December Challenge

I got an email this evening from a friend who is also a photographer, sharing a challenge she is taking on for the month of December. It's a photography challenge: one picture for every day of the month, according to a list. She shared her list with me and I believe that I'm taking it! 

Here's my list.

I think I'm going to take them all in black and white and post them at the end of the month...or weekly...or every day...Hmm..

Either way, I'm looking forward to it!

Why not take the challenge with me?

I'm a 90's Kid

I was cruising around Facebook recently and saw a friend post this article:

10 Things 90's Kids will have to Explain to their Children

I nearly cried I was laughing so hard.

The article mentions some things like Topanga, awesome music we all listened to and little things that make me feel like I'm a kid again. Definitely take a look at this article-it's worth a good laugh at the least.

What were your favorite things as a "90's" kid?

Here are some of mine:

I bet I listened to this for months. And I still have it.

I watched this all the time. Still do.

I practically lived off these.

I wanted to be Kimberly so badly.

I'd love to have the money I spent on these dumb things.

Times

Every once in a while I'll play music during my writing sessions. There are always those songs that you never get tired of, songs that bring back crazy memories, and songs that grasp the core of your heart and continue to every time you listen to them.

While writing today, this song by Tenth Avenue North started to play and I felt my heart get heavy. I'm so grateful for these lyrics today, and every time I listen to this song.

I know I need you
I need to love you
I love to see you,                                                                                                                                                 but its been so long
I long to feel you
I feel this need for you                                                                                                                                         and i need to hear you
is that so wrong?
oh oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh oh

Now you pulled me near you
when we're close  fear you
still im afraid to tell you
all that i've done
are you done forgiving?
or can you look pass my pretending?
Lord I'm so tired of defending
what I've become
what have I become?
oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

i hear you say "my love is over,
its underneath, its inside, its in between
the times you doubt me, when you can't feel
the times that you've questioned 'is this for real?'
the times you've broken, the times that you mend
the times you hate me and the times that you bend
well my love is over, its underneath
its inside, its in between,

these times you're healing
and when your heart breaks
the times that you feel like you've fallen from grace
the times you're hurting
the times that you heal
the times you go hungry and are tempted to steal
in times of confusion and chaos and pain
im there in your sorrow under the weight of your shame
im there through your heartache
im there in the storm
my love i will keep you by my power alone
i dont care where you've fallen, where you have been
i'll never forsake you
my love never ends, it never ends
mmm, mmm
oh oh, oh oh, oh oh

Turkey Day

Most holidays seem like pretty long days with my family. They usually consist of early mornings, a couple car rides and lots of noise. But, they are good. At least I can be thankful for the chance to be with my family. Here are some photos from our 2011 turkey day. It was a long one, but always a good one.

 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!"

Psalm 107:1

Tears in His Bottle

"You have kept count of my tossings;

put my tears in your bottle."

-Psalm 56:8

I came across this verse tonight as I was searching for comfort.

I thought it was sort of ironic, but God didn't.

The compassion within it struck my core. Also, the choice of words. "Bottle" is actually in the Bible? And "tears in your bottle"-seriously? That's a bit hopeless-romantic, huh? As my wonderings lingered, I got into some other translations and they agreed with ESV. 

God puts our tears in His bottle.

It was a good reminder months ago when talking with a dear friend who was going through a hard divorce.  God knows her tossings, and not one of them has fallen in vain.

It's a good reminder as I'm single. Lonely, hurting nights are not spent alone. God is near to my broken-heart and takes notice of my pain.

It's encouraging to remember for a friend who has dealt with losing a loved one. 

Or deep sin.

Or doubt.

Or waiting.

It's soothing to my pain. Knowing God cares about my tears doesn't solve, or satisfy my questions, but it lends a compassionate, calming feeling that is a gift beyond words. It, too, is freeing. I don't have to wonder if what I'm going through, or what they're going through, is without thoughtful care or counsel. It's compelled with hope. 

We are loved and sought-out and seen by God in every passing moment. This brings life. In the midst of tossing, we can find joy-not because God makes us happy, but because God is one who cares and commits his life to saving ours and rescuing us from our sorrows and pain...even as we fill His bottle.

Bananas for Banners

I'm known for going a little crazy for banners...

 What can I say?

They are the perfect addition for a party or shower.

Here's my most recent one.

If you missed the tutorial on these easy banners, check it out.

My Black Friday

Most people went shopping after their Thanksgiving dinner,

or were up at the crack of dawn this morning to get the best deals.

I went to bed around 11 with a full belly,

and woke up around 9 am.

I proceeded to make a pot of coffee, catch up on my two favorite shows,

while I wrote and edited some photos. 

This is the perfect Black Friday.

And it involes 

NO shopping,

NO lines

and NO crowds.

Praise the Lord.

Giving Thanks

We've all got plenty to be thankful for. I think we just fall very short of realizing what we're really thankful for and blessed with. My prayer for you all is that you truly give thanks this year. I'm sure there are things going on in your life that aren't as you'd like them (I'm right there with you), but we have reason to be thankful, and don't forget that. The Lord says to give thanks in everything we do. And we should.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

May you give thanks to the Lord and to everyone today and every day.

Bucket List

I am not one of those people who write out a list of what I'm going to do before I die. I could care less about climbing Mt. Everest or jumping out of a plane. But recently, I've been thinking about some things that I truly desire to do in this lifetime. Some are in the works, and some might never happen, but a girl can dream. Thought I'd share what I've got written down.

1. Move.
I know, you are probably thinking, "what?" Well let me explain. I've lived in the same town for almost 25 years. Murfreesboro is great and has been great. It's a wonderful town to grow up in and has been great for my childhood, adolescence and college years. However, due to growing up and becoming an adult, I am looking for something more. I need to get out of my comfort zone and go somewhere that isn't so familiar. I'm open to anywhere. A new state, a new town, 45 minutes or 4 hours. Whatever the Lord wants to do is what I'm okay with. Time will tell, I guess.

2. Write a book.
If you know me well or follow my blog, you know how I feel about writing. It's my thing. It's rare to find me without a journal (or two) in my purse, or blogging from my iPhone. I've thought about writing a book for a while now. Only until recently, it's been just a thought. I'm still trying to figure out the exact message and direction I want for it, so it's a work in progress.

3. Adopt a child.
Children are my absolute world. I can remember being very young and if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd answer with "a mommy." In recent years, I have wanted a husband more than children, but children are definitely a desire. God has shown me the beauty of being a parent outside of how he designed it and the blessing it can be. I've seen so many friends adopt children who were in need of love and care and some weren't married. It's not the path that I'd choose, but if God gave me the option to adopt a child I know I'd do it. I love children like they're my own, and I know that adoption is something I'd be lucky to experience.

4. Spend a month (or more) overseas.
I've spent a lot of time doing mission work outside of the US. I've loved every single minute of it but I haven't gotten to experience it for a lengthy amount of time. I want to go somewhere I've never been, meet new people, experience new things and grow. It's so hard to grow when you're around the same people, same places, same things. I learn so much about myself and about the Lord when I'm outside of my comfort zone and I long for that. You can hear him speak so clearly and it's hard to hear him in the hustle and bustle of this world. So, I want to get out for a long time and just see what this world has to offer. And maybe help someone else along the way.

5. Go back to the Dominican Republic.
If you haven't read about how I feel about the Dominican, click here to read about my time spent there. That place and those people have my whole heart. I've never experienced anything more wonderful or more beautiful in my entire life. Being a part of what God is doing there is nothing but a blessing and I thank the Lord often for them and what he taught me while I was there. I don't know if I ever will get the chance to go back, but I pray I will.

Well, there's my list.

There's not much to it, but there's a lot of heart within it.

Best Friend's Wedding

I will save you a lot of the emotion, make-me-cry details and just share a little of my heart with you about last weekend. If you want the boo-hooey stuff, you can go here and read it.

My best friend is married..

and I couldn't be happier. 

Who knew that this..

...would turn into this!

(forgive the blurry mobile shot...no real pictures yet.)

My SIL is a married woman and I am so proud of her and so happy for her and her wonderful husband, Jason. He is seriously amazing and I adore him. Amber has meant the world to me from the day we met and she always will. She's the best friend I've ever had and no one is like her. I love her so much. Here are a few pictures from the wedding day. It was the most beautiful weekend and I am honored that I could stand by her side through it all.

I love you, SIL.

November: Week 3

Another week in the books.

Wow.

As we get older, time seems to fly faster and faster.

I find myself just sitting in silence and enjoying it.

It's rare to find that anymore.

Check out week three and what I've been thankful for. 

Day 15

Today I'm thankful for new friendships.

I'm really thankful that the Lord continues to bring people into my life who love me and love him. I have always loved meeting new people and especially ones that you instantly 'click' with. I've met some great people recently and grown friendships I've already had and it's been such a blessing. I love how God always puts the people you need in your path.

Day 16

Today I'm thankful I can choose love over hate.

It's so hard to love others sometimes. We go through life and people hurt us and we go through things that aren't easy, and we find ourselves at the crossroads of choosing to love someone despite pain we've felt or we find ourselves having hate and anger in our hearts. I found myself at the fork and chose love. And I'm thankful the Lord gives us that choice.

Day 17

Today I'm thankful for answered prayers.

Praise the Lord for answered prayers! All too often I fail to see where God is working, and I think a lot of people do as well. I pray for a lot of things and people, and sometimes over look God answering what I've asked. I ask him to protect my family, provide for me and give me faith. I take for granted that my family is safe and healthy, that there's money in my bank account and that the hard times are giving me more faith. It's all how you look at life and when you look hard enough, you'll see he's answered it. 

Day 18

Today I'm thankful for miracles from the Lord.

When I say miracles, I mean literal miracles for us. Not healing or anything like that. I mean, the fact that I'm able to wake up and there is air in my lungs is a miracle. The truth that sets my soul free every day is a miracle. The comfort in knowing where my eternity lies is a miracle. And it's all because of the worthy and wonderful Jesus Christ. 

Day 19

Today I'm thankful for productive days.

On this day, I had gotten up, ran to the bank, grabbed coffee and returned home. I did two loads of laundry, edited pictures for four hours and prepared 6 blog posts. Hello productivity! It's rare to get a full day like that out of me, but when there's one it's so awesome. I am glad I had the strength for that because I needed it. 

Day 20

Today I'm thankful that my life is in God's hands.

Sometimes I get so caught up in what I want and what I need to do and what I think. I found myself just sitting down with my journal and praying to the Lord, asking him what HE wanted and for forgiveness for being so rooted within myself. It's comforting knowing that I don't have to worry about what's going to happen to me or what the plan for my life is. God's got something better than I could ever plan, anyways.

Day 21

Today I'm thankful for smiles.

Lately, anytime I've been sad or gotten down on myself there has been something that has lifted my spirits and made me smile. Thank you Lord, for the little things in life that make me smile. It could be anything from a text, to something on Facebook, even little reminders from pictures or friends. They're usually small and insignificant to most people, but to me they are my saving grace.

Just a few more days left.

Rainy Day

Most people can't stand days like today: rainy, wet, windy and cold. I, however, love them. It gives me an excuse to stay inside, write and take cool pictures of the rain on my windowsill.

One thing I am working on today is a new writing project.

It involves something the Lord told me to do and something that scares the life out of me. I am anxious and excited all at the same time. I just keep my eye on him, day after day, and just do what he tells me to. Long story short, he tells me to start another journal...

So I did.

Maybe later I can share the reason and purpose behind this new venture.

Until then, happy rainy day everyone! 

Five Girls and a Cabin

Before I show pictures of the wedding, I must hurry and show off the second best weekend of the year. It was almost a month away from my best friend's wedding, so we got the girls together, loaded up the car and headed to Gatlinburg for a weekend getaway for Amber's bachelorette party. We could not have had a better time together, and I'm so glad we were able to have that time. Here's a few pictures from the weekend. 

Our awesome cabin.

Of course we had to decorate in the tackiest manner.

Shopping around and making a special stop at Hard Rock for the groom.

Saturday night was our big night out, and it could have not been better. 

We got dressed up and treated the bride to one special night.

 We had the best time and after a few great days, packed up and headed home...

...but not before we got the best souvenirs and took some great pictures.

 "What happens in the 'burg stays in the 'burg."