Seeking Jesus in Joy

Do you find yourself only seeking Jesus in the tough times?

I find that I only fall to my knees in deep prayer in struggle, I only delve into my bible during the hard stuff, I seek wisdom through videos and faith blogs when the load feels to great, I only truly listen to a sermon at church when I feel like I need guidance.

I lose my determination when I'm feeling "blessed".

When I'm trudging through the struggles of life I can always make time for Jesus, but when I'm busy during the highs of life, it's amazing how I "don't have time."

I'm determined to SEEK JESUS in the JOYS OF LIFE - not just the trials.

God has already planned a journey for us that is far greater than anything we could have planned for ourselves, but it is our choice whether we seek him to reach that ultimate destination.

A friend of mine posted a quote the other day from Sophia Bush, that has stuck with me - "You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and work in progress simultaneously."

Our faith is the ultimate work in progress, and we are simultaneously seen as perfect in God's eyes. How amazing is that? To have the opportunity to continue to grow, while still knowing that who we are now is ENOUGH.

I stumbled upon this message from Priscilla Shirer - and I think we all need this reminder:

Join me in beginning the battle on our knees, and facing it from a stance of victory.

Grace & Love, 

M

2015 - The Year of No Regrets

I am truly brought to tears when I think back on 2015 - it was the year of the highest highs and some of the lowest lows in my life (so far), but I can honestly say - looking back - that I don't regret a single choice I made. Not one (not saying I haven't forgotten something - because that is always a possibility).

I've learned a lot about myself this year, and about life. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that God always has a far bigger and BETTER plan for our lives than we ever dreamed. It doesn't always mean that plan goes the way we expect, or even he expects, but trusting in him has gotten me much further than I could've gotten walking this path alone. 

The biggest moment of 2015 was quite obviously our wedding day. A day I wish we could go back and relive again and again. It truly was the best day, a reminder that no job, no car, no house, no materialistic item, will ever come close to the value of the love of your soulmate and the most supportive friends and family. 

I am not where I thought I would be in many areas of life in 2015, but I do know I'm where I am meant to be at this very moment. I have dreams and aspirations for 2016, but this time I won't feel defeated if I don't reach them, because what's meant to be will always be in good time.

I hope my 25th year is filled with more moments and less stuff.

I don't know what 2016 holds for me, or D, but I do know with a little faith and hard work it will be another year filled with adventure, love and laughter -- and there's really nothing better than that.

M

Kate Spade Home

Kate Spade Home by morganwmynatt

Kate Spade wall light | Kate Spade rose rug | Kate Spade kitchen dining | Kate Spade gold home decor | Kate Spade holiday decoration | Kate Spade home decor | Kate Spade chair

Favorite Fall Finds

Fall is my favorite time of year. From football - our home away from home - to the crisp fall air, boots, and most importantly pumpkin spice lattes, this is the time of year that feeds my soul.

As we begin to make our house more of a home, I have started to incorporate some fun fall finds into our decor, plus as many "fall scent" candles that I can find. (I have a serious problem - candle addict)

I've included my favorites below:

The Rustic House - Harvest Candle

Football Signs - Kilbi Branch Designs

Shelf Sitter Turkey - Kirklands

Pumpkin Garden Flag - Ace Hardware

Booties - Steve Madden

DIY: Desk to Bar

We received some great glassware and other bar accessories from friends and family leading up the wedding, and I hate that I've had to hide them in kitchen cabinets (where storage is already limited). So I've been keeping my eyes open for the perfect piece to refurbish into a bar... and I finally found it! Patience pays off.

This little gem of a secretary desk cost me just $35 on one of those community Facebook yard sale groups.

We have dark floors and dark furniture, so I knew I wanted to lighten this piece up to add some much needed contrast, and with the veneer on the front not in the best shape, I decided chalk paint would be my best bet.

I found a more affordable version of chalk paint, Craie de Terre (legitimately $12 for a huge mason jar), thanks to a friend who'd done her research at Four Seasons Vintage here in Knoxville. I decided on sage, a barely there green that almost could be white.

I picked up some new knobs for $5 at Hobby Lobby and some $6 contact paper at Lowes and got to work!

Before I started cleaning, I decided it would be best to knock out this shelf on the inside, to make more room for glasses. With the help of a hammer and flat head screwdriver, we were on our way to  a bar!

I started with the drawer first, painting it, changing the knobs, and lining it with marble contact paper. 

Then I gave the desk two coats of the chalk paint, but decided to keep the inside of it the original dark stain. 

I am really happy with how this project came out, and for under $60 we have a great new piece of furniture, that is functional for us right now, and can easily be used for something else down the road. 

When I said I do...

Tomorrow marks three weeks since the day we said "I do" in front of God and our family and friends, and we got our photos back yesterday! This was the most joyful day, and JOPHOTO captured the essence of that perfectly. We had a slew of vendors who brought our vision to life of a classic southern wedding that ended with a party with those we are closest too.

I'll share pictures from our ceremony and reception in the coming weeks...

I, Dustin, take you, Morgan,

as the wife of my days

and the friend of my life. 

I promise to have the

patience that love demands,

to laugh with you in times of joy,

comfort you in times of sorrow,

to love you unconditionally

and without hesitation.

To take you as you are,

loving who you are now

and who you are yet to become.

With these words,

and all the words of my heart,

I marry you and bind my life to yours.

I, Morgan, take you, Dustin,

as the husband of my days

and the friend of my life. 

I promise to have the

patience that love demands,

to laugh with you in times of joy,

comfort you in times of sorrow,

to love you unconditionally

and without hesitation.

To take you as you are,

loving who you are now

and who you are yet to become.

With these words,

and all the words of my heart,

I marry you and bind my life to yours.

Venue: Magnolia Plantation & Gardens | Photography: JOPHOTO | Event & Floral Design: MOD Events | Rentals: Snyder Rentals | Bridal Gown: Moonlight Bridal Couture | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Maid of Honor Dress: Jovani | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Where's Grace?

Did you hear? Another "lunatic" shot innocent people. Again.

My heart aches for the victims, their loved ones, but my heart also aches for the shooter. Can you imagine living life with that much hate in your heart?

Every time this happens the same words are used: "terrorism" - "senseless" - "tragedy". The real tragedy is that we are too busy standing on our facebook status soapbox, playing games on our phones, or even binge watching a series on netflix to notice one simple thing: the person standing next to us.

When did we become a country that cares more about money than fellowship with our neighbors? A nation that cares more about having our opinion heard than working towards one common goal? A nation that care more about what car we drive than protecting our citizens?

You know what's funny? When true tragedy affects us personally - then we step up. Not when we see a child crying, or a mom ravaging for food in a dumpster, or an elderly person struggling to walk across the street - we don't step up then. But if a family member dies, a child is diagnosed with a deadly illness, or a friend suffers a tragedy - then we want everyone to help us, when we couldn't be bothered to help them.

We stopped seeing the good in people, but worst of all we stopped seeing the good in ourselves. We are better than our current circumstances. But we have to care more about the betterment of the future as a whole, rather than our individual needs.

I believe that people are inherently good. I believe that at the core of us, we have the ability to love more than we ever thought possible. I believe that we imitate behaviors - good and bad - of the people we surround ourselves with, but I also believe that it takes just one person refusing to be a part of the cycle to make real change happen.

It doesn't mean we'll always get along, or always agree, if that were the case life would be pretty boring. But it does mean we respect our neighbors, we love them in spite of differences, we let them know that regardless of the situation - we have their back.

No one ever became poor by giving.