#chic-to-the-next-lev

I know I am a little late, since NYFW was weeks ago, but I just saw this and it was simply TOO good not to share...

"she said she was wearing Jason Wu...It was Jason Wu for Target"

Gosh I love this guy!

Happy Wednesday, Lovelies

TGIF :)

Yes, so SO good...

 Enjoy :)

Daily Mercies

Mercy List

1. cozzzy socks ALL morning long

2. clean tennies!! (which would not be a mercy, today, had I not stepped straight into a puddle mud on yesterday's walk)

3. this week's "chaco-wearing" weather

4. A hair appointment that holds such potential for change (but, who am I kidding, the outcome will most likely be far from daring...)

5. I get to go HOME today!

The clear, pure light of the morning made me long for the truth in my heart, which alone could make me pure and clear as the morning, tune me up to the concert-pitch of the nature around me. 

And the wind that blew from the sunrise made me hope in the God who had first breathed into my nostrils the breath of life; that He would at length so fill me with His breath, His mind, His Spirit, that I should think only His thoughts, and live His life, finding therein my own life, only glorified infinitely. 

What should we poor humans do without our God's nights and mornings? 

--George MacDonald

Gift List

After the candles are blown out and the cake is cut...

The birthday king or queen, who reigns over this day, is directed towards a mountain of presents.  One by one, each gift is given an allotted 5 second display time before it is on to the next one!  This is the drill every birthday and Christmas... 

Then the party comes to a close, and the remnants of the day lie in the wrapping paper and shiny bows that cover the floor.  The last person is barely able to make it out of the door before the grueling task of writing Thank You notes begins.  As a child, this "chore" was the last thing I wanted to do on my special day!  Was I not a ball of gratitude in my 5 second acknowledgment of each gift?  Was a little piece of paper really going to say more than that?  

I know that I was not the only one who felt this way about Thank You notes... But, as I get older I have been a given a greater appreciation for this simple gesture.  Making a list of gifts received has taken on a new meaning, and I have found that it shouldn't be saved only for special occasions.  This could (and should) be a part of my daily routine.  

This summer, I was challenged by a book.  One Thousand Gifts transformed the way I saw my relationship with the Lord.  Before, I was the child who was quick to take and receive, but slow to give thanks.  Afterward, I was closer to becoming a woman with thanks abiding on her lips.  My cup overflows everyday with mercies that I do not deserve.  And everyday, my list of gifts (or gift list as I will be referring to it as) runs off of the page.  I was not aware of how truly blessed I am, until I began seeing even the littlest things as a gift given to me by the Lord.  You only need to be still and the gifts will appear literally out of nowhere!  Everyday your eyes will become used to looking upward in thanks.  When gratitude makes a home in the center of your heart, a new sense of joy and fulfillment is given to your life.  Just give it a try!  

Today's Gift List 

1. my morning cup of jo

2.  Kari Jobe pandora station

3. an encouraging e-mail from a teacher

4. great reminders sent in the form of a Bible verse (check out Colossians 2:6-7) 

5. the fact that today isn't a MONDAY
 

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Will you be my valentine?

Happy Valentines Day! 

May your day be covered in glitter and paper hearts... and may your cup overflow with CANDY!

enjoy

It's the week of LOVE!!!

Who all is excited??

Happy Monday

Jar of Clay

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this all-surpassing power

 is from God and not from us.  

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;

perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed."

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Treasure that is found in a jar of clay?  I don't know about you, but this goes against everything I learned growing up.  Where the idea of the game treasure hunt was to go on a quest to find a glorified treasure BOX.  I don't remember ever finding a cracked, fragile jar at the place where X marks the spot.  

But, in this verse the vessel that holds the precious treasure of the Lord, is not found in anything more than an ordinary and common piece of pottery.  It has chips and a rough surface, and it can easily be broken.  It isn't especially pleasing to the eye, yet our eyes yearn for what is held within. So what is so symbolic about the jar of clay?

I am flawed.  

I have a few chips here and there.  

And I am most definitely fragile.  

I was not made to withstand the test of time, but the Lord has chosen me, an ordinary clay pot, to be the keeper of His treasure.

I could not think of a greater blessing than that... 

Without Him, I am simply an empty jar of clay.  But, filled with the treasure of the Lord, the flaws and cracks of my earthly vessel allow the beauty of God to seep out into the world.  

I challenge you to take hold of your imperfections and to start living each day as the valuable jar of clay that you are!

Have a lovely Thursday!

Here's to the beginning of very busy week...

I'm going to need a WHOLE lot of what she is drinking to make it through alive.
Prayers are appreciated.

Until Next week

What Would You Do?

What if the Lord told you to leave all of your things and just go.

Would you follow?

If He asked you to set aside the plans you had envisioned for yourself, and pick up a new set that required whole lot of faith and a heart full of trust.

Would you follow?

If He asked you to leave a life of security, for a life in which each day was unknown.

Would you follow?

What if the life you once knew would soon be going on without you, would you respond with shouts of praise or would tears of sadness overcome you?

I lay in bed last night thinking about these very questions.  What would I do?  What would I say if I was asked to leave my family, my friends, and this comfortable, safe bubble that I live in, to follow wherever the Lord asked me to go?  Would I trade in my excessive wardrobe for just the clothes on my back?  Would I give up my generous allowance for just what is necessary to get by? And would I exchange the countless hours I spend on pinterest and online shopping for time spent spreading the gospel to those who desperately need to hear it?

My best friend, Allison, is reading a book about a girl who's answer to this hard question was "Yes, I'll go".  In the book Kisses from Katie, Katie Davis traded her life of abundance and security, for a new life in Uganda, where she had nothing but the 14 children of whom she adopted.  She is 22 years old and her life already depicts an image of what selfless devotion to the Lord looks like.  I am inspired by this girl, who is not much older than myself. 

D.L. Moody once wrote, "Use me then, my Savior, for whatever purposes and in whatever way you may require.  Here is my poor heart, an empty vessel; fill it with your grace." 

So, would you follow?  

Something to ponder to my friends.