Take Heart

These last few months, The Lord has really been working on my heart. He used this adorable little boutique, some wire, and a few beads to totally wreck my heart, grow my love for the Haitian people, and learn to wholly place my trust in Him. After making my bracelets for just a little over a month, I've already raised more than half of what I need to go back to Haiti in August, and last week, after praying diligently that the Lord would continue to open doors and provide new opportunities for this effort to grow, I ran into my friend, Emma, in the library, who suggested I take my bracelets to the boutique where she works in Blowing Rock. Today, I walked in here with no idea what to expect and left with my heart so full I thought it might explode. Not only did Sheri, the owner of Take Heart, purchase my bracelets, but she also blessed my heart in the most precious way with encouragement, Godly advice, inspiration, and a challenge to dream bigger than I even thought possible. Why have I been limiting what I thought God could do in my life? He made it so clear to me today that He has big, big things in store for me if I'll just dream a little bigger, sparkle a little brighter, and fall a little more In love with Him || Jesus, it's all Jesus.

Three Easters

It's hard to believe that three Easters have gone by since this handsome man first asked me to do life with him. So much has changed since then, and we have overcome more obstacles than we can count. We've laughed together, cried together, challenged each other, and grown in ways that could only come from Jesus. 

Homemade Easter Egg Dye

Every year, it seems like the quality of store-bought Easter egg dye gets worse and worse. This year, we ran out at the last minute to buy a box of Easter egg dye, only to get home and realize that only 3 of the 6 tablets that the box advertised were actually included and they had melted somewhere along the way and the colors were all mixed together. Rather than getting out again in the rain to hunt down another mediocre box of egg dye, we decided to get a little creative. After mixing a few different concoctions to find the perfect homemade dye, we finally found a way to get eggs prettier than any box dye could provide.

Using a generous amount of Wilton icing coloring, a cup of water and one teaspoon of white vinegar, we dipped our eggs in these homemade colors and they came out completely streak and spot free, with beautiful colors that we had much more control over than boxed dye. 

 And voila! They turned out absolutely beautiful! In fact, they may be my favorite ones we've ever done. Any who would've thought, the secret to beautiful, streak-free eggs was right inside our kitchen cabinets the whole time!

The finish line

As I eagerly approach graduation, assignments are piling up and I am more overwhelmed than I've ever been. Senior portfolios, group projects, and final photography assignments take up every second of my time and I feel like I've been treading water just to keep from drowning in a sea called college. Where is the end of this tunnel? Will I ever be finished?

In search of some encouragement, I read 2 Timothy 4:7, which says, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." I know that the Lord will only bless my perseverance and diligence, so no matter how hard it gets, I accept the challenge of pushing through these last few weeks and finishing strong. 

Fight to the finish with me, sweet friends. Wherever you are, whatever you're facing, the Lord is there with you, walking right beside you, and He can't wait to see you victoriously celebrating at the end of whatever tunnel you might be going through. 

Bangle Making

Hi friends! With graduation just 53 days away (eeeeeek!) and my plate full with wedding and mission trip planning excitement, I haven't had much time to blog. I am in for a crazy year: graduating from college (finally), starting my job at AAA, going back to Haiti in August, getting married in December, and apartment hunting with my sweet fiance. Whew. Hopefully, I'll find at least a little time to sleep somewhere in there! 

To raise money for my mission trip, I am making and selling these bangles. They come in rose gold/champagne, yellow gold, silver and chocolate. They have been a real hit so far, and the Lord is amazing me once again with His provision. If you are interested in buying some to help support my trip, please contact me at warrenkj@appstate.edu

A Love Letter from Jesus

With each passing week, it seems like senior year gets more and more full. With 77 days left until graduation, I'm trying to savor each and every moment. This is such a sweet season of life and I have been surrounded by the sweetest people to share it with. His blessings are endless!

My friend Valerie and I joined an "eGroup" (a bible study affiliated with Elevation Church - the App State extension), and my heart has never been so overwhelmed with such a precious group of Godly girls! It has been such joy! This past Thursday night, the lesson was about love - loving ourselves, loving others and God's love for us. At the end, we were each given a piece of paper and told to write a love letter from Jesus, saying what we think He'd say to us. It was such a powerful, reaffirming experience. How many times do we know that God is good, know what He promises us... but we don't live like we know? It's easy for forget that He loves us with a deep, passionate, everlasting love. It's easy to forget that because we have Him, we have the strength to push through the hardships of life and continue to pursue the purest form of joy that only He can provide. Writing this letter felt like I was sitting in my favorite coffee shop, talking to Him face to face, hearing the promises of the Bible flow from His lips in the sweetest assurance. 

I challenge you to do this, because His deepest desire is to be close to His children. 

Mine went a little something like this....

Dear one,

My heart breaks when you doubt what I have promised to be true. Do you not know that I love you and will take care of you? Do you not know that I have big, big plans for you? Because, I do. I love you more than you could ever comprehend and I want to give you the fullest, most abundantly joyful life. Will you let me? Will you trust me?

Don't you know that you are beautiful? Your insecurities are pointless. I made you. I formed you and you are fearfully and wonderfully made in My image! The things you hate about yourself make you special. They make you different. Don't let insecurity turn you into someone you aren't. You know that real beauty comes from the heart.

I know you're overwhelmed and feel like you're getting swept away by all the exciting (but stressful) things in your life right now. But, sweet child, I am with you. I am right beside you, holding your hand, guiding you through every mountaintop and valley. The trials you are facing will make you stronger. The hurt you have experienced will make you better. 

Keep shining. I am yours and you are Mine. Rest in my arms.

Love,

Jesus

Hosting my first Bridal Shower

I have always loved planning events, making pretty things and practicing hospitality. One of the joys of my senior year of college is not only being engaged myself, but having several friends who are also engaged or newly married. One of my bridesmaids, Kayla, is getting married in May and this past weekend I had the honor of throwing her very first bridal shower. It was so much fun!

Since the shower was from 10-12, we had brunch with fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries, bagels, cookies, juice and coffee with the bride's favorite creamer.

Kayla's sweet roommate, Lauren, made the delicious bridal cookies! She's so talented!

I made several pinterest-inspired banners and used streamers to decorate. Since the theme was red and cheetah print to match Kayla's apartment, there were subtle pops of cheetah everywhere!

For the front door, I made this wreath 

 For the winners of the games, I made these pretty prize bags full of chewing gum, chocolate and nail polish

 For party favors, I used these adorable cheetah print bags from Hobby Lobby

 My gift to Kayla and Jeremy was this coffee table tray with one of their engagement pictures on it!

For games, we played a "Help the Bride Write her Vows" mad libs game, a "How Well do you Know the Bride?" trivia game, and the infamous "Toilet Paper Wedding Gown" game.

Kayla and Jeremy got a lot of wonderful things for their home and it was just an overall great time! I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this for my sweet friend and can't wait to stand by her when she says "I do!"

Thank God for sweet girlfriends!