two things

Two things that have been coming up this week: trust and being still.

These two ideas just seem to keep popping up all over the place. Usually when this happens, it means it's time to listen. Trust is such a hard things for me sometimes. Not necessary with people but with God. I struggle with trusting all the incredible blessings. I find myself thinking, "It's too good to be true." But often it's not, when the blessings come from God. He wants to bless us and see us thrive. And a beautiful thing happens when we trust and are receptive to His gifts. There is peace. Maybe just a minute, or a moment, but peace exists when we land in the place of trusting in the true blessings of our lives. It's not too good to be true. It's just trusting in the fact that you get to experience these things as a gift.

And then there is being still. I am so bad at this. I like to keep going...to always be moving. I struggle to just be still and present in the moment. It's so easy these days, isn't it. Easy to keep some sort of screen or technology in front of you. Things are wireless or handheld. You can watch TV, text, surf the Internet and be around people all at the same time. But what if everything is turned off? What if we did just one thing at a time? I think we would find these previously multitasked items to be more rich and that we would be fully present.

I know that I fail at this often, but I think its time to strive for being still more often. Soaking in each moment before it slips right through my hands.

Starting now.

words

There is nothing more beautiful than the art of the written word. Whether it's a story, poetry, blog, or a mere quote. There is something powerful in words. They hold substance and value. They give life to the lifeless and love to the loveless.

Right now, I'm finding myself getting caught up in this book, Cold Tangerines. It's beautiful and a story of grace that combines lots of short stories about her life and its lessons. This is the second book of hers that I've read and it is keeps me turning the page for hours. I love her style of writing and find myself in a lot of her experiences. This story moves me and helps me find places inside that can get overlooked.

I hope that some day I am able to use my words to move people. To give them words that encourage and motivate. To allow people to find freedom in my stories and experiences.

That's what is so beautiful about life, even if you don't feel like it, there is always someone that has gone through whatever it is that you're going through. We're meant to share in this life with one another. During times of pain, sorrow, betrayal, joy and hope, we were created to lean, comfort and celebrate with each other.

And when that's too much. Books have that ability to take you to a completely different place, but not just a place, a completely different mindset. They are a modern time machine. Yet, they are so classic. There is nothing that can replace them. And I think that one perfect example of that type of books is The Hunger Games. Yes, it's the most recent Hollywood release, but the books are so incredibly written. You just can't flip the pages fast enough. Do yourself a favor and read them.

So many stories to be read and so many stories to be written. Dive in.

lately

Last night I had my first wedding panic dream. Nothing was ready. My hair wasn't done, my dress wasn't on, my veil wasn't even put together, and we started the wedding 30 minutes late! Ah. I hate those kinds of dreams, but I feel as though it was some semblance of what is going on in my head. It could just be this week but I am starting to feel slightly overwhelmed with everything on my plate right at the moment.

One of the ways that can help when I get overwhelmed is to make lists. I really enjoy making lists. It's a way that I can take my jumbled thoughts and put them on paper and make sense of what all is going on in my mind. Another way is to go for a run. It always manages to clear my head. (Probably because I'm just worried about not passing out).

And sometimes when I start getting overwhelmed, I am short on words. But there are a few things that I am excited about. this week.

1. Jake and I will be celebrating 2 years together.
2. Hunger Games comes out on Friday. Eek!
3. This weather...it feels like July.
4. No work on Friday.
5. Life cereal for dinner. It's the small things, right?!?
6. And I bought new sandals.
 
So hopefully after a few lists and a quick run, I can give you a little more substance to read about.

What helps you when you're feeling overwhelmed?

PS - Do you like our new wedding piece? We've been antiquing.

173

You know those moments that happen so unconsciously and so quickly but drastically change your life forever. Some are good and some are not so good. Well two years ago, I had one of those moments and it changed my life for good. I returned a phone call from a man named Jake and now, in a few quick months, that man will become my husband.

It's one of those moments that I had not expected, nor planned out. It was something that God had been brewing up for a long while. If it had been in my control, it probably wouldn't have happened at all. But, I am so thankful that it did.

In 173 days, I will take a new last name. I will begin a new journey. A journey that is exciting and scary; thrilling and nerve-wracking; awesome and God-inspired. I'll be honest, there are moments where the big idea of marriage is daunting. So often today, we see marriages splitting, unfaithful spouses, selfishness over commitment. And I'm sure that no one intends those marriage to end up that way. I highly doubt that anyone walks down the aisle and thinks that it won't last forever.

I too am one of those people. I believe that we will choose marriage over singleness. Love over hate. Humility over self-righteousness. This is our prayer. This is my prayer. I pray our hearts are prepared for the unknown that is before us. I pray that we turn our eyes to Jesus before one another, our jobs, our money, or another person.

Jake and I may never be a CEO of a hospital, or a top selling author. But if we leave any impact on this world, my hope is that we leave a legacy of love and can show the world how to be a marriage that lasts.

In no means, do I think our relationship is perfect. We'd be the first people to say we have our own points of "uniqueness." But I know that we will try out best and love as well as we know how. And survive each day through prayer, grace and forgiveness.

Wedding Wednesday: Lace

Today I am dreaming of warm weather. I am dreaming of sitting pool side and flip flops. Grilling out and tan skin. Today I am dreaming of summer. A time where music sounds better because you can listen to it outside.

It also means dress season. And this year my favorite trend is lace!

Lace is not only a favorite for dresses, but it will be a statement piece for the wedding. You'll see it all throughout the day.

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Lace is classically, vintage. It's elegant charm adds just enough flirtation to even the simplest things. Wrap it around a mason jar, or sew it onto some burlap and you have a beautiful new (and trendy) look.

I'm excited to see all the different places where we can incorporate lace. I want to sneak it in as much as I can because this is probably one of the only times I will be able to put lace on everything I see and nobody really says anything. Bring on the lace!

Things I cannot do

Today has been "one of those days." Between stress at work and general irritatibleness, today has not been one of my proudest moments. And I assume you could probably tell by the look on my face at any given point.

It was one of those days that reminds you of how human you are and how there really are a lot of things that we are not capable of doing. So after reading this, I was inspired to embrace my humanness and create my own list of things that I cannot do. So here it is.

A list of things I cannot do...

• play golf
• lay in the sun for hours. I get hot and tired of laying still
• talk and write (or text)
• eat just one of anything sweet
• run for more than 5 miles
• pet cats lovingly
• watch anything with zombies for more than 5 minutes
• hit a tennis ball straight
• sing soprano
• go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink
• not crack my toes
• watch rugby
• eat olives or anything with olives on it
• stop myself from rolling my eyes
• go by a piano without playing at least one note
• leave the house without coffee
• sleep with socks on
• get up early, just because
• not daydream
• go through a whole day without dropping my keys
• leave the bed unmade all day
• comprehend most poetry
• cry at other people's stories
• skip breakfast
• leave work with a messy desk

What can't you do?


PS- Only 6 more months