My Word for 2017: A B U N D A N C E

Each year I like to pick a word to center my year around. To focus my heart on. Last year my word was 'Gather' you can read more about that here. 

As I sat down to think, pray and plan for 2017 a few words and themes kept coming to mind. But one that stuck out more than all the rest was Abundance. 

John 10:10 says;

"I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly."

Jesus has called us to live this abundant life. He came, he died and made the ultimate sacrifice for us so that we may live an abundant life.

Abundance means overflowing fullness, beyond expectations or extremely plentiful. When I looked at my life I had to ask myself;

"Am I willing to go after the life that Jesus makes available?" 

Have I?

I think in some cases and some circumstances I'd say yes, but to a lot of it I realized there was apart of me that wasn't living in the fullness of Christ's abundance for me out of fear. Fear of what people would think or say. Fear of the unknown. Fear of trying and of failure. Silly things really.

I know that I'm am meant to live this life to the fullest. Christ did so much for me I need to live this life in obedience to Him and completely to the fullest. 

An abundance of His.....

LOVE

PEACE

GRACE

MERCY

TRUTH

Not just for myself but toward others too. Keeping these things on my heart and focusing my mind on them. What follows this obedience is the blessing of Christ. There is blessing in the following. Life is found in the following of Jesus. 

So this year I want to walk in his fullness. I want to do the things I've said I wanted to do. Take risks, take chances, try new things. Live life in his fullness with out fear or doubt. Expecting great things. 

Walking in his wholeness, in abundance. 

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Visit my other posts from years past words:

2016: GATHER

2015: ABIDE

2014: THRIVE

2013: PEACE

2012: JOY

2011: SIMPLIFY

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The Mascara Showdown!

Finding a great mascara is key to any beauty routine! Finding that one that works best for you can really up your make up game. Sometimes all I wear is lip gloss and mascara most days around my house! 

This year I've tried quite a few brands from high end to drug store and today I'd thought I'd share with you the best and worst of what I've tried. Some pros and cons and hopefully help you find something that might work for you as well.

Let's go! 

Maybelline Big Shot Mascara - (psssst.... get it cheaper on Amazon using my link for $6.99) I've loved their mascaras for a while, I think I used almost all of them in high school and college. This one is fairly new. 

PROS- Great color pay off, good wand, gives great length and definition. water proof. 

CONS- I don't think this one added as much volume as it claims. I liked it for the length and definition it gave me not volume. 

Younique 3D+ Fiber Mascara - This is a two step fiber mascara that you can use. First you add gel and then fibers and repeat till you get the desired look. It's pricey at $29. Overall I wouldn't choose this one, read why; 

PROS- Works well the first time you use it. 

CONS- Fibers don't stay on lashes, they fall off into the eye or face. The fibers are also quite clumpy. And the gel dried out after just 3 weeks of using it. It says it lasts 3 months but I never got that much used from it and re ordered it 4 different times, each one dried out before that time. 

ULTA Legendary Lengths Mascara - I got this mascara and used it for a few months on my search for a great mascara. I really liked the color pay off of this one, and the definition. It's waterproof as well. I would choose this one again and again if it weren't so hard to remove.

PROS- good definition and length. 

CONS- Nothing for volume, and it's really hard to remove. I had to use two makeup wipes to get it all off. Be prepared for racoon eyes when you try to take it off. 

Almay One Coat Multi-benefit Mascara - One coat? Not so sure. I had to work with it quite a bit to get the desired look I wanted. It kept clumping on me. 

PROS- good color pay off, water proof, once I got my lashes coated I liked the look. 

CONS- However, I felt it took several coats to get the look I wanted and I didn't like the clumps.

LimeLight by Alcone Perfect Mascara - This is a new to me mascara. I've only been using it 3 weeks but I really wanted to try another fiber mascara and this one the fibers are built right in, it's one step. I'd choose this one again and again. It's a really great product.

PROS- Great volume, love the look of the fibers, the length and definition it gives me. 

CONS- NOTHING! 

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The two that I'd repurchase would be the Perfect Mascara by LimeLight by Alcone and The ULTA Legendary Lengths mascara. Both really great for what they do. I hope you found this helpful. What mascaras have you tried lately? Have you tried any of the ones I mentioned? I'd love to hear your faves in the comments below. 

READ | Christ Centered Exposition 1 & 2 Samuel

This book was sent to me on behalf of B&H Publishing as part of their blogger program. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting brands and companies that help make this blog possible. 

Both my husband and I went to a faith based University where there was a heavy track on studying the Bible as part of our general studies. Since then he's come to love a good Bible Commentary and study books. 

Recently B&H sent me this commentary on the study of 1 & 2 Samuel. 

A couple things I loved about this commentary were the 'Reflect and Discussion' questions at the end of each chapter. They really help you think about the items discussed in each chapter. Great questions to get your mind thinking and talking about these books of the Bible. 

I also enjoyed the 'main idea' sections at the start of a new chapter and section. It really breaks everything down so you can see where the chapter is going to go. 

If you like studying the Bible and reading commentaries like this I think you'll like this. You can grab a copy via the link below.

*affiliate link used. 

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Christmas 2016 Home Tour

Merry Christmas friends! Before I take down all the decor in my home I thought I'd take you through a quick tour of our holiday home. This year I went with traditional reds and golds in my home decor. I did splashes of red plaid and loved these more traditional touches in my home this year. Let's take a look.  

Our Christmas card books are one of my favorite things we do each year. You wouldn't believe the amount of time we flip through them each season. I just love them. 

I did a simple centerpiece this year, I filled my wooden box with glittery pine cones and ornaments. So simple and very pretty. 

Our yummy coffee bar area got a little love with candy bowls of peppermints, a ginger bread house made by my sweet kiddos and these adorable mini box wood wreaths. I just loved all these little touches. 

Thanks for checking out our holiday home. You can see more of the walk through in the video below. And subscribe to my YouTube channel while you're there. Lot's more coming there in the new year! 

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READ | Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist

Shauna Niequist is one of my very favorite authors, if you're not reading her books you totally should be. She has a way with words and a way of drawing you in. I love her short essay format of story telling and writing. 

This book is deeply personal, she shares stories of loss, tragedy and incredible joy. And I love the overall theme of this book that things can happen to us, and life can be both bitter and sweet all at the same time. 

Isn't that so true? That things can happen to us, we can make decisions for our life that can be both amazing and trying all at the same time?! I just love that because it's so true for my own life. There are experiences that I have that have been the high light and joy of my life. And then I've had experiences that have cut deeply and have been the most bittersweet ever. 

I loved reading every single page of this book. I love her vulnerability she shows in sharing her stories. She shows us that our stories matter, that our lives matter. Tell your story. Share it with the world. Someone needs to hear it. Learn from your story. Learn from your experiences and allow God to show you himself through them. 

If you're looking for a great book to kick off 2017 this is a good one! Grab your copy by clicking the link below. 

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