Insta-Friday

My blog has been quiet this week.

So has my instagram feed.

In light of this week's events, I feel as if nothing I say can help.

I have, however, been busy getting ready to go home this weekend.

Home, as in my parent's house...my childhood home.

I am incredibly excited since I haven't been home since Christmas.

I can't believe it's been that long!

There's nothing like waking up in your old room, eating food that your momma makes ya, and sharing family time for the entire weekend.

After this wretchedly looooooong week, I'm SO thankful today is a SHORT Friday!!

So I'm joining in today for Insta-Friday.

And without further ado, here ya go!

Funny picture...yes.  Monday night, Tyler and I were facetiming with Ben, who was leaving the next morning early for North Africa.  By the way, I got word on Wednesday afternoon that they had made it safely.  Please be praying for him and the team he is with as they are sharing Christ's love.  I hope to hear from him soon. :)

I received what I would say to be the coolest planner on the face of the planet.  Why?  Because it's handmade!  The packaging is incredible.  Be on the lookout for more information about this planner in the near future!

Tuesday evening, we got to give some very dear friends of ours a "hospital survival kit."  I really hope they loved it as much as I loved shopping for it!  Their baby is due very soon!  Would you please be praying for them as well?  This is their first baby, and our Life Group is very excited for them!!

Wednesday was the 2 year anniversary of the Joplin Tornado.  Most of this week, my heart was heavy for the people of Oklahoma.  I prayed for them often and still am.  This picture was taken on May 23, 2011 from my friend's backyard.  She had just been married the day before the tornado.  I'm sure she has good/bad memories as her anniversary approaches each year.

Knowing the mid-west, we all stick together.  I was blessed to be a part of the clean-up crew many days in Joplin.  Even though my house wasn't affected {I lived 30 mins north of Joplin}, my heart was.  I was incredibly blessed to see the love of Christ shining ever so brightly in that city during such a time of darkness, devastation, and destruction.  To see the Hope spread among the people, the teamwork, the togetherness...incredible.

I pray the same will happen in Oklahoma.

This happened quite a bit this week...

Oh, and my itty-bitty shop's page reached 200 likes this week!! So we're celebrating all weekend long {through Tuesday} with 25% off in the shop!!  Thank you all for supporting me in this small business.  I love to create, and I'm so blessed when it sells!  Please enjoy!!

Have a wonderful weekend and be safe!!

4 Things for Monday

one.

I am so thankful for the beautiful weather we had this weekend.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  We went to a Cards game, which turned out to be a good game, but we lost in the 10th inning.  Boo.


two.

I messed up big time yesterday.  I said something that I shouldn't have, and while it was all true, my heart was ugly.  I'm sure it could have come out differently, or maybe it shouldn't have come out at all.  I wept the entire church service yesterday morning, throwing myself at the throne of God, asking for forgiveness and giving it all to Him.

One of my instagram friends had posted these verses yesterday, and it was perfect timing:

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,I was senseless and ignorant;  I was a brute beast before you.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

{Psalm 73: 21-24}

Today, I'm grateful for grace.  Maybe I don't just need to work on giving others grace, but receiving it from my Father, as well.

three.

These are my brothers.  Brian is on the left and Ben is on the right.

My brother, Ben is leaving for Africa tomorrow morning.  He will be going with a group from Christian Campus House from Missouri State.  He will be gone for 2 weeks.  Would you join me in praying for their safety and that they might be able to reach the Lost for Christ while they're there?  They will be working with a team that has a close connection to CCH.  I hope to give updates as I get them. :)  I am incredibly excited for him!!

four.

So I know that I've shared that I've been on this lifestyle change journey.  Well, that face is for real! :)  I'm feeling pretty good!  Some of my favorite things right now are:  the elliptical (my ankle/leg doesn't even hurt at all on it), the iDrated app, my Fitbit, and a red, sweaty face.  I also love my #alittletoofluffytwo girls!  They are such an encouragement on instagram and through email.  We're in this together!

Things I'm Loving Thursday

First of all, thank you so much for your kind words on Tuesday's post.
I really appreciate it.
I'm so thankful for a Savior who continues to save me day by day.
Hour by hour, even minute by minute.

It's been a while since I've done a "Things I love" post.
So it's time.

I love these necklaces that Mary and her daughter make.

You need one too!

Her shop is here.

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How cute is that little wreath?

I think it just screams, "Summer."

It would be perfect for your front door.

I know Joy would want you to have one.

Get it here.

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I love these mason jar glasses!!

They are the cutest!

You can get them here.

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Tuesday, I jumped on the bandwagon and bought this app.

I absolutely love it.

You should get it too.

And you can find the garland here.

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I love that my husband and I "work out" together.

Last night he went roller blading and I went walking.

{Yes, I know the picture is blurry}

3 weeks into our #branstetterslifestylechange and I'm feeling pretty great.

I haven't had Diet Coke in 3 weeks, and I'm working out at least 3 times a week.

I have self-diagnosed myself with chronic headaches.

I get them all. the. ding. dong. dang. time.

A while ago, I switched over to drinking Diet Coke made with Splenda.

So it's not the aspertame that is giving me headaches, 'cause there isn't any in there!

But in the 2.5 weeks that I've been on my journey, I've only had one headache.

I'd say that's improvement!

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I'm also loving my new shoes.

You can find them here (cause that's where I got them).

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I am loving the use of our "apartment-sized" grill. :)

I love grilled meat. Grilled veggies.

Grilled anything.

And I'm looking for some new grill recipes to try! 

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What are you loving this week?

Redeemed

Several months ago, the song by Big Daddy Weave was released on the radio.

The powerful lyrics resonated within my soul.

All my life I have been called unworthy

I got called "fat" every day of 3rd grade, which in turn has affected my whole life.
A woman told me I wasn't good enough to play with her daughter in middle school, who happened to be my best friend.
I got cut from my 8th grade basketball team.
I didn't have a boyfriend until I was 20 years old.
I was unemployed for awhile.

Named by the voice of my shame and regret

I believed what those boys told me.
I resented that woman.
I was hurt.
I wondered what was wrong with me.
I wasn't good enough for them.

But when I hear You whisper, "Child, lift up your head"

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made." {Psalm 139:14}
"Forgive for I have forgiven you." {Colossians 3:13}
"Let me take care of your hurt." {1 Peter 5:7}
"I know the desires of your heart." {Psalm 38:9}
"I have a plan for your future."  {Jeremiah 29:11}

I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet.

I have taken back my self esteem.
Forgiveness is liberating.
It was just a bump in the road.
I married that boy and was saved from a lot of heartache.
I am good enough...He was preparing me for the perfect job. 

I am redeemed.

Lord, You've set me free!

Free from these lies that the Enemy so wants me to believe.

Free from the tangle of heartache, hurt, and unforgiveness.

So I'll shake off these heavy chains.

The chains making me a slave to sin.

Wipe away every stain.

All those lies that I've been told and have left a print in my heart.

Now I'm not who I used to be.

Because I'm redeemed.

The Lord has taken those things from me.

He has made me a new person.

Monday's Randoms

Man, oh man. 
It's hard coming back to a Monday when we had such a great weekend.

First of all, the winner of the Summer Fun Jar is Breanna S!
Congratulations!
I'll get that to you this week! :)

Those of you who read my 10 on 10 {May} post know that we had a great Life Group Shoot Day.
That was just the kick-off to a great weekend.
Saturday morning, we got up and went to the park.
We walked the trail that runs around the lake.
It was a gorgeous morning, and lots of people were there...doing exactly what we were doing.
Exercising.
For those of you who follow me on instagram (@beth_elaine), I've been using the hashtag #branstetterslifestylechange with all of our pictures.
Check it out!

We tried out a new sub place.

It was yummy...but not as cheap as Subway.

Sunday morning, we went shooting at the shooting range.

There are perks going to the Saturday evening service at church. :)

I also updated my etsy shop!

There are a lot of cute things there!

I added several more Summer Fun Jars/Boxes.

Check them out!

Do you do anything fun this weekend?
Tell me about it! :)

I hope y'all have a great week!