It Was Never Random

It was never random.

None of it. Not one minute of this past year of my life was ever random.

As some of you might recall, about a year ago I decided to put myself back on the dating scene by venturing into the world of online dating. I downloaded the Bumble app, not having a clue how it would change the course of my life.

I’m not being dramatic. It changed the course of my life.

Here’s something » Read More

The Top Ten Books All Single Women Should Read

I’ve wanted to write this blog for a really long time. Since I am a bookworm, the #1 way I get inspired in whatever season of life I’m in is through the written word. While there are a TON of books out there that I think send the wrong messages to singles (anything having to do with “make any man fall in love with you” or “get married in 6 months or less by reading » Read More

A Beautifully Uncertain 31-Day Challenge: Week One

Heeeeeellllllllloooooooo, 2016!

By now you’ve probably made out your long list of New Year’s resolutions…a list you might even be staring at in dread, wondering what you were thinking when you set the bar so high. And while those these great, big, giant goals are great…they might start to feel a little daunting after the glow of the shiny new year wears off. Because I’ve literally only kept like one resolution in my entire life (to » Read More

Dash of Sass: Whatever You’re Facing Today, Tomorrow Is On Its Way

I have a dear friend going through a big heartbreak right now…and this morning she texted me “How is it possible for this to still hurt me so horribly?” And I texted her back: “It hurts because you’re human, and because you were vulnerable with someone who didn’t value your heart and THAT’S NOT ON YOU…” And you know what? It also hurts because she’s stuck in the Today of it all. The newness of » Read More

Endings…& Beginnings

I’m leaving the ranch.

For those of you who follow my Instagram feed, you know that for the past year I’ve lived at a peaceful little ranch (the road to the ranch is pictured in the photo here) out in the country that is almost too beautiful to be real. And you might be surprised to learn that I’m leaving, given how much affection I have for this place, this magical place, that saw so many ups » Read More

Love is Messy

I was reading this well-known and beloved quote from The Velveteen Rabbit today that popped up in my Timehop and something occurred to me that I’m not sure has ever occurred to me before.

Love is messy.

We always talk about life being messy, and it is. But love…LOVE…real love, true love, life-changing love…is impolite. It’s untamed. It’s not always pretty. It knows no boundaries and lives by no rules.

Love is messy.

Look no further than a grandmother’s » Read More

Dash of Sass: Turn the Page

It’s a new day, a new month, a new season. A new start. Turn the page. Don’t stay stuck re-reading the last chapter because what’s to come is uncertain. Everything in life that matters starts off with a little uncertainty. The stories your life has told in the past were good…and they got you to today…so be thankful for them, but then let them go. Turn the page. Allow yourself to be the leading lady (or » Read More

Dash of Sass: Stop Justifying Bad Behavior

How often do we justify things and people and behaviors in our lives that diminish us? I am passionate about this topic because I did it for 8 years: Justified over and over and over again the behavior of someone who claimed to love me but wasn’t acting loving toward me. I’d venture a guess that the #1 thing we justify is people’s actions so as to keep them in our life even though their » Read More

Dash of Sass: Happily Ever After is NOW!

One year ago today my book I’ve Never Been To Vegas but My Luggage Has came out…and then a few days later I left on a crazy nationwide tour that would change so much about my life forever. Which means one year ago today, I was nervous, excited, and completely clueless about the amazing, unforgettable, and at times, unbelievable story that was about to unfold. I love how God prepares us and makes us brave by only » Read More

Day 18: Day 18: If You Could Have a Conversation With Your Younger Self, What Would You Say?

I started this blogging challenge over a year ago and I’ve only worked my way up to Day 18…though the timing of writing this particular blog is so perfect, I can’t help but believe that even in our busyness and forgetfulness and procrastination, God’s timetable still manages to have its way with us.

I’ve just finished reading Every Bitter Thing is Sweet by Sara Hagerty, and though she’s married with five kids, I saw so many » Read More

Something wonderful is on the horizon
Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only
Something wonderful is on the horizon
Turn Toward the Sun CoverLife doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only