Inner or outer beauty?

Hello everyone!
I want to share a little of something about the Lord revealed to me this morning. As I was reading God's Word, He convicted my heart on this. All month I've been super busy trying to get some fall clothing shopping done. We will be taking a vacation soon and visiting my sister in law and her family. Its been two years since we last saw her. I of course want to look my best when visiting her. The point is I have been putting so much effort into how I am going to look on the outward appearance rather then the inward. I can look my best outside, but what comes out of my mouth and actions will reflect my heart. I was so convicted. I know that I need to ask the Lord to work on my heart more than the outside appearance. Thank you Lord for revealing this to me once again. What a blessing it is to have the Lord and the Holy spirit directing us when we get out of line. I know now that the Lord doesn't mind me looking presentable and good for my hubby, but the question is What are my priorities? At what expense? Will I be stressed and moving my family aside to get all of MY things done? What about God? Where does He stand in all this? I need to keep my focus on Him and not let other things become first in my life. I ask for your prayers that the Lord will prepare my heart this week and use me to minister to those around me family, friends, and all. May He prepare me for my visit to my in-laws and show me how I can be of hands and feet to Him. Here are the versus that spoke to me...



"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror." 1 Peter 3:1-6



"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." 1 Peter 3:15-17

A day at Boulder City

Here are a few pictures I took from out trip to Boulder City. We had fun that day. Faith got her face painted and Jaden played football (for about 10 minutes) for the first time.



Getting her face painted.




Run!!!!!!!!!!


She was looking up at the bubbles.

New look!

Hello everyone! Yes, yes!!! I know. I keep changing my templates. I just love Allie Brown's templates. Its like changing your clothes. Got to dress up my blog. :) As long as it doesn't take up to much of my time. Well, I hope you all like it. I think this one will stay for a while. I hope... I know I haven't posted lately. Its been a little challenging with my back pain. I have my sciatica acting up again. Its VERY painful. I hope I will be back to normal soon. There are many things I want to do. For instance sit and blog or scrapbook. Those are not very good options since sitting too long causes me to be in pain. That's also something I am not happy about. It also becomes very diffucult to to stay seated at church service with this happening. I pray that it will be gone soon. Its not the first time it happens, so I am not shocked. Its just seems longer this time. Well, I will try to post here and there. Might be short post though. I also have pictures to share, but my time is limited. Hope you all have a blessed first day of Fall.


In His love,
Leslie

PrismaColor for Less!!!

Hello all! I found this website that offers PrismaColor Pencils for so much less than other places. For all those who love card making these are excellent color pencils from what I've researched and can't wait to buy my first set. Hope this helps!

Click Here--> PrismaColor Link

Hello again!

Hello everyone! Its been a while since I have really posted here. Its been crazy with starting homeschool this month and the never ending errands to run. Thankfully I have the Lord by my side to help me through it all. I just wanted to touch bases with you all and let you know that all is well. Although I do ask for prayer. I hurt my back yesterday and its still going on. Its my siatica. Very painfull! Hopefully it will be better tomorrow. Well, can't stay on too long since sitting does begin to hurt. I will keep you all posted. Take care and God bless!

In His love,
Leslie

Hello everyone! I read this article the other day on my Focus on the Family magazine I get for free monthly. It was such a blessing and conviction. I felt so blessed to read this that I thought I'd share with y'all. Hope you enjoy it.

In His EVERLASTING love,
Leslie


*************************

Does the Honeymoon Have to End?

Keeping the romance alive through the years.

by Sandi Greene

One night during our engagement, my fiancé, Bob, and I went out for dinner with his parents. His dad unlocked the passenger-side door of the car for his mom without opening it then walked around to the driver's side. Bob’s mom noticed this and sarcastically pronounced, "Well, I guess the honeymoon’s over!"

Bob and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. We didn't understand why they expected so much of each other and why they were rude when things didn’t go their way. I promised myself I would never be that way.

A year later, after we married, I was in our kitchen trying to prepare some breakfast before work when Bob walked in from the bathroom.

"You always forget," he said, irritated. I looked up to see him holding his electric toothbrush. "You always forget to plug this back in after you blow-dry your hair."

"Sorry," I said quickly, wanting to get out of there before a confrontation took place.

"How am I supposed to brush my teeth now?" he asked. I thought about a million things I could say. Instead, I ignored him and picked up my purse.

"I just wish you would try to remember that this is important to me," he added.

"Well," I shot back defensively, "I wish you would remember to put your white clothes in the first hamper and the colored clothes in the second hamper, but that doesn't happen."

"Great, here we go again with what I don't do right,” he said. "Why don't you just tell me what you expect me to do?"

"I don't expect a lot," I started, knowing I shouldn't open this can of worms but irritated by his inconsistencies. "Just some basics, like remembering more often to tell me you love me, being a little more romantic, throwing away these soda cans you leave lying around and helping me with the dishes and the trash."

"Oh, is that all?" He shook his head and went into the bedroom. I rolled my eyes, walked out the front door and slammed it behind me.

I drove to work in tears, wondering if I had made a mistake getting married. While we were still engaged, many people told us to enjoy the beginning because "after that, the honeymoon's over." Maybe they were right, I contemplated.

I rubbed my forehead and thought back to the week before our wedding. I was at work, and a woman congratulated me on my engagement. "I've been married for 12 years," she said, emphasizing 12.

I remember waiting for her to say the same thing about the honeymoon ending. Instead, she said. "And after all this time, we're still on our honeymoon. You don't ever have to let it end." I had never forgotten those words or the glimmer in her eyes. How I wished I could go back to that conversation and simply ask her how. How in the world do you not let it end?

I got home that night and didn't say much to Bob. We sat in the living room, watching TV and eating dinner. I was tired of the unspoken tension.

"I'm going to bed," I said, getting up. "Are you coming?"

"No. I'm going to stay up and watch TV," he said.

Figures, I thought. I got into bed and wanted to cry. But before I could, Bob walked in. He tucked the covers around me and kissed me on the forehead.

"I love you," he said.

I closed my eyes and felt a flood of emotions. It felt so good to be loved. But most of all, I was humbled by his humility.

"Hey, Babe," I said as he began to walk out of the room.

He stopped. "Yes?"

"I promise to plug in your toothbrush tomorrow morning."

He chuckled and nodded.

Over the following years, many such moments would keep the honeymoon "on." Moments when we acknowledged that what's not important to one may mean the world to the other, moments when we learned to let go of the expectations that don't really matter. Sure, marriage is never perfect, but as we try to love the other without expecting anything in return, the joys of the honeymoon stay with us still.

This article first appeared in the Couples edition of the September, 2008 issue of Focus on the Family magazine. Copyright © 2008 Sandi Greene. All rights reserved.

Sandi Greene lives with her husband, Bob, and their two children, Justice and Micah, in Arizona.


http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/focusmagazine/marriage/A000001214.cfm#

Scrapbook Supplies

Okay, so I forgot to include that the rick rack and buttons on my layout below where from Walmart. I got them from their fabric section at a very reasonable price. I think it was almost $2 for the rick rack and you get 4yrds. Anyhow, just thought I'd share. God bless!


-Leslie

Kindergarten Layout

Hello again! Here is a two page layout I wanted to share with y'all. I made this today. I don't have the pictures for it yet, but will soon. I didn't take pictures of my son on his first day of schooling, but they will be of when he is doing his schoolwork. So, that why its a kindergarten layout. I just realized I was going to use my b&t paper on both and used different ones. Oh well! I guess it goes. Let me know what you think. More ribbon? More rick rack? How about more buttons? I will also be placing some printed journaling on the first page next to the picture. I will sure take pictures of the finished look to share. Okay, till next time...

In His love,
Leslie




I used my cricut to make the title with Base Camp cartridge.




The stars where made by placing stars I cut out with my cricut
using George and Basic Shapes. First I placed them on the paper with
repositionable adhesive and then out lined them with chalk. I just bought
my first set of chalk and really recommend them. They are Pebbles Inc.
chalks. I love them! Then I removed the stars and voila!


I outlined my title letters with brown chalk. I like it. Do you?

Beautiful Templates for your blog!!!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to post a quick one. Hope all are well! I found this blog and her layout are beautiful. They are free and if you scroll all the way down she gives you instructions on how to. Hope you will love them too. God bless.

http://alliebrownslayouts.blogspot.com/

In His love,
Leslie