mood

I believe every home should have a mood. Taylor and I like our home to be cozyyyyy. We have throw blankets on deck and candles everywhere. I believe having candles lit just sets a cozy tone for the day. Now that it is fall we have pumpkin and cinnamon candles everywhere! 

::dining room::

::kitchen::

 ::bedroom::

 ::bathroom::

All of these candles were purchased at Home Goods. They have a great selection and they are reasonably priced. However, I am dying to go to Anthropologie and buy a million of these. They are the best smelling candle we've ever owned.

 Taylor actually thought I was baking cookies one day. 

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Tuesday quotes

One of my favorite books I've ever read is 7. Jen Hatmaker is one of my favorite authors and one of my favorite people. She is a hilarious, real, god-fearing women, and she's not perfect nor does she claim to be. 

These quotes are from that book. 

“Usually the things we think we need become the very things we need a break from.” 

“We cannot carry the gospel to the poor and lowly while emulating the practices of the rich and powerful. We’ve been invited into a story that begins with humility and ends with glory; never the other way around.” 

“Would Jesus overindulge on garbage food while climbing out of a debt hole from buying things He couldn’t afford to keep up with neighbors He couldn’t impress? In so many ways I am the opposite of Jesus’ lifestyle. This keeps me up at night. I can’t have authentic communion with Him while mired in the trappings He begged me to avoid.” 

“We have this one life to offer; there is no second chance.” 

-Jessica 

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ruffner mountain

Now that the weather is almost amazingly perfect and the leaves are beginning to turn Taylor and I like to spend more time outside. 

This past weekend we went on a hike at one of our local parks. 

This is one of the things I love about Birmingham, you can be downtown in the city and then 20 minutes later you can be on top of a mountain looking over that city. 

I think I may have found a new quiet spot for devotional time 

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currently

::one of my cousins photos from the post mentioned earlier this week, for more info go here::

Listening: I've downloaded a 'learn spanish' book on audible for my upcoming trip with the Childrens Heart Project. I want to be able to at least say a couple of sentences once I get there so I don't look like a total idiot.

Eating: It's officially crockpot season! I love this girls blog, Budget Bytes, and her Beef Stew recipes are out of this world! 

Shopping: Still trying to get ahead of my Christmas shopping! I've gotten three people done so far, I'd say thats a win. 

Drinking: I found this coffee at a HomeGoods store and thought, what the heck, I'll give it a try. Ya'll... this stuff is so amazing, perfect intro to the fall if you want a break from the PSL. Taylor and I can't get enough of it, we even went back yesterday to buy more flavors! 

Loving: I am taking a trip to Bolivia in three weeks and I am loving every moment of getting my heart right for this trip. I can feel God working in my heart and challenging me to put all my trust in him.

Have a great weekend! 

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books im loving

I may have mentioned before how I am obsessed with Jen Hatmaker. She is a hilarious christian women who I love to follow. She has introduced me to Noonday and the Morning Star Foundation. 

I want to be just like her. 

Sooooo, my most recent purchase has been her book Interrupted. I am only on page 20 but I thought I would share. If you want to get to know Jen Hatmaker you should read her book 7, it is hilarious and heart provoking. She is one of my top 5 favorite authors and people. 

Hope everyone can pick up this book!

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first day of fall

First day of FALL! 

Here in Alabama it is still pretty hot. There is a small crisp lightness to the air though. It doesn't start getting cool here until around mid October. 

I love waking up early and enjoying my coffee out on my deck or doing my quiet time with the door open. There is something so whimsical about a crisp fall morning. 

This morning I was spending time in She Reads Truth going over some of the women of the old testament. I thought this study had a good story. It helped me reflect on my own heart before I started the day! 

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art show

This weekend was my birthday and I spent it doing things around my city and relaxing. 

We went to an art show that featured my very talented cousins photos. 

Here is a shot of her photos hanging up in a new restaurant in downtown Birmingham, AL called Bamboo on 2nd. 

She is really talented and amazing. 

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Childrens Heart Project

Missions, children, and travel are three of my top passions.

 I am so thrilled that I've recently received the opportunity to combine all those things into one. For those that don't know I am a pediatric cardiac nurse and I've been a nurse for 2 years now. Now I am going to be able to use my skills to do mission work. The Childrens Heart Project is a program through Samaritans Purse where I will be transporting a child with a congenital heart defect from South America to the United States to have heart surgery. I am so excited about this opportunity. Below is a picture of my first stop! Can you guess where I am going? 

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currently

::this time last year I was in full wedding mode, this was taken on my Bachelorette trip during October to the mountains for a weekend get-away::

Reading: Ready Player One. I am currently nerding out with this book. It is based in 2044 where the whole world lives in a virtual reality world called the Oasis to get away from what the real world has become... nothing. It is a fantastic book full of 80's video games and movies and lots of sci-fi action. If this kind of stuff makes you excited you should def try this book. 

Working: I am currently working fiercely on my application for graduate school. Yep, nurse practitioner here I come! 

Buying: I just bought this Kate Spade Crossbody as a birthday present from me. Its on sale for half off! Happy Birthday to me! 

Loving: FALL! Fall brings so many promises! football, holidays, birthdays, and anniversarys just to name a few! I am so looking forward to all the parties! 

Have a great weekend!

x-jessica

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