life beyond the well…

Category Archives: Dreams


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2013- Second Quarter/First Half-Year Review

And just like that, it’s July! I can’t believe that we are in the second half of 2013.  It seriously seems like we were just celebrating the new year.  Preacherman and I are doing well, continuing to learn and grow together and becoming increasingly excited about the plans that God has for us.  At the beginning of the year, we committed some things to the Lord, and it’s been so wonderful to see how faithful He has been to us.

I’ve seen progress on both my dissertation and my exercise routine. I also wanted to focus on healthy eating and honoring God with my body and what I consume.  Though it’s been challenging (I love all the wrong foods just a little too much), the discipline of eating and exercising has paid off.  Since our wedding, I’ve lost about 10 pounds and I successfully completed my first 5K.  God has truly been faithful in these pursuits, and for that I am so grateful.

While it’s easy to just rest on what has happened so far, I’m challenged to believe God for more.  The faithfulness that God has demonstrated to me and Preacherman during the first half of the year is encouraging and empowering.  I’m looking forward to see what can happen next if I continue to exercise my faith and believe.  This is important for me, because it’s so easy to become complacent with what God has done, and adopt a “business as usual” mindset.  I don’t want to be on auto-pilot or cruise-control with God.  I want to be fully engaged, pressing for more, believing for more, trusting for more- in every area of my life.

So that’s what the second half of 2013 is like for me.  More. Lots more.

More of God.

More belief.

More worship.

More faith.

More faith in action.

More trust.

More love.

More love in action.

 

I’m excited to see what God has in store for the remainder of 2013, and I hope you are as well.  I know that there are many people who have struggled through the first part of this year, and I’m praying that you will continue to see and believe God for the things to come.  If what you’ve been believing God for in 2013, know that there is STILL time.  Trust that God will keep His promises.  Be encouraged that His ways are not our ways and His time not our time.  What takes us years can take God seconds.  Your waiting is not in vain!

Be encouraged!  Peace and Blessings!

 

“I am persuaded, Lord to love you.  I have been changed, to bless your name.  I am constrained by this great gospel, forever to worship you.”

“Lord your love for me gives me everything I need, and it keeps me wanting more…You are my delight and with you I’m satisfied. Your love keeps me wanting more…”


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And Then I Won a Liebster Award?

liebster-awardLast week A couple of weeks ago, Hayley from A Beautiful Exchange nominated me for a Liebster Award, which is another way for bloggers to connect, encourage each other, and find new blogs to read.  It was a total surprise, and I was humbled to know that other people besides Preacherman and my close friends and family read my blog!

Here’s how the Liebster Award works:

-Thank your nominator! Include a link back to their blog with your appreciation
-Answer the 11 questions given to you by your nominator
-Post 11 facts about yourself
-Nominate 5-11 other up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers for the award–no tag backs!
-Come up with your own set of 11 questions for your nominees to answer
-Let your nominees know you nominated them so they can pass it on
Thanks, Hayley!  I love reading your blog and learning about your life in NC as a new wife and a new mommy!  Your faith and your reflections on life are refreshing!
Now for these questions:
  1. What is your favorite meal?  This is tough because I love food a little too much to be healthy. I definitely try to save most of my calories for dinner (although I know I should eat more at breakfast).
  2. What is the most embarrassing moment of your life? I’m not sure that I have one.  Maybe because I’m not easily embarrassed or anything that may have been embarrassing at the time is just funny now?  I asked Preacherman to remind me of an embarrassing story I told him, and he couldn’t find one either.  The time I almost choked during communion?  I’m just not sure.  I’m sure this means something embarrassing will happen really soon!
  3. Tell us about your first boyfriend ever. Please include the juvenile, gushy details.  My first real boyfriend was in middle school- we met at a dance and “went together” all through 7th and 8th grades.  We both played sports, and were tall and skinny.  We went to our 8th grade Prom together and my parents rented a Lincoln TownCar and chauffeured us to the dance. We broke up because he kissed another girl (my “friend”) on the bus.
  4. What is the story behind the name of your blog? You can find that here.
  5. If you had to live with 3 celebrities, who would you pick? Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Kelly Ripa- I think they’d be a lot of fun, and I would totally want access to their stylists and makeup artists!
  6. What are your top 3 favorite blog posts you have written? That’s tough, but I’d have to say this one on making marriage look good, my reflections one year after losing a student, and my thoughts on losing a friend.  
  7. If you had to pick a name for your next child right this second, what would it be? Boy- Esias, Girl- Elliana, Embry, Emery (see a pattern?!)
  8. What’s your favorite type of ice cream? Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Breyer’s Oreo Blast
  9. What are your everyday shoes? Hmmm…either my platinum Jack Rogers flats or my black C.Wonder flats or my red TOMS wedges
  10. What was the last purchase you made? Groceries (other than lots of goodies for Preacherman for Father’s Day)
  11. If you could go back in time and tell the 16 year old you one thing, what would it be? Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.  What you’re searching for can only be found in an authentic relationship with God.  Pursue that, and you’ll have your heart’s desires.
And 11 Facts about Me:
  1. I gave my life to the Lord at age 20, and it’s been on the up and ups ever since.
  2. It’s almost impossible for me to turn down a cupcake- especially one with buttercream frosting.
  3. My favorite color is pink.
  4. I love school supplies (pens, notebooks, cutesy supplies…)
  5. I used to be a horribly clumsy, uncoordinated tomboy.
  6. I believe that unequal access to a great education is one of the biggest civil rights issues of our time.
  7. If I had to be a superhero, I’d choose to be WonderWoman.
  8. I hate paying full price for ANYTHING- the sale and clearance racks are my best friend.
  9. I love sports- particularly college basketball and college football.
  10. I LOVE to read.  I mostly read blogs now since there’s not much time other than reading for my dissertation or reading my word.
  11. Soon, I will be Dr. Erin (once I finish this dissertation!)

 

Who I’m Nominating for the Liebster Award:

  1. Chamel from Chamel’s Creations
  2. Hannah at Wonderfully Sewn
  3. Jessica at Forever Convinced
  4. Quana at The Accidental Military Wife
  5. Mionna from JustMi

 

And My 11 Questions:

  1. What’s the best dish that you cook?
  2. What was your favorite subject when you were in school/growing up?
  3. What’s your all-time favorite book? Why?
  4. If you had the opportunity to start your own business, what kind of business would it be?
  5. What’s the best piece of advice you received from your parents?
  6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
  7. Cats or Dogs?  Which one would you prefer as a pet?
  8. Did you play any sports while in school?  If so, which ones?
  9. If you could have an all-expenses paid vacation to anywhere in the world, where would you choose to go?
  10. What is your favorite childhood memory?
  11. Chipotle, Qdoba, or Moe’s?

Thanks again, Hayley for nominating me!  I appreciate your support!

Be encouraged!  Peace and blessings!