Find It In Everything

If we're friends on Facebook, then you know about my sweet love notes from God. Whenever my heart needs a little extra love, God always fashions a heart out of nature and drops it in my path, typically on my morning walk.

When I see that little heart, I think of the incredible effort God put into making it for me.

Growing a tree, making one of the little leaves unlike the rest (or a potato, in the case of the potato chip), and then dropping it on the ground so it's waiting for me at the exact moment I walk by.

It's kind of mind-boggling, yet that's God.

This one was different.

I didn't even see it until after I got home from this concert I was working/photographing. I remember feeling stressed and alone that day, and it was compounded by thousands of people who came as friends. Surprise - I wasn't alone!

In the wintertime, He gets really creative since I'm not outside walking.

The potato chip was discovered during winter.

Most recently, I discovered this one on the ground on my way into the gym after I had told God that I missed finding little heart treasures on my outside walks with Him.

Today, I took a little trip to Barnes & Noble, and as I was waiting in line, a simple, white book caught my eye, "Find It in Everything." When I saw it was by Drew Barrymore, I actually got out of line to pick it up. She's been one of my favorite actresses, and we're also distantly related. Supposedly, my great-great grandmother was first cousins with Lionel, Ethel, and John (Drew's grandfather) Barrymore. Family legend has it that no one talked about them or wanted anything to do with them because they were "actors" and it wasn't an honorable profession. {insert chuckles here}

As I flipped through the book, I noticed a theme... hearts.

"Find It in Everything" is a collection of Drew's personal photographs. Hearts have been a theme in her life and every time she sees one, she takes a picture of it. Sounds familiar!

I enjoyed the personal anecdotes that went with the photos. One of my favorites was the bread clip:

"I have seen these for so many years.  

I have handled them - twisted things and clamped these on.  

It was waiting for me to find it. 

One day the heart appeared. 

It has been there all along."

I bought the book on the spot. An entire book about found hearts is like water to a thirsty heart finder, and this was my heart find. I wonder if Drew had any idea when she put this together that someone else would consider her book of found hearts to be a found heart itself.

How about you? Do you have a reoccurring theme that pops up when you need it most?


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This was not a paid book review - just my own thoughts and opinions!

Get a copy anywhere books are sold or here.

Connect with Drew on Twitter here.

Do What You Know You Should Do

Straight up: this time of year makes me want to be lazy.

It is a battle to exercise.

But I put my feet first and did it, even though I didn't feel like it.

I kept reminding myself that feelings tell me what I want to hear but truth tells me what I need to know. So I did it... and was surprised by a love note from God at the end.

Today, do what you don't feel like doing but know you should!

Tangible Reminders of Love

Every day God gives me reminders of his love, except I'm not always paying attention.

Every now and then, like this morning, He leaves a tangible reminder. Today's gift is my favorite way He communicates: a heart shaped leaf. It's so deeply personal to me.

Keep your eyes open... you never know how God is going to demonstrate His love in a way that's exceptionally personal to you.

He's crazy about you.

A Note To My Future Husband: My Valentine's Day Expectations

Dear Future Husband, whoever you are, wherever you are, and if you are,


Let's discuss Valentine's Day.

You're off the hook.

You heard me right.

You. Are. Off. The. Hook.

Yes, I know you are "off the hook," as in cool. I mean, you have to be super awesome, because...helllllllllo...I married you. Duh. What I mean to say is: you don't have to do anything for the holiday.

Seriously. This isn't a woman mind game.

Valentine's Day may work for some couples, and it may be something they need to encourage them to express their love to one another. However, I don't like a holiday that forces couples to prove or acknowledge their love to one another by spending wads of cash on flowers and chocolate that can be purchased throughout the year at 50% of the price. I worked at a flower shop for a year and a half. I know the mark up.

I'm forever grateful that I worked in that flower shop on Valentine's Day. It was the most insane day at any retail establishment that I have EVER experienced. It made me appreciate the hurdles you men jump through for us women. When ordering their dozen red roses for their wife/girlfriend/fiance on Valentine's Day, most men started the conversation with, "I gotta get her some roses or something. What do you think I should do, and how much is this going to cost me?" A select few even read off a list their wife/girlfriend/fiance wrote so their man would buy them exactly what they wanted for Valentine's Day. I don't like that. I don't want you to feel forced to get me anything. I'd rather you do something because you want to, not because a holiday tells you to. Let's save our money and put it towards a great vacation or something that's needed.

This does not, however, exclude you from getting me flowers or a card and such throughout the rest of the year. That will be randomly expected, just as I'm sure you will expect it from me. But doing something specifically on Valentine's Day? You are hereby released from any and all expectations. You're welcome.


Love,