accountability

This past week, Ali (@thehappyprepster), my friend Emily, and I dove into a series called Open Your Bible from the She Reads Truth website. Initially I was most excited about diving into God's word and fellowshipping with these sweet girls. I had no idea how much being accountable would positively effect my relationship with God. 

Each day for the past week we have individually done that day's devotional and then shared our thoughts on a group message. Throughout the week we also sent prayer requests and just shared things about our week. It sounds so simple, and it really is, but that group message encouraged me to stay focused on God and in His word all week. (By no means am I say it went perfect, I did skip the devotional on Thursday, but they kept me accountable!)

God calls us to share in this type of way. In Thessalonians 5:11 we are told to encourage one another and build each other up. It's so simply, yet so effective, to be able to send or read an encouraging word from Ali or Emily at random times of the day. Also, my relationship with God has deepened. I been spending more time in prayer since the start of this series. I honestly believe, like in Proverbs 13:20, that when you walk with the wise, you become wise. I have loved sharing my thoughts and hearing (rather reading on text) their interpretations of each day's devotional.

I want to encourage you to grab a few friends and start keeping each other accountable. Honestly it so easy; all you need a bible study (She Reads Truth is my personal fave- it's free and online!), your bible, possibly a cute notebook, and a group message. Comment below your thoughts below!

friday fun

Fridays rock but today like really, really rocked. This Friday was filled with French toast, fresh flowers, friends, fine arts, and fresh air (alliteration on point!). Since it’s Good Friday, I had off of school and I spent my day doing some of my favorite things.

I started the day off at one of my favorite breakfast places, Daily Eats (and yes I post way too much about their French toast but its SO good!) I met up with five girls from the Tampa Bay area who are also going to be, like me, freshman at Auburn University this fall. It was so exciting to meet these girls. We chatted all about our favorite things to do in Tampa and what we are looking forward to in college.

After finishing my delicious French toast and saying goodbye to my new friends, I went to Trader Joe's to pick up some fresh flowers because you doesn’t love fresh flowers?! I was a little very indecisive when it came to picking out which bouquet to get. I ended up going with the adorable, bright pink tulips. They seemed perfect for Easter weekend. 

Once I finally picked which flowers to get, I headed to Davis Island to meet Ali (@thehappyprepster) and my friend Emily for tea and a bible study. Again, I was a little indecisive when it came to picking out which tea to get but in my defense there were like a hundred to choose from. I ended up getting my usual, the mint julep. 

We caught up on life, talking about the struggles of being a second semester senior, our excitement for college, and then dived into a bible study. We started the She Reads Truth fourteen day study called Open Your Bible. I cannot wait to share in later posts more about this series. I have a feeling the next fourteen days are going to be amazing!

It’s crazy to think my Friday still isn’t over (crazy right?!). Following our awesome bible study, I said bye to Ali and Emily and took a visit to the Tampa Bay Museum of Art. In no way do I consider myself an “artsy” or “museum” kind of person. This visit was strictly for the purpose of a school assignment, but it turned out to be a fun experience. I came to look at the classical art and ended up spending most of my visit looking the more modern art by Norman Rockwell which is really cool!

I concluded this fun Friday by blogging in my eno at Curtis Hixon Park which is next to the art museum. I had such a great day off filled with all of my favorite things. I am looking forward to the rest of Easter weekend and spending time with my family. 

Be sure to follow more of my adventures on Instagram, @monogrammedmadison. Comment below what your idea of a perfect day is!

chasing after laughter

Spring is in full bloom here in Florida (literally). This afternoon I was laughing and frolicking - did I really just say frolicking - around in my new favorite shorts while taking pictures with Macey (@ohmyprep). After our impromptu mini photoshoot (that's a thing, right?), I was looking through the dozens of pictures that we took and couldn't help but notice how many of them I was laughing in and not in the "make me laugh, I need a cute candid" kind of laughing but the truly happy kind of laughing. 

Like the book of Ecclesiastes says, there is a time for everything. There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4) Lately, I have really been feeling joyful. No life isn't going perfect and yes, things are stressful, but I am focused on God and allowing His peace to bring me joy. With graduation quickly approaching and planning for college, this is a time for me to be happy and get excited for the future. *insert happy dance here* I have been trying to take each day as it comes seeking the greatness even in the tough days or the plain ole' boring days.

Today, I just wanted to encourage you to chase after laughter. Look for things to make you smile. Laugh at other people's jokes, no matter how cheesy they may be. Laugh at silly things like the funny sound your sneakers make when you walk on tile. Laugh at yourself. Nothing is better than being able to laugh at yourself. I probably laugh at myself more than most people laugh in a day. 

I've always heard that "laughing is the best medicine" and even The Bible says it is in Proverbs 17:22, a cheerful heart is good medicine. Today, try not to take everything so seriously and laugh a little (or a lot!) 

This is me chasing after laughter (thanks for capturing this Macey!). My clothing is all from Target, my shoes are Jack Rogers, and my monogram necklace is from Etsy. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with more of my adventures.  Comment below and on Instagram what makes you smile!