My Wild Side (lol)

Good morning!! Today I'm currently on a crazy wildly fun adventure that I'll probably share about later. But for now, here's a post that was super fun to write!

This post is all about adventures! Guys. I'm. Not. Adventurous. (Or am I?)

Interestingly enough, I've had my fair share of adventures... In today's post, I'm going to be talking about them. 

"I was a wild child, Zoe." -Mom's Night Out 

Ahem. Now that I got that out of my system, lets start this post! I also linked back to related posts.

Twenty Adventures worth mentioning: 

White Water Rafting 

I've gone white water rafting once, and it was a BLAST! Like, so fun and exciting! Honestly, I didn't feel as scared as I thought I would. I actually kinda got into it. Our guide was very skilled and that made a lot of difference! Also, I belly laugh every time I see the pictures. lol.

(Also on this trip, I jumped off a boulder into the water!)

Zip Lining

*blog graphic picture*

I've gone zip lining twice! And the second time, I went zip lining in a cavern! Talk about a.d.v.e.n.t.u.r.e! 

Rock Climbing 

I've only been rock climbing indoors, but the few times I've done it, it's been fun! And quite the forearm exercise...

Horse Riding 

Riding Rosie definitely qualifies as an adventure! Hitting the ground coming off of a 1,000 pound animal at a high speed is not recommended by yours truly, but when you live to tell the tale, it does make for an exciting adventure.

Parasailing 

OK, so this adventure, I had to be talked into. Like, why would I want to be suspended by a parachute thing over a large body of water filled to the brim with ocean life? That doesn't make logical sense if you want to live a good, long life! But--nonetheless, I was persuaded. And I'm rly glad I got to go on this adventure! Such a fun family memory!

Roller Coaster 

So, I've been on quite a few roller coasters. But, the last time we went (years ago), I stepped outside of my comfort zone and rode a upside down roller coaster! Talk about scary! Honestly, it went by so fast, I barely remember it. *winks*

Mountain Roller Coaster

This was a lot of fun! 

Rooftop Party :) 

I know, I know. Totally unlike me to go to a "rooftop party." It's not how it sounds. Besides the fact that I had to be around people my age and stand on top of a rly tall building, there wasn't much "adventurous" about that experience! But. I had to mention it!

Water Park 

The only reason I mention this one is I once went down a really tall waterslide that went straight down! Literally straight down. I'm actually still surprised I had enough courage for this one...

Ride and Tie

I was 12 years old when I did this adventure with my sis. A Ride and Tie is like a trail endurance race for horse and rider as well as a runner. This was such a fun adventure! We got to ride a horse that we had never ridden before, (riding said horse through unknown trails, over roads, and through a creek) for a four mile Ride and Tie! (But, it was longer than 4 miles bc we got lost.)

That was a spontaneous trip that is definitely a special memory.

Jet ski

Jet skiing is not very adventurous unless you yourself is not very adventurous... then even jet skiing can be scary at times. Especially when you've been on a jet ski that's flipped over. As scary as it was in the moment, I'll still smile when I think about that adventure. ("I can't touch!")

Now, my water skiing attempt didn't go so well. I kinda sorta just got drug across the lake.

Kayaking at Night

Yup. I've been kayaking in the pitch dark. It was an experience. *grins* 

Four Wheeler 

Riding four wheelers can be fun. It can also be crazy scary. I guess that's why I decided to mention it as one of my adventures. (Like rolling it in the creek and somehow surviving with it landing on top of us. God is good, y'all.)

Houseboat 

So... I slept in a boat, out on the water, tied to whatever was on the rocky land for 4 days. Now, that was an adventure!

Henna Tattoos 

I've had a henna tattoo done by a professional artist, but I've also done my own! I guess it's not too wild, but kinda?

Here is a design I did on my cousins!

5Ks & Mud Runs

We've done lots of 5ks! And I've only won once in my age group when I was younger, but it's still fun to participate!  

We've also done a few mud runs! Great team work! <3

Triathlon 

Yeah, that was fun! And wild.  (Especially the practice round, lol...) We canoed, ran, and then biked (18 miles) to the finish line! 

Go Carting 

Go carts are fun! One time, we even did the ones where you have to put on a helmet...

Snow Skiing

So, I've been snow skiing a few times. All on man made snow. And surprisingly, I don't crash as much as I thought I would. (Now, I did fall just standing in line, lol) Saying I'm "good" at it would be a stretch. But I'm not half bad. On the less scary slopes. Plz don't put me on a Black Dimond! 

Little Dirt Bike Episode 

Notice "episode." The reason I remember this being adventurous is because when I was little (I mean, real little!) I was learning how to ride our little motorcycle. Long story short, I got the gas and the break mixed up. My dad literally chased me down as I kept going faster and faster (trying to stop!) Thankfully, as I hit the tree line of our property, there was a water hose strung between the trees that stopped me. 

Oh, and I might as well tell y'all of the time I flipped over one of those little kids cars. Note that this was when I was even younger than the motorcycle adventure. (Riding with the same cousin I flipped the four wheeler over with.) Guys! I'm accident prone, and I'm not even trying to be crazy! Trust me, I'm very responsible... *puts on my best convincing smile* It's true, just things seem to always happen when I'm the one driving. 

^^Those were my favorite boots! 

^^ My dad is way more adventurous than I am... *winks* But if I’m adventurous, it probably comes from him... XD
 

Now it's your turn! What adventures have you gone on? 

On a level of 1-10, how adventurous are you? How adventurous would you say I am? Who's most adventurous in your family?

Comment Below! 

Also, let's not forget most recently when I climbed Grandfather Mountain in NC! There were ladders bolted into the side of the mountain. And cables to hang on to! Yikes!

Many Blessings, Brooklyne Elysse

Summer Recap // Hello Fall

Wow! I literally can't believe how quickly summer flew by! In this post, I'll be doing a summer recap as well as a short fall bucket list (just for fun) to welcome fall! Y'all! IT. IS. OFFICIALLY. FALL! 

Summer Recap: **with pics! (and a video!)

June:::

➳Jogging➳Weeding the garden➳Harvesting garlic scapes➳Making pesto➳FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE DRINKS➳Matching jumpers➳Painting pottery➳Scones➳Finding my older sister a wedding dress➳Lasagna➳Smoothie bowl➳Peace and Harmony soap➳Book mail➳Sunset drive➳Fireflies➳Photoshoots➳Gardening in the mornings➳Stray kitten➳Workout➳Riding in the truck bed➳Round bales➳Chocolate Oreos➳Shopping➳Painting on canvas➳Soap Making (Black Raspberry Vanilla)➳Baled hay➳Inspirational quotes➳Making scrunchies➳Making pretzels➳Cake frosting➳Girls night facial masks➳Rosie➳Perfect evenings➳Long walks➳Golden hour➳Wild black raspberry picking➳Berry cobbler➳Hand lettering bookmarks with pressed flowers➳Ice cream run➳Wildflower gathering➳Memory lane (old pics)➳New books➳Bracelets➳Book poetry➳More gardening➳➳➳

July:::

➳Foggy mornings➳Garden harvest➳Pantry organization ➳Smoothie + writing➳Forth of July!➳Fireworks➳Patriotic➳Glow in the dark kickball➳Sunflowers➳New kitchen table➳Polaroid pics➳Sunrise➳Honey bees➳Soap making➳Time lapse➳Cover design➳emergency vet in big town at midnight➳Flights of Fancy book➳Jet ski➳City Slicker soap➳Zucchini and squash processing➳Zoom sister’s graduation➳Lilac soap➳Four wheeler ride➳Workout➳The Peach Truck➳Sushi➳Garlic harvest➳Took engagement photos➳Antique window shopping with nannie➳Hand lettering➳Zucchini lemon blueberry bread with a glaze➳Reading out loud➳The sky is so pretty➳New water bottle (that I put stickers on!)➳Sabbath hiking➳Making magazine beads➳Graduation party picnic for big sis➳Bad mitten and football practicing for fun➳Flower arrangements➳Cleaning➳Big town➳Candle making➳Driving into town with little sis and our dog➳Big decisions➳

August::: 

➳Designing wedding invitations➳Trying on bridesmaid dresses➳Piping soap "flowers"➳Storms➳White Lily and Aloe soap➳Freezing goats milk➳Pizza➳Giveaway prize came in the mail➳Zucchini muffins➳Zucchini herbed "cheese-y" biscuits➳Country roads➳Fishbone braid➳Hiking➳Views➳Butterflies➳Working out➳Bathing the horses!➳Christian music➳Soap packaging➳Gardening➳Honey Oatmeal soap➳Jogging➳Drawing for a art contest➳Wow Sunsets➳Massage candle testing➳Reading by the lake➳Road to Avonlea➳Brownies➳Strawberries➳Starting school➳Emails➳Art contest➳Cookies➳Morning runs➳Book mail➳Salads➳Strawberries and maple sugar is my latest thing➳Sidewalk chalk➳Cross country➳Helping out with wedding cake tasting *winks*➳Bulk soap orders➳Long school dayz➳

September:::

➳Hot Cocoa soap➳Garden harvest➳Blue Spruce soap making➳FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE DRINK➳Cross country meet➳Road Trip!!!➳Hiking➳lots and lots of photos➳School "on the road"➳Ice Cream➳Shopping➳Nail stickers➳Sunrises➳Mountains➳Breakfast in bed➳Views➳Mile high cable bridge➳Hiking Grandfather Mountain!!➳Wow➳On top of the world➳Heights➳Ladders bolted into the side of the mountain➳Stood on the front porch of Mandie's house➳Sunsets➳Good food➳Birthday celebrations➳Crocheting➳Biltmore Estate➳Long drive home➳Father of the Bride➳New desk➳Wedding prep.➳Outside church➳Jet ski day with the gang➳mile long trail ride with Rosie!!➳Surprise packages in the mail➳Chinese takeout➳Workouts➳

Watch this video for short clips from our trip!

Hello Fall! 

15 things to do this Autumn: Fall Bucket List: 

1.Go on a crazy awesome trip with a crazy awesome blogger friend! 

2.Make hot chocolate

3.School

4.Get Winds of Faith Co. ready for the holiday season

5.Write 5,000 words in Third Chances

6.Wear cozy sweaters

7.Learn to French braid my hair

8.Movie night

9.Go camping

10.Blog every Wednesday 

11.Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins (the only thing I like with pumpkin in it!) 

12.Make Frozen Apple Cider 

13Read more fiction 

14.Print out photos 

15.Hike somewhere to see all the pretty leaves! 

**Read last year's bucket list HERE! 

Now, it's your turn! Tell me all about your summer! Any fun things happen? What's new with you? What are you looking forward to in fall? Team pumpkin spice or no? What is one thing on your Fall Bucket list? Comment Below! 

Many Blessings, 

Brooklyne Elysse 

Q&A!!! // Adventure Awaits

 

Hey guys! I've got some really exciting news! 

(Warning: Be prepared for many MANY exclamation marks in this post!!!)

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*drumroll* 

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I'm meeting up IN PERSON with the one and only, Rebekah Ashleigh!!!!!!!!!!! 

Guysss!!! We've planned--and planned again *wink*--for this adventure and it's going to be a BLAST! I'm so excited and just can't wait! 

But, here's the deal... like every good blogger, we'd like to do a Q&A together. If the awkwardness of yours truly (lol) can be contained, we MAY be doing a video Q&A together! If not, we will definitely answer the questions in blog format together! (And who knows, we may do both if we get a ton of questions to answer...) 

That's where you all come in! Down in the comments, we need all the fun questions! OK, so maybe three questions each so we don't get swamped with the questions. But anyway, if you've been wanting to ask both of us questions, now's the time to do so! 

I'm posting this now so we will have over a week to go through some of the questions, but we won't be taking any more questions after September 23rd. (So keep that in mind.) 

I'm so excited to be meeting Rebekah face to face. She is such a sweet, fun, and awesome friend &&& I'm just really thankful for this opportunity! *bucketfuls of confetti*

Comment below with your questions!!!!!!!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse

College. When Life is Unpredictable.

 

College. I've been a college student for 16 days. (It’s been good! A hard adjustment, but good.) 

Here’s a little bit of my story to where I’m at:

It's weird, I never thought I'd do college. After I graduated high school in 2018, I knew I wanted to take a gap year. (I highly recommend this. Don't rush into the next step. Take your time, don't get caught up in the worlds view of things.) That's part of the reason I didn't want to do college. Because that's what everyone expected and I don't want to be like mainstream. But at the same time, I knew it was seen as socially acceptable and I I'm already so different, did I really want to be different in that area as well? 

My family didn't pressure me, but I pressured myself to decide what was next. I didn't want to be that 40 year old still living in their parents basement. But I also didn't want to go into debt for a measly piece of paper with a shiny stamp on it either. I was so torn. I didn't feel like God was opening the door for college. But I also felt like I was too scared to go even if He did open the door. 

So I took a gap year. That was a great way to answer the questions every high school graduate gets asked. Most people thought it was a good idea anyway. Only, in the back of my head, I had absolutely no clue of what I "wanted to do when I grew up."

The school year came and went. And I grew my small business. I did some job shadowing. I wrote lots and lots of words in my WIPs. I went outside of my comfort zone. I had a summer job. I did odd jobs. I helped manage the meals at out house. I took a cooking class. I met online friends. I grew as a person. I honestly became way more busy. But it was good, productive, busy. I wasn't idle in my gap year. And all the while, I wondered what I should do next. 

When I saw others moving on and starting college, I felt something deep inside. Not jealousy. But something similar enough because I felt like everyone besides me had it figured out. But, that's just not the case. 

The problem was, I have so many interests. As a creative, I like all sorts of things. But things that wouldn't be good jobs. Passions? Yes. But providing income? Nope. 

(At one point, I wanted to be a blacksmith. I still think it sounds like fun, just not as a job title. XD)

Two year later... 

We were going into the Fall academic year of 2020. My mom and I sat down to make a plan. Did I want to take some continuing education classes? Creative writing classes? Graphic Design classes? More cooking classes? What was my schedule going to look like? So we sat down, and my mom tells me about a ad she saw. Liberty University. Well that was a coincidence, I had messaged a friend about that same school back in September, 2019 just because #curiosity. So we get on their website in hopes of finding individual classes, not the whole 4 year college. We didn't find anything. So we called. Talked to a really nice lady who's daughter had been home schooled and graduated from LUO. Sounded like a great Christian school. 

After the phone call was over. I felt abnormally calm for talking about school. (Up until then, I was really insecure about what I had accomplished in my "gap" year.) And then I felt something else: excited. 

Guys, it takes a lot for me to feel excited! And then, I felt peace. Of sorts. It wasn't some grand "hallmark" peace. But a small peace. It was a open door, and I knew it. 

So, we sat down that day hoping to find a class or two, and now, I'm a 4 year college student. We applied a day before the fall term closed. God's plans are so much wilder than ours! God's plans are so much more unpredictable and crazy. But they are also secure plans. Plans that lead you to the understanding that He's got this. And He's holding this.

I share this story with you because I hope you can learn from it. I don't have everything figured out. Yes, a door has opened for me and I'm moving forward in faith. But no, my life is not all put together with a little silky, red ribbon. It's more like a frustrating ball of yarn with so many loops and confusing knots. But we are all like that. We have days where we feel things are moving forward. Then other days where we feel stuck. Or maybe we aren't stuck as much as discontent. But God's plan is for us to thrive, to grow, to fly. To be content with where we are at, where He has put us.

College is not a label to make me feel good about where I am in life. College is a step in a direction so unknown to me. But a step that I hope will better equip me for the purpose I have been given. 

Keep seeking Jesus. Keep trusting His plan. It's not your plan that will leave you content, it's God's. 

I encourage you to stop with the labels and boxes. God's plan for you is far better than anything that can fit inside a cute box with a ribbon on it. God's plan goes beyond. Don't be idle, or give up when you think your dream won't ever come true. Let's give our dreams to the One who knows the end from the beginning. Lets faithfully watch Him work in our lives.

Here's to stepping outside of comfort zones. Here's to new adventures! 

Many Blessings, Brooklyne Elysse

Untitled // Cover and Blurb Reveal!

 

Guyssss! 

Untitled is a book that I got the opportunity to beta read! And I am really glad I did! It challenged me, it made me think about hard things. And it made a impact on me! I definitely recommend this book! Although, I recommend it with caution if you are sensitive to war themed scenes, details of being a medic, and some difficult subjects (all tackled tactfully.) 

This book releases on November 11th, so mark your calendars! 

Check out Jessica’s blog for more info!

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About the Author

Jesseca is a daughter, sister, and a child of God. When she’s not busy at her full time job as a first responder, her days are spent reading, spending time with siblings, watching movies that make her cry, and playing piano. Oh, and writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home.

About the Book

Okinawa, 1945

Two brothers. Two Separate Paths.

A Navy corpsman assigned to the Marines, Jess Walker’s world is shaken as he struggles to aid the men around him. But the battlefield isn’t his hardest challenge. The nagging memory of how he lost his brother weighs on him, serving as a constant reminder of his failure. War has no mercy for anyone and Jess isn’t sure he can survive the war inside. As his world comes crashing down around him, he struggles to believe there is a future beyond the pain. 

Clay Walker has moved on from the life he once lived. A successful Marine pilot, he wants nothing to do with his family and the God he left behind. Japan is on the brink of surrender when his unit is shipped off to Okinawa, and it’s there that Clay is forced to realize his past is not as deeply buried as he thought. Faced with heavy losses and questions without answers, Clay has a choice to make. Is he willing to step back and let God take the controls? Or is it too late for a second chance? 

As WWII rages, the two brothers must face their demons — or be lost to the burning world around them.

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 First of all, can we just admire that blurb!!! It's a masterpiece! XD

Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for! *drumroll*

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Cover

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REVEAL!!!

Have you read this book yet?? Have you read any other books by Jessica Wheaton? Do you love the cover?? How about that blurb? :)

Comment below!

Many Blessings,

Brooklyne Elysse