{Happy Sunday}

Beautifully designed by Stephanie Ackerman at Homegrown Hospitality

{we Encourage}

Read more encouragement here

This face is the face of encouragement.  

If she isn't familiar to you, her name is Rachel and she lives in Heaven.

This sweet girl gave her 9th birthday to Charity Water in the hopes to raise $300 for clean drinking water.  Shortly after her birthday and just shy of her goal she died in a car accident. News of her death and her special birthday wish propelled others to see the faith this sweet girl had to help others.  Her account surpassed any fundraiser Charity Water has had to date.  Tonight it is climbing steadily to over 1.2 Million Dollars. Her original goal to reach 15 people or 3 families with her $300 goal is now set to serve over 60,000 people. 

This precious girl who so briefly graced this Earth has the potential to reach more people in nine years than all the people I know combined. My husband made the comment that it is sad that it took her death to bring people together for others.  While I agree, I think the unique thing about Rachel is that she is the example of what God meant:

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me."

1 Corinthians 13:11

More than water, let Rachel's legacy spur you on to listen to that still small voice and follow your child like dreams. What a world we could live in if we were all a little more like Rachel.

{Life Made Lovely}

I'm a big girl, that's not news to most of you.  I haven't always been overweight, but as the babies came so did the pounds.  And as the babies grew, so did Momma.  Not exactly the plan, but soon it was effecting my health and not at all manageable. I have an amazing husband who loves me and has never made me feel less than beautiful, but when he suggested the Paleo Diet...I knew it was time.  Researching it we found it would actually help me with my Multiple Sclerosis too. That is what you call win win folks. 

We spent the weekend ramping up, by eating or tossing the food on the no no list. Picking me out a sweet new set of wheels and rocking helmet to match for some family style exercise.  Stocking up on fruits and nuts, and portioning out our approved snackage.  Making sure all our vitamins were well stocked.  Replacing the batteries in the food scale.  Weighing ourselves for a starting weigh in.  Locating a food diary and prayer, prayer, and some more prayer.  Did I mention prayer?

Funny enough today was a breeze on the diet front.  No caffeine withdrawal headaches yet, although I did allow myself a cup of tea with 2 teaspoons of raw sugar.  And that pic in the right corner was my monster lunch that was super delicious and filling...that one shocked me! {I cheated a little with the veggies, so the fresh produce we had on hand wouldn't go to waste.} Randy was super cute, calling frequently to check up on me and encourage me. I am super proud of us. I am CRAZY proud of myself!  The closest I have ever been to dieting is fasting and I am no champion of that feat either.

I may not be sharing stats and Biggest Loser photo ops, but I will be sure to keep you in the loop of my success...because I WILL succeed!

Remembering this verse to carry me through it:

"Do you not know that your body is the temple the very sanctuary of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received as a Gift from God? You are not your own, 

You were bought with a price purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own. 

So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Amplified

 I'm also sharing a pretty vulnerable post here, on why my kiddos told me I cuss more.  Yeah not my finest moment, but that truth is leading me to Jesus and that is exactly where I want to be.
{100 pounds lighter no less!}

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