Welder Cake

The inspiration:Jimmy’s welding machine

The cake:

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

More details and pictures to come…

Have a great weekend!!

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For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17

Made To Crave

I recently read a really, really good book that I wanted to share with everyone. Made To Crave for Young Women: Satisfying Your Deepest Desires with God

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Basically, the book makes the point that we crave things each day. We want to be happy, so we look to things that bring momentary happiness. There’s nothing wrong with wanting certain things, but God didn’t create us to rely on those things for happiness.

He made us to crave Him and the happiness that a relationship with God brings lasts forever.

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The book explores three kinds of cravings:
1. Emotional – seeking attention from people (mainly boys) instead of seeking God
2. Physical – over- or under-eating for comfort or control
3. Material – wanting new things to feel good

Another point that the book makes is:

-We crave what we consume. If we consume and focus on our material, physical, and emotional cravings, we will always struggle with them. If we “consume” God (spending time in prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, etc.), we will begin to crave Him and feel fully satisfied.

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The bottom line of the book is:

As humans, we crave happiness…

-No matter how many clothing items you have, how much you do or don’t eat, or how many boyfriends you have, it will never be enough and these earthly things will never make you truly happy. They may make you feel good for a short amount of time, but only God can fully and 100% satisfy you.

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I highly recommend this book!!

Currently Reading

A Love That Multiplies – By Michelle & Jim Bob Duggar

My who family is in love with the TLC show 19 Kids & Counting (and the Duggar family itself!) so naturally I had to read their book. I’m not even halfway through it, but I’m really enjoying it! If I could describe the book in one word it would be inspiring.

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Have you read any good books lately?

Lovely weekend

I think the word lovely perfectly describes my weekend.

Highlights of the weekend:

• Friday: Going to Kennywood with Jimmy. It was Hannah’s school picnic day and since I was still her guardian for the week, I got to go! I had a blast and actually rode a new roller coaster. Best of all? I got to have some delicious watermelon and stayed till the park closed.
• Saturday: My parents came home from their anniversary trip! I also washed my truck and went out to dinner with my family + Hannah’s friend.
• Sunday: Going to church and hearing some awesome sermons, enjoying lunch made on the grill, and planting my garden.

Lovely weekend pictures:

Friday — KennywoodSaturday — Washing vehiclesSunday — Church & gardening

I don’t have a lot of pictures from Sunday… just one of Jimmy’s little brother :)*

I had such a nice weekend! I feel so blessed, as per usual. This week I am teaching four Spinning classes and my mom is having foot surgery on Thursday so I’ll be taking care of her and the house.

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Bible verse of the day:

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

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What did you do this weekend?!

Wordless

Just some random pictures from my life lately…

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Bible verse of the day:
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10

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I’m going to Kennywood today!

What are you doing this weekend?

Recent Eats

Here they are:Strawberries, chips & salsa

General Tso’s and rice

Pancake mix + chocolate chips means….

Chocolate chip pancakes!

Bob Evans pot roast sandwich, beef soup, and salad. And a soy latte.

Spaghetti + meatballs

Spaghetti + meatballs again. I love angel hair pasta. I really love spaghetti sauce.

Fried chicken

Pasta salad

Corn meal crusted tuna cakes

Flowers? Lily loves flowers.

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That’s all I’ve got! Plus some scripture I’m loving.

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What’s the best thing you’ve ate lately?

Appreciation

I’m currently blogging from the great outdoors. I can’t tell you how good it feels to be sitting outside just chillaxin’ on my back porch!That’s my extra happy face… with absolutely no makeup on.

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Now onto the point of this post:

Tomorrow is my parent’s 25th wedding anniversary. They are currently celebrating in the Florida Keys. They left on Sunday and I talked to them today–they’re having a ton of fun.

I’m home with Hannah. And four needy pets.

Things that happened this week (so far) that make me appreciate my parents:

• Our golden lab had diarrhea all over our basement. I almost puked cleaning it and then I realized I didn’t want to clean puke and diarrhea. Little did I know that I would be cleaning puke within a few hours.
• Our cat puked twice. Once in the kitchen and once in the hallway.
• The same cat peed on a bathroom rug. 
• I found a bug in my bed. I laid down and felt a tickle on my elbow… turns out it was a bug. 
• The fire alarm started going off because the battery died.
• Hannah forgot her math book so she couldn’t figure out her homework and I know nothing about math. 
• The “Check Engine” light in my truck appeared.

I know it probably sounds like I either make my pets really sick or I’m complaining. I’m not complaining (and I really hope I don’t make my pets sick!).

 

I have always known that my parents deal with all of the aforementioned issues but I never really appreciated/understood everything they do until I had to do it all at once by myself.

 

So mom and dad, if you’re reading this… I haven’t burned the house down yet! I just wanted to say thanks for everything you do for me. Happy anniversary, I love you!