Sometimes words seem so cliche and empty.

So I've made up my mind. I want to do a lot less talking and a lot more showing and serving!

Actions carry so much weight! :)

Take it from a girl who has a history with jean jumpers!

Rules relating to JEANS and anything JEAN!

Listen up ladies and gentlemen!

These are just the rules I live by. J Please feel free to add your suggestions!

length// is key in the selection of a pair of jeans! You have the ability to look like Huckleberry Finn or a slob all in the matter of an inch or two! Who would of thought?!

ladies

If you’re wearing heels- your jeans should then have a little more length to them. Ankle jeans and heels are a bad combo!

If you’re wearing flats- make sure your jeans don’t trail behind you.

Wash// You can never go wrong with a dark pair of jeans! Haven’t seen many bleach washes going around lately, so I think everyone is getting the memo!

Fit//

Last time I checked jinco jeans were no longer in style unless you are living in 1995. In other words, baggy/ wideleg jeans are not my favorite.

I’m a fan of skinny jeans, but if your skinny jeans look like they are spray painted on your body then maybe you should get a new pair!

If you’re not a fan of the skinny jeans, go for the straight legs! Just sayin!

Everything else jean related

Jean + Shorts = JORTS

Hey Ladiesss!

Throw away your dazy dukes. That’s right, you heard me! Don’t even drop them off at goodwill! There are too many short jean shorts floating around. Let’s put a stop to them!

Gentlemen

Jorts should never be an option. Period.

Only 2% of the guy population can make some cut of jorts work. Most likely you are not in the 2%!

Jeans + Jean Jacket = JOUTFIT

don't let it happen to you!

jean accessories

Jean purses

Jean comforters

Jean leggings (jeggings)

Jean backgrounds

Jean looking bathing suits

Pretty much every jean accessory in existence should be retired.

Why I think it is crucial for people to abide by these rules?..I don't know, I suppose I'm a jean snob. Do what you will!

Was reminded yesterday that the Lord is always on time!

He's never early and never late.

What sweet timing it always is :)

Fantastic Friday!

Let me introduce you to fantastic Friday! My favorite day of the week,
and the day I will document anything random, fantastic, an observation or a story worth telling from the week!

1// It's official, the coffee shop is now my living room! I haven't gone a day this week without being there with friends! They study for their classes and I read, write, people watch or try and distract them for a few minutes! Quality people watching I must say. My favorite group so far is the knitting group. They have the most interesting and amusing conversations of all time. I'm officially a creeper!

2// I have such an incredible community of friends! A movement in Fort Myers is about to happen!!

3// One of my best friends is back in town for a couple months, and I couldn't be happier! Laughing is all we do!

4// I put myself on a tight budget to save money from here on out, and it is going well! A good discipline for me and it causes me to be creative and intentional with my time and stewardship!

5// There is so much routine in my life. So routine I almost back into the same business man pulling out of the driveway every morning! So I'm trying to switch it up as much as possible by adding something into the mix. Change the scenery, the time, the place etc! It has been glorious!

6// Liv's birthday is tomorrow and I feel like it's Christmas! I'm just so excited to spend the day celebrating her birth let me tell ya!

7// It's crazy the opportunities you have to reach out to people and hear their stories when you get over yourself and are available. This week has been so full of good conversations :)

8// We went night kayaking with a group of people a few days ago! 4 people on each 2 person kayak during shark feeding time. It. was. hilarious. Tipped about 5 times out in the deep. Not terrifying at all!

9// Brooke is about to have her baby!! Why do we have to live so far away from each other??? Can't wait to meet little Anderson!!

I could go on forever, but I will stop! What a great week it was!

Everything else I write just gets scratched out...because all I am really learning is that...

I'm just a beggar at the foot of the cross.

Dressed in rags. I’m unworthy, penniless, weak, and hungry.

SYATP!

What a sweet blessing this morning was!

Got to join my small group girls at their public middle school this morning for prayer!

About 12 kids showed up, but what a powerful time of prayer it was! We had students from all different walks of life with different stories and a whole lot of baggage and hurts. Their honesty and hunger to know Jesus blows me away!

Please join with me in prayer for each one of these girls. Each name represents a girl who is being bullied, a family that is falling a part and girls who have been abandoned by their parents.

Jasmaine
Sierrah
Jesenia
Jordan
Rebbecca

Our God is the ultimate healer, provider, comforter and faithful Father! May His name be glorified!

Awkward Explosion!

Ok, so this is where I'm at!

You've either been in this stage // I applaud you and need encouragement!
Are in this stage// let's walk this road together or
You are about to be in this stage // get ready!

Or maybe I'm a loner! Wouldn't surprise me one bit!

It's the awkward in between stage...I'm not talkin about the "I'm a 6th grade girl...don't wear deodorant, and run around sweaty chasing boys kind of stage." I'm referring to the stage when you feel out of place, removed and uprooted from everything you have always called home.

That is me, oh my!

I am slowly feeling the effects of the Lord taking dear things and dear people away from me, so I can follow Him with no distractions during this next time of preparation and transition.

There are aches ,pains and hurts, but He is faithful and knows best!

I have no answers...only direction! I am so thankful for that! If I had the slightest clue during this time I would find a way to mess it up!

Losing grip feels awkward!! But let me tell you, how sweet it is to be freed up to to cling to the one who has filled my lungs with each breath!

His way is perfect!

 2 Samuel 22:31-37//

 ³¹ "As for God, his way is perfect;
       the word of the LORD is flawless.
       He is a shield
       for all who take refuge in him.
 ³² For who is God besides the LORD ?
       And who is the Rock except our God?
 ³³ It is God who arms me with strength
       and makes my way perfect.
 ³⁴ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
       he enables me to stand on the heights.
 ³⁵ He trains my hands for battle;
       my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
 ³⁶ You give me your shield of victory;
       you stoop down to make me great.
 ³⁷ You broaden the path beneath me,
       so that my ankles do not turn

What are you known for?

This might come across as harsh, but bear with me!

Why is it that when you ask someone how their walk is their immediate response is...

->>Great, I’m really involved at my church. I’m in the choir, work with the soup kitchen, volunteer in the preschool ministry on Sundays, started a basket weaving ministry and so on. <--

This is when I think…WAIT! You’re missing it!!

How involved you are at church has NOTHING to do with your love for the Lord and relationship with Him!

I have been this person and still fight it.

I didn’t know how to say no, I was always the go to for things; I was too busy and so involved that my time with the Lord was suffering. I was just plain exhausted.

We will be known by our fruit! Walking with Jesus isn’t exhausting and chaotic. It’s anything but that! It's simple. Slow down and step away. Protect your time with the Lord and pick something your called to and pursue it!

Being involved at Church is great, but when it gets in the way and distracts you from being disciplined in your Faith and available for what the Lord has specifically created you to do is when it’s wrong. Satan wants to creep in and get you so busy that you don’t have time to read your Bible, be held accountable, lead your family, pray for your friends, humbly serve, and share the Gospel with your neighbors and those around you.

I can think of a bunch of things in my life that cloud my vision.

Matthew 7: 15-23 //
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

What’s keeping you from being known as a disciple and not just a --> busy always around kind of person?



Psalms 19:7-8♥

Psalms 19:7-8

The Law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

I will not be shaken! 

For my God revives my soul, 

His direction is right and brings joy to my heart,

His commands are radiant and give light to my eyes!

 

 

Just Sayin!

Cookie Cutter or White Picket Fence // Call it what you like, but....

There is nothing "cookie cutter" about my life. It is messy, all over the place, it's confusing. It's random, seasons are always changing.

Who said there was anything wrong with that?!

I'll be honest. I have wanted a cookie cutter, nice and neat, look good on paper kind of life too many times.

This kind of desire leads me to disappointment every time!

A cookie cutter life does nothing but point to self achievement and strength.

Why you ask? Cause a cookie cutter life doesn't need Jesus. Nor is it a life that relies solely upon Him.

Following Jesus is messy, it's random, it's hard and there are many seasons.

When I filter my idea of what I want my life to look like through God's Word, I realize that I don't want anything to do with those ideals and expectations.

Just give me Jesus.

I want the mess
I want the random

I want the seasons

If just to know Him more and daily walk beside Him

That, my friends, is a rich life!! The most incredible walk there is and one full of adventure!

So lets redefine our idea of what is rich, what achievement really looks like.

I want to be

Disciplined

Faithful

Willing

Available

&ready

For anything He calls me to do!

Hold me accountable to this. Have hard conversations with me. Ask me about my motives and intentions. I need it!

Matthew 16:24&25//Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.♥

Do I stand alone in this?