If We Were on a Coffee Date | No. 13

If we were on a coffee date, I'd be like, "HOLY CRAP DID YOU SEE WHAT TYSON GOT ME FOR CHRISTMAS?!"

If we were on a coffee date, you'd be like, "YOU ALREADY OPENED YOUR PRESENTS?!"

If we were on a coffee date, I'd be like, "Yes. We suck at Christmas."

If we were on a coffee date, we'd laugh it out and then I'd unveil the gloriousness that is my new espresso machine. Then I'd make you a latte. Or macchiato. Or cappuccino. Whichever you prefer. 

If we were on a coffee date, I'd probably end up telling you the story of how we came to open presents early and how since our first Christmas, I have guessed my presents dead on. 5-0, Jules. 

If we were on a coffee date, Tyson would probably chime in from the peanut gallery (because we'd be at my house. And on latte #2). But don't let that fool you, he's just as caffeinated excited as I am about opening this present early. 

If we were on a coffee date, I'd ask what your favorite Christmas gift was. I love hearing people's favorite things. It tells me a lot about you, knowing what makes you happy. 

If we were on a coffee date, we'd probably sit on the subject of memories forever. Everyone has them, good and bad. Holidays have a weird way of forcing introspectivity (is that even a word?) and sometimes we just need to process out loud. 

At least I do. Maybe you do too. 

If we were on a coffee date, what would you want to chat about? 

More espresso? 

Original Image via

The Ground is Breaking

There is something new around the corner. Something's about to burst open in this world. The rumble beneath the earth is the sound of evil scrambling. Fighting harder to stay prevalent, relevant. 

But it will not prevail. 

We have a promise, from One who has yet to break a single promise, that even the fiery gates of hell itself cannot eliminate. 

This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven. (Matthew 16:18-19 MSG)

Another translation says, 

I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.  (Matthew 16:18-19 AMP)

Meaning, there is nothing that will keep the movement of the Spirit, through the vehicle of the Church, from churning faster and faster and faster. 

Restoration is God's plan. Redemption. Salvation will be had for the earth and those who dwell in it. 

Something is coming. 

Something is awakening. 

The ground is breaking and light is bursting forth, even brighter today than it was yesterday.

Look for it and I promise, you will find it.

Original image from this brilliant designer.

How to Change Someone's Tomorrow

A sisterhood isn't created by organized gatherings. It starts first with regular, ordinary life; seemingly small decisions that will ripple into the future, affecting lives in ways we might never know the fullness of.

Shanna's story makes me cry, not tears of sorrow, but tears of thankfulness for the beautiful loving girls in the world. I want to be one of them.

"So I want you to remember, when you look at your mom, she's not just a housewife. She's not just a person that picks up your clothes and clean the house, she's a hero. She's my hero. And she saved my life."

Who we love on today might change their tomorrow. Don't forget that.

Jewelry with Meaning | Gracewear Collection

You guys, I finally found proof Symphony is my child! (Minus the whole child-birth thing.) Accessories! I mean, most of the world can tell this kid belongs to Tyson Morlet. #twinsies But she possess very few Mama features so far. 

Until now. She loves accessories. And "love" is an understatement. She plays with them most the day and can spot them like a detective in the stores. She wants all her necklaces on before breakfast and will wear them any time we leave the house. (I guess I should be grateful it's not a boisterous costume or anything. Yet.) 

The funniest part is how we discovered this obsession. We were at a friend's house and Symphony and their little girl had disappeared for a little while. It's their norm for them to play sweetly and quietly for a good amount of time. I got up to check on them and I heard this jingling sound coming from the room. 

Awe, they're playing with the musical instruments, I thought to myself as I rounded the corner. 

Nope.

There was my daughter, covered from head to toe in nearly every fashion accessory this little girl owned. I mean everything. Tiara, headbands, 45 necklaces (Minimum!), rings, bracelets and of course the pink sparkling heels. 

I died. 

Since then I've been scouring thrift stores, Forever 21 sales section, and website to find jewelry for my girl. That's when I met Gracewear. 

Their collection of adult stuff is beautiful, but their jewelry for girls is what caught my attention. They've found a way to make delicately sweet pieces for girls that hold so much meaning and inspiration.

Based on Ephesians 6 and the armor of God, Gracewear's jewelry was created to remind it's wearer that the armor of God never leaves us. It's something we wear everyday, as followers of Christ and it's not just an accessory. It's a weapon meant for battle. A shield meant for safety. A sword meant to bring light and cut the darkness that surrounds us. 

As you can see from the photos above, Sym adores her bracelets and I can't wait for her to start comprehending the meaning of the jewelry she loves so much. She wears them everyday, naturally, and I can't wait to teach her how significant that really is. Not that the jewelry will protect her, but that it reminds us the One who will. 

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This post contains affiliate links that should go towards a college fund or something but will probably go towards buying Sym more jewelry ;) The bracelet's she is wearing the photos were also gifted graciously from Gracewear. 

Why You Need to Finish Strong This Year

30 more days. 2014 has only 30 more days and then it's gone forever. 

It's crazy to me that this year, this day, will never again exist in history. 

There are moments I wish my days away. Not in a daydreamy sort of way, but more like a Man-I-wish-you-would-go-away sort of way.  Have you ever felt like that? 

There's nothing you want more than for this day to fade and morning to come. Nothing got done today. The kids are too hard to parent today. The job just won't let up. The family can't seriously make anymore drama. 

Am I getting close? 

There's hardly anything more exciting or revitalizing like "new." New days, new products, new seasons, new years. I don't wanna do this anymore, we sigh. I just want to start over. 

In the middle of the mud, we crave a clean slate. (Click it to Tweet it!)

But here's a dirty little secret no one tells us about starting over: Our monumental memories are in the middle of the mud.

Character is made in the mud. 

Virtue is tested in the mud. 

Integrity of heart and soul is built up in the mud.

To hit the reset button everytime we got a little dirty would do a great disservice to humanity. Nothing would finish because dirt is a reality. Nothing would complete because our hands wouldn't be rough enough to handle the pressure. Nothing would move forward because moving something as big as legacy and generations are bound to well up sweat and tears amidst the weather of life. 

Getting out of the mud is a small goal for our year. What if we strapped in and committed to making it out of the mud of 2014 with treasure we discovered at the bottom of the pit? 

We have 30 days left. 

Is your marriage breaking? Are your grades flatlined? Do your children feel distant or are you half-a**ing your way through the workday? Maybe there's a dream you feel is impossible, especially in 30 days. Try it. I dare you. 

Some of you have already found your treasure this year and it might be time to start making your way out. 

Some of you have been so focused on the water pressure it'll take to wash this year off. Stop and look around. What are you missing?

Some of you have fallen asleep. In a mud pit. Wake up. Your year is not lost. 

And some have stubbed your toe on the treasure, thinking it was a rock. Stoop down, feel around, and pick it up. You might be surprised. 

Regardless of where you are or where you aren't, give it all you got and let's finish this year strong. 

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My Momma use to write verses on index cards and stick them around my life, my room, my car etc. Here are some verses and inspirational quotes you can stick around your space to remind you to keep going, every moment of everyday. 

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. 

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us.

Philippians 3:12-16

Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.

Richard Nixon

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 

1 Corinthians 9:24