Inspired No. 8

{this photo is mine!}

+I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and sucked in by social media lately, and my mind kept going back to this article, by the lovely Maggie,that I read about a year ago! {read the article here>http://www.maggiewhitley.com/2014/02/why-i-deleted-you-from-my-iphone/} I didn't have internet on a phone at the time so it wasn't such a big deal for me, but now that I have an IPhone deleting apps is something I find myself doing regularly! In fact, I did it again just this evening! I'm looking forward to a while of less screen time!!

Also- Maggie recently shared a follow up post! {you can find it here>http://www.maggiewhitley.com/2015/10/life-social-media-an-update/}

{source>http://herlovelyheart.com/heart-list-1-valuable-strenghts/}

+I'm loving these Heart Lists! Very inspiring!

{source>https://www.pinterest.com/pin/A_50gQAQwPwBHlxoFucAAAA/}

+ I am so excited to finally be able to work on Abigail's room! My goal has always been have the nursery functional for both a boy and a girl so that I'm not switching things around if the Lord blesses with a boy later, and also keep it simple enough for future moves! I've tossed around lots of ideas, but keep coming back to bright + colorful and functional! I've decided to go with my original plan- vintage woodland forest. Let's just say I've got a ton of cool ideas, and I need to get moving on it! {find my inspiration here>https://www.pinterest.com/nannahbeth/abbies-room/}

INSPIRED NO. 6

A Series || absolutely love this collage! Really wish I had done something similar!

Still Life Photography || some very good tips that I can't wait to try.

5 Hospitality Secrets I Learned in College || very good tips! I'm really working on having an open hospitable home!

The Gal with the Strings || loved this shoot, and totally need one of myself!

On Making Time for the Things You Love || I'm inspired to really work on this one this week!

Score Thrifty : color + film || totally jealous of her finds! Excited to do a similar post of my own soon!

Why We Should Spend Time in Scripture || just yes! I totally needed this!

On Expertise & Tips for Making it Work || totally gave me another dose of inspiration for this week!
\
Tips to Improve Your Focus || definitely need to work on improving my focus, and these are gonna help!

On Being a Doer {not just a hearer} || really need to work on this!

When God says to Wait || I'm really needing this right now too!

Inspired No. 5

<Image>

Why the 5 Love Languages are Essential for Friendship

5 Ways to Follow Through on Your Goals 

3 Simple Rules in Life 

3 Reasons to Pray for Others through Your Own Trials 

I AM... 

Creating an Encouragement Wall {for when your days are hard} 

How to find Happiness in your Home (Small Spaces: Tip #1)

3 Things That Helped Me Prepare for Marriage 

inspired NO. 4

I'm pretty excited about these 3 links today! Check them out and let me know what you all think!! <3 Im also super excited about this weeks upcoming posts! I have a couple announcements... *squeal* and some other fun stuff going up! yahoo! 

Have a lovely Tuesday! XX

<HERE>

HOW TO LIVE AN AMAZING LIFE> here

6 ways to become RE-inspired> here

Oh, and here's and AWESOME little extra for you!{AVENGERS movie review- anyone else say AAAWWWEEESSSOOOMMMEEE?}> here

inspired NO. 3

WHEN GOD SEE'S THE HEART. <HERE>

How to create imperfection. <HERE>

Do I settle for okay and press on with mediocre? Or do I give the time, do I spend the energy, do I take the risk, to start again? <HERE>

Six Ways to Be Unlovely. <HERE>

Don't let your ideal expectations rob you of your present joy. BREAKING UP WITH YOUR IDEAL SELF. <HERE>

Start living your life without the distractions of other people’s happiness or success. MAKE YOUR OWN SUCCESS STORY. <HERE>

Peace. <HERE>

<HERE>

<HERE>

<HERE>

inspired NO. 2

"So often we settle for mediocrity instead of taking a chance, because it’s safer. Because no one will see us fail if we stay safely in the backdrop of the every day. We settle for “middle of the road” because going all out and actually trying costs us something. It costs us our pride if we do not succeed. It could cost us a piece of our self-esteem. It may, in some cases, even cause us to be ridiculed or to be a public spectacle for a moment. It is so much easier to dial back our efforts so that if we fail, we can blame it on the fact that we weren’t really trying our best.

We use our mediocrity like a shield.

But deep down, most of us want to put our best out there. Unfortunately we are afraid of the risk. The higher we climb, the further we can fall. The faster we run, the harder the impact.

Ultimately, we are afraid that if we give our best, it will not be enough. And that could mean that we are not enough…

You will fail. If you try, you will. But not trying is also its own kind of failure."

WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE?

//

"You do not need your cell phone, laptop, or your best friend in order to hear from God."

UNPLUGGED

//

That situation didn’t work out according to how I wanted? No problem. I will run so far in the other direction that my plans cannot fail in this way ever again. Instead of asking God what He wants to do, I will give up that plan all together because it is too scary to ever be picked back up again by me.

It doesn’t necessarily mean we should give up our dreams or plans in their entirety. Your dreams have a purpose. But it does mean that we must realize that we are not God and we need to trust Him with the details of the plan. Hold them loosely. We need to be flexible.

PLANNING FOR THE UNPLANNED

inspired spring.

Doing more of what brings us life.//when you thought God was going to redeem.//Paper Flower Parlor//Disney Princess Flowers

my one word 2014

I needed something big, and something different for 2014. I needed a word that would really change my life + my perspective.

It took me forever to come up with a word. I thought, prayed, read, looked around at other people’s words, made a pinterest board, and thought some more. And prayed some more. But nothing seemed to fit…

April was getting closer and closer, and I was getting nowhere. Then one day I was working on a project, and I kept telling myself

“I’m determined to finish this. I HAVE to finish this. I’ve made up my mind to finish.”

 It was then that it hit me. determine. That’s my word.

Before I even start a project, I’m determining to FINISH, regardless of the outcome.

I’m determining- I WILL succeed!

and with God’s help, I WILL, because,

What's your word for 2014? Did you write about it? Share the link, I'd love to read it!!

Speaking the truth...

Last week I realized that I needed a little bit of a boost, so I decided to read through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. It was a refresher for me- Ive never really read them and focused on what was in them! I got a LOT out of it. I kept my pen handy and underlined verse after verse and wrote lots of notes in the margins of my Bible! J

I just finished Colossians, and this verse really stuck out to me.

//

 I have loved writing for a long time.

When I was little I preferred writing stupid stories where all my friends were part of one huge family. 

When I was 12 I wrote sermons(okay, just my thoughts, but with a TON of salt).

And now…. Now I just write about what I'm thinking and learning. Some of it hurts though, because its real life for me, which is why this blog hasn’t seen much of me lately. It hurts me to write it. It hurts me to finally see the truth of what has been going on around me. It hurts to realize that most people aren’t gonna like what I have to say. They never have.

The funny thing is, usually the reason people don’t like it is because it is the truth. And sometimes the truth hurts.

Sometimes it hurts because we are wrong and someone else is right. Sometimes it hurts because it rocks your entire world and knocks out the foundation you thought was so strong.

The truth is, I’ve been so afraid of people that I’ve been neglecting some things. The hurt in my heart will never go away. My heart is a mess of scars, and wounds, and some of them will never completely heal.

But my hurt and pain has changed me. I'm a different person because of it.

And I wanna share that so that others can learn from me.

I don’t know much about gifts and all that, but I believe God has given me a gift. Writing is a passion of mine. I'm not very good at it, but its something I LOVE to do!

God has given me a ministry. He has opened doors for me to serve Him, and I’ve been pushing them closed. I want to do what God has for me to do, and I'm going to from now on!

I'm going to just say the truth, because that’s what God wants me to do. Even when it hurts. Even when I know certain people aren’t going to like it one bit.

All that to say this. I'm working on some posts. I have maybe 50 or more half-finished on my laptop and notes for that many more in my Bible, in my notebook, in a box, in folders- all over! Look for a piece of paper with my handwriting on it, and that’s probably what it is! =)

It may take me a little while to get things together. I have several projects I'm working on- a ladies fellowship lunch to plan, a devotional to write for that, a blog to redesign, piano to practice, school to get caught up on, a heart to strengthen for the coming battles, and blog posts to plan{I want to get a bunch scheduled to post} etc, not to mention my friend and I are working on a really big project! ;-P

Which is why I am taking the next 3 days off from the internet{more on why I chose 3 days shortly}... {*crossing fingers*} I'm going to try anyways. I'm even deleting some of the apps off my phone so I won’t be tempted! ;-P

So, Lordwilling I will get some posts up for next week. Unless life becomes a crazy hectic mess again. ;-P

*Torri's Bridal Shower*

colors: turquoise + yellow, with a tiny bit of green

 {Torri + Aunt Becky}

My absolute favorite decoration!

Decorating the mantle added a lot! =) {doncha love the mirrors?}  

Mom and Aunt Bek get the credit for the very creative decorations...

{I did write on the chalkboards!}

Now this sweet lady, oh may I brag on her for a few minutes? or an hour? {JK} 

This is the lady who opened her home for the shower, and let me tell you; She has the most wonderful servants heart. She rearranged her living room for us, went out of her way to procure some very nice dishes, as well as did a lot of the clean up. And that is my few second version of an hour long speech! This is one very special lady!

Someone showed me a secret little window that gave me an AWESOME vantage point! I had so much fun getting some wonderful pictures from above!

   

Someone in their church offered to do the cake, and these two gorgeous girls volunteered to help her!

And that cake! It was so beautiful and delicious! I couldnt help taking tons of pictures of it!

 I was behind the camera all day so this is seriously the only one I got in! =/ I had so much fun! {I took 481 pictures! I guess it was good practice for the reception!}

 

Congrats Tor! I love you girlie! =)

the courage to do what is right...

A few months ago, one of my very good friends did something that I really appreciate and admire. He chose to do what was right even though it wasn’t always supported and appreciated. What he did took a lot of courage!

He did the right thing{even though maybe not always the right way}, even though most people don’t agree with it. In fact, some people have even chosen to voice their disgust and opposition of what he did. But he has chosen to stick with his decision and follow through with it!

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good,

 and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:17

This verse is very clear. There is nothing to question. It plainly says that if someone doesn’t do what God is telling them to do, then they are sinning.

My friend did what the Lord led him to do.

Even through much opposition.

Most people were too cowardly to do what he did. Or they were deliberately blind.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,

 it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:13

The funny thing is, that every single person who has voiced their disagreement doesn’t know all the details like he does. In fact, most of them have refused to accept the facts that were presented to them. Shame on people who try to meddle in other people’s situations, especially when they don’t know everything!

My friend chose to do something that others refused to do.

Are you standing up for what is right? Are you standing even in the face of opposition? Are you doing right when you know you should? Or are you staying back, being a coward?

My friend made a difference in someone’s life. Are you doing things to make a difference? Are you willing to stand up when you see something wrong?

Having a vibrant relationship with Jesus{Part 2}

Remember the synonyms of vibrant from Wednesdays post?

Vibrant means lively, vivacious, animated, exciting, energetic, alive, bubbly etc.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our relationship with Jesus is a daily thing. We pray for our food{sometimes}, go to church, say “Praise the LORD”, and read the Bible when we have time. What we don’t realize is when we aren’t getting refreshed daily, we become weak and discouraged.

What happens when we don’t eat daily? We get sick and some people even pass out. The Bible tells us that eating real food isn’t enough! {Matthew 4:4} To stay strong we must be in God’s word (daily)!

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish,

yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

>Do your devotions{DAILY}

I know for some people this goes without saying. But a lot of people struggle with this{the finger is pointed back at myself!}!

There is no one right and perfect way to do your devotions. Figure out what is right for you, and stick with it!

Some people read their Bibles through in a year, so they just read a portion every day. I did this for several years, but found that it really became a chore, and I wasn’t getting much out of it. {I mean seriously- what do you find in books like Chronicles?} {If this is something that works for you, check out this schedule!}

Others find daily devotional books very helpful. This has worked really well for me! {Like I said, its different for everyone! There is no rule about what way is right.} I am currently going through Jesus Calling{Sarah Young}. {another good one is From My Heart to Yours by Glorianne Gibbs or sign up for a year-long subscription to GLOW(that’s one thing I did for most of last year)}

I really like the devotional book because whatever I read that day sticks in my mind! I actually think about it throughout the day, and usually try to put it in to practice!

>Pray

Prayer is so important! When we pray we acknowledge that God is really there. We are saying that we realize that we need Him. Don’t just pray in hard situations. Pray every single day! Set aside a certain amount of time{I started out with 5 minutes} and get rid of all distractions if you have to. I usually try to do this in the morning, but seriously, do it whenever you have the time- on your lunch break, at night before you go to bed, between classes, etc.

I have used a prayer list before{Here is a good one!} as well as a notebook. Both work really well, but make sure you don’t just read down through it. Pray something specific for each person{and "help them to have a good day" isn’t really gonna work}, pray that they would be more patient, or they would accomplish one of their goals, or that God would really work on their heart about something!

//

Make sure you are spending time with God daily! If you have to reorganize your schedule, simplify your life, get up earlier, or give up something, then do it! Believe me, it is entirely worth it!

When you make an effort in your relationship with Jesus, you will see a difference in your everyday life! Not only will you have a better attitude and a more positive outlook on life, but you will also be a LOT Happier! =) Your mindset will be completely different! J

{a little bit of brightness to cheer you up!}

We are complete in Jesus!

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:9-10 

We have access to the throne of God!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 

We know that God will work everything out!

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 

We know that God is for us!

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 

We are conquerors THROUGH Jesus!

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Romans 8:37 

We know that NOTHING can separate us from the love of GOD!

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 

We can be confident that God will never give up on us!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 

We know that we have been given a spirit of love and power and sound mind!

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 

This week.

*sorry for the very uncreative post title.

Well, this last week went well, for the most part that is. {but I shall not mention the part that didn’t- thank.you.very.much.}

I think I got a lot done. I have a lot crossed off of my to do lists, so that is helping me stay motivated. {along with large doses of Dr. Pepper, sugar, and many many pep talks from my friends}

*I kept my room fairly clean this week! Yay!

*Although I didn’t always do it first thing in the morning, I think I did my devotions every day.

*I did better at practicing my instruments, but still not every day. I hate checklists when it comes to something like that since it keeps me very accountable, so I asked both teachers to give me them. :-P Ill see how THAT goes.

*My room is pretty much totally organized now. I'm still going through stuff, but I actually have some empty space- finally. Now I’m working on all my stuff that’s upstairs.

***I finished my theory book! Today I noticed I only had maybe 10 pages left, so I decided to just get it done!

This weeks to do list…

·         Finish sewing 2 skirts{got them cut out last week}

·         Write. Write. Write.

·         Sort pictures and get them printed. {really really need to do this!}

·         Apply for jobs. {hopefully Friday}

·         Make a verse book

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3:22-26

Its Monday!

{this is something I wrote yesterday and didn't quite get around to posting...}

We finished the first day of our second {and last!} semester today! WOW! The Lord worked things out for me to spend last weekend with my Aunt and Uncle. I was able to see my cousin for a few hours before she flew back to Florida, as well as spend time just hanging out and relaxing! J

I am very motivated right now, and I want to try to get ahead on some things! I got a lot accomplished today, and hope to get more done!

Things I wanna get done this week…

*keep my room clean

*do devotions and pray every day

*write in my journal every day

*apply for jobs

*practice my instruments every day

*finish thank-you notes

*finish organizing my room

*write 2 posts {other than this one}

*sort pictures and get them printed

*get my eczema down

*redesign blog

Cast thy burden upon the LORD,

 and he shall sustain thee:

he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 55:22

Be not afraid of sudden fear,

neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence,

and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Proverbs 3:25-26

My friend Suzy and I are picking a verse each week for the other to memorize and meditate on. The first one is the one she picked for me, the second is what I picked for her.

Something I've been thinking about.

Kindness: a basic Christian virtue that helps all relationships. {I am really going to be working on being nicer to people this week, especially people I don’t really like. And nice doesn’t mean keeping my mouth shut.}{This was a thought in the Bible Study I'm reading...}

{My Word: FAITHFUL}

  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: 

and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

Luke 16:10

A lot of people do this word thing. You know- Choose a word and live by it for the whole year. I thought about doing it last year, but since I never got around to it, I'm going to attempt to do it this year! J

I'm choosing something that I need to work on in my character too. Its something I struggle with a lot, but really need to focus on.

My word is FAITHFUL.

1. Firmly adhering to duty; of true fidelity; loyal; true to allegiance; as a faithful subject.

2. constant in the performance of duties or services; exact in attending to commands.

3. true to one's word.

4. True; exact; in conformity to the letter and spirit.

5. Conformable to truth; as a faithful representation.

6. Constant; not fickle.

7. True; worthy of belief. 

{paraphrased from Websters 1828 dictionary}

I need to be more faithful in a lot of things…

*with my devotions and prayer time.

*witnessing to people; this is a hard one since I am a girl. At times I justify things because my simply walking through the store is a testimony to something. But its not enough. I am determined to pass out more tracts- and I have a goal of mailing so many out each week.

*practicing my instruments; I'm not going to get anywhere without putting in the effort. I'm sick of being stuck in one place, and I want to do something about that.

*keeping up with school.

*being myself; so often I am around crowds of judgmental people, and I buckle under the pressure. I end up deciding to not wear certain clothes, say certain things, or do certain things because I am afraid of what they are going to say. And that’s wrong.

*standing up for what I believe; like I said above, too often I am afraid of what people are going to think. Changing my though process about that is something I am really working on, and determined to change. I WILL say what I think and believe, because I believe that it is what GOD says is RIGHT.

*getting things accomplished and prioritizing my time. J

----->List Notebook <-----

/Monthly- My goal is to sit down and write out big things I'm hoping to get accomplished each month.

So far this month, I only have 3…

Find a job, finish my theory  book, lose 5lbs,

/Weekly- Every Sunday I want to write out my goals for the week.

Write in my journal every day, do devotions and pray for{a certain amount of time}, apply for jobs, finish History, do 2 days of school{get ahead}, plan out memory verses, plan posts

/Daily- Normally I write out a list every morning just after I finish my devotions. I keep it nearby to add anything else to as the day progresses.

History quizzes and tests, charge camera battery, packages, keep phone off until noon, organize something, play piano, clean room, pray {Wednesdays list}

{sorry for the really bad phone picture...}

A new Year…

A lot of people look at the new year as a chance to start over. This year, thats the way I am looking at it too! Right now I have a lot of motivation, and I'm trying to figure out how to make it last for me, since its usually short-lived. :)

// This year...

~I'm gonna start telling the truth like it is. 

AND

~I'm gonna try to be the real me no matter what. Its going to be really really hard for me, since I'm the type of person who really wants people to like me{since no one really does}.

{//People don’t like the truth. They don’t like people telling them the facts, because usually its true. The truth hurts, but nothing is going to change without the truth.}

// I am going to try something this year. I started writing lists for myself this fall, and it seemed to help me get more accomplished. I used a notebook, but I had so many different lists in there that it got really messy and confusing at times, so I made a new one that I will be posting about sometime this week! J

// I didn’t make a lot of goals for myself for 2013. I think I'm going to stick with mainly doing monthly goals. But, I do have a 4.

*blog more often. My goal is once a week, at least. We will see how that goes though. ;P

*not let myself get so discouraged. {in other words- stop thinking too much.}

*Learn to be faithful in my prayer time.

*eat healthier/exercise more.

  Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, 

give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

 Have not I commanded thee? 

Be strong and of a good courage; 

be not afraid, 

neither be thou dismayed:

 for the LORD thy God is with thee 

whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9 

Summer// Things I'm Loving #6

Well summer is finally pretty much here. We are trying to plan our garden, we have been outside pretty much all week, Suzy is coming home and our detasseling meeting is this week, so, yeah. Summer is here.

Ironically- even though it is THE hardest, most strenuous job on earth- I am looking forward to detasseling. I’m on my 5^th year and I still have a love-hate towards it. =D Our crew is totally awesome {especially after working with morons the first 3 years}, and I would say that is a huge part of what I am looking forward to; I’m even looking forward to G & J fighting. {yup. had to say that.}

things I’m loving…

doing school outside// sitting in the sunshine// trying to get myself to burn{if I burn now I will tan sooner…}// learning an arrangement on my violin// my clean room + desk{this past weekend you wouldn’t have even known it was a desk. blame it on last minute projects for the banquet}// planning on redesigning my blog {no I’m not obsessed with re-design, I’m just experimenting}// relaxing// planning my summer// sewing// jamoca shakes{I think I had one almost every day last week}// blueberry-strawberry smoothies// homemade pizza//

Links

against tolerance 

happy 2012

Simply Trusting 

please note that I do not agree with everything on these blogs. I found the posts I linked to very encouraging and inspiring. 

my responsibilities...

-as a person: to be a person who loves Jesus, and shows it all the time…

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 Matthew 5:16

-as a Christian: to love and serve Jesus with my whole heart…

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Matthew 22:37  

-as a daughter: to be obedient and respectful{even when its hard and I don’t agree!}…

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Honour thy father and mother;

(which is the first commandment with promise;)

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

 Ephesians 6:1-3 

{Summer 2010}

-as a sister: to be loving, kind, patient and forgiving…

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,

 even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32 

{Summer 2011} 

-as a friend: to be an encouragement, to just be there…

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

{Fall 2011} 

-as a young lady: to prepare to the best of my ability for the future that God has planned for me… {Proverbs 31:10-31}

*what are your responsibilities?