randomness

Still trying to post all these wonderful pictures of our GA trip....

this set are ones of the kids' fishing endeavors. Drew, Ellie and I were all successful! 

The pastor hopes to do some fishing with the boys this summer.

This definitely wet their appetites for it!! 

Still plugging away with my own "camera endeavors",

though at times I get quite discouraged. If I feel at all the need

to just "get the shot" I shoot in automatic. Unfortunately, confidence 

in my ability to shoot manually just isn't there! I'm now feeling the need

to read some good books about photography. Any suggestions??

(See those little circles in the picture above? I know it has something to do with lighting :)

Love them, and only wish I could figure out what exactly I did to get them there!!

On the home front, we are back in the routine of school, although I'm desperate to be done!

Mondays are the pastors day off, so yesterday we took a field trip and went hiking with the kids. 

It was glorious and only an hour away!!! (pictures to come:)

We live in SUCH a beautiful place, and I'm so excited about the summer months!

It hasn't rained, until today, for about a week. In fact this week-end was in the 70s.

Perfect weather to plant my garden.... that's what Saturday consisted of!!

"To read His message in moments, I need to read HIS passion on the page,

wear the lens of the word, to read HIS writing in the world." 

Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

This convicts me! I feel I have SO MUCH pulling at me these days that distract

me from being in God's Word. I KNOW it's the most important thing,

so why do I let the computer, the house, recreational reading, sleep, etc.

get in the way? I need to constantly remind myself that if I am going to speak

:: Grace-filled :: Gospel-centered :: words to my children and to a watching world,

then I have to be FILLED with the Word of God, looking through it's lens!!!

Thank you, dear Father, for your forgiveness! 
Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.
Thank you for your Spirit, living in me, helping me, teaching me,
correcting me, and training me in righteousness,
so that I can be FULLY equipped for every good work. 
You have given me the means. 
Help me to rely on YOU and not my own strength.
Would you give me the discipline to fill my mind with YOUR words, 
so that I may speak gracefully and gently 
about the hope of the Gospel,
 to my family and to those you bring my way! 
Amen