Water, water, everywhere

The ocean is my happy place.
It's where my mind wanders to on cold, winter days.
It's where I long to be when life gets tough.

I have so many great memories by the seashore.
Memories that will never leave me.
Memories that comfort me in the hard times.

I know we all have a place like that. 
A place that is a kind of escape from reality.
A place that offers us time to breathe and relax.

Sometimes, I long deep down in my soul for a day by the water.
Sometimes, I ache in my heart for the joy that the sun and sand bring me.

I know it sounds silly to say that I long and ache for this place.
But, I'm willing to bet that most of you understand just what I mean.

You see, it's not the place alone that has so intensely captured my heart.
It's not the individual moments that I've had there.
It's not even the singular sights and smells that come with it.

It's the total experience that makes me come alive.
When all of these features work together, I can't help but be drawn in.
I can't help but feel connected to the CREATOR.

I can't expect you to understand my love for the ocean if you've never been there yourself.
Because you haven't experienced what I have.

The sunrise over the water.
The ebb and flow of the tides.
The wild wind and crystal sea.
They all work together to create an experience that is too irresistible....
...too amazing to ignore. 

And, my dear sisters, that is how it is supposed to be with the church.

Each of us have a part to play.
Each of us have an experience to participate in.
Each of us have something to add, to give, to do.

We need each other!
Just like the sand needs the sea.
Just like the wind needs the waves.
You need me.
I need you.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 14-15 (msg)
 "God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! 
I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn’t just a single part blown up into something huge. It’s all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together."


We are all beautiful, important, and necessary to the body of Christ.
We were all created to function together...in rhythm, in harmony, in a dance.

And when we do ...
We, the church, beckon the world to see what makes us come alive!
We become too amazing to ignore!
We become IRRESISTIBLE....and God gets all the glory! 

Live in the Moment

How good are you at living in the moment? 

Me?
Well, lately, I have let the past get the best of me and the future frighten me.
It's like being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Yesterday I was praying about this dilemma and God said, "Be Here Now."

Psalm 118:24 
"This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Why is it so hard sometimes to live in the here and now?
For me, it's the reality that things will never be like they used to be.
It's also the fact that the future holds the unseen and unknown.

The Past vs. The Future-
Both places are really holding cells keeping us bound from the Present!

What happens if things go back to the way they used to be? 
No change + No growth = Stuck!

What happens if you could somehow predict the future?
Worry + Anticipation = Helpless!

Right now life is going on all around you and me.
The "present" is only here for 24 hrs. 
You can't change yesterday and you can't predict tomorrow.
All you have is today!

I've heard it said that the reason we call today the "present" is because it's a gift.
Think about that. 
Today is a gift. 
We're not promised tomorrow.

I struggle with this truth!
I want to go back and fix so many yesterdays.
I want to leap ahead and skip the mundane cycle of today.

But alas, God calls us to "Be Here Now."
So close your eyes, take a deep breath, and lift those hands to the heavens.
Ask Him to strengthen you and energize you to enjoy this moment.
Surrender what was and allow the presence of God to fill you with peace about the unknowns.
He will do it ya know. 

Don't allow the past to steal one more second from your present!
Enjoying the present will always make for a happier future!

Seasons come, Seasons go

Have you endured a long, hard winter?
Has the cold numbed your soul?

Sometimes it can seem like the sun won't shine again to melt away all the ice in our hearts.
Sometimes it can seem like we are surrounded by death because we just don't see any signs of life.

It can look like the snow is covering up the fertile earth and freezing the soil where seeds are planted.
But, just because it "looks" like that doesn't mean that is actually happening.
In fact, the snow is doing it's very important task of watering those seeds....those seeds that you forgot you planted because you couldn't "see" them growing.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says,
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with My word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it."

And now, Spring is here!
What is Spring all about?

New Growth
Rainbows of Promise
Showers of Blessing
Flowers Blooming
Warm Sunshine
Winds of Change

All the things that you've been waiting for....the hopes and dreams long forgotten....are ready to grow!
They are calling out from the cold, damp earth that the time has come for them to be born...or reborn!

Think about how long this past winter seemed...so much ice and snow...it felt like it wouldn't end!
But do you know what that means?
That there were a lot of seeds that needed to be watered and prepared for birth in the spring!
And some seeds may have needed more time, love ,and attention than others.
God knew what He was doing even though we may not have understood it.

So, don't lose heart now.
The cold winds are blowing in the warm, spring air and fresh rain is on it's way!
It's time to raise our hands to the heavens in expectation of fulfilled promises and abundant blessings!
Downpours of grace are coming your way.
The warmth of God's love is melting away the icicles from your soul.
Fresh sprouts are bursting up from the soil of your life.

Let's give God praise for this change of seasons!
I know I am.
Winter may have been tough, but Spring will be full of life and favor.
Why?
Because God always brings joy to replace the pain!
You can count on it!

Hebrews 10:23
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."

Beautiful Warriors T-Shirts!

The Beautiful Warriors t-shirts are here! 

And they look awesome!

Take a peek:

Cool, right?

I love the boots!

They're my fave part. :)

So, I bet you're wondering how much they cost and how to order one...

They are $12 for sizes XS- XL and $15 for sizes XXL-XXXL.

Really affordable and fun = a great combo!

Add $3 shipping fee if you aren't local (in AL).

 If you want one, comment below with size/name or find us on Facebook for more info!

Happy Friday!

Let's wear these shirts for everyone to see and publicly announce that we are

HIS BEAUTIFUL WARRIORS!

Psalm 144:1

"Blessed be the Lord my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle."

10 Facts About Beautiful Warriors founder, Joannie!

Along the same vein as my post yesterday, Joannie, Beautiful Warriors founder and visionary, wanted to share 10 things you might not know about her, too! We hope you ladies enjoy getting to know us more and we challenge you to come up with a list of your own 10 things and post them in the comments section to share with us! You'll be surprised how liberating it is....

Joannie's 10 Facts

1. I love Elvis Presley. I know this started as a young girl. I have memories of my Mom playing his songs. Those were happy times. I know many of you think he is dead. But his spirit remains alive in my heart. Elvis has left the building!

2. I am a sucker for reality shows. Not just any so I hear ya booooing me. Lol Anytime I see someone feel the fear and go after their dreams I'm like buttah. Bring some tissue and leave me alone. So You Think You can Dance, The Voice and Undercover Boss are a few of my favs.

3. Give me a hot bubble bath with a good book and I'm lost for hours. Aside from spiritual books, Nicholas Sparks is my pick.

4. Sunshine Sunshine Sunshine my weakness and addiction is being outside. Beach and pool are my hot spots.

5. I like to watch game shows on tv. Especially reruns of The old 80s Card Sharks. Scrabble and Lingo with Chuck Woolerly on GSN. No worries we have basic cable so I'm not glued to the tv. I'm a word girl so that one shouldn't surprise you! :)

6. I meet no strangers and consider most people a friend. Unless you decide to walk out of my life. I am not one to hunt you down. I'm learning the older I get that other people don't get to validate me. I value me just the way God created me.

7. Life is a Big Camera. So I'm always with my iPhone in hand snapping a picture. Family pictures are my fav because growing up we didn't take many. Especially of my beautiful kids and my handsome husband.

8. Life is also a Party. I'm looking for a reason to celebrate something. Yes I'm an extrovert and I like most people.

9. I have a loud voice and will use it til the day I die. Sharing truth, hope and freedom are what makes me tick! Jesus is the anchor for my soul and without Him life isn't worth living.

10. Being a Mom brings me the most Joy in my life! Who knew a title could fill such an empty place in my heart. Losing my Mom at 12 yrs old caused a lot of twisted thinking on the topic of parenthood. Thankful Gods plan for me out weighed my own.

Comfortable In My Own Skin

I'm in my 30's and I finally feel like I'm comfortable in my own skin.
I know, I know, that's a bold statement!
But, it's true!

And I'm proud of the fact that I'm comfortable being me.
All of me....the pretty parts and the ugly parts. Yep, I have both. 
And I'm okay with it!

Are you?
If not, then I hope this post frees you from the things that are holding you back.
I pray it helps you embrace God's design for you!

In an effort to bring you freedom, I'm going to "bare all" and share some facts about me. 

1. I love Barbra Streisand. Yep! I can't watch her perform without crying. I still have memories of singing to her "Funny Girl" soundtrack in my bedroom with my hairbrush microphone when I was 16 years old! One day I want to meet her...

2. I love British television! Comedies, dramas, romance...all of it. I can watch "The Office UK", "Sherlock" and "Bridget Jones Diary" in one day and still want for more....

3. Give me a good book and a glass of wine and I'll be just fine. ("Little Women" and Moscato, please.) 

4. I hate reality television. I abhor it. Unless it's "The Voice"...then I'll make an exception. But any of that "teenage exploitative mumbo jumbo let's all live in the same house" stuff puts me in a foul mood. :)

5. I could live in a hut on the beach all by myself and be content. I would just wake up to the sound of waves, eat my freshly caught fish breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and sleep under the stars. Ok, maybe I'd miss my family a little bit. :)

6. A day without music would be a day of hell on earth for me. I live and breathe melodies and harmonies and lyrics. If I can't have that I would die from boredom and lack of creativity. 

7. I don't like parties. Don't get me wrong, I like to hang out with my friends. But, put me in a room with tons of people and I'll be the one sitting quietly in the corner playing on her phone. Call me an introvert. Call me anti-social. Either way, parties aren't for me. 

8. People think I'm quiet but I'm really just selective on the topics I'll discuss. I don't do surface conversations just to maintain good standing or to fit in. I find that kind of talk pointless and cheap. I will be nice but not deep if that's what you're looking for, but don't expect me to shoot the breeze over something just to fill the awkward silence. I'm not that girl. 

9. I'm passionate about raising awareness on the horrors of human trafficking. I will help these women and children that are being exploited, abused, and sold as a product or possession. I will speak up, stand up, and rise up to be a voice for these wounded ones. I will be a beacon of hope!

10. My life is nothing without Christ. He is my life. I am breathing His breath. I am singing His songs. I am writing His story. I am His and He is mine. 

Those are just some of the things that make me tick.

And let me tell you, it took me a long time to admit and embrace some of those things without worrying if you might like me. 

Over the years, I've:

run away 

taken detours 

changed directions 

ignored His voice

listened to the world

let my fears take over

compromised for someone else's happiness

kept silent when I should have spoken up

left instead of stayed

missed the mark time and time again 

lost myself 

But, you know what? 

God always knew I'd find "me." 

And even better ....He never lost me.

In fact, He's always had me...right in the palm of His hand. 

He lovingly made every single part of me. 

Genesis 1:31-

"God saw all that He had made and it was very good."

The same goes for you too, ya know?

All of the parts of you that others might think are quirky or weird....those things make you "YOU". 

So embrace all of who you are- cause if you don't, then who will? 

Be who you really are and life will make sense. 

All the pieces will fit. 

Healing will begin....

This next statement might offend you or it could set a fire inside of you. 

It's your choice.

But, 

I don't care anymore what people say about me. 

I love me and, more importantly, God loves me. 

Just the way I am. 

And that's all that matters....

What If?

This past year was insane.
Literally, it has been one of the worst years of my life.

My hubs, kids, and I have been in a constant state of sickness it seems.
No amount of disinfectant or sanitizer has kept it out of our houses or our bodies....

We have moved from one state to another, lived in 3 different houses and just recently found one to live in.
One of those houses had a major mouse and roach problem by the way!

We've visited 5 different churches and have only just now decided to call one of them home.
Still haven't connected with anyone personally though...

Did I mention that we live in an area of the country prone to crazy weather conditions?
Freak ice storms, giant sized hail, tornados, 40+ mph winds, and earthquakes have all frequented our state this past year.

We found out that my husband might have to retire earlier than we anticipated because of military cutbacks.
Not before deploying a few more times though of course...

And our car got stolen right out of our driveway!
Yep, while we were home eating dinner...how audacious!

I've been living in a season that I like to call "What If?"

What if we get sick again tomorrow even though I cleaned my house twice yesterday?
What if the military moves us again this year instead of letting us get settled for a bit?
What if we don't make any friends and have to go church hunting again just to get plugged in?
What if a tornado comes and we lose everything we've worked so hard for?
What if my husband loses his job and I have to go back to work and can't home school my kids anymore?

The "What If" season is exhausting!

I'm just keeping it real.
It is hard to put one foot in front of the other sometimes, right?
I know you've been there...

But, can I tell you what God showed me during that crazy, exhausting and frustrating season?
He showed me that I was putting all of my effort into this idea of "What If?"
I was more focused on what could happen that I was missing out on what was happening during that time.

And things were happening...

God made a way for us to move to a safe neighborhood where there was not even a house available to rent!
My kids have become so kind and "others" focused because they've had to help me and eachother out through each bout of sickness!
My oldest can even teach his younger siblings their school lessons if I'm sick and can't get out of the bed.
Our new neighborhood has a park directly in front of our house where our kids can play and make friends.
Our stolen car was found and returned to us with no damage!
My husband just got a promotion and started putting extra money away for the unknown future.
Psalm 91 has become our family mantra during crazy weather episodes and prayer is more of a lifeline than ever!

In essence, Romans 8:28 has happened:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."

If you're in a season of "What If?" right now, I challenge you to redirect your focus.
Remember, it won't last forever.
There is always something happening beneath the surface that will be gloriously revealed at the right time!
Nothing is ever wasted!
Ask Him to show you what He's doing in the midst of your trial and I guarantee your whole outlook will change for the better.
It's amazing what a little change in perspective can do....