More than life-Hillsong

Stand by everything You said
Stand by the promises we made
Let go of everything I 've done
I'll run into Your open arms
And all I know

I love You more than life
I love You more than life

Fall back on everything You've done
Fall back on everlasting arms
When all the world is swept away
You are all the things I need
You're the air I breathe

How can it be
You were the one on the cross
Lifted for all our shame?
How can it be
The scars in Your hands are for me?
You are the king of all

This song brings back so many great memories of when my faith was newly growing and budding. Just being prepped...to get ready for the trials I would later face. And I just love how in love with God I was then and how much my walk has come since that time...

The words in this song just...gosh..are so sobering. I do..I love Him more than life. And although my actions might not always show it.. due to my lack of getting in my word daily or pressing in more and more..but..I do..I love Him. Jesus is the best thing that ever, ever happened to me. I don't deserve anything He gives me...and yet, here I am. Alive and breathing.

I just wanna sing this song all day...I feel God's arms around me...love it...

 

(Here are a few more songs from this album that I loved:)

Take All of Me.

 

Where the love lasts forever.

Always.

 

There are sooo many more...check out the entire album on Amazon.com.

 

 

 

When I was a kid, no season beat summer. Winter was a close contender what with winter break, christmas and new years...but summer..summer was the "off" season for kids. Now, as an adult, summer gives way to better weather but certainly no more "summer vacation" from the reall "work" (school). I find that the older I get, the more I appreaciate each season for what it has to offer...and with today being the first official day of fall, I cant help but day dream of the comforts the cool autumn weather brings...and everything else!

for so many reasons......

chunky sweaters....BOOTS...hot apple/pear cider...snuggling...staying in when it rains...the smokey smell of fireplaces in the air...making tamales...atole...pernine..."greige" nails...SCARVES...hoodies...smell of the cement after it's rained...color of the leaves...cinnamon in the air at every store...COZY blankets...candles...TURKEY...grandma's stuffing...early christmas shopping...families coming together...pumpkin cookies...pumpkin seeds...wearing hats all the time is cute again...the post season...using the crock pot more often...menudo...plush socks...crisp fall air...hearing grandma "gobble" on the phone as her "hello" LOL...shopping with mom (we do this more in the fall..not sure why)...crafts...did I mention snuggling? :)

Aside from the ramblings in my mind about fall...here are a few more things I think are perfect for this time of year:

STYLE:

1. Boots, especially the faux riding boot..a must have to wear with skinnies, jeans, tights, skirts & dressses...here are some classic ways to sport these:

2. scarves, scarves, scarves...need I say more? Here is a tutorial for different ways to tie a scarf!

3. opaque tights...clearly so fall :)

4. There's nothing I hate more that fussing with my purse in the wind and rain..having it slip off my shoulder with because of my coat, trying to keep it covered during the rain, worrying about juggling the umbrella and hot cider AND my purse. No thanks...ladies, meet: the messenger bag :)

CRAFTS:

Here are some awesome crafts I can't wait to try for the fall!!

1. The wreath :)

Here is a tutorial on how make these beautiful fall wreaths (although for the wreath circle itself you could just use foam tubing, you can find it at OSH, Home Depot etc) Totally adroable! I'm so making one for our door!

2. A centerpiece...

this one is as simple as buying a glas vase and hot gluing the twigs to it...you can also tie twine around for a bow to add texture...love the contrast in colors!

3. Pretty felt leaf garland..

4. So many more I can't keep track! Here are links to more fall crafts:

     -101 Festive Fall Tutorials
     -Fall Frenzy from craft-a-holics :)



2. For the kiddoes... (and 50 fun fall activities for kids! )

crafts! c'mon...how cute are these?! :)

bake cookies with kids...it will ALWAYS be something they want to do...something you can do together...

Here is the recipe: Pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting

Happy Autumn!!

It's about 87 degree's out and summer is coming to an official (calendar) end this week...

It doesn't feel like fall is around the bend but I know that in no time, it will be October..and I'm relieved. I've said it before, I feel like I am ready for fall. I love each season in its own way, and fall for me this year just feels like it is the end to a crazy year...

Now, perhaps this thinking is somewhat carnal in that God is the one to bring the true [spritual] 'seasons' in our lives...however, with the actual changing of the seasons, I think my mind will recognize it all the more. Because in that, I can physically see the transition in the leaves and sky. I will begin to feel the crispness in the air and sniff out the smokey scent that fall fireplaces bring. Soon the tree's will be bare and the moist grass strewn with the rainbow of Autumn. And I will look to the cloudy, amber sunsets and think of the year that has come and gone so quickly. In that moment of bittersweet rememberance of the events that unfolded this year...I can still thank God for everything..He still deserves all my praise and thanks..

Because no matter where I was physically and where my heart broke at times, God was always there to love me, to hold me, to sharpen me and mold me. I never in my wildest imagination would have ever thought this year (or any other for that matter) would have gone the way it did. Are there things I would have changed? In my simple mind, yes. Am I going to sit here and tell God he slipped up on this one, never.

You see the thing about this whole "God" thing is that although life doesn't become easier, it does become doable and you find joy, peace on confidence in ways you would never have without Christ in your life. Just because I pray a prayer doesn't mean I get that "get-out-of-jail-free" card. But let me tell you something, and I want you to listen with your heart...having Christ in my life, was the best decision I have ever, EVER, ever made...life may not get easier, but the strength through Christ that you gain allows you & affords you the opportunity to not just 'get through' things. Rather what you gain in Christ, it all carries you above the storms. And the peace in it all is...beyond anything I can describe. It boils down to this: when you try to do it right, with God, by God..He honors that. I know, that everything I have been through so far in my 24 years of life has made me the person I am today. God is not finished with me yet, so please; have patience with me. Give me a little grace because I am not perfect. But, God is. His ways are far above ours...He is in every circumstance and only wants the best for us. So in knowing that...I know, everything is alright. Not "it will be" alright..it already is. Because God said so. Remain close to Him. Reman in in Him, and you can do all things.

It's ironic how thinking of leaves falling, certain tree's not bearing much fruit and all that fall does to the cycle of plant life...how in all of this, I can't help but meditate on John 15:5, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing" In this time...I ask God with all my heart that He remain in me as I yearn to remain in Him. Jesus let me produce the good fruit you would have me to...

I want to be used, blessed and molded. Like the changing of the leaves I pray that God stirs and creates a change in me mentally and emotionally. I know He is able. I know He is true to His Word. I know He is just and faithful to His children.

I'm excited for this new season in my life and will be content and happy with where I am at so far. I kept saying, "I'll still find joy and peace 'in the mean time' "...well, this isn't "the mean time" this is IT. This is THE time. Get your act together because this is NOT a dress rehearsal, you only get one shot at life. Every season has its cue's and purpose...I encourage you to take a step back and really observe where you are, what you have come from, see where you need to make changes and ask God to do some heart surgery...fix the brokennessor pain so that you can continue to serve Him..or maybe just begin to. He has equipped you to handle it all, you just have to read the manual ;)

So, I look ahead...I remain in Christ and I work at it all. Getting right. Feeling whole. Finding joy & being used. Because God isn't finished with me yet. I can feel Him working in me...turning over a new leaf...so grateful Lord...

I wrote the back in April on my other (now retired) blog Not Broken (PCOS/Infertility/Life) and I heard this song just now on my Pandora "worship" station...I so needed this reminder...it softened my heart to the things God is doing in my life right now and the place I am now in. I know I have to find joy in everything..even some of THE most heartbreaking parts.

I definately have my moments of weakness...a few have come quite recently..but I still have hope. I still have faith and I still put my trust in the hands of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. God, be my strength...

If you want me to-Ginny Owens...

The pathway is broken/ And the signs are unclear /And I don't know the reason why/ You brought me here/ But just because You love me /the way that You do I'm gonna walk through the valley/ If You want me to

No I'm not who I was /When I took my first step/ And I'm clinging to the promise/ You're not through with me yet /So if all of these trials bring me closer to /You Then I will go through the fire /If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen /When You lead me through a world that's not my home /But You never said it would be easy /You only said I'll never go alone/ So when the whole world turns against me /And I'm all by myself And I can't hear You answer my cries for help/ I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through /And I will go through the darkness/ If You want me to

When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout /Gonna look into your eyes and see you never let me down /So take me on the pathway that leads me home to you /And I will walk through the valley if you want me to /Yes, I will walk through the valley if you want me to

 

.......

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4 "These trials are only to test your faith.. It's (faith) being tested as fire tests and purifies gold...." 1 Peter 1:7

 That's right folks it's official! I am on day ONE of this five day juice fast! It all started with a little (award winning and popularly known & acclaimed) documentary, Fat Sick & Nearly Dead. The documentary is about (and by) a business man from Australia who after years of being over weight, eating unhealthy, suffering from an autoimmune disease, being on countless medications and just being unhealthy over all-decides to take on a 60 day juice fast. The fast essentially cleanses your body and nourishes you as well (so you are NOT starving yourself). Our bodies need certain amounts of micronutrients and vitamins daily to be healthy and sustained. We eat and eat and eat mostly processed and overly processed foods trying to gain what we need, but because all of what we eat has so little of what we need--we eat more than we need to. Thus our cells are damaged and cannot properly absorb and repurpose those micronutrients and vitamins even if we were to get them.

The juice fast, cleanses and stregthens your cells so that they can do their job all the while cleansing out your entire body, and "rebooting" it to be able to perform top notch again, that way it was meant to. When we eat fruits and veggies in their most raw/natural state-we get everything we need.

In the documentary (sorry I don't want to spoil too much) but...Joe, the Australian Business man, loses a ton of weight, reverses his autoimmune disease (almost unheard of) and looks amazing! 15 years younger! He has more energy, is more alert, skin looks great...its such a transformation. And again--completely healthy. He was monitored by his doctors the entire time. (I am very much a skeptic when it comes to cleanses, fasts, diets etc..but this is legit and healthy). In the file you meet two other people who also tried the fast for their own health reasons and made dramatic transformations as well.

So, now..here I am. Sitting in my living room jaw dropped & eyes filled with tears after finishing the documentary. The transformations and life stories are dramatic, touching and real. Two men reverse their autoimmune diseases. One woman, cured of migraines. One man drops 202 lbs and is able to be taken off all blood pressure & cholesterol medications. All. Did I say all? I meant ALL!

Now, I'm not trying to say this will cure anyone of anything. I'm not even saying it's all amazingly easy either. I am day one and I already want to side eye the next person I see eating food! haha...

Here are some reasources for info to browse through OR get you started:

*Here is the website, Fat Sick & Nearly Dead

*Info if you want to do the reboot (juice fast) but manitain the weight you are at, like me.

*Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead Juice Recipes to try

*Other juice recipe's from another website: DrinkRawJuice.Com (last night I tested out the "sleep better" recipe (added an apple as well) and it was delish! zzzZZzz

*Here is the Breville Juicer we bought (similar to the one used in the film) of course, you could buy any juicer you want.


Last night, I went to the store and bought $70 worth of fruits and veggies for a 5 days fast for both Chris and me. My spoils consisted of: celery, carrots, strawberries, nectarines, ginger root, apples, pineapple, small watermelon, spinach, kale, pears, lemons, cucumbers, bellpeppers & grapefruit. This evening after work I still need to get beets, cabbage & kiwi :)

my basket :)

my refigerator, a lot is all chopped and washed. ready to go!

Here is the run down for Day 1:

me, last night testing out a recipe from DrinkRawJuice.Com
(link is above, see "Other" juice recipes)

Breakfast: blend of strawberries, carrots, cucumber, apples, pears & a handful of spinach. Yum!

Lunch: blend of swiss chard, spinach, celery, carrots, parsley & lemon. Y-U-C-K. tasted like lemon-y, pepper-y GRASS! I dumped it and went and bought an orange-carrot juice from Jamba (still just juice) I will NOT use swiss chard EVER again.

Dinner: I will do carrots, cucumber, celery, spinach, apple & parsley

Snacks/supplements?: yes, snacked on cashews & peanuts here and there

Feeling right now: earlier (tmi) alert but...I felt..well gassy! eek! yes! your body feels the effects right away..I also felt a little bloated and went #1 like 5 times in one hour! Right now, I am hungry..still. Kinda tired but I think that's from the restless night I had sleeping alone since my husband is out of town right now.

other blends I love:

-carrot/orange
-pink grape fruit/watermelon
-apple, celery, strawberry, carrot
-carrot/parsely/celery
-cucumber/apple/spinach/pear


I am not doing this to lose a crazy ammount of weight. But..just to reboot my body, get back to eating healthy again & maybe..just maybe it can all help with PCOS/Infertility issues? Hey, it can't hurt to try. Infact, either way; it will actually help me! I am excited to see how this progresses. Don't get me wrong, right now I just want to cave and eat some bread. But I wont! I'll stay strong.

I should also add that I am supplementing with Ensure once a day to add protein (it's safe for me as I cannot/shoud not lose too much real weight) I also try to run 3 times a week and do other stregthening (barre) workouts on the days I don't run. Of course, with this fast, I will adjust the intensity of each workout according to juice intake & my overall feeling for the day. I will always do some kind of workout though. It's all about being healthy!


Bottoms up!

xo