As I'm writing this, Raylee is around two weeks away from being a one-year-old. It seems like we were just getting the hang of life with a newborn, and now -- bam -- she's almost a toddler! The first year really went so fast. And it's got me reflecting a lot lately. I always thought it was a little silly to throw a big party for a one-year-old. It's not like they have any clue what's going on, and they won't remember the cake, presents, or decorations. What's the point? Well, can I tell you a secret? The birthday party I'm throwing for Raylee in a couple weeks is more of a party for me. It's Continue Reading
Snail Mail Challenge: 21 Days of Encouragement
This post is written in partnership with DaySpring for their 21-Day Encouragement Campaign. All opinions are my own. When I was a kid, my mom took file folders and taped them to our bedroom doors, taping the sides of the folders closed. These little folders taped to our doors became our mailboxes. When we would come in from playing outside, my mom would say in a sing-song voice, "You never can tell when you might get some mail!" My brother and I would take off running to our bedrooms to see what special surprise was in our mailboxes. I remember coming home from school and seeing a big piece Continue Reading
Cleaning Up Your Facebook News Feed
When you scroll through your Facebook news feed, what do you see? What types of images are your eyes scanning? What types of videos do you stop to watch? When you read a post from a friend or page, what kind of words are used? Are the things you are seeing on your Facebook news feed encouraging and uplifting? Are they filled with Truth? Or are you seeing foul words, inappropriate images, and things you wouldn't want your pastor seeing? If you accidentally clicked share on one of those posts, would you be embarrassed or ashamed? Perhaps it is time to clean up our Facebook pages. This has Continue Reading
When You Are Drowning
When I wrote this post, I told you I was right in the midst of it -- in the hard, in the valley. Little did I know I still had farther to fall. I was honest and shared with you that I was trying not to drown. I felt like the waves kept breaking over me, and I was weak from trying to hold my head above the water. I told you I was praying that I would become a stronger swimmer. And I encouraged you that we will not drown and we will survive. I told you we would be stronger. But what happens if in the midst of that prayer to be a stronger swimmer, a tsunami hits? What if you feel more Continue Reading
Great Books for Christian Single Women
Even though it has been awhile, I do remember my single days -- trying to find contentment and confidence in myself (something I'm still working on) while I waited for Mr. Right to come along. There were times where I was completely happy with my singleness, and times where I loathed it. One thing that really helped me during those difficult times of singleness was reading a good book, specifically one that understood where I was and encouraged me in those times of waiting. Perhaps you are single. Or maybe you are looking for a gift for a friend who's single. Either way, these are my Continue Reading
5 Encouraging Instagram Accounts
Instagram is one of my all-time favorite social media platforms. I love seeing the words put to photos, and I love sharing with others. I especially love following accounts that bring me encouragement and remind me to see the sunshine. Those accounts lift me up like a giant hot air balloon, and sometimes in life we really need something to lift us -- even if it's just a few special words connected to a beautiful photo. I wanted to share those accounts with you, so you can follow along too. Here we go! She Reads Truth -- An online community of women who study God's Word together Continue Reading
Hurting During the Holidays
Christmas can be an incredibly happy time. It can be full of joy and love and hope. But it can also be a very difficult time. It can be full of disappointment, sadness, hurting, and loneliness. I know there are people out there who are struggling this season. For some, the holidays don't seem so happy. Two years ago, I was struggling during the holidays. I know what if feels like to have an aching heart during what is supposed to be such a joyful season. For those of you out there who are hurting right now, please know you are not alone. I've complied a list of posts from others that Continue Reading
Winter Encouragement
Winter can be rough. Cold. Wind. Snow. Ice. Dreary days. Cloudy days. Days without any sunshine. The weather alone can be discouraging. It's much easier to become negative during the winter months. Any of you feeling that way? I know I get down sometimes during these bitterly cold months. To offset that :( feeling, I've created this post with several uplifting photos to remind you that winter ends. Sunshine is on its way! I hope you are uplifted and encouraged through these photos. Scroll away my friends. Winter Encouragement Through Photos I will be Continue Reading
Words of Encouragement
The past year has been rough for me. For those of you who don't know, I went through a break up. The beginning of the year was spent grieving the loss of the love of my life, his wonderful family, and all my dreams for our future. It really was a loss, because I handle break ups by pretending that person doesn't exist — completely exiling them from my life. It's a defense mechanism I use. It's the only way I know how to diminish the pain — even if it's just a little bit. I kept praying for God to make my feelings for him fade, but it was a prayer God never answered. I prayed for healing, Continue Reading
Starting Fresh
Welcome to Seeing Sunshine! This is my first post on this website. I've had another blog for over a year through Wordpress. However, I feel it's time to step up to the plate and create my own site. Something with a real name, with a real purpose. So I decided to do it. I bought my own domain, and then realized how much harder building a website can be than I thought, even with help from a web host and other bloggers. At one point, I thought "What have I gotten myself into?" I thought maybe I had jumped the gun without really looking into it - something I feel I often do. I realized how much Continue Reading