long time no post....lots of updates

Long time no write here I know, I'm sorry for that, I had started a tumblr blog and so I've been doing some writing there, but I just really havent been doing a ton of online writing these past months, life has been pretty crazy at times...but I'm back and I'm going to make sure to post more...so yeah I really do want to build this blog back up too...
anyway my last post was in July...let see since then...

-the ex left....he's living with his dad
-in Aug I went to Alturas CA to visit one of my sisters, that was so fun =) she and I had fun together
-court date in sept...final judgement was ruled...I got most custody of the girls (the ex agreed to it....)
-Divorce officially FINAL Sept 25
-in Oct the girls and I took a train to Denver CO to see my other sister, that was a blast, she got married, I was her maid of honor, and it was a really beautiful wedding, and we hadnt seen eachother in over 2 years so it was awesome to reconnect in person and be crazy together again lol.
-came back home oct 16th and the ex took the girls for a few days
-I moved into MY OWN PLACE!!!!!! I got my own 2 bedroom apartment! it is SO cute I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!
-girls came back like three days later, that was the last I heard from him for a month...I tried contacting him to see if he wanted to see them but apparently he had better things to do then see his kids...he finally contacted me a few days before thanksgiving, he tried to blame the lack of contacting on me for only texting him BUT if he had wanted to see his kids he could have called or texted me or asked me how they were....but no...anyway he wanted to take the girls for either thanksgiving or christmas....I said no....my reasons are if he didnt want to see them on a regular day then why should he (someone who does NOTHING for them 90% of the time) get to take them on a special day...sorry...I am all for him taking them after...but I am getting them for the paticular days this year...so I had the girls on thanksgiving....it was really nice...so now he thinks he's getting them for christmas because I had them for turkey day, I've told him he's not but he thinks he is...and that infurriates me....because the way he acts it's his way or no way...he tries to say its coz he "cares" about his kids....I actually laughed at that and I told him if he really cared he would have called or contacted me during that month and at least asked HOW THEY WERE DOING....but no....not even that....when he has them I call and text at least once a DAY to ask how they are...and to ask him to kiss them for me...but yeah....so I'm sorry but he cannot have them christmas day...it is our FIRST christmas in our new apartment! He has proven by his actions (actions speak LOUDER then words) that he only wants them when it's convienent for him, if it's not convienent then he couldnt be bothered...and when a person goes a whole month not even inquiring about the wellfare of his spawn I'm sorry but no....he doesnt get them for the biggest major holiday of the year...not gonna happen....and I will not allow him to bully me (coz thats what his actions have always done) into caving...I'm not giving in...now if he wants to have them the day after or even in the afternoon on christmas, I'm open to it...I had asked him if he was wanting to take them before and he said well yeah christmas is still a month away...I kinda laughed again at that and I told him well "you didn't get them last month so how am I to know"
but yeah he thinks he can just walk all over me and I'll be a doormat like I was in the past when we were married....but you know what, I've found my voice again, and I know that I do not have to lie down and take that abuse (because that's exactly what it is, it's emotional abuse) so I am going to stand up for myself and for my kids, who need to be with their mother in our new apartment on christmas morning...
so yeah, I am not contacting him at all....I'm not going to call or text him....I am going to see if he actually contacts me without being reminded that oh hey he has kids...so we'll see...
oy...I've been really having to depend on God lately for calm....well I do that always but yeah even more so now...and I know that God has a plan for me, and He has someone out there for me who is everything He has for me...I have a few people that have gone all "holier then thou" on me saying oh I need to either stay single or marry the ex again....well honestly I completely disagree...I fully believe that God has a man out there for me...I have never once felt the Holy Spirit leading me to a life of singleness....and I've been praying about it like a lot....what people dont get is God is forgiving....people just look on the law...unforgiving side....but God is merciful, forgiving and loves unconditional, so yeah I got a divorce....I've repented and God is now bringing me down the path He originally intended, and I am being faithful...because honestly it's not between me, God and the world....it's simply between me and God...no one else knows what goes on between me and God so they have no room to judge...so yeah I've been dealing with that but now it is getting better, and things are going a lot better now....
God has been blessing me with so much, I'm growing in my church, my family and friends are amazing in helping and supporting me through all this.
anyway I'm not really going to be writing a whole lot about the ex unless I need to rant or something major comes up, but I did want the readers to know a little about the crap I'm dealing with right now...but yeah God is putting me back together and I know He's preparing me for something coming in the future and I cannot wait.

anyway that's pretty much all that's been going on...now I'm just trying to get everything ready for Christmas, and I've started a diet, the past 3 days I've lost 6lbs, so I'm on my way....this time I am bound and determined to go through with this, I'm doing this phase till Christmas, then after new years sometime I'll be going again to get to my ideal weight...I'm excited about getting down to that, I miss my normal food though...but hopefully when I'm all done with it I can eat my normal food...just less of it....lol...
so yeah that's about it...

Much Love
Krysten

lots been going on

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted anything...I mean the last post was talking about giving up Twilight and paranormal movies and books....but a lot has gone on in my life lately....my husband and I separated again this time for the last time, a few months ago, I continued with the divorce and  I'm getting it finalized. things had just not changed and I just wasnt able to step into my destiny because spiritually he wasnt allowing me to, I mean my view on it is if God wants him and I back together He will change my heart and work it out....but if not I have full faith that God will bring me a man after His own heart.
so yeah, I've been working on getting a car now (the ex got the car) and all that stuff.
but the most important thing I've been doing is really getting back into God even more, and as I've been doing that He has really been speaking to me and showing me His heart, He's been giving me visions and speaking to me, its been really amazing.

one of the major things He's been speaking to me, is the importance of waiting...I had made the mistake last time of not waiting till marriage to have sex....but He's asked me to wait this time, so I am. because I believe that is part of Him bringing me into my destiny that He has for me...so yeah

thats pretty much what's going on...God's doing some amazing things in my life and things have been awesome.

Love always
Krysten

Getting it right

I have been doing some real searching and  praying and God revealed to me the dangers of Twilight and paranormal books and movies….there are occult practices in them, and in other things there is witchcraft…and God clearly told us to stay away from these things…He told us to focus on what is True and Noble and Righteous….I mean twilight has vampires…vampires are considered dead….so that is technically necromancy…which God warns about and He calls detestable…Vampirism is rooted in occult lore and vampires are thought to be the physical manifestations of diabolically empowered entities, sometimes called the undead Twilight taps into the seductive, but delusional, occult theme that there are both good and bad demons and that a relationship with the right occult entities can help one ward off the really bad demons. Twilight is especially huge among many Wiccans and neo-pagans because of its occult themes and due to the positive PR it gives to the idea of “good” witches and “good” covens.

Tragically, many Wiccans have been deceived into believing they can have relationships with good spirits and cast good spells, when in reality, they have opened the door to demonic oppression and even demon possession. After many Wiccans open the door to the demonic realm, they are then taught that they can use counter spells to summon good spirits to protect them from evil spirits. This device has been effectively utilized by Satan to delude the prospective Wiccan by promising power, while enslaving them to an occult construct. Sadly, the vampire, Edward, is cast as a romantic supernatural hero, whose net affect in the real world gives ample fuel to the occult lie that there are good dark spirits.Many Wiccans, sadly, never come to realize that Satan is running a good cop, bad cop con game, or in their case, good demon, bad demon as though one can be played against the other. God has revealed in His Word that spirits contacted by occult means are evil and part and parcel of Satans original rebellion (Ephesians 6:10-12). Gods Word is saturated with categorical warnings against all forms of the occult, including astrology, sorcery, divination, magic and witchcraft. (Gen. 3:1-6; Ex. 22:18; Lev.19:26, 31-32, 20:6, 27; Deut.18:10-12; 1 Sam.15:23a; 2 Kings 21:6, 23:24; I Chron.10:13; Isa. 2:6, 8:19-20, 19:3, 47:13-14; Ez.13:20-23; Dan.2:27-28, 5:15-17; Mal. 3:5; Acts 13:7-10a, 16:16-18, 19:19; Gal. 5:19-20; Rev 9:19-21, 21:8, 22:15, etc.)

I am also not watching harry potter anymore, because it is blatent witchcraft…now God NEVER distinguishes between “white” or “black” magic….its all witchcraft to Him and He says stay away from it all…anyway I’m not going to judge anyone about this…this is just my personal choice and that was why I deleted my last blog…

anyway this website was very informative to me: http://www.goodfight.org/a_co_twilight_harrypotter.html

so yeah that’s my stance on it all now…and I mean it was SO hard for me to decide because I was what you would consider a “Twi-hard” I LOVED twilight, I loved edward, bella, etc…and it took away from my time with God.
now I had a friend tell me that it would only effect non well grounded Christians….now I know that this friend meant that it wouldnt effect me…but it hurt because how it sounded was that I wasnt a “well grounded” christian…now I KNOW this friend did NOT mean it like that in the least, but yeah it doesnt just effect baby-christians….I’m pretty well grounded, and I can honestly say it took away from my time with the Lord, it took away from bible reading, worship, everything….I didnt “let” it happen….but by choosing to read and watch those I subconsiously allowed the enemy to come in and mess with me….and it actually did effect me...I mean I started reading other books like the immortals series...and they have blatent spells and witchcraft in there, among all the other occult related stuff in there...I started watching true blood, which is on HBO so you know there's all sorts of stuff, but it had vampires, voodoo, witchcraft, you know...all the stuff that God says to stay away from...so it was really a downhill spiral...I didnt WANT it to but it effected me, my attitude, what I said, just everything....looking back now I hated it...I stopped hearing God, worship was actually work to try and get to that place...so yeah...

anyway so that’s my heart…my goal is to now start majorly focusing on God’s presence, repent, and get back into the Word, and major worship 

I know that God is going to bless this so I’m hopeful….anyway I ask Blessing and openness on anyone who reads this…let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart :)

With Love

Krysten

Trusting God with the Unknown....

I don't know what to do exactly....

One of my friends is going through major stuff right now, and I'm not able to be there for her in person....last night when I found out what was going on, I just wanted to take the car and drive right out to her....it really really sucks being so far away. But I mean I had talked with her on the phone last night and I listened...but then God gave me a word for her He basically said that she needs the Blood covering back, she needs to ask for her blood covering back and for the Lord to break every curse and every chain holding her down.

so yeah I'm just really praying that God will touch her and take away the chains she has on right now...because honestly you don't have to be defined by your past, or what you have done in your past....your dont have to be "that girl (or boy) who......."....you can choose to let God define who you are...because you are so much MORE then your past....

so yeah...

so last night I was standing outside just talkin' with God, and asking Him all sorts of stuff....but yeah right now I'm needing to be watchful and mindful of certain things, not really sure how their going to turn out but I'm trusting God...

last night I was kinda feeling alone, because there was a lot of stuff running through my head, and the hubby tried to help...but honestly I just needed someone to listen to me ramble and not try to "help"

so I mean he and I are trying, but after I explained what I really needed he was cool about it...so I was talking to God about it all and He just gave me peace....so yeah we'll see how it all works out....

anyway I'm gonna go, but that's generally what was on my mind last night

With Love

Krysten

This is Me

One of my friends from church posted this video on her blog and it totally spoke to me =) 

I spent my whole life almost listening to other people telling me to be quiet, and not speak out, because I'll only look stupid. so I grew up a shy, quiet person.

apparently God has other plans for me, a while ago I wrote that He had spoke to me and told me that I have a lot to say and He wants me to speak out, He will give me the words, so He brought me out of the shy shell and He is bringing me into my destiny.

I know who I am in Christ, I am chosen, appointed, and anointed.

I have a destiny, and a calling, and I am me.

With Love,

Krysten

Spiritual Gifts =)

I totally got a confirmation on what my spiritual gifts are, I mean I knew what they were sort of but I had the confirmation. I took the official online test (I took the written test a long time ago at an old church but yeah)

http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/index.htm

Here is the link if you want to take it too, I totally suggest it because it helps so much to know what your spiritual gifts are so you can walk in all that God has called you to do, and you can accept your calling, because once you start accepting your calling then you are less likely to look at other’s callings and say “hey I’d like to have that one” because that is when jealousy starts coming in.

anyway my spiritual gifts are here

Fri Apr 20 12:51:15 2012 EST
ScoreGraph of ScoreSpiritual GiftStatement / Response

25============Music20 = 548 = 576 = 5104 = 5132 = 5
19============Encouragement6 = 334 = 562 = 190 = 5118 = 5
17============Writing28 = 556 = 184 = 1112 = 5140 = 5
15============Faith9 = 337 = 365 = 593 = 3121 = 1
15============Exhortation8 = 336 = 364 = 392 = 5120 = 1
13============Craftsmanship4 = 532 = 160 = 188 = 3116 = 3
12============Wisdom27 = 355 = 183 = 3111 = 0139 = 5
9==========Discernment5 = 333 = 161 = 389 = 1117 = 1
8=========Pastoring21 = 349 = 377 = 1105 = 0133 = 1
8=========Helps12 = 140 = 368 = 096 = 1124 = 3
7========TonguesSpeaking26 = 354 = 182 = 3110 = 0138 = 0
7========Knowledge15 = 543 = 171 = 099 = 1127 = 0
7========Mercy17 = 545 = 073 = 1101 = 0129 = 1
7========Evangelism7 = 335 = 163 = 191 = 1119 = 1
6=======Teaching24 = 352 = 180 = 1108 = 0136 = 1
6=======Missionary19 = 347 = 175 = 0103 = 1131 = 1
4=====Hospitality13 = 141 = 169 = 097 = 1125 = 1
4=====Miracles18 = 346 = 074 = 0102 = 0130 = 1
3====Apostle2 = 130 = 058 = 186 = 0114 = 1
3====Prophecy23 = 151 = 179 = 1107 = 0135 = 0
3====Poverty22 = 050 = 178 = 0106 = 1134 = 1
2===Leadership16 = 144 = 072 = 0100 = 0128 = 1
2===Administration1 = 129 = 057 = 085 = 0113 = 1
2===Giving10 = 138 = 066 = 094 = 0122 = 1
1==Intercession14 = 142 = 070 = 098 = 0126 = 0
0=TonguesInterpreting25 = 053 = 081 = 0109 = 0137 = 0
0=Healing11 = 039 = 067 = 095 = 0123 = 0
0=Celibacy3 = 031 = 059 = 087 = 0115 = 0

My top 3 are

-Music
-Encouragement
-Writing

now I already pretty much knew this but it was nice to have it confirmed, I have seen how God has used me in these area’s, I do a lot of worshiping and spiritual singing, and I love encouraging people and showing them the love and joy of God, and I also love writing and expressing spiritual things in writing.

so anyway I just really wanted to share because I feel that by sharing I will be kept accountable and accepting my giftings, I mean I already do but this is just a reminder of it hehe.

so yeah I know God is doing awesome things in these areas in my life, and so I am excited about everything He is going to be doing….and I am accepting my callings.

With Love,

Krysten

Ramblings of an Avon Lady....(updates)

Hey, it's been a while I know, I have been super busy.
I started doing Avon leadership along with selling it. (for those who dont know leadership is getting other people on your team to work Avon too) I started last week and I already have 3 people who signed up under me, I only need 2 more and I will become a unit leader and I'll earn about $500 just in bonus checks, and that will only go up as I get more people.

one thing I need to try not to do though....I need to stop taking it personally when people say no...I mean whether I know them or not when they tell me no, yes of course I get discouraged, and a little frustrated (I'm being real and honest here) because I mean honestly I see the potential and the opportunities in Avon, and those who say no to it, I mean I know they just dont see the awesome opportunities I see in it...
my upline (team) said that the biggest excuses they always hear is "I dont have time for it" and then they said that mostly people just dont think that they will make much money with avon, because they have heard stories from other people who quit because they just weren't making money....and I mean I actually got kinda pissed when I heard that last night (at the meeting) because I mean seriously those of us who are working it, it's not like before avon we were just sitting on our butt's doing nothing....I mean seriously, I already have a full time job....I am a mom....I dont just sit around the house....I am always up and down chasing my kids, cleaning, cooking, walking, etc....if anyone doesnt have time....its a mom....but I see the opportunity in this....and so I make time....
and my team, they are paying their bills with Avon, and even taking vacations on Avon money...so one thing that they told us is whatever you put into it....thats what your going to make....so if you put 110% into Avon then you will make money like crazy....but if you only put like 10% into it then you wont make money....I mean seriously you reap what you sow....

I don't know I just tend to take somethings too personally....I think that's something I need to take to God and say ok Lord, if you want them to work Avon with me then you need to show them the opportunities like You showed me....and I just need to trust Him....

anyway enough of the heavy stuff....my point is I needed to vent....
last night I got honored for what I have been doing with Avon....I got two Avon pins last night at the meeting, I earned the first pin for getting my first recruit, and I got the second one for placing my first $125 order.

so yeah I was thrilled about that because I have been making the time to really work at this because I see the potential in it, I can see the day when my hubby and I can buy a NEW car, and buy a house with the AVON money....I can see the day when the Avon money pays for my trip to israel....I mean I'm looking at going to disneyland for my first time (I'm a disneyland virgin lol) next year with my Avon team, my team is so amazing, I mean it was purely God that I got placed in this downline, seriously....I couldnt ask for a better team of ladies.
so I mean there are a lot of things that are opening up for me in Avon, and I am hitting the ground running....

anyway other things in my life:

I've been singing on the worship team at my church, it's been completely amazing, God has really been working in my life, ministering to me, and showing me some really amazing dreams He has for me.
my hubby and I are going to be going through the 5 love languages dvd series (as per my dad's request, which I absolutely agree with hehe) I mean he and I have been doing a lot better, but I dont just want things to be better, I want things to be GREAT. and I mean God has some amazingly Great plans for us, I really want to start walking in them.
so my main focuses have been on Avon, Family and Church, it's a good combo =)

anyway I've rambled on enough for one day

With Love,
Krysten

God's NOT dead, Happy Easter

Yesterday was awesome!!!
First of all HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY to everyone! Jesus is RISEN!

anyway yesterday Church was awesome, Angela (a friend of mine from church) and I sang a song.

it was part of the Easter program, it was awesome, then we got into worship and WOW WOW WOW, God totally showed up! it was totally amazing =) God is so awesome! I mean seriously, think about it....He came to earth as a man, He suffered beatings, and death...ever wonder why?
BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU!
it doesnt end there though....because He didn't STAY dead, He ROSE FROM THE DEAD, and He is LIVING! why? because He didn't want us to be separated from God any longer, because sin separates us from God, and the ONLY way to become close to God is to Accept His Gift of Grace (which is Jesus)....so yeah we can now approach the throne of God, because we are covered by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) =)

So Christmas is great and all...but Christmas ONLY happened so that Easter can take place.

anyway I hope you all had a very blessed day yesterday
I know I did :)

With Love,
Krysten

so much food, so little time

I made this tonight and wow, it was amazing :) I completely loved it.

tomorrow I'll be baking bread and throwing a pork roast in the crock pot, and then making the dishes for Sunday, so I can just throw it all together, on Easter...it's going to be really hectic, because I have to get up super early to get the fruit dish ready for church, =) it's going to be so yummy!!!

so yeah I just wanted to share this recipie with you. enjoy <3

3-Cheese Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

§                     8 ounces, weight Jumbo Pasta Shells

§                     30 ounces, weight Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese

§                     8 ounces, weight Parmesan Cheese, Grated, Divided

§                     1/2 cup Grated Romano Cheese

§                     1 whole Egg

§                     12 leaves Basil, Chiffonade

§                     2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley

§                     Salt And Pepper, to taste

§                     2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

§                     1/2 whole Medium Onion, Chopped

§                     5 cloves Garlic, Minced

§                     1/2 pound Italian Sausage

§                     1/2 cup Red Wine

§                     1 whole 28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes

§                     1 whole 15-ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes

§                     2 Tablespoons Sugar

§                     1/2 teaspoon Salt

§                     2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta shells for half the cooking time; make sure not to overcook. Drain and rinse in cool water. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for a minute or two. Add Italian sausage and brown, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Pour in red wine and let it cook for a minute or two.

Pour in cans of crushed tomatoes and stir. Add sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check for seasonings; can add crushed red peppers if you like a little heat.

In a separate bowl, mix ricotta, half the Parmesan, Romano, egg, salt and pepper, basil, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Stir until combined.

To assemble, coat the bottom of a baking dish with sauce. Fill each half-cooked shell with the cheese mixture. Place face down on the sauce. Repeat with shells until cheese mixture is gone. Top shells with remaining sauce. Sprinkle on extra Parmesan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with crusty French bread.

Starting a weekly Menu and losing weight...woot!

Well I did it....what did I do?
I made a weekly Menu....obsessive? maybe....crazy? quite possibly....good idea? TOTALLY
so yeah starting today (I'm going food shopping for the week for it) and going till next Thursday, I'll be making the stuff on my list, Including this one tonight, Sweet spicy chicken bacon, yummm

so yeah I am excited, Saturday is going to be Bread making and Crock Pot Day, doing that each Saturday will hopfully mean I wont have to cook on Sunday, and then Wed is Left Over Day, so we can use up all the food and start over again :) so yeah I'm trying really hard to get organized about this so I can really do portion control and lose more weight....the good thing is I have lost about 5lbs this last week, woot!! so yeah...eating less is paying off....

anyway I'll post more later

With Love...

Krysten

Bringing out the BIG dreams in my life

Well God has been giving me a really BIG dream these past few days, and I fully believe He wants me to do this so right now I am working on researching....
but anyway He has been giving me a dream of starting my own Makeup Line, no joke...I want to start with Eyeshadow and go from there, my mom also suggested making soaps to so we'll see, candles would be cool too...hmmm ok I'm thinking out loud here
but yeah, I mean I absolutely LOVE Avon, but I really feel that I need to do something else too along with that.
so yeah, I am really praying into this, I mean it would be really awesome if God brought someone along who said hey I want to help you with this, lets do it...but I have no idea what He's going to do with it yet...

I mean I am super excited about this because this could turn out to be a huge thing...and I mean God gave me this huge dream for this, so yeah....I mean there have been sometimes that I wonder WHY God gives these big dreams...because as of right now, none of the big ones have come true, but I mean He made me to be a hopeful, optomistic woman, so I am hopeful for them all...
so yeah that's what He been doing in my life....
a few ideas I have were I do want to do a Twilight Theme section at some point....but right now I am planning on starting with 6 color's and going from there...I'm still trying to think of a name, and also researching which formula I want to make, what I want to call the color's, etc....

so yeah I mean I am excited I'm not real sure HOW I'm going to do this because I have literally NO money to start this with...but I am depending on God to provide....I mean that's the whole point right....depend on Him and He will provide as long as you are faithful....so He is bringing out one of my passions (I have MANY) I am being faithful to embrace the dream so yeah...here we go....

anyway Look for more posts on this subject <3
With Love
Krysten

When I am Weak, He is Strong

You know what I find the hardest to do, as a person? see my weaknesses...I mean come on, we all have them...but most people like thinking about their best features, no one ever likes to think about their not so good features.

for instance:
-when I wear certain kinds of shoes, when they come off the feet do not smell the greatest
-I hate shaving my legs, it's just so time consuming
-I tend to have a temper, if I dont like something I tell ya....and if I'm mad about it most of the time I'll let you know...
-I have weight issues...and I hate it
-I have tendencies to obsess about one thing, sometimes two...and forgetting about other stuff...
-I could spend all day on the computer doing nothing even when there's stuff around the house that needs doing.
-sometimes I'm scared about what people think about me (God's working on this though, and He is bringing me out of the shyness caused by this fear)

One thing that God reminds me of though, is that when I am in my weakest, no matter the situation...He is forever strong...
so when I'm going through my weak moments of attitude, or obsessions, or being down about something, that is sometimes when God does His best work, because He can be strong and carry me instead of me trying to do it all....

When I Fail Him, He NEVER EVER fails me....

so we need to not be afraid to let our weaknesses show because when they do, God can still use them, and He can still create something beautiful.

just as my title says, Beautiful Disasters, God takes my weaknesses, sorrows, etc and He turns them into something beautiful and something amazing....all we need to do is allow Him access to do so.


God Bless
Krysten

million thoughts so little time

today was an up and down day for me,
I spent a lot of the day searching for yummy recipies, that was a lot of fun, I found some really cool ones that I bookmarked. My plan is to make a weekly menu with them, and shop for that....hopwfully I can stick to it, LOL.
sometimes I have a hard time keeping my mind on just one task, I really hate it but my mind is like always going about a million miles an hour, thinking, thinking, thinking, duh duh duh duh do, it tends to get annoying, mainly when I'm trying to do something like say....write a blog....like right now, I am thinking of: the song I'm listening to (martina mcbride, how far) on my playlist here (BTW: what do you think? :) I love it), I'm thinking of my best friend and how much she's hurting right now, I'm trying not to cry because when she hurts I hurt,  (skillet: monster just came on)....thinking about how much I miss her, and how I wish she was here, or I was there so I could hug her tightly :(
my stomach is rumbling, I'm hungry but I know I cant eat because I already had a good dinner and I'm trying not to eat late at night so I'm down that I have to push through the hunger, I'm thinking of the headache I have once again (it came back), and I'm thinking that its late and I really need to get to bed....
so yeah that's what's going through my head right now....maybe not a million things but it sure feels like it at times....
anyway I dont really have anything inspiring to say, probably because I'm super tired....
ok ok ok scratch that...I got something...

GOD IS BIGGER THEN YOUR PROBLEMS!

trust Him, because He will work that out.

anyway I need to get to bed and calm my mind because I have an early day tomorrow...
With Love
Krysten

It's OK to feel: a self-journey from depression to joy

Well a few days ago I joined the ranks of Pinterest, found out that I have a lot of friends on facebook that are on there too, anyway I am getting used to that and from what I can tell I am loving it :) it's really cool...

anyway I've been helping one of my best friends these past few days, she's been going through a LOT, I felt so bad because last night she told me that she was so numb, I seriously almost started crying, because I remember feeling that exact same way (for different reasons but the feeling was still there) and I spent a while like almost afraid to feel because I thought that if I started then I wouldnt be able to STOP crying....and I ended up bottling up everything, and sooner or later I've blow a gasket, it was really bad....

then God totally revealed to me that you know it's OK to feel, it's healthy even....and if you start you will stop at some point...but it is needed or else you start to get super stressed about little things, worry starts creeping in, anger and resentment come, and sooner or later you blow up at the closest person...

God told me to come to Him with everything I'm feeling, He promised to take the pressure off my shoulders, and He promised to replace it with His peace.

anyway if your going through some storms in life, and your worried about feeling "too much" go into a quiet place and talk with God about it, it's OK to cry out to Him, it's OK to not understand what He's doing, and it's OK to FEEL....

it took me a while to get out of the depression and numb state, there were times when the only thing that kept me from "harming" myself  were my kids, there were times where I would have to think of THEM before myself so that I wouldnt hurt myself because the pain was so much. in my teen years I struggled with self image, and insecurities, in order to cover that up and mask it I started taking artistic photo's of myself....

I looked at these and I saw a hurting girl, I almost didnt recognize myself, I remember that numbness and depression...
I compared these with photo's taken recently

and I saw a complete change, God showed me that He took me out of that darkness of depression, He broke off chains from abuse, and words of discouragement and numbness....He took those things and replaced them with JOY, PEACE, and HAPPINESS....
now I know a lot of people would be surprised to know that I struggled with depression and self harming thoughts, because I tried my best to hide it, I tried to  ACT like the happy girl....but I see honestly that photo's really are windows into the secrets of the soul (through the eyes) so yeah....the amazing thing is God took me OUT of that darkness and He shed His LIGHT on me.

and I really want to encourage you, if you have gone through depression, or any other thing like that, God wants to take that away and replace it with HIS joy and peace...but you need to give up those dark feelings and thoughts to Him.

anyway I wanted to share some of my thoughts and experiences with you

<3
With Love,
Krysten

Easter Post #2: completely in love with us

Another Easter Post,
I absolutely LOVE this song and I can sing amazing harmonies with it, anyway....the song and video are completely amazing because they never cease to remind me of all that God did for me.

I mean seriously, The Lord of all the Earth, humbled Himself, came in the form of a man....healed the sick, fed the poor, and taught the Love of God. but that wasnt His main reason for coming....His main reason was to Die on a cross for the sins of the whole world...and the rise from the dead in order to give us all the Gift of Eternal Life

now I had someone today try to tell me that the Bible and Jesus were only meant for a certain time and place...(his example was milk...it only lasts for so long) I felt bad for this person because He didn't have the Hope that I feel...because of my relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ....Jesus is Eternal. He is Immanuel (God with Us) and He came to earth, died and the rose again so that we can have a personal relationship with God, and our sin is covered by the Blood of Jesus, and we can be free because Jesus Lives!

anyway this video reminds me of what Jesus did for us, I've had one person ask...why? the answer: because He loves us utterly, passionately and completely, He loves us so much He was willing to die so that we can live and have a personal and passionate relationship with God...

God Bless
With Love

Krysten

Easter Post #1: Why did Jesus have to die?

As promised I am posting reflections here and there about what Jesus has done for us, in honor of Easter coming up.








When we ask a question such as this, we must be careful that we are not calling God into question. To wonder why God couldn’t find “another way” to do something is to imply that the way He has chosen is not the best course of action and that some other method would be better. Usually what we perceive as a “better” method is one that seems right to us. Before we can come to grips with anything God does, we have to first acknowledge that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts—they are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8). In addition, Deuteronomy 32:4 reminds us that “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Therefore, the plan of salvation He has designed is perfect, just, and upright, and no one could have come up with anything better.

The Scripture says, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Evidence affirms that the sinless Jesus bled and died on a cross. Most importantly, the Bible explains why Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the only entrance to heaven.

The punishment for sin is death.

God created earth and man perfect. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commands, He had to punish them. A judge who pardons law-breakers isn’t a righteous judge. Likewise, overlooking sin would make the holy God unjust. Death is God’s just consequence for sin. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Even good works cannot make up for wrongs against the holy God. Compared to His goodness, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Ever since Adam’s sin, every human has been guilty of disobeying God’s righteous laws. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not just big things like murder or blasphemy, but also includes love of money, hatred of enemies, and deceit of tongue and pride. Because of sin, everyone has deserved death – eternal separation from God in hell.

The promise required an innocent death.

Although God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, He didn’t leave them without hope of heaven. He promised He would send a sacrifice to take the punishment they deserved (Genesis 3:15). Until then, men would sacrifice innocent lambs, showing their repentance from sin and faith in the future Sacrifice from God who would bear their penalty. God reaffirmed His promise of the Sacrifice with men such as Abraham and Moses. Herein lies the beauty of God’s perfect plan: God Himself provided the only sacrifice (Jesus) who could atone for the sins of His people. God’s perfect Son fulfilled God’s perfect requirement of God’s perfect law. It is perfectly brilliant in its simplicity. “God made Him (Christ), who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

The prophets foretold Jesus’ death.

From Adam to Jesus, God sent prophets to mankind, warning them of sin’s punishment and foretelling the coming Messiah. One prophet, Isaiah, described Him:

“Who has believed what they heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:1-12). He likened the coming Sacrifice to a lamb, slaughtered for the sins of others.

Hundreds of years later, Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the perfect Lord Jesus, born of the virgin Mary. When the prophet John the Baptist saw Him, he cried, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Crowds thronged Him for healing and teaching, but the religious leaders scorned Him. Mobs cried out, “Crucify Him!” Soldiers beat, mocked, and crucified Him. As Isaiah foretold, Jesus was crucified in between two criminals but was buried in a rich man’s tomb. But He didn’t remain in the grave. Because God accepted His Lamb’s sacrifice, He fulfilled another prophecy by raising Jesus from the dead (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 26:19).

Why did Jesus have to die? Remember, the holy God cannot let sin go unpunished. To bear our own sins would be to suffer God’s judgment in the flames of hell. Praise God, He kept His promise to send and sacrifice the perfect Lamb to bear the sins of those who trust in Him. Jesus had to die because He is the only one who can pay the penalty for our sins.

Easter coming up :)

The Cross of Calvary is a bittersweet Place. It’s a Supernatural Place where ‘bitter’ is transformed to ‘Sweet’. He took our ‘bitter’ and made it ‘sweet’. Every bad/bitter thing must come to a halt at the Cross. And every good/sweet thing comes to us because of the Cross. #ThePassion

Easter is coming up very soon (April 8) and I love to take this time to reflect on what Jesus did for us...

so I hope to be posting different verses and things God gives me about the Cross and Resurection. anyway now i'm going to bed...

With Love

Krysten

Be a Light to the World.

Today was really good, I cleaned the bedroom and organized it, and lit a new candle....I absolutely LOVE candle's, I love the scents, color's, and look of candles....when I look at a lit candle God always brings a verse to mind.

 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus Tells us to let our good works shine like a light, and that those who follow Jesus are the Light of the World, we are to show His love to the world so that they might see and glorify the Father in Heaven....

we are to show the love of God to the world....why? because that is the Gospel: 

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

We are to show the Love of God to the world because He first loved us and He came and died and rose again all because He loves us so much and He desires the love, devotion, and praise of those who deperately love Him and desire to be with Him. 

we are to share the Truth in Love, what is the Truth? 

 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Jesus is the Truth...

anyway, my point here I guess, is we are to share the Gospel of Love with the world. we are to show the Love of God to the world, so the world can see Jesus in us.

anyway I am going to bed, Night

With Love,

Krysten