Beginnings of greatness

Okay, friends. It's time for a confession. Since moving into our apartment nearly two months ago, I have managed to:

1. Start a small pan fire. How, you ask? Oh, just by burning—like, setting ablaze—a tablespoon (or four) of olive oil. (Ahem...and by small, I may or may not mean that it flared up kind of high and narrowly avoided singeing our cabinets. Really hope my apartment complex manager isn't reading this.)

2. Make pancakes à la plastic. I.E., oops...a piece of the baggie holding our pre-made mix somehow-totally-accidentally ended up in the batter. Then somehow sneaked onto the griddle. And, sigh...onto my husband's breakfast plate! Honestly, babe, everybody says I'm a great cook...

3. Flood our kitchen floor. But this one was NOT my fault. The garbage disposal was broken when we moved in, see, so how was I supposed to know that all of that junk would back up into our dishwasher the second I turned it on?

4. Drill unnecessary holes into the wall, set off the smoke alarm multiple times (seriously, boiling water gets that thing going!), drive my husband nuts by arranging, rearranging, and re-re-arranging every piece of furniture we have...along with sooo many other "special" moments.

These types of incidents, I'm learning, are among the many hazards of marriage. But am I loving every second of our journey so far? 100%.

Moving on to happier, more well-functioning things. Our apartment is finally making some progress in the cute-and-chic department! So, how about a virtual tour? 

. . .

The Bedroom

My man requested a "beachy oasis"-type theme for our room, because he wanted to feel like he was on vacation once he got home from work. My favorite details: Matching vintage yellow lamps picked up at Uptown Country Home in Snider Plaza; hand-embroidered "fish pillows" bought during our honeymoon in Playa del Carmen; "This is my happy place" sign gifted to us from my momma.

A jewelry hanger and painted canvas bookend our window, which brings lots of yummy light into the room.

Bedding: Crate & Barrel

Curtains: Target

And finally, the dresser! If you read this post, you'll remember that we picked her up at a resale shop for $99. But with a little bit (okay, a lot) of sanding and a coat of spray paint on the drawer pulls, I'd say she looks like—you guessed it—a million bucks.

The Bathroom

Still a work in progress, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything I already had (shower curtain, bath mat, painting) ended up matching our registry items (like our beautiful fluffy towels)! The adorable framed picture? Hand-drawn by a friend and gifted to us at our wedding shower. Love it.

The Desk Area

Welcome to my work space! Where writing is done, meal-plans are made, and bills are paid.

Our built-in bookshelf is filled with cool + lovey-dovey things that just plain make me happy: A poetic plaque gifted to me by a dear, older friend who passed away before our wedding; A wedding cake topper; Postcards written by our wedding guests; A wooden bowl filled with fair-trade napkin rings, which were handmade by African villagers using banana fibers! Amazing.

The Living Room

See that empty table and those curtainless windows to the left? Ignore them. The curtains are currently en route from Crate & Barrel, and I have plans to do something cool to the kitchen table. My suggestion? Allow your focus to land squarely on that stunning Ikea rug in the center. I love it so much I could scream. Thank you, Ikea, for turning our living room from bland to bohemian paradise!

Most-loved detail in this photo: the framed puzzle pieces hanging on the wall in the far right corner! This piece of art is so special to us — my mother-in-law gave puzzle pieces to each of our reception guests, who decorated them with different with words, drawings, and memories of our wedding. Such a unique keepsake.

Details, details!

Another view, showcasing my "art space" in the background and an oversized burlap/vintage coffee bag spicing up our couch in the foreground.

 

That amazing mid-century modern TV stand isn't just a knockoff—it's a real, authentic hope chest that belonged to my beautiful grandmother, who went home to be with Jesus over two years ago. It's such a wonderful reminder of my relationship with her—we were truly kindred spirits—and it has a neat story to boot. Originally finished in plain cedar wood, my grandfather painted it as a "fix-up" project so that it would match their bedroom. Must have been pretty funky!

 

The only painting NOT by me in the house is that fun little guy hanging over our TV. He was created by Raleigh-based artist Keith Norval. Be sure to check out his work—everything's so fun and whimsical!

The Entryway

 Fun facts: 1. I purchased the window frame at an antique shop for $29, and my dad helped me staple chicken wire to the back. Voila! A huge, artsy clipboard is born. 2. The water colors clipped to the board were inspired by this picture:

Me + now-husband on the beach in Hilton Head, right where it all began.

. . .

Our space is tiny, but I am really loving it so far. Is it finished, though? Oh, no. Future projects I've got lined up include: hanging those drapes in the "kitchen" (also known as "the living room, part II"), repainting our "kitchen" table, doing a large art piece for our bedroom, and, um, organizing our laundry room, desk drawers, pantry shelves, and medicine cabinet.

But in the meantime...at least the outside looks good. Most important part, right? (In the case of interior design, that is!)

Hope you've enjoyed the tour! We pray that our little "home" is a blessing to all who enter; a place where the presence of the Lord is made evident. So if you'd like to come by for a cup of coffee or some Saturday-morning pancakes, please do! 

And yes, I promise...I'll keep my eyes open for stray plastic pieces. 

The Well: Jesus take the wheel

If you're looking for encouragement today, click no further. Keli Kryfko — a beautiful friend of mine (who just so happens to be Miss Limestone County 2013!) — is today's guest blogger. And wow...does she have a story to tell!

Once you read Keli's words, I know you'll agree that her story is more than life-changing. It's life-giving. Personally, I can't help but be reminded of Psalm 116: 8-9 when I read her testimony:

"For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living."

Thank you, Keli, for sharing your story. I know God will continue to use your life to make an impact for His kingdom — whether as Keli Kryfko, Miss America, or Keli Kryfko, daughter of the King. So cool that either way, you're royalty.

Be blessed!

. . .

Have you ever been told that you had a purpose? Or that God has a plan for your life? Well, I have been fortunate enough to grow up in a home where this was said to me on a regular basis. And after 20 years of searching, I thought I had found mine: I was going to become Miss America.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. Maybe something like, "Well that's a little extreme..." And I would agree with you. However, Jesus didn't give me the gift of exceptional athleticism or even an IQ that would get me into Harvard. No, he gave me the gift of long eyelashes and being able to work a curling iron! It wasn't until I started pageants that I felt like I had found my place in life. I truly love people and impacting others — and if I can do so with a gallon of makeup on and an orange spray tan, all the better!

This year at Miss Texas, I knew I could do it. I could win. Not in an overly confident way — I just believed that this was my destiny. Well, God had other plans...I didn't win. And I was devastated. I spent the next few weeks after the pageant in a daze. "What now? Where do I go from here?" I asked myself. I honestly felt like I had lost a part of my spark for life.

Driving home one night, I was in my car praying that The Lord would just do something! I needed some encouragement. I needed to know that I still had purpose and value, and that with or without pageants, I could make a difference on this planet. That's when it happened.

A Basset Hound ran out into the middle of the highway. Since I'm an animal lover, my initial reaction was to swerve. When I did that, I ended up over-compensating and the car went swerving down the highway. Before I knew it, my car was off the highway and flipping repeatedly. In the midst of this, I kept telling myself, "It's okay. You are going to die, but it's okay." I didn't know how else to comfort myself in that moment, except by accepting what was happening.

Then, for no clear reason, the flipping subsided. I was awake, I was alive, and although the car was a hot mess, even the AC was still working (I love how God takes care of me). A trooper who was making a routine traffic stop saw the whole thing happen. Later, I found out that he had already called in for a predicted fatality — along with several other onlookers. So you can imagine the trooper's surprise when he came up to my window to find me very much alive!

When I finally got the door to open, all I could say was "Jesus really loves me!" It was in that moment — in the darkness of the night, which others might see as a horrible or even discouraging experience — that God met me where I was at with exactly what I needed. God had saved my life and showed me that my purpose here has yet to be fulfilled.

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is in Acts (Acts 13:36), where it talks about the passing of David. It says, "Now when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed." There are two things I take away from this verse — especially since my accident:

1. Notice that the verse talks about David's purpose in his OWN generation. Like I said earlier, I love makeup, big hair, fashion, and all things girly. And guess what?? It fits with MY generation. We are where we are by design — not by default. Start thinking about how YOUR talents and passions fit into this generation.

2. If you are breathing, you have purpose. Again, notice what the verse emphasizes: That when David had served God's purpose, that's when he passed away. This shows that if we have life in this body, we have a purpose to fulfill. Yes, that includes YOU. I often question how God could really use me to help His purpose — but He uses us all. 

Since the wreck I have had a job offer in Houston, and — even more exciting — a book offer with a faith-based publishing company. Is it what I had planned? 100% no. But is it what God had planned? 100% yes. 

You have been created with a purpose and for a purpose by a God that loves you. My encouragement: Let Him come in and develop a vision that will help you reach that life of purpose you were intended for. 

- Keli 

. . .

 

The ultimate Well is Jesus Christ, by whom we as Christians are filled, purified, and poured out over the world as thirst-quenchers and drought-enders. On this blog, The Well will function as a collection zone for spiritually-centered posts. A place where you can click to—prayerfully—be filled as you read God-stories and words of inspiration written by both myself and other contributors.

"...But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

This is it, part two

I am thrilled to share today's first guest post on The Well: This is it, part II. The author, Beth Kiker, is a fantastic and godly woman who I am beyond blessed to call my mother-in-law. Beth originally wrote this as a letter in response to This is it (now dubbed "part I" in this two-part series on contentment), but I convinced her to let me share it publicly. I know that you will be blessed and encouraged today as you read her words of wisdom. 

. . .

Karley’s post on contentment, “This is it,” deals with what I call the "value issue" that most women seem to wrestle with at some point in time. In this day and age, it is so important to know the Truth and that what He says is the truth...He IS enough. We must arm ourselves daily with this Word, because unfortunately, the value issue so often becomes a reoccurring struggle.

Although by the grace of God we may experience precious moments of knowing who we are in Christ—a princess, a child of God, a joint heir with Jesus—unfortunately, this doesn't mean these questions of worth and value will not return again and again in the future. In fact, satan is such a clever and devious (fill in the blank), that he will not only bring these doubts back, but will also use others to make us question whether we've done enough, been enough, worked enough, or made the right decision in being on the path we've chosen.  

In my experience, the most innocent question—"What do you do?"—from a stranger waiting in line can have the ability to trigger hours of second thoughts after having answered, "I'm a housewife and stay-at-home mom."  How lame, I begin to say to myself. I should be doing something else, most of my friends work outside the home, the kids are in school most the day, I should have a part-time job, I'm not even using my college degree, and on and on. But here’s the truth: It's not just women who are in this situation. And then there's the flip side of the woman/mom who does have a full-time job, but struggles with leaving before the kids go to school, not being home when the kids get home, not cooking a home-cooked breakfast, lunch or dinner because of work hours, being late or not making it to basketball, soccer, football, baseball practices or games because of work, or being too worn out after working all day to want to do ANYTHING else with her husband or family. That’s a whole other area of feeling inadequate or questioning, “Is THIS it?”

The point is, I know very few women who think their lives are perfect or have been perfect, or feel they have accomplished all they wanted to, or believe they’ve met the expectations that others had for them. But if we can truly be content with where we are at each point in our lives, THAT should be a point of accomplishment in itself.  

By all means, we should continue dreaming and having ambition—but it should all be filtered by the wisdom of God and His plans for us.  This doesn't mean we won't have disappointments or regrets. But you know what? When we look back on our lives, and we measure accomplishment in terms of the lives we have touched and influenced, and the people and activities we have poured our energy and heart into, I believe we will hear that still small voice of Peace and Joy saying, "Well done".

We live in a time of hyped up media and glam. Not every moment in our lives will be super exciting, super romantic, or super special, especially according to the world's standards and views. But like Karley’s blog stated: He is enough, regardless of anything else. If this head knowledge truly becomes heart knowledge for all of us, then we will be well-equipped for this life journey and blessed, blessed, blessed.

"So many things I thought would bring me happiness,

Some dreams that are realities today.

But it's such an irony the things that mean the most to me

Are the memories that I made along the way."

. . .

 

The ultimate Well is Jesus Christ, by whom we as Christians are filled, purified, and poured out over the world as thirst-quenchers and drought-enders. On this blog, The Well will function as a collection zone for spiritually-centered posts. A place where you can click to—prayerfully—be filled as you read God-stories and words of inspiration written by both myself and other contributors.

"...But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

The Well : This is it

What if this is it? 

Have you ever asked yourself that question?

What if I never move to the next level in my career? What if this anxiety never goes away? What if I really stay single forever? What if I never achieve the level of recognition I imagined?

What if this is it?

In the past, I've been afraid to even acknowledge the possibility of a "this is it." We "achievement-driven" people tend to be like that—fearful of stillness, overly self-aware. We scan our resumes constantly inside our heads, wondering if other people are thinking about what we're doing next; if they tsk and tut and whisper that it seems like we've grown stagnant; if, at the age of 20-something, we've already maxed out our potential in addition to our credit cards. 

Are we a disappointment? Is there something more? Are we missing out on something? 

Afraid of the answers to these questions, we put our heads down and we work. Hard. We set out to prove both to ourselves and that gallery of imaginary onlookers that we are capable of more. We assure ourselves that once we get that job, or travel to that country, or make that connection, or get that ring, or walk that red carpet, we'll find it.

Contentment.

The feeling that we've "made it." That we've "arrived." That we've attained the fulfillment, peace, and unshakeable self-assurance we've been longing for.

I just watched a documentary called The Queen of Versailles. In short, a billionaire couple has the ability to buy the world—and they do. But it isn't enough. 

When a regular mansion doesn't satisfy, a 90,000 square-foot monstrosity of a building project ensues. Their marriage cracks. Their economic status falters. They have everything and yet they come up empty, craving more.

I was living and working in Monaco when the Lord first spoke this into my life: "I am enough." 

During that time I was spending weekends traveling to Saint Tropez, Cannes, and Venice. The house I was living in was built on the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea. The jogging trails I ran boasted views of snow-capped mountains on one side and the beach on the other. Walking into town was like getting a front-row seat at fashion week. Quite literally, the best of everything was laid out before me.

It was glittery, and it was romantic. But it wasn't enough.

I was lonely. I craved companionship. I dreaded the quietness of the house when the family left for the day. 

What if we knew that the secret to contentment isn't really a secret at all?

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Phil. 4:12-13

By God's grace, and through many non-glamorous moments of everyday life, contentment has boiled down to this for me: 

I believe that if I spend the rest of my life bringing the Lord glory by making my husband's lunch, it is possible for me to not only be "okay," but to be "filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." I believe that I can be deeply satisfied in exercising the gifts He's given me, even if the books I write are never published. I believe I can find purpose in ministering to just one person and loving them well, even if my platform never grows any bigger. I believe that life is a vapor, and no matter how many pretty things I accumulate while on this earth, I cannot take them with me when I die. I believe that even if I lost the people, the things, and the dreams I treasure most; even when I felt that I was standing alone in my darkest hour, and unable to be reached; even then Christ's grace has been and will be sufficient. Even then I can find joy. Even then I can rest in the knowledge that He is my all in all, and He is enough.

We can find excitement and pleasure in checking things off our to-do lists, in achieving goals, in seeing beautiful places, in meeting noteworthy people, and in being interviewed by Katie Couric. But these things will always and only be temporary. Ultimately, they are just pieces of cotton candy—fluffy and pretty things that melt away in an instant—unless they bring glory to God and work to advance His kingdom.

So what if this is it?

Then we rejoice in the fact that by fixing our eyes on Jesus, we will be filled and satisfied no matter the circumstance. 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “ As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Eph. 3:20-21

. . .

 

The ultimate Well is Jesus Christ, by whom we as Christians are filled, purified, and poured out over the world as thirst-quenchers and drought-enders. On this blog, The Well will function as a collection zone for spiritually-centered posts. A place where you can click to—prayerfully—be filled as you read God-stories and words of inspiration written by both myself and other contributors.

"...But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint." Jeremiah 31:25

Let's play catch-up

If there are any long-time bloggers out there who happen to stumble across this looks-like-I've-been-blogging-forever, but actually-really-inconsistent piece of cyberspace, please answer this question:

How do you keep coming up with (interesting) things to write about?

Please don't direct me to your post/the cupcakes & cashmere post/any other post on blogging "how-tos and FAQS"...I've probably read all of them, anyway. I'm not looking for info on how to gain a massive following, here — just admitting that I feel lame talking about what I ate for dinner and what my favorite shade of Essie nail polish is. Does anyone seriously care about that stuff? Other than you, mom.

I'm pretty sure that I don't have writer's block, because, well...I'm a writer. I've finished my first novel manuscript and am currently working on a sassy + fun how-to book.

I still don't think this means that people care about my nail polish preferences. (Although for the record, I love neutrals, coral, and turquoise...AKA, our wedding colors).

Anyway — that was kind of an aside, but I'd love for you to leave your thoughts in the comment box. How do you determine what content is blog-worthy, and what's just TMI?

~

On another note, Labor "Day" should be renamed "Gain 5+ Pounds Weekend." Hubs and I took a 10-hour road trip and met up with the in-laws in Alabama (does this count as a travel post?), and oh-my-gosh-like-wow did we eat some food. From the fancy to the straight southern fixins, we dined and whined (about how full our stomachs were) all weekend long. We're talking barbeque, mac and cheese, potato salad, deviled eggs, duck tacos, orange danish rolls, and eight trips (okay, three) to Steel City Pops.

I wish I had my own picture to share, but I was too busy eating.

 This one is courtesy of al.com

These pops are LEGIT, y'all. Which is probably why they were just featured in Southern Living Magazine. Personal fav: the coconut pop. It had real toasted coconut flakes at the bottom, and tasted just like the paletas I became addicted to on our honeymoon in the Riviera Maya.

Chowing down on some home-style BBQ. We love you, Alabama.

Although this post may lead you to believe otherwise, the purpose of our trip was NOT to take a culinary tour of Alabama. We actually had to do big-kid stuff, like packing all of my husband's belongings + extra wedding presents into our car. To distract ourselves from menial tasks such as these, we watched football and took touristy breaks.

 

Myself and Vulcan, the symbol(s) of Birmingham

I wish I had taken lots of awesome photographs with my real, non-iPhone camera and then compiled a "GO-SEE-DO" list for Birmingham. But living life takes priority over blogging, you know?

The good news: We now officially have all of our earthly belongings under one roof, meaning I can finally start posting apartment transformation pics, woohoo! InStyle Home, here we come.

~

THROWBACK THURSDAY  

"Pee on a Plane" — The whole "don't judge a book by the cover" thing? This LA mom reminded me that it still stands. Posted exactly three years ago!

"Familiar Faces, New Places" — A tour of Monaco + Saint Paul de Vence circa October 2011