Painting Pictures of Egypt

“I don’t want to leave here
I don’t want to stay
It feels like pinching to me either way
The places I long for the most
Are the places where I’ve been
They are calling after me like a long lost friend

It’s not about losing faith
It’s not about trust
It’s all about comfortable
When you move so much
The place I was wasn’t perfect
But I had found a way to live
It wasn’t milk or honey
But then neither is this

I’ve been painting pictures of Egypt
Leaving out what it lacked
The future seems so hard
And I want to go back
But the places that used to fit me
Cannot hold the things I”ve learned
And those roads closed off to me
While my back was turned

The past is so tangible
I know it by heart
Familiar things are never easy to discard
I was dying for some freedom
But now I hesitate to go
Caught between the promise
And the things I know

If it comes too quick
I may not recognize it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?
If it comes too quick
I may not recognize it
Is that the reason behind all this time and sand?”

-Sara Groves ( painting pictures of Egypt)

Weekends are Wonderful

Shopping is always so interesting when with my brother. “Look at these little worm things!!!”

Looking at all the amazing deals!

Visiting with an old missionary friend from Germany. We had a great time of fellowship.

Looking at Bible programs…woohoo! :)

Trying on our AWESOME hats for VBS!!!

A Cry for Life

“…in order to get there, I need her love and commitment. Although I can sense her affection, I also know of her ambivalence. She’s trying to decide if she should let me live or end my short existence with a sharp edged instrument. Cutting through the thin sac that houses me will stop the process of my birth and relegate me to the status of a human waste product. Every fiber of my tiny body tells me I am more than that. There must be a reason for each life to be created. All I need is a chance to prove that I’m worthy of the life that has been started in me…”

Read the rest of this excellent article, which was written from a baby’s perspective, here

You Are Good Always

I would never have chosen a storm to make me more like Christ. Maybe that’s why He’s given me so many storms and just small glimpses of sunshine. Maybe because it’s what I dread most it’s the tool He uses most. Maybe because storms make you feel alone and my sweet Prince knows I need to learn to rely only on Him, in all things.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near…

…For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater…

…For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace…”

A precious friend always reminds me that only with the rain can flowers bloom. (Thank you dearest)

“You are good always
And in all ways
You are working all things
Together for our good

You are good always
In big and small ways
I know I can trust You
In everything You do

With the hard winds of life
Blowing out of control

It can feel like I’m all on my own
But You’ve given me Your word
And I know You’ll never leave
And I’ve never faced a single storm alone

I can’t say it’s always
Been a smooth open road

Or turned out the way I’d prefer
But one thing I’m sure of
You’ve been faithful to me
And I live to give You all that You deserve

You are good always
And in all ways
You are working all things
Together for our good

You are good always
In big and small ways
I know I can trust You
In everything You do “

Always—Steve Green Ministries

Reading List

I just got back from the library, where I stocked up on enough books to last me awhile. At least until Monday. I read really fast. Once I read them all I hope to do some book reviews, but for now, here is my current reading stash:

• Sisterchicks Series ( 1-6 ). These were reccomended to me by my friend Allison.
• Authentic Beauty ( A re-read of a book that pretty much changed my life the first time around )
• Shabby Chic ( a decorating book to drool over and imagine things I’ll never buy )
• Two Photography Books
• Two books of sheet music (YAY!)
• Calm My Anxious Heart. That was reccomended to me by… someone I can’t remember at the moment. It is exactly what I need right now, and I cannot wait to get started on it.

Now you see what I am going to be doing with my time. Lots of good quotes and inspired articles coming to a blog near you soon!

Sunday Morning Sunshine

I always wait too late to take pictures of our dogwoods, and there is more green than white. Oh well!

The sun was most extrordinary that morning

“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.”

These flowers remind me how short life really is. They bloom, turn brown, and are gone suddenly.

“For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” ~ James 1:11-12

Thank you Lord, for Spring!

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” ~ 1 Peter 1:24-25

Monday Evening Shadows

Sunday Morning Portrait. Without make-up no less. :) I asked my brother if I needed make-up that day, and he looked at me and said ”You never need make-up!” Aww. He’s the most amazing brother ever! So here’s my portrait, no make-up, shadows on my face, but hey, it was early. :)

It was a beautiful, peace-filled, Sunday morning, an emotional Monday.

Have the best Tuesday ever. :) 

Welcome to My Life

My life hasn’t changed that much. I’ve still been sick (yes still), and I have been keeping busy with church activities. I have recently become intriguged with the country of Bulgaria. From what I can tell they are a lot more open than Russia, but still have the same sort of culture. Some interesting tidbits:

1. The entire country has only 7 million people. That is a lower population than New York City alone.
2. It has a parliment, along with a president and prime minister
3. The capital is Sofia (cute name!)
4. They have a mixture of religons that include Islam, Orthodox, and Protestantism. Many mormons and Jehovahs Witnesses have come to Bulgaria as missionaries.
5. Bulgaria is a major crossroads between Europe, Asia, and Africa

I want to go now!  Unfortunately the only missions trip I could find cost over $3,000. Yikes. Someday…

Pure Fashion

About a year ago I was introduced to this interesting and very needed ministry. Pure Fashion is a celebration of style and purity. In their words:

“Pure Fashion is a faith-based program that encourages teen girls to live, act, and dress in accordance with their dignity as children of God. Pure Fashion focuses on guiding young women ages 14 to 18 to become confident, competent leaders who live the virtues of modesty and purity in their schools and communities. Through an eight month Model Training Program that covers public speaking, manners and social graces, hair and make up artistry, personal presentation, and much more, Pure Fashion models learn the importance of living a life in accordance with God’s will and fostering a life of grace through purity of heart, mind, and body. The Pure Fashion program culminates in a city-wide fashion show featuring clothing that is pretty but not provocative, trendy but still tasteful.

Pure Fashion works with local leaders, clergy, and lay people to promote the virtue of modesty, protect and preserve purity, and foster an awareness of the dignity of the human person. Pure Fashion seeks to complement the pastoral programs of the diocese it serves.

Pure Fashion hopes to positively impact the fashion industry by motivating customers to choose clothing and accessories that are fun and fresh, yet modest and respectful of the dignity of the human person.”

I always thought this seemed like an awesome ministry, but I’m too old to take part. Anyone in the Atlanta area can take part this weekend though! I received this email the other day:

“Join us for Atlanta’s Pure Fashion Show!

Bring your daughters, mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors to experience the beauty of virtue, the beauty of Pure Fashion, and the beauty of entertainment which glorifies God and inspires our hearts and souls.

Listen to exciting speakers, see the latest in modest spring fashions and be entertained by the music and talent of Carried Away. In addition, Pure Fashion is also blessed to have as co-hosts, Julie Laipply and Brenda Sharman!

Buy your tickets for this Sunday, April 20th, at the Georgia Ballroom, Building C at the Georgia World Congress Center. Doors open at 12:30 for heavy hors d’oevres and shopping at Pure Fashion boutiques. Our beautiful 2008 Pure Fashion models take to the runway at 2:00 pm.

Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased onine at www.purefashion.com”

I think this would be an awesome mother/daughter outing, and a good time for mothers to talk with their daughters about purity and modesty. If anyone gets to go please let me know how it goes!

A Few Thousand Words

“Every picture is worth a thousand words.” I had been seeing one of these shots for several weeks now, each time we stopped by this building. I was so upset because when I finally remembered to bring my camera along, there were PEOPLE walking around. The nerve of them! I actually love some of the shots with them in it, so it was ok. I was able to experiment with the new version of GIMP that came out recently, so that was F-U-N. (I know I’m weird). All of these pictures were taken thru a very dirty car window, so I’m suprised they turned out as clear as they did!

Person number one. Talking on the cell phone no less!

Person number two entering to your right

This was a completely unintended edit. I was playing with something and all of a sudden there was color! I thought it looked interesting, like maybe the wall was really painted those colors.

I’m pretty sure person one or two was behind the tree on the left.

My favorite. <3

Same picture, but a purpler (official new word) version on the right

Black and White version of the same shot.

So all in all it was a good five minutes. :)

Christmas at the Beach

I was looking through the few pictures I have on our other computer. I realized I didn’t have this blog back in December, so I never posted some of our Christmas pictures. I am very blessed to be from Florida, so Christmas at the beach is something pretty normal. I’ve also been experimenting with my new editing program, which is similar to Mac’s editing program.

First Florida morning, Beach Sunrise

First day on the beach

Yummy Seaweed :)

Waterbirds (I love watching them!)

Think those dunes would make a nice backdrop for a family picture? Think again! I didn’t even notice this sign until the last day!

Cloudy Beach. Saying goodbye to the ocean ( for now)

Warmed tones for this one

Beach towels that brought back so many memories :)

I normally don’t like black and white with color, but this one seemed to work

Visiting the blueberry plantation I used to work on. Sweet memories!

I love this one! I hadn’t even noticed it before. I edited with warm tones and a little more saturation to bring out the blue/gray tones in the water

Running (and jumping) on the beach. With strangers watching. :)

A Christmas day photoshoot with my awesome cousin!