What if there really isn’t a God?

One of Kingdom Mama’s readers asked a very tough question.  I loved her answer so much that I’m linking to it here.  I think everyone, Christian or not, should take a moment to read her answer.

<3

:)

I’m over the moon happy right now.

This week in general I have had abundant joy in my life.  I think I’m FINALLY starting to get used to the idea of living 4.5 hours away from my closest friends and family.  I’ve FINALLY started to build some relationships here.  God is really working in my life and in Justin’s life right now.

Besides all that, though, I’m happy!  In exactly one week and one day I will be sitting around eating birthday cake with family for my Mamaw’s birthday.

I just got off the phone with my aunt making some plans for the occasion.  :) :) :)

Of course I’m ridiculously excited to see ALL of my family members, but in particular is this one little girl.  (yes, little girl.  not baby.  just look at those long legs!)

I cannot wait to love on her and snap some new pics of her!

And then, after the birthday party, I still get another WHOLE WEEK of friends and family!

WOOO-HOOOO!!!! 

Energizer Bunny!

Today I worked, did laundry, did dishes, went grocery shopping, worked out, and made brownies for my hubby’s class at school!

I cannot believe it.  Usually after work I just want a nap. 

I was feeling tired when I got off, but drank a Spark energy drink (came with my 2 week kit), and it worked!!!

Anyone remember The Shred?  I dug mine out of storage where it had been hiding since APRIL!!!  Jillian Michaels kicked my bootay again.  I made it through though.  On Level 1 of course.  :)

Now, about those brownies!!!

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Brownie Base:

1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix

Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons milk

Topping:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening.

In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

 

I got the recipe from this blog. I knew I had to try it as soon as I saw it.  Justin’s favorite thing is peanut butter and chocolate!

And, no, we won’t be keeping these at home.  I am trying to lose weight, not gain it!

something new

I’ve been married for 1 year and 3 months.

In that short amount of time, plus about 7 months of dating, I have gained some weight. A good bit of weight considering I’m only 5’2” tall.  The problem is that I love to eat.  I LOVE sweets.  And Justin and I really enjoy eating together.  It’s just what we do.  Oh, and he does not like healthy food!

I know that I need to be working out at least a few times a week.  In all honesty, though, I’m too tired.  After work everyday, and especially on my 10 hour days, I come home and just want to relax.  Not good.

I say all of that to say this:  I have got to make some changes.

I know the holidays are coming up, and I will not be dieting through the holidays.  That would be no fun at all!  So, my plan is to lose a little weight before the holidays, eat whatever during the holidays, and then get back on track after the holidays.  I know it doesn’t make much sense, but whatever! Haha :)

My big question is “how do I do this?”.  I have tried so many diets and plans, but nothing seems to really work.  I don’t have the will power to stick with most of my crazy fad diets.  Plus, I really want to stay as healthy as possible and eat from all of the food groups.

So… I have decided to give something new (for me) a try. 

Ever heard of Advocare?

This is from their website: “AdvoCare is a premier health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products…”

Tomorrow I’m starting a two week program called the MNS Max 3 kit.  Hopefully it will work for me! 

The reason I’m posting about this is to give myself some accountability.  It’s too easy for me to give up on something if I’m the only one that knows I’m doing it.  Plus, if I find out it really works, I want all my friends to know about it!

Wish me luck!!!

bits and pieces

For a while now I have felt like blogging, but could not think of a thing to write about.  My life has seemed utterly and completely ordinary. mundane. BORING.

And it still does.

But I am procrastinating on house work bored and feel like blogging!

As you can see, I just made over the blog for the second time in, what, a week? Ha

Besides waking up, going to work, coming home, doing dishes, doing laundry, taking the dog out, eating, showering, and sleeping… I have finally finished reading Crazy Love.  I didn’t keep up with the online group of readers as much as I hoped I would.  However, the book in itself was wonderful.  It’s so very eye opening.  So convicting.  So real.  I think every single chapter touched me in some way.  I definitely feel inspired to walk out the life that God has called me to.  It’s a life of abandonment and sacrifice.  It’s going to be hard, but it’s going to be worth it all.

Chan says this in the last chapter of the book: “We say things like, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”  Then we live and plan like we don’t believe God even exists… But true faith means holding nothing back.  It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to His promises.”

Wow.  That strikes home with me.  I can quote those scriptures along with some others just as well as anyone else, but do I live like I believe them?  Not sure I can say that I do 100% of the time.  I want to though.  I want to have a greater faith and trust in God.  Not just one that I talk about and tell others about, but one that I actually LIVE out day to day. 

I’ve been thinking about the future SO much lately.  It’s pretty much all I can think about.  I try to sit back and tell myself to “enjoy the journey” and whatnot, but it’s easier said than done.  I have such big dreams and high hopes for my future.  In my mind my future years will hold much more excitement and love and passion than my current life does.  Is that how it always is for everyone?  I very much want to be happy with where I am now.  I am to an extent.  But still, I yearn for the things/times/people/places that aren’t here yet.  I cannot wait to see my future children’s faces.  I cannot wait to see the foreign countries and people that I will meet while doing missions work with my husband.  I cannot wait to see how my future career situation looks (if I even have one!).  I could go on and on. 

I have had such vision and purpose poured back into me lately.  I have had ideas of how to bless others with my talents.  It’s really cool.  Now I'm just in the period of waiting.  I’m looking at it as a period of training.  Right now we are being trained and prepared for what the future holds.  And I guess I’m developing my patience.  Why is it so hard to wait?!! 

Another thing I have been spending a lot of time with lately is photography.  I have not actually been shooting, but just educating myself more.  I have been reading and watching online tutorials.  I’ve been playing around a little bit with photoshop.  I love it.

I’m super excited about going back to LA for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will be there for an entire week.  An entire week of family and friends and food!  What could be better??!!  Wahooo!

I guess that’s all for now. 

Well, after this picture…

I so wanna be there right now!

swagbucks

Have you guys seen this yet?
I just saw this on The Foster Family blog.
I figure it's worth a try! You can win prizes, giftcards, etc.

Just click the link if you wanna find out more! It's super easy to sign up and start collecting bucks!

Bloggy Love

I have decided tonight to post about my blog buddy, Sarah.  I have linked to her blog a few times in the past because it is just that awesome.  She inspires me to be a better wife and a one day awesome mommy.

I love looking at pics of her kiddos.  She has two sets of twins and a precious singleton baby boy. 

I love her recipes.

I love her boldness in speaking about her faith and beliefs.  (We agree on a bunch of these issues)

I love that she is not shy about going public with her problems and issues.  She uses her experience to help others in tough times.

I love the way she parents.  Even Justin has commented on this.  She comes up with some really neat ways to explain things to children.  I’m stealing some when I have my own children.  :)

I love that anytime I have questions, she is quick to respond with an answer/advice/etc.

I could go on, but instead I’m just gonna link to her again and tell you to check her out!!!