Okay, so I think that all of you probably know this already but I was accepted into YWAM's PhotogenX DTS for next April. I feel very excited and blessed that God has shown me what is next in my life. Right now I would ask you to join with me and others in prayer concerning whether to raise support for this trip. I don't know if it's God's will that I pay for all of it, the first three months of training and raise support for the outreach part, or raise support for all of it? This is the question of the hour.

Oh, thanks for all those who prayed for my quad because it is fine now. Sometimes I can still feel it just a little but it's so much better and I can run again without medication :) I'm looking forward to the race which is in a little more than 2 weeks!

This summer has been very different for me with being the one in my family who has stayed home while my family has traveled and with working. I still really really enjoy my job and know it was God who gave it to me. I have met lots of new wonderful people this year and made so many new friends!

The newest thing in my life right now is that I and some others have started an international student outreach at COE college here in CR. This is something that God has laid on all our hearts and it's been neat to see how He's brought us together. We are going to try and have an international food night for the students every month. If you are interested in meeting some foreign students and reaching out to them with the love of Christ let me know. The next meeting at the end of this month is most likely going to be at our house if you would like to come. Maybe you'll really hit it off with one or two of the students and you can have them over sometime. You never know what God has in-store!

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for your prayer!! God bless!

My Freedom

I think that I am one of the most dense people. I'm learning once again that I can't do it without God. I haven't been making Him a priority in my life recently and taking time with Him and I can see the results of it in my daily life and myself.

This song is so wonderful and I think that it sort of fits how I'm feeling at this point in time. God is the only true freedom in my life; everything else just takes and steals in the end!

I have a plan for you...

Okay, so over the past few weeks the Lord has really done a lot! Those of you who I have talked to or who have FB know that God has graciously answered 2 huge prayers that have been long in coming :) Anyway, the big news for you who don't yet know is that I'm applying for Youth With A Missions Discipleship School for next spring. I'm pretty much sure I will be accepted. (I'm not trying to sound arrogant I just feel like God has told me that this is what I'm suppose to do and to not doubt; and given me many signs of encouragement.) It's YWAM photography DTS and so they teach you how to use photography for missions! I really excited!!!

So next April I will be on my way to Hawaii for three months and then to another unknown country for 2 to 3 months :) I'm not complaining about the HI part. LOL I've wanted to go to HI for years and I think it's going to be great and warm! Oh I plan on being able to check one thing off my "To Do Before I Die" list; surfing!

Thanks to all of you who have prayed over the years for God to guide me to what He wants for my life. I'm excited because this is just one more time He has been faithful and let me have light for one more step. I'm also excited because who knows what the future holds. One thing I really like about YWAM is that after you go through the DTS I get the impression that it's pretty easy to get plugged into their ministry. Also, I would have the option to do their 2 year photography program where you travel around the world. Who knows what's in store. I will just obey as He leads one step at a time :)

Life has been different for me the last 2 months because of now having a job. I really like meeting new people and getting to know the members and my coworkers; oh and the pay checks :) It isn't always wonderful and my time is definitely more limited but I like it for the most part and I know this job is from God!

I have a small prayer request for anyone who thinks of it. I need to start training for my half marathon again but my leg is still hurting. (I stretched my muscle in my quad a while back.) Of course I really haven't been taking care of it except for not exercising. Anyway, I'm going to try and start running again this coming week and I would just like pray that God heals me. Thanks!

Congrats!

I just wanted to say a big CONGRATULATIONS to my brother and all his wonderful friends for graduating as the class of 2009!!!! You all did a great job and are wonderful young men. Seek God first the rest of your lives! I'm so proud of you all!!!

Here's a pic of of all the our brothers with their older sisters :)

(L to R) Henry and Evelyn Lang, Mark and Ally Maloney, Shelby and Caitlyn Hofmaster, Andrew and I, Josiah Ertz and Elyssa McDowell

This post is sort of two thoughts in one. 

After talking to a friend recently and telling them that I'm thinking about going to a DTS next spring he ask me why I'm not just going to the missions field now. We ended up discussing the "reasons" why we aren't "going" right now and other things concerning missions. Anyway, this and other things provoked the following thought that I shared on FB but I decided to share here as well:

God, show us when to go and where to go. Our desire is to serve You in other nations among people who have never heard the name of Your Son; yet we are so weak and easily distracted from what really matters in this life. We are so easily satisfied with the lame things our lives have to offer. Make our hearts burn within us with the passion You have for the lost so we are not able to rest until we have followed You!

Hey

Sorry to those of you who have facebook as well because I'm going to probably be posting a lot of the same things or ideas on both.

 I made a deal with a certain party that I would start posting again if they stopped nagging me about something. :) So true to my word, I'm posting again. By the way, thank you to all who left comments on my blog. That was a pleasant surprise and it was very gratifying! 

This post really isn't about much at all. I just thought that I would share a pic that I recently took with a new lens. It's a macro lens so it captures fine up close detail. The worlds of canon and cheerio collided yesterday. Eat more cheerios!! (Especially if you have high cholesterol supposedly :)

No more braces

Hello to those very few who still check my blog every blue moon and still find nothing new. After much prodding from certain parties, one of whom I will not name, but who has a blog by the name of "The Invisible Reality" I'm finally posting again. Thank you for the "encouragement" :) to continue posting Andrew and Dani. 

The latest most excited bits of news in my life right now is that I'm engaged! JK! You can all stop freaking out now :) You know, I really crack myself up sometimes. Anyway, as most of you already know, I got my braces off last week and I also had my first day at work! I applied and was hired at the Rockwell Collins Rec Center. I work behind the desk with great people! I feel very blessed that God gave me such a wonderful job. It really is a perfect match for me at this time in my life. 

As for not having braces, it's great! I hate the retainer but I'll endure it. I can't wait for my teeth to not be sore anymore so I can bite into an wonderful juicy apple!!!!

Here's a pic from the day I got my braces off:

Boston aka CR Tea Party

Okay, so mom said to me on Tue, so and so is going to a tea party. What?! It took a little bit but I finally caught on that like the Boston Tea Party so long ago there was a CR Tea Party to protest taxes. I didn't want to go but Mom drug me along and I'm really glad she did. There were a lot more people than I was thinking there was going to be and it was kind of neat to not just talk about the problems but actually do something (even if that was only to show up and take pics:).

Enjoy, and as you'll see some people really got into it.

I love those two signs! They crack me up!!!

Culture Unplugged Video

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Ally Marie in Concert!

Ally Marie, one of my good friends, opened for the band Happy Go Lovely last Friday night. She did an awesome job! If you live here in Iowa and have never heard her sing you need to!

It gave me the opportunity to try taking pic at a concert. Let's just say that I'm not very good at low light situation and I think I'll stick with portraits for the most part :)

finally back

Hi Everyone,

Sorry that I've neglected my blog for so long. I have no excuse so I will offer none :)

I'm so looking forward to the very end of this horrible blustery weather. It's really really getting old. It also makes it hard to set up times to go take pic outside. Speaking of pics, if you haven't seen my new blog "Christine Nicole Photography" then do take a look. There's not much on there right now but I hope to be adding more soon.

I was messing around with my camera last night and I ended up with some pics I liked. Here's my two favorites.

Heaven

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know that my Grandma went to be with Jesus this afternoon at around 1:42. She struggled to breath and got kind of congested the last part but besides for that she seemed pretty peaceful. She was surrounded by her family for her last moment on earth.

We're already missing her but we know that she's in heaven and is able to see perfectly now! Praise God!!!

Thanks again for all your prayers.

Thank You

First, I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support! It's hard yet it's comforting to know that she was ready to go and see Jesus! Praise God! Sometimes we're okay, and other times we cry but I'm so glad God's in control.

Right now my Grandma, because of having such a large stroke is brain dead on the left side. The left side is swollen and continuing to swell. It's become clear that it's God's timing and she's will be walking with Jesus hand in hand and she'll be able to see once again. So right now, we are just staying with her and the hospital is making sure that she is comfortable. We don't really know when she'll go but probably soon. The doctor said probably this weekend but it could be longer.

Thank you so much for all your prayers once again! It's such a relief to know that she won't have to suffer. Also, a big answer to prayer for me, is that no tough decisions had to be made about stuff like pulling the plug or not; you know what I mean.

The Neurologist was really really good and kind and very down to earth in his explaining about what is going on. I guess this is one of the worst if not the worst strokes he has seen.

The new doctor that she now has, has been a my parent's doctor and my Aunt and Uncle's doctor in the past and he's a Christian! This is another wonderful blessing.

Grandma appears pretty restful and she's on her way to glory! I can't wait to see her when I get to go as well. Love you soooo very much Grandma! I couldn't have asked for a better grandma than you!

Urgent need of prayer

Hey everyone,

my 93 yr old Grandmother just had a serious stroke late this afternoon. Things aren't looking good at all. Please pray! Thank you!

Wordless Wed...

Quotable

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him"

-- Hudson Taylor

"Some wish to live within the sound of a chapel bell; I wish to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell." -- C.T. Studd

"God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on him."

-- Hudson Taylor, missionary to China


"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply"

-- Hudson Taylor


"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives ... and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted."

-- Nate Saint, missionary martyr


"The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed"

-- Hudson Taylor


“God had only one Son and he made that Son a missionary.”

-- David Livingston

“You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside.” --Oswald Chambers

"To every toiling, heavy-laden sinner, Jesus says, 'Come to me and rest'.
But there are many toiling, heavy-laden believers, too.
For them this same invitation is meant.
Note well the words of Jesus, if you are heavy-laden with your service, and do not mistake it.
It is not, 'Go, labor on,' as perhaps you imagine.
On the contrary, it is stop, turn back, 'Come to me and rest.'
Never, never did Christ send a heavy laden one to work; never, never did He send a hungry one, a weary one, a sick or sorrowing one, away on any service.
For such the Bible only says, 'Come, come, come.'

--Hudson Taylor

CR shooting

Okay, so these photos are from last week but I just finally got my photo program to work so I could convert my RAW photos to Jpegs. (Sorry I help but show off a little of my new found knowledge.)

Last week, a group of us went downtown Cedar Rapids to take pics. The weather was beautiful which made a perfect day for doing that sort of thing. It was fun too because I've never really just walk around downtown CR except during parades when there's lots and lots of people.

I took quite a few pic. but here are three that I didn't take. Thanks to Shelby H., we, the three amigas, or whatever got some shots of all of us together.

Let me know if any of you would like to go shooting with me, because I need all the practice I can get.

The Cross

This is a song by Brooke Frasher, "Lead Me to the Cross".

" Jesus, help me to keep becoming more and more able to understand all you did and went through for me. I have yet to come close to fully comprehending all that you have done. Please open my eyes that I may see."

Go

Tonight I went to Perspectives. The speaker's name was Bob Blincoe. He was a very good speaker and I wish you could have heard him. It wasn't just a feel good message, not that he wasn't funny at times, he was, but he's someone who'll give it to you straight.

I think that the Lord maybe using his talk and then last weeks speaker, Floyd Schneider, to challenge my thinking about missions and "if I should go".

You see they were challenging the thinking that God has to "call" you to missions. That you have to have a green light from God before you go. One thing that they both had in common was they both didn't know for sure that the people they ended up serving were really the ones God wanted them to serve among. They saw an open door, a need, so they went knowing full well that if that wasn't God's will He could close the door very easily.

I came across this quote by Hudson Taylor:

"It will not do to say that you have no special call to go to China. With these facts before you and with the command of the Lord Jesus to go and preach the gospel to every creature, you need rather to ascertain whether you have a special call to stay at home."

So, is our thinking messed up these days? Instead of me praying, "God do you want me to go" maybe I should plan on reaching those unreached people groups (physically and if I can't supporting others who can) and if God doesn't want me there won't He close every door in my face?

So now, I either face the question, "what about me", or I push it under the rug and continue to live my American life. Will I go? Am I willing to give up everything for the sake of the cross? Security, comfort, family, friends, everything that is familiar, a spouse, a home to decorate, a safe and healthy place to raise children, the feeling that I'm a good daughter, sister, and granddaughter for the feeling of betrayal to those closest to me?

You know, I think that we have this idea that we should only go into missions if the Lord has laid the lost and missions on our hearts. But really to go for the people is totally the wrong reason. We can't love a people who are so different than everything we're used to. We can't even love our families and friends at times, the people who love us the most. Who are we kidding? Sooner or later we are going to get fed up with them and want to quit. We need to be going out of obedience and love and the glory of our Lord. He's the only one who loves dirty, diseased ridden, filthy, stinky, jungle cannibals. Because He loves them, then if we love Him, He'll give us a love for them that's beyond us.

One of the last things that Bob reminded us of is that this life is just a blip on the screen. He said yeah he would like to live near his grand kids and children but that's what heavens for. Do we have this life all backwards as well? Is it not to serve ourselves by getting the most money possible. the most toys, more and more degrees but rather to arrive in heaven totally spent?

One last thing that he said that was a wonderful reminder to throw out our time oriented ways. Do we realize that Jesus prepared for 30 year for 3 year of ministry? Why do we lay such great importance on time and measure ours and others success by it?

I really haven't thought about this enough yet but I guess I felt like rambling. Thanks for letting me.

Motions

I really like this new song by Matthew West. It challenges us to not live our lives for self but for 100% sold out to God. Who's in charge of our lives? Us or God?

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)
take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)
take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)
take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)
take me all the way (through the motions)
take me all the way

Marion square

Here's a few more pics from recent photo shoots. As you can see, I didn't take two of these photos. Caitlyn Doris my very creative talented friend took these. Thanks Caitlyn

Going shutter crazy!

Okay, it's way late but I couldn't help but post these pics of my two wonderful photographer girl friends, Ally and Caitlyn. They are such beautiful subject and I really love how these turned out!

Thanks for a great time shooting in Marion today!

Trust, Be still, and Wait

Okay, I know it's Wordless Wed but I couldn't help sharing some verses the Lord has been giving to me lately. You see, I asked God not too long ago that He would teach me to trust Him fully; and He has been doing just that. It seem that reminders about trust, waiting, patience, and being still keep coming up; whether it be at church, my quite time, or perspectives. It's so very encouraging.

So here are some of the verses:

"Be still and know that I am God..." -Ps 46:10

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." -Ps 37:7

"I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in Your steadfast love, because You have seen my affliction you have known the distress of my soul," -Ps 31:6-7

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! -Ps 31 24

Why do we have a God who cares so deeply for us? I don't know! But I'm glad!!! Let us trust Him and fall flat on His promises.

More Photos with the new camera

Hello everyone! Since I'm a picture freak here's some of my more recent photos. Thanks to Caitlyn, my wonderful fellow photographer, I got in some good practice with her over the weekend! Thanks so much Caitlyn for getting me more motivated and actually just taking pic. It was a blast!

Okay, here is a pic of a pony who has wonderful blue eyes that I couldn't help but photograph

Then Sam, one of my favorite dogs in the world

A random pic of corks. Surprisingly, they made excellent photography material

Ally Marie, my good friend who has a wonderful voice! She sang at Catch 4:19 Sat. night. Great job Ally! If only me photography skills in low lighting, matched your singing and playing. Sigh!

And then, Andrew's horse Cowboy. The Harry Houdini of horses.

Life is a song your heart must sing...

"Most believers die with an unsung song in their hearts"
- Unknown

Our lives our are part of God's song called all of time. Will we be willing to sing the song He has placed in us from the beginning of time; or will we go to our grave without letting it ring out to the glory of God?

Wordless Wednesday

With Valentines over...

I didn't receive any roses or candy for Valentines Day which I would have no problem with at all but what I did receive was far greater. In fact I receive it everyday; the love and acceptance from my Savior and Father in heaven.

Recently, God has been teaching me and showing me He is totally trust worthy for whatever happens in my life. He has also been asking me to wait on Him once again. (I feel like I have had to wait on Him a lot of my life since graduating and I have found this to be something that is very hard, yet worth it.) I'm sometimes fearful but when I remember God's wonderful huge love for me, that He is total control of everything, and that He knows what is best; then I can once again rest assured.

Last night, I decided that I needed to clean my room. I was in a romantic mood so I lit two candles and turned on a lamp. I decided that wasn't quite the mood I wanted so I lit two more candles and turned off the lamp and put some instrumental music on. I didn't just want to just clean my room, I wanted to do it romantically.

After I finished I reclined on my bed and watched the candles flicker on the walls and listen to the music play. I talked to Jesus and told him how I was feeling as I was winding down to go to sleep. It was a very nice time.

I was thinking about it, just because we singles aren't married doesn't mean we shouldn't do romantic things. Think about it, God is very romantic. Romance in the right way is a very beautiful wonderful thing. So let us, whether single, married, or widowed be in a romantic relationship with the Lord. Letting Him and asking Him to draw us closer to His side, listening to catch His every whisper, and feeling and seeing His every touch in our everyday lives!

O Lord you're beautiful,

Your face is all I seek;

And when Your eyes are on this child,

Your grace abounds to me.

Wordless Wed.

Here they are...

Here are some pic from my new camera. I'm still learning how to use it but I think my favorite feature so far in the aperture. It's so incredibly wonderful to have a such a nice camera now if I only knew how to use it completely.

; ) I'm learning and I hope to send much better photos your ways soon!

The Lens cap. I love it how the focus point is so small.

Oh my how I love not being frustrated any longer when my camera won't focus for that close up shot! Can I get an Amen?!!!

the back of my new lens. Can you tell I'm excited?
A magazine on the desk. Yes, I know it's random.

And last but definitely not least, Vincie who just had a birthday, trying lemon and lime juice. I guess it was a little sour.

Oh Happy Day!

I wanted to share some very exciting news in my life right now. And no to all my girl friends who understand me, I'm still in the GDLU Club so don't get too excited ; ) It's not that wonderful.

Anyway, I have been praying for something for a little while and the Lord has seen fit to give it to me today. I have been praying for a camera!

When we were in CO I almost got a Canon 40D that was a pretty good deal but it was really hard to work out payment and when and where to meet. To make a long story short the guy ended up selling it to someone else. I was disappointed but it was okay and I kept praying about it on and off. One thing that really encouraged me to pray, was how the Lord provided the Prachars with a camera when theirs broke not too long ago. I knew that if it was God's will he could also send a camera my way.

So earlier this week it happened, my dad found one on eBay, be bid on it (he was the only one who did), and he got it! Even though my camera didn't end up being free it was such a good deal that I know I'm blessed.

My new 40D Canon camera arrived this morning along with 2 lenses, 2 batteries, a battery charger, a flash, and 2 memory cards. I have been messing around with it today and I love it!!!!! I wish that I could share some of the shots I took with it but unfortunately I don't yet have the CD with the software to load it onto my computer :( I'm sorry but you'll have to endure with me and see at least one more photo from my powershot.

Wordless Wednesday...

Thought-Provoking Thursday...

Last Sunday at church we sang the song by Matt Redman, You Never Let Go. I know that I've heard this song before but I realized this time how much I like it.

It reminds us that God never lets go of us no matter what. It says "you never let go through the calm or through the storm". It might seem weird to some that it says through the calm but I have found that's when I need Him to hold on to me the tightest. It's during these times of calm that I tend to wander away from Him. You know what I'm talking about too I suppose because you've also experienced it. When things are tough and the storms of life come and we can't do it on our own people will find us crying out and clinging to our Lord. Yet when things are all going our way and there isn't anything that is driving us to our knees in prayer we so easily forget the one who died for us.

This is why I so love this, that He never lets go because if He did I would forever be lost. Thank you dear God for always holding onto me for casting out all fear and for giving me a hope and a future! If it weren't for You, I would have nothing to live for nothing to breath for that wasn't vain and unfulfilling.

Thank and Praise Him today for His everlasting love and His many daily mercies and for just being God Almighty!

Wordless Wednesday...

Tasty Tues...

Okay before the clock strikes 12 am I'm going to blog about Tasty Tue. Thanks to the Prachar's here is another special post of the day idea. (You should check out their blog, I have a link to it with all the other one; yeah right there on the right.) Anyway, I'm going to share with you a recipe that all of us enjoy and especially Andrew and I. Mind you it's Tasty Tue not Healthy Tue:)

Pumpkin Bars:

2c Sugar 2c Flour 2tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt 4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla

2tsp cinnamon (we usually us pumpkin pie spice and I will put more than it calls for in)

1c Salad Oil

2c pumpkin (We like to put extra pumpkin in because it makes it heavier and I think moister. I think we put in somewhere around 3/4 c more but 1c would be good too I believe.)

Mix sugar and oil together. Add eggs, beat; add pumpkin and vanilla and then dry ingredients. Mix together and bake in a 15 x 10 in pan at 375 Fahrenheit for 25 mins.

Frosting (this is what really makes it good.)

3 cups (we use 2 1/2c sugar because it's too sweet with 3)

3/4 stick soft margarine or butter

1tsp vanilla

3 oz Philadelphia cream cheese

2T milk

Mix all together, beat well, frost cooled bars.

Hey, give it a try next time you have company or just for somethings special for the weekend.

One more thing, Bekah, I really think that you should use Tasty Tue on you blog except you can put a healthy twist on things! Then all your readers will find your blog even more helpful and I'll be able to visit your updated blog at least twice a week! (I have ulterior motives as you can see :)

Fun Sunday-day

Hello Everyone,

I pretty much just felt like posting today so I am. It's been a really great weekend and so I thought that I'd share with you all what we've done today.

Our church has two services so we went to first service today so we could meet my cousin and his wife for lunch. The singing was good and the preaching and we met some new people who had just recently gone on a missions trip to India. Or church is getting so big that you could go every Sunday for a long time and meet someone new. I also saw one of my girls from my small group at Bright Lights; they were seeing what our church was like. I'm really glad that we saw each other because it's easy to come into a big church like that and have no one really talk to you or anything. It's sad but all too true at times. There are definitely pros and cons to big and small churches. But don't get me wrong I'm so glad that we are going to Grace. If you're looking for a church right now, come try it out. Brooks (our pastor) definitely preaches the truth whether he thinks people want to hear it or not; which I like.

So after church, we went out for an early lunch in North Liberty with David and Kristin. It was so nice to see them and talk over a nice meal. We went to a restaurant named Eggy's which is pretty good.

After we said goodbye it was about 12:30 so we were going to go home but then we had been talking about how mom's coat didn't match the rest of ours. Dad, Andrew, and I all have more or less brown dress coats so we decided that mom needed one as well. We didn't really ask her if she wanted to go look for a coat we just decide we wanted to so we went. We found a nice coat at Sears for her and even though it's not brown it sort of ties in with the lighter color in my coat and it's a dress coat. Mission accomplished!

While we were shopping for Mom and Andrew I found a second hand purse for a little less than 5 dollars and a pair of really sweet gloves to go with my dress coat and orange scarf. They are pretty funky and they definitely add an artistic flair.

We then made a quick run the the Hyvee store and headed home. All tired and worn out but happy and glad to be a family! Praise the Lord for families.

The new purse: I'm thinking that even though I like my purse from Thailand I'm going to enjoy having more pockets to organize my stuff in so I don't always feel like Mary Poppins digging through her bag.

The new funky gloves. Don't you love them? I'm not sure where the little piece of blue lint came from but I didn't really want to retake the photo so there it is all the same.
Oh, I also got a new pair of earrings instead of a gift that I took back from Christmas. It's the brown one on the end. The cross is from Dad for Christmas, the next one is from Fongs for my birthday, and the last one I bought while I was in Thailand (let's just say that the ones I bought in Thailand were a lot cheaper the the ones I just got the other day and they were probably both made in China.). I can't wait to be able to wear all my new earrings! It's going to be too much fun. (And yes to all who are wondering, I do have a match to all of these :)