my verse for [2015]

It was during my She Reads Truth devotional for Christmas Day (that I didn't actually get to until the day after Christmas..) while I was reading through Psalm 46:4-11 that I read this verse.  It's one I've read many times before, but this time it was different.  I knew it was going to be my verse for 2015.  I feel like there are a lot of strings attached to this verse that can lead us into so many different directions and different aspects of our life, in which we can apply it.  

In this day and time, we rarely have time to "BE STILL".  With every day house hold things that have to get done and taken care of, all the school stuff you have to remember to do, and everything I have to do to succeed at my job (outside of the 8-4) and then on the rare occasion I might want to try and relax and live a little, it's hard to find the time to just be still!  Oh...and then there's this thing that seems to be attached to so many of our fingers called a smart phone, that rarely allows us to even think about the act of being still.  And...that's where I want things to change.

I want to be still and sit down and watch a whole movie with R without checking my phone, or worrying about changing the clothes out from the washer to the dryer.  I want to be still and sit on the floor and play Paw Patrol with him (even though I never really learned how to "play").  I want to be still and go on more bike rides and walks with R even if it's too hot or cold out.  I want to be still and sit down to actually eat with R instead of feeding him first, and then making my meal and usually not even getting the change to sit down to eat with him because he is already done.  I want to be still and sit down to actually read a book that's just for fun!  I want to be still with the ones that I love most. 

We don't always have to be out doing something just to "do something" or out spending money just to be "spending money".  BE STILL Kati!  

Those are all worldly things of "being still", but what about all the spiritual aspects of being still?  Being still and spending time with our Savior.  Being still and listening to Him.  Being still and talking to Him.  Being still and being in true awe of Him.  

I want to be still so that I can allow myself to hear Him, to see Him working in my life, to make myself more mindful of following Him, and to allow myself to fall more in love with Him.  Oh, how I would be more aware of these things if I would only be still! 

But we can't forget the rest of the verse.  He will be exalted among the nations AND the earth.  That day is coming y'all!  He said He was going to come to the Earth and He came!  He said He was going to die and He died!  He said He was going to raise from the dead and He did!  He said He's coming back some day...and HE IS!  Until then, we must be still. 

There are endless areas in which I can learn to be still.  Life is a work in progress.  I'm a constant work in progress.  I feel like we can't move forward until we realize exactly how we want to move forward.  This is my desire for moving forward in the days ahead. 

I hope I'm not the only one who feels this way and can work on improving this area of my life!  What are somethings you are going to do in the coming year to try and be more "still"? 

saturday thoughts

Happy Saturday friends!  We don't have much going on...& that's exactly how I like it!  I offered to take R to see the play of Alice and Wonderland at the High School today, but he said he didn't want to go!  He just wants to stay in his new Elf on a Shelf pajamas at home all.day.long!  Who can argue with that?!

I wanted to invite you to join me on Monday as She Reads Truth dives into their latest study "In Everything Give Thanks"  It will lead us all the way up to Thanksgiving and will help us be whole-heartedly thankful during this season of Thanksgiving.  I did a Thanksgiving plan with them a few years ago and loved it so much.  

Remember, there is always the option to order a journal, but it is definitely not required by any means!!  Now, they offer where you can buy JUST the journal instead of the journal AND all the prints with it for a discounted rate, which is what I went with!

And...I can't leave without telling you about the AMAZING deal above!!  TODAY ONLY--Bath and Body Works has FULL size Signature Collection lotions for $3!!  Yes...THREE DOLLARS!!  They are regularly $12.50!!!  

My dad always buys the girls at the bank a travel size lotion for Christmas...and those have gone up to $5 over the years, which is a bit redic if you ask me!  He's been doing that for YEARS and I know the girls always look forward to getting a new lotion for their desk from the "Lotion Fairy"--we thought we were going to have to start doing something else because it had just gotten to be too expensive.  But those ladies are got lucky this year!  LARGE bottles--and for a better deal!  Let's just hope they offer the same deal again next year, or they're gonna be upset!  Ha!

I ordered 26 bottles this morning before 8 AM from the comfort of my bed for less than $100!  Take advantage of this awesome deal!  [PS:  Online has a lot more choices than my store does, including some summer and fall scents, as well as old classics like Japanese Cheery Blossom, Cucumber Melon and Juniper Breeze!] 

[birthday giveaway] WINNER!

Congratulations JAMI!!!  I'd like to get this in the mail for you today--so please reply to my e mail I've sent you so I can get your mailing address!!! =)

Thank you to the rest of you for participating in my birthday giveaway!!

You can still participate in the Hebrews study that starts on WEDNESDAY-with or without the study pack!  You can get the devotions from their blog daily, or from the new She Reads Truth app, or sign up for the devo to be sent directly to your e mail every morning!

Thanks again ladies!  You are each near and dear to my heart!

birthday fun [giveaway]

UPDATE 9:40 PM 7/31/14:  There was only one entry available on the Rafflecopter giveaway earlier for some ODD reason--I have since added a few more entry options because I know not everyone has Twitter!  Good luck!

Do I have a treat for you today!!  To have a little BIRTHDAY fun on the blog--I wanted to give something away that I truly feel passionate about and want to share with my readers/friends!  Not just share as in tell about...but share as in GIVE ONE AWAY!!  Get excited!!!

You know I'm a huge fan of She Reads Truth and all that they God is doing thru them!  I've always "journaled" on my own through thru their studies in my own journals (TJ Maxx has the cutest and cheapest if you ask me) throughout each study.  

They recently introduced their own study packs for people who wanted more "structure"...But as cute and adorable as they were, I didn't want to change up what I had going on...and why try to fix something that isn't exactly broken?

Well...one day Allie told me she left me a surprise on my door step!!  It was the Sermon on the Mount study pack!  I was so excited and though it was such a sweet surprise!!  [She later told me...it was from her mom not her...ha!  So...thanks DeeDee!!]

Well...I hate to even admit it...but I LOVED the Study Pack and the way it was structured and allowed me to fill up those pages with my heart!!  The "She Prays" and "She Lives" sections really pushed me to think and write what was on my heart specifically for that day...in that area, which wasn't something I had normally done with my own journal.  

So...I have since fallen for them and TOTALLY understand why everyone wanted them in the first place!  Can I still do the study without the pack?  YES!  Can I always afford them?  NO!--Which is why I am wanting to give ONE HEBREWS STUDY PACK AWAY!!  Whether you have tried them before or not...somebody is gonna get one! ;)

The plan officially starts August 6th via their blog OR their new iPhone APP (but you can start ANY time after that...there are not dates written into the packs)!!  It comes with four postcards that you can choose to send to a friend or two or put in a cute picture frame, or hang on your wall.  It also comes with two business card sized memory verse cards to put in your dashboard of your car etc. etc.  FUN right?!

[all photos from She Reads Truth]

I hope you are as excited about this as I am!

Since the study starts so soon....I'm only keeping it open till Sunday, August 3rd at 11:59 PM.  You may enter a total of six times (some of them multiple days) using the Rafflecopter giveaway below!  Better get busy!! ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#shereadstruth {nehemiah} join me!

I just wanted to pop in and invite YOU to start a new She Reads Truth plan with me tomorrow!  We are going to be studying the book of Nehemiah in a two part series. They have even designed a study book to go along with the study.  I think they are GORG!  I didn't order one, because I like to keep my studies all in one journal...but I know they will be great for some people!  Even YOU--it's not too late to order!  

 These make me excited to see what the future holds for SRT!

Also...did you hear they are getting their own APP?!  They full funded the 30 day Kick Start trial in ONE DAY for the iPhone app...and within 30 days they had funded enough for an ANDROID app as well!  They recently shared a sneak peak of the app HERE!  

God is doing great things for this little online community...and I can't put into words the blessing that I've received from this group of woman simply OBEYING Him.  They have helped me gain the desire, knowing need, and true fulfillment of spending time in His word daily and I don't want to miss the opportunity to share this resource with my readers!  {Not that you need SRT to have a relationship with Him...but it is a GREAT resource if that is what you are longing for!}

"Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required..."  

she reads truth: women in the bible part 2

I know I've already posted today, but I wanted to give you guys a heads up about the new She Reads Truth plan that starts tomorrow!  I know I talk about this a lot, but I have had several girls tell me, "Thank you for posting about She Reads Truth...I wouldn't have heard about it if it weren't for you and I am LOVING it!"--Which makes me so happy to hear because I know it's not just a coincidence that I posted about it, or that they read my post about it!  So thank you ladies for letting me know what a blessing SRT has been to you...and I want those of you who haven't gotten involved yet...to get involved!  It's such a wonderful thing and blessing to me and so many other woman around the world!

Some of you may not have started it because you didn't want to jump in right in the middle of a study, which is understandable, but tomorrow starts a new study and this is your change to jump right in with everybody else!

The study that starts tomorrow is part 2 of the study over the women of the Bible!  You won't be messed up if you didn't participate in part 1.  There are four parts in the study, so you don't want to miss out!  It's gonna be GOOD!  I think it is important for us to study and grow and learn from the woman in the bible, as we are growing and learning woman of today.  Yes, a lot of things have changed since then and now, but there are also a lot of similarities!  You might be surprised!  There are ALOT of things we can learn from the woman of the Bible...I'm telling you!

She Reads Truth website also got a facelift and it is beautiful!--No, that's not what it's all about, but it does add some fun!  You'll have to check it out yourself to see all it's wonderful features!

Will you join me and the whole community of She Reads Truth in our new study tomorrow!?  I hope you'll consider!  Happy Sunday ladies!

Visit their HOMEPAGE for all you need to know and where to begin!  =)

Fun filled summer day!

My cousin Karleigh came to stay with us for a few days and today was our first full day & we had lots of fun plans!  R just adores her and I am afraid he has worn her out!  They played every game in his closet and had gotten out all of his toys within the first two hours she had been here!  Ha!

I kept R home from school so we could have some FUN!  This morning we had waffles, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs (that Ryder gathered for me earlier this week at Mimi's), and yummy fruit for breakfast!  I don't know what R is doing in this pic though!  Then we all got ready and were out the door!

Ryder is apart of the the Kids Bowl Free program at our bowling alley--so why not go bowling?  I just wanted to document my first bowl (bottom K) was a STRIKE!--Thank you VERY much!  ;)  Just kidding...I'm really not that good but hey! ;)

Well...at least Karleigh looks cute!  =)  R being crazy again!

R got brave and wanted to bowl without the helper stand...he wasn't bad!  (the ball is on the other side of him, you just can't see it...)

We went to Chick for lunch of course!  Then we came home to rest for about an hour...and then it was time to hit up the pool!  Only R's favorite thing to do!

I gave him a dollar and told him they could get a snack...and this is what he came back with!  I don't know about y'all, but we don't just eat candy like that around here...so he was in HEAVEN!  I will admit those things are goood...so, we might have shared the pack!  ;)

As we were leaving the pool he went up to the snack bar to get more and the lady was getting it for him, I was like NO SIR!  Crazy kid!  :P

I've seen multiple people talk about this book in the blog world or on twitter over the passed year or so and always knew I wanted to read it, but never bought it because I have too many books at my house that I need to finish reading, or even start to read, so I never bought it...UNTIL--I found it at a flea market yesterday for $2.50.  I knew I was supposed to have it!

R & I painted pots last week and then planted some Zinnas on Monday & they are already growing!  My first thing to every plant from a seed I think!  I just hope they actually bloom!

We made it home from the pool and all showered up and rested a bit before dinner time.  R wanted cinnamon rolls--so what do you think he got!?  Ha!  He made Karleigh eat in his tent with him like this--I'm so glad she doesn't mind!  :P  She has 3 little brothers, so she's used to it thank goodness!  

We played some Candy Land...and R won of course!  Some how...he always does!  :P

Then we went out for our first snow cone of the season!  We are more ice cream people or pineapple whip...which is why we haven't been to get snow cones yet!  & I'm glad this stand upped their business since last year because they used to not have Silver Fox (to go with my Tiger's Blood...if you haven't tried it together YOU BETTER--your missing OUT!) so I never went back...but they have it now after I complained!  :P

Doesn't Karleigh have the perfect little top knot!  ;)

Watching YouTube videos--R sure does love her!  =)

{Side-notes:}

I made this little gadget after seeing it on Pinterest and I love how it turned out!  I used to have three different buckets/mugs for all my pens, Sharpies, and highlighters and now I can have them all together!  I spray painted the box gold before I had all the TP rolls in there...and I wish I would have assembled it first and then spray painted it..but still works GREAT for what I need!

I happened to look back at one of my journals last night and one year ago today was when I joined the She Reads Truth community and I have been so thankful for it every day since that day!  I haven't looked back since last June and I have learned more than I ever though I could {semi} on my "own"--meaning by not going to a class, etc. and just digging into the word with these ladies!

My coffee cup from the very first picture in this post reads "He makes all things new" and since buying that mug and being involved with She Reads Truth, I have claimed that as my "life verse" and I am so thankful for God's grace and forgiveness over the years, and every day in my life!  I drink my coffee out of it every day as a reminder of where I have come from, where I am, and where I am headed...and that no situation is too complicated for our God!

Easter 2013

Our church is currently adding on to our sanctuary, so we have been meeting in our activity center the passed month or so, and that definitely wasn't going to be enough room for our Easter services, so we met in the High School auditorium....but that also meant no childcare (not that R goes to the nursery anyways)...so I am not ashamed to say we took the iPad to church for lil man to play with.  

It was a beautiful service, as always and Bro. Jason NEVER disappoints on Easter--or any Sunday for that matter!  R did great...I was impressed!

Ever since he has started to go to school full time, he hasn't really been all about going to his Sunday school class on Sundays...and I assume it's just because it's one more time to be away from me and I mean he's with his friends at school ALL day!  But I am happy to say he behaves very well in big church and actually listens to the sermon sometimes and talks to me all about it afterwards, so that makes a Mama's heart happy.

The Easter Bunny stopped by at KeeKee & Poppy's house!  My mug matches my kitchen & I love the verse on it!  The Little Rascals was one of me and Uncle G's favorite movies growing up, so KeeKee urrggghh...The Easter Bunny snagged it for R when she saw it on DVD!  ;)

Oh...you know...just trying to get the perfect picture.  Yeah, that never happens.

We were finally headed out the door to Nana & Papaw's for the afternoon which is always fun!

Helping Karleigh fill up some more eggs with tattoos...

{bad mom....I forgot his Easter basket, so he had to use my lunch box, but he didn't mind!}

The number of cousins who hung eggs has drastically gotten smaller over the years...I guess that's just part of it!

& this is what happens when a sweet boy has had a wild afternoon and no nap!  We took him to his Mimi's on the way home so he could spend the night with her and Pawpaw which is one of his favorite things to do every week!

I wrapped up my #shereadstruth study on The Holy Week that night.  I can't express how blessed I was by this study.  You can read more about my experience HERE.

What a special day with family.  I never want to take an Easter for granted.  If it weren't for our risen savior, we wouldn't be here today.  Thank you Lord!