Friday, May 31, 2013

Our Story.

Ok.So I know I haven't been great about writing everyday... I managed to squeeze out 20 posts of thankfulness this month, which I think is pretty good! Today as I reflect I am thankful for our story, even though it is full of hurts and a lot of healing time I am thankful! I am thankful that we can use it to reach people and to bring more people to know Christ and to know what being healed through him is like! Many times when we share our story with people, I feel like it's such a depressing story... and then I remember that it's not done! Our story is still being written and I know that God has great things in store for us, it's just the waiting part that is the hardest! Walking this path together over the past (almost 3 years) of marriage has brought JC and I closer together then I ever thought possible! I am also thankful for that and can see how God was using all the situations we've been through to make us that much stronger! So today I am thankful for our story and where it has brought us and where it will lead us! 

In other news I can't believe tomorrow is June 1st! Where did May go? I'm not complaining though because next Monday we leave for NH for Cassie's (JC's twin sister) wedding and I am SO excited to spend time withe her and JC's family who I have missed a lot since we moved away two years ago! I'm thinking June is going to fly by with a week in NH and a week at camp and I may not have time to blog much, so hang in there with me! I hope you all have a blessed weekend! 

XOXO Bee

Day:26 Water (personally my drink of choice 24/7)

Day:27 Emotion, excited for my final cake decorating class of level 2!

Day:28 Out the Window

Day:29 Calm... I am most calm & relaxed when I'm doing something
creative!  

Day:30 Can't do without... Where my strength comes from!

Day:31 First thing in the morning... Devo Time! 

Because of an unfortunate event I had to buy a new comforter for our bed!
I love it and thankful it matches perfectly with our new paint job!! 

Last Sunday we went to a park to play frisbee golf with the teens,
it was a blast and a "lovely" day to be outside!! 

Proud of my final cake for my level 2 class! 

On the way home from Target today, Zeke didn't like the bags...
so he had to keep an eye on them! Silly boy! 



Monday, May 27, 2013

Baking.

Today I am thankful for my ability to bake. Baking has always been something that I have enjoyed to do ever since I was little. Some of my fondest memories of my Mom are in the kitchen baking with her. She was more of a perfectionist and very tidy in the kitchen... me on the other hand I get messy and I can be a perfectionist when it comes to certain things! I think half the fun of baking is making a mess and my poor pups have gotten flour/powder sugar on them more than once!I am thankful for baking because it can turn a bad day into a good day just like that and it's defiantly my stress reliever!Many of my happy moments happen when I'm in the kitchen with my music up loud singing and mixing stuff up! I dream of one day opening a cupcake bakery of my own... maybe someday but for now I'm happy baking in my kitchen and learning new decorating techniques in my cake decorating classes that I'm taking at Michael's! I hope you are having a blessed Memorial Day! 

XOXO Bee

I love my Kitchen Aid Mixer and can't imagine baking without it! 

Death by Oreo Cupcake

Pumpkin cupcake with maple frosting (probably my
favorite frosting I've made!)

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Friends.

Today I am thankful for my friends! You must admit that life is much better when shared with friends, I am blessed enough to have friends all over the country. However having friends around the country can sometime make it tough and I miss them a lot, so it's great when I get to see them! I was so thankful and glad that moving down here to Belle Glade we instantly connected with a couple down here and I knew moving down here we already had friends, which made it that much easier to move! So thanks Matt & Myranda for being our friends and making the move to FL that much easier! To all my other friends... I miss you dearly! So take time today to appreciate the friends in your life and let them know how much they mean to you!

XOXO Bee

Day:23 A Daily Routine... Taking the pups for a walk! 

Day:24 Little Things... like having flowers to enjoy in the kitchen,
makes me happy! 

Day:25 Your Town, Belle Glade is a Sugar Cane farming community,
so this is pretty much our town! 

Our friends Matt & Myranda! 

Me with two of my best friends that I miss dearly in Chicago last summer! 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

God of Peace & Healing.

Today I am thankful for a God who provides peace and healing in a hurting world to the hurting people. Have you ever heard someone pray and say "May you give them peace that makes no sense."? Well I have felt this peace that makes no sense... after waking up and finding out that our first born baby had passed away, what did I feel? Peace, doesn't make sense does it... well that's what this great God is capable of providing a peace that you can't explain you can only feel it and live it! On top of gifting us with this peace that makes no sense he brings healing & rest to those in need. The healing he offers will still take some time, but it is wonderful to know that he heals all kinds of broken hearts. I can't even imagine going through what I have gone through in life without knowing my God has my back! So today I am thankful for a God who gives peace that makes no sense and healing to the brokenhearted! Thank you God for your blessing on us, even though we are sinners and don't deserve them! 

XOXO Bee

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. Ephesians 2:17

The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33

All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing. Isaiah 14:7

"The Lord bless you and keep you;the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26


Day:21 Inspires me.. people like Zach Sobiech who live their life
 to the fullest even in the face of death. If you haven't heard his
story, look it up... it's amazing!  

Day:22 Sleep 


Monday, May 20, 2013

Fur Babies

Today I am thankful for my fur babies. I am thankful for them because even though I don't have my human babies here on earth to hold I still have my fur babies to love & that love me! They are wonderful companions to have in life and are always so excited to see you when you get home... that's a great feeling! If it weren't for Zoey girl it would have been 10X harder going home to an empty house after losing Maggie Grace. Our two fur babies have been such a blessing in our lives and make us laugh everyday! So if you have a pet, be sure to give them some extra love today!! 

XOXO Bee

I just love them! 

Day:20 Looking Up... Palm Trees

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Time to Breath...

Today I am thankful for time to breath, time to be still, time to be alone, time to reflect. Those are some of the moment that I treasure most when the house is still and I have alone time with myself and God. Everyone needs moments like that where you can just step back take a breath and reflect on where you are in your life and maybe where you are in your walk with Christ! So I hope today or sometime this week you take some "you" time to take a breath and enjoy the stillness! 

XOXO Bee

The Lord will fight for you; you need only be still. Exodus 14:14

"Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling." Zechariah 2:13


It's been a good Sunday JC preached and did an awesome job! I got to wear my new
dress & my new cute necklace from my sweet SIL Whitney! 


Saturday, May 18, 2013

Storms.

Today I am thankful for storms, not the weather kind of storms but the storms in life... when things don't go the way you think/ expect them to go. Why am I thankful for storm you may ask?! It's not necessarily the storm itself I'm thankful for but the work that God has done in and through those storms that I am thankful for! When you're in the middle of a storm in your life it is hard to see how/what God could possible be doing in that moment. When the winds stop blowing and you are able to step back and allow yourself to breath is when you start seeing those small blessings throughout that storm. Then after the sky clears up more and the storm has subsided for the most part you are able to see how God  was truly in the middle of the storm with you all along holding you. Just like after a real storm things may appear messy and out of place at first, however in some areas the grass might seem a little bit greener. At the end of the day you are more able to look at your life with thanksgiving and see all the blessings in your life that God has given you! So if you are going through a storm right now, hold tight to the maker and know that he's got your back & that he won't bring you to anything you can't get through with his strength.

XOXO Bee

God uses storms in our lives to cause us and those around us to cry out to him. All pretense is gone and we throw ourselves as the mercy of our only source of hope. And when we cry out to him, he bends down to listen. ~ Nancy Guthrie

We can become God chasers- recognizing that, if we listen, in the midst of the most violent storm we can detect the still, small voice of God, calling us to greater faith in him. ~ Nancy Guthrie

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. Psalm 107:29

Day:16 Faceless

We took time out of our day to watch the sunset, it was great! 

Day:17 Creature Comforts... Zoey always knows when I need a good cuddle! 

Day:18 Something that made me smile today!
This cute picture of our adorable nephew "talking" to uncle JC!
SO excited to see him and hug him in less then a month!! 




Wednesday, May 15, 2013

God who hears prayers!

Today I am thankful for a God who answers prayers, he hears all of them even the ones that seem small and insignificant. I'm thankful for God who is in all things great and small, I am thankful to know that there is someone up there who hears my cries & feels my hurts right along with me. Today I am thankful for a God who listens to my prayers and may not always answer them or answer them the way I would like... but none the less he answers them! So today don't forget to pray for things you made need but also thank God for all he has blessed you with! Blessings on your day my dear friends! 

XOXO Bee

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

But God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Psalm 66:19

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. Philemon 1:4

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:20

Day:14 A Pair

Day:15 What I'm reading... two of these are my daily devotionals! 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Mother Nature

I apologize for missing yesterday, but as it was Mother's Day you can imagine it was a tough day for me emotionally. I thought I was doing pretty good but shortly into the church service I broke down crying and my hubby took me home. The rest of the day was lovely just spending time with my love and our fur babies! JC made a delicious dinner and we just spent the night cuddling on the couch watching tv, a perfect and relaxing night in my eyes! Any way yesterday's photo of the day was Mother Nature and that got me thinking how thankful I am for nature and all the living things that God has created! Our world is full of so many beautiful things that God has handmade just for us to enjoy! What an awesome God we serve! I am also thankful that we have lived in different states and have been able to enjoy all different kinds of nature! So maybe tonight or tomorrow take time to go for a walk and soak up all the awesome sights and sounds in nature... I promise you won't be disappointed! 

XOXO Bee

May you be blessed by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 115:15


God made two great lights- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth. Genesis 1:16,17

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw it was good. Genesis 1:21


I love this man! 

Day:12 Mother Nature... we had a crazy rain storm yesterday
and a beautiful rainbow that followed it! 

My cute fur babies and I! They made my Mother's Day! 

Day:13 Kitchen... I love our kitchen in our new home, its huge! 



Saturday, May 11, 2013

Friends.

Today I am most thankful for friends in my life. I'm thankful to know that I always have someone I can call when I'm having a hard time, friends bring so much joy to life and as a women it's important to have girlfriends I know I can count on! So thank you to all my girlfriends who have been there for me through thick and thin, the ones I may not talk to often but know we can pick up right where we left off, to ones that are near & to ones that are far. Life would be so dull and lonely without you, I appreciate you and love you tons!! 

XOXO Bee

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

"Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." 
Job 6:14

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11

Day:11 Someone I love... obviously the love of my life
My hubby! 

Friday, May 10, 2013

Life in Ministry.

Today I am thankful for being called into ministry with my best friend and hubby! Serving in ministry is defiantly a calling and at times is not always easy but it is always 100% worth it. Especially when you pray the prayer with a child who is excepting Jesus into their heart for the first time! Also when you see a teen grow in their faith and see how they are truly using their gifts to bring glory to God... honestly nothing better then that! Ministry is hard, for example when it calls you away from family (this has been the toughest part for me) but I'm always trusting in God's plan for our life and know that he has our best interest at heart! JC made it clear before we even got engaged that we would be moving quit a bit if we go into ministry, and that has been true.. but I wouldn't trade it for anything! 

XOXO Bee

"and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." Acts 6:4

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 
2 Corinthians 4:1

Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. Luke 3:23

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Day 10: Something I created... Cupcakes & gum paste
flowers I learned how to make in my cake decorating class this week! 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Family

Today I am thankful for my family! I am so grateful to have grown up in the household that I did, grateful for my parents (which now includes Mary!), and for my brothers. I'm thankful for my sisters in laws and for JC's family!  I am also so thankful for my "adoptive" family members who have been there for both JC and I over the last few years! Ever since Mom passed away I have had a number of adopted mom's... but one stands out in my mind as someone who as always been there even when distance separated us. Tammy thanks for always being there for me and knowing what to say on even those tough days (even though I know you don't think you know what to say, you always seem to find the right words!) So today I am thankful for family whether that be blood related or not... I love knowing that I always have people in my life I can count on, even through some of the hardest days of my life! 

XOXO Bee

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

Honor your Father and Mother; and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' 
Matthew 19:19

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31


My mama Tam Tam, has been there through it all

I am so thankful for you! 

I love my Bothers! 

Day:9 Broken. Mom's well loved cedar chest
Hoping to refinish this cherished piece of
furniture someday! 



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Restore.

Today I am thankful that I serve a God that restores, he restores people relationships, sometimes people's health, but most of all he can restore and repair a broken heart. It is amazing to see how God can restore a persons heart after is being broken... he puts it back together piece by piece. For that to happen however one needs to be willing to let God work and repair, I have had to allow God to do this a number of times in my own life. Sometimes you want to fight and stay mad at God and at the world, but what's the point in that? Allow God to piece you back together, he only wants the best for you his child.

XOXO Bee


He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. Psalms 41:3

Restore in me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalms 51:12

For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. 
2 Corinthians 13:9


Day:8 Favorite color... Fuchsia/ pink!! 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Home.

Today I am thankful to have a home, a place to call our own! I am thankful for food to eat, a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in and a pillow to rest my head at night! Too often we get caught up in the possessions we own or want and we are not thankful for the things that we need and God has blessed us with! So today I challenge you to think about and be thankful for the things & people that God has blessed you with in your life! 

XOXO Bee

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin." Matthew 6:28

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" Matthew 6:25

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God & money." Matthew 6:24

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 
Matthew 6:19-21

Day:7 Fur

Monday, May 6, 2013

God of Forgiveness.

God is a God of Forgiveness. No matter how many times you or I miss up in our life time, he is always there to forgive. Not only that but he is there to pick up the pieces when we are broken about our sin and piece us back together into something more beautiful then before.If there is one thing I have learned from all my trials in life is that there is always a lesson God is teaching you through those times. So whether your struggle or trial is due to a sin you have committed or just part of your story learn from it, ask for forgiveness and know that we serve a God of Forgiveness... one that always has your back! Lean into that forgiveness and find strength and comfort in it. I pray that you will always know that God has your back and that God will bring you through any rough patch you may be going through... believe me I'm living proof! And you know what?! I've come out the other side a new and better person every time, God is never done teaching! 

XOXO Bee

Day:6 Words

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made

Today I am thankful for the way God created humans, have you ever really stopped to think about how amazing the human body is and how it all works?! I think it's all pretty amazing, God is an awesome creature! So today I am thankful for having; legs that allow me to run, jump, walk, eyes that can see, ears that can hear, a mouth that can taste and speak. So many things to be thankful for about the human body and all it allows us to do! Sorry I missed blogging yesterday, it was a crazy day!

XOXO Bee

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my Mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a Mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Eccesiastes 11:5

I praise you because I am fearfully & wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well. Psalm 139:14

Day: 4 Delicious 

Day: 5 My view today

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Somedays Heaven seems so far away!

Somedays Heaven, my babies & my mom seem so far away. Days like that are difficult but what makes it less painful is knowing that they are all in Heaven and because Jesus died on the cross for my sins I have the promise of eternal life and seeing all of them again someday!! I know they are all in a better place than this awful messed up world we live in... so today I am thankful for eternal life & Heaven! I hope you had a great Saturday! No picture for today, but I promise I'll post two tomorrow!

XOXO Bee

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. Job 16:19

Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Friday, May 3, 2013

God's Provision.

After a crazy stressful week like the one we have had I am so thankful and blown away by God's provisions & timing in our life! He always comes through for us in the nick of time! One of my favorite says " God is never early, but he is always right on time." that could not have been more true this week as we transferred our car title & plates to FL... quit the expense that we were not expecting! But as always God came through and everything is situated and we are now officially Florida residents! A little strange considering I have only ever driven cars with MN plates on them, a bitter sweet day! This weekend I am looking forward to hopefully a quite & relaxing weekend. I was a substitute teacher three days this week & going back next week for two more days... so I am ready for some quite! I hope you find some quite time for you and God this weekend! 

XOXO Bee


I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. Psalm 132:15

For I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. Philippians 1:19

" Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

Day:3 Black & White


Thursday, May 2, 2013

Today I am Thankful for....

Day 2: May Month Challenge. Today I am thankful for my best friend, love of my life, partner, my favorite person, my husband. I am thankful for someone that I get to share life with in the good times & the bad. Nothing can prepare a couple for the trials we have been through in our short 2.5 years of marriage. All I know is that God has blessed us with a strong marriage and I am so thankful for that! I am thankful for the person JC is today, we have both grown a lot since we started dating & it's been wonderful seeing him become the man of God he is today! It touches my heart when I see him speak to teens about God & see him lead worship with his whole heart! And I can not wait to see him be a father! (I know that day will come, just don't know when!) On top of all those things he is also pretty cute! ;) So today I am thankful for a strong marriage to my best friend! I hope you are finding some joy and something to be thankful for today! 

XOXO Bee

The husband should fulfill his marital duties to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:3

A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 12:4

The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman' for she was taken out of man." Genesis 2:22-23

Day 2: On the Wall
Got this awesome wall decal for our bedroom from Amazon for
$7 & we love it!!  

Zeke went for a run with us yesterday and then
he proceeded to pass out on our bed haha! 

Started this workout today & man did I sweat! Trying to
get "flatter" abs at least! 

This is how I know God is not done writing my story! 


Wednesday, May 1, 2013

My May Month Challenge

So when I began thinking about the month of May & things I wanted to accomplish this month, I thought that it would be a great month to take time out everyday to give thanks! Now this is a challenge for me, but I also want to extend it to you, my reader. I will be posting everyday about something or someone I am thankful for... I hope to mainly focus on God, however there are also other people/things that I am thankful for in my life! I want to hear from you, if you feel led to comment on a day or several days about something you are thankful for... I would truly love to hear it! So that is My May Month Challenge for myself & for you! Blessings to you!

XOXO Bee

Today I am thankful for a Loving God, who loves me as my completely human self. Who loves me for who I am and can see past all my imperfections & sins!

And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

I'm going to be doing a Photo a Day this month also,
so there will be plenty of pics! 

Day:1 Self portrait 

I just love this, it's how I feel every time I get out there
and run!