Notes from “One Thousand Gifts”

Multiple people told me about "One Thousand Gifts" and about the power of gratitude. I knew I'd end up reading it because I already loved Ann Voskamp's writing, but I wasn't sure how much she was going to convince me that gratitude was something that was going to shape my life. I thought I'd be encouraged, but…

Realizations from Dyeing My Hair

I have wanted to be a redhead my entire life. If you look at my childhood drawings, almost every girl has bright orange hair. It has always been an option for me; my parents were pretty relaxed when it came to my appearance and what I wanted to do with it. But I just never took…

100 More Things to Look Forward To

Last year at this time, I was learning to believe that my life could be good. That there would be things in it that would make it good, that would have purpose, that would awaken the dreams that had become dormant. Because... I didn't believe those things. Here I am now, in a place I would…

Because We Love You

Today has just been one of the hard days internally, and that's okay. There are hard days, and there are beautiful people who make me laugh and give me hugs and rejoice in life for me when I forget to. Life is a great thing. Wow, it is. And I know it's probably really cheesy...…

100 Things to Look Forward To

I told you a few months ago that focusing on the future hurts me sometimes. I'm a dreamer and I love knowing anything is possible, but if I focus on long-term life for very long, it discourages me, because I just don't really know where I'm going. That's why I choose to ride the wind Jesus sends me-- because He's…

Walking in Joy {Week 1}

I love doing something creative and encouraging every November, with Thanksgiving as an excuse to make the theme joy and gratitude. This year, I'm in a weird place. I'm in a place of waiting, wondering, learning, and figuring life out. It's weird. But a small part of me likes it and sees freedom in it.…

Delighted by Love

I know the Song of Solomon is kind of joked about as the "taboo" book in the Bible, but when I hear people talk about it all I can remember is the deep, lasting encouragement and hope it has brought me so many times. I can always find a piece of "she" that I identify with, and…