Spring has Sprung.

Today's Challenge: Sit in the beautiful Spring sunshine and write down your dreams. You may need to be like a little kid at the beach again and really dig them up

Proof it's officially Spring, there's buds on the trees. The bluebirds sung their way through to brighter days. Now it's time to test your strength from the long winter months and see how much your trust is in God's goodness. If we claim to put our faith in Him then we have to believe He fulfills the promises He gives. With new life in the air, we have to believe what God says is true. He promises to renew us, to put us high on wings of eagles, to give us a new morning.

God gives each of us different blessings and different dreams, a different path to walk so we can grow in our faith and bring Him the glory. IF we're only doing things each day that feel safe, staying on one secure path our whole lives, buying things with money we know we have then we're NOT. living. in. faith. 

  I'm not saying go buy a big screen tv simply because you dream of a bigger screen tv on the wall and spend money you don't have, I'm saying if God is nudging you to go somewhere or give money to someone then break out that secure wall, take that step of faith and spend it.

Blessed is she who believed that the Lord would 

fulfill His promises to her. Luke 1:45

 If your dreams are clearly written out, you're putting your whole trust and faith in Jesus to fulfill those dreams, if those dreams are His will then STEP out in faith and believe they will be fulfilled. When you get your tax return money, do you spend it on something safe like monthly bills or do you put it into a dream you know God wants to bless you with?

Sometimes there's a reason God gives specific dreams.
Sometimes it's purely to give good gifts.

Sometimes it's to put you on the next step in the right direction.

And miraculously the money is ALWAYS there when we step out in faith and we're pursuing God's dreams for our lives.

He doesn't want us to sit stagnant and safe.

He wants us to trust Him and leap.

I had a longing, a dream in my heart for a little girl. I wasn't mentally stuck on the timing. I was completely content adopting down the road or having more boys, whatever God's will for our family and then soon after my second son I got pregnant with our little girl.

I believed God's promise to me and it was fulfilled.

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I have to believe God's promises are true and His Word is alive and powerful, otherwise there's no point in calling myself a Christ follower. We're not rich people by American standards, we have a bucket list of house projects and need to upgrade to a bigger vehicle for our growing family, but I have this dream to live by the ocean and let my kids run free in God's beautiful creation so we're taking a HUGE step of faith and taking that money to visit a beach town next month. I don't know where God will lead us in this dream but we have to pursue it and push some doors.

We're saying "Ok God, here we are open hands, open to Your dreams and plans for our lives, here's the dream of my heart, take it and do Your will with it."
 

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I challenge you lovely friend, write down your dreams, trust God with them and start taking steps of faith. Ruffle some feathers in your comfortable life and see what God has next for you and your family.

Cappuccino & Espresso.

Today's Challenge: Do small things with great love

We need to go through winter seasons so we can learn some of the sweetest lessons.

It seems to me in those slow, quiet, sometimes very monotonous seasons of our lives there's all these puzzle pieces floating around of boredom, frustration, maybe depression, and we can so easily forget what's important. We can forget the happy times, the summer months, the bright sunshine, the chirpy birds. We can't live our whole lives in the perfect summer months otherwise we wouldn't appreciate the warmth and sunshine anymore.

If we stay faithful in those slow times, faithful to quiet times, faithful to making time for others, faithful in getting up every morning and doing what we know we need to do, God really blesses us.

We're never the same girl after winter as we were before. 

I'm starting to appreciate the winter seasons just as much as the summers. Paul talks in the Bible about being joyful in ALL circumstances. I may not have some exciting, grand adventurous life or do great things but if I do small things with great love that's enough.

John the Baptist didn't perform great miracles like Jesus but he loved Jesus greatly and that was enough.   

What small thing can you do today with great love?

I surprised my husband with the yummiest Creme Brulee donut ever from Yo Yo's (which I've been talking about for weeks) with a simple love note.

The puzzle pieces floating around during those difficult seasons that don't make sense start to get pieced together and the picture starts coming to life. Spring always comes and God is always faithful to us when we are faithful to Him.

 And a sweet treat of warm Cappuccino and an Espresso donut on a Tuesday afternoon can only boost those quiet days, right? 

Love Letter

 Today's Challenge: Put your pen to paper

I've been thinking over these last weeks of Grow with Love that I miss the good 'ol fashioned snail mail route of getting letters. Back in the day when I was growing up and I actually got a piece of mail, it was a letter from a pen pal or a birthday card or just a note from someone thinking of me, it was the highlight of my week. Or at camp every year, mom would send a letter everyday. Don't you remember what it was like to get a handwritten note? You couldn't wait to open it and read through the words.

The best letters were when I was dating my husband and he was gone in Europe for the summer.

It's a snowy day here and I say today is as good a day as any to sit down and hand write a good old fashioned letter from the heart. Handle with care, put it in an envelope, apply a stamp and stick it in your mailbox. Don't forget to put up the red flag and let it be sent off with love.

Hmm. . . a pen pal sounds fun too. . .

Remember

Today's Challenge: Remember sweet memories

It's nothing mind blowing today, but I'm just being introspective and I think it's important for us to look back from time to time. I put the boys to bed and just let my mind roam away as I scrolled through old pictures and memories. I think it's so sweet to be reminded of where we've been, what we were doing at that time, what we were learning or struggles we faced and then it feels like everything from that moment until now just flashes before our eyes. You can see how you really have grown or seen God walking with you on that path. We remember our past because we want to remember God's faithfulness through it all and His promise to continue walking with us. 

He is the same God yesterday, today and forever.

I remember this day so clearly. Hidden behind the smiles and beautiful, perfect sunny day at the apple farm, I was crying to my husband doubting God would answer this specific prayer, and since then He has in a huge way. Through it all, God has walked with me every step of the way.

A little introspection sprinkled in is good for the soul.

Remember all the good God has done for you.

And be thankful the trials make us stronger.

Sprinkle what's good and true and beautiful everyday, 

and you will bloom.

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
² but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

³ He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
⁴ The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
⁶ for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalms 1

Paris to Minnesota.

Today's BLT Challenge: Bring Paris into Minnesota (Or maybe you already live in Paris, lucky duck)

Let's bee women who soak in and savor little pleasures even when it's subzero.

Art. Poetry. Nature. Color. Beauty.
It's no Eiffel Tower but it's said to be the best view of Minneapolis from the highest point in the Minneapolis area.

God, the Master Artist, designed and created so much magnificent beauty everywhere. We can't all go to Paris and taste the perfectly crusty croissants or feast our eyes on the incredible sights but there's wonders to enjoy right here in your hometown, yes even in cold snowy Minnesota. Take a trip somewhere within 30 minutes of your house, pack some snacks and your camera, and just savor the sights, pretend you're on a traveling adventure across the world, listen to your surroundings and just enjoy. 
Who knows what kind of inspiration you'll get. 

Go to your search engine and type in "hidden wonders in (your city)" see what pops up.
It was a zero degree Saturday morning, we bundled up the boys, warmed up the car, picked up some Isle Bun and set off on an adventure to find the "Best View of Minneapolis Skyline" at some random neighborhood park.

 

Brrrrrrrrr.!!!!!!

 If you're not quite up for the bigger adventure of pretending to be a tourist, you can bring some Paris into your day by just going to find gelato, or in our case, a sad representation of the real stuff but still so yummy. Have fun with it!! Spice up your life, bring travel into the mundane and choose to savor the sweetness of life's little pleasures.

Inspiration taken from "Longing for Paris" By: Sarah Mae
LOVING this book!! 
You can get a copy on Amazon

Pink Lipstick and Paris

Today's BLT Challenge: Add some Pink Lipstick and Paris in your day

I've been reading "Longing for Paris" and Sarah Mae talks about Parisian women being the most beautiful women in the world. They're the most beautiful because they KNOW they're beautiful. They're confident in their beauty. They aren't staring in the mirror and picking apart themselves, they probably aren't letting people's comments bring them down or media attack them as a woman. 

So I thought it's about time to bring a little Parisian beauty into my day. I'll put on some pink lipstick, spritz some sweet parfum and be silly. Friend, It's Tuesday and it's a great day to start a fresh new week, let go of your case of the Mondays and feel a bit more confident about yourselves.
There really is something so lovely about a woman who isn't concerned about what others think and knows who she is and how beautiful she was made. We don't have to be conceited about it but we can certainly be confident. God, the Master Artist, made us, created us to be lovely. 

"Longing for Paris" has been such a great read. I would love to jump on a plane and explore the world, but for now I have little littles and we live in cold Minnesota, and yes we could travel if the opportunity came up, but in the meantime how do we make the best of cold weather and bring a little Paris to Minnesota? More on that next week. . .

Bee a loyal friend

Today's BLT Challenge: Bee a loyal friend

We all want a good friend in our life, a sister who will laugh with us and cry with us, but we're not always willing to BEE a good, loyal friend. I love my friends, I love my neighbors, I really do, I can't help it that's why I get so discouraged with Minnesotans when they hibernate for the winter months or thoughtlessly cancel last minute because I truly love the people in my life and I want to know them so HOW do we overcome the disappointments with people?!? 

We push past ourselves, our selfish feelings and we keep trying.  

Let's face it, we aren't always the greatest friend to others, we don't always love our neighbor the best, we cancel for no good reason, we can really hurt our friends but it's a new year and we can GROW in loving others. I know I have lots of room to grow in being a good friend.

I keep throwing out a line, I keep pushing doors, I use holidays to open our doors and the rest is up to our friends responding. All we can do is our part. 

Here's your challenge to do something selfless even if you don't feel like it.

Make 5 easy appetizers, mix up sprite and juice in a jug, and send out 20 text messages or if you're really eager, call them personally. I hand wrote some invites for our neighbors and texted a few others. Then see who shows up and have some FUN!!! 

1. Cheese & Cracker platter

2. Pasta salad (pasta, celery, tomato, cilantro, onion, salami, ceasar dressing, done!)

3. Sausage dip & Chips (1 can of rotel, 1 package of sausage, 1 box of cream cheese- crockpot 4 hours low, cook the meat first)

4. Cucumber bread (fresh baguette, cream cheese, cucumber, lowry's and pepper)

5. Weenies in a blanket

 LOVE to hear how your night of Apps & Drinks goes with friends and neighbors!!!!

New year, new promises

BLT Challenge: Go find a quiet spot and be still until you feel peace

The hustle and bustle of Christmas is over. I love Christmas and the hard truth staring me in the face and the beautiful reminder of my need for Jesus, I also hate being sucked into the hustle and bustle of materialism. It's a struggle every year and then there's this lull between Christmas and New year, a kind of peace slowly moves in and it's God's promises we can cling to for a fresh start. It might seem like I hate a lot but here goes another hate, 

I hate new year's resolutions. They never last a week. 

God's promises stay true through every season.

There's so much build up and hype to the holidays and then the inevitable letdown, but I went out to our wedding spot in the woods right after a fresh snow and there was peace. 

Immanuel. God is with us. He is WITH me.

Through every season.

God promises that He will be with us. He will never leave or forsake.

So if you're a list maker or picture drawer, do something to remind you of that promise and the promise of a new year. I LOVE a new year. There's something really exciting to me about the unknown future and what this next year could hold. It feels more real when Christmas is over. A new year is about to begin. Buckle up. So much can happen in a year, can't it? We've been praying and fasting the first weeks of the new year and it's been so fun to look back on the prayer requests from January and see how God answered throughout the year. It makes me want to dream bigger for next year and see the hand of God move in even bigger ways and my faith to grow even deeper.

 Almost 5 years ago, on a hot July day, this was our wedding "aisle" and now it's a peaceful, snow covered pathway for my family of (almost) 5 to enjoy on a snowmobile. So much happens in 5 years and so much possibility for the future and hope when we put our trust in Jesus.

 Thank you Lord for the blessings you give.

Thank you Lord for the promises in Your word.

Thank you for moments of peace.

Thank you for hope.

Thank you for being with me and loving me even when I'm so distant.

Thank you for laughter.

Thank you for the purity and freshness of snow.

Beauty Box.

(BLT: Christmas Cheer pt. 2)

 I debated sharing this with you but it truly was God inspired for a dear friend of mine and I hope it will either inspire you to think outside the box (no pun intended) for one of your friends or for you to just be encouraged today. 

"Beauty Box" 

You are a treasure. You are lovely. You really are even if you don't believe it. 

I have this friend who I desperately want to know without any doubt that she is not a piece of garbage, she is loved and adored by her family, her friends, and above all our Almighty God. Call me an idealist but here goes nothing. I found this box in Europe. I watched the maker put the finishing touches on it, I handpicked this box, wrapped it carefully and brought it safely home. This box has traveled with me through several moves and I have treasured this box. In it are special little items that remind me of joy in the midst of a crazy world, beauty that God creates all around me, I find things that symbolize some truth and I attach a verse. It has really helped me put an action step to pulling myself out of some dark days and turning to Jesus to find freedom from some of my struggles. When we dwell on truth, we don't have space to think on negatives, we are no longer slaves to our addictions, we start replacing all the lies and comparisons we believe with new "broken records" of truth. That is where we find healing and freedom.

Maybe you need to start your own Beauty Box to have some tangible truth to turn to when you're tempted or weak. I'm telling you this first step of faith ALWAYS brings me back to the Word of God, the only place of truth that matters. The key to joy is only found in Jesus.

This box sitting on my hutch the last 5 years has been a daily reminder of how I have treasured this box, I have handled it with care, I have only put it in a special place of vision. It's that little reminder that "Oh yes I am a treasure to God. I am a treasure. I was sought after. I was bought with a price when Jesus died for me. And that is truth."

And that is truth for you.

Just Stare

  Today's Challenge: Go stare at your Christmas tree for ONE hour

Some of you will love this challenge, some of you won't be able to last 5 minutes.

 I dare you. Go sit. Sip some hot chocolate. Let your mind wander into nothingland.

What you can't see in this pic is my 2yo curled up on my lap so I wasn't going to move a muscle. My mind went to nothingland. Sometimes I stare at the tree waiting to be zapped by inspiration, sometimes I'm just in a daze, sometimes I dream of dropping our cozy suburbia life and going wild somewhere out in the world. 

You never know where your mind will wander or what ideas you'll get or a name that may pop into your head that you really need to reach out to. . .  by the way, did you do last week's challenge? I did. I got inspired with a good one and I'll post it for ya now.

Have fun in nothingland for an hour. Let me know what crazy dreams you come up with or maybe just an hour of blankness. That's cool too. All I got for today. Rainy day here. McDonald's playplace and naps kind of day.

 Oh, and a crazy mad scientist too just for fun!! Cuz that's how this kid rolls on a Tuesday.

Christmas Cheer

Today's Cheerful Challenge: Creatively send a note of love to someone

It's December 1st and in my house that means Christmas decorating, never a day early to take away from the Thanksgiving season. It's also that time of year when your families get together and it's almost inevitable there's one family member you're "off" with. Get creative, get on your knees, pray for that person and then mail off that something special.

Need ideas? Read on my lovely friend.

For some, the Christmas season is the most wonderful time of year. For some, it's just a bitter reminder of a lost dream. For some, it's a heart-wrenching season of pain and loss. For me, I truly love this time of year. It brings family and friends together in some of the most real and raw ways. It tends to bring out my worst at moments but then I'm reminded Jesus came to the earth in the most humble, tender, loving ways and then he continued to humble himself throughout his 33 years of life when he died on the cross for us. Being humbled is never easy but it always makes us more lovely in the end.

1.) Maybe you need to sit down and pour your heart out in a letter

2.) Be reminded of your need for forgiveness and extend that to others

3.) Color a picture that describes your love for that person

4.) I may be a true Idealist at heart, but take a walk and find things that remind you of that person

5.) Spend $5 dollars at the dollar store and mail it off

6.) What does loving UNconditionally look like? I know I have a lot to learn.

7.) Make a popsicle craft with your kids

8.) I know I sure have a big challenge here, but maybe it's that time of year to dig deep in your heart and find a way to love that person- pray, ask God to give you love

9.) Find the largest candy store in your area and pick out the most random candy (I hear Bean-Boozled is all the craze for kids these days!) 

 I have so much to be thankful for and celebrate today. My 2 year old is starting to understand why we celebrate Christmas, my 1 yo is spunky and nuts, my husband has been so gracious and patient with me, I'm just a rumpled beautiful mess who wants to show loveliness through loving others. I challenge you to face that difficult relationship and find a way to love that person. Humble yourself like a child and God will lift you up.

Hospitality at its sweetest

Today's BLT Challenge: Invite a friend over to your house

I've accepted that my blog isn't a popular place but today's truth and challenge of loveliness is one I bring to you because I love you deeply. I can't help it. My heart literally aches to see women living out what God called women to be. I lay awake at night crying about relationships in my life because I've tasted what God made good, I've seen beautiful friendships flourish, I've seen women blossom in who they were made to be.

I've now lived in Minnesota for 5 years and being a stay home wife then mom, I've spent many hours immersed in the culture. I've spent many hours volunteering at different places, serving in churches, building friendships, observing city life, going to countless kid zones, meeting other moms and the ONE THING by far hands down that I have seen in this culture (and my guess is it's not the only state like this so I'm not generalizing here) is I've seen and met some of the loneliest, isolated people and yet they also relate at arms length, Minnesota nice, and won't let you close to them. 

Recently, an older, wiser family friend of ours warned me that satan was going to attack PRAYER and HOSPITALITY now more than ever, and it was a lightbulb moment for me. It couldn't be more true. People are lonely and guarded, and that makes hospitality close to impossible. When did sharing a simple meal together become so complicated? When did inviting others over become so over-analyzed? When did people stop living in community together and start going through their weeks very individual and isolated? 

I urge you and encourage you to invite a friend over. Bee Lovely to another, love your neighbor as yourself. You may be that friend's only hope in her week. Make every Thursday the night you invite a family over for dinner or every Monday morning a friend over for coffee. If you're too busy? Cut things out of your schedule. If you're over-committed to schedules? Say no to things. It is by far the most devastating to a friendship to be over busy with a more important scheduled week that doesn't even matter in the grand scheme of life.

Make space in your week to stay home so you can say yes to those last minute things.

What if you made love a habit? How would your week look different?!?

Friendship should be your top priority. Loving your neighbor. Hospitality at its sweetest.

Serve coffee and a cookie, light a candle and call it sweet. 

Work for friendships, fight for your friends, deeply love them, relationships are what matters, everything else is meaningless, for we have a short time in this life to blossom and work for what matters and then we're but a vapor.

 

As for man, his days are like grass;
    he BLOSSOMS like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
    and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
    and his righteousness to children's children,

to those who keep his covenant
    and remember to do his commandments. 

 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
    and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:15-19

30th Birthday

Today's Challenge:  Pray and a Giveaway

It's a JOYFUL day!

It was my 30th Birthday on Friday. I entered into the years when Jesus started his ministry. I hit the number that felt so far away. It was a weird feeling. I'm 30. I am thir-ty. When you hit 30 you ask yourself a lot of questions and look at your life. What have I done with my life? We can so easily be tempted to look at our list of accomplishments but what I can confidently say I've learned in my 30 years of life is there's nothing more important in this life than having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just a church on Easter and Christmas relationship, go to church check it off the list, but a deep, close, pray daily kind of relationship. I've learned some things the hard way, I've embraced other things, I've been married almost 5 years and I have 2 babies. None of that matters if we don't have a relationship with Jesus. This life is too short and we don't even know if we have tomorrow.  Drop whatever you're doing and go see "War Room" it ...is ...a ...must ...see!!!! I love to have conversations about Jesus and prayer with whoever will have one with me. My challenge today for you is have that conversation with someone. Where are YOU at in your faith? 

I know the truth isn't always fun to hear but GIVEAWAYS are fun!!!

Share my blog with 5 friends and then comment "Shared" below or the link on my Fb page. You have 48 hours and I'll be doing a drawing for a FREE half sheet of the most amazing Jamberry wrap Liquid Luxe with a satin finish and Matte Top Coat 

 ENJOY the little things God brings your way. When we GIVE love and faith and enjoy the little things in life, I think we come to the end of our lives and see how big those small things were along the way. That's what I'm seeing at the "end" of turning 30. All the little things in my life, all the small steps of faith I took, all the time spent in prayer, THAT has been what matters.

Apple House

Today's BLT Challenge: Shake up the mundane, meet your neighbor

Good morning friends. I.. . am... . SO excited for today's challenge. I hope to inspire you to get up and go meet your neighbors in a creative way. My way worked great for us, but maybe you have a different way and I would love LOVE to hear what you do.

 I'm just an ordinary girl who lives in an ordinary house and I was inspired by this out of the ordinary idea but it's simple and sweet. It's just a great way to meet your neighbors and be a light on your street. (Wouldn't it be so cool if we had Apple Houses all over being a light on a dark night?)

We didn't want to embrace all that Halloween stands for but we didn't want to shut off our lights and be recluses either. We've been praying and thinking of ways we could meet all our neighbors so we decided to take advantage of the one day a year Minnesotans come out of their house to walk the neighborhood and we came up with this idea to have a Front Yard Apple Party. The kids decorated sugar cookies and the parents could grab a cup of hot apple cider. It gave us a quick two-minutes to meet our neighbors instead of throw a piece of candy in their bag and be on their way.

I challenge you, sweet friend, to have a front yard party with your neighbors. You are so lovely and you are meant to shine. Host it anytime of the year. Keep it simple and sweet. Hot coco and cookies? Pop and brownies? It was SO fun and everyone was so thankful and happy. Who isn't happy when they come across something out of the ordinary?

Ring the bell, get a piece of candy, ring the the bell, get a piece of candy, front yard apple party, take pictures, yay, and back to ring the bell, get a piece of candy. Sometimes we gotta shake up the mundane and celebrate, can I get an amen?

What are YOU going to do?