Who am I ...,

This question threatens to take all you are and all you have away from you, doesn't it? It is the very question that we want no one to ask, especially God. When He asks to see the deepest, darkest part of us, the "who we really are,"we pull away and act like He doesn't already know 'cause it's too much. We don't even want to confess or let anyone see that. 'Cause it's not pretty, it's dirty, its messy, and it scares us. It's where we have shoved the ugly stuff that we don't know how to fix, the stuff that we fear.  That is why we don't have that one desire we really want. We hide all our failures, pain, and maybe even a long-harbored dream that's just so ridiculous we can't have it being seen. So the question I am.asking you is:  what are you hiding in your "who am I "dark spot?

For me its all the failing I have done in my life. Lost friends, relationships that didn't go as planned. The times when I couldn't even stand up straight. The dreams that as a kid and teen seemed viable and worth dreaming, but as an adult they make you laugh or maybe you don't have the time to do them anymore. The darkest thing for me, and I can't believe I am going to say it, has been never feeling worth anything, and the worst thing about it is that I have no reason to feel that way and still I do. I have an amazing family I have a lot of good friends. I have a warm house, I have a job, a car, a dog. But still my biggest fear is that I am not enough and if they see how scared I am, they will see that I have the heart of a porcelain doll. Then they will  run away or pull away from me without looking back. And what's worse is, I feel like it's always my fault when they walk away. 

If you look at all my insecurities, they all start with that "who am I? " question. When I hear those words, all I can feel and see is my face going white and my heart beating so fast. It's akin to hearing the words, "we need to talk" from your crush.  Instant panic takes over and you can't really breathe.  You're there but your heart is like, uh oh, he's not into me, I knew it. Here we go again. Another guy saw the dark.  The "who am I? " is answered, he knows. He saw it.   I am faking this.  I am not good enough.  Might as well go wipe off the makeup.  The sweats go on and we pull the hair up in a messy ponytail . We think, "I have been found out." Another person sees the darkness. And my 'worth'?  Well, he found out I have none. And we look at that face in the mirror that's been buried in our hands, crying for awhile. And all we see is the "who am I" answer its on our sleeve. It was discovered by someone else and they ran. Why shouldn't they run?  It scares me, too.

Or it's the friend--we all have one--who seems to pull out of you that one thing you don't want to talk about. You're sitting there chatting about your lives over coffee and all of a sudden she asks, "How are you?"   Now girls, we all know this friend. They ask this question and look at us in a way that makes us go, "um..."  In your head you're going, "I have two choices here.  I can answer and say 'I am great'. Or I can let it all out, but I don't wanna go there."  You panic 'cause you can't really get away from the subject without that "who am I" question.  It's back and it's staring at you. Its here in your face making you scared and ready to cry 'cause it's so ugly. You want to be brave and tell her you're not OK and share your heart, still being cautious  and not letting the darkness out.

The last place you want the "who am I?" question? You're praying and you're saying how much you love Him. You're telling Him about how amazed you are by Him and how many blessings you see, along with the list of things that your heart is yearning for. You're about to say 'Amen' and you feel the tug of the Spirit.  He's whispering, "Child, let me into the darkness." I have already covered that with My blood.  Why are you hiding it?  Your heart is yelling, "No, Lord, I don't think You do," knowing this whole time that He is right and He has forgiven and covered it all. You reluctantly pull back the curtain and let Him in and you think, now what?  Is He going to leave me here in the darkness?  But all you feel is the Father whispering, "Child, I know. I saw this. I saw it even before you were alive. I know every failure and the pain, the feelings of worthlessness. I am here always, my beautiful daughter."

Finally, you're there in tears saying, "Lord, why?  How do you see past all of this? Why do You love me? Why me?  I don't deserve You.  I have done nothing worth mentioning.  I fail every day, I do things that are against You. Why did You die for me?  I'm scared, Lord.  I have nothing to give You but this heart of broken pieces.  Are you sure you want me?  Others seem to run away with just a glimpse. You've seen it all." And all He says is,  "I created you, child. I know all of this. You are worth it to Me.  It is finished."

So, my dear young ladies, you can stand up and answer with confidence, "Who am I?  I am a child of God!  I am forgiven!  I am a daughter of the King!  I am beautiful and captivating to the Lord of Lords. I am chosen!  I am His, and He is mine!  I am worth dying for!  I am worth it!

Ladies, go find a mirror and say all these things and let the tears flow and let the words wash the darkness  away.

Social Links ~

I am getting all kinds of social with all of you...

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/GracefulJoy01

Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/GracefulJoy123

Tumblr:
http://gracefuljoy.tumblr.com/

Whoot I am excited Check them out !!~

And the mountain keeps getting steeper...

      Ladies, life is kinda rough right now.  I don't know how I am standing upright right now.  I know this is all a part of His plan, but right now it is a valley.  Thankfully I can still see the light way up there. So I will press on until I am standing at the top looking down . Something I really wanted slipped out of my fingers. I asked God to make His will clear and he did. Unfortunately this included giving up the one thing I have been wanting for months. But where God has shown you clear direction, you will never fail with God still there.

     God has a great plan for me and I know this but frankly I am a bit battered right now.  I know God will bring me out of this stronger. But ladies always know that God is always capable of doing anything so never lose your faith in Him.
As has been painfully clear to me in the recent months. And trusting Him will never be a wrong choice. But I know the fear of truly trusting God with that one thing that you really want. Especially when you know that means that he might choose to take it from you. Which will hurt but remember God's character he only does things that hurt to mold and shape us into the person that's more like Him. But it hurts like crazy sometimes even when you know that God has it under control. Just know that God will never walk away from you.

     The sum of what I am saying is that God is the one that will never dissapointed and or fail you ever no matter what you do or say. If you are His child he's holding you in His all powerful hand. So please pray for me that God will keep my head up and will help me have power over the lies Satan is trying to put in my brain.

The trees covered in snow... In October??? :(

Quote in picture. Picture Taken on my Phone!! 

      This word was mentioned already makes me want to cry. Snow the one word me and every other person in Wisconsin hate hearing before at least November.  Last year's really cold and long winter we are dreading it even more.

    

     So this morning during a Prayer time more like me sobbing at Jesus's feet. Woke up feeling like my life is fine, then about half an hour later feeling like I want to go back to bed. Fellow ladies know what I am saying, don't you? I was praying about my life and a situation that has been so heavy on my mind as of late. I was finally able to just pour it out. I have brought this situation before the throne so many times and it felt again like God wasn't going to answer me.  All the sudden, God spoke to me and I will tell you for a min. I sat there stunned and all I could say was woah, Lord. After I was able to speak again, I said thanks Lord I needed that. I am always so humbled when I feel like God answers my prayer even when all I think I do is whine and complain. The quote below came to mind. 

 

Quote found here

     I've started writing a verse on my wrist every day... Let me tell you I have memorized a few already. This is from the girl who never liked the idea of writing on herself now loves it. But to be fair this seems like a good enough reason to write on myself.  Mondays verse is stuck in there Proverbs 19:2 - Desire without knowledge is not good- how much more will hasty feet miss the way. This verse speaks to me about when God asks us to wait for the things we would give anything to have right at this moment. I think I am starting to get through my human brain that His timing is the best. And, how true are the words in this verse. The way I interpret this verse is if you desire something and don't know much about it then you may step in the wrong direction so perhaps sometimes the fact that God slows you down is to help you not miss His best. 

Speaking of God's best. Picked up this book and study guide today because I wanted to do a study again. 

It looks so good!!~ I will update you on how good it is soon enough. 

Lysa Terkeurst The Best Yes The Bible in this Picture Goes with me everywhere it is so beat up. But it is my favorite one it has all my marks and notes. And It fits in my purse ;) 

    So my Lovely young Ladies out there please keep your head up God is still right there. The storms of life will never go away all the way but God is your lifeguard... Keep drinking the Coffee and Living for the one who Died for you. 

     I know its already October But I am going to do a September favorites post. I love seeing those posts. hope you guys do too. 

Night sky and stars...

Right now I am sitting outside my house smelling the sweet leaf filled air. How much do we take time to just sit and take in the beautiful world around us. I know I don't feel like I do enough. There is something so peaceful about sitting and hearing the trees. Even though I live in the city I still love to just sit there and look at the stars. Thinking that our wonderful creator has made each one hangs where he wants it. And, all we can do is stare at them and marvel at how vast the number there are.

     The seasons changing, always reminds me to see what things God has done in my life in the last few months. There are quite a few huge things that just fell into place without me trying.  All I can do is thank God because it was all Him not me. My job came to me and what a huge blessing it has been. Its such a wonderful fit. So humbling for me to have things like that happen makes you realize that all the planning we do is in this life while it seems like it works. All the good stuff we strive to do, which is not a wrong idea, but in these things are we searching for appreciation or giving him glory? I wish I could answer that I always try to give Him the glory, but if I am honest no I don't.  Sometimes it feels oh so good to take some of the glory.

      Taking time, and just putting my heart back in God's hands fully. Oh how I wish I could just leave it there, but I seem to end up with it all too much. So as I sit here breathing in the fall air and look at the sky. I am just hoping that I can somehow learn how to enjoy and serve Him. How I want to be able to just be so in love with my creator that He's my only lifeline. Am I there ha ...  no, but all I can do is praise him and thank him for what a wonderful life he has chosen to give me. Humbling as it might be. And ask that he shows me all the things I miss every day that are His doing.

    

 Fall is here..

Life's Amazing... ok maybe some days.

I have not posted in awhile, but it has been a busy month for me. So my intent is to blog every day again. New job and other things starting up. But busy is good, right.

     

 Life is pretty good! New job and friends galore. Spent my summer chilling by more bonfires then fingers on my hands. Wonderful conversations and amazing friends.  Other times just hanging out. Became a person who loves running now (blog post to come on that). I have started reading again. Book reviews to come on a few books.

     

Among all the new and exciting parts of life there is still some stuff that is not going quite how I want it to. But the blessings way outweigh the bad. God has given me so many huge blessings again. And, the best part about it is that I don't deserve any of it and yet here I am. The Grace and Mercy our God gives to us is so overwhelming. Please take a minute or two today to look inside your own heart. Also, look at your own life and see that God cares for and loves you unconditionally. How much more humble do I get when I just list off the blessings and good things.

Blessings...

Oh, how many forms do blessings come in and how many do we miss. How many little things everyday do we not see that God works out for us? And yet some days when we are really looking how many blessings do we see? When we need a blessing our eyes search frantically for the answer blessing. And yet other times I see countless blessings all in one day. Sometimes it comes in the form of a friend texting to see how you are when you were feeling alone. Other times it may come through things that at the time dont really make sense.

    So today, I encourage all of you out there to look with open eyes for the many blessings today. Even the tiny ones :)

Roller-Coaster Life...

   
     Okay, so today is one of those days I feel like the whole world is up against me. It's also one of those days where I feel like I am on the top of the hill on a roller-coaster staring down. Going why am I on this ride again?  How'd I get to the top and now look we are on the bottom in one fell swoop. Life is kind of notorious for leaving me wondering, how I get all the way from the top to the bottom in a matter of seconds. And in that moment then you are feeling like you can't even do this thing they call life. It's time to, let it all out, and I mean all out. Tell it all to the one who created you. I don't care what your method is, but get it all out, don't be tough. God knows already he just wants to hear it from your lips. Let him be the one who sees the pieces all scattered around. I will be the first one to say I like to stuff things in for quite awhile till I can't. Then all the sudden I have a volcano of emotion and anger coming out.That, by the way is not a pretty sight.

    Here's one story this one is a bit personal but I really want you all to get what I mean. And so you can see that I am human and I am on this roller-coaster as well.

     I had Just graduated from high-school (homeschooling). And all my friends were going off to college,but the one that really got to me was my bff leaving me. So here I was, in a state of open world. Yet, I felt so trapped, and I was lonely. I knew at this point it wasn't going to go to college. My family was so wonderful during this time. They were encouraging me to do something but not telling me what that should be. They are amazing and will always have my back. I still was struggling to know what direction was up during this time. I had days where getting up and out of my bed took some doing. Somehow, people around me still thought I was happy. I had mastered the fake smile. As well, during this time I had began having stomach aches almost all the time and wasn't eating quite like I should. Because, I am already smaller it was especially concerning. I dropped almost 10 pounds within a few months. Scary, oh yeah it was so super scary. I still had the one thing I knew I could grab onto when I couldn't do it. God,was still there and some days the only thing that kept me seeing that there would be a light at the end of this tunnel. If I am honest, it was so hard for me to admit that I needed him. Before this God was my card that I could pull out and say yeah me and God are buddies. But now,I was realizing God was it he was the hand holding me. And no matter how much I didn't want to say it God was the only one who was there every tear filled night. I was not sure how to even take the first step into my future. I was terrified that I would fail anything I would do, so I just stayed at home in my room.  But after a few months I had watched all the TV and movies my mind could handle. God finally got me to rock bottom one night I was laying there with a stomach ache saying I can't do this. Crying so hard and all I remember was an overwhelming feeling of God's presence and peace and from that night on I took small steps to get myself on the way again.


     In the next few months my life started coming back to life. I had God, and with Him things seemed so much more easy to do. My parents let me get a dog and I was so excited because I had something to take care of again and I had a friend and ok yes it was just a dog. But he was and still is my furry little best friend. And so a few months later I got up the nerve to go to my church's Young Adults Bible study ( If your Church has one or you know of one in your area GO !!~) . That was one of the best choices I could have ever have made the friends I have made from that group are still friends now. I am still making friends from the group as well. We hang out a lot and have tons of fun. Then a few months later God blessed me with a full-time Nannying job. I was on my way to the life I wanted to have and it wasn't me doing it. God was allowing such good stuff to come along.

     Do I still have the hills of a roller-coaster in my life. Oh my goodness, yes and some are huge hills. But all the way through the hills I know I have God right there. Do I still go through days and months of getting my God card out. Yup, but I am getting better at realizing that I can't do this without him. And some days still stink, and some are still ended by tears. But I know where my heart belongs during the storms. Honestly, the good times are wonderful but oh so dangerous cause I get kinda cocky with God like ha I got this. You can just take a break today I got it. And while that works ok for awhile till satan starts in with his agenda. And then I run back to the one that is the only one that puts satan in his place.

    So in sum, I have a roller-coaster life like all of you. Some days it still get the best of me. I don't ever want anyone to think I have it all together cause I don't and I hope I never claim to. Keep your head up you will be at the end of the tunnel soon.

My Prince Charming~

     We all have some sort of picture in our mind about what he is going to look like. Some of us have a picture that is more like a fairy-tale and some of us are hanging on for a romantic comedy look alike. But what else are we looking for, besides a handsome face. How much deeper have we really thought beyond the physical part of our future husband. Now I don't want  you to pull out a list that you have hidden in a diary or anywhere else. I want you to write down 3 or 4 things that have nothing to do with appearance but everything to do with things that are not negotiable. What does my list look like:

1. He has to be totally in love with God with everything in him.

2. He has to have my back and truly love me.

3. He has to love children and love the idea of being a daddy.

4. He has to love adventure,and finding it with me. 

     Okay, so now we have the non negotiable list, but what about a list for character traits and personality likenesses. Aren't those kind of important too? Of course they are they are things that make you fall deeper in love with someone. In fact if a young man I meet doesn't have a good sense of humor I am not as attracted to him as I would a young man who is funny and likes to laugh. But do you have to be careful with how you look at what character traits are important?, yes. I like looking up a character trait list taken from a biblical view. Integrity, strength,  patience, a leader.  If you have a young man on your mind right now. Are you thinking does he have the things that are not only important to me,but also to God?  I am most certainly not saying if a young man does not have 100 % of the character traits on a list we go not him and don't think he's the one for us. No, because we are not living up to 100% either for me not even close.  How do we know if the young man we are interested in has a chance?

     How do we truly know his character and beliefs. Just observe him when you get the chance how does he communicate with others, especially other women. Is he quiet, kind, gentle. Or is he loud, a little harsh, and not gentle. And these are not all of the things you will see, but no matter what you see you can get a better idea of who he really is. Talking, to him will give you an idea of what he believes, and who and what mean the most to him. Does he act like a gentleman holding doors and such things. How about what he does for fun what does that list include. Again, talking to him and asking him questions and seeing what he does in his spare time let's you see what are the things he really enjoys.  Example:  I love to sing , hang out with friends, listen to music, reading, and Running.  There are more as well but these are what I really enjoy.

     So now we know the character traits, things he really enjoys. But what about physical attraction?

Well while the physical attraction has it's place in importance, it is not everything. Let me ask you this do you really think you will fall for someone who you don't find attractive? I know I wouldn't. And please do him a favor and knock that image of Channing Tatum or Wilson Bethel out of your head. Because, honest ladies sure he may look good but we don't know him. Just like, if you said oh he's cute and then you found out he isn't a Christian. And your response is, well we will just have to change that because look at him he is just so handsome. This where the danger of physical attraction and knowing nothing more can get you into trouble. Because once you get to know him and something disappoints you, you might not think to clearly anymore. I know because it happened to me.  Just an FYI even if you are at a Christian concert and a very attractive man gives you attention doesn't mean he is a Christian. Because 10 min. Later after the music stops and he is with his friends and throws around swear words like nothing suddenly you go man I wasted an hour thinking you were awesome. And, I almost gave him my phone number (that would have been a huge mistake)  Or in some other cases maybe you waste a lot longer than an hour. I have done that too. 

 Ladies, keep your head up cause your Prince is out there and here's a crazy thought but you might already know him. Then again, perhaps you don't but either way he will bring "The One"when the time is right. 

My Favorite Foundation ~

~Pur Minerals~ 

In the Picture: is my Primer and two foundations and my bronzer. All these Products are sample sized except for the liquid foundation. All were purchased by me from ULTA Cosmetics. 

So for the reviews... 

Correcting Primer Pur Minerals ~

Let me just say before this primer I was not a primer user and it was because I had never thought it was worth it. And while I don't think it is worth quite the amount it costs, but I do like it. The biggest plus about it for me is that it helps with the oil on my nose,cheeks, and forehead from causing my makeup to run quite as fast. But it does keep the skin more even and the pores are most definitely less visible.  I love how silky the primer is it feels so smooth and smells decent. Although in the end I don't think it is worth the price tag I do like it for occasional use.

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Liquid Foundation ~ Light Clair

This Foundation is Amazing. I love the coverage and feel and look of this one on my face. And I like the smell as well. It wears really well. Now I have a really oily nose and cheeks so I have issues with running about half of the way through the day. This can be remedied with oil absorbing cloths. But if you don't have oily skin this stuff would be amazing. I did go to my local ULTA and ask the lady at the makeup counter to help me find a good shade. And I also told her I would rather stay with the mineral makeup. And she was wonderful and found me this treasure. Now the price is a bit steep but I love it enough to buy it again. The mineral ones are almost always more expensive. I can't really wear the chemical based ones because of my sensitive skin. It also has a SPF of 15.

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Foundation ~ Light/Clair
This one has got to be my favorite foundation powder I have ever tried. I love it so much and the coverage is almost as good as the liquid one. It wears really well and yes it does still run after half a day. But once again, its all about the oil absorbing sheets to fix that. And also once and awhile a little re-application of it to the nose and cheeks. The price is a bit higher than I would like but I love it so much so it is worth it to me. And it also does have 15 SPF in it. And it is so nice to be able to use just powder I like it alot better than the liquid for traveling. And all around I like this one the best. I feel like it covers over blemishes and makes things look so smooth and pores seem to almost disappear.

Pur Minerals Mineral Glow Bronzer~
This bronzer is somewhat of a miricle worker. My favorite way to use it is as a blush adds just enough bronze color and still looks good. It also has a good amount of shimmer in it and not too much. It is not to hard to get the right amount of it either so I love that about it. I love the fact that it is in a pressed version instead of loose powder, which makes it way to easy to use way too much. And it adds just enough glow to my skin instead of making it look too glowy.

Soon, I will do a review on my favorite eye shadows. I also will show you my favorite brushes and other tools.  And eventually I will show you my daily routine for makeup and hair. And my skincare as well.

Have a Blessed Day !~  

Inspiration ~

     Isn't it something how someone can come into your life and they just inspire you. You start to think of life a bit differently. Start to want to do things like they do. You start to realise how much they mean to you. Maybe, you saw it coming and maybe you didnt. But there you are forever changed.

     So many friends I have  been blessed with could be in this category. Some are still in my life and others, life took them away from me. But all in all, each one has left inspiration behind.

So today, I encourage you out there to write down the people who have inspired you...

Carrie Underwood - Forever Changed (Lyric Video): http://youtu.be/U5ibMHDatJs

True Beauty

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

1Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

~ True Beauty ~ 

If you are at all like me, that phrase brings out the fear of not measuring up. And the feeling of not ever being a model or magazine-cover-worthy takes over your head. Everywhere we look today we see the perfection that we think we have to strive for. The clothes that look better on the hanger, the makeup that doesn't fix and cover all the marks that we fear people can see. The hair that some days you want to tear out of your head. And the smile that could be whiter, and straighter. The skin that never quite heals and keeps us buying new things to cover it up. And I think the worst one for we girls is the fear of not being seen as pretty by young men. For some of us the battle of perfection and reality is just too hard. So we hide behind our makeup,clothes and our Facebook profile pictures in hopes that no one sees what's really underneath. Now don't think I am saying you can't enjoy these things. I love trying new makeup, and new clothes are fun. But the point I am trying to get to is: what is the real emotion we are trying to cover up?

     The real emotion might vary a bit from person to person but the fear of imperfection keeps us hanging on. Perfection is not possible anyways so why do we feel the need to try and measure up to it. It all goes back to Adam and Eve because that is where satan started messing with heads. So why do we choose to believe a blatant lie from satan? And why do we see it as a truth ? When in all reality true beauty is not outward perfection, but it has everything to do with the heart. Cause, if we face it we will never be satisfied with how we look in our own eyes. And are we supposed  to be satisfied with our own beauty? I don't think we should be satisfied with our own beauty. Why you ask? Because God created us for others and Him to see as beautiful.  How many times as a girl did you hear someone say you look pretty and you went yeah... and your mom pokes you and goes you should say thank you. Let others say that you are pretty not you.  

     So then why do we care what the outside looks like. My answer is because we can enhance what God created in a responsible and fitting way. We are women and we should enjoy the body and natural beauty we have been given. So wearing dresses and feminine things such as jewlery is a good thing. And enjoying makeup and doing our hair is fine. As long as it does not become the focus and the center of what we find our beauty in. True beauty and the contentment in our beauty comes from God. I am going to leave you with one last thing, God willingly died for you and with you in mind. And he created only one women that looks just like you. That's true beauty at its finest. 

One of my favorite verses: 

Psalm 31:25- She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

So, my dear young ladies out there. Let your strength and dignitythat you have in Christ shine out of you. And enjoy every monent of life here on earth and laugh in pure joy and stand firm in Him ^. 

Coffee... and life ~ ♡♥♡♥♡♥

Sitting here at starbucks...
So many things are running through my head. But somehow my heart knows just where it should land. Knowing who's hands are holding my future and that he knows just how its all going to happen. So my encouragement for today is that you let your heart rest in His hands. Let all the struggles of life be in His control and keep your head up. There is a light at the end of any darkness that is holding you down. Let God's light shine through you. Let satan have the day off playing with your heart. Show off your real beauty, and Joy you have in Christ.

Psalm 27:14New International Version (NIV)

14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Pour Over Coffee !

One Of the Fastest and Best Tasting ways to make coffee right here. 

And it is so easy.

And the best part is you can make coffee right into your travel mugs as well. 

It also works for Iced Tea as well. 

Step 1 : Put 4 scoops of your coffee into the cone filter. 

I typically use a bigger mug, I usually get about 12 oz. of strong coffee with 

this method. You can also adjust the amount of grounds for your taste. 

Starbucks Pour Over Coffee Brewer #2

 Starbucks #2 coffee filters

My coffee, The pour over cone and filters are from Starbucks.
The glass mug is one of my favorites. (I collect Coffee mugs)

 Step 2 : Heat up your water till it is boiling. 

My Electric Bella Tea Kettle World Market-Italian Roast coffee! 

Such good Coffee... 

Step 3:  Pour water into coffee till its up to the top of the filter. 

Do not go over the filter if you do, grounds will make it into the coffee in the mug.  

Oh! Makes me want to eat the grounds. Look at that foam. 

 Step 4 : Let the water filter through and then Enjoy !

Finished Product !~

It is Really that easy. And it is my favorite way because you can make just one mug. Great for evening coffee. :)
Or even a late afternoon pick me up cup. 

Some Questions: about me ~

What is my middle name ? Joy
What is my favorite drink?  Coffee
What is your favorite song right now?  Invisible by Hunter Hayes
What is my favorite food? Noodles and pretty much anything on them.
Favorite Book? Pride and Prejudice by : Jane Austen
Favorite color?  Teal (blue)
Do I have any pets ? A dog: Gus ( yorkiepoo)
Favorite Holiday ? CHRISTMAS !!~~~
What is your favorite store? Target
Favorite Movie? Becoming Jane, or The Notebook
Favorite TV Show?  Gilmore girls, although Hart of Dixie runs a really close second
PC or Mac?  PC all the way
What Kind of Phone do you have? Andriod, Samsung Galaxy S3
How tall am I ? 5" 6'

Once Upon A Time...

Before you get some silly idea in your head...
Give me a minute to explain what this blog is all about. I am a twenty-three year old girl who loves embracing her Graceful and girly side. And yet I also love being outside and enjoying nature. I am constantly on a steady intake of caffeine, and all day long I am being followed around by my dog, Gus. I love my family and friends. I love to talk about things that I love and reviewing things as well.  Oh, and I will be sharing personal stories along the way as well. My faith and family are my everything. So in sum, this blog is about my life, my faith and the Joy in everyday moments...