Coffee & Prayers

{one} 

I'm in the market for a new Bible. My current "all-purpose" Bible was given to me at the beginning of an LIT program I completed at camp when I was 16. It's very much highlighted and bookmarked and noted and has seen better days. I'm sure I'll save it forever but I feel like I'm in a phase of life where I need to start fresh. If you have any suggestions for a translation or specific Bible I should get I am all ears! I have been using God's Word translation but I'm open to change. I already have a copy of The Message that I read on occasion but would prefer something else for daily use.

{two} 

I posted yesterday on Instagram about my deep love for Salted Caramel Mocahs from Starbucks and I'm going to post about it again here. I know everyone goes head over heels for Pumpkin Spice this time of year but the PS Bandwagon is not one I'm interested in joining. I so rarely go to Starbucks but I had an appointment yesterday and picked some up on my way home. It's been a long week and I'm starting to feel the stress of not knowing what's around the corner. 

{three}

Somewhere along the way between April & Now I lost my planner. It wasn't so bad during the summer because the days schedule was always posted on the door and when I had errands to do during break I made a to-do list and got things done. Now that I'm back in the Monday-Friday real world I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing each day. I was trying to plan blog posts last night and realized I had nowhere to write them down. I'm way too cheap to buy a fancy Erin Condren planner or any of those other brand name books that cost an arm and a leg. So fingers crossed I can find something cute & cheap the next time I'm at Wal-Mart. 

{four}

I'm doing an Online Bible Study with Love God Greatly on Esther which prior to this month isn't a book of the Bible I've read a whole lot. I do feel like it's perfect timing though so much of the lessons we've covered so far is about trusting that God has you where you need to be. It might not be where you want to be but there is a reason why. I struggle so much with journalling and really making a specific time to pray and reflect during the camp season it's one of the biggest challenges I've found working at a secular camp. It's been lovely to get back into a routine of journalling every day and having time to really reflect opposed to a quick prayer before bed. 

{five}

One of the best things about working from home is waking up at 8:30, putting on a pair of jogging pants and checking my e-mail on the couch while I drink my coffee. My brother broke my favourite coffee mug earlier this week and now I can't seem to find another one that holds just the right amount of coffee. There are a million coffee mugs in the cupboard though so I refuse to buy a new one, but it just isn't the same. Please tell me I'm not the only one with an unhealthy emotional attachment to which mug I drink my coffee out of in the morning.

     

Snow Storms & Bravery

{one}

In my efforts to Be Brave in 2014 I took another step in the blogging world yesterday and made a Twitter Account! I decided to make a new account that is more anonymous, I'm just not ready for the "real world" to know about my blogging. I might be someday, but today isn't the day. So if you're into the Twitter scene and are just dying to read my Tweets about how cold it is around here these days and whatever else strikes my fancy, follow along!

{two}

My anxiety has been way out of control the past few days. The grant situation still hasn't come to a conclusion but it needs too. The reality of the situation that is as much as I want to return to that camp and appreciate the effort that has been done to complete the application process, I can't wait any longer. This was a job that was supposed to start on October 28th. It's January 3rd and I'm still unemployed sitting on my parents couch.

{three}

I know it's only Day 3 of the 2014 but so far I've journaled everyday, read my Bible and am on my third book that I'm reading for pleasure! It's all about keeping momentum and making everything into a habit! It seems like the popular opinion is reading the Bible and reflecting should be done first thing in the morning but I've never been able to get into that habit. I prefer to end my day with Bible, blank paper and a handful of markers and felt tip pens. Maybe someday I'll join the ranks of sunrise Bible readers but it probably won't be this year. 

{four}

To my lovely blog readers who reside in the South (or anywhere where the temperature is above 0) enjoy your ability to venture outside without 10000 layers. It's cold here. Really cold. And it just won't stop snowing. 

{five}

If you follow me on Instagram you've already seen this photo but I had to blog about too, because it's ridiculous. I cleaned out my sock drawer after Christmas and was left with this. There are FOUR purple/black socks and none of them match. Same goes for the two pink/black, blue/black, and the three beige coloured ones with three different coloured heels/toes. So frustrating. I haven't thrown them out yet because I'm trying to convince myself that I can make "pairs" out of them,  but my OCD just won't have it. Back in jr. high I refused to wear matching socks and now I can't even wear two socks that are nearly identical but not. A phycologist would probably have a lot to say about that. 

I'm linking up with the lovely ladies for Five on Friday!

October Goals

 

I'm linking up again this month with Erica for her Monthly Goal Link Up! I love this link-up, it forces me to think about what I want to accomplish during the month, gives me something to blog about and I've gotten some great ideas for future goals from browsing other bloggers posts!

My main goals for last month were to blog, find a Girl Guide unit to volunteer with and complete a Bible study. I only blogged 9 times in September, which is pretty pitiful. I'm blaming my lack of blogging on computer troubles. I'm going to give myself a pass on Guiding, I did talk to a lot of people about it but right now I can't commit to a unit when I could be moving away. However, I am on the volunteer list for special events and last week I went to a Ranger meeting when a leader couldn't make it. I did join a Facebook Bible study group and the first 3 weeks were great but I started to fall off the wagon (it's hard to participate in an online study with computer problems!) there are still 3 weeks left so hopefully I can participate more and make up for the time I missed.

This month I actually took the time to make SMART goals. (SMART goals = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time bound) 

Blog 15 times in October

Participate in 2 new Link-Ups/Blog Hops

Try 3 new recipes

Read 2 books

I'm excited about October. I have a few fun things planned and by the middle of the month I should know whether the organization I work for is going to get funding to make my position year round. If you could send some extra positive vibes & prayers that the funding will come through it would really be appreciated!

 

 

Fall Bucket List

 

Linking up with Erica to publicly declare my monthly goals!

 

I'm combining my September goals with my Fall Bucket List. I'm really not sure what the next few months have in store for me which means some of my goals may not be fully attainable but between September & December I'm sure I will be able to accomplish them! Goals with a * are ones that are for sure September goals. The others are less time sensitive. 

 

1. Cut & Donate my hair.  I've always wanted to donate my hair to an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients. My hair is pretty long right now and I'm ready for a change so I need to do a bit of research to make sure I have enough to donate and then make it happen!

2. BLOG! There are some fun blog challenges and link ups happening in September and I really fell off the blogging wagon during camp so I'm jumping back on! *

3. Find a Guide Unit I really want to stay involved with Girl Guides even if I can't commit to taking on a unit for the full year. *

4. Read! Again, something that got neglected over the summer! But I want to read at least 12 books between now and December 1st.

5. Complete a Bible Study it's been far too long since I did a study start to finish! I don't have any in mind so recommendations are welcome!

Blog Friends...?

I wasn't going to blog today because the topic for the May Challenge I've been doing is favourite blogging friends...and I don't really have any blogging friends. I've got lots of favourite blogs but I'm pretty new to the blogging scene. I've "met" some people who I really hope to become blog friends with I haven't quite achieved that goal. All that being said I like making new friends so you should definitely comment and introduce yourself if you happen to be stopping by! :) 

Friday I got some super exciting mail! Last year was my first summer at a non-faith based camp and I really under estimated just how much I would miss that element of camp. This year I decided to be pro-active and find some sort of daily devotional for me to use. I searched and I searched to find something specifically for camp staff, or even 20-Something girls, just something that had daily readings. Which turned out to be a near impossible task. Finally I came across Character Building Ministries who have a 10 week devotional specifically for camp staff! Factoring in breaks between each session I'm actually at camp for about 14 weeks, but I can make it work and I am super excited about it!

I am also super excited that 2 weeks from today I will be at camp! Enjoying beautiful sunsets like the one below. Or at least making an effort to really take the time to watch and appreciate the sunset a few times a week in the midst of the various camper and staff happenings.