In 10 Days

We are moving to New Orleans in 10 days.
In 10 days I am leaving a stable career-enhancing job with benefits.
In 10 days Andrew is going to be a full time student.
In 10 days we will be 6 hours from the nearest family member.
In 10 days we are leaving a 3/2 home for a 2/1.
In 10 days we won’t have a definite source of income.

Deep breath.

People have done crazier things and made bigger sacrifices and adjustments. When I stare in the face of these realities I feel somewhat weak for crying over them 5 times this weekend. I feel a little selfish that most of my worries are material. I get a pang of hypocrisy that I appear to be handling it all so well. I get a sense of guilt over my struggle. We chose to do this. Any trouble with it is ours to swallow… right?

And there is always the lingering thought, what if it turns out like last time?

I want to be writing this post, telling you all about how faithful the Lord has been to me in all these things. How He has quieted my soul, taken my heavy load and delivered peace.

He has indeed been faithful. The problem is not His faithfulness, it’s mine. I have certainly been running on the fumes of emotion the past few weeks and they are running me ragged. I haven’t been drinking deep from the well of living water. I haven’t been waiting, resting, and seeking Him.

I somehow always allow this to happen when change comes. Things get busy, chaotic, important, or urgent and I somehow shift my power source from Him to myself. Like deep down the autopilot is still Charlotte and not Christ in me. Such is the battle of the flesh, I suppose. Will it be this way the rest of my earthly days?

I’m praying about it. I’m praying that my ever inward turned eyes would fix their gaze on Jesus and others in order to get a little perspective. That I might prioritize my need for Him above my need for sleep, exercise, cute hair.

He is with us now, He was with us the first time, and He is already there preparing the way. I’m marking my words because I know He who began something in me and in Andrew WILL be faithful until it is complete.

Just Can't do it All

I really wanted to have a fantastic post for you today about one of my favorite things for Carolyn’s new linky party “My Favorite Things Thursdays” but it just didn’t happen. Hopefully I will be ready next week.

Right now I am kind of just keeping my head above water. I decided it would be alright for Andrew and I to totally max ourselves out by adding as much friend and family time as possible to packing and finishing up our jobs.

I still feel that way. I think traveling to five different towns over the next five days will be worth it to spend time with the ones we love before we move many states away, even if it leaves us exhausted. But what I also feel is that something’s gotta give and right now it’s blogging.

I can’t wait to announce the winner of the giveaway! I am blown away by your comments and so humbled and thankful that you take time from your busy lives to read my little words. I will still be announcing the winner tomorrow. However, I might be away for a few days so that I can be fully present with my flesh and blood people. I know you understand and I love you for that.

Take a sec and head over to Silly Happy Sweet to check out tons of product reviews/favorite things from around the blogosphere… it’s sure to please!

A Time of Rest and a Salsa Recipe

… for God gives rest to His loved ones. Psalm 127:2

PTL! I read this verse yesterday and the timing could not have been more perfect.  A time of rest is coming for Andrew and me this week and I think it is just what we need to get us over the hump before moving time. We will be leaving tomorrow for the beach with Andrew’s family for four glorious days. Wahoo! I will be off work an additional two days because I have to have a minor medical procedure (no worries, nothing serious!) and as much as that stinks, I am kind of grateful for additional days off. Is that strange? I hope not.

I had the most delightful birthday weekend with my family. I got to spend Friday and Saturday with my mom, Don, and William Paul and Sunday with my dad and Nancy. The whole weekend involved a lot of really good food and family time. I told my mom yesterday, I’m not sure my blood sugar has come down yet from all the sweets I ate. We will probably celebrate again at the beach with my in-laws so I am trying to be super healthy before we leave. When it’s all said and done I think my birthday will have rounded out to about three cakes, two pies, and a bucket of ice cream. Of course I didn’t eat it all myself, but I feel like I did. Yikes!



My mom said she would kill me if I ever put her picture on the internet, but who wouldn't share a pic of a mom as cute as mine!?



One of the food highlights was this AHHHHHmazing homemade salsa, made by my not-so-evil stepmother Nancy. The recipe was created by her friend Becky who blogs here. Enjoy my friends; this might be the best thing that will ever hit my blog.

8 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 med Vidalia onion, chopped
2 tsp chopped jalapenos, chopped (you can use pickled)
4 tbs fresh lime juice
4 tbs fresh cilantro, chopped
4 tbs fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
Mix well and chill.... the salsa and yourself!

Anywho, I will probably be MIA for about a week. My vacation plans do not include blogging; however, they do include playing with my precious niece and nephew, savoring every moment with my beloved in-laws, enjoying more good food, finishing Mockingjay, and squeezing in at least 1 run on the beach (hold me to it!). Our family is already down there and as you can see, Caleb is thoroughly enjoying himself!

I hope to return to you tan and relaxed. Until then, hasta la vista baby!  

She Reads Truth

Hey there YBL readers, I am so excited to share #shereadstruth with you all… especially with the ladies! She Reads Truth is an online community offering women a place to share what they are learning in their walks with Christ and encourage one another to continually seek truth through reading the Word daily.

Compassion International, a ministry sponsoring children living in poverty around the world, hosts trips for bloggers to travel and meet with the children and families Compassion serves. The bloggers recently went to Tanzania and I kept up with them and all their experiences along the way. One of the bloggers I followed was Maggie of Gussy Sews. She wrote a really moving post called {letting your dirty feet rub against the dirty feet of your neighbor} and I have been reading her ever since.

When Maggie came home from Tanzania, she had a renewed desire to be in the Word daily and began tweeting what she was learning with the hashtag #shereadstruth. She joined with some other awesome blogging ladies and a movement (or soon-to-be movement!) was born.

If you are interested, you can read more on the She ReadsTruth website. To participate you can link up, sign up for emails, comment, tweet/instagram #shereadstruth, or just read what others are saying!

Personally, I can’t wait to be a part of this growing community of girls. I need accountability and encouragement EVERY DAY. 

 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

2 Corinthians 13:8