Hello there! I have been gone for a little over three months and during that time I've been taking things slow and focusing on my businesses. But, I am back in time for the Christmas season and I am super excited about it because this is my favorite time of the year.

Life can get busy. With so many tasks to complete and things to remember, your schedule can quickly become complicated. I have always enjoyed looking for ways to simplify my life and one thing that I have found to be helpful is productivity apps.

Since we can all use a little less stress in our lives and a little more organization, today I am sharing with you my top 5 favorite apps that boost productivity. Each one of these apps has been personally used by me and found to be helpful.

Can you believe that it is almost September? As I'm sure we can all agree, this summer did not quite look like what was expected. For me personally, there were several events and plans that had to be canceled or postponed throughout the summer. However, that doesn't mean that my summer was bad. In fact, there are many things that I am thankful for over this past summer! I even posted a life update last month that shows a little of what my summer consisted of.

Since time flew by over these past several months, and we are nearing autumn, in today's post, I am sharing a few of my goals for the month of September. So, let's get to it.

Welp, this post was supposed to go live a few months ago but here we are after I finally hit "publish". It is still summer though so I wouldn't say this post is too late. Anyway, back in April I decided to splurge a little bit and get a few new clothing pieces for the warmer months and since then I have picked up a few other items as well. So, today I am sharing a few of my favorite finds that I have purchased.

School is almost back in session for many but this year's schedule will most likely look a lot different than previous years. While some of us will be going back to in-person classes, whether in grade school or college, many will be continuing their education online.

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope that your week has been a good one so far. If you read my recent post titled {Life Update: 5-Year Blogiversary, Photography, COVID} then you would have seen that I recently launched my photography business called Madalyn Dobbs Photography. With this business, I offer many different photo sessions including family, lifestyle, event, engagement, and more. I also take pictures for my other businesses including Adorned With Delight and this blog. Since I enjoy learning what other's have in their photography toolkits, I decided to share with you all what I personally use for my photography business, what items I would recommend, and a few items that I don't currently use but would be great additions to any lineup of photography tools.

Well hello there! It has been a little over a month since I last posted and as I am sure you all have experienced, life has been a little unpredictable lately. With all that has continued to go on in the world, a few things have occurred in my life which led me to write this life update.

Peace is something that a lot of us may be looking for right now. If you are struggling and are searching for a source of peace or words of encouragement during a peaceless time, then look no further than the Bible.


I encourage you to go back and read the full context for these verses and study them on your own. These would be great to add to your time in the Word. Allow His presence to be the peace that you desperately seek.

Here are 20 Bible verses for peace (in no particular order):

April is over? It feels like it was just the first week. Does anyone else feel like time is going way faster in quarantine? I definitely do.

Over the past month, I have been accumulating a list of a few favorite things that I have either used or just enjoyed throughout the month of April. These items range from many categories including food, beauty, entertainment, and more, and today I thought it would be fun to share them with you.


Leave a comment down below if you also enjoy these items or have a favorite of your own that you would like to share with me. I thought it would be fun if I did these posts monthly or at least quarterly to see how my favorites change over time.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored and there are no affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

So, here are some of my current favorites from April divided into their categories:

How are you doing being stuck safe inside? I honestly don't even know how long it has been since I first stayed inside. I think this makes week 5 for me? Anyway, the first couple of weeks that I was inside I was fine with not have a routine/schedule. I was content with going to bed and waking up whenever, eating on a weird schedule, and sometimes sitting in bed way too long. /: But, as the weeks went on and I began to slack on doing the things that I needed to do (such as schoolwork) and I began to realize how I could be taking care of myself better when it came to sleep and eating habits, I challenged myself to start sticking to a schedule (a loose one might I add).


Ever since I have created a little more structure each day I have found my days to be more productive and my mood to be improved. Getting ready some days, eating well, working out, sleeping right, and setting aside focus time for work has helped me to feel better overall and keeps me focused on the tasks at hand.

Before I go on though I wanted to include a little disclaimer that I do not think following a schedule closely or staying busy is, or should be, your source of contentment or happiness. Rest is important and I have been so thankful for the slower pace recently as I'm sure we all are, at least to some degree. No amount of tasks completed, calories counted, or time spent following a schedule will fill the void of uncertainty or ease anxieties during times like these. If you're looking for true rest and hope during this time then His name is Jesus. If you don't know Him personally then email me and I would be ecstatic to talk to you about Him. (:

That being said, I do not follow the following routine to a tee nor do I stick to it every day. I also didn't sit down and figure this out in one day but instead just began to see a similar routine occur across many days. To be honest with you, sometimes my days look nothing like this, and others look more closely like it. In fact, weekends usually look completely different! This routine has just helped me to find motivation and has been a source of daily accountability for me.

So, to finally get to the reason you all are reading, here is my (general) quarantine routine:

9am (sometimes 8): I usually set my alarm for 9am though sometimes I will get up earlier. Once I scroll through social media, check my email (respond if needed), and maybe watch a couple YT videos, I will get up and eat breakfast. Then I will do my Bible reading for the day. This month I have been following along with @christiangirls April reading plan on IG (not sponsored I just genuinely like it!). Then I'll usually read a book (currently Radical by David Platt), make my bed, open my windows (cause ya know, a little sunshine goes a long way), and get ready (the extent to which I get ready depends on whether I have Zoom calls that day, to be honest).

10am: I try to start working an hour after I wake up and that usually means starting on one of my classes (out of the four). The specific class depends on if I have something due that day but I usually like to change up which one I start with. After one hour with one class, I'll usually start on another one and then stop for lunch or join my Zoom class. On Sundays, our church service goes live at 11am.

12pm: On Mondays and Wednesdays I have my Dance Appreciation Zoom class that I am on until 1:20pm. Other days I will eat lunch at this time and take a break with a TV show, book, or my phone.

1pm: Then I will start working on my third class of the day for an hour.

2pm: At this time I will work on my fourth class.

3pm: Whatever class(es) I still need to work on I will try to finish within an hour.

4pm: If I am done with my classes for the day I will then take about an hour to work on my blog or business. Sometimes that means creating social media posts, responding to emails, creating email campaigns and graphics, or other tasks that need to be completed.

5pm: New for me, this month I have been working out every single day following along with Blogilates April workout calendar (again not sponsored). Each day is about 45 minutes to an hour so I'll usually change, get out my mat, and struggle for the hour (jk but not really haha). On Wednesdays, I have a Bible study at 5:30pm.

6pm: By this time my family and I usually have dinner, chat, and catch up with our days, or play a game. I also like to go sit outside with our cats. On Wednesdays, I catch up with our small group at 7pm.

8pm: I'll try to get ready for bed at 8pm, though sometimes it will be a lot later. On Fridays, I also like to have "spa nights" and relax a little.

9pm: At 9pm I like to finish up on school or work if needed and then have free time with a TV show, hobby, book, YT, or a movie.

11pm-12am: Lastly, I try (keyword: try) to go to sleep at 11pm or 12am.

On the weekends, I will usually just stick to my morning routine and workout and then use the rest of the time to work on my blog or business, read, watch TV or a movie, work on a hobby, clean, hang out outside, or even drive around sometimes.

Today is Easter Sunday! Christians all around the world are rejoicing again for the resurrection of our Savior.


If we take a look back at the recount of the resurrection morning we can see the magnificence of the event and only begin to imagine what it must have been like to witness. Taking a look at the gospels gives us a glimpse into how the disciples reacted to Him coming back to life.

Matthew 28:8 says that once the angel of the Lord told both Mary's that Jesus had risen they "depart[ed] quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, [and] ran to tell his disciples the news". They believed the angel of the Lord when he told them that Jesus had risen and undoubtedly had a rush of many emotions. Continuing in verse 9 "just then Jesus met them and said "Greetings!" They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there."" The first thing that they did when seeing Jesus again for the first time was worshiped Him with reverence.

Looking at Mark 16:8 it says that the women "went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them". Luke says that the women were "perplexed...terrified and bowed down to the ground" (24:4-5). When Jesus was speaking with the disciples it says that "they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy" (verse 41).

In John's description of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene ran towards Jesus when seeing Him for the first time and the disciples "rejoiced when they saw the Lord" (20:20). Later, Simon Peter even "plunged into the sea" at the sight of Jesus (21:7).

In all of these accounts, there is a common theme of fear and astonishment but most importantly joy! They, understandably, had fear considering the raising of the dead does not happen regularly but that fear did not negate the joy that they felt. As Christians today we also get to take part in that same joy every day. Jesus is still alive today and His promises remain true not just then but now as well. Take a look at 1 Peter 1:8 which says "Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy".

If you have never read the resurrection story yourself I implore you to go take a look at it in the gospels. See for yourself how His sacrifice and resurrection was not just for that day and those people there that witnessed it, but also for today and us personally. He was thinking of you and me as well in His plan of redemption.

With the focus of Easter being the resurrection, it can be easy to forget that the story is not supposed to end there but continue. Right before Jesus ascended to heaven he had one last command for us all which is known as the Great Commission. Looking at Matthew 28:16-20, that command consists of making disciples, baptizing, and teaching all that He has commanded. We are called to continue the Easter celebration every day of our lives and share what it means with others. The joy that Easter provides did not end with Jesus's ascension to heaven but it continues through His work in us!

As we celebrate today, I challenge you to think about this question: What does His resurrection mean for us today and more specifically, your life?

Today is not about Easter bunnies and gift baskets but so much more. It is about the savior of the world overcoming death and ultimately offering a wonderful gift to each one of us! Let us hold onto the joy that he provides us and remember that nothing in this world is uncontrollable by God. He has overcome it all! He is risen! ♥

Well, today I turn 20 years old. I don't know if it is just that number that is mindblowing or the fact that I am no longer a teenager. Either way, I can't believe that it is April 5, 2020.

If you saw my post that I did last year on my birthday titled "18 Things I Learned While I Was 18" then you would know what this post is about. If not then go read that post and then come back to this one so that you can read about the lessons that I learned this past year.


Without further ado here are 19 things that I learned while I was 19. Going along with last year's disclaimer, some of these points are more thought-provoking than others and others are just great reminders.

2020 has been a little bit of a crazy year so far especially thanks to COVID-19. It's been interesting so far-seeing everyone's reactions to quarantine instructions and our limited ability to get out of the house. Some are taking it hard and struggling with staying home for extended periods of time and others are optimistically using this opportunity to slow down and use their time wisely doing things that they don't normally do.

I like to think of myself as in the latter category. If you follow me on Twitter (you can do so here) then you might have seen a thread I posted about this exact topic and my thoughts on it (if you didn't, you can see the thread in the sidebar of this blog). My thinking is that we have the rare opportunity to not be stricken by schedules or obligations. We instead have the chance to take some time to relax and dip our toes into those hobbies or tasks that we've been putting off. So, instead of just sitting around we can be productive and find fun things to do with our time!

If you are finding yourself stuck inside with nothing to do and boredom is starting to settle in then take a look at this list to get ideas on how to spend your time. Feel free to share it with others you know who may also be struggling right now!

1. Start a new hobby - Is there anything that you have wanted to start recently? Maybe learning calligraphy, photography, art, or playing music?
2. Read - Want to read your Bible every day? Challenge yourself by setting aside the time! Have a book that you never started or haven't finished? My current read is "Letters From a Skeptic" by Edward K. Boyd and Greg Boyd which I highly recommend!
3. Watch a TV show/movie - I'm currently trying to catch up on my current shows including This Is Us and The Good Doctor.
4. Play games - They could be games on your phone, Just Dance, board games, card games, etc. Playing them with family makes it even more fun!
5. Exercise - Challenge yourself to partake in at least 30 mins of physical activity each day. You could go on a bike ride, jog, walk the dog, or start a workout challenge with YouTube videos. My personal favorite YouTube fitness channel is Blogilates and she has a lot of challenges and calendars to follow along with. Try exercising outside!
6. Clean and organize - It may not always be the most enjoyable pastime but the feeling of accomplishment, once it is done, is nice. You can even take the time to make your space more inviting and cozy by redecorating.
7. Join online Bible studies - Since church is canceled and social interactions are limited, take them both online! If you can't find one to join or if your church doesn't offer live streams then search around for them or get your friends together and start one of your own!
8. Get ahead in school or work - If you are currently off work or out of school then you can use this time to get ahead. I currently have a research paper that I am working on.
9. Volunteer to help others - A lot of people are offering to help others by picking up groceries for them and sharing what they have and I think that's a great idea! See if there are any people around you in your neighborhood or city who can't get out right now and offer to help! I think it's a great way to show love to a neighbor even during times like these.
10. Challenge yourself - Your challenge could be spring cleaning a different thing each day such as cleaning out a closet or even limiting your screen time. You can even try starting a new habit such as drinking water right when you wake up. The possibilities are endless!
11. Call a friend or family member - Check in with your loved ones and see how they are doing. After all, we are all in this together (*cue high school musical soundtrack*).
12. Write a letter - Sometimes its nice to go old-school and write someone a letter instead of sending a quick text. It is something that you actually get to put effort into and your thoughts into. It shows how much you care.
13. Spend time with others - Considering the circumstances, this can seem a little counterproductive but if you aren't stuck inside by yourself then spend time with those around you. A little human interaction can go a long way.
14. Check-in with yourself - Being stuck inside is not an easy thing to do. Being aware of how you are feeling can make the difference between going crazy and staying sane. Journaling, praying, and doing a little bit of self-care can go a long way.
15. Pray for the world - Right now we could all use a little prayer. It can be an easy trap to fall into when we let fear, anxiety, or worry creep in during times like these. We have the opportunity to pray for those affected by the virus, those taking precautions against it, healthcare providers, those in leadership, and those stuck in quarantine. Above all, trusting that God is not surprised or worried about this and that He is still in control is the strongest and most effective way in which we can all get through these challenging times.

I actually created an easy-to-share graphic with these ideas that is attached below. I had a lot of fun making this graphic and I hope that you and your friends can enjoy it too! I posted this graphic on my social media as well if you want an easier way to share it.


What are you doing during this time? If you have any other ideas on things to do or just want to share what you have been up to (and how you are doing) then leave a comment down below. I would love to read your responses!

Hey everyone! How has 2020 treated you so far? I hope well! I know my past month has been pretty busy with my new job and school starting back but it has been good nonetheless.

Speaking of school I realized I haven't shared with you all the courses that I am taking this semester. If you don't know, I am a sophomore at Austin Community College studying Communications. Every semester I try to write a post all about the courses that I am taking and basically what I expect from the new semester.

Well, I had originally planned on taking 16 credit hours again like I did last semester but since my new job, I decided that taking 12 would be a lot smarter right now. I will be taking a couple of classes this summer to catch up but I am happy with my decision thus far.

So, this semester I am taking four classes:

It is now 2020 and my word of the year has officially been chosen. I have decided that my word for 2020 will be "steadfast". I actually have a little print in my room with Psalm 51:10 on it and I decided that focusing on this word and verse would be a good one to enter into the new year and decade with.


If you have followed along with me over the last year you would have seen that I actually started choosing a word for the year for the first time in 2019. I hadn't ever really thought of choosing one until many people I follow started sharing about their chosen words which inspired me to choose my own.

I am glad that I decided to do it last year because, throughout the year when I always saw my chosen word which was "praise" and my verse which was Psalm 103:1, it reminded me to praise anyway no matter what my circumstances looked like. Since knowing how important the word was to me last year I believe that this year could be the same.

I chose this word for this year because it is always a good reminder to stay strong throughout any experience life can throw at you. Staying strong in faith and what I believe in is the foundation for living life well.

2020 might have some unexpected events or seasons and hopefully some good ones! Throughout those seasons and any more that I may face in the future, I want to always be reminded to be steadfast in my faith. Writing down my word and verse will help me remember to do that throughout this year.

The sign that I have in my room is Psalm 51:10 so choosing my verse was a given. It reads "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (NIV). I really like this verse because it is actually a prayer that I always go back to. Having a pure heart and a steadfast spirit is so important for living the life that God intended us to live but, as fallen humans, it can be challenging to adopt. Having this verse as a reminder will be a nice way of challenging myself every day to turn away from sin and choose what God has created me for.

As the new year just starts, I am already beginning to see what God has in store for me over the next 12 months and it is exciting (maybe a little nerve-racking too?)! After all, we are not even 1 week into the new year and I already have been offered a really great job! Thanks God!

Only He knows what the rest of the year will look like for each one of us but I can already tell you that I am stoked to be on the ride. The future is unknown but I do know that I can always look back to my word and verse and be reminded of what is most important through it all. ♥