Happy New Year!! I can hardly believe it is 2012. So much I want to accomplish this year. Right up on the top of my list is getting in shape, losing weight, and getting a handle on this fibromyalgia. What a better way to start the new year than with a great giveaway to get you started on all your health goals. When I posted to facebook a few months back that I was going to do some giveaways on my blog Heather Dubay responded right away. I had no idea what I was in for. She is a coach with Beachbody, you know the ones that created the infamous P90X. She gave me Slim in 6, a fabulous fitness program, to try out and she is now my fitness coach. The best part is definitely having her as a coach. If you have been wanting to get in shape this is the way to do it. She is super encouraging and there for you all throughout your journey. She has been with me through the highs and through the lows of being diagnosed with fibro and having to figure out what that all meant. And now she is going to start texting me every morning so I’ll get my butt out of bed and start working out.

The fitness program she gave me is amazing! It includes three DVDS with three different workouts. The idea is to do the first for two weeks, the second for two weeks, and the third for two weeks. This gives you a 6 week transformation. It also includes an ab video and a stretching video. And wait there’s more…LOL It has a weight resistance band and a eating program. Beachbody does a great job of making all of their programs a complete fitness program. Not just exercising but also teaching you how to eat. I’m telling you this is where it is at!

I also signed up for her website and have a great way to track my workouts. Beachbody gives away cash to people just for tracking their workout in the supergym. And when you sign up for the Beachbody challenge and complete your fitness program they will send you a T-shirt! There is so much motivation it’s amazing. Plus Heather does extra little contests and challenges all the time. If you have been looking for a way to get in shape but can’t afford a gym membership or can’t leave the house much like me this is the way to go.

Now on to the giveaway. Heather is giving away the Slim in 6 Program she sent me. That is an amazing giveaway and a great way to start out the year. Plus you will get Heather as a coach and that is priceless. Just follow the guidelines before in the rafflecopter.

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My friend Rebekah Speakman sells chocolate…yes that’s right she’s a chocolatier.   I had no idea they even had such things and then a friend invited me to her Dove Chocolate Discoveries party.  I wasn’t sure I had heard right….a party….with chocolate….to taste!  I was there.  I was also pregnant at the time so it was a perfect match.    The party was so much fun.  We got to try all sorts of yummy goodies like chocolate fondue, chai tea mix, a smoothie, chocolate mousse, and some other things.  I was in heaven! I had told myself when I went that I wasn’t going to buy anything but I ended up buying a mousse pack and the chai tea.  I’m telling you this stuff is good. I love the Dove chocolate they sell in the stores and this is even better!  If you live in the area you totally need to have a party with Rebekah and try this stuff for yourself!   You will not be sorry you did, plus you’ll get all sorts of goodies for free, and who doesn’t love free chocolate, right?

When I told her about the giveaway series on my blog she was willing to be a part. She gave me White Chocolate Raspberry Daiquiri Mix and a sea salted caramel.  I was excited to try the daiquiri mix (minus the rum since I am nursing and all) since I wondered what chocolate would be like in a daiquiri but it was amazing!  Really yummy and I even shared with my 7 year old and he loved it! You just mix it with some ice and lemon lime soda in the blender, well and rum if you are making it that way. It tasted heavenly.  You could barely even taste the chocolate…just enough to know it was there and the raspberry was really yummy.

My favorite, however, was the sea salted caramel!  I popped that one into my mouth right away and it was so, so, so good! I love the salty, sweet taste of it.  A package of those would make a great Christmas gift for teachers, family, whoever you have to give gifts to this season.

Now that I’ve piqued your interest I’m sure you are asking what do we win this week.  Well, Rebekah is giving away 2 Daiquiri Mix Packets and 10% off your order!  Enter below.

Yes you are not mistaken, I did miss a week or two.   Life has been nuts….I’ll be posting more about that later.  This week I lost 6 pounds!  Not sure how but I did.  LOL  But the week before I gained like 5 pounds so it’s not nearly has exciting.  My goal is to lose this week because I don’t think I’ve lost two weeks in a row in quite awhile.  I would really love to be under 250 by next Sunday!!

This week has totally been a bad eating week. We ate out a lot because mommy has been in pain.  But I tried to watch my portions and it looks like it worked.  This week I’m going to journal, journal, journal, drink, drink, drink (water that is), and cook at home!  Then hopefully by next week I’ll be feeling good enough again to work out.  Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.

Are you working on losing weight too? Share how your week went in the comments.  I’d love to hear.

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

I am way behind on my Bible Study and will be catching up tonight hopefully.  I will also try to get a post out about why this week has been so nuts for me so stay tuned.  Here is the rest of Week 5 and then I’ll do Week 6 in a separate post.

Week 5, Day 3

I John 2:24-27 – “Let what you heard from the beginning abide in You.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise that He made to us-eternal life.  I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.  But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you.  But as His anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie – just as it has taught you, abide in Him.”

Observation
When the Word of god abides in you, then you abide in the Son and the Father.  Abiding means to stay, remain, live in.  It is an active verb.  It takes effort on our part to remain in the Word.

God has anointed us as believers.  His Holy Spirit teaches us what we need to know. This does not mean we don’t learn from Bible teachers, it just means we check it with the Word and the Holy Spirit will help us discern.

Application
We have to work at remaining in the Word and having it live in us.  We can’t abide in the Word if we only hear it on Sunday.  We can’t have the Word abide in us if we are not in it on a daily basis and meditating upon it throughout the day.  It should be like the very air we breath.  One of the best ways to meditate on Scripture is to memorize it throughout the day.  Hang it up in your home where it will constantly be before your eyes.  There are even ways you can decorate with it.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Please help me to abide in Your Word.  Forgive me for the times I have not abided in Your Word.  Help me to ever have the Word at the forefront of my mind and bring it up continually with my kids.  This is my hearts desire, to raise children who love Your Word. Please help me to do this. In Jesus name, Amen.

Week 5, Day4

1 John 2:28-29 – “And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming.  If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him.”

Observation
Abiding in Christ not only means that we remain in His Word and His Word in us, but we also strive to obey it and live it out.  Abiding in Christ is also living a life of prayer and joy in Him.

We know that Christ is righteous, so those we see practicing righteousness we know are born of Him.  This gives us a way to discern who is of God and who isn’t.

Application
We need to abide in Christ so that we are not ashamed when He comes.  We should live in such a way as to make us confident at His return.  We do this through a lifestyle of being in His Word, obedience, prayer, and joy in Christ.

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to live in such a way that I rejoice in Your coming and am not ashamed.  I need Your help to live a life that glorifies You.  This is my desire.  In Jesus name, Amen

I hope these posts are encouraging for you.  If you have been reading them would you please leave me a comment letting me know.  It’s encouraging to know when others are reading what you have written.  Thanks for your time.  God bless you as you see to know Him more.

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

I actually did this reading on Tuesday I’m just a bit late on posting.  I didn’t however do my devotions yesterday.    I’m hoping to get some time in today when the kiddos are asleep. We’ve been sick around our house so our schedule has gone out the window in favor of more rest.

1 John 2:20-23- “But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you have all knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.  Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?  This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.  No one who denies the Son has the Father, whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

Observation
Being anointed by the Holy One probably means being regenerated by the Holy Spirit according to the ESV Study Bible. This is the same anointed all believers have, not just them.  John once again confirms that he knows they are of the truth.

We also see a good way to pick out false teachers and gospels, if they deny the Father or the Son.  You must believe and confess the Son to have the Father.

Application
You can examine a ministry or religion by what they believe about Jesus.  Many organizations would have you think they believe in Jesus, but what Jesus?  The Jesus of the Bible who is fully God and fully man or a good teacher. Make sure to examine the things around you.  Practice discernment.

Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word and that we can examine the truth or falsehood of teachings or ministries by holding them up to the light of Your Word.  Help us to practice discernment more.  In Jesus name, Amen

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/

1 John 2:18-19- “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.  Therefore we know that it is the last hour.  They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.  But they went out, that it might become plain that they are all not of us.”

Observation
An antichrist is someone who is against Christ. They have set their hearts against God and do the devils’ bidding instead of God’s will.  We see many of these in our world today.  The Antichrist is a person to come.

They had recently had some people leave their church.  John is reassuring them that there was a purpose.  If someone truly is a Christian they will be one forever as they are sustained by God’s grace. So the fact that these had left shows plainly that they were never part of the body.

Application
We should not be confused when we see someone leave the fellowship.  It just shows they were never a part to begin with. It also shouldn’t cause us to be worried about losing our own faith. If we are truly saved and walking with Christ He will preserve us by His grace.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Thank you for your grace that sustains.  Thank you for choosing me before the foundations of the world and preserving me in Your grace. In Jesus name, Amen

Congratulations to Jessie Bates who won the Cakes with Jaz giveaway!! She was also one of the winners in the Usborne Books giveaway! I promise I am using rafflecopters random picking. She’s just good at getting all her entries in. 

This week was going to be Dove Chocolate Discoveries but I forgot to get the 7 Up I needed to try the margarita mix.  LOL So we are going to do the Savoring Living Water book giveaway this week.

If you have been reading my blog you know that I have recently found and love the Do Not Depart blog.  It has tons of info on Bible study and memorization. I am currently slowly working on their Abiding Fruit study as part of Maximize your Mornings and loving it! I am also getting ready to start their Hiding His Word in My Heart challenge and was originally going to do Philippians but since I’ve been spending so much time in 1 John I’m thinking of memorizing that instead.

I kept hearing about this great book that they had written called Savoring Living Water and wanted to see if I could get a copy to give away to you my readers. Well, ask and you shall receive!  Then I asked my hubby if I could buy a copy for myself and he said sure. I’ve now read it and I love it. Many of you may not know this but I have my Bachelors of Ministry in Theology, so I do have some experience in Bible Study techniques.  However, I still found their book very enlightening and helpful. It is so encouraging and will give you practical step by step instructions for deepening your time in the Word.

And for every purchase of the ebook they will donate $2 to oneverse to translate the Bible into the native language of the Vidunda people. These people are without a single Bible in their language. Every 13 copies sold pays for the translation of one verse!  Wouldn’t it be cool if The Craft Home readers bought enough books to sponsor a few verses!!

I am so excited to be giving away a copy of this!! Just use the rafflecopter below to enter.  A winner will be randomly chosen next Monday.

This week I somehow miraculously lost 0.4 pounds!  I hate horribly even polishing off a pan of brownies one night so I’m not sure how this happened but I’ll take it.  However, knowing I did horribly I realize I need to make changes this week.  My mom bought the weight watchers deluxe member kit hoping it would help her track better throughout the day but she didn’t like it.  It is now mine. The very thing she didn’t like is my favorite thing about it.  She didn’t like that there were so many places to fill in but I like that it has me journal and think about how hungry I am and when I eat and stuff.

My plan for this week is to record throughout the day in my journal and then transfer that at night or the next morning to the internet tracker.  This will help me to look back over what I did that day and see where I can improve.   Here’s to a great week!!

Are you losing weight too?  I challenge you to share with me in the comments or share a link to a blog post about your weight loss efforts.

I’m going to be sharing my Bible Study notes on 1 John on my blog. I’m using the SOAP method which is to write out the Scripture, write one to two Observations, make Application, and then write a Prayer. Some days I may not share if it is too personal. I hope this is encouraging to you. And if you want to join in just go to http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/
I missed my morning Bible time yesterday. It was just one of those days.  I know you have all had them.  The good thing is that I am getting into the habit and when I don’t get my morning devotional time I miss it terribly.  This did not used to be the case.  God is truly fostering a love for His Word in me and I am so thankful.

Day 3

1 John 2:14- “I write to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning.  I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

Observation
There is a lot of repetition in this verse from the previous verses. John was obviously trying to drive home the point that he was confident of their salvation.

There is only one who is from the beginning and that is God. He is definitely the one to know and to focus on knowing better.

The young men are strong and the Word of God abides in them.  I wish this could be said of more young men and women in our culture.

Application
We need to know Him who is from the beginning and abide in His Word.  Not just occasionally read a verse but abide or live in His Word.  It needs to be on our minds continually. A great way to do this is to memorize Scripture.  Another good way is to listen to an audio Bible throughout your day.

Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to be one who knows Him who is from the beginning. Help me to grow in my knowledge of You.  I desire to abide in Your Word and have it permeate all parts of my life, especially my interactions with others and specifically with my children.  Show me how to share more of Your Word with them and foster a lifelong love of Your Word in them. In Jesus name, Amen

Day 4

1 John 2:15-17- “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away long with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Observation
Ouch! Can you feel the conviction? The world is summed up in desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions, every sin can find its root in one of these three.  All of it is fleeting. It will not bring us true joy, peace or contentment, only the love of the Father can. Our soul can only be satisfied in Him.

Application
Turn from the world and the things of the world.  Be more picky with what you allow your eyes to see- movies, tv shows, pictures, ect. Don’t give into the desires of the flesh- laziness, poor eating, ect.  Don’t find your worth in your possessions- clothes, home, car, ect.  Run to Jesus.  Abide in Him and His Word.

Prayer
Dear Lord, Forgive me for my love of the world. Help me to not give int o what my flesh wants but to seek to know Your will and do Your will. In Jesus name, Amen

Women around the world are IN THE WORD! (yeah I know it’s Thursday but oh well, better a day late than not at all)