Happy New Year... again

Hello! It seems like I only blog during the 1st week of January. Maybe its my New Year tradition! Hopefully this year I can do a better job at updating this blog... I'm not saying its a New Year Resolution or anything like that... but I do want to attempt to blog more often. Any who, so excited to share our holiday pictures! Here's our card with some of our favorite images. Yay!

XOXO,

-Mariana 

She ReadsTruth: Fresh Start

A few days ago, I was fortunate enough to stumble across an AMAZING webpage. It may not be new to many, but to me its a brand new treasure! I began the Fresh Start Devotional @ She Reads Truth . This is how my journey began...

 Just last weekend, I had been feeling really low & limping spiritually. I was feeling doubtful, scared, and guilt-filled. I felt the enemy whisper many lies, and the scary part was that I started to believe them. Things from the past began bombarding me as I laid down at night, and completely paralyzed me throughout the hours of the day. The silent guilt of the sin that I believed God cleansed me from long ago, began to haunt me again.

After many nights filled with doubt, growing fears and tears, my husband and I began a simple conversation on our way back from getting some last minute grocery shopping. After 20 minutes, the thoughts that I had been holding captive came pouring out. I expressed all of those things out loud... for the first time. 

I am so fortunate to have such an amazing husband! After listening, hugging, and comforting me, he did what I needed so desperately... he told me that I needed to go to God and really lay all of those things at His feet. The reality was that I wasn't sure where to begin, or how to go about it. Especially since I felt completely unworthy to even approach His throne.

The first few days after the conversation with my husband I began praying and asking God for help. I needed his guidance... I needed him to lead me and I told him that I would follow and obey whatever he instructed me. Immediately after my prayer, I went online searching to get started on a devotional. When I found the She Reads Truth page for the Fresh Start devo, I was blown away!!! As I read the intro for day one, I felt God speaking to me... comforting me, challenging me, showing his love for me. Confirming what my hubby and my friends had been advising & challenging me on: "Mariana, you need to accept the grace that God has to offer!"



I am so excited to begin this great journey... the journey to a Fresh Start... I sure do need one! I feel like in the last 6 years of being a disciple, an understanding of Grace has not been something that I have been searching for. In my heart I see a prideful heart reflecting what Paul warned the church in Galatia: 

"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"

 Galatians 3:3

I am excited to dive into God's grace! It feels like unknown territory, therefore a bit scary, but in my heart I KNOW that this is the path that God wants to take me to. 

To God be the Glory,

XOXO

-Mariana 

Star Addiction

So, on one of my decorating rants (in my brain) I got the idea of buying some cute clear glass jars/vases to put around the apartment filled with some form of folded paper. This idea came to me after looking at my prayer jar. I have a cute plastic container where I place my prayers after I write them on small pieces of index cards. So I thought it would be pretty cool if I used my prayers to decorate our apartment. :)  

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-3D-Paper-Stars

 I am yet to purchase the containers, but I do have a ton of scrapbook paper! SO... I Googled some ideas on some cute ways to fold paper. I found a few tutorials on how to make these ADORABLE 3-D Paper Stars. I tried following a ton of You Tube tutorials & many sites with instructions... but the best one is from wikihow.com. It took a few tries to get them down. But, I am so addicted! They are so cute and tiny they look like candy. They also remind me of TOMS shoes somehow... I don't know, I think its the overlay pattern, it reminds me of the overlay on the top part of TOMS. But, anywho, here are some pictures I took using my instagram ap on my iPhone.I think I had as much fun taking pictures of them as I did making them.I'll definitely will be making more! All I need now are some glass containers to put them in.

  

Mission imPOSSIBLE: Decorating

I have been looking for different ideas on adding some decorating touches to our apartment. We have been living here for a year and a half now, but I am just starting to decorate. During this Holiday Break, I was able to get TWO very important things done... things that I have been meaning to do since we moved in to our apartment.

Goal #1: Hang Frames    Status: COMPLETED!

We had some frames sitting in the corner of our coat rack that had been there since we moved in. I finally got around to getting pictures printed for them. I am happy to report that they are up on our walls!

Goal #2: Put Pictures in the Book End frames   Status: COMPLETED!

I found some really nice book end picture frames on sale at Target when we first got married. We actually got around to putting them out... but for the last year and a half we were staring at a very lovely Asian grandmother with her grand children. I finally got around to putting some of our wedding and engagement pictures in the frames!! Yai!

After taking these last two weeks to clean and hang the picture frames... I am soooooooo excited to start decorating out place! I began a list on Eddie's One Note of all the "visions" I have for our home, and the things I would like for us to purchase.  I guess I can copy and paste it here :) 

1. We need to buy a Book Shelf
2. Frames
3. Hooks for our towels
4. Frame jewelry holder
5. Magazine rack
6. New curtains
7. Vases with artificial flowers

8. Frames for Nataly's art
9. Colorful glass bottles

10. Food trays

 After creating this list I went nuts looking for different ideas. I found some really amazing Blogs and Decorating Websites and spent hours drooling over some amazing projects that I want to complete! Here are just a couple:

 

As I serarched, I discovered  Addicted 2 Decorating. There I found an idea for a DIY Serving Tray Project using a picture frame! It is ADORABLE! I can't wait to get started on it and display it!

 


Another project that I want to work on is making a Ribbon Reef from homebysunset.com. I'm thinking on starting this early this year and making some to give as Christmas gifts :)




 I plan on starting them soon! Will post ASAP! 

Rejoice in 2012!

2011 was a great year for Eddie and I, filled with many great memories! 

I think I can speak for the both of us with saying that the summer was probably the most amazing part of the past year.  

1. This last summer we celebrated our 1st anniversary on the same day that two of our friends got married.

July 23rd- Our Anniversary & Tony and Alli's Wedding

2. We also had the amazing experience of working with the AO- Campus Ministry and got the opportunity to take a road trip to Estes Park, CO.

July 30th- My Birthday @ Rocky Mountain National Park

I learned so much this year and am looking forward to an even more amazing 2012! 

As I am reflecting on the last year and thinking about the future I see that one of the areas that I want (and need) to grow in is my choosing to rejoice in any and every situation outwardly AND inwardly. I often find myself being very negative in my thoughts, although I may not always express them. 

This year, I will be focusing on two of my favorite scriptures and praying for the ability to rejoice in everything that God hands me. 

“Rejoice in the Lord always! I will say it again, rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4: 4-7

AND

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

I know that 2012 will not be “perfect” in the eyes of the world or even in what I am expecting. But, I also know that this New Year will be PERFECT because with it will come exactly what I need to draw closer to Him… and in the end, that’s what truly matters.

To a wonderful 2012!

With love,

Mariana