Currently: December 20, 2016
A few weeks ago, I tweeted about foraging. My sweet Twitter friend, Sophie, lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and responded that she felt inspired to go foraging too because of her location's prime natural territory. Earlier today, she tweeted me a blog link to her experiences and man, what she wrote resonates deep into my bones.
Please, please go read her blog — to entice you, here's a little excerpt from a piece of golden writing ::
And I didn’t just find my words out there. I found a little piece of myself. I learned that sometimes it begins as an attempt at foraging for beautiful things, and it ends with realizing that maybe you are one of those beautiful things. That maybe you aren’t lost in the forest, but merely waiting to be discovered by someone who will see you for your worth. That maybe, under all that imperfection, there is a purpose and a passion and a reason for this journey that God has put you on.
I was actually reminded of something I once told someone in a letter. And maybe those are some words we all need to hear: Once upon a time, God looked at the stars and the moon and the incredibly vast and complex universe that He had created, and decided that He needed—wanted—one of you, too. You are His marvelous creation. Remember that. Every time you feel pointless or purposeless or like you have no business doing His business, remember that, darling.
I hope maybe this leaves you with a reminder that you are a beautiful creation, even more beautiful than the mountains and the stars and the moon combined because God handcrafted you, down to every single hair on your head.
Much love and Merry-Almost-Christmas,
Kate
Currently: December 13, 2016
If I could spend three hours writing love letters to strangers, I'd do it. And maybe I will do it, for one day at least. The Twelve Days of Letter Writing continues with Nancy's story — a beautiful woman who floods the world with joy and faith even though she lives with myotonic dystrophy. A family friend of Nancy's has requested a bundle of love letters to be written and sent with words of faith and empowerment — read on and write on.
On the ninth day of love letter writing...
"Nancy is someone who brings joy to every room regardless of the condition she is in. I have known Nancy since I was four or five years old, as she is one of my mother's best friends. Nancy has myotonic dystrophy and wasn't expected to make it past her 30s. I truly believe her strong faith and joyful soul has lead her to be alive today (she's in her late 50s).
She has begun to deteriorate faster though and is currently undergoing radiation therapy, and her husband Bruce became a CNA to take care of her father and her. Nancy's father passed away this summer, leaving her without any family. Nancy's family is my everything.
Although she is in a wheelchair now, Nancy is the star of my every room we walk into. Our entire small town knows her, and she could talk and laugh for hours with anyone. She's on the prayer committee within her parish, and she is always thinking and praying about others instead of herself.
She recently had to go in for a biopsy and is at risk of thyroid cancer. She's always so hopeful but I think now more than ever is when she deserves these letters. Some days she feels so good, but more and more she has bad days, when she must stay home. As the social butterfly she is, I'm worried being stuck at home will decrease her joy and warm heart, and letters of support and love could be just what she needs to continue fighting.
There is no one else in this world who deserves a bundle of love more than this woman, who had become my second mom entirely. I would give anything to give her this gift of love and support."
PLEASE SEND ALL LOVE LETTERS TO ::
Nancy's Bundle
C/O BethAnn Z.
1917 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
USA
Please postmark all love letters by December 27, 2016.
To learn more about The Twelve Days of Letter Writing, please visit my previous blog post.
Also! There are eight other stories on moreloveletters.com about brave and kind and strong humans who need to be reminded of that. What in your day can you cut out to write a love letter or two or twelve to a stranger?
Currently: December 6, 2016
Friends, picture this::
You're sitting at your kitchen table, writing a letter with words laced in nothing but love to a complete stranger — words that remind this human that despite rocky, shadowy and lonely times, they are not only loved, but also seen, worthy, valuable and brave. Now place yourself in the shoes of the person who will open your letter.
You've come home one day with a heart that has been heavy for a while to find a loved one with a bundle of letters — a bundle of letters all meant for you, written by hundreds of strangers. Letters full of encouragement and words that remind you you're not walking through this life alone. These letters express that other people want to lift up some of your burdens and love on you for the length of a piece of stationary.
Let's write some letters. Twelve, to be exact. The time for The 12 Days of Letter Writing has officially arrived, so get that stationary, your favorite pen and strings of sentences ready. We have twelve people to love on. Yesterday was the official kickoff on the More Love Letters blog and each day (until Dec. 15) will unveil another sweet soul's story. Click here to see Kat's and Ashley's stories, and keep checking back every day until Dec. 15 for another person to write to.
The holiday season can be tough. I know that, you probably know that. Loving on others can help keep our hearts a little lighter.
http://www.moreloveletters.com/12days/
PS:: I'm SO super excited to be one of the Influencers for the project, along with my writing accountability partner, Gabbie Cook -- We (along with a few other stunning ladies) will be blogging and social media blasting for MLL!!
Soooooo.... Keep it social! If you feel called to participate — maybe for all of the twelve days, or maybe for just one story that particularly tugs on your heart, write a letter. Then use #MLL12DAYS on Instagram and Twitter to share your letter and help spread the word of this beautiful mission!
Currently: November 29, 2016
Photo by Betsy Hinze
Oh man, have I had a week. I bought a car. I crammed all my things into my car. I drove to Grand Island today and picked up an apartment application. Fingers crossed I'm accepted to move in and can get all of my belongings out of my car before I start my job as the Publications Coordinator at a church on Thursday. WHEW. I have no idea what I'm doing — basically taking everything as the tiniest of baby steps because I'm sure everything will work out. RIGHT???
I'm currently nestled under twelve blankets at my friend's house (shout out to Mel for letting me crash until I can move into an apartment, my parents thank you too). A cocoon seems logical because...
Anyone else feel as if they're a baby deer slipping around on ice as we navigate this "adult" world?? I soooo want to take a break and go to a secret dinner party in the woods.
Yesterday I stumbled upon an insanely lovely lady named Betsy Hinze via the Rising Tide Society. She calls herself a wondersmith and throws artistic surprise dinner parties. She leaves invitations for hikers to find in the forest. WHAT. So up my alley. Her work makes me think of how neat a collaboration between her work and my thesis work would be. Now definitely dreaming of installing my thesis in a tree as Betsy hosts a secret dinner underneath.
I'm so glad I've connected with Betsy — she lives in Idaho and I'm in Nebraska, but we talked a bit yesterday and we're definitely interested in collaborating in the future. While I'm trying to accomplish big "adult" steps right now, I'll keep dreaming up whimsical ideas that may contribute to a future secret dinner party to keep that wonder of childhood alive.
Watch this video ::
"Sometimes I hide my invitations in the woods to be discovered by lucky hikers, sometimes I tuck them into books for people looking for answers, sometimes I have a niche community of people apply to attend... and each time, the event is completely free to them."
— Betsy Hinze
Photo by Betsy Hinze
PS :: Remember my thesis? See what I'm talkin' about? HOW NEAT WOULD A COLLABORATION BE???
Photo by Betsy Hinze
Last one. She also makes the most whimsical ceramics. Do yourself a massive favor if you're feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities and decisions — check out Betsy's work here.
Currently: November 22, 2016
Perhaps my fondest memories from my high school days come from briskly walking home with my sister so we could make it to the couch by 4:00. We had a daily date with the Gilmore Girls.
Not going to lie, I multitasked and binge watched all of the seasons in the last few months because I wanted to prepare for the four episode revival that's being released on Netflix on Friday (!!!). I'm devoting this week's blog to all thing Gilmore. Coffee. The iconic banter. Kirk.
PS :: If Luke and Lorelei don't end up married, I'm going to cocoon myself away for good. I'm entirely ready to to bawl into my coffee mug during the four 90 minute episodes.
Guilty pleasure :: Gilmore Girls quizzes.
- Click here to find out which character you are. Emmy (my lovely sister) and I both got Rory -- let me know in the comments who you are!
- This one is "The Hardest Gilmore Girls Quiz You'll Ever Take." Maybe it's not the hardest one (I got 12/12) but the questions will fill your heart a little bit.
Lessons learned from the Gilmores.
On choosing your family. On being yourself. On allowing loved ones to change and grow. On being uncool. On putting in the hard work. On not letting a difficult personality turn you away. On unapologetically eating. On hurting people who hurt you. On making your love loud and clear. On swallowing your pride. On insisting on something being what somebody else needs. On paying for mistakes. On keeping stories alive. On continuing to grow.
62 of Kirk's Jobs
Beauty shop clerk, shirt designer, security alarm installer, dog walker, Yummy Bartenders company founder, mailbox artist, filmmaker...
Please, Luke. Please, please, please.
If there's just one thing we can expect in the revival, there will be coffee. This article gives the tally of cups the Gilmores managed to get their hands on — even though Luke protested frequently! Hint :: the number is big.
JESS
There were a few things that bothered me about Jess (yeah, yeah, he was "too cool" for lots of things) but in the end, he's my favorite guy for Rory.