On hardships and adversity.

Ohh hey there blog. Its been awhile!  Between travels, planning a couple of events at church and a mess of other random things, I haven't been feeling very inspired to do much in this space. 

Last weekend we had our Spring Women's Conference at Church and this years theme was "Uncomfortable Grace" { the hope of Jesus in the midst of adversity} At different times in our lives we all face hardships and adversity, but we may not be so familiar with the word Grace and what that looks like during suffering. One reason we go through suffering is that so we may truly know God. You can not grow in relationship with someone if you never go through anything difficult or hard together. Our relationship with Jesus is the same, he longs for us to focus on him and who he is. 

//Nothing can separate us from the love of God. 

//God is sovereign. 

//God is good. 

//God is the same always.  

These simple truth's are life changing when in the middle of adversity. 

      The speaker also had us make a list of things that our heart finds delight in and then challenged us to do at least one thing a day from our list. It may be as simple as hot cup of coffee or conversation with a dear friend. In the midst of hardships its so easy for me to retreat and not share whats really happening in my heart.  Anyone else find that? I never want to burden anyone with all the yuck in life. But really during the hard times is when we need community the most! 

My heart was so blessed/encouraged/challenged by the weekend and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time considering life has been filled with many challenges/hardships recently.

" Rejoice in hope. be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. " Romans 12:12

For a beautiful story of hope and grace check this story out. Be prepared for the tears to flow :]

On less serious note I am joining Beth over at Oak and Oaks today and in celebration of her 26th birthday we are giving one wonderful person $250 in Paypal cash! Go check out the fun!

Happy Friday! 

Spring Fashion

I am so ready for sunshine and warmer weather. This winter has just been dragging on and on!

I cant wait for sandal's and short sleeves and all things spring. 

I am obsessed with naturals, lace, pointy flats and gold accessories right now and thankfully it all says spring to me! 

What are you excited to wear this spring? 

Friday Five

Its Friday. Why is it that Fridays are just awesome? Maybe because the weekend is right around the corner and I am pretty excited about that! 

one// I've been busy in the office this week playing catch up from being on vacation for two weeks. It looks like we are finally catching up! And the laundry and clean house is also making me pretty happy! Cheers to catch up weeks!    

two// Husband has been home this past week and while that wasn't originally our plan for the week, I gotta say its been pretty great! He even brought me coffee one morning from Caribou! Score! 

three// I've been reading You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth this week and its pretty much awesome! Nothing better then a good, challenging book! 

four// We decided last weekend to start juicing again and well its been pretty great! I've had go to the grocery store like 3 times this week to stock up on veggies. 

five// Nothing says spring is here like fresh tulips! love!!

Happy Friday Friends! 

Journey To Freedom..

 

        Do justice to the afflicted and needy
Deliver the poor and needy
Free them from the hand of the wicked
Psalm 82:3-4

The Exhibit is up and running this week. After so many months of planning its just been so beautiful to see the reaction as people from the community walk through. Its such a hard issue and I wish this was something we didn't have to have conversations about.

For more details about Journey to Freedom visit our website or our facebook page. 

Recently on Instagram.

     In reviewing these photos it looks like we drink lots of coffee. Its true we do. Some days I feel like its thee only saving grace in this dreadfully long winter. It just seems like it will never end. The long winter does make for some good cuddling time and when the sun does shine, well it just makes the whole day a little brighter.  I've also been been pretty faithful about working out the past month. Already I can tell a difference. It feels so rewarding and its becoming almost addicting.

I also recently opened a little instagram shop with clothes I no longer wear. You can check out my closet here.

Happy Thursday Friend! xo.

Slavery Still Exhists.

A couple years ago a few friends of mine and I embarked on a big epic adventure. We packed our bags and flew across the ocean to Thailand. Little did I know that my life was about to be changed in some big ways.

 I came home from that trip with a lot more then I ever had when I first got  left, but what made the biggest impact on me was the staggering number of women and children that are being trafficked. 
 My heart was gripped as I heard horrific stories of these women being sold and being forced to do/experience horrific things. 

 I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that many men from all over the country travel overseas to take advantage of these women. I still cant wrap my mind around that thought, I cant imagine being treated like a thing, instead of a real person.
 I came home and after some research realized this wasn't just a problem in Thailand.  It was happening in my country, my state and even my own town. 

A21 

Fast forward a few years and I've asked God many times what can I do? How can I use my voice?

  Recently I"ve had the opportunity to be a part of bringing an experiential walk-through exhibit looking into the reality of human trafficking.

 This exhibit will journey you through the stories, lives and situations of millions of people -- people who do not have complete freedom, whose lives have been taken captive and whose stories need to be heard.
You can check out more details for the Journey to Freedom Exhibit here or here.

The reality of slavery is not only physical, but spiritual as well. The God we serve has a heart for justice, and he wants to see each person experience freedom. Freedom from physical bondage and abuse, as well, spiritual freedom from lies, fear, sin and so much more! 

How will you use your voice? 

Beauty.

                                                                                   via.

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I crave beauty in my everyday life.

 I crave clean lines and white space's in my life. 

I crave to create beauty around me, to inspire other women towards beauty.

 I crave less drama and more beauty and inspiration in relationships in life.

 I read this post The Ache for Beauty and my heart said a thousand amen's. The writer put my thoughts into words so much better then I ever could, but I feel like I hear this cry so much from women around me. We all want to beautiful, we want to be noticed, to be a part of something bigger then just our little lives, to leave this world having made a difference. 

True Beauty comes from within, a reflection of the gentle and quiet spirit that God so values. 
1 Peter 3:3-4

This year I am purposing to stop believing the lies and to go after true beauty. 


//For more beautiful inspiration check out this online magazine! //

Habits

¹hab·it

noun\ˈha-bət\

: a usual way of behaving : something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way. 

I made a few goals for this year, but I decided to really focus on developing some good habits. I feel like good habits will empower me towards excellence and I want more of that in my life this year. I was reading today that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. This challenged me as I thought about all the bad habits I've formed without any thought.

I also was reading that the goal of creating habits is to create long-lasting behavioral changes that move you towards big goals. I know I have some big goals this year and I need healthy habits in place to accomplish those goals.

So habits for this year..

drink more water. I fail at this one so much. 
spending daily time in the word. 
getting up earlier. I like sleep. 
taking vitamins daily. 

What are some habits you want to form this year? I would love to hear your thoughts!