Making Waves

I’ve been a Jessica Simpson fan since I was a kid. I always thought she was the coolest, and I loved that she was a Christian pop singer who entered the mainstream and was so open and vocal about her faith and beliefs. Through the years, the world has seen this woman go from being a pop singer, to a reality star, and an actress, wife, divorcee, mom, and fashion designer – and I must say, her evolution has been inspiring. When I learned she dropped a memoir, I couldn’t wait to read it. I love a good memoir and reading about other people’s lives and inspiring stories, so Jessica’s didn’t disappoint. It’s honest, heartfelt, and endearing and it’s definitely a book worth diving into. If you’re looking for something good to read,   Open Book  is a cool choice. Check it out.

At the beginning of last month, I wrestled with thoughts about quitting writing. I planned to stop blogging at the end of this year, and to pull back on submitting monthly article submissions to another platform I’ve been writing for (for almost three years now) too. I love writing, and it’s something I’ve been doing since I was a kid, but as I kept writing and sharing my work, I felt like it wasn’t making as much of a difference as I’d hoped. I’d been praying about the best time to stop and was also growing weary with figuring out how to juggle writing, teaching, and grad school, so I knew something had to change. As things moved forward and my decision to quit was just about made, one of the most unexpected things happened: I received a message on Facebook from an ABC producer reaching out on behalf of daytime talk show Tamron Hall on ABC. She messaged me and shared that they were working on an episode featuring Tyra Banks that was all about believing in your dreams, and that they we...

Sometimes it can be hard trusting God’s timing. Especially when you’ve been waiting for answers about things you’ve been praying about for a very long time, or even if and when you are unsure about what’s coming next. Regardless, living, praying, and moving through different requests and uncertainties can be challenging. No matter how much other people in your life may try to encourage you, and even during times when you’re trying to encourage yourself, the waiting can still be tough. I’ve found that taking the time to read and reflect on encouraging scriptures can be a great source of peace as you wait. When I dive into my bible, I’m reminded of God’s promises and His faithfulness no matter what season of life I’m in. I’m not sure what you may be waiting or praying for, but I hope that God comes through for you and that these scriptures help guide and provide you with peace too.   1. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to...

While teaching is a rewarding profession, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that there are times when I don’t always feel like being in teacher mode. I know it’s only been about a month since school started, but after moving through September (which happens to be an insanely busy month for many educators) and pouring over new lesson plans, unit assessments, student data, grades, adjusting to new curriculum resources, and attending meetings on top of more meetings, I’ve learned to appreciate the little things -- like having quiet time with God and my morning coffee before my workday begins, having a sip of water when I get a moment to be still, having a mask break when my classroom is completely empty, greeting my students as they arrive and depart from class each day, and taking in all that’s happening in this season.   I get to work with some of the coolest 8th graders ever. They're smart, brilliant, witty, and creative. I get to improve upon my teaching and learning skills as a new ...

One day as I was out and about running errands, I spotted a new vegan restaurant in a shopping center I’ve often passed through. Although I’m not a vegan, I was curious about it and thought I’d check it out. Turns out, that this super hip and chill vegan spot called CLTRE is a   whole   mood. The customer service was warm, welcoming, and inviting, and the vegan waffle and incredible coffee I ordered (and practically inhaled) were the best. Plus, the artwork, décor, and reading material at this place was like nothing I’d ever seen in Virginia Beach before. I was very excited to learn about CLTRE, and I hope they continue to do well. Even if you’re not a vegan, I believe you can still find something on the menu that will interest you. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a great spot to grab a bite, head into CLTRE and enjoy!  

This past summer, I adopted my very own fur baby. Her original name was Citrus, but I thought Sophia was a better fit. Yes, Sophia was a much better fit for us both. I’d been wanting to adopt a puppy for a few years and wanted to wait until I had the space to accommodate one, so once I did, I began my search. And boy, was it an adventure!   I always planned to adopt (#adoptdontshop 😊) since adopting would be a great opportunity to give a pup a great home, so when I first started looking, I searched for a male Beagle. I thought they were the cutest and had spotted a few that were available for adoption, however, I was informed that they howl, and that noise could become problematic, so I kept searching. Next, I came across a male Labrador Retriever who I immediately wanted to adopt. He was the cutest and most adorable pup ever, so I filled out paperwork to adopt him. The only barrier was that someone else had completed paperwork to adopt him before I arrived at the adoption shelter...

Lysa TerKeurst is an extraordinary writer. I’d read one of her books a few years back titled,   Uninvited,  and loved how she addressed the topic of rejection, so I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me that   It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way  would be brilliant too. When I read this book, I felt like God was sitting in bed with me as I read each page. Once I started reading and began the first few chapters, I was in tears because I’d never read a book from a Christian writer that was as open, vulnerable, and authentic as Lysa’s story and words were in   It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way.  If you’ve ever felt as if there were moments or experiences in your life that didn’t make sense, left you heartbroken, or wondering, “God, where are you in all this?” Then this book is for you. I believe that this book is powerful and will speak to you in some special ways if you’re open to checking it out. I’ve been through seasons that have been challenging, painful, and ...