living proof of God's grace & living free to share hope, encouragement & adventures
Last summer, a stark reality hit me. I complain a lot. Wowwww, I complain a lot. And, I didn't like who I was when I complained. Ouch! For me, it's all too easy to justify complaining about things in this life. I complain when I'm frustrated with a situation that I don't like—and sometimes can't …
To all the Jesus believers out there, does spending daily, intentional time with God seem daunting or intimidating? Where do I start? How long does it need to be? Do I have to wake up early? What if I forget? Or, what if it's a really busy day? I've wrestled with all of these questions, …
Continue reading How to Spend Time With God Daily Because You Want to—Not Because You Have to
It's that time of year when it feels like literally everyone is setting a goal. Multiple goals, even. Maybe you're one of them. Or, maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of it all. Are you a failure if you don't set a goal going into a new year? No! Is it wrong if you …
Continue reading Goal Setting Tips for New Years or Any Time of Year
Are you struggling to overcome an obstacle in your life? Something daunting? Something that—some days—feels impossible? Maybe that obstacle is an eating disorder or substance abuse. Maybe it's a health battle. Or even a relationship issue or financial struggle. Whatever your personal challenge, I created a playlist that might help. This playlist was inspired by …
Continue reading The Ultimate Recovery Playlist: Christian Music Version
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." (NLT) For three years, I had a season of solo travel. 2017, 2018, and 2019. The year before this season—2016—my life changed pretty dramatically. I recovered from a 10+ year battle with bulimia, broke up with my long-term boyfriend, and …
Everybody has a story. A major part of my personal mission is to: Share my own story to point people toward God and hope. Encourage others to share their stories, too. We need to hear each other's stories, because stories say, "You're not alone. I've been there, too. I understand." That is powerful stuff. But, …
When John asked me if I wanted to tag along on his work trip to Savannah, GA, it was an easy YES. Granted, it's easier for me to say yes because I have a remote job; however, I would've made it work regardless because Savannah holds a special place in my heart. It was the …
Continue reading A Long Weekend in Savannah, GA: Our Itinerary
Have you ever shared your story? I've shared pieces of mine plenty of times on this blog, on Instagram, once on my friend Janice's podcast, and to individuals here and there—but never in front of a live audience. That is, until November 12, 2022 at the TELL Women's Conference in my hometown of Union City, …
Continue reading My First Time as a Christian Women’s Conference Speaker: Sharing My Story
I never thought I'd visit Bosnia. It wasn't a destination on my bucket list, I'll be honest. My familiarity with Bosnian culture consisted of references to the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and bleak news broadcasts about its status as a war-torn country in the 90s. Yet, there I was in 2019, planning a solo roadtrip through …
Continue reading My Solo Trip to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The end. I'm kidding... about ending it there. NOT about the title. That is no joke. Losing weight truly will not make you happy—or even happier—in life. Trust me. No, I'm not a medical or mental health professional. No, I'm not discussing any potential benefits to your body's functionality. I speak purely from experience as …
adventure and the girl 