First Day of Summer

Welcome Summer: A Season of Victory, Goodness, and Blessing

Today marks the first official day of summer— a season bursting with light, warmth, and growth. I’m currently at a cottage with my kiddos & parents, and the smell of sunscreen, limitless splashes, crickets singing in the evening, watermelon everywhere… is screaming SUMMER. And I’m not mad about it.

In thinking of summer, I’m reminded of the fruitfulness, victory, and abundance that we are invited to walk in, every day with the Lord.

Summer is a picture of God’s faithfulness. It reminds us that His promises are not just ideas— they’re meant to be fulfilled. It’s a time to celebrate the victories that have come after the battles, and rest in His presence.

Even if your circumstances aren’t ideal right now, (I can relate) the invitation of summer symbolically speaking, is to shift your posture and recognize the goodness of God in the midst of your life situations & circumstances.

1. Walk in Victory

You are not fighting for victory— you are living from it.

Declare God's promises over your life daily. Don’t speak words you don’t wish over your life.

Reflect on how far you’ve come and thank Him for the battles He’s already won.

2. Celebrate God’s Goodness

* Practice Sabbath and make space for fun and beauty.

* Keep a journal of gratitude.

3. Receive Blessing with an Open Heart

God is a generous Father. Live with an open posture, ready to receive His goodness without guilt or striving.

Ask boldly in prayer, knowing you’re a beloved child (Matthew 7:11).

Rest in His provision. You don’t have to earn what He’s freely giving.

A Prayer for This Summer

Lord, as we step into this new season, let our hearts be warmed by Your presence. Teach us to live in victory, to celebrate Your goodness, and to expect Your blessings. May this be a summer of deep joy, of spiritual fruit, and of renewed strength.

So as the sun shines a little longer and the days feel a little lighter, take this as more than just a change in climate—it’s an opportunity to align your spirit with what God is doing. Let this be a summer of life to the full. Step into it with hope, gratitude, and expectation. Good things are growing.

Happy first day of summer!

Ash

The Unwanted Unexpected Seasons of Life

The Unwanted & Unexpected

No one signs up for a season of disappointment.

None of us dream about detours, delays, or doors that don’t open. We imagine the breakthrough, the answered prayer, the fulfillment of our hopes — not the waiting, not the disruption, and definitely not the seasons that leave us wondering what just happened.

But if we’re honest, most of us don’t get through life without walking through moments we never would’ve chosen.

Maybe for you, it was a relationship ending. Maybe it was a career shift, a health diagnosis, a financial hit, or a door you were sure God was going to open... that stayed shut. Maybe you’re just looking around at your life thinking, “This is not what I thought it would be.”

I've been there too. More than once. And I’ve learned: it’s in these unwanted and unexpected places that we often come face to face with God in the most profound ways.

When the Plan Falls Apart

It’s easy to trust God when the path is smooth.
But what about when it isn’t?

When your prayers feel unanswered and your timeline seems off track, you can start to wonder if you missed something along the way. But the truth is, the presence of confusion or lack of clarity doesn’t mean the absence of God.

In fact, it’s often when we’re pursuing clarity, God wants our FAITH & desires for us to lean into Him more deeply.

I’ve cried out with frustration. I’ve asked questions that didn’t get immediate answers. And I’ve felt the silence stretch longer than I wanted.

And yet, somehow— through the uncertainty— God shows up. Not always with snappy solution I’d like, but with reassurance. Not always with clear cut answers, but with his presence.

The Unexpected as Holy Ground

What if these unwanted seasons are not detours but altars?

I love how Elizabeth Elliot wrote it:

”Waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to God about it whenever it intrudes upon one’s thoughts.”

We cannot will our way out of wilderness seasons. However what we can do is bring fresh surrender to the altar and wait on the Lord.

What if seasons of waiting aren’t delays but invitations—to trust deeper, to see differently, and to let go of outcomes so we can hold on to God? At the end of the day, outcomes aren’t ours to own— but obedience is.

I’m learning that our faith doesn’t grow when everything works out. It grows when we keep walking even when it doesn’t.

And I want to remind you— if you’re in a season that doesn’t make sense:

• You are not forgotten.

• You are not disqualified.

• And this part of your story is still being written. “If it’s not good— he’s still writing the story.”

Even in the unknown, God is near. Even in the disappointment, He is working. And even in the waiting, you are being shaped & sanctified into His likeness.

For the One in the Middle

To the person unsure of what comes next...
To the one facing an unexpected turn…
To the woman wondering if she missed her moment…

This isn’t the end. It’s just the middle.

And in the middle, you don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to stay close to the One who does. The One who isn’t worried about a thing, and is actually completely relaxed.

Even the unwanted, unexpected can lead to something beautiful.

32 THOUGHTS... THE BLOG PO

Well I’m sitting in the quiet of the Kitchen on my birthday as two of my kiddos sleep & my hubby is out for a run with my brother, and I’m feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and thankfulness.

I’m thankful first and foremost to be journeying through life with Jesus— when we commit our lives to His plans & ways, in relationship with Him, we gain access to all the possibilities in Heaven, we get to walk in peace trusting that His promise of having GOOD plans for our lives, and always being with us never forsaking us are true.

I’ve seen those promises true time and time again in my life, and I’m living in the blessing of them today. My beautiful family, extended family, friends, church, business. It’s not that I knew the perfect way to attain these things— I truly believe it’s all a blessing from God.

It’s so amazing how God can take all of the seasons of our lives and weave them together to create this beautiful story full of love, joy & peace.

That’s where I”m at, at the age of 32, right in the middle of that beautiful story & I can’t wait to see what God has for chapter 32.

When I look back on the last 32 years, I’ve learned so many different things. I thought— let’s put together 32 thoughts, I’ve experienced to be true. I hope they encourage & inspire you today! In no particular order!

32 THOUGHTS ENTERING CHAPTER 32

1. Being your FULLEST & TRUEST self Not limiting that for anyone else’s comfort or preference, is one of the best things you can do for the world around you.
   Be YOU and ALL YOU! Be FULL OUT you! That’s your unique gift, is the wonderful way God specifically and uniquely created you to be the only you in the world.It’s when we allow ourselves to be that “YOU” unhindered, that we are able to give our best gifts to those around us, it’s when we’ll be at our best, love our best, think our best, feel our best, live our best.
   

2. Not everyone is going to like you or understand you and you should never let that impact a second of your day. That’s about them— not you.
   

3. You CAN do that thing that you’ve been dreaming about— it will take dedication, hard work, and proper time management.
   

4. Family is everything.
   

5. Your children make life even more colourful, full of life, joy & love. Everyday it’s like you get to relive experiences again for the first time as they grow and discover. Their love for you feels unlike anything else in the world.
   

6. I love getting to make a home. Like the other day I was like, this is my Kitchen… Like I can organize it and maintain it however I please. I thought, that’s pretty cool.
   

7. Don’t feel bad or sheepish about taking photos— you want to remember the moment, you want to capture it, you want to create art, you want to share— so do it!
   

8. Communicate how you feel— you can never go wrong by being honest and respectful.
   

9. Believe the best in people— it’s a much lighter way to walk through life!
   

10. Exercise is important! Moving your body, sweating, it’s a huge impact on your mental health, and helps you to be your best self in all other areas of your life!
    

11. Drinking water and lots of it, helps you make all better decisions throughout your day.
    

12. Being intentionally thankful and almost in a state of ADMIRING the beauty in the simple things, makes for everyday to be a great and special day. Take your first sip of morning coffee for example.
    

13. It’s so important to cuddle with your significant other. As soon as you cuddle, it’s like everything is recharged.
    

14. Time with the Lord is EVERYTHING. Infuse your day with checkpoints where you can just spend some time with the Lord and his presence. Throw some worship music on while you do the dishes, pray in the car instead of listening to the radio, ask the Holy Spirit what he is speaking to you and prompting you to do— EVERYDAY.
    

15. It’s one thing to know things about Jesus, but how much did you do WITH Jesus today?
    

16. Getting to curate experiences for my growing family is the highlight of my day everyday, whether it’s a fancy birthday party or a simple dinner together at the table, or our morning bible reading routine!
    

17. Give things time. A year ago I thought, maybe I’m not cut out to own a business, and know I haven’t been more excited about it.
    

18. Allow yourself to meet new people, and take your time to get to know them and be a part of their stories.
    

19. Turn your shower to freezing cold every time before you get out and stand under there as long as you can up to a minute. It recharges you for the day and time ahead!
    

20. Make your bed as soon as you get up, everyday!
    

21. Make sure you have a date night in the calendar, even if it’s just undistracted time at home together every week!
    

22. Always say something complimentary and encouraging to the people in your life when you see them. It takes a second and can make their whole day, and make your relationship a great one!
    

23. When you think… “I should do that for that person”— do it, it’s not a coincidence that you thought of it!
    

24. Don’t think it’s too over the top to make simple things special— why not? Live life to the fullest! We only get one!
    

25. Write cards for people on special occasions, words are so powerful!
    

26. You are inspiring someone around you when you’re living out your calling!
    

27. If someone has impacted you positively, encouraged or inspired you, let them know— it will be the encouragement they too need!
    

28. Quality time with those you love is the best gift there is.
    

29. Sunshine is so good for EVERYTHING.
    

30. There is always more to learn, grow into, refine & become. And that’s an exciting opportunity!
    

31. Laughter is something we should all do everyday. Especially with those we love. Laugh together. It’s healing!
    

32. You get to choose how you approach your everyday life— I want to choose to live as if it’s going to be the GREATEST day of my life, and I’m going to make it the GREATEST day of my family’s life. That’s my goal.