My life right now.

Life! It's a beautiful thing. Full of joy, trials, times to grow, simple everyday moments, big milestone moments.... So don't get so caught up in your "life" that you forget to really and truly live!!! We are so blessed by God to be living in this time in history, what are we doing to grow His kingdom?

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 Here's a few iPhone shots from my life right now (I promise, one of these days will do a post with only pictures from my "real" camera) :) I'm SO thankful to the Lord for giving me this wonderful life to live!!!! 

When you're planning a wedding this is what your desk looks like: full of lists and papers and everything else in between with iced coffee and dark chocolate ;) The coffee is definitely needed as sleep isn't much of an option ;P But oh! It's Such fun!! And the chocolate just adds a smile...

Sister wedding shopping dates! Yay :) 

Had some extra time to make dinner the other day....

Lots of bridal shower invitation making. 

National Cheesecake Day was July 30th. It's a day that is tucked into busy life that just makes me smile :-) So I made a brownie cheesecake to celebrate, and we ate it, yum. 

Been walking/running my dog and I love it. Oh yes, it's so that I can eat more cheesecake, haha, just kidding ;P 

Crazy sibling car ussies. We take so many of these I think I'll be able to fill a book someday ;P 

Treasuring every memory with this girl before she is no longer a Miss but a Mrs.!  {scream} I'm s.o. Excited!!!! 

Lunch in the midst of a wedding dress shopping day. Speaking of wedding dresses....why do they have to be so expensive, and why is it so hard for the bride to find the one?;P haha.

In the midst of all this busyness my little nephews are growing way too fast. So what's more fun than to take them outside and just get all dirty an dusty with them?;) 

My reminder right now, to stop talking about doing things and just doing them!! So, I decided I'd do this quick random post rather than just talk about it ;P 

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God is above and beyond good. I know I say this all the time, but I just can't help it!!  Lately I've been constantly left amazed at His provision and goodness. Alrighty, now I'm going to go get stuff done, instead of just talking about it ;-P 

One more thing, I love this verse. Thank you Jesus for all your many gifts! 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

James 1:17

Liebster Award

I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by a friend... Thank you so much Haley for thinking of me, I’ve enjoyed answering the questions  :) Haley, I have been encouraged by what you write on your blog, and love looking at the pictures you take! Oh, and I love all the creative captions you come up with for your pictures as well :) 

Okay then, here it goes! The rules are as follows….

#1: Acknowledge the blog that nominated you

Haley at Pure Reflections - check out her blog!! 

#2:  Answer the 11 questions that the nominating blogger asked

1. Where were you born?

I was born in the city of Riverside.

2. How old were you when you started your blog?

I was 17.

3. What's your purpose for keeping a blog?

To keep my friends updated with some pictures of what is going on in my family’s life, to encourage people to be bright lights for Jesus in a world that needs His love, and to share about my food discoveries through baking/cooking!

4. What's your biggest pet peeve?

Well, I have this chair at my desk that you can lower or higher and my brother always lowers it!! And I must admit I get rather annoyed that I have to always higher it up when I sit down at my desk after he has sat in it, as it will be too low for me to comfortably write at when it is low! ;P haha…

5. Do you have a signature trait, like an article of clothing or a word that is distinctly YOU?

The word “awesome” would probably be a word that people would say is distinctly me, as I use that word a lot to describe things that I think are, well, just so awesome! ;-P

6. What's the scariest thing you've ever done?

My first swimming lesson ;p Yep, water is not really my friend… haha. Now that I know how to swim though, it’s not as bad as it used to be…

7. How old were you when you were saved and became a Christian?

I grew up in a Christian family, and so I can’t put a definite age on when I was saved… I was baptized when I was 6 and by the grace of God, He has been growing me in my love for Him and His Word throughout my life, especially in the past several years…. God is good all the time!
      
      8.  What's your favorite pastime?

Doing pretty much anything outside, like: yard work, playing sports with friends, running, quiet time under the trees with the Lord, or just walking outside and looking at God's creation...especially at night when there are thousands of stars - it just gives me the chills!

9. What's your favorite book of the Bible and why?

The book of Hebrews. I’ve actually just recently come to love this book as last year I memorized 5 or so chapters of it and have been studying it over the past several months. A few things that have been really encouraging:  Coming to more fully recognize what an amazing High Priest we have in Jesus Christ – that He is in His resurrected body reigning on High right now, and interceding for us in ways we don’t even know because He can sympathize with our weaknesses since He Himself has endured them, yet without sin (This makes we want to shout for joy about how awesome of a God we serve!)!! God’s amazing grace and that we are co-heirs with Him of a lasting eternal inheritance. And also the practical encouragement to follow Christ and be a blessing to those in my life!

10.  Do you play an instrument, and if so, how long have you played?

Yes, I play the guitar. I’ve been playing for about 3 years or so, definitely not all that great but I love it!

11.  Sweet or sour candy?

Sour :)

#3:  List 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers that deserve recognition :)

Here’s 3, couldn’t really come up with 11 but these are all friends of mine and I enjoy looking at their blogs!:

Tabitha at On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand

Allison at My 5’ 2 View

Stephanie at My Collection of This and That

#4:  Write 11 questions for them to answer

1. What is your favorite song?
2. Do you have a favorite place (like a certain spot outside or something) to spend time with       the Lord?
3. Do you like to do physical things (play sports, go running…) or would you rather read a            book and do something inside?
4. Would you ever want to participate in a singing flash mob?
5. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go, and why?
6. Do you have a favorite verse in the Bible?
7. What is one gift the Lord has blessed you with, and how do you use it for His glory and to        bless others?
8. One thing that annoys you ;P
9. Would you rather go shopping at the mall or go camping?
10. Do you have a favorite quote that has really inspired you in your life?

#5:  Notify them that they've been nominated!

Working on it!

Food. Pictures. Words. Randomness.

Well, bottom line - I haven't posted in forever and I'm not even going to try to catch up ;P But, I warn you that this post will be long and full of - pictures. words. food. love. life. passions. and everything else that comes up in between. 

If you don't already know this, I love taking pictures of food I make. I love food. And I love making it. I've been the only girl in the house this past week, and I kind of have been in the mood to bake and cook. So, for fun here's this past weeks dinners (and desserts!!) in pictures... 

Monday

{Turkey Panini w/ potato chips, carrot sticks and apple slices} 

{Frozen Caramel Macchiato} 

This was pretty good - but it definitely needs some improving.... 

Tuesday 

{Beef Stroganoff with...}

{A lettuce salad (literally a lettuce salad, as I had nothing to add to it but lettuce! ;P) and Zucchini}

{Good ol' Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream}

My sister used to use this recipe all the time, so it was fun to make as we haven't made it in a long time. There's just something old fashioned, homey and simple that I love about making ice cream... 

{Espresso Frozen Yogurt}

I've been wanting to try this recipe out forever. It was pretty good, but not as good as I had hoped. But I'm super excited because I think if I just use this recipe and make it plain, maybe add a few other things, it'll taste pretty close to Yogurtland's Plain Tart (if you haven't had it it's awesome!)! I'm. Excited.

Wednesday 

{Chicken Stew with Biscuits}

Simple, and one dish! 

Thursday 

{Pizza on Falafel bread}

Using falafel bread for the crust on pizza makes for a super quick and easy meal. And it's yummy too!

{Frappuchino} 

The best frappe I've made so far! And that blender right there is awesome!!!!

Friday 

{Beef Enchiladas, beans, rice}

I found my new go to enchilada sauce recipe! It tasted awesome and that made my day. 

Saturday 

{Sour Cream Coffee Cake}

This coffee cake is soo good... 

We had fruit as well :) It looked pretty so I had to take a picture.

{Parmesan Chicken, Mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls}

That was our dinner. Yum. 

Here's some more random pictures that I had on my phone. Oh, by the way - pretty much all these pictures are taken on my phone, that's why some are blurry ;P 

This is the most awesome. amazing. wonderful. exciting. picture ever!!! My sister got engaged!!! Yep, you read that right ENGAGED!!!! Just take a look at those smiles!! :D I'm thrilled. God is so good! 

I have awesome brothers :) And I survived being the only girl at home for a week. Haha! It was awesome though :-) 

I love giving gifts. And making them beautiful. 

Coffee. Caramel. Whip cream. Enough said.

Simple beauty... I love going for long walks on warm summer evenings. 

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I'm so grateful to God for everything in life. Just take a look around you, aren't you amazed at how awesome God is?! I've been really blessed by this quote lately: "The will of God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you."  That's so true. And too often we try to do things in our own strength. These past few months I have been so overwhelmed by God's love and grace in my life.... I have failed so often, I make so many mistakes. And yet He still loves me. I'm just so overjoyed that He has given me this beautiful and wonderful life to live, oh how I want to serve Him in everything and show others His love and grace in everything I do. Ya' know, I have SO much I could share of things I've been learning....but I'm afraid it'll have to wait for another post :) Jesus is an amazingly loving Savior who laid down His life for you and I. So go out in this world and be a bright light for Jesus! 

Have you searched God's Word today?!

"And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin." 

Hebrews 10:12-18

   Think about this - He says He will remember our sins and lawless deeds NO MORE!!! Oh friends, we should be constantly thanking our blessed Savior, Jesus Christ for coming and dying a painful death to pay for our sins - and they will be remembered no more. To God be the glory, thank you Jesus! 

   The great amazingness of this has really gripped me the past few months as I've been memorizing Hebrews. I know for certain that Christ has forgiven my sins, but when I look at what a wretched sinner I am I realize how unworthy I truly am. In the past it has also caused me to go the opposite direction, and think - He's already saved me, I don't have to read His Word everyday, I'm busy doing other things to serve Him. Or, I read little portions at least every other day... 

   But for the past year or so I've realized, by God's unfailing love and grace, how wrong that truly is. And now by immersing myself in His Word and praying, and spending time with His people who are on fire for Him, I have become so EXCITED about God's Word. The reason I'm writing this post (well other than that I'm so excited I had to share it with you all :) ) is to encourage you to read your Bible often - everyday - and memorize it. Then share what you're learning with others! That's how you're going to grow. And God will use you in amazing ways, the situations He may put you in may not be all that easy. But God has a perfect amazing plan for you!!! And if you search for His wisdom - "and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure," (Proverbs 2:4), you will never look back, you will want to know more and more about Him. 

   Think about this: He's going to write His law on our hearts and on our minds!! And there's no longer any need to offer sacrifices day after day...because the One who created you cared enough about us wretched sinners on this earth to send His one and only Son to die as a ransom to set us free! 

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works," 

Hebrews 10:19-24

   I don't know about you, but as I am seeing God's amazing love for me more and more, it makes me so excited to go and share His Word with those around me. All the material things that we invest our time and effort into are not going to have the same eternal value as the people God has put in our paths at this time in our lives. So spend time with those around - they are what will last for eternity - you may never know what one simple word you say, or maybe even a longer conversation you have with someone, or even just a smile, will do. But in the end, when He comes back to take us home to glory, we will have our reward! But until then we must be His faithful witnesses, and bring Him all the glory due Him. 

   I'm not sure how many people read this little blog of mine... :) But my desire and prayer is that you will will be stirred up to love and good works... 

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

 1 Peter 2:21

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Follow in His steps...He will guide you. 

February Photo Challenge - Week Three & Four

                                                        February 16th - A Memory ~ dried rose from Josh's wedding...

                                                             February 17th - Music ~ 

                     February 18th - Looking Down ~ Up on the hill lookin' down at our home...

                           February 19th - Workspace ~ My little "corner" of the bedroom ;-)

                     February 20th - Itsy-Bitsy ~ These Shepherd's Purse flowers are soo tiny...!!

                                                             February 21st - Architecture ~ 

                                                             February 22nd - Motion ~ 

                                                        February 23rd - Power Lines ~

                                                        February 24th - A Sign ~ my brothers tool shed decor ;-)

                                                        February 25th - A Clock ~ I love this clock!!!

                                                        February 26th - Beverage ~ starting to make a mocha drink...

                                                        February 27th - Love ~ I love people...

                                                        February 28th - Texture ~                                                  

quotes...

 

Here's a few recent quote favorites of mine... I love coming across simple short inspiring quotes!

 

 

 

 

 

Just thought I'd add this one too and be a little random...camping is awesome ;-)

 

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A couple verses I have been thinking about lately...

 

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"I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation."

Psalm 40:9-10

 

A baby blessing...

We are so excited and happy to welcome 

Jesse Calder 

into our family!!

 He was born on February 22nd... 

"The Spirit of God has made me,
    and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

Job 33:4

Look at that double chin!! ;-) 

We are so thankful for this little bundle of joy, God is so good!! Mommy and baby are doing wonderful, and Daddy and brothers (not to mention all the Aunts, and Uncles, and Grandparents;)) are loving this new little guy!!

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

Psalm 139:14