dear 16 year old me.

dear 16 year old me,

listen to others, yes.

but most of all listen to your own convictions. 

weekend {shap}shots

this weekend was a busy one, despite the fact that i had sandwich vacation days from the office.

went back to my college turf.

saw this vehicle on the road. strange.

saw this adorable friend.

and this wonderful lady.

and a bulldog wearing an auburn jersey {oh the irony!}

and a wonderful friend shared this amazing quote.

cannot wait for this weekend to celebrate friendsgiving!

dear 16 year old me.

dear 16 year old me,

take time and chat with people who have walked a little bit further on the journey of life. their wisdom and insight will be priceless as you walk your journey.

the "ear to ear" list.

something that i adore more than anything. meeting friends of friends.

there is something about it that helps explain a person better. that allows you to see a bigger picture of the person that you are walking through life with. plus, who doesn't love meeting new friends! 

my sweet friend shannon recently had one of her dear friends in town. it was so fun to sit and chat over margs and queso and hear all about her friend hannah. 

at one point in the conversation they started talking about their "lists". basically, this list contains things that make them happy. i have called it the "ear to ear" list, because hopefully everything on this list should make you grin... ear to ear.

they shared theirs with me and several things occurred to me as i listened to them share pieces of their hearts and their happy places.

1. it was very clear why were were friends {new or old}

2. how incredible it is that we all have very distinct and different things that make us {us}

3. what an incredible way to bright your day, when your day seems to be clouded with big dark clouds.

here's mine. this is just the beginning.

{ear to ear}

- coffee

- diet coke (fountain or can, not bottles)

- colorado

- peanut butter m&m’s

- stickers

- sweatpants

- large t’ shirts

- margs with no salt

- fresh powdery snow with no footprints

- donuts

- straws

- boots

- grilled cheese with havarti, bacon, & apples

- mexican food

- whiskey

- mason jars

- porches

- crooked creek ranch

- boulder

- view from the top of sweat mountain

- spot by the mill at sharptop

- the color yellow

- apple pie caramel apples

- my vintage patagonia fleece paired with flannel

- a really beautiful photograph

- sunrises

- peonies

- craft beer

- the weepies

- long car trips with windows down

- laughter when it turns to tears

- the movie: because i said so

- used bookstores and libraries

- the smell of dew in the mornings

- sitting down after a run

- teacups

- my grandma's amethyst ring

- handwritten letters

- the smell of honeysuckle

- the book: the sweetest thing

- lower case letters

- scarves

- rifle paper co.

- stationary

- strawberry cake with cream cheese icing

- macaroons

- fall scented candles

- quilts

- playing “hookie”

- card games

- the feeling when i walk into anthro; creativity overflowing

- dolly parton

- pancakes

- airports and the possibilities that they bring

- exploring new places

- raw spinach

- fruity fran from chicken salad chick in auburn

- big blue bagel

- dance parties before club

- dark chocolate

- mountains

- “the soundtrack of my life” playlist

- watching dance moms with my mom

- chattanooga

- iced chai tea lattes

- sporadic adventures

- fires

- sour cream

- movies that make you cry

- the feeling after skiing when you are in dry socks

- boys with beards

- hot yoga… and the shower after

- waking up to the smell of bacon

- 90s alternative music

- cuddling

- naps

- acoustic concerts

- s'mores

- crew neck sweatshirts

what would be on yours?

dear 16 year old me.

dear 16 year old me,

learn to drink coffee. and fall in love with as many coffee shops as possible.

empowered.

maybe it is katy perry's new release. or maybe it is the change in season. or maybe i am just finally {whether i want to or not} growing up.

whatever it is, {i like to think that it is the perfect blend of the 3} i feel empowered. 

now there may be some of you that are completely rolling your eyes at me and i must say that i completely understand. whenever i hear a woman talk about how she feels "empowered" my typically response is to roll my eyes. (ps- mom: they still aren't stuck that way and i have been at it for 20 something years, I'm calling your bluff)

for some reason when i hear a woman becoming in power, my mind goes to this woman who decides she doesn't need to shower any more, wear s masculine cargo pants, and grunts. 

shows you how little i know. 

i am learning that feeling empowered is one of the greatest things feelings a person can have. it means that you have the strength and the back bone to move forward no matter what is thrown at you. 

half marathon training.

new experiences.

a regular "boring" routine.

new friendships.

new relationships.

whatever may come at "empowered" woman doesn't back down. she finds her security and lets her roots reach deep down into that anchor. and she doesn't move. no matter what comes her way.

it is an incredibly beautiful thing to watch and experience.

being empowered creates a softness but a strength.

i was recently reminded of a beautiful piece of scripture that i want written all over everything. 

" she is clothed in strength and crowned with dignity.."

proverbs 31:35

we are empowered in and through the Lord. he desires to give us strength. and we can hold our heads high because we have be given dignity through him.

i love the brink of when seasons change. you can feel the difference in the air and the excitement of a new season of life. 

it seems like the perfect season for change.

and to feel a little bit empowered... like a lion who is ready to roar.

{no} labor day weekend

this morning, while i was laboring over my 9 flight stair walk, i was reflecting over this past weekend and just reminding myself how incredibly wonderful it was.

nothing crazy happened, but i was able to unwind and relax. i also was surrounded by some wonderful people.

in a {nutshell}

-watched 8 hours of parks and rec

-watched 5 hours of college football

-consumed a bizillon calories

-shopped one incredible j. crew outlet sale

- baked a delish recipe from girl meets life

- and laughed... a lot.

now, go make some cake batter blondies, you will not be disappointed!

the one you'll find.

Your eyes are searching the earth

The groom's eyes are searching for her

You're looking for hearts' eyes

To see what you're worth

The treasure of the universe

Find me in this holy thirst

And I will love you

And I will love you

And I will love you

And I would be the one you'd find

Your eyes are burning with fire

The groom's eyes they burn with desire

For a lover who's waiting

For the love of her life

And I would I would be the one you'd find

O god who's merciful and kind

And I will love you

And I will love you

And I will love you

And I would be the one you'd find

I would be the one you'd find

Find me here

Find me now

Find me when I can't find myself

And I will love you

And I will love you

And I will love you

And I would be the one you'd find

And I would be the one you'd find

{the one you'll find}

by shane & shane

everything.

so often i feel that i am going to miss out on something. that if i am not actively in my friends lives that i will miss out on something amazing that i am supposed to experience. that if i am not everywhere all the time then i may miss out on something that could change my life. and i don't know about you but i hate missing out.

a friend of mine calls it FOMO (fear of missing out). 

let me tell you i have a serious, chronic case of FOMO.

i am addicted to being a part of experiences that will produce a good story. i love to tell stories. good stories. and i love to be a character in those stories. the ones that you will share at a dinner party or over lunch with a friend that will make you giggle uncontrollably.

i recently (like as in today) started doing a study of ephesians by the wonderful blog {she reads truth}.

this past weekend i help a precious friend of mine, molly, move into her new adorable house. i felt the need to be there the entire weekend because i do not want to miss anything. i wanted to be a part of every detail of that move. to experience the funny moments, because lets be honest when you are moving you ALWAYS find the things that were forgotten about and stashed away that always can produce a good bell chuckle. 

i adore a good belly chuckle. molly loves belly chuckles as well. she also is an incredible cook and baker. yes she is good at both 

{rare gem!} 

moving on... (see what i did there). when i was reading my day one of ephesians verse 14 hit me like a mack truck driving about 100 mph. 

" we will get EVERYTHING God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life"
{message translation}

how beautiful.

we will get everything that God has planned. and it is not because we are perfect, it is not because we didn't mess up this week, or because we were at the right place at the right time. it is simply because we are his children. we have been adopted by him. he has a beautiful plan that was tailor made for each of us and we get it simply because we have been chosen by him (v.4).

we get everything. because we are blessed, chosen, made holy and blameless, and adopted.

so although i love to be apart of a great story. i do not have to have FOMO about missing out on my story. on my beautiful story that has been crafted just for me.

now that is something that i want to steep in this monday morning.

dear 16 year old me,

buy a straightener.

it will take you far in life.

starting point.

maybe it is the yellow school buses that i see driving around. or maybe it is the fact that i am helping a sweet friend move into a new house this weekend. or maybe its just the fact that this past year i have been baptized in change. whatever it is i feel like the word start has continued to pop in my head over and over again.

the beautiful thing about a new start is that it is a fresh start. it offers us with the realm of possibility that there is hope that anything is possible. the sky is the limit. that you are opening the door to an unknown excitement of adventure. 

that you can finally be a better person. that you will lose that weight. that you will finally make it through a day without shooting death eyes at the car in front of you in traffic.

whatever this "fresh start" may represent the truth of the matter is that there is a point. just like in a race, there is that anticipation before the gun goes off.

but with every start. there is a starting point.

with change there is a point where we are ready to make change.

this "school year" {yes i still operate from august to august} i am at another starting point. a point where it is time to create margins in my life. this summer has been the very definition of "go" and to be completely honest...
i. am. exhausted.

so this august i am at the starting point of giving myself some space.

of not trying to be everything for everyone.

of going and just resting.


“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

{matthew 11:28-30}

love/hate.

i grew up in a family of runners.

my parents were both/ are both marathon runners. my brother is a runner. my extended family runs. they all run. and i am not just talking about when something is chasing them... they actually ENJOY it... crazy fools. 

since i was in college, i have dabbled in running. im fairly active. i enjoy an occasional trip to the gym. ive done a couple of 5ks.  my junior year of college i had a brain lapse and did a half marathon, which i did not properly train for. terrible decision. 

but lately i have realize that i need exercise. i need to to keep me sane. i know understand my fathers need to wake up and go run at zero dark thirty every morning. i understand the challenge that my brother enjoys from enduring ANOTHER marathon (overachiever...). i am slowly (notice that word, slowly) starting to realize my need to run. i am becoming a runner.

please note: i do not want to be an olympic runner. gross. eww. never.

but i love the feeling of coming back from a jog and having the feeling of accomplishment. that "i did something" feeling. it feels good. it gives you the warm fuzzies. 

so yesterday i did something. something that i may regret later but in this moment i am so excited about it.

i registered for a half marathon.

not just any half marathon. the disney princess half marathon. 

so. this is the beginning of my training. this is the continuing of my love/hate relationship with running. i am scared, excited, but most of all ready. i am ready to train for this half. i am ready to run this race well. 

guess its time to put on my training heels.

survey says...

one of my daily reads is a lovely little blog, girl meets life. 

i love this blog for several reasons. gracie (the author, who i like to think of as my beast friend that i haven't met yet) lives in new york, she loves delish grub, she is a single blogger (unite!), and she loves jesus.

so when her most recent post popped up on my reading list i knew that i knew that we were destined to be friends.

she did a survey that she took from a blog meals & moves.

and of course i decided that i needed to complete it as well. 

so here we go!

A. Attached or Single?

single

B. Best Friend?

moose, the pup

C. Cake or pie?

cake. exception my grandma's recipe for homemade apple pie

D. Day of choice?

i love thursdays. the anticipation for the weekend but still have time to be productive before the weekend

E. Essential Item?

rosebud salve. never leave home without it.

F. Favorite color?

yellow, bright and cheerful.

G. Gummy bears or worms?

this is where i get picky: only haribou gummy bears & only sour gummy worms

H. Home town?

Marietta, GA

I. Favorite Indulgence?
dolly parton and marcoons

J. January or July?

january 

K. Kids?

ill take a dozen, one day... (real talk: i would love 3)

L. Life isn’t complete without?

people to share it with

M. Marriage date?

n/a.

N. Number of brothers/sisters?

2 brothers: they are studs

O. Oranges or Apples?

apples... with honey peanut butter (devine!)

Q. Quotes?

R. Reasons to smile?

i have breath in my lungs

S. Season of choice?

the inbetweens (fall & spring)

T. Tag 5 People.

your it

U. Unknown fact about me?

i am an expert balloon animal maker

V. Vegetable?

spinach

W. Worst habit?

biting my fingernails (nasty i know)

X. Xray or Ultrasound?

ultrasound

Y. Your favorite food?
mexican

Z. Zodiac sign?
taurus

you. yes you.

welcome home.

well, i have officially checked off two of my 26 before the 27 list. 

i traveled to africa (zimbabwe to be exact) as well as marveled at one of the seven natural wonders of the world. i promise more pictures and stories to come later.

i have traveled a good bit in my life. many of my adventures have been through mission trips so i am no stranger to the condition "mountain tops"; however, this trip for me was completely different. maybe because i was an adult leader, and i feel like when we are leaders the lord likes to constantly remind us that we are so inadequate yet he can do incredible things in and through us. in our weakness he is ultimate strength.

this time coming home was harder. it wasn't just missing being away from everyday life (although 2 weeks without a cell phone was extremely freeing). it wasn't getting to mountain climb in the dark with a head lamp (so hardcore), or walking with lions (yup, i did that!!). it wasn't just being in a beautiful place with beautiful people. i think for me this trip was different because i saw people being completely real with each other. i saw walls come down. i saw a place that was free of judgement. a place where you were loved for who you are not what you did or who you were pretending to be. i saw encouragement. i saw laughter.it was refreshing. 

i saw grace. 

grace for each other. grace for the children, women, and men that we were serving. it was just a taste of the incredible community that awaits us in heaven.

so although i am home... i am homesick for my true home. 

"learn to hold loosely all that is not eternal"

- maud royden

26 before 27.

who doesn't love a great bucket list?

while approach the big 26 was extremely weird for me (how in the world have i been alive that long?!) i also was struck with an idea to create a list of 26 things that i would like to do before 27. not that turning 27 is a bad thing, but i am looking at this as a way to really challenge myself to live life.

so here it is. the "get it done" list for the next year of life.

1. visit the {adopted} homeland

2. do a photo a day challenge for a month

3. lose 10 lbs

4. moved out of the rents

5. go caroling

6. start and finish a puzzle

7. learn to juggle

8. milk a cow

9. take a pottery class

10. hike stone mountain

11. read 3 books from modern libraries top 100 list

12. run {another} half marathon

13. go to africa

14. see t.swift in concert {haters hate}

15. play trivia

16. finish a journal... to the last page

17. throw a tea party

18. send more snail mail

19. visit my fam in texas

20. clean out my closet... and actually get rid of stuff

21. go to dollywood

22. see one of the seven natural wonders

23. do a triatholon

24. buy a gun {dream: smith & wesson}

25. learn to knit

26. make a terrarium

27. visit serenbe

family.

yesterday we celebrated the birth of my wonderful older brother.

my family is different than most.  my brothers are 17 and 11 years older than me so growing up the household could be a little lonely at times. I remember other people my age being so close to their siblings and having so much in common with each other. Our dinner table conversations were more mortgages & career paths, instead of crayola's & playgrounds. 

regardless, i am completely blessed. my family has always supported me, loved on me, & been my biggest fan. life would be different without my precious family.

a big thank you to my big brother for showing me the beauty of serving in ministry and following the Lord whole heartedly. i feel honored to be you little sister.

happy birthday.

the mindy project

i have the greatest friends in the world. i know that a lot of people say this but i am actually one of those people that truly believes that i have been blessed with exciting, funny, adventurous, awkwardly lovable friends.

one of my dear friend elise and i were hanging out with some other lovey ladies eating food at the scrumptious victory sandwich bar and she asked me, "rach, have you ever seen the mindy project?" now, those who have walked enough life with me know that i adore a good tv show. nothing gets me more excited than the idea that after a long work day i can cozy up in my lounge wear (picture a sassy silk robe with fringe and huge puffy slippers that were created from the clouds themselves, i wish) plop myself on a couch, kick up my feet, and go to {my recordings} on my dvr. it gives me the warm fuzzies just thinking about it.

so that was an extremely long winded way of tell you that of course my answer to her question was yes. i love the mindy project. the characters are clever, the humor is belly-chuckle worthy, and the main character is adorably awkward.

my sweet wonderful fiend elise then looks at me and says, "every time i watch that show i can't help but think that you are mindy."

it was like something inside of my clicked and the realization that mindy had been snooping around in my journals and had written a sitcom based {loosely} off my life. 

so for those of you who haven't had the pleasure, please enjoy.

and to my future boyfriend, please be willing to put pancake batter on your nose.

adventures

as a little kid some of my favorite memories came from going to see my grandparents in tennessee. the house always smelled like a delicious home cooked treat, whether corn-like bread or apple pie, a box full of toys was always housed in the living room and you could most likely find the tv on with whatever sporting event was in season. but the thing that i loved most about the house was the yard.

i was blessed enough to have 3 cousins that were all pretty close to my age. and if was pretty you could most likely find us in the yard. we loved to play wiffle ball, ride our bikes or ride around on the tractor with my grandfather. but our favorite place was the small creek that ran next to the house. it was our spot. our very own secret garden. (keep in mind that this creek was completely visable and served as the property line for the house next store, so really not so secret)

we would spend hours trying to clean out the sticks and garbage while making up ridiculous stories about how the creek would lead us to a very special world that was just for us. 

what it all came down to is the fact that we loved adventure. we loved feeling like there was more out there to discover, something that was meant only for us to find.

our hearts love to be told stories. i am an avid reader. but even more than they love to hear or read a beautiful story we long to be apart of a story. a story that has challenges. a story where there are good moments. a story were there is action. a story were there is struggle but then there is a victory. a story where the good guy wins.

we all long for adventure.

when i moved out west after i had graduated i was terrified. i talked a pretty big game until it was time to go and i remember being in a hotel in kansas and all of a sudden feeling like i had made the biggest mistake of my life. why in the world did i just pack up my car and decide to move 2,000 miles from anyone i knew? 

the reason is because i am an adventure junky. because i knew that my time out west would be a complete adventure.

i crave finding something new. something that is meant just for me.

its funny how things in our childhood really do help shape who we are. little did i know that playing in my secret garden with my 3 cousins was just the beginning of my love for adventure.