This past weekend I was able to be a part of something great. It was called Help Portrait. It started with one guy & became an international movement of photographers coming together, giving up a day & taking pictures for families who otherwise could not afford them. I literally went to bed that night exhausted from the amount of blessing & just pure joy that I was able to experience through just talking, serving and loving people. Although I was not a photographer, they asked for volunteers to assist with all other kind of needs...so I helped with make up :)

I attached some links below so you can check out what it was all about & some stories that made the news. I hope you are blessed through just hearing about it!

http://www.help-portrait.com/

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-368249

http://www.4029tv.com/news/21952248/detail.html

My wisdom to bestow on you is this...serve & love people all of the time, not just events or opportunities that bring forth the need for it. People are always in need of service & love; & honestly you will become the one more changed. God will use others to change you & ultimately it shows you more about who He is.

Blessings during this season! May your eyes & heart be fixed on that which truly matters.

Just wanted to say that I am thankful for things that are not listed. It seems like everyday the Lord gives me a new reason and way to express gratitude.

Also challenged with another thought as the Christmas season is upon us. Often this time of year creates a lot of different things...possibly stress, fear, excitement, joy. Whether there are a lot of bills, gifts to buy and figuring out how to pay for it all, or family time that is good, wholesome and refreshing, we will all be challenged through this season. Amidst it though, we must rememeber in light of all things, there is Jesus. We celebrate, although sometimes loss sight of the true reason, that Jesus came to earth as a human to live as a human never sinning so that He could fulfill His purpose by dying for our sins to bring us eternal life.
Did you see that...Jesus' purpose when He came into the world was to die. He was born to die. And sometimes we think we are doing is hard, seemingly meaningless or unimportant. But God even used death, to create for us a picture of hope and to bring us salvation.
So as you celebrate this season, as you are faced with new challenges that the season brings, remember Jesus. In light of everything, there is Jesus.
For Christians, Christmas is a time of celebration because of what Jesus did, but really it shouldn't be different than any other day in our lives because in everyday, in everything we remember & seek Jesus.
Jesus is not only the reason for the season, He is just the reason.

Be encouraged to know that no matter what season of life you are in, fun & exciting or challenging & painful, Jesus promises to beside you & never leave you...you just have to be willing to recognize His everpresent, faithful presence.
You are loved.

Time goes by so fast...Psalm 39:5 "Each man's life is but a breath..." Also in 2 Peter 3:8 "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day."

I can't believe Halloween was the last time I posted. Seems like there is so much to say, so I am just going to say something that I hope will continue to change my thinking. I was recently told that there are only 2 expectations I should have in ALL situations; EVERYTHING that I am a part of, every decision I make, every situation and circumstance in my life, all my relationships, the small seemingly mundane & the huge life altering all have two things in common.

1. It is for my SANCTIFICATION.

2. It is for His GLORIFICATION.

Seriously, remembering and being accountable to this is all things would leave no room for disappointment. Because whether easy or hard, fun or hard, happy or sad, "good" or bad, it's all plays a purpose in these goals and plans of God. I want to be a woman that constantly and consistently thinks, meditates and allows this to be true of my life; it already is true, I just have to be willing to embrace it.

So in light of that, recently I was challenged (in light of Thanksgiving and this season of Christ coming to earth for our salvation) to make a "thankful" list. Gratitude and thanksgiving will pour out of a life that is surrendered and filled with the Spirit of God and since I believe to have Him living in me, I want to have an attitude that is evidence.

In light of this breath that I am living right now, awaiting the face to face meeting with my Savior, I am thankful for...(in no specific order)

1. His grace with my attitude bites

2. His grace when my actions and words don't point to Him

3. That I only need a little faith to make me grow

4. That He always provides, even when I doubt He will

5. My family

6. My jobs

7. My ministry

8. The fruit He produces in my life

9. The Newmans

10. Rach & the constant testimony she is to me of God's faithfulness & goodness

11. That His plans don't fail

12. That He controls the future

13. That I have eternity to look forward to

14. My great friends who remain consistent even in time & distance (Ash, Ash, D, Sarah, Meg, Matt, and too many others to list)

15. hope!

16. joy

17. passion

18. That my life isn't about me

19. And even when I try to make it that way, He forgives

20. The cross

21. Will Berti

22. MSU and how it was used in my life

23. The Woods

24. My sister in crime, Carrie

25. Bonnie and her excitement to live a life for His Name

26. All my limbs & parts that work

27. That He sanctifies

28. Chad & the challenges that he creates for me

29. That He listens

30. encouragement

31. fruit in the lives of others that shouts to the power of God

32. Warm drinks when it's cold

33. Pomegranate body spray

34. Purity

35. Music that moves my soul

36. My salvation & new life

37. Dad's new job

38. That faith is not a feeling

39. My 7th graders

40. My awesome ministry team

41. Riverview

42. Communication through so many avenues

43. Romantic movies

44. But that Christ defines what real love is

45. That God chose me

46. That I can be confident in Him

47. Pictures to remember memories

48. Creation that points out the beauty of it's Creator

49. Fun events

50. Jesus.

He is enough and I am thankful for all that He is faithful to pour over my life. It is my prayer that as I recognize these things daily that I would be made new in how He calls me to live and would be a testimony to the world around me. I pray the same for you; that you would recognize the blessing rather that the "glass half empty" and allow all things to be used for your sanctification and His glorification...there are no other reasons.

We only get one breath so do it right; do it for Him...He deserves it all anyways.

Grace & peace!!