Visiting Zeus on Olympus

We had the incredible experience of climbing Mount Olympus this last summer. We mostly agreed so that we could have the bragging rights, but it was so worth every sore muscle and every stone we tripped up and down. 

We started out finding some pools. It was really hot out and they looked so inviting, but as I neared the water, I saw.....A SNAKE!! If you know me, you know that I am TERRIFIED of snakes and right then and there I decided to not go into the water. By this time, it had swum away (probably because I was screaming so loud), but I was extremely paranoid. 

Eventually, the water called to me - that, and the sun was beating down quite warm on my back. I shed my garments and jumped in. I, of course, got right back out - just in case. We enjoyed a few hours jumping off edges into the pools. We did see another snake later, so I ended my swimming time. My husband did say he was really proud of me for overcoming that fear - but I had a few more fears to conquer before this adventure was over!

We continued on our way up but on our way, our car....well, we ran out of gas :) That set us back quite a bit, but help eventually came and we were off!

When we finally got started, it was getting pretty late already, but we still had some energy left. We climbed and climbed and climbed - our step count was pretty impressive.

We climbed until we got to the place we slept that night. It was really strange sleeping covered in sweat and grime from the mountain, but trying to shower in ice-cold water in the dark was not an alternative we decided to opt for. 

The sunrise the next morning was amazing though - my eyes were barely open during the whole thing, but I did manage to snap a quick photo.

And then we were off to conquer the rest of the mountain! We had no idea what was waiting for us.

It was steep and scary, and I'm (or was after this!) afraid of heights! It was about to get even steeper and scarier! By the way, I should mention that my husband is a total gentleman champ! He carried all of my stuff so I could be free of all burdens! He's the sweetest :)

See those helmets? Yeah, we needed those. 

Both arms and legs were definitely needed for this stretch. I don't think I've ever been more scared - though getting down was way worse than the ascent. J made it to the top first and was able to snap this. It was so steep...incredible! It didn't help that there were markers along the way where people were remembering those who died doing this....God is good and protected us! We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into! Adventure indeed!

The views at the top were worth it, and we even found a treasure box filled with goodies people had left.

After hanging out a bit, signing the guest book and having a snack, it was time to descend the mountain. It. Was. Hard. And I wanted to give up so many times. But the thought of jumping into the ocean at the end (and a hot shower!) kept me going. 

Oh hey, I discovered my FIRST EVER sunburn on the way down! 

Would I climb Mount Olympus again? Maybe. But next time, I'll be sure to wear more sunscreen and maybe train my legs - walking, and any movement really, was painful for a few days afterward!

Meteora // Greece

Our adventure to the Meteora monasteries was probably Instagram's fault. Seeing sites on Instagram makes you want to see it in person, so that's what we determined to do. Fun fact: Meteora is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is actually under two categories: nature and art and apparently, it's the second most important site in Greece. I didn't know about it until we got there, embarrassingly enough. 

Monks went to Meteora in the 14th century because they wanted a safe place to be. The only way to access the monasteries was by rock climbing or being pulled up in a basket. There aren't as many monks there now due to tourism, but those who visit are welcomed with Greek hospitality.

We didn't want to spend much time there outside - it was so crazy hot out! It was dreadful because I do not like sweating without earning it. 

The views, however, were incredible. 

Turns out that Meteora means "suspended in the air," which I would say is a very fitting name. 

Intentionality Spotlight: Blog Love: Worried Sapling

Today we continue with Intentionality Spotlight! Similar to Women of Intention, different bloggers will be featured in an interview style. Unlike Women of Intention, the focus will be more on their blogs themselves, as well as an area of intentionality in their life.

I am excited to invite Callie of Worried Sapling to talk with us today.

First some easy stuff: Tell us a bit about yourself. What is your work, passions, and interests?

I’m Callie, an English teacher, graduate student, rambler, jogger, and reader. I’m passionate about all things English-related (including English Language Learner education!), learning to be passionate about healthful living, and uh…an overly detailed long list of over things. I’m intensely interested in blessing others in tangible ways, too. I think Jesus has given me gifts in writing, speaking, and teaching, so I try to use those often!

I'm so glad you started a blog so I can enjoy your writing regularly! How did you come to begin Worried Sapling, and what is your goal for it as a blog? Did you always intend this to be your blog’s focus?

Well, thanks! I have General Anxiety Disorder with Panic, and I could never find balanced resources on it—I either needed to meditate and take lots of medication, or I just needed to “pray it away.” Though all three of those options can be part of the answer, I don’t feel like it answers it completely. I believe the Bible holds the answers to many anxieties because I’ve found much of my anxiety is rooted in unhealthy thinking patterns.

People with mental illnesses are largely overlooked and marginalized within the Christian context, and I think this has a lot to do with ignorance and fear. In Worried Sapling, I try to show the vulnerable side of anxiety while also explaining my experience so people can grasp it. There are a lot of devotionals, too, and principles of healthy relationships; relationships are a huge source of anxiety for me, so it goes along with the overall theme.

I wanted to write a book before a blog occurred to me (still working on that book…). I was actually going to make a teacher blog; but once I started framing my content, I realized it was overwhelmingly anxiety and mental health related. After my initial launch, I was overwhelmed with the positive response I received by both people with anxiety and those without it! I was not expecting that. I thought only my mom would read it (haha!). I’m just thankful that my ramblings have blessed people.

I love how you write so passionately and intentionally about your faith and the lessons you learn from everyday life. How do you draw parallels from your life into spiritual lessons? Does this come easily to you, or did it/does it take practice?

Honestly, it comes pretty easy to me. I see life through a filter of patterns and principles, and the blog posts generally reflect that. I’m a sucker for object lessons, parables, parallels, and “moral of the story.” It’s definitely become easier with practice, though, and I notice that I start to lose the filter when I’m not writing as regularly. But in general, I just live life, talk to Jesus about the life, and principles and patterns emerge through prayerful reflection. The hardest part is writing it down. Anxiety makes it hard to be productive (actually working on a blog post about that right now!)

What is one specific area in your life you find that intentionality is critical? How do you exercise mindfulness in it?

HEALTH. Mental, physical, spiritual, social, emotional…all of it. I exercise intentionality, especially in physical and mental health. When I’m not physically healthy—regularly exercising, eating balanced meals, sleeping 8 hours, and drinking mucha agua—my mental health deteriorates, and then everything is thrown. It’s as predictable as the sunrise. I also need intentional mental space for myself: silent, alone time, time to read, time to write, time to breathe. Without these two, I can get nothing done. Having GAD, I still have anxiety attacks sometimes, but they are largely managed by self-care and prayer.

 

If you could give one piece of advice about this to someone who struggles with it, what would you tell them?

"The reason you feel so awful is because you need to fuel and move your body." I laugh at myself thinking of how terribly I was treating my body and yet wondering why I felt tired, irritable, and just…awful. Oh, man. Praise God for healthy living. But this affected my anxiety so much, too! Everyone’s anxiety is different and requires different solutions, but mine is deeply rooted in intentionally taking care of myself.

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Find Callie at her website, Worried Sapling and on Instagram

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A Trip Through Some Tulips // Holland, Michigan

Every Spring, there is an amazing tulip festival in Holland, Michigan. I was cleaning up some files on my computer and came across some pictures we took on our very first trip there, and thought I'd share a few. 

Unfortunately, we were a little short on time, so we didn't get to explore to the full extent we could have, but we did make sure to watch the traditional dances!

We, of course, had to end our time by going to the State Park. Even though it was pretty chilly, we had fun. We brought a picnic basket and enjoyed the sunshine. 

Sometimes just driving a few hours or even just 30 minutes helps create that going-away feeling that we all need sometimes. And I don't know about you, but there's not much better than taking a nap on the beach...even if it is a little chilly.

Living near the lake, I feel, has truly changed our standard of living! I always wanted to live near a body of water. I'm already sad to move away, and we don't know when that will happen. For now, we will count our blessings and enjoy every second of it. 

Bible Verses for When You Feel Worthless

I’ve put off writing about this for quite some time because I have struggled with it a lot, but I have truly become convicted that self-worth is not worth the wrestle. It is much easier to say than to practice, but we should not be defined by how we value ourselves. Instead, we should remember how Christ values us. 

The world engages in a lot of conversation about self-esteem. There are countless books about self-esteem and how to improve it and there are more subtle messages than others. Many Christians, however, miss what I think is a major point: our esteem should not be found in self. It should be found in Christ. The book of Jeremiah calls our heart deceitful - how then can we determine in our own selves our worth? Well, we can’t. 

“We should not be defined by how we value ourselves. Instead, we should remember how Christ values us. ”

TWEET IT!!

There may be times when you, like me, feel worthless, unappreciated or unloved. The amazing thing is that we are worth so much in God's sight. I mean, He sent His Son to die so that we might live forever with Him.

While there is more I could share on this topic, for today's post I wanted to share some encouraging texts. Below, you will find some Bible verses to meditate on when the lie that you are worthless goes through your head. These are great ones to commit to memory for when the devil throws discouragement your way.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, ESV)

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
   my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14, ESV)

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:15-16, ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, ESV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6, ESV)

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7, ESV)

   But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
   I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)

Fear not, for I am with you;
   be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)

God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
   God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:1-5, ESV)

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
   for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
   my fortress; I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 62:5-6, ESV)

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5, ESV)

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What Bible texts bring you comfort when you are feeling worthless? Let me know below!

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“Are you feeling worthless today? I can assure you that you are not! Here are some Bible verses to meditate on when you are feeling worthless ”

TWEET IT!!