Summer Seasons.

   Summer in my life has officially came to an end, and to be honest I am really okay with that. I have come to the conclusion that you either have a great summer or a summer that is really not all that fantastic, and this year mine was one of those "not so fantastic" summers.

I really didn't do much, I didn't hang out with alot of people, I didn't do what people call "normal" for teenagers to do in the summer.Were there fun moments, well of course, but was in the best summer of my life, no.

It might even sound silly, but as I am looking back on it I have come to a place where I am actually thankful for it. I am thankful that my summer wasn't big and grand, I am thankful that I had to go through some stuff, and I am thankful for what I have overcome this summer and what I've learned.

It was rough, it was hard. I often felt very alone and that I had no one and nothing to do, but it was okay and it was necessary because I learned new things and walked with God to higher places. I have learned how I will never treat someone, I have learned how to be content in every season, I have learned how to be joyful despite how I feel at the moment. I have learned that its okay to go through things and it's okay to be okay. This summer I have overcome, I have let God mold my heart to how he wants it. Allowing him to do that, allowing him to root out things, readjust, sometimes it can hurt, but there is no greater reward then knowing that God is having his way in YOU.

I am not perfect, by any means. I have a long way to go, I have more areas to mature and grow in, but why I am thankful for this summer is because at the end of each day God showed me he was there. He showed me so many things and I don't deserve to see them, I don't deserve to see his beauty, yet he opens my eyes to see it.

Its amazing how when you open yourself up to Him to show you things and speak to you, he really does. So many of us go each day and don't even notice the beauty of a sunset, because we are to distracted with meaningless things. God is in that sunset, he MADE that sunset, his beauty is worth more then rubies or diamonds. I used to never think much of something like a sunset, but through this summer God has showed me and reminded me through a sunset that at the end of each day, NO matter what, he still remains the same, and he IS faithful.

This summer God gave me a new thankfulness and new appreciation for the people who surround me and uplift me. I may not have alot of people in my life but I have who God gave me and I am thankful, I am blessed. He has opened my eyes to see his love through these people, he has given and provided for me through these people in amounts and measures of love that my brain can't even handle. All I know is my heart wants to explode because is all I can feel is God's love and joy bubble up.

My 16yr old advice I have to give at the end of this blog is simply this:
- When you have a relationship with Christ, a real relationship with him, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It just isn't. You go through seasons, you fight battles, you get a little dirty, but one thing I can stand and shout from the rooftops because I know its true is this, he IS FAITHFUL and he WILL bring you through. The victory has already been won, its already yours, now fight for it. Seasons come and go, and things shift. Don't loose your joy and never forget who your fighting for and that it is worth it, because he fought for you, he DIED for you, and he didn't even have too.

My heart is FULL.
I am THANKFUL.
I am BLESSED.

     As always, XoXo.
        -Elizabeth.

61 Years.

Their journey started 61 years ago today on a Saturday morning in a little church. Bright and early they were up, had a ceremony and a brunch after at the wedding in a little home. Simple and easy. Not overdone, no extra things, just straight to the point because the ceremony and the decor didn't determine their love or how long they would be together. Their story and their love was founded upon God, and quitting wasn't an option. When the going got tough, the tough got going and staying married was the only option.

Exactly 9 months later they had their first baby. And in the next 15 years had 10 more. Eleven kids in fifteen years and to this day she swears she never had two in diapers at the same time. Raised them all on the family farm, and poured their hearts into it. Everything was done by hand, meals made from scratch, hanging laundry on the line. You had to wind up that phone to call someone, it wasn't just done by the click of a button. The windows were rolled down by a crank, and the pictures were nothing but black and white.
Things were hard, you had to work hard. Things weren't just handed to you and the time you put in is what you got back.

They followed the word of God and the fruit of their labor has brought nothing but blessing and an overabundance of joy. 37 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren to be exact. They bring joy everywhere they go and set an example day to day to not only me, but to everyone who knows them.

I have never once in all my 16 years have ever seen a shortage of goodies. Cookies, ice cream, malts, pies, cakes, ice cream desserts, and any other type of  baked good you bet it is there. The motherly example she has set is mind blowing, she inspires me. She didn't teach how to be rich. She taught how to be happy so that her offspring would know the value of things, not the price. Her heart is giving and kind. She leaves no one behind. She is the ultimate supporter, she will always be your biggest fan. The bed is always made, laundry is put away, and the house is clean. She puts her body to work, she is diligent and strong. She rises early in the morning and puts her shoes on and takes on the day, you would never know she is 82.

His hands are beaten and rough, they've put in more than their time. Served in the military and has seen pain, destruction, and brokenness. He provided for a family of 12 and settled for nothing less. He put in hard work and was a loving father. He is quiet but never outspoken. His words are full of knowledge and wisdom. When he speaks you listen. His heart is dedicated, his heart is tender. Family, card clubs, and golf are just a few of his favorites. He still goes out to the farm everyday, you would never know he is 86.

Just like all marriages have their ups and downs, the difference was they woke up every morning and despite what was happening around them they still fell in love again. As I get older and I start to walk my journey I look to you, I admire you, and I respect you. How blessed am I to be able to say I have someone as special as you to look too. Thank you for pushing through, thank you for never quitting and thank you for setting an example for me that I can follow. I am inspired and I am honored to say I am your granddaughter.

Gram and Gramps, my hat is off to you, because not many people can say this but, happy 61st Anniversary.

 

As always, Xoxo.

Elizabeth.

Little beauty. Little inspiration.

 

"She's a dreamer and a doer..

 

.. A thinker and one who see's possibility everywhere.. 

 

...She finds her beauty from within...

 

...So as she pulled back her hair, she set her sights on God, and vowed to finish her race in victory.." 

My little bug you inspire me. 

As always, Xoxo.

Elizabeth.

Snow and Snowman's.

Usually as an Iowan it's normal to expect cold winters and the occasional drastic temperature changes during those winter days. Notice I said, "occasional".. Yeah, well not this year. "Occasional" temperature changes isn't the word for it, I would say not even close. Here in Iowa, this 2013-2014 winter has been anything but a breeze. No exaggeration. One day it is snowing and the next it is a high of 77 and sunny. One day I am layered in clothing trying to do anything and everything to not let the cold touch my skin and the next I am out in shorts and a tank getting turned a nice golden-brown with a tint of sunburn. Talk about your wardrobe being extremely confused. No trying to plan ahead here!

I do admit though, the snow made my fence look pretty.. so of course the natural response to that was to take a completely necessary picture.

Snow can be a lot of fun too I guess, I mean hey, "Do YOU wanna build a snowman?.."

 

( Notice her eyes closed. This is her new way of thinking picture taking is done. And I guess the sun might have played a role as well =] ) 

 

I'd have to say that you are never to old to get out and play in the snow. Nerveless build a snowman. Always have dreams and always set goals but never forget that during the midst of all the chaos and crazy that there is this thing called life that your living and it's okay to sometimes just sit back and enjoy. Because at the end of the day, at the end of your life, you won't remember the chaos and mess, you'll remember all the time you threw away from being caught up in the nonsense that doesn't really matter. It's okay to live life, it's okay to enjoy. I think about my little sister. She is 4 and I'm 16. I'm gone in 2 years and I often wonder if she will remember me being here, growing up with me around. To me each moment I have left with her matters.. it counts. Make every moment you have with the ones you love count. Because once it's gone, it's gone. 

B&W "Wordless" Stories

I've always had this soft spot for black and white pictures. Maybe because I think that's the type of person I can be. Honest and opinionated. You're either in or out but no between..hmm. Or maybe not. Maybe I just have a passion for them. I don't know, it really probably doesn't matter.

I think they tell a story, they can describe words without having to say them. I guess they just tug at my heart. And yea, I know, none of these really go together in one "category", but i'm still sharing some of my most recent precious moments that I've captured and to me, they tell a story. :)

                         ( sweet mommy snuggles.. ) 

                         

                                   ( A boy and his dog )

( baby snuggles )

.."He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow".. -Ps.18:34 

( little piggies ) 

As always.. Xoxo. 

-Elizabeth

Reflection of Love..

     God’s love. 

I'm reminded of a personal story and i'm going to share it today. Just like i wrote up there in big bold letters.. God's Love. It’s something everyone thinks about at least once. We sing songs about God’s love all the time, we tell him how thankful we are that he loves us, but some people only go as far as that. They don’t pursue his love and they never really believe he loves them on a personal level, to them it’s no more than a song in that very moment. It wasn’t till one of this past summer’s outreaches that I participated in till I truly got the realization of how God really does love me. It became real, not just a song that I sang on Sunday mornings.

It was a Saturday afternoon, an unusual time for us to do an outreach, but the need was there and so we met it. We packed things up, hopped on the bus and off we went. Because it was Saturday, a lot of the people who regularly helped and attended these outreaches were working or had other prior commitments and that left us with very few to do the outreach. In my head, even though I had nothing to do that Saturday, I didn’t want to spend my day doing an outreach, but I went anyway. My attitude already going into it was crappy, and that was the wrong attitude to have. My motive was off, because at the time my focus of “God loves me” was all about me. Well..WRONG. 

We pulled up to where we were doing the outreach and started to set up. On this particular day it was hot, humid, and windy. The sky looked overcast. We all got our little assignments from our leader as what we were to do, and I was to work the face painting station. 

“Really”… is what I thought, “I can’t paint or draw anything to save my life!” 

Out of all the things, why was I placed to do that? Once again my focus was still on me, but God wasn’t finished with me yet. He’s just funny like that. So as I started to set up the paints, water, and everything else needed, the kids started coming. One by one they would come stand in line, their faces lighting up to know someone would want to draw a little heart or sword on their face. To them it meant the world, to me it seemed little and petty. No big deal, I wasn’t a great drawer or painter, so why’d it matter anyways? But it did. As each child approached my part of the station my heart started to soften, but it wasn’t then I realized He was softening me.

Time had passed and most of the kids had already gotten their face painted so they were checking everything else out. As I sat and watched the pure joy right before me, my focus slowly started shifting and everything else I had been thinking earlier in the day slowly slipped out of sight. As I was watching things unfold in front of me someone came to me and asked if they could paint a heart on my face, I of course said sure, not thinking anything too big of it. Right as they finished, it began to rain… And not just rain, but pour. Of course right, why wouldn’t it just down pour right then and there?

 I was reminded- “For you brethren, have been called to freedom; only do not use freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through LOVE to SERVE ONE ANOTHER.” –Galatians 5:13                                                                                                                                                  

It wasn’t about me. And little did I know that the storm that came and soaked us all was a big part of the story God was trying to show me. As it was raining God was painting a picture of his love towards me and what it really means. His love is so big, like an ocean, but He didn’t die on the cross and pour out his love for only me. He loves me so much that he gave me the ability to love and serve others like He did. He’s given me the ability to love others unconditionally. God’s kingdom isn’t a picture of me or you, it’s a picture of him. We all seem to have these, ME attitudes. How it’s all about me, and I was guilty of that. Serving others and consistently putting everyone before himself was what Jesus did. His love for the people who were completely undeserving was unconditional, and that’s how we are to be. My focus, my perspective on God’s love, and my attitude changed that day. It’s not about me, it’s about others. It’s about loving them the way Jesus did.

That rainstorm also showed me one other thing about His love. After already feeling completely grateful and overwhelmed with what God had showed me, through all the chaos and mess, the down pouring rain that soaked me completely, I went home and looked in the mirror. When I looked in that mirror, there’s only one thing I saw, that little heart that was painted on my face. UNTOUCHED. Not even smeared. Still there whole and perfect. And that is what it was all about. God showed me that He loved me so much, He cared enough to correct me when I was wrong. His love is unfathomable. He showed me that no matter what storm you face, no matter where you’ve been or came from, there is nothing that can take his love for you away. He is there through it all, He doesn’t change, He doesn’t move. He is unfailing. 

Who would have thought that me working a face painting booth would have given me the realization of God’s love, but it did. Somehow that little heart made it through all the storms and disaster, but it’s just like Gods love, it never runs out. That outreach is a day I will never forget, and I am forever thankful. Thank you Jesus. You overwhelm me.

 “Your love never fails, it never GIVES UP, it NEVER runs out on me…”

  

  

Thankful Thursday.

   

   "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handywork." -Ps. 19:1

   Thank you Jesus for reminding me daily of your astounding beauty. Holy, holy, are you God.

The heavens DECLARE your beauty, they tell your story, they remind me of who you are! Nothing to big, nothing to small, you Jesus are creator of all.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handywork. Day after day they continue speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout all the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises At one end of the heavens and follows it's course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat." -Ps.1:1-6
 Oh God, you amaze me. I stand in awe tonight. All glory to you. How beautiful are you! How majestic is your name in all the earth!

                   

   Oh thank you Jesus for setting me free.
   For choosing me.
   For appointing me.
   For setting me where I am.
   For reminding me of who you are.
   For sharing your beautiful creation with me.
   For showing me how good you are.
   For restoring me.
   For reminding me who you made me to be.
   For putting joy into my life.
   For putting a smile back on my face.
 
    Oh father let my life be a blessing unto you.  Let your way be done in me. Jesus, I live for YOU!

- XOXO. Elizabeth.