I believe that at the root of having an organized home, you'll find freedom. Intentional living isn't about rules, it's about setting up life with purpose and a plan in order to build freedom into life; and that's what I believe an organized home does! 
​
I believe that having an organized home helps with three major things: 

1. It helps decrease searching and chaos. You don't need to look for your car keys, because every morning they are in the same place. You don't need to go searching for a pen, because you know exactly where you can find one (or many). It gives you time freedom, and it allows for you to know exactly where you can find your things. 

2. It helps with the budget. When you know what you have and what you need, you don't buy duplicates. When you know what you have in storage or in the pantry, because everything has a place, you know more easily what you do and don't need at the store each trip. 

3. It allows for your family to help you, and it sets them up for success. When your people know where things go and have the expectation that items go back where they belong as soon as you're done using them, they begin to take ownership and it's easier to enlist their help! 

Organization doesn't have to be complicated. You don't need to spend a ton of money on organizational systems and tools. 

It does take time and it does take effort, but ideally, once you've set up a system, it's fairly easy to keep that system going - as long as you stay on top of it (but we'll talk about that later this week!). 

As you begin to organize the things in your home, my recommendation would be to ask yourself these questions of each item as you place it in it's permanent home:

1. Does this item have a specific purpose in our home?
2. Does this item make sense in this room/drawer/space?
3. Where do I most need/use this item?

Make note of what you have or need (as we talked about last week!)  and keep don't forget to purge that clutter. You will find more and more to purge as you organize. 

This isn't a once and done process. This isn't an overnight process. This is a thing that takes time and work, but I truly believe that it is so very worth it! 

If you are a person who struggles to see how a space can be organized, enlist the help of a friend! Some people just don't have that vision or gift, and that is OK! You don't have to have alllll the gifts, BUT you can pull your people and ask for their help - and then you can serve them in an area where you thrive in return! 

Creating an organized space isn't overly complicated, it just takes spending time filtering through your possessions, and thinking through the best resting place for it. Then you've just got to keep it up....we'll talk about that next! 


Are you a naturally organized person??? If yes, tell me your favorite space to organize!
If not....who do you plan to enlist to help you get your space under control? 

The beauty of being an adult and having our own space is that we are in charge of what comes in and goes out of our space. Although everything we have is a blessed gift from the Lord,

{ The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord. – Psalm 24:1 }

this doesn't mean that we just sit back and let the responsibility of our space and things manage themselves. We have been called to care for our domain. We have been called to steward what we've been given. 

{ Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest. – Proverbs 3:9 }

And I've found that the best way to do this is to make sure that I am FULLY aware of everything in my home.

{Sidenote: I'm sure this is easier in some seasons then others. I don't have kids that are old enough to really be coming and going with things that I don't know about. I'm sure this will change. So keep that in mind and recognize that your season may look at little different, BUT that isn't a reason why you can't still manage most of the spaces in your home. You are the one who teaches them how to steward their things properly, right?}

I keep control over our spaces by making sure that everything has a home. For example, scissors and tape and glue have a very specific resting place in our home. My daughter's hair ties and bows have a specific home, they aren't  just haphazardly in every drawer and space. Everything has a home and an organizational system (we'll get to that next week!), and my people (for the most part) know exactly where everything goes. To be honest, my kids are better at this then my husband, he's not wired to remember where everything goes (especially when I am constantly reassessing and moving things to new locations that make the most sense for each season), but they all do their best and make sure to ask if they don't already know.

We live fairly minimally in our home. We don't have multiples and we don't stockpile a lot. We do this by not shopping a lot (but that's a whole different conversation!).  For example, I don't believe in stockpiling a tissue box for each room of the house. It's rare that we all have runny noses at the same time, so we have one tissue box. It has a specific home in the laundry room closet, and we pull it out whenever someone needs it. There is no need to have 5 + open tissue boxes in our home - that just adds to the clutter.  Sure I buy things in bulk, like toilet paper, but for the most part, we are very discerning about how much of what item comes into our home. 

We keep lists of items we want or need and we are discerning about when it comes into our home. This helps our spending habits, but it also keeps clutter down. I don't just buy something when I want it. I add it to my list and marinade on it for a while. We make lists when we go shopping and we stick to the lists. If I see something I want, I'll add it to my list, I don't just impulse buy. Of course we aren't perfect at this, but we consistently work towards creating this habit. 

A good way to keep those wish lists and needs lists handy is by using your phone. I have a private Amazon list of items we can get on Amazon. I also use the notes section of my phone to keep a list of items I need to pick up the next time I'm at Target. We don't frequent Target or Costco. We grocery shop once a week, and maybe visit those other stores once every 6 weeks. We have switched over to a lot of online shopping (with free shipping options) in order to lessen how much we go into stores. This helps us from acquiring more things in our home! 

As you're decluttering your home, I want to encourage you to start making lists. Make lists of items that are broken and need to be replaced. Make lists of items you wish you had. Don't just buy those items, add them to a list. Keep good lists, marinade on what you really need versus just want, and be discerning when you buy new items for your home. 

Another item of note as you're coming off of your decluttering mission, is to find a local organization you believe in where you can donate your newly discarded items. Be discerning about who you give your donations to as some places are for-profit and not non-profit. I don't know about you, but I want to donate my items to a location that will resell my items for the good of others, not for the good of some corporation. 

If you are in the process of paying down debt and/or need to make some extra money, hosting a yard sale or open house sale is a good way to help discard some of your items and make a little bit of extra money towards your financial goals. Here are some tips for that. 

Being a discerning gatekeeper over your domain is super important to begin to cultivate that home culture you desire to have. You do not have to live as simply as I described that we choose to live, you need to find what works best for your family, but overall, my hope and desire for this series is that you will begin to think more clearly and intentionally about your home. My hope is that you will begin to think of it as a space that you can and should have control over. Your home doesn't have to feel chaotic, and truly taking the time to walk through these few easy steps can help you being to better manage your space and ultimately the culture of your home.

If you aren't already following along, I want to encourage you to hop over to Instagram and follow the journey there. I'll be sharing daily in my Instagram Stories about our home and even giving you glimpses into how we manage our home.  

I'm hoping that you spent some time yesterday in reflection of the culture and rhythms you'd like for your home to reflect. If you missed yesterday's post, please take some time to go back andread that here. It truly sets a foundation for where we are heading this month! 

Often times when we do an assessment of what our ideal home would feel like and reflect, we quickly recognize that our home's current state is not in line with where we want to be. AND THAT IS OK! There is grace for that, there is time to get there. Although we are only spending a month on the topic of building an intentional home, that in no way means that you need to leave this month having perfectly curated the exact atmosphere you desire to create. I believe we could spend an entire year on this topic, and yet we only have a month together. SO as we move through this topic fairly quickly, please bookmark steps and challenges you desire to pour over more deeply. We are literally talking through decluttering in just a few days, and for some, this process may take months. That's ok, there is zero pressure to keep up with the fast pace with which we will be moving. Give yourself grace, and move at your own pace - just don't shut down and check-out - continue to walk this journey and discussion with us but  walk through the challenges at your own pace. 

I believe that one of the first steps to aligning your desired home outcome with where you currently are will most likely begin with purging. We have a culture of too much stuff in our western world, and too much stuff can quickly and easily make us feel overwhelmed and chaotic. I hold a deep belief that everything should have a place and a purpose within our walls. This lesson was deeply ingrained in me again just this past spring. After we sold our home, we had a moving sale in order to get rid of all of the extras we had acquired as we were downsizing to a smaller home with far less storage. Over the 8 years we had lived in that home, we had acquired too much that I was not using, too much that were other people's things offloaded onto us, too much that was just honestly unnecessary.  I quickly realized that I needed to be a more discerning gatekeeper as to what I will allow within our walls from that day forward. And that I have become. 

I recognized that much of what we were holding onto - items that were unused - were items I didn't regularly use. We had a lot of "just incase" items under our roof and I felt like we would feel more freedom without them (as the more stuff you have, the more things you have to manage), and that someone else would benefit from us donating all the excess. And so we did. We got rid of the extras. I didn't need 30+ wine glasses for my once-annual Wine and Chocolate party, I gave away the majority of those (keeping just enough for a few extra visitors) and instead realized I could borrow from a neighbor for that once-a-year event. And that's exactly what I did this year. I would venture to guess that most of the items in American's closets, storage, and drawers fall into the category of "just incase" or "someday", and that's what we've tried to eliminate from our home. Most of us have the social network to be able to borrow or the resources to repurchase in the off chance that that "someday" becomes a now and necessary thing. 

And so, with that in mind, I want to encourage you to be VERY discerning and VERY ruthless with your purging as we walk through this decluttering process over the next few days. If you grow anxiety or concern over simply discarding or donating something you fear you will need in the future, I encourage you to pull out a box. Store those items you fear you will miss in a box and put them away in your garage or storage area of your home. I would venture to guess that you won't be surprised when they are still tucked away in that box a year later and you haven't thought about them once. Those "just incase" items take up space in our closets and - whether you realize it or not - energy from our life. 

And so, I want you to set aside some time to declutter, to purge. Be ruthless, but take your time. Go through each drawer, each closet, each cabinet. Bring boxes and trash bags to each room, to each space, as you methodically move from drawer to drawer and closet to closet asking yourself the following questions...

1. Do I use this item regularity?
2. Does this item have a specific purpose in our home and in our lives?
3. Do we actually NEED this item?
4. Does this item contribute to the atmosphere I'm trying to create? 

If the answer is no, I want to encourage you to put it aside in those boxes and bags. You can always reassess these items again later, but for now, be ruthless and pull those things out. For sure discard broken and stained items that you are holding onto. There is no need to hold onto an item that you won't actually use again. 

For a little more guidance about where to start, below you will find listed the top 5 areas of your home to begin purging! 

For some, the practice of purging and decluttering is not an easy one. I recognize that. If you find yourself struggling to part with items that you know you actually don't need, I would encourage you to invite a friend to help you with the process of purging. Share your wrestle with them and see if they can help you work through it. 

This isn't a process that will happen overnight, especially if you're burried in a lot of stuff within your walls. Set aside time each day, or some time each week to work through this process. Invite your family to help with this process. It truly is freeing to declutter and purge unused items that are taking up space in your life, I promise you that! 

Tomorrow we will talk about how to better manage what comes into your home and about discerning between what we need versus what we want. 

Whenever I start talking about being intentional in an area of my life, I worry that other's may start to think I'm reaching for perfect. You see, I realize that having systems and routines and rhythms for life aren't everyone's cup of tea. I recognize that some personalities see it as restraining, making them feel claustrophobic in life. But you see, I believe it does the exact opposite. I believe there is freedom - time freedom, financial freedom, relational freedom - when we lean intentionally into areas of our life. It takes out the chaos and leaves space for curation of our domain - the areas of our life we have been told by the Lord to steward wisely.  

Intentional living isn't about being perfect, it's about maximizing our resources to the best of our ability, stewarding what we've been entrusted with well.  

Each month in the year 2020, I long to link arms with you and walk forward towards living more intentionally in our lives - our homes, our health, our finances, our relationships, our routine. I don't have it all figured out, I certainly live more intentionally in some areas then in others, but I'm hoping that we can grow together towards stewarding our domains better for His Glory, and ultimately for the most important gift we've been given; in our relationship with Jesus. 

And this month, January, I'd like to start by discussing the beauty and rest that comes with building an intentional home.

Your home doesn't need to be perfectly curated. Your home doesn't need to reflect a magazine cover. Your home needs simply to be an expression of you, a reflection of you, a space to welcome others into your life, and ultimately your heart. This month I don't want to focus on the {oh so important} topic of curating intentional relationships with those who live under our same roof. We will get to that in a few months. But for this month I want us to focus on the actual physical feel curated within our walls. I have a deep belief that our home culture, rhythm, and relationships will be effected by the physical space around us, and so that's why we are starting there; with taking an intentional look at the atmosphere that is created under our roof because of the things around us. 

My home is a place where I desire for life to be given, hope to be formed, faith to be practiced, and love to be poured out.  I desire for our home to be a place where my children long to be. I desire that for as long as I live, my children will come and find rest and peace and love within our walls. I long for it to be a place where they can taste the goodness of their Heavenly Father and receive rest from the world on their weariest of days. These are things I value, hopes I have, and the very reason why I spend time cultivating a home feeling, rhythm, and culture that leans in the direction of beauty and rest, known expectations, and an importance on relationships and abundant family time within our walls. We aren't perfect at it, sometimes we hurt each other's feelings and sometimes the chaos of the world crosses over our threshold; but we fight to keep our heart's desired values and hope-filled outcomes at the forefront of our family culture. 

For our home, I've found that we all thrive when chaos is at a minimum. I've found that my people are most at rest and our rhythm is most healthy when I am intentional with curating how our spaces are used and what we allow in them. I've also found that both my husband and myself value beautiful things {don't read that as expensive things, because that's certainly not what I'm saying}. We both find rest in a space that is uncluttered, intentionally designed with things we love, and organized enough that every item under our roof has a specific home and purpose. Sure, things slip in, and that is why I very regularly purge and declutter and organize and reassess. 

And so this leads me to prompt you to truly think about this;  what do you value in your home? What do you long to feel {and have your people feel} when they are home? What do you long for your guests to experience when they are within your walls? I believe you will find great value in spending some time articulating for yourself what your desired home culture is. 

I believe that once we've articulated how we want ourselves and others to feel within our walls, then we can reassess whether or not our space lends itself to creating that desired outcome.

For your first challenge this month, I would like for you to sit down with a journal and reflect upon those questions I posed - I will list them again below for you. Spend some time doing an honest assessment and tomorrow we will go from there. 

1. What do you value in your home? 
2. What do you long to feel {and have your people feel} when they are home?
3. What do you long for your guests to experience when they are within your walls?
4. Do you believe the atmosphere of your home lines up with your desired outcome?
5. What do you believe you would need to do in order to align your desired outcome with your current home atmosphere?

Would you share your thoughts below or on social media? Follow along with my daily reflections regarding this Intentional Home content in my Facebook &  Instagram Stories! Follow me on Instagram here. 

On January 1, 2019 I gave up coffee. For the year. It was purely  with the motive to prove my husband wrong.

But for real, it was! haha. 

You see, for YEARS I have been saying to him how I wanted to quit my coffee creamers. I wanted to stop using those O-SO-DELICIOUS gross-for-you creamers, but I just couldn't drink coffee without them. Probably monthly I would tell him that I was quitting coffee (because what's the point without the creamer!?!), and he'd pretty much come to a place of rolling his eyes and responding, "riiiiiiiiight.". 

So what does an I'll-prove-you-wrong-don't-tell-me-I-can't do it girl do? She gives up coffee.  FOR A YEAR.

You see, most people would probably say for a month, or maybe three. Nope, not me...haha. I pull out the big guns and give it up for a year to REALLY show him!  {At this point you may think we have a bickering & rash not-so-kind marriage...but I assure you we actually have an AMAZING marriage  with barely any disagreements or issues at all, THANK YOU, JESUS!}.

Anyway, guys. I did it. I went 365 days without coffee. Ok, minus two times when I was traveling for business and I was SO sleep deprived and he told me "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" and so I got to cheat without it counting against me! {Whew}. 

So here I am January 2, 2020 and I'm two days back on coffee and it's GLORIOUS! I drink decaf, mind you, but that warmth and flavor (yes, I did go back to creamer - for now- but I chose an almond milk creamer that was as clean as I could find!), it's just dreamy. 

So what did I learn with this fasting experiment?? I can't wait to share with you! 

1. I can do hard things. Period. It may seem funny or silly, but it gave me an odd sense of accomplishment. You guys, I had two babies without any drug intervention - I KNOW I can do hard things - but there was something deeply rewarding about consistently laying down my desire for something over time - time and time again - that was SO empowering. 

2. The Lord draws near when we give ourselves up. Fasting - as a Christian - no matter how much or for how long, can truly bring depth and intimacy within your relationship with the Lord. Did I pray when I wanted coffee? You'd better believe it, yes I did. This fasting {for coffee} wasn't that hard for me - I am not a coffee addict per se - but there was a growth that occurred within me through submitting my desires before the Lord, even for a cup of coffee. Laying down my desires was truly a worshipful experience. I can't wait to experience greater depth in the Lord this year as I give up THREE things. More on that in a minute. 

3. I learned that my husband likes to say he doesn't think I can do something - just to get me to do that thing - so he can prove to me that I can do it. Does that even make sense??!? So now I sit back and think before I commit to something when he says, "I don't think you can do it". haha. {Side story: Today our 3 year old daughter - who so very much resembles me in personality - went out onto the porch to pick up a package the mailman had dropped off. As she picked it up she said "Oo that's heavy!". J stepped out onto the porch and offered to help her. She immediately looked at him with a determined look and said "I can do it" and sauntered past him carrying the big box. He just laughed and shook his head at me. Remind me NOT to tell her she can't date that one rebel guy she's eyeing one day, ok?! Girl's gonna give up coffee for a year one day, you just watch.}

This experience turned out to be a much more fulfilling and sanctifying experiment then I thought it would be! I thought I'd simply enjoy getting to the end of the year and be able to prove to J that I did it - and that that would be the greatest victory. But in all honesty, it lit a fire in me. It revealed to me that I have a desire to continue to lay down things that may hinder my walk with Jesus - I long to stretch my submission muscle and learn more about going to the foot of the cross in a time of longing. I desire to rid my life of all idols and distractions in order for my heart, soul, mind, and strength to become the purest of offerings before my Lord.  And so, this year, I'm going to stretch myself even more. 

This year {drumroll please}... I will be giving up...
1. Wine
2. Chocolate
3. Dairy

Wine because I like it a little too much on a Saturday night. Just sayin'. Chocolate because quite frankly this one feels like a stretch with how much I'm exposed to it, with how much women offer it and surround ourselves with it. And a stretch for me feels like the right way to learn sacrifice and the beauty of depending on the Lord in fasting. And Dairy....because I'm pretty sure my body doesn't like dairy, and I LOVE cheese. So if I gave myself a reason to quit it over the long term, it'll help me to see how it really effects my body and whether or not this a long-term change I need to commit to or not. 

So. There you have it. Wine, chocolate, and dairy. I am grateful that I know my people will hold me accountable - you all did SO well checking in on my coffee fast - thank you for the support! So feel free to check in with me this year. It's amazing to look back and see how fast the year went, but yet...CHOCOLATE! Oh no. 

Have you ever completed a long-term fast? Tell me your story! 

Does the idea of taking down Christmas overwhelm you? Do you put it off as long as possible because you just don't want to tackle the project. Well, friend. Here is your new quick and EASY 5-step system to eliminate your overwhelm! Grab some caffeine, turn on some inspiring and energetic music, and get-it-done! 

Step #1 - Take pictures! Before you do any de-decorating, make sure you take pictures of how you set things up this year. This will make next year's process of decorating SO much easier. It too can help you remember what you have and help you plan any changes you want to make next year ahead of time. Document the beauty you created this year, your future self will thank you! 

Step #2 -  Move all of your Christmas decorations into one room. Set aside a room to put ALL of the Christmas decorations in. I always use the dining room for this task. I take down every single decoration and place it all over the dining room table, the floor, and the hutch. I put them together by like item as I move them into the dining room, this helps with the packing up process later. 

Step #3 - Get organized! Pull out your Christmas tubs and get ready to store away your precious items! Sidenote: If you don't already have some sturdy storage tubs, go get yourself some! I have some strong large red tubs (with lids) that I got from Big Lots years ago for less then $5 a piece (and they are nice big ones!). Walmart and Target provide some great options as well! It doesn't take much money to be able to replace those broken down boxes you've been using for years. This will ensure your decor stays safe from water damage over the years. As you're taking down your Christmas decor, put things in a donate box. This is your time to purge your least favorite Christmas items. What is broken? What are you sick of? Donate it all. Don't store away things you aren't fond of for another year. Get rid of it! 

Step #4 - Pack it up, sista! Now that all of your Christmas decor is all in one room, bring in those big tubs and pack away everything carefully using bubble wrap and tissue paper.  Take your time with this task to ensure all of those precious breakable items are stored away carefully.  

Step #5 - CLEAN EVERYWHERE! Now that you have removed all of your Christmas decor, it's likely most of your furniture surfaces are clear, or nearly clear. Use this time to do a DEEP clean. Pull out the vacuum and dust rags and get to work. Take the time to vacuum behind and under furniture. I usually use this time to water all of my plants and assess how they are doing as well. It's the perfect time to deep clean the house and prepare for a fresh start to the new year! Then simply pull out those year- round decor items you had tucked away and put them where they belong {or get creative and move some things around!}.

Isn't it odd how the simplest tasks can sometimes send us into procrastination and overwhelm?!?! Sometimes it takes a friend to gently nudge you in the right direction to kick your booty into gear {you're welcome! ;) }. SO.. get to work and get it done! There is something fresh and exhilarating about starting the new year off with a clean and fresh slate in your home! During the month of January we are going to focus on cultivating an Intentional Home here on mandyscarr.com. I'd love for you to join us for for the journey!

​I love having friends over. I find so much life and joy in creating a welcoming environment and inviting women and their families into my home. For me, it's about creating a space for friendships to form and fellowship to take place. It fills my heart. But do you want to know a secret? I am NOT a girl who loves being in the kitchen.

So how do I marry those things? How do I marry my desire to have people in my home with the fact that I don't like preparing food, when they seemingly go hand-in-hand?

I work within my gifting.

I don't like to spend time in the kitchen. I get anxious and distracted and I don't like feeling like my attention is split between the kitchen and my guests. I want to give my friends my undivided attention, and I cannot do that with food needing to be prepared. I admire anyone who can do both! So, in order to work within those parameters, I plan events, gatherings and parties, that allow for me to be fully present. Everything must be done beforehand in order for me to fully give of myself to my guests while they are here, and so...that is exactly what I do! 

This was the third year that I've hosted a Ladies Wine & Chocolate Open House. It absolutely fills my cup with joy, and it's SO SO simple! I don't try to make a three course meal or bake warm appetizers. I don't try to pair food with the wine. I stick with what I can do...and I work within my gifting. I spend a few hours the week before baking some special treats (usually simple recipes I've used before), and I purchase some other chocolate treats from a local bakery I trust. I send my man to get us a few bottles of wine, and I ask my friends to bring their favorite bottle to share. Then I spend most of my preparation time on my favorite part, creating a beautiful table and environment for my friends to mingle and indulge, relax and connect. 

It would be easy for me to focus on my inability to make amazing food. It would be so easy for me to focus on what I'm not able to do and how I'm not able to provide my guests with the food experience I would love for them to have. It would be easy for me to compare myself to those friends I have that are INSANELY gifted in the kitchen and who whip together a 5- course meal with zero sweat or effort. Even the idea of that makes me want to cry! But instead I've chosen to lean into hosting events that fit my gifting. I don't have to be someone else, I just have to be me. 

Gathering friends and family isn't about being anything or anyone different then who you are. It's about opening your home and more importantly - your heart - to others. Maybe you are an amazing chef and greatly enjoy making meals for friends, that's fantastic, lean in there! Maybe you don't enjoy decorating a table and paper plates are all you can do, that is perfectly wonderful. Hospitality isn't about what you have or what you can physically offer, it's more about who you are to those who come into your home - how you love them when they are in your presence. Hospitality isn't about you, it's about how you make others feel in your home and presence. 

Having friends into my home is not about me, and if it ever becomes that, I need to do a serious heart-check.  At the heart of Christian hospitality, it's about the other person. Sure - as an extrovert- I do actually find great joy and my cup is full by the end of the night, but it truly isn't about putting on a show ("entertaining") or putting anything other then my genuine authentic self forward first and foremost.  

When we open our home to others, and we bring our true authentic self forward, that's when other's are most blessed. No one cares if you use paper plates or fine china.  I guarantee no one cares if you make the food or if you buy it pre-made. What makes an impact - what truly warms hearts and changes lives - is how we make someone feel when they spend time in our presence. It's not about you, it's truly about them. 

So stop delaying opening your home to others. Stop putting off that idea for a party. Stop avoiding hosting baby showers for your friends. Stop wishing you had all the things you deem necessary to host guests in your home. It truly isn't about those things, and it truly isn't about you. It's about those you're welcoming in. So get over yourself and welcome others in, my friends. Into your home, and into your heart. 

If you follow me on social media, you know that my health journey is something I share about frequently. I've had a major health transformation -  I feel younger and healthier then ever - and I've been on a mission to help as many women {and families} as possible find health, happiness, and freedom just as I have! 

I have the honor and privilege of supporting many friends on their health journey. As I was talking to some friends last week about how to survive the holidays, I thought it might be nice to pull some tips together to share here. I'm not an expert - by any means - but these are some intentional boundaries and steps I will be leaning into this Christmas season as I visit parties, bake with my kids, and celebrate with friends and family. 

Here are six tips to help you make healthy choices this Christmas...
​
1.  Drink alllllll the water - 
You should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water DAILY.  {At least}. Did you know that? This is essential to the health and wellness of your body!  Don't let the holidays throw off this necessary piece of your healthy routine. Focus daily on your water intake, especially on those days where you will be indulging. This will help flush out your system and help you feel better. It too will help you to not confuse hunger with thirst, giving you the ability to truly listen to your body. 

2. Keep moving! -
Even though we will have late nights and be out of routine during the month of December, try to stick with your movement routine! If you're a walker, don't neglect getting your walk in. If you take classes at the gym, get your booty there. Do something daily to move your body. This will help you to feel strong, relieve the stress of the season, and it'll help you keep yourself on track with your health and fitness goals. 

3. Enjoy the treats ON the holiday {but reign it in in the meantime!} - 
It would be SO easy to keep the party eating going alllll week long after that amazing party last Friday night. {{Am.I. right?!?!}} It's true! Did you know that most Americans gain about 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas! {EEK!}. So here's the deal---> Enjoy the party...but then REIGN. IT. IN, friends! Get back on your healthy eating journey the very next morning! Don't let bad habits sneak in!  {#4 will partner well with this one...}

4. Find a friend to hold you accountable!  
If you're attending a party with a friend {or your spouse} ask them to hold you accountable to your indulging. Yes, enjoy the party. But choose two cookies, don't sample all 10 of them! Ask a friend to help you be accountable {also...choose a friend who WILL hold you accountable and won't encourage you to forget it and dig in! ha!}. You can have an amazing time, enjoy special treats, and still maintain some control. You have power over what goes in your mouth. Be in control, and ask a friend to link arms with you. Focus on the people at the party, not the food! 

5.  Decide ahead of time what you will have -
You are in control of what goes into your body. You may not feel like you are, but you are. Take some time before the party or at the beginning of each day and decide what you will or will not indulge in that day. Take control and recognize your power over this area of your life. Plan out what you will or won't have {for example: mentally preparing to have ONE glass of red wine at the party instead of 3 glasses}. Plan it out. 

6. Keep a food diary - 
This is something I just started doing. I'm trying to figure out how my body reacts to certain foods, however I'm recognizing that it is SO very telling of what REALLY goes into my body! There is some built in accountability that occurs when I know I have to write something down. No one else looks at my food diary, but it does make me have a heightened awareness of what choices I'm making as I have committed myself to recording them. Keeping a food journal forces you to be very honest with yourself and keeps you very mindful of what is going in your mouth daily. I highly recommend this in general...but especially during the height of the holiday season! It may make you pause and think before shoving that extra cookie in our mouth :)

Let's be completely honest, friends. We will indulge this month...and that is OK! That is understandable and enjoyable and perfectly wonderful! Don't walk into the season with strict unmanageable boundaries on yourself, instead, lean into the season with some intentional plans to help guard against mindlessly going wild. Focus on the people you are with instead of on the food! Food will always be there, but you may not always have that time with your friends and family. Soak it up and cherish every moment! 

What tip would you add to this list??? {Let me know in the comments!}

Friends, this woman. I cannot wait to introduce you to her! 

Jaime is a mama, a wife, a teacher, and most importantly, a disciple of the Lord Jesus. She is passionate about Him and His grace and love radiate from within her! 

{For more about this project, go here}

Maturity in Christ is often brought about through the refining fire of hard and suffering, and Jaime's story very much includes both. Her wisdom and the hope she has to offer, it was hard fought for. Come hear Jaime's story of loss and grief and fear. It's a story of hope and redemption. It's truly a love story; one in which the Love of her life pursues her through His Word and His people in order to win her heart more deeply. And truly we benefit from the beauty He has birthed within her when we hear her share this part of her story. 

Grab a cup of Coffee, or some tea, and come sit with us to hear His story in her with Jaime Ives! 

{TRIGGER WARNING: This discussion includes infant loss and miscarriage. It truly is a story of hope and redemption and beauty, but loss of a child and miscarriage are a part Jaime's story. If these too are a part of your story, use discernment, ask the Lord, and scan your heart before you listen. If you need encouragement and hope...this is the perfect place to start}.

Isn't she so beautiful??? She truly radiates hope. Her story truly touched something deep within my soul.

Would you take some time to leave Jaime some encouragement in the comments? 

Thank you for sharing of your heart and life with us, Jaime! Lives will be changed - hope restored - because of your faithfulness to point all eyes to the Author of your story. Thank you for so gracefully letting us hear from your heart. 

Oh dear friends, words cannot express how much my heart soars with delight over sharing these stories with you! This project is truly an honor and I'm positively giddy that He has opened this door. I cannot wait to see what He has in store as this project continues!  ​

A friend and I were messaging back and forth the other day. She was asking me for some decorating advice. I shared my ideas and she quickly replied with "Oh yea, but I have zero money to do this!".  I have SO been there before! 

For years we were paying down student loans. We didn't have the extra money, yet decorating was/is truly a hobby of mine. I love creating a beautiful space with which to make my family feel warm and loved and thought of. I truly believe in the power of a beautiful space to bring about depth and intimacy. Creating a beautiful space was important to me, despite our lack of decorating budget, and so I figured out how to make it happen. 

Here are some ideas for how you can still decorate {or redecorate} your home despite having a zero budget:

1. Sell stuff in order to buy new stuff - There were seasons where I wasn't able to spend one penny outside of our budget on anything other then necessary expenses. In those seasons I made it my mission to sell things we already had. I would take down things I no longer wanted off the wall and sell them, I would go through old toys or old books. I gathered whatever we didn't need any longer in order to sell. J and I had an agreement that anything I made from selling things, I could keep to buy new items for our home. 

2. Ask friends and family and raid your parent's attic - There were times when I told friends what I was looking for and asked them to keep an eye out for it on yard sale sites. I too would offer to take items I knew they weren't going to be using because they upgraded or replaced them. I too raided my parent's attic and basement. Some of the items I absolutely kept for myself (and are still some of my favorite items to this day), others I sold (with my Mom's permission) and was able to use the cash to get new items. 

3. Pick up stuff on the side of the road and refurbish it - You guys, I am totally someone who slows to check out other's trash. I cannot even tell you the amazing finds I've found in trash piles. Many items I've refurbished and kept myself, but other's I've simply resold. I once found 3 amazing barstools on the side of the road next to trash cans. I was able to sell those for over $100! FOR REAL. Don't be afraid to pick the trash. NOW...I will say...don't take a couch or bed or pillows or anything cushy (bed bugs! gah!)...and leave items outside for a little while if you can to let them air out.  I too have made the mistake of picking up items that were smoke covered without realizing it, so a smell test is imperative no matter what the item! Someone else's trash is often my most favorite treasure!

4. Shop at thrift stores  - It does take patience to hunt...but do you have any idea how many treasures you can find at thrift stores?!?! It's AMAZING! I have this deep deep belief that we should always try to buy second-hand first. Truly. Why add to the landfills if we can reuse something already out there? I have seen too many people poor and hungry in this world to care about name-brands. If second-hand makes you turn your nose up, spend some time learning about the world, spend sometime serving other's in the world who have true needs, and I hope this may change your perspective. Too harsh? I don't care. It's truth and this is something I am VERY passionate about. 

5. Ask for gift cards for your birthday or Christmas - If you have friends or family who regularly give you presents for your birthday or Christmas, don't be afraid to sensitively tell them about the mission you are on to "raise funds" to redecorate. It never hurts to let them know, maybe they'll adjust their gift to help your cause!

5. Host a swap party - I have never actually hosted one of these, but I've always longed to! There are some fantastic ideas for "swap parties" out there. You can host a home decor "swap party" where all friends bring items they no longer want or use, and you simply trade items. Any extra items left can get donated to a local thrift store at the end of the night. This is a great way to exchange  items with those at the party, making way for a home refresher for all involved! 

6. Give of your gifts - Trade your giftings (home organizing, tutoring, baby sitting, gardening, hand-lettering, staging, etc.) for money or services towards your project. Don't be afraid to offer your gifts to others in exchange for commission. You may already have a full-time job outside of the home, or maybe you're the full-time caregiver for your kiddos; but having a side hustle a few hours a week may be just enough to help add to your decor budget and make a huge difference. 

In the end, friends, be creative! Even if you do have money to purchase new decor, that doesn't mean you shouldn't seek to be resourceful! My home is made up of an eclectic array of items, each with it's own story of where I got it, how I found it and refurbished it, or who gave it to me! I LOVE that about our home. Sure every item isn't my absolute favorite as some were hand-me-downs or refurbished items....but one thing I know to be true; it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful (as The Nester says). 

What other tips would you add to this list?

Oh, friends. The day is finally here. And I know it's just the beginning. 

Today I launch a project that has been on my heart for six months. Today step out in faith. Today I share His heart and story.  Today I ask you to join me. 

Yesterday I shared my heart and introduced this passion project I am embarking on. If you missed that, will you go here and read why? Read why I believe we need to hear the stories of others. Read why I believe stories like the one you will watch below are life and hope and beauty. Read why I know and believe Rebecca can teach us so very much. 

This woman. She is breathtaking. And I cannot wait for you to meet her. 

​Welcome to His story in her, with my dear friend and neighbor, Rebecca Ruby. 

Isn't she lovely?? 

Won't you please take a moment to leave some encouragement for Rebecca in the comments.

Join this journey by signing up to get notifications of new interviews in your inbox {below}.  I am excited to continue to introduce you to some amazing people; everyday people with stories that point to Him; the very Author.

I don't know what you believe, but I have this deep belief that every single person I come into contact with has an incredible story to tell.  I believe that every single person has been shaped and molded through this life in a way that is unique to them, and we can learn greatly from hearing their heart and story. 

I believe that the most beautiful souls have been refined by the fire of suffering and pain.

I believe that on this journey closer to Jesus, I need to sit at the feet of those who have walked so closely with Him that they breathe His praises with each spoken word. 

To have walked through suffering makes us more closely reflect the character and hope of Christ. And when someone has looked suffering in the eye, if they are a willing participant in the process, they will walk away with new maturity, new wisdom, and new hope to offer those around them. It is my belief that those "wise old owls" we come across in our Church or Bible study that have a gentle and quiet spirit about them have suffered much, and have found peace and comfort in the arms of the One who carried them through it. 

I do not see suffering and pain and brokenness as a bad thing. The enemy and the world want us to believe that suffering is a reflection of our doing or His neglect. It is neither. It is simply a result of sin in this world,  and our brokenness and need for Him. We are guaranteed suffering this side of heaven, and that isn't a reflection of us or of Him.  I see if as a refining fire - a place where the Lord's favor rests. I see suffering as a gift from our Lord, a place where He brings us before Him, the veil of separation clearly torn, in order to draw our hearts to a place of depth that is rooted in Him. Suffering is painful, but it's not punishment or a lack of favor. It truly is a gift - even though it never feels like such in the midst of it. 

The beauty of pain and hard places is that there is opportunity for God to be glorified and for redemption to be shared. Testimonies of the Lord's goodness and faithfulness can flow from a story of pain. He can be magnified when we are carried out of the pit by His strength and hand. Our weakness is made perfect in His strength, and our refining occurs when we humble our hearts to His story through us. 

Redemption stories are life to us. 

The very life of a Believer in Jesus is one of redemption. Our every breath is a reflection of redemption. I too believe that our lives are sprinkled with mini daily stories of redemption. Our every day, our every situation can be seen through a lens of His kindness and mercy, of His tenderness towards us - the tenderness of a Father who longs to rescue wandering hearts and redeem brokenness.  If we allow our eyes to be open, we can see His rescuing presence laced throughout our every moment.

I believe I have been asked to share His story in others. 

I am embarking on a passion project. This project is about helping other's share their story, His story in them. And tomorrow it will premier.  For months now I have felt this nudge from the Lord to magnify His story in others. To give others a platform to share what He has done, what He has redeemed. Like a potter tenderly molding His clay, our Lord is eager to take our brokenness and make it into something beautiful. And beautiful is exactly what I've found. 

I'm stepping into a passion project of sharing video discussions I have with some dear friends {or friends of friends}. These friends are from different age groups and different seasons. They are at different places of maturity in their relationship with Jesus. They have different stories and different experiences. But ultimately they all have one thing in common; they have hope to proclaim and they long to give God the glory through it all.  Their stories aren't wrapped perfectly in a bow, they may still be wadding deeply in the hard, but in the end they long to point eyes to the One who carried them through.

Tomorrow morning I will share with you my friend Rebecca's story. She is an amazing woman who has been shaped by His story in her. Her story isn't done, I believe her story is just beginning, but it is one that we must pause and hear. She has seen her Lord show up in such tender and kind and beautifully small and big and intimate ways; and she has a story that can change you if you let it. 

Will you join me as I interview my dear sweet friend, Rebecca? Come back tomorrow and let's sit down with her and hear her story. Her redemption story...

You guys. I'm not going to lie. I'm pretty sure a part of me dies every time a conversation simmers at the surface discussing the weather or other similarly surfacey topics. Surface conversations are not my jam. Let's have real connection, let's talk about joys and struggles and hopes and dreams and wrestles and beliefs and everythinggggggg else that is real and deep and honest and true and hard. How about we DON'T talk about the weather. Ever.  {unless we are meeting at a playground or pool...then we can briefly touch upon the weather ;) }. 

I LONG to hear from the heart of those I'm in relationship with. I long to share my heart too. We were made for connection, we were made for relationship. Our hearts long for it. 

Somewhere along the way, years ago, I learned that depth and vulnerability often requires a level of intentionality. It's not always easy to steer a conversation below the surface, especially if the other person isn't necessarily going to dive there on their own. I learned that I needed to prepare for conversations beforehand. I needed to think about who I was spending time with, and what parts of their life and story and heart I was eager to know. I wanted to come into time with others with an open heart and eager ears and eyes as I engaged in conversation. And so....I realized I needed to do what I do so very well in other areas of my life; I needed to plan intentionally for my time with others. 

Now for my free-spirited friends, this may sound ludicrous to you, and that's ok. We can still be friends ;) But I knew myself. I knew that if I wanted to give my all to someone, I needed to be fully present. I needed to be able to fully listen. I needed to be able to ask good questions. I needed to be able to come to the table with a heart open to their needs. And in order for me to do this, I needed to spend time beforehand preparing. So how do I do this?  Three steps. 

1. I pray. I pray for this friend leading up to our time together. I pray for our hearts to be melded together. I pray for conversation to be rich and meaningful, I pray for vulnerability for both of us. I pray for the Holy Spirit to lead. 

2. I prepare talking points or questions based on areas of their life I'd love to lean into. Maybe I make note to ask about their recent vacation, maybe I make note to ask how their Mom is doing because I knew she had recently had surgery, or maybe I write down some areas of pain that that friend has shared with me before and I know I want to make sure to follow up with them in that space. I keep a note on my phone as I lead into that planned time. I come back to that note in the days {and even minutes} leading up to our time together.  Friends that know this about me have shared that they feel thought of. {Others probably just think I'm checking my text messages as I reach check my phone notes ;)}.

3. I intentionally think through how I want to present myself in our time together. This isn't about putting on a mask or creating a show or being anything other then myself. BUT...when I've intentionally thought about how I want to show up - full of energy, present, focused, etc. - I am able to show up that way. It's just like an athlete who envisions crossing the finish-line. They picture it. I picture how I intend to present myself in the conversation, and therefore I'm less scattered and show up present and focused on them during our time together. 

Now, this doesn't happen for those few friends who live around the corner and I see them daily at the bus stop. And of course I don't do this 100% of the time....I'm SO very far from perfect. But if I have set aside time to sit and have tea with someone, or we're going to be spending time standing together at a playground while our little cuties run around, yes, I absolutely try to pray deeply into our time together, prepare some questions or talking points, and think through how I will posture myself towards that person. Does this go as planned every time? Of course not {especially when kids are involved}....BUT I try, and I find that intentionally leaning into friendships like this is so much more life-giving for me then just winging it. 

And what about those friends who don't go there? What about those people who stone-wall you from going below the surface? Yes, I have those people in my life as well. Those people? I just love them well. I try to ask intentional questions, I try to go there, but I won't drag them below the surface kicking and screaming. I respect their wishes and remain at the surface. {Meanwhile, however, I may be slowly dying inside :)} It is hard when you are in relationship with people who desire a different kind of friendship. It absolutely is. But that's part of relationship, living and loving together, even when it is hard.

Living intentionally isn't about being perfect. Living intentionally isn't about doing it perfectly all the time. Living intentionally IS about showing up with a heart postured towards living fully present and engaged in whatever the Lord has placed before us; relationships included. 

How do you intentionally lean into friendships? I would absolutely love to hear. 

​

If you’ve been following our story, you know that God led us to a pretty drastic move to pay off the remainder of our student loans. He had us sell our house and we are now renters instead of homeowners. We have not -  even for one second - regretted or questioned this decision. The Lord was so clearly directing this path, and it is a financial decision that has not only brought about much relief today, but it truly has set us up for a future full of incredible financial freedom!  We are so very grateful.

We've been married for 10 years. For that entire time we've been working towards paying off debt {until now that is!!!}. Over the course of those 10 years, we got really good at finding ways to live frugally. We truly believe in living lives focused on stewarding our finances for His glory.  This means that we {as much as possible} live from a place of only spending money when there is a NEED, not just a want. Even now, living in a place of abundance instead of scarcity, we are choosing to continue to live that way. Sure, we do take a few liberties now that we are in a completely different financial situation, but for the most part we are choosing to continue with a lifestyle of living FAR within our means. We believe in stewarding the resources He gives us for HIS glory, not just for our earthly pleasure. 

 I wanted to share some of the ways we've cut our bills and expenses over the years in hopes that this may help you work towards your goal of debt freedom...

1. Choose your shopper wisely - ​​ My husband tends to be the one who sticks to the list most carefully. He doesn't stray and he's very attentive to how much each item costs. I tend to stray from the list a little. SO...we've made him the shopper. He goes to Aldi, Costco, Target, etc. Shopping is no longer a part of my week {and surprisingly I don't miss it at all!}. J doesn't mind because he knows it's worth his effort to save that money! Now, I do realize that sometimes it's difficult to have a specific person shop because of work schedules, but I would encourage you to do your best to either go together {and be able to hold each other accountable to the list}, or send the person who sticks to the list as often as possible. This has been a HUGE savings for us! ​
2. Get rid of extras - ​Think of what you really NEED versus what you want. Years ago we cut cable. We've never missed it! We too recently cut Netflix and Hulu. We've never missed it. We rent movies from the library and we've been reading so much more then ever before!  We cut Amazon Prime. We haven't missed it! Would you believe that in the last 6 months every single thing I've ordered has been free shipping anyway! AND it still gets delivered in the two-day window! Prime is not a necessity any longer for shipping. We've wrestled with cutting Costco because truly we don't go often, but for now we've decided to hold on to it. We may cut it in the future. We also changed our phone service a few years ago to Republic Wireless. This phone service is HUGELY reduced because it runs mostly on wi-fi. We literally pay $40 a month for TWO smartphones.  You'd be surprised how all of those subscriptions and memberships can add up. Think through what you really NEED versus what has become comfortable! 
3. Eat out only for special occasions - Pre-debt freedom we literally went out to eat just 3-4 times a year. Birthdays, anniversaries and *maybe* a Chipotle lunch every 6 months. Eating out is SO costly compared to eating at home. {And don't even get me started on the health benefits of eating at home ;) }. This is an area we intend to indulge in a little bit more now that we are debt-free, but we still intend to not go out more often then once a month. We don't want this luxury to become a norm. We can have fabulous meals and witty conversation at home too :)
4. Celebrations at home - All of our birthdays are celebrated at home! We don't pay for Chuck E. Cheese for the kid's birthdays, we host parties in our home. I DO NOT judge anyone who does host parties at other locations, NOT AT ALL. But for us...I love hosting people in my home, and we prefer to have easy parties and down-home celebrations. I cherish the memories of having friends and family to my childhood home for birthday celebrations. Simple and special, that's how we hope to do it for our kids too. I too host a lot of celebrations and gatherings at home. My go-to isn't to ask friends to go out, but instead to welcome them here to our home. I can get an entire spread to feed my friends  for the cost of one meal and drink at a restaurant. Plus we then linger longer and snuggle up for deeper conversations {my favorite!}. 
5. Do it yourself - Don't always call someone! I know that not everyone is handy. I completely get that. But don't be afraid to step back and look at what you need done, and instead decide to try it yourself. There is HUGE personal pride and enjoyment when we accomplish trying something new and succeeding. I LOVE the feeling of accomplishing a home project on my own! Don't just automatically outsource, think through it and see if you {or along with a talented friend!} could accomplish it yourself! OR even offer to pay that friend half of what the contractor would charge...saves you money, makes them some money. Win, win. 
6. Filter purchases through your spouse - We still do this. I don't buy something without first running it through my man. In this season he usually tells me to "go for it", but I want to make sure that our communication about finances and purchases remains open. Just six months ago I often had to call him to ask his thoughts because we were on this intense mission to pay down debt. Talking about each purchase held me {and him} accountable to our needs versus our wants. Even last week I went shopping with a friend. I did make some purchases, but I called and asked my man's "permission" (I hate using that word...but he asks me too! It's a two-way street!) before wearing those items. Being each other's filter is SO good for accountability in stewarding our finances well! 

Please keep in mind this list is not to make you feel guilty about your financial choices or enjoyed luxuries. This list is intended to help you see areas where you CAN cut expenses that you maybe didn't think was possible or worth it. I can assure you that every little bit you can save is SO extremely helpful in finding financial freedom, and I can assure you that being debt free is worth the fight! 

This is by no means an exhaustive list of ways to cut costs. I could get into tiny tiny details...but this for sure gives you a window into ways we chose to work together to minimize spending and focus on the unified goal of getting debt free as quick as possible. 

I want to encourage you in the fight to financial freedom. It is SO worth it! KEEP GOING! 

Share with me in the comments...what do you do to cut costs???

There are only two other things that I can think of that can compare to the way social entrepreneurship can shape and grow you; marriage and motherhood. Honestly, it's that sanctifying.

Network Marketing is absolutely a growth incubator. It stretches you and grows you and makes you face your fears and beckons you to step outside of your comfort zone. It encourages you to look at your strengths and your weaknesses, it makes you dig up why you do what you do and why you act the way you act.  One of the biggest growth opportunities is in facing the fear of "what will people think" or even more so, receiving a judgy message or comment from friends and/or family who think that you've been scooped up in a great big "pyramid scheme".

You see, I've received many comments. AND even more so...I have SOOOOOO many people in my life that don't ask. They don't ask how my business is, they don't ask why I'm doing what I'm doing, and often they don't ask how I am for fear that I'll start talking about my business. They just don't say a thing. Which to me feels odd and like there is this elephant in the room they are so eagerly trying to ignore. It's actually kind of hilarious {and at the same time sad}. 

A year ago, this consistently destroyed my sensitive heart. It made me sad. I didn't understand why people wouldn't ask. I didn't understand how they couldn't know my heart and my intentions. I didn't understand why they weren't curious about what I was learning or how I was enjoying this work. And I certainly couldn't understand the comments and messages - often said in passing with sarcasm and pity lathered on top. 

BUT GOD. 

Growth. It's such a beautiful thing. 

Because here's what I've learned.....

I don't know about you and the work you've been called to...but I KNOW God has opened this door for me. He's given me products to share that CHANGE LIVES and He's given me this door to financially make a way to CHANGE LIVES by giving more generously to the causes and people I believe in. I asked Him NOT to make this my path {truly}. He didn't listen.  But now I see why. This path is the beacon by which He is raising me up as a leader, and the beacon by which He's giving me the means to be able to give and serve and go and do.

And now I could weep with gratitude over being called to this work.

Because now I see.  This field is one of honor and service when done with a pure heart directed at the needs of others. 

My Network Marketing business isn't a scheme. It isn't a joke. It isn't me "tricking" my friends into buying from me. It isn't that at all. 

It's a way He's given me to serve others and change lives. Period. 

And although others may judge me, make comments, or remain silent. If The LORD has called me to it, He most certainly is cheering me on and making a way. I live for an audience of ONE, and this path has truly made that so profoundly real and rich and fulfilling. 

A few weeks ago I had an old acquaintance write me the most horrible messages. She put me in a box. She judged my intentions. She was nasty and in no way able to see past her own issues and pain to hear my heart. Like...it was shocking! My husband was all bug-eyed as he read how so very wrong she had summarized what she believed my work to be about. 

A year ago that would have broken me. 

BUT GOD. AND GROWTH. 

NO ONE has the right to question what you have been called to. NO ONE. 

If He's called you to skip college and go to trade school. DO IT. If He's called you to drop out of school and go become a missionary. DO IT. If He's called you to join the military, adopt children, ride your bike across the country, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, join a Network Marketing company {GASP!}.  If He has called you, if He has made a way,  and if you are truly walking with Him in this life, then no one should stand in your way. Let Him fight for you in the objections. Let Him carry you through the judgments. Let Him love and support you when other's fail to do so in the way you desire.

 I've learned that when other's fail to lean in; when other's fail to take the time to ask why you're doing what you're doing; when other's fail to cheer you on; when other's write nasty texts or make snide comments: It's not about you. It's actually about them. Their woundedness and insecurity is truly being projected onto you. They can't see that, but through eyes of grace, He so easily makes that known to those who are kindred with Him. 

In the last year I've learned to love and pray over those who judge this path He has me on. In that praying the most beautiful thing almost always happens.....I usually develop such insane compassion and empathy towards their heart and the wounds they carry. And that right there, that makes it all worth it. I can love them through whatever they say, however they judge, because in the end, I truly believe this life is about loving other's no matter who they are, what they do, or how they treat me. How could I not?