etsy.com/rusticjournals

Okay, so I'm kind of really excited about this little blog post because I just get to brag about a sweet lady and a new Bible I received in the mail today!

For a few months now, I've been on a Bible search. Lifeway Christian Stores and Barnes and Noble have a million and three Bibles, but since I judge a book by its cover (literally), none stood out to me. I mean, if I'm going to have a Bible forever that I'll be using daily, I want to invest in a good looking one, am I right?! So, I went on https://www.etsy.com and went on a cute Bible hunt.

I came across an Esty account called RusticJournals and I fell in love.

RusticJournals is owned by a sweet lady from Illinois named Susan Reinsma. Sue is a wife and a mom of four. What started as a journal/album making business, Sue now runs an Etsy shop recovering, repairing and selling Bibles/journals. I had the privilege of talking/working with Sue and let me tell you, her love for Jesus is so obvious and her serving heart is so big. She responded to my emails right away and helped design me my perfect Bible.

Yes, the Bibles she sells may seem a little pricy, but you have the look at it like this. You're going to have this Bible forever. It's yours. It's personal. You want one you're going to be in love with. You'd be surprised at the price of Bibles anywhere these days- ranging from $30-$150, depending on what style of Bible you want. Study Bibles or Notetaker Bibles always seem to be more on the expensive side. I own a Study Bible that I bought from Lifeway Christian Stores this year for $70. Good Bibles aren't cheap but they're worth it. Sue's Bibles are hand-sewn into beautiful, cowhide leather. It's not cheap material. If you don't see the Bible you want, she does custom orders for a ridiculously reasonable price. Most importantly, you're supporting a small business owner in America who loves the Lord. Knowing that your money is going to someone who whole-heartedly deserves it is so comforting.

Anyone who is looking for a good Bible for the new year, I highly, highly recommend purchasing one from https://www.etsy.com/shop/RusticJournals. It's so worth it.

Ahh, thank you Sue for creating me the most flawless NIV notetaker Bible. I can't wait to use it!!

2014 + 2015

This past year, I experienced life and life abundant. I got to explore life outside of California- my Make-A-Wish trip in New York City and white water rafting with my dad and sister in Oregon. I surpassed my life expectancy of 18 years. My mom, sister, puppy and I moved into an apartment (my fourteen year old sister and I learned how to share a room. It's been interesting). I got tattoos and started college and got my first car. I completed 8 and a half seasons of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix (that's 161 episodes). Friendships faded and new friendships grew. It was my last year as a camper at Hume Lake {Humelake.org}. I made it through weeks confined in a hospital room. The San Francisco Giants won the World Series (again), I started a blog, God revealed to me my passions of writing, reading and encouraging others, where He wants me to go to college this upcoming fall and what He wants me to do with my life. This past year, I experienced so much joy and so much Jesus.

I first-handedly learned the true meaning of joy. I endured another year of trials, change, disappointment and confusion. I got to see God work in my life over and over and over again. In the midst of hurt and doubt, He continuously provided me with the peace that surpasses all understanding. There were plenty of times where I didn't know what He was doing, yet He always seemed to come through. I watched God answer prayers immediately. I experienced another year of Jesus proving to me that He is enough, that He is constant when the circumstances of my life are not. 

If there's two things I can take away from 2014, it's that joy always comes in the morning and Jesus is enough. He is so enough. When you completely surrender yourself to Jesus, you're going to experience life and life to the full... and let me tell you, it's awesome. 

//

It's 2015. insane.

I was in my car, driving home from getting coffee (what's new), listening to For King and Country's new album, "RUN WILD. LIVE FREE. LONG STRONG." and these lyrics come on:

"Here's what I'd do differently... I'd love like I'm not scared, give when it's not fair, live life for another, take time for a brother, fight for the weak ones, speak out for freedom, find faith in the battle, stand tall, and above it all... fix my eyes on You."

This. I want to live like this in 2015. Not just this year, but always. 

Love like I'm not scared: Love. Even when It's hard to love. Even when there's a possibility of not being loved back. Just love.

Give when It's not fair: Give. Even when they don't deserve my attention. Give, even if you don't get something in return. Give selflessly.

Live life for another: Stop living like everyday is my last and start living like everyday is their last. Love on others. Make Jesus look good. Encourage others. Tell people about Jesus. Speak life. Do things for people unexpectedly. 

Take time for a brother: Take time out of my day to serve others. Prioritize friendships. Put. Others. First. 

Fight for the weak ones: The ones who are lost and struggling, be their available support. Give them hope and strength when they don't have any. 

Speak out for freedom: Stand up for what's right, even if you're standing alone.

Find faith in the battle: Be comforted in knowing that no matter what may come my way, Jesus will never abandon me- that He works ALL things for MY good. 

Stand tall: Don't give up. As cliche as that sounds, it's easy to lose motivation, lose hope and forget that joy comes in the morning. Ask Jesus for strength in times of weakness. Remember who you belong to. 

Fix my eyes on You: In every circumstance, keep looking at Jesus. 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." // Hebrews 12:1-3

I am anxious, yet excited, to see what God has in store for me for 2015. I am going into this new year comforted in knowing that although I don't know what tomorrow holds, I know who holds my tomorrow. "I don't need to know what's next, You'll be with me every step... through it all I can see, You carry me." 

Here's to another year of life!! Yay 2015!!

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