Hillsong Colour Conference: London 2015

Friends, 

My heart is just bursting out the seams today with excitement for a journey my m-i-l and I are embarking next year! Back story: When Gabriel and I visited Australia in the spring, we attended a few Hillsong services - which were out of this world amazing... & while there, they announced the 2015 Women's Colour Conference in London. My heart raced...

I've always had a passion for women's ministry and love the fellowship it brings. Did I mention Beth Moore will be one of the main speakers?  I instantly knew I wanted to be there and experience it with my best friend and women from around the world. And as God always works things out for His good, our church (which is now in the Hillsong Fam) had some extra tickets they were holding for women who were interested in attending.  God wink!

And today, I am extra excited because our tickets are finally confirmed! We will be in London celebrating our Savior with women from all over the globe in just a few short months!

...

I encourage you to check out a women's conference this year. I know it is intimidating being in a room full of unfamiliar faces, but I promise it will push you past your fears. I can't wait to update you on our journey to London and share all that we learn! 

Colour Conference 2015 Teaser

from

Hillsong Church

on

Vimeo

.

The Power Of Prayer

Although I cannot say I do it as often as I'd like, last summer I began journaling my prayers. I have one notebook dedicated to sermon notes, favorite bible verses, words of encouragement and "prayer months". I love having all of this goodness in one spot because I know exactly where to turn to when I need some reassurance, direction and vision.

When I first started journaling my prayers, I was very short and to the point.

• Lord help my husband while he travels 
• Lord please bless our marriage
• May your light shine through us no matter the circumstance

I found it pointless to go further in detail because I knew the Lord heard my heart, not just what was on paper. Little by little though, I couldn't help but write down my FULL heart. For me, journaling my prayers is a way to intimately talk to God - just him and I. Pouring out my heart on paper helps me feel closer to Him. I feel like I am writing a letter to my dearest friend. 

Months down the road, I love to look back and see what the Lord has done. Sometimes His answers are big, sometimes small, sometimes thought silence and sometimes left in the opposite direction than I'd envisioned. 

Prayer journals help you focus. They help you realized how blessed you truly are. They make you more thankful. They show you that God is the one in control and they remind you what to look back and give praise for. 

This month, my prayer journal was very full. I took down each person that came to mind and wrote my heart out with prayers on their behalf. It's amazing how many situations and circumstances come to mind at the exact moment you are taking time out to pray. God begins to flood your memory with so many hurts, losses, needs and cries to Him. 

Today, I encourage you to take 15 minutes. Grab a journal and go. Six months from now, you will look back and be astonished at the power of prayer. 

Accessory Storage Solutions On A Budget

When we moved into our humble 1950s home about two years ago, closet space was one thing we noticed our bedroom lacked. At first to solve the solution, I put my accessories in the guest bedroom but quickly realized the system would just not work on busy mornings.

Then it hit me... instead of candles, vases, lanterns and frames on every piece of furniture, why not use this space to hold our accessories? All it took was a trip to Home Goods, a jute covered bulletin board ($7.99) and some colorful storage boxes ($6.99) later and viola, it worked!

The boxes are great for hiding smaller pieces - earrings, rings, bracelets etc. We even bought two so my husband could have his own! Having never been a huge accessory gal in the past, I used to wear the same earrings and watch daily. Now with this system, I am reminded daily of the accessories I should be utilizing.

How do you store your accessories?

recipes

Breakfast 

triple berry smoothie

cinnamon buns

power breakfast smoothie

Appetizer/Sides

butternut squash 

sweet potato fries 

roasted tomato salsa

brussels sprouts

kale chips

Dinner

fajita tostada

chicken salad

spicy chicken enchilada 

low cal chili 

turkey lasagna

cuban black bean soup

oregano crusted salmon

lemon rosemary salmon

grass fed beef meatballs

pizza

Dessert

buttercream frosting 

lemon bars

apple crisp 

death by chocolate

cookies and cream cake 

If You Are A Teacher, I Think You Should Know..

With a new school year ahead and many teachers already

frantically

planning, we've decided to open up a teacher's hot spot to our shop. You name it, we can do it! Custom posters, quotes, labels, name tags etc. We can create a digital pdf or ship the items to you directly! Just shoot an email to erica@inspiredbyabove.com with your needs, colors, themes etc. and we will gladly brainstorm with you to create the perfect piece for your classroom! Custom digital files starting at only $5.00!

Happy Monday!