#SheSharesTruth-Shattered.

Happy Friday everyone! :) I have talked about She Reads Truth sooo many times. Raving about how awesome the concept is-a community full of women reading God's Word and learning together. I just love the Church as a whole, and community is something that really touches my heart. She Reads Truth has gotten even better-as if that were possible- and they are now giving readers an opportunity to teach others what they have learned. Enter #SheSharesTruth. The details are nicely laid out in the post, but I just wanted to take a few moments and share my heart and what God has shown me through Psalm 130.

Psalm 130 spoke to my heart in a great way. My journey to where I am today as a wife and mother has not been an easy one. I don't have a perfect saved and never looked back story. Instead, I have a story filled with bad decisions, a heart marred by hurts from my past, and one heck of a testimony about the Grace of God. I identify with the Psalmist-hardcore.

3-4If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,

who would stand a chance?

As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,

and that’s why you’re worshiped.

 

 Partying. Sex. Pride. Lies. And those are just the big ones. If God kept a record of everything I had done, I wouldn't have any hope for a good life. But instead He pushes any record of my sins as far as the East is from the West. Forgiveness is who He is. It is the core of the Gospel. He does it for His Name's sake. I think there is a reason why God called David, in all his dysfunction and sin, a man after His heart. Throughout the Bible, God calls sinners. He has this beautiful habit of taking a life that is so soiled by immorality and bad things, and making that life not only amazing..but using that life to touch so many other lives. We serve a God of second chances. Life has no meaning, we are lost, we are shame filled..then God comes.

7-8O Israel, wait and watch for God—

with God’s arrival comes love,

with God’s arrival comes generous redemption.

No doubt about it—he’ll redeem Israel,

buy back Israel from captivity to sin.

 

When God shows up big things happen. We are not the same. With Gods arrival comes love. Generous redemption. We do not serve a distant God. God isn't just waiting for us to mess up so He can discard us. He doesn't forget about us, even in the worst of our pits. Instead He has our names carved on His hand as a reminder. We all are bound to fall down. It's human nature. We have this struggle against ourselves that is..well, hard. It's a fight, an epic battle. But all that matters is that we keep fighting. That we accept the Grace that is so clearly out there for us in our weakness. 

 

Choose to fight today.  

J'Adore VoxBox Feb 2014 Review!

I recently had an amazing opportunity to become an Influenster. As an Influenster, you use social media to promote and give your opinions on products. Every so often, they send out a VoxBox. VoxBoxes are full of great products! In return, you review and bring awareness to these brands. I received my first VoxBox the J'Adore Valentines Day box and loved it.
Here's the lowdown! :)

The Vaseline Men Spray Lotion is a goodie for my husband actually, so I thought I'd share his take on it. He said that the reason he doesn't use regular lotion is the girly scents and he doesn't like goop on his hands. This product was perfect in his opinion because of the manly smell (that was wifey approved too). This product also dried extremely fast. It made him super soft too, which both of us can appreciate.

This is seriously a miracle product. I was super excited to see a face mask in my box! This mask has a good scent to it, and left my oily skin pretty matte. Normally face masks that claim to mattify dry my skin out terribly, and this product didn't do that. I will definitely buy this.

Valentines Day wouldn't be complete without..chocolate. Hersheys Kisses are my old standby favorite, so I don't really have much new input on them, but I received a HUGE bag of them. It was a great treat to have, and it got me in the Valentines Day mood :)


I didn't get a good picture of this, but the box also included Red Rose tea. I got the flavors Lemon Chiffon, and Carmel Creme. Both decadent amazing flavors that I enjoyed. It was the perfect thing to help me wind down after a long day. I will most likely buy this tea again. The flavors are so unique and delicious. Like dessert in a teacup :)

This was my favorite product in the box. I have naturally curly hair, and this product was able to get all the kinks out! Normally even with product my hair has a lot of bends to it. Not only did I have straight hair, but it smelled good and was super shiny and soft.

This is the only product in the VoxBox that I had trouble or a negative opinion of. And that isn't even the products fault. I suck at false eyelashes. :) From what I could tell, if you are someone who normally uses lashes and has experience this would be a great product. I did like the fact that the lashes looked natural!

Show Me The Money!

Today I wanted to share a little bit about what I do for a living. I actually have gotten a couple messages already asking me "What do I do to be able to stay home?".  Wellll, the answer is I work part-time as a Web Search Evaluator for Leapforce. When I first got sick with hyperemesis, and stepped down from my position at a Bank, I was searching super hard for something..legit. We all know that most online "job" opportunities are actually scams. Leapforce however, is a legitimate money-making opportunity. Like any legitimate online job, it does require time and effort. You are counted as an "Independent Contractor", so you do have to take your own taxes out of every check. I think that the pay you receive is extremely good. I know a lot of people who do this full-time, but personally, I would recommend this as the equivalent of a part-time job, or something to supplement income. Leapforce has a great support system of co-workers who are able to help you with any questions you may have, and the on the job training is absolutely amazing.

Leapforce is almost always accepting applications, so if you are interested here is my personal referral link :Leapforce Application


I think it is a huge blessing to be able to stay home with my soon-to-be-here son, and to be able to be a homemaker, while still helping my family out! :)

What I'm Reading This Month-January Edition!

So; as apart of my "renovation" process for 2014, I chose to bring mainly books that edify or teach me things to my reading list! Being the nerd I am, I have a pretty good start on what I want to read this month/year! It's hard to divide it up :)
Ashley over at Christian Wife Life is having a monthly link up with other bloggers as well as a pretty sweet giveaway, so follow this link: What I'm Reading Link Up and link your blog post (or comment on her post if you don't have a blog) and let everyone know what books are on your hit list!


First on my list:

I am a huge Karen Kingsbury fan, and I have never found a single book of hers that didn't leave me wanting another one. This book, I have been hearing lots about! Music + my favorite author = one excited me :)









2.

Obviously I have read this book before, but I wanted to re-read it as I am in a classics mood lately. Plus, it just seems like a "wintery" book.







3.

So I have been hearing a bunch about this book as well, and I saw it at my local thrift store, and decided to give it a shot. I have heard Francis Chan speak at the One Thing Conference 2013, via my lovely laptop, and loooveddd what he had to say. Another radical approach to the Word. Which I can always appreciate.







My reading list this month is a little short, because we are almost halfway through January already! Can you believe it? My favorite book from last month/year however was : Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I have never felt the presence of God like I did reading this book. This is the most amazing book on my shelf. Can't wait to see what you all choose for your January reading lists! :)

Dear Friday ♥

Dear Friday, You took long enough to get here! I am looking forward to what you have to offer today.

Dear SparkPeople's BabyFit; Is it too late to be jumping on the healthy bandwagon? I swear, I have a mostly good excuse..

Dear Morning Sickness, I thought I broke up with you somewhere in the second trimester..guess you can't get enough of me.

Dear Hubby, you have been sooo sweet to me this week. I can't wait till I get to cuddle with you and make you breakfast tomorrow :)

Dear Micaiah, you are such a little kicker this week. Seeing your precious little face this week via ultrasound was probably the most amazing experience of my life. I can already see so much of Daddy and I in you! You are nothing short of perfection.


Dear God, Thanks for all the amazing blessings <3

Recommended Reading

I am such a nerd. I always have a book in hand, and my reading list for 2014 is probably two miles long. Lately, I like books that are beneficial to me in some way shape or form. Whether it's a good Christian fiction book that boosts my spirit, a book on frugality, or a devotional, my goal for 2014 is to do my best to put mostly things that inspire me to be better in my life.
So I came up with a list of books that have helped make my life just a little bit more amazing. All of these links are from Amazon, where I have found the best deals on books, if you don't mind buying used.



Radical:

This book is seriously one of the most amazing books in the world. David Platt has such a blunt, zealous approach to his relationship with God. Radical inspires you to go a little bit deeper than ordinary with your Christian life.








America's Cheapest Family

So many bloggers have raved about this book, I am just a statistic ;) But seriously guys, this book is absolutely awesome. The Economides provide such great tips for all areas of your life, from vehicles to groceries to childcare. No matter what your level of "frugality" is, by applying these tips, you will greatly benefit.






Redeeming Love

Redeeming Love isn't a new book by any means, but it is such a Christian Fiction classic. This is a fictional take on the story of Hosea in the Bible, so expect your views to be changed. This book not only fueled my love for God, but also my love for my sweet husband as well. I plan on reading this book again in 2014..once..or twice :)






Miserly Moms

Yes, another frugality book :) This book was such a great resource for me, when I unexpectedly got thrust into the world of being a stay at home wife. Jonni McCoy has so many great "coming-home" stories and tips for wives. She has good recipes and thrifty ways to have fun! If you are at all considering becoming a "one-income-family" this book is for you.






Fly-lady's Sink Reflections
         Ah, FlyLady. This woman is the cleaning guru for those of us who need to have a routine to stay on track. Seriously, since I started following her principles and routine suggestions, my house has gotten so much more organized.










I have read a lot more books in 2013, but these are the few that have influenced me the most. I am currently looking for new books to add to my list, so give me suggestions! :)

Goodbye 2013 and my Word of the Year 2014.

I don't know about you, but this year has been..crazy. My life has changed in every possible way! Looking back, I can see that all my struggles for this year have been the Grace of God, and have made me a better person. But, when they were happening..I seriously thought my world was ending.
In the year 2013:

• I found out I was pregnant!
• Due to said pregnancy, I gained a little thing called hyperemesis..and non stop sickness, multiple hospital stays, and I lost 25 pounds.
• I was deemed "unreliable" and stepped down from my newly acquired position at work.
• I got to fulfill one of my hearts desires-becoming a stay at home wife and soon to be mom <3
• My husband got laid off work shortly after, and I learned that valuable lesson of frugality very quickly.

Through all those things, especially my sickness I have never felt the Love of God so deep. ( I'll share my full testimony later). So, this year I made a choice to focus on one word and let that word define my year. I did take this quite seriously, and prayed about it. The word that resonated with me the most was the word "renovate".

 “Though outwardly we are wasting away,” wrote the apostle Paul, “inwardly we are being renewed (or renovated) day by day.”  

That is my focus for 2014. To let God renovate me. To let the Word, worship, and prayer become who I am. To focus on being healthy and let my body be renovated. To completely renovate my relationship with my husband. To renovate my home life, and my finances. 

I am so ready to get started with 2014 :)

Ready to let God have your year? Link up over at One Word 365, comment and let me know your word, and if there is any way I can be an encouragement to you, let me know!