The End of Summer

Good morning! Seeing how it is the end of summer (nooo!) and the beginning of fall (yay!), I thought I'd update ya'll on my summer activity list. I actually thought we did a pretty good job of doing most of the stuff on here. 

Second Saturday Art Walk

The first on the list and... we didn't do it! Actually, every "second" Saturday this summer we have been out of town or doing something else. However, this is a year round event so I still plan on doing it in the fall. I've heard it's pretty fun.

Gold Panning + Fishing on the American River

Yes! Well, sort of. We did go gold panning on the river and we did go fishing but we didn't go the American River. Close enough. 

Sacramento Vintage Night 

Daniel and I went to this one! It was pretty cool but we actually found a different car event that Daniel enjoyed even more. He was in awe of this car. Apparently it's rare... although I wouldn't know (-:

Go to the State Capitol

Did it! Check out cool pictures here.

Swimming at the Lake

Ok, I actually didn't really do this. Crazy, right? I did go to the lake a few times and wade in but the days we went just happened to be unusually chilly and I just wasn't feeling it. Plus, the lakes around here are extremely low and icky because of the drought. 

Make My Wedding Scrapbook

Done, done, and done! This took fooooreverrr but I finally finished it the day before school started. Whatcha think??

Crocker Art Museum (Free 3rd Sunday)

Did this! Neither Daniel or I are into art, but we tried. To be honest, I forgot how boring it can be to walk around looking at clay statues and modern art. Sorry, art lovers.

Camping

Our church youth group went camping in mid August. I got sick while there, so it wasn't the best experience, but overall a good time. I thought the meals we cooked turned out really tasty, which is pretty good for camping. (: 

Bike Riding

I went several times on a local trail and I even bought my own bike! 

Davis Arboreteum

Daniel, Bekka and I went to the arboreteum earlier this summer. I really enjoyed it but it wasn't what I had expected. I thought it would be a big enclosed area, but it turned out to be more like a nature walk. I wish we had taken a picnic! Pictures here.

Go To Echo Lake (Where We Got Married!) 

Yeah! We went twice-- once for a hike and once for a retreat with our church. Here is a picture of us at the cabin where we got married. (: 

Go To The Library A Lot + Read 5 Good Books

I read a ton of books this summer! And by a ton, I mean at least 20. I don't know if I really read 5 amazing books, but I read some that I enjoyed a lot. 

Sacramento Gold Rush Days (Labor Day Weekend)

Sadly, we didn't get to go here, but that's only because we were on vacation for our anniversary, so I was okay with missing it! 

Find Fun New Workouts

I have been a youtube fiend recently. I have seriously been loving workout videos from PopSugar Fitness and "Yoga with Adriene." Check it out here. 

Anniversary Trip To Squaw Valley, The Beautiful Lodge We Had Our Honeymoon At And Where They Once Held The Olympics!

Yeah, yeah, yeah! Love this place so much. You can read about our adventures here. 

Take LOTS Of Pictures 

Ehh... I'd say I only achieved this mediumly. Which apparently isn't even a word. I did take an online photography class that I thought was helpful. However, I took far more pictures with my iphone than I did with the camera, so I guess I only half-achieved that one. 

Visit My Grandparents In Virginia 

When I had a week break from summer school, Daniel and I visited Virginia. We had a really nice time relaxing with my grandparents and seeing/eating fun new things. 

Thursday Night Concerts In Our Community 

We were there pretty much every week! Our town has these awesome free concerts in an outdoor amphitheater. It's always absolutely packed and SO fun to go to. 

All in all, I'd say I had an awesome summer! Here's to a wonderful fall!

Basket Surprise

Hi, friends!

Today I'm just stopping by to share with you a fun way to make your spouse feel extra special. As I've mentioned before, I use the "Dating Divas" website a lot to come up with ways to make our marriage great. I prepared this basket for Daniel and had it waiting on the bed for him when he got home. I was soo excited about it and I think he was too! I got a text while I was in class, exclaiming how awesome it was.

I filled my basket with things that Daniel likes-- candy, movies, games, etc. I also got him a few items that he needed like socks (-: You can find all the printouts for it on the Dating Divas website here.

I'd love to hear about what you do if you decide to make this fun basket for your spouse!

When Others Have What We Desire

This weekend I had the opportunity to go to a retreat in South Lake Tahoe that was hosted by our church. The classes were excellent! Five young brothers spoke on the topic of combating anger, pride, greed and envy while instead filling yourself with their opposites-- love, compassion, contentment and charity. While I enjoyed all the classes, the one that resonated with me the most was the class on envy, because it's something I need to think about more. I never realized before how much my attitude is sometimes filled with envy of others.

Without even realizing it, sometimes I look at others and wish that some aspect of my life was like theirs. If I'm being completely honest, the thing I envy most in others is the ability to make friends. I have truly amazing friends whom I absolutely love, but at the same time, I have always struggled making new friends. I also struggle just being able to make casual conversations with people who I don't know very well. I just feel awkward and uncomfortable. So when I see others who are fun and bubbly, to me it seems like everyone must just love them. I find myself wishing that I was likeable like that. 

Proverbs 14:30 - A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/buzzvine/7-important-scriptures-about-jealousy-and-envy-126111/#CAmJGp5y4Mi1tIGZ.99

Proverbs 14:30: A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. 

In this class, we were reminded just how deadly envy can be. It makes you believe that you aren't good enough or that what you have isn't good enough. It idealizes other's lives when you really don't see the whole picture. Even people who are good at making friends probably feel awkward sometimes. And even if they don't, they have other struggles that I will never know about. 

The best way to battle envy is by becoming content. God has given you what He knows you need. It is enough. 

Now that I have come to realize how much envy sometimes consumes me, I know I need to do something about it. I will strive to focus more on being thankful for the gifts that I do have rather than envying those who have gifts that I do not. I can also strive to be a better "people-person." Easier said than done, right? But my brother, Justin, who gave the class, shared this list of ways to be content. I think it is a wonderful, practical way of embracing contentment in your life and I encourage you to check it out!

Philippians 4:12-13: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Currently in September

Happy Friday! As the week comes to a close, I am reflecting on what I'm thankful for! Here's what I have been up to lately... I'd love to hear what you've been up to! 

reading| Happy Wives Club by Fawn Weaver-- I'm in the happy wives club too! (-: 

watching | white collar 

trying| to stay motivated in school and keep up with my reading and studying

eating| I've been eating pita chips all week at school... why are they so good??

pinning| quotes to help me grow my perspective and inspire me to be better. Check out my pinterest here

going| to tahoe again this weekend! our church is having a weekend retreat so I'll be soaking in this beauty

loving| my husband, always

discovering| that I CAN do it 

enjoying| reading lots of books from the library as my study breaks

thinking| about fall!

feeling| overwhelmed by all the stuff I have going on but hopeful that I will do well!

hoping| that I will learn to be more loving

listening| to these wonderful classes on Jeremiah and the message of change

thanking| God for all the wonderful people he has put in my life... really feeling it today

starting| to get excited/nervous because soon I will actually be working with real, live patients! 

3 Days

Daniel and I spent a wonderful 3-day weekend in Squaw Valley, an area near Lake Tahoe. In fact, it's where they held the Olympics in 1960. It's so gorgeous and idyllic there. The little town is peaceful and the food is delicious. We spent most of the time lying around, reading, eating out and relaxing in the spa. However, we did go on a hike on Sunday afternoon. It was difficult but quite beautiful! What did you do on the 3-day weekend?

Happy September

Happy September! For me, September means starting school again. With a full time schedule, I get a little **ok, a lot** stressed out. Our classes are mostly all day long, which means that when I get home it's time to study. All the work makes me feel anxious, so I am making a few goals for September that will hopefully help me to deal with school better while still doing other things that are important!

Hanging with some of my favorites (:

September Goals:

1. Listen to a Bible class on the way to school every morning. Daniel and I have been choosing different recorded classes and listening to them on our separate ways to school/work. Love it because it's a reminder first thing in the morning (and I do mean first thing!) to put God first that day. A great place to download classes is here and here.

2. Study while I'm ahead. Easy to say, hard to do. Sometimes I do really well, but often I'm so bad about procrastinating. I don't study enough and often wait too late to do it. While school is just starting up and I'm not overwhelmed with assignments yet, I need to remember to use my extra time wisely!

3. Have a weekly date night and meet up with my friends at least once a week. Last year, Daniel and I always had a date night every week, even if the date was just staying at home and reading a book together or watching a movie. I want to do the same this year. I also want to make sure to meet up with friends at least once a week. That's not to say that I'm not going to see them more, but sometimes when life gets busy, meeting up can get hard!

That's all for now. I don't want to overwhelm myself with goals, but I do want to encourage myself to prioritize and keep up. What are your goals for September?

Radical Joy

Happy Friday! I've been reflecting on my Blog's title lately and felt that it was time to repost one of my very first posts. It is a reminder dear to my heart-- joy doesn't mean always being happy. It means despite our circumstances, we are led by our hope of God's Kingdom. It is this knowledge that brings peace of heart. In it, we can take constant joy. Have a wonderful weekend!

June 19, 2012

Hi!  Today Is My First REAL Blog Post And I Am Very Excited About That.  Since My Blog Is Called PURE JOY, I Figured I Would Make My First Blog About Just That…. JOY.  The Bible Says A Lot About Joy.   We Are Told To Be Joyful In Our Sufferings, To Be Joyful In Our Hope, To Be Joyful Always.  And I’ve Been Thinking… How In The World Do We Do That??!  Be Joyful When We Are In A Car Accident? Be Joyful When Someone We Love Is Dying?  Be Joyful In The Mundane Tasks Of Life?  I Mean, That’s Just Not For Me. 

“Be Joyful Always, Pray Continually; Give Thanks In All Circumstances, For This Is God’s Will For You In Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).”

Most People Would Say That It Is A Little Extreme To Be Joyful ALWAYS.  Most Of The Time… Yes, But Always?! Sounds A Little Ridiculous; A Little Radical.  What Happened To The Saying “Moderation In All Things”?  Guess What? That Is NOT A Scriptural Principle.  In Fact, I Believe That God Wants Us To Be Extremists.  In Life, In Love, In JOY, We Need To Be Extreme.

“Consider It Pure Joy, My Brothers And Sisters, Whenever You Face Trials Of Many Kinds, Because You Know That The Testing Of Your Faith Produces Perseverance (James 1:2-3).” 

Not Only Are We To Be Joyful In All Circumstances, But James Tells Us Specifically To Be Joyful At Trials.  How Could He Say Such A Thing?  How Can We Do It?  I Feel A Bit Presumptuous To Tell Others To Be Joyful In Trials When My Trials Have Been Few And Small.  But If You Are Unwilling To Listen To Me, Certainly You Can Agree That The Apostle James Endured Many Dreadful Trials, The Likes Of Which Most Of Us Cannot Imagine. If James And Paul Can Tell Us To Be Joyful In Our Trials, Then We Should Take Notice. 

But How?

What Is This Joy That The Bible Speaks Of? Is It Simply Laughing And Smiling All The Time, Or Thinking Everything Is Funny? Definitely Not.  “The Hope Of The Righteous Brings Joy, But The Expectation Of The Wicked Will Perish (Proverbs 10:28).” More Than Laughter And Happiness, Joy Comes From Our Certainty Of The Future And What God Has Promised Us.  Despite What Goes On In The World Around Us, We Can Find Joy From The Comfort From God That If We “Worship In Spirit AND In Truth” That We Will Be Saved.  We Must Be Confident, Not In Our Own Righteousness, But In God’s Grace.  As Nehemiah Says, “Do Not Grieve, For The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength (Nehemiah 8:10).”  So Take Heart, For Our Joy Is Not Determined By The Circumstances That Surround Our Lives, But From The Constant Reminder Of The Wonderful Plan God Has For His Kingdom, And The Promise That We CAN Be There.  We CAN Be Joyful In ALL Things!