Today has been one of those days...

I question things often, I guess you can say I am a bit of a worry wart...

I tend to worry about things that I shouldn't. The moment something happens out of the ordinary, I worry I am the reason it changed. I must have done something to change it. I guess you can say I like to be in control....keep my little life in a box, so I know what will happen, no guessing. I don't like surprises, I like to know what to expect.

I can't keep worrying myself about things like that. I have to remember that sometimes things happen and I am not always the reason for it.

I need to remember that my Father is the only one that is in control of every situation in my life. Things happen for a reason and I have to stop being a worry wart, only take responsibility for the things I know are in my control and let God do His work with the rest. I need to be able to open the box and trust that things are going to work out the way it should.

I am linking up with Jen at Finding Heaven come join us for love and encouragement with some wonderful ladies!!

Over the past few weeks my 3 year old daughter has just blessed me. It touches my heart that even at 3 years old she has such a desire for the Lord. There are times when we sit and talk, and she will tell me, "Mom, do you know Jesus lives in my heart?" while pointing her heart. After church on Sunday's she will ask everyday until about mid week if we can go back to church.

Oh, if only to have the faith of a child!! Yes, of course we have faith, but sometimes that faith with be unsteady, wavering and at some points feel non-existant. This isn't the case with children, they just have the faith that Jesus is there and He will take care of everything. I love to listen to her pray, the passion that comes from this three year old is an inspiration to me. I pray that passion and faith will never slow down, but grow and be a wild fire of inspiration to the world around her...I know the Lord has big plans for her!! Lord, help me to have child like faith...

I really think the worst situation to be put in, is seeing how they are completely different when they are in person, versus being in a virtual world. How people can act so nice to your face, then once they are in that virtual world you are ignored or rejected for no known cause.

I just keep praying that the Lord will keep my heart pure, when these situations come up. That He will keep my focus on that fact that regardless of what happens in life I am covered by His blood and worthy of His love...that is what matters to me. That I am always important in His sight, so important in fact that He gave up His life, so that I could live eternally with Him.

I am linking up with Jen at Finding Heaven. Please check it out if you want encouragement from beautiful women of God.

While I sat and waited (not so patiently), I realized something very painful. This is what I am putting my heavenly Father through, when I don't make time for Him. I am guilty of that happening, more recently. I get so caught up in life, my family, my new business and what happens? The most important person, the one who gave me this life, the one who has blessed me more abundantly than I can ever imagine, gets pushed aside.

He waits, patiently for me to realize how much He has missed me, how he misses speaking in that still small voice and that I can actually hear Him, because I set aside the busyness of my life to hear what He has to say. He wants me to crawl up in his lap and listen to the story He wrote just for me.

As I realized this, it put a lot of pain in my heart to know that He is there, counting the minutes until I am there with Him. Its time to set aside the things that can wait and make time to hear those stories He wants to tell me.

I am linking up with Jen at Finding Heaven. Come join us and link up with a group of awesome women who share their hearts in hope of a sisterhood that will understand what they are going through.

I have been a stay at home mom since February, and there is no greater gift than to be able to raise your own children, to be with them on a daily basis and to love on them at any moment. Quitting my job took a lot of faith that God would provide for our every need. We lost a lot of income when my husband joined the military and again when I quit my job.

If you were to look at it on paper you would think there is absolutely no way that we could stay afloat on our reduced income. We had our budget of bills based on an income of almost 3 times what we bring in monthly now. Sure, it's stressful at times, but throughout the entire process, God has honored our desire to raise our own children.

I have been wanting to do something that I enjoy, can do at home, but still make a little extra money for our family. Back in October, I decided to buy a sewing machine and play around with it. I never took any sewing lessons, but have made a few things in the past. I wanted to make myself a diaper bag, and was so pleased with it, that I decided to try a purse. I used a pattern for the first bag to kind of get a general idea of what I needed to do. After that, I began creating my own designs and making bags/purses. I just love looking at all the different fabrics, the feel of them, imagining how it will make others feel.

God blessed me with a talent that I never imagined having. I was terrified of the sewing machine...I thought they were all going to be as tough to learn as my dad's...lol Once I sat down at my new one, I just couldn't stop making things. God is now blessing my new business, Life Style Bags by Sarah. I was only open 2 1/2 weeks and sold 7 bags, bringing in more money in this short period of time than I could have imagined. I continue to pray God's blessing over this new adventure. I love bringing joy to women's lives through the creations God had placed within me. Take a look at my shop, I am adding new things all the time!

I hold on to Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I was packing to go to my parents for two weeks while my husband would be gone on a mission. On this particular date span, my family would be making a sacrifice that breaks my heart, we would be giving up to special days on calendar as a family...my daughter's and husband's birthday. He will be gone for both days. Yes, we celebrated early so daddy could take part, but he had to miss the same two days last year. I am not sure if Giovanna realizes at this age or not, but it still broke my heart.

I don't want the time to fly by and regret not showing my babies the love that they deserve every second of every day. Jesus shows us His love regardless of our behavior. I am sure there are days when He looks down and sees what our behavior is and is in shock. During those times, His love is ever present, not yelling or screaming, but an everlasting love that wraps around us.

I want my babies to know and feel my love for them to that same degree, regardless of what has happened or what discipline may need to be administered. Above anything, they are children and they need to know how important they are and how much they are loved. When have grown, I want them to look back and never have an ounce of doubt that I love them more than anything they can ever imagine.

I am linking with with Jen from Finding Heaven Today, please check out her page, she is a dynamic woman of God.