A Renewed Faith

It's been like forever and a day since I last did this! For those who avidly follow me, I apologize, for those who don't you didn't miss anything! I've been busy renewing my faith. I've recently participated in The Daniel Fast with some of the ladies from our church. For those not familiar..... it's really hard!!!! Like super hard! I didn't even do the hard core version, but I cut out all caffeine, junk food, sugars, deserts, soda, and anything else unnecessary for survival. It was a 3 week fast, that ended with a fantastic trip to Fort Caswell; for a ladies retreat. I had so much fun, and spent 2 whole nights away from my babykins! It was hard (all of it) but so worth it.

My biggest reason for doing the fast was to get closer to God, and try and learn my purpose. As you all have gathered in just the few very honest posts I've written; I've struggled with my faith. I've definitely struggled with God, and just needed a reboot! Just so happens that the theme of the women's retreat was..... wait for it.... PURPOSE!!! Shut up! I know! God put all this in my path at these very moments! Amaze balls! Anywho, all along the way, God was acknowledging my hard work, and I felt like the fast was working! It was literally like everything backed up this decision. The pastor talked at every service about the book of Daniel, and my daily bible study went hand and hand! Seriously, how does that happen??

I'm so much happier, I've gone off all my meds... sleeping, depression, and anxiety; and I feel better than ever! Chris came home from a work trip the last 2 weeks and joined me in what I was doing in the fast. I feel it in my everyday life. I feel it in our family, in our relationships, and how we treat each other. It's been wonderful.

Life is hard, it's always changing. The one thing that stays the same is God. He is always there! We are the only ones that move! Crazy crazy that there is someone who loves us that much, no matter what we do. Even if we don't deserve it!!!!!!

So, I'm done with the fast, and ohhhhh boy did my body punish me. I was sooo excited to catch up on all the chocolate I had missed out on from Valentine's day! I learned a lot about my body and eating habits, and how I'm too old to handle all the fast food anymore. Gahhh I hate saying that out loud.

What I hope to gain from this, even if you are not a believer; is that you know there's always an upward path. You are not alone in your travesties. Someone out there somewhere has gone through what you are. Reach out, get help. You never know who you could help in the process!

Back at it,
Queen B

Pop Pop Fizz Fizz

Hello, and welcome to the first Sunday of 2015. Oh... my.... lanta....  I'm sore!!! My sweet neighbor and new trainer (ass kicker) Becca has got me not able to pee! I would like to take this opportunity to let you all know that we have a second floor, which is impossible for me to avoid! Youch!!! Today we managed to make it to church! Woohoo! Very first Sunday of the year and we were just where we needed to be! Did I mention our church has stairs??? Lots of them??? Oh and they like to stand and sit a lot! FAB U LOUS!!! YOUCH!!! It was nevertheless a great sermon, and I'm glad to be headed towards where we want to be already! Just have to keep that momentum, right? The rest of our day has been lazy. Chris and I have been taking turns trying to stretch each other out. Now's a great time to call him out on not even being able to touch his shins! Yes I said shins!!! Jaisalyn and her sweet self was happily helping by poking us in the eyes, giving kisses and jumping on us. Isn't she swell! It's a family effort I guess!

What are some of your goals for the new year? Are they the same as everyone else? Loose weight? Become a better person? Maybe you just need to clean your bathroom more... I know some people that would be an excellent idea! I keep adding more to my list. That's what a new year is right? A fresh start... a chance to change everything. I'm happy to say that being debt free in 2015 was a goal of mine, and we made it happen Dec 2014.... wooo hooo! Ok, so I have to be more specific; we still have our vehicles, GA house, oh and school loans..... so we are officially Credit Card debt free in 2015!!! I'm excited! It frees up a lot of money to start saving and all that jazz. Which by the way we are absolutely horrible at.... again, got to start somewhere.

2015 feels like a wonderful place to start working on me, and my happiness. We are completely done with our foster care application... just waiting for our license. Then we will be super busy with children! ahhhhh! There's something about fulfilling your life's purpose that makes you feel on top of the world. We've had such a hard journey to get here, and I'm happy to be where I am now. It was by no means easy, and there were many times I didn't think Chris nor I would make it through, especially together! We did though, and we unfortunately did not come out smelling like roses most the time, but then again who does 100% of the time.

So far the many goals I've laid before myself our:
Blog
Health
Happiness
Savings
Salvation
CHILDREN!!!

These are the big ones at least! I hope you all have a blessed Sunday, and thanks once again for joining me.

with Love,
Ashlie