0 Meet Adeline {a strong and sweet contributor}

A few weeks back I sent my friend Adeline a Facebook message. I asked if she would be interested in writing something for Strong and Sweet. I was so happy that she said yes, because for weeks I had been telling Luke how much I'd love for her to share something here. She is the kind of person you could just be around all day, so full of intelligence, kindness, and peace. Not to mention, her twitter feed is awesome and makes me laugh so much. So here we are a few weeks later, and today I get to share Adeline's post with you! Enjoy, friends, and meet my friend, Adeline. 

Faith isn’t something you need to take notes on and observe. You don’t get Faith by absorbing it from others, & it’s not necessarily something you understand. Faith is a powerful thing; so powerful that with only a mustard seed of faith, you can move mountains. (Matthew 17:20) Imagine what you could do with a handful of mustard seeds! (Metaphorically, of course; you cannot wish upon mustard seeds.) There is no magic spell or special formula for gaining faith. It is a process, with a sort of method. The beginning of having faith is to have hope, which could be considered “baby faith”. Hope is wanting something to happen, & that is the first step to believing it will, and that is faith. You can’t simply believe something will happen on its own; you have to work for it. You won’t be all on your own, though. God provides; ask & you will receive. (Matthew 21:22 & Luke 11:9-12) 

This isn’t meant to all sound terribly difficult, but it is not particularly easy, either. There will come times when your hope wavers & your faith begins to wear thin. You can find comfort in God, and knowing that he will always remain faithful to you. Having & maintaining faith is a process, & quite possibly a long and tiresome one. Don’t let that deter you, though; the rewards of having & maintaining faith are great. And to have faith, you must have faith in something; in God, of course, but also in a goal. Dream an amazing dream, & fathom that dream into a goal. Don’t set a boring, tiresome goal that will leave you disappointed once you’ve met it. People often set 2 to 3 year goals & feel lost once they’ve met them. Once you’ve set an attainable (or not so attainable; the better to test your faith with) goal, start workingtowards making that goal happen. Keep adding to your goal, & thinking of ways to make it bigger & better. The bigger the goal, the more it will test your faith. Testing your faith is a fantastic way to build your faith. Continue to ask God to give you more faith, & He will. 

 -Adeline Shanaberger-

I was so encouraged and challenged by that last line... "Testing your faith is a fantastic way to build your faith. Continue to ask God to give you more faith & He will". Thanks for sharing, Adeline! 

Was there a particular line that challenged the way you think about faith? I'd love to hear about it!

Detail: Meet Adeline {a strong and sweet contributor}

0 Meet Denise {a strong and sweet contributor}

I'm so glad that the day is finally here when I get to share this sweet post with you. Today my mom is sharing here at Strong and Sweet. I asked her a few weeks back if she'd consider writing a post and, in true Denise-fashion, she was so enthusiastic about it and wrote something beautiful. Enjoy!

                                    original photo credit to a sweet family friend, Dana Britton, via Facebook

Hi, Strong and Sweet readers! 

My name is Denise and I’m so proud to be Bonnie’s mom.  Bonnie asked if I’d consider writing an entry for her blog, to which I responded, “Absolutely!” Strong and Sweet is a wonderful place to share life experiences, faith, and questions with one another. As you have interacted, I have been reminded of the verse in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 which states, 

“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

I can look back over the years and identify people in my life who have “built” me up through their words and by believing in who God made me to be. I’d like to introduce you to a few of them. It is my hope that by sharing, you will be inspired and encouraged today.

My parents, Jean and Harley, unable to have biological children, chose my sister, brother and I to be in their family.  They loved us before they knew us and welcomed us even when they knew we weren’t “perfect”.  When they first saw me, it was very evident that something was very wrong with my (blind) eye. But, they chose not to walk away.  They provided love, home and a family that each of us desperately needed. We were accepted.

Mrs. Brunton was my first track coach.  As a former track star, she loved to introduce kids to the world of cross-country, track and field.  This perky, petite, 60ish woman would pick us up in her white, wood paneled station wagon, drive to the local track or park and train us to become athletes. She believed in me and helped me to see that I could do something well. She also inspired me to become a basketball coach who would make practices fun learning experiences.

Barb, a dear friend and “older” mom, was a great encourager during the season of life when our 5 children were young.  I loved being able to stay at home with my kids but I was often tired and sometimes :) grumpy from trying to meet all the needs.  What Barb gave me was the ability to put things in perspective on those days when I felt like a horrible mom.  She told me of the verse that says, “Love covers over a multitude of sins”. I learned that seeking forgiveness from my children and loving them through my words and actions created a healthier home environment.

Whether my parents, Mrs. Brunton or Barb knew it or not, they were modeling the character of Christ to me.  Wasn’t it the Lord who loved us, accepted us and chose us to be part of His family?  Isn’t it the Lord who believes in us, develops gifts in us and enables us to use them as part of His purpose and plan for our lives?  And isn’t it the Lord who listens to us, encourages us, builds us up and corrects us, again and again, so we can experience His love, peace and hope, then share it with others?

As you build each other up, you are a reflection of Christ.  May you be blessed and encouraged today.  Keep up the good work!

Love and Prayers, 

Denise

Tell us about someone who has encouraged you in the comments below! 

Detail: Meet Denise {a strong and sweet contributor}

0 Remember to Have Fun {getting rid of worry}

Luke and I were in the living room yesterday afternoon, just talking after a tough morning. I felt like I had woken up on the wrong side of the bed - feeling discouraged, yucky, sad, and like I was dragging my feet everywhere I went. If I can be honest with you, those mornings aren't exactly rare. So there I was, lounging in our comfy tan rocker and Luke stood a few feet across from me by the corner of the couch.

I said something like, "I never expected that it would be this hard to deal with change." It felt good to say it - like I had narrowed down and organized all five hundred little thoughts flying around in my brain. Being a momma is an amazing thing and it has a funny way of showing me what I struggle with. Learning to be flexible and calm in the midst of change is one for me.

I don't say this to be hard on myself, instead I share it to help myself and anyone else who struggles with this to take a big step into freedom. I am an over-thinker. Honestly, sometimes just trying to decide if I should change Bekah one more time before bed stresses me out. I allow myself to overthink this decision and that decision, fully confident that any little choice I make will encourage a bad habit in her or something silly like that. I guess when I say "I am an over thinker".... it's really my way of confessing that I've been allowing myself to worry way. too. much. It comes from fear.

"When I am afraid I will trust in you" - Psalm 56:3

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" - Matthew 11:28

So yesterday afternoon I needed to make a change in the way I had been thinking. I decided that it's time for me to stop worrying so much about making a mistake. I think there is a place that is full of grace where we just realize that we are humans and we are going to mess things up sometimes. That despite our best efforts, we will never be perfect moms or perfect students or perfect friends. Praise God for the grace that comes through Jesus Christ. We don't need to be perfect and we don't need to worry.

Then another little flower of hope popped up in my soul. It was this reminder...

Remember to have fun. Embrace the messiness 

and the silliness and the unpredictable-ness of life right now and have fun.

I've been encouraging this simple reminder to run through my heart over and over and over again today. It sounds so simple but for me it runs so deep. By choosing to have fun, I'm taking a stand against that very human part of me that wants to worry my life away.

Have you been feeling the weight of worry lately? There's freedom in giving your fears and overthinking-thoughts to Jesus.

Love you friends! And remember to have some fun today. :)

Bonnie

Detail: Remember to Have Fun {getting rid of worry}

0 A Mid-Year Celebration! {Your Names for 2014}

Today four of my friends are sharing their stories about life in 2014 so far. At the beginning of the year, I joined with a bunch of you as we "named our years" - we decided what it was that we wanted to see happen in the year ahead as we partnered with God. I named my year "Made for this" and it has transformed the way I view my life and challenges. I was so touched and powerfully encouraged by their stories… I think you will be, too! 

"At the end of 2013 and the turn of the new year, I was thinking of all the things I would like the Lord to do in my life in the coming year...There has been so many changes in our family in the past few years. I heard of a few friends giving their "new year" a name. I decided to claim my new year the year of "restoration"..... Now, seven months later, I was challenged to review my year and see how God has worked in our lives so far this year....It says in Joel 2:25-26 - "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." In the past two years, our hearts have been torn apart from pain from the death of one of our sons, and several other things that the enemy has been throwing our way.... I am asking God to "restore" healed hearts within our lives...to restore family members that have alienated themselves within our families.. As I think back on how "I WANTED GOD TO WORK", I am reminded that my ways are not always His ways, and my time is not always HIS time. So with that said, God did not bring to pass what I wanted Him to do yet, BUT, my sister who has pretty much closed her ears and eyes to the things of God the past 15 years, is on the verge of recommitting her life to Him again. She is praying and starting to proclaim her love for Him once again. She is getting involved in some church activities. It is so refreshing to once again share those "Godly conversations" that we did for so very many years. So, I will rest in Him, knowing that He sees the "finished picture", and I will not get discouraged when He answers in a way that is different to the way that I want Him answer... I will hold on the the promise in John 14:1 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." I CHOOSE to take God at His word. I choose to stand on Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." I choose to walk in "joy" as he makes me more like Him. I will believe Romans 15:13.... "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." I will continue to praise Him for who He is, and I will still believe that the restoration for my family will come in His time.

PS... there are STILL 5 months till the end of this year…"

"Thinking back to the beginning of the year, I thought "a year of opportunities" would be a great title for my new year. honestly I haven't thought about it too much over the past few months, however thinking about it now, I've learned that it's a perfect title. God has given Brian and I so many opportunities this year. It's been a lot of small ones but they all grow into a big one. We still have our jobs, 2 sets of our best friends became great parents to beautiful daughters that I love calling my nieces, I'm assisting two worship leaders, I've moved into a new area of creative and media works, and Brian and I have been teaching more. There may be more opportunities with ministry callings at school as well. This is only some of what God is doing in the past 7 months and I can't wait to see what he has in store for the rest of the year!"

"Focusing on embracing everything that comes my way has made such a huge difference in my year so far! Moving 3000 miles from home and getting married has been both wonderful and challenging. Whilst some of the difficult aspects would've shaken me in the past, remembering the name that I had for 2014 has made these obstacles much easier to face. Trying to figure out finances has been quite stressful as I'm not yet able to get a job since I'm still waiting for my work permit but every month since I've been here, everything has come together for us and we know that we can only thank God for that. Embracing this season of unemployment by getting to know my new friends better by spending that time with them rather than stay home and panicking constantly about money has been so liberating. It's also really helped me to put down some strong roots here and despite missing my friends in the UK, I'm incredibly thankful for the new ones that I'm making here too."

"This year has been a roller coaster of emotions, hurt, and pain followed by God using that brokenness to restore me and the people around me. At the beginning of this year I committed to seek out intentional relationships and ways to encourage the people around me in Christ's love. Needless to say God answered that pray with practical ways to practice this, and these were ways that were beyond what I expected. Because of God's grace and my desire to have intentional, meaningful relationships I was able to have a different perspective on what was going on around me. I restored some broken relationships, encouraged friends around me to seek Christ in the midst of trials and suffering, and I strengthened relationships I never imagined would last. With God's guidance, and a lot of prayer, I have grown so much in the past six months just by trying to see people as God sees them and love them like Christ loves me. Relationships are a precious gift from God and I'm glad to have been able to experience all that God had planned. I cannot wait to see where God leads me in this next chapter of life as a college graduate, starting my first job, and getting to form relationships with beautiful families who the world views as broken and hopeless but I know God loves. The remainder of the year I will prayerfully seek to be a vessel of God's love to those around me who appear broken, defeated, and hopeless."
_________________________________________________________________________________
*bold/italic emphasis mine

It's not too late to name the rest of your year! What are your wildest dream for the last months of 2014? What would you name your year? I'd love to hear from you!

Love,
Bonnie

Want to read a little more about naming your year? I love this exercise of faith!

Read my original post on "Naming Your Year" by clicking here.

Read my post on why I named my year "Made For This" by clicking here. 

Detail: A Mid-Year Celebration! {Your Names for 2014}

0 Grateful Heart Monday 6.2.14

Can you believe it's June already? Happy Monday! 

Today I'm trying out something new with a weekly Grateful Heart Monday post (See the bottom of the post for info on the link-up ;). Taking time to reflect on what I'm thankful for always does good things in my heart. I hope you're feeling encouraged and empowered for a fresh, new week, friends. If you're feeling a little low today and could use a friend to talk to or pray with, I'm your girl. I needed the same thing this morning. :) Here's what I'm especially grateful for this afternoon. I'd love to hear from you, too!

1. I'm grateful for our dear friends Nick and Kelly. Back in September they were our brand new friends after we moved to the Philly area for school. One night they shared with us that they were hoping to start a family soon! Their courage and confidence was such a gift to Luke and I during that time. We had always been excited to start having babies but those plans were sort of on the "back burner" since we were in the middle of such a big transition. That night we were so encouraged and our faith was set that if we wanted to start a family, we could trust God to be our provider. Nick and Kelly have been such a gift to us as friends. Oh, and good news… today they are in the hospital awaiting the arrival of their little girl!!! Their little Charity will be about one month older than our Bekah. God is so good! We love you, guys! You are already amazing, world-changing parents and we are so grateful for you. 
2. I'm grateful for a beautiful baby shower yesterday afternoon. Yesterday after church and a few hours at home, Luke and I drove to the Lancaster area for a baby shower with our extended family on my mother-in-law's side. Luke's grandma put it all together for us and it was the perfect Sunday afternoon. We love family time. Even my Mom, who had been traveling since 4 am from her trip to Missouri, was able to make it! One of the sweetest parts of the day was overhearing our family mention Bekah's name in their conversations. It makes me so happy just imagining the days when she'll be out here running around, being silly, and interacting with all these wonderful people we're blessed to call family. Today I'm so grateful for Grammy's kindness to us and our time with family. (The picture above is Mom, Bekah, and I after the shower)
3. I'm grateful for a new hopeful perspective. I've always loved this verse in Isaiah 43:19. God reminds the Israelites of all the miraculous things He did for them and how He provided for them in the past… then He says of Jesus starting in verse 18…

“But forget all that—

    it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

For I am about to do something new.

    See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

    I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

You know how some things can just weigh on you? I had a situation this week where I was so hopeless about an area of my life that I felt like I kept messing up. It definitely felt like a "dry wasteland" and I wanted to give up. So God's promise here is really precious to me today. I'm choosing His perspective instead. I'm thankful for forgiveness, for grace, and for a God who can make all things new and even better than before. Today I'm grateful that the things I viewed as "dry wastelands" in my life are being turned into refreshing, overflowing, crystal clear rivers instead. :)

So tell me, what are you grateful for today? 

Love, 

Bonnie

** This post is part of a fun link-up that Ember Grey puts together each week! Follow this link to view her original post and to find the posts other bloggers are sharing about starting their week with a grateful heart. 

Detail: Grateful Heart Monday 6.2.14

0 Then Jesus said "Come to Me…"

I woke up this morning feeling tired. Not just sleepy, but really tired. I didn't feel ready for another day and I was afraid of doing today alone. I worried that maybe God wasn't too interested in my day or in the things that were weighing so heavily on me.

An hour or so later, I came back into our bedroom and just curled up quietly on the bed. All I could do was calmly tell God that I was discouraged and frustrated and that I didn't really feel like trying to figure out why I felt that way. My faith was feeling a little weak as I thought back to fears I struggled with last night… fears that God was ignoring me or that I had committed some sin that was keeping Him away from me. There were fears that I was inadequate to help people know Him. So I quietly talked to God about these fears and insecurities as I laid on my bed late this morning.

Then there was a little phrase that settled in my heart. It was just something the Holy Spirit reminded me of… in my spirit I felt God's invitation, "Come to me". Only a few minutes before I might have been frustrated by that invitation. I might have thought, "God, that's what I'm trying to do but I feel like I just can't get to you! I feel like everything I pray and everything I think frustrates me more. I just want you to tell me what to do and take over here." But I felt some fresh hope in that moment that there was a way out of my despair.

I simply sat up and started doodling the words "Come to Me" in my journal. I turned on worship music and accepted that invitation to spend some time with Him. I think I just needed to push past those fears about God rejecting me and I needed to believe Him at His Word, spoken by Jesus in Scripture:

"Come to me…"

That phrase "Come to me" wasn't God's way of teasing me… telling me to chase after Him while he hid and kept me frustrated. Jesus said "Come to me..." in Matthew 11:28 because He meant it. We really can come to Him!

I think "Come to me" was placed in my spirit this morning as a reminder that no matter how I feel or what fears are weighing heavy on me, He is always there for me. He is always there for us. Today, can we stand together in faith that whatever fears have kept us from going to Him in the past don't have to keep us from going to Him today? With the authority Jesus has given us, let's stand firm as the body of Christ against the lies of the enemy and keep going to God.

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

We've got a job to do, my friends. There are countless people on this earth today who need to hear the Hope that we know in Jesus Christ. Today I believe we can't afford to allow ourselves to be distracted by fears and lies and insecurities. We just don't have time for that.  Jesus understands our weariness and the heavy burdens that weigh on us so He made us this beautiful offer… we can come to Him! He will teach us and give us true rest but not so we can give up on our calling! In gentleness and humility, He will equip us to keep going for the cause of the Gospel! We have a job to do and He is so happy to prepare us for it.

Today let's push past those fears, those lies, and those insecurities and trust Jesus at His Word. What a beautiful future we have ahead of us, friends. We will see so many come to know this Hope in Jesus as we go to Him and continue the work of the Gospel.

Love,
Bonnie

*can you tell I'm feeling ready for spring from the picture above? ;)

Detail: Then Jesus said "Come to Me…"

0 With Great Heart

Oh Little-faith, you have often said, "I wish I had the courage of Great-heart, that I cold wield a great sword and be as valiant. But I stumble on every straw, and a shadow makes me afraid."

Listen, Little-faith. Great-heart is God's child and so are you. Great-heart is not one particle more God's child than you are. Peter and Paul, the most highly favored apostles, were of the family of the Most High, and so are you. The weakest Christian is as much a child of God as the strongest believer…

Although we are comforted by knowing [that we are children of God], let us not be content with a weak faith. Like the apostles, let us ask "to be strengthened in the faith" (Acts 16:5).

- from Charles Spurgeon's Morning and Evening

Happy Friday, friends!

I'm hoping to write a little more later, but I wanted to share this beautiful piece of by Charles Spurgeon with you today. I read the full passage in a devotional this morning while eating breakfast and felt so empowered.

Whether you started your day feeling more like "Little-faith" or "Great-heart", you can live as Great-heart just because you're His child. Praying for you today, readers. Stand strong in your faith and in the things you are called to today. Go forward with great heart and great confidence in His ability to work through you and in your life right now. These promises are for you!

Have you noticed at the top of the Strong+Sweet page that there is a toolbar? On that toolbar you can click a link to read a little bit about the heart behind Strong+Sweet. One day there will also be a frequently asked questions page. But what I want to draw your attention to is that button that says "encourage with us!"Friends, encouragement is a life changing seed God has given us to grow courage in the hearts of the people around us. Encouragement lifts us out of pits and reminds us that God has a victorious life planned for us, no matter where we find ourselves today.

If you clicked that button, you probably noticed that the page is not filled yet! :) I am praying about that little section and believing that God is going to use that simple section on a simple blog to bring many of us together to walk powerfully in the gift of encouragement. So I have a couple questions for you that I will be reflecting on as I pray. If you have a minute or two to answer a few of them in the comments below or in a Facebook message of some kind, that would be such a blessing to me as I pray.

1. What encourages you? What makes you feel courageous?
2. What is your favorite way to encourage someone else?
3. What does the word 'encourage' mean to you?
4. What area of your life would you really love some encouragement for?
5. And of course, any other thoughts you may have on encouragement are … encouraged. ;)

Remember, I'm praying for you today! Keep pressing through your day with "great heart". Today I will be praying that same phrase from Acts 16:5 over all of us. God, strengthen us in our faith. Strengthen our faith so we are confident that you can do the impossible and use simple things like encouragement to change the world. 

Love,
Bonnie

Detail: With Great Heart

0 Meet Melissa {a strong and sweet contributor}

Hi, friends! Today I am thrilled to share with you this beautiful post written by my friend Melissa. Thank you so much for contributing to Strong+Sweet, Melissa! I am truly thankful for you and your story! Love, Bonnie

Hello everyone! My name is Melissa Godinez! I am the mother of three amazing, beautiful, intelligent (okay, I'm biased) children. I also have the distinct honor of being stepmother to two other amazing, beautiful, intelligent children. There was a time that these five human beings were the driving force in my life. They were why I woke up, why I just found it a POSSIBILITY to breath somedays. One day I looked at their little faces and thought, "Wow, what a responsibility you are putting on them!"

I remember the day like it was yesterday. My oldest about seven, my middle child was five, and I had a newborn. It was a summer day and I was exhausted and everyone had sat down for an afternoon snack. I remember thinking, "Please do something to make me feel better. Tell me a joke, give me a baby giggle… something!" It was at that moment it just hit me, "You are making these three little people responsible for your happiness!"

I was newly divorced and I had nowhere to turn. I spent two years searching. I searched every single wrong place. I wasn't even totally sure what it was that I was looking for. I wanted to feel genuinely happy and at peace. Did I need new friends? Maybe it was time to date? Perhaps it was time to change my appearance. Did I need to start going back to church? Maybe a new job? Bottom line, I tried it all. At each and every turn I was hurt. It was around that time that I met my husband. While we were dating, I continuously thought, "Ok this is what I was waiting for and what I needed." I was wrong in that aspect also.

My relationship was fulfilled in so many ways but there was something missing. During our time dating we discussed our faith. We were very much on the same page with our beliefs, but he had been so deeply hurt that he was not ready yet to return to church. For several sundays I looked at a website for a local church. Finally, one very cold morning in January I decided, with or without the man I was dating, I was going to try it out. That was the day I went running  back to Jesus. I returned to his house that same day in tears, knowing fully that something big had happened.

The next week was his birthday and he decided to go with me this time - it was at that point he also went running back to Jesus. We had previously stated we would never re-marry, we had both been so deeply wounded from our past relationships. One year later, after deciding to walk fully with Jesus Christ, we decided that our scars were healed and our sins forgiven - that it was time to marry.

What a blessing to be married to your best friend AND to someone fully taking the same walk with you. There was a time when we both thought that there was no chance of finding that again. I thought that I was destined to be alone. Not only did I find that to be untrue, I came to the realization that I had never been alone. God had been with me all along.

After sometime of becoming discouraged with my day to day routine, my husband asked me, "What is it that you want to do everyday?" I said simply, "I want to help people." This is where I began fervent prayer. I went for counsel in my church. I attempted to find places to serve - I just wanted to help! I answered phones, sent postcards to new guests, did follow-up phone calls, folded bulletins, worked in the kitchen, swept the parking lot, plunged the toilet, grilled outside, worked on fundraisers… I could go on! I couldn't seem to find the place that I was doing the most good.

One day I heard about a grandmother that was disabled and had taken custody of her granddaughter. She needed clothing for her. I was able to collect enough to clothe the little girl until the end of the year. I went to sleep that night and slept more soundly that I ever had. When I woke up the next day, I heard a very audible voice saying, "You've found what you are to do." I went to work immediately and formed "Dressed in Blessings". We provide for people who are in immediate need of food, clothing, counsel, or anything that they need to get by. When I explain to them that I want nothing in return, that this is what the Holy Spirit has led me to do, the most amazing thing happens… they come to church! Some for the very first time! This fills me with abundant joy!

I have named 2014 "Growth". I have stepped so far out of my comfort zone so many times since I've started Dressed in Blessings. Those are the places I literally watch the grace of God unfold. There are days it seems supernatural. I am praying for guidance over this year to lead DiB. He must think I'm supernatural because somedays I feel like I have to take notes with all He is telling me! There are so many things on the horizon for DiB, I can't wait to share them with the world!

When I started my walk, I repeatedly heard the verse Romans 8:28...

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I live this daily! Hugs & Blessings!

Melissa

Detail: Meet Melissa {a strong and sweet contributor}

0 Your Names for 2014

Hi, everyone!

I hope you're all having a good week and a great start to Thursday so far. I have been so excited about this post! This morning I get to share a few of the names that were chosen for 2014. These ladies' thoughts are incredibly encouraging so grab some coffee (maybe just a small cup of coffee… this isn't a very long post), find a good place to read, and enjoy. :) And as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

Brenda 

I have known Brenda for several years since I moved to the Gettysburg area. She is a woman of faith who deeply loves her family. She is also one of the most amazing decorators I have ever seen (You should see her home at Christmas)! Last year Brenda's family suffered the loss of their son. I am so touched by the name she has given 2014: "The Year of Restoration". 

Kriston

"[The name of my year is] Going Deep: Deep Intimacy, Deep Desire, Deep Hunger, Deep Faith, Deep Breakthroughs. God is showing me how to go to the Higher level that He called me to live when I didn't know how to do that before and now im learning how… 2014 is my year to go deep with God. It is a new season of joy, of breakthrough, of blessings, of so so so much more."

Caitlyn

"This year I want to focus on and know what God has in store for myself as well as Brian and I's future. It's such an exciting time! So I feel God wants me to name my year: A Year Of Opportunities.  Jesus said in Matthew 7: “ 7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened… 11b how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"

Holly 

Embrace- "This year is going to be all about enjoying every opportunity & developing new relationships. There will be a lot of challenges as I adjust to being a wife & living in a new country so far away from everything I know. But God's got this under control so I'm going to embrace everything He sends my way."

Amanda

"…Over the past few days I have been praying about this upcoming year. Something God is really laying on my heart is intentional relationships. To me this means more than just spending time with loved ones and friends. It means purposefully seeking out people who need encouragement, prayer, a hug, etc. I want to be intentional in the relationships that I have and in starting new relationships so that my time with others is spent in such a way that we are both being drawn closer to Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 sticks out to me as I pursue this, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near…".

  

If you'd like to read more about Amanda's beautiful vision for 2014, you can check out her blog here! Thanks so much to the ladies who shared their hearts here! I can't wait to see how these dreams become reality in the year ahead. So thankful for you all and praying for a powerful and productive week for you, too. 

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. - Ephesians 3:20-21

Love,
Bonnie

Detail: Your Names for 2014

0 Perfect Timing + a Request

Happy Monday, everyone!

It feels so good to be writing as the week gets started. I really do enjoy writing and love the community blogs can create. I have learned such inspring things about a good number of you since I wrote the New Year's post last week. You know, for so long I struggled with the question of "when is it the right time to just post and get strong+sweet started?". I debated for months about the blog due to all the schedule changes that going back to school brought. Was I too busy? Would I be able to devote enough time to blogging? The questions went on and on but I have been so touched by the Holy Spirit as I have experienced His perfect timing and redemptive work this week. This week several of you have sent me the kindest messages, mentioned something in person about the blog, or have expressed some way that the message of hope for the New Year was helpful to you. I say all of that simply out of thankfulness to God. I love His Word because it carries such amazing power. When we apply it and write it out and share it with others it produces such good things in all of our lives. With that said, keep sharing what's on your heart with me and others, friends and readers.

This is our last week of Christmas Break before heading back to Valley Forge for our spring classes. That means we are soaking up all the time we can with Gettysburg-area friends and family and preparing ourselves for a great semester. We have such good friends to go back to and a new apartment to set up as our first "family home". I am really excited (understatement ;)) about the decorating and having a second bedroom to host guests. It's a little bit difficult to think about going back right now when break has been so good but I am believing that our time in Phoenixville is purposefull and that we will be very surprised to see all God has in store. We are very blessed to have two great places to call home. :)

Now I'd like to request something from you. :) Later this week I'm planning to share a little post with some of the names that you all have chosen for 2014. If you feel comfortable sharing, leave a comment here or send me a message on Facebook and tell me all about it. :) I'd love to hear what you're calling your year, what that means to you, and maybe something about how that changes your approach to a new year. If there's a scripture that is meaningful for this year I'd love to hear about that and share it here for others to be encouraged and empowered! I really do believe that your new and hopeful perspective for the year ahead can make a big difference in someone else's life! 

Love,

Bonnie

Want to stay up to date with Strong + Sweet? Try my favorite blog app, Bloglovin'!

Just download it on your smart phone and search 'Strong and Sweet" to follow. 

Detail: Perfect Timing + a Request

0 Made for This

I had so much fun reading all your responses via Facebook yesterday in response to naming your year! Keep sharing! Facebook comments or comments here under the posts work great… I just love seeing the  excitement God is giving everyone for the year ahead. It's going to be a great 2014, my friends!

After a little more thought I've settled on a name for 2014. I'd like to call 2014 "Made for This". This is a concept that's been running through my mind often in the past few weeks. I'm currently 14 weeks along with our first baby and pregnancy brings a whole bunch of new thoughts, concerns, and, of course, joys with it. Fear sneaks in quickly so I've been learning the value of speaking faith over every one of those little thoughts that worry me. I like to remind myself that my body is made for this… made purposefully by God to nurture this strong and healthy little baby (and several babies after this one ;)) who will be such a blessing to the world and to our family. I am made for faith… not for fear. I'm made for this and more!

There's a verse in the book of Esther that has always been so interesting to me. Esther's cousin Mordecai encourages the new Queen Esther to speak on behalf of the Jews when the King agrees to destroy them. Check out the following 2 verses…

13 Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” - Esther 4:13-14 NLT emphasis added

By focusing on the "Made for This" concept, I'm reminded that God has created and empowered all of us to live passionately and actively in this time, in this place, and for this generation. It's not an accident that I was born in 1991 or that you were born when you were. It's not a mistake that Luke and I are living in Phoenixville for a couple years even when it's hard to be away from Gettysburg. We were made for this time… not to be victims but to overcome and influence for good! That encouragement helps me so much! I'd love to hear what you think about that. 

So from where I sit on the second day of 2014, it looks like this might be a year for conquering fears and beating excuses with faith declarations. I hope to try some new things that I thought my body was too weak for (I've got to try a 5k at some point) and take risks that I thought someone else was made for instead. 

Thanks for taking the time to read and also for sharing your thoughts with me! Hope you all had a wonderful January 2nd. 

Love, 

Bonnie

Want to read more about naming your year? I first read about this exercise on in these blog posts by Jeff Leake, Melodie Leake, and Brad Leach. (Click the names to find their posts!)

Detail: Made for This