Another one bites the dust!

Well another year has past and a new one awaits us with new sunrises and new days to bring us new opportunities for change in the best kind of way. This winter I've felt the change of a new year more than any other time. I've felt it in the change of seasons with the trees shedding the old dead leaves and taking the time to rest before creating new blooms, leaves, and fruit in the coming seasons. There is this time to be retrospective and look at the years joys, accomplishments, and struggles. Then the desire to see the coming year be a better one. May your new year be a fruitful and joy filled year.

New York

This is just a picture post because I haven't time to write much but the pictures are stories in and of themselves. Use your imagination and if you want to see more from my trip to New York then check out my Flickr.

Pops....

While this picture was not taken today it's one that I wanted to share earlier but didn't. On Christmas Day my dad asked me to help him out for a minute with something. I'm not always the most willing person to leave family time (my mom's family was over and we were getting ready to play games). I went though and helped him work on a broken pipe for one of our tenants. It had frozen and broke a couple of days before and the weather had been too cold to get to it properly so the first good opportunity had been after Christmas dinner.

Whenever Dad asks me to help him out with something I will more than likely be standing around watching him doing whatever needs to be done for most of the time and feeling as if I'm not being of much assistance. Growing up this was extremely frustrating and tried my patience a lot, but I've gotta say that it's taught me a lot too. Sometimes people just need you to be there to be an encouragement to them, and other times they need you to be able to help them figure something out with fresh eyes. Although I don't feel like a very patient person sometimes, I've had people tell me before that they're amazed at how patient I can be (mostly my students parents when they see me in the classroom with twenty 4yr. olds). I have my Dad to thank for that. Not to mention a God who helps me be patient even when I don't want to be. If I couldn't give Him my frustrations and troubles I'd be the most impatient, irritated person you could meet.

in the light!

So I got to have lunch today with two of the coolest girls I am blessed to know. We went to Panera Bread and hung out for like 2hrs. catching up. It is a really good time to be able to hang out with people that you really like and just talk about anything. I didn't do too much of the talking either, which is kind of nice. This picture is fun because Karla looks like she's thinking "whoa did you know you had a light coming out of your head?"

the fun...............

Two of my favorite people in the world just chillin' until dinner is ready!

My daddy fixing one of our renters water pipe.

The Wilson girls Christmas photo op.

The robo-boogie!

Grandpa's word game.

Going for a joy ride!

Merry Christmas!

You've gotta love the looks that she gives.

So yea, Christmas has been really low key this year but wonderful all the same. My favorite part so far is being able to spend so much time with my family and listening to them play such beautiful music. We've had two family concerts and today when they all come over we're going to be playing and singing together again (more pics of that later).

I have to share that I'm really excited about getting a new camera this year! I can't wait to take a million pictures with it. This coming year I want to try and take a picture a day and post it on here as a kind of journal of what I see, do and appreciate throughout the year.

So here's the first picture. It's showing the remnants of the last bonfire we had this fall (the wind knocked all of the chairs over that way).

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Grateful Day!

I am truly finding it hard to believe that Thanksgiving is so close at hand. I remember the things I told my self I was going to do last year and am saddened to know that I haven't fulfilled them all. This past year has been more thoughtful with regard to things that I am grateful for and people too. It is so easy to just live life taking everything and everyone for granted, but this past year I have tried to notice more what people do and say that I am grateful for. Here are a few things that I am thankful for:

- people willing to drive for me when I don't want to
- the willingness of others to listen
- the thoughtfulness of others to check up on me even when I don't want to be bothered
- people who believe in something enough to share it with me (regardless of whether or not I agree)
- knowing that you have people who will take care of you if you're in trouble
- being able to talk to people about your worries and fears and let them go
- a God who never tires of me
- friends and family always willing to reconnect
- understanding and acceptance of my strangeness
- crisp autumn air
- the worlds abundance of curiosities
- kids who are so excited and full of love everytime I walk in the door at work
- trials that bring me closer to the one who made me (not always on this one, but I'm trying)

These are just a few of the things I wish I had written down every day to remember what I'm grateful for over the past year. I wonder what I will be able to be thankful for next year.

What are you thankful for?

Fall

Fall is here and it is absolutely beautiful. I love being able to walk around my yard and see all of its markings. There is just too much to take in at this time of year I think I'm going to miss some of it. Now is the season for bonfires and snuggling up with blankets and a crochet or knitting project. It's also the time that I feel more inspired to create so hopefully you'll start to see pictures of things that I'm working on (now watch the desire to make leave me and you'll see nothing all winter long).

Do you ever wish for things in life? I'm trying to stop wishing things so much and living them instead. Lord help me to live for You!

how AWEsome!

I just read my cousins blog about some exciting news that they are sharing and couldn't resist to share it with you (whoever you are), because it was such a cool way to share the news. Lots of love to the Larcey's and prayers and praises sent up for you.

check it out:

www.thelourceys.blogspot.com

My momma

Today we celebrated my Mom! She is only the most amazing woman that I know. Although it's not actually for another week, we went ahead and celebrated her 50th birthday with family since she was going to be away for her birthday. She was probably exhausted from being at work until 5am the night before and then having to get up at 7am for church but she was gracefully grateful and joyous even with her tiredness. She's such an inspiring person to grow up around because of her earnestness to try new things and find new ways to enjoy life and also her ability to share those things with others. Her newest adventure is fishing and she's got pretty much the whole family joining in on her fun and relaxation. I know that she doesn't always think she such an amazing person and has a tendency to notice her own faults more than her accomplishments (we share that in common), but mom you are a treasure and I love you.

how to be a beautiful woman......

My mother sent me this poem in an e-mail recently and it's worth sharing here:






For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.


People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others.


-as told by Audry Hepburn when asked for advice on being beautiful

On Holiday

This weekend I went with a friend to go and visit the island of the ponies. Assateague Island that is, on the coast of Maryland. It was the first time that I have ever visited a beach in MD and the first time in over 3 years that I've been to any beach. I have to say that I really enjoyed this trip but it was probably one of the strangest holidays I've had ever (that's not something I can share on here though).

Here are some horses that we saw when we first arrived. The momma and baby are absolutely precious to watch together.

We couldn't find a campsite along the beach as we had hoped because of the holiday and lots of people being there but we found a wonderful place at Pocomoke State Park.

Katie went to the store to get some things while I read for a while.

The next morning we went to the beach on the VA side (we had seen the MD side the day before and this was closer to Katie's home, so her drive would be shorter going back).

Some reading done on the beach.

Went swimming in the ocean and thought of the Bible study that we're doing in James right now. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." James 1:5-8

I tried standing in the waves firmly on the ground and felt a constant tugging back and forth unable to stay any one place. I've felt this before many a time but this time I thought about it in relation to what we'd been reading and I instantly thought about the house that was built on the solid rock and the house built on sand. One house stood on the foundation of truth that is God and the other was like a wave of the sea, easily tossed about and soon crushed. How can we be single-minded with Christ if we get so caught up in our own ideas and those of this world that only want to pull us apart.

Father God, thank you for your truth and the strength to stand firm on it with you.

Just Be

Not a whole lot to say right now but 'Good Morning' and enjoy the day. Let your day be surrounded and filled by the one who created you and everything around you (Let everyday be that instead of in a downward spiral around yourself).

Some pictures of a recent trip to Chimney Rocks near Waynesboro, PA.

Count Your Blessings

I had forgotten that I hadn't posted about my car until my cousin Elizabeth asked me about it in an e-mail recently. This is my car. It doesn't have a name and I haven't even cleaned it yet since buying it (you know, to officially make it mine), but it's mine. This past winter I had an accident. One in which my car was totalled and I was left very badly shaken and sore. In a previous post I mentioned how God had blessed me with a gift of money from some mysterious friends. My insurance didn't cover any of it and I had to start all over with buying a car. This was something I hadn't had to worry about for a while because my old car had been paid off for a few years now. I didn't know how I was going to be able to afford another car payment but with this mysterious gift and borrowing a car for a while from my dear daddy I was able to save up enough to buy a new car free and clear. It took a while to find a car that was in decent condition and affordable. Plus, I really wanted a car that was 'stick' because I had just learned how to drive since my old car had wrecked (out of necessity). One day I was looking at Craig's list and found this little gem for just my price and I have been driving it for 3 months now. This is the car that I prayed for and God provided just like he always does. It may not always happen the way we want it or in our time but He always takes care of us. Just wanted to share that as an encrouagement to anyone who may need it (myself included because it's so easy to forget the things that God does for us in this world).

Totally Tea!

So today was the glorious 'Tea Party' and while not every one who was invited could show up we had a blast none the less. My sister Melody took me a little too literally on the Tea Party thing and wanted all kinds of hot teas to drink and had to have croquet (which was totally fun by the way), but to me a tea party is just an excuse for people to get together and hang out. There may be tea (even though it was a little warm today for hot tea) but that's not the point. I'm glad that all of the wonderful women that came today were able to come out and I know that there were a good many that wanted to come but couldn't and I understand that. That just gives me the excuse to throw another one so that those who missed out can get in on the fun next time. Summer's not over yet!

Affirmation

Okay so I know I may seem a little crazy but I prefer to call it freakishly weird. Well anyways, at church this past Sunday the speaker spoke on Elijah and Elisha. He explained how Elijah was tired. Tired of not being able to see the fruit of his labor, tired of being chased by God haters, tired of feeling alone so he ran. He ran for his life and hid in a cave and when God found him he showed himself to Elijah through a whisper. God had already shown himself to Elijah in fire, wind, and rain throughout his ministry. It was through this whisper that God was telling Elijah that he wasn't done and he could do even greater thing through God then he'd done before. How many times do we feel too old and too tired to continue doing God's work (I'm not that old yet but I do get overwhelmed sometimes). God is not done with us yet or we wouldn't still be here. He has a plan for us and we shouldn't just sit around like bumps on a log waiting for it to happen. We should listen and do, live and love, and get over ourselves.

Tea Party! Why not!

Okay so if you're checking this blog out either you're a relative or perhaps you've received a postcard from me or someone about an upcoming Tea Party at my house. If that's the case then you're awesome (If not you're probably awesome anyways)! You also might be thinking that this crazy girl came up to me in church/work/on the street today and invited me over for tea (is she crazy or normal?- what is normal anyway). While the tea or beverage of your choice is cool and delicious, the real reason for a tea party is to have fun, get dressed up (if you want to, which if you're honest with yourself you really do!), and get to know people better.

Well if you don't know who I am I am sorry because I should definitely be getting to know more of you all the time but I find it hard to approach people unless I have a purpose in mind so here's my purpose. I want to get to know you, and have some fun in the process! You're worth it. Some of you I may already know and I want to get to know you better too.

I figured that this would be a fun opportunity to get to know more females in the community. I don't know about you but I can be a bit of a loner sometimes and hide in a hole instead of put forth the effort to get to know new people. So here's me coming out of the rabbit hole! Oh and if you need directions go here. Hope to see you next Sunday!

Spring is here and I am outside!

Ever since good weather has arrived I would rather spend my time out of doors then inside on the computer. I've enjoyed kayaking with friends and family, recitals, bike rides, family dinners and picnics, mowing, climbing trees, and getting my apartment painted and pretty. It's been really busy and today has been a nice and slow day to reflect on what's been going on this past month.

My family and I were really blessed to have our cousins come visit us a couple weekends ago, Shannon and Elizabeth! I don't know if they were expecting to be dragged every which way when they came to visit. They of course got dad's house tour and then the rest of the time we spent visiting Harpers Ferry, kayaking, grilling, and just hanging out. It was wonderful to see them both before they leave to go to Prague coming up at the end of this summer.

We climbed dangerous trees out into the Shenandoah River

Contemplated life the universe and everything

Snuck down secret passageways

Identified trees

Waited a really long time to eat lunch with family

Learned about the Civil War

And enjoyed unexpected adventures

The weekend before their visit we had the annual National Pike Festival wagon train that comes over the bridge on our property. We had all of our family that could come over for a big brunch before the wagon train came. It lasts all of 5-10 minutes for the wagons to go over our bridge but it's interesting to see. It's always such a blessing that I get to spend so much time with my extended family. They are so much fun to be around and so full of wisdom and laughter!

The horses and their wagons going over the Wilson bridge

Jeremy practicing for when he has six of his own!

Mostly though I've been spending my time on the creek by my house with people I love. I hope to be on it a lot this summer and with lots more people too. There's just so much to do and see on the water.

Mom's got mad skill

Melody styling the cool straw hat

Me acting like a monkey

Tons of turles just chilling on fallen logs

And the reality of new life all around.

I hope and pray that God is showing you how wonderful His creation is in it's people and world each and every day!