Life is Spelled H-E-C-T-I-C

Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Gosh..where has the time gone?!
I wake up...it's Monday. I go to bed.. it's Sunday. 

Ever feel like you just can't get things to slow down? Literally it's all you can do to keep your head above water? 

We get swept up in our daily plans of this, that and the other, that we MUST get accomplished today...and we forget that this day has already been planned for us! Our Father knows the chaos, the confusion, the stress, the burdens, the fear... (the list goes on and on..) that we'll be facing today but we must remember it all comes with purpose.

So back to how incredibly sorry I am for being in such a BUSY season right now AND let's hit the highlights of these past few days and get back on the same page together!

1. My baby sister is a SENIOR y'all!! 

WHAT?!?! Give me a second while I catch my breath.. I'm having a harder time than I thought, coming to the realization that she is no longer the "baby Abby" that I called my own... 

With the juiciest baby cheeks and static hair that stood up for days..

The happy baby I pulled around in our little red wagon through the front yard, searching for daffodils.

The beautiful little girl who would melt your heart with her laughter... 

The bowl-cut beauty who the other children flocked to because of her nurturing heart... 

The painter, the cupcake maker, the first base star, the chef, the star student.. 

This girl has 

GOT. IT. ALL.

And she is GRADUATING!!

 (cue the tears...)

These are just some of the senior pictures I took of her! Isn't she just gorgeous!! So proud. Can't you tell?!

2. Abby had her 18th birthday last week.
Mom and I have been planning it for nearly two weeks prior and boy did it turn out to be exciting!! We planned a scavenger hunt for her, starting right as she got out from school, with notes leading her to all these different places around town. She got her ears pierced, got her hair and make up done, got a new outfit, the whole nine yards!!

I think it's safe to say, she was SHOCKED. 

Her biggest surprise was that she thought none of her friends were going to either be in town or get to see her after school (I called them all & told them to tell her that) and after she got home from her afternoon of surprises.. Her last surprise came in the form of all her friends piled in a truck coming up the driveway to take her to dinner!! 


Can't believe we were able to time everything right and actually pull it all off. Abby was Happy, Happy, Happy :)

3. I GOT A JOB!
Yes you heard right, after a season of complete trust in the Lord and patience like I've never experienced, I found the right job for me!! I've found a place where I can constantly put my creative juices to work, I'm always writing (which I LOVE to do) and I'm interacting with all kinds of people on a daily basis! I'm beyond excited to share the news with you and as soon as I complete my first day on the job, this coming Monday 9/16.. I promise you'll hear ALL about it!!

So I've pretty much summed up what my days have consisted of and why I've been away in three bullets. These things have consumed my time, but I've been loving every minute of it.

You don't need me to tell you, life gets hectic. 
We all have those experiences in common.

But by putting our COMPLETE trust in the Lord, from the moment we wake up, rubs our tired eyes, hit the alarm clock and put our feet on the floor, we've already started our day off right!

Memorize this verse today and write it on your heart, Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. Trust in our Creator's ultimate plan and he will guide you through whatever season you're going through. I know, because He has shown that to ME!!!

A few short months ago, I felt like I had no direction, no car, no job, no money, no plan.. none of the earthly things we place so much importance on.

But it was in the moments that I felt I had nothing, I discovered that I have EVERYTHING. The Lord FILLS our cup. He GIVES US the desires of our heart. He is a LOVING, CARING Father who wants nothing more than to have a relationship with YOU.

You can try and make your own plans, but not until you give those plans over to the Lord will we ever understand fulfillment, and joy beyond measure!

Thank you Father for being a caring God who loves His children unconditionally. We ask for help, because we live in a world that pressures us to live selfishly and to place importance on earthly things, things that are not everlasting. Lord, forgive us for falling into these temptations and change our hearts to let go of things that we cannot control. Thank you for the seasons that aren't the easiest, because without them we wouldn't appreciate and know true joy! Thank you Lord for our many blessings and help us to show others your love.-Amen

Until next time :)
-A

Write It On Your Heart

Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths."

I remember being in Sunday School and my teacher would have us memorize verses just like this one.

How awesome it is to come back to this same verse, (that didn't mean a whole lot to me then) and now that many seasons have passed, means more to me than I could even begin tell you!!

I just started reading the book of Proverbs and over the years I've highlighted verses here and there, but I've never gone through the entire thing... so what better time than than now to get started?!

Breaking this verse down a bit: author of Proverbs, Solomon, tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

If you're human, you go through difficult times that cause you to doubt.
I talked a little bit about doubting in my last post.

But friends, I've been struggling with doubt myself. I'm going through a season of unemployment and, more times than not, I have been discouraged as I venture out on my own to find the right job for me. If you've ever gone through or are going through this particular season, you know all too well how easy it is to get weighed down by the weight of disappointment and rejection.

It seems like every time I turn around, another rejection email comes in...

"You've got many great qualities 

and while you would shine at any organization, 

we have decided to take a different route

...yadda yadda...

thanks for your time."

Rough stuff I tell you.

But even when the going gets rough, and the doubt starts to creep in, we have to remember to trust in the Lord. Not just a little bit.. but with all of our hearts!

Here's the part that has just hit me over the head like a ton of bricks... 

I can't do this on my own.

That's right, you heard me... I need to seek the counsel of others to get through this time. I can't rely on my own understanding to lift this weight I'm carrying around with me. I have to seek out my Christian friends and mentors for encouragement and listen to their advice.

Now be wary of what advice you take to heart. Solomon also talks about writing these commands 3:3 "deep within your heart" and listen to avoid those who speak lies and not the truth.

How can we tell the difference?

We need to dust off our Bibles and dive right into God's love story to US!!! And it's His counsel that is the most important of all! Solomon goes on to say in 2:3 "we need to cry out for insight and understanding" and 1:7 "fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline."

It wasn't until I sought out the guidance of other friends who delight in the Lord's promises and heard encouragement from them and from these verses in Proverbs, that I began to feel at peace about where I am in my life.

The Lord is going to direct my path. That I know for sure because it's already predetermined. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Since before you and I were knitted together in our mother's womb, God knew that we would be in each of our current seasons and only He knows where we'll be 5 days... 5 weeks... 5 years from now.

Thank the Lord for this promise! He just asks that we give it all to Him and let Him take it from there.

Together, lets trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean on good friends that will help us live out our lives for Christ, no matter the season.

Thank you Father for knowing everything there is to know about us. Help us to truly give our fears and worries to you and never doubt in your plans for our lives. Help us to be a friend for those who need friendship and love, and also help us to go to others when we need guidance ourselves. We love you Lord and thank you for all our many blessings! -Amen.

Until next time :)
-A