lifestyle – Page 2 – Through My Eyes

Alphabet Challenge – F

Faith

Where are you in your journey with God? Are you just learning about him for the first time, maybe you are like some and show up for church on Sunday and call it a day. Maybe you are confused about the whole concept. Then there are the few that put in the work to really form a relationship with Him.

I’m not judging where you are at this point in life. We all have been where you are at one time or another. We all have questioned “is how I’m living my life good enough”. We all have called on Him in times of trouble or conflict and when we have been overcome with grief.

Faith begins with a seed. One tiny step forward. With only two words your journey can begin. I BELIEVE. There is no ticket to punch, no test to take, no river to cross!

Faith is everchanging and so are we. Like that favorite tomatoe plant you value you have to nurture it to make it grow. I am not at all an avid reader but I have read the Bible and other texts like books from the dead sea scrolls. I enjoy reading about the journeys of others. You never stop learning.

Faith is not something you can just say you have because like a fine wine it has to ripen over time. Look at the disciples they had little faith in the beginning but they studied from the Master. Jesus knew they where like little children in their faith. He spent endless hours teaching them.

Evaluate where you are in your journey. Yes, there will be times when you fall backwards. Dust yourself off and begin again.

Have a bountiful and blessed day in faith.

Don’t forget to like, follow and share with your friends.

Alphabet Challenge – E

Elevate

I try to keep my posts as positive as possible. The more I age the more I see things on a different level. Some would just call it wisdom I guess but you are really elevated to a higher level of understanding. For instance, while my memory may not be as good as it was in my twenties my senses and awareness of what goes on around me are enhanced.

I have learned over the years that taking a more holistic approach to living has helped me to enjoy a less stressful life. My diet still needs tweaking but how I manage my physical and mental status has been less mainstream and more holistic.

Even if you don’t agree with a holistic lifestyle I encourage you to research the options that could enhance your life.

Here is just one of many sites that explained better what is involved in this lifestyle. No it is not gurus and insanity it is simply getting back to a natural state: https://themindfool.com/holistic-living/

Just start reading and doing your own research your health and state of mind is worth it.

Have a wonderful day and don’t forget to put God first!

Alphabet Challenge- D

Day-Tripping

My sister and I both love to just take off and randomly pick a destination to explore. While keeping it to a day’s ride, we don’t plan we just go. It’s not just the adventure of going somewhere new, it’s the freedom to be able to do it that is important.

On the day trips we explore new locations and sometimes new restaurants. Sometimes we shop, and sometimes we just stand in awe of what God has created.

On today’s day trip we set out to Fort Fisher, in particular the Aquarium. We arrive at the Aquarium only to be met with a sign “Reservations Required”. Who has ever made a reservation to any of the Aquariums – which is managed by your tax dollars? Since the parking lot was full we decided to do something else. Enroute to the Aquarium we had passed a beautiful location on the beach. We got out and took some shots of the beach and then went across the road to the actual fort. Despite the cloudy day I managed to get these shots.

Live life in the moment. Some things have to be planned but every now and then you just need to have an adventure!

Thank you for going on this journey with me. Please like and share.

Alphabet Challenge – C

The word for today is calm. Anybody that knows me knows I am typically anything but calm. About twenty years ago I decided to train as a Doula. I received my certification after attending a workshop at the hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.

I worked in the Family Birth Center at our local hospital so becoming a Doula just seemed natural. The term “Doula” means working with women. It wasn’t the job I got paid to do but it was the one that satisfied me the most. I taught women a holistic approach to labor and delivery.

I could take a women that was hysterical and fighting labor and turn an otherwise risky labor into a beautiful and life-changing experience. Bringing a baby into the world through more calming techniques can improve the outcome for both Mom and Baby.

The techniques I learned also helped to calm my own issues with hyperactivity and anxiety. Here are just a few that you can do to be CALM.

1. Sit in a comfortable position (preferably the Lotus position) and with your eyes shut breathe in slowly to the count of 7 seconds and then release again to the count of 7 seconds, repeat 7 times. The number 7 is a spiritual number.

2. Try drinking herbal tea. Camomile tea is particularly good to induce sleep.

3. Visualization – close your eyes and think of a place that makes you calmer or it can even be a person.

4. Music has been proven to have a definite positive affect on the body. I not only am a musician but just generally enjoy music of different genres. Include music in your day even if it is only for five minutes.

These are just a few of the most calming techniques that can be used to improve your quality of life.

Thank you for being a part of my day. Don’t forget to forward this link to your friends. Have a wonderful day in the Lord.

Alphabet Challenge – B

Beauty

It has often been said “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. I say beauty is much deeper than that.

It may be that as a photographer and artist I interpret things and people differently. While as a more “spiritual” person I try to see the best in people but sometimes the “ugly” is just too overwhelming.

That being said, let’s concentrate on the inner beauty. The reality is you can be the most physically beautiful person on the planet but if your personality is not equally pleasing I probably would not waste my time on you.

This week I was reminded of that when visiting a friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer. She had lost her hair and wore a cute cap and her face was slightly swollen but it was the conversation we had that reminded me of the beautiful person she was inside.

The moral of this story… look past the packaging to find the real gift.

Remembering and praying for all cancer patients.

Beauty is more than skin deep. Show someone your beauty.

Have a blessed day.

The Alphabet Challenge – A

To get me in the writing mood I decided to challenge myself by writing about a letter from the Alphabet. The logic behind that you ask, well as much as I would like to blog often I am easily distracted.

A as in apple.

This is the apple bread I made for Christmas. I have a nice bread maker but I prefer to make it the old-fashion way….by hand. Fortunately this recipe is not a yeast bread so you don’t have to spend a lot of time kneading the dough.

The recipe for this is not mine but you can download the “Kitchen Book” to get it. I rarely promote apps but I have to say I have really enjoyed this one. It is not just a collection of recipes but it sorts them into favorites and specialty diets like keto.

It’s no secret the apple bread is one of my favorites. I have always been fond of the Amish apple bread and this recipe is very close to that.

Come back soon to see what my next letter is about. God bless you and stay safe.

Making A Budget Friendly Meal

At a time when retailers are making it a marketing game against the general consumer you can still win.

My husband loves to eat out and I don’t like to cook but even with the skyrocketing prices it is cheaper and healthier to eat at home. Here is one meal you can fix at home for about ten bucks and still feed about four people.

Crock Pot Easy Fix

You can’t go wrong with this boneless Applewood Spiral Ham ($8.49 at Food Lion). Add red potatoes, apple slices and broccoli. I added just enough water to cook the veggies.

You can also still save at the checkout by using coupons. While coupons are limited most larger grocery chains have their own savings programs.

Stock up on staples that can be put in plastic containers for long term storage like flour, sugar, oatmeal, dried beans when they are on sale.

Make the most of reward programs…they do make a difference in the long run. Stay healthy and throw your savings into a jar for that special event or purchase.

Have a great day!

Happy New Year

These pics represents how I spent most of my year. I refuse to let the negativity of this world influence my life. Each day is spent in prayer and in the search of new things, travels and friends.

I want you to know I value all of my followers, readers and fellow bloggers. Without you this blog would not continue.

For this new year I hope you renew your faith, fulfill all of your goals and just live an awesome life.

For me I plan to pray more, craft more, spend more time photographing this crazy world and spending time with family.

Whatever your plans are for this new year don’t hold back……live life to the fullest because you don’t get a redo! Don’t wait for things to happen…make them happen. The most important thing you can do is to LOVE. Love your family, your friends, your work family, a stranger. How you treat the next person you meet can influence their life and yours.

Have a wonderful day and an awesome year.

(Don’t forget to like and share)

Christmas, More Than A Day!

Wikipedia defines Christmas as “an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ”. I can tell you it is so much more than that!

Yes, there probably are festivals in some places. A lot of people do get caught up in the traditional things like music, parades, pagents, lights and gifts but that is not the “why” we celebrate.

We don’t even really know when Jesus was born. We just know he was. Wikipedia says December 25 but if you really read the Bible it suggest that may not be when he was born. Ultimately the date is unimportant. The traditions and celebrations we enjoy are unimportant compared to the event itself.

You may or may not know that Mary also was a virgin birth. Her birth in no way has the significance of the birth of Christ but may be a link as to why she was chosen to carry God’s son. Even though her place in society may have been insignificant at the time in God’s eyes she was very important. She held a place of honor among all women. Still, she was just a women.

It was a normal birth but not a normal event! God so loved the world that he gave a part of himself to humanity. He survived on earth as a man but taught us so much about life and spirituality. He gave us the tools of salvation and suffered for us. He was no ordinary man! His birth forever changed the universe. Whether you are a believer or not the reason we celebrate Christmas is not that he was just born but that his entry into our world was to save humanity.

This Christmas while you are enjoying the traditions of Christmas make sure you include Christ in the reason you celebrate. Have a wonderful Christmas.

God bless you all.

Christmas Shennigans

We did something different this year. We decided to go to view a local floatilla. While there were no bands or floats this was the best kind of parade. We were able to sit in a great location and watch the boats glide along in front of us. While unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any pictures I can tell you it was very colorful.

I am trying to find different things to do this year to make the most of the season. While I am not a shopper I have done my share recently. Normally I might would buy online but with the frequent shipping delays you just have to ask yourself if it is worth it!

Trying to be budget friendly I watch for sales and try to buy things that are practical not whimsical! Don’t rule out those auction finds either. It is a great way to find odd things or antiques for that certain someone in your family that just goes wild over vintage glass.

This season don’t forget to either donate money or better yet your time to a local charity. And don’t forget about our veterans.

In the new year I hope to post more, do more photography and be more motivated to create and share my adventures in camping with you. Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. God bless you.

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