A Peaceful Crib

Pulled

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Wed, 08 May 2013 18:27:02 PDT

Okay so today is one of those lazy kinda days where I'm laying in bed at 12:52 in the afternoon typing this while my head is propped on a pillow and the computer is being supported by the hubby's pillow.

I know it's shameful but with all the stuff that's been going on lately I can appreciate (and note I didn't say deserve) a lazy day.

Ever since I've stepped away from the blog I've had so much time on my hands that I've realized all of the things that was being grossly ignored by my infatuation of APC. Of course I would claim that this was God's blog and all but let's be truthful for a minute, my pride was all up in this.

I can freely admit it now that I've taken time away and started to get my priorities in order. It's also a reason why I can't actually say when I'll be completely back. But yet I still feel this pulling back to the keyboard.

Gosh how good it feels to be typing these words to you. I never though I'd miss it this much yet at the same time know that I needed a break from it so bad.

Since I've been away a lot has happened. I've been back in the office full time for about three months now and I'm actually not bugging about it. It's given me time to appreciate and have more respect for a work at home position.

Now I know that if God see's fit to put me in the position again in the near future that I won't take it for granted. It's also let me know that I have become terribly complacent and just plain ole negligent with my blessings.

My husband and I are in that giddy place again. You know the flirting all the time...sorta like before we were engaged and things got serious all of a sudden. He's my best friend and now with APC on the back burner (where it should stay) I've realized how much more I really miss him.

I could give you the whole run down but I'll break it off in bits and pieces because regardless of the fact of how much I miss my blog just sitting here the last few minutes has made me realize that on this lazy in the bed day I have declared, I'd rather be sleeping than pecking away at this keyboard:)

Until the next time.

For Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:24:49 PDT

Just wanted to share with you a new print I added to the shop. I'll process these orders and ship the next day to get them out in time for Mother's Day. Grab your's early so you can find the perfect frame!

purchase here

Where's The Light Switch?

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:18:45 PDT

It's been a while since my words have found there way into this online community.

I've been called away for a season and looking back I now know that God was separating me from this space because it just wasn't possible for it to be a part of my life right now.

In order to keep me away He took away the words.

I have truly been speechless on a number of several things that would have warranted my attention had I not been called away.

I've remained silence out of obedience even though my heart yearned to put all of the thoughts of my mind onto paper or into this online world.

Life can get blurry sometimes and seem so out of focus.

That's what it's been like for me.

I actually wondered whether He would actually call me back to writing because it seems like I've been gone for so long that I wouldn't have anything to say.

I'm positive He hasn't called me away but yet I'm uncertain as to if I'm supposed to stay if that makes any sense to you.

As humans we grow. Growth can occur in minutes, overnight, weeks, years, or even through the duration of just a simple yawn.

This time away has seemed like forever for me but I know it's only a blink of an eye to God.

I've been resting and I've been living. I've had such good times and realized that I was isolating myself to this online identity that I was trying to create.

I was so caught up in business exposure, sharing my testimony, and other online ministry stuff that I was failing to go out and be a willing living instrument. I'm very much a part of my testimony and in order to have a testimony you have to actually be willing to live.

You must be willing to comply on all levels to what God asks of you.

These words have been long overdue (at least I feel that way) but for some it may be coming right on time. As I come out of my hiding place for the moment it may be time for you to find yours.

It may be time to call a time out to this online world of blogging and live your life free of blogging schedules, online relationships, and online identities.

Am I back permanently? I don't think so. God hasn't said so therefore I won't make any definite plans.

What I will say is that I haven't forgotten about you. The lights may be off here at A Peaceful Crib but eventually I know He'll direct me to the source and tell me to flip the switch.

Until then...

Breaking...Indefinitely

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:25:29 PST

I'm afraid I'm not to happy with how much of my life my online identity has consumed.

It's hard to remember my life before blogging because I've been caught up and mesmerized with all the things possible to do in this online space.

The opportunity to minister and share my testimony with other women around the world has definitely been encouraging and wonderful. What starts out all about God somehow has started to turn into a reflection of my self worth for the day.

The more comments and traffic that come through on APC would leave me feeling wonderful at the end of the day. I don't like that. I don't want that adrenaline rush that comes with a "successful" day in the blogging world.

credit

I need to live.

In order to share my testimony more effectively and encourage others in Christ I have to be out there in the middle of it all allowing God to use me in my simple every day life.

Snuggling with my husband after a long day. Providing sloppy kisses to my baby. Going outside and looking up at the sky. Have I ever told you that sometimes I would stay cooped up in the house sometimes two to three days at a time? Yep, totally not cool.

God has definitely called me to what I'm doing. Creating scripture art and writing here is definitely my thing but I've let it become too much of a thing and I'm tired.

Something came over me yesterday. An old mucked up mood that required some serious prayer and alone time with Jesus.

I sat there in conversation with Him and was like "God seriously, what's wrong with me? I'm tired. You called me to this so why am I so frustrated and just feeling like a rat in a rat cage? I'm running in circles you know?"

As I sat there patiently a scripture kept coming up in my spirit and I knew that I needed to open the word of God. I wasn't able to find the scripture I was looking for but for some reason I thought it was in Philippians so that's where I ended up.

Wanna know God's answer?

Stop complaining and be content. Yep Philippians 2:14 and Philippians 4:11 jumped off the page at me.

Not easy to sit there and look face to face with what YOU are doing wrong instead of reading an amazing promise from God along the lines of "I'll never leave you".

So I'm stepping away. I'm not doing one of those breaks for a week and I'll be back. I know that this requires a longer break than that and I'm actually happy about it.

February is coming up and perhaps I'll be all romatical with babycakes. Make cute valentine's with my daughter to send to her buddies at school. I think a pedicure and manicure is in order. A little walk around the neighborhood. Some giving. Take Boom to see her first movie. You know life stuff. Stuff that I've conveniently I've told myself that I can't do because I work full time, have a kid, and run a part time business.

Time to stop the foolishness.

My etsy shop will still be open and I'll be taking custom orders on weekends. I'll also be designing blogs, probably about one or two a month. I will even still be writing when inspiration strike but I won't be publishing. I won't be on FB or Twitter like a crazy person.

I know I have a online identity but I need a real identity. I am a person and it's time for me to go out and love others, love life, live like Jesus. So I'm out, indefinitely.

See you later friends. I'll be back one day:)

Hair...Gone.

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 19:33:30 PST

I did something today.

Another big chop off the crown.

I chopped off my curly locks. For something a little more manageable.

I needed change. A change from an untamed beast sitting atop of my head every morning.

You like?

Jesus Is...

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 06:57:02 PST

Attend many Christian churches and you would probably know that Jesus is the son of God, a man without sin, and our Savior.

I've heard many lessons and sermons that told me who Jesus was but they merely scratch the surface of who I have grown to know Jesus to be. Who I personally perceive Him as based upon our intimate relationship.

One important topic that John MacArthur discusses in his study Fundamentals of The Faith (see my previous posts here and here) is The Person of Jesus Christ.

I've felt a heavy burden to write about this since reading the study but I've sorta been avoiding it. I can't give you a reason why because I don't understand the reasons myself but I've finally come around and I'm ready to get this post out there.

Maybe there is someone who needs to hear this or this message is intended for a greater purpose, I might never know. But what I do know is that I've gained a better understanding and I've asked God for discerning wisdom when it comes to topics that I pursue on this blog and this is one of those things that He has led me to. So here goes...

Jesus is God.

God is an invisible spirit and He came to earth as Jesus Christ. If we take a look at Philippians 2:6 it says that Jesus was God before he became a man.

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even on a cross!"

Jesus is a man.

Jesus was the image of our invisible God. In terms of being created in God's image we were created to be emotional and rational human beings, however we are not an invisible spirit with Godly attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. Jesus who looks like man had emotional, rational, and other attributes that are the same as God.

Go to second chapter of Colossians and look at verses nine and ten. It says,

"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ who is the head over every power and authority."

Search the term of deity and you'll discover that it means "rank or essential nature of God, one exalted as supremely good or powerful". Several times in the word of God Jesus is referred to as God. John 1:1 tells us that the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and the word was God and further in John 14 says that the

"word became flesh and made his glory, the glory of the one and only; who came from the Father, full of grace an truth."

and in Colossians 1:15

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."

I don't think this post was laid on my heart just to give you facts that you indeed could find in the word of God yourselves if you looked. I believe it is on my heart because of it's significance.

You know there are many religions that believe in God and the main thing that is missing is belief that Jesus is the same as God and is equal to God.

I used to wonder myself before I became saved the true importance of Jesus Christ. I was just taught that He was the son of God, He was without sin, and that He died that we would have eternal life, but I never understood how to honor and live for Him because I failed to realize that He was God in the flesh.

Jesus being God is so important to realize because no one can go to the Father except through Christ. John 14:6 explain it perfectly...

"I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

Believing in God is the first step but we are incomplete without Christ. God knew from the beginning that we would need Jesus and He sacrificed Jesus because of His unconditional love for us.

One lie that the enemy would have us believe is that Jesus is not God and this word was inspired by God himself in 2 Corinthians 4:4 where it says,

"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God."

He doesn't want us to know this because it is the true key to our salvation!

Stay tuned...there's so much to say about my friend Jesus. Weigh in with your thoughts...

Few housekeeping items: Free shipping on all prints ends on Jan 31st. Use code SHIP2ME for free shipping. Also all blog design packages are $20.13 off through the 31st. There's a waiting list but you can still get on the list at the discounted rate. Have a great week!

Don't Wanna Think...

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 05:37:22 PST

Sometimes I seriously wish that I could turn off that part of the brain that thinks. I feel like it works against me sometimes. Thinking always leads to worrying and we all know worrying is counterproductive and goes against all of my good Christian beliefs.

Next week I go back into the office for training.

I've been avoiding it for about what three years now but exactly on my daughter's third birthday I will have to go back into the office 5 days a week for about four hours for training.

I never used to want to be a stay at home mom. Before having Boom I used to love getting my butt up every morning to go to work. Once I met those big brown eyes I became a mush of mess that cried at the thought of ever going back into the office.

I don't have one of those husband that thinks the wife should stay at home with the kids. Actually its pretty much the opposite. My man says I gotta work and it never really bothered me before.

I also have the man that wants more kids but seriously what's a girl to do? If I have more babies I'm sure as heck going to have a deeper desire to stay at home with my youngins. I don't want to have a bunch of kids to put them in daycare. That really just isn't something I want to do.

So for now I sit and I think. I pray and ask God for a flourishing online business but I wonder if that goes against what my husband desires for me to do.

Oh so confused!

Like I said I don't wanna think. I just want to lean on Jesus. Jesus, the main man in my life who has everything under control.

Anyways, I'm sorta looking forward to going into the office for a few hours next week as long as it doesn't become permanent, but if it happens that does become a case I just wonder what this means for future kiddos.

Well enough about me (sorry, yeah I know this is a totally random post)...what are things you just don't wanna think about?

Blogger Book Swap

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:55:05 PST

I found out about a cool blogger book swap a few weeks ago while I was working on a design for By The Porchlight and I asked myself "Self, you like to read books, wouldn't this be cool?"

I told myself, "sure I love books and it will be cool to see what I get!"

So I headed on over to a gal named Kimberly's blog and signed on up!

I was assigned to a doll named Lauren and we swapped emails about the type of books we liked to read and concluded that we both love reading on our e-readers so we gifted each other an e-book.

I was really anxious to see what I would get and Lauren didn't fail at her assignment because I LOVE Christian fiction and I've already dived into The Sister Gospels by Vera Jennings above and let's just say I'm sooo enjoying myself!

I sent Lauren two e-books because I'm a book nerd and hate making choices. She received An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde and Easily Amused by Karen McQuestion.

I sure hope she enjoys them both because I'm definitely enjoying mine!

Next time you need a little something different to read grab a partner, get to know what they like, and do a swap!

I'm linking this post up at Kimberly Erskine!

The Boom Boom No. Nine

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 12:42:22 PST

I'm sorry to paint this ugly picture but right now I'm am in the bed listening to Dora belt her tunes in the other room.

I'm re-watching Private Practice because I'm totally bummed that the finale came on last night.

I have a headache. A piece of tissue in my nose to sooth my inflamed sinuses. My hair is...umm, hot mess to put it lightly.

I feel terrible and it's all because of Boom Boom.

Yep I've caught the Boom Boom No 9. The latest germy cold from my child. My child who probably got it from another germy child at school.

So I'm going to hit up Domino's tonight and try to get through the first season of Private Practice and not scream at a needy child who wants her mommy to get out of the nice warm bed and fetch juice.

I'm pretty sure you can guess by now that I need your prayers:)

Let's Make A Deal...

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:33:06 PST

Since I'm a little quiet this week (blame it on the Boom No. 9 aka for Boom gave me her cold for the hundreth time) I thought I'd set you all up with a sweet little shop deal. Save on shipping and score major discounts on my prints.

Did you know that with the Buy 3 Get 2 free you could get 5 prints for only $7? And I'm so drugged up right now that I'm even throwing in the shipping? Use the code SHIP2ME for your savings. Yep, thank the pharmaceutical companies...they pulled through for you on this one;)

Enjoy.

Mark 12:30 Free Valentine's Edition Print

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 03:00:03 PST

Click Here To Download

Glorifying Business

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:36:08 PST

I don't want my business to be about me.

Lately though I've noticed the shift.

The shift to focusing on things that God would rather have me leave up to Him.

See I'm not a paper goal kinda girl.

LMD

I've written out goals on paper before to only achieve a few of them and then have the paper wind up in a little corner in one of my dresser drawers.

Matter of fact I have about 50 unfinished things that I wrote down and I don't even feel guilty that I haven't looked at the paper in months.

However, I am a think of something and gotta do it kinda girl.

A idea pops in my mind at the most inconvenient times. God help me please!

Church. Driving. Grocery store. Shower. Cooking. You name it and during the middle of it I've came up with a light bulb idea.

I'm rash with decision making and I have impulse issues big time.

Matter of fact this post was impulsive and I'll tell you why.

LMD

I was reading this article on 5 Christian Business Owners to Admire and I said "ooh, maybe LMD can be on there one day" and immediately I regretted it.

First of all, I know that thinking will hinder me far more than just leaving my success in God's hands.

For the last few months I've been mico-managing my marketing plans and everything only to find myself 7 days into this month and not even 25 percent into my goal. Quite frankly I'm disheartened by it but then I remember the reason why I said I wanted to do this in the first place.

It was never supposed to be about me. It was always supposed to be about God. About blessing people. About creating artful reminders of God's promises. About writing about God's wonderful promises.

It was never supposed to be about me tripping because I haven't neared my "sales goal" (and I use that term very loosely because it's not a goal on paper...)

LMD

If I ever make any kind of list in regards to my business I want the blurp to not say something novel as the words written about these business owners. I want my to say something along these lines...

"Latoya Monique Designs reminds me that God is faithful. LMD truly understands the promises that are shared through the talents only God can bless one with. Everything LMD stands for and does is all for the glory of God."

I don't want my business to glorify me. Neither do I want to glorify my business.

LMD exists to glorify God, plain and simple.

Do any of you struggle with letting things go? Do share!

Love's Memory

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 04:46:32 PST

Sorry about that little teaser from yesterday:)

Here's all you need to know about that fantastic book I teased you about!

The book is called Love's Memory by Shannon O'Donnell.

"It is only when you lose yourself that you find out who you are." Valerie Mahoney, a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, falls deeply in love with basketball star Manny Scott. Against his parents' wishes, the two wed and baby Wren soon follows. Years later adversity strikes and Manny begins questioning his youth decisions, including his love for his wife. Heartbroken, Valerie flees one night but a disastrous accident leaves her with amnesia. Distraught, Manny begins the desperate quest to find a wife who doesn't recognize him and return her home. Experience this soul-stirring story of God's redemptive power in LOVE'S MEMORY, Book One in the Scott's of Mountain Ridge Series."

For the next 24 hours Shannon is having a virtual party with free gifts, prizes, etc...check out some of the details:

You’re invited to a Party! And not just any party…a Virtual Book Launch party! For the next 24-hours were having a virtual party to celebrate the launch of Shannon O’Donnell’s new novel, Love’s Memory-The Scott’s of Mountain Ridge Book One and we want you to be there!

When: January 15

Where: www.shannonhopeodonnell.com

Come for the fun!

Come for the free prizes!

Come for the delectable tidbits of wisdom

Check out the free party favors!

Shannon O’Donnell wants to thank her readers with a fun website and lots of free downloads

Come to www.shannonhopeodonnell.com

Download freebies like these: clip art, e-books, and blogging tips

Drawings for jewelry, books, ad space, book editing, marketing, and loads of goodies

Free original art suitable for framing

Free quizzes and recipes

Enter a contest to nominate best pet name for her next book, Wren’s Song.

Book drawings by well-known authors’ Amanda Beth, B. J. Robinson, Jeannette Oak, Jurusha Clark and more.

Free e-books …….. And more!

Love’s Memory has been called: "Soul-stirring, inspiring, compelling, enthralling, wonderfully suspenseful, a true page turner, and romance with a twist".

This book is great for moms, dads, teens, fiction readers, romance lovers, and inspirational readers! Browse the site and check out all the freebies that are being offered and definitely add this book to your must read list. It was definitely an awesome read and comes recommended by your's truly!

I Like Big Books

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 03:00:11 PST

The Love Shop

A few weeks ago I was contacted about a new Christian fiction novel that is new to the bookshelves.

I'm an avid reader and anytime someone recommends or hands me a book my husband and daughter will testify to the fact that my nose will be in between the pages or in front of my kindle for a few days.

So of course, I willingly obliged and decided to take a peek at the first few chapters sent to me and needless to say I was sold. I immediately went to Amazon and found the book so I could get right back in and finish it.

Wanna know what it is?

Ha, you'll have to come back tomorrow and I'll share with you the book and the author as I support her on her big launch day! Don't hate me;)

Chasing...

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:06:10 PST

Lately my prayers have sorta went like this...

"Jesus, I'm weary, I need more of you,"

and this...

"Jesus, less of me and more of you,"

and this

"Jesus I'm tired and I don't even know where to begin,"

and this

"Jesus, what is wrong with me. Do your thing...read me because I just can't get it out,"

and finally

"Oh Lord."

Yes, I've basically been whining and just straight up pleading. Not that I'm in need of anything particular or that I'm facing some situation that I feel is unbearable, I just want more of Him!

It's getting to the point where I'm just plain ole greedy (that's if you can be greedy when it comes to Jesus) and I need to be so close to Him that...well, if I can't explain it Jesus you know I can't really express it to you lol.

It's just hard for me to explain.

So imagine my surprise when a sweet lady contacted me and asked me if I wanted to review this bible study Chase by Jennie Allen. This study is about David, a man after God's heart. It raises an important question for us women,"what are you chasing?"

Are we chasing after the wind so to speak? Chasing man's approval, chasing after houses and cars, status, and other materialistic things?

Are we so wrapped up in blogging, ministry, business, etc that we are failing to chase after God?

Well I for sure could relate to the question and I prayed about the study before I answered and knew that this was definitely one of those answers to a question I didn't even know I was asking God.

Now I have this study in my hands and I can't wait to rally up a group of women who want to explore some of the questions this study has to ask.

I can't wait to finally be open and vulnerable with women that I can relate with and learn what it is that I just can't seem to get out during my prayer time.

This study is a 7 week study with a leader guide, study guide, dvd, and conversation cards. The kit is absolutely beautiful and well put together and I'm so excited to dig into the word of God and be enriched with the wisdom poured into this study regarding David.

With alllll that being said, I'll share some updates with you every week or so once I begin the study to share with you how this study is enriching my life. I'm praying that you'll be blessed too. I'm going to call this series "Chasing: blah blah blah" (the blah's are whatever I decide to share with you on what I'm working on that week).

I'll share the things I've been chasing and how this study is helping me to work through some of those things.

I hope and pray that you'll come to terms with the things you are chasing and that you'll be moved to chase after God right along with me.

If you would like more information on Jennie Allen visit her site here and of course if you want to share thoughts if you begin this study please feel free to email me anytime.

So let's do this! Let's chase God!

Linking Up: Bliss Diaries

I Love Doing This

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 11:05:15 PST

This weekend I had to create, print, cut, and add a little something to an invite that I was designing for my god daughter. It's been a while since I was this involved in the process but I must say I miss it.

I love doing what I do.

Ain't it purty?

Anyway, I wanted to share a few new prints in the shop this week. These are just a few, I added about 10 last week so I hope you find something you like. Thank you all so much!!!

LMD

So tell me, what do you love to do?

linking up: Fancy Little Things

Blog Simplification...Latoya Monique Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 03:00:09 PST

Last week I re-introduced the shop and now it's time to introduce you to my new design services site Latoya Monique Designs.

My mission with my design site is not to be a blog designer that cranks out the same blogs that have been around but to focus on simplification, color, and ease.

I love white space because it helps my eye find what I'm looking for and I like to design around it.

Splashes of color speak to me as well but I love the simplicity of the design I've been working on for Lesley at By The Porchlight.

She wanted very little color but the color that I did use I decided that it should be very subtle but cohesive throughout her entire blog. I only had to recreate her header, navigation bar, and blog button but I think simplifying these areas gave her blog a great feel.

So that's what I'm focusing on. I'm up for challenges but I'm definitely looking forward to working with other bloggers who have similar design tastes and are looking to simplify and streamline things on their blog.

In celebration of my relaunch I'm offering $20.13 off all blog design packages through January 31st.

If your interested in blog simplification visit my site here or fill out an order form. In the notes add 2013 to remind me of the discount.

Looking forward to working with you!

Soul Writing

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:04:25 PST

I've seen everyone's word of the year throughout social media and the blogosphere and I'll admit that I'm intrigued.

Intrigued by the people and their given word. Intrigued by the fact of using a single word to re-focus your life for an entire year. Intrigued by the fact that I would utterly suck at it.

credit

Yep, I'd suck.

I'm one of those folks that's sorta all over the place.

My mind has already thought of 2,013 things to say in this one sentence and yet I could only choose to type one thought.

This year instead of making things difficult for myself I want to focus on writing from my heart. Bleeding on the page. Surrendering all as I type on this keyboard.

I want God to pour into my soul so I can pour out whatever it is that you need when you visit me.

I don't want to focus on just rejoicing, just praising, just giving, just living. All of those things I want to do and I'm supposed to do anyhow. I want to take all of those elements and share from the depths of my soul.

In 2012 I wrote one post in which I cried, poured, and put myself into and I walked away from the keyboard feeling refreshed. I believe that post is the reason I was able to keep myself together through 1/1.

I let everything I was carrying that day be written onto the page for the world to see and my oh my what a relief it was. So grateful that I was able to get that out. Sometimes when I don't know what to say or how to say it, picking up a pen has always helped me.

God told me to write because He knew what it would do for me. I don't know what it will do for you (as my reader) this year but I pray that as I approach my laptop that each time my soul surrenders to sharing a piece of testimony that you will be blessed by it.

That's all I can promise this year folks. I can promise to write from the soul. It may not be pretty. My punctuation and all that stuff may suck but if you'll read between the lines you'll see my tears, my laughter, my joy, and my heartache.

This year is for soul writing and I thank God for the words.

New Year...in with the New!

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 19:45:24 PST

Happy New Year!

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!

I gave myself a goal of re-designing my blog, business, site, and overhauling my shop by January 1st, an I've done it!

I'm excited to see what the new year brings as I focus on setting aside my fears and walking firmly in this calling God has blessed me with.

First things first...Monique Designs is now Latoya Monique Designs. Check back next week as I will be offering some great deals on blog re-design packages. If you're in need of a little spruce up or just want to simplify things at your blog, I can definitely help you with that!

Second...APC's new design has been up for a while but as you can see I have made things cohesive between the blog, design site, and etsy shop.

Third and what I'm most excited about...my etsy shop is now a full service print shop. I have left the digital world behind me and I am now printing all of my designs and mailing them to clients. Printer is already warmed and ready to go and I can't wait to mail scriptures far and wide!

All prints are priced at $14 and this week I will be introducing over 10 new designs! I have also added a bundle package where you can purchase 5 prints for $35! And through Monday all prints are 2 for $14 (cannot be combined with 5 for $35)! In order to get 2 for 14 just purchase one print and in the notes at checkout let me know the listing that you want and color. Stay tuned!

Hating New Years Eve and New Years

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:02:37 PST

I could write a post recapping 2012 or come up with some resolutions for 2013 but my mind is far from that.

These two days of the year are more painful for me than any other day of the year.

I do just fine until the day after Christmas and then I start fretfully wishing that I could just sleep through 12/31 and 1/1.

Today I can't stop sobbing. I'm supposed to be working but working reminds me of a conversation I had on 12/31 at 9:38 am.

That was the last conversation I had with my grandmother.

And whether I'm looking at the clock or not I always know when the time is approaching. I feel it coming.

It's hard for me not to just get mad and throw this keyboard against the wall. I hurt so much. Still. Two years later and I relive every moment of my new years in 2010.

I was an 8 month pregnant newlywed and my life was awesome if you just forgot about the fact that I was miserable as a pregnant woman.

12/31 I was working as a flex worker from home. My focus that day was to get my house clean and dinner cooked for new years.

My mom called and told me that my granny wasn't feeling well and I remember calling her. 9:38 am. I made her promise me that if she didn't get better she would go to the doctor so I wouldn't worry. We said goodbye.

I didn't hear from her the rest of the day. It was unusual because I was used to talking to her several times a day.

Later that evening my mom called and told me she was going to the hospital but not to worry and under no circumstances did my granny want me driving up I-26 that night, especially being so close to my due date and with my hubby at work.

I wasn't worried. I prayed. Finished cooking and cleaning and relaxed the rest of the evening.

Sleep wasn't coming easy because I was carrying a watermelon. I was always restless but I remember falling asleep a little after midnight tonight. I was having good sleep too.

My husband came to wake me up around 2 am new years day. My first instinct was to go ballistic because I was finally sleeping good. What the heck would he wake me up for?
It was strange. He wanted me to come into the living room because my mom was on the phone. I kept asking why didn't she just call my phone and why the heck do I have to get up.

Then I remembered my grandma. The hospital. It was 2 am. I reached for the phone and I was already crying. Already asking what was wrong. Before the words came out of her mouth the phone was on the floor and I was screaming as if the world was ending.

It was ending.

My life as I previously knew it was changed forever.

I screamed. screamed. screamed. I don't know how long but it was a long time. The neighbors in our building must have thought I was a lunatic but I didn't give a crap.

I hit the floor. I started swinging. I screamed more. Then I started whaling. I didn't feel if I could breath, heck I thought I was going to die from grief.

My mom called back and begged me to calm down because I was pregnant. My granny wouldn't have wanted anything to happen to her great grand baby.

I calmed down enough but I wasn't able to rest again. I slept on the couch. In my pink mickey mouse shirt. With my snuggy I had just got for Christmas.

It was a week after Christmas. I didn't see my granny on Christmas. She didn't feel well. It was raining. Something I regret to this day, not going by and seeing her.

New Years 2010 my family sat in shock. Crying that day. The hardest day.

In two years I haven't uttered Happy New Years to anyone. I've been able to write it in a post or an email. But I haven't been able to utter the words.

This year I thought it would be different. Until I looked at the clock on my workstation and noticed that 9:38, 12/31/2012 was creeping up on me.

I thought I was at peace but my heart is still broken. A part of my heart went to be with Jesus 1/1/10.

I thought it would be an easy day until I heard the scream come from my throat and the tears continuing to roll down my face.

I wanted to call my mom but she's working. The last thing I want is for her to have to work and feel my pain.

So I turn to you my friends. Typing out my grief with tears running down my face. Questions running through my head about why that day? A day I would never forget.

I've lost grandparents before and yeah it hurt but this time it killed. Killed a part of my self that I didn't know existed until it wasn't there anymore. People die, family die, but of all the people to depart this life I loved I have yet to remember the date.

I can remember the month and the year but never the date. But not this time. I've been cursed with the memory. The memory of always knowing that life would never be the same after 1/1/2010.

I miss my granny.

Pushed Through The Fear

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 05:25:47 PST

**Praying all of you had a blessed Christmas with your families! We sure had a blast! This post was supposed to be published a while back but what had happened was urrrr.....***

November was a very interesting month for me because I've was pushed. Pushed in a good way though. Pushed to get out of my comfort zone and do some amazing things that has definitely allowed me to experience growth.

One morning I woke up in a funk and I was absolutely determined to stop playing around with my calling. God has definitely called me to write here from my heart and to create artful reminders of His promises as well.

Over the duration of the last month I've finished a blog design/coding class. I will definitely say that I have learned some new things that I've implemented here at APC and I've also networked with some pretty amazing folks.

I have created my community to help erase the blogging lines that I am so adamantly against in the blogging community. I see big things happening with this community!

I have created sponsorship here on APC. I really want to give in a way that will help all of us Christian bloggers grow. I have yet to understand exactly where it is going but I wanted to stop playing around therefore that's the reason for that implementation.

I'm also completed my mentorship with Jessi Connolly. I was soooo BLESSED to have been allowed to participate in this mentorship and I'm glad it happened when it did. Jessi owns her own scripture shop and I've admired her work ever since I even knew what a scripture print was.

It's by the grace of God alone that she even agreed to mentor me since I am considered a "competitor", and again I use that term very loosely because we should have happy thoughts on competition. I told her I completely understood if she didn't want to do it but she graciously agreed and I'm forever thankful.

The things I've learned from her are absolutely phenomenal. One big push I've made this month was hiring a virtual assistant. See for me being cheap is the way of life and I've learned one thing in business is that it takes money to make money.

There are simply things I'm not good at and writing people and telling them that I have great products and they should do a review and give one away (and that is definitely how I would NOT word the email, lol) is not my thing. I don't particularly like stuff like that so when Kendall came in the picture and so excellently agreed to do it for me...let's just say WOW! If you need an assistant, you need her! Visit her here:)

I have some pretty cool things planned after new years as well. I plan to re-launch my blog design under my new business name Latoya Monique, and I plan to actually register it, yay!

I also plan to re-launch my most popular prints for each major season/holiday. My Be Still print is my most requested and I just released the holiday edition and winter edition.

And last but not least I want to share some more big news with you!

I've decided to stop being scared and to just do it...the etsy shop is transitioning from a digital print shop to a full print shop! That means that EVERYTHING you buy from the shop will be printed and mailed to you.

It took a lot of prayer, thought, and some wise words from my mentor on this but I believe that in order to allow God to move in your life and direct you towards fulfilling your God purpose you must lay aside all fear!

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 1 Timothy 2:7

I have been scared to take risks, risks that really aren't that scary.

I can no longer do that to myself and I can no longer walk around claiming that I trust God if I'm still unwilling to walk where He is directing me! It's time to push forward and fulfill this call and that means doing things that I normally would have shied away from.

So yes, in November I've been pushed but most importantly I've been pushing through some fears. I'm out of my comfort zone and I plan to tackle things that I've always wanted to do but never did. I'm willing and ready to follow the will of God and I'm excited where He plans to take these plans that He's put on my heart.

So if you're feeling pushed...it's okay to just go with it...push through your fear!

He Gives To His Beloved Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:00:08 PST

I’m a list girl. I have lists for my lists. Sometimes (okay, more than sometimes), I will write down a task I've already completed, just so I can cross it off my list. It's a problem, I tell ya. I also struggle with sleeping. I have a bad pattern of waking up in the middle of the night and my mind moves from worry to worry, leaving me tired and restless.

A few months ago I was reading in Psalms and the Lord stopped me in my tracks at this verse…

"It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep." – Psalm 127:2

Do you ever have those moments when you hear God speaking to your through Scripture? This was one of those times for me. I fell convicted at his feet.

How often do I rise up early and go to bed late, constantly eating bread that doesn't satisfy? Um, all the time.

I love the last part of the verse: For he gives to his beloved sleep. What a lovely, sweet picture of God’s provision and grace to his children.

Sleep is a daily reminder that He is God, and we are not. I imagine God looks at us similar to the way that parents view their children. Wouldn't it be silly for a seven year old in our nation to spend the night awake worrying and fretting about their next meal or what they will do the next day?

Of course their parents will provide for their needs. As parents, you want your children to rest and trust that you will –and always have—taken care of them! How much more will our heavenly Father, who redeemed us when we were His enemies, provide us with every good and perfect gift?

So for any of you fellow over-achieving women out there, the Lord is asking you today to trust that He will get your to do list done. That you don’t need to work so hard, He will lead you in the perfect path and continue to provide for your every needs.

Ginna Neel is the writer behind My Pretty Pennies, a lifestyle / personal finance blog inspiring women that you don't have to be rich to live a rich life. You can follow her on Twitter, like her Facebook page, or follow her photos on Instagram for the latest updates, resources, and a peak into her life in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and puppy.

Send Scripture Prints To Newtown

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 19:28:05 PST

For the last few days I've sat in a fog wondering what little old me could possibly do to let the families and community of Newtown know that they were in my heart and prayers.

A fellow blogger posted a comment on her fb page about what we could do for the families and at the time I seriously couldn't think of anything else to say but to pray for them. Everything was so unreal at the moment that I knew that was the best that I could do.

However that didn't stop someone from commenting and telling me that "saying that prayer was the only thing that could be done was small minded". I quickly deleted my comment because I just can't deal with facebook drama but the comment stung and left me asking myself and God "what was that?"

I knew that prayer could do far more than my hands could do and no one could ever make me doubt that, however through the days I kept thinking of the families and wondered to myself whether they knew that God was not responsible for this.

He is still God. He is still good. He is still faithful. And the Word is full of His promises, His goodness, His faithfulness.

So as I sat to myself for the past few days with these thoughts on my mind I thought about my calling. God has called me here to write reminders of His promises and to share my testimony. He has called me to create artful reminders of His promises as well.

I'm not an eloquent note writer or speaker. I can't draw worth a lick. My money is funny. So what could I do to show an act of compassion towards this grieving community. Then it hit me.

Do what God has called me to do.

Share my artful reminders that God is still good, still faithful, still AWESOME even in the midst of this tragedy.

So with that said I've decided that for every print purchased from my etsy shop (digital or printed) through 12/26 I will mail a scripture print to the families of Newtown. For more information on how you can send Messages of Condolences to the Newtown community, click here. Please Note: ALL FUNDS will go directly towards printing and shipping prints to the Newtown community. Thanks in advance for your help!

***UPDATE: The town of Newtown has requested temporarily that gifts no longer be mailed because they are overwhelmed with gifts at the time. All funds previously connected will be sent to the United Way of CT. Thank you for your support!

I know that this gesture is small but I've decided to use my calling to be a blessing to others. I don't have the words to say that could possibly alleviate their pain but I know that God does.

Silence

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 05:16:53 PST

Sunday Worship: He'll Take The Pain Away

noreply@blogger.com (Latoya @ A Peaceful Crib) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 03:00:02 PST

Tears have been shed for the victims, families, and community in Connecticut. God is still able...

Join us Tuesday for a Bloggers Day of Silence.