A Blog Challenge

We want to challenge you! Read the Blog Challenge rules HERE and remember to grab the button.

You should also check out last posts HERE. Amazing!

XOXO,

Mrs K & Laney

P.S If you'd like to co-host send me an email: iammrskblog@gmail.com

An InLinkz Link-up

Ad Giveaway!

Would you like to have your ad on my blog for free. Yes? Well enter my giveaway then! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to develop your ideas? - Fun and effective ways

Take a piece of paper. Write your idea in the middle of the paper. For example, if you're thinking about starting your own blog OR you already have one, you could write "My blog". Then write 4 new ideas about "My blog" around your main idea. Always add 4 new ideas around your ideas. HERE you can find more info.

Once again, write your idea on a piece of paper (as a topic). Then  start attacking your idea. Write down negative things about it; what is wrong with it, why it's impossible and stupid. After this, start defending your idea by answering every single negative thing. This way you can test whether your idea is good.

Picture your idea as a tree trunk. (Once again, drawing this on a piece of paper will help you to visualize this properly.) Your idea might lead you to something (branches) and even further (leaves). What happens to your idea tree when fall and winter comes? Is it strong enough when the leaves start to fall. And what about if someone cuts off a brach? Do you think your tree is still good and something you want to have? 

blessings

From now on, if you see the sign above, you'll know that the post has something to do with my faith. I believe in a loving God who sent his son to die for me - because of my sins. If you don't feel comfortable reading about it, you don't have to. 

We often say "God bless you" to people but what do we mean? Are we asking God to give good and positive things? Probably yeah. 

Here's a definition according to dictionary.com:

A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing 
happiness.

Ok! So blessings are God's gifts and favors to us. This made me think: 

What kind of gifts and favors does our Heavenly Father want to give us?

After thinking about this, I came to this conclusion: God's idea of blessings are often different from ours.

"I have a great job! God has blessed me!"

"They don't have to worry about money. God has blessed them!"

"He is always healthy. God has blessed him!"

We see great things - we see God's blessings.

But Jesus said: 

Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

(Matthew 5:1-12)

So it could be said that God thinks blessings are: Kingdom of heaven, comfort, inheriting the earth (read THIS to understand what it means), being filled with righteousness, being shown mercy, being able to see God, being called children of God and the reward waiting for us in heaven. 

Don't get me wrong, I do believe God can also give us great jobs, money and health BUT God values one thing much much MUCH more than our well-being here on earth.

God wants us to spend the eternity in heaven!

His greatest gift and favor to us is his all covering grace. We don't deserve heaven. There's nothing we can do to deserve it. But we can have it if we want to - just by believing in him and what He has done for us.

That has to be the greatest blessing ever!

Have you heard about the Pomodoro Technique?

If you have read THIS, you know that I'm writing my master's thesis. I've had trouble with getting myself to sit down and WRITE. There's just so many other things I'd like to do and writing academic text is just not the coolest thing in the world.

But today has been different. Here's why:

I came a cross with the Pomodoro technique and it's just awesome. 

                                          

I modified it a bit and started to call it Tomato Technique.

Here's how the Tomato Technique works (in my case):

1. Take your smart phone and set it to alarm you after 25 minutes.

2. Write and concentrate!

3. After the alarm, have a 5 minute break.

4. You have earned one tomato!

I have decided that when I have collected enough tomatoes, I'll get a reward. Candy or something like that :)

I have to say, collecting tomatoes has worked! I have written more today than I did last week altogether. Yay!

Do you have a technique that helps you to concentrate? 

Weekly Link-Up

From now on there will be a Weekly Link-Up (every week) on my blog. The idea is to share your favorite post(s) from the week. But don't forget the Blog Challenge!

There's only one rule: there are no rules! Let's just have fun and connect with other bloggers!

An InLinkz Link-up

This Year's Word

I just read Charity's thoughtful post about how she chose her word for the year. 

After reading her thoughts, I started to think which word I would choose for this year.

My word is Courage.

By Sylwia Bartyzel

By Romain Briaux

Big things are happening this year. I'll graduate from uni. I'll probably move to another city. And hopefully I'll get a job - a real job. Big changes. 

I am not afraid of changes. My whole life has been about changes because of my Third Culture Kid background.

But...

There is something about stepping into new phase in life. I don't want to "loose myself". I want to be courageous to seek God's will in new situations - trusting that his wisdom goes beyond mine. I also want to have the courage to be me. 

2014, I choose courage. 

Pics from HERE.

My Favorite Poem

Another Blog Challenge post. This time I want to share my favorite poem with you. I hope you'll enjoy these beautiful words by E.E. Cummings. 

Reminder!

You should definitely take part in the Blog Challenge! Here's how you can do that:

Easy!

Go HERE to choose your topic(s) and post your link. If you are interested in co-hosting, email me: iammrskblog@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to read your posts! <3

The art of positive thinking

Not much has happened on my blog this week. I've had a Norovirus. I'm better now, though Canada just won Finland in hockey. 

Another thing that happened this week: My old high school burned down. Pics HERE. 

I love this baby's attitude! His positivity inspired me.

Despite Noroviruses, stupid hockey losses, fires etc. I'm super happy and grateful. Here's why:

I've been privileged to call an awesome man my honey for 6 years.

6 years ago he asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend. I said yes.

4 years ago he asked if I wanted to be the love of his life. I said yes.

I'm extremely grateful that I got my prince charming. But I'm even more grateful that our love is so much deeper than a Hollywood love. It's romantic but it's so much more than that. It's the kind of love that has nothing to do with feelings. It has everything to do with decision to love. What is love then? Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to find out.

My Lovely Sponsor

"Hey Y'all!  I'm Mary over at, Eat Drink and Be Mary.  I am a twenty-something girl, ready to embrace life and all it's surprises and opportunities.  I recently graduated from college, and now am learning to love long distance.  I am a coffee loving, DIY crafting, recipe trying, legging wearing, Instagram obsessed, aspiring teacher & Christian.  Trying to find my place in this world one day at a time."

HERE you can find Mary's favorite post. Make sure you visit her blog! It's pretty and so much fun!

My Lovely Sponsor

"At Annnabel & Alice, I try to find the joy in life, through travel, books, creativity and more. I think adults need to remember that growing up doesn't have to mean losing our imagination and forgetting our dreams. Hopefully I can inspire you to re-discover what makes you smile!"

Here you can find Annabel's favorite post. She writes amazing book reviews! Make sure to check her out before choosing your next book to read!

If you want to become my sponsor, go HERE.

Tolix chair - my love

If you've been reading my blog, you know I want a Tolix chair. I love Tolix chairs, because there's something amazing in mixing  different styles... mixing metal and wood.

Contemporary Kitchen by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Chango & Co.

Farmhouse Dining Room by Fairfield Architects & Designers Bonnie Paige

Rustic Dining Room by Calgary Architects & Designers Alykhan Velji Design

Industrial Dining Room by Santa Monica Furniture & Accessories Marco Polo Imports

All pics from HOUZZ.

My 5 Favorite Pics (taken by me)

This is another Blog Challenge post. I challenge you, too! Go HERE and be creative!

My 5 Favorite... (Random Things and Random Order)

Cities

Flowers

Actresses

TV Shows

Food

Dog Breeds