Even in the Storm There is Peace

Do you ever wake up just feeling so weary and burdened?

 Sometimes when we arise in the morning the devil is right there to remind us of all the hurtful things of yesterday and days past and it causes us to just feel alone and helpless. Some days it can be so frustrating to even get up but we know our family needs us. 

I want to encourage all of you, before you even let your feet hit the ground, grab your bible and read, even if it is just a verse or two. Pray for your family and how you can apply what you read to your day. Sometimes we just get so overwhelmed with life and where we are that we forget that the one who died for us and walked this life knows exactly where we are and what we need. He is just waiting with open arms for us to fall into Him and let Him guide us and give us peace through the storm. There is a saying "sometimes God doesn't always calm the storm, but calms His child through the storm." I'm not sure who wrote it but it's so true. Sometimes my life is a struggle and I know that a lot of my readers probably think I have it all together but that isn't true I'm human just like you and I fall just as you do but that is why I started this blog to encourage you that even when we fall we have to get back up and keep on going. You can come here and share how God lifted you up and encourage someone going through the same thing that they will make it.

I pray that you can be encouraged here no matter what you are going through. Know I will be praying for you if you need it, I'm here to walk besides you in the storm because we need community and friendship. God created us to help one another, to serve others when they need it. You never know what the person next to you is going through so always offer a smile, open a door and reach out to those around you even if they reject you, God knows and sees all things.

Are you struggling today? Do you have a testimony of how God has calmed you through a storm? What bible study do you use? When is your quiet time with God?

I'm also linking up today at Christian Mommy Blogger for Fellowship Fridays, come by and see what others are talking about.

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Happy October!

Happy October to all of my wonderful readers!

Thanks for coming by and standing with me as I try to share what God has laid on my heart to share.

This month holds so many things for me, some are hurts and painful memories from the past that try to drag me down, while some are happy memories and some are just things that have to be done like the remodeling, fall cleaning, and getting ready for my little newborn baby girl that is due to make an appearance in December!

What does October hold for your family? I'm super excited about Fall and getting my house smelling like Fall is here! That is always the one thing I look forward to each year, I get excited walking into Walmart or any store really and seeing all the Fall colors, decor and of course the seasonal candles (oh how I love candles). We are in the midst of remodeling and boy can I tell you my home is some what upside down but we are getting there, one day at a time. 

Fall means family and fun, getting back into routine, and really getting back into step with Jesus. I have that struggle that we all do, finding that quiet time to just settle down with my Bible and just falling at Jesus's Feet and saying Daddy, what is it you really want from me? I want to fall into His arms, the arms that were tied to the cross, I want to hold the hands that were pierced for my sins. I need to be in the arms of the One who died for me. During Summer time I read my bible and I pray but it isn't like I really want too, it's always rush rush and to me that just isn't good enough. I need to really hear what God is wanting for me and for me as a wife to be a better leader at home and helpmate to my wonderful God given husband (sometimes I wonder how in the world did I get him, I definitely didn't deserve such an amazing man of God!!!) If we get too busy for God, then we are definitely busier than He ever intended for us to be. Let's learn to lean on Him and make sure that our time with him isn't out weighed by the things of this world! 

I am praying that we use this fall time to get back into step with God and really let Him lead and shine His glory on our lives and marriages. Let's learn to let Him show us what He wants, instead of always going after what we think is best for us and what we want for us. May God lead you today! 

What are you doing this Fall to get back close to God? How are you preparing you home for Fall? I would love to hear from you!

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

It's that time again ~Fall Time~

It's that awesome time of the year again! Time for Pumpkin everything, hayrides, snuggling by the bonfire with the hubby and kids, and holidays with family! Of course every year we also have the awesome FALL Challenge where alot of bloggers link up with Courtney over at www.womenlivingwell.org and make our homes a haven that is peaceful and inviting. You can read more about the challenge here and have a chance to win an Ipad mini.

You don't want to miss out on this challenge, I'll be posting here and also linking up Courtney's post where you can find others who are joining in. Be sure and come back each Monday in October and see what we are doing next! I don't know about you but Fall is my favorite time of the year and I love to decorate my home in fall decor and spend time with the family. 

What is your favorite thing about Fall? Are you going to be joining in the challenge? What are somethings that God has been working on you to do this Fall? Can I help you pray about anything?

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Homeschooling - What are your thoughts?

So today I am asking all my readers for your opinions and advice on homeschooling.

 The reason for this post is because I really don't feel that our local public school really teaches what the kids really need to know. My four year old nephew has been in preschool a little over a month and doesn't know any more than when he started besides what I teach him at home. It honestly disturbs me to the point that I'm ready to take him out and start homeschooling today! 

I have talked to a few parents at my church who use the A Beka Academy curriculum and they love it. They say that it really teaches more than regular school. Also I know people who have been using online resources to teach their children, I really just want some advice on homeschooling. Is it effective? What do you use?  

I personally feel it will be better on him spiritually and also mentally. He won't be in a bad environment but a Godly one. He's had plenty of bad environments in his past homes before he came to me. Please tell me what you think of homeschooling and how it has affected your children or children you know. Thanks in advance.

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Make a difference in the lives around you!

Today is Monday, A new beginning to a brand new week, a new week to accomplish something different. 

My morning began with studying God's Word and pondering what He wants me to do for Him this week. My duties as a wife will be done and my everyday things will be taken care of but at the end of the day what I accomplished for Him will be what matters most. How did I show others His love and compassion? Did I say things that were encouraging and uplifting?

Sometimes we get so busy with life that we forget why God created us and that is to love one another as He loves us and to show His love to those that do not know Him. I want to challenge you all this week to do something a little bit different and really reach out to those you see and show them God's love and compassion because you never know what a difference you can make in someone's life who just might be struggling and need a little encouragement to help them along the way.

How will you make a difference this week? What are somethings you have done in the past to help those around you? What would you tell someone who is going through a tough time right now? 


Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Stay enthusiastic about God

Studying God's Word is such a blessing to our lives!

This morning I started a 13 week study of Ephesians called Glorious Grace with HelloMornings, I absolutely love it. We are learning about more about God's wonderful Grace. Today talked about God's Grace on Paul and how He called him. How are you drawing closer to God? 

Today I want to ask you a question, Are you still as enthusiastic about living for God as you were when you first started on this wonderful heavenly journey? Are you still as passionate? 

I want to encourage you all today to never lose that enthusiasm, keep your joy alive, do whatever it takes because in the end if you let the devil steal your joy then you will be miserable. Here are a few things to keep you encouraged and joyful :

• Read your bible daily
• Get together and do bible studies with friends
• Be involved in your church (don't have one then reach out and find one, if you are in Louisiana then get with me I can help your find one that is very passionate about Jesus)
• Prayer and worship

I hope today this has encouraged you to stay enthusiastic and joyful in Christ. I pray that you all find what helps you to stay focused and God centered.

What are somethings you are doing to stay focused in your walk with God? Share with us what is on your hearts today.

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Making Time for the Important Things

Our families are what matters most!

Do you ever just take the time to think about those around you? Do you really spend the one on one time you need to with them so that they know that they really matter to you? Sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day activities, that we forget to just stop and spend time with the ones God gave us. 

Our spouse needs us to just stop and show them that we care, our children need that one on one time that helps them to see they are appreciated and loved, our family needs us. It's time for us to take the challenge and stop being so busy that we can't really love and spend time with the ones who need us most.

A few ways to spend time together:

Family game night

Take a walk together

Sit around and take turns sharing what is on your heart

Start a hobby as a family

Do the chores together 

Go out to eat together 

I challenge you all today to really make time for each other because everyday isn't promised, enjoy the moments that you have together, every day is a gift.

What is something you can add to this list? What can you do to spend more time together as a family?

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Stay positive, even in the rain

When being strong fails just hang onto the one who is strong, God!

You know the saying when it rains, it pours, well that has been my life for the last month. So much has been going on and I feel like I just can't catch my breath. A few weeks ago, my husband was working and cut his right thumb almost off on a table saw, but God had His hand on him because they were able to save it and although it will be a long process of no work and surgeries, it could have been worst. A few other situations have been going on that I won't go into detail about, it seems life has just been hounding us and the devil has been trying to just bring us down. I apologize for not being here encouraging you all, but I felt like how can I encourage when I am feeling so down. I know God has his hands on us even though we don't know what the future holds but I will hold to His promises, His will is always better than ours. He is my positive in the midst of this negative season.

I am learning through these trials to dance in the rain and be content with where I am. So much is happening that I don't understand but I know God has a plan. I am slowing gaining my organization and planning back that had just gone haywire. I am using my schedule I found from Darlene at Time-Warp Wife, you can get it here: http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/2011/12/free-printable-daily-housekeeping.html. It is simple and so easy to do. I hope you all are having a fabulous summer! We are going on Vacation this weekend and it is most definitely needed.

What do you do when hard times come? How do you cope when it feels the devil is beating you down?


Be Blessed,


Regina Cozad

Day 7 of Love&Respect

First, I want to say I'm sorry for being absent for awhile, things have been very hetic in my life and are just slowing down. We buried my pastor of 21 years and He had been the pastor at our church for over 50 years, He died with cancer and it still breaks my heart to think about it. He was such a great man and very selfless, always cared about helping others no matter the cost.

Second, my health has been up and down, I was put on bed rest for a few days after passing out at the graveside service of my pastor, and a lot of others things that I won't bore you with but I missed being here and prayed daily that if any one came across the page that was new or been here before that they would find encouragement. My little break was nice but I'm going to continue where I left off in my challenge because this book is really marriage and life changing and I hope that if you haven't finished reading it, started reading it or even heard of it, you will get in today and order it and follow along.

It can be ordered at the main site for Love and Respect or at Amazon.

In chapter 7 it talked to the wives about being forgiving and respectful no matter how unloving your husband is being and it also told the husband to forgive and love your wife no matter how disrespectful she is being. No spouse wakes up and says "what can I do to upset my beloved today?", We are all human and make mistakes, we need to learn to forgive and not hold things against one another. We must forgive as God forgives us when we do things that we shouldn't do. We need to learn to say "I'm sorry" and really mean it from the bottoms of our soul and move forward and never bring it up again. I am preaching to myself also, I'm in no way perfect but I want to help others as I learn these things so that we can be the wife that God created us to be.

What did you learn from Chapter 7? Are there somethings that you need to work on and let go of that you are holding against your spouse? What is your advice to others about forgiving one another no matter how hard it is?

I pray that today we will learn to forgive and move forward in the marriage God gave us :)


Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Day 6 of Love&Respect Challenge

I want to encourage each and every one of you to live out your marriage and your life according to God's word and you will see a major change that you will be happy with. Alot of people don't realize that our lives are not our own and when we let God take the driver seat, we will be amazed at how He can turn things around we never thought could be fixed.

In this chapter, we seen wives and husbands that because they lived according to scripture, God changed their marriages and restored what they thought was lost. Loving when the wife is unloveable and respecting when the husband is unworthy to be respected, Scripture says to Respect when they don't seem to deserve it and it says to love even when they are unloveable. So many people don't get this and don't understand why they can't get off the crazy cycle, we must learn to talk about what upsets us and move on from it, don't make it a heated argument but communicate the issue and fix it.

What did you learn today? What are some things that God is showing you that you need to work on?


Be Blessed,


Regina Cozad

Day 5 of Love&Respect Challenge

Today I have a question for all the wives out there, Are you trying to decode the messages that your husband is sending you? Do you understand that he needs respect just as much as we need love? Are you being the mature adult and making the first move to stop the crazy cycle and have a better marriage?

Today's chapter was on decoding the messages we are receiving and making the first move to just stop the crazy cycle and be better no matter how unloving or disrespectful the other spouse is. This book is such an eye opener and I pray no one has to be like the man who had to go to jail to decode the messages his wife was screaming out to him, saying just love me, show me you care, instead of always trying to be right and prove your point. So many times instead of showing our hearts, we try to show our knowledge and that we are right no matter the cost and hurt we cause our spouse.

Are you learning to decode the messages? Are you making changes? Share your experience below, I'd love to hear from you. I pray you all have better marriages from your efforts to change your marriage for the better.


Be Blessed,


Regina Cozad

Monday

Monday I will continue the challenge. Morning sickness has taken over today and its rough but ill be back Monday if not sooner.  In the mean time think of what we've already learned and pray for the Lord's guidance. God bless you all.

Be blessed,

Regina Cozad

Day 4 of Love&Respect Challenge

Today we read in Chapter 4 of Love & Respect and it stresses that men need that unconditional respect from us because when he feels disrespected, he will act unloving and stone wall because he feels he isn't appreciated. Dr. Emerson tried to explain to us how they see arguements differently than us and they deal with things differently from us.

We have to learn to speak the respect language, if we are going to get anywhere when trying to talk to our spouse and solve an issue that has been there bothering us. It's time to get off the Crazy cycle and learn to love and respect each other no matter the situations that life throws at us! We need to quit complaining and critizing them and learn to praise them for the things they do. :) I can't wait til tomorrow to see what else Dr. Emerson tells us that can help us have a better marriage.

Now it's your turn,

Do you have a praise report of what this challenge is doing for your marriage or for yourself? Do you have any questions or anything you would like to share? I would love to hear from you.

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Day 3 of Love&Respect Challenge

Chapter 3 taught us today that we as wives have to learn to show unconditional respect for our husbands, two words that society feel men don't deserve but the Bible clearly states is mandatory in marriage. This is one subject that if brought up, women get defense and say they don't deserve my respect because they don't show me love, but the Bible says to show them unconditional respect regardless because by our actions and words they can be won to the Lord.

1. Are you a respecting wife?
2. Are your actions and words showing Christ?
3. When things aren't going the way you think they should do you lash out? or do you show the love of Christ?

These are just a few things we need to think about from day to day. I was once wrote on here via comment on a previous post about respecting our husbands by a man that called me a 50s wife, little does he know that I was born in 1991! I was brought up in a church and that taught me what the Bible says, the scripture was instilled in me as a child and shown to me by a Proverbs 31 momma! I don't have it all together and I do make mistakes (no one is perfect), but I live the scripture and I won't apologize for it. I want to be the wife that the Lord intended for me to be and I want to help others to be the wife that the Lord intended for them to be, that is why I have this blog today.

My prayer today is that the Lord will show us as wives, how we can show our husbands unconditional respect daily and how we can be that Proverbs 31 wife that He intended for us to be.

Your turn,

What did you learn today? What are you doing to show your husband unconditional respect?

Be Blessed,


Regina Cozad

 

Day 2 of Love & Respect Challenge

Communication is the key in every marriage.

Today we read chapter 2 of Love & Respect and we learned that miscommunication can cause a lot of arguments that really don't have to happen. When the wife is feeling unloved she lashes out and the husband feels disrespected so he reacts and then walks away feeling worthless. After many years of marriage a lot of people never realize the issue that is causing the continuing silly disagreements and keeps the crazy cycle going, instead of identifying them and then proceeding to work them out, they just give up or keep up the cycle. The bible tells us to work it out and for the husband to love his unloving wife and the wife to respect her unrespecting husband. We don't always feel that the other is worthy of their need but we must do it anyways. Their tank needs filling because when it runs empty or is cut off then there is conflict that didn't have to be.

We have to decode our messages that we send one another to clearly understand what each other means by our actions or words. In the chapter today it talks about the wife saying she has nothing to wear when she really means she has nothing new to wear and then the husband says he has nothing to wear when really he means he has nothing clean to wear. Women and men or so different which causes a lot of our small silly fights that really don't have to escalate into a huge knock out fight. God made us different, lets embrace it and learn to understand each other.

Your turn to speak up!

What did you learn today? Did God reveal to you anything that you need to work on to be a better understanding spouse? What's on your heart today?

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

Day 1 of Love & Respect Challenge

First I want to wish all of my mothers out there a Happy Late Mother's Day, I had all intentions of writing a post yesterday but this little baby of mine just had me sick and couldn't do much yesterday.



My hubby cooked for our family yesterday and we had a lazy relaxing day and great church. Over all it was a great Mother's Day, I hope you all enjoyed yours.

Today started our new challenge, we are reading a chapter a day til we finish and each day we will come here and reflect on what we read and how we can apply it to our marriage. You can read more about the challenge here, this challenge is to show wives how to respect their husbands and husbands to love their wives.

We get on a "Crazy Cycle" and don't even realize it and then we must learn how to get off and this book will tell us. The Crazy Cycle is this "Without Love She reacts and Without Respect He reacts" sounds familiar doesn't it? This book is based on biblical facts and today we read Chapter 1 and we learned how sometimes we don't realize that our lashing out in hopes of fixing our spouse really just makes them feel disrepected and that sometimes wet towels and peppered eggs can cause a big arguement and leave the wife feeling unloved and the husband disrespected. Today I want to learn to not try and fix my spouse but to understand how his heart works and learn to respect him even when I am feeling unloved. Simply learning to communicate is something that can help a whole lot of arguements and tomorrow we will read more about that.

What did you learn today while reading Chapter 1? What are somethings that you will be working on today? Are you enjoying this challenge so far? Tweet about it with the hashtag #GodlywifeyChallenge


Be Blessed,


Regina Cozad

Back to Routine

Today I'm getting back into my routine of getting up early and reading God's word, I have been but not like I use to and I see the effects of it. My mornings usually consist of getting up with the hubby and getting him off to work, then prayer for him and our family, and then my Youversion bible plans. Since I found out that I'm expecting again, my morning routine has changed a little, and no I'm not complaining because I know in December it will all be worth it.

Sometimes we just have to kick the devil in the teeth and make time for God, for He cares for us. When things aren't going smoothly and it seems the devil has just got you bound, take time to just pray and let God take over again and put the devil under your feet where he belongs. I pray you all have a splendid day!

What is your morning routine and how is it beneficial to your family and own spiritual needs? What do you do to stay on track?

Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad

So I joined the Hello Mornings challenge and I'm getting back into routine, anyone interested can sign up, registration closes Wednesday.

http://Hellomornings.org/

God blesses us

So you all know about my miscarriage and if you don't you can read more here, it literally tore me down but I kept my faith and stayed strong that God knew exactly what He was doing. I went on, even though a part of me hurt, with my everyday life and the things that never stop. We attended a marriage conference and just enjoyed each other, all the while I felt something was wrong because I never resume "my monthly", I called my doctor frantic to get me in and see what was going on.

In the meantime I found my answer, I took a home test which came out positive, the dr did a test and it was positive, although we weren't sure how far I was, they were sure it was definitely a new baby. Yesterday I found out that in December we will have a little one :) and I just wanted to share this wonderful news with you all. Thanks for the prayers and all the comfort through the hard times, God has truly blessed us with this unexpected miracle! I feel so happy and alive again :) Babies truly do bring Joy!

To every wife who is struggling with infertility, miscarriage, and other issues that may be keeping you from getting the child that your heart is desiring, don't give up! God blesses us when we least expect it. I am praying for those that want children and haven't gotten them, that God will remember you like he did Sarah and many others in the bible.

What is some advice you may have for those struggling right now with infertility? How long did you and your spouse have to wait til you were blessed with little ones?


Be Blessed,


Regina Cozad

New Challenge coming! Are you with me?

Are you wanting to step out in your marriage and take a step that will strength you marriage? Will take a challenge with me and be blessed by an amazing life changing book by an awesome man?

Starting May 13th I will begin blogging on my experience with the Love & Respect Book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, and I would love for each of you to do this with me. It is available at most books stores and also for kindle and ebook. Everyday we will read a chapter and search deep within ourselves and our marriage to see what we can do to strength what we have and beat the statistic that divorce happens to everyone, It doesn't have to, we make the difference. We will hold each other accountable and see what God will has in store for us.

Are you interested in a better marriage? Will you take this challenge with me? Tell your friends and family! Get everyone you know invovled!

Quiet moments...Grow in God

Today has been a lazy day because it is cold and dreary out and that just makes me want to snuggle on the couch with my nieces who are here visiting. It's in these moments that I can grow in God by reading my Bible and praying. Sometimes I think we as wives get too busy doing others things that we neglect these moments that are so important to our spiritual lives, our marriages, and our children's lives.

Our spiritual needs is the most important thing and when we neglect it, it is usually at that time that everything begins to just fall apart. I want to encourage you to take time to just draw near to God and really let Him guide you. I have really put all my trust in Him over the last 2 months because I honestly don't know how else I would be standing. I found out some awesome news on the 16th and I can't wait to share it but I have to wait til after the 30th, but I know it was truly God's doing. When we truly surrender self and let God have His way, our life will bring forth things we never thought possible! Keep believing for God's will in your life and family.

What are you doing to grow in God? What are some things God has blessed you with as a result of giving Him all of you?


Be Blessed,

Regina Cozad