Chosen.

{ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love  he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.} - Ephesians 1:3-6

 

 

 

 

 

{Shirt: TJMaxx // Shorts: H&M // Necklace: Premier Designs // Ring: Lucky Brand}

You are chosen by a mighty savior who has already pursued you.

join us.

{I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.} - Psalm 119:30

Fellow fashionistas:

For the past month I have been anxiously planning for this weekend and awaiting for it arrive. Now with only four days left (eek!) until the doors open, I wanted to cordially invite y'all to Genesis3:21's pop-up shop.

Join us for two days of upscale consignment shopping, refreshments, and fellowship. Women's sizes 0-12 will be available, as well as accessories, shoes, and jewelry. Some children's clothing and back-to-school room decor will be on sale as well. 

All prices are under $20, some discounts may be given for larger purchases, and bargain bins will offer great deals on essentials. Cash, credit or check will be taken!

I thank you ladies so much for your overwhelming support and I hope to see you there!

Freedom.

{You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."} - Galatians 5:13-14

The sermon today stressed just how free we truly are.

To pray, to go to school, to chase our dreams; we have the leisure to pursue anything we desire. Our right to worship allows us to thrive by having a personal relationship with Christ. This unfathomable freedom that we have in America brings to life just how blessed we are as not only a country, but also as Christians. 

       

{if you would like to know outfit details, please comment below!}

Treat.

{But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"} - Matthew 4:4

{Shirt: MSRP via Goodwill // Capris: New York & Co. via Goodwill // Necklace: Flea Market // Shoes: Unionbay // Ring: Gifted}

Boy, do I have a treat for you ladies! This past week, I tried a new pinterest recipe that is to DIE for!

I was able to get 3 batches out of this one recipe, allowing me to take them to a party, give them to a friend for her birthday, comfort a friend whose grandmother passed away, and even leave samples for my family to try! I hope you sweet gals enjoy this delicious recipe just as much as we did!

{Oatmeal Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies}

For the cookies:
• 1 cup butter softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 ½ cup brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup oats
For the filling:
• ¼ cup butter softened
• ¾ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 5 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

{Instructions}

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Slowly add in dry ingredients ending with oats. Stir until combined. Shape dough into 1 in balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Remove to cooking wracks.
3. To prepare filling, cream together butter, peanut butter and both sugar until blended. Stir in flour until combined. Carefully mix in milk a little at a time until you reach a good spreading consistency. Stir in chips. Filling will be thick.
4. Carefully spread about a tablespoon of dough onto flat side of one cookie, top with another cookie. Store in an airtight container.
5. Makes 24 sandwich cookies

Comparison.

{But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.} 

- Galatians 6:4

 

Ok, admit it. How many times have you checked your Facebook page today or scrolled through your Instagram feed? Two, three, or maybe even four times. 

Honestly, are we really that interested in what others are doing or do we simply reach for the phone when we're bored? Or digging deeper, is this a sign that we beg for fulfillment through social media and a half-hearted "like?" 

Who or what are you comparing yourself to today?

{Shirt: Gap // Skirt: Banana Republic // Shoes: Ross // Necklace: Fossil // Earrings: Vera Wang via Khols}

Home makeover.

{Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself} - 1 Corinthians 16:9

Many times throughout the New Testament, the Bible refers to light versus dark and asleep versus awake. For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & 5:1-11 talks about the difference between these two referencing the end of time and a believer versus a non believer. 

The sermon on Old fashioned Sunday begged for a revival in our hearts based off of this topic, questioning whether you might be "asleep" even though you claimed to be a christian.

Personally this struck me.

Since I began college, I feel like my relationship with Christ has been dormant. I'm definitely not at the same spiritual level that I was when I stepped onto campus for the first time in August and quite honestly, I haven't wanted to put the time or effort into a relationship with God until now. All this time, I've been asleep and waiting for someone else to "turn on the lights and wake me up!"

But then this message hit me.......Here's your sign Catherine!

My all-time favorite verse is James 4:8 {Come near to God and he will come near to you}. What more of a perfect reminder that I have to dedicate my life to my Savior and constantly pursue him?  None I tell ya!

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So this temporary body, that I call home, is in desperate need of a makeover. A few worn places, scratches and dents happened all in God's timing, but I now realize that they all played a significant part in the building process. The time, energy, and effort that goes into the upkeep and repair of a home is symbolic of what God and I need to accomplish together over the next few weeks, months, or even years. 

Out with the old and in with the new.

{Tank: Khols // Skirt: from when Mom was young // Boots: Rack Room // Hat: Forever 21 // Jewels: Betsey Johnson}

Over.

{Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.} - John 17:17

{Dress: Kensie // Blazer: H&M //  Shoes: Betsey Johnson // Jewelery: Ross}

It's over. 

 My freshman year of college is already done with. 

It seems as if yesterday, I were just going through interviews, applying for scholarships, and finally getting acceptance letters after much anticipation. This year flew by so fast, but when I look back, I am astounded by the knowledge I've gained and the wonderful "family" that my major has become. Through the all-nighters, how-many-page english papers, and volleyball (which is surprisingly hard!),  I can honestly say that I am in the right place. 

This year, I constantly struggled with whether I was meant for this major, this college, and this new lifestyle.  I doubted what seemed as a "divine experience" when getting into the college of my dreams because I couldn't understand that my worth was not dependent on my works, others opinions, or my comparison to them. Slowly, I have begun to realize that God has put me here for a reason. Even though I may not be as successful in some of my design attempts or be able to envision the most innovative garment as the other girls in my major, the fact that I try my hardest is enough to please God. Accepting this fact is something, that as you can tell, I'm still unsure of, but isn't that what faith is? To believe because you know God and that he is a gracious father who never fails. 

So, even though this year may be over, my growth spiritually and intellectually is just beginning. The future is unclear and honestly, scary, but to know that God will never leave my side brings that stability to this crazy life.

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Whatever season you're in, whether beginning or ending, I hope that the next chapter of your life can be planted in Christ and the truths that we can hold on to. 

With much love // Catherine

Rejoice.

{This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.} - Psalm 118:24

"It's a beautiful day, do do do do do yeaaaaa"

Hoping you have a lovely day ladies. Listen to the birds chirp, look at the budding flowers, watch the bees buzz by & know that  God is with you. 

Vaulted Visions

{The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.} - Revelation 21:21

One of my recent projects inspired by David Stephenson's St. Anne's Cathedral photograph! 

March.

{For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.}

 - Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Good morning lovely ladies!

Today, we embark on my favorite month of the year! Why so you ask? Well....

- Spring is just around the corner and on my daily walk to class, I love to enjoy the chirping birds and blooming buds

-March Madness is in full go

- Spring break insures a week of uninterrupted R&R

- Tights are optional

- Fashion Week last month means great inspiration for working designs

- My birthday is March 28

-  I head to Daytona to compete with my fellow Lady Pack at the NCA nationals

- The semester is successfully halfway over

- Running outside is encouraged

- Open-toed heels peep their way onto the sidewalks

- and smoothies/iced coffee become a daily routine

Another reason I'm so excited about this month is that the lovely Secret Sister Project has graciously chosen me to be a featured sister. If you would like to read the questionnaire and know more about this inspiring organization, please click here!

Would you like to "SOAP?"

{Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.} 

- Joshua 1:8

This past Monday, I checked out a women's bible study connected to the church I have been attending lately. I went into it expecting to hear a lesson, pray, maybe talk a little and then go our separate ways, but this wasn't the case at all! We sat there for a good 15 minutes just having casual conversation getting to know one another, talking about random happenings throughout the week, and cracking jokes. Then the leader, Bethany, talked about the college retreat that some of the students had been to earlier this month, which later transitioned into what our study was about. 

Throughout the week, we are encouraged to read a chapter of the bible a day (we're starting in John) and complete the S.O.A.P. method. This consists of spending just a few minutes out of your day to 1) write down pieces/parts of the scripture that stood out to you, 2) observe what's going on in that scripture and put it down in your own words, 3) Be specific and take note on how that applies to you, 4) and lastly jot down a prayer that refers back to #3!

 After learning about this method, I am so glad that I went and have started on this journey. Not only do I feel like it will help me grow in the word and my relationship with God, but I also feel like it will help me see Christianity/bible reading/praying/moral actions as a delight rather than a duty!

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For the month of February, our group will act as accountability partners. When we meet each Monday, we will have to show that we did the reading and "soaping!" After this month, it is encouraged to reach out to friends as a way to get others involved, so if you would be interested, feel free to contact me!

Please Read.

{Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.} 

 - Proverbs 31:30

You. Are. Beautiful. 

Children.

{And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.} 

- 1 John 2:28-3:10

Today, I had the opportunity to sit in on the children's Sunday school class at my home church. Their smiling faces, excited voices, and sparkling eyes reminded me of how magical the gospel seemed at that young age. Lately I've been struggling with having a passion for Christ. I've been looking at Christianity as a stark, black and white religion. Seeing the children's eagerness today reminded me how to gain that relationship & passion for Christ back.

This small lesson reminded me that I am a child of God. I may be still growing in my faith, not comprehending all aspects of Christianity and the greatness of god, but I do know that he loves me just as I am and doesn't expect me to have an omniscient perspective. I'm supposed to keep pursing a relationship with Christ, push forward and run the race. 

       

      

{Sweater & Skirt: Forever 21 / Shoes: Toms / Hat: American Eagle / Tights: Hue}

Goals.

{Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!} - Philippians 4:4

My New Year's Resolutions:
My Lifetime Goals:

To gain patience.

To drink hot tea/coffee at least once a day.

To not stress over the little things.

To speak up.

To lead a bible study for teens.

To become a vegetarian (with a couple cheat days :).

To glorify God in everything I do.

To travel the world.

To be a mentor.

To read the whole bible.

To sew a collection and have it in a fashion show.

To catch up with old friends.

To sketch everyday.

To buy a homeless person's meal.

To become a runner or just an exerciser for that matter!

To love unconditionally.

To open a boutique/make a brand for Genesis3:21.

To have a tea party.

To keep (and actually use) a calendar.

To take a picture of everything I do in one day.

To gain wisdom.

To keep on keeping on.

To actually make things on my Pinterest board. 

To maintain this online diary.

To be honest.

To smile constantly.

To serve others for day(s), week(s), or year(s).

To have a PASSION for Christ.

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Asking that God take over this heart of mine and yours too.

Love you ladies dearly.