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

Hearing

A few weeks ago the pastor's wife started a women's bible study for Redemption Church. We are going through the book of James and God is speaking.

Doing...that's a tough word for me.

I am a perfectionist, an A-type personality, a proud personality, a legalist... God has broken me over and over again on the issue of legalism. It is God alone who judges and not me.

Thus, the thought of "doing" is one that scares me. How do I "do" without becoming proud and self-righteous?

Yet read these verse again. There is no room for question. If I am not acting on what I believe, then do I really believe it?

Over and over again, I go to God's Word and am convicted. God is speaking to me and I hear, then I walk away...and I forget. I don't take time to let God's Word settle into my heart.

This is something that God has been slowly, but steadily pushing and pushing into my life over the past several months. Sometimes He whispers, sometimes He nudges, and sometimes He shouts into my heart, "Slow down. Let this penetrate your heart. Open up to Me. Soften up. Listen."

Everyday is the same battle. A battle in my deepest heart. Will I take the time to open up and be vulnerable to a King who loves me unconditionally and only has my best at heart, or to look in the mirror of His perfect law and then to walk away.

One option is easy.

One option will never leave me the same.

I am praying that God will continue to pushing this on my heart and that I will learn to let His Word  truly "sink in" and change me. That I will let His Word penetrate me and make me a doer, not a hearer only.

Do you have a hard time slowing down enough to let God's Word really sink into your heart? Do you, like me, struggle with letting God's Word change your life and lead you into action?

Be blessed.

<3

Linking Up:

Insta-Date

Dear Readers,

Allow me to share my heart with you today.

Since we've arrived here in Florida, I have not shared much of what we have been doing. So that is going to change.

Praise the Lord, my husband got a job at a Starbuck literally ONE BLOCK from our new apartment!
{Yes, our beautiful, little, second-story apartment! I love it!}
I took this photo walking home from his work...in the sun...in late October!

We are finally settling in, searching thrift stores for more furniture, and starting to develop some good normalcy in life, for which I am so thankful!

And I finally got a chance to recreate a piece of furniture.

{Post coming soon!}

I'm loving this piece in our bedroom right now.

Our apartment is blessing from God. Honestly, it was the only one we looked at. An upstairs apartment 1 block from downtown and about 8 blocks from the beach...seriously? And the number one selling point? The price. God is so good!

The only downside to our dreamy little place...is the teensy, tiny kitchen. And I LOVE to cook. It took me about a week to get over my fear of baking in such a tiny space. But I finally pulled out my Kitchen Aid mixer and have been in cooking heaven.

And yes, it has to sit on a bar stool. Haha!

The results have been scrumptious!

My work...well, no luck yet in terms of finding a "real" job. But God has provided for me to start tutoring. So far I have 2 students! =) I really, really love working with my students and helping them to learn, grow, and succeed. God is good.

Additionally I am working on launching my Etsy Shop on November 1st!
{I'm down to less than a week...yikes!}
So in my long hours at home, I have been crocheting and designing like crazy. Stay tuned to see more!

However, as life forms some version of a "new normal", the loneliness and homesickness has started to set in.

Today, I video chatted with my sister so that I could watch my other sister's districts cross country race! I am constantly amazed at how modern technology allows me to be present for important moments like this from literally the other side of the country!



She ran so hard and so well. I was so proud! My little sophomore sister took 4th! She came back from a bad sprain just 3 months ago, and is looking to be a strong contender at State again this year!

And yet when it was all over, I could only cry. I was so proud of her, and yet all I wanted was to be there to hug her and tell her how much I love her. But right now she is over 3,000 miles away...
However, everytime I get very homesick, I look at this...

Another one of my sisters is visiting me over her Christmas break! I think my heart starts pumping faster every time I think about it. I truly am SO excited!

We are going to soak in as much of this...

And this...

As we possibly can! And we're taking a heavily discounted cruise to the Bahamas! =) I couldn't be more excited!

To be totally honest with you all - places can replace people, but every time I go down to the beach, it makes me a bit less homesick.

Some days this past week, I've almost been able to trick myself into thinking I'm back in Washington. Hurricane Sandy brought us two days of of gray skies, rain, and wind, all very familiar to me in the realm of weather. However, we're back to sun and blue skies, minus the humidity and plus a bunch of wind. The effects of Hurricane Sandy, although very minimal, are still seen everywhere here. The main effects are the wind, lack of humidity, mild flooding, and crazy waves at the beach.

I am definitely praying for everyone who is going to have to evacuate or already has. My heart goes out to them all!

Yet in spite of all the loneliness and homesickness, God is good. I am thoroughly enjoying every moment I have with my husband down here...and there are many of them. He is so supportive and loving. When I first started dating him, I knew that if it continued on to marriage, my life would never be the same. And it's not! =)

My husband has been playing music every Wednesday night at a local coffee shop that has an open mic. He's been doing so well and I love hearing him practice so much.

And the church? Thursday nights are a wonderful and encouraging time to serve and to be refreshed in God's Word. Although it is small, I believe that faithfulness in these moments is so important. So we are praying, praying, praying for our city, and trying our best to build relationships and to be faithful with what God has given us for now.

So it's been a lengthy and up and down update. In the end, all I have to say is...

For I know that my Redeemer lives,

and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

yet in my flesh I shall see God,

and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

Job 19:25-26

God is good. My purpose here in Delray Beach is to bring glory to Him, but then again, that is my mission in life no matter where I live.
God is good.

Be blessed
<3

I Need Someone to Talk To...

I know that I already posted today, but I've been home alone all day long (I'm a major people person) and so I just needed to spill my guts to someone. =) So here is all the randomness that's been going on in my head today!
--------------------------------
Whoever first put caramel and coffee in the same drink was a genius or an angel...or something like that. It is pure heaven!




There are few things that illicit more excitement from me than sitting down with a good book. On that note...I haven't read a book other than my bible in awhile...hmmm.
-
Once you start cooking regularly, it's hard to stop; but once you stop cooking regularly, it's hard to start again...




There is almost nothing (literally!) that is more relaxing and therapeutic than kneading bread dough. I'm serious! French bread in particular. The dough gets all cream smooth and it is heaven! I can't help but smile...my husband laughs at me. =)




Black & White Polka Dots + Red Bow = Minnie Mouse
No?




Well, that's all. =) I hope you enjoyed this bit of randomness. Thanks for letting me get it off my chest. =) You all are awesome! ;-)
-
So "hi" from me today...




Be blessed.
<3

"Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun..."

We've all heard of this song, right?
(Yes, true story. I had not actually heard this song till I sat down to write this. I decided I'd better listen to it if I was going to title my post after it. Thank you YouTube!)

I feel like this song describes my life sometimes...and I'm not proud of that!

Now, if you know me very much at all you might be saying,
"Alesha! You got a job as soon as you got your license and kept that same job for over five years.
Before that, you cleaned houses with your mom and did childcare at church to earn money.
You graduated with your Associate in Arts Degree at age 18.
You worked 25+ hours a week while pursuing a Bachelors degree.
You got married at 20.
You were a youth leader for 4 years.
You moved across the country with your husband to help start a church.
How in the world does this song describe you?"

And I would reply,
"What you don't see is the hours I spend on social media in a single day without once picking up my bible.
What you don't see are the games I play on my phone when my I have hardly had quality time with my husband...who is sitting right next to me.
What you don't see is all the blog posts I have thought about writing, that never come to fruition...because I don't take the time to simply sit and write.
What you don't see is how it takes me 40 minutes to put away 2 loads of laundry because I'm reading blogs between every piece of laundry I fold.
What you don't see is how I get distracted from praying by thinking my new Etsy shop products."

Are these things bad? No, not at all.

But they are throwing my life off balance. There is not the right balance between work and rest, between toil and fun.

Additionally my mind is not getting a chance to rest. I am struggling to take the time let my heart rest. It has become challenging for me to slow down enough to focus on relationships or to listen to God's voice. Day to day this is a constant battle. You know what?

I CAN'T DO IT!

And that is so freeing to say, because I know that Jesus is my strength. However, if I never take time to connect to the Source of my strength, then how will I continue on?

All that to say, I need a break. God recently convicted me of this when I listened to this message by Pastor Mark Driscoll.



I love how he shares, not from legalism, but from his own brokenness. He is speaking through what God taught him. He is preaching from what God had been teaching him.
I love that!

I know that this sermon is over an hour long, but I encourage you to turn it on while folding laundry or cooking dinner or washing dishes. You will be blessed. You will be challenged. You will be encouraged.

I didn't want to let God penetrate my heart through this sermon, but I knew that I needed to let Him.

So for now, Sundays will be my day of rest from Social Media.
No blogging.
No Twitter.
No Facebook.
No Instagram
...I may still post on Twitter or Instagram, but I won't spend hours searching through posts and catching up on all the gossip. Anything posted will be for the goal of preserving personal memories and connecting with the people closest to me (aka. my family). And I certainly won't be posting anything to do with my blog or shop.
Email may just have to wait.
Blogs I follow? Well, the posts just may not get read.
And that is okay!
Yes, as I write this I still struggle to say all this and believe it. But I know that my heart needs a break. I need a day to stop and be fully present. I need to create balance in my life between work and "fun".

By consciously setting a day aside where I disconnect from social media, I hope that through the rest of the week, I will continue to keep all things in balance.

Do I want to be legalistic about this?
No.

Do I want you to do this to?
Only if you feel God telling you so...this is about me being obedient to God; this is not about you. =)

I am sharing all this for a few reasons, but mainly because I want to share with you what God is doing in my life and heart. Honestly? I'm not looking forward to this. It will be hard for me to put my phone down and not check those notifications. But I know it is good and it is necessary.

It is especially necessary right now as I am about to start up my Etsy shop. (November 1st!!!) My "work" is becoming so integrated with my social life (online) that I need to create just a bit of separation. I need to make sure that I am living in the physical world too, not just the online one.
They are both good, but there must be balance.

So thanks for reading my heart. Please, keep me accountable. And I hope this messages blesses you as much as it did me.
So scroll back up right now and listen to it! ;-)

Be blessed.
<3

Best Days {with Nicoladee}

Last week one of my favorite bloggers posted this beautiful post of thankfulness.




In her own words, Nichole shared...
"It's really easy for me to live in the future.
To live in a dream world of how our life will be just right when. . ."
And she went on to list all the "when's" in her life. That hit me. What are my "when's"?
What are the things that I am holding my breath for?
That until they happen I won't let myself enjoy life?
Why am I doing that?
Then it hit me...these are our best days.
Amen and amen, sister!
I read this post right when I needed it, just when I needed a perspective shift.
So to join her in celebrating God's infinite goodness I am...
Celebrating God working in mysterious ways to get my hubby a job.
Excitedly pursuing (not one) TWO different ways for me to be self employed!




Planning all the fun things we will do with our new little apartment.




Enjoying the sunshine every.single.day.




Digging my toes into soft, warm sand and marveling that I get to LIVE HERE!




Reveling in the simple pleasure of a Starbucks latte.
Thanking God for the most wonderful and caring husband any girl could ask for.




Be blessed...I sure am.
<3

Let's Talk...Yes, I Mean YOU!

Hello All!

I have news...bloggy news. =) As of today, I am starting to actually use my blog Facebook Page! I know, that's big news, right? Haha! Well, it's true that I set up the page and put up a link to it >>>>>
and then never did a thing. But that is all going to change.
TODAY!

As I watch how other bloggers try to interact with their readers, I have been dissatisfied with the results.  I needed something that would work for me and my readers. Here is my plan:

I will post questions at the end of blog post to try and engage you and get to know you more. Yay!

I will also post weekly discussion questions on Facebook and Twitter for you to interact with. These will probably revolve around the topic of one particular blog post I wrote recently. If you don't want to answer and discuss for everyone to see, you can send me a Facebook message so that we can chat about an issue privately.

But just to be sure that we are on the same page...

These discussion questions aren't just for me and you to get to know each other. They are also for you to get to know other readers and, who knows, maybe make a new friend!

The questions will be on a whole bunch of topics. Crafting, cooking, marriage, family, the bible...who know what else! Hopefully I'll be able to get more than one question out a week so that there will be plenty for everyone to discuss!

The questions posted on Facebook/Twitter will not be posted anywhere else. (Say what???) They will not be on my blog or Instagram (btw...I love Instagram and if you have it you should totally follow me and have me follow you - use @alesha_blessed for Instagram and Twitter).

Finally, this is not a place for you to criticise me. I am totally open to constructive criticism and to helpful feedback. If you even feel I am totally off base in some area, I'd be happy to hear it if you put it out there in a helpful way. But can you do it privately? My email is on my about me page or you could message me on Facebook. Thanks bunches! =)

I hope you are all as excited about this as I am! But let's get going...we have a friendship to get started!

Be blessed.
<3

I Don't Want to Forget... {Part 2}

{Part 2 - Home}

That for the first 21 years of my life, Washington State was my home.

Source

What mountains look like...particularly this one.

Source

The smell of the earth when you know that rain is coming, and the freshness of the air after it rains.

How no one ever slows down for rain or uses umbrellas

How there truly, truly is no more beautiful place on earth than Western Washington State on a sunny day.

How Capitol Lake was filled with runners every morning and how I loved to join them.

{taken by my sister}

That there were so many odd and unrealistic for the "mima mounds" that my parents lived on.

{Taken by my sister}

The beauty of the Camus Lilies every spring.

The joys (and cold and wet and mud) of going to a pumpkin patch in the fall.

The beauty of snow!

How we were amazed when the snow was a 1/2 inch and lasted more than 4 hours! Haha!

What it's like to stroll down the pier (boardwalk) on a sunny afternoon.

The beauty of the Puget Sound.

How the most comforting feeling in the world is curling up on a cold, rainy afternoon with a coffee and a good book

How there  (LITERALLY) is a Starbucks on every corner. <3

The incredible beauty of cherry blossoms in the spring.

How the tress go from bare dead skeletons to trees bursting with life and color in just a few weeks in the spring.

But no matter what, the one thing I will never forget is my family! Aren't they beautiful/handsome? I miss them so much, but am incredibly blessed with modern technology. I talk to my beautiful mother on the phone everyday often get to Skype and FaceTime with them as well.

God is good. Even if Travis and I never move back, our separation is still only as temporary as this life. I am blessed beyond to have such a loving and godly family supporting and loving Travis and I.

Be blessed.

<3