Closing a Chapter

It's the last day of 2015.

2015 has been the worst year of my life. So many unforeseen things have happened. So many things beyond my control. But through it all, I've relied on and trusted in God, and I have faith that He has an incredible 2016 in store for me.

Last night, my youth pastor said, "In 2016, don't be afraid to dream big dreams and pray big prayers." And I realized that I had to let go of my fear. Sure, I've got some big dreams for 2016, but there's a little voice in the back of my head saying, but what if it doesn't happen? And it's kind of scary to think you might put yourself out there and have your plans fail.

Bro. Alan, basically my life mentor, has told me many many times: "Make mistakes. Don't be afraid of failure." I teach this every summer to the high school students I work with at SALT (Student Action Leadership Team). But have I really applied that to my own life?

I'm finally at a place in life where I can go after some of my biggest dreams. To get here, I had to go through some tough stuff. But I'm tougher than the tough stuff. I've come out stronger and wiser. And now there are possibilities to do great things with my life. To be a part of things that are bigger than me. And I don't want to be afraid to go after those things.

I have chosen two words to be my theme for 2016. The first is peace, because I've truly learned to experience the peace that God gives during the hard times. I want to continue to live in His peace. The second word is adventure. This one kind of came by accident. When it came time for me to find a 2016 planner, I decided to splurge on a Erin Condren calendar, but my splurging only goes so far so I got the cheapest one I could find. This is the cover:

At first I figured I'd replace it after a while, since the covers are interchangeable, but then I realized that it's the perfect phrase for this new stage in my life. It is time for adventure. It's time for new things. It's time for big dreams and big prayers. It's time to expect more. It's time to stop being afraid.

I had a favorite book series when I was in middle school, and the main character always quoted the verse "What time I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee" (Psalms 56:3). I find myself repeating this when I'm scared. Now, however, I have a few more verses I like to quote when I'm unsure of where life will take me.

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?
Luke 12:25-26 NLT  

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT

The Bible is clear: don't worry; trust God. He is always with me (Psalms 16:8) and with Him, nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37).

So this year, I dare to dream big. I dare to pray big. I will go on adventures, and I will trust God. I will allow His peace to overtake me and defeat my worries.

Ultimately, I pray that His will will be done in my life. Proverbs 19:21 says, "You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." I want his purpose for my life. I want him to make beautiful things from the ashes. I refuse to allow my past and my downfalls to define me. Instead, I will allow God to make me into who and what He wants me to be.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve Eve are almost just as good as (and maybe even better than) Christmas day. 

Christmas Eve Eve is, of course, December 23 (the eve of Christmas Eve), and Eloise is the one who brought it to my attention. I love Eloise, as do my mom and Auntie. So it is only appropriate to watch Eloise at Christmastime on Christmas Eve Eve, which we did last night. It is adorable and features Julie Andrews as Nanny, so it is a favorite!

And now it is Christmas Eve. I'm currently sitting in my mom's chair, which is the ultimate. She has carefully crafted the perfect relaxation chair, and anything I could possibly need is in reach. Chapstick, Kleenex, mini fan, pens, emery board, scissors, lotion, charging station, remote, trashcan, salt. If I stretch really far I can also reach an orange. And, probably most important, she has a picture of the two of us.

I've always loved Christmas Eve because my mommy has always let me open up an early present--my Christmas pajamas. When I was little, she always got me a matching top and bottom, then as I got older and decided I didn't like the matching set, she let me pick out my own. 

In just a little while, we're heading out to hear my best friend Julianne sing in a choir for a 10:30 service (the grandma in me is cringing at the late hour), so I asked if I could open my PJs before we left. "The thing is..." my aunt started, "is that we forgot to mark which present is your pajamas." So we knew that my pajamas were in a shirt box, and that all of the presents wrapped in Minnie Mouse paper were mine. Third time's a charm, so after opening up a box of leggings and one containing a collector's edition magazine featuring The Hunger Games cast (I like to buy magazines about the current "in" thing to one day give my future daughter), I found my PJs! 

Then I gave mommy her PJs, but I'm not allowed to post any photos because her hair was in rollers. And then I gave Auntie some fuzzy socks, and Auntie let me open a present--a super cute headband! And then we let Oxford open a present, and then I put the bow on Oxford. All in all, a successful Christmas Eve, and it's not over yet!

A Weekend of Christmas

I just love the Christmas season. I love the music, the movies, the glitter, the happiness. I love warm fires and drinking hot chocolate by the Christmas tree. I love the Christmas lights in the neighborhood and that Santa comes by on the firetruck to pass out candy to the kids. It's a magical time of year.

Last weekend, I joined my sweet, hilarious, beautiful friend for a Christmas banquet at church. We had a blast getting all dressed up and eating strawberry salad, roast beef and potatoes, and bread pudding from Bistro to Go. Normally I work as a server at church banquets, so it was definitely strange being on the other side of things being served instead of serving. 

The next evening, we went to the Strand for a Christmas Gala put on by a nearby college. I had no idea what I was going to, but the tickets were only $10, and, quite frankly, I'd pay $10 just to go inside and wander around the gorgeous Strand. Turns out, the gala was amazing with beautiful singing and dancing, and I truly enjoyed myself.

dress: LuLaRoe | tights: Dillard's | watch: Kate Spade (an early Christmas gift from my sweet Mama K) | shoes: don't remember

Obviously I'm no good at this fashion blogger thing.

After the gala, Faith and I parted ways and I joined my mom and her friends for dinner at the Cheesecake bistro, where I enjoyed crawfish ravioli. Oh so yum. While we were  on the Boardwalk for dinner, it began to "snow"! (Bubbles. It began to snow bubbles. This is Louisiana, where bubbles are the closest thing we get to snow.) My Auntie snapped some pics of me playing in it. 

I'm a firm believer of being a kid at heart. Which probably explains why I've been wearing my pink sequined Santa hat all day. 

Magical Light

Since I've been learning how to use my camera, one of my favorite times of day is "magic hour"--about an hour before sunset. The light is golden and beautiful. I couldn't help but step outside for a few minutes this afternoon to take some photos of the colorful leaves.

It's currently tomorrow as of 18 minutes ago and morning JB is going to be furious with night owl JB when she wakes up. However, I've enjoyed a nice warm fire (I'm getting to be quite the fire maker) and cuddling with Oxford in the papasan chair. I was even productive and did things like pay bills and create my budget and buy some Christmas presents. I can totally adult. Save for that going-to-bed-on-time thing. Guess I should work on that.

How She Came to Be the Famous JB

I'm currently sitting in front of a fire that was roaring only a few hours ago as I watched White Christmas. The fire is dwindling, but I'm still in high spirits from the dancing and the singing. I'm pretty sure White Christmas is the most perfect Christmas movie ever. Fantastic dancing, beautiful costumes, lovely songs, hilarious actors, and sweet moments.

I am a blogger. First off, yep, totally switching subjects without warning. Secondly, I realize that statement sounds premature as this is only my first post. However, this is blog number nine for me if I'm keeping track correctly. Some of them have come and gone, some still remain, even if I don't keep up with them as I once did. For some reason, I just can't stay away. I think it's because I can't stop writing things. All the things. Blog posts, journal entries, books. My heart loves words.

Life is taking me places I never dreamed I'd be. Some good. Some bad. But, as the shirt my best friend gave me says, everything is going to be awesome. And I want a place to document that awesomeness.

So let's play get to know JB.

Basics: I'm JB (hi). I have the cutest puppy in the world and his name is Oxford. He is named after my favorite comma. He makes me happy every day and loves me like no one has ever loved before. (Yes, his love for me puts Buttercup and Wesley's love to shame.) I am twenty-four, though I always have to think about it because I can never remember. I went to college for words and languages, and now my job is words and websites.

I have two best friends who are my everything and my support team. One of them is currently out of the country for a few weeks and, goodness, I miss her. We run a blog reviewing young adult books.

I am a natural introvert who has successfully convinced most everyone that I'm an extrovert. For the most part, I'd rather be at home in my jammies cuddled with Oxford and a good book than be out with people. I'm trying to get over that, though, because I believe friendship is important and one should surround herself with friends. However, for the most part, I'd rather just spend time with my close group of friends and family.

I am that girl who always brings a book with her. This week it's an 800-page futuristic fairytale retelling.

Things I love: baking, writing, reading, photography, my puppy, my best friends, traveling, nutella hot chocolate, all chocolate actually, vintage books, all books, grammar, Christmas trees, warm fires, sunlight, summer days, cute shoes, adorable dresses, socks, pink, apple products

That, of course, is not an all-inclusive list. But at least you get the gist of things.

So why The Famous JB? It's a phrase that somehow got stuck to me years and years ago. I've even had random strangers (who knew nothing of The Famous JB line) say, "Ah, so you're the famous JB." Yeah, I'm definitely not famous, even in the (few) circles I run in. But here I am, embracing my fame.

I plan on this being a lifestyle blog. I had one of those once upon a time. It mostly focused on personal style, but lately I haven't been as interested in fashion as I once was. I still attempt to dress cute, mostly because dressing cute is too easy not to (cute dress, cute shoes, and you're good to go!).

One thing I'm excited to share is photography. I've had a DSLR for about four years, but only in the last year have I really delved into learning how to use it. By no means do I think myself a photographer. That's one of my pet peeves--people who get a DSLR and immediately start a "photography" business, despite not actually knowing how to use their camera and manipulate it to take beautiful photos. I hope to one day always get amazing photos out of it, but in the mean time, I'm certainly enjoying practicing with it and learning what different settings do.

We'll see how this thing turns out. In the meantime, I'm starting my new adventure.