{Encouraging Monday: Ephesians 2:8-9}

Encouraging Monday:

{Ephesians 2:8-9}

The other day I came across this blog: http://frenchpressmornings.com and I absolutely loved the idea of encouraging others through Bible verses. 

So instead of Wednesday, I want to do Encouraging Mondays! 

Everyone needs a little extra encouragement on Mondays! (But definitely check out her blog because she is amazing and her designs are so cute!) 

So, for my first ever Encouraging Monday, I bring you Ephesians 2:8-9. These verses are actually very special to me because it was one of the first that I memorized in AWANAS when I was younger and still have it memorized to this day. 

-Grace: A gift we don't deserve. 

-Saved through FAITH!

-Not from yourself.

-GIFT from God.

-Not by works.

-No one can boast.

This passage is so very important to the Christian faith. We can not work towards Heaven, Jesus comes to us. He came to us and died on the cross for ME, for you, for all of us. He took all of our sins on Himself, His perfect self, for all of us. Even if you were the ONLY sinner, Jesus still would have died for you. 

The truest form of love.

For you!

And He offers eternal life to us, a FREE gift!

We can NOT work ourselves to Heaven. 

We are called to do good works BECAUSE we are saved, not doing good works to become saved. 

The reason? Because it's not about us. If we had to work towards Heaven, then we would be able to boast about what we have done and what others haven't done. God eliminates that factor because we are called to glorify Him--not focus on ourselves. 

All you have to do is believe that he is Lord&Savior and ask him to come into your life.

I pray that everyone that reads this becomes a little more encouraged today. Maybe it comes at the right moment, maybe an answer to a prayer. Maybe your life is crazy and you can now breathe because you do NOT have to work yourself to Heaven. 

Jesus has already paid the price for you! Hallelujah!!! 

Ps. You can save the image that I created.

Keep it on your phone, your computer, print it out and hang it where you will be able to read it daily. 

Happy birthday Mallow Moo!!! And only FIVE more months to go!!

Mallow Moo turned ONE!

I know, I know.. I am one of thoooooose furr-mamas!

But seriously, with the help of my sister we had a lot of fun celebrating. With a birthday bone, a new toy, a birthday hat and balloon. 

She is loved! 

And baby girl, your Daddy told me to tell you happy birthday and that he loves you very much! 

Well I have come to a conclusion. We have passed the three month mark of the Hubs being deployed and do you know what that means?!

 Only five more months to go!

Why do I say "only", you ask?
Because once upon a time, before we were dating, my bestie and I had this dream to live in Australia. When the time came to depart America, I was madly in love with Mr. Scott Cummings.
He completely had my heart, and I had his.
I lived in Australia for five months.
See?!?! Scott & I have already done five {six until we saw each other again} months apart.
So this last part of the deployment will be easy-peasy ;)

But really, if we just cancel out the past three months and just think that we only have to be apart for five months... It won't be as hard because we have already accomplished that!
*Thank you God for knowing exactly what we needed to go through before becoming a military married couple! Praising God for trials & tribulations.*

So cheers for ONLY five more months!
We've got this, Honey! All the way! :D 

  

Another Day Closer!

"She is clothed with strength & dignity; and she can laugh without the fear of the future." -Proverbs 31:25

Well, if you are counting down with me until Mr. Cummings gets home...then you will now that we are past the O N E week mark!
It's been a week and some days and really, as slow as it had been---it really has been a blur. I finally put away his little messes and did the last bit of his laundry that I didn't want to do because I miss him. I took extra time hanging up his shirts, savoring his smell. Knowing that the only way I was going to do this again is if I wore his clothes to wash them. Which, I'm not going to lie-- I might. 

I have had so many of my family and friends, even strangers be there for me this past week. I can't even being to explain how thankful I am for each and every one of you! 

My very own care package from Sami!

 

A Valentines card from Amber+ice cream money!

So I had an idea of re-reading a book series of my favorite author, Karen Kingsbury. It's the Baxter Family Series. My dad gave me the first ten books of the series and my thought was to read them throughout the deployment, or throughout the first month before I went home to Utah. Well, I finished them already. All of them. It definitely helped me to be engaged in the books and to not be caught up in missing Scott 24/8! Now I just have to get the rest of the series at the library to finish them. But if you haven't read them, DO! They are amazing. Okay really, ALL of her books are amazing. Believe me, I've read every single one of them--and some multiple times.   

 

I also added Costa Rica sand to our collection! 

The highlight of this week was my Valentines Day present. Scott was able to message me!!! BEST VALENTINES DAY PRESENT, EVER. Even though it was only like ten minutes, I hung onto every single word. Here is part of our conversation, I really did marry a sexy dork! I love him so much!! He really makes me laugh, which was VERY needed! Oh! And I finally was able to talk with my parents and sister. They went on a mission trip to Haiti. I can't wait to see all of their pictures and hear all of their amazing stories. Thanks for everyone who was praying for them!

 

I spent Valentines Day with a few of my friends who's husbands are deployed with Scott. We had an amazing dinner, a movie, and our craft. We made a countdown in weeks until our men are back. It was a lot of fun and made it "look" like the weeks were just going to come and go quickly. *Crossies!* And then when I got home, Mallow had a surprise waiting for me. She had decorated the whole house with "white rose petals". Scott must have told her to surprise me for Vday with flowers... Greaaaat gift, Mallow Moo!    

This week is already much better than last. I went to church with my friend Liza and had lunch with her. She is doing a bible study for the deployed wives and it starts tomorrow! I am so looking forward to it. And then my friend Breann is coming to stay with me until we go back to Utah! We are going to have so much fun exploring NC and Virginia Beach (Staying with my Mama-in-Love).  

I'm hoping everyone enjoyed this little update. The next update will probably be when I am sitting in the living room that I grew up in, listening to the conversation & laughter of all my family! Soaking up every single moment. So until then, will you all pray for Scott to keep him and his guys safe and for all of the traveling that will be going on in the next two weeks. Thank you! :]

Ahhh and just as I was about post this message my doorbell rang. My Sweetheart sent me flowers!! Sailing in the middle of the ocean and he still finds a way to surprise me with a gorgeous bouquet of my favorite flowers! As the smell of roses & lilies fill our home, a bouquet of memories warm my full heart. The end of his card says, "Be home soon", my love for him will only make this eight months seem like a couple of days! I love you, Scott. More than you can ever imagine!!! Baby--another day closer!