Sugar Pie Honey Bunch

My weekend has been filled with lots of sugar. 

My prince and I decided we are not going to have sugar (aka "sweets") during the week, but only on the weekends. I made it through my first week, and it went pretty well! However, I must have felt deprived of sugar because this weekend has definitely been an overload of sweets! 

Friday night my prince and I went out to dinner in Uptown, and then got dessert at (one of my favorite coffee shops) Uncommon Grounds! 

this picture is from summertime!

We got yummmmmy mochas and talked about wedding plans :)

Saturday I got my wedding shoes! (pictures to come) ...and brought my dress in to get fitted! I also went to Dunn Brothers and got a caramel macchiato! mmmmmmm my fav...

Sunday I went to Dunn Brothers again (I know, I know...) and got a Hazelnut Latte! Delish! 

In between all these coffee trips were a few cookies, fruit snacks, and of course some chocolate :) 

So I think this weekend I had my share of sugar to last me the week...yeah? 

How do you get rid of sugar cravings? Advice please! :) 

laughter

Laughter is the best medicine. If only we all got so much joy out of the simple things in life...like ripping paper? :)

Enjoy your Thursday!

I'm excited to go to Olive garden tonight with some sweet blogger-friends!

...and hello! Tomorrow is Friday!!!

wholeheartedly

I have not been feeling the greatest. I can tell my body is fighting getting sick, but it has been slowly creeping in. I do not work today...Wednesdays are my "get things done" days (AKA mostly homework). My plan was to get an early start today, run some errands, and then spend time doing homework. However, this morning I felt a need to simply rest...and spend time with the Lord. As much as I need to get many many things done today, my greater need is to draw close to God.

If God is not the focus of my day...it is a wasted day. God is the source of life and meaning. 

This morning I read a couple chapters from the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I have read this book before, but it continues to convict and challenge me every time. 

I am challenged to examine my life. Am I living a lukewarm, halfhearted "Christian" life...with my own well-being in mind. Or am I truly in love with Christ? Do I obey His word? Am I radical, or do I blend in? Is my focus on earthly things, or on eternity? 

"Following Christ isn't something that can be done halfheartedly or on the side. It is not a label we display when it is useful. It must be central to everything we do and are." ~Francis Chan

Too often people think that we can live for Christ and ourselves...but this is simply not possible. This is called being lukewarm, and Jesus says, 

"because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." ~Revelation 3:15-18

"Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing." ~Francis Chan

"Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." ~Matthew 16:25

I want to wholeheartedly follow God's plan for my life, because only in Him will I find purpose and true Joy! Don't miss it! 

coffee is healthy!

Today's post is just a little shout out and encouragement to all you coffee lovers! 

I love coffee.

I love the smell of coffee. I love the taste of coffee. I love sound of coffee brewing. 

Now I can also say that I love the health benefits of coffee.

Check out this article! It is called "5 Health Reasons to Not Quit Coffee". Seriously, this was very exciting to read :) 

1. Coffee protects your heart

2. Coffee diverts diabetes

3. Your liver loves coffee

4. Coffee boosts your brain power

5. Coffee helps your headaches

My whole family is a little obsessed with coffee. My first job ever was at Dunn Bros, and I worked at Caribou for about 2 years. Let's just say coffee has a special place in my heart :) 

Who's with me?! 

encouraging

I had a busy but wonderful weekend! 

It began with a sister road trip to Floyd, Iowa! 

Welcome to Floyd!! 

Floyd... "Where the sun shines on kids" haha

Here are my lovely "sisters." :)

We went to a women's conference that these fun ladies put on at their church! It was such a blessing and encouragement! SO great to spend time with these girls and experience God's presence throughout the weekend! 

I want to encourage you with a verse and some truths that I was reminded of this weekend.   "Come near to God and he will come near to you." James 4:8

God longs for us to draw near to Him. He is waiting for us to spend time with Him, to put our trust in Him, to love Him. We must surrender. His plans for us are always good. He is in control of everything. We are dearly loved by Him! 

My weekend also consisted of some more wedding plans! Sunday, my prince and I registered at Target! YAY! It was a bit stressful...but mostly FUN :) 

sisters

Tonight my prince and I went and saw the movie "The Grace Card"...check out the trailer! 

This is a great movie about loving people who are hard to love by extending Grace. God's grace given to use should overflow into us showing grace to others! 

This weekend:

Sister Road trip to Iowa! 

The sisters:

Steph(my sis)

Ria(my sis-in-law)

Jonna(Ria's sis)

Joy(Jonna's almost sis-in-law)

did you follow that? :) 

I am so excited for this girl time. We are going to Iowa to see some fellow blogger friends and attend a mini-conference at their church! Stay tuned for a recap with lots of pics! 

Blessings on your weekend! 

Oh baby

Happy Wednesday Friends!

Last night I went to a surprise baby shower for a beautiful friend! She is soon going to have a baby boy named Vandis aka "Van." :) The night was filled with love, food, games, and laughter! 

Here is the mommy! I am so happy for her! 

I LOVE babies. 

I especially love shopping for baby clothes. Seriously, it could be a hobby. 

While I was thinking about babies I was reminded that Jesus came to earth as a baby. He was literally inside of Mary's tummy. 

This kinda blows my mind. 

The KING OF KINGS and CREATOR OF THE WORLD chose to come as a crying, pooping, hungry little baby because He wanted to save YOU from death. 

Wow. Do we realize how amazing this is? 

Jesus, 

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."
Philippians 2:6-7

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28

I challenge you to just think about this today. Jesus (who deserves everything) gave up everything to save us (who deserve nothing). 

Are we living in response to this?