In no particular order, here are the 8 things I learned this Winter......
1. There is a lot of really bad stuff in the food we eat!! Unfortunately, I have had a lot of digestive related issues over the past few years. I was diagnosed with Celiac's Disease in 2009, so I have been gluten free since then. However, for the past year or two I have still been having issues and I just got fed up with the doctors trying to mask the problems by giving me prescription medication. A person I worked with, told me to see a Nutritionist who does Nutrition Response Testing and for the past 7 weeks that is what I have been doing I am about half way through the program and while I don't feel 100%, I feel way better than I did before. I have learned so much about food and how your body works when you eat certain foods. What is also neat is that everyone's body tolerates foods differently. I am learning that I can't eat soy, corn, or too much sugar, or my body feels like crap.
2. Starting my day off with prayer and time in the Word has really changed the way my days go. I didn't always used to have my quiet time in the morning and what I came to realize was, that if I didn't do it first thing in the morning, most of the time, I didn't do it at all. I've also been noticing a difference in my mood and my attitude towards others. I am more joyful and positive when I start my day off with Him. I chose JOY as my word for 2017 and it is so true that, you experience much more joy when you put Him first in your life.
3. It doesn't have to be the start of a new year for you to start over. You can hit the reset button whenever you want. Each day is a new day and we are not promised tomorrow. That is His gift to us and it is so freeing to know that if we come to Him as we are, He will meet us wherever and we can start fresh in that moment. I will writing more about this area of life in a 4 part series that will start next week. Be sure to check back in so you don't miss it!
4. How to give my 'best yes'. I started the book, The Best Yes awhile ago but I never finished it. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to finally pick it back up. I am sure there are plenty of you out there who are like me, and have a hard time saying 'no'. This book is for you too. Lysa offers so many great tools and suggestions on how to go through the process of accepting an invitation/request from others. She talks about the power of a small no and how it can actually be good for you and your family to say 'no' more often. Especially if it is not a best yes assignment from God. Go order the book and don't delay reading it like I did!
5. I really love a good a book. With that being said, it takes me forever to get through just one book. Every year I say I want to get through at least one book a month, but it ends up only being like three books a year. That means it's taking me four months to get through just one book. It's not that I don't like to read at all, I just wish I had more time. I am trying to be better at reading before bed instead of watching tv, but let's be honest, how can I watch just one episode of Parenthood??!! In all seriousness though, I am learning not to put a number or a time limit on things, because when reality doesn't line up with my expectations, I become disappointed. Be sure to check out my must read favorites in the book list tab.
6. How important it is for my son to know Jesus. This World seems to be falling apart more and more every day. It breaks my heart sometimes to think that this is what my son has to grow up with. However, I am so thankful for what he is being taught in school. He is only 3 right now and he attends 2 days a week, at preschool/kindergarten program that is run by our church. He comes home singing songs about Jesus and Bible verses that he has memorized. It makes my heart so happy!! I love watching him grow and learn each and every day. My goal is for him to know how much God loves him and will always be with him. I pray that this foundation he is given now, will stay solid and be built upon as he grows older.
"When we are dealing with difficult relationships or impossible circumstances we must trust our God and trust the mustard seed of faith we hold that God still resurrects even the most desperate situations. His process may be long and painful, but His plans are perfect."
What an awesome reminder this is. Anytime I start to fear or worry about stuff, I read this passage and let it sink in and I am filled with unexplainable peace knowing that He is in control.
8. There are lots of awesome communities on Instagram! Back in November I took a leap of faith and messaged a few ladies that I admire on Instagram. Other than the photos I see on their feeds, I knew nothing about them. Well, that was the best thing I could have ever done!! Not only did they respond, but the responded with open arms and since then my Instagram experience has been so different. I tried so hard before, to gain new followers, but I just wasn't tapping into the right audience. Once I started to engage with these women who shared the same passions as I do, everything changed. I have been joining in on fun hashtags and giveaways and I am meeting new people in this community every day. I have not only gained lots of new followers, but I have gained friends. This community of decorators really care about what I post. They are interested in what I have to share and I love that I have finally found a community where I belong!
Top Row Left to Right:
Stacey @farmhousechic4sure
Carla @myfarmynest
Laara @rusticmeadowslane
Middle Row:
Photos from my feed @the.erin.elizabeth
Bottom Row Left to Right:
Holly @hollys.hobby
Cindi @themustardseed205
Alyssa @cottonpickinacres
Be sure to stop by all of their Instagram feeds. They are some very talented women!!
I hope that you all have an amazing season of Spring! I know I am looking forward to it. I'll see you back here in three months for the next edition of 'What I Learned This Season'!
Many Blessings,
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