Letting Go

I want to share with you something that God has done in my life recently. I have recently come to the point in my walk with God that I feel like God has proven how faithful He is in my life and how amazing He is. He provides, protects, leads and takes care of me; he has been amazing in my life! I have realized this for awhile but I always seem to keep things in my own hands and never really give God every area of my life for fear that something won't go the way I had planned it to in my life. Yes, as I have been loving and following after Jesus things don't always go my way, but it's been God's way in the end, my life isn't mine, but His and He has a GREAT plan for it! This life isn't about "me" or "I," but about Him and His plan for my life. Every time I am scared in my life for some reason, God has always been there and has been there for me! He rescues me in time of need and when I just want to talk to Him He is ALWAYS there! God's plan hasn't been what I had expected over and over again, BUT it's been HIS plan and NOT MINE. God's plan for our lives is the best plan, who could make a better life and story for HIS glory than Himself.

Recently I have been (by God's grace and Him working in me to help me do it) let go of every area of my life, yes I am STILL learning and growing (and I'm not saying I am perfect, I think letting God lead is a daily submission to Jesus not just a one time deal), but I am tired of doing things my way, I want His way and His plan because He's my Father and I know He will and does take care of me and love me as high as the heavens are above the earth and as far as the east is from the west. There is no reason I should ever doubt Him at all! I could make a list of the things God has done in me and in my family to show me and us that He loves us and that He is faithful and true and is a wonderful father! The list is HUGE! Every time I call, He is there, every time I am weak, He is there. EVERY TIME HE IS THERE!!!

Here are some things that I have seen God's love and faithfulness in my life and in my family:
1)when I was young and in an abusive home-God was there and nothing went too too far and I am still loving Him!
2)When God led my sister and 2 brothers to my new parents
3)When I actually became adopted-which I never dreamed up in my own thinking-but God knew and that was the best plan for us!
4)When my sister lost her memory-God was there and brought her memory back and has healed and continues to be there for her!
5)When my youngest brother drowned-He died, but by God's wonderful grace, mercy and Him helping my Mom and our family, He heard our prayer and He is still alive and has nothing wrong with Him
6)After being abused by several men in my life-I still am following Jesus and He's been there and has protected me EVERY time!
7)When we left our church of 9 years of being there, God was there and has guided us to another great church, even in the pain of leaving-GOD was there and is still Here with us guiding our lives!

THE LIST could go on, this is just some things God has done! :)


So, one area that is my hardest and biggest area to let go of is: my future and I always worry about so much! I am tired of worrying and I honestly believe God has the best in store, so I am taking my hands completely off. I will not try to make anything happen for my life-I am giving it to Jesus. I really do trust Him and I need God to do this in me to help me let go of things that are hard in my life, but I really believe He is giving me the strength and the ability to let go of me worrying about things in my life and trying to make things work out the way that I want them to. I Give it to YOU Jesus, I can't take care of me! I want to love You the way that You love me! I want to be Yours COMPLETELY! I am letting Go of my life and really, truly surrendering every area over to You! You take authority and control, I will just sit back and watch You work as I walk in what You have called me to in Your Word. I love You Jesus, please live through me and in me! All I want is YOU above everything in this world and everything in me! Let this life not be about me, but about YOU and Your Kingdom! I want You! Take total control Jesus! I love You!

Completely His,
Traci

Healthy Relationships

There's more to relationships than the feelings. There's more to relationships than what the media and the ways of this world says. Relationships of any kind are built on a commitment of love and support, of forgiveness and truth and ultimately it is built on God and the His ways, well at least a good healthy relationship is. When we seek our own selfish desires in a relationship, it doesn't get us anywhere. We must look to the needs and interests of the other person. We must learn to die to our selfish desires in many ways. I am learning this right now and have been for a while now. I know I won't be perfect and neither will you, but it's in our weakness we must ask ourselves if we are willing and have a desire to learn and overcome the trials and sins in our lives. Every relationship takes work, they don't just happen. Every relationship takes time as well. We will always be growing and we must be willing to grow and learn things about the other person and about oursleves to make the relationship work out. We must be humble and grow in the fruit of Christ. After marriage the growing doesn't stop, but it keeps going. We must get to the place that we are willing to admit we are wrong in an area and commit to pray and ask God to help us by living His word out in our lives.

I am no expert on relationship and I've never had a boyfriend, but I have seen great marriages and terrible marriages and I have great friends and others that I watch how they live and I notice that in marriages when a couple is struggling and wrestling through hard issues in life, that it's in those times that can break or make the marriage. You can't just "throw in the towl" if something goes wrong or bad, it's a life and death commitment to the person you chose to marry-in the good and bad times, in all times, seasons and things that this life brings us. That goes for ANY relationship, whether marriage or true friendships or family. We must remember that!

There is SO much that I have learned even though I am not in a relationship like marriage and I don't have a boyfriend and never have (someday I hope to-for the purpose of marriage at one point), but I have seen so many relationships and I just wanted to share with you a few things I have learned! I hope this helps!

A Man of Godly Character-A Man After God's Own Heart

Men, I want to write this to you. I write a lot of things towards the women on my blog, but I really think it's good to take time every now and again to help and encourage the men. I want to start out by saying thank you to the Godly men who are pursuing Jesus and have a deep and personal relationship with Him, who are not easily swayed by the desires and things of this world that try to capture your heart and soul. I encourage all of the men to keep pursuing Jesus and the desires of His heart even when it seems that the whole world is against you. As a woman I see lots of things from the guys that I like and things that I don't like and don't think is helpful or leading to the Christian women. In my opinion and from what I have learned, I know that a Godly man should be humble, kind, generous, have the fear of God, Love Jesus tremendously, be willing to lay down his life for his family, be a leader in the home and marriage and in any relationship. A Godly man should be built on the words of Jesus and not on the things of this world. Every man has his weaknesses but I believe that the important part is that a deep personal relationship with Jesus is critical because if that is there then God will show you and guide you in the way you should go. Hearing God's voice is SUPER important! Lead the women and children in your family to do the right things! Be an example to those around you! Wear clothing that glorified Jesus (PLEASE don't show your boxers or underwear, it's NOT attractive AT ALL). A Godly woman desires the things of Jesus in Her husband and husband to be (At least I know I do).

I want a man who loves God more than He loves me. Be men of courage and strength and character and dignity! I am praying for you (and for my future husband) a lot! I hope this encourages you!

Lies

Recently God has been doing a lot of things in my life. He has been growing and maturing me in SO many ways. I am learning so much right now. One thing that I am learning are a lot of lies that I have believed for SO long. There is one lie that is the hardest of all of the lies that I am having trouble with and it connects to many different areas of my life. Ya, I know what the lies are that I have believed in my heart, and in my head I knew that they were/are lies. Some lies I have believed and occasionally have trouble with are: 1) I am not good enough 2) I am not beautiful 3) No godly guy would ever want me 4) God is mad at me, the list could be bigger. Since I have recognized these lies, I have been trying to replace them with the TRUTH of God's word, which says  1) Greater is He that is in me than He that is in this world 2) I am fearfully and wonderfully made and I am beautiful 3) There is a godly guy that I will one day marry and He will want me because it will be God's plan for my life and if I were not to ever get married, then Jesus wants me and He is my husband. 4) God is not mad at me. He is in love with me and is patient towards me and desires a close relationship with me. He desires me and I am attractive. I am loved. I am cherished and I am wanted by the King of Kings and that's all that matters.

I am growing in so many ways and I think that there is no way to really describe everything that Jesus TRULY is doing in me, but I know that I am maturing in Him and I am excited for all of what He is doing in me! I am believing the truth and not the lies and it's amazing. Life has been hard recently because I am getting healed and growing up so much in Jesus, and I am so excited about it!! God has a plan for my life and I am running after Him with my whole heart and it's the best thing EVER! I love You Jesus!!!!! <3 <3 <3

Set Apart For Him

Being set apart is being different than others. It's when people look and wonder why you're so different than them. What do we have that others want or don't want? In this case I am referring to being set apart as Christians. As a follower of Jesus, we should want to be like Christ-our goal should be to love Him and spread His light into all the world. When others see you, do they see HIM? When others see you or I do they think "I wonder what's so different about him/her?" Every moment and every day is an opportunity to make a difference in someone's life, to be the change you're desiring to see in others. When given the opportunity to speak the truth of Christ and what He's done in and through you and others, don't take those moments for granted. You never know if that's the last time the person you're talking to will have a chance to hear the truth and the light and life of Jesus. You are called, you are chosen and you are made for something greater-Christ and His Kingdom and life! Don't be afraid, don't back down! Jesus is Your strength and Your help. He is there and will guide you to the right people and give you the courage to speak and act at the right time! Pray that Jesus will make you set apart and bold to speak and act when given the chance! The glory goes to Jesus and He is there to work in and through you! Don't be afraid to stand out, that's how the lost get found! :)

Set Apart For Him,
Traci

Listen to the Promptings of the Spirit

Today in my devotional entitled "New Day New You" by Joyce Meyer, I was so encouraged by it that I just want to share with you what was in it. So here it is:

Listen to the Promptings of the Spirit

But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under {obedience to} the old code of written regulations, but {under obedience to the promptings} of the Spirit in newness {of life}. 
-Romans 7:4

"According to this passage, we are no longer under the restraints of the law but now serve the Lord under obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. A prompting is a 'knowing' down deep inside of you telling you what to do. First Kings 19:11-12 describes the 'still, small voice' the Lord used with Elijah: 'And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was no in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice.'

A prompting from the Lord in not like hitting someone over the head with a hammer to prompt them to do something! The Lord did not use the great and strong wind, the earthquake, or the fire as a prompting but instead came as 'a sound of gentle stillness' and 'a still, small voice.'

The prompting of  'a still, small voice' is not necessarily a voice; it can be God's wisdeom giving you direction in that moment. First Corinthians 1:30 tells us, 'But it is from him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our Wisdom from God.' If we are born again, Jesus is living inside us. If He is inside us, we have God's wisdom in us to draw on at any moment! But unless we listen to wisdom, it won't do us any good.'"

Hope you enjoyed this devotional and I hope you and I listen today and this week and forever to that still small voice-the Holy Spirit and Wisdom!

Micah 7:18-20 -VLOG

Today I decided to do a video Blog! Enjoy!

Mornings With Jesus!

God speaks to us in many ways. Just this last night I had a choice to spend time with God, or do other things that I thought were more important, like homework or reading a novel or a book about going organic and what that really means. Yes, I was tempted to do these things and other things too, but God showed me that I desperately needed to spend time with Him. He showed me that I have not made Him first priority in my life recently. Instead I have made my schedule and the things that I feel are important at the time my priority. That is wrong and I have known and felt terrible about for a very long time, but I haven't taken any action to make my spirit come in control over my flesh and the things I want to do. My spirit and the things of God need to rule any decision I make, no matter if they aren't necessarily "bad" things, but things that need to come last in terms of my order of priorities. God MUST be number one and without that set in stone, I can't go and move in the direction God has called me! God has never let me down or you down. He has been faithful and loving and patient with us and what do we do in return? We ignore Him, push Him away and don't listen. We think we know more than He does and we rule our own lives, when God really just wants us to submit to His plan and walk in obedience to Him. Things won't always be easy, but God is always there and He's there waiting for us to turn to Him. We all have a choice to follow the ways of the Spirit of God or the ways of this world and the fleshly desires. We all have a choice as to who we allow to influence us and the choices we make every day define who we are as a person! I encourage you to use the times and the things God does to change you from the inside out! I want Him to be number one, so I am making a conscious decision to do just that! I hope you will as well! If that means waking up early in the morning and spending time with Jesus-just Him and I, then that's what I'll do and what I did last night! That was the choice I made! I hope you are encouraged and continue doing good! Continuing in the things of God and in His word! He loves YOU! Remember that! You are becoming a reflection of Him! :) Keep it up!

How To Get Rid of Acne and Acne Scars Naturally

If anyone has hated acne the way I hate acne, I know how you feel and I know what you're going through! It's terrible..looking at acne and acne scars makes you want to rip them off your face or maybe someone else's face. The problem-HOW DO I GET RID OF IT? Well I have tried many things and the best "at home" remedy that I have found is mixing yogurt, sour cream, oats and lemon juice together and smearing it on the face or the affected acne/acne scar area. Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off. Do this several times a day/week/month until all of the acne and acne scars are gone. After you rinse it off, your face will already start to feel smooth and vibrant! It feels amazing and dries it up quickly! Pretty much, it works! You have your answer! Try this at home and leave your comments here to tell me if you liked it or not and what your experience was with it!

Thanks for reading!
~Hater or acne and acne scars~
Traci

Death and Life

Listen to this...this is one guys thoughts, studies and opinions on death and life...What do you think?

click here for video

"To live is Christ and to die is gain."

Death in this human body is inevitable unless Jesus returns before we die. As a Christian we have hope and we have a future. We will live with Jesus forever. That is the hope we have. We do not need to fear death. We all will die one way or another. In our life we must choose to die and in our death we must choose to live. Meaning as a Christian we are making an impact and a difference in the world just by living and being a Christian-being different and set apart. I don't have life down and I have a lot to learn and grow in. We must learn to die to our flesh and let the Holy Spirit guide and direct our path. If we die as a Christian physically, we will live with HIM forever. If we die to our flesh we still will live a wonderful life-because to live is Christ and to die is GAIN! We DO gain and are revealed more of Jesus when we die. I encourage you to live every day to be like Jesus. Make an impact in someone's life, for you may be the only "BIBLE" they read...meaning that if you and I live like Jesus, others will see HIM and His amazing love and grace and life that others will be drawn to what you have. If we live out the Bible, others see our lives and are in essence "reading" our lives.

You are the light of the world, the salt of the earth!

Beauty

Girls, sometimes we forget these things, but the truth is...true beauty comes from within. God sees us without makeup and He sees us the way we are-our good and bad, all of it, yet He still loves us and calls us beautiful! Don't try to be like what the media says, instead be who God says you are! I am learning this as well! Be who God made you to be! You are beautiful and you don't have to show it off so others will see it! The right guy will come along and He will see YOU! When you dress immodestly, you are asking for heartbreak and your breaking the guys' hearts as well. We need to help them guard their eyes and thoughts! You only have one man just like all the men only have one woman for them...so why lure other women's future husbands to you? Don't you want to help men and women to remain faithful for each other! You're beautiful and if You (and I) believe it more, then we won't be insecure and feel non-beautiful! YOU ARE GORGEOUS! :) TRUST ME! God doesn't make junk and trash...on the other hand if we don't take care of ourselves, then that means that if we start looking less beautiful because of what we have done to our bodies, it's not God's fault, but our own. So we must believe the truth that we are beautiful and not dress immodestly and take care of our bodies!!! You are loved! Believe it!!! :)

Hope you are encouraged! :)

The Triangle Connection

Have you ever wondered how one meets and marries the right one? Well the answer is simple, just like this triangle above both the future husband and wife have to keep their focus on Jesus. It's like the two of you are a million miles apart (maybe), but if your focus is on God, you know you will meet them running right next to you in your race to the prize-God's kingdom. God is all knowing and He know's who you and I will marry. So our job is to trust in Him and run to Him in all times in our life. I know what it's like to feel lonely or to feel distant or afraid or nervous, scared or worried, but we must remember that fear and worry only destroys what we see ourselves as and what God sees us as. It is times of trust that matter, not fear and worry. Besides, isn't there a quote that says that worry subtracts 7 years from your life? I don't know if that's right, but I do know that trusting will make your and my faith grow stronger. I need stronger faith, that's for sure! I don't think there could ever come a time where I have had enough faith for my life. Life is a journey, so in this journey focus on God and everything else will fall into place, even the person you marry will one day be in your and my life, so we don't need to worry about a thing in this world! God's got it in His hands. We just need wisdom, strength, faith and trust knowing that no matter what happens God is STILL God and He knows our past, our present and our future! So let's TRUST HIM! :)

Remember this triangle if it helps you! :)

Past and Present-Pictures

Here are some pictures of some photo's I've edited or taken recently! Enjoy! :)

My twin brother and I as babies! :)

One of us was called Bright Eye's and the other was called Chubby Cheeks! Guess Who was who! :)

This was taken when I was shopping with my sister who came to visit and that's me wearing silly glasses!

This is of my little brother Joel and Lily (a little girl I babysit twice a week) and the bottom pic is of Joel and I

This is of me at 16, 18, and 19 years old. The one in the middle is the most recent of these pics!

Black and White version of the one above!

Just this past week I went to Kentucky to visit my grandmother and we went to Columbus Park and these are some pics of my brothers John and Joel and myself when we went to spend part of a week with our Mema! :) <3

The one pic above ^ and the two below are edited versions of one's I've posted in the past!

There you have it! Just some pics!

Guidance and Direction

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper You and not to harm You, plans to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11~

My past mistakes and failures and my future goals and dreams. That's what has been on my mind and thoughts recently. I've been thinking about what God's desires and plans are for my life and the things I've done so far in my life and all the things God has in store for me. I have one more year of college and I don't know what God has planned for me in the next season of my life/the next step of my life. I am praying for wisdom, guidance and direction for my life. I want God's plan for my life and I hope I am all that He has called me to be! Jesus come be in me, guide my life with Your wonderful arms of life!

My plans and dreams I desire to be His plans and dreams! By the end of this year I will have my Early Childhood Education associate degree. I love children and hope I will have my own children one day, but I am so grateful that I get to help and lead children everywhere I go! I believe it is an honor and a privilege to lead children to know Jesus more! Please pray for me as I am learning and becoming what Christ desires me to be and do with my life! Thanks!

God's Changing Me-Journey

 (Here is an updated photo of me, btw)

Recently I have made a decision to do something that can be difficult and actually a couple of things are difficult in what I'm doing. I am just believing that through this decision that I will be what God wants me to be. I believe that God is asking me to do several things in my life, for my benefit, but for His ultimate glory! Those things are:
1) NO Facebook for at least a month, and then I will see what God desires and wants of me from there.
2) Read my Bible and Pray and spend time with God daily and make it a habit. He is my everything. He should and I always want Him to be number 1 in my life.
3) Think and say only positive things over me and my life as well as other people's lives. I am a child of God, an Heir to the throne of God, I am HIS!
4) Eat healthy. I want and think it's good to make my physical self line up with what I am doing spiritually. I don't eat TERRIBLE, but I don't eat the best way that I could be eating. My body is the temple of Jesus. He made me and I want to take care of the life He has given me and not fill it with things that are not of Him.

Now I want to explain in more detail each of these things I am doing and why. Through this what I call "Journey" I will be journaling every day to show and express my thoughts and how I am learning and growing in Him and to help me keep on track and see where I have come and express my feelings, thoughts and what I am learning more on paper!

The reason I chose to go without Facebook is not because I believe it's an "evil" thing or anything like that, but because I believe that for myself I have spent too much time on Facebook and am wanting to focus my attention on God. Also, I think that many people, including myself have consciously or unconsciously taken Facebook to a level it should have never been at. It has become people's relationships, instead of real life, person-to-person relationships. I think in my own life I unconsciously did it and didn't even realize it. Therefore I will be going without Facebook for a month. Facebook is a good tool, but can very easily be used in a wrong way.

The reason I want to read and study and spend time with God in His Word is because I have been lacking in that area. I haven't been reading it near enough and studying it as much as I should and desire to be. I have seen about 5 of my very dear friends fall away from God in the past 2-3 years. It really hurts and is hard for me to see. It actually makes me so sad to the point that I have become fearful of my own faith. I start asking questions like "am I rooted and grounded in God's Word enough? I hope I don't fall away from God...I wonder if I will be next..." I have been thinking those thoughts and it has scared me, so taking this "Journey" with God this month, I hope to cultivate a more deeper and personal relationship with God. I don't want to ever come away or pull away from Jesus. I ask God to create in me a pure heart and help me to always stay steadfast in Him and His Words! I never want to be away from Him or His presence. I always want to grow in Him and never leave Him or His plan for my life!

The reason I think I need to say and think positive thoughts is for several reasons. The first is that God has been showing me that I haven't been speaking positive things over my life. I say things that I know I shouldn't say about myself and it's because I've been believing the lies of Satan for so long and now I want to break myself from believing those lies. I often say "I'm not beautiful" or "No one will ever want to marry me...what am I? I am nothing..." BUT God has been recently showing me that even in these lies and other lies that I have believed for a long time that life and death is in the power of the tongue. I can speak right and positive things over my life or I can speak death and unhealthy things in my life. BUT whatever I speak and believe, it very well could and eventually will happen in my life. I know in my head the truth's, but I need to believe them in my heart. I desire to believe them and want to, therefore I am taking the steps I know how to start believing the truth's of God's Word. I am an Heir of Christ! I am His Princess, I am HIS forever and I love Him forever and unconditionally! I want my life to always show and be a reflection of Him, therefore I must believe God's truth's because God does not lie and His words are true and lovely!

The next thing I am doing on this Journey is eating healthier. I don't eat as healthy as I should and since my body is the body God gave me for this earth, I want to treat it well. I have to live with it my whole life and I am His child and am a reflection of Him, therefore my health and heart and spirit need to line up with each other. Everything needs to be where it should be in my body and if I don't treat my body right, I won't be able to honor God with my body. My body needs to reflect Him, just as much as my spirit and my attitude and heart! Everything needs and should come in alignment with God's Words in this. If I treat my body poorly and then say "God, why am I ugly, etc..?" It's not God's fault, it's MY fault. I want to make it a habit to eat right and think positively and not treat my body or mind or any part of me with disrespect for Jesus. I am HIS CHILD and HE MADE ME JUST THE WAY I AM! I need and should treat it well! :)

That is pretty much the idea of what I am doing this month! You are welcome to pray for me as I take this Journey in my walk with Jesus! Thanks!

I wanted to share with you a song that has been REALLY helpful to me this week! Here it is:

I hope it helps you as much as it has been helping me!

Steady My Heart Jesus,

Traci

I Like to Dress Up!

These are some photo's of me that my brother took of a dress I bought recently. One thing I REALLY enjoy doing is looking pretty and wearing dresses. Actually there is a joke in our house that "Traci would where a ball gown anywhere." What they're saying is that I REALLY like to wear dresses and dress up! So I thought I would share some pictures of the dress I bought with you! :)

This last one was edited to make the colors come out better... :)

Attractive???

Okay, I don't know about you females out there, but these men have some good qualities and are very attractive in my opinion! :) lol...just a thought to you men and women out there. If you are beautiful on the inside it will make you that much more beautiful/attractive on the outside. Just a thought!

Gilbert Blythe: (some good character and attractive-yes!)

Willie Lahaye: (Most definitely has character <3 and is attractive! Yes!)

Mr. Darcy: (Character and attractive-yes!)

Troy Bolton: (character not so good, but attractive-yes!)

There are others, but these were the one's I could think of at the moment! lol...

you are more beautiful and attractive when your character is like Christ! It's VERY true! :) :)

"Little Mommy"

Well my parents went away for about 3 or so days on a trip for their 25th anniversary but they are really doing it closer to their 26th anniversary because their 25th was last year and this year they are celebrating it closer to their 26th, lol. Anyways, while they have been gone, I have been the "Little Mommy" around here. I clean, fix dinner, water and weed out the garden, take my brothers to baseball games, do the shopping, clean up, babysit and comfort my littlest brother when he needs me. I also babysat for a friend of mine who goes to our church. That was fun to do though, they are wonderful children! Anyways I have been pretty busy around here without my parents here. As I take care of things while my Momma is gone, I realize more and more how much I want and would love to be a Mommy someday. It brings up desires in me as I take care of things and think "It would be so nice to take care of my own home...but a lot of work!" I know someday it will come and I want to be ready whenever that happens, so until then I will keep trying to practice to become the kind of wife and mother my future husband and children need of me and the kind of mother and wife I desire to be one day. To be a wife and mother is a special job and not only a job but to me a privilege and honor-to be entrusted with people to love and take care of and grow with in many areas of life and to train your children in the way's of God. I pray for my future husband and children and I think that it's really good to do so, even though I have never met or know them. I want to encourage all mothers out there that they are special and I am grateful to the one's who do and be the kind of Momma that their kids deserve and need! You are valued! Don't ever think differently!

"Little Mommy,"
Traci

Shopping and Sales!

I recently bought 8 shirts and 1 pair of jeans for $80 and the original price was like $260 for all of it! I was SO thrilled for the deal I got! Don't you just really really like to shop when there is deals?!?! One year there was a sale at Kohls for a lot of things that were ONLY $1!!!!! My Momma and sister and I got LOTS of things! It was SO much fun! I just like deals and sales!!!! What is a shopping experience you really enjoyed?

Purity Commitment

This above is a purity commitment that I printed off for myself and signed. I signed  one like it when I was like 11 or 12 years old and still have it to this day. The purity commitment I made is more than this says. I made a commitment to live my life purely in more than one way. Setting standards of purity are important to me. I think that the purity commitment I have made has helped me live this far where I am at now in my life. There are SO many people in this world who take this kind of stuff for granted, it hurts me SO much, and I know it's actually hurting those who take it lightly and don't care more than it's hurting me. I have made a commitment to stay pure in every area of my life, not just for my future husband, but for God and to live a Holy life that is pleasing to Him. I am not perfect, but I do know that to fight against the tides of this world, I must not be lukewarm and I must FIGHT for the purity of my brothers and sister in Christ! I MUST dress modestly, encourage others in their walks with God, change my thoughts of impurity to thoughts of things above, not on earthly things and not on things that will tear me down. I MUST say and speak the truth. I encourage you to do what's right and make a purity commitment and do whatever it takes to stay faithful to that commitment of purity in whatever you do. If you have messed up and failed, just realize that you are forgiven and turn a 180 degrees! That shows growth and that shows character and a heart to want to do what's right! You can do it! Stand in the midst of a falling world! Be the light in the darkness! Do what's right!

Purely His,
Traci

Dearest Friends...

Have you ever had a really awesome friend that left or you left them and just wanted them to know how much you still love and care about them? Well I DO! This is for you my Dear Friends! This is for you, whom I haven't seen in SO long and for those I have seen. You are SO dear to me and I want you to know how much I miss you and care about you! This is for several friends and if something in this applied to you, then YOU know that I am talking about YOU! :) I love you all SO much!

You are amazing and without you in my life I don't know how I would be who I am today without the love and support and friendship and correction and help and guidance you have placed in my life! You are one incredible person and each day is not the same without you! I love you all so much! There are SO many stories that I could tell about each one of my friends. All of you mean the world to me, you know who you are! <3 Love you!

I miss you so much! <3 <3 <3

Just yesterday my beautiful cousin Heather married the man of her dreams-Michael! It was a gorgeous wedding with so many wonderful things about it. It was so romantic and lovely! She is naturally pretty, but yesterday she just was so happy and so bright and beautiful! I really enjoyed the wedding and the songs that they played, the decorations and the father-daughter dance, as well as the bride and groom dance! It was absolutely gorgeous and I was so glad I was able to be apart of their big day! I pray everyday of their lives that they would continue to love and care for each other. They are such a beautiful couple and I have to say she was most beautiful! I am SO happy for her!

Here is a video they made after they were engaged and I wanted to share it with you! It's a beautiful video that I absolutely adore EVERYTHING about it! :) <3 Enjoy!

click here for video

There have been so many people getting married and so many others getting engaged and having babies! I am SO happy for all of those that I know and love that are having amazing things happening in their life! I love you Heather and all of my friends and loved one's! I pray God will guide you and bless you every step of the way! <3

and CONGRATULATIONS!!! :)

Character

I found this quote above when I looked up the word "character" on google.com. I thought it had some truth in it and I like what it says. I believe it's saying that character is built and doesn't just happen and isn't like a natural talent that we are sort of just "born with." It takes character to just work on building character in ourselves. It's in the trials and pain of this life, it's in the hard times that proves what our character really is. Do we give up or do we keep going and be persistent and NOT give up, are we stubborn or go with the flow of the world? Do we do what's right even when it feels like the hardest thing we've ever done? What we choose to do in the hardest times in our lives proves who we REALLY are! Everything about our lives will determine which direction we will go-north or south/right or wrong! I'm not saying that it's not okay to make mistakes, but when we do make mistakes or mess up, what do we do? Do we give up and not try or are we stubborn and work on our problems because we want to be everything God wants us to be? What choices you make in your life builds who you are and who people see you as. Even the things NO ONE knows about builds who you are because you are who you are and even if people don't know about things in your life, the important thing is that GOD knows and He cares. He wants you to lay your cares and problems over to Him, because He will work it out in your life for YOUR good! God is a good God and He has already taken the burden that you are carrying. The sin and fear and every evil and hard thing has already been paid for! The debt is gone! Christ took EVERY pain you are holding onto on the cross and HE NAILED it there! I encourage you to let go of the things you are holding onto in your life! It's good to let go and give it to God! He will make your wildest dreams come true and even beyond that! There will be a price for you, and that is letting go and stopping what you are doing and holding onto! Give it ALL to Him! He wants you to know that YOU CAN TRUST HIM! He is here and He loves YOU and wants the best for you! It will build character in you! You will become the man or woman you want to be! Let God mold you and make you into ALL that He has made you to be! Don't hold on to your life! Let it go, give your life to God and let it be His life in you! :) Watch this video and tell me what you think and if this helps you!

"I Love You Because..."

God loves you because He loves you, because He loves you, because He loves you, because He loves you! You don't deserve His love, but He loves you any ways! God is the rescuer and we need to be rescued. We just simply let Him rescue our hearts and lives! God loves you and He loves EVERYTHING about you and wants to make you more like Him to show others His great love for them! God doesn't "need" you, but He loves you and therefore He needs you because He wants to love you and to be the love of your life!

GOD LOVES YOU BECAUSE HE JUST DOES! YOU ARE YOU AND WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, BUT HE FORGIVES AND CHANGES YOU AND ME FROM THE INSIDE OUT! HE LOVES YOU BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU BECAUSE HE LOVE YOU BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU BECAUSE HE JUST LOVES YOU..................................

YOU ARE DEARLY LOVED!
I LOVE YOU too! ;)

Desperate For You

 God,

I love you and I thank You for everything You have done in my life. You are a good Father and a wonderful King. I am unworthy yet You love me and show worth to me. When I am sad and having bad days, you are always there. When life is hard like it is now, I know that You are faithful and You never break Your promises. I know I have not done things that are right and honorable. I know I have failed You many times and I desire and want to do what's right. Create in me a pure heart oh, God. Help me to have a Mary heart and spirit. Help me to be the kind of woman You want me to be! Jesus, You're all I need and ALL I truly want! You are perfect and Holy and I love You. I wish I was more like You and could do everything in life right and didn't have to deal with hard things. I know though that I live in a fallen world and things are hard, but I know that You are God and I trust You to take care of me. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me and here I am playing the harlot, chasing after other lovers/things in this life, when only You can satisfy my every need and desire. You are everything good and everything right. I desire wisdom and instruction. Help me to have a teachable and a heart of clay that is soft so that You can move it the way You want it to be. Help me to run after You and love You from the inside-out. Help me to have Godly character and a humble heart-willing to go wherever You lead me with a "Yes" heart! Help me to live it out and be the kind of woman You have created me to be. Help me to be like Esther and Ruth and Naomi, and Deborah and so many other great women of the Bible...Jesus make me the Traci that You want me to be and do what is right even when it's hard. Help me to hear Your voice even when it's really loud all around me! Help me to never be deceived or misled, but staying steadfast to Your word and Your promises. Help me to always feel Your Holy Spirit!

Jesus, You are my Husband, my Father, and the love of my life. I want YOU above all things that this world brings and offers...Jesus, please make me a reflection of You! Forgive me where I have messed up and failed and sinned. Help me to do things right next time. Help me to have the mind of Christ and to take every thought captive and make it obey Christ! You are everything that I live for! I love You SO much Jesus! I wait for You! Renew my strength Jesus!

Desperate For You Jesus,
In Jesus Name, Amen

"What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction

What do you think of this song? Have you heard it before?

Psalm 119:1-16

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk  in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
but walk in His ways!
You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
Oh that my way may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to Your word.
With my whole heart I seek You;
let me not wander from Your commandments!
I have stored up Your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord;
teach me Your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of Your mouth.
In the way of Your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on Your precepts 
and fix my eyes on Your ways.
I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word."

Do you hunger for more of God? Do you let it sink deep within Your spirit? His word is a light in the darkness. It's comfort to those who are hurting! Hid words are life when your life seems dry or dead. His word is health when you are sick and hurting. His word is living and active. God's words are everything we need for life and Godliness. We should grow in Him daily. I am going to make a challenge for myself to grow. I am going to make a commitment from this day forward that I will not eat actual food unless I have "eaten" my spiritual food! I am saying that I am making a commitment from this day on that I will not eat actual food unless I spend time with God and dig and meditate and read and seek God in His word-my spiritual food. We live in a free country and we are able to have the Bible freely. There are many in other countries who yearn and desire just to have a piece of the Bible! Just a piece would make them happy and we take it so lightly in America! We should devour God's word and apply it to our lives DAILY! We should eat it up and digest it in our life! We should share God's food with others and help them taste and see that the Lord is GOOD and He is just and righteous! God cares and He wants the best for our lives! I hope this has encouraged you to devour God's word and make it applicable to your life! It's the greatest gift EVER! 

Seeking Him,

Traci

Trials and Hard Times-You Are More...

We all make mistakes and we all have had something in our lives that has been hard to go through or is currently something difficult to go through, whether it be in our past or what is currently going on in our lives. Every story is different, but every story has trials and difficulties. It's in those weaknesses and trials and hard times that God makes us stronger. These past four days have been pretty tough for me...and it hurts when things don't turn out the way that I would like or that I feel is best. I know that God is faithful even when I don't deserve His goodness and faithfulness-He is still Good anyways!

When we struggle with anything, me must remember that GOD is bigger than our problems and the trials we go through and He has already won the battle for us. We just need to look to Him and give Him all that we got in us and all we are. We can't fight battles alone. The battle is the Lord's and if we try to conquer trials and tough times by ourselves, we will fail miserably. I know though that when we lose faith, God does not lose faith in us. When we don't have the strength, God is stronger. I know that when my friend's and family are hurting or struggling I want to be strong for them, I want to get them through their pain, but I know though that only GOD can do that. That is God's job and not mine. I have to give them over to God and surrender all feelings for the hurt and pain of anyone over to God. In all times in life, I know God is there, even when I don't understand His purpose I plan, I MUST NOT GIVE UP HOPE and faith. When things get hard, I know it's a part of living in this world and my God is bigger and stronger than this world and the trials in it. He has given us everything we need for life and Godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. God gives us everything we need to live this life for Him. Our job is to make it happen-implement it in our own lives-we must rely on God and the wisdom of the Bible when it comes to winning hard things in life. We must look to the Author and Finisher of our faith...we are not our own, we were bought at a HIGH price!

When trials come, where do you turn? Heavenward or Downward, OR do you look to yourself to fix the problem? Do you turn to others? How do you handle trials in this life?

I think it's right and good to seek wisdom and counsel from Godly leaders. We all need guidance and help along the way. We are human and there are many people who go through what we have gone through before and they have learned things from God that maybe we should know to help us in our trials and hard times, we just must remember that they can't meet our needs, only GOD can and will. They are there to help point us to God and see things in a different light and to encourage us in our walk with God. There is nothing that will give us something better that the Bible will not. The Bible is the very breath of God and through His word and the wisdom in it, we can conquer whatever hard things come in life.

I encourage you (and myself) to turn to Jesus in hard times and SEEK out the Bible and how to deal and work through difficult times. Pray. Love others and DO WHAT'S RIGHT with a heart for more or God. We must not settle for any less than God's best!

I love you dear readers and hope my blog has helped you some in your walk with God!

(I AM NOT GIVING UP AND I REFUSE TO LOSE HOPE AND FAITH IN YOU!)
Here is a music video for YOU:

Bible Study

I have started a Bible Study with one of my friends and we are going through the book of Job together. It's kind of a hard one to go through, but it's really good. We just got done with the first three chapters and will continue with the rest of Job and maybe try some other books of the Bible too. It is a way that I can tell that really push's me to really dig into God's word. I have to be ready when we have the Bible Study and it helps me to really read and dig into it-to understand the Bible. Job has an amazing life. He had so many terrible things happen to him, yet in the end and through it all He continues to love God and not sin. It is in the weakest of times that test our faith. Will we still stand and love God in the hardest parts of life or are we going to give up and back down from our faith? It is a serious question. In the trials of life we have to keep pursuing Jesus with all that we are, never losing faith or stop growing in Christ. If we continue to grow in and through all of the trials that this life brings then we know that our faith is strong. So in saying all of this I want to encourage you to spend time with God daily and to talk to Him like you would call up a friend. He is there and listening and has some things HE wants to tell you to. We just have to learn to seek Him in the good, the bad and the ugly-in all seasons and all times! He should be the best friend that we go to to talk to about our good and bad things in life. We should get wisdom from Godly leaders and seek the Bible out. The Bible is our map, our guide to live in this life. Spend time with God and see what kind of AMAZING things start happening in your life! :) I am making this a goal to do everyday-to really dig in and read the Bible at LEAST 2 times every day this summer, plus through out the day I want to have conversations with God and let Him lead me where He wants me to be and go. That is my desire in my heart, therefore I WILL make it happen EVERYDAY! You can help keep me accountable that way too by making comments and we can encourage and build each other up in Christ!

Seeking Him Daily,

Traci

Strongholds

What are strongholds? It's really simple, it's something that has a STRONG hold on your life. It's anything that is SUPER hard for you to work through and get over. Something the Devil uses against you because you are really weak in an area (or more than one area). It's not a good thing to have, but we all have strongholds in our lives somewhere. Strongholds can only be conquered through Jesus. He has broken every stronghold and everything that sets itself against God's Word. In conquering a stronghold I believe that there are some things that one has to do to get through strongholds in their life. The first thing is ADMITTING the stronghold/problem, this is important because without admitting and saying you or I have a stronghold we will never get over it. The second thing I believe is important to get over a stronghold is CONFESS. the stronghold/problem to a strong Christian who can help build you up in your faith, normally talking to someone of the same gender is best unless it's like a serious/legit leader of an opposite gender or something like that, but I believe that it is more safe that way. The third thing I think is important to conquer a stronghold is get PRAYER as much as possible. Get prayer because with prayer and faith that you can conquer the stronghold on your life, it can and will be done. The fourth thing I think that one should do is  CONSCIOUSLY make and effort and decision to NOT do or say or think those things again. FORCE yourself to resist the temptation when it rises. Don't let others or Satan or ANYONE tell you that you can't get over it because it's NOT true. You have the authority to tell it NO. Start making right decisions in the right direction and don't do or think or say those things that you know is wrong. Even when it hurts and is REALLY hard-resist and prove to everyone and yourself that you are an overcomer and you have God on your side and He will help you. Let Him live in you, don't do it on your own or you will fail. Even if you fail-ask God to help you every day. Think on things above, change your thinking, change your thoughts and actions. It's easier said then done, but the more you or I do it, the easier it will get because every time one resists temptation they are conquering the strong hold on their life. The next thing I think should be done is SPEND time with God daily and even multiple times a day. Instead of playing games or watching t.v. or going shopping or other things, spend time with God-it will grow you up. Listen to Godly counsel and walk in obedience out of a heart for Christ and the love He has for you. Realize you are weak and He is strong and without HIM you can do NO thing at all! He is all you have and can live for! He's GREAT and I know you can conquer these strongholds. There are some other steps and if I think of all of them I will make another post on it, but for now I think this is a good start. I am praying for you! :) <3 God is on your side, don't let the Devil lie to you and try to lead you off the track that God has for you! KEEP LIVING FOR JESUS. HAVE A RELATIONSHIP with HIM! IT'S THE GREATEST GIFT EVER!!! :)

The Mark of A True Christian

Have you ever thought-I wonder if so and so is a Christian, or I think this person is a Christian, but I am not sure. One evaluation you can have to determine if someone is a true Christian is if they are continually growing in Christ-there MUST be fruit of a Christian in their lives. Many people can say they are Christians and can even act like they are Christians, but a true lover of Jesus and follower of Christ is evidence throughout time and evidence of what's in the heart of someone. After being around and hanging around people you are able to tell what is in their hearts and what they think about. One is able to determine from relationship and being around someone where they are at in their walk with God.

I personally know and have met people who, it seemed like to everyone that they loved God and was pursuing God, but in the end we found out hidden sins that they never told us. Now everyone will have sins that they really, honestly don't know about but it's in their growth and evidence throughout time that proves where they stand and where their heart is. True repentance is when you have been doing something wrong and you turn the other way and follow after God whole heartily, never turning back-standing firm in faith and love for God. Many people can "walk the walk" and they can "talk the talk" but do they have the fruits of the Spirit, are they applying what they have learned from scripture to their lives? Are they studying the Bible and living it out in their lives? Do they honor others? Look at the character of a person and that also tells a lot. Is that person lieing a lot? Is that person listening to Godly leaders and searching out God in all of His righteousness? Is that person inspiring others to live like Christ? There are so many questions you could ask yourself and another person to see where they are at spiritually.

Evidence of love and faith in Jesus is continual growth and fruit in their lives in all aspects and it can't just be "going through the motions," but a sincere different person change in their lives. The person is different-they have a different spark or light to them that you never noticed before, etc...God is evident and real in their lives. Hidden sin is not hidden-but one is accountable to leaders in their lives for their growth in Christ. There is a difference between "unknown sin" and "hidden sin." Unknown sin is sin that a person doesn't know about sincerely, but hidden sin is sin that a person does know about and no one else knows so they hide it thinking they are getting by with it, but in the end ALL sin will be out in the open and revealed for all to see. Can you see what I'm saying? GROWTH is evident in a TRUE Christian, a RELATIONSHIP with Christ is evident in their lives!

If you have any questions on this, please feel free to talk to me about it! I will do my best to answer them!  Thanks for reading and keep following and keep updated on current posts to learn more! :)

Hand Picked

I think something that I want to share with you that I think is amazing and wonderful is that God knows exactly who you are going to marry or did marry. God made that person JUST for you. I am so amazed at how God does that. It's so amazing and fascinating to me. We don't have to make things happen, they just will and in His timing and hopefully we are wise in hearing His voice and we go to the right one. It is our job to grow in Christ and build and be the kind of person we believe God has made us to be. As we seek God and if our future spouse is seeking God-it's like a triangle and we will meet at the top-in the center of God's will. Everything will work out right and good if we are TRULY seeking Jesus. It's in His hands the outcome of the relationship if we are seeking Him. Our job is just to obey Him in all we do. God really does care VERY much about who we marry and our lives. He cares about our future children and He even cares about what we eat and how we act and everything about our lives. He doesn't want us to be a "fan of Jesus" but a true follower of Jesus! Jesus wants us to take up our cross and our lives and lay them at His feet-trusting Him in all areas and in all things. Our life-once given to Jesus is not our own, but God's. If we are a true follower of Jesus, our lives will be evidence of it and it will show, there will be fruit of that in our lives. We will be set apart and different. We won't casually date because we know that the heart and life of someone is serious-but we do it out of respect and the intention of marriage in mind. We seek God and His plan for our lives without question. We study His words and His life and we do what's right because it's right, not to make someone happy or any other reason. We do what's right because we want to please God and because it's right. Humbleness is a key to all of this. Humility and trust in Christ is important to any follower and child of God! So I encourage you to grow in your faith, grow strong in Jesus and do not give into sin, don't go to the things of this world because they can't satisfy you. It will be hard at times, but the reward in the end is worth it all! Jesus is the best thing and once you really know Him that's all you will want to know-is how to please and honor Him in all you do and say.

Please wait patiently and seek Jesus and His will for your life. That is one thing that I am learning every day and I hope you learn that as well! God will work all things out for your good if you seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength! :)

God's Will

So school is pretty much over and a lot of new and exciting things have been happening in my life recently! I have made one very amazing friend and I hope we will always be friends! There are some things in my life though that I wish I knew the answer's to. Do you ever feel like things are falling into place in an amazing way and then wish time would speed up to prove to you if it's good and something God is doing and making wonderful in your life? For example when someone is expecting a baby, they are SO excited and they just can't wait to see that beautiful gift and wonderful treasure come into this world! They have to wait to see what God is doing and what that baby will look like, they just want to see the beautiful gift that they were given!

That's kind of how I feel. I think that something amazing is happening or going to happen in my life, but I feel like only time will tell. I know that God is faithful in ALL things and faithfulness is important, actually VERY important to me and I feel like the only way I can tell what's happening is if this works out and God builds faithfulness into this situation both in my life and the lives around me. I feel like everything will work out because I am REALLY seeking God, I just wish I knew the answer's to all of my questions sometimes!  But then again if I had all of the answer's I probably wouldn't be seeking God either! Trust is what I'm learning continually!

Please pray that I hear God's voice and that His will will be done in my life! Thanks! :)