Set a Fire

                        

The song "Set A Fire" sung by Jesus Culture (I'm not sure if they are the original artist or not and that's the thing with worship songs, I never really know where they originate from I just find a version I like) is simple but so powerful. The words say "Set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain that I can't control cause I want more of you God." They repeat this over and over and each time I can feel the power resonating from this song. The version I have is live and I can just imagine the crowds of people singing this song and crying out to God. This song is a prayer in my daily life. I want a fire inside me that I can't control, I want God to put that fire in me! I want a fire not only for the things I am passionate about in life but I want a fire for God that can't be controlled. I think we can all say that each day we can use more and more of God. I know I can! 

If you get the chance, download this song...the simple yet powerful words will become your prayer too! I hope it does and I hope this song touches your heart like it does mine.

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

                        

I wanted to do a short series on a few worship songs that have been touching my life right now and not only touching my life but completely changing my life! These songs, among others, are in a playlist on my phone right now so I can have them wherever I go. Just the other day I was driving and feeling down, I turned this play list on and immediately felt God's presence calming me. I love that about worship music. 

This song is very popular right now and I heard it when it was first coming into popularity. I can see why everyone loves this song...it's by Hillsong United and you can count on them to make some very worshipful songs.

I pretty much love every word of this song. The quote I took for this picture is a good part...we have to remember that we need to call out to God when we feel the oceans in our lives rising. I know it's always a struggle for me to go to God for help because I tend to try and fix things on my own...never good...but when I hear the words of this song I'm reminded that when the oceans rise or the bad times rise up in my life I can rest in the embrace of God because I'm His! 

As a Christian I have hope in God! I love that I can go to Him and He will lift me up and carry me through whatever problems may rise in my life. Whatever you may be going through, whatever hurts or frustrations, whatever losses or even if everything is going great in your life, you have to know that God will carry you through those times. Don't let the ocean waters rise and overtake you...let God embrace you.

New Year's Eve

     

                             (picture via Google)

I usually don't like to do New Years resolutions because let's be honest...I don't stick to them very long but I want 2014 to be different!

I've already had a great end to my year by working on some goals I want to take into 2014 with me but I have some goals I need to renew. 

- I would like to be better at playing with my kids. I mentioned in my last post that I want to be better with my actions and not just my words so I want to carry that over into the new year. I need to figure out the best times to be on my iPad or phone when my kids aren't around so when they are around I can focus on them more. I have things I love doing, my blog, Beachbody, Facebook...but I want to make sure I'm not focusing on those when I should be with my kids. It won't be easy, I won't lie but it's something I want to work hard on to change.

- There's the old get in shape and lose weight goal....I can proudly say I've been working hard on that in 2013 so I really want it to carry over into 2014. I have my P90X3, my Shakeology and the support of friends and family so I am good to go!!

- I want to be successful in my Beachbody business. I mainly want to meet and find women like me that want to change their lives and be healthier...I became a coach to help others and keep myself accountable. Success to me is changing their lives...it makes me feel great knowing I can help them!

-Devotions and Bible Studies are things I want to stick with. I always start out strong with the One Year Bible or a Bible study and then it slowly falls away...getting closer to God this year is something I want to do...leaning on Him and allowing Him to direct me this year.

Of course I have some personal goals in mind that I want to work on but these are a few I want to share. 2013 was a great year...I got to become a stay at home mom, my husband got a great job, my son was born, my daughter has grown into a little lady...it's been pretty amazing! 

I pray that 2014 brings you all happiness and you reach the goals you've set for yourselves! Have an amazing New Year's Eve! 

P90X3 Arrived!!

     

I ordered the new P90X3 recently and it arrived today! I will be starting it tomorrow and I can't wait!! 

If you've heard of or you've done P90X then you know how great this work out is going to be! The best thing about this version is that it's only 30 minutes a day! That's right...30 minutes and you've had an amazing work out! I am going to be doing my fit test and taking my before pictures tomorrow to get ready but I'm also joining a challenge group on the 6th that will be doing P90X3 for 60 days. I can't wait to see my results! Along with clean eating, drinking Shakeology for one meal a day and this work out I know I will achieve my goals! 

There is a great deal going on right now too. You buy P90X3 and a 30 day supply of Shakeology for $180!! That's a savings of $90! They've extended this deal too, it was supposed to end today but is now ending January 31st. You do not want to miss out on this opportunity. Go to my website (www.beachbodycoach.com/meremannier, click on shop, then challenge packs). There are several listed if you think P90X3 isn't for you or you can contact me and we can chat about goals and what WILL work for you! 

Let me help you reach your goals! We can do this!! 

Love with Actions

This past Thursday we lost some family friends to a terrible house fire. The mother went to rescue her two boys, 4 and 2, and didn't make it out. Her father passed away as well. Her husband and two daughters made it out alive and just recently her husband gave an interview to the news. One thing he said really stands out to me. He said his wife would tell him everyday that she loved him more than life and he also said to tell your kids every day how much you love them. I'm sure they are like most couples and parents, they have arguments, they get mad at their kids but they still told each other and their kids they loved them each day.

I've always heard the phrase, tell the ones you love that you love them because tomorrow is never promised. I find this phrase hard to follow. I love my kids, don't get me wrong, I'm blessed to have them in my life but there are days they try my patience and I find myself getting mad and punishing them. Then this phrase comes to mind and I feel like a bad mother. I've had to learn that I can't live in constant fear that something will happen to me or my family. That's why it's such a tragedy when someone your close to passes away. I want to tell my kids I love them and my husband too but I think actions need to be done as well. When I punish my daughter because she's done something wrong, it's helping her learn the right way to act. I would be doing her a disservice if I didn't bring her up in a way that shows her how to act, how to be polite and use manners...she needs to learn these things and that's what we as parents are to do. Now, I won't lie to you and say I'm a perfect parent because I am far from that. I have days where I feel so defeated. I still get sad when my daughter goes to my husband more or wants him more than me. She will be three, you would think I would be ok with the fact that she's a daddy's girl but there are some days I wish she would ask for me. Price of a stay at home mom I guess? 

I need to work on my actions more with my kids. I can get so caught up in my every day tasks that I forget all they want is for me to sit on the floor and play with them. I need to work on not getting too angry when my daughter does something wrong. I tend to lose my patience quickly and I don't want that. I feel sometimes my daughter gets bothered by the way I act with her brother. He is 7 months and needs more help than she does but she doesn't quite get that...I need to make sure I'm treating them equally. Having two kids is tough but each day I learn something new and I learn from the challenges I go through.

So yes, today, tell your kids you love them, tell your significant other you love them but don't forget to show them as well. Do something just for them that makes them feel special...because just like this family is finding out, you never know when that person will be gone. 

Blessings

                      

We have this jar in our bedroom and all it really does is collect dust. We never use it for much and I've decided this needs to change.

The first of the year I want to use this jar as a true blessings jar. I'm going to put any extra money or change in it and save it until next Christmas...then whatever money we have will be used to bless someone! I've wanted to teach my kids about blessing others so this will be a great thing for them as well as for me. I feel I've been blessed so much in my life and it's about time I help others...I can't wait!

I hope you are all feeling blessed and happy this week! 

Thanksgiving Week

I think I'm having a case of the Mondays...I woke up with a bad attitude, I'll admit it. It's only 9:30 so I'm hoping to turn this day around! I thought I would write a little about Thanksgiving, that will make me feel better for sure!

It's Thanksgiving day week!! I love Thanksgiving and this year my husband will be joining us since he doesn't work...he's worked the past few years so I'm happy he will be with us. It's no secret I love food so Thanksgiving is a great day for that...I usually make homemade mashed potatoes and this year I'm making some chocolate gooey butter cookies as well (google that and you should get Paula Deen's recipe for them, they are so good! Bet you can't eat just one :-) ) so needless to say my Wednesday is going to be busy getting things ready and then my Thursday morning even more busy but it will be fun...the house smelling like turkey and watching the parade on tv...I love all the memories that are made around this time of year. 

I know people have been putting daily on Facebook the things they are thankful for and I haven't done it but I thought I would put a few things I'm thankful for on here. 

I'm of course thankful for family. I have a great husband, two beautiful, healthy children, amazing parents, great siblings and wonderful extended families. I have been blessed!

Friends! I have the best friends in the world! They are always there for me and mean so much to me. I value each and every one of their friendships. Even the ones I'm not that close to anymore or ones that I may chat with occasionally, there is a special place in my heart for all of you!

I'm thankful I have a place to live, food to eat, a warm bed, clothes to wear, I'm thankful my husband has a great job and I'm able to be home with our kids...I'm thankful and I feel extremely blessed!

I'm also thankful God is my hope! He has never failed me and has brought these blessings into my life. I'm most thankful He loves me no matter what...I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for God's grace, mercy and love.

I hope everyone has the best Thanksgiving week..enjoy these times with family and continue to make memories!