31 Days of Seasoning

I've decided to take on a blog challenge. For 31 days, I will blog about a certain topic. This will most likely be devastatingly transparent, yet it will be a window of Grace for whatever Season of Life you find yourself in.

My Season is unsettled...But Grace isn't.
Regardless of your personal season, you will empathize with the story of a girl who chooses to be seasoned.

Seasoned with Grace. Tears. Joy.

Join me on the porch of my heart. Hear the creaks of wicker rocking chairs. Feel the fall air enwrap you, reminding you that each Season of life should be treasured, and you are not alone.

Regardless of what you see, you are surrounded by Grace.

Join me starting October 1st and enjoy the Seasoning!!!

For more information, check out The Nester!

A New Friend for you to Follow

I'd like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine who just wrote her first post ever!! She has been pondering the idea of blogging for about a year now. I've gone to her in the good, bad, and ugly times for godly advice. She speaks truth and is wise beyond her years. Her heart is for women and marriages, and I truly believe you will be blessed by following her!!

So, ramble on over to Stephanie,whom I have known since I was only a few months old. We have been side by side ever since, regardless of the miles that separate us. From popcorn snacks sitting under the sink as roly poly babies to a shared margarita, we have forged a deep bond!

Love you, Steph!! I look forward to reading your beautiful thoughts. You will make a difference; you have made a difference in me!

The Grace Window

It's been awhile since my last blog. I don't feel comfortable sharing the whys or what or how. Not yet. I will soon. I'm learning to be real, and I'm learning it's ok to say you are having a hard time.

In fact, it's ok to say you are just downright hurting. Why do we act like everything is ok? Why do I care about what other people think?

Emily Freeman, from Chatting at the Sky, just released a beautiful book, Grace for the Good Girl. The cover alone makes my soul sigh with relief. I can just feel all the crazy chaos slip away and be replaced with grace.

Grace.

It's for you. It's for me. It's a window that opens to another world. A world where I can be real. A world where if I'm hurting, I'm not too prideful to tell you so. If my marriage is crumbling, I can plead for prayer. A place where I can shamefully say that I care more about what others think about me than what God thinks of me. It's true. I said it. We're being real here.

I'm a good girl. I want to be viewed as a good mom, good wife, good friend, good student, good nurse practitioner, good everything.

Did I forget I'm human? I've closed the window of Grace. I instead choose to live in my own little four-walls of self.

With His Grace timing, I was able to meet Emily and her sister The Nester at a book signing at the Nester's house.

Can we take a moment to just let this soak in??? I was in the Nester's living room, with her adorable sister, and a myriad of book decorations. Oh, and some of the best friends I could ever have. Ever.

When I got to the table to meet Emily, I poured out my heart. I gave a mini lecture on the last 8 weeks of my life, and I saw her eyes brim with tears. This is being real. She and her friend reached out to me and my friends. We connected as sisters in Christ, and I saw the Grace window.

The Nester is adorably real as well. I felt like a stalker somewhat, because I knew why she had tree stumps in her front hallway, as well as a swordfish over her TV. I know her living room, ya'll. I visit it daily through her blog, and I was having an out of body experience as I stood in her kitchen, talking with her about her decorating style. And, the best part, we made it on her blog. No one else will know who we are, except those few who know me, but it made my heart laugh.

I really have no more words. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be real with other women. Enjoy my photographic journey at the book signing!!