Has It Already Been a Month?

I must admit… I have not been the best blogger recently. It has been a busy season here at our house, to say the least. With a full school schedule and the holiday season approaching, I have not been able to put much time in on the computer. Though it is always nice to take a break from such things, I have to say that I have missed y’all.

Before I go on, I would like to say “Thank You” to all of my readers who left a sweet birthday note on my Sweet Sixteen post. They truly made my birthday all the more special! :)

I would also like to say “Happy Anniversary” to my dear parents. Today, they celebrate 22 beautiful years of marriage. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful parents, and pray that God will continue to bless them in the years to come.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
~1 Corinthians 13:4-7~
NIV

Several days ago, I found out that I was nominated for Best Encourager as well as Best Photo Blog on the Homeschool Blog Awards website. I am so thankful for this amazing honor, and would like to thank those of you who have voted for me!
Voting ends tonight, and if you have not yet voted, you can click the link below. There are so many wonderful nominations!

I will leave you with this encouraging Bible Scripture…

“From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.”
~John 1:16~
NIV

May the Lord pour rich blessings upon you and your family this coming week!

In Awe of God’s Glory

I am still speechless, just as I was when I walked out our back door and saw this beautiful sunset… God is SO good!

Sweet Sixteen!

In celebration of my 16th birthday on the fourth of October, my family and I went on a Caribbean cruise. It was such a blessed trip and one that I will never forget… Great memories were made, indeed!

Our first stop was Key West, Florida. We didn’t plan any excursions at this port, although we did visit the beautiful Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory.

 
As we entered the large conservatory, we saw hundreds of gorgeous butterflies fluttering around, all from various places of the world!

 Jessa was very eager to hold one of the delicate beauties…

 … And I was as well!

 Discovering my dear mother’s hand :)

This little fellow was in another section of the conservatory… He and his friend wore the most vibrant colors!

“O Lord, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of your possessions-
This great and wide sea,
In which are innumerable teeming things,
Living things both great and small.”
~ Psalm 104:24-25~

After Key West, we visited the Grand Cayman Islands, and then went on to Ocho Rios, Jamaica the following day. The above photograph was captured in Jamaica. I must say that Ocho Rios is incredibly beautiful! Looking out my window the morning we arrived, I saw lush hilltops and blue water… My jaw dropped, to say the least! :)

This photo was taken on our way back home. God’s creation is so magnificent, isn’t it? He never ceases to amaze me!

I am so thankful we had the opportunity to go on this cruise. It was certainly a very special and memorable “sweet sixteen!”

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
~2 Corinthians 9:15~

“Book Bliss” Photography Contest

I find photography contests to be quite fun! That being said…

I have decided to enter Miss Raquel’s “Book Bliss Photography Contest”. I was very excited to see that the focus is on books… There are so many creative ways to capture a book and it’s beauty. If you would like to enter this sweet contest {and would like the chance to win one of three lovely prizes} click on the button below!

Here are my two entries:

“Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
~Proverbs 30:5~

I pray that your day is blessed with His great and miraculous love!

Pure Bliss

“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation.”

~ Psalm 35:9~

Sin – The Inevitable

Yes, unfortunately it’s something we all do and something none of us can avoid…

“For in a way, sin is like the layers of an onion: when one layer is peeled off, there are always more layers beneath.”
{Quote from The Light and The Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel}

I find this quote to be so true. Sin can be a real stumbling block in life, and there is no way around it. There’s always going to be a new one entering our lives.

Facing our sin is a real challenge. Satan finds the perfect time to tempt us, and then our human nature says “That sounds wonderful!” It may sound “wonderful” in the beginning, but as we continue to deal with what is actually sin, we find that we were very wrong.

Realizing our wrongdoings can be very discouraging, but aren’t you glad that we have a Creator Who is there for us… A God Who loves us… A Savior Who died for us? I know I am!

I sometimes find myself wondering where I would be without Jesus Christ in my life. I think about how blessed I am to call Him my Lord. Because of Him, I have been forgiven! Because of Him, my sins have been washed as white as snow! Because of Him, I am FREE!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
~1 John 1:9~

“As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
~Psalm 103:12~

Lil’ Country Girl

Last week, Jessa asked Tyler if they could go horseback riding together. Tyler gladly accepted, and I was quick to grab my camera and follow!

Here are a few of the photos I captured…

 
Miss Fanny May

Tyler’s such a great big brother! :)

 

… Enjoying every single minute of her ride!

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But deliverance is of the LORD.”

~Proverbs 21:31~

{I wanted to thank those of you who left a comment on my last post… The sweet birthday wishes meant so much to Jessa!}

Happy Birthday, Jessa!

 To my sweet and beautiful sister,

For such a long time, I dreamed about you and prayed that you would come. It’s truly amazing how God orchestrates everything in our lives. After much time of waiting…

And waiting…

God blessed our family with you ~ A beautiful, intelligent, and sweet little China baby!

The first time I saw you, my heart was filled with so much happiness! Finally… I was blessed with a little sister! Each year, I have become more and more grateful for you. We have spent so much time together, and the memories are so sweet!

{Jessa at 15 months old; photo taken in China}

Now today… You’re 5 years old! {May I add that time flies!}

It’s been almost four years since those elevator doors opened and I saw you for the first time. As I sat looking at photographs of you last night, the memories started flooding my mind… I was reminded of God’s love, and how He gives blessings to those who are patient.

 
{Jessa at 5 years old; photo taken today, September 8th}

Being your big sister has been one of the greatest things in my life, dear, and I will always love you… with all of my heart! ♥

Love Your Big Sis,

Jenna