Senior Pictures

Ever since I saw some of her work I have wanted Bethany to take my graduation pictures! But the year in which I was graduating some guy came out of nowhere and swept her off to Virginia...to stay. So I was in a predicament, until I realized that I could just go and visit my wonderful brother and sis-in-law/photographer and have her take my pictures in VA! And that is just what I did!

Bethany, her sisters and I headed to downtown Purcellville, VA to take pictures! What a cute little town it was...with lots of cool brick alleys, wooden doors... :)

We then headed over to Patrick Henry Collage where they had magnificent white pillars!

Thanks, Bethany! Love ya

“I say to myself, The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in Him,; to the one who seeks him...”

Lamentations 3:24-25

A peek into my life...

In the morning as I was having my devotions I began to read back in my journal over this past year, and the one before. As I was reading I began to marvel at God's goodness in my life! Now let me start by letting you know that I am not one to keep a daily journal of the happenings in my life. I have several journals in the closet that are half filled...or maybe I should say like a couple pages filled...lol But my Pastor, many years ago gave a challenge to keep a daily journal of God's happenings in my life. And I cannot express to you how wonderful this has been!

It was hard to start, but once I got going I couldn't bear to stop! In that little notebook I have poured out my prayers to God, expressed my concerns, praised His name, given Him my hurts, shared my joys and recorded what He has taught me. In the beginning stages I just recorded what portion of scripture I had read that day, but as I got older it began to get more personal. It definitely has not all been pretty, but life isn't always pretty and easy. Life goes up and down, but God stays the same. And my little book is pretty much proof of that. When I am discouraged and my mind starts to wander I can look in my journal and read of God's faithfulness in my personal life. And as I read, I remember the instances in which I wrote the words, look up the scriptures that were meaningful during that time, and realize that God is real and that He does choose to work in my life.

I am not saying that I don't look to God's Word for comfort and strength, that is the whole essence of what is in my journal...I am only saying that it helps to have personal applications added to those of history.

But anyway, I said all that to say, God has been so rich and full in my life this past year that I believe He would have me share with you some portions of my journal...so stay tuned, and I hope that it will be an encouragement to you.

Never a dull moment!

When I flew out to Dan and Bethany's I got a one-way airline ticket out, and a bus ticket back! My visit to D&B's overlapped with the Wissmanns, and they very graciously let me ride back with them! As much as I love plane rides, riding on the bus was WAY more exciting, and the company was better too:)

One of the highlights was being able to see some new sights, including a trip to the Amish Store.

A couple things I learned that week;

1. Ruth makes incredible breakfasts! (I got so addicted to yogurt and fruit)

2. Flexibility is a daily attribute that one must have...you never know what might happen in a morning.

Life on the bus is never dull!

3. Doing hair is so much fun, especially when you have such agreeable models:)

4. God is glorified when ordinary people surrender their lives to Him and obey His calling. He then uses them to do extraordinary things!

Believe it or not, I did get some school done...

...but it was way more fun to play cards!

Eating at one of the We Care banquets!

When browsing through a chocolate factory we came upon a wonderful sight! Jelly Bellys! All the pretty colors, new flavors that had never been tried, bags just waiting to be filled...who could resist? Certainly not me! *smile*

So many fun, exciting and interesting memories were made that week!

Thank you Wissmanns for letting me 'tag-along' with you! May the Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him.

"Live for God and serve Him with such a passion

that all the hosts of heaven stand back in awe

of what God can do in a

surrendered and available life."

Being an Aunt...

...is just SO much fun!!!

I haven't posted pictures of my favorite babies for a long time:)

Elise's Uncles love training her...so that one day she will be a great baller!

::Storytime::

What an incredible trip!

My trip out east was amazing! But what else could you expect when you are with such amazing people? I spent nearly a week with Dan & Bethany, and then another week traveling home with the Wissmann's!

My time with D&B went so fast! But it was jam-packed with fun.

Dan had been hearing about a PHC production called "Wait Until Dark" that the student drama club was putting on. The title made for some interesting dicussion, but we decided to give it a try! It was extremely well done, the actors were phenomenal, and the set was amazing! I am very glad I went, but it was like nothing I have ever seen before! I screamed three times, and jumped at least double that.

The main character was a lady that was blind, and the actress did a stunning job! I was very impressed!

When Dan heard that I had never been to Red Robin he put in on the calendar for Sunday afternoon! And it was excellent! It also had "bottomless fries", so I could have all the french fries I wanted...(dangerous I tell you *smile*)

Me and my burger:)

I have such an amazing brother! (Just ask Bethany, she'll back me up)

After our delicious lunch we debated on whether to go to DC right away or wait a couple days. It was very windy and slightly chilly...not exactly a perfect day for outdoor touristy stuff, but after a relatively quick discussion (none of us are very decisive) we decided to make a day of it! I had never been to DC and I am so glad that we went! To visit the Washington Monument, see the White House (in real life), and just be in our Nations Capital caused a lot of reflection. We were able to visit the Smithsonian museum as well. And walking through the "America at war" section was very sobering! It made me so very proud of our troops, those who laid down their lives, and the families that endure so much! I am so proud to be an American!

Dan and Bethany, how can I ever thank you? Love you both!!