New Year, New Resolutions

The start of the 2015 is filled with a lot of excitement. This is the year I will graduate from PA school and this is the year I will get married to the man of my dreams. Along with anticipation for upcoming events, the New Year always forces me to compile a pesky list of resolutions.

Every year, my resolutions include "be a better Christian," "improve physical fitness," and "improve my financial skills" along with some specific resolutions for the upcoming year. Even though I feel like I did a decent job with my 2014 resolutions, there is always room for improvement. This is why I look at resolutions as a way to grow and not a way to fail. Keeping the three items listed above on my list year after year does not mean that I haven't made progress in the past year, it just means that I acknowledge that I have room to improve. Every day, you need to take the time to make that day the best day of the year.

My 2015 New Year Resolutions

1. Be A Better Christian: I am constantly struggling in this category, so it is a good thing that as Christians we don't have to earn Grace. I have decided to begin a few devotionals this year, make an effort to begin tithing, and commit to attending church on a more regular basis. Although clinical have made it difficult to become established with a church family, I am no longer allowing this to be an excuse. 
• What devotionals? 
• Couples of the Bible: The One Year Devotional Study to Draw You Closer to God and Each Other
• Andrew and I are completing this devotional together. We began it last year, but busy schedules got in the way. We are both excited to begin working on this journey again together. 
• A Bride's Devotional
• This FREE PDF DOWNLOAD was created by The Sweet Christian Bride. I am excited to begin working through this devotional and see what it has to offer.
• Her Hands Devotional
• I bought this devotion in College Station, TX at Copy Corner. I finished it once while I was in college, but I am excited to take it on again as an engaged woman and not a single college student. 
2. Improve Physical Fitness: Last year was the first year I took this bull by the horn since high school graduation in 2008. I am excited to continue to make physical fitness and health a priority in 2015. My goal is to improve my "tone" and decrease my 1 mile, 3 mile, and 6 mile time.
• My "Tone The Tummy" Pinterest Board is where I store all my favorite work outs to try and my "Conquered" Pinterest Board is where I store all my favorite work outs that I have completed successfully. 
          Visit Olivia's profile on Pinterest.
3. Improve My Financial Skills: This is not a strength of mine. Thank goodness I am marrying a man who can lead me financially through life. My goal this year is to learn how to keep a budget more effectively and read a few financial planning books for beginners. 
• Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey.
4. Lose The Clutter: I am a hoarder, especially with clothing. I am hoping that I can sift through some of my clothing from High School and give it to Good Will. I am going to scour the depths of Pinterest for some "declutter your life" ideas. Honestly though, looking at Pinterest and the 1000s of options is so overwhelming that I'm thinking I might need a book. PLEASE COMMENT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. 
5. Hermann Park & Samson: I am going to try to increase both the number of times Samson and I go to the park a week, but also the amount of time spent at the park with each visit. 

I hope you all are successful in achieving and growing in your New Year's resolutions. Additionally, I wish you all a happy, healthy, and successful 2015. It has been a joy to be a part of your lives the past year and I am looking forward to being a part of your days in 2015. 

6 Ideas You Can Steal from Your Dog

Many of you know I am a proud pet-parent to my best four-legged pal, Samson. (Sorry, I couldn't help including our holiday Christmas card photo in the graphic....) He is a brilliant yellow lab who fills my day with tail wags and nose kisses and he has taught me so much about life. That cliche "I want to be the person my dog things I am" quote that is absolutely everywhere-YES, it's the topic of today's discussion. In the 2.5 years I have raised Samson, I have pinpointed 6 key ideas that humans should steal from their dog.

6 Ideas You Can Steal from Your Dog

1. Greet each day with a tail wag. Each morning is a beautiful creation waiting to take  shape. Seize each day and it's opportunities with gr attitude and grace. I have never known Samson not to great me every morning (and every night after work) with a tail wag. "And Jesus said unto him, 



• Jesus said, No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day. (Luke 9:62 MSG)



2. Enjoy every meal (or treat). My little man thinks that EVERY meal is going to be his last. There is no questions that he is thankful for his food, he doesn't even leave a piece of kibble. Should I mention what happens if a Greenie Treat or a FrostyPaw is involved?! In the world where there is such a push for fad diets and other "quick" weight loss schemes, remember that eating the RIGHT foods in the RIGHT portions is what will help you achieve a HEALTHY lifestyle. 

• So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)

3. Exercise your paws and be joyful about it. My favorite activity with Samson involves taking him to the park. Every evening he and I go to the park to throw a tennis ball down the hills of one of the nearby parks in my neighborhood. I don't think I've ever seen a dog more joyful to be out in the open and stretching his legs. I know personally, I wish I could attack my daily runs with his same level of fitness enthusiasm. 

• She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. (Proverbs 31:17)

4. Love others more than yourself. My little buddy has this one under control. There is no doubt when you look in his brown little eyes that I'm the most important thing to him in the world (except maybe a FrostyPaw treat). His love is unconditional. This is an area where I think all people struggle at one point or another. I'm sure everyone can look back over the past week, heck the past day, and find a time when they should have put another person's interests ahead of their own. 

• Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

5. Every dream is attainable. I can't tell you all how many times I have watched my little buddy growth, twitch, and run in his sleep. He dreams with determination, even though not all of them are attainable. Attack every dream like it is something that can be achieved, you never know what will become of the effort. In the interest of corny quotes, shoot for the moon, because if you miss you'll still have a place among the stars. 

• But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7)

6. Protect the ones you love. Samson brings a level of security to my life that has been unmatched previously. I know that he would go though great lengths to alert me to danger and protect me. It is important to realize that the ones we love are WORTH protecting. Loved ones are precious gifts that need to be fostered and developed in order to grow and be protected in order not to be torn apart. 

• Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. (Psalm 138:7)

Even though Samson is a 4 legged pal and not a person (negotiable), it is safe to say that I have learned a great deal about life though raising him. Although it is cliche, I truly hope that I am the person Samson thinks that I am. I hope he sees me greet each day with a smile, give thanks before every meal, exercise to remain HEALTHY not skinny, lay myself down for the sake of others, and chasing my dreams. My charge is to evaluate how you approach day to day life. As the New Year approaches, I hope that you find yourself to truly be the person your dog thinks you are! 

{Restful Souls}

The past couple of weeks have felt completely overwhelming. I have struggled with exhaustion, fatigue, and a to-do list pages long. Looking at my schedule the next couple of weeks, I don’t see anything slowing down soon. (Well, at least until my white coat ceremony in late July.) Lately, even enjoyable activities have become to feel burdensome.

How often do you feel something similar?

What should we do to lighten our load?

What does The Lord say about being overwhelmed and “heavy laden?”

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30

I don’t know about you, but Matthew 11:28-30 sums it up. Upon reading this passage, I felt an immediate calm and considered myself “lighter.” The Lord wants us to cast our burdens to him and find rest in his love. He wants us to know that he would not bring us through anything that we could not handle with his help. It is so comforting to know that we have a father who is so GENTLE, LOVING, and STRONG who is willing to take our burdens and provide rest for our souls.

I have no need to feel overwhelmed, but for a second. I need to make a more conscious effort to take these items to The Lord as soon as I feel them. The Lord wants take my burdens and he wants to take yours. I am challenging myself (and you) to make a cognizant effort to not feel burdened longer than we need to and take our concerns to The Lord. 

God & Shabby Chic

This past week I had the opportunity to antique with my dad and bonus-mom in various Central Texas Locations. The experience was full of good conversation, funny moments, and evidence of God’s faithfulness. Earlier in the week I reflected on Ecclesiastes 3, but I had no idea how this scripture would be so relevant in the time I spent with my family.

While antiquing, my bonus-mom and I were drawn to many of the same items. Things that appeared worn, loved, or “shabby” seemed to scream at us from the shelves. However, my dad was more focused on “period antiques” for more focused on finding PERIOD PIECES for the early 1900s historic home they are restoring. Even though my dad wasn't 100% on board with the shabby purchases, quite a few were made throughout the day. The highlight of the day being a beautiful antique lamp we found in Lorena, TX at Center Street Antique Mall.

From across the store, my bonus-mom asked my dad to come look at a lamp. From her voice, I knew she was very excited about her find. Curious, I too headed that way to take a look. She had spotted the most beautiful lamp. A period “base” supported a white porcelain structure with elaborate 3D floral detail. Nobody seemed to notice the shady wiring and the fact that the lamp didn't have a shade. My bonus-mom and I stood there mesmerized by the perfect “shabby” find. The next thing I knew, we were next door picking out a lamp shade at the antique lighting restoration store next door called The Village Lamp Lighter. {I know, convenient.}

When sitting observing the salesman placing different custom shades on our perfect find, I felt“God bumps” and had a realization that this experience was a gift from God. A symbol of the promise that is outlined in Ecclesiastes 3:11.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11

I feel as if you readers need some background information. I am a member of two blended families that comprise one large family unit. For those of you who aren't from a blended family, I don’t know if you are going to grasp how special it is to have such a solid relationship with my mom and dad, along with my bonus-mom and step-dad. In a nutshell, they are fantastic. However, the bond I share with my bonus-mom has recently grown much deeper. We have overcome great obstacles {16 year old Olivia wasn't a gem to deal with} and our relationship has undergone immense healing.

Back to the lamp.

When we chose “THE LAMPSHADE” I couldn't help but smile. The once “shabby and shade-less” lamp now was chic and beautiful. It looked as if it had never been stuck in the corner of an antique shop with faulty wiring and without a lamp shade. {The antique lighting place also re-wired the fixture for those that were concerned.} Just like the lampshade went from just shabby to shabby chic, I feel as if The Lord has transformed my special relationship with my bonus-mom from almost shabby to extraordinarily special and chic. I am thankful that he allowed my bonus-mom and I to discover and REDESIGN the lamp together. I LOVE WHEN GOD IS SO BOLD AND OBVIOUS.The lamp was such a sweet reminder that HE IS WITH US every moment of every day.

My purpose in writing this Blog post is to encourage each and every one of you to be patient in situations that might seem shabby, shady, or not ideal. Whatever your current struggle, God will make everything beautiful in the end. Maybe not right this minute, but eventually. I can only hope and pray that you will get to experience him SHINING THE LIGHT on what he has made extraordinarily beautiful in your life. 

"A Time for Everything"

Timing.

Does anyone else ever feel like they are lagging behind or pulling ahead too quickly? Do you ever feel like your timeline just isn't right?

I always feel that my timeline isn't matching up with those of my friends and family. I am CONSTANTLY aware that I am not yet engaged, a member of the work force, and that I have not lost the last 10 pesky pounds residing in my hips. It is too bad that I’m not CONFIDENT in the fact that God has placed me in a wonderful relationship with a Godly man, has allowed me the opportunity to learn and participate in graduate school, and has granted me with a healthy and able body that can put in the work to achieve fitness goals. On a more SERIOUS note, I constantly worry about what the future will bring and how timing will play out.

Throughout my adult years, I have seen God’s timing work in beautiful ways (1811 Woodsman roommates *hint hint*). His timing is ALWAYS PERFECT and he has never once let me down. Even in the times I have felt completely abandoned and out of control, I have been saved and pulled back into his arms at just the perfect time.

When I need perspective, I wish I said that I always went to the Bible first. I often find myself searching for answers from my family, friends, and even the Internet. I am currently working on making the conscious effort to get back into the habit of flipping through the gold edged pages of my Bible for the answers.

Now. Back to Timing. Where can I find information about timing?

Ecclesiastes is always a solid place for me to gain perspective on how much The Lord values HIS TIMELINE, especially Ecclesiastes 3.

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. 15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. 16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there. 17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." 18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?" 22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
Ecclesiastes 3, New International Version

Top 3 Items Gleaned from Ecclesiastes 3:

1.    GOD HAS MY TIMELINE UNDER CONTROL. He has ensured a time and place for everything.

2.    GOD WANTS ME TO BE JOYFUL, not to worry about my timeline. He doesn't want me to worry about the “should” and the “wants.” My fretting will not make God’s timing anymore perfect or arrive any sooner or later than it should.

3.    GOD MAKES EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL. Even the things in my timeline that I wish had never occurred. They are woven intricately into my story and testimony to help others come to The Lord.

Thank you all for diving into Ecclesiastes 3 with me. I would love to hear your comments and thoughts about this beautiful passage!