A Quite Night for a Restless Heart

                                                            Quite! Be still!

Mark 4:39

image found: old screen shot on my found, sourced unknown.

I needed this verse tonight, and tonight at almost midnight, is the first time in a week that I really have felt still. Still, quite and ok. 

I feel at peace not because it's quite and everyone is in bed, but because I am sitting here in presence of the Lord soaking up His peace, while hyms play out loud over the bluetooth speaker. The praise music just dispels the darkness and makes way for the peace.

There are so many good things happening in the life of our family. Not just happy temporary little things, but life changing strides in our spiritual lives and how we worship as a family and major changes to our heath.  For the first time in a decade we have been going to church and searching for a church home. I have been apart of a woman's bible study, the kids are making many friendships. My husband's health is dramatically improving. 

People, myself included, tend to spend a lot of time waiting for change and transformation. Often when the good things that you pray for come, you are met with so much more than you anticipated. Especially if the good things have eternal and mulitgenerational ramifications. 

There has been so much uncommon strife here lately. And this is after a month of sickness that passed through our house for weeks. But oh the fighting! The frustration, the heartbreaking words from your children of "I feel like you don't like me" or the quarreling among them and me. I have gotten mad. Angry. I have sinned and fallen so so short on... all of it.

But you know what. I'm not giving in. I'm not going to allow myself to feel destructive and self inflicting thoughts of failure. I'm not going to let the devil turn this into a pity party where things start to slip more. I'm fighting for my peace. My family's peace. The peace of my household.

I'll keep praising God. keep on singing. I'll ask God to stand in the gap. I pray that God will fill my heart with peace where there is none. And I will "Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord." 2 Chron 20:17

The Battle is the Lord's, and the Lord is mine.

Beach Family Fun in Quintana Beach, Texas

Dada.... Dada.... Dadadadadad....SHARK!!!!!!

Sweet family beach time on the hot sunny beach of Quintana Beach! It was hot, but not even close to as hot as it was just a few miles inland!
We actually had planned (or didn't plan, actually) to do anything over the weekend. Lot's of "netflix and chill" as the cool kids would say. ;)

 But a few hours into Saturday, everyone was feeling restless. So step in Quintana Beach! It was on a whim, but we loaded up everyone and away we went. That is of course, after a quick stop at Bucyes's!

We had a blast, as always at Quintana. The kids played in the water, Daniel fished and I spent my time running back and forth between filming it all and chasing after Eli.

To check out my video from this day and be taken to my Youtube Channel, click here:
--------> A Day at the Beach!









It's amazing what the beach does to you. We were totally 100% wore out after spending the day out there. Of course, being in the sun and playing in the waves has a way of doing that; but it always feels like more than that. The warm sun revives your spirit as you bask in the warm golden rays. The playful blue and white waves  knock you around while encouraging you to keep going and the warm gritty sand feels reviving and cleansing. No wonder you leave the beach feeling both tired and revived!

that is of course, assuming you stay thinking on the good, happy things about the beach. Not the piles of sand over everything, the smell of shells that will be surely left in your car and of course, let's not forget, the exhausted cries from tired children. Ah! But, I digress.

Anyway, Daniel caught a shark, which is always so exciting! We named him Bruce. He ended up becoming our dinner. It was yummy.

Have a good day everyone and no matter where you live, remember to get out there and enjoy it!

Start Now!

I have always been overwhelmed at all the beautiful and inspiring things to simply.. do! Photography, knitting, blogging, tennis, sports, painting, ect.. There are so many beautiful and inspiring things to pursue and occupy our time. It's amazing we are not constantly doing these beautiful things. So.. why don't we? Why do we end up zoning out in front of netflix, scrolling through Pinterest and lost somewhere in Instagram?

For me, I know a lack of discipline has a part to play. Sticking with things takes effort and concentration, which in itself is something to pursue. But how come I don't even make it to that point? To practice sticking with something new, you have to start something new! So what holds us back?

                                                           Someday and perfection! 

I either mean to start something "soon" or I get so discouraged with myself before I even begin, I dont! Well, the last few months I have been diving into the word of God and personal development. I have been digging deeper into the difference between productive, successful people and those who seem smart, but don't seem to ever grow.

The common thread that seems to stand between potential and progress is motion. People who get things done, start! They don't start when they are ready or capable, they start today. Woman ( and men ) who gets things done and have gotten things done know that often the biggest hurdle to starting anything is simply starting. No one becomes an expert overnight and even the most capable, successful people don't often see results right away. Rather, it's the building of habits and knowledge which will result in progress.

Lately, I have been jumping in with both feet to a bunch of new things. Some of which I have found I am absolutely not skilled in, but I have been enjoying anyway. I feel myself growing. Stretching. reaching farther. I am thankful that God has been calling me to step out. It may seem those all around me are reaching farther, growing quicker and reaching goals sooner. But, That doesn't matter to my progress. I must simply delve deeper into my Bible, surround myself with positive friends who I can lift up and keep my family in the center. Remembering all the way, that success is measured not by completion, but by progress. And if I only developed that which I was good at, I would just drink coffee and day dream all day. Which doesn't sound that bad actually ;) But we want to take this life and lift others up and add value to the world of our family, friends and community.

So anything that's been on your to do list or inspiring you as of late. Take this as your sign... go for it! Just start! You'll be so glad you did! And who knows who you'll inspire? Be blessed friends!

image: pinned from pinterest. Original pin by:https://www.oncewed.com/60655/wedding-blog/greek-goddess-wedding-inspiration/

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Have a blessed day!