Posts Tagged Life
Life is beginning
Now that they have officially announced the news to the world, I can finally scream with delight that Anna and Josh (Duggar) are expecting their first baby! I am incredibly, insanely, superly excited! I am already sure it will be the cutest baby in the world (until I have kids that is). I know Anna is going to be a terrific mother, and I am SO happy for her! To see the video of Anna and Josh talking about it, click here. The Today show got a few facts wrong on their website, so don’t believe anything you hear but what the happy couple themselves say. 
There’s a bunch of crazy Duggar fans out there Any life is precious, and I am so happy that this particular life is going to be my half neice or nephew! Please feel free to leave them congratulations on their website.
2 comments April 13, 2009
Uber-Amazing
I’ve been awarded the Uber Amazing Award. Abigail and Lauren from Pearls and Diamonds have so graciously decided that I:
Add comment December 17, 2008
The Path of Life
“We may be sure that days of adversity, as well as days of prosperity, are full of blessing. The believer does not need to wait until he sees the reason of God’s afflictive dealings with him [before] he is satisfied; he knows that all things work together for good to them that love God.” - Hudson Taylor
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” These words have been such an encouragement to me lately. The middle of September found me quitting a job without any prospects. October found an offer to live overseas in my inbox, provided I can earn the money. November found me losing a job before I actually got it. December finds me still searching for a job, applying weekly, and scheduling interviews every week.
I hesitated to share about this overseas offer because I wanted to wait until it all worked out. I waited to share about my job search until God had provided the perfect job. Then I thought to myself, why am I not sharing what God is doing during this process? It’s as if I’m protecting God. If that thought doesn’t show you how off my thinking was, then nothing will.
The truth is my Jesus has been so good to me. He has held my hand through this entire process. When I quit my job I had the most peace I’d had since I started working there. When the overseas offer came, and also the immediate list of obstacles, He simply told me that He was a big God, and He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. When the job hunt seemed to be useless I cried out in the night and said “God, I cannot do this. I cannot make this happen without your help.” Every time it seems as if there are no more options, Jesus whispers peace to my heart, and then gives me a “token for good” (Psalm 86:17).
I came across this quote by Hudson Taylor yesterday, and it made me stop and think. I think sometimes we wait to share the lessons that we’re learning until they’re over. Instead, I am reminded that I should rejoice in where I am today. The things that God is teaching me are fresher and more precious to me right now, and from now on I plan to share each step of the journey. I can be satisfied even in the middle of all these decisions because no matter where I am, or what I’m doing, I am drinking in the goodness that is found at His right hand.
“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us” (Isaiah 63:7a)
1 comment December 12, 2008
Traveling Light
I’m sorry blog posting has been rather light lately. Job searching and photoshoots have taken up most of my time, and then add in the usual Christmas craziness and that’s pretty much my life right now. Soon, soon, updates will come. Until then I leave you with the words to one of my favorite songs, which has encouraged me so much lately.
“Well I was doubling over the load on my shoulders
Was a weight I carried with me everyday
Crossing miles of frustrations and rivers a raging
Picking up stones I found along the way
I staggered and I stumbled down
Pathways of trouble
I was hauling those souvenirs of misery
And with each step taken my back was breaking
‘Til I found the One who took it all from me
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light
Through the darkest alleys and loneliest valleys
I was dragging those heavy chains of doubt and fear
Then with the one word spoken the locks were broken
Now He’s leading me to places
Where there are no tears
Down by the riverside
(Down by the riverside)
I laid my burdens down,
Now I’m traveling light
My spirit lifted high
(I found my freedom now)
I found my freedom now
And I’m traveling light”
“Casting all your cares upon Him…”
Add comment December 10, 2008
Thankful For My Saviour
This holiday season caught me by suprise. Somehow the winter blues came a little late, and the heart full of joy and gratefullness came just a few days after Thanksgiving. I am so very grateful for my dear Saviour, and for His forever love for me. I love Him because He first loved me.
“Thank You, Lord
I’m thankful, Lord, for many things,
But this Thanksgiving day
I’m dedicating to the praise
Of only You, I pray.
Aside from blessings temporal,
Apart from gifts so kind,
I’m thankful for the Giver more
Than all the gifts combined.
I’m thankful, Lord, for who You are,
For Your great love divine
That stooped one day at Calvary’s cross
And saved a soul like mine.
I’m grateful for the years gone by
In which, with guiding hand,
You have with utmost wisdom led,
All by a perfect plan.
I’m thankful, Lord, for many things,
Apart from gifts so kind,
I’m thankful for the Giver more
Than all the gifts combined.”
-Georgia B. Adams
Add comment December 2, 2008
Old Memories, New Beginnings
Sometimes the reality of life catches up to me. I find myself suddenly faced with the plans that were not the plans I had, or would have asked for. I find myself with countless old memories, and struggling to want to make new ones. I have come to realize that this is natural, and however crazy it may seem, it’s ok. It’s ok that these things take time to heal, that life gives us more tears than we ever bargained for. I know that no matter how crazy and mixed up my life may be, there will always be an after. After this life there is Heaven. After this life there is reunion and joy. After this life there is Jesus.
A friend sent me this song a few years ago, and it is pretty much our story. It is taped to my wall so that I will never ever forget. No matter how hard the beginnings, no matter how many tears. Before there were old memories, after there will be Jesus. All the rest inbetween is just life, and it will pass.
“Halfway between your house and mine
Stood a weeping willow tree
If God ever made a tree to climb
Well, He build that one
Just for you and me
It was so easy climbing up
The trick was to not look down
In the time it takes to turn around
You find that promises are hard to keep
Like the ones we made when we were young
About how we’d stay together and never leave
But little ones run out of time
There are much bigger trees to climb
And friends like you are hard to find
Wherever in the world you are tonight
I pray that you are warm and safe and dry
And if you ever think of me
I hope these things things cross your mind
Best friends, God’s love, and great times
Last night I was out for a drive
And I remembered that willow tree
And how we’d laugh until we’d cry
And how that innocence has abandoned me
The greatest joys from the simplest things
The truth was the only thing we believed
Now I’m learning from the memory
Wherever in the world you are tonight
I pray that you are warm and safe and dry
Wherever in the world you are tonight
I wanted you to know
That I’m alright
And if you ever think of me
I hope these things cross your mind
Best friends, God’s love, and great times”
1 comment November 22, 2008
Blogging Awards
The Marie Antoinette Real Blogger Award:
This award was given to me by my fantastic blogger friend Kaysie. While I don’t know much about the origin of this award, I am receiving it as Kaysie said, “I long to be real in what I say and write here. I never want to hide what is going through my head, mind, and heart.” Thank you, Kaysie.
I hereby extend this award to:
Shawnaat Shawna Herring’s Blog
Erinat Erin Wychopen’s blog
Rebecca at Rebecca’s Life Happenings
This award means a lot to me because being real has been something I have strived for, learned through, and talked with others about. It is something God has taught me more these last few years, more than anything else I think. I have tried so hard to make this blog real, to show my heart, while discerning what is toomuch. This award tells me that with God’s help I’ve managed to suceed, at least a little. Thank you Kaysie!
And since this is about being REAL…here are a few REAL pictures of me!
My unique tongue curling trick.
That’s all for now. I’m off to a job interview today!
PS- Didn’t Marie Antionette get her head chopped off? How in the WORLD did this award become named such?!!! That’s a wierd thought.
Add comment November 13, 2008
Happy Birthday Brother
Today is my best friend/brother’s birthday. He’s at work and I can only talk to him over email. I was thinking about doing a tribute to him, and I realized I had already done that. While he was away earlier this year I posted different memories of him. You can click on the links below to read each of those short entries.
I just want to publicly thank my brother Stephen for being such a good brother, and the best friend someone could ask for. Stephen, your humilty and integrity puts me to shame. You have such a kind heart, and you are always ready to love someone, no matter what. You have encouraged, prodded, and sometimes dragged me along the right course in life, and for that I can only thank you. If it wasn’t for you I don’t know where, or who I would be. Your love for Christ shines so bright others cannot help but see. I love you!
The last sentence of that last post summed it up perfectly. “I will always love him for loving me, and standing beside me, and often in front of me, in the face of the storm.”
3 comments November 12, 2008
Weep With Them That Weep
I promised myself that when I finally got back to blogging I would write a good, happy article. But I’ll just be honest with you, life is not always happy. Sometimes it is so far from happy I am at a loss for words.
In just a week I’ve received news of one friend’s heartbreak over the loss of a husband, news of another friend’s consequence to a bad decision, and then last night heard news of one of the worst things that can ever happen to a girl. I’m laying it out for you because, people, life is bad sometimes. Maybe your life is good, but life can just plain stink for others.
Last night I just crumbled, because I was so overwhelmed at the sorrow and suffering. It is one thing to hear about it when it happens to someone else. But these are my friends! These are people in my heart, who I care about and would do anything to protect and help. All I could do was cry to my Heavenly Father. I cried out with a “why God?!” Why does life have to be so bad for some? Why does this hurt and sorrow exist? I know ultimately it exists because of Adam’s choice, sin.
I think in times like these there are no answers. There are no magic formulas to make it all better. There are no perfect words to say. My only choice is to:
”Weep with them that weep.”
The rest of the verse is “Rejoice with them that do rejoice.” So right now that means I can rejoice that God knows all that’s going on. I can rejoice that each life is precious. I can rejoice that my friend’s life was spared. I can rejoice that one day, in Heaven, all will be made whole and beautiful again.
Weep {v.} – to weep for (someone or something); mourn with tears or other expression of sorrow
Rejoice {v.} – to be glad; take delight
1 comment October 20, 2008
Josh Duggar Wedding Pictures
Many families in different Christian circles were so excited about the Duggar wedding. You might have heard of the Duggars, they are that family with 17 kids, and they have their own reality tv show on the TLC/Discovery Health Channel. I was excited about the wedding too. But for different reasons. The reason is that it wasn’t just some average girl marrying Josh Duggar. My best friend became Mrs. Josh Duggar on 9.26.08. God is good, and the wedding was beautiful! Many friends have asked to see the pictures, so without further ado, The Duggar wedding!
The crane for the camera crews was all decorated too.
The camera guys were really close!
Joshua sang to Anna, it was so sweet!
The First Kiss
Her sister just kept snapping away, and got some really sweet shots
The Maid of Honor
Little Sis/Bridesmaid
The next morning, this is my I’m-sad-to-be-leaving face
20 comments October 11, 2008
