Song of the Week: The Wonderful Cross

Hello loves.

This week's song spotlight is on "The Wonderful Cross". This song is very dear to my heart. The lyrics are amazing and the song truly speaks for itself. My favorite lyric is:

"See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did ever such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?"

I was introduced to this song through my church a few years ago but it was made popular by Michael W. Smith and another version is by Chris Tomlin. It really makes you sit and think about what happened on Calvary's cross and it breaks my heart each time. It is important for us to remember Calvary's cross and the crucifixion of our Savior because then we will never forget to use His Blood for all things, which was His reason for going to the Cross. You can listen to Michael W. Smith's version of the song here. I pray that you are blessed by what you hear.

Much love,

Rita 

Seven.Twenty.TwentyTwelve.: Today's Run x Motivation

Hello loves.

Lately, I've been in a little funk over exercising. I really just didn't feel like it. I asked myself "why should I?" multiple times and I couldn't really come up with an answer. I had a true lack of motivation. I couldn't say to lose weight. I'm 114 lbs., I don't need to lose any weight. And I've never been bigger than 118 so even if I don't do anything I won't be that much larger than I am now. I also couldn't say to stay healthy. I felt like if I ate healthy then I would be healthy regardless of if I exercise or now. I came up with every excuse possible to feel justified about not working out.

Then last night I got to my lowest point. I felt HORRIBLE in my body. I was fine and there was nothing wrong with me but I missed how I used to feel in my body when I was working out daily. I had more energy then and I was more motivated in every aspect of my life. I wanted to feel that way again but I didn't know how to push myself to get up and run. Then I came across a fitness blog that mentioned The Color Run. 

I had heard about this particular 5k run before but never really paid attention to it. I thought "oh that looks like fun" but never considered participating in it. Until now. When I saw this and went to the website (linked above) I knew that I had to do this! And this was my newfound motivation. I was running one mile before and a 5k is 3.1 miles so I figured I can definitely do this. The one that I will be attending is in Houston, TX on November 11, which so happens to be World Run Day. If I start training myself now, I'll definitely be able to  run three miles by November. So this morning, I started my training by pushing myself to run TWO miles. Yes, it was difficult but I got it done. I set a goal and I'm DETERMINED to reach it. And I'm SO excited to be apart of The Color Run this year!

Hopefully this inspires you to push past yourself and know that you CAN do ANYTHING you set your mind to in any aspect of your life. I know God's got me and I know He has you too. With Him on our side, we can do anything.

xo,

Rita

Style Catalog: How I Twist My Hair

I have received many questions about how I twist my hair to achieve the look of my twist-outs. So I decided to make a video to show you all. Enjoy.

xo,

Rita

Song of the Week: "Don't Wanna Let You Go"

By Deitrick Haddon.

No matter what state of mind I am in, this song breaks me down and opens my heart so that I can worship Jesus and let His love flow through me. It's on his Crossroads album which was released in 2004. This is one of my favorite songs; a true worship song. It is a cry out to God, pleading for His presence, His Spirit, to stay and making a bold statement saying that I won't let Him go once He comes to me.

"Now that you're here, I don't wanna let you go."

"I'm in love with you Jesus and I..."

 "I'll just stay here in Your arms forever."

Simple song. Simple lyrics. Strong message. Pure worship. Listen to it here. Much love.

 xo,

Rita

In Loving Memory...

I went to a funeral today and it birthed thoughts in my mind.

First off, it hit me like a brick that my loved one's body was lying in this casket, but SHE, her soul and spirit, was gone. This is not a new concept for me. I have the knowledge and understanding of the process of death but to actually experience it one more time was tough. Death is always difficult for me. But this realization reminded me once more that my body, on one side, is nothing. It's just clay; dirt and water.

As I have been doing, I need to continuously work on my soul and my spirit. Working to become closer to God and to make an impact in people's lives through love. That is what is important. Different friends and loved ones rose up and spoke kinds words about the deceased. It made me wonder, as I do at every funeral, "What will they say about me? What type of legacy will I leave behind?" I pray that people recognize my love for Christ as well as my love for others. I want the love that I have inside of me to penetrate the very core of each person's heart that I come into contact with. I am an advocate for love, but I can do better to make that love manifest in others' lives.

Shift my space. Get focused. Love with my entire being. Don't hold anything back.

The song "I Can Only Imagine" was played during the ceremony and it stirred me up. When I go to be with the Lord, will He be pleased with my works that I have done, within and without? Will the Heavens rejoice that I've made it? I am striving to please Jesus alone. I want my heart to be like His. I am not my own, I belong to Him therefore I shall do whatever He wishes for me with no questions asked, no hesitation. If I do this that I strive to do, then I know that He will be pleased to the uttermost.

This is my desire.

xoxo, Rita