ten good things right now.

>> after being sick for over a week, i was at the end of my rope yesterday. i had one last option to try before breaking down and going to the doctor. i pleaded with God to heal me. this morning, i woke up feeling the best i've felt! praise You, Jehovah Rapha.

>> it rained yesterday and it was glorious.

>> what God is teaching me about His grace, the Holy Spirit, and the law.

>> french vanilla coffee. coffee is always  a good thing.

>> i joined an online book club, which is something i've always wanted to do.

>> spring flowers in january. my heart could burst. 

>> God's new mercies each morning.

>> sermon podcasts. 

>> being inspired.

>> putting away the phone, turning off the computer, and just enjoying the company of my family. no distractions.

winter nature.

 

 

these pictures have been on my camera card for far too long. i've had the flu for over a week now. to say i'm over it would be an understatement. nyquil and i have become close friends. i think i went through a box of kleenex in record time. i started getting discouraged last night, but i know that the Great Physician will heal me. nothing is impossible for my God.

the weather in oklahoma is supposed to be gorgeous today. 74* in january? honey, i'll take it . i told myself that no matter how i feel, i will venture into the pasture after work later. i think fresh air and nature will do me some good.    

the vine app is all the rage right now. follow me if ya want.

ps: the facebook page got a pretty update. check it out!
thank you to breanna rose for the tips!

you get what you put in.

i recently started a new she reads truth plan. i had already studied through the "soul detox" plan they are currently re-reading, but i wanted to follow along with them each day and read the notes i took the previous time. i ran across a line from day six: 

"our thoughts are easily influenced by worldly influencing, relationships, words/lyrics, etc."

how true i found this to be last night. after reading half of a highly recommended book, i closed it and whispered, no more. i could not continue to fill my mind with the filth and foul language anymore. some people say they can just "ignore it", but i could no longer pretend that it wasn't affecting me. the words would creep into my thoughts throughout the day, and it left me feeling dirty.

when i fill my mind with worldly things, i will have worldly thoughts. it's that simple. i can't believe it took me reading half of the book to have that realization. i reap what i sow. what i put into my mind matters so much. what i think determines what i become, what i do, what i say, what's in my heart.

i want my thoughts, my mind, and my heart to be focused on Jesus. romans 12:2 says, "do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." when my thoughts and my heart are fixed on Jesus, there is no room for the broken, ugly things of this world to take root.

the prayer of my heart moving forward is this:

"search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

i started blogging HERE now! make sure to follow along!

currently.

watching //
lately it’s been a lot of FRIENDS. i have never watched the series before now. i am currently on season eight, and i’m all like, 
“can ross and rachel just please get back together now?!” gah.
 
listening //
"You satisfy my soul" by laura hackett; "mighty to save" by hillsong; "hallelujah (Your love is amazing)" by brenton brown.

planning //
a special ‘single girl’ valentine’s day for myself.

thinking about //
as of late, i am uninspired... with writing, photography, blogging, and even... instagram. oh, the horror.
it's not that i don't have ideas, but those ideas are the same ol' thing. i need new perspective, new inspirations. when i get in a rut in areas of my life, i know that God is chiseling off my comfort walls to expose a fresh layer of His perspective and beauty.
i love when He does that.

looking forward to //
kicking this flu. the weekend. a quiet saturday with coffee and a book. sunday school.

reading //
just finished "unglued" by lysa terkeurst. any good book recommendations?

making me happy //
His promises.
french vanilla coffee
she reads truth: galatians plan.
tall glass of orange juice.
chunky sweaters.
  

tidbits of life.

>> so thankful for a daddy who will stop what he's doing to help someone. (even if it's just putting air in my tires)

>> the christian zombie killers handbook is one of the best books i've read. so much gospel truth, minus the feel-good fluff.

>> romans 12:2.

>> signs of winter.

>> iced coffee.

>> painted a section of my bedroom with chalkboard paint.

>> the flu can't stop me from enjoying the Word and oj in my penguin cup.

>> a beautiful 68* january day.

You.

Lord, empty of myself so i can be filled with You.
> rid me of my shame and guilt of past mistakes // you have removed my sins as far as the east is from the west.
> rid me of the doubts and questions of 'what if // Your plans are for my good and Your glory.
> rid me of the anger and bitterness i've carried for far too long // renew my thoughts and attitude.

take my life and mold me into a shining light for You in this dark world.
may my life, thoughts, words, and actions reflect Your redeeming love and abundant grace.

Your grace... oh, the grace that overwhelms me, covers me, humbles me. grace that is greater than all my sin.
though i stumble, You hold me.

You call me Your beloved and nothing can separate me from Your love. You alone satisfy my soul.

"as the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my heart's desire and i long to worship Thee."

- as the deer.

new blog design!

for months, i have been searching for a blog designer who is affordable, yet knows their stuff. after browsing through some blogs, i came upon the kinch life designs. aubrey's portfolio was stunning, her prices were the best i've seen, and she loves Jesus. score!

after stalking her blog for days, i finally decided she was the one. (in a non-creeper way, y'all).

YOU GUYS. i just have to say that i was blown away when she sent me the finished product. the result was far beyond what i had hoped for. isn't it beautiful? i feel like it's totally me. if you have a chance, check out her design blog and her personal blog. girlfriend knows her stuff, lemme tell ya.

tell ya kids, tell ya wife, tell ya husband that {beauty in humble places} got a new design!

tidbits of life.

>> frosty morning.

>> everlasting covenant.

>> Jesus + the Word + coffee.

>> my lovely life planner. is it weird to be thankful for a planner?

>> breakfast for dinner // pancakes with nutella, scrambled eggs, and turkey bacon.

>> i'm using my life planner to write down memories and meaningful scripture for the day. exodus 14:14.

>> odd little growth on a tree branch.

>> my newest favorite drink: sparkling ice water in coconut pineapple.