Hartland

Some days don't go according to our plan. Every day God's plans are realized.

Prints

Many projects going on right now. Very little sleep. But good friends are big blessings. And my strength comes from the Lord. Heading out to the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference in a couple hours. (Yes, it's 2:30 A.M. now and we leave at 4:45 A.M.) Thankful for God's mercy and the blessings that come from him.

It Snowed Yesterday

I don't like to post on here without at least one photo. But I don't really have time to find a photo. I don't really have time to sit and write this. I have a lot of work that I have to do right now. But I was reminded by a good friend of mine last night that I can be thankful for all this work that I get to do. And that I can do it for God's glory. I've also been reminded lately that I can't do His work on my own. Good reminders in the midst of slightly overwhelming circumstances. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. Thank you for loving me.

Oh, and it snowed yesterday. Was literally jumping up and down.

On turning twenty.

Nostalgia talks to me.
Do you see your childhood slipping away?
He taunts.
Remember swings?
You're too big now.

I talk back to him.
Do you see how you're torturing me?
I know these.
I remember swings
And love them.

Nostalgia swings with me.
And with each sway he whispers,
Another year,
another day
you will not have again.

I cry as I swing.
Tell me, Nostalgia, what do I do?
I've loved these years.
If I let myself turn another,
I will not have the last.

Stay, he says.
Do not let them go.

But I can't.
I'm too big for the swing
and my hands hurt
from gripping the chains
so tightly.

I let go.

I've been having some serious nostalgia/ homesickness/ sentimentality lately. Today is officially my twentieth birthday, which just seems so strange for some reason. I've been thinking a lot about growing up with my family and how so many things have changed over the years. When I was little, it was all about me and my 7 other siblings running around, playing, and going to school. Now I can look at my 12 nieces and nephews and reminisce about what it was like. As much as some of my feelings are telling me that getting older is something to avoid, I want to embrace it with all that I have. I have been given beautiful life. Each day is a gift that I do not deserve.

The friends I've been abundantly blessed with. My ever-growing family that loves me so. A school that feeds me truth every single day. A room of my very own to sleep in every night. Cameras, paint brushes, pencils, and fabric to create whatever my heart desires. Cold weather for my birthday weekend. A child running to give me a big hug. People that tell me they love me.

There is no way that I have done anything to deserve the least of these. Yet they have been given to me so graciously. And even still, these do not compare to the most beautiful gift I've been given. Without it, all of these would mean nothing.

I proclaim with all that I have that the redemption given me through Jesus Christ, Son of God, is the only reason I live. And for him, I will give 20 years of my life without hesitation. And for him, I will be glad and rejoice to live more.

Doodle Two's (Giveaway)

Every Tuesday. One song + one piece of art by me.
Be it a drawing, a painting, whatever is inspired.
Given to one of you marvelous readers.

This week's song: "Emphasis" by Sleeping at Last

I'm confident enough to say that Sleeping at Last has some of the most beautiful lyrics I've ever heard. And not only are the words beautifully composed, but they are performed in such a way that you feel a touch of the very emotions that were felt when first writing them. I understand that Ryan O'Neal's voice is not for everyone. And that's okay. I think he has a wonderfully unique voice.

Regardless, the lyrics get me every time. "Emphasis" in particular, is just so good. There's a lot in this song that is so relatable to my own story of salvation in Jesus Christ. "The smartest thing I ever learned is that I don't have all the answers." Wow. This is one of the greatest lessons the Lord has taught me. And to hear it so beautifully in a song like this one...I could listen again and again.

If you want this song and a few others by Sleeping at Last, they are currently available for download on Noisetrade.

The Giveaway

Things have been getting busy with school and the giveaway's been a little difficult to give up. So I'm going to try something a little different. I have a current goal of 50 followers via Google Friend Connect. And I think you guys can help me get there. So here's how you can enter to win this art giveaway:

1. Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect.

(If you already follow, then this won't count as an entry this time.)

2.Recommend my blog to a friend. Or many!

For each friend that joins, you will get one entry.

Just tell me who you recruited.

And that's it! Leave me a comment for each one you do. I'm just wanting to spread the word. I might even add more art pieces into the drawing depending on how busy I am. This giveaway will be open until I hit the big 5-0. 

Thanks in advance! All your support and encouragement has meant so much to me.

Walls and Structures

I am weak. Yet you strengthen me.

I am so weary. Yet you comfort me.

You know what I need and you give it to me.

You know the walls I have clumsily built between us

and destroy them so that I am closer to you.

I am shocked and say, "Why, God?"

I was proud of my structure.

I liked its pale colors and its rotting wood.

But you knew its satisfaction was temporary

and you wanted nothing less than eternal for me.

So you ripped it down and showed me your love.

Your love does not fade, nor does it waste to nothing.

Like the structure I clumsily built between us.

Doodle Two's

Every Tuesday. One song + one piece of art by me.
Be it a drawing, a painting, whatever is inspired.

This week's song: "Sing Us a New Song" by Enter the Worship Circle

Can't get enough of Enter the Worship Circle. Their album series, Chair & Microphone, contains some of the most beautifully composed truth in lyrics I have ever heard in my life. This song is from the 3rd volume in the series and performed by Karla Adolphe. If you like Karla's sound, you should check out what she's up to right now with Aaron Strumpel (Performer of the 2nd volume) as the Emporiums.