"There remains a rest for the people of God"
-Hebrews 4:9-
Several years ago I was introduced to the beautiful hymn, "Jesus I am Resting, Resting". Written in 1876 by Jean Sophia Pigott, whose brother was martyred in the Boxer Rebellion, this beautiful hymn was said to be one of Hudson Taylor's favorites. In our busy and fast paced world this simple yet profound hymn reminds us of the truth and hope of Hebrews 4:9.
As we were at the cabin last weekend, I was reminded of an early evening boat ride we took last summer. The lake was incredibly still and a gentle fog was rolling over the beautiful Adirondack mountains. This beautiful hymn kept replaying over and over in mind and reminds me of the truth of resting in Jesus. I hope that the words encourage your heart and soul today!
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.
O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.
Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!
Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting ’neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth’s dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father’s glory,
Sunshine of my Father’s face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Thy grace.
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
When I was in college my university hosted a special speaker who worked in a hospital as a therapist for those with chronic and terminal illnesses. Her secret of bringing joy to patients whose days were filled with deep suffering and little happiness? Pets. Animals whose presence would light up the room and illicit laughter. In recent months I am reminded of her thoughts on the benefits pets bring to our lives. I wasn't aware until I read about it that there are actually documented cases of using pets for therapy as early as the 9th century in Europe and the United States started using pets as therapy for service men and women during World War II.
What kinds of pets are used in pet therapy? Dogs and cats are very common, horses on ranches have been used, and one article shared that a nursing home found benefits to having aquariums in common rooms.
So what are some health benefits of owning a pet?
1. Pets provide laughter.
I 've mentioned before important laughter is. Scamper constantly has me laughing with his antics (especially with his love of scrapbook paper *smiles*)!
2. Pets encourage you to "get moving".
When you are not feeling well the last thing that you want to do is get up and exercise. While there are times where extreme workouts aren't feasible, getting out and walking your pet can help your circulation and is good for your health. {If you are not able to "move" as much as you would like right now don't discount the other benefits of a pet. Instead focus on finding an animal that is adaptable to your needs.}
3. Pets can lower blood pressure.
There have been studies done that say that being with animals can lower blood pressure. Scientists aren't sure why but this is a great health benefit! {Scamper obviously has low blood pressure! hahahaha}
4. Pets Help Lower Anxiety
Researchers found that spending 15 minutes with a pet can lower your anxiety. In addition to anxiety being lowered owning a pet can lower stress levels. Dr. Sandra Barker who is a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University found that animals also lower levels of cortisol.
5. Pets remind you that you are not alone.
Sometimes having a chronic illness can feel extremely isolating. Having a pet reminds you that you are not alone and gives you something to look after and interact with. A Chicago Tribune article discussed the many social benefits of those who own pets.
I can't reiterate enough how important it is to choose a pet that fits with your needs. I am definitely a dog person and had only ever planned on getting dogs. But then real life happened and the truth was that it wasn't fair to the dog and it didn't fit my lifestyle to own a dog and then Scamper came into the picture and I immediately fell in love. I am not a cat lady *smiles* and don't plan on getting any additional cats, and plan to add dogs into my family in the future, but Scamper has fit perfectly in my life for this season. I share all of that to say: make sure to pick an animal that fits into your life and doesn't cause you any additional stress!
Do you own a pet? What benefits have you found with owning a pet?
{Disclaimer: This post was originally posted in 2013 but has remained one of my most read posts and I wanted to take the time to update it for this year! The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her health care provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.}
This past weekend my sister came to town for a short visit and we had the opportunity to drive down to the cabin and spend a little bit of time at my favorite place on earth. I was so thankful to the Lord for the strength to do this as it had been a difficult day of pain and sickness. The Lord definitely gave such a beautiful gift of a couple of hours of joy in the midst of that pain and we had a delightful time capturing the beauty and joy of those moments.
There have been some small and huge changes that have been happening in this journey and in the upcoming weeks I look forward to sharing with y'all more in depth about what the Lord has been doing in my life throughout these past several months.
Everyday I am falling more in love with my precious Savior and have been amazed at the depths of grace that He gives to us in the good and in the hard seasons of life.
Everyday I wrestle with the riddle of how do I live well in this season of living that is nothing like I expected or planned? I think that when I started writing my book, When Mercy Beckons, I was newer at this journey. I was younger. I definitely wasn't aware of how long this journey would last and the things that would occur during these years. I wasn't aware of the heartbreak that comes from loosing your independence in your early 30s. I wasn't prepared for friends walking away because the journey was long. I wasn't prepared for the pain and sickness or the excruciating pain that comes from fighting illness. I wasn't prepared for the way that my body would change that I hardly recognize myself in the mirror. I wasn't prepared for relationships changing and morphing due to different seasons. I wasn't prepared for this life. I never expected this to be a "new normal".
I wasn't prepared for a lot of things, most of all I wasn't prepared for the grace and mercy that shows up in the most unexpected ways and in the most unexpected places. I wasn't fully prepared for how grace and hope show up in a life that you could never have imagined for yourself.
I am realizing more and more that that is what all of us deal with. My story is not unique or special. We all are living lives that often we didn't imagine or plan. We may have wanted a different story than we are living. My different story at this moment is fighting a serious disease and longing to be married and to be a mama. For others it is a disappointing marriage, unfulfilled hidden dreams, unemployment, broken friendships, broken relationships, a death of a loved one, and the list goes on and on and on.
But in the midst of all of that brokenness and pain, I see Jesus in beautiful ways and He provides beautiful joy. Like these hours of precious laughter at the cabin. For a friendly doctor who shows incredible compassion. For one stick blood draws instead of 5 sticks. For an encouraging word from a friend. For a beautiful text message full of love and encouragement. For a sister who spends two hours brushing out my hair because she knows that it is one of my favorite things. For a dear friend who listens to all of the hard and lovingly speaks truth into my life (thank you Katie!!). For parents who have sacrificed everything to help me get better. For a grandmother for letting us live here so I can get treatment to help me get well. For countless hugs given. For doctors who kindly and compassionately change "Nic the PICC" every week. For an amazing medical team that never gives up. For dear friends who text me things that make me laugh about precious memories (thank you Laura!!). For friends who continue to pray after all of these years. For those that continue to give financially year after year. For dear friends who listen and encourage my heart with God's beautiful truth (thank you Ruth!). For friends who in the midst of their own unbelievably, incredibly difficult hard seasons of life step into mine to offer love and help and encouragement (thank you Jen!!). For readers of this blog and my books that offer sweet words of encouragement. For countless others who have shown God's grace and love during this season... I have seen in hundreds of ways how blessed I am. Thank you for the beautiful blessings of joy in this season I never imagined.
Thank you friends! I hope you have a beautiful day seeing all of the joy and mercy that surrounds us each day.
H y'all! I hope that you are having a wonderful Monday! Today I am so excited to share with y'all a fun pinterest inspired journal page that I created and would love for you to check out the other creative May Arts Design Team members who are sharing their pinterest inspired designs over on the Ribbon Resource blog!
If you have been around the blog for any amount of time then y'all know that I love journaling and also love creating, especially with all of the different items that the Ribbon Resource online shop offers!
For this piece the May Arts Design team members were challenged to take an aspect of the above Mixed Media 'Garden' Canvas and make it our own design. Every SINGLE person on this team is so inspiring as their designs were incredibly creative and amazing!
For me I was immediately in love with the flowers (*smiles*) in the project and the friendship quote. I love how this page in my journal turned out and I know that it will inspire me each time that I look at it!
I love the fact that the beautiful ribbon from the Ribbon Resource online shop make each creations so lovely! The following is a list of the ribbon that I chose (and the approximate amount of each):
1.5 Sheer Spring Floral Print - Pink Floral - 10 Inches
2.5 Inch Ivory Sheer Frayed Flower Ribbon - 3 flowers
Interested in buying some of these ribbons that I have mentioned? Stop on by to check them out at the Ribbon Resource online shop!
Happy Monday y'all and don't forget to take a quick moment to head on over to the Ribbon Resource blog to see all of the designs!
On a cold Friday evening, after a difficult day of health issues, my doorbell rang and a package arrived. I tore open the envelope and time stopped. It was the book that I had been waiting for and in other ways the book that I had been dreading. Holding Kara's final book, made it feel that there was an ending to a precious chapter once again happening. Did I ever meet Kara personally? Sadly no. I can't wait to meet her in Heaven and give her the biggest hug and sit and chat with her for hours. I will thank her for the impact that she has had on so many lives, including mine and thank her for taking her precious energy and time and writing this book, "and it was beautiful".
I curled up on the couch with the rain and snow lightly falling down and started to read. I laughed at some moments that caught me off guard and wept at the moments that I knew were coming. I rejoiced in her victories and cried for her family at the sorrow and pain that she faced. I couldn't put the book down and a couple of hours later I reluctantly turned the last page. There was so much wisdom in this little book that I turned back to the front cover and started reading it again.
In the last week since I have received this book I have re-read parts of it dozens of times. The title is aptly named- for the book and for Kara's life was beautiful, but beyond that there is a broader message of finding the joy and grace in the hard, celebrating the everyday moments with those that you love, joyfully accepting the way that God writes our stores, and tenderly realizing that our hope is found not in this temporary earth but in a God who lives forever.
This book has been life changing to me and I have returned to it many times - making notes and highlighting sections that have continued to resonate with me. If you are looking for a book that is meant to inspire you will find that but you also will find much more. You will find the extraordinary way that God was not only working in Kara's life but in your own.
I hate ending this post the same way that I hated ending the book- I feel like so much more could be said and so much more should be written. But I will leave simply to say- Go and pick up the book, you will not regret it- your life will be changed forever.
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I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.
H y'all! I hope that you are having a wonderful day! Today I am so excited to share with y'all a St. Patrick's day themed card that I am sharing over on the Ribbon Resource blog! This card is easy and simple to make!
I wanted to create a card for St. Patrick's Day that was elegant, beautiful, and pretty for a loved one and love the final results! I also wanted to create a card that used a variety of different green colors and love all of the different options that the Ribbon Resource online shop offers!
To make the card I first cut my strips of ribbon pieces that I was going to use into 4 inch strips and one 8 inch strip (create the flower). I set these strips of ribbon to the side and then cut a piece of white card stock to fold into a 4x6 dimension. After folding the white card stock I placed craft tape to hold the strips of ribbon down.
After adhering the strips of ribbon to the craft tape, I used the 8 inch strip of ribbon to curve into the shape of a flower. After attaching a vintage button and attaching the flower to the card it was finished! I love the simplicity of it and the fact that the beautiful ribbon from the Ribbon Resource online shop make each creations so lovely.
The following is a list of the ribbon that I chose (and the approximate amount of each):
1.5 Inch Parrot Green Lace- 8 inches
1.5 Olive Silk Ribbon -16 inches
1/4 Olive Silk Ribbon - 4 inches
1/4 Celery Silk Ribbon - 8 inches
Interested in buying some of these ribbons that I have mentioned? Stop on by to check them out at the Ribbon Resource online shop!
Happy St. Patrick's Day y'all!
Happy Saturday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful week and that you are having a delightful weekend! It has been such an exciting and busy time for me with my little shop!! December Caravan has been seeing such an increase in orders every single day and I am so thankful to each of you who have been supporting my shop with your orders! What a blessing you are!!
I am so excited to share with y'all new items that have been added to the shop this past week!
One new section that I have added to the shop are the "altered planners". These custom and pre-made altered planners were inspired by the sweet love and encouragement I received after sharing about my personal altered calendar from last year.
Y'all know how I love making things pretty and this is one exciting way to do that and encourage joy in our everyday lives! You can click HERE to check out this new section and keep your eyes out as there are some great deals going on in that section and new items will be added to it in the upcoming days and weeks!
Y'all know that one of December Caravan's main staples is the buntings that the shop offers and I am so excited to share that there have been lots of adorable birthday buntings that have been added to the shop!
These adorable buntings are an affordable way to decorate for a loved ones birthday or to simply send as a little present to someone!
There are different options with the birthday buntings that range from gender specific to options that are available that would work well for anyone.
In addition to the birthday buntings there are also new buntings available for St.Patrick's Day!
There are a couple of different St. Patrick's Day buntings that are available and they are all approximately 4 feet long.
These sweet buntings feature adorable St. Patrick's Day themed paper along with two of St. Patrick's famous quotes. They are a sweet and perfect addition of decor for this time of the year!
There has also been additions of this beautiful altered journal and a London Altered City journal plus many other items! Thank you so much for your continued support of my shop! As a small thank you please use the coupon code "thanks" to receive 10% off your purchase this weekend!
Happy Saturday sweet friends!
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