Your Dream - It's Time to Write it Down

Hello,

You there. I have a burden on my heart for you. If you’re reading today, I feel that I should ask you,

What is your dream?

What are you hoping for/ waiting for?

I’d love if you tell me. But if you don’t, than write it down and tell yourself and God. I feel compelled to ask you this. I could shout it from the rooftop.

What is that thing that you long for, perhaps tell yourself you’re fine without, or doubt the possibility of. Write it down, because God is going to answer it. He places dreams on hearts in order to fulfill them. He is a dreaming God! He is a promise keeper. He has a big mind. A good plan. And perfect timing.

Amen.

---

I am not promoting the “name it and claim it” theology necessarily only what I feel the Lord is speaking to me now. So if this is just my own anecdote and something that you can take something away from, then I pray that you would tune into the Lord and really learn to discern his voice in your life. For years I have given some of my dreams to the God and didn’t feel that it was the right timing for me to ask Him for them. Rather, just to trust him for them because my desire I was to be in His will more than anything. And then, I felt that it was okay, to ask for it. I felt instructed to. So, not “name it and claim it,” but hear the Lord and believe it. Wherever you are in your life. That is exactly where you are supposed to be. I pray that you can fiercely trust the Lord in that place. I pray my blessings upon you in your place in that journey.

I love you.

Holy Spirit, be with each person who reads this message and bless them. Write your love on their hearts.
 

“I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

The Lord’s Answer

Then the Lord replied:
“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
it speaks of the end
and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
it will certainly come
and will not delay.”

— Habukkuk 2:1-3

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

— Jeremiah 29:11

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

— 1 Corinthians 2:9

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

— Revelations 21:4

10 Simple Ways to Enjoy Spring

1.    Plant Something

That you can use

---

Of course I would say this right? I find it so so enjoyable and rewarding though! If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry, you don’t have to plan an entire garden, just choose one simple thing and watch it grow this summer! It is so much fun to see something grow that you planted and reap the benefits of it! If you’re a beginner, choose something easy and that you will enjoy! For example, a herb that you could use, lettuce, a tomato plant or all the ingredients for your favorite salad or pico de gallo. Zinnia, petunia, dahlia or a perennial are all very easy-to-grow flowers when planted in the ground. Violets, ivy or succulents are very hardy potted plants. Put the seed in the soil and watch it grow! Thought potted plants are simple and you can keep them inside, if you have a spot outside, I would recommend planting there! It requires a lot less maintenance (watering, nutrition) and will grow bigger!

---

View fullsize

2.    Eat fresh! | Bake something bright!

---

Fresh food is here and this is a great time to start incorporating it into your diet! Celebrate spring with bright, fresh flavors like lemon, lime, cilantro, asparagus, rhubarb and coconut. Next week I’ll share with you some of my favorite spring recipes.

---

View fullsize

3.    Take a walk or bike ride in nature & enjoy the surroundings

---

There’s so many wonderful things to do in the spring! Picnics, bike rides, nature walks, fishing, mushroom hunting, hiking, horseback riding, softball, golf, a visit to the farmer’s market. What are your favorite activities to do in the spring? 

---

View fullsize

4.    Notice the slight changes of growth and new life

Capture it on camera.

---

Things change everyday in the spring. It is a delightful time! Notice the first starts of leaves on your trees, the first buds on blooming trees, grapevines or flowers. Take notice of the slight changes from day to day and you’ll be blown away, it is a source of hope in nature. 

---

View fullsize

5.    Observe birds/ animals

---

Birds are fascinating! See how many types you can spot and if you can decipher their sounds. Put a birdhouse out for a front row seat! This is a great time to visit the zoo! 

---

View fullsize

6.    Buy fresh flowers for your table

---

There’s nothing like fresh flowers. If you haven’t done it in a while, go ahead, buy yourself some flowers! There are usually good priced ones at your local grocery store.

---

View fullsize

7.    Spring Clean

One task at a time.

---

This may sound like something to put on the dreaded list not the fun spring list, however, there are so many rewards to completing this task in the spring. De-cluttering will help you feel refreshed and completing a big task will kick start your energy for the summer! Don’t try to conceptualize cleaning the entire house at once, do one task at a time, like the refrigerator. Put a timeline on your spring-cleaning; say 2 weeks to a month. If you don’t get through the whole list by the time your done, don’t stress. No matter what you do, you’ll feel better once you’ve done it and it will lead to more productivity!

---

View fullsize

1.    Re-energize yourself!

Get a pedicure/ manicure; get active; eat clean.

---

Speaking of getting re-energized, it’s important to get yourself revved up for the upcoming outdoor, longer days of summer! The winter can leave you feeling sluggish, and perhaps with a few extra pounds than you’d like to claim. Start adding exercise and a clean diet to your routine so that you feel the same energy as you see outside!

---

View fullsize

9.    Enjoy your meals outside

---

The more you can get outside the better. Even if you feel comfortable inside, usually the fresh air and surroundings will give you energy and lightness of spirit! Find a way to be outside everyday. Have your lunch outside, take a morning walk or take your work outside if you can.  

---

View fullsize

10.    Fly a kite

---

Smell the roses, feel the sun on your face, smile; take in the small moments. Spring is a sweet season. 

---

 I hope you were inspired!

Next week I'll share with you some of my favorite sweet spring desserts! Does anyone want to hear more about gardening/ planting? I'm not an expert but if you want basic advice I could talk about it for days!

Have a wonderful week!

Change Can Happen Fast

Ever see a season come, and although you had great intentions of enjoying it, it just passes by! Me too. Have you ever wondered if the next season will ever come, although in nature you know it is somewhat inevitable, in our lives it can seem hopeless? Me too. Have you ever seen a new season come but feel the opposite in your heart, not ready for the change; still dealing with the past season? Me too.

This spring (rather, the long transition from winter to spring) has been a difficult one for my heart. One of those ones you wish you weren’t in and quite despise. Mucky mud that you can’t seem to get out of. Colors muted in all shades of brown. My heart is so anticipant of new things for this year and the delay of spring and the increase of muck, both in my heart and outside, has made me worried that it won’t come, or worse, that I won’t be ready for it.

I felt a breath of fresh air this week though, and a sort of release. And today I feel the Lord saying, “The seed has been planted, and no matter how dark it feels, new life will force itself upward into the light if you continue to trust me.”

When we had a couple weeks of hard frost, I covered some of my spring flowers. I left one group of tulips covered for a few days near the end of the frost and when I went to pull the cloth off one sunny day, I could see big splotches of pink underneath. I gasped and quickly ripped off the sheet – The flowers were in full bloom! I couldn’t believe it and was sad that I had missed the anticipation leading up to it, but it was beautiful all the same.

Sometimes we get to see the transition from one season to another gradually, other times it just happens. I think it’s important that we remember this because it can occur in our lives like this as well; when we’re least expecting it and when we have no idea how it could happen.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.”

— Proverbs 3:5-6

I pray that you feel a release in your hearts as well and know that transition will happen just as every winter turns into spring. I pray that healing will happen in your hearts and a breath of fresh air is breathed through your lungs.

“Spring will come!”

And indeed, it has this week! Dad and I observed the difference from last Sunday when we had a downfall of snow and 18 degrees to this Sunday with 75 degrees and sun burning weather! That’s wild. God is wild. And knows what he’s doing.

Continue to pray for the things that God has put in your heart and trusting him.

Happy Spring!

I have to say that I am so thankful for the community of you that are apart of this blog. I write every week with you in mind and you are really special to me! Thank-you for being apart, I'm glad we can do this together.

If you haven't stopped over to the "Beauty" tab on this site in awhile I added some spring beauty over there. Enjoy!