Do you remember this series?

I have made the transition to my new blog Tales From the Little White House and am having fun with it :) Still working on little details but that is ok!

I did however, finally write a third part to my LONG AGO series that I started about Jason and I.

Check it out:

Our Story-Our Christmas 2010-Engagement

and see how we actually ended up engaged :)



Check out my NEW BLOG :)

Many of you may wonder why I have decided to transfer over there at this point in my life and the answeer is really quite simple. I am entering a new chapter in my life and while I absolutely love this blog I felt led to move on to another one (just as I am moving on in my life). I thought it would be neat (since I am going to be writing my very first post on my new blog) to re-visit the very first blog post that I did for this blog. You can check that out here: No Compromise. I wrote that in 2008. I am amazed at the journey the Lord has taken me on since then! :)

And now onto the new chapter in this adventure-

Click on the picture below to visit and/or follow my new blog! :)

And the baby is a.........

Well, the day has come. Today I found out that we are indeed having a...........well. If you really want to find out I figured I would use this opportunity to switch over from this blog to my new blog-Tales From the Little White House!

Many of you may wonder why I have decided to transfer over there at this point in my life and the answeer is really quite simple. I am entering a new chapter in my life and while I absolutely love this blog I felt led to move on to another one (just as I am moving on in my life). I thought it would be neat (since I am going to be writing my very first post on my new blog) to re-visit the very first blog post that I did for this blog. You can check that out here: No Compromise. I wrote that in 2008. I am amazed at the journey the Lord has taken me on since then! :)

And now onto the new chapter in this adventure-

Click on the picture below to visit my new blog and to find out what our little one is! :)

Please don't forget to follow my new blog as well :) I will still be reminding you all on here when I update so you can switch over later :)

Blessings!

Changes In Life Right Now

Whew! It seems like lately there have been and will be a lot of life changes that will be happening! Some off the top of my head?

Well, in about four months I will be a Mama. Like-my child will be here. Wow. Big change there! But oh what an exciting one at that!!!!

I have already started working on my new blog! Do any of you have suggestions? I am going for a simpler overall theme (just because I am not finding a background that I have absolutely fallen in love with) and so I am trying more classy-more grown-up? I don't know. Thoughts or suggestions on that? The site will be ready to launch soon though. I am just trying to figure out how to transition smoothly (like if I should bring posts over from this blog that I absolutely love etc...). Any thoughts on that?

I am really getting excited about changes in the area of our little family going more natural! A big part of my other blog will be recipes and adventures and we step out in that way. I am super excited and have stories to share! :)

One thing I want to start doing more is my photography! I love taking pictures and did for a while but then life got busy and I just kind of let it go. Now, I am picking it up again and loving it! Our friends had a baby this past week and we went and saw her when she was less than 24 hours old. Here are some pictures I got of her:

Jason was the first to hold her and was so tender with her! He was just in awe of how perfect she was! It was so sweet to watch him with her! He is going to be an amazing Daddy! :)

I also wanted to mention that my amazing friend Rebecca asked me to let you all know that that even though she is no longer blogging at A Rather Unusual Maiden for God since she got married she is still blogging! You can find her blog at Butterfly Days :) Check it out! :)

Well, I have so many things that I want to blog about! Sour Dough, bread making, an amazing gift from Katie's Mercentile that came in the mail (whole post coming on that one), our experiances thus far with transitioning to a more natural life style, Jason's experiance with inventing a smoothie, some things the Lord is teaching me and some recipes :)

What are your thoughts? Should that be new blog content?

Have a blessed Sunday :)

My Salvation Story

My amazing friend Callie over at Through Clouded Glass is hosting a Salvation story link up today!

When she mentioned the idea I was actually surprised when I realize that I had never actually written my testimony and how that Lord came into my life. Until now.

I was raised in a Christian home. My Dad was a committed christian and my parents strove to raise us in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I was in church from the time I was out of the hospital (almost). That was my life.

When I was six years old however, I realized that something was missing in my life. That even though I had a wonderful christian family I was personally not like them.

So, one day I was sitting on my bed in my room just thinking and all the sudden I realized that Jesus was missing. That I was not good enough to make it to heaven on my own. So I asked my Dad to come upstairs and told him I wanted Jesus in my life. He prayed with me and at that moment I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ. Even at that young age I knew that something was different in my life and that difference was Jesus.

It wasn't until I was about 10 years old that that decision I had made became truly real to me. I went through some hardships that year and started turning to Jesus for comfort. I realized that people would fail me but Jesus was always there.

In the years that followed Jesus became more and more real to me. Instead of being merely a religion my relationship with Jesus became just that-a relationship.

When I was 15 years old I went through a time where I said all the right words and did all the right things but on the inside I was dying. I knew that my relationship with Jesus was faltering and it scared me to death. Thank the Lord for being faithful and at the end of that year I chose HIM. I was sick of riding on the fence trying to be in the world but also be a Christian. It just did not work.

When I was just 17 I went to a small community college and found my walk with the Lord truly being challenged once again. As the year progressed I was working constantly, going to school and honestly-the Lord went on the back burner. I felt the Lord really impressing on me to prioritize and make Him first once again and stop using my busyness as an excuse. I refused. Telling myself and Jesus that I would at some point just not right now.

Until one day the Lord kind of took my feet out from under me (literally). I was riding our horse and fell-landing on my foot and hearing a distinct crack then feeling absolutely nothing. That started a year of illness that included my foot being broken at least twice. Being in a walking cast for two months. Numbness and blurriness of vision that made them think for about a month while I was getting the tests done) that I might have multiple sclerosis. Multiple ER visits. And always the unknown. Going from specialist to specialist. Being told something is definitely wrong with you but we don't know what it is. Then being sent to another specialist. Praise God that after a year we found out that all my problems had stemmed from a very bad diet (hence why I am becoming more passionate about natural foods etc). However, that year God truly became my sustainer. He was my Daddy God. And I began in that year to go to Him in surrender about everything and anything. I had to rely totally on Him. And that became SUCH a huge blessing!

I could go on with all the places my life has gone since then but a lot of you already know it. I was in a relationship that we called a "courtship" and praise God He brought me out of that using my parents. They were not controlling. They were not domineering. They knew things about that person that I did not know the extent of at the time. Because of that they had the COURAGE to step in and tell me the truth and I broke off the relationship which I praise God for!

The reason I praise God for it is because two weeks to the day that I surrendered to what I knew the Lord was telling me I went to a Bible study and met...Jason. A year and two months later to the day we met we got married. We then moved to Florida and here we are today.

One thing I am learning now is that the enemy will use distractions to get my eyes off my Jesus. I am going through a period in my spiritual walk where I have allowed my eyes to get off Jesus using busyness as an excuse. Always though, I am amazed at how gracious and forgiving He is. To think that He loves me in spite of me! With all my faults, sin, attitudes, etc. Jesus Christ still loves me. And I am still God's child.

My life is full. Why? Because God has never once forsaken me along the way. He didn't promise it would be easy. But-He did promise He would be with us every step of the way!

I am in love. With my Savior. My relationship with Him is just that- a relationship that has different phases and chapters. Different lessons to learn. One thing that will never change though is His love for me and oh how comforting that is to know!

Do you know Jesus today? Do you have a relationship with Him? What are you so thankful for that He has done in your life? What can you praise Him for today?

Am I fulfilling the purpose God has for me?

(Source)



You know those times in your life when God just really convicts you and shows you some things that He wants you to change?

"Then they can urge the younger women to

 love their husbands and children,

 to be self-controlled

 and pure,

 to be busy at home,

to be kind,

 and to be subject to their husbands,

 so that no one will malign the word of God."

Titus 2:4-5

The Lord just really amazed me with this verse within the last few weeks. Yes, I had read it before but you know that 21st time time you read something and it just seems as though the Lord put it there just for you?

Well, I really starting thinking about being busy at home. And the Lord began to convict me about some things. Things like how I manage my time, moving to a more natural way of living, making my home a haven etc.

Because of these things I have been stepping out and trying new things. Is it because I am radical that I am moving towards a more natural life style? No. Is it because I think I am better then others. Absolutely not!

My desire from that comes from previous experiance. I lived an unhealthy life style and as a result was extremely sick for a year. I wrecked my body from poor nutrition etc. So now I KNOW what certain foods do to me and the effect they can have on the body and yet-I had started eating them again. WHAT? It didn't make sense!

Then the Lord showed me that not only am I responsible before Him for myself but now for my child as well! Whew. That was a revelation! Not really but in a sense it was!

So, I have been making that transition (once again) to more of a natural way of living. I already have stories and will be sharing more with all of you here.

Something was still missing though.

Then, once again I realized something. I have been trying to live for the Lord but without HIM in the picture. What? Honestly, I have really been struggling with making time to actually spend time with my Savior. To go before HIM and seek HIS face. To spend time in prayer and meditation on His Word. The excuse? Well, I am busy. The problem is-when this baby comes I will be even busier! And I do not want to sacrifice my relationship with Jesus! He needs to be FIRST! Priority. Over all things. Even...ministry. Facebook and blogging (huge distractions for me sigh).

In the Word we are called to do all things to the glory and honor of God. Well, I am realizing all things entails-laundry, house cleaning, cooking, etc. The little things that may seem so mundane and yet God wants us to do them for HIM!

I am a paper keeper. Especially in my Bible (much to my husband's chagrin!) and a few days ago I found a paper I had saved that had a bunch of notes from a sermon.

It is dated August 16, 2009:

Am I fulfilling my duty? Am I an unworthy servant who is just doing what I am told to do? Has God told me what to do with my life (yes I am to be a wife and Mama right now serving God and ministering alongside my husband)? If He hasn't-why?

We are servants of Christ...we need to do what He tells us to do. If we can not hear Him...if we do not know what His will is...we need to spend more time with Him. Am I investing the talents God has given to me? I need to be using my gifts for God's honor and glory alone.

Am I walking with the Master? Am I spending time with my Master so that I know His will for me and also His love for me. Am I allowing my hands to get weak instead  of asking God to strengthen me and stopping and putting my hands together and asking God to help me.

Funny how just random thoughts from years ago God can use to convict once again. I want to live my life for Christ. But I have just been trying to fit Him in it when it is convenient for me. It seems as though this is a continual battle for me to center my life around HIM. But I believe that is part of the journey.

Oh how thankful I am that my Heavenly Father is so patient and forgiving. How thankful I am that He receives me with open arms.

I want to be all I can be for my Master-Jesus Christ. Right now that involves being a keeper at home and soon being a Mama to my child. Trying to do all that though without Jesus-does not work.

Give me Jesus...truly I just want Him once again.

I feel as though I am at the beginning of yet another journey! I am thinking about possibly starting a new blog as I feel I am moving into a new chapter of my life. What are your thoughts?

Also, if you have any fun tips, advice, favorite blogs about healthy, more natural living I would LOVE to hear them! :)

May the Lord richly bless you!



What if I have messed up too many times?

So really quick because I have to go get ready for church I just wanted to share a passage of Scripture I read for my early morning devotions that really encouraged me!

Sometimes it is hard, especially if we have made a lot of mistakes in our past, to think that God would still love us. Would still save us. Yet, this is what HE has to say about it in His Word:

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (pretty much sums what we are as human beings!)
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. "
Titus 3:3-7

What a glorious reminder! It is not works that we have done! We can never be good enough to be saved or be bad enough to not be saved! IT IS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST and BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY HE SAVED US!

What an awesome God we serve! :)

That brought a smile to my face this morning and I hope to yours too :)

Blessings!