TA-DA Day 31

Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people. 

Ask Him [My Spirit] to think through you, live through you, love through you. 

Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others.

I couldn't think of a better devotional to end this with.

God is good, all the time.

All the time, God is good. 

Almost, pretty much, the last day: Day 30

I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. 

When you step back into the mainstream of life, strain to hear those glorious bells: 

I am with you. I am with you. I am with you. 

The final countdown, Day 29

Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way.

Relax with Me while I ready you for action. 

Day 28

Do not expect to be treated fairly in this life.

People will say and do hurtful things to you, things that you don't deserve.

..try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who has wounded you.

Ultimately, it is My view of you that counts. 

Weekend Days 26 and 27

Come to Me when you are hurting, and I will soothe your pain.

Come to Me when you are joyful, and I will share your Joy, multiplying it many times over.

I am All you need, just when you need it. 

As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go. 

Throw up And keep going

This one's for my girl Jennifer Pesek, Jenn, Aunt Srat.

26.2.

The last friday post of the challenge: Day 25

Let your mind reverberate with meanings of My Names: 

Jesus- the Lord saves, and

Emmanuel- God with us.

Strive to remain conscious of My Presence even in your busies moments. Talk with Me about whatever delights you, whatever upsets you, whatever is on your mind. 

Day 24

Depend on Me more and more, and I will shower Peace on all your paths.

Happy birthday to you

It's my go-to Father's Day, Birthday, He rang in the NASDAQ again post.

But it's just so true.

The only challenge I'll ever have in life will be finding a man who is half the man my father is.

Happy birthday to my incredible father and sweet daddy.

I love you.

2+2=Day 22

No matter what your circumstances may be, you can find Joy in My Presence.

On some days Joy is generously strewn along your life-path, glistening in the sunlight.

Other days are overcast and gloomy; you feel the strain of the journey, which seems endless. 

Yet Joy is still attainable. 

Begin by remembering that I have created this day; it is not a chance occurrence.

Recall that I am present with you whether you sense My Presence or not.

Rejoice in the fact that I understand you perfectly, and I know exactly what you are experiencing.

Monday Monday, Day 21

Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem. 

..let them come to the surface where you can deal with them. 

Ask My spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings. Bring them boldly into the Light of My presence, so that I can free you from them. 

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise:

Remember that all good things- your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time- are gifts from Me. 

I think this is the perfect Monday devotional. 

Great words to come back to when the week starts to throw you some curve balls.

Happy it's finally sweater season! 

Day 2-0

 Let My Life shine through you, as you walk in the Light with Me. 

Weekend day 1, Day 19

Come to Me with your defenses down, ready to be blessed and filled with My Presence. Relax, and feel the relief of being totally open and authentic with Me. You have nothing to hide and nothing to disclose, because I know everything about you already. You can have no other relationship like this one. 

The day of my first confession I was a small mess (yes, more than usual). Nervous, emotional, kind of scared. The then Father Choby (now Bishop) had some good advice, even if you forget something God already knew. After all, He does know all. He knew us before we were us and knows His plan for us. It might sound crazy but that makes me feel instantly better no matter what the day (or life) may throw at me.  

#textswithdad

I adore my dad.

And I love this phase we're in. We talk house stuff, work stuff, and our tried and true: football stuff.

I screen shot-ed this text from yesterday because it made me laugh.

It's pretty much our relationship in a text.

Can't wait to celebrate his birthday this weekend!

So I apologize. 

I kind of fell off the wagon with posting on Fridays.

But I'm back with one of my favorite finds from this past week.

Happy almost weekend! 

Not Rainy Day 18

When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch.

My presence enables you to face each day with confidence.

First deadline of the new job today.

Here's to facing it with confidence! 

Post Grad Style

And this is how you do a rainy, cozy, paperwork filled day in post grad life:

Still Rainy, Day 17

Anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me. 

If you must consider upcoming events, follow these rules:

1) Do not linger in the future, because anxieties sprout up like mushrooms when you wander there

2)Remember the promise of My continual Presence; include Me in any imagery that comes to mind

There are a lot of rules in life: you have an hour for lunch, bills are due on the first of month, and you can't change lanes in the middle of an intersection. But I think these are two I'm gonna move to the top of my Life Rules list. Not to get all Southern Catholic, but I think y'all should too. 

Tomorrow is Friday! 

Rainy Day 16

Look to Me continually for help, comfort, and companionship. Because I am always by your side,

I enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through whom I comfort others.

No matter what losses you experience in your life, no on can take away this glorious gift.

A couple months ago I really started focusing on these devotionals. I started to Instagram or tweet certain lines/devotionals that really spoke to me. Every time I did this, without fail, someone would comment that that particular passage was exactly what they were needing. 

Don't be afraid to share your faith. Don't hide your candle under a bushel basket. 

You never know who could be needing your help that day. 

Sheer genius

Wavering from my usual dark "Fall nails" and loving Sally Hansen's Sheer Me Now. 

It's the perfect nail. 

Plus it makes your "I'm not this naturally tan in October" spray tan look amazing.

Half way, Day 15

My presence with you is both a promise and a protection. 

My final statement just before I ascended into heaven was: Surely I am with you always. 

That promise was, without exception.

Awareness of My presence is your best protection.

There's a lady at church who wrote an entire book on the simple prayer "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus" It's a good one to remember when you're having a moment or just one of those days. And since Tuesdays seem to always be a challenge in one way or another, I might be asking for some extra protection today.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. 

Two weeks in, Day 14

Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely- even thanking Me for them- is one of the highest forms of praise. 

Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. 

Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness. 

I love spending Sundays at home in Hendersonville. This weekend was full of joy. "Joy" was doormats, tiny fake Christmas trees, pork chops, stacked wood, and ice cream in laps.

I was talking with mom while she was making dinner and reading to her the devotions from the day I got my job offer and my first day of work, they were of course scarily on point. 

Our talk came around to how in the big picture scheme of life this was all suppose to happen. 100% I believe that.

Just like how my house stayed on the market for seven months after I first looked at it, with potential buyers always falling through for some reason. 

I've started to embrace pain and problems [wouldn't go as far as to say "love"] it makes me excited to see what's coming on the other end of that life crisis. 

First fall downtown

Another big weekend in the life of my little house. 

First, it only took us 6 months [give and take] but mom and I finally found the perfect doormat for my front door! Part of the reason I fell in love with my house was because it was a "courtyard" unit and had an actual front door. This, and my pumpkin, are the cherry on top of all the recent decorating we've done to baby Kress.

And then, drum roll please, the moment we've been talking about since I was in high school...

I GOT MY FIRST CHRISTMAS TREE FOR MY FIRST HOUSE!

No, it is not a real one. But have you met me? And us downtown folks don't have time for real trees. [just kidding, just kidding]

Now, let the Pinterest-ing for ornament ideas begin. Mom and I are gonna get our DIY on and make some presh ornaments along with a monogrammed burlap tree skirt and tree topper bow. I will of course post pictures of that epic #lifewithJulie afternoon! 

Yay for my first fall/winter downtown. And a bigger YAY for long Sunday afternoons with mom.

You can try and take us

I could ramble on for a whole post about this, but I'm gonna let the lyrics speak for themselves.

Lorde's Pure Heroine is pure genius.

I'm #obsessed.

Because I'm doing this for the thrill of it, killing it. Never not chasing the million things I want.

Baby be the class clown, I'll be the beauty queen in tears.

You can try and take us, but we're the gladiators. Glory and gore go hand in hand. You can try and take us, but victory's contagious.

I'm kinda over getting told to throw my hands up in the air, so there. I'm kinda older than I was when  I rebelled without a care, so there.

We're never done with killing time, can I kill it with you?

And I like you, where we can talk like there's somthing to say.

And I like you, I'm glad we stopped kissing to talk.

I'd like it if you stay.



Day 13

Breathe slowly and deeply.

 

I died a criminal's death to secure this blessing for you. Recevie it gratefully; hide it in your heart.

 

My Peace is an inner treause. Therefore, circumstances can not touch it.

 

 

I will try my best to remember that last line the next time I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin or slam a stapler down. His peace is within me, Circumstance can not touch it. 

10/12/13

It is much more real to see yourself through My eyes.

 

Through My eyes you can see yourself as one who is deeply, eternally loved.

Day One and One aka 11

But now my presence safely shields you, enfolding you in My loving arms. I have lifted you out of darkness and into My marvelous Light. 

Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things, and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in Me. 

When I lost my job back in August I told mom that my entire life was f***ed. To me, that job was everything. It was everything I had worked for not only in college, but what felt like my whole life. But when mom made me step back and really look at my life, it wasn't all f***ed up at all. Actually it was quite the opposite. Always remember to step back and remember in Him we are complete. 

Double digits, Day 10

Trust in Me enough to let things happen without striving to predict or control them. Relax, and refresh yourself in the Light of My everlasting Love.

Don't divide your life into things you can do by yourself and things that require My help. Instead, learn to rely on Me in every situation.

As a Type A, OCD, color-coding, post-it note loving control freak, thank you Jesus Calling for this devotional this morning. Thank you so much. 

Printing Pretty

Can I just say, how IN LOVE I am with these new Lilly prints?

Eye-balled them on Tumblr yesterday and let's just say my Twitter background got an upgrade [let me upgrade ya] this morning. 

Dear Santa...

Guess what day it is, Day 9

You have been on a long, uphill journey, and your energy is almost spent. Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of my hand. 

You may talk to me as much as you like about the difficulty of the path we are following. I understand better than anyone else the stresses and strains that have afflicted you. 

Whenever you are tempted to grumble, come to Me and talk it out. ..I will put My thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart. 

Well, I think that pretty much sums it up. I have said to mom many times I feel bad coming to her and complaining. She has enough going on in her life. And then today's devotional was read. So now He can listen to me grumble about anything and everything. Hope He's ready..

Lucky Number 8

I LOVE YOU with an everlasting Love.

Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me. 

You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awareness of My presence strengthens you, as you receive and respond to my Love.

As dad said to me that fateful afternoon in the kitchen, "it's going to be okay and it's going to be better."

And you know what?

He was right. 

Day 4,5,6,7 oooops

So life got crazy. I got busy. And posts did not get posted.

But here I am now. 

[hopefully Morgan won't call me out for this. Speaking of Ms. Neal, she has been killing it with her posts]

Without further delay, here's post 4,5,6, and 7. This is my favorite passage and will probably make a sticky note of it ASAP.

In order to hear My voice, you must release all your worries into My care. Entrust to Me everything that concerns you. Let Me free you from fear that is hiding deep inside you. 

Accept each day as it comes to you, remembering that I am sovereign over your life. Instead of regretting or resenting the way things are, thank Me in all circumstances.

Trust Me and don't be fearful; thank Me and rest in my sovereignty. 

It's October 3rd.

When many things seem to be going wrong, trust Me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank Me. Cry out to Me in My Name! Affirm your trust in Me, regardless of how you feel. Thank Me for everything, though this seems unnatural. Gradually you will begin to ascend, recovering your lost ground. 

Finally feel like I'm beginning to recover my lost ground. But that doesn't mean I still won't call out to Him in His Name. All the time, God is good. God is good, all the time. 

Número Dos

Never take for granted My intimate nearness. 

Nor can another person know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit. I, the Lover of your soul, understand you perfectly and love you eternally. 

I have a bad habit of saying I don't have anyone. I'm one of the few single ones of my friends. And after reading today's devotional I see how shallow and worldly I am in that statement. I have the most amazing family and friends. And at the end of the day I will always have God. 

Officially official

I can happily say, walking into noon mass today I received a phone call with a job offer!

Here's to the next chapter!

 

 



Day 1: October 1

I am taking care of you. 

Rest in Me, My weary one, for this is a form of worship. My invitation never changes: Come to Me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.

My girls and I joke Tuesdays are worse than Mondays. Without fail every Tuesday one of us has a miserable day. So this Tuesday if you're hating on the day of Tues like we usually are, turn to Him and he will give you rest whether by laying on the floor of your shower, or Mac and cheese for dinner, or the simpleness of mindlessly watching DVR under a big comfy blanket. A Hail Mary at a red light has been known to work wonders too. 

30 day challenge: ready, go

I'm extremely lucky to have the friends I do. I'm even luckier to have friends who blog. We're always sending each other ideas for posts, which is how I got roped into this 30 day challenge [I'm looking at you Morgan] I've done 10 day challenges but never a 30 day commitment. But a little challenge is good for the soul so here we go! 

I'm suppose to pick a topic and blog on it everyday for 30 days. For a talker like me, should be easy right? False. Been thinking on my topic for a good week now, and then it hit me. New Years Day this year I finally bought Jesus Calling and just recently started journaling after reading the day's devotional. Pulling quotes I can come back to from strength later. So for the next 30 days Pekarsk-ing Around will become my journal. Not to get all Southern Catholic on you or anything, but maybe someone will read a post and it will get them through that next meeting, phone call, minute, day, or week. Ready? Go! 

"You are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made."