a lyrical line...

to dwell on, "heaven came down & glory filled my soul." 

love it!

Ryan Wemmer

Last week I had the privilege of shooting Ryan's senior portraits. Ryan is such an awesome guy who has a huge heart for the Lord. I met him about three years ago back when he was a sophomore. We went to the same church where I watched him become more and more involved with the youth and music ministry. Ryan is planning on attending APU after he finishes-up his last year of high school. All the best to you my friend as you enter a new season of life. Blessings!

yesterday & today...

were just so stinking long and i'm so glad that both days are coming to an end. i have the next two days off so i'm pretty excited. 

highlights of the past two+ days: 

seeing my wonderful friend, roxi sing her heart out to to our beautiful father.

church/college group. 

chatting with robyn & kay.

seeing chris (that was sunday, but such a highlight).

reading about the effectiveness of note-taking in secondary schools.

listening to the new ray album. 

spending genuine time in prayer. 

class :)

watching short films by michel gondry.

playing with the cutest boxer puppy ever.

wearing a scarf for the first time this year (it was cold tuesday night).

starring at the moon while letting my mind just go into a blissful state.

listening to good folk music.

etc.

i hope all of you are having a wonderful week thus far.

May your hunger run deep and may your 

love for the Lord increase as you draw yourself near to him. 

blessings.

photo fun

this is John and his huge, homemade pinhole camera. he inspires me.

let's make a date, shall we?

good conversation and tea is always a hit.

words, thoughts, and a man that inspires me

Is there anyone of us who could not be more patient? Thomas Merton recognized this challenge faced in everyday life by writing in Spiritual Direction and Meditation, “If well made, my meditation will bear fruit in an increase of fortitude in patience. My patience will help me endure trials in such a way that my soul will be purified of many imperfections and obstacles to grace. I will learn to know better the sources of anger in myself. I will then grow in charity [love].”

What beautiful prose to describe conduct that is essential to our discovering some semblance of peace and joy in our lives. By being patient, by simply stepping back, taking a deep breath, and then listening to the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, the action, or perhaps non-action, we take will be so much better thought out increasing our opportunity to be Christlike with our behavior. This means we act with love and compassion instead of anger resulting in an attitude of being positive instead of negative. Doing so permits a fresh look at life, one that triggers hope instead of despair.

Being patient, as Merton notes, paves the way to grace. When we hesitate, meditate, and then consider the various alternatives open to us, we cannot help but be blessed when decision time arises. 

Patience is key. Patience is virtue. Patience is bliss.

thoughts and blabs before work.

Lately the concept of patience has been playing a huge role in my life. I’m not going to lie; I have truly been struggling with this in various situations within my life. I don’t need to get into the specifics because that is not the focus; the focus is in fact patience and patience alone. God concentrates on patience multiple times throughout the word. Hebrews 6:15 states that Abraham "patiently waited" or "patiently endured" for God's promise to be fulfilled in his life. Galatians 5:22 says, but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Ephesians 4:2 states with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love… the list of focal points and verses goes on and on both within the old testament and the new.  God continually commands us to endure patience in life. The more we worry and become uneasy in life the more we become dependent on ourselves instead of God. God has promised us so many amazing things/opportunities in life and it is up to us whether or not we will patiently be waiting for those things to come. I’m not saying we need to just wait for him in a stagnate pool of nothingness, but rather wait and be patient in word and deed. Psalms 37:7 says, be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him… I know that He is with me. He is always with me and will never leave or forsake me. I will continue to be patient and not waiver in my faith for Him. I will wait patiently for what He has in store for me next. 

it's in the air...

getting married that is.

so it seems like everyone is getting engaged and or married these days. its pretty cool seeing all your friends move into a new season of life with someone they love. congrats to all who are moving that way: 

Jon & Whit

Ryan & CC

Allison & Shawn 

Brit & Taylor 

Matt & Teri

may god continue to bless your lives.

a living hope, and a sure salvation

1st Peter

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 

wow! thoughts soon to come...