His Strength is reviled... 2011

I've been dreading writing this post, not because I'm not excited about the new year, but I know what you want me to write... new years resolutions... what I've learned... I love reading all those things from other people, but I'm not in the mood to write my own, at least not now (and I can't tell you why, because I don't know why myself).
Don't get me wrong. I've learned and grown so much this year, and I am thrilled to have a new year and start another chapter in my long story. There is so much about me that has changed. I have new perspectives, new friends, new schooling... everything. It's hard for me to pick just a few that stick out. Except the obvious ones.

***

So let me continue this post... I'm super excited about this new year. 2011, now that's fun to type:)
I can't even imagine where I will be this time next year. But so many doors have been opened, and I can't wait to walk through them and see what's next for me. Really, I can't wait. I want to know... like, now. God has been working on me. I want answers. Where will I be next year? Will this happen? How will this effect my life?
and I want so many things that might not be His will, but He is teaching me to be patient and wait until He decides to show me, tell me, surprise me.
It's been hard, and I imagine it always will be. I don't like to wait. It's one of my weaknesses, but in my weakness His strength is reviled. And that makes waiting, beautiful.

Happy almost New Year,
Maddy

Holiday Events

We went ice-skating for my cousin's bday on Wednesday. I LOVE ice skating. Who doesn't? (Oh I know... e-liz. sorry. love you!) Anyway... we had a lot of fun. And might I add that I did not fall :) I almost did (several times), but I kept my balance!

This is one of my 3 cousins on my dad's side, Brooke (the birthday girl). They came to visit all the way from Ohio! She is too sweet:) And that little munchkin in the background, is Brandi, She's a nut.. haha. I love them, and their brother, Tanner.

We had a great Christmas. It was great to spend time with family, singing songs around the campfire, chasing chickens, launching things with a bean-bag and a wooden board... yeah we have fun together:) 

It was a great week of Celebrating Jesus Birthday!

I hope you all had a great Christmas as well!

Tradition #9

 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”~ Luke 2:8-12

#9- The last and most important tradition is the real reason for Christmas. The celebration of Christ's birth. He came for us, to save us. Praise be to God on this glorious day! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Tradition #9

This isn't a great picture, but considering that I have been sick today I decided to post it anyway. I figured you would give me some grace. This picture gives you a good idea of tradition...

#9- Our Christmas tree is more of a memory tree. Every year we decorate it with ornaments we made in elementary school with our pictures on them, ornamtes we got from friends... you get it.

We also have a collection of ornaments that we have gotten over the years from my mom. She always pics out the cutest ornaments. I got this one last year (above).

It's fun to look at all the ones I have gotten over the years. She usually picks them out according to the things we were interested at that time. I have one that is a cheerbear, with cute little pom-poms. And if you are reading my blog, you probably know me, and if you know me... then you understand why that is funny. 

I am DEFINITELY NOT the cheerleader type. There's nothing wrong with them... it's just not me, but apparently it was in 2002. You would laugh if I listed all the phases I have been through.

Let's end this post here before I embarrass myself.

So there you have it. Christmas ornaments, each containing some sort of memory... all hanging on our tree... every year :)

I love Christmas!!

Tradition #8

#8- Home for the holidays :)

Almost every Christmas has been spent with all my grandparents and cousins. We have so much fun making memories together. 

This picture was taken last Christmas. When we are in Georgia for Christmas we always take a picture on the cooking deck of the cabin (like the one above). And we always, always, always eat a ton of Christmas cookies. Without fail. So yummy!!

Tradition #7

#7- I love putting up Christmas decorations with my mom every year. 

Garland, lights... you name it.

This 'Joy to the world' decoration has hung on our fireplace for as long as I can remember. I love looking at various decorations around the house and having a flood of Christmas memories flow through my head.

Tradition #6

#6- Ever since 2002 my sister and I have always gotten a nutcracker for Christmas. The first year we picked our our own (I chose a snowman) and the other years my mom surprised us on Christmas morning. They always sit on top of our entertainment canter during the holiday:) 

There is a snowman.

a pirate monkey.

Alice in wonderland.

A mouse.

Clara... holding her mini nutcracker.

A skier.

A cook.

and lots of other ones. I remember getting them every year growing up. I always know before I open them that it's the nutcracker all wrapped up, because the paper is all crumpled, trying to cover every inch of the surprise :)

Tradition #5

#5- To go with my festive socks that keep me warm, of coarse I have to have a festive mug to go along with it! In the mornings leading to Christmas I always drink out of these cute (but kinda creepy) Santa mugs. There are some snowflake mugs that match it, but my favorite is the Santa:). 

Notice that peppermint mocha latte mix that Santa is sitting on. Always a great Holiday treat.

My mom was telling my the other day that she had mugs just like this one when she was growing up, so as you could guess she was thrilled when she found some in the store a few years ago.

They are so cute.

jolly.

and festive... I like festive :)

What's in your festive mugs this year??

Tradition #4

#4- Christmas socks! Aren't they great? You can almost always find them on my feet during this time. My feet always get cold, so what better way to keep them warm than to wear some festive socks??

Right now I am wearing some with little mini gingerbread men on them. I have lots of Christmas socks. I also have a couple pairs of toe socks, which means I can wear them with chacos... and that makes me happy.

Wearing Christmas socks is definitely a Tradition... a small one, but it makes this season even more special. 

How are your little piggys staying warm this year?

Tradition #3

#3- I remember in elementary school, whenever December rolled around I would take out the little calendar tree and hang it on our front door. And every morning I would go and move the mini Santa down a day, getting closer to Christmas. I would count how many days until Christmas and excitedly announce it to anyone who would listen. It was my job, and a very important one if I do say so myself. 

So now, just for the sake of tradition I still move the little Santa down everyday. During December i always know what day it is, without fail- thanks to my trusty tree calendar.

As I start getting older, when my mom decorates the house for Christmas she asks me, "Do you still want to hang this tree on the door."

With no hesitation, as you would guess, my reply was, "Of coarse!

Do you see little Santa's head popping out of today's date? - the 14th.

Now do you understand why I like it so much??

Tradition #2

#2- These are the stockings that hang above our fireplace every Christmas. Usually there is not a fire blazing below them because it is never cold enough. Maybe this year we'll get lucky!

I get so excited every year when the stockings go up. The cool thing is that my grandma made these for us as we were born, so every grandchild and family member has one made just for them!

Mine is my favorite (surprising huh?). I just think the little bear is so cute holding his candy cane. He looks happy... or maybe it's a girl. I haven't decided yet. What do you think?

Tradition #1

Through the next week, until Christmas day, I will do a blog post everyday about a Holiday tradition that we have at our house. I hope this gets you in the Christmas spirit!

#1- Let's start with the tree... Every year when I was young my family and I would drive out to a Christmas Tree farm to cut down our desired tree. After it was sawed down we would drag that tree for what seemed like miles to get it ready to take home. Even though it was freezing, I always loved going with the whole family.

A few years ago that Tree farm was shut down for business, so we settled for picking a tree at Lowe's. Most recently, we have gotten our tree from a local tree dealer from North Carolina. They have great trees.

For some reason we have always had a live tree. I guess it just smells like Christmas in the house. I can't imagine a Christmas without a tree. Great memories!

Where do you get your tree??

That time of year

Christmas lights, stockings, trees, nutcrackers, candles, shopping, cookies, ornaments, candy canes, ginger bread houses, caroling, bells, sweaters, Santa hats, fuzzy socks... 

yup it's that time of year. Let the count down begin.

Chacos... their very own post!

 

My beloved Chacos have made a few quick appearances on this here blog, but now I think it is about time that I formally introduce you to them...

My Chacos have been just about everywhere with me. You saw them in a picture to Colorado last summer, in a picture at the Grand Canyon... so yes, I like to say that they have traveled all over the U.S. These Chacos have been my companion for about 3 years now and they are still in tip-top shape! They are great shoes. I would barely even call them a sandal... I walked all over Arizona in these shoes and they never let me down:)

So, since these shoes have treated me so well these past few years and will in the years to some, I thought they deserved their own post...

Dear Scarecrow,

Dear Scarecrow,

You will soon be taken down, put in the attic and replaced by Santas... but don't worry things will be ok. I will miss you, because as you leave, fall goes with you. Don't worry things will be alright. I'll See you next year.

Until then, Maddy

Thank You

Thank You for Your Word

Thank You for Your promises

Thank You for Your sacrifice, Your blood shed

Thank You for Your blessing

Thank you for Your guidence

Thank You for Your love

Your protection, Your power, Your might

Thank You for Your silence

Thank You for Your patience, Your persistence

Thank You for Your people

my family and friends

Thank You for a second chance.

-Amen

Happy Thanksgiving!! We have so much to be thankful for:)

5 things...

5 things... 5 things i like, enjoy, or things that just plain make me happy:)

 

 

Shadow pictures. Any kind of shadow. I love them, they are so unique. I especially like shadows on a building from trees. The best shadows make an appearance around 3-4 o'clock.

Bare feet. Their the best. None can compete, except maybe Chacos, but that is for a later post. Bottom line... i love bare feet, they make me feel free :)

Mirror pictures always turn out so neat. I love taking mirror pictures and looking at other people's mirror pictures. Mirror pics can tell a lot about a person from small details that you have to pay close attention to.

 

 

 

Fall leaves. Who doesn't like fall leaves?  They are gorgeous, unique, and make the world so colorful. Fall leaves is one of the reasons that I am almost completely against leaf blowers... just let the leaves fall where they may...

Apples, refreshing, sweet, satisfying, enjoyable crunch... bliss. I cut my apples a special way that makes them even more enjoyable... i wouldn't say I am the only one that cuts my apples that way, but I like to think so sometimes ;)

Psalm 139:13

"you knit me together in my mother’s womb."

-Psalm 139:13

I have recently gotten into knitting, I actually knit an entire scarf, and let me be the one to tell you that it took a l.o.n.g time! A lot of endurance and diligence, not to mention time go into knitting a scarf or anything for that matter. The cool thing about knitting is that you can do it anyway you want, it's your creation.

For me to think about being knit together in my mother's womb is pretty incredible. Not only did He knit my body, but He knit together my spirit, my character, my mind, my soul. He knit me together in a way that no one else is knit together. That's pretty special... no, that's really special!

The scarf that I knit is really special to me, because it is something I spent a lot of my time on. If my purple scarf is that special to me, I can only imagine how special I am to the Maker.

"November's Party"

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  ~Albert Camus

October November gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's November's Party"
 

No Complaints...

It's a great day to be alive, the sun's still shining when I close my eyes...

 Life's great... the sun is shining, the sky is blue, the leaves are a wonderful array of warm colors, the clouds are unique, the birds are out and singing (my cat is on the prowl), it's sweater weather, thanksgiving is near, I love my friends, I love my family, God is good, I have no complaints...

The Power of Love

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."
-Jimi Hendrix

*Pictures at Washington park and downtown... Oct. 3oth

Oct. 31st

 

We don't usually do much for Halloween except maybe handing out candy to small neighborhood children, occasionally going to a Halloween party hosted by friends... nothing big.

One thing I really enjoy about October 31st is seeing all the little tots parading down the streets in their super hero and princess costumes, huge smiles on their faces, chocolate smudges smeared across their lips, carrying a bag of candy that weighs more than they do.

This year was extra special... at least it was for a camera nerd like me... :)

I got the privileged of possessing a Canon Rebel Xis for the whole weekend. The camera belongs to the person I take pictures for at FPD events, and he was so kind to let me keep it for the weekend, and let me tell you I was on cloud nine for the last couple days until I was forced to give it back.- Telephoto lens, manual zoom, auto focus...a camera nerd's dream... *harp music

So, My first thought was... Ok, I have this great camera... where do I even begin? 

Well, my mom took me downtown to Ridge Avenue (the 'hoppin' neighborhood) on the night of trick-or-treat.  There were t.o.n.s of people... so many that several police men were in need. 

I felt like such a creeper with my huge camer snapping pictures... so I only took a few...

Next my mom took me to Washington Park to 'snap some pics'- which i will post later.

The weather was great, the night was fun.

After dinner at a deep-dish pizza restaurant downtown we ended the night with a show at the Grand Oprah House :)

Nothing too exciting, but something fun and out of the ordinary to enjoy!

It's November??

Ok, am I the only one that is trying to grasp the fact that is is already November 1st?

Not July, not September... NOVEMBER!? 

I was just counting down the days until Summer break... hyper-speed studying for my last exam and... I did what I told myself not to do... what I tell myself not to do every January 1st... I blinked. Why do I keep doing that?

I'm not sure why... but I did, and now, here I sit, dumbfounded, flabbergasted at the fact Christmas is less than 2 months away. It's crazy to look back and see all the ways that I have grown this year. Not only have I gained a few inches length wise (yeah that's right I used to be a shrimp-o), but I have also grown spiritually. I've dug deeper into the word, searched harder for His will, my eyes have been opened, my ears have heard. 

Now I can only think... a year from now... where will I be? If so much had changed this year, what about next year. What else will I learn? Where else will this road lead me?

My mind can't even grasp the thought of where I will be next year, but what's great is... I don't have to worry about it, I just get to sit back, relax and watch the Maker do His thing :)

God's Artwork

 

The other night the sky was simply gorgeous! One thing i have noticed it that no sunset is exactly the same. That really makes you appreciate the beauty of God's artwork :)

I am SO Happy!!

Guess... do you know? Do you know why I am so happy??

Well.... ok, i'll tell you...

I got my braces off today!! Ahhh! I am so happy!! Can you tell?

After 3 and a half years, I am MORE than ready to be braces free, and let me tell you it feel so amazing!!

All the orthodontist appointments were worth the result :)

Now, I can proudly smile  :-D

Buds :)

These are some of my really great buds! They Love me regardless of how many things I knock over in a span of 10 minutes. They Love me even though I am really crazy. They laugh at my jokes that no one else understands. I Love my buds and I know they Love me. I am so thankful for the role that all my buds play in my life.

 

Close to His heart

Life goes on. Full speed, fast paced, no grace, life. Each day hold new trials to overcome, more lessons to learn... and the hardest part is keeping the faith. The faith to believe that good comes out of everything, I am loved by my Father more than I can fathom, and no matter what, I am not alone.
I mean, how many times have you looked around and wondered- ok, what good is this gonna do in my life? God, where are you going with this?
Or thought- God, I know you love me, but I just don't feel loved right now...
There are just times that we all go through where we feel distance from God, and the firm hand guiding us seems to disappear.

But, what is incredible to me is that even in the times that seem the worst, God is at work. And it feels great to believe that what seems out of control to us is in God's hands, completely. It's all in His plan. His plan, that is so mighty, it's unfathomable to us. We just have to trust Him.
And it feels so amazing to wake up in the morning and say "I am a child of The KING!" It feels great to think, that even if nothing goes my way today, there is a God, standing right beside me, who loves me enough to die for me.
It's refreshing to remember that when I can't feel His hand guiding me, that He never let go, I just have to open my eyes and believe. Believe that even though this life isn't always easy, I am never alone.
When it seems that the world is hanging on by a thread, He is right there to hold me close to His heart.

He gathers the lambs in his arms
       and carries them close to his heart; 

Isaiah 40:11

100% YOU

We grow up learning to 'just be yourself''. All through elementary and middle school we try and try to 'be ourselves'...whatever that may be. The one thing we don't know while trying to 'just be ourselves' is who we are. After years of  trying to 'be yourself', you wake up one day and realize that you have been yourself. You can stop 'trying' and it just comes naturally. It falls into place, because you know that you are a child of the King. And on His shoulders you can see- that you are free to be you... 100% YOU, and nothing less.

Trust the Planter

One day, a seed was planted. The seed knew that one day it would grow big and tall just like the others. Sprouts began to grow out of the seed until it was able to withstand slight winds on it's own. As winter came, the winds blew harsh and set the plant off balance. The Planter watered the plant a little more and helped it grow strong enough to withstand storms. It grew taller and taller and it's roots got deeper and deeper into the soil. The plants around it weren't growing and it felt out of place. The plant was searching and searching for deeper soil and more water. It felt lost. The Planter moved the plant to a bigger garden with more soil and water, but the plant was upset. He missed his other garden, and familiar surroundings, but what the plant didn't notice all the while complaining, was that the sun shined brighter in this garden. The sun helped it grow, and the plant began to trust the Planter more and more as time went on.

Starry Night

Chris August

from the album No Far Away

Buy on Amazon | iTunes

Play sample

From the birds that sing                                     
In the tallest trees
To the human life
Of you and me.
From the desert sands
To the place we stand.
He is God of all
He is everything.

(Chorus)
I'm giving my life to the only one
Who makes the moon reflect the sun.
Every Starry Night,
That was His design.
I'm giving my life to the only son,
Who was and is and yet to come
Let the praises ring, 'cause he is everything
'Cause he is everything

From the autumn leaves,
That will ride the breeze
To the Faith it takes,
To pray and sing
From the Painted sky,
To my plank filled eye
He is God of all, He is everything


I absolutely love this song. It really show the power and majesty of the God we live for from day to day, and it makes me want to know Him more. He is God of all... HE IS EVERYTHING!

GRAND CANYON!!!

Of coarse my chacos cam along as well :)

Me and my Grammy :)

She just loved it!

And now, for the pictures you have been waiting to see, and I have been waiting to post... here is the GRAND CANYON! I didn't post as many pictures of just the grand canyon as I expected, only because no photograph can really capture the majesty displayed. It was an incredible sight! it didn't even seem real. God is such a great artist, and I was so glad I got to go enjoy it, with the ones I love. My Grandma was in Awe as well :)

Another Great Day!

Today was So great! I took a photography class early this morning and learned all about the composition, lighting, placement, contrast and all kind of things about photography. We went swimming, and then we took a cooking class! It was such a fun day! Tomorrow: GRAND CANYON!!!! ahhh.... i'm SO excited!!