"If this is how my story is going to go, so be it." I wrote that in my journal about two weeks ago, and I've both said it aloud and thought it to myself many times since. Sometimes I have a resentful tone, sometimes simple resignation, sometimes restful. I don't know really know what I'm…
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on [Jesus] the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before…
Happy 25th birthday to me! How crazy is that? Sometimes when I get asked how old I am, I have to stop and think because in my head apparently I'm still 22 or thereabouts. When my husband turned 25 back in October, he wrote 25 things he had learned in his 25 years of life.…
Dear friend, I've known you for a long time. Years ago when we first met, you seemed so young. You were so full of life and so excited to learn new things and make new friends. Excited to become my friend. I didn't realize back then how much you looked up to me. I…
It's just been one of those days. Well, it started last night. I was getting ready for bed, doing my usual nighttime routine; and as I washed my face, it just hit me in the gut. That sudden nagging feeling of sadness, almost loneliness, for no reason. This morning was fine, but then it just…
It sounds so cliche to say but I am shocked at how quickly the year's end came upon us. Just like that, it is 2019. A new calendar, a new set of goals, a refreshed perspective. 2019 is full of possibilities. I am stoked for our new website launch (you can find our new site…
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And what was I doing a few minutes ago? Being discontent. Ugh. Get ready for another episode of Brutal Honesty with Bethany. Can I stick an emoji rolling its eyes right here? Earlier this afternoon I started thinking about the house we just bought, and going over all the things we still…
I was taking a walk with the little guy I watch every day, and pulled my phone out to call my sister. She didn't answer, so I tried to think of who else I could call. Then I thought, "Well, maybe I'll listen to some music." I couldn't think of anything I wanted to listen…
(not my photo. No copyright infringement intended.) About two weeks ago, I deleted the Facebook app from off my phone; and that one tiny act has literally changed my life. I don't know why Facebook is such a time-waster for me. Instagram? I can hop on, scroll for a couple minutes, and hop off.…
This past Sunday, Joshua and I stopped at Starbucks around 2:30 to treat ourselves to an iced mocha and iced chai latte. The plan was to get our drinks and chill inside, reading or journaling until choir practice. After I got my drink and sipped the spicy almond milk deliciousness, I mentally wrinkled my nose…
sixteen january, two-thousand-eighteen tuesday, late "Sometimes I think that I feel too much. But how can I not, after all I've experienced, all the people I've met? Sometimes the memories, the tiny snippets in my head, the thoughts come crashing - hard - into me, like the waves against the cliffs of Fort Jeudy. That's what…
It's interesting to me that social media is called a "platform." I've been wondering recently what I communicate from my platform. My most recent blog post was about my husband and I becoming minimalists. I've posted on Facebook about being a Big Sister for a ministry called Delight & Be. On Instagram, I am a…
Minimalism is such a buzzword now. I'm pretty sure if you asked any millennial right now, they would probably tell you they are trying to lead a minimalist lifestyle or be a minimalist. I've been saying it for a while, but it hasn't really been a reality. Let's be honest. We all have more than…
How many of y'all have seen the video on Facebook by Christian comedian John Crist where he says "Check your heart" in response to everything? It cracked me up because I do hear Christians say it quite often, usually in a joking way. But after my Bible reading yesterday, I think I--and all of us--need…
(not my photo, no copyright infringement is intended) fem·i·nism 1: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes 2: organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests (merriam-webster.com) After typing the previous definitions, my goal was to have the millennials’ definition of feminism; but the several websites I’ve…
I feel the need to clarify something. First of all, I appreciate the response to my last blog post. I really do. It means so much that people comment on my post, like it, share it or excerpts from it, and message me about it. It is overwhelming and humbling, and I love y'all.…
[photo by Ashley Crutcher Photography] It was a sticky day in July. Campers would be arriving in just a few short hours and there was a lot to do before then. As we sat at brunch, I could tell he was nervous. "What's wrong?" I asked after we prayed over our rice bowls. "I…
At the beginning of 2018, my husband and I started a Bible reading plan to read the entire Bible in one year. I've never actually read the entire thing start to finish, and I have absolutely loved it! This particular plan has us read two chapter in the Old Testament, one chapter from the Poetry…
"And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and…
Brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 Law. Grace. Legalism. Liberalism. Churches today seem to enjoy being on one side of the spectrum or the other. Either they have a list of rules as long as the…
About a week and a half ago, my life got turned upside-down. More accurately, my brother's life did. But that in turn affected me. Ricky had a massive aneurysm in his brain. He also had a stroke which left part of his brain very damaged. Last Sunday, I thought we were going to lose him.…
This isn't a fun blog post. My heart has actually been hurting for over a week as I was unwillingly, unknowingly prepared to write this post. When I say my heart is hurting, I don't mean I saw a cute picture of a puppy. I don't mean I read about orphans in China. I don't…
I've been learning recently that even if I want something, it doesn't necessarily mean it's what God wants. It is so easy to wish for different opportunities and miss the ones God has already given me. I'm really good at explaining it away too: explaining why I/we would be so good at whatever it is…
"What is it worth?" This is a discussion my husband and I have had several times over the past few weeks. What is the Gospel worth? What are we willing to do to reach people for Christ? We both love ministry. Collectively, my husband and I have been on missions trips, worked at camps, and…
What a year it has been. Definitely one of the craziest years of my life, I have to say. I hardly know where to begin. God has been so good. He has proven Himself faithful over and over, even though I fail in my faithfulness to Him. This time last year, marriage seemed very far…
It's November! Finally! Already? This year has flown by, but I have to admit I am very excited to get revved up for Thanksgiving, the Christmas season, and all that 2018 holds! Many of my "friends" on social media have already posted many things about thankfulness and the coming of a new month. I…
Barbados. First impressions: Flat. Cooler + better breeze than Grenada. Very flat. I learned a lot that week (April 23rd-29th): both informational knowledge and life lessons. We arrived Wednesday night and the following morning jumped right into the daily schedule. Each morning everyone went to the camp to eat breakfast; then we loaded up into…
Sometimes, I tend to be discontent with my life. It's a real shame, because I am incredibly blessed. I have a wonderful, affectionate family; a supportive church; a godly, handsome, and hilarious boyfriend; and great health. I have my own car. I had a fine job. I have a beautiful home. However, sometimes I look…
