Social media break

I decided that this week I need to refocus our lives and let go of my addiction to social media. I know some may not consider this an addiction, however, I do. I watched a video on Facebook a few days ago (linked HERE) that hit home pretty hard. This specific video focuses on the use of a cell phone blocking out human to human communication, along with the effects it can have on many of the relationships in your life. Phones have become such a big part of our culture that people are forgetting to take a step back and really look at the world and who is around them. I don't want to be that type of person, much less that type of wife or mother (in future tense).

Social media has become a big part of my life due to running an online rummaging website on Facebook. I've recently emailed the other administer on the page and announced my removal from it. I would spend hours upon hours on the website removing items that had been sold, correcting drama situations among members and making sure people were following the rules. It wasn't fun for me anymore. It caused me to need to be on my phone a lot more than I ever thought was possible. Sure, I'll miss being the first to see all items posted, but I'll gain a whole lot more in the process of removing myself.

Our Pastor preached a message this Sunday on why we believe what we do about water baptism, and our identity as Pentecostals. I love attending a church that has new members and allowing myself to still learn every service. I left this service thinking about the time I give to God daily, and what I ask of him or what I thank him for at the beginning and ending of each day. I realized that I spend more time on social media than I do giving to God in prayer, reading and study. That's not who I want to be in life. God paid the ultimate sacrifice for me (and you!) and we should not, under any circumstances, allow social media (or the media in general) to pay a bigger role in our lives than Jesus. I discussed this with Greg and we both agree that what is best for our walk with Jesus, together and individually, is to take a step back and give more of our day to our savior, than we do anything else.

In order to do that, I need to take a step back from all the popular social media sites such as instagram, facebook and twitter. I know there's more but those are the ones I typically use daily. Will I be back in the future? Definitely. I do believe that a healthy amount of these website is good for you - at least in the sense of keeping in touch with family and friends from out of state or whom you don't see on a daily basis. This is also good for advice. 

In other news:

Our family is in for some big changes in the next few months, regarding living arrangements, and we couldn't be more excited. We've tried to keep it hush hush, because we're not quite sure where we are going to be moving yet but we do know that we need to find a healthier environment for me and my husband. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the next few months! 

We wish you all a blessed Monday and the beginning of February - xoxo the Roberts

Winter colds

We've been fighting some real nasty sicknesses in this house for the last 2-3 weeks. I had bronchitis and Gregs been dealing with a horrible cold. It's causing him to not be able to hear at the moment. I think we're finally on our way uphill (and if we're not we're taking a trip to the doctor before the week is over to finally kill these nasty bugs). I will not be dealing with anymore of this crud this winter, after we've added many vitamins to our weekly intake. We've had our fair share of sickness, and we're donso. It's no longer welcome here ;)

I feel like everything is finally falling into place with our little family and can't wait to update you all on it, however, you're going to have to wait a bit for that update. My macbook charger broke last week and I'm waiting on my new one. Updating from my phone sucks.

Hope you're all doing well.

xo the Roberts

2014.

Don't swim oceans for people who wouldn't jump puddles for you.

It's hard to believe that year has come and gone, in what seemed like the blink of an eye. It goes without saying that 2013 was a very good year to our family. We were blessed with Greg graduating college, getting married and Greg also starting a new job. However, despite all the good, there were a few downfalls. My health being one of the biggest. I try not to talk to about it because I know it could always be worse, and we're extremely thankful that it's not, but it's hard to get past the missed opportunities and the mind games a chronic illness can cause one. I've always looked fine, but I haven't always felt it. Our family believes that with God, 2014 can be a new year of perfect health and many new blessings.

Despite fighting colds and extremely bone chilling temperatures the last few days - we've taken some time to come up with a few goals for our family in 2014. After surfing blogger this morning to go through others new years resolutions/goals, I've realized how everyone desires the same goals. There's a certain blogger momma that I've followed for a very long time and she's inspired me to "dumb down" our goals and make them achievable and realistic. If you'd like to view her blog for some amazing tutorials and mommy time then click here. Drum roll, please.... just kidding ;)

1. Make peace with my past and allow God to use it for his good. I don't want to be that person that allows my past to take away from my happiness and future. Everyone has a past, and although it will probably never make sense to us why things have happened the way they have, I vow to allow God to handle it and let it go. We will no longer associate ourselves with negative people in 2014. Life is too short to allow people to hurt you or disrespect you. If we've learned anything this year it's that you shouldn't cross oceans for people who wouldn't cross a puddle for you.
2. God & Church - We slacked on our duties as Christians this past year and it's time that changes. God has significant plans for our future and we're ready to live his will. We vow to attend all "New Marrieds" classes, attend church on a weekly basis and attempt to attend our churches bible study on Wednesday evenings. I can't wait to see where God is going to take us in 2014 or where we'll be standing in January of 2015. Bring it on!
3. Simplify. If there's anything I hate in this life, it's clutter. Messes drive me nuts. I plan to go through everything we own and get rid of stuff we don't use/need.  I also plan to live a much simpler life by trusting God and ridding my life of any anxieties or fears. I will end all fears with prayer.
4. B R E A D is a daily bible reading that allow you the read the bible in one year. Greg and I have decided to do this together and allow ourselves to go deeper in the word and learn things we may have missed or didn't know.
5. Find a place of our own to call H O M E. We've been living with a friend for a few years and now that we're married we feel its time to start saving, catch up on past debts (student loans) and get a place of our own. We've talked to a home lender and are on the right track to have the savings and credit to buy our own home somewhere in-between 2015&2016.
6. Do not judge and do not compare my life to others. I do not know what anyone is going through in life and I have no right to do God's job. I need to live, and let others live freely.

Mandy, the mommy blogger I posted above, posted that if she had to choose one word for 2014 it would be L O V E. I love what she posted about it so I'm going to share it with all of you, as well and strive to do the same.

"And if I had to chose one word for the upcoming year it would easily be LOVE.

I want to love a little deeper, love a little stronger and love a little harder.

I am going to LOVE today and tomorrow and the day after, for everything it is worth.

Because, LOVE is what make the world go 'round."

HAPPY 2014 EVERYONE! 

We wish you many days of love, health and happiness. Thank you for blessing us daily.

xoxo kristin and gregory + juno