Sunday Best and All the Rest

     Okay, I have not been on Blogger for a really long time, and it shows!So much has happened in the past several months! When I wrote my last post, the pandemic was just beginning and I had only been married for a few weeks. Little did I know how crazy life would get. I hope that you are are all staying well and sane during this season, as all of us are dealing with unanticipated changes.

   Happy July, my sweet friends! I hope that you are having a lovely summer thus far. The days of outdoor adventures and backyard barbecues have wrapped my season in a social whirl. Today, I would like to share with you a coastal summer outfit (meaning it's meant for not-actually-hot weather  ;) ) and along with a few thoughts on Psalm 43.

   Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? This May is a great opportunity to talk about this topic, as it is close to my heart. I especially have a growing passion for sharing about mental health as it relates to the church.

   Hello ladies! Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, and Happy Valentine's Day while I'm at it. ;) I'm afraid that sporadic blog posts are my new normal, but that will just make our time together that much sweeter. This post is quite long compared to most, so I will let you get to it. Please also enjoy a few beach photos I took last weekend. :) *I have definitely not "arrived" (nor have any of us still living on earth;)) This post is for me too. God taught me new things as I was preparing the post. Anything good or encouraging that I have to say to you is from Him.*

Hello dear readers! I have a long post coming up for you, so I'll keep this short and sweet. :) As always, I hope you've had a good week so far!

  Hello, readers! Before getting into this post I want to apologize for anyone who tried to comment on my blog last week and found their comment not showing up. I had the text set to white instead of black, so while you were able to leave a comment, it was impossible to read! This hiccup has been fixed. Also, if you ever need to find the sidebar, click on the three lines in the upper left corner. :) Now, onward!

   Hello all! It's about time for an outfit post, isn't it? A couple of weeks ago I had an impromptu shopping session and found a few new things, two of which I'm sharing today. In addition to a new look I would like to share a few thoughts with you about a subject that's been on my mind lately.

  Hello all! If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you know that shades of blue are my favorite colors. Blue is a color of relaxation. Today, please join me for a blue outfit and some words on rest. :)

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33    Good evening, everyone! I hope that you are all safe and well. While things are fairly peaceful this weekend in my little corner of the world, it seems that natural disasters are abounding across the earth. We know that we have tribulation in this world, but believers in Christ must cling to His victory over sin and death. We know the end of the story.

   Hello all! I hope that you are enjoying your weekend thus far and getting ready for a lovely Sunday. Remember last weekend when I mentioned taking photos at the beach? Well, here are a few shots from that day! You'll notice that it was a distinctly overcast day, so nearly everything is cast in gray. To me, it is fitting for the drama and wild beauty of the sea.

   Pardon the pun, dear readers. I've been in a pun-making mood today and decided to consolidate the key words of my post into a ridiculous hybrid. ;) As you may have noticed by now, nearly all shades of blue-green are my favorite colors. Thus, when I find a mint top my size it is a treasure indeed! Meanwhile, I have been in need of some encouragement(/mint) lately and thought I would share with you some scripture that I have found uplifting!

   Hi, all! I hope you are all having  a lovely evening (or day). This week, I would like to share with you some recent sunset photos I took, as well as some thoughts that I pray will encourage you who are struggling.

   Greetings, readers! This past weekend I had the pleasure of  sunshine and a dad ready to take me on a photography outing in our neighborhood. Spring has truly sprung, and many beautiful blooms adorn the town. Please enjoy what I captured, along with some thoughts and songs on eternity.

   Hi all! Another week, another outfit - it sure is fun having new clothes! I seem to be going through a season of updating my wardrobe. Happily, my closet loses a few old clothes when new items go in. I'm not sure if the number of things going out is quite the same as those going in, but I try my best. ;)

Source     What I have to share with you today is nothing of astonishing depth or difficulty of  understanding. Though not a complex concept, it is one of the hardest to carry out. My encouragement for you and I today is this simple message - stay focused on the Lord.

   Last Sunday I had the rare opportunity of combining two new things together in an outfit, having a free afternoon, and enjoying a sunshiny day! Everything combined at the right time for my first real blog shoot in...um...I don't remember how long! This one features my new boots and a lovely feminine top. If Mrs. Bennett lived in modern times and had taken it upon herself to describe this outfit to her husband, he probably would have begged her to stop once she started in on the lace. ;)

   Okay folks, here we have the results from my "Living With Parents" polls! I have weighed in with a few of my own thoughts on this controversial topic and shared some tid-bits of what readers said. I hope you enjoy and learn from this post!

   Greetings, readers! I have a double feature blog post today, with a fun new outfit and some thoughts on a current, yet age-old issue. To save on time, I will explain about the outfit here. It features four darling new items - the skirt is gifted from a co-worker, tights from Mom for my birthday, and boot cuffs and booties purchased using a Target birthday gift-card from my co-workers. P.S, these shoes are a new favorite pair. :)

   Being married is a wonderful blessing! But guess what - being single is a wonderful blessing too! In our times of discontent, self-pity or reckless living-for-self, we single people need to take time to regroup and see just how the Lord has gifted us with singleness. If we desire marriage, this reflection may not take away our longing, but that isn't our goal. Our goal is to live a joyful life that brings glory to God!

   I don't like sewing. No, I mean, I really don't like sewing - it makes me cry. The fact of my dislike used to bother me. You see, I never really fit the typical Christian home-schooled girl mold. I had little to no interest in things like sewing, cooking, and playing violin. I found more enjoyment in drawing, writing, and playing with dogs. Now in my early twenties, I still don't fit the mold. I can cook a square meal, but don't make homemade bread. And I get out my creative juices with photography rather than making clothes. Some of you might be thinking "big deal", but those of you raised in the same kind of community that I was will understand why my uniqueness has bothered me. Maybe you have a similar story.