New Beginnings

Things have started to change in my heart and in my life. Right now I am looking for direction on where the Lord is leading our life but I know He has BIG plans for my life right now. I am at a time of listening and trying to glean spiritual guidance from His Word. I am not sure where all He is leading and what He is calling our family to do or where go, but I know I am ready. Turning my life over to the Lord is always new, exciting and scary. This adventure so far has lead me to decide to home school Big next year. I am looking at learning aids everyday trying to make sure I make the right choices. My darling husband has been humbled and has committed to stepping up and being the spiritual leader Christ has called him to be. I couldn't be more happy about the few changes already happening. The Lord has really given me some big inspirations about what to write about on here and I pray that as He leads me, it encourages us both!
Tomorrow, I will be writing a fun post with a giveaway that I love so be looking out for the post!!!

No Matter What, They'll Find You

I guess it is more of an it. Your past will find you. No matter if you run and hide, move across the country or just like me, the next state over. I made monumental mistakes while I lived my life in Joplin so after 25 years, lots of broke hearts and hoping for a fresh start on life I moved to Oklahoma. Well, within the first few months I ran into my past. People who I had hurt were still popping in my life. Believe it or not, we moved again and after telling the Lord, "No! I didn't want to go to the Christian church in town!" We decided to go. Sure enough, I ran into three people from college and my ex-husband's family. I think as I sat down I started to cry and laugh to myself. Shocked is an understatement of my feelings at the exact moment in my life. All I had wanted to move on and act as if my old life and the people who's hearts I crushed didn't exist anymore. God always has another plan for us when we run. I'm sure if you have heard of Jonah you know what I am talking. I don't think God really minded that I moved to Oklahoma, but I know He knew I needed to deal with my heart issues. Guilt and shame, forgiving myself and seeking forgiveness from others. Which brings me to this coming Friday, I start my first counseling session. Most people keep the fact that they might need help sorting issues from their past in the dark and never are able to heal. That is not what the Lord wants in our life. He wants us to live life to the fullest and know that we are completely forgiven. Pray with me as I take this next step in facing my past and no longer running from the demons who have haunted me for so long.

Birds on the Brain

I totally broke my promise to myself, I downloaded Angry Birds! I swore that I would not waste any braincells on a video game. I know of hundreds of other things that I could spend my time on! I could do the laundry, dishes, sort clothes the kids have grown out of, enter contests online and win something but I did not want to find myself thinking about how to knock the darn monkey off its post. I have only had it for a few weeks but it is really cutting into my sleep time since the first thing my brain goes to when I can't sleep is Angry Birds Rio (I don't care for regular Angry Birds). Hmmm, the first thing my brain goes? A video game? I am usually not a great steward with my time and if you checked my bedroom you might suggest me for Hoarders but I know there are things that deserve my time way more than a game. In The New Living Translation Paul  says, "We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ."2 (Corinthians 10:5) Don't get my wrong, we all need down time, but if your first thought is putting the kids to bed so you can play a game, maybe it is time to start taking our thoughts captive again. I know I will be in making sure I am in charge of my thoughts. "Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable." Philippians 4:8 God's Word Translation.

Free Coupon Giveaway- 2 Winners!

I <3,LOVE, <3 giveaways! I love winning but even more I love giving away! These are two different giveaways and they are very easy with the option of extra entries if you so choose. First I am giving away a Slim*fast coupon good for 4 pack of shakes ($7.49). My husband has been drinking these and really likes them so I thought you might like to try them too! This coupon expires 2/29 so if you want this I will make sure to mail it out quickly and you have to respond quickly too! The other coupon you have a chance to win is any one Nestle Coffee-Mate liquid or powder creamer ($3.99). It expires 3/31 so you have a bit longer. I don't care for coffee but I love to add the creamer to my hot chocolate or flavored waters to make Italian Cream Sodas!
All you have to do to enter is tell me which one you want I will pick one winner for each making two coupon winners! For extra entries you may share this on facebook, tweet or for 3 extra entries you can sign up for Clover here , No More Rack here, or Vitacost here! These are all free and you get free money for each one you sign up did just like I have! Just comment three times for each new sign up you do. Contest ends Monday, January 30th at noon.  Thanks so much and good luck!

Don't you just love my fuzzy, green blanket! (Sorry it's sideways.)

These giveaways are not sponsored by anyone but myself!

Loosing It All

Luke 6:20 is the Blessedness (you know, the Beatitudes) "God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours." Happy are the poor is what the Young Literals Translation says. Really, God's Word tells me to be happy that I am broke? Honestly, yes! He is telling us that as of right now, the second you take up your cross and follow Him, give up your life plans and turn your gifts over to Him. Scary, right; not exactly. We are not Christ-followers (Thanks, Randy for coining that term) because we think Jesus is going to bless us with a life of extravagance, no we are followers to surrender our all and tell His children they have been given the chance to meet the one true God who is the only One big enough to fill the void that we keep filling with stuff. The stuff- money, TVs, computers, sex, love/lust. These things will fade away and will rust but the Son of God who gives us the words of Life is wanting you give it all up to see His kingdom reign. Does He want you go through your house and sell your flat screen, ditch the Mac and give up the Hummer, maybe but He'll let you know.  Luke 18:22 When Jesus heard that, he said, "Then there's only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me."  He is your chance to surrender it all and not look back. Luke 9:62 Jesus said, "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day." (MSG)

Clover App

Have you heard of Clover? It is a new app that allows you pay or request money from people for just about anything! This is great for people like me who loves to go out to eat with friends and family and you know the waiter gives you a look like, "Do you really want me to split the check up six ways?!" This way you just pull out your smart phone and send or request the money and it is transferred instantly! Once you link it up to your debit or credit card through your iPhone or Android you get $5 and can even buy gift cards like I did (I am already up to $16 in Amazon since last week!). Once your friends sign up to you can earn even more money. Right now I have 14 invites left and you can sign up here! Don't miss out on this chance to earn FREE money and make life a little easier! Comment if you sign up so I can update this so no one misses the chance today!

Holding Hands with the Devil

I know the title is kind odd, but that is just kinda me. I have really been doing some soul searching these past few weeks and it has kind of lead me to this point. If I am not fully committed to serving the Lord everyday and laying my whole life down for Him then I am holding hands with the devil. Not because I want to but the moment that I let go of Christ hand leading my life, the devil swoops in and slowly pulls me away. He whispers to me that the truth I know in my heart might not be what makes me happy. Have you heard that whisper too? That living in the world would be more fulfilling. I want to stop right here and tell you it's NOT! The world is out to steal, kill and destroy. The moment you step away from the light that Christ brings to your life, Satan's smile becomes more cunning and any hold he can find in your life he will take. The longer he holds your hand the harder it is to pry his murderous hands from yours. Take a moment to evaluate where you are and who is holding your hand and helping your lead your life.