trees...

i truly love trees. i love almost everything about them. trees are sturdy, rugged, strong, lush, and friendly. they are brave-standing strong through heavy gusts and gales. they are friendly- often providing a shady rest spot. they are classy- decorating the lawns of both the prince and pauper. they are patient- allowing children to climb their muscular limbs. they are timeless- some live to be hundreds of years old, growing more beautiful by the day. i'm simply fascinated and amazed. i wish i could better capture their beauty and the feeling of awe that shoots through me when i gaze yet another leafy looker. God's creativity and kindness when He created trees, mmm i don't know what to say about that. they are simply wonderful.

















these trees are all planted in Williamsburg, VA. my pictures don't do these trees justice

predestined for Christ's glory

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.
In love He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His Will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His Purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in Heaven and things in earth.
In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His Will so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His Glory.
In Him you also, when you heard the Word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His Glory.


Ephesians 1:3-14

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me


Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

Your Love Is Strong by Jon Foreman

I desire that my love for other people would grow to be more like the love God has for me. Unselfish, pure, and deep.

little things...

lately i've been loving the little things in life. so grateful for many wonerful things, and grateful God's helping me enjoy them
-running up to regent with my mom to take pics (40 mins)
-gorgeous trees, i don't remember seeing before in front of that house
-deep pink roses in a cute little vase on our clean kitchen table
-the anticipation of NEXT
-new nail polish
-running Mom a drink at school
-getting to hold little Brookie a few minutes while J'Nelle worked out
-time to sit in the sun and read Hood, a book Eric gave me
-sun tans : )
-water that tastes good
-honey mustard pretzels
-shopping at tj maxx with mom, no place to have to be
-gold diamond earrings
-having nowhere to go and no plans for the night

these are just a few of the little things I've been enjoying these past few days

tues term

due to having absolutely no desire to go hunt down a dictionary right now, I decided to google SAT words and post one of those. So here's my word


blithe: joyous (adj)

4 boys

about to head out the door to hang with 4 of the cutest/sweetest boys in the world. Ran, Trev, Anderson, and Cai, I love spending time with you all! And can't wait to catch up and enjoy dinner with Amanda and Kris too!

Prayers

"Love Lustres At Calvary"


My Father, enlarge my heart, warm
my affections, open my lips, supply
words that proclaim 'Love lustres at
Calvary.' There grace removes my
burden and heaps them on thy Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin
for me; There the sword of thy justice
smote the man, thy fellow; There Thy
infinite attributes were magnified, and
infinite atonement was made;There infinite
punishment was due, and infinite
punishment was endured. Christ was all
anguish that I might be all joy, cast
off that I might be brought in, trodden
down as an enemy that I might be
welcomed as a friend, surrendered to Hell's
worst that I might have Heaven's best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed, athirst
that I might drink, tormented that I
might be comforted, made a shame that I
might inherit glory. Entered darkness that
I might have eternal light, My Savior wept
that all tears might be wiped from my
eyes, groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have
unfading health, bore a thorned crown
that I might have a glory diadem, bowed
His head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive
welcome, closed His eyes in death that
I might gaze on unclouded brightness, expired
that I might forever live. O Father, who
spared not Thine only Son that thou
mightest spare me, All this transfer thy love
designed and accomplished; Help me adore thee
by lips and life. O that my every breath
might be ecstatic praise, my every step
buoyant with delight, as I see my enemies
crushed, Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
Hell's gates closed, Heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God,and show me the
cross, mighty to subdue, comfort, and save.

Valley of Vision pp 42-43