Up and Running?

Hello Lovies!

My new website is (mostly) up and running. It still looks pretty basic, but I'm working on the design. It may take me a bit.

The new blog location is:

www.aleshablessed.com

I'm super excited to be self hosted! Unfortunately, now that I'm with WordPress, Google Friend Connect is no more. *tears*

So if you follow me that way, please, please, please come visit and follow me via rss (once I get it up later today or tomorrow)!

That's about all for now ladies.

Be blessed

<3

The Girl Behind the Blog: That One Time...

Hello lovlies!
It's time for...


(Actually it's past time, but that's beside the point.)

The lovely hosts are Ashley from 5ohWifey and Julie from Awkward to Art. Go meet them both please? They are wonderful! =)

I finally figured out a few awkward stories about myself and am here to share. Aren't you excited?

{Just a note...when I say that my grandmother lives with my grandparents, I meant that she lives with my parents.}



I hope you enjoyed this little video, but before you go, I need to warn you that in a few days I won't ber here. Here being: http://tobless.blogspot.com

Instead I will be moving this blog to:
http://aleshablessed.com

If you go there right now you will see a generic page with no content...so don't! =)
But by Wednesday or Thursday, I will (Lord willing) have all of this, moved over there! Stay tuned the next few days for following information, etc. There will be plenty of changes, especially because I will not be using the blogger platform any longer. Yep...I'm switching to Word Press.

Honestly, I'm actually a bit sad. I have really liked blogger. But I think it will be best for my blog right now. Hope to see you all around still! And don't worry, although I hope to be posting more, there will be no other major changes...at least for awhile! =)

Be blessed,
<3

Alphabet Week 20: TTT

Hello lovelies! We made it To week Twenty!!!




First Word that Pops into My Head:
Tea - I like tea...especially in the evenings. You?

People I Know:
Travis - My husband and the BESTEST person in the whole wide world!
Tony - My dad goes by Tony (his name is Anthony) and we have good friend named Tony
Taylor - I know a few girls and boys with this name
Tannah - A little girl that I used to go to church with.
Trenton - One of Travis' college friends
Tabbie/Tabby/Tabitha - Lots of these ladies that I love
Tad - A pastor at our church in Olympia
Ted - A firefighter who was a friend before he was a firefighter...Idk why I said it that way! haha!
Thomas - Another friend
Tons more... =)

Colors:
Tan
Tangerine
Taupe
Teal
Terra Cotta
Turquoise

Favorites:
Travis - Of coarse!
Talking - Yep. Sad but true!
Teens - I miss being a youth leader
Teaching - I love, love, love teaching!

Dictionary Word I didn't Know:
Tabacosis - Tabaco poisoning

Food:
Teriyaki - Travis loves teriyaki, but I'm not a huge fan
Thai - Neither of us likes thai food
Tortillas - LOVE
Tamales - My great grandma used to make AMAZING tamales...but I was too young to appreciate them. =(
Tangerines - YUM!
Tomatoes
Turkey
Tarts, Tortes, and other yummy "t" desserts!

I hope this Tops off your day and week Terrifically!

Be blessed.
<3

My Love

Friday night was rough.

It was one of those moments that started slowly; in fact, it has been building for awhile.

Like the kind husband he is, Travis started asking questions.

And my heart started coming out.
And then the tears started coming.

It was one of those moments when you start crying and then the tears won't stop.

I stopped a few times, but each time, within a few minutes, the tears just came flowing back out.

And my husband was so sweet and gentle.

He cleaned the living room, played a board game with my, let me cry all over him, listened, and then carried me to bed when I finally fell asleep on the couch.

It is one of those days where I am just blown away by how blessed I am. Travis in my life is simply the grace of God toward me.

So today, I want to take time to express my thankfulness for one particular area of my life...
     my husband

Travis,
Thank you for being mine, and only mine! I'm so thankful I can trust that completely.


Thank you for loving me unconditionally


Thank you for being willing to say the hard things out of love.


Thank you for constantly trying learn how to love me best. Thank you for asking things like: "How could I have said that better? What would you prefer? And, does that make you happy?"



Thank you for being close to me: physically and emotionally.



Thank you for working so hard to provide for and take care of me.


Thank you for patiently explaining things to me...over and over and over again.


Thank you for making me laugh everyday!


Thank you for singing to me and for me and about me constantly! I love your singing.


But truly, the one I need to thank is Jesus. It is from Him that all good blessings, like my husband, come.


Lord,
You have blessed my life so much, most of all through the your sacrifice on the cross. Your grace is amazing and makes me thankful everyday.
Thank you for my husband. He is truly the biggest blessing of my life. I am humbled and amazed that you would bless me with such a godly and wise husband. Keep him close to You. Teach me to love, serve, and honor him well. Bless him richly. Thank you again for the beautiful gift of my husband.

I am blessed,
<3

Alphabet Week 19: SSS

Hello lovelies!



First Word that Pops into My Head:
Snake...I think this is due to the fact that seeing the "sss" made me think of snakes. (And Harry Potter...)

People I Know:
Sarah - lots of Sarah's, including my cousin!
Sam - Both boys and girls!
Samantha (see above)
Samuel (see above)
Scott - Are "s" names just really popular?
Sandy - My small group leader for women's bible study in WA
Shane -  Again...a few!

Colors:
Saffron
Sandy Brown
Sand
Sangria
Sapphire
Scarlet
Sea Green
Shamrock Green
Silver
Sky Blue
Slate Grey
Steel Blue

Favorites:
Swimming
Swings
Singing
Skies
Skillets
Skeins - Of yarn! =)

Dictionary Word I didn't Know:
Sabliere - Sand pit

Food:
Salad
Shrimp - If any one of you ever wants to buy me shrimp...let's just say I will eat it all as fast as possible (while still trying to look lady-like) and be exceedingly happy! Cold with cocktail sauce or in a pasta is best. I could probably write a whole post on shrimp, but I will spare you.
Seafood - Yum
Salmon - Also yum
Sandwiches
Salami
Sausage
Soup!

I hope this puts a Smile on your face! I wish you a smiling and sunny weekend!

Be blessed.
<3

Insta-Thanks

 I am thankful for...

The beautiful city I live in. It takes my breath away every day.

My loving family. I miss them all so much. My heart is heavy thinking of them all so far away.

My wonderful husband who fills my life with blessings daily. I cannot imagine life without him. He is my number one blessing for sure.

The #SheReadsTruth community. These devotionals have encouraged me and helped so much to keep me accountable in reading God's Word daily.

Coffee. I'm not thankful for it in the dependent on caffeine sort of way, but in the way that is simply thankful for the joy it brings into my life. I love the taste of coffee.

For our amazing church family and the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in Delray Beach.

The fact that Christmas is coming soon.

My kitchen that I can cook, bake, and wash dishes in.

The opportunity I have had over the past (almost) year to write and express myself creatively through this blog.

The wonderful network and community of bloggers that I am beginning to be a part of.

The opportunity to share my passion for crochet and design with all of you through my Etsy shop.

The fact that my sister arrives in Florida to visit me, soon! Very soon!

I am thankful for delicious sweets and treats like pumpkin pie for breakfast.

But most of all, I am thankful for the One to whom I give thanks. I am thankful for grace, for not only a clean slate, but for the righteousness of Jesus credited to my account. I am thankful for the hope of heaven someday. Truly, I am blessed.

Be blessed,
<3

Happy Shopping

Who is out Black Friday Shopping? Who is afraid to try and brave the crowds?


Well if you fall in the first category and you feel like your feet are about to fall off, or if your snuggling at home shaking your head at all the crazy people out running around, turn on your computer and come check out Alesha Blessed Designs on Etsy.

Through Monday at Midnight, I am offering 30% off EVERYTHING in my shop.
{Yes, you read that right! 30% off everything}

Want a custom order? Email me and I'll work on quoting you a price. <3

Happy shopping friends!

Oooo! Wait! One more things. If you want more discount codes for handmade shops, head over to My Beautiful Crazy Life and check out Brianna's holiday gift guide!

Be Blessed
<3

What I Wore {and Thought} Wednesday

Hello Beautiful! (or handsome if you're my husband reading this)

This outfit embodies two of my favorite fashion choices:

Maxi Skirts and Comfort!

And I absolutely LOVE this shirt even though it feels a tiny bit long.

As I was reading yesterday's #SheReadsTruth devotional, I got curious. We were reading in Lamentations, a book written by "the weeping prophet", Jeremiah.

I wondered, what comes before Lamentations 3:22?

The chapter begins with Jeremiah crying out prophetically for the nation of Israel.

"I am the man who has seen affliction

under the rod of his wrath;"

Lamentations 3:1

From this verse through verse 20, the prophet is crying out to the Lord. He feels abandoned, rejected, and punished. He admits his sin and cries out that he has no peace.

He is in utter anguish.

But then verse 21...

It reminds me of the Psalms, where time-after-time David cries out to God in the utmost anguish. Yet without fail, his cries of hurt, despair and confusion to statements of trust, faith and hope in God Almighty.

Listent to his statements of faith...

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases:

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, says my soul,

therefore I will hope in Him.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

to the soul who seeks Him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord."

Lamentations 3:22-26

How beautiful is this cry from Jeremiah's lips? And how much more beautiful that it comes from a heart that feels utter bitterness and pain. It comes from a soul who feels that weight of his sin and the separation that creates between him and God.

Yet...

His feet remained planted on the rock of truth. He knew God's Word and God's character. So he was able to have hope in the Lord.

Sisters, we can hope in the Lord as well! But the challenge for me, and you, today is...

Do we know God's character well enough to hope in Him even when we can't see Him at work?

Do we have the faith to say with Jeremiah, "But this I call to mind"? 

Do I know the Word of God well enough that I can call it to mind in times of need?

But more importantly...will I?

Dear sisters, if you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and allowed Him to forgive your sins and save you, then 

                 you have hope.

I have hope!

Will we choose today to look to Jesus and find our hope in Him? Will we, with Jeremiah, list the goodness of the Lord and choose to live in light of His goodness?

My prayer is that God will give me the grace and the faith to hope in Him daily, and I'm praying the same for you.

Be blessed.

<3

Linking Up:

 

Meet These Beauties

One of the things I love about blogging is the opportunity to get to know other women better. So here are a few women that I am getting to know this month, and I'd like you to get to know them as well!

Angie - from Womanhood with Purpose

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

Becky - from For This Season

Blog - Twitter - Instagram - Pinterest 

Pamela - from The Songs on the Way

Blog - Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest

Rebecca - from History Chick Diaries

Blog - Twitter

So go say hello to these lovely ladies! Don't worry, it won't be the last you see of them this month!

Be blessed!
<3