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.

Ladies...

                               
                               Don't let anyone (including yourself)  tell ya differently!
                                                   Because you are worthy.
                                                     You are beautiful.
                                                      You are LOVED.
                                                  And you are worth dying for!

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. 

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 :)

You're beautiful!

  "Who are they to tell you that you are ugly when God has already spoken that you are beautiful? -Heather leigh

Happy Wednesday  lovelies, Today I want to talk with you about something that has burdened my heart.

When you ladies get up in the morning and  look in the  mirror do you ever feel instant insecurity about your appearance?

Or when you look at the cover of a magazine about the sexiest women alive or something like that? Do you feel not as pretty?

Do you know where those lies are coming from? The enemy. The king of lies.

You see, those are lies I heard so much during my teenage years. So much that I started to believe them and claimed them as my own. 

I thought I was ugly, I thought I was fat and I thought I was stupid..

All this because of a little lie.... A little lie that I let have a bigger impact on my teenage life  then it should have.

I'm honestly not sure if I actually had a minor eating disorder or not.. But regardless, the mindset I had wasn't healthy.  There were days where I skipped meals, went a day without eating and took weight loss pills.. Healthy right?? Nope.. 

I was such a people pleaser and so focused on fitting into smaller jeans I was desperate..

I actually still have to remind myself to eat to this day. Not for the sake of loosing weight but I'm just not a huge eater.. One thing I have learned though about focusing too much on outer appearances though is that whether you are overweight, curvy or on the thin side people will always have a negative side. Kinda just like pregnancy.

"You're too skinny to be 30 weeks pregnant"    "Are you eating enough"  "You need to like go home and eat now!"

When I was in my early stages of pregnancy I was really sick. I couldn't hold nothing down as much as I tried. Not even water. And ended loosing 20 pounds from the whole experience. And because of my long torso it made me look even skinnier.. Though people may have meant for those comments to be considered as compliments it was hard for me not to take them as a slap in the face.. Especially when this one lady asked me if I was eating enough. I was so upset about that due to my earlier years..

Continuing in my pregnancy it was very rare when I got a "You look great!"  (Which is a comment I'd prefer. and it makes the comment a lot less awkward!

After I gave birth to my darling baby girl.. I was able to get back into my pre pregnancy clothes within a few weeks and then they ended up being too big for me. I guess with the weight I already lost from morning sickness and the weight loss from constant nursing made me underweight. Leaving me a little insecure once again.. And the comments I received seriously made me feel worse..

"You're so skinny."  Where did your butt go?"  "Man, I'm so jealous"? "You don't even look like you had a baby!" "Girl, you lost your curves, you looked so much better with curves."

How do you respond to those kinda comments? To me it makes the conversation totally awkward. "Thanks?"   I feel like if I were to say thanks it would  make me sound vain or if I were to say nothing at all I feel like I'd be rude..


I'm telling you these things not because I'm complaining about my physical body. Because I finally love my physical body. Do you know why? Because it's no longer my focus.

I have realized  that body type is such an obsession these days where being skinny is dangerously desired  and to some who aren't skinny either don't think their pretty or they believe their prettier than thinner women..

I read this quote the other day that I didn't take fancy of at all..

 "Real women aren't a size 4 ladies, Real women have curves".

I know and understand that this quote is meant for the media's models and all but seriously? Do we have to go as far as calling them fake women? The only thing fake about them is their body on the magazine what was Photoshopped...  And you know some girl's can't help the fact that they are size 0's 4's 6's 24's  Some women can't help their size due to circumstances or it's just the way they were created. Beautifully.  

Darlings.. Whether you are overweight, underweight, curvy or thin.  I just want to tell you that you are beautiful. Maybe the media would disagree because of the zit on your face or the stretch marks, or the freckles but you know what. Who cares what they think?  My question to you is "Who are they to tell you that you are ugly when God has already spoken that you are beautiful? After all,  He created you perfectly and completed you with His Son Jesus who defines your beauty.

So sisters, let today be the last day that we agree with the lie that was told.. The lie that told us we are not worthy, that we are ugly, that we are fat, that we are skinny. But instead let us believe the truth that will set us free. We are beautiful! Not because of who we are but who Our Beloved Jesus is in us..

Lets stop with these worldly desires to lose or gain weight just to fit in with the media's  Photoshopped beauty. And desire only to be healthy. The way it's meant to be!

And please... Can we stop identifying and labeling people as skinny or curvy.. A "You're beautiful" would be perfect and even more perfect is "Your heart is beautiful!" 

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

                                             Love you, beauties!! 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

Purity & Forgiveness

Happy July 1st!!! I feel like this year is going by so fast.  I'm doing something a bit differently today friends. I'm going to be sharing a vlog with you! This is my very first time making a spiritual vlog so I was a bit nervous but making encouraging blogs are something that Jesus has been really putting upon my heart to do. It's definitely not something I like to do because well, they're  awkward and sometimes I just don't know what to say or share. A bit out of my comfort zone you know?  But God has given me the words to speak just as He has given me the courage to turn my video camera on & share. I've heard these things get easier and easier with every vlog so until than I can be fearless. I know these vlogs Jesus has encouraged me to do will bless someone including myself to be more of a public speaker. Anyways... Now that I have poured my heart out to you about vlogging.

This vlog title is called "Purity & Forgiveness"
About forgetting  what God has already forgotten which is such a hard thing to do sometimes isn't it? We often feel like God remembers the bad things more than the good. But my friend it's the total opposite. The God we serve is The God of love and when Jesus died on the cross for you all of your sins were forgiven & forgotten right there. Right at the moment Our Sweet Beloved whispered "It is finished".  Our Past. Our Present. Our Future. There is nothing that you can do to separate His love from you.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38-39

Today friends, right this moment. I deeply encourage you to forget what God has already forgotten.. To trust and accept the fact that you ARE forgiven, loved and treasured indescribably. He takes great delight in you girl! Much love XOXO



 

Also, don't forget to come back Wednesday for our Mommy 5 Link up! We will be discussing our top five pieces of advice for birth/labor.. :)

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.

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! :)

Over coffee.

Love to you on Monday sweet friend! It's rainy here and it's defiantly a great day for two good friends who are in love  with Jesus to go on a date and talk about our main Man!

The One who holds our tomorrow in His hands and gives us hope everyday as He writes our future.

If I were having coffee with you today, I would share with you a book that is on my list called "The Believers Authority" By Andrew Wommack. I am so filled with the Holy Spirit as I read this book as Andrew goes deeper on who we are in Christ and the Authority we have in Him. We actually have the Authority to do everything Jesus did on earth. And that's exactly what Jesus wants us to do here on earth. Everything He did. He wants us to be love with skin on. To love those who are hard to love, to heal those who can't be healed, to raise those who are dead, to cast out devils and to be the light of the world! I believe with all my heart that when we know our identity in Christ and carry it with us we can really do all things in Jesus. And that makes a little devil terrified haha! Praise Him!!
 

 If I were having coffee with you today, I would ask you how you were doing?
I would ask "What has God been doing in your life?"  & I would ask if He has revealed anything to you about Him lately? He's so mysterious isn't He? A relationship is never boring with Him because as long as you keep spending time with Him He will constantly show you things. Things about Him, things about the future, past and present and He will even show you things about "you". I love how Jesus knows me more than I know me. He knows my name, my every thought, every word I have said, every thing I have done in my past. He knows everything about me and yet, He still calls me loved. He still loves me with a Love that can't be taken away, can't be decreased and obviously can't be hidden. I hope everywhere I go people see the Love of Jesus in me.
 

 His love is just something I can't get over. It's higher than the mountains that I face everyday, it's stronger than death itself and the best part IT NEVER FAILS, IT NEVER GIVES UP & IT NEVER RUNS OUT.
His love is forever. It's a cup that never runs out of living water. He's so High and Mighty.

Oh, can I get an Amen!?! 

 

  If I were having coffee with you, I would tell you how sad it makes me that people get so caught up in religion they don't take the time to really get to know the real Jesus. They get to know their religion, they swear by their religion and follow their religion and they put limits on God. It makes me sad because they think they know Jesus but they don't, they think they know His love but they don't. They know their religion.That's why I believe so many depart, they go astray because their not getting filled, their not satisfied. I believe they fall because they didn't know Jesus and who He was in the first place. That's why I believe it's our job to show them who He is! Who He really is. Because once you know who He is you're NEVER gonna want to leave Him again!

If I were having coffee with you today, I would tell you that I pray that Evelynne will know the love of Jesus and I really believe she does. Her and I will be worshiping together in the morning and I'll look over and see her smiling and being so joyous. I believe she was feeling the love of Jesus and worshiping Him in her own baby way. I'm just so looking forward  to watching her grow into the the lovely lady God has created her to be. I really believe that this little lady has the heart of David. A love for worshiping her main Man.I can't believe she's gonna be 6 months on Saturday! (HALF A YEAR AAHHH!!)

 

 You know. I really want to tell you this morning that Jesus loves you! He really does. And that He's here with you. And if you're going through something He wants to help you and make a way for you. Because He love and cares for you more than you know! 

He wants to make you a victor.

He wants you to have victory over your weakness and troubles.

He wants the mountains in your life to move.

He wants you to have joy and love.

He wants you to know that you're beautiful.

He wants you to know He cares.

He wants you to know that you are LOVED..

This is what I would tell you if we were having coffee today dear friend. I only wish and desire we were really having coffee in person. I would ask you if I could pray over something in your life. I would ask you if I could lay hands on you and command whatever is going wrong in your life to be made right again. I would command every fear to be gone, every doubt to cease, And every stronghold to be released. I wish I could do this in person but since we can't if you have a prayer request email me here and I would be happy to stand with you on something as we take it to the feet of our Heavenly Beloved together.

This is what I would tell you Lovely if we were joined together enjoying a warm (Or cold) Latte in the comfort of a coffee shop loving on Jesus together. What would you tell me?

Another year

 

So, as I made it very obvious the past week or so. Yesterday was my 22nd Birthday!  I'm so very blessed that I have lived twenty two years of this life. And I pray out of these twenty two years I have blessed someone daily! 

This is another year, Another year to learn from my mistakes, to make daily choices wisely, to never forget to love without holding back and another year to choose whats more important in life.

It's another year to do what I'm most passionate about and that's living for Christ! To make choices of spending more time in His love letter and less time on Pinterest (Ooops) I've realized I've done that quite often. 

It's another year to be thankful! 

Being thankful for this precious little girl I get to wake up with every morning!

And my hard working husband I get to spoil when he gets home.

And it's another year to wait patiently.

Another year to wait patiently for being more financially stable, to finally buy my own car and to buy a house, and to get my big girl camera.

I have been thinking all morning about what I plan to do with another year that God has blessed me with.. And that's when I decided that I would just give this year to Him. Because He can do much more with this one crazy and precious life of mine than I can.. He can bless more than I can ever imagine, do more, heal more, speak more and listen more. I want Him to be the writer of this story I live in.. I'll just be His fancy sharpie pen. :)

Pictures from yesterday (Caution) There's kinda alot!

 

 

Yep, I tried the new chocolate cookie frappe. It was good but not my fav!

So sleepy after walking around the mall.

 

And finally fell asleep for Lunch. Perfect timing!

 

Yesterday was such a great day! Momma Riley and I went to the mall and hung out! She bought me some Starbucks and an outfit & we went to Panera Bread for lunch! And during that time I received  a wonderful phone call from my mom & dad!

After that we went to One of our favorite Thrift stores. Well, it used to be anyways.. I wasn't too impressed with our last visit. I hate it how people let things go!

Than we went to our lake by our house. So many memories are planted there. :)

After Leon got home he surprised me by taking me out to dinner. It was lovely. It's always nice to have an adult conversation with no interruptions with my best friend! 

I hope all of you are having a fabulous week!! & if you haven't played our Mommy five link up game yet. You still have 5 days before the collections close!

Love all of you. <3