Devil You ARE Defeated

Today another family member of mine is being laid to rest because of the chains & bondage of addiction. I'm sick of this, I'm sick of the devil destroying bodies, families & lives. Devil you are no longer welcome, and you can take your disgusting diseases with you! Please don't read this thinking I'm some crazy dramatic person, I'm not. Drugs & alcohol has taken the lives of more of my family members than cancer, heart disease & any other sickness, COMBINED. Earlier this summer my cousins life was taken at the young age of 28, leaving behind a 5 year old & a young widow, He was a boy that at one point was the sweetest person you could meet, always smiling & joking. And then the devil showed up.

I have another cousin that was really like an older brother to me, sitting in a jail cell with his family ripped apart because the devil showed up.

Did they start down that path with a clear mind? Yes. But do you think for one second they started with the intention of sitting in a jail cell for years or a grave? No.

That's where the devil stepped in, he has ripped these lives apart like a tornado. I'm so mad today I don't even know how to put words together.

But the part that has made me furious is the enablers, its funny how people will see no problem with a man falling over drunk until the next day when their walking into his funeral because of it. If your not against the problem, your for it.


If your reading this and currently struggle with addiction, please I'm begging you get help. Distance yourself from the people that encourage you to do the things that are killing you (even if they're family) your life is SO important, Jesus did not die on the cross for "good" people He died for people that need Him, people with struggles and pain.

John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

A Journey Into Modesty Part 2

Learning Modesty The Hard Way

I've been doing a lot of research into what different people think & feel modesty is, pretty much all agree that modesty goes past your fashion & the root is located in your heart.

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:26


How can one walk around boasting about "Oh I won't wear short skirts, I'm a Christian" but then turn around & spit in God's face with their sin? I could turn this whole series into a self righteous look how Holy I am compared to others attitude, but how wrong would I be? There's 2 reasons I would never do that

1. What good is a long skirt if my heart is full of sin?

2. I am scared to death starting this journey.

 And how crazy is that? I'm scared of dressing modestly? No, I have never been a person with great self-esteem so I tried covering that up by baring it all (Not LITERALLY) the slinkier, the tighter, the shorter, the better. I always felt plain next to people so I thought revealing more would even the odds, and let's be honest revealing clothes tend to be a heck of a lot cheaper. So yes I'm scared, scared that the next time I'm around certain people I'll feel frumpy & ugly, it's an issue I've prayed about for years and I'm praying this journey will bring healing, I'm scared to go shopping because everything tends to lean more towards bare it all than cover it up. Yesterday I tried my first dive into the modest look, I wasn't happy or sad about my outfit. I had very little time to put it together because we went to the early service at church and I'm just not a morning person haha I think a skinny belt would have brought it together a little more, also how do you feel about the length? It hit right at my knees so i felt comfortable but this is OUR journey so I'm open to suggestions.

Have any of you decided to take the first step? Let me know I'd love to hear from you!
Xoxo Stacie 

Growing Into A Modest Lifestyle

I have a confession, I've been saved since I was 17. I've let the Lord work in every area of my life except one. I've gotten rid of worldly music, I've cut out gossip, I won't swear, I try being kind even to those I have reasons not to. But there's one area I've hidden from the Lord, my style. I made a vow about 2 years ago to not wear 2 piece bikinis after watching a video about why Christian girls shouldn't wear them, but honestly Ive let the rest of my wardrobe reveal just to much. Now I will say it's gotten a lot better, I won't wear belly shirts, I try to keep my shorts a little longer, or have excessive cleavage. But I will wear belly shirts with high-waisted shorts, my shorts aren't as long as they should be & well I don't really have cleavage to reveal. I want to change that. So I'm asking you to join in on this journey with me, I've been doing a lot of research into the modest looks. My favorite looks come from the Queens Of Modest, none other than the Duggar Girls!

I'm asking you all, join in & keep me updated on your progress. I plan on taking a whole day to go through my closets & donate the clothes I won't wear anymore to Plato's Closet, even if I only get 20 bucks it'll be worth it to know I put a foot in the right direction.


 1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with modesty and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;


With all that being said please keep me updated if you decide to enter this journey with me! We're stronger in numbers ladies!!
Be Blessed, xoxo Stacie

New Post Coming Soon.....

SO I had this amazing post all ready for posting, it was probably my best one yet. I had it all typed out on my phone well unfortunately I dropped my phone trying to turn off the volume while walking into church & shattered the inner screen. My screen started turning lovely shades of purple splotches until I woke up this morning & it was completely useless. So with that being said, I'm on a contract and it's not as simple as going down to buy a new one (Can we all agree the "insurance" policies stink, if I have to pay more for my deductible than I did when I bought the phone, that's not insurance. Tats a scam ladies & gents) I'm hoping once I'm able to get a new phone I can switch everything over including my notes & as soon as I'm able I'll hit you guys with a powerhouse post!!

Until then be blessed my loves
Xoxo Stacie

Let's talk Honeymoons shall we?

So I think it's pretty obvious that every little detail of a wedding gets talked about & analyzed to DEATH but the one little part that kinda gets pushed to the side, which in my opinion is one of the most important parts, is the Honeymoon! Sure it gets it's little share of spotlight & hey no one's going to be THAT excited about a trip their not invited to (unless you invite people on your honeymoon, and no offense honey but that's a lil weird) but I feel like because no one else wants to hear about it brides tend to put it to the back burner. But I'm here to tell you pull it to the front and turn that bad boy on full heat! It's your first trip with your new husband!!! Many of you, like myself, don't even know what it's like to wake up next to your significant other, much less wake up next to them in paradise! So ladies let's have some fun today & talk about our (your) dream vacation destination!

Snowbirds In Love

Now most of you probably pictured waking up in some little sunny slice of Heaven with nothing but a palm tree to shade your window, but not me....Now don't get me wrong I would absolutely love a tropical vacation but for some reason whenever I picture my honeymoon I picture a little romantic cabin in the snow somewhere in Colorado or even abroad. To me, there's nothing more romantic than just my husband & I in the solitude, no dirty hotels, no noisy kids and no "accidental" 6 am wake up call. I feel like a honeymoon should be about just the two of you, no other opinions should matter. So go ahead, book that dream honeymoon! As long as your budget allows it & your honey agrees there is no one else that should sway you any direction besides the one you pick. After all it's only once in a life time! Now let me hear your fantasy honeymoon, will you be sipping hot cocoa or virgin piña coladas? 

Xoxo Be bless Stacie

(Btw, look as me getting all fancy with my watermarks & editing!)

Psalm 6

I read this Psalm for the first time last night & thought it was beautiful, a prayer when your in times of distress. Your never alone, the Lord is always there to catch your tears. This is just a reminder for anyone who may need this tonight.

I encourage you to read the whole Psalm! Its short!
Xoxo Be blessed, Stacie

Thoughts on missionary?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

 During the Holy Ghost After Party, they had certain ministers appointed to pray over people during the altar call. I was down at the front praying to myself & felt a hand on my back as someone started praying over me (I didn't get to see who it was) until about 5 minutes ago their words didn't click. 

They were prophesying over me saying I had the spirit of Esther (A book that happens to be my favorite!!) and that I had a heart for my people & was set apart to help save my people. They were pleading God save her people! Well honestly until I started telling my mom about what had happen and what they had said, I thought my people meant my family but now standing back I see the big picture. 

For the past year missionary work has played on my mind & heart, I was talking to a friend of mine about our main goals in life & told them I wanna make a difference not a huge famous, look at that hero difference but a difference in a child, a village, a person. I prayed that the Lord would set a specific country or area on my heart & I now know where I need to go. To my people in Romania, another friend of mine went there on a mission trip & the pictures & stories broke my heart but the difference they made over there pieced it back together. They had the chance to help build homes for people living under makeshift tents built out of blankets, share the love of Jesus & have revival through an interpreter. My people are the Romanian people, Lord I pray that you make me a servant that you open opportunities to help serve my people. Everyone keep me in prayer during this time.

Testimony

I'm thinking about adding a section to my blog for my testimony & maybe leave it open for other people to leave theirs as well, I'll let you guys know when cause 1. I gotta make sure my writing is clear so you guys get the most out of it as possible and 2. I gotta figure out how in the heck to add a interactive section! haha If anyone can help me out with that I'd really appreciate it!!

This weekend.....

Wow!!! What a crazy weekend!! (well technically I've been gone since Thursday so whatever word there is for that....) I left at about 4 am Thursday for Richmond VA, my uncle was preaching at a revival there and my whole family and I have become close to our "Church family" down there so we go  whenever we get the chance, it was an amazing time in the Lord!!! There was 5 Holy Ghost filled services plus one late night Holy Ghost After Party! (More about that later) My uncle gave an amazing message as usual, as well as the other ministers including Gerald Crabb! Whew! That man can preach the walls down and has a sense of humor that will have you on the floor with tears down your face laughing so hard

Gerald Crabb!

But I gotta warn you, when your spirit gets built up so much the devil finds another way to bring you down. Well he decided to attack my flesh, Saturday night I was sitting in the hotel lobby full of everyone that came in for the revival & my stomach started churning...I barely made it to the bathroom in the lobby before I...lets just say got sick! haha! I went to bed shortly afterwards & was up about every hour sick, I get very acquainted with that bathroom floor! haha Church started at 11 that morning, I was so weak I had to lay in bed in between trying to get dressed. My parents offered to take me to a walk in clinic but I knew the devil would love that so I powered through and not only made the service but got a blessing from it!! So many things happen this weekend I feel like I can't contain it to one post so you may see another post here or there about a story this weekend, one thing I do have to say I took note of to tell you guys of is Saturday night the worship leader sung a song that no exaggeration knocked me off my feet, you may have already heard it but it was a first for me, Its called I Held On Until The Storm Was Over it talked about how we don't need to be perfect or "good" because its not our works that makes the difference anyways we just need to hold on, it was like a cloud drifting away from the sun. I saw things so differently, I beat myself up so much because I feel weak if I mess up or make a wrong choice and it was like God confirming that I don't make the difference Jesus does. So just to encourage anyone that feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it's not! Jesus Christ took your burden, walked it up that Hill and nailed it to the Cross! I wish I had video of the song to share but I can't find a version that's just right, when you hear it live nothing afterwards sounds how you like haha But I encourage you to look it up because you might enjoy a version that you find (Share the link in the comments if you do! I'd love to hear it)

Now the fun part!!! I honestly don't think there is words to describe how much fun I had at the Holy Ghost After Party! Something amazing happens when you get around 50 young adults that love Jesus and having fun together! The guest speaker also happens to be a Christian rapper so we went hard for Jesus that night!! It went on until after midnight, he sung a few of his songs that were everyone's favorites. They also had regular worship before his message & during the altar call, the message was about how Jesus tore the veil he had a veil set up during worship showing how we were separated before Jesus came down and bridged the gap. All in all the extended weekend was more amazing than I could ever describe, I wouldn't even take back the illness if it meant taking back the blessings!

Hope you enjoyed this long post haha Leave some love & as always be blessed!
Xoxo Stacie

Asking For Patience....And Getting It.

 Now when I pictured a "Christian Blogger" I always pictured a girl with perfect curls sipping tea out of her favorite Scripture mug, with her bible open beside her notebook that's filled with artistic doodles & sayings.....And then there's me. As I sat yesterday trying to pretty up my blog a little, I realized that's more fantasy & what I was doing was more like reality....at least for me, what I was doing was counting to 10 so I didn't flip over my laptop because I was so aggravated trying to figure out what all that HTML stuff meant....with leftover cheese fries sitting to my right. Sure there was a candle & a little book with its pages artistically folded into a cross, so you would think I would try to suck in their creative & calming presence. But nope, those greasy leftover cheese fries was more my style at that moment. I guess you could say tempers run in my family (generational curse anyone?) but that's when looking back I should have been asking for Gods peace so I could strengthen my patience, see I always pray for patience but well the problem with that is I don't have the patience to get patience...You know what I mean? Haha I'm learning that God doesn't always use big grand moments to strengthen us, sometimes it's those moments when we just have to stop & choose to have patience, to have grace even in the middle of this messy crazy life

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit not just for the cool Spiritual parts but as a whole, the Holy Spirit in us produces fruits but we have to nurture & prune ourselves to see the full tuition of those fruits. One of those fruits happens to be patience, and an important one at that. Almost every other fruit requires the fruit of patience, in fact their all entwined into each other, so don't think you can have peace without love or faithfulness without self-control. So I don't know about you but I'm ready to break out the gardening tools & start letting God do what He does best!

I'm in love with this illustration!

I always look forward to hearing from you so don't forget to comment or subscribe if something hit home with you today!

Be blessed, Stacie.

Remember me?

Wow, it sure has been a while....I could lie & say I've been finding myself....maybe Ive been saving up all my experiences to hit you with one powerhouse post but.......that's not true....I've actually lost myself a little bit more than when I started this blog. In the beginning I started this with the hopes of becoming one of those awesome overnight bloggers that knock peoples socks off but that obviously didn't happen. The experiences I've had since I left here haven't been all that good, there were some highlights....I got to stand next to one of my best friends as she married the love of her life in a wedding that was completely God centered

               Blowing the shofar at her wedding to welcome the Holy Spirit


But even those good moments were marred. The wedding was in Indiana & on the way over we got a call that my cousin had passed away at age 27. He left behind a wife & baby girl, so while there were good moments, this year has left me searching. Searching for answers, searching for meaning. I've honestly felt like it's been a year in the wilderness, but let me tell you in this year of wilderness I've got some of the best CHURCH I've ever experienced. So I'm keeping it as a reminder that even in the dessert God won't leave you thirsty.

                                               See I wasn't lying ;)


But to end this post I think I've come back here looking for my calling. I know God's ready to reveal it & I'm hoping here is where I'll find it hiding.

So until next time keep me in prayer & be blessed...Stacie