Spring Reading

Hi Everyone!
Happy Friday! First off, let me say the response to Women in Worship has been so awesome! Its all I can think about!! Secondly, I've got a 4 day weekend ahead for President's Day! It also happens to be Valentine's day weekend! Nate's a spontaneous romantic, so I'm excited!

I thought I would share with you what I'm reading right now! I really love love love reading, it relaxes me, and takes me out of my busy world. I'm reading three awesome books right now. They are vastly different from one another, but they really so edifying in their diffferent ways. 

1. Anne of Green Gables- L.M Montgomery. Yep, you read that right. I read it when I was a kid, and I'm now reading it as an adult. I started reading it last summer and I've gone away and come back to it. I'm finally on Rilla of Ingleside, the last book, and I have to say, I'm kinda sad. I really dont want it to end. But for those of you who are fiction readers, let's just give it up for Anne Shirley, they really don't make female Characters like they used to. She is just my absolute favorite. Anne shows us how beautiful it is to be a normal woman. She's so beautifully and creacefully normal. I can't get enough of her. I wish she was my nextdoor neighbor and that she wass my best friend. It makes me also wish I lived on Prince Edward Island.

2. The Explicit Gospel- Matt Chandler. I've been reading this book with my high school students in Chapel Leadership. If you've been churched your whole life like I have, this is a great book. I was given a firm foundation of doctrine even in my childhood, but it was never really put all together to me. Why these doctrines matter, how they matter, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His reconciliation on the Cross plays a major role in Heaven also. Doctrinal principles I have always been taught coming together as one full Gospel PRestentatin. Thats what this book is for me. It's not the easiest read, but it has really shown me so much about myself, our world, and our need for Jesus. Such a great book. Quite the contrast to Anne Shirley, but hey! It's all about Balance!

3. The Best Yes- Lysa TerKeurst. I was introduced to this book by a teacher I work with, her name is Val. I hope you gals have women in your life like Val. I just watch her in amazement. She is so awesome at what she does, and she so evidently loves Jesus. I wanna be like Val. I'm only in Chapter 1, but this book is already speaking my language. IF you're like me and you legitimate love saying "yes" to every request, and want to do every possible wonderful thing this world has to offer, but then find yourself pulling your hair out because you're way overextended, I would strongly reccomend you start reading this book (I know you'd be saying yes to another thing, but this one is worth it! I you need a book to sit in a coffee shop and read with a cup of coffee and a hi-liter, this is the one. 

So there you go everyone! A little look into my coffee/by myself time. Have you gone back and ready the books you loved as a little girl? You should! What are you reading? I'd love if you picked up The Best Yes, and shared your thoughts! Kind of like an informal book club type of thing. If you have a long weeknd! Get some extra rest and enjoy! See you soon!

New Column?! Leading Ladies: Women In Worship

Hey Ladies!

I've wanted to do this for a while, and I feel that now is the perfect time. Its no mystery that I have a passion for Music, and worship leadership in the church. The only thing is, sometimes when you are a leader, it's hard to meet other awesome ladies who lead, and hear their hearts and ideas. So, I feel that now is the right time to turn a new leaf for Parrish The Thought, and start including other ladies. My first column, of what I hope will be a few, will be Women in Worship. I'm sure i'm not the only girl who wants to know the hearts of the women who lead our congergations in to the presence of the Lord. I'm really excited about meeting and hearing those of you who share this passion with me! If you know a leading lady, or if you ARE a worship leader/pastor at your church, please shoot me an email at ParrishTheThoughtBlog@gmail.com! I wanna know you! I can't wait to hear from you.


Photo by Abby Castrillo (She also does all the Parrish and Kingdom Band photography)

Happy Monday!! A Word on Marriage

Hello!!

Happy Monday to you! Hopefully you're surviving the beginning of your work week! Today I'm sharing over on the awesome and beautiful blog The Radiant Life about Marriage, and what the Lord has shown me through my Marriage to Nate! Click on the Picture below to take you there.

Treasure

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year? I know, I’m way late to the party, but the fact is, I’m working on being intentional about this blog. I know it can be hard to tell, but I really do love this blog, and I love sharing my life with you folks.

I thought today I would share my heart for 2016 with you. I guess since it's February, it's about time!

Every year, our church fasts for three days in preparation for the new year, and this year was no different. Last year was the first time I had actually fasted food altogether and it was such a powerful encounter with God, that I was really excited about the fast this year. This year I fasted and prayed that the Lord would show me things that I need to change. I prayed for a change of heart, a renewing of my mind. I wanted to stop my poor me mentality, and take responsibility. 

I didn’t ask for a word from God to go into 2015, but I did for 2016. The word God gave me this year is “treasure”. A word to constantly remind me what I’m praying for; To care about the things that God cares about.  The Lord brought Matthew 6:19-21 to me, and it has rocked my world. “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” Yikes. What are the things that I treasure? Do the things I love and obsess over point others to Jesus or do they point to me? Does my marriage benefit from what I love, or just me? What are the things God cares about? Do I care about those things?

Nate and I went on a coffee date (I’ve finally worn Nathan down to liking coffee shops after 8 long years of trying, this is a HUGE victory) to talk about what we wanted to save for and how we wanted to go into 2016, and what kind of things we wanted to see come out of this year. It was so fun. It’s so fun to plan and dream with your spouse. You can express your goals and desires, and they are there to cheer you on, and keep you on track and vis versa! I can’t believe we’d never done it before! I even got a gym membership!

What are your goals for this year? Do you have any? I want to know! I wanna cheer you on! Let’s treasure the things of God together, and encourage one another in our pursuit of Him! 

Also check out www.TheRadiantLife.com on Monday for my feature in their Women Empowering Women: Marriage column! I couldn’t be more excited!!

Every Good Thing (Sponsored Post Feat: Banner Apparel)

Hello There! Happy Tuesday to you folks! It's definitely a happy Tuesday here at the Parrish place. There's just a whole lot of nothing going on today, which for the Parrish's, is a rare thing. I'm on Thanksgiving break, and we won't be traveling until tomorrow, so today goal was to stay at home and lounge around. To do list: dominated.

If you follow me on other social media forms (mainly Instagram, but a little Facebook) you may have noticed a theme when it comes to my recent posts: Nate and I are in a weird season. Not marriage-wise, in case that was a fear, WE'RE doing great, but it seems that all other facets of life are showing us how NOT in control we are. For example: due to foreseen circumstances, The Kutless tour was cut short. Out of 24 dates, only 4 got played and the boys got sent home. Not in our control, and not fun. Though it is nice that Nate had been home all of this time, I wish so much that it was on different terms. I like said, we're in a weird season. 

And while, this season isn't super great, I am always reminded of Psalm 84:11.

     Psalm 84:11(ESV)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

    the Lord bestows favor and honor.

No good thing does he withhold

    from those who walk uprightly.

 No good thing does He withhold... I love this verse. God gives us EVERY good thing that we need. Including life-lessons. Including teaching us how to rely on the Him for everything. Including making sure sure we understand that His grace is sufficient.  Including there being no real function of the leaves turning from green to gold to red, other than it being incredibly beautiful. If you are anywhere near Napa, CA, you really should come and visit soon. It is insane how beautiful it is here. You can't help but the see the beauty of God in His creation. I know I sound a little bit like Socality Barbie (may she rest in peace), but I'm being serious. It is very easy to look around and think "Why not me? How come I don't {have, want, do,} that?" It is easy to think that God has skipped over us, and compare ourselves to the people around us, when in reality, God is intentional in the blessings he does and does not give. If you have Salvation, you already have everything. Easier to talk about than it is to apply, for sure, but when you come from that perspective, all of the sudden the process of sanctification is something you can be thankful for. Weird seasons (or more eloquently, seasons of growth), are actually huge blessings because we get to become more and more like Him. 

The timing of Banner's Fall line couldn't have been more perfect really. How would Danielle and Amy know that Psalm 84:11 is one of my all-time favorite scriptures? How would they know that I would have tons to say and think regarding this shirt? When they approached me about the fall-line, I knew that this blue shirt had to be mine. It's perfectly soft and vintage-y. Everything I love. I also plan on making it a little less casual in a future outfit post, so keep your eyes peeled :) But with a flannel, a long sweater, and a red holiday cup, you can't go wrong.

Luna Lovegood, and why I like Halloween.

Hello There!
I don't know about you, but I feel like these past few weeks have been absolutely crazy! October is hands down the busiest time of the school year. It's super festive and fun, but it's hard to find time to catch your breath. In fact, I'm only finding time because it's Homecoming and I don't plan on going home before the big game!

Here's what's been going on with the Parrish people lately :)

It's FINALLY starting to kind of feel like Fall here in Northern California. I wore this to school today... it was 55 in the morning, but it's now 85...so I'm regretting the wool coat. 

 

We carved pumpkins this week. I made Jack Skellington. I also used the flashlight on Nate's phone for the sake of this picture. Nate took me to the pumpkin patch, and there would have been more pictures of festive fall cuteness, but the wind just wouldn't allow it. That's okay...not all moments need to be documented on Instagram or this blog.

 Nate decided he was gonna really go for it with his pumpkin and make something really intricate. Look how cute he is when he's concentrating.

 

Aaaaaand last but not least, I carved pumpkins with my kids at school.  I was introduced the pumpkin patch devotion this year. What a great way to illustrate how God picks us up off the ground and very intentionally designs us for something awesome. I know that Christian sub-culture kind of frowns on Halloween, but I feel personally (and you don't have to agree, I'm okay with that) that by not doing something I would otherwise love (wear a cute costume and eat yummy treats) I am letting the enemy win. Jesus owns October 31. You can call it Halloween, Harvest, Harvestween, whatever. I call it halloween. But, why should I be deprived of the awesomeness that is fall-time festivities? I know what Halloween is about. I've even heard sermons about the evilness of Halloween. BUT...How many people will know that I love Jesus if I turn off all the lights and lock my doors, or even worse, hand out pennies and toothbrushes? With that being said, I'm gonna carve my pumpkins, dress up (as a witch...Luna Lovegood to be exact) , and hand out individually wrapped candies that are safe, and do my best to reflect Jesus on a day that could probably use more of that.

Lessons continuing to be learned

Hi Everyone!

It's been a while since I've posted hasn't it? Well, the school year has started, so that's life I suppose. It's really interesting how every single school year poses one major challenge that influences all facets of life. I can pinpoint them from year to year, but only in hindsight of course.

If you were tracking with me overt he summer you saw that I was doing a  She Reads Truth bible study called Women of the Word. It was awesome! But now I can see that those precious moments with the Lord over the summer were preparing me for this school year. Even now, I am constantly being reminded that Jesus has to be my strength. I write this because its easy for me to forget.

Do you get preoccupied with your circumstances? I totally do. Nate is on tour for the fall with Kutless. It's really exciting, and I really love watching him live His dreams.  But it's easy for me to focus on being alone at home. This is the challenge of this school year. Coming home from school to an empty house. The Lord is constantly reminding me that it's Him, and Him alone that sustains me. That It's God that I rely on for strength, for purpose, for everything.

Seek the Lord with your whole heart. I wish this was something that wasn't coming to the forefront of my mind now as I'm lonely without Nate, but I am thankful that God gives us the grace to realize it at all. That is what this season is for. The summer was a precious time with God, and now I'm moving into a new one, A new season of seeking the heart  of Christ on a different level. Not easy, but always worth it.