jesus made it very clear that He doesn't look at the outer appearance but He looks at your heart! Which in my opinion is so much harder to control than physical.Sometimes we don't even  realize we're lusting after something until we have already done it.. Which is why on our own it is impossible to be pure.. to live a pure life.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  -1 Samuel 16:7

But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28

I have realized the hard way that purity even has nothing to do with us.. It's not something we could conquer on our own.. But Jesus, He is clothed in purity and righteousness and self- control.. He is what makes us pure, righteous and it is Him who strengthens us with self-control. It is not our strength but His alone.

 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. -Isaiah 1:18

 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

And Praise God for that because that means our purity can't be lost! Even when we do mess up and make mistakes. There is no sin that is to big for Jesus to forgive.. After all He gave His life so that you could have His! And this brings me back to a personal testimony a few years back while Leon and I were dating. If you have followed me for a while now or have read my "Purity and forgiveness" post  you would know that my Darling husband and I were not the best examples for living out purity for that short  season of time. Though it was a huge goal for me to do so. Mistakes happened that I learned from.

I remember feeling so much shame. Leon and I didn't actually have sex but boy did we almost sometimes. I personally didn't see a difference and still don't. To me giving into the flesh is giving into the flesh. I remember thinking to myself that there is no going back. I've committed the sin that we Christian often call "the big sin".. The one I was positive with in myself that I would never commit! My stance on saving intimacy for marriage was so strong... I thought nothing could break that! And afterwards I was broken.. I gave up on myself. I was not only mad at myself I also thought I failed Jesus, I failed my relationship, I failed in all hopes of being a great role model for other young women who are striving for purity, and I just thought I was a failure in itself.. A failure who was impure.

But you know what? God is so awesome. He is good and His Amazing love endures forever and doesn't stop when you do something that wasn't the smartest idea. In fact, I believe that's when He knows you need Him the most.. When you've fallen I believe the only thing He wants to do is pick His precious daughter up, give her the biggest bear hug, tell her He loves her and to keep running the race! I believe He is right there besides you cheering you on saying "You got this My precious Darling ! Because I am right here with you!"

In this culture we find that hard to believe. At least I did! Because we have earthy imperfect fathers.. Fathers who don't always show love, affection, encouragement and forgiveness. In fact  a lot of dads out there are just heartless. But God is perfect in Love.. And no matter what you have done and will do He will forever be perfectly in love with you! After all what you have and will do is no surprise to Him.. He knows it's gonna happen.. That's why He sent His only Son Jesus to  give His perfect life for you so that it wouldn't change a thing between His relationship with you.. You see, He  thought of The Way to bring you back to Him even before you left.

Don't put your life on hold until your married.

Hey Darling, 

I've wanted to write you for a long, long time.
Today seemed like it was finally the time and I hope that you'll hear me out.

Lately, you have really been on my heart.
I see so many of you longing for a love that is true and real. 
I see so many of you left feeling lonely, and seeing the circumstance of 
singleness as some kind of illness or identity.
 and I know how you feel,
because I've been there.


I have seen so many of you put your life on hold until you meet someone special..

I have seen so many of you make the decision to sleep.. To just sleep your life away until this dashing handsome man comes  driving   riding on his noble steed to come and kiss you awake.

And you know what? I was a complete victim to this when I was single. I was asleep throughout my whole single life.

All I did was dream, day dream and then dream again.

These dreams were all about How  I would one day meet my husband, how many kids I wanted, when will I meet him, oh, and my personal not so favorite but did so often was I wonder if _________ is the one!?! I had a lot of those ones.

And when my eye often caught Marriage Material I often day dreamed about them. I guess you could say my mind was pretty booked with dreams..

Ladies, May I encourage you today?

As a Married mama, I see now the true blessing that singleness really is..

It's a beautiful, strong and powerful situation to be in. Though the world may say otherwise but it's true!

I'm not saying Marriage isn't because it certainly is! But in a different way.. They're both awesome!
But don't miss out on the blessing and gifts of singleness because singleness is just a stepping stone before marriage.. It's a preparation and much more than that.. And if your not happy being single you're  certainly not going to be happy being married either! Because you'll be lacking the one thing that can keep you satisfied.. Jesus


You see singleness is not just a preparation .. It's an opportunity to fully seek after God with everything you are! To know Him, develop  an intimacy with Him, and allowing Him to show you things beyond imagination  Without the distractions of marriage and babies. It doesn't have to be a process of waiting.. It could be a process of amazing opportunities.. And once you realize the single life doesn't have to be a miserable, waiting season I really believe you'll enjoy it much better!

I'm certainly not saying that you shouldn't dream..  That's far from what I'm saying here.. I believe dreaming big is so important and I'm a proud supporter.. But It certainly shouldn't come before God's plan and His thoughts in Your life.. Putting your dreams and thoughts that can lead up to unhealthy thoughts and decisions before Jesus is no bueno and leads to a dead end where no dreams are fulfilled..

So ladies, I encourage you to let go of the 24/7 day dreaming and start some 24/7 Jesus dreaming..  He'll show you things that your own dreaming can't  even imagine or comprehend. And express way more undying, unconditional love for you than ever imagined..  

His love is real ya'll! Don't wait to be married to finally figure that out.

So many women have the understanding that romance and love can only be found in relationships... That you won't feel treasured, cherished, and loved until we meet our Mr.  And for the women who feel that way I can totally understand why they'd be desperate and lonely during they're single life.. Because what girl doesn't want to be cherished, adored and loved? As women were were created to love these things and to desire these things. We were not only created to love God but to also be loved by Him.  To have a relationship with Him. 

But what is not seen is that even when she does  find a man who does love her, cherishes her, and adores her.. It won't be enough. Maybe at first. Maybe longer. But eventually he'll get old.. The sweet things he had done for her won't be enough and because as human's we're not perfect and he will mess up.. He'll forget about her some days, some days he won't be able to fill her every need, some day's he'll be to tired to spend time with her, and some days he'll rather hang out with his bros.. And you know what? That's okay, it's normal, healthy and it does not mean he's not a marriage material man.  But you'll still need more, you'll still thirst for more because the man you have slept day dreaming about, the man you have waited for all these years will soon no longer be of interest to you anymore because when it was him, his love that you thought you longed for it was really a more perfect love you desperately needed. A love that can only be given by  perfection.. All that time what you were really seeking was Jesus.. The creator of Love and romance.

I really hope I made my point across.. Darlings, What I'm saying is as single ladies.. you are not a  lesser woman.. You are not just a girl and being Married doesn't make you loved, a real woman, or a respectable woman.  It is Jesus who makes you loved and it is your attitude that makes you a real respectable woman and how you handle your single life.

I'm telling you this not with empty words. But with experience. Don't be the girl in need of a man to come and rescue her from the life of singleness.  But be fully independent on Jesus and He will fill your every desire and that will make your future marriage with the man after God's own heart even stronger, more loved filled and powerful. Don't wait to fall in love with Jesus until you're married. Do what you can now to strengthen your relationship with Him. Go on missions trips, start a blog, write a book, start a sisterhood community. Get involved and let God use your singleness to do powerful things. 


                                                                       Love ya, girl! And keep shining for Him.
                                                                                             xoxo- Heather Leigh.

31 days of Beautiful// You are all together beautiful. Day 3

 You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. 
                                                             -  Song of Solomon 4:7
            
I am so blessed and amazed to know that even when I am at my worst, when I have a bad day, in a grumpy mood, or I just can't seem to get out of my yoga pants.

When I'm having one of those days to where the laundry doesn't seem to make it in the washer, Evelynne's toys doesn't seem to get put away and on the days where I just feel like a failure as a wife and a mama. 

When those circumstances come my way, and when emotions build up inside of me, when thoughts come to me about how I'm a mess and have fallen apart.

Jesus whispers with the softness of His Mighty voice "Beloved, You are all together beautiful,my love; There is no flaw in you at all. Not because of who you are or what you have done.. But because of who I Am in you..I died for you my love.. So that you may have life. I know there are some days when you feel like you just can't hold on any longer, you feel like your strength is decreasing, and you feel like your beauty is quickly fading.

Remember my love, I Am your Anchor that will hold you steady when the waves come.

I Am your strength that will keep you strong in not only joyful times but trying ones as well.

And I Am Your beauty and the One who makes you Beautiful.

And Everything I am in you never fails. I am the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. I will never change. And I will always be with you to give you your every need. I will never forsake you my beautiful one. For I died so that you may live the abundant life I willed for you. 

 Day 1. 31 days of beautiful
Day 2. You are beautiful
Day 3.Why I chose to make "all things beautiful" my topic

31 days of Beautiful// You are beautiful.

Hello lovelies, Today I am writing my first post on my 31 days of beautiful series  I'm super excited about it!
Today I'm going to be talking about physical beauty.. The kind of beauty that seems to matter most in this world and the the kind of beauty that really seems to matter less to God.

Physical Beauty.. Why is it so important? Perhaps because so many people have made their physical beauty their identity, perhaps they think it's all they have going for them, or perhaps some believe they will never be truly happy in life if they are not physically beautiful.

Growing up in a house full of girls with only two poor boys. I've quickly noticed how important physical beauty is to women. I remember my older sister spending hours on her make up/getting dressed/doing her hair. And I remember the tears that were cried by my poor younger sister who would hide in the bathroom crying because someone pointed out a flaw on  her beautiful face.

I myself have had major insecurity issues because I didn't qualify myself as beautiful. I didn't even think I was close to it. And because of that I was desperate to find a way to be beautiful I was willing to take a path that could eventually harm myself. I've always felt insecure about my weight. But somehow after taking two weight loss pills daily and surviving on slim fast drinks every other day I somehow felt better about myself.. That lack of nutrition and weakness flowing through my body from lack of food felt amazing. As long as I felt skinny I was happy.

Looking back at myself and how ridiculous I was for thinking that way makes me shake my head at myself and how I was acting. I was so focused on feeling skinny that ruining my own body was an option. It's sick really and even more sickening is that so many women and young women are going through the same thing and the media encourages it, even inspires it. Planting the need to be skinny in the minds of so many. Leaving us so obsessed with with how we look physically we forget to leave room for the most important thing to work on beautifying. Our heart.

 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

Ladies, The media is a place that lies and deceives. It tricks you and tells you that you need to fix yourself before you can feel good about yourself. It tells you that you'll never feel good about yourself  unless you buy this beauty product that's way out of your budget, it tells you that you'll never be happy about your fashion style until you wear these five hundred dollar boots, and that you'll never be truly beautiful until you have been photo shopped and completely flawless..

Can I tell you something Sisters?  The world is full of liars that are on a mission to make you feel horrible about yourself. They are of the world and you don't have to fall victim for it.
The reason why we believe these things are not because they are true (Because they're far from it!) but because after hearing it and reading it we speak these things over ourselves. And when we keep telling ourselves we'll never be happy until I  _______ . We start to believe it with all our heart. And that's a problem.

But be of good cheer Darling and keep your chin up. Because even though you may be thinking negative about yourself right now God is thinking VERY differently about you!

He says you're beautiful.
So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him.
                                                                                           - Psalms 45:11

He knows everything about you! Even the hair on your head he has numbered.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. - Luke 12:7

He has searched you and known you, He knows your every thought and every desire. He is always where you are. His thoughts for you are so precious to Him.. They are so full of Mighty Love that our hearts are not even close to contain it!
                                    -Psalms 139

My sisters, there are so many words in this Awesome word of God's unfailing love for you! So many I don't even think this post could handle. But may I encourage you to read some of this truth next time the media tries to steal your joy? And to start speaking The thoughts of Jesus over yourself?  It's incredibly life changing once you know that you are beautiful.

And not because of your physical beauty. I honestly don't think that's what Jesus is referring to. Even though we are all physically beautiful because God created us in His image. But I believe what Jesus means by beauty is our hearts. 

The Lord made it very clear in the scripture about that He doesn't look at the physical body, but He looks at the heart.. Now I'll be the first to admit that I sometimes get to carried away with outward beauty and not focus enough on inward beauty. The world has gotten the hang of making outward beauty it's focus. Which as always a total opposite of God's way, and thoughts.


 "Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3:4

The heart is so much more precious to our First Love than  physical beauty ladies.  Now, I'm not saying we shouldn't wear make up, or dress fashionably. I believe God wants us to look our best and dress our best. Because we represent Him. But He doesn't want us to make it our main focus.. He doesn't want physical beauty to go through our minds 24/7. Because to Him it's not beautiful at all.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  -Proverbs 31:30

So, my darlings, I want to encourage you today. I want you to know that YOU.ARE.BEAUTIFUL!

Not because the world says so, not because I say so, not because of your wardrobe, make up products, weight loss, or weight gain, not even because of who you are but because of who Jesus is in you. And He has made you absolutely flawless girl! He thinks you're beautiful love! And I just happen to agree with Him! Because it would be totally a bad idea to disagree with The King of kings.


                                       Much love to you today, Beautiful!
                                                    xoxo-Heather. 

Beloved,

and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. -Revelation 2:3-4

 I want to encourage you today to never forget your first love.. This is a verse The Lord had laid on my heart lately. It's pretty deep if you ask me. 

You know, living the life we live, the fast mode we're used to, and the blessings that have become so ordinary to our sight. We often forget about Our first love.  Especially in the busyness of  day. 

Sometimes we don't even realize that we have forgotten the most important One in our life, The One that completes us, The One who is constantly waiting for us to draw near to Him so He can show us the things unseen, The One who calls us "Beloved". 

And that is why I believe the rate for divorce is high, Mama's are burned out and feel a loss of patience,  Ladies in waiting are done with waiting, and ministries aren't ministering. 

Darlings , right here.right now. Lets dedicate our lives once again to the One who first loved us. 
Lets remember that it's only the love of Jesus that can complete us.

My Married sisters, Let us stop seeking  the love and perfection from our husbands that is impossible for them to give you. Lets stop giving them our one hundred percent just to expect one million percent from them. Because truth is we are never going to get a million percent from them and sometimes we may not even get that one hundred percent.
But let that not determine our unfailing love for our husbands. Let us love our husbands like Jesus loves us! And let us remember that the most important thing in marriage isn't to serve each other. It's not to cater each others every need. It's about living your life working together as a ministry, sacrifice, and to serve the One who can fill our every need. 

My mama's, Lets not forget to get some Jesus time in before the day starts.. Meet Him in the morning of the day before the little darlings get up.. Lets give Him the first of what we are so He can give us the first of who He is! Let His love over power us so we can share that love with our children as we continue to plant seeds in their life that will stick with them forever.  I'm telling you it's much better than a cup of coffee! 

My single sisters, I know sometimes it's hard to wait.. You want to be loved, cherished and cared for by a man. And Jesus knows and understands and He's bringing you your promised one. But until then let Him continue to romance you and draw you closer to Him.. Choose Jesus to be your Beloved, your main Man, your Everything. Because it is only Him who can and wants to fill your every need and every desire. 

And to all of my sisters in Ministry, Whether it's blogging, across country, in the church or even in the home. Let us remember to not be so soaked up and focused on serving God that we forget about Him. Let us not be so focused and busy preparing things that we forget to include God in the midst of it all. I believe that's one reason why the Church isn't reaching, healing and ministering. We're so focused on schedule and plans and running around like a crazy person that we forget to sit down sometimes and just love on Jesus and let Him be the ministry.

So my sisters, my friends. Today let us be reminded and never forget His unfailing love that's captivating.
Let us never forget our first Love during the craziness of our lives but instead run to Him. The One who can turn it into something beautiful and peaceful once again.

He will work it out for your good.

             Mistakes are often your best educator. As long as you don’t quit, you will never lose.
                                                          -Paula White.

Dearest friends, Today don't let your past mistakes hinder you, don't let them define who you are.. But instead learn from your mistakes, remember that it is only Jesus who defines who you really are and let Him take your circumstances and use it for His glory as a testimony that will blow others away. 


And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:29




Hey ladies, I am also co-hosting over Hannah's awesome blog hop. 
Go check it out and meet some new mama's :)

I am confident.

I am confident that with God I can do anything! For am loved so by the Maker.
 It has nothing to do with me, but it has everything to do with my Lord who Strengthens me. 
For when I am afraid I will trust in Jesus always. It is God's Name I praise. 
For it is in God I trust and will not be afraid. 
For In You I am strong and In You I have taken heart. I have hope in my Lord. I have no fear of sudden disaster. For my confidence is in My God and not my own. And my foot will not be snared.

"the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love"  
-PSALM 147:11

                                Be confident in the One who holds your day today, friend.  
                                                                      Love you!  
                                                                XOXO -Heather

He is Willing to fill all your needs.

Only God is able to meet all needs, only God is able to heal, restore, deliver, and bring a person to wholeness! - Paula White

Friend, I encourage you today to trust and rely on God for every need and even want.. He wants to give you healing, He wants to give you wholeness, He wants to bless you financially, He wants all your needs to be met and He wants you to feel and know  His Love. But all He can do is give it to you. You have to be the one to receive it!

                        Receive His love and everything He wants to give you today friend.

                                                         It will change your life!

                                                         Much Love XOXOXO - Heather

Scars & Purity.

My Friend, sexual sin is one of the most damaging things that one can do to their own body physically, spiritually and mentally. Which is why God warns us to stay away from it!

God doesn't just tell us to wait for no reason. He loves us too much and He created not only us but sex as well, and because He created sex He also knows it very well. He created it to be a beautiful intimate thing that a man and a woman would come together to do in marriage. Sex is really such a beautiful thing! A man and a woman coming together in holiness and selflessness to give ones self to each other and creates a wonderful, beautiful being. Which is why Satan tries so hard to pervert it with lust and selfishness.

I am strongly passionate for purity. And no sex til marriage and because I have compromised my passions in the past I am even more passionate about it!  I was deeply  hurt from it and in different ways so was Leon. We realized what was going on and how the enemy was trying to get in our relationship. But we did not condemn ourselves at all because that would just be another battle Satan would want victory in. So we picked ourselves up and continued to run finishing the race and fighting the good fight. And the day finally came when we had our victory. They day I proudly walked down the aisle wearing white. I was more pure that day than ever before.  During this whole experience our loving God has given us so many testimonies. No matter how many times you fall God's promise is there always! He has never left us and has never forsaken us and never will. In fact I remember one time I was broken and hurt by all this and I was just pouring my heart to God asking for strength and He brought me to Isaiah 41:10.

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

This verse brought me so much comfort and joy! Knowing that His strength is inside me! And day by day, week by week His strength is in us more each day!

It doesn't matter how many times you fall. It's what you do afterwards. Are you going to condemn yourself and just lay there? or are you going to take your Fathers hand He willingly gave you, get back up and finish the race you were created to win?

Boundaries are so important!
One thing I really wish I would have done is talked with Leon about boundaries when we first got together. And stood for them. We had goals to stay pure and we had boundaries afterwards but we did not start out with boundaries. Just to stay pure. I now realize a relationship needs boundaries from the beginning. You just cannot say "Okay no impurity" But than think it is okay to go upstairs alone and watch a movie in his bedroom and expect nothing to happen!  A relationship with no boundaries can only lead to failure. And if you think you do not need boundaries you are greatly deceived my friend.
Here is a list of boundaries I deeply respect and highly recommend!

1. The swim principle. When you do not touch a guy anywhere a modest bathing  suit would cover and same with the girl.

2. no clothes off!!

3. Do not be alone with each other with the door shut.

4. No laying on the bed together. The bed is a very intimate special place for married couples and for sleeping.

My goal is to please God by living with a clean conscience before Him, and knowing He is watching. I want to please Him with all I am but I cannot do that if I am not living entirely for Him.

It's hard for the woman.
Sexual sin is really hard for the woman because when she gives even a small part of herself away too early she feels a loss of value, and when she feels a loss of value she also feels a loss of respect and a sense of respect toward the man, and then he feels a lack of value.
More reasons why saving sex is so important. I have seen relationships destroyed because of impurity, and it breaks my heart dearly.

Modest is hottest.
The gift of a woman's body is precious. Through her modesty she allows a lot about her character and what she values and it shows shes secure in herself. It breaks my heart when I see young girls in youth groups wearing immodest clothing. The media is a great influence on them. It is so important girls, that we dress modestly because our character is shown by how we dress and our attention is shown by how we dress as well. It is never a good excuse for a guy to disrespect a girl in a sexual way. But when we dress the part, we are asking for it! And I never want to see any girl disrespected. When we dress modestly we not only help our christian bro's out and respect them but we're also respecting ourselves and our bodies and most of all we are respecting God with our body.

You can do it!
Maybe you feel like you went to far to go back, you are furthest from the truth. Leon and I are living proof it's possible. As far as the east is from the west. God is here and the time is now. He is ready to catch you. Are you ready to jump into His Arms?

Much love- XOXO

Freedom.

 I never thought what it could mean.
Could I really be set free from all things?
Could I be healed from all the stings?
The burdens of this world hung on me like strings.
I thought their was no hope for me.
Could a girl undeserving be set free from these things.
I thought it was too late but You proved me wrong.
You poured Your love on me and over flowed me with a song.
It's finished, Your free. You are now worthy because of Me.
I paid the price for You my child.
Now live free in remembrance of Me.
I got up and the chains broke off.
The tears and nightmares went away and a smile took  place.
This smile Jesus gave me, I just can't take it off my face.
Joyous is the one who counts it all as lost.
Jesus, lead me to the cross for nothing else matters.
Because of Jesus I see so many beautiful patterns.
Light as a feather. As if I'm floating in the water of freedom.
not a burden in the world.
I'm no longer drowning from the rocks dragging me in.
But now I'm floating on top of the water flying on His wings.
Freedom He brings and takes all our cares away.
Freedom He brings to give a chance to all who have gone astray.
Freedom He brings and I forever want to stay in the arms of the One who took my place that day.

Happy Father's day!

Considering Father's day was yesterday... I'm a little late on this one. In my excuse. I NEVER blog on weekends so yea anyways. Happy Belated Fathers day  to all you Dad's out there!! Because anyone could be a Father but it takes a very special person to be a dad. I'm so blessed to be a wife to a wonderful dad!

 Before I met my husband I prayed for three specific things in a husband. A man after God's own heart, An amazing dad, and a man that could make me laugh until my ribs hurt. And The Lord has shown favor upon me and gave me all three of those things and a guy and much more.. What can I say. He's just the whole package deal! Happy Father's day my Mr. Riley!!

Daddy giving Ev some lovin// Leon & I enjoying Frappes on a hot day!// Leon's favorite bread that I make//Mine & Evie's Fathers day  art work// Evie wishing her daddy a Happy Fathers day!!



I would also like to wish a Happy Father's day to my Dad!



& most importantly I want to wish A Happy Fathers day to My Abba Father!  He is the best Dad EVER!!
He has taken me out of darkness, comforted me during many nights of pain, and made me new! He has hidden me in Christ and for that I am forever thankful!

Hey guys! Today I'm also linking up with Faith for the mommy moments link up!! Go check her out! ;D

Hey mamas!

Welcome back for another great week of Mommy Moments Link Ups! Thank you for linking up and for spreading the word! We love all of the great posts!

The most viewed link from last week's Mommy Moments belongs to Bethany from Before, During and After and her post In Labor! This girl was IN LABOR last week!

And I think her baby is finally here. We can't wait to meet her baby boy. Congrats Bethany!!

Our guest host this week is Heather from A Different Kind Of Woman. Welcome Heather!

Now it's time to link up your posts! All you have to do is...

1. Follow Host: The Life Of Faith 

 Co-Hosts: The Not Quite Military Wife, Beautiful Family Affairs and The Mrs. 
Guest host: A Different Kind Of Woman

2. Link up your post!
Post can include anything related to mommy-hood, children, homemaking, pregnancy etc. If you aren't a mom yet, feel free to link up your preparation for motherhood, your journey as you try to conceive, or even a post that would be encouraging to the other moms in the party!

3. Add the Mommy Moments button to your post or blog so everyone knows where you are linking up!

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P.S. We will be having a new guest host every week! Want to be a guest host of the Mommy Moments Blog Hop? Send Faith a message at farmprincess14{at}gmail{dot}com. We would love to have you!

Hardest Moments From The First Year of Marriage.

 
The first year of Marriage is always different for everyone. For some it's their best and most easiest year, full of romance and well, you know! And for some it's not the easiest and even pretty difficult sometimes. This first year of Leon's and my marriage was a rough year but I have learned one very important thing this year and that is to never leave your partner behind!

Unfortunately when many couples get married, when they say their vowels and when "For better or for worse."  come from their lips they really only mean for the better. And that really makes my heart cry. Because in so many occasions the great stuff comes after the hard stuff.. But no one stays around and waits for the great stuff to come. & this saddens me because once the great and wonderful stuff comes all of the hard stuff is nothing afterwards.

 The first year was a pretty hard year for Leon and I. Leon worked for a company where sometimes he had work and sometimes he didn't and when I had to leave my job at Panera Bread because they weren't giving me enough hours. Well, that made money extremely tight. So when he did get a big check we really had to make it last until I got a different job which never happened because of the economy. Nobody was hiring.
Which was major inconvenience on our part.. Eventually Leon and I prayed about it and being a stay at home mom was my calling. We decided to trust God to provide our needs while I stayed home.

In late February I started having dreams and one vision of a little girl and me being a mother specifically. I knew I was going to have a girl first and that these were dreams of her but I didn't know it would be so soon. Until I received this one vision while I was sitting in a prophetic conference teaching of a baby girl and then the word "Fath" appeared. I honestly didn't  know what to think. "Maybe, I was gonna have another little girl named Faith?" And than it hit me.. The thought that I was pregnant crossed my mind. And I was terrified but so full of joy at the same time.  The thought of being a mama, carrying a baby inside of me, and just everything about Motherhood is just wonderful, I always knew I was going to be a mama, and it was always something I've dreamed of doing. I was really excited about meeting my little girl in 9 months but I was terrified by the fact that my husbands job wasn't a steady one.

 
But with that vision God has told me to be still and not to worry. To have Faith because He was going to provide our every need. And not long after Leon and I returned from the conference. Sure enough I was pregnant with my most favorite girl in the whole world!  I felt so much joy in my heart. I couldn't even describe it!

It was really hard for Leon the first three months of pregnancy because I had horrible morning sickness. I was seriously on bed rest the first few months because I couldn't keep anything down. My poor husband had no idea what to do!


And through out the year everything we needed was provided. Everything  for Evie's nursery and clothes, Leon's job increased financially. And when September came he finally got accepted in the police academy.
We're still just making enough to make ends meat. But we're trusting God for all of our needs and we know He will provide. It was a really hard year for us financially but I know this is just a season and the next season I'm believing that Leon and I will be so well off financially that we can bless others who are having the same financial issues  as we were.


Another hard thing for me specifically was I was moving into a place with two other loved ones. My Mama inlaw and my sister inlaw  Ashley. Leon and I never lived with each other before Marriage so I was not only getting to know my beloved hubby. His likes and dislikes I was also getting to know his mama and sister. It was really hard for me at first because we all live SOO differently and to top it all off I was an emotional pregnant woman going through morning sickness.. However. this is no longer an issue. I love these ladies. <3

He really loves you!

 There's a song I know very well that I keep close to my heart. It starts out "He is jealous for me
Love's like a hurricane,I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of  His wind and mercy When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me".

This song is more real to me today than it has ever been. I understand this song, I know the love of my sweet and precious Jesus. These aren't just words to me. These are  truths from My Heavenly beloved.

My dear friend, may I encourage you and love on you today?
It makes me sad. It makes me sad when I see dear sisters not feeling cherished or loved, it makes me sad when they look for that kind of satisfaction in men and the turn out is not what they expected and in return they end up feeling even worse than they did before. 

My dear sister, I want  to encourage you and tell you with the greatest love I have in my heart that you will not find what you desire and what you need on this earth. You will not find the satisfaction you oh so desire in a man of the world or even a man of God. The hope you look for, the love you desire and the perfection you seek. There is only One who carries it. Only One. And boy does He want to get to know you! You are all He thinks about babe. In fact He can't get you off His mind.  His Name is Jesus. Would you like to meet Him?

Before you shut me out, try to shut me up and have a complete melt down on me. Listen. He's not what you think and He's certainly not what many have led you to believe. They probably have told you that Jesus is judgmental and hates people who don't obey Him, You've probably heard that He's a punisher and is just waiting to strike you down and waiting for you to do something wrong. You've probably also heard that He isn't even real. But let me tell you He is real, very real! And what the world says of My Jesus isn't true at all. In fact. He's the complete opposite!

He doesn't come to condemn. He comes to save.
He brings Life and Life more abundantly.

And girl, If you have ever questioned The Love that this Man upstairs has for you. Read Psalm 139. Now that's a love letter.

Did you know that not only does Jesus love you. He loves you enough to die for you! Did I mention He did? It was the only way we could be saved and become His bride. It was the only way we could be united with such a perfect bridegroom. He left His throne and came down to our level and died a horrible death so that we could forever be with Abba!

You see, I was a sinner once. I did all that and who knows what else. I was that girl, That girl who was nothing, not worthy to anyone. But Jesus found me and gave me His hand. He helped me up and carried me to a place that was safe. He covered me in royalty. And then He introduced me to His Father. King of all, Lord of Lords. And His Father adopted me as one of His own and I am no longer called a sinner of the world. But I am now a daughter of Christ. God is now my Father and my Sweet Jesus is my Heavenly Beloved. And you know, He wants to do the same for you! I can't tell you how my life has changed for the better! I have had a love encounter so incredible that there are days when I can't even move or speak.Because His presence is just over taking! My friend I want you to have this same experience. And Jesus wants you to as well.

 Maybe you're feeling lonely, Maybe you've done something that you feel that there is no going back to before, maybe you don't even know who God is and you've always known Him as somebody who didn't like you. Or like me maybe you just didn't find yourself worthy of Jesus, maybe you think of it to be impossible for Jesus to even think of you.

Well, girl let me tell you that you are never off His mind. You were on His mind the day He created the earth, To the day He died on the cross for you, to the day He arose again, and to this day YOU are on His mind and He doesn't want you to go another day without you knowing who He really is. There is nothing you could ever do to make Him not love you! Nothing. Because He sacrificed it all, His own life so that everything you have done in the past, the present and the future could be as though it never happened. He so desires for you to see yourself the way He sees you!

So my friend if you want to experience  His love. His amazing Love. Pray for a love encounter at this moment you are reading this. Speak to God, share your heart with Him and just be silent and worship Him. Let Him save you and just wrap yourself around His love as you listen to this powerful love song.



If you need prayer, or just some words of encouragement please email me I would love to hear from you. Be blessed sisters! Xoxo

 Mama's out there!! Come join Sarah and I for our Mommy 5 #2 Link up tomorrow! After tomorrow we are excited to do this Link up every other Wed. Yay!! Sarah has come up with the question for this week and this weeks question is "What are your 5 top favorite  baby names?"  And we promise we're not asking you this so you would accidentally give away the name of you little blessing you're carrying.. Even though I wouldn't mind because ya'll are driving me cray cray for not letting us know ha!  We just like to hear your favorites and unique names! Who knows maybe somebody is still seeking a name for their wee little lad or lassie and finds your blog and there it is!! A name you picked is chosen for their little person.. (Yes clearly I am thinking too much of this!! Any who be blessed you lovelies and I so look forward to seeing your answers. Spread the word. :)

Over Coffee.

If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you how excited I am to be with you today and how I am very in need of a good chat!

I would  ask how you were doing? And ask what your plans for the summer are? I would tell you I haven't been to the beach in over a year. And I'm feeling very beach deprived right now. I really miss it. The waves, the sand, board walk and those famous board walk fries Ocean city is famous for. Yes, I plan to go all out when I finally go there. "LG fry and the biggest Ice cream cone you have please!"

If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you that being a wife of a police officer is much harder than it looks. I miss my husband so much! When he's not working he's sleeping and when he's not sleeping he's working. It's tough! But I'm so glad that I have the love of Jesus to get me through. Him and I are best buddies. After all He was and is still my main Man. Way before my beloved Leon even came into the picture.

Church yesterday was such a powerful service. I have been asking seeking God harder than I even have and just desiring our intimacy to go to the next level. I want God to use me for His glory to do powerful things. To witness the sick being healed, the dead being raised, and the dry bones to be filled with living water. I want to hear the voice of God  more clear. As clear as you and I talking over a coffee date. I want to be that sensitive to Him, I want Him to be able to ask of me to do something and without a doubt to do it. I have been wanting to encounter the Love of God to a deeper level. And it happened yesterday.

I have never felt a love encounter so deep as the one I felt yesterday. It was as if electricity entered my body and just filled me. I was so shaky and even teary eyed as they were playing "There is Power in The Name of Jesus". Something came over me. It was the Love of Jesus. Just when I was just getting myself together. Our Pastor (Who was full of fire) told me  "The Lord knows what  you have been seeking and He wants you to know that you have it!" Yep, I lost it there! Mascara, eye liner it was gone. I busted out in tears and no body was there except for me and my sweet Jesus. Things are going to change in my life. And I can't wait to see. Jesus and I are on a new adventure!

 

 If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you how much I can't believe my baby girl is actually growing up! In one week my sweet Evelynne did two big things that seriously made my week! She not only slept two nights through the night! (Can I get a amen?!) And if that didn't excite me enough she started crawling!! Her first major step of independence! Apart of me just wants to hold her in my arms for forever. <3 But you know, then I would be missing out on everything. Every new thing this girl has been doing is my highlight of the week. 

If I were having coffee with you today. I would tell you that this season has probably been the hardest on my marriage. The cop life has been really messing with Leon. And we're struggling. But I know God has a plan and He told me to be at peace. And tonight I am at more peace than I have had in a while.We are supposed to be going on a long needed date this week so I'm so looking forward to a short get away with my man.

 

 This is what I would tell you my dear friend if we were having coffee together. What would you tell me beautiful? Be blessed XoXoXo

Lets walk in love!

"Walking in love means that we love others  exactly the same way that Christ has loved us...
Walking in love means giving the other person what he or she needs the most when it is least deserved, because that's exactly how God has treated you. That's what genuine love is."
—Chip Ingram

Lets be the change! :)

Purity, Freedom and our identity.

 I will never forget the first morning. The first morning I woke up feeling shame. 
I felt like I had engaged in a series of fights. Battles I believed I couldn't win. I felt beaten up by a giant I could not defeat.  Chased by a darkness that I just couldn't ignore, I heard whispers of defeat dancing all around my shaken body. As my heart and mind had become beaten by this sudden war. I felt defeated, condemned as tears of pain ran down my red cheeks, my soul hiding it's face as I cried out "Jesus. What have I done?" 

I remember crying until their were no more tears to cry while trying to get my act together before my morning shift. This was the morning after my beliefs, my purity had been compromised. The morning after something happened I thought wouldn't be possible. I was strong enough to fight off lust. Or so I thought.

What is "lust" anyways? If you were to ask me that question a few years ago, I would have told you that "Lust" is a "sexual desire" one has for someone else outside of marriage. Something I didn't have a problem with. But if you were to ask me now. I would tell you that "Lust" is a dangerous root that comes in all kinds of  forms and disguises.

I say this with complete honesty. From what I can remember sexually desiring a man has never been a desire of mine. Sex was something I personally didn't feel the need to have. In fact I probably wouldn't have minded living the rest of my life as a virgin.. I have often heard women speak of "Sex" as just something women did for their husbands to please them or to just get them to shut up. I've thought "Sex" was for the man only. And after being sexually molested by a few family members and old friends being too afraid to say "no" and to fearful of saying anything to my parents. I had no interest in sex. So, lust, I didn't think was a problem for me.

Love.. Who would have thought that Lust could come in such a form? Of course not the "perfect love" that Jesus died to give us. But a desire to be loved. I was so lustful after love that I would have done anything to get it! And when you have such a desire to be loved without an ability to say "no" things can go very wrong.

That was me. To be loved was all that I wanted. Yes, I was a Christian my whole life.. But a religious Christian. I knew Jesus loved me but I couldn't grasp any of it. I sung the songs of "His love" but "Is it really true?" I often wondered.. I doubted many times. How could he have loved somebody like me? I to easily compared the love of God to my father's love.. I've always felt like I had to earn my fathers love. And because of that I never thought God was capable of loving me because I was not worthy. When in fact. All Jesus wanted to do was love on me but I was to desperate to feel the love of my earthly father who often rejected me that I shut Jesus out. And there was no room for His love in my heart.. Because my heart was filled with other things.. And that I didn't realize. I would go on and on in my mind of what I could do to earn the love of Christ. To be able to feel His love inside of me. And that is when I decided that I'd be pure for Jesus. And I would earn His love that way. So, all this time I'd talk about "Purity" About how I"m going to be 100% pure until marriage. I was under the impression that if I did that. I would be pleasing God and my dad for sure. And that there, was when Purity became my identity.I haven't  realized until now that I wasn't trying to remain pure for anyone but myself. So that I could get the satisfaction and so that I would get the attention I wanted and so that I could wear the halo for a while.

I didn't  find my identity in Christ at all. Honestly, I never thought I had one in Him.. I just thought the only thing I had was purity. It was my "Identity" And after I met my husband Leon. That lustful feeling of needing to be loved came back.. (Actually, I don't even think it left in the first place.)

For months, I had felt a battle, like the signal sound of warning filling my ears. Painful memories had come back, as the painful things returned and happened again for the last four years of my life. Making me feel like an object, a victim, worthless all over again. These bad memories had been surfacing my mind like dead  rotting fish in the lake as the enemy whispers in my ear just how worthless he convinced me I am.

And before I knew it, without even realizing it. I've allowed my desire to be loved take over. I had surrendered to a struggle with purity.

The next morning my feet hit the floor in shame.. I even felt too condemned to pray or even read my bible.. I've compromised purity, the identity I had.. There was nothing left of me.  My heart was broken, darkness overshadowed the light. Beating me constantly. Reminding me of what had happened the day before.. Leon and I didn't actually have sex.. But in my mind it wouldn't have made a difference at the time. I was ruined. There was no healing for me as my heart scattered across my bedroom floor into a million tiny pieces.

 I look back at that night as a new person. I no longer feel shame about those nights. But instead I thank God. I thank God for creating me  with perfection, making me new for His Glory. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

I thank God for working all things out from my mistakes and fixing them. Because He loves me. And making me more white and more pure today than I have ever been.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

And I thank God for opening my eyes and reminding me each day with love. Just how much I need Him to be my identity. And nothing else. 
 
To this day I don't think of the past as regretful memories, or painful memories. I no longer soak in tears because of them, I no longer give myself a pitty party because of what I have done.. Who has time for that?

I now look at the past as a battle that has been defeated, a victory that has taken place, a war that has been won.

A situation the enemy had planned to ruin me, But God's love had taken over and He renewed me.

I can look back and just thank God for loving me so much and taking me out of the situation I was in. 

My dear friends, these are not empty words I promise... This is not an empty testimony, It's not an empty story from one's past. It is a story of one's mistake that God has taken and made it beautiful. As if nothing had ever happened.. So today my friends I want to encourage you!

Sister, His passion for us is deep. His love  wants to overtake our whole bodies. And His kindness, it wants to convince us  that abandonment is not who He is, despair is not His language and punishment is not how He works. And He will do whatever it takes until we know this in our very souls. Some of us run around like pain and fear has the authority, like our experiences hold the scepter, like it is our memories that are stronger than death. (And until now that was me.) He extends the invitation to us to just pause. Pause and take all that authority we have stored up in our past and pour it out on Jesus. The Cross broke the power that we think this thing has over us and He is on the throne! Claiming us to be His bride.

And even today, like a subtle breeze, Jesus is whispering into our hearts reminding us that the authority that raised Him up out of the grave is the authority that's burning  inside of us.  We can use that authority or we don’t. The choice is ours. But there is a better option, a more beautiful answer.
The more we use that authority, the easier it gets. The more we believe we are who He says we are, the simpler it becomes.
Because purity is so easy when we know who we are.
You are too worthy and too valuable and too loved and too beautiful for this to destroy you. Don’t believe the lie that freedom is a reward. Because it’s not. Free is who you are! We are His Beloved.