My Hunger Game... Portion Control

So when you move around the holidays, a few days of eating crap (and lots of it) becomes about a month. Lots of Chinese take out, pizza, and David's ridiculously awesome cooking skills have stretched even my yoga pants a bit. 

Am I about to tell you about this awesome new diet I'm going to try? Um, NO. In my opinion, diets don't work. At all. I don't care what diet it is. You need will power. Will power = change. That's it, folks. 

What I AM going to practice is strict portion control. What is helping me? Healthy Choice. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah... Say all you want about frozen meals. They aren't really that healthy. We've all heard... BUT the meals really DO help with portion control. So until I can call myself a master, I'm using this method. BONUS, most grocery stores always have sales for healthy choice products. I can get them for $2 each right now with my bonus card. Eventually, I want to cook all natural organic small meals myself and stay away from anything in a box, but we have to start somewhere. 

THIS I can do. I find them to be yummy in my tummy. I'm not watching my carbs, fat (even though almost all of them are low in fat anyway), sodium, etc. I will be able to control my calorie intake by knowing exactly what I'm putting into my body for lunch and dinner. Most of the meals contain no preservatives. 

For breakfast, I'm sticking to my egg white omelettes with basil and spinach and a half of a grapefruit OR my oatmeal bars with half of a grapefruit. Easy breezy and delicious!

For snacks, I'm sticking to fruits, veggies or 100 calorie packs. AGAIN, I know they are not always the healthiest option, but I'm talking about portions. Once you eat a little 100 calorie pack snack, you're done. 

I'm ready to get back to this...

Anyone want to join in? Support group? 

Wednesday Walk - The Every Day Test

Tests. Who likes them? I know many who do, actually, but I do not. Tests make me anxious. Make me feel I'm not in control unless I know that I know that I KNOW the correct answers. 

When we walk in faith, we are tested EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 

Tested by God Himself and the enemy. 

We have to KNOW our God and grow in that relationship to pass this test with flying colors. 

Some of us have a hard time with that. Some of us struggle day to day just to get by. Just getting through one 24 hour period to the next is tough for some people. I have had those days, but I've noticed a slow change within me. One that I have needed my whole life.

I am truly walking in faith. Every step I take when my feet hit the floor in the morning until I crawl back into bed at night, I am learning to trust with my whole heart. Trust that this is God's plan and his path for me. Its not my own. When you can really embrace that, you will see a transformation within yourself. 

For me, its been slow... I'm not going to sugarcoat the process. Its not instant for everyone. Especially since the enemy is very real. he thrives off of our inconsistency. Heck, he CREATES it. Draws our thought process from positivity and God driven, to that of worry and helplessness. Making us feel unworthy of all that God has already intended for us to have. All that He wants to give us. 

Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Growth in Ephesians 3 has helped enlighten me. I SHOULD be reading it every day for the extra boost of daily confidence (new year resolution list #537)... It says:

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. 

New Year... New Everything

I haven't been hiding, I swear.
I've been Living.
And as much as I like to write about life, I took a step back and just enjoyed it.
The good, the bad, the strange, the unknown. I really have been living in the moment.
Kind of like my second to last blog post! I've been discovering what God has on the horizon for me.

Don't get me wrong...
I've spent many hours being worried sick about whats to come next...
But sometimes when you really have no clue whats going on in your life half the time, you're able to throw your hands up, let go and flow.

The biggest news that I've already announced... I'M ENGAGED!
I love saying that. I never get sick of it.
I never get sick of looking over at David (my fiance) and thinking, "Oh my God. I can't believe he's going to be my husband. Thank you, God."
I never get sick of looking down at my left hand.
David catches me often and calls me out on it. At that point my 5-year-old self comes out and I'm all, "Stoooooooooooppp-aaaaaa! I like looking at iiiiiiiiiitttt-aaaa!"

In other news... A lot of people have suspected or heard through the grapevine that I have moved from Nashville and the truth is, yes I have.
I moved to Pennsylvania.
Not where I'm originally from in PA but about an hour southwest from Lancaster.
I feel great about it. Not once have I questioned or second guessed the decision.
The reasons are many!
1) I love Nashville, but I needed a change.
2) David fell in love with Pennsylvania when we went to visit last Christmas. Its surprisingly lovely to love a man who loved my home state and could see himself settling there someday.
3) As I'm growing in my relationship with God, He is changing my heart and my passions for the greater good of His plan.
4) No, that does not mean I am no longer a singer/songwriter. I will always be a singer/songwriter. Its a talent God gave me on purpose. I just think its meant to make a difference and not to become famously successful and all that THAT entails.
5) I'm still writing. Writing music, books (I have 3 ideas in the works right now that I am pumped about), and just writing to write. To get it out. That's what I'm good at. That's what I know.

So what am I pursuing now? New business ventures!
I started a new branch of a company with my Mom from a business that she has had for years and years.
Its called Jane's Daughters!
Yes, I stole my blog title.
We will eventually be branching out with different ideas, but for right now it is a custom handmade wedding decor shop!
You can find our creations on Etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/janes2daughters
It would be lovely to have your support on our facebook page as well at www.facebook.com/janesdaughters
I love creating no matter what facet of my imagination I'm tampering with!
I love the action of creating custom bridal bouquets for bride's-to-be. Especially since I've become one! AAAAAH!
If you ARE a bride-to-be or KNOW a bride-to-be, please share my shop and share my contact information: janesdaughters@gmail.com.

Not sure how many of you watched The Attempters DIY videos (www.youtube.com/theattemptersdiy), but they are coming back!
Ashlyne Huff Revelette and I filmed about 6 more home decor DIY videos that we can't wait to share with you!
Life has just been so exciting and unpredictable for all of us (that includes David since he shoots AND edits each vid) that we haven't had the time to really get them done for your viewing pleasure.
One of the videos is a tutorial of how to make my burlap roses!
That will be released soon and featured on my dear friend's blog, www.hottmessmommie.com. Check her out! She's a hoot and a half!

That's my life bundled up in a ball. I'm not sure how exciting my life will continue to read from here on out, but I enjoy writing and keeping anyone updated who cares to know!
I may not be on a tour bus traveling the country much these days, but I have a wonderful life. A life built on Christ and love.
That's all I personally need. And because of that, I get so much more.

I'm sure I could literally write a book right now and go on and on and on about my new house, living by my family again (it rocks), my dog, time change, wedding planning, my soon-to-be family, new friends, etc etc etc... But I will save them all up for later entries.

God bless and goodnight, Bloggers.

42 degrees

I woke up shivering this morning and LOVED it. I pulled my covers up over my head and stayed in bed an extra 30 minutes before getting up to pour some Dunkin Donuts pumpkin spice coffee. Yum x 100!

I wanted to share my Top 10 Fall Favorites. Some are traditional and some are new for 2012 for me.

1. Football. Philadelphia Eagles (what the heck happened yesterday?)

2. Fall Fashion Color - Maroon.

3. Fall Show I can't WAIT for - Revenge - Season 2. 9/30/12. Missed season 1? Get a recap from the main character, Emily Thorne, below. 

4. Fall beverage - Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice Coffee. I'm drinking and blogging right meow. 

5. Knitting! Last year, I made an infinity scarf like the one below. I LOVE it and can't wait to wear it this season.

6. Fall Scenery. Especially in Lancaster, PA. I love visiting my hometown in the fall. Its beautiful. Truly God's masterpiece.

7. Fall boots. I can't afford these purty thangs, but they rock. Givenchy boots 2012.

8. BAKING. I'm excited to try these sweet potato cupcakes that I found on Pinterest!

9. Cozy nights in with my love, family and pets. Watching a movie. Being COVERED in blankets. Warm tea. Ah, love it. 

10. My Birthday! I get to dress up and don't have to feel like a weirdo since its the day before Halloween ;)

Wednesday Walk: Our Life Is To Be Discovered

I haven't posted in way too long. My goal was to AT LEAST continue to write my Wednesday Walk's since they are most important for me to share. After tonight's bible study, I felt the urge.

I LOVE my bible study. Miss Diane Woerner leads us each week chapter by chapter from a series she has written herself. Tonight's chapter was called, "Why Does God Let Us Suffer?"

Here are some bullet point notes I took tonight. I'll go into detail on the one that REALLY hit home for me (although everything Diane says enlightens me to be honest).

- We reach for God's love and grace MOST when we are desperately seeking relief from pain. How else do we find this unless we are suffering?
- God brings suffering not to hurt us, but to keep us from what is NOT us (like letting go of what we shouldn't be doing/holding on to/sin).
- We need to come face to face with our own weakness to fully receive the strength for the plan God has created for us.
- Embrace your pain and see if you can find God in the middle of it. Its God's problem, not ours.
- Many relate what is evil to suffering when they are actually opposite of the other. Diane's definition of evil is, "Evil is that which contradicts the nature of God." Suffering can be the consequence of something evil but not a direct connection.
- Don't worry about what is to come, for it has already been decided for us. We get to live our lives by discovering it, not creating it. God has already created it for us. 

I have never looked at life that way before. I know God is the one who has made a plan for me, but I always felt that He would give me the tools I needed and I then would go and create it. Knowing that my life here on earth is meant to be a discovery of God's plan takes A LOT of pressure off. This hit me hard. In a good way!

I'm looking forward to going to sleep tonight knowing I get to wake up to a new adventure tomorrow. Its a JOURNEY. I need not worry about the destination. I know my fate already. How about you?

What I've Been Up To...

How does one start a blog just four months ago and already start to slip and let a month and a half go by without writing? Simple... DIY projects.

I started a web series with my friend, Ashlyne Huff, called The Attempters DIY. To learn more, click here theattemptersdiy.blogspot.com and read our first blog entry.

Why this is important to me...

I have a lot of interests that I want to test out. Music is my life, but I do not let it consume all of me. The music industry has led me down a bumpy road and I'm ready to coast a bit (for a little while). The idea for this new project (The Attempters) is FUN and REFRESHING! It lets me explore my creative energy in a new and enlightening way. I feel revived. I would love for all of you to support and pray for Ashlyne and me as we pursue this new project. Thank you. =)

In other news...

I am happy to announce that you will FINALLY get to purchase music by yours truly later this year! I wrote a song with songwriter/producer, Simon Illa, called Right Now that is going to be featured on his new compilation album for his charity, Mind for Music. SOON you will be able to purchase a song of mine for a wonderful cause! I will update everyone with a release date soon!

Promising to post more...

Lindsey

Kristina Cornell

I was recently asked a favor of my dear friend, Kristina Cornell. A simple one for her growing ministry. After all of the things she's done for me, I am honored, but I can't just write a quick little testimonial for her... I'm sorry, Kristina, but I'm going to have to embarrass you by writing a whole blog.

I met Kristina in the middle of NOWHERE Georgia after a show I performed with a country artist. She was the most beautiful, smiley, giggly person I think I have ever met and I INSTANTLY loved her and was drawn to her. She was full of praise for my performance and insisted that we write together. We got together the following week and clicked right away! We wrote a song in less than an hour and spent the rest of the time getting to know each other and having "girl talk". It was wonderful. I wanted to spend every second with this lovely lady. Not just because she was so awesome, but she has an AMAZING voice and killer piano skills!!!!

We continued to write many GREAT songs together and she is still to this day my favorite person to write songs with. She is also the first person I wrote a gospel song with. I don't think she even knows this, but that was the most emotional cowrite of my life. I felt so full of God's love that day and felt so incredibly blessed to have been given this wonderful friend to share it and create it with. The song is called, "You Were There". Now I'm thinking I want to make a youtube video for it. Maybe when I visit her next or when Kristina makes her way down to Nashville again, we can make that happen! =)

Kristina is not only one of the coolest ladies I have met but she has the most refreshing spirit. She will "shoot it to ya straight" about any situation you might be going through and at the end of the conversation, it goes back to God's plan. God truly shines through her eyes. She is the most uplifting and loving friend, mother, daughter, aunt, teacher, writer, and singer I know! 


It has made me so happy to see God work in her life and give her the opportunities to share her love of Christ with others. I KNOW God has SO much more in store for her and even though we don't live close as of now, she's never too far away. 


I LOVE YOU KRISTINA! Thank you with all of my heart for being my friend and always helping and loving me. 


Do yourself a favor and google her! Haha! Or you can go to
www.kristinacornell.com