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

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
                                      

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

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