Breathing Room For The Soul

 

Hey Friends!!

It’s been a minute since we’ve gotten to chat! How are things with you? I’ve got my coffee & am ready for whatever the day may bring! Heres the latest on me…

Yesterday I shopped in the nations favorite blue & grey store as I talked with someone on the phone. I’m really not very good at talking while trying to shop. I either neglect what I am doing & walk around the store for 30 minutes looking for bananas or I neglect the phone call & end up saying things like “really, interesting, thats neat” over & over. So I tried to stay connected to both things this time & even told the person on the phone I might have to pause our conversation at points to look at my list. I seemed to be doing fine, I had stayed somewhat connected to the conversation & the cart, while checking off my list until…I attempted to grab a 28 count of water bottles with one hand while still keeping the conversation going. (it didn’t work) Lol I dropped it into the cart and it quickly hit the eggs which broke & left me with a splattered foot & eggshells. Yepp, multi-tasking gone wrong, right? I got off the phone, exchanged the messy eggs for new & finished the shopping before I called her back.

Y’all, this is the lesson of my life right here. Learning to focus on one thing instead of many at one time. I think it actually takes more time to multitask more often than not. (at least in my case)

Things usually take a little more time than we’ve expected and sometimes the outcomes can’t reach our highest expectations. There is one thing though that I never see change or disappoint. Thats the mercy, compassions & faithfulness of God. I have never left a quite time and thought (Well, this time I didn’t feel God’s faithfulness). It not only never happened but its not even possible.

In Lamentations 3 it will tell you all about it! Go here to read it and I would encourage you to compare versions because I love how the message puts these verses. My favorite line in these verses is when it talks of how His compassions are new every morning. We all need a clean slate, a stain free beginning as the sun makes its first appearance in the morning. With it’s debut comes new mercy, new compassion, new faithfulness and this girl is so giddy about that.

Striving to live a life that will bring God glory & thankful that the sun rises every day,

xx, Elena

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Hi friends,

Its been a while since we’ve talked. Hope you are doing well and hopefully you are somewhere warm enjoying some spring weather. What a year for the weather! We arrived back home at the beginning of this month (we escape every year to the south to miss the snow) but we were still greeted with the worlds prettiest and wet white stuff. I find myself relating to the weather this year. While waiting on the cherry blossoms to bloom and the sun to appear for good, I’m in another waiting season. Waiting on so many things that God has promised, things I expected to be hear by now and I find myself wondering if I’ll always be right here in this season. If I will always claim the promises but not see them. (just calling it like It seems y’all)

My soul rests in the truth though even when my human heart is restless. You see, in my soul I know. I know that His ways are higher and only He can see the bigger picture. I know that He wants for me, his beloved, the best of all and maybe that can only come through waiting. Maybe I couldn’t appreciate the blessings if they showed up when I demanded.

We traveled from January- March through many beautiful states and all of them had flowers. Then we came home to brown brown and more brown. We got the taste of it all, but then it disappeared as we got into the northern states, and as lovely as it was, its so good to be home. Safe and sound, a place I know.

Just like my physical home, God is becoming home to my soul.

I know Him and even if I never saw anything He promised, I’m home when I’m in His arms. There is a sweetness in knowing the truth, even when you are not seeing the beauty of blessing. Yes, there is beauty in the waiting but only if you are content not seeing it but feeling it. I feel it Jesus, with you there is a beauty more precious than anything.

You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

I love to compare versions when reading the Bible, above is NKJV, I love how The Message translates it though. It says “God, you are my island hideaway”. Every time I have visited an island there are amazing flowers and a peace that resonates within the first steps of being there, so in my mind I’m seeing this incredible view when I picture

this line of the verse.  What a picture right? He is the beauty but to understand it we must be content with Him-Just him.

In Him there is beauty that we can be content in while waiting on the beauty of the promises promised.

I’m really hoping that what I’m learning is translating through the screen here. It’s kind of mind blowing.  (We’re talking about walking through the grey waiting time with Jesus and hoping to see some blooms promised like we do with spring.) I know that this subject can be very cliche and spoken about often. Reading this can seem to be old news but from someone walking through it, it’s the opposite of old. It’s a fresh understanding of who God is and where I stand with Him. Who I am and how He loves me and wants only the good. I can’t put into words how amazing it feels to have someone walk with me and also be my steady place. His love is never a cliche, never an old news story because its new everyday.

Love always,

Elena

P.S. (OUR CHERRY BLOSSOM JUST BLOOMED!!!! Be looking for pictures on our instagram!!)

 

A blank, white sheet of paper. A wonderful smelling, clean kitchen. A smiling bride dressed in lovely white. Beauty.

 

Beauty is all around us. Our Creator made it so. Yet, nothing is as beautiful as WHO our God, the Creator of all, really IS! Our God is love. He is good. He is kind. He is just. He is faithful. Yet, there is an attribute of our God that sets Him apart from all created beings. It is His Holiness. “And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’” Isaiah 6:3

 

No sin, no evil thought to mar the beauty of our God. In majestic, moral purity He stands infinite, defining by His very existence all that is righteous and pure in the universe. Reflecting and praising Him for Who He is this morning, I found myself reveling in the beauty of His purity. It was then the verse from Psalms came back to me. “Worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness.” Psalm 96:9

 

How beautiful is the Purity, the Sinlessness, the Holiness of our God!!! What a beautiful contrast of hope for hopelessness, light for darkness, purity for impurity! The God Who is Holy commands us to “Be Holy as He is Holy.” “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16

 

And, He gives us a Way – knowing the impossibility of us to be Holy on our own. Our righteousness is as filthy rags. “Christ in you – the hope of glory.” “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 “Be filled with the Spirit.” “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

 

We are made holy by His Holiness living in us!!! What a magnificent privilege that we are the Temples in which He dwells! The Temple of the Holy Spirit! “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 He is able to keep us from falling! “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25 He imparts His purity to us, by living in us.

 

Oh, Lord! How I praise You for your righteousness! My heart, my life, my entire being is open to You. Live in me, dwell in me, make me holy as You are holy, that I may truly walk in the Truth and Light of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

By. Janene/FGG

Happy Valentines Day! We’ve made it to February 14th in 2018 and I’m just hopping on here to wish you the best one yet! Maybe some of y’all are thinking “OK, this girl has some nerve.” and wishing you could stay asleep for the next 48 hours of heart-shaped cookies and cheesy hallmarks. I know it can all be a lot and when you’re not exactly in a relationship it’s easy to become a little hardened to the holiday. I know a few weeks ago the thought of Valentines hit me like a ton of bricks. Ya know what though? Valentines Day is about celebrating love. Love. It’s not specifically for couples. It can be a love you share with your parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends. Last year my sweet dad surprised me with the flowers and a special Italian dinner. This year I am spending Valentines at home and plan on taking my adorable grandma out for tea. We might even get crazy and wear big hats and order extra scones.

I totally understand the stereotypes that come with this day but don’t give them a second thought. Don’t wish for something to happen before it’s time. God has you. His timing is perfect and His promises are faithful. In Song of Solomon 8 verse 4B it gives us some wisdom in this area. It says “don’t excite love, don’t stir it up, until the time is ripe–and you’re ready.” God knows when the perfect moment is for the perfect moment, if you know what i mean. Those thoughts of a fairy tale valentines day can be fun to think about, just don’t let them get past your head. There is no reason to create something that God has intentions to create for you. He is always better with the paint brush.

Maybe you are dating someone right now and you’re thinking “Maybe I don’t need this blog”. Before you hit that X, remember that the most important relationship we can celebrate is our relationship with Jesus Christ. God’s love means more to me than a box of Sherri’s Berrys ever could and so I choose to focus on that. One more thing before we scroll down to the “BEST 5 WAYS”, Our Blog IG is having a VDAY Giveaway. Click the photo to join in the fun!

Ok NOW for the reason your reading this post: 5 Ways To Enjoy Valentines As A SINGLE

1. Determine when you wake up to celebrate LOVE in every way you can. Maybe it will take a little time to call your parents and family, even friends but it will fill your heart with joy as you check each special person off in your life. (you can send txt messages and E-cards, even little gift cards as well)
2. Choose to spend quality time with The One who loved you first. Set aside a good amount of time, make some tea, turn on some worship music, light a candle and just spend time with Jesus. I always feel so refreshed when I take time to do this. (A few weeks ago God gave me a song when i was feeling a little lonely. You can play it here. )
3. Drive to your local florist or grocery and buy your favorite flowers. Then park your car in a downtown area or shopping area and pass out each flower, wishing everyone a Happy Valentines Day. This is called “flower bombing” and it’s quite fun.
4. Call all your best girls and have them over for a Galentines party. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Yall could make triple chocolate ice cream Sundaes and exchange valentines cards like you did in elementary school.
5. The last thing you can do to enjoy this Valentines as a single is to constantly choose joy. Focus on the relationships that you can cultivate and celebrate them. It’s all about LOVE and how better can you celebrate it by showing God’s love to everyone around you? There is no better way in my opinion.
6.  OH 1 More Thing: EAT ALL THE SWEETS and don’t think about it. hehe                                                                                                                                          Much love ,                                                                                                                               Elena

It was cold, it was snowy, and sleet came down next. We made it through the first day, happy to be inside, together, and warm. As evening came closer the lights blinked a little. We wondered . . . For just a moment, but went on with keeping ourselves and our children “entertained.”

Then . . . It happened! We were all gathered in the basement, watching a family movie. Literally, just as it ended, the lights went out! The only heat left came from our wood stove.

Up the stairs we went . . . Searching for light. Candles found, each of us were figuring out what to do about sleeping arrangements. After all, the woodstove is in the basement! It wasn’t long until our youngest boy headed back down the stairs, but he did have a way to see. Quickly his childish voice called to me, “Mommy, I can’t see, bring a candle.” It didn’t take me long to reach him. I certainly identified with his need for light.     .

There’s something comforting about knowing someone empathizes with the need, the circumstance, the pain, the temptation you are facing. Even better when they bring a “light” to our darkness!

When Christ came to this earth He didn’t come in royal robes, and splendor. He didn’t need these to “prove His identity.” He came as King of Kings, but in human form, humbly, as a baby. Here on earth, he was “tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin.” He knew our darkness — yet He brought the Light!

In a fast food restaurant, somewhere along the side of the road, the worker spilled out her hurt to me. She had lost her father . . . would you believe it, the same month, same year I had lost mine? Instantly we identified – even though we were total strangers.

He knows where we are. He has been there – and overcome! He faced the every day life situations. He walked through the valley of suffering. He was tempted by the devil himself. He was falsely accused. He won the battle over sin for us, once and for all. From the womb to the grave He has been there, and HE IS CONQUEROR! The exciting fact is, He wants us to make it! And He’s willing to help us

Within His character is stamped the trait of “omniscience.” Simply put, He is all-knowing. He knows our past, present, and future. None of it surprises or intimidates Him. All of it summed up together is like a grain of sand within His Almighty hand. It is definitely possible for Him to handle. In Job 37, God tells Job to “stand still and consider the wondrous works of God” those “wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge.” Take comfort – He is the God who knows. Take heart – He is the God who will help us overcome – our past, our present, and our future. Look to Him – the God who is all knowing.

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

 

More than a just a few years ago my family piled in a minivan and left the ocean for the mountains. We were going to experience seasons and views we had never encountered before. My nine year old heart was maybe confused but excited at the idea of something new. One of the first things we had to do when we arrived in the star city was to go see the Roanoke Star. Constructed in 1949 and still shinning bright in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I loved it, every time. It was so big, 88.5 feet to be exact and I remember as a little girl just gazing at it like there was no clock to watch.

 

I am just shy of 22 years now and I still love that old star. On a whim a couple a weeks ago my younger brothers and I along with our grandma decided to make the trip up the mountain to see it before we left for our three month tour. My one brother particularly had not seen it in years and when we arrived the bitter wind caught our excitement off guard. It wasn’t chilly, it was cold. Insanely cold, the kind of coldness that eskimos love but we ventured on. My fingers were numb but my soul could breathe as I exhaled into the Roanoke valley.

I wonder if sometimes we miss out on the blessings God has for us because of the inconvenience to receive them. It was cold, the wind wished to take me hostage and the trek up the mountain was long but it was worth everything. What if I had slipped one foot out the door and said “Aint nobody got time for that” and drove off…I would have missed out on the beauty. There are beautiful things that God wants to give us and they’re beautiful because He gives them. Choose to do the things that seem frustrating or inconvenient if that’s where God is leading you. God also has not only beauty to bless you with but also a view of His goodness for you to see. Half of going to see the star is remembering the view of the valley. It would be silly to make the trip and not see the lights gleam in the dark night. Like the beacons in the dark God wants His goodness to be on display.

What’s holding you back? Fear? The struggle? I encourage you to find out and then hand it to the God of creation. How rich His love is, there is no end.

Psalm 63:3

Because your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise you.

Love always

Elena

She had a smile that brightened her entire face when she used it . . . and she used it often. When I was a year and a half old, my parents moved in to the parsonage of her church. Dad, being the pastor was quite chagrined when I toddled over and began getting into her purse. She smiled – even as mom got after me.

Sometimes friends are friends for only as long as you are affiliated with that place of service. Then, there are those that become life time friends. Mrs. Greathouse was one of those. After her husband went home to glory, she came to my parent’s new place of ministry, serving faithfully in her position.

Her homespun wisdom and kindness made a great impact on my childhood. A few days ago, life was extremely busy. I found myself in greater need to make sure I took time to meet with Jesus before my hectic day began. One morning, God brought to mind this little exchange that had happened when I was young.

Mrs. Greathouse and I were “chatting” – most of it coming from my heart and out my mouth. “I just LOVE plants,” I was going on and on. Then I said, “I just can’t remember to water them!” Her smile turned into a beautiful chuckle as she replied, “you don’t really love them, then.”

How true! Love is much more than “spouting off” the familiar words, “I love you.” It shows up in our lives by what our heart prioritizes. “I love you, Lord,” is much more than words, it’s a lifestyle. A beautiful love relationship given to us by the Hand of the Father so we may KNOW Him, and help others know Him too.

This old hymn says it wonderfully . . .

Take time to be holy, speak oft with Thy Lord;

Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak.

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;

Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;

Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;

And run not before Him, whatever betide.

In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,

And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,

Each thought and each motive beneath His control.

Thus led by his Spirit to fountains of love,

Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.”

William D. Longstaff

 

FGG/ Janene

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am on my slip covered couch and staring at ashes from last night fire while homeschooling echoes through our home but in my heart I am somewhere completely different. In my heart, If I close my eyes I can picture it, I am on a white sand beach at sunset, I am in the middle of beautiful green pastures, I am walking through a peony and rose filled garden. In my heart I am in all these places with the only One who could be in these places with me. He meets me in the stillness of my soul and as I exhale I can close my eyes and see such sweet fulfillment as we spend time together.

To be honest, it has been a very busy and very stressful season so far. The garland on my tree which still has no lights seems was thrown up on it while I was headed out the door. A cable guy came to fix our TV and had to take all my mantle décor off so that’s still scattered in various places around the room.  I have three gifts bought (insert nervous emoji here), so there’s that. I could go on but I don’t think you need any more visual of the cluttered space in which I’m sitting. Clutter is confusing and causes uneasy feelings especially if it exists in our hearts.

A chaos covered heart cannot bring peace and contentment but Jesus can. He can organize our craziness way better than we could. He has a way of slipping in and simply clearing the confusion so we can see Him better.

This is what I’m figuring out: I may be in the middle of chaos colored Christmas lights but in the stillness of my soul He meets with me. He whisks me away into His presence and nothing else matters. It all migrates to a back burner, every cluttered detail and He takes priority releasing a warmth in my heart that only comes from coming home.

I feel like in this world we are addicted to the fast and the fury, the speed and the noise. The “one more meeting”, and then the exhaustion that hits us at the end of the day. We’re running on a high until we run out of air and then we come back to the arms of the healer and He revives our weary souls once again. In my quiet time God has been guiding me so sweetly to remain calm in His presence and listen for His voice.

With Him I am Home and that’s all the matters. So I’m challenging myself as I write this to remember to let me soul become still and sit a little longer in His presence. To let Jesus be the one who clears the clutter of my heart so I can see Him more clearly. Wanna join me?

Much Love

Elena

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.”

Romans 10:15

 

How many do you have? Shoes, I mean. Living in a country which has known the blessing of God most of us have more than one pair. We have our “running shoes,” “dress shoes,” “work shoes,” (or boots) — and then there’s that “favorite pair” that may be as “old as the hills” but are simply too comfortable to throw away! Shoes.

In Romans 10:15, the Bible gives us an example of those with “beautiful feet.” “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things.” It is true — a simple pair of shoes can be used to bring glad tidings.

When our church mission team journeyed to Guatemala, they took all of the suitcases allowed for their flight. They filled them — not all with personal belongings, but with things needed for the people of Guatemala. One of their greatest needs is shoes. Paula remembers the line that stretched long, and then even longer than she could have imagined with people longing to get their feet in a pair of shoes—USED shoes at that. Some had no shoes. Others had shoes boasting no ends — but feet pushing through where the toes should have been. Other feet had been pushed into shoes too small for so long that they were covered with blisters and sores. Some didn’t get a pair . . . There weren’t enough . . .shoes.

Recently, a friend of mine who lives out of town relayed this incident. A young man we will call Mike* lived his life with a giving heart not generously found in the ways of those his age. As a teenager, he loved life, did well in school, and played his personal best at the sport of soccer. After high school graduation in 2007 he joined the Marines, and, literally gave his all for our country.

As his friends mourned their loss, one shared a story — a story very few knew — another story of what can be done with just a pair of shoes. One day Mike came to his mother with a need. His soccer shoes were wearing out — he was certainly needing some new ones. So, Mom went and bought for him the shoes he needed.

Soon after filling this need, Mom was picking Mike up from practice when she happened to glance at his feet. “Why are you wearing your old soccer shoes?” she asked. “Why aren’t you wearing your new ones?” Mike’s response showed the bigness of his heart. You see, there was another boy on the team who’s shoes were worn out too — Mike thought his friend needed shoes worse, so, he gave his friend his own brand new shoes.

Mike had no idea his deed that day would be part of the story characterizing the legacy of who he was. After all, it was “just a pair of shoes.”

It’s in the simple things we share Him — carrying His peace and glad tidings wherever we go . . . And who knows, someday, here or in Heaven we may here a story of what He did — through our “pair of shoes!”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

*Names changed for this story

 

Every year I set out a beautiful antique pair of skates that my grandma Dubbeld gave me for Christmas. She cleaned them up, put some stockings in them and added some Christmas décor to them. They are darling. Well last year I got all my décor out including an old suitcase that I had painted a snowman on but I couldn’t remember where I put my skates. It was so sad. I looked everywhere but went through the whole season without them. When the “after Christmas blues” came around, I began putting everything away and opened the snowman suitcase to see if I could store anything in it and what did I find? MY CHRISTMAS SKATES!! If I had only remembered to look in there at the beginning of the season, right? Is it possible that we forget the things in life or even the people that bring us the most joy?

I want to take you to Jonah chapter 2 verse 7. I was writing last night in my prayer journal and accidentally knocked my Bible off of the couch and it opened to this. I thought I would just see where it was and read a little and boy am I glad I did!

“When my soul fainted within me; I remembered the Lord”

Your probably thinking “that’s it? seriously!?” Hold on, God showed me something in those 10 words.  Now recall we are in the book of Jonah and this is the moment where he realized the desperation that was closing in around him.

I got to this verse and it was like God slipped in beside me and I realized that even when we haven’t remembered Him, He always remembered us. He forgets the pain and hurt that we have caused Him but He remembers us, His children. He has, is, and will remember. Check out Micah 7:19. I especially love that verse in the New Living Translation.

Sometimes we wake up and realize we are totally off shore and can’t remember how we got there but we do remember who can help us get back to the shoreline. So we call upon the one who never for a second lost sight of us and He reels us back in. Back in to His safe loving arms. I want to abide in those arms forever. Who’s with me?

Love Always,

Elena