Green Smoothies

As many of you know, I have just recently finished a 21 day cleanse here, and while it was pretty difficult, I really enjoyed it -- I feel much better now, and it helped jump start my healthy diet. Fern Green's Green Smoothies book was a great resource for the cleanse. I enjoyed the smoothie recipes, and how easy the book made it to make them. I also enjoyed the color photos of all the ingredients -- it is a very aesthetically pleasing recipe book.

I can't say that the book made me a bigger fan of green smoothies.. I do, in fact, have to choke them down most of the time, still. But it did open my horizons to trying new and different smoothie ideas. If you enjoy green smoothies, or juices, I would recommend this book. 

I received this book for free from bloggingforbooks.com. 

Mother of 3...

Nope. I'm not pregnant. And I don't plan on getting pregnant any time soon. As much as I think I am ready to have baby #3, Josh is just not quite there yet! But, I have been blessed with an amazing opportunity, and its one that I have struggled with until just recently.

You see, there's this neighbor boy. He is 9 years old, and he was always hanging around playing with the boys who live below us, and the girl who lives next to us. He lives across the street, and would squeeze his skinny little body through the gate of our complex to come hang out with his friends (instead of going around to the walk in gate). Eventually, he started knocking on the door asking if Aurelia could play.

The thing I noticed was just how polite he was. When someone in the complex got home and had groceries, he would stop what he was playing and help them carry their stuff to their apartment. He always said please and thank you, and when one of the neighbor kids would argue with my decision about something, he would tell them that we need to respect said decision. So, as time passed, Nico started hanging around more and more. He kind of took on the role of big brother to Aurelia when older kids were around, as well as when they were playing inside. And Koen absolutely adored him.

The thing with Nico is that he just never went away. He started showing up more and more. He started coming over right after school and staying until bedtime. He was going to church with us. He was eating dinner with us. He was always. Around. So, I had a choice to make.

I had always talked about wanting our home to be a safe place for people to come. A place where they can feel at home. A welcoming place. I believe that God gave us this place, and its His to use as He pleases. It became clear to me that He wanted this to be a safe and comfortable place for Nico, but I had a selfish attitude -- I was having a difficult time with Nico always being around. Mostly, I was having a hard time changing my attitude and outlook on something that is probably way bigger than myself.

By allowing Nico to be over at our house, I am giving his mother sanctity in knowing he is safe*. I am giving Aurelia and Koen playful interaction. I am giving Nico the same thing. Josh is giving Nico a positive example of a male role model, which Nico does not have in his life. The only person I was thinking of was myself. I wanted to focus on my family, but wasn't realizing that the whole time, Nico just wanted a solid foundation to call family.

Now, I do know that I enjoy and even function better sometimes with a wind down period. I have just learned to mentally reschedule when that time is, and rethink what it looks like. My gears needed to be shifted, and now I feel like I can see a little into what God sees -- God has big plans, and I am but a small part of it. I don't want to spend my life being selfish and living for me. I want my door to be open for people to come and call this place home. I want the neighbor kids to know that God loves them, and that starts by showing them God's love in our home.

So, with that being said, I have become a mother of 3 (for now, anyway), and I am learning to love the challenges it presents, the joy and laughter it brings, and the ways in which I am able to share God's love in every moment with not 2, but 3 amazing kids.

*Please note that Nico has a mother who loves him dearly, but does not have a father figure in the picture. He also lives with his 18 year old brother who does not treat him well, and his 12 year old sister. Most days, his mom is working, or trying to keep up with a household as a single mother. They don't own a car, and she has been having some health issues, which she is also trying to get taken care of. Knowing that Nico has a place to go that isn't always at home with his brother eases her mind. We talk often, and she is a really nice lady.

Today, we went to the park, because according to the weather, we are supposed to have rain for the next five days (I'll believe it when I see it).

My beautiful kids. I dont know why they looked so unhappy. They were having a blast. 

I don't want my selfish desires and/or ambitions to get in the way of the opportunities God has for me. I wanted my home to be a sanctuary for others, but when it came down to it actually being that, I was challenged. I wrestled, and finally gave in to what God was calling me to do. It is amazing what it is like to let God lead, and I see it time and time again. When He is in control, lives are changed, and God is glorified.

When God is calling you to something, don't look away. Instead, even if it is challenging, accept the calling. He is there with you through it all, and You will be resting in His peace. Let's learn to love one another before we love ourselves, because only by loving other will we truly begin to love us.

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.…

1 Peter 4:8-10

Instant Happiness?

I'll admit, when I got this new journal to review, I didn't completely agree with it from the time I clicked "review this book". I mean, something called the "Instant Happy Journal" sounded to me like a quick fix to trying to find the true joy in life. While I believe that the key to true joy and happiness is knowing Christ, I think that this book would suffice as a fine aid in daily reminding the reader to be inspired and to always be thankful.

This journal is a 365 day journal that encourages inspiration, gratitude, and joy. Some pages prompt you to write about something going on in your day, whether it be something that made you laugh, made you cry, or made you yell. Other pages quote an encouraging saying or a philosophical thought on the top. Still others have information from research studies about happiness. It is very colorful, and every page has space to write.

I decided to review this book because I enjoy positive quotes and I also enjoy journaling. For my personal use, I found that this journal did not have enough space to write, and I am also more motivated by Scripture, not science. So, while I enjoyed some of the things that each page said, others I found to be irrelevant or un-motivational.

I think that while I find this journal to be bright and fun, I wouldn't buy it for myself, or for my friends, because I want them to first find happiness in Christ.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for free, to review.

For more information or to check out the book for yourself, click here.

The Importance of Community

The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind of emotion -  our family has experienced joy, sadness, frustration, and even some fear.  But most of all,  we've experienced an un- ending shower of love.

Anyone who has worked in ministry, served in a ministry,  or started a ministry understands that it can be a glorious and difficult experience.  You have people with lots of ideas and good intentions coming together for the greater good.  When our own agendas get in the way,  and we forget to continually and in every moment ask for God's guidance,  things can get a bit hairy.

Sometimes,  the focus gets shifted onto what ourselves and the world can bring to the table instead of what God tells us to bring.  As humans,  it is our natural instinct. But with continual prayer and with the word of God in us,  his will is done.

Last week was Josh's last week as worship leader at the Edge. We have pretty strong convictions,  and many things that were happening at the church,  we felt,  were not appropriate. We did a lot of praying and self reflection,  and decided that we had to bring these concerns up to the senior pastor.  After many weeks of talking and discussing things with him,  we (the pastor and ourselves) decided that we would be done the first week of February. This week,  after some exchanged feelings,  the pastor decided to let us go.  This happened suddenly, yesterday afternoon.

To be honest,  it left me feeling hurt and a little frustrated (mostly with the way things were dealt with. .. I like to finish what I start,  and just have closure). Our phones were disconnected, and the pastor angrily approached my husband about everything in an intersection in their vehicles. But I know that God is good,  and that even though I felt like we were just pushed out of a life boat into the middle of the ocean with no paddle, My God is a faithful God, and He would provide.

And boy, did He ever.

Yesterday, we were essentially cut off from our church.  BUT:

Yesterday,  I got a full time job that pays more and I will be doing what I love.

 Yesterday,  friends rallied around us to show us love in a time of hurt and confusion... one family let the kids and I stay with them while Josh moved our stiff from the church.  They made us dinner and gave us some storage space.  They added a phone line to their plan so that we had a way to contact people (and gave us a phone to use).

Yesterday,  we were approved for low cost Internet at our home and got everything set up for it.

Yesterday,  some friends heard some news about us being done,  and hadn't heard from us all day, so they stopped by to check on us.

I have been completely overwhelmed by the love from our friends that we have made since being here.  Even today,  sine other friends stopped  by to bring us ice cream and chat.

Then I realized - community.  Its been the word we've used from the beginning. This is what life is about.  Coming together to live each other and help each other and just do.  Life. Together.  I feel so alive,  not because of the size of my house or the things that I own,  or the money I make.  Its because my friends,  the people that I surround myself with,  they love me. They build me up in Christ. We laugh,  we cry,  we talk about God. We do life together.

The pastor apologized for his reaction, and things were left in ok standings. My prayer is that time will heal the wounds that have been made, in all parties involved.  I know that he is still working,  and he is in complete control.  I know that none of us are perfect,  and we all make mistakes.  I know that we maybe didn't always approach issues with grace or tact. But I know that God is working in all of our lives,  and he uses all things for our good.

My God is an awesome God. He has extended grace and mercy to us in a time when we need it most.  He has provided in every way possible,  and He has shown us over and over again what it means to love through the means of our families, and our friends who have become like family.


No greater love has man than this,  to lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

#RedSandProject

Recently I was a guest blogger for the averageadvocate.com. I wrote about the #RedSandProject -- what it is, why I took part, and whether or not you should. As I've never been a guest blogger on a blog before, and because I think that the Average Advocate is a great blog, I think you should check it out!

Doodletopia

One thing I enjoy about blogging is being able to review books, especially when I am able to review books like "doodletopia cartoons" by Christopher Hart. I have never been much of an artist, but I always love to try. I enjoy reading, but sometimes I just need a fun book to review, and this one caught my eye. I love the way that I am able to doodle right in the book. The book includes many different chapters such as a 'finish the drawing' chapter, a chapter focused on facial expressions, funny couples, and cartoon animals. The book is super colorful, with lots of helpful hints and space to try different doodles. 

The book is very colorful and catches your eye, and is very fun and low key throughout. Hart gives great hints and ideas. I also love that he adds a chapter on cartoon calligraphy. I like that Hart has a good balance of instruction, examples, and free space to let your imagination flow. I am not much of an artist, but I enjoy that I am able to draw the cartoons that Hart has drawn, as well as try my own things right in the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to learn how to draw cartoons as well as anyone just looking for a fun doodling book.

I received a copy of this book for free from blooggingforbooks.com

Check out more about this book here.

'Tis the Season for New Years Resolutions

These past few days have been a whirlwind of activity, all reminding of how good God is, and why we weren't meant to do this life alone. I've also been thinking about New Year's Resolutions (only 26 days left until the new year...)

On Friday, a couple of our friends had a very small get together for Koen's first birthday. It was at this amazing play place (think McDonald's on steroids) and the kids absolutely loved it. 

Friday night, we walked around downtown at the city's Christmas tree lighting -- they had jump houses, craft tables, Anna, Elsa and Kristof were there, and a lot of music. Today, we sat down for some family time and did an edible craft, Christmas trees made with sugar cones and candies for decorations! It was a lot of fun (and delicious).

While we were decorating our edible trees, I asked Aurelia if we should hang up our stockings today, and we were figuring out where to do it. While I was a bit bummed that we didn't have a tree to put up yet, I was going to build up hanging our stockings, because I know that she really enjoys decorating. And then, someone knocks on our door. I thought it was probably a neighborhood kid wondering if Aurelia could play (because thats usually who it is 95% of the time). When Josh answered the door, however, it was our friends, Rachel, and TJ, with a Christmas tree for us. They also brought lights and bulbs! Oh, and it was a live Christmas tree :D 

Along with that, its the help that we've had from people at church with our marriage, its the knowing that people care and are here to support us and love us, even though we aren't perfect people, that I have really been feeling. This might be the first time in our marriage where we have really felt like we have people in our lives who we consider ourselves close to... Its not that we haven't had community in the past, we have. But we feel like we fit in here. I love that. I love having community. I love really getting to know the people in our small group and doing life with them. 

We weren't meant to do life alone. Friends have done so much for us. Their love reminds me of Jesus -- He loved people. He saw a need, and He helped. What if we took our love for our friends one step further, and loved the widows and the orphans? What if we loved the homeless the way our friends love us? 

Thats why my New Year's Resolution is a bit more in depth this year. Honestly, I don't ever really have anything I set in stone to accomplish. This year, we have made many great memories fitting our life into a minivan, going out across the country, trying to go where God called us. We've also been in situations that tested our faith, and tested our patience. In the end, God has blessed us far more than we deserve, and people have loved us and helped us even though they didn't have to. 

Next year, I want to give back. I want to love back. I want to show my kids what it means to truly love like Jesus, and show them that they can love that way to. I want our family to be so in tune with Christ that He is whom people see, not us. I want to bring my faith to life and not run away from the hard questions, but speak truth in love. I want to love people. 

What are your New Year's Resolutions? What are your blessings? 

Sorry this is kind of choppy... I was trying to multitask (generally a bad idea when I'm trying to write a blog.)

God Bless!