I'm Praying and Fasting for DIRECTION!

When i woke up this morning, my plan was not to fast this weekend. I have not fasted in awhile. But then my good friend Vanessa called and put it in my heart that i must pray and fast this weekend. The funny thing was it was on my heart to fast but i ignored it. Baddd Liz. That is when we get into trouble. When we don't listen to Gods voice or for those of you who are not spiritual, it would be your gut (trust me that's God).

I know today a lot of people do not fast. I find the longer they have been in church, the longer they go without fasting. Let me tell you fasting is more important now then EVER! Look around you. Our world is falling apart. Destruction is everywhere. Fasting and praying are appropriate for all believers of all ages throughout all centuries every part of the world. I believe through the years that most churches have not taught "fasting and prayer" therefore many people don't do it....anymore.

If you want a breakthrough in your life, then FAST and prayer. Trust me.
I found this article while researching "fasting" online today. I will quote a part i found to be so true.

"That breakthrough might be in the realm of the spirit. It may be in the realm of your emotions or personal habits. It may be in the realm of a very practical area of life, such as a relationship or finances. What I have seen repeatedly through the years-not only in the Scriptures but in countless personal stories that others have told me -- is that periods of fasting and prayer produce great spiritual results, many of which fall into the realm of a breakthrough. What wasn't a reality . . . suddenly was. What hadn't worked . . . suddenly did. The unwanted situation or object that was there . . . suddenly wasn't there. The relationship that was unloving . . . suddenly was loving. The job that hadn't materialized . . . suddenly did.
The very simple and direct conclusions I draw are these: First, if the Bible teaches us to do something, I want to do it. I want to obey the Lord in every way that He commands me to obey Him. And second, if fasting and praying are means to a breakthrough that God has for me, I want to undertake those disciplines so I might experience that breakthrough!
Every person I know needs a breakthrough in some area of his or her life. I am no exception. I need breakthroughs all the time -- it may be a breakthrough in understandhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7796882312118537010ing a situation, a breakthrough answer to a problem, a breakthrough idea, a breakthrough insight, a breakthrough in financial or material provision, a breakthrough in health. If you have any need in your life, you need a breakthrough from God to meet that need! Fasting and prayer break the yoke of bondage and bring about a release of God's presence, power, and provision." By CBN.com
 
Do you ever notice when you eat a meal it's hard to pray after. You feel either lazy or like you don't want to do anything, much less pray. When you are lifting up the Lord in prayer, there is a certain power in your words. When you are speaking it out loud through your lips, there is power in that. We have more strength spiritually when we are on an empty stomach.

Think of it this way...what did Eve use to entice Adam? FOOD!

Pray for me as i pray for you. Today, I'm praying for DIRECTION this weekend. In my life. Career, family and my ministry.

They Kick Your Behind!

I feel amazing. Awesome. Strong and happy. I'm telling you, when i workout consistently i feel so healthy and i even eat healthier. When I'm not in the gym, or doing something physically active, I'm lazy and i eat all the wrong things. I have a sweet tooth that seems to pop up on me at those times. I have not been very faithful in the gym at all since July. I gained about 8 pounds this summer which for me is not good because I'm only 5 feet. There was something about the gym that was not motivating me. I tried it all. Had my music going loud in my ears, had all the right gear (clothing) on and even bought a great pair of working out sneakers....but i just wasn't feeling it.

A dear friend of mine told me about Paul's Boot Camp which is a 2 minute drive from my house. I live borderline Vaughan and Brampton. It is located at Zenway and Hwy 7. I drive by there all the time on my way to work at the wedding studio. Each time i drove by i could hear the excitement inside. Loud music and loud women (lol). So one day i walked in and asked if i could do a trial, and they said "of course."

OHHHHHH myyyyyy let me tell you, it was the most amazing workout i have ever done. I mean that. I was soaked. I did an Academy 3 class, which i would not recommend for a beginner, but i was amazed. I immediately signed up for the trail month. That was a month and a half ago. There is no better way to go then this. Within 4 days i saw results.

I found as soon as i hit my 30's i started getting lazy with the gym. I would go like 3 times a week compared to 5 times a week. PBC makes you wanna go to every class. It's fun, energetic, loud and the ladies are all amazing! We have a blast there. Seriously. I never talk to people at the gym but I'm the real "Liz" when I'm at PBC.

I encourage if you to take a look at their website right here and try a class that fits your schedule and needs. You will thank me.

Do Something About It!

What is laying around in your house that is over due? What do i mean? Well, it could be dry cleaning or hemming those pants that have been laying there in a bag for a couple months. Or pictures you would like to place in frames. Maybe organizing your closets or getting those heels on those three pairs of shoes fixed. I don't know what it is, but i just dropped off a bag of boots at the shoe repair that i was thinking about throwing away. Now, these boots are practically new with scuffed heels. That's it. But that is not what made me keep them in a bag for the past 2 years, it is the fact that i got these boots from a company i use to work for called "Lindsay Perry" a high end shoe line based out of Toronto but sold in stores like Holt Renfrew...i was an account executive at this company and received many shoes and boots for free due to the fact that i wore a sample size shoe. So when there was a little mark or mistake in a stitch, they would give me the shoes free of charge. They cost anywhere between $300-$1000 Yes i know, insane.

So before i threw them out, after i saw what my sister did to her shoes at the shoe repair, i decided to take a trip there. All together for 6 pairs, the total was $100. Can you believe that? I was in shock. I get to save all those expensive and very nice boots for $100. WOW!

What is it that you have been putting off? Is it a trip to the dentist? Your morning walks or jogging? Bringing your pet to the vet? Have you been thinking about scrap-booking? Do you want to take cooking classes? Start it TODAY! Make a call or first step! Do something about it.


Make sure to email me and fill me in......:-)

What Are Your Plans?

With Christmas holidays around the corner, we are busy making plans, deciding where to go and who to spend time with.....right?

Your probably going back and forth on who is really worth your precious time on such an important holiday. Well, let me tell you this (as i have done a lot of thinking too) If you have family, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins etc, then spend it with them. Even if you have not seen them in years or have a grudge against them for whatever reason, reach out to them this Xmas. Make this year a special one. Please do yourself that favor.

Truthfully, there is not joy, like being with your family. Nothing is worth your time away from them. Look, i spent so many years (many years ago) away from my family. Every xmas or thanksgiving i cried inside wondering what they were doing. Today, noway! Every holiday, we are together. All of us. If there are people who don't speak (still) then i share my time between them. But nothing is more important to me then my familia!

Stop looking for reasons why you don't speak to someone. So they did you wrong or said something to offend you, so what! Grow up. No I'm serious.  There is nothing you can tell me that i have not been through, unless its "doing drugs" otherwise i have been there, done that! So i know what it feels like to be hurt, betrayed and abandoned......But i give God thanx for my life and for my parents and family EVERYDAY! Despite my story. If it was not for them, i would not have a story. So please make a difference in your life NOW.

Don't go on another minute without PEACE. Make a difference! Do not allow pride to get in your way.
If you have not yet read it, go and but A NEW EARTH by Eckart Tolle. The book talks about and describes the different types of "pride" that we deal with on an everyday basis.

I try so hard not to let "pride " get in my way. It's hard but I'm working on it.
When it comes to my family, i don't care how i look, i will say sorry or forgive me. Even when i have not done anything wrong. Because i know the difference it will make. Period.

I love you all and hope this blog has made a difference in your "Holiday Plans"

What Is With All This Garbage?

 These are actually real photos taken the "day of"

Ok, so Captain and i were taking the bus yesterday and out of nowhere he says, "ewww mom this is disgusting"
and as i looked down i could not believe my 3 and a half old was talking about the litter on the floor. Honestly what is this world coming too? I live in a BRAN new development. It is less than a year old and look what is happening at the bus stops ALREADY!

Why? How hard is it to throw your coffee cup or can of pop or even a bag of chips in the garbage. Ok so there is no garbage in sight....so hole onto it until you get onto the bus. That's what i do. Even my Captain does not throw his litter on the floor. It's nasty and wrong. Think of what you are doing to the air, the pollution. Even if you are not a "green" kinda person, please just make a difference. It's so wrong.

Moments after we saw this, a gentleman came and stood by us to wait for the bus. He was drinking a cup of Tim Horton's coffee and when he was done with it, he threw it on the floor. Before i was even about to open my mouth, Captain said "heeyy you can't do that. You have to put it in the garbage." The man was in shock and picked it up and said, "ok son, i will."


I was so proud of my son. 

Please please make a difference. What will Brampton or any other city look like 5 years from now? Do we really want our children raised in that kind of environment?

Are You Following Me?

First, do you like my new color? :-)))I love it...

Ok ladies and gents, i need your help here. I need you to click on the FOLLOW button on the right hand side of this screen. I looked at my "stats" this week which i have not done in months and noticed that this week alone, i had 172 viewers on my main page for the blog. Now that is insane considering there is not many followers. So what is it? I mean why don't you just follow my flog and join along?

I hear so many bloggers complain about this and never felt the need to comment as i enjoy blogging and did not care how many followers i had. But, after a "business marketing workshop i did this week, it started bothering me. Because i really do write for YOU so i want to see that you are following me.

So if you read this, then simply click on the FOLLOW button and join this journey with me.

Make Today A Happy Day!

When i woke up this morning and gave God thanx for everything i have, especially for waking me up, i realized how blessed i was when i was able to go in my fridge and make breakfast, turn up the heat, look in my closet at the many shoes and clothes i have to choose from. Turn my TV on and kiss up my Captain. There are so many things i can list, but i want to name the simple things that we never think we are fortunate to have. It's actually a privilege to have these things. Turn on the news or your computer and look at what is happening around you.

Today i want you to make it a Happy Day. Smile as much as possible. Hold the door for someone coming behind you, young or old. Buy someone a tea or coffee. Tell someone how beautiful they look. Call a friend to tell them you love him/her. Start reading a book. Write down your thoughts today. Start a journal....all these things are the reason why i usually have a happy day (most days). Do not allow the small stuff to get you. Brush off the little words that may upset you. Reply with a smile. I guarantee you will be amazed at yourself. My friends, life is too short to live it in misery.

Have an awesome and blessed day!

Do You Have A Secret?

What a beautiful morning. God is GREAT!

Colleen, Natasha and Elizabeth. The "Unique" Ladies

I woke up this morning and realized i forgot to log onto Full Circle yesterday to watch Colleen Miller speak on her "Story."
Well i have just finished watching it, and let me tell you, i feel so inspired and lucky to have this woman in my life as such a close friend. Despite having a the "Unique Group" together, Colleen and i were friends long before we started our youth events. She shared the story of being a pastor's daughter, growing up in the church and being in ministry; when she became pregnant with her "first boyfriend" (who is her husband now and they parent 2 boys) unborn child, and made the choice to abort the baby. She shares the pain of the shame she carried for 2 years alone. Out side of her very small circle of friends, she told not a soul. At the time, she was working for a crisis center that dealt with young women who were pregnant and wanted to abort the child. This was her work. She was scared and felt like a liar by working with these women after what she had just done.

Colleen knew there was a calling on her life but felt like she would never live it out until she brought that secret "out of the dark and into the light."

She finally did and has been released to LIVE her life freely and with the true power of God. Today she is helping many families, women and youth to live their lives without regret. To love. To HEAL. She is a walking testimony of what the power of Gods hand can do in your/our life.

I'm blessed to have Colleen in my life and know that i can count on her to be that voice or shoulder i need from time to time. She is never too busy for anyone. There were times i called her in the middle of the night and needed her, and she was right there. Never complained but always listened. She gave me the strength to SURVIVE!

This truly opened up my spiritual eyes on some things that i have been dealing with. She made me realize that holding secrets in the dark will never give you freedom. That the very thing you are keeping in the dark can save a life or soul. Someone may need to hear you speak. Share your story. Don't be afraid. Fear nothing but God. You will feel lighter and such a relief when you let it out. There is that saying, "The Truth Shall Set You Free" you don't even have to be in church to know this saying.

For more on the Full Circle story that Colleen shares, please log onto Colleen Speaks

If there is something in you that you have been hiding, let it out today. Call someone; your mother, father, friend, sister, brother or counselor and share your story or secret. God will use that very story in you to share with the world. To save lives. Don't be ashamed. Please.

Old = Beautiful

As Captain and i were taking the bus this morning (car is in the shop AGAIN) i was very attentive and aware of my surroundings. The "bus" does that to me. We sat at the front of the bus where the elderly sit and there was a little old lady that came on with a huge pack of paper towel. She got on right in front of the Canadian Tire Store so i guessed the paper towel was on sale. There was about 15 rolls in the pack. There was this "beauty" that this woman possessed and i could not help but stare. She looked Spanish or maybe even mixed with black. Her hair was curly but she brushed it out so it looked soft and wavy. She was about 85 years old with the most beautiful olive complexion. Her freckles were perfect :-)

When she sat down, Captain moved over a seat to give her the space to sit. She frequently smiled at Captain as he sat there playing with my phone. Captain had this connection with her. He kept staring at her and smiling back. I know my son and i know he felt her gentle spirit. So did i.

I started thinking about how it's so amazing when we get old, we are like babies all over again. She walked slowly, she struggled to sit down, and you could see that she had no care in the world; just like babies, toddlers and children. Older folk have no reason to put on a "fake" show. What you see is what you get. I began thinking about my life and how i would love to have their mentality in life....now at my age. I started thinking about how she must feel when she goes to sleep at night. I wondered if she had a partner and how long they were together. I got this feeling that she was widow.

When she stood up to press the bell, Captain saw it and quickly stood on the seat to press it for her. He did it in a way that was "helpful" and she recognized it and said, "you are a special young boy." I almost started crying. It was moving. As she started walking, she dropped the paper towel. I quickly stood up and picked it up for her and stayed standing behind her in case she dropped it again. I wished we could sit and talk because i was sure she had a lot to teach me.

When she got off the bus, Captain turned to me and said, "mommy we helped her...she's nice, i like her."
Wow, i thought...at such a young age, he is aware or "pureness" and that was so beautiful. I continued the ride teaching Captain about respecting his elders and no matter what, they are usually right. I compared her to his teachers at school and family and taught him the lessons my parents taught me.

In my eyes, the older you become, the more beautiful you will be. Why? Because of the wisdom and knowledge you will gain with age. Now, that's something to look forward too huh? :-)