Updates

Happy Summer!! Just checking in today to say thank you to all those who have been so supportive of me on this blogging journey. I know that God has me right where He wants me and that's right here sharing my heart and passions with you guys!

I really appreciate each one of you who take the time to read what I write! It means more than you could ever know! To say thank you, I have created this packet of free downloads for you (for a limited time)! The items in this packet share a little of who I am and what interests me and gets me excited.

Included in this packet are....

Monthly Prayer Calendar (Prayer)

Project List (Create)

Bucket List (Family Fun & Adventures)

To Do List (Organize)

Grocery List (Food)

Scripture Cards (Study His Word)

All my favorite things!!

If you are new here, then welcome!! I am so glad that you are here!! I hope that you will sign up to have my posts, freebies & encouragement, delivered right to your inbox! Now, only once a month (I know it's annoying to receive a lot of emails). Take a look around my page and check out some of my popular posts (links are in the side bar)! You can also learn a little more about who I am in my About page listed at the top. Make sure to download my free packet as a way to say thanks for stopping by!

Many Blessings,

Bucket Lists, Reading List, & Some Encouragement

And I'm done!! School's out for the summer!! I can't believe it. It's been a great school year but I am so excited for this Summer.

I decided, since my lil one is old enough now, that I would create a schedule for each day of the week to help keep him busy.

Mondays ~ Make Something (craft, bake, cook)
Tuesdays ~ Time to Read (trip to the library)
Wednesday ~ Workout (go to local kids gym)
Thursday ~ Do Something Thoughtful for Someone
Friday ~ Fun Day (day trips)
Weekends ~ Fun with family and friends, & rest

I created a bucket list of things that I want to do for my fun day trips. Some places include the zoo, the aquarium, a visit to see Thomas the train, Storybook Land, and lots of other fun stuff.

You can create your own summer Bucket List too. Just click the link to download.

I also shared a list of books that I plan on reading this summer. Read this >> post to see what they are!

Before I leave you today, I wanted to offer some encouragement, in light of all that has transpired over these past few days in Orlando. Sometimes we feel so helpless during these tragic situations of life! I know that this one really hit me hard for some reason and I was sad for a quite a few days. Maybe, because it seems like these stories are made to be like just another weather report on TV, and it's not ok!!!! This can not be the new normal. No loss of a life should be treated like just another day. These people matter and however bad it seems to get, there is still hope! Earth has no sorrow that heaven can't heal, and that process starts with prayer. Simple prayers from you and me lifted up to Him together in faith, that things will get better!

Many Blessings,

My Summer Reading List

So Summer is right around the corner and of course, I needed to find some reading material, for when my little one naps and I actually have some quiet time. It was so hard choosing. I have a really long running list of books I want to read. I had to be realistic though, and narrowed my selection to 6 plus my morning devotional.

1. Mere Christianity
2. Wild & Free
3. A Million Little Ways
4. Living So That
5. Grace Not Perfection
6. The Crossroads of Should & Must
7. Explore My Heart (See More Below)

I am so excited to read each one. I have read so many great things about each one. It is so hard for me to find time during the school year to read, because I have so much else going on!!

My devotional, Explore My Heart, is the same one I have been doing for the past few months. Since January of this year I have been doing a different kind of morning devotional. I created 10 areas (topics) that I really wanted to study more through scripture verses. I found 8 verses for each topic and I have literally just been focusing on one or two verses a week.

Don't get me wrong, I love devotionals that are centered around one theme, like one book of the bible, or ways to strengthen your marriage. I also really like the daily Proverbs 31 devotional that gets sent to me via email, and the first5 app that I have on my phone. They both have scriptures with a short message linked to the verse. There are really so many ways to study God's word!!

For me though, I needed something a little different. I wanted to be able to have a few verses for each topic that I could memorize or go to whenever I needed encouragement in that area. I really just wanted to take a few verses and see how He was going to speak to me through them and in turn explore my heart in each of these areas. A lot of my time has been spent just repeating certain lines from theses verses and letting them sink in.

I have really enjoyed studying the Bible this way and I still have 7 more areas to study. Would you like to join in with me? Click the picture below to download this month's topic on wisdom & discernment. After each month is complete, I add each topic to one binder that will be a great reference guide for years to come, after I am finished with all of the topics.

Many Blessings,

The Hard Stuff

"I'm so sorry, but I can't seem to find a heartbeat....... Unfortunately....., you've lost the pregnancy."

As I sat in that chair, I already knew what was just confirmed by the doctor, due to the devastating events I incurred the night before. 

I fought back the tears as I quickly got dressed and rushed out of the office. Once in my car, the sobs poured out! 

"I don't understand, Lord. I was just here yesterday and saw the baby and heard the heart beat. What happened in just those few short hours?! Can you really say this is part of your plan? 

At that moment in time, I was fighting back those words being poured out into my heart. I did not want to hear them, but they came anyway. 

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts", says the Lord. 

I know that I am not supposed to question or wonder why, but right there in that moment, I wanted an answer! 

I never got my answer, and I understand why, because I didn't want to be left thinking that it was because of something I did. In fact, I know that losing that baby had nothing to do with me or anything I did or did not do. It just wasn't part of His plan for me in that season of my life. I'm not saying that it made things any easier, but I trust in the plan that He has for me, and having that baby just wasn't part of it then. 

I wish I could tell you that I am pregnant again, but I'm not. Honestly, I can't even tell you that I am ready to start trying again, or that I even want to try! I'm scared. I'm nervous and I still get upset about it, but....

He is faithful! I am confident of that! Over these past few weeks, I have been studying the topic of faith and trust in the Bible, and my goodness, has He spoken to my heart through these verses! As I studied these verses and let them really sink in, I began to reflect on all the areas in my life where He has been more than faithful!!

I also know that when He asks you to trust Him, He really means it. The other day, I was faced with a situation where I was so overwhelmed that I knew I wasn't going to be able to finish this task I had been asked to do. Another one of my friends stepped in and told me not to worry about it, that she would take care of it. She could see that I had a lot on my plate. I thankfully accepted her help and moved on. Not thinking twice about it, but trusting that she would take care of it. Now, if I can so easily put my trust in a friend, and let go of that worry, then why can't I do the same for Him.

Friends, we can trust Him. Not just with the little things, but with everything, all of it!! He is in control of our lives and when He says He's got it, He does!!! The end!! That's it. Trust Him and move on! I promise it will bring you so much peace!!

Here are a few scriptures that really stood out to me as I studied this topic this month.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct you paths" -Proverbs 3:5-6

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see" Hebrews 11:1

I know that a lot of women have suffered through a miscarriage. I recently discovered that quite a few women I know, have actually had one too. It hasn't been easy to talk about it with them, but I am so glad that I did. It was so comforting to be able to talk, cry, and pray with other women who have been through this experience.

I want you to know, that I am praying for you today, if you have ever had to go through the pain of having a miscarriage. I want you to know that you are not alone and it does get easier! I know it's hard, but will you join me today in trusting his plan for your future?

God's plan for my life, is far greater than what has been left behind!

Many Blessings,

How to Get Unstuck

How many of us can ever say that we have been stuck in a rut? 

I know for me when these ruts come, they through my world upside down and I have such a hard time getting unstuck. My mood is down and my energy is low. I have a bad attitude and it effects almost everything and everyone that is involved. 

These ruts come in many different shapes and forms. Here are just a few examples.....

We have been hurt badly by someone and we can't seem to let go and forgive, or maybe, there is a serious situation going on with your spouse or your children and you don't know what to do. It could be that you are feeling inadequate at work or even as a wife or mom, and let's be honest, sometimes we are stuck in a rut and we don't even know why!!! 

I needed to find a way to combat those feelings and behaviors I had whenever I became stuck in a rut!

I sat down and created my own little booklet of different things to do, to get myself unstuck. Since I am unable to share that physical book with you, I broke everything apart and created this simple little guide for you to download and use whenever you become stuck!

Here are a few of my favorite scriptures I use and you can apply them to any situation.

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 37:4-5

Philippians 1:6

Matthew 6:33

Romans 8:37

Phillipians 4:13

Hebrews 10:35-36

Proverbs 16:1 & 3

I pray that this will be helpful to you whenever you get stuck in rut! The most important thing to remember, is that we can't do it alone! We are only human, so we will fail, but that's why we have a Savior!

Many Blessings,

Summer Essentials

I have 8 days of school left (I can see the light) and even though it is not officially summer yet, it is definitely starting to feel like it!

I put together a few of my summer essentials that I can't be without this year.

1. A good read. I am currently reading Simply Tuesday by Emily Freeman and I am loving it! I will be posting my summer reading list really soon. I have a lot I want to read this summer.

2. A good pair of sandals. I got these MK sandals from Marshalls for only 30.00!!

3. A few good essential oils for your skin. My two favorites are grapefruit & lavender. These do wonders for your skin, just search Pinterest and you will find a ton of benefits!

4. A good towel/blanket. I purchased my turkish towel from Of One Sea two summers ago!!

5. A good suit. As I get older I find it harder and harder to find a good suit that I really love. I purchased a high waisted one like this from Target.

I hope you find what you are looking for this summer and it's one of your best ones yet!

Many Blessings,