Wednesday, December 15, 2010

"I fear nothing, for God will take care of me"




Okay, So kids are on the mind today, and this is a picture of me and my little friend Hope at the host home I stayed at. I LOVED getting to spend time with her... I would wake up in the morning to a "GOOD MORNING!" Followed by getting jumped on, and then cuddled on, and then being laughed at for how tired looking I was. :) Hope and I have something in common, we were both adopted... I can honestly say God has given us both a gift of  family, that I will never be able to repay him for, and I am working on praying for the little ones who don't have that same gift...

Here are a few struggling with this...


This picture was taken by a friend of mine, Josh, and it really made me think of how truly good it is to be thankful. For that matter, what it even means to be thankful, to not be wanting all the time, to truly have friends and family be stripped away by disaster. How God can fully restore and be the answer in a very hard time.

This next video of Pastor Vladimir, introduced by Franklin Graham really made me remember that I can't live without Jesus, and really tugged at my heart. It is worth your time.
It was definitely worth mine.
<3


"I fear nothing, for God will take care of me."
-Pastor Vladimir

Monday, December 13, 2010

Sign of "I Love You"

Sign of "I love you"


This Dangle Open Picture frame was so easy to make.

Ingrediants:
4 Globs of Hot Glue
2 Slices of Yarn
1 Antique Frame
4 Fun www.picnik.com Pictures


The story behind this frame comes from missing my mom at ACU, and going antique shopping with my cousin Ally in Waco at Laverty's (spelling)? For my mom's birthday, she wanted these four pictures that she could put up in her work-room at home. I took these pictures just to say that i loved her freshman year of college. In memory of when I was little, and my dad and I would get in the freezing car in -10 degree Anchorage Alaska to head to school. My beautiful mom would be standing directly in front of the frosted window, signing "i love you!" as we were backing into to the driveway. I would always sign back, and I will never forget picture of the smile and giggles she would put on my face as we signed each other every morning before school. Well I am glad to say that one, I don't live in the freezing negative 10 degree weather, two Happy Birthday Mom I love you! and Three! As for now No more backing out of the driveway for school!

{The whole "leaving the frame open" is so in right now, and it will look perfect with everything in her room. So for Christmas ya'll this is a nice gift to make a bold statement to anyone on your Christmas list for just under 12$!}

<3

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Don't Cry, Goooood Joke!


This picture was taken in August of 2009,  Lindsey and I had the hardest time I think after this picture was shot, just a little over a year ago on move in day. I remember how excited everyone was to get settled and how it was so incredibly hard to leave mom and dad, but nonetheless Erica Save the Day Porter, helped us out, and pumped us up for being at ACU on First East. Probably why she is RA on First East now. =) LOVE YOU! AND if you are on Erica's hall and reading this, I would like to inform you, that you have the best RA ever. DONE! From left to right Callie, Laura, Lindsey, Erica, Me, and Kaily. I am going to miss you girls! Callie Ive been missing you for quite some time. This picture is making me cry as I write this because its so true that there is a time for everything. I have had my time at ACU and won't be coming back next semester. 
As the week goes on memories like this rush to my mind like it was yesterday. I have learned so much, grown so much, and made lifelong friends, and am so thankful God gave me the opportunity to be here.
I have memories that will ALWAYS make me laugh, and always remember why life is just so dang good. =) I am going to miss you girls! 



     
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the        
                                                 heavens:
                                             Ecclesiastes 3:1
                                                     <3









                                       

Thursday, December 2, 2010

A Precious Childlike Faith


         I am in love with this little girls heart.
      Check out her video on I am second. 
She is so beautiful.
<3

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 
<3 




Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Shaky Branches


I have been a little shaky in my walk with God lately, lets be honest... who doesn't get shaky? I was flipping through my pictures and found this picture of a tree branch I took in Hawaii. It reminded me of the Vines and Branches Passage, and this scripture really reminded me of who God is to me. Why he loves me so much? I realize now that its okay to be a shaky branch, because regardless of what I do, God will do whatever he wants!

Introduction
The objective of pruning is to produce strong, healthy, attractive plants. By understanding how, when and why to prune, and by following a few simple principles, this objective can be achieved.

Reasons For Pruning
The main reasons for pruning ornamental and shade trees include safety, health, and aesthetics. In addition, pruning can be used to stimulate fruit production and increase the value of timber. Pruning for 
safety (Fig. 1A) involves removing branches that could fall and cause injury or property damage, trimming branches that interfere with lines of sight on streets or driveways, and removing branches that grow into utility lines. Safety pruning can be largely avoided by carefully choosing species that will not grow beyond the space available to them, and have strength and form characteristics that are suited to the site.

Pruning for 
health (Fig. 1B) involves removing diseased or insect-infested wood, thinning the crown to increase airflow and reduce some pest problems, and removing crossing and rubbing branches. Pruning can best be used to encourage trees to develop a strong structure and reduce the likelihood of damage during severe weather. Removing broken or damaged limbs encourages wound closure.

Pruning for 
aesthetics (Fig. 1C) involves enhancing the natural form and character of trees or stimulating flower production. Pruning for form can be especially important on open-grown trees that do very little self-pruning.


So literally pruning in the natural sense, is for Safety, Health, and bringing out the natural Aspects of the tree. I  love this parallel in John:15




John 15

The Vine and the Branches
 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.   5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
   9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Open Doors

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hQK6GIrpYU

(watch this video by Dave Barnes you will be blessed, you might even smile and squeal, a little, just a little) ;)



This picture is of Chase and I on a snow day before we started dating, 
lets just put it this way... there is a lot of Joy, and make-up running =)
I am so thankful for him, and all of my close friends and family who make living
so fun. I don't thank God enough, for all the doors he has opened that no one can shut, no matter what the weather, height nor depth. I realized this week
my life would be so different without you all.
GOD GAVE ME YOU 

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
and I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you. 
<3


     “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open."

Revelation 3:7
<3

God thank you for doors that no one can shut



Sunday, November 21, 2010

Its a Beautiful Day with "you two"


Okay, so i want to be a photographer, but being a photographer means appreciating other artists work and others in general. SO the links underneath are two of the most amazing photographers I know personally. Josh Newton, and Grace Parnell. SO go have fun and look at their work because they are AWESOME at it! =) Also these two models in this picture I took above are Katie and my best friend Lindsay, just having a blast being silly. Also "U2" their song Beautiful Day, is one of the best songs in the whole world, such a good pick-me up, its the last link at the bottom, and a photographer is included too ;) so look at her work as well! 

                                         
                                     http://www.flickr.com/photos/gracekathleen/page2/


                                                         http://joshnewton.com/
                                                                
                                             http://christinemeeker.com/index2.php 
                                                                              
                                                                        <3
                                      

Saturday, November 20, 2010

alaskan memories to be thankful for


Because its almost thanksgiving. Being thankful is always in mind. I am so incredibly thankful for Alaska, and how blessed I was to live there. I met SO many amazing people who LOVE God and LOVE his creation, and most importantly are SUCH good friends. This picture was taken in 2006, my best friend Valerie Kirk and I hiked up a mountain by Girdwood, oh my gosh was it beautiful! I remember saying... "Val it is SO hot up here!" She said... "yeah this is the part of our hike where we go Sports bras," I was like "really"? =) But it really was hot, and SO worth it. I learned to listen to her, through gymnastics and volleyball twice a week. I have had so many good memories in Alaska, it made up my childhood, memories like... Going to Solid Rock for a week over the summer with Hillary, oh man those horses were NUTS? and memories that kept me up till 2 am DAYLIGHT? =) such a cool place, and memories sitting around the TV when it was WAY to cold to be outside, memories being with my mom in our kitchen on the middle floor with the sun peeking in from the inlet, beaming into the kitchen while we made cookies, and other  things. Memories picking up my dad from the airport, after a long two weeks on the slope, and the smile he had, it was like he hadn't seen us for a year, SO happy, and i was ALWAYS ready to get him. Memories of skiing down HUGE mountains with my family, and MOST definitely not able to keep balance. Memories of hanging out with the Hitz's, around the dinner table, eating and laughing like the night would never end. Memories of Staying up till 2 in the morning reading my bible that I having sitting in my dorm room on the shelf right now. Used and brutally loved. Memories of my brother and sister's friends coming over, and loving on them. Memories of laughs and giggles till bedtime stories couldn't keep a sleeper awake. I am so thankful for Change Point and how all my church family was committed to a wild crazy journey of radical love for Christ. Spurred on by Dan Jarrell and Karl Clausen. Memories of Keith Lauwers, leading my Grandpa to Jesus, just before he left this earth. Memories of Grace Christian, and my closest friends, having so so so much fun, loving God together, laughing SO hard it hurt. I am so thankful for Alaska. So many memories. God is so good. I forget how good he is sometimes.

 "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing  
with thankfulness."
                                                   Colossians 2:6-7
                                                              <3

Friday, November 19, 2010

He determines my Steps


I have learned in my life so far that I can make as MANY plans as I want to, but ultimately God determines my steps. This picture is of Chase and I spending 30 minutes letting our friend Aubree take some practice shots for her blog. I love this picture, because its true. My best friend and I walking together through the thick and thin, with God in our hearts, keeping us in step. I am so thankful I have such an amazing man to love and be loved by. I have a plan to become a photographer, and think I would really love that, but don't really know if that is what I am going to be doing for my job. Chase, my friends and mom and dad are so supportive of figuring out what is best.They don't have that at ACU so I am headed to next semester of some of mom's hugs, cooking, family time, and then my amazing mom and dad are sending me off to shadow some of the most amazing photographers I know around the US. So i won't be in college, letting God determine my steps I will be all over, figuring out what he wants and desires for my life. But for now, I am taking it one day at a time, soaking up thanksgiving, and spending as MUCH time with the people I just love and can't get enough of, before I experience this "change," of direction in my journey. I am so excited to learn from God and trust him more. He is so good. 
<3
Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps