Want to Spend An Evening Together?

This is a continuation from my previous post Temple of the Holy Spirit. My husband and I wrapped up a 10 day Juicing Challenge for a few reasons.  We researched and learned so much during this couple week journey that by the time we were nearing the 10 day point, we were confident that we had mastered our goals as we set out for this challenge...understanding what our body's real needs are regarding physical hunger and how we want to proceed in life after the juicing is complete.  We still juice regularly, but we are now taking in solid foods as well.  A couple other reasons we decided to stop after 10 days...it is very expensive and had quadrupled our grocery budget which we don't have the finances to allow ourselves to do that for any longer without feeling like we aren't being responsible with our money, we do not have any current health problems which the majority of those who do the longer challenge are trying to heal up, and lastly I became keenly aware of my slow increase and addiction to the juicing and what the results were giving me.  I know that every time I've lost weight fast throughout my life, it is not something that I will be able to keep up in the long run so I end up gaining weight back and then some.  This time I want it to be honest and a life change so on the morning of day 9 we decided that two more days was enough.  I was praying a lot about self control throughout this process so I always knew I couldn't just quit, I had to plan for an end so I made it to the end of Day 10!!! - Praise God because he was there with me through it all!

Because I have been learning so very much and have access to extra help in a couple areas right now, I am so very confident in the team I have built to help myself succeed.  I never realized how important SUPPORT is on something like life change weight loss until these last few months.  So, when this video came across my Facebook this morning, I decided in stead of simply sharing it and inviting you to watch it...I want to invite you into my home to watch it.  So if you don't live near me I'm sorry, but those of you who do and have ever had trouble with weight loss, I encourage you to watch this movie with me so that I can be here for you.  I would love to pray with you, encourage you and lift you up to God so that you may build a desire so strong for change in your life...allowing your body, the Temple of the Holy Spirit to live as long as God has desired for you and that we not cut that shorter by not taking care of His Temple.  I love you and hope to hear from you in response to my invite.  This is a preview of the movie Hungry for Change and the actual movie is being aired on the internet from March 21-31 so you can sign up to reserve a spot to watch it or I would like to invite you to watch it with me in my home on Friday the 23rd.  Email me to let me know I can plan to see you at BaleyPlascencia@yahoo.com and I'll forward you the final details.  Know that I'm praying for you.
Matthew 18:20

P.S. I have been wonderfully challenged by a beautiful Christian friend about the "Hungry for Change" website and the connection to one of the teachers of "The Secret."  I want to make it clear that I still support this film and my viewing of it because it is directly related to a film that made a huge impact in my life last month, but I in no way am supporting the beliefs of "The Secret."  HOWEVER if you read my Temple of the Holy Spirit post as linked above, you will see that I DO believe there is a spiritual part of weight loss and including God in my weight loss has been WHY I've been so successful this time. 

P.S.S. 3/23/12
Just finished watching "Hungry for Change" with my friend and both of us were very encouraged to continue clinging to the healthy lifestyle choices we are learning and not to think of it as a "fad diet" or "too hard" anymore, just do it...her parting words, "I want to do whatever I can to encourage and pray for you!" THAT'S what friends are for:) Thanks for being a Bride of Christ to ME!

What a beautiful birthday!

I had the best birthday this year, it was such a sweet precious time with great girlfriends...and their husbands!  I am so thankful that I have such sweet precious friends, but I'm even more thankful that all of them are in beautiful marriages and talk kindly of their husbands.  I am very encouraged to have friends that appreciate their husbands, what a blessing to be surrounded by such women on a day celebrating my life.  I turned 30 this year and felt like it was a year to celebrate.  My husband does a great job every year to not only make me feel special on my birthday, but he gives me a birthday week.  This year we joked about me throwing myself a surprise birthday party because I love to plan parties, but then I thought why not?  I do love to plan and who better to make my birthday exactly the way I want it, but ME!  Well, it was beautiful:)  My husband came home in plenty of time to make sure I didn't need any last minute help, several of my girlfriends were able to attend, we had a beautiful picnic down by the beach in gorgeous weather and no wind, the guys stayed down to play on the beach with the children while the girls went back up to our house to make soy-candles and then we wrapped it up with the guys and kids returning.  It was so beautiful to see the families that surround us as well as friends who have passed that stage in life and were there as beautiful "brides" setting an example with peace, patience and kindness all during the party when the silly girls were laughing immaturely!  I will never forget this day and how each of you showed me the "brides" I want to be...to my husband, to my future children, as a mother-in-law, as a mentor and as a life-long friend.  Thank you Dorothy, Sol, Tanya, Mary, Diane, Alyssa and Carolyn!  Galations 5:13

Use my situation God!

Lord, I pray for you to continue using me beyond my comfort level to share about YOU!  I am going through something SO awesome right now and God has given me multiple opportunities to praise Him in front of my family during the process.  The tough part is that these family members are unbelievers so there is never an easy time to share what God is doing, but it is SO obvious right now and I believe it is making an impact!  I can't wait to share more, but will hold off for now:)

Please keep my husband and I in your prayers as we begin an unforgettable journey in life!  Draw us close to you God and all those who end up as part of this process.  We love you, praise you and thank you, in Jesus' name-AMEN.  Matthew 19:14

Just a Snippit about LOVE:)

My husband and I are going through the application process to become Foster or Adoptive Parents, whatever our future holds.  I know my heart wants to be an adoptive parent and I know when God's time is right, I will be.  But a thought came to mind today and that is that I am not eager to be a Mommy just because of the whole Baby thing...believe me, YES, I do know how precious that is, but I am eager to have children in my home because:
I just want to love and be loved and love those who need it...every day there is someone we walk by and that someone just might be that one person who needed a smile or a hello so just give it away. It's worth the chance of a slight bit of uncomfortableness to let them see that glimpse of Jesus that they may not have otherwise ever received in their entire lifetime!

If Fostering is what is going to give these children the only love, peace, joyful surroundings that they would know during this time of transition for them, then Lord USE US!  Psalms 51

Wedding Video GUARANTEED to make you smile! - Now APPLY it!

You may be laughing when you first see this video because it IS very fun! But I found myself bawling when thinking about what a PERFECT example it is of how our wedding day with the Lord will be!!!!!!!!! I love it:) Enjoy this video.

I usually don't write the whole verse, but I am too overwhelmed with Jubilation today:)Revelation 19:6-8 (New International Version)
6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Serving a Bride is a beautiful feeling!

I got married almost 5 years ago now and I will never forget the peaceful feeling of knowing that my wedding site was in good hands with my two great friends from High School! Well, it was time to return the favor last month and serving with a happy and loving heart is such a great feeling. My childhood friend got married and I was able to be there for HERfinally and take a look at the Photographer's blog to see how much it stood out (the photographer was also a high school friend, she did a beautiful job and travels anywhere - http://www.lisafitts.com/)! She noticed that there were so many people helping out for this wedding that's what she chose to reference in HER quote for HER blog, it was definitely a great group of gals this Bride chose for her wedding party!

Congratulations Kyle and Alicia, may your life be filled with blessings from above and always have a heart to serve one another. Romans 14:18-19

Great Facebook Cause close to my heart

I used to serve with Every Generation Ministries in Temecula, CA and still have a deep love for the ministry they do around the world! Please join me in praying for this cause they are celebrating on Facebook along with a dear friend of mine's birthday:) By following the link above, you will read about a great Bride of Christ in Romania, I have met his brother who also serves with EGM in Romania and is doing great work there. You can also read more about EGM at their website. "Transforming children in Christ through HIS church" is the mission of EGM. Never will a child be passed by. Mark 10:13

Remembering a Legacy of a Bride!

It's been 1 year already since my precious Grammie passed away. We just buried her ashes on Friday and I am convinced she left a legacy that will NEVER be forgotten! The memories that were recalled among us ALWAYS referred to her sweet sweet personality that would never say anything bad about anyone, always on her knees in prayer when she was going through hard times and always encouraging others during their times of distress. My Grammie is a prime example of how we should live our life as a member of the Bride of Christ. Grammie quoted Ephesians 4:32 in the Memorial DVD from her interviews in 2006 when I recorded her talking about her life story.

Fairs meet Marriage: My FAVORITE 2 Things!

What a day I had today, absolutely LOVED it! I have been in contact with a gentleman for about a month, from the time he first called me to ask if he could somehow propose to his girlfriend on stage at one of the Fairs where I work. Well, he had me from HELLO because we share the same birthday and he wanted to propose on his birthday and well, I have a heart for marriage so I wanted to find some way some how to minister to this couple! Well, yesterday was THE day and it was absolutely incredible, I had so much fun with this whole thing...maybe I COULD be a Wedding Planner in my future:) Well I had it all coordinated with the Hypnotist, one of my great friends Tyzen, and when he was telling me how he was going to have the guy do the proposal I was already crying! So Tyzen asked me to be in the FRONT row to watch the show just so he could get feedback from my face that things were going as I would like...or so I thought!! Well, yesterday was my birthday, as I mentioned and before the whole proposal, Tyzen really wanted me in the front row to bring me up in front of EVERYBODY to sing Happy Birthday to me. Then it all happened, a beautiful proposal through a card magic trick, a slow dance and a sweet YES was the answer, I was BAWLING!:) I always try to remember to carry a few of the Fireproof movies with me as well as a few of the Love Dare books, so I gave them a Fireproof movie!
Then, little did I know, the night hadn't ended:) A co-worker who I have been working with for about 6 months now came into my office late last night when I had written the first line of this blog and she just came by to chat. WELL, did we chat:) I gave away ANOTHER Fireproof movie!!! I love it, God use me PLEASE! What JOY I receive in sharing His LOVE! I want to love these people and spend time with them and let the conversation flow and just encourage them that they are so loved it's incredible AND IT'S SOOOOO WORKING:) John 3:16

Good Viral Forwarding:) I PROMISE!

I received this in an Email today and couldn't help, but share it with you all!

Look back and thank God.
Look forward and trust God.
Look around and serve God.
Look within and find God!

God closes doors no man can open.
God opens doors no man can close.

"God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever...." -Psalms 73:26

Men Need to be Romanced Too!

I romanced my husband last night, oh boy did I! I'm going to leave the rest to your imagination, but let me tell you ladies...it pays off to be creative because I have had a totally different husband today! It's not that we haven't done these things before, but that I did it so willingly and went over the top with my willingness to participate. That is romance to MY husband:) It doesn't have to be cheesy, girly stuff like we expect...just be willing and go for it!!! Have fun with your lover tonight, surprise him with your efforts! Read Song of Solomon for some breath-taking ideas for loving your spouse.

Laugh...It'll make you feel better!

Don't forget to smile, laugh, kiss, hug or any of those other feel good actions you do when you love someone. I know, sometimes I don't feel like doing it either, but have found that in those times when you least feel like it is when you should do it the most. It makes me feel a lot better because I know that's what God wants most...JOY in my life (Psalms 30)!

So next time your husband leaves the house and you didn't have a warm departure, be sure that when he walks back through that door at the end of the day...he only feels warmth and sees a smile on your face. That's how you would greet the Lord wouldn't you? I pray for us to have renewed love for our husbands daily through the Lord and that He may have JOY watching us interact with our husband knowing that we are just practicing for the day we meet up with Him in the clouds! Woohoo!!! 1 Thessalonians 4:17