#shesharestruth Psalm 38

There are a few areas of the internet that I am constantly in cheering mode for. Aka, ministries and things going on that are awesome and that I love!

One such ministry is #SheReadsTruth, an incredible daily devotional. I had a chance to meet the writers at the Influence Conference back in the fall, and was truly honoured to write during the women of the Bible series for Rachel, Dorcas, and the Woman with the disabling spirit. 

During the current lent plan (a plan that is really good. Like, dang, it’s good and beautiful and convicting and comforting and IS the Gospel), there is a weekly link-up on Friday where we, the reader, get to pop in and share what we learned.

This week, the focus is on Psalm 38. Since I’m in a (forever and a year) long series walking through each Psalm, I looked back at what I had written for Psalm 38 last year and decided to share an edited version of that post. Aight, preface done.

There are two best parts of the Gospel, in my opinion.
The first best part is that all have fallen short of the glory of God. I kind of sigh a big relief sigh when I remember that, because there is almost a sense of community.
I'm not the only one who sins.
I'm not the only one who falls short.
I'm not the only one in absolutely desperate need of help.
The second and really very best part of the Gospel is this:
Christ died a sinner's death so that those who call upon His name never have to die that death.

He was forsaken by God so that those who call upon the name of Jesus will never be forsaken by God.

Christ experienced the fullest and most awful death possible so that followers of Him will experience the fullest and most amazing life possible. 

Our death, because of Christ if our faith is in Him, leads to eternity spent with Him.
He took our death.

And that, that is good news.


Are you linking up as well? Do! There’s little reason not to.

P.S. Those cool SRT friends of mine are creating an app. And pretty soon they're going to have a kickstarter campaign to make it happen. If you've got a heart for Gospel centered ministries, this is one to support. I'll be sure to share about the campaign (probably only on twitter though) when it happens. 

blogging is

Do you ever open up a scripture, start reading and feel your heart fill with possibility? Just see the truth and feel impacted, pushed, pulled, inspired, encouraged, just excited about the Gospel?

That’s how I felt when I started working through my She Reads Truth devotional yesterday. The devotional over on SRT yesterday was phenomenal. Be SURE to read it.

AND NOW, this passage that inspired me! It’s awesome and worth taking the time to read.

     That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
     
     This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
    
(1 John 1 ESV)


Isn't that amazing? Ah, I love it! I love scripture that speaks of light and darkness because it's so visual and easy for me to make sense of.

Verse four was the verse that caught my heart, and reminded me why I’m here on the internet.

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Each time I write and share the things that God is doing, my joy is being made complete.

The reason being because my joy is in Christ, in the salvation He has offered me, in the grace upon grace that He has poured all over me. 

And it’s my joy to share the things I’m learning.

I got a comment recently from someone who was thankful that I’m not a lifestyle blog.

Do you know what I’d like to be? Like, what I wish this blog was? A lifestyle blog.

But I just can never get that lifestyle blog part down. I don’t have a pretty enough style, fancy enough house, snazzy enough camera.

And I don’t mind.

Because my joy finds its completion when I share the Gospel.

And each day, when I show up here, somewhat less often lately, I share that joy.

This season is one of learning. I recognize that. 

I asked God to teach me to believe that He loves me, and He is teaching me. He’s not letting me rest in any sense of unbelief.

Blogging is a sweet expression of my joy.

It’s my joy to show up here, whenever I do, to share what I learn.

Dear reader, whoever you are, I’m thankful and grateful for you. You’re helping my fulfill my joy. 

 

{a walk through} psalm 69

I'm over at She Reads Truth today, sharing on the story of the woman with the disabling spirit.

This post, for She Reads Truth, wasn't written by me.

Well. It was written by me, but it felt more inspired than much anything I've ever written.

I can't remember the exact date I got asked to write this post, but it was a little bit last minute back in July. The post was due the next day and they needed somebody to write it.

I was on my lunch break so as I went to grab lunch, I popped open my Bible app, found the reference and read it.

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.
   Luke 13:10-13

I read it and felt as though I audibly heard the words "I saw her. I see you."

I sat in a coffee shop the next morning to write the post. I studied the scriptures, pouring over for some application, but I could not get further than that simple fact: Jesus saw her.


He saw her in her weak state, her absolutely uncomfortable state. He saw that she was without advocates and He offered her a way out of her distress.

There are so many moments when I feel really unseen. Particularly as I'm hitting the two year mark on singleness, after a very short break from that singleness of a lifetime.

It's hard to feel noticed when I'm not.
It's hard to feel seen when it sure doesn't feel like anybody is seeing me.
That might sound dramatic, but I dare you to find ten single girls who disagrees with me.

Jesus is my advocate.
He sees me, single and all alone.
He sees my hurt heart, my tear stained cheeks, and He listens to my whispered prayers in the middle of the night.

He offers me freedom from those fears of being alone.
Because in Christ I am never alone.

And neither are you my friend.
Neither are you.


Also. I absolutely love that the verse today is one where the psalmist is asking the Lord to turn towards him. That's a beautiful picture. His prayers were answered in the life of Jesus. I started this Psalm series in January and have shared a Psalm twice a week since then. Isn't God amazing that He puts this psalm on this day when I'm sharing about this truth? Yep.

she reads truth

Last week, I alluded to a different type of studying the Bible. Today I'm excited to share that I'm writing for She Reads Truth today!

About a month back or so, I got an email from Raechel asking me if I'd consider writing a devotional for She Reads Truth (SRT). It was the day after I'd shared some words on naptime diaries, my sweet friend Jessi's blog, and apparently those words were what some people needed to hear. I say apparently because it always amazes me that God uses me to share truth. I've said before (and I think it's in my about page) that I feel akin to Moses at the burning bush, fully questioning that what God has called me to is the correct thing, based on my very lacking abilities.

I read her email, and just closed it, and took some big breathes in and out. To say that I was honoured is correct, yet more so, I was overwhelmed.

I checked my phone and saw a text from Jessi that read DID YOU GET THE EMAIL FROM RAECHEL?!?!?!?!

After I stopped chuckling, I sent her something like aaaaaaaa yes aaaaaaaa!!!!! AAAAAAA!!!

See, I'm all about influence. I get it. I get that I influence whoever I encounter, and I want to live a life of very intentional influence. I even moderate the forums for the influence network. I'm all about influence.

My reach here on a Secondary Heartbeat isn't huge. I don't mind, because it's a great size. I love the amount I have.

I love that I have a beautiful community here on my blog. Sweet people who show up everyday, some who I'm starting to know by name, some who I really have GOT to get to know better.

Whereas SRT is a very big gigantic magnificent community. Women who show up everyday, who are trusting that the words they are reading are filled with Gospel truth.

I wrote Jessi another text: Jess, I'm so under qualified. I'm not a very good writer, and I've got so much sin in my heart. I don't think I'm right for this.

To which she reminded me that we're all under qualified sinners - that that's the point. 

Jesus qualifies us.

So, I said yes, got my scripture reference for the story, and started reading and writing.

And let me tell you, I wanted to write about the epic love story, about the epic disappointment, about the epic entire story, but instead, I wrote what I did. I couldn't get away from the fact that I'm exactly like Rachel. I don't have the story she does, but I do have the sin.

I think today would be a great day to join SRT. Not simply because I'm writing (in fact, that should probably hinder you to wait until at least tomorrow), but because, as somebody who got a sneak peek into the rest of this series, I can tell ya: it's awesome.

If you're thinking what is She Reads Truth???, well, let me share a little bit from their site:

From your front porch, from your bed, from your couch, from the carpool line, or from the breakroom at work. Wherever you can, whenever you can – #SheReadsTruth is about taking as much time as you can to seek His face and be in His word.

And if you're wondering, though really, I don't know why, which SRT plan has been my favourite, that's easy!!! Galatians. I loved that plan the most.

AND if you're wondering why I put a "u" in "favourite"? Well, I'm a Canadian. Welcome.


I'm always looking for new ways to read more and better. I tend to keep three or more plans open on my bible app and get through them as I can, not trying to read everything everyday, but always making sure I have something to read if I've got some spare minutes.

How do you read the Bible?

Do you read along with SRT? Are you visiting my blog today for the first time? I'd love to know. 


If you are new, I'm glad you're here. If you're a regular, I'm glad you're here. I'm thankful for everybody!

She Reads Truth

So, I remember a year ago, watching a hashtag show up. #SheReadsTruth

And today is the anniversary of a bunch of ladies (followed by a whole lot more ladies) starting to read through the Bible together.

If you're not already a part, you should be okay? Okay!

{a walk through} psalm 30

 Yesterday was a really good day.

I called my Mom, and speaking of the thing that happened (aka the part I won't share online), I said something similar to I think this is the first thing I've been excited about in a while.

I've been in a mundane season, life wise. God is good, and there certainly has been joy, but there has also been a lot of stretching, a lot of pain, and a lot of pleading.

With She Reads Truth (it's an online group of women reading through scripture together. I'm not very good at engaging in the community there, but I do read along), we're doing a series on prayer. Yesterday it spoke of taking your petitions to God, regardless of the size. 

A small portion of the write up yesterday encouraged me with these words:

Be specific when you pray. Don’t be afraid that He can’t handle your needs and desires.

I can't really say why, but it just encouraged me. In that moment, I asked God for 3 specific things. One related to work, one to home, and one to heart. I'll bet anybody who has been around here for any length of time would be able to guess the heart prayer.

I prayed in confidence to God. I prayed specifically and with boldness.

And something happened. Some of the weight I've been feeling, most of it self-placed weight, just seemed to disappear. The thing I mentioned earlier happened, which sparked a piece of joy in me that I hadn't have in ages.

I spent some time walking around in one of my favourite neighbourhoods as of late, spent time working on community group stuff, drank a nice latte, walked some more, went by the water, took pictures of mountains, and just enjoyed the newness that is spring.

A few of my favourite bloggers, Lindsey, Hayley, and Jessi, have been sharing a bit about being refreshed this week. I think I'm catching on to what they're seeking.

I cry to God for help and He hears me.

My mourning is dancing now. It wasn't yesterday morning, it wasn't yesterday at noon, and it really really really wasn't Tuesday night around midnight as I cried in bed or Monday night at 10 pm as I cried on the floor. It became dancing at 3:22 pm yesterday. Something happened and suddenly I wasn't as grumpy or lost.

God has clothed me with gladness.

My heart is glad.

Are you glad? I always think that the word glad is a funny one. Funny and wonderful.

What are you glad about? What do you want to be glad about?

pretty devotions

A couple months ago, I snagged a coffee with a pastor from church. We talked about life, ministry, and all the normal coffee conversation chat. Part way through he asked me how my devotional life was going.

Um . . . I don't really want to tell you because you'd probably be unimpressed. BUT it's a lot better than it was.

Then he responded something like this:

 Oh child (just kidding, he'd never say that).

You know Nadine, I was just talking with the staff the other day about this. We've got to stop seeing devotions as a specific set time, a certain length, a to-do, with a start and finish feeling. We've got to spend our days looking for experiences with Jesus. That takes away the stress of it.

Isn't that cool? I've been reflecting on it a lot and I've realized that experiences with Jesus sound a lot more fun and natural and all together efficient than devotional times.

It's just like friendship right? If I were to walk up to a friend and say HELLO I AM HERE NOW LET'S TALK FOR THIS TIME AND I EXPECT THIS OUT OF YOU AND MAN OH MAN HERE WE GO!

That would make me an awful friend. Friendship happens simply if I'm there. Conversation happens because we're talking, not because I say we have to talk.

K, I'm a little bit hesitant to write this but I'm also kinda not scared of people today (unusual for me, I know - and if you don't know that, you probably haven't been here for very long) so I might as well get this out while I can.

Devotions is not an instagram photo.

Sorry.

Lovely lettering put out for everybody is good. It's beautiful. I often get encouraged by that. But I think Jesus wasn't just speaking for the sake of speaking when He said:

    “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
    “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
(Matthew 6:5-7 ESV)

I'm not saying putting photos up is bad. Not at all.

I'm tempted to tweet/facebook every single verse I read because I'll read a verse and get excited and want to share.

But you saw that word right, tempted?

Fear (a sin) often stops me from putting things up on the internet. But more often, pride (a sin) prompts me to share every thing I'm hearing from God.

Sometimes I just need to take God's word for myself. Not selfishly, but in awe and gratitude of His word.

If you share, share because you love Jesus and want more of Him, not because you're hoping for a like, a retweet, or a little heart.

My relationship with Jesus doesn't have pretty font in a journal alongside my morning coffee and instagram. My relationship with Jesus is just that - a relationship.

Real relationships are filled with laughter, tears, fun, smiles, good talks, light talks, heavy chats, real moments, and sincere words.

I want a real relationship with Jesus.

Devotions maybe shouldn't be so very regimented and formal. If that style of devotions works for you (you know the 1 hour per day every day thing) then keep at 'er.

But if you're like me, and you don't love routine or regiment, maybe try this out.

Look for Jesus.
You'll find Him.

If I'm driving for 5 minutes, I chat with Him.

If I'm showering, I'm probably praying.

If I'm talking with someone about faith stuff, I'm praying in my head.

Jesus is everywhere.

Not just in my one hour long devotion - which never happen for me anyway - or in my pretty picture of my strategically well-lit Bible.

I originally wrote some extra words down here that made this post really safe, and I gave myself some human-made grace (aka the kind that has nothing to do with Jesus). But I've been doing a lot of heart checking and I remembered that Jesus was anything but safe. 

I think that people posting pretty pictures every single day of their underlined Bible is wrong. I don't think they should stop reading their Bible, underlining it, learning about and from God, and even sharing what they're hearing from God (heck, my entire blog is about what I'm learning) but I think they should check their heart every time they hit 'post' in the same way I have to do the same. 

So I'm taking out the apology. And I'm risking your offense. In order that, even if you don't agree, you'll have thought about something new today. 

I've scheduled this post like 3 times. And then taken it down. Because I'm so scared of offending. And these words I'm adding below aren't based out of fear or pride - but are written in love for the good things that I do see happening.

There is an absolutely incredible movement called She Reads Truth, which is a community I participate in. It's a community where women are reading the Bible together, sharing what they learn together, and posting photos and stuff online. I want to add this little note because I think that that community is - the heart of it, which is getting women to read the Bible - so very incredible.

And in that community, in its leaders, and in the ladies who share posts of what God is teaching them, and shots of their journal and Bible - that's good stuff. That isn't wrong.

As long as the heart is that God be given glory and that hearts pointed to Jesus.

That's my heart in writing this post.

 To point the glory back to the Lord.

Because if God isn't the goal in whatever I (and dare I say you) say, write, post, think, etc. . . . we're sinning.

So be bold.
Share all the time.
And point to Him.

Comfortably Envious

Back in July I read that Jessi Connolly had written Be Quiet & Say Something. I quickly hopped over, paid the money, and didn’t read it.

I’m excellent at getting excited and then forgetting. So excellent that if I hadn’t just heard a sermon series at church on spiritual gifts, I might think my forgetful excitement was a spiritual gift. I kid.

Recently I sat down and read through the story. 

It was a story that brought me to tears, frustrated my sinful heart, encouraged my sanctified and saved heart, motivated me to stop looking daily at my stats (as if looking at them will change anything anyways), and ultimately reminded me of things I already knew but had for some reason let flee from my mind.

One thing she highlighted in the book was something that Jesus has been telling me for weeks.

“When we look to the right or the left at the grace given to others long fully or pridefully, we can miss the beauty of influence.” (Be Quiet & Say Something, Jessi Connolly)

As a blogger it's easy to look around and question what I'm doing. I can read blogs that have thousands of readers and find myself in a jealous and envious stream of thoughts. I can get angry at those bloggers because I don't see why God lets them have their sphere of influence.

Or I can go to Jesus and say here I am, sinful and small - use me for Your goals because I know that then You will receive glory in the process. 

Jesus has been calling me out on envy and jealousy for weeks, and if I’m truly honest, months and years.

I went through Galatians with the #SheReadsTruth crew a few weeks ago. There was one day that punched me in the gut.

 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

(Galatians 5:19-21a ESV)

I read that portion and could check off the things that I don’t struggle with currently. I've done this before and written about being skewed while reading scripture (as in reading only what I want to read in scripture).

I got to jealousy and casually stepped over it, ignoring the word.

Strife, not me, yay me! . . . jealousy  . . . oh fits of anger, well sometimes but not too often . . .

I kept going until I hit envy.

Oh Jesus, you wrote it there twice for me didn’t you?

How do I stop being jealous?

By being satisfied in Christ.

So I’m working on it. Failing mostly but attempting to go to Jesus for satisfaction and letting go of control.

I have so many desires for where I want my life to go.

But more so I desire Christ.

Oh Jesus, get glory in my life.

Forgive my jealous and envious heart.

Reaction vs. Response

I can't quite remember when/where I read it, but the other day I was reading something on a blog about a mom choosing to (or at least making an attempt to or at least recognizing the importance to make an attempt to) respond to things that her kids do rather than simply react to them.

By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
        but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
(Proverbs 14:3 ESV)

I've been reflecting on the idea of choosing to respond to things rather than react ever since reading it.

    A soft answer turns away wrath,
        but a harsh word stirs up anger.
    The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
        but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
(Proverbs 15:1-2 ESV)

I'm currently wandering through Proverbs with the #SheReadsTruth gang. 

I've noticed a lot of things in the book as I've read it and it has made me want more wisdom and less silliness in my heart.

    The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
        but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
(Proverbs 15:28 ESV)

Wisdom calls out.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
        in the markets she raises her voice;
    at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
        at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
    “. . . If you turn at my reproof,
    behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
        I will make my words known to you.
(Proverbs 1:20, 21, 23 ESV)

It's everywhere throughout the book. She is calling out.

Folly does too though. She's an easy trap.

    So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman,
        from the adulteress with her smooth words,
    who forsakes the companion of her youth
        and forgets the covenant of her God;
    for her house sinks down to death,
        and her paths to the departed;
    none who go to her come back,
        nor do they regain the paths of life.
(Proverbs 2:16-19 ESV)

As I've been reflecting on the idea of response rather than reaction, I've correlated it back to the idea in Proverbs of wisdom versus folly.

See, folly is not encouraged. She's silly and quick, stupid and easy. 

    If one gives an answer before he hears,
        it is his folly and shame.
(Proverbs 18:13 ESV)

The call for the wise is not to also have folly. 

The call for the wise is to get wisdom, and get insight, and get understanding.

    For the LORD gives wisdom;
        from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
    he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
        he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
    guarding the paths of justice
        and watching over the way of his saints.
    Then you will understand righteousness and justice
        and equity, every good path;
    for wisdom will come into your heart,
        and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
    discretion will watch over you,
        understanding will guard you,
(Proverbs 2:6-11 ESV)

I could probably post all of Proverbs in this post. It's filled with good words and I'm really enjoying parking my soul there these past couple weeks.

Wisdom is slower to speak, desiring discipline and reproof, contemplating and offering insight and understanding.

    Whoever restrains his words has knowledge,
        and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
(Proverbs 17:27 ESV)

I've been slowly (, painfully, failing often type of) attempting to be slow to speak.

I love sarcasm and being the first to speak.

I want to be first.

Scripture doesn't call me to that. So I'm giving my words and reactions and responses to Jesus so that He can be the first.

    One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil,
        but a fool is reckless and careless.
(Proverbs 14:16 ESV)

I do this thing now, where I try* to take a breathe of Jesus before I speak.

    Be not wise in your own eyes;
        fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
    It will be healing to your flesh
        and refreshment to your bones.
(Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV)

*emphasis on try. I need Jesus to increase so that I can even attempt to speak first of Him.

I want to glorify Him with every word that comes out of my mouth. I don't want to have to stand before Him trying to defend the words I chose to say. 

I want Christ to look at my words, actions, and thoughts and see His name woven throughout each one of them.

    Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
        and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
(Proverbs 16:32 ESV)

Things come up everyday.

When someone swerves into my lane, I can react and be frustrated, or I can respond with grace maybe they're having a bad day. They're probably in a hurry.

In that moment I can make the choice to grant them God's peace by praying safety over them or I can sit in my grumpy heart and send death glares via their rear view mirror.

When I'm in line for coffee, I can choose - and I'll admit, this isn't my first reaction -  to pray for each person in front of me as they order and I wait as opposed to checking my facebook, tweeting, or just sitting in impatience.

I could probably list a thousand opportunities for me to succeed or fail in this.

How do I respond/react when a friend tells me that something is only my opinion?

How do I respond/react when I don't even get an interview for a job I really wanted, prayed I would get, and was qualified for?

How do I respond/react when my plans don't happen the way I wanted them to?

 

I want to live rules by wisdom that comes from Christ. 

I want all glory to go to Him.

I want Him to be my first thought anytime anything comes up.

    Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
   
(Matthew 26:36-46 ESV)

How do you respond and react to the things in your life?

Any tips on how to live in such a way that demonstrates Christ?

Meet a Monday (Kacia + Robot)

It's Monday! You know what that means!!!!!

Oh wait - you don't know.

Because this is the first time Monday has ever meant anything important!

Welcome to Meet a Monday: 

Starting today I'm introducing you to a blogger I appreciate. 

Whether I love their words, photos, songs, or a combination of other things, this is where I'm going to introduce you to them!

Probably it's because they point me to Jesus.

I'll start off the feature by introducing you to Kacia. She blogs over at Kacia + Robot! 

On her blog, under her very pretty picture, words say:

"I'm Kacia: midwest born, Pittsburgh living. Scandinavian mutt with natural blonde hair. I am a child, wife, mommy, sister, + friend. I never want to settle. I always want to dream. +I know God can turn things around: I am an example of that."

So really you should love her already from those words she wrote about herself. 

I think she is lovely!

 

And after emailing her (she is an efficient responder - I am so thankful for people like her) a few times, I see that she really is a lovely and stunning person.

I think my favourite thing about her blog is that she writes in a way that is just so kind. She's not pretentious or trying to prove anything - she's just sharing her life. She shares a lot of photos of her beautiful daughter and the husband she is "annoyingly in love" with, moments of fun, the laughable days, the hard and broken situations (you can read their adoption process here), pretty photos, and many sweet words of wisdom. She's great!

Also - she has straight bangs. I think I have insta-respect for anyone with bangs because they're not the easiest hairstyle to make work every single day. Hers look incredible. Respect. I have bangs. Yep, I do.

So here goes.

This is Kacia.

What are three words you'd use to describe yourself?

blonde. joyful.  annnnnnnd um. [this is hard!] chatterbox?  Jk. although that's true.  blonde, joyful + dreamer.

What's your favourite time of day?

mornings - I feel the most productive + it's the quietest!

What's your coffee order?

black. no sugar. no cream.  just ....er, about 10-12 cups of black coffee a day. I'm norwegian.  don't hate ;o]

She's a girl after my own heart - black coffee is a good thing.

 this photo via

 When you go online, where do you typically go first?

gmail.  definitely email, then probably my favorite blogs.

 this photo via

How would you describe your blog?

me.  You never really know what you'll get.  It's my life, my struggles, my joys and my loves all written down.

 this photo via

What draws your closest to Jesus?

Music + quiet time outside in beautiful places.

What's a verse that you're loving lately?

I am loving Phil 2:15 :) loving.

     . . . that you may be blameless and innocent, 

children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, 

among whom you shine as lights in the world, . . .

Some of my favourite posts from her blog are:

After the I do

"I have learned that being quick to forgive is quite possibly one of the best characteristics of a beautiful marriage."

finding my voice

"I want to somehow change lives.  Not me, but Him through me."

breaking the lies of silence

"We underestimate the power of silence.  But we also underestimate the power we have to destroy it.."

when it feels like a closed door

"Sometimes it’s easy to blame a bump in the road for a reason to turn around.  To quit dreaming.  To quit trying to dent this universe.  A small dent, but a dent nonetheless."

Kacia is also part of an incredible group of women who started something beautiful.

It's called #SheReadsTruth. You should check out what they're doing and join in.

She wrote about it here and here and here and elsewhere!

Also (as if this girl isn't doing enough and as if you needed another reason to love her) - she has a fun summer photo link-up. I did it on Saturday but it's supposed to be on Friday's. Join her, okay, and check out mine because I show you my new blonde hair! Summer change!

So this has been installment one of Meet a Monday! Yay!

I hope you had as much fun as I did getting to know Kacia. 

If you somehow managed to make it this far without clicking any links, be sure to check out her blog, twitter, facebook, pinterest, store, and whatever else you might find.

Enjoy.

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Be sure to pop back in every (most) single day Monday in order to read the stuff I post meet a great and lovely blogger!

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I must say. It's been fun emailing back with different bloggers and photographer's and getting them on board with this project! Get ready for some really fun people showing up here. If you would like to be featured, either comment here or send me a direct message on twitter @nadinewouldsay

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You've made it this far. You might as well comment and say hello so I can come read your blog, follow you on twitter, or just have the knowledge that the visitors who come here have a voice.

While you're at it, if you'd like to snoop around a bit, you can learn a bit about me. Learn why my blog is called a Secondary Heartbeat, what God's been speaking to me lately, learn the moment I realized God's plan is on a different time zone than mine, get a glimpse into my perspective on worship, listen to a song I wrote, see my latest DIY project, and then click that pretty little Google Friend Connect button and follow along here so I can come follow you too.

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Happy Monday!