No bouquet toss?

            {Why I didn't do a bouquet toss at my wedding}

 I decided to not do a bouquet toss at my wedding for a reason thats dear to my heart. It boils down to intentional living. 

Walking by faith and complete surrender.

I kept mulling over this tradition ,we were very decided on not doing the garter toss (for obvious reasons),but I was asked by family if I would be doing the bouquet toss. I thought of different ways I could incorporate different things into the bouquet toss to give a deeper meaning , then just 'you'll be the next one married'.  Ta Da!

 I finally just decided that, nope, I wasn't gonna do it!

The basic meaning behind tossing away your bouquet to a group of clustered single ladies eager to catch the flowers would be that, if they could catch it fate would have in store a man for them to marry and they shall be next to be wed.

 Now not everyone believes that tradition/myth to be true, its more of a fun and kind of joke that wins you flowers.

 But.... I don't like the mentality of it. I strive to grow to be more intentional with my thoughts and actions. I had that season every girl with the desire for marriage goes through. 

That season of being broken and afraid that there isn't a man for you out there! 

Because the world tells you be your own woman, be pretty enough, successful....

and have that perfect Mr. at your side.

 I learned there is so much beauty in being single. 

Not just single, but a person who surrenders the desire of marriage to God and lives everyday to its fullest and in obedience to where God places them.

It is, in my mind, that having a bouquet toss puts marriage on this pedestal of something to be achieved, something better than where God had placed You Now.

I desire so deeply for young ladies everywhere to strive for contentment,intentionality, and praying for a spouse, if that is the desire of your heart, but surrender consistently the timing to Him. 

Too many girls stop living to just be waiting and finding ways to get a man. 

These girls miss out on what God has for them now!

 They miss out on letting God write their love story. 

God is something my husband and I are constantly striving to keep us and our marriage centered, but how much more beautiful and guided that is when He is the one that orchestrates you both together.

In summary I chose not to do at the bouquet toss because life is about so much more then just getting married. 

Life is so much fuller and better when we are walking and enthralled with Jesus

that our lives every exciting, scary adventurous part of it is orchestrated by Him.

 We make decisions, but He brings those opportunities to us!

He is the lover of our souls, writer of the perfect love story, orchestrator of all.

Exhanging 'self-confidence' for 'Christ-confidence'

 If you have been following my blog you know or I hope at least you got the vibe that I am passionate about living out a set apart life devoted to Christ! The struggle is doing life in the world, enjoying life while keeping Christ at the core. Satan attacks every which way making some of daily choices a struggle.
 So many Christians today I feel are to comfortable,living in a rut and happy with the comfort it gives.

When we become followers of Christ,believing in Him surrendering our lives to Him, we are putting faith and trust in Our Creator. We have peace in know He is in control,that He already predestined us,His plan for our lives as we learn to walk in blind obedience is the most fulfilling thing ever!

 In these truths is a hidden basic,but important aspect, a Christ Confidence.

   Why is this over looked? What exactly are you talking about? Why does it matter?

Its overlooked because we have an earthly mindset. The more and more you are in the word and are spending time with Him the more you develop a heavenly mindset. You don't look at challenges with bleakness,hopelessness and see it impossibilities. You begin to see possibilities. Ways for His light to shine. The only impossibilities are the ones the world says exist. 

When we spend more time in the world and less in the word we see more from the earthly mindset as we let our mind drift. Our human nature is to follow,to go on what we know, when the world is your main source of information from day to day telling you how to think you will lean towards that. 

The world is obsessed with self, who also happens to be your worse enemy.
 You know that one tool satan just loves to use?! You are your worse enemy. 

Self is the focus of the world also being in control or who,what,how,you are you.

Key to appearing so solid and controlled is confidence!
Being confident in what You can do,in who You are, of what You have,of what You are capable of, to not let Yourself appear weak or helpless. 

You see how damaging that is?! 

Not that confidence in itself is wrong. Its where it lies that causes problems.

In this case not only is the focus on you,but also no credit or no apparent need for a Savior its all in your strength,power and being in the right place at the right time while making the 'right' decisions.

We need to be changing out of this self focus,self confidence attitude for a Christ focused, Christ confidence attitude. 

A Christ Confidence is knowing your purpose in and through Him. I am a very purpose and task driven person. 

When I know what to aim and work for,know the tools to equip myself with I can get to it! 

Knowing what your focus is on is pretty helpful. Its on the cross, the prize at the end of the race,preparing away for His 2nd coming.
Your faith, and our trust in the one who created you. 

 Your confidence and productivity in life excels when this becomes your lifestyle and attitude!

 You become glow drawing in those who linger in the dark.
You are hitting the target because you know where to point and your trusting the own who is teaching you!

The Purpose. Having a purpose (as I stated above) gives us as humans so much more motivation in life as we strive to live it at its fullest. 

A Christ confidence is the arrow in that purpose.
Let us simply switch out where our confidence lies (or lack there of), your fear and worry is now minimized because you know are not alone and you know the one within you is greater than that of what is in the world.
And the word "know" is the greek word ginosko, type of "know".
Its not just head knowledge,but heart knowledge.
Have you ever read a passage several times and "know" it,but that time you begin to study it or experience something that you applied it to your life and now  all the sudden you Ginosko know it?!
Hopefully your getting the idea.

We are commanded several times throughout the Bible to not fear. 

We can walk confidently and boldly in the simple truth that He who has promised is Faithful to fulfill. 
God cannot lie.  

Life is such a beautiful gift that is made even more beautiful when we live out what we were created to do with a humbled confident joy! 

Nothing is more beautiful then seeing someone struggling through the challenges of life filled with joy and peace. That joy,peace and confidence in knowing that it will all be okay, its the overflow of what happens when you begin trusting and focusing on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 Living in complete and utter surrender to Him.
I cannot put to words they way I want or how it ought to be put other then saying 'the truth will set you free.'  

Will it be easy? No. Will it be an amazing crazy wildest adventure? Yes!! 

We are called to something greater than even we can fathom! 

We are Saints, we are Chosen, we have been equipped and given a task, we are loved and trusted in, we're not alone. 

created

  He didn't create me , for to just to merely exist.

                He created me; 

               In His Image,

              For His delight,

              For Worship,

               To lift His name.

Ps.149:4

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. 

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows"  Luke 12:6-7

 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing"  

                         Zephaniah 3:17 

He delights in me. I am wholly His.

  I am delighted in by the King of Kings.

Christ in me and me in Christ.

 I, Can do the impossible, Can shine His light, Can Be More. Can succeed. Can Be.

Through Christ  I can.

 I am worthy.

I am His.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth" 

Psalm 139:13-15

who is defining success?

                 I like to keep things real and authentic when it comes to who I am. 

Failures, joys and sorrows alike. So to be real 'success' is something I have really been struggling with. I used to dream of becoming a Dr. growing up with God taking me on a different path that feels a little more humbling. From feeling like I am starting all over, like a kid still in high school by work at Chick Fil A (which isn't bad, somebody has to work there right?) with pressures to go to college and 'do something with my life' and whats funny is that pressure isn't from just certain family members,but society. I mentioned before how I felt I wasn't being lead to college in the past seasons of my life I was following the directions God was taking me at those times. Society puts pressure on the fact that to be somebody you have acquire 'Success'!

                        Who is defining success? 

             Who puts the stamp of approval of success on your life?

College and education is a huge privilege that we have here in the US and one that should be respected,but not one to define if you are failure in life or not. The amount and way we make our money is put on such a pedestal for success that we lose focus on life.

We have our awards and accomplishments in life,but what is all that in the end?!

        If some one is making money and has established themselves we call them successful.

Some who raise families that are intact great kids and marriage with long lives filled with memories we call that success,but not in the same way. Its more of a good job vs. I want to be like you and own the same stuff.

Success is defined by Noah Webster;

Terminating in accomplishing what is wished or intended; having the desired effect; happy; prosperous;

What are you intending/wishing? What effect do want to have where and how?

Prosperous in what?

5 Ways the world says you have success.

1. A "Career", that gives a pay check to enjoy the greater comforts of life.

2. Owning a house and a nice car.

3.  Being connected.  

Knowing all the right people = popularity & ups others opinion of you.

4. When you have to plan out your day to day prioritizing everything. 

Being busy sometimes seems so ideal,but it can be a major distraction.

5. Having the appearance of perfection.

 (lifestyle, looks,etc... the ideal life)

5 Ways I want to have success.

1.  Having no regrets.
I feel like in the end my biggest regret won't be my career path it would be not walking in obedience to where God places me. 

2. Laying up treasures in Heaven.
I don't want to invest what can be destroyed and holds no eternal value.

3. Being a servant.
When I meet someone who knows all the big time people, either in the business world, pop world, blogging world etc... Yeah, I would be impressed and lean towards wanting to hang out with them try to get and in,but when someone displays a servants heart and knows all the people at the homeless shelter. Less impressive on the world scale,but on the heavenly scale, I am impacted and inspired.
I want to be like that, I want to have that molded into my character. See #2.

4.  Investing.
I am not talking about money,but people, character, shaping yourself.
When we invest money we try to be wise, which will make a profit,bear fruit.
I want to be successful in bearing fruit in my life. 
In taking the time to listen to my siblings. Investing in myself through Christ. 
I admire people who don't go off of emotion and selfish needs/wants on what looks fulfilling to them. 
When you truly invest in others, without realizing it your investing in youself. 
In Gods Kingdom  (see #2)


5. Being real & True
 Ah,perfect people with the perfect life are idolized and people reach for what they have,but they don't know how. Why don't they know how? Because its not perfect and perfect people aren't easily approachable.
I never want to be so 'perfect' that people have a view of me of a struggleless, sinless, easy life.
I want to be true and real. That I am approachable for people to say hey, I am struggling with this can you pray for me give me advice..etc.. and vice versa I want my friends to be able to say hey, I see your struggling with this let me pray for you.
No one is better then another. I want to be real, true,approachable.

 

"Courage is knowing where your fear limits you and having what it takes to go beyond it."

pretty little things & humble beginnings // Monday love

                    

                                               Happy Monday and Happy November lovelies!

                                  

                                     Fall has started to begin falling away.

As I type the rain is falling softly with a steady patter on the roof, the keys of my computer start a steady rhythm, the fresh cool air fills my lungs. My aspirations notebook begins to fills with hopes,dreams and expectations. I feel my life turning a page and opening into a new chapter as my sister prepares to go from Miss to Mrs. She will leave the home I will become the oldest at home suddenly I am in the shoes of both of my older sisters with a free spirit and my wild curls bouncing behind me I take flight. I have a new job and I am on the hunt of a church that is right for me. A season of independence and adulthood is beginning with a struggle like a flower bud in the spring forcing itself or I should pushing itself upward and outward to begin to a life in full blossom like the flower I want to bloom. I am on the search to find a community and a routine in life in which to encourage,inspire and find new ways to grow in faith along with a creative.

As I have this burning passion to blossom as a creative and woman of God I want it to spill over through my fingertips and onto His Brunette. Wanted to thank you all for following my humble blog and humble new beginnings. With that being said welcome to Monday Love where I plan on sharing some little things I have been particularly loving lately.

                               

1. My new 'yummy' mug from target

2. Pumpkin Spice creamer (sometimes you need to treat yo self.)

3. Gardiner Sisters - a few favorites is "Cool Kids", A Thousand Years, and This mash up!

4. Knee high socks, colored tights, and ankle boots.

5. Barnes and Nobles. 
Can I just say how much I love that place. Its a happy place.

What have been a few of your loves lately?

What are you most looking foreward to this month?

day in the gulf

because I said yes

"Would you like an adventure now or shall we have our tea first?" -Peter Pan

                                   I cannot believe I have been in Colorado working at a ranch for a month now. Its been a whirlwind  of a year thus far. 

3 months ago I moved from Ohio to Alabama,5 weeks ago God brought Colorado to me and now I am here....have been here for weeks!

What a journey God has taken me on. Definitely struggles,stress,but a lot of new beginnings,adventures and many learning curves that are just exciting me....as it stresses me out.;)

                   God has been so faithful and so good to me I cannot wait to see what challenges the summer will bring and where God will lead me next!

beauty of homesteading

                                      Our family ever since I was 4 started homesteading.

                                     I remember working in the heat of the day weeding.

                    Running barefoot through the garden rows in search of an afternoon snack.

Green beans and peas were always so sweet to the taste buds. I remember summers full of life and activity you didn't have to go anywhere. Swing on the swings, hiding in the tall grass, helping with the chores. It was so carefree, so raw and real. It was home. There was a lot of work,but so worth it.

  One of the beauty and blessings of having a mini farm is the new life you get to see spring up and watch it grow. In the garden and in the barn.The beauty was surrounding us and you cannot not deny that there was a creator and He is love.  This post is featuring our newest little addition to the goat herd.