8.6

It's my birthday! I should be overjoyed,  right? Well, not to be a debbie downer,  but today as been bittersweet. I'm out of town on business. I absolutely love birthdays.  I mean, who doesn't like getting all the attention...at least for one day. Most of my birthdays are spent with family and friends, and I think that's exactly how it should be.

But today...today is bittersweet. Besides the fact that I'm out of town,  1 year ago today, Joey asked me to take his last name. ..to be his wife. So, do you see why I'm a little down?  Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful to see 26...I suppose I just wish I were with the ones I love most.

But anyway,  I'm so thankful for all the birthday love!  I plan to rock 26 like none other. So, buckle your seat belt and join me as I navigate through my 26th year of life.

Until next time
xo
RAEofsunshine

...flaws and all

You see, I'm not perfect nor have I ever claimed to be.
I make mistakes...a lot of them.
My clothes don't always match.
On a really really good day, I may pull out the iron.
I don't always wear make up.
Sometimes my eyebrows are bushy..very bushy..like right now.
My nails and toes aren't always painted [hey, no judging].
I cry... a lot and sometimes I curse too...especially when I stomp my toe.
Sometimes I stay in bed, all day, and no I don't feel bad about it.
On most days, I lock my keys in the house.
I also burn food...frequently.
I worry and even though I hate to admit it, sometimes I act as if the world revolves around me.
Some days I think I look the b.o.m.b and some days I think I look like a b.u.m.
I take a million +1 photos.....and yet I still have no photo albums
I do not exercise on a daily, nor do I always "eat clean".

You see, I'm not perfect but I am made perfect in His image.

We, as women, are so hard on ourselves. Today, I challenge you to write down two things that you love about yourself. Feel free to share it below, post it to your social media account with a link to this blog, or just write it in your personal journal. Whatever you do, write.it.down. and embrace it. Every day it's a constant struggle. Did I do it right? Do I look okay? What did they think about me?

Ladies, you are enough.WE are enough. Be confident. Yes, it's a struggle, but I am confident because I know who I am and I know whose I am.

xoxo
RAEofsunshine

Trusting in God Through Tragedy

Last Wednesday, my mom and I traveled to Louisville, MS to assist with relief efforts following Monday's deadly tornado.  Prior to arriving in Louisville I saw photos of the devastation on several social media outlets, but nothing could compare to seeing it in person. For the sake of those affected, I will only post a few photos.

I can not begin to image the heartache felt by all affected.  Imagine having everything you own wiped away in a matter of seconds....unbelievable. Mothers lost daughters, fathers lost sons, children lost parents; total devastation.  When I sit back and think, I realize that we often take life for granted.  And by life, I mean the small things.  We have everything we need at our fingertips, yet we still find ways to complain.

I thank God for my uncle Robert Brown, a native of Louisville, MS.  Robert's faith is to be admired.  After seeing the tornado pass, Robert was called by a fellow church member who was trapped inside his home. (The photo above shows what's left of his home).  By the grace of God, Robert was able to climb through rubble and rescue his brother in Christ.  How the man survived?..God and God alone.

You see, life is short.  We say that phrase, but do we truly understand it? In the blink of an eye, life as you know it can be turned upside down. Cherish your loved ones.  Stay in contact with one another.  In all things, good and bad, give thanks to God.  We may never know why lives were lost on Monday, April 28, 2014 but we can rest in peace knowing that God never makes mistakes.  Even when the pain cuts deep, He is forever in control.  My heart goes out to all affected; both near and far.

If you would like to volunteer to help with recovery efforts, you can sign up through the Volunteer Mississippi website to stay updated as individual opportunities to help emerge.  Remember, it was someone else today, but it could be you tomorrow.

Xoxo

Raeofsunshine