Jo Finds Joy

A Spring Break Update

2013-03-15T17:45:00.001-04:00

Wow my life has been busy.

Papers. Tests. Research. Reading. Half Marathon Training.

But this week I have been home. what a relief. What a well needed rest.

Here is some wonderful new news... Chad got a job at the Weather Channel!!!! I am so excited for him and so so proud.

Here are some pictures from a lovely afternoon Chad and I had on tuesday. We went to a fun little restaurant in downtown Roswell called Roux on Canton. I had a shrimp po boy and Chad had shrimp and grits. We shared some yummy Beignets and then walked around downtown and a nearby park. So wonderful!

Also, see that cute scarf I am wearing? That is handmade by my mother! She just opened an etsy shop and is just getting started with a few items. Go check it out and support her HERE

Happy Spring :)

Loving, Learning, Living

2013-02-20T22:15:00.001-05:00

Life has been crazy. The Lord has been teaching me a lot and revealing to me some things about where I think he wants me to go from here. School has been busy. I have a research paper due on March 1st to be submitted to a big Biblical Literature Conference. The Society of Biblical Literature to be exact. Needless to say I've been a little busy and distracted from the blog.

I was able to visit Chad over Valentines Weekend. It was so wonderful. We relaxed, we laughed, we enjoyed each other's company, we ate, we reminded each other how in love we are.

Chad gave me a dozen roses in shades of pink and white. On our first valentines day part of his gift to me was a single rose, the color of the some the roses in this bouquet. And then of course chocolate...Hershey's is my favorite. And let's talk about this card... Chad made it. yup. he designed it himself on his computer and made it for me. And it has the sweetest note inside!

The weekend was incredible. Every time I see Chad is better than the time before. There is nothing like loving someone and knowing that they are so in love with you too. He's so much more than I could ever ask for. He is such a blessing.

Prayers for stress control, time management, efficiency, rest, etc. would be wonderful for the next couple of weeks.

Friday's Letters

2013-02-01T09:31:00.002-05:00

Dear Chad, Each time we part the days until we meet seem longer and longer. 2 weeks ago I came home to see you, and today I am coming again. I am so ready for this precious time with you.

Dear Friend, thank you for being a listening ear and an open book. Thank you for laughter, thank you for advice, thank you for contemplating the beauty of our savior with me.

Dear Fear, I can't be with you anymore. There's someone else. He holds me in his hands and gives me joy. He promises the assurance of my salvation. With him there is no more place for you. Adieu.

Dear Parents, Thank you for always letting me know that I am loved, beautiful, intelligent, and full of potential. Thank you for your support and excitement for the things happening in my life.

Dear Half Marathon, get excited, i'm coming back better than ever!

Dear Jesus, Thank you for blessing me with beautiful relationships. Thank you for encouraging me and teaching me daily. Thank you for your strength in my weakness, for your joy in my sadness, for your consistency in my wavering.

All my love,

P.S. Here is a beautiful quote to encourage you today as it did me.

"Do not think you are getting no good from the Bible, merely because you do not see that good day by day. The greatest effects are by no means those which make the most noise, and are most easily observed. The greatest effects are often silent, quiet, and hard to detect at the time they are being produced.

Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth, and of the air upon the human lungs. Remember how silently the dew falls, and how imperceptibly the grass grows. There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible-reading."

J.C. Ryle, Practical Religion, 136

Things that are making me smile right now

2013-01-17T09:43:00.001-05:00

I think that part of being made in God's image is the ability to make music. Some music just seems to pull you heavenward.

I need another bookshelf...because I have too many books...and I LOVE that.

before today I had two classes on the opposite ends of campus (and UGA is a big campus) and I have always been late to my second seminar class. Well as of today my first class has been moved, so now I might be able to sit in one of those big black comfy chairs

Today I like every part of my outfit: brown leather boots, dark wash skinny jeans, chunky green sweater, white watch, and straight hair. Now watching how I try to keep it straight in the rain is probably a little amusing.

Chad is coming to pick me up today :)

Hiatus Over! (I think)

2013-01-16T15:23:00.000-05:00

Well it's raining in Athens. I just missed my bus. I got off one bus and ran to my other one just to watch it pull away right as i get up to it. I think I almost knocked some guy over on the way. oops. So I bought myself a mocha.

yeah I am still alive. Sorry about that. Over the holidays I just did not want to blog, and lets be real, if it's a burden, I personally would not be writing the best posts. Now I think I'm ready to start blogging more consistently. No promises. I don't think I'm going to be as focused on link ups and advertising and growing my blog, I'm just going to write. I want to look back on my blog and be able to read about my life and the things that are important to me...

Like remembering some lovely things from my time at home!

On my 21st birthday (which was December 20th) Chad took me out to a great Italian restaurant for dinner where I ordered Chicken Francese and a glass of Merlot. It's official. I'm a wine person. After that we got some Christmasy drinks from Starbucks and went to a wonderful lights show. This was in the walk through portion. the rest of the time you drive. We finished the night up with a chick-flick at home. It was wonderful. He is wonderful!

We took Chad's Nephew to see Santa for the first time! Santa was in this cool house/yard completely (over)decorated with lights and figurines and everything Christmas. Micah cried.

Like always we made gingerbread houses/gingerbread things. Like always Me and Chad one the title of best gingerbread housething. Notice the shimmery snow. Awesome, right?

Christmas was absolutely wonderful. Christmas Eve German food at Mimi's, Brunch at my house, lunch at Chad's, and a whole lot of family, food, and love. I am still convinced I ate more sugary foods that anything else.

Plus I got to kiss this guy on Christmas Eve. At this point we were at Chad's house after spending some time at a party and Chad has already Changed into sweatpants. oops! Oh and see that cute watch on my wrist? Birthday present form Chad. awwww yeah!

And here is a selfie.Because I wanted a picture of my sparkly sequin New Years Top.

There is so much else that went on and I am sure I will recount it as I can. Either tomorrow or Friday I get to see Chad again. It's killing me (and him) being away. It gets harder every time. Soon.

Friday's Letters

2012-12-21T10:01:00.001-05:00

Dear Adulthood, as of yesterday I have officially joined the club. 21 years old.

Dear Childhood, Don't worry, we'll still hang out.

Dear Readers, remember that time when I said I'd be posting more because it's now the holidays and finals are over? Well, I've kinda dropped the ball on that one. oops.

Dear Chad, Thanks for giving me a lovely 21st and being the sweetest. When we started dating I was just 17, and now we have grown into adulthood together.

Dear Child, couldn't you help make my babysitting job a little easier?

Dear Runny Nose, leave, now, and never come back!

Dear Jesus, sorry i haven't been focused as much on you this Christmas season as I would like. I'll work on that.

Love always,

Friday's Letters

2012-12-14T16:34:00.002-05:00

Dear UGA, see you in 3 weeks!

Dear Highschool teachers, it was lovely visiting you today (those of you who I could find...some of you were missing!!!). I can't believe I am a junior in college and i came to my lovely high school as a sophomore 5 years ago! Whaaaat?

Dear Chad, wow it's so great to be back with you! I am so proud of you and all your school related accomplishments. Mr. Talented over here

Dear Jesus, You helped me make it through finals. Thank you.

Love always,

Home for the Holidays

2012-12-13T10:37:00.006-05:00

I am home, home, HOME for Christmas! I could not be more excited.

Sorry I was invisible for a while there. Finals were calling. 5 of them. but now they are finished and I am just waiting on grades (but I am feeling really good about them)!

SO what have you missed? Well, to tell you the truth, I'm not sure... I have been SO busy with studying, taking finals, and trying to find time to eat, run, shower, and sleep in between that I have kind of forgotten what else happened! We did have a lovely Christmas party (a couple weeks ago...) which was SO fun. Here are a few pictures from the lovely evening!

Did I ever show you pictures of our Halloween party? I was pretty proud of my costume, not gonna lie. Well you can start to expect more frequent posts now that I am FINISHED WITH SCHOOL for a few weeks. Glad to be back!

Friday's Letters

2012-12-07T13:54:00.001-05:00

Dear Greek Friends, I really am going to miss you. I am so glad to have found such a wonderfully different group of people. See most of you next semester, and for the others who won't be taking Greek again, I will still see you again. For sure. Thanks for the lovely mellow mushroom outing, photo shoot, and group hugs.

Dear Finals Week, I'm almost half way through...2 finals down and 3 to go.

Dear Chad, I am beyond ready to see you.

Dear Friends, I had fun watching/making fun of the Athens GA Christmas Parade last night.

Dear Friend, thanks for always letting me stay in your dorm so I don't have to wake up too early for my 8:00 AM final and for always letting me where all your clothes and sleep in you bed. You're wonderful

Dear Jesus, thanks for helping me through my first 2 finals, please give me strength for the last 3!

All my love,

And so it begins...

2012-12-06T09:04:00.000-05:00

Stopping in on the first day of finals to say hello! I did a short and sweet little guest post here today.

I have my french final exam today at noon. Prayers would be appreciated!

It's Saturday in ATLANTA!!!

2012-12-01T10:32:00.000-05:00

UGA

Friday's Letters

2012-11-30T08:09:00.002-05:00

Dear Roomies, nights like last night where we stay in the apartment crying at grey's anatomy, decorating our christmas tree with someone's boyfriend's cousin's home made ornaments, laughing uncontrollably at the strangest things, and letting our quirks fully come out reminds me why we became room mates in the first place.

Dear Chad, it's so hard not being able to see you, but hearing your sweet voice on the phone makes it a little better. Thanks for keeping my spirits up with phone calls and the sweetest text messages

Dear Headaches, usually you only visit me every once in a blue moon, but now you have come back 3 nights in a row. Visitor's and fish smell in 3 days.

Dear Friend, YES it is friday! which means super awesome lunch friend date and running day!!!! oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah! Time for some serious girl talk :D

Dear Jesus, please give me strength for these final days of the semester full of papers and studying and finals and friends. Thank you for letting me find this amazingly uplifting letter to college students in finals. Thank you for the sweet blessings of this time in college that goes by all too quickly.

all my love,

Goodbye, Dear Friend

2012-11-29T10:32:00.000-05:00

Today A sweet sweet lady is retiring early from the office where I work. She has been a light, an encouragement, a warm and loving smile, and a dear friend.

When i said good bye to her today she said some of the sweetest and most precious words...

"If I had a daughter I would want her to be just like you."

Thank you, Lord for placing your beautiful children in my life to remind me of your love.

John 19:35

Finding Joy on a Tuesday #5

2012-11-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

UGA, I applaud you. A whole week off for Thanksgiving was an EXCELLENT idea. It allowed me to take hold of my sanity which was slowly slipping away. But really.

It was an amazing week! Two of my sweet friends drove me home from Athens on Friday even though they live five hours from my house and weren't going home for several days after me. We had dinner with Chad and my family and it was great! Seriously, how cool are they? Unfortunately (or fortunately if you look at it the right way) they missed their exit and ended up in South Carolina at 10:30 at night. Soooorrrry guys. Makes for good memories!

The rest of the week was awesome. There were monopoly game nights with me, Chad, my sister, and her boyfriend (warning: monopoly gets personal!), spontaneous hiking trips (I was feelin' a little slow and in need of exercise after a few days of relaxing and eating), birthday celebrations, Mexican food, Bridesmaid dress shopping (one of my sisters is getting married!), and lots and lots of cuddle time.

Thursday we had thanksgiving at my house and a lot of my siblings came with their significant others and/or children. We had 20 people in our little house at one point. It was so wonderful and fun, and a lot of those family members I only see on holidays!

Friday was thanksgiving at Chad's house. It was much smaller, with 8 of us including baby Micah. It was very different from the day before, and both were wonderful and beautiful in their own way.

I had a lot of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving week. I wish I could describe every special moment, every funny detail, and every time I smiled and realized how blessed I am. I always have so much to be thankful for. Sometimes it just takes time away from all the pressure of college and work to really see all your blessings.

P.S. I'm guest posting today at Second Chance to Dream! I posted a recipe for no sugar added raspberry greek yogurt pops!

I smell Christmas...

2012-11-26T13:51:00.003-05:00

Oh hey everybody! Sorry I didn't post for a week! these things happen when you are spending time with loved ones and eating everything in sight. But now I'm back. I know, you're excited.

It is officially Christmas season. Oh yes. Time to transition from pumpkin spice lattes to peppermint mochas from light jackets to pea coats, and from my normal musical selection to Christmas music.

17 days from now I will be finished with Fall Semester of my Junior year. I turned in a paper this morning, and I have one more paper and FIVE finals. My room mates are education majors and don't have finals. Seriously? OK granted they have lots of papers, but come on people!

I don't know if I will be able to be fully in the Christmas spirit until My finals are finished, but I will try my hardest! We have a lovely Christmas tree in my apartment so that should help!

These are on Chad's tree at home! His sweet parents bought us ornaments. Adorable right?

Have a lovely day and don't forget to link up tomorrow for Finding Joy on a Tuesday!

Friday's Letters

2012-11-16T07:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Chad, in about 9 hours we will be together again. It was a long hard wait

Dear Kristin, hanks for making my last 3 late nights of homework enjoyable

Dear Old Navy, thanks for shipping my new pea coat, jacket and shirt! perfect timing

Dear eyes, please try your hardest to stay open today. I know you're tired but i believe in you

Dear Prof, you are to thank for my lack of sleep

Dear Self, Ok if we're being honest you are to blame for your own lack of sleep

Dear Thanksgiving break, you've come not a minute too soon

Dear Jesus, thank you for sustaining me this week, and ever week. You are my strength

all my love,

Transforming Motivations: Where is Your Identity?

2012-11-15T11:13:00.000-05:00

I love beautiful conversations that emerge from something simple like studying for a test. Last night I was working on homework with a friend who was studying for a sociology test. She was reading about how what is considered beautiful has changed. The average height and weight of miss America some time ago was 5'8" and 138 pounds. More recently it is 5'8" and 117 pounds.

We started talking about how our physical expectations change based on what is considered to be ideal. It seems like the "ideal body type" is always whatever is most difficult to obtain. In a culture where healthy food is more expensive, our careers often create sedentary lifestyles, and fast food is readily available, you are expected to be skinny and tan to be beautiful. In past times when people worked outside all day and had limited food supply, being heavy and pale was a sign of beauty.

Such a focus on physical appearance is so dangerous. It's easy to slip into basing your own self-worth on the way you look. We all have a desire for love and relationship and acceptance, so we try to make ourselves look a certain way to find that.

As soon as we are basing any bit of our self worth on our appearance, we are falling into sin. We are focusing on worldly things instead of things above. We are comparing ourselves to other and becoming either prideful or self-deprecating. We are believing lies. We are saying that we are defined by worldly standards instead of finding our identity in our God who created us in his image. We're saying that the Lord's approval isn't enough. What an insult.

At the same time, I believe that we are to be stewards of our own bodies and take care of them as temples of the Lord. We should live healthy lifestyles so we can serve the Lord and others to the best of our ability.

So where is that fine line between health and sin?

It's in our motivation. Are we pursuing a healthy lifestyle for the glory of God to better serve him, or are we pursuing a certain ideal to gain the approval of the world? I have to be honest and tell you that more often than not, my motivations are more worldly.

The thing about our motivations is that we can hide them. They aren't external like sexual sin, theft, murder, gossip, and so on, so we justify them. We say we are doing it for our health, or to be a good steward, because who is going to tell us otherwise?

So we have to change our motivations. How do we do that?

We don't. God does. My friend said something that is so true and convicting

It's all about abiding in the Lord. That is always the answer to everything. Everything comes back to abiding in the Lord.

We have to seek him daily, abide in him daily, pick up our crosses and follow him daily.

I want to encourage you to read Colossians 3:1-17. The Lord speaks through Paul beautifully to this point.

Lord, change our hearts. Change our motivations. Change our desires. Transform us more and more into your image. Let us find our identity in you, and do all that we do in your name for your glory, knowing that we have the hope of sharing in your glory. Help us set our minds on things above instead of on earthly things. Your glory is far better than anything this world can offer.

source

Finding Joy on a Tuesday #4

2012-11-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

source

On Sunday evening I had the joy of attending a beautiful concert by the UGA African American Choral Ensemble in Emmanuel Episcopal Church. I had several friends singing in the group and one of them had a BEAUTIFUL solo!

The entire concert I was smiling or crying. It was absolutely beautiful. There is so much emotion and so much joy in those songs.

I am seriously considering becoming a part of AACE next semester. I love music and the power that it carries to touch hearts.

It was a wonderful weekend despite all of the school work I had to do. I spent time in coffee shops with friends studying, and ever since Chad came to visit I have a new boost of energy and motivation to make it to Thanksgiving break (3 more days!!!)

Link up your posts about finding joy. Please be kind and link back to this post. Happy Tuesday!

Counting down...

2012-11-12T08:15:00.000-05:00

11 homework assignments before I go home for Thanksgiving

5 days of class

4 days of work

2 packets to turn in

1 quiz

1 paper

1 test

One Source of Strength

Nehemiah 8:10

P.S. don't forget to link up tomorrow for finding joy on a tuesday!

I love free stuff!

2012-11-08T19:28:00.000-05:00

Oh man I love free stuff! And I'm pretty sure you do too. That's why I was SO excited to receive this free pair of sunglasses from firmoo!

"Firmoo.com is the world's most popular online eyeglasses store. Years of expertise in optical industry enable Firmoo.com to offer varieties of prescription eyewear to the consuming public in high quality yet at extremely affordable prices."

Firmoo offers prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. So if you're like me and don't need prescription glasses, you can order non-prescription sunglasses or fashion glasses (rock that teacher look!)

this is the pair i ordered

I was really really happy with my sunglasses! They came in a case with a cleaning cloth. They look and feel like they are very high quality, which is great! I honestly didn't have super high expectations, but I was pleasantly surprised!

They are a good shape and size! I was a little worried about this because some sunglasses just look ridiculous on me...but i like these! Way to go, firmoo!

The lenses are great! They really do their job of blocking the sun well.

If you look at this gif, you can see Chad filming it in the reflection of my sunglasses. Haha!

OK, OK so now you want your free pair of sunglasses, right? OK great!!!! Free stuff for you!!!

All new customers can try firmoo for free by receiving their first pair of glasses for free! all you have to do is pay shipping!! Now I think that is a pretty sweet deal, and they have some ADORABLE glasses and sunglasses! Click Here to get your first pair free!

I hope everybody had a great Thursday! Until tomorrow...

Finding Joy on a Tuesday #3

2012-11-05T20:22:00.000-05:00

Look at this picture and try not to smile.

You can't do it can you?

Neither can I.

My best friend came to visit me this weekend. He came up on Friday, the day after our 3 year anniversary. Gosh it was great to see him. There is nobody who can make me smile like this guy can.

It was a beautifully relaxing weekend. We took a few naps. One of them was on accident. Those are the best kind.

We went to eat at some great Athens places. Lunch at Keba (one of Chad's favorites), dinner at Last Resort (both of our first times!), and breakfast at Mama's boy (Chad's first time). They were all delicious.

We cooked dinner and ate together. Then we made brownies.

We played Friends Scene it with the roomies. They approve of Chad.

We watched She's the Man. I had never seen it, and Chad loves it. I am now a fan.

We exchanged cards. Chad wrote me the most beautiful note in a card that he designed and printed himself (my heart melted). I have already read it so many times.

I gave him scrapbook pages that I made. It's a tradition. Every year on our dating anniversary I give him scrapbook pages with pictures from the last year.

We enjoyed every second together. We laughed and joked. We reminisced and made new memories. We hugged as much as possible before it was time for him to go back.

What a blessing he is.

Link up your posts and please link back here either with a button or text link! thanks so much!

I also found joy in this beautiful and uplifting post from Bits of Splendor today.

100 Follower Giveaway from Laurkon Designs!

2012-11-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

I am so thrilled that I have over 100 followers!!

Thank you SO MUCH to all my followers. I am so glad that you are here to follow along. Feel free to email me at joannaccaffrey(at)gmail(dot)com and introduce yourself!

To say Thank You to all of my lovely readers, I want to introduce you to a lovely and talented friend of mine who makes beautiful hand painted original flat canvas paintings, picture frames, prints, & jewelry, Lauren with Laurkon Designs

These are a few of her lovely printables. And she is giving away a printable of your choice to one of you! She can even edit any of the colors for you FO FREE!

I know you like free stuff. So enter with the rafflecopter below! Giveaway ends on Monday November 12th at 12:01 A.M. I will email the winner. ENTER AWAY!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday's Letters

2012-11-02T21:17:00.000-04:00

Dear Chad, I couldn't be happier to see you this weekend. Thank you so much for driving up to visit and celebrate 3 wonderful years!

Dear Gospels Professor, you've got the jokes, and I think you are completely hilarious.

Dear Mama's Boy, you get to meet Chad for the first time tomorrow. I think you two will get along very well

Dear Sister Karen, good luck in your horse show this weekend and your first time jumping in competition!

Dear Sister Martha, stay safe in Boston. Praying for everyone affected by Sandy

Dear New Sponsors, thanks so much for swapping ads with me! So excited to be starting ad swaps!

Dear New followers, I am SO glad you are here!!! Thanks for following

Dear Jesus, thanks for the encouragement this week and the reminder that you will always take care of me

All my love,

It only gets better

2012-11-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

Three years ago today I sat next to you on the couch laughing and talking with your family. Three years ago today you walked me out and asked me a beautiful question: Would you like to pursue a relationship with me?

We have gone through a lot of changes in three years. I moved to Athens and we started this semi-long distance relationship. Even though we are only a couple hours away, any distance is far when you aren't together. We learned to trust. We learned to encourage one another. We learned what it really means to miss someone. Now we are more than half-way finished being long distance. All those voices who said it wouldn't last and that we couldn't do long distance obviously didn't know what we knew...we really love each other.

What beautiful three years they have been. With each year, with each season, with each day, I have only loved you more. And quite honestly, I don't think that's going change.

Thank you for being my best friend

Girl Behind the Blog: Show and Tell

2012-10-31T08:08:00.004-04:00

Good morning and happy halloween! It's another vlog day!!!

Clearly i made this video at the end of the day... I was a little tired haha.

Have a wonderful day!!!