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!

October in Instagrams || Personal

October treated me well; with lots of road trips, adventures and cider. November is here now [one of my favorite months!! :)] Is it appropriate to start listening to Christmas music yet?!

1. My dear friend Masha has been in the hospital and her faith journey has started a movement. Read about it here. 2. Kari Jobe & All Sons & Daughters in one night. Such a cool time spent with friends. 3. My new home :) So excited to move to the city next year! 4. Just one of the many photos from my time up north this month. 5. Sunsets in the wilderness...nothing like it. 6. It's boot season and I couldn't be more happy about that. 7. Last night in the woods : pumpkin tea, pumpkin bread and Ephesians, fireside. 8. Walks by the lake. 9. God is the best artist. I love rainbows. 10. I voted today! Have you voted yet? 11. Lunch breaks on the path are my favorite. 12. Who says that sunsets in Illinois aren't any good?! I literally gasped at this one.

So that's my October. How was yours?! Are you ready for November?

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 :)

September in Instagrams || Personal

Yes it is already October 9...shame on me for being so late on this post! October has surely been a whirlwind of busy-ness so far. September was full of serenity, sunflowers, blessings, and tea.

1. Sunsets at the lake house...on the dock. What else is better? 2. City-bound. Pretty much cannot wait to live in the city. 3. Pumpkin spice cupcakes in the wee-hours of the night. 4. Delicious coffee. 5. Venti pumpkin-spice lattes for free. Fall is here! 6. Sweet friend's birthday. Fuzzy socks and heart-shaped chocolate chip cheesecake for you! 7. Hours upon hours of editing=cusp upon cups of coffee. 8. Random sickness...no fun. 9. The Great Creator never rests. Continually amazed by His beauty. 10. Homemade pies. 11. Ahhh my heart is so happy! 12. Infinity scarves and apple cider. Reunited. 13. So much beauty. Sometimes the Lord really outdoes Himself. 14. Phil Wickham, The Royal Royal & Travis Ryan. One night of sweet worship. 15. Sunflowers. Oh so happy.

I love October. I've already gotten in a couple road trips, fall walks and way too many pumpkin things. I hope October is treating you well so far :) 

Friday Favorites || October

Fall crept up on us and October is already here. I absolutely LOVE October and can't believe September has come to an end. October means pumpkin patches, apple picking, sweater and beautiful leaves. Here are five of my favorite October things:

1. Pretty stinkin' pumped to see Kari Jobe & All Sons & Daughters this coming Sunday...it may be a bit of a road trip but it will be worth every second. I have seen All Sons & Daughters many times before and I can hardly wait to see Kari Jobe for the first time. Their music has blessed me in SO many ways! 2. Eeek sweaters! I've been eyeing this sweater for far too long...I think it's time to buy it ;) 3. The leaves have started changing color and there is nothing more beautiful. Driving through crunchy leaves...nothing like it :) 4. PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! Last time I went to Trader Joe's I kinda freaked out :: pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin bread, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin yougurt, pumpkin cereal bars, pumpkin pancake mix. Ahh! 5. Oh my word, All Sons & Daughters new EP "The Longing" is brilliant. I highly recommend buying it and being so blessed by it. This duo is so ridiculously talented. My favorite from their latest EP is "Called Me Higher."

What are you looking forward to this month?!

Urgency | Fall Mornings

Fall mornings are my favorite. Starting the day with a perfect cup of coffee and Isaiah [on this particular day]; there's nothing like it. 

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws,

we wait for you;

your name and renown

are the desire of our hearts.

-Isaiah 26:8

Day after day, hour after hour, minute after minute...we wait. We wait for the Lord to return. But we don't just wait and sit there. At least, that's not what we're supposed to do. Our number one priority should be to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20). This isn't just an empty, idle, boring waiting. This is an "I am so excited for Jesus to come back so I have the urgency to tell everyone about Him so they can go tell more people and so on..." We have this urgency. His name and His renown are the desire of our hearts. Not our name and our renown. Not that everyone would know me and that everyone would remember me but that the one impact we have on the world is simply Jesus. 

Reading Isaiah 26:8 just puts everything back in perspective. All of this doesn't matter; fashion, making a name for ourselves, status, etc. What a relief that we have the gift to walk in His direction for our lives. Day after day, praying that the desire of our hearts would be His name and His renown rather than our own. Christ created us to be significant for HIM. What a relief and what a sweet life!

Week 37 || Project 52

When I started Project 52 it was about taking photos for the sake of taking photos. Somehow, overtime, it became a heavy burden rather than a creative outlet. I used to spend hours adventuring just to find the perfect moment to capture and somehow I stopped doing that. How silly...needless to say, I am going to start doing that. Let's just say I'm pretty stinkin' excited :)

This past week I spent some time in the city with some lovely people. Take-aways from the week:

1. I belong in the city.

2. Chicago is one big melting pot of people and it's amazing.

3. I am moving to the city ASAP (seriously)

It was a weekend full of good mexican food, nonstop chatting, Proverbs and Psalms, pour-over coffee from Bowtruss, and pumpkin spice cupcakes at midnight. The weather was absolutely beautiful and so were the people. Now don't you want to live in Chicago too?!

Happy Wednesday!

Alison