List One. Podcasts

It's been forever. But i've been posting on insta instead (oops!). But the first few weeks of 2018 have brought a few different goals for me (aka resolutions? goals sound a bit more official and attainable...) and one of those goals includes making lists of my favorite things. So here is goes... a few of my favorite things take one: Podcasts.

Relevant Podcast (show page here)
In 3 words: Hilarious, informative, challenging
Favorite because: it makes me laugh out loud ALL THE TIME. It also isn't just an interview which is the case with most podcasts. 
Favorite episodes:  #553 with Jennie Allen and #579 with Beth Moore

That Sounds Fun w/Annie F. Downs (find it here)
In 3 words: Enneagram (it started my obsession), faith-filled, cute
Favorite because: she has on some killer guests and she's hilarious (and she loves the enneagram and make me love it to and now i agree with her that everyone should know about it!)
Favorite episodes: #31 with John Mark Comer and #53 with Beth McCord + the Enneagram

Fun Therapy (click here)
In 3 words: Powerful, enlightening, vulnerable
Favorite because: Wow. Just go listen to it... the emotions that you'll feel over stranger's stories is amazing and life-altering
Favorite episodes: #3 with Maria Goff, #4 with Caitlin Crosby and #8 with Annie F. Downs

The Next Right Thing (go here)
In 3 words: Simple, short, sweet
Favorite because: i could listen to Emily read the telephone book (if they still make those ;) and i would still love her voice. i love how short the episodes are and that they pack an absolute punch!
Favorite episodes: #1 but seriously just go listen to them all in sequence!


 Honorable podcast episodes mentions: Single ladies -- make sure you check out Episode 3 of How to Fix a Broken Record. Parents of girls -- check out The New Activist episode with Brit Gilmore.

Honorable podcast mentions: The Red Couch Podcast (this needs a second season for sure!) and The New Activist [both of these are part of the Relevant Podcast Network]. Girls Night with Stephanie May Wilson (new to me). Hi Friend (would be on my list if they posted more regularly... either way, i still love these episodes!).

musical memories

Music has a special place in my heart. i've been playing piano since i was three and i guess it's just been woven into my life because of that. And it's not just piano! i am always on the look out for new, good music. i've noticed lately, though, that i really connect songs with memories - especially trip memories - so i thought i'd share some of these!

More Heart, Less Attack - Needtobreathe
"Be the wheels, not the track. Be the wanderer that's coming back."
This song will always remind me of driving around Portland, Oregon a few summers ago. It was the first time i'd been to the city and we listened to it time after time after time (after time) as we drove around. i love that the song starts out so chill and then builds in the bridge!

Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman
"So why do i worry? Why do i freak out? God knows what i need. He knows what i need"
i had the incredible opportunity to go to China a few months back (something i never expected to do) and as we prepared to go to the Great Wall i knew that i wanted something special to remind myself of being in that amazing place. So i brought my ipod with me and found a spot on one of the guard towers to sit by myself and listen to this song. It's always been one of my favorites because the lyrics are so applicable and the simple melody is so beautiful, but now it will forever remind me of the Great Wall!

Busted Heart (Hold On To Me) - For King & Country
"i am the wandering son. Enough is never enough. i keep chasing the wind instead of chasing Your love"
This one reminds me of Australia. This trip was one of my favorites i've ever been on and this cd had come out a bit before i went! Needless to say it was on repeat throughout the 20+ hours of flying i did in those two weeks. i love that it's a song where the singer is singing to God. And it's catchy and reminds me of the blue 20 degree water! What's not to love!

Washed By the Water - Needtobreathe
"Even when the storm comes, i am washed by the water"
i didn't used to like Needtobreathe... shocking, i know! But this concert changed my mind! We were outside, they had just finished singing this song and started into another when it started to absolutely downpour. Like raining like no other. Almost without thinking, they transitioned back into the chorus of this song and it was absolutely unreal. Thousands of voices, in the pouring rain, singing about God washing our sins away! It's a picture i have in my mind whenever this song comes on!

march inspiration (#10)

• Ed Sheeran's album "Divide" has been on repeat all day every day! (side note: my keyboard doesn't have a divide symbol..?!?) - Galway Girl has been fueling my dreams of going to Galway one day soon!
•  It's was International Women's Day yesterday and Lululemon absolutely nailed it with this open letter to women! 
• i've been pleasantly surprised by the fact that hosting is something that i love! This article on 7 things you should do 24 hours before a party is an awesome guide to help entertaining be a little less stressful 
• Guys... i've become a candle person! This apricot basil one sold me on them and it's been burning almost non stop when i'm home 

(see list #9, list #8, list #7, list #6, list #5, list #4, list #3, list #2 and list #1)

february inspiration (#9)

 

• i got the chance to see Relient K and Switchfoot on tour together which was basically a dream come true (Sadie Hawkins Dance and khaki pants anyone???) and i've been pumping out a playlist with both bands today
• The Letterfolk insta has me in tears, daily! Check it out!
• Immigration has been an extremely touchy subject recently here in North American. If you're looking for some discussion on it that is Godly and thoughtful, i would highly recommend this Relevant podcast episode
•  "Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people." - Eleanor Roosevelt
• These single Christian girl memes cracked me up!
• i used a slow cooker for the first time yesterday and this recipe for Chicken Fajitas was awesome!

(see list #8, list #7, list #6, list #5, list #4, list #3, list #2 and list #1)

inspiration list 3

(see list #2 and list #1)

• The new Switchfoot song + video - i have SO MUCH LOVE for these guys. Can't wait for the new album
• This pasta recipe has me wanting to get some serious cooking done (it looks super impressive but it only takes 30 minutes! Bonus!)
• The sea is my happy place and this mug is a perfect description of how i re-charge
• i love Christian memes but they aren't always that funny. This post had me chuckling for about 95% of them which i'd say is a job well done
• The struggle is real and the need to buy this shirt is definitely a real struggle

to make an end

i believe T.S. Elliot said it right when he said "and to make an end is to make a beginning." i'm so excited for this next chapter in my life to unfold, but it some of that excitement is also dimmed by the fact that i have no idea what's next. This past week i've been thinking a lot about the lessons i've learned over the past few years. i love making lists to remember highlights of the year at new years, or after each year of school so i thought i'd make a quick list of the things i've learned about myself and my relationships over these past few years of school.

• i think the biggest one was one that i wrote about here - it's okay to not be okay - it's okay to not be moving forward but to just stand still sometimes. 
• A few times over my four years of school i was met with some pretty heavy stories from my friends and i realized that as much as it is my job as their friend to listen and support them, i am not God who knows everything they walk through and i have absolutely no training to really get down into the nitty gritty. Sometimes all i can do is listen, hug and be a shoulder to cry on and that is enough!
• Friendships require intentionality. If you want to stay connected, it doesn't really work not putting any effort in like it did in elementary school. It requires texts, phone calls, facebook posts and (best of all in my opinion) letters. It requires making plans, even if they get broken, and putting yourself out there.
• Sometimes those personality tests you do can actually be really valuable. i used to think that they were silly - but since learning i'm an introvert with need for quality time (yay for love languages), i've actually learned a lot about how i recharge and how i interact with others. i've learned that it's okay to spend alone time sometimes but that i can't always use my introvert tendencies as an excuse not to be intentional with my friends
• Contentment isn't a final destination, it's a road that you travel. Like the quote that i put on instagram yesterday says: "[Contentment is] when your life is enough" (Loveology, p. 165)
• Lastly, i've learned an obvious lesson that i will unfortunately, probably be learning for the rest of my life... i can't see the future. i can have some ideas but ultimately, God is the only one who knows what's next. And i can be okay with that because He is God and He knows what is best for me in the short-term and in the long-term. 

Ultimately, school has taught me a lot of lessons beyond those in the classroom and i will forever be grateful for that. Thankfully, the days of studying and papers are over (at least for now) and i'm looking forward to moving into a professional life and seeing what lessons come with that! 

lists - inspiration take 2

See list #1 here.

• It's been blazing hot here, so i made a chai tea "base" so i can whip up iced chai teas super quick! 2 bags of green tea chai steeped for 10+ minutes, a splash of good vanilla and a ton of honey! So yummy!
• Needtobreathe put out two new songs without me knowing! (and i call myself a fan...) This one is my favorite but the other one is killer too
• This salad is seriously inspiring me to pick up some avacado and radishes!
• "The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love of God begins with listening to His word, so the beginning of love for our brothers and sisters is learning to listen to them." - Bonhoeffer 
• This cover of Taylor Swift's You Are In Love is unreal!!!
• i'm just about to grab my music issue of Relevant and go lay in the sun (there will definitely be some inspiration - and hopefully some new music ideas - in there)

Lists - Inspirations

i love lists and i've been feeling a little uninspired lately so i thought i'd write down a few things that i've found particularly inspiring in the past few days.

- Future of Forestry's album Pages
- "Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground." (Teddy Roosevelt)
- "Normality is a paved road. It's comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow." (Vincent Van Gogh)
- This Relevant Magazine article on why Christians ruin dating
- This photo of what looks like the best breakfast/snack ever
- This silk flower wall decoration idea

Okay, so it's a little ragtag of a list but who cares? What's inspiring you these days?