I'm Thankful for.... Day 10

I'm Thankful for my friend Jasmine.. She has been my best friend since Senior year of High School and is now my MOH (Maid of Honor) at my wedding. She is here for me whenever I need her. I know she is just a phone call away : ) I love you girl...

I'm Thankful for.. Day 9

I'm Thankful for my friend Melissa. There are times that I don't know what to do and I'm just a mess. But she has a way of getting to me and getting me to realize that sometimes its not as bad as it seems : ) She is more like a SISTER than a friend.. I love you girl : )

I'm Thankful for. Day 8

I am Thankful for my Church. I attend The Oaks in Red Oak. I absolutely LOVE the vision that they have for our community and I feel like FAMILY when I walk in there. I love the worship and I love the pastoral staff and the heartfelt sermons that are preached on Sundays.

I'm Thankful for.. Day 7

I am Thankful for MY GOD. He has given me life and sometimes this life may be difficult and I may not understand it.. But I still thank GOD for my LIFE.

I'm Thankful for.. Day 6

I am thankful for my Brother. He welcomed me into the family like I was always supposed to be a part of the picture. He helped me cope during tough times.

I'm Thanful For... Day 5

I am thankful for MY GRANDPARENTS.. They have taught me what LOVE is. They have been married for 50 years this Thanksgiving : ) Not very many people can say that. I remember going and visiting them for half of my summers. I hope that one day I will be able to show and teach my grandkids the LOVE my grandparents have showed and taught me.

I'm Thankful For.. Day 4

I am thankful for Jeromy... My boyfriend forever, my LOVE for always, my Fiance', and my HUSBAND to be : ).. I am thankful that he is here for me for the long haul. He loves me for WHO I AM not for any other reason. I thank GOD everyday for putting him in my life. I love you babe!

I'm Thankful For... Day 3 (should of posted yesterday)

I am thankful for my DAD, DADDY, FATHER.. He took me as his own and protected me from the bad. He always told me that I could be anything that I wanted to be and not to let anyone ever tell me differently.. My dad was there for me, loved me, and cared for me when others didn't...My dad is MY HERO :  ) I love you dad..

I'm Thankful for... Day 2

I am THANKFUL for my MOM, MOTHER, MOMMA, MOMMY.... She is one of my best friends, I can talk to her about anything. I am thankful that she has been here for me and will continue to be here for me. We have gone through THICK and THIN together..She has provided for me, loved me, taken care of me. Been everything I could ever have asked for.. I love you mom and I am THANKFUL that you are my MOM..

30 days of Thankfulness!!!

So I thought that it would be a neat idea to write every day in November 1 thing I am THANKFUL for. Given that today is November 1, 2010.. I SHOULD start..

I am thankful for my family in general (the next few days I will name family members by name and why I am thankful for them.

My family is AWESOME. We are a close knit family and love to do things together. Most of the time we STICK by each other when things get TOUGH.

I will keep this short so I can go into specifics over the next few days.

Hope everyone has a GREAT week : )

Questionable Faith

Have you ever questioned what faith really is?

I have.

A few years ago I was on my way home from church. Something the preacher said left me feeling unsettled, anxious and questionable as to what I really believed. I tried to think things out but the more I thought, the more I realized how under developed my faith was. What did I believe?

For the next few months I began to seek faith with a very questionable spirit. I made appointments with ministers, read books, and talked to anyone who would listen to me about the questions I had. One night in particular, I found myself in a spiritual pit, trying to figure out who God was.

Do you want to know what my problem really was?

I didn't know God.

I knew the church, I knew what books said and I knew opinions of others but I really didn't know God.

I began digging in the Word for answers to my questions. Over time, I began to see an incredible picture of who God really is: loving, kind, good and filled with so much grace I almost couldn't stand it. Slowly my perception of God began to change. It was no longer this skewed image of a man sitting on a giant throne casting down judgment through strikes of lighting with his scepter.

Today I am at the point where God's given me a sense of belonging even when I'm rejected by the entire world. He's given me a purpose and an understanding that life is so much more than just about today.

I have come to accept that the questions I have may never get answered in this lifetime. But what I know is that God is good {Psalms 116:5}, He is on my side {Romans 8:31}, and He is who He says He is {Exodus 3:14}. And those promises are more than enough reason for this girl who has at times had...questionable faith.

The fat lady ain't singing.

Wait and Pray.

Do you ever get sick of hearing those words? I'm pretty over them myself.

Deep within the layers of my soul are many dreams, ambitions, and hopes for my life. But on top of those many layers are circumstances, fears, failures and problems that always seem to keep me from moving into the full potential for my life.

As a girl who constantly feels like I'm on the breaking edge of "something", my "something" seems to never come. I tend to bank on the tomorrows and always feel like when I'm falling behind, it's time to quit.
Not my finest qualities for sure.

The truth of the matter is, I get impatient. Some people just seem to have success naturally fall on them. I am not one of those people. And often after perusing a dream for so long or trying really hard to perfect something [with no success], I think it's over. Time to put that baby away.

Today, something inside of me tells me that God's heart aches to see us giving up so quickly. We knock on one door, it closes. We try another door and it doesn't open either. So we think God is finished and He would like us to put that dream away. We are wrong. Time is nothing to our God. And we have a lot of nerve to put Him within our box.

Because, I am sure you noticed that God seems to work very ill-logically. But somewhere in the midst of trying to figure out God we can lose our confidence in who He really is.

Hebrews 10:35 says, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded."

We really have the God-given right to have confidence in the dreams within our souls. If we really believe that God created us from the inside out then we have to trust that those passions will come to be - in His time and for His purpose.

So yes, wait and pray. But get ready. Because I got a feeling that God's asking us to dream again, to believe again, to ask the "What do you want to be when you grow up?" again.

I've heard the fat-lady sing but she isn't singing today. It's not over...it's only just begun

Completely Complete

I must admit that I spent a portion of my life trying to find someone to complete me. Most of my efforts centered around my relationships, particularly romantic ones.
This romanticized idea of someone completing us fits great in the context of a movie love story, but when it comes to real life, it's a really dangerous thing to believe.
Women are notorious for seeking out relationships with others who will make us feel more complete. We attempt this by changing who we are, talking differently, endorsing things we don't feel good about, and obsessively being available when we aren't.
I can't lie: I tried this. I waited by the phone for hours for someone to call. When he didn't, I felt incomplete.
This idea of completeness is possible...just not through human relationships, including marriage. A partner was meant to compliment, not complete another's life. Colossians 2:10 tells us about the only way completion is truly possible when it says: "and you are complete through your union with Christ."
I don't know what you've tried to find completeness. Maybe you are like me and sought it in your relationships. Or maybe you have never found it, yet you keep on searching. If you're looking for something needing no addition...nothing supplemental or extra, look no further.
You are complete in Jesus!

I want to be beautiful… truly beautiful

There are songs about it. It’s what makes cosmetics a multi-million dollar a year business. It’s why we often glance in windows to see if we can catch our reflection.

We all want to be beautiful. And what’s more, we want people to see us as beautiful.

Now, I can really only speak to the ladies here. Guys, I haven’t the slightest idea what your hearts’ deep desires are, though I would assume they have something to do with being gruff, driving big trucks and loving beautiful women (or hopefully one woman). But for you ladies, I KNOW you. Even if you deny it, I believe deep down we all desire to be found beautiful. If not, go ahead and tell me you don’t pick the picture that captures you in the “best light” for your facebook profile pic. Tell me you don’t pick a shirt off the rack at Dillard’s with the hopes that it sets you apart and accentuates your beauty. Tell me you don’t suck your tummy in and stand a bit taller when the camera man says cheese.

Yeah, girl. We all do. We want to be beautiful.

But everyday I’m reminded that our beauty is not “skin deep.” Each time I see the girl staring back at me in the bathroom mirror and think she could sure do with just a little bit better skin and a little bit poofier hair, I recall what God says about me and how He made me.

He says I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He says he planned out how I would be- inside and out- before my daddy ever even picked out my name (Psalm 139:15). He says I am made in His image (Genesis 1:27). He says He knows how many hairs are on my head (Matthew 10:30). ….(So, I guess he does a recount every morning after I yank the brush through my tangly shower hair!)

I find that so refreshing. The God of this whole universe– the One who flung the stars in the sky and the One who paints the sunset that I cannot turn my eyes from at 7 p.m.–HE, made me and HE thinks I’m beautiful.

And just like a cheesy infomercial, it just keeps getting better.

He says it’s not what’s on my outside that makes me beautiful.

He says that “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). (I know I’m at least glad for that at 3 a.m. on Monday morning when I have to get up to go to work.)

But the best part is, even though He sees me as beautiful and created me just how He planned, He’s given us instructions on how to get even more beautiful. It’s like God’s rendition of a glamour magazine’s front cover tease to “Be more stunning in 3 easy steps.”

He says our beauty should not come from outward adornments (jewelry, hairstyles, expensive make-up…), but from “your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (I Peter 3:4).

So is it wrong to fix yourself up? No, I don’t believe it is. And girl, I am ALL about some hairspray and some long wear make-up. But is it wrong for us to think that’s what gives us beauty– and unfading beauty, at that? I think it is.

A truly beautiful woman is kind and loving and puts other people before herself. (Yep, even boyfriends, husbands and children who are driving her up the WALL. Actually, especially them.) She is graceful in what she says and respectful in what she does. She doesn’t complain all the time (even when her mascara ran and then her panty-hose did too). She isn’t the one putting-up-with and adding-to the gossip in the office. She isn’t cutting people off in traffic – on the interstate OR in the Wal-Mart check out line.

Girls, that is what God says true beauty is. The kind that will attract a man worth keeping. The kind that isn’t going to fade with age but grow and grow and grow. The only kind I want.

Don’t you want to be truly beautiful?

Intimate Encounter

My God is doing some crazy amazing things in my life. He is stretching me in ways that I could not ever imagine. He is humbling me daily--and to be honest--sometimes it really hurts. He is preparing my heart for the one He is sending to captivate it. He is beckoning me to the cross daily and I am hard core sprinting to get there. He is stirring up exciting things in my life that I didn't even know existed....and I love it.

The other night I was able to have the most amazing experience I've had in a long time. I was talking to a friend when the Lord completely showed up. It had been at least a year since I had felt Him so near and so evident. Word and Bible verses just starting coming out of now where. I knew completely that GOD was in control of our conversation and I was just the mediator.

I am definitely a music person and I relate to so many different genres and songs. That night, however, I was listening to my Christian music playlist and every single song was revealing something amazing to me. So here are some of the songs and the messages I got. I hope and pray that it will encourage and strengthen some of your walks as well...

The song that came up on my itunes was "Pure" by Kari Jobe. Kari is an amazing worship leader. Her songs take you directly to the feet of Jesus Christ and allow you to worship Him in an incredible way. This song says:

Your love is pure,

Your love is precious,

Your love is all I need.

Your love surrounds me,

Your love astounds me,

Your love is everything.

I run to You

when my heart is weak.

I cling to You- you’re all I seek.

It’s my heart’s desire, to be close to You.

Here in Your arms I find my strength.

Everything I want; everything I hope in.

Everything my heart cries out for.

This love she is talking about is true love. His love is pure. Not tainted by the world. Not abusive or jealous. Not controlling or inappropriate. It's good. It's biblical. It's the 1 Corinthians chapter 13 kind of love.. it IS patient and kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. It rejoices in truth and is never failing. It ISN'T envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered, keeping a record of wrongs or delighting in evil. It is the desperation and realization that the Lord is the ONLY thing we need. He is the ONLY way of survival. The ONLY source of life. It is just a great reminder of the urgency and importance of having that intimate head over heels, 'I am my beloved's and He is mine', captivating type of relationship.

Lastly, I listened to "Mighty to Save" by Hillsong. This is, by far, one of my very favorite songs. It talks about how everyone needs compassion and forgiveness. I LOVE the chorus... it says:

"My Savior...He can move the mountains.

My God is mighty to save,

He is mighty to save.

Forever author of salvation,

He rose and conquered the grave.

Jesus conquered the grave!"

 

Our God is not just a made up deity. He is real and alive and He CONQUERED AND DEFEATED the grave!! How incredible is that? Death had no reign over Him. He overcame it. He can move mountains. That shows the great power He has. However, He is the author of salvation which shows the sovereignty and mercy He has as well. He loves us and rejoices in us. He is captivated by us. He thinks you are breath-taking. He is "enthralled by your beauty" (Psalm 45:11). He desires to pursue and love you.  He is real. He isn't trying to impress you and get your attention. He knows everything about you and in spite of your sins HE ..LOVES ... YOU!! Run to Him today and get to know your Beloved again. It is completely worth it--I promise!!

Today

So today was a good day. Can't say it was a productive day but a good day. We went to storage to take some things to clean out some room and we are going back one day this week to organize and make room to get some things we are buying from some really good friends of ours. We are getting a king size master suit, china hutch with a matching 6 person table, entertainment center and surround sound. We are very excited and can't wait to get our own house and decorate it : ) but we gotta get married first..

Pan Fried Tilapia

So tonight I made some INCREDIBLE Pan Fried Tilapia with a vegetable melody mix (broccoli, squash, cauliflower and carrots). It was absolutely amazing everyone enjoyed it! Below is the recipe:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh tilapia fillets
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves

Directions :

Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
In a shallow baking dish combine flour, seafood seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the tilapia and lightly coat each side.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess seasoned flour and place in the skillet. Brown on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place tilapia on a baking sheet that is lined with a paper grocery bag or paper towels and keep warm in the oven while you prepare the sauce.
Turn down the heat to the pan the tilapia was cooked to low and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic, lemon juice and parsley and saute for 2 minutes. Place the fillets on serving plates or a platter, top with the sauce and serve.

ENJOY : )

How to Fully Trust God

To be able to stand in the Presence of God and manifest His character, should be our daily goal. Christ revealed in us is holiness and righteousness,  and if we are to persevere to the end,  we need to recognize the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and the power of the Holy Spirit to make real lasting changes in our lives. As we cry out to Jesus asking us to make us more like Him, we are asking Him to make us righteous and pure and holy. We are asking Him to transform us. Please remember in all your comings and goings that God is a holy God  and He also allows us to come closer to Him so He can reveal His glory,  His secrets, His heart, and His love  by using us. What a privilege we have, don’t miss out! Make Him your first priority in the morning by spending time in His Presence. He will transform you into His likeness and your life will never be the same again -- nor will the lives of those around you.

P.S. I hope all of you enjoyed. My prayers are for all of you.

Just the Beginning!

Welcome to our blog. Things might seem crazy here at times but Jeromy and I wouldn't have it any other way. At this point in our relationship we are planning a lifetime together and trying to figure out how everything is going to work out when we are on our own. We will post adventures that we come across, updates on our family, as well as lessons of everyday life. We hope that you will join us in this crazy thing we call life..