Wednesday, January 27, 2016

His Love Never Fails : Guest Post at For the Love of Dixie

Today, I have the privilege of guest posting for my For the Love Sister, Lauren Flake – the founder of the blog, For the Love of Dixie and #texasstrong Fundraiser. This post was challenging to write because it begged me to reflect on what the Lord has done in our family over the years.

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I had never truly lost something before 2014.
Sure, a pet fish would bite the dust or a dog would run away, but the last time I had experienced loss was my grandmother. I was 6 years old. To say that I learned what grieving was during that time is off the mark...read more here.
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Jump on over to read all of Lauren's 'Permission to Grieve' series. Grab a cup of coffee and soak in truth.

Monday, January 25, 2016

A Prayer for Our Daughter : Guest Post at Empty Plate. Full Heart.

Today, I have the honor and beautiful privilege of guest posting for Andrea Stunz – the founder of the blog, Empty Plate. Full Heart. I enjoyed reflecting on this wonderful year that Harper has given us and I cannot wait to see what her next year of life will be like. Lord, we give it all to you!

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To my sweet daughter as you lay in your bed—

As 2016 begins and we celebrate your first year of life, it is our heart’s desire that we show you who Jesus is. To show you ways in which we can love others. To show you what serving looks like...read more here.

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What is your prayer or hope for 2016?

Saturday, January 16, 2016

#FridayFive :: Adjectives

http://mrsdisciple.com/adjectives-that-describe-me/

The topic this week is very fitting, as I have decided to stay home with my daughter. At work, when someone leaves, we circle around them and edify them and then pray over them. These words (or descriptions of these words more or less) were said about me.

Extroverted: This is a blessing and a curse. Prayerfully more of a blessing than anything else! Being extroverted lends itself to a multitude of opportunities to be around other people and love them. Though sometimes I do need to recharge.
Creative: I love to make new things and problem solve in a unique way.
Kind: Helpful, giving, and generous. This is a demeanor that I want to instill in my daughter. Being kind is so important--simply smiling at someone may change their day.
Intentional: Seeking out relationships--each and every one. Prayerfully those on the receiving end know that they are loved, cared for, seen and heard. Deliberate with the words I say, the actions I live out, and the way in which I handle situations.
Loving: This is partnered with being intentional. I want to love and serve others well, with abandon.

What do I want my daughter to be?

Courageous
Fun-loving
Spirit-filled
Intentional
Kindhearted
Resilient
Adventurous
Amiable
Dream-chaser 

It's funny, you see--when we found out that the gender of our child, I immediately started thinking about and reflecting on my characteristics, flaws, quirks, and the like. I know that she will embody some of them, as that is currently what she sees most.

Harper...I want her to be more decisive than I am.
A healthy mix of introvert and extrovert (because we're all a little of both!).
Someone who isn't afraid to make mistakes.
Someone who loves to serve and love others well.
Someone who finds her purpose in the Lord.
Someone who is brave enough to take on the challenges of this life, but isn't intimidated when she gets knocked down.
Someone who sees the good in others.
Someone who chases after the Lord with her whole heart.

But when I really think of my impact on my child and what characteristics I want her to take on, I realize that I am not doing this alone! There is no way I can instill all of the aforementioned items into my child alone. I need help! The Lord is the only one that can change and mold a soul and, boy, am I grateful!? Harper will see these characteristics in those she is around. At church. At home. In community. In fellowship. We cannot do it alone--it truly does take a village.

I know I've strayed from the adjectives; however, adjectives are applicable to a person that has been described as such. The adjectives are seen by others and pointed out. Affirmed by your community. Who is able to give an accurate description of you? Whomever it is, I encourage you to lean in to those people. They know you. Love you. Care for you.

Link up with Mrs. Disciple and describe yourself! What would your community describe you as?




Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Joy is Servanthood: Guest Post at Unveiled & Revealed

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!


I had the privilege and honor to guest post over at Unveiled & Revealed today! Brianna is a For the Love sister of mine and I have so enjoyed her blog.

She challenged us to write about joy in 100 words. Only 100. That's not a whole lot!

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Joy—we all want it. Why is it so hard to get? It starts with...read more here.

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What is joy to you in 100 words?

Friday, December 18, 2015

#FridayFive :: Five Hopes in the New Year

http://mrsdisciple.com/five-hopes-promising-new-year/

With the eve of the New Year nigh upon us, I wanted to discuss five hopes I have for 2016. These hopes, some may result in life change and a perspective shift, are something I'm looking forward to!

In 2016, I hope to learn more.
I long to be reflective and recognize what I've learned over the course of each month. I have so enjoyed linking up with emily p. freeman for her monthly reflection of what she has learned. Since I am out of school, it's so important for me to continually stretch my mind and by putting that in writing, I am committing to it and identifying how I have grown.

I have asked for a few resources to help me learn something new this year. One of those is a hand-lettering kit for Christmas in an effort to learn how to create some beautiful hand-lettered art. I also look forward to reading some great books and blogs as well.

In 2016, I hope to be more intentional.
I long to be intentional with my family, the ministry I'm part of, and the community I'm in. Each person has needs that must be met differently, I desire to identify those needs and intentionally meet them in whatever means I can. Our family motto is 'Love God. Love People. Have a Purpose.' Being intentional is exactly that!

In 2016, I hope to be used.
Used. Used, not in the sense of 'used and abused,' rather I yearn to be utilized by the Lord. I want to be obedient. Hands open to whatever comes. I want to remember to hold loosely to the things of this life and be used by God--whatever that may look like.

In 2016, I hope to adventure.
We will be venturing down a new year, another year of life with our daughter, another year of marriage, and into whatever is coming our way. I love adventuring, exploring and discovering. I want to do more of that with my daughter. Harper is going to explore a whole new world--and I am so excited to be staying home with her to adventure alongside her.

In being obedient and being open to being used by God, adventure will come!

In 2016, I hope to love well.
Loving well and not looking back. Loving others without regret. Not worrying about what loving others looks like. Not questioning how it will all work out, rather loving with no regard. When I love others well, Proverbs 31 comes to life.

What hopes do you have? Link up with Mrs. Disciple and let us know!

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Spread the Joy: Guest Post at Radically Broken


Today I am guest posting on Radically Broken in her series on Advent. Below is an excerpt from the posting!

https://radicallybroken.wordpress.com/2015/12/17/day-17-spread-the-word/

As this is our first Christmas with our sweet daughter, I aim to be very intentional with her about the season of Advent and the birth of our Savior. We assembled her plastic nativity last night and as she crawled around with a shepherd in her mouth that was hanging on by his staff, I began to contemplate the role of these shepherds.

Read more here.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

#FridayFive :: Five Joys

These joys are so simple, yet so very important to the season of life that I am currently in. I would love to continually post Five Joys for my week. I will be posting later about 'Joy being found in Servanthood;' however, at this point in time, my brain can only handle composing these 5 things that bring me great joy.

http://mrsdisciple.com/choose-joy/

Running
I need this outlet. Running is therapeutic for me and it is necessary for my sanity. The pounding of the pavement and my heart inside my chest, it's both challenging and life-giving. Joy is found in each difficult step, knowing that I'm running towards the prize.

Hot Showers
As of late + being a momma, self-hygiene got pushed to the back burner more often than I would like to admit. I never realized how beautiful a hot shower truly was until I didn't get to do it nearly as much. :) Hot showers are relaxing and rejuvenating and this momma needs more of them! I'm sure those around me would appreciate it as well.

Snuggles
Baby snuggles are the absolute best and I get so much joy from it! Harper is probably the best snuggler around town. I want time to freeze when we snuggle. I often stare at her--taking every tiny thing in. I long to notice each hair, breath, and grasp. Having this perspective makes each moment with her special, and I'm often reminded that my longing for my daughter is like my longing for my Savior. I want to learn everything about our Creator because He loves me. He knows me.

Date Nights
It's so very important for my husband and I to be intentional in spending time with one another. I don't want to lose sight of our first love for one another. Date nights are a routine and it's an event that is very much looked forward to.

Good Books and Quiet Time
I've always enjoyed reading, though it became a chore while in school. As of late, I feel that this joy had been rekindled! I was blessed to have been on the launch team for Jen Hatmaker's book For the Love in March. It was exactly what my soul needed. Since then, it has sparked an interest and true enjoyment in reading once more. I have now taken part in several book launch teams and I cannot say enough about the joy I get when I read and recommend these books to friends! I've also begun to have a better, and more consistent quiet time because of this deepened desire to read. God is so good. I have seen how He has used each of these launch teams to pull me closer to Him.

What are five joys in your life? What brings you joy? Link up to Mrs. Disciple and share your #FridayFive!