On Fridays I share things that made me happy from the week - a photo, a song, a quote, a beauty product, a recipe, a pair of cute shoes, etc. If it's a product, sometimes it's something I actually own and sometimes something I just saw online that gave me a smile. Sometimes it's serious and sometimes it's silly. I suppose I believe that God is in the simple details of life and yes, I can even find Him in a tube of lipstick.
Happy Friday, Friends.
It's been a crazy busy week, so I've barely had time to think about what's been a favorite and I'm leaving today for a baseball tournament and am way behind. I have loads of laundry and packing to do which are definitely not my favorite things, so let's see if I can think back to some random things that made me happy this week.
1. Palmer's Facial Cleansing Oil
This definitely falls into the random category, but I really love the cleanser I've been using. I used to use Burt's Bee's Cleansing Oil and I really liked it, but then I bought this Palmers Facial Cleansing Oil and I'm never going back. I have no idea why it makes me so happy, but I actually look forward to washing off my make-up at night. (Yes, my life is incredibly exciting. Why do you ask?) It smells amazing and feels even better. A little tip I learned from someone and I can't remember who, but it was probably Jamie B. Golden: Rub it in on your skin. Let it soak in for about 30 seconds and then lay a steaming hot, wet washcloth on your face ans let it sit there for a bit. Then wash it off. Also, I usually do a 2nd cleanse after the oil with CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser. That I definitely learned from Jamie. It's only about $12.00.
2. New Girl on Netflix
After you wash your face you should watch New Girl. It's hilarious. I think I mentioned it a few months ago, but I just started watching it again in the past couple of weeks. I'm only on Season 3 and I know this show is so old, but I love these characters. The other night I giggled myself to sleep thinking about how weird Nick and Jess are. (Yes, my life is incredibly exciting. Stop asking about it.) There are not many things that can make you giggle yourself to sleep these days, so if you find it, you gotta share it.
3. Fall Nail Colors
It finally feels like fall a little more around here which made me really anxious to try some fall colors when I got a manicure this week. I chose this Suzi Talks with Her Hands greyish color and I really like it. It makes me feel like maybe my days of melting in the baseball bleachers are coming to a close. Fingers crossed.
This color, Isn't it Grand Avenue, is really pretty, too. My only concern is that it could be too purple, but if it's truer to navy, I love it.
I also like this Essie Bahama Mama color which I think I might choose closer to late fall. It's a really deep burgandy color which can sometimes make me think of the Texas Aggies, so I'll have to try really hard to push that evil out of my mind. (Oh, I kid, Aggie Friends. I kid. Kinda.)
4. Henley Hoodie
It's time for long sleeve tunics and sweatshirts. I saw this Henley top and I love it because it's got a flattering v-neck and a hood. It comes in a bunch of colors and a few color block stripes. This would be perfect to throw on for an early morning fall baseball game when the sun hasn't quite fully woken up yet.
5. Happy Birthday, Gavin Rupp
If you've read here for awhile, you know that I have written lots of words about Gavin Rupp and his impact on my life. Today would have been his 22nd birthday if cancer hadn't stolen him from his mom - my dear friend, Sandy - and from his dad, sister, brother, and friends when he was just 13 years old. I volunteered pretty intensely for about five years in the childhood cancer community and Gavin was one of the very first children from our area I was aware of who fought cancer. Lately, I haven't been as involved day to day in the cause, but I will never forget Gavin. The friendship I have with his mom is a true testament of a way God can bring beauty from ashes, although I would give her up to bring him back. If only the broken world worked the way I chose.
If you're new here and haven't heard his story, you can read about him here and here and here and here. Some of these posts got a lot of attention and brought people to this space - perhaps even brought me some other writing gigs. And I wish with all my heart that I'd lived my full life without ever writing a word about him. I wish he was here to share a beer with his friends today and that I had never even heard his name. Again, if only the broken world worked the way I chose.
Please think of Gavin today. Of his parents, of his siblings, of his forever-broken friends. If you ever take a single thing from this space, I hope it is to be as intentional as you can to find gratitude and the grace and blessing of God in moments that others might see as small and insignificant. It is that lesson, I think, that permeates the great majority of words I write. More than anything else, that is what I learned in the summer of 2013 as Gavin's story filled my mind and my prayers. Because sometimes in the big and tragic and overwhelming brokenness of life, we lose sight of the little ways that God shows up if we look hard enough. And though I will never ever believe that BS line that "everything happens for a reason", I will still walk through the fire to find and name and thank God for all the tiny ways he can bring beauty out of ashes. Even when the air is thick with the dust of pain and fear, keep looking hard. That's what a boy I never met taught me to do. I am forever grateful.
Happy Birthday, Kid. For you, in closing, I'll say, "Hook Em Horns AND Go Buckeyes."
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1 comment:
I love those nail polish colors!
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