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Huge hugs sent to my readers today!

If you want to be happy, be

I decided to remind myself of all the good things that have happened these last few weeks. Learning to choose happy & enjoy the little things!

Being in love, laughing so hard your face hurts & you cant breathe, a hot shower, a special glance, getting nice mail, taking a drive along a pretty road, lying in bed when its raining outside, brand new socks, bubble bath, getting the giggles, funny faces, a good conversation, dreaming of the beach, late night calls from special friends, feeling beautiful, inside jokes, making new friends, hot chocolate, road trips, holding hands, seeing the sunrise across the field, getting out of bed and being grateful for another day, knowing that someone misses you, getting a hug/cuddle, knowing youve done the right thing, no matter what other people think, canoeing for three hours, watching friends capsize, new lipstick, a full fridge of fresh food, camomile & spiced apple tea.

I am His

One of my strengths is POSITIVITY. This is in all things small or big. I have the ability to see the best in situations and turn the worst into the most fun adventure. I love this about myself but sometimes there are times when I can't find that part of me, when things hurt so bad you just can't even find the strength to get out of bed or think of all the good things in life. Two days ago I was in that place. I lost my job through no fault of my own, at least not that I am aware of. The situation was so unjust, so unbelievably wrong and the words spoken over me shredded my character to pieces. How did this happen again? How can my tender heart deal with this twice?
I had a cry, a big howl of a cry. Sam cried with me and those dearest to me hurt bad too. I considered staying in bed all day for weeks but even the morning after the event I found myself thinking 'I am so much stronger than this'.
I had phone call after phone call from my closest friends, messages, texts with words of encouragement all morning that I knew I needed to honour these people by soaking up their wisdom & powerful words and getting up out of bed and getting on with my life. The encouragement came all day and filled me with the energy I needed, where my character had been defiled it was all brushed off and built up again, where I felt blamed I was cleared of all accusation and then suddenly there was just me, the me that I knew and a brand new chapter of my life. This will not define me.

Although I find myself hurting still and there are many questions I have yet to let go of, the thing I always come back to is 'I know Jesus'. There is NOTHING I can't deal with because I KNOW HIM. No one in this world can hurt me bad enough to make me lose my faith because I know what he has done for me. I know he speaks to me & can turn the worst of sorrow into the biggest feeling of joy.

2 Corinthians 4 v 8-12 (msg)
"We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us - trial and torture, mockery and murder, what Jesus did among them, he does in us - He Lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!"

... v 16 - 18
"We're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. Those hard times are small compared to the good times coming, the lavish celebration prepared for us. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever."

I don't know what I'm doing now or where to go next but I know I will be alright. I always have been because Jesus is with me always.

FEATURED! Nail Art - Simple & Effective

Happy Sunday friends!
I was featured again on Here Comes The Sun Blog showing how to get simple & effective nails in super quick time. They are particularly good for a quick spruce up for a night out or a day off (in my case anyway, I don't get to paint my nails much now I'm a full time baker!)

Follow the link HERE to find out how!

Lyme Park

Hi friends!

Life is pretty mind blowing at the moment in the best way. My job is just incredible and beyond what I ever imagined I would be doing. I mentioned I got promoted a few posts ago but a few days later they sort of promoted me again giving me more responsibility, pay and control in my role. I'm going to save the details for another post but I'm seriously having the time of my life.

We've really enjoyed watching Season 3 of Game of Thrones. Every week we have a dinner date with our friends and watch it together. Sam is reading the books so he keeps dropping in little comments or making exclamations when something happens which is rather annoying because he knows what is going to happen. I should get down to reading them myself but I'm a one book woman and I need to finish my current one. Who else is watching it???!!

Anyway, these photos are from last week when we visited my sister in Manchester. She had to work from home that day so we went and distracted ourselves in Lyme Park - good old National Trust! It's where they filmed some of the BBC Pride & Prejudice so I was happily in my own little world strolling along like I was Elizabeth Bennett!

The nicest thing about the day though was the little bit of sunshine we caught peeping through the clouds. I can't wait for warmer weather and spending more days outside with my honey!

            ^^ look how handsome! ^^

Happy days! x

Coughton Court

We went to Coughton Court the other day since the sun was finally shining...then it started to snow. FUN! I would have a lot more photos of us but it just got too cold. 

We started off with a very naughty full english breakfast at Becketts Farm. We went into the farm shop first with a plan to buy an array of chutneys, wines, chocolates & pastries but after breakfast with very full tummies we ended up going away empty handed - shop while you're hungry is the lesson here...or don't! 

The tiny bit of sun we caught was glorious & made me yearn for a hot summer. I can't wait to be barefoot in the park again.

We have been re-watching Game of Thrones Season 1 & 2 ready for Season 3 to start this week. I'm so excited. Sam is reading the books and knows everything that is going to happen, I'm happy to be surprised & outraged and will read the books at a later date.

Happy Wednesday! I'm back to work tomorrow!

 

Easter Monday love

Happy Easter Monday! Hope you've all had a chocolate filled weekend! We didn't, we thought we'd fish out the half price eggs in the next few days! Hah! But really, for us, it's all about Jesus, how He came, died & rose again. It overwhelms me that He really existed, to realise that he once walked amongst us healing people, teaching people and making miracles! The Miracle Maker! He died for us, for our sins and when I think of that I feel so humbled and overcome with emotion. Even though He went through something more horrific than we can ever imagine He always spoke about the glory that would follow and I am living in that glory now. 

If you don't believe than that's ok but this is me & I am not ashamed. He is Risen!

I am spending Easter Monday with my big sister in Manchester (with Sam as well). We had the loveliest lunch & are now sitting in her house with the sun shining through the windows reading & relaxing. 

Sam & I have had a wonderful few days away from work which has been much needed. I wrote a post a while ago about taking some time away from a few commitments we've had for the last few years.  We found we were running out of free nights in our calendar for us to have 'down time' together. I missed Sam even though we were still together. These last few days have been amazing. With the pressure off we've been able to relax together & enjoy the space. The only thing missing has been the sunshine - I am over this cold weather!

In other news...

I GOT PROMOTED! Six months into the job! BOOOM! I am now the Baker & Production Manager! I feel like I have come so far. I've had quite a few jobs & my last two jobs were not kind to me. I now do what I love & get paid for it. :o)

Feeling so thankful, relaxed & blessed today.