My View...

What do I see from behind the camera?...

Love

Life

Hope

Laughter

Curiosity

Trust

Relationships

Service

Beauty

I see God's love....

I see...

F A L L I N G

Wondering what that next step is, uncertain of the future, but satisfied in You. Anxious, Stirred, Restless...

I stop clinging to the walls of my own desires and reach for the security and love of your open arms...

I close my eyes, lift my foot to take that next faithful step, falling into you...

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G

You catch me, guide me, love me....

May I be used by you, God....May I be used...

Time

As I thought about this past weekend and just how I was going to be able to share all that took place, one word came to mind...Time...

Why? Because it really was time well spent...time I enjoyed...and time that I valued...

Friday night we all had a great (note to parents: notice I didn't use "amazing" :) time at a bonfire. We enjoyed delicious food, laughed at the funny things Grace did or said, and just spent time catching up with each other. It is always nice when we all can just get together and relax...did mention the delicious food? :).

Saturday, I spent time being a little creative. I took the sketch that I posted about a few days ago and added charcoal to it...hmmm...charcoal that ended up staining my clothes later that night :)...but it was all worth it. I am not the best at art by any means, but there is something so freeing about it. And I am glad that I take the time to enjoy it!

Later that night I had a wonderful time with two wonderful ladies in my life as we had a fantastic night on the town! Our original plan was to paint some pottery before heading to one of the best restaurants in the area...Hana Yori's. But as we pulled into the complex where the pottery place was to be located, we realized that they no longer were in business and we all just started laughing. Since we weren't in need of gourmet food for our pets or clothing for our pets, which was the business that now inhabited the space, we changed our plans. We ended up at Friday's enjoying delicious drinks and having a fun time taking pictures, recording a video clip, and just spending time in good conversation. I don't remember laughing so much. We then enjoyed an incredible dinner at Hana Yori's! I completely enjoyed this time with these ladies as the time we spent together strengthened our friendship and allowed us to learn more about each other.

Sunday night I spent time sharing about my trip to Malawi with a sunday school class. As nervous as I was, I really appreciated their interest and the fact that they took the time to listen, learn, and hopefully get an idea of just how God can use each one of us to reach out to others. So I thank them for that time. I thank God for each precious moment He gives us.

Time is valuable...so how do you spend your time?

And Then the Rain Came...

I don't know what it was about last night. I have slept through storms before. But last night my mind was racing with so many thoughts. My heart was beating fast with every lightning strike and with the thunder that shook the entire house. It was as if the storm was right in my room. I closed my eyes, but could not sleep, just listened...

and listened...

It was intense. So I decided to stop fighting the sleeplessness, grabbed the pencil and sketching paper off of my nightstand and started to sketch the feeling of that moment. And as each line formed it created the image of the passion and intensity I once experienced in Barcelona...just watching the movement and passion of a particular flamenco dancer. I don't really remember what she looked like, but each movement remains a detailed memory, feeling. Each movement was done with purpose, with emotion. And it all reminded me...shouldn't life be like that?...

Shouldn't each of our actions reflect such passion? Shouldn't each of our actions be done with a purpose...the purpose of showing God's love? Shouldn't we let God fill us completely with the desire and passion to do His will?
Shouldn't that passion be seen in us?

And then the rain came...

It was peaceful, it was almost 2:00am, and I drifted off to sleep...

Philippians 2:13
"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Quiet

I need to quiet my own desires to see His...

Blessed...

I am so very blessed to have so many wonderful examples of love and service in my life....

My parents have always encouraged me and guided me. Our relationship continues to grow stronger and stronger as they continue to teach me and to love me.

At church this weekend, I kept taking pictures of them. They might have been wondering why I was being such a distraction at church, but it is because I am so very proud of them. This picture of them is one of my favorites because you can see the light that is around them and within them. They are just great examples...


A friend shared this scripture with me recently, and it is one that reminds me of the good work Christ can do through us...just as He has been working through my parents.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1:6

I am blessed...

Oh That Little Four Letter Word...

When I was in Africa, the guys would tease me, daily, about my overuse of the word "whatever". Though we all know it is the world's most intelligent comeback in any situation, even though it really doesn't make any sense ;). Noticing just how much I said "whatever" I tried to take it out of my vocabulary, but would contantly slip up. It is difficult to change an old habit, even if it is changing a simple word in your vocabulary...so I came to find out.

During my recent study of 1Kings, I came across chapter 8 verse 23 which states, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way."

Remember that fun stage in childhood when we began to realize the idea of ownership, of something belonging to us and get on the kick that everything is "mine"? Even today, as adults, we can find ourselves thinking or saying, "that's mine" or even "I want that to be mine". We hold on to things such as money, possessions, talents and gifts, our lives, even our love thinking that we need to maintain our control, our power, our image, our safety. When will we be ready to let it all go?

The answer: when we are truly able to say...it is not mine...it is yours (God's). It is all yours, all that I have, my life, my love. So I will work on changing not only my vocabulary from "mine" to "your" but my way of thinking because until I truly understand that all is God's, "mine" will constantly slip back into my vocabulary and into my heart....just like "whatever".

Almost Professionals...

Just wanted to share some photos from our weekly ski night. The men are fun to watch, but I do have to say that Jess and Jamie hold their own! Great job everyone! You are almost professionals...