What's In a Name?

When I was brand-spanking new to the blogging world & decided to dive in & create one myself, I was faced with every blogger's dilemma: What to call my blog?  I didn't have a specific niche in mind at that point {not that I necessarily have one now} =), so I decided to just think up a simple name, with plans to change it in the future.  I knew I would fill my little internet space with things I love - which made me think of the saying, "That's my bag!"  You know, like when a crazy cat lady proclaims, "Cats are my bag!" or a skater says, "Vans are my bag!"? =) Bess' Bag was born!  However, the name stuck, reader's liked it, & though I've thought of changing it up once or twice in the five years since I started, nothing ever seemed to fit my mixed bag of thoughts quite like Bess' Bag.

Blogging Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: Thanks for hanging out with me here at Bess' Bag!

Bess' Style File

My style is an eclectic mixed bag.  I don't like to try to pin it down to say, one adjective {or even two or three}.  But here's some of my favorite things...

I'm also fond of maxi skirts & dresses, pairing plain old tees with unexpected statement necklaces, & bright sneakers.

What makes up your style?

Love,

-Bess-

Music Mix

Here's 10 songs that I've been playing these days...

1. "How is it Between Us" by Sara Groves

2. "Waterfall" by Moriah Peters

3. "When the Saints" by Sara Groves

4. "Wake Up" by Kerrie Roberts

5. "In Your Sight" by Kerrie Roberts

6. "Don't Want to Live for Me" by Moriah Peters

7. "The Kindness of Strangers" by Sara Groves

8. "Seek You First" by Lauren Daigle

9. "Brave" by Moriah Peters

10. "Unusual" by Francesca Battistelli

Take a listen to one from my list...

Musical Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: What songs have you been wearing out lately?

P.P.S.: Bloggers, have you joined the Blog-tember Challenge yet?

Passion No. 1

A life lacking passion is a doldrums of stagnancy & purposelessness.

Jesus Christ is my number 1 passion.  Period.  Any other passions that fill my heart flow from Him & are ultimately for His glory.  He took this girl who was a mess & made her a princess.  He gave up His life for mine, as the ultimate sacrifice that I might be cleansed from all my sins - past & present - & be made new.  He is my comfort & my shield.  My Lord & my King.  He is the only thing good in me.  He is the light I want to share; the example & teacher; God in the flesh.  He is my living hope & my hope of glory.  My only way to the Father.  He is who I turn to when all is falling apart & I am failing - & He always receives me with arms wide open.  He is the one who knows every intricate detail of my being & every flaw in my heart & loves me immeasurably, unchanging, & without condition.  He is the careful beautifier of my soul & cleanser of my brokenness.  In His name my prayers are spoken loud or in an inner whisper.  He is my eternal security & the thing I strive to seek first on this cluttered & damaged earth.  He is living inside & will finish the work He has begun in me.  His words are true & His promises are never broken.  He is faithful & trustworthy - full of patience, mercy, & grace.  And He is mine & I am His.

How could Jesus not be my number 1?  It is my prayer He is yours, as well.  You will find no passion better anywhere.

 Much Love in Christ,
-Bess-

{Jesus speaking} "I am the way & the truth & the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."
-John 14:6

"He satisfies the thirsty & fills the hungry with good things."
-Psalm 107:9

P.S.: My words are not enough to describe & magnify my Jesus!

Bess' Bag {In Pictures}

This is Bess' Bag in tiny captured moments.

It's my hope that this little URL is a place that is full of inspiration, encouragement, hope, & most of all Jesus.

From DIY ideas, profound & un-profound thoughts {any of the profound ones are from Jesus & any of the latter ones are from me - oh, & rambles}, ministering music, style ideas, advice for the college girl, book reviews, random random-ness, & life as this imperfect, forgiven girl seeks to live it for her perfect God...

This is Bess' Bag.  Welcome, friend.

Love,

-Bess-

Best Day{s} Ever!

Thinking about the ideal day is like taking all of the happy thoughts & getting coated in enough pixie dust to fly to the moon Peter-Pan-style.  In my book, there are the "biggie" best days ever & then the "regular old" best days ever.  Here's a few from my dream box...

The "Biggies"...

• the day I was baptized & Jesus came into my heart, washed me clean, gifted me with the Holy Spirit, & made me whole
• the day I made my first solo trip & watched how God granted me a desire of my heart in that {down to the smallest detail} 
• the day{s} I held my baby nephews for the 1st time
• spending precious time with special people {vague, but true}

The Yet-to-Be "Biggies"...

• the day I hear "I love you" from the one I love
• the day I marry my best friend & we kiss, kiss, kiss
• the day I get to tell that best friend we're gonna be a mommy & a daddy
• the someday I get to hold my own baby in my arms
• the day I move out of my apt. & into a house
• the day I get published & see my book in a bookstore
• the day Jesus returns & takes us home {best day ever}

The "Regular Oldies"...

• a day with cheery snail mail
• a day opened {& filled with} prayer
• any day with twinkle lights &/or festive buntings
• days with hugs from little ones
• any day with fresh flowers
• a day an Anthropologie catalogue is waiting inside my mailbox
• a day when the perfect song comes on the radio at just the right moment & you know it's a "God-thing"
• days when my eyes see the blessings & count em up & write em down with thanksgiving on my lips & heart

What's on the itinerary for your best day{s} ever?

Much Love,

-Bess-

It's Blog-tember!

Happy Blog-tember, everybody!

Today is the kick-off of Bailey Jean's 2nd annual Blog-tember Challenge.  Head over to Brave Love blog to find out more about it!  I participated last year {scroll down to the archive in my sidebar & look up September 2014 for more on that}, & am so excited to join in again!  Let's do this!

Today's prompt is to introduce yourself.  
So, here goes...

Hi, I'm Bess!

Here's some things I love...

Here's some more info...

• Jesus is my Savior & King & that is the most important thing you should know about me.  I'm forgiven & free only through Him!
• I've been blogging for about 5 years.
• I graduated in 2009 with an elementary education degree {still working on finding that amazing teaching job (yes, it's been discouraging)}.
• I currently substitute teach & work part time at a library.
• I traveled to Scotland completely solo when I was 20 {I had never even been on an airplane prior}!
• 4 years later I did it again - this time to England & Wales {click here for more on my travel escapades}.
• I've been an aunt since I was 4!  My 3rd & newest nephew was actually born this summer!

Thanks to Bailey Jean for hosting this month-long challenge!

Love,

-Bess-