This Week

This week has been incredibly lovely!
Things I've loved:

1.  My small group.  They're sweet and they make me laugh and I'm so blessed by them.

2.  Rain.  There are few things better than cuddling up on the couch with a good book watching it pour.

3.  Hope.  When life is confusing, I have solid ground to stand on.  I'm more thankful for this than any other thing.

There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary-we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!  -Romans 5:3-5 (MSG)

Taking a Breather

This summer has been wonderful for me so far.  I am working less, and I am enjoying the sweet smells and sensations of a Carolina summer.  I have had time to meet with some other wonderful women who have blessed my life so much.  I have had time to clean.  I have time to read and pray each day.
What a sweet, sweet season.
The biggest concern of mine today is having lunch with a dear friend, Anna, and maybe buying a watering can... and painting it.
Isn't it a precious idea?

 

via

And here's to you, hoping you are enjoying summer wherever you are, finding time in the busy-ness to take a deep breath!

I'm just saying...

Sometimes, when I walk into Target, I feel like they should hire me on the spot.  I made a quick run there this morning and realized that half of what I had on was from Target.  And then I came home and realized that half of what I decorate with is from Target.  And I thought, they should be paying me for these advertisements.  I'm just saying...
Here are some of my more recent cute Target purchases (I bought the husband an awesome shirt there yesterday, but I don't have him here to photograph in it, so that's missing...)

 

1.  Sweet Floppy Hat

2.  Cardigan & Striped Gray Tank

3.  Floral Flip-Flops

4.  Soap/Lotion Duo (that smells AMAZING)

5.  Decorative Bowl Filler

6.  Awesome Red Pillow

7.  Bike Portrait (for THREE dollars!)

5 Things

I was tempted to write about all of the things I need to do this week.  I'm an accomplisher.  I live to reach the next goal, be in the next season, move toward higher ground. 
However, in the last year or so, God has been teaching me how to live in the present.  I want to be the best me and the most thankful for my life right now. 
I know that God has a plan that will move us forward in life, but I never want to forget each moment that he gifts us with.  Every stage is a part of the vital process he has placed me in, and I don't want to wish any part of process away.  So, instead of writing the long list of things to do or change, I wanted to write a list of what I'm thankful for in the here and now.

5 Things I Love About Our Life TODAY:

1.  Our freedom to have nights open.  This may seem small, but Billy's job is a normal, 40-hour week, which leaves us many free nights for ministry and meeting with people.  Which leads me to #2...

2.  The ministries we are a part of.  We are involved in a few different ministries at our church, and I'm in love with each one.  Our small groups are a blessing in SO many ways, and the different services are great times of fellowship and encouragement.  Also, the outreach we get to do has changed my life, and I will never forget what it has taught us.

3.  Our precious little home.  We rent a 2-bedroom townhouse, and I adore it.  It's got so many little things that I would've never asked for myself but that I love.  It's got electricity, heat, and AC.  The walls are clean and beautiful.  I have ample space to have guests and friends, and that is the whole purpose of having a home.

4.  Our church family.  We have a ton of other young-married couples in our church right now.  I fully know that this is rare and wonderful, and I try to take advantage of it as much as possible.  Having so many other believers in the same stage of life is incredibly encouraging.  I never thought that I would have so many good friends surrounding me.  I know that if God ever moved us, this may not be the case, so I'm thankful for each and every moment with these people.

5.  My Superman husband.  I have the best husband in the world.  He really needs his own list, actually.  He's incredibly forgiving, kind, and encouraging.  Plus, I think he's really swoon-worthy handsome.  I am so awed by the leader he's become in our home.  I trust his decisions and his relationship with the Lord.  He's everything I never knew I needed.

Summer Days

Summer has begun, and I couldn't be happier!  Though living in Charleston during the summer often feels like you get smacked in the face with hot, sticky humidity every time you walk out of the door, it really is so lovely!  The beach is quite a perk, and spending time with family out in the sun is a blast.
Also, so far I have yet to get burned this summer!  I have very fair skin and used to want nothing more than to be super tan.  Last summer, I got burned a good five times, and at least three of those I was sick with a fever.  It was just terrible.  Therefore, the first time we went to the beach last weekend, dear Billy walked all through Target with me and watched me try on a good twenty hats.  I finally found one big floppy white one, and with SPF 50 in my other hand, I was a happy girl.  I reapplied every 45 minutes and have done so every time I've been in the sun this week.  If you see me, I may be pale and pasty, but it's way better than being swollen and nauseous.
Here are some pictures of our lovely summer beginnings:

 

The sweetest little boy in the world

 

My super-cool little brother