closing a chapter...

There is a time for everything, 

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build, 

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, 

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend, 

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. 
He has also set eternity in the human heart; 
yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8, 11

I know I have never thought about a blog post more. What it would consist of, how to write it, and how to make my feelings and emotions come through black and white letters. My life is in a different place. A good place; one that took me a while to find. A place where I am now by myself, searching for who I want to be, who I want to become, and what I want my life to reflect. 

This past month has been a complete eye opener in many ways. There have been many tall and adrenaline filled hills and dark gloomy valleys that I have faced. There are many times I asked why God was doing what He was doing, and told myself I would never understand where He was taking me. But through this past month, digging down into the deepest depths of my heart, I found trust, peace, and hope; more so than I ever have in my entire life. Trust that God knows what he has done and will do. That my life is hand formed, just for me. Trust that I am fear-fully and wonderfully made and that I deserve the life and the person that he has in store for me because I know it is going to be amazing. Acceptance is a strange subject; one I haven't had to deal much with. But I have accepted that with my entire being, I am His, and anyone who will be in my life will have to start there first; that gives me the peace that pulls me from my sinking thoughts and wandering mind. Blanketing peace that overcomes the questions, doubts, and stumbling moments that cloud my everyday life. If you're anything like me, you have a plan. A plan for you life and where you want it to go and where you think it will end up. I have a peace that my plan is not good enough, and even when I think my plan is perfect and the best one I could ever imagine, He has a better one. Through trust and peace, I have found hope. Hope that my future is bright. Even though I thought it was bright before, I know it can be brighter. And I can see it already.

What I have been given, can never be appreciated enough. Blessings upon blessings pour into my life everyday. And even when you think you hit rock bottom, there is still so much to be thankful for. I am thankful for my unconditionally loving family, blood and extended, that have been there for me. The amazing friends in my life that have shown what it means to care, I can never thank enough. From the school I go to, to the job I have, to the roof over my head; I could go on and on.

For the first time in a long time, I have had to focus on myself and no one else. I have learned that there is no greater confidence than the kind that comes inside yourself from your thoughts and actions. Confidence knowing that you did the right thing can only come from you. And when I realized that my confidence is self-fulfilling and not coming from other people or places, I felt whole again. Focusing on myself has also taught me that I can do whatever I put my mind to because I have been enabled through His power. This is my life and what will come of it has yet to be seen, but I know if I am focused on the one who gave me life, my doubts, worries, and fears will vanish, and I will be given the life and person I am meant to have. I definitely do not have it all figured out yet, and I probably never will, but I am finding that I do not need to know everything right now. Days come and days go, and every day is a precious one. Finding myself this past month has been harder than I ever thought. But as these days do come and go, it has been one of the most rewarding feelings.

I thought I had lost a lot; but I have gained much more.

I write all this to say, my life has changed course. My time is fleeting and I just do not have the time to devote to this little space I have called mine for the past year and a half. With being almost half way through nursing school and being pulled in different directions, I will no longer be actively writing on Blank Pages. I never thought in a million years that my life would be where it is today, but I am closing this chapter of my life and starting a new one. One that is exciting and adventurous and fully led by my dependence on Him. Thank you all so much for your support, this has been a great little adventure and I wish you all the very best of luck in your lives. I have so enjoyed getting to know you and following you; you kept me grounded. Although I am sad to say goodbye, more doors are opening and who knows, maybe I'll see you around in the future!

My instagram is now private, but please feel free to request to follow me at @amyjpalmer! Also, HERE is my last fashion article for The You Are Project.

Blog world, you've been good to me.

friday favorites: a beautiful mess app

I am sure as soon as you saw the first picture, you knew what this post was going to be about. But I really couldn't pass up another Friday Favorites without talking about the best photo editing app, A Beautiful Mess's App. I am so happy these two talented ladies created this. They never cease to amaze me with the things they come up with. Don't mind my wonky picture sizes, because if you follow me on instagram, you know I love the white borders thanks to the second best app, Afterlight. Back to this app, there really isn't anything bad I can say about it, because it's awesome! From fonts to doodles to borders and filters, this app has everything. It only costs $0.99 for the general package and you can upgrade from there. You can't go wrong.

Instagram has always been my favorite, and this adds a whole new "fun-ness" to it. There are so many different options for every picture. I know, like you needed another app and more decisions for your pictures. I could spend so much time on one picture with all these apps! But really, celebrities like Ginnifer Goodwin are picking this thing up. Do you need any more reason? Now go edit like crazy (even though most of you already are!).

hey, i don't know about you

sunnies, shirt, skirt, shoes: Target // earrings: cruise // belt: thrifted // watch: Fossil

But I'm feeling twenty twwoo. Actually, twenty to be more exact. But really, I don't know about you, but I still love leopard and as far as I am concerned it can stay as long as it pleases. Don't think you'll see me stop wearing it anytime soon. Embrace the leopard in your wardrobe, unless of course you are wearing a full-body jumpsuit. Sometimes less is more when it comes to leopard.

Also, does anyone else have the problem where all their pictures, and I mean ALL their pictures just somehow pile up into a heaping mess because you're too busy/lazy to categorize them? Seriously ruining the effectiveness of my computer over here. But do you see me sitting down to organize 4,000 pictures? Do you realize how long that would take? Ain't nobody got time for that (insert hilarious youtube video here. please tell me you've seen it).

Happy hump day! We're halfway there.

friday favorites: gorgeous blogger spaces

>> A Beautiful Mess <<

>> Yesterday's Sweetheart <<

There is a never ending amount of inspiration circling around the blogging world. It's one of the reasons why I love it so much. It's an infinite pile of resources, ideas, and things you would have never thought up on your own. When it comes to bloggers and their homes, it is no different. Some of my favorite posts to read are the ones where they open up their homes and share the collection of items that makes their space unique. There's usually some pretty neat DIY's thrown in there too, and we all know I love those.

These ladies did not disappoint! The way they created their own space looks effortless, and I love the added pops of color, along with those white eames replica chairs, I swoon! I hope this cheered your friday up like it did mine. Lord knows we all need somethin' pretty to stare at and get lost in sometimes.

on choosing battles

hat: Cotton On // tank: Old Navy // watch: Fossil // belt, jeans, booties: Target

There are choices in life that can make or break what you planned for it to be. The choices we make about what is worth fighting for is a continual process in my life. I am still growing and learning about how to "pick my battles." Wise words from my parents told me to choose the things that are work fighting for, not the stupid minuscule everyday trials (those will get you every time if you let them). Lately I have been faced with some pretty hard battles, ones that are actually worth fighting for. Those battles put into perspective how some things that deem themselves important at the time, are actually a waste of time. I"m sure you've gotten into an argument, only to realize an hour later that it could have been prevented. Or thought something was so important that you just had to say your peace, only to find your foot stuck in your mouth a minute later. We all have battles; ones to win, ones to lose, and ones to just let go.

This reading has been weighing heavily on my heart lately and I wanted to share it with you.

I am able to do far beyond all that you ask for or imagine. Come to me with positive expectations, knowing that there is no limit to what I can accomplish. Ask My Spirit to control your mind so that you can think great thoughts of Me. Do not be discouraged by the fact that many of your prayers are yet unanswered. Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon Me, to trust Me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see My Power and Glory at work in the situation. Instead of letting difficulties draw you into worrying, try to view them as setting the scene for My glorious intervention. keep your eyes and your mind wide open to all that I am doing in your life.

>>Devotional from Jesus Calling

I hope this lifts your spirits like it did mine. Also, if you're looking for an amazing devotional, I highly recommend that one. It's a quick daily read with extra verses attached. We all need a little pick-me-up sometimes.