What It's All About

Let's talk about blogging. 

I haven't been on this little blogging space in the longest time. 

Why you might ask? Because I have been really annoyed with blogs here recently. 

The blogs I used to follow are very concerned with how many followers they have, who they know in the blogging world, how much money they are making, how many sponsors they have, how good their pictures are, etc. And I got caught up in that for a while. I would constantly check and see how many people read my blog, or if my followers count went up. but that is not what this is about. 

 I was getting sucked into caring about numbers and who I knew. But that's not why I started to blog. I began blogging with the hope that this could be a place where I could reach people for Christ. Where I could be transparent and show people that life is not easy and perfect. It is hard and messy and that's ok. I wanted it to be a place where I was real with people. I want to share what God has been teaching me.

Cause lets face it, social media isn't all bad. The devil might use social media to his advantage, but as servants of Christ we could flip it around and use it to proclaim his name! How awesome is that?! Blogging for me is not about making myself look good. Blogging to me is to make Jesus look good. 

I want to be as intentional as possible with the time I have on this earth, and I don't want to ever be caught up with things that don't matter. 

Every single day, literally the only thing that matters is Jesus.

Only Jesus.

Always Jesus.

Teaching people to follow Christ is infinitely more important than having people follow you. 

Mission for 2015

This year so far has surprised me. Only thirteen days in and I have learned so much about myself and so much more about who God is. This year Matthew and I are in an engaged/newly wed discipleship group (which is an answered prayer in itself) and we are reading through the bible in a year plus a few books (including the master plan of evangelism). The plan we are using to read through the bible is to read some old testament, some new testament, a psalm, and proverbs every day. It is so cool to flip between stages in the bible and see God constant love and consistency with his promises through scripture...and we're only thirteen days in! I am SO excited to learn what God is going to teach me. 

I have also learned a lot about myself. I am so quick to speak. So quick to get angry. So quick to judge before loving. Which is exactly opposite what God calls me to do! I have become so aware of my own pride and self-centeredness. All this to say, this year, as I said before, my word is serve. I want to make it my mission to serve everyone around me. Everyone I possibly can! Especially with my wedding coming up this year, I want to be serving the people we have hired, serving my family, serving the guests. And then when we are officially man and wife, I want to serve my husband fully and selflessly. Ultimately, through serving people, I want to serve God. This life is short. It's not about me. And I don't want to waste it on myself.

Something I have noticed about our society is that it all proclaims "me! me! me!" Watch the commercials...they are always focused on looking out for "#1". Everything is based around self-absorption which is exactly the opposite of what Jesus preached. That means the devil is winning the hearts of millions of people by getting them to serve themselves daily and ignore Jesus's teaching. I fall victim to those commercials and ads. I fall victim to the world. But keeping Jesus and others first in the mindset of serving and praying for others will break the chain of selfishness. 

A couple of verses I am focusing on this year are:

 Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

and

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This is my heart and mission for this year. To serve others and not myself. 

Do you have a word for 2015? What is your mission for 2015?

-Lacey

#servein2015

This year has been wonderful.

Just plain wonderful.

here are some of the highlights:

1. Going to school full time

2. friendships (new and old)

3. vacation and quality time with family

4. GETTING ENGAGED!

 

While I have loved every bit of this past year, and I don't want to see it go, I am so excited about 2015.

this next year will be a year of school, fellowship, wedding planning, hanging out with the people I love, the actual wedding, and marriage!!!

 

This year I wanted to do something I have never done before. Which is choose a verse and a key word from that verse to reflect on throughout the year and apply daily to my life.

 

 I chose Mark 10:45

 

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

The key word for the year will be serve. I want to be  servant to anyone I come in contact with. Putting myself last is a habit I want to get into. It is so contrary to what our culture says we should do, but it was Jesus's specialty. I want to be like him, and my desire is to be a servant.

 

Do you have a word for the year or a verse that you want to reflect on? I'd love to hear about it!

 

-Lace



Defeating Laziness

This past year, I have had the hardest time with laziness.

How awful does that sound? 

It is pretty awful, but its just the truth.

I don't know if it is college...

or feeling overwhelmed...

I'm not quite sure, but whatever it is, it makes me want to put on my fat pants, crawl in bed and watch a movie....while eating something yummy. (Can I get an amen? Or is that just me?)

When I looked at what the bible said about laziness, this is what I found:

Proverbs 20:4

Verse Concepts

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Laziness#sthash.JFlgVUQH.dpuf

Proverbs 6:9-11

⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard?
    When will you get up from your sleep?
¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest—
¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a thief
    and scarcity like an armed man.

Proverbs 18:9

⁹ Whoever is slack in his work
    is a brother to him who destroys.

Ephesians 5:14-17

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

When I read all of this, I was super convicted. 

I have been given life. Breath in my lungs.

So why am I using this life as my own?

He has given me a soul-to hunger after God

He has given me ears-to listen to his voice

He has given me a mouth-to proclaim his name

So why am I sitting here on my tush?

Our lives are too short to please ourselves. As my brother Paul put it so plainly..." We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves."-Romans 15:1

It may be relaxing, but I pray that we never be found sleeping on the job.
I don't think we will get to heaven and say "Sister, I wish I had slept more on earth!"
It just won't happen. Cause we were not called to be comfortable.
SO, get comfortable with being uncomfortable!
[[Preaching to my own heart here]]

Here is what I have had to do to defeat laziness.

1. Wake up early// there is just something about waking up early before the sun comes up and having those precious quiet moments

2. Start your day with a quiet time// FIRST THING--before you scroll through instagram, before you check emails, before anything. God deserves our first moments of waking up. Devoting our first thoughts on Him. 

3. Exercise// wowzers. This. I am not a fan of running, BUT ...I am learning to like it. Plus it starts your metabolism for the day! 

4. Clean&Organize// When my living place is in order, I feel like my life is in order. I know this is totally unreasonable, but its how I feel!

5. SMILE// When I am not laughing and kind of just going through the motions, I just really feel down, these are the moments that I want to curl up in a ball and hide in my room. Life is great, there are so many reasons to smile, so lets just smile and have the greatest day ever everyday! 

These are just a few, what do you do to defeat laziness? 

xoxo,

Lacey Beth

Proverbs 20:4

Verse Concepts

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Laziness#sthash.JFlgVUQH.dpuf

Proverbs 20:4

Verse Concepts

The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Laziness#sthash.JFlgVUQH.dpuf

September Goals

I am SO excited about September.

I know I am about to be cliche, but I just can't wait to get to wear boots all the time! I also can't wait for scarves, and vests, and eating everythang pumpkin :)

Here are my September goals, but first, I'm going to take a look at my August goals! 

1. Read 3 more books..do school books count? NO. 
2. Make my school notebooks efficiently organized
3. Continue working out for an hour every morning...all I can say to this one is HA! Gotta work on this. 
4. Study 2 hours for every 1 hour in the classroom
5. Work on the middle school Sunday school classroom
6. Ask my bridesmaids 
7. Send some happy mail
8. Send three handwritten letters
9. Have the youth from our church over for the first monthly "Hot Fudge Sundae Bar"..this is happening this Saturday!

I got about 75% of my goals done, but I want to strive for 100%

September Goals

1. Keep studying hard.

2. Seriously start being more intentional in exercise and healthy eating.

3. Finalize everything with all of my vendors for the wedding.

4. Celebrate 1 year with Matthew!

5. Work on the apartment some more.

I am only doing 5 goals for September because school has got me constantly studying. Next month I will shoot for more!

What are your goals for this month? :)

xoxo,

Lacey Beth

Thoughts on Fashion

Lately I have been thinking a lot about fashion.

I have always been one to go with the crowd on fads but put my own personal spin on it. Now as I am older, I would really love to get away from fads all together and just find my own style and stick with it.

I know every girl has felt this way at one time or another, but sometimes I feel like if I try something completely wacky that I will be judged so hard. But then I got to thinking..who cares?! I can be as wacky as I wanna be! Cause honestly, I'm not normal. I'm weird, and I don't want to look like everyone else in the fashion department. 

I am totally into cheetah pattern, anything with a ruffle, obsessed with polka dots, mustard yellow, army green, or funky buttons. I don't like fashion shorts  that much (however nike shorts are perfection), i love capri's and dresses. 

Also, lately I have been wearing nike shorts and workout capris annnnnnd thats about it. How pathetic is that! I have all these cute clothes in my closet and I never dress up. I have makeup, but I rarely use it. But here's the thing...since I have been blessed with such an amazing guy like Matthew, I need to look my best for him everyday! I want to dress up, and put on lipstick and watch him say "wow" when he comes to pick me up.

Every girl is like "I want a guy who thinks I'm beautiful even in sweatpants and a hoody" I am sure he still thinks you're pretty, girlfriend. But don't make that your excuse for not putting effort into lookin good for your man. Just my personal opinion. 

SO, to keep myself accountable, I have made an instagram account @lifewithlaceybeth to post the outfit of the day for an entire year!!! Wowzers. I may also post where I got each thing I am wearing, but don't surprised if the majority is from Goodwill. 

Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo,
Lace

August Goals

I love August.

Mainly because August is the month of a fresh new school year. Which is why many of my goals for the month of August will be related to school.
I think I love August so much because it leads into fall. 
Before I know it, August turns into beautiful September weather. Then September turns into the beautiful colors of the leaves of October. My favorite time of the year! :)

Sadly, last month I was off my "A-game" and didn't write out my goals for myself here on my blog. I made a mental checklist...and goals were accomplished while others were not. Let's just say that when I put my goals on my blog, they are more likely to be accomplished for accountability.

Here are my August Goals:

1. Read 3 more books
2. Make my school notebooks efficiently organized
3. Continue working out for an hour every morning
4. Study 2 hours for every 1 hour in the classroom
5. Work on the middle school Sunday school classroom
6. Ask my bridesmaids 
7. Send some happy mail
8. Send three handwritten letters
9. Have the youth from our church over for the first monthly "Hot Fudge Sundae Bar"

I am so excited for this month. I know that it will have challenges and victories but with the light of Christ guiding us we have VICTORY no matter if we accomplish our goals, or fall behind. 

Verse of the month:

"So teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom."
-Psalm 90:12

I have decided to have a "verse of the month" at the end of each of my monthly goals to keep my eyes, and the eyes of my readers on Christ and not on our own personal accomplishments. The challenge for myself and for anyone reading is to memorize the verse of the month. 

What are YOUR monthly goals?
I'd love to hear from you!

xoxo,
Lacey Beth

#13 and mini photoshoot

Well I did it. Number 13 on my 101 in 1001.





Yay!!! And shout out to my boyfriend who had a mini photo shoot with me (:

Love that handsome man!!

Also, if you're not reading Nehemiah along with She Reads Truth, you totally should! I'm loving it so far! There's just something about having a bible study every morning with women from all over who are all there to encourage each other, grow together, and pray for each other.

Have the most awesome day ever!

xoxo,

Lace

 



Weekend Recap

 

 

 

This weekend has been the most amazing weekend full of laughter, beautiful weather, and celebrating my mama.

{all these pictures are camera phone pictures and I didn't edit them-so sorry if they are blurry!}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 & 2.  To start off the weekend I worked an eight hour shift. Since I work at my grandparents business, it never really feels like work. I get to spend a lot of time with my family and talk about life in our down time. I love it. After work, Matthew and I heard the ice cream man in our neighborhood. We found some change and chased him (literally sprinted down the street) to wave him down. I have so much fun with this boy!!!

 

 

3.  After work Matthew, my parents, and I went to the Boy's Ranch with our church. It was a graduation party for one of the boy's! So, so much fun. We ate barbeque, worshipped together, and had some awesome fellowship!

4 & 5. When we got home Lucy needed some more food. So sweet Matthew went and bought her some at about ten at night! By now I should know not to let him go to the store without me because he came home with a rose and one of my favorites...bottled cream soda! I typically only drink water and coffee, but an occasional cream soda just makes life a little brighter!

6. Mothers day. I honestly cannot describe my mama in words. She is the only one that "gets" me. She encourages me daily and has loved me unconditionally through all these years. I will always look up to her and adore her. She is also the cutest person I have ever met! She has her own style and is absolutely beautiful. No one could ever replace her beautiful soul.


Mid-May Goals

Better late than never right?!
1. Finish the book "Radical"
2. Start the "Girls of Grace" bible study with the youth girls
3. Memorize three scripture verses
4. Start running each morning
5. Write three handwritten notes
6. Dye my hair back blonde

Happy Monday!!!!
xoxo,
Lace

 

101 in 1001

Started May 5,2014 - Ends January 31, 2017

                                 101 in 1001

1. have someone design my blog ( Victoria from Happily Ever Strader  April 2014)

2. think of 101 things (May 2014)

3. handwrite 75 letters (3/75)

4. meet 4 instagram or blog friends in real life

5. discover 10 new favorite restaurants (4/10, Otherlands, The Beauty Shop, Pyro's pizza, Muddy's Grindhouse, )

6. learn calligraphy (Summer 2014)

7. run a mile every day for a week

8. put $10 in savings for every goal accomplished

9. go to Hot Springs for a Saturday

10. Spend a girls weekend away with my mama

11. Buy a new computer

12. Have a family from church over for dinner

13. Dye my hair back blonde  (May 2014)

14. Have a picnic (June 2014)

15. discover my favorite shade of lipstick (Faint for Fuchsia by Maybelline! )

16. Read 20 new books (12/50) Antelope in the Living Room, Radical, The Nesting Place, Forgotten God, The Fault in our Stars, Bridge to Haven, The Notebook, Sense and Sensibility, Seven, The Wedding, Radical Together, Redeeming Love,

17. Crochet a blanket

18. send 5 people “happy mail” out of the blue

19. take a ballroom dance class

20. send my Grandmother and Granny flowers

21. Figure out my major

22. Take a premarriage class with Matthew

23. Attend a conference with my mama  (Beth Moore Conference August 2014)

24. Make a grocery run to Whole Foods

25. Take the middle-school girls I disciple to lunch

26. plant a small vegetable garden

27. Have a girls night at my house with the girls from church  (summer 2014)

28. Go to the zoo

29. Go to the Chattanooga Aquarium

30. Visit Matthews parents in Nashville for a weekend (October 2014)

31. Become an (almost) aunt! {Matthew’s Brother and sister-in-love is having a baby!!!!}  (Fall 2014)

32. Visit my childhood best friend at Mississippi State

33. Re-learn piano {learn 3 new songs}

34. Start back clogging on Monday and Thursday nights

35. Visit my high school to hear a choir concert

36. Find my “signature” perfume

37. Attend a Bolton High School football game with Matthew {Both Matthew and I went to Bolton at different times (:  }

38. Learn how to make bread  (December 2014)

39. Make a desert for someone at church

40. Get a manicure (June 2014- Discovered gel manicures and I'm hooked! I love the look and how long they last without chipping!)

41. Organize my closet

42. Organize my dressers (May 2014)

43. Have a technology free weekend

44. Have a couples game night (May 2014)

45. Take some cookies to neighbors

46. buy 5 things from a handmade company

47. have a photoshoot with Matthew (July 2014 - When we got engaged! )

48. Buy 15 more things for my hope chest

49. Help Matthew look for a house

50. Go to Disney World

51. Eat in Cinderella’s Castle

52. Stay a night at the Peabody (August 2014)

53. Have a “day-date” in downtown Memphis

54. Make straight A’s at least two semesters (Fall 2014)

55. Make a daytrip to Franklin, TN

56. Paint Lucy’s nails

57.  Go to Europe (May 2013)

58. decorate Matthews new house into our dream home

59. Take Matthew on a surprise date day (June 2014)

60. Take my mama to get a mani-pedi as a surprise

61. Go hammock camping with my daddy

62. Try a new/different workout class

63. Go to my local farmer’s market (May 2014)

64. Run 3 miles without stopping

65. Get 100 followers on my blog

66. Go to destin, Florida with my family (June 2014)

67. Go get pancakes at midnight

68. Go hiking

69. Serve on mission in my hometown

70. Crochet a pillow

71. have someone make a tshirt quilt out of my high school tshirts

72. inspire someone else to start their own 101 in 1001

73. pay for someone’s order who is behind me

74. try star-fruit

75. celebrate 1 year with Matthew (September 2014)

76. 2 years!

77. 3 years!

78. help sponsor someone who is adopting

79. Make my own list of 1000 gifts (the book is amazing! Read it!)

80. Hand-make 5 christmas gifts

81. Go fishing with my dad  (August 2014)

82. Volunteer at a nursing home (June & July 2014)

83. Volunteer at an animal shelter

84. Ride on a train

85. Buy some handmade calligraphy/watercolor prints to add to my hope chest

86. Go to a redbirds game (July 2014)

87. Tour St. Louis

88. Go to a waterpark

89. Go to an amusement park

90. learn how to sew

91. Have a bonfire with some good friends

92. learn how to make homemade chess pie  (July 2014)

93. learn how to make my great granny’s caramel cake from scratch

94. learn how to make homemade carrot cake

95. Go Ice skating

96. Do the whole “green smoothie” thing for breakfast for a week (May 2014)

97. Start the “Envelope System” (May 2014)

98. Visit the country music hall of fame

 

99. Post an “Outfit of the day” (August 2014 - made an instagram for everyday for a year! @lifewithlaceybeth)

100. Get engaged!  (July 2014)

101. Get Married!!!!


Let me know if you decide to make a 101 in 1001 so I can cross off #72 !

First Blog Post

YAY! My very first blog post after Victoria of Happily Ever Strader designed my blog! Can I just say that she is AWESOME! I told her exactly what I had dreamed up in my head for this blog and she made it come to life! She also has encouraged me so much just by being herself. She has a way of making you feel special when she really doesn't even know you. That's a character quality that I want to have! But seriously, y'all should go check her out.

I just want to start off this blog by listing some goals for it:

1. I want everything said on this blog to bring glory to Christ. I truly believe that even though social media has been a place where sin and worldliness has taken over, that it can be used for God's glory and to draw people closer to Him.
2. I want this to be a place of transparency. I don't want to pretend that I have it all together on here or make anyone else think that they need to either.
3. I want to meet other people pursuing the Lord.

These are my simple goals for this blog! I hope you stick around!

                                                                              xoxo,
                                                                          Lacey Beth