Category: Faith

Favorite Advent Calendar for 2018

On By Styld by GraceIn Design, Faith2 Comments

This year I really wanted to be more intentional about focusing on God during the Christmas season. 

So I went on a search for advents online and was only finding advents for kids or advents that have little gifts each day. And most of the advents that were devotionals as well, were not tangible products. 

FINALLY, I found an advent from one of my favorite brands, All Good Things Collective. This advent comes in two options. One for families with kiddos and one for women in general. I LOVE THAT! Options are good. 

What I really love about this advent is that it has prompts each day, starting December 1st until the 25th, with Bible verses, activities, questions, etc.

Taped some string on the back of the frame so I could clip the Advent Calendar on the strings
At first I used washi tape but it didn’t stay so I had to use strong tape for the strings to stay put

You can use it every year if you want, switch up the cards in any order, or if you like a new each year, you can repurpose it by using the cards as gift tags the following year. You know I’m all about repurposing and making the most out of stuff. 

But what I love MOST about these cards are the designs. I bet you’re not surprised 😉 They were designed by one of my favorite artist, Morgan Harper Nichols. Having her beautiful words and artwork in my home makes me sooo happy. 

I also purchased the scripture guide to go with the advent calendar. Which is great because I love diving in a bit deeper with the Bible. I’m a nerd like that. 

The minute I purchased these, my wheels started turning on how and where I’d display them in my home. I remembered I had a couple of gold frames I could use. I didn’t really like the actual paintings in them but loved the frames. And I thought it’d be cool to display all the cards within the gold frame. Modern meets traditional! 

Don’t they look great?! I love shopping around my home. Looking for treasures I’ve put away to repurpose and use for another time. This frame was waiting for this particular project.

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to make your home look nice. It just takes some creativity, patience, and looking for hidden treasures. 

Retro – 15 Things You Should Know By 30

On By Styld by GraceIn Culture, Faith, Relationships1 Comment

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I’M 30, GUYS! “I MADE, IT! I MADE IT, MOMMA!”

Yeah, not really. At least that’s what I thought I’d say by the time I hit 30. But I do feel like I learned A LOT in the last decade (geez, that makes me sound old)!

The other day I was talking to someone who said: “yeah, I wouldn’t talk to like, a 30-YEAR-OLD, about that kinda stuff”. OUCH!

Actually, it’s probably a good idea to talk to someone who’s “been there, done that”, because there’s some pretty good insight and wisdom that can be shared.

So here are my 15 Things You Should Know By 30:
(and if you’re 30+, let me know if you can relate and say “Amen” to any of these)

O N E : If he’s not that into you, doesn’t give you the time of day, if he blows you off, cheats, lies, or in your gut, you have an icky feeling about him, DUMP HIM ASAP. Be a little savage about this. Know you’re worth. God has so much better for you.

T W O : Don’t allow pettiness to create a wedge between you and your friends. Get over the offense. Forgive. Ask for forgiveness. Move forward.

T H R E E : If you’re engaged and planning a wedding, remember that it’s just ONE DAY. Yes, a very important day. But the real stuff starts right after. Prepare your heart, spirit, and mind for marriage, not a wedding. It’s all going to turn out amazing anyway.

F O U R : Open a savings account. Have automatic withdrawals go into it and don’t touch it! I wish I would’ve started saving money the minute I started working. Instead, I spent so much money on shoes. Shoes that don’t fit me anymore. My student loans, though? Those are still around.

Just take the first step. DO IT!

F I V E : Education is so important! I am a first generation college graduate and I’m so dang proud of that. Both of my parents are immigrants and only wanted the best for me. Going to college was not optional for me. Even if you don’t know what degree or with what money you’ll start, just take the first step. DO IT!

S I X : Yes, education is amazing. Having a degree is a great asset. But don’t feel boxed in or forced to use that degree FOREVER. You may want to do something else down the road. THAT’S OKAY. A degree, going to school, is a must. It teaches you so much. But it’s not meant to box you in. It’s meant to open your mind to new and wonderful opportunities. Even if that means not doing the same thing forever.

S E V E N : Comparison will kill you. Stop trying to keep up with others. Just run your dang race. It’s not always greener on the other side. Your life is enough. YOU are enough.

E I G H T : Go to church. I spent the beginning of my 20s trying to get back to church after a few years of completely removing that from my life. I was hurt, disappointed, and felt no desire to go to a place “full of hypocrites”. Guess what, we can all be hypocrites sometimes. I’ve met my best friends and husband at church. Just give it a try.

N I N E : Romantic relationships are hard. Even when you find the best person. So make sure they love and serve Jesus.

T E N : Make sure you love and serve Jesus. Yes, there are so many responsibilities and distractions. But nothing matters more than your relationship with God.

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E L E V E N : Sex. It’s the most amazing thing. It’s a gift from God. But it’s meant for the safe and sacred boundaries that marriage provides. Yes, many will say this is an outdated way of thinking. But I’m alright with that. I believe and take to heart God’s word. AND I know what it feels like to experience heartache and baggage after compromising my beliefs. Take it from me, NOT WORTH IT.

T W E L V E : Don’t chase marriage. Be content and make the most of your single years. GO TRAVEL! When the time is right, if it’s God’s will for you to be wed, it’ll all happen so fast and you’ll realize the striving was so futile.

T H I R T E E N : Again, make the space in your life to travel. Whether that’s overseas, or a town nearby, or on a missions trip. There’s nothing like seeing life through someone else’s perspective.

F O U R T E E N : It’s ok to fail. It’s ok to be disappointed. It’s ok to not have it all together. Allow yourself to grieve your losses in life. Life is hard and contrary to years of misinterpreting God’s word, God never promised us perfect lives. Actually, He never promised to give us every single thing we want. He gave a MUCH better promise. That he would be our reward. That he would NEVER leave us or forsake us. Take heart! He is more than enough.

F I F T E E N : LOVE YOUR BODY. I’m still working on this one. There are so many days that I hate what I see in the mirror. But I’m getting sick of feeling this way. In the past year, I’ve really started to appreciate and love myself right where I’m at. Even if I’m not at the weight I ideally want to be at, I’m thankful that I’m healthy. I’m not going to conform to the standards this world puts on me. Healthy is better than skinny.

B O N U S : Make sure to go to the doctor when something feels off. Trust your gut. And if you have insurance and you’re not sure if a medical procedure is covered, JUST CALL THEM. You never know if you’ve overlooked a benefit.

Not Today, Offense!

On By Styld by GraceIn Culture, Dating, Faith, Friendship, Marriage, RelationshipsLeave a comment

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Picking up the phone, sending that text, inviting someone over, letting someone stay the night, listening, being honest, forgiving. Those are things that build relationships.

But offense… Offense is the one things that can destroy and unravel relationships. Offense is no respecter of relationship. Offense can affect our friendships, marriage, workplace, extended family, and even church.

It creates separation and causes us to think the worse of people. It leads us to notice the bad instead of the good. When offense starts to creep in, our thoughts get clouded and soon we feel lonely, isolated, left out, and at it’s worse, entitled.

How about we flip the switch on offense? Let’s stop to think of the last time we took the first step. Or expressed how we truly felt. Or the last time we showed up for others in ways we long for others to show up for us.

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You know, the cure to mend a broken relationship is to say no to offense. To do the opposite of what it’s whispering in our ear. To do the thing that feels least natural to our flesh and most freeing to our soul.

When I’m in the thick of it and my mind is out of control, God’s Spirit intervenes and reminds me to be the peacemaker, the hospitable friend, the listener, the gatherer, the one that’s quick to forgive.

Is there someone that comes to mind while reading this? Do you need to let them off the hook? Do you need to start noticing the good versus the bad? Do you need to let your pride down and make the call? Do you need to show up for them today?

Today I’m saying, “Not today, offense”. I’m saying, “Not today, devil”. Clear mind, open heart, willing spirit. God’s way, not mine.

Download the artwork below, Not Today, and feel free to share on your social media accounts. There are two sizes to choose from, square and vertical. Tag me if you use them, I’d love to see them on your feeds 🙂

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Grace-filled Reminders For The Lady Of The House (a.k.a. Home Engineer, Family Manager, Home Economist)

On By Styld by GraceIn Design, Faith, Marriage, RelationshipsLeave a comment

StyldbyGrace_LadyOfTheHouseCards__35I’m excited to share a new freebie I created for my fellow homemakers. That word, homemaker, may be a dirty word to some but to me, it means the head lady in charge. The boss lady. The home engineer. The puzzle solver. The family manager. The lady of the house. And oftentimes, the home economist. Anything to save a dollar here and there, right?!

Loving, nurturing, organizing, and up keeping our homes can seem like an antiquated thing but God has called us to our homes and families first. If we can manage businesses, schedules, outings, and everything else in between, we should make it a priority to manage our homes. To look out for our people. To make sure everything is at peace.

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But let’s be real. In the modern world, where our careers, side hustles, and servant leadership, demand A LOT from us, that can be really really difficult. Sometimes we even resent “having” to take care of our homes. I know I do!

So, what the solution? First, an enormous amount of grace towards ourselves and our families. Second, reading and meditating on God’s word and truth. And finally, reminders that encourage us daily, rooted in God’s word, both practical and spiritual.

 

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And that’s what this freebie is all about. Practical and spiritual reminders for us ladies to have a happy and willing heart when it comes to loving and serving our homes.

You can download these Grace-filled Reminders For The Lady Of The House here and display them all over your home. I hope they’re a blessing to you and your home ❤

Fall Decor Challenge

On By Styld by GraceIn Design, FaithLeave a comment

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With the fall season being here, I’m drawn to my home more than ever. My focus becomes creating an atmosphere that feels welcoming and cozy. The pumpkins start rolling out. Get-togethers invitations start to ramp up. And holiday plans start to take flight.

Along with all these amazing things comes some anxiety and worry. I start to think of all the things I need and don’t have. I start to see where I’m lacking and try to find ways to fill in the gaps.

Home is meant to bring peace and rest.

The endless need for more and new and shiny turns home into a chore and worse of all, a way to show off to your friends how Insta worthy your home can be.

It makes me sick to admit that. But perhaps I’m not the only one who feels this way.

As the year starts to come to an end, I start to think of the goal I set out at the beginning of the year. That goal was to go back to the basics. And I’d like to end 2018 strong, fully embracing simplicity and what really matters.

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What really matters isn’t having the picture-perfect fall table setting or the most decorated front porch.

So what’s my fall decor challenge for 2018? Simplicity and generosity.

This fall season, I’ve made a decision to not purchase a single new decor item. I will repurpose, reuse, reinvent, recreate from what I have. Pretty simple and pretty inexpensive.

I’m fully aware that somethings will have to stay the same and will not be redecorated for fall. Something may not match the season! AHHH! That makes the designer in me cringe… A LOT.

And I’ll probably cry a little when I have to go to Michaels. But it won’t kill me. And a little self-restraint never hurt nobody 😉

Instead, I’ll steward my resources for things that bring more value to my life. Like connecting with new friends, going on a special date with my hubby, saving for unexpected expenses, or giving to someone else who’s in need.

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Those trade-offs might not make my home look refreshed, but they will create opportunities for my heart and soul to be refreshed.

The pressure is off. Perfect is boring. And having more isn’t always the answer.

QUESTION: how will you make your home feel cozy and fall-ready this year? Are you going for simplicity or are you pulling out all the stops?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Am I trying to win the approval of men, or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10)

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornments such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4)