Wishful Wednesday: My Favorites

I love to go shopping, but I also really love online shopping.  Lately I've found some fun new websites with great deals that I just had to share with you all.  After all, I wouldn't want you to miss out on all the fabulous deals out there! Statement necklaces seem to be the eye catcher for me, but these sites also have great prices on home decor, fashion, and kid items as well.  I've bought some beautiful pieces from both sites recently, but there are still quite a few pieces I've got on my wish list.


Enjoy and happy shopping! :-)


GroopDealz:  This website has something for EVERYONE.  They update with new deals every morning which include items ranging from fashion to home decor, and more!  I've bought two really cute necklaces from them recently and have had my eye on a couple of other deals as well.  If you like great quality products for an ever better price, this site is for you!  Plus it helps small businesses which I love!! You have to be quick though because most of their deals only last 24 hours!

 

This is my most recent purchase from GroopDealz, but I bought mine in mint.  Only $6.99 and free shipping!

Simple Addiction:  Ok, so I only found this page a few days ago, but I had to exercise some very good self-control to not buy every piece of jewelry on their page!  The one piece I did purchase was this gorgeous white/cream and gold colored statement necklace that I've had my eye on for probably a year now.  Everyone else sells them for $30+ (I refuse to spend more than $20 on a necklace, and even that is pushing it for me), but this site had it on sale for $5.95!!!  Um yes please!  Needless to say, it will soon be joining my wall of jewelry.  I love this page because they too update with new inventory every week which means their unbeatable deals are always changing. Seriously, go check them out!

This is the necklace I mentioned above.  Only $5.95 and $2 shipping! They still have them in stock and it comes in three colors, but hurry the deal ends soon.

Ok, well now that I've put a dent in your wallet, enjoy the rest of your day.  Hopefully we'll get to enjoy some nicer weather soon!

This post is not endorsed by either GroopDealz or Simple Addiction.  

Opinions stated above are solely my own.  

Pictures are from the GroopDealz and Simple Addiction websites.

Let Go & Let God: Update on Haiti & Recovery

This blog post is overdue, and that's because I have been putting it off.  I've told this story to so many people lately, explained my thoughts/circumstances, and received so many thoughts to consider over the last few weeks, that I feel like a broken record that just can't seem to get back on course.

I'm lost, unsure, and a little discouraged over it all, but I'm leaving it at God's feet and trusting He will show me that right path when the time comes.  I ask that after reading this post, that you would lift up a prayer for me as I seek God's will on what to do.  I'm at the point now where I just have to "Let go & Let God" - a quote on a gift from a dear friend and mentor.

As many (if not all) of you know, the recovery process since my surgery has been more complicated than originally anticipated. This has left me with some big decisions to make regarding where to go next on this journey.

Option A:  I return to Haiti as soon as I'm able (it is still unknown when that will be an option) and finish out my commitment through October.  This would mean putting long term PT care on hold, potential risk of further injury, and limited access to medical care if something were to happen; BUT it would allow me to follow through with my commitment and dream of living and working in Haiti on the mission field, which so many people have donated to help me do.

Option B: I stay here in the USA, continue PT for best results, have easy access to my doctors and medical care, and begin focusing on short-term/local missions for a while.  If I go this route, I would also begin exploring career options & dreams of mine.  However, this option would mean breaking my commitment to living in Haiti for the year, and giving up (at least for a while) the dream of being a missionary overseas.

Neither option is perfect, and neither option is a no-brainer for me.  There are days where either one seems like the best course and then the next morning I'm on the fence again.  Do I make my commitment to Haiti or my long-term health the priority right now?  Either way I choose I can be successful in different regards, and either way I know God will use me, but I'm still unsure of which one is best.  As I said, I'm desperately in need of your prayers right now.

This is not a decision I take lightly. So many of you have given to help me following this calling, and I want to honor everyone's support and financial gifts to the best of my ability.   For now, I'm focusing on getting my incision to heal, gaining strength, and our upcoming short trip to Haiti in April.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers.

Thank you all SO very much for all of your love, support, and advice throughout this journey.   Hopefully I will have an update with a decision for you all soon.  Until then, please just keep me in your prayers.

On a really random and more upbeat note:

I REALLY miss these girls!! I think a reunion needs to be in our very near future =).

2014 Goals

This post probably should have been written closer to New Years, but I kept putting it off.  Every year I think of some things I'd like to accomplish, but rarely actually see them through.  I think most of that comes with the fact that there's no accountability.  If no one knows I'm trying to pursue something, then there's no grief or embarrassment of failure when I don't complete it.

This year, I'm hoping to end that unhealthy cycle and actually work to accomplish some specific goals.  One way I can help keep myself accountable is by sharing my goals with all of you.  If anyone on the great world wide web can see my goals then I have quite a bit of accountability to keep me motivated! Plus, it's helped in the past to blog about my progress as a means of self-accountability (and it gives me something to write about when writer's block hits :-) )

So here goes.. My goals for 2014 (in no specific order):

• Enhance my photography knowledge
• Learn how to take better pictures
• Document life more often through photography with my new camera!
• Organize my photo files on the computer

• Improve my overall fitness level
• Lose 50 pounds by the end of the year (a little over a pound a week starting now)
• Strengthen my back and core
• Take up a new form of fitness 
• Make it a point to do some form of physical activity at least 30 minutes/day

• Improve my quiet time
• Begin working my quiet time into my morning routine instead of always doing it at night
• Start a new devotional

• Decrease the overall time I spend on social media each day

• Begin pursing my dream of becoming a wedding planner
• Study and learn more specifics of the industry
• Explore wedding planning agencies in the area

• Become a better reader
• Read at least two books this year (this may sound silly, but for someone who NEVER reads, this is a big goal!)

• Become more responsible and aware with my financial planning
• Create a budget
• Save more/spend less
• Start saving for future needs/dreams - like a new car!
• Continue to improve my organization of ministry finances 
• Pay off all interest on my student loans and increase my payments above the required amount as much as possible

• Blog more!

So there you have it.  My rather long and ambitious list of goals for this year.  I may not get every single thing done, but I certainly want to try and complete them all on some level! Keep a lookout for future posts on my progress!

Important Update

Some pictures from our trip up the mountains to see the Haiti Partners school in December.

 

This evening I sent out an email blast to supporters announcing my decision to resign from HFMS.  This was not an easy decision, but it is one I believe God has called me to make.  While details for when I return to Haiti are not fully known yet, I believe God has a plan and I am exploring my options until He confirms the next step.  Please continue to keep me and my ministry in your prayers.

I will be returning to Haiti (pending Doctor's final approval) on March 4th to begin this next phase of ministry.  I am hoping to partner with a couple of different ministries, each on a part-time basis, working in multiple fields during the duration of my year's commitment. Once more definite plans are known I will be sure to update you all.  I can say though, that working with children will definitely be a large part of this next portion of ministry.  I have so missed working with kids and am looking forward to making that a main focus of my ministry again. 

For more details, and other updates, you can read my full newsletter HERE.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers; they are needed and felt every single day! If you are not currently on my email list and would like to be, please leave a comment below with your email address and I'll be sure to add you!

Recovery 101

Well, as of yesterday, I am officially 2 weeks into this recovery process.  That's 1/3 of the way with 4 more weeks to go....sigh.

The first week was not so fun, but I am finally beginning to see progress.  The sciatica pain in my leg is beginning to lessen, which is a huge prayer come true! I'm still praying every day that the pain will go away 100%, but I'll take progress over nothing!! Please keep this in your prayers as well please.

For now, I think I have perfected the craft of recovering. For those of you wondering, this is how it's done:

1.  Wake up.
2.  Take pain medications.
3.  Walk a few laps around the house (or take a trip outside if it's nice out - the mailbox is a good distance!)
4.  Find something quick and easy to make a meal out of - usually a frozen meal or leftovers.
5.  Find a comfortable position in a reclining chair.
6.  Wrap up in a warm blanket.
7.  Find something on TV or Netflix to watch...thank you OnDemand!
8.  Consume whatever you found to eat.
9.  Watch an ungodly and extremely unhealthy amount of TV or scour facebook for a while.
10. Repeat steps 2-8 until bed time adding in a few extra laps around the house each time.
11. Go to bed with night time meds, and try to find a comfortable way to sleep.
12. Wake up and start the process all over again.

Sounds absolutely wonderful right?!   HA!

My ultimate recovery suggestion:  Don't ever have surgery unless you have to!!  Boredom sets in VERY quickly.  Needless to say I'm going a little stir crazy, but hey at least I blogged :)

Happy Saturday!