Abounding Thanks

God has really been nailing me with the principle of thanksgiving recently. He has blessed me with so much that I too often take for granted. There are times that I do not even notice His loving hand at work , and yet, He is always there. Always loving. Always on my behalf.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught abounding in thanksgiving. -Colossians 2:6-7

I have received Him and He has washed my sins scarlet to pure, unmarked, untainted snow. He has made me not just a servant but a child. His child. He only asks that I walk with Him constantly, not too quickly to jump ahead and not lagging but right beside Him as He guides. Rooted and built in the faith, what do I do now?

Give thanks.

But not just give thanks. Abound in thanksgiving. Let the joy overflow from my covetous, conceited soul. Thank Him for the big and for the small, the noticed and the overlooked, all significant blessings in the eyes of God.

 

Life Lately...And A Little Grace.

Okay, so it's almost October and my last post (in which I promised myself mostly I'd be writing more) was in August. I should really get myself together. Maybe one of these days...

But these last few weeks have been crazy busy! I just recently started working full-time at my daycare (yay!) so most of my days are filled with childish laughter, sticky hands, and time-outs. Exciting, huh? I'm loving it. There's nothing else I'd rather be doing.

Of course I've still been keeping up with my favorite blogs, some of which I talked about in my last post. These people really make me want to go shopping which is an issue considering I'm broke! (Ha...no but really). I love getting ideas about how to mix up my wardrobe because I find myself buying something and re-wearing it the same way over and over until it wears out. Like, a lot.

Anyway, I've been reading a fantastic Christian book entitled "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. She is an awesome writer. Her style is very unique from many books I've read before which I definitely like. While reading I feel as though I'm reading a detailed journal about this woman's deepest thoughts and day-to-day events. The book is about recognizing the beauty and grace of God's gifts, most of which we tend to be far to busy to ever notice. She has such a unique perspective of the world in general. One of my favorite quotes from the book that I just read the other day:

"Humbly let go. Let go of trying to do, let go of trying to control...let go of m own way, let go of my own fears. Let God blow His wind, His trials, oxygen for joy's fire. Leave the hand open and be. Bend the knee and be small and let God give what God chooses to give because He only gives love and whisper surprised thanks. This is the fuel for joy's flame."

Pretty awesome, right? She talks much about why God allows the things in our life we would name "bad" to happen. But that's just it. We entitle things good or bad. All things God allows are for good. He has a perfect plan for everything if we just let go and let Him do what He intends because He only intends good for us. He only intends love and grace and joy for His loved.

So are you in the market for a good Christian living read? Here it is on amazon.

Hello, It's Been Awhile...

So I really haven't neglected my blog. It only looks that way. Honest :)

It has surprised me how I have become a huge blogger fan this summer not because of the things I get to write, but because of the blogs I get to read :) I get on blogger at least every other day, but usually daily to look over any new posts by my favorite bloggers.

Some of my favorites:

The Small Things Blog

Kate is my absolute favorite. Just ask my boyfriend Casey :) This is my favorite blog because this girl has the best makeup and hair product advice around. She also has amazing an amazing style (she shops at all my favorite stores: Loft, Target, TJ Maxx, so on and so forth). Also, she's a professing Christian who speaks often about her faith and loves Christ above all things. So yeah, she's my fave.

Putting Me Together

Another style blog by a girl named Audrey. She has the best tips for remixing your wardrobe by creating new outfit possibilities with things you already have in your closet. She's pretty much awesome.

A Dash of Ash

This is Ashley McNeese's blog. She's one of the very few bloggers that I follow that I know somewhat personally (or at least that I've met haha..). She graduated from the same Christian College I attended and she has great posts about teaching, fashion, and all things Disney.

I have several other blogs that I follow that can be found on my page, but these are the ones I've been into most lately. Especially Kate's :) I really expected to do more writing this summer but I've found myself too busy reading other people's posts...let's be serious. They have much more talent than I do! Hopefully this will be the kick-off to some posts I can write about things like my personal walk with Christ, teaching, clothes, etc. etc.

In the mean time, enjoy some of these lovely ladies :)

Etsy Wishlist...

I assume you've heard of Etsy. If not, you need to check it out.

 

Like, seriously.

 

I haven't bought anything off of the website yet, mostly because I'm a poor college student and I've snagged a few good deals in stores lately. (Like an 118 dollar adorable cotton dress from Belks for 17 bucks? Yepp, that is how I do it, guys.) A few friends of mine have purchased some items off of the Etsy website, and they said only fabulous things about it. Many of their items can be personalized how you want it, but you'll want to ask the seller before placing your order. The shipping can be a bit pricey, depending on the item and where you live, but many of the items I was interested in weren't all that bad.

 

After a little browsing, I've found a few items that have caught my eye that I would love.

You know, in case anyone feels the desire to make me a very happy girl :)

 

Chevron makeup bag for 16 bucks + shipping.

Not a bad deal if you ask me. My makeup supplies have expanded over the past months, so I'm in need of a bigger one. Chevron, navy, and pink? So made for me.

 

How cute is this summer dress? I'm in love with the stripes, plus I don't have one in these colors or anything like it.

 

More chevron. Too cute.

 

I found this cute cocktail dress for a decent price that would be perfect for Spring Banquet next year. I am definitely going to do a knee-length dress, so something like this would be ideal.

So modest too :)

 

Now this isn't an item I would purchase online. I can't see myself paying 60+ dollars for a wreath that I could easily make myself for a small fraction of that price.

 

This is more like inspiration for my next wreath project...we'll see :)

 

Alright, folks that's it for today. And if you haven't ever been to the Etsy website, I hope this convinces you to do so! Something cute is only a click away :)

 

A Snapshot of Saturday

 

Since my weekly schedule follows the basic routine of work Monday through Friday and church and Sundays, Saturday is usually the only day I get just to sleep in, relax, and hang out with Casey :) Can I stress how much I love Saturdays? Yesterday was as fun as any other. We had a big breakfast at home and we spent the afternoon out around town :)

 

 

Mocha Cookie Crumble from Starbucks? Perfect drink for a hot day.

Also notice: no braces :)

 

We also took a trip to Goodwill (Saturdays are the best because people usually donate most of their stuff on the weekends) and I got the 12th book of the Series of Unfortunate Events. I posted a few weeks ago about how I found the second book of the series there, so maybe I can look online and fill in the empty spots :) About a dollar for a good book? Sounds good to me! Of course the series is moreso aimed for a younger audience, but so was The Hunger Games, Chronicles of Narnia, Twilight (btw not into the vampire and warewolf trend going on right now) and countless others that have become popular among all ages. Anywho, I love browsing the book section to find a few good, cheap treasures for my own personal library ;)

 

Then we went to Gamestop and looked around at the games. I figured as much as he goes around looking at clothes and shoes with me, I could spend a little time in a store he's into :) I know, I'm an awesome girlfriend.

 

So this is a basic overview of how I spent my wonderful Saturday yesterday. Not the most exciting, but it was some much needed weekend fun :)

 

A Little Lace

This evening after eating supper, I had a few minutes to spare before I had to head to church...so where better to go to allow the time to pass than Target? Of course I headed straight for the clothing section and perused through their clearance section, and I found the most adorable lace skirt. Just so happened to be the same one I have had my eye on for the last couple of weeks, but now it was half off, 12 bucks.

Here it is, in all its glory.

 

I must admit this is my second lace skirt. My first is more of an A-line shape in coral but I love it. Lace + pink? So made for me.

 

Paired with a solid cotton tee and the right accessories, it's a sure winner.

 

I may even venture out of my comfort zone and try it with a striped cotton shirt. I usually don't mix patterns or textures but I love the idea of stripes on top of floral patterns or lace and I'd love to give it a try for a fun little twist :) I'm living life on the wild side these days.

 

 

Did I mention I'm getting my braces off tomorrow? Maybe I won't be mistakened for a 15 year old anymore ;) Pictures to come!

Summer Lovin'...

Okay, so it's technically still springtime, but summer break away from school is HERE! Can you sense the excitement?

I may love the winter clothing...ya know, scarfs, peacoats, boots... etcetera, etcetera...but the actual weather for which one would wear such apparel I am not a fan of. Eh, I'm a woman. I'm not supposed to make sense.

So what are my plans for this summer?

First on the list is allowing the sun to transform this ghastly white skin of mine. Perhaps a beach trip or two may be in order? Of course I will be working at my daycare during the week. I only have about two more weeks before my k5 students move on to the summer camp program. Although this causes a certain extent of melancholy within my soul to be losing a few great kids, I will be receiving a class full of new ones :) what teacher doesn't relate to this?

Our church is also having a women's Bible study on the book of Ruth. I've really enjoyed how God has revealed to me what a godly woman Ruth truly was. Her faith in God was unshakeable no matter what devastating circumstances came her way. God used her love story with Boaz to demonstrate the relationship between the Christ and His bride, the church. He is constantly showing me how unworthy I am of His love. As undeserving as I am, He still allows me to sit at His table.

Also...drum roll...
Thursday, June 6th at precisely two o'clock PM I will finally be getting my braces off! With two and a half years behind us, how will I ever be able to part? ....eh, I'll manage. Before and after pictures will be posted soon!