Do The Hard Things

If you follow me on Instagram you will know that in my stories I keep posting about doing the hard things in life. My friend gave me a bracelet a year ago and on it says "do the hard things" and I've been wearing it and really thinking about what it means in life.

Here are two main areas that I have applied it to in my life (and want to keep applying) and hopefully it will encourage you too to keep going even when you don't want to.

Fitness - I love fitness! I run, swim, do crossfit and try to stay active. However, that does not come naturally for me. It's a choice I have to make every single time I workout.  Even today, the last thing I wanted to do was workout but I knew I'd be glad once I went. And I did and I feel so much better.

This past February, Crossfit hosted what they call the 'Open'. Basically, anyone worldwide can sign up to be in it. They release one workout a week and you compete worldwide. There are two variations to the workout but that's it. You couldn't scale everything down to make it easy. And you know what? That was the best thing for me! One of the workouts had pull-ups in it and I think my goal was to get 4-5 and I got TWENTY FOUR! I was shocked. And you know what? It made me realize I am stronger than I give myself credit for and that I can really push myself.

So many times when I feel burned out or just want to be lazy and do nothing I tell my self to 'do the hard things' and push through.

Bible Reading & Prayer - Do you realize how many distractions there are in life to take away from reading the Bible and praying? A million! I almost feel bad writing this because reading my Bible and praying shouldn't be a hard thing but disciplining myself to do it is a hard thing. They always say if the Devil can't make you sin he will make you busy. And boy, is that the truth. I'm still not where I want to be with this but I often think that if I can spend time on fitness I can spend the same time reading my Bible and praying.

I think our spiritual life is a lot like fitness in the fact that you don't always feel like doing the right thing but once you do, the payoff is worth it. Time with Jesus is the best way we can spend our time.

I don't know what the hard thing in life for you is right now. Maybe it's chasing your toddler, potty training, work, working at your marriage or just doing the daily life things. But whatever it is, I challenge you to dig in and do the hard thing. It will be worth it.

A Photography Project - From Bulb to Flower

Someone suggested once I should do a photography project of photographing my garden every day until it blooms. I didn't capture it every day but I did take lots of photos from bulb to flower.

There's something really fun about planting those bulbs in the fall. You know winter is coming but you also know those bulbs will be deep in the ground getting a good freeze in order to produce beautiful spring blooms for your garden. I love going in the garden in winter and seeing pokes of green coming up from the garden. I love seeing things grow and I really love when the flowers blooms. A garden is therapeutic.

I also feel like there are so man spiritual lessons about my walk with God I can learn from gardening. The ugly bulbs we plant have so much potential. I think that is how people are sometimes. We see them as 'ugly bulbs' but God sees potential. Apart from Christ we were all those ugly bulbs.

I'm reminded that cold hard seasons are needed in order for beauty to grow.

I'm reminded that God is an amazing Creator. The way He set up nature amazes me.

I'm reminded, that just like a flower, our lives are so short.

But most of all I'm reminded that God delights in me and He delights in His creation.

Here ae some photos from bulb to flower. Hope you enjoy.

 

Do you have a garden? If so, what do you grow in it? What's your favorite Spring flower?

Winning The Lost for Jesus

I have the following written in the front of my Bible: "There are two things that will last forever: The Word of God and the souls of men." 

And friends, those two things are so so true. My thoughts are kind of all over the place with this post so bare with me, ok?

When we were in Burma (and also when I lived in Korea) it was so easy to tell people about Jesus. Kids who had never heard the name of Jesus soaked up stories about Him and learned at a young age to love Him. Basically, time and time again it was easy to share Christ there. Then, I moved home. And you guys, America is a whole different kind of mission field but let me tell you, America needs Jesus!

One of my biggest fears was to live in America and to lose sight of the real fact that people in Wichita, KS need Jesus. I began to pray that God would give me a real burden for the lost in this town and I can tell you that God indeed is doing that work in my heart, and I praise Him for it.

Some thoughts on the Election, The Gospel & Why I'm Voting

If you are anything like me I am sure you're stomach is in knots about the election.

It isn't just so much the election but the state that our nation is in. To come to a point where Trump or Clinton are our two main choices really are a reflection of where much of America is today. That saddens my heart.

I have had a lot of mixed emotions about this election. I've also had a post of '5 reasons why I'm voting' but after seeing and reading so many things, that got tossed to the curb. I do still plan on sharing why I am voting, though.

I don't really know how to properly get to the point of this post but to just say what has been on my heart. The thing that has resonated with me the most is what an opportune time us Christians have. I can't think of a better election where both candidates are so horrible that the best thing I can tell people is to look to one man: Jesus. That doesn't mean we don't vote. It doesn't mean we sit idly by and do nothing to fight for what is right but seriously, think how grim this season of our nation is and how beautiful the gospel is in the midst of this.

Jesus didn't talk horribly about women in a bathroom. He openly forgave a women caught in the act of adultery.

Jesus wasn't for murdering little children in the womb. He said, 'let the little children come unto me."

Jesus never hid an e-mail but He plainly gave us His truth in the Bible. He is Truth.

Jesus never promised us one thing and left us wondering if He'd actually follow through. He followed through - all the way to the cross, until it was finished and then He rose again.

Jesus probably never faked baked either but I don't have a Biblical analogy for that one. ;)

But what I'm getting at is this - we as Christians have a really big chance to rise to the occasion and to share the hope of Christ with people. Is this not a great opportunity to tell people that the best Kingdom is the one to come and that by repenting of their sins and trusting in Jesus they can be a part of that?

So my challenge to you, if you are a born again Christian, is this: pray that God would open doors for you to share the gospel during this season. And that probably won't happen over an argumentative post on FB either, just a friendly reminder to me and you. It will probably happen one-on-one as you love people and share Christ with them.

Also, please don't think I'm advocating the position of "I'm not voting because I am a Christian." I'm absolutely not. I think we as Christians have a great privilege where we can elect people. And to all my Christian friends who say they just can't vote for Trump or Clinton so they aren't voting at all- why not study the ballot and vote for local people and positions?

Here is why I'm voting this year:

Freedom to share the Gospel

I want to vote for people who will protect religious freedom. Do you know how privileged we are to able to walk into church and hear the gospel without wondering if we will be arrested? I want to protect that so that we can continue to share the gospel with as many people as we can. Also think that if you aren't able to share from the pulpit that sin is sin, how can people ever know that they need a Saviour?

Life Matters

For some reason God has brought abortion to the forefront of my heart lately. Our nation is in deep trouble for this sin and I know God is grieved. I will be voting for people who are pro-life. The thought of voting for someone who is okay with ripping body parts off of a tiny innocent human and smashing their brains in with scissors doesn't sit well with me.

Judges

The next President will appoint at least 1, if not more, Supreme Court Judges. I'm not a huge fan of Trump but the judges he has selected are pro-life. The last debate I heard, Clinton did indeed say she wanted to appoint judges that were pro-choice (pro-murder) and who we pro-gay marriage. Both of those things are wrong and putting judges in place that are for that, will greatly affect not only me and you, but our grandchildren.

Military

I'm so thankful for the military who served for me to be able to vote. People literally have died so I could freely walk into a voting place and cast my ballot. I also have a brother and sister-in-law who have sacrificed time together as well as seeing their children so I can have freedom to vote. My brother has missed 2 out of 4 of his son's birthdays so I could vote. I really appreciate that! So thanks L & A.

Freedom

After living in Burma I can't tell you how thankful I am for my freedom! Americans have it really really great and for all those boo-hooers who just think it's awful, I guarantee you someone in Burma would gladly change places with you. Voting is such a privilege and I'm so glad I have freedom to do that. I'm voting because I'm free!


Here are a few resources for you:

- If you are in Kansas and haven't registered to vote it's super easy! You can do it on-line right here. The deadline to vote is Tuesday, October 18th! If you aren't in Kansas just google 'how to vote in whatever state you are in'.

- To see the full ballots for both National and State in Kansas just go to this web address and type in your address and it will pull it up.

- This website has a list of what both Hillary and Trump stand for.


I want to encourage and remind both you and me to pray. Bathe this election in prayer. Pray for our country. The Bible in 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, " If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." That is a call to us Christians and if we want to see change, it will come from our humble prayers that touch the heart of God. 

Lastly,  come back tomorrow because I'll have a post completely different than this - it's all about coffee =)

Let's be More like Matthias

Who is Matthias? 

I didn't know about hime either until a couple of weeks ago but I really like this guy. He is written about in the books of Acts. 

Let me give you some background information: 

Matthias comes into the picture because Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, had committed suicide. Jesus at this point was in heaven and the disciples were looking to fill Judas' spot. The Bible says they searched for someone who had been with them from the time Jesus was baptized by John until the day He went to heaven. 

Did you ever think that it wasn't just Jesus and the 12 disciples? It was a team of people. Helpers. The unnoticed ones. But seriously, who do you think cooked for all 13 men? It couldn't have been the disciples because they always seemed to have some type of something / drama going on. It had to be this team of people that went along side Jesus and the disciples.  

You know who was on that team of people who went around where Jesus went? 

Matthias. He was there. 

You don't read in the book of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John what a faithful accompaniment he was. You don't read that he served. You don't read that he left whatever life he had to follow Jesus. 

But you know what? God saw. 

Acts 2:24, 26 says, "And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen....and the lot fell upon Matthias." 

God saw Matthias. More importantly than Matthias, God saw his heart. He saw His faithfulness and God honored that. He became an apostle. 

And that spoke to my heart. I can fill my life with so many things and can seek the approval of so many people but the one thing that matters most is that I'm faithful to God because He sees.

So at the end of the day I want to encourage both me and you to be faithful to God. It doesn't matter if men see. It doesn't matter if you are honored like you think you should. Just be faithful to serving Christ and God will reward you in due time. 

Happy Friday, friends! What are your weekend plans? Had you ever heard about Matthias before?

His Understanding is Infinite - A word of Hope for Hard Times

A few months ago in Bible study we were discussing things (I can't remember exactly what now) and one of my friends shared something that has stuck with me for the last several months.

She first off read us Psalm 147:5 - "Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite." She told us about a time when someone in her family died and many people kept sending her Psalm 147:3, where it talks about God binding up our wounds and healing the broken and hearted, but she said she kept on reading and that this verse about God's understanding being infinite really spoke to her. She said that it meant a lot because every person reacted and felt differently during this hard time. She also said that she took great comfort in the fact that God knew exactly how each person felt and could help them right where they were at.

She made a really good point that I hope to practice. She said said she tries to never say, "I know how you are feeling," because often we can't truly know exactly how someone feels but we can point them to the One who has infinite understanding about their situation.

I think God just knew I needed that truth and it has resonated with me for these past few months. Lately, I've been pondering that entire verse and realized how good of a verse it is to remember as I go through hard times. The first part emphasizes that God is great. It actually says Lord, which reminds me that He is in control of my situations. Also, wouldn't that just help us in any trial if we could just remember that one truth? The Lord is great. He is greater than our problems, greater than any trouble we could face, HE IS Great! 

Not only is God great but He is of great power. He has power to change the sinners heart. He has power to help you on your hard days. He has power to move in our day to day situations. He has the power. 

Lastly, His understanding is infinite. He knows!!! He knows exactly what I'm going through and He knows exactly what you are going through. It's comforting to know that someone knows me really really well!  

So wherever you are today I hope you will be reminded that The Lord is great, He is powerful and His understanding about us and our situations is infinite. 

What verse do you cling to during hard times? 
Who can you share this verse with today to encourage them?

Speaking The Hard Truths into Other People's Lives

How often do we speak hard truths into other people's lives? It's easy to tell people that God loves them, and He does. It is easy to tell them that He comforts in time of need and many other really important truths. But how often do we, in a loving way, tell our family and friends who aren't Christians that God has a law and they have broken it?

When Dave and I were traveling the west coast this past winter I stayed in the car one day to read my Bible while he went hiking. I read this verse "Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient." 1 Timothy 1:9

For some reason God just really convicted me that I don't really tell unsaved people that they are law breakers, and the law, is for them. The law isn't for those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus as Savior but for those who need to.

It's by the law that others can learn their great need for salvation.

To be honest, it's uncomfortable to tell people that. But here is the thing: how can they know how much they need a Savior if they don't realize, not only that they broke God's law, but that they deserve eternal punishment in hell for it? That's a hard thing to think about isn't it? But it's true.

Our family, our friends and people we come in contact with day to day, that don't know The Lord, need to be hearing these truths. It's by truth that people come to know Christ.

Why do I write all this? To encourage myself and to encourage you to tell others.

I also want to remind myself and you that sharing something like this must be done in a lot of prayer and be done very tactful and loving. The Bible says a brother offended is harder to win than a strong city so I don't recommend just casually telling someone they broke God's law and are going to burn forever. Ask The Holy Spirit to help you know the words to say, who to share this with and when to share. He will help you.



What do you think about this truth? 
Is this something you share or have shared with others? 
If you aren't a Christian has anyone ever taken the time to explain this to you? 

Daily Prayer Topics + What I've Learned This Past Year About Prayer

Each year in January I share on my blog about a simple method I feel God gave me called 'Daily Prayer Topics'.  I'm by no means an expert and I always feel like my prayer life can improve but I do feel like this method has really helped my prayer life over the past two years. Also this past year God gave me two, simple but profound things, connected to prayer and I wanted to share that with you as well.  

Two Things I Learned

The first thing I learned came from a four book series called The Secret of the Rose. I think the first book is the best and I highly recommend it. The books are historical fiction that are set during WWII. These books spoke to my heart because the main character is a rose gardener and a farmer and he talks so much about God as a Gardener and a loving Father. It really presented God in a different light for me and somehow that worked its way into my prayer life. It helped me view God as a tender Father who is intricately involved in every detail of my life. 

Secondly, my friend Pam talked about prayer during a devotional once and she said she sometimes likes to imagine herself sitting right by God talking to Him. She also said that prayer is sometimes like a little child sitting on a Dad's lap talking. I honestly can't see myself as a child sitting on God's lap but the truth of God being a gentle Dad that is present with me and who will listen to me resonated deeply in my heart. I started praying imagining that I was right next to God and it is helping change my attitude towards prayer. So many times when I pray I feel like God is far away and that I'm "checking off the list" by praying but when I stop and realize that God is present with me and that I can really talk to Him and share what is on my heart my heart it's changed my attitude of how I talk with God. 

This is a bonus but I've tried to sprinkle more gratitude into my prayers. I'm super blessed and to not thank God for that would be wrong. Also, when you talk with a friend how annoying would it be if they said hi and then asked you for 10 favors. Being grateful also reminds me of God's provision and faithfulness and it builds my faith. 

Daily Prayer Topics

What are daily prayer topics? It's just what they sound like, a topic of prayer for each day of the week. Each day has a little rhyme or a quirky way to help me remember the topic for the day. 

Underneath each day I have a list of people who I pray for. Some friends have asked me to pray for specific things so next to their name I'll jot down a word or two to help me remember to pray specifically for what they asked for.  

Another thing I really found helpful was to put these in a note in my iPhone. I always have my phone with me so if I am in a taxi, on a plane or some place quiet I can open that list up and pray right away. You could also put it in a notebook that you always have on you or put the list in your Bible. It's good to have it handy. 

Missionary Mondays - A day to pray for our missionary friends around the world. Serving abroad I can't tell you enough how important prayer is. If you pray for your friends on this day why not shoot them an e-mail letting them know. I guarantee they would appreciate it.

Tuesday - Just the Two of Us - A day to pray over our marriage. A day to pray individually for Dave and I, for our walks with God and for Him to grow our marriage. If you aren't married maybe this could be a day for you to pray about you and your relationship with God or for your future spouse. 

Wednesday - Our Weird Woved Ones - I know, it's super cheesy but it helps me remember. and no, I don't think my family is full of weirdos. This is a day to thank God for our wonderful families and to lift them up in prayer.

Thankful Thursdays - So many times we ask ask ask and we really need to stop and thank God for all He has done. This day is set aside just for that.

Friday Friend Day - A day to pray for all of my friends.

Salvation Saturdays - A day to thank God for saving us and to ask Him to save those we know that still need salvation.

Savior Sundays - A day to pray and thank God for who He is and to focus on Him and His goodness. 

I don't know how often you pray or your method but I do know that God loves you and He loves me and He loves to hear from us. Prayer and reading God's Word are the two primary ways He speaks to us and I hope that this next year will be one where you have sweet fellowship with The Lord.

Lastly, if you have something you want prayed for please e-mail me. I really do mean it when I say I will pray for you and I have several other blog friends on that list already: if you need prayer I'm happy to pray for you.

What helps you pray consistently?
Do you have a set routine or what works best for you?

Some thoughts about Peace

I've been thinking about the word peace a lot lately. This past year I went through the Fruits of the Spirit twice and peace is one of those fruits.

Living in Asia Dave and I have come into contact with people from all different kinds of backgrounds and various religions and the theme in all of them, either spoken verbally to us, or demonstrated through their actions has been a huge longing and desire to find that deep inner peace.

We've seen people bowing with their head to the ground at pagodas in Myanmar. We watched a Hindu girl go up 217 stairs on her knees as an act of service. We have heard people try to explain to us how they pray to the universe and how they meditate so they can have inner peace. We've walked amongst the Muslims whose theme claims to be a religion of peace.

As I heard and saw over and over the plea for peace God began bringing verses and verses to my mind. They all had the word peace in them.

Ephesians 2:14 - For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. 

Do you know what freedom there is in that verse? I don't have to do anything because He did it all! Jesus Himself is my peace. That big wall between God and I because of my sin? Jesus broke that down. He nailed it to His cross. He paid my debt.

I don't ever have to be good enough because He is good enough. I don't have to do works because He did the ultimate work on the cross. My debt is paid and I am free.

Jesus also came to give us peace.

 John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Jesus didn't come and purchase our pardon and then leave us. He left us with The Holy Spirit and He left us with peace. Peace also doesn't mean the absence of troubles, because troubles surely will come, but peace is the presence of Jesus Christ Himself. 

That is what I'm banking my life on. It isn't my good works, because trust me, my flesh is rotten. I'm banking my life on Christ and that alone gives me peace in this life. 

So I don't know where you are at in life, maybe you are seeking peace by doing good. Maybe you are overwhelmed and your plate is just full to the max. Maybe a family member is really sick. Maybe you have anxiety. Maybe your heart is broken. I know that a lot of my blog readers have a lot going on: big life decisions, daycare, stress, broken hearts and just the demands from day to day life. But remember that through your situation Jesus is your peace and He himself goes with you. He loves you and He cares about all the details. 

Lastly, I want to address one more little thing. So many of you have been so kind in asking what Dave and I are doing next. I so so so feel loved that you care to ask so thank you! I'm kind of amused too that so many people just don't know what to say when we reply with "we don't know what we are doing next" or they are kind of surprised. 

But here is the thing: God has led us every step of the way and I am 100% sure 100 times over that He has our next chapter written, planned and every detail is covered. I think about my life in the past - how when Bible school was so hard I had to quit and felt like the biggest failure, had no idea what to do and then someone came to me and said, "I have a job for you." That "I have a job for you" turned out to be a group home for pregnant teenagers. When that chapter closed I worked at the YMCA where I met some dear friends including the person I'd go to Korea with. God led me to the Hyatt where I learned organizational skills that have been a life saver this past year. When my life go so busy and I knew I needed to make a big change God opened the door for me to go to Korea. When I never thought I'd get married He sent me Dave. When I didn't think I could make it in small town Oklahoma God let me babysit Isaac. When we didn't have housing in Myanmar God arranged it. So basically, when I look back at my life there is no way I'm giving myself room to doubt. God is too great for that. 

Does it mean the road will always be easy? No! I know I need to keep praying for faith and I need to keep praying that I'll be gracious and not cranky through the big upcoming life changes but deep deep in my heart God has just given me a peace and He has this covered! I don't claim the peace because by nature I'm a big planner so I know with no doubts that this peace is from Him. 

So you and I will both get to go together along this next chapter and journey and see what He has written. 

How are you doing friend?

Is Jesus your Peace? 

On Friendship: Having A Core Group

This post has been drafted in my heads for probably two months now and when Kiki and Sarah shared that this month's theme for The Circle Linkup was how you take care of yourself I knew I finally had to put my thoughts into writing.

If you are stopping by the blog today first off, welcome! Secondly, my husband and I are about to finish up a year long in Myanmar (Burma). We teach at a Christian school targeting Buddhist children and my husband also runs a medical clinic at school. This post is a little heart to heart about how friendships have been vital for me this year while living in a 3rd world country. 

Before we moved to Myanmar I somehow got in touch with a blogger who sent me an article about having a 'core group'. Sadly, I don't remember that sweet blogger's name nor can I find the article but I do remember what it said and apparently The Lord knew I needed it this year.

The article talked about how when you move abroad you need a core support group back at home. It talked about having friends that you can really open up with and share how you are really doing abroad. One thing I thought was really good was that the article spoke about having a friend who knew you and your spouse really well. It talked about how sometimes people who have known you as a married couple before marriage, during the dating stage and the current stage are good supporters because they can help give you some well-rounded marriage advice. It isn't that people in the country you currently live in can't offer godly wisdom but they haven't known you for the past 10+ years. Your friends from waaaaay back when know all the history and can help see the overall bigger picture.

Living abroad in Myanmar this year has been good but I'll be honest and tell you it hasn't all been good. It has also been down right super hard. We are far away from everything familiar and had to jump into life here and try to figure it all out. It's a 3rd world country and everything logic of how a country should run is done the opposite here. I don't say that to complain or be mean it is just how it is.

Also, this is the first place I have lived where I don't have at least one of my closest long term friends around and that has been a new, sometimes hard, thing for me. Yes, I have friends here and I'm so thankful for them. Yes, I have Dave and our marriage is stronger than it ever has been but sometimes you just need one of your girlfriends to say "OH MY WORD! A ROOOOACCCCH!" and have them scream right there with you.

So, how did I make it this year? I'll tell you! I got my core group and stayed connected. Now, technology here is absolutely backwards too so Skype isn't a thing but I'll tell you the two tools I use to stay in touch - voxer (an app that works like a walkie talkie) and FB Messenger. Funny, right?

I'm telling you what though - I firmly believe God gave me those tools because He knew I would need them. I talk to my core group about 3 -5 times a week. I usually listen to their messages in the morning and then respond on my walk to school. It really blesses my heart to wake up and see that I have messages to listen to from friends. We share anything from normal life to telling them I'm having a super hard time here and needing prayer, to telling them that Dave and I need prayer, etc. etc.

So today I'm going to share who my core group is because it is a variety of people. Also, if my core group is reading this I want them to know how much I love and appreciate them. 

*side note - I'm not listing all my family on here...that's another post coming*

Steph & Holly - These are my 2 sisters. We vox a lot and share everything sisters could ever share.

Shenel - I've known Shenel since I was 15. Her husband Jeremy and Dave have been friends since they were practically babies. Shenel is my go to person if I need prayer about marriage. She is also understanding but extremely sarcastic and somehow that makes our friendship really fun.

Alisha - Alisha and I lived abroad in Korea together so she understands life abroad. She usually gets the message of "A roach is near me!" ha ha! We also share prayer requests and we even help each other stay accountable to memorize verses.

Kirsten - We are work spouses from the Hyatt. Kirsten is my runner friend and has a fun sense of humor. More than that though she always takes the time to really ask me how I am and sometimes I just need that.

Elicia - Elicia is my newest friend but we hit it off right away. We met through blogging and have only actually met once in real life. However, we both live in a 3rd world country, are married and are somewhat emotional twins so we stay in touch a lot. 

Those ladies right there are my core! I'm so so thankful for them and I love that God gave me a variety of friends. 

I share all that about friendship for two reasons. First - be that kind of friend to someone! The Bible says you are more blessed by giving than receiving and giving of yourself in the form of friendship is a true gift. 

Secondly, I encourage you to find a group of friends that could be your core group.  I'm so grateful for my core group of friends, it brings tears to my eyes thinking how blessed I am and I hope to be that kind of friend to them. 

Do you have a group of core friends? 

If you have any other questions about this for me please feel free to comment or e-mail me. 

__________________________________ 

Lastly, if you want to join in the linkup and meet some amazing ladies just click on the button below. 

Here Below - Giveaway

Friends! Today I am so excited to introduce you to a lovely company called Here Below. 

Here Below designs beautiful and super comfortable Christian t-shirts. Their goal is to inspire a life of authenticity, adventure and grace. More than that though their aim is to share the gospel. I can attest that through collaborating with them they live that statement out. Even through this collab they have encouraged me in my walk with Christ and to be more intentional with the gospel. 

Partnering with companies who love Christ and promote the gospel is something I'm really thankful I get to do through blogging. 

I have to let you in on two things: 

First off, Here Below's name is a reference from the Doxology. Do you know it? 

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly host.

Praise, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

Amen. 

Secondly, I must admit to you that for many years I did not like that song. Not because it isn't a good song (it is). You see, I attended a Christian school for 2 years and I had a really really hard time there. And guess what we sang every day at chapel? The doxology! So whenever I heard that song those memories came to mind. 

But God is good you guys and He has a way of redeeming things and turning them around. 

Fast forward a few years down the road and I got married. And my husband Dave likes to sing at home and what did he start singing? The Doxology. Then one night before dinner he said "let's sing The Doxology together before we pray." (I know, it's probably weird to sing randomly before prayer but we do it anyways.) And now about twice a week we bust out that song, and I like it, a lot. 

I share that story to tell you that God has a way of redeeming and healing past hurts. He has done it through salvation and he has done it over and over in my Christian walk. When Seth, from Here Below, asked me what shirts I'd like that is the big reason I picked the 'beauty from ashes' shirt because that slogan is me. Christ has taken the ashes of my life and turned them into something beautiful that only He could do!

I must tell you about the shirts themselves! They are beautiful and super super comfortable. I traveled Thailand and Myanmar in them and they definitely passed the test! Here Below was helpful in making sure I had the correct size so if you have any questions be sure to ask them. 

You do know Christmas is right around the corner too, right? These would make wonderful gifts! 

Today Here Below and I are partnering together to give you a shirt of your choice and I'll be sending you a fun souvenir from Myanmar. I'm actually going to let the winner pick what souvenir they would like and they will get an e-mail from me with a few different options. 

The good news is that this giveaway is open internationally! Wahoo!

If you have more questions just let me know.

Here Below - Website | Instagram

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