Award!

I’ve been nominated for the Liebster award. By the wonderful Jessica Spencer at Innerworkings of the female mindInnerworkings of the Female Mind - Thanks, Doll

So here is how this dealio works!

---

The Rules:

1.     Post 11 random facts about yourself

2.     Answer 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you

3.     Nominate bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to do the same

4.     Let the bloggers know you have nominated know they have been nominated

PART ONE

11 Facts about me:

1.     I really like reading Amish fiction novels

2.     My favorite person (celebrity wise) is Carrie Underwood

3.     I have a good amount of Family in Germany and I plan on visiting there next summer

4.     Remembering song lyrics is really hard for me.

5.     I was a sign language major for a year and a half

6.     I have 1 brother, 1 sister, 1 sister in law, 1 brother in law. One of each.

7.     I love playing board games – mainly Settlers of Catan

8.     I can’t apply eye liner to save my life

9.     I love the Duggar family!

10.  I have gotten my nose pierced 4 or 5 times – cant remember. I keep taking it out

11.  I love watching baseball!

PART TWO

Jessica’s questions && My answers:

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas! I think mainly because I am super nostalgic and I love the idea of Christmas. I actually enjoying thinking back on Christmas after the fact that I enjoy being the moment.

 Who is your favorite Author? Beverly Lewis!

 If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be and why? Carrie Underwood, because I love her more than anyone

 How did you start blogging?

I have dabbled in blogging off and on for years. I kept coming back to it after a while and in September I decided to just dive in and go for it since it was so much fun for me!

 What is your favorite quote?

“I could dance to this beat – forevermore!” – Taylor Swift 

ok, fine I just happen to be listening to that song but – I couldn't think of another one.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Ice cream, Reality TV Shows, and Amish Fiction novels.

 What is your greatest pet peeve?

When people call my work back without listening to their voicemail and they have no idea who called them or why – and expect me to know who called them.

 What tops your bucket list at the moment?

Be able to do Crow Pose in Yoga!!!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would like to have at least 1 baby and for my church to have a building – and still be doing yoga.

What is the one food staple that is always in your kitchen no matter what?

Bagels.

What is the wildest thing you’ve ever done?

I yelled at a Vikings fan on the Streets of Detroit one time.

PART THREE

My questions for you:

1. Do you like Christmas music?
2. Do you like to cook?
3. Do you watch Gilmore Girls?
4. What is your favorite hobby?
5. What are 3 goals you have in the next 10 years?
6. Do you watch Reality TV?
7. How do you feel about your current job?
8. What is your most embarrasssing moment?
9. Any hidden talents?
10. How do you feel about flying? 
11. What did you want to be when you were little?

My Nominees

Drum roll please…

Katie at The Hot Tea and the Empty Seat

Sarah at Life with the Casterlines

Britt @ MyLittle Sunshines

Melissa at The Rambling Llama

but ANYONE can do this - please do!

Wednesday Thoughts// Community Brew

Good morning, friend! How are you today? I will be honest, I am a bit weary today. I have been goin' through some tough stuff this week. A family I know got torn apart this weekend. The wife and mother is dead, and the father- well is he in jail awaiting trial. Those are the only details I know. But that is enough for me to fill in the details and just, be sad. 

Another family was torn apart on Monday as their 14 year old son passed away from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. 

All this in my, normally, quiet town.

I don't know what to do for these people, I wish I could help. I wish I could hug each person directly affected and tell them about the Hope we have in Jesus. I want to help find answers for these senseless acts - but I am afraid there are no answers.

Today my post is brief because I just am at a loss for words.

I am linking up with for the Community Brew, and I am hoping to be filled up and encouraged by the posts there, but I know I will. 

Detroit Sports Fandom

Being a Detroit Sports Fan is emotionally exhausting. It truly is.

I realize I am late to the game here, as I have only been a fan for a little over 3 years. I have grown up liking Detroit enough but when I moved away from home I realized that Michigan is the best state despite what people say. When I moved home I decided to was time to be a sports fan.

So here I am, all geared up to be a Detroit sports' fan with my (then) boyfriend as my guide.

I started learning how to play hockey, baseball, football..oh by play I mean watch...play football, play baseball. Basketball? As a previous cheerleader, I had that game down.

I watched game after game with expectations high as a kite.

When the crushing reality came slowly creeping in.

We don't win.

Very often.

Here is one thing I can count on being a Detroit's sports fan: we may not win but we have a lot spirit. We love the players and coaches and want to see Detroit do well. We want to be known for good things and not be laughed at. We loved Jim Swartz and are sad to see him go. Ausmus is my homeboy. And by WE I think I mean me.

I love Detroit sports and I always will.

Win or Lose, it's how you play the game. Right?

Do you like sports? What is your favorite team? Are they good?

Poison Ivy - A True Story

I remember it vividly; as if it were yesterday, it was a Sunday in mid-August  I was in my "garden" at my home with my Mother-in-law trying to prepare my home for our house warming/ Labor Day party. 

Mind you, I was raised by a landscaper but I did not inherit his green thumb at all. 

As we were pulling the trillions of weeds in the rock covered flower beds the thought of touching poison ivy never crossed my mind. Skip to my grandma passes away that day and we are at her funeral the next day and my eye lid is super itchy.

My mother's first thought is "did you touch poison ivy?" my first thought is, "must be bug bites" - I am not very astute.

By Tuesday morning getting ready for the service my eye lid is swollen and red, little make up and I am good to do. Come dinner time that evening my face is covered in red bumps and a rash. POISON IVY!! My mother was right, yet again.

Philip and I hit up the Walmart Pharmacy where the well meaning pharmacist suggests a few ointments and I apply them liberally before bed.

When my alarm went off at 6:30 that morning I instantly knew there was a problem - I couldn't open my right eye. I had a rash all over my face, around my neck and on my left arm. I try calling  my boss but did not get an answer so I throw on a scarf push my hair around my face, put on my glasses and try to get into work on time. My awesome coworkers convince me I need to go see a doctor so I leave and get an RX for Steroids and a note to take the day off. I take some Benadryl and essentially woke up the next morning still covered in a rash. 

Over the next 3- THREE- weeks the rash slowly got worse and appeared in more places. When all was said and done both hands, arms, legs, stomach, neck and face were plagued. Each day the rash itched so badly I seriously contemplated just peeling it off but figured that would just cause more of an issue.

Finally after well over $100, 2 doctor visits, lots of creams, prayer, tears, and makeup less days. When the stinkin' party that started this whole ordeal finally came around my mother bought some wonder gel for me and it cleared it up OVERNIGHT! OVERNIGHT! 

So kids, the moral of the story is - leaves of three, let it be.

Have you ever had poison ivy??

In a Perfect World & #TGIFhop!

Fun fact: this is the blue print from my reception seating chart.

You could call me opinionated. You could call me bossy.

I like to think of it as I have great ideas and people should at least consider them.

Here are some of my great ideas that I am hoping catch on.

1. Fridays should be half days. No one wants to be in the office and working. Lets's just work really hard until 1 and go home for a late lunch.

2. People who spend the most time in the office should be able to pick the music. Music can make or break the work experience. The playlist at my office is nothing short of terrible. I have only been here a little over 6 months and I am so sick of this music I want to shove pencils in my ears so I don't have to subjected to "Jesse's Girl" for the 10,000th time, this week.

3. Mondays should be half days as well. But from 12-5. Because there are few things worse than that alarm clock going off on Monday mornings. woof.

4. My last idea, for now, is coffee shops need to deliver. The coffee at work is crap. I want Tim Hortons and a Timbit on my desk, stat.

Can we? It would make everything so much nicer and sun-shiner.

That's all I got.

Welcome To The TGIF Hop!

Lets celebrate making it through another week by

 linking your blog and/ or your instagram below. 
You may link up any post.
 Remember, visiting other blogs and/ or Instagram links is what makes a successful blog hop.
This hop runs from every week. Starting Friday morning to Wednesday morning.
Be kind and grab a TGIF BLOG HOP button below.




Grab a button and spread the love of TGIF because who doesn't love Fridays?!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.threesistersandus.com/p/tgif-hop.html" title="TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMk8iTDmz6d5hTg-EUJrV4VLNLuEskeK2Km04O0ITL0scSWcABs_pXW8Ehtz_V9MxmHduvZqAmRBqOYO39lEcm3nQk8RRT-SM4jxPPrZna2bfCX1k675A9BUX1f9nKhFXshvi3eH0mIWU/s1600/TGIF+Take+2.jpg" alt="TGIF Blog & Instagram Hop" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

RULES

1. PLEASE Follow your host and cohost blog's via GFC or BLOGLOVIN

2. Please Follow the hosts and co-hosts on Instagram if you link-up your account below.

3. Please leave a comment stating that you are following and where so we can follow you back and get to know you! Sometimes it can be hard to know which is a new follower and we don't want you to think we're rude.

4. Tweet the hop below to help us grow. It's greatly appreciated. 

5. Be social.  Meet new friends. 

*You do not need an Instagram account to link up.

Every first Friday of the month we will be hosting a lovely GIVEAWAY!

:: Three Sisters and us ::Mice In The Kitchen :: Second Chances Girl ::CompleteBliss Blog :: My Silly Little Gang ::

                                                                                                                                                               

     

Meet TGIF's Weekly Cohost
Mary-Keith 
 http://marykeithp.blogspot.com/

My blog is probably considered a Lifestyle Blog. I talk about things that I find are true, and I don't sugar coat.
 I don't post how-tos because there is nothing in life I have mastered, accept how to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. I mainly talk about my husband, my Faith in God, my family, 
and sometimes I talk about how bad I am at Yoga

Want to be our next cohost and be featured? Click here!!

The TGIF HOP is looking for bloggers like YOU to cohost with us!

Community//Romans 12:3-12

Hello Fall is HERE in Michigan and I whipped out my favorite scarf my husband gave me when we had just started dating. It's just the coziest.  Well let's just jump right in, shall we?

A few weeks ago at our church our pastor preached about Community.
The text he used was Romans 12:3-12

Here are 2 points that really stuck out to me and I hope they encourage you, too.

[ONE]
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members,and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
If I am going to honest with you I often feel like I have nothing to bring to the table. I am not that good at anything. But then God tells me that I am wrong we ALL have God-given gifts I just need to pray about it. &// believe there is something I haveworth giving others.

[TWO]
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Contribute to the needs of the saints [Believers]. Often I think of physical needs: food, clothing, shelter, etc. but what about needs like: a listening ear, a hug, a safe place to go when life is falling apart, a laugh, a shoulder to cry on. Those are needs people have that are often overlooked. But when we have genuine love for one another those needs are met. How awesome is the body of Christ? We're all so different, so unique, but we all have so much to offer. 
I pray that God shows each of you your gift, how to use it, and that you find a community to feel refreshed, safe, and loved. Because you are loved.

What are some truths speaking to you today? Tell me about it, I would love to hear.

*This is another repost from my Weebly blog

The Story of Us

This is a story all about how...did ya sing it in your head?...eh hem...all about how I met my main squeeze Philip.

We went to the same high school but at different times I graduated in 2007 he transferred in the following fall and graduated in 2009.

There it is. Out in the open. He is younger than me. He is 2 years and 2 months younger than me to be exact. 

So like I said we went to the same high school but we didn't know each other then. We actually met in college in September 2011. We had a class together and I recognized him the first day but I was kinda embarrassed because I only knew who he was because of mutual friends and Facebook so I text my friend and said "That Phil kid from OCS is in my class, but I'll probably never talk to him. It would be weird" 

Then 2 days later I said "you went to OCS, right?" ...that didn't last long.

This is us in class before we started dating. I cannot fathom why he liked me, no make up on, didn't do my hair, nothin' . The story goes that he was pretty much instantly interested in me and I did not want anything [romantically] to do with him because he was younger. I would go so far as whenever I was texting another guy I would causally put my phone in a place where he could see it just so he wouldn't get the wrong idea. [basically I was a giant jerk face]

So for two months we hung out, studied together, went to movies,  went to dinner, I even invited myself into his house to meet his family and yet I was convinced I did NOT like him. I would just CONSTANTLY talk about him and go ON and ON about how "what if a girl dated a guy, two years younger than her, wouldn't that be WEIRD?" and everyone knew who I was talking about, I fooled no one. My dad told me "why don't you just focus on being friends with him and if something happens, great. If not, you have a great friend"

After about 2 months of this I, literally, woke up in the middle of the night and said "oh my gosh I think I like Philip" . A few days later was November 8th and we had plans to go shopping and then to a concert that night. Our class got out early so we went to Starbucks. It took me over an hour to get the courage to spit out "ya know that thing you've been trying to get to me talk about; well we can talk about it now" and he smiled and said "well I like you" and that was that. We were dating.

---

This is the very first picture we took as "boyfriend and girlfriend" I was so nervous.

3 weeks later he left on family vacation and I looked at engagement rings with my mom. When you know you know.

We said "I love you" January of 2012.

And in February of 2012 my dad got diagnosed with a brain tumor. 

[I hate talking about this time in my life because it was not that long ago and it still hurts. But it is part of my story, a apart of our story so it needs mention.]

After surgery to remove the tumor the surgeon called my family back into a small room and told us my dad had a glioblastoma grade 4 (GB4). A very aggressive kind of brain cancer. That was probably the worst moment of my life. I don't remember if we actually had this conversation or if it was unspoken but I looked to Philip and said "this is it, my life is about get really hard - you're either in or your out" and he was in.

This picture is us and my dad at a benefit some people put on to help us take care of medical expenses.

He stuck by my side for the darkest, scariest, worst, most painful time of my time. He managed to give me some awesome memories outside of the terrible ones. He remained positive and hopeful and let me cry whenever I needed.

July 28th, 2012 we went on vacation with his family to Florida. While we were there he asked me to marry him!! Even though I had suspicions I was completely blown away and happy!

---

After our week in Florida, our engagmacation, we returned home and 2 weeks later my dad passed away.

Philip was there for me. He helped me get through. Focusing on the wedding and starting our life together pushed me on. I had to rewrite my vision of my wedding day without my dad walking me down the aisle, without a daddy/daughter dance. But instead I got to replace that image in my head with Philip at the end of the aisle. 

We got married on June 14th, 2013. Easily the happiest day of my life. 

Now here we are, just over a year later even more in love than our wedding day. Trying to figure out life together. We know that no matter what happens we will always have our faith and we will always have each other and we can get through anything.

So what about you? What is your love story?

This post is re-posted from my Weebly site but I had a lot of new people follow me since then so I revamped it and added it again. Sorry if you've already read it :)

Shared with Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

I don't want to go to Africa

Did I just say that?

Can I be a Christian and say that?

 If someone called me and said "Congratulations! you have won a free trip to Africa!" I would say "is this exchangeable for say, Europe?"

There are a few reasons why I would react this way and I will try to articulate them:

1)I don't have a heart for Africa. I have tried. I have prayed for the desire to reach the nations. It just feels so forced. Don't get me wrong I CARE about the people there - it just doesn't make my heart ache or stir up a desire in me.

2)I feel like I have to. If you know me at all you may know I am a tad [extremely] stubborn. I spent 2 years of my life at an Internship in Texas that made me feel like THIS IS A CHRISTIAN: you wear TOMS, you love Africa, you go to Africa, you journal for hours a day, Your bedroom walls are decorated with pictures and posters of Africa. I didn't fit this mold no matter how hard I tried. So I rebel, sometimes to a fault. It is really hard for me to spend time journal, reading my Bible, and sometimes I feel like a poser wearing TOMS. 

3)I don't think I am a "'goer". You may have heard the term. Apparently Christians are either goers, senders or intercessors. [oh, good more boxes to fit into] Well of all of those goer does NOT fit me at all. At least not a goer to Africa. We are all called to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." [Mark 16:15] Which I take as a command, but what about go into MY city, or Detroit, or the gosh darn grocery store, and proclaim the Good News there? Does that not count?

So what does all this mean?

Well it means, I respect, admire, and sometimes envy people who love and get to go to Africa and other countries around the world spreading God's love. It means I have to be reminded that the work I do in Michigan is worthwhile too. Sharing about The Lord and how He has radically transformed and gives me joy despite sad circumstances is doing something too. My husband leads worship at our church, we are going to  host a Bible study, we love to host and encourage people and walk though life's storms with them. 

I also support, both prayerfully and financially missionaries and organizations that are Going.

My brother-in-law Nathan is living in Hawaii right now [what a rough life] training to move to Oman in 2016. 

Maybe I should do more, go more, be better. 

What about you? Do you want to go to Africa?

Linked up with Love the Here and Now

Blogtober 2014 - My Biggest Fear

You guys I am really digging these Blogtober challenges! I haven't done them all but I like the ones I do. if that makes sense. 

Today's prompt is: My Biggest Fear.

As an anxiety sufferer I don't know how to pick just one. 

I know this is something that I need to work on and overcome - it has been a 26 year long process.

However, in short: I am afraid of anything I can't control.  Cancer, Car accidents, Disease, Plane crashes, etc.

What is your biggest fear??

Noonday Par-tay

This past Saturday I had the awesome opportunity and privilege to host a Noonday Party! Or as I called it - a Noonday Par-tay. Because that rhymes. If you don't know what Noonday is,  here is a brief description from their website: Noonday Collection's mission is to create economic opportunity for the vulnerable. We partner with artisans in the developing world, empowering them to grow sustainable businesses. By creating a marketplace for their goods, we create dignified jobs at living wages. This allows our artisans to earn more in order to support their families. We also offer no interest loans and make advance payments on orders. This way we are able to shoulder the costs of materials and build a lasting relationship based on trust. We offer scholarship programs and emergency assistance. Noonday Collection also donates a portion of sales from adoption trunk shows to place orphans in forever families.

Noonday Collection is not a charity and we do not believe that providing a hand out is a sustainable long-term solution to poverty. We aim to be a sustainable business that gives women across the United States a way to make a lasting difference in the fight against poverty and injustice. This is what makes this movement so special. To learn more about Noonday's impact, click here: http://www.noondaycollection.com/impact

I had about 10 pwople come over and look at the Jewelry. It is all hand made and gorgeous! I wanted one of every single thing. However, the husband did not think that was the best idea haha

I was dog sitting for my little neph-pups so they joined in on the fun. Hero, did not appreciate the paparazzi.

It was such a fun night  and I am glad everyone that could come got to come out! If you are interested in ordering from my party check out the link below! 

Have you ever been to a Noonday Party? Have you ever Hosted one? Have you ever heard of Noonday? What kind of parties do you like to go to, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay?

Couldn't make it to my show? That's OK- you can still make a difference with your purchasing power by placing an order online at www.MelissaArcher.NoondayCollection.com until Wednesday, be sure to type in 'Mary's Show' upon check out.