14/52 BE Giving

BE Giving

 Give (verb): Freely transfer the possession of something to someone; hand over to; provide or supply with

   Proverbs 19:17, "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." (KJV)

We have a large amount of homeless here in our small community and surrounding communities.  It is hard to pull up to most corners without someone looking at you holding a sign.  I feel bad for many of these people but never have anything to give them.  I will never give money because a large group of homeless are alcoholics or drug addicts which is why they are homeless.  I know that not all are, but you just do not know their story.  I do not want to play a part in helping them buy more drugs or alcohol.   Therefore I decided to help by giving them nourishment for their bodies and souls.  We have a Costco membership which was a great way to buy a couple things in bulk.  This first shopping trip I got water bottles and trail mix.  From church I got a pile of tracks about the Empty Tomb from Easter time.  Now each of our cars have a box of ready made hand outs for those asking for help on the side of the roads.  It is not much but I will start to feel better about pulling away then I have for the past year we have lived here.  The Lord wants us to lend a hand to those in need and to also witness to everyone.  I am not very good with talking to strangers, so soul winning is not easy for me.  I tend to be the silent partner or support, prayer partner but this will give me the chance to give out the gospel without having to talk.  I can just pray that the Lord will open the eyes and hearts of whom we have given a little water and protein.

13/52 BE giving

Be Giving
John 3:16, "For God so loved the World, that He gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (KJV)

    For April I want to focus on being giving.  I purpose in my life to give to others whenever I am able; even when it is hard.  When you give it is important not to expect to be given back.  This is a hard concept to grasp for many but when something is given back it is a special feeling.  Through out the year I look for opportunities to help others around me.  

    I give of myself  because Jesus gave himself for me.  He died on the cross a cruel death, arose three days later, and is in heaven now preparing a place for me.  There is nothing I can do to repay Him but to follow what he wants from me.

    But this first post on giving is about my Dad and Brother giving to my family.  They are cattle ranchers in Colorado, every year they fatten a cow to butcher to fill their freezer.  This year they gave us a 1/4 of their beef and I feel overly blessed to get this amazing meat.  My dad and step mom drove for two days to bring us all that meat.  I still cannot believe I will not be having to pay for beef for the rest of the year.  Thank you so much Dad, mom, and Cody!!!  We love you so much!!

12/52 BE fit

Be Fit

One cannot enjoy life if their health is poor because of being unfit.

     Another Weekend Hike with my family is being one of my most favorite pass times.  My Dad and Step Mom have been in town for the past few days so we really wanted to show them the beauty of the Area we live in.  This week we went to the Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur, CA.  It was not a long walk to the beach but we walked about a mile round trip to see the beach.

     This Beach is known for its Purple sand....yes purple sand.  My pictures are not the best but the color in person was so neat to see.  The Purple sand was mixed with light brown sand, to me it looked like that play art sand for kids.  From exploring we could see a deep purple color through out the rock formations.

I absolutely loved that my parents where here to explore with us.  My dad who is (not a day over 39, wink...wink) was racing Olivia down the beach, playing hide and seek, and climbing rocks.  It was a great family outing!!

11/52 BE Fit

Be Fit

Since we have moved to CA. I have wanted to explore by hiking around the beautiful coast line of the Monterey county.  Today we got to start that wish and it was amazing!!  Since we do not know the area well, we purchased a book full of day hikes.   Also the hubby asked a couple guys at work where they would go for a first hike. 

 Today we hiked the Molera Point and Beach State Park which was about 2 miles round trip.  Which was great for our first family hike.  Olivia was very apprehensive about going on a hike but once we got into it she loved getting to explore and play in the water.

Only a few feet into our walk we came across a creek with no bridge and no way around it.  Therefore we stripped off our shoes and socks and walked across.  Oh, the water was cold and by the time we got to the other side our feet were almost numb.  I was so glad we planned for Olivia getting wet at the beach and packed a towel.  It saved us from having wet feet in our shoes.

 The kiddos got a free ride across...lucky them. :)

Now our journey took us though trees and fields where we got to talk about all the marvelous creations of our Lord.  We saw quail, lady bugs,  butterflies, and other sea birds.  The hike was so refreshing and well needed, I feel so blessed to be able to get out into God's creation.

The end of the first mile we ended up at the coast and it was a grand sight!!  It was covered in drift wood which people used to build little shelters to block the wind.  Which was perfect because we got to use one while playing at the beach.  It helped keep the wind out of Gage's face as he ate his rice crackers and played on the ground.  Olivia was brave and took her socks and shoes off and played in the very cold Pacific Ocean water.  I think after a few minutes she could not feel the cold anymore because she got braver with the water as time pasted.  So glad I packed dry clothes for her because it would have been a long trip back to the car for her and us.  While being out there we got to watch a young lady surfing which was really fun to see.

Once we got back to the car we got out our picnic lunch and eat together under the trees.  What a blessed day of hiking and spending time with Family.  We hope to go on many, many more hikes in the coming months.

10/52 BE fit

BE Fit

Being Healthy and Fit isn't a fad or a trend.  Instead, it's a lifestyle.

Now that Gage is 6 months old we get to do Mommy and Me swim classes. Twice a week we get into the pool and let me tell you my legs are sore after each class. Gage is learning how to be calm in the water and that is awesome. I have to do squats the whole class time so I can be at the right level for Gage. We walk in circles, lift the kiddos, and have play time. I feel like jelly once we get out, that is how out of shape this mom has become. I am so excited to get back in shape now that we get to do activities such as these swim classes. ‪

I have found that doing activities with my two kiddos are the easiest way to work out.   I did sign up for an online program called Daily Burn and it was a great program but just not for me at this time of life.  Olivia and Gage want to be apart of what I do and that was hard to do with the work out program.  I can't wait to share the other activities we have started in order to get back into shape.  Be sure to come back next week for a new activity.   

9/52 BE fit

BE Fit

Fit (adj) in good health, especially because of regular physical exercise

After having a baby I am in desperate need to get my body back into health and I would like to be able to wear my normal clothes again.  This will only happen with healthy eating and working out but that is easier said then done.  I am working hard with having two kiddos all day sometimes I do slip but I can get up and try again the next day.

 Eating Healthy:

This picture was a new meal that turned out really yummy. cheesy creamed cauliflower, grilled chicken, avocado w/ browned lemon butter sauce.

I have been eating most of my meals on small salad plates. Which has helped me in my portion control.  I can tell that I get full now with my small portions and I love that feeling.  I want to feel and BE fit once again!! Hopefully in Aug. we will get to go to HI and I want to look great before we go. :)

8/52 BE Loving or Loved

BE loving

Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

     I love being a mom to my two crazy, wonderful kids.  I love that God gave me each one just when we needed them.  At this stage of Gage's life he is strapped to my hip or else.  Lol, I love my sling wrap more and more as he can be happy and I still have free hands. (My back is a little tired but we are building muscles.)
     I love getting to teach new things to Olivia.  She has been begging me to let her prep dinners.  So once a week I have been teaching her safety and techniques in the kitchen.  She trimmed the whole bowl of green beans and made flat bread for our dinner last night.  She was super proud of herself and that was great to see.  Maybe soon I won't have to prep the meals just cook them. LOL  I feel very lucky to be their mom.
     Being a loving parent has so many hats.  I pray often that the Lord will give me wisdom on how to handle the different situations that come my way daily.  I want my kids to feel loved through and through but also to know how to do things independently.  To understand how to respect others, obey right away, and to love the Lord in all they do.  With the Lords help my children will be able to live full and happy lives.

7/52 BE Loving or Loved

BE loving

"Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." Franklin P. Jones

I am a lucky girl to have a Husband who loves me and my kiddos.  Last week I talked about going through times of feeling unloved and those are all times where this guy is gone for long periods of time.  I feel safe and loved when he is home.  I hate doing anything new or adventurous without him because I want to share every experience with him.  Even if he drives me crazy at times I would be lost without him in my life.  I love him so much it does hurt my heart when I'm alone.  Aubrey is an awesome dad and husband. Like I said I'm one lucky girl that God saw fit to give him to me.

6/52 BE Loving or Loved

Be loved

"Love is friendship that has caught fire.  It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing, and forgiving.  It is loyalty through good and bad times.  It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses." Ann Landers

Being a military wife, I hit walls where I feel alone and not loved.  These emotions always come when I'm having to be a single parent because the hubby is gone on training, school, or deployments.  In our eight years of marriage we have only been together on V-day a couple times along with anniversaries.  But with out fail my love sends me flowers.  Poor guy has to deal with my break downs. I know I am loved even in my lowest points but it's hard at times to be a military wife.

5/52 BE Loving or Loved

February is the month of love so I must find love around me.  

Be loving or Loved
Love (n) a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

John 15:12 "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

Here is my little lady being loving to her little brother.  My hubby says her gift is an encourager and I pray she never loses this gift.  We will hear these loving words a half dozen times a day: "I love you" , "Your awesome" , "Your way cool", and "Your the best".  Even after getting in trouble and through her tears she tells us she loves us.  I love my crazy but sweet girl through and through.
Olivia loves her brother Gage very much.  They play together all of the time. Olivia can make Gage giggle like no one else in the family.  She dances around and acts crazy and he thinks its funny.  His giggles make us all smile and laugh ourselves.  Olivia wants to teach her brother things all the time and I have to remind her that he is only a 5 month old baby but soon she can teach him everything she knows.  It will be a grand day to watch her teach him things as he grows. :)

4/52 BE grateful

Be grateful for all the little thing in life.

1 Cor. 16:34 "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever."

Many times I am not thankful for the tiny things in my life.  I want to work on being thankful for everything  even the tiny things.  During both of my pregnancies I could not eat chocolate because it made me very ill.  This was so hard for me as I LOVE dark chocolate or really any chocolate.  Now I crave it so much because I could not have it for so long.  I'm thankful my hubby makes sure I have little morsels of yummy goodness around to help those cravings!! Many days I would not make it through if I didn't have a small morsel to calm me. :)

Another tiny thing I am thankful for is snuggles with my husband, kiddos, and puppy.  These moments will not last forever and I want to enjoy them as long as I can.  I am thankful that the Lord gave me each one to Love.



3/52 BE grateful

Be grateful for the freedom to worship.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

So many countries in the world do not have the freedoms that we do here in America to worship a loving Savior.  Being a military family we move every so many years, which means starting our life all over again in a new place.  Finding a church where we feel at home is one of the top things we look for when we get settled.   We have been blessed with a couple church families that we just hated to leave and would go back to in a heart beat.

On Jan. 12,2015, my little lady Olivia started to ask questions about the Lambs book of life which she learned about from her Sunday school teacher.  She wanted to know if her name was in the book.  I told her that she had to be SAVED to have her name in the Lambs book of Life.  To be saved one must except the free gift that God has given the world.

John 3:16-18

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Rom. 3:23

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Rom. 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Rom. 3:10

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one."

Rom. 10:13

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Olivia and I talked about how Jesus was born here on earth to die on the cross to take upon him all the sins of the World.  But the only way he will wash our sins away is by praying to him and asking him to forgive us of all our sins.  Also call on his name and ask him to come into our heart as our Heavenly father.  I explained she had to believe that Jesus Loved her so much to die for her. She told me that she did believe and wanted Jesus to live in her heart forever.  We bowed our heads together and with a little help from me she prayed and asked Jesus to move into her heart and to forgive her of her sins.  I told her now the Angels are singing up in heaven and her name is being written down in that special book the Lambs book of life.

Praise the Lord that my baby girl will spend eternity in Heaven with her daddy and I. I love you Olivia so much and Mommy is so so proud of you for making such a big girl decision for your life.

2/52 BE grateful

I will BE grateful for the beauty around me.

 



Psalms 118: 29  "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endurth for ever."KJV

      With so much ugliness in our world I am so grateful for the beauty we see all around us in God's creations. Gen. 1 goes through everything that God created and after he was done it was good. 
      I'm a girl who loves the Mountains or even near the sea but put me in a big city and all I can see is blah.  Please, do not get me wrong Big cities are fun to visit, to explore, but I never want to live in or near one.  We are extremely blessed right now to live in a very pretty place where we have the sea in front of our home and mountains toward the back.  Whenever we go on a trip I take pictures of God's beautiful creation to remind me of how good he is to us. 
Please enjoy these pictures I have taken over the last couple years:

Welcome to beautiful Monterey, CA

Near Monterey in Pacific Grove, there is a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.  These butterflies are so pretty and amazing to watch in large groups.  We were able to see one tree covered in Monarchs and many bushes.

This is the view from my front door right now.  I wish, we had a grand porch just to sit and watch these wondrous sunsets every day.

Meet the Big guys.....this is what our four year old Olivia calls them. On the coast guard pier near down town Monterey you can see huge and small Sea lions.  We love to take trips over to see them once a month. 

 

 

Welcome to my Home town Grand Junction and Whitewater, CO

View from the front window of my Dad's home in Whitewater.  The mountain was being snowed on and it was so amazing to watch.

I took this on my walk one morning.  I was in love with this tree in full bloom, it made a thank God for sure beauty.

The fall colors in the valley are glorious.

This is the view from my Grandma's home in Grand Junction. 

I did not take this picture but a friend of my Mom Jan did take it out in Cowboy country.  That Cowboy is my Dad.  He has taught me all about being a great cowgirl and has already started teaching his grand daughter. 

 

 

I am in awe with God's handy work in so many different part of the world.  I am so grateful I have been allowed to travel around to witness His greatness in all He has made.