Proverbs 31 Woman

I long to be a Proverbs 31 woman. I've got a ways to go, but I'll get there eventually.

A wife of noble character^(K) who can find?^(L)
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband^(M) has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.^(N)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.^(O)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.^(P)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders^(Q) of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.^(R)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise^(S) at the city gate.

Talking, Growing, Learning

"I will not talk in class; for when I talk in class I impede the learning process."

Those are the words my mind will never forget, and my hand will never forgive my mouth for.

It was my eighth grade year, my fourteenth birthday, and I was my typical self, talkative. And where did it get me? At my kitchen table, writing five hundred lines, happy birthday to me. I was known as the class clown/dare devil by my friends, the social butterfly by my mother, the brutally honest one by my family, and the sometimes to-talkative one by my teachers.

Its not that I talked in class out of purpose disrespect, I liked, and enjoyed all of my teachers; I just had the hardest time keeping my mouth shut.

"There is a time to talk, and a time to listen Kayla Neal."

These were the words my mom would tell me on a weekly basis, as I wrote: "I will not talk in class; for when I talk in class I impede the learning process." five hundred times on my notebook paper, she bought with her well earned money. I honestly don't know if writing that scentence five hundred times did the job. In my opinon, at the time, was that it was an extreme waste of paper, and my mom should do something about it. Can you imagine now, with all this "green" talk, they probably make the students text it five hundred times on their school issued iPad. (Wow, how the world has changed. Do teachers even make kids write lines anymore?)

I have been thinking a lot lately about Christ's calling on my life, and I have come to the conclusion that it could involve talking. What a perfect fit that would be right? Well, the more I read, and the more I pray, I have learned that God is sort of known for using His children's big flaws, to make an even bigger impact for His kingdom. In fact every person ever used by God, has been flawed, simply because they are human. 

Rather my calling is in talking to others and encouraging them, or if its something completely different, I find strength in knowing that God can use it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

-K

God's thoughts

“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”
Psalms 139:17-18 (NLT)

I LOVE THE BEACH

One of my favorite places to go is, most certainly, to a sandy beach. There is something about the warm breeze blowing through your hair, the white sand between your toes, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, and having not a worry in the world. Its a place I can always count on to relax me, and remove whatever stress is present in my life. The whiter the sand, the bluer the water, the better.

My husband and I went on a seven night cruise for our honeymoon, in June 2010, and we got to visit Grand Cayman Island, Cozumel, Belize, and Honduras. We had such a fab time. I got to see the bluest ocean water I had ever seen, and a true white sand beach. They were all literally breath taking. However all I could find for the next couple of weeks was that white sand. I found it in my shoes, in my towels, suitcases, clothes, swim suits, the list of locations I found, pretty white sand, goes on and on.

TO COUNT THE SAND

If I would have attempted to count all those teeny tiny little grains of sand, I would probably still be counting. In Psalm 139:17-18 it reads,

    

     “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!”

Can you imagine how many grains of sand there are in this world? Not only the tons of get away grains that tend to make its way back home in our suitcases, but in the entire world. All the beaches, white sand and brown. That is a ton of sand, but God's precious thoughts about us, His children, are far beyond that number.

God loves us, and thinks of us more than we could ever imagine. Every loving parent thinks of their child often, but even more so, does the most loving Father think of His children. If you ever think He isn't listening, isn't present, or doesn't care; you are only a few page turns away from realizing the truth about just how much your Heavenly Father loves you, listens, and cares.

Bye Ya'll

Pinterest-ing Night

I always get on Pinterest, I mean who doesn't, but I always get on there and plan to really make one of the fab things I see. Well I can say, with excitement, that I finally did!

I have this awesome Easter wreath that my best friend from High School, Haley Taylor, made me, but my door would always look so bare after I took it down. So, I decided to make a Spring/Summer wreath. It was quite a bit more work than I had planned, but I love the outcome. Hope you like it! Comment if you need any help on how I did it. Happy Easter everyone.

Spring Into Fashion

Spring and fall are my two favorite seasons, aside from the allergies, they are packed full of great weather,  fun outdoor activities, and fashion, fashion, fashion.

I have always loved fashion, and tried my best to keep up to date on what is "hot". So this blog is going to be all about, you guessed it, fashion.

From Spring 2012 shoes, to hair, to clothes, even nail polish, I am going to post some of my favorites in this years Spring 2012 Fashion Line up.

The color blocks to your right are the Spring 2012 Color Trends, and if you haven't seen all sorts of clothes show up in these colors, then you must be living in a cave. Everywhere I go I see, margarita (green) shirts, and solar power (yellow) cardigans. These beautiful colors are so stunning! Another thing I have seen a lot of is Tangerine/Red pants. Speaking of tangerine/red pants, that brings me to my next topic...

Colored PANTS! I love love love them! How practical they are for others seasons is the question, but lets just bask for a moment in how darn cute these things are. I personally own them in red, that I pair with a grey and white striped button up, and a cute little grey flat. I love it. Important thing to keep in mind, if you are built like me, that the lighter the color on bottom, the heavier it will make you look, so I am going to fight every temptation, and stay clear of the white skinny pant.

If you know me at all, you know I have a love affair with dresses. I have a ton of them, from formal, to just plain cute summer dresses. These dresses to our right can be found, along with tons more, at Forever21 - which just so happens to be one of my favorite stores.


Shoes and nail polish are pretty much the same colors as what I showed you before in the color blocks above - but here are some photos just in case you want to check them out. Loving these nail polish colors...not the biggest fan of these shoes. Straps and color, color and straps, that is this years spring trent on shoes. To me it looks as though they were taking their cue's off of Lady Gaga, and either I'm just not that brave, or I just know a train wreck when I see one. :)

And last but NOT least it probably the hottest Spring Trend this year - Color Blocking - Very 90's but I think I'm in love. 

I wonder if my mom still has a jacket from the 90's that I could dig out and take. :)

But remember the Simply Southern Golden Rule to fashion

 - Modest is Hotest. 

Destined for Success

I was searching the internet earlier today for some photos, and scriptures for this coming Sunday's Renov8 Service, and I stumbled over this heading:

Destined for Success

under the heading were these scriptures:

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT.) 

AND
"The LORD your God will then make you successful in everything you do" 

(Deuteronomy 30:9a NLT).

After reading these, it was as if a lightbulb turned on in my head. I mean, I have had these verses memorized since I was a little girl, but it wasn't until today that they meant exactly what the header read.

I am, Destined to Succeed. All of God's children are destined to succeed. I know I have a bad habit of allowing the hustle and bustle of my day kind of overshadow the fact that God has huge plans for me. Its so easy to get caught up in that longing to want to do more, and patience isn't the word my mind is very familiar with, but God will open doors, He promised He would in, 

"I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me." (Revelation 3:8)

I just found hope as I was reading those couple of scriptures this morning, and I hope as you read them; God shows you a new understanding of just how much He loves you. 

Be Blessed. 

Social Networks

Call me crazy, call me naive, you can even call me wrong, but I have a hard time reading status' on Facebook that say things like:

"God is my everything" or "Loved going to church today"


and then a few days later they post new status' that have every curse word there is in them.

Call me crazy, call me naive, you can even call me wrong, but this doesn't make any sense to me.

God has called us, as Christians, to live above reproach, He tells us that we are doubly accountable.

Am I the perfect example of what a Christian should live like 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? No probably not. I'm not perfect, no one is. However I do know that the way I live my life in public, through social networks, and even in the privacy of my home, will internally effect my walk with God, and others walk with God.

I'm not pointing fingers, nor am I judging, that is not my place, all I am saying is that Christians have to be extra careful to live, speak, act, and think like God would, at all times...especially on social networks.

Just as those lines in the photo reach from social network, to social network, so do our status updates, photos, and comments, reach person, to person, to person.

I hope while you read, that you realize that my heart is in the right place, not a judgmental approach, at all, but a longing desire to reach the world for Christ.

Unsettled.

I get in these moods periodically, that tend to put me in kind of a slump. Like I'll be fine one minute, then twenty to thirty minutes later I wonder if I'm on the right path in life. My followers can normally be aware of these times when my status turns into something like...


"I'm feeling lost today."


Its not an every day thing, its just like a quarterly thing, so I average one of these days around four times a year...to me that is normal...right?


So I updated my status to - "I'm feeling lost today." and then I scroll down through my news feed and I see where my cousin Lindsay has updated her status to -


"I find I am the most discontent with my life, when the Focus is on me instead of Christ."


A lightbulb turned on in my head. She is so right. These quarterly moods, that throw me into a down slop feeling, are normally times where I am focused on me. Sure during those times I wonder if I am traveling down the right path in life, or if I have veered off in the wrong direction, but ten times out of ten, God always shows me that I am right where He wants me to be. 


There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve yourself, or seeking to move up to the next professional level, or anything of the sort. There is something wrong with allowing Satan to make you feel like a no body. 


The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10


In these quarterly moods, I need to remind myself that Satan loves, and lives to suck the joy out of my life, he loves to tear me down, to make me feel useless, and try to make me believe I am a no body. But Jesus desires to give me an abundant amount of joy, because of Him I, we, have purpose, and because of Him I, we, are somebody, and that somebody is a world changer. 

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

When the weather is perfect, nice breeze, 72 degrees, sun shining, all a girl like me can think to do is well, go fishing of course.

JW and I grabbed our fishing poles, tackle box, and stink bait. Went to Wal-Mart to get our fishing license, and headed to the Kansas River with high hopes of catching a ton of fish.

Although JW and I have lived here in Kansas City, Kansas for almost two years, we had yet to go fishing. The reasoning why has escaped me, but we decided that today was the day.  Baiting up the hook, and casting that first cast into the water is a thrilling moment, for those that enjoy fishing.

With each cast, I slowly began to wonder if there were even fish where we were. Cast, after cast, after cast, and no luck. My line gets caught on a rock here, an underwater root there, and finally I decided that we, by no means, had the proper equipment to be fishing in a body of water with a current this strong.

You see, JW and I are use to fishing in a small creek, family pond, or still water lake...not this raging, rushing water that the Kansas River holds. Our poles were tiny, with eight pound line, and our hooks were small enough for the big daddy catfish to eat right off of and never get snagged by.

After the nice man next to us rills in his sixth twenty pound fish, I ask, "what are you doing, and how can we learn to do it?" He looked at me and said in his nice southern voice, "Well for starters these fish like live bait. I'm about to head out and you can have my extra bait. Secondly your weight on your line isn't big enough. You can have a couple of mine, I make my own so I have a ton of them at home. And Thirdly your not in my sweet spot, but since I am leaving, it is all yours." A smile from ear to ear takes form on JW and my face. Thanks are exchanged and we one again situate our now, somewhat better gear, on our poles and begin to cast again.

After about the tenth time of my line getting caught, I sit down and let JW take over. He gets extra excited when he realizes he has a fish. He used every amount of energy he had to reel in that fish.

Needless to say, it just wasn't our day. So we went to Wal-Mart, and Cabela's, and found us some new thicker poles, forty pound line, and better hooks. We just know that next time we will catch enough for dinner. Or at least we hope we do.

Bye y'all

Hunger Games Crazy

So here is the truth.

The reason I haven't updated in a while, well for at least the last two weeks,is because I fell into The Hunger Games trap.

And I have to say, it's the first trap I've truly enjoyed.

I bought the first book sometime after I saw the trailor for the upcoming movie. Every spare moment I had, I spent reading that book. Bought the first one on tues. night, finished it sat. Night, bought the second one sat. Night, finished it thurs., bought the third one thurs. finished it tues. night...(tonight about 20 minutes ago.)

Here I am dazed and confused because up until these books I have despised ready, and now that I'm finished I have no earthly idea what to read next.

What I liked the most about THG series was that it wasn't about vampires falling in love with humans, nor about teen-age wizzards fighting off those who must remain nameless.

Now don't get me wrong, I read the first 3 books of the Harry Potter series, while in high school, and read all of the Twilight series. I just liked that reading this particular series didn't have to go unmentioned.

If someone asked I wouldn't deny my attendance at the mid night premiers, but I answered with a slight henderance in my voice waiting to see if I was going to be condemned. But with THG I can outloud mention that I've read them, and even love them.

I am beyond excited for the first movie, what will Katniss' dress look like for the interview, will it do justice of the book or is my imagination far greater than some Holly Wood studio....

Only time will tell. Until then you've got plenty of time to read and enjoy this amazing series.

I'm Back

Geeze, I have this bad habit of doing something so faithfully at the beginning, then life gets busy and I slack off. Sorry about that. However, I am back and will be updating at least 2-3 times a week. Scouts honor. I hope everyone is enjoying spring! I'm glad its here! Talk to you soon.

Holy Spirit Conference

Excited about the next 3 days and having the Enloes here!!

Holy Spirit Rain Down!!

No Longer A Bachelorette...and Thankful

I've been diligently watching, every Monday, the show The Bachelor. Maybe you've heard of it.

My favorite by far is Kasey B., Love Love Love her. She is so sweet, and pretty, and just someone I would  love for Ben to pick. However, I've overheard, and read that he doesn't choose her.

He chooses the villain herself....Courtney.

WHY?

She seems so mean, and rude, and cold hearted, and arrogant, and just someone I would NOT want Ben to end up with.

But, I had to give Ben, and Courtney, the benefit of the doubt, because well, I don't know them personally.

ABC, as we can all watch, knows how to get their ratings up, and keep them up, and who would want to watch a show where everyone is all hunky dory, sitting in a huge circle, braiding each others hair...um no. We love to watch the show because we love to NOT like someone like Courtney.

Either way, I'll continue to watch, and wish Ben all the happiness in the world...all I can say is Good Luck.

So Umm....

As you know, I just graduated from College this past December, and have been fiercely looking for a job. Well I went for an interview at YMCA, such a great place to work if you are wanting to work your way up, and I got the job. So I don't turn all my info into HR until this coming Monday, and so that means I don't get free membership until then. So...needless to say....

I haven't worked out AT ALL this week, and because the lack of motivation in working out, I haven't been eating very good.

Next week I HAVE to do better. I WANT, NEED, DESIRE, to lose 40lbs by June!!

Some weeks are bad weeks, whats important is to dust your napkin off, and get back on that treadmill.

Fast Track to Skinny Cavewoman

I mentioned a few weeks back that my husband, JW, and I were going primal, and primal we have gone.

The first two weeks were so hard, the headaches, hunger growls, and groggy moods didn't help out much either. But slowly the headaches went away, the hunger growls silenced, and our mood went from groggy to energized.

I weighed myself the first day of the diet and weighed 189lbs, I weighed myself last thursday and weighed 166lbs! WOWZER. (for those who are trying to subtract this on your calculator right now...like I had to...its 23lbs lost)

Goodbye 23lbs of useless fat...you have over stayed your welcome, and you are not welcome back, nor invited on our anniversary cruise in June.

To be honest, when I saw the scale said 166 I made a mad face, because I was in total disbelief. So what did I do? I called my sister of course. I wanted to get her RN expertise to see if this 23lbs lost in three weeks was possible, and much to my excitement she said it was.

A smile was what I was wearing the rest of that day...along with clothes of course.

As of today, I am eating primal for 4 weeks strong, and enjoying that one day off a week.

I'm a dreamer, and my dream is to be a size 8, but I wouldn't be upset with a 7, 6, or 5 either of course. My realistic goal is to be a size 8 by Cruise time. So far my clothes are fitting better, but I am still 15lbs heavier than what I use to be in 2009/2010 so when all my clothes fit better, or even get to big, I'll be on the Fast Tract to Skinny Cavewoman, or possibly The Incredible Shrinking Woman...who knows?

Wedding Bells

Oh my word! Those are the only three words that I could think of that sorta kinda expresses how much fun I had this weekend!

Thursday night my bestie and I left Whitehouse Texas and headed to Houston for our best friend Jared Hudgins wedding. We got there at 12:30ish, then headed to hang out with some of our friends from college.

We didn't finish hanging out with them until threeish and then didn't go to sleep until five. At 9:00 I woke up wide awake. We went shopping until 3ish. Got ready for the wedding, went to the wedding from 6 until midnight, then hung out with everyone until 2am, drove all the way back to Tyler got there at 6, slept for 30 min. Took Brit to coach until 3pm, slept until 7pm, went to dinner, came home, slept until 10 this morning!

Such a fun weekend! One thing that would have made it an epic weekend is if the love of my life, JW, would have been there. I missed him SO much.

I'm so blessed to know and call all these people in this photo my friends! Love them all so so so much!!

Congrats Hudge & Kait!!

We Went Primal

New years has come and gone, but my resolution to lose 50lbs as not. I am still on the route to lose this extra, unwanted fat. I currently weigh 180lbs, but I would LOVE to weigh 130lbs. I honestly just wish I could be a size 8. What a dream it would be to be down in a single size. So a college friend of mine went on the Paleo diet a few months back and lost 70lbs. So I HAD to ask her her secrets, ands he graciously wrote me an e-mail full of the diet/life style changes, and do's and don'ts, and tons more information.

The paleo diet is pretty much anything but, processed foods, beans, sweets, carbs.... There are a lot of things you can't have, but there are tons of healthy things you can have. So far I have been eating a lot of eggs, fruits, veggies, and lean meats...now thinking about it...thats all you can have. So, so far, so good.

I actually found out last night you can have DARK CHOCOLATE! It has to be at least 70% cocoa, but you can have a little bit each day for a sweet. It has pretty much been heaven to me. (as you can read, I get pretty excited for sweets)

So feel free to follow my blog, and watch mine and my husbands transformation. I'll post photos along the way. Hope you enjoy!

Here's a photo of my mom and me a few weeks back at my college graduation. My face looks extra thick in this. Can't wait to see it slim down, along with other things.