Showing posts with label 2019. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2019. Show all posts

Monday, March 4, 2019

Little Life Update! (at last)

Hello, readers! I'm coming to you today with some photos, some books, some ... stuff. A little bit of a life update! I hope you all have been doing well and are living with purpose as we begin this third month of 2019. ^_^

So, it's been awhile! Let's begin with Christmas 2018. I had an absolutely beautiful Christmas Day with my family. Even my older brother was there, as he was able to fly out and join us last minute! It was such a sweet time & very blessed.


Living room after some cleanup has happened. *winks* Christmas morning we all gathered here and opened gifts.


Some puzzle time!


Fun gifts from family! Of course, my seven-year-old, little sister gives me her torn-up copy of Deborah because I love books! Hehe.


A beautiful Christmas Day. I went outside with my book, a journal, and red nail polish.


All ready for the festivities with relatives!



Going to town.


In the beginning of January, I went to an awesome conference. Read about it HERE.




Bible study on Wednesday night. My group just started a new book called Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations.


Started reading through the Bible again. The NKJV this time.


Shopping at Goodwill. Yes, ma'am!


Coffee because I had a gift card. I'm not a big coffee-drinker, but I have to say that Starbucks' coffee tastes much better than Dunkin' Donuts. In my opinion. *winks*


Writing blog posts & reading at Starbucks. Their coffee is good. They have healthy snacks. And it's just the perfect place to write. So quiet and cozy and relaxed.


Some of my cousins came to visit for about ten days! We had lots of fun. Always love seeing those dear-hearts. *winks* *hugs*


Had a burst of energy after work and decided to spring-clean my room!! (A little early, haha). It was great. Although, after about three hours of being on my feet and cleaning, I was aching all over. My bones, my joints ... they have issues. :p



I found this pretty shirt at Goodwill for half-off. ^_^

***

So yes! I got a job! ^_^ In childcare again. I'm really enjoying it! This time, it's only part-time.

... Which is okay, because I'm still working on getting healthy! My last doctor left his position, so I'm going to a new naturopathic doctor/chiropractor who has helped some of my relatives &  family acquaintances. I'm already starting to see improvement!

Back on my crazy, anti-inflammatory diet where I can't have - in addition to gluten, dairy, peanuts, coconut, & flax seed - eggs, beef, turkey, tuna, pork, almonds, black pepper, kidney beans, apples, grapes, oranges, avocados, carrots, cabbage, oregano, and so on and so forth.
Plus, I'm trying to stay away from sugar because that's obviously inflammatory as well ... and just bad for you in general.

I'm doing a little bit of working out about three days a week. Goodness, am I ever out-of-shape! :p We're working on it, folks.

I went back to the amazing bookstore that I went to for my birthday! Traded in books I didn't want for about $30 of pretty, new books!! (Maybe I should do a Book Haul Youtube video one of these days. Hmm.)

I'm going to meet my seventh younger sibling in May! So excited for this sweet baby to arrive! <3333 What a precious blessing.

I've been meeting new people, deepening friendships, experiencing new things, and continually finding God faithful. He, the Lover of my Soul, is always so close. I'm amazed at the way He comes through in even the little moments. <3

***

Recently Watched:

Like Arrows - my Mom bought this and we watched it around Valentine's Day. It wasn't quite as good as I was hoping it'd be, but still a worthwhile watch ... and a needed message! Some really poignant moments.


Play the Flutedecided last-minute to go and see this in theaters with my sisters and a friend. It was good! Surprisingly well-acted!


Counting On: Season Nine: Episodes 1 & 2 - I just love this family. So much excitement going on this season.


Currently Reading:

The First Love by Beverly Lewis




Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations by Jimmy Scroggins, Steve Wright, and Leslee Bennett


1 Kings
Luke

Latest Lady Grace Blog Post:



***

Anyway, that's all for now, peoples! Let me know what's been going on your life. How are you doing? Anything I can be praying about for you? Blessings! <3

Thursday, January 10, 2019

My Reading Plan for 2019 (+ a look at C.R.O.S.S.19 conference!)

Happy new year, my friends! Praise the Lord for a brand new year - what an incredible blessing! A fresh start. A new beginning. If we let it be.*smiles*

I want to share with my reading plan for 2019.

And then give you a glimpse into my time at an awesome conference called C.R.O.S.S.19.

***

Well, who is exciting about reading books this year? I certainly am!! So many new worlds to discover and deep wisdom to uncover. Here is my main plan for reading:

1) Continue to read my Bible everyday, and finish reading through the entire thing. (I started October of last year and am currently reading in "Deuteronomy" and "Mark".)

2) Pick a Christian Living type book every other book I read. So ...
novel
Christian Living
novel
Christian Living
novel
Christian Living

We'll see how #2 goes, but it's my goal. I just have to get my hands on enough Christian nonfiction books!!

Here are a few books that I'm hoping to read this year. Do let me know if you're planning on reading any of the same ones! ^_^

***


The Art of Turning: From Sin to Christ for a Joyfully Clean Conscience by Kevin DeYoung


A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz


To Live is Christ, To Die is Gain by Matt Chandler


Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green


One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land by Priscilla Shirer


Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse


The Whole Christ: Legalism, Antinomianism, and Gospel Assurance—Why the Marrow Controversy Still Matters by Sinclair B. Ferguson


The King's Mercy by Lori Benton


Risk is Right: Better to Lose Your Life Than Waste It by John Piper


Who Brings Forth the Wind by Lori Wick


Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper


Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery


Pray for the World: A New Prayer Resource for Operation World by Patrick Johnstone


An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter


The Holiness of God by RC Sproul


Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky


Engaging Islam by Georges Houssney


Decree by Tricia Mingerink


Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating by Marshall Segal


Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof


The Mingling of Souls: God's Design for Love, Marriage, Sex, and Redemption by Matt Chandler


The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin


Redeeming the Feminine Soul: God's Surprising Vision for Womanhood by Julie Roys


Heirs of Tirragyl by Joan Campbell


She's Got the Wrong Guy: Why Smart Women Settle by Deepak Reju


The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz


Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan


When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin


Sex, Purity, and the Longings of a Girl's Heart: Discovering the Beauty and Freedom of God-Defined Sexuality by Kristen Clark & Bethany Beal


Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette


Pure Pleasure: Why Do Christians Feel So Bad About Feeling Good? by Gary Thomas


How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim


Delighting in the Trinity: An Introduction to the Christian Faith by Michael Reeves


Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue by Chuck Black


Compassion Without Compromise: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Our Gay Friends Without Losing the Truth by Adam T. Barr and Ron Citlau


Amber Eyes by S.D. Grimm


Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions About Life and Sexuality by Nancy R. Pearcey


Conqueror by Mandy Fender


Radical Womanhood: Feminine Faith in a Feminist World by Carolyn McCulley


Daican's Heir by Jaye L. Knight


Will Medicine Stop the Pain?: Finding God's Healing For Depression, Anxiety, and Other Troubling Emotions by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Laura Hendrickson


The One True Love of Alice-Ann by Eva Marie Everson


Look and Live: Behold the Soul-Thrilling, Sin-Destroying Glory of Christ by Matt Papa

***


Happy new year, my dear readers! I pray that January 2019 began full of hope for you. And that you continue in the strength and joy of the Lord each day!
I have the absolute honor and joy of telling you about what God has been doing in my life & heart already this brand new year. Friends, He is so good. I’m nearly in tears just thinking about this past week and my faithful Father.
The year of 2018 had some tough points for me. So good things, too. But it seemed that amidst all the little blessings in December, I did a lot of wrestling and just struggling against anxiety and depression.
Like, what did I even do to make a difference this year? Am I any different? What is my life? I can’t do this, Lord. I don’t know what it’s all for. I don’t know why I’m even here.
I have a family. But I don’t feel like I belong in my home.
I have a church. But I don’t feel like I’m intimately a part of them.
I have people. But I don’t feel like they see me. Really.
I have ministries and opportunities. But I don’t think I’m using them to their full potential.
I have Christ. But I feel like I’m drowning and keep losing sight of Him. [Read more ...]