{March} Cara Box

Kaitlyn, who blogs here:

Started a Swap:

Since I love making friends, receiving gifts, and sharing encouragement I signed up again for March! 
March had a very neat theme: "My name is..."  We had to gift items that began with the first letter in the first name of the gift recipient. So, since my name is Falen, I received "F" themed gifts.

I had fun meeting  my new Cara Box buddies,  so let me introduce you!
I gifted a CaraBox to Cheltee, who blogs here:

You can also find Cheltee here: INSTAGRAM ** FACEBOOK ** TWITTER
Jessica, who blogs at Bluebird Sisters gifted me a Fun Filled F themed box:

  1: Fun ~ Teal Infinity Scarf

(Also pictured in the selfie above)

2:  Fluffy ~ Black Socks 

3: {super sweet message on my carabox package}

4: Flirty ~ Zebra Bag

5: F ~ Monogrammed Mirror

6:F ~Monogrammed Change Purse

7:  F ~ Monogrammed Key Chain

8: Faith ~ Bracelet

What a fun box, right?!  

The socks are just as fluffy inside as they are on the outside.  Love!  

And the bracelet, have another view:

Jessica sent me such a fun box.  Go visit her blog:

 
You can also find Jessica here: INSTAGRAM ** PINTEREST ** TWITTER
This swap is always such a fun time! If you haven't yet, go check out Wifessionals and sign up for April. 

Fab Five Friday {37}

Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.

Sometimes it is not always easy.

But, we do it!

We ponder on the good of our week.

We encourage you to do the same.

Share with us!!

We love reading how your week has been too!!

1) This week I am grateful for:
Falen:  My husband.  He puts up with a lot from me, and I'm grateful he has never given up on me.

Laura:  Viewpoints different from my own that challenge me.    2) This week I enjoyed:
Falen: Adventuring through Turner Falls with Cindy.  Castles and Caves and Waterfalls, oh my!  

 

Laura:  A snow day with my babies!  

   

 3) This week I learned:

Falen:  Selfrighteousness is incredibly toxic and heartbreaking, as well as respect robbing.  Perfection isn't humanly possible people.  Plank v. Speck. Laura:  A little optimism goes a long way.
4) This week I accomplished:
Falen:  Saying bye to a friend, Easter shopping, and oversleeping every day this week except Monday.  Does that last one count as an accomplishment?   Laura:  Working through something that really challenged my faith.
5) I am looking forward to:
Falen:  The Bible finale on Sunday, Easter, and shall I even say... Starting Turbo Fire!  

Laura:   Girls' day complete with makeovers with my daughter today!  I am sooooo looking forward to my great-niece being born soon...due April 2!   We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, please share something the positive from your week. We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you. Have a great weekend!!   

Linking Up With:
Thankful Thursday with Sarah; Faith Filled Friday;  High Five For Friday; Christian Mommy Blogger;  Google Reader to BlogLovin; Fun Friday Hop
Spending the weekend hanging out here:

Killer

"These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death." James 1:15 (NLT)

That crude joke you just made to a co-worker...it's Killer!

That text you just sent...it's Killer!

That thing you did when you were drunk...it's Killer!

That emotional relationship you have with that guy who isn't your husband...it's Killer!

That thing you do behind closed doors that consumes you with sexual fantasy...it's Killer!

"The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life." John 10:10 (NLT)

"For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44 (NLT)

Satan tries to tell us these things are no big deal.  But he's a LIAR!  If he can convince you to compromise small things, you'll be more willing (and likely) to compromise big things.

"Baby this is innocent, it won't even hurt a little bit.

I'm only here for your benefit. I'm your every wish.

Come on and let me in, baby this is innocent.

And it won't even hurt a little bit.
Close your eyes and let's get lost tonight.

Would it be alright?"
~lyrics from 'Killa' by Lecrae~

LIES!  ALL LIES!  But these are the lies he feeds us.  And I don't know about you, but I all too often fall hook, line, and sinker for his lies.

Into the Word {34}

Into the Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If you are a Christian blogger, feel free to connect and follow other bloggers who are sharing their recent steps of their walk with the blogosphere! If you are not a blogger and you are interested in reading more biblically based posts, scroll down and click until your heart desires.

My salvation and my honor depend on God; 

He is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in Him at all times, you people;

pour out your hearts to Him, 

for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:7-8

I did it again, you know.  I got so caught up in the circumstances surrounding me that I let my focus slip from God.  

When I saw my problem through the lens of this world, I quickly forgot that God can do the impossible, that to trust Him is easier said than done, and my feelings then dictated my behavior.  

Thinking my own control of the situation would provide relief from the hurt was another lie I believed.  

Prayer and worship led me to shift my focus back to the one who can move mountains, make things new, and I just needed to trust Him.  At the end of my control, I surrender.  

I find myself thankful for the surrender.  He is my mighty rock and my refuge.  I just need to trust Him.  And pouring out my heart to Him is most certainly something He can handle.

Take it God.  It is yours.

Source: alifesurrendered.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Let's get this Link Up Party started!

We would LOVE it if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word or in your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts this week:

Becky at Tales For Ashes Sarah at Fontenot Four Kelly at Exceptionalistic Falen at Upward Not Inward

Tweet ::HERE:: About the Link Up.

Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:

1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week.

2. Follow the host and hostesses via GFC.

3. Grab a button to put on your blog - the more the merrier!

4. Check out (and comment) other people's blogs.

5. Be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!

Linking Up Here:

Wisdom Wednesday;  Encourage One Another; Winsome Wednesday;Works For Me; Women Living Well

Fab Five Friday {36}

Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.

Sometimes it is not always easy.

But, we do it!

We ponder on the good of our week.

We encourage you to do the same.

Share with us!!

We love reading how your week has been too!!

1) This week I am grateful for:
Falen:  A day off this week to spend with my kids.

Laura:  Productive weekends allowing for extra sleep through the week...I should do that more often!   2) This week I enjoyed:
Falen: Celebrating my lil' girls' 9th Birthday.

Laura:  Lots of cuddle time with by daughter.

 3) This week I learned:

Falen:  We are beings created for worship.  If I'm not worshiping Jesus, what idol is in His place?  Do something about it.

Laura:  Even a little extra sleep goes a long way.
4) This week I accomplished:
Falen:  Donating blood!  Cindy couldn't cause her iron was too low, but her sticker was a hoot!

  Laura:  Not panicking about my midterm tomorrow....well, not yet at least... 5) I am looking forward to:
Falen:  Volunteering at a 5K, where I will be throwing color on runners tomorrow and of course seeing some more Jesus on The Bible Series on History Channel Sunday night.  Seriously, best series ever!

Laura:   My midterm tomorrow being over!  I'm also looking forward to having a girls' day with my daughter on Friday and getting makeovers.   We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, please share something the positive from your week. We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you. Have a great weekend!!   

Linking Up With:
Thankful Thursday with Sarah; Faith Filled Friday;  High Five For Friday; Christian Mommy Blogger;  Google Reader to BlogLovin; Fun Friday Hop
Spending the weekend hanging out here:

Unexpected Lessons

In January, I bought a children's devotional book to read with my children every night at bedtime.  As with everything, God has used this devotional time with my children to teach me a few lessons about spending time with Him.

Even when we are running late in our bedtime routine, I am sure to do devotional.  Who am I kidding,  THEY are sure to remind me to do devotional.  This has been a good reminder that regardless of how busy we become, taking time out with God is a choice.

Even when they are mad at me or each other, we are sure to do devotional.  This has been a good reminder that even in times of trouble and pain, taking time out with God is a choice.

But the lesson I have found most interesting is this:  When we sit down to do devotional, they are so distracted.  They'll jump around, begin a separate conversation, wiggle incessantly, hit each other.  There have been so many times where I'm tempted to stop reading and tell them that if they can't pay attention then we won't do devotional.  But...does God tell me that when I begin to pray and my mind wanders off into my to-do list?  Or what about when I'm doing my devotional or bible study and I get tired so I begin to just skim?

My point is that the things my children are doing frustrate me.  But I do the same things!

Does God get frustrated with me?

NO!  He pours out grace.  Beautiful, wonderful, undeserved grace.

Interacting with my children constantly teach me how to be a Child of God.  What have your children taught you lately?

Linking Up Here:

Thought Provoking Thursday; Mingle With Us Blog Hop; Thumpin Thursday; Thoughtful Thursday; Proverbs 31 Thursday

Into the Word {33}

Into the Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If you are a Christian blogger, feel free to connect and follow other bloggers who are sharing their recent steps of their walk with the blogosphere! If you are not a blogger and you are interested in reading more biblically based posts, scroll down and click until your heart desires.

But the {wisdom} from above is first

pure
perfect, holy, of God

then peaceable
peaceful, not argumentative or hostile
gentle
mild, moderate, patient

reasonable
rational, logical, 
full of mercy
compassionate, overlooking offense
and good fruits,
useful, beneficial and profitable fruit

unwavering
without partiality, resolute, not hesitate, firm, 

without hypocrisy.
unfeigned, genuine, real, true, sincere

James 3:17  (NASB) italics - my defining with the greek dictionary in the back of my study Bible and dictionary.com

Heavenly Father, let my words, my actions, my facial expressions, and my reactions be wise today with wisdom from above.  Don't let the circumstances, people, or atmosphere around me dictate my reactions or attitude. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Let's get this Link Up Party started!

We would LOVE it if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word or in your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts this week:

Sarah at Fontenot Four Kelly at The Houtz House Party
Becky at Tales For Ashes
Kelly at Exceptionalistic Falen at Upward Not Inward

Tweet ::HERE:: About the Link Up.

Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:

1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week.

2. Follow the host and hostesses via GFC.

3. Grab a button to put on your blog - the more the merrier!

4. Check out (and comment) other people's blogs.

5. Be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!

Linking Up Here:

Wisdom Wednesday;  Encourage One Another; Winsome Wednesday;Works For Me; Bloglovin LinkUp

Fab Five Friday {35}

Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.

Sometimes it is not always easy.

But, we do it!

We ponder on the good of our week.

We encourage you to do the same.

Share with us!!

We love reading how your week has been too!!

1) This week I am grateful for:
Falen:  Phone conversations with my niece!  I love that kid!

Laura:  God using even law school (of all things) to teach me more about Him.   2) This week I enjoyed:
Falen:  Serving at Church Online with some pretty incredible people and semi-celebrating my daughter's 9th birthday on Monday.

Laura:  Cuddles with my daughter while my son was at cub scouts Monday night.

 3) This week I learned:

Falen:  Sometimes a simple "you wanna pray about it?" goes a long way.

Laura:  Once again, this is a loooong list...product of being in school, I guess, lol!  But the one thing that takes the cake:  a stiletto is not just a shoe!
4) This week I accomplished:
Falen:  Getting involved in women's ministry at my church.  I am so excited for what is to come!   Laura:  Deactivating Facebook! 5) I am looking forward to:
Falen:  My daughter's 9th Birthday Party Sleepover full of manis, pedis, makeovers, and hair do's and of course the Bible series on History Channel on Sunday night at 8/7c.  

Laura:   Sleep!!  Seriously, after being on Spring Break for a week and getting the proper amount of sleep (maybe even possibly too much sleep) the sleep deprivation is rough this week.   We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, please share something the positive from your week. We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you. Have a great weekend!!   

Linking Up With:
Thankful Thursday with Sarah; Faith Filled Friday;  High Five For Friday; Christian Mommy Blogger;  Google Reader to BlogLovin; 
Spending the weekend hanging out here:

ITWW {Features}

Into the Word Wednesday is a link up and blog hop where fellow Christian bloggers share something they have learned this week while Into the Word. If you are a Christian blogger, feel free to connect and follow other bloggers who are sharing their recent steps of their walk with the blogosphere! If you are not a blogger and you are interested in reading more biblically based posts, scroll down and click until your heart desires.  

Each week, at least one of the hosts of this hop will be highlighting some of our favorite posts from the prior Wednesday. This week, that host is me!

First up:  If you have ever felt like you were being someone who is just a person with good intentions rather than a Christian following Jesus authentically, you need to read this post by Mel Caldicott, who blogs over at:

Next up:  Ashley, who blogs here:

(Seriously, how adorable is she?!)    She said this in her post:  

"Christ didn't spend much time judging and holding banners.  He saw needs and He met them himself.  Not through picket lines, but through food lines, and healing lines."

Ashley shared about loving others rather than judging others from the perspective of a heart covered by grace.  That's just good stuff right there!

  The last post I will feature will be this one by Kelli, who blogs here:  

When I read this post, I honestly felt like it was written for me specifically.  I feel like in my own personal life, I am waiting...

Waiting for something huge. 
Something miraculous.
Even something that is so worth the wait...

Yet, as I wait,
I grow impatient.

Can you relate?  If so, read Kelli's post:
"The Sin of Impatience"

I am so incredibly thankful for each of you that Link Up with us each week!! I am always encouraged, inspired, and blessed by each and every post. You bloggers out there, keep up the amazing work with staying in the Word! You never know when those dreary and weak eyes will stumble onto your experience and read the words they needed. It's an honor to blog with you!

   

Let's get this Link Up Party started!

We would LOVE it if you linked up with a post about what God is showing you in the Word or in your life. Please also stop by and see what God has been teaching each co-hosts this week:

Sarah at Fontenot Four Kelly at The Houtz House Party
Becky at Tales For Ashes
Kelly at Exceptionalistic Falen at Upward Not Inward

Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:

1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week.

2. Follow the host and hostesses via GFC.

3. Grab a button to put on your blog - the more the merrier!

4. Check out (and comment) other people's blogs.

5. Be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!

No More Excuses

via   Facebook isn't bad.  It's a wonderful way to keep in contact with friends and family you do not see on a regular basis.  It's also a wonderful way to be encouraged by others and receive encouragement.
But as with any good thing, it can also be used for the wrong things (even simultaneously). Facebook has been a constant cause of distraction in my life.  Not only that, but Facebook triggers anger (ok, ok...rage, full on rage), discontentment, loneliness, temptation, annoyance, drama...
Has Facebook ever been the trigger of anger and/or rage by someone's post?
Has Facebook ever been the trigger of annoyance and/or drama by someone's post?
Has Facebook ever been the trigger of temptation by chatting things you wouldn't say in person?
Has Facebook ever been the trigger of loneliness by the lack of someone's post?
Has Facebook ever been the trigger of discontentment by the lack of "likes" on a picture or post?
Do you find yourself being fearful of missing out and needing to check Facebook often?
Do you find yourself thriving on the acceptance of "friends" on Facebook rather than God's acceptance?

"And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell."  Matthew 18:9

I'm gouging out the eye that causes me to stumble, and I have faith that the eye that remains is more than enough.

Sure Facebook can be a source of encouragement, friendship, and fellowship, but I don't need Facebook for that.  I trust that what I may be losing by leaving Facebook, God will replace in ways I can't even begin to imagine.
I don't expect my absence from Facebook to be permanent (it's more of a detox), but when I do return MAJOR adjustments will be made.  Friends will be unfriended.  And I don't mean that to sound harsh, but it's true.  If your posts or pictures trigger bad things for me, I don't need to see it.  I don't need to be your friend on Facebook so you don't think I'm being rude (and that's a HUGE realization for me).
I'm not asking nor expecting you to leave Facebook and join me in some sort of protest.  All I am asking is that you examine your activity and the motives behind what you post.  Do you need to make adjustments?

"If you limit your surrender, Satan wins!"  Steven Furtick  
      Linking Up Here:
Time-Warp Wife; Teach Me Tuesday; GFC Blog Hop; Tuesday Tango
 Twittering Thursday; Grow Your Blog; Thoughtful Thursday; Desire to Inspire; Thumpin Thursdays 

Fab Five Friday {34}

Every Friday we reflect on our week and post Five Fabulous things.

Sometimes it is not always easy.

But, we do it!

We ponder on the good of our week.

We encourage you to do the same.

Share with us!!

We love reading how your week has been too!!

1) This week I am grateful for:
Falen:   A husband that makes me laugh when I start to feel overwhelmed.

Laura:   Friends who let me crash at their place for a few days, a brother who dropped me off early Friday morning and picked me up late Monday night at the airport, and another brother who booked my flights and made sure I got home on Monday after the flights were full (flying standby was a new experience).  I am very grateful to be able to visit friends and family across the country for a few days.   2) This week I enjoyed:
Falen:  Serving at Church Online for the final sermon on Altar Ego, where Pastor Craig taught us about laying down our need for approval and living out of our approval God.  Great stuff! 

Laura:   Visiting friends and family in California  

 

 3) This week I learned:

Falen:  His grace is truly enough...  

VIA

Laura:   I am not what I did.  I am an ambassador for Christ.  I am God's masterpiece.  I am an overcomer.  I am a child of the living God.  My worth is not based on myself.  I am valuable because God says I am His. All these wonderful revelations courtesy of Altar Ego by Craig Groeschel!!
4) This week I accomplished:
Falen:  A lot of stumbling and getting back up again...    Laura:   Trying sushi for the first time Ever!  

5) I am looking forward to:
Falen:  The Bible Series on Sunday night on the History Channel, and of course Coffee and Jesus in the morning!

Laura:   Taking the kids to see Oz the Great and Powerful tonight and having date night with my son tomorrow night and watching Jack the Giant Slayer.   We look forward to hearing from you every week. So, please share something the positive from your week. We love to learn about you, engage with you, and get to know you. Have a great weekend!!   

Linking Up With:
Thankful Thursday with Sarah; Faith Filled Friday;  High Five For Friday; Christian Mommy Blogger;