Beauty from Ashes

"I will give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. I will give them the oil of joy instead of sorrow, and a spirit of praise instead of a spirit of no hope." ~ Isaiah 61:3 (NLV)

Mistakes.  They are a normal part of life, no matter how hard we try to avoid them.  In fact, the harder we try to avoid mistakes, the more they seem to make a grand appearance.  That's what makes us human - despite what our young adult selves wanna think.

However, let's take it a step further ... let's talk about repetitive mistakes. 

When we make mistakes over and over and over again.  Even though we know those mistakes are wrong, but we don't do anything to change.  Or even if we want to change, but we are worried that we've drifted too far from the Lord ... could He take us back?

The past year and half, I have been living life by my own doing ... the way I've wanted to live it.  I never lost sight of my Savior, but I didn't make room for Him in my life, or my heart.  I let corruption, sin, and every bad thing of the world in.  I was in an ungodly relationship.  I noticed that I wasn't myself anymore, and I couldn't get to the old me ... no matter how hard I tried.  I was anxious all the time.  I was worried/scared that I had fallen so far from God, that He wouldn't take me back.

It wasn't until about three weeks ago that I prayed that God would help me get back to Him.  It was during that prayer, that I knew the first step was to end the relationship.  It was during this prayer, that I had my first conversation with God.

"God, I can't do that.  I love him ... and he loves me!"

"Alisha, do you love Me?"

"Of course I love You!"

"If you love Me, then why were you so quick to end your relationship with Me?  I can offer so much more than Casey ever could.  I want to be your First Love.  I have so much in store for you, but I can't give it to you, until you come back to Me!"

"Okay Lord.  Help me end my relationship with him, I can't do this alone.  I want to be Yours and only Yours.  I love You!"

"I love you too!"

And as a God of His Word, He helped me.  My relationship has ended, and to be honest ... I couldn't be happier.

My view of singleness is so dramatically different.  I don't feel burdened to be single once again ... in fact, it's the opposite - I feel honored!  I love not having to put effort into anyone but me!  I'm all God's, only God's, and that's how it will stay!

I feel as if a huge burden has been lifted, and I am so glad that I listened to God!  When He said that He has so much in store, I wasn't expecting this.

I can't wait to spend this time to get to know Alisha and find out what she's made of!!  2018 is gonna be the year I blossom into God's best, and I'm so excited!!

God truly has made beauty from ashes!!

Every Life is Precious

Abortion.

An eight letter word that will change the lives of at least three people.  The father, the mother, and the innocent bundle of blessings growing within the mother.  


We are told in the Bible to "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Gen. 1:28)  With people finding out they are expecting, decide they don't want the responsibility, and abort that precious blessing, they are going against everything our Father above has commanded them!

1. "Thou shalt not kill." (Ex. 20:13)

I have heard others (particularly family members) say, 

"Abortion is not murder!"

... or ...

"What if something terrible happened to you, and you end up getting pregnant before marriage?  Don't tell me you wouldn't consider abortion then?"    

First of all, if it isn't murder, what isn't then?  Now I'm not God, but I'm sure He isn't smiling down on the person who may be having an abortion right now.  In God's eyes (and in mine), abortion is indeed murder!  I don't care how the little BLESSING looks, it is still murder.  I don't care how "humane" you kill the precious BLESSING, it is still murder!  

Secondly, no I wouldn't consider aborting the precious BLESSING that is growing within me, if something that terrible happened to me!  I trust in my Lord to turn any trial or tribulation that comes my way, into something marvelous.  Something that He will use for His glory and His will!

2. "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." (Psalms 127:3-5)  

Many people in our society today don't see children this way anymore!  They think that the children are a burden!  Let me ask you this, 

Do you think God sees each and every person on the face of the earth as a burden?  

Absolutely not!  He sees each and everyone of us as a helpless sinner who have come short of His glory (Rom. 3:23).  He sees each and everyone of us as a precious BLESSING.  Hence why He sent His only begotten Son to die on that cross for our sins (John 3:16).

Now it's time to take how God views us and compare those views to the BLESSINGS that are being murdered today!  The Lord views us as helpless...babies (even those at a 12 week gestation period) are helpless.  The Lord views us as a precious blessing...babies (even those at a 12 week gestation period) are a precious BLESSING.

3. "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Gen. 1:28)

Yes I'm going back to the first verse I stated at the beginning of this verse!  How are we supposed to fulfill this command, if we are murdering the BLESSING growing within the women today?  Many people may say, 

"Well the Lord gave this command to only Adam and Eve!  We don't need to heed that command anymore!"  

Well if that's the case then we don't need to heed the Ten Commandments anymore either!  Being that those were written for the Hebrews that fled out of Egypt!  But that's not how the Word of God works!  We are to obey everything that God tells us in His Word...whether it's:

"Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Lev. 19:18b)

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." (Matt. 28:19)

... or ... 

"Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Gen. 1:28)

Why any parent would choose abortion is beyond me!  Why a doctor, friend, or family member would encourage this awful sin ... I'll let you know when I have an answer to this question?

I know this is a very controversial topic, but I needed to get my voice out there in regards to this topic.

#sistalove

Life with my not so little sis Rhey would be so boring.  I don't know what I would do without her in my life.  She is my no.1 bestie ... my partner in crime ... the friend who has seen me in the best of times, and stood by my side in my darkest of times.

So in honor of our everlasting, ever growing, unbreakable sister/friendship ... here are pictures!!!  (the first three pictures were taken just today)

yes y'all ... my almost 15 year old sista is much taller than her almost 21 year old sister ;P

Rhey + I have started a tradition of going to Sweet Frog Forzen Yogurt ...

... special memories are made every time!

Add caption

How do you invest in your sibling(s) lives?

What traditions have you and your sibling(s) created?

Comment and tell me, from one older sibling to another ;)

Thanksgiving 2015 Recap

For Thanksgiving this year, Daddy's family came to visit!  It was such a wonderful time with family, and I absolutely enjoyed every second of it.  Enjoy these photos - sorry about the poor quality, I took them with my phone.

Are you thankful for your dad?

Memory Verse:

...but bring them up in the nurture

and admonition of the Lord

{Ephesians 6:4b}

Our Father above gave us our earthly daddy for a specific reason. Even though we may not see it or understand it now, the Lord did it for our protection.

• How do you show your dad that you love Him?

• Think back to the last time your dad protected you. Looking back now, are you thankful that he did?

• What other vere(s) can you think of and memorize, that will help you remember that your dad will protect you?

List ten ways your daddy has protected you

*******************************

You are more than welcome to copy this post for your personal use only.  

I wrote all these out on a piece of paper and taped it to the front inside cover of my journal ... so I have a constant reminder of how blessed I am to have an earthly protection :)

In HIS grace, Alisha

January recap + February goals

*Blog more

*Get my hair highlighted

*Learn a new song to sing with Rhey

*Read Isaiah

*Read Proverbs

*Read Psalm 119

*Exercise 4x a week - I wasn't really consistent in this .... buuut i was  a lot better than December =P 

*Take more nature photos - surprisingly I didn't take a whole lot of photos January ... ohh well!

*Blog more

*Journal more

*Read Proverbs

*Read Ezekiel

*Exercise 4x a week

*Learn how to speak Tagalog

*Learn how to play "I'll Fly Away" on the piano

What are some goals that you have for this month?

Until next time!

In HIS grace, Alisha

      xoxoxoxox

My song for the year

I am aaah-maaay-zed at how God is clearly showing me what He wants me to learn this year.  As I was listening to Pandora last week the Collingsworth family came on, and they were singing "I Found it All" .... as I listened to the words of this song, I just started crying!  I couldn't believe the fact that this song relates to me 100%.

I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do and I pray that it speaks to you as much as it speaks to me!

I Found it All by the Collingsworth family

Blessings, Alisha
       xoxoxox

A glimmer of hope

When I was twelve years old, we had a missionary couple come to our church and give a presentation of the work they were doing in Africa.  It was then that I felt God calling me to Africa as a missionary.

Now seven years later, still praying for the moment in which I can set foot on the red soil of the continent to which God has called me, there is a glimmer of hope :)

A year and a half ago, a good friend of mine informed me about a mission organization called Mission Nannys (find out about what it is here).  I went on to the website and saw that this was something that I would really enjoy doing.  So my parents and I started praying about the possibilies coming up.

Now let's jump to the present:

About a week ago, I went on to the website and found an opening (in Africa) that basically described me.  I told Mom about the only downfall that this opening has.  We didn't talk about the position any further, until last night.

Last night I realized that the only downfall in this opening is no longer an issue .... so, I asked mom and dad if they would pray along side me about this opening.

Once I get the "go ahead, we have a peace about this opening" from them, I will be applying for this position :)

Please pray that God will grant my parents the peace that only HE can give (oh and it wouldn't hurt to pray that I'll be able to go lol ;))

In the meantime ... I am trying to earn money, so I will be able to go .... yes, I'm preaparing for rain!

I am selling :

Rustic Elastic Headbands:

<< shipping is $.50 >>

and ....

Framed Inspirational Prints

<< framed inspirational prints are $7 >>

I will keep y'all updated as time goes on, keep a look out for the updates ;)

In HIS grace, Alisha

Let's have a little fun ladies!!

Have y'all been wondering what the certain surprise blog event is?  I have mentioned it about two times (in my last two goals posts).

I have to be honest .... it was hard for me to come up with an exciting + interactive blog event.  I thought about doing giveaways, interviews, guest posts.  Then I thought about forgetting a blog event for New Years and just write a happy New Year post.  Then it hit me ..... there is one blog event I hadn't considered ..........

...... so I'm pleased to announce ......

1.  Everyone that wants to participate must send me the form through the contact me page.  Also, please ask your parents for their permission before you sign up for this event if you are under 18 years old.

2.  When I receive all the entries from the girls that want to participate, then I will post your assigned swap partners for you to shop for. 

3.  Once you know who your partner is, then you can start shopping for her.  You don't have to only shop for your partner, you can sew gifts for her.  Or, you can mix it up through store bought + handmade gifts.

4.  Another fun gesture would be to add a personal touch to your package.  For example: typography on the wrapping, a letter, favorite recipes, tea bags, or anything else that you might want to add.  Please don't add anything that will melt, harm, or ruin your package, though.  Please take in consideration of how you would like to be treated if you were to receive the package.  
  

After each of you receive your package, please send me a picture of it and I'll do a post with all the packages and who received them, etc.  What does that sound like?  =)  (If you don't want your picture published, then just send a picture of your package :)

**The deadline for entering the package swap is January 5, 2015  and the deadline for the packages to be finished is January 19th, 2015. **

So, would you like to participate in my first package swap?  Any questions?  Please just contact me!

Have fun entering and please spread the word about it!  Have a blessed weekend y'all and merry Christmas =)

In HIS grace, Alisha

      xoxoxoxox

Don't get comfortable

I need to admit something.

I have always *ahem* envied those who have stayed in the same church all their life, have lived in the house they were born in, and have even lived in the same state/town in which they were born.

Why do I envy people in those areas?  Because those are areas in which I never had the opportunity to live.  Those people display a certain "comfort" that I have never had .... a certain "comfort" in knowing that their life never really "changed" (please don't get offended ... I will expound on this in a bit).

Two Sunday's ago, we had a missionary to the Phillipines come to our church to speak/preach (I wasn't able to hear his first sermon, due to the fact that I have a role in the upcoming Christmas program).  However Mom shared with me an illustration from his sermon.

In his sermon, he gave an illustration on a frog:

image from Pinterest

Mr. Frog was very content!  He had a lovely puddle with a quite a few bugs.  As he looked around he said "ahhh, I'm never leaving this puddle ... I'm comfortable right where I am!"  That night, a flood came, and Mr. Frog was washed away.  When he woke up, he found himself in a pond, he was startled, but then he started to take in the view. He could see trees (he hadn't seen trees at his puddle), a lot more bugs, and wait what is that ... [gasp] very pretty lady frogs.  As Mr. Frog looked around he said "ahhh, I'm never leaving this pond ... I'm comfortable right where I am!"  That night, a flood came, and Mr. Frog was washed away.  When he woke up, he found himself in a lake, he was startled, but then he started to take in the view.  There was water as far as the eye could see, an abundance of bugs, and a lot of lady frogs.  As he looked around he said "ahhh, I'm never leaving this puddle ... I'm comfortable right where I am!"

The point with this illustration is that, we cannot say "I'm comfortable" because when we're comfortable, we may limit the work God wants us to do.  When Mom told me gave me the illustration and then told me the point I just shared with you, I immediately tried to apply it to my life.

Then it happened .... God burst open my box, and let's just say ... I um ... didn't take it to well!

For the past five months my family and I have been going through a hard time ...... Dad was in the "running" to be preacher at the little mountain church in which we attend (you can read about it here).  Ever since I can remember, Dad has always had the call of ministry (being a preacher) on his heart.  Last Wednesday, it was announced that Dad would not be the preacher .... and to be honest, I was mad!  Not at the church, and not at Daddy .... I was mad at God.  

image from Pinterest

I needed to talk to someone.  I needed encouragement.  I needed someone to talk some sense in to me.  I texted my dear friend Toria ... venting on how mad I was at God for allowing this to happen.  I told her that all I wanted was to finally have a church to call "home" for the next 40+ years.  What she told me, confirmed to me that God was trying to teach me a lesson.

"Ali, but just think at how much you have grown over the past couple years.  Comfort equals complacency.  If you are comfortable, then you won't want to move when God wants you to."

Today, during my morning Bible reading, I was thinking about all of this.  How can I give God all the glory through the current circumstances?  How have these circumstances changed my life?

*I have to remember that through a closed door, God will open a window

*While I still desire for my me and my family to stay in the same church, I can't say "I'm comfortable .. I'm gonna stay right here".  Here's why ... what if in 2015 God calls me into the mission field?  If I'm comfortable, then I won't want to move where God wants me to.

*Through all these circumstances, I have learned/am still learning that while others may have similar beilefs, I can't look down on them when they don't share the same exact beliefs as me.

*Through these circumstances, I have learned that there is a fine line between Law and grace, and if you pass the line either way, you get into a life of legalism.

So .... in order to end this post, I have a question for y'all:

Are you comfortable where God has you right now?  If He were to call you to move to a different place in life, are you too comfortable to move?

Here are three words of advice to you:  don't get comfortable

In HIS grace, Alisha

      xoxoxoxox

Happy 18th birthday Emily!

Emily -
It's hard for me to believe that 10 years ago, we met and began a wonderful friendship!  My how time flies!


I'm so thankful that the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to see you grow into the beautiful Godly young woman you are/and are still becoming.  You have greatly encouraged me in just about every aspect of life ;)  I'm so thankful/blessed to call you friend.


Even though we are 1,552 miles apart .... and even though we don't keep in touch a whole lot.   I love you girl ..... and I'm praying that you have a wonderful 18th year :)


Happy Birthday Emily!

Love your friend,
Ali

Goals, goals, and more goals!

Happy December y'all!  I am amazed at how the month of November flew by!!!!!

Here were my November goals ..... time to recap!!!

November goals recap:

*read "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan - I started reading it ..... and intend to finish it verrry soon ;)

*Finish reading "Sacred Singleness" by Leslie Ludy - I started reading it .... and intend to finish it verrrry soon ;)

*Finish reading "Passion and Purity" by Elisabeth Elliot - hahaha .... I thought I could finish it, but I will be finishing it verrry soon too

*Finish reading - "Will Our Generation Speak" by Grace Mally - yeah ...... I'll be finishing this verrry soon too =P

*exercise 3-4x a week - I did for a while, but then started slacking .... oh well ... there's always this month!

*memorize Scripture - I didn't memorize as much as I wanted to ....... grrr

*Learn how to play "Stand for Truth" written by Rachel Wissmann Busenitz

*Finish reading Psalms

*Finish reading Amos

*Finish reading Proverbs

*Plan a surprise blog event

*blog more

*work out any rough spots in the new schedule I have made for myself

December goals:

*Finish reading "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan

*Finish reading "Sacred Singleness" by Leslie Ludy

*Finish reading "Will Our Generation Speak" by Grace Mally

*Finish the prep for the surprise blog event

*Read Jeremiah

*Read Revelation

*Read Obadiah

*Blog more

*Journal more

*Exercise 4x a week

*Memorize Scripture

I pray y'all have a great night!!!!!!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

    xoxoxoxox

Blessings, puppy love, projects, and sister smiles

I know I know .... what kind of blog title is that, right?  I didn't know what else to title this post ... and the current title entitles everything that this post contains haha.

Blessings:

This morning when I looked out my window ... this is what I saw:

an absolutely beautiful blanket of snow

isn't this a wonderful start to Thanksgiving?

sorry this picture was sooo dark - it's was 7am when I took it {not to mention I took it with my phone}

the view from our kitchen window ..... 

sidenote: I'm not a country girl nor will I ever be one.  I'm what you would call the average small town girl.  However, today was one of the days I could step back and say "Wow I'm glad I live in the country ... it's soooo beautiful in the winter time!!"

Puppy love:

If you haven't read my mom's blog, then allow me to introduce you to Nickerson.  However if you were to visit you would rarely hear him being called "Nickerson".  Around here he affectionatlely goes by the following:

*Nickerbopers

*Nickers-o-muffin

*Nickertocks

*Bopers

 ...... and the list could go on hahah!

Anyway ..... he is our cute little 5 month old Husky/lab (oh yeah - we also call him huskador lol).  We all enjoy him so much .....

 He is quite the poser - oh and yes ... he was on my bed (in fact he is quite fond of being on my bed)

Nickerson is quite the love bug!  He loves being up really close to you, but he loves it even better if he can sit in your lap (no joke).  He also loves to give you kisses, sniff/lick your ears (he loves ears for some reason -  idk why lol).  But do not get down on the floor - once your down at his level ... well I have five words for you:

get . ready . to . be . pounced!

Projects:

Today I finished sewing an infinity scarf :)

Sidenote: you can finish an infinity scarf in less than an hour .... but I ran out of time yesterday =/

I sewed an infinity scarf for Rhey's American Girl doll :)

Yesterday I made about three doll size infinity scarves .... yaaay to getting projects started and finished ;)

Toria has introduced me to a new form of creativity - typography!

I have found that it's the best way to end my morning Bible reading ;)

Do you like typography?

Sister smiles:

Ya know ... the past year or two, Rhey and I have grown so close.  Before I always looked at her as just my little sister.  Nothing more and nothing less.  I always used our age difference (6.5 years) as an excuse.  I was so concerned because I wouldn't be able to tell my kids stories about me and my best friend going out for coffee/tea/hot cocoa, sharing what books we're going thru in our Bibles and what we have learned, going shopping, going out for lunch, etc.  

Then God made me realize that I don't need to be concerned about having a best friend (like Mom had) ... I had Rhey.  The best friend I had been wanting/looking for was who I once shared a room with, still get caught committing "a crime" with (yes ... Rhey and I are partner's in crime haha), who comes up and gives me a big hug .... even when I don't want a hug at that exact moment.

My Lord made me realize that no I wont be able to tell my kids about a best friend like Mom had, instead when my kids ask me what my best friend's name was ... I can say "my best friend is your Aunt Rhey" ... what a testimony/legacy that will be for my kids and for Rhey's kids.

Rhey and I have yet to go out for coffe/hot cocoa (maybe I'll take her so she can try Starbuck's signature hot chocolate ;).  But we have enjoyed shopping together, going out for lunch and dinner, satisfying our cravings for frozen yogurt, and much more.

Okay ..... i'm done rambling haha ... here are the pictures ;)

love this girl!!!!

sister selfie out in the FREEEEZING COLD

Sidenote : this was after we played in the snow with Nickerson ;)

>>What projects have you started/accomplished?

>>Do you enjoy typography?

>>How's do you invest in your sister's life?

I would love to know what your answers to these questions are ;)

Until next time ...... Happy Thanksgiving y'all!!

In HIS grace, Alisha

     xoxoxoxoxox

You don't wanna miss these giveaways!

Hey everyone!  Just wanted to let y'all know about two awesome giveaways!

The first one is over Hannah's blog - the winner will receive three awesome prizes:

The second giveaway is over at Chelsy's blog - the winner will recieve a Lila Rose pearl headband:

So go on over - enter and cross your fingers ..... the winners will be announced on Monday ;)

A sneak peak

I absolutely love when I have the opportunity to take people's pictures ... even if it's in my own family lol ;)

My mom and dad needed someone to take their pictures before they went on a nice date for their 15th anniversary .... so I told them I would snap the few pictures.

Here's a picture from the bunch (the rest will come this Thursday [Lord-willing])!

Then and now!

Okay, you may recall a post on how my dear friend and I met - through Practically Pink's apron swap in October 2009.

This month my dear friend was hosting a package swap that I of course entered (because I just love participating in stuff like that).

Below is a picture of the aporn she made me (and yes ... I still have it and wear it) :)

the apron my dear friend made me in October 2009

About five days after entering package swap she was hosting, I get an email telling me who my partner is.  Lo and behold .... my partner was my dear friend [squeals] .... the package shopping would be a piece of cake on my part (buuut not on her part lol ... )

So today I go to the mailbox and receive her pacakge.  And because I'm not a patient person lol, I hurry home and immediately open it.  I absolutely love everything she bought me ..... buuut I especially love the gift she made me :)

Below is handmade gift from my dear friend:

the pillow case she made me this year (August 2014)

It's hard for me to pick a favorite cuz everything was so lovely, really thoughtout, and just absolutely genuine - not to mention fun, ah-may-zing, and colorful :)  But the pillowcase was just an awesome gift ... one I will cherish forever :)

In HIS grace, Alisha