Encouraging words...

God is with you.  God is for you.  God loves you.  He is love!

He is GOOD

There are so many things God has been speaking to my heart that I cannot wait to share with you!  Earlier this week, I was praying to the Lord regarding my finances and was surprised when I started getting jobs left and right.  Isn't that terrible?!  I was surprised that my prayers actually worked lol!  The Bible says the fervent prayers of a righteous woman avails much.  I encourage you to eagerly expect God to answer your prayers in a big way this week.  Nothing is impossible for Him!  

".. she who was called barren is now in her sixth month.  For nothing will be impossible with God."
Luke 1:36, 37 NASB

Rachel

Pure: part 2

Elizabeth is taking her morning nap.  The house is SUPER quiet. Well...except for the dryer that just buzzed. :)

Been thinking about purity lately.  Being married hasn't changed my thoughts about purity from when I was single.  You don't STOP being pure once you get married.  Out of love for the Lord and love for your spouse you continue to guard your eyes, your emotions, your thoughts.  In singleness, your one devotion is to the Lord. In marriage, your devotion to the Lord is lived out in honoring your man. 

 I've seen too many Christian married women make very foolish and devastating choices.  Maybe their husband wasn't protecting them. Maybe they had the wrong friends. Maybe they had too much freedom. I don't know.  But I do know, God desires all of us to be pure in heart.  It's only then that we'll truly SEE HIM! (Matthew 5:8)

"God made man to experience the satisfying pleasures of His presence instead of the temporary pleasures of sin." - S.J. Hill

If you're single or married, He has your very best in mind.  Enjoy where God has you; not out of duty, but out of love for your Father.

My little girly is awake!  Time for lunch!!! :)

With love,
Brittany

Sweets Update

I am happy to say that I am finally done with my "no sugar for 30 days" challenge.  I admit I wasn't perfect... I cheated one weekend and couldn't resist a Starbucks drink or two, but this was still by far the longest I've gone without sweets.  Because of my work schedule (and lack of discipline) I did not work out consistently during my sweets challenge, so there was no shift in my weight.  However,  I did have more energy and the sugar cravings grew weaker as the days went by.

Sugar tip of the day:
According to Dr. Hotze, refined sugars compromise your immune system.  So next time you're at a restaurant and feel tempted to order a coke, be strong and get a water instead.  I love an occasional Coca Cola... mmm... but I've noticed that when I'm at a restaurant and the waitress keeps refilling my glass, I'll drink two sodas before the meal is even finished.  Just get water!  Besides, you're saving yourself a little pocket change ;)

P.S.  The day I found this tip on Dr. Hotze's website (http://www.hotzehwc.com) was actually Thanksgiving when I stuffed my face with more sugar than I should have consumed haha (don't judge me.. it was Thanksgiving...)  And guess what?  My immune system couldn't handle a sick relative of mine or the germs out at the movie theatre.. and I've been fighting a cold.  What do ya know?  Less sugar is best.  More tips to come!

Rachel

Sweets update

So.. I did not realize just how addicting sugar was.  This has got to be one of the hardest things I've ever done (for those of you who are like "what it she talking about..."  I challenged myself to a month without sweets).  Thanks to Mema's birthday party (that's an excuse to cheat, right? nope)  I've had to start over, and this is Day 9.  Without processed sugars, I've been craving bananas, juice.. my body is trying to find sugar in other foods since I've cut out the cookies.  Not easy!!  Worth it, though.  I'm determined to get to Day 30 and see healthy results.  More to come!

<3 Rachel

Flippin' Sweet Challenge

So after years of acne breakouts on and off.. and seeing way too many Nike quotes and fitness tips on Pinterest... I have decided to give up sugar/sweets for 30 days.  It's something I've never done before, so it should be interesting!!  I'll keep you posted on how I'm feeling (and whether I've had a meltdown over missing the Oreos) as the weeks go by.  Processed sugars work against our bodies, not for them.. and I want to see what it's like to fuel my body without dessert.  Healthy tips coming your way soon!

<3 R

Joy

"In Your presence is fullness of JOY.."  Psalm 16:11

Contrary to what the world believes, being in the presence of God is the one and only thing that can satisfy us completely.  The Bible promises JOY in His presence!!  I don't know about you, but I like to be around happy people.. things that make me happy.. Jesus is always happy and in a good mood :)  seek His face today and discover an overwhelming joy!  If would like prayer for something and/or you're wanting to know more about Jesus, don't hesitate to contact me or Brittany!   Have a blessed week.  

<3 R