Consider It Pure Joy

About two weeks ago Josh told me his favorite book of the bible was James so I thought why not do a bible study together on James? I turned to my trusty She Reads Truth community and discovered that, indeed, they had done a bible study previously on James. I love love love SRT and thought it would be perfect to use their bible verses and devotionals for Joshua and I's study. 

Life has be stressed to the m a x for me these past couple months, and it seems like it is progressively becoming more and more stressful. Between trying to earn enough money so we can move out of my parent's house into an apartment, save up to pay bills, figure out where's best to live that's close to Josh's school and close to our work, and just other "grown-up marriage" stuff. Not going to lie. It's been a total suck fest for the last few months.

But that brings me to the James bible study. We are only on day two and yet it has stopped me right in my tracks and spoke right to my soul. Day 2 was about all the trials we face, that we should consider it all pure joy. If you ask me I don't consider stressing about rent, bills, and marriage problems as pure joy. Since we're being truthful here I consider it pure hell. But James tells us to consider it pure joy when trials come our way because it produces great character within us and God will use that to further His kingdom. 

I love this quote from the Day 2 devotional on trials: "Don’t get over them. Don’t rush through them or past them. Rejoice –> IN <– them.."  I am asking God to teach me how to rejoice in my trials. That sounds so... weird to rejoice in our trials, but what God says goes. So Lord, here I am. Teach me how to rejoice in my trials of every kind and teach me how to consider it all pure joy - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Interested in reading the James devotional? Here is the link to the entire James devotional study

New York, New York: An Unconventional Guide

source

New York holds a special place in my heart, it holds a miracle there. You see, two years ago this past April my mom was told she had a basketball sized tumor in her stomach. Fear, oblivion, uncertainty all settled in. How would my mom and dad be able to afford treatment for my mom with no medical insurance? I remember the early morning hours when I first found out her diagnosis. I cried. I hid away. I called Josh. The word cancer was not uttered. We prayed and cried out to God.

A week after finding out about the tumor, my parents were on their way to New York for my mom to take place in a essentially free to her research cancer treatment study. She settled down in to her apartment in Manhattan on Wall Street. The 11th floor with a window that overlooked the city.  

My two visits to New York have been no less than magical. What made my time there so magical, you ask? Let me share with you my unconventional guide to New York:

+ If you ever happen to find yourself in New York, for any period of time, make the absolute most of it.

+ Rent an apartment with a window that looks across the city.

+ From that window be sure to people watch non-stop. My sister and I would sit in my mom's living room and people watch till the wee hours of the night.

+ Sleep on the apartment couch, leave the blinds up, and let the light and noise from the city pour in. Don't get annoyed by the loud dump trucks at 2 am. Just embrace it as part of the city's culture.

+ Wake up early and go get a smoothie from the food cart right outside the apartment. Then run down the street and grab something new you haven't tried from a food truck. Feed some of it to the pigeons. 

+ Visit Central Park. Walk slowly, take it all in. Go there multiple times to see it all. Watch all the artists with their puppets, drawing portraits, dancing, singing, playing instruments. Go ahead and throw some change in their tip jar. You just might make their day. Be sure to tell them how well they are doing.

+ Go visit the Museum of Natural History, but don't do it on the same day that you visit Central Park. Your feet will be screaming at you, loudly.

+ Be sure to go to the 2nd Ave Deli. Order the hot corned beef sandwich, Matzoh Ball soup, and a chocolate soda. Even if you don't have to use the bathroom, just walk in there and press the button on the toilet to watch how the sanitize the seat. Afterwards, go visit the Empire State building. Be sure to get the ipod that they offer for 10 extra dollars that tells you all about the history of NY. It is very worth it.

+ Eat greek food and then go to the bakery shop and buy a pack of macaroons. 

+ Grab a cupcake from Crumbs bakery and take it down to Seaport to eat. Be sure to take fancy photo's of it.

+ Walk all the streets of New York. As much as you can. Ride the subway to Rockaway beach. Pick up a bag of chips and sandwiches to eat while the waves crash at your feet. Share with the seagulls. It'll make for great pictures.

Just remember, if you ever find yourself in New York to make the most of it, to have a good time, and to create an adventure that you will never forget. 

Friday Letters

Dear Nashville, sometimes, when I angle the camera just right, you all of a sudden resemble New York City to me. Thank you for helping remind me of my most favorite magical city. Dear diet Dr. Pepper, you are my absolute weakness. I need to quit you. Dear life, you're an absolute hot mess, but it's a good one. Dear husband, two years to the exact date you asked me to be your wife. Our journey began at the top of the local science museum tower which overlooked the Nashville skyline. In ten days will be our one year anniversary. My, how time flies.

I hope your weekend is everything you wish it to be. Have an adventurous one :)

Proverbs 15:1

I wanted to share this short little devotional with you tonight. I just came across it and I love the message of it. I want to apply Proverbs 15:1 daily to my life.

From Spiritual Inspiration:

Throughout life, there will always be something that will try to take our joy. If it’s not a grumpy sales person, it’s a family member aggravating you, traffic is backed up, your flight got delayed, or your spouse is taking too long! Don’t go the next 20 years allowing the same people and same circumstances to frustrate you. Change your approach. What’s upsetting you now doesn’t have to upset you anymore. You can choose to keep your cool and stay calm and steady. Remember, a relaxed attitude is going to lengthen your life. The next time you’re tempted to be upset, ask yourself, “Is this really worth me giving up my joy?”

If you’ll make this decision to not give away your joy, to live each day happy, God promises you’ll be strong, you’ll have better relationships and you’ll accomplish more. He says a joyful heart is good medicine! Hold on to your joy and move forward into the abundant life God has in store!

Favorite Finds {1}

I honestly have been so overwhelmed recently with the happenings going on in my life. I can honestly say I have never been this busy before in my life. I want to blog regularly so I have decided to try to write out a blog posting schedule and try to stick to it. So in the mean time I thought I would share some of my favorites from this past week!

Thinking about framing this and hanging it on the wall when we get our own place soon

+ Charles Martin books. I just finished reading Chasing Fireflies by him and it was just so good. It was my first book of his I read.

+ The Hive - a British children's cartoon. I was scrolling through Netflix yesterday while I was babysitting two of my favorite girls and stumbled upon this cartoon. I clicked play and Evelyn loved it. It's so adorable. I definitely recommend it for the kiddos!

+ I love this romper! It is so cute. If only I could afford it... 

+ This children's book and this children's book are sooo cute and good. They both have great messages and the illustrations are wonderful. I read them both to the almost 6 year old I watch and she loved them both.

+ Last night I washed my hair with aloe vera and apple cider vinegar. A couple weeks ago I started washing my hair with baking soda and apple cider vinegar but it just hasn't been working good for me, but the aloe vera & apple cider vinegar combination works wonderful for my hair. 

+ I have started utilizing Pinterest for mine and Josh's benefit. I have pinned soooo many "date night questions to ask your spouse" and I have started actually using them now. Josh surprisingly loved it and I am going to try to start incorporating the questions most days possible. I have learned quite a bit about him in just the few questions I asked him.

+ These guinea pig photos have made me have "guinea pig fever". Haha seriously though. Since Josh & I can't afford a dog right now I think I am going to try to talk him into getting me a guinea pig once we get a place.

+ I LOVE this color scheme for the living room! 

I love this too. Gonna have to hang it up.

What have been some of your favorite finds this week?

Have a happy Tuesday!

Weekend Recap

Recap:

One. I saw The Fault In Our Stars, not once, but twice already. I cried like a baby both times. Ugly sobs with tons of sniffling. The second time Josh came with us to see it and after Augustus told Hazel he was sick, Josh looked at me and goes "Wow, you're really crying." Yes dear, Yes I am.

Two. My sister and I went to the City of Hope celebrity softball game on Saturday! Our two favorites were Jessie & Eric Decker! They are so stinkin' cute. The two bottom pictures are of Jessie and Eric.

Three. We saw a car on fire on the way back from the softball game! Everybody seemed to be out of the car and okay.

Four. Sooo, I may or may not have remembered to put sunscreen on at the softball game. You can see the result of that, as pictured above, but no fear! A friend recommended Australian Gold Moisture Lock to apply on the sunburn and oh that stuff works wonders!

Five. Josh and I went to the park on Saturday to meet up with a few friends for a picnic and to play some games. We had a blast and Ryland even got to tag along too. We put a little flower through the hole in his ear. He didn't mind it that much ;)

Six. My dad is a country artist (and a few other genres at times) musician so he is always playing a gig somewhere. He played at the Nashville Palace this past weekend and we had never been before so the whole family went to watch him play. It was a lot of fun :)

Favorites From the Week:

Small Infinities: Thoughts on "The Fault In Our Stars" - great post on TFIOS that relates it to the bible

I hope everyone has a fantastic and blessed Monday!

Taking Stock

Making : plans for next weeks babysitting festivities to do with all my girls
Cooking : nothing really! Since moving in with my parents I haven't had to do a whole lot of cooking which has lead to some bad eating habits so I am going to try to start cooking and making meal plans next week!
Drinking : a whole lotta diet dr. pepper. I need help. But I am also loving Panera's green tea. It is amazeballs.
Reading: Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin, Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans, A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans, and Living So That by Wendy Blight
Wanting: to make a thrift store run for some clothes; also wanting a red pair of Keds
Looking: at the Walking Dead on tv right now
Playing: a lot of games with my husband's five year old cousin I am babysitting throughout the weekdays
Wasting: nothing I can think of
Sewing: nothing, but I want to learn!
Wishing: and praying that God would give us the house I am entering to win
Enjoying: the rainy evening, candles twinkling, and the Walking Dead on television
Waiting: for Josh to get home
Liking: that I am able to rest the rest of the night 
Wondering: if the "no-poo" method I'm using on my hair will work
Loving: that my dog is curled right up next to me
Hoping: that my sister and I get to meet Eric & Jessie Decker on Saturday at the City of Hope softball game
Marveling: at how good God really is to me, no matter what, and that He truly deeply loves me
Needing: a vacation!
Smelling: candles
Wearing: nike shorts and my light blue Washburn General Store tee
Following: so many inspiring instagrams 
Noticing: how my mom's chihuahua is sleeping in her arms. It is so cute!
Knowing: that this summer is going to be a blast
Thinking: that I am way too tired
Feeling: so sleepy
Bookmarking: June Photo A Day Challenge (I can't wait to start it tomorrow!)
Opening: McDonald's bags way tooooo often. I need to start being healthy again
Giggling: at the three dogs trying to chase each other out in the yard
Feeling: plain wore out