My Plans Were Wrecked to Make Room For Something Different

Every time I sit down to write about a new semester I'm overwhelmed by how fast time is flying. Honestly, when I look back on my second year of college, my heart feels extremely heavy. If you had asked me 5 weeks ago what I thought about this year, I'd tell you all about how much I felt God blessing me repeatedly, and how everything I wanted and planned for myself had worked out. I'd go on and on about the friendships I had made and the leadership team I had been a part of in my residence hall. I'd talk about how much I enjoyed my first year in FOUR years that I spent being single. I'd tell you how I thought I had found my lifelong, best friend who I swore was my soul sister. I'd share about how I had never really had a friendship like ours, and how I thought she'd be the one by my side through every single one of my future milestones (graduation, starting jobs, getting married, babies, you name it). I'd tell you about my plans to be a Resident Assistant next year, and how I couldn't wait to see how God would use me through that position.

What I would soon come to realize, after a very rude awakening, is that things change and people change and because of that, I'm in a season of hurting & healing. My plans for next year and beyond took a turn for what appears to be the worse, but what I'm clinging to for dear life at this moment is that God can turn anything into good, and better than I could plan for myself. This doesn't mean, however, that I'm not mourning what I thought were my plans for next year, or the end of a friendship with the one person I thought was never going to leave, but it does mean that I have hope. Hope that there's good out there and that as alone as I might feel in this moment, will not stay forever. 

During a time where I have felt so much loss, I have also seen a few ounces of gain that I'm choosing to cherish. I'm choosing to cling tightly to the people who choose me. The ones who choose me whether I'm on my highest mountaintop or in my lowest valley. I'm choosing the girls (and even sometimes guys) who say "to heck" with what others are saying about me, and who hold tight to what they know is true about me. It's the people in your life that hug you a little harder and cry with you when things are crumbling that you should never let go of. The people who text you and say "hey, I'm not going anywhere" when it seems as if everyone else is leaving. 

The way this year is ending is hard for me to grasp. I have never felt so tempted to throw up my hands in frustration and quit. Move on, transfer, or take a year off. I realized, however, that I'm stronger than that. My God is bigger than that. He's bigger than the enemy who is telling me that I need a break, or that I'm not capable, or that I'm unlovable, or unfixable. Because I'm not. I'm loved by a king, THE KING OF ALL KINGS who can get me through anything. He's the one who gets me through the friend break-ups, the confusing conversations, and the texts that read "I can't be seen with you for now because it will upset others." Y'all, I'm being real, it hurts. I'm not sitting here brushing it off and thinking "oh okay no big deal, I get it" because it is a big deal. It's a big deal when you give so much of yourself to people only to feel like a fool in the end. 

I guess there are a few reasons why I'm being so vulnerable and upfront here on the blog-- a reason why I'm possibly oversharing. First off, I've come to see that writing on Making Joy and Bliss is a healing mechanism for me, this being the reason I know the Lord put this blog in my life. Writing it out allows me let go. I find freedom from the bondage of bitterness. Writing on MJ&B also helps me declare truth over myself. It forces me to recognize the enemy's power to make me feel defeated and helpless, and then heal myself with the Gospel truth that I know. Writing posts like these make me see that God is in control. No amount of chaos is a surprise to Him, and no beginning or end of any relationship or season in our lives is an interruption to His plan. 

The other reason I'm putting all of my junk out in the open is that I want anyone who is feeling like their plans have made a complete 180-degree turn for what looks like the worse, to know that it's actually turning for the best. Not your version of what's best, but God's idea of what's best. Now, how could anyone be mad at that! So it's okay to mourn the end of relationships or the crumbling of plans that were seemingly perfect, but do not stay in that spot. God doesn't want that for you, and do not let Satan tell you that you're not worthy of better, or that better will never come. Because the devil is a liar. 

So yeah, I have no clue what's next. No freaking clue. At all. Wow, I just laughed typing that. But what I do know is that I've spent the past 5 weeks telling myself that I'm unlovable, purposeless, and unfixable, but it's just not true, and realizing that is a small victory that I'm choosing to celebrate. 

Apple Watch: Was It Worth It? || My Experience

When the first day of college classes finally came to an end, I face-planted down on my bed and thought, "oh my word I feel like I just walked 200 miles." This was the minute I realized college life would be a constant cycle of walking to class with a heavy backpack, and climbing many flights of stairs only to walk back 50-minutes later. I called my mom and jokingly said, "I need a pedometer." I started looking into Apple Watches but didn't really think that I'd wear one that much. After all, they really didn't go with many of my outfits ;) When I got home this summer, started babysitting again, and was no longer a broke college student, I had this major desire for the watch. So, after a few days of going into every Apple store that I passed just to try it on, I decided to get one. I thought I'd post about why I'm so in love with the watch, and the features that made it so worth it.

Which model?

I ended up with the Apple Watch Series 2, 38mm silver aluminum case with a white sport band. I never thought I would end up with a silver watch since I typically wear gold jewelry. Trying the silver one on in the store is what made me love it so much. The white and silver looked amazing together. I also jumped on Pinterest and searched "apple watch" so that I could see how others have styled theirs!

The other aspect that I contemplated for a while was whether or not I should spend the extra $100 for the series 2 watch or just stick with series 1. After using the "compare models" feature on Apple's site (check it out here) I knew I needed the series 2.

Questions I had:

• Will the watch increase my data usage?Nope, not at all. The watch basically mirrors your iPhone, so the amount of data you use on your phone will be the same as on your watch.
• How much are extra bands?Standard bands are $50 and come in tons of colors. I'm actually about to grab another one as autumn is quickly approaching. I honestly think $50 is pretty reasonable for an interchangeable band considering Apple's typical prices.
• Will the white band get dirty quickly?I have had absolutely zero issues with my watch getting dirty, and this was one of my biggest concerns. The material is amazing. I just run the band under warm water and rub any marks right off. To get anything tough off, use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
• What's the deal with the battery life?I've had a really great experience with the battery so far. I usually only charge it while I'm in the shower, eating a meal, or working on the computer. I wear it all day long, and sleep with it as well. The best thing is that for me, it can be fully charged in less than an hour.

My favorite features:

• Sleep TrackerThe "Sleep Watch" app is one of the most exciting parts of this watch that I had no idea would be a feature that was included. I've always wanted a FitBit to track my sleep, but there's something about it that I didn't like. The "Sleep Watch" app is around $5 but I promise it is worth it. All you do is wear the watch at night and it tracks the following:
  • Total sleep time
  • Sleep Activity- how often you woke up, when you were restless and when you were in a deep sleep
  • Total restful sleep time
  • Sleeping heart rate dip percentage
  • Average sleeping heart rate

• GPSWhen you use the GPS on your iPhone, the directions mirror on your watch. The watch vibrates when you're coming up on a turn, which if you think about it, it's a pretty cool safety feature. When I'm on the road, the watch is right in front of me on the steering wheel instead of how I usually have to look down at my phone directions.

• "Hey Siri"

Siri can do everything that she can on your phone. The other night I was down on the dock with my dad fishing, and my phone was connected to our Bluetooth speaker. I kept changing the music right from my watch and didn't have to put my rod down! #convenient

• Heart Rate Sensor

I have no idea why, but ever since this watch came into my life I have been fascinated by watching my heart rate. It's so cool to see it change throughout the day especially when it changes due to some of the things I'm facing that day.

• Exercise 

I'm not going to lie, before I did my research regarding what the Apple Watch could measure, I thought purchasing it was a mistake. I was under the impression that it would only be able to track obvious cardio workouts (running, walking, biking) but then one day I was out kayaking and I decided to see if it could measure the workout. I went to my watch and chose the "other" category on the watch and it started an open-ended workout! Then, at the end, it gave me TONS of other workout options to use to label- including paddling. Now I can also use the watch to track my favorite strength training workout, [solidcore] read about it here!

In my eyes, purchasing the Apple Watch was an investment. It pushes me to get outside and exercise every day even when I don't want to. It encourages me to value restful sleep and my mental health. I'm so excited head back to school and see just how much I walk around that huge campus.

Overall, the Apple Watch gets a 10/10 from me!

My High School Graduation Party || Photos and DIY Ideas

One of my favorite moments of my senior year of high school was my graduation party. My mom and I spent almost the whole year planning it, and it was a dream. On that day in June, I realized that joy and bliss came in the form of my backyard being full of all the people I cherish. I spent the afternoon with some of my high school friends, but most importantly with my family and the kiddos that I babysit. Since Making Joy and Bliss didn't exist last year, I couldn't do a post on it! I thought I'd still share some photos of the day for inspiration if you're planning an upcoming party!

Sweet Treats

I absolutely adore candy bars, and when my mom suggested we had one ready for when the guests left, I was so excited. We ordered all of the candy in bulk, off of Amazon. We also made a trip to Party City to check out the colored candy to match our theme.

A quick little D.I.Y. project we did was ordered stickers with the letter "M" on them for the bottom of the Hershey Kisses. Yes, we peeled each sticker and placed it on the Kiss, but it was worth the tedious job because it was adorable. You can do the same thing here!

One day I mentioned how amazing it would be to have cotton candy at the party. I believe that cotton candy has the ability to make anyone who likes sweets instantly happy. I mean, how can you not smile while holding delicious pink fluff? My mom ended up finding a company to send someone out to the house to make the cotton candy at the party and it was a hit! Have I mentioned how photogenic cotton candy is too?

Entertain the Kiddos

Since the majority of my guests were families of the kids that I babysit for, I knew there would be tons of little ones running around the party. My mom and I wanted to make sure that there were kid-friendly snacks and things for them to do so that the parents could enjoy as well. The bubbles were a last minute idea, and it was a great one. Some of the kids ended up taking them home as well.

D.I.Y.

At one point, this was just a plain old bulletin board, but I wanted to spice it up since my momma wanted to pin a ton of old photos of me on it. A little embarrassing, some were cringe-worthy, but oh well.

I grabbed some basic acrylic paint and used a few coats. If you decide to tackle this project, be sure to sand the frame of the board to get rid of the wood sealant before painting so it doesn't just peel off! I learned this the hard way :)

The flowers were bought from a craft store, and simply super glued!

These painted frames were one of my favorite D.I.Y. projects I've ever done. We grabbed the frames at our local craft store and simply painted them with acrylic paint. It was an inexpensive way to add some fun to the trees, and the photos were adorable. We hung them with tulle from the craft store as well. Make sure you paint both sides of the frames as they will sway in the wind when they're not being used! Here's a link to a few frame options! Only $4! 

Give the pool some love

When my mom first suggested filling the pool with beach balls, I thought she was crazy. I also worried that they would just sit in one section in the pool and never spread, but boy was I wrong. I think the most important thing when it comes to doing this for a party is that you have a ton of different sized balls. We even had some teeny tiny ones and they were just plain cute. And, you know the swan was the star of the show. The balls came from, you guessed it, beachballs.com! And the swan you can grab on Amazon.

Simple tables

We used Mason jars for everything. This included the centerpieces and it was just so cute. The flowers were from the grocery store. I know, hard to believe. My mom arranged them the day before, and they were so simple and pretty. The house was full of flowers for days after the party.

These beautiful cream plates with gold trim are from Party City! How adorable are the scallops? The quality was awesome.

Refreshments

I feel like it can be pretty difficult to find drink dispensers that are cute and that actually get the job done. They're either too small for entertaining and you up constantly filling them up, or they dispense at a snail pace.

These Mason jar-like beverage dispensers are perfect. We've even used them multiple times post graduation party. And they came with the little chalkboard signs that hang on the front. My mom tied the tulle and the faux flowers around the top for a sweet touch.

Buy these beauties here!

We found that buying Mason jars from Walmart (12 for $10) was the least expensive option!

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I hope this post brought you some joy and inspiration for your next celebration! Let me know in the comments some of your must-do's when it comes to planning parties! And to all you seniors out there who are graduating this May and June, congratulations!

10 Things My Freshman Year of College Taught Me

The past 8 months have been some of the most joyful, yet challenging months that I have ever experienced. When I first pictured what college would be like, I never thought it was possible to grow and learn so much in such a short amount of time. Yes, I knew that college meant lots of change. I expected to be consumed with homesickness and believed that the year would pass by at a snail pace. Little did I know that it would fly by and that the previous 4 years that I had spent in high school would become a very distant memory. Here's a list of the top 10 things I learned this year:

1. Listen to your body.

This is singlehandedly the most important thing I learned this semester. The first 3 months of college were heavenly. I ate whatever I wanted, stayed up too late, and took long naps in between classes. I was LIVING. After Thanksgiving break is when it really hit me. I  was experiencing anxiety like never before. Panic attacks became the norm, and my appetite was gone. Before I went back to school for the second semester, I finally visited the doctor. I found out that the side effects of one of my allergy medications were behind all of the struggles that I was facing. I was relieved to find out what was wrong, but I was also angry with myself for waiting so long to bring what I was experiencing to someone's attention.

From this experience, I learned to listen to what your body is saying to you. Make time to rest and take care of yourself. The transition into college life is hard on your body. It means moving to a whole other town, and for many, a different state. It's being away from your mom's wholesome cooking to a life of dining hall meals and delicious fast food (Chick-fil-A, I love you). College is staying up too late and enjoying naps all day. It's simply wonderful but can be hard on your body. Take special care of yourself. You only get one body, and you're responsible for the love you give it.

2. The "freshman 15" does not have to happen to you.

When I first arrived at school, I made going to the gym a priority, but what really saved me from gaining weight was that I walked everywhere. I avoided the bus like the plague. Not only was I too impatient to wait for the bus to arrive, I also loved the fresh air I got when I walked. It gave me time to clear my head, or of course, call my mom to chat. I think walking everywhere is what saved me from gaining any weight this year. I log miles and miles a day since my campus is huge.

Bottom line, I believe the freshman 15 is a choice. It's a product of laziness, late night snacking & drinking, and the endless food choices made available to us college students.

3. Don't second guess yourself.

Liberty University is a conservative, Christian school. It's a dry campus that has a curfew and a dress code for classes. It doesn't quite represent the "typical college experience" but choosing to attend Liberty was one of the easiest decisions of my life. I was in love with the school and knew that it was where I wanted to spend the next 4 years of my life. Very quickly, however, some of my teachers, college counselors, and friends began voicing their thoughts. They weren't shy when it came to sharing their negative opinions. One of my teachers even insulted the President of Liberty, Jerry Falwell Jr., to my face. It was beginning to get to me. I started thinking that I had made the wrong decision. I was completely second guessing the choice that at one point was crystal clear.

After all of that, I thank God every day that I went with my gut and stuck with my decision. This year was so wonderful. I learned so much about myself and what's most important to me. I grew closer to the Lord and am proud of the person I have become this year. On top of all that, I can reflect upon the past months and know that I made good choices, and that's more important than the opinion of people who I'll most likely never see again.

4. Don't overdo it on the credit hours you take-- no matter how tempting it may be.

When I registered for spring semester, I signed up for the maximum amount of credits that I could. I thought that I could handle it and that it was no big deal. Little did I know that 4 weeks later I would be drowning in schoolwork. Be diligent with completing your classes so you can graduate on time, but make sure you really evaluate what you're signing up for prior to diving into the classes. Keeping in touch with your advisor is extremely important as they will be able to make sure you're on track with earning the credits you need in order to complete your degree.

5. Get involved in all of the organized freshman activities first semester.

Not having a positive attitude about all of the orientation activities at the beginning of my freshman year is one of my biggest regrets. I thought all of it was so lame. The hall dinners, the ice-breaker games, all of it; lame, lame, lame. I had no idea how many people I could have met if I had actually participated. So, if you're starting college soon, put on a smile and go meet people at those organized events. Trust me, everyone feels awkward and alone; so go make friends!

6. It is okay if the people you meet the first few weeks of school aren't your forever friends.

One of the most difficult things to accept when it comes to college friends is that they come and go. At the beginning of freshman year, everyone wants to be friends with everyone. While this seems great at first, it's important to remember that these people may or may not stick around forever. Let them leave if they want to, and cherish them if they stay.

7. Pray about everything-- and then listen to what God is telling you.

Prayer is the #1 thing that kept me on my feet this year. However, there were plenty of times that I would ask God for answers and he would give them to me, but I would ignore. Sometimes He wouldn't give the response I was expecting, or the one that I wanted. I would push Him away and continue on doing what I wanted. I realized that trusting His plan for me is always going to be 100x better than the plans that I have for myself. "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act." Psalm 37:4-5

8. Get out of your dorm room.

Go to the library, go on a walk, go grab some coffee, go to the gym. Just leave your room and get out and about on your campus. The majority of people that I know who don't enjoy college spend all of their time in their rooms thinking about how much they would rather be home. Sometimes I catch myself doing this. Right when I do, I hop up and go somewhere. Anywhere.

9. Keep a journal.

I didn't start journaling until the spring semester. I used it as an outlet to talk about the anxiety I was experiencing, but I realized how awesome it is when it comes to documenting everything that goes down throughout the year. Make it a habit. Don't just write when you're at the peak of happiness or at your lowest low. Write even when life is just going okay. The feeling of completing a whole journal and then reading your past entries is so cool. 

10. Eating meals by yourself isn't weird-- it's totally normal.

Once I realized that it was okay to eat meals by myself, life got so much easier. There's this whole stigma around sitting at a table by yourself for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Trust me, it's okay to not always have plans 24/7. Stop worrying about who you're going to eat your next meal with and just go eat! Then get back to what's on your to-do list. I promise your days will be 10x more productive this way.

How [solidcore] Transformed My Body and Mind

1 year ago a dear friend of mine said to me, "Molly, I just tried this new workout last night. I can't even walk, and my abs are still on fire. It's called [solidcore]. Come with me next time?" I agreed, however, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I walked into class and little did I know it would be the beginning of a new me.

What is it?

[solidcore] is made up of small, slow moves where there is always resistance attached to your muscles. The machine is made up of two stationary platforms along with one that moves between, called the carriage. The machine goes by the name Sweatlana and is different than anything you've worked out on.

What makes [solidcore] so unique that it is impossible to plateau. The different springs that are attached to the carriage can always be adjusted to make it harder as you become more advanced. Different spring loads also make it possible to achieve greatness in the class even if you're a beginner. There are always modifications to make things simpler and the workout is easy on your joints.

What makes it so special?

One of my favorite parts about [solidcore] is how my body feels during the 50 minutes. I have suffered from asthma my entire life, and I've found it difficult to find a workout studio that would challenge my body, but not my lungs. The slow, intense movements demand hard work from my muscles, and I don't have to worry about puffing my inhaler and catching my breath. I love being able to focus on achieving muscle failure, fighting through the pain, and how much I'm sweating than wondering if I can make it through a class without having an asthma attack.

I think a lot of the reason I fell in love with this class was because of how wonderful the community is and have met some of the most incredible people who have had a very strong impact on my life. Each time I walk into the studio I'm greeted with hugs and smiles from coaches and other regulars who I find myself taking class with often. The coaches are committed to high fives at the end of those painful 50 minutes, and they are the ones who make it so easy to come back to the studio.

When I first started [solidcore], I had no idea how fast my body would change and how addicted I would be to the studio. Within a month my body was more toned, and classes were more enjoyable because I understood the workout. I even noticed that I could carry heavier objects. While this sounds silly, for the first time in my life I could do a complete set of push-ups. When I reserve a spot in a class, I know that I'm setting aside 50 minutes of "me" time. I never knew how important it was to be selfish sometimes and put my well-being first. [solidcore] has taught me just that.

If you have the opportunity to try [solidcore], don't let it pass on by. Jump into it. Give it a good effort, and do not feel defeated once you realize that it is the hardest workout you've ever done. If you really commit, you'll see that [solidcore] will not only change your body but also your mind. You'll find yourself being a more be more focused, and positive person. You'll learn to love your body for what it is and ignore the number on the scale.  You'll gain strength in more ways than one, and end up reflecting on your first class and realizing just how much you've accomplished. For more info before jumping into your first class, check out the website here and an intro video here!

There's also a new client special during the month of February! Head on over to [solidcore]'s Facebook page to take advantage of it!

Joy Finally Returns

"Molly, it is okay to talk about what you're going through." These words came from my mom during a time I thought my world was crashing down. A few days ago I finally accepted the fact that I simply cannot have it all together all the time. I also learned that I have to allow others to help me. I have always tried to be the comforter. I've attempted to be the supplier of infinite hugs and reminders that "the best is yet to come." I also end up doubting God's faithfulness. I begin asking questions like, "Why is this happening to me?" "How long will this last?" "When will I feel like the old me again?" No matter how strong my relationship with God is, I still find myself forgetting to give all of my worries to Him. It's easy to get so wrapped up in how it seems as if everything is falling apart. It's even easier to slip into a dark place of pushing others away. I spent the last 6 weeks wondering why I couldn't escape the things that were bringing me down. I could barely recognize myself. I lost the majority of the joy I had worked so hard to achieve in my life. I didn't appreciate all the wonderful things that surrounded me. No matter how hard I tried, it was just easier to wear a mask and pretend to be happy than to turn to my friends, family, and especially my God.

Finally, my Bible was back in my hands towards the final week of Christmas break. I thought I'd share the verses that picked me up. The ones filled my heart with joy and comfort again as I begin this final semester of my Freshman year of college.

Psalm 94:19

"When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy."

Psalm 43:5

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet  praise Him, my Savior and my God."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand."

Psalm 143:8

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world"

Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Matthew 17:20

He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

6 weeks ago I was desperate for comfort. I was full of doubt and yearned for normalcy. After experiencing these trials I can confidently say I am stronger than I was before. I have a new attitude towards life's struggles, and once again, am reminded of God's incredible promises to me. Just when I thought everything was falling apart, it was actually falling into place.