Who:

Welcome to my first official blog post! My name is Tina Avila. My maiden name is Destounis, so yes, I’m a Greek Canadian girl. But more importantly, I’m a girl who Jesus loves.

You’ll likely read a lot of different things on this blog because I am a lot of different things and I have a lot of different interests. I’m a wife and a mother. I’m a daughter and a sister. I’m an employee, a colleague, a cousin, and a friend. I’m a neighbour, and an acquaintance, and a child of the King. 

But nothing matters to me more than that last one. There’s a verse in the Bible, in the book of Acts, that says: in Jesus I live and move and exist. This is so true of me. Even though I am a lot of things,

my identity first and foremost is that I am a girl who Jesus loves. 

In John’s gospel, John mentions himself several times within the story of Jesus’ life simply because he was an intricate part of it. After all, he was one of Jesus’ best friends! There are at least four different moments in his gospel where John refers to himself as:

the disciple that Jesus loved. (Jn 13:23, Jn 19:26; Jn 21:7; Jn 21:20.) 

Now, at first, this may come off as a little pretentious. Almost like he’s rubbing it in our faces, or as if it’s a status symbol. But the reality is that John didn’t think too highly of himself at all. He saw his life as having very little significance apart from the simple fact that he was loved by Jesus. And to be honest, I get that.

I sometimes wonder what my life would be if I didn’t know Jesus. If I didn’t follow Him. If He didn’t guide me and teach me and lead me as He does. And then I really don’t want to think about it. I’m just so grateful to be known and loved by Him at all.

So although I’ll share a lot on here about life and love and kids and food and Netflix and coffee, all I REALLY want to be known of me, is that I’m a girl who Jesus loves. My life just has no meaning apart from that foundational truth. 

Why:

As I began to think more seriously about writing a blog, I had to consider why I would start one in the first place. The truth is that I sometimes feel like I’m the only person I know who doesn’t have it all together. Who doesn’t have it all figured out. Who doesn’t have all the answers.

So if you ever feel like you’re failing at life because you’re a terrible cook, you hate to clean, you’re not the best at your job, you’re a sub-par spouse, and below-average parent, you’re not alone! I feel that too!

But I’ve learned some things on this nearly 34 year old journey and I’d like to share some of that in case it might uplift, encourage, inspire, or just make you laugh. 

What:

When you visit this blog, you will most certainly find posts about my kids. I have 3 amazing muses.

• C is my studious musician who is 7 yrs old
• L is my superhero-inventing lego-lover who is 5 and a half
• E is my silly and spunky ray of sunshine who’s nearly 2

I also have a husband, Xavier, who keeps me grounded and makes me so happy. He’s so good at so many things, so if anyone should consider writing a blog, it’s him. I’ll brag about him on here from time to time,

but also share a bit about our journey and what we’ve learned about marriage and the S-word (sacrifice! calm down, Peggy). 

As mentioned already, I’ll write about my faith and my journey with the Lord. I’ll include some tips on how to memorize scripture which is a huge passion of mine, and other things I’ve learned from reading my Bible throughout the years. 

Other blog post topics will include food, travel, organization, fashion, budgets, fitness, boundaries and balance. Please note, I’m no expert in any of these areas. The plan is to make you laugh, or cry, or just want try at life again. 

Who for: 

I am writing this for YOU!

But seriously, as I write this post, the reader I’m picturing is a mom as clueless and sleep deprived as I am with a smartphone in one hand and a coffee in the other. Maybe she’s reading this hiding in the bathroom on her unofficial “lunch break”? Life in the trenches looks different for everyone, but that’s often mine. So if you can relate, then this blog is for you. 

So grab a coffee (hot, cold, or let’s be honest, most likely lukewarm) and let’s visit.

Any questions or comments? I’d LOVE to hear them. Please let me know in the comments below!