by Kimberly | Jul 30, 2014 | creatives, Uncategorized
Do you ever find someone so delightful that they leave a lasting impression on your soul? Do you ever taste food and enjoy company for what it truly is – an artform and a perk of living in the south? Do you ever watch a storm roll in and hope that it doesn’t rain to ruin in your party and pray that it does just so you get a chance to feel the rain on your face and dance in some puddles?
All of this happened while I was in North Carolina this week and eating dinner with the lovely Maghon Walker of All She Wrote Notes: the totally southern calligraphy gal that loves gold, food, running, and all things celebration.
We ate dinner (my first time) at Top of the Hill which is a staple for any UNC-Chapel Hill grad. Then we stopped by the decadent Sugarland Bakery down the street (which provided our wedding cake) and in between stopped and took some photos of the shimmery Maghon.
Why calligraphy? Because she loves to celebrate. Most of her calligraphy orders are done in order to help someone celebrate? My new motto is intentionally creative – so this was perfect. She is creative – and helps people celebrate.
Celebrations come in many forms: birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, promotions, or you could just celebrate the fact that it is Thursday – and you need something to celebrate.
Maghon also directs new creatives (so, anyone, really) to not try to copy others and their work. Be your own and you will be successful. So many out there find a certain style of lettering and copy it and call it their own. In the writing business that is called plagiarism and in same goes for the lettering front. Be your own person – find your own style – be successful at being you!
If you are in the need of anything southern and prettily lettered – contact Maghon and she will be happy to help you.
If you are ever in Chapel Hill – go to Sugarland and Top of the Hill.
If you are ever in a rain storm – dance in the puddles!
I do totally think the phrase suits Maghon to a T. Thanks Averi for showing me your Kenan Hill Print.
by Kimberly | Jul 30, 2014 | Bible, Uncategorized
Most of us, if we are Christians, know that we are to read the Bible – the Word of God. But, so many of us feel intimidated to open the book up so often times it sits on a shelf – even decorated pretty with flowers or other books – and collects dust. Or maybe we just let others study the Bible for us and we are tempted to stay only with a book study with questions already done for us.
There is so much you can get out of studies already written, but I challenge you to dig deeper and study the Bible for yourself. The good thing of being a Christian (among others) is the the Spirit lives inside of us and gives us His guidance when coming to the Bible to read it and gain wisdom, joy, and abundant life.
This blog post isn’t exhaustive, but I hope it is a start to your journey in studying the Bible or yourself. And believe me, when you do this – it will help with your parenting and your marriage relationship and your relationship with friends and neighbors. The Word of God is impactful for every area of life.
Start:
1. I would start with a Bible (I use the ESV Journaling Bible – there are wide margins for you to take notes and there aren’t any notes from other authors – only the Word of God).
2. Other things that would prove helpful to you are pens, pencils, and a notebook.
3. If you are curious to what “experts” say – go to them later. At least first sit down with just a Bible and the Holy Spirit and bathe in the Word for yourself. It is living and active and you can understand it!
4. First things first, take time to read through the Word. Just read it. Most of the smaller books of the Bible can be read in one sitting. Do that. While you are studying a given book of the Bible, I would encourage you to read it often. Get an app on your phone and read it while waiting in line or sitting in the carpool line for your children. You would be amazed at how much you remember when you read it often.
5. Then I would challenge you to write it out. Thats what the journal is first for. Write it – even though you have read it writing it will bring new findings to your mind. Make note of those!
6. Then ask yourself these three questions: (and there are other methods, but these are mine) – which I think are maximized for what you need for growth in The Lord and in the Gospel. What does God say about himself in these verses? What therefore do you learn about yourself in these verses? How do these verses point you to the Gospel.
7. For further study: look at commentaries, read or listen to sermons on that particular book of the Bible, ask questions, look at the rest of Scripture to see what the Word has to say about that passage. But, first – let the Word of God speak for itself! The Holy Spirit will be your Guide
You may be in a book of the Bible for a long period of time – but in time you will learn much about God, yourself, and the Gospel. Let it soak in. He is worth your time!
by Kimberly | Jul 20, 2014 | Uncategorized
Sundays in the South…
Church. Porch Swings. Family. Lemonade. Football. Books and blankets. Flipflops. Sand.
All the good things in life.
If I lived in my dream home – I think this would be my working island (bar) in front of a glorious window to suck up all the sunshine and see the blue sky or enjoy a good stormy day.
I love lemonade – but I want to cut the sweetness of it. Maybe this one would hit the spot.
Since I’m in the gym these days working on my shoulders – I think this dress in its glorious purple hue might just be a good motivation!
Sundays definitely mean football, but football is also played on Saturday – and I love the Gators.
Church: more than hats and gloves and cool jeans and loud concerts or short preaching. More about community and the Gospel. Build a culture of community (living the gospel) in your church and home.
by Kimberly | Jul 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
Big announcement: Prayers for the Journey: Ephesians edition is finally on Kindle! That’s right – I have a self-published book on Amazon!!!
Here is a review of it on the CBMW site via my friend Courtney Reissig
If you haven’t heard of Prayers for the Journey – it is a kindle book devotional with journaling pages that literally walks through specific verses in Ephesians (or other books of the Bible) and helps wives know how to pray the word for their husbands. I’ve been writing these since I got married, but have been learning about praying for my husband for two decades.
There are so many people to thank:
My parents and in-laws : thank you for always being an encouragement and my greatest fans
My Mister: thank you for being one who sanctifies me and prays for me – and also my first editor
Amy Torcasso: My designer – who also did the work on Treasuring Christ when I was writing it – but now we stay in touch through this! Super talented and selfless
Sarah Popovczak: My editor for this edition of the Prayers for the Journey – she’s about to be a mom too!
Amelia McNeilly: A great publicist and encourager and the one who got this worked out for Kindle
Phyllis Robshaw: Amazing mentor and the one who lives out this act of praying for her husband and family and me – by praying the Word.
My Little Misters: Dudes that will make amazing husbands one day – and I’m already praying for them as they will be husbands to precious wives.
Margo Bowen: a mom of many and grandmom to many and a wife to one. Thank you for loving my Mister as a son and for writing the introduction to this edition.
Future Editions: Nehemiah is available now on the blog for free. Colossians is being typed up now and getting ready to be sent to my editor before she has her baby. James is being written and prayed. 1 Peter is the the next one in the works.
Thanks all. Please feel free to get the word out. 2.99 is a great deal and its for your kindle!
by Kimberly | Jul 14, 2014 | Uncategorized
July is gonna be one busy month. And since I’ve buckled down on the healthy eats (cleaner food, healthier food) to get off this baby weight and just weight I’ve put on since being back in Raleigh in 2010 – it may change things up a bit.
The Mister and I were talking in Hilton Head this weekend about how I’d miss eating fun food. Most fun food is not healthy – like massive sweet potato pancakes drizzled with pecan brittle and syrup. Doused with whipped cream – the real stuff. I mean come on. But, he helped me to see that you don’t have to cut out fun food entirely – just limit it and have smaller portions. And make clean healthy food fun too! It sure is pretty!
I also have a friend coming in town who loves to adventure, cook, and take photos as much as I do. And we have a date night this week! 🙂
Monday: A kale quiche with havarti and turkey sausage
Tuesday: Panzanella and Grilled Chicken
Wednesday: Date night!
Thursday: Grilled Peach Pizza m Love and Olive Oil
Friday: Leftovers and random food all wknd since the Mister is at a conference.
Other times: macarons and zucchini muffins
by Kimberly | Jun 24, 2014 | Uncategorized
I love living life with people and catching up with friends. Today was one of those days. And for me, catching up and hanging out usually teaches me something. Today was no different.
I’m so glad friends are in our lives. Especially during a season with much pain, I’m thankful for those friends that brighten your day and soothe you and make you feel right at home: no matter where you are.
Three things I learned today:
1. Being known is something that is sweet – but you don’t want everyone to know you. I really love having honest relationships with people (and even here on the blog). I love living life with folks and knowing what goes on in their lives and what God is teaching them – what they are walking through. But, there are times when being known hurts and is painful. You can do one of two things at that moment – and I think you have to know which moment you are in : walk away or persevere. You have to decide for yourself with much prayer which one you should do in any given moment. Walk away – maybe the relationship is a harmful one for you – you need to walk away. But, in the most important relationships: your marriage, family, or tried and true friends – you persevere.
2. What do you want to be known for? How do people describe you to others? What do you want to be known for to either friends or strangers? There are some adjectives that I would love to be described as – and then there are some, that right now I’m not, but I want to be – so I know what areas I need to work on.
3. Travel – I love it. My friend travels for her job. She is not married and has the luxury of doing so. She packs up and heads out and pours into the community she is in for any given time. I love to travel and see the world. It is much harder with a husband and kids. But, I love living a life of an adventure. That’s why we are always in the car (except during nap time). I want to explore my area – which is ATL and is amazing to explore.
What are you learning right now?
