[the beauty of the moment]

Life is fast. In the book of James our life is described as "but a breath". A BREATH...that's it? Just a breath? My life seems much more complex, long and crazy to be just a breath! Compared to the eternity we have waiting for us, our life is simply a breath.

We can take this knowledge and look one of two ways:

Because I am just a breath, it doesn't really matter what I do with my life because I am not here that long..what difference does it make. Why care so much? Why not live for myself? Why not just do what I need to get done so I can have the things I want?

OR

BECAUSE life is short, I want my life to be genuine. I want to live in such a way that my family, friends, and strangers know how precious this life is. Why not seize every opportunity to make a difference? Why not love those around me, especially those living under the same roof,  and find ways to encourage them to truly flourish? Why not be careful to not fill my life with too many "things" that I miss the beauty of the moment.

[The difference lies in the discovery of whether or not life is about YOU or OTHERS]

I came home to Virginia for my first Thanksgiving in seven years this past week. My typical holiday break/trip home is filled with as many activities, plans, and parties that I can possibly fit in. I would leave a family gathering a little early to go meet up with a friend and then after staying up too late, get up super early to meet someone else. I was constantly going and ended up giving each person half of me because for the most part I was either worn out, exhausted or my mind was preoccupied with the next thing on my agenda....this trip I decided to be intentional.

There were unexpected surprises I was able to have because I didn't over plan...three hour conversations/visits that just randomly happened with my aunts and uncles, a day trip to Charlottesville with my mom and sister, long walks in the crisp fall air with great friends, hours of playing football with my cousins...

Sometimes we fill our lives with too much and other times we don't seek to love and invest in others enough. It is a fine balance - and one I am STILL learning. However, the more I remember that my life here on this earth is temporary and short, I am challenged to seize each moment whether that means taking time to laugh and snuggle with my mom on the couch or genuinely listen to a friend in need. Our life is a group of moments...but it is just a breath. Are you making the most of it today or just getting by?

[who plans a babyshower on a monday?]

As Kimi walked into Me 'n Eds pizza parlor, Ashleigh, our little partner in crime asked the hostess if they could sit in the back room [winking and nodding her head in hopes the waitress would get the hint that THIS was the lady to whom the crazy baby shower in the back was for and to play along]...she didn't get the hint and responded with, "oh, no you can't, there is this silly baby shower going on back there...they have a photo booth and a big banner, streamers everywhere...it's cute, you should take a peek."

Kimi, confused looked at Ashleigh and said, "weird...WHO has a baby shower here? And on A MONDAY night?? crazy!" And off she went to order some pizza.

Ashleigh texted that the plan was spoiled and on the count of 3 we slung open the partition divider,  yelled surprise, popped poppers and started playing/dancing/singing to "BABY BABY" by the wonderful Amy Grant which then transitioned nicely into "Hit Me Baby One More Time" by Brittany Spears....Kimi turned around, just stared trying to figure out who the surprise was for until she realized that those were all her friends dressed up as babies and pregnant ladies having the time of their life and that this party was ALL FOR HER!!!

The night was spent with GREAT pizza,  friends and words of wisdom from mothers, traits we admire about our mothers and encouragement to Kimi with the 1 word that embodies why she is going to be such an AMAZING mom to baby turtle.

We ended the night by all laying hands on kimi and praying for her...I realized in the middle of the prayer that one hand was on her shoulder and the other was on my belly just rubbing away like there was an actual baby inside...is that strange? OR does that make me a natural at child carrying?

...oh, one last detail! dessert was crushed up candy bars mixed with chocolate & carmel syrup packaged nicely in cute little diapers :) yummmmmy.

why be boring?

[...because you can!]

So....one could stay in their house to finish up a little bit of work...one could be healthy/responsible and cook a delicious meal...one could be boring.........

OR

You could take a little walk (or drive) down to the quaintest european coffee shop on your block and have a chai for dinner :) ...THAT is the beauty of being an adult...you can do that!

Don't get stuck in a rut! Go out and explore your city...you'll gain more creativity, meet interesting people and might possibly be able to compete with the incredible chai I found!

[the best smelling candles in the WORLD]

So I just moved into a new apartment and these candles have brought SO MANY delightful smells to each room....I wish so much that the internet had a scratch and sniff tab...how cool would that be? Maybe there could be a button that you just push and out PUFFS a certain smell...just POOF there it is and then you know you want to buy a case of these candles for you & all your friends!!! ha...poooof...just envision it.

BUT in all honesty...everyone that comes in my room picks up my candles and comments on how incredible they smell even when they are NOT burning....my friend Kimber hand makes each candle from her home studio in the quaint Outer Banks of North Carolina with love and tender care plus she gift wraps/boxes them up SO CUTE!!!!!

WARNING: you will never want to buy any other candles after purchasing these. Check out the website and buy some candles today that will change your life!!!

http://icraft.ca/theouterbankscandleco

[be prepared for goodness]

[trust]

why is it so hard to trust the Lord? 

So what does it really mean to trust the Lord? We hear this verse so much that it has become a typical christian cliche.  In the "good times" of life it's easy to say "YA trust the Lord! woohoo" but when life is hard, when you are confused at what your future holds or lost in the circumstance you find yourself in, often times that fIRM tRUST seems to WEAKEN. The problem comes when we lean on our own understanding and stop recognizing the true nature of God. Our own desires, wants and feelings get in the way and we find ourselves lost in a sea of self-pity, bitterness or doubt. The Lord promises us as we trust Him with all our WHOLE heart, leaning not on our own understanding and acknowledging Him in all we do...HE will make our paths straight. NOT perfect, but straight. He leads us straight to His heart and in Him we find peace, contentment and joy to continue on despite what comes at us.

I was told lately that the way we live our life depends on how we grasp two things...
1) how you view God & 2) how you think He views you

What is your view of God? Is He the God of compassion to you? How about loving, gracious or trustworthy? What does God think about you? Do you hear Him call you His beloved? Do you know He takes great delight in YOU? Do you believe sees you in the midst of your pain?

Our life circumstances can often skew our view of how we see God and what He thinks of us....HOWEVER....even though our views change God never changes, His love for us is never ending and everlasting.

[may these final words bring a source of hope and trust]

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
my heart and my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

                              [Hillsong United]

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever
[hebrews 13:8]

[kimi's baby shower]

Kimi and her husband Steve are some of the most giving and caring people I have ever met in my entire life! I am constantly challenged by the way they live life and am excited to have the opportunity to honor such amazing people.  They give so much to everyone and now we get to give back a little love through diapers and too many onesies...the invite just got sent to the printer and thought I would upload a sneak peek! [check back in to see pics of the shower after it happens!]

[unveiling conference]

This weekend {november 13-14} I have the privilege of hosting the "unveiling girls conference" at North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, California. UNVEILING seeks to challenge girls to live a holistic life of purity by unveiling the lies and embracing the truth of God in a safe environment.

For more information go to...http://www.northcoastcalvary.org/unveilingconference/
There is still room available for you to be a part of this! I'd love to see you there :)

[a new place to lay my head]

I recently moved to Long Beach from San Diego and finally found the perfect place in the charming Belmont Heights area....I love our new place :) This weekend I spent some time [along with the help of Priscilla and Taylor] hanging curtains, shelves, etc...there is still a lot to do but it is started to feel more and more like home! I'll post more pictures as we finish up decorating....this is just a little taste for now!