Friday's Faves....for working out!
My three must haves when I hit the gym…..and a bonus!
Long time no FAVES!!!! But someone reached out and asked me if I would bring it back so here I am! Today I am coming in hot with my 3 MUST HAVES for my dance workouts! What I am about to share with you, can be used for any workout and I think you will be happy with my picks.
First up is my dry shampoo! This stuff is magic! I SWEAR! And it smells AMAZEBALLS! Which can come in handy if you ever forget to put on your deodorant…..just spray this in your pits! Trust me! I have done this a number of times! The secret to dry shampoo is to use it BEFORE you sweat! No lie! Trust me on this and I would love for you to try it and tell me what you think. Because of this magic in a bottle I probably only wash my hair once, maybe twice, a week. And my hair is in fantastic shape! Especially for someone entering menopause! So grab you some and let me know what you think. (I use the one for blondes, but I will attach the one for dark hair as well.)
My second must have is my amazing water bottle! This bottle is perfect for anyone wanting to hold themselves accountable in the area of hydration, but it is also the bomb for me at dance. Now it is probably not the best water bottle for those of you on the machines as it would never fit in the cup holder, so I have attached another option here for that as well. But, hydration is so important and with this virus spinning around we want to keep our bodies in tip top shape and water is one of the best ways to do it!
And last but not least on the list is my bra! This bra is my everything! It keeps my girls so snug and secure it is ridiculous! And it comes in a number of colors! So if you are like me and want to keep time and jumping jacks from dragging those babies down, this bra is for you!
https://www.myzyia.com/HEIDISINGERHOUSE/shop/PRODUCTDETAIL.aspx?displayCategory=1010&page=1&prod=406
https://www.myzyia.com/HEIDISINGERHOUSE/shop/PRODUCTDETAIL.aspx?displayCategory=1010&page=1&prod=406
And as an added bonus due to covid I do bring a shield to wear at the gyms that require me to do so. Most gyms do not require a mask in cardio classes, but if they do I wear this and I am able to breathe fairly well, but at least I am not sucking in my own carbon monoxide!
So there are my Friday Faves for this week! What other favorites do you want to know of mine?
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #20
Simple Supper Suggestions for your week.
Simple Supper Suggestions
School is back and so is my Simple Supper Suggestions!
What is Simple Supper Suggestions? Just what it sounds like! Simple Supper Suggestions to help you plan your week.
Why Simple Supper Suggestions?
My mission I am finding is to help busy people simplify their lives while also teaching lessons I am learning along the way. I am by NO means an expert, but what I am is a busy mom with ADD who loves and adores her family but does not want to sleep walk through life anymore and get caught in the rat race of life. Any of that sound familiar? If so you have come to the right place and I hope I can help and maybe you can help me! Who knows? Wouldn't that be a win/win! So if you have any suggestions, ideas, or want to see something by all means throw it out there. I am listening and open! That is how we all grow!
So back to what today is all about....Simple Supper Suggestions! You can take what you like and leave the rest. I promise I will not get my feelings hurt. Be prepared, a lot of this is on repeat because that is what makes life easy!
How does it work with my family? Trey and I along with the boys sit down, or text if I am being honest, ideas for supper the following week. What this does it is helps me to plan, shop, and be ready for whatever comes at me. Does it always work out? Heavens no! But, as I always say....Progress not Perfection and every step in the right direction is a step in the right direction!
Let’s Get Started!
Sunday Spaghetti Sunday! It is a staple in our house and super easy for Sunday night! We LITERALLY do this most Sundays! Repetition and knowing what to expect makes for a much calmer beginning to a new week. Couldn’t we all use a little bit of that about now?
Monday Healthy Chicken Feta! A winner for a Monday night!
Tuesday Sausage Stuffed French Loaf is perfect on a busy Tuesday night!
Wednesday Blueberry Salmon is so delicious and so nutritious and since Trey is in charge of the grill it gives me a night off which is sooooo GREAT!
Thursday Easy and Quick Carbonara! Perfect on Thursday night game night!
Friday and Saturday this little mama takes time off! We order in, we eat out, or sometimes it is cereal for the win! A little bit of cereal never killed nobody!
So there you have it folks! Simple Suggestions to help you plan your week!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
College Bound!-A Mother's Advice To Her Son
A mother’s advice to her son leaving for college…
It happened so fast. It was just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant with you and now you are going to college. Just like that, you are gone, and boy does it feel like you are going to be gone forever.
Realistically I know this is not true, God willing it is not true, but I can’t help but shake the feeling that you are ready to fly. I know this is a good thing, but my heart hurts so bad, yet at the same time I am so excited to see what the future holds for you. Is it possible to be in both emotions? Gut wrenching sadness and excitement? I say yes! Because I am living in it right now.
Will, your future is bright! How do I know this? Well, I am going to give Dad and I a HUGE pat on the back here and say because we did right by you! I know we did. How do I know this? Because we did what we were called to do by our creator. We loved you from the moment you were formed in my womb. We protected you. We raised you to know Jesus. We were there for you and I know for a fact the Holy Spirit is within you. How? Because I see it! I see it daily in your acts of kindness and in your thoughts and in your dreams. Why do I tell you this? So you know you are NEVER alone! EVER! And we are just a phone call or a car ride away. Know that! Remember your safe word? You are never to old to use it! Trust me on that! I will ALWAYS coming running!
This is going to be one of the BEST TIMES of your life! Soak it up! Cherish it! Enjoy this ride, BUT, be smart. Work hard AND play hard. This is kind of a balancing act. Balance to me is a lie society tells us we can achieve. I disagree. I feel that there will be times where you find yourself playing pretty darn hard and YOU, my son, will have to figure out how to fit in the work hard part. You ALWAYS have a choice! Remember life is ALL about choices. Every choice you make has a consequence so make sure you choose wisely and choose carefully.
You will mistakes. We all do! Lord knows I have made MORE than my fair share! What you do with those mistakes will define who you are, the mistake itself will not. You can always pivot and remember, EVERYTHING IS FIGURE OUT ABLE!!!! Trust me on this. You just might have to get creative with the solution!
Speaking of solutions….try to always be a part of the solution. One of the biggest mistakes people make is staying in the problem. Save yourself a lot of time and energy and figure out how to be in the solution. My dad taught me this and it saved me so much anxiety. But, don’t let me fool you….this is a hard one…sometimes we just want have that pity party and be in the problem. Beautiful thing here is YOU are in charge of YOU and you get decide when you no longer want to be in the problem, but in the solution. Being in the solution will automatically put you ahead of the game and you will grow so much from it.
Another huge way to grow is to seek out people who are different, Will. Truthfully, you have always been good at this, but remember you learn from others and when someone is different we can learn so much more about life. So much goodness comes from others which can and will change your life for the better and help you grow into a loving and compassionate person. Something this world needs more of. Speaking of…Be the good! Always be the good.
Get to know your professors. This can make or break a grade. Trust me! I know first hand. And did you know your mama graduated with a 3.95, which back in the olden days was what a 4.6 is for you guys! So there is A LOT of goodness that comes when you get to know your professors, your deans, and anyone who is involved with your school. TRUST me! Not to mention, practicing the art of getting to know others and being truly interested in their lives is a super quality to have out in the real big world. It takes you out of yourself and into others. And that is what people want the most. No matter who they are. They want to be seen, heard, and respected.
Which leads me to my last bit of advice….CALL YOUR MAMA! I NEED to be seen, heard, and loved. I need to know you still need me, even if it is just to ask me where to go to buy socks. I need to know you see me and you adore me….so call me! Please call me!
OK I lied! One last thing…you can pivot on any decisions you make. If you find that what you are doing does not light you up, just pivot! It is not worth doing if it does not light your soul on fire! You do You Will because the world needs the human being you are!!!!!
Dad and I gave you roots and now we must give you your wings!
This is your life Will! It is yours to create! So write the story of your dreams and go after them! Go after them with all your heart! You are AMAZING! You are TALENTED! You are READY! Your mountain is waiting! So get on your way!
LYMSIL
AND, always remember: BE A LEADER, NOT A FOLLOWER. DO YOUR BEST. BERRY’S NEVER QUIT! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
LYMSIL!
Mom (and Dad)
PS….KEEP YOUR KNEES TOGETHER! Love, Grubba
Amy's Version of Kazi Fried Rice
If you like fried rice, you gotta try this recipe! It is so good!!!!!
So when Will and JP were little they always LOVED to go to this restaurant on their birthdays called Kazi. Well, the tradition rolled over to sweet Graeme and unfortunately this year we were shelter in place. So I started a mission. I decided I was going to figure out how to make fried rice as close to Kazi as I could. And folks I am happy to say tonight I might have nailed it! The only thing missing was the entertainment of the hibachi chef and I had to do it. But hey it is ok because I have been practicing this entire shelter in place, researching how to get the rice perfect, and I think I got it! And yall! It is super easy!!!!! Now disclaimer, it does take at least 24 hours and I will explain why in a minute, but after you do the prep it is so easy! Promise! So give it a whirl and let me know what you think! And in case you are wondering, the kids LOVE this stuff! So try it!
Little Will and JP! Oh my how I miss these boys!
Amy’s Version of Kazi Fried Rice
Ingredients:
Rice (we like basmati)
Chicken breast (at least 2 large ones)
Coconut Amino Acids (I prefer this over soy sauce, but you can use soy sauce)
Teriyaki Sauce
Chopped Garlic or Crushed in the jar is what I used
Butter (At least 5 tablespoons), but the more the better!
5 eggs
Pam spray
Frozen corn
Frozen peas
Chopped carrots
chopped green onion for garnish
Pepper for taste
And whatever hot sauce your family likes. We like a little bit of it all!
PREP:
24 hours before you are making your meal place your uncooked chicken breast in a gallon bag and marinate them in the coconut aminos, teriyaki sauce, and 2-3 tablespoons of chopped garlic. I just made sure to coat them. I did not really measure it. And I did 6 breasts total so we had chicken for salads and to nibble on.
Make your rice and this I am telling you is the secret. Make your rice a day in advance. If your family is like mine it is a win win because mine likes to eat rice with everything so I made a HUGE Tupperware full. Keep your rice in the refrigerator for at least a day. Trust me. This is the secret to make your rice the day before….that is if you want it to be like the restaurant.
When you are ready to make dinner grill your chicken. Once your chicken is done chop up however much you want and place in a bowl. Tonight I used 2 large breasts for my family of 5 to give you a feel and I chopped it up small.
In a large skillet scramble 5 eggs until they are almost done….still a little runny and pour that over the chicken.
Next take at least 5 tablespoons of butter and put it in the skillet you made your eggs in. Once the butter is melted place as much rice as you want in your skillet. I filled our skillet up, but left room for all the goods. (The chicken, peas, corn, carrots, etc). While your rice is frying in the butter make sure to be stirring it on and off. Start putting teriyaki sauce and amino acids on your rice. Again I did not measure I just kept pouring it on top to turn the rice brown, while it was cooking in the butter. Then I added my frozen peas and frozen corn until they were bright and cooked. Next I added the carrots. Once the vegetables were bright and the rice was nice and cooked I added the chicken and eggs and put some more amino acids in and stirred. I then used pepper for flavoring and garnished with chopped green onions. That is it. I know it sounds like a lot, but it was super easy and oh so good!!!!! Try it and let me know what you think and don’t forget if you like some kick add some hot sauce. We like Franks or Cholula at the Berry house!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Grieving the Good
Sometimes we grieve the good longer than the loss of the person.……
Dear Mom,
Today you would have been 84 years young on this earth, man do I miss you and man do I wish you were here to give you some blue hydrangeas.
This might be my biggest regret. Not sending you blue hydrangeas with daisies on your special days, especially the day you were born. Now in your honor I will make sure I build myself my own arrangement on your day in memory of you. Why? Well, for one I am not going to make it into Graham to bring anything to your grave. I know, you would say, “It is ok. I am not there anyways.” But, I still feel guilty and for some reason I feel the need to apologize for not visiting your grave or our home. The home you gave me so much love, so much direction, and so many prayers.
You know I have yet to go home since your funeral over 3.5 years ago. I just can’t. I know that was your dream home. You LOVED our home and you took care of it with so much pride. You not being there makes it feel like a black hole. I know I need to go and sit in there and remember. Remember all the love, all the fun, all the bad, all the ugly, all the miracles, all the things….I just can’t…..
My friend Tiffany told me it is ok. It is ok to be grieving the good. I think that is what I am doing now. I have grieved the loss of you. I have grieved not getting to hear your voice every day at three o’clock. I have grieved not being able to call you when life has been really, really, really, hard, and now…..now I will grieve all those beautiful moments and memories. Memories I am so lucky to have because I had you as a mom.
Mom, I miss you. For some reason I miss you more now that I am grieving the good, but I know….”This too shall pass…”, that is what you would say and you would remind me you are here. In spirit and in my heart and truly in my soul.
I love you mom.
Happy Earthly Birthday! Hope you are eating all the sugar you can being that you were a diabetic and never could here.
Love you big! Miss you Lots!
Amy
Do You Want to Hear a Secret? I Know One!
I have a secret….one that has brought me so much peace….one that I want to share with you today…. so let me ask you, “Do you want to hear a secret…I know one……”
Wow! It has literally been almost two and a half years since I started this journey with Worthy Heart. A journey I began in the midst of heavy grief. I had lost a part of me, not a limb or anything, but I lost my mom. She was my best friend. She drove me crazy, but gosh I loved her! I talked to her everyday at 3:00 and I was lost when she died. Until this blog which helped me find my way. I will forever be grateful for that gift alone, but that is not the only gift this blog has given me. This blog has literally given me the gift of an abundant life. Truly! Through my writing I have learned a little secret. A secret I would love to share with you.
Growing up I had this doll, Mrs. Beasley. I still have her actually thanks to my brother in law Ralph! That’s another story at another time, but you would pull her string and she would say things and one of her sayings was, “Do you want to hear a secret? I know one.”
I pulled her down from the closet the other day and pulled the string and that was what she said and it hit me…..through my writing and journaling I am learning a valuable secret. You see these last two and a half years have been ROUGH! For those of you who know me personally, you know exactly what I am talking about. For those of you who do not, well my story might surface someday. I am just not ready yet. What I am ready to do is share my secret. A secret that if you can grasp it, hold on to it, and use it, I promise your life will be abundant. I don’t know how or what that looks like for you, but I promise you will see miracles. Little miracles, big miracles, and miracles of all sizes in between.
THE SECRET
I am not in control! Yep you heard me! I am not in control! I am not in control! I am not in control!
I was not in control of my parents and where they lived or did not live. I was not in control of my mother’s falling or not falling and ultimate demise. I am not in control of my siblings and what they want to do with dad or not do. I am not really in control of my teens and their decisions and there choices good or bad. I am not in control of my husband. I am not in control of my Church and it’s beliefs. My vote will not control who is elected or not. I am not in control of my kids happiness. I am not in control of who likes my choreography and who does not. I am not in control of who likes me or dislikes me or who talks about me or whatever! I am only in control of ME and I am truly powerless over anyone else or any situation. The only thing I am in control of is me, myself, my mind, my actions, my thoughts, and my feelings. No One else’s. YALL! Once I realized this, the chains were broken and I was set free! I mean as free as naked toddler running through a sprinkler on a hot summer day! FREE and HAPPY!
Once I let go of all the control, let go of all the battles, and let go of all the the situations….that was when I truly started to make choices because they were good for me, not because of the effect they might have on others or how others might think of me. Once I learned to truly turn to God for HIS WILL, not mine, it was then and only then that I realized HE is in control. God is in Control. Not me. Once I truly LET GO AND LET GOD I was free and God stepped in and has been sorting things out in ways that I cannot even begin to describe. Beautifully and magically. Sure at times I scratch my head and think, “Really dude!” Other times I scream and questions, “Really dude?” And still other times I sigh, cry, and say, “Really dude….” In other words I did not begin to poop unicorns and burp butterflies, but I have surrendered and guess what: NEWS FLASH! The sun, earth, and moon still continue to revolve without any help from me.
So what do I do with that? Well, I live my life knowing I am in good hands. God’s beautiful hands. Guess what my friends. You are too! No matter how out of control your life is. No matter how ugly or insane. No matter how chaotic or mixed up, I promise Let Go and truly surrender and Let God and watch what happens. Miracles happen! That is what happens.
How do I do this? It is simple and you can do it too. I say a prayer every day. Sometimes three, four, five, times a day and simply saying this prayer brings me peace. Grounds me. It can do the same for you, if you open your heart and your ears to it. Speak it. Hear what you say and truly feel it.
THE SERENITY PRAYER
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. (People, places, things, situations,) The Courage to change the things I can. (Me, my beliefs, my thoughts, my reactions, my actions, my words) And the wisdom to know the difference.
MY CHALLENGE
Today, I want to challenge you to join me in saying this prayer at least once a day for 30 days! If you want an even bigger challenge and bigger miracles, I challenge you to get on your knees and say it. I dare you. What do you have to lose? Nothing! What do you have to gain? I don’t know, but from where I am sitting I dare say life. Do it! I dare ya!
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
Dresha's Shrimp Tacos and Cilantro Lime Rice
This is hopefully the first of many new blog post with amazing recipes brought to you by Dresha and Amy! What am I talking about? Well, my girlfriend Dresha and I have decided to start a cooking show. More like Dresha will be doing the cooking and I will be her sous chef and your entertainment. Just typing that cracks me up! But it is a true story. We have decided to do a cooking show together. Why? Well, the truth. We are both bloggers, writing books, hoping to inspire, encourage, and empower others, and the truth is we thought it would be fun to get to know our audiences. So I would love if you are reading this, if you take the time to jump onto the gram, the book of face or both, and follow my girl @audreshalynn-instagram and @audreshalynn-book of face. She has a story that will change lives….it changed hers for sure! So go check her out, AFTER, you take down this delicious recipe.
SHRIMP TACOS/ CILANTRO LIME RICE/ AND SLAW
Ingredients:
1 pinch of light brown sugar
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
Old Bay Seasoning
2-4 tablespoons chopped garlic in a jar (I prefer 3 but Dresha said her ancestors said, “NO!”) or 4 fresh garlic cloves minced
green onions
1-2 bay leaves
Slaw Mix
4 limes
cilantro
1/4 cup of sour cream
unsalted Kerry Gold butter
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups water
frozen Artisan Red Shrimp from Trader Joes
2 cups of long grain rice
corn or flour tortillas
black pepper and salt for taste
Garnish: Lime slices, fresh jalapeno chopped, chopped cilantro
PREP:
Shrimp: Place frozen shrimp in a bowl of room temperature water and let thaw.
Rice: The secret to this is you rinse your rice in cold water before you do anything. True story. I did not understand why and still do not, but this was so delicious, I will rinse rice from here on out. Once your rice is nice and rinsed off, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in the pot you plan on cooking your rice in. Once the butter is melted add your garlic and stir around a bit. Next add your rice and mix it around really good until all of your rice is covered in the butter. Add salt and pepper for taste and lots of pepper! No lie, I was scared, but now I am a believer, and the pepper was amazing!!!!!! Once your rice is nice and coated add 2 cups of water and 1 cup of chicken broth. Add 1-2 bay leaves and bring your rice to a boil. Once your rice is boiling, reduce your heat, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Once the rice is done remove the bay leaves and add lime skin. (What is this? Just grate the outside of the lime and make some lime zest.) Next add juice from 1/2 of the lime, cilantro, and green onion. Truth be known here. This is an area that Dresha “called on her ancestors” and she adds based on her taste buds. Just add what you are feeling here.
Shrimp! While your rice is boiling drain the water from your shrimp and season REALLY GOOD with Old Bay Seasoning. I mean coat those babies and coat them good! Next add your chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir around really good. Next heat 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil in a pan and 2 tablespoons of chopped garlic or 2 cloves minced. Once the butter is melted add your shrimp, a pinch of brown sugar, and cook until cooked through. Place on a plate until ready to build your tacos.
Slaw: Take one whole package of slaw mix and add 1/4 cup of sour cream, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and mix really good.
Tortillas: Heat a skillet with ZERO oil or butter! Place tortillas on hot skillet and heat. If they are corn they will get a little “tan”. If they are flour they will bubble up a little and that is when you flip them.
To build that delicious taco all you do is take your tortilla, add your shrimp, your slaw, and garnish how you like it! Pair it with your yummy rice, and go to town stuffing your face! These are so good! So good that JP ate 6!!!!!!!
Bon Appetit!
Amy and Dresha!
PS! Don’t forget to give Dresha a follow and be looking for more of our shows in the future!!!!!
Amy's Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Bacon Cookies
This morning I woke up and I wanted oatmeal, peanut butter, and bacon! I have no idea why either because I normally just eat leftovers from last nights dinner, but this morning I had a hankering. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately now, we did not have bacon. So I ate leftover fajitas and decided I was good.
Then I got this crazy bug up my behind and went to the store and bought what I needed to make a creation. Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy….this is some good stuff people! I made the most delicious cookies! True story, Trey was not thrilled with the idea when I said it, but then he tasted it and his exact quote was, “Damn, my baby can cook!” So why don’t you get your hands on these ingredients and try out this amazing recipe!
Amy’s Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Bacon Cookies with a splash of Sea Salt!
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks unsalted butter (1 cup) softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark is fine)
2 large eggs
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups old-fashioned whole rolled oats
1 bag nestle toll house semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 package bacon
PREP:
Cook your bacon how you like but make sure to save at least 6-8 strips for this recipe. Crumble your bacon in a small bowl into bits.
Then whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl. Place that to the side.
In another large bowl mix your butter until smooth.
Add your sugar and your brown sugar and beat until creamed.
Add the eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla. Beat until combined.
Add your dry ingredients into your wet ingredients and mix until combined.
Mix in your oats on low speed, then your chocolate chips and bacon bits. Once all of ingredients are mixed well, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. If you leave in the refrigerator longer (say overnight which is ok, make sure to bring your dough out and get it to room temperature before baking. (At least 30 minutes)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Make balls of dough and bake for about 15 minutes. I like to dust them while they are cooling with sea salt, but if you don’t want that much salt leave this step out. Let them cool for at least 5 minutes before trying to transfer or else they will crumble.
You can store these cookies for up to a week!
I promise you these are a hit! Try them and let me know what you think!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Is God Reliable?
Is God Reliable? Well there is a loaded question. One I can answer with a resounding, “Heck ya!” AND most of you know my motto: “If it is not a Heck Ya, than it is a NO!” That simple. This question for me personally is a HECK YA! Why? I would love to share this. Matter of fact I can’t wait to share this!
I was reading my bible this morning and it came to me in a whisper, “Amy, today I want you to write about the first R in suRrender.” I am not kidding either and for those who know me well, I have literally asked my bible study friends, “How do you hear God?” I heard Him! Loud and clear I heard Him! In Jeremiah 33:2-3, which is the chapter I am on in my SOLO online devotional group.
Oddly enough my SOLO girls skipped this chapter, which always throws this recovering Catholic into a bit of a tisy, but this morning it did not. It was clearly just God and me. And I want to share how it went down because I still have chills.
The Verse goes like this from The Message:Bible, “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable, and lasting, known everywhere as God. ‘Call to me and I will answer you, I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’ “ Jeremiah 33:2-3~
Pretty powerful verse. The way our study goes is you read the verse then you move to the THINK portion of the study. In the think portion of our study it asked me what word or phrase settled deeply in my soul and why? For me it was, “Call to me and I will answer you”….not only will God answer me he will tell me marvelous and wonderful things that I could never figure out on my own. I sat there in that because it was obvious why the verse stood out. Call to me and I will answer you. Like a child who calls to a parent and the parent comes running. Simple right? This verse is a guarantee that God hears me and will answer me. WRONG! Amy Berry’s mind started reeling….what about all those times of pain and suffering and all the bad that has happened to my family lately God? Why death God? Why cancer in kids or cancer in general? Why Covid? Why racism? Why suppression? Why friends against friends due to political hot topics? Why bad cops? Why bad people? Why God? That is where my mind went……and it was not pretty.
Are you there God? What is happening in this world? Can I rely on you? These are real questions he wants to hear from us. Ask him….he is there for you.
What did I do? Did I get angry? Maybe a little, but I did what anyone should do when there are questions. I dug deeper. I asked more questions. I got to the bottom of Jeremiah and what I learned was powerful for me and I hope it is for you too.
Now I am going to assume most of you are like me and have no clue of the context so I will map it out. If you do, bare with me. I keep things real simple for my simple mind. So Jeremiah was a prophet who back in the day was put in prison or went into hiding quite a bit for preaching about God and about sins and what can happen when we sin. Pain, disappointment, destruction, you know bad stuff. A lot of people thought of him as the weeping prophet, but in reality Jeremiah knew God! He knew God had a plan for us, one that we would prosper with no pain only hope and a beautiful future. Jeremiah was hopeful! He was a believer in God and he thought it was a personal matter and that each person had to take responsibility for their own personal relationship with God. Very much like today, but he preached it to the rooftops and was put in prison or was in hiding for it very unlike today. Jeremiah understood this: Religion must be deep within EACH individuals hearts and lived out in their lives. Not a group of people or a building….religion for Jeremiah was personal.
Good stuff huh….I think so, but it dawned on me. Jeremiah was in prison, alone, very much like I have been lately. Only my prison is not bars. Mine is hopelessness like his, doubtful like his, wondering if God forgot me and my family and I am sure like Jeremiah felt. And…..God visited Jeremiah in a vision just like he did me today in my mind. I just did not get the vision, I got it in a thought and a sense of peace. He promised Jeremiah he would answer and he has promised me. Maybe not how I want but, he knows best. Just like a parent with a teenager who asks to do something and we know what is best. Or a child who wants a toy and we say no because we know they don’t need that. God knows what is best. Do I trust that 100 percent. If I am being honest…..No, I do have a little doubt….that is the control freak in me….but I desperately 100 percent want to trust it. That is a start.
I relate to Jeremiah a lot really. He is alone in a prison and I feel alone a lot lately. He is behind bars watching people have fun, go on with life, some sinning and getting away with it and he is suffering and truly believes in God. If I am being honest I have felt this way since 2017. Even before The Storm hit my family. The closer to God I get the more imprisoned I feel, but yet I also feel this peace I have never had. It is so hard to explain. I see myself stuck in this “New Life” while others get to continue doing what they do. Right, wrong, or indifferent this is just how I feel. Maybe it is because I am growing in areas I needed to grow. I know I wanted to heal from pain, from suffering, from disappointment….Oh Lawd the disappointments! Sometimes it feels like one storm after another hits and I am trying desperately to trust and grow and then BOOM! Just like that a morning like this morning happens and I feel God. I hear God. And I relate to someone from biblical times and I know God has a plan. Do I know what it is? No! Do I know what he is working on for me behind the scenes and do I know in my heart of hearts he will answer me when I cry out. Yes and no!
No I don’t know what is happening behind the scenes, but yes I know he wants me to call on him. I know he is RELIABLE and if I SuRrender to him and obey he has a beautiful plan for me and for my family. A plan to prosper me and my family, not harm us, and a plan to give us hope and a future.
This morning God came to me! And I have hope!!!!! Do you? He is RELIABLE! AND YOU ARE WORTHY OF HIS LOVE AND FUTURE HE HAS IN STORE FOR YOU. Do you believe that?
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
I See You
It’s Saturday, May 30, 2020 and my heart is heavy. As I sit here and type I have so many emotions. What is happening in the world? Tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, terrorism, pandemics, and now hatred and riots. Do I blame the people rioting? No. Not one minute do I blame them. Am I at a loss of what to do? Yes. I know how I feel, but I don’t know how my black brothers and sisters feel and I never will. Why? Because I am a white privileged girl who was born into a comfortable white family who lived in a sleepy quiet town of mainly white people. True story. Does this make Graham, Texas bad? No, it just is where I was born. I graduated with two black girls. Stacey and Tamitha. They were my friends, but did I ever take the time to talk to them about being black? No. Why not? I don’t really know. When I was growing up I truly didn’t think about it, but now that I am writing it I never went to their homes and I only remember Stacey coming to mine maybe twice. One time for sure. Now that I am taking the time to think about this I am sad about that. I can’t change the past, but I am sad about that.
Did I see black? Yes. Of course I did. If you say you don’t see color you are just fooling yourself. Hell, you see when I spray tan because you tell me about it! So you can see black. Just saying…..
When did I start seeing color? I honestly cannot answer that. I do think there is some truth to the saying, “kids don’t see color”, but I think it should be, “kids see color and they don’t care because they see a human being.” Case in point. I will never forget when Graeme got in the car after his first day of pre-school and said, “Mom I have a friend with clown hair!” I was like what on earth does he mean? As the days went on and I got to know the little kids in his classroom it turned out his new little friend had red hair! Kids see color is the point! It’s what we as parents teach our kids that will make the difference. Because change must happen. And if you are a parent you are in the perfect place to be a part of the change! How? Talk to your kids!
Our kids, especially our white kids, need to learn that discrimination is real and it is wrong. It is something that most of our kids will not feel, as a white kid. We as parents need to teach our kids to stand up for their friends. Teach them to speak up for their friends. Teach them love. If we start teaching our young ones, who are the future, to stand up, speak up, and fight for their black friends, then I bet their other friends who are not as lucky to be raised in a home that teaches love will begin to follow.
What else can we do? Well, my dear friend Dresha wrote something that I think is perfect. I am going to share it with you.
I want you to do more than love me...
I want you to be comfortable enough to call out racism the same way you’re comfortable with watching your friends spew it.
I want you to be more than willing to get out there on these streets and protest with those who are trying to make a bold statement instead of reposting Dr. King quotes.
I want you to stop playing it safe by choosing to say nothing, afraid to inconvenience yourself out of fear of losing your job or your social status.
I want you to do more than pray. Start taking action because we both know that bible says faith without works is dead.
I want you to be more than heartbroken and sad for me. Be so moved that you do more than “like” the comments being shared among black people in your social circles. Be our voice in your communities.
Do more than send us private messages expressing sadness — say that ish out loud so your peers can see it, stop hiding.
Be willing to get uncomfortable by having conversations with your racist family members. Stop shying away from the conversations because it’s convenient for you to do so.
I want you to stop complaining about the riots and start caring about the injustice. The riots are the direct result of our peaceful protests going unheard.
& most of all, be present. Don’t wait until it’s trendy to speak up, be ready to ride for us even when it’s not.
& lastly, don’t be fickle by popping in out as you please. Keep that same energy up until we can be black in peace.
So Dresha, Stacey, Tamitha, and all my black friends….I don’t know what it is like to be you, but I see you, I see your beautiful black beauty, and I stand with you.
Will you stand with me beside my black brothers and sisters….because I got news for you….if you are a Christian, they are your brother and sister in Christ…..Jesus stands with them…..So do I…..Do you?
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
You Are Not Alone
Today I wanted to take a moment and open myself up a little to you all on a subject that is near and dear to my heart and is very personal. Personal because it involves me. Personal because I have not shared this publicly before and I figure I am almost 50 what do I have to lose and it might even save someone else’s life. Who knows…..but, if it does it will be because God gave me the courage to share. God gave me the strength to share. And God showed me time and time again He loves me so why not share!
Do you ever feel angry and you just don’t know why? Maybe you are just exhausted and you don’t know why? Maybe you are sad and you just don’t know why. For me it is anger, irritability, and a feeling of is this it? What is this I am talking about? It is depression. I suffer from depression, but I like to think of myself as in remission.
My story starts back in high school, which I have shared before. I was 16 when I came home one day and told my mom I was angry, sad, and was not for sure what the point to life was. I remember crying my eyes out and I remember she got me in the car right then and there and took me to the clinic and let them know we had an emergency and I had to be seen. I remember Dr. Nesbit was so gracious and saw us and I just cried. He told my mom he thought I had depression and he would like to medicate me with Tofranil. I remember this day like it was yesterday. My mom was amazing and agreed to the medicine, which back in the 80’s carried a huge stigma.
I did pretty good on my medicine until I graduated college. At this point I decided I was good and did not need the medicine or counseling anymore. First thing I did was stop taking my medicine cold turkey. BIG MISTAKE! HUGE! It was November of 1994 and I remember it like it was yesterday! Ginger and I went to a TCU football game about a week after I stopped my medicine and when we got back from the game my dad was very angry with me about something. Whatever it was must not have been a big deal because for the life of me I cannot remember what it was. But, I do remember him yelling at me in front of Trey and his friend. It upset me so bad I went into my bathroom, grabbed my anti depressant, took a handful of them, walked back out to the living and yelled, “I just took a handful of my medicine! Do you love me enough to save me!”
Of course my father did! He rushed me to the hospital where I got my stomach pumped and I began intense counseling. It was in counseling that I learned a lot about depression and myself. The biggest lesson I learned was my anger, combined with my sadness, found ways to convince me that I was a terrible person, that nobody would love. So, what did I do? I would test it by acting out, lying, or worse, threatening my life.
Why am I sharing this now? Well for starters it is Mental Health Awareness Month and I am not going to be quiet anymore. Why? A lot of reasons really, but the biggest one is I have three amazing boys who need to know that there is no shame in mental illness. It is just that. An illness. No different than diabetes where you need your insulin everyday. It is just that. An illness of the brain. I have three boys who have a strong lineage of mental illness and I don’t want them to ever feel they are alone. IF God forbid they have been “blessed” with the illness I need them to know ME TOO and I am OK. I have three boys who I love dearly and I want them to know that getting help is not a sign of weakness, on the contrary it is a sign of courage. My boys are the reason I am sharing now. My three beautiful boys!!!!!
I want them to know and you to know that there is no shame in mental illness and there is no shame in talking about it either. None. Matter of fact, I would argue that the shame lies with a person who believes there is shame in mental illness. I would argue they are a coward and hiding from something. Maybe it is not mental illness, but it is something they are hiding from. I would argue from the rooftops than anyone with mental illness who does not hide behind it is more courageous than anyone who makes fun of them for the illness. And lastly, I would argue mental illness is not a personal failure and looks different on everyone.
So if you are reading this and you suffer from mental illness of any kind I first want you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE! ME TOO!
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
Expectation of the Female
Have you ever sat and wondered why females are so hard on themselves? I don’t mean to leave men out because I firmly believe they have a whole other mindset with expectations, but simply put I am a female. So I kind of relate more to the female species, if you know what I mean. So if you are a male and you are reading this, my first gut reaction is, “Forgive me, I don’t mean to leave you out, I just don’t understand your kind.” ~Oddly enough last week my coach had me take the Clifton Strengths Finder test and one of my top 5 strengths is inclusion. So guys, leaving you out is killing me, but maybe you can learn more about the female mind by reading and maybe just maybe it will help you in your relationships with the females in your life.
Back to my topic. Why do females put so many expectations on themselves. I have been wondering this lately because I firmly believe we lose ourselves because of it. Why do I believe this? Well, I LOST MYSELF! And I am finding myself again and it is so amazing, but I don’t think others have to go through the stages of being lost, because trust me it is hard to get out of…..possible, but work, work I have done and I am hoping through my lessons I can save a few of you from the same mistakes I have made.
When we lose ourselves we fall into a rabbit hole. These holes can be in the form of people pleasing, shame, guilt, or I am not enough….. to name a few as I am sure there are MANY MORE! Point is we as women, whether we are parents, single, teens, adults, whatever we are tend to end up in one of these holes.
Why is this? Have you ever been in one of these holes? Hell I have been in all of them at the same time and it is no fun! I am trying to figure out why this happens. What is missing to make this happen?
I think back to childhood and I had a great one! I was born and raised in the small North Texas town of Graham, Texas, now known as Graham, America. When I was growing up, it was a sleepy oil and gas town. It was like what you see in the movies. At least from my memories. BUT, I will say that I was very aware of whose mom worked and whose did not. Whose mom got to play golf all day like mine and whose did not. I was not aware in a negative way either. It just was an awareness. There was never any stigma or anything like that. But, I distinctly remember being in high school and watching my sister become a bad ass business woman. I remember thinking, “Man that is glamorous! I want to be that if I don’t make it onto the set of Days of Our Lives or one of Michael Jackson’s backup dancers!” True story there folks. I remember thinking, “I don’t want to stay home and clean and cook while my husband gets to be a part of the world like my mom and I darn sure don’t want to be a school teacher….I hate school.” You see in Graham, in my small town mind you were either a teacher or a stay at home mom…. and I am not saying my mom did not enjoy it because honestly looking back she had a great life. For her! Was she happy? Was she fulfilled? ? I don’t know, she has passed now so I can’t ask her, but I think so. However, I think it took a while for that to happen and I think there might have been some sadness while she was finding herself and her way. This is just my opinion. I think she had to find her way and her way was serving.
My mom loved to serve. Whether she was teaching kids to golf, cooking for us or some other family, or organizing something for the church, my mom had a servants heart. Would my mom enjoy being a business woman? NO! Money did not matter to her. Things did not matter to her, unless it was a new gold club! Would she have loved to run a non profit? I FIRMLY BELIEVE YES! That was who she was! She was also my mom, Paul’s mom, and Robin and Chuck’s mom, and she did that job amazingly!
Why do I tell you all of this? Because, I am stumped as to why women, including myself who was raised by a strong, loving woman, still get wrapped around the axle with expectations and comparisons! And it starts at such a young age….it starts with the simple, “I want to be part of the popular crowd.” What the hell is that? I hate that damn word! POPULAR!
I looked it up. Popular by definition is suitable to the majority! So if that is the case who is the majority? And why are they the majority? Because they have the bigger house? They have a cool car? They wear expensive clothes? You see what is happening here….comparison….which as we all know is the thief of joy. So this little thief starts at such a young age.
How can we educate our young females early on that there will ALWAYS be someone with a bigger house, a cooler car, a better sense of style, skinnier, prettier skin, better hair, cooler dog, cuter partner, better job, more flexible, stronger, more athletic, better voice, better talent, better grades, better college education, better kids, better life, more money, more fun, more friends, more likes, more followers, more opportunity…..YOU GET THE PICTURE…..SOMEONE WILL ALWAYS HAVE BETTER AND OR MORE! It just will always be this way!
So what do we do about it? Well I am on a mission and I would love for you to join me! My mission is Worthy Heart and the simple fact that everyone is worthy of love. Everyone and every females is enough in their own being. How am I going to do this? Well, it will start here. It will start with the simple mission of teaching women of all ages you have to take care of yourself and love yourself in order to do the same with the humans in your life. How do we do that? We start with the acronym GOO!
GOO
Loving God
Loving Ourselves
Loving Others
We have to know God and have a relationship with God in order to realize how perfect we are, you are, I am. I am a child of God. You are a child of God. We are children of God. Whether you are Christian or not, you are enough and you are loved! We are perfect however we are made. God makes ZERO mistakes! And God loves you and God loves me! Once we truly believe this and start our spiritual journey we will soon start to believe who we are in enough! NO matter who we choose to be and what we choose to do we are enough!!!! Once we grasp this we can love ourselves and then others fully and beautifully in our wonderfully made selves!!!!!
So if you are a female I would love for you to share this. If you know a female raising females I would love for you to share this! If you know a female I would love for you to share this! The more we share this the more movement we will get! And I want to start a movement! Do you want to join me?
Until Next Time,
XO,
AMY
PS….remember YOU ARE ENOUGH! And YOU ARE WORTHY!
Friday Faves!
It is that time of the week! It’s my Friday Faves!
This week I wanted to share three Podcast that I am currently crushing on! All three are a little different, but do the same thing…they help me grow as a human intellectually, spiritually, and in my relationships with those I love.
So if you are a self help junkie, if you find yourself a little lost, or if you just want to create a more loving environment with someone you love, take a look and maybe one or all of these podcast will fancy your soul like they do mine!
First up is the 6 Figure Influencer Podcast. My girl Allie Reeves is your girl if you are wanting to build your influence and your income on line with ease and actually have a good time doing it. Allie is a wife, a mom, entrepreneur, creator, and coach! And a damn good coach I might add! I know first hand! So if you are ready to let go of the excuses and start showing up as the woman you are meant to be, Allie’s podcast is just for YOU!!!!!
Another Podcast I have really been into is Jennie Allen’s Made for This. I first discovered Jennie Allen in a bible study with some of my friends here in Dallas and low and behold not only does Jennie live in Dallas, Jennie and I live in the same neighborhood and actually have kids the same age. Do I know Jennie? Not personally, but after doing her bible study Restless with my girls and Stuck on my own, I discovered her podcast and I have never looked back. Why? Because she is authentic and she is real and she hits on everything I was thinking before I did the first study with my turtle tribe (inside joke there for my girls). If you find yourself asking: How do I find my people? Why do I feel so alone? How do I deal with comparison? How do I handle conflict? And so many more, then I want to challenge you to take a listen. See what you think for yourself, but warning….you too might find yourself hooked and all the better for it!
Lastly is my girl Rachael Bedell with Slice Up Your Life! Why do I love Rachael? Well because she is real, she is raw, she is funny, she loves food, AND she is finding her way in her new walk with Christ, but most importantly she is my friend and my sister in Christ! Which brings me to my favorite thing about Rachael’s podcast…She is new to her faith walk and she is so innocent about it, so honest about it, and she is so interested in finding out how people came to their faith. I love how this curiosity of hers is actually growing her faith and you hear it stretching each new episode and it is so awesome to witness. It is actually a beautiful thing to hear, especially if you are new in your faith walk or ever feel like I do….like you have so far to go…. If you give each show a chance you will find that each story has some nugget you can walk away. Whether it is a story of loss, a story of starting a non profit, a story of whatever, if you really listen you find something in common with every story that helps you not feel alone in the world or inspires you to be more, and you learn the beautiful lesson of ….we all come to our relationship with God right on time. God’s time! So take a listen, see what you think, and if you enjoy it subscribe! Together let’s help Rachael grow in this beautiful journey!
So there you have it folks! Amy’s Friday Faves…..What podcast do you love? Let me know!
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
Telling God What I Think
This morning in my SOLO bible study, my live out portion of the study was to write a letter to God.The instructions say I am to write a letter to God telling Him what I think about Him and how He is operating in the world. It told me to include the good, the bad, and the ugly….to be thoughtful and honest and even raw if I need to be.
Is that odd or is that God that this would be my assignment at such a time in our history? Makes you think…….
Dear God,
Today’s live out assignment is to write you a letter. A letter of honesty about my feelings towards you and how I feel you are operating in the world today. This is a pretty big assignment if you ask me. The truth is I feel love from you. That part is pretty easy.
I am lucky to have been raised by two very holy people who taught me that God loved me. As I have gotten up there in years it has become very apparent to me that some of my friends and acquaintances were raised thinking you were a punishing God. A God of abuse of sorts. When I hear this, it breaks my heart for them. The most punishment I ever felt from you was when my family would go to Church when all the visiting priest came to town and we would go to confession. I remember I would go to a priest that I thought did not know our family well and I would confess all my sins. Of course I was only in my tweens and teens and it was before I discovered sex, drugs, and rock and roll, so my sins consisted of not honoring my mom and dad, fighting with my brother, lying to a friend, cheating on something, and there may have been a wreck or two in my parents cars that I lied about and seriously got away with! That could be part of the reason my nick name was CRASH! The worst punishment I received was 10 Hail Mary’s! That’s it! And I was free and clear. It was easy. Go behind the curtain, tell of your wrongs, listen to the man behind the curtain tell you, you are are a child of God, He came to forgive you, and go say X amount of Hail Mary’s. Easy peasy right! Until I got a little more mature.
Once I got a little older in my teens and my brain started developing, the truth is I started lying in the confessionals. Not lying really, just withholding information if you will. Why? Probably out of shame or laziness because in my mind if you REALLY knew (I obviously had not grasped that you are an all knowing God), what I had done I would be sitting in that pew for hours doing Hail Mary’s because you would have been disgusted with me. So I just withheld the information.
I think what happens when we withhold from you, it digs a black hole of shame in our hearts. I think your enemy, Satan, loves that! I wish I would have just let it out all those years ago because I think what happens when we start digging that hole, we keep digging. Until it is pierced all the way through and hollow. Some of us are lucky enough to meet someone, or find a group of people, or a book, that helps us to slowly fill the hole. I was one of the lucky ones. I am filling my holes, but I have plenty of friends and people I know and love who still hide behind that shame. It breaks my heart God. I wish they could feel the love I feel from you even knowing I am stained, torn, ripped, dirty, and plain worn out in some sinful areas. I know that you love me regardless and with all of that sin. I know that you sent your son for me and the world so that we would be forgiven. Once I grasped that, like really grasped it, I realized that yes, I will still sin, but I am more aware and I try much harder to go against the grain of the world and to live like Jesus. Which quite frankly can be boring, no fun, and A LOT harder. BUT, you are also showing me how it is more rewarding, peaceful, and full of JOY, LOVE, WARMTH, PEACE, COMPASSION, COMFORT, WISDOM, and A LOT less fear than others.
Now, am I saying I am rid of fear or sin? Heck no God! I still have it and speaking of fear, what in the world are you doing in the world today? Is this a flood like Noah, or are we in the dessert, or is this a plague, a sign? I mean there have been tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, now this virus? What is happening? Are you trying to get the worlds attention? LAWD knows you got mine! And I am like, “What the hell is happening?” I remember telling Trey one day on a walk, “If this is it can Jesus just rise us up already so we don’t have to hear all the grumbling among neighbors, the death among loved ones, the fighting among political parties, the conspiracy theories, and the fears in our children’s voices, and in our hearts and minds?” It is really scary God.
I personally , me Amy Berry, feel like we are having to choose who to sacrifice. Open up the economy and we sacrifice elders and those with autoimmune and whoever this virus attacks, but has no rhyme or reason to attack, it just does and they die. Keep the economy closed and we lose people to mental health and addiction because they can’t feed their families or make rent and they are scared and feel worthless so they shrivel up and die. Whether intentionally through suicide or unintentionally through hunger, addiction, or stress. This is how I feel? We need a miracle. Whether it is a drug to fight the virus, or a vaccine to prevent the virus, or quite frankly the truth about the virus….which honestly I don’t know if anyone really knows besides YOU! Point is I am scared for my boys, my family, my friends, and myself. I honestly want life to go back to how it was before the virus. And God you and I both know my life was not peaches. My family was still in a pickle, but truth is I was O K with it just being my family in the pickle. Now it is the world. And sometimes I get scared.
I know I need to let go and SURRENDER! I know this! I have been working on this with my own family! Surrendering and realizing I am powerless. I am powerless over addiction, mental health, teenagers, others beliefs, how they live, and now this virus. I realize that my mind becomes unmanageable with this virus A LOT! Especially when I turn on the news or go to my neighborhood chatter on facebook. I end up in this rabbit hole that I have a hard time coming out of it. I let all the negative energy suck out my goodness. I NEED TO SURRENDER this virus, other’s opinions, and the media to you! You can restore me to sanity when I do this!!!! You do EVERY STINKING TIME! When I finally raise my hands up and say, “I SURRENDER!” And truly do it, the warmth that over comes me is unreal. It is in those moments that I turn it over to you and let go and let you! It is in the moments where I feel peace. Like right now writing this letter. Oh man what peace this has brought me. You have us, don’t you God? You know what our future is and you know we will get through this. You hear our every cry and you will answer us. Sometimes not how we like, but if I am being honest and I am, every answer you have given me, whether it was what I wanted or not has turned out beautifully. The only ones I don’t like are the ones that involve death. Death scares me. And I hate not being with those that have gone before me, but I have zero interest as you know in joining them at this time. I am just letting you know death in one area I still don’t get. I know, someday I will, but let me be CRYSTAL CLEAR….I really don’t want that someday anytime soon….I got dreams and desires…course you know that and that will be for another letter another day. Until then, thank you for bringing me full circle. Thank you for reminding me in this letter and in this exercise how you know! You are in control. The only thing I am in control of is me and the rest I GET to surrender to you and you will carry it. Thank you for that God! I love you dearly!
IWALY!
Amy
PS…..if you took the time to read my letter to God, first off thank you and secondly might I challenge you in doing this same exercise. I would love to know if you do and how you felt afterwards. I feel GREAT!!!!!!
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
This is my daily devotional and there is an online community of about 1900 plus of us! We would love for you to join! You can start from the beginning as they are all recorded or you can pick right where they are at….believe it or not I am a little behind….but it is way o.k.! I still get so much from it and would love for you to join! Message me if you are interested! XO, Amy
Sausage Biscuits from Primal Mom
Homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, dancing….that is the story of my life these days, but with it has come some amazing recipes and ideas that will only make for smoother mornings when school does FINALLY re-open! Who knows when that will be, but know that I am making recipes to share with you to keep the kids healthy and you free of stress during the morning hustle.
Today I tried a recipe from my friend Amber’s collection. Amber is the amazing primalmom. If you do not follow her and you want to bring some goodness and health into you and your family’s lives, I highly suggest you do! You can find her on the gram @primalmom and on her website( just click the name Primal Mom above in blue). She has ALL kinds of keto friendly, primal friendly recipes, and skin care ideas so I highly suggest you give her a looksie!
Today I made her Breakfast Sausage Biscuits. Now, I will say it is kind of messy, but the mess is so worth it! This recipe gave me about 16 paddies and 1-2 paddies is all anyone would really eat each morning, so you have breakfast for a week! It is so nice! And my boys all like to eat it a little differently. One likes it with Red Hot Buffalo sauce, one likes it on a biscuit or Hawaiian Roll which totally cancels the keto, and one likes it with Cholula sauce, but the point is they all LOVED them! So give this recipe a whirl and show my friend some love!
PRIMAL MOM’S SAUSAGE BISCUITS
INGREDIENTS:
2 lb ground sausage
2 cups almond flour
8 eggs
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons pepper
PREP:
Preheat your oven to 350
Melt your butter in a microwaveable small bowl
In a large bowl, mix the melted butter, almond flour, sausage, eggs, pepper, paprika, and cheese. Knead the ingredients together. (This is where it gets a bit messy.)
Form sausage mixture into large patties. I simply made them look like hamburger patties.
Bake on 350 for 20-24 minutes, flipping halfway.
You can store all your extras in the refrigerator and when you want to eat one you simply reheat one in the microwave for 30 seconds! Makes for an easy and healthy breakfast and everyone is happy and healthy!
Until Next Time,
Bon Appetit!
Amy
His Love is an Unlimited Love
What would it really mean to have someone love you unlimitedly? That is not even a word, but today, I, Amy Berry, deem it a word! And let me tell ya, my Aunt Eleanor is rolling around in her grave and my English teacher, Mrs. Morris, is cringing as she reads this, but hey….I am making a point here. God loves me even in my imperfections, transgressions, misgivings, and misspellings! Ha~
I really crack myself up sometimes. Back to my point. My point here is God! God loves you with an unlimited amount of love. Do you know that? I really don’t think I did until later in life. Like really later. Like (again Aunt Elanor is rolling and Mrs. Morris is cringing with all these likes!) but, like 2017-2018ish and I was born in 1970! So you do the math! A LOT LATER IN LIFE!
Do you know, really know, that God’s Love is unlimited. It has no bounds. It will exceed your every expectation! Do you know this? Do you believe this? I did not and I tested Him and I will challenge you now to test Him. Trust me He can handle it and He welcomes it! Don’t believe me? Then do it!
How you might be asking yourself. Well, in 2017 when I was really down in the dumps and questioning God and His existence, my mother in law got me a “God Box”. A God Box can be any kind of box. This one was just a cardboard box and she told me to put all my pain, all my frustrations, all my fears, all my trials, all my questions, anything that was bringing me worry, fear, or doubt, on a piece of paper, date it, and throw it in the box. I did it. She also told me to pray over it. I did not do that because I was really angry with God at that time in my life. Guess what that is OK if you are too! But, if you are further along in your walk then I was, I will challenge you to pray over the box every time you place something in it.
The point in this part of the exercise is you are outwardly saying, “God, I sUrrender, (there is that word of mine for 2020 and that U is capitalized for a reason! U is for Unlimited Love of God), I give this to you Lord, it is yours, do with it what You will. I trust that You love me beyond anything I can imagine and You will bless this or something better will happen. This will resolve how You see fit. THY WILL BE DONE.” And just like that you let it go.
I know, it is not that simple, but doing this exercise is a tiny step in letting it go, surrendering to our Father, and trusting that His will will be done. Again, don’t believe me, try it. You will find that slowly, but surely as you surrender whatever it is to Him, He will prove to you over, and over, and over again how His love has no bounds!
As time goes on and the dust settles on your fears, worries, doubts, situations, take a look in your box and pull out a piece of paper or two. Look at the date. My gut tells me you will see that whatever it was is handled, maybe not how you thought, but everything is OK and if it is not, more than likely it is better and your faith becomes firmer in understanding how truly amazing God’s love is for you .
So today as I think about my word for 2020 and how I have broken it down I will celebrate how great and UNLIMITED our Heavenly Father’s love is for you and for me! You my dear friend are worthy of His love! Even in our unlovable moments We are Worthy and His Love is UNLIMITED!!!!!!
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
That Time Again
Dear Mom,
Here we go again….another Mother’s Day without you. If I am being honest it gets easier, but I still need you and I still miss you like crazy. However, I am learning that the saying I hate the most….you know the one…."time heals all wounds”, well that stupid saying is true. There! I have admitted it.
All those years you told me when my heart hurt, “Amy, these things take time, time will heal your heart, time heals.” I wanted to chunk something at you, but instead I rolled my eyes. Well I guess the joke is on me. You can roll those beautiful blue eyes at me Mom. I deserve it!
Why? Because, you might be the biggest wound I have ever experienced, along with Baby Berry, but again if I am being honest, I think your wound is bigger. You were my best friend. You were my mother. You carried me for nine months, then you picked me up whenever I needed it for 46 years! You were my biggest fan and you were my biggest confidante. You showed me what true faith is. You showed me what true forgiveness does. You showed me what it was to be loyal and to serve others. You showed me that winning feels like everything, but it is not. Even when you lose if you celebrate with the winner you win! You showed me how to cook, how to care for my family, and how to be a friend. And now you are gone.
But, the wound is healing nicely. I am learning to find you in different ways. I am learning to find you in the quiet of the morning when I spend time with God. I am learning to find you on my walks with Trey. I am learning to find you while I cook and while I clean. I see you in my boys eyes. I feel you in my heart. I know you are here. I just know it. And times when I am really needing you…..well at those times I buy hydrangeas! Your favorite! And I find that peace again. I keep your rosary by my bed and your cross from your casket in my front room. I know, morbid, but hey, it brings me comfort!!!!! So if that is what it takes to close the wound, than so be it.
I still have not gone back to Graham. I just can’t. I imagine myself at home with you and knowing you are not there breaks me, but I will get there someday.
People might wonder why I still write to you. I feel for them because to me that says they did not have a mom like I did. I don’t ever want to forget you. Your red hair. Your beautiful blue eyes. Your pink lipstick. Your funky arthritic hands that worked so hard for us, your cute little pinky toe, your Jersey accent, and your spunky fiery way! That is why I keep writing to you! And because of the relationship we had. You were my mom and I was your Amy. I miss you so mom! I love you so!
Happy Mother’s Day to the BEST Mom EVER! Thank you for loving me, protecting me, providing for me, and believing in me!
All my love,
Amy
Friday Faves!!!!!
Welcome to my Friday Faves!
Every so often on Friday I will come on here and share with you some of my new favorite things! Whether it is a thing, a place, (which we will not have any of that during covid), or a person. I will come on here and share! In return if you have something or someone I should be listening to, reading or trying please tell me! I love to find new things! Especially if they are a good deal!!!!!!
This Friday I would like to share some things I have found on Amazon that I am in love with! And I think you will love them too!
This book is EVERYTHING and then some! If you are ready to stop making excuses on why you can’t lose weight, get out of debt, be a better mentor, be a better leader, do whatever it is you have been wanting to do, but just can’t seem to move forward….then this book is for you! Click buy now and thank me later!
I swear by this oil! I put in on my face at night once I have completed all my steps and I leave it! It smells so good and my skin, oh my skin is in better shape than it ever has been! If your skin feels dehydrated I promise this is amazing stuff! It will help restore radiance, tone, and bring your face back to life!
My neighbor Kristy was wearing this dress and I was like I have to have that! She sent me the link and I ordered it and I am so happy! Call it a moo moo….I DON’T CARE! It is so comfy! Perfect for summer nights. Perfect for a cover up. Perfect for around the house or going shopping! And it is so boho chic it is nuts and the price is RIGHT! Need I say more? Thank you Kristy for the link and for sharing!!!!!
OK covid has taught me to go with the flow LITERALLY! With all the pollen in the air I am still washing my hair ALOT! Which is not normal for me, but at this time of year I have to! Normally I blow it out and fix it because I am going out in public. GUESS WHAT! I don’t have to anymore! This stuff is AMAZEBALLS! I don’t have to dry my hair! Is it perfect like I went to the Dry Bar? No! But it does the job and I actually look, “messy, sexy!” Trey’s words! Not mine! So if you want something that helps your hair dry without the heat and it looks good, try this! It works!!!!!
AND DRUM ROLL PLEASE! Those of yall who really know me….like really know me….You know I go to Palm Beach Tan EVERY week, sometimes twice a week, to get a spray tan. I am addicted and it is my vice, that and my potty mouth! I digress! Point is, some of you have literally commented in my story’s about how tan I still am. Well, here is my secret! NuSkin! I found it through my friend Sandra and I could not be happier! It is amazing! It does not stink! It looks natural! And the price is right! So if you want to get that natural glow without going to a place, lord knows I am not going anytime soon because I am in the camp of caution is best for me, than this is it! If you want some you can contact Sandra a couple of ways:
You can text her at: 214-649-6483
Private Message her on facebook at Sandra Morgan
Instagram @sandramorganyouth
Tell her I sent ya!!!!!!
So there are some of my faves as of late! What faves have you discovered in this awkward time of life?
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
Choo Choo! It's All About YOU!
Dear Graeme!
Today is your day! Happy Birthday to our Caboose! I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like without you! You bring our entire family so much love, joy, and FUN! Boy do you bring the fun! You are always doing something to make us laugh!
Sweet “Kulla” (Kayla) and my boys…..
Can you believe that nine years ago today God gave us you? I remember it like it was yesterday and I remember thinking what a miracle you were! You know if it was not for Baby Berry in heaven, I am not sure I would have had you. Have you ever thought about that? That honestly might be a little more than your nine year old brain can wrap its head around, but I swear I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and God knew we needed you. I also believe God has BIG plans for you! I can’t wait to see what they are!
You bring us so much joy and laughter!!!!!
Maybe you will be a famous soccer player, maybe you will be a doctor, maybe you will be a pilot, maybe you will be a business man with a business plan, maybe you will be an inventor……The point is Graeme Berry, you can be whatever you want to be because you are you and you are so unique, so smart, and so amazing! And I am so grateful God gave us YOU!
I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
So as you celebrate your day today, even though you cannot celebrate with your friends, know that this day is so very special to me and to daddy because this is the day we got the best gift of all! We got our Caboose! And what a ride it has been these last nine years with you, our special baby boy!!!! WE LOVE YOU SO!!!!!
Last year….we will be able to do this again soon buddy! I promise!!!!!!
Happy Birthday!
XO,
Mom and Dad…and your big brothers too!!!!!
