Featured posts

Photo by : Now is Jess

These are some of my favorite posts to do and I mean I've only written 4 blog posts between last year and now so clearly I just love doing these gift guides. I am very thankful for the Holiday season to be here as I am sure a lot of you are because we all know what year we have had and I don't know but something about the Holidays make it seem like... it's all okay now that Christmas is here. 

I wanted to keep this years guides really simple 1 because I just love simplicity and 2 I really don't have time to make a whole magazine of gift ideas but I think what I have gathered up this year are some really good practical and affordable gift options. We all love affordable right? 

As I write this I am currently listening to the 12 Days of Christmas by Bing Crosby so we are getting into that Christmas spirit! So maybe stop reading this momentarily so you can turn on some Christmas jams and really feel the season with me. 

David and I will not be going home with family for Christmas for the first time so instead we planned a nice secluded beach trip for him and I to really enjoy our time together and will celebrate before at home with our tree and our puppy... who is currently sleeping so cute on our couch right now and I wish you could see her. 

David and I don't go too expensive on gifts. This year is the most we have ever done and spent for Christmas with our trip and the few gifts we got for each other (that I included below and are we already using) but normally we try to keep Christmas pretty affordable and set a budget. So I included some low budget items in this guide too because we love affordable gifts! 

I also wrote an Instagram Christmas Gift Guide "Guide" on my favorite products and shops so check that out too! Click here to read!

You can shop all these products at the bottom of the page or on the Shop tab at the top of the page. Happy shopping! 








His & Hers Christmas Gift Guide 2020

Photo by : Now is Jess

These are some of my favorite posts to do and I mean I've only written 4 blog posts between last year and now so clearly I just love doing these gift guides. I am very thankful for the Holiday season to be here as I am sure a lot of you are because we all know what year we have had and I don't know but something about the Holidays make it seem like... it's all okay now that Christmas is here. 

I wanted to keep this years guides really simple 1 because I just love simplicity and 2 I really don't have time to make a whole magazine of gift ideas but I think what I have gathered up this year are some really good practical and affordable gift options. We all love affordable right? 

As I write this I am currently listening to the 12 Days of Christmas by Bing Crosby so we are getting into that Christmas spirit! So maybe stop reading this momentarily so you can turn on some Christmas jams and really feel the season with me. 

David and I will not be going home with family for Christmas for the first time so instead we planned a nice secluded beach trip for him and I to really enjoy our time together and will celebrate before at home with our tree and our puppy... who is currently sleeping so cute on our couch right now and I wish you could see her. 

David and I don't go too expensive on gifts. This year is the most we have ever done and spent for Christmas with our trip and the few gifts we got for each other (that I included below and are we already using) but normally we try to keep Christmas pretty affordable and set a budget. So I included some low budget items in this guide too because we love affordable gifts! 

I also wrote an Instagram Christmas Gift Guide "Guide" on my favorite products and shops so check that out too! Click here to read!

You can shop all these products at the bottom of the page or on the Shop tab at the top of the page. Happy shopping! 








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Friday, November 20, 2020
What do you do when you're having a hard day or week? 

Do you ever just wake up in a funk and you don't know why you did? I wake up like this more than I would prefer. It's not the best feeling and you often can't focus on anything. I have a few things that I like to do when I am feeling this way that I want to share with you because I know everybody has those days, everybody gets that way, everybody knows what, what I'm talkin about everybody has those days (que the Hannah Montana fans!) 

We know that there are many things that can cause us to feel this way, whether it's our hormones, circumstances, spiritual warfare, or many other things. 

Being in Mexico City, living in a different country away from my family and church I feel this way a lot and I know that it is often spiritual warfare and depression/homesickness. In fact about a month ago I woke up just feeling horrible and it lasted for a whole week and I asked on instagram what I should do and so some of the suggestions below are from friends on Instagram and they really do help. 

The las thing you feel like doing when you are having a down day is actually doing things but my first suggestions is to do an activity. 

1. Get Active

I know, I know all you want to do is lay on the couch and be a blob, and that is totally okay! There were and are a lot of days when all I feel like doing is laying on the couch and watching tv or movies and that will make me feel better for a moment but when it doesn't anymore, I know I know I need to get my body moving. 

A lot of times you just need to go on a walk or spend some time stretching and get some fresh air and get that body moving. When I am not feeling great and I take a walk I love to put on a podcast or music but also a little prayer walk is always good too! 

That brings me to my next point.

2. Listen to a Podcast, Music, or Sermon

This one is a huge one for me. Like I said, when I take a walk I am almost always listening to a podcast. It doesn't always have to be a serious spiritual one, sometimes a lifestyle podcast like What We Said podcast always boosts my mood! 

But there are times I know I need a sermon or worship music because I know I am in a spiritual battle; either way listening to something that will get your mind on something else for a moment is so helpful and a great mood booster! 

Here are a few of my favorite podcasts to listen to:

3. Watch a Funny Movie or Tv Show

Sometimes you just need some Serotonin ya feel?!

Honestly when I am watching Modern Family, Gilmore Girls, or a funny movie it can turn my whole mood around and it just makes you feel happier. Once you start laughing it is hard to stop and soon enough the happy feeling will overcome the feeling of sadness. So make a list of some funny shows or movies that always get to you and keep them in your pocket for a rainy day!

You can also find some pretty funny and cute videos on Instagram or Youtube to boost your mood too but when your feeling down, social media may just be the last thing you need. 


4. Take a Social Media Break

Nowadays we are so overstimulated by social media that our brains get overwhelmed and burnt out. I just know you have felt this since being on social media too. Whether it is comparing (even without us really realizing we are doing it), pretending to have it all together, or feeling major FOMO (fear of missing out) social media can be a harsh thing for us especially on days where we aren't feeling 100% ourselves. It can really kick us when we're down. 

If you have never taken a social media break then this is even more important for you! You will be faced with so many emotions just by taking a day off and will soon discover how addicted you are to your phone, I know I am! Honestly my thumb is programmed to open Instagram right when I unlock my phone, even if thats not even what I got on to look at... its bad! 

I urge you do take a break and see how clear your mind will be and how refreshed you will feel after! 


5. Pray, Pray, Pray!

This is the most important step! 

It is not by accident that you woke up feeling this way. I believe that there is an enemy out there to seek, kill and destroy and he is aiming for you! Get behind us Satan! 

When I am having these bad, down days, I know its spiritual. Once you know that in your head and you know that someone is causing you to feel this way the better you can arm yourself up and fight the battle and how do you do that? By prayer my friend. 

I will be completely honest with you, when I am feeling this way, the last thing I want to do it spend time in my Word and in prayer but then I think that is exactly what the enemy wants! So I make myself do it. I turn on some worship music, and fight this battle in prayer. I have even wrote scripture out around my house that I will read out loud and it helps so much! The enemy can't read your mind so you need to speak truth out loud over yourself so he hears and flees! 

So get up and spend sometime in prayer girl! 

What To Do When You're Having a Hard Day... Or Week
What do you do when you're having a hard day or week? 

Do you ever just wake up in a funk and you don't know why you did? I wake up like this more than I would prefer. It's not the best feeling and you often can't focus on anything. I have a few things that I like to do when I am feeling this way that I want to share with you because I know everybody has those days, everybody gets that way, everybody knows what, what I'm talkin about everybody has those days (que the Hannah Montana fans!) 

We know that there are many things that can cause us to feel this way, whether it's our hormones, circumstances, spiritual warfare, or many other things. 

Being in Mexico City, living in a different country away from my family and church I feel this way a lot and I know that it is often spiritual warfare and depression/homesickness. In fact about a month ago I woke up just feeling horrible and it lasted for a whole week and I asked on instagram what I should do and so some of the suggestions below are from friends on Instagram and they really do help. 

The las thing you feel like doing when you are having a down day is actually doing things but my first suggestions is to do an activity. 

1. Get Active

I know, I know all you want to do is lay on the couch and be a blob, and that is totally okay! There were and are a lot of days when all I feel like doing is laying on the couch and watching tv or movies and that will make me feel better for a moment but when it doesn't anymore, I know I know I need to get my body moving. 

A lot of times you just need to go on a walk or spend some time stretching and get some fresh air and get that body moving. When I am not feeling great and I take a walk I love to put on a podcast or music but also a little prayer walk is always good too! 

That brings me to my next point.

2. Listen to a Podcast, Music, or Sermon

This one is a huge one for me. Like I said, when I take a walk I am almost always listening to a podcast. It doesn't always have to be a serious spiritual one, sometimes a lifestyle podcast like What We Said podcast always boosts my mood! 

But there are times I know I need a sermon or worship music because I know I am in a spiritual battle; either way listening to something that will get your mind on something else for a moment is so helpful and a great mood booster! 

Here are a few of my favorite podcasts to listen to:

3. Watch a Funny Movie or Tv Show

Sometimes you just need some Serotonin ya feel?!

Honestly when I am watching Modern Family, Gilmore Girls, or a funny movie it can turn my whole mood around and it just makes you feel happier. Once you start laughing it is hard to stop and soon enough the happy feeling will overcome the feeling of sadness. So make a list of some funny shows or movies that always get to you and keep them in your pocket for a rainy day!

You can also find some pretty funny and cute videos on Instagram or Youtube to boost your mood too but when your feeling down, social media may just be the last thing you need. 


4. Take a Social Media Break

Nowadays we are so overstimulated by social media that our brains get overwhelmed and burnt out. I just know you have felt this since being on social media too. Whether it is comparing (even without us really realizing we are doing it), pretending to have it all together, or feeling major FOMO (fear of missing out) social media can be a harsh thing for us especially on days where we aren't feeling 100% ourselves. It can really kick us when we're down. 

If you have never taken a social media break then this is even more important for you! You will be faced with so many emotions just by taking a day off and will soon discover how addicted you are to your phone, I know I am! Honestly my thumb is programmed to open Instagram right when I unlock my phone, even if thats not even what I got on to look at... its bad! 

I urge you do take a break and see how clear your mind will be and how refreshed you will feel after! 


5. Pray, Pray, Pray!

This is the most important step! 

It is not by accident that you woke up feeling this way. I believe that there is an enemy out there to seek, kill and destroy and he is aiming for you! Get behind us Satan! 

When I am having these bad, down days, I know its spiritual. Once you know that in your head and you know that someone is causing you to feel this way the better you can arm yourself up and fight the battle and how do you do that? By prayer my friend. 

I will be completely honest with you, when I am feeling this way, the last thing I want to do it spend time in my Word and in prayer but then I think that is exactly what the enemy wants! So I make myself do it. I turn on some worship music, and fight this battle in prayer. I have even wrote scripture out around my house that I will read out loud and it helps so much! The enemy can't read your mind so you need to speak truth out loud over yourself so he hears and flees! 

So get up and spend sometime in prayer girl! 
Read more »
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
For the last couple of weeks I have been going through Leviticus and Hebrews together and the Lord is really speaking to me through both as they really seem to tie in together! I know Leviticus can be a daunting book of the Bible to read but I encourage you to read it along side of Hebrews! 

The other day I read Hebrews 10 and this is a chapter I have read before but on this particular day it just really jumped out to me and spoke to me a lot so I just want to share with you what the Lord showed me because it's just too good not to share! 


If you haven't read Leviticus, let me give you a quick recap as it will help you understand our text a little more. We as people and since the fall of man are naturally sinners, we can't help it! We are a fallen people who are ruled by their flesh over the Spirit. Knowing this, God gave His people the law that you will find in Leviticus. The law given is very specific, graphic, and takes sin seriously as it should be. God required sacrifices for sin and so there were a lot of animal sacrifices that happened in the temple. In this temple, the Spirit of God dwelled in a section called the Holy Place and it was behind a veil and only the high priest could go to pray on behalf of his people. This law is apart of the old covenant and there is now a new covenant found in the New Testament and that is where the book of Hebrews is written. 

In Hebrews 10 (please read it before continuing on with the rest of this post and follow along if you want to), the first thing you will read is that the law is a shadow of what is to come. Now, that Jesus has died for our sins, when reading the book of Leviticus, you can see the resemblance between the law and what Jesus has fulfilled for the forgiveness of our sins. The sacrifices in Leviticus could never fully take away our sins. Whenever someone made a sacrifice for sin, it was only a cover up or a bandaid for their sin, it didn't fully take away sin in general because the next time they sinned, they would have to make another sacrifice. This law was given until the Messiah would come to forgive sin, past, present, and future, once and for all. We can be thankful for that because we no longer have to make these sacrifices for our sins and God doesn't see our sin, He only sees Jesus blood on us and He sees us as a perfect, forgiven work. 

9. "then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." 

14. "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."



In the Old Law only the high priest could enter into the Holy Place but now because we have been given the Holy Spirit, we can worship Him wherever and whenever we want, and not rely on someone else to pray for us and our sins. We have direct access to God! 

Since we have access to God through the blood of Jesus, we can draw near to God with a confident faith because He who made this sacrifice for us is faithful. We can have confident faith in Jesus' sacrifice and that He saved us from sin and from being cast to hell and that He will return for us because He who promised this is faithful. He not only sacrificed Himself for our sin but He fulfilled prophecy by raising from the dead and ascending into Heaven where He Himself prays on our behalf to God! He is our ultimate and perfect High Priest. Where as before in the old law we needed a flawed human to do this for us in the temple and now our perfect Lord does this for us. 

This is such great news which is why so many people follow Christ and are in love with Him because He did what none of us could do and because of that, we are thankful, because of that we choose to serve Him with our lives, and because of that we should encourage others to follow Him and to continue to do so. 

24. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25. 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."



I think it is more clear than ever that Jesus is coming back soon! Just look around at all that is happening. The earth is screaming wake up and turn your face to Jesus! 

This sacrifice that was made once and for all in forgiveness of all sin does not mean we have free access to sin all we want because it's been forgiven. If we do that, it is as if we are spitting on the sacrifice that was made for us and choosing our sin over the fact that we can living in freedom, we can turn away from our sin and choose to resemble Christ as best we can. I know we aren't perfect and God knows that too but Jesus sacrificed Himself so we can walk in victory and freedom. The bible says: 

26. "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins"



I  want to point out the word "deliberately" because we all sin, it is our nature and that is what Christ died for but when we are living in sin and we remain in it knowing it is sinning, that is when we are taking advantage of His sacrifice for us and not walking in freedom, we have then become victims to our sin. When we live in sin it is as if we are saying "I do not agree that Your way is the best way." I know that we as Christians have seasons of being on fire for the Lord and we also have seasons of drought but don't lose your confidence in what Christ has done for you. Don't choose your sin over His sacrifice. Now more than ever we need confidence in our faith to be our endurance to finish the race and receive what was promised to us; eternal life. 

35. "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  36. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.  37. For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;  38. but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'  39. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."



I encourage you today, to live in confidence of what Christ has done for you and express your thankfulness of His sacrifice by living your life to Christ so that you may live eternally with Him. 


pray:

"God thank you so much for sending your son Jesus to take on my sin, entirely and sacrifice Himself for me. Thank you for the love you have for me that you would willingly die for me so that I can live with you for eternity. Father, thank you that you have created a new covenant and that we don't have to go on sacrificing for our sin but you have already taken that on for us and now we get to live in your freedom. We are no longer bound in chains to our sin but we are free in you! I am so thankful and I want to express that thankfulness toward you, I want others to know they can live in freedom too. Give me the confidence to share and to encourage others. Lord I know you are coming quickly and I know the enemy comes to seek, kill, and destroy and he would love nothing more that to enslave me to my sin but God I choose to live in confidence of your sacrifice and the promise that you are coming to bring your people home. I look forward to that day that I get to see your face. Thank you Jesus. Amen" 


Hebrews 10 Study... Mind Blown!

For the last couple of weeks I have been going through Leviticus and Hebrews together and the Lord is really speaking to me through both as they really seem to tie in together! I know Leviticus can be a daunting book of the Bible to read but I encourage you to read it along side of Hebrews! 

The other day I read Hebrews 10 and this is a chapter I have read before but on this particular day it just really jumped out to me and spoke to me a lot so I just want to share with you what the Lord showed me because it's just too good not to share! 


If you haven't read Leviticus, let me give you a quick recap as it will help you understand our text a little more. We as people and since the fall of man are naturally sinners, we can't help it! We are a fallen people who are ruled by their flesh over the Spirit. Knowing this, God gave His people the law that you will find in Leviticus. The law given is very specific, graphic, and takes sin seriously as it should be. God required sacrifices for sin and so there were a lot of animal sacrifices that happened in the temple. In this temple, the Spirit of God dwelled in a section called the Holy Place and it was behind a veil and only the high priest could go to pray on behalf of his people. This law is apart of the old covenant and there is now a new covenant found in the New Testament and that is where the book of Hebrews is written. 

In Hebrews 10 (please read it before continuing on with the rest of this post and follow along if you want to), the first thing you will read is that the law is a shadow of what is to come. Now, that Jesus has died for our sins, when reading the book of Leviticus, you can see the resemblance between the law and what Jesus has fulfilled for the forgiveness of our sins. The sacrifices in Leviticus could never fully take away our sins. Whenever someone made a sacrifice for sin, it was only a cover up or a bandaid for their sin, it didn't fully take away sin in general because the next time they sinned, they would have to make another sacrifice. This law was given until the Messiah would come to forgive sin, past, present, and future, once and for all. We can be thankful for that because we no longer have to make these sacrifices for our sins and God doesn't see our sin, He only sees Jesus blood on us and He sees us as a perfect, forgiven work. 

9. "then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." 

14. "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."



In the Old Law only the high priest could enter into the Holy Place but now because we have been given the Holy Spirit, we can worship Him wherever and whenever we want, and not rely on someone else to pray for us and our sins. We have direct access to God! 

Since we have access to God through the blood of Jesus, we can draw near to God with a confident faith because He who made this sacrifice for us is faithful. We can have confident faith in Jesus' sacrifice and that He saved us from sin and from being cast to hell and that He will return for us because He who promised this is faithful. He not only sacrificed Himself for our sin but He fulfilled prophecy by raising from the dead and ascending into Heaven where He Himself prays on our behalf to God! He is our ultimate and perfect High Priest. Where as before in the old law we needed a flawed human to do this for us in the temple and now our perfect Lord does this for us. 

This is such great news which is why so many people follow Christ and are in love with Him because He did what none of us could do and because of that, we are thankful, because of that we choose to serve Him with our lives, and because of that we should encourage others to follow Him and to continue to do so. 

24. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25. 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."



I think it is more clear than ever that Jesus is coming back soon! Just look around at all that is happening. The earth is screaming wake up and turn your face to Jesus! 

This sacrifice that was made once and for all in forgiveness of all sin does not mean we have free access to sin all we want because it's been forgiven. If we do that, it is as if we are spitting on the sacrifice that was made for us and choosing our sin over the fact that we can living in freedom, we can turn away from our sin and choose to resemble Christ as best we can. I know we aren't perfect and God knows that too but Jesus sacrificed Himself so we can walk in victory and freedom. The bible says: 

26. "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins"



I  want to point out the word "deliberately" because we all sin, it is our nature and that is what Christ died for but when we are living in sin and we remain in it knowing it is sinning, that is when we are taking advantage of His sacrifice for us and not walking in freedom, we have then become victims to our sin. When we live in sin it is as if we are saying "I do not agree that Your way is the best way." I know that we as Christians have seasons of being on fire for the Lord and we also have seasons of drought but don't lose your confidence in what Christ has done for you. Don't choose your sin over His sacrifice. Now more than ever we need confidence in our faith to be our endurance to finish the race and receive what was promised to us; eternal life. 

35. "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.  36. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.  37. For, 'Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;  38. but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.'  39. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."



I encourage you today, to live in confidence of what Christ has done for you and express your thankfulness of His sacrifice by living your life to Christ so that you may live eternally with Him. 


pray:

"God thank you so much for sending your son Jesus to take on my sin, entirely and sacrifice Himself for me. Thank you for the love you have for me that you would willingly die for me so that I can live with you for eternity. Father, thank you that you have created a new covenant and that we don't have to go on sacrificing for our sin but you have already taken that on for us and now we get to live in your freedom. We are no longer bound in chains to our sin but we are free in you! I am so thankful and I want to express that thankfulness toward you, I want others to know they can live in freedom too. Give me the confidence to share and to encourage others. Lord I know you are coming quickly and I know the enemy comes to seek, kill, and destroy and he would love nothing more that to enslave me to my sin but God I choose to live in confidence of your sacrifice and the promise that you are coming to bring your people home. I look forward to that day that I get to see your face. Thank you Jesus. Amen" 


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Friday, July 03, 2020

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