1. Reading the comments on my birthday post.
Wow! You all continually blow me away! Thank you for the amazing comments on my birthday post.
I wanted to respond to each and every one of you — and I wished that I could have personally hugged and prayed for each of you and told you face-to-face what you mean to me.
I am so blessed to have the opportunity to blog here and get to know some of you and have you as my online community and cheerleaders. It’s humbling and such a blessing!
2. Wearing this Life is Tough tee.
Y’all. I am in love with this tee.
This year, some of the parts of this Year of Rest have been going really deep in a few relationships and walking really closely with a few friends who are suffering some devastating losses in their life.
Some days, it feels crushingly heavy and my heart feels like it might suffocate from the pain others are experiencing and there’s nothing I can do to take it away. I know it’s exactly where God wants me to be and it’s been such an honor to walk through dark, lonely, broken, and messy — even though it hurts so much to see others struggling so much.
This t-shirt is a reminder to me that while life is tough, we are stronger than we think. I’ve certainly learned that this year. {Psst! This shirt is available for just $15.95 through the end of today!}
3. Checking out new podcasts.
I recently started following some new podcasts and have been enjoying them so much! Some podcasts I’ve been loving: What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel, The Productivity Show, and Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield.
Do you listen to podcasts? What are some of your favorites? I’d love to know!
4. Listening to Bob Goff preach.
This weekend, we went back to Kansas to spend a few days with our extended family. It was a great trip, but the highlight for me (in addition to seeing family), was getting to hear Bob Goff preach at my sister’s church (Life.Church).
I’d always wanted to hear him speak after reading Love Does and his sermon was such an inspiration and motivation to me in so many ways. The link to it is not available online, but I found the above sermon that talked about similar concepts. I’d encourage you to listen to it, if you have chance.
I think we can spend so much time talking about concepts, but talk does nothing if it’s not followed up by action. I loved how he talked about if we want to follow in Jesus’ steps, we should be going out and looking for those who are lonely, broken, hurting, and struggling and walking with them and loving them.
That’s how I want to live my life. I want to show up for people, I want to be available to people, and I want to live my life with out-stretched arms, not holding back but giving my life away.
5. Experimenting with new messy bun styles.
You know that video that I shared in my 3 Favorite Everyday Hair Styles post? I’ve been having fun experimenting with trying some of them out.
If you’ve always wondered how to do a good messy bun and just can’t get the hang of it, I’d definitely recommend watching this video. She makes doing messy buns so easy!
{And am I the only person who takes bathroom mirror photos of myself to see how the back of my hair looks? I know it seems weird, but that seems to be the only way I can really tell if I really accomplished the look I was going for. So I may have more than a few of these on my phone. :)}
Victoria says
My favorite podcast is Sally Clarkson’s. I love listening to her speak, I turn her on in the afternoon when I’m nearing the end of my patience level and her insights and wisdom always lead me back to the Cross and help quiet my soul. I enjoy her books too but in this season of littles it’s a little hard to keep my eyes open when I sit down sometimes! 🙂
Tresa says
*Leadership Transformations with Steve Macchia
Sorry, I misspoke.
Tresa says
Favorite podcasts right now: 200Churches (it’s a podcast about small town ministry. They recently did a podcast with David Fitch that was insightful. Also, the Renovare podcast with Nathan Foster. He recently had Steve Macchia on from The Transforming Center and it was intresting.
Pamela says
I’m loving a podcast called “Presidential” which profiling each US President. It’s produced by the Washington Post and is absolutely fascinating!
(I don’t know if this show would be ok for kids. I haven’t heard anything objectionable/graphic, but the show doesn’t shy away from things like illegitimate births, rumors of homosexuality, etc. Also I haven’t heard the Bill Clinton episode yet so there’s that, lol!)
Anna says
I take pics of my daughter’s hair so she can see the back too. And so I can remember what I did if the design is especially nice.
Kimberlee says
I really like the bun that you did in this picture. Which one in the tutorial was it that you did in this picture?
Julie says
Hands down, one of my favorite podcasts to listen to is Java with Juli by Authentic Intimacy. While they do specialize with intimacy issues, they cover a wide range of topics related to being a woman. Juli Slattery, Linda Dillow and Hannah make talking about something that could be uncomfortable, often hilarious and always from a Biblical standpoint. I highly recommend it!
https://www.authenticintimacy.com
Kemi says
I’m loving
1. Roll cakes => https://washoku.guide/search/swiss%20roll%20filling
2. My laundry room update (in process and I know this is crazy)
3. Our lovely neighborhood friends. so cool how God knows just where to move you.
4. Freezer Meals
5. My daughter’s sparked interest in helping me out around the house 🙂 Love that child!
Sharon says
Thank you for posting the great podcast suggestions! Keep them coming:) My husband is writing a book, and your business suggestions on this site have been priceless. The concepts on Money Saving mom are fantastic for male entrepreneurs too!
My daughter and I love the messy bun tutorials. We have been in a ponytail rut, and this post came at the perfect time.
Things I’m loving:
1. My daughter’s State Fair, grand champion ribbon.
2. ALEKS.com math has rocked my kids world.
3. Our new church.
4. My consignment store date with my husband.
5. The spinning, musical, flower candle on my daughters birthday cake. The fire power was amazing LOL.
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
Love this! My five things:
1) We’ve been looking for a home in the country for over 3 years and recently found the perfect one!!! Closed last Friday!! 27 acres, only 12 minutes from church & 20 from work. It’s everything we hoped for, at an amazing price. SO EXCITED!!
2) Finally getting into a good groove with this year’s schedule of work/homeschool 🙂
3) MysteryScience.com – a free online science video curriculum. Just started it this week and my girls are enjoying it so far!
4) A fun trip to the local animal shelter with my kiddos.
5) My husband’s birthday is on Thursday. Thankful for 12+ years of marriage so far, and hoping for many more!
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
P.S. I totally take photos of my hair in the mirror, too 😀
Victoria says
LOVE the bun!
5 things I am loving this week.
1. A weekend getaway with my husband to Hocking hills, Ohio.
2. Making it to the top of a very narrow 80 foot fire tower to see some incredible views. (not a big fan of heights so this was a punch fear in the face moment for me)
3. My first running race in I think 2 years is this weekend! ( a 10K )
4. The book For The Love (listening to it on Hoopla and laughing so hard)
5. My coloring bible “Inspire”. It has become a great addition to my morning devotion time.
Katie @ My Joy in Chaos says
We went on a family vacation to celebrate three out of our five kids’ birthdays. The oldest turned 8 and our little twin boys turned 2 yesterday and today. It was so much fun!
http://www.myjoyinchaos.com/home/2016/10/a-family-vacation-and-playing-in-the-leaves-six-things-that-brought-me-joy-this-week
Cassi South says
I love your honesty in these. This week I’m loving:
1. Soups – The weather is starting to cool off here and our fall menu includes several soups. I hated broccoli as a kid but now it is one of my favorite soups. Isn’t it funny how that happens!
2. Our new hamster – Our kids have been wanting a hamster for several months. That was probably spurred on by my stories of getting to raise hamsters when I was a kid. We went to the pet store this past weekend and they had a hamster someone had brought in that they could no longer care for. We knew we could provide the home and care he needed so we adopted him that day. He is a very loved and looked after hamster.
3. Smart Phones – I’m pretty late to the game on this one, but I just got my first smart phone. My husband upgraded and we decided to ad me to the plan because I could use his old phone and it would only be $20 a month extra to add me and get extra data. It was about what I was paying for my regular phone on a month-to-month plan so it made sense for us.
4. A new restaurant the whole family enjoys – When my husband and I go on dates we eagerly love to try new restaurants. It’s a little different when the entire family goes out. We decided to try a new-to-us restaurant this week though. It was a hit! And everyone even tried some foods that they had never eaten before. I call that outing a success!
5. Getting together with friends – We had a birthday party two Fall Festivals in 36 hours. It was busy getting to all the places, but it was also a lot of fun. Every event we enjoyed some wonderful food and catching up with friends. There were even fun events like hay rides and bouncy houses for the kids…or kids at heart since some *ahem* not-so-kiddy people were spotted taking a turn on the blow up slide.