Do I Trust You? {PERSONAL}

Trust: something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary).

Trust: certainty based on past experience.

I remember reading an article online about trusting God. It was saying that we have no choice but TO trust Him...because of who He is.

They gave the illustration of a young child on the edge of a pool. Not wanting to jump in. His father is in the water coaching the child and saying, "jump, I will catch you....I won't let you go under". The child is still standing on the edge of the pool...afraid. If the child doesn't jump he makes the father look bad. His own fear is bigger than the trust in his father. The article was comparing that to the trust of our Heavenly Father. We have to trust Him. He is worthy of our trust. If we don't trust Him, we are saying we don't believe His promises. We are saying He isn't worthy to be trusted. But He IS. Jesus is worthy of all my trust. No matter how scary it seems.

When life is going smoothly, sure it's easy to trust God. But when things start getting rough it's then that really counts. Because anyone can trust in the easisest circumstances. I've come to realize that how we react to hard circumstances says a lot about us. Says a lot about me. Do I willingly submit to the circumstances or the orchestration God is doing in my life in ALL things? Or do I complain and try to find another way? I'm finding that in submission there is Freedom. I'm learning that insisting on my own way isn't freeing, it's miserable.

My little sister getting ready to climb a artificial rock on a camping trip last fall. They put you in a harnass with ropes attached so in case you fall off the ropes will catch you while the person on the ground holds onto those ropes. At first it's hard to think that those ropes will hold you, but in order to climb you don't have a choice.

So you climb. Trusting that the ropes are going to catch you. It's hard work and it seems like every muscle in your body is on fire. But you keep climbing until you get to the top.

I think trusting God at times stretches us in so many ways spiritually it seems like we are being stretched past our limit. But oh no we aren't. So we continue on and cling to the fact that God knows what He is doing. We climb until we reach to the top. Trusting in God every step of the way.

"It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what." -Joni Eareckson Tada

"While the Lord calls me to be wise and discerning, he reminds me often that his discernment cannot dwell in a cynical distrustful heart. With Him, there is no hidden agenda and no ulterior motive. His gifts are free for the taking but I cannot take these gifts if my hands are already full of my own weapons of self- protection. Therefore, He asks me to lay down the shields that I have forged for protection and to pick up the shield of faith in their place. He asks me to take Him at His Word". -Katherine Walden

His promises never fail. He is worthy of my trust. He will keep me.

Something To Remember...{PERSONAL}

My friend sent me the below quotes this morning....it was a good reminder for me to see and be grateful for how much God blesses me with. Thanks Joss. And yes, that little guy is quite the man. Mr. Jack.

"Life is a Gift"

Today

before you say one unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before

you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's cyring out to God for a companion.

Today

before you complain about life - Think of all you have, who says we are to have as much as we do?

Before

whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when

you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wish they had your job.

And when

depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and think : you're alive and still around.

Always foster an attitude of gratification...it will change your life.

Bill+Kirsten+Adalyn {Family Session, Kent Park}

Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayerSticking little white flowers all up in her hairWalk beside the pony daddy its my first rideI know the cake looks funny daddy but I sure triedWith all that I've done wrong I must have done something rightTo deserve her hug every morning and butterfly kisses at night-Butterfly Kisses, Bob Carlisle
She's Adalyn. She's two. And she is Bill & Kirsten's little girl.
Her faces are priceless and she has the cutest toothy smile. She loves her dogs and reading books. Green is prounced "Geeeen"! She calls my sister Anna...."Nana". And she's pretty adorable.

This is my absolute favorite picture. I love the Novaks.

Thanks for the fun afternoon, taking me back to the park so I could get the keys out of my trunk when the car was LOCKED......and Kirsten you make the BEST. DINNERS. EVER.

Another Day

I was reading the book: "Keep a Quiet Heart" and ran across this quote spoken by God to E. Elliot:
"My precious daughter, I care about every detail of your life".

It's been too long...{This I Know}

Wait, the last time I wrote here was in July?! Time flies! July feels like forever ago and yet it feels like it was yesterday. Church softball and all those fun late summer nights are over but now it's time for leaves, cool weather and hoodies. I love fall.

I know I've pretty much abanded this blog but no more! I've decided I don't want to post just about my photo shoots but about life and my awesome God. So if your still here, thanks for sticking around....I'll be updating much more often. :)

My brothers and I at one of their softball games. About that Hawkeye shirt....I just want to say it was part of a "Beat Cancer" cause. I haven't reformed.