Thankfulness Through My Lens : February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

|| thankfulness through my lens ||

{Anna}

This gem-of-a-girl turned fifteen today. FIFTEEN!?! Where did the time go? I don't know…but all I know is that somehow my little baby sister is a woman. Weird.

I love this girl. She is amazing. I'll tell you the things that I love and appreciate about her - cause you should know her. Trust me. =)

Why I Love Anna:

She is a total goofball
She has the biggest, most beautiful smile
She has a beautiful, crisp, moving singing-voice
She stays up late and watches movies with me
When you hurt, she hurts; and when you cry, she cries with you
She is super good with little kids and babies, and they LOVE her
She loves Jesus
She is an amazing example to me of forgiveness - she almost says she forgives you before you even ask

She asks me to workout when I don't want to - and then I'm glad I did
She dances with me
She acts stupid with me in public

She is a prayer-warrior
She loves animals
She is super sensetive
She gets along with everyone

She lets me do her makeup, hair and nails and photo-shoots of her, even though they're not her favorite thing to do
She lets me wear her clothes
She is always there for me
She is my best friend =)

"Because I have a sister I'll always have a friend."

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

Thursday, February 27, 2014

|| thankfulness through my lens ||

\\ this man \\

My dad turned the whoppin' 50 years-old today. What a great guy. =)

Seriously, this man is amazing. He loves Jesus, loves minions, has silver (NOT gray) hair, is a fantastic writer/theologian, and even graciously lets his daughter beat him (multiple times) in board games. I love my dad. And I have learned a lot from him.

He's taught me that….

God never, ever changes
You should make time for those you love
It is always the right moment to break out in dance
You should talk to your mom often
You shouldn't eat Cheetos and write at the same time - it makes your keyboard orange :P
You should follow what Jesus is showing you to do - even if everyone thinks you're crazy
It is a good thing to win and lose graciously
I need to entrust those that I love most to the Lord
Sometimes its more important to be quiet than to prove that you're right - even if you are.
I should choose my words carefully
Don't ever waste your time on gross coffee - get the good stuff!
When you do the things that your loved-ones like to do, even if you don't like doing them, it makes them feel loved.
Family is important.
There is nothing that I can ever do that'll separate me from God's love.
It is better to put your trust in the Lord than to trust in man (Psalm 118:8)

Papa, I can never thank you enough for your godly example in my life; how you've led and guided me; prayed for me; trusted in me and taught me what it means to follow after Jesus.

I hope, pray and trust that these next fifty years will be even better than the first.

Love you.
Love,
Your lil pooh bear =)

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

thankfulness through my lens

|| friendships and memories ||

I love my wall of pictures. So many good memories. So many happy times. So much to be thankful for. I realized today that the Lord really has blessed me, abundantly, with so many friends in my life. Whether old or young, new or old, family or not..I have been surrounded by so many people who love, support and encourage me - consistently.

I have so much - and so many - to be thankful for.

So, while this isn't that amazing of a picture - it is special to me. Because it conveys my heart, and reminds me that I. am. so. blessed. and Jesus. is. so. good.

And there is always. always. something to be thankful for.

And when I choose thankfulness, I'm choosing joy.

Monday, February 24, 2014

thankfulness through my lens

\\ hand-written letters \\

Sunday, February 23, 2014

::inspired::

\\ the warm sun rays pouring through the windows \\

\\ decorating paper hearts with Bekah \\

Yes…these pictures were taken with my iPhone…not my Nikon… But, I'm ok with not picking up my camera today. I'm allowing myself to be ok with not picking up my big camera today…but, still choose thankfulness…

I'd rather share some of my heart with you today… or rather, what the Lord is working in my heart.

I love Pinterest. (that's a huge understatement) But, I mostly love it for all the quotes that I get from it. =) I love love love going to Pinterest and reading new inspirational quotes, or funny sayings, or song lyrics, or scriptures or whatever… A lot of times when I go there, I'm actually reminded of What/ Who is important…

So, I'd like to share some of my favorites from this week…