The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

We're almost there. Just a few more days until Christmas! Days of eating food we'll spend the next few weeks trying to work off, receiving presents we didn't want to buy ourselves, buying gifts for others we'll spend all year paying off, and spending time with family we don't see often. But, it's the most wonderful time of the year, right? (Disclaimer: I absolutely LOVE Christmas and promise this is not a cynical post. I really do have a point).

Despite overeating & overspending, most of us look forward to this season more than any other time of the year. And let's face it, some of us look forward to the overeating & overspending as well! There's so much anticipation and joy surrounding Christmas. The decorations, putting up the tree, the beautiful music, cooking & baking, finding that perfect gift for someone close to us, being surrounded by family & friends, and most of all, celebrating a man named Jesus that chose to come in infant form to rescue us from ourselves. It's the most amazing gift we could & will ever receive on this earth. And even if all the other wonderful things surrounding this season did not exist, that's reason enough to celebrate.

But, in the midst of the excitement & joy, I realize it's not so joyful for everyone. In reality, it's the most difficult time of year for some. Over the last few weeks, I've had a friend that lost a baby, another friend in the hospital, co-workers who have lost loved ones, & several who have lost jobs. All very difficult circumstances, but amidst the Christmas season, even more so. I had a heavy heart as I was praying about this recently. These are people I care about. Why are they being asked to walk through these trials? And, why now? Not the best timing, I would say. But, even more sobering, why not me? The answers to these questions are outside of my understanding, and the last thing I want is to sound like Scrooge (remember, I love Christmas & everything that goes along with it!). But I do want to help us look beyond ourselves to see the needs of others. There are people in your life, and mine, who need a little extra encouragement right now. Maybe they need monetary help. Maybe they need someone to hold them while they cry. Or, they might need Jesus.

I'm guilty of focusing too much on the gifts I need to buy, the cookies I need to bake, or the cards I need to send, that I forget Christmas is really about Christ. And part of that is being Christ to others in tangible ways. Love came in the form of a perfect child named Jesus so not only could we know a love unlike any other, but so we could also give it away. It is the most wonderful time of year simply for that reason.

I challenge each of us to look for ways to bless others this Christmas season. I promise, they're everywhere if we'll just take the time to notice.

Tis the Season!

It's Christmastime again, and I love it! I especially love finding the perfect gift for the people in my life. Makes me happy! And, if you're watching your pennies (like I am!), then you'll appreciate budget-friendly gift ideas. Here's a fantastic blog with 25 ideas for great, handmade gifts UNDER $5!! (There's even some great jewelry!)

Who doesn't love something that has had extra thought put into it?

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2011/11/25-handmade-gifts-under-5.html

Happy gift-giving!!

Sometimes, it's the small things...

I have major hair frustrations. No matter how hard I try, I can never seem to get it to look the way I want. But, I may have just found the answer to this seemingly small problem.

Thanks to Pinterest, I stumbled upon this blog that I LOVE...

http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/

This girl has the BEST site I've found for the "how-to's" of great, trendy hairstyles for people like me who are apparently lacking skills in this area. Now, if only it doesn't take me hours to perfect AND I can get it to look like this...

What's Love Got To Do With It?

Disunity. Dissension. Division. Pride, jealously, hate. All are words with negative connotations, and sadly, all can be used to describe the Church today. You know, the group of people who call themselves Christ-followers and are supposed to be examples of unity and love to a world who desperately needs to see that lived out. Then, why aren't we? Why is it so difficult to love one another the way Jesus commanded us to? And, why does it seem we resemble the world more often than we do Christ?

I'm only asking these questions because this struggle is personal. This issue of "loving my neighbor" and being an example to those who I think aren't watching. Because they are. Sometimes, when I wish they weren't. I don't always live up to the standards by which God has called me to in this area. I blow it every day. In fact, in my own way, I've contributed to disunity in the Church. Dissension too. Division...yeah, that as well. More times than not, my own pride and selfishness keep me from fully loving people. You might be saying, "don't be so hard on yourself...we've all messed up...we're only human." And, you're right. God has far more grace allotted for me than I have for myself. But, His grace isn't a free pass. Instead, it should prompt me to strive to love others even more.

One of my very first prayers when I became a Christian was for authenticity. In my early years as a believer, I struggled with thinking I had to look, talk, act, & believe the same way my fellow Christian did. The one I thought had it all together. But, that's not truly being authentic. Nor is it glorifying to Him. We were made in His image, right? Not in one another's image. God has gifted each of us differently. He's given us different personalities, likes & dislikes, and yes, even convictions. And this is where our main issue with loving one another comes in. We think that if Joe Christian doesn't believe the same way we do, worship in the "right" way, or go to our denomination, then well, maybe he isn't as good as we are. Or as godly. But, do we really have the authority to determine that? No. Do we need to focus more on loving people in the place they're at? Yes.

I want to be the woman that God has made me to be. And, nothing less. Be the person God has made you to be. Be authentic. Follow the principles in the Word. Love the Lord. Love people. It won't be easy. God didn't promise it would be. But, it is attainable with His help. Love has everything to do with living the abundant life God has promised us. So, don't you think it's worth the fight?

A Few Fall Favorites

It's September and according to me, officially Fall! I absolutely love this time of year. Seriously. Love. I mean, who wouldn't? The trees turning magnificent shades of color, the smell of firewood, cooler temps, specialty Starbucks drinks (my favs are the caramel apple cider & the pumpkin spice latte!) adorable fall decor, and amazing fashion! I could get used to that forever. In fact, I'm convinced that heaven will be a perpetual season of Fall...maybe for me at least.

The fashion choices are defintely my favorite out of all other seasons. I look forward to taking my sweaters out of storage and pulling on my boots...which are too many to count. Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right? ;) There's just so many fun outfits, accessories, & layering you can put together! Here are just a few fashion favs (and some on my wish list)...

Love everything about this outfit! It's super easy & casual chic. The best part is, I already have everything to put this outfit together.













Anthropologie goodness. MUST have.


And, every girl's gotta have her boots. Here's a Steve Madden pair called "Ranchh" I've been eyeing lately...


I might be slightly obsessed with long cardis right now. They're so versatile! Love this one from the GAP.




And, what's a great outfit without great accessories? I really like the style of this J. Crew purse.



I'm also a jewelry fanatic. It can really pull an outfit together. I buy most of mine from Forever 21, simply because they have the best jewelry ever. Period. But, I would really like to get a few pieces from a local designer here in Nashville. Check out her blog! She's incredible. http://heavymetalbylw.blogspot.com/.

Here's one I gotta have at some point.



UH-mazing, no?

So, there you have it. These are just a few things that inspire me and get me super excited about Fall fashion!! Stay tuned for my next post which will feature outifts of my own to hopefully give you some ideas of your own! Happy Fall y'all!

Wrinkle Cream, Spanx, & Botox

Those three words can only mean one thing for a woman. Getting old. Or in my case, entering another decade of my life. That's right, I'm turning 30 in two days...THIRTY! In two days. Oh wow. I remember thinking that was ridiculously old when I was a teenager. ( I know what some of you who are um, older, are thinking right now...) Still, it's a milestone birthday and one that up until now, I've had a little apprehension about. But alas, it IS approaching quickly and like it or not, it's happening.

So, how does one really prepare to say goodbye to her 20s and hello to her 30s? I hope it's not with the three (scary) words that make up the title of this blog. Because if so, I want to stay 29, please. All kidding aside (mostly), I AM looking forward to this new decade of my life. There's something about the thought of being in my thirties that already makes me feel a little wiser and a little more confident. Notice: I said a little. My 20s were, in many ways, a roller coaster ride of emotions. Many, MANY changes took place...some great, some not so much. Needless to say, I'm hoping & praying that there will be welcomed changes and more personal growth with the beginning of this new chapter.

So what, you may ask, HAVE I learned as I leave 29 behind and embrace 30? Well, I'm glad you asked...

Not to take myself so seriously. The more I laugh at myself, (and sometimes circumstances) the more I enjoy life!

How to be more comfortable in my own skin & with my appearance. (Disclaimer: I will continue going to the gym, however, to put off wearing Spanx as long as I can!)

That, in order to avoid the other scary words (aka: wrinkle cream & botox), I need to wear sunscreen!! Or, get spray tans.

That you don't have to figure out what your dream career is by the time you are 30. Sometimes it takes a little longer than that (and a little more perseverance).

To be grateful for every blessing, now matter how big or small it might be. There's always someone in greater need.

Giving is really the avenue to receiving God's favor.

Pour into those who are younger. They need it more than you, or they, think.

That sometimes (OK, EVERY time) waiting is God's way of protecting us & preparing us for His best.

I'm sure there's more, but those are what stick out in my mind. And, by the time the next decade rolls around (yikes!), I'm sure my list will be twice as long.

So, good-bye 20s! You've been good, but I'm moving on to great.

Beautiful by Mercy Me

This is such an encouraging song for anyone who struggles with feeling beautiful...on the inside or outside! Be blessed.