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I Carry for…

Carry the Carry Forward Project is a Virtual 5k raising fund and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project is a fundraiser that is near and dear to my heart.

For the last ten years around Memorial Day, I think about my little cousin Alex who would be thirty-one years this year, but he was fatally wounded in combat.  Ten years ago in my Uncle received news that his oldest son Alex had died in Afghanistan. My entire family still grieves for this loss, especially my Uncle and his siblings. It has particularly haunted my Uncle for the past decade. We will never get over the loss. 

Wounded Soldiers

We all miss his radiating smile and dimples.  He was always eager to help and a caring big brother—a witty sense of humor and willingness to serve.  When Alex joined the army, it was no surprise.  He was proud to serve his country. Our family has endured many wounds.

My father, stepfather, aunts, uncles, grandfather, grandmother, and great grandfather all served the United States Military. The duty that soldiers possess for their country. I’ve always found admirable.  I look up to so many of these people in my family and am proud of their service for the freedom of our country. Its something they choose to do, which includes sacrifices.  Maybe because my father was a soldier and you look up to your father. My grandfather was a distinguished man that also set the example. I have the utmost respect for those who serve our country so that we can practice our freedoms.  

Wounded Warrior Project

This year I partnered with “Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) to help further their extraordinary mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors! We’re bringing awareness to the WWP Carry Forward® 5K, delivered by CSX®,  a powerful and unifying experience that raises mission-critical funds for services and resources for wounded veterans. “This is an opportunity for me to support a cause I learned about two years ago actively. 

Last year, I raised funds through my Ms. Muscle and Fitness, where I made it two 6th place with your support. The funds raised during the voting period was to the Wounded Warrior Project.  This year I am doing things differently and putting “movement to this mission.” I am passionate about offering veterans services and tools for them to heal from service.  It is important to care for those who cared for us.

I carry forward

I was taught about sacrifice and allegiance for our country at a young age.  As an adult, I now have deep empathy and compassion for the families of the armed forces.  I partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project to participate in a Virtual 5k to bring awareness and recognition to this organization serving our wounded veterans.

I am not a runner, but I do enjoy a run.  During COVID 19, I have running to be a great time to reflect.  This Virtual 5K was so much different because I was carrying for the people in my family that I have respected and admired. Their allegiances and servitude for the people of our country are admirable, considering the present state. Yet, they serve, and some of them die in honor like my cousin Alex.  Others come home wounded not only physically but some mentally, and that is equally debilitating, and their servitude goes unnoticed.  

Carry Forward is Unique

Running a 5k carrying weight is a humbling experience, and carrying my almost seventy-pound six-year-old as a representation of our fallen soldiers. I carried a weight to represent the responsibilities veterans carry while serving our country. As I ran, I was brought to tears thinking of the man Alex could have been. It’s a unique and powerful way to honor the brave and heroic women and men who serve our armed forces veterans. 

The experience was moving and reflective. I have never run a 5k and had that experience.  Its something that you have to do for yourself and you can.  I ended the race carrying Mimi to symbolize the responsibilities veterans c while serving our country. I carry for my family, my cousin Alex Hernandez, and other families of veterans of the United States. I encourage and invite you to do the same.

Right now, with coupon code FREEDOM, you can join this movement for FREE and participate in a Virtual 5k! 

To join, just click here and share who you are carrying for…let’s recognize these heroes and bring awareness to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

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Battle of Motherhood christian mom christianity Faith Journey Family Online Bible Study

Encouraged by “Grace looks amazing on you”

Grace looks amazing on you is a 100 day devotional with personal stories, scriptures, and reflections of God’s grace. Such an excellent book for encouragement.

I received the Grace looks Amazing on your 100 Day Devotional for free to review and post. Although, I received the devotional as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy

Searching for Amazing Grace amongst Anxiety

Anxiety has risen high in the last two weeks for me, and when fear creeps in, that is a sure sign that I am not intimately concerning Christ. I’m doing it on my own, and I am not that strong in the gym and especially mentally.  That is what has appealed so much to me in Christ is peace.  Peace from the worry, what if’s, racing thoughts, problematic outcomes, the world is ending scenarios that can plague my dark mind.  But where there is light, there can be no darkness, and that is how I know that I am not leaning on Christ.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Grace looks amazing on you, not self-reliance.

Because I want to be in control, I want to understand, and I want to know the end of all this, but it’s not for me to know.  I am to abide and trust in Him.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5

Every day I wakeup a sinner saved by grace and; Without God, my sinful nature will always take over my second nature, and here we are now.  I am all over the place with my moods, either enthusiastic or utterly incapable of functioning.  I need Jesus!

 

You can find amazing grace through prayer.

Prayer is an immediate peace provider for me. Its the ultimate remedy for my anxious thoughts, but I also need time in the Word. I was learning more about the heroic story of Jesus how He died for me because He loved me like no other.  

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God revealing His amazing grace

Right now, with my Online Bible Study group, which was a thing that a group of friends and I did before COVID began.  We are almost a year into studying the Word together online.  In late February, throughs God’s urging, we decided to explore the book of Hebrews.  As we slowly navigate through Hebrews, I am deeply reminded of God’s divine plan from the beginning of existence. His love and His amazing grace.

Grace looks Amazing on you 100 Day Devotional Book

I am also reading a devotional that I received as a gift from Amy Sieffert called grace is a breath of fresh air. Every morning I am reminded that despite my hot mess, I am His masterpiece. His love is unconditional, and that is something that I need to hear these days as anxious thoughts tell me differently.  This devotional is so relatable as Amy shares her failures and God’s redemption through it all. I often think of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus as my redemption, but I am being redeemed in Christ every day.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Grace looks amazing on you as a daily devotion.

Each day begins with a Scripture and a personal incident Amy where she was able to see the grace of God.  As a mother of three unpredictable girls, it’s kind of refreshing to see Amy’s take on the struggles of motherhood and that we’re not alone in our insecurities and mishaps.  It has been such a blessing to get deeply study God’s Word through Hebrews, and to have this gracedevotional every morning. It is a 100-day devotional.

This is an excellent gift for the woman in your life that needs to be reminded that although she is flawed, she is ultimately loved by Him. I am not a medical or mental doctor, but I do believe in the power of God, but I want to say it does not replace a mental health specialist if you need to speak to someone.  I was in therapy for many years for my anxiety and have gotten many tools to help cope.  

We need to invest in our mental health.

We have to honor our temples inside and out, especially now, and if you need help in any area. Spirit, mind, and body, I want to encourage you to seek them out.

Amy Sieffert has a giveaway for her book happening until 5/10/20, so enter to win. Make sure you come through here and get the opportunity to see God’s amazing grace through Amy’s eyes and encouragement through her book.

Is there a favorite devotional you have when you are anxious?

 

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christian mom christianity Faith & Self Care Faith Journey Fitness Fitness and Health

30 Days Plank Challenge of Praise

Declaring Gratitude

Call me crazy, but I think we need a 30-day plank challenge? I have so much to be grateful for at the moment!  It depends on how I look at things. Counting my blessings can add up quickly.  This month I want to focus on the good and not the bad.  What I have instead of what I want and see how that changes the perspective of being at home for the next 30 days.  So, would you join me in Praise and gratitude for a 30-day plank challenge? This isn’t your ordinary 30-day plank challenge. It’s a Biblical one; I want to meditate on a different verse in the Bible that expresses gratitude for 60 seconds a day.  I will be sharing my 60 seconds somehow some way, so follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.  I would love to share your gratitude, so TAG ME @Faithfueledmom on all three platforms and hashtag #plankful. I’ll be following and cheering for you.  The year 2020 has been challenging, and some days are harder to express gratitude than others. Let’s be intentional and shout His Praise.  Are you in?

The last month has been emotionally draining and hard. I’m not going to lie. This girl’s mental strength has wavered a few days.  Anxiety has crept in on occasion because I’ve been allowing myself to rely on myself. Old habits die hard.  Many people are struggling with their faith and mental health, but I have learned many things throughout the seasons.

Now more than ever, we must praise and be grateful.

Rejoice Always 1 Thessalonians 5:16

This is one of the shortest commands in the Bible because it is a command by God, which means it is achievable.  So, it’s a win-win situation in my eyes. We can always rejoice no matter what the circumstances. Let’s do it?!

Bad Habits Die Hard

When I run on my own, I grow weary. I KNOW better and know that relying on my strength, know-how, and provision will last for a moment. God has shown me some amazing things in my life when I give them to Him! Notably, through this pandemic.  God has shown up in my family’s lives more significant than ever before, so I know that God is still good.  

I also have too much going on; Way too much and when your “still” (whether intended or forced by global pandemic)  time to catch up with God makes brings a new perspective.

 

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To say God hadn’t warned me would also be a lie. I knew what I was doing it as I am very capable of saying, “No.” When God would say, “slow down.” I’d say, “okay, just after this one thing.”

When God said, “Ask me?” I’d say, “Sure, but let me see if this works first,” and here I am ending the first quarter of 2020 forced to be still and to come to Him. Spent, warn, lost, and like the knucklehead I can be, finally listening.

Different Reaction

This time it’s different. I am no longer like, “Why, Lord?” I have yet to say that, but before that would have been my first go-to. Although, I fell back into old habits. One thing that has changed is my strength in the Lord. I am lost, but I am lost in the right direction. I know the burden is too high, so I know I must give it to God. Even though I was disobedient, God did not turn His back on me but persistently reminded me to lean on Him.  I also am now fully aware and have experienced an unconditionally loving Father who will never leave nor forsake me. I can turn to Him anytime and seek His grace, mercy, love, and guidance. I will continue to grow. God will continue to prune me.

Sinner saved by grace

I felt led to share because I am not a perfect Christian. I am one of those who knows that my sinful nature will always take over my second nature to be obedient to God. I struggle with physical, spiritual, and mental disciplines and aspire to be a Light for Him. So, if my transparency leads someone to His kingdom, it’s the least I can do. Plus, I am not a fan of the idea of perfection. It’s way too hard to live up also.  There was only one perfect person to walk in this world. So here I am. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

I feel sharing that I too struggle with my faith walk. I think it’s great to see the highlight reel of life. To see how good it could be, but let’s not forget and live in reality. We all struggle; that’s why we need God, and we are also supposed to hold each other accountable.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2 NASB

You can’t hold someone accountable if they don’t tell you. It’s also an opportunity to help someone else grow or relate. The facade of perfection has to stop. Because what are we genuinely seeking? Unless it’s to be more like Jesus, it is all in vain.

30-Day Plank Challenge

So, I am giving all the things to Jesus this second quarter and seeing where that takes me. At least hoping it gets me through the next month of self-quarantine, social distancing, or whatever you want to call it.  I am going to give it my best try. I’ve done it in the past, and He has always surpassed my expectations or anything that I could have done on my own.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28

 

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30-Days Thanks Challenge

I am also doing a Challenge in April! I am beginning Easter Sunday and through the entire month of April!

Each day I will be planking for 60 seconds and saying, “Thank you, God!” For the little and the big things.  Each day while planking, I will be reciting or meditating Scripture!  

I want to invite you to join me? There is nothing to gain but a grateful perspective.  Connecting with each other online in a time when we can’t connect in person.  Encouraging each other through Praise and planks.  We did a plank “talk” challenge in Bibles and Bootcamps. Most of the women chose to meditate and recite their favorite ScriptureScripture.  All were shocked at how much longer they held the plank with ScriptureScripture. We call them “Power Verse” in #BibleAndBootcamps

One day I was thinking about how amazing it would be to see women expressing gratitude to God; then, planking came to mind-not because it rhymes with Thanks.  I just thought of my Beauties and how powerful it would be to see people praising God and thanking Him while planking.

Will you join me in the 30-Day Plank Challenge?

Join my Facebook Group. I will be going LIVE daily with my plank challenge, and hopefully, you will join me.  Even if you do it privately on your own, I have some verses for you to use in your meditation.  If you do want to join me merely post on whatever Social Media platform you like (I will be on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and use and follow the hashtag #PraisePlank,  I will be watching and praising with you!! Also, TAG me in your stories, and I will share your Praise.  I can’t wait to spend the month Praising God for His goodness!!

Can you be grateful even with a little bit?

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Learning to Wait on God

Learning to Wait

When Mimi was a baby she signed, which is an excellent way to communicate her needs. Two of my daughters signed (my middle one refused). Our signing girls during infancy/toddlerhood whined less than my middle who refused.

When we woke up in the morning after our good morning kisses, my baby would sign “milk.” I usually reply “Wait” (in sign) at which she began to get anxious. Continually signing milk, waving her arms, kicking her feet. She knows it is coming, but she wants it NOW! Once she gets it, she is satisfied and content.

No Patience

Now, my baby is also a “healthy eater,” horrible sleeper, but more than makes up for it in food consumption. When she was younger she would sign “eat,” and I respond “wait” her reaction is entirely different than when she wants milk.

Mimi would proceed to fall out on the ground and have a tantrum. Crying, yelling, signing till I put her in the high chair and fed her.

waitingon-god

Waiting without God

Waiting without God and waiting with God. I have found similarities with my one-year old’s patience. When I first found Christ, I would wait without God. Praying for things and anxiously waiting for God to answer; similarly to my toddler when I tell her to wait. Sometimes, I would have a full out tantrum because things weren’t happening in my time or how I wanted them.

I can Help God Mentality

Then I progressed in my faith and became like my middle daughter, Lailah. When I tell her to wait for something, she’ll take it upon herself to do it on her own. Calling herself “helping” me out usually ending up in a spill, break or simply a mess. I have “helped’ out God quite a few times resulting in nothing that I wanted or a long messy drawn out way to it.

Waiting with God

As a believer and an adult. I wait differently than I did when I first came into my faith. I have found Scripture to guide me; yet, still, work in progress. I still need to work on my execution.

Similarly to my oldest daughter; when she asks me for something, and I say “wait.” She will wait for a while to come back to me and “remind” or ask me again.  Then, if I still haven’t done it, she will ask if she can help me and wait a little longer.  Thanking me once I execute my task because of our fourteen years together she has gained trust in me and knew that I would get to it when I can.

4 Ways Scriptures Shows us to Wait

Like my relationship with all my daughters; I have learned to wait with God as I have matured in my faith. As I have grown, I have found that I need several things for me to have patience, hope, and trust that the Lord will answer my prayers. I may not like the answer, but I will receive a reply nonetheless in due time.

1. Wait

When waiting with the Lord, you have to have trust and confidence that He will answer you as well as stay close by His side so that you are ready when it is time. (Kind of like my twelve years old)

Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV) 20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

This verse to me is a proven process of what is needed to wait for the Lord.

2. Help

I look to God for his help in trouble instead of offering my “help.”

Psalm 46:1(NIV) God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.

3.  Rejoice

Instead of fretting; I rejoice no matter what. I am grateful to turn to and to help me in need. I just need to come to Him, be grateful to Him and wait for Him to take action.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

4.  Trust

Something that I learned and continued to grow in is trusting in the Lord.  How He does things because it’s usually different from my own but always so much better than anything that I could do for myself.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

waiting

What helps you get through the waiting phase?

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christianity Faith & Self Care Product Review Product Reviews

Life Application Study Bible

I received my Life Application Study Bible from Bible Gateway for free to review and post. Although, I received the Bible as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy

Years ago, I was in a Bible Study with a woman whose mother had just passed.  She had obtained one of her Mother’s Bible that had her notes, thoughts, and handwritten.  It was now one of the woman’s most treasured possession and the Bible she used. The woman’s mother had many Bible, so she and her sisters each took one to remember their mother.  It made an impact on me, and I wanted to leave the Bible to my three girls. Since meeting that woman, I have gone through two Bibles. What I mean is that I love to highlight and take notes in my Bible after a few years, many notes and highlights can become distracting when studying. I use the Good Morning Girls Highlight guide while reading my Bible

Leaving a Legacy for my Girls

Recently, I’ve thought I need a new Bible. As I go to study the current Bible, I have read. It’s beginning to be a challenge to overlook all the notes and highlights I have made.  I also realized that I get a new Bible in a new season. For the past few months, I have been feeling a new season in my life approaching. When I was asked to review the Life Application Bible from Bible Gateway, I knew it was God’s timing.  I have fallen in love with this new Bible and excited to make new highlights and marks. It’s also a Bible I can leave to my third daughter once I move on. I have each of my past Bible’s to my girls. I think it’ll be a special gift I can give them prayerfully when I am living.  Maybe their wedding who knows, but it’s something I want to leave them to keep with them and remember me.

A great resource to study

I am excited to explore this Life Application NIV Bible.  First, it is beautiful, bound in leather with golden lined pages.  Open up the pages, and it has an extensive commentary within each Book.  It’s jam-packed with great resources to further your study. The Life Application Study Bible has resources, references, maps, genealogy charts, summations of events.  It’s an excellent Bible for me to use in my inductive studies. 

I did find that most of the pages have more commentary than the Word, which can be distracting. I wish the commentary to verse ratio were evenly distributed. It’s also a different version than I am currently studying. For the last four years, I have been using the New American Standard Bible to study.  I think studying in a different version could change some of my reflections. Most people I do Bible Studies with have the NIV version, so I am curious to see how our conversation goes. I like having a different version to compare to others, but I am excited to see what the NIV brings to my perspective.

No matter the version, when I open the bounded book, the message is always what I need to hear. It’s not necessarily what I want to hear, but it’s required.  It also can be different, although I read the same verse. It’s the living Word, and it can be renewed in our Spirit daily if you read it. I’m curious if the version will change my reflections.

Bible Gateway Plus

If you’re looking for a beautiful Bible to give to someone who likes to study the Word or new to studying the Word. I think especially for those new to studying. The Life Application Study Bible is a great Bible to gift or gets for your own Bible Study time. If you’re looking for more opportunities to further your study or research. I want to encourage you to check out the Bible Gateway App for free, or you can access the BibleGateway Plus to get check out over 40 Bible studies and reference books. Bible gateways give you lots of resources to enhance your study experience. 

What type of Bible do you use to study?  

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