The June Files
Things I love, with love — from me to you
Welcome to The Files. My monthly roundup of everything from the Scripture I’m loving to the shows I’m binging. Think of it as a coffee date with a friend, chatting through it all. Per usual: definitely pretty, mostly prompt, and always worth the read.
From My Corner
Hello my sweet friends, and happiest of July!!!
In May’s report I shared tidbits on auditing the first half of the year, and being obedient to the life gifted to us. To circle back to that, I’ve spent a lot of the past month continuing to steward both of these. I accepted a job offer, which is so beyond exciting, and I cannot wait to share more on that once the offer fully comes to fruition + onboarding in finalized (and a whole new groove). With that acceptance, came a full sweep of my life before rebooting into a new position — I know I’ll be darn busy.
My June was filled to the brim with activities that filled my cup. I think my cheeks still hurt from all my smiles and laughs that carried throughout June. I couldn’t endorse surrounding yourself with people who make your calendar obligations time blocks you look forward to.
A recent post I wrote, Yes! I’m in a Writing Rut!, shares a lot about my June. But the highlight reel reads something like this: porch evenings @ mamaws, buying out half of McKay’s, dirty martinis, a crab boil, Love Island evenings, TopGolf, birthday nights in, and Sundays at church. My highlight may have been reading Goodnight Biscuit to my friend’s son (because, who doesn’t love babies). June was my fullest month yet. So with that, I cannot wait to see what July delivers.
The Monthly Round Up
22 Because of the Lord’s faithful love
we do not perish,
for his mercies never end.
23 They are new every morning;
Recently, the importance of meditating on Word has truly woven itself into my daily life. There are many times daily I stop to ask myself, to have the Lord be beside me, and go before me. Asking the Holy Spirit to infiltrate my mind, and words as I walk through my day. I meditate on my devotional, asking what the Lord is tugging my heart towards learning. Yet, the biggest advice I’ve heard from the Lord recently is to slow down, and let Him be Him, and us be us. If we mess up (by whatever measure we utilize that word) we must begin new each morning with Him.
Learning: In June I was handed so many wonderful opportunities to create memories with loved ones. Very much so marinating in the right now. In a very unlike me fashion, these past few weeks have very much felt like vacation mode. Not sticking to meal planning, no iCalendar planning sessions, home cleaning sessions when I’d get around to it. We all have these seasons in life, and what a blessing it was due to joyous moments! I did however learn, that if I kept just simple routine patterns, it definitely would’ve impacted my life making it easier. So going forward, I’m trying commit to consistency for just anchor points, and just being consistent to the smaller things. Small habits = large routine…see: How I Manage My Home (and Life)
Habit: Since I’ve been OOD (aka, out of desk, aka, unemployed) since April I have had the luxury of waking up with no alarm and puppy kisses, and doing writing from my couch. The need for desk routine is real, considering I start my new position later this month. In preparation, I’ve changed my schedule, rising at 6AM, and sitting at my desk on and off throughout the day (currently for Substack writing) to get my velcro dog use to the idea that I do not belong to him.
Grateful For: I try to find gratitude in small things that we often take for granted. Today, in Tennessee, it is 93°, and feels like 102°. I am not someone who thrives on heat, in fact, I get grumpy. With that being said, air conditioning is my MVP every Summer, and I keep it on a crisp 69° blast.
Reading: This month I fell into a bit of a reading slump. Which according to GoodReads is alright because I am a few books ahead of schedule. I read and listened to to Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang and enjoyed the heck out of it. It was wildly ridiculous, and I did not see the twist, but I definitely laughed. I absolutely would recommend this.
Thinking About: As mentioned, I accepted a job offer that I am over the moon about. I cannot help but be a tiny bit nervous for this new endeavor though. I was in my prior position for 5 years….that’s a long time. I felt secure, knowledgeable, I felt like I knew the business like the back of my hand. Yet this new position, while I am skilled, I am newer. I am entry level in a new department, but moving up into corporate. It’s all so new, so fresh, and exciting. I suppose all good things give you jitters. I also did have a bird poop on my head, that’s good luck, right?
Watching: Sad to admit, but my husband and I are both locked and loaded into Love Island USA. While this season definitely is not peak entertainment, and way more raunchy than prior seasons…you can still count on us to be tuning in nightly. As of writing this, July 1, I am putting my vote in on Bryce and Trinity to win. I’ll circle back to this on finale day.
Drinking: My good friend Kirstin is always recommending me great local places. Knowing I’m a sucker for a good coffee, we took a trip this month. Coffee Haus. Goodness gracious, I now think about it daily. I only allow myself to indulge once weekly, though. Iced Pistachio Latte!!!!! I salivate thinking about it.
Favorite Product: With the job offer, came the giddies to set up my new office area. I moved my desk, and set up all my goodies. My favorite addition by far: my prayer cards. I purchased this specific set at Painted Tree (☹️ which no longer exists). I keep them in my desk drawer and before beginning any work for the day will read one, and pray. It helps my mindset more than anything to put the Lord before any work within my day.
Monthly Moment: My friend's partner is from Louisiana, so naturally, I suggested a seafood boil. Selfishly, of course. On Father's Day we all got together: margaritas, laughs, and LOTS of crab. The kind of evening where you look up and it's suddenly way later than you planned, all out of genuinely good company. Better than the crab, though? Reading Goodnight Biscuit to my friend's son before bed. I'm just a sucker for a cute baby.
Monthly Ten
What I enjoyed from June’s 10s:
While not an arcade, I checked it — we went on a double date to TopGolf and had a blast. Though I definitely hit like I closed both my eyes (and definitely had the lowest score) it was a new experience that we had fun with.
We baked our favorite cookies and filled our cookie jar!
With the same friends we went to TopGolf with, we also both had the joint experience of trying a seafood boil together for the first time. Needless to say it will not be the last boil we do. White wine + crab legs = happy Sam.
While I decided to skip gardening this Summer due to….well, by the time I decided I want to it was late, and I didn’t feel like up keeping. However, I did clean up our patio for the Summer, that way it looks presentable, despite us not spending too much time on it (the heat is wicked, again thank you air conditioning).
The fullest month of the year yet! I cannot wait to see what overfills into July. You know when you just have a feeling the month ahead will be stellar? A girl has an inkling. And I pray the same for you, sweet friend.
Until August!
As a reminder, I have an anonymous survey about my newsletter. It helps me know what you, as a reader, are most interested in to continue pouring writing in those topics. No pressure, but it would mean the world for guidance!
Oh! I also have an Amazon Storefront, too. A fun way to support my dog’s dental chew obsession.
1) congrats on your new job!!!! eek God is so faithful, it'll be more than you could've ever hoped for or imagined :') 2) velcro dog are you kidding?! absolutely adorable and 3) i mustttt make myself those prayer cards, such a sweet idea.