"Consider the lilies..."

YAY! Happy first official day of spring!

Celebrate with me in declaring these Truths...

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I adore the Scriptural encouragement above. "Consider the lilies." Isn't it mind boggling that God would give flowers that much beauty, attention, nurturing, and detail?! How wonderfully He created the flowers! And to think...if He put that much creativity and life into the flowers...how much more does he love us!? The crown jewel of His creation. The last thing he made. Us. Man and woman.

Yes, we [as humans] have sin as a result of The Fall (Genesis 3). But He can make us new! He makes beautiful things out of us...no matter how lost we feel or how far away form Him we've run.

I'm leaving you with a song. Because I love music. A lot. I hadn't heard this song until a few years ago when it was on the set list for worship at my church in Charlotte a few years ago. I had the honor of helping lead it (well, the girl part, at least ;)). 

I listened to the song again last night, thought of my post yesterday, and smiled. What grace. Little did I know how new and whole, holy and complete He was making me as I sang those words.

"You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust.

You amke beautiful things

You make beauitful things out of us

....

You make me new

You are making me new."

Gungor

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet sponsor, Khala!

 

My life might look weird to you, and that's okay with me.

I have changed a lot in the past 5 years. I've heard it said that your 20s is the decade with the most change, and I definitely believe that (even with 3ish more years to go!).

To the glory of God, over the past 5 years my heart has grown more and more in love with the Lord than ever. In prior years, I was a Believer (I  always remember seeking the Lord--even as a little girl!), but in many ways I was lost.

I particularly think about my time in college, and it still bewilders me to read the pages upon pages of prayer and Scripture in my journals while simultaneously thinking about how frequently I went out and got drunk, to point out one example. Or how I ran away from God in a lot of ways when my dad moved out for the first time (and back in, and back out, and back in, and back out... until my parents got separated and divorced). I was absolutely devastated. Looking back, I even wonder if I was depressed during some of that time. Whatever I was going through...I was completely and utterly heartbroken, fragile, and lost.

All that to say: God changes us. Slowly. From the inside out. He has done that to me in so many ways and in so many areas in my life. And you know what? That's why I am okay with who I am.

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I realize a lot of people might not understand many of the choices I make for myself and for my family. Or perhaps they don't understand the parts of me I've left behind and the parts of me that I've become. Maybe it's my beliefs on this or that topic. Maybe it's my view on the covenant of marriage. Maybe it's how I hear a song on the radio and immediately change the station. Or how I don't feel comfortable around a lot of cursing. I could make a long list of things that might look a little "weird" (or "goody two-shoes"...that's a common one too) in the eyes of society.

And can I tell you something? A little secret of mine? Being "weird/different" in the eyes of the world is okay with me. Scratch that. It's more than okay with me. I embrace it. I love it because I know that it comes from Christ. And--to take it even further--sometimes, when my decisions don't mesh with the world's expectations, well, sometimes that confirms and affirms that who I am is driven by Christ.

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That--that Scripture above--it's the Scripture that fuels me. If my life fits into the wide gate...if it looks like what everyone else is doing...well, then I'm missing something. In a very dangerous way. So I want to be different. I want my life to look different. I want others to see Jesus in the way I live, love, speak, and act. I want to shine for Him and reflect His grace and goodness.

So that's that. A slice of my heart. 

My sister's post (Life Lately) inspired me to finally write these words. They have been stirring within me for a while. I know I don't do everything perfectly (far from it!)--I am a sinner in need of a Savior. In need of His grace! But I hope this post encourages you to care a little less about what everyone else thinks, and care a little more about what Jesus thinks.

Be comfortable with being "weird/old-fashioned/lame/prude/etc." Because if being "weird" means you're living for Jesus, love it. Love it with all your heart.

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 "Everlasting

Your light will shine when all else fades

Never ending

Your glory goes beyond all fame

And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise

From the inside out"

 

Be who you are. Know Whose you are.

All to the glory of God! AMEN!

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet sponsor, Khala!

March Sponsor Spotlight

Sooo happy to introduce to y'all...8 darling ladies! They are my "coffee" sponsors for this month. And what's more fun to talk about right now than things we're looking forward to in spring?! Enjoy "meeting" these wonderful women!

Name: Lauren  

Blog: Talk of the Trains

 Top 5 Spring Things You Love:

1. Spring weather and fun clothes after a cold winter!

2. The time change! Amen and amen.

3. Getting outside and back into workout routines in the warmer weather.

4. Hubby's and my anniversary! Love celebrating another year with him. 

5. This year, for us, spring will bring a new baby, a big family move, a new home to decorate and more! I am so excited and prayerfully waiting with great expectations for all of the changes this "new season" of life will bring.

Connect with Lauren

 Facebook // Twitter // Bloglovin' // Instagram // Shop

Name: Jenni Frank

Blog: Frankly My Dear...

Top 5 Spring Things You Love: 

1. COLOR!!! On the ground, in the trees, in my wardrobe!! I need some color in my life!

2. Flowers & all things pretty! ...that's a given!

3. Reese's Easter Eggs & Cadbury Eggs...I want them all!

4. Flip Flops & Sandals...as much as I love my boots, it's time for a pedi & some freedom!

5. Sunshine & Playing outside! Moving North + THE worst winter ever has made me a bit stir crazy! 

Connect with Jenni

Facebook // Etsy // Twitter // Bloglovin' // Instagram

Name: Nicole

Blog: Twenty Five Dreams

Top 5 Spring Things You Love: 

1. Outdoor Exercise - biking, running, walking... breathing fresh air :))

2. Home Improvement Projects - looking so forward to working on our porch!! Right now, it's a sight for sore eyes!

3. Our Housewarming Party!! - once we get more home improvement things done first of course! :))

4. Enjoying having a yard of my own! - Working in the yard, landscaping, planting flowers, even mowing!!

5. River time!! - This is by far been on my brain for the past couple (more like 4) months... I cannot wait to get to my parents cabin and get away from every day life!! My favorite place ever!!

Connect With Nicole

Bloglovin' // Instagram // Pinterest

Name: Cari Roberts 

Blog: Adventures of the Roberts

Top 5 Spring Things You Love: 

1. Playing outside with Breanna mainly going to the park

2. Take walks 

3. Cute clothes

4.  Windows open and fresh air through the house 

5. No more snow!!!!

Connect with Cari

 Facebook // Twitter // Bloglovin' // Instagram

Name: Kate

Blog: Anchors, Pearls, and Curls

Top 5 Spring Things You Love?:

1. Celebrating my 21st birthday this month!!! 

2. Sunshine and flowers beginning to bloom

3. Cute outfits! Ready to ditch the puffy coat, scarf and gloves! 

4. Baseball!  

5. Spending more time outside

 

Connect with Kate

Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram 


 

Name: Kristal

Blog: The Strong Family

Top 5 Spring Things You Love?:

1. Warmer weather! We LOVE being outside as much as possible playing & enjoying the day.

2. Longer days, meaning more daylight!

3. Tball! My son is playing his first season of tball & I'm so excited to watch!

4. Green grass & flowers! Spring brings such hope & new life.

5. Most of all Easter!! Celebrating the resurrection of my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ

 

Connect with Kristal
 Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Bloglovin'

 

Name: Janice

Blog: The JRaabulous Life

Top 5 Spring Things You Love?: 

1. Shorts and dresses

2. Outdoor running weather

3. Patio hangouts

4. Bright patterns and florals

5. Not having to wear my jacket anymore!

Connect with Janice

Instagram // Bloglovin' // Twitter // Pinterest

Name: Eva
Blog:  Eva Marie Taylor
Top 5 Spring Things I'm Looking Forward to Most:
1. Aside from another year of no longer being a "twenty something," my birthday is the first day of spring, and birthdays are celebrated for at least a week around these parts
2. In April we're going with friends on our first vacation in 9 years (I know, what??) 
3. The disappearance of snow and the reappearance of chirping birds and all things flowery and bright
4. Driving with my windows down and singing "Happy" at stop lights in my flip flops and short sleeves
5. Easter and Cadbury eggs (need I say more?) 

Connect with Eva 

Bloglovin' // Etsy // Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest 

Go show these ladies some love!

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet sponsor, Khala!

Hooray! It's today again. {Plus giveaway winners!}

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Wouldn't it be nice to wake up with that mentality everyday? I know it's hard. (Especially on a Monday...I know!)

But remember that happiness is a choice. And joy transcends fleeting emotions. 

For those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have constant joy in the victory of Jesus and the security of our salvation.

So I challenge you this morning:

Celebrate today...just because it's today. Another day to live.

Love hard.

Embrace the joy of this new morning.

And speaking of celebrating the day, I am excited to celebrate the winners of last week's giveaways!

The winner of the $25 to Flourish Boutique is:

The winner of the Simply Monogram custom phone cover is:

(Jenny G.)

Results were powered by random.org [via Rafflecopter], and entries were verified.  I'll be emailing y'all soon, sweeties! Congrats! 

For the rest of us: there is still time to use the exclusive Cheers Y'all discount codes if you want to place an order! Information can be found on the original posts (see links above).

Hooray! It's today again. Choose joy.

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet sponsor, Khala!

5 on Friday

Cheers to the lovely linkup creators: Darci, April, Christina, and Natasha!

SUNRISE...

6AM pure barre class ended, and the sun hadn't come up yet. I took the opportunity to head to the beach and watch the sunrise in solitude. It was an incredible way to start the day in prayer and in adoration of God's majesty.

As seen on IG :)

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! 

Psalm 139:17-18 NLT

...SUNSET
Got to see one of these at the beach this week too. (Can you tell how much I love living here?) My heart has been breaking for one of my best friends all week. These beautiful, God-created moments were the perfect time for me to lift her family up to our Father in prayer. No matter what...He is still good.

MAMA TIME
My mommy was here!!! For less than 24 hours, but it was still so wonderful. I love having our family and friends visit us in our new(ish) city. It makes my heart sing!

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HAPPY TEARS

My little sister's post about her Life Lately had me thinking a lot [...of defensive big sister thoughts]. I confess: I cried happy tears reading all of your sweet comments of encouragement to her. I know her sweet, sensitive heart soaked up every last drop.

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...and I'll stop there because I could write about this topic for days. I think I feel a new post coming on. :)

GIVEAWAY x 2

Did y'all think it was a happy week on the blog?! I did. These two giveaways end this weekend, so get yourself entered if you haven't already! New spring clothes and a monogrammed phone cover? Have at it, lovaaahs! 

Enter to win a custom cell phone cover by Simply Monogram.

Enter to win a $25 store credit to Flourish Boutique.

The winners will be announced on Monday!

Cheers, my darling dears!

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet sponsor, Khala!

Simply Monogram + GIVEAWAY

One thing all of us southern girls love and appreciate like no other: monograms. It's true. I've always loved my monogram...and then I got married. And I loved it even more!

Today I am thrilled to collaborate with Simply Monogram, an Etsy shop, so you can add your beloved monogram to your cell phone*.

*This shop offers cases for iPhone 4/4s, 5/5s/5c and Samsung Galaxy S3/S4.

I admit, my cell phone cover before this one was monogrammed too. It was a really "fancy" one, acutally: a customized Otterbox monogram case. That means I also paid the Otterbox case price AND the customization price. It wound up being $60-$70 dollars total. Eeek!

Note that even Otterbox cases are destructible, darlings. Wear and tear is a real thing, even for a $$$ Otterbox. Yes, my phone is still in good shape (thank goodness), but I've busted off a good bit of the plastic hardcover from my Otterbox. Yikes. I know my sister's has done the same.

It was time for a new cover....with the same concept but not the same price...because obviously I was not going to drop $60-70 to have it wear and tear it down again. [I am the clumsiest person in my family times a million. They have a running joke about hearing a thump or crash and just shouting, "Elise?!?!"]

In comes Simply Monogram. Same concept, but without the Otterbox brand name price. Think: rubber undercover for shock absorption, hard cover on top of that for protection. So similar. But a fraction of the price!!! This is a no brainer. Especially for us monogram lovin' ladies!

Cell Phone images courtesy of Simply Monogram on Etsy

The above images are some of my favorite designs from the shop. I had so much fun customizing my design as well as choosing my preferred monogram style and colors. Simply Monogram also sends you a proof at no extra cost before sending you your new cover. Still on the fence? Check out their raving reviews!

Now what you've been waiting for: GIVEAWAY TIME!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Simply Monogram has so graciously offered to give y'all a lovely 15% discount from your order using the code CHEERSYALL. This code will expire on 4/10/14. As if these custom cases aren't a deal already....goodness gracious! YAY!

Last thing...

Yes, my new cell phone cover and I match. No I do not take myself too seriously.  Can someone say CHEEEEEESSSIN?! Cheesin' big time. But seriously, if you missed it, go enter yesterday's giveaway to Flourish Boutique! (AKA where I got the matching dress..and now insert an imaginary laughing crying Emoji, one of my favorites.)

 Cheers to Simply Monogram!

Per my sponsorship policy, I was given one product to review and keep and one to giveaway. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.  

Pop on over to The Birdie Bowl to visit my sweet sponsor, Khala!