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Hello Amazing Ones! Are you ready for the new year? One thing that I have been doing the last 3 years is searching for a word and a scripture that supports the one word. For the first year after much prayer the word that stuck out to me was Trust. Yes, it is so easy to say that you Trust God and He is in control. BUT...I wanted things to get done in my time or my way. It was work for me. And the year passed so quickly it seemed. Of course the second year..was Trust again because it took me some time to fully trust and not lean on what I thought was better for me.

My verse for two years was:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way submit to him, and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

This was something that I really needed to work on. I must say that I learned so much and it helped to keep this verse next to me. Year three was the word Prune. I had so much in my life that I used to carry with me, things that I took on because I felt like I had too, things that I was carrying that were painful and wearing me down, things that needed to be cut and pruned from my life!

My verse last year was:
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2

This year was painful and freeing. I healed from many things. I learned about myself and loved myself! And next year I am so exited my new word is Cultivate for 2018! Doesn't that sound exciting!!! Cultivate Love, Cultivate my Marriage, Cultivate my Family, Cultivate my Purpose, Cultivate my Savings!

My scripture next year is:
​Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Join me, pray about what you need to work on this year! Find that word and verse and write it down on this free download. Honestly when you write it down it gives life to it! Carry it with you or put it somewhere you will see it everyday. I made it beautiful for you so you can carry it with you, place it on your desk or tape it to your journal/planner page, or your fridge.

Let's roll and start an Amazing New Year!

Love and Laugther,
​Regina

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It's such a beautiful season. A season of warmth, thanks, giving and time for you to slow down. It's hard to slow down I know it is. I work full time, a wife, mother, daughter, aunt, sister, friend etc...you know the list!

I started this blog to share and write things to leave behind for my children. Yes I talk about many things like life, decor, inspiration, love and faith. As I sit and think of all that is in my head this picture that my husband and I took at the beach two weekends ago while my youngest and her friend are enjoying the water comes to my mind.

I see the beautiful sand, the simplicity of life and our bare feet, and thinking to myself I ask? "Why do we make things so complicated?" I have had so many jobs and titles but before I leave this world I will only have one chance at being a mom and wife! These past couple of years my focus has been my family more than ever. My mom always told me to stay grounded in God's Word, to love and to give, and we do! She called the role as wife and mom your first ministry. We need to have balance. We have to focus on our Purpose.

My youngest is in high school and that is the place where all drama has become so real. I tell her to love no matter what, it's hard but sometimes people hurt you, some don't even know they hurt you, or intentionally will hurt you. Still love them because you have to, we need too, and we can't hold it inside of us for we have not been created to hold hate. The circles of people around her or around us will change of course but God's Love and Our Purpose never will! People will bring drama to your door and you have to close it. We need peace not negativity. It's so sad that we see this in adults as well. We all have boundaries and if you see anger or hate thrown at you remember your Purpose and focus on that! There really is so many positive people so draw to them. When you are Loving and Doing Your God Given Purpose that is all that matters ~ be wise. ​The verse below says Ponder the path of your feet in All of Your Ways.

Meaning of Ponder:
Think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

Let your eyes look directly forward and let your gaze be straight before you, Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:25-26
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Always Remember Your Purpose and Your Focus,
Regina

Why do I decorate? I love having beautiful things around me. I always have but do you need lots of money to have nice things? Of course furniture and large items for our home cost and when we purchase them we must choose with caution. I have a hard time getting a large purchase like our couch or fridge. My husband and I will go several times, and will stay for hours and we will wait until we are both happy with our decision. It's funny I know but I want to make sure I am happy with it. 

Let's Talk Colors
This is a personal thing that only you can choose in your home. What colors speak to you? What colors make you happy and feel peaceful? We are all different and have different likes and dislikes. Before getting anything new first have your colors selected.

Style
We have so many styles to select from it's so fun to pick this! Many of us have different styles is ok to mix them? Yes of course! It's your home and your in it everyday enjoy what you love! I love shabby chic, farmhouse, cottage and nautical. I keep things in the same color tones. 

Decor and Final Touches
Have fun with this. Just be creative. I gave myself a challenge to only spend $50 a paycheck which is $100 a month to update things in our home. I was so excited and as soon as I said it...Bam I seen so many things I wanted to purchase but I didn't need them. I had to stick with my budget. I was forced to be creative. I actually did these projects below with paint that I already had and furniture that I had in my garage because I wanted to do something with them. 

Why Do I Decorate
I love seeing beautiful things! I love to pour into our home to create memories for my family, for my friends and to create a feeling of comfort. I love going to hotels and visiting different places and I want that same feeling daily for my husband, kids and guests to say I can't wait to go home, to visit and have dinner or a BBQ and look forward our time. To be excited and say I love to be home! 

I painted these two chairs (above) and moved the table we never used and now have a sitting area and room to dance! Haha!

I also had a Kitchen Garden Box (below)that has been in my garage for almost a year! I gathered succulents that I had in my yard and created a beautiful succulent garden!

I also painted our kitchen with paint that I had left over from painting our living room. Being on a budget caused me to be creative and complete the projects that I wanted to do that where on my list. You can see the color in all the pictures below.

What I purchased:
$3.00 for Bloom Sign at Target Dollar Spot
$3.00 for Teal Glass Jar for Flowers
$15.00 for Sign from Home Goods - Measure Mix Bake Eat
$10.00 for Yellow Tulips at Costco
$2.00 for Yellow Daffodils at Sprouts
$28.00 for Teal China Plates from Marshall's Clearance Area
$17.00 for All Flowers in the Sink (Yes Flowers not Dishes haha! This makes me Happy!)
Total Amount Spent is $78.00

*My challenge official ends on April 20! (I rounded up some of the cost) I am excited and looking forward to my next challenge because I have a beautiful chandelier in my garage that I want to paint and hang in my living room. Also want to paint my vanity! :)

Have fun and be creative!

Regina

I haven't really shared this with many people but I feel I need to share it with you. For some reason this memory has been coming up in my head for a couple of months. Which makes me feel I should write it. Friend, I have always loved to write, I always have a journal, and love to write in my computer at home. I started writing a book about the women in my family for my daughter. Writing helps me to grow and helps me to heal. I want to touch and inspire others as well.

I doubt myself often and stop myself many times when it comes to writing. Just recently I started to open up and share. As a teenager I had a typing class. Yes, it would be considered an antique today. It was a large metal typewriter that sat on my desk. Everyone next to me typed so quickly. I was slow. I just couldn't get it down. I adored my teacher, just like all of them, I had such respect and would sit in the front of the class if I had the opportunity too. So many times I tried to hit the keys and I would hit the wrong key. I reversed the keys many times and got so frustrated. Why, couldn't I get this typing thing down? When the timer would go on to test speed I automatically tensed up. My teacher stood over me one day and said, "Your just never going to get it! I don't know what your going to do for a living to take care of yourself!" Then she started to name different things and said, "Oh but you will have to type to do that!" Meaning I couldn't be much.

Wow, that crushed me to my heart. It caused so much doubt. First of all I was embarrassed because my classmates heard, she spoke confusion on my life and discouraged me. I had a father and mother that told me I could do anything and I knew I could. I passed the class yes but not with an A and definitely not the fastest one in the class. So I had this little battle of doubt in me. I just wrote my words at home or in a journal.

Now I work at an Amazing University and I sit behind a desk and type all day. I respond to emails, create agenda's, type minutes for board meetings. I also started a blog because some of the most precious things my mom left behind are her words in a journal and the notes from her bible studies. This made me want to leave something behind for my family.

Have you ever had doubt, been stopped or told you couldn't do something? I say go and do what you have been called to do! Reach for it, work hard at it, and press on. That person that disappointed you and made you feel less isn't the voice to hear. Don't allow confusion or doubt to rule. Work harder! Reach for your dreams! Listen to your passion!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Blessings,
Regina

I am really excited to start a new adventure. I have always loved to decorate and put things together. A couple of months ago I was in my home looking at design shows and Pinterest which is one of my favorite pastimes. As I was looking I thought of all the beautiful things that I pin and want to work on. I always liked white, gold and silver but with small kids how can I decorate with it? Then a light went on in my head... my little is in the 9th grade! Why can't I decorate how I want? I was so excited! I have shared my living room and kitchen, but have lots more to do. I want to do it frugally too since I have lots of rooms to change. Also we will be making changes to outside in the yard!

Why can't we have beautiful things around us? Things don't have to be expensive to be beautiful! I will share with you simple things to do to make your environment beautiful for you and your home! I want to share my journey because it makes me so happy to be around beautiful things and I love to share! 

I also have exciting news that I want to share with you and when it get's closer I will let you know! I have so many fun ideas in my head! 

This is a picture of my last purchase a white pineapple and a candle holder with sparkle. I lit a candle last night and the facets sparkled so pretty at night. You've got to love sparkle! I will also share with you all the other things about me that are my love 🌿Design🌿Inspire🌿Family🌿Fur Babies🌿Redeemed * Romans 8:28🌿All Things Beautiful! 

Laughter and Love,
Regina

 

As I age I see a difference when I look in the mirror. My hair texture has changed, my eyelashes are thinner, and age spots are all over my face. I honestly don't look in the mirror and think great things on this morning! 

I learned a major lesson because I am a believer in speaking goodness into my daughter! I build her up, speak and declare things into her life daily! She looks at me and smiles. Sometimes we giggle together because I raise my hands and say it in a loud voice! 
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One day I was talking to myself saying, "I am getting so old, look at my hair, and I need to loose weight. My daughter heard me and she said, "Your my mom and your beautiful! Don't you see I look like you and a part of you?" Don't say those things they hurt me mommy!" Her eyes where watery and my heart hurt. Her comments hit me so hard. So speaking greatness and goodness is just not upon her?  I need to speak goodness and greatness to myself? This will show her how to care and treat herself! I am her example, and this is so important. Let's do this for our children ladies. Step up and say your Beautiful in whatever place in life that you are in! 

See yourself through the eyes of the ones that love you and how God made you so perfect! Reminds me of the Songs of Songs and how Solomon seen his love. And how I saw my beautiful mother. Speak Greatness and Goodness!

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.  Song of Songs 4:7

Blessings and Laugther, 
​Regina

Last week was not a usual week. Our Labrador Zeus had to go to the vet. Usually my husband and I go together because he is 87 lbs. and I need help. This time I went alone. On the way out of the vet Zeus was running compared to being dragged in.

I thought to myself it gets dark so quick and I want to enjoy this day. I'm going to take Zeus walking. We just walked passed our car. He smelled almost every tree as he trotted as if in a parade! I was enjoying the daylight and wondering how I never noticed the cute vintage shop across the street as we strolled by! Uptown Whittier has huge beautiful trees and the leaves were changing and made there way  to the sidewalk and street. My feet and his paws walked across them. I had to gather some of them to show my family.

Seasons came to my head, Seasons this is a term we hear often use when things are changing or occurring in our life. Seasons of trials, seasons of friendships, seasons of change, seasons of sickness and so on. Seasons may not be beautiful and are painful especially while we are in them. Reflect, and look back while in the divorce, in the pain, in the confusion, in loosing a loved one, in the trial you never expected would come your way! A change occurred, a shift happened and you became Stronger, Empowered and You! Just like these changing leaves that are changing because of the elements around them. Yes, green is the color of thriving and fruitfulness but look at the colors of these leaves they are vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. The colors of fire. Refining Fire!

See I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. 
Isaiah 48:10 NIV​


Blessings,
Regina 




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​We are Warrior’s and we have weapons to help us with life's battles. And yes, I have prayed and prayed and still death comes and healing is not seen. Or I see the pain in people that I am praying for. BUT we are more than our flesh we are spiritual and our hearts, minds and our souls belong to our Heavenly Father! It’s so painful but in the pain of our life we see God’s Mighty Hand! I will never forgot the morning we lost my mother, my mentor, my teacher she looked up and she cried out, “My God what is happening to me?”  You see in the extreme pain, in the sadness of knowing she was leaving us, all those emotions and thoughts that were going through her mind were so powerful! But she was calling out to God, Jesus our Lord as her body was shutting down! So don't feel defeated, like you have no purpose, for our purpose and vision is so much more than this world!
 
The Armor of God
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18
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Rise Up Warrior's!

Lately, for months it seems like it’s one trial after another. Many times I just have to stop and ground myself. I can’t see clearly. Stopping to breathe, sitting with the Lord, praying with a sister gives me to  ability to see things that are coming from different angles!

I have to stop and say, "My first ministry is my husband, kids, family and all the people that are around me and places that I frequent. All that other stuff is not my focus."

Why do you think busyness captures us? Why do you think more keeps coming? 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

So our world will get crazy, busy and overwhelming! We know from reading scripture we will have struggles and strive. Always remember while in these battles there is always more going on than what we see. These forces want to cause confusion, take our focus, wants to make us feel defeated, and powerless! Don’t believe it, and don’t accept it. Yes, cry, and let it out. Scream "I am not powerless!" if you have too! 

Let's fight these battles spiritually. We conquer a different way by using prayer, fasting, reading the Bible, and Worship & Praise.  Yes, I know things get hard! I know the struggle and the pain. We can do hard things because Jesus equips us! We go farther and trust that God is always in control!

I love the song Ocean's from Hillsong and the lyric's: Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters. Wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander. And my faith will be made stronger. Keep my eyes above the waves.
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Your eyes are above the waves, Sister!
Regina
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