Who have you inspired today?

to you, with love [23]

Your dream job, your dream life, your dream whatever won't just happen. Imagine what you want. What part of that can you make happen right now? Take small steps toward creating your dream.

to you, with love [22]

Why, yes, as a matter of fact I have finally downloaded the Rhonna Designs app. I may have spent about an hour making inspirational pictures ... and then realized that HOW AWESOME WOULD IT BE IF THESE WERE MAGNETS?

Very awesome.

There's the ...

• high quality Stickygram that costs $14.99/20 magnets;
• and the slightly cheaper MagnetiGram for $13/20 magnets;
• and the totally DIY route that, let's be honest, will probably result in lots of tears of frustration and unusable photos;
• and the semi-DIY route that would cost $20/20 magnets.

And, do you know what would be EVEN MORE AWESOME?

If these were magnets with inspirational quotes and nice photos and they came attached to a package of homemade baked goods delivered by the Baking Brigade.

to you, with love [21]

hello

You know those days when you are just beyond frustrated with someone (maybe many someomes, maybe yourself)? Those days when the hands on the clock move agonizingly slow [this should be "slowly" because it describes the verb "move" and is therefore an adverb] and you just want the day to be over so you can go to sleep and be another day closer to the weekend?

In case anyone has told you otherwise, in case someone has told you to suck it up or move on or stop being a/an [insert degrading word here], I just want you to know that it's ok. It's ok to have bad days, to not have life figured out, to feel like you might fall apart. You'll get through this, but for now it's ok to be a little lost, a little upset, a little whatever it is that you're feeling as you try to just get through another week without punching someone.

And while it's ok to feel like punching someone, it is not ok to actually hit someone.

<3 moreloveletters.com

to you, with love [16]

hey, there--

Whatever you're going through right now, keep going.

Keep going and know that this is preparing you for something greater than you can imagine at this point. I pray that you can find peace in your situation, hope in the future and things yet unseen, strength that carries you through and allows you to remain unhardened by life, that turns bitterness and anger and disappointment and "Why me?" into unbelievable compassion and understanding that enables you to speak to others' heartache when this storm has passed and the skies have cleared.

Once there was a young man named David who was told that he'd become king. But instead of being whisked away to learn about being a king, he was sent back to the fields to tend sheep. Even though sheep herding doesn't seem like a job for a king, the years that David spent guarding his dad's flocks gave him the skills (and the years gave him the time to mature) to defeat his country's enemy and later become king. David had faith that even the boring and seemingly unjust stuff would work out for him. And it will for you, too. Have faith.

Also, sometimes you may feel unappreciated or ignored, like you're just a cog in a machine and people only point out your flaws. But you are enough and you are amazing. Keep up the good work.

Here is my heart on paper. The last paragraph was added as an afterthought; I felt a prodding that I needed to include it for whoever finds it. Also, we studied the story of David a few weeks ago in Lysa TerKeurst's "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl."

to you, with love [11-13]

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These are Post-It notes! I forget the source (and will post it if I find it), but I recently saw a photo of someone leaving Post-It notes on store shelves instead of letters. While I still leave letters, I'm also going to start leaving Post-Its.

to you, with love [10]

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

Dear You--

Today is a gift--use it wisely! Enjoy it, live it, make the most of what you have and where you are, even if it's not what you want right now. You can't build your future without starting with today!

And, in the event that that was WAY too upbeat for you right now, know that what you do today is important because YOU. ARE. IMPORTANT. Your work matters and so do you! (Even on the days when you feel like no one notices. Especially on those days.)

E.

to you, with love [09]

The Lord requires that we forgive all men. That includes ourselves.

Dear One,

My prayer for you today is that you are able to live, to truly enjoy this day, without the hindrance of anything that the enemy throws in your path. I pray that you truly believe that His grace is enough for you, that no problem, no past, is to [OH MY WORD I DID IT AGAIN. Although I actually fixed it on the letter.] great for God.

You are exactly where God wants you to be right now.

with love & prayer

to you, with love [08]

Hello, there--

I just want you to know that you're doing better than you think you are, truly. You're making a difference and impacting lives. I know that sometimes you feel overwhelmed and under appreciated. But, keep up the good work. You're doing wonderfully.

with love & prayer

to you, with love [07]

you are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you. -Romans 5:8

Dear One~

On those days--the days when nothing seems to be going right and you feel unappreciated, when no one seems to hear you or see you or say the right words to speak life to your aching heart, when time seems to be moving backward as you wait for the end of the day--remember that you are loved. You are cherished oh so deeply by the One who loves you the most, who fights for your heart, your time. When this earth seems to fail you, know that He is there.

with love

to you, with love [06]

It's ok to be a glowstick; sometimes we need to break before we shine.

hey there

Even if your day isn't absolutely fantastic (though I hope it is), I pray that you know that you are! No matter what you may be going through, know that you will make it through and be stronger and wiser because of it.

You might feel particularly exceptional right now, but you have a purpose that only you can fulfill! I hope you never lose sight of that.

most sincerely,
E

to you, with love [05]

 Life offers you a second chance. It's called tomorrow.

dear you,

Keep your chin up! You're doing great; are you going to let a setback define you? Or will you tuck it away in your mind as a lesson learned? You have a choice here.

Make the most of each day you've been given on this earth. You are ALIVE and CAPABLE, and that's more than some people can say! Whatever you do, do your best and give it your all. At the end of the day, be able to rest peaceably in the knowledge that whatever you did was absolutely worth trading a period of your life.

So, go on. Go out and be the incredible person you're meant to be. Make mistakes (and learn from them). Live--fully and presently.

me

to you, with love [04]

The grass is greener where you water it.

Hello, there--

Maybe you're going through a difficult period in life right now. Maybe someone else's life seems so much better, so much easier, than the hand you've been dealt right now. Maybe you'd just like to go to bed tonight and wake up when everything's better because the pain is too much to bear every day.

That can be hard to admit.

I pray and hope that while you're here in this season of you're [Yes, I seriously wrote that and immortalized it with a photo. My bachelor's degree is a waste.] life, you never lose the ability to find something positive in your day. Never forget how strong you are (because you are even stronger than you know!). And when the clouds finally part--because they always do--you will be even stronger. You can do this.

me

to you, with love [03]

take time to do

what makes your

soul happy

hello

Sometimes, we have to stop and remember that it's ok to do things for ourselves. It's ok to do what makes you happy, what makes your life more enjoyable, and it's ok if that doesn't necessarily seem productive.

Taking care of your soul is always productive. If you aren't taking care of you, then who is? Take a moment to relax today and do something fun. You will be thankful (and so will everyone who runs into a happier you!).

Keep being amazing.

me

to you, with love [02]

Hello!

I hope this letter finds you in the midst--or perhaps in the beginning or end--of a wonderful day. If you need a reason for why today is such a fantastic day, look no further than the hands that are holding this letter; today is made brighter and the world is made better because you are a part of it.

There may be days (maybe many days) when you don't believe that statement is true. Just remember that someone believes that statement is true. Someone believes it is true about you.

I may not know you and I may never meet you, but I wish you all of the joy, peace, love, and hope that you can receive--for you are fearfully and wonderfully made and you are loved beyond measure.

a friend loves at all times

 Check out the movement: More Love Letters.

love letters

Words--whether I'm reading them or writing them--have always been a major part of my identity. From teaching myself to read through Hooked on Phonics to starting a diary in fourth grade (thanks to the Dear America series in the Scholastic Book Fair fliers) to earning a bachelor's degree in journalism, the written word has a special place in my heart.

Enter More Love Letters. I discovered this movement shortly after Alan left and fell in love with the idea of writing encouraging letters to strangers; it has now become a staple in my daily routine. The intentional act of penning a letter to someone I will never meet--praying, seeking inspiration, and writing brightens my mornings and has caused the gathering of an assortment of writing implements across our kitchen table.

• First of all, writing notes to soldiers on the bags/boxes that we hand out each month through the Baking Brigade is one of my favorite things ever. So, if I enjoy writing short notes to strangers, wouldn't I enjoy writing long notes to strangers?

• Second of all, taking four grad school classes--more like the reading for four grad school classes--has a way of sapping my creativity. Putting pen (or marker or washi tape) to paper has a way of grounding me.

• Third of all, postal mail is slowww when it comes to sending written love across the world, so I'd like to have something to do writing-wise in the mean time.

So, semi-daily posts over the next 31-ish days (because I don't want to create a self-fulfilling prophecy, but let's be realistic) will be totally devoted to letters and words of encouragement. While I will be leaving the hard copies around the Ft. Hood/Killeen/Harker Heights/Belton area for people to find, I will also post photos of the letters with a prayer that you can find encouragement if you need it, too!

Also, I don't even have a title for this series yet, but if you'd like to find other 31 Days series, check out 31 Days 2013!

[EDIT] The series is now: to you, with love.