Focusing

I've recently realized I've had a Facebook since sometime in 2007. I've had it for roughly 4 years, and I've never taken a voluntary break from it. So I decided to do something new. Since it's nearly then anyway, I won't be on Facebook for the entire month of March. It's time for me to refocus. I came up with a couple of reasons why I decided to do this.

1. With facebook's easy access to information about people, it's hard to get to really know them, not just what they choose to post. Short snippets of information (even good inspiring posts) keep me from really thinking deep about what really means the most. I also need to learn to articulate my thoughts concisely. I do have a lot of thoughts rattling around in this brain of mine - I just need to find a way to connect them together in a logical way and be able to make other people understand it as well.
2. I'm addicted to it. Really. I hate admitting this, but it's true. I almost get a rush of adrenaline when people comment on and like the things I post. I need to learn to use my time more wisely with better things.

I'm going to be spending a lot more time in March re-focusing on more important things. I'm not going to deactivate my account or anything, but if you try to contact me and don't get a response you'll know why. I will continue to do the Project 52 here, and I'll try to do more picture posts.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  Matthew 6:33

Project 52: Week 8

Dad came home one night and let in a bird that had been in the garage. Picture 12 people trying to herd a little confused bird out any available window or door! It was epic. It took 15-30 minutes, but we finally got it out. 

Writing in my prayer/praise journal. It is surprisingly difficult to take a picture with your left hand!

 The red maple trees were the first thing in our yard to show signs of spring. The bees loved it!

Project 52: Week 7

 Last week we helped with our church's Valentine banquet, which was a blessing to the people who came.

I got the little girls to pose for me in their new valentine's shirts.

This one was adorable because it captured real laughter!

Sharpies help in making valentine's cards. Especially cool colored ones. Jk, I just liked the cool colors better!

Dreams

I'm not a writer. Once upon a time I thought I was, and I wrote stories that contained gigantic families with fanciful names. One story got so complicated that it never got finished. But I loved writing and sporadically wrote down my dreams and thoughts in journals. Some of those dreams have been shattered and some of them just never came true, but through all the stories and journal entries runs the thread of God's goodness, faithfulness and mercy. The content of the dreams is irrelevant, but God in not fulfilling them was faithful. You see,  He knows what I need when all I see is what I want. Like a kind parent not allowing their child not to have something they crave because they know it will harm them, He withholds that which will harm me. My initial reaction to not getting "my way" is usually one of despair and to beginning to doubt His love for me, but over time He usually enables me to see why He did it. I know that when I am in the process of dying to a dream I am anything but kind and selfless to those around me, but these times are the times when I can feel the Lord's presence the most. I can almost feel Him holding my broken heart in His hands and whispering to me that it's okay, because this too, will pass. He has something better in mind. Through His sufficient power, broken hearts can continue beating. I really don't understand a lot of things that happened to me, but one thing I know: I must trust my Father's hand and seek His heart. His is worthy of all my trust and all my devotion.

[Look up, for this too, shall pass]

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him"  Job 13:15


Everlasting Love


"I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Before you knew my name, I sought you,
I have washed you with My blood.
Throughout the centuries, through all history,
And through eternity above, I will love you with an everlasting love"


- Brigette Shevy

True Love

Project 52: Week 6

Wow, I'm already at week six! Just another reminder of how fast time flies! I didn't really take a whole lot of pictures this week, so this one will be short.

 I've recently rediscovered that I love designing simple photo projects. 

I guess you can say this was a blue week. All these pictures I picked have a blue tint to them. It's been cold. :) I'm really looking forward to spring!

(I posted this week's a day early because I'm planning on being busy all day tomorrow.)

One thing

I was given a notebook for Christmas and I loved the colors and the design, so it inspired me to design something similar with one of my favorite verses of all time. Oh, and I finally figured out how to use brushes in photoshop!

Project 52: Week 5

This was definitely the longest week of 2011 so far! We've been iced in since Tuesday and haven't gone anywhere since Sunday. Very uncharacteristic of Texas! Snow is nice, but going places is nice as well. I never been so glad to see snow melt. :)

 Lillian helping with lunch today. She cut all the carrots for the chicken soup herself!

 Hershey loves the snow as much as the kids do.

 "You can never fully appreciate a sunrise until you have waited in the darkness"

 Cherise and her snow ice cream

I tried out some textures this week. This is so much fun I can easily get carried away with it!

Wisdom