Bridal shower, #2!

The first weekend in July, I was so blessed by Nathan’s family and his church by having a second bridal shower at his parents house. 

His mom and sisters did so much work and planning; it was absolutely perfect and I enjoyed it so much. The decorations were so cute and the games were fun! Also, Nathan’s Grandmother shared with me from her heart - it was the sweetest thing and I will definitely remember her wise words! I really am blessed to be joining this sweet family.

Many women from Nathan’s church family also came out and it was a fun time of getting to know them a little better (I’ll be a part of their church soon!) and they made it a point to get to know me and my family; that meant a lot.

The other great thing is that my dear friend Charissa stayed the thursday and Friday (Fourth of July) beforehand with me! God has blessed me with her friendship and it was just what I needed.

And if that wasn’t enough, I also got to stay for the sunday after with my Fiancés sister, so I got to spend lots of time with Nathan!

So excited to become the next generation’s, Mrs. Frook!

This was probably my favorite part! =D

I loved the mason jar cups and those straws back there were the cutest! I should have gotten a closer picture…

I didn’t get a picture of the table after all the food was set out - everything was delicious though!

My mother-to-be and me! 

Graham wasn’t sure what to think with all the new people around ;) That face!

The best friend and sister I could ask for!

The perfect ending…

Until next time…

Expectations {Coffee Date Vol. 2 Link-up}

{I'm linking up with sweet Rachel, over at 'Oh, Simple Thoughts' for a coffee date!}

This past week, I have spent a lot of time working through some things - I am just now beginning to understand some of the struggles I have, what they're coming from and mean. I have also learned some things about how I work. Not that I didn't already "know" but I didn't really understand. I would feel things but I didn't understand why I was feeling them. God has really been making sense of it all for me and I am starting to grasp how to treat my feelings. 

I have always known that I am a deep feeler. I remember things because of the way I feel. My muscle memory is never wrong and I always remember the small details because those affected how I feel. When I tell you about my day, it will always evolve around my feelings. I can spend a lot of time telling you stories that don't necessarily tell you what happened, because those are what are important to me. I know, the danger in all of that, is that it is so easy for my feelings to control everything I do; not always a good thing.

Also, because of how deeply I feel, I have very high expectations and dreams of how I will feel when certain things happen. Feeling the way I am expecting to is probably one of the most important things to me. When that is taken from me, meltdowns ensue. 

Last year, changes happened that tore down a lot of my expectations for the coming years. Ever since then, I've realized that I hold a lot more tightly to the expectations I do have - I almost can't handle them being taken away.

And you know what? I can't handle it - on my own that is. What all of this boils down to, is my lack of trust that God knows what's best. He knows exactly how I work, how I see life, how I function, and He knows best. He knows what is important to me, and He knows best. 

He is 

ABLE

to 

EXCEED

my expectations

You know how I know that? I've finally realized I needed to listen to God's word, not my own sinful voices. Listen to this AWESOME truth!

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV - Emphasis mine)

I'm trying hard, through His power, to apply this truth to my life. To let go of my expectations, because I know the ONE who can do far more. Each morning I'm trying to pray and leave my expectations at His feet, trusting that nothing I can imagine is better than what He has for me. I'd love to have you lift me up in prayer, and if you are struggling with something, I'd love to join you in giving it to Him. Feel free to email me at oodlesofzoottles@gmail.com or leave a comment - I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time...

Coffee Date link-up with {Oh, Simple Thoughts}

It's been a while since I've done a link-up and this one seemed like the perfect one to start back up with! I stumbled on Rachel from "Oh, Simple Thoughts" through other people I follow on Instagram and really have enjoyed getting to know a little about her. She is a newlywed, and since I'm getting married soon I already feel that connection with her. This morning I explored her blog and it was so refreshing to read advice and thoughts on what it was like to be newly married. I highly recommend that you go and check it out for yourself! Her heart for Jesus shines through and has already blessed me.

Today, she is hosting a Coffee date link-up, inviting us to really open up with each other and share what's going on in our lives. I completely agree with her, being vulnerable and honestly answering the question "How are you doing" is hard. Like, really hard. I'm horrible at it. Isn't it so much easier to just say "I'm fine, and you?" But as the body of Christ we're called to be personal with each other, so... here it goes! 

If I was having coffee with you, I'd probably drag you to Starbucks. The bigger one by Target with the cozy private corner, perfect for sitting alone, crocheting, or with a friend, conversing. 

How am I? You ask - I'm... conflicted =) When I really think about what my life is like right now I am thankful. I have a (almost) brand new Nephew who I love desperately and wish I could be with all the time! He is the cutest little guy you ever did see and I don't think I could have ever imagined how wonderful it is to be his Auntie. I'm engaged to the man of my dreams who loves me better than I even know how to say. Daily he shows me what it truly means to love sacrificially and unconditionally. September is when the big day is and it's only 6 months away, crazy! I have the best family - My sister (Graham, the nephew's mommy) who really is my best friend; her husband who is just like the brother I never had. My parents who love me and my three other sisters. I have a great church family, food to eat, a home to stay in, and much more. Sounds pretty incredible right?? And, it is, honest. 

The conflicted part? I'm ready to be married and even though 6 months will fly by, the days feel long and hard. Planning a wedding hasn't been exactly how I envisioned. Sadly, I've allowed it to stress me out why more than it should. Poor Nathan gets to deal with everything (which he has amazingly). I am also feeling distant from my Savior. (Wow, whose idea was it to be honest?) I'm trying to be more disciplined in spending time with Him and that has been a great encouragement, yet it's so easy to put other things ahead of Him. Slowly I feel Him drawing me back, but it is a slow process. =) 

Anyway, those have been my feelings lately =) I'm praying that I allow Joy to fill my heart because I really have so much to be joyful about! 

Thanks for joining me today and make sure to go over and read Rachel's post, it was such a blessing to my heart!
(I feel sad that I don't have any pictures in this post... Oh well, I guess I can't have some in every one...)

Until next time!

Adoption

Picture credit: leftylex.com in honor of their adoption

I have to admit that adoption really wasn't a big thing on my radar. Well, thanks to some neat people I follow on IG, that has changed! Adoption is such a big part of so many of their lives and it has been inspiring to watch their stories unfold. I have also been blessed to take little parts in their stories. If you are someone who makes handmade items, there are so many opportunities out there! I have been able to donate to two adoption auctions, a third one coming up and also be a part of an exchange to raise funds. It has been so neat!

I am saying all this to say how much I have been blessed by one sweet lady, Alexcis. I found her on IG (@leftylex) through some people that I follow. She was having an IG sale with her adorable hoop necklaces and I immediately fell in love with them! So, I messaged her on Etsy about getting my own and my sweet love, Nathan ordered it for me. =D 

Then I started following her and getting to know her better. Especially about her and her husbands adoption that is in progress. Did you know that adoptions are expensive?? If you have a heart for adoption, please go check her out and see how you can help! This is a website where you can donate to them: http://www.youcaring.com/adoption-fundraiser/melendez-family-adoption/96257 Or click the widget below!

Until next time...

A giveaway winner!

Traci's giveaway is officially over - thanks to all of you who entered to win! It was a blast! 

And of course, congratulations to Sadie who is the winner. =D So excited for you!

Remember the coupon code on Traci's blog is still good until October 22nd; don't miss out!

Sadie's choice was a Lion Zoottle, whoohoo! Getting his mane =)

Haircut time! Gotta look good for his new home ;)

Next stop: Post office and on his way to Idaho! {That other package is a Penguin Zoottle headed to Kansas. It was won in the adoption auction I was a part of!}

{All these pictures are from my IG account @oodlesofzoottles I'd love for you to check it out!}

Until next time...

5 minute Friday//Laundry

Last Friday, as I was scrolling through my Bloglovin' feed I read a post from Jessica called "5 minute Friday". Each Friday, at this blog, people link up and write a post in 5 minutes with little to no editing, just letting the words flow from the heart. Lisa-Jo puts up a word each week that all the posts are supposed to build around. The cool part is that when you link up you're supposed to go and read the post from the person who linked up before you and leave encouragement; same goes for whoever links up after me! Cool, right?? I know there is no way I will remember to link up every Friday, but I wanted to try it out and see how it goes :)

So, today's word is "laundry", 5 minutes, here I go!

Laundry... I think it's sometimes something we do without even thinking about it. It's just a part of life. And really? There's not much that can happen that will cause that cycle to stop. I mean, yes, there are some things, but not many =) 
{And by the way, I'm not a wife or a mother yet, so I do my laundry and not really anyone else's. That may cause me to have a different view on laundry, but.. That's okay}

No matter what is going on, we all still need laundry and we all still do laundry. Sort, load, change, fold, repeat. Laundry is pretty constant. Isn't that what we need as humans? There are so many variables in our lives. So many things that change, that fail, that leave... Not laundry. It's pretty much here to stay until I die or Jesus comes to get me.

But laundry is not the answer for the need we have for something that is unchanging... The answer is a someone, Jesus! We all need an anchor, a rock, an unchanging thing (read: person) that we can cling to. And Jesus is the only one that can fill that need.

Not laundry, not spouses, not boyfriends, not girlfriends, not family, not children, not money, nothing but the unchanging one, Himself, my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 6:19-20

"We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

Hebrews 13:8

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever"

_______________________________________________________

Ummm... Did I just do what I think I did?? Compared Jesus to laundry?? That was interesting... ;) I hope you enjoyed my first attempt! And I am looking forward to next week. =)

Until next time...

Escaping the guilt of already forgiven sin//The beginning

Have you ever felt trapped by the past? Like you keep living through it over and over and can never quite move past it? I have that problem and it's actually pretty hard for me to admit that to you. But... As they say, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery ;) so, here it goes.

I get trapped by the past. Specifically by past mistakes, sins, I have done. Trust me, I'm not perfect. My family and Nathan can attest to that :) and there are times when I end up living for myself, or give in to selfishness, or become full of pride; in other words, I allow my flesh to bury the new man, er... Woman in my case :) do I like it? No! I feel like Paul in Romans: what I want to do, I don't and what I don't want to do, I do. I don't know if it has to do with my personality, or what, but it's easy for me to get bogged down when I fail, easy to beat myself up, and forget that I am MORE than a conquerer in Jesus!

I'm not sure when I figured that out or when I pin pointed that was my struggle, but by the grace of God and His Holy Spirit, He showed me what I needed. I needed to recognize that His forgiveness is complete! That I must confess my sins daily and then understand that I am free from them! That I am free to move forward in His power, free from the guilt and the fear.

That's how I decided to begin studying out what it meant when God says He forgives my sins. I trusted in The Lord Jesus when I was 6 and have re-committed my life to Him several times and I know I am His! But somehow I don't think I have ever truly studied out what God's forgiveness means; shame on me! But, better now than later and better late than never I guess :) it really helps me to write/talk things out, so I'm going to be sharing (hopefully somewhat regularly) about what God has been teaching me here on my blog, and I hope you all will share your thoughts as well and are encouraged through my study. This is more of an intro, since I didn't want it to be super duper long ;) but next time I'll be diving into some scripture!

{P.S. My Grand opening Coupon Code has expired, but Traci's Oodles of Zoottles giveaway has a little less than a day left. Hurry on over to enter and check out the coupon code there!}

Until next time...

Musical Monday//6

Well, faithful old Monday has rolled around again ;) The weekend was pretty good all around. A slow Saturday, good church service on Sunday and then Nathan came up and we watched Peyton and played games and went to Starbucks. =D Forgive me for all the "and"s ;)

Mondays, as you know by now, means Musical Mondays! Enjoy and feel free to write your own, leaving the link to your post in the comments so I can check it out =)

Dwell

Aaron Keyes

Though a thousand may fall at my side

Though the enemy war against me

I will not fear the terror by night

I will hide in the shadow of your wings

I will dwell in the shelter of the Most High God

I will rest in the beauty of your presence

Your faithfulness is a shield and my great reward

I will not be afraid, I will trust in the Lord

You have set me securely on high, You've delivered me out of darkness

And when evil surrounds my life, You've commanded your angels to guard me

No weapon formed against me will prosper

No weapon formed against me will prosper

No weapon formed against me will prosper

Says the Lord

Until next time...

Day out with the sisters

Yesterday, the four of us still at home got to head down to Sarasota and hang out with Jaquelyn. It's been a while since just the 5 sisters have gotten together and done something fun, so it was a blast! We wanted one last time before Jennifer heads to the army and Jaquelyn's belly gets huge, ;) (if I haven't mentioned it, her and Hayden are having a baby!).

We decided to go ice skating. There's an ice rink not too far from Jaquelyn, so it's perfect to go to. Plus, then we could bundle up and pretend it feels like fall here in sunny FL. =)

Yes, yes, we're slightly crazy ;)

After lots of fun, a couple falls (All by Katheryn), cold hands, red cheeks and noses, it was time for lunch! We all decided on Chick-Fil-A since Katheryn didn't want anything gross, i.e. Tacobell and Chipotles. It was delicious! Although I did find a normal fry in my meal... ;)

We spent time at Jaquelyn's house too. We got to play with Lucy. =D

And I lost horribly at Mexican Train. =) I am so thankful for the sisters God has given me, even if sometimes it doesn't seem that way.

Until next time...

Rambling thoughts...

I knew I wanted to blog today, and I have had soooo many thoughts going through my head. Last night, as I was drifting off to dreamland, I was going through all of them, trying to decide what my new post should be about. Obviously, from my title, I couldn't decide. But that's okay, right? =) 

Comparison is the thief of Joy: This thought has really been on my mind. You see, it's very easy for me to compare. To compare my looks with others, to compare my blog with others, to compare my family with others, to compare my dreams with others. Is that true for you? It really is true, comparison steals my joy! Because I never seem to live up. So, my resolution? To stop comparing! And if I need to stop reading a blog, or following a shop to do that, well, okay then. I need to see others as inspiration! Not as competition. =) The only One I need to compare myself with is Jesus!

Am I an Oak of Righteousness? This morning in my quiet time, I read Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling". There have been so many times when this book has made points that I needed to hear! Although a few things that have been said, I haven't agreed with 100%, it has definitely been a blessing to me so far. Today was about how Jesus is my Best Friend and King. How He is the only one who can turn Ashes into beauty, Mourning into gladness, a faint spirit into a garment of praise. Grab a bible and look up Isaiah 61:3, isn't it beautiful! I love God's word! The reason God does this for me? To glorify Him! So that people will see that even in the midst of sad, depressing, hard, etc. circumstances, I can be joyful, full of praise, I can see beauty! And they will wonder why and God will be glorified. 

Pen pal and a precious new friend! Can I just tell you right now, that I am sooo excited!! Through the #mugswap2013 (read about here) I met a sweet, beautiful lady only a year older than I am! Her blog and thoughts were all so beautiful, I just had to "meet" her. And she is so sweet that she reached back out to me. Go read her blog here! Definitely go and explore! She also sells beautiful things here. Lots of them have made their way to my Christmas list!

Oh dear, no pictures!... Guess I'll have to double them next time ;)

Hope you enjoyed my ramblings! What are your thoughts??

Until next time...