LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace

Category Archives: Balance


by Leave a comment

From the Well to the Garden

Well, hi!

It’s been a while since I’ve been in this space, and a lot of life has happened. Lots of parenting, lots of basketball, a little bit of reading, a lot of joy, a lot of fun, a lot of hard work! In that time, I’ve been really reflective about where I’m going in this phase of my life. Where I should focus my time and energy, how I am using my gifts and talents to the glory of God, how I want to experience life, and how I want to be experienced.

I suppose this is a byproduct of both getting older and gaining perspective. Our experiences help us to understand what matters most. One thing this season has brought me is a desire to shift from striving to being. That sounds great in theory – but when the rubber meets the road, what does it really mean?

And that, my friends, is the wrestle that I’ve been engaging in.

This blog started as “Life Beyond the Well,” and it fit, since it was my space to process and share the lessons I learned as a student at UNC-Chapel Hill and as I grew in my faith and my journey with Christ. My faith has deeply shaped my life and perspective and has carried me through different seasons. As I have navigated those seasons, with faith as my compass, I have entered a new space: the Garden.

This season now is about being rooted, truly understanding my identity in Christ, and operating from a place of contentment. It’s about being planted in the right soil, allowing the right seeds to be planted and to take root, and being watered so that I can reach my full potential and truly fulfill His purpose for me.

So what can you expect from this space moving forward? More writing, deeper community, and practical tools to help us stay rooted. In fact, this shift from striving to being is what inspired my brand-new 21-day devotional, BLOOM: Rooted and Reaching for Him!

Writing this book was my way of mapping out what it really looks like to step out of the daily hustle and rest securely in our identity as daughters of God. The book officially releases on September 12th, but pre-orders are officially open today!

Pre-order your copy now, and let’s step into this new season together. Join me on this journey as I strive to live my life in BLOOM.

Let’s flourish together!

Be encouraged! Peace and blessings!


by Leave a comment

Turning Two

It’s hard for us to believe, but today our sweet caboose, Mr. Elisha Jadon, is two years old! Elisha was born on December 15, 2021 at 8:00pm; weighing in at 8lbs and 8oz.

Elisha, like Ethan, is one of my favorite answered prayers. He truly carries the joy of the Lord in his little body. He wakes up happy EVERY morning and does the best happy dance when we (or either of his siblings) enter the room. 

While we don’t have favorite kids (IYKYK), Elisha has added such joy to our family and we think that he’s every sibling’s favorite sibling. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that we have to steward his life, and I am so excited to see who he will become and how he will impact the world.

Elisha, those small in stature, has learned how to take up space. He is clear about his boundaries (please don’t get too close), and his likes and dislikes. If you were to look at him, you wouldn’t be able to tell that he can be a picky eater, but he LOVES the food that he loves (applesauce, milk, bread, crackers, meat, fries, chips) and may entertain trying something new. Like his big brother, he’s started to show some excitement towards sports (football and basketball), and he is easily excited about opportunities to learn. He frequently brings us books to read, saying, “Read!” or, “Book!” which means it’s time to read together, and his love of Gracie’s Corner and Super Why! have resulted in recognition of all of his letters and some of his numbers.

In general, he’s pretty easy going and go with the flow, but when he is dissatisfied, he will let you know loudly and clearly. He is content in moving at his own pace (he was “late” moving into the next class because he didn’t want to walk, and despite all the best attempts, we had to induce labor), and I think he knows that as our last baby, we’re content to let him take all the time he needs. 

Elisha was a little bit of a surprise to us, but his presence has been a healing blessing, and truly beauty for ashes. I was a little worried about ALL the things that come with adding a new baby to the family (especially considering the age differences), but it has been nothing short of amazing. In reflection, I was in survival mode for a lot of Ethan’s infant/toddler phase and having the opportunity to do that again, with a lot more self-awareness, self-advocacy, time, and patience has been beautifully sweet. I am so glad that Elisha is here, and I am so glad that he is ours.

Join me in wishing our sweet caboose, Mr. Elisha Jadon, a happy 2nd birthday! 

Until next time- be encouraged! Peace and blessings!