blessings

Last week's girls' night was refreshing. Instead of venting about the stresses and realities of how things are (because we all need to vent at some level to release that situation that happened at work, that unbelievable thing he/she said, or how stressed we are in general), we instead focused around things that would encourage and inspire each other and shared what we had done throughout the week that we could be proud of. It is always a nice reminder that we are where we are in life for a reason, and to have an impact on someone else, however small, gives our life meaning.


Two things that I like to remember: God positions people in our lives who can uniquely speak blessings over us (Numbers 6:24-26) and God Himself has spoken a blessing over us (Ephesians 1:3). 

 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

The true blessing, though, is in being able to bless and encourage others. I guess the joy in blessing others is because in those moments we can feel more Christlike. I love that reminder. So that said, a blessing for you...

Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)  

²⁴ ‘May the Lord bless you and protect you.

²⁵ May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. 

²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’

prayer

What do you do when you are faced with a conflict in life?


These last few weeks, my heart has been heavy with prayer.The heartaches around me range from prenatal complications, adoption journeys, and health complications to needs for financial and emotional well-being. My initial response is usually overwrought with fear and anxiety, worry and concern, and a loss for words, but what I've come to rely on is a simple, "I can pray about it." When faced with something outside our control, it makes personal experiences feel very real and the need for God even more real. I think that faith, at least, makes our struggles a little less scary. To pray and trust that our needs are met or will be met takes an overwhelming amount of faith. 


It's not particularly enjoyable to wake up at 2 am or 4am, but it's not as bad when there's so much on my mind to pray about. It's also key for me to remember that if I don't take advantage of these moments when it's typically quiet (at night and when I'm getting ready for work), I'll tend to forget. Being able to release these worrisome thoughts of difficult situations that others' are experiencing right now and instead place confidence in Christ is a relief in so many ways. It brings security and comfort, and is for me, the exact opposite of my initial response. 


I don't kneel or talk outloud usually; it's more of a conversation in my head, just not with myself. As humans, I believe we crave connections. We weren't created to be alone. Having the chance to even approach God with our thoughts and concerns, however minute, is unfathomable when you consider all that is going on in the world at a given moment. That said, I don't doubt that my prayers are heard. When I pray, I feel uniquely connected with His heart, character, and purpose.  

The other day, as I was responding to a group text message requesting prayer (unknowingly responding to the entire group), I received a response back from someone saying, "Thank you! Who is this?" It turned out that that same exact morning they were in the same situation needing prayer and comfort. When I feel like there's no way to help, God always shows Himself in one miraculous way or another, bringing people together in unique ways, giving us hope when we're hopeless, and providing answers.  

Oh, October

Go he said,

Until rock gives way to sea, gives ways to

Salt and air and the elements all–

Until feet touch land that creaks, melts and sighs.

Rippling, crashing, splitting beneath you,

Its tired arms open to the cold of night–

Everything frozen, everything hushed.

And then, with eyes at rest, look closely.

Closer.

Closer still,

And in that moment, you will find me–

Indeed you will see.

(Anthropologie)

There are many reasons why October is my favorite month. I love that it's no longer uncomfortably hot outside. I love that my hair will stay curled for more than a minute without humidity. I love the smells. I love pumpkin pies and apple pies, caramel apples, hot soups, and smores around the bonfire. I love the change of colors as the leaves start to fall. I love sweaters and boots. I love the energy that surges as the year starts to wrap up. The holidays are coming, and that means remembering how thankful I am for family and friendships. October, specifically, is just before it starts to get hectic, but yet still, is usually packed with fun activities. On the list for this month is a hike to somewhere undecided, a pumpkin patch a little more outside of Nashville this year, a birthday party, a wedding, a family birthday, a likely addition to the family this month as I gain another neice, and a fall festival. I'd love to fit in a movie at a drive-in theater, a bonfire, a few extra walks and visits to the dog park with Easton, and maybe a few last cookouts. I'm thrilled that Sean is as much a fan of October as I am, and even more thrilled that it's his favorite! We got to start our month off with a spooky thriller as is his tradition. He also doesn't oppose to me filling the schedule with all sorts of outdoor events. Instead we share an enthusiasm for just getting out and going, experiencing as much as possible, and sharing it with someone we care about. 

journey to: the pacific northwest

There's just something about looking forward to a trip that brings excitement unlike any other. Well, this last trip came and went so quickly. Sean and I had only mentioned going at some point at first, then really started to consider it, then planned it, and made it a reality. Before it becomes a distant memory, I'd like now to share the experience.

We had a late flight out to Portland and made it through security with no issues besides long lines and jumping through hoops for the TSA. This was our first trip together long distance (we've only had a driving trip to Atlanta with friends and trip to Indy with the Hannon family)…and also the first trip that I did not check a bag since the restrictions on traveling with liquids. At the end of it all, I just looked at Sean and proudly proclaimed, “Expert traveler,” as it was my goal to impress him on our first trip by being on time, getting through the line, and packing everything I needed. Unfortunately, as we sat at our gate, we remembered the things we forgot. Me: leggings, contact solution, brown wedges, Maxaalt, Brita water bottle. Sean: sunglasses.  

When we arrived in Portland, we hopped in a cab toward downtown to the hotel we were staying at: Ace Hotel. The hotel was impressive…epitomized what I would consider classic Portland style.  I promptly fell asleep.

The goal the next morning was to get up early and fill our day with as much as possible, but due to exhaustion, we settled for a late breakfast by stopping next door at Stumptown Coffee and walking over to Voodoo donuts. The iced latte and seasonal Danish at Stumptown was so good. Once we got through the line at Voodoo, we weren’t really in the mood for donuts. I opted for ordinary ones: a cinnamon cake donut and a chocolate glazed one, and saved both for later. (Note: Delicious. Go there if you get a chance).

  

We met up with Jackie and Shelby there and walked through the Saturday Market. It was full of people, things for sale, food, fresh flowers, artwork, etc. With all the walking, we started getting hungry so next on the list was the Grilled Cheese Grill in Southeast Portland/Buckman neighborhood. We ordered our grilled cheese there and polished it off with some frozen yogurt and a walk through one of the Powell’s City of Books bookstores in Hawthorne. Later that night, we went the Rogue Distillery and to the Portland Timbers soccer game, and I had the opportunity to see what soccer fans are really like: fun...and a little extreme. Sean and I walked over to Brix after the game to get some pizza. It was pretty tasty (though I still prefer Nashville’s City House.)

 On Sunday, we started with breakfast at Kenny and Zuke’s, which was adjacent to our hotel. I had the fresh fruit berry crepes and I still dream of them every now and then. I don’t think I’ve had anything so tasty before and the fruit was so fresh! Sean had the corned beef hash and said it was at the top of his list out of all the places he’s had corned beef before. Impressive!


We walked around Powell’s City of Books and stopped for a treat at World Cup inside the bookstore. We left Pearl District, went shopping for a while and stopped at Rogue for mini beer tasters. Then we headed towards the waterfront with high hopes of hailing a cab to get on the other side of the bridge for lunch, but neither Sean nor I could seem to catch one or get through to call one. Despite these efforts, we ended up deciding just to walk back to the hotel and caught a ride with Jackie, Shelby, and Russ to eat at Bamboo Sushi. For not being completely sold on sushi, everything I had there was really good and the sushi chefs were enthralling just to watch!

Leaving Portland was a little sad. I enjoyed everything so much. The one thing that made it better was that there was still more fun ahead. We took a tiny plane to Seattle the next afternoon. While being tossed around by winds, we had great views of all the surrounding mountains and the Seattle skies, and then landed shortly thereafter in misty weather (the only time it rained in Seattle). Either from all the traveling (cabbie, tiny plane, train) or the change in pressure, I was not feeling all that great when we first got there. I rested in my hotel room for a bit before we ventured out to look at the city. The timing worked out better because the raining stopped. We walked to dinner and after strolled down toward the waterfront near Pike’s Place Market.

The next morning we walked back down to Pike's Place Market, got donuts there, grabbed coffee and a sandwich. Since the weather was perfect,  we decided to check out the Space Needle. The views were amazing. We mapped out where we'd like to go next from there, and afterward, we walked to the Seattle Waterfront. We ate at Six Seven right on the water. The lobster mac and cheese was heavenly; Sean ordered the fish and chips. What better place than Seattle, right? Full and satisfied, we trekked back to our hotel. Later we met up with Laura and Kati at her apartment and went out to Ballard to see that area of town. 

Wednesday was another full day. We walked down to The North Face store, grabbed some coffee at Cherry Street Coffee, and walked around the Pike’s Place Market some more. That afternoon, I met up with Laura and Maebel to drive out to Fremont. The area was very pretty, and the people were so friendly. A man even stopped to tell Laura, “Cute dog! You’re cute too!” We walked through the neighborhood for a little while there. Sean and Kati met up with us shortly after and we hung out there for a while.  

We ended the trip with views of the sunset on Seattle from Alki Beach. We walked the trail there and stopped to take pictures along the way to dinner. The “beach” was just a little bit of rocky shoreline, but we did take a minute to dip our feet in the water. (Note: Cold!)