summer is for strawberries

Proverbs 10

Today I read through Proverbs 10 and decided to do something different. There are references to the wise/just/righteous vs. the wicked throughout the chapter. I took out a piece of scrap paper made two columns and listed out each one I found. It was really amazing to look back and read all the different references God has for us in this one little chapter. Since I don't know how to make two columns in this post, here is what I found starting with the wise list first, then followed by the wicked.

Wise

1. maketh a glad father
2. will not famish
3. gathereth in the summer
4. blessings on their head
5. the memory of them is blessed
6. they will receive commandments
7. their mouth is a well of life
8. their mouth has knowledge
9. their labor equals life
10. refraineth their lips
11. their tongue is choice silver
12. their lips feed many
13. desires of them will be granted
14. they are an everlasting foundation
15. their fear of the Lord prolongs their days
16. their hope is gladness
17. way of the Lord is strength
18. they shall never be removed
19. their mouths know what is acceptable.

Then the list for the wicked:

1. they are heaviness for their mother
2. their substance is cast away
3. sleepeth in harvest
4. violence covereth him
5. his name shall rot
6. they shall fall
7. their mouth is violence
8. their mouth is destruction
9. their fruit is sin
10. heart of the wicked is of little worth
11. they die for want of wisdom
12. fear cometh upon them
13. as a whirlwind passeth so the wicked shall be no more
14. their years are shortened
15. wicked shall not inhabit the earth
16. they speaketh forwardness

It's quite a list I know but it was a different perspective for me, and brought in a new method of learning. I think I may try this again tomorrow. But looking back made me realize how God blesses those that seek after Him, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness..."

Carry her to Him

Sometimes there are people placed in your life for reasons you don't really know. I have found that to happen frequently, especially working with the teens at church. Some of their stories are so far from how I grew up and I find myself struggling with the right words to say, encouragement, guidance, without coming across as harsh and unloving. It's really a challenge for me. I have never considered myself to be the type that just gives good advice, I always find myself struggling for the right words, praying for the right words.

I have several people in my life that I pray for but don't really know what else I can do. Today I was listening to a song called Love them like Jesus and the words really made an impression on me (even though I've heard it so many times). Some of the lyrics are:

Love her like Jesus,

Carry her to Him,

His yoke is easy,

His burden is light,

You don't need the answers

to all of life's questions

Just know that He loves her

Stay by her side

And love her like Jesus.

How relevant that is in my life, right now today, everyday. I love the phrase "carry her to him". Through prayer I bring those my heart hurts for, to Him. How comforting it is to be reminded that Jesus loves those that I can't find the words for, I can only pray to show love like Jesus...

I certainly don't have all the answers and I love being encouraged by simple messages like this.

Proverbs

This year has proven to be a learning experience in managing a budget and spending only what we have placed in our budget each month. It's been such a relief to know what we have for each category. No longer do we feel guilty when we induldge in something like clothing purchases or eating out with friends. Knowing what we have to spend before we go out has kept us on track. But it isn't always easy. Our goal is focused on paying off our debt which for us includes student loans + car payment. We are chipping away at it little by little.

Working on our dave ramsey debt snowball is fun because as you pay off one thing you take that money and put it towards your next debt- the result is a snowball that gets bigger and bigger until you are left with no debt and all that extra money to put towards, well whatever you want in the end. (probably a house for us)

However throughout this we have been finding some bumps in the road, extra money we were counting on doesn't come through for some reason on a few different occasions. It's disappointing that's for sure and leaves us wondering why? I tend to get a little down when things fall through the cracks, especially when it comes to extra money, because I would like to see our debt diminish quickly- which would allow us to move into the next phase of our lives.

But I have found that you have to remain content where you are no matter what comes up, learn what God is teaching you WHERE YOU ARE. Wow right?

I read this verse this morning and it helped keep things in perspective. Money really isn't important- seeking out God's wisdom is. How often in my life have I put things and money in front of God? I have things I would love to buy....who doesn't right? But what matters isn't really our earthly possessions but our time after our journey here on earth. Heavenly things....

So what am I doing to make a difference for eternity?

A challenge for me definitely. My heart is filled with knowledge of Christ, He is the only one that leaves the peaceful joy my soul longs for. Why do I let myself get so caught up in things?

baby faces

My friend has two adorable little boys pretty close in age, and I volunteered to do a photoshoot with them since she doesn't have a lot of pictures with her newest little boy. I thought it would be fun and give me some more experience overall. I just loved doing it and I was surprised at how quickly it took. Besides the fact that her sweet little newborn didn't want to wake up (I took some of him later after his bath, he was a little more alert) I still found some precious expressions from his sleepiness. Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.

My absolute favorite from the day, sweet smooshy baby faces.

getting to milk

I didn't realize it's been a few days since I've posted. Jonah and I have been busy with life, as you know how it goes. Summer days shouldn't go so fast! 

We have actually started a new exercise program working with trainers at a chiropractic/training/nutritional place. We had them come to the school one day and give us free evaluations of our posture and spine alignment. After that we ended up making appointments to go visit their office and finish our evaluations. I already knew I had bad posture but after hearing how it affects my overall health was really enough for both of us to make the decision to work hard and get into shape-literally. This doctors office is different from a stand alone chiropractor. They offer training to help you do exercises geared towards your specific weak areas. What was interesting to me was the fact that when you do have poor posture (and all the pain that goes with that) your body tries to compensate for the weak area by working even harder in the areas you are using...overall just keeping those weak muscles even more weak. I have always wanted to work hard to be in shape, but I never really felt motivated enough (I know I'm such a lazy butt). Having one on one training with professionals has been such a good experience so far, and the best thing about it all is that Jonah and I are doing it together. We are learning important exercises and stretches to strengthen our overall bodies, to pull our posture back into shape, but also eliminate pains from all the strain of bad habits. We purchased exercise balls, and I learned there is a difference between the kind you buy, you need to buy thick heavy ones that don't burst but leak air if punctured, and make sure they are large enough for your frame. I am about 5'5" and I fit a 55 cm ball, I had an old one I bought a year ago that was about half the size, and completely wrong for me. 

I am excited to exercise again but to know I am doing things for my specific weak areas is really exhilarating, even if it is painful! It's been my personal goal to be healthier this year and we are making our way down that path. My next and forever goal is to be more nutritionally healthy. What a daunting task it is to take the world's knowledge of nutrition and put it in a nice little package for me to understand. It's kind of like the old saying "how do you eat an elephant?".... one bite at a time. It's the same with slowly learning about foods and what is good for what. 

Along with this I am really focusing on growing my etsy shop as time allows. Right now I have had more time to put an effort towards it as the summers are slower work weeks than the falls. I'm praying for guidance in that area as I gradually work on it. I love etsy though for the reason there is no pressure involved. It's really what you put into it is what you have time for.

I'm also focusing more on prayer this month, it's something I can easily slip out of.  And I don't mean praying in general but focused times of prayer. 

We are going through a lot of big changes in our life with our goals focused on some large hurdles. But I am encouraged in the Lord, and what He is capable of doing. 

I made a chart to track our journey to becoming debt free and on it I listed several quotes that I wanted to share with you out there, may they be an encouragement with whatever journey your life is taking you, and may you too find encouragement in the Lord. 

"Everything comes to him who waits, if he works while he waits."

"It is not he who has little, but he who wants more who is poor."

"We cannot do everything at once but we can do something at once."

and my favorite...

"Patience...in time the grass becomes milk."

bookmarks

When it comes to being creative, sometimes I have novel inspirational ideas. Other times my brain feels like it's sailing through a thick fog. I went both ways this week and came to a novel idea- phew. I always get excited when I finally break through and create something I really like that makes me smile. My hope is that my products bring smiles to those who receive them. Is that too much to ask? I know it may seem unimportant, but I love creating and designing brightly well designed color palettes. I look to some of my favorite child boutique sites for inspiration. So here is my latest creation that I am posting on Itsy Bitsy- bookmarks!