Faith Spotlight ~ Arielle

I love to hear people's stories, especially faith stories. I get so excited after hearing how God is working in another life. It's so encouraging and refreshing to share such a special journey with someone else. With that being said, I am going to start hosting a Faith Spotlight every month. My goal is showcase our Great God in the lives of ordinary people. 

For the first one I have a lovely guest, Arielle. She is a young newly-wed, new mom and photographer, as well as a devoted Christ-follower. I can see her love for God radiating from the words I read on her blog. Her posts are always an encouragement to me. Well friends, she is here today to share part of her journey in the faith and I am very excited about it! If you haven't already, you can read her story on A Beautiful Journey.

Just look at her adorable family!

Hello! My name is Arielle and I have a little blog called A Beautiful Journey... I'm so glad to be able to share on this blog. Jennifer is awesome and she truly has a beautiful heart for Jesus. I was going to write out my testimony but, when I sat down to start writing (or, eh, typing) I didn't even know where to begin :) So instead, I'm just going to share a very honest part of my journey...

It seems like all through out my life I have been a quitter. Once upon a time I moved to Texas for a ministry school and...I left. In other words, I quit. Then, I went to a Bible college and I decided college wasn't really for me so, I quit. A while after this, I decided to go to a cosmetology school and guess what? I quit. 

I don't think I can count how many times I have quit different things through out my life. It is quite humbling and it also shows how I needed to learn a big lesson on perseverance. You see, all through out my life I was waiting to hear God's will for my life. "Maybe I should go to this college...but is it His will?"  "I don't feel like this is where I am supposed to be, God is not giving me confirmation that I'm supposed to be here... so I'm going to leave." Instead of taking a leap of faith and sticking with something, I would be afraid that I wasn't doing the right thing, and just give up.

This is a part of my testimony that I am not very proud of. Quitting has taught me many, many lessons. I finally realized that I cannot always sit around waiting for a 'sign from heaven' to see where God is leading me. I can't always quit, or I'm not going to get anywhere, ever.

Sometimes, the Lord does not always show us with some clear sign what we are to do and where we are to be. However, He does give us wisdom, guidance, and dear friends and family to help make important decisions. From there, we have the choice to persevere and give it all we have or shrink back in cowardliness because we are afraid we have made the wrong decision.

I've learned that the Lord leads us and gives us different opportunities. Take those opportunities (even if they are small) and truly make the best of them. He wants to see if we are faithful in the small things, and from there- bigger things will come. Don't be afraid, but instead persevere in faith....and most of all, don't quit! ;)

Blessings,

arielle

the secret place

This is my secret place.

This is where I come when my soul is heavy, burdened, overjoyed, yearning...

I love to come here, especially when the weather is as beautiful as it has been these past few days. Here my soul can breathe. Sometimes I just lay down on the grass and gaze at the sky. As I lay there with the wind blowing softly against my cheek, I talk to my Maker. Here all distractions are put aside and I simply listen to what He may say. Here I pour out my heart.

To be perfectly honest, I have had so much on my mind lately that I can hardly process it all. It seems like I have seen or heard about an insurmountable quantity of needs. I want to do something, but am at a loss when I think about where to start. I've also had lots of dreams. Not necessarily the kind you have in your sleep though. These are dreams - big dreams- for my future, for my life, for things I feel like the LORD is calling me to do. They overwhelm and excite me all at the same time. 

I feel so small.

I fear failure.

I'm not sure how my life makes a difference.

And this is where all of my fears, hopes and dreams are released. Sure, this is just an ordinary place but it is precious to me all the same. 

Most times I come, many pages of that notebook are filled with thoughts and scripture.

His Word pierces me so sharply here.

I suppose it is the romantic in me that loves to 'run away' to this place. I've always loved to 'run away' to secret places in nature to think, even as a child. Something about it sets my heart free to run wild, helps me breathe deeply and focuses my mind on the Eternal.

I am so very thankful that my sweet Savior meets me here. It doesn't matter if I'm angry, hurt, happy or confused - He is ever with me. I really should quiet my heart like this more often. It's funny how the cares of the world fade away when I do.

What is your secret place?

Wild Blue Yonder

When I was little my Dad was super cool.

He had a plane and we went flying all the time.

It was a real plane.

We'd do flips and other fun stuff.

All the other kids were jealous.

Oh wait, that was my husband's childhood, not mine. But my Dad was (and still is) super cool. We just didn't have a plane. We went to air shows and watched the Blue Angels from the ground. I only dreamed of flying upside down...until Saturday! My childhood dream has finally become reality. My hubs grew up flying with his dad. He even took flying lessons and is really close to being certified. Cool, huh? My mother-in-law flies too. Just kidding. Her fingers fly over piano keys though. She is an extremely talented pianist. I'm so blessed to be a part of their family!

Anyway, my husband actually had a Saturday off where we didn't have something we had to do. His sister who is off at law school was also coming home. His dad had just finished refurbishing the plane about a month ago, so it was a perfect time for us all to go flying. We've talked about going flying in his dad's plane for as long as I've know Jonathan...and that's been about 3 or 4 years now. I'm glad I finally got to go!

First the men had to get the plane ready...you know, cleaning and stuff.

The ladies stood by and cheered them on...silently. Ok, maybe not.

His dad did all the refurbishing, including the paint! It looks so pretty!

Now we are ready to go!

Oh wait, one more thing need fixing. Now we're ready.

See those controls? Yeah, I know nothing about them. Good thing I wasn't flying the thing!

Liz went first...I wanted to watch the first time.

Bye, bye.

We waited and watched from the ground. Little did I know that I was sitting on a chair that had been previously claimed by a Brown Recluse. Scary. I'm still not sure if it bit me or not. Eeekk!

Now it's my turn! As you can see, I am totally calm and collected. On the outside. Really I was looking for something I could hold onto.

This is me - excited and a little scared, but more excited than scared.

And we're off!

It was so fun. We did all kinds of flips, spins and tricks that have really cool sounding names. All I know is that I flew upside down...which was pretty stinkin' cool. Everything seems so peaceful when you are flying. All problems seem to lose their importance and fade away into nothingness. Of course, it doesn't seem quite as peaceful when you are spinning towards the ground in a nose dive, but you get my point.

I hope I get to go flying again soon! It was an exhilerating experience! I am so grateful that I was able to go. The laundry and cleaning may not have gotten done this past weekend, but at least we got to do something out of the ordinary.

Afterwards I came down with a nast bug, but hey...that's life. So the house STILL needs to be cleaned. Oh well.

 

What I Need You To Be

O Jesus, be now my Peace

For I am terrified of storms

My knees tremble in weakness

And I fear that I will be torn

My mind fills up with worry

This heart of mine is heavy

Why is my soul so burdened

With a weight that I can’t carry?

O LORD, I know that You’re here

You see that I am so scared

You hear my weary heart cry out

And know I feel so unprepared

O God, be now my Wisdom

I have none of my own

How dare I trust this soul of mine

When sin is all it’s shown?

My heart is desperately wicked

Who can know it but You?

I am foolish and headstrong

So with all I am, I lean on You

O LORD, I know that You’re here

I know you guide my steps

You are sovereign over all

From the heights unto the depths

O Spirit, be now my All in All

I am nothing apart from Thee

I’m selfish and fight against surrender

So triumph over flesh in me

How I yearn for unbroken fellowship

To look and see only You inside

Holy Fire burn away my sin

Be exalted in every aspect of my life

O LORD, I know that You’re here

Your love wraps around my heart

May You increase as I decrease

As You consume my every part

After the Wedding Bridal Shoot

During the wedding planning process, I opted not to have a bridal shoot. About a month ago (or maybe more) I thought I should finally have a bridal shoot before I parted ways with my wedding dress. It was such fun to put it on again and romp around our downtown area! My good friend Cassidy was so good to take the photos for me. She is super talented and did a phanomenal job. It's great to have talented friends! Of course I love her for many other reasons too!

Please ignore the horrid nail polish on my fingernails. This was very last minute. I literally called Cassidy right after work one afternoon, ran home, threw on some make-up and curled my hair with a straight iron. It only took her about 30 minutes to snap these. Everything about it was spontaneous and last minute!

Thanks for these photos Cassidy! I know I will treasure the memory of this fun afternoon and the dress I wore on the day I married the most wonderful man in the world!

the power of words

Speak Up.

Words.
Powerful words.
They can crush.
Or cure.
Bless.
Or curse.

Seemingly small.
Words shape our future.
Define our destiny.
Seal our fate.
They can lead us to ruin.
Or build like precious stones.

When the heart is squeezed.
It speaks.
Because what is within.
Ultimately fills our mouths.
In time, we say.
What we think.

The tongue is a force.
The mouth a fountain.
Of evil.
Or good.
So we must speak well.


I found this on Passion City Church's blog. I didn't realize how much I was going to need it today.

Our words are so important. They are a reflection of what is in our hearts. They are powerful. With one word you can lift someone up, with another tear them down. The Bible says that the tongue is a fire in James 3:6 and there is much said about it in Proverbs. What are my words doing? What comes out of my mouth when I am squeezed?

It's hard not to lash out when people talk about you behind your back, or make jabs at you. Still, I was reminded that my Savior endured much worse during His lifetime. I have bargained with He who bore a cross. Who am I to complain about life's circumstances? Who am I to be critical or defensive? I should respond with grace.

My life is but a moment. And I want it to count. All of it, including my words...whether that means to speak up or hold my tongue. I pray that I may speak with love and grace on my lips.

...lover of old things...

I adore spending some of my spare time in antique stores. There are several good ones around our area...they are my frequent haunts.

I went the other day just to unwind for a bit. They relax me. I used to go during the crazy wedding planning phase of life. What is so calming about old things? I'm not sure, but here are some for you gaze upon.

Enjoy!

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednessday!

PS: Thank you Jhen Stark for featuring me the yesterday here. She is incredibly sweet. Really, go check out her inspiring blog!