What Do You Want To Do In This Life? + Almond Butter Cups

I am thankful for moments like these where I have the opportunity to sit and reflect. Although it’s something I’ve neglected recently, it’s a choice that boosts my entire being. There have been a lot of moving parts in my life recently and it’s been a journey to nail down what I am doing and what my routine is. Although this answer isn’t clear cut for me, it’s definitely been a sweet journey to simply learn more about my passions and giftings.

The most daunting and consistent question that is asked in our day and age is

“What do you want to do in this life?”

As a child it was easy and fun to fantasize about this question up until about the end of high school. It was then that question that was reworked into pursuing a major, then college came where your major narrowed in on some kind of career. It became such a big deal! However, the large piece which continued to be excluded from this process was that my identity and worthiness was never going to be determined by my career. Our culture and the foundation of our humanity screams the lie that our significance and identity is wrapped up in the careers we choose, which determines the amount of money we make, which determines how ‘acceptable’ our lives will ultimately be on the outside. Although having a good career and making money isn’t inherently bad, the truth can easily be blurred because of the constant questioning and bombarding that we receive from our environments.

While visiting Colorado Ben and I got to explore the top of
Ajax Mountain which was stunning.

Over the years I’ve spent so much time feeling distraught over my occupation. I vividly remember being a senior in high school and trying to start planning for my college major and having a total meltdown because I had no idea what I wanted to major in, nor did I know what I wanted to do in life. Then heading to college, I changed my major five times because I just didn’t know! I felt lost, had little direction, and landed on majoring in business because why not? Then I graduated college and was still faced with the nagging question of “what’s next?” and “so what will you be doing now?”

Looking back, I allowed this question to cause worry and stress in my life because I was missing the reality that my identity was found in being a child of God and my earthly occupation was an opportunity to grow and let that truth overflow in my life to others. As I write all of this out, this truth seems so simple... but deep down it can be so hard to vulnerably and authentically share about the reality of being okay with not knowing or having a clear cut plan for what’s next.

Since moving to Kentucky, I’ve bounced from one extreme of being jobless for months to the other end of the spectrum and having so many jobs and opportunities that it’s hard to know what to say yes to. When Ben and I moved to Louisville, I was primarily babysitting and doing odd jobs to just try and cover expenses. It was nothing glamorous but it was really the only thing I had and I am really grateful for that season. In the midst of all the newness, I decided to get certified in teaching yoga... (which is no joke by the way). I made this decision on a whim and I’m so glad I did. Moving forward, I started teaching yoga and working at the coolest restaurant where I’ve been challenged to step out of my comfort zone in a lot of different ways. In doing so, I have met so many amazing people. Even though the majority of the population would probably see both of those jobs as miniscule, it has been so energizing for me. I’ve learned that at the end of the day doing something I love means way more than doing something that makes a lot of money or portrays an acceptable image. For me, the real identity and meaning comes from a greater and deeper place than what can be observed on the surface.

In fact, I believe that true identity comes from Jesus alone. At the end of the day, He gets to shine through any career or job avenue. The bigger question is what defines your identity? Is it the way you look? Is it the things you own or the career you pursue?

Maroon Bells round 2. This place is incredible. I highly recommend
  checking it out if you are in the Aspen area.

At the end of this life the momentary gratification of being this or that will completely dissipate and all we will have left is how we loved. All we will have are the treasures that cannot fade. And that type of treasure is only accumulated through knowing and loving the One who is holding all of this together… the One who delights more in what we do in secret and how we love the ‘least of these’ then what is broadcasted for the world to see.

Yoga on top of Ajax Mountain was also one of my favorites. 

ALMOND BUTTER CUPS

These little gems are the best go to when you're needing a little extra sweetness. I always love Justin's PB and AB cups but the price of buying those can add up. So when I whipped these little babies up and knew I had to share!!

Ingredients:

-1 dark chocolate bar of your choice

-1 tablespoon coconut oil melted

-mini muffin paper inserts

-unsweetened almond butter or any other nut butter

-pink salt

Directions:

-melt the chocolate bar and coco oil together on low heat in a small sauce pan

-set out your muffin inserts (you can even put them in a mini muffin pan if you'd like however I just laid mine out on the counter)

-pour a little bit of chocolate into each muffin just to cover the bottom of the paper muffin tin

-dollop some almond butter of nut butter of choice on top of the chocolate (I just did a little spoon full but the amount of nut butter used is up to you)

-pour more chocolate on top of the nut butter

-sprinkle with pink salt

-freeze for 15 mins or so until hardened

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