all the things: october...

People, October is hands down my favorite month of the year and I hate that it is over. Even though Southern California is not really getting the whole Fall memo, I wish that every month could be October.

Here are all the things (a lot of things!) of October:

What More Do You Want?: Everyone needs to watch this right now. Annie Downs is one of my favorite authors/speakers/people in this entire world. I fully believe that we would be best friends if we lived in the same city. I love her heart for God and for this idea that we are living the good life NOW. Whatever you are waiting for (a job, a marriage, a child, etc.), know that God knows and God sees and He is in control. Trust His timing, trust His character.

Jason Derulo: You guys, I went to a live taping of a particular show with a few friends this past month, and let me tell you, I have no words. I will say that I probably won’t go to another taping (unless it is for Ellen Degeneres or Jimmy Fallon), but seeing Jason Derulo without a shirt… Worth it, worth all four hours of standing. I also ate my feelings in burgers and fries that night because JASON DERULO WITHOUT A SHIRT.

Kick The Dust Up Tour: I also went to see Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, and Dustin Lynch this month for the “Kick The Dust Up Tour”. Luke Bryan kept sneezing on stage and chasing it with a shot of tequila, but you know what, I love that man and his music. Also, Randy Houser was the most pleasant surprise; that man has PIPES. Like, I want him to sing me to sleep every night. We had so much fun and I am already ready for next summer and all the country tours to roll back in to town!

WhenYou Have An Overly Expressive Face: People, this is me. I have gotten in to SO MUCH trouble because I wear my emotions and reactions on my precious face. I often look much like Kristen Wiig in that photo. 

Adele and Bieber: YOU GUYS THESE SONGS. “Hello” and “Sorry” have been the soundtrack to October.

Dating:Are We Doing It Wrong?: Okay, so this. I wish that I had written this article myself because it is good good good. We live in a time (in this church) where we are terrified to be vulnerable and to date and confess that none of us know what the heck we are doing. Coffee dates are NOT marriage proposals, people. Please read this, you will not regret it!

Twenty-Six: This month I turned 26, and it has been one of my favorite birthdays! I am thankful for what 25 was for me and am excited for what 26 will be; did you get a chance to read about everything I learned in these past years? Read HERE.

Pumpkins, Wheelbarrows, and Halloween: Halloween is my most favorite holiday ever. I love carving pumpkins, going to the pumpkin patch, passing out candy, dressing up, drinking cider… It’s just the best! This year, my college roommates and I spent the day at a local pumpkin patch going through the corn maze and picking out pumpkins. We spent the rest of the night eating candy, drinking cider, carving pumpkins, and watching “Hocus Pocus”. It was the absolute best. Also, I carved my pumpkin as an ode to my favorite emoji: HEART EYES. It turned out perfect. Halloween was perfect.

So friends, how was your month?

Are we ready for November?

#twentysixthings...

Twenty-six.

This Saturday, tomorrow, I turn 26 and I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t feel old enough to be in my last year of my mid-twenties. I am nowhere near where I thought that I would be at the age of 26, and I am actually praising God for that; the life I planned for myself by the time I would turn 26 is boring compared to what God has orchestrated for me!

Being 25 was fun and hard, but I am thinking that 26 will be good; I think it will be a year that continues to lead me deeper into God and deeper into myself, that it will be a year where I settle into life a little bit more.

26 Things I’ve Learned in 26 Years

(in no particular order)

1. Things don’t always end the way that they begin.

2. Conversations with boys are normal; everyone is trying to figure out this whole relationship/dating thing and just because these kinds of conversations are new to you, doesn’t mean they aren’t normal. Uncomfortable is okay.

3. In the kingdom of God, water is thicker than blood.

4. Sometimes, the only appropriate way to deal with a situation is allow yourself to use a curse word and then eat a pint of ice cream, and half a pizza, and then maybe the other half.

5. I have not only survived 26 whole years as a single person, but I have thrived. This year, I learned that my hope is FOR marriage, not IN marriage (daaaaang… right?).

6. There is nothing more fulfilling than loving people well. Whoever is in your life, love the heck out of them, even if it looks absurd.

7. There is ALWAYS time for dance parties and gangsta rap. ALWAYS.

8. Humility is a great companion; don’t take yourself too seriously and laugh at yourself when silly things happen.

9. The LORD establishes our steps; we must have confidence amidst the chaos of life because of this.

10. I am nowhere near where I thought I would be at 26 and I am guessing you probably won’t be either, and I am actually super thankful for that. God has spared me from things and saved me for things that I could have never imagined.

11. Choices have consequences, both good and bad. You are responsible for yours, not for anyone else’s.

12. This world is broken, and broken things break.

13. Don’t dismiss your emotions or your problems. Don’t compare your problems to someone in a third world country because, although it could be worse, right now it feels like it’s the worst and you are allowed to think that.

14. Being still takes intention and obedience, because trying harder is not always running faster.

15. Quality over quantity.

16. Seek wisdom in EVERYTHING.

17. If you reach your 20’s and have not seen a counselor, BOOK AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT NOW. Counseling is amazing and everyone needs to figure out why they are the way that they are.

18. Go to baseball games, concerts, road trips, dinners, pumpkin patches. Make lots of plans and have lots of adventures.

19. Contrary to popular belief, bedtimes can be a good thing (especially when you work an 8am-5pm job).

20. Adulting is hard, but it is worth every penny (literally, every penny you make).

21. I like sugar and cream in my coffee and that is a life decision that snobby coffee drinkers will not get in the way of; I am secure in my coffee orders.

22. Grace is deeper still.

23. God is big enough for you to buy a new comforter. 

24. Mature people can also be fun people.

25. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or on the stove, invest in a vacuum, and use candles to make your home smell nice.

26. Create boundaries.

What are/were things that you learned by the mid-twenties?

Do any of these resonate with you?

*see what Iearned in the first 25 years here (some of my current lessons are repeats!)

a coffee date...

If we were on a coffee date, I would order something over ice, because for the love, it is still in the 90’s here in Southern California.

If we were on a coffee date, we would talk about how this Friday is Halloween, which means the holiday season is upon us! Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Years… let’s resolve to not let our plans and to-do lists and Pinterest projects run our lives this season, okay?

If we were on a coffee date, I would ask you about your secret place; the place where it’s just you and God, where you are able to get on your knees and be honest and messy.

If we were on a coffee date, my journal would make an appearance. Lately, I have been learning so much, and we would most definitely be talking about that.

If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that this past weekend was a breathe of fresh air. Celebrating my birthday with great friends, food, laughter, and adventure.

If we were on a coffee date, I would ask you to pray for me, because the struggle is REAL.

If we were on a coffee date, I would ask you about the times God has delivered you and proven Himself faithful. I would ask because I think we all need people to remind us of those times once in a while, you know?

*These posts are inspired by this lady. She's a new favorite.*

#twentyfivethings...

For the past 25 years of my life, God has been so good to me. I look at each year, each trial and blessing, and through both, have been incredibly thankful for all. I have learned so much, and those lessons have not come cheaply.

This year, my 24^th, has been a complete rollercoaster. Friends, many of you have seen me through some wild times; there has been rejection, loss of dreams, beautiful and hard ministry, new opportunities, travel, questioning, health issues, spiritual issues, and so much more. My life has been filled to the brim, rich in every way; the lows have been overwhelmingly dark and the highs have been a radiantly bright.

25 Things I’ve Learned in 25 Years

(in no particular order)

1. Drawing near to Jesus is just as important in the joys as it is in the trials. 

2. Learn to be still and let the Lord fight for you sometimes; this life is not meant to be lived under your control, but the control of the Almighty. Accept this and life gets a tad bit easier.

3. Sometimes the greatest Friday nights are spent on the couch. Cue the candles, comfy blankets, popcorn, and mildly inappropriate shows (The Mindy Project? Marry Me? New Girl? YES, ALL OF THEM, YES.).

4. Don't be afraid of the hard things. 

5. Sometimes it’s okay to break the budget on a Target spree (those dollar bins and Cartwheel and Shopkick and for the love, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING ON SALE).

6. Laugh at yourself. Literally, laugh at yourself in moments of stupidity, embarrassment, and failure. If you take yourself too seriously, you will end up missing some of the greatest moments of life.

7. Striving to appear perfect is a waste of time. Christ didn’t die for your perfection; He died for your hot mess of a life.

8. Don’t be ashamed of your past, your family, the skeletons in your closet.  Everyone has their thing, so don’t be insecure about your thing.

9. God is for you, not against you. Emotions tell you differently, cling to truth.

10. Saying no is okay. Learning to say no to good things gives you the ability to say yes to the great things.

11. Anxiety is a real thing. 

12. Singleness is just as sanctifying as marriage.

13. The best way to kill a spider is with hairspray (#singlegirlwoes [see above]).

14. There is such a thing as too much Pinterest. Stop comparing and striving and live your life.

15. Sometimes being between a rock and a hard place means you’re between a good thing and a godly thing. Follow the godly thing, always.

16. There is something powerful about calling your mom and hearing her say that you are going to be okay. Being an adult is hard, and to have someone who knows you deeply tell you that you are going to make it? Soothes the soul like WOAH.

17. Don’t underestimate the power of a solo dance party.

18. You are not the friends you have, the medicine you take, the career you pursue, the man you marry, how well you fit into your jeans… You are found in Christ. Know that, believe that.

19. Take yourself on a date. Drive to the beach, go see a movie, eat lunch at your favorite café, splurge on a frilly coffee or a new dress.

20. The best way to grow in the Lord is on your knees.

21. Social media is a highlight reel. Real life is messy and gritty and wild and unfiltered. Live in that place.

22. Sometimes, the only accurate, valid response to life is a cuss word. (I am a sinner, obvi.)

23. A mentor can be the greatest, wisest choice you can make for yourself. Find someone who encourages you, challenges you, speaks truth into you, and texts you eCards and emojis and takes care of you when you have surgery and freak out over WebMD articles.

24. Prioritize rest.

25. Your high school crush is probably just as dreamy as he was in high school. At least, mine is…

What are some of the greatest lessons you have learned in your short time on earth?

Are you a fan of the solo dance party, and if not, WHY?