Childish?

My hope this Christmas season is that I will become more and more "childish".

Check out the link below. A young boy called into a radio station and shared a story that will change the way you use the word "childish".

I pray this next year, we all have a more childlike faith.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zCdZwitrNoY

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

"Lord, may my present to you this year be a heart that loves you, trusts you, and follows you like a child............"

Workin and LOVIN it!

Well....the website is almost complete! I can't wait to show you guys what I have been working on. I won't spoil the surprise, but I did want to show you just a few of my favorite images.

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I love seeing the faces of parents, husbands, wives, friends, and family members when they see their loved ones captured in a photograph. These images are timeless frames of real people and real emotions. I hope that my website will be a way to share these images and maybe brighten someone elses day! Keep checking in....the countdown has begun!

Pirates of ...?

Most of the time we think of pirates as some fictional characters from the latest Hollywood film. But sometimes I find myself being a "pirate" of sorts. No, for all you literalistic people out there, I am not talking about one of those fictional characters. (Although they do have cool outfits.)

At times I find myself going through life having a good ole time. No cares at all....including other peoples feelings, hopes, and dreams. My lack of care and concern at times leaves people hurt and "ship-wrecked".

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...."
James 1:19

Yes, this is a bit out there for an analogy but stay with me. I want to be a person who thinks about what I say, watches out for opportunities to encourage others, and knows the impact a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on can really have. I want to be careful not to steal people's joy, enthusiasm, and hope.

"...hold on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." 1 Timothy 1:19

Just as a pirate can sneak through the night without much warning and steal what we love, so can being lazy with the influence we have as Christians. I represent an awesome God and every time I miss an opportunity to show how awesome He is, I am "stealing" the joy of Christ from them. No, we are not perfect, but we represent a perfect God. We should do our bests to be as much of reflection of what He has to offer those who are hurting, lost, and "shipwrecked" as we can.

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned." Titus 2:7-8

MuSiC

Power in music...

It makes me feel...

...sad,happy,relaxed,excited,relieved,angry,energized,bold,loved,
timid,empowered,cherished,strong...

How does music make you feel?

change....will do you good?

For those of you who don't know I have recently taken a position as the Campus Coordinator/Admin for LifeChurch in Hendersonville. Our campus is a branch off the main church in Oklahoma City. It is a fast pace job with lots of challenges but with greater rewards. It is a great combination of working with people and detailed financial tasks. I am over the volunteers, plan special events, and take care of the financial aspects as well. I have to admit that it can be overwhelming at times but I live for those times when I see God using my skills to make a difference in the lives of others.

Here is the link to our campus. Check it out and let me know what you think. Let me warn you.....it's church like you probably haven't seen it before. :)

http://www.lifechurch.tv/

Lifetime together.....

Every wedding is as unique as the couple themselves.

We had so much fun capturing the sassiness of the flower girl and the coolness of the bible boy.

Amy was a beautiful bride......

...even though the clock was ticking when she arrived. :)

We can't say enough about Brent and his "men in black" either.

I wish Amy and Brent years of happiness together. They believe in God and have a great passion for each other. Standing for those beliefs side by side will ensure a long and happy marriage.

Best of luck to you guys!

life outside the "bubble"

I want to be in the world

not of the world

so I can reach the world.

Thinkin......

“Only has high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.”

~ Author Unknown~

Sisters.......

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.

~Barbara Alpert

An older sister helps one remain half child, half woman.
~Author Unknown

It was nice growing up with someone like you - someone to lean on, someone to count on... someone to tell on!

~Author Unknown

A sister shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.
~Author Unknown

Sister to sister we will always be,

A couple of nuts off the family tree.

~Author Unknown

~ I love you guys!~
~Remember to love each other, ALWAYS!~

Aunt Miriam
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When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who can stand against them?

Mercy

I have been reminded lately of what Mercy really means. I can say that I have forgiven someone and that I have had "mercy" on them. But until I let it go.....as far and the East is from the West......I have not shown mercy like Christ would.

Each day I get up and I stumble. Whether it be intentionally or not. I stumble. (Don't we all.) How awesome it is that we have a God that took our shame and guilt away. He didn't put in on a shelve so He could bring it back out when messed up again. It's gone. We have gone from darkness to light.......and we have been made clean.

I have seen so many people that are close to me struggle this past year. (myself included) Living a Christian life isn't easy. Living up to a "higher" standard is hard. Sometimes it's so hard that when we continue to compare our mistakes to that higher "standard" we become overwhelmed and defeated. We can't believe that God would forgive us, love us, and rejoice over us after we have fallen. But lets not forget that there was only one perfect man.......Jesus.

Mercy is best understood when we receive forgiveness that we don't deserve. Grace is when we continually receive that forgiveness from God. I don't think you can be Christlike and not show both.

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"What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with the your God." Micah 6:8

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I heard this song on the radio today. It struck me right away that I need to rest in God's mercy and not live a defeated Christian life. I am His child and forgiven.....again and again. Once forgiveness is given my sin and shame are gone. Also, if I am to be truly Christlike then the forgiveness I give should not come with conditions. I should not hold on to the hurt someone has caused me. Does it hurt still.......? Yes...... Does it come with questions? Yes.....but I am to forgive as Christ forgave me.

http://www.myspace.com/castingcrowns

http://www.thylyrics.com/hits/lyrics.php?id=1009390

~Mercy is receiving and giving undeserved forgiveness.~

Break Time = Lake Time

Have you ever had week that left you feeling worn out? Ok.....who am I kidding? If there is anyone who said no.....you're lying! :) This past week was one of those weeks for Justin and I. After shooting a wedding this past Sunday, working all week, and babysitting for family.....we were ready for a break.

We had planned to hang out with some old friends but weren't really sure how we were going to feel. You know.....those days when you really want to hang out and have fun but are afraid your lack of energy will leave your friends wondering why they bothered calling. :) Thankfully God has blessed us with lots of great friends who love us even on our low energy days.

Saturday morning came around and after a short trip to the Vet, (No....not for Justin.....for my puppy Layla) we called up some friends and made plans. It was decided that a short trip out on the boat was just what we all needed. So we packed up the coolers and headed out.

The kids had a blast. I was proud of Elijah and Ashley as they both made major steps towards swimming without holding on to the boat. (Trust me....this was a MAJOR step for both of them.) The big kids had fun too. In fact......the big boys had so much fun I will have to reserve some of the photos for use at a later date. :)

Our trip was cut a little short by the rain. But it just added to the adventure of the day. I must say the best part of the day was towing in another boat which was full of some "characters" to say the least. I mentioned to our friends that maybe they would want to decorate their boat like the boat we towed. I mean.....I really thought that a rusty grill and old country couches would really had some class. :)

Justin and I have been so blessed with such great friends. After moving back from Georgia we realized how much friends add value to your life. We have been lucky to have all different types of couples as friends......tell you like it is friends, hang out late friends, and of course crazy friends. The best thing is that we can be ourselves and know that happy, sad, grumpy, or tired......we have a big family to help us through this thing called life.

I look forward to making lots more memories with my friends. Life can be crazy and leave us worn out from time to time. But finding just a few hours here and there to share with friends makes the "crazy times" and little more easy.

Gotta get away.....

The ocean never ceases to amaze me. It's strength is overwhelming yet it's beauty causes me to smile. It is powerful at the very core and commands respect. At the same time it gently erases the stress of everyday life.

This past year I had been holding on to memories that weighed on my heart. But when I got to the ocean I couldn't help but think how big the world is and how small my problems really were. Yeah.....not are.....were. God has acted much like the ocean in my life. His strength is overwhelming and his gentle embrace has made me smile. I just have to remember that my worries should be as far away from me as the ocean is wide.

"You will again have compassion on us: you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19

"......forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." Philippians 3:13

"....how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ....." Ephesians 3:18

Freedom.....

As I was listening to the sound of fireworks going off I realized that not everyone has the freedom we have here in America. The sound of loud explosions are apart of our celebrations not of our everyday lives. While certain events in our history have threatened our freedom it is not an everyday battle as in some countries. A lot of people gave their lives protecting our freedom and I am grateful for their sacrifice.

Yet there is another person that made a sacrifice for my freedom that I sometimes forget to celebrate. While there was a time in my life that I felt "fireworks" in my heart I sometimes forget to honor Him the way I would my country. Freedom is best used when it honors the one that gave you the freedom.

I pray that my freedom to practice religion would honor the sacrifice Christ made for me. I pray that my freedom of speech would honor that same sacrifice as well.

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Here are some pictures I took over the weekend. I practiced my "creative" freedom and tried out a few new tricks. I hope you enjoy them.

"Little Guy"

I keep asking him to stop growing. I keep begging him for just one more "nosey-whoasy". But most of all I keep praying that he'll be my "little guy" forever.

I always thought he was special and his first year of school has proven me right. Elijah was at the top of his class and made his teacher and us very proud. He excelled in academics with the honor of "student of the month" his first month at school. But what stood out even more was how he frequently told his teacher how cool it was that he had Jesus in his heart. Making friends was easy for him....in fact....a little too easy when it came to the girls! :) I couldn't have wished for a more well behaved, kind-hearted, intelligent, and hiliarious boy! (He must get all that from his daddy!)

While I know the years to come will have their challenging moments I know that with God's direction we will continue to be blessed by having Elijah. He is truely a special boy and I pray that God will help us know how to raise him. God has great things planned for him and I feel lucky to be raising such a great "little guy".

Congrats to you Elijah on such a great year!