Loved

This past weekend I had the incredible experience of attending my first Women of Faith Conference and less than 48 hours afterwards I am already getting excited about the next one. Heck, I was excited before I even left the first one! 

It all came about earlier this year when it was brought up at a MOPS meeting. My friend, Jess, and I heard that one of our most favorite people on the face of planet earth (Jen Hatmaker!) was going to be there so we immediately signed up. We later learned she would not be at the Charlotte weekend, but were still excited to go any way. Jess brought it up one afternoon when we had gotten together with two of our other best gal pals for one of our regular soul-restoring gab sessions. The four of us had been meeting monthly for the past few months after we realized we had all read Hatmaker's book, Seven, independently of each other but knew we needed to hash it out with other believers. Maria and Lauren jumped on board and the ball began rolling on a great weekend!

Fast forward a few months and it's FINALLY here. We all said sayonara to our kids and headed to downtown Charlotte to refill our hearts with the word of Jesus. Maria's husband booked us a FABULOUS hotel room in downtown too so we didn't have to worry about going home and getting our groove messed up :-P

Friday night kicked off the weekend with some worship and a few speakers who brought truth in a big way. Afterwards we headed back to our hotel for drinks, a snack, and girl talk. It was fantastic. Once we realized how late it was we forced ourselves to go to sleep so we would be well-rested for the next day. Easier said than done for four women who haven't seen each other in a while and without the distraction of littles! Somehow we managed to all get a few hours.

Me, Jess, Lauren, and Maria 

The next morning we were back at it again with more wonderful women preaching the word in profound ways. Saturday also brought an incredible performance by Building 429. I had never been to a worship concert before so having the chance to praise the Lord with so many other people was a mind-blowing experience. 

Building 429!

Returning to reality was a little very difficult, but well worth it when I got to share some of what I learned with others. We've already got reservations for next year-who's coming with us?!?

Stealing Joy

I often feel like I am juggling a bunch of different things in my head (Is my kid's behavior normal? Am I going to have time to complete X, Y, and Z today? Will supper be ready in time? Can I run to Target between naps? Did I remember to call so-and-so back? Am I going to have time to check Pinterest for that? How did she get her kid to do that at that age?). I am not very good at silencing everything around me and taking in the moment so when one of the mentor moms at a recent MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) meeting asked us to discover what what stealing our joy I knew I needed to pause and search my heart for what is keeping me from full submission and rest in the Lord. 

What is stealing your joy today?

What is causing you emotional (or physical) discomfort? What is causing you to pause and proclaim, "I'm so stressed!"? Is the perfect family on Facebook with their 2.5 polite kids and dog that never runs away or barks? Is it Pinterest with its unattainable perception of reality? It is greed over what your friend has that you don't? Is it a to-do list a mile long with unattainable tasks? Is it the family whose toddler seems to always listen and never pitch a tantrum? I ask again, what is stealing your joy today?

I was convicted by this question. It seems like an insurmountable obstacle some days to find that peace, but she challenged us to seek what is stealing our joy and replace it with God. So now I am challenging you to pause and ask yourself, what is keeping you from full rest and joy in the Lord? How are you going to eliminate that from your life and find more rest in God? 

What is stealing your joy?

5 on Friday [09.19]

Happy Friday!!

*one*

Wow, this week has been a fun one with little miss! I think she's completed her first "leap" according to the Wonder Weeks concept because she has grown so much! Lots of smiles and focusing on things. She's actually cooing and seems to be "playing"! Well, playing as much as a 7-week old would.

*two*

A longggg while back I wrote a post about shopping local and why we try to do it whenever we can. So imagine how excited I was when I discovered a new farm stand minutes from our house! I mean, I pass this thing on an almost daily basis. When I finally stopped by this week I was quickly greeted with lots of welcoming smiles and free samples. The owner then told me their plans to build an actual shop and "farmer's market" restaurant in that location at the beginning of next year. I just about hugged my new BFF in excitement. One of the things I miss most about Raleigh is the Farmer's Market shops and restaurant. Eeeeek! Cannot wait! Check them out on facebook at Country Olive!

*three*

We are participating in our first yard sale this weekend. When did we grow up?? I feel like yard sales are a very grown up thing to do. 

Who wants to come buy our crap? I mean "stuff". . .

Baby not for sale. Unlessss the offer is right ;-)

*four*

So, I have recently joined a MOPS group and I am in love! MOPS is an incredible Christian organization for mommies of young ones.  I love that the women are from all different walks of life, yet so welcoming and fun. A wonderful group to grow with!

*five*   

Can I just say how much I love this time of year? The cooler temps, the constant football, the constant weekend offerings. This time of year fills my heart!