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the importance of laughter for your health

March 16, 2023

Caravan Sonnet
Happy Thursday friends! I hope that this day finds you doing well amidst this scary and unknown times that we find ourselves in. For today's Thursday Health Thoughts Post I wanted to re-share a post that was originally written here on the blog in 2016 about the importance of Laughter for our health. While this post is outdated with my personal health story as I have healed, it remains in the wisdom of finding laughter for your health.

I hope that in the midst of the fear and stress that our world finds itself in that this will help be an encouragement to us to choose to be wise and yet find laughter in each day. So without delay here it is...

Shortly after I was diagnosed with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease and Cancer I went to work reading many different books and doing tons of research (which I am sure everyone does!). My research kept pointing me to Norman Cousins book, "Anatomy of an Illness" so I definitely made a point to read this book. I was inspired and amazed by his story and would definitely recommend it, no matter anyone's diagnosis or even if you are completely healthy. 

If you are not familiar with Cousins' story, he was diagnosed with a debilitating disease where his body would literally fuse together. It was incredibly painful and he was told it was incurable. Cousins shared that doctors only gave him a 500 to 1 chance of recovery. 

Despite these discouraging odds Cousins implemented his own "treatment" and eventually recovered! In his book he discusses the entire method of what he did but one of the things that he writes about is the influence that laughter had on his healing process. Cousins (after he obtained his doctors' approval) chose not to stay in the hospital but he stayed in a hotel room (near the hospital) and in addition to his diet and vitamins he gave himself (as he termed it) "laugh therapy". Cousins watched and read anything that would bring him laughter. Overtime he started to see that for every ten minutes of laughter he would have a couple of pain free hours! 

Isn't that incredible??!?

 Every 10 minutes of laughter brought him a couple of pain free hours!! I was amazed when I read it!

Now, before I receive a ton of emails stating that this is not physically possible I do want to say that I do understand that when you are in pain and not feeling well it is sometimes hard to find the laughter. I do understand. 

Seriously, I do. 

But as I read the following statistics and information I was convinced again about the importance of finding laughter in our difficult and painful health circumstances.

Doctors say that laughter:
(1) can distract attention away from illness or pain
(2) can reduce tension
(3) can change a persons expectations by encouraging a different outlook
(4) can increase the production of endorphins which is the bodies natural pain killers
(5) can help the immune system in unexplained ways

There are even some hospitals around the United States have even incorporated "laughter programs" to help their patients heal. There was an article several years ago about a Catholic hospital in Texas where nuns told funny stories to patients on a daily basis so that they would feel better and heal more quickly. The results and statistics in this hospital were astounding. Patients recovered faster, there were less complications, and patients were more inspired to fight for their lives despite grim diagnosis'.

Honestly, I do understand how difficult some days can be when you are hurting and sick or sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. There are times where tears are even to painful to cry. Life hurts and is messy and extremely difficult. But one of the things that shocked me to learn in my research was that it actually takes more effort and energy not to smile then it does to smile and laugh. 

This really impacted me as my energy levels are so low and I try and do everything possible to not waste my little energy. Learning that it takes forty-three muscles to frown but only seventeen to smile is honestly a huge game changer. Does that mean that I don't cry or have moments where I am not laughing all of the time? Absolutely not. BUT it does mean that I have fought to find joy and laughter throughout each day and I truly believe that makes a difference in this healing journey. 

So what are some ways that you can find laughter ~ especially on days where it feels like that is the absolute last thing you want to do? Here are a few ideas:

* watch funny movies 

* read funny books

* read the comics

* read funny blogs 
(seriously, some are hilarious!)

* find the joy in simple things
 Scamper, my kitty can make me laugh with things that he does. There are so many simple things that you can find to laugh about.

* avoid the drama
I actually have chosen to gather facts about things that are happening worldwide but limit my "doomsday news reading"/ social media scrolling. I also have chosen to not watch anything that would cause stress, tension, or negative thoughts to go into my life. 

* try not to take things so seriously
I am preaching to the choir on this because with being ill it can be difficult not to do this. I have learned though that if you look for the bad you will find it but if you look for the joy you can find joy.

* keep old emails, article clippings, letters, etc. that bring joy and laughter to look at often 

* laugh at yourself 
I have shared my endometriosis story here on the blog and to this day I will never forget a situation that happened during this intense time period. My mom and I were in a very populated mall when I received the phone call that the surgeon (from across the country) would accept me as a patient but would not be able to have an appointment available for an additional three months. This was devastating news as we were hoping to get in immediately and my mom and I sat down and bawled our eyes out right there in the middle of the busy mall. As we realized that people were staring at us we looked at each other and started to giggle and then couldn't stop laughing. To this day we laugh about this incident. Don't be afraid to step out and laugh!

* choose to laugh at the hard and absurd of your health journey
I have had doctors and specialists tell me the most insane things and there is a time for standing up and making a declaration (like I did about that Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode) but there is also a time for choosing to laugh at the hard and absurd. 

One time, during an intense part of my health journey I had a check up with one of the doctors that I saw for routine health things. I hated seeing this doctor, but to keep some insurance requirements and because I was in the ER so often at that time I had no choice. I am not kidding when I share that during one appointment this doctor said, "so my treatment plan is working then? I told you that Lyme Disease didn't exist and all you needed was some rest in bed". 

Now did I take a moment to share about Lyme Disease and advocate it in a respectful way? Yes. 

BUT instead of letting this dictate my emotions for the next day or week, I simply laughed about it with friends later. As one of my friends said, "who knew that to cure Lyme and Cancer all you needed was a couple of years in bed?" Seriously, we laughed until we cried and then we did cry for a few minutes and then we made the decision to laugh some more. Don't let someone steal your joy and laughter. 

Where do you find laughter? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas! Happy Thursday friends!
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current favorite amazon items

March 15, 2023

caravan sonnet (Key Chain Junk Journal available on Etsy!)

Happy Wednesday friends! Today I am excited to share some of my favorite items from Amazon! Over the years of talking about travel here on the blog (with a focus of cozy-luxury) and in my life these are items that I have loved and suggested a lot so I am excited to share them with y'all today! Let me know if you have any questions! 

caravan sonnet

1. Purse Organizer 
Amazon Price: LESS than $20!!!

Click HERE to Purchase!

If you have been around the blog for any time at all y'all know this is my FAVORITE Amazon item ever. I have shared this before on the blog I was also getting tired of needing to search my purse for items and feeling desperate to organize my purse- not just for trips but in general. hahaha! This honestly has been something that I have started talking about non-stop and telling everyone about. Just the other day I was telling two strangers that they needed to get one! It is life-changing! Hahaha! 

This felt organizer (I chose the beige color so that it will go with any of my purses!) comes in 11 different colors (you can find it HERE). I love that I can easily switch purses now just by taking this out and changing it from one purse to another. SO simple and easy! Even if you don't travel a lot you will love it for daily life (for size reference I chose a medium)! For traveling mine is always loaded up with tons of items and it is the easiest trip in the airports because of how organized it kept things in my purse! Purchase it HERE! 
caravan sonnet

2. Electronic Organizer 
Amazon Price: Less than $20 (Currently on Sale!)

Click HERE to Purchase!

I think that y'all can see a theme here of that I love to be organized on my travels! Haha! This electronic organizer is a great resource and a wonderful solution for all of the electronic things that you bring with you! It also comes in two additional colors if you are interested!
caravan sonnet
3. Delsey Paris Luggage CarryOn Suitcase 
Amazon Price: $315

Click HERE to Purchase!

This is my favorite carry on suitcase EVER. I have had the same one for nearly 5 years (this summer). I have gone into depth about why I love this carry on so much HERE but it is honestly worth the investment. Run and go get it now. You will be so glad that you invested in this piece. I know that I almost had a heart attack when I first saw the price, but it has been one of the best investments that I have ever made on luggage for all that I travel. And now that I have had it for nearly 5 years it has worked out to be $63 a year and it is still in absolute pristine condition. I receive comments on it all the time and it is AMAZING. I am saving my pennies for the larger luggage pieces, but I can speak to this carry on and it is great. You can find it HERE!
caravan sonnet
4. TKEES Sandles 
Amazon Price: Less than $35

Click HERE to Purchase!

These TKEES Sandals... I wear them all the time y'all. I have worn them during the summer and I even wore them teaching many days. I fell in love with these sandals five years ago and love the simplicity and yet the "put together" look of these leather sandals. They are so incredibly comfortable and you can find them HERE! I chose the Coco Butter color, but there are a number of different options. Find them HERE!
caravan sonnet
5. Bose SoundLink around-ear wireless headphones II- White
Amazon Sale: $229
Click HERE to Purchase!
caravan sonnet
6. Travel Bottles- 9 Piece 
Amazon Sale: $15

Click HERE to purchase!

This 9 piece travel set is wonderful as it is carry-on approved and it is a "no leak" set. My other favorite thing? It is BPA free!

So these are some of my current favorite amazon finds! What about y'all? What are some of your favorite amazon items?
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A Touch of Class: Making Your Home Look (and Feel) Luxurious on a Budget

 caravan sonnet

Image - CC0 License


We all want that dose of luxury in our homes but, of course, the biggest problem is our budget. It is not just about making our home look luxurious but it has to feel luxurious as well. Let's show you some ways that we can all make our homes look and feel more luxurious.

Using Faux Materials

This is one of the best ways to evoke that luxury look on a modest budget. Materials like cultured marble and blue onyx effect porcelain tiles instantly transform a bathroom into a peaceful oasis. When we utilize faux materials around the house, we can take advantage of that luxury aesthetic.

Character Furniture

While many homes used to be judged as aesthetically pleasing when there was a matching suite of furniture. People's tastes have moved away from matching items around the home, opting for character pieces. This means that you can easily create characters with older items of furniture that you can either upgrade yourself or spend a little bit more on getting something classy. Wood furniture can evoke that sense of rustic-ness, but if you're going for a more luxurious look, you need to decorate by mixing antiques with newer furniture to create a space that is unique to you. When you are using wood furniture, you need to pick different color variations to create a sense of diversity.

Paint a Feature Wall

Feature walls were all the rage a couple of years ago and focal points are always a great talking point. You decorate a feature wall with a mural, but if you're not too arty you can put a few geometric shapes to create a simple and striking aesthetic.

Refresh Your Windows

Lots of people cannot afford to purchase new windows, so the next best thing is to paint the window frames or doors by yourself with popular colors like anthracite. You can find specialist paints that cover up the existing colors for a modest amount. When you refresh those windows and doors and start to think about little ways to refresh other parts of your house, for example, by changing the light fixtures and replacing the handles on cabinets and doors, this can instantly create a more luxurious look for cheap.

Create a Hidden Room

This is a very nifty part of any luxury home. You can incorporate a hidden room into your space without compromising the overall feel of the space. For example, you can divide a room in half with a new wall containing a hidden door. Of course, this isn't feasible in smaller homes but when we start to be more creative, for example, making a hidden room under a staircase, we can tap into our home’s potential, turning it into our dream home.


We all want our home to revoke that sense of luxuriousness. The fact is that we don't need to completely overhaul our home. There are a number of ways to make sure that your home looks and feels like it's got a touch of class.

*contributed post*

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3 important documents to bring on every cruise

March 14, 2023

caravan sonnet
Happy Tuesday friends! If y'all have been around the blog for even a little bit of time, then you know that I have written a lot about cruising on this little space! Over the years I have fallen in love with cruising and it has been so fun to share about all of the different cruises and experiences (on all different cruise lines and even a European River Cruise at the beginning of 2018!) that I have been so humbled to be a part of! 

Today I wanted to share a bit of a tip for those of you who maybe newer to cruising as far as what documents you should bring along with you on your adventure! These three documents should go on every cruise (whether you are ocean or river cruising!) and I hope this information will be helpful in your planning and preparation! 
caravan sonnet
1. Passport and Drivers License
Make sure that you always bring your passport and drivers license with you on your adventure! Many people have heard that you should also bring a photo copy of these items with you in case something happens. This is a great tip and I definitely recommend this! You can easily store your copies of your passport and license in your safe in your stateroom so that you can have them in case of an emergency! 
caravan sonnet
2. A Written Copy of Emergency Contact Information
While it is (obviously) important to have this information in your phone, it is best to also have a hand-written copy of these items with you in case your phone dies, is lost, or falls overboard (yes... this happened to a friend of mine). In case of emergency you will definitely want to be able to access this information and having a hand-written copy can be extremely helpful. 

Given that accidents can happen anywhere, including at sea, you want to make sure that you have the vital information to deal with an accident that’s not your fault, as well. This can include contacts for legal help such as Dennis Hernandez. You don’t want to be left out there alone with no one to advise or vouch for you if someone else’s negligence leads to your injury.

caravan sonnet
3. A Copy of Bank Information/Paperwork
This last item was one that I recently started doing when I travel- which is adding in a copy of important banking information. While you don't want to carry around tons of information, you will want to have the basics in case of emergency. 

Looking for additional tips? Check out these posts below for more cruising ideas and tips for your trip!

Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions   
River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know
5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise   
7 Things to Take With You While In Port     
                                 6 Tips to Plan Your Perfect Cruise                                           
                                      10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise                                            
10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise 
16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise
                                            Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise                                                  
           10 Must Pack Items for a New England & Canada Cruise     
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Outshine the Competition: Ways to Make Your Business Stand Out

March 13, 2023

 caravan sonnet

via Pexels



When you're starting a business, it can be difficult to make it stand out from the competition. With so many businesses out there, it's hard to get noticed. However, there are a few things you can do to make your business stand out and shine above the rest. This blog post will discuss some of the best ways to make your business unique and stand out from the competition!

Offer Unique Products or Services

Creating unique products or services can be a great way to get your business noticed and stand out from the competition. In addition, offering something that other businesses do not have allows your customers to appreciate the value of what you provide. For example, consider offering personalized customer service, custom packages, or even specialized knowledge that can help consumers make informed decisions.


Additionally, make sure there is enough room to expand your offerings and remain competitive in the market. Leverage technology to gain a competitive edge and create innovative products or services that are tailored to the needs of your customers. Doing so will provide them with a better experience, which will ultimately lead to more loyal customers and increased revenue for your business.

Leverage Online Tools

Taking advantage of online tools is another great way to make your business stand out from the competition. For example, consider setting up a website, blog, and social media channels that are all designed to represent your brand's values and mission. This can help you reach more potential customers and build relationships with them in an efficient manner.


Furthermore, there are many other online tools that can be utilized to increase visibility. For example, search engine optimization (SEO) is one of the most effective tools for increasing traffic to your website. At the same time, content marketing allows you to engage with potential customers and demonstrate why your products or services are superior. Additionally, using email newsletters or automated email campaigns can enable you to keep in touch with existing customers and keep them informed of new offerings.

Focus on Customer Service

Having a strong focus on customer service is essential for any business looking to stand out from the competition. Taking time to understand your customers' needs and delivering products or services that meet those needs can help you build long-term relationships with them.

Give Back to the Community

Giving back to the community is a great way to make your business stand out from the competition. Supporting local causes, sponsoring charity events, or even setting up a corporate giving program for those in need are all great ways to show that you care about the community and aren't just focused on profits.


What's more, getting involved with charities can also help build relationships with potential customers and increase brand awareness as well as goodwill. This type of engagement can be beneficial for both your business and the community, which will ultimately lead to increased customer loyalty and revenue growth in the long term.


By following these tips, you can make sure your business stands out from the competition and shines above the rest! Leverage online tools, focus on customer service, and give back to the community to create an enduring brand. Doing so will help you remain competitive in the market and provide your customers with a better experience, leading to more loyal customers and increased revenue for your business.


*contributed post*
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How to Find the Best Gift for Your Mother

 Finding the perfect gift for your mother can be challenging. Whether it's her birthday, an anniversary, or just to show your love and appreciation, picking a present that truly captures your awe and gratitude can be difficult. But if you put some thought and effort into it, you can quickly think of a gift that will show her how much you value her.

caravan sonnet

Image Source

Consider her interests and hobbies

Thinking about your mother's interests and hobbies is the first step in selecting the ideal present for her. If she enjoys cooking, give her a cookbook or a kitchen appliance that she has been eyeing. You can give her a book by her favorite author if she enjoys reading. This will demonstrate that you respect and encourage her passions.

Think about her needs

Taking into account your mother's needs is another way to find a wonderful present for her. You can give her a new purse if she has been complaining about her old, worn-out one. You can give her a set of gardening tools if you know she enjoys gardening. You can demonstrate your concern for her and your desire to make her life easier by giving her a gift that she will appreciate.

Give a special piece of jewelry

Jewelry could be another option for your mother's present. A timeless gift that can be cherished for many years is jewelry. You can pick a necklace, pair of earrings, or bracelet that will match your mother's style in jewelry. Choose her birthstone or have the piece engraved with a meaningful message or her initials to add a special touch. You could give a mother daughter necklace set if the gift is for mother’s day.

Personalize your gift

Every time, a personalized gift is more special than a store-bought one. You can add a special message or have her name engraved on the gift to make it more special. You could give her a photo album with images of the two of you, for instance.

Take her out for a special experience

Gifts do not always need to be tangible objects. By taking her out for a special dinner or spa day, you can give your mother a memorable experience. She will feel special as a result, and it will also produce priceless memories that she will cherish always.

Show your appreciation with a heartfelt note

And finally, one of the most meaningful presents you can give your mother is a heartfelt letter. Include a special memory or moment that you both cherish in the letter, along with your gratitude and love for her. This will demonstrate to her how much you value and care for her.


Finding the perfect present for your mother can be exciting and rewarding. You can show her how much you care by paying attention to her interests and needs and personalizing your gift. Keep in mind that the thought and effort go a long way, and your mother will love any gift you give her from the bottom of your heart.


*contributed post*

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the moving diaries: eighteen month update // caravan sonnet in upstate new york

March 11, 2023

caravan sonnet    

Happy Saturday friends! I hope the start to your weekend is going great! It has been over a year since I updated on our move from Tennessee to New York and in many ways that seems absolutely unbelievable. I thought today would be the perfect day to update on our move up to New York as I receive so many questions each day about how things are going, how work is going, how we are settling in, etc. In many ways it is completely surreal that last month marked more a year and a 1/2 since the process really began and a year since we moved again (from Albany to upstate New York). In some ways it seems like just yesterday that I was in Tennessee teaching, that we were looking at Spring Break and yet other times it seems like years because so many things have taken place... time is funny like that- isn't it?

Overall
Overall, I would say that we have been met with peace in deep ways as we have moved back to upstate New York. Honestly a peace that is beyond on our understanding because there is still a lot of things that are up in the air and we appreciate prayers for those. A verse that we have continued to believe for and pray over our home, our lives, and this season is from Psalm 37: 

"The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity."

Personal
Personally there are some things happening in the private areas of life and I definitely covet prayer for them. I am grateful for this community. We rejoice that mom is continuing to heal from her knee surgery and also appreciate your prayers for this as she continues to heal. It is a LONG process and your prayers truly mean a lot. We also appreciate prayers for financial resources as the cost of having to stay after surgery in NY (unexpectedly for over three weeks) ... has been difficult. Thank you. 
caravan sonnet
December Caravan Shop
December Caravan re-opened and it has so many beautiful new creations- with our focus being on Key Chain Junk Journals that are not seen anywhere else! Thank you so much for all of your support of this shop which is truly a blessing. 

Bungalow
Right now we are in a continuous process of cleaning out things from our time when we lived here with my dad and grandmother and also unpacking lots of our things that we have already moved in. We definitely appreciate prayers for energy and for our emotions in this process. Sometimes grief hits very deeply and the process is painful and other times we both have small smiles at precious memories. I definitely look forward to sharing more in the upcoming weeks! 

Blogging
I am truly grateful for all of your sweet support, love, and encouragement! It has been lovely to be back into blogging full time again in the last several months and I am so excited about several blogging collaborations that are coming up in the next few months!! Thank you again for all of your support! 

If you are a brand or sponsor and desire to work with Caravan Sonnet, please reach out to the team at: caravansonnet@gmail.com! 

Library
I didn't share much about my leaving the library this past summer. To be honest... it was a very painful experience ...at first and then a beautiful blessing. After mom ended up in the ICU this summer and needed additional help, I took all of my vacation days to care for her. As it became obvious that we were looking at a longer time of care needed and mom's knee made it impossible for her to walk at all without aid, I made the decision to take a leave of absence. A few days later it became obvious that mom would need more help than a leave of absence time. 

When I made the decision to resign, I was met with such hatred that I had the board president screaming at me on the phone and accusing me of taking a local job as a professor full time at the university nearby. I had already shared that I would be teaching one class (months prior to all of this - back in May when I signed the contract and shared it all over social media and here on the blog for the record) and that it would happen outside my hours of the library (on the days that the library was closed). At the time I was met with support and now it turned into the oddest thing as they implied I was leaving the library not to care for my mom, but for this job. 

I was shocked. If I was leaving for a different job I would have just told them. I never had a contract with the library - never signed anything and it was always stated as just share with us if you want to leave. I was leaving for serious reasons and it was such a tender and difficult time as a caregiver and to be met with the way that this was handled ... it honestly was extremely painful and hurtful. 

I tried to explain that I had also resigned from that job due to helping my mom and instead of being listened to a rumor started in the small town that I had lied and was teaching full-time at the university. It didn't matter that I don't have my PhD and couldn't even teach full time anyways, the rumor that was started was that I didn't care about the library or the people that came in (this broke my heart as I had developed dear relationships with people) and it was believed. I was told that I was lying because my name was still listed as an adjunct professor on the university website. It didn't matter that I offered to even have a letter sent from the Dean saying that the website was not updated properly ... to this day if I run into someone from the library I receive a cold shoulder (or no answer to my "hello") and sarcastic comments about my mom and her "supposed knee issue". 

 It was hurtful, it was harsh, and it was completely untrue. 

At first I felt hurt that when I started at the library there had been complete disarray (financially and also circulation wise). There were hundreds of books that had not been cataloged just laying around, books that hadn't been ordered in months, a children and teen room downstairs that hadn't been properly tended to (I am talking books switched around in the computer system and on shelves mixing non-fiction and fiction), stacks of books that were supposedly withdrawn that were brand new, circulation that had been held up, hundreds of books upstairs that needed to be taken downstairs, finances completely disorganized, bills that hadn't been paid, and the list went on and on and on and on). It literally took me 4 hours one day just to clean out my desk and 4 trashbags of junk, dirt, trash, ect later.  It was so sad to see how this small town library that I have always loved got to where it was at. It was a lot of work and it felt like a waste of time to be honest after so much work to bring it up to a functioning library. 

On the night before I officially resigned I walked back into the library one last time to collect things after being gone with my mom for over 4 weeks and was met with an unfortunate "surprise". I was in shock to see that the same things that I had encountered when I started... all that I described above ... was exactly again how I found it after being away for a month. I took pictures because I was in so much shock. I had suspicions that there were two women who were silently doing things to ruin the library and destroying things behind the scenes. I had suspicions but to see it confirmed was actually a healing process for me. In that moment I definitely realized it was time to "dust my feet off" and move on. I had done what I could and I was at peace with that. As I forgave those who had been so cruel and vindictive I found peace and honestly have totally forgiven them and am free from all of that. I truly wish each of them the best, but am so thankful to not be in a situation of such toxicity and weird things. It was not a healthy environment and I am grateful for the Lord severing all of that time. 

And the Lord's blessing on his people continues to be true. Within a week later the Lord opened up a new job that has been beyond incredible and I have been so so thankful. 

Teaching
I am often asked if I miss teaching right now in this unexpected season, I wanted to clarify yes. 

Yes. Yes. Yes... definitely yes. 

More than words can express.

More than words can say.

DEFINITELY yes. 

Writing
AHHH my little heart is bursting!! This is definitely a year for books being released and there are so many exciting things that I can't wait to share with y'all!!! Thank you for all of your support! You can find all of my books HERE!
caravan sonnet
Teachers Pay Teachers Shoppe
This has been such an exciting adventure to be on! Thank you for all of your support of this shoppe and for spreading the word about it! You can find the shoppe HERE! The one huge favor I have is for y'all to share this shoppe with those you know and love! Thank you SO much!
caravan sonnet
December Lane Etsy Shop
December Lane has been currently placed on hold. To be honest I am not sure at this point if they will be opening back up. There are some other projects right now that have my time and attention so I am prayerfully considering what to do next about this! 

PhD
I have actually applied to a different university and am waiting to hear results of this! I can't wait to share more!
caravan sonnet
Church
One of the things that I was most excited about was getting back involved in a church community and finding other people my age (single and married). Honestly... it has been hard to do this. After the pandemic most churches in our area closed. It has been hard to connect with other Christians right in this area and it definitely has made this moving process feel a lot lonelier and I know that I am not the only one feeling this way right now. At this point we are continuing to listen to church online but I hope that in the future this can change and change quickly. 

We also see ourselves as missionaries in this area. We might not be on the other side of the world, but it is a completely different culture and there are numerous lost people right here without a thriving church. We covet your prayers for this and how we can start to meet some needs.

Social/Friendships
This has been a season of care-giving and as I am coming out of that I am taking one day at a time in numerous ways, and this is definitely one of them. I think anyone who moves understands all of the emotions that come with finding your "place" in a new space. And that wording of "new space" may sound silly because we have lived here before, but it is a new space, since I was so extremely ill when we lived here before. I am grateful for grace in just giving myself time to adjust. I definitely don't have the social life that I would like to have, but again I think some of it is a mixture between moving, adjusting, work schedule, and timing. 
caravan sonnet
Dating
I am giggling as I write this... there are some stories to share about some dating site adventures but nothing that is happening in this department right now. Haha. I am giggling because I would say this is one of the most asked questions I receive ALL the time. For personal reasons I have always kept my dating life private on this blog (out of respect to the men and out of respect for just the need for a personal boundary line) but right now... no, I am not secretly hiding any story. 

Yes, I have been asked this numerous times. Yes, I desire to be married more than I could ever express and yes, I still pray faithfully for my future husband every single day. Yes, my heart aches to be married, and yes I so appreciate your prayers. Thank you so much for caring so much. I am so grateful for your love and prayers for me also in this area! 
caravan sonnet
Thank you so much for reading today... I am so grateful for your prayers, for your love, and for your support in this season. I hope that you and your loved ones have a wonderful weekend!

Want to read through all of the moving updates? You can find them all below:
The Moving Diaries
Moving from Tennessee to New York
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Beginning
Week 1 Update
5 Tips for Staying Healthy During a Long Distance Move
Week 2 Update
5 Amazon Prime Deals for Moving Items
Week 3 Update
Week 4 Update
Housing Update for Albany
Week 9 Update
Week 11 Update
Nic Nicaud Team Review (knoxville // tennessee)
5 Month Update
7 Month Update
8 Month Update
9 Month Update
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Meet Rebecca
author for the hopeful and adventurous heart // cozy-luxury haven living peacefully beckoning, prompted by love and full of beauty in the everyday

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