What's in your life book?

 That, none of us really know.

I just finished reading this cute book called Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Beth Hoffman. Such a cute read! The gist of the story is this, CeeCee Honeycutt loses her Mom at the age of 12 and moves to Savannah Georgia to live with her great-aunt. It's such a light hearted read, and I enjoyed it. At one point, a close elderly friend talks to her about her life book, and how people come and people go. She talks about how God is in control of our lives, and we are in need of accepting change as it comes.

So basically, it got me thinking....

What's in my life book?

        I mean, I know that this isn't something that can be figured out right now as I am typing this. For it's all in God's hands. I have given my life completely over to him, therefore, I don't need to worry about my future, and whatever comes my way. Praise God for this:) Yet, I still am given the opportunity to make my own decisions on a daily basis, and I am my own person.
       So where will Jason and I end up once I finish with school? When will we start having children? Which friends will be life long, and which will be a part of my life for a season? What choices will I make? What will come of my dream, The Beautiful Truth?
      This just brings me to look at the way life has been for me, and I am so thankful. I'm incredibly thankful for the friends God has given me, and the family that I love so much. I am humbled by the tough lessons I had to learn, and willing to continue learning. I'm am thankful for the mountains I have been able to climb, because I can always look back and be reminded that God is holding my hand and guiding me the whole way. I am reminded of God's provision over Jason and I and how he took such great care of us this past year. I am thankful, at peace, humbled, and full of joy as I look at the first 22 chapters of my life book.
       Yet, I am excited for the rest of the chapters to come. I hope and pray that my time here will continue for quite a while, for there is many wonderful things I want to experience, people I want to bless, things I want to accomplish, time I want to spend with others, babies I want to raise, moments I want to cherish my Jason, my family. There is so much I look forward to as I look at the rest of my life book...with the pages not yet written on.
       Once again, I want to learn from this thought, challenge myself and the rest of you reading this. What are we going to do with the lives God has given us? What are we going to write in our life book? I know that I desire to serve the Lord until the day I go home to be with him, and I am excited to think about everything else inbetween. So I'm going to consciously choose today, to be a blessing. Tomorrow, I want to be a blessing, and the next....yep....I would love to be a blessing to someone, somewhere, somehow.

What's in your life book?

Is God in control?

Cuz if he is, I guarantee, you have someone taking care of you, someone holding your hand, someone loving you when you need it most, someone holding on to you when you feel like letting go.

Yep, that's the most important aspect to every life book.......God. :)

Blessings. Hugs. And Prayers for you today.

Britt

The Importance of Girlfriends

For those of you that know me, know my Mom and I are best friends. We are so much alike, we love the same things, we laugh at the same things, and well...she's my Momma Love. To some, they just don't understand how close I am to my Mom. So think I'm dependant on her and just haven't "leave and cleaved". Nope, that's not it. I mean leaving and cleaving your family is such a process so I'm going to jump out there and say that just because you say your vows and get married, doesn't mean you leave and cleave over night. Some people are different, yet for me, it is a process to "leave" my family, and "cleave" to the man I have married. I've enjoyed the process and have come a long way but this isn't what I am blogging about, and now I'm rambling so I think I'll get back on track:) 

Girlfriends. 

I've got many:)

Yet, sometimes I don't realize how many great girlfriends I have been given. 

And I allow myself to get in a routine of busy life....cleaning, being a wife, working, and looking forward to the next time I get to see my best friend, and my family. 

And then I go through a tough time, often a night of crying, and Jason trying to figure out why I'm sad...oops! (Anyone else ever have a spell of woman emotions and leave your poor husband feeling like "he's just gone through a blender" (that's what Jason calls it:) because of our silly emotional rollercoasters that poke their heads in here and there?

So then, Jason reminds me that I have some wonderful friends up here and that it's important to spend time with them while we are living here. It's a gift to be so close to them. We are in a place where I am finishing my degree this year, and then after that we will be settling in somewhere for good wherever we feel God is opening the door. 

Even though it's a wonderful thing to be so close to my Mom and having her as my best friend is amazing! I would never change that. But I can't forget that I have friends that are close by, that I am able to spend time with as well. God has given me a community here as well that I have grown to love. 

Am I making sense here? 

So alass, I was encouraged. I was reminded that I need my girlfriends even though I have married my best friend. I can see why Mom's need their girls nights out. While I am not a mommy and still a student, I have more time and freedom to do those things with my girls and I am so thankful for that. 

The last two weeks, I have been able to reconnect with two girls I had gotten to know my first year of school, and that has been such a gift! I thank God for bringing them back into my life, and being able to connect with them even though it's been so long. I look forward to spending more time getting to know them again, and enjoying their friendship. 

I have been able to get to know a few other people more in the last few weeks and I have been so refreshed, so thankful. Carolyn, I know you will read this, so THANK YOU. Thank you for reminding this and literally leaving your door open for me to come and join you for breakfast. I cannot express how thankful I am for your gift of hospitality. You are amazing.

Jason and I have been able to spend time with a few other young couples and that has been incredible! In fact, this year we have been able to do this regularly. And that is a constant gift to us. Last night for Canada Day, we spent time with some new/old friends and it was so much fun! 

God is continually showing me how important it is so surround myself with people that poor life into me, build me up, challenge and encourage. And I've got that. Thank you God. Thank you Jason for reminding me to spend time with those that I love. 

And Mom, you are amazing. I'm so looking forward to our girly weekend of scrapbooking and pedicures. I always miss you and look forward to our next weekend being goofs together, yet I am always at peace knowing I have you a phone call away. 

Life is wonderful guys. It's challenging, and always seems to be a growing experience. Above all, God has given us friendships for a reason and I look forward to the many memories that continue to be created. 

Love and hugs. 

The Newlywed.  

Yummy. Pretty. Refreshing.

I love summer! I just love the way the sun stays out until after nine. I love the fresh squeezed lemonade. And the abundant deals on fruit and veggies. I love being able to open all the windows first thing in the morning, and let in the freshness of a new day. I love falling asleep every night with the ceiling fan going. I love camping. Roasting marshmallows over the fire, even though it's pure sugar, or pure who knows what. I could go on and on about what I love about summer....

But these would be my favorites today. 

Hydrangeas

These grow right on the CBC campus so I had to ask my boss if I could take some home. Little did she know, these are my absolute favorite! When I was busy wedding planning, these were the only things that I continued to want used. I would change my mind about this, and that. But these would always stay on the priority list. Having them on my kitchen table just makes me so happy. I love taking a moment to look at how beautiful they are.

 

Cherry Apple Crisp

I had a can of cherry pie filling that I had been wanting to use, and there were a couple apples in the fridge, so this recipe worked great! I can't remember where I found it, but it was online, so just type it in the search engine and you will find it. I should really write these things down so that I can make them again, especially when it's a great recipe! 

Cheesy Rolls

I can't tell you where you've had them, or where I even got the recipe because it's a yummy one I have taken from my Mom and it's become our little secret:) But they are good all right! I made them to go along with out good old midwest meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and fresh organic corn (from Costco might I add:)

Well, today I felt like a lighter post. I wanted to share with you some things that bring joy to my heart. Of course, some yummy home cooking will be on that list. Yet, the flowers are pretty high up there, for they remind me of the love God has for me. 

Yep:)

 Jason and I have enjoyed such a refreshing Sunday. It sure was a sabbath! We spent some incredible time with the Lord this morning, and then of course I got the itch to bake. We had been given a huge amount of rasberries from some wonderful friends, so I just had to use them;) I decided I would make some muffins, so that Jason could take them to work, and then some banana bread for me. Jason is allergic to bananas, so I just have to eat it all by myself over the next little while. Bummer:) 

Be blessed as you enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and start your week all over again. Tomorrow, before you start the day, read one Proverb. I've found that to be incredibly encouraging and motivating as I get going on my day. 

Tomorrow, I'm going for a run with a friend that is going to push me. For those of you that know me, know I love to exercise and be active. Yet when it comes to running, I don't enjoy it. She's going to HELP me or MAKE me enjoy it more. It's the one thing I ignore in the world of exercise, unless it's on a tredmill with the tv going. I'll have to update you on my journey of WANTING to enjoy running:)

Britt

Babies, babies...What to Do...What to do...In the Inbetween...

Babies.

Nope, we're not pregnant, nor planning on being pregnant ANYTIME soon. God willing:)

But, this is the main thing we have often been asked about once being married.
"When are you having a little Jason? When do we get to meet a mini Brittany?"

And I must confess...

I have been the one asking those questions...:)

We all love babies. We love the way they smile in their sleep, and giggle and cuddle and the list goes on and on and on. Babies are a gift from God and just as I was reading in a book by Darlene Zschech from Hillsong, she talks about how they are the kiss of heaven. So true.

So what do you in between the wedding day and the day you find out there is a little baby growing inside of you?

Live. Laugh. Love. Enjoy this new love that has taken over life.

Anyone that truly knows me, knows how much I love babies, toddlers, children, tweens, preteens, and teens. I love young adults. And adults as well. Looks like I'll be in luck once the babies come because these seem to be the stages of life:)

Basically, I love life. And life has become all the more beautiful since getting married to Jason Cavanaugh.

So even though I can't wait to be a mommy, and share that gift with the love of my life, I want to enjoy today.

I was sitting on the couch this morning, after spending an hour studying for my History of Israel distance ed final, and I was just flipping through the channels thinking there is NOTHING on this morning. Nothing good on Regis and Kelly, nor The View. The house was cleaned all last week, so I really just need to tidy like usual. I had scanned through all updates on facebook even though I get so bored doing it...Dinner is already made for tonight because we have been graced with yummy left overs. The girls I love getting together with are either in another country, continent, working, or sleeping because of the late night high payed jobs they get. :)

I was thinking about how on this day off, and with the time I had, it would be so fun taking care of a sweet little angel. There we go again, always looking ahead and wanting what is supposed to happen in the future while not being content with today.

So I decided to blog. I decided to ponder the reality of the whirlwind of being a newlywed, and the fact that is stops every so often, just enough for you to think about the babies. Yet these are the moments where I am reminded to be so thankful for what I am given today. Everything else will happen when the time is right.

This is for you other newlyweds that are often asked about babies. Just enjoy today. Enjoy your role as a wife, taking care of the home when you have time inbetween work. Spend time with your husband, and all the other newlyweds out there experiencing the same thing. How cool is that?

Today, is a glorious day. No matter what day it is.

As we wake up in the morning, we need to soak in the beauty of the morning, and the reality that we get to live for our God today, and bless the people we come into contact with. This goes for everyone. Yet, I am speaking to the newlyweds this morning, because there seems to be so much fun pressure to have babies and get that life going! Yet, there is SO much to be learned today. I know there is so much to be learned once babies come, and learning never ends.

MAINLY, I WANT TO ENJOY BEING A NEW WIFE, ENJOY MY HUSBAND, AND THE FREEDOM WE HAVE TODAY.


Just so you know, this isn't for those that seem to ask when we are going to get pregnant:) This is for me to remind myself to slow down anytime that maternal desire starts to poke at me deep in my heart. This is for me to remember that God has perfect timing, and that I want to take life one step at a time.

It's been quite the year of transition for Jason and I. Some incredible mountains to climb. And yet, we climbed them. So now I want to soak in the sunshine that seems to be pouring into my heart every morning that I wake up.

I want to continue enjoying the "in-between"

What a beautiful place to be.

Thank you for letting me vent today. Thank you for allowing me to remember what a blessing it is to be able to have a day with such freedom like today, with no little man needing attention, or little princess needing even more. Those blessings, those kisses from heaven with be here in a few years, when the time is right, after Jason and I have been able to enjoy spending one on one time more a few more years.:)

Be blessed newlyweds, and those that have more years on us newbies yet still have that glow:)

Now I'm going to enjoy my cute little home, and get more studying done:)

Britt

God's Will and the Fear that Goes Along with it....

My goodness I feel humbled right now.
This morning I met with a wonderful girl that is also passionate about helping girls see the truth in their real beauty, and it was such a blessing to see how God has brought her into my life at such a time as this.

Yet it got me thinking....

Am I really equipped to making this dream...vision...The Beautiful Truth...happen?

I cannot help but think about how Moses truly must have felt. Here I am, with such a desire to do just this, and I know that I can! Well, usually I know that I can do it, but right now....I'm unsure.

Jesus has clearly called me to live according to his will. He calls us all to listen to Him, and allow Him to guide our steps. A while back I was reading through a devotional that I had read in high school. I was challenged by a blog that Bethany Dillon had posted on My Upmost for His Highest. I was reminded that I needed to pick up that book again and add that to my weekly time spent with the Lord. (Thanks Bethany! )

This is what hit me the hardest about living in God's Will.
"Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him everytime."

"With focused attention and great care, you have to "WORK OUT" what God "WORKS IN" you---not work to accomplish or earn "your own salvation," but work it out so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord. As you do this, you do not bring an opposing will up against God's will---God's will IS your will. 


God not only expects me to do His will, but He is IN ME TO DO IT." 


Wow.
I am sure seeing the evidence of that right now.

I'm working at a job that not everyone would rush to do. I'm in a place where often Jason and I feel that we are just going about life...waking up everyday...doing the same thing...without reasons other than...it's life. And that's normal. This happens some days.

Yet as I was driving home from the wonderful and encouraging coffee meeting with my friend Michelle today, I was reminded if a few things.

I AM IN GODS WILL.

I can feel it so strongly right now. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing even though at times I really have to push myself. Being in God's will doesn't automatically mean life gets easier, or smoother, or even more enjoyable. I would say I have felt such joy, peace, and excitement in the last few months that I haven't felt before. But I am still struggling at times.

Yet, I AM IN GODS WILL.

Because, "God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it."

Humbled. Scared. Fearful. Doubt that I am even equipped to do this thing that I believe God has put on my heart. This is how I feel right now.

And I am so thankful.

I never want to get to a place where I am cocky and think I can conquer the world. Because I can't. I am a servant of the Lord and He is doing His work in and through me. I want it to stay that way for the rest of my life. I want Him to be the reason I wake up every morning (other than the alarm clock:)

So I woke up this morning with such a strong desire to get on my hands and knees and pray to the Lord. This isn't something I do very often. Yet lately, it's something that reminds me to lay all my worries, cares, fears, and questions at the feet of my God. He's in control of my life, and more than ever, I need to be drawing closer to Him and focusing my heart and life on Him.

Why?

Because he gives me joy. He gives me peace. He helps me get through the difficult times. He fills my life with blessings. He brought me an amazing man of God to spend the rest of my life with. He reminds me everyday how wonderful my family is. He is the one that is calling me to live a certain way, treat people a certain way, be a Godly wife. So I need His help every single day in order to do these things.

I'm just very humbled right now.

Am I really the one you want to do this God?

Be at peace knowing that as you focus your eyes on Jesus, you are living in His will today.

Britt

No....Not the Chocolate!

It is official.
I am allergic to Chocolate.






Did you get it out yet? The gasp? Because if not....do it now.


:)
Yes, I have been official realizing I am allergic to CHOCOLATE.

Here's the scoop.
For many years, I have gotten random rashes. TMI? Promise. Nothing gross. Promise. Anyways, a few months ago I was working at a chocolate shop and eating chocolate everyday. Which meant I always had some kind of little rash lol. Promise. Once again, nothing gross. So Jason thought it could be the chocolate, but I refused to believe that one of my most favorite things to eat would be unkind to my body. Hence, the ignoring began.

Then, I ran out of chocolate. And made some yummy fruity summer cake, and ate cookies without chocolate, and rice crispies. Of course not all at one time. This is over a span of a few weeks.

Then, I induged. I had some chocolate for my birthday. Well, ok...a LOT. And I was a mess! Itchy itchy and frustrated! After thirty minutes of the yummy stuff, I broke out with some random rashes on my face...arm....leg....And I was itchy! Promise. Nothing gross.

So, it was confirmed. I am allerigic to chocolate. It's the only thing I will eat regularly, and then get hives or whatever you would call this annoyingness.

Then last night, I enjoyed baking with a wonderful neighbor Carolyn (who by the way made me a yummy vanilla latte and brought it upstairs things morning at 7:30. Wonderful? Yes. :) and we made healthy choc cupcakes, and choc oatmeal cookies.

And it happened again. Even woke up in the night needing to take allergy meds.

:( I am sad to say, this runs in the family, so it's legit.

So goodbye my favorite dessert, favorite snack, favorite breakfast lunch and dinner.

I will now only eat you once a week:)

Hope you have a blessed day!

Britt

To Do List. And Well...Hope. Thankfullness.

Today was wonderful.

Why?

It was another me day:)

Yet, I wasn't particularly wanting to have a day to myself. There's a few different people that I love getting together with for coffee, and others that are just great to see. But those girlies were all busy! They were either out of the country, or away doing something else for the weekend. Jason was golfing with his Dad today and I'm so glad he was able to get out to do that. He got some new clubs for his graduation, so this was the first time he was able to go and test them out! Love it.

So what did I do?

Well at first I just lay in bed...moping....
For the last 5 weeks I've noticed my left arm is constantly sore and I wake up in the morning to it throbbing. Definately not fun. I'm still waiting it out before I go to the doc because I first thought it was sore from my weekly work outs. Yet, it's not gone yet! So we're beginning to think I might have damaged it in some way from working out. Who knows! So, when I lay in one spot, I don't notice the pain.

After about five minutes of that, I decided I was being so lame and it was time to get on that to do list that I LOVE! Not even kidding. I write them just to look forward to the various tasks I GET to work on. Having my own home is such an exciting this:) I know some of you may be thinking, "Girl, you are crazy! Just wait till....you have kids....or you're busy taking kids from here to there...or you have this and this and this.

Well, I've decided I'm not going to be one of those. I decided I didn't want to be one to nag on my husband around other people, even though it's so easy to do when you are with your girls. Trust me, there's many times where I catch myself complaining about some petty thing and then I'm reminded of the fact that it would hurt to hear Jason speak that way about me. Marriage is such a beautiful thing. It has it's challenges. Believe me, we've gone through such difficult challenges this year, so I'm not speaking totally out of the newlywed voice. Just trust me. Marriage IS beautiful. Here, God has given me the most amazing husband. He's give YOU the most amazing husband. Of course they aren't perfect. Neither are we. Remember my post a while ago about being a quarrelsome wife? That's just the start of my imperfections.

I'm going on a rant.
I'll continue:)

I just think, no matter where we are, we need to be THANKFUL. We need to have HOPE. Yes, life is crazy. exhausting. heartbreaking. tiring. busy. congested.

But it's also BEAUTIFUL. PEACEFUL. FULL OF LAUGHTER. SMILES. BEAUTY IN CREATION. LOVE. And the list could continue, but you catch my drift.

Guys, this morning all I wanted to do was mope because of the ache in my arm that's constant....and at night it gets worse. For those of you that don't know me, I really enjoy being active and exercising. I love it! So this is difficult for me.

But I chose to be thankful. I chose hope.

Maybe in a way that's not that big to you. But look at your life. Is there something bogging you down? Is there someone that has hurt you or mistreated you? Pray about it. Write about it. Give it to God. And get up and choose hope. Change the way you think about life. your home. your husband. your children. your job.

Honestly, I don't think I can say it enough, and I sure wish I had a verse to go in here just to make it that clear. God seems to do that to me:) But really, I want to challenge you. I want to challenge myself. BE THANKFUL. HAVE HOPE. It's funny that I have chosen to write about this today. Really I just want you to know that life is beautiful. There is so much pain and difficulty yes. But God is HERE! God is going to help my arm heal, it'll get better....so oh well....that's why I chose to get up and get my booty going!

So....I organized a closet, and a cluttered cupboard above our desk. I got all my scrapbooking stuff together and condensed the many boxes. Edit my Ruth biographical paper. Tidied the house....which is a daily task that I will not ever understand. How do we mess things up so quickly?!! (Yes, this is one of those times where you can say...just wait until you have children:) I have this sign with the word faith on it that I've wanted black for the last three years. So today, I painted it black. And I love it! It's drying as we speak.

Choose to see the positive. Choose to have hope that things will turn around. CHOOSE to have a good attitude!

Blessings guys...gotta finish my painting!

P.S. Mary- I had to laugh....once again....this week I needed another attitude adjustment. Thank you:)