What Bloomed In August

August reminded me to breathe

Happy Sunday, My Sweet Friends! 🌻

As we close out August together, I wanted to pause and share what’s been blooming in my heart this month.

Somehow I realized I missed July — my birthday month. Maybe that was because it was meant to be a month of quiet, but still, I can’t believe I let it slip by without a “What Bloomed” post. Surely I can’t be that busy that two whole months passed, and for that I do apologize sincerely.

My heart behind writing here is to show up in a way that builds community. It matters to me that I honor my commitment to this space. Even if only a handful of people read it, the truth is the commitment wasn’t just for everyone else — it was mainly for God. My prayer is always that in my writing, in my day-to-day reflections, another woman might find something that resonates. If my words could pour into someone’s spirit, or simply make her day a little brighter, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

It’s taken me a long time to get to this place of writing freely, and I don’t want to let that slip. So no matter what, I need to show up. With that being said — GIRLIE — grab your coffee, come back, take a pause, sit down, and let’s talk… because I’ve got a lot to say.

Heart Check

At the beginning of August, I found myself disappointed. I realized where I truly stand with some people, and that was not easy to face. The first week of the month was filled with daily reflection, reminding myself not to take things so personal. I do not want to get in the habit of getting lost in my feelings. I am in an active stage of life where I am partnering with the Word of God. That means I cannot afford to believe the lies, because sometimes my feelings do not tell me the truth.

This month, I really wanted to focus on making sure social media was not something that kept me from reaching my goals. Mainly Facebook and TikTok. I set a one-hour daily timer on my phone for both combined. (That means if I spend forty-five minutes on TikTok, I only have fifteen minutes left for posting or scrolling on Facebook. Once that hour is gone, it is gone until the next day). Honestly, it has been such a gift. It has helped me prioritize my time, become far more productive, and most importantly, it has drawn me back into God’s Word in a deeper way.

This month has also been a mirror-holding month. Instead of pointing the finger at others, I have had to face myself. That is not easy work. It is gut-wrenching. It is heavy. It is me holding up the mirror and saying, “Lord, here I am. Nothing hidden. Nothing polished. Just me.” I made it my mission to present myself before Yeshua in the rawest form I know. Not just the parts of me that feel acceptable, but the parts I feel ashamed of. The parts I would never want anyone else to see. I have come before Him broken down, tears flowing, words stumbling out of me, heart laid wide open. There is no pretending in those moments. It feels like falling at His feet with everything stripped away, admitting the truth of my heart even when it feels unbearable. It is not neat or pretty, but it is real.

And in that place, I have felt His love in a way that cannot be explained by anything in this world. No judgment. No condemnation. Just love. Love that meets me right where I am. That is the true definition of come as you are. It has taught me how to be more vulnerable with Him, and at the same time, it is shaping how I show up for others. The more I lean into His understanding instead of my own, the freer I feel.

On My Shelf

This month, my shelf has been filled mainly with the Bible and a deep dive into Revelation. I am also halfway through To Know Him by Name again, and every time I read it or listen to it, I receive something new. It has been eye-opening to better understand why God has so many names, the purpose of them, and how to pray His Word back to Him. As I’ve been reading, I’ve also seen how so many of the prophecies and revelations spoken are unfolding even now. It has pressed on my heart the urgency of preparing my family — not in fear, but in faith. More than ever, I feel the need to keep my children close, to prepare my home, and to root us deeply in God’s Word for what is to come.

Another book on my shelf is the Ball Canning Book. With my new digital canner finally in hand, I’ve been marking pages, choosing recipes, and getting excited to dive in. I am not overthinking it. I am simply jumping in with both feet and trusting the process of preserving and stockpiling for my household.

Alongside the reading and planning, my shelf has also been teaching me to slow down. To breathe. To embrace moments with my kids without feeling the pressure to do it all. Some days that means resting instead of pushing myself through a list of endless tasks. And I am learning that it is okay. It is okay to pause. It is okay to take in the day as it is and find peace right there.

Bringing Me Joy

This month, joy has shown up in so many different ways. Some of them were small, everyday moments, and some were life-changing reminders of how precious this life really is.

One of the greatest joys was spending time with family and friends I don’t get to see often. Wrapping my arms around people I love, sharing laughter, and holding on to those moments reminded me of what really matters. I even had the gift of seeing one of my cousins for the last time before he went home to be with the Lord. He had terminal cancer, but he was so full of joy. To know he is with God now brings me a peace and a joy that is hard to put into words.

Another joy that fills my heart is watching my kids grow into their own ways. My daughter has made the decision to be baptized, and that is a moment I can hardly describe. In our home, baptism has always been a choice made when they are ready, not something forced. To see her come to this place on her own brings me unspeakable joy. And my son, who decided to cut his hair without much prompting from me, reminded me of how much he is maturing. Those little milestones as a mom feel like big victories.

Even in the daily flow of life, joy has surprised me. Cooking, for example. There was a time years ago when I wrestled with God about being home full time, not really understanding my purpose in the home. Making meals felt like the least of my dreams. Honestly, I despised it. Even though I knew how to cook, it was not something I felt I needed or wanted to do. But I can look back now and see how much I’ve grown. Today, in August 2025, I can honestly say I love it. I love creating meals, I love hearing my family laugh, and I love making my home a place of ministry. This joy is not something I take for granted. It feels like a furnace has refined me over the years, and what I once fought against has now become one of the truest gifts of my life.

Above all, joy this month has been found in simply being present. Laughing with my kids, enjoying their “yo mama” jokes, and embracing the life I have right now. I love this life, and I am determined to enjoy every minute of it, because tomorrow is not promised.

On My Mind

As we move into fall, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. After much prayer, I’ve decided to take YouTube full-time, and lately I’ve been reflecting on how easily I can slip into rushing. Whenever I feel rushed, I don’t actually enjoy what I’m doing. I miss the beauty of the moment.

One of the things I want to focus on in September is the art of slow living. I’ve never been one to follow trends or get caught up in cliques. I’ve always been on my own journey. But even with the best of intentions, I have a tendency to overdo it. I am constantly reminding myself that it is okay to leave something for tomorrow and that whatever the day brings is what I need to give my attention to.

Going into this fall, I don’t want to rob myself or my family of a slower season. Even as we begin homeschooling on September 2nd, I want to enjoy every moment without rushing through it. I want to show up in my rawest form, taking my time, being present, and choosing rest alongside responsibility. My hope is that when I lay my head down at night, I will feel both accomplished and rested.

That takes intentionality. So this fall, I plan to return to waking up at 5 a.m. to start my day with the Lord and fit in my workouts. These months between September and March are when I focus more intentionally on my health and wellness. Florida summers keep me indoors, but once the weather shifts, I want to be outside in my yard, tending to what I grow, and continuing to work on myself. This fall is also a season of decluttering my home, not bogging down my mind or my space with things that are unnecessary.

This fall, I want to live in that balance. I don’t want to end another year feeling like I did everything and yet accomplished nothing. I want to be present, intentional, and unhurried — enjoying the life God has given me as it unfolds day by day.

From the Screen

This month, I haven’t watched a whole lot of TV, but I will say this, I cannot keep missing Wheel of Fortune. 😂 That is my show. Out of all the American shows I could watch, that’s the one I never get tired of, and I’ve missed more episodes this month than I ever have. I can’t let that happen again.

But when it comes to what really had me emotional, it was a Korean drama called When Life Gives You Tangerines. I’m currently on Episode 7, and it is called A Faithful Fall. That episode had me crying so hard I had to pause and take a break. This show is so sentimental and so real. It’s not flashy or over the top, it’s just raw and heartwarming in a way that gets under your skin. The way the characters love, the way they struggle, the way life just unfolds for them — it feels so close to real life that it’s almost uncomfortable, but in the best way.

I can’t even fully put into words why it’s so good, except to say that it just is. It’s the kind of show that reminds you of love, resilience, and growth in a way that stays with you long after the episode ends.

In the Works

There’s a lot happening behind the scenes right now, and all of it feels connected to what God has placed on my heart. In our family, we are preparing for our youngest son’s birthday and for our daughter’s baptism — two milestones that remind me how quickly the days are moving and how important it is to pause and take them in.

In this space, I’m preparing to open a new subscription section on Substack dedicated to devotionals. My prayerful goal is October 1st, which means there is still plenty of work to do, but this is something I feel deeply called to create. Alongside that, I’m shaping two written resources for women. One is a devotional designed to encourage women right where they are, and the other is a guide for women who want to step fully into the calling of the Proverbs 31 woman — building a business from home while caring for their families and walking faithfully with God. These are not just projects on paper, they are seeds of ministry I believe will bless others in the seasons ahead.

There is also more coming to my Etsy shop. I’ve even prayed about the idea of opening a second shop, though I know right now it’s not the time. For now, I’m focusing on growing what I’ve already been given.

Most of all, what’s really in the works is me showing up. I’ve grown so much over these last few months, not just in sharing pieces of my life online, but in finding my true purpose in it. My heart is to connect with women who know the ups and downs of this life — the falling down, the getting back up, the trying again, even when kids are acting up, husbands aren’t always on the same page, or our bodies remind us of their limits. Through it all, my desire is to glorify God.

So in this season, YouTube is going to be home base, and Substack will naturally flow from there. Those are the two places where I will continue to show up consistently. As much as I enjoy other platforms, I know where my focus needs to be right now. And as for what’s to come — I’m leaving space for whatever the day brings.

August, It’s Been Real…

As August closes, I can look back and see the ways God has carried me… through disappointment, through growth, through joy, and through the quiet reminders to slow down and be present. None of it has been perfect, but all of it has been real.

One verse that has stayed with me this month is:

“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 NKJV)

That is my prayer as I step into September. That whatever I put my hands to, I will lay it before Him first. That my heart, my home, and even my work online will always be for His glory. And that in the middle of the full days and the uncertain days, I will not forget to breathe, to notice, and to give thanks for the life He has placed in front of me.

Here’s to a new month with new mercies and new opportunities to walk in His love.