Investing in the Lives of Others

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 1:16

I want to share with you all my most recent purchase. For the longest time I have been seeing so many post on Instagram about a new type of Bible. It's called a Journaling Bible and it's a special type of Bible that has extra room on each page for notes, or art, or whatever you are inspired to create in the blank space. I've been having a lot of fun learning new hand lettering and calligraphy techniques and the idea of using this new pastime to help you study God's Word seemed like such a wonderful idea.



Last week I finally bought myself this beautiful Journaling Bible. I love with the vintage cover! All my siblings agreed that it fits me perfectly. I can't wait to express myself creatively in the pages of this Bible. Already I have been able to create my first hand lettering art in the pages my Journaling Bible (as you can see in the pictures below).

This past week God has been teaching me a lot about what I, as a Christian girl, can do each day to bless those around me. God has put on my heart the need each day to take the time to invest more in the lives of each of my siblings. I'm really close to my sister and I have decided to start a weekly Bible study with her. The book of Ruth kept coming to mind and I knew God wanted us to go through this book together. Today we read the first chapter of Ruth. We had such a blessed time together.



I wanted to make this time together very special for my sister so I made a quick trip to Starbucks (my sister LOVES Starbucks) and got us a special treat to sip on while we dug into God's Word together.

I actually pre-read the first chapter of Ruth and wrote down in a notebook questions for her to answer to help us draw out the chapter. I also taught her one of my favorite ways to study the bible; The SOAP method:

S: Scripture (choose a verse that spoke to you in the passage you read)

O: Observation (What is that verse saying, what's the context around that verse)

A: Application (How can you apply this verse to your life, what can you learn from this verse)

P: Prayer (Ask God to help you to apply what you learned to your life)



Each day I see how God has blessed me in so many ways. I have such a wonderful family and I am so thankful for my sister. I'm so excited to see what God is going to teach us as we continue to spend time with Him each week.

Lastly, I want to encourage you to take the time each day to invest in the lives of those around you. God has put certain people in our lives for a reason. Are we actively seeking to help those people grow in their walk with God, or are we just around them to have fun? Who has God put in your life who needs that extra word of encouragement each day? How can your example bless those around you?

Lord, help me to bring You glory in all I do. Show me how I can invest in the lives of others. I want to make the best use of the time, Lord. I want to point others to You in all I do.

What ways have you invested in others? Has anyone ever taken the time to invest in your life? Are you currently in any Bible studies?

Where is Your Happy Place?

What makes you happy? Is it having the newest gadgets out on the market? Or maybe it's having the perfect wardrobe? It could also be your wonderful friends and family.

But though these things make us happy, can they off us the true lasting sense of fulfillment and contentment that we all long for? I'm afraid they can't. All this world has to offer is a fleeting happiness. Seeking after the things of this world will always leave us feeling empty and wanting more.

Since the world has nothing to offer us then, where does true happiness come from? It can only come from God. He offers it to us freely. We can have this happiness by spending time each day in Gods word and in prayer. As you spend more and more time with God each day He will fill you with His indescribable joy and peace.

So, where is your happy place? It is in chasing after the things of this world? Or is it in having a heart completely captivated by the loving God we serve?

He is waiting for you. Don't forsake the most important thing you could ever do in life. Meet with Jesus everyday. Make Him your happy place.

Is you true happiness found in Jesus? What are some things that make you happy?

Thank You Garlands of Grace

There is a really neat online shop called Garlands of Grace that sells the cutest hair accessories. For the longest time I have wanted to buy one of the many hair wraps they sell.  I'm so cheap though. For me twenty dollars is a lot to spend on an accessory for your hair. But I knew that eventually I would splurge and buy myself something from their shop, it was only a matter of time.  

Well, that time finally came.  After my spring job came to an end I figured I could use some of my money to treat myself.  Today my package came and I just had to share with you all how excited I am!



Once I opened the package I excitedly peeked inside.  Reaching my hand inside I pulled out a small parcel wrapped in tissue paper (pictured above).  It was so pretty I almost didn't want to open it. But I was even more anxious to see what was inside of it.   After I took a quick picture I began to untie the ribbon.

It's so special to receive something in the mail that has obviously been carefully put together by loving hands. I felt really special to receive such a lovely package today.

To my delight I found my "Cecily's Garden Party Chiffon" inside the parcel.  Along with it was also a small card of bible verses and a sweet thank you note.  

Of course I couldn't wait to try on my new hair wrap.  I'm in love with the rose design.  Anyone who knows me well will tell you that its a a perfect fit.  

You can also have the extra material hang over the back of your hair to give it a different twist.

If you have never heard of Garlands of Grace, you need to check them out.  Even if all you'll end up doing is browsing through their products, you won't be disappointed.   

Thank you Garlands of Grace for this lovely new hair accessory! This is going to be a new favorite hair style of mine!