It has been so uplifting to be back posting here. Just to see you guys stopping by has been heartwarming enough, let alone the encouragement of hearing from a few of you! It's really brightened my week. I want you to know that I am so thankful that you have come by. It matters so much to me that each and every one of you have been a part of this, and I hope to hear from more of you so soon! I've realized how deeply I missed the warmth of sharing here, and hope to reconnect with this community. I've been so happy to put updates together again, and sincerely hope you enjoy them!

I'm going to be adding a conversation starter to my posts, and can't wait to hear your responses! They are inspired by a beautiful author named Ann Voskamp (whose blog you can read here here). She calls them joydares and they are a challenge to live life thankfully, ever-aware of the many gifts and blessings in every day life. How it works is that three words will be listed, and you can name a blessing for each one. I think they'll open our hearts and minds more fully to thankfulness (:

For Today's JoyDare: A gift in summer, in the air, in the water.
My answers:
The way it awakens people up and brings us together.
The way it forms breezes to cool off hot days.
Gentle rain storms and their soft serenity.
What are your three answers? (:


001.
In the beginning, our God spoke beauty because He is Beauty and the God of the Bible is an artist and what you must never forget is that you are His art. Touch your face right now and feel what you really are, what His Son whispers, “My masterpiece worth dying for, my beauty worth redeeming. ― I have to tell you that He paints you pure loveliness in Christ, that He made you for here and now, to be a gift to the world, to the broken and needy and little and least, right today, right where you are, and there’s no other way to see anything.”
― Ann Voskamp, A Letter For All The World's Daughters

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.


002.
The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
―Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

003.
There is something magical about the way of a woman who knows she is loved.
She is captivating. Compelling. Inspiring. On that day, she and her love have gathered up all those in their world and they say to one another, I choose you. With all of your crazy mess, with all of your fears and worries, with all of your radiant beauty, I choose you — when you are sick and when you are well, when you are rich and when you are poor. I choose you, and only death will come between us. And even then, you’ll be my love.
People who know they are loved are moved to be lovers. People who are unloved cannot move at all.
Until we know we are loved and accepted, we will continue to hide, to stay safe, to hold our cards close to our chest, to keep our real selves hidden from the world.
―Emily Freeman, Change The World: Day Six: Be Loved.

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

004.
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
―Psalm 18:28 (NIV)

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

005.
Simple living is about living your life with a purpose that aligns with your values. It’s about enjoying the things you love and care about and not about stressing over the things that don’t matter. It’s fulfilling; it brings peace; it drips with contentment. Living simply is about being who you were made to be.
—Tsh Oxenreider, Organized Simplicity

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.


006.
He has not forgotten.
He heard your call.
He may wait to come to you because He is withholding a blessing in order to give you a better one.
And regardless of whether or not your Lazarus walks out of the tomb, I pray that you continue to worship the Lord, keeping what He has given you until the moment you are called to give it away. And as the glass shatters all around you and you grow dizzy from the intoxicating smell of pure love, get as close to His feet as you can.
And know this.
It was always meant to fall from your hands. And He is glorified in the shattering.
―Angie Smith, I Will Carry You

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

007.
Head-based trust is impatient. It illuminates our weakness and the urgency of the situation. But heart-based trust builds up our confidence and strength while we wait on God. And certainly, it knows that something supernatural is accomplished as we go through uncomfortable, painful situations.
―Abby Aranzamendez

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

008.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
― Philippians 4:7

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

009.
God is patience. He is committed for as long as it takes, whatever is going on, however arduous the process. Patience is not passive. Our Father, Savior and indwelling Spirit work with purposeful patience.
He bears with his children intentionally, through all time, in order to accomplish something. In his great patience, he will complete what he has begun, to his glory and to our joy.
―David Powlison, The Journal of Biblical Counseling



010.
We are convinced God does much more behind the visible stage of each person’s lives. He speaks and it’s up to us to hear. We are also convinced family and human relationship is a precious and fragile gift. It’s up to us to listen to each other. It’s up to us to nurture each other.
― Kate Merrick

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

011.
I love that our relationships with Christ are not based on the fluctuated roller coasters of our situations and emotions, but that our faith can be a kindled flame of constancy deep within. I love that as much as Christ's love is wild, it is equally as gentle. He never moves faster than we can handle.
― Audrey Assad



012.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
—Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

013.
Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present, and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future.
― Audrey Hepburn


014.
I’ll rise as You were risen, declare your rule and reign. My life declare Your Lordship, and glorify Your name. Your word, it stands eternal. Your kingdom knows no end. Your praise goes on forever, and on and on again. No power can stand against You; no curse assault Your throne. No one can steal Your glory, for it is Yours alone. I stand to see Your praises, I stand to testify. For I was dead in my sin and now I’ll rise.
—Hillsong Live, Beneath the Waters (I Will Rise)


015.
If mourning and dancing are part of the same movement of grace, we can be grateful for every moment we have lived. We can claim our unique journey as God’s way to mold our hearts to greater conformity to Christ. The cross, the primary symbol of our faith, invites us to see grace where there is pain; to see resurrection where there is death. The call to be grateful is a call to trust that every moment can be claimed as the way of the cross that leads to new lift.
―Henri Nouwen

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.


016.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
―Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

Picture Credit, please view and use if re-posting.

Charity You Should Know About: The Sheepfold.

Mission Statement:: To equip mothers with children suffering from homelessness or abuse for successful independent living with hope for the future. A key outcome is that they can live on their own independently and not be tempted to return to their abuser and destructive lifestyle.

Health and Wellness Tip for You: What Your Skin is Telling You...
When you are not taking care of yourself as good as you should...your skin will let you know. Your skin is constantly communicating with you and if you are experiencing pigmentation problems, acne, puffy eyes and other issues it is most likely the result of something deeper that is happening on the inside.

Face mapping has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine. The Chinese believe that you can tell a lot about a person and their health just by looking at their skin. I use this technique when I am doing a skin analysis on a client and it is so interesting how accurate it really is.

View the link above to learn about the different facial zones and what they mean!

Hi there Xanga community! I wonder how many of you are still using this site. I truly hope so many of you are. It would be so wonderful to hear from you all again. It has been much too long. I have really begun to feel homesick for updating here. It's so good to come back and give things a fresh, new update. It's been such a long time since I've gotten to, so I have very many quotes to share! I have some new ideas and would love to have you be a part of this site again. Please come in and relax here awhile. I hope this feel is as cozy as it ever were!

001.
If I’m busy trying to be like Mary, Martha and Margaret then I’m left with no time to be me. Or, more specifically, to let Jesus be who He is through me.
Each of us are made in the image of God. That means we’re created to show Him to the world in a way no one else ever has and no one else ever will.
I do that by being who He made me.
And you do that by being you.
So listen, brave friends, let’s decide together that we will stop trying to be like each other.
And instead be conformed to the one whose likeness we’re made in.
—Holley Gerth, You're The Only YOU We've Got

(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)

002.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
—Colossians 3: 12-17
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)


003.
Patience to wait does not come from suffering long for what we lack,
but from sitting long in what we have.
—Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day

004.
“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” —Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)

005.
Love is action, not abstraction. Positively, love is patient with people and gracious to them with generosity. Negatively, love never envies, or brags, or is arrogant, since that is the opposite of selfless service to others. Never rude or overbearing, love never wants its own way, is not irritated or angered in personal offense, and finds no pleasure in someone else’s sin, even the sin of an enemy. On the positive side again, love is devoted to truth in everything. With regard to “all things” within God’s righteous and gracious will, love protects, believes, hopes, and endures what others reject.
—John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Commentary; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)

006.
“If I can't accurately see my sin for how broken and ugly it is, how can I see and taste my need for the perfect and beautiful Christ? My weaknesses point me to Jesus, and there I find grace. We don't need to pretend that we're good, because God knows that we're not. And yet in this fallen state, he rescued us."
—Sarah Van Beveran Seeing What Is Real

007.
“Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”
—Galatians 6:1-5 (MSG)


008.
“There are few things that require more strength than acknowledging your fears and claiming your dreams; there are few things more courageous still than sharing them with others.”
—Alyce Gilligan, A Year of Fear Versus Dreams
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)

009.
Don’t give in to worry or anger; it only leads to trouble.
—Psalm 37:8 (GNT)

010.
Let nothing disturb me. Let nothing frighten me. Let nothing take away my peace. May I wait with trust, with patience, knowing you will provide for me. I lack nothing in You, God. You are my strong foundation. You are enough for me.
—Teresa of Avila
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)


011.
“Be free with your compliments and be quick to vocalize them. Every day, try to find someone you can build up and encourage.”
—Joel Osteen
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)

012.
“God is my savior;
I will trust him and not be afraid.
The LORD gives me power and strength;
he is my savior.”
—Isaiah 12:2 (GNT)

013.
“Sometimes I am more comfortable in wearing shame than I am wearing forgiveness. I often do this without realizing my error. Yet every time I wallow in guilt, curse my inadequacies and embrace defeat I am covering up the beauty of forgiveness that Christ won for me … for mankind. When I choose to wear forgiveness like a crown instead of cloaking myself with my own failures and shortcomings, I’m reduced and Christ is exalted and my confidence in who I am in Him and through Him is restored.”
—Angela Nazworth, Are You Comfortable Wearing Forgiveness?

014.
“Use your beauty to serve others in finding their own beauty.”
—Elena Brower
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)


015.
“My heart’s one desire is to be holy in love. I long for the purifying fire of His love to consume every hidden motive within me. As the heart is purified, we can see Him with greater and greater clarity. I want to be fully possessed by His Holy Spirit until I am completely overshadowed by God. I want to be utterly overtaken. My prayer is for all of us to stay hidden inside God’s glorious heart of love until we are manifesting His nature as sons and daughters, living, breathing, moving, healing, and life giving, just as Jesus was. As we are purified, we will see God more clearly. As our hearts become pure, our vision becomes clearer.”
—Heidi Baker, Compelled by Love
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)

016.
“I see our life as a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding our vision of what is possible, stretching our soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to our intuition and taking courageous challenges every step of the way. We are on the path, exactly where we need to be right now, and from here, we can only go forward, shaping our life into a magnificent tale of triumph, healing, courage, beauty, wisdom, power, dignity and love. It is my belief that no one can do it alone; no one should expect to do it alone.”
—Caroline Sabi, Healing Into Wholeness Therapy
(Picture Credits. Please View and Use if Re-posting.)

017.
“We must not feel proud and boast about ourselves. We must not cause trouble for each other or be jealous of each other.”
—Galations 5:26 (ERV)

018.
“If we want to strengthen our faith-building muscles, we must flood our hearts, minds, and souls with reminders of the faithfulness and power of our God.”
—Leslie Ludy, Set Apart Girl

019.
“Simplify your thinking by letting go of the need to know all the whys and hows, the whens and wheres. Focus on knowing that God knows everything about your present and your future, and He loves you and wants the best for you.”
—Lisa Osteen Comes

020.
The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
 Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
 The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.”
—Lamentations 3:22-24 (GNT)



Charity To Learn About: Abolish Child Trafficking (ACT);A Campaign by Covenant House.
All across America, Covenant House rescues thousands of young people from a life on the streets…often those subjected to abuse by pimps and predators. But unlike other organizations that only provide direct care to victims, Covenant House also advocates for laws that will ultimately put an end to child trafficking.

Health and Wellness Tip for You: Holy Yoga
Holy Yoga is the intentional practice of connecting our entire being; body, mind and spirit with God; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. With complete reliance on God's Word and prayer, Holy Yoga invites us to surrender and introduces us to Grace. When we breathe and move and have our being in Christ, we find ourselves in the flow of His magnificence. There is often a misunderstanding that yoga is a religion, it is not. Yoga is a spiritual discipline, much like prayer, fasting and meditation. Yoga has the capacity to enhance our personal beliefs and faith.

We practice with our minds set on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil 4:8); not with our minds emptied. We meditate on the wisdom of God's Word (Psalm 119:9-16, 26-27); not on man's wisdom. We seek the transcendence and glory of God; not our own.

Healthful Recipe To Try: Homemade Potato Chips and Avocado Ranch Dressing (As Made By: Food For My Family)

Prayer:
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. —Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

“Please pray for Sharon Omolayo, she was last seen yesterday in her school in Nigeria… She is 5 years old and her family is distraught…”

"Please pray for Kate, that God would connect her with the right therapist and put her lift on the track He wants her to travel. Pray that He would continue to work through us in supporting and encouraging her away from thoughts of suicide. We thank you, Father, for Kate's life; please, intervene on the ending of it."

"Please pray for Alex. Pray that his home would be restored after the fire that took his possessions. Pray that God would intervene on behalf of his relationship with his mother, and that He would restore it. Pray that He would stop their fights and bring them peace, love, understanding and support of each other. Pray that God would also change His heart from the disbelief of Christ and show him His truth and light. Please thank God for sparing his precious life from the fire, and pray that he would bring purpose and Godly meaning from it!"

"Pray for the double homicide on an anonymous street. Pray that God would please comfort those who are mourning a loss, and those who were involved in the killings. Pray that God would change hearts and lives through this experience and bring them closer to them where they need and deserve to be. Thank God for His plans, and pray that they would be revealed undoubtedly!"

"Please pray for Erica. Pray that wherever she is, He would meet her there. That He would bless and protect her, keeping her safe from harm. Pray that He would remove her thoughts of suicide and depression and fill her with His love. Pray that He would connect her with the right people and set her free from the burdens she carries. We are so grateful to have Erica with us in this world, please praise the Lord for her life and pray that He would show her how significant it is."

"Please pray for a girl struggling with self injury, being bullied, and family problems. Pray that God would intervene and show her His love and mercy. Pray for a turn around in her circumstances, and that He would be there with her every step of the way on her road to recovery. Please also pray that she would be connected with the right professional help, as well as support from friends and family. Please thank God for this beautiful soul, and pray that He would show her just how precious she is to Him and all of us around her."

“On December 7th, 2010, a fatal car accident happened in Griswold Connecticut on Rt.201.Four students, Sativa, John, Dillon, and Steve, died and one, Joel, is in critical condition at the hospital.If you will, please send him your prayers.He needs them."

"Please pray for Marissa and her five children. Pray for a diagnosis of her terminally ill toddler, along with the right doctor, hospital, treatment, and cure, God willing. Please pray for financially stability for them in this time, for the right support, and for the presence of God to come into their lives in an overwhelmingly joyful manner. Please pray for each of her children. Thank God for each of these beautiful lives, and pray that He would guide them where they need to be. Pray also that Marissa's ex husband would come to support them in this trying time, and have a change of heart."

"Please pray for North and South Korea, pray that God would please intervene on behalf of the violence, protect His children, and use this as a way of bringing more of His children out of the darkness and into His light."

“Please pray for Che Beckford, he is missing and his family is really worried about him. Thank you so much”

“Please pray for the Christians in Indonesia so there won’t be church-bombings on Christmas Eve. Pray for safety for them.”

"Please pray for the prayer requests on WorldPrayrhere

"Pray for a woman who may have cancer. She is suffering from loneliness and isolation, along with the pain of losing two other family members to cancer. She is struggling with staying clean from a cutting addiction, and is vulnerable to falling back into it. Please pray for peace of mind, comfort, support, community, care, love, and total restoration of mind body and spirit for her! Praise God for her life, and pray that He would please bless it how He sees fit."

"Please pray for the healing and strength of a brother and sister who’s step-father was just released from jail after years of molesting them. Please pray that they would be blessed and protected, washed away from the old and given bright new futures with God. Please also pray for their step-father, pray that God would change his heart and show him His tender love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness."

"Please pray for each other these prayer requests for persecuted Christians worldwide: click"

"Please pray for the issue of Human Trafficking. Pray for those who are being trafficked, that they would be blessed, protected, and cared for in these terrible times. Pray that God would provide them comfort and send legions of angels to surround and protect His children. Pray that police officers would be stregthened and blessed with knowledge and clues leading to where these children are, and that they would have the training and truly help; praise God for His dedicated children of the justice system force. Please pray also for the survivors who have been freed. Pray that they would be guided to the right aftercare, that they would be restored and receive all the help they need. Pray that they would be able to safely return back into the outside world. In spite of all this, please also pray for the traffickers and customers of the trade. Pray that God would change their hearts and lift the burden of the perversion they suffer from. Pray that He would cleanse them of their sins, renew their hearts, and bring them to justice in His eyes. Pray that He would have mercy on them, and that He would rid the devil of their lives."

"Please pray for animal cruelty. Praise God for the success in more companies turning away from Animal Testing, for the animals found, and for His children working to help His animals. Pray that acts of cruelty and abuse would be diminished, and that no more would suffer if He is so willing, as even one is too many.
Please pray for domestic, sexual and child abuse. Pray that God would protect, defend, heal, and set His children free. Pray also that he would change the hearts of the abusers, and bring them to justice, love, mercy and forgiveness in His eyes."

"Please pray for our soldiers. Praise God for the lives dedicated to protecting and defending ours. Pray that He would bless them in a very special way, keeping them safe, strong, motivated, and loved. Thank God for the workers who help our veterans, whether in shelters, counseling, PSTD treatment, or any other way. Pray that these soldiers would know they are loved and supported! (Show your gratitude here)"

"Please pray for those suffering from Addiction/Depression/Suicidal Thoughts/Temptation. Pray that God would reveal Himself and His plans to them, and intertwine the right people into their lives to show them love and compassion. Pray that God would lift their burdens and show them His way, pray that he would open their eyes to His plan and that He would guide them to the path He wants them on."

"Please pray for those who do not know Christ. Pray that He would reveal Himself to them and work through us however He sees fit to testify. Pray that He would choose them out of the world. Please keep E, N, H, M, M, J, N, A, A, M&K, N, C, T, C, K, E, CT, K, E The B family, The L family, and all other friends and family members of yours who do not believe in your prayers."

Please let me know if you would like a prayer request posted at any time (: You are all more than welcome to ask for advice, support, prayer, or even just someone to talk to — I’m here for every single one of you anytime and would be happy to help however I can! All the best in hopes and blessings to you all (:


Thanks and Donations:
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. —Proverbs 19:17

- Send a message thanking Mercy Corps Workers: here
- Send a message of hope to Ann Pietrangelo: here
- Petitions for Human Trafficking: here and here

Please visit my sidebar to see sites with free-click-to-donates to help make a difference (: Thank you all so much and so dearly for your continued support and prayers, they are dearly appreciated! You can find new updates on my Tumblr by clicking here, I hope you all have a beautiful day! All the best in hopes and blessings to you all (:

To find help, please see the following sites for help. You're not alone in this, and your story does matter enough to have a turn around!
Abuse: click here
Depression/Suicide/Self Injury: click here
Drug/Alcohol Abuse: click here
Eating disorders: click here
Porn/Masturbation/Sexual Addictions: click here
Sexual Abuse: click here

Hey sweetahs! I am so, deeply sorry that I haven't
been able to keep up with this site like I used to.
I feel truly awful that I haven't been able to supply
updates, and I hope you've all taken a peak at my
Tumblr because it's so much easier for me to keep
up with posts there! I'd love to be able to move my
followers from here to there, but I'd never forget
about you all here, each of you mean so much to me
and it's a blessing beyond words to be able to share
this site with you. So, here's a little update for you guys!
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgivings (:

001.
Let us be grateful to people who
make us happy: They are the
charming gardeners who make
our souls blossom.


Please click here for the rest of the update!