tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58265655349452672902024-03-13T00:50:38.630-04:00Steadfast StowellAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-20901588330531863102017-01-26T10:50:00.000-05:002017-01-26T10:50:04.749-05:00Dear Social MediaDear Social Media,<br />
<br />
I love you. And I hate you.<br />
<br />
I love that you allow me to stay connected to people I don't see often enough.<br />
I hate that you bring out comparison in my heart.<br />
I love that you give me a platform to share issues I hold dear to my heart.<br />
I hate that you don't share my tone or the sincerity of my heart.<br />
I love that I can post highlights from my life.<br />
I hate how misleading those highlights can be--it leaves me feeling unknown.<br />
I love the sharing of God's Word I see on my newsfeeds.<br />
I hate the bullying and hate you so often provoke.<br />
I love that a quick swipe down my newsfeed allows me to see what's going on in the world, from the comfort of my home.<br />
I hate that you are too often used for politics.<br />
I love seeing my friends use you to promote their small businesses.<br />
I hate that you haven't figured out how to prevent hacking of accounts.<br />
I love how you have connected me with other young moms, even some many miles away.<br />
I hate how addicting you are!<br />
<br />
<br />
I love you. And I hate you.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
An avid user<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-31692463595546708732017-01-23T21:17:00.001-05:002017-01-23T21:17:45.752-05:00Hello, 2017.Whirlwind. That's how I would describe most of my days. There are few moments of calm, quiet, and rest. With two teeny girls, my only hope for calm, quiet, or rest is what I call NAP OVERLAP or as seen on my Instagram #twonappinggirls. I have learned not to expect it, but to be thankful for it and use it wisely when I get it!<br />
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January is quickly coming to an end and here I am, with my New Years post. Yep. Whirlwind.<br />
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Each year, I commit to praying a verse or passage from Scripture for Tyler and myself. This year, I also decided to prayerfully select verses for the girls, too. This year, I will be praying...<br />
<br />
For myself :: "Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways." -Psalm 119:35<br />
Oh how I long to seek God above all else and find life in Him alone. It is so much easier said than done with a sinful heart and in a fallen world. So I'll pray.<br />
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For Tyler :: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:14<br />
Walking in the Spirit is hard when exhaustion is a key player. My husband serves our family well and works HARD. I know that while he is on the "front lines" so to speak, Satan will not waste an opportunity. So I'll pray, for protection and strength.<br />
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For Peighton :: "Keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you...write them on the tablet of your heart." - Proverbs 7:1-3<br />
What a joy it is to hear my biggest little talk about Jesus! My prayer is that His words would be engraved on her young heart.<br />
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For Brylee :: "You are precious in my eyes and honored, and I love you." - Isaiah 43:4<br />
Sweet baby Brylee. I hope that as she catches glimpses of just how much she is loved by God!<br />
<br />
I'm hopeful for the year ahead. Anxious for rest (<i>sleep Brylee, sleep!). </i>Excited for the adventures God has for our family. Eager to deepen and develop friendships. And thankful for another year of growing in the Lord. 2017, let's go!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-78982789614920551452016-11-12T22:25:00.001-05:002016-11-12T22:25:53.836-05:00Things I Hate<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today has been one of those days where I have been more drawn to complain, than to praise. And if I'm honest, the past week or so has had the same shade of pessimism in my life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My staff team here at Rutgers with Athletes in Action, regularly goes through challenging material together. This semester we are reading <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Down-House-Living-Productively-World/dp/0981540066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479005007&sr=8-1&keywords=broken+down+house" target="_blank"><u>Broken-Down House: Living Productively in a World Gone Bad</u> by Paul David Tripp</a>. My most recently completed chapter was about anger. Tripp compared two types of anger--the kind that probably comes to your mind when you hear the word {frustrated while in traffic, short tempered with your family, irritable at work, etc.} and the kind that is aligned with God's anger {angry about injustices, sin, our fallen world, etc.}. And this got me thinking....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Via my online life, some people know me better than they would otherwise. And some people <i>only</i> know me through my online life. And I'm feeling like I want y'all to get to know me a little better. Yes, I get angry {the non-God angry}. And yes, I get good and angry, as Tripp calls it. What makes me <i>good and angry</i>? What are things I, dare I say, HATE?</span><br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate broken relationships. I've experienced several throughout my life and the effects of those around me who have had broken relationships. And I'm often left feeling hurt, inadequate, misunderstood. And I think it is good for me to hate that, because God didn't design relationships to be broken.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate death. About a month ago, I visited my grandfather in his final days. It was an absolute joy to have him meet his newest great-granddaughter. But it was absolutely heart wrenching to see him suffering. And now that he's gone, I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around just how different life will be without him.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate consequences. We {all people} make choices in life that come with consequences--big and/or small. The consequences sometimes don't go away. I hate the reality of a reminder of a bad choice.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some more specific examples....</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate seeing my daughters hurt.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate seeing my husband experience disappointment.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate pain. Like physical pain. I am a wuss.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hate seeing others be mistreated.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I often hate hearing stories from girls on campus. During the last few years serving with Athletes in Action, I have had student-athletes share with me that they have been sexually assaulted, that they've sought counseling to get a handle on crippling anxiety, that they've had abortions, that they've experienced racial discrimination from peers/teammates, that their teammate was drugged and date raped, that their parents have been undergoing tests for a life threatening illness, that their parents are getting a divorce.... the list could go on and on.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">People have stories. And <i>I hate when we {Christians} ignore the people, forget the stories, and point fingers of shame and condemnation at the wrong just for the sake that it's wrong.</i><i><br /></i>I long for a world of goodness, love, mercy and grace, humility, kindness, and sincerity. And if there's anything I've learned from experiencing the above list, it is that the kind of world I long for is a far way off...and only possible by the grace of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Fellow Christian, I implore you... let's aim together to love well, extend grace, and proceed with humility. Let's strive to make our world, although inevitably fallen and broken, a little less worthy of our anger.<br /><br /><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28823A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28823A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">those who are being saved and among </span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-ESV-28823B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28823B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white;">those who are perishing." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 2 Corinthians 2:15</span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-65961116678136904142016-10-31T23:35:00.000-04:002016-10-31T23:35:20.018-04:00A Happy Halloween IndeedCelebrating Halloween can be a controversial topic for Christians. This October, I have come across several articles offering different perspectives on the matter. <a href="https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/other/opportunity-knocks-halloween.html" target="_blank">This one</a> is my favorite. And here's why...<br />
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Tonight, my family took part in Halloween. Our porch was donned with a pumpkin. We took our two little ones around our neighborhood trick-or-treating. We handed fun sized candy out to costume clad children. It was a Happy Halloween around here indeed!<br />
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<br />
As we were out taking part in Halloween, we met several of our new neighbors! We've lived in our home for 3 months now--so we are still "new to the neighborhood." I loved having that built-in opportunity to knock on someone's door. Our family met George tonight, who lives a few houses down. In our brief exchange with him, we learned that he has lived in his home for nearly 50 years and lost his wife just a year ago. I'm pretty convinced that without Halloween, I wouldn't have had that opportunity. After we got home, Tyler and I have discussed ways to love George well and reach out to him!<br />
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We are aware of the stigma that Halloween holds, the arguments for not celebrating, the reasons for the porch light to be off. But for us, Halloween is an obvious open-door to engage with those in our community. Hopefully, the Lord will continue to lead us to connect with our neighbors in a natural way. This year, Halloween was just the first step.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-34455548173226879072016-10-10T21:40:00.001-04:002016-10-10T21:40:46.701-04:00And Something for the Baby MamaMy littlest will be two months old this week. I don't know how that happened! It literally seems like yesterday that my <i>first born</i> was two months old. The fact that I am Mama to two little cutie girls, still blows my mind. But I am, nonetheless.<br />
<br />
In light of the fact that I feel like I'm finally crawling out of my "I have a newborn" hibernation, I thought I'd share some things I've learned over the last just-less-than two years.<br />
<br />
I have now given birth to two tiny humans. I have had three pregnancies--two to term, and both of those ending in a gestational hypertension diagnosis. Just prior to my most recent tiny human delivery, we moved into our first home. Two short weeks after Brylee was born, the fall semester started at Rutgers (which, for us, means busy schedules and full work days!). Does this make me an expert? Not in the slightest. Does it make me crazy? Maybe...haha! Either way, I thought it'd be fun to share some things I learned along the way in the whole "bringing tiny humans into the world" journey.<br />
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<b>What made me feel cared for when recovering from child birth, transitioning into motherhood, navigating breastfeeding, functioning on little sleep, and what felt like, some days, I was barely surviving?</b><br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Food.</b> Y'all, I love food. You've probably picked up on that. When Peighton (our first) was born, we had friends bring food from our favorite sub shop to the hospital, a friend left homemade banana bread at our apartment, a student athlete brought over Chipotle for dinner one night, and our freezer was stocked with crockpot freezer meals. When Brylee was born, we had those same subs brought to us--by different friends, my husband picked up Dunkin Donuts *although more for Peighton, but I reaped the benefits!, my mom prepped 20 or so crockpot freezer meals, and a friend from church brought over her DELICIOUS bruschetta and a pan of baked oatmeal. It was so incredibly helpful to have less to worry about when it came to food prep with a new baby. Cooking a full meal was one of the last things I wanted to do, after childbirth. So to have someone thoughtfully provide for me, meant the world.</li>
<li><b>Gifts.</b> Gifts are my love language. When I am given a gift, it speaks directly to my heart. A gift, to me says, "I wasn't with you, but I was thinking of you and I care about you." I've learned about myself that flowers are my favorite post-delivery gift. When my husband and Peighton brought home roses after an errand, my heart was mush. The friend who left banana bread for us, also left a vase full of colorful blooms. And my sweet Mama brought flowers to the hospital when Peighton was born in the vase her mother had given to her when I was born! Talk about meaningful! </li>
<li><b>Sleep.</b> The gift of sleep isn't just nice, but necessary. I'm convinced there's nobody more tired than a breastfeeding new mama. After Brylee was born, I remember handing her to my mom and saying, "I just need to close my eyes" and my mom snuggled sweet Brylee for I don't even know how long while I snoozed on the couch. It was blissful. Any new mom is grateful for the extra set of hands in order to allow for some much needed Mama zzz's. </li>
<li><b>Chores.</b> Like cooking, laundry and cleaning aren't high up on my "can't wait to do this" list after child birth. Showering yes, chores no. When a friend from church came over and offered to do my sink full of dirty dishes, I was blown away. When a load of spit-up covered baby laundry gets done--and you have no part in it as a recovering mama--that's a win. When my hands are free from chores, I am free to snuggle my babies, and that's what I really want to do when I'm a ball of hormones. </li>
<li><b>Errands. </b>Getting out of the house is no easy task with TWO teeny ones, especially in the very early days post-childbirth. Having someone say, "Can I pick anything up for you on my way over?" can mean the world.</li>
<li><b>Initiative.</b> I'm learning about myself that I am not great at asking for help. And, sometimes, I turn down a general offer for help even if I need it. So in light of my own issues, I realized that what's most helpful, and thoughtful even, to me is when an obvious to-do gets done. As a recovering new mama, I barely have enough energy to keep myself and the tiny human I'm nursing alive each day, let alone help anyone else. I don't have the physical energy to do much of anything, but I also don't have the mental energy to even be aware of all that needs to get done for those around me!</li>
<li><b>Words.</b> <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." - Proverbs 16:24 </i>A kind and gentle word goes A LONG way for me as a new mama. Anything uplifting and encouraging does the trick. "You're doing a great job. You're great with her. You'll get the hang of ______, persevere. It's hard, but it's worth it. I'm here to help." etc. </li>
</ul>
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There are many many many articles and blog posts about what is helpful to new moms. Obviously, my list is not exhaustive. AND, it's pretty specific to what was helpful for me. But there you have it, some insight into how to care well for a new mama!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-52432953857613385802016-10-04T00:25:00.000-04:002016-10-04T00:30:52.072-04:00Recipe Review: "Almond Butter Brownies"My current situation is...it's midnight and there is a sleeping toddler upstairs, sick sleeping husband across the hall, and I am in the nursery with a sleeping baby on my chest. I am not as tired as I normally am this late because about 4 hours ago I had a cup of coffee, haha! With Tyler feeling under the weather, I wanted to have energy to stay up to nurse and put Brylee back to sleep.<br />
<br />
AND, I am back in the game, folks! Maternity leave is officially over and I am feeling so excited to get back into the swing of things with Athletes in Action here at Rutgers. While a lot of my days won't change, my Monday nights will look a little different for the rest of the year. Twice a month, I am hosting our student leader girls for a discipleship group. The <a href="http://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/product-category/ehs-course/" target="_blank">material</a> we will be covering is some of the best stuff I've ever gone through--it challenged me and helped me grow in so many areas. I can't wait to dig into it with our student leaders!<br />
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With tonight being our first scheduled meeting of the semester, I wanted to roll out the red carpet, if you will =) One of the girls is gluten-free, which isn't how I typically bake, so I had to think outside the box. A friend suggested I try Food Babe's <a href="http://foodbabe.com/2012/03/04/almond-butter-brownies/" target="_blank">Almond Butter Brownies</a>. Y'all....oh my sweet goodness. These gluten-free, diary-free delights were absolutely delicious and a hit!!<br />
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Substitutions I made to the original recipe:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>peanut butter for almond butter</li>
<li>Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips for "Enjoy Life" chocolate chunks</li>
<li>organic sugar for coconut sugar</li>
</ul>
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Because this was a last minute decision, I used ingredients I already had on hand. And I wouldn't personally call what I made brownies. They tasted far more like peanut butter cookies. I would label them "Peanut Butter Cookie Bars." The short ingredient list, ease of this recipe, and yumminess has me already planning when to make this again. Without flour, I did not feel like I was sacrificing flavor at all. It was pure gooey, rich peanut butter chocolatey goodness that came out of the oven. And my cup of 8pm coffee was the perfect pairing.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-31774277779030028242016-10-01T10:53:00.000-04:002016-10-01T10:53:05.936-04:00My Heart LanguageEmpathy is defined by <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy" target="_blank">Webster</a> as "the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotions; the ability to share someone else's feelings." And I say, YES YES YES.<br />
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Recently, I have come to realize just how vital empathy is to relationships. I would go as far to say, it is the oxygen to relationships--without it, death is immanent. I have seen this in a few different areas. I've learned that I need to first listen to and choose to empathize with my friends who walk the challenges and realities of life as a black man/woman in America. My friendships will have no depth, truth, or real meaning if I am not engaging with their emotions and struggles. I've learned that I need to <u>hear</u> and empathize with my husband, especially when we are in conflict. That is how he knows I care for and respect him! And I have learned that as I walk through the daily challenges that are MOTHERHOOD, I NEED EMPATHY.<br />
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This week was a hard one, in a lot of ways. In summary there was projectile spit-up, leaky diapers, refusal to wear a diaper, disobedience, fits, messes, hitting, crying, a constant need to be held, refusal to sleep, all topped off with an often impatient Mama. I texted my husband throughout the day with updates of how hard the days were feeling. I vented a lot in quick snippets via social media. And as I look back wondering, "why did I advertise how ridiculously hard this week was? why did I involve my Facebook friends in my challenging days?" I came to the conclusion that I was seeking empathy. AND I GOT IT. I was so encouraged to read comments from other moms--some who are also in the thick of it, and others who were able to say "this too shall pass." In my venting, I just needed to hear someone else say, "I've been there, too. I know how you feel. I am so sorry. And, there is hope." Because most days, I spend the majority of my awake time with little humans, not rational, emotionally mature adults. My heart needed comfort that only can be found in the verbal embrace of another: empathy.<br />
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I can't imagine I am the only one who has longed for this. How in your life have you sought the life giving words "I know how you feel" from another? How can you seek to grow in empathizing with others in your life? Lead with a desire to hear, understand, and feel with. It will change your relationships!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-28789014343087589472016-09-23T22:24:00.000-04:002016-09-23T22:30:30.096-04:00Recipe Reviews DebutRecently, a friend of mine began <a href="http://maxwellmunchies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blogging</a> and I'm loving it. She is keeping her readers informed on her newly married life--and she's mushy gushy, which is great ;-) and she is sharing about eats--recipes she and her husband make, fun date night restaurants, etc. It's been a really fun blog to add to my reading list! Anyway, she has inspired me.<br />
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I love food. And I love spending time making food in my kitchen! What I am not great at is creating recipes. But I am a gifted recipe follower ;-)<br />
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So, I've decided to {try out} adding a new series, if you will, to my blog, specifically dedicated to reviewing recipes we try.<br />
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Naturally, we share with those around us what we like--because we want them to have the same positive experience we did with _______. So, I am giving it a whirl with recipes!<br />
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This week we welcomed fall. If you know me, then you probably know I am a fall lover to my core. I love the weather, the clothes, the accessories, and the flavors {read: <span style="color: orange;">pumpkin</span>}. My co-workers also have a deep appreciation for the autumn season. It has become a tradition for us to have a fall themed staff meeting the first Friday of the season. Today, we celebrated with food and coffee--per our usual.<br />
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I have been on a baked oatmeal kick ever since my friend Sonia brought some over after Brylee was born. So, I decided to bring <b>pumpkin spice baked oatmeal</b> to our fall kickoff staff meeting. Plus, I made the decision last minute and I had all the ingredients I needed on hand.<br />
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The original recipe can be found <a href="http://www.barefeetinthekitchen.com/2014/10/pumpkin-baked-oatmeal-recipe.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I adapted it some to meet dietary needs and desires...<br />
I substituted:<br />
<ul>
<li>coconut milk for milk</li>
<li>applesauce for oil</li>
<li>pecans for raisins</li>
<li>pumpkin pie spice for nutmeg, cloves, & ginger</li>
</ul>
<div>
I added:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>one scoop of <a href="http://abigailpratt.juiceplus.com/us/en/buy/complete/juice-plus--complete-vanilla" target="_blank">vanilla JuicePlus+ Complete</a></li>
</ul>
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Y'all.... this was GOOD. I could have eaten the entire 8x8 pan of it myself. It had a dessert feel, while being a healthy breakfast food. That is a WIN in my book! Next time, I'd maybe add another 1/2 cup pecans, another scoop of JuicePlus+ Complete and perhaps some sort of glaze. (I omitted the whipped cream topping as I am currently dairy-free.) See what I did there? NEXT TIME. Because this will now be a fall staple in our house. If you give this one a try, let me know how you like it and what you do to make it your own =)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-78779806733526572132016-09-19T20:57:00.001-04:002016-09-19T21:02:47.843-04:00A Change of Heart & A Little MessLife as a mom to two under two has serious ups and downs. Some moments I love, some moments I cry. Some days I want to relive (and often do after bedtime by looking back at photos and sharing fun highlights with Tyler), and some days I wish we could just start over. But all in all, it's a joy and it certainly is a privilege!<br />
<br />
In the past month as a Mama of two, I have learned that:<br />
>my oldest is very empathetic and in tune to emotions--she doesn't like when her baby sister cries (and sometimes cries with her)<br />
>my youngest sleeps through almost anything, even toddler fingers poking her face<br />
>my oldest likes when her sister is awake (and calm!)<br />
>my youngest LOVES to be worn--hallelujah!<br />
>my girls both need me, and unfortunately, sometimes simultaneously<br />
>my two hands are often not enough<br />
>my own strength, patience, kindness, & gentleness DOES NOT CUT IT and I desperately need Jesus to {lovingly} get through each day<br />
>the saying "the days are long but the years are short" is totally accurate<br />
>I am more flexible and selfless than I ever imagined I could be<br />
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And I could share more, but I won't bore you with my progress report. I do, however, want to expand on that last lesson...<br />
I recently opened an email from iMom with <a href="http://www.imom.com/4-principles-of-creative-correction/?utm_content=buffer2cbd0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">this</a> fabulousness in it. I was really challenged reading Dr. Gary Chapman's thoughts on correcting behavior. He writes,<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white;">In a healthy family, we are seeking to correct only the kinds of behaviors that are destructive and detrimental to the child’s development. We are not trying to destroy the child’s unique expression of creativity."</span></i></span><br />
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And oh wow! I so often choose to correct a behavior or am quick to say NO if whatever it is will be inconvenient for me, make a mess, etc. So, taking Dr. Chapman's words to heart... One day last week, my oldest was digging in the pantry. She pulled out A TON {plastic utensils, boxes of broth, unopened mayonnaise, grocery bags, vinegar, paper plates, cups, crushed red pepper}...and stuff was EVERYWHERE. I embraced this disaster, recognizing that Peighton wasn't in any danger. I died to myself and let her discover. In doing so, I got to experience this--<br />
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Pictured above is my 20 month old baby girl <b>setting the table</b>--forks, plates, cups, napkins. I about fell over in amazement when I saw this! The hostess in me was thrilled to see what my daughter has picked up through observation. And she was SO proud of herself!</div>
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Sure, I had a mess to clean up that day but man was it worth it! Seeing my daughter explore gave me great joy--because she was having an absolute blast. I'm sure there will be days that I don't allow her to express her creativity fully, but I'm hopeful those days will be fewer as I continue to learn how to die to myself and let her thrive in toddlerhood.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-11283745293589043162016-09-03T15:32:00.001-04:002016-09-03T23:44:50.004-04:00Date Night DoozyI last shared about the transition my family and I were looking to go through, as we were anticipating the arrival of our second baby girl. The <a href="http://steadfaststowell.blogspot.com/2016/08/looking-to-start-new-chapter.html" target="_blank">post</a> was uploaded August 13 at 1pm.<br />
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About four and a half hours later, my husband and I were on our way to a nice dinner date night! The sun was bright, the air was hot, and we were ON A DATE (it'd been too long)!!<br />
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My sweet husband dropped me off at the restaurant doorstep, while he went to park--because he didn't want to make his very pregnant wife walk in the heat (good man, he is). As I looked over the menu while I waited for him, I decided on my meal... Cuban spring rolls appetizer and one of the specials--organic chicken with broccoli, potatoes, and cheddar (it had a fancy name and was served much prettier than the casserole I made it sound like, haha!). Y'all, that appetizer was THE. BOMB. Maybe it was just the pickles, but my mouth is watering as I type this. Old Man Rafferty's will be getting my business again, just for those spring rolls and desserts!! </div>
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By about 6pm, I was having some decently intense contractions at the table. My poor husband kept having to pause our (serious) conversation and let me just writhe in pain at the table for a bit. We started timing them...and they were coming every 2-7mins and getting more intense. This is where the date night turns total doozie.... we got dessert to go, after I could barely eat my dinner. We were already down the street from the hospital, so off we went! I had just been to the doctor the day before and was told if I felt "funny" to go to the hospital--they don't seem to mess around when a pregnant woman has high blood pressure. </div>
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At about 7pm, Tyler dropped me off and ran home to grab our hospital bag and let Peighton know we wouldn't be there in the morning. (Hello, birth of our second child, haha! I cannot imagine being dropped off by my husband during my first labor experience!) I was only slightly convinced I was in labor, and was prepared to hear "you're not in labor yet. Go home and come back when your contractions are ___ far apart or your water breaks." Kevin, a dear security guard, wheeled me up to Labor & Delivery. I got settled into a room and got all hooked up to the necessary monitors. It wasn't long after that my sweet nurse confirmed that I was in labor and would be staying and having a baby! Woohoo! And what a crazy ending to date night! While I waited for Tyler to return, I turned the Olympics on. I honestly don't remember what time he got back, but it looked like we had a long night ahead when he did. I was only between 3-4cm dilated. </div>
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After I got an epidural (which, in my personal opinion, is one of God's most generous graces to women), the doctor(s) broke my water to get labor progressing. And boy did it ever! It seemed like just minutes I went from being dilated 4cm, to 8cm, to needing to push!! I must say... birthing a tiny human is one of the most terrifying things I have ever done. And knowing what's coming (again, second child) made it even scarier. I was convinced I couldn't do it. I was cursing Eve for bringing the curse of birth pains to us all. My nurses were cheering me on. And my hero of a husband was holding my hand, encouraging me with Truth throughout the entire process. Sounds like I needed a lot of championing, right? I did. But thankfully for us all, baby girl arrived after eleven minutes of pushing, taking her first breath at 11:14pm on August 13th. </div>
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A healthy, full-term baby girl. Brylee Cole Stowell.</div>
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My fears of not having enough love for another baby, have proven to be irrational. Peighton seriously seems to love her new role as big sister. And our family is adjusting to life with a newborn (again) and melding as a family of four! Tyler and I are still in shock... but so thankful to the Lord for all His faithfulness, grace, and answered prayers.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-14730746666444675702016-08-13T13:00:00.001-04:002016-08-13T13:10:47.439-04:00Looking to Start A New ChapterThe role I have as wife and Mama in our little family of three is about to change. Within the next week or so, we are expecting our second little girl to take her first out of the womb breath! We will soon be a family of four. I am still amazed at that reality, and praise God for His perfect timing in gifting us new life.<br />
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Similarly to my previous pregnancy with Peighton, I have experienced some complications. The reassurance I have is, "God is in control, and He is good. I've been through this before. I'v'e reached full-term. My doctors know what they're doing." But, if I'm totally honest, this pregnancy, overall has felt a lot harder (maybe because I also am taking care of a toddler!). It's led me to wonder am I built to do this again?? Needless to say, I'm quite eager for this pregnancy to wrap up as the highs are in the nineties and life just feels a whole lot more challenging while growing a tiny human!<br />
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And then, there's the whole emotional aspect of adding another little one to our family... I have enjoyed so many fun moments with my first born, sweet Peighton Louise!<br />
My heart is a little torn at the thought of somewhere, somehow finding more love to give to another little one. I hear it's possible, but I'm currently in the "I'll believe it when I experience it" phase. Every night when I put Peighton to bed, I whisper in her ear that she'll always be my baby. Some nights, she nods or gives me a verbal "ya" in agreement. And while I am oh so very eager to snuggle our little one on the way, my heart is grieving the loss of being a Mama to one.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmWys1r0pZ0/V69UECF8dCI/AAAAAAAACUI/9--S4ynjV_4mYeRvmClN3Btroo5XsWVRQCLcB/s1600/IMG_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmWys1r0pZ0/V69UECF8dCI/AAAAAAAACUI/9--S4ynjV_4mYeRvmClN3Btroo5XsWVRQCLcB/s400/IMG_2014.jpg" width="266" /></a>Peighton made Tyler and I parents. She will always be our first. She stole our hearts! Now, we've moved towards prepping her for her impending role of Big Sister and are doing all we can to prepare our own hearts to multiply our love as we look to soon welcome Baby Girl Stowell Dos!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-75666235323638637112016-06-08T21:11:00.000-04:002016-06-08T21:11:40.033-04:00Platform for SuccessWithin the last year or so, I have given into what has been flooding my Facebook newsfeed--for what seems like forever. But for most of that forever, <b><i>I was annoyed and judgmental</i></b>.<br />
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<u>Social media used for small business//sales.</u></div>
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Come on, I am sure you have friends who are <a href="https://www.beachbody.com/" target="_blank">Beachbody</a> Coaches, <a href="http://www.lularoe.com/" target="_blank">LuLaRoe</a> Consultants, small business owners (Etsy shop, etc.), <a href="https://www.rodanandfields.com/" target="_blank">Rodan + Fields</a> Consultants, <a href="http://www.juiceplus.com/content/JuicePlus/en.html" target="_blank">Juice+ Plus</a> Distributors, and the like, filling your newsfeed with their products, promotions, and sales pitches. And I cannot possibly be the ONLY person who has had the thought, <i>"Facebook is for sharing your life! I want to see pictures of your family...your LUNCH...but I'm not buying what you're selling."</i><br />
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And then I did it. It started, for me with a fellow Seminole High grad who had FAITHFULLY posted her <a href="http://worthyofbeingstoried.blogspot.com/p/beach.html" target="_blank">fitness and health journey</a> with Beachbody shamelessly all over her social media accounts. I saw she was offering samples of Shakeology, and because I had seen her progress, I thought trying a sample was harmless. That led to (although several months later) a commitment to a fitness <a href="http://worthyofbeingstoried.blogspot.com/p/free-membership-challenge-groups.html" target="_blank">accountability </a>group and Beachbody workout program. And I was, within months, in the best shape of my life--even post-baby! Then I turned into one of those people, constantly posting about fitness and Beachbody....eeek!<br />
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Most recently, my best friend began working with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1098658893518123/" target="_blank">LuLaRoe</a>. This particular friend has been a faithful ministry partner since I began serving in full-time ministry in 2010. When she asked if I'd like to host an online "Pop-Up Party" again, I thought that seemed harmless enough and it would be a great way to come alongside her--after all, she'd been supportive of me for years! {Truth be told, I kind of hated what I had seen of LuLaRoe clothing up until she began selling it. And then I bought a pair of black leggings. And I have never in my life had anything so soft on my body. Now, I'm obsessed...let's just say, I had a LuLaRoe filled birthday!}<br />
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Why do I share all of this? Because these people who are posting about their products or businesses have FAMILIES and deep rooted desires to actually make a difference in the lives of others. My Beachbody Coach is a wife, mom of three, and part-time high school guidance counselor. My friend, the LuLaRoe Consultant, is a new-to-the Atlanta-area, burned out former teacher who chose LuLaRoe because of their desire to give back, as a company. These Facebook sales people are (not always, but) often times in it for way more than a quick dollar--and let's be honest, with non-supportive pessimists like us as Facebook friends, they are not making dollars very quickly.<br />
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I made a choice--after many judgmental thoughts and clicks of the unfollow button. I chose to support my friends and their endeavors. I chose to advocate for their cause--even when I may be their least profitable customer (because, my budget often says "clearance at Target" and not "handmade from Etsy"). And I want to challenge you to do the same. How can we stand with our friends who are working their tails off to make a living? How can we support the use of social media for small businesses? Maybe it's giving into trying that workout program that seems to work for everyone else "but would never work for you...." OR maybe it's committing to host a virtual party and introducing your friends to products they may like OR maybe, it's just choosing to have a positive attitude when you see your friend's post and applauding them from behind the screen rather than criticizing them.<br />
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<b>Let's embrace social media as a platform for small business success!</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-46934546105200665262016-05-30T11:15:00.000-04:002016-05-30T11:15:10.070-04:00Actions Speak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Actions speak louder than words, </i>a phrase I'm sure most of us are familiar with. Those five words have deep meaning if we take the time to unpack them. But where did that thought originate from? Who came up with something so profound? I don't know the answer to that. </div>
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However, I recently flipped the page on our daily Scripture calendar and 1 John 3:18 was before me. I began wondering if the generic <i>actions speak louder than words </i>phrase is a summary of this great Truth.</div>
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Maybe it is just me.... But words come up empty if there is nothing more than what is spoken, to give it value. Actions demonstrate what is beneath the surface. It is often times easy to say the right thing, but it is harder to fake <i>loving in deed and truth. </i>Lately, I have felt this tension and had to be mindful that words are just words until there is <i>deed and truth</i> as the foundation.<i> </i>I remind myself that I need to remain guarded when empty words are spoken, in order to protect my heart. This is a great challenge for me! As I seek to choose to believe the best in others, I also am called to (and know, from experience, it's <b><u>best</u></b> to) <i>guard my heart above all else. </i>When I am too quick to fall for words alone, I am often times left disappointed, hurt, or bitter. So I not only need to filter this as a recipient, but also as a lover of others. <b>Am I loving others with simple <i>words </i>or am I truly loving others in <i>deed and truth</i>?</b></div>
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What about you.... are you loving others with {empty} words or are your actions supportive of what you say? I would encourage you to give some thought to this. And I'd venture to guess, it will make a difference in your relationships. </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-19541862491683844762016-05-01T23:07:00.000-04:002016-05-02T10:32:22.199-04:00Remodel<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lately I have been faced with the reality that (surprise!) I have areas that need attention in my life--areas of much needed growth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Why surprise? Because I know this. But at least for me, these realizations often come in waves or seasons. I'll just be cruising along and then straight out of left field, I am smacked square across the face with REALITY. I am reminded that there are areas of my life that need a remodel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I read a quote this week by Beth Moore that hit the nail on the head: "Embarassment is our friend when we let it motivate us to change."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now my </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: inherit;">embarrassment (thank heavens) was more internal than public. But as I began to see the junk and unhealed hurt in my heart, I was embarrassed indeed. I have become a hoarder of sorts. I have let so much JUNK just take up space in my mind and heart and it is causing decay. So what's my plan? I need a remodel. And as exciting as the end result looks, I know the process is going to be uncomfortable--even painful at times. But I need to constantly remind myself of the beauty the finished product holds. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I need to persevere through the demolition to the big reveal. But what I fear most, more than the discomfort, is the possibility of finding even more junk. If you've ever seen anyone go through an actual remodel--tearing a home apart to the studs, rebuilding something more sturdy and more beautiful than before, all while maintaining the foundation and bones--then you know a lot can "go wrong." Those HGTV shows have scarred me (and inspired me). I can see the surface problems and I am as ready as I'll ever be to tackle those...but it's what I have yet to uncover that scares me most. Oh but how I would be robbing myself if I chose the quick and cheap fix! I want to do this remodel right. No pain, no gain they say, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, as I commit to uncovering, rebuilding, and beautifying, I do so both confidently and yet reluctantly. This isn't my first go at this. And I know it won't be my last. Thankfully, I have the promise of the Lord never leaving me nor forsaking me--even when my ugliest layer is exposed. And what a relief to know I'm not in this overhaul alone!</span></span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-64595245431858402942016-01-31T22:27:00.000-05:002016-01-31T22:27:29.079-05:00It's Who I AmDo you ever lose sight of who you are? Do you ever feel like your floundering in an ocean of opinions, expectations, demands, and labels? Do you ever lose sight of who God is? Do you ever find yourself begging Him to reveal Himself to you...yet again--because, although you hate to admit it, you seem to have...<i>forgotten</i>?<br />
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I can easily find myself there. I so often aim to be who others expect me to be, to be who others say I am. And...that is absolutely exhausting.<br />
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This week, I have been meditating on the truth of who God is, and who I am.<br />
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God, is a good Father, loving, gracious, generous, ever-present, perfect, and faithful. </div>
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And BECAUSE all of that is true of God, I can trust who He says I am!</div>
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I am loved, chosen, beautiful, forgiven, a masterpiece. <i>I am His</i>.</div>
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Thankfully, none of these truths or realities will change. But surely, I will forget again. Maybe as quickly as tomorrow. But because God is good and gracious, He will always be there to remind me of who He is, and who I am. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-30830028831044220132016-01-08T20:58:00.000-05:002016-01-08T20:58:48.337-05:00This Year..<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>WELCOME 2016!</i></div>
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Each year, I choose a verse or passage in Scripture to pray through throughout the year. It keeps me grounded and gives me a prayer focus (for myself). Last year, I knew with a new baby I would be coveting REST. So I prayed through Psalm 23...often!<br />
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This year, I'm still anticipating longing for REST (not just the kind I find by catching some zzz's but the kind I can only find at the feet of Jesus). And I'm also realizing how much I need God's GENTLENESS in my life. So I am praying Jesus' words over my life this year and clinging to His goodness.<br />
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By no means do I expect to be all rested, gentle, and Christ-like by December 31, 2016 but I sure hope to be closer to that than I am now. I long to be satisfied in His presence and to imitate His ways. And maybe, just maybe, by seeking Him and trusting who He is by praying His words over my life, I will see the fruit of that come the end of 2016!</div>
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What areas are you longing to grow in or what ways do you hope to experience God this year?</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-68217119931923495982015-10-19T21:45:00.001-04:002015-10-19T21:49:20.653-04:00Show and Tell<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a college student, I remember attending a Fall Retreat with Cru and hearing the speaker share the idea that <i>if you go see a movie that you really enjoyed, you're going to tell your friends to go see it too.</i> It's like you can't help it. The movie was just THAT good. It would be a shame for others to miss out on the wonder of it. What was the speaker's point? That our relationship and experience with God should be just. like. that. We should be so moved by God--who He is AND what He does--that we are naturally compelled to tell others about it.</span><br />
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I was reminded of this recently as I posted a status on Facebook. The post read:</span><br />
<i style="color: #141823; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I've been working out in my living room (utilizing nap time!) for the last 2 1/2 months. I'm in (quite possibly) the best shape of my life. I'm eating real, whole foods AND still successfully nursing my baby girl. Without trying, I have introduced & "recruited" 4 others to begin the PiYo program--because when you find something you like AND get the results you want, you share about it & people buy in."</span></i><br />
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I gave up my three-days-a-week-at-the-gym routine at the end of pregnancy. Over the summer, I took the plunge and purchased <a href="https://extranet.securefreedom.com/MillionDollarBody/csShopping/ShoppingCart.asp?Cat=Fitness%20Program|PiYo" target="_blank">PiYo</a> (a Beachbody workout program). This would not be my first experience with Beachbody--Tyler and I completed <a href="https://extranet.securefreedom.com/MillionDollarBody/csShopping/ShoppingCart.asp?Cat=Fitness%20Program|INSANITY" target="_blank">Insanity</a> in 2012. But this time was different. I was committed. I set goals. I was sticking to the eating plan provided. And I was in a Challenge Group with my <b><i>Beachbody Coach*</i></b> along with other challengers--this aided in accountability, recipe ideas, encouragement, and FUN! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 19px;">And that's when I realized. Because my experience with PiYo has been</span><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> so wonderful, I want to shout it from the rooftops. I want my friends who have been working or hoping for results to hear me out. I want people to experience the wonder of a 30 minute home workout that is kind to your body. I want to see others amazed at their success! Therefore, I am naturally sharing about it...every. chance. I. get. AND, because my physical results are evident, people are asking me about it. Like, a lot of people. Not only do I want to talk about it, but people want to know about it. They see a difference and are curious. This is exactly how I imagine it to be, ideally, in regards to the <a href="http://www.cru.org/how-to-know-god/would-you-like-to-know-god-personally.html" target="_blank">Gospel</a>. </span></span>We should be so moved by God--who He is AND what He does--that we are naturally compelled to tell others about it. And shouldn't our lives reflect the difference He has made in us, to the point that people ask about Him? I think yes. </span><br />
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Just like that movie that was so good, and just like the results from a good workout program... <span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is worth sharing about. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;"><b><i>*I am currently NOT a Beachbody Coach. I am just a satisfied customer with the desire to see others achieve their goals! If you have questions about Beachbody, I would love for you to get in touch with my Coach, Krysta. Head over to her <a href="http://worthyofbeingstoried.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> or her <a href="http://www.beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/krystanymark" target="_blank">professional page</a>.</i></b></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-85921990062476937542015-08-23T18:08:00.001-04:002015-08-23T18:08:28.301-04:00Ask the MirrorWhen is the last time you asked someone close to you a question that would help you grow?<br />
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For me, it happened just this week...and if I am honest, kind of on accident. As I was talking through the commitment of discipleship with a student athlete, I shared my commitment in the discipleship relationship. Next thing I know, I am asking her "how can I do these things better than I have in the past?" As I took my next breath I realized that I had just opened the door for her to speak truth into my life. I had stepped in front of a mirror, in a sense, by asking her to share with me how I could improve. Her answer was honest, gentle, and understanding as she expressed she would simply desire more time with me this upcoming semester as compared to last semester (when I was out for 6 weeks on maternity leave + had a newborn at home). <i>Well that wasn't too bad! </i>I thought to myself. So, as I had a smilier conversation with another student athlete, I thought I would ask the same question. Why? Because I desire to grow--even if it is going to be hard.<br />
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I am a firm believer that we NEED people around us, in our lives, to hold up the mirror and show us our blind spots. How do we expect to grow without the insight of others? The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." </i>And oh how true that is! Relationships promote growth--through conflict, intimacy, conversation, time spent, etc. And as well as we may know ourselves, others see us through a different lens. We desperately need people in our lives who know us deeply; safe people who we can trust, to hold up the mirror, come alongside us, and champion us, ultimately, to the finish line of holiness in Jesus.<br />
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From one growth seeker to (hopefully) another...invite those in your life to be your mirror.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-9167811951364596892015-08-13T21:25:00.001-04:002015-08-13T21:25:06.256-04:00Unmet ExpectationsHave you ever felt disappointed? unconsidered? left out? uninvited? unheard?<br />
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I would venture to say everyone can answer that with a YES! We have ALL found ourselves, at one time or another, with unmet expectations. And it's not really a great place to end up.<br />
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If I am honest, this happens daily in my life...in my marriage, in motherhood, in ministry. It happens almost annually around the holidays, or on my birthday. It happens when company visits or when I vacation. It happens with family and with friends. It happens surrounding major life events. Unmet expectations and I are, unfortunately, quite acquainted.<br />
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It is so easy for me to mentally paint a picture perfect [fill in the blank: day, nap time, Christmas, date, visit, wedding, phone conversation, discipleship meeting, party, play date, Bible study, etc.] in my head and then when reality strikes, it looks like a Picasso next to my Monet.<br />
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<b><i>The question is not whether or not we will face disappointment, rather the challenge is how to respond to the it.</i></b><br />
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For me, I run through several options...<br />
A. Cry.<br />
B. Share my selfish thoughts.<br />
C. Laugh.<br />
D. Put on a happy face, yet allow my heart to fill with bitterness.<br />
E. Gossip.<br />
F. Gratitude. Joy. Contentment. Humility. Understanding.<br />
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And, ideally, I choose F. (although A. is likely when pregnant...). When I am hit with disappointment, I so long to respond with a humble heart--one that recognizes I actually am <i>undeserving</i> and not entitled to whatever it is I did not get. But, unfortunately, I cannot say that I always do. Because I am still in process. Time, seasons of life, grace, relationships, and the being able to empathize have all aided in growing me in this area. But again, F. is not always my initial response. And for that, God pours down His grace. He continues to mold me more and more into His image. And the process ain't always pretty. <b><i>But the outcome is absolutely worth it.</i></b><br />
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How do you handle disappointment? I would encourage you to check your heart next time you come face to face with it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-46643925117865431812015-07-31T21:17:00.001-04:002015-07-31T21:17:55.972-04:00A Glimpse at the UnseenA while back, I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tech/stop-instagramming-your-perfect-life" target="_blank">this</a> fabulousness, summarized well by author Shauna Niequist as she writes, <i><b>"My life looks better on the Internet than it does in real life. Everyone's life looks better on the Internet than it does in real life. The Internet is partial truths--we get to decide what people see and what they don't. That's why it's safer short term. And that's why it's much, much more dangerous long term." </b></i><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><div>
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That article came to mind when I posted this photo on Facebook...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R49mjT_PxoE/VbwWCZaoMZI/AAAAAAAACPM/5MLmzD7WTZ4/s1600/IMG_7455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R49mjT_PxoE/VbwWCZaoMZI/AAAAAAAACPM/5MLmzD7WTZ4/s320/IMG_7455.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...and heard later from a friend, "Peighton is so photogenic! What a great picture!"</div>
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While it was her opinion, and I'd have to agree (I mean, come on. Look at that beauty!) this was take like 20. Some of our previous pictures looked like this (all unedited)...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIoKP8eQ43I/VbwW2IsKT8I/AAAAAAAACPc/ul241DODHSk/s1600/IMG_7411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gIoKP8eQ43I/VbwW2IsKT8I/AAAAAAAACPc/ul241DODHSk/s320/IMG_7411.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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(Trying to eat her shoes, which were then removed for the following...)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQmVEQm7rvY/VbwW2K2m_EI/AAAAAAAACPY/WF63-HtyKE4/s1600/IMG_7421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQmVEQm7rvY/VbwW2K2m_EI/AAAAAAAACPY/WF63-HtyKE4/s320/IMG_7421.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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(Now eating the tutu. Can you say teething??)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFxnjKUXdfM/VbwW2BlbMII/AAAAAAAACPU/VygNM86KqXU/s1600/IMG_7427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFxnjKUXdfM/VbwW2BlbMII/AAAAAAAACPU/VygNM86KqXU/s320/IMG_7427.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(And, not quite sitting up on her own yet.)</div>
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And this was just ONE maybe 7 minute chunk of my day. Yes, I posted an adorable picture of my baby girl but she is not always smiley and bright eyed. And that is my point.</div>
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When I scroll through my "Internet life" I imagine people think I spend my days eating cupcakes, sipping tea or coffee, snapping pictures of my always happy little girl, on romantic dates with my husband, on adventurous getaways, enjoying stress free and mess free time in the kitchen whipping up something homemade, and having an extended quiet time in the Word. That is what my "Internet life" looks like.</div>
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What my real life looks like is very different. While all of the above does occur in my life, it happens in serious moderation. And you (cyber world) only see my highlight reel. You don't see the gift cards and coupons that allow for "splurging", or the pregnancy struggles we experienced; the argument Tyler and I had on our way out for the night, or the meltdown I had in the kitchen because we didn't have all the ingredients I needed (and I'd already started making whatever it is); the end of my quiet times when I leave my journal entry half completed because Peighton's nap time ends before I anticipated, or the breakdowns as I struggle to balance it all.</div>
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You don't see the sacrifice. You don't see the heartaches. And if I'm honest, I don't want you to, because a big part of me likes for you to think I have it all together...that my marriage, family, job, friendships, and leisure time is always peachy. That I can in fact keep up with the Jones's. But I find freedom when I share that it isn't so. When I release myself of the standard of perfection and allow you (yes, even you cyber world) to catch even a glimpse at the brokenness in my life, I can REST.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-71984849227449680612015-07-30T14:17:00.000-04:002015-07-30T17:11:31.165-04:00Motherhood + MinistryI have found life as a mom to be many things. It is satisfying, demanding, tiring, busy, fun, draining, full, chaotic, and at the end of every day, ALWAYS worth it. By no means have I figured it out. I'm only six months in and have a lifetime to go. But I will say, I think I am getting the hang of it. This summer has been a huge growth season for me as I navigate what motherhood + ministry looks like--<i>two of my forever loves</i>. The marriage of motherhood and ministry looks different for every mom I know. There is no formula. While I find that both freeing and frustrating, God is directing me and leading my heart to what He has for me.<br />
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While Peighton was a newborn, and as a one car family, I found getting to campus to meet with girls very challenging. Between the scheduled need-to-gain-weight feedings for Peighton and Tyler's already concreted schedule, I was not left with much wiggle room. Monday evenings worked out for us to open our home to four girls for a discipleship group. Tyler was on bedtime duty and I was in the zone. With a love for hosting and leading young women, I found myself yearning for this two hour window each week.</div>
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Then summer came.</div>
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I anticipated being able to connect well with girls on our summer project because, after all, we were living in dorms in community, we ate as a group, we traveled as a group, etc. And then teething started. Oh good golly! Our time in Boston may have been the most cry filled three weeks of Peighton's short life. I spent so much energy trying to get her to sleep, or reach a place of contentment. And she spent so much energy letting me know she was not a happy girl.</div>
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So that is my lead into what God taught me this summer. I never saw it coming. </div>
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CONTENTMENT.</div>
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A handful of moments stick out in my mind as I type that word. Moments where Peighton was not doing as I had planned or expected or desired. She wasn't sleeping, she was hungry out of her "schedule," she wasn't happy in her environment, or she was crying uncontrollably and distracting both me and the group. Often times this required me to miss whatever was going on. And because I not only love motherhood but also ministry, this brought me to tears. I was missing out....or so I thought. And as I sat in my pity party one night rocking Peighton to sleep (well past her bedtime and well into the event of the evening), she gently grabbed my face with her little hand...and God simultaneously touched my heart. I will never forget that exact moment. It is when I realized how fleeting these days are. Peighton will not always want me to snuggle her to sleep. She will not always depend on me for her nutrition. And I will not always be able to be there to dry her eyes. Oh how quickly I was convicted. God met me in my dorm room that night, He spoke tenderly to my heart, and asked me to patiently endure the blessing of seasons. </div>
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Although I have tried, I cannot seem to plan out how each season and stage will look for me as I journey through motherhood + ministry over the years. But, I do know this...God is with me and He is for me. As I press into His presence, I will find not only contentment but JOY in each moment--whether in my home or on campus.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-67187081806365685012015-04-01T23:14:00.002-04:002015-04-01T23:19:33.557-04:00Baby Girl's ArrivalHas it really been almost SIX MONTHS since I last blogged?! Yikes! I guess you could say, I've been busy....with the holiday season and oh, having a baby =)<br />
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On January 20, 2015 we welcomed our precious baby girl, Peighton Louise {<a href="http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/peyton" target="_blank">Royal</a> <a href="http://www.sheknows.com/baby-names/name/louise" target="_blank">Warrior</a>}, into the world.<br />
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And what a whirlwind it was. Leading up to delivery day, while at the doctor for my 35 week appointment, my blood pressure was a bit higher than normal but not alarmingly so. I went about life as usual and returned to the doctor a week later. This time, with much higher blood pressure. We were immediately sent across the street, to the hospital, for observation and testing. I laid in a bed with a blood pressure cuff, fetal monitor, and contraction monitor on for about 4 hours. We were sent home and told to take it easy. </div>
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Another week goes by, and we're back to the doctor...with high blood pressure. We go through the same scenario, except this time with an exam and an offer to be induced. <i>{WHAT?! I'm not ready for this!!! The car seat hasn't been delivered yet, I'm not due for another 3 weeks, this isn't how this is supposed to go!}</i>. We decided against the induction and had two appointments a week scheduled from then until my due date. Tyler and I had also decided to let our mom's know (who were planning to come up at the end of January for the birth) that in all reality, it could happen after the next appointment and if they didn't want to miss it, they needed to come immediately. </div>
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So, at this point, I have been diagnosed with <a href="http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/pregnancy-induced-hypertension/" target="_blank">gestational hypertension</a> and was being closely monitored for <a href="http://www.preeclampsia.org/health-information/about-preeclampsia" target="_blank">preeclampsia</a>. I have been told to not work, relax, and when possible, lay on my left side. <i>{This made nesting near impossible!} </i>The "cure" for my high blood pressure...delivery. </div>
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A few days later (Friday), I return to the doctor for an ultrasound to make sure Baby Girl Stowell was still growing and getting proper nutrients, despite my high blood pressure. By this time, our mom's had arrived and were serving us well--cleaning, prepping crockpot freezer meals, running errands I can't, etc. And since I wasn't able to work, I decided to just go on maternity leave Monday January 19. Tyler, however, returned to work that day. I spent the day at home with my mom, resting per doctor's orders. She made me lunch, we watched some HGTV...I then noticed that my stomach started to feel funny. And then my water broke at 3:40pm. <i>{Wait, this is happening NOW?!} </i>Tyler was in a meeting with two wrestlers on campus, and I was home with my mom and mother-in-law. In labor. So clearly this was the time to shower, do my hair and make-up, and add the final necessities to my hospital bag ;-) </div>
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We caravaned to the hospital after Tyler came home, only to find that valet was closed. <i>{How convenient. Oh and THIS is a contraction. Good timing.} </i>We made our way up to the labor and delivery floor--which we are, by this point, well acquainted with having spent several hours in outpatient care there. It's now about 5:30pm and I hear the nurse prepping our mom's for a long wait..."this could take anywhere up to 18 hours; hope you are ready for a long night!" <i>{Eighteen hours? So when can I get that epidural??} </i>My favorite recommendation from the nurse was NOT to watch Food Network...since all I was eating was ice chips. Upon my first exam, I was only 1cm dilated. This was looking like a long night, for sure. I requested an epidural as soon as we arrived...I had decided long before then that I wanted to enjoy the benefits of modern medicine--after all, I knew there wasn't a trophy or bigger reward waiting for me on the other side if I opted against it. My contractions were picking up in intensity and I was not-so-patiently wondering where on earth the anesthesiologist was. Well, she finally arrived and administered the drugs <i>{sweet glory!}</i>. In the midst of all of this, Tyler and I had spent time praying, reading Psalm 23, and a reading story from the Jesus Storybook Bible to our little girl. My heart was ready. I was just waiting for my body to catch up. At my next exam, around 10pm, I was 8cm dilated <i>{well THAT was a quick progression!}</i>. Between then and the time Peighton arrived, I spent just over an hour or so pushing <i>{and wondering why we weren't adopting...}</i>.</div>
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Our healthy girl took her first breath at 12:44am Tuesday morning and I cried tears of joy!! Never in my life have I felt such immediate love for someone. She was everything I could've hoped for. She was what we had prayed for. God sure is good.</div>
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My favorite memories from that first hour or so in the labor room are having my snuggly girl lay on my chest, watching my husband swoon over his new baby girl, taking our first family selfie, and introducing Peighton to her Grammy and Mimi.</div>
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Since then, we have been adjusting well to being a family of three and caring for our sweet Peighton Girl. Already, she has brought us so much joy! And God is using her to teach us lots =)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-15964468158981075822014-10-20T20:00:00.002-04:002014-10-20T20:00:58.834-04:00Greed vs. Gratitude<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm reading a book, along with my staff team by C.J. Mahaney, <i>Humility. </i>And I was very convicted while reading in chapter 5 and came across this sentence.... <i>"An ungrateful person is a proud person." </i>YIKES! I can be SO ungrateful and am disgusted when I think of myself as prideful (although that is the reality). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rather than pout about how sinful of a person I am (don't worry--I did spend time confessing and praying through it), I decided to take some proactive steps towards heart change. Last year, during the months of <a href="http://steadfaststowell.blogspot.com/2013_10_01_archive.html" target="_blank">October</a> and <a href="http://steadfaststowell.blogspot.com/2013_11_01_archive.html" target="_blank">November</a>, I was intentional in seeking to love others well and seek to have a posture of thankfulness and prayer. And while November is the obvious month to purposefully concentrate on all that we are thankful for, I didn't want to wait, I needed to start now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So at the start of October, I began what I am calling a <i>Gratitude Focus </i>(very creative, I know). Each day I choose and thank God for something different--a person, a circumstance, something I have, etc. This has only just begun to peel back the ugly layer of entitlement and greed within my heart. It's much easier for me to find something that "God has yet to provide me with" but that's just the problem...in moments of lusting after some<i>thing</i>, am I trusting God to meet my daily needs? am I focusing on the blessings which He so abundantly pours out on me each day? No. I am focused on what I want and then begin to doubt God and His desire or even ability to provide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But the truth is this: <b><i>"</i></b><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">If you then, who are evil, know how </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">give</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> good gifts </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> your </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">children</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">, how much more will your Father who is in heaven </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">give</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> good things </span><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">to</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> those who ask him!" </span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">- Matthew 7:11</span></i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd assume I am not crazy or alone, and that you can relate...so how will you choose an attitude of gratitude over greed? God does indeed give us good gifts, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy them because you're so focused on what you don't have.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-32805193706369896832014-10-01T21:07:00.001-04:002014-10-01T21:07:41.572-04:00Life LatelyObviously, 2014 hasn't so much been a banner year for me and blogging! But, I'm planning to take strides to pick it back up--with intentionality.<br />
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Since my last entry back in March (yikes!), MUCH has happened!! Some quick highlights...<br />
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My mother-in-law made a trip to visit us in NJ! We had a blast showing her around Rutgers, Princeton & NYC. </div>
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My not-so-baby brother graduated from Florida State University! It was such a joy to be able to celebrate him in Tallahassee. [He's now planning to move overseas for a 10 month job teaching English as a second language. His courage inspires me.]</div>
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My best friend and her Mom had a long girls weekend in NYC. They were sweet enough to let me join them one day for some adventures around the city! I loved being able to see them both =)</div>
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Tyler and I took a weekend getaway to New York-- visited America's oldest winery and enjoyed the weekend at the lovely Thayer Hotel on West Point's campus. We absolutely loved the quality time, delicious food, and change of scenery. </div>
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Thanks to a generous gift card from my grandfather for Christmas, Tyler and I enjoyed a matinee showing of The Lion King and dinner in NYC. It was an absolutely incredible show!!</div>
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We spent most of the month of June overseas with an Athletes in Action track and field tour. Our journey began in the Canary Islands, continued on the mainland of Spain, and ended with an overnight layover in Switzerland (pictured below). It was a fun and unique experience that was made a little more challenging for me because....</div>
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Just before leaving for Spain, we found out that we are expecting!!! And just last week, we found out Baby Stowell is a little girl =) We are so thankful to God that our family is growing!</div>
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That's it folks, a quick flashback over the last six months. Now that you're all caught up... I look forward to sharing about more going on...more often =)</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826565534945267290.post-47091046047474286782014-03-30T23:19:00.001-04:002014-03-30T23:19:33.375-04:00Where Have I Been?It's dawned on me a few times recently that I have been completely MIA from the bloggersphere for quite some time now. And my excuse seems pretty lame....<br />
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I've been busy.<br />
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Told you, lame. Because let's be honest, who isn't busy?<br />
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But for me, it's been a <i>good</i> busy. Busy spending quality time with the love of my life. Busy investing in the girls I spend my time with on campus. Busy staying connected with my friends, both near and far. Busy getting my new co-worker acquainted with "the ropes" of AIA life. Busy in the kitchen. Busy traveling for work. Busy reading. Busy with every day life.<br />
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Better yet, simply put, I've been busy where the Lord has me. And I've really been enjoying it. That being said, I may go MIA again for some time. It's not that I don't miss blogging. And if I could do it as easily from my phone as I can from my laptop, I'd probably keep up with it. But the truth is, my hubby and I share not only a car but a laptop. And his days more often than mine, require the laptop. So, I'm left with little time....and without a laptop.<br />
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There you have it. <i>I'm your average human who cannot possibly do it all. </i>I've come to terms with it. Have you? What's cluttering your life and keeping you from being where the Lord has you?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00878811252862071209noreply@blogger.com0