all the things: may...

I don’t know about you, but May is kind of like the calm before the storm. And because of that, I have been totally stressed and anxious. I know this because my body has decided to freak out and have sinus problems and rib problems and all the problems. But, despite that, May was fun and full of good things. 

Here are all the things (the important ones, at least) of May!

Parks & Rec: I know I am super late to join this bandwagon, but, LESLIE KNOPE IS THE BEST THING EVER. Seriously, this entire show is amazing and I can’t stop laughing and quoting and watching. Each character has something to add (except for April because I generally don’t like weird, dark characters). Ron Swanson? I want him to take me hunting. Leslie Knope? Let’s chat about life over waffles. Ann Perkins? Take my vitals and tell me I am healthy. Chris Trager? Let’s talk about how literally, everything is the best. Tom Haverford? Let’s blow up Instagram and other various social media outlets with photos of us at the best events around town. Every night, I come home to these people and I love them. (This sounds pathetic, but it’s not, it’s pretty much awesome.)

Porn & Technology by Jeff Bethke: This 10 minute video is SO GOOD. He talks about vulnerability, intimacy, porn, technology, the worth of a woman, and so much more. Please do yourself a favor and watch this.

Baseball: Our season has started! I have already been to Dodgers Stadium for my first game of the year (I am not a Dodgers fan, but how can you say no to a free ticket, good company, and Dodger Dogs? YOU CAN’T). I am already scouring Groupon for some deals on tickets for the summer!

Biblical Singleness by Matt Furby: My old boss/current pastor/basically older brother just spoke on Biblical Singleness at our church and it was literally the best message I have ever heard on singleness. If you are single, or even married, you need to watch this. I sat in his office this past week, pouring my heart out about the struggle and the emotional aspect of singleness, and I am so glad that I did. He even quoted me! “My hope is FOR marriage, not IN marriage.” Yep, Kristi Howell original right there!  

Two Years to Forever: This month marked the end of my two year small group with my junior high girls. I blogged about it here and frankly, I am still processing that they are now in high school. How did that even happen? I am going to be a total wreck when I become a mom and have my own childrens’ transitions to cope with.

My Selfie Stick: First off, the fact that these are called Selfie Stick’s? Lame. They should be called Groupie Sticks, because you only use them with a group. I realized that Summer Camp was in about 50 days, so I celebrated by purchasing a Selfie Stick. Feel free to judge me, but also know that I will get THE BEST camp photos, beach photos, etc. with this thing. I feel like every youth leader should have one of these things, it’s like an unwritten rule.

Iced Coffee: My go to this month has been iced coffee. It is a real addiction and I am okay with it. Is that bad? Probably.  

What are some things that you enjoyed this past month?

What are you looking forward to in the coming summer months?

all the things: april...

April was a very fun, interesting month. I felt like April gave me a some time to breathe before the craziness of May and before we launch into the summer months.

Here are all the things of April!

Joanna Gaines’ Testimony: If you have a free four minutes, you need to watch this. I love her show “Fixer Upper” and love how her and her husband are so real and goofy! She talks about her Korean/American heritage and how the deep-rooted lie of being “enough” was sown into her at an early age. Watch HERE. 

Easter: I have said it once, and I will say it again and again… I LOVE MY CHURCH. It is so much more than the place I work, the building I walk into every Sunday morning; that place is a home for me. The community I have there, I just can’t begin to tell you. Easter was such a fun, beautiful time in our community.

Old Navy Jeans: I live in these. Literally, they are so comfy and beyond perfect for the summer heat that we are beginning to experience. Go grab yourself a pair and thank me later. Order online HERE. 

Netflix: This past month I finished the first seasons of Bloodline and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and began re-binge watching Friday Night Lights and One Tree Hill. I usually watch my new shows after dinner, curled up in my bed right before I go to sleep and my binge shows are on when I clean, cook, etc. I have loved having extra time to invest in new shows… It’s the simple things in life that being the most pleasure!

Let’s All Be Brave by Annie Downs: PICK THIS UP NOW. Annie Downs speaks my language and I am very confident that if we lived in the same town we would be the best of friends. She writes in coffee shops, so every chapter feels like you are literally sitting at a quaint coffee shop in Nashville, drinking lattes and discussing life. And, if you don’t have time to go grab her book, hop on over to her blog HERE.

When Dreams Don’t Come True, And Even When They Do: This is perfect. Please read this blog post and be encouraged. So good, like Jimmy Fallon so good. Read HERE.

On Narrowing by Shauna Niequist: This post is simply brilliant. I am not in the same life season as Shauna, but her words speak such truth into the deep places of my soul. As we grow older, we do discover what is important to us, we weed out the unnecessary and narrow down to the things we unashamedly want in our lives. Learning to narrow now is something worth pursuing. Read HERE.

Guest Blogging: This past month I was over at my friend’s blog, Familiar Friend, writing on stillness and what it means to try harder. Hop on over to that post HERE.

What are some things that you enjoyed this past month?

all the things: march...

Recently, I had a great conversation with a fellow writer and kindred about blogging and consistency. In an attempt to be more consistent with my writing, I will be adding some regular postings into my blog, one of which will be monthly wrap-ups!

Here are all the things (the important ones, at least) of March!

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott: If you are a writer (or aspiring writer), you need to read this book now! A bunch of my writer friends (Annie Downs and Jen Hatmaker) (also, I have decided we are friends after the IF: Gathering and because we are kindreds) recommended this book throughout their blogs and podcasts and I quickly ran to pick it up. It is brilliant!

Scary Close by Donald Miller: This book is brilliant; Miller speaks freely and openly about his issues with trust, intimacy, and being known. It’s insane, because I feel like I know so many people who struggle with these things, and I learned so much about them through his writing. Well done, sir.

The Happy Hour by Jamie Ivey: I heard Jamie Ivey speak at the IF: Gathering this past February. Jamie has a way of just talking about real life with real people that is so inspiring! I listen to her and her guest (people like Annie Downs, Jen Hatmaker, Jessica Honneger, and all my other kindreds) in the mornings while I am making coffee and putting my make-up on. The podcast is free on her blog here.

She Reads Truth Lent Study: Ladies (and men too), if you have not heard of She Reads Truth, THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE! I have told everyone I know about this site (and they have a handy app for the iPhone and Android complete with their studies, phone wallpapers, and a bunch more goodies!) because the studies are so accessible and so good. Typically, Lent is not something I do or understand, but this year and the SRT Lent study has given me a completely new perspective! Even outside of Lent, this study is so rich and full. Have you found a good site for devotionals and Bible studies? Share in the comments!

Old Navy Chambray: I have literally been living in my chambray. It has stains and marks on it, and I don’t even care because for the love, it is so comfy. Old Navy is having wild Spring sales right now, so if you are in need of a casually cute, comfy chambray, RUN DON’T WALK.

New Recipes: This month I tried a bunch of Pinterest recipes and they all worked out beautifully! Everything from snacks to full meals… I love having the time to cook and bake!

My Roadtrip: I already posted about this here, but people, it was such a needed time with a dear friend!

Fresh Flowers: Welcome Springtime! I picked up a bouquet of some beautiful flowers this month at the local Farmer’s Market and they are still bright and blooming! I already have my eye on some new ones at Trader Joe’s once these ones lose their life. Is it just me, or do flowers make everything THAT much better?

Kara Tippetts: This post by Ann Voskamp… MERCY. I was crying like Kara was my best friend. Praise God for an amazing life lived!

Nashville: NEW EPISODES START THIS WEEK AND I CAN BARELY CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT.

Twitter: This past month, both Ann Voskamp and Maragaret Feinberg favorited my tweets on Twitter… And I about fell over in my chair. That is all.

What are some things that you enjoyed this past month?