My Favorite Devotionals

One of my favorite parts of the day is doing quiet time with Chris in the morning. We sit in the living room with the lights low and journal, pray, read the bible or read a devotional. Whatever suits us each day. It's an awesome time of being side by side, but quiet with the Lord. 

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite devos. I'm always looking for others, so please share if you have any you love! 

For a daily read: Jesus Calling. I love starting my day with this one and reading the accompanying scripture chapters. It's also available as an app, which is so nice to have when you're traveling. 

For a free devo: She Reads Truth. Similarly to Jesus Calling, SRT's devos are a great length, especially when I read the chapters in the bible where they pull the scripture. I also love reading about the authors at the end. 

For when you want to journal a lot: Rooted Ink. This is more of a journal, but I love it for days when I want to reflect in a structured way. Each day has a verse, as well as lines to write praises, confession, answered prayer, requests and scripture. 

For marriage: The Power of a Praying Wife. I love the way you can select a topic, like patience or priorities, and pray for your husband specifically in this area. If I'm ever feeling frustrated with Chris about something and I begin to pray for him on that topic specifically, my attitude immediately shifts.

For motherhood (or in my case, pregnancy!): Out of the Spin Cycle. I love Jen Hatmaker's thoughts on early motherhood and how she pairs them with scripture. I can only imagine how much more relevant it will feel a few months from now when we're in the thick of the baby days. 

On my wish list: 100 Days to Brave. I haven't read this one yet, but my sister-in-law got it for Christmas and it looks awesome. Daily devotionals for unlocking your most courageous self: what more could you want? 

Pick Someone Who Is Gentle & Kind

It was a little over a year ago that Chris and I were in Kenya for a month. As March passed this year, I kept thinking of what we were doing each day, one year ago.

There was the part of the trip when we were in our rural village, walking each day to garden, Kenyan kids chasing after us as my long skirt dragged and our Tevas kicked up red dirt. 

Then there was the part of our trip when we were on a safari. I'll never forget arriving at that resort. We must have looked like such a mess compared to the other vacationers! It's a high-end lodge, but we were able to stay there due to their amazing volunteer discount. Everyone was dressed to the nines in safari clothes and we rolled up in our volunteer gear after three weeks of using a bucket of water to shower. Juice, coffee, mimosa? They offered us upon arrival. Yes, please, all three! We probably acted like we hadn't had a proper meal in weeks. (In our defense, we hadn't!)

Then, of course, there was the last part of our trip when I was in the hospital. I'll never forget lying on the metal bed after being admitted. Doctors rushed all around me speaking in Swahili as I shook from the fever, even though the non-air conditioned, windowless room must have been at least 85 degrees. I remember feeling so scared because they wouldn't let Chris back with me. Before they could figure out what was wrong, when we were worried it was something really severe, I remember thinking there was no way I would allow myself to die alone on a table in in Kenya. 

I also thought about how embarrassed I was that Chris was seeing me so sick. We'd been married a little over nine months and I had absolutely no bowel control. I was throwing up so much I could barely sit up in time to hit the bucket. I cannot imagine what I looked like as my stomach emptied itself from both directions and I cried about being scared and just wanting to go home. These are not the moments you picture when you take your vows. 

(the last day before we went HOME!)

I was thinking about that recently and realized there are a lot of reasons Chris and I work as a couple - and a million reasons I'm grateful I got to marry him. But the thing that matters the most, when you're in the thick of it, is gentility. I can't imagine how different our hospital experience would have looked if he hadn't been so kind, so careful, as he updated my family and tended to my needs.

If you're the stage of life when you're choosing a husband, I can't tell you enough to pick someone who is kind, patient and gentle. Pick someone who will be by your side no matter how terribly disastrous you look and feel. Pick someone who will rub your back and tell you you're beautiful, with so much conviction you actually forget you have vomit on your hospital gown. Pick someone who is kind, time and time again and I promise you will never regret it.

34-Weeks Pregnant

We've got six weeks until Baby Sax's due date! It feels so close. Yet I can't believe we still have another 42 days. Where is this baby gonna go?  Here's a little Monday update for you.

Maternity clothes? Definitely. A Pea in the Pod 30% off sales have been my friend. I just got a pair of jean shorts for $29 that are going to get me over the finish line. I'm still cramming into my regular workout clothes and I fear it's become a bit inappropriate. They're quite tight and in order to cover the entire bump, the top has to be pulled down pretty low. I feel like I'm giving a bit of a show at the gym!

Sleep: Very hit or miss. Some nights I go to the bathroom four times. Yikes! I also find myself pretty restless. I've been told to consider it preparation for minimal sleep during the early days of motherhood. 

Best moment this week: Our baby shower! We have had three in a row over the last few weekends and they have been so very happy. I feel so grateful for friends who have showered this button with love.

Movement: Oh heck yes! It's incredible how much you can see it move.

Food cravings:  Citrus, vinegar and more vinegar. And salt and vinegar chips. :) 

Food Aversions: The only things I really don't still want are chicken and greasy food. Otherwise, I've mostly leveled out!

Gender: We don't know! I was so sure it was a boy for a while. Then I thought girl. And now I've given up trying to guess. 

Labor Signs:  Nope, nope.

Pregnancy Symptoms:  I'm having a good bit of rib pain and indigestion. But I feel grateful because this has really been the worst of it and I know a lot of women have it much worse.

Belly Button in or out? In! But flat.

What I miss: Sushi! And rosé!

What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender.

Happy Monday!

So You Want to Buy a Fiddle Fig?

For our one year anniversary, Chris wanted concert tickets and I wanted a plant. I think it's obvious which one of us is more fun :) 

After seeing fiddle-leaf figs all over the blogosphere, I'd fallen in love. Those big, beautiful leaves just looked like they'd purify our air and make all of my plant dreams come true! Little did I know, I was taking on far more responsibility than I realized. These things aren't hearty succulents, my friends. They are finicky!

But that hasn't stopped me from totally falling in love with Fiddle Fig Newton. He's part of the family now and we've gotten his care down to a science. It's been almost a year since we adopted him and I think he's grown almost a foot! I thought I'd share a few things that would be good to know before investing in one.

Plant websites often rate the fiddle-leaf fig as an "easy" plant to manage. What I've learned is this: they are easy to maintain, but only once you figure out your plant's specific needs.

So here's how you learn to care for your very own fiddle-leaf fig: 

1. This is not a one-size-fits-all plant. Every fiddle fig is different.

At first you will basically need to treat it like a child. Get to know it. Observe how it responds to various types of care. Recognize it may have different needs than your neighbor's fig tree.

Not even kidding. My old roommate, Melly, and I both had fig trees in our duplex. This meant they got similar amounts of light all day long. Yet, they needed totally different care. My sister's fig tree? Super low maintenance. Mine, on the other hand, behaves like an a-list celeb with all its needs. 

2. Try different things and pay attention. 

It took me a long time to figure out how much water Newt needs. It turns out, his leaves look best if we put him in the shower every 10-12 days for about 15 minutes and run warm water over him. Apparently this is not uncommon for fiddle figs, because it feels most similar to a natural rain shower. In the warm seasons, if a rain shower is coming, we will put him outside instead of the shower. 

image via

Some people say their fig tree needs one or two cups of water each week. This is worth trying, too! 

Your plant will tell you if you're overwatering, though, based on dropping its leaves. I've learned that if it drops a brown leaf, it's too dry. If it drops a yellow leaf, it is too moist.

3. They do not like change.

Our fig tree goes into a small depression when we move him around the house. He likes to stay in the same spot, with a good amount of sunlight. Minimize how often you relocate your plant. 

4. Their home matters to them. 

As your tree grows, watch its roots. If they become exposed, it's time to re-home your plant. However, they prefer to be replanted in the spring and for the pot size to increase by only one to three inches at a time. We are getting ready to replant Newt in just a few weeks. 

Also, it has to have drainage, so be sure that your pot has a hole in it. When you see design magazines with fig trees in a basket, it likely has some sort of drainage within it - the soil isn't directly placed in the basket. 

5. The little things make a big difference. 

They like their leaves dusted. They like to be in front of an open window when it's balmy spring weather, but they don't like to be near a vent. They prefer a humid environment; if it's dry, they'll drop their leaves. Too much light and they'll get a sunburn. 

Your plant will have a lot of preferences, but, as you get to know it, your fiddle fig will become easier and easier to care for. Before you know it, you'll find yourself saying things like "plants are people too!" and then having to check yourself :) 

Happy Friday!