No Place I'd Rather Be

I'm excited that I'm excited to spend some time with Jesus tonight.
Because... Some days I do it because I know I should.
Some days I do it because I'm desperate.
Some days I just don't do it.
Some days I do it because I need to feel assured of His love.
But tonight. I do it because I feel I need to assure Him of mine.
Refocus. Deep breaths. Hand over the controls.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.
 

Search Me Out

–As the Psalmist implies in Psalm 139 –

“Thou art the God of the early mornings, the God of the late at nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea; but my God, my soul has further horizons than the early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature. Thou Who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot trace, dreams I cannot get at–My God, search me out.”
                  by Oswald Chambers. (emphasize mine)

Fun Stuff

hI've been given several blog awards in the last few days and I thought it would be fun to go ahead and acknowledge them here. I've been awarded a few over my blogging years (years?? I've been blogging for years?? Oh my.) but haven't always taken the time to post them and do the associated tag or assignment. 
Blog awards don't necessarily represent prestige or rank in blogdom. They are more like just a  fun ways to share your favorite blogs and, depict by the award you give them, why that blog is one of your favorites. Or thats the way it seems to me. But I for one, always feel a little special after receiving one. Between comments and blog awards, its fun to know people actually read what I write.
Abbie and Anna awarded me the 'You're going places, Baby' award. I'm with Anna, this has got to be the most unique I've ever had.  Made me smile. The rules to this award are: Share where you see yourself in ten years and then award this to ten other bloggers.
In ten years I'll be 30. And that right there, is sorta hard to wrap my mind around. The last 5 years especially have been so unpredictable its hard to actually put in writing what I imagine myself doing/being in 10. But here goes! I would love to be married and have some kids by then. If not, I'd like to be on the mission field somewhere. To be oober specific, I would like to be found, in ten years, surrounded by bunches of little black babies who need me at least as much as I need them.
I award this to (because I see all of these people going places, leading purposeful lives): 
Sarah H gave me this award:
- Post about the tag.
-Choose 5 bloggers who deserve this award.
 -Leave a comment on the blogs of the people you tagged, letting them know they were awarded.
-Answer the questions along with your post. (Omit questions you don’t want to answer)
1. Which do you prefer–Apples, Oranges, or Bananas?
Oranges. Is this supposed to say something about my personality?
 2. How many siblings do you have?
Three. a brother and two sisters
3. Where do you live–a prairie, Woodland, city, or other?
Hmmm. I guess that would be prairie. Cuz its definitely not the other two.
4. What is something you enjoy doing with your family?
Playing banana-grams and watching movies. Spending time in the Word and prayer.
5. Is your room clean?
we're working on that. :)
6. Which would you prefer to vist–Italy, Greece, France, Spain, or England?
Mmmm. maybe Spain. I'm not picky.
7. What is a scripture that encourages you?
Just one? Ok. Psalm 138:8 "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
8. Gum, chocolate, or jelly beans?
Gum. I know, I'm weird for not saying chocolate, but I'm being honest!
 9. What are your favorite types of books?
Missionary biographies. by far my favorite.
10. Which is your favorite ice cream flavor?
Vanilla.
11. If you had to eat one type of food for two weeks, what would that food be?
Potatoes. Potatoes. Potatoes.
12. Are you an outside or an inside person?
Depends.
13. Describe yourself in three words.
pretty. much. impossible.
14. What chore do you like to do the most?
this is by far the hardest question for this here lazy bum. I'm going to have to say cleaning toilets. Its not as degrading as it sounds. :)
This award goes to:
 Sarah also gave me the following awards.

-State 5 random facts about yourself.
-Award 5 of your stylish blogging friends.
1. I like cars.
2. I love to fish.
3. I'm not a huge fan of shopping unless its shoe shopping.
4. I pretty much flunked Algebra 2 in highschool.
5. I have a mild form of computer geekiness but when it comes to a cable TV remote I'm totally lost.
There. Was that random enough? :)


I give to ye 5 bloggers:
Anna, Alexis, Abbie, Eden, Lauren


And now for one more fun thing. Ashleigh over at Heart and Home is having a giveaway week and today she's giving away some Thrive Coffee and a traveler's mug. Pretty cool giveaway-- go check it out!

To Oregon and Back....

...in exactly one week.
 

I haven't done a picture post in quite awhile, and I took a bazillion or so photos on my trip last week, so I'd thought I'd post a few. The scenery on the way to Oregon, was scrumptious. The wedding was beautiful. And the company was, well... the company made the whole trip worth every cent and more. I'd take a week off work again in a heartbeat to be able to travel with my grandparents, attend my cousin's wedding, and fellowship with my dear friends in Bend, Oregon (where I took the Discipleship Training Program last year). Hope you can experience a tinge of my excitement and memories through these pictures.
 
Many thanks to my parents for loaning me the family vehicle for my trip. A tad bit of humor comes to play when you see its a minivan sporting a bumper sticker that says 'I love horses!' I happen to be the only one in my family whom that sticker does not speak for! But take note, a mini-van is the safest way for a young single gal to travel by herself. it seemed to scream 'married with kids'. Almost as good as having a man right next to you to protect you. Hehe.
 
These are my grandparents. They were so generous to let me ride along. (I drove a day by myself, to get to their house in Colorado and rode the rest of the way with them). It was so fun to hear family stories and share the memories of Ashley's wedding  and meeting up with old friends. I was reminded of the godly heritage I've been blessed with. Their hearts for God are tried and true.
 
Meet Julie. She was assigned to me as my 'accountability partner' during the training program. I don't think either one of us knew to expect such a precious and long lasting friendship out of the deal. I'm so thankful for her wise counsel and the fun times we've had.I was thrilled to stay a night with her and her family and do a little catching up.
This is Ashley: in two photos she's pictured with her new hubby Jose, and the other one she's pictured with her dad, my Uncle Greg. She was a stunning bride and it was such a happy day.
 I simply love to travel. Anyone want to take a trip? I promise it will be fun and interesting, and only occasionally embarrassing to travel with me. One night on our way back, we stopped in Ogden, Utah for the night. We went looking all over the place for a WalMart and much to my delight found a Super Target instead. It was almost closing time for them so it was kind of quiet for a big store. Oh and have I mentioned how much I love Super Target? Ehem, anyways. I buzzed through all the departments I love, out to prove I could do it in the same amount of time Grandma took to pick out her groceries. I finished and then tried to track her down. A nice young man with a red target apron asked me if he could help me find something. I was headed the opposite direction he was, but I slowly turned around as he made the offer and looked him in the eye. With many a mischievous thought running through my head, I said in a pitiful voice "Do you know where my grandma is?" He looked at me. Shook his head. and quietly said no. I purposefully laughed, hoping he would know I was teasing him. To this day, I'm not sure what was going through his head and it seems better left up to the imagination... So yeah, anyways... who's game? I'm ready to take another trip! :)
Oh and more pictures are here if you're interested.

Missing in Action Personel Reports

Well hello lovely people! I've returned from the short little silent spell with good news and happy things to share. 
(1) I took a trip to Oregon for (2) my cousin's wedding and on the way there and back (3) I got completely caught up on my Bible reading! Then (4) while I was gone a shipment of graduation invitations came for one of my senior photography clients, and she was very happy with her pictures and cards. And I would have to say that (5) is just that the weather is simply divine right now. I'm so thankful winter is over.
There are tons of details and pictures I'd love to share right here and now about my trip up north, but it will have to wait. Thank you all for your patience with me, and my blog!




The Face


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When I am faithless, He is faithful.
When mine fail, His plans prevail.
When I fail, His mercy endures.
Without Him, I am nothing.


Participants:
Abbie
Alicia
Andy
Anna -Completed
Annsley
Amy
Angela -Completed
Carri
Cassie
Christin
Christal
Crystal
Eden -Completed
Esther
Hannah
Kate
Laura -Completed
Lauren
Leah -Completed
Maddi
Melinda - Completed
Renate
Sara R
Sarah H -Completed
Sarah K -Completed
Shannon
Whitney

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