Today is the one-year anniversary of our summer Europe trip, otherwise known as the time husband & I abandoned mediocrity in the glorious pursuit of life.
There is an element of realness that is often absent in a blog. Without meaning to I think our blogging selves can look somewhat better than our real selves. We take lots of carefully framed images, pick our favorite one(s), and we may or may not edit it to perfection before posting it for our readers. We write about the "good stuff" and we sometimes unknowingly create this facade on the internet. I had someone recently ask me a question that truly humbled me... The question was, "Now that you are married and running your own household, what is something that you wish you had prepared better for before you were married?" The truth is, there are lots of things I wish I had prepared more for! My mom was/is an incredible example. She demonstrated daily what it meant to be a godly wife and mother and an excellent homemaker. I learned from her, I read books, and I tried to get hands-on experience in areas that I thought would help me better prepare to serve my future family.... A wise woman once told me that all the preparation in the world would never teach me the life lessons that the "real-thing" would. I am finding that statement to be very true. Yes, the skills I developed before marriage were/are a huge blessing, but marriage has shown me that I still have so much more to learn. One area that I constantly fail in is...get ready for this...it is so embarrassing...actually, totally humiliating....y'all, it's LAuNDry. There, I said it. I grew up in a family of nine and my mom never let the laundry get out of hand. She washed and dried multiple loads daily. I only have myself and my husband to do laundry for and I always have a pile of clothes that need to be folded. My chest of drawers looks like a tornado went through it and if we have company I am that girl that throws the unfolded clean clothes into the closet and slams the door. I know...it's terrible. The thing is, my husband could care-a-less about my spotless kitchen, sparkling bathroom, or a clutter free house. My man loves clean laundry and he likes it folded like a marine drill instructor is going to inspect it. Cleanliness is way more important to me than folding clothes, but not for Daniel. Laundry was used to teach me a life lesson.... Laundry was used to teach me that it is important to put aside my priorities and seek to please my husband. It has caused me to look at other areas in our marriage that I may be focused on doing things my way instead of focusing on being the help-meet that Daniel needs me to be. No, the world won't come to an end because the laundry isn't done, but I've been neglecting to show love to Daniel in a very simple way. I'm finding that the process of dying to oneself begins with the little things. So far marriage has faithfully shown me how truly flawed I am. God is using this powerful sanctification tool to give me a spirit of humility, to show me my need for His grace and mercy, and to draw me ever closer to Himself. "Selflessness: A quality that when becomes part of our lives, produces as an outgrowth individuals who are happy in their relationships with others and at peace with themselves and those around them." Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4 xoxo mckenzie gentry
Lately I've been really into listening to podcasts. They're great for when my brain or eyes are too tired for reading, or I feel like filling my headspace with music could be further upstaged by adding something of even more value. I definitely feel I'm late to the game on this one, but nonetheless I'm glad I finally g
When you're feeling stressed and anxious, the overwhelm threatens to pull you into depression. Take comfort in these inspirational quotes that will lift your spirits and get you back on your feet.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is a national park and remote cluster of islands located in southern Mozambique. This region is known for its stunning beaches and incredible marine life and the main reason why I wanted to visit. During my trip to Mozambique (full recap coming very soon), my sister and I we
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Visiting Belgium for the first time? An itinerary for four days in Belgium and must-know travel tips for traveling in Belgium. Read the must-sees in Ghent, Antwerp, and Bruges.
This is a Brand New book in excellent condition. Format: PaperbackAuthor: Ty and Daneen BottlerISBN10: 1951611314ISBN13: 9781951611316 Personal transformation is the fruit of a life lived for the glory of God. In both Romans 12 and 2 Corinthians 3, Paul speaks of two things, worship and beholding God, that result in transformation. We must recognize that in both of these, the focus is squarely on God, not on ourselves; the goal is the pursuit of Jesus. When we properly align our lives to the purposes of God and we keep Him as the focus, we can be sure that glorious things will happen to us.Journey with Ty and Daneen Bottler as you take the next thirty days to draw closer to the heart of God, and courageously take the transformational journey with Him into becoming all that He has intended for you to become.
In this latest digital masterpiece, I present an ode to the glorious landscapes of Sicily during the winter month of December. Aptly titled Sunny Impressionism in December, the artwork unveils a serene lemon tree standing tall against the backdrop of a quintessential Sicilian panorama. This minimalistic creation encapsulates the artist's pursuit of simplicity while preserving the profound beauty inherent in nature. Amidst the winter chill, the citrus-infused charm of Sicily is brought to life, transcending the traditional allure of a Christmas tree. The canvas, awash with the warmth of sunlit tones, narrates a tale of the perfect harmony between man and nature. Through this artistic lens, the viewer is invited to immerse themselves in the captivating allure of Sicily, where even in the coldest season, the landscape transforms into a haven of citrus abundance. The lemon tree, a focal point of the composition, symbolises enduring beauty amidst the changing seasons. Sunny Impressionism in December is a testament to the artist's affinity for Sicilian landscapes, capturing not just the visual but also the ineffable essence of a beloved homeland. Enhanced texture and timeless beauty with our canvas print. The canvas texture enhances the image's natural look and feel, creating a truly immersive art experience. Features: We use responsibly sourced wood for stretcher bars, mainly FSC-certified wood, to make our canvas prints, ensuring a long-lasting and high-quality product. Our canvas print is available in two thicknesses - slim and thick - to match your preference. The slim canvas has an approximately 2cm /0.8" thick wood stretcher bar, while the thick canvas has an approximately 4cm /1.6" thick wood stretcher bar. Both variants come with hanging hardware included for easy installation. We use coated fabric, a blend of cotton and polyester, for our canvas substrate. This provides a weight of approximately 300-350gsm/110-130lb cover and a thickness of 350-400 microns, giving you a sturdy and durable product. Please note that coloured edges are not supported. However, we assure you that our canvas print is a beautiful, high-quality product that will bring life to any space. We've also included a hanging kit, which may vary depending on the country of fulfilment. To ensure no damage during transportation, we ship our canvas prints in protective packaging and strong boxes. Sizes may vary slightly by region. For the US and Canada, the measurement is in inches, while for the rest of the world, it is in centimetres. It is printed and shipped on demand. No minimums are required.
Like most kids, I wasn't a huge fan of vegetables growing up. I can't tell you how many nights I was held prisoner at the dinner table until I finally managed to force-feed myself a few pieces of broccoli. Don't get me wrong, I know veggies are one…
Life is about all of the ups and downs and everything in between. When you're having a bad day, refer to these inspirational life quotes to remind you that life is beautiful.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is a national park and remote cluster of islands located in southern Mozambique. This region is known for its stunning beaches and incredible marine life and the main reason why I wanted to visit. During my trip to Mozambique (full recap coming very soon), my sister and I we
After arriving home from China with our little girl, I was trying to survive with four children seven and under. Our new daughter needed as much help as a newborn. I had to struggle through the pain of losing my dreams, the guilt of attachment struggles, and the crying. She would scream for hours in […]
A 90-day journal following a five-step process which utilises the Law of Attraction to change your mindset about love and to allow yourself to be loved. It's time to work out what limiting beliefs you have around love and to banish them so that they no longer hinder you in your pursuit of finding your soulmate. Changing your mindset will help you attract the ideal soulmate into your life and will help you become open to the opportunities which present themselves to you.
This guide is for you if you're planning on spending one day in Bruges. It includes the best things to do and other useful information.
YOLO — you only live once — Is more than a phrase... it's a call to adventure. Are you bored with life? It's not too late to live life to the fullest. These 21 life quotes will inspire you to get up and try something new.
