Daily Devotion

When my desires to impress people became less than my desire to impress God, then was he able to show me who I am and his desires for me. As I decreased, he increased. He showed me his purpose and desires for me and in turn his desires for me became my desires, and it all became so much easier to accomplish. 

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4

Wednesday Worship: Came early this week :)

Gosh, his word is so sweet. I pray this truly blesses your Monday! When all we do is praise him, how can hate, envy, strive, and anxiety grow in our hearts...it has no room to creep in. So let his praise forever be on your lips.



Stay hopeful loves!

xoxo
~Nell

Modern Modesty: Lace Obsession

I love lace and pearls...either together or separate, but gosh do they go so well together, like peanut butter and jelly (shh I've even been known to jog in my pearl studs).

Indulge in these super cute pieces for some inspiration just in time for Valentines Day! And if you can't choose just one, buy another for a friend or yourself ;)

LACE! Obsession by shawnell-yates featuring short dresses

Stay Hopeful loves

xoxo
~Nell

Daily Devotion

xoxo
~Nell

Daily Devotion

From what table are you eating? From the table of life? Or the table of death? The more you continue to ingest or stay in situations out of disobedience to God, the more it will become your "normal", the dysfunction will become function, the anger will become "justified", the hate will become "provoked".

What you sow out of disobedience, that will you also reap out of disobedience. Take a moment to ask yourself, why? Why the hate, why the anger, why the dysfunction, why the confusion...just why? Don't allow yourself to remain in a stage in your life out of convenience to your disobedience, that can cost you your life...eternity.

John 4: 32,37; But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about."...For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps."

Stay hopeful loves

xoxo
~Nell

Wednesday Worship: Cling To You

Oh how I love this day! I get to share with you all a song that has been on my heart and blessed me so much. Something about great worship that can shift the atmosphere and allow you to hear Gods voice in the most resounding way!!

Stay hopeful loves

xoxo
~Nell

What's one of your favorite songs at the moment?

Daily Devotion

Sometimes God calls for a quiet season in your life and during that time you understand just what it means to stand alone. If you totally surrender to the experience, it'll be the most exhilarating, rewarding, life-changing, eye-opening experience in your life ever. 

Stay hopeful loves

xoxo
~Nell

About Our New Changes

In a world where sexual influence is everywhere, I just want to be that light in a dark place. A place where we not only look Holy but live Holy. A place where we can live free, worship Christ, and look great serving Him. I'm just following the charge Christ has put on my heart. Where I can be the wick and he be the flame and that flame not go out but burn stronger and deeper for Christ daily. I pray Flourishing Hope blesses you as much as creating each post has blessed me. 

Some of the new content will consist of outfit ideas (Modern Modesty), daily devotionals, new christian songs and books to help guide you on your journey of life, and other exciting news and content the Lord presses on my heart to release. 

I've prayed long and hard about this change and I pray it truly blesses you, and can help bridge the gap between cultures, generations, and people that just love Jesus and want to know and do all they can do to serve him. 

~Why be the same when we're set apart to be so different~

Love you guys :)

xoxo
~Nell

So much has changed

My blog has changed. The city I live in has changed. My job has changed. And most of all my heart and mindset has changed.

At the beginning of 2014 as I sat in my living room sick as a dog but determined to praise God anyhow, even if it meant streaming online; I will never forget hearing the softest of words; as I sat on my knee's broken hearted, lost beyond belief and having not a clue what challenges lied just ahead of me, "If you trust me and hold onto me harder than anything in this world this will be a year you will NEVER forget". My gosh how I still get chills replaying that moment over in my head.

Since then, I have been blessed with another job that was literally handed to me to the point where I was told, you visit the location, meet the staff and tell me if you want it. When God moves he MOVES!!

I've been blessed with the opportunity to move back closer to my family and loved ones which I missed so much, every day for the entire 2 years and 3 months I lived in Miami.

I've been healed beyond recognition from past hurt, hate, and anxiety, most brought on by my own disobedience to God, but non the less issues that lived so deep I couldn't have made it to where I am today had they not been dealt with. I mean lost to the point where I had to ask God daily to, give me the thoughts to think, the words to say, the friendships to have. I didn't know then but as I look back now I realize, this little messed up girl didn't know if she was coming or going.

As I look back and examine my 2014 already a month into 2015, I realize that God kept his word. Sure to some people they might think, well there's nothing amazing about that..but for me MY Father in Heaven knew just what I needed. I will NEVER forget 2014 let alone my time spent living in FL. I can say without any doubt in my mind that I am NOT the same, so deeply lost young girl, that moved to FL in 2012. Now, I can say I'm stronger in my faith, stronger in my walk, and stronger in knowing who I am and whose I am. Sure I have my days where I fall short, but knowing what my God has done and knowing what he's still got left for me to accomplish, I'll do just what was put in my spirit in October, "Take flight and be ready to soar".

If you just hold on like myself, and know that NOTHING in this world will ever mean more to you than God and your very personal, deep, unwavering relationship with Him, he will wow you in such a way you'll ask yourself....what took me so long to fully surrender?

Some of the greatest blessings you will ever receive won't be tangible, but intangible, and those are things that no one can ever take away...those are blessings given directly to you from your Father in Heaven. The one that created you. The one that knows what you need before you need it. The one that knows the number of hairs on your head. The one that designed you to be just who you are, so that you can accomplish that which he has set out for you to accomplish. So trust him, surrender to him and let him WoW you! You too will soon say, "Gosh, so much has changed".

Stay hopeful loves :)

xoxo
~Nell

**Stay tuned for new content and material from Flourishing Hope. I pray it will bless you, as much as this journey has been that has gotten me to this point, has blessed me**

Blogtober14: I never thought

I must say since I started blogging, a lot about my life has changed. Not so much because of blogging but just life in general, I can say that it's caused me to reflect more and be a bit more specific about my life. I never thought blogging would be a force for me to use, as a way to reflect about my life.

Sure, I know I wanted things to be personal and publish things about myself that others could find useful (much of which I haven't shared because some things I just think people don't care to read about), but I've grown as an individual so much. More in the last few months than I have in the last few years. I thank God for the growth, and the strength to endure some hard times, because that just means greater is right around the corner.

Since I've been blogging personally and connecting to various forums I've found other bloggers that have had such great content that have been enlightening, intriguing, and made me do some soul searching. No, they didn't change me, my father in heaven has, but hearing things from another angle has made me realize what's most important in life.

I'll leave you with these words that have helped me.

xoxo,
~Nell

Blogtober14: Best Halloween Memory

Given that my family never really celebrated Halloween much, my fondest memories are probably a bit different than yours, I don't have too many memories trick or treating and costume wise. But what I do have are memories of my family just being together and enjoying each others company.



See I'm the youngest of 5 to parents that worked and still do work very hard. They are both retired military and coming from a rather large family we didn't have a lot of money to eat out in my younger years just because. But each Halloween; before Churches came up with there own traditions like praise night, and trunk or treat, where people dressed like their favorite people in the bible; we would always pack up in the Minivan (Good ol' Aerostar) and head to the nearest resturaunt.

Back then (as if I'm super old lol), but back then we didn't have a huge choice of options so we would hitup Shoney's...good ol' Shoney's! I still to this day love that place. It just holds so many memories. From the costumed bear that would walk around passing out candy, to the lollipop treats given at check out, to the arcade games, they would have that were always rigged for you to lose; but back then at .25 cents a game why not!

Unfornatley, like most things that Shoney's in the area I grew up in has changed from one resturaunt to another; most currently IHOP; and the only time I run across one is when I'm south of 95 and people talk a little slower, drive a little more careful, and take their time and communicate with their neighbors. Gosh how I miss the days where people were just nicer.

But anyway back to the matter at hand. Halloween for me now isn't much more than just October 31st. Sometimes I'll get the occasional knock on my door and have to hush my dog, but at least in between the occasional knock and the semi scary movies on tv to watch, I can reminisce on the days where my family would just sit back and enjoy one another. Times were simpler, days were slower, we actually looked up to see one another instead of having our eyes glued to phones or tablets, and we didn't take for granted the time we had enjoying a meal out with one another. Not that we don't do that now but as times change you're able to enjoy nicer things, and sometimes enjoying dinner together is nothing more than just another dinner together.

What's your Best or Worst Halloween Memory? Do you remember Shoney's?

Current Inspiration: 4 Inspirational Quotes

Merry Monday Ladies and Gents! Make it a great day on purpose.

What's your favorite quote?

Stay hopeful luvbugs 

xoxo ~Nell

Current Enjoyments

Hello Fall!! Oh how I've missed you!

Good morning my luvs! I hope you're enjoying this great second day of Fall. I've got my vanilla/cinnamon scented warmer burning and all I can dream about are burnt orange and burgundy leaves, spiced latte's and Thanksgiving spent with family and friends :)

Here are a few things that have caught my eye and given me so much joy lately.

I don't know about you but a quick swig of a fall drink brings back so many great memories. It's so cozy and inviting, I can't even put it all into words. I don't need the fine china or desserts; just me, a great book and a lovely cup of spiced latte and I'm in heaven.

Call me corny that's fine lol but this picture makes me want to borrow someone's kids for the day and visit the pumpkin patch. Just Because.

 

It's rainy season in South FL so that means big hair, muddy grass, and a lot of broken umbrellas. But Rainy day's don't mean you can't be cute and functional. I love this cute idea with an added touch of jazzmatazz :) 

 

What are some of your current enjoyments?

 



Something to look forward to: My favorite things

Now that the swealtering hot days of summer are coming to an end and back yard BBQ's will be a thing of the past for a few months at least, and bright colors will get replaced with warm earth tones, and seasonal salads will be replaced with yummy comfort foods like chowder and other delicious soups that just means my FAVORITE season is upon us. Fall! Aww how much I love the :).

Although I live in the great sunshine state; Miami specifically; I won't have a chance to enjoy all things fall per say that just means I can live vicariously through my friends that live further North via social media. And the days I visit friends and family back in VA will mean that much more to me.

When I think of Fall, in my mind all I see are tree's of beautiful burnt orange and reddish hues, crisp evening air, and super cute boots! You can't forget about the boots! And for whatever reason; maybe it's because I've always loved New England ANYTHING; I always envision Rhode Island cottages and all things New Englandy (yes I made that up :))

Here are some of my favorite things I look forward to enjoying these upcoming months.



This is one lovely cottage overlooking the ocean! It's not your average small one room and kitchenette Rhode Island style abode that usually comes to mind. I wouldn't mind staying here and getting snowed in! 

 

How beautiful are Gods creations? I'm not one for the outdoors, but this gives me so much inspiration to enjoy the outdoors and test my non existent camping skills!

 

And who misses a crab fest when you can have THIS amazing creation?!

Well I hope you're enjoying these last dog days of summer and looking forward to Fall as much as I am.

Share some of your favorite things you experienced this summer and things you're looking forward to this Fall.

Be blessed my loves!

xoxo ~Nell



 



Just as you are. My personal struggle.

Gosh, how do I start? First let me start by saying hey there! It's been a while. It's been a LONG month. I've traveled, worked hard, dealt with some personal things, etc. I'll be honest. Part of me was hoping that by now I'd be able to blog about me relocating back home to VA but God didn't see fit to move me just yet so I just continue to have peace and trust the process but it's hard at times I won't lie.

Anyway, enough babble. I felt the need to blog today about something I've struggled with for a while and I will be honest and say that at times it's something I'm still working on. I've learned that getting through this struggle is more of a discipline than anything else.

What I'm talking about is, dealing with the struggle of being hurt by what people say about me. I'm sure you may not have a struggle in this area, that's fine but there is someone out there that does struggle in this area like myself. Now some may call me weak for admitting it but what good is it to go through an internal struggle and work on overcoming it but not share with those that need to know for their own encouragement...so with all do respect if this doesn't pertain to you nor serve of any use to you you're more than welcome to leave my page :)...I don't write for "followers" I write out of my own desire to share with those that care to know the desires and likes I have.

I had to learn the hard way that those that smile in your face don't always mean you any good. And sometimes those that smile in your face speak the worst about you and their words cut deeper than a freshly sharpened ax. But I also had to learn that it's not what THEY say about me but what God says about me. Yes, it's something that is said over and over and over again, but I'm usually one that learns best by experience than just hearing (some may call it hard headed LOL). It seems as if almost every year my circle of friends seem to get smaller and smaller each year. Sometimes they had to exit stage left because they spoke ill of me, other times they did me wrong. And sometimes; and this is sometimes the ones that hurt the most; are those that had to be removed from my life that smiled in my face, laughed it up with me, heard me cry when I've been at my lowest only to find that they did not actually have my best interest at heart. Sure they didn't actually have the courage to physically do me wrong but these were the ones that God gave me a nudge about in my heart and I had to take a step back and look at their "actions" and realize, ah ha, I see they laugh at me and are not actually for me. And these people, the people that speak so bodly behind text messages, or social media posts yet smile in your face, the people that listen to you as you share your deepest regrets and hurts in life, yet turn your remarks into the focus of their groups brunch meets or social hour discussions. THOSE are the ones that hurt the most. But as I sat back with a sad heart I prayed for them, and although I heard this over and over in my life from my elders it didn't actually resonate with me until God spoke it to me in my heart, "it's not who they say you are it's who I say you ARE".

Now I won't play tit for tat and speak ill of those that speak ill of me. I'll just say to you what I say to myself, my dear find it joy that they find you important enough to have a discussion about you when you can care less about them LOL :)...Stop. Think about it. Remember this, what they say about you almost 110% of the time reveals more about them than you any day.


Now, I can't give you a run down on how to overcome it per say because aside from what my friends say I'm not Dr. Phil lol. But what I will say is this: write down to God how you feel, and when you notice things run to him not man because they 9 times out of 10 people won't always give you wisdom on how to get over what someone said about you, it'll usually just turn into a bashing session and that only a short term fix. So speak to God how you feel, tell him the hurts and frustration it gives you. Pray that he shows you their heart and intentions ahead of time so that you can see more clearly the people that aren't for you that try to come into your life. He WILL show you, and you may end up with just a handful of friends, but trust me, a handful of true friends are worth more than 10k follower/friends ANYDAY. Another thing, and this is something that has helped me immensely, get a bible study regarding over coming bondage from what people say about you. I have one I picked up recently (Being Yourself: How do I take off this mask?); after a friend told me; his words not mine lol; OH so you're one that wants everyone to like you huh?! I could have been upset at that and thought he was making fun of me but as we went on to talk it made sense. No matter what I did or how I said things it didn't matter because people will love me or hate me and while I'm sitting back trying to sugar coat things, or phrase this conversation that way people have already made up in their mind whatever it is they choose to believe. So I had to learn to take off the "mask" per say that I wear/wore. Not saying that I'm a fake person because I personally don't think I am, but it's more so meant for me to understand that if I'm going to go the path God is leading me and do what he says to do then that means being rooted and standing/speaking very bodly on certain issues and if I'm too concerned about losing a so called friend, then the course he's leading me on is already defeated or at the very best going to be an uphill battle...not by anything anyone else did but by what I didn't do and that's be who God says I am.

So friends carry on as you are, who you are, and those that choose to bash your name let them. Pray for them, because they're clearly going through more than you know. And find the silver lining in the fact that they clearly have nothing else to talk about and you're just that important to be the topic of discussion.

I hope reading this post helped you as much as writing it has helped me.

**In the future I'm working on having more consistent content to really encompass all components of what my blog stands for, Entertainment, Inspiration, Encouragement. So stay tuned and be patient**

Love you lots!

xoxo ~Nell

I finally found Him

I know I've reached a new level in Christ and this is how I know it can't be anyone but Him. I use to always wonder, well maybe if I move here or go there because God said do it this is where I will meet "him", or maybe if I act a bit more "fun" or wear this dress I'll grab the "right ones" attention. Until one day I woke up and realized I had already met "Him" and he's been here all along.

This wasn't a stage I made it to overnight, good Lord No. This was a processes, a stripping down to the real me if you will, and it wasn't easy nor is it over but what I can say is this. Now when I pray and wake up each morning knowing things are changing my focus is, "where are WE going next to fulfill your purpose in my life"? Whoever comes along the way or has to be dropped off along the way, so be it. Surrendering my all to Christ wasn't easy all the time...at least for a controlling person like myself it wasn't lol. But now that I've done it I wonder why I ever waited so long to FINALLY get here. I can breath again. Space in my head isn't being filled with unnecessary thinking of people and things that just didn't mean me any good.

See, like a fool in the past I surrendered; all too free and willingly; my peace, love, and joy to all the wrong "men" expecting something in return only to end up emptier than I ever imagined. Now, I can finally say, I have surrendered everything to someone that has taken all my cares, fears, anxieties and in return has given me peace, love, joy, and success and I think I'd rather have that any day.

I came across this post in instagram earlier today. If you don't follow her please go follow her NOW. You'll be happy you did. I can't help but think about how true these words are. The truth really does hurt and can be a weighty load to bear at times, but it also is also so beautifully freeing. I'd rather be hurt with the truth than falsely happy with a lie. Whoever said "ignorance is bliss" LIED!

So he did you wrong? Yea me too. So you thought he was the one? Yea me too, but there are plenty fish in the sea...trust me...you still got it :) just do me a favor next time you have the same thoughts/feelings about someone check your motives first and make sure their in line with what God is telling you. You'll save yourself many sleepless and tearful nights in the end.

You don't have to go to him with eloquent words or a long speech, just be yourself because he already knows you way better than you know yourself. My heart swells just thinking about how imperfect I am yet how great he sees me. So while he knows us far greater than we will ever know ourselves, ask to see the "heart" of man because it's their where you see their true character. Trust me God will show you, but it's your choice to accept it and either stay or walk away.

“keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life” Proverbs 4:23

So what are you waiting on? Better yet WHO are you waiting on? Don't surrender to the wrong one, because you'll end up empty every time.

Where are you living?

Sometimes you have to just suck it up, put on your big girl pants and go where LIFE IS. It's easy to seclude yourself, and remain in your own thoughts but sometimes you have to get up and go before it's too late.

Maybe I'm just talking to myself, or maybe I'm talking to you, whoever, or whatever it is that's got you in a rut just shake yourself off and go where life is. It'll get easier day by day.

Live in the NOW. Live for TODAY. Tomorrow is not promised, so while you've still got breath in your lungs go and live the life that was set out just for YOU!

Sometimes people ask me what made me start a blog. My response changes each time but the fundamental reason is this. It's not to impress anyone, not to get any special accolades but it's to live for today, to help someone that cannot help themselves. I've put many things that I've wanted to do off until tomorrow until one day I woke up and realized why put off what I can do today, for tomorrow, because tomorrow may not come. But while I'm here today I can make an impact even if it's just one persons life. So please, don't put off what you want, what you desire, what's nudging you any longer. I mean why should you? What are you waiting for? A platform? Resources? Something to fall out of the sky? Please, look around you, EVERYTHING you need is probably right there in your lap...just not in the package you're expecting. So live for today, whatever that may mean to you.

xoxo
~Nell

Forgive Me

Often times our blessing is right in front of us and we don't recognize it because of the packaging. Sometimes we're so focused on the confusion going on that we discredit the blessing God is giving us by strengthening our patient. Sometimes EVERYTHING we need is right there where we need it.

Today stop and take a step back and ask God to show you things not through your eyes but his. I'm sure afterwards you'll be on your knee's asking for Forgiveness because we don't realize just how blessed we are, and understand when we don't acknowledge what he's done for us he hurts too. Stop focusing on the problem and start focusing on the problem solver.

This poem above is from a good friend of mine. I think it's fitting for what some of us need to do today, right now, myself included.

"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Rom 8:5-6)

*What have you been too focused on today*

Love you lots.

xoxo

~Nell

Reflections

*So what if it's summer :)*

xoxo

~Nell

What are YOU seeing?

Oftentimes our insecurities makes us see things not as they actually are, but as WE actually are. How are you viewing the things that go on around you in your daily life? The world is YOURS, however, if you only see yourself in your current position then growth will never be possible in order to make that next move.

Step out of your comfort zone, throw your insecurities aside and see life as it is. Just like you…I'm just a small fish in a big pond, determined live out my purpose in life…and letting my passion be the driver.

So what are you seeing today?

P.S. Sorry I've been taking these long hiatus', just trying to focus and not look at where I am but where I want to be. Each day, each second, and each breath I'm that much closer to so much more. 

Stay hopeful my loves!

xoxo ~Nell