I Am Free!

The morning I wake up and realize....

I am free.

Free of worrying.

Free of dealing with crap I shouldn't.

Free from accepting things when I deserve better.

Free from letting anything bother me.

Free from feeling inadequate.

Free from anger, sadness, etc.

Free from insecurity.

This morning I wake up and realize I have the choice to be free today or live in bondage with certain things in life. 

The beauty of of it is that it's a choice.

I can get rid of all of the crap and just be free.

I choose freedom! 

I choose to let it ALLLL go. 

And we all have heard it "those that are free, are free indeed"

I am free!!!

Man, it feels good. 

Now I can be the true Me. Not the me that is defined with all those other things. 

Choose Freedom.

Bow Chicka Wow Wow!

-A

A Thank You Letter

I woke up today feeling thankful. 

Thankful for you guys- my blog community.

You guys see and embrace my blog, my personal diary, my sanctuary. 

You listen to my thoughts, my ideas, my heart, my rants, my shpeels. & I have never received a negative or disheartening word from anyone. You guys only support and encourage me. You give me great advice and share your heart and life with me. It is so great to have a community where I can feel safe and welcomed.

I am so thankful that you feel you can open up to me as I open my heart and life up to you. I truly feel my blog is a true representation of my life. You see me during days of despair and days of joy and you just continue to be a light in my life.

I wanted to write a thank you post to you. 

Thank you for your continual support.

XOXO,

Aisha

Let's welcome today with

Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

I have known Jena for years, and boy she's such a light to be around! She's a mom to a beautiful little girl, a wife, a blogger, an illustrator, she works in digital marketing, she just launched a ministry called Agape Love Mine with two other beautiful women and she probably has more on her list that I am not aware of! She's quite remarkable if you ask me! Get to know Jena a little better in the interview below!

Please contact me or Aisha if you would like to be featured on #Herlightshines for our link ups!

Email: aishavandy@gmail.com and alcstyling@gmail.com

Today on the link up, please say hello to Jena Holliday! You can also go say hello to her personally by visiting her blog, Spoonful of Faith!

 

1. What is your name?

Jena Holliday

2. Where are you from?

Minnesota

3. What is your blog called and what do you primarily talk about?

My blog name is Spoonful of Faith, formerly I'm Perfectly Human. I write a lifestyle blog which is mainly about my life as a wife, mom and my faith and trust in God.

4. What do you do for a living?

I work for a major retailer as a social media analyst by day, and I run an art illustration shop by night.

5. Tell us a bit about yourself. What are some of your hobbies? What do you like to do outside of blogging? I love blogging so it's definitely a huge hobby! I also like to spend time with my family, shop, and spend time spreading the gospel. I recently have launched a site, Agape Love Mine with Aisha and my sister where we share truths about God's love. I am also working on an art project where we give art with positive messages to people around the city - this is launching in April. I like to have my creative side into a bit of everything :)

  6. What is something unique about you that others may not know? I sing. I don't share it that often and definitely want to. Also I am a survivor of Lupus. Oh and something fun that's I never tell people - I am obsessed with super corny movies. Anything Disney channel I'll probably love - and musicals! My husband hates them but I can't get enough

  7. What’s one day you let your light shine? ( this could be anything really. From being intentional about being kind, volunteering, helping your kids, etc.) I always try to be resourceful to other people. Whether that's sharing a cool place, or ideas on things that have helped me. I am also very honest and open and offer transparency into issues and topics many don't often voice. I think that's how Jesus operated and it made Him so unique and different. I love thinking in a creative new way. I credit it all to the big guy upstairs!

  8. If you could have one quote that you would want people to remember you by, what would it be? (your favorite quote) Everything happens for a reason. So cliche, but so true. I think I have reminded myself this in good times and bad times. It's amazing to see how God lines things up in your life the way they were meant to be. I've honestly met people for the pure reason I was supposed to learn something from them and I am so thankful for that. I like to continue to count my blessings and be intentional and aware of things that are taking place in my life. It's no coincidence.

Now go ahead and link up!

RULES:

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow Rooted in Salt & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

 

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

 

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

 

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-A

Follow me: || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin

An InLinkz Link-up

Perfectly Imperfect

I am a daughter.

A sister.

A friend.

A believer.

A worker.

A perfectionist.

A woman. 

A sinner.

I can be selfish.

Angry.

Controlling.

Fanatic.

Depressed.

Doubtful.

Skeptical.

Complicated.

But...

 I try my best.

Evaluate my mistakes.

Continue to be better.

Am here to help.

Am genuine.

Hold myself to a higher standard.

And Continue...

To seek understanding.

Challenge myself.

Love first.

Forgive.

To put God first.

Always.

I am a daughter of a King that has no faults and accepts all of my flaws and shortcomings. Who brings out who He made me to be and corrects the things that He didn't make me to be. 

I am unaccepted by others. He accepts me.

I am judged. He redeems me.

I am a sinner. He forgives me. 

I am a wretch. He saved me.

I am a mess. He restores me.

I was dead. He gave me life.

I was unrighteous. He made me righteous.

I am perfectly imperfect.

But I am His.

And that is good enough.

-A

Going Grain-Free

Hello, Loves!

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I did! It was my birthday over the weekend (Feb 21) and I turned the big 2-4!

I had such a blast- so many loved ones came and celebrated with me. 

I wrote a facebook status thanking everyone for all of their birthday wishes and I then proceeded to tag everyone who spent my birthday with me. When I continued tagging everyone, I noticed how many people there were. I was so overjoyed and felt so blessed that I have so many close friends and family. It really made me realize how blessed I am with my relationships. :)

So, as you may have seen with past posts, I have tried so many things for dieting. Some have worked, some have not, but either way, I tend to gain the weight back no matter what I do. 

One thing I have always done is rely on exercise to lose weight, but the second I would stop, I would gain the weight back. I realized one thing I never really became disciplined with was my eating habits. 

I met with a nutritionist a few times in the last couple months and got an assessment done that tells me what I burn at rest, what my body reacts to, and what foods I should focus on.

The good news? 

I was eating NOT ENOUGH calories! This was good news because I always wished I could eat more. 

Also, my nutritionist told me no more fat free foods. What?! That is great news because I love milk, full fat yogurt, etc. 

The bad news?

My body reacts very poorly to grains and other carbs (like sugar).

The nutritionist asked me if I bloated when I ate grains, if I would break out, if I gained weight quickly, etc. All my answers were YES! 

So, first- I challenged myself to do 21 days of fasting sugars because if you know me at all, I LOVE sugar.

I fasted and prayed about it and in a matter of no time- I made it 21 days.

I have now done 2 fasts since the beginning of the year- all with the help of the Lord.

I first did social media for 21 days, and now sugars. 

Cutting out sugars helped me realize that I do have the discipline to get strict with my eating choices. So I have made the decision to start 21 days of grain-free. 

Of course I did my research on what grain-free entails, tricks of the trade on how to be successful, etc. One thing the articles said was to pre-make and pre-pack your food. So that is exactly what I did!

First pre-packed meal? This delicious salad:

Whats included (all ingredients from whole foods):
Spinach- i cut up my spinach into little pieces so it's easier to eat for me.
Cilantro- I used this to add some extra flavor
1/2 cucumber
1/2 tomato
tbsp Almond Slices (oven roasted)
Italian blend organic cheese
OrganicVille Gluten-Free sun dried tomato vinaigrette (this is sooo good! I highly recommend it!)
All natural, organic, ROAM FREE chicken breast

This salad was so good!
300 calories
11 grams  carbs
9 grams of fat
40 grams of protein

Do you know of any good Grain-Free cookbooks I should try? Or any good recipes? 

Wish me luck!

Let Your Light Shine Link-Up! #Herlightshines: Andie Conn

Let's welcome today with 

Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

I hope everyone is having a great week! As many of you know, we have a new co- host for LYLS Thursday link-ups. Aisha and I (two Aisha's! Still can't get over it) have discussed ways on how we can "re-vamp" this link up every week and because this link- up is called Let Your Light Shine, we want to get to know you better by not just presenting a cute outfit or great post, but give you the opportunity to share how your light shines. Please contact me if you would like to be featured on #Herlightshines for our link ups! 

Email: alcstyling@gmail.com

Today on the link up, please say hello to Andie Conn! You can also go say hello to her personally by visiting her blog, Bravely!

1.       What is your name? Andie Conn.

2.       Where are you from? I was born and raised in Texas but have lived in Missouri for seven years now. I may be in South Korea soon!

3.       What is your blog called and what do you primarily talk about? (include link) My blog is called Bravely, a Christian community overcoming depression and despondency with creativity and passion. I write about DIY projects, organization, faith, holistic wellness, and gluten free recipes. I also conduct interviews with real people every Monday for inspiration and encouragement, and I have started a kindness challenge including weekly prompts every Sunday.

4.       What do you do for a living? Not much right now! My husband is a teacher and we are in the process of applying to teach overseas. I'm so excited to go on such a big adventure!

5.       Tell us a bit about yourself. What are some of your hobbies? What do you like to do outside of blogging? I like to do so many things! I am an artist, and I really enjoy making illustrations in my spare time (I've always had a dream of writing and illustrating a children's book). Reading, journaling, crafting, exercising, hiking, shopping for weird sweaters, touching every cat I see, watering my many succulent plants, learning the basics of the Korean language, drinking tea, making gluten free treats, and giving my husband kisses are all some of my favorite activities! I stay pretty busy (:

6.       What is something unique about you that others may not know? I am probably single-handedly keeping Ben and Jerry's in business. Also, confession: I like to dress up, but my husband buys about 99% of my clothes and still helps me get dressed on some mornings. He's the most fashion-wise straight person I know. For real, though.

7.       In what way do you let your light shine? ( this could be anything really. From being intentional about being kind, volunteering, helping your kids, etc.) I try to let my light shine by surprising others with little handmade gifts and trinkets, often anonymously.

8.       If you could have one quote that you would want people to remember you by, what would it be? (your favorite quote) "I write when I’m inspired, and I see to it that I’m inspired at nine o’clock every morning." – Peter De Vries

Now go ahead and link up!

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow Rooted in Salt & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-A

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up

The Roller Coaster of Life

We all go through it.

Life.

The hard times come and go followed by some good times and then something hard may happen again. 

Life is definitely a roller coaster ride. 

We all throw our hands up when we get to the peak of the ride of life, but what do we do when we are in the dips or bumpy parts of the ride? I typically scream and hold onto the coaster for dear life. 

Some of us keep our hands up. & that's good, you daring souls. Then there are those like me, who curl up, close their eyes, and wait for it to be over.

Which way should we really approach the dips and valleys of the roller coaster of life?

My opinion?

In Confidence.

Confidence that it will indeed be over soon, I will make it through, and that my life was built on a firm, sturdy foundation. 

It doesn't matter if you keep your hands raised high or if you may be one to curl into your seat like me. It matters that in your mind, you are confident you will make it through. That you trust that your life is in good hands. 

What to do I do while waiting for the hard times to subside? 

1] Pray. 

Although I approach the hard times in confidence, I pray to God to help me through it, to keep my strength and to not lose focus on the good things.

2] Really focus on those good things. 

It's SO easy to cloud your mind with negativity, ESPECIALLY during times of hardship, But for me, it is crucial to keep the good things flowing in my mind so I can remain confident I will make it out just fine. (Philippians 4:8, Galatians 5:22)

3] Don't do anything crazy. Don't jump off the roller coaster because you'll end up really regretting that. Instead just wait. 

Do the things above and wait. Wait in expectancy that I will indeed make it through so I can look back and realize I am in a way better place than before. Then I can approach the next dip on the coaster with even more confidence!

You know how I said your life was in good hands on the roller coaster of life? 

Well that's because, lucky us, Jesus is the controller of this ride. 

Hallelujah!

The Start of Something Great: Agape Love Mine

Hey, Guys!

I would love to invite each of you to join me in a great new online community, AgapeLoveMine.com, that two beautiful ladies and myself have been working on. It is all about finding and showing agape love, an unconditional love that God has for us. It launched this past Saturday, and I invite each of you to go to our site, browse through the "mine" and sign up for our newsletter.

" In this new place, these moments of community can be shared along with a sisterhood of those who want to know what true love is. For those who want to experience it and share their hearts with others. For those who are seeking an understanding in the freedom that knowing Christ provides. 

This site is not for the religious but for the free, for the believers, for the little and big. 

Agapelovemine.com is for the ones that are sick of being put in a box in how they serve and love and live for God. It is for those seeking a relationship with our Creator and interested in making a difference. It is for those looking to share the gift He has put inside of them, as unique as it is, with others."

This community we are building  is for you.  Yes, you! No matter what color, race, background, region, religion, creed, language and so on and so forth. It is for the ones who are seeking a truth that can only be found in Him. And for those who are not sure if they should? Join. Because you should. Please sign up here, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You are welcome here with us.

Watch this video to help you get a better idea of what Agape Love Mine is. 

Join now!

My New Thing//LYLS Thursday Link- Up!

My New Thing

Cardigan: Groupon! 
Shoes: Aldo
Jeans: Target
Tank: Don't remember
Bracelet: Gift
Watch: Nordstrom

My New Thing: Long Cardigans!

They are so fun to style and can be styled in so many ways. They are so fun to style during any season but especially fall and winter. I also like to wear it as a dress with a belt around my waist. I get so many compliments on that.

Do you have any new "things" that you started doing this year?

______________________________________________________

Lets welcome today with 

Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

You know what time it is, let that beautiful light shine!
Each week we appreciate those of you who come by to share your posts on fashion, beauty, faith, love, and all the in between.

Today we are featuring this mommy to be! She always has such great style and that doesn't stop with a baby on the way.  Make sure to check out Ashley from Raspberry Glow to get great style inspiration!

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow Rooted in Salt & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-A

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up

The Perfect Parent

I hope you all had a beautiful weekend! I did! I was able to sleep in, see good friends, celebrate life and get some prayer time in.

Jesus put on my heart to re-share something I put on my blog a long time ago when I was first starting out. It's something that has really helped me grow a close and intimate relationship with God.

I, like many, had struggled with thinking God was angry with me and wanted to punish me when I did bad things. But one day or night (I can't remember now!) The Lord spoke to me about how He is my Perfect Parent.

As human beings, we all have flaws and faults. Parents don't always make the best parenting decisions and kids sometimes make bad choices. But with God, our Father, there is no fault and He has created the perfect plan for each of His children. And with that perfect plan is perfect love for each one of us.

When He was teaching me about this, He asked me "what would your idea of a perfect parent do if you made a mistake, say, disobeyed and snuck out of your house to go to a party? What would they do if you came clean."

Of course my rebellious self wanted to say "well, they wouldn't have that rule (LOL) but if I were to be completely honest, my perfect parent would forgive me. Their anger would not last long. They would turn it into a situation to teach me. They would encourage me to make better decisions."

Then He went on to tell me that if a human parent that loves their child is capable of all of those things, He is capable of far greater. He went on to teach me that He is not only the creator of love, He is love. Every show of love we see comes from Him. 

So when we mess up, He is still love and He still loves us. He is waiting for us to come to Him so He can give us more of His love. He can take any mistake, any failure, any bad part of us and make good out of it. Isn't that beautiful?!

Although, as a child of a perfect parent, it is still hard for me to sometimes "come clean" to God (although He already knows all the things I'll ever do and has already forgiven me) or accept such a magnificent love. But Jesus continues to whisper in my ear the reminder that He is my perfect, loving parent, who will love me always, no matter what.

It sometimes hard to fathom such a beautiful being, perfect love, magnificent soul. But it exists and His name is Jesus.

I am so thankful to have a Father that loves me unconditionally! 

I hope that helped you like it has helped me draw closer to our loving Savior. If you are like me (& many) and struggle to sometimes understand such an awesome love, I would love to pray for you and your journey!

I hope you have a blessed week!

Xoxo,

Aish

The Power of Grace//#LetYourLightShine Thursday Link-Up!

Monday. I wake up feeling good knowing "I am the righteousness of God in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Tuesday. I wake up feeling good telling myself "I am the righteousness of God in Christ".
Wednesday.  I am tired. The work week is weighing down on me. I am playing back the sins I committed in my head. Trying to remember "I am the righteousness of God in Christ."
Thursday. I am asking myself "How am I the righteousness of God in Christ if I continually make mistakes and sin?"


I think this pattern happens to a lot of us. We may have something that reminds us of God's love for us and how no sin can come between us and our Savior because of what Christ did for us on the cross .(Hallelujah!!)

But as the week goes on, our reminder may fade as the world creeps in.

I am here to remind myself and you that you are still indeed, no matter what your sin, the righteousness of God in Christ. Nothing we do can separate us from the grace and love of God. (Romans 8:38) Jesus shows us grace each and everyday with new mercies for us.

The power of grace has overcome any sin.

If you sinned earlier this week or last night or this morning or even just a minute ago, Christ is still looking at your with love and grace. He is waiting for us to turn back to Him so He can make all of our paths straight again. What a wonderful Redeemer.

Knowing God's Grace can help us:
1) Have boldness to live in Christ. We don't have to shy away because our mistake and failures.
2) Peace for today.
3) Hope for tomorrow.

Grace is powerful. Remember, we have it everyday!

If you are like me and struggle with understanding the extent of God's grace sometimes, some of these things help me:
1) Going to church mid- week.
2)Bible studying with friends or alone.
3) Listening to sermons on grace (Joseph Prince has some good ones!)
4) Pray. Sometimes if I just pray and ask God to show me His grace in the midst of my struggles, it gives me an unspoken peace.

______________________________________________________

Lets welcome today with 

Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

You know what time it is, let that beautiful light shine!
Each week we appreciate those of you who come by to share your posts on fashion, beauty, faith, love, and all the in between.

Today we are featuring a wonderful woman who love Christ with all she has. She is such an inspiration it shows through her blogging. Make sure to check out Cynthia @ Rose Colored Shades.

This particular post by her talks about how Jesus desires fellowship people and she goes in depth about the abundant life that comes from doing so. Make sure to check it out :)

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow Rooted in Salt & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-A

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up