Beauty From Pain

The lights go out all around me
One last candle to keep out the night
And then the darkness surrounds me
I know I'm alive but I feel like I've died
And all that's left is to accept that it's over
My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made
I try to keep warm but I just grow colder
I feel like I'm slipping away

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

My whole world is the pain inside me
The best I can do is just get through the day
When life before is only a memory
I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place
And though I can't understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how you've brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

Here I am at the end of me (at the end of me)
Tryin' to hold to what I can't see (to what I can't see)
I forgot how to hope
This night's been so long
I cling to Your promise
There will be a dawn

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

    I am absolutely in LOVE with this song. I cannot even tell you how much it speaks to my heart. It is so hopeful while not sugarcoating any pain. The Lord will truly bring beauty from ashes and will not waste a single tear. I am truly blessed by this song.

Exercise gives you endorphines, Endorphines make you happy...

So I have always had a on and off relationship with exercise. I have always tried to be consistent but things have a way of distracting me, such as:
*business
*sickness
*pure laziness 
*tiredness
Anyhow, I started running again last night. I have a plan to get to running for a half hour straight. I am starting with running 2 minutes and walking for 3 and slowly building up to it. I am going to try to do this 3 or 4 times a week.   I actually really enjoyed running last night. I have been feeling pretty stressed and a bit down lately, and I think this is going to really help. 
I am really trying to keep this as more of a healthy thing rather than a looks or weight thing. I am also using it as a way to really think and process what's going on in my life. Anyway, this is what I am doing, here's to hoping it sticks. 

A Peek Into Our Lives

Dad and Aub :), Christmas Eve (the only picture I took at Christmastime, haha)

Andrew's Fun

And Mine

2 People, have LOTS of laundry

We are in a good habit of doing the dishes after every meal ,but sometimes they pile up

Andrew and his homework had some quality time this day

So did me and my homework

Sometimes, I forget about the mess and stress and relax with a girly show or movie. One of my favorite hobbies :)

 

 

 

We are truly blessed and I look forward to each day with my husband. Whether ordinary, or not. I am bad at taking pictures, but I am trying to get better at it. SO if you have any suggestions, let me know please!

Sin's Baited Hook

William Shakespeare. Sonnet CXXIX
The expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, bloody, full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Enjoy'd no sooner but despised straight,
Past reason hunted, and no sooner had
Past reason hated, as a swallow'd bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad;
Mad in pursuit and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe;
Before, a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
All this the world well knows; yet none knows well
To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.

 How many times have I given in to temptation only to have it entrap me. Once you let a sin into 

your life, it is a weed that sucks the life out of you, It only gets bigger and bigger until you cut it off 

and kill it. Sin tempts us only to ruin us. It is fun at first but it always takes us further than we want

to go. In one of my classes we've been discussing sin and its affect on us. We are reading books 

like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Realizing that we all have a monstrous side 

 that threatens to take control of us. We must always be on our guard against temptation. No matter

how difficult it is. I think this sonnet my professor had us read explains this perfectly. Now, I don't 

 understand Shakespeare too well, but I really enjoy this sonnet. 

Pig Snouts and Finding God's love

Its a humbling and enlightening experience to have a semi-silly movie attempt to teach a lesson you have been trying to learn your whole life. The premise of the movie is the story of a girl named Penelope. She was born with a pig's snout. The only way to rid herself of this curse is by being loved by one of her own kind (high class/blue blood). Her mother brings in potential suitor after suitor, only to have them run from her once they catch a glimpse. Typically screaming along the way. Finally Penelope has enough, she runs from her sheltered life and finds her own way. She hides under a scarf, until one day, she is revealed to the public. To her surprise they love her! But she is only sen as the girl with the Pig's snout. She is proposed to by "one of her own", who also happens to be an arrogant jerk. She decides to not go through with the wedding, because she likes the way she is. At last, the curse is broken, and she can live a happy, normal life.

Okay, like I said, kinda silly movie, but I loved it. I have never been happy with how I look. Since I can remember, I have wanted to change myself. Too short, too fat, don't like my hair, and the list goes on. I have a countless number of things I would change about myself. Particularly physical, but not always. I have never had hope for victory in this area, ever. But I have realized that this is truly a lack of faith. God is greater than this. He can claim victory in all areas of my life. Now, it will not be a quick and easy road, I know that this is going to be probably one the hardest things I ever do,and I know its going to be quite a journey to get there.

But it begins, now. So any verses, words of encouragement, or stories of victory, would be much appreciated. Love to all.


Victory is my word for 2011, not sure of a verse as of yet, but one of these three is probable.

Psalm 20:6
Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.


Psalm 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.