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!!

Tlaquepaque- Downtown Sadona

I fell in love with this little flower, and I wish I knew the name!

These were taken at Tlaquepaque in downtown Sadona where we ate lunch this afternoon for my Aunt's birthday:) It was beautiful. I felt like I was in a foreign country!

Fun Filled Memories!

You wouldn't believe what I saw when I woke up the next morning! It doesn't seem real.

All the girls ready for a hike :)

Sisters <3

After 2 days of traveling to get to the resort in Sadona, Arizona, I soon realized why my mom said that all the travel would be worth it. On our first night here (Friday) we enjoyed a nice dinner at one of the restaurants at the resort. Then, since we were so tired from traveling and a 3 hour time difference, we went of to bed. Only to wake up to find the beautiful red rock surrounding us. We went on a hike first thing. Later, after eating lunch at the spa, me and my mom went to a gourd class. We decorated, created and learned all about the history of the gourd. I made a dream catcher out of my small gourd. It was really fun. Later, we relaxed at the pool, went to dinner and hit the sack. Today- holds another day full of fun filled memories to make!We head to the Grand Canyon on Tuesday!

Suspence...

Oh I just love how cute and quaint the atmosphere in Centerville is! You know what I Love even more?- The fact that here the trees are starting to change colors! Fall is so wonderful:)

Hello there, Grammy! For lunch we went to a cute little 'Blueberry Cafe"!

This picture was taken on the way to Cincinnati, where the airport is. I have found that is is really very hard to take a picture from inside a moving car, but I just couldn't help myself, but try anyways :)

We head to Arizona tomorrow-3 hour plain ride- and the suspense is killing me! I don't think I can wait any longer to get there and see everything! It's going to be great!

Hello Grammy!

Before the sun came up, we were off to the airport. We said our goodbyes and before we knew it we were wandering the airport, among rushed people, frequently looking at their watches. As I looked out the window I saw the sun welcoming the new day.

As the plain ascended into the air, the world seemed smaller and smaller as we rose above the clouds, leaving the tiny structures that we call 'home'. Although the flight wasn't bad and we landed with as little difficulty as possible, it felt good to know that we were back on solid ground.

My aunt picked us up to take us to my grandma (Grammy). When we pulled into Dayton my aunt welcomed us, "Welcome to the city of construction and no rain." She giggled. Finally, we had arrived to Heartcrest lane. "Mommy, I'm home!" My mom was so glad to see her mom for the first time in a long time... And so was I!

You'll Just Have to Wait!!

These are a few more pictures that I took this week, and I have several more that I will gladly post in a week and a half, but now I am just too darn busy... why not now you ask? busy with what?
The truth is that I am just to darn bust packing for the Grand Canyon to edit a few more pictures, but I decided to lighten my load by posting these, so when I get back so I will have time to edit pictures of my Excursion!! Yes, yes I am so ecstatic! Our flight leaves tomorrow for Ohio.
Ohio? Yes, Ohio, to pick up my grandma... did I mention that it is a girls trip?
yup!- me, my mom, my grandma and my 3 Aunts!
So after Colorado we head to Phoenix, Arizona... and then
Well, Silly, you'll just have to wait for my next blog post!

TTFN!-Maddy :)

Explorations of the Week

Chacos: my friend that goes everywhere I go, and sees all the things I see... My Camera strap: (purple, bottom right corner) helps me explore :)

My sweet kitty... lovely eyes, skittish, on the prowl (recently got injured by a mean stray cat)

Here is a sneak at some different perspectives and angles I have been working on over the past week. Being home schooled has opened a window of opportunity to practice and explore with my camera. The time allowed has given me more encouragement to edit pictures. I look forward to more explorations throughout the year!