Remembering What We Wrestle

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Planning a wedding draws out a variety of things -- nerves, busyness, a myriad of details, appointments, checklists. All fantabulous things. Also with these things may come a need to be patient, frustration, discouragement, confusion, etc.

I heard a friend say just yesterday that "relationships, I think are one of the most important things about life, but also probably the hardest." Would you agree with that? I certainly would. And nothing has taught me more about relationship, and its many facets, shapes, forms, dynamics, than this wedding planning season.

I met with a good friend a couple of weeks ago and she prompted me to remember Ephesians 6:12. She challenged me to recall this scripture moments of impatience or frustration or confusion; instead of leaping at the person in front of me, allowing all my mega-humanness to fire on them, remember this scripture and pray...

"Satan, I will not let you defeat me or cause me to sin by way of this person. I will not let you use them to discourage me, to burden me, to cause me to stumble, to forsake what I know is the God-honoring response here."

How powerful is that to remember? Our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It is not my sister, or my mom, or a stranger, it's sin. Don't give Satan a foothold.

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. Ephesians 4:26-27

We're human, we become angry sometimes, it happens. But... Be angry, yet do not sin. I can be angry at the devil all day long, and trump him by responding to a difficult situation in a godly way, because I realize my fight is not with the actual person, but with sin and darkness.

I ask His Spirit inside me to quicken my attention in every instance, to help me be aware of what I'm truly wrestling with, and to give me the strength and faith to respond in a way that pleases God.

tomato and sausage pie

Skeptical? I probably was at first. I had this meal earlier in the summer when at the beach with J's family.

Last week I had the bright idea to make it for my family, including my Uncle P because he loves tomatoes. Grows them, gives them away, could eat them every day and never tire. Perfect combination!

Before I continue, I should say that I have never been a chef. Sure, I enjoy tasty things, but I have a relatively simple palate. So naturally, being in college and only being responsible for myself, my meals were super low-key.

But, I'm about to be a wife, and this growing desire to experiment and become more confident (not super confident, not Paula Deen, just more) in the kitchen, so I decided to cook this for the family.

And it was a hit! (For most. My sister wasn't a huge fan.)

Here are the deets:

Brown half a pound of sausage. Add a little olive oil in the bottom of the dish. Layer sliced tomatoes, then sausage, then another layer of tomatoes. I also added a layer of thinly sliced zucchini and a little cheese to the sausage mixture. On top is a cheese mixture -- whatever your heart desires. Mix in some mayo and a crushed garlic clove, some salt and pepper. If you're feeling super fresh, throw in some dried basil. I didn't completely cover the top, but there was relatively good surface coverage.



Bake it at 400 for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Include some French bread for dipping. Those of you who know tomatoes know why this item would be helpful. And voila! Tomato and sausage pie.

I'll admit I was a proud of myself (thus the sharing) and super happy 90% of the crowd liked it.

Hold on to Delight

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” Michael Pritchard

The potential for something really sad to happen occurs as we grow up. Somewhere along the way from footie pajamas to adulthood, we lose not only our baby teeth, but also our whimsy — our ability to dream or take chances.

Kids don’t need to be told to delight. They don’t need to be told that they can do anything they want or that the world is marvelous or that blanket forts are the best kind of past-time. They don't have to be told to enjoy sweets when they're treated to them, or to use their imagination with simply toys. Somewhere along the path to adulthood a lot of that has the tendency to get lost.

Adventures are replaced with lists, love is replaced with pressure (after all, everyone else is married) and our dreams are replaced with a watered down, tiresome version - what everyone else thinks is realistically possible for you to do.

We’re told to grow up and to take things seriously, which is important in the right context! Don't get me wrong; but when “serious” just doesn’t have to happen, why would we want it to? The world that we live in is a place that is overflowing with delight and beauty and things to enjoy. It's far to easy to let that reality get squashed with all the bad things that happen today. If you are a Christian, I say this: God is Sovereign. We are only passing through this time, eternity with Him is our real home. So I encourage you not to get bogged down, weighed down, by the negativity in the world. Trust the Lord, He is present with you. And I think He calls us to love and joy and dancing.

As an adult, we get to roam freely in places that are so full of lovely things — things just waiting to be played in, tested out and explored. We have the freedom, but we don’t always take advantage of it. Each day, we must choose between delight and whimsy, and wearing our responsibilities heavily on our chest (and our faces). 

The death of our hopes and dreams is not necessarily a rite of passage. It doesn’t have to be that way. Responsibility and being able to rent a car doesn’t have to come at the price of joy and whimsy and dancing when the moment is right (or even when it’s not). We don't have to ditch a lighthearted attitude as we go about the seemingly mundane and "adult" things on our plate. The ability to use your imagination, or try a new recipe for dinner (much like building a fort would be), or exploring a new side of town in search of a good dessert.

While we shouldn’t abandon maturity or a refuse to take responsibility, the world does not need to become dark and cold and start to resemble a constant board meeting. I have to believe that the "fullest life" that comes with Jesus doesn't mean that. No, it doesn't mean you ignore what you are accountable to, it may just mean that you try not to lose a childlike joy of living. No matter how old we get, we should still be able to see that cozy, matching pajamas are the very definition of cozy and that blanket forts are the best way to spend a Saturday morning.

The truth is, joy and laughter and sleepovers with our best friends aren’t things that have to be traded in with your braces. Thick, pressing, adult responsibility does not have to steal your ability and desire to dance in the kitchen, take a weekend adventure, or use your imagination in creative ways. The world is beautiful and fun, and life has the chance to be so full. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy it than to walk around with dreams in my head, a song in my heart, cake in my hair and shoes left far behind. 

Rediscover what you delight in.

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Living Fitness

All too often, fitness is looked at as a chore. Another task to check off on our ever-growing to-do list. Something we dread. Something we avoid. Something we feel pressure to do and to perfect.  This is what being fit and healthy used to mean to me. It was an expectation, an obligation, not something I gained any kind of life from.

I have come a long way since graduating two months ago from Georgia Southern. For those who don't know my story, the cheat sheet version is this... I went to GS on a track scholarship, hurdles. I had broken my foot a months before my first semester so I didn't compete my first year. I then competed a little bit my sophomore year, stayed involved and trained most of my junior year, and did nothing regarding track and field my senior year. Those first three years included 4 surgeries on the same foot, putting in and taking out stabilizing metal, etc. Naturally, the joy of exercising had been overrun by the idea that I had to be a certain way, look a certain way, be strong enough, to keep up with the others on my team. I was always playing catch-up because of the many surgeries, so exercise became a mechanical chore.

And I was borderline miserable.

What I have learned in the weeks since getting completely out from under that perspective, since I wasn't around the team, or the sadness I couldn't compete, is that true fitness is not a burden but a way of life. True fitness has nothing to do with six-pack abs or the ability to run a marathon.

It’s having the endurance to keep going when all we want to do is stop.
It’s having the strength to get through difficult times.
It’s having the discipline to push ourselves further and harder than we ever thought possible.

Fitness doesn’t happen overnight, but as Pete Magil wrote in the Running Times,

"[Fitness] appears while you’re living it."

I had to stop thinking about it as a negative thing. If running 2 miles seemed awful, I didn't force myself to do it. I'd go for a long walk instead. Fitness is something we get to do. Something that makes us better people. Something that allows us to enjoy our life more fully. Sure, others may benefit from it — our partners, our children — but at the end of the day, fitness is something that we own. It's like a gift we can give ourselves. Something that has the opportunity to positively impact so many other areas of our life.

So, how can you make it a wonderful part of your life? Here are my two cents:

Figure out what you love to do.

Think back to your childhood. Figure out what made you happy and find something to reignite that feeling of play. Experiment and don’t be embarrassed. You won’t be be the best (or maybe even good) on your first try but remember — everyone had a first day. Go for it. Being there and just trying is enough. Spinning is great for my foot, not a lot of pressure, so I attend a spin class a couple times a week. Upbeat music, energetic 'leaders,' I really like it.

Schedule the time.

After figuring out what you love, make the time to enjoy it. Block it off on your calendar. It’s the best way to ensure you’ll actually do it. Fitness is just as important as a dentist appointment or business meeting. If you enjoy it, you'll want to prioritize it. I am a morning person. It's when I feel most productive, it's when I have the most energy, so I get up early in the morning and take some sort of class at the YMCA next door to my office. I love having that quiet car ride to the gym for some me-time, and watching the sunrise is always a perk.

Give yourself a break.

You’re not perfect — you’re human. If you can’t convince yourself to get out of bed or drive to the gym, your body could be telling you to slow down. So listen. For today. If you allow yourself leeway, you’re less likely to burn out and hate working out. I always take Fridays off, so I'll try and spend the morning with someone. Breakfast with Dad, getting ready conversation with Mom, etc.

Fit fitness into your every day.

One of the hardest parts about making fitness a priority is feeling you have to give up something else. But that doesn’t have to be the case.  Join a local running group to meet new people. Watch your favorite show on the stationary bike. Do crunches and pushups during commercial breaks. Take a look at your current schedule and see how you can integrate fitness into your day-to-day.

Throw out the scale.

I used to judge my fitness by a number, and it held me captive. Rigid, no grace, no enjoyment. When I did this, fitness was a means to an end. It was no longer a priority — losing 5 or 10 pounds is.  But true fitness has nothing to do with weight. A number should never dictate how we feel but being able to hold a plank for a minute (and then two and then three) and being able to climb several flights of stairs without being out of breath — those are worthy accomplishments. Embrace those. Live those.

Living fitness is feeling strong. It helps make life rich. Yes, it makes you feel good. But it's not to be used to compare yourself to someone else, it's what you want it to be. It took me a lot of grace -- from God, to myself -- to get here, but I'm thankful this is where I have landed. And I'll share it with everyone I meet.

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weekend crushing...

Some internet wandering for your Saturday.... 

I mean, if you can’t make the real leap– go temporary but stylish.

This company — and their mission — steal my heart.

As if I need another reason to love grilled cheese sandwiches, make it a breakfast item.

Great products, and you can send sweet kids to school.

A ridiculously sweet print. Maybe have to doodle this somewhere.

If my future husband liked coffee, I would buy him this mug.

It's a classic appetizer, might as well have fun with it. Great for summertime.

In my daydreams as a future wife-chef, I'm always wearing something like this. Hmm..

18 Things I Would Tell Every Woman

In no particular order... with lots of love:

1. Life is a steep, uphill battle but it's beautiful and you'll be sad to see it go if you live it right.

2. Resolve to be awesome for the rest of your life. I personally think that's be doing what you love, expressing yourself however you want to. Lukewarm is no good.

3. Set goals monthly, even weekly. Set them so you are always moving forward, and can grow in confidence when you progress. Life can grow dull without them.

4. Go out into the day believing that you are amazing. Just the way you are. You're unlike anyone else and you should lean into that. Every hour. 

5. Make time for people who build you up, not tear you down. You'll wear yourself raw if you give energy to one-sided relationships.

6. You can't please everyone, and you shouldn't try too. You have your own beliefs and that is wonderful. Stand on them. You'll resent people if you don't. Freedom is found when you set boundaries for yourself - literal, emotional, mental, etc.

7.  Gossip is shallow, and will always leave you empty. Hobbies are much better.

8.  A pair of nice flats and a pair of nude heels will get you far. A must-have in any serious closet.

9. The world does not revolve around us. Turns out that we are just little points of punctuation in a much bigger story glittered with periods & commas & dashes. How are you helping that story to be better?

10.  No matter how tech savvy we get, there is a need to say things to a person’s face. Please, for the love of lovelier things, if it's a major conflict, have the courage to call someone up and verbalize your thoughts or meet for a coffee. The time is richer, sweeter, and makes for deeper memories.

11. Regret will eat you up if you let it. You will crumble if you hold onto things forever; learn from them, and let the hurtful past go. It's far to easy to let the past dictate your present/future. Give your all to the present.

12. You are stronger than you know. You've got a voice, you've got a story. Without any apologies use it, share it. Without stepping back. Beware of singing the victim song, it will never be good enough for your time.

13. Find a groove in some kind of daily exercise. A conversational walk after dinner, a dance class, morning run with a friend. Something. You will feel better all-around. Be active to keep your temple of a body pumping and glowing.

14. Be ambitious. Not thirsty. Find your passion and be the best you can be. Even if it doesn't meet the world's standards of success, you will feel satisfied.

15. Remember that failure is a bruise, not a tattoo. One of the most helpful habits a woman can learn is that a mistake isn't a failure if you learn from it. Progress, not perfection. It will leave you much happier.

16. When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow. (Shauna Niequist)

17. Forgiving yourself is just as important as forgiving other people.

18. For you who are Christians, your identity is in Jesus, and Jesus alone. Out of that truth comes your confidence, your joy, your beauty, your kindness, your love, your life.

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Problem Solvers

Being a creative, I find myself picking up on other clever ideas people come up with. We all have that thought some time or another, "If this thing had XYZ on it, that would be so helpful." or "I wish this did that."

I stumbled upon a group of products designed by The Grommet.

"Solving everyday challenges couldn't be easier with this collection of why didn't I think of that solutions." 

Here are a few that I think are particularly clever:

Home Jewelry Cleaning System | Handbag Handcuff | Baking Mats | Clip-On Spout | Laptop Stand | Camera Clip System | Snappy Socks | Utensil Saver

List of Ten #1

So many people find themselves stuck in the rut of waiting. They look over the distant horizon hoping things will be better when. But rather than waiting for when, why not begin celebrating today? It can be easy to let moments pass us by — those moments that may not take our breath away, but that still bring us joy and delight right where we are. Here and now. In the present.

I feel inspired to reflect on the small things, to quickly list the things I love right now, without thinking too hard about it. It's kind of like the idea behind Ann Voskamp's #1000gifts campaign to go along with her book (which is amazing, I highly recommend it). I want to start this exercise, and I hope you will as well - acknowledging that which we may not take the time to really enjoy but that we should.

Here’s my list of 10 favorite things at this very moment:

1. The chance to see the sunrise every morning I get up for early exercise. 

2. Deep, belly laughter

3. Sitting around the kitchen with J and my parents, moments of unhurried conversation

4. Visiting potential homes with my fiance

5. Editing and sharing an interesting photo

6. The taste of ice cold water

7. A mocha iced coffee on a particular long day

8. The small, sweet comfort of sleeping in my "childhood" bed for a few weeks

9. Building colorful salads for lunch

10. Fun organizational apps

Simple joys of lately.

{photo via style me pretty}

Pillow Talk

I've never been one for being particular down to the decorative pillows, then again I've never 'had' my own home before. Yes, there was my college apartment, but even then I never went out of my way to plan or match or design the room. With J and I currently looking for a place to live, I find myself seeking out creative DIY home crafts and daydreaming about what I want rooms to look like.

Always fun to adventure into something new, here are some small room additives that I find delightful.



1. Stein Mart | 2. Anthropologie | 3. Dormify | 4.  Pencil Me In | 5. Stein Mart

Marriage as Companionship

"In his redemptive work, Jesus is both Friend and Lover, and this is to be the model for spouses in marriage." Tim Keller

After J and I had been dating for awhile, people would ask if I could see myself marrying him. I would respond with this, "I can, and I want that, because I'm discovering that he is the best person to make me more like the Lord." It wasn't just because he made me feel complete and good and happy, it was because I could see myself living life with him, the day in and day out. Companionship. 

We're reading through The Meaning of Marriage, and current chapter is on the mission of marriage.

What, then, is marriage for? It is for helping each other to become our future glory-selves, the new creations that God will eventually make us. The common horizon husband and wife look toward is the Throne, and the holy, spotless, and blameless nature we will have. I can think of no more powerful common horizon than that, and that is why putting a Christian friendship at the heart of the marriage relationship can lift it to a level that not other vision for marriage approaches.

A couple of weeks ago, we were spending time together and he made a comment about how I was his best friend. I just about melted, my heart was so full and amazed at the idea that he considered me his best friend. Granted, I would have hoped that was the case because we're soon to be married, but still... hearing it come out of his mouth was amazing. Why? Because that's a special place to be for someone. The term 'best friend' is tossed around lightly these days, but a true biblical look at real friendship is colored with transparency, constancy, honesty, love, etc.

Spiritual friendship is a great journey, it is rich and can even seem overwhelming. It's a oneness developed between people, as they journey toward the same horizon. In this place, friendship, there is confession, conviction, truth, encouragement,affection, forgiveness, grace, affirming, honoring, disappointments, joy.

"The inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person--having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."

How beautiful is that quote. Not only is it a wonderful gift to have that in a girl friend, having something even stronger in a covenant-promise relationship with J? It breathes so much comfort and security and confidence and excitement into my bones. Because not only can I trust that J will be this place for me, and I for him, but that God is even bigger than both of us, the best Friend, who is always present. 

Keller speaks on what it means to fall in love, with a vision for Christian friendship,

"It is to look at another person and get a glimpse of the person God is creating, and to say, "I see who God is making you, and it excites me! I want to be a part of that. I want to partner with you and God in this journey you are taking to his throne. And when we get there, I will look at your magnificence and say, 'I always knew you could be like this. I got glimpses of it on earth, but now look at you!'

Each spouse should see the great thing that Jesus is doing in the life of their mate through the Word, the gospel. Each spouse then should give him or herself to be a vehicle for that work and envision the day that you will stand together before God, seeing each other presented in spotless beauty and glory."

Wow, right?

This excites me for marriage. A big picture kind of look. God, help me see... 

What I've Learned... from my mom

Graduation from Georgia Southern University this past May. The love expressed to me on that day was truly amazing. So much support, pride, and love just in the eyes and embrace of those who came out to watch me walk across the stage.

This particular season of life is a crazy one, and while we can sometimes be short-circuited with each other, she has been a true gift from Heaven during this wedding planning process. I would probably feel as if I was drowning if I didn't have her in my life. She's like any other mom, wants to know when her kids are back at home (whether it's 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning), she wants to take you shopping and treat you, and she's there to give you advice and encouragement. I intercede often for those who don't have active parents, and it humbles me to remember how good of a blessing mine are.

I did this kind of series a couple of years ago, but what I've found recently is that it highlights well the value of relationships in a life. What I learn from those around me is what I will always carry with me; what I learn from those around me become building blocks of my personality, my character, my choices.

What I've learned from my mom...

• Get an Ebay account and learn the art of online bidding.


• If you have an opportunity to spend time out in the sun in your swimsuit, take it.


• Sometimes being quiet and waiting is the best way to get your daughters to open up to you.


• Encourage your children not to get discouraged about a bad grade, but to be confident in doing your best.


• Make your house the house where your kid and your kid's friends want to hang out.


• Take tons of pictures, regardless of how much your kids protest.


• When you walk into the store your first stop should be the clearance rack.


• Learn to believe that God is in control, no matter how hard or confusing a circumstance seems.


• A consignment shop can be a gold mine.

And so many others... She rocks.

Check out the others in this series here.

Crushing on...

A miscellaneous bunch of things I've stumbled upon this week in my downtime (what little of it I have these days), and wanted to share. I would happily try, or buy, any of these finds. Happy Wednesday to all! Mine began with a delightfully tough spin class and an iced mocha to boost the morning. Not sure if it's because today is Wednesday or the snazzy new flats I'm wearing, but today I feel spunky.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream | Pepperoni Pizza King's Hawaiian Bread | Fudgesicles | Bird on the Wire grocery bag | Campfire Scones | Whale Tail Measuring Cups | Pineapple Cookies

Why I Wait and Trust

He tells us in a thousand ways that His will is our peace, His choices for us will lead to fulfillment and joy, the way of transgressors is hard. Do you supposed that we could find a better way than His? … Here is the opportunity offered. Be patient. Wait on the Lord for whatever He appoints, wait quietly, wait trustingly. He holds every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year in His hands. Thank Him in advance for what the future holds, for He is already there. Elisabeth Elliot

These words breathe so much life and hope into my being.

Do you suppose that we could find a better way than His?

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

My life, hidden in Christ, in and before God. This is what sustains me. This is life. This is joy and strength and passion and love and confidence and peace.

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” 1 Timothy 4:4

“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” Psalm 145:9

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5

He is a good God. Not good as in cool, good as in kind, gracious; a friend, a Father. A trivial example is a superhero versus a villain. The superhero is good, the villain bad. In action, in motive, in behavior. He is genuinely good.

His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. It endures, meaning nothing can hinder or stifle it. And because my life is embedded in Jesus, He loves me. And you. Nothing can hinder His love from reaching us, covering us, holding us. Not Satan, not our failures and sins, not the way of the world. Nothing can trump His love.

We have an opportunity to wait and trust this good and loving God. Why would we not want to do this? Why would we withhold things from him? All is in His hands, and He is always present.

What is hindering you from waiting or trusting?

And with thanksgiving. All praise to you, God, thank you.

May this truth be rooted deep inside me.

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Decorative Uniques

J and I are currently looking for our first home, and I've noticed something about myself that has hardly been true until now. I daydream about home decor. I daydream of what's whimsical, what's unique, of what's cute and clever (I am a graphic designer, after all).



 

1. Moscow Mule Mugs from Gent | 2. Neon Pink Lamp from Mana Mana | 3. Umbrella Ring Dish from Anthropologie |4. Argentinean Candy Jar from Anthropologie | 5. Sweet Tooth Cookie Jar from DIGS | 6. Oak bookend with vase from Bella Home Accessories | 7. Root Serving Platter from Uncommon Goods

Now, the chances of any of these lovely items actually making it inside my home might be another story, but.... if the opportunity presented itself. Enjoy my findings!

I'm An Exhorter.

Happy Sunday!

This morning my dad gave out a spiritual gift test. I've taken a couple in my lifetime, different stages of life. It's interesting that in high school, particular ones might have been low, whereas now they're higher. Goes to show that if the desire is there, our faith grows as we grow.

Today, the two highest were exhortation and mercy, tied. The second was also a tie, between knowledge, wisdom, and faith.

Naturally, I googled exhortation to entirely understand.

ex·hor·ta·tion  - an address or communication emphatically urging someone to do something. (urging, encouragement, persuasion, charge, appeal)

Characteristics

• An exhorter’s basic motivational drive is to encourage believers to mature in Christ and to grow spiritually. Exhorters often seek to stimulate that development by teaching, counseling, and discipling others.


• Exhorters regard trials as opportunities for growth.


• Wise counsel flows from the heart of an exhorter who is able to skillfully identify precepts and principles in God’s Word.


• Exhorters love to encourage, encourage, encourage!


• Exhorters and mercy-givers make a good team for counseling someone who is discouraged. The person with the gift of mercy empathizes—he knows how the downhearted person feels. The exhorter exhorts—he knows how the person needsto feel!


• The exhorter’s job is to give hope by sharing a Biblical perspective of the situation and reminding people of God’s power, love, and faithfulness.


• An exhorter responds to problems by prescribing specific steps of action. His goal is to make the plan so easy to comprehend that people will understand it, see its potential, embrace it, and grow as a result of carrying it out.

An Exhorter's Strengths

• An exhorter uses Scripture to validate experience.


• Exhorters are willing and eager to come alongside a brother or sister in Christ during difficult circumstances.


• Memorization of, and meditation on, Scripture are usually very important to the exhorter, because he wants to be able to draw wisdom from the well of truth stored in his spirit.


• An exhorter sees every little detail, including the timing of every event, as part of God’s good and loving plan.


• Exhorters focus on balance; they avoid extremes, especially in doctrine.


• Exhorters understand that time reading and studying the Word of God brings more than information; it brings transformation.

An Exhorter's Weaknesses

• Exhorters tend to need visible evidences of acceptance and affirmation.


• They can easily oversimplify solutions, which ultimately results in discouragement rather than encouragement.


• Surprisingly, exhorters can be poor listeners, even though they make excellent counselors. Sometimes they are so intent on telling you how to view your situation from God’s perspective that they fail to listen to your perspective.


• Mature exhorters give wise counsel from the Word of God. Therefore, their counsel usually proves to be effective. Unfortunately, their success often tempts exhorters to promote principles as formulas, and the formulas as cure-alls.


• Exhorters are often naïve and easily manipulated.

Even if they aren't the most happy facts, I think it is extremely helpful to know about yourself. How you relate and perceive, your natural tendencies, your weaknesses. I relate to many of these bullet points, and with the weaknesses, I feel challenged to pray about them, to ask the Holy Spirit for extra self-awareness.

Those who stumble upon this, do you know what your spiritual gift is? Have you ever wondered what it was? I can give you a link to take one, just leave a comment.

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life lately, via iphone

Celebrated my future flower girl's 6th birthday, where I got some face time with all my favorite kiddos.

Our boss treated the office to donuts yesterday, making anybody's Friday a better one.

Got to spend my Friday night on a much needed sister date. We ate, we caught up, we shopped. Really great time. Thankful for the opportunity.

Addressed, sealed, and delivered all of our wedding invitations! Hallelujah for that.

I'm designing something fun for the reception, so J and I had some pictures taken of us at our engagement spot. Sweet, fun, special. This time is hustlin' and bustlin' ... but I force myself to take time and let the reality soak in. I am engaged, and planning my WEDDING. What an amazing gift!

I've been given the responsibility of my company's social media activity! I'm excited about it, because I'm passionate about story-telling, and because this aspect of our business needs some work. Took some pictures last week of our outsides to splash across the social media boards. Really enjoying my job so far. A month in and I'm doing a fun variety of things, and on the trail to learning so much. The people are super great, and I'm thankful I already have true relationships with them.

All About Waffles

For some reason other than the delicious obvious, waffles are one of my favorite food items. I'm not entirely sure as to why, but I'm slightly fascinated - taste, shape, mixture, etc. I told J before we registered for our wedding that I really wanted a waffle iron.... fingers crossed!

I've also been keeping tabs on other unique experiments to try with a waffle iron.



1. Waffle Iron Hashbrowns from Quick Dish | 2. Waffled Falafel from Waffleizer | 3. Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Waffle Cookies from Fine Cooking | 4. Vanilla Bean Waffle Doughnuts from Sweet Treats | 5. Waffle Iron Grilled Cheese from Fifteen Spatulas | 6. Italian Chicken Panini from Healthy. Delicious

If some super wonderful human being gifts us with a waffle maker, my waffle-tooth will be unleashed. Check back :)

Combating Fear

No matter how good we may get at understanding our fears, unfortunately that doesn't mean they'll cease to show up in some way or another.

I have a fear of disappointing people - causing conflict, of letting someone down, offending someone. Some might call it people-pleasing, I tend to call it perfectionism. I have this idea in my mind that says, even if the choices I make are better ones for me (healthier, wiser, best, etc), I'm not doing all I can to love someone if they're unhappy or offended or disappointed.

I'm been praying and seeking and asking for understanding. Asking God to give me eyes to see where my belief is distorted, what needs correcting. Still in the process, but I have discovered some tips to combating fear:

Counter a fear with a couple of positive things you know to be certain, and/or positive affirmations. This works to rewire the brain, creating new thought patterns that move you out of a fear-locked way of thinking. This one is particularly helpful and relevant to me. Take every thought captive, as the Bible says. I underestimate the power of my mind, the power of speaking truth to myself. So I then ask God to show me said truth, and help me implement it.

Surround yourself with people who truly love and know you. This time of my life is a super social one. Everyone wants time together, which makes perfect sense, we are relational people and face-to-face interaction is where we thrive. But with the number of major energy-necessary things currently on my plate, the best thing for me right now might be hermithood (to an extent). I may offend people by not being able to hang out a whole bunch or give lots of attention to every one who asks, but if it's not the wisest thing for me, I can't carry that weight. I don't think God is asking me too. I can't be someone else's perfect. And I can't please everyone. But I can do what I believe God has placed in my hands to do, and give time to the desires He has given me. I trust that He'll direct me in what needs to be prioritized and what doesn't.

Eliminate the should. Culture has conditioned the world to think that women and their emotions are wacko, and all over the place. But alas, so wrong. Emotions are indicators. They are strong and beautiful and speak loudly to what's truly inside. It's very powerful to be honest with your feelings rather than live in a shell of what you think you should feel. Honesty, especially with yourself, can allow for deeper intimacy in all your relationships.

Love yourself. Not in a pretentious, "I'm so awesome," way. Loving yourself as you encounter fears or tensions has the power to transform them into things that are useful and support your growth. I have a tendency to say, "Doesn't matter about me, I shouldn't put myself above others." That way of thinking isn't sustainable though, I'm learning, for giving time and energy and goodness to that which deserves and needs it. For example, I cannot sacrifice loving John well or learning about him or prioritizing him for things that are out of my control, or not truly my responsibility. Loving him well, or simply giving my best energy to that which I know God has entrusted to me, is what brings me joy. And then I love life, and myself.

Living a great and full life starts with me, with you. It's our choices.

I'm about to have a good, hard look at my days, and pray for wisdom in what to prioritize, and what to release.

And then, hello freedom. 

image via

Some Lunch Motivation

We All Get The Same 24 Hours from Eliza Cerdeiros | Work Hard Play Hard from The Motivated Type | Wake Up and Be Awesome from The Motivated Type | Success is Dependent on the Effort from NotBySightDesign

Now matter how much you love your job, there will always be days where you drag your feet all the way to office. Days where you stare off into space daydreaming of things you'd rather be doing. Moments where if you stare too long your eyes just might glaze over completely. Here are a few fresh prints that'll snap you out of that funk and (hopefully) direct back to the land of productivity!

Food For Thought

So far this space has been part faith-journal, part photo-diary. I'd like to start sharing that which inspires me, that I find interesting and fun and personal. I mean, this is my space, right? And I'm too much of a creative and seeker to not share such findings.

Starting with this clever collaboration between Midwestern illustrator Danielle Evans and everyone’s favorite big box store, Target! This “Food for Thought” campaign was created to feature products from the in-house Archer Farms line in a beautiful, eye catching manner. In this video Danielle talks about her love for the imperfect art of food typography and walks us through a behind-the-scenes peek at this tasty project!

bible-reading honesty

Yes, that is a stack of Bibles.

One can probably visit any house in the 'Bible Belt' and find at least five Bibles. At one point in my life, I felt weird about this. Not entirely sure why, but maybe I felt that having more than one meant that I wasn't fully focused on the Living Word, but only a physical representation of it.

Maybe it's because of my creative nature, but I am a underliner, scribbler, writer in a Bible. There's color all over the place.



I think I developed this idea that covered pages of my Bible meant my study of God's Word was rich and deep. Coloring words and underline verses doesn't mean depth and meditation and memorization.

I confess it was a pride thing. I wanted people to see, even if they never said anything about it, that I actively read and studied the Bible. I also thought it was help those who opened up to me trust my heart, or my words of advice. But when I looked at my prayer life, and the degree of my soul on a daily basis, I only saw a lack of knowing the Truth. A lack of living the Truth.

But alas, my eyes have recently been opened. Grace.

The Living Word. His words to us, to me. No matter if the Bible has fresh clean pages with no marking on them, or if they're covered with pen.  My relationship with the Godhead, the Trinity, and His words to me are personal and intimate to me.

Pride tells me I need to defend my study and knowledge of the Bible. 

Proverbs 22:4 says pride begets spiritual death, but humility brings life because God “gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5), who “tremble at his word” (Isaiah 66:2), and he revives them (Isaiah 57:15).

"The main purpose of Bible study is knowing God personally and deeply in a life-transforming way (Philippians 3:10) so that the character of Christ is formed in us (Galatians 4:19) as God conforms us to the image of (Romans 8:29) and transforms us into the likeness of (2 Corinthians 3:18) his Son, Jesus." John Hughes

I feel prompted to slip on a new perspective. To read the Bible more and more every year.  Mark up one, studying and meditating, and when it gets filled up, get another and mark that one up. It's the beauty of seeking God's Truth.

I don't want it to be a box checked, I want to see Jesus in the words.

I don't want to trudge with my Bible down a path toward a false feeling of earning or justification. I want to sit down in the shade of the cross and plead for the blood-bought pleasures and promises.

"The greatest effects are by no means those which make the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest effects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced.

Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth, and of the air upon the human lungs. Remember how silently the dew falls, and how imperceptibly the grass grows. There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible-reading." J.C. Ryle

and then, always, prayer.

“Anxiety is always the result of a collapsing false god.” Tim Keller

I glazed over this quote this morning, and immediately was pulled back by its reality.

Anxiety is one of those "potential sins" that I tend to get all too comfortable in. Anxiety, for some, is like a second home.

Anxiety is the result of a collapsing false god. Woah. 

The idea of my responding, creating, heeding to a false god causes my heart to hurt. In my heart of hearts I want God to be the treasure of my heart, the Love of my soul. Being prompted to consider anxiety, a lack of trust in God, as the result of a collapsing false god, causes me to look inward.

What false gods have I erected? Perfectionism, perhaps. Pride.

It’s only pride’s hunger for perfection that paralyzes a heart. It’s being enslaved to perfectionism that keeps us enslaved to fear.

Pride is fear’s father — and pride is the kin to all cowards.

And the Spirit just keeps soothing all the anxiety with surprising truth: Slip on humility, make humility the mainstay of a heart’s wardrobe, and the world enlarges. Open humility’s drawer and there lies courage. Ann Voskamp

Courage to have faith, courage to take leaps of faith.

Courage that can be strengthed in prayer, in living in Presence with God. The book I'm currently reading has prompted me to consider silence. Progress towards intimacy with God means a progress toward silence.

“Silence is one of the deepest Disciplines of the Spirit simply because it puts the stopper on all self-justification.” Richard Foster

Self. Where pride and perfectionism and anxiety thrive.

“The primary purpose of prayer is to bring us into such a life of communion with the Father that, by the power of the Spirit, we are increasingly conformed to the image of the Son.” Richard Foster

Even in the past few days, my prayer, in its entirety, has been one marked with intimacy, "Lord, move with me. In my speech, attitude, choices, activity, everything. Move with me."

When He is present, self shrinks. An interesting and beautiful kind of grace.

What I've Learned... from family beach trips.

1. When there are no small kids involved, you tend to spend less time swimming around and more time playing on the beach, so come prepared with frisbees and ladderball and all kinds of nonsense.

2. When the water is clear, make the most of it. My cousins were pro scavengers this week. We stumbled upon so many sting rays and small sharks and random fish. Very cool.



3. Remember to bring tennis shoes because we do a great deal of bike riding. Not sure why but the sun tends to feel 10x hotter at the beach than it does at home. I attempted a handful of short runs this week, 1-2 milers, and all were just about dreadful. All of that to say, bike riding is the way to go when looking for exercise at the beach.

4. Take lots of pictures so that Dad can enjoy photo-bombing them. I happen to really like this shot. This week, I've reflected on a lot of things, and gratitude for my dad is one of them.



5. Family vacation is super great, one of my favorite parts of summer, but having your fiance join you inches that happy-meter up a good bit. My heart continues to swell wider and deeper.



6. Bring plenty of beach-reading. Not only am I a bookworm by nature, I also cannot lay out on the beach unless I have some sort of reading material. I brought a 3-in-1 faith fiction series and finished it in 3 days. Thankfully, I have two others that kept me out in the sun the rest of the day.



7. When you're on family vacation, it's best to feel free to eat whatever you enjoy. There's a local ice cream shop on the island we've been visiting for years. We probably go 5 out of the 7 nights we're here. You enjoy the treat, the company, and don't be hard on yourself.



8. Embrace the small moments. Random walks and catch-up conversations with cousins, the laughter of a beach game, helping with dinner, being silly, reflecting on love in the grand and in the mundane.