FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

Friday, January 31, 2014

My friends and I are graduating this May (!!!), and we're kind of just meandering around, figuring out how to walk within this season of uncertainty. In previous years, our "next steps" were always planned out for us; we knew what was expected of us and success was neatly packaged in a simple GPA. But now suddenly, that security and set routine is going to be stripped from us, and we need to figure out where to go from here. We're all unsure where we're going to be four months, one year, and five years from now. Will we be in grad school or working? Will we find a job we love or will we be miserable? Will we be married or single? Will we still be faithful or lost? Will we be satisfied or discontent? 

Of course, we have ideas and expectations, but nothing is concrete anymore. As frightening and daunting as that is, it's also not a bad place to be. Just because we wander and seem to be walking towards steps of mystery, we aren't lost, nor are we off track. 

God says that those who commit to the ways of the Lord, he will make their paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). I want to cling to this truth and enjoy this season of uncertainty I am in... Truly enjoy it and not try to muddy it up with my own plans/rules/systems. 

Here are today's sweet words for you. (I really need to hear them, too.) You can do whatever you wish with the below image! Pin it onto your Pinterest board, print it out and post it in your room, make it your phone wallpaper, or do absolutely nothing at all. It's just a little something, something to get good vibes in the air.

Happy Friday! :) May you choose to trust in Him and walk by faith even when you only know the next few steps ahead. May you lean into that uncertainty and resist the urge to control the situation yourself. May you discover sweet intimacy as you depend on Him.

FITNESS JOURNEY / 01.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Over winter break, my boyfriend (who has conformed into a health nut) tried to get me to pick up on some of his exercise/eating habits. I tagged along with him to the gym, the grocery store, and even ate his home-cooked meals (aka he cooked many meals for me. Double win.) After seeing a glimpse of what eating healthy looked like, it sort of grew on me.

I want to make healthy eating + working out my lifestyle. 
I want to start documenting what I'm eating, how I'm moving, and how my body is responding, so I can have a record to see the progress. My fitness journey, if you will.

Here are some of my steps toward a healthy lifestyle...

abs are made in the kitchen [my breakfast]
I swapped out sugary pastries and donuts for egg whites and turkey bacon. Each morning, I throw 3 slices of turkey bacon and 2 egg whites on the pan and fry them. It's delicious and savory and fatty... AND IT'S HEALTHY. It's a breakfast packed with proteins and good fat—no carbs. I also like to whip up a quick smoothie (kale, frozen berries, bananas, almond milk) and drink that on the side. It's a quick fix to my sweet tooth. (:
*People say it's hard to eat healthy in the morning because they don't have enough time to prepare their food, resorting to sugary cereals and bars. I know it sounds like a long process, but it actually doesn't take too long! I can prepare, eat, clean all under 20 minutes.

moar meals [lunch+dinner]
Most of my meals used to be overloaded with carbs: rice, pasta, and bread. (I also ate a lot of microwave food). I went to the store and bought chicken tenderloins, bell peppers, and onions, so I have been cooking those over the stove and eating it like a fajita! Next week I want to swap out the chicken for some tilapia and also buy different veggies. YUM.

They say that protein keeps you full and leans you out—and it's actually proving to be true for my body. Packing protein into my meals does keep me full and flattens my stomach, unlike carbs which make me bloat allll around like crazy. What I really like about this switch is that I don't need to skimp any meals or cut portions. I can eat til I'm full! (Oh, and cooking is extremely more economical than dining out.)

I told my boyfriend about the changes I had made and he asked me: how have you been feeling though? What is your energy and emotional level like? Actually, good. Really good. Usually, I tend to do a lot of emotional eating, so I wondered if I would have any major cravings, but so far I've been okay. I still let myself drink sugary coffee, or the occasional dessert, so I'm not too strict on myself, but my cravings are becoming farther and fewer in between. Eating healthy feels really good, emotionally and physically, and there's something about the preparing my own food that is becoming really enjoyable.

up in the gym working on my fitness
When I went to the gym with the boyfriend, I followed his work out routine including weights + circuits. He helped correct my form and push my limits to do things my body didn't even know it was capable of doing! It has definitely been a boost of confidence. (: Now that I'm on campus and without my workout buddy,  I've tried to maintain the habit of going to the gym. 

So far, I've gone every other day and tried to keep it fun by doing different things. Sometimes I brought a friend, sometimes I watched a show on the treadmill, other times I tried Insanity... It's nice to mix it up. For the most part, this is my routine: I go on the treadmill for 30 to 60 minutes—intervals for 15 minutes and incline walking for the rest of the duration. I like to have the television time which really distracts me from the fact that I'm exercising. Then, I do ab exercises for 15 minutes, and follow it up with squats or arms with dumbbells. It's nothing too strenuous or extravagant, but it's keeping my heart rate up, blood flowing, and my body used to moving... And all of it feels so good. :)

How do you stay fit and healthy? Do you enjoy reading others' fitness journeys? Where do you get your fit inspo?

THIS WORLD NEEDS TO SEE YOUR PASSION.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

I love to create.

I love it, I love it. 

Whether it be in the form of scrapbooking, writing, crafting, cooking, making home movies, taking photos (or Instagramming them), whatever! There is an indescribable joy that fills my BONES throughout the process. Do you feel me?

I don't think that says something significant about me, though, I think it says something about Him! When I turn to scripture, I see that God's first role recorded was as a creator
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1
Since I am made in His image, I believe my desire to create is a reflection of who He is. When I think about that, I want to create all the more. (: Creating feels purposeful. I bet you, too, have a passion that was so intricately and intentionally planted in your heart as a gift from our God. I bet you, too, reflect a glimpse of Him each time you unfold it. Allow yourself to unfold it.

I love to surround myself around those who are passionate about the work they do, because it takes courage and dedication—it's also contagious. It's inspiring and moving and beautiful to see people do the work they love. It's like that's what they were made to do, and it gives me the courage to keep pursuing the things I feel like I was made to do, too. 

Can you believe that our God created each of us with such unique talents, gifts, and interests? He is definitely a creative one. 

Do you know your passion? I hope you do, and if you don't, I hope you discover it one day real soon. When you do, I hope you have the boldness to unleash it, hone it, and share it with the world. This world needs to see your passion.

FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

Friday, January 24, 2014

January can get kind of busy. The kids are back at school, it's a new fiscal year at work, and all those resolutions you made a few weeks ago seem to have a hold on you. In the midst, busyness can stifle God's voice. Before we drown ourselves in our overbooked schedules, let's not forget that we have a God who wants to fight and is more than able to fight for you—you need only to be still. That truth took a load off my shoulder! I know I have the tendency to be overambitious in the beginning and say "yes" to so many things, only to be bitter and burnt out by the end. What a relief it is to remember that stillness and nothing-ness can be a strength and even productivity!  I'm holding fast to that truth today, which brings us to our Friday quote...

Here are today's sweet words for you. You can do whatever you wish with the below image! Pin it onto your Pinterest board, print it out and post it in your room, make it your phone wallpaper, or do absolutely nothing at all. It's just a little something, something to get good vibes in the air.

Happy Friday! May you choose to be still this weekend—whatever that looks like— and allow God's hand of power and might to move deep and wide in your life. Cheers!

GETTING COZY.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

It is literally so cold outside. 

I created a Pinterest board recently titled, "getting cozy," with images of bundled blankets and steamy coffee, because at least then my heart would be warm even though my bones weren't able to defrost. Here are some of my favorites—hope it warms your heart.

CONVICTIONS FROM OIL

Thursday, January 23, 2014

A few weeks ago, I served as a small group leader at a midwest young adult conference, OIL. It was a four-day retreat themed, "deep and wide," challenging all to let the gospel soak—deep into our hearts, and wide onto our communities. Great pastors, theologists, social justice activists, and faithful-regular-Joe's were brought from all over the country to speak. 

I can't spit out all four days worth of goodness to you, although boy if I could I would, here are a few convictions and lessons learned. These are the things I can't shake off my bones–I hope it blesses you. (: 
Be faithful where you are now. Even if what you currently do is not a permanent or enjoyable situation, know that God is sovereign and has sovereignly placed you in this season and this context. Do not limit your situation to be a mere stepping stone. Trust in God's timing and learn to be faithful. "You have been faithful with a little things; I will put you in charge of many things." Matthew 25:23.

Jesus was the first missionary in the world and we can learn a lot by his example. It says that Jesus dwelled, and as ambassadors of Christ, the way we do missions, whether it's in a different country or at work or at our home, we, too, need to rub shoulders with the people in our lives. This means we learn and understand their culture; we dwell with them. We should not stick to our own kind, running from prayer meeting to service to small group, but enter into darkness to be the light.

Don't it sound sweet? You can find more about it here

MY LAST FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

 


GOALS:
- Go to all my classes.
- Cook more meals.
- Assist a professor with their research.
- Do yoga in the morning. 
- Drink more water and less coffee.
- Unplug. 
- Throw out ten things ( a month ). 
- Bring life to Campus Cursive.
- Do a project... And actually finish it.
- Eat clean.
- Serve my roommates.
- Pray for my small group.

This my LAST semester as an undergraduate student—and that fact both excites me and terrifies me. 

It's exciting because it's a limited space to try new, spontaneous, and irresponsible things before I enter real world. On the other hand, it's terrifying because it's an empty space that feels like it must be filled with only important, impressive, and monumental things. And when I get too terrified of not being impressive enough or spontaneous enough, I turn to a completely different outlook, apathy. I can also say that since it's my last semester, nothing really matters. I can sleep in, skip class, and just coast. 

So before I hurt myself trying to wrap my brain around what that semester means, I want to fully and wholly and daily surrender this semester before God, with both the big and the small things. If I surrender this semester to God, I gain hope and go from, "I don't know if I can do this," to "God, I'm so excited to see how you are going to do this," because I know "nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37).

Amen? Lez do this ish.

YOU ARE HIS BELOVED.

Monday, January 20, 2014



Did you miss these? I sure did. It felt great to play around with type+design again. Here's an iPhone background for you today—I'm actually using it right now! 



You like it ? It's yours. :) Instructions are easy! 
1. Right click on the bottom image + save (either directly from your iPhone or from your computer. If you saved it on your computer, there is an extra step. E-mail it to yourself or send it via iCloud + open it on your iPhone.) 
2. Find it in your Photos, set it as your wallpaper, and straighten it out so the text is smack dab in the middle. Enjoy!
3. Find more design treats here!





FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Our mission for 2014 was to spread positivity—and one way we are going to practice that is to fill our Fridays with uplifting quotes and pretty graphics. 

Here's are today's sweet words. You can do whatever you wish with the below image! Pin it onto your Pinterest board, print it out and post it in your room, make it your phone wallpaper, or do nothing at all! It's just a little something, something to get good vibes in the air. (:

Cheers & happy Friday! May you choose joy this weekend.

LIFE LATELY : BABY STEPS

Friday, January 17, 2014

  

  currently : 
- Reading "Restless" by Jennie Allen. I'm only on chapter four, but so far? It is an absolute gem. I would recommend it to any senior in high school or college — or anyone in transition. (I plan on doing a separate post on this book later, but if you're feeling eager to check it out, find it here!)
- Applying to jobs... There's really not anything else I'd like to add to this. It's just... going. (Please lift up a prayer for me for God to open doors!)
- Playing Dutch Blitz! Have you heard of it? Think solitaire + speed!
- Watching "Pretty Little Liars." 
- Drinking soy iced chai almost everyday. I think I need to find a good recipe to substitute the cash I'm dropping at Starbucks.

  baby steps : 
What are baby steps? They're like goals—only less intimidating and less measurable. They're baby steps toward permanent lifestyle changes.

- Create a mood board.
- Apply to three new jobs a week.
- Eat turkey bacon and egg whites.
- Visit a new city.
- Keep squatting.
- Read a fiction book.

COFFEE & HONEYCOMB'S BEST OF 2013

Sunday, January 5, 2014



2013 was not only a great year for me personally, but also for this Coffee & Honeycomb. We changed platforms (twice) until we found a comfortable home here on blogspot, doubled readership, discovered sponsors, and made blog friends. (: 

Here are some of my favorite posts from 2013:

january:
the one about florence
verona 101

february:
finding a church
what i wore to paris
learning lessons

may:
pay it forward

june:
look book: maxi skirt
a beautiful god
look book : emerald green

july:
journaling
ten things 

august:
more love letters
free desktop
minibooks

september:
workspace
closet
throwback to summer

october:
fall diy
sin runs deep
small miracles

november:
confessions of a blogger tag
coffee date

december:
it's okay to not be superhuman
christmas inspiration 

Lastly, I wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you to my readers. (: It always brightens my day to hear from you all and I'm always left so encouraged by your sweet words and support! Looking forward to another great year with y'all! 

2014 | DAILY FAITHFULNESS

Saturday, January 4, 2014

I always try to create a phrase or word that will represent what I'd like my focus of the year to look like. In 2013, it was "more gospel," to infiltrate each day with more of His word and His good news. For 2014, I choose, "daily faithfulness." Why? Because this year will be a year of major transitions. I graduate college in four short months, entering the work force and moving back home. (boomerang kid. it's the economy, guys.) And as I enter into this new season of life and begin to develop my own lifestyle, spending habits, work balance, I want to ensure to find a rhythm of daily faithfulness. As I become more and more self-sufficient with responsibilities and finance, I want to be all the more dependent on Him and Him alone.


What are your resolutions for 2014?

MY 2013 : A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE.

Thursday, January 2, 2014


This time of the year is always busy for everyone... Endless holidays, mind numbingly cold weather, gift shopping, party planning, family gatherings, and food coma induced naps...  With so much going on, it's easy to let the mornings run into nights and let life pass by without taking a moment to pause and reflect. So, over here on Coffee & Honeycomb, I wanted to clear up some time to seal away 2013 and properly welcome 2014.

Shall we walk down memory lane together...

In January, (I know, this feels forever ago) I picked up my passport and left the country for the first time in my life to study abroad in Verona, Italy. I moved into a cute little Italian home with my college roommate and enrolled into the Scuola di Lingua Italiana Idea Verona. I traded in dollars for euros, Starbucks lattes for single espressos, and the city's skyline for ancient cobblestones. And that was just the start. I was about to enter into a whole new European living. Ciao Verona!



I spent a good chunk of May tying up loose ends, buying last minute souvenirs, and treating myself to celebratory gelatos. On the 4th, packed up my bags once again and headed towards the states. I was reunited with the family, the lovely pups, and of course, Starbucks. So long to pausas and passeggiata, enter summer.

August was monumental. I turned 21 (wahoo), moved into my first apartment, became a senior, started co-leading, and chartered my first college organization, Campus Cursive.
Now here we are, twelve long months later... Twelve long months of ups and downs and in-between nothings. Seasons of confusion, excitement, and even seasons of anxiety. It was a year of growing pains. I was pushed out of my comfort zone in more ways than one, and although uncomfortable at times, I learned that that is exactly where the magic happens. (I know I wear out that phrase to its bare bones but I'm a firm believer in it.) One thing that stayed the same was God's hand and nearness in my life, and I'm so grateful that miles (both literally and figuratively) traveled, I have sweet assurance that my God is my God and He is near me. (: 

To be honest, life doesn't look that much different from what it did one year ago. My home is the same, the people in my life are still near, and we still don't know who Ted Mosby's wife is. However, if I take the time to reflect on all that one year had to offer, that "same" life feels different — and that excites me! I'm ready to embrace the new year with wide open arms.

In 2014, let's be kind to our neighbors, do things that make us smile, and make room in our heart and life for God to plant and mold and speak. Let's make this one a good one, friends. 

Pssst! See how other ladies spent their 2013 here! And if you did your own post, be sure to link up here. Happy reflecting! :)

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