Victorious Declarations

Two months ago, I wrote an article about the power of words, if you haven't read it - you can find the post here.

Just a few weeks ago, my dear friend sent me something called "Victorious Declarations".  What it is, is a list of Scriptures that you read over yourself.  It helps you refocus your thoughts to the mind of Christ, and to speak godliness over you, your life, your thoughts, etc.

It is amazing!  So amazing, I just had to share it with you all :)
Please feel free to copy this list, print it off, and add other Scriptures to it.  Make it yours!

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~ I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. (Ps. 139:14)

~ I am like a green olive tree planted in the house of God. (Ps. 52:8)

~ My life has been redeemed from destruction and I am crowned with loving kindness and tender mercies. (Ps. 103:4)

~ I am my Beloved's, and His desire is toward me. (Song of Songs 7:10)

~ I have been given the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16)

~ I have been bought with a price, I am not my own, I belong to God. (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

~ I have been made righteous by Jesus who became sin for me, that I may become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor. 5:21)

~ I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ loves in me. (Gal. 2:20)

~ I was chosen by God before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him in love. (Eph. 1:4)

~ I am accepted in the beloved. (Eph. 1:6)

~ I have been made alive together with Jesus. (Eph. 2:5)

~ I have been delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14)

~ I have been made complete in Christ. (Col. 2:10)

~ I am of Abraham's seed in Christ, and an heir according to the promise. (Gal. 3:29)

~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

~ I have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-control. (2 Tim. 1:7)

~ Not by works of righteousness that I have done, but according to His mercy He saved me, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5)

~ I am kept by the power of God through faith for salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet. 1:5)

~ I am a new creation, old things have passed away. (2 Cor. 5:17)

~ I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:18-19)

~ I am hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:3)

~ I am a living stone in God's house. (1 Pet. 2:5)

~ I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)

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What are some Scriptures you like to speak over yourself?

Comment the Scriptures below.  Maybe others would like to add them to the list ;)

You Won't Be Happy ...

I just found out the other night that the internet is not reliable where I'll be.  I may be able to email, but not often.  But to post a blog post - yeah it's not gonna be possible.  So I will be taking a three and a half month blogging break.  But have no fear ... when I come back in September, I will have a ton of pictures to share and stories to post.
So sorry for the disappointment, I wasn't expecting this to happen.

For those of you wanting to keep in touch by email, I should be able to email every now and then.


So for now I say "goodbye, and 'see' ya in September!"
xoxox

The Time Has Come!!!!

With my departure a week and a half away, I think it's time that I let y'all know what my mission blog is lol.  It just dawned on me not too long ago that I had forgotten to share with everyone the link to my mission blog haha.  I apologize about that - my mind has been elsewhere ;p

I will not be updating Alisha In Progress for the next three and a half months.  So if you'd like to keep informed about me, my life, my mission trip, my epic adventures in West Africa, etc., then subscribe to my mission blog!  You will never miss a post - and you can see what I'm up to :)

Hearing The Call

Look forward to keepin' in touch with y'all!!!

Until September ..............

Alisha
xoxoxox

Chris Tomlin's New Music Video

Picture of Chris Tomlin from Pinterest

I have always loved Chris Tomlin's music, so when the opportunity to promote his new video ... haha I may have jumped for joy ;)

<< You can find the video on YouTube

<< You can get the song on iTunes

Ooooh and don't miss the chance to enter into Mr. Tomlin's giveaway ;)




If you are interested in the story behind the song, here it is:

We all have a picture of who we think God is. When we get down to the foundation of what we believe, the truth is that God is exactly who He says He is – a good, good Father.

Do you like Chris Tomlin?

Which of his songs do you like?

What did you think of his new video?

Comment and tell me, I'd love to hear from you ;) 

A Purpose for Random Questions

Who loves random questions?

I sure do!  If you were to ask my family + friends, they would without a doubt agree with you.  I'm constantly asking random questions ... or discussing random thoughts with myself (to this I get the "Oh Alisha" eyeroll LOL).

What if random questions suddenly had a "purpose"?

Oooooh what a day that would be .... to finally ask (or answer) random questions, and there actually be a "purpose".

Well ... what if I told you that random questions well have a "purpose" in April?????

I would like to announce .....

So here's what you have to do in order to make this video happen ;)

You can either email me
If you email me, please include the following information ...

-Your name
Specify in your email if you'd like to remain anonymous or if you wouldn't mind your name being mentioned with your question.

-Your questions
you are more than welcome to send as many questions as you'd like.  Enter whatever questions enter your mind ;)

You can fill out the submission form
If you fill out the form, you'll be limited to only five questions.  You'll still need to specify whether or not you would like your name mentioned or not.

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Submissions for this video end MARCH 31st, 2016
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So there you have it lovelies - who's excited???????

Comment and express your excitement ;)

XOXO

I Dare You Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Victoria!

Being that I already have your address, I will go ahead and contact the Isabella Morganthal.  You should have "I Dare You" soon :)

To my readers:

Keep your eyes out for the following posts:

When We Ice Skate

A room with a view

Dear Little Me

Called to Africa 2016

As I sit here writing this letter, my heart races with excitement and anticipation!!  Why you ask? Allow me to share a bit of history ...

At ten years old, the Lord laid Africa on my heart.  There was nowhere specific, just simply Africa.  But, being so young I simply thought this was God's way of opening my heart to missions, in general.  Therefore, I tried to put it out of my mind.  However, God had other plans!  As much as I tried, I couldn't forget what I had heard that still small voice whispering.  It seemed everywhere I turned Africa would pop up out of nowhere; pastors, missionary stories/articles, friends, movies, music. Everywhere I turned, I was being shown AFRICA.

I knew missions was something God was calling me to, but wasn't sure exactly what it would look like.  Last year, a mission organization called “Mission Nanny's” was placed in my path.  Thinking this was something God wanted me to pursue, I looked into it, excited to see there were positions open in Africa.  However, after much consideration and personal testimonies, I prayerfully decided this is not where God was leading.
    
Now, at the age of almost 21, thinking I had made a wrong turn or heard God wrong or missed an open door or something … God decided it was to time to reveal His perfect plan :)  God has placed in my path a godly couple who are missionaries to Ghana, West Africa, ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to orphans and widows.  God has opened a unique opportunity, through Jim & Caroline Driscoll, (apart of Every Child Ministries), for me to go serve along side them.  After talking with the couple myself, I knew right away that I was supposed to go – now to only convince my parents.  However, God works in mighty ways, He already had verified this call to my parents. When they confirmed what I was already feeling, I was overwhelmed to the point of tears.

My plan is (Lord-willing) to go to Biriwa, Ghana, West Africa for three months; June - August, 2016. My goals I hope to achieve from this trip are:

:: to grow in the knowledge and likeness of my Savior
:: fulfilling God's call in my life
:: sharing with the orphans the transforming power of the one and only True God
:: showing the orphans the unconditional love of a complete stranger
(I will be staying at the orphanage for about two weeks)
:: ministering to the teen girls caught within an immoral generational curse
...and so much more that is still yet to be determined (by Him)!

I truly stand in awe at how my Lord is putting all the little things together, without my help.  From the immutable conviction in purity woven into my heart at the age of nine, a burden on my heart for these immoral generational curses, all the way down to my family giving stateside orphans a home. Without my help, God has put everything together so perfectly and equipping me for even climate and bugs (read Luke 10:19 for the bugs).  God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called and He has called me.  I can't explain the peace/excitement/joy/anticipation I am feeling right now!  Who would have thought the someone He would choose would be ME?

I am very excited to heed this calling in which God has placed in my life, and cannot wait to see what He does.

If you would like to support me financially, you can donate here:
Called to Africa 2016

If you would like to keep up with the trip, you can follow along here:
Hearing the Call

Time to Share - part 1

2016 is proving to be kind of a busy, some-what hectic, exciting year for this family of four!

Sadly {for the time being} I can only share part of the hectic excitement with y'all - so enjoy the following two pictures!

Our new church home:

God has provided us with a wonderful little church to go worship Him in every Sunday!  The pastor is incredible, the preaching is beyond phenomenal, and the warmth makes you feel - well it makes  you feel like you're at home :)

God has opened the door for me to be church pianist!  I love it :D

the congregation January 3, 2016

The pastor:
Pastor Dan is a wonderful man of God - you can definitely tell that he loves the Lord just by the way he lives his life!

Pastor Dan

If any of you live in the Shenandoah Valley and are looking for a wonderful conservative, somewhat charismatic, non-denominational church to visit - then check out this website:

Church On the Way

I pray that y'all have a wonderful and blessed day!

>> Stay tuned for "Engagement" this Thursday <<

Stay Tuned For A Mini-Series

I'm sure some of you laughed when you read what the mini-series will be about.  That's fine, you can laugh, but I think it's extremely important for single girls to form their views of love before they have a man win their heart.

In this four part series I will be talking about the following:

guy/girl friendships

courtship

engagement

marriage

This mini-series will begin December 24, 2015 and will end January 14, 2016.

So join me, as  you hear what a single girl's views are in regards relationships.

What are you most looking forward to in regards to this mini-series?

I would love to hear from you :)

Get Ready To Have Some Fun!!

"Would you like an adventure now,

or shall we have our tea first?" - Peter Pan

And the winner is ...

Lauren - congratulations on winning this beautiful wristlet clutch!!!!!!!!

If you will contact me as soon as possible, I'll get you in touch with the shop owner :)


T O   E V E R Y O N E   E L S E  :

Stay tuned for a VBS recap post + a Friday night fellowship postAnd 

In HIS grace, Alisha

I need YOUR photos!

At nine years old, the Lord called my parents into the mission field – and that mission field was foster care. For 11 years now, orphans have a special place in my heart – a place I didn't know existed! Sadly our family is no longer doing foster care, due to changing seasons of life! However, that doesn't change the fact that I want to help out fatherless children – in some shape, way, or form.

Which leads me to the point of this post!

Do you remember the photography contest announcement that I made??

I would love to use the winning photos in a 2016 calendar – and all proceeds from selling the calendars will be going to Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman's ministry Show Hope!

The ending date will be October 7^th, 2015 – I want to have the calendars done and ready to be sold by December 1^st (they will make perfect Christmas gifts!).

What is Show Hope??

Here is the bio from the website:

“ Show Hope™ is a movement to care for orphans, restoring the hope of a family to orphans in distress around the world. Founded by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth, this nonprofit organization is helping to make a difference for the millions of orphans and waiting children around the world. Primarily they do this through Adoption Aid financial grants that help give orphans families and Special Care Centers in China that help orphans with special needs. Through programs like their Advocates, Student Initiatives, and Sponsorship, they are truly mobilizing a movement of individuals and communities who show hope to children in need. When the Chapman’s adopted their daughter Shaohannah Hope in 2000 from China, they desperately wanted to do something about the millions of waiting children who still needed loving families. In February 2003, they started the organization Shaohannah’s Hope, now called Show Hope, as an official 501c3. Show Hope’s mission is to engage the church to care for orphans and reduce the barriers to adoption. Since its inception, Show Hope has helped provide forever homes through Adoption Aid grants for more than 5,000 orphans from 53+ countries, including the U.S. In addition, more than 2,000 orphans with special needs have received critically needed medical care through Show Hope’s Special Care Centers.”

With this photography contest, there will be 12 winning photos – and they will be judged according to :

- composition

- lighting

- individuality

- *does it tell a story?

*the story behind the photos should be mission mindedness

Each participant is only allowed to submit one photo!

If you wish to be a part of this exciting project or have any questions, please email me at:

pureprincess95 (AT ) gmail ( DOT ) com

In HIS grace, Alisha

Being Mission Minded << giveaway - Sweet Pea Totes wristlet clutch >>

I am so thankful that Mary agreed to do a giveaway for the blog party this year :)

The lucky winner will receive beautifully made wristlet clutch from Sweet Pea Totes!

So ... what are you waiting for???

Here's how to enter to win :

- comment telling how you minister to your siblings (1 entry)

- post about this giveaway on your blog and email me the link (2 entries)

- post this on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and email me the link (2 entries)

- share this on Google+ and email me the link (2 entries)

- sign my guestbook [ if you haven't already done so] (3 entries)

- follow my blog [ if you haven't already done so] (4 entries)

- follow Mary's shop  (4 entries)

- like Mary's shop (4 entries)

- purchase something from Sweet Pea Totes (20 entries)

The winner of this giveaway will be announced Thursday, August 13th, 2015!!

And the winner is ...

Toria - congratulations on winning this beautiful leather Bible!!!!!!!!

Being that I already have your address, I will try to get this out to you as soon as I possibly can :)


T O   E V E R Y O N E   E L S E  :

Stay tuned for a giveaway + a review!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

Coming soon!

Image from Pinterest

This new series will give you a fun / somewhat crazy glimpse into my life - a small-town girl gone farm girl.

Some things to expect are :

* farm life photography

* recipes

* tips on farm life

                       ... and much more!

So stay tuned :)

In HIS grace, Alisha

And the winner is ...

Ashley - congratulations on winning these beautiful divider pages!!!!

I will do my best to send these out as soon as possible - please email me with your address :)


T O   E V E R Y O N E   E L S E  :

Stay tuned for a guest post and a review!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

Being Mission Minded << Giveaway - Rustic Journals KJV Compact Bible >>

I am so thankful that Susan Reinsma agreed to do a giveaway for the blog party this year :)

The lucky winner will receive beautiful cowhide leather KJV Compact Bible from Rustic Journals!

So ... what are you waiting for???

Here's how to enter to win :

- comment telling what YOUR life verse is , YOUR favorite book of the Bible is (1 entry)

- comment telling how long you've been saved (1 entry)

- post about this giveaway on your blog and email me the link (2 entries)

- post this on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and email me the link (2 entries)

- share this on Google+ and email me the link (2 entries)

- sign my guestbook [ if you haven't already done so] (3 entries)

- follow my blog [ if you haven't already done so] (4 entries)

- follow Mrs. Reinsma's shop  (4 entries)

- like Mrs. Reinsma's shop (4 entries)

The winner of this giveaway will be announced Tuesday, August 4th, 2015!!

And the winner is ......

Rosi - congratulations on winning this incredible book!!!!!!!!

I will get you in contact with Sarah Bryant right away :)


T O   E V E R Y O N E   E L S E  :

Stay tuned for a guest post, a giveaway, and a recipe!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

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