Spiritual experience is a gift, not something to m Spiritual experience is a gift, not something to muster or manufacture. 

If I ever find the guts to get a tattoo, it would be this. A constant reminder of true reality:

I am saved, kept and loved based on objective facts and grounded in a perfect person, Christ, never my subjective feelings and circumstances and abilities. 

Tim Keller says, “what makes you a Christian is Jesus’ work, not what goes on inside you.”

Experiencing God is not a requirement to live life with Him, but it is a sweet gift and worthy of hungering for. 

Grace through faith. Everything. Always.
✨ Her — only wants to eat cheese, most of the ✨

Her — only wants to eat cheese, most of the time walks on her tiptoes, loves playing with the car seat straps, chews on her finger constantly, has the best smile, learning more words and pushing boundaries something serious

Me — not sure what to do with her wild hair, getting creative with God on recharging in moments that aren’t so relaxing, using every minute of nap time for design work and loving it and becoming a bit obsessive with walking our quiet driveway
Some days you wonder how it could be this awesome Some days you wonder how it could be this awesome and other days she keeps trying to eat rocks and you don’t brush your teeth until 3 o’clock. 

Solidarity, parents.
@themasters weekend @themasters weekend
#Repost @allthecounterthings
・・・
(cue ‘I’m So Excited’ by The Pointer Sisters)

One of my biggest giveaways to date!

I believe in @beautycounter, even to gift some GREAT things so that you’ll try them for yourself that they may serve you. 

It’s @themasters Friday, and in my city that means an exciting few days is ahead. 

May it be so with your clean beauty swapping!
(Until April 17th. 😊)

Need suggestions or a guide around the website? Message me or click the link in my bio to take a skincare quiz or to find your right foundation shade or to request samples. 

I’m here to help! And I can’t WAIT to gift someone this box of goodness. 

peep @emeraldoxco amazing coffee
What a joy to spend the morning with the beautiful What a joy to spend the morning with the beautiful @ashtonquattlebaum. 

We knew each other in middle/high school, now we’re adults and because of Beautycounter, reconnecting and working and dreaming together.

HOW. COOL. 

This is my ‘why’ with Beautycounter — the opportunity to cultivate friendships and help and love women where God has them, connected by clean beauty products.
spotting airplanes and sharing goldfish spotting airplanes and sharing goldfish
#Repost @allthecounterthings ・・・ #preachingt #Repost @allthecounterthings
・・・
#preachingtomyself

When you abide in Christ, when you open yourself to His Spirit’s leading and changing, when you trust and obey Him, your whole being can become ministry.

Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God, do it with God, do it and see people as Jesus saw them, with needs and dreams, and love them. 

I have started more endeavors and realized more dreams in the last year then I think in my entire life. Joining @beautycounter was one of them. 

So I encourage you also — 

Take yourself seriously and not too seriously. Work diligently. Dream big. Be faithful. Have fun. Rest on Jesus. Hold it all with open hands. And enjoy it.
Anna when asked if she wants blueberries or to go Anna when asked if she wants blueberries or to go outside. #Easter2021
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home, inspiration · 10/28/2016

striving for a more intentional holiday season

I have already heard it from a handful of friends, Here comes the busy months! or Our calendar is already so full. or How will we do everything?

All good, beautiful things! My heart is feeling this tug, though, as I look ahead to our own holiday plans, to be more intentional with my choices and my attitude.

What are a few ways I can make it a little simpler? And with simplicity, even sweeter?

Focus on the real meaning of the season

Thanksgiving – gratitude for all of God’s many gifts. And if it’s been a season of hardship, then thanks for His person, life in Christ, and the fresh mercies for us every single day. Jesus born as a child, a beautiful image of humility. Coming to live a perfect, sinless life, to then die on a cross, taking God’s wrath in our place, to later rise from the dead, giving us new life in God. Father, help me not get caught up in the spending and decorating, the planning and rushing. Give me eyes to see Your beauty and glory. 

Plan simpler gifts

I am not that great of a gift giver. You need encouragement, prayer, or a pep talk? I’m your girl. Gifts? Not my strong suit. But, in this aim for simplicity, I’ve already started a list of gift ideas for family members and friends. Thinking a little more in advance give me freedom, and time for creativity, and also time to save and set aside money for said gifts. On the other hand, I’ve found how much I love to create unique things for people…  giving small pieces of myself, your time and energy and joy.

Be thoughtful and honest with our schedule

For me, a full schedule says lots of time with the people I enjoy — not at all a bad thing. But maybe we give ourselves grace, and choose to attend only the parties, events or gatherings that mean the most to us. Give ourselves permission to slow down and stay in with a cozy blanket, a crackling fire and our favorite Christmas movie once in a while. While sometimes I find myself wanting to do everything, be everywhere and see everyone during this time, I remind myself, and you, it’s also okay to say no.

Don’t worry about purchasing any new Christmas decorations

Since our first holiday season as husband and wife, to now, I have one tupperware container full of Fall and Christmas decorations, and a small one for ornaments. Every time I look at them I smile, so I ask myself, why do I need more? If I truly enjoy the ones I have, I should be careful to not allow store discount emails and television advertisements pressure me in buying more seasonal decor. Simple can be the better sometimes. Not rushing ahead solely to fill up my home will also probably mean acquiring things that are personal and special, not just on sale at Hobby Lobby.

Do my best to be fully present wherever I am

Taking a breath and being fully present for each experience. From a walk in the cool weather, to gift-giving with loved ones, to enjoying your favorite seasonal snacks. All of it is grace. This season comes and goes so quickly, in what seems like days we’ll be looking back wondering where the holidays went! I know we each desire the season to be memorable and lasting, so rather than getting overwhelmed with to-do lists and tasks, let’s strive to enjoy the moments before us to the fullest. A favorite tradition of mine is having a gingerbread house building contest with all my adult cousins. It’s hilarious and always memorable.

This season only comes around once a year. Let’s enjoy it in all of its wonder and depth and soak up every sweet, cozy, lovely, sparkly holiday moment.

In: home, inspiration · Tagged: abiding, holidays, simplicity

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Comments

  1. Carolann says

    10/28/2016 at 4:29 pm

    SO much love for this post. I am going to write more about this on my blog, but I feel the same way about Christmas and being more intentional about it. I love giving presents, but I’ve decided to scale back this year and focus on making them. I’m going home in a few weeks and my mom and I are going to get crafty and make a lot of them together. I think that will make the entire Christmas season more special for my mom and me. My dad is a carpenter, and he always makes his gifts, which I cherish so much. I also like the idea of not running out and buying a ton of ornaments/decorations that don’t mean a lot to you. My husband and I have been married for 3 years and all of our decorations are special to us! We don’t have a lot but I like it better this way.

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I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend who enjoys all things peanut butter, clean beauty, the written word, and a good sports movie. This is my place to share real life and Biblical encouragement to draw us all to deeper joy in God. Pull up your favorite internet browser and stay awhile!

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Spiritual experience is a gift, not something to m Spiritual experience is a gift, not something to muster or manufacture. 

If I ever find the guts to get a tattoo, it would be this. A constant reminder of true reality:

I am saved, kept and loved based on objective facts and grounded in a perfect person, Christ, never my subjective feelings and circumstances and abilities. 

Tim Keller says, “what makes you a Christian is Jesus’ work, not what goes on inside you.”

Experiencing God is not a requirement to live life with Him, but it is a sweet gift and worthy of hungering for. 

Grace through faith. Everything. Always.
✨ Her — only wants to eat cheese, most of the ✨

Her — only wants to eat cheese, most of the time walks on her tiptoes, loves playing with the car seat straps, chews on her finger constantly, has the best smile, learning more words and pushing boundaries something serious

Me — not sure what to do with her wild hair, getting creative with God on recharging in moments that aren’t so relaxing, using every minute of nap time for design work and loving it and becoming a bit obsessive with walking our quiet driveway
Some days you wonder how it could be this awesome Some days you wonder how it could be this awesome and other days she keeps trying to eat rocks and you don’t brush your teeth until 3 o’clock. 

Solidarity, parents.
@themasters weekend @themasters weekend
#Repost @allthecounterthings
・・・
(cue ‘I’m So Excited’ by The Pointer Sisters)

One of my biggest giveaways to date!

I believe in @beautycounter, even to gift some GREAT things so that you’ll try them for yourself that they may serve you. 

It’s @themasters Friday, and in my city that means an exciting few days is ahead. 

May it be so with your clean beauty swapping!
(Until April 17th. 😊)

Need suggestions or a guide around the website? Message me or click the link in my bio to take a skincare quiz or to find your right foundation shade or to request samples. 

I’m here to help! And I can’t WAIT to gift someone this box of goodness. 

peep @emeraldoxco amazing coffee
What a joy to spend the morning with the beautiful What a joy to spend the morning with the beautiful @ashtonquattlebaum. 

We knew each other in middle/high school, now we’re adults and because of Beautycounter, reconnecting and working and dreaming together.

HOW. COOL. 

This is my ‘why’ with Beautycounter — the opportunity to cultivate friendships and help and love women where God has them, connected by clean beauty products.
spotting airplanes and sharing goldfish spotting airplanes and sharing goldfish
#Repost @allthecounterthings ・・・ #preachingt #Repost @allthecounterthings
・・・
#preachingtomyself

When you abide in Christ, when you open yourself to His Spirit’s leading and changing, when you trust and obey Him, your whole being can become ministry.

Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God, do it with God, do it and see people as Jesus saw them, with needs and dreams, and love them. 

I have started more endeavors and realized more dreams in the last year then I think in my entire life. Joining @beautycounter was one of them. 

So I encourage you also — 

Take yourself seriously and not too seriously. Work diligently. Dream big. Be faithful. Have fun. Rest on Jesus. Hold it all with open hands. And enjoy it.
Anna when asked if she wants blueberries or to go Anna when asked if she wants blueberries or to go outside. #Easter2021
I love what our pastor said this morning — If it I love what our pastor said this morning — If it was just the cross, we’d be a bunch of forgiven corpses. We have been saved TO something, the richest and fullest of life, in Christ, forever. 

May we be courageous people who know real hope and endurance in the sorrow of life and real gratitude and wonder in the good of it.

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