I Tried Making It Pleasing to You Lord!

As I was looking through some of some old papers the other day, I came across a "short story" I wrote five years ago (while I was supposed to be doing school).  I thought I'd share it with you ... so enjoy :)

Hey how's it going?  My name is Stephen, I'm an 18 year old Senior in high school.  Looking back on the way I lived my life a year ago, makes me sing praises to God for saving me.  Allow me to share my story with you.

I had it all going my way...all the way to my girlfriend, down to the car I drove.  However, I lived in a broken family, my dad dumped my mom back in '07.  He dumped my mom because she was a devout Bible believing woman after God's own heart. I used to love living at my dad's house 'cause I could get away with anything!  He was always out late at night with a new girlfriend, spending time with his buddies at the local bar and so forth.

I dropped out of school in '08 and got an apartment of my own, my dad could honestly care less if I was living with him or not.  As for my mom, well like all other devout Christians, she was constantly praying for me and Dad.  Now for the exciting part...the day that changed my life forever!

One afternoon as I was hanging out at my place, I received the most bizarre phone call ever, that went something like this:

"Hello."

"Hello Stephen, how are you?"

"I'm sorry you don't sound like any of my friends, do I know You?"

"Not like you should."

"What's Your name, and what can I do for You?"

"I have many names, today I am Friend.  I was wondering if I could come over to your house this afternoon and talk with you?"

"Yeah sure...see You in an hour?"

"An hour sounds wonderful to Me.  Goodbye Stephen."

"Goodbye."

Told you it was bizarre! He never outwardly said that He was Jesus, but I just knew deep down that He was Jesus.  My house was not all that pleasing, and I had a bunch of cleaning to do.

First I started by deleting all of my Internet history, then by throwing away all my posters, and finally having K-Love on as the only preset that I listen to.

Finally He arrived!  When I answered the door and invited Him in, I could tell that He wasn't pleased with what He saw.  

"Stephen who's baby is that?"  He asked as He was looking at a picture.  

"Oh you mean that cute little girl, she's my...my daughter.  Her name is Jocelyn, she's about 12 days old."

"I see, if you're already committed to one young lady, then why did you have to delete your Internet history?"

"Well...I wanted to make that area pleasing to You."

"Hmm I see...I'm also noticing all the defrauding posters in your trash.  How would Janessa feel if she knew that you owned those?"

"Awful Lord, but I tried to make this area pleasing to You."

"I'm also realizing you have K-Love as your only radio preset.  Son, unless you pick up your cross and follow Me (Matthew 6:24) and repent, you cannot live with me in victory."

"Lord, I'm sorry for all the sinful things I've done in my life.  Please forgive me and dwell in my!  Thank You for saving me."

"Go and sin no more, your sins have been forgiven.  Now let's do some clean up!"

I cannot describe the joy I've felt since that day.  My girlfriend Janessa has come to the Lord and is now my beautiful wife.  Dad too has devoted himself to Christ, and is now a missionary in Germany with Mom by his side (and yes they too are now married).  About school, I still don't have a high school diploma, but I'm currently working toward my GED.  Since I have a family to take care of, I can't go to school & work, and still spend time with my girls.  God is truly amazing and will change your life if you let him!

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

Choose Joy || free printable

I love when blogs have printables!!  So I thought "hey, I'll do one myself too!"

So, hope you all enjoy this printable .... I know it isn't much, but hey - I'm just starting out ;)

What printable would you like to see next month?

Comment and let me know, that's the only way I can improve ;)

Get Ready To Have Some Fun!!

"Would you like an adventure now,

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

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

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