off we go.

At the end of January, I wrote these words on the chalkboard in our kitchen. 

Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act. 

Those words--simple, but so profound--have been woven into the past three months. They've been spoken in prayer and echoed in thought. They've calmed fears, they've calmed emotion, and they've brought peace. I know that God is not transactional, but I also know that His Word is true. If you commit your way to the Lord, and if you trust in Him, He will act. It may not be in ways you'd expect, it may not be without mystery, but He will act. I believe today, more than ever, in the power of His Word, and the power of His will. Not because everything has gone according to my plan, but because I've tried, each day, despite my imperfections, to let things go according to His. 

And so it's with a deep sense of joy and gratitude for what the Lord has provided for us that I write... 

we're moving to South Carolina!

Landon has accepted a job as head cross country coach at Bob Jones University, with the opportunity to start a new cross country program. I've also accepted a position as the assistant cross country coach, and we're both thrilled about what the future holds. 

There are many, many details to figure out and a lot of work to be done, but we know that with each step, if we commit our way to the Lord, trust in Him, then we can rest assured that He will act.

He is faithful!

Photos are from our trip to Greenville last month.

xoxo.

rest.

After a busy weekend doing photography and social media coverage for HSU's homecoming, I've had two days off. Two days to rest, read, sleep past 7am, work out, make slow, savory dinners, and even watch the Giants. 

It's been just what I needed.

xoxo.

all i need.

Monday, again. I didn't start last week off on the best note. I was tired after working most of the day Saturday, and I felt like I had a million things to do. And as the week went on, it became clear that I needed to relax, take a step back, and look at the bigger picture. I'm learning (albeit slowly) that things are best when I take a moment to recognize the blessings I've been given. When I spend my time being mindful, and not controlling.

These are my prayers as I enter this week...

All I need is your love

To come and fill this heart of mine

My heart is a desert that has gone dry

And I need your love to carry me by

[Shawn McDonald, All I Need]

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.

...Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is secure, he will have no fear. 

Psalm 112:1, 6-8a

xoxo.


[photo via thisisor.com]

my day.

...was filled with taking these photos. This was the first graduation I've been to where the graduates pose with horses following the ceremony. 

#awesome

xoxo.

three things.

1. Wishing my sweet niece Shayla a very happy 7th birthday today!! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, Shayla!

2. I worked every night this week, and, despite my exhaustion, I get to do really fun things like edit llama photos. 

3. I said my very first "y'all" this week. To be fair, I was quoting someone. Buuut I'm slowly transforming into a Texan. Yikes!

(Don't worry, I still recycle, Landon still wears crocs, and we often talk about missing OPB. #oregoniansatheart)

xoxo.

reason #1,489 why i love my job.

...I get to take photos! LOTS of photos. Part of my job is photography coverage for the events we have on campus. I thought I'd share some recent photos that I've taken, just for fun!

sunday lovin: changes.

 Friends, I have some fun changes to tell you about! A few weeks ago, I applied for a job (almost on a whim) at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU), where Landon is going to grad school...and within the same week, I was offered the job!! While I was getting good experience at McMurry University, working at HSU will help us cover some of the extra costs of Landon's schooling, so switching jobs was the right decision for us (and definitely a HUGE blessing). The photo above shows the building I'll be working in, starting tomorrow! I took a walk around the HSU campus last weekend and snapped a couple of shots...

I'm excited to work in such a beautiful place! I think this will be a good fit for me, and the fact that it's within walking distance from our house doesn't hurt, either. It's also right across the street from our church, so it's like we've got our own little corner of the world here, and I love it.

Along with the job change, I've decided to change things up here on the blog. I love posting on here, but lately, I feel like my posts have been lacking a little something special, and I'm always putting them together last minute. So, I devised a plan. As a way to help me work ahead on things AND keep you inspired, I've come up with some lovely little themes to bring you each week. 

And they are...

DIY Monday: (DIY project from me, or DIY inspiration from around the web)

Inspired: (what I'm loving and inspired by)

Life Lately: (an update on Landon and I and our adventures in Texas)

The Anthology: (a collection of pretty and inspiring things or ideas)

In the Shop: (a featured item from our shop)

Sunday Lovin: (an old favorite)

What do you think? I'm hoping this will be a good change for The Bright Life, keeping me on track and bringing lots of lovely things your way!

xoxo.

sunday lovin: blessed.

Hi friends! First and foremost, I have to tell you that on Friday afternoon I was offered a job! This was especially wonderful news since Landon's position as a grad assistant was somewhat contingent on me finding a job (financially speaking). I'll be the e-communciations coordinator at McMurry University, starting tomorrow! We feel so blessed, and I think it will be a really good position for me. It feels like we are finally settling in here in Abilene. We've found a church that we really enjoy, some new friends, and now I've got a job. Isn't it great how God works things out? I'm thrilled, excited, nervous, and reminded that God always has a plan. Right now, I have this line from a song we sang at church this morning in my head:

You make all things work together for my good.

Always a good reminder. Have a great week!

xoxo.

[photo from our wedding]

employed.

 i just got a call offering me a job! i [of course] accepted, and i'm so very excited. when i called my dad he put it in the best way: praise God. i've been applying and interviewing for two months, and feeling firsthand the effects of the big "e" [economy], so i certainly don't take this for granted. in honor of my employment, i thought i'd share some photos from my last job. during college, i worked in a first grade classroom in san diego for the greatest teacher and some really funny kids. they threw me a beautiful goodbye party on my last day, and i have to admit, i miss hearing them call me "miss brownie."

here's to new adventures!


update: for those who inquired, i'll be the department assistant for the marketing department of a company that owns 5 hospitals in the area.

wish me luck.

i have a typing test today, and, assuming i can pass the required 35 words per minute, an interview on friday.

here's to hoping all goes well, this unemployment thing can get old at times.

fingers crossed.

xoxo.

[photo by yasmin khajavi, from our wedding]

update: i passed. phew. :)