Coffee Date

Photo from here. 

If I were on a coffee date with you,I would be sitting in a comfy chair( if there is one) by a window. I would order either a Mocha Frappuccino or a caramel macchiato since those are two of my favorite drinks.

We would skip the small talk, cause as an introvert i am just not into that. I like the heart to heart talks the best.  I would ask How you are doing? And how your family is? Then i Would ask about your summer plans and what God is doing in your life lately.

I would then tell you about Grad school life and life in VA, I would probably say that Grad school is hard and there were days when I thought to myself "why am i doing this?" but then God reminded that this is where he wants me. I would also talk to you about this season of singleness that I am currently in, and if your a fellow single lady like me, we would bond over our mutual singleness. I would tell you that sometimes it is hard and the comments are sometimes just too much, but overall I know that God has everything figured out and he always meets us right where we are at.

We would talk for a while and then I would have to go, since homework would probably be calling my name. I would give you a hug and tell you that we must have coffee again because it was so enjoyable, we would probably exchange numbers as well, since i would definitely want to stay in touch with you.

So tell me, what would you do on a coffee date? Would you like to see more of these posts on the blog?

Missions Mondays

Note: Today I am co-hosting the missions Monday linkup with Courtney of Titus 2 Minutes. Be sure to go check out her blog, cause it's pretty awesome! And link up your blog posts below! 

Missions Mondays is a way to share what we are learning about missions and to encourage one another in the goal of reaching others for Christ.

Link up a specific blog post that you have written (at any point) so that others may be challenged by what you are learning.

1. Click on “Click here to enter” and follow the prompts to add your post.

2. Visit other blogs and learn about what the Lord is teaching them.

3. Share your blog posts on Twitter or Instagram using #missionsmondays.

Currently

Currently loving this new Philip Phillip's song.

Home for spring break in snowy Michigan, as you can see in the picture above, there is still tons of snow, but i am enjoying being home with family and friends!

Loving this dear friends blog, she always speaks such truth into my life, i am so grateful for her!

Loving the she reads truth lent devotional, so good! It's speaking such truth into my life, i love it!

want to get one of these Lent journals from Nap time Diaries.

Wanting to read this book.

Listening to this song, such a good reminder. Also watch the devotional to go along with it, so good!

Reading this post on singleness, so good, i could totally relate.

Loving this pin.

hoping to make these this week, they look so good!

Ready for summer, hopefully it will be warm again when I go back to Lynchburg next week.

Ps. there will be a new week recap on Friday and some other posts this week so be sure to check back!

Wonderfully Made

Founders Note: Today on the blog I have Vannessa Page from her A Journey to God, she is sharing her heart on one of my favorite verses Psalm 139. So sisters, I hope you are as encouraged by her words as I was. Be sure to check out her blog at the link below!

When I turned 30 I had a whole lot of angst. Good ole fashioned, “who am I?” kind of angst. I was a mother, a wife, and employee…yes but in my haste to grow up quick, I never had a chance to explore who I was, or who I was supposed to be. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my husband and babies for the world, yet I worried, did I miss out on doing something great? It has taken me six years to realize that was the lie of an enemy. I had bought into the falsehood that I was not good enough, that I was missing out on something better, and that my life was meaningless.

When I was in high school, I attended a private Christian school. In one of our classes we were assigned Psalm 139 to memorize. Jesus etched the words that He had fearfully and wonderfully made me. He knew me, purposed me, and drew a life out for me, even when I was in my mama’s womb.

Recently I’ve been thinking about these sweet words In Psalm 139 and reflecting on the great, big and wide love of my savior. I believe He wants me to boldly proclaim, that He is the one who determines our worth. Sisters, hear me when I tell you, men, women, media, and the devil himself want you to believe that you are worthless, not pretty enough, not smart enough, damaged beyond repair. But your creator, your savior, the one who sent His son to die on the cross for you, says otherwise. I wonder what your life would look like if you lived in that truth. Would you experience freedom? I think so! I challenge you, for the next few days, each morning you wake say to God, “I praise you because I, ________, am fearfully and wonderfully made!” Perhaps you wear it like a patch on your heart. You could cover that wounded place with the knowledge that you were meant to be and beloved by the Creator of the Universe.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 
Psalms 13: 14-16

 Vanessa

Vanessa Page is the founder and author of the blog A Journey to God. She has been married for 16 years to her best friend, David and has three children ages 5, 10, and 16. She works as a technical and freelance writer, enjoys leading worship at church, and spending time with her precious family. Above it all, Vanessa is His and He is hers.

Trust in the Change

above is a picture i took from my window. 

I've been here in VA for three weeks now, it's been a lot of changes. A new town, a new place to live, new people to meet, new classes, etc. But through all of the newness and the missing of family, I know that this is where God wants me.  Today as I was doing my devotional before class I was encouraged by the words of Psalm 19:
 "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour fourth speech night after night they display knowledge, there is no speech or language where their voice is heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.  It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart  be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Today when i looked out the window I saw the beautiful sunrise and was reminded of the first verse of this Psalm, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands". As I go through this time of change, i am reminded of the God's love for me just by looking a the beauty around me, a simple sunrise, so simple, but so beautiful. Each day I am continually reminded how God is shaping me into the women that he wants me to be, and how I need to trust in him, even when it's hard. Even when i have tons of homework to do. That's been my word this year, trust. Trust in the change, trust in the new, trust in the plans that he has for me. Trust in his good and perfect plan. Whatever you may be going through right now, join me in trusting in him in all things.

Be sure to check out the giveaway below that I am sponsoring with the awesome Susannah of Simple Moments Stick. Also be sure to check back later this week for some photos of Grad school life and some sweet photos of  my new pink rain boots!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

OverCome the Lie: Singleness is Not A Curse.

When I was asked by Ashley of Overcome of the Lie to do a blog tour on my blog and talk about something that women buy into as a lie, I instantly thought about the topic of singleness and how it's not a curse, but a season of life.

Most of us are either in their early 20's, and we are slowly watching each of our friends get married, or get into serious relationships. And sometimes we might often think: "When's my turn?" or i'm gonna be single forever. As these negative thoughts go through our head we miss out on all that this season of life has to offer. We forget that God has a plan that is way better our own, and we become consumed in what the world wants us to do or who it thinks we should be. As a single person it is so easy to get caught up in this, cause we not only get it from the world but also the people around us. And yes, they are usually well meaning people.

But sisters, don't listen to what the world says. Cause God's got a plan for your life that is way better than your own. I know at times it's hard to trust in his plan, but even were completely broken he is still good. Not only trust in his plan, but in his love, in the fact that he is good, despite our circumstances. Joshua 1:9 is a verse that I cling to when i'm feeling yucky about being single. It says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  That's right he is with you wherever you go, and singleness is not a curse, it's a season of life where God is shaping us into the women that he wants us to be. Trust in his good and perfect plan, despite what you are going through.

Week Recap

Missing the beach this week, enjoy :)

I recently created a Facebook page for the blog, so you can check it out here.
and like my page if you want :)

check out this post from my blogging friend Kiki on her word for the year. It's so good! you won't be disappointed.

I love this pin, it totally spoke to my heart.

Read my year of Devotional Monday's post on the Quiet Place.

Check out this girls blog, she's one of my sponsors this month, and i just love her blog! 

If you missed my Blogging confessions post, you can check it out here

One of my dear friends who is graphic designer and illustrator, and also contributed to the design of the Quiet Place. Just created a Facebook page, check her awesome stuff out here.

I'm moving to VA this week to begin Grad school at Liberty, i am excited to see what God has in store for me there. Be praying as i begin this new adventure, if you could.

If you have never checked out this design site, you really should! It's pretty cool!

I just love this girl and her blog!

I hope you all have a good weekend. And i will be back next week with some updates on my new adventure!

Week Recap

above is a photo of the Christmas tree sitting at the top of the stairs :)

Hope you have had a good week! It's been really cold here lately and the snow is piling up! So it's definitely starting to feel like Christmas. Which is only two weeks away, i can't believe it! Anyway, here are a few things I found this week that I thought you would enjoy. hope you all have a good weekend!


I read this post on singleness this week. you should definitely read it!

This girl's story is truly amazing, she has a beautiful heart for Jesus in the midst of her struggle. here's part 2 it's a must watch, it made me cry!

If you haven't yet, be sure to linkup with my other blog the Quiet Place as we celebrate one year of ministry, also be sure enter the giveaway celebrating our one year of ministry here

Watch this video, it made me cry, it just warmed my heart what this airline did for it's passengers.

And this video .

Also be sure to linkup  with my girl Kiki here for her linkup the Circle, trust me you will not want to pass this one up. It's such a fun linkup!

Check out one of  my dear friends design blogs here, she's really good!

If your looking for a new blog to read, check out this one. We are swapping with her next month on the Quiet Place, i just love her blog!

I also love this girl's blog, her writing is so good! And i just love her heart for Jesus!

Daily Bread

As I read this devotional and I was reminded of how much I need to rely on him for my daily bread.
In this season of singleness, this is when I need to be relying on him and I know that.

Lately, i've been feeling impatient in this season of singleness, don't get me wrong some days are way easier than others. But today, i feel stuck, like I'm just sitting in this room where everyone has someone to talk to except me  and I'm sitting there watching it all go on, and to be honest I feel this ache upon my heart that feels like it will never go away. You know what I mean? It's hard and sometimes it doesn't seem fair. Sometimes it's a struggle to even talk about it, cause I just end up getting emotional...and then I become a hot mess. 

But on those days that I feel like a "hot mess" i am reminded of the love that God gives me each and every day,  even in those times when I feel down, discontent, or just a longing on my heart for something more. I know that as I begin Grad school in January, God has plans for me that are far better than my own. Knowing that I am encouraged to seek him in the struggle of this season.

I am thankful for his grace that he so freely gives to me each and every day, without question or condition. I think of the verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says, "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

My prayer today is that his power will be perfect in my weakness, in my "hot mess" days, in my struggle, and longing. I pray that he would be my daily bread in the midst of waiting. amen.

Week Recap.

 so..it's been a good week. Long but good. how's your week been?

Question: is there anything you my dear readers would like to see on here? I would love to hear your input.

Read this post on singleness, it truly spoke to my heart! I loved it!

My other blog The Quiet Place is turning one year old next week. I can't believe it, God has definitely taken it places I never thought it would go. We have some great stuff planned to celebrate turning one, so you should definitely check that out next week!

I just love this girls blog, she has such a sense of adventure!

If you don't know already, i love baking (cooking too), anyway these cookies look so good. I may have to make them this weekend!

It's getting closer to moving to VA for Grad school, I am excited! It's crazy how fast it is coming up. Prayers are appreciated as I start this journey.

I am currently reading this book. When i'm finished I will be reviewing it and giving one away on the Quiet Place, so be sure to check that out! Anyway,  It's just filling up my heart, so stinkin good!

Next week i will be featuring the lovely ladies on my sidebar this month. God's been teaching me a lot lately, so some heart to heart posts will be coming your way next week.

30 days of Thankfulness: Week Four

The photo above, is one I have probably shared before. But i love it, it truly captures the fall beauty of Michigan!

Once again, I am linking up with Angela, for her thirty days of thankfulness linkup. I am so glad I was able to participate in this linkup, it truly made me think about all of the things that I have to be grateful for.

11/22: God's unending grace, that he gives me each and everyday, i am truly grateful for all that he has blessed me with.


11/23: the beautiful snow outside on the trees, it is truly beautiful. 


11/24:  having lunch after church with one of our dear family friends from church.


11/25: time spent with the people in my discipleship class at church.


11/26: these words from my dear blogger friend Kiki


11/27: The She reads truth thankfulness devotional, it's so good, and just what I needed to hear this week.


11/28: Thanksgiving: Spending time with my family today and eating tons of food!

Week Recap

Had an awesome chat with the best friend, so thankful for that girl!You should check out her blog here , it's pretty awesome.

I finally have my living situation all set for when i move to VA in January, i am excited! Prayers are appreciated as I begin Grad school.

I love this girls linkup, it's so good!

this post was just what I needed today, i love when that happens!

This sweet girl is on my sidebar this month, i just love her blog and her comments are always so thoughtful. 

We put the christmas lights on the trees outside this week, i know it's kinda early, but they look great!
I am excited for thanksgiving, it will be nice to spend time with my family and some family friends.

I am loving the thankfulness devotional on She reads truth, it's totally filling me up, check it out here

Check out this post on rest that I wrote on The Quiet Place, I hope you are encouraged!

If your looking for a good devotional book, check this one out. 

Also next week, i am hoping to write some posts on here about singleness, so stay tuned for that.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Week three

 Once again I am linking up with Angela, and be sure to head over to her blog and link up!  So here's what I have been thankful for this week.


November 15th: time with God, i love being able to set aside that time to just be with him.

November 16th: a Saturday at home, watching movies with my mom. It was nice and much needed.

November 17th: Family friends, we have this group of friends at church that are like my second parents/ second family. It's great, and i am very thankful for each of them!

November 18th: Finally getting my place to live all set, for when I start Grad school January.

November 19th: My Dog Mavis, I just love her, and I will miss her when I have to leave for Grad school.

November 20th: my parents, who always support me in everything that I do.

November 21st: Where God has taken my other blog/ministry The Quiet Place, if you haven't  checked it out, you really should here. We are turning one year old next month and we have some awesome things planned!

Share Your Story Linkup: Wherever You Go

As I prepare to move to Lynch-burg, VA. to start Graduate school in January, I am reminded of one of my favorite verses: Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This verse is a reminder that no matter where I am God is with me wherever I go, no matter if it's to another state entirely or another country, he is right there no matter what. I don't know about you, but that just fills my heart right up .As I go off to Grad school, i pray that I will remember the words of this verse, and let it be encouragement to me.

Sisters, be encouraged by the truth that Joshua 1:9 tells us. No matter what you are going through know that he is right there beside you, no matter where you are, remember that he is right there--no matter what.  So, do not be discouraged because he is with you wherever you go. Rest in that truth as you go throughout this week.

And be sure to link up here

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Week Two

November 8th: I am thankful for a house to live in. 

November 9th: getting to spend the weekend with my best friend! 

November 10th: coffee, nothing like curling up with a hot cup of coffee and blogging away. 

November 11th: chatting with blogging friends, i love getting to know someone, even if it's just through emails. 

November 12th: my phone: it;s nice being able to stay connected with my close friends, even though we live faraway from each other. 

November 13th: baking: i love to bake. I also love to cook as well, both are very relaxing after a long day. 

November 14th: Sunsets, God definitely takes my breath away with those.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Week 1

So today I am linking up with one of my sponsors Angela of Harrells on Hood for her Thirty days of thankfulness linkup. When she asked me to participate i was so excited, cause I just love this time of year, being thankful is so important. So anyway, here's my list of things I am thankful for this  week:

November 1: I am thankful for supportive parents that always support me in whatever I do. 

November 2: going to Grad school in January, yes i am starting Grad school. I am so excited for this new adventure, i can't wait to see where God takes me. 

November 3: cozy blankets, my favorite blanket is one that my parents got me last Christmas from pottery barn it's so warm and soft, i love it! 

November 4: God's love. I am grateful that his love is unchanging no matter what, he loves me each and every day. 

November 5: prayer. it's so important in my life, and I'm grateful to have friends that will pray for me and with me.

November 6: the beauty around me, i am blessed to live in a beautiful place in Michigan, and i love it! 

November 7: blogger friends, even though we haven't met, i am so thankful for your prayers and encouragement. I really hope we can meet someday, a blogger retreat would be nice, don't you think? 

And be sure to join me in linking up and letting others know what you are grateful for.

Rest

This week has been hard with the passing of my Uncle, he had ALS and was sick for a long time. It's been really hard and exhausting this week. But the one thing that God's been teaching me the most this week is that I need to rest in him, when I'm sick of waiting, when life doesn't seem fair, or when I'm just tired from all of the busyness. So this week especially, God's been telling me to "rest". To soak up his word and rest my weary soul in his love. So sisters, if you are feeling weary, or are tired of waiting, or just need some rest, don't forget to find it in God. Rest your weary soul in his love and in his word.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

This song really encouraged me--Come to Me by Jadon Lavik
Also check out a blog/ministry that my best friend and i doing together--The Quiet Place

Encouragement Friday: Bittersweet

I am currently reading a book by Shauna Niequist called bittersweet, it talks about the ups and downs in our lives and how God uses those times to shape us into the godly men and women that he has called us to be. “I believe that God is making all things new. I believe that Christ overcame death and that pattern is apparent all through life and history: life from death, water from a stone, redemption from failure, connection from alienation. I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything's easy."--Shauna Niequist.  Think about this quote for second. When I read this, it definitely pulled at my heart strings because it's so true in each of our lives. Suffering is something that helps us to grow not only as a person but in our relationship with God. Suffering is what get's us to the growth along the way, even though it's not easy. Just as Shauna says, "I believe that suffering is part of the narrative, and that nothing really good gets built when everything is easy." That's right sisters, if everything was easy there would be no growth. Because sisters, God takes those times when were suffering and shapes them into something beautiful. He's takes the mess in our lives and uses it for his purpose, he takes the bitter and the sweet and makes it beautiful. He uses us despite our weaknesses, despite our doubts, and despite whatever we may be going through. Through it all, he is right there in the bitter and the sweet, ready to make us whole once again.So i encourage you to, embrace both the bitter and sweet of life and know that God is right there with you through it all.

“When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.”-Shauna Niequist

Check out the book here---Bittersweet, Shauna Niequist

God Loves You

^{Note to the readers: Sorry I have not been posting regularly, but my best friend and I started a blog a few months ago Called the Quiet Place. Which has been keeping me busy, as were trying to reach the hearts of women, so that we can encourage them to find rest in God. Check out the Quiet Place by clicking on the blog button on the side of the blog. Stay tuned for a new Encouragement Friday post this week!}

^{As i read the verses below I was reminded of God's unfailing love for me and also the fact that he delights in me every day. He has amazing plans for you and I, so we must remember that when we get discouraged or feel alone. Check out this devotional from She reads truth  here--Hosea Day 8}

^{Hosea 7}

¹ whenever I would heal Israel,
the sins of Ephraim are exposed
    and the crimes of Samaria revealed.
They practice deceit,
    thieves break into houses,
    bandits rob in the streets;
² but they do not realize
    that I remember all their evil deeds.
Their sins engulf them;
    they are always before me.

³ “They delight the king with their wickedness,
    the princes with their lies.
⁴ They are all adulterers,
    burning like an oven
whose fire the baker need not stir
    from the kneading of the dough till it rises.
⁵ On the day of the festival of our king
    the princes become inflamed with wine,
    and he joins hands with the mockers.
⁶ Their hearts are like an oven;
    they approach him with intrigue.
Their passion smolders all night;
    in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.
⁷ All of them are hot as an oven;
    they devour their rulers.
All their kings fall,
    and none of them calls on me.

⁸ “Ephraim mixes with the nations;       
    Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over.
⁹ Foreigners sap his strength,
    but he does not realize it.
His hair is sprinkled with gray,
    but he does not notice.
¹⁰ Israel’s arrogance testifies against him,
    but despite all this
he does not return to the Lord his God
    or search for him.

¹¹ “Ephraim is like a dove,
    easily deceived and senseless—
now calling to Egypt,
    now turning to Assyria.
¹² When they go, I will throw my net over them;
    I will pull them down like the birds in the sky.
When I hear them flocking together,
    I will catch them.
¹³ Woe to them,
    because they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them,
    because they have rebelled against me!
I long to redeem them
    but they speak about me falsely.
¹⁴ They do not cry out to me from their hearts
    but wail on their beds.
They slash themselves,^[a] appealing to their gods
    for grain and new wine,
    but they turn away from me.
¹⁵ I trained them and strengthened their arms,
    but they plot evil against me.
¹⁶ They do not turn to the Most High;
    they are like a faulty bow.
Their leaders will fall by the sword
    because of their insolent words.
For this they will be ridiculed
    in the land of Egypt.

Hosea 1 She Reads Truth Devotional

 Today I read this devotional on Hosea 1, check it out here--Hosea Day 1-She Reads Truth.
And soak up the verses below!

 Hosea 1

1 The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign of Jeroboam son of Jehoash^[a] king of Israel:

Hosea’s Wife and Children

² When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” ³ So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

⁴ Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. ⁵ In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.”

⁶ Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”), for I will no longer show love to Israel, that I should at all forgive them. ⁷ Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.”

⁸ After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, Gomer had another son. ⁹ Then the Lord said, “Call him Lo-Ammi (which means “not my people”), for you are not my people, and I am not your God.^[b]

¹⁰ “Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ¹¹ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.^[c]

 ^{1 Peter 2:10}

“Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”