[five things]

Okay, so apparently I took the entire summer off from blogging. Whoops! Getting inspired again... bear with me.

 1//Some pre-dinner snackage on pineapple

This week, I started my second part-time job: now I've got TWO. Sounds a bit daunting, but it's only 10 hours/week at each place, one of which is with my husband, so I'm really excited about the flexibility I will have. Compared to a classroom job that I was used to for 5.5 years, I'm excited to wake up when I want to, eat lunch with my husband, and plan my days accordingly.

I was inspired by Emily at Cupcakes and Cashmere to start posting "five things" on Friday that happened during the week or things I have been enjoying. Sound fun? Read on!

 2// Enjoying some nightly truths via She Reads Truth (available online and the app store): daily devotionals and bible readings for women. Plus they have super-cute scriptural/hymn wallpapers for your phone, and daily images (like above) that you can share on social media.

 3// Emily's blog: have you read it? Fashion, food, travel, beauty. Plus she's written two (I think?) books that I want to snatch up!

4// Have you heard of KEEP Collective? It's a branch off of Stella & Dot, where you can host parties and earn rewards, and sell it yourself as your personal business. My friend Jen hosted a party at her house on Tuesday and I ordered a rose gold/saddle bracelet with a "faith" key (what they call the variety of charms) to go on it. It's like a charm bracelet, but a flat version. Check out their website: it's fairly new and the fall line just released... gorgeous! (I don't sell it or anything, I just think they're cute!)

5// Y'all, it is HOT in Texas. I am ready for fall, which really arrives around end of November/December here... bummer. So when I found this article on Pinterest, I got pumped (via Stylishlyme). What style of boot do you like?

Happy weekend!

[life] The Last... June 2015

Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, TX: where Shiner Beer is made!

Y'ALL.

I am the worst! Let's just say I took June off for blogging vacation. Sound good? I have about 45,234 posts to write: our summer has been CRAZY so far, and it'll only speed up as we go into July! But I wouldn't have it any other way... summer is fabulous.

I did this post in May and many of you enjoyed it, so I thought I'd do another round for June! Feel free to borrow the questions and write your own post, then let me know in the comments so I can go check it out!

Thing I ate: Chicken Caesar Salad for lunch from a local restaurant


Thing I watched: Alfie's vlog on YouTube (I like when the YouTubers get together on each other's vlogs... so when I saw him and Zoe going to Tanya's house, I thought it'd be more entertaining... but it was a bit boring)

Account I followed on Instagram: Liz Marie's (LMB) Blog Shops account. It's where she posts all of her amazing finds! I love her blog and regular account already, so when she created this one, I knew it'd be a good one!

Activity I did: Deposited our checks (#payday) into the bank.

Product I used: Maybelline's Baby Lips in Coral Crave. Has a smooth application, keeps my lips feeling nice and smooth, and provides a subtle hint of color! It is a bit more pink/orange than this picture shows, but it's a great, natural color!

Time I was shocked: on Facebook, of course, reading some hurtful/impolite things that were said about others. I really enjoy FB for keeping up with family (especially since we live far away from them) and long-time/no-see friends, but sometimes it really is just about drama. It's so nuts! Does anyone else feel that way about social media sometimes? That's why I usually gravitate more towards Instagram: a cute picture, a little blurb, that's it! It still has drama, but not nearly as much.

Cute thing I saw: again, on Facebook. Ha! With all the drama, there does come a hint of cuteness and joy. I thought this was more "funny" than "cute" because it is TOTALLY. ME. Just ask Nate, ha! I don't know who/what "Dave" it is, but one of my friend's shared it.

There you have it! Another month, another list. Hopefully my month-long vacation doesn't turn into two months of rest and being away, because I do enjoy writing, posting, and connecting with you all! Let me know in the comments if you plan on using the list too: I want to read!

"...The great thing to remember is that, though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins, or our indifference; and, therefore, it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him." -C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity

[faith] Shhh... It's A Secret

Do y'all need to hear some good news today?

"The Gospel is the good news that the just and gracious Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful men and women and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and to show His power over sin in the resurrection so that everyone who turns from their sin and themselves and trusts in Jesus as Savior and Lord will be reconciled to God forever. " (p. 22 of the 2015 "Secret Church" study guide)

Every year, our church family participates in an intense 6-hour long bible study called Secret Church. Pastor David Platt, who is now the head of the IMB (International Missions Board), leads the study via simulcast all around the world. This year, there were more than 60,000 participants!

It is such a powerful time of study, prayer, and focus on the persecuted church. This year's focus was centered around the Christians in Vietnam who have to meet in secret to pray, worship, and study God's Word. Our brothers and sisters in Vietnam are continuing to need prayers for strength, boldness to share God's Word, perseverance when they are persecuted, more leaders to be trained, favor with the government (saved officials and the ability to be seen as beneficial), and so much more. If you feel so inclined, please add these items to your prayer list!

The theme of the study this year was "Christ, Culture, and a Call to Action". There are so many "hot button" issues in our culture today that create tension between Christians and unbelievers. Pastor David's study discussed a variety of issues and how we should respond as the church. Here are a few quotes, scriptures, and notes that I took from the study (it IS 6-hours, and 180 pages of study notes in the guide provided, so this is a smallllll portion):

"Today, the greatest challenge facing American evangelicals is not persecution from the world, but seduction by the world." -C.J. Mahaney (p. 7)

"I believe that one reason why the church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church..." -Charles Spurgeon (p. 8)

"I cannot endure existence if Jesus is not glorified; it is hell to me, if he is always dishonored." -Henry Martyn

"Jesus' death satisfied the justice of God." (p. 29)

"If Jesus, the Lord of Love and Author of Grace spoke about hell more often, and in a more vivid, blood-curdling manner than anyone else, it must be a crucial truth." -Tim Keller (p. 32)

"Hell is real. It is not a joke or a game: people saying, "Hell of a game!" or "Hell of a song!" have no idea."

"The gospel demands a decision... Will you turn from Jesus? Live without Christ now. Die without Christ forever. Or will you turn to Jesus? Die with Christ now. Live with Christ forever." (p. 34)

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20

Do you think you have done something awful? Something unforgivable? Please know, we are NOT guilty anymore! "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 (p. 41)

"The glory of God is the ultimate aim of marriage." (p. 100)

"Christianity is a religion for those who have blown it, and we all have blown it." (p. 130)

"Contemplate the price Christ paid for your purity. See Him writhing on a cross in agony. Fight tempting images with that image." (p. 132)

"God alone knows the definition of the terms [here]. I cannot precisely define who all the nations are, but I do not need to know. I know only one thing: Christ has not yet returned; therefore, the task is not yet done. When it is done, Christ will come. Our responsibility is not to insist on defining the terms; our responsibility is to complete the task. So long as Christ does not return, our work is undone. Let us get busy and complete our mission." -George Ladd (p. 159)

Y'all, there is so much goodness and knowledge and love and promise in this study, and I would type out the entire thing (if I knew y'all would read it, ha!). Please, please, if you have never ever heard of the promises and love of God and what His Son has done for us all, please let me know. I would love to start an e-mail chat with you on sharing what He has done in my life and how He is ready to be in yours. If you have heard of God/Christ/Holy Spirit before and are confused on what it means to be a follower of Christ, I would love to share with you!

For my Christian sisters (and brothers: do guys read my blog?), be bold and strong in your faith. Share what Christ has done in your life and how He can be a part of others' lives. As Mr. Ladd said above, until Christ returns, our work is not done. We are to speak boldly, truthfully, and with love. Stand firm with your church family. We can do this because Christ did it for us.

Love you guys! Have a great week!

[faith] He Is Risen, Indeed

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter yesterday! We enjoyed the weekend with my parents and friends in town visiting. We worshiped together at church yesterday, rejoicing in our Risen Savior! We sang the song "Forever" by Kari Jobe/Brian Johnson: if you haven't heard it before, take a listen! "Now death, where is your sting? Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated! Forever, He is glorified! Forever, He is risen high!" 

Just gives me chills. We serve a Risen Savior who is living in the hearts of His church, the body of believers! We shouldn't recognize this truth just on Easter Sunday, but every single day.

Like I said, we celebrated the weekend with friends. They had never visited our area of TX before, so we showed them around (Warrenton and a couple of wineries, shopping, and eating too)! We had such a blast: here are snippets of the weekend we had together!

The most delicious creamed corn/Frito combination.

Washers at our local winery

Our communion table this Easter Sunday at church

Easter lunch selfie!

Such a fun weekend celebrating together and spending time with our favorite people on the planet. How did you celebrate this weekend? Have a great week!

[love] #shereadstruth

One of my 30 before 30 items is to complete the Beth Moore "Esther" bible study on my own. This is proving to be difficult (I mean, I still have 2.5 years to complete my list, so we'll see) because I find that it is such a beautiful thing to have a community of believers to participate in a study with.

I was a part of our Women's Bible Study at my church, but while that is still going on currently, I have taken up the teaching of our Children's Bible Study that occurs at the same time. While I do miss the community of ladies sharing and learning together, I felt that it was important to serve my church in this way by leading the children's ministry.

Luckily, I found "She Reads Truth", an online community of girls/ladies who participate in bible studies together online. I'm not sure if you follow me on Pinterest, but I have been "pinning" the lessons like crazy: they are that good! The team just finished posting a study on Ruth, and are currently doing a study on The Sermon on the Mount. It is great too if you are on the go or have a crazy schedule, because they leave all the posts up: when Nate went into the hospital and we then went on vacation, I was able to pick up where I left off once we returned to a state of normalcy.

This is a free website, by the way. Each day, there is a new study posted. It is short, supplies the scripture reference(s) you will need, and there is always a visual to "pin" or even use as your phone wallpaper: this is my current wallpaper (it's Ruth 2:12, the "memory verse" for the week):

I highly recommend this site if you are looking to increase your study of the Word while doing so with fellow ladies. The study is enriching. The words spoken are truth. The insight from the writers immediately clicks and you can totally relate to what they are saying. Plus, Emily from Jones Design Company designs for them, so all of their artwork and graphics are super cute! Click the links above to see what I mean! P.S. I wasn't paid or perked to advertise, I just enjoy the site that much!

Happy Monday! Let me know if you have used #shereadstruth before and/or if you plan on looking into it! We can study together!