Archives for October 2013

Thankful Thursday!

October 31, 2013 By: Sarah Leff

Hello! Hope you all are having a great week so far. Can’t believe that tomorrow is the first day of November…I think my mind is still stuck back in September somewhere.

Has anyone heard of and/or participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) before? It’s basically a challenge that takes place during the month of November, in which the participants try to finish writing a novel in 30 days. Sounds pretty intense to me. I’ve been toying with the idea of giving it a go, but I’m just not sure I should commit to that – not sure I’m quite at that stage yet. I have some vague ideas floating around in my head, but I haven’t really done much real, tangible planning. Anyways, seeing as tomorrow is the first day of the challenge, I was just wondering if anyone else was doing it, or had done it in the past.

Well, seeing as it is Thursday, I thought I would share another list of thankfuls from the week. Feel free to add the things you are thankful for in the comments below, and lets be grateful for what the Lord is doing in our lives together!

5. The ever-adorable Mr. Samson! I know, I know, I take more pictures of my cat than any person ever really should, but he’s just so cute! Lately, he’s been doing this thing where he sits in the sink and stares at the faucet. Then, when someone turns it on, he immediately sticks his head underneath it, and plays with the stream of water. So incredibly odd, I tell you.

He even brought Mouse-kin with him…

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God Is Worth Your Best Effort!

October 30, 2013 By: Sarah Leff

Do you ever have those days where it’s just really hard to stay focused and motivated? You know you’re trying to keep plugging away, but it’s hard to give that certain project or task your full effort, especially when you don’t see any initial results. It’s tempting to think, “I’ll just work on this later…when I feel more motivated.” But often that time never really comes, and you end up just giving a small portion of effort instead of everything you’ve got.

And then you read a verse like this…

“And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17

Or this…

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” – Colossians 3:23

And you remember – even when you don’t feel like it, it’s important to give your best effort, just as if you were working for the Lord.

We may not always feel like giving everything our best effort, but it’s so important that we try to do so. We shouldn’t be working to please others, or even ourselves. We should be working to please God alone, and He is worth our full effort. He is worth the hard work, the sleepless nights, the extra motivation – He is worth it. And we need to remember that as we go about our daily routines. We can find joy in even the most mundane tasks when we focus on pleasing Him through our actions.

Is there an area of your life that you need to put extra effort towards? Remember that you are working for the Lord, and just focus on pleasing him. The motivation you need to complete that task will come quickly when you begin to think this way.

Just Say No To Distractions.

October 28, 2013 By: Sarah Leff

Hello! Hope you all are having a great Monday so far. For some reason, I just can’t seem to wake up today. I think it must be from the cloudy weather and all the rain we had over the weekend. Other than that though, Monday is going well!

I’ve been thinking a lot about distractions, and how often I don’t recognize them for what they are. Actually, I think that is how they work best – if we can’t recognize them, it becomes harder to avoid them. Throughout my life I’ve had many different things I’ve wanted to accomplish, goals I wished to achieve. I guess you could say I’ve been a little bit indecisive. It’s always been hard for me to focus on just one thing when there are so many different things I could be doing. Probably why I changed my major so many times during college I suppose.
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Thankful Thursday!

October 24, 2013 By: Sarah Leff

Wow. I seriously can’t believe that it’s already Thursday again. Where is the time going?? Also, we’re going to hit November next week, which is another CRAZY thought. November 1st is officially the day, in keeping with tradition, that my mom and I both begin listening to Christmas music – and I’m getting pretty excited about that!

Anyways, I thought I would reflect back on the week and share a few things that I am thankful for. I like the idea of “Thankful Thursday’s” – it’s good accountability for me to remember the many blessings God has placed in my life. So, without further ado, here is my list of thankfuls for the week…

5. Texas. Yes, there are times when I don’t really like it. There are times when I feel incredibly homesick, and the only thing I want in the whole world is to just go home and see my family. And there are times when I become extremely frustrated with the local weather patterns [read: heat waves are horrible, and I seriously miss the snow]. But, overall, Texas is a great place to be. The people are great, the weather is decent [at least right now] and the community is amazing. Also, the State Fair is pretty cool too.

And honestly, who couldn’t love Big Tex?

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There Is Strength In Letting Go.

October 23, 2013 By: Sarah Leff

Everyone Has A Past.

Have you heard that phrase before? Well, it’s true. Everyone does have a past – some more traumatic than others – but, in essence, everyone does have a past. Memories. Choices we made that we now wish we could take back. Things we should have would have or could have done differently if we had only known better.
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When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong.

October 21, 2013 By: Sarah Leff2 Comments

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

Paul had a weakness. A physical ailment of some sort that kept him from being 100%. He asked God to take away this weakness, but God refused, saying instead, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

It wasn’t that God couldn’t heal Paul, or that he enjoyed seeing him suffer. The weakness that Paul possessed kept him reliant on God at all times. Because of his condition, Paul couldn’t be independent – everything he did was through God’s strength moving within him. If Paul had been at 100%, would he have had to rely on God for everything? Would he have consistently remembered to ask God for new strength everyday? Maybe. But maybe not.
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Big Tex and The Texas State Fair!

October 20, 2013 By: Sarah Leff2 Comments

Hello! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, and are enjoying this beautiful Sunday afternoon. Well, it’s beautiful here in Dallas at least – about 70 degrees and sunny – doesn’t get much more perfect than that! I am a little jealous of the fall colors Michigan is currently experiencing though…

My mom sent me this today. Even though it’s in a graveyard, it’s still gorgeous.

Anyways, yesterday James and I went with some friends to the Texas State Fair. I had heard many good things about the fair, especially in regards to the copious amounts and wide variety of fried foods. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Completely lived up to my expectations.
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Thankful Thursday!

October 17, 2013 By: Sarah Leff1 Comment

Sometimes I forget to be thankful for the little [and big] things in life. Its not that I’m not grateful, it’s just that I get so preoccupied that I forget to be thankful. Know what I mean? Sometimes I like to make a list of the things that have happened lately in my life that I truly am grateful for. It’s a good reminder to look for the little things in life that sometimes escape my consciousness. So, here’s my list from the week!

Thankful Top Five Of The Week:

5. Our amazing new apartment. Seriously, it rocks. And God has truly provided for us in a difficult season of transition this fall. So incredibly blessed to have a place to stay, food to eat, a wonderful husband and a spunky little kitty. Things haven’t always gone according to plan, but God has always provided, no matter what.

Love Our Place.

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Who Is Your Moses? The Importance Of Finding Godly Mentors.

October 15, 2013 By: Sarah Leff2 Comments

Hello! Hope y’all are having a great week so far. It’s been cloudy and rainy since Sunday, but I’m not complaining – cooler weather is finally rolling in! Yay! I love how it’s FINALLY starting to feel a little more like fall. And cooler weather means fall clothing like jeans, sweaters and boots 🙂 The best.

Yay For Fall 🙂

Anyways, I’ve been reading through the book of Joshua lately, which, if you haven’t read it before, is an awesome book. I would highly recommend it!
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9 Tips For Waking Up And Working Out In The Morning.

October 14, 2013 By: Sarah Leff2 Comments

Ahhh Mornings!

Since we’ve moved, and the gym is now less than a minute walk from our front door, I’ve felt the urge to attempt morning workouts again. I used to work out in the morning, when I didn’t have to get up too early to get to work. But with an earlier starting job, I started sleeping in as long as physically possible before having to get up and go to work. And then I would work out in the evening when I got home.
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Archives for October 2013

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