A Little Loco

In December, Billy and I decided that I needed to cut down on my time at work so that I wouldn't be so stressed.  It's been wonderful, but, being the crazy achievement needer (not really a word) that I am, I have just packed the time that I freed up.  Between designing, studying, having small group, meeting with people, and making an effort to lose weight (cause now I'm up to TWENTY pounds off), I have hardly had time to even think about my own blog.  It's so terribly sad!  I miss you all so much!

That's why I have decided to take this moment, in between blog designing and watching The Biggest Loser in the background (I cry every single time I watch this), to bring you in to my living room.  I wish we could all have an ice-cream party and catch up.  My life has been a little crazy, and I've been an emotional roller-coaster lately, but I'm so happy, and I'm so blessed.

If we were meeting for coffee, I'd tell you that the verse that I've been really focusing on in our life right now is:

I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.    -Revelation 3:8

I would encourage you to take some time this week to take a breath and realize how blessed you are!  You are all blessings to my life even when I can't be here as much as I'd love!

PS - Look, friends!  I wasn't going to share this, but I just can't help it!  I've now lost 20lbs! Thank you for all of your support!

My New Favorite

Since I've been losing weight, I've really had to pick and choose which desserts I eat.  Surprisingly, I haven't felt like I've missed out.  Instead, my eyes have been opened to all the desserts I had been missing out on.  My newest favorite is from Carrabbas.  It's a cannoli and it's delectable. I ate two just last weekend, and they were on different occasions.  They make my mouth so so happy!

 

Sometimes, limiting yourself is the most rewarding because it teaches you what a real reward is.  And let me tell you, I plan to reward myself again and again with this delicious cylinder of happiness!

I'm Sorry

When I was younger, I used to apologize all of the time for any small thing.  I would forget to close the refrigerator door, and I'd apologize.  I'd bump into someone's arm, and I'd give them a double dose of "Sorry."  My dad once gave me a lecture on the unnecessary amount of times I let the word slip out of my mouth.  It was an security blanket for me.  If I said I was sorry, people would see just how sweet and unassuming I was.  Everyone knows that a sorry person is a nice person.

The problem is, I wasn't really sorry.

It's not that I never meant it, but I rarely did.  I don't think I knew the value of saying sorry until I grew up in age and grew up in Christ.  I always said it, because, well, it made me look good, and I was sure that nobody saw through my insecurity and repetition.  I probably needed to say sorry as much as I did, but I also needed to mean it.

I thought that meaning my apologies would have to be coupled with my admittance of failure, of missing the bar, of being just plain wrong.

I was right.

However, as I've gotten closer to Jesus, I've realized that the awful thing I thought I was avoiding is not in any way shape or form awful at all.  Who was I to think I could even attempt to have it all together?  Shame on me!  And if anyone didn't see through my disguises, shame on them, too!  If I could not express my failures and recognize my need to repent, not only do I cause myself and the people around me a disservice, I completely ruin the picture of what Jesus did on the Cross.  In empty apologies, I ignored the fact that I could in no way, shape, or form, measure up to where I was supposed to be.

Recently, I've made an extra effort to say sorry when I botch things up... with my husband, with my friends, with my small group, and with my God.  And honestly, I feel weight lifting off of my shoulders with each recognition of my failure, because I wasn't meant to do it alone.  Everytime I allow myself to be imperfect, I recognize Who's strength I'm leaning on.

Each time [God] said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  -2 Corinthians 12:9

It's The Little Things

Yesterday, at 2:40, one of my favorite friends in the whole world had her sweet baby boy!  Thank you guys for anticipating this with me! I've missed you this week as I've been with her enjoying the whole process!

Tomorrow, I'm going to be posting which organization will be getting all of the proceeds from Bon Blog Designs!  Can't wait to share with you all! Thanks for having such a positive response to that post!

The Heart of It All

Well, as promised, today I'm sharing a bit of my heart on Bon Blog Designs and the changes I'm making.

I have been designing for about a year now, and I just love it.  It is a great outlet of creativity, and I get to know some awesome bloggers so well.  I love having the opportunity to help others and see their vision for their blogs.  Plus, I just feel as if I'm having a blast every time, and that makes it all worth it.

The other day, however, I was reading this lovely lady's blog and some of the organizations that she has on there, and I mentioned to Billy, "I wish I could start a business that just helped fight a cause."  Immediately, I felt God screaming into my head: "You already have a business."  And, then, not immediately, I prayed about it.  I talked to Billy about it.  He prayed about it.  We didn't need to take all of that time to think and pray; we pretty much knew what the next step was.

Also, oddly enough, I didn't have to think very hard about where to send the money.  I actually am not revealing that yet.  I'm still communicating with the organization, but hopefully by Wednesday, I'll be able to share with you all where the proceeds from Bon Blog Designs are all going.

I don't think that my consistent readers would be very surprised because you all know where my heart's at.  I'm more surprised that we haven't chosen to do this earlier.  I'm excited to share more about where the money's going.  Just know that it has something to do with Anti-Slavery and Prostitution.  (Again, who's surprised?!)