I am complete in Him
A new look at Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd —– That’s Relationship!
I have all that I need —– That’s Provision!
He lets me rest in green meadows —–That’s Comfort!
He leads me beside peaceful streams —–That’s Refreshment!
He renews my strength —–That’s Restoration!
He guides me along right paths —–That’s Direction!
Bringing honor to his name —– That’s Meaning!
Even when I walk through the darkest valley —– That’s Testing!
I will not be afraid —– That’s Protection!
For you are close beside me —– That’s Faithfulness!
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me —– That’s Training!
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies —– That’s Security!
You honor me by anointing my head with oil —– That’s Sanctification!
My cup overflows with blessings —– That’s Abundance!
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life —– That’s Hope!
and I will live in the house of the Lord —– That’s Promise!
Forever —– That’s Eternity!
Featured Ministry: Intentional Living
Have you ever noticed how many people nowadays either don’t have a driving purpose and passion in life, or they just choose not to do anything with them? Are you maybe one of those people who keeps putting off change, just wants to get by and waits for the nagging of the Spirit to pass?
Do you feel you have ambition, direction and purpose in your days? If not, man, you’re really missing out on all that God has for you. He loves you and He cares about you more than you can ever imagine! Getting by is not good enough to Him. Settling for less is NOT what He had in mind for you. He has amazing plans for your life!
Have you ever heard of the Intentional Living Center? It’s one of my favorite ministries (they do radio programs, conferences, DVDs, books, etc.), dedicated to make a difference in the lives of many by helping them live a life that God intended for them.
Intentional Living challenges people to live every day with meaning, purpose and great passion. As Ephesians 5:10 says, “Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.” (The Message)
When you live a purpose-driven, intentional life, you can experience the best God has for you. A good balance of intentional thinking, feeling and doing will result in an extraordinary life filled with peace, passion and progress.
It’s so great to see/hear the amazing ways God is using this ministry to draw people closer to Him, heal broken relationships and help them get their finances in order. There are lots of awesome resources on their website, like biblical principles on how to become Intentional Women and Intentional Parents, as well as a challenge for doing Intentional Acts of Kindness. Check it out!
You can also watch motivational videos of intentional life stories here, or listen to some of their past radio programs here.
I pray that you’ll be freed, molded and changed as a result.
Stop Praying Wimpy Prayers!
Why don’t we/I pray for bigger, I mean truly BIG things more often? After all, we are sons and daughters of the Living King!
This morning I read an excellent writing about praying big and praying bold from Lies Young Women Believe. Definitely worth sharing!
“What’s on your prayer list? Go ahead. Write it out in the comment box below (really).
Don’t be mad at me, but your list looks a little, um … wimpy. You’re probably praying for things like your sick grandma or your friend who’s mad at you or the name of the college God wants you to attend.
Don’t freak out. I don’t have a giant satellite honed in on your computer. I can’t read your mind. But I’m fairly confident that your prayers are wimpy because my prayers are wimpy too. In fact most of the young women I know are praying wimpy prayers.
I’m not saying that your sick grandma shouldn’t get well or that the rifts in your friendship aren’t of interest to God or that it doesn’t matter what college you attend. Those things matter a great deal, and it’s great to ask God for those things. In fact, He says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6).
God cares about even the most minor of circumstances. But He teaches us to move beyond the small stuff when we pray.
When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, He told them to pray for God’s kingdom to come. In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked God to show him God’s glory. In Ephesians 1:19, Paul asked for the exceeding greatness of God’s power. These are big prayers!
Big prayers aren’t just reserved for the superheroes of our faith. In Mark 11:24, Jesus said, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Whatever you ask!
If you believe this promise, why would you stick to wimpy prayers? If you believed that God was truly moved by your prayers, why would read through your church’s prayer list halfheartedly or offer up a feeble "help me through this day" when you could be asking for God’s kingdom or His glory or His power?
And there’s more.
We’re not just encouraged to ask for big things, we are encouraged to ask with great boldness.
Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
With confidence! God’s Word encourages us to ask big prayers with certainty. There’s no room in that equation for wimpy prayers.
Is there something huge that you’ve been too timid to pray for? Ask Him! Ditch the wimpy prayers and confidently approach our humongous God! I can’t wait to hear how He responds”
“For nothing is impossible with God." Lk 1:37
“Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.” Psalm 2:8
My Heart Christ’s Home
My Heart Christ’s Home
by Robert Boyd Munger
“…One evening I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. What an entrance He made! It was not a spectacular, emotional thing, but very real. It was at the very center of my life. He came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness, and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship. I have never regretted opening the door to Christ and I never will – not into eternity!
…After Christ entered my heart and in the joy of this new relationship I said to Him, "Lord, I want this heart of mine to be Yours. I want to have You settle down here and be perfectly at home. Everything I have belongs to You. Let me show You around and introduce you to the various features of the home that you may be more comfortable and that we may have fuller fellowship together." He was very glad to come, of course, and happier still to be given a place in the heart.
The Library
The first room was the study – the library. Let us call it the study of the mind. Now in my home this room of the mind is a very small room with very thick walls. But it is an important room. In a sense, it the control room of the house. He entered with me and looked around at the books in the bookcase, the magazines upon the table, the pictures on the walls. As I followed His gaze I became uncomfortable. Strangely enough, I had not felt badly about this before, but now that He was there looking at these things I was embarrassed. There were some books were there that His eyes were too pure to behold. There was a lot of trash and literature on the table that a Christian had no business reading, and as for the pictures on the walls – the imaginations and thoughts of the mind – these were shameful. I turned to Him and said, "Master, I know that this room needs a radical alteration. Will You help me make it what it ought to be? – to bring every thought into captivity to you?" "Surely!" He said. "Gladly will I help you. First of all, take all the things that you are reading and looking at which are not helpful, pure, good and true, and throw them out! Now put on the empty shelves the books of the Bible. Fill the library with Scriptures and meditate on then day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but here is an aid" He gave me a full-size portrait of Himself. "Hang this centrally," He said, "on the wall of the mind." I did, and I have discovered through the years that when my thoughts are centered upon Christ Himself, His purity and power cause impure thoughts to back away. So He has helped me to bring my thoughts into captivity. May I suggest to you if you have difficulty with this little room of the mind, that you bring Christ in there. Pack it full with the Word of God, meditate upon it and keep before it the immediate presence of the Lord Jesus.
The Dining Room
From the study we went into the dining room, the room of appetites and desires. Now this was a very large room. I spent a good deal of time in the dining room and much effort in satisfying my wants. I said to Him, "This is a favorite room. I am quite sure You will be pleased with what we serve." He seated Himself at the table with me and asked, "What is on the menu for dinner?" Well," I said, "my favorite dishes: money, academic degrees and stocks, with newspaper articles of fame and fortune as side dishes." These were the things I liked – worldly fare. I suppose there was nothing radically wrong in any particular item, but it was not the food that should satisfy the life of a real Christian. When the food was placed before Him, He said nothing about it. However, I observed that He did not eat it, and I said to Him, somewhat disturbed, "Master, don’t You care for this food? What is the trouble?" He answered, "I have meat to eat that you do not know of. My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me." He looked at me again and said, "If you want food that really satisfies you, seek the will of the Father, not your own pleasures, not your own desires, and not your own satisfaction. Seek to please Me and that food will satisfy you." And there at the table He gave me a taste of doing God’s will. What a flavor! There is no food like it in all the world. It alone satisfies. Everything else is dissatisfying in the end. Now if Christ is in your heart, and I trust He is, what kind of food are you serving Him and what kind of food are you eating yourself? Are you living for the lust of the flesh and the pride of life – selfishly? Or are you choosing God’s will for your meat and drink?
The Living Room
We walked next into the living room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere. He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together." Well, naturally as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn’t think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes with Christ in intimate companionship. He promised, "I will be here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together." So morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room and He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase. He would open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths. He would make my heart warm as He revealed His love and His grace He had toward me. These were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the living room the "withdrawing room." It was a period when we had our quiet time together. But, little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened. Why, I’m don’t know, but I thought I was just too busy to spend time with Christ. This was not intentional, you understand; it just happened that way. Finally, not only was the time shortened, but I began to miss a day now and then. It was examination time at the university. Then it was some other urgent emergency. I would miss it two days in a row and often more. I remember one morning when I was in a hurry, rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way. As I passed the living room, the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, "He was my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as Lord of my home. And yet here I am neglecting Him." I turned and went in. With downcast glance, I said, "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?" "Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you." Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithfulness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me as He does when we are truly repentant. "The trouble with you is this: you have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to me also. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost. I value your fellowship. Now," He said, "do not neglect this hour if only for my sake. Whatever else may be your desire, remember I want your fellowship!" You know, the truth that Christ desires my companionship, that He loves me, wants me to be with Him, wants to be with me and waits for me, has done more to transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don’t let Christ wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find some time when, with your Bible and in prayer, you may be together with Him.
The Workroom
Before long, He asked, "Do you have a workroom in your home?" Down in the basement of the home of my heart I had a workbench and some equipment, but I was not doing much with it. Once in a while I would play around with a few little gadgets, but I wasn’t producing anything substantial or worthwhile. I led Him down there. He looked over the workbench and what little talents and skills I had. He said, "This is quite well furnished. What are you producing with your life for the Kingdom of God?" He looked at one or two little toys that I had thrown together on the bench and held one up to me. "Are these little toys all that you are doing for others in your Christian life?" "Well," I said, "Lord, that is the best I can do. I know it isn’t much, and I really want to do more, but after all, I have no skill or strength to do more." "Would you like to do better?" He asked. "Certainly," I replied. "All right. Let me have your hands. Now relax in me and let my Spirit work through you. I know that you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Holy Spirit is the Master-Worker, and if He controls your hands and your heart, He will work through you." And so, stepping around behind me and putting His great, strong hands over mine, controlling the tools with His skilled fingers He began to work through me. There’s much more that I must still learn and I am very far from satisfied with the product that is being turned out, but I do know that whatever has been produced for God has been through His strong hand and through the power of His Spirit in me. Do not become discouraged because you cannot do much for God. Your ability is not the fundamental condition. It is He who is controlling your fingers and upon whom you are relying. Give your talents and gifts to God and He will do things with them that will surprise you.
The Rec Room
I remember the time He asked me about the playroom. I was hoping He would not ask about that. There were certain associations and friendships, activities and amusements that I wanted to keep for myself. I did not think Christ would enjoy them or approve of them, so I evaded the question. But there came an evening when I was on my way out with some of my friends, and as I was about to cross the threshold, He stopped me with a glance and asked, "Are you going out?" I replied, "Yes." "Good," He said, "I would like to go with you." "Oh," I answered rather awkwardly. "I don’t think, Lord Jesus, that You would really want to go with us. Let’s go out tomorrow night. Tomorrow night we will go to prayer meeting, but tonight I have another appointment." He said. "That’s alright. Only I thought that when I came into your home, we were going to do everything together, to be close companions. I just want you to know that I am willing to go with you." "Well," I said, "we will go someplace together tomorrow night." That evening I spent some miserable hours. I felt wretched. What kind of a friend was I to Jesus when I was deliberately leaving Him out of my associations, doing things and going places that I knew very well He would not enjoy? When I returned that evening, there was a light in His room, and I went up to talk it over with Him. I said, "Lord, I have learned my lesson. I can’t have a good time without You. From now on we will do everything together." Then we went down into the playroom of the house and He transformed it. He brought into life real joy, real happiness, real satisfaction, new friends, new excitement, new joys. Laughter and music have been ringing through the house ever since.
The Hall Closet
There is just one more matter that I might share with you. One day I found Him waiting for me at the door. An arresting look was in His eye. As I entered, He said to me, "There is a peculiar odor in the house. There is something dead around here. It’s upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet." As soon as He said this, I knew what He was talking about. Yes, there was a small closet up there on the landing, just a few feet square, and in that closet, behind lock and key, I had one or two little personal things that I did not want anyone to know about and certainly I did not want Christ to see them. I knew they were dead and rotting things left over from the old life. And yet I loved them, and I wanted them so for myself that I was afraid to admit they were there. Reluctantly, I went up with Him, and as we mounted the stairs the odor became stronger and stronger. He pointed at the door. "It’s in there! Some dead thing!" I was angry. That’s the only way I can put it. I had given Him access to the library, the dining room, the living room, the workroom, the playroom, and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet. I said to myself, "This is too much. I am not going to give Him the key." "Well," He said, reading my thoughts, "if you think I’m going to stay up here on the second floor with this odor, you are mistaken. I will take my bed out on the back porch. I’m certainly not going to put up with that." Then I saw Him start down the stairs. When you have come to know and love Christ, the worst thing that can happen is to sense His fellowship retreating from you. I had to surrender. "I’ll give You the key," I said sadly, "but You’ll have to open the closet and clean it out. I don’t have the strength to do it." "I know," He said. "I know you don’t. Just give me the key. Just authorize me to take care of that closet and I will." So with trembling fingers I passed the key to Him. He took it from my hand, walked over to the door, opened it, entered it, took out all the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away. Then He cleaned the closet and painted it, fixed it up, doing it all in a moment’s time. Oh, what victory and release to have that dead thing out of my life!
Transferring the Title
Then a thought came to me. I said to myself, "I have been trying to keep this heart of mine clear for Christ. I start on one room and no sooner have I cleaned that then another room is dirty. I begin on the second room and the first room becomes dusty again. I am so tired and weary trying to maintain a clean heart and an obedient life. I am just not up to it!" So I ventured a question: "Lord, is there any chance that You would take over the responsibility of the whole house and operate it for me and with me just as You did that closet? Would You take the responsibility to keep my heart what it ought to be and my life where it ought to be?" I could see His face light up as He replied, "Certainly, that is what I came to do. You cannot be a victorious Christian in your own strength. That is impossible. Let me do it through you and for you. That is the way. But," He added slowly, "I am not owner of this house. I am just a guest. I have no authority to proceed, since the property is not mine." I saw it in a minute and dropping to my knees, I said, "Lord, You have been a guest and I have been the host. From now on I am going to be the servant. You are going to be the owner and Master and Lord." Running as fast as I could to the strongbox, I took out the title deed to the house describing its assets and liabilities, location and situation and condition. I eagerly signed it over to belong to Him alone for time and eternity. "Here," I said. "Here it is, all that I am and have forever. Now You run the house. I’ll just remain with You as a servant and friend." He took my life that day and I can give you my word, there is no better way to live the Christian life. He knows how to keep it in shape and deep peace settles down on the soul. May Christ settle down and be at home in your heart as Lord of all!”
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Challenge for today
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
How you think determines what you become!
Contentment
“True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” 1Tim.6:6
The Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier
I asked God for strength that I might achieve.
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Phil.4:11
God said NO
I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said "NO"
He said it was not for him to take away
But for me to give up.
I asked God to make my
handicapped child whole,
And God said "NO"
He said her spirit is whole
Her body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said "NO".
He said that patience is a byproduct
of tribulation,
It isn’t granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said "No"
He said He gives blessings,
Happiness is up to me.
I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said "NO"
He said, "Suffering draws you apart
from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow
And God said "No"
He said I must grow on my own,
But he will prune me to make me fruitful.
I asked God to help me love others
As much as He loves me,
And God said, "Ah, finally you
have the idea."
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Mt.6:34
Food for the soul
It was a tough, long week, and but I’ve been so encouraged and rejuvenated by the lyrics of this song.
So I really wanted to share it with all of you out there who are experiencing difficult times right now. Just know that you are in my prayers.
And think: What if the trials of this life are really His mercies in disguise?
…That sure opens up a new perspective on things, no?
The Lord is good. All the time!!!!!!
May you have a very blessed Sunday, Friend.
✿ Reka
Blessings by Laura Story
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we’d have faith to believe
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It’s not our home
‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
“But this precious treasure — this light and power that now shine within us — is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies.
So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” 2Cor 4:7-10
He did it for YOU!
My all-time favorite passage from the Bible is Isaiah 53, because it defines who I am, what/who I live for and where I’m headed. Because of Christ.
My prayer for you today (and every day) is that: “may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.” (Ephesians 3:18)
“There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected — a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!
But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins — that he was suffering their punishment?
He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied.
And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners…”
"No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18
I was made to love you ♪ ♫ ♬ ♪ ♫ ♬
I drive 20 minutes to work every day, and 20 minutes back. Oh man. So bo-riiing. It’s really not my cup of tea!! 
BUT. Turn on some awesome Christian music, crank up the volume way, waaaay high, and suddenly it’s a totally different story. Part-ay tiiiime! All of a sudden it really doesn’t matter anymore how many red lights I hit or who cuts me off. I just lift my hands (Don’t worry, only one at a time!) up high, and sing as loud as I can!!! Soooooo uplifting. Have you tried it before? You got to! You really do! Well yeah, of course other drivers will look at your weird, but who cares?! 
Having true joy from the Lord is so rare nowadays. But it’s honestly the BEST feeling in the whole world!! You can take my word for it. ♪ ♫ ♬ ♪ ♫ ♬
This morning on my way to work I happened to hear one of my favorite songs on the radio: Made to love by Toby Mac. Do you know it? Oh, it’s soooooo incredibly awesome!!!! You have to listen to it! I love the rhythm and the words especially. I love it so much that I was singing it the whole day, over and over again!! Even now I’m humming it. It’s crazy. What can I say? I grew up in a musician family.
“I was made to love You, I was made to find You, I was made just for You, Made to adore You, I was made to love, And be loved by You!
You were here before me, You were waiting on me, And You said you’d keep me, Never would You leave me, I was made to love, and be loved by You…♪ ♫ ♬
Click here if you want it to be stuck in your head too 
Or here:
My eats today:
A mini fruit pizza on a whole wheat pancake, with some pears:
Dates with some all-natural peanut butter and coffee: 
A yummy fruit bowl (bananas and strawberries) with some homemade Nut Butter, dark chocolate chips and sliced almonds: 
And an awesome spinach-lettuce-celery salad, topped with homemade tuna salad (I will post the recipe for it this week) and warm beets. 
A quick work-out session and toning with kettle bells and stretch cords: 
Shower, homework, then run to classes.
Ⓠ: Do you ever feel like you’re sooo sick of the same routine you can’t take another day? Well, that’s kinda how I feel right now. I think I need a break! Desperately. Good thing God’s presence is a never-ending power supply
“Follow God’s example in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.” Eph. 5:1-2
Rigatoni fashion!
Ciao bloggies! ♡
This morning we completely overslept!!!! Heelp. I really have no idea when the alarm went off. I was in deep, deep LaLa Land “Where is my purse? Where did my shoes go?? Have you seen my coat?” I’m def. not a morning-person! TS knows the best how I don’t like to rush or be rushed. Ever. Especially not in the mornings. Not when it comes to my hair But I’ve learned a very valuable lesson over the years: No matter how late you are, never, I mean, NEVER skip breakfast! Your body needs the fuel for a healthy metabolism. 
My morning fuel today was a fruit-pizza-like whole wheat pancake (with grapefruit pulp and some pear wedges), 3 giant strawberries, a cup of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice and some vanilla biscotti coffee. Quick and tasty! 
Today we “visited” Italy with the kids and learned some cool, useful Italian stuff, like “Ciao, bellissima!” (Hi beautiful!) and “Telfonami quando sei pronto” (Call me when you’re ready). No, just kidding! Haha! Preschoolers don’t need to know pick-up lines yet!!!!!!!! 
But we did get to make this cool Rigatoni necklace!! 
It’s funny, because this it’s totally me!! It’s def. something I would wear “not-just-to-preschool” places! Special bonus: it even matched my dress and hair ribbon. I know, I know, I’m SO girly, but I can’t help it
Lunch today was a beautiful homemade, spicy tuna salad (I love tuna!!) on brown rice cakes and iceberg lettuce. To drink I had a green tea with honey and LOTS of lemon. I could’ve eaten more but I don’t like to be stuffed. I try to eat often (about 5 times a day), and smaller portions than I used to. That way I never go hungry and my metabolism never has the chance to slow down. Also, I usually try not to eat anything after 7 (“3 hours before bedtime” is the rule of the thumb) so I don’t overwhelm my digestion system for the night. ☞ By the way, I have been sleeping so much better ever since I’ve been applying that simple rule! It’s amazing. Try it!! 
OK, it’s time now to do some serious homework action. Yikes! I have SOOOOOOOOO much, it’s not even funny! The spring semester is almost over, so all the projects, presentations and essay papers are due these coming 3 weeks. Plus all the studying for the quizzes, tests and exams!! Blah! 
Wish me luck.
Good thing I have this beauty and exquisiteness to keep me company/cheer me up in my long, lonely hours of “bookworming”
Iced Mocha with nutmeg spiced-apples, bananas, dates, dried plums and almonds. 
I think I’m gonna go for a nice prayerwalk ( I love those!!) later while the weather is nice, then class again on the college campus.
Ⓠ: I like to use my time wisely whenever I can. Do you ever do anything fun/useful/interesting while you jog or walk?
Enjoy the sunshine! ✸
Arrivederci,
><((((º> Reka
✝ Words of might: “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Mt 21:22
It’s another “Funday”!
Well hi there! Hope your weekend is/was a fabulous one!
Mine was pretty busy actually. Since I have school on Saturdays, the weekends fly bye SO quickly. But TS and I always make sure that we squeeze in as much fun as we can on Sundays. We usually refer to Sundays as “Fundays”, because they are def. by far the funest days of the week!! By the way, check out this wrestling match! Before, I didn’t even have the slightest chance, but lifting weights finally started to pay off! YEAAAH!!
Church was awesome this morning (as always)! I get so excited about the worship and about refueling my “spiritual tank” for the week! 
Even Nora baba was excited to go! 
Today is the LAAAAAST (!!!) day of my one-week, “spring cleaning” detox diet. At least for a while. (That deserves a big Halleluia!!) I usually try to do a week of detox every 3-4 months (Sometimes a little more often if I’ve been sick or having low energy levels).
During the detox week I drink lots of liquids (water, tea, pureed soups, smoothies, freshly squeezed 100% fruit and veggie juices, etc.), eliminate anything heavy to digest from my diet (dairy, pasta, nuts, etc.) and replace them with loads of liver-friendly, raw foods (veggies, fruits, etc.).
Although my detox diet is more of a “raw-food” diet than a restricting one, I try to NEVER exceed 10 days at a time. Not only that it’s not healthy to go for longer than that, (at least that’s what I read), but I just don’t think I could exist without my my super-duper nut butters for that long! 
So for breakfast today I had an awesome, green VitaDrink! A handful of celery (with the leaves on), some spinach, 5 big strawberries, a few carrots, a ripe banana, vanilla flavored almond milk and some pumpkin spice for taste.
Blend it well….and breakfast is served! It’s not just easy, but very healthy and cleansing too! Love it!! Perfect choice for grab-and-go meals! 
Some particularly good detoxifiers are the following: carrots, celery, apples, beets, broccoli, grapefruits, wheatgrass, lemons, and TONS of other ones too. I also take different kinds of natural, herbal supplements all year round, like Psyllium Husk, Licorice, Dandelion, Nettle leaf, Lemon balm, Ginger, Chamomile, Cayenne, Echinacea, Goldenseal root, Green tea, Milk thistle and Açaí. These digestive herbs help break nutrients down and eliminate waste and toxins from the digestive system. You can take them as supplements or just drink them as tea if you don’t mind that some of them taste pretty bitter.
I’m happy to announce that this week I met my goal of 300 minutes of exercise!!! I keep a little chart during the week, which helps me stay on track.
Here is a little break-down of the week:
| Monday |
Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
| 65 min. | 60 min. | 50 min. | 66 min. | 56 min. | REST | 45 min. |
That is a total of 342 minutes!! So that would be an average of 57 min/day for this week, right? Hmm. That’s not bad at all, considering the schedule I’ve been having lately. So, I guess I’m happy with that. Maybe next week I should make my goal 400 minutes? We’ll see.
OK, time to plan and pre-cook the meals for the week now! I usually do that on Sundays to save time on eats during weekdays. It helps to write a list of ideas ahead (I’m such a “list person!”) and brainstorm, based on: what’s in the fridge/pantry, what we feel like eating and what really needs to be cooked soon. 
Then, since it’s SO pretty out there (I think winter might be finally over!!), we might go to the park later. I SO love the park on Sundays! Cute, old couples holding hands, kids feeding the birds with their dads, teenager girls jogging and mommies pushing baby strollers. I feel like I’m part of one, big happy family! 
Also, TS really wants to see the movie ‘Unknown’ tonight. It’s supposed to be a suspense movie about a guy whose identity was stolen. Have you seen it? Would you recommend it? I’m not a big fan of suspense movies, but the boy came with me to soooo many chick flicks already that I feel it’s def. my turn today.
I guess it’s called sacrificial love, right? For better or for worse. And in this case: “for worse”! Hahah! (Don’t tell him I said that).
Enjoy your evening and stay healthy!
<º))))>< Reka
The waiting room
Guess where we’re going tomorrow?? That’s right!! Rrrrrrrrromaniaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only 1 more sleep!!!
It’s been more than 3 years since I last saw my family. Wow. That is a long time. As I’m sitting here sipping my peppermint coffee, I think back to all those times when I just wanted to jump on a plane and show up at my parents’ door, shouting “SURPRISE!”. No planning. Just throw in a couple of undies, a toothbrush and a passport and go! Now that would be fearless, daring, adventurous, and….and really expensive I’d SO love to do something completely out of the blue like that! Except, that doesn’t sound like “Reka the planner” at all. Still, a girl can dream, right?
Plus, I was thinking…..don’t you think that everything tastes so much sweeter when you have to wait for it? Like the time when I finally got a bike after praying for it for many years. Or like the time when I finally got to kiss The Squarehead (my hubby) for the very first time on our wedding day. There is just something great about waiting on God to act. Besides, this whole Christmas season is just a great time of anticipation. Nothing compares to the feeling of waiting on the birth of my Savior! Plus, it kinda takes a lot of patience too to not peek what’s under the tree
However, one thing I am not looking forward to about being in Europe is spending hours and hours on public transportation and in waiting rooms. But, being in God’s waiting room is completely different!!
There are sooo many examples in the Bible of people who didn’t give up waiting on God, well beyond the point when most would’ve lost hope. Like the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. They’ve been praying for a child almost their entire life! But they stayed faithful, and patient. And John the Baptist was born!! What an answer to prayers, huh?
So yeah my friends, God has great things in store for those who wait on Him! Remember that.
My dad told me the other day that my grandma is really sick and no one knows how much time she has left. So yeah, I know it’s not a coincidence that I had to wait 3 years. It’s definitely the Lord’s perfect timing…
God is good!
Reka
