hope in the midst of hurt...

// Even in the midst of pain and confusion...He is still good, and we are still loved. // 

words to remember...

I have been having a lot of fun making these typography / quote / picture things....  I love them because I set them as the lock-screen on my phone, and then every time I turn on my phone I see the truths that my soul needs to remember and grasp hold of....

xx,
bailey =)

leave it all behind, and come to the Well...

Leave it all behind, Leave it all behind, 

Leave it all behind, Leave it all behind,

I have what you need, But you keep on searchin, 

I've done all the work, But you keep on workin, 

When you're runnin on empty, And you can't find the remedy, 

Just come to the Well.

You can spend your whole life, Chasin what's missing, 

But that empty inside, It just ain't gonna listen.

When nothing can satisfy,And the world leaves you high and dry, 

Just come to the Well

And all who thirst will thirst no more, 

And all who search will find what their souls long for, 

The world will try, but it can never fill, 

So leave it all behind, and come to the Well

So bring me your heartNo matter how broken, 

Just come as you are, When your last prayer is spoken, 

Just rest in my arms a while, You'll feel the change my child, 

When you come to the Well

the arboretum

(to read my original post in this series "Thankfulness Through My Lens", click >here<)

I love any chance that I get to go to the Minnesota Arboretum - and this was no exception. And what made it even better was that I got to go twice in one week! =)  I went on Thursday with my grandparents and had a lovely afternoon enjoying time with them, flowers and sunshine. Then on Sunday I went with my dear friend Elizabeth, and had a wonderful day spending time with her and my camera. =)  It was slightly overcast that day - so it was perfect for taking pictures! And take pictures I did.  

I was one happy camper.

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you?" Luke 12:27-28

reminders that He loves me

I once had a friend who told me that whenever she saw anything heart-shaped it reminded her of Jesus' love for her.  So now whenever I see anything in the shape of a heart - a rock, a leaf, a puddle, etc…I think of her, and also am reminded that Jesus loves me.  

I came upon these flowers when I was at the arboretum with my grandparents and I had never seen them before.  And they made me so happy! =] There are actual flowers that are in the shape of a heart! How cool! 

"Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."  
{Psalm 36:5} 

thankfulness through my lens || may 18

…this song...

Cal·va·ry

 

noun, 

1.

Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified. Luke 23:33.

"Calvary covers it all, my sin and shame don't count anymore. All praise to the one Who has ransomed my soul.  Calvary covers it all." 

thankfulness through my lens || may 11

~ my mom ~

(I was going to write this on my mom's birthday…but it was a super full day.  So, since my sentiment remains the same, and today happens to be mother's day, I wanted to share it.) 

This lady. She is amazing.  She acts as mother, wife, daughter, role-model, teacher, dietitian, prayer warrior, house-cleaner, cook, friend, chauffeur, doctor, nurse, editor, advisor, shoulder-to-cry-on, exercise-partner, cheerleader, play-buddy, fashion consultant, accountant, schedule coordinator, comforter, follower of Jesus and so, so much more.

I realized, not too long ago, just how amazing my mom is.  You see, while I have been going through my own trials, and trying to figure out life, my mom has been there to listen to me, talk through things with me, cry with me, pray for me, and remind me of God's promises.

But she doesn't just do this for me - she does it for the other six people in this family.  Every day.  And that's not to mention her own stuff that she has to walk through.

I think that then next time someone asks me who my favorite super hero is  I'm gonna say, "my Mom." 

My mom is my super hero, and her super power is Jesus Christ. 

Jesus is #1 in my mom's life.  She has made Him her rock and foundation.  Almost every morning of my life, I have woken up to my mom in the art of pursuing her Lord and Savior.  That's one of the things I most admire about her - her persistency and faithfulness in knowing Jesus.  And it's not because she "has" to, or she's doing it religiously - it's because her heart really hungers and thirsts to know more of Him.

For my mom's birthday, our family wrote out 50 reasons why we love her.  And my favorite was one that my nine year old brother wrote.  "You’re really into the Bible, and you always want to be reading it, and that helps us more to be better in Jesus."  I love it because it's so true.  My mom always wants to be in the Word. but not just by herself -  she wants others to join her.  And to experience the life and blessing that comes from seeking Jesus.  And that has hugely impacted the lives of her husband, kids and the people around her. 

I am so thankful for my Mom.  The biggest, most important lesson I've learned from her is this:  Jesus loves me.  And there is nothing that I can do or say to make Him love me any more or any less.  And that He only wants goodness for my life… And those things are far more important than any math lesson or cooking lesson she could ever give me.

She has made a huge impact on my life - not just here on earth, but for eternity as well. 

Mom, you are a priceless jewel.  I don't know why God saw fit to put me with such an incredible woman, but I am so grateful He did.  

Happy Mother's Day!

 Love you<3

"What is a mom but the sunshine of our days and the stars of our nights." 

thankfulness through my lens || march 22

\\ the promise of spring \\ 

It has been winter for so long - not just outside, but in my soul.  However…yesterday,  I sensed the smallest seed of spring sprout in my soul…

I was reminded that after every winter comes the promise of spring. 

Spring.  

The season when all that was dead comes to life.  The season when all that was gray becomes vibrant and full of color.  And the season in which hope is renewed.

In this life I will experience pain, and betrayal, and loss and confusion and grief… Yet, I can make it through with joy because of Jesus.  because He promises to be with me every step of the way.  

He promises to comfort me.  and He is there - catching every tear that I cry.

I can make it through because He promises to meet me in my brokenness and heal my hurting heart. 

He promises that He makes all things beautiful in His time…

He promises that His mercies will be there, waiting for me, every morning. 

He promises that His plans are better than mine - even when it seems that His plans are horrible at the moment. 

He promises that I can live an abundant life - with purpose. 

He promises that He can and will redeem the years that the locusts have eaten.  

He promises to take that which the enemy intended for evil and turn it into something good. 

And He promises that one day He will bring me to a place where there is no death, no pain, and no tears.  Just joy.  Perfect, unhindered, everlasting joy.  Forever. 

Spring is on it's way. 

(I already linked it, but go read the post that inspired me to write this. click >here<) 

::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…

this was actually from a book I read this week...

|| thankfulness through my lens ||

\\ a good book and good quotes \\ 

I feel like this is where God has me at right now…in the unfamiliar…so I can trust Him and Him alone.    He is my breath.  

And there will be a day when I can finally breathe. 

|| thankfulness through my lens ||

\\ quiet afternoons by myself \\ 

"Sex, Marriage and Fairytales"

“Because of Me it is finished, you’ve been made new.

You’re spotless, you’re blameless -there’s no sin in you.

Because His death was a proposal - He wanted you no matter the cost.

Where some guys propose on a knee, Jesus proposed on a cross.”

This video is so spot. on.  I love this guy's passion.  It's all about Jesus.