Unplugged

Social media can get a bad reputation.

It's not all bad though, there are good things about it too. It is way easier to keep in touch and update your loved ones on the important moments of your life.

On the other hand Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Snapchat, Pinterest, & Google+ [who even uses that?] can also be a huge distraction and temptation. It is a distraction from REAL LIFE. We are surrounded by real people and real conversations, and yet we stop to look at the latest tweets on our phones midsentence. It is a temptation to compare, to judge, to ridicule, to envy, to lust, to covet, to gossip, to brag, to idolize, and to ignore reality. We judge ridiculous status updates instead of having compassion, we idolize and covet everything on our Pinterest boards for our unrealistic dream homes, and we envy and compare ourselves to every girl on our Instagram feed who gets engaged.

I never thought I had many comparison issues, but lately I have not been as happy as I used to be. I have an incredible family, amazingly loyal friends, a roof over my head, a job [that I may not love everyday, but it pays my bills and allows me to use my gifts]. I am so blessed. Why should I be unhappy? Part of it is that I want, want, want. I want more stuff, I want more attention, and I want to look like everyone on my timeline and friend's list that has it all together [Public Service Announcement: No one has it all together].

I couldn't help but get a thrill whenever I had a post that got a high number of likes. I judged people based on what they put online, whether I knew them or not. I even checked my Instagram at stoplights and every time I used the bathroom. There was so much wrong with my attachment to social media.

Then 8 days ago I deleted Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram off my iPhone.

And the world went on spinning. In fact, it wasn't even as hard as I thought it would be. I would reach for my phone at times and then realize there was nothing on there to look at, which would free me up to embrace the moment that I was in. There are minor inconveniences, but overall I'm glad I did it. I didn't delete my accounts so I can post updates or stay in touch with friends from my iPad or computer. That way I still have the benefit of keeping in touch with friends and family easily, but I am not constantly attached to social media and the problems that it brings.

If you struggle with the same things as me I would encourage you to try the challenge. Give yourself a 40 day trial and just delete the apps. Keep track of how your attitude changes and what you are able to do with your time. Let me know how it goes!

Works of Heart

I am working on an Etsy shop to promote my art and in hopes of selling some more. I love painting on canvas, but I also love using other things like old windows and wood as my canvas. All of the items pictured below were previously sold, but they can give you an idea of what you can order. Also, I am always up for a challenge so if you have an idea of something I would love to give it a try. If you see anything you like please message me or comment! I would be happy to give you a price.

"Rocky Top" [I love doing art that celebrates TN]

[A favorite quote of mine from JRR Tolkien]

[Scripture (Psalm 27:1) and a line from a favorite worship song "The Everlasting"]

[You can't celebrate TN without a little football]

[Half TN State Flag, Half Knoxville skyline]

[Scripture art for a baby girl's room]

[Scripture art for a baby boy's room]

[Lyric from "Sigh no More" by Mumford & Sons]

[Scripture art]

[3D Monogram with Chevron Background]

[Signs from a dear friend's wedding]

[A popular wedding sign]

[Custom for the couple]

[This is hard to see but it is an antique window with all of their special dates on it]

[The signs at the wedding]

[At the wedding]

I love New Year's Resolutions

New. Restart. Second chances. Fresh start.

Who doesn't love those things? I know I do. New Year is a chance to make a promise a keep it. That is what I hope to do.

I always make several resolutions, and I admit, I never keep them all, but I usually keep a few.

Here is the list for 2014:

 

1. Make a budget and stick to it.

I am using the Dave Ramsey cash envelope system. Check it out here.

 

2. Read 30 NEW books.

So far I've already read 4 so this shouldn't be too hard. I am going to keep up with each of them along with a small review in this post.

 

3. Run a 10k.

Last year my goal was to run a 5k and so I'm increasing it a bit.

 

4.Teach myself design software.

I have become increasingly interested in the design world. I hope to learn the basics of the Adobe Creative Suite by teaching myself through YouTube tutorials in my spare time. Do you have any favorite YouTube teachers?

 

5. Stop going to food for comfort.

I'm bad at this and I have been going through this devo series which speaks to the spiritual aspect of overeating.

 

6. Limit screentime.

Spend less time watching tv, surfing the internet, and on my phone.

 

7. Thank God for something everyday.

Gratitude builds joy.

 

8. Go on a date.

It's may be a weird New Year's resolution, but its something that I want to happen this year. #judgeorjoin

 

9. Learn to be content or be active in changing my circumstances.

Life is too short to stay unhappy.

What are your New Years resolutions?

Books of 2014

[This post will be continually updated with each new book read]

1. The Husband's Secret
by Liane Moriarty



Overall I enjoyed this book. It reminded me a lot of last year's Gone Girl, but with more characters. The Husband's Secret told three separate stories about three families for most of the book that all came together in a plot twist toward the end. For me, the mark of an excellent "plot twist" book is that I don't see it coming, unfortunately I found this one a little too obvious. C+

2. Take One
by Karen Kingsbury

I've never been the Christian that only listens to Christian music and my favorite movies are not Fireproof, Facing the Giants, and others like that. That's just not me. For that reason, I've never even given Karen Kingsbury a chance despite my mother and sister's recommendations. While Take One is far from my favorite book, its not bad. The way Kingsbury uses scripture and the way the characters uplift is a good reminder to do those things in my own life. The story line is predicable and flat though, and it probably didn't help that I listened to it as an audiobook. C

3. Take Two
by Karen Kingsbury

Well I didn't hate it enough to quit reading, plus its easy listening while walking my dog or delivering notices at work. The second book got a bit tedious for me, and became increasingly predictable and unrealistic. I'm starting to doubt if I can stick with the series. D+

4. Bossy Pants

by Tina Fey

Loved this book! Two years ago one of my favorite books was Mindy Kaling's "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" and this one was close to being as funny. I listened to this by audiobook as well, which I highly recommend because Fey reads it herself. The book has charm, wit, and humor. Plus I enjoyed learning more about Fey and how she got to where she is now. I highly recommend this one. B+

5. Heads in Beds
By Jacob Tomsky

My major in school was Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism. This book was written by a long time employee and manager of a major (unnamed) hotel chain. It is an expose on the hotel industry that most people outside of my major and job probably wouldn't have much interest in, but I found it fascinating. If anything everyone can learn how to get a room upgrade, free movies, or never pay for another minibar item again. C+

6. The Fault in Our Stars

By John Green

This book was absolutely heart breaking and wonderful. Everyone one of my favorite books is sad, but if that's not the case for you then you may not be a fan. The story is about two unique teenagers brought together by cancer figuring out how to live without letting their disease define them. As a quote in the book says "Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book”  and that is how I feel about this book. A

7. The Truth About Forever

By: Sarah Dessen

8. The Moon & More

By Sarah Dessen

9. Eleanor & Park

By Rainbow Rowell

Finding Purpose in the Wait

[First off, sorry for the long delay between posts. This year I hope to be more diligent with posting and build a bigger audience. If you linked here from Pinterest and are interested in art, there will be a post coming up about that soon.]

Does anyone really like to wait?

I personally can't stand it. Waiting for a phone call you're expecting seems like it takes hours, waiting to hear big results from a test is excruciating, even waiting in line at the grocery store too long can ruin our mood.

My two biggest "waits" right now that are constantly coming to mind are the long wait for a husband and the wait for my future (as far as my future career path). I do not think that I am alone in either of those.

Yesterday my community group discussed "doubt". For me doubt is closely related to waiting. When I have to wait to. long I start to doubt that I am doing the right thing. Then this morning I read this article on Relevant.com.

Go read it and then come back.

I loved just about everything in there. It was such a great reminder to me that waiting has purpose and I should use it. I love how the author pointed out all of the stories of waiting in the Bible that I've known my whole life, but somehow I still expected that I shouldn't have to wait?

Next time you find yourself waiting remember that God has a purpose in it and look for that. It is an invitation to seek God.

Sovereignty in suffering.

Waiting is expected in the Christian life.

God breaks us to bless us.

Christ is better.