Bible Study

Four days strong. But more importantly, four days highest priority. 

My biggest goal for this year is to make time for The Lord. I want to learn all about Him. I crave to be head of heels for Him. I want to be so obsessed with Him that I can't think of anything else. 

In order for any of that to happen, I must plan intentional time that is dedicated to bible reading. 

Currently I am using the She Reads Truth bible app. They have a lot of plans you can purchase for around $2 each (mobile only) and most plans have a beautiful workbook you can purchase as well. Included is amazing artwork and scripture cards. 

I'm on day 4 of the John plan. Our church recently went through the book of John so it's fun to know what I'm reading and to repeat this book. 

They just posted a weekly bible verse at SRT. I just saved this photo as my lock screen on my phone. By weeks end, this will be memorized (or if I had a brain more like Arly it would be memorized after looking at it one more time!)

What are you using right now as your bible study and devotional? Do you have a daily bible devotional you love? Read the bible in a year? 

1000 miles in 2015

My sister Jackie is amazing. I witnessed (from over 700 miles away) the determination and drive this woman had this past year. I have never seen someone more persistent and consistent in their fitness goals. 

Last January, she promised herself that she would put in 1000 miles of intentional exercise for the year. She didn't count the  everyday walking around that she did. She didn't count the steps on a pedometer. She intentionally set aside time almost every day to put in miles on the pavement. 

She is a new woman. I'm not sure of it's the 40+ pounds that she lost... But my heart tells me it's so much more than that. She is happy. She feels good. She looks incredible. And she's still going! She finished her goal almost a week before her deadline. And today she set a new goal for herself. 

When I grow up, I want to have the persistence of my big sister. I want to start... And finish. 

So today, I started the exact challenge. This means that on average, I need to walk/jog 2.74 miles each day. This year I grow up. I'll be posting on social media as my way of being held accountable. If you don't see me post, call me out on it. I need you. All of you. 

I'm extremely out of shape. The worst I've ever been in my whole life. I don't like to exercise.... But I've finally realized that I NEED to exercise. I will start slowly... But I WILL finish! 

I was a gifted a FitBit for Christmas and am looking for friends on there that will help me stay challenged. (Also, how in the world do you add friends on fitbit?!)

I'm looking for friends to join this challenge with me. Are you in? 

Day one = 1.5 miles

Happy New Year

Last night we rang in 2015 with some of our dearest friends. So much laughter. So much love. 

2014 was filled with a lot of faith and trust. It was a difficult year losing Joel's dad and our little baby. It was also a year of celebrating... My moms wedding and our Avalanche 10U state championship. 

We were tested to our limits with trust. We learned to give up control and allow The Lord to guide us through the year. 

It was a year that we won't forget. Ever. It grew Joel and I closer together and closer to God. For that I am grateful. 

I'm excited for this year. I'm up for more challenges. I'm ready for some changes too. 

Happy 2015. 

Celebrate the End of the Month

My big girls are lying in bed next to me reading our favorite blogs when Alyn pipes up 'Mom, you haven't written in a while.' 

'I haven't? Like how long?'

Arly chimed in 'Like 10 days!'

I guess it's just one of those things. Every day is a blur. Every day is busy. And boring. At the same time. 

But I do recognize that this space isn't just for me and my thoughts and feelings. It's a space for my family to keep an open journal. A place where we can record memories and adventures and go back and see what our big events and every day life was all about. 

Which brings me to today. 

What an amazing day! For the past 6 1/2 years, I have fallen in love with the last day of each and every month. There are always new consultants joining our Scentsy team who are just finishing their first month of sales to get their first paychecks... Consultants who are celebrating their highest volume ever... Leaders who are reaching the next title in their business... And even reaching the highest title in all of Scentsy! 

That is the business side.

But what I love most, is women (and men) realizing they are capable of bigger things then they ever imagined. When they choose to be brave and embrace being uncomfortable, they can accomplish anything they make their mind up to reach. 

I've seen women go from giving excuses they didn't have time to do this wax thing, too busy.... To climbing the leadership titles all the way to the top! 

I've seen women gain a sense of individuality for themselves. They got to be them and not just be labeled by all the hats they wore for each role they play in the every day life. 

I've seen women take their skeptical husbands on free tropical vacations and share with their spouse exactly why Scentsy is amazing. The husbands are quick to jump on board and have a supportive role in the business. 

I've seen people get out of credit card debt. Take their families on vacation. Buy Christmas gifts without going into debt. 

I've seen people give. Give their time, efforts, resources and energy to organizations and individuals who need a servants heart to care for them. 

I've seen (and experienced) the best friendships come from being a part of the Scentsy Family. Working together to help build each other up and help one another become successful. I've seen women cheer and encourage each other to go an little further. We are a family that can celebrate success and praises and also pray and love through anything that comes our way. 

I'm so proud to say I'm a Scentsy girl.  I'm so blessed to celebrate end of month with my friends. And I'm so humbled to live life with some of my favorite people on this planet. 

Thanks to the $99 starter kit and a will to never give up. The Lord knew what our little family needed 6 1/2 years ago. I couldn't imagine my life without all the lessons I've learned and people I've met since joining. 

Every month, on the last day, I get to remember this... And celebrate this... And love this. 

Each and every step of this journey is amazing. 

(Inspired by Allison Dalke)

Overwhelmed in the Beautiful Mess

Last night I saw an Instagram post from Village Church AND I had a friend give a gently reminder about the 'beautiful mess' we all really live in.... And the highlights we like to share in our 'social world.' 

It's easy to clear a space and take a quick snapshot of your 'super cute, look how adorable my space is' area. 

I know.... Because I do that. All. The. Time. 

Friends, I live in chaos.  Each and every day, this is how it looks. I'm overwhelmed.... But in the most beautiful way. 

I had my dearest friend ask me today to sit down and write out my blessings... Each one. One by one. And I can't stop. I could never stop. My (our) blessings are raining upon us every single moment. Like that in a never ending storm. 

It seems that in sharing and showing my life behind the lens of this iPhone 5, I may have put on the 'I've got it all together - my life is grand - everything is planned and scheduled and organized... Seriously, it is!' mask. 

But it's not. It's crazy. It's messy. But it's beautiful. And it's us. And we love it. I love it. 

We share what we think others want to see. We share the photos of how we wish others to view us. It's just something we crave... To be wanted, to belong, to be admired. 

But in reality, we're a mess. Each and every day we struggle with what our back stages, our bloopers, look like... As we sit in the same breath comparing our 'zoom out,' to our friends' or even internet strangers 'zoom in' looks like. 

But even then, always, we are admired by The King; we belong to His Kingdom; we are wanted to do His work. 

It's not easy. But it's worth it. Very rarely do easy and right belong in the same sentence. Anything worth doing is hard. 

 

All of it is hard. Being a wife and mom, running a business around the world, home educating, church volunteer, friend, sister, daughter, coach and more... But these; These are my blessings. And this is why I'm overwhelmed. Because of the love. Because of the beautiful mess that it all fits in. 

My Monday Musings.

The happiest mail on the happiest of Mondays makes for the happiest of Jari! Thanks Allie! 

She Reads Truth bible study packets always make me excited to begin another round of digging in God's Word. 

I also had a very nice hour with a good friend who is quickly becoming a great friend. Thanks for the coffee date Katie! 

Alyn had declared that our days off (every Monday) is a day to let the creative juices flow and get our hands a bit dirty. We're calling it 'Make Something Monday!' That's right friends, we're going to make something pretty each and every Monday! It's our one day out of the whole week that we really don't have an agenda. It's the one day we can set aside our to dos and really just relax and enjoy the day together. Just us girls. It's the one day I get to be mom and not teacher. And I love it. 

We spent the afternoon making pretty things and decorating for Christmas! Yay! We've had our trees us since the 3rd and now we were finally ready to deck our Spry halls with everything festive! 

Arly, the girl who loves Pinterest, whipped out these chalkboard terra cotta pots this early afternoon. Once dry and chalk seasoned, they were ready to have a resident. That's when I realized that our succulents that were half frozen outside (oops) needed to transition from their summer home to their winter home. Aren't they adorable? I think so too. Now we can switch out what we will draw on them whenever we want. 

Avin thought it was beyond exciting to hang balloons on the ceiling! Not really balloons... But paper decoration balls from the dollar store! I'll share more on Instagram tomorrow. 

We ended the night with a late night chat with friends. I think we'll turn it into a monthly date. Dessert (or monster nachos) and some wine? ... Yes please! 

Conversations about parenting, change, birthday parties, persecution and the gospel. Is there anything better?

I'm going to bed with a full heart and motivation to begin my week well. 

Happy Monday to you! (Actually Tuesday now!) 

Sunday Selfies + Sunday 7

A couple little cuties hijacked my phone.... And took some precious photos. 

I just finished my Sunday 7. I need something to keep me on track. It seems that whenever someone asks me how I am, the first word that pops into my head is... BUSY. 

Every day has a to do list that is mega long. Most days I'm trying to play catch up from the days before... All the while the lists just keep growing.  

I'm sure we've all been there. Caught up in the every day chaos of the ordinary things that keep us busy. But there is something about this season that feels extraordinary. I don't know what it is... But I can feel it. I crave it. 

I've been luke warm in the ordinary for a long time. I feel a fire burning for the extraordinary. I feel the Holy Spirit working... So I will wait. And listen. And obey. 

And it's exciting.