March Favourites

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Autumn has begun. Or at least it ought to have started! We are still getting warm and sunny 26 degree days.
I look forward to sitting by the fireplace, hearing how it crackles and the scent of wood smoke when you walk outside.
But for now, I have some favourites from the month of March! If you want to see what me 2018 March Favourites were, click here.

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Books

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer
Ahhh, I loved this book! And that is all you will get until I post my full review next week hopefully.




Music & Podcasts

Be Thou My Vision by Elenyi ~ I adore this beautiful hymn and these girls sing it wonderfully!

How Nancy Studies the Bible (Revive Our Hearts) ~ Great episode, I listened to while baking

Calling Evil Good (Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey) ~ Shocking but quite educational. I love this podcast ever since I listened to this first episode and I recommend you listen to it!

Pioneers by for KING & COUNTRY ~ It's a beautiful song with an even more beautiful music video...
It was filmed in Iceland and it is utterly breathtaking!

just because.....I can :) and because I can't wait till Season 5!

Movies


Doctor Thorne

I really liked this little mini-series! It was beautifully filmed, the costumes were delightfully springy and Drake Harry Richardson (Poldark) played a lead role. Frank and Mary were an adorable couple!



The Paradise

I don't know if I like this equally or better than Doctor Thorne. Let us say equally!
We have not yet finished it really, and while I want to finish it, I also don't want it to end. It is set in a ladies store called The Paradise and is all about the comings and goings of the store, it's employees and the employer, Mr Moray.




Other bits & pieces

- Lip balm

As soon as the weather got a little cooler, my lips went quite dry so I have enjoyed using the sweet orange lip balm I got for Christmas.

- Hot drinks

Post coming about what drink they are and how to's!

- Psalms 34 & 27 are so good!

- Journaling has been my therapy! Honestly though, writing out my thought and feeling when I am troubled, worried or down REALLY helps. I also write prayers about it because that is ultimately what is going to help. I journal Bible verses and they bring the peace and comfort I really need.
So don't underestimate the effects of journaling!

- Hot cross buns
The ones we get from a local artisan bakery are THE. BEST.

qotd: What was your favourite movie of the month?


xoxo
Hannah

Christian movies that inspire me

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I for one, quite enjoy curling up on the couch to watch a period drama or chick flick that give you the warm and fuzzies (and that's okay!), but sometimes a good thought-provoking and an encouraging movie is good too.
Lately, I have seen a few movies that have left me wanting to change something about my life and I wanted to share and recommend them to you.

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War Room {2015}

Whenever I watch this movie, because I have seen it multiple time because I like it so much, I feel encouraged to develop my prayer life and pray more often. I love that prayer is a weapon and in this film, they learn to use it in the spiritual battle and restore their family.
"Lord, raise up warriors who will fight on their knees, who will worship You with their whole hearts"
- War Room



Risen {2016}

This is a really good movie! It portrays Jesus' death and resurrection through the eyes of a military tribune. The setting is epic, characters diverse and overall I think it's great!
Also, it is a perfect movie to watch around Easter!



I'm Not Ashamed {2016}

Oh my! This movie is so inspiring and so devastating at the same time! I think ALL young people should see this movie. It made me not want to waste a moment and go out and TELL PEOPLE THE GOOD NEWS! To show the world His love and His light!
It is based on the true story of Rachel Joy Scott and the Columbine shooting, so it is also a tearjerker.



God's Not Dead {2014}

The first God's Not Dead film is my personal favourite and I think it is better than the following two.
I haven't actually seen it in a wee while but I remember liking it a lot. I believe as young people and teens, we should speak boldly God's truth and stand up for our faith in the age that we live in. This film addresses that.
Overall it is s good watch!



Fireproof {2008}

The best for last? Possibly. I did really like this one a lot!
It focuses on love, not only love in marriage but Christ-like love in general. One of my favourite lines in this movie is: "How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?"
It brought tears to my eyes because that is how Jesus loves us!
Some more of the great quotes from this film can be found here.



So, what do you think, which is your favourite?

xoxo
Hannah

To the Girls

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Okay, here's the thing girls.

We often have problems with not thinking ourselves very beautiful. And we also compare ourselves to other girls a lot, at least I do.
Generally, we compare our selves to the pretty girl on Instagram who has the perfect wardrobe, seems to always be buying clothes and had the perfect makeup.

But I even find myself comparing myself to my own friends and girls I know.

"Her hair is SO pretty, mine is too frizzy!"
"Oh, I love her dress. I wish I had a dress like that."
"Her eyes are so...."

You get the point.

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But you know, we can help each other out in this.

It would make a big difference if we complimented our fellow girls and sisters in Christ.
We often think these comparisons in our head but never actually let them know that we like what she's wearing today or that her hair looks especially nice.

Instead of comparing, compliment. Turn your negative thoughts about her into positive, uplifting ones and tell her!

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Once at a youth conference, a girl and I were walking down the stairs at the same time.
There is a big oval mirror at the foot of the steps and she paused to look at her hair. "My hair is so frizzy and messy right now" she said (something like that anyway).
I thought she was ridiculous to say that because in my mind she was one of the prettiest girls there. "No it's not, I exclaimed, "Your hair is always so nice".
"Oh no," she said, "you always have lovely hairstyles".

As we walked out to the next message, I said something like how we girls always compare ourselves to each other and yet the other girl is probably comparing herself to another.
Then she said something along the lines of "Well, we're all made in God's image" and some more which I don't quite remember.

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After that, I felt better about myself.
Uplifting compliments make a big impact. When I think of the times I have been complimented, I feel wonderful and smile at the memory. Not to be vain of course, but just a delight that someone noticed, someone chose to speak those kind words and make my day.

So think about it, the next time you see a girl with a nice outfit or something like that, say "I love your outfit" or "You look nice today".


Words have the power to bring life.

But all this aside, what should change your mind about your beauty is not what people think or say but what your Heavenly Father says.

And he says this:

You are beautiful, my darling. I made you in my own image. I do not make mistakes and you are no exception.
I formed you in your mother womb. You are altogether a miracle. I say you are beautiful, loved, worthy, and you are enough.

Most importantly, dear, I see your heart. I have begun a work in you and I will complete it. Daily you are becoming the woman I am making you to be. People look at the outward appearance but I look at the heart. Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (based on Psalms 139:13-14, 1 Samuel 16:7, Philippians 1:6)

When the inside is beautiful, so the outside is too.

Fill your heart and mind with beautiful things.


xoxo
Hannah

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p.s.
I wrote this with the utmost sincerity. I also struggle to believe these things about myself. I am not perfect either. We are all on a journey. God is working in all of us. You and I, we are His masterpieces.
He's got you girl!

Christian quotes that I've loved lately

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Hello, wildflowers!
I will preface this post by quickly saying that of course, the Bible is all that we really need for daily wisdom, and I believe that wholeheartedly.
But you know, there are some pretty great people out there who have some good things to say from the knowledge and wisdom they have picked up and we quote them.
In this post, I want to share some of the quotes I have found recently that I have found inspiring or encouraging!

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This one may not be intentionally a Christian quote but it rings true for me. A year ago I aspired to be in the Word daily and altogether stronger in my relationship with the Lord and here I am! Still not perfect but I've come some way.

♥

♥

One day you will look on this season

and know that you are truly blessed,

and not because things were perfect

but because you found perfect grace 

in the worst of it.

~ Morgan Harper Nichols

There is POWER in the BLOOD!

In the last few months, I have come to truly treasure the value of His precious blood and how powerful and amazing it is.

♥

You are IN the process of

becoming more of the woman

God made you to be. He is

making a masterpiece of you.

Be patient with the process.

~ Jordan Lee Dooley

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The real test of a saint is not one's willingness to preach the gospel, but one's willingness to do something like washing the disciples' feet--that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God.

~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Ministry could simply be about loving the person in front of you.

~

Heidi Baker

  

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I hope you were encouraged or inspired by those quotes. I pray that you would all find even more sustenance from His precious Word and have an unquenchable hunger for truth and righteousness! 

Which one of those did you like the most?

Share one of your favourite quotes in the comments below!

xoxo

Hannah

Love in Disguise // Book Review

This is the second time that I have to start this review because whilst I was halfway through, it disappeared from my drafts!
So, a few weeks ago I had a bookish craving for a historical/Western novel and I picked up this one.
I really enjoyed it and I had to share my thoughts about it.

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About the Book

"Jobless and down to her last dime, Ellie Moore hears about a position with the Pinkerton Detective Agency and believes it's the perfect chance to put her acting skills and costumes to use. Reluctantly, the agency agrees to give her one assignment, one chance to prove herself. Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie travels to Arizona to begin her investigation.
When the need arises, she also transforms into the dazzling Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.
Mine owner Steven Pierce is going to lose his business if he can't figure out who's stealing his silver shipment. In his wildest dreams, he never expected to receive help from a grey-haired widow...or to fall in love with her beautiful niece.
Then the thieves come after Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays!
Should she give up and reveal her true identity? What will Steven do when he realizes the woman he's falling in love with doesn't really exist?

Set in 1880s Arizona, Love in Disguise blends romance, humour and mystery for a can't put down read."




My Rating

Now let me tell why I gave this book 5 stars!

• The plot was great and since I had not read the back cover I just dove right in and enjoyed it all the more because I knew nothing.
The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing right till the moment the culprit was revealed. I also loved that the romance plot wasn't too strong. The romance thread of the story only starts about halfway into it and it's very light too.

• The setting was the perfect small Wild West town I wanted for a historical novel.

• It was pretty clean in regards to the sexual content as well, because of the light romance.

• Though the faith content could have been a little more obvious, it was good!

• I had to share this quote from Steven to Ellie because it is just too sweet! Spoiler: 
( His hand cupped her chin and lifted it so that she stared straight into his eyes. "I see the beauty of your character--and it takes my breath away." ).

• The fact that underneath her disguise Ellie wasn't a stunningly beautiful woman but her character was true and that was what Steven loved about her, even after she removed her costume and makeup.


Add the book on Goodreads


Thus concludes my thoughts on this novel. I enjoyed this book a lot and I look forward to reading more from the author, Carol Cox!

What are you reading currently?
Do you like historical novels?


xoxo
Hannah

February Favourites

Via Unplash

Hello, wildflowers!
Since I missed sharing my January Favourites, I'm glad to be able to talk about this month's favourites with you today!
Summer is nearly over, I am actually looking forward to the cooler season of Autumn.

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Books

Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

Another good book I found through Books for Christian Girls! I will be posting a full review here and Goodreads next week. 

Audrey and Givenchy: A Fashion Love Affair by Cindy De La Hoz

As you may remember, I got this for Christmas and I loved it the moment I saw it! I am currently doing an essay on Audrey Hepburn as a school assignment and so I thought that now would be the perfect time to read this book. Now, I devoured it in a day! Most of it is photos and not a lot of text but still, I read it very fast. It was an easy read, interesting and full of gorgeous photos.

Music

In the Hands of the Potter by Casting Crowns ~ This song is really good and all I can say is that you should listen to it!

Via Unsplash

I'll just list the rest here since there are a few.

Worn by Tenth Avenue North

Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me by CithyAlight

Love all Along by htb worship

Always the Same by Hamilton Family

Pirates Medley by Peter Hollens

Control by for KING & COUNTRY

Movies

Priceless

via Google Images

I mentioned this in my recent movie recommendations post along with some others that I saw this month so I won't go into detail here. But it is a great movie and very well acted and portrayed.

Other bits and pieces

- This message by Steven Furtick about giving your life to God and allowing Him to use it for His glory. 

- Zucchini Chocolate Cake is like my favourite cake since I got a great recipe from a friend.

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qotd: What was something that you discovered and enjoyed this month?

xoxo

Hannah