First Things First #6, Mardi Gras and the stomach bug

Hi all.
I'm so glad its Tuesday.  So.glad. 
This is what the weekend was like...

Our house was vomit central. Watch out, the stomach bug is going around and it ain't pretty. 

But on a happier note....

Today is Mardi Gras! Do you know what it is?
Well darlin, let me fill you in...

Mardi Gras is a huge celebration the day before Ash Wednesday. Its French for Fat Tuesday - which is basically the practice of the last night eating fatty and other crap foods before Lent.

Mardi Gras in the United States originally started in Mobile, Alabama (my hometown), NOT in New Orleans. They might be crazier, but we had it first. :)

Anyway, celebrations last a week long with parades, food (King cake, my favorite), drinking, balls, king and queen, etc. Its a ton of fun and I do miss being there for the celebration.

and......
Week 6 f this series?! Wow, this has flown by! I love these questions and its fun to remember the stages of life I don't think about much. 

The questions:

1. First Broken Heart

Ha, I don't know if I would count this as a broken heart, but I had a crush on a boy for 4 years - from middle school to early high school. We will call him A. A was handsome, popular and very sweet to me. I was a dorky glasses, braces kid who was a little overweight. He even asked me to dance once at a party and I refused because I was too shy.

2. First Thing You Do When You Wake Up In The Morning

I usually hit snooze on the alarm! I do NOT like morning time - it takes me awhile to wake up. Then I go and turn on the shower to warm up the water. That in itself is tough to do - mainly because I'm half asleep doing it. 

3. First High School Dance/Prom

Prom - junior year. My date was M.D. for short. He was seriously the HOTTEST guy at school and one year younger than me. We has become friends through our show choir. Did I mention he could sing, dance and play guitar?!?!

Now, our prom wasn't super fancy with long gowns - so I wore a short black cocktail dress that I borrowed from my sister. I don't even think I hardly danced with M.D., but more with my friends and guys from my grade.

Peace out.

Faithful Friday #6 / Sadness and thankfulness

Hi dear friends.

What a week its been, my grandfather has been in and out of the hospital and my sweet nephews have all had the stomach bug. Needless to say, its been a FULL week with hospital visits and changing a million diapers.

The past 10 weeks have been a rough stint for my grandfather. He is my only living grandparent and since before Christmas has now been in and out of the hospital about 5 times with 3 hip surgeries, been in rehab again and again. 

He told my Mom not long ago, he didn't think dying would be this tough. He thought he would just fall asleep and not wake up. He definitely wasn't expecting his rapid declining health and all the issues that come along with getting old. 

It's been especially difficult for my parents. I looked at my Dad the other day and could see the effect it was having on him. My Dad is his oldest son and my uncle lives 12 hours away. 

I live 4 hours away from my parents and grandfather, so I went this past weekend to see them. Two days into my visit is when he dislocated his hip for the third time. 

Can I just say this whole situation stinks. 

I hate that people get older. 

I hate that injuries and sickness happen.

 I hate having to emotionally prepare myself for a death in the family. 

He hasn't passed, but I feel as if he already has. I'm already mourning him and I fell the loss of my grandmothers with his illness too.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 

 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Among the sadness, frustration and tears though, I feel great thankfulness. 

Thankful that I got to know 3 of my grandparents. 

Thankful that one has seen 3 grandchildren married and knows 5 great grandchildren.

Thankful that I live close enough to see my grandfather and parents.

Thankful for my wonderful, loving parents who would do anything for their children and give their time, energy and love to their children and parent.

Psalm 28:7
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."

Psalm 69:30
  "I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."

2 Corinthians 4:14-16 "...because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.  All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.”  ~ C.S. Lewis

30 Second Thursdays {Linkup} #5

Week 5 of the Vlog 30 Second Thursdays with lovely Kaitlyn, Samantha and Hallie!

The Question:

If you could have one song play every time you entered a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
(Side note) Yes, I had fun doing this video and I'm sure hubs thinks I super hot in this too!    

First Things First #5

This weeks addition of First Things First  link up with Halie and Hallie brought back some fun memories. The deal for this link up- there is a  different "firsts" every week.  It will be awkward, funny, weird, random and embarrassing firsts.
The Questions:

1. First trip out of the country

I went to Europe right after I graduated college with a good friend, Rebecca. We went through our university, so a bunch of recent graduates went too. We went to London, Paris and Rome. Seriously, best trip of my life (besides my honeymoon)!!

I had always wanted to go overseas and am so thankful for that opportunity. We spent two weeks traveling. It was hard to leave - I've since been back to England but really would like to go all over again. All I have to do is convince my hubs, ha!

2. First major purchase on your own

Its funny, but my bed. I had saved and saved and wanted this gorgeous bed from Kincaid. I was dating Stephen at the time and he thought I was nuts. I am so proud of that bed  and love it! I have no regretted it once. 

3. First thing you learned to cook

Does boiling water count? I think Chocolate chip cookies was the first real item I did by myself - and no, they weren't the break and bake kind. :) I followed the recipe on the Toll House chocolate chips bag - and probably had some supervision when making them. 

Faithful Friday #5 / To Delight in the Lord

We had just broken up and I was falling apart. Months continued on and I couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I tried to explain myself, but he wanted nothing more than to leave me with hurtful words and a broken heart.

Have you ever felt like me? 

I have a feeling you do. 

In the midst of turmoil, I've often turned to Psalm 37:4 and meditated on it. I love the idea of God giving me the desires of my heart, but that promise has a condition - delight myself in the Him. That’s the hard part of the verse - the place where I have to ask myself whether I am truly delighting myself in the Lord.

Psalm 40:8

“I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” 

Romans 7:22

For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.

Now, how do we delight ourselves in the Lord you may ask? 

By doing what pleases Him and putting His law in our hearts. Then, as we are sanctified, He gives us the desires of our heart. 

Pretty awesome, right!

Here’s how Matthew Henry put it: “He has not promised to gratify all the appetites of the body and the humors of the fancy, but to grant all the desires of the heart, all the cravings of the renewed sanctified soul. What is the desire of the heart of a good man? It is this, to know, and love, and live to God, to please him and to be pleased in him.” *

Think about what our desires would be and how God would meet them if we spent more time on the first part of Psalm 37:4 than the last part.

Here are some practical, though -  provoking questions to go over this week:

1. How have you dealt with your longing for love?

2. Describe your thoughts when reading Psalm 37:4 in the past.

3. After looking at two other Scripture verses about delighting ourselves in the Lord, and after reading Matthew Henry’s quote, how have these helped you better understand Psalm 37:4?

4. What can you do to delight yourself in the Lord?

5. How do you think your desires will be different if you do the things you listed in the previous question?

Love you all and so very thankful for you. 

 

30 Second Thursdays {Linkup} #4

What what! 

Were back with 30 Second Thursdays with Kaitlyn, Hallie and Samantha and I nearly laughed my face off when I saw this question. This would be been the most amazing vlog ever if you had seen me as a pre-teen and teen. I would have pulled out EVERYTHING in my closet for this question. 

Yea, it was that bad. 

Question:

What is the most hideous item of clothing you own? 

First Things First # 4

This weeks addition of First Things First  link up with Halie and Hallie brought back some fun memories. The deal for this link up- there is a  different "firsts" every week.  It will be awkward, funny, weird, random and embarrassing firsts.
If you missed my other three posts, you can check them out here, here and here.      Ok, so this weeks questions: First best friend: Connor McMurphy - according to my Mom at age 3. I was in Mother's Day Out and Connor was in my class. I wish I had some pictures with me back then - blonde, tall and adorable! There is the cutest picture of Connor and me in pink ballerina leotards in class with big ole hair bows to match. We were a pair. I didn't know her when we got older, but do know she went to my rival high school and college. Oh well.  First Concert: Oh my, anyone remember Rebecca St. James? My stars did my oldest brother have a crush on that girl! I think I was in middle school (6th grader in fact) when my brother and his friend took me and my other bro to her concert at one of the Baptist church's in Mobile. I had no clue who she was but had a blast - mainly cause I was hanging out with older people. I got a t-shirt, CD, and a hello from Ms. St. James herself. Good times, good times. 

First Celebrity Crush:
For any ladies reading this post ages 22-29, I'm pretty sure we all had the same crush. I was in front of the TV every time Home Improvement came on. You know what I'm talking about - there is no reason to deny it. The dreamy Jonathan Taylor Thomas aka JTT was my man.  I was in love with his dimples and cute high pitched voice. What a dream boat!  How could you not love the voice of Simba? Heart melting....  I'm also pretty sure I watched Tom and Huck and even a episode or two of Smallville cause he was in it. 

The Tuesday Tango {Linkup}

The Tuesday Tango is a multiple link-up post for everyone to meet new people and grow your audience. There are eight link-ups that you can add your link to - Twitter, Facebook, Hello Cotton, Bloglovin, Instagram, Pinterest, and Better Blogger Network.

All you have to do is follow the host(s) for that week and then add whoever else you'd like to!

Permanent Hosts:

Big Apple Mami | Yellow Umbrella | Better Blogger Network

This Week's Rotating Host(s):

Walking in the Light | Our Love and Our Blessing

- - -

Directions:

Follow the host(s)

Add your links to any/all of the link-ups

Add at least 5 people from the link-ups

- - -

Want to host one of the weeks? Let us know!

Cara Box reveal {January}

My first Cara Box!!!!! Yes, I am that excited! 

What is a Cara Box you ask?

Awesome things in the mail + Meeting new women + Encouragement = Cara Box

Kaitlyn at Wifessionals started this monthly box swap. Each month there will be a different theme. Anything from a season, to a color, to a topic (like fashion or childhood).

Everyone is paired up with another blogger and she with another. That way, you get to know 2 new bloggers. Cute huh?!?  

Towards the middle of the month you will create a box or package, specifically for the woman you were paired with, and ship it off to her. You will then get a Cara Box from the girl who was paired to get you. 

You can read more about it here if you want to join.

This month was my first month participating and man was it awesome! My dear Holly at The Oklahoma Peppler sent me the SWEETEST box.

The theme: New Year's Resolutions. Since I didn't really have much of a new year's resolution, she sent me some things I just love:) My husband was so shocked by the size of the box Holly sent me - seriously it was HUGE!

Holly made me a personalized baking dish with my name on one side and my blog name on the other! How creative and thoughtful. We southern girls love our name on everything!

I can't wait to try some new recipes in this baby. 

Then I pulled out the cutest mug! It had the bible verse I love from my blog and the other side had Walking in the Light on it. How creative. This is the perfect mug for some hot tea or coffee - I drink at least 2-3 cups a day. 

 Holly also knows how much I like to cook and bake, so she sent me some of her recipes to try out! I'm planning to make the brownie one this week. :)

I am OBSESSED with these journals. I love Europe and am ready to start using these cuties. How fabulous are they!?

Holly also sent 2 Essie nail polish bottles! I am really into muted and gray colors right now and ready to make my nails look stunning. 

Lastly, she included the sweetest and most encouraging letter. 

I love love LOVE everything Holly sent and am so thankful for her friendship! Thanks Holly!!!

Faithful Friday #4 / Scripture Memorization

I am not a fan of memorization. At best I struggle with it. If it isn't repeated or used often, its hard to retain and soon forgotten. Growing up, I couldn't grasp the importance of why it was good to memorize God's word - it was already written down, right?

As I got older, I started to realize that it is worth the effort and also, expected of us. It is vital to our relationship with God to know His word  and it's a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. 

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:14-17)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

John Piper, who wrote Desiring God lists out six reasons why it is important to have the Word imprinted on your heart and tongue.

1. Conformity to Christ

Paul wrote that “we all, . . . beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18)) If we would be changed into Christ likeness we must steadily see him. This happens in the word. “The Lordrevealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (1 Samuel 3:21). Bible memorization has the effect of making our gaze on Jesus steadier and clearer.

2. Daily Triumph over Sin

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. . . . I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9, 11). Paul said that we must “by the Spirit . . . put to death the [sinful] deeds of the body” (Romans 8:13). The one piece of armor used to kill is the “sword of the Spirit” which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17). As sin lures the body into sinful action, we call to mind a Christ-revealing word of Scripture and slay the temptation with the superior worth and beauty of Christ over what sin offers.

3. Daily Triumph over Satan

When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness he recited Scripture from memory and put Satan to flight (Matthew 4:1-11).

4. Comfort and Counsel for People You Love

The times when people need you to give them comfort and counsel do not always coincide with the times you have your Bible handy. Not only that, the very word of God spoken spontaneously from your heart has unusual power. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” That is a beautiful way of saying, When the heart full of God’s love can draw on the mind full of God’s word, timely blessings flow from the mouth.

5. Communicating the Gospel to Unbelievers

Opportunities to share the gospel come when we do not have the Bible in hand. Actual verses of the Bible have their own penetrating power. And when they come from our heart, as well as from the Book, the witness is given that they are precious enough to learn. We should all be able to sum up the gospel under four main headings (1) God’s holiness/law/glory; 2) man’s sin/rebellion/disobedience; 3) Christ’s death for sinners; 4) the free gift of life by faith. Learn a verse or two relating to each of these, and be ready in season and out of season to share them.

6. Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and Ways

The way we commune with (that is, fellowship with) God is by meditating on his attributes and expressing to him our thanks and admiration and love, and seeking his help to live a life that reflects the value of these attributes. Therefore, storing texts in our minds about God helps us relate to him as he really is. For example, imagine being able to call this to mind through the day:

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:8-14)

The Lord gave us His Word for these purposes - so that we may be more like Him and draw closer to Him. He also didn't give it for us just to hold on for safe keeping, but arm us for battle against the enemy and to share His glory to the world. This week, I challenge you, along with me, to begin memorizing scripture.
The easiest way for me to do it is to add a passage on a note card, write it on the bathroom mirror, keep it in my purse and read it in its context each day.

30 Second Thursday {Vlog Linkup} #3

Last week's Vlog's were so funny - such cute ladies out there. :) You can check them all out here. It's so fun to "get to know" these women through their blogs, but hearing them and really seeing them is the icing on the cake. The three lovely hostesses - Kaitlyn, Hallie, and Samantha's question was (drum roll please).....

What is the WORST present you've ever received?

Thanks for checking out this week's Vlog!

Thursday Twitter Hop {Co-Host}

Welcome to Twittering Thursdays Twitter Hop!

<center> <a href="http://chaos-commotion-emotion.blogspot.com/search/label/Twittering%20Thursday"><img src=http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k44/DeandraBosqui/twitteringthursdays250x250_zps16a1d22f.jpg" /></a></center>

This week's Co-Hosts are Pakize from Madame Keke and Clara from Walking In The Light. Please stop by say hi and follow them back!

Are you interesting in Co-Hosting next Thursdays Twitter Hop?  Email Deandra at phillipsdeandra@gmail.com
There is no charge to participate!

Please help spread the news about this TWITTER HOP!
Its only appropriate to TWEET about it!

Tweet

RULES:

Please follow each hostess.

Follow @ChaosCommoEmo
Follow @MadameKekeBlog
Follow @ClaraLovgren

2. Leave a comment if you are new and want us to return the follow.

3. Grab the button and display it on your sidebar or link it to the post.

4. Have fun and meet new friends!

First Things First #3

Hiya! My third week of First Things First and I'm still Obessed with these questions! I love hearing other people who link up with Halie and Hallie with their stories.   So here's the deal - there is a  different "firsts" every week.  It will be awkward, funny, weird, random and embarrassing firsts.
If you missed my other two posts, you can check them out here and here.     Ok, so this weeks questions:   First Thing I Do When I Get Home From Work: Well, now that I'm unemployed and living the dream, as they say, my routine has changed drastically. I used to hang my purse up, walk into our bedroom and collapse on the bed. Anybody else do that? Anybody?  Bueller? Bueller?  

    First Pet: Why did this question just make me tear up? I had two sweet dogs as my first pets - Midnight and Spooky. One was a Lab and the other a Cocker Spaniel - and Oh.MY. Word. were they the sweetest pups in all the land. The were both black as night (hence, their adorable names) and loving fellas. I think I was four or five when my parents okayed a dog. But only one. Except, you know how it goes, with 4 kids in the family and a sweet softy for a Mom, we walked away with two. I was in the 5th grade when Midnight got hit by a car and in 8th grade when Spooky died of old age. My parents got a Golden Retriever, Darcy,  after Midnight died so Spooky would have a friend. They were good buddies. Darcy is still alive and kickin it at my parents. We have always had great luck with amazingly sweet and gentle pups.       First Cell Phone: Oh the good ole days with the 5 pound phone that looks like a walkie talkie. Yea, no I totally didn't have one of those suckers. How old do you think I am anyway?! I had a basic AT&T ugly little thing when I started driving at 16. My Mom and dad got it for me to call them when I got to school and when I left.