I was driving home from school with Wesley one evening last week. As we talked about our day, I watched as the pink sunset gently faded into the darkness of the night. The silhouette of trees and barns against the sky was a beautiful picture to behold. It gave me a recurring thought – one that I’ve wanted to blog about for a while:

Just that the best things in life are almost always free. Not fancy. Simple.

I want to more frequently “stop and smell the roses” along the path of life. As a dear friend told me a while ago, “there is always something to smile about”; always something to delight in. Not that there aren’t times to hurry and accomplish things quickly. But even in the midst of the busiest lifestyle we can still take a moment to look around and enjoy the simple delights of everyday life.

When I think of the simple things in my life that bring me joy, I think of…..

Waking up to birds singing

A bright, cheery smile

A long walk outside, being surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation

Snuggling up on a cold winter night with my family to watch a movie

A cup of steaming java

That wonderful, sweaty, tired feeling I get after a workout

Buzzing around the house on a cleaning spree

A slice of bread, fresh from the oven

The tiny fingers and toes of a newborn baby

The delicious breeze that comes from an open window on a lovely day

Smelling the fragrance of a flower

A sweet, juicy orange

Laughter

Coming home at the end of a long day

The peace of stillness and quiet

Uplifting conversation

The gentle hum of our tea kettle

The cozy, woodsy smell of our log stove

Soft quilted pillows

A freshly baked chocolate-cherry scone

Gentle music in a quiet moment of the day

Hugs

Observing a plant grow from week to week 

Pretty kitchen towels and curtains

Sitting around the dinner table with my family.

Now what are some simple things you delight in? I’d love to hear them! :) Let’s take a moment from time to time to look for and enjoy them.

Hello friends! It’s a lovely Saturday morning here. The sun is just coming up, the birds are singing, and the air is cold, but not frigid. I hope your weekend is off to a wonderful start! I have a bit a catching up to do from this past week, so here’s a little glimpse into my life. :)

Well, it’s official. I have completed my first week of full-time college! Though I vaguely alluded to classes starting this month, I haven’t said much else about it, so here’s what I’m doing: I am taking four classes this semester from a community college. They are all pre-requesites to the nursing program I’d like to go through: anatomy, psychology, nutrition, and American government. I have classes three days each week. When they started on Monday, I was glad to be familiar with the campus and how the classes work because I had taken English and math online courses as a dual-enrolled high school student. It’s been very different having to get up early and leave three mornings each week. My first class starts at 8 a.m. and it’s a 45 minute drive in heavy traffic. I ride with Daddy on his way to work, which I’ve enjoyed.

All in all, I am excited about starting college and the classes I’m taking. Nutrition and anatomy particularly fascinate me, which makes studying a lot more interesting. I know this is just the beginning, and things will get more intense as the weeks go by, but I am thankful for a good start. God has provided an amazing friend for me at college. She is also going into nursing, and her friendship and love for the Lord is a huge encouragement to me!

Okay, moving on! Although college starting is the “biggie” in my life right now, there are other things going on as well. :)

For my birthday, Wesley bought tickets for us to go see The Hobbit together. It was a blast!!! Besides enjoying the movie, it was sweet to be able to spend time with him. Love this guy! ;)

This past week, Austin and Jonathan have been competing at a speech and debate tournament in Arkansas. Mom is with them, faithfully supporting and encouraging them. So far, both of the guys are doing well, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it when they get back!

In addition to my college classes, I am also studying for the ACT. This is a great study guide, btw. I took this picture on a whim when my brain decided it needed a small break. ;)

Something funny about me is that I love, love, LOVE funky socks. It doesn’t matter how bright they are – I wear them all. My love for funky socks began years ago on my 11th or 12th birthday when Grandma gave me a pair of the cutest, brightest toe socks I’d ever seen. I’ve been hooked ever since. Mom got these for me on a recent shopping trip. Cute, no? I’m wearing my favorite pair. ;)

Our woods are so beautiful this time of year! A week ago it started raining, then the temperature dropped to freezing and you can guess what happened. The next morning everything was coated in ice! The first picture in this post is just one example.

So I hope that helped to update you a bit. I’ll try to post at least once each week, but if you do notice a drop in the frequency of posts, it’s probably because of my studies. Have no fear, though. Blogging is a huge joy for me, and unless I totally get swamped I hope to always keep it updated. Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog, and for the lovely comments you leave. It makes blogging all the more delightful for me. :)

I hope your day is blessed!
~Brookie

Last fall, Mom and I attended a ladies’ Bible study for a few weeks. During one of our meetings, a wise older woman in the group said something that really stood out to me. She asked the simple question:

“Are we striving in life to build our reputation or, by God’s grace, our character?”

There is such a difference between having merely a good reputation and true character. Which one lasts? Which one will point others towards Christ and not ourselves?

I’ll admit that I can be a “people pleaser” and I sometimes do things with the wrong motive – to make myself look better. But in the end, will it really matter? Will I really gain anything at all? The truth is that I won’t. I want to have more of a mindset of “what does it matter what people think of me as long as I’m striving to live a life worthy of Christ?”

I love this song by Sara Groves. I hope you read the lyrics here, and as you do, remember with me today and every day that we’re living our lives for an audience of one. To God be all the glory!

When I stand before the Lord, I’ll be standing alone. This journey is my own.
Still I want man’s advice, and I need man’s approval, but this journey is my own.
Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price?
What would it mean to gain the wold, only to lose my life?

So much of what I do is to make a good impression. This journey is my own.
And so much of what I say is to make myself look better. This journey is my own.
Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price?
And what does it mean to gain the wold, only to lose my life?

I’ve never felt relief like I feel it right now. This journey is my own.
‘Cause trying to please the world, it was breaking me down.
Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one.
Now I live and I breathe for an audience of one, ’cause I know this journey is my own.

Why would I want to live for man and pay the highest price?
What would it mean to gain the wold, only to lose my life?
You can live for someone else, and it will only bring you pain.
I can’t even judge myself. Only the Lord can say, “Well done.”