“Childhood”
Childhood is a magic castle of sand on a shore:
One moment, it’s here; the next no more.
Category: Family Share
#PhotoaDay Challenge
It is not necessary
It is not necessary to improve your appearance, get a lot of culture, raise the heels of your shoes, or make more noise.
We need to reduce the noise, walk more slowly, pay attention to those arriving, lower our heads and put the humility to work. We are big, when we are small.
#PhotoAdAy
#30DayPhoto
I started a 30-day photo challenge and only did a day one.
Didn’t get to keep going. My days have been so busy I can’t keep up with all I’ve set up myself to do.
I started way too many challenges and I never finish LOL.
I wanted to upload all the images up to date so I can catch up in this post and go on day to day as the days go on. I do apologize to the people who follow my blog and expect it to be so right all the time, but hey! I’m only human.
First of all, I’m a wife, (to a pastor of a church) and a mom to 3 teens 🙂 (so this includes all mom and wife duties LOL)
We go to church 3 times a week
I’m currently on a 365-day prayer challenge that I do every day (just don’t have the time to post it)
I’m on a Theological school that I have to study and do a test every month (that’s in Portuguese and extremely hard because of the language) I’m taking a 6.00.1x introduction to computer science as a tool to solve real-world analytical problems at MIT. (Also, really hard and time-consuming)
I have online media groups that requires me to post every day or every week in order for me to remain a member (time-consuming)
So, keeping up with all this and feeling sick, and all doctors appointments is not easy but it’s something I love to do. It’s me 🙂
I just wanted to ask for patience .. and say thank you!
Not a performance
A 365 Days Challenge Day #16
Not a performance
Many people are concerned that they don’t know the right words to say when they pray. But Jesus assures us that prayer is not a performance that will be graded, but instead a moment to be shared. ” Go into a hiding place and pray,” Jesus says. No one needs to watch your prayers and give their seal of approval.
In a healthy family, children don’t recite a script when addressing their parents; they just open their mouths and the words tumble out. In a happy marriage, spouses often speak to each other in cryptic, incomplete sentences. Their words would make little sense to someone on the outside, but, between the two of them, there’s a world of meaning.
The best prayers are not necessarily the most eloquent, but rather the most heartfelt. The syntax and grammar of prayer are honestly and humility. Anyone, anytime can let go of pride and bow his or her heart before God. That posture of the heart gives all of us equal footing with God.
Heavenly Father, it’s easiest for me to talk to You when…
The easiest time and place is the comfort of my home. Just this morning as I was getting ready for church I was in a big argument with my closet because half of my clothes didn’t fit and the other half is too big. So I stopped to look at the time and noticed I was getting late, and thought to myself. What’s more important? Me getting or even going to church? or looking good? Dressing all up? I believe it’s what I’m going there for, and what my heart is feeling, my humility, not my pride, and certainly not my looks. The outside shouldn’t matter. If going to a place to talk to God, I need to look better than someone than I don’t want to go there. I shouldn’t feel like that. I need to look and feel my best but not for others. So the comfort of my home is my best place.
A 365 Days Challenge Day #17
Our Father in Heaven
Prayers flows out of relationship. It is your connection with God that creates your conversation with God. As you come into relationship with Him, you experience Him not as some remote deity, but as your loving Father who deeply cares about you.
Earthly fathers can be awesome, aloof, abusive, or absent altogether. Your relationship with your biological or adoptive father may have been less than perfect. But things are different with Father God.He is always there for you. He understands. He always has time for you. He never forgets, never fails to keep a promise. He will encourage you and never put you down. In this relationship you can be yourself because He is here to coach you into fulfilling your true potential. When it comes time for correction, your heavenly Father always acts with kindness, never with the heavy hand of condemnation.
Knowing God’s great care for you as your Father frees you to bring anything that is on your heart to him. He will care for you.
Lord God, when I think of You as my Father, I…
When I think of you I remember you always have time for me.
You never forget me, You never fail me, You always keep a promise, you encourage me.
You will Never put me down. You will forever LOVE ME for who I AM.
Rosted Green Beans and Tomatoes #Foodie
1 olive oil flavored cooking spray
4 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half, or 2 (16 oz each) bags frozen green beans, thawed
2 cup cherry tomato, washed and cut in half
1⁄2 cup fresh basil, cut into ribbons
2 tsp garlic, finely minced
1⁄2 tsp salt, or to taste
1⁄4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Preheat oven to 450 degrees (230 degrees C). Coat a large roasting pan with cooking spray. Place green beans in a single layer on prepared pan. Roast until desired doneness, stirring once or twice, about 10 to 15 minutes for fresh or 25 minutes if using frozen. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt, and pepper; set aside.
When the green beans are finished, remove them from the oven, add tomato mixture to pan, and gently mix until thoroughly combined.
Recipe originally inspired by Food.com with 5-star rating and 10 reviews.
#DIY Life Hacks
“Removing Scuffs from Shoes:
1. Dab the q-tip or cloth in coconut oil spread to needed area, then wipe/rub over the scuffs. I had to do this quite a bit rubbed very lightly, till it was all dissolved.
Experts recommend sanitizing brushes every 15 days.
Baby shampoo is great for cleaning it has to be shampoo with neutral pH.
The cleaning may be the same for all kinds of brushes, there is no need to have a different technique for each type.
Paper towel is more practical to dry the excess water. Let it dry over a towel before storing.
“(…) Keep the brushes away from moisture and aways wash them, especially those in use around the eye area and mouth and those used in creamy or liquid products. If you do not have a specific product to clean them, let them soak for at least a half an hour in a bowl with warm water, some detergent and baking soda. Then under running water, rub the brushes gently on a white plate. This way you can find out when they get really clean. Then, place them on a towel, let the excess water drain until dry and if required, use the hair dryer to give it a quick blow.
Don’t pretend something didn’t happen.
A 365 Days Challenge Day #14
Praying for Persecutors
The first mention of prayer in the New Testament is an injunction to pray for those who persecute you. Praying for those who have hurt you takes your relationship with God to an entirely different level. It affords you an opportunity to look honestly at the hurt and anger you feel, and to be realistic with God about the offenses that were committed against you. God never expected you to pretend that something bad didn’t happen.
Praying for those who persecute you also allows you to examine the reasons that you might hesitate to hand that hurt and anger over to God. This is a place of honesty and truth. As you are honest with God, He can help you comprehend the freeing truth about your situation. Free from bitterness, you begin to see your persecutor through God’s eyes. You can pray that he or she will come to that same place of freedom that you have found, so that everything that was wrong can finally be set right.
Lord God, when I think about those who have hurt me, I…
This came to me on a day I needed it the most. I was feeling so bitter, upset and hurt. I’m not the type of person to get attached, but I have a lot of feelings and when I get hurt, I hold on to it like it’s my best friend. That feeling that never wants to let go of me. It’s horrible. I hate it. Instead of me handling it over to God and letting it go. I hold on. By doing what this lesson teaches me to do, I can start to comprehend the true freeing of the truth. If I get realistic with the truth, praying for those that has hurt me, it will take my relationship with God to an entirely different level. A superior level where I’ve never been before.
A 365 Days Challenge Day #15
Making a Difference
Your prayers for cities and nations are never wasted. You never know whose life you will change forever through prayer. The first example of intercession in the Bible is Abraham negotiating with God on behalf of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. “If you find ten righteous people in Sodom,” Abraham asks, ” will you save the city from destruction?” What was Abraham thinking? Rather than focus on everything that was wrong, he looked for that sliver of hope, that opportunity for God to intervene.
In the same way, as you look around you, find opportunities for God to show up. Pray for His intervention in schools, governments, media, entertainment, families, churches, and businesses. The chaos in our world has a solution: the God who listens to and answers our prayers. The change that’s needed might come through your prayers. You may never run for president or own a business or make a movie, but your influence can be felt everywhere if you are willing to intercede.
God, when I hear bad news, my first response is to…
To be honest, I no longer watch the news. I don’t watch television. It’s not a part of my life anymore. Although I read about it on the media. It still doesn’t make me want to watch it. I still pray for our Nation, Schools, President, Hospitals, prisons, and families around the world. I have rested all the caused and chaos of this world in God’s hands.
“”” Sorry about the double post but I’m behind. I wasn’t feeling too good and didn’t have time to post “””
Life often throws things at us
A 365 Days Challenge Day #13
The presence of God
A small child was walking through a busy supermarket with her mother. All around her were bright colors and interesting shapes, sounds and smells, a whole world to explore. As her other pondered a purchase, this child was attracted by a balloon display in the next aisle. Slipping quietly away, she went to investigate. Then something else caught her attention, and she took a few steps in that direction. This went on for a minute or two, until she looked up and realized that her mother was nowhere in sight and she had no idea how to find her. She had left her mother’s comforting presence. She was lost.
The habit of prayer keeps God’s comforting presence close. Life often throws things at us that we are not prepared to handle on our own.
When trouble strikes, as it usually does, without warning, you are in a much stronger place with God at your side than you would be with Him far away. Staying “prayed up” keeps you in a place of safety.
Lord, when trouble strikes, the first thing I do is…
When trouble strikes the first thing I do is fall onto my knees. I’ve never seen so much of God in my life like I’ve faced the most devastated problems you can’t imagine. When I face Any problems I bow down in prayer. I pray and I believe in miracles. I believe with all my heart in the God I serve.
#ReviewWithElly Alina Skin Care
My Review __ The Alina Skin Care Vitamin C Serum is THE BEST FORM OF VITAMIN C AVAILABLE; it has the most AMAZING SCENT FROM NATURAL EXTRACTS. It is loaded with powerful antioxidants to help prevent premature aging of skin, including Vitamin C, green and white tea, and vitamin E.
I have used this product 2x a day every day since the day I got it. That’s about 3 weeks. I think it was a short time for the visible results I got. I read many reviews on this product and I read a lot of negativities about it. People saying that the company basically paid for those reviews. Well, yes, I got the product for free, but the results and my opinion, no one can make it up. It’s honest. I wanted to come here and write an honest review. But not just write, I wanted to show my untouched (no photoshop) photos to you of the results.
The directions on the package of this product says not to use on your eyes. I wasn’t sure if that meant not to apply to the dark area under the eyes. I’m 36 years old and I don’t have any spots (dark spots) on my face or any wrinkles or lines, besides the very dark spots under my eyes so I used it on all my face including my eyes. Or should I say especially there. you will be able to see the difference and judge for yourself.
My honest and unbiased review of this product is that this product rocks, now I will continue to use it till it’s all done and will buy more. Thank you, Alina, for giving me the opportunity to try your product.
NOTE: People with dry or sensitive skin that have never used a Vitamin C skin care product may experience a slight stinging sensation during the first few applications. This is a normal and typically goes away within a few seconds. It will happen every time you apply. Should you experience redness, swelling or discomfort after using the product, please discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional. I received this case at a discounted/free price in return for my honest review.
About the Product
- THE BEST FORM OF VITAMIN C AVAILABLE. Alina Skin Care contains Vitamin C Ester, a form of vitamin c that is widely considered the highest quality, best form available for skin care. Clinically proven to deliver greater results than other types of vitamin c; it’s stable, gentle and incredibly effective at rejuvenating your skin.
- SUPER HYDRATING. Vitamin C can be irritating to the skin, but not if you complement it with rich moisturizers that give your skin a flood of hydration. Our unique blend of hyaluronic acid, organic aloe and vegetable-based glycerin creates a powerful moisturizing boost to this serum. If you have sensitive skin, this is the Vitamin C serum to try.
- PATENTED INGREDIENTS & CLINICAL STUDIES EQUALS PROVEN RESULTS. Most skin care products don’t contain ingredients that have been through formal, clinical studies. We do. Our patented Inflacin® was developed to calm and soothe irritated skin. What’s more, our patented Qsomes® has been proven to deliver more active ingredients deeper into the skin creating a more effective product.
- A YOUTHFUL & RADIANT GLOW. Many of our customers have experienced a noticeable difference to their skin within the first few applications. A more even tone, less noticeable wrinkles, and a more healthy, vibrant looking skin.
- AMAZING FEEL. Upon initial application, you’ll notice the difference right away with Alina. A soft, silky feel that penetrates quickly and leaves your skin feeling soft and alive.
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Product Description
SKIN TYPES. This product was formulated for all skin types. Our unique blend using Vitamin C Ester along with rich moisturizers was created to be gentle on your skin, even those with sensitive skin.
AMAZING SCENT FROM NATURAL EXTRACTS. Many of our customers comment on how much they love the scent of our products. The Alina Vitamin C scent is purely derived from mandarin orange and grapefruit extracts. There is no fragrance used in this product.
ENCAPSULATION ENSURES PROTECTION FROM LIGHT, HEAT, AND OXYGEN. Vitamin C and other active ingredients can breakdown and rapidly lose their effectiveness when exposed to light, heat and oxygen. Alina Skin Care encapsulates all of our active ingredients ensuring no loss of ingredient efficacy, even after you open the bottle.
ANTIOXIDANT RICH. Loaded with powerful antioxidants to help prevent premature aging of skin including Vitamin C, green and white tea, and vitamin e.
WHO IS ALINA SKIN CARE? Alina Skin Care is a science-driven company created to provide consumers with innovative, professionally formulated skin care products. Our team consists of industry veterans that have developed products for some of the top skin care brands in the world, many that can be found today in major department and beauty stores. With more than 50 years of experience formulating both prescription-based dermatological products, as well as over-the-counter premium skin care products, Alina Skin Care has the expertise and credibility you can trust.Ingredients
Purified Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Cyclomethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisopropyl Adipate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Tocopherol Acetate, Pyridoxine HCI, Niacinamide, Calcium Pantothenate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, PEG-23 Glyceryl Distearate, PEG-12 Glyceryl DIsmyristate, Hyaluronic Acid, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glycerin, PEG-100 Stearate, Citrus nobilis, citrus grandis (grapefruit) peel oil, Maltodextrin, Xathan Gum, Silica, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyenthanol, Caprylyl Glycol NO Parabens, NO Phthalates, and NO Sulfates. No Animal Testing. Made in USADirections
Apply morning and night to face and neck before application of a moisturizer. Moisturizer can be applied immediately after you apply Alina Vitamin C Serum. NOTE: People with dry or sensitive skin that have never used a Vitamin C skin care product may experience a slight stinging sensation during the first few applications. This is a normal and typically goes away within a few seconds. Should you experience redness, swelling or discomfort after using the product, please discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.You can buy the Product >>> HERE on Sale for $24.95
I know You will never leave me nor forsake me.
A 365 Days Challenge Day #12
Affirm The Truth
One powerful way to pray is to speak out those things you know to be true. ” God, I know You are here. I know You are smarter than I am, stronger than I am, wiser than I am. My problems don’t stump You at all. You’re not wringing Your hands; instead, You’re rolling up Your sleeves.”
This is a particularly effective when you put it next to the problems you are experiencing. “I feel all alone, but I know You will never leave me nor forsake me.” ” I don’t know what to do, but I know that you instruct me and teach me in the way I should go, that You counsel me and watch over me.” ” Everything is dark on my path right now, but You are the God who stood over the darkness and said, ” Let there be light.”
These affirmations of faith strengthen your own spirit and help you keep things in perspective. Even big problems will seem small in the presence of God’s great power.
Holy God, some of the things I believe to be true about You are…
That you’re always there. You are the one that when I’m in need you carry me in your arms.
Thinking Out Cloud 