Handmade Goats Milk Soap review and Give-away!

Have you ever tried Goat milk soap?? I never did but was very curious about it.  Especially after seeing that the bars made by Rhen from Yes, They Are All Mine are handmade by her, in her own kitchen and are completely natural. I looked around on her soap website and learned so much about her soaps.

Here are some facts taken from her page:

Why goat's milk?  Just a few of the benefits of goat milk soap are:  protects skin from daily bacterial and chemical invasion,  very moisturizing, perfect for sensitive skin, helps kill acne, won't leave residue on oily skin, sloughs off dead skin cells, and helps to soothe a variety of skin conditions like eczema.

     Do you use animal fats (tallow or lard)?  No!  The only animal product is the goat milk.  My soaps contain an array of Vitamin E rich oils, including olive oil that nourishs and helps hydrate your skin.  Stress, dietary choices, environmental pollutions, medications and exposure to ultra-violet rays all take a toll on the health of your skin.  Olive oil replaces the moisture and elasticity lost to these elements because it is naturally rich in Vitamin E and other powerful antioxidants that have tremendous healing and preserving properties.

     Do you use artificial/ liquid dyes?  No!  I use no harmful dyes, preservatives, parabens or SLS.  I use clays, purified muds and herbs to add any colors or textures.  

     How do you add scent to your soap?  All of my soaps are scented with 100% pure essential oils!  No fragrance oils or alcohol carriers.

     Who or what makes the soaps?  My soaps are made by me.  I hand cut, trim and label each and every one.  Each batch I make is unique and has inherent differences, swirls, variations and "flaws" that give them charm and 

character.  No machines here! 

After reading all of this information I was even more intrigued and placed an order. The scents I chose were "Sweet Pooh Bear", "Muscled Farmboy", "Lover's Leap" and "Frolicking in the Dead Sea". Don't you love the names of the soap?
I quickly received my soaps in the mail and was already impressed as soon as I opened the box. The aroma of each soap was amazing!
I couldn't wait to try them and the first one I tried was the Sweet Pooh Bear. I cannot believe how much I liked it even after one use. It is unbelievably creamy.  My skin was incredibly soft and smooth with no residue or tight feeling afterwards.  After using it for a few days, my skin felt even softer. It really is amazing and very hydrated. The texture and tone of my skin has improved also.
The real test was my hubby. He is an auto mechanic and his hands are extremely rough. His first response after using the soap the first time was "what is this creamy soap"? Now, I don't know about your hubby's, but mine never notices any soap I buy and just uses what is there. This- he noticed. He liked it so much, especially the scent, that when I told him it was made from goat's milk and was all natural, he asked if he can eat it or at least use it as a mouth wash!! LOL Oh, how I love him! I told him, of course not, it IS soap.
We are both very impressed with these wonderful soaps and have decided to only use these from now on. It has been over a month now and the changes in our skin our fantastic. Even hubby's rough hands are much smoother! I highly recommend her soaps. 
Now for the give-away....
Rhen from Yes, They Are All Mine, is offering *2* bars of her wonderful handmade goat milk soap with  choice of scent to one winner! How exciting! 


.a Rafflecopter giveaway





*see terms and conditions

Cucumber, tomato & celery salad!

This is one of my favorite summer salads! Mostly because tomatoes are delish and in season right now and also, it is SO easy to make and keeps for days.

Here ya go:
Cut up tomatoes,celery and cucumber (as big or small as you like)
Mix with olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder
DONE!
Easy, right? It's best when it's nice and cold.


I make my cucumber fancy when having company for dinner.
Just wash the cucumber, cut off both ends, peel and then take a fork and run it down the whole cucumber-from end to end. Keep going all around the entire circumference. 

so easy!

voila!

isn't it pretty? :)

I am linked up at

comfyinthekitchen.com">http://comfyinthekitchen.com/wp-content/themes/mocha/images/button.png">>

Are you wrestling with God?

It breaks my heart to see so many people still resisting God.
He loves us. So much. All of us. Yes, even you.
I've been there. On the losing side of the war. I've resisted. I wrestled with all that I have. 
And when I gave up, guess what? I WON.....

                                                                     photo credit


I was you. The one who wanted things my way; the one who fought my way through arguments; the one who let my anger and temper take over; the one who wanted nothing to do with God.....


I was you. The one who hated someone more than anything;  the one who did something that seemed so unforgivable; the one who was always frustrated and never satisfied...
I battled hard. Suffered severe anxiety. Hit rock bottom only to find, it was the Rock I needed all along. 

2 Samuel 22:2
And he said: “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;


I finally threw in the towel and stopped fighting. I took a knee, surrendering my life to One who CAN and WILL and HAS forgiven me.  Even the unthinkable sins.

                                                                       photo credit
Now, there's no more anger. No more hurt. No more hatred. No more guilt. All the weight of the years of countless sins has been lifted. Peace. Comfort. Joy.... I can breathe.....

John 3:16

 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

That means everyone. Even YOU.
Stop resisting Him. Yield to His Spirit. Ask Him for forgiveness. Turn from your sin. Follow Him.
He is full of mercy, grace and love.  He is gentle, patient and so faithful. You will not feel defeated. You will feel victorious! The battle has already been won. Jesus became our sin and died on the cross, taking on the wrath of God so we won't have to.


Your sin does not define you. Your sin is not your identity. Your past is not who you are.  Let. It. Go.

Praying for every one of you reading this, that you will let go and give your life over to Christ.

Think. Before. You. Speak.

My friend Melissa from LifeWithLissy.com wrote an interesting and much needed article about the way people prejudge a large family.  Basically, people think that if you have more than 2 or 3 kids, you live off of the government, you are always busy and overwhelmed and you can't possibly be a good mother to "all those children".

                                                         photo credit

Well I am at the other end of the spectrum with no kids, yet, (Lord willing) and I have the same problem of too many people telling me how to live life and knowing what's best for me.   For the record, saying things like "You're not getting any younger" and "what are you waiting for" are kinda personal and frankly,  rude to say to someone.  You don't know everyone's situation or reasoning.  Some women don't announce their pregnancy until a far enough stage and you may be asking someone who just had a miscarriage, why they haven't had a baby yet. Think. Before. You. Speak.
 That doesn't mean you should jump to conclusions of fertility issues, marital issues, financial issues, or that you need to keep telling them how wonderful babies are.  I'm pretty sure everyone knows that babies are a huge blessing from the Lord.

photo credit

I've heard it all:
"You would make such a great mother you should really start having babies"   
" You are so great with kids, why don't you have any?"
"Does your husband not want any kids?"
"You know you are 30 now...."
"Well if you ever have kids you'll understand what it is to really love" ~YUP, they went there! 
And the list goes on..........................




 Either way, lots of kids or no kids, we never have the right to push our offensive opinions onto people or tell them what we think they need to know about their own life. Ultimately, it is the Lord's plan for our lives and whether that be 10 kids or none, He is in control and always has our best interest in mind. 


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 hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

It's amazing to me when you are really aware of something the Lord is putting in front of you.   For the past week I have been coming across scriptures, hearing from people, or reading online the same message over and over. Here's what I learned am learning: It does not matter what we want, need or plan for our lives. If it is not the Lords plan, it will not work. Period.  It's that simple. Now if only my brain would register this daily, life would be so much easier.

Here's how it started. Hubby and I are trying for our first baby. Exciting!! right? well, yes however the more months that go by, the more excitement turns to frustration. We have not been trying too long, less than a year and believe me I know that is not very long compared to some. But, I have been praying every day that the Lord blesses us with a baby. I have been holding these verses close to my heart for months: psalm 37:3-7a

Trust in the Lord, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.

While I was reading this again the other night, my bible referenced me to Psalm 145:19~
          He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;


I was so happy to come across this and thought, When I have baby, then I'll be so happy! 


During this past week after realizing several times that my plan will never work if it is not the Lord's will for me, I came across this:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also~ Mat.6:21


And I thought, where is my treasure? Is it only in the hope that I will have a baby? Shouldn't my treasure be in the Lord, honoring Him? Willingly following Him in obedience, and treasuring the fact that I will spend eternity with Him? 


Yup! there came the wave of strong conviction and tell you the truth, it has helped me SO much! I then, in this last week alone, came across these 3 verses: 
James 4:13-15
¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will^[a] go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; ¹⁴ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 


Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
    but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.


Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.


See the pattern? I think the Lord is trying to tell me something and guess what? I finally got the message!
He loves us so, so much and has our best interest in all He does.  It doesn't matter what I want or hope for. I need to listen to Him and delight myself in Him. He is so faithful and loving towards us all. He knows the desires of my heart but He also knows His entire plan for my life. I don't. If it is the Lord's will for me to be a mother, I will. If not, I will faithfully trust and love Him still! His tender mercies are always upon us. His greatness is beyond compare.

Psalm 145:1-3
I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
² Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable


Every day! I will praise Him every day, forever and ever! Not just when I think things are going my way. I looked up the definition for unsearchable and it says, unable to be clearly understood.  We can't even fathom just how great the Lord is! 


So, while I still desire to have a baby, my perspective has changed and perspective makes a huge difference! I am praying for a baby still, but praying that I would have a baby if it is the Lords will for me.  I am sure some days will still be hard and frustrating but, I know in my heart I will never be disappointed if I trust in Him. 



I am Linked up at:


Far Above Rubies,   Growing Home, and  Deep Roots At Home

The Good Wife's Guide: BOOK REVIEW

If you’re seeking true joy with long-lasting results, it can only be found by building virtue upon faith. That's where you'll find fulfillment, and that's where you'll find your true purpose in life.~Darlene Schacht- The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role As A Help Meet



I was absolutely thrilled and so blessed to be able to read and review this book. I have loved the ministry of Time-Warp Wife and have found so much encouragement from author Darlene Schacht.  Darlene is like a fountain of encouragement and wisdom overflowing into the lives of so many woman every day. I love how through her book and her blog, she always refers back to scripture.  I never have to wonder if what she is saying is biblical or just her opinion because she always follows it with scripture.


Scripture isn’t a candy bowl by which we pick and
choose our favorite words hoping to satiate our
palette. It’s a well-balanced diet of truth which is
difficult to swallow at times, but nevertheless it
brings nourishment to our soul.~ Darlene Schacht- The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role As A Help Meet



I grew up in a broken home raised only by my mother, who is a christian and raised us up in the Lord, but I never was able to see the role of a "help meet".  When I first saw The Good Wife's Guide, I knew I had to read it and that it would be just full of biblical encouragement and structure on how to serve my husband. I love the way Darlene expresses her heart in this book.  She is such a great example. She covers some topics that are considered "hush-hush" topics in our society today such as SUBMISSION.  I love her honesty on this subject and how she pulls her beliefs directly form the bible.  I love what she says here:
 Submission doesn't mean that we’re weak-minded,
feeble, or frail. It means that we’re empowered by
choice, and that we’re dedicated to esteeming others
higher than ourselves. ~Darlene Schacht

Do we really understand what submission is and what it actually looks like? I think it is so important for us to understand biblical submission and what biblical marriage looks like. As a young wife just getting my feet wet in my almost 5 years of marriage, this book has been such a great help.  We are planning to have children, Lord willing, and I know I will be referring back to this book for years to come.  Now this eBook is available in print and I think a copy should be given to every bride-to-be as a wedding shower gift.  True values are being lost in this world and "The Good Wife's Guide" is full of the values I hope to teach my children someday.  Being that my parents are divorced and the enormous divorce rate of our country, it is so refreshing to read about someone who has been married over 20 years and bases her values right out of God's word.  Darlene is truthful and loving in all her words.

There are also some great tips on housekeeping along with a schedule, organizing tips, house cleaning recipes and I love her idea of hanging specific scriptures in specific rooms of the house.  This book challenges us as women and help meets to search scripture, to serve our husbands and to do it all with a willing and loving attitude.


Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves.
~ Philippians 2:3



I highly recommend this inexpensive eBook or the new print version that will be available soon.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006XG0H3U/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb

click on the link below image to buy a copy of the eBook today! 

Wisdom, Blessings, and Applesauce

Today I spent the day with an 86 year old woman making apple sauce, talking and most of all listening. I was so blessed by her wisdom.  She and her (late) husband were married for 66 years!  Can you imagine? Next year would have been 70 years, but sadly he passed a few years ago from cancer. I spent hours today listening to her tell stories of their love and how, no matter what, good or bad, they thanked the Lord and were very happy. They met when she was 15 years old at a roller skating rink. He was the only man she ever dated, or even held hands with.  They were so in love.  Together they have 3 children, 20 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren! She still lives in the house that, together, by hand, they built. Literally. She helped him pour the cement and  and cut wood. She used to sew all of her children's clothes, they grew all their own vegetables, and raised chickens.  I was so amazed listening to her.

She told me how they did everything together. They were each others best friends.  And that how important it is to keep Christ in the center at all times.  Pray together.  Every day. As often as you can.  She told me to love life.  Look at everything we have and thank God for it all.  If something bad happens, learn from it, and find how to glorify the Lord in it.  Nothing is too difficult for Him and He is always faithful.  She told me to always communicate. If it's something good, share it with you hubby. If it's something bad, share it with him also.  And not to hold on to the bad and let it stew inside you.  Not to get so mad over little things that don't really matter.  That marriage is a beautiful gift from God and that it's meant to be fun, kind, full of love and excitement, and also, it's a journey together, husband and wife with Christ in the center.

I can't believe how much "spunk" she has at 86. (and what a sense of humor!) She still lives alone, cooks and cleans, sews her own pillows and curtains. She has the young girls from our church over one Sunday a month after church and teaches them sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking and goes over scriptures with them.  She is still very involved in our church with nursery, children's church and does bible club every Tuesday and Thursday.  She is really an amazing lady whom I admire so, so much and have learned so much from. And most of all, she loves the Lord so much.  She kept saying, repeatedly, that everything they ever went through was God's will for them and His grace.  She still reads her bible every single day, morning and night.  She has such a joy in her that I can't even describe.  She told me she has grandchildren in Georgia and I asked her if she likes the warm weather better than what we have here in Pennsylvania. And she replied, "I love all weather. I just love life. I'm just thankful the Lord allows me to have another day, I don't care what the weather is. Weather means nothing when you've got the Lord". WOW! I pray to have that much gratitude and joy and love for life and more importantly, love and faith in the Lord.

I pray that my hubby, (and all of you) can grow together and learn together and always remember to keep Christ in the center.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  Ephesians 5:1-2

I was just speechless and incredibly blessed.  I never thought spending a few hours making applesauce with an 86 year woman could be SUCH a blessing and that I would learn so much! Oh, and the applesauce? DELICIOUS! Best I've ever had.


Proverbs 31:10-31

The Virtuous Wife

¹⁰ Who^[b] can find a virtuous^[c] wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
²² She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Chicken & Lentils

This recipe is so super easy, you wont believe it! I love this and it is very healthy. Lentils are one of the healthiest foods you can eat.... and they're delicious to boot!

Ingredients:
Chicken breasts (pounded out slightly thinner- about 1inch thick) broken into pieces-I do this after its cooking
1 can of lentils, drained (you can use dry if you prefer, follow package instructions to hydrate)
1 package of sliced baby bella mushrooms (omit if you don't like mushrooms)
1/4 cup chicken broth (I use low sodium)
salt, pepper, onion & garlic powders, to taste


Directions:
season both sides of chicken with all 4 dry ingredients
heat 1 TBS of olive oil in a skillet
brown chicken on both sides, about 2 mins on each side
add lentils, mushrooms, chicken broth, and 1 tbs olive oil (this is when I break up the chicken)
mix all together and let cook until chicken in cooked through- about 15-20 mins
Done! told you it was easy!

ENJOY!


*I sometimes make the same recipe with a can of black beans instead, leaving out the mushrooms. It is also very delicious!

Welcome, all!!

Welcome to all my readers!!

I want to take a moment to let you all know how much I appreciate you for being here. I am humbled and blessed by every one of you.  I started this blog in hopes of encouraging others and find that I am the one being encouraged by ALL of you! I love getting to know you all and I am always praying for you!

Please take a moment to subscribe here and leave a comment so that I can get to know you!

While you're here, take look around and get comfy! I'd like you all to read My Storm and see how I overcame my anxiety. If any of you, or someone you know, is suffering with anxiety, please feel free to message me. I would love to talk to you/them and help you through it.  The Lord is faithful and will help us all through our storms!

Love to you all!

Cauliflower and sausage pasta...{GLUTEN FREE}

I love this recipe! SO easy and SO yummy!

What you will need:
1 head of cauliflower
1 lb of pasta {I use gluten-free}
1 small 8oz can of tomato sauce
1 pack 16oz sausage without casing. If you cant find it, buy regular sausage and just take it out of the casing {use chicken sausage for healthier version}

What you do:
Cut up cauliflower and put into a large pot of salted water.
Put 2 tsp of olive oil in a pan with diced garlic
when garlic starts to sizzle, add the sausage
Boil cauliflower until fork-tender and add to sausage {DO NOT GET RID OF WATER}
Add 1 can of tomato sauce
Using the SAME water you boiled the cauliflower in, cook pasta as normal
Drain pasta and add to sausage and cauliflower. Stir it all together!
Add grated cheese {as much or as little as you like}

Doesn't sound like much but trust me, it is DEELISHH!!
Hope you enjoy!

*In this pic I used spaghetti {gluten-free} because that is all I had. But normally I wouldn't use spaghetti. Some kind of other pasta like penne is better.

I am Linked up at: Comfy In The Kitchen  and Becoming A Strong Woman Of God

If you're happy and you know it.....

This is SO true! 

How many of us are really  happy? Really satisfied?  The more we complain about what we don't have or what we wish we had, the less we see all the that we do have right in front of our eyes.  The more thankful we are, the happier we will become, not the other way around. We need to find satisfaction and contentment in our own lives; in all the countless blessings that the Lord has given each and every one of us. We need to stop looking at others and what they have. If we keep comparing what we have to what others have, we are missing out on our own blessings and happiness.  What I have may not look like what you have and vice versa. But that doesn't mean that any one of us is less blessed than the other.  We need to be so very thankful to the Lord, He satisfies all our needs and He has and always will provide for us.  Hosea 13:5-6(NIV)  says:
  I cared for you in the wilderness, 
   in the land of burning heat. 
  When I fed them, they were satisfied; 
   when they were satisfied, they became proud; 
   then they forgot me.

How often is this what we do? How many times do we pray, plead for something? We finally get it and are so happy and thankful....until we find something new that we are missing in our life. Then begins the discontentment..again... the praying, the wanting, the total dissatisfaction and ungratefulness... then the short-lived happiness is gone...again.

I know I do this all the time and am feeling very convicted lately.  How can I be so blind and ungrateful to the countless blessings I have received and still be wanting more? When is it ever enough? Will there always be something more that I want?  When my husband was in Iraq I used to cry and beg for him to be home. Now he is home safe and sound (praise the Lord) and I am constantly complaining about how much he works and I hardly see him. I should be SO thankful that I know where he is every day. That he has a job. That he is safe and that he I wake up next to him every morning.  We used to live in a teeny tiny apartment and literally trip over each other and I would complain all the time about wanting a bigger place. Now we rent a 3 bedroom house and I am complaining that I want a newer more up-to-date house. Never satisfied... The list goes on... I  am learning to be thankful. Really, genuinely thankful from my heart.  It's a long process, but God's grace is all around me. And in learning to be truly thankful, I am finding happiness. 

It seems to be a vicious cycle. The less we give thanks, the less we are satisfied. The less we are satisfied, the more we are unhappy.  When really to be truly, fully satisfied, all we need is the Lord. His word. His love.  His faithfulness. His sacrifice on the cross for us.  Isn't that the greatest gift of all? Shouldn't that and the promise of eternal life with Him be more than enough for us to ever desire?? 

Praying for all of us to find true happiness in the Lord and giving Him all the thanks and praise He deserves.
Linked Up at

Except for Grace

What is Grace?
 Here is a definition I found:
 Grace is an undeserved gift: God's mercy and forgiveness. It was purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ already


WOW! an undeserved gift purchased by the blood of Jesus.  WOW!  Can you wrap your brain around that? I can't.  
As I was sitting at my desk today at work several thoughts were going through my head; 
1. This day is dragging and I'm soo tired!
2. Why does my body have to be intolerant to gluten??
3. When will we have a baby?? 
 and several other things that were also negative.  And then I was overwhelmed with such a feeling: How can I be soo selfish and ungrateful?!?!?!?!  I can't believe how I take things for granted.  Everything I have is a gift from God and I need to be so thankful! Everything is grace! Everything is undeserved.  How wonderful to know that no matter how many mistakes I make, or how many times I am burdened, God's Love and Grace is always, always abounding! Praise the Lord! Nothing can take the place of our sins EXCEPT FOR GRACE.  Nothing can fix our mistakes. EXCEPT FOR GRACE. Nothing can fill our emptiness of always wanting. EXCEPT FOR GRACE.  Nothing can heal anguish and pain. EXCEPT FOR GRACE. 


How privileged we are to have a Savior so loving, so merciful.  No matter what He is there with love and grace. yes. grace.  A small word with a powerful meaning.  


Thank you, Lord, for your endless Grace! 

I can't get enough of this song! {{grab a box of tissues!!}}

This is my storm...

  When I was 4 years old my parents got divorced and my 2 brothers and I were raised by my mother who is a believer and brought us up knowing the things of the Lord. We were in Sunday school, church and youth group for years however I wanted nothing to do with God or church. I always knew deep down that what she was teaching us was true; I just didn't want any part of it. I rebelled against what my mom taught us, and was living a sinful life with no remorse.

In November of 2010 I started to suffer from severe anxiety. I don't really know what started it but my first attack was after taking too much cold medicine and having a bad reaction. My anxiety was so bad that it literally took over my life, paralyzing me. I was unable to go to work, unable to be home alone, unable to go out in crowds, and even unable to sleep in my own bed! My bed is where I had my first anxiety attack ever. After that, I slept on the couch from Nov 2010- March 2011.  I was on 2 medications and seeing a psychologist. One medication I took daily and one was for when I was having an attack to stop it instantly. I called them my zombie pills because that's basically what it did to me. I was able to function and walk around but it was like I was sleep walking. I even had myself convinced that I suddenly was allergic to almost every food and the thought of eating even brought on anxiety. Even after going for allergy testing and finding out I am not allergic to any food, I still was afraid to eat. This went on for 5 long, exhausting months. Worse every day. What started as a bad reaction to cold medicine, turned into a life changing event.  I was an absolute mess. I told my husband, “This anxiety is THE WORST thing that has EVER happened to me”. The worst part actually was I didn’t know Jesus. I believe that all that anxiety was brought on by all the sin in my life and constantly rejecting God.

It wasn’t until one morning I was home alone, and I started to feel the anxiety kick in. I said to myself out loud “not again! Please Leah. Don’t do this to yourself!” I then, for the first time in years, went looking for my bible. I felt drawn to it as if it were my last and only hope as if I was surrendering.  I opened it and began to read. The first scripture I opened right up to was Psalm 46: 1-3~
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed, 
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. 

I began to cry. Not from anxiety. I cried because It was the first time I realized I was not alone. I said to myself, "okay, Lord, you got my attention" I continued reading. I came across psalm 4. And the last verse in this psalm says, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Oh lord, make me dwell in safety". I was frozen!! I said again, "wow Lord, you really, really got my attention!" the rest of the day I did nothing but read my bible. About 6 hours later when my husband got home, I had forgotten that I was anxious at all that day. The night came, and I still couldn’t get myself to sleep in my bed. The next day, as soon as awoke, I went directly to my computer and onto Facebook. For some reason, I was drawn to someone’s page that I never met before. A woman named Sonya had sent me a friend request while my husband was in Iraq a year prior. I accepted it because I thought she was a wife of one of the soldiers deployed with him. She wasn’t. I found out after talking to her almost a year later that she came across my name on one of the military wives pages. I know now that it was the Lord that brought her into my life and she and I are very good friends now, but before that day I had never spoken to her.  Something just drew me to her page. When I clicked on her page, I saw a scripture that jumped out and hit me.
Philippians 4:6-7~ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Again, I began to cry. Harder this time. So hard in fact, I fell to my knees, literally begging the Lord for forgiveness. I felt like the most horrible, dirty, sinful person that ever walked the Earth. It was the first time I realized, I needed a savior. I needed Jesus. It was when I was hit with the realization that Jesus died for me and my horrible sins. I always believed God sent His only son to die for the sins of the world, and was resurrected, but this was the first time I realized that He died for ME. It suddenly became personal.  I spent the next 45, or so, minutes praying, sobbing, on my knees. I had given my life to Christ. It was March 5, 2011. My new life began. I never felt such peace before. I let go of all the anger and frustration inside. I waited for my husband to get home and when he did, I spilled over with excitement and told him what had happened. He was happy to see me for the first time in 5 months, actually looking alive. I called my mom immediately and couldn’t thank her enough for her faithfulness and bringing us up the way that she did and never ceasing to pray for me. That night I said to my husband, “This is THE BEST thing that has EVER happened to me!” I told him since I trust the Lord with all my heart; I am going to sleep in our bed tonight. If I was sure that He was in control and with me at all times, then there was no reason I couldn’t sleep in our bed. I also said that if going through 5 months of severe anxiety, missing work, and hitting rock bottom, was what it took to bring me to the Lord, then I would do it all again! That night, we went to bed. I was in my bed for the first time in 5 MONTHS. I prayed and went to sleep feeling great. The next thing I knew, I had jumped out of my sleep several hours later, mid-anxiety attack. It was one of the bad ones. I felt pinned down in my bed gasping for air. Normally, I would have woke up my husband, took a zombie pill and within 2-3 minutes, been back to “normal”. But I didn’t. I didn’t wake him up, I didn’t take any pills. I prayed. And prayed. I cried out to the Lord telling Him I trusted Him and that I knew he was a very present help in trouble. I started repeating Philippians 4:6-7 over and over. This is the verse I read for the first time ever earlier that day and hadn’t memorized, but suddenly knew it word for word. Before I knew it, it had passed. The anxiety attack just slipped away as if it never happened. Once again I was crying. Happy tears this time. The Lord is faithful! He was with me that night and is with me right now. I told my husband the next morning what had happened and he was so shocked. Shocked for one that I didn't even wake him up and two, I didn't take my medication. It was the last anxiety attack I ever had. It’s almost a year now and I am loving the Lord SO much, more and more every day.  I feel like I am seeing things with new eyes. My bible seems like it really just comes to life now. It is an amazing journey and really does get better each day. I know I am still a sinner and still make mistakes. But I KNOW the Lord is faithful and HE is right by my side to pick me up when I fall. I still get a little anxious feeling every now and then. The difference is, as soon as I feel it, no matter where I am or what I am doing, I stop and PRAY. And remind myself that The Lord is with me and not to be afraid. Trust in HIM completely!! He is the God of ALL COMFORT. He is the Prince of Peace!! And then the slight anxious feeling goes away and I'm left feeling even stronger in the Lord!! I now say, "This anxiety was THE BEST THING TO EVER HAPPEN TO ME!"

Watercress Watermelon & Feta salad... DELISH!

I found a new delicious and healthy recipe that is so easy from foodnetwork.com. I made it yesterday for lunch and let me tell you, it is FABULOUS!!! Possibly the most delicious salad I've ever tasted. And it is so pretty, great for entertaining!  Here is mine:

Ingredients

• 1 (2 pound) piece watermelon, rind removed and flesh cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 (4-ounce) block feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 packed cup watercress or arugula
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a salad bowl, combine the watermelon, feta cheese, watercress, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Gently toss until all the ingredients are combined. Serve immediately.

Hope you enjoy it!

Quinoa Jambalaya~ Healthy, Delicious AND easy!

Here is a GREAT recipe I found from one of my favorite blogs and it is both delicious and healthy! Who wouldn't want that, right??  Try it out and let me know what you think!

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil 1/3 yellow onion 1 zucchini 1 small red bell pepper 1 garlic clove 1 chicken sausage sliced into 10 rounds 1/4 cup dry quinoa or TJs Harvest Blends 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes--DRAINED if you want it thicker 1/4-1/2 lb frozen, cooked shrimp (thawed) 1 green onion (scallions), chopped Sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in skillet. Add chopped onion, zucchini, red bell peppers and garlic.
2. Add sausage and saute with veggies for around 5 minutes.
3. Add quinoa, tossing to coat. Add chicken broth and fire-roasted tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Cover for around 10 minutes.
4. Add shrimp and cover for another 5-10 minutes (or until shrimp are cooked).
5. Top with green onions and salt and pepper. Enjoy!