Sharing is Caring

I don't have any profound words to share these days (or any days for that matter), but I figured I could at least share a few of my favorite worship songs.  

Some are old, some are new, some are borrowed... I'm just kidding.  Do you have any favorite worship songs? If so, I would love to hear them.

Love,

Bk

p.s. Don't forget to scroll down to see the entire playlist.

God's Purpose for You

"We've just got this few minutes on this planet... and God meant them to matter. They matter to him.  If you are a child of God and you were allowed to go through something difficult, I promise you it has purpose... The enemy thought it for evil, but God thought it, deliberated it, reflected over it, and knew He would use it… for good… for the saving of lives." -Beth Moore

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

Bk

The Biltmore Estate

This post is a little out of order because it actually took place before the TEACCH training, but I wanted to explain the conference and the reason we were in Asheville before I posted these pictures. Since the TEACCH training lasted until 4:30pm Monday through Friday, we knew the only day we would have time to tour this beautiful property was on Sunday afternoon. With that being said, after a full day of flying (starting at 4am) my co-workers and I decided to tour the Biltmore Estate as soon as we arrived in Asheville, North Carolina. 

If you've never been, you should seriously consider checking it out.  This was my second time seeing it if that tells you anything.

As cliche as it may sound, walking across this lawn made me feel like a real-life princess:-). 

In fact, we decided to walk across it barefoot so we could soak it up as much as possible! 

Did I mention that I love these girls?!

This was pretty much the view of the 8,000 acre estate from every opening in the house. I think I could get used to that!

After we finished touring the Biltmore Estate, we decided to check out the Gardens & Grounds and the Winery. I don't have any pictures of the latter, but it was pretty impressive too.

I have a secret obsession with beautifully arranged flower pots.  This one did not disappoint!

Happy Weekend!

Bk

TEACCH Training

A few weeks ago, I had the awesome opportunity to attend a TEACCH Autism Program training with some of my new favorite co-workers.  To say that God had His hand on the way this trip came about is a bit of an understatement.  To make a long story short(er), let's just say I was invited to go on this trip before I was officially hired for a full-time position. I cannot even begin to explain how God works sometimes, but I know that He does. And for that I am thankful:-).

Since this was not your typical conference... it was a training where we literally worked from 8:30am-4:30pm for five straight days, we were only allowed to explore the city during the evenings. With that being said, we treated ourselves very well at dinner time and laughed until we cried more times than I can count. This group seriously stole my heart that week.  

Although I had heard alot about this training over the past few years, it was nothing like what I expected. In fact, it far exceeded my expectations.  It consisted of 18 attendees (all from different backgrounds... I was the only speech-language pathologist which was kind of weird at first), 5 trainers, and 4 students with autism. 

We were placed in groups of 4-5 attendees (typically not the people you came with, but Holly and me lucked out:0) with one trainer and one student with autism.  The first few days were full of lectures and setting up the work space, while the last three days were full of hands-on training with the students and structuring and restructuring specific tasks for the students.

Here's a picture of me with my group for the week! That's Weslie in the front right corner. She's from Charleston and joined us for dinner a few nights while we were there!

This was Shona's group. She was the main reason I was invited to go on this trip. I first met Shona over six years ago when I did my externship for this school district before I moved to Tennessee. If that's not a full-circle, I don't know what is?!

I realize this picture doesn't look like much, but when we first walked into this room all of the furniture was placed in a pile in the middle. The different groups were responsible for brainstorming together to figure out a way to use the furniture to create four work stations, a play area, an art center, a game area, a snack area, and a waiting area. Did I mention it had to be functional for all of us plus four students with autism to work in too?!

I cannot tell you how amazing this experience was. I loved every minute of it! These girls were so fun to travel, learn, and laugh with. 

Until next time,
Bk

p.s. Ignore the zinc strip sunlight across my nose!! Completely embarrassing. Especially when your co-workers start singing "This Little Light Of Mine" and try to use your nose to start fires. Thanks for keeping it real, guys! 

Now and Then

I.heart.these.people.

Bk

Lake St. John (in Pictures)

Thankful to have spent this Fourth of July with some of my favorite people at one of my favorite places.

Bk

Heart Matters

I am always hesitant to post articles related to marriage on social media websites provided my current situation... and if Satan could have his way, I would probably never talk about it again especially in a positive light. Fortunately, our God is bigger than all of that. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." He refuses to let prison, adultery, divorce, (insert your sin and/or trial of choice here), etc., etc. stop the gospel from being shared. If you don't believe me, just read Acts:-). 

Disclaimer: I also know that none of this is void of repentance, forgiveness, and grace.

One day I hope to share the story of how God has worked (and continues to work) in my heart to bring complete restoration and healing throughout this journey, but today the best way I can describe it is by referencing Psalm 25 and sharing this phenomenal article written by Tyler Ward for Relevant Magazine. Seriously, you should check it out. One of my favorite things Tyler Ward says is, "Our modern obsession with being happy often makes it far easier for us to love happiness more than we ever love another human." Wow.

With love, 

Bk

57" Rule

Since I finally started decorating my home again, I figured I would share one of my very favorite picture hanging tips. I used to never like hanging things on the wall (not necessarily from a decorating standpoint, but more or less from an OCD standpoint:-)) until I came across this little tidbit a few years ago. It's called the 57" Rule. I won't pretend it's the fastest method, but the results are well worth it! 

The idea is to always hang your wall decorations at 57" on center. In other words, the center of the wall decorations will always be 57" from the floor. It is believed this is the standard height that galleries and museums use when hanging artwork. Are you confused yet?! Keep reading...

Directions:

1. Measure and mark 57" on the wall.

2. Measure the length (from top to bottom) of your picture and divide by 2.

3. Measure the top of your picture to the hook on the back.

4. Subtract the totals of No.2 and No.3.

5. Measure up from 57" with the results of No.4 and put your nail here.

Example: (from Apartment Therapy)

1. Picture is 20" tall

2. Middle is 10" down from top (this should rest at 57")

3. Wire comes to 2" below the top

4. 10" - 2" = 8"

5. Lightly mark 8" above our first mark OR 65" on the wall

Happy decorating!

Bk

*I actually like to hang my pictures approximately 5 inches (depending on the thickness of my crown molding at the bottom of the wall) above the 57" which would make it the 62" Rule (instead of the 57" Rule).

Summer Project

A few years ago while I was shopping in downtown Franklin, I ran across the sweetest quote painted on a piece of framed plywood. Like most other folks on a budget, I decided to take a picture of my finding (aka inspiration) instead of purchasing it. That did the trick for a while, but this summer I decided it was time to finally try to recreate that fun artwork using lyrics from one of my favorite worship songs instead of the quote.  

After spending entirely way too long in Lowe's one afternoon browsing the types of wood and paint swatches, I enlisted the help of my Pepaw to cut my newly purchased plywood. He obliged and even taught me a few tips along the way. Love that man.

Next, it was time to paint...

I could not be more happy with the way this project turned out! You can listen to the song here.

Love,

Bk

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Nashville in Pictures

Shopping in downtown Franklin was a first on our to-do list. We definitely weren't going to let a little rain stop us. True girls at heart.

All the necessities in life... sweet tea, key lime pie, and a good friend to share it with.

I promised my friend, Jessica, that I would seek out some old barns for her to photograph if she would ride with me to Nashville. Win-win, I say:-).

Channeling my inner Eva Shockey. Not really.

We met Wilbur the cow... err pig. You can read more about him here.

We had late night coffee at The Well Coffeehouse with a few of my Nashville favorites.

Can anybody name the restaurant where this bad mama jama came from? 

Need I say more?! Haha!

Okay, so I may have promised my friend, Jessica, I would also take her cowboy boot shopping if she came to Nashville:-). Let's just say I kept my promise and our trip down Broadway was a success!

And last but not least... a selfie with a horse, of course.

Love,

Bk

Thank you, Jesus, for sweet memories and even sweeter friends to make them with.

Nashville Playlist 2014

Since I am packing my suitcase for another road trip with one of my best friends, I figured it would only be fitting to share my latest playlist. I realize alot of the songs are older, but that's how I roll these days:-).  Enjoy!

Love,

Bk

*I think you have to have a Spotify account in order to listen to the songs. Make sure you scroll down to see the entire list if you're interested.

Just Stopping By

... and dropping a line.

Since I haven't been blogging lately, I figured I would at least share the best blog post I have read in a long time... here is the link. Believe me, it's worth it.

Bk

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

A Louisiana Girl Can Survive

I know it's been said a million times, but it's true. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl.  One of the things I love about Louisiana (and I didn't realize it until I moved back home) is seeing all of the camouflage and hearing all of the men talk about their hunting adventures. 

It wasn't until I was sitting in church one morning a few weeks after I moved back home when a few guys (probably old enough to be my grandfather) walked in wearing camouflage. Something about it just felt right. It felt like home. 

With that being said, when our church offered to schedule an event where "Pistol Packing Mamas" could practice shooting their handguns, I jumped at the chance! I'm so thankful for the men and women that helped with this event.

I've always been around guns, but I've never had too many opportunities to shoot them. My friends always laugh, but about the most experience I have had with shooting guns is when I would aim my brother's Red Ryder out of the bedroom window to target practice with a paper plate. He would be in one window aiming his 410 and I would be in the other window shooting his BB gun- don't worry, we had a pasture behind our house. It was fun then and, after this past Saturday, I think it's fun now!

Thank you, Jesus, for another beautiful day.
Bk