Have A Great Summer - Just Do It

May 29, 2016 Shyla Yoder

It's summer - can you feel it! The warmth on your skin, the breeze in the air. Frost is gone and the promise of summer is here to stay. Many children finished school this week and the wide open summer awaits us!

Except for those who have a 9-5. For those who aren't school children anymore. :) Do your summers escape you? Do you feel busy and stressed? Don't. Make this summer fun. And enjoy it.

This is what's on my heart this week. I thought I would just share a few tips that the Lord has shown me over the years.

Joy | Tips for Enjoying Summer | Loveshyla.com

“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”

— Rick Warren

3 Ways To Make Sure You Have An Amazing Summer!

Be A Good Busy - Summer is a busy time, but be a good busy, not bad busy. This is determined by each person. Don't cook as elaborate of meals in the summer, don't can everything you think you should (unless that's your thing), have a dirty house sometimes. But do go to the pool once a week with your kids and stay up late watching the stars on your backs, take weekend trips to the lake or beach (Ohioers - Headlands beach on Lake Erie is wonderful! Go). And always, always linger around a fire for 3 more hours than you planned to and see what conversation comes up. This is a good kind of busy. You'll be energized by it. Part of saying no to bad busy is also saying no to some good things too, remember to rest! Take a break sometimes, don't have a productive Saturday every once in awhile. I guarantee you, Jesus will guide you in this if you let him (and it may begin with obeying the Sabbath).
Plan Your Fun! - Let's be honest, amazing things often don't happen because we don't make room for them. Some people are really good at being spontaneous (which is also the beauty of summer), but for those of you who are not... use your task-orientedness to plan some summer fun! Start with making a summer bucket list and charting out a few dates- And do it NOW! Never let a holiday weekend go unused. And if you don't have a formal job make room to take these days off too! Take a weekend trip! Make a stay-cation! Visit a park! (Cuyahoga Valley Ledges trail is amazing - take a picnic!). Girls, if you want a cute place to getaway to for a day - Chagrin Falls! Beautiful town in the woods with a waterfall through it, get your nails done, eat outside in the brick alley at Ricks's cafe, climb down the waterfall while eating Jeni's ice cream, and stop at Trader Joe's on the way home.
Joy - I am reminded over and over in my life of the beautiful lesson of joy. It's something the Lord started writing on my heart as a teenager, and I'm eternally grateful for it, because I've needed it. Joy. That amazing thing that we all have access to because it is a choice. We can't always arrange our lives or control what happens, sometimes different seasons are just stinky ones. But the beautiful thing about having a spirit that is not of this world is that we can be filled with joy in any circumstance. So do that. Doing little things everyday to celebrate life is apart of choosing this joy. Do things that will head-start your joy daily. Wear more pretty dresses, keep flowers on your table, put a shade of happy lipstick on, shoot a friend an encouraging text, put a slice of lemon in your water, squeeze a weekly breakfast in with a friend before work, dip your toes in the lake.

Joy is continual choice for me. Sometimes I find myself in a slump and have to ask myself why. I recommend taking time to pray in these moments, even if you're just feeling that life is mundane. Ask God to help you identify what is stealing your joy and give any stresses or worries to him. Confirm to Him that he is trustworthy. When I do this; take time to pray, I almost always see my mood lighten. Joy is such a blessing. Don't let the enemy steal it or your summer. Here's to a beautiful summer that we can all enjoy!

All my love,

My Flower Journey

May 20, 2016 Shyla Yoder

Happy May! And happy birthday week to me!

I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday this weekend than to share what I love the most. Flowers.

Would you like to know how I came to love flowers?

My Flower Journey
When I returned home from India at the end of 2012, I had been away for a total of 5 years. Right after graduating high school I moved to Texas where I would spend four years doing ministry as an intern and staff member. I spent the following year in my second heart-land, India. So, upon returning home, I was ready to put some roots down. I remember the simple thought of how nice it would be to plant a few flowers so I would have some to put on the table in the summer. And that's where it started.

I bargained with Dad for a 10x3 ft area of ground, where an old fruit garden used to be, and developed my first flower bed. I carefully planned the layout, packing wayyy too many flowers in that little plot than practical, and made my first solo trip to the greenhouse. It was a world unknown yet to me. There were soo many different types of flowers and they all had different habits and growth times and needs! I spent every evening tending to that little bed. I remember telling dad that summer that if flowers grew by being watched then mine would be huge! Haha. I love being outdoors and always took the excuse to tag along with dad while he tended to the deer in the summers. Now I had a project of my own.

Before this point, I really knew very little about flowers. We had a vegetable garden growing up and dad is a tree person so I knew the basics of growing things, but not much about flowers. I've learned a ton since then but still feel like there's an endless amount to know. I covet wisdom from seasoned gardeners. My favorite flowers are peonies, garden roses, and dahlias although I can't say that there is any flower that I don't like! They are all so unique and beautiful. Some things that captivate me are the scent of verbena, the bounty of zinnias, the brilliance of snapdragons, the simplicity of daisies and the willpower of violets, just to name a few!

Some of the flowers in my bed that first year included starts for peonies, which are finally in their peak this year and filling my heart with their lush pink blooms!, snapdragons, alyssum, salvia, and daisies, many of which have found their way into my permanent garden.

““Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

In Hebrew there’s a play on words. Adam (the man) is made from adamah (the ground). It’s a poetic way of saying that human has a symbolic relationship with the earth itself. We’re made from the dust. Which is why the first human profession was gardening...”

— Garden City, Work Rest & the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer

The second year I added another equal sized flower bed and mulched over the entire old fruit patch to create a sitting area for myself in this little oasis I had created. There is a deer pen beside the one side and a field in the back leaving much to be desired, but the space has served me so well!

I always brought the flowers in for the table but it wasn't until the end of 2014, year two, when I started really arranging flowers. I had seen quite a few pictures online from bloggers and wedding coordinators of a style of bouquet that was wild and organic and I fell in love with. I tried my hand at it that fall for our Thanksgiving table and my aesthetic eye was captivated! So the following year, 2015, every bundle of flowers I collected from my garden was a part of a bouquet creation. My heart truly came alive and I started to dream. Mostly I enjoyed giving them away and carefully creating them with someone in mind. There is something intoxicating about the living beauty.

This year, part of that dream has culminated into making the whole vegetable garden (a 15x30ft ground bed) into a cut flower garden. I grew vegetables in the past couple years and loved cultivating those too but decided that I'd be just as satisfied to buy them from a local produce stand and use the space for something I really enjoyed.

I also decided, this year, to start as many flowers as I could from seed. Starting in March I had seedling trays in front of our patio door in the kitchen. It was a great way for me to get my hands in the dirt early and I learned so much about my plants by growing them from seed!

It's mid-May and everything is planted and in the ground (except dahlias, which are inside growing for cuttings and waiting for the ground to warm some more)! This is probably my favorite part, nurturing and cultivating after planting. The best part though is when they are healthy, flourishing, in full bloom and being brought in for bouquets! I equally love working the ground and creating floral masterpieces. That's why I choose to grow my own. You can call me a farmer/ florist. ;) This first month after planting is always the hardest when growth seems incredibly slow! It will be a full month or two before my plants are really thriving and blooming.

The area beside the shed in front of the white picket fence is the first flower bed I worked with, the second is in front of the other white picket fence. The large ground bed here is now planted full of flowers for use as a cutting garden.

What's In My Garden

In my flower beds are the majority of my perennial plants including: peonies, David Austin roses, lupine, salvia, lavender, lambs ear, day lily, and iris.

For the large ground bed I chose plants that are very easy to grow and bountiful in our area. So, I have a large variety of zinnia, cosmos, sunflower, dahlia, snapdragon, and poppy. There's a fair amount of daisies, celosia, larkspur, sweet pea, anemone, dianthus, hollyhock, craspedia drumstick and gladiolus. And a handful of other things like marigolds, nemesia, verbena, nasturium, stock, alyssum and petunias. Foliage plants include my vines: love lies bleeding and cup and saucer vine as well as dusty miller, lambs ear, bells of Ireland, buplureum, coleus, variegated vinca vine and parrots beak.

I loved praying God's blessing over these little seedlings and can't wait to see the beautiful blooms that will emerge from them and be placed into the hands of others. It will be a beautiful year. A dream year.

It's so rewarding to take a little seed, put your hands in the dirt and grow something beautiful. For me, it is nurturing to my soul, and a way for me to create and share beauty with others.

I'm guessing if you're here that you are flower admirer as well. I'm so glad for our kindred spirits. Thanks for sharing flower-love with me!

What are your favorite flowers? What are you growing this year? Any questions or advice?

Purpose In Singleness

May 13, 2016 Shyla Yoder

Hello World,

Here’s a subject I know much about. I hope it has attracted many because I know how much of a wilderness this season of life can be and want to offer some insight. To start, I must say that I love my 20’s!! So much. And every single year and moment of singleness so far. I will be turning 27 this month. Though I desire to do life with a partner and love them with all of me, I wouldn’t take one of these years back. Not one. There have been definite times of lamenting and doubting but I can truly say that I'm happy and really love life. Really. I'm still hoping to meet that special someone, but I'm still enjoying life. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way..

Have a LOT of fun!

Do whatever it is you can dream up. Often when we have flexibility and free time we don’t use it! I’m telling you now…it’s easy to waste weekends, mornings, and late nights. I guarantee you, when we are married and have children we’ll look back and think, what the heck was I doing with my time! Make a list of all the things you would like to do. Plan ahead to make your weekends more epic. If you want to go to the lake, throw a big dinner party, or take a road trip then do it! Make it happen. And be sure to TRAVEL. Learn to save but understand the traveling is worth every penny. You've been given a special lot in life; don't waste it.

INVEST into your Friendships

Whether you're married or not, I feel deep down that people are the most important thing in this life and developing relationships is one of the most valuable things you will ever do, above your vocation. So, really be intentional about this area of your life. Choose good friends and make them a part of your life. Be dedicated to them. Have good guy friends in your life. You need them. (Or the opposite if you are a guy). Whoever you choose to dedicate yourself to, be vulnerable with them, laugh a lot, go out, do crazy things, and try to love them really well! Make your friends a priority in your life and learn how to really support someone. Have friends of all different ages and seasons of life. Hang out with your couple friends, and the ones with really big families; with your grandparents and your parents too. And be sure to always have friends that are single, you need people in the same stage as you. These are the people that you will say thank-you for as you fall asleep at night, and they will be the ones to help you get through the rough patches; they will be the ones you share your life with. After all, this is what life is made for, to share. Be the friend that you desire to have.

SERVE Others

This is one of the most important things that I have realized in my singleness. It may be the key. Someone told me once that when you are waiting for something in life, take an example from a “wait-or” and serve. Serving others during a time of tenderness in your life takes your mind off of yourself and is the best healer. It is also a place for you to give your love. This is my advice - Choose families to be a part of and serve them! Whether you want to get married or are happy on your own, you were made to be a part of a family. Know that. I pray that at this time, God provides families for you to be a part of. The safety, security and nurture of the family structure is the greenhouse our hearts were meant to be grown in. I have dedicated myself to a couple of families, including my aunts and uncles that I throw everything aside to help out (babysit, attend ball games, birthday parties, take out for picnics), because I simply want to be a part of their lives. I know that my serving and presence is a blessing to them, but more than that, I need them. The support of a loving couple, the joy and innocence of children, a place to go to have dinner - They will give you much more than you can give them. Maybe a local orphanage, charity or church can be this family structure that you serve. Whatever it is, choose something to give your love and energy to that is not focused on you.

“If I could give one single piece of advice on the subject of life it would be to, love people really well. This is what life is about. ”

Do what you LOVE!

Several years ago, I broke up with a guy that I thought I'd tie the knot with and realized that my idea of a future resided in being married. So I made a 5-10 year plan for myself of all the things I wanted to be doing and where I wanted to be at along that time period (hypothetical of course, but realistic at the same time); and it was so good for me. It included reaching major financial steps and purchases, bucket list goals, as well as training, vocation and ministry I desired to be in. It made me realize that, even though I desire to do life with a partner, I didn't have to wait to find him to live my life. I wasn't dependent on him. That was important for my heart and my emotions. Finding a mate was no longer a necessity to my success and happiness, just a desire. So, force yourself to dream and decide what you want to do with your life, whether you get married or not. And then get started! Don’t put life on hold. Don’t wait to start dreaming. Some of you need to ask yourself what your dream is. What really makes you feel fulfilled and come alive. (See my post on finding your dream here). I’m a believer that our purpose in life should revolve around serving others in some way. If you don’t feel purpose in your job at this point, then maybe it’s time to make a change. So, what are you waiting for? Make business plans. Get schooling. Become an expert in your field. Host big dinner parties! Start planning for retirement. Save to get your dream space. Get involved in ministry. Plant a huge flower garden!

The bleeding heart plant is in full bloom right now.

Love Everyday Life

I believe this is a word for everyone. It’s so easy to miss the vigor in everyday life. To let things become monotonous. To lose thankfulness. Single or not, rich or poor, I think we all know that happiness can fade. And that it is our choice to make more of life. I contend that there is the periodic longing in my heart for a dream I am waiting on or lamenting that it might never happen. There are periods of grieving in my life because of tragedies that have occurred. This is normal, and should be experienced! But not be the norm. Learn how to make the most of life. Make every day special. Do things that you love; that make you happy. Serve others. Make plans. I truly feel that this is the beauty of life. We need to find joy in the small things and purpose to celebrate the small victories in our lives and others people's as well. (Beauty in Everyday Life) If you love every day, you will love life, for the rest of your life - no matter your circumstances.

Above all else, trust the Lord.

“Life is a beautiful thing, but you can only ever enjoy it now.
So what are you waiting for? Make something of it.”

Thank-you Jesus for the grace you have given me during this season of my life, for the special opportunities you have showered me with, for the kick-butt friends I have, and beautiful families who have taken me in. Thank-you most of all, for being my closest friend and the absolute joy of my heart. I trust you. I know that you have my dreams in mind even more than I do.