day 31 - big: reflecting

31 Days Index

Well, dolls, today marks the end of our 31 Day series. Wow. What a journey this past month has been...in so many ways! I feel like I've really gotten to dig deep into my daily life, my decisions (big and little), and why I do what I do; moreover,  I feel renewed, recharged, refocused, lifted up, and blessed.

I think reflecting is a natural and necessary result of being intentional. Why did I do that? What was the intention behind that choice?

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If I had to hammer down one a few big takeaways from this series, they would be to keep being intentional about my life's purpose, my time, and my priorities. Writing about those 3 topics was very convicting for me. The time post (combined with the gifts one too!) convicted me so deeply that the shop was born!! Glory to YOU, Lord!!

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I want to renew my sense of purpose in each of those areas on daily basis! Regardless of what the world thinks...as long as I'm honoring God, my family, and my life for HIS glory...well, I think I'm doing just fine. ;) I am a sinner who make all sorts of mistakes. [All the time.] That's why I need Jesus! But I'm trying...striving...seeking...needing Him more in every moment of my life. Thank you, Lord, for Your grace!! Thank you, Lord, for your constant Presence!

Sweet, sweet readers friends...I am humbled that you walked and ventured in this journey with me! You have no idea how blessed I have been by yall's encouragement, feedback, thoughts, texts, phone calls, comments...(everything!) along the way. With a full heart...thank you. Bless you!

And (of course) CHEERS!
...To being intentional... :)

Keep at it! And I'm always here if you need a little encouragement. :)

A Blessed Life Link-Up

Today I'm linking this post to my sweet friend Tara's first monthly A Blessed Life linkup. Let's be intentional about sharing the blessings in our lives!!! Reflecting on this series certainly gave me new eyes to see the outpouring of blessings God bestows upon me daily. Pop on over to Tara's blog and link-up! You'll love her. She's basically my long lost life twin. See if you can figure out the multiple reasons why!! ;)

day 30 - big: count your blessings

31 Days Index 

Counting our blessings. Viewing our lives with a positive outlook. Trusting the Lord. I believe that ALL of us should be more intentional about doing these things every single day. Look at this promise in Scripture (Ephesians 3:20):

 

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This is one of my most favorite and  treasured verses. The verse ends with "...according to the power at work within us." The Lord living within us pushes our lives to the extreme. So extreme that it's exceedingly abundantly more than we could ask or think!!! THAT IS AMAZING! Exceedingly abundantly. Wow.

Sometimes I feel like we don't realize how exceedingly abundantly blessed our lives are already. A couple of weeks ago, Mark and I sat in our den, enjoyed a glass of wine paired with some John Mayer tunes, and we just talked about things that were going well for us. Even the little things. It was so humbling to think about how greatly God has blessed us -- certainly beyond what we could have ever asked for or thought.

 

Captured the moment. Count your blessings. :)

 

Whether you're in a peak or a pit in life...cling to this verse. If you're on a peak: PRAISE HIM! If you're in a pit: PRAISE HIM EVEN STILL!...and trust and KNOW that through the power of the Holy Spirit, God can do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY MORE than you could ever dream of.

Believe it, darlings. It's Truth.

(P.S...How awesome is this pillow? I stumbled upon it while writing this post. Wish list status over here.) 

 

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day 29 - small: smile + say hello

31 Days Index  

I know I'm Southern (and proud of it!), but I just have to tell you about one of my biggest pet peeves.

I cannot stand it when I'm on a walk. 

And here I am walking on the sidewalk. 

And there's a person from the opposite direction. 

On the same side of the sidewalk.

And when they approach me they just stare straight ahead and don't make eye contact with me.

Hello!!! I know you know I'm there!!! Hi!!!! :) :) :)

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That little anecdote was just a way to say...y'all: take 2 seconds to smile and say hello. Live boldly and joyfully in Christ. Be light. Be love. And if it's just not very "you" to smile and say hello, do it for Jesus. Spread HIS love, HIS light, the joy we find IN HIM!

Maybe it's cliche...but I really believe that sometimes a smile is all it takes to turn someone's day around.

Let's remember this:

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To Christ be the glory!!! :)

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

Happy Monday, sweet friends! Let's NOT participate in the Monday blues fest and shine a little light and encouragement to others instead! :)

But before I forget...Cheers Y'all is on Facebook now! Head on over (right here!) and like!!! :) 

Soooo...the winner of the first ever Cheers Y'all [the shop] giveaway is....

#67 -- Mia N. of http://www.makemeupmia.com/ Congratulations, lovely lady! I'll be emailing you soon! Be thinking about which canvas you want! :)

To everyone else...thank you for entering (sincerely!!)!! I hope and pray that this is the first of many giveaways from the shop!

Now go check out that gold and glitter, shoot me an email, and we'll make sure your very own canvas is on your mantel or in your entryway (or wherever you want it!) by Thanksgiving!!! Spread a little merriness this Monday!

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day 28 - big: a community of Believers

31 Days Index

 

Today isn't anything novel. I just want to encourage each of you sweet readers to get plugged into a church home (and even more specifically a small group/Life Group/community group/whatever you want to call it!) if you're not already plugged into one.

Life is hard sometimes. And it definitely isn't fair. And we are tempted by a million things daily.

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But having people who want to carry your burdens with you, encourage you, pray for you, do life with you...well, it's God's design. He created us to be in community with each other.

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Not to mention, it's a LOT easier to resist conforming to the patterns of the world when you have godly women beside you...who are with you and FOR you...who are chasing after the same eternal goal.

Choose to walk in life beside other Believers. Yes, you should still be in the world and spreading the light of Christ to others who don't know Him. But when it comes to accountability, prayer, and what is good in the eyes of the Lord...go to your sisters in Christ.

Writing this makes me miss my lovely ladies back in Charlotte...!!

All of these women above push me to be more like Jesus.

They have prayed for me in ways I didn't even know how to pray for myself.

They have certainly carried my burdens. 

And they love me despite my shortcomings.

They challenge me, care about me, and are honest with me in the name of Jesus!

Ohhh how a heavy heart can be lightened through strong community!

And they're there for the little things too. Like roasting marshmallows or chatting about Justin Timberlake. :)

(Love you, sugars!!!!!! I MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!)

 

I want YOU to have a this joyous kind of community too! And if you think you can't...let's walk in this journey together!  I'm starting all over here in Wilmington. Let me know if I can encourage you in any way as I too am just getting plugged into a new church home, a new community, and new friendships that shine for the glory of Christ. :)