"The fear of the Lord leads to life, & whoever
has it rests satisfied." {Psalm 19:23}
1. Visiting a new city + taking a weekend getaway with friends / 2. Wedding dress shopping with my dear college friend & this bride-to-be / 3. Nesting + nursery prep for #MyFairweatherBaby / 4. Sharing my sweet niece's newborn photos / 5. Enjoying the little moments / 6. Reminiscing about past wedding clients & friends
"You crown the year with Your bounty; Your wagon tracks
overflow with abundance." {Psalm 65:11}
My word for this year took several weeks before I finally put my finger on it. Looking back on my past goals & journal notes, I saw the word jump out to me: g-r-a-c-e. It's by God's grace we live, move & have our being. It's by His grace we are saved, redeemed & enter into the family of God. Grace, not perfection are the words I want to shout from the rooftops in these coming days, weeks & months. So much is about to change as I transition into motherhood this spring & Lord knows, I will need heaping amounts of grace to live out His calling, figuring about diaper changes, midnight feedings & raising up our little girl to love the Lord.
Power to Redeem is a beautiful song by Lauren Daigle, featuring All Sons & Daughters. The lyrics have washed over me with a reminder that God is in control & He is the one that brings out the life transformation in us we so desperately long for & need.
You take what is and you make it beautiful.
When love floods in, we're resorted forever more.
With breath it brings the dead to life,
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free.
With mercy strong to carry shame and nail it to a tree
You alone hold the power to redeem.
No guilt competes with innocence crucified.
No grave can hold what Your grace has justified.
With breath it brings the dead to life,
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free.
With mercy strong to carry shame and nail it to a tree
You alone hold the power to redeem.
Rejoice o child of God
Lift your eyes to see.
With every morning light,
Again we are redeemed.
Rejoice o child of God
Lift your eyes to see.
With every morning light,
Again we are redeemed.
With breath it brings the dead to life,
With words that pierce the dark with light
Only by the blood are we set free.
With mercy strong to carry shame and nail it to a tree
You alone hold the power to redeem.
Oh you alone, hold the power to redeem.
Oh you alone, hold the power to redeem.
>> Complete the 1-year Bible reading plan with Hubby
>> Pick a new Bible passage & memorize
>> Decide on 2015 family verse (carryover)
>> Attend an Ownership Class at church
>> Take a gun class with Hubby (I'll only be learning about how to handle firearms, not shooting, since I'm pregnant)
>> Order prints for Dean's office, our bedroom & the nursery
>> Read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, The Happiest Baby on the Block, On Photography & The Meaning of Marriage (Ch. 3-5)
>> Establish our new 2015 budget
>> Finish thank you cards (carryover)
>> Clean out our 2014 hard drive
>> Paint our bedroom end tables & add new hardware
>> Make new throw pillow covers for the living room
>> Finish decorating the upstairs & downstairs guest bathrooms
>> Organize the den
"You can't be fearful & be grateful simultaneously." Tony Robbins
I love when I can take the opportunity & sloooow down. Really sit still, sip on a big mug of caffeinated goodness & reflect on life. Y'all, how can we be grateful for things we didn't even recognize happened? How many wonderful blessings have I received or answered prayers that just passed me by?
But not today - I'm not allowing comparison to be a joy stealer & I'm not allowing a hurried day to get in the way of practicing contentment. "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, & we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food & clothing, with these we will be content." {1 Timothy 6:6-8}
1. Learning to say YES & NO to things in my life. / 2. Receiving the sweetest mail from dear friends. / 3. Reflecting upon God's Word. / 4. Celebrating love with my love. / 5. The opportunity to share beautiful stories of love. / 6. Our church turns 7!
Photo by The Pinwheel Collective
Last month, I finalized my goals pretty late into January as I was still working through vision & long-term goals for the year & for my life. Y'all, it is so great to be intentional with each day the Lord has given us & to set aside time to visualize how to best use the time, resources & talents He's given you for His glory.
If you haven't tried monthly goal setting before, give it a shot this month. What things are you most passionate about? What areas of your life do you desire change or growth?
>> Spend time journaling & expressing my love & gratitude to the Lord
>> Continue serving my spring bride well
>> Aim to be in bed by 11 & up to by 6:30
>> Put up a family prayer board in our home
>> Look for additional ways to respect & support Dean
>> Read The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller
>> Complete LMP business tasks & start new blog series
>> Plan styled venue shoot
>> Book new weddings & portrait sessions
>> Become more familiar with Mvelopes & track our spending
>> Schedule coffee dates with my SG ladies
>> Set aside time to truly rest each week
>> Finish styling our new bookcases & begin hanging photos/arts
"The key to not feeling rushed is remembering that lack of time is actually a lack of priorities.” Tim Ferriss
