The 2nd annual blog party

Brainstorming. I just love it … don't you?! It's the time where your creative juices start to flow, and you come up with all these great ideas … but then you get concerned because you aren't really good at multitasking … or wonder, will that really work! The only time however that I utterly despise brainstorming, is when I'm trying to sleep (especially when I have planned to get up early the next morning – trying to get on a schedule)! Apparently, my mind and I think differently (no pun intended there haha).

Alisha, are you going to do a whole post on brainstorming – the pros and cons to brainstorming, how brainstorming can affect your health, or brainstorming 101?

Eh … not really … however, brainstorming can affect your health. Oh yes … it can cause lack of sleep, which innately affects your health … just FYI :P

So as I was … * wait for it * … brainstorming ideas on how to kick off my blogs 3^rd anniversary (oh … yes there was a lack of sleep) … I finally decided on what I was going to do ;)

[drum roll please] …............................

photo credit : Pinterest

Being Mission Minded blogoversary party! [enter confetti, noise makers, applause, hoots and hollers, balloons]

This party will last from July 13, 2015 – August 14, 2015 ….... with many fun and exciting events!

The categories for this party are:

:: Your Time to Speak << How do you wish to be influence those around you? In what ways do you take advantage of in investing in your current mission field? >> – ten openings

:: Capturing the moments photo contest << Do you like photography? Send in your photos … who knows … your photo could be the lucky winner! >> - ten openings

:: Our Crowning Glory << have any hairstyles you enjoy doing? Then submit a tutorial >> – ten openings

:: What's Cookin' << What recipes do you love to make? >> – ten openings

:: Christian Author's Unite << Do you like writing? Then submit your story >> - ten openings

:: Her Style Fashion Post << Do you love wearing modest clothing? We have two categories for the fashion show - “Totally Me” is the everyday casual that you prefer to wear. “Time to get dressy” is what you wear to special outings, church, etc. >> - ten openings

Memories - what will you do with yours?

photo from Pinterest

Old photographs.  Certain music.  Old friends.  Certain books. 

All of these have one thing in common - memories ... no matter what has happened  - good or bad!

I'm the type of person that loves looking through old photographs.  Why?  I can look back on the good memories that I've forgotten about.

I'm the type of person that loves watching home movies.  Why?  Because I can relive those good memories over + over again.

I'm the type of person that loves listening to certain songs.  Why?  I do it for the good memories that I'm taken back to.

I'm the type of person that loves catching up with old friends + laughing at all the good memories we had once made.

But every once in a while, it seems like my mind takes the path of "revenge" and "haunts" me with the horrible memories.

If you would have asked me a month ago what I do when these bad memories come, I would have told you that I don't dwell on them + that I think about something else.  But now - they seem to never go away ... causing me to lose sight of the victory I have through Him.

Memories that involve:
*my weight
*my piano playing
*the way I act around people
*my beliefs

But there's always that one set of memories that will always affect me (in some shape, way, or form).

>> Will I choose to allow defeat in my life?

or ....

>> Will I choose to have victory?

Yes this set of memories will always affect me - I can't change that.  What I can change is, how I choose to handle the affects.

>> Will I forgive and move on?

or ...

>> Will I hold a grudge and remain stuck on these memories?

I plan on taking the course of forgiving + moving on.

Will it be easy?  Ha no!  

Will I still be affected?  Sadly yes (to some degree).

Will I feel better?  Maybe

Through Christ we have the victory to overcome - no matter what we face!

Will you overcome?

In HIS grace, Alisha

He is our strength & song

T R U S T   M E  and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and Song.  Do not let fear dissipate your energy.  Instead, invest your energy in trusting Me and singing My Song.  The battle for control of your mind is fierce, and years of worry have made you vulnerable to the enemy.  Therefore, you need to be vigilant in guarding your thoughts.  Do not despise this weakness in yourself since I am using it to draw you closer to Me.  Your constant need for Me creates an intimacy that is well worth all the effort.  You are not alone in this struggle for your mind.  My Spirit living within you is ever ready to help in this striving.  Ask Him to control your mind; He will bless you with Life and Peace.

I S A I A H  12 : 2 -  R O M A N S   8 : 6 

This was taken from Sarah Young's Jesus Calling

Five Things You Don't Know About Me

I'm loud
If you know me personally, can I hear an “amen” lol =P  I've always been loud … we don't know why, but I just am.  Oh the unexplainable in life … isn't it amazing ;)

I'm insecure
My problem with being insecure has gotten some what better … some what.  I can't tell you why I'm insecure, or when it started, all I can say is this … another unexplainable in life.

I care what others think about me
I long to be liked by people … always have, always will.  I've always been the one who longs to have at least one friend, and when they (for one reason or another) don't seem to “like” me, I immediately start thinking that I did something wrong / said something wrong / it's my weight / and the list can go on.

I procrastinate terribly
Can I come up with an explanation for this one later? =P

I am a Southern gospel music lover
I think I'm the only one in our family who can listen to it non-stop haha.  The rest of my family … well … they can only take so much of it haha.  #praiseGodforPandora hahaha

what are five things that no one knows about you?

In  H I S  grace, Alisha