5 Things Bringing Me Joy & A Small Update

Lifestyle

Nov 5

Hi friends! It’s been a while!

I haven’t posted a blog entry here since August. Because of that, I feel the need to share a bit about where I have been. I am sure you all agree that this year has been full of uncertainty at every turn. It’s no different for myself. From canceled trips to new house projects to taking on a leadership role at our church to ill family members, it’s been a lot. Not to mention navigating the current political climate we are facing. Because of all of these things and many others, writing blogs hasn’t necessarily been my top priority. It’s not that I don’t enjoy it or am forgoing it completely. Things just look different and I am constantly learning what that looks like.

My desire for this platform since day one was to encourage and educate, but also as a creative outlet. By sharing posts like this one, I feel like it fulfills the creative part I hope to maintain. I saw an Instagram acquaintance (do you have as many as I feel like I have?!) share something similar and felt compelled to do similarly.

My hope is that you are encouraged to find joy in today and pursue a lifestyle that embodies true wellness, whatever that looks like for you. I say wellness because the answer is not just food-focused. It does include food, but also faith, joy, movement, relationships, stress and time management, life-giving habits, and more. I am preaching to the choir here when I mention these aspects to truly being well.

That was a long way of saying, I hope you find my 5 things inspiring & for you to discover your own. Let’s get to it!

01. A Verse

Okay, so I use the She Reads Truth Bible, which I adore, for my quiet time and this was a parallel verse when I was reading Matthew 6 and 7. In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches on prayer. He says it shouldn’t be done as a grand gesture or to show off, but quietly and secretly because the Lord will a.) reward you and b). He already knows what is in your heart of hearts before you say it. After this, Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).

I will be the first to admit that I am not as disciplined as I would like in prayer time with God, but this whole section really encouraged and convicted me to pursue this more wholeheartedly. After reading those 2 chapters in Matthew, it took me to 1 Chronicles. I have not spent much time, if any, in this Old Testament book, but when I read Chapter 29, verses 11 through 13, I wondered why I’ve flipped past this book time after time.

I hope this passage encourages you as it did me. I have come back and read this verse almost every day since and I am still awestruck at the power and holiness of the Lord.

02. MY PRAYER JOURNAL

I have of course mentioned this before, but it is worth mentioning again. I have been a Val Marie Paper fan for years and have used her Yearly Journal format for the last 3 years. She and her team have created these practical, yet intentional journals to encourage you in your prayer life. Most times when I start praying, I am not sure where to start and have no idea where I am going. This journal helps take my list of requests and names and turn them into true, worshipful prayer. The prompts are great and thought-provoking, but I am especially loving the conversations section where I have been writing out my prayers. As someone who tends to disconnect from their emotions, writing out my prayers allows them to really sink in and change me.

Not only are VMP journals amazing, but she also has really great journal entries. I have really enjoyed her election series. You can read some of her recent ones here.

03. Doterra Holiday Peace Oil Blend

I realize that Halloween is just behind us, but it has already snowed in Kansas City which means Christmas is near. Even though fall is my favorite season, I am actually much more into winter scents than fall ones, except for the aroma of Thanksgiving Dinner. (Food, duh!) This Holiday Peace blend fills our house with great scents without potentially harmful toxins that can be found in some candles. I like that this blend smells like a Christmas Tree farm mixed with fresh citrus. It’s dreamy. When it’s in stock, snag it because it sells out fast!

While we are at it, let’s cue the Christmas tunes too!

04. Our TurntablE

Ben and I were sitting on our couch on Sunday, reading actual paper books (so non-millennial, I know), listening to a record, while the fire blazed on. Ben turned to me and said, “It’s kind of like we stepped into a time machine, isn’t it?” Whenever we put on a record, new or vintage, it makes my old soul sing. And sometimes dance too! We were gifted our turntable a few Christmases ago and we’ve gotten a ton of use out of it. It makes me truly savor each song and turns back time a bit.

05. Gilmore Girls

This last one is a very light-hearted thing I am enjoying. I like to wind down with a show after a long day of work and GG (not to be confused with another favorite, Gossip Girl) is the perfect one. It’s witty, not too dramatic, and just a fun way to roll into the evening. One question I have about the show though: how do they ever sleep?! They are constantly drinking coffee, even at nighttime. I have no idea how they aren’t up all hours of the night. Anyways, if anyone knows, I would love to be enlightened ;)