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How To Host Thanksgiving Dinner | Plus My Favorite Thanksgiving Memory |

November 9, 20201 Comment

I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love that its a simple holiday where family and close friends gather together to share a meal. There’s no gifts to stress over or other things to organize, it is simply about the food and the company. Over the past few years, I have loved being the host of Thanksgiving dinner. Getting to cook for people and welcoming them into my home brings me a lot of joy. I understand, for some, its a bit more of a job to take on regardless of whether its your first or fiftieth time hosting. So I thought I would share some of my methods for staying organized and getting it all done. Hopefully, this helps and we can all enjoy the holiday with those we care about, and not spend all of our time stressing about preparation for the big day!

How To Get Organized

My process is simple. Right after Halloween, I start by writing out all of the menus. This includes appetizers, the main meal, desserts, and beverages. Leave nothing off the list. Literally, I write butter on there, because I do not trust myself enough the week of Thanksgiving to remember it. I also write out my entire grocery list for the whole meal. That way I am not overwhelmed when it gets closer to the holiday. As I’m sure you are aware, many stores are packed the week of and for me I find it very stressful to shop during this time. Therefore, to make it easier and reduce the stress, I buy it little by little throughout the month as I come across it.

Extra Touches

Now if I’m being honest, I like to do a few things that some would consider over the top, but I really enjoy the added touches so I do them anyway. When we lived in the states I loved to order printed Thanksgiving invitations. Even though it was just family attending, it made it a little more exciting. Also, my grandma loves things that have a little “extra” touch, so mainly I did it for her excitement and enjoyment. Shutterfly had some of the cutest ones and I just couldn’t resist. Plus, they were super affordable. I also liked to have little favors at each place setting. Sometimes I would do chocolates and once, I did little ornaments. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive or ultra fancy, but just a little touch of something to make it personal and welcoming.

Must Haves

I highly recommend investing in a few crockpots for Thanksgiving day, if you don’t already own some. As a disclaimer, I do not like to cook with them on a regular basis, but on a day when your oven and stove are at max capacity, it just makes things bit easier. Its so nice to be able to make something earlier in the day and keep it warm for when you are ready to eat. Personally, I prefer to use them for my mashed potatoes and corn. I find that those items do really well in the crock pots, and don’t get dried out. Also, they make these fantastic things called crockpot liners, which makes the cleanup about 5 seconds long.

Make Your Action Plan

As I mentioned earlier, I love to host but I also love to enjoy the day and relax which I’m sure you do as well. That’s why preplanning is key. Therefore, about one week before Thanksgiving I create my action plan. I sit down with my menu and write out the order in which I will cook everything while making note of the things I can make the day before. Below is a sample list from years past. While it can vary from year to year based off of who is coming and if they are bringing a dish, this is a pretty standard guide. So, if you are interested check it out.

Favorite Thanksgiving Memory

If you haven’t noticed by now,I really love this time of year. So, I thought I would share my favorite Thanksgiving memory with you all before I wrap up. Thanksgiving 2016 was the first major holiday my family celebrated after the death of my grandpa. We were all still mourning the loss and his presence was deeply missed. It just felt a little like something was missing from the day. We had gathered together to celebrate in the home he and my grandma had shared. The home we had celebrated so many holidays in together and on each holiday, especially Thanksgiving, my grandpa ALWAYS said the blessing over the food. There were no exceptions. He was the patriarch of our family after all. However, when it came time to pray on that day, we all stood there and looked at each other. Nobody quite knew what to do or say. Now, if you know my brother, you know he is a funny guy. The comedian of the family. He grabbed the hand of the person on his left and his right. And without missing a beat he began to sing. “Blessed be the tie that binds, our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds, is like to that above. AMEN.” We all joined in, we had all been raised baptist so we knew these words by heart from the age of 2. While it was a bit comical (we all chuckled a little), my grandma decided not only did she like what he had done, but it would also suffice as the blessing. And now every year, we join hands and sing the old hymn. Partly to have a little laugh and partly to bless the food before us.

You’ve Got This!

Now, finally, I just want to leave you with a bit of encouragement. Whether your green beens come from a can or you picked them from your garden. Whether the mashed potatoes are instant, or made by hand. Whether you use china or paper plates. Remember none of that matters. None of that ever mattered. The only thing that matters are the people around your table. The fellowship you all will get to have with one another. And the memories you will make together. Those are the things people will remember. They will remember how you made them feel when they walked in the door. And they will be thankful they were able to spend such a special day together.

My Personal Action Plan

Here are the things I cook or prep the day before:

Make the cheeseball for appetizer
Slice all cheese and meats for appetizers
Bake all pies and make the whipped cream for topping
Make deviled eggs
Prep turkey the for next day
Set the dining room table

Here is my day of Thanksgiving timeline:

1. Turkey
2. Begin rolls (they take a while since they have to rise 2 times)
3. Set out butter to soften
4. Begin sweet potato casserole
5. Plate and set out all appetizers
6. Cranberry sauce (I like it room temp, so this gives it time to cool and be perfect for dinner)
7. Corn (I do this one in the crockpot)
8. Green Bean casserole
9. Mashed potatoes (once finished I place in crock pot to keep warm)
10. Stuffing
11. Gravy
12. Remember to grab deviled eggs from the refrigerator ( once we forget them haha)
13. Set out dessert right before you are ready to eat your meal
14. Enjoy!

Experiencing A Pandemic Lockdown While Living Abroad

November 2, 2020Leave a Comment

Nobody was prepared for the dumpster fire that 2020 has been. I especially wasn’t ready to experience a pandemic while living in a foreign country. And to top it off, being in one that just happened to have some of the strictest lockdown measures in the world. I can best sum up my experience like this, “I don’t know if it was all a dream or not.” It all seemed so surreal that its a bit hard to wrap my mind around. I am certain that all of the “social distancing” and lockdown measures have been difficult for us all, no matter where you live. This hasn’t been easy on anyone, anywhere in the world. But just for a moment, let me transport you into my world. How it was for me, in Madrid Spain:

Let me start by saying that I am NOT a person who lives in fear, or gets scared or spooked easily. But, this experience was a bit scary at times. When they announced “Spain is locking down” they meant it. There was no ability to do anything. Literally ANYTHING. No sneaking past any rules. No wiggle room to do what you please. We were essentially locked in our house, for 3 months straight, the ability to go on a walk in our neighborhood was considered a criminal offense. I have never been so thankful for a yard in my life, it was the biggest blessing. We recognize that we had it so much better than most in Madrid. The large majority of people here live in apartments with their entire family, children included. The 4 walls of their apartment were it for them. Can you even imagine?

At the time when we went into complete lockdown in March of 2020, the Covid-19 virus had a lot of mystery and unknowns surrounding it (in some ways it still does). This fact along with many others made for an ultra strict lockdown in Spain. Police were patrolling even my rural Madrid neighborhood. They were announcing things in Spanish over the speakers, that I didn’t understand, to make sure nobody stepped a toe out of line. That was unnerving for us all. We were not able to understand what was being announced and were not getting all of the news updates because only a few got translated into English. During that time we were beyond thankful for friends who were fluent in Spanish and were able to give us updates and help us better understand what was going on around us. That was so huge for us, without that help it would have made things ten times harder.

The rules that the police were heavily enforcing were no joke. Everything you did had to be meticulously calculated as to stay within the lockdown measures. Only one person was permitted in a car. You were not allowed to go anywhere with anyone for any reason. The only places you were allowed to go were the following: grocery store, pharmacy, hospital, and tobacco store. Gas stations were also open as well as dry cleaners for some reason, though I never figured out why since all office buildings were closed. When I would venture out to buy food about every two weeks, I would get stopped by the police who would ask to see my ID to verify I was going to the grocery store closest to my home. Then, while returning home, I would have to show receipt proof of where I went and my ID once more. At the grocery store, police stood at every entrance making sure everyone was in masks and gloves. Inside the store any aisles not containing food related items were taped off with caution tape. The only exceptions being the personal hygiene and pet care areas of the store. If it was your kids birthday, too bad. You couldn’t sneak past the caution tape to buy them any gifts.

Once I got home with my haul there was a certain routine to bring everything into the house. I would carry everything in via the kitchen door. Next I would Clorox wipe everything down and then wipe down the counter where everything had been setting. Looking back, I can see how over the top this extra precaution was. However, to be fair, where I was living and what I was experiencing was a little over the top also. The times in which we were living in and in some ways are still living in, are unknown. None of us have ever experienced anything like this before in our lifetime, and hopefully we never will again. If there is one takeaway I hope to drive home to everyone it is this: show others grace. Whether it’s those you love or those you live around while navigating this season of life, pour out grace. Pour out understanding and patience. People who live with anxiety in normal circumstances are probably on overload right now. People who have kids with special health concerns (like my Jane), are trying our best to not instill a fear of illness into them, and into ourselves. If someone you want to spend time with kindly asks you to wear a mask around them to make them feel more comfortable, do it. Love and care for others selflessly. Even if you don’t care that people wear a mask around you, think of others needs before you think of your own. Thats the lesson I hope we can all take from 2020. Maybe a small inconvenience to me means that somebody I care about will have a little extra peace of mind today.

This year has not gone the way any of us would have wanted. I remember at the start of the year Trenton and I were hyped up for all the things God was going to do in 2020. We had envisioned a resurgence of the “roaring twenties”, we wanted to take the year on with 20/20 vision for the future. This year did roar in, though in a different way than we expected. This season of life did give us 20/20 vision for our future, many of the ways have been surprising to us. We have learned to be thankful for the little things in life. We have gotten to spend so much quality time together as a family and we we beyond grateful for that. So take a step back, try to look beyond the hard and disappointment this year has been. Find some things to be thankful for, I know you will find them!

West Virginia: My Home Among The Hills

October 22, 2020October 26, 20203 Comments

I am often surprised by the amount of people who live in The United States that look at you with utter confusion when you say “I’m from West Virginia”. They usually respond with something along the lines of “You mean western Virginia?”, or “oh, I’ve been to Virginia!” No. I mean West Virginia, as in the state.

Caught between the northern and southern states and sandwiched between the east cost and the midwest is my home, The Mountain State. However, if you go expecting to see something something similar to the Rocky Mountains, you may be disappointed with the appearance of them. The mountains of West Virginia are more like rolling hills, friendly and welcoming. Much like the people who live there. Nestled between each mountain top are valleys which we affectionately call “hollers”. Most who live in these secluded dwellings have probably called that holler home their entire life, just like the generation before them, and the generation before that. West Virginia is a unique place in that way. Once you call it home, it stays home, even if only in your heart. For some reason, it just doesn’t act or feel like any of the other states in the union. It might be because there is a kindredness, a type of bond that comes along with calling these hills home. You only understand it if you understand it. I had the honor of living there the first 20 years of my life. And although I’ve been gone nearly 10 years now, its still home. Its mountains still call to me. Its people are still the dearest to my heart.

When you leave West Virginia after living there your entire life, and you encounter another WV native out in the wild, you’re instantly connected. You ask where they are from and when they tell you, you respond with something similar to “I have a cousin who lives there, do you know____?” And more often than not you get a “Yes! my best friend is their neighbor” Or something of the sort. West Virginia is like one big family. Somehow, as impossible as it seams everybody knows everybody. And everyone looks out for one another. If you’re like me and your entire family, on both sides, hails from there, then you really get what I am trying to say here.

If you were lucky enough to grow up spending the summers running around your grandparents farm, barefoot, chasing lightning bugs, and eating homemade pepperoni rolls then, in my opinion, you’ve lived my form of the American dream. My fondest memories are when as kids we would go to my grandparents house near Beckley. They owned a local Christmas tree farm and had the most beautiful view of the mountains from their backyard. We would sit on the back porch and eat popsicles, while my grandma would play “Mother May I” with us. On the Fourth of July we would always set up lawn chairs and watch the fireworks they set off at the armory on the next mountain over. But, of all holidays, Thanksgiving was my favorite. The whole family came to grandmas house for Thanksgiving. I swear you could smell all the goodness from miles away. We always ate halfway between lunch time and dinner time. But my favorite part of all was what happened after dinner. When all the cars started to pull up. Suddenly (in my eyes) my grandpa became the town hero. People eager to jump into the Christmas spirit were ready for their tree. On a handmade wooden sign in the shape of a Christmas tree at the end of the road were the words “U PICK I CUT”. My grandpa sold his trees for $10 each. He was a retired pastor, who couldn’t help but be ministry minded in everything he did. That tree farm was what you might call a “labor of love”. It was a love of working with his hands, a love of helping others, a love of what Christmas is all about. I think my grandpa really embodied the spirit of a West Virginian. His loyalty to his state ran and to the people of his state ran deep, like many WV natives.

Although a lot of people in The United States may fail to know about West Virginia, I have learned something while living overseas. The people of the world know West Virginia. Every time I am asked “where are you from in the states?” I respond “West Virginia”, then they get a big smile on their face. And they say “You mean like that beautiful song, Country Roads Take Me Home?” And with true West Virginia pride, my heart begins to sing and I have the honor of saying “Yes, just like the song.” Your hills are well known my WV friends, and your beauty is known throughout the world. Some of the lyrics go:

“Country roads, take me home, to the place I belong. West Virginia, Mountain Momma. Take me home, country roads. I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me.”

West Virginians understand what this really means, who she really is. The hills have a such a peace about them, they are Mountain Momma. She’s a West Virginian’s type of “mother earth”. I’ll never forget once when she beckoned to me. It was last Christmas. We had traveled to London to take in the city. It was cold and dark and we finally had a chance to get out our winter coats. It was drizzling a bit when we arrived to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park so we decided to go to the German Pavilion to warm up for a bit. As we walked in, the band took to the stage. Then I heard a familiar tune begin to play. Suddenly, I was home for Christmas. The whole place erupted in cheers and began to sing along, they knew every word by heart. My family grinned from ear to ear and sang as loudly as we could “West Virginia, Mountain Momma. Take me home, country Roads.” Once a West Virginian, always a West Virginian.

Sometimes the name West Virginia gets a bad wrap, a negative connotation surrounding it. While some stereotypes might stem from a bit of truth, others are simply that way because of how Appalachia is portrayed in the mainstream media. I often wonder why this is? Why does my state get the short end of the stick when it comes to movie scripts or news articles? I very much doubt those that dream up these ideas for others entertainment have ever stepped foot on my beloved hills. I’m positive they have never sat and watched as the sunrise slipped over the mountains. I’m sure they’ve never hiked in any of our breathtaking state parks or sat by a quiet creek for a picnic. These are the joys of West Virginia. The simple things that those who are native from there haven’t forgotten for a moment. Life is still simple here and I hope that never changes. Stay easy, WV. Stay lovely, and sure. And please oh please, stay wild and wonderful.

Photo of my dear friend and West Virginia native, Anna. Photo used with permission from her Instagram page @anna_haddox

How To Buy Clothes And Build A Wardrobe You Love: My Personal Shopping Tips

October 19, 20201 Comment

I’ve gotten a few messages from people asking me to do a post on how I find my clothing, as well as wanting me to share other clothing/wardrobe tips I may have. I’ve kind of put this one off for a bit because I just wasn’t sure how to frame the topic in a way that made sense. But I think I’ve got it, so here it is! I’ve complied some common frustrations I hear as well as some tips I have that will hopefully make your shopping experiences more enjoyable. I hope these tips help you feel confident in whatever you choose to wear. So, here it goes… enjoy ❤

Let me guess.. You probably have a ton of clothing. A closet full, drawers stuffed to the max and yet you CONSTANTLY feel like you have nothing to wear. I bet most of the clothing you’re looking at when you go to get ready hasn’t been worn in literal years. I get it, I’ve been there. There is a simple explanation for this. And it’s because you have the following… 1. A lot of statement pieces. 2. A lot of items with fun patterns. or 3. Many cute dresses that are too formal for everyday wear. Is this you? Did I just hit the nail on the head? It’s because this is most people. We buy the things that stand out to us, the things that catch our eye, but that are not practical for everyday wear. Now hear me out, if you know me, you know that I tend to dress in statement pieces and the occasional “weird” item, but for me those are my go-to things. To get the most use of your wardrobe, it is helpful to invest in some nicer everyday items that make you feel confident. A lot of my go-to things are color block pieces. Also, I like having blouses or sweaters with texture to add formality. My favorite textures are ribbed items and knits. Texture adds some flair while still keeping things simple. I like having a variety of layering pieces in my closet such as blazers or scarves. They help stretch my wardrobe into the cooler months. My layering items are some of my favorite and most versatile pieces. I do have a few colored slacks, which are great to take from a day look to an evening look. I avoid buying a lot of items with a pattern, or design printed on it because this limits it wearability. The more items you have in your wardrobe that are a single color, or have just a few colors with no print, the more options you have when it comes to putting an outfit together. This also helps to prolong its wearability through the seasons. When you own a lot of florals, for instance, they are not items that can be layered in the fall and winter months easily. Thus, limiting when and how you can wear them. So to sum it up, if you want to feel like you have more options, simplify what you are buying, focus on the basics when shopping, and invest in more versatile pieces.

Do you feel overwhelmed when you walk into a store and all of a sudden the style of clothing has changed overnight? Like, you don’t even know what to look for? This has been me many times over. Let me tell you, at times it is a stretch for me to understand or sometimes even like the newest trends in clothing. Literally, I have walked into a store that has a lot of new stuff and said to myself “I don’t like any of this.” So, what do I do? I don’t force myself to like it. I honestly think it just eventually grows on me. The more I see it around town on other people, or the more I go into the shops and have a look, the more I begin to like it. I am not the first to jump on the new trend bandwagon. But I do jump on. I distinctly remember when cropped pants (or high waters as they are referred to in West Virginia) started to become a thing. I adamantly refused to partake because my mother drilled into me as a child “you look like you’re ready for the flood” so well that when my pants got too short, I just couldn’t get on board. But then, one day in Zara, I got curious… “what if these are cute?” and you know what happened next? They are now the best jeans I own. If there is one thing I can encourage you in, it’s this: just to try new things. Some things you might dislike just as much on yourself as you did on the hanger, but it is what is it. And who knows, maybe you’ll find your perfect jeans!

I’m going to be transparent for a minute here, I do have a fair amount of clothing. But for a long time I struggled to have even one outfit I liked each season. Buying clothes can be overwhelming. You walk into a store and there are literally hundreds of options looking back at you. You start to wonder what goes with what? Which color do I even like? What size would be best in this brand? Here is my method. I walk through the entire store and every single thing I like, or think I might like, I grab. Sometimes I go into the fitting room with literally 15 (or more) things to try on. And I make sure to try on every single piece. Most often I am lucky if I find 1 or 2 things out of the whole batch that I actually like enough to purchase. And about half the time, I leave with nothing. That’s right, not a thing. You are so not alone in this. Here is the secret, don’t let it get you frustrated or upset. I used to get so down when I would leave a store after trying on practically everything they had and not liking any of it. I would think there was a problem with me or that my body type was just too difficult to find clothing for. This is not the case for me, and it’s not the case for you. You will have many days you don’t find so much as a pair of socks you like. On these days I say to myself “today wasn’t my lucky day”, I get myself a coffee, and go on about my business. Building a wardrobe you love that has a lot of versatility is not an overnight process. It takes time and patience. And A LOT of trying things on you say no to.

There are people who will have a lot of opinions about what you wear, some nice and some not so nice. Here’s what you do, dress for yourself. Just so you know, nobody’s opinion of your wardrobe matters but your own. Whatever style of clothing makes you feel comfortable and confident that’s what you go for. If you like all of the vintage clothing, rock it. If you feel most confident in athletic clothing, do it. If you prefer to wear statement pieces and more flashy stuff, own it. If jeans and tee shirts are your jam, work it. It is no secret I like clothing. I like shopping, its my hobby. Honestly, we ALL need a hobby or an outlet. And this is mine. For a long time I would feel guilty when people asked what I liked to do for fun and I would reply with “shop”. But then I realized it it no different than any other hobby. All hobbies take time, they take money to invest in, and they take desire. And for me, its the same with shopping. At the end of the day, it’s not the clothing a person wears that matters, its their heart. It’s how you treat people that matters. Clothing is a fun form of expression, just like your hair cut or taste in music. With as much enjoyment as shopping is for me, or how fun it is to find new pieces, it isn’t meant to provide me with any long term sense of fulfillment or happiness. It never will because clothing isn’t where I find my true joy, I just find some fun there. And that’s ok!

Thank you for taking the time to come check this post out. I really hope you enjoyed it and maybe gained an idea of two! Until next time.

I Was A Teen Mom: Beauty For Ashes

October 12, 20205 Comments

I was 16 years old when I discovered I was pregnant. I remember looking at my reflection in the mirror with total disbelief and shock. Have you ever had a moment where your life flashed before your eyes? That’s what it was like. But instead of my past, I watched as everything I envisioned for my future die. I watched as everything I had hoped for shatter into a million peaces. Every dream I ever dreamt lit into flames and burned to ashes. There was nothing left of my future as I knew it. No going off to college. No marrying a man who would love me and lead me the way I deeply desired. No senior prom, or sleepovers with my friends. All of it gone. The dreams I hadn’t even begun to dream yet, were not even going to be in the equation. I was alone, I was afraid, and I was broken.

Once the news got around, and let me tell you it was lightening fast. (There are both pros and cons of living in a small town.) That’s when my walls went up. I knew that everyone was whispering behind my back. I knew the things they were saying about me. I saw the side eye judgmental looks coming at me like daggers. I knew, like clockwork, I would have to run to the bathroom during first block every day to throw up without fail. This was my reality now. I had gone from good student, member of the dance team, pastors daughter to the most talked about individual of my small town.

“Don’t let them see you sweat.” That’s what was on constant replay in my mind. It was like a motto to myself. I put on a brave face for the world. Nobody ever saw me cry, only smile. I cried alone but only when I allowed myself, which honestly wasn’t very often. I watched as plenty of people I knew cried for me, but not me. I was stoic. Too afraid to let my own feelings in, I did not have time to deal with feelings. There were too many of them, and they were far too overwhelming to handle. I had bigger things than my own feelings to worry about. Bigger things to figure out. A lot of logistics to get ready for that I knew nothing about.

Eventually, my own feelings started to take over. I didn’t mean for them to, but how could they not? On the outside I was solid as granite, but on the inside I was starting to crack. I was worried that I would have to break my own rule and people would see me struggle. Eventually the words people were saying about me started to take root in my own mind and grow. Weeds grow fast. And I started believing all the things being whispered behind my back. I believed lies.

One Sunday morning, a wife of one of the pastors at my church, Gloria, came up to me and handed me a scripture on a little sticky note. It was Luke 6:21, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” She didn’t have to ask me if I was weeping. She knew. She acknowledged my grief, but showed me the promise that said I wouldn’t weep forever. The promise of laughter. I clung to that promise as tightly as I could. I said it over and over in my head. It got me out of bed every morning. It allowed me to fall asleep every night. And the promise was true. Because He is always faithful to keep his promises. My heart began to soften because of this new found hope, and I began to see that there were still people in my life who didn’t want to shame me but wanted to build me up.

The sweet ladies at my church threw a baby shower for me. They wanted to celebrate me even though I didn’t feel as though I deserved celebrating. And my dearest, truest friend Isabelle threw a shower for my circle of friends from school. It was then I knew how truly loved, welcomed and not forgotten I was. Just how much people deeply cared about me. I wrote thank you notes for hours every evening until my hand couldn’t write any longer. There was so much grace being poured out over me that it was impossible to feel any other way but loved and seen.

I was so humbled by the kindness of those who loved me unconditionally that I had a complete perspective shift. In that time the only thing I could offer God was my broken spirit, my shattered heart, the literal ashes of my previous life. I had nothing else of myself to give. And thats all he wanted from me. That’s all he ever wanted to begin with, my heart in its sincerest form. I love how The Message words it. “I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice (Psalm 51:17).” I could offer only ashes, and in their place he gave beauty.

It wasn’t until just a few years ago, while I was listening to a podcast, that Joel chapter 2 was poured into my heart. My favorite verses are 25-26, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten- the great locust and the young locust, the other locust and the locus swarm-my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.” It so perfectly stated how I now felt. When I was 16 and 17, I lived through really difficult days. I had so often felt swarmed by locusts, so many types of locusts. I felt as though they had eaten away everything I had, all my dreams, plans, hopes, and desires. It wasn’t until I heard this out loud that I realized this is exactly what God has done for me.

The years of my life eaten by locust have been repaid to me. The dreams I thought I had to let die, God restored. The hopes I had for my life, God filled. The desires I had for myself, God gave to me. The plans I created, God improved. I had made choices that made it seem as though the life I always longed for was impossible. But we serve a God that says “nothing is impossible for me”. The things I thought I ruined the chances of, were still given to me. In a bigger way than I could ever have dreamed. Trenton, my husband, came into my life in a miraculous way, which is a whole other story of redemption for another time. I may not have went “off” to college, but I went to college. I was even given a vocal scholarship, which was so humbling. I went to senior prom and was voted prom queen, that completely shocked me. I had many sleepovers with my friends. God did the impossible in my life. He continues to do the impossible every single day. And I laughed, a lot. I’m still laughing.

Some scars are still there. So invisible to everyone else and yet so obvious to me. The mindset of constant worrying what everyone will think about the choices I’m making, is still something I have to daily overcome. Those thoughts from when I was 16 and 17 really consumed my mind for years. The times that some people went out of their way just to be cruel, I can’t erase. But those moments don’t bother me anymore. I’ve grown so much from that experience. It’s almost as if it happened to somebody else.

I often think of my life in two sections, before my world got flipped upside down and after. I think of how I walked though fire but that I never walked alone. I look back and think how this experience made me into such a strong woman. How much wisdom I gained from it. That becoming a mom is such a blessing. I wouldn’t trade any of it.

God really does give beauty for ashes. When I offered up the ashes of my life wholeheartedly, He then, in return, gave me a life that I thought I had thrown away. And He gave me himself, thats the beauty.

How To Plan A Disney World Vacation: My Step By Step Process

October 5, 2020October 5, 2020Leave a Comment

Here it is! A detailed guide on how to plan your Disney trip. If you didn’t already know, I like to plan my trips using a spreadsheet. Now before you panic, I completely understand that you may not be a spreadsheet person, or perhaps you’d prefer the look of something a bit prettier. So, if that’s you, I’ve made some really fun and FREE printable planning sheets for you! They are under the resources tab above, so be sure to check them out 🙂

9-12 Months From Your Trip:

First things first, you need to pick a date and stick with it. You might think this is obvious, but for someone just getting started it could be helpful. So what’s the best time to go? In my opinion, I like to avoid summer months because it is super crowded and really hot, but if those are the dates that work best for your family then you can do it! It might take a bit more planning and patience, but go for it. About 9-12 Months before your trip is when I recommend booking your resort room. If you know well in advance where you will be staying you can plan the rest of your trip accordingly. One tool I highly recommend utilizing is the My Disney Experience section of the Disney Website. It’s the one-stop shop for dining reservations, fast passes, showtimes and more. Be sure to create an account! Next, you will need to decide how many days you would like to be in the park versus having a pool or shopping day. This is important because you will need to know in advance when are where you will want to make reservations for dinning or fast passes. Finally as a quick note: When you book through Disney they have a very nice feature that allows you to make payments for your trip as you go.

9 Months From Your Trip:

For me, this is when I really start to dig deep into planning and start putting everything onto paper. First take the information from your early planning and start applying it. Since you already know how many days you want to be in the parks, go ahead and decide which day will be dedicated to which park. Start a separate spreadsheet document for each park labeled at the top with the date in which you plan to be there. I also recommend writing the park hours on each sheet as well. Next, go park by park and look at all dining, rides, and entertainment options and make a list on each spreadsheet of the things you want to ride, see, and eat at the park each day. I make separate columns labeled dining, rides, entertainment to make the planning process smoother.

6 Months From Your Trip:

At the 180 day mark at 7:00 am Eastern Standard Time you can make all dining reservations for your entire trip using your My Disney Experience account. If you are wanting those hard to get spots you will need to be sure to have your computer up and ready prior to 7 am so you can immediately click the link when it becomes available. A few places that are typically harder to get are Cinderella’s Royal Table and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. However, if you have already pre-selected where you want to eat you should have no problem! This is really simple to given you have pre selected where you want to be eating each day. Once you have your reservations made, add the confirmation numbers to your spreadsheet on the corresponding day. If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary or if you have dietary restrictions/food allergies you can add this to your reservation as well.

5 Months From Your Trip: MY FAVORITE PLANNING MONTH

This is the fun part for me. Where the real organization begins. Can you tell I am a Type A person haha?! At this point, you will need to map out your daily itineraries. Go back to your spreadsheets with all the listed rides and entertainment items you hope to do each day. Look up the times for all the shows and entertainment events you listed and write them on your sheet. This includes times for parades, stage shows, and fireworks, as well as the one off street performances you hope to catch. Once the times are recorded, organize the rides and entertainment by their respective areas of the park. For example, I list all items in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom together, or all of the items in Future World in Epcot together. Next, try to organize everything you want to do such that everything is done in one direction around the park. The goal is to only to make one pass around the park and not backtrack. This saves so much energy and effort not having to constantly be going back and forth. Whether you decide to walk in and go left or right at the start just be sure to stay consistent. Using the maps on Disney’s website, is extremely helpful in accomplishing this. It is important to keep all the show times for each show listed on your sheet to allow flexibility and ensure you can catch them as you are walking through and not miss any. Now you should have a pretty good idea of how your day in each park will go.

4 Months From Your Trip:

At the 4 month mark, it is time to take a hard look at your ordered itinerary and decide which rides/items you want to get a fast pass for. I usually highlight these on my spreadsheet so I do not forget which ones I have chosen. Rides are not the only items you can get a fast pass for, most shows offer a fast pass option, as well as some character interactions. Make sure to think carefully before selecting them. Some rides, like “It’s A Small World” may not be the best choice, because the line always moves fast. I would also recommend choosing one or two back up options since the more popular rides can fill quickly. Using your itineraries, you should have a pretty good idea of the times you need to reserve each fast pass for. Write the times you are aiming for next to each corresponding item. This will make the fast pass scheduling process much simpler when it opens up!

3 Months From Your Trip:

If you are flying into Orlando and have already booked your flights, you can utilize the Disney Magical Express, which transports you from the airport to you resort and takes care of your luggage. In this instance, you do have to call and make the arrangements. They will ask for your flight information and will send you special luggage tags to mark your bags. All of the information on how to reserve is on the Disney website.

2 Months From Your Trip:

If you are staying on Disney property, which I highly recommend (check out my other blog post about Disney planning for a deeper look as to why I recommend this) you will be able to book your fast passes 60 days in advance at 7 am Eastern Standard Time. Because your daily itineraries are already organized, your fast pass activities are selected, and you have a rough time slot goal for each, this will be an easy process. Be sure to get logged into your My Disney Experience account and be ready to go prior to 7 am. This will give you the best chance of success at securing the Fast Pass of your choice! Once you have fast passes booked for each day of your trip, make the necessary adjustments to your itinerary in the event you didn’t get all any of the Fast Passes you pre-selected or a different time had to be selected. If this is the case, and the attraction is a very popular item I recommend rope dropping it. Which simply means go straight for the item you were unable to snag a fast pass for as soon as the park opens. Then you will be able to cut your wait time significantly because the crowds have not picked up yet. Then carry on with your itinerary as planned. (Obviously my Type A self writes all of this onto the itinerary to avoid confusion).

1 Month From Your Trip:

Only one month away! When you get this close to the trip, start to buy the things you will need to bring with you. Park backpack items, any clothing you might need, things for travel and so on. With only one month to go this is also a good time to review your typed itineraries and make sure they are in perfect order. Double check that you have listed the times of all fast passes, show times and dining reservations with their confirmation numbers. I suggest emailing a copy to all of the adults going on the trip and print out hard copies for the park backpack.

1 Week From Your Trip:

Begin packing a week in advance. Especially when there are park backpacks as well as luggage to have to get organized. Personally, it helps me feel less overwhelmed and lessens the amount of times I have to say “If you want to wear this to Disney, don’t wear it now”. If it would be helpful, I can do a whole separate post about what I pack for Disney in both our suitcases and park bags. Just let me know! I love your feedback.

THE DAY OF YOUR TRIP!!!

Your trip has FINALLY arrived. It probably feels like you’ve been to Disney and back already with as much planning as you’ve done. But all of your hard work has paid off and now you get to relax while having a magical vacation without the added pressure of trying to figure out what to do when. While everyone is racing toward Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom you can be on your merry relaxed way knowing you have a fast pass at 2:15! Have the best time ever making memories with those you love.

This is how I plan my trips. After writing it out, I did realize the degree to which I am an “over-organizer” but you know what.. it works for me haha. And to be fair, when we arrive we always have a great time and never wonder around aimlessly or stressed. Typically I have found that we get to do everything we had hoped to and more, so that is a win! I hope this helps you all on your planning journey and makes it a bit less overwhelming. Feel free to share with anyone you know who needs help planning!

How To Make Perfect Dinner Rolls: A Step By Step Guide

October 3, 2020October 3, 2020Leave a Comment

Here is my basic bread recipe. From it you can do so many things, dinner rolls, loaves of bread,
cinnamon rolls, pepperoni rolls. Below is the recipe along with step by step directions. Because Thanksgiving is coming up, this is the perfect time to get a few practices in before the holiday. If your family is anything like mine, they won’t mind one bit being the test subjects! Making bread is such a relaxing and fun activity for me, and I hope you will find it just as enjoyable.

Homemade Bread Recipe:

1 T Active Dry Yeast
1 T Sugar
1/2 Cup Warm Water
5 Cups All Purpose Flour
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 T Salt
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
2 T Melted Butter

1. Gather all ingredients and begin by activating the yeast. I do this by combining 1 tablespoon of yeast and with 1 tablespoon of sugar in a glass measuring cup. You will then need to add in your warm water. I like to water that is about 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the water to the 1/2 cup line and give it a quick mix with a fork. Set it aside.

Before and after yeast activates

2. While your yeast activates (about 5 or so minutes) begin to combine your dry ingredients. In your stand mixer combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Make sure it is all mixed nicely together. If you do not have a stand mixer that is ok. Just combine all of your dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl, you will be able to make your bread by hand with a little extra effort!

3. Once your yeast is nice and bubbly you may add it to your dry ingredients. Next, add the vegetable oil followed by the remaining 1 1/2 cups of water. NOTE: When adding the water, I like to take the measuring cup I used to activate the yeast and fill it back up so that any yeast left in the cup will be added in.

4. Combine all ingredients into mixing bowl, at this point the dough will look very “shaggy”, that is ok. If using a stand mixer attach the dough hook and turn the mixer to a medium low speed. Let it knead for approximately 5-7 minutes. If mixing by hand, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and begin to knead for about 12 minutes. Once finished, do the window pane test with your dough to see if the gluten has developed enough. Hold from the top and let it slough. If it stretches thin enough for you to see light through it without ripping, your dough is ready. If not continue kneading until you achieve this result.

A. B.

A.”Shaggy” looking dough B. Windowpane test

5. Form the dough into a nice ball by rotating your hands around the base and pulling the dough toward you from the bottom. Place the dough ball back into the mixing bowl. You can then either cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap. I like to place my dough in the oven with the light on to rise. This provides just a small bit of warmth to help rise well. Let rise for one hour.

How to shape dough into tight ball to rise

6. Once your dough has doubled in size remove it from the oven and GENTLY place onto a lightly floured surface. Do notpunch your dough down. As tempting and satisfying as it sounds, your dough will get sad and not rise as well the second time around. It is a sweet delicate dough baby and needs to be handled with care. All you need to do is gently press onto your dough until it is completely degassed.

Dough before and after after first rise. Nicely doubled in size.

7. Spray your dish that you plan to make your rolls in with cooking spray (I like to spray mine outside so I don’t get my kitchen greasy). And set next to your dough.

8. I like to divide my dough out evenly before placing it into the pan. For smaller rolls, divide into 24 even dough balls, for larger rolls do 18. I like to use a kitchen scale for this to make sure they are all even. To roll the dough into a nice ball takes a bit of practice. I flatten it out a bit using my thumbs and going around the entire ball. I then make a circle connecting my thumb and middle finger, while pushing the dough through with my other hand and pinching the bottom together to form a smooth ball. Then place gently into the dish.

How to form individual balls of dough for the final second rise

9. Once your dough is evenly divided into the appropriate amount, it is time for the second rise. Cover the dish with a tea towel or plastic wrap that is sprayed with cooking spray. This time I like to preheat my oven while the dough is rising so, do NOT place back into the oven. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the dough rise for about 45 minutes the second time, or until they are properly doubled in size.

Before and after the second rise. Dough is now ready to be baked.

10. Bake your rolls for about 15 minutes. This will depend on your oven. I rotate mine halfway through so they brown evenly.While the rolls are in the oven melt about 2 tablespoons of butter and set aside (microwave for 30 seconds to melt). If the rolls are still pale at all on top they are not ready to come out. Once they look like this (see below), remove from oven.

How your rolls will look when they are ready to come out of the oven

11. Brush the hot rolls with the melted butter. Let your rolls cool for a few moments in the pan (about 5 minutes or so). Then take them out and place into a large serving bowl or dish covered with a tea towel. This is a very important step because if you let them sit in the hot pan too long they will sweat and get tough.

12. It’s time to enjoy your hard work! Your Thanksgiving guests will love them and be begging you to share your secrets. Homemade bread adds such a special touch to any dinner and makes your house smell INCREDIBLE! I can’t wait to see your guys rolls.

Living Abroad: My Experience Being And American In Spain

October 3, 2020Leave a Comment

For the past year, my husband Trenton, our son Owen, our daughter Jane, and I have lived in Madrid, Spain. We still can’t really speak Spanish. My husband takes lessons but has a severe hearing loss which makes it more challenging for him. I speak decent “grocery store” Spanish which is just a nice way of saying I know how to look for the food I need from the market. Owen, on the other hand, can speak a fair amount but is too shy to ever speak in front of us. And Jane knows she can’t speak Spanish but just goes about her normal social butterfly business anyway. In the year I have lived abroad I have learned more about myself and the the world than I ever realized I would. My perspective of things has taken a shift in such a beautiful way. This experience is something that I honestly have a hard time putting into words. But I think if I can try to wrap my head around how I feel, its worth trying to. Enjoy my feeble attempt at putting this into writing!

This place is completely different from anything I had ever known and yet it is still exactly the same. Different language, different food, different holidays, customs, clothes, and places, but life is the same. Everyday I wake up and drink my coffee, and get my kids ready for school. The same as all the Spanish moms. I go to the grocery store to buy food for my family and so are the other parents. Sometimes I will see a grandpa picking his granddaughter up from school, and watch with a smile as the little girl runs up to him for a big hug, the same as my little Jane does with her grandpa. I see people going out to the park, riding bikes, and taking their dog for a walk. People are living their lives. It looks different here but it’s the same at the core. This experience has taught me in such a deep way how we are all the same. We all have needs, we all have dreams, and we all have families and friends. Nobody is exempt from these things. This experience has grounded me in such a profound way. No longer do I think of people who are completely unfamiliar to me as different, I think of them as the same, no matter how big the difference may be.

Life is normal for me here. If you only saw my social media posts, you might think my life looks amazing. To be fair, IT IS AMAZING! We have had many opportunities to travel, tour old Spanish towns on the weekend and so much more. However, on any typical day, life is still just like any other normal day. Trenton goes to work. The kids go to school. Owen has basketball games on Saturday’s. I go to dinner with friends. We just happen to be living our life in an amazing place where we can take advantage of so many memorable adventures. But again, the ins and out of my life is still a lot like yours. I stil get sad. I still get behind on laundry. I make cookies for my kids after school. I go on dates with my husband. The only difference is I’m doing it in Spain. Also, on a quick side note, I don’t have a dryer, so I am jealous of all y’all for that one!

The deep love we have for travel will now shape the rest of our lives. I find so much beauty in getting to go somewhere I’ve never been, eat food I have never eaten, or hear a language completely foreign to my ears. Before moving here my “must travel to list” was VERY simple. It went something like “Paris, London, Turkey” and 2/3 I have done now, it would have been 3/3 but COVID. The longer we’ve lived in Europe, the longer our travel list is becoming.We long to go explore places off the beaten path. The places that are on the road less traveled. In a just a short time and with only seeing a small part, Trenton and I want to spend the rest of our lives getting to see the beauty the world has to offer. It has become a big goal for us now. We have such a deep desire to spread light and love throughout the world.

There is so much beauty in being out of place. As I already mentioned, we can’t speak Spanish, and unlike most other European countries, a large majority of Spaniards don’t speak English. And you know what, I like it. As much as I wish I was able to communicate better, I love that I am constantly reminded just how diverse and unique every corner of the world is. There was a learning curve when we moved to Europe, for sure. A steep one at times! I remember vividly being shocked that I would be required to street park most places I went. In fact, parking lots would be considered a luxury here. But I found my groove. I found my way. I have a whole pocket of knowledge in my brain about how to do life in Spain. A whole bunch of information that to anybody else would be rendered useless, but for me it’s essential information. I know that most shops will be closed from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. for lunch break. (Despite what Google might tell you…) And that if you want to buy cranberries for Thanksgiving you need to rush to Costco as soon as it’s November.

We do not take this for granted. Let me be clear, at times, it may seem like I diminish what a gift we have to be able to live in Europe, because, for me, it’s just my normal now. But hear me when I say, we know just how huge of a thing this is. Especially being brought up in a very rural part of America, where many people we know dream of being able to visit Europe once in their lifetime. I hope you hear my heart when I say that, while it will be sad if and when this adventure ends, we will return to the US full of thankfulness for the time we had. In the end, we know we will return as different people, because living abroad changes you in a lot of ways, most of which you don’t anticipate. We have grown so much as individuals, and within our marriage. Our children have been given an opportunity to go to a very diverse school. They have learned about their friends background, culture, and faith while still being proud of their own. We have learned that the way people live their life can look many different ways and that the world would be such a boring place if they didn’t.

P.S. The most beautiful place in the world to me is the view from my grandparents cliff overlooking the mountains in West Virginia. I am confident that will never change.

My Top Disney World Planning Tips For Beginners

October 3, 2020Leave a Comment

From my personal experience, these are my top 5 basic planning tips. Tips that I hope will make your first trip less overwhelming and more relaxing. With a place like Disney World where there are seemingly endless options of things to do, see, eat, and explore its easy to end up feeling the stress and not the magic. But, with some planning before hand, you’ll be smiling ear to ear riding Dumbo without a care in the world, trust me! The effort you put into planning before your trip will pay off!

1. Stay On Disney Property

For some, the idea of staying on property isn’t an obvious choice. You can get a more affordable room while staying off property at times, but for me the benefits of staying on Disney far outweigh the benefits of staying elsewhere. Here’s why: First of all, you will have access to the Disney Magical Express. Not only does this service provide transportation for you from the airport to your resort, Disney will also take care of transporting your luggage from the airport straight to your room, allowing you to go straight to the park when you first arrive. I love this so much because it really makes for a much more relaxed vacation with a lot less hassle!

As if this benefit weren’t enough, another huge perk of staying on Disney is being able to utilize their extensive Park Transport network. This includes buses that go to every park, including Disney Springs. And you’ll never be waiting more than 20 minutes for a bus! In addition to the bus, certain resorts include direct access to the monorail system which will connect you to both Magic Kingdom and Epcot. A few resorts also offer a ferry boat to certain parks. The newest addition to their system is the Disney Skyliner. A gondola system that brings guests from select resorts to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

My next “must stay on Disney” point has to be the extra magic hours. Guests from all Disney resorts will have early access to a certain parks each day. In the summer, this will also extend into closing time. Giving you more hours in the park and more bang for your buck.

And finally, my overall number one reason would have to be THE MAGIC. When you stay on property you have the fun themed rooms, Mickey shaped waffles at breakfast, and cast members, who are very pleasant and always helpful, ready to make your trip the best it can be. So, for me staying on property is a no brainer.

2. Ask For Help

I remember planning our first trip. I felt overwhelmed. I reached out to quite a few people, read a lot of blog posts, and watched more videos about planning than I can even remember. But, once I had a clear understanding of how to do it, I felt really confident planning our trip. A big takeaway from getting a lot of peoples thoughts on the subject is, there’s not one right way to do it. Take in all the advice you hear, see, or read. Then you can apply what works for you and keep the rest stored away in case you need to try something different. Since I started planning my family’s trips, I have helped quite a few friends plan trips of their own. Often emailing them past itineraries, or offering up the tips I have for planning. And I hope they found it helpful, but also found a way that worked for their family and their circumstance!

3. Prebook All Dining Reservations And Fast Passes

Gone are the days when you could show up to Disney World and grab a fast pass on your way to your favorite ride or swing in the morning of, and hope for a dinner reservation open for that evening. As envious as I am for my parents experience when they lived in Orlando, my “Type A” personality does love that when I arrive everything is already planned out. You can make dining reservations up to 180 DAYS BEFORE your arrival date for every day of your trip (up to 10 days). And for fast passes, you can make your selections 60 days before your arrival (if you stay on property, 30 days for off property guests). Making it smooth sailing when you arrive!

4. Plan to Arrive For Rope Drop

Trust me, I know the last thing you want to be doing on vacation is wake to with an alarm clock and get moving. However, when you’re doing Disney it just makes sense. You will get to take advantage of a lower crowd with shorter wait times, and cooler temperatures! And lets be honest, if you’re traveling with kids they will be getting up early anyway, might as well make the most of it! Crowds usually begin to pick up around 10:30-11:00 am, which is the perfect time to grab a snack and take a little break.

5. Download The My Disney Experience App

If there is one game changer for a Disney World vacation, its the My Disney Experience app. Hands down incredible. I could honestly go on and on about how convenient it is, but I will just highlight some of my more favorite details. The app has in depth maps of each park, which includes current wait times for all rides as well as start times for parades and live shows. You can also book more fast passes once you have used the 3 you’ve already booked for that day. In addition to fast passes, you can also try and get a last minute dining reservation in or modify a previous reservation. Mobile food ordering is available which is amazing because it cuts out your time waiting in line to order! There are quite a few other super convenient features on the app, but just take my word for it.. its worth the free download!

I hope you found these helpful as you as you begin the Disney planning process, or gave you more information for when you hope to plan a trip in the future. I would love to share more in depth tips with you all if you would find it useful! Just let me know if that’s something you would be interested in hearing more about! ❤

Peace

October 3, 20201 Comment

My name is Olivia (this is not new information). My parents picked that name for me before they ever saw my face. Before they ever held me in their arms. They named me. They chose what I would be called for my whole life. Before I ever took a breath I was loved, SO long wished for, and named. Olivia. When you look up my name it means “olive tree”. I can promise you my parents did not pick that name because of it’s meaning, they simply liked it. And in their minds it fit. But God saw their hearts, and said ‘you may have chosen this name out of simple joys but I’m writing a story with this name. With these 6 random letters placed together, I’m pouring my glory in.’

Two weeks ago our family relocated to Madrid, Spain. Would you like to know what you get when you mix extreme jet lag, confusion, and a totally new environment that looks and sounds nothing like you know…

Culture shock- noun.
The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone when they are suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.

Reality hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind spiraled really fast into panic mode “I don’t know where the grocery store is, much less what it’s called. But it doesn’t matter anyway because I have no car to get around or know how to navigate a metro. And I wouldn’t dare venture out anyway because my cell phone has been rendered useless. And even if I was brave and went out I couldn’t ask for directions because I speak no Spanish and can’t use Google translate because, like I already established no cell phone.” You see where this is going. My eyes and my mind had a strong deer in headlights look. And I questioned our choice to move (for about a day). Even though we were so divinely brought here (that is a story for another time), so obviously called here, so supernaturally placed here… I doubted. I doubted his goodness and his faithfulness.

On the second day we were here we had appointments to view potential homes (we are currently staying in a temporary apartment). So with my deer in headlights eyes and attitude we went. And I was about 110% sure no house we saw would feel like a home to me and even if it did it probably wouldn’t work out for it to be ours. Because we really are our own worst enemy sometimes. We walked into the first house and much to my surprise I liked it, like REALLY liked it. We finished inside the house then transitioned to look outside. We followed the realtor out the door, he was talking about this and talking about that. He was explaining how the awning worked and where the outlets were. Truth be told I was half listening because it wasn’t interesting conversation. Then he said something I will never forget, under his breath practically, barely audible, “here is the olive tree”. Everybody followed in a single file line behind him, not much to see with that they all thought. But I couldn’t follow. I was stopped dead in my tracks.

I looked at that olive tree, and it hit me. God spoke so prophetically over me in that moment and said, “Do you see what I’ve done? I did this all so you could glimpse my glory. My goodness. My faithfulness. You’re here. You Olivia, the olive tree. I planted you here. You’re rooted here already, you’re home.” All this time of waiting, of moving, of hoping, of doubting lead me here to this moment.

How many circumstances lead me here? How many puzzle pieces did God so perfectly orchestrate to land me in this moment facing this tree? I can think of a few. Trenton had to get a transfer to Spain, somebody had to plant this olive tree, this house had to be available for rent, the list goes on and on honestly. Then my mind starts to wonder would I be standing here in this moment if I never would have met Trenton? Did all those painful years of infertility my parents suffered lead me to this moment? I think it all fits. I think every single circumstance in our life leads us where we are called to go. The mountain top joys and the valleys of deep sadness, they all work together to form a beautiful masterpiece we could never even imagine existed. Because after all, thats what is promised to us. The book of Romans states “God causes EVERYTHING to work together for the GOOD of those who love him”.

I prayed for peace on that day when my heart and mind were overwhelmed. A small, sincere prayer. And I was handed peace. Literally right into my physical hand. I could reach out and touch those olive tree leaves.

When God flooded the earth it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. It did not let up. How uncertain Noah and his family must have felt. Did they doubt the faithfulness of God? Did they think they would ever get off this rocking, smelly, damp boat? I bet they CRAVED peace. Peace in the waves rocking them, peace for the storm that didn’t seem like it would ever let up, peace for their hearts and minds. Then the rain stopped. And they waited. For 150 days the earth was overcome with flooding. And now, if not already I bet they really began to cry out to God.
Maybe they said things like:
“How much longer Lord must we wait with no sign of this flood ending?”
“God why have you forgotten about us?”
“We were faithful to your command and you left us here to die!”

Now scripture never says that they actually said these things, or questioned these things in their hearts. But I would be surprised if they didn’t. Wouldn’t you have? I know I would have doubted the faithfulness of God, even though he had brought me so far already. Even though 100% of the time before he had been faithful to me. My favorite parts of scripture is when it uses the words “But God”, and thats exactly what is used in this recounting of Noah’s experience. Right after it says how long the flood waters sat there, right when their doubt was at its peak and they felt totally abandoned, it says “But God remembered Noah”. Just like he remembers us today. God was waiting for the perfect moment to extend His glory for Noah’s good. When Noah sent the dove out for the second time it returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf. This is why we still see the olive branch as a symbol of peace today. It signaled the end of God’s judgement on the earth. It was a sign to Noah and his family that they had not been forgotten. It was the peace Noah and his family so desperately longed for. And for me it was the peace I needed in my heart to know this city I now call home, was where I can be planted and bloom.

I want you to hear my heart here. This is NOT a story about me and my cool experience. Even though it happened to me. This is a story about God and his supreme glory and unwavering faithfulness. It’s about how I keep learning just how faithful He is, and how true the name Prince Of Peace is. We all crave peace in one form or another in a particular area of our life. With a small three word prayer, “Give me peace” God unraveled a story he has been writing a long long long time before I ever came to be. This was all pre ordained before I was even born. Before my parents ever met, He had a plan. He was orchestrating this beautiful picture and I never even knew it. I just get to experience it and be thankful for it.

When I stopped and stared that day at my olive tree, I saw so much of God’s faithfulness planted where I now stood. Maybe you’re struggling to find peace in your life. Maybe there are situations beyond your control that don’t seem fair or good. And my heart hurts for you. I may not know what you’re walking through or experience what you’ve experienced but I have felt pain. I know disappointment, and how sometimes life doesn’t seem to be going the way you thought it would go. But I also know this God is faithful, his promises are true, and his peace passes understanding.