The following may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, you’re supporting me and my writing without spending anything extra. Thank you! I’ve only been meaning to write this review for about two months now. Better late than never, right? I had the opportunity to be on the launch team of a fellow hope*writer, Meredith McDaniel. She is a licensed professional counselor who felt led to write this book, in want +…
As a result of some recent events, I have found myself reflecting on grief and trusting Christ even in the midst of the grief. This grief that I am talking about is not the loss of someone dear, or the tragic or traumatic experiences one has during their life, or anything that is truly life-altering in a sudden way. The grief I am speaking of is the quieter, more stealthy kind, the kind that sneaks in when you realize a…
Inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy (who is also my Reading Challenge inspiration this year), I have been thinking about what’s been getting me through these long winter months. Thanks to my health problems, I am supposed to avoid people as much as possible. If I can’t avoid them and have the possibility of having contact with sick or non-flu vaccinated persons, I get to wear a medical mask. My favorite thing ever is drawing attention to myself (all introverts simply…
I’ve currently been working through some books I’ve had laying around that I keep meaning to get to but don’t. Am I the only one with that problem? I have a “To Be Read” list that’s longer than me and I still end up reading books NOT on the list, and add ten new ones to said list while I am at it.
It’s a little over a week into the new year as I write this and the hustle and “newness” of the season is starting to wear off a little, or at least it seems to be wearing off to me. As I have reflected on the past year, I’ve noticed that despite not intentionally doing so, I picked a “word of the year” last year: Rest. It was important to me to find the balance between life and rest, and…
I sit here on my outdated denim loveseat, wrapped up in my newly knit prayer shawl, and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine that is shining through my dirty window that I had tied the curtain back with a piece of ribbon. I hear the murmur of water boiling on my antique stove in the kitchen as the dryer spins and buttons clank in the basement. I sit here to spend time with Jesus and to journal. As I was…
Do you ever find yourself in that little space within you that you keep locked up, tucked away, so no one can see what’s in there?
It’s crazy to think as I type this I already have my Christmas tree up and my house partially decorated. Last year, I wanted Christmas to be over instead of anticipating it, but this year, since I am out of retail, I am taking my time to enjoy this season we are heading into as I remember what I have learned in the past three months. The past couple of months have been relatively uneventful, simply busy as they always…
November has seemed to be a full month. I started writing a book for NaNoWriMo, which has taken up a decent amount of time (but not as much as one would think), I’ve been working on getting ready for the holidays, and along with all of everything else that goes on in life, Andrew and I went away for a few days. We went to Wisconsin for a wedding, so that threw off my journaling and devotional time, too. I…
Celebrities and breaking news is not what I usually like to think or talk about. However, recently Andrew was away and one of the nights I spent by myself I was awakened at three in the morning by my dog, Mountain Pie, who was unhappy that she was getting rained on in her room. Understandable, right? Yes. But waking me up in the middle of the night tends to make me very jumpy for a while, thanks to my adrenal…
I am inadequate. That’s not something you see people admit very often. That’s something we pretend we don’t feel, yet somehow it bubbles to the surface more often than any of us would like to admit. I am inadequate. We say this, and people jump up and say, “No, you are not! You are more than enough. You are strong. You aren’t weak.” Except. I am inadequate. You are inadequate. On our own. By ourselves, we are inadequate. We will…
You are never further away from me than a realization that You are with me. When I feel nothing more than numb and want to do nothing but cry, You are there. You are there when I see figures in the shadows and danger in the creaks of an old house. You are there when all has run out and I think it’s the end, yet somehow life keeps going. You are there when I feel I have failed, yet…
Two months ago I wrote about what I’ve learned in my first year of marriage. In that post, I mentioned I’d write about that mini vacation later, not intending to write about it while on another mini vacation this long afterwards. But, here I am on a train, heading back from New York with my parents and younger sister, writing about both my time spent with Andrew in Natural Bridge, and in NYC with my family. These two trips were…
Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith? Mark 4:40 Wow. That one hits me pretty hard. And sadly, I have to let it hit me hard often because I always manage to forget it. I remember a time in life when I had no cares in the world. I trusted my mom’s watch would beep and tell us it was time for my meds when it was time. I trusted I would have my medicine and I…
You don’t despise my weaknesses. You don’t laugh at my humanness. You don’t look at me in shame and wish I could be better. You don’t cut down my broken spirit as a game You play because You enjoy it. It is not a way for You to pass the time or be spiteful. You do not make fun of me for being unable to grasp Your love for me or comprehend Your grace and mercy. You do not tire…
Driving with my family along the Veterans Memorial Highway nestled in the Adirondack Mountains in Lake Placid, New York, we came to a quaint toll booth. It reminded me of something one would see around Christmas, almost like a gingerbread house. Made mostly out of wood and gray stones, the building seemed to have two parts. The first part was a small, almost round stone building with a tall pointed roof that was horn shaped and reminded me of something…
I believe it is important to reflect on the past and see where we have come from on occasion to see more clearly where we are going. Every three months I plan to list a few of the things I have learned, both serious and maybe seemingly silly things – whatever sticks out the most. Here are some of the things I have learned this summer! 1. I adore companionship. I love being alone, but I don’t love being by…
I recently shared about my last day working for Kohl’s. It was an ending, but it was also a new beginning that I was (and still am) happy about. I didn’t mention, however, was that evening was another new beginning, but in a much different way. Andrew recently sold his truck. We used to joke that if he ever sold the truck, I was going with it because I love that truck in the most ridiculous way. I don’t believe…
There’s something about knowing something is ending that makes me extremely sentimental, especially when it’s something that’s been going on for a long time. On occasion, I’m just done and walk away without looking back. Other times, I take pictures to remember as much as possible and try to fight back tears. Still, other times, it’s more of a celebration. Today I’m celebrating. Closing a chapter in my book that’s been open for almost four and a half (long) years….
Sometimes, I get in this bad habit of negative thinking. Something happens and I get stuck in a mental battle with myself. Probably 95% of the time it’s health related. Something happens and I forget that this is my life whether I like it or not and I can either have a pity party and be miserable or I can live my life to the fullest and enjoy what God has given me. When I allow pity parties, it causes…