What I Needed to Hear

I generally consider myself a gospel-centered person. All-in-all, I feel like I have a pretty decent understanding of grace.
...maybe that in and of itself is the problem.


Either way, when's sat down to the (yesterday's and today's) #shereadstruth study this afternoon, grace smacked me in the face!

See, I have been really, really struggling to get my quiet time in over the past few weeks. I maybe sit down with my journal once or twice a week to really dig in. I know that's not enough! But I have been allowing this slacking to cause me to feel guilty, to deny that there is any problem in my heart, and to actually keep me from drawing close to the Lord.

How messed up is that?

Well, I sat down and read the words pictured above, and the guilt washed away.

I needed this reminder.
God loves me at my worst.
He died for me when I hated Him.
He offered up His Son to take my punishment.

Then He took the righteousness of His perfect, sinless Son Jesus and gave it to ME!
Ladies, do we get this? If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and asked Him to save and forgive you, then...

When God looks at you He sees all the glory and perfection of Jesus Christ!

Ladies, I don't know about you, but I have such a hard time fathoming this sometimes. But it is glorious isn't it? There is nothing that we can do that will change our position before God. Jesus secured that for us on the cross.

Wow.

We serve a good God.

I was reminded today, that my understanding of grace is far from perfect. I was reminded that I need to allow myself to daily be washed in this truth. I need to pour this truth into my heart moment by moment and let it affect every area of my life.

How do you remind yourself of grace? Do you struggle to believe that God views you as He does? How can I pray for you in this?

Be blessed,
Alesha

WIWW: Lace and Boots

Praise the Lord for friends who clean out their closets!

Two of my three sweet girl friends down here in Florida (yes, we don't know many people yet) cleaned out their closets a few weeks after we got here. Yay for me!

So I volunteered to take the clothes to Goodwill in exchange for being able to sift through them first and take what I wanted.

This sheer, lacy shirt was one of my favorite second-hand finds! Isn't it beautiful!

And I needed an outfit with which to model this beautiful headband/ear warmer for AleshaBlessedDesigns (my etsy shop). The shirt fit the bill perfectly.

Additionally, see these boots? I got them online for $15 last winter at Shiekh Shoes. Black boot heels? Yes please! I love them so much! But unfortunately, I changed out of them right after this photo shoot, because my husband and I were going thrift shopping. Heels and thrift shopping don't really mix. =)

Find this headband and more for sale here 

I love wearing these headbands with big, dangle earring. I feel sophisticated and elegant, while still warm and cozy.

Skinny jeans + dark cami + sheer top + colorful sweater + boots + ear warmer + giant earrings = one of my all time favorite fall outfits

...maybe next time I'll actually keep it on all day! Haha!

What is one of your favorite fall outfits?

Be blessed
<3

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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

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Blog Angel October

Lovelys,

Do you write a blog? If so, I would encourage you to take part in this AWESOME blogger link-up.

Yes, blog angels!

It can have its ups and downs, but you an also meet some amazing people along the way!

As previously announced, the blogger who I was an "angel" to was Angie from Womanhood with Purpose!

Although we had a bit of trouble connecting during the last few weeks of this challenge, I am super excited to be button swapping with her. Basically, we'll continue to work together and I'll get to know her even more...and promote her blog through the whole month of November too!

She is such a sweetie and has tons of wisdom and advice on marriage and life.




Next, at the halfway point I got to find out who my angel was! Becky from For This Season! She had done a great job because I hadn't figured out that she was my blog angel, but as soon as I got her email I was like, "Oh, she has been the one leaving all those sweet comments!"

Becky and I immediately connected. She offered up advice where I asked for it and was constantly available (even though she was like 38 weeks pregnant). She is like a super mom! I am blessed to learn from her blogging experience and her crocheting experience. She is also button swapping with me for November and I am looking forward to getting to chat with her a bit more after she gets done with her maternity "leave".

Yep, she had an ADORABLE little baby boy! <3



For me, this blog angels session was a big success! I will not be participating in the December one because I will simply by too busy. =( But I look forward to participating again next year!

Be blessed.
<3

Alphabet Week 16: PPP

Hello...



First Word that Pops into My Head:
Pea/Pee - I had a youth leader in high school who I loved to death. When she ate peas, she would throw them one-by-one onto the table or her plate and say, "I pead!" (peed) And then she would die laughing...and that's all I can think of this week. Haha!

People I Know:
Poppy - This is what I call my grandpa whose "real" name is Perry
Perry - My uncle who goes by Chip...yeah, so we use nicknames a lot. =)
Philomena - One of my amazingly sweet small group girls back in Olympia
Peggy - I have known a few
Paul - Also have known a few

Colors:
Peach
Periwinkle
Persimmon (I LOVE the name of this color)
Pine Green
Pink
Powder Blue
Puce
Purple
Platinum
Plum
Pumpkin (Of coarse! And this is a perfect color for this time of year)

Favorites:
PEOPLE (watch my vlog)
Pockets
Pillows (Seriously, who doesn't love a fluffy, warm, soft pillow? ...I want to take a nap.)
Pumpkins...the carving kind
Picking berries or apples or...whatever. Picking food is fun!

Dictionary Word I didn't Know:
Pelf - money or wealth, especially when regarded with contempt or acquired by reprehensible means

Food:
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted
Pacific Salmon, Cod, etc.
Pancakes
Parmesan Cheese
Parsley
Potatoes
Pastries = Heaven

I liked the letter P. It was a "perfect" letter to work with. Haha! <3
Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!

Be blessed.
<3

Three Things I Use/Need Everyday

Hello all.
Guess what? It's time for The Girl Behind the Blog link up again!
Guess what else? I'm late. =/

Oh well, I did the vlog anyways and here it is for all of you to enjoy. =)

The prompt was: What 3 things do you need to get through the day.

Mine may seem a little odd, but maybe I'm just a little odd. =)



So what about you? What 3 things do you need to get through the day? Leave me a comment, tweet me, or comment on my Facebook page so I can get to know you better.

Be blessed
<3

AleshaBlessedDesigns

Hello Dear Friends!

Today I am beyond excited to announce the opening of...

My Etsy Shop is now open!

Over the past 4 weeks, I have spent hours dreaming, planning, designing, and (or coarse) crocheting.  I have doubted myself many times, but in the end, I knew I needed to make the leap and give it my ALL.  And I am so proud of the final result!

Here is just a peek of what you will find for sale there.

Ruffled with Giant Flower Headband in Gray

Double Bow Headband in Black

Ruffled with Giant Flower Headband in Cream

Double Bow Headbands in Black - Adult and Child

Girls Double Bow Headband in Black

Simple Bow Headband in Black 

Girls Simple Bow Headband in Black

Okay, pause right here with me...
Is she not the CUTEST.THING.EVER???
I loved doing this little photo shoot with her. She is the sweetest little girl, but has a hilariously silly and spunky side as well. And no, she's not mine. Haha! But we did pretend! =)

Mother/Daughter Sets

I won't lie...its been a bit overwhelming at times, but God is so faithful and good.
So spread the word, like my page on Etsy, and share it with everyone you know! I am super excited to start this new blogging venture.

Oh...and a little secret. I didn't show you ALL the items. There are more! And more in the works too...whew! If nothing else, I hope I can bring some inspiration and courage to your crafting through mine.

P.S. The adorable new blog and shop design that is slowly taking over? They were created with the help of Kara from The Snugly Duckling. Go say hi and tell her how nice it's all starting to look!

Be blessed
<3

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