The Circle: What's In My Bag

Kiki and Meg are hosting The Circle this month! If you haven't heard, they're doing a "what's in your bag" theme this time around.

Today you get a candid look into my bag. I'm a big bag full of stuff kind of person. I have a main purse, but I have back ups for different activities and outfits. This means that everything isn't always transferred from one bag to the next. Today's look shows that there are several things missing.

My "go-to" bag. Macy's Christmas Sale 2012

I emptied my purse this morning and found...

* a waterbottle

* a clean pair of socks (on long drives after a day of sandals I'm ready for something on my feet)

* my sunglasses case that my Mom and I made together (I try so hard to be crafty...)

* the black pouch is what I keep my cellphone in

* my purse hanger (I found this in the gift section of a little sandwich shop and it's GREAT)

* chapstick, hair clips, thumbdrive, paint chip, and a quarter

* pen, grocery lists, sticky notes, and movie stubs (apparently screen 6 is where it's at?!?!)

* my keys: keychain was my Grandma's, my brother gave me the dog tag piece in South Dakota last February, and the ribbon is so that I can always find them wherever they end up in my bag

* my wallet 

When I bought this purse I knew I wanted a crossbody strap AND a short strap. I had a picture in my head of what I hoped it would look like and this was IT. When I saw the little sparrow on the front, the deal was sealed - it's my favorite thing about this bag!

What's in YOUR bag?

PS - There are still TWO days to enter my Coconut Oil GIVEAWAY!!! Click HERE to enter!

PPS - Have you entered the PenPal project I'm hosting with Kiki? Click HERE to sign up! 

Taking Stock

July 4, 2014

I'm sitting here this morning thinking about life after a pretty great holiday weekend. I'm drinking ice water when what I really want is some of the cold brewed coffee I have in my fridge...Holidays mean getting together with friends and family and catching up on everything.

As I sat by the pool talking to Elaina the other night trying to explain what I'm up to these days, the frustration that I often feel disappeared.

I don't have a "career". 

I don't have a house or a family of my "own".

I don't have a plan beyond the end of the summer.

Sure, I have a lot of: "if this, then thats" to fall back on if I ever need to...But, for the most part, my life is simple and not very admirable.

Maybe you're in the same boat. Maybe life hasn't turned out like you thought it would and you're wondering "what now?!?!?!". Maybe you're making it but the pressure you feel from everyone around you has you questioning if you're really doing the right thing.

Keep your head up, your eyes on God, and your spirit set on eternity! 

Wherever you go, whatever you do, there is one thing you're called to do and that is to KNOW God and to make Him known.

Seasons come and go. Sometimes we're sure and sometimes we're barely hanging on.

The point is this...

Don't get frustrated trying to figure things out or explain yourself. Know that your life is your life and it's been given to you by God. Be wise and serve Him, but don't let the culture or the fears or the voices in your head try to take away the beauty that is NOW.

When my eyes are on God, I am sure. When my eyes are on God, hanging on is easy. When my eyes are on God, the frustration disappears.

I've shared this verse a lot on this blog and it's the verse I'm always coming back to...

"For my determined purpose is that I may know God. 
That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, 
perceiving, recognizing, and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly. 
That I may be continually transformed in spirit into His likeness..."
Philippians 3:10

What do I want out of life? Simply put, to know God, to be more like Christ, and to be led by the Holy Spirit. Wherever I go, whatever I do, I always have that to call my own. Right now, it looks like keeping a house and spreading that love to the people in the little circle that God has given me. 

 I think I'll take it.

Currently pt. 3

July 1, 2014

On Monday I realized that it was the last day of June. If I wrote June a letter it would simply read:

"Dear June, 

That was fast."

Summer is my very favorite. I don't know what all July will hold but the plans are rolling in and I am starting to get pretty excited about it all. 

Currently I am...

wishing: That my summer plans included a trip to South Carolina and Cape Cod. I've got family and friends to see and I'm getting a little homesick for both...One day these trips will happen. For now, I've got a lot of stuff going on right where I'm at! :) 

celebrating: The fact that the pool is open,  the 4th (with a big group at Nicky's Mom's and sister's places), and hopefully a few cook outs and summer in general.

wearing: In May I brought in the summer skirts and dresses. In June I found myself wearing comfy shorts and tshirts. All of that continues and thanks to the sun, the freckles are coming out too.

cooking: The freezer is stocked with all kinds of meat and I've picked up flour and baking chips (chocolate and butterscotch). I've got recipes for beef brisket, butterscotch blondies, and lemon meringue pie to test out. In the meantime, I'm making old favorites like meatloaf, BBQ pork (complete with cornbread and beans), and Mexican food (white enchiladas, tacos, rice, nachos, etc.). I've been making sure that there's always some coffee, sweet tea, or lemonade in the fridge that is ready to enjoy.

planning: The highlight of highlights of my summer is that my brother and sister are going to be attending a camp and while they are busy during the day, my Mom and I are going to hang out together in a new to us city. Mom, if you're reading this, we really need to get an itinerary going!

Head over to Jenna and Anne's blogs to link up your currently post!

Post to Post: A Penpal Project

I don't know about you, but I love getting actual LETTERS in the mail.

A few months ago, Kiki and I were talking about how much we enjoy getting mail and how thankful we are for the friendships we've made because of blogging. That's when we decided to team up to offer a penpal program for bloggers! Post to Post: A Penpal Project was born and today is the day you all get to join in!!!


How It Works: 

* Fill out a form to sign up by clicking HERE.

* Spread the word about Post to Post because signups don't close until July 14th.

* By July 16th you will receive an e-mail letting you know who your partner is and who is responsible to write first.

* We would love to see you keeping up your new friendships, so at the beginning of each month (through December) you'll receive an e-mail with a prompt that will help you to keep writing!

What I Learned in June

June 2, 2014

June 20, 2014

June 17, 2014

June flew by this year. The last few Junes have been wet and cold and everything but summer. One June day a few weeks ago I found myself realizing how nice and summery THIS June had been. The next day, the rain came.

Strange how that works isn't it? Still, I was glad for the rain and so were some of my plants. It made our week at the ranch extremely pleasant and it gave me something to look forward to in July.

In June I learned some strange things...

I learned that gopher snakes and bull snakes are the same. Due to an ENORMOUS one that showed up in our barn, I learned that they can climb and that they can be constrictors. If you want to see the picture, I'll show you...It was so large, you won't believe your eyes!

I learned that Lily Tomlin did the voice of Miss Frizzle on The Magic School bus. I always liked Miss Frizzle, so this was a little weird to find out.

I learned the actual meaning of a few sayings which turn out to come from boxing. "Throw in the towel" is what happens when the coach sees that his boxer is being BEAT and so he throws in the towel to concede the match. "Box you out" literally means to box someone out of the match or ring.

Blogger's autocorrect taught me that it is "glaringly" and NOT "blaringly". I wonder how many times I've said that one wrong?

I learned that lemongrass essential oil is supposed to be good for varicose veins.

I learned the steps involved in studying the Bible for comprehension-interpretation-application thanks to Jen Wilkin. My personal journey towards true Bible literacy begins in July!

I learned that lupine grows on its own in the "wild" thanks to Dennis and his knowledge of native plants. Do you know that my lupine plant is one of the few things I've killed....Tells you my green thumb has major issues.



June included two trips to see my friends from the ranch, many hours of read aloud time with my brother and sister, one skype session with my other brother, several cook outs, learning to play "A Perilous Parlor Game" (it's designed after The Series of Unfortunate Events and is super fun), and a couple of spontaneous trips to the city.

Before I sign off today I have a couple more things to tell you about:

 The first one is that I have another surprise up my sleeve that involves YOU guys. I was planning to drop a few hints, but I haven't yet. Let's just say I'm really excited and I think you will be too. Turns out, reveal day is TOMORROW!

The second thing is that as Crossway prepares for the release of Jen Wilkin's book, they are offering to help you get in the Word by emailing you throughout the month of July. You can find out more and sign up by clicking HERE. I'm signed up and looking forward to seeing what kinds of hints and articles and videos they share!

What did you learn in June?