I'm perfectly human.: June 2014

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Look Towards the Sunshine.... + LYLS Link Up!

Happy Thursday!

Hope your week is going lovely! I have been learning a lot of beautiful things lately and I cannot wait to dive deeper into them for the blog and share them with you all. Yesterday, I met an amazing woman who I just know I was supposed to know and connect with.

Have you ever had a moment, when you are doing something or talking to someone and its almost a weird feeling, similar to a dejavu, where you just instantly know that you are in the right place and everything that is going on is supposed to be happening? It's almost as if God is giving you an insight into where the future is headed in that moment. Well, I have only had this a few times in my life but yesterday when meeting with my new catering contact for the wedding, we just connected and started talking about God. It was beautiful!

I was having such a difficult time during the week in my own self, trying to figure things out, and taking on the burdens that God told me to give to Him. The load was heavy, of course, as I wasn't supposed to even be carrying it. However, during our meeting and afterwards I was filled with so much joy and I knew God was going to take care of all of my stresses! It was as if in that moment, he was saying "Hey, remember me? I got you." And I released all of the load I was carrying.

I hadn't felt that joy in about a week, so being filled with it again - made me realize that stressing didn't help change my circumstances! Only God did! :)

It reminded me of this saying, I fell upon about a week or so ago. So, naturally I made a printable for you all to take with you! :) The focus of your life should always be on the good things, the sunshine. The shadows will fall to the wayside. Going through a stressful situation helped me to remember that sometimes when it seems impossible to stay positive, or think positive - we need reminders like this.

I hope this uplifts anyone who needs it or is a good reminder to those of you for future struggles!

Download It Now!

Today is

Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!

Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Aisha loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was Natasha from Acquainted Joy

Natasha's post on the love she has for her family, here, reminded me of mine and how great having close ones family or friends can be so important to helping push you into being who you are!

Thanks again for all of you who participated! Now it's time to link up again :)

RULES:
1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!

Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & True Soul & Spirit on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all!

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An InLinkz Link-up

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Refocus

Happy Wednesday!

Hoping the middle of the week brings you joy, peace, and hope.

Today it brings me focus.

Re-focus if you will.

It's always great to get a re-focus in your life to help you put everything back into its proper place.

It allows you to view the good, the bad, the ugly. Take it all in. Evaluate how you are going to react to it, and possibly change your priorities. Refocus is good if you have lost sight of the greater goal.

Being stressed can make you look at all the wrong things. That's why God knows its so important to keep your eyes on Him. It allows you to continue to re-focus the image you are seeing. Looking at the good in the situation versus the bad.

Hope you gain some inspiration to refocus your thoughts this week. Stay in positivity. It will keep you in good spirits, with hope and peace. Ready and willing to conquer everything.

Job getting you down? Refocus. You are so blessed to have a job in today's economy. Friends/Family problems weighing on you? Refocus. You changing your outlook on things, can help others change their attitudes. Refocus to keep your sanity, guard your heart.

It's yours to protect.

Refocus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

-Phillipians 4:8

Have a great day!

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Monday, June 23, 2014

We Fail.

Happy Monday!

Hope the weekend brought you good weather, fun times, and relaxing moments. For me it was all about DIY for the upcoming wedding. I promise I'll share some of the projects with you once its all over. Wedding planning can be stressful, for any of you that have done it, those going through it, and anyone facing it in your future. Last week, I honestly feel like I lost all sanity for a moment.

source

I broke down in tears at work. No one saw me, I was just sitting at my desk crying. I didn't even have time to make it to the bathroom before the "to do's" got on top of me. On top of my spirit. What I love about my blog is that I can be totally honest here. I can encourage all of you, but I can be open and honest about things we all face.

Sometimes life gets in the way, or gets on top of you. In those really tough moments when it seems almost impossible to rise above - we are tested. I am convinced that in those moments when we fail, crumble, and cry those are precious moments in the process of us becoming stronger. Realizing, we are only human.

We can't do it all and we need God to carry the load.

In those moments, its so important to trust the process. Understand that we fail, but you are not a failure. Even if you can't keep it all together all the time. You are perfectly human. You were never made to hold all of the weight. You were never told to be superhuman. You were just made to be you. Give it to an all mighty God that can take it and turn it into something great.

In that moment at my desk, I noticed that I didn't care about anything anymore.

I just wanted to feel better.

I wanted to leave work for the day, and I did. I wanted to get my head straight, and I did.

Sometimes in those moments of weakness, we can turn to things that medicate us to help us forget the moment, forget the pain. This can be something as simple and innocent as time away, or an ice cream treat. It can get as tough as drugs and alcohol. I am so greatful that I didn't need any of that.

I just needed time and God.

In that moment, I asked God how to handle everything. What to do first, what to wait on.

And He told me to rest.

Just rest, rest my mind, my body, my spirit. Rest it all. Sometimes, we need to just rest. And after I took a night to get it all together, I was so ready to tackle everything the next day. And He directed me in every way, in what I should do and take care of. He loves us so much, He will do that.

In moments like these, we can often feel where is God? What is He doing? Why is He allowing these things to happen? We may not understand, but He is always there. He never leaves and when we feel far away from Him, sometimes it takes us reeling ourselves and our minds back to Him, because He has never left. He is waiting for us to say, "I'm only Jena, I can't do anymore than just be me. You can take the load now." Sometimes we just need to say it.

I went to church yesterday and I could immediately feel His love when I walked into the building. All over me. I felt so much joy. Joy is beautiful. Seeing the rainbow, through the rain. Looking at my daughters face and seeing the beautiful being God created for me. Realizing my worries are at times so minuscule to the overall big picture.

We fail, but we are not failures.

We overcome.

We are overcomers.

You are an overcomer.

You can get back up and keep riding.

Remember you are not superhuman, only God is.

You are perfectly human, and be just that.

Hope you have a great day!

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Further Reading:

Romans 8:31-39

2 Corinthians 12: 8-10

*Linking up: Manic Monday

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Let Your Light Shine Thursday Link Up Party

Happy Thursday!

I apologize for my lack of posts this week, I have been so busy at work and life. I'm sorry I can't give you more of me this week. I promise it will get better after the wedding! >_<

Today is

Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!

Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Aisha loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was:

Sold Out Arenas!

This is Christina! She has amazing style and wonderful pictures! What we love most about her blog is that it is so open and honest. Make sure to check her out!

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<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, June 16, 2014

#REALBLOGGERBEAUTY

Happy Monday!

Today I am joining in on a pretty cool blogger movement that is happening today, #RealBloggerBeauty. I was inspired to participate after reading Ashley's post; but this idea originated from the lovely Maya from Charmingly Styled. The idea behind this day is for bloggers to be step out from behind the computer screen, and get real.

As Maya put it, we don't have lives full of instagram-worthy posts all the time. Sharing our stories, our messes, our insecurities, our inspirations or just something real about ourselves is a way that we can connect and bridge a gap with others and support one another in this beautiful community.

What I wanted to write about with you today is more about the girl behind this smile God has given me. I've written about it here, but in case you don't have time to dive deep in my archived posts, I'll just tell you a little today. Coming from a huge family, the middle out of 7, I learned a lot growing up. My father a minister, I had religion so much, I felt like it was drowning me. I couldn't wait to get out and do things my way. I didn't appreciate my family and support system I had. Most of us don't at that age, but in time we learn.

Doing things my way, came with many bumps and bruises along the way. I have always been a cheerful person, often smiling but the truth inside of me - is that I did not carry the same joy I showed. The optimism I show today because of my journey with Christ would have never been seen by the pessimist I was. I was always needing to be in a state of control in my life, and if I didn't have everything figured out it would literally make me sick until it was figured out. Throw a diagnosis of Lupus on top of the mix and you have a worried, stressed out young woman. I was the type of person to sweep my issues under the rug covering them up with use of substances and not dealing with them head on. Boy, am I amazed what Christ has done to my life. He literally picked me up in the middle of my mess, told me I was beautiful the way I was, and changed my life for the better.

I am forever grateful.

In following God I have discovered, Christ is a true savior and friend. Not a religion. I have learned that religion divides people. I have learned that in my darkest moments, someone became very real to me and I will never be able to let him go.

I appreciate all of you who read, and leave me comments of kind words about how the things I have written have helped you. Or inspired you. I am so happy that the light of Christ can shine in me, where there was once so much emptiness, depression, and doubt. When I write each day about being better humans and conquering this world - it is an encouragement to myself as much as it is to you. But everyday is not glamorous, and its not supposed to be.

There is beauty in truth. There is so much life in being perfectly human. Just the way God created us to be. In our moments of weakness, He can give us strength to go on. In our children's messes, we can see their smile and realize what truly matters. In our stormy days, we can wait to see the rainbow. The silver lining in it all.

Our messy moments are oh - so instagram worthy. Let's stop playing by everyone else's rules and be the unique beings God created each of us to be. #RealBloggerBeauty is being real and there is so much perfection and beauty in being real.

I hope you join in today, and link up over at Charmingly Styled. I would love to hear more about the real writer behind the blog. I hope you enjoyed reading more about my story.

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*Linked up - #RealBloggerBeauty

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Love Is Contagious (Free Printable) + Let Your Light Shine Link-Up Party #14

Happy Thursday!
In the spirit of this week, I figured I would keep up the talk about sharing love!

No matter what someone looks like, or is dressed like - its important not to judge a book by its cover. It's funny because you know how they say a smile can brighten someone's day, well how many of you know it to be true?

In some of my most trying days, seeing someone I don't know or talk to on a regular basis smile at me and say a simple, "Hi!", can change my attitude for just one second and sometimes for the entire day.

Also being greeted by a nice, chipper person at the coffee shop can always set you off for a great day! Love and happiness is so contagious, it's mind boggling it isn't shared more!

It starts off as just a smile to a stranger, and turns into rapid fire across the community. And you know what else I love about how contagious it is, sometimes just a small deed can be wonders for others!

You know the pay it forward mentality? Paying for the person's coffee behind you is how a lot of people share a little love during the day. The next person could be having a rough morning, on the verge of a breakup, or even worse debating suicide.

You never know what the person next door is going through, and its wonders what a little bit of love can do for both of your lives.
So when someone shares love with you, pass it on!
And enjoy this free printable while you are at it! ;)

Download Here Now!

Today Is

Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!

Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Aisha loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was:

Ashley from Le Stylo Rouge

cc lake neon nights dress, dolce vita bow sandals, ashley from lsr, bauble bar signature necklace

cc lake neon nights dress, dolce vita bow sandals, ashley from lsr, bauble bar signature necklace

Ashley is a midwest girl with an amazing smile and style to match!

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<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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An InLinkz Link-up

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Do Something!

Happy Wednesday!

Earlier this week I wrote about being bombarded with things in life and choosing to have joy through it all. This week has truly been a testament to that for me. One thing that my father has told me that has continued to stick with me is about giving of myself all the time, but especially when there seems to be a lot of things going haywire in my life!

So often when we are thrown off our normal routines by misfortunes or negative situations we begin to give those issues life by putting all of our focus and time into them. It is almost natural to react this way.

Have you ever tried to, instead of focusing on yourself, focus on being a positive light to someone in your life?

Give of your time to a friend that needs a shoulder, or a ride to the store.

Pick up a shift for a co-worker that really needs that day off, offer to be the sitter for your sister that never gets out of the house.

Do for others!

One thing about giving, is that it is often multiplied once it begins.

And, what's so awesome about it, is that it only begins with just one person.

You might not be able to feed the entire world, but if you can donate to feed a handful of mouths isn't that greater than none?

God taught me a really important lesson this past week about getting up and helping others in His kingdom. We are creatures of habit and often creatures of convenience. If something requires us to get out of our comfort zone, we like to shy away from it.

We like to stay in our bubble, but God calls us to draw all men and the way we do that is by getting out of our boxes and sharing His love.

Many of us are so blessed and don't even count our lives as so.

We wake up in our homes with running water, food in the fridge and complain because the cable bill is too high. We get into our cars and complain about our long commute or the price of gas. We get mad that we don't have a new pair of shoes to wear out on the town with our girlfriends for dinner at our favorite restaurant. We are so blessed and rich, we don't consider it anything special.

We consider these our normal-ties.

There are many that have much less and need much less to be happy.

They are happy to have a meal on table and consider themselves blessed to have a good pair of shoes with no holes in them. They dream about being able to eat a fancy meal in a nice restaurant, and we complain about the rude waiter.

We take many things for granted and God calls all of us to show love one to another.

It starts at home and in our community and even on our jobs, and it doesn't take much. I have definitely been guilty of being so involved in myself that I had no time to do for others.
But this stops now!

This world is continuing to get out of control- poverty, crime, racism, sexism, self-indulgences and the list continues. Instead of feeling bad about what this world is turning into, and looking through our TV screens, we must get up and do something! Yes, you! The one behind the screen reading this!

Help everyone you can.

You can change lives with a small donation of your money or your time.

Make it a point to give of yourself to someone in your life each month and let it become a normal priority in your life. Starting small with this will help to impact this world.

Be a light unto this dark world.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

-John 13:34-35

Let brotherly love continue.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

-Hebrews 13:1-2

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P.S. I love this song and it goes perfectly with today's message... :)

Monday, June 9, 2014

Test of Character + Francesca's $230 Giveaway!

Happy Monday!
Hope you all had a beautiful weekend and enjoyed the first weekend of June! I am so happy that the summer is finally here and although I have been super busy, I am grateful for each beautiful day I have been given :)

Have you ever been tested in your character?
I mean, truly, put into a situation where you had to choose whether to wallow in self pity or to hold your head high and take the bull by the horns?
This morning, I was at my wits end.
'A' called me to tell me he was having car trouble and we are going to be down to one vehicle until it gets fixed. My daughter turned from being so playful to completely fussy as soon as it was time to get ready for work. Between crying, trying to get all of my things together, and getting out of the house on time - I failed miserably. I even knocked over my favorite vase and it crushed into pieces.
Luckily, my little sis helped to calm the baby so I could put on my shoes in silence.
As I got into my car, now running late, I realized I needed gas.
Finally getting on the road to work, texting my boss that I was running late, again, I realized that I had left my work laptop at the house. I turned all the way around and arrived at home to discover it not there. Suddenly, I remembered I had left it in the trunk of 'A''s vehicle, which was at his job a couple cities over.

In my moment of weakness, and feeling overwhelmed - I looked in the mirror, dug down deep, and I said,
"No, I am not going to let this situation steal my joy."
It was one of the hardest things for me to not become overwhelmed and get emotional this morning. But I remembered that every time I had let myself get down about my situation, it never solved the issues. My situation was still the same and although it didn't look pretty, crying surely wouldn't help.

Have you ever been here?
Life's matters and situations trying to beat you and tear you down. In these moments, I have found it sobering to truly know Christ. To understand, that He does not call us to be strong in these moments. He wants us to lean on Him for strength. "I can do all things, through you Jesus," I whispered to myself as I pulled up to work. I have held on to a few scriptures this morning that are literally holding my head up. Keeping my focus on God, my father, who gives me true joy.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
-Romans 5:3-5

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28

I hope that this brings encouragement to those of you who are feeling under all that is being thrown your way. You can make it out with Christ on your side! Joy comes in the morning!

And to celebrate a life of Joy - I am teaming up with 19 other bloggers to offer you a pretty cool giveaway for Francesca's Collection to get some new digs! I know that whenever I have on something new it automatically puts a big smile on my face!

$230 Francesca's Collection Giveaway!

The Giveaway goes live on Monday, June 9 at 12:00 am PST and ends Sunday, June 15 at 12:00 pm PST. Winner will be announced Monday, June 16

Life's A Party DLI // Headbands & Bagels // Penniless Socialite // A Good Hue // Blush & Blonde

It's Mostly About Fashion // Lisa A La Mode // Something Good // Bless Her Heart Y'all // Willfully Elegant

At The Streets of Gold // Fashion Fairy Dust // Tea & Sequins // Jasmin daily // Induffinitely Me

Wilde In The City // Nicole To The Nines // Fashion Bling & OGT // Pretty In Her Pearls // I'm Perfectly Human

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Love is Calling You {Free Printable} + Let Your Light Shine Link Up Party #13

Happy Thursday!

I hope everyone is bringing the week to an end with a positive attitude!
To add a little sunshine to your lives I've created, yet another free printable for all of you who join the link-up party!

In my journey in faith, I have discovered that God is true love and He is calling us all to live a joyful, abundant, promising life! Love is truly calling you...

Download Here!

Today Is

Let Your Light Shine Thursdays!

Thanks so much for all of you that linked up last week!
Me and Aisha loved seeing all of your posts!

Our favorite from last week's link-up was:

Cynthia from My Rose Colored Shades

She's a mother, a woman of faith, and a fashionista! This girl has it all and she looks good doing it all! Check out her blog for some fashion, faith, fitness, recipes.. the list goes on! :)

<div align="center">
<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up