I hope this Contentment Challenge has been as enriching, challenging, and sharpening for you as it has been for me. I have asked myself countless times, what do I really value in life? It has turned my thoughts inward, and I find myself dwelling on my character, my thoughts, my activities, the memories I’m making… all in the place of buying more stuff. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the way I used to be. This life has been to rich and too good to go back. To put actions behind the truth that stuff doesn’t matter.  People do. My character does. Memorizing scripture and making memories are invaluable compared to a new dress, new shoes, new accessories. So, here we are on June 1st, with just one more month to go!

With all of that said, I’m going to be honest with you – the Contentment Challenge has been very difficult for me lately, and June is going to be my hardest month yet. First of all, with lots and lots of tears, I said goodbye to my Lake House this week – the vacation home that my family has owned for 18 years. It was one of the hardest yet sweetest days of my life. Hard because I felt like that house owned a piece of my life. So full of memories, it was my favorite place on this earth. But so sweet, because God was so close to me. Will walked through that hard day with me. (Read his amazing thoughts on letting go of this sweet home here. He summarized it beautifully.) And, I had no idea I would be saying goodbye to the Lake House during the Contentment Challenge when I began it 2 months ago. God is good like that, isn’t He? Reminding me that Godliness with contentment is itself great wealth! That it is ultimately it is just a house, and my eternal home still awaits. Showing me that the physical things on this earth will always fade, and my hope is ultimately in the presence of Jesus. Lake home, I will miss you dearly.

On a more frivolous note, I have really wanted to go shopping lately! Mainly because of all the big events that await me in June:

– Engage! 13 : A business summit full of lavish parties, networking events, and a grand gala. (You only need about 124 outfits for the 3 days you are there.)
– Our 5 year Anniversary on June 22 (Yep, I really want a new pretty dress.)
– A Nancy Ray Photography team photo shoot
– Lots of weddings. I wear the same things over and over, and I’m really wanting to update my wedding photography wardrobe.

So, this last month I’m ready for this challenge to really sink in. To find lasting freedom from the addiction of stuff and materialism! That’s why the theme this month is freedom. I want to do this with joy, not bitterness. Because the truth is, I don’t need any of that stuff! Yes, I want it! But I don’t need it. In fact, I’ve decided to remove the word “need” from my vocabulary in regards to clothing from now on. I hear it all the time – “I need a new cardigan, I need a new pair of pumps, I need a staple black skirt.” But I don’t. We don’t. And I will make do with what I have, pull out those creative outfits that I already own, and be thankful!

So, roll up your sleeves! Let’s DO THIS. It’s the last month of the Contentment Challenge, and I am SO grateful to know so many of you are participating in this with me! We are almost there. And remember : it’s so worth it!

The Contentment Challenge : June
Theme: Freedom (that lasts!)
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 6:6
Activity Challenge: Give away some of your spending money. After 2 months of no shopping, you have probably accumulated some extra cash. If you haven’t already put it towards something else, save some this month and put it towards a good cause. Whether it’s a family who needs help, a ministry or organization, or simply paying for a stranger’s coffee or lunch, do something that brings someone else joy! I promise, you will see how much joy it brings to you. (Much more joy than a new bathing suit, I promise!)

And finally, here are my June Goals!

June Goals

• Complete the third and FINAL month of the Contentment Challenge!

• 15 in 12 : Read Bonheoffer (Yes, all 542 pages!)

• Learn 2 new songs on the Guitar

• Go to Engage! 13 at the Biltmore Estate

• Run the Nicaragua 5K (you should too!)

• Sign up for a Sprint Triathlon

• Take 29 kids to Summer Camp

• Shoot 4 Weddings

• Celebrate 5 wonderful years of marriage with my best friend

• Have a fun NRP team photo shoot

How are you feeling about the Contentment Challenge? What are your goals for June? Comment below!

Happy May! I can hardly believe I’m typing that. We are almost halfway through the year, y’all! That always makes me stop and think, am I really reaching the goals I want to be reaching? Am I focusing on what matters, or am I getting distracted? Whether I am or I am not, the good news is this: It’s a NEW month with NEW beginnings. So we can start fresh, today. Happy May, indeed!

For those of you who have joined me, how has the first month of The Contentment Challenge been for you? I hope it’s been as challenging and rewarding as it’s been for me. It has been a stretch (I successfully went to Target, stayed completely on task, and left with nothing but groceries!), and it’s been so rewarding. God’s words are true – happiness does not come from stuff. Whatsoever. So roll up your sleeves, because we are ready to get started on MONTH 2!

The Contentment Challenge : May
Theme: Gratitude
Memory Verse: Philippians 4:11-13 (above)
Activity Challenge: To create at least 15 brand new outfits with the items of clothes you already own

Ok friends – I’m very excited about this month’s challenge! This month is all about focusing on what we already have. Being grateful. So far, you’ve cleaned out your closet and given a bunch of stuff away. Now it’s time for you to get creative with what you already have!  The May Challenge is for you to create at least 15 brand new outfits with the items of clothes you already own. If you don’t have a creative eye, ask a stylish friend to come over and help you. That’s what I did, and it’s amazing what a fresh pair of eyes can see!  My sweet friend Stacie (who has the most adorable style) spent a morning with me and my closet. She emptied it out and put it back together again, opening my eyes to articles of clothing I would have never otherwise worn/noticed/paired together. She is brilliant! Here is a pic of her and half my wardrobe sprawled out over my bedroom :

And here are examples of outfits she put together for me! I had never paired these items together or worn them before. I felt like I went shopping, when really all I had to do was open my eyes to what I already had, and be grateful.

Note – I’ve only ever worn those blue converse shoes for painting! They were hiding in the very bottom of my closet. Stacie totally revived them! She said to embrace all the paint on them and wear them all the time. She also taught me to embrace belts, pairing blues with blues, accessories and layering.

Be sure to Instagram some adorable new outfits and include the hashtag #contentmentchallenge! This community has been so encouraging, and I am so grateful that so many of you have joined in!

Okay, onto this month’s goals:

May Goals

• Complete Month 2 of the Contentment Challenge

• Take my 2nd guitar lesson + practice 2x/week

• Go camping with friends

• Ride 8 miles on my bike 3x this month

• 15 in 12: Read The CEO Survival Manual (Part of the Think Splendid Book Club!)
  & The Great Gatsby

• Practice Calligraphy lettering 1x week

• Continue Social Media Free weekends

• Take a true Sabbath one day a week

What are your goals for this month? What has been the most challenging or rewarding aspect of the Contentment Challenge during month 1? Can’t wait to hear from you!

Happy April, friends! I am grateful to be starting this month off on the right foot, immersed in the spirit of Easter weekend. Worshiping my Savior and all He has done for me left me in tears for the better part of church yesterday, and I would have it no other way. I can’t help but be moved by His love, victory, grace, and salvation that He generously gave to us when He laid down His life, then rose again. Hallelujah! I will forever and always wear waterproof mascara on Easter. (I did yesterday.) His loves leaves me completely undone.

This weekend I also have spent a lot of time with Will, I spent many hours outdoors (hello 8.5 mile run!), I spent time in the kitchen cooking, and I spent lots of time with family. Oh it is good to rest and be renewed.

You also know that April begins the Contentment Challenge! I am so thrilled for each of you who are bravely joining me in this challenge. It’s going to be good, friends… I can feel it. Don’t forget to include the #contentmentchallenge hashtag as we journey through this together!

The Contentment Challenge : April
Theme: Generosity
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (above)
Activity Challenge: The verse above says to “be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share. In this they will lay up treasure for themselves as a FIRM FOUNDATION for the coming age (ie: the #contentmentchallenge), so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

 The first activity challenge is to clean out your closet and give a lot of your clothes away!

What?! I’m giving up shopping for 3 months and the first challenge is to get rid of more stuff?

YES. That’s exactly what I want you to do. By doing so, we are laying a firm foundation for what the Challenge is all about! Generosity, gratitude, and replacing cheap materialism and consumerism with activities that are fulfilling. And LET ME TELL YOU: there is nothing more fulfilling than giving things away!

To make this even more meaningful, I’m suggesting that you find ministries that you love and donate your clothes there. Don’t just do a giant goodwill drop off because it’s easy. Look into a local battered women’s home, a homeless shelter, a family at your church who might need more clothing, or a faith-based ministry that aligns with your purpose in giving. The amount of clothing you give away is completely up to you, but I encourage you to give SOMETHING away. You’ll be so happy you did!

Each monthly activity that I challenge you to do will be something that I’ve already done myself, or I’m in the process of doing. When I cleaned out my closet this week, it made me realize all that I DO have. Even though I am giving much away, I am looking at my current wardrobe in a whole new way. I am so grateful for the clothes that I use regularly, and excited to find a new home for the clothes that I do not wear enough to justify keeping. I’m excited to drop off many of these clothes this week to people who need them more than I do.

Of course I’m continuing with my monthly goals, and I encourage you to do the same! Here are mine for April…

April Goals

• Complete Month 1 of the Contentment Challenge (Are you with me?!)

• 15 in 12: Read Radical by David Platt

• Take part in the May MTH clear-the-clutter challenge

• Continue my social-media free weekends (except for Wedding days, which are work days for me)

• Practice guitar 2x week + have my next guitar lesson

• Ride 10 miles on my roadbike 3x this month

• Sign up for my calligraphy class and watch at least 1 video

• Incorporate shooting with my new Contax in my weddings this month

• Continue my new exercise + eating lifestyle. (Loving my life right now!) 

I can’t wait to see all that April has in store. And please, comment away! Your honesty and thoughts are so appreciated. Be sure to link below if you’ve blogged your monthly goals. I’m also curious to know… what book(s) have you decided to read as we journey through this challenge together?

Let’s do this, April!