Cupcake Wars.

This is my first time celebrating Thanksgiving with my family since my husband BJ and I got married. I am so very excited to be home. The girls love their Papa Joe and Granny's house and have officially taken over the place. We have had so much fun, eaten delicious meals and made a lot of new memories and it's not even Thanksgiving yet. Today, my mom and I channelled our inner Rachel Ray, Paula Dean and Martha Stewart and made the most delicious cupcakes. 


Cupcake Wars.


I have never been much of a baker, but as of late, I have been so interested in learning how to bake. I am not talking about break & bake cookies, although I have mastered baking those, I'm talking about real baking. My mom and I went to the market, bought all our ingredients and spent the afternoon in the kitchen having a blast. Our finished work was not only delicious but looked like a work of art.  If we would have been featured on the show Cupcake wars our cupcakes would have won, hands down. 


Store Bought.


Anytime I have been invited over to someone's house for a party or even for a Holiday gathering I am usually the one who signs up for soda or chips. Anything store bought. But this year, I am going to bring something homemade! As I was mixing all the ingredients together using my mom's amazing Kitchen Aid mixer (baking at my mom's is so much more fun because I get to use all her cool gadgets) A thought came to mind. Homemade anything tastes better than store bought, fake & bake everything, any day! I think most of us, if not all would agree. But homemade desserts take a little bit of time, exact measuring, and some patience. I must have re-read the recipe about 1,000x making sure I was getting it just right. A few times it seemed as though we got it wrong and had to make some on the spot adjustments. But in the end, we had 24 delicious cupcakes ready to be enjoyed. 


Homemade. 


You and I were not meant to live a fake & bake kind of life, but instead a homemade, handcrafted kind of life. Though it takes time, it is by far so much more worth it. I know there have been many times in my life where I have wanted to rush things or take the easy way out, but time and time again, I realize that going through the process is so worth it. The process is the journey and without the journey, what is this life really all about? Today, there were memories created and moments in time that I will remember forever. 

TRUTH: Eggnog and nutmeg turn ordinary cake mix into a deliciously                                  different dessert. 

DARE: Be authentic. 

For the simple recipe, FOLLOW this BLOG and share a recipe with me by posting it in the comment box below. Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

GIVEAWAY SHOW

Last week I had the chance to be apart of the studio audience for the show The Doctors. I was told that I was not going to just any taping, but that I was going to be at the Holiday giveaway show. I don't think I slept a wink the night before and I was more than willing to wake up extra early that morning. I wore a festive outfit, put on some red lipstick and listened to Christmas music the whole way there. I was beyond excited. I anticipated it was going to be an amazing day!

Expectation.

When I arrived at the studio, I noticed a long line of people waiting to enter. I was greeted by a sea of red and white scarves, vibrant holiday sweaters, and smiling faces. Everyone including myself was expectant about the hours to come. I have never met a more excited and friendly group of people as those that were in the audience. But what if we all didn't know we were going to sit in on a Holiday giveaway show but instead attend just an ordinary show. Would I have been so excited? Would the audience members been so jolly?  I don't think so. As a matter of fact, I know so. In order to receive the gifts won in the first show we had to stick around for a second taping, which was not a giveaway show. While we waited for the second show to start, people were yawning, hardly talking, and checking their watches every five minutes. Talk about night and day. The expectation in the room was low. Fortunately, the group of girls I sat with were fun and still very excited. We were all loving every minute of this experience!

 Ordinary.


Friday morning was just another ordinary day that I started with great expectation. As you saw from the video post, I was excited. I knew that there were things I was going to go home with that I did not have before and an experience I was going to walk away with that I would remember for a long time. But it still was just another ordinary day. I want to start every ordinary day expecting extraordinary things to take place. I want to go to sleep every night with such anticipation I can hardly sleep. Why? because that is how we are to live our life. Everyone who came to the show that morning was going home with all the same gifts no matter how excited they were. But it was a whole lot more enjoyable and memorable for those who were excited. I didn't care if they were giving away a high valued gift or just a wooden pencil, I was ecstatic. Imagine how much more enjoyable life would be if we viewed every opportunity, every conversation, every new experience as a high valued gift freely given to us!

People have often said, "we should live each day as if it were our last," but I believe that we should live everyday as though we know it is going to be our best day! I think that when we do, we are going to start living out a lot of great days. I have lived out too many days being so eager for a big moment that I have missed out on memories and special moments I can never get back. This morning, no matter what, you and I were given breath into our bodies to live another day of life. Let us not take it for granted.







TRUTH: "This is the day that the Lord has made, I shall rejoice and be glad in it."Psalms 118:24


DARE: Start your day tomorrow with great expectation.

Fearless Part II

WARNING.

For the record. I am not a DUKE fan, I have never been a fan nor will I ever be. I love the UNC TARHEELS and any other team when they play against DUKE. I am not a fan of coach K and did not rejoice last night when he became the most winning-est coach in men's college basketball. 

903.

My husband BJ has programmed our television to automatically turn to Sports Center. Last night, I turned on the television just as DUKE beat Michigan State 74-69. To me it seemed like an ordinary game, but as I watched closer I realized that this game was a pretty big deal. With this win, Coach K surpassed the all-time record for wins in men's college basketball. The entire stadium was going absolutely crazy. Like I mentioned before, I am not a DUKE fan so I wasn't all that interested in the win but what I did find interesting was how the whole team including the coaching staff was wearing hats that read "903."

Talk about Guts. 

The team had t shirts, hats and all other kinds of paraphernalia made before they even won the game. Talk about guts, talk about fearless. Coach K even had his entire family there to experience this moment with him. But what if they didn't win last night? I am sure that had to have crossed his mind as he invited the most important people in his life to a game he was hoping to win. Win # 903 was going to happen this season, it was just a matter of when. Coach K and every other DUKE fan believed it was last night. And they were right.


What if we don't?

A lot of the fears that I experience start with a "what if", but last night I asked myself what if I don't? What if I don't chose to trust God with my life? What if you don't wait for the right person to come into your life and settle for someone we were never meant to be with? What if we don't make a stand for what we believe in? What if we don't give away our last dollar to someone we feel we are supposed to bless? Just recently, I was presented with an opportunity to give financially to one of the amazing ministries of the Los Angeles Dream Center. They presented the ladies of our church with a need and I felt as though BJ and I were supposed to give. In all honesty, I was completely freaked out. I was so fearful to give because we have our money budgeted to the last penny. I know what we have and what we don't have. I must have spent a whole week talking myself out of giving what I felt we should give. I made some pretty good arguments and almost convinced myself to keep the money.

 This Time.

But I didn't and decided to give despite my fears. I am so glad I did not allow fear to dictate my decision and I chose to believe that God would take care of us! Was it easy? No. Will it be worth it? Yes. Have I always chosen to believe? No. There have been many times where I have allowed fear to dictate my decisions. I have wanted to give so badly, but fear paralyzed me and kept me from truly receiving all that God has had for me. This time, I chose different.




TRUTH:                                   Don't panic. I'm with you.

   There's no need to fear for I'm your God.

I'll give you strength. I'll help you.

   I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10 MSG

DARE: Instead of asking yourself, what if, ask yourself what if I don't?

Fearless

I have been a bit out of my workout routine as of late. OK, OK, I have been really out of my workout routine for the past month! So, this past week I decided to get back on the healthy train and go for a run. I really do enjoy running, it refreshes my mind and body and I always feel better once I've finished. This was my first time going for a run since we have moved so I wasn't sure what my route would look like. As I started running an overwhelming sense of fear came over me. I was suddenly afraid to go for my run and even thought about turning around and heading back home. I really wasn't sure where this fear was coming from. I called BJ on the phone and asked him if he thought it was safe. His reply was yes, the neighborhood is safe, there are a lot of people at the park and Jesus is with you. I agreed with all he said hung up the phone and continued running.

Fear. Less.

I knew that what I was feeling wasn't God warning about something that was going to happen but instead the enemy trying to instill fear in my mind. I started going over every "warning" anyone has ever given me. You know the ones that start with, "be very careful when you go out in public by yourself..."  or the ones that start with, " I saw on the news the other day about a mom who.." You know what I am talking about. I played out all these scenarios in my head and even plotted how I would fight off anyone who looked suspect. What in the world? Why was I being so fearful? Where was this coming from?

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

                                                                                                                    -2 Timothy 1:7 NKJ

Fear. Full.

I've never been a fearful person but during this run I realized that I have been fearful about a few things. It took me a few times around the park to get honest and really identify these fears. There is no love like the love a mother feels for her children. If you are a mother I know I am not alone when I say I fearful of something happening to my children. Sickness, hurt, disappointment, you name it, I have feared it. There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect my girls from harm. Absolutely nothing. I get up in the middle of the night and just peek over their cribs to make sure they are OK and there isn't a moment in my day that I am not thinking about them. I know that God has given mothers and fathers great wisdom and strategy to look after their children and that no matter what, we will always be protective and want the very best for them. But what I am talking about is a fear. Fear isn't something that comes from God. 

Fear Factor.

Maybe you are not a mother or a father but you are single and you fear that you will never find the right person and marry. Or maybe every time you get in your car you fear getting into a car accident. Or maybe the company you work for is experiencing layoffs and you fear you are next. I don't know your situation but I do know that fear can paralyze us and keep us from experiencing all that God has for us. It even has the potential to keep us from everyday experiences. Before writing this BLOG, I even feared writing about my fears in fear that what I fear will actually happen. Do you see what I am saying? Our fears can run our lives if we don't identify them and face them. The areas in our lives we fear the most are areas we cherish the most but also trust God the least. 

It Takes Guts.

Trusting God takes guts, especially when we are being asked to trust Him with our most prized possessions: our marriage, our kids, our finances, our future. As I was finishing up my run I made a decision that I was going to trust God wholeheartedly. That I was not going to allow fear to run my life or dictate my decisions. Some say Fear is the opposite of faith and that can be true but I really feel that fear is faith in the wrong things. It is faith in the "what ifs." The majority of what we fear will never actually happen!

This week I am going to be sharing more about my journey with fear.  What is a fear of yours? Is it public speaking, fear of failure, rejection? I would like to hear from you.

TRUTH:                          "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you.

               I've called your name. You're mine.
              When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.
              When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.
              When you're between a rock and a hard place,  it won't be a dead end—
              Because I am God, your personal God,
              The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
              I paid a huge price for you" Isaiah 43:2 MSG 

DARE: Don't let the worries about the unknown dictate your decisions today! 

My 5 Year Anniversary

11.11.11

Today is a special day! It is BJ and my 5 year anniversary. I seriously can not believe we have been married for 5 years. This morning we were greeted by two smiling babies and a very excited dog all ready to take on another day. I would have never imagined in a million years that this is where my life would be. If you would have told me 10 years ago that on 11.11.11 I would be celebrating my 5 year anniversary, that I would be a mommy to twin identical girls, and that I would be living in Los Angeles, California serving at the Los Angeles Dream Center, I would have called you crazy. I am so very thankful for a God who loves me and who has never given up on me. When I look back at my life's decisions I realize that there isn't anything I have done to deserve such an amazing life. But, it is by the grace of God. Without His unconditional love for me I would not be where I am today. All that I ever thought I would lose when truly surrendering my life to Christ has proven meaningless. What I have is worth more than anything this world has to offer. 

 P.S. I Love You.

BJ, I love you with all of my heart. Thank you for encouraging me, believing in me and making the happiest girl on the planet. I admire the way you look at life and believe in people. I know that no matter what comes our way we will get through it. And not only will we get through it, we will be stronger, wiser and closer. Thank you for bringing out the risk taker in me and allowing me to see the beauty in adventure! I wouldn't change a thing about our life. Not a single thing. You make any day a better day. I am so grateful for our past, in love with our today and look forward with great expectation for our future. I am so thankful God saw it fit to bring us together to change the world. I believe in you, I believe in us and I believe in the vision He has placed in your heart. Thank you for giving me two of the most beautiful girls in the world. You seriously are the BEST DADDY EVER! My favorite time of the day is when you walk through the front door and you tell Kennedi that she is the love of your life and that she is the most beautiful girl on the planet and how happy you are to see her. And then you tell Brooklyn that she is the love of your life and that she is the most beautiful girl on the planet and how happy you are to see her. And then you come over to me and tell me that I am the love of your life and that I am the most beautiful girl on the planet and how happy you are to see me. You light up my world and make everyday the BEST day. I love you with all of me. xoxo

-Jo

TRUTH: "I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend. Lucky to have been where I have been." -Jason Mraz 

DARE: Love God. Love people.

 

Our First Date.

Flooded

I've been meaning to do a really good cleaning in my kitchen. I'm talking a good ole, on my hands and knees kind of cleaning. I was actually planning to do it this week. Well, I got a chance to this morning. Yeah for me, right? Not exactly. After feeding my girls their breakfast, I decided to make them some freshly squeezed orange and apple juice. I made a cup for myself and some for them. It was delicious as always and the girls really loved it. I did what I always do and threw a few orange peels down the sink to clean out the disposal and to make the sink smell fresh. Well I guess that wasn't the best idea. Minutes later the sink began to fill up and started flooding over.

Clean up on isle 10.

I grabbed towels, removed any electrical kitchen appliance from the counter tops and started filling up my garbage can with sink water. Water was everywhere! I spent the next hour or so cleaning up water, scrubbing my floors, and giving my kitchen the attention it has been needing.

Things Just Happen. 

I didn't plan on scrubbing down my kitchen today and I sure didn't wake up thinking, "Today, my kitchen sink is going to flood." But I cleaned my kitchen and my sink sure did flood. As I was cleaning up I knew this was BLOG material. I had an hour to think this over and guess what? I got nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. The only thing that came to mind was, sometimes your kitchen will flood. Yeah, I know, very insightful and profound. But you know, it is so true. Sometimes things just happen. I didn't do anything intentional to cause my sink to overflow with water, but it did anyways. It just happened. Sometimes there are things that just happen and honestly may not really have a rhyme or a reason as to why. I tend to over think things when mishaps or inconveniences come my way and I often find myself thinking OK, If I would have done this or that maybe I wouldn't be in this situation. Or, if I would have avoided this then this wouldn't have happened. But it is not always the case. Sometimes there is no point, or life lesson. Sometimes things just happen.

 It's Not Over.

 You know what else "just happens" sometimes? The plumber finally decides to come over and fix the problem right when you put your kids down for their nap. Oh yeah, a dog barking, a plumber who doesn't understand the meaning "inside voices" and a very loud machine that has now been running for the past 30 minutes all happening right now as I write. Great thing is that my girls are sleeping right through it. Whew!

I Want to Hear From You. 

Has something "just happened" in your world this week or even this morning? I want to hear about it, so please comment below.




TRUTH:  "Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today." - Mark Twain

DARE: Don't over think it. Some things just happen.

Guilt

Did I spend enough time with my daughters individually today? Did I give enough attention to my dog? Did I even feed my dog? Did I call and text back everyone? Did the house look straightened up before my husband got home? Should I have done a load of laundry or two instead of taking a nap while the girls took theirs? Should I have cooked rather than ordered a pizza for dinner tonight?

Could Have. Should Have.

These are the million questions I go to bed asking myself most nights. My day is filled with chasing my girls around the house, keeping the house looking clean, making out with my husband every once in a while, keeping up with friends and family, ministry and even playing fetch with my dog. When my head finally hits the pillow I question if all that I have done was enough. I make mental notes of what I am going to do more of the next day. I feel guilty for handing my husband a baby with a dirty diaper as he walks through our door after a long day at work. I feel guilty for not spending enough time with God or for not brushing my teeth before 2pm. I even get "buyers regret" and find myself standing in the Customer Service line one too many times at Target.

You're Enough.

The other night as I was going through my list of " I could have done better", I felt God say, "You did your best and that's good enough for me. These feelings of guilt have not come from me. I am pleased with you." I laid there with my eyes opened and just began to re think my day. Instead of " I should have done this or that", I was thinking, "I look forward to doing more of this or that tomorrow." God wants us to always strive for better and to expect greater things in ourselves and each other, but He doesn't want us to overlook all that we have been today.

Condemnation.

What I have been dealing with is condemnation. I have been scolding myself every night for the areas I feel I have come up short rather than rejoicing in all that I have accomplished and done well. When I realized that what I felt wasn't true guilt, but false guilt and that I was feeling like a bad mommy, wife or friend I knew that this was not coming from God. God always desires better from us and wants us to be the best person we can be, He does not accuse us. He explains and shows us how we can better ourselves. I really feel like I am not alone in this. Have you been feeling guilty lately? Have you been feeling like you are not being a good enough mom, friend, brother, co- worker or child of God?


Conviction.


God does desire for us to live a full life and accomplish all that He has set out for us too, but He does not condemn us, He convicts us. There is a line between condemnation and conviction and I feel like there is freedom in understanding the difference. God does not beat us up or expose our weaknesses to leave us feeling hopeless but leads us to contrition. When He convicts us he explains rather than accuses. His conviction illuminates our path instead of darkening our understanding. It leads us to Him instead of leading us away from Him. When He convicts us it feels light and right not heavy and wrong. It is not a finger pointed at us, but instead it is pointed at our sin or our issue.

I have been getting bullied and the other night I finally decided to stick up for myself. I am a good mother and so are you. I am a great spouse and so are you.  I am a loyal friend and so are you. Are there areas in my life that need developing? Sure. Are there areas in my life that need maturing? Yes. But, that is up to God to show us and teach. So I am here to encourage you today and remind you, that you are enough!




TRUTH: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. - Romans 8:1


DARE: Don't allow yourself to be bullied today and BELIEVE that you are ENOUGH!