Surrender

dress & shirt: old navy   sandals: target

It's been far too long since I had been running outside and while I was camping I was reminded how much I miss it.  I think I've avoided "quiet" time a lot this summer as I often end of feeling sad, scared and upset when I just sit and think about what I am going through, and what our future may be.

I was reminded while running how important it is to continually process what I'm going through and open my heart to whatever the Lord wants to teach me.

I believe that God uses trials to bring us closer to Him and to teach us. 

As I've been in the same trial for over a year, I believe the most important thing I've learned is to surrender. 

Surrender 

my plans

my desires

my control

my timing 

and to trust that God has His perfect plan and His perfect timing.

And whether I learn one more thing or ten more things before he blesses us with a baby, 

I need to give up trying to figure it out. 

I need to stop planning after each "lesson" I feel I learn and think that maybe now God will give me what I want.
I need to surrender my frustrations and anger that we have been in this same place for what seems like so long. 

I need to stop planning out my future month by month of what I think would be the perfect plan. 

This song continually ran through my head while running and is a great reminder of what I need to do. 

1. All to Jesus I surrender;
   All to Him I freely give;
   I will ever love and trust Him,
   In His presence daily live.
   • I surrender all,
     I surrender all;
     All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
     I surrender all.
2. All to Jesus I surrender;
   Humbly at His feet I bow,
   Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
   Take me, Jesus, take me now.
   
   
   All to Jesus I surrender;
   Now I feel the sacred flame.
   Oh, the joy of full salvation!
   Glory, glory, to His Name!
   
   I surrender all, 
   I surrender all;
   All to Thee, my blessed Savior, 
   I surrender all. 
   
   

   I need to open my hands and surrender to Him.  
   
   

On your heart Tuesdays
we encourage

Hello Monday

Hello bird shirt. 

 I am so happy I finally found you and you were only $9. 

 shirt: Target ($9)  shorts: old American Eagle  sandals: Target  bracelets: made by me  
giraffe necklace: gift from friend

Hello braid.  You have become a summer staple. 

Hello giraffe necklace. 

 I couldn't be more excited to wear you many days a week. 

Thanks to one of best friends Rebecca for sending it to me.  I couldn't have felt more loved and cared about when I got it.  God is good to give me a friend like you!
(sorry there isn't a better picture of it.  I linked up a similar one.)

Hello Medieval Times. 

Despite your hefty price we had such a great time celebrating our sweet niece's 6th birthday. 

Hello Hope. 

I got this necklace from my sweet friend Alison who reminded me that I am not alone in my struggle through infertility and to hold on to hope for the future. 

Her friendship has become such a blessing.  

Hello Bachlorette Finale. 

I'm excited to be watching you in Indiana with one of my closest friends, Brittany. 

Hello Giveaway.

Today is the last day to enter to win! 

Hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for a new week!

YOLO Monday
hello Monday 
Monday Mingle

Outfit Observations

 shirt: tjmaxx  shirt: gap  sandals: target  bracelet: francesca's

1. Let's acknowledge the obvious first. 

You may be wondering where my eyes are.  You have to look hard. 

Hey, it's been a rough week. 

2. If you want to feel like you are wearing pajamas all day wear a cotton maxi skirt and cotton tee.

3. If someone knows how to tie their shirt like this in less than 5 minutes please tell me.

It takes me way too long, which probably means I need longer shirts.

4. I think I wear these sandals at least every other day. 

5.  I clearly have stopped blow drying my hair.  

Case in point here and here this week. 

It is just too darn hot. 

6. I recently bought a strapless bra that has detachable straps, and have been wearing it as a non strapless bra. But today one strap unhooked at least 5 times, which is incredibly inconvenient. 

(I know you can't see this one, but trust me.  It may have been mid detachment in this picture.)

Happy 4th of July!

follower fest  Rolled up Pretty
Rae Gun Ramblings

Someone to Laugh at

 shoes ($6), tee ($8) and skirt ($9): Target

I'm making it a new goal of mine to laugh at my husband more often. 

You may think this sounds mean, but it was pretty much requested. 

Now I do think Chris is funny, but sometimes, ok most of the time, I don't laugh at him. 

I find myself thinking (while he is doing something that he is hoping gets a laugh) 

"Would someone else be laughing at him if they were seeing this?" 

And the answer is probably yes.  

But after seven years of marriage, I guess I am not quite as amused anymore.  

But it is time to change that. 

So next time he is making up his own rap songs in the car, or comes into the kitchen making ridiculous (slightly annoying) sounds and noises, or treating Molly like she's a human, or making up a joke that he thinks is so funny he can barely get the joke out . . . 

I am going to do my best to throw out a completely amused, impressed and genuine laugh. 

P.S.  Want to follow me on instagram?


.
Sometimes I feel like a loser, and continually scroll through my instagram feed without seeing any new pictures. Which only means I need more people to follow, so leave me your name so I can follow you back.


Sunday Funday  Monday Mingle
YOLO Mondays  Monday Meet Up

It's OK

 dress: jcpenny  sandals: target

It's OK that this dress barely passes the bending over test and may just be a little too short. 

Which is why I've only ever worn it with leggings, like here or here. 

It's OK that when my mom and I eat frozen yogurt we go there for lunch because we eat enough for it to count as a meal. 

(This picture looks like the cup is really half full.  Trust me. It was all full.) 

It's OK that I fail miserably at taking care of plants.  

It's OK that I got hooked watching the show Pretty Little Liars and am almost done with the first season. 

It's OK that when I was driving in the car today I thought of a perfect "It's OK" idea and now can't remember it.  I assure it was really funny and would've been my best yet. 

Linking up to It's OK Thursday

I'll be happy when . . . . .

dress: H & M  shoes: target

Sometimes I have thoughts that I need certain things in life to make me truly happy.  

I read this post by Shauna Niequist and it really made me think about what I do so often without really thinking about it.  

I find myself putting so much pressure on certain things, 

that I feel if they happen then my life will be perfect, like . . . 

I'll be happy when I'm get pregnant.  

I'll be happy when Chris gets a job that pays more money and allows him to not travel. 

I'll be happy if I feel more confident in how I look or in my abilities.  

By thinking these things I am saying that God and the place where he has me in life is not enough. 

I think God does put certain desires in our hearts, but I think the problem is when I think I need that answer in order to be happy. 

My happiness and joy should not be resting in these things but in the fact that I have a God that loves me and knows my every need and will fill my life with exactly what I need in His timing.  

I want Him to be enough to make me filled with joy.  

On your Heart Tuesday    Call me Blessed

Life on a Misson