Currently...

Across the street from my development - - in Arizona!!

Reading: Emails, so many emails. I'm tasking them today.

Watching: I'm all caught up on my shows, so I've been watching House. It's really good. I'm on season 1. I'm also catching up on my webinars. I sign up for them and then forget or am busy. But, at least they send me the links to watch them later.

Listening: Cranking up the ole podcast list. First up: Relevant Podcast, Elevation Church, and Boundless. I'll be tuning into NPR in the mornings while I read emails.

Wishing: Time will go slow while I enjoy a few weeks off of work.

Thinking: That I'm already in Arizona (more to come on that)

Praying: Continually for my friend Megan and for Cambodia.

Browsing: The Daily Muse website - This is the second week in a row. There is so much on this website. I will be a pro at work in no time.

Sipping: peach/mango coconut flavored water - I just can't get into it

Loving: Candy Crush Saga (I finally caved) and DuoLingo - Learning some new languages.

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

No one likes flakers... And other stories

Well, I'm halfway through the week and there still so much I need to do. As a list person, I'm kinda sad I haven't written a list of all I need to do.

On that "list" is hanging out. I debated writing this post, because I too am guilty of being flakey, but that's a different song then the one I'm about to sing!

The song of the day: if you don't want to hang out or can't, let me know. The song is a sad one and is on repeat. But, more importantly, I should have stopped playing it a long time ago.

Lessons learned: 

forgiveness: is a messy and mandatory process in spiritual development.

letting go: is hard to do, but when you've done all you can, let go and let God. (I should have let Him there in the first place.)

Other stories include:

I'm moving on Sunday and my suitcase is still in the closet.

I almost overbooked myself to see people this week, but it should all be worked out!

Did I mention I'm moving on Sunday?? 

Went on a photo sesh with a friend last saturday. Couldn't help taking selfies in beautiful Nebraska!!

Happy Birthday, Abigail!

Saying goodbye and happy birthday to a close friend of 8 years is a hard thing to do! But, I was able to share a wonderful moment with friends before I move to Arizona!! 

                   Abigail and me!

                     Me and Melinda

               Chigozirim and me

                   Anna and me

My hair is fro-tastic!! Happy Tuesday!

Currently...

Reading: Blogs, and Anything.

Watching: The same all caught up on Suits!

Listening: *cricket, cricket*

Wishing: The new influence network was already up!

Thinking: That I move in 1 week! 

Praying: My friend Megan, Cambodia, and a stress free week!

Browsing: The Daily Muse website

Sipping: raspberry lemonade

Loving: #influencenet twitter party!

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

New Series: {thankful Thursday }

Lately life has been a whirlwind of one on ones with friends. Spending time before I leave the "good life", also known as Nebraska (that's the state motto, for all you out of staters). 

I've been wanting to start this for awhile! Tada!

Today, I'm thankful for all the people I've met who have touched my life or impacted me, here in Nebraska. I've had my most formative years here, my life is here.  About to pack it all up and head west to the desert. Wow, almost 9 years in one place, that's unheard of for my family.

Today, I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had here. I had the opportunity to go on a missions trip upon graduating high school, I had many opportunities on the campus of my alma mater, I've worked the majority of the jobs on my résumé, and I've had the opportunity to pour myself and be poured into by my church.

Today, I'm thankful for my church. So many words can be said! I have a wonderful church family who will be almost impossible to leave. They have have been so supportive of me and my family!

Today I'm thankful!

What are you thankful for? Want a write a guest post about it? Love to hear from you!!

Goals: Revisited

I wrote two posts about my goals back in April. You can check them out here and here. They were suppose to be completed in six months. We are just a bit over the halfway goal. Let's see if I've succeeded in any of these goals. I have labeled my goals mountains, because it will take some work to get past them! I've also given them a mid-grade to see where I currently am.

Mountain #1 - My Current Weight

This needed to drop significantly in order to be at a healthy BMI. I did a great job at the beginning of May and June, but have failed towards the end of June. I was able to at least regulate my weight, but since last week it has gone up due to "enjoying" my family vacation.

Mid-grade: D

Comments: No more excuses. "Hard work, dedication." - Dulvett from Biggest Loser

Mountain #2 - My Blog

My goal was to blog consistently. It's slowly climbing up. But, I think it will start to pick up as I actually work on a project I will be sharing soon on the blog!

Mid-grade: C-

Comments: I've planned a whole month of posts. This is a great kick-starter, even if I don't end up blogging that topic, I'm working at being consistent and rolling with the punches.

Mountain #3 - Stuff (yes, I labeled this stuff)

My goal was to go through all of the items I own and get rid of what I don't need. This was before I knew we were moving. I had a great head start! Well, I've almost completed this goal! I only have my sock drawer (it's a jungle in there), and my jewelry (I need to find stuff that I'll actually wear).

Mid-grade: A-

Comments: Those can easily be done in the next week. Looks like I'll need to turn on some hulu or amazon prime and get to work.

Mountain #4 - Sewing

My goal was to make 3 garments but I haven't even looked at my patterns, except to weed out a ton I didn't want. (You're welcome Goodwill). I mean I have great intentions and am even planning a "work outfit" inspiration page in my journal, so I can find some nice pieces for work and to make some as well. Unless I bring my sewing machine on the plane, This may be postponed for fall goals!

Mid-grade: F

Comments: N/A

Mountain #5 - Guitar

Wow, in the goal post, I hadn't even purchased a guitar. I miraculously received money in the spring and made a big purchase. I have my own black Ibanez that I love. When I first received it, I played every day, and it's slowly died off more and more. My goal was to be able to play in front of an audience, but not sure it will pan out. This puppy will be coming with me on the plane!

Mid-grade: C

Comments: Just need to spend more time on it. Also, need new chords to learn. I'm getting bored of the "beginner chords."

Have you set goals for the summer? How are you doing? Have you accomplished anything? Having difficulties? Have a post about goals? Please post in comments!!

Anything

Telling God the word anything is terrifying. Letting Him take control of something I think I am handling so well (which I'm not) is probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. (That last sentence is grammatically incorrect. I'm already over it.)

But really. Have you let go? It's hard. One minute I'm singing at the top of my lunges: "I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open." But the words begin to change as I ponder my life and the upcoming mountains: "I will climb this mountain with my hands closed fisted." First of all, I'm glad this is a metaphor, because if I climbed the mountain with my hands wide open or close fisted, I will be seeing the mountain up close and personal if you know what I mean. It's the act of surrender, giving Jesus your all, your anything.

I prayed that prayer yesterday. That anything prayer. That prayer that tells God, I'm done trying to do it on my own. I'm done trusting man and myself for the answers and the abilities.

Why is God the hardest person to trust, when He's the only One who hasn't let us down? If someone can answer that question for me let me know, actually don't answer it. I don't need to know the answer. I just need to know at all times, God's got it under control. He's got my back.

Even when there's sickness.
Even when there's death.
Even when there's heartache.
Even when there's betrayal.
Even when there's depression.
Even when there's loneliness.
Even when there's hate.
Even when there's [fill in YOUR blank].

I'm reading this book by Jennie Allen with the ladies over at Good Morning Girls. It's great! The title of the book is called Anything. It's hard. It's hard to tell Jesus to take it all. Because I'm scared of what He'll take. It's hard to let go of the known for the unknown. But I know it's worth it. Because I've prayed those anything prayers. And I can tell you, those were the hardest days of my life. But, they were the most fulfilling. I had God encounters you wouldn't believe when I prayed those prayers. He showed up, I grew. He spoke and I knew who I was in Him.

Are you willing to let go of the known for God's master plan? It means different things to different people.

For me it means leaving the place I've called home for over 8 years, to build a new home. I knew I was leaving Lincoln in the foreseeable future and I had my idea of what that would look like. But, it changed. Not saying God wouldn't have honored my idea or plan. But, instead, I get to move with my whole family - parents and siblings (one who's an adult and haven't lived with for years). We're all going to be together as a family! Yes, I'm an almost 27 year old living with my family. But, I do have a job and bills. :)

That's not the point. Your anything may not be what you thought it would be, your anything may not look like mine. But, you won't know until you try!

My anything was confirmed yesterday morning that I was following the path He's laid out before me.

Check out GOOD MORNING GIRLS, and the Anything Bible Study. Also, you can get Jennie's book, Anything, at Amazon. (I really need to sign up for their affiliate program so I can get credit for sending people to one of my favorite sites!)

What does your "Anything Prayer" look like? Why haven't you prayed that prayer? If you have, how has God transformed your life?

Bucket List - Part 1

Everyone needs a bucket list! I don't have one compiled all in one place. So, here's my interpretation of a "bucket list."

There's no special order, just things I want to do before I die.

1. Buy a car
2. Travel to Europe
3. Snorkel
4. Hang glide
5. Learn how to ride a motorcycle
6. Road trip across the US
7. Get married
8. Buy a house
9. Learn how to surf
10. Go to Hawaii
11. Travel to Australia
12. Travel to New Zealand
13. Travel to Thailand
14. Travel to Rwanda
15. Travel to India
16. Get to my goal weight
17. Write a book(s)
18. Cut a cd(s)
19. Have a successful blog
20. Work at home
21. Have kids
22. Adopt kids
23. Go to grad school
24. Learn how to bake the perfect bread
25. Learn how to make pancakes correctly
26. Find the perfect pair of jeans
27. Workout consistently
28. Write in a journal consistently
29. Sew a whole wardrobe
30. Read the entire yearly
31. Be part of a church plant
32. Live overseas
33. Go to a World Cup
34. Be able to play the guitar in public
35. Lead corporate worship
36. Write for a magazine
37. Start a magazine
38. Speak at a conference(s)
39. Visit Seattle
40. Visit Portland
41. Visit Boston
42. Move blog from Blogger to Wordpress or Typepad
43. Host an underground dinner party
44. Visit Jerusalem
45. Spend a birthday at Disney Land
46. Visit all the Disney Lands/World
47. Grow out my hair
48. Spelunking
49. Sky dive
50. Scuba dive

Currently...

Reading: Anything. It's part of the Good Morning Girls summer Bible study. It's good, intense. The kind of intense that makes you rethink who you are really living for...

Watching: Just got back from vacation, and there was cable in the room. So, I watched a lot of Food Network, until the family couldn't take it being on anymore. I'm also digesting Suits. I'm currently on season 2. So good. I would like to comment that there is language involved in this show. Probably not on the actual USA network, but on Amazon Prime it is in there.

Listening: I need some new suggestions for worship music. I'm open for suggestions!

Wishing: Not sure what to put here, since I'm not really wishing for anything at the moment.

Thinking: That I move in 2 weeks! What? And that the house sold.

Praying: My friend Megan, Cambodia, and for peace during our move!

Browsing: Pinterest and Bloglovin of course!

Sipping: half coffee half hot chocolate

Eating: minimally, it's so hot. I'm not as hungry in the summer.

What are you CURRENTLY doing?

Check out my instagram for more of my week!

The Spending Diet

image: money on flickr via Phillip Taylor @ PTMONEY

Somehow, I was doing well with saving money! Quite well. Then it got a bit out of control. Nothing too big, just little things here and there. They add up... I've even borrowed from savings. Sadly, my hours at work have slowed down, so the majority of the money went to something I'd forgotten. I'd left it in it's tiny corner... My tithe. 10% adds up when you forget to set it aside.

So, I need a good downpayment on a car, doesn't look like it will be that great. I will also need money for licensing, car insurance premium, and some smaller things.

So, this is where my spending diet comes into play. Sorry friends, we can chill, it will just be for free!

I need to save money!

No more clothes - I can wait till I start my new job.

No more coffees - Eek, this one is very hard!

No more eating out - Easier said then done, but I only have to pack 11 more lunches.

Ok, this is easier said then done, but something has to give or I will be broke, with no car, no insurance for the car, and no tags.

Debt free is the way to be. Even if you are broke.

This post was inspired by a cute little blog called And Then She Saved.

Next up, the wonderful world of budgeting! I have the perfect excel template that I will be trying out. Once the new job starts, I'll tell you how it's working. Now I just need to stop picturing new clothes and picture my new car with insurance!

Summer TV

I don't watch a lot of television. Because we don't have cable. But I do enjoy Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime. I no longer subscribe to Netflix because I don't use it enough to warrant a monthly fee. I just watch it in the living room...

I just want to talk about my 3 summer shows, 1 old, 2 new.

1) Food Network Star - I love this show. I've watched the show here and there. But I'm all caught up on this season. Episode 5, be on Hulu already!

2) Graceland - 1st episode in, I was hooked! So good!

3) Suits - I need to hurry up and catch up! Just started this. My sister and I are loving it! Season 3 starts in the middle of July! 

I hope you had a wonderful day!

Want two free weeks of HULU?? Click here!

What are you watching this summer??