I started to flex my right brained muscles in a new way… Photography! Katy and Brett are my first engagement photo shoot ever… When she asked she said, “well you are creative, we will get a least a few good ones.” Some friends came along and we had three camera’s going just in case those “few good ones” were blurry and terrible.
Later that day my favorite neighbors Lulu Robbins and her mama Ashley came over to chit chat. I decided to see if I could take any cute pictures of her.
These pictures are the sum of my Saturday. Do you think I could get good? Or should I stick to singing…
Her mama kept saying "it is okay she is used to the flash"
Roomate Jane and LuLu. Besties.
"No I love you the most... no you are the cutest... noooo... you are"
I think we told them to try a serious, early 90's looking off into the distance one. It worked!
Long week, rough week… I have been listening to Counting Crows which is always my pensive, deep thinking music. While I love Counting Crows, it was time to snap out of the “Let’s over think everything mode.” No more wearing all black, not washing my hair and giving one word replies back to people. NO REALLY. Not really. But give it a few months I could get there.
Thankfully my friend and co-worker Sam Hoover saved the day by recommending this video. Ironically it is called “This Too Shall Pass”
Just a little happy for you all at the end of the week.
Welp, it has taken me a week to write this. Last Tuesday felt like a punch in the gut. I had a very physical reaction to the news of the earthquake that hit Haiti. Instantly I was pretty darn nauseous.
I have talked frequently on my blog about my best friend Bobi and her work in Haiti. She had been in Haiti a year and met her husband there. They got married on December 12th, went on their honeymoon, visited family and on January 12th they flew into Port Au Prince at 3:30 PM right before the earthquake hit.
The next few hours were crazy as we waited, prayed, and made a ga-jillian phone calls. If all our calculations were correct Bobi and Marcus were in Port buying supplies and they were to head back to the orphanage later that night. After a long night of watching CNN and seeing all the sad sad pictures we heard they had “made it.” They decided not to go to the market and were right outside of the city when it hit. “They made it”… very sweet words.
I feel such a connection to the Haitians and their well being in part because my friend has invested so much there. Please pray for Bobi and Marcus. Pray for the orphanage, and malnutrition program. Here are some specifics…
1. 1 Corinthians tells us that God comforts us in supernatural ways. Pray for that type of comfort.
2. They would have the strength to keep doing for one what they can not do for all.
3. Gas, food, and other supplies. The orphanage is now a relief center and they like everyone are running very low on supplies.
To keep up with Canaan Orphanage, and Bobi and Marcus you can keep up with these blogs and websites….
My friend Lisa sent me this picture on New Years Eve. It was taken my Senior Year at JHS. We were excited about the future, and 10 years later we look obviously out of date. I still have that navy sweater I am wearing. Time to clean out the closet eh? Have yourselves a good little laugh.
Merry Christmas everyone! Here in Branson we have been celebrating Christmas since Oct. so it is hard to believe that we are finally getting close to the real deal. My roommates and I had this great card made. And this is my Christmas Card to all my 10 readers a day on wordpress.
Here is wishing you the best of what Holidays bring. Remember to slow down. Love on your family. Enjoy Simplicity. Be encouraged that there is a New Year about to begin. Love you Guys!
My best friend got married last Saturday in St. Joe, MO and it was a huge honor … to be the maid of honor. Bobi and Marcus met last June in Haiti as she was doing malnutrition work and he was teaching at the orphanage’s school. After a month of being there together I had a skype chat with Bobi and she was giggling the whole time. THE WHOLE TIME. I knew right then that this relationship would quickly move to marriage.
When the doors opened in the back of the church, the string quartet started playing Canon D, and all stood it was so still. So very very still. All eyes were on Bobi and then you heard everyone start saying AWWWWWWwwe. She had a glow around her. And her dad was so proud. If you were there…hands down you would have chill bumps.
Marcus is the kind of guy you want your best friend to marry. As his brother said twice at the wedding, “He is a good, good man.” His love for Bobi is evident in the way he looks at her, speaks of her, goes before her, and laughs at all her jokes. It was a huge encouragement to see two people respect one another so much!
And at the end of the night they flew away in a helicopter! Pretty fairy tale-ish huh? What a great reminder to me that God has great plans for our lives, ones that we couldn’t predict even if we tried.
It feels so much better to give of yourself ! It is way more refreshing to just enjoy your family and not worry about the bells and whistles. Let’s slow down and really give honest worship this Christmas.
One of the organizations I support is called Compassion International. Three of the kids I communicate with all come from families where they have lost their mom, dad, or both from AIDS. One of the girls, Zaniabu is being raised by her 70 year old grandmother because her entire family has been wiped out by the disease.
I have tried to do a better job within the last few years to become more educated on how complex the topics of AIDS, orphans, and poverty are. However this new knowledge does not help alleviate my heart. My heart feels overwhelmed and sometimes defeated because all these things seem impossible to fix. Prayer has been my main means of fighting.
My friend Amy always says to me, “What you can’t do for all do for one.”
It is true… I can help a few people. I can be a support for these three kids, who in turn someday could continue helping their “few.” If you are interested in learning more about compassion check out their website. www.compassion.com
Oh so much to be thankful for. SO MUCH. This Thanksgiving I played hostess for the very first time! From the second I bought that turkey and brought it home I felt anxiety. How does one cook such a large piece of meat? All I kept replaying in my mind is the scene from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation where they go to carve the turkey and it busts open smoking….
But it turned out to be a great day with a modge podge of people from here in Branson. I had my friends the Pufalls, and their parents the Starlings. My neighbor extrodinare Daniel… who also did a fantastic job putting up our Christmas lights. Guy and Vitto, two kids from youth. Cailynn Hayter, BHS’s top student athlete and Tucker Babbey who I was dog sitting. He is a big man.
It is hard know where to begin in giving thanks to a God who has protected, encouraged, and provided so much this last year. I really look back and see His hand…
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3
and Tucker Babbey who I was dog sitting. He is a big man.
