Intentional Adventure || Personal

Yesterday I had an hour to kill. My days are a little crazy this spring so having an hour to kill is a miracle of sorts. Within that hour I had some thinking time. So as crazy as it was to go for a walk in the trails in 19 degrees, I did it. And it was beautiful. 

I admit I get in the habit of doing the daily grind. I don't live each day as if it's my last and I'm not always full of joy everyday when I wake up. Being in class 9 hours everyday and having to go to work after is not my favorite thing. But doing the daily grind is easy because there's no question. It's just what you do. Get up, drink the coffee, learn, grow. But what if it doesn't have to be that way? What if you could pack your bags and go halfway across the world for a few months and do something that changes the world? What if you really did what you born to do? I don't know about you, but I don't feel like I was born to work retail. Maybe I'm naive and silly, but why not? 

Maybe there's an orphanage in Haiti that needs some volunteers. Maybe there's a single-mom in the inner city that could use a baby sitter. Maybe there's a child who hasn't eaten in days and would really love a warm meal. There are 27 million people trapped in slavery. And maybe you could help.

When we look beyond ourselves, we realize how corrupt our perspective is. Even those of us who are not considered wealthy by America's standard are among the wealthiest people who have ever existed in all of history. Step outside of your walls. God is a father to the fatherless. But we are His hands and feet. We are a part of His body. For Him to truly be a Father to the fatherless, He must be one through us. Ask God to show you where to start.

I don't want to do anything in this life without intention. This life is all about adventure and intention. Make your adventure beautiful, bursting with intention to change the world. 

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!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

To New Beginnings

The past six months have been a whirlwind, an adventure, a journey. Sometimes when we're in the storm we don't see the beauty of it until we're looking back on it. Six months ago I thought I would be done with school for good and pursue my photography business full force. Little did I know that the journey that God had placed me on would lead me to apply to Moody Bible Institute. Throughout this whole process I have been completely undone and overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy in my life. How amazing that the Lord is leading me to pursue full-time ministry and counseling.

In six months I'll be living in Chicago.

In six months I'll be starting all over.

Moral of the story: Life is really crazy and God is so good.

November in Instagrams || Personal

I love November. It holds the peak of fall, chai tea lattes, candles always burning, crisp fall air, thankfulness and the anticipation of winter. This November filled me with joy, hope, faith and patience.    Spontaneous trips to the city, breakfast on Saturday mornings, fireworks, good friends, foggy mornings and road trips. 

I went a little instagram crazy because I got an iPhone 5 after being due for an upgrade. I'm kinda thrilled.

Our pleasure and our duty, though opposite before, since we have seen his beauty are joined to part no more

Day after Thanksgiving :: snow

& the greatest ending of all. This, my friends, is Ellie, the newest member of my family. We adopted her & she is a miracle. 

Happy December! So excited for all that this month holds.

Friday Favorites || November

Taking a little break from Film Fridays for Friday Favorites today ;) 

This month was booked to the brim so my favorites are filled with a lot of necessities. 

1. I visited this lovely blog almost every day this month. A beautiful mess is seriously beautiful. They have something new posted every single day...from DIYs to recipes to inspiring ideas. 

2. October was super busy for me. The only way I kept up was by putting every single thing on my calendar. Simple but so key for me. 

3. C.S. Lewis is full of wisdom. He is definitely on my "I'd like to have dinner with them" list.

4. I know a lot of talented graphic designers and they can definitely teach me a thing or two about the art but I had a little fun doing some typography this month. Did you see this piece I created? 

5. I always love the music that Bethel Church puts out there. This album has found a home in my car this month and it's not leaving any time soon. Pick it up!

What have you been loving this month & what are you looking forward to in November?

Happy Friday & get ready for Film Friday next week!

Alison

Week 44 || Project 52

"I love Your voice,

singing over me every morning.

I love Your voice,

calling out my name every morning."

-Your Voice || The Royal Royal

There's something about waking up before the sun even rises to spend some time with the Lord. Nothing like it. I woke up at 4:30AM this morning. Thankful for a pot of coffee, deer sightings in the suburbs, a warm home, another day. It's so easy to get stuck in the daily grind and take life for granted. But when you think that we are not even worthy of one day, it puts everything back in perspective. Whether the world seems quite and still or loud and busy, the Lord is always there.

Pray for Masha || Faith

I've been waiting to write this blog for quite some time. I have been blessed with so many amazing, faith filled people in my life. Masha is one of those people. 

This sweet girl has been in the hospital for over a month with an undiagnosed sickness. Through it all this girl has been joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. Her love for the Lord is inspiring. The thousands of people that have been praying for her is moving. Masha's journey has truly started a movement and a revival. This girl has such a special place in my heart. She is always full of such joy. 

This summer I had the joy of being an intern at my church, being submersed in ministry. Toward the end of the summer, we went to camp with the students. It was such a joy to spend so much time with Masha. I'll never forget one day we were taking a hike through some rocky hills by the water and every person she passed, she gave them a smile and said "Hi! How are you today?" I just love her!

Please pray for Masha. Pray urgently, fervently and unceasingly. To show your support, tweet, using the hashtag #prayformasha. If you'd like to stay up to date on her condition visit the blog. 

Into the Wilderness Again || Personal

Fall is definitely one of my favorite seasons. Crunchy leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, apple picking, jackets, scarves, and Trader Joe's having everything pumpkin flavored (I'm kind of addicted to their pumpkin ice cream!) There's no better place to experience fall than in the north woods; the leaves are prettier, the wind is fiercer and the distractions are few. 

On Friday morning my good friend Sarah and I bundled up and made the road trip up to my lake house. Some good mix CDs and coffee to accompany us, there was not a moment of silence. I can talk for hours with that girl about Jesus, future and our love of pumpkin. The best part about our arrival...we got there just as the golden hour was starting! Perfection. It was a great weekend of small town, serenity, heart-to-heart, late night chatting, midnight baking, Jesus goodness.

We made pumpkin pancakes every morning and explored the small town before it got dark around 4 in the afternoon. Homemade pizzas and plenty of baking every evening. We sipped on pumpkin tea and cider throughout our hours and hours of challenging and inspiring chatter. Weekends in the wilderness always do my heart well.

Week 40-42 || Project 52

Sometimes life gets a little busy. Sticking to a blogging schedule can get a little crazy and life is just better with a little less screen time. From concerts to city adventures to weekends in the woods...I am blessed.

And today...a little project 52 catch-up.

WEEK 40

Phil Wickham is one talented man. Such a sweet night of worship. Feel free to watch the video below from the concert:

 Nights spent in the city are my favorite...my soon-to-be home. Went to this nice, little italian restaurant with a few of my lovely friends.

WEEK 41

 Kari Jobe and All Sons & Daughters are two of my favorite artists. They are so talented and so blessed. I would be thrilled if Kari Jobe would be my mentor. 

WEEK 42

Let's just say this week was phenomenal. I packed my bags and headed into the woods for a little fall retreat with a sweet friend of mine. There is no better place to be than in the woods during the fall. The leaves were crunchy and the fish fry was great. Here is a highlight from the weekend...but stay tuned! A post on the adventure will be here soon :)