I was so happy to wake up in Ocala this Sunday! It has been several weeks since I’ve had a Sunday in Ocala, thanks to Mother’s Day, a bridal shower, a wedding and my dad’s birthday. I absolutely loved every single one of our weekends away, but it feels nice to return to normalcy and enjoy a typical Ocala Sunday.
Our morning began with an 8:30 a.m. church service. Ryan and I stayed after church for an hour or so because the leader of our small group asked us if we wouldn’t mind sharing more about our small group experience on camera. (You can read more about one of my favorite small group meetings in this blog post.)
The pastor who is in charge of small groups asked us questions and we were filmed as we answered them and opened up about our small group. We had nothing but good things to say! I really wanted to convey the fact that I was apprehensive and nervous to sign up to participate in a small group at first because neither Ryan nor I had participated in one in the past. We weren’t sure if joining a small group would be awkward or if we would feel really out of place.
Our small group experience exceeded all of our expectations and everyone was so welcoming, friendly and kind and I hope we were able to convey that on camera! It was kind of a neat way to kick off a Sunday!
After church, we ran our typical errands and stopped into the grocery store for lots of food.
When we arrived home, we were awfully hungry, so I prepared a quick single-skillet meal that included chicken sausage, onions, sweet corn and peppers.
Topped with avocado!
Once our stomachs were no longer rumbling, we headed outside into the heat for a Sunday afternoon car wash!
I also vacuumed the inside of my car washed the inside of my car windows because Sadie’s wet nose marks made them look rather dingy. Whenever her wet nose streaks start to overtake my windows, I cannot help but think about this adorable sign I saw on Etsy!
Sadie is so talented!
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Emily says
I could tell there is something special in you and now I know what it is! I love how you attend church and I can see His love in you! You are always so positive and uplifting. Stay close to God and keep your light shining!
Blessings!!!
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog says
I always love you single skillet meals! So simple – yet so delicious 🙂 I just moved to a new area so I wonder if a similar group might be helpful for me to meet new people. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Stephanie @ Steph's Miles says
A car wash sounds like a good way to beat the heat this summer Sunday! This is one of the first days in two weeks it hasn’t rained in South Florida!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl says
Everything is better with avocado!! Sounds like a great weekend. I got my car washed yesterday, but I was far too lazy to do it myself. 😉
Anne says
Great Sunday pics! Sadie’s tongue looks a mile long! Too cute.
Lauren says
I just washed Elmo’s nose art from my windows yesterday. 😉 Little Picasso! I think it’s funny you automatically know someone is a dog lover if they have streaks on their windows. Haha!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I REALLY need to clean the outside and inside of my car. I am a really clean person when it comes to my apartment, but for some reason I just never get around to giving the same care to my car. It has been looking pretty sad lately :(.
Nicole @ FruitnFitness says
The simplicity of one pot meals make meal prepping so easy! Everything really is better with avocado, yum! I’m sure Sadie is very talented with her nose art. I feel like my car is always covered in dog hair and nose art. Bentley is a goldendoodle an doesn’t really shed but for some reason he sheds in the car.
Beth @ Mangoes and Miles says
Single skillet meals are my favorite. I hate washing dishes, and I hate putting a ton of effort into my meals, so it’s the way to go for me!
Natalie @ Free Range Human says
I love that sign! I have some of my dog’s art on my back window right now 🙂
Molly @ There Goes Molly Rose says
I agree with that first comment! Way to be open on camera, not many people can do that (me included!) have a great week pbf!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
I would love to join a small group someday!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
That’s great you’re loving your small group so much! We are part of a small group too, and just love it. Haha and I can relate all too well to the dog nose streaks on the inside of the windows! 😉
Nancy says
Oof group interviews were the death of me in High School. I was soo introverted and shy, and I felt like everyone took the stage lol 🙁 Bad memories!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Mmmmm…your lunch sounds great! Sometimes it’s definitely nice just to stay home and not have to go anywhere. That’s what my day was like yesterday! Love the Sadie pic!
Ellie@Fit for the soul says
Hallelujah! So awesome to know that you guys have been getting blessed and are now being a blessing in return by becoming more and more involved. 😀 Keep it up even when times get tough~! And that is such a funny sign. You should totally put it up on your car so people know it’s not you that’s the problem–it’s Sadie 😉
Iris says
I always love hearing about your small group! I have been wanting to join one for a long time. I’m not in a relationship, though, so I sometimes feel awkward joining a small group (obviously not one for couples!) by myself. Maybe I’ll bite the bullet and try anyway? It must be so nice to have that kind of close-knit fellowship!
Iris @ Anatomy & Intuition
Beth Sheridaan says
LOVE my small group…There’s really nothing like them, especially when you get in a really good one that is close and not afraid to really talk and open up about everything. I’m so glad that you are enjoying that 🙂
Amanda says
Love my small group also – so nice to actually DO life with other people. I’m so glad you’re connecting in to your church, I made the decision to really get involved a year ago and it has changed my life so much for the better. It’s like I have a massive family now!
Jen @ Chocolate Chips & Tricep Dips says
We have small groups at our church too. I think they are a perfect way to make people feel more “at home” in a big-church environment. It’s comforting to know you have church family to support you. We have come to depend on them so much…they’re our extended family!
Court Star @ StarSystemz says
I just became religious and have been having such a great experience exploring my spiritual side! Love being apart of a small group as well 🙂 Thanks for sharing your experience! Love + Shine CourtStar
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats says
That skillet lunch looked delicious 🙂
Megan says
My dog does the same thing! My mom is not used to animals at all and we live pretty far from each other so the rare times she has been in my car since getting Sasha is always like what in the world happened to your windows?!?
Kimberly {Manifest Yourself} says
My Sunday’s with the husband sound pretty similar. Is it mandatory that all couples must grocery shop after church? 🙂
This Fit Chick says
I love a good car wash! It’s been ages… My weekend was very chilled. I am ready to kick it this week`1
Valerie says
I’m in the same situation! I started working at this amazing gym (seriously off the hook and the home of the USA field hockey team) and during work I am itching to go get in a killer workout with everyone there. However, after work I don’t even feel like working out anymore. What I found that helps is to have a date with a coworker to work out together! That makes it not only more fun, but also a great motivator to get an effective workout in.
Ashley says
I love your blog. Thanks for being a testimony to Christ. Your blog is so much more than workouts and healthy eating. You have so much substance to your blog, and I just love it! You and Ryan are too cute too! My adorable husband is a Ryan too! Aren’t Ryans just the best!
Thanks again for all you share.
God Bless
Miranda @ Miranda Runs says
Haha my dog does the same thing! When she looks out the window she doesn’t realize there’s glass there and hits her head against the window too. It’s funny in a pathetic way 😉
Lauren Williams says
That is really cool you are in a small group! I really want to do one with my husband but with your busy schedules it seems impossible. Maybe we can be in one when we retire 😉