Fancy Nancy Designs Giveaway!

I've finally reached 200 followers and thought to myself, "Let's do a giveaway!" Yay! I'm so thankful for this sweet blogging community!

 My sweet friend Nancy, who I met living overseas in South Korea, has lovingly offered up one of her Belt of Truth leather bracelets! Made with vintage leather and lots of  love! Nancy is such a kind, Christ-like, and sweet sister! She's also a talented yoga teacher and artist! This bracelet is perfect for binding an encouraging word or favorite piece of scripture around your wrist!

Giveaway Details:

Winner will receive a belt of truth bracelet with choice of word or verse inscribed on it!

Winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, May 28th

How to Enter:
For 1 entry leave a comment sharing what verse or word you would choose to have on your bracelet!
 Also leave your email, that way I can reach you and get you your beautiful bracelet!

For the 2nd entry, follow Nancy Nelson Yoga on Instagram.

For a 3rd entry, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway!

Stretch Out Your Hand

Matthew 12:13, "Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So He stretched it out and it was completely restored."

This passage, along with the other miracles Jesus performed, amazes me! I just think of that man and how shocked he must have been to hear those words, "Stretch out your hand.", for it was the one thing he could not do. His hand was probably a source of struggle for him, embarrassment, and shame. So when Jesus commanded he do it, he did in faith, knowing that only by Jesus's power could he stretch out that withered hand.

That is so beautiful to me because I am like that man. 

I also think of Moses when he told God he wasn't a good speaker and couldn't do what God commanded him to do.

Exodus 4:10, "Moses said to the Lord, "Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent..I am slow of speech and of tongue." 

I too like Moses and that man, let my fears, doubts, and feelings of inadequacy keep me from doing what God has commanded me to do. I'm at a point right now where I've been praying about a big move into a direction I would like to take. It's risky, it's stepping out of my comfort zone, and I don't see the future outcome, but I feel passionate and hopeful of the good that can come out of it.

What God says to Moses is just says it all....

Exodus 4:11, "Then the Lord said, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes them mute, or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

"If Jesus is what you need, then in Him you've been given everything you need and you can quit thinking you're under-supplied and unable."- Paul David Tripp

Reflections:
Where is the Lord calling you to speak like Moses or to stretch out your hand as that man?

Women's Conference & World Vision Volunteering

First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks held the conference- I love the palm trees!

World Vision station

These women were Mother and Daughter and so sweet! Awesome to see their love for the Lord and the WV children!

Awaiting sponsors...

I get pictures of everything..LOL!

Thankful!

Loved this woman! So sweet.

We received free bags for helping out- love that they help fight slavery!

Willing hearts

I'm so grateful today! God is so kind even when I am a huge stinker!!! LOL- but really, let me tell you what a blessing the Lord dropped in my life this week! On Monday I received a call from World Vision, an organization that is so dear to my heart and that I had the privileged of working under for almost three years in South Korea teaching English! I also, by God's grace, sponsor two beautiful children through them and am working for a non-profit Christian ministries currently where I now get to help children get sponsored! So it is such a passion of mine.

Well...I initially missed the call from them because my phone was dead. Then I thought I should probably start charging up my phone and that's when I heard I had a message. I listened to their message asking me to volunteer at a Women's Conference this weekend here in town and to call them back if I was interested. If I was interested?! Of course! I called them back and sadly she informed me the spots were all full! I was so discouraged but thanked her anyway, but in the next second she said, "I'm just going to put you on the list anyway!"

This morning I arrived and I didn't really know it but I was going also going to be able to attend the women's conference for free. Boy, how the Lord works in His perfect timing and plans, because this conference was really encouraging. The conference was hosted by Kathy Troccoli and two other women speakers- they were hilarious and so uplifting! There was so much truth being spoken, encouragement handed out, and prayers going up! There was also hits of the 60's sung by all of us with Christian words to them- we danced and had a blast! I volunteered with three other women who were so fun and so nice! Kathy Troccoli talked a bit about World Vision and shared her heart. It was so touching and beautiful.

During intermission a huge crowd came flocking to our World Vision table and beautiful beautiful children were getting picked up and sponsored! If you're not too familiar with World Vision, it's an organization that helps save children's lives- and it's only $35 a month! Women's hearts were so willing and overflowing to give up that $35 a month to help the precious lives of those sweet children. There was a total of 40 children sponsored today! Also, we ended finding a set of twins with separate packets for sponsorship. The WV coordinator took it to Kathy's attention and before she could even get done telling the crowd these twins needed a sponsor, two twins stood up in the crowd and sponsored them right on the spot! It was such an amazing moment!

It's so humbling reflecting on how God works things out and His loving kindness! So thankful women's hearts were touched, lives are going to be helped, and that God is good!

Heart Lessons: Committing

Hey beautiful sisters! I want to keep an ongoing account of what's going on in my heart in the Lord by starting a little series of heart lessons! Today I'm writing on committing my way to the Lord and what that means to me as of lately. As Christian women we are always growing and learning from the trails we face. The past month I've faced challenges of feeling defeated, entitled, less than, a bad attitude, and confusion.

To shorten up why all of these crappy things were bottled up in me lately is I think I fret when I'm not in control. We are struggling a bit financially, I'm not in control. We don't know what our next move is or where the Lord want us, I'm not in control. We've been turned down in our pursuits of education and success, I'm not in control. I feel less than in my performance at work, I'm not in control. But you know what, praise the Lord I am not in control of the big time things- because if I ultimately were, I would be a disaster! My God is sovereign and He is ultimately the one who knows my way, holds my path, knows my heart, and will provide.

However, the whole bad attitude thing I can control. That is where committing my way to the Lord comes in. I have the choice to control my emotions, my sin, my response to others, and my attitude when things don't go my way. I'm selfish and I know it. I'm prideful and I know it. But, praise be to God that He has made me new and now I have the choice to live in the Spirit and not my flesh!

So when I read Psalm 37:5 last week the Lord has been using it to get me through those moments of fearing failure, financial turmoil, and future plans. If I am committing my heart to honor God and doing it not for the approval or view in front of others, but if I have a pure and genuine heart seeking Him, trusting in Him, He is going to act. My God keeps His promises! He may not give me a million dollars or bless me with everything I think I need, but He's going to give me that strength I may need and the peace that comes with it and what I truly need, Him! Today my prayer was,"Lord..help me commit everything I do to You..from my words, thoughts, actions, and motives!"

How I've been yearning to commit:
-Committing to getting in the word, knowing it, and living it
-Committing to prayer
-Committing my way to His plan for my life, whatever state I am in or wherever He has me.
-Committing to righteous actions even if no one sees me do it, or nothing come from it (praise or accreditation) because my reward is from the Lord in Heaven!!!

Let's be committed women to the Lord!

How To: An at Home Spa!

This girl right here could go to the spa everyday (I know that seems extreme, but I totally could!) however, this girl is also on a budget too. Hehe! So, I'm left to having spa time at home, which is so nice! Of course there's nothing better than someone scrubbing your feet for you, but you can save the money and still get the same affect with a few simple things! After a busy week of working and everything else that fills my plate, I like to take a few hours out of the day or night and give myself some spa treatment! I've been doing this pretty weekly now for awhile and I've got to pass it on how relaxing and refreshing it is! I look forward to it, sort of like a treat at the end of a crazy or hectic week. I think not only is it relaxing and refreshing, but our skin and nails need some TLC too!I start off by getting some music going- I usually listen to Sara Groves because I love to think and pray as I go about my routine; and her music is so calming! I sometimes play relaxing spa music too, depending on what I'm feelin'! Also, candles are a must! They set the relaxing mood. I then proceed with doing a face scrub and face mask! My favorite mask is pictured above, but you can find almost any face mask for a good price at your local drug store or beauty supplier. Step 1: Then I run a bath water and get in the tub! I fill it with bath bubbles and a little orange blossom essential oil for good smells! I also remove my face mask as I'm relaxing back in the hot bubbles. After my bath I do a quick foot bath where I just let my feet soak! I recently found Sally Hansen's foot soak and I love how soft it makes my feet feel! I then take a quick shower (to save some water!) and do my shaving as well as a full body scrub. I absolutely love body scrubs because our skin gets so dead we need to freshen it up!

Step 2: After the shower, I then lather up with shea or coco butter all over except my face (I like to use all natural lotions and most beauty products if I can), our skins needs some moisture and if you're anything like me, my skin is prone to dry out easily! Then I do my face routine- I recently started using a very natural face cream and I love it! Every girl needs a robe too as she goes about her beauty routine!

Step 3: Then I put a hair masque and let it set for about 20 minutes. This is when I do my toes and nails up all pretty- cuticle cutting and all! After my nails are done drying- I rinse my hair and add a few drops of Argon oil to it and throw it up in a hair towel. If I don't have anything going on, I keep it like this for a few hours to soak up the argon oil.

Step 4: Then last but not least, I do a bit of waxing on my upper lip. A must do! Then I do some plucking of the eye brows!I love having clean and groomed eyebrows!Step 5: Then I throw on some comfy clothes and lay down in my bed for a few minutes as the music plays softly. I like to just soak it up for a few more minutes! Nothing better than a fresh and revived mind and body!