Category: Personal

Blood Doesn’t Mean Everything

Mihaela Echols5 Comments

MotherAndChildWalkingTheTracks-850x400

Having a conversation with a fellow adoptee they told me they do not feel close to their parents. To help you understand they are referring to their adoptive parents. So I asked this; how is it you still call them as often as you do and our friends who lived with their birth parents have terrible relationships?

    Blood bonds are deep and I do desire it some day with my child, but I don’t believe it is what makes the relationship. There’s so much more! I am adopted and I still call my parents once a week just to hear them. They seek all of their children, because they are their own. Blood isn’t our bond. I am bonded to them because they chose to normalize our relationship. We are there’s and they committed their lives to us as parents do. 

I Will Always Love My Ex

Mihaela Echols27 Comments

*****For those who have gone through heart break*****

    This isn’t the I’ll never let go of my ex love. No, this is sacrificial love. Giving up my desires good or bad for his well being.

    “I will always love my ex” some of you are probably are thinking
Mihaela has officially gone off the deep end.

    Yes, we broke up, yes, it was an unhealthy relationship (The Scariest Road, TheTestimony Guitar) and yes, I had to refind my identity in Christ again.
Through being restored in Christ I have learned how to love him in the best way. Letting him go was the best thing I could do for both of us. I was pulling him away from Christ due to the poison aloud in the relationship.

    As God was forming my heart and still is, many of my writings were formed over the Summer. I was also staying in contact with a friend who had recently gone through a similar situation, through it we would keep each other posted on the new things God was teaching us and how he was working on restoring our hearts.

Friend :Are you doing ok, still working on healing?

Me: oh yeah! man I’ve gotten really funny since ****** like I’ve been quick and witty and I keep singing all the time. My healing process has been slow as it should be but i have become more confident in where my identity is now that I am putting in Christ

(Her Identity)

I would be remembering a lived nightmare every time I woke up in the
morning for months on end. I had to grieve.

Friend: Do you…have a hard time letting parts of your relationship go?
Do you still struggle with hurt, anger, guilt?
Does it occupy your mind way more than you thought it would?

Me: I know that ******will always be apart of me but he doesn’t consume my mind anymore.
He did a lot for a while. after the past few months id do good then be haunted again. but hitting
my 6months and looking back God has gotten me soooooo incredibly far. That still doesn’t mean
the hauntings will just disappear no! But now I can say shoot I’m not that girl anymore.
She is dead and alive in Christ. You see 6 months and 2 days ago i decided to come back to the heart of worship.
breaking my own heart because I realized I was breaking Gods.

My heart started to feel victory in Christ remembering that I do not have to
let memories anchor my daily life and my future. Memories are a thing
in the past.

Me: I feel strong when I’m around him. Like he cant hurt me because i wont let him. God has definitely dried this girls tears from him, and I’m sure there are more to come. But I know God will dry those up too. I’m not dating for a while. I don’t want to just take a guy cuz hes there so I’m giving myself time. Plus God and I are on a role! I’ve been praying a lot more, diving into ministry, and staying in the word.

    Readers I share this because I know what its like to live in sin (scariest road) and not want to face the ugly girl in the mirror. I know what it’s like to know Gods grace is not deserved.

    “Maybe you cant forgive yourself but he cross is enough.” – friend

    God had forgiven me. I had to learn to forgive my ex.

Romans 6:11 “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

    God loves me. I had to love my ex.

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

    Through prayer, staying in the word God will wipe away
our grieving tears into tears of joy.

    Nothing is too big for God. He is holding you.

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/the-scariest-road/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/the-testimony-guitar/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/goodwill-boys/

The Testimony Guitar

Mihaela Echols2 Comments
imagejpeg_2 (3)
imagejpeg_2 (1) new guitar

      

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    The idea of learning how to play guitar was always on the back of my mind, but I never started until I was 23. Until I had time and money. Did I say money? Who has money at 23? This is why I teach myself. What inspired me to actually buckle down and learn guitar was the ending of an unhealthy relationship. I was learning how to cope from the unhealthiness and the break up itself. Since in the relationship the lucky guy and I were talking about getting married the guitar is covered in flowers, wedding things, lace, and Bible verses that have helped me through hard times through out my life. The yellow rose on the neck of the guitar is my favorite flower. My hope is that people do ask about the verses and pictures so I can share pieces of my testimony and let God do the rest.

     Here are a few of the verses:

    John 14:18 is my life verse referring to the writing,
The Hardest Story to tell.

    1 Kings 18 is my favorite Bible story which is also referred in a
previous writing, Fire.

    Philippians 3:12-14 this verse reminds
us to not let the past dim the light of our testimony. The Scariest
Road, and the Christian Crutches
writings opens the minds of readers into the meaning of my guitar.

    2 Corinthians 4:16-18 is a verse close to Philippians 3 reminding
us what truly is important and who should be our main focus: Christ.

    1 Peter 1:8 is where I have learned to put not only my joy but also my identity in this truth this verse holds.

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/03/21/the-scariest-road/

The Gentlemen

Mihaela Echols20 Comments

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He initiates, I run. 

He waits, I waver. 

He waits, I play.

He waits, I take a step back. 

He waits, I play.

He waits. 

Will this too much playing make him leave me for sure?

He steps back. Sparks fly.

He waits. Has he given up or is he a gentlemen who knows he’s in love?

    I’m starting a new ministry! I just cant seem to get enough of it. It’s called in a relationship with Peter Echols. So sorry, but it will be only the three of us. Did I say three? Yes, I was not mistaken. Three of us: God and then us. What I’m looking forward to most about this new ministry is learning how to treat him with respect and all the other ministry projects we will be helping with. If you have read The Scariest Road and Goodwill boys you will see why I emphasize treating him with respect. God has brought both of us so far already in singleness and we both have agreed to respect each other and encourage each other in our walks with Christ. 

    The writing above in red is about us these past months. I was unsure, and afraid, but now that we have entered this next step I am thrilled to see where we will be in these next few months. 

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/four-powerful-words/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/05/10/going-to-the-chapel/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/our-dream-wedding/

All The Single Ladies Put Your Praise Hands Up!

Mihaela Echols63 Comments

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Tick Tock, time is ticking.

    I was  inspired to write this when I was told the clock is ticking for me to find a husband. Here’s my response;  you are most certainly right! The clock is ticking and that is why I am so big on evangelism. You see Christ is having me be single now and I am embracing this season. Why? Because here and now I can be most effective for Him. Here and now I am on my own adventure with Christ and am eager to see what He has in store for me. Too many people sit and wait for someone great to come around to start living. My question to them is: why would I wait for something great when that something great has already come? My prince charming is here and is blazing fire in my soul.

                                                      1 Corinthians 7:25-38

    Paul states it is better to be single, because there is more room for evangelism, but it is not wrong to marry because that too honors God. 

     Single ladies, there is nothing wrong with singing the song “Some Day My Prince Will Come”, believing that there is an amazing man of God out there for you, or having a desire to be rescued. But we are always let down when we live for a prince who may never come, putting ourselves in situations where we may need to be rescued, because we are placing our identity in the world.

    Single ladies, it’s time we put our praise hands up! Embrace all the seasons. Even if singleness feels like winter when we have no one to cuddle with. We can come to Him. He knows our desires and our hearts.

Prince charming fought the good fight for our very souls.

                                                              Psalm 37:4

    I do have a desire to marry and serve God in our marriage, but maybe God has something different for me. To some of you this sounds like a nightmare. The hard questions might be being asked like: God would allow that? and doesn’t the verse above just say God will give me the desires of my heart? Yes, yes,  He will. God desires us to desire Him.

                                               Philippians 3:10-Knowing God

                                                Mark 15:17-His crown for us. 

    Single ladies, are you hearing what I am saying? Prince charming fought the good fight for our very souls. He slayed the dragon and wants to take us to his castle , tell us we are His captivating princess’s warriors.  How is this not enough?

                                                  John 14:1-7-our castle

                                           Ephesians 5:12-Princess warriors

                                              1 Peter 1:8-9-He is our joy

***Notice I did not put down the whole verses. We’re single. We have time to look them up***

Oct.29.2014

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/i-wear-this-ring/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/08/27/true-love-waits-and-waits-and-waits/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/07/25/what-if-i-dont-marry/

 

https://www.bloglovin.com/people/hylaechols-17002353

The Hardest Story To Tell: Mine

Mihaela Echols48 Comments
unnamed
the “food” was always mashed up. There were about four of us to a crib.

    The helpless crying baby would cry for the love she needed, but no one would come. She’d cry and hope, cry and hope, cry and hope until there were no more tears to shed.

Left alone.

Abandoned.

    But something inside her told her to keep hoping and keep crying, someone
will hear you. Years she cried and hoped for her life. The hope never died. When the special some ones finally came her crying then, turned into screaming. She wanted so badly to love them back, but how could she if she never knew what love was. Hatred toward people burned in the little girls heart. What happened in her first three years marked her heart in way only God could change. The love her parents showed her was so foreign and yet so addicting. As she grew older fear of losing them grew more each day. She was falling in love. Then they told her about who Love is, how He brought her to them, how he died for her sins and how He loves her. She believed and loves Him back. That day she accepted Christ to be the boss of her life.
The little girl is me.

    I’m alive and shouldn’t be at least that’s what the world says.
It would’ve made the most sense, that is why they call me a survivor.
My first three years of abandonment are only explained by a miracle. What
you just read was only a glimpse of what I went through. As I mentioned I hated people and was locked out from reality. I felt like the world was moving around me waiting to be touched and I was in glass. The only emotion I felt for years was fear. Fear of being hit again, left again, and unwanted. But when I asked Christ to be the boss of my life I became alive. I would “run” the best I could with my hurt little legs, sing, love, and be fearless because He is living me in. There were times I have forgotten my first love, Christ (The Scariest Road), but like in the orphanage He hears my cry and calls me His.

    Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Babies were placed on bread trays stacked on racks.
Babies were placed on bread trays and stacked on racks.
Nicolae Ceausescu, the man who started the orphanages.
Nicolae Ceausescu, the man who started the orphanages.
we would rock ourselves for self soothing, and look at our hands because it was the only thing to look at.
we would rock ourselves for self soothing, and look at our hands because it was the only thing to look at.

    Some ask how  could I believe in God after what I went through. My answer is this. I believe there’s a hell. I’ve only tasted it in just three years. Mean people are the result of sin and so badly the Devil wants to rob me from the truth of knowing God and who He is and how He loves us. The Devil thrives off of abuse and will do anything to pull us away from God. Why? Because God is love, joy and enough. 

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/ptsd-black-sheep/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/life-verse/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/her-identity/

What If I Don’t Marry?

Mihaela Echols28 Comments

    In spite of my purity ring, people have asked me what I will do if I do not get married. This is a great question! My answer is, wear it of course! Yes, even if I am sixty and if I do not marry I will be wearing my purity ring. As I have mentioned in my other writing I Wear This Ring I do not only wear mine only as a reminder of sexual purity before marriage, but also for purity in all areas of my life. Say I do marry, then what happens? Some people add to their purity rings, or save it to pass down to their children. In my case, I will replace it with an engagement ring, and then add the wedding band to it. I’ve explained to other girls that a wedding ring is just another purity, but within marriage. 

    I’ve broken it down below how I view each ring.

    There is the purity ring before marriage, the engagement ring, which would be the purity ring before marriage, but with the future spouse, and the wedding ring will be the purity ring within the marriage.

    To make myself clear, these purity rings are not shields, they will not protect me from the temptations of this world. They are only reminders of who I am living for and serving daily. God tells us in Psalm 119:9 reminding us that we can learn how to stay pure by living according to His word. 

7-24-14

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/06/27/first-kiss/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/i-wear-this-ring/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/08/27/true-love-waits-and-waits-and-waits/

First kiss

Mihaela Echols11 Comments

                                        download

     Sitting here talking with girls my age who have told me they have never been kissed stirs an envy in me. I also applaud their choice. But as soon as they tell me that they will kiss as soon as they start dating I shake my head and ask them why. I have given them my reasoning and strongly encourage girls who have waited this long to finish strong on the wait. Now you are probably thinking wow Mihaela you are so negative and you cant being going around telling people how to live, kissing is not a sin. You caught me, I am negative about kissing when you’ve waited so long already. People may do as they please yes, but I will not stop encouraging girls around my age to wait. You are also right kissing is not a sin, but may lead to it before marriage, but that is another topic for another day.  You may be tired of reading this or have already stopped, but hear me out with my reasoning below.

1) It’s your senior year in high school, only one more school year to go, and you are free! What do you do, finish, or drop out? I hope your answer is finish. You have come so far what would giving up benefit? Yes, it is hard and can be very annoying, but everyone who has graduated, including myself, will say “Yes it is worth it” So ladies at 20, 30, 40, 50, how ever old and have never been kissed why not wait just a little longer for your husbands kiss and not just a boyfriends kiss who could possibly become and ex-boyfriend. 

2) Again you have made it this far why not give 100% to your husband and be able to tell your children Daddy is the only man I’ve kissed. There are plenty of women who have told me it is weird thinking of kissing another person besides their husband.

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/11/11/all-the-single-ladies-put-your-praise-hands-up/

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2015/08/27/true-love-waits-and-waits-and-waits/

 

The Scariest Road

Mihaela Echols21 Comments

    Have you ever wondered how God or anyone could forgive the choices you’ve made?

          The choices we’ve made are apart of us, but don’t have to define us. 

             I’m going to tell you a story about a girl who forgot her first love. She made one choice and it led to sinning. She took a road and got lost. She was afraid at first, but then was curious and saw how different it was from the other road she had taken before. On the road, there were thorns and rocks that cut her feet up. At first it hurt, but soon she ignored them, justified them, and told herself she could walk through them alone. Her feet bled. Farther along, the thorns had grown as tall as trees. She tried to push through. Regretting her choice, her whole body bled. “God what should I do?” she asked stepping back. 

         “Stop hurting yourself!” He cried through tears. Oh how it hurt him to see His little girl trying to push through the pain. 

       She stepped back for second, and realized that going through would only hurt. Wrapping up her wounds she thought it would help make her feet bleed less. Again, she persisted through the thorns. More blood was spilled as the wounds were becoming deeper. “God what should I do?!” she screamed.

       “Daughter stop. Please stop! There is another way.” He pleaded.

      She stepped back and decided to chop through it with a machete. She lost it in the thorny mess. The sky was getting darker as time passed. More blood dripped. She could hardly see her feet in the blood that was covering them. Pushing through again, her body hated her for this. Finally, after hours of pushing she stepped back. “Oh God, what should I do?” she asked through her hopeless tears.

      “Sit down.” He whispered. 

      She sat. “Now what?”

     Psalm 46:10

      “Daughter I want you to come back to me. Love me. Follow me.” He answered.

      Looking up to heaven she closed her eyes and began walking. She felt water under her feet. Some of her scratches went away as she kept walking through the water and into a grassy meadow. As time went by her scars faded, but remained. She opened her eyes and found where she once was before she went down the scariest road she thought was only in scary stories and didn’t ever want it to become hers.  “Oh God I am so sorry, forgive me, I want to follow you.” she cried. 

       ” I already have.” He answered.

John 10:1-18

      Have you ever wondered how God or anyone could forgive the choices you’ve made? Someone once told me to just keep falling in love with the Lord and I would find that I wont have to forgive myself, because what He has done on the cross for us, is enough. This I believe. 

Dedicated to 3-17-14

https://hylachamberlain.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/her-identity/