.finds + anchors.

Wow, dear friends, it has been a while. My dear husband has been working tirelessly in flight school and I have been very busy with my sweer boys. We flew to Washington state and have been having a blast (more to come later).

I would like to start a little series once a week where I share some of my favorite internet companies and how I use them. Please note that none of these companies are paying me to share, although some companies do provide a referral link that would be available to anyone. 

Are you just loving the chalkboard art that is super popular right now? I am! I love being able to do chalkboard art on my computer, too! Using some easy downloadable chalboard fonts and backgrounds, I made a print using a favorite bible verse.

I ordered it as a 5x7 plaque from a company new to me, York Photo. I could not be more pleased with how it turned out! The finish is glossy, so easy to wipe off little fingerprints! A fun way to use the chalkboard prints! I would highly recommend them and can't wait to order something else!

 
PS - if you are interested, this link will get you some free prints with York Photo

 

.hymns + sunday.

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

written by Louisa M. R. Stead

"’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His word;

Just to rest upon His promise;

Just to know, Thus saith the Lord."

While researching this hymn, I discovered that this hymn was written out of tragedy reflecting the hope of Christ. Louisa watched her husband drown while trying to save a little boy who had fallen in a river. She wrote this hymn to share the hope she had in Christ. Later, she became a missionary to South Africa with her daughter.

     As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.

     If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father.

     And this is what He promised us - eternal life.

     1 John 2:24-25

.here + there.

It has been six months to the day that we arrived here in Pensacola. 

Phew. I can't believe we have made it, more or less. It's been hard. Really hard. And the hard parts aren't done yet. 

But in a strange, or maybe not so strange, way it's been good. Really good. And the good parts aren't done yet, either.

 

{things that are good}

     .having my own apartment. I love decorating, rearranging, and just being here. It's become home.

     .reconnecting with my husband (obviously I love this). 

     .precious time with just me and my sweet boys.

     .the community. I love this aspect of military life. I cherish every friendship I have made here.

     .the beach. It's just gorgeous.

{things that are hard}

     .the weather. I'm not a humidity-loving girl, and as soon as it gets above 80*, I melt. Too bad it reaches 80* by 8:00am and stays hot until after 8:00pm. 

     .the unfamiliarity. It's hard to figure out a whole new place. Where to shop. Where not to shop.

     .missing family. I miss them every day. Phone calls and video chats are not the same.

     .no quilt shops. It's a small thing, but I miss walking through rows of fabric and letting my creativity run wild. 

     .no mountains. The highest point in the whole state of Florida is 345 feet above sea level. The highest point in the city of Seattle is 520 feet above sea level. Mt. Rainier is 14,411 feet above sea level. That's a noticeable difference. 

It has been a long journey, amd I still have a long way yet to go. Every day brings new challenges and new rewards.

.hymn + sunday.

In Christ Alone

written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townsend

"In Christ alone, my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my all-in-all - 

Here in the love of Christ, I stand."

This powerful hymn is a very modern one. It was written and composed in 2001 by a duo in the United Kingdom. Although it is a fairly recent hymn, its powerful presentation of the Gospel has made it quickly rise in popularity, and it was named the 9th best loved hymn of all time in the UK. I know personally, the words to this hymn run through my mind when I am overwhelmed and discouraged. (I highly recommend the Newsboys cover of this song)

     This is love:

     Not that we loved God,

     but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

     1 John 4:10

.control + laughter.

I am a planner. Even if I have change the plan a dozen times, I still like to plan. 

Frankly, it is a control issue. My issue.

And I have been forced to learn the lesson of letting go of my plans over and over. Especially here. Especially being married to a Marine. 

The Marine Corps has a frustrating habit of turning my plans upside-down and switching things around at the absolute last-minute. It can easily become something for me to be bitter over. 

That is when I have to stop and go to my knees. I have no reason to fear my future, or let the Marine Corps' lack of planning rob me of joy in my life. My God is bigger than that. 

I still have a lot of learning before I am to the laughing point, though.