Tethered to the Rock

Have you ever felt like your life was both spiraling out of control and at a standstill at the same time? Like, only your life had frozen while the rest of the world continued on? This past semester was like that for me.

On August 15, 2014, I attended my mom's wedding. A couple of days later, I ventured off to college to begin my senior year. On September 9, however, everything changed. That morning, my mom passed away in a car accident. Time froze, all forward motion ceased. On September 12, while at my mom's visitation, my dad's dad passed away. Another blow to my life, confidence, faith and motivation. Today marked four months since mom's death.

I was only a few weeks into what I expected to be an easy semester and it already seemed like it was turning out to be the hardest one of my life. How do you think about school after your mom passes away? How is there a possibility to focus on anything else when it seems like all that's brought up in conversation is death? Why was all of this happening to me?

When I received the phone call that my mom had passed away, I was sitting in the office of the Dean of Students with he and the school's counsellor. I knew something wasn't right, and I was right. After I regained a little composure, Dr. Bannon began calling my closest friends on campus and asking them to come sit with me while I waited on my dad to get to Pineville.

My best friend Jade was one of the first ones there. She hugged me and prayed with me. Something she said stuck out to me. "Lord, let her see that even this will work for your glory. That even this is part of your plan. Let her find her comfort and peace in You."

Everything from that day is a blur except for that part of her prayer. Essentially she prayed that I abide. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 ESV)

The concept of abiding has gotten me through this semester. It is by God's divine intervention that I was taking a religion class in which one of our focal verses was John 15:5. To abide in God and in His Word takes obedience. Obeying God's will requires faith, confidence in knowing that God will lead you through.

Without the Lord's guidance, I would not have been able to handle losing my mom and my grandpa in the same week. Without His loving arms holding me up, I would have fallen and lost everything I've worked so hard for throughout my college career. Without being tethered to the Rock, to the Firm Foundation, I would have been washed away by the raging seas of life.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27 ESV)

So why am I telling you all of this? To encourage you. We all go through hard times. There's someone right now going through far worse than I have been through, just like there is someone experiencing a hardship more difficult than you are. When we experience those trials, though, we have a firm foundation upon which we can depend. We have a steadfast Rock that withstands all corrosion. 

The Lord is bigger than everything you're going through, you just need to abide in Him. 

At Passion Conference in 2013, I heard Beth Moore say that God is faithful even when we are faithless. She is right. God is perfect, right? Right. Being perfect means that He cannot be unfaithful to His Word. He is for us. He does work everything together for our good and His glory. Trust in Him.

If you need prayer or to talk to anyone, drop a comment. I'd love to know how I can be praying for you. Hope you all have a wonderful day and continue seeking the Lord.

With Love, 

Alexa

Influenster Review: Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect ADVANCED Serum

Hey everyone. I've tried posting this vlog before, but it was taking years to post. So, I'm going to try it again. :) This is my review of the Boots No. 7 Protect and Perfect ADVANCED Serum that I received complimentary for testing purpose in my #FrostyVoxBox from Influenster.

Full Influenster #FrostyVoxBox Review

I recently received the Influenster #FrostyVoxBox. All products were complimentary for testing and reviewing purposes. This post will give a small review of each of the products that I received.

The product I've most recently tested is the Boots No. 7 Protect & Perfect ADVANCED Serum. This product is effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles in order to keep your skin looking young and bright. It goes on smoothly and does not leave any oily residue like I initially expected. It left my skin feeling soft. This product is hypoallergenic, as well. Overall, this product would be great for anyone on the market for something to preserve younger looking skin. #GetADVANCED

The NYC Expert Last Lip Color in Sugar Plum was a brilliant shade of lipstick. It was not overly bold, which I was afraid of, but it was perfect just to add some color. I usually do not wear lipstick, so I was hesitant when applying this product. I wore it on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and loved it! Definitely a great product from New York Color Cosmetics. Get #SugarPlum

The Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaf Green Tea was a product that I could not test personally because I am allergic to cinnamon. However, I got my dad and my stepmom to try it and they both loved it! They said that it had a very refreshing, minty taste. It was not overwhelmingly so, but it was perfect! It left their mouth feeling fresh, rather than bogged down with too many clashing flavors. The #celestialtea was a great hit with them!

I love my EcoTools Hair Brush. It is a round brush, which I usually do not use, but it is fantastic. It left my hair feeling soft and smooth, rather than its usual frizziness. I used the brush when drying my hair and it left my hair with more volume than it usually has. #LoveMyEcoHairBrush

One great ingredient to the #FrostyVoxBox was the McCormick Gourmet Thyme (see what I did there? :D). My favorite recipe to use with thyme is a hearty beef stew. This thyme makes a great addition to any recipe that calls for thyme. Very delicious. #McCormickGourmet

The Rimmel London products were potentially my favorite products. I am used to a liquid eyeliner, but the Rimmel Scandalizes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner blew my mind. It went on so smoothly and was perfectly dark without having to go over it again. I loved it! When the day was done, the Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover came in handy! I usually just use my facial cleanser to get all of my makeup off, but when using this product, I fell in love. It was not oily, nor did it burn like some eye makeup removers. These two products are slowly becoming part of my daily routine (for the days I actually wear makeup, anyway. :) )#Rimmel is great!

Last, but most certainly not least, is the Fruit Vines Bites. I was expecting them to taste just like twizzlers, but they are SO much better. This is coming from someone who LOVES twizzlers. I am definitely going to be on the lookout for this product in stores near me. They are packed with more flavor than you would expect from this sort of candy. They are definitely worth the try, if you are curious! They spoke to my #sweetside!

I hope you find this review useful when you are looking for more products to try out. All of them were very good and I loved them all! Hope you are all having a great holiday season and that you enjoy family time. :) God bless! If you have any prayer needs, please let me know!

With love,

Alexa

Influenster Review: Rimmel Products

Rimmel Scandaleyes Warerproof Eyeliner

This eyeliner is a little different from what I am used to. I usually use maybelline liquid eyeliner pens, but I have use this Rimmel product for the past few days. It is longer-lasting than my usual eyeliner and goes on easily. 

I feel as though this product makes my eyes pop rather than be easily overlooked. This eyeliner is definitely one that I would recommend to anyone looking to change their "usual" makeup. 

The other product I tested by Rimmel is their Just Let It Go Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. 

Unlike most makeup removers, this product does not leave an oily residue. It leaves your skin feeling clean rather than feeling the need to rewash. It succeeded in easily removing the waterproof eyeliner and fiber mascara that I used for the day. I normally do not use this type of cleanser, but I will start! I loved this product and would recommend it to anyone. 

Hope you've enjoyed this review! I received these products in my #FrostyVoxBox from Influenster. Check back in a few days for a overall review of what I received. 

With love,

Alexa 

Influenster Review: Celestial Seasonings

I recently received my #frostyvoxbox from #Influenster! I'm so excited to review these products that I received for free in hopes of making them a part of my routine! 

The first product I am reviewing is the Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Holiday Tea. Now, I was unable to taste this tea for myself because I am allergic to cinnamon. Lucky for me, my dad and stepmom are avid tea drinkers. 

Upon first sip, my dad said that the tea had very good flavor. It was minty and left a refreshing feeling in his mouth sort of like a cool breath mint. Both he and my stepmom appreciated and enjoyed the minty, refreshing tea and plan on purchasing this flavor in the future. 

Check back here in the next few days to see a review of the Rimmel makeup products that I received in my voxbox! Until then, hope you're enjoying the holiday season' 

God bless,

Alexa 

Don't Count Yourself Out

This is a post that I wrote for the guest blogging day of the #blogtemberchallenge on Thursday. I haven't actively participated since the first week because of personal reasons, but I hope to get back into the blogging swing of things soon. 

Photo taken by Alexa in Glorieta, New Mexico, Summer 2013

I hope this finds you in good condition. Me? Well, muscles that I forgot I had are super sore, my leg is all scraped up, and I have a miniature club for a finger.

Flag football got the best of me.

So, typing this with a jammed finger is super difficult. I took the split off and am attempting to type at my normal, fast speed, to no avail. Walking is a special feat, as well. One shin aches from the scrapes I received from sliding on a turf college football field; the other knee is swollen from some other fall during the game. Every muscle is screaming at me just to lay down at watch Criminal Minds or Once Upon a Time (super tempting!). I didn’t realize just how important it was for me to have all of my fingers and limbs functioning properly.

Just as it pains the body when a part of it isn’t working, it effects the body of Christ (the Church, your fellow believers) when its members aren’t working. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” We were all created to be unique, but we all make up one body. Each part of the body has a specific function.

“For the body does not consist of one member but of many,” (1 Cor. 12:14). If an eye served the same purpose as a foot, why would we need it? Each one has a different, vital function to the body, just as each Christian has a vital function in the body of Christ.

Just because you don’t feel the Lord calling you to overseas missions, or to work in a full-time ministry does not mean that He isn’t going to use you. He will use you. Your everyday actions and way you carry yourself speaks volumes. Paul tells the church of Philippi, “only let your manner of life by worthy of the gospel of Christ,” (Philippians 1:27). You may not be called to move to some far off land to live out the Gospel, but that does not give you an excuse not to do so where you’re at right this very moment.

If you’re anything like me, you may have thought, at one point in your life or maybe you currently think, that there is no possible way that the Lord could use you. Well, He will. I never thought that I would be working in Children’s ministry, but here I am, five years after being saved, working at a church at least 3 times as big as the one I attended when I was saved. At the point of my salvation, if you’d asked me if I would be considering attending seminary after I graduate college, I would have laughed at you. The Lord works in ways that we may never see coming beforehand, but we can rest assured knowing that He will work

I’ve just stretched out to see if my muscles still ache (they do, if you’re wondering), and the point to my blog has been driven home in my heart. Though we may be tired, though we may get overworked, or stretched to our limits in our daily Christian walk, we must persevere. Christ conquered the grave, He defeated death. Therefore, take heart and, like Paul, “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

If you ever need prayer for any reason, please do not hesitate to let me know. Until next time, stay strong. Keep your head up. Seek the Lord. 

Day Five || Fueling that Fire

Welcome to day f i v e of the #blogtemberchallenge hosted by Bailey at Brave Love Blog. If you haven't gotten involved yet, you definitely should! Today we are writing about what we are passionate about, what fires us up.

Image found here

My biggest passion is writing. I included this in "Happiness" on day two, but I'll go more in-depth here. Poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction: I love it all. I first began writing little spin-offs of Harry Potter characters for fun. From there, I began to write poetry. It wasn't until freshman year of high school that I really became interested in writing fiction. My English teacher that year wanted us to write novellas. I fell in love with writing from then on out. Sophomore year, we were to write a continuation on five characters in The Lord of the Flies. Most students in the class wrote about a paragraph, whereas I wrote 33 pages. I hope to write works that people fall in love with. I've loved many a character and many a book, so I hope to be able to do the same thing. Entice them with a world all their own, write realistic characters to whom readers are able to relate.

Either way, I know that getting my thoughts on paper will be better than letting them sit in my head.

Another thing I'm passionate about is softball. I played softball for the majority of my life (somewhere around 15 years). I started in coach pitch and played second base. I was MVP of the League all but two years during my softball career. In high school, I was MVP of the team my sophomore through senior years. I was awarded all-district first team infield (a few times), all-area first team infield, and all-state player throughout my high school career. It was my dream to play in college. When I came to college, I was on the team. But, this leads me to my third, but definitely most important, passion: The Lord.

I was saved when I was 16. What that means is that I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and believed that my sins are forgiven when I confess and repent from them. Hear me say this: I am not perfect. I have fallen many times and I have run away from the Lord many times. Praise God that He accepts us with open arms when we realize how pointless it is to run away from Him. How does this relate to softball? Well, the summer before my senior year of high school, I felt the Lord telling me to forget playing college softball. Softball was my life, the reason for my existence, or at least I'd put it on that high pedestal in my life. Softball was my god and the Lord was just there in the back of my mind. I had made an idol out of softball. As I went into senior year, that was my mind set. I would play that year with everything I had, leave it all on the field, and hang up my glove and put away my cleats.

But my pride got the best of me.

I continuously put softball before my relationship with God. All in all, I ended up quitting during the fall semester of my freshman year of college because I knew that I had been running from what I felt like God was telling me to do. I wanted my name known, instead of making His known. I still play co-ed and intramural slowpitch, but I make sure that the Lord gets more of my life than the field does. I like going to games and watching the Women's College World Series, as well.

So, I probably should have just done a list so I wouldn't get so carried away with writing. But, I felt like someone out there may need to hear that testimony of cutting an idol out of my life. If not, well, at least I took up some of your spare time. Hope you all are having a wonderful day. If there are any prayer needs, let me know! If you want to link-up, go to Brave Love Blog and check out the prompts! God bless!