Rooted in Love

I'm sorry I've been absent!

2012-02-08T23:48:00.004-07:00

But... I have a WEBSITE !

I've been busy:

Finishing grad school - I now have my Masters in Social Work!

Taking yoga teacher training at cambio.

Serving on the board of Restore Innocence,

And establishing Love Roots Photography as a business.

Please check out the website if you happen to come across this blog :)

testing...

2011-11-14T13:39:00.001-07:00

Photovoice Project.

2011-09-01T11:47:00.003-06:00

See it our way for bfi 27th nov 2010 no music

View more presentations from Matt Daw

It's been awhile!
I wanted to post this good information about Photovoice.
I'm excited about doing a project soon with TESSA that will hopefully be similar to this idea of photovoice. Check back if you're interested!

2011-03-10T09:22:00.002-07:00

Believing Means...

2011-02-03T13:51:00.005-07:00

When I read this today, I had to share. In the past I've shared a few things from this incredible, soul-nourishing space called A Holy Experience. Like much of Ann's writing, it has inspired me to think of how I might write something like this in my own words. Ann shares what she believes in this way (emphasis mine):

"I believe in Jehovah God who created the whirling galaxies, the birds soaring in the sky overhead, the endless crashing waves and all that dances within them. I believe in Father of all who knits together life, made in His very own image, in the secret quiet of our beings.

I believe in Jesus Christ, the One with no earthly Father, with the dust of this earth between His toes, and with our names etched onto the palm of His hands, right beneath the nail scars…Who now sits at the Father’s right hand making endless intercession on our behalf. I believe in the stone rolled away, in the Body being raised, in the first fruits of the dead…and us all following soon, very soon.

I believe in the Cross as our only Hope, our only Claim, and our only Foundation. I believe that in the pounding surf of life we have only one thing to cling to: the feet of our Lord, hanging on that tree, His lifeblood flowing down, washing us whiter than snow.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, moving, whispering, indwelling our very skin. I believe in living by the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, and producing fruit in the Spirit…in the Spirit who helps us in our weakness with groanings that can’t be expressed in words.

I believe in the infallibility of the Bible, God’s Word – a sure Word, a pure Word, the only secure Word. I believe the words on those pages are breathed from the very throne room of heaven, are the love letter penned from the heart of the Lover of our souls; a beacon of light for stumbling feet to find sure footing on a dark path.

I believe there is more than believing. There is living what I believe."

2011-02-01T14:23:00.004-07:00

Finally had a little time to update the website!

Love Roots Photography

Also, if you're on facebook and you haven't yet,
would you check out my facebook site for Love Roots?

Awesome and Inspiring!

2011-01-28T11:14:00.003-07:00

You know how I write about wanting to combine my love for photography and my call to social justice? Well...I've come across a perfect example by these photographers (Paper Antler) and I'm inspired! I'm already dreaming of ways to make something like this happen. First step: train Dan how to be a photographer :)

In the mean-time, please share this and help get their schedule booked so that they're able to complete their goal of 50 weddings in 50 states and raise $50,000 for She Dances. An awesome org in Honduras bringing restoration to girls coming out of sex trafficking situations.

AWESOME.

Official Sex+Money Documentary Trailer-HD

2011-01-25T12:28:00.001-07:00

words of wisdom (from sarah rhoads)

2011-01-21T13:03:00.004-07:00

As I struggle, wondering how to make some of my 'dreams' become reality, I'm encouraged by these words from a photographer I admire named sarah rhoads. Read below...What do you think?

"Dreams aren't something we can be lackadaisical about. In my experience, we must be fiercely intentional and put ourselves in situations that force us to sink or swim. Those situations are the ones where we grow the most and realize the depths of our immense potential. If this we're an easy task to overcome we would see thousands upon thousands of people winning nobel peace prizes, writing award winning novels, creating brilliant works of art, directing award winning movies. But it's never easy. The encouraging thing to me is that I am the only person standing in my way... and if I can battle the giants in my own mind I am capable of anything."

p.s. I miss this kid (pictured above). He was an awesome, awesome kid I met while visiting different orphanages in Ethiopia. Many of the beautiful children we met have a dream, too- to become part of a family. How can we be a part of making those dreams happen for kids like this? I have some ideas....and I will be posting soon :)

One Thousand Gifts

2011-01-17T12:17:00.006-07:00

Oftentimes I get so wrapped up in the things right in front of me: my to-do list (phone calls I need to make, papers I need to write, clothes I need to put away, dishes to clean, etc!) that I forget to have gratitude. Gratitude for all God has placed in front of me and around me. The beauty, the love, and the many gifts He gives every day. One place that has really encouraged me to stop and listen, to notice these gifts, is here:
A Holy Experience.
Ann, the author of the life-giving blog has written a book called One Thousand Gifts. I've already ordered mine and have been waiting for weeks!
I've written a little about Ann and her words here.
I've also made a mental list of all the people in my life I'd like to give it to. So I came across this blog today (Set your heart to seek God) and Robin is giving away a copy of One Thousand Gifts. So if you're interested, you might want to check it out!

My challenge this year will be to slow my pace. To notice more than what is pressing, right in front of me- and to see beyond myself. In Philippians 2: 1-4, Paul writes:
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility, consider others better than yourselves.
Each of you should not look only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
What, really, does it mean to consider others better than yourselves? I would love to hear your thoughts. How do I practically live this out? I think I know..but sometimes the things right in front of me- the things that feel necessary and immediate, take my attention. I want to change that and be a person who puts my own things on hold for the sake of other people.
Lord, give me the grace to do it!

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 1/11/11

2011-01-11T13:47:00.007-07:00

If you know me, you know that fighting human trafficking is something I'm really passionate about. I can't imagine anything more damaging to the human spirit than being enslaved.

(A great look inside the life of a slave can be

found in Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning").

Slavery is something that I think many of us can not comprehend. Most of us have lived in freedom our whole lives (and for that, I am grateful). But what about the MILLIONS that live in slavery every day of their lives? What about the children forced to have sex with men 4, 10, 15 times a day? (Sorry to be graphic...but it's the truth!) And no, this is not just happening in Cambodia where it's "a cultural thing" as some have said in ignorance. It is happening in the United States as well.

I can not be silent. I can not pretend like slavery no longer exists.

And I can not stand to turn a blind eye.

As a Christian, it is my responsibility to stand against injustice. And this, the pandemic of millions enslaved, is a grave injustice.

Together, we have the power to CHANGE this horrific reality for millions of people.

Please don't ignore what you hear about human trafficking.

Please don't just say, "It's too big and there will always be problems in the world", or, "I'm glad some one is doing something about it". It is our duty, as a human race, to stand up for those who can not speak for themselves! You don't have to quit your job and become a full-time abolishionist. You don't have to start a blog and write about how to stop human trafficking. You don't even have to give money to organizations who are working to prevent, rescue, and restore victims.

(Although all these things are great!)

What you can do, at the least, is ask yourself this question:

"When does my personal freedom create the next person's slavery?"

(Lindsay Diederichs, Sex +Money: A National Search for Human Worth)

Below are some of my favorite organizations doing great work to fight against human trafficking. Some do awareness and prevention. Some do rescue, and some do restoration. Please check out at least one of these orgs if you haven't already- and choose to be an agent of change in a world that so desperately needs it.

International Justice Mission

and

"If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness...you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." -Isaiah 58:10-11

Restoration!

2011-01-08T23:07:00.004-07:00

I know I've been sharing a lot of videos lately, but here is a little about a new non-profit out of Colorado Springs called Restore Innocence. They will be providing much-needed shelter and aftercare for girls who have been victimized through child sex trafficking here in the US. This organization is just getting off the ground, and if you're looking for some place to support through financial giving and prayer...please, look no further! For more information, check out their website Restore Innocence.

inspiring Street Photography

2011-01-06T16:42:00.002-07:00

An incredible story of a man who has brought to light possibly some of the best street photography in history.
The photographer: Vivian Maier.
To see more of her beautiful work, check out his blog:
Vivian Maier- Her Discovered Work.

Here's my heart...

2011-01-05T17:12:00.002-07:00

        Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
 tune my heart to sing thy grace;
 streams of mercy, never ceasing,
 call for songs of loudest praise.
 Teach me some melodious sonnet,
 sung by flaming tongues above.
 Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
 mount of thy redeeming love.

 Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
 hither by thy help I'm come;
 and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
 safely to arrive at home.
 Jesus sought me when a stranger,
 wandering from the fold of God;
 he, to rescue me from danger,
 interposed his precious blood.

 O to grace how great a debtor
 daily I'm constrained to be!
 Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
 bind my wandering heart to thee.
 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
 prone to leave the God I love;
 here's my heart, O take and seal it, 
 seal it for thy courts above.

welcome

2010-12-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome, Winter. I've been waiting for you.

Beautiful Grapes

2010-12-16T10:05:00.004-07:00

A challenging quote from one of my favorite writers, Oswald Chambers:

"If we believe in Jesus, it's not what we gain, but what He pours out through us that counts. It is not that God makes us beautifully rounded grapes, but that He squeezes the sweetness out of us. Spiritually, we can not measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us, and we cannot measure that at all...

God spilt the life of His Son so that the world might be saved; are we prepared to spill out our lives for Him? 'He that believes in me out of him shall flow rivers of living water'- hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. It's time now to break the life, to cease the craving for satisfaction, and to spill the thing out. Our Lord is asking; who of us will do it for Him?"

So many times I find myself looking for (even craving) satisfaction. And often, it's not the kind of satisfaction that truly satisfies. When lovingly speaking with the woman at the well, Jesus tells her that the water He gives is the only kind that will quench her deep thirst. And He offers it to me- to us- if only we would remember to go to Him. He says, "whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." This water of life we continually sip from Him will turn into rivers of living water, a source of refreshment for the thirsty souls in our lives.

Lord, help me come to you thirsty. Help me be willing to give up my idea of "success" and "satisfaction", and surrender to true fulfillment- to be a source (a squeezed, yet beautiful grape) from which you pour life through me.

2010-12-09T10:25:00.014-07:00

Below are some favorite photos from the last few months. I'm looking forward to meeting with Jewels today, of Super Fine Designs. She's going to help me come up with a logo and hopefully a new design for a website!

Thanks for everyone who has supported and encouraged me in my photography endeavors. I've had so much fun capturing friends and making new ones!

Love,

abby

2010-11-30T13:32:00.003-07:00

what to do with a hurting heart?

when it's not empathy for another- but personal?

it aches over something that seems nearly impossible to change.
especially at this moment in time...

and the worst part is, it's something so small

(in comparison to the bigger aches of the world)

and that makes it hurt more.

challenged by truth.

2010-11-23T13:05:00.006-07:00

photograph by Alysia Cotter

lately i'm challenged by....

the inner battle.

the inability to forget what really happens in the world every day.

the selfish desire to sometimes go back to not knowing.

the draw and selfish desire for the glitz of "Christmas".

the temptaions to spend money on what doesn't matter.

the conviction to spend money, instead, on what does matter.

the reality and pain of brokenness.

the need for the REAL CHRISTMAS

the undeniable call to Give to the One who gave first.

Giving the gift of HOPE

2010-11-17T09:22:00.012-07:00

What are you doing this CHRISTMAS?

What if we gave LOVE this Christmas, instead of just presents?

"How could I have thought that only love under the tree would do anything but make our happiness flourish? The Birthday Child tells us what He wants: Give to the least of these and you give to Me….

Maybe that’s always the only choice we have to make every Christmas: feed our own fickle wishes or feed the real hunger of Christ?

Nothing can be claimed, taken, received, had; everything we have is gift to us from heaven. All that we have has no other source but the hand of God (Jn 3:27).

So “Christian hands never clasp and He doesn’t give us gifts for our gain because a gift can never stop being a gift— it is always meant to be given.” When we pass our gifts on — the gifts from Him remaining a gift and being given again — we are the ones given even more of the source of all gifts — more of God Himself. Filled. When we give to Christ in the hungry, He satisfies our own hunger pangs." (From A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp)

What would you give up to save a life?

Would you give up your car?
What about your favorite article of clothing?
A subscription to a magazine?
Would you give up 10 songs from itunes?

What about just one latte or beer in the month of November?

Would you give up one thing and put that money towards FEEDING A CHILD?

This Christmas, you will have many choices - many opportunities to spend money.

Would you consider spending yourselves on behalf of these?
Would you give $5 or $10 to feed these beautiful children (many of whom are orphaned)?

This Christmas, in partnership with Children's Hopechest, I am raising $500 to bring food and water to orphans around the world. I want to invite you to be a part of bringing HOPE to these beautiful kids. $5 WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE !

Will you JOIN ME ?

Grieving in the unknowns

2010-11-12T14:02:00.004-07:00

Grieving in the unknowns.

Right now, two very close couples in our lives are dealing with very hard circumstances. (and I'm sure more than two if we really knew what was going on with more people). They are in a place of deep challenge- facing the dark unknown- and wondering why God would allow such hard things to happen. Why does he? Why, we wonder, does God allow bad things to happen to 'good' people, His people? It seems unfair, and harmful. And if God is good, why does He allow harm to come unto us when we try so desperately to live lives for Him?

It's the mystery of this terrible, beautiful, amazing, and fallen world we live in. At times like this, we only have one place to go.

To the feet Jesus.

To the feet of the one who walked the path of pain and death on our behalf.

To the arms of Jesus.

Into the arms of the one who streched out His in place of ours.

To the heart of Jesus.

To the deep places of His heart- the one who poured out His heart for us and replaced our crimson sin with the white of his perfect love.

My prayer is that my friends could go nearer into HIS love -even though that seems painful right now.

recent photos: posted!

2010-11-05T23:27:00.002-06:00

I have some new photographs up on the website!

LoveRoots Photography

He's writing a beautiful story

2010-11-05T08:56:00.011-06:00

"...I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

God is preparing me to take some big steps in the next few weeks and months. He has been gently but persistantly saying the same thing over and over until I can no longer ignore it. I know something is about to change, and with it- will mean a forever change- like life will never be the same. Donald Miller writes about this in his book 'A Million Miles in a Thousand Years'. He writes:

"Robert McKee says humans naturally seek comfort and stability. Withouth an inciting incident that disrupts their comfort, they won't enter into a story. They have to get fired from their job or be forced to sign up for a marathon. A ring has to be purchased. A home has to be sold. The character has to jump into the story, into the discomfort and the fear, otherwise the story will never happen. " -Donald Miller (105).

This is where I'm at. I'm at the point of an 'inciting incident'. I'm at the point where God is calling me to jump into the discomfort, the fear, and trust Him to continue writing this beautiful story that is bigger and better than anything I can dream up. I'm ready to trust God with this 'one wild and precious life', because I know He is the Author and Creator, and wants to draw me into a meaningful, redeeming story. God, give me the faith to trust.

for the display of His glory.

2010-10-31T13:07:00.004-06:00

evening trees

   set ablaze

       saffron,  gold

displaying the splendor of His glory.

Like me

   a humble tree

created to bear His image in some

   beautiful,

     mysterious  way.

Ethiopia: Reflection # 2 (On suffering and love)

2010-10-20T10:38:00.009-06:00

"In Christ, who died on the cross for us, we can definitely confirm the fact that suffering can transorm itself into a great love and an extrordinary generosity." -Mother Teresa

Some of the children we met know suffering. They have been through the hard stuff- the really hard stuff. The beautiful children at "Hope for the Hopeless" are true orphans. This is now their home, the other orphans, now their brothers and sisters. When we visited them, one of the adults told me that these kids see us as their "mothers and fathers". This touched me and broke my heart at the same time. We are just foreigners who don't speak the same language, who look different, who visited for two days and came back to our lives in the U.S. - and they consider us "mothers and fathers".

The weight of this reality is heavy.

But what astonished me most, was their extravagant love and extraordinary generosity. These words from Mother Teresa reveal a truth that I experienced but couldn't put into words. These beautiful children are the reflection of Jesus.

They are the broken ones who have given their love freely to me.

They are the precious ones that God has designed to pour his generosity and extravagance through.

They are the ones for which His heart breaks, and yet rejoices, because of how they give even when they're in desperate need.

What now, do I do with this? What do we do with this?

I think we know- and I know it's not easy. We can't turn away. We can't ignore the truth that there are millions of orphans in our world today longing for a mother and father. We must act as advocates on their behalf because that is what God calls us to do. And He calls us into an even deeper place of not only caring- but spending ourselves for them. (Isaiah 58:10) As these children so lavishly poured out their love, they gave me a deeper picture of God's heart and His invitation to us to join with Him in pouring out, spending ourselves, to show the world who He truly is.

*If you want to know more about what you can do on behalf of one of the millions of orphans, you can check out some of these great organizations:

Children's Hopechest
Orphan Sunday
Christian Alliance for Orphans

2010-10-18T20:11:00.002-06:00

I was blessed to see this today. This is my husband's twin brother, Ben, and his beautiful wife Carissa. They are a great picture of love and sacrifice and have blessed so many lives. They've also just added another lovely girl to their family to make four! This reminds me of how I wish we lived closer to them (they're on the other side of the country in Baltimore, Maryland.

Carissa works for the church coordinating the disabilities ministry and Ben is the area director for Young Life Capernaum Project. If you're ever looking for a worthy cause to give to...look no further! CLICK HERE to find out how to give to the ministry of Capernaum.

(Not to mention, these two are also the reason for my husband and I meeting and eventually, getting married!)

Ethiopia: Reflection #1

2010-10-18T10:26:00.005-06:00

I have some thoughts...and it's been difficult, but slowly they are coming together. I think this will be a continual journey of reflection and ruin, of contemplation and conviction, of experience into expression. It has been so hard for me to come up with words to express my thoughts and feelings about my trip to Ethiopia.

(Here is something I wrote last week that gives a little glimpse)

Reflection #1:
As I've been trying to reflect on my time in Ethiopia, God keeps bringing to my heart the words "lavishing love". Many of you probably know the feeling...going into an unfamiliar place, experiencing things you've never experienced before, being changed in deep ways...and then being at a loss of words when someone asks how your time was. That is me- even after two weeks. I still can't put into words my first experience in Africa. But slowly, God is helping me work through it all. For now, I will share this with you.

Lavish: Sumptuously rich and elaborate. (To) bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities upon. Characterized by or produced with extravagance and profusion. Immoderate in giving or bestowing. Using or giving in great amounts.

The Bible talks about God's lavishing love to us- as shown through the sacrifice of His Son, through His adoption of us, through the gift of the Holy Spirit. In Ethiopia, I felt this lavishing love in very real and tangible ways. As we drove up to Tulo in Awassa, kids came out of nowhere to run after the van. Smiling, singing, wanting to see us. See us!? Why? Spending hours with them, I felt genuinely loved. As the kids fought to be near us, to hold our hands, to hug us...we experienced God's heart for us as "His beloved". We know God's heart for these children is HUGE...but do we remember His heart for US ? We, too, are called "children of God". We, too, although once far off, have been brought near because of His extravagant, 'sumptiously rich and elaborate' love for us!

I want to live in a way that reflects this truth. I want to praise Him continuously as I remember His lavishing love for me that He poured out through the beautiful children of Ethiopia. And I want to remember to keep asking Him to fill me so I can pour out that same love in immoderate and generous ways!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (John 3:1)

my husband.

2010-09-16T20:58:00.008-06:00

tonight i am thankful.

thankful for my husband of five years.

that's 1,825 days of learning how to become 'one'.

daniel,

thank you for loving me even through the (many) un-lovable moments i have.

thank you for being patient with me when i don't clean our apartment and leave my papers and cameras and clothes everywhere.

thank you for being the kind of man i can trust.

thank you for loving our God and praying with me when I need it most.

thank you for praying for me. every day.

thank you for your compassionate heart for people; especially children.

thank you for letting me dream big- and not laughing (too much) when i have too many crazy, wild ambitions all the time.

thank you for doing our laundry. almost every time.

thank you for your laughter and the way you love to make people smile.

thank you for your positive attitude.

thank you for encouraging me to trust God.

thank you for being grounded when often-times i'm up in the clouds.

thank you for listening.

thank you for shining the light of Jesus.

thank you for committing yourself to me. forever.

five years ago today.

i love you.

Sing to Him. Pray with us.

2010-09-14T22:40:00.002-06:00

"What is my barrenness? It is the platform for His fruit-creating power. What is my desolation? It is the dark setting for the sapphire of His everlasting love. I will go to Him in my poverty, I will go in my helplessness, I will go in all my shame and backsliding; I will tell Him that I am still His child, and finding confidence in His faithful heart, even I, the barren one, will sing and cry aloud."

Isn't this beautiful?

Read more HERE and join us tomorrow in praying for injustice issues around our world.
Join the movement: iFast 58!

millions of orphans.

2010-09-09T13:25:00.005-06:00

In ten days, I will be on my way to Ethiopia.

I may actually get to meet some of these

very kids in this photograph.

This is a classroom in Awassa. These are all orphans.

Can you believe how many?

Can you imagine that this is just one small school

in one small town in one country?

Our team is collecting items

to bring to this very school.

If you'd like to read more, please go over

to Red Letters.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as

pure and faultless is this: to look after

orphans and widows in their distress..."

(James 1:27)

Thank you for your prayers for these beautiful children.

beautiful things out of dust

2010-09-08T09:00:00.002-06:00

Here's the video of "Beautiful Things", which I quoted below.

iFast 58

2010-09-07T23:29:00.003-06:00

Hello Friends.
Below is the iFast 58 prayer info. Please email me with any questions!
To learn more about the iFast 58 beginnings, Go HERE!

He makes beauty out of ashes.

Sometimes all we see is dust. Ashes and dust.

The pain and brokenness in our world can sometimes overwhelm us to the point of shedding tears, the point of despair, and crying out, "Why, God?" As I've confronted some of this in my own life, God has challenged me and brought me back over and over to His promise that He makes beauty out of ashes (Isaiah 61:3). He makes beautiful things out of dust. Sunday I sang this song with a number of other people in church. It was good to read, good to hear, good to sing it loud- to proclaim it as truth- and be reminded of God's faithful promises He weaves throughout Scripture and throughout our lives.

"All this pain. I wonder if I’ll ever find my way. I wonder if my life could really change at all.
All this earth. Could all that is lost ever be found. Could a garden come up from this ground at all.
You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of the dust.
You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of us.
All around. Hope is springing up from this old ground. Out of chaos life is being found in You
You make me new, You are making me new.
('Beautiful' by Gungor. You can listen to the song HERE.)

Maybe you can relate to these words. Maybe you, too, have been seeing a lot of dust. If so, be reminded: "He makes beautiful things out of dust. He makes beautiful things out of us".

To hold on to His promises, to believe that what He says is true, we must have faith. "Faith", as Oswald Chambers puts it, "is robust vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love. You can not see Him just now, you can not understand what He is doing, but you know Him. Faith is the heroic effort of your life; you fling yourself in reckless confidence on God. God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to venture our all in abandoned confidence in Him."

Also, remember the words of the Psalmist, "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God" (Psalm 13:16-17). We can not carry the weight...it becomes oppressive to us until we enter into His sanctuary.

PRAYER NEEDS:

Asha Mission in India
-Health for all children (one boy recovering from typhoid fever and a few children with high fevers...typical with climate change here)
-Eternal fruit in the hearts of children (responsiveness to the H*ly Sp*rit
-Praise: children growth in prayer...initiating prayer times when child sick, etc
-Safe travels for Saji (leader of home who is in S.India visiting family)
-Wisdom and discernment in leadership
-Specific children: Varun, 4 yrs old, and Viveck, 6 yrs, both new to Asha
Varun and Viveck are brothers, from a local leper colony. This is their first time experiencing such structure and discipline, as well as love. They are having a hard time adjusting and responding. Small instances of disobedience, theft are hard to know how to respond to. Please pray for love and discernment for us as leaders over them and for a softening of their hearts by the HS.
Three street girls at train station who we were going to look for to bring into Asha...Kanjell, Sanu, and Pooja. Needle in a haystack kinda search...but we are trusting in Him who left 99 behind for 1.

Help End Local Poverty
In Haiti as we speak. Pray for a fruitful trip! (Chris Marlow)

Lemonade Int'l
- God's protection and guidance as I travel to Guatemala tomorrow. I will be there for a week working with our team on the ground. Primarily we will be working on budgeting for 2011 and planning for hosting teams next year
- While I am there we will also be exploring new space for our vocational training center and for our "Safe House" that will begin taking in neglected and abandoned children in 2011. Please pray that we are led to the right places for these vital programs.
- Wisdom and protection for our Guatemala team as we seek God regarding expanding our work to a new (and the most dangerous) area of La Limonada
- For the young men (current and former gang members) in our vocational training program. They have committed their hearts to following Jesus, but the pull from their past lives is strong. Pray that those ties would be broken so they will live in freedom from the bondage of violence and drugs.

Indian Rescue Mission
Please pray for IRM Investigations at Karnataka. The team is trying to get to a brothel and they are denied access. We are trying our best to make the initial contact and get entry. Please pray that we will gain access to this brothel and rescue the girls in prostitution.

Children's HopeChest
-Pray for our staff in the US as we go through major transition
-Pray for our Uganda/Swaziland partners conference at the end of the month
-Pray for the Ethiopia mission/vision trip.
-Pray for Tom Davis as he travels internationally.
-Pray against attacks at every level.
-Pray for our ministry in South Africa - we need partners ASAP

Join us tomorrow morning first thing for a time of corporate prayer. I promise, you'll be blessed!
The conference call times and instructions are as follows:

Wednesdays 9:30 AM (eastern) at CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101

Wednesdays 1:35 PM (eastern) CALL IN # : 760- 569- 9000 ID: 968101 *PLEASE NOTE, TIME IS 1:35pm

this one will specifically focus on prayer for those who are being trafficked into the sex trade.

some things i wanna say...

2010-09-03T10:03:00.004-06:00

Where to begin?
This post has been calling me- waiting in silence while I consider how to put into words what I want to say. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for the ways God has provided for my trip through you, and the people who have prayed and given towards this upcoming life-changing adventure I get to go on.

THANK YOU.
I have been amazed. I have been humbled. I have been reminded of God's promise that, He is "able to immeasurable more than we can ask or imagine" (Eph.3:20) I was hesitant in the beginning, because although my heart was saying "yes" to Ethiopia, my mind was telling me "are you sure this is what God wants?" My husband encouraged me to just TRUST. To humbly ask, to put the word out that I wanted to go, and to see how God would provide. Why am I amazed? It's true that time after time, I need to be reminded in big and small ways that God is who He says He is. That He is faithful to His promises.

One thing I'm learning, alongside of this, is that sometimes God doesn't answer prayer in the way we want. With this blessing of provision He has given me, I am aware that there is still so much suffering in the world. So many dear children living in poverty and despair and the darkness of human trafficking. With this in mind, I am asking God that I would be faithful to His call to me to "do justice. love mercy. and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8). To "spend myself on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed" (Isa 58).

Again, THANK YOU. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. I know in two weeks my life is about to change in some big ways. I look forward to sharing with you when I return- hopefully bringing back some beautiful reminders of who God is- all the way from the other side of the world.

I also wanted to share this:

I appreciate the truth in this little video. It inspires me to be okay with being alone. And not just alone, but alone with the One who made me who I am, who knows my needs, my hopes, my dreams. He knows the things that weigh heavy on my heart and in my mind. He knows how to refresh my soul. Why is it then, that I avoid it? Why is it, that I fill my time with so many things- most of which are good- but some are not the BEST. Have you ever heard the says, "sometimes the 'good' is the biggest enemy of the 'best'?

Here's to getting alone. For the refreshing of our souls.

Ethiopia and Isaiah 58

2010-08-04T09:59:00.014-06:00

Ethiopia and Isaiah 58

Where do I begin? As some of you know, I've been talking about Ethiopia a lot lately. I'm not sure why God keeps bringing it to my heart but I have a feeling it might be BIG. It started with coming across some blogs of families adopting from Ethiopia. Then, our good friends Jamie and Misty told us they were starting to fund-raise to adopt from there! And recently in the past few months, I've been learning a lot about Children's HopeChest, an orphan care ministry based in Colorado Springs doing some incredible work to care for orphans around the world and prevent human trafficking. I found out Hopechest is taking a mission trip to Ethiopia in September and my heart overflowed with excitement, joy, and hope. Would I be able to GO?

I'm scared of going to Africa. I just know it will change me in more ways than I can even think of right now (see post below!). I'm scared of how it will challenge my faith and call me to a more radical way of living.

Here is a little glimpse of the orphan situation in Ethiopia right now:

Ethiopian Orphans from Simon Scionka on Vimeo.

It breaks my heart and yet brings me a sense of anticipation and hope. Will God allow me to go and experience Africa for the first time? Would He choose to use me to love on orphans for ten days and give them a piece of my heart? I recently read this from St. Teresa of Avila:

"Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to look out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now".

Isaiah 58 has been haunting me for the past year or so. It keeps coming up. God keeps reminding me...and it's changing my life. "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen; to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter...if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.."

I want to spend myself. I want to loose the chains of injustice and satisfy the needs of the oppressed. Although I know I don't need to go to Ethiopia to do this, I feel that this might be the time for me to do it...to satisfy needs of orphans by loving them- even if just for a day.

If this is really going to happen...I'm going to need a miracle!

Will you spend yourselves on behalf of these with me?
I am asking my family and friends to come with me on this journey.
To pray!
To give!

If you are able to give $25.00 (or any amount!) to help me get to Ethiopia, you can easily do so by clicking 'donate' under Ethiopia 2010 at the top of the page. I would be so blessed!
If you would rather send a check, please send to 1616 N Weber ST Colorado Springs, CO 80907.

If you are not called to give financially, please pray that God will provide, that He will go before me and the rest of the team, and He will use us in ways we can't even understand. Also, that He would lay on my heart his purpose for me in this trip:
Is this the beginning of our Adoption Journey?

Thank you for reading and considering partnering with me.

With love,
Abby

i prayed a dangerous prayer

2010-08-03T14:23:00.003-06:00

I prayed a dangerous prayer.
I asked God to break my heart for what breaks His.

This is dangerous because He is a God who answers prayer- and especially ( I believe) when it is a prayer that reaches His heart and opens the gates for His refining fire to do some serious work in our lives. This prayer is dangerous because it interrupts my daily life...my comfort zone and my faulty predisposition to regress back to believing that my life is about ME.

Dan and I were in the airport the other night, waiting during our 2 hour delay (isn't it so frustrating! this plane should be on time for ME!), when a young man walked by us. He was dressed in a suit that was a bit too big. He was African and seemed to be wandering, looking for someone to give him the time of day. My husband made eye contact and smiled at him. His face lit up and his smile was precious. He asked if we were going to Salt Lake City and we said "no, Colorado". There was a moment there that he wanted to say more, and I wanted to say more..but we didn't know what to say. We exchanged smiles and he walked to his gate. I began to weep. I don't know if he was a refugee but that's what I assumed...and it broke my heart- right there in the airport chair. I immediately thought of what he (assuming he was a refugee coming into the US) must have come from. I imagined being moved into a new country, with no one, trying to figure out how to survive. My heart broke for the lonely. It broke for the millions of people in our world who have to step away from painful pasts into an unknown and scary future. I prayed for him- that He would know God and could depend on HIM for all he needs.

Another incident of God answering my prayer was in line at the dollar store. I was behind a woman with a little boy. She looked tired and she looked abused. She was very thin and had a huge black eye. I became overwhelmed by empathy for her. I did my best to hold back tears (I was literally 2 feet away from her). The pain and suffering, the brokenness and the sadness is too much for us to bare- and I think that's why God allows us to have empathy, but encourages us to continuously give it over to HIM. (Something I'm still trying to learn how to do).

If my little selfish heart breaks for people I don't even know, how much MORE does God's heart break for the children He loves so dearly...so much that He would give Everything. One promise I have been holding onto lately is that God is a God who heals. In Hebrew, one of his names is Yahweh Rophe (the Lord who heals). Listen to this promise:
"I have heard your prayers and I will heal you" (2 kings 20:5)
"Peace, peace to those far and near...and I will heal them" (Isaiah 57:19)

When we ask God to break our hearts for what breaks His, He will do it. And through it, He will draw us nearer to Him in ways we've never known before. 'Deep calls to deep' - there is so much depth to God that we will never run out of opportunities to grow closer with Him.

"He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love...they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them from their distress He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave." (Psalm 107:14, 19-20)

What prayers has God answered of yours ?

An important blog post from Tom Davis.

2010-07-21T10:41:00.004-06:00

Please read this if you have a moment. It's the truth of what is going on in our world today- right now!

How to make a profit selling virgins for sex

There are girls, CHILDREN, trapped and forced into sexual slavery.
I know it's not something we all want to talk about - or even think about.
But as a follower of Jesus, as one claiming to live like He did, I am not able to turn and look the other way.
"Loving the least of these" means not turning away from those that society ignores- or uses -
but it is caring enough to speak up for these precious ones.

I loved these words from a fellow Christian and fighter of injustice,

"Lord I give you my life today - ALL of me - spend me extravagantly on the poor and the oppressed."

If you would like to give any amount to be a part of this rescue...click on the link to the right!

May we choose to spend ourselves today and every day for HIM and for His beloved children.
(God, help me to do this!)

Standing in truth

2010-07-11T22:25:00.002-06:00

Looking for some truth tonight.

I want to say what I mean without saying too much.

God is about to do some big stuff, I believe, in my husband's and my life.
And you know what happens when God is about to do some BIG stuff?

The enemy gears up and schemes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
In whatever way possible, he works to mess up the good that is about to happen,
the growth that might occur, or the justice and mercy that might be done.
He hates it- he hates the Goodness of God working in the lives of his children (you and me).

And tonight I am standing AGAINST it! I will not be defeated and go into fear-mode because of this. I am standing for the goodness of God and the truth that He is more powerful, and I am more powerful because of Him. That nothing can separate me from the love of Christ-
His love is long, deep, high and wide. And His plan for me will come to fruition because He promises. "He who promised is faithful!" (Heb.10:23).

Tonight I claim this for Dan and me:

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
"This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21).

2010-06-17T13:49:00.002-06:00

Hello Friends.

Moldova is a place where sex trafficking is rampant.
I have been hearing a lot about it from Tom Davis and Children's HopeChest.
Tom recently wrote a book called "Priceless" and you can enter to win a copy on this blog!

Below are some facts about the trafficking situation in Moldova.

Moldova Trafficking Stats

1. The majority of women and girls that are trafficked come from rural areas. Over 10 percent are under 18 years old, some as young as 12 years old. Traffickers recruit women and girls through different strategies.

2. Direct contact, when women and girls, or their families, are approached by traffickers. The traffickers are often women from the same village who have previously worked as prostitutes or have been trafficked abroad and became traffickers. The family is often paid money in advance and the woman or girl is expected to earn the advance and pay back the family’s debts.

3.Advertisements are placed in the press, offering jobs abroad. The advertisements directed at young women offer jobs as waitresses or house help, but more often bluntly state that the jobs are for those willing to work in the sex industry.

4. Tourist agencies offer full migration services from arranging passports and Schengen visas to transportation and work contracts. There are more than 3,000 tourist agencies, of which only some 140 have an official license to operate.

5. Job agencies. Out of a total of 100 job agencies, only fourteen have official licenses and these mostly hire men for construction work. Only three agencies offer jobs to women as waitresses and nurses. Others offer illegal work. Some of these enterprises are run by organised crime groups and operate as covers for trafficking.

pray against human trafficking

2010-05-20T15:31:00.009-06:00

Last week, my friend kate and i met to pray.

we've started meeting so we can specifically pray

for injustices happening around the world.

Sometimes it's overwhelming when thinking about issues people face on a daily basis. The hardest for me to imagine is being enslaved. Many people suffering "human trafficking" today are children and many are stuck in sexual slavery. Can you imagine? You probably don't want to- and neither do I, but I can't ignore it.

My heart breaks for the kids in this horrible suffering. It feels too big to make a difference, and yet, it's too big NOT to make a difference.

Katy and I decided one important role we can play is offering up prayers to God on behalf of the millions enslaved around our world.

The other day we looked over this idea taken from a devotional.

I want to paraphrase it, but its too good just the way it is. The scripture is taken from the third chapter of 2 Kings:

'Thus says the Lord, 'I will make this dry streambed full of pools.' for thus says the Lord, 'You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.''

This is what is written by C. H.Spurgeon and revised by Allister Begg. :

Here was a case of human helplessness: Not a drop of water could all the valiant men procure from the skies or find in the wells of earth. In similar fashion the people of the Lord are often at their wits' end—seeing their helplessness, and then learning where their help is to be found.

Notice that people were to prepare in faith to receive the divine blessing. They were to dig the trenches in which the water would be held. The church must learn by her efforts and prayers to make herself ready to be blessed; she must make the pools, and the Lord will fill them. This must be done in faith, in the full assurance that the blessing is about to descend. They were soon to discover a unique provision of the water they required. The shower did not pour from the clouds, as in Elijah's case; but in a silent and mysterious manner the pools were filled. The Lord has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to process and time as we are but does as He pleases among the sons of men. Our part is to humbly receive from Him, and not to dictate to Him.

We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply—there was enough for the needs of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing. All the needs of the congregation and of the entire church will be met by divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be quickly given to the armies of the Lord.

AS this issue often-times feels TOO BIG, it causes us to feel helpless. And in reality, we ARE helpless without God's power. But with HIM, big things can happen- and we are called (those of us who believe and follow Him) to cast aside the fears, to trust God's provisional possibilities, and start 'digging trenches'. I love that the pools were filled- not just by rain coming down, but in 'a miraculous manner'. Let's have the courage to pray and ask for BIG things to happen. Let's do our part, as small as it may be, to make a dent and keep fighting until slavery is abolished (again).

WANT TO DO MORE? HERE ARE SOME IDEAS

p.s. if you're in the Colorado Springs area and would like to join us, let us know!

The more people praying, the better!

"Intercession through pictures"

2010-05-20T10:15:00.004-06:00

photograph taken by Matthew on "fatherless generation" found HERE

Yesterday I visited Yobel Market's new store in Old Colorado City.

It's so wonderful...please, if you're in the Colorado Springs area, check it out!!

I bought a new magazine there called "Eye See" which highlights issues on justice, stories from around the world, organizations making change, photography, and more. I came across this photographer (Matthew Hensley) in the magazine. His mission is really cool and has got me thinking! Some of his ideas:

Relationship through photography

Felloship through relationship

Chirst through fellowhip.

----------------

Intercession through pictures

Change through Intercession

Action through change

His mission is based off the 31st Proverb: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitue. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy."

It's great stuff...to see more, check out his website!

beauty of humanity

2010-05-17T15:22:00.002-06:00

i have been thinking more about what makes a good photograph.

not thinking too much, but just thinking on what may strike me when i see something.

one of the things i love looking at is the faces of people around the world.

the beauty of humanity.

the difference, yet the same-ness in individuals around the world.

i put up some more photos from Honduras on my website.

Stop by and take a look at the beautiful faces if you'd like!

she dances ~ Honduras!

2010-05-13T10:03:00.008-06:00

i love this image.

i came across a new project working to fight injustices of human trafficking called She Dances.

Their stance:

Our passion… To seek a haven for a child who is one of the estimated 1.2 million children trafficked each year.

Our prayer… To create a movement of response to injustice in our world within artists, musicians, organizations, churches, and every breathing soul.

Our vision… To show love turned into action and then freedom.

Their plan is to start a home called Hope in Honduras in Tegucigalpa (where we just were in March!)

I'm so grateful for the movement in hearts to reach out, prevent, rescue, and bring restoration and hope to the thousands of kids living a life of slavery. God calls us to bring FREEDOM for the captives!

AMEN!

2010-05-05T18:32:00.001-06:00

photo found here taken by fsumaria

while we're on the subject of cake...

I'd take this one as well!

pretty sweet, huh!?

birthday cakes

2010-05-05T12:31:00.009-06:00

photo found HERE by Nicole

this friday i will be 29.

for some reason i'm not feeling excited about my birthday.

i think i get more excited about planning something for my husband's birthday that is just two weeks before mine.

in order to be more joyful about this, i am going to do some reflecting: on what has happend the past 28 years of my life~ the joys and struggles that have made me who i am today.

and the days to come~

my hopes and dreams for the rest of my years.

i read something that challenged me today- challenged me in the way i live my life and who/what I am devoted to. One piece of it was this, " Start here. Because too much is at stake. Join me in this conflicted state, where my sin and my obedience wrestle daily. Choose to live with eyes open. Stop spectating. Suit up, and get on the field, where you strive for the goal but often meet resistance and sometimes fail. It is not funner. It's harder. At times it feels like a burden. But it is what is true. What is real. And it is worth it, because it is where Jesus resides."

to read more (it's worth it!), go over HERE.

week of the polaroid

2010-05-04T12:42:00.005-06:00

photo by astrocruzan found HERE

This week is "'Roid Week 2010".

Official or non-official, it's on some of the blogs I read (one of my favorites as I've mentioned before is Hula Seventy's)

A couple months ago, I ordered my first polaroid. I never got it working because I couldn't bring myself to buy the over-priced film (they stopped making it!).

BUT my wonderful husband found an old polaroid camera at a garage sale the other day and brought it home to me and...it still had film in it! I am trying to savor it because it's still expensive to buy. But I will probably take a few this week and put them in the 'pool'- two people a day will win a package of film!

Not For Sale- Honduras

2010-04-30T08:53:00.004-06:00

I am very excited about a number of amazing things God is doing.

Our trip to Honduras last month was something that Dan and I appreciated so much. Even before we got back, we decided we wanted to return one day.

This summer, I'm participating in the Not For Sale Academy.
Not For Sale is an organization fighting slavery around the world. They do trainings, advocacy, awareness, aftercare and sustainability projects. One day I was checking out the site and saw a new project they're doing: Not For Sale HONDURAS!

I am thrilled to see this and already thinking of how I might be able to be a part of this.

I know I don't know where the Lord will take me-

"In his heart a man plans his course but the Lord determines his steps".

Proverbs 16:9

But I'm thankful my life is in His hands...

and that I get to participate in the adventures He has planned for me!

ester havens

2010-04-29T19:57:00.003-06:00

okay. i just found another photographer to add to my list.

ester havens.

a humanitarian photographer- awesome!

photography project

2010-04-29T08:29:00.004-06:00

Some of my friends and I are starting a photography project.

We want to start with reading the Psalms and taking photos of what might signify what we read. It's going to be a good practice for me- to be in the Word and use my time to reflect and renew my love for the poetry, imagery and truth found there.

The flickr group is called Read Scripture. Take a Picture.

Please, join us!

We are starting with Psalms 1-5.

So go ahead, read it, take some photos and post them for all to see!

2010-04-27T09:54:00.005-06:00

photo found here.

The constant cry of the world is, "Who will show us any good?" They seek satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But the quickened sinner knows of only one good. "I wish I knew where I might find Him!" When he is truly awakened to feel his guilt, if you could lay a fortune before him he would say, "Take it away: I want to find Him."
It is a blessed thing for a man when he has brought his desires into focus, so that they all center in one object. When he has fifty different desires, his heart resembles a stagnant pool spreading out into a marsh, breeding disease; but when all his desires are channeled in one direction, his heart becomes like a river of pure water, running swiftly to fertilize the fields.

“Morning and Evening,” written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg.

this is my heart today. i am in need of His grace.

Lord, make my heart like that pure river.

what is earth day?

2010-04-22T10:18:00.003-06:00

i love our earth- i do!

and i'm grateful for all it gives.

and i feel a responsibility to care for it.

but to me, most importantly,

is the responsibility to care for the people on our earth.

earth day can remind us that across the globe,

we all share a number of important characteristics.

just take a look at the universal declaration of human rights:

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

recently, as i have been studying the current state of slavery today,

my heart cries out for the millions living without the same freedom i have.

i am called.

WE ARE CALLED

to act on behalf of our brothers and sisters across our earth

to love them

to fight for them.

this is earth day.

what is earth day to you?

we are trees

2010-04-22T08:44:00.014-06:00

"But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." -Psalm 52:8

for as long as i can remember, i have loved trees. for a long time i couldn't tell you why
...but now, i know it has been something deep in my heart- put there for a reason by the one who made me. as i read God's word, feelings are put into poetry- and it all makes sense.

no one can explain it better:

"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river.

Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail.

Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them.

Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." -Ezekiel 47:12

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily.

Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
his young shoots will grow.

His splendor will be like an olive tree,

his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon." -Hosea 14:4-6

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit."

"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God." -Psalm 92:12-13

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say, 'I belong to the LORD..."

-Isaiah 44:3-5

a good friend and sugar-coated fennel

2010-04-21T09:24:00.000-06:00

These are some fun shots from a great night with my friend Amy. We've been friends since high school...over 10 years ago!! She's living in Ohio, in our hometown, and came out to Denver for work. I got to spend a good couple hours with her. We went to a place called Root Down that had awesome local food, eclectic decor, and delicious drinks, like the "ginger mule" mojito. YUM!

these are the faces watching in the restroom...a little odd

instead of mints after your meal, delight in some sugar-coated fennel

or play with it in the mirror...

vintage phones hung on the wall...it reminded us of the old days at max & erma's when each table had a working telephone...you could call over to the table across the room if you wanted!

I'm thankful for times with good friends. Especially the kind of friend you can be goofy with and you don't feel you need to start over...when getting together is just the same as it was 10 years ago.

An inspiring night

2010-04-15T14:21:00.000-06:00

A really great event I got to be a part of last weekend was Soup for Africa.

It was hosted by some Woodland Park High School students and Yobel Market, a marketplace promoting justice through awareness and goods made by nine different people-groups from all over the world. It's an awesome organization and I highly reccomend checking them out! The evening was inspiring and the proceeds went towards a project in Uganda to build a school for refugee kids who otherwise do not get an education. Awesome stuff.

Above is a photo of many of the great products sold by Yobel.

My friend Anna selling awesome "set the captives free" t-shirts. The procedes go to help victims of sexual slavery in Southeast Asia and India.

By purchasing one of these water bottles, you give clean drinking water for a person in Africa for the whole year.

These beautiful baskets are available for purchase. These were displayed on each table along with photos of friends Yobel has met along the way of this journey.

Thanks, Yobel, for a truly inspiring night!

number 578: why I love Colorado

2010-04-14T09:52:00.000-06:00

this past weekend was filled with lots of adventure! on saturday night we met up with two friends at 11 mile canyon to camp. i really like campfire photos...though they're dark and maybe a little fuzzy...it gives the true picture of what it's like...with fire and headlamps, there's no need for a flash!

the next morning we woke up to a beautiful day of sunshine. spent some time around the river and then stopped at the thunderbird inn on our way home- quite an interesting place!!

we think the bartender didn't like us too much, when I ordered a beer she sternly reminded me that "when you're in Colorado you need to have an I.D." I wanted to respond, "I know, I live here...but since you didn't card my friend two minutes ago I thought I didn't need mine" ...but I just smiled and handed her my COLORADO license.

we had some food and drink, played horseshoes, and i took pictures.
if you ever want to go...just head west on 24 from colorado springs. you'll see the thunderbird on the left in Florissant.

p.s. the philly cheese steak was amazing.

four weddings and counting...

2010-04-09T10:52:00.000-06:00

dress found here.

i love weddings: we have four weddings this summer/fall that we're going to...so far!

In these states:

Ohio

Colorado

Arizona
Kansas

so this is where all our money goes!! weddings and visiting our families in Ohio and New York.

may as well do it while we're young (and kid-less!)

and if I bought dresses for these weddings, like the one above, we really wouldn't have any money...maybe one day i will learn how to make them!?

2010-04-08T10:32:00.000-06:00

so i got the awesome vintage camera that i wanted on ebay.

and since then, i have found two more at local thrift stores!

i may be selling two of them soon...

but i'm already tired of trying to find film! i can't afford to pay $2 per picture (which is on the lower-end right now!)

so i'm considering asking for this for my birthday.

all things vintage

2010-04-08T10:08:00.001-06:00

light blue, originally uploaded by it girl_rag doll.

i love that all things vintage are in right now. what's so great about it is that around here, thrift shops have this stuff. and it's cheap! i've always been a fan of thrift shopping because it gives room for some creativity with clothes while saving money and doing good at the same time (by recycling and supporting stores like the ARC that raise money for people with disabilities).
i found some great things just the other day...will get some pics up soon! i was also thinking about starting my own little shop on etsy with vintage items. i know...i already have a million things going on! but it might be a fun way to make a little extra money this summer!

2010-04-06T12:43:00.000-06:00

Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Weezer , Rusted Root, The Samples, Donavon Frankenreiter, Joe Purdy, Steve Miller Band, Ozomotli.....all in one place?

oh man, do i want to go to Mile High Music Festival!

oh, and ray lamontagne and david gray at Redrocks? YES, please!

adventures in social justice

2010-04-06T10:09:00.001-06:00

Good Tuesday, friends.

I loved this quote because sometimes we under-estimate the power of one person's life and the effect it can have on the world (I know I do). Also, I believe I often under-estimate God's power to work in the really difficult stuff...or even in the minor details of life. I was reminded on Easter that His power, the power that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same power that is at work in those who have His spirit. WOW. If I really believed that, and really lived that...how would my life look? How would the world look?

I wanted to share another site I've been working on.
It's a site dedicated to social justice, human rights, and fighting modern-day slavery.

There's not much there yet, but I would like to use it as a way to keep information and updates on human trafficking and other demanding current issues.

Check it out if you're interested! Adventures in Social Justice.

bloom

2010-04-02T15:15:00.001-06:00

bloom, originally uploaded by LoveRoots.

we're still waiting for spring to show up here in colorado.

i'm a little jealous of the many people already feeling the joy

of new life and buds and blossoms.

here's a little something to keep me going...our blooming tree

last spring. i can't wait to see color again.

going to california: san francisco, that is!

2010-04-02T09:16:00.000-06:00

I'm going to California!

Since I got my job at the school, (and have paid summer off!) I have been dreaming about what I want to do this summer. I still have grad school so I'm not totally free and I probably do need to get a job, but I think I'll take June off to do what I want to do. I'm very excited about an opportunity to gain some specific training in the area of social work and human trafficking. I got accepted into the Not for Sale Academy to do a week training on innovative aftercare (for victims of trafficking). The Academy is in San Francisco...and I can't wait! For some reason, San Francisco keeps coming up...are there more bloggers in San Francisco than anywhere else ??

My dream is for my husband to meet up with me after my week of training and take a road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway with stops in Oregon and Washington. I'm not sure I have him convinced...but I'm going to keep trying!

As for now, I am thinking about what to do while I'm in the beautiful city of San Francisco. I know it's a big place...and I probably won't have a way to get around easily, but on my list:

Alameda Point Antique Faire

a little more thrifting

Fisherman's Warf

I will be looking for other ideas in the mean-time! I can't wait.

photo from alain picard on flickr.

so much to be inspired by

2010-03-31T11:31:00.000-06:00

(this photo was taken by my friend Becca)

God's words:

last night, my husband and i went to our last biblical justice class (at least for a while) at our church. this class was challenging and difficult, yet motivating and inspiring. we talked a lot about what it means to do justice, what issues we face in our world today, and how our lives should be examples of the living gospel. God, in his word, calls me to "loose the chains of injustice, and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke...he also calls me to and my brothers and sisters to "spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed". Why has "the church" fallen so far away from these words and actions? Why have so many abandoned these daring words in scripture and traded them for the 'health and wealth' gospel?

I know my heart has been moved in many ways in the last few months. I am moved to take what Jesus said seriously and live my life as if it mattered.

Creativity of others:

also: lately, I've been very inspired by people's art and creativity. It's so cool that now, I can get online and see hundreds of artist's work in a matter of minutes! Of course it's never the same as seeing it in person, but it serves as an inspiration to me and gets me excited about imagining, dreaming, and creating.

Here are just a few of the many who have inspired me lately:

Art for social justice (various artists)

Stay tuned for more...I'm always finding new people that encourage my creative heart and I'd love to share!

just one dress....

2010-03-30T09:38:00.000-06:00

okay. so i've done pretty well with this not-buying-clothes thing. i really want to keep it up and be conscience of how we spend what little money we have left after bills and flights and so-on. BUT...i'm thinking i will buy just one dress for our upcoming wedding season. anyone who knows me knows that 1) i love dresses and 2) we go to a lot of weddings. one reason could be that my husband has 9 siblings and 84 first cousins (big. family.) we have a few fun weddings to attend this summer so i think i will allow myself one dress...or, maybe two...

(p.s. don't worry...i would never wear white to a wedding...that's a huge no-no in my book!)

wasting time

2010-03-26T23:14:00.000-06:00

a good song for anyone in the mood for alexi murdoch.

we're back!

2010-03-26T16:27:00.001-06:00

we're back from a great adventure in honduras!

i can't begin to explain all we saw and did, and all that I came away with. i hope to take some time to gather my thoughts and write this

weekend. but for now, i have put some photos up on the

website! Please stop be and check them out!

thanks poppytalk!

2010-03-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

thank you Poppytalk!

my photo was added to the favorites for

thursday's Spring Colour's Week.

(the top row, second from left).

the others are beautiful as well!

please go to poppytalk to see all

credits for these photos!

thanks, susie!

2010-03-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

i had some fun shooting photos of susie yesterday.

i'm applying for a grant to do a social justice/photography project.

i needed more portraits for my portfolio...so susie agreed to let me take some shots.

here are a few. click HERE to see more

at my photography website!

thanks!

surfing and fighting for freedom

2010-03-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

(from look and sea)

i am still really wanting to learn how to surf. i'm not sure if it's the challenge, the idea of conquering a fear (i have a lot of reverence for the powerful ocean). or maybe it's the cool, layed-back lifestyle...either way, i will try it one of these days and maybe learn how to do it!

i love this idea from an organization called Not For Sale (ending human trafficking and slavery). they have created a home in peru for children rescued from slavery (or those vunerable to falling into it). read more here

....

giving it up

2010-02-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

i do not always give up something for lent.
last year, though, i gave up buying clothes. we do not have much money (although on a big-picture level, compared to the rest of the world- we're rich! we each have a car!) i'm doing that again this year.

(here's just a little sample of things i would like to buy...here's to dreaming! oh anthropologie, so many people love you...i'm with them.)

no buying clothes for two months. it seems ridiculous to some that this would be hard to do. for me, it is. i really like new things and especially clothes. i think it gives me a sense of security or worth, which in reality, is a false sense. that is why i like to take this time in Lent to focus on the only One who can give me all I need, and who gives me truth worth. it's more than the act of not buying. it is about giving up what the world calls me and embracing my core belief that what God says about me means more than anything else.

"The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord." (psalm 45:11)

i hope others know this truth...it is so freeing!

....

my imix

2010-02-26T10:22:00.001-07:00

anyone else in the need for some good music? check out my first imix!

winter refresh

Playlist Notes: a mix of cool and calm, helping me get through the winter blues...

....

film, faith, and justice

2010-02-25T10:32:00.000-07:00

oh how i want so badly to take my heart for social justice, God's love, and art (photography) and merge it all into one to make a difference in our hurting world! i came across this idea in 'film, faith, and justice'...a weekend in washington combining all three. too bad it happened last year and there's no sign of another one (yet)! i will be checking back...but in the meantime, i will be dreaming of ways to make this idea a reality in my own life. are there any ideas out there? please, enlighten me!

2010-02-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

i'm inspired by seeing other people's work. etsy is a great place for it! today i came across these fun recycled inventions by foundbynicki
check out her other cool works by clicking on the link!

also, i'm so grateful to friends and family who have purchased some photos from me on esty. this is helping us get to honduras (we leave in three weeks!) thank you friends!

2010-02-19T15:11:00.000-07:00

today is a day i want to pick up and go off somewhere like the colorado trail. somewhere quiet where i can think and dream and not be bogged down by the big and little things of life. it's a little emberassing but i cried today at work. i don't think i've had a job in the past..., well maybe ever, that i didn't break down and cry in the bathroom at some point. am i abnormal here? does anyone else do that or do i really need to work on handling stress in a better way?

its a constant struggle for me when i feel down or frustrated with something in my life because i always feel guilty. i know sometimes my feelings are legitimate and i have good reason to be upset...but more often than not, i remember that i have so much. i have more than i need and there are so many in our world who are in need.

Listen to NPR's interview with a Camboidan police officer.

it does put things in perspective and moves me to action. but first, i am called to pray and seek God's wisdom on how i can be a part of bringing justice and peace to children who are marginalized and victimized throughout our world.

dottie's handmade

2010-02-12T14:48:00.000-07:00

if you haven't seen dottie angel's blog, yet....i recommend! i know i've mentioned her before. here's a pretty picture from her blog~ handmade by her. her projects make me want to get crafty!

what is love

2010-02-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

remember that little 'collection' i talked about a few weeks back? well...i bid on another camera on ebay and won(ooops)! i did have some money on my paypal account from selling some items so that's how i justified it to my husband. it's a Yashica 35mm TL-Electro film camera. i hope it's worth it!

so valentine's day is coming up and usually i don't like to make a big deal of it. i feel it's over-rated in many ways just because people get so worked up about it when really, shouldn't we appreciate our loved one every day? shouldn't we spend our money in a different way? anyway, the catch for my husband and me is that we were engaged 5 years ago on valentine's day. he didn't mean to propose then...he had friends tell him that if he asked me on valentine's day, they couldn't be friends with him anymore. in fact, he tried to ask me the night before on the 13th. he had come back a day early from a trip and had everything set up just to find out that i was violently ill and i couldn't come over. so the next day, valentine's day, he came to my apartment and took care of me. cooked me dinner that night and asked me in my dining room. it was sweet. now, i like to celebrate that moment of our lives and it just happens to fall on valentine's day.

my tendency is to want to do something big to celebrate things. i like adventures, i like going somewhere new and feeling like we live a different life sometimes. so i really want to go out of town, get a hotel, see the barista competition that my friend harry is in, and then go snowboarding in some fresh snow in winter park. i know it's not practical. especially since we just spent over $400 to fix our car and we're going to honduras in a month. i know its not wise to spend a bunch of money right now. i know we don't have the money...but i want to!!!

it's so tempting now because we're (somewhat) young, we don't have kids, we aren't tied down. i know a day will come when we won't have the freedom to just get up and go if when we want. and money will most likely always be an issue (we're both social workers, in a sense).

photovoice

2010-02-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

i am so happy i could cry! and i almost did, but i'm sitting in my little novaNet classroom and didn't want to scare the kids...anyway here's why. i have been feeling very overwhelmed about all the school work i need to do. two 5 page papers on issues of social welfare, a 2 page article review, a 20-or-so page research proposal, and a number of smaller projects, pages to read, and so on. well, the most exciting thing of my day is that i realized i might be able to write this proposal by combining two of my favorite things: photography and social justice. i came across the awesome movement called "photovoice". it gives people (usually those in difficult or even desperate situations) a chance to tell their story through a veiwfinder. after the photos are taken, they tell their story while looking at the images. there are a number of ways to use photovoice. my desire is to somehow use photography to bring hope and healing to the people who need it most...and i'm hoping to come up with the perfect way to do that.

*let the sun shine in...the photo is one of

my favs on flickr by 'Ya.

earthly things

2010-02-11T10:01:00.000-07:00

i love jewelry that captures in a small way the beauty and creativity of the earth. i found this unique and beautiful piece from Mani Designs via Abby Try Again. although i don't
know her personally, abby is one that inspires me to work on my photography. other than having an awesome name, she is creative and takes some of the most beautiful photographs. stop by her site to see what i'm talking about! maybe this weekend i can venture out with some friends and get some photos...im wanting to work on film photography for a bit.

thankful for captured beauty

2010-02-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

i think because of my blahh mood, i need to start having a more positive attitude and remember that i have so much to be thankful for.

here's one: beauty. i'm thankful for the many beautiful things i get to see in this world and i'm thankful for the people who can capture it in ways that makes it last a little longer.

this photo is by 'e vedo te' via sfgirlbybay.com

winter blues

2010-02-10T13:19:00.000-07:00

i havn't really been inspired to write much lately. it's february: the shortest month of the year and i'm tired of it already. i just keep dreaming of our upcoming trip to honduras and anticipating a life-changing week. i do feel kinda bad because we're leaving the week before our official spring break at work (we both work at the same high school). i feel bad but at the same time, i'm super excited to have two weeks off! one to travel and serve in honduras and one to recover. a few other things on my mind besides this trip:

~all the school work i have to get done before my next class in two weeks.

~wishing i had the money to go snowboarding.

~dreaming of a california roadtrip with my friend heather

~planning something special for my husband's 30th birthday

~thinking about human trafficking and what i can do about it

~getting back into my yoga practice

shake it like a polaroid picture

2010-02-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

i got it! the polaroid i got from ebay came in the mail yesterday. if only i had some film i would have already tested my polaroid-taking skills...i hope to find some this weekend and start shooting. have you (future readers) seen a lot of polaroid pictures floating around lately? what's the draw? it's the old, vintage-looking, dreamy vibes it gives. that's my take on it...what's yours?

some old film

2010-02-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

i recently took in some old film to get developed...i love the surprise of getting something back like this (i had no idea what would be on here!) well i found a new favorite photo of my husband. we were hiking at garden of the gods, i believe, about a year ago.

2010-02-03T10:24:00.001-07:00

today we got some details about out upcoming trip to honduras. i am so excited! Estoy tan emocionada! we will be doing some painting and construction at a feeding center and medical clinic. we will also get to visit a juvenile center and meet some teenagers. i have no idea what to expect, but i know this experience will change me in small and hopefully big ways. in order to help pay for our trip, i am selling some photographs...i've sold four so far (thanks betsy and dad)! it's a start...if you'd like to see some, click here. thanks and have a beautiful wednesday!

coffee love

2010-02-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

although i've already had a large Mexcian coffee with two shots of espresso today...i could still go for a delicious latte like this one...the best coffee is the locally air-roasted goodness from Colorado Coffee Merchants. Here's to a delicious cup!

"choka" ride and surf

2010-02-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

if i can ride the snow, would i be able to ride the ocean?
sometimes while snowboarding in solitude- i go into my own dreamy world as i feel i'm surfing the mountain. i've never surfed, but i've always wanted to...although it does scare me a bit: i've always had respect for the deep power of the ocean.

Check out these images from Choka (surf skate snow) found via SF GirlbyBay. The photographer: Ryan Tatar.

2010-02-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Picture by Josh Nichols via The Human Trafficking Project.

today is National Freedom Day...because 145 years ago, in 1865, the U.S. formally abolished slavery. sadly, it still exists today. please take the time to look at the harsh truth and do something about it today.

"National Freedom Day is an opportunity to honor and remember the important work to eradicate slavery that has been done and to recommit efforts to deliver on the 13th Ammendment's declaration that slavery shall not exist in the United States, while expanding that promise so that slavery does not exist anywhere in the world."

inspiring spaces

2010-02-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

hello monday morning.
i came across this fun and artistically inspiring home of Lisa Congdon's. I love the idea of the sqare photo prints on the wall...and the space for projects. These pictures are from Apartment Therapy.
thanks for the inspiration!

i miss dottie

2010-01-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

i came across dottie angel's blog one day. aside from the wonderful photos and content, i loved this blog from the start because of the name. my grandmother, dorothy leggett was called "dottie". somedays i still cry because i miss her and i wish she would have met my husband- they would have been instant friends! they would have watched football, talked together, laughed a lot, and possibly gone sledding a number of times. i miss my grandma but i know a part of her is with me still. my brother and i joke about me being a lot like "dodi" (another funny nick-name of hers).

this photo is from dottie angel and i love her idea...i'm needing to do something like this with one of our cabinets.

thankful for my roots

2010-01-29T15:50:00.001-07:00

i'm an ohio girl. i've lived in four states in my twenty-some years...and although i think i love colorado the most, my heart is big for ohio. i loved this little picture, too...it's actaully part of a menu from a delicious ice cream shop in Columbus called Jeni's. It is so unique and carries flavors like "Mackenzie Creamery Goat Cheese with Cognac Figs"...WOW!

bankrupt without love

2010-01-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

"So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love."

As Valentine's Day gets closer, and images of hearts and flowers come across your screen, I encourage you to think of the people who suffer injustices in our world. Click on the link to see a really cool idea from Love146.

2010-01-28T13:43:00.001-07:00

And as I'm dreaming about my future garden and future chickens, I will show a photo of my future sunroom...I found this on poppytalk taken by Hula Seventy. I love, love, love this room.

2010-01-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

Our friends have chickens. It is a really cool concept because they live in a neighborhood (not a farm), and have a coup in their backyard with six chickens. They lay their eggs and they are beautiful! They're blue, brown, white, and somwhere in-between. They gave us some of their eggs and I couldn't resist getting a few shots.

As I had mentioned before about my dad, the avid gardener, like him, I want to gain that skill and put it to good use. Along with my future vegetable and flower garden, I'd like to have some chickens!

you had a guitar

2010-01-27T13:24:00.000-07:00

I love these drawings from Sophie Blackall. They are beautiful interpretations of the "missed connections" on craigslist- what an awesome idea!

2010-01-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

Polaroid is back! I have a little collection of cameras right now, and I'm afraid it might become a habit (my husband should be afraid). The beautiful thing is, most of these cameras were a gift from my dad. He once was an avid photographer and has since become an avid gardener, fly fisherman, and hunter (two of which I'd like to be one day...can you guess which one I don't?) Well anyway, among the collection my dad gave me, a polaroid was not included...and I want one! So I'm bidding on this retro-looking camera...let's hope I win!

Another note, one of my favorite polaroid picture-takers is girlhula from Hula Seventy...she's awesome so check her out!!

Thankful for opportunity to serve

2010-01-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

(click on photo to see more)
Recently I have been working on a letter to send to family and friends who might support us on our upcoming mission to Honduras. Dan and I are hoping to go on our first mission trip together! This will be a short stay, but hopefully one that will impact us for the long haul. We are going to serve with an organization called Manos Extenditas. We will be working with street kids in the largest city of Honduras called Tegucigalpa. I am really thankful for the opportunity and I know I will have some exciting news to share when we return!

Grateful for JUSTICE

2010-01-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
This is something I've been passionate about for some time now, and the desire to do justice is growing in me every day.
There are so many great blogs and websites out there that are spreading truth and awareness about this issue that plagues the world- and yes, even the United States. My hope is to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

Here is a link to an organization doing just that in the name of justice and love. I'm grateful for this and many more organizations made up of people who are willing to step outside themselves and work on behalf of others.

http://love146.org/love-story

Thankful for fellowship across the globe

2010-01-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

I've missed two days! My hope was to write and post a photo every day...but I did not commit because I knew deep down, like many things in my life, if I committed, I would probably fail, and then I would feel bad. Well in the last few days, I have been grateful for my husband Dan, getting to go snowboarding at Breckenridge, and among many more, my friend having her baby today! (click here to see photos of her a month before he was born).
But today I want to say that I'm grateful for the connection I feel to people all over the world. Today at church, we prayed for people around the world, for the church, for justice, for those suffering in different ways. I felt a great sense of fellowship, of peace, and hope. If you're a praying person, I would encourage you to remember to pray for our brothers and sisters all over the world - and be grateful for all that you have today.

Grateful for friends on the journey

2010-01-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

As one of my friends mentioned on her 365 (photo a day) blog...it's so hard to choose just one! I find it hard to decide what photo to share and what to highlight- there is so much to be thankful for! But today, I will show a photo of my friend Misty. She and her husband are just starting their journey of adoption. You can see their endearing and humorous blog here. I'm grateful for their trust in God, for their honesty, and for their openness to share what will most likely be a difficult, yet amazing adventure. I am also grateful because Dan and I will be adopting one day as well. I'm grateful to have friends and family who have gone before us on this journey and will be a source of comfort and wisdom to us in the future. By the way, if you checked out "Life as the Mortenson's", you will see that this is my husband's twin brother, Ben, and his amazing family. I'm sure I will be writing about them more!

Grateful for suprises

2010-01-06T22:11:00.000-07:00

In our last home (that we rented for less than a year), Dan and I had two people live with us at different times. We felt that since we had an extra room, we should be open to allowing someone who might need a place to live stay in it! It provided little private space for us, but ultimately, it was a blessing to be able to share our lives with other people in a rare and special way. One distinct memory I have from living in this house was the blooming tree. There was a small tree in the backyard of mostly dirt, and what little grass there was, our puppy dug it up-leaving less green and more brown! But, when springtime came around, the little tree in our backyard started to bloom. It sprouted beautiful white blossoms that made my heart glad every time I looked at it. One day I spoke with a neighbor who told me that tree had not bloomed in 10 years! I truly thought it was something special, like God had made that tree bloom just for us, or maybe even, just for me.

I am grateful for little surprises like this one. Surprises that remind me of God's faithfulness, His love, and delight in giving me little things to delight in.

2010-01-05T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am thankful that I live in Colorado!

Starting Now

2010-01-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been discontent, antsy, hungering for adventure or change or SOMETHING different. I don't know about you, but I seem to get this rise in my soul every-so-often...where I just want to start over or pack up everything and move to some foreign place and find new life. I am not content in homeostasis. Sometimes, I recognize that this is a good thing, and sometimes, it is not. Ultimately, I believe it is a condition of being human- a living being made in the image of a Creator that has much, much, more for us than this life has to offer. Maybe it's our deep longing that can only be quenched by the one who made us.

Today I heard something that inspired me to start this blog. Actually, I heard a few things that got me thinking. One, is that it would be much better for me to focus on what I have instead of what I want. More often than not, I am thinking about what I want next, where my husband and I will be in six months, what trip can we take, what clothing item do I need... It is actually somewhat humiliating when I reflect on my thoughts throughout the day that sound more like a spoiled child than a grateful woman. So, starting now, I am going to take a photograph and record (as often as I can) what I am grateful for. There are so many things and I am hoping to be creative with this. This is, most of all, an offering to God for all He has given me. But hopefully, an offering to whomever may come across this, that you too, would remember to be grateful for the beauty that is right in front of you.