body and heart

I had a wonderful weekend at our youth retreat! 

It was a great time of fellowship, fun, and learning about God's will for our lives.

Here are just a few pictures of the weekend...

we were served yummy food :)

Part of our youth group! We love them! 

cute cabin the girls stayed in

my pretty sister and I :)

The church I grew up in (and my family goes to) was at the retreat with us! So fun! 

beautiful winter

Broomball! I've never been so sore in my life...

My prince rock climbing!

Love my handsome prince!

I could share SO much more about this weekend, but I will leave you with a small piece of what God spoke to me...

Life without Jesus is not really living. This world tries to tell us how to have a "full" life, but we are continually fed LIES. The ONLY way to experience full satisfaction, joy, and purpose in life is to SURRENDER daily to Jesus, turn from our sins that weigh us down, and allow God to change us into a NEW CREATION. 

My body is oh so tired, but my heart is oh so full.

Thank you for your prayers! 

Real Life

This weekend we are taking our youth group to a youth retreat at Trout Lake Camp!

I am so excited to see God work in the hearts of our youth and our leaders. I am expecting, praying, and trusting that God will do big things this weekend! 

I would love your prayers! 

The Key verse(s) for this weekend come from Colossians, and talk about REAL LIFE. Check it out! 

Living the New Life

 "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ² Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. ³ For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ And when Christ, who is your^[a] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. ⁵ So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. ⁶ Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.^[b] 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. ⁸ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. ⁹Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. ¹⁰ Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. ¹¹ In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile,^[c]circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us."


Colossians 3:1-12

Loving Love

Today I was dreaming about Valentines Day... OH how I love it :) 

I just LOVE celebrating LOVE 

This year both my prince and I have class on Valentines Day. So Sad. 

BUT

We booked a hotel, and are celebrating next weekend instead! 

Now here's my question to YOU ladies...

What do you do for your guy on Valentines Day? 

A card, present, flowers ;) ? 

Honestly

I have been trying to think of something cute, fun, and exciting to blog about today...

but

Instead I decided to be simple and honest.

I have always struggled with caring about what others think of me. Whether it is through appearance, actions, accomplishments, etc...I tend to be a people pleaser. I have always had a hard time admitting struggles and showing insecurities. In fact, I can be really good at putting on the "I'm great" face, and playing the part. 

Growing up as a youth pastor's daughter, and now being a youth pastor's wife...

I have felt like I should always have things together, especially with my relationship with God. 

I love God. He is my savior, and I want to live my life for Him.

But I struggle. 

I do not always feel close to God.

 I do not always want to read my bible.

I struggle with fear and insecurity.

I struggle with stepping out in faith.

I do not like to feel uncomfortable or awkward. 

I can be very selfish.

I could go on...

My point in saying all of this is not a woe is me type of thing. It's not even really about me. I want you to know that I am FAR from perfect. I want you to know that you are not the only one that struggles. 

God wants us to be honest. He wants us to admit our need for Him. He wants us to share our struggles with each other, so that healing and truth can shine through. 

In all my weaknesses and struggles, I know that I am still a Child of God. His love for me never changes. His mercies are new every morning. 

Even when I don't feel close to God, I cling to His promises which I KNOW are true. I pray that we can do that together today.

"we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." ~Romans 8:37-39

Picture this

Another week is here! Can you believe January is almost over? Are you used to writing 2012 yet? :) 

WELL here is a little recap of my weekend

picture style of course

Friday,

I spent the night with some girlfriends! We went to our talented friend's art show :)

We also went to an open mic show called Friday Night Live, and got some food afterwards! 

The past week or so, I have been majorly craving a big, juicy hamburger. (Like the dreaming about it and drooling in my sleep kind of craving). So I introduce you to my meal on Friday night...a bacon blue cheese burger :) YUM. 

Notice how I chose fruit instead of fries. Just trying to make a healthy meal choice ;) HA. 

Saturday,

I slept in, and got some work done. Then my prince and I took his fun younger siblings to a play. It was at a high school, and some kids in our youth group were in it too! It was called "Pirates of Penzance". 

My prince's cute sisters :)

Sunday,

We celebrated my sweet sister-in-law's birthday!

Happy Birthday Ria! 

We went to lunch, and coffee afterwards! 

Here is me and my adorable niece :) 

My prince and I are ending the weekend with a redbox movie, and some cereal for supper! Yes, cereal for supper is a regular occurrence :) 

How do you wind down and prepare for a new week? 

Tagged!

I was tagged by Emily at Live a Charmed Life! So here I go :)




Here is the break down:
1.  Post these rules
2.  Post 11 random things about yourself
3.  Answer the questions set for you in their post
4.  Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5.  Go to their blog and tell them they are "tagged"
6.  Tag 11 people


11 Random things about me

1. My toes and fingers are ALWAYS cold freezing. This week I have resorted to the hairdryer to warm me up.
2. I love garlic.
3. One of my favorite parts about being a preschool teacher is being able to do messy art projects!
4. I am an extreme supporter of chick flicks. The sappier the better :)
5. I want to learn how to crochet.
6. I love vintage things.
7. I could eat a whole bag of clementines in one sitting!
8. I greatly greatly dislike traffic.
9. My meal is never complete without dessert.
10. I am very gullible :)
11. I love being married!


11 Questions about myself

1.  What is your guilty pleasure TV show? It used to be the bachelor...but not this season. Recently I watched the show "Beautiful People" on Netflix 
2.  Name one song that you love to jam out to that is totally embarrassing? Baby by the Beibs :)
3.  Where do you want to send your kids to school?  Public/private/home school? I grew up in a private school and loved it...so that would be my dream.
4.  One food you will never grow tired of? pasta and bread. I love me my carbs :)
5.  What is your favorite Pinterest search? food
6.  Did you order your girl scout cookies?  If so, what kind? Not yet, but I love thin mints!
7.  What color do you decorate with most? white, teal, browns
8.  Which store is a total guilty pleasure? Anthropology! In my dreams I can buy everything there...
9.  What are your favorite baby names? hmmmm girl names are easier for me. I like Lucy and Ella
10.  What is your "dream home" vision? White cottage with wildflowers. Shabby chic...fireplace...enchanted garden in my backyard :)
11.  Is your current job your dream job? My dream job is to be a mom :) but I do love what I do!


11 Questions for you


1. What is your favorite pair of shoes you own?
2. What is your biggest pet peeve?
3. What do you use more...oven or microwave?
4. Who is your celebrity crush?
5. Where is your dream vacation?
6. How many hours a week do you spend in the blog world?
7. What is your favorite holiday, and why?
8. If you were trapped on an island, what three things would you want with you?
9. If you could travel back to any decade, which one would it be?
10. Sweet or Salty?
11. What's your favorite past time? 


I tag...


Jamie
Rebekah
Ria
Melissa
Jessie
Mckenzie
Annalynn
Breanna
Beka
Steph
Bre

Weekend fun

I had a busy weekend, and had to go to work today :(

BUT

Sunday, my prince and I took our nieces on a fun outing...

to...

(previously known as underwater world)

We were very excited to see all the fish! 

But we couldn't feed the fish any candy...such a bummer. 

The jellyfish were quite cool! 

We even saw Nemo :) 

and many many other cool creatures

We wanted to go swimming with the starfish, but could only touch them.

The gift shop toys were too expensive...yikes! 

We then went to the amazing American Girl Doll Store. Now this was exciting.

Not pictured is the Disney store where we got princess water bottles, colored, and watched some sleeping beauty. no big deal ;) 

We ended the day with some ice cream!

a little too much adventure? 

I love spending time with these adorable girls! 

And who wouldn't love sea life, extravagant dolls and the Disney store? :)