Thank God It's Friday & It's Fashionable

I can't forget how a year ago I was struggling at work because I didn't have the "right" clothes. I wasn't unprofessional but with limited funds and a boss that cared too much about the length of my jacket, I was frustrated and usually always second guessing my outfits. So I did what I normally do when feeling like this, I prayed. And God answered my prayer in a big way. I started receiving alot of brand new clothes from family and I even had a little New York shopping trip, that could only have been afforded because of the Lord's intervention. May I say that my God is a stylish God! The clothes I've received have been beautiful, just lovely.

Well fashion has always been a part of who I am. My youngest sister and I have been designing & making clothes (although not very well) since we could properly hold a needle. So with that I'm starting a weekly Fashion Fridays post, similar to what I've seen on a few blogs that I like.

So with that said, I've fallen in love with a few pieces from Stella McCartney's kids line. I think they are so adorable & Pumkin Pie would love them as well. Enjoy! And if you think any one of them is a "must-have" I've included the links. And contrary to popular beliefs, sweaters & jackets are very much needed in Jamaica:-)

Gap Stella Mccartney Chunky Cardigan Gap Stella Mccartney Skinny Zipper Jeans Gap Stella Mccartney Ruffle Top Gap Stella Mccartney Beckett Summer Jacket Gap Stella Mccartney Crochet Shift Dress Gap Stella Mccartney Piped Mini Skirt

Word for today

Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20- " Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"

I heard this scripture in a song this morning & half an hour later it was the closing verse in an email devotion. Coincidence? I think not, I don't believe in them. So I subconciously started to think about it & wondered why God wanted me to pay special attention to that particular word today. So I broke it down:-

DO- to bring to an end by action; to perform completely; to make ready for an object, purpose,or use; to put or bring into a form, state or condition; to suceed; to answer the purpose.

EXCEEDING- exceptional in amount, quality or degree.

ABUNDANTLY- in a sufficient degree; fully, amply, plentifully; in a large measure.

ABOVE- Superior in rank, position, or number; greater than.

So the "him" being God is able to answer the purpose exceptionally & in a large measure greater than I ask Him or think is possible, based on the God given power of the Holy Spirit that works in me. This reminds me of the scripture in Isaiah 55 vs 8 & 9:-


""For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

I'm human, so many times I have prayed & had an idea of how I wanted a situation to work out in the back of my mind, all the while saying to God to let His will be done. Very presumptious I know; but with experience came maturity & I've seen many times where things have worked out even better than I could ever imagine it would! Because God did it "HIS" way & not the incomplete way I came up with.

Example, over two years ago an awesome job opportunity came up for my then fiance, now husband. It didn't work out even though we prayed hard. He, however, received another job offer & took it. Fast forward January of this year & he bumps into the man that made that job offer we had prayed so much for. He said he's ready to go now & he still wants him for the position. Ok but he already has a stable job, what to do? So I prayed of course, and the answer is a resounding Yes! Take it. So he accepts renewed job offer. Literally a few days later, totally unrelated, he gets laid off from two year old job, before he could even resign!

 And once again I'm amazed at God & His timing! How he saw our needs before we even knew them & provided for us! (Imagine living on just one paycheck for more than a couple months right now!)
The Lord showed me that my husband didn't yet have the experience he needed to do this renewed job over two years ago, that's why our prayers had been diverted for a couple years. I couldn't have imagined this solution to my prayers in a million years. And I'm humbled by the fact that my God is so amazing & has so much vision and cares about little us so much. He puts so much thought into each of His creations, each of our lives, & I wish the whole world knew & realized that. There's a reason why we hear phrases like "God is Love" because He truly is the definition of love.

And according to the power that worketh in us reminds me to pray according to the will of God. For example I pray daily for my husbands salvation, how do I know it is the will of God? because in 2 Peter 3 vs 9 it says "The Lord is..., not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." So now I'm believing that God can bring back (because he was in fellowship with God before College) Pookie in a remarkable way.

If you are a believer of Jesus Christ with me, hold God true to His word for us today and see what amazing things He can accomplish in our lives.

and that fadeth not away

"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you," 1 Peter 1 verse 4.

There are times of great problems and instability, when one looks to God for help, then things calm down and seem to be resolved. Suddenly, other undesirables attack the same situation and your strength crumbles once again...

Seasons of peace may fade but the inheritance I have through the blood of Jesus NEVER fades. It will be wonderful from start to eternity, and nothing can take it away from me.
As I write with tears in  my eyes, in this earthly body bound by pain & hurt & reject, my hope & eyes look toward heaven for what is reserved for me there. As I look above from where my help comes, the Lord reminds me not to dwell on pain & disappointment but to focus on the Holy Spirit in me; Revealer of all truth. Who reminds me that this world too shall pass, my problems will fade but the place Jesus has gone to prepare for me won't.

So I'll gather strength from the Lord & not my weak efforts. And learn what I need to carry on in this life.

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" verse 7

If You're Happy & You Know It...

I received my first blog award from ParisPink at The Pink Polka Dot. Thank you so much, I love it! Her blog is fabulous and you should definately visit.

So here are the rules:- List 10 things that make you happy. Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day and link back to the person that tagged you. So Here goes my list:)

1) Surprise visits at work from my Pookie!!( Can you tell I'm excited he was just here?!)

2) One of those mega-watt, sunshine & rainbows plus dancing rabbits smiles from my pumpkin pie ( I testify that these smiles make any dark cloud look like tasty cotton candy)

3) The sea- with or without a beach I can't help the blissful feeling.

4) Anything my mommy cooks

5) Movie dates with my youngest sis- we laugh at the most random things at exactly the same time even if it's not a comedy:)

6) When God reveals more of Himself to me- and I'm just in awe of His greatness.

7) Cuddling up in clean sheets

8) Hanging out laundry & taking them off the clothesline outside, it's the most peaceful & relaxing time, I promise. (However, I don't care much for the actual washing and putting away process.

9) To get I love yous & kisses all over my face (oh joy!) and random "thinking about you phone calls especially from daddy.

10) Seeing my family happy, instant mood booster!

So now I'm awarding:
Dr.Drama at A Voice of Reason and (In)sanity- Hilarious blog & I love her style, sh'e a professional & she cooks! A woman after my own heart:)

Jen at Beautiful Mess-Psalm 40- Such an inspirational blog & her great attitude gets me every time.

Kandee Johnson at Kandee the make up artist- Talented & the definition of sweetheart:)

Dana at MADE- Mega creativity & adorable kids:)

Brittany at Que Sera Sera- Interesting & must-read blog, plus I would shop in her closet!

Whitney at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife-A fantastical & entertaining blog, besides she's the only other person I've seen that uses the word 'horrid' besides myself & Enid Blyton:)

Melissa at The Missionary Mama- If I met Melissa in real life I'm sure we'd be fast friends!

Lauren at Thread by Thread- I just see God shining right through this woman & we've never met

Heather at Heather Drive- My first blog love & oh my! All those recipes!

April at dot...dot...dot...- A sassy & fun blog & she always seems to have a great attitude:)

The Challenge

Well I've done the women's marriage ministry challenge already (see previous post with link) but the lessons that it teaches are ones to emulate in everyday married life, so I'm glad to do it again. The first two challenges went well, because Pookie & I have both come to expect an intimate greeting from each other when he gets home.

 Last night though we had a stupid fight about something insignificant and it brings me to today's challenge about respect. Pookie was trying to avoid any disagreement & I felt ignored. This is a cycle I have to keep praying about to break. When we respond based on feelings, it usually blows things out of proportion and leaves us feeling quite silly when tempers have calmed down. Doing the challenge again helps me to remain focused on making the changes in me & my marriage, a permanent part of our lives.

At the beginning of the year I came up with the idea that we should make a united effort to spend more "just us" time despite our busy schedules. The idea is to have a date night once a month, where I'm in charge of January's date, him February etc. The rules are it should be low budget, so that we get more creative & see how much thought the other person put into their date planning & because our aim for this year is to completely get out of debt. There will be no complaning about the date eg. If I plan an event that he doesn't think he will enjoy then he can't complain about it ( this has been a problem of sorts because my husband doesn't like to step out of the box even though he usually loves the experience & I want to be more appreciative of him & his efforts). Also, the date can run anytime that month, the other spouse just needs enough time to organize babysitting and ensure it doesn't clash with work, etc.

Well this month was a trial run & since it was my idea I went first. So Pumkin-pie had a sleepover with grandma & I planned my date for that night with alot of prayer (you see if this date bombed then the idea would be a no-go with Pookie). There is a decking above our verandah (quite common for Caribbean houses) and the view is awesome up there especially at night. I had gotten some fried wantons, which we both love, from the retaurant we had our reception & anniversary dinner. That and some hot chocolate with marshmallows.

It had been raining heavily that afternoon & it made me worried but then I prayed that God would help me with a way to make it work. The rain stopped & the weather was perfect. It was just the right amount of chill for cuddling & enjoying our hot chocolate. I enjoyed it fully & so did Pookie. We talked for hours up there and discussed our hopes and dreams. Quite romantic it was & cheap too:) I can't wait to see what he'll do for February and I'm praying that he follows through and not give up on us spending time together, because that's what I'm after. These connections that make everything seem worthwhile and that God is indeed smiling down on our union.

'Til Death

My marriage is very important to me, even more so that we have experienced some very trying & "deal breaker" times. The Lord places alot of importance on the institutions of marriage & family; And it is guidelines from the Word of God that has kept me going in my role as a wife. I have discovered a blog dedicated solely to marriage based on the real life experiences of its author Aimee Freeman. Check out http://www.womensmarriageministry.blogspot.com/ it is encouraging & she is about to embark on a 14 day challenge that has reinforced all that God was trying to show me on being the wife He called me to be.
So if you have a great marriage & even a not so great one, join in the challenge & spread the word & get a lot of people following God's will for successful marriages & the way He intended for them to be.

Surely Goodness and Mercy...

...shall follow me all my days.

Lately I've been coming up short. And this happens, part of life I think. Just not getting anything done right, lots of mistakes in almost every life area and people you care about being short or simply annoyed at you. This happens too. Feeling down about it. This happens as well; to me that is.
Add to that mucho financial setbacks and in my mind things escalate. I'm the type of person that sometimes worries about money, meal planning, parenting, marriage, other relationships until I have a headache. Worry is a sin that I've been trying to shake for awhile now; sometimes successfully but somehow it has crept right back. What does my Lord say about this? "Be careful (anxious or worried) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4 vs 6.

So I pray about it. This worrying is my weakness and often how the enemy tries to keep me from the full joy I have only in the Lord. This is how he tries to disrupt my identity in Christ, by trying to trick me into taking up my burdens and struggling with them when Jesus already said that those with their heavy burdens must come to Him and He'll give us rest.

So God delivered me from my downcast spirit this afternoon with a song. It reminds me that He doesn't love me because of anything I've done or not done well, but because He's Good & Merciful. So all my feelings of not being enough at times in this life doesn't warrant me being down on myself, for my God is more than enough.