He Who Promised is Faithful

My theme for this year. 

His promises are true and He will never fail.  He has always proven Himself faithful, and He will continue to do so!

Frosted Beauty // Thoughts on Christmas

We woke up Saturday morning to a world of frosted trees and breathtaking beauty!  As I walked through the snow with my camera in hand, I thought of Him forming each one of the spear-shaped crystals with His own loving hands.  It was so joyful to think of Him as Creator, and know that there is a reason and a beautiful purpose for everything around us.  It didn't "just happen", and it most certainly wasn't Jack Frost.  :)  Our Lord, who thinks upon us, also takes great joy in the glory of His creation.  As he prepared this beauty for us to see the next morning, He had our joy in mind as well.  

Frosted pinecones are so perfect! 

 

Mama has a thing for red berries so I took this picture for her.  :)

 

Right when I saw this lovely little bush covered in frost, I thought of the verse in Isaiah that says:

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

 

As we celebrate Christmas this week, let us remember the reason we celebrate.  He became a man - JUST THINK OF IT!  He humbled Himself and became like us, to be tempted in every area, just as we are, so He might sympathize with us (Heb 4:14-16).  He lived in this sinful world, and God, who despises sin, lived with sinful people every day.  Then He bore our sin, the wrath of His Father, the rejection of men, and the rejection of His Father.  He died, was buried, and then, after three days, He was raised in glory.  Our sins were scarlet, and He washed them white as snow.  He loves us that much.  Christmas isn't just about Jesus being born in a stable in Bethlehem, but it is the whole story of His life, the complete story of redemption.  What a joyful season of remembrance this is!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!  :)

It's the Little Things



Do you have a place - a journal perhaps - where you record praises, little blessings, things that you are thankful for?  I have found this to be an incredible help to me in my walk with the Lord.  It helps me to actively cultivate gratefulness in my life.  

Can you imagine life without God's sustaining grace?  He has gifted us with beauty in everyday objects - green grass, blue skies, brilliant sunsets, kind smiles, bright eyes, hugs from my little brother "just because",  emails from dear friends,  laughter ringing through the house, incredible music, words of encouragement, time with the Lord when my heart is too full for words, sleepless nights when I can listen to scripture and pray, leaves changing color, sleeping with the windows open and snuggling deep under my warm quilt, the truth that HE is faithful, sweet passages of scripture where I can find a "resting place", precious friends, Ultimate Frisbee on Sundays, old weathered barns, wooden fences, cowboy boots, joy, worship, starry nights, dark chocolate :)...these are sweet things that I have been blessed with, and am so grateful to our gracious Lord for His goodness! 

What are you thankful for? 

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Lookie what I found today!!!!!  Dry, crunchy, bright, beautiful leaves!!!!!  Autumn is here, and I wore jeans, cowboy boots, and a scarf today, just for the fun of it.  :)  Ahhh, what a wonderful, wonderful day!  It is amazing what joy a dead leaf can bring.  :)

Autumn makes me happy, so delightfully happy!  Listening to some of my favorite music, doing office work for my papa, and praising God for His goodness in creating such a gloriously beautiful world. 

I read the first several chapters of Genesis today and they served as a beautiful reminder that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift, our Creator, and our Redeemer.  You know - He could have made this fallen world an ugly, barren, joyless place with no change of seasons, no color.  But He didn't!  He graciously blessed us with eyes to see His handiwork, bright colors, changing seasons, stunning beauty.  We stand in awestruck wonder of His creation - the sun, the moon, the stars, incredible creatures, the miracle of a baby formed and knitted together in his mother's womb, and created with grace and wisdom that only our God possesses.  This is a beautiful world, though fallen, and I love the life that He has blessed me with!

Psalm 103 (one of my favorites!)

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Of Food, Friends, Frisbee, and Beautiful Moments

God is good.  Always.

 

Life has been an exciting rollercoaster journey lately.  Up and down.  I can't see around the next bend, and sometimes I really wish that I knew what is going to happen next.  But He is holy.  He is leading me, and He knows what is best for me. 

I have been learning of trust and the ever-gracious goodness of God lately.  He is sovereign in salvation, in the beautiful nature surrounding me wherever I go, in the big things in my life, and all of the way down to the tiniest details.  He is sovereign.  And I am grateful.

This summer has been stunningly gorgeous.  Time spent with the Lord, good books, sunsets, family time, business travels with my Papa, fun with friends, a date with my littlest men, lots of yummy food, getting my license and driving all by myself (*gasp!*), great music, and ultimate Frisbee.  Yes, it has been a good summer, a beautiful summer, a blessed summer.  :) 

I am looking forward to what autumn will bring...rustling leaves, soup on the stove, pie in the oven, late night cookouts, plaid scarves, a chilly breeze, and that incredible, unexplainable, happy feeling that only comes at this time of the year.  

But now for some photos from the last few weeks:  

Canoeing at the lake where my parents were married. 

Darling little cousins!  Simply ADORABLE.

Lookin' for trouble?  I think I found him.  :) 

He is seriously one of the cutest guys on the planet.  I'm sure you will agree with me. 

Happy babies blowing bubbles.  Never gets old.  :) 

The first time in history where all 5 of the Armour kids drove anywhere all by themselves.  Elijah is an excellent driver, and I'm an even better passenger seat driver.  :)  Haha!  :)

Heading out for a business trip with Papa, Elijah, and Jeremiah.

Time with Amanda is...long walks and longer talks...staying up late and getting up early... lots of laughing...and maybe a few minor disagreements, for example, about how fast (or, rather, how slowly) I drive.  Haha!  Love you, 'Manda!  You are so special.

I got to surprise and spend some time with this darling little friend of mine on her birthday.  SO FUN!

Travel food is yummy, but not as good as home cooking.  :)

We stopped by the Green Bay Packers' stadium while in Wisconsin.  It was pretty fun! 

Playing spoons in Derek's apartment.  I lost horribly.  :)

Up-high ponytails before bed.  :)

Off on my first date with these two handsome guys.  :)  They took good care of me and Christian said that I was "not allowed to open any doors all day."

We stopped at Chick-fil-A for lunch...

...browsed some antique stores...

...checked out this old caboose, and went to the Monster's University movie (and died laughing) later that evening.  It was a fun, fun day!

My Grandma Great fell and fractured her pelvic bone, so had to stay in the hospital for a few days.  We visited her, and this is what the little guys did.  :)

I had a sweet time getting to know this lovely lady and shoot photos with her last week.  It was so enjoyable!

Sarah is such a dear girl!

Trying a new baked fish recipe.  It was delicious!

My kind of meal:

Grilled venison (my first time grilling venison!), crash potatoes, roasted cauliflower, grilled pineapple, and green beans.  Simply yum!

FRISBEE!  Always a highlight of my week!

These teams are very competitive (a friendly type of competition!) but Christian and Jonnie are right in there with all of the big people!

A-l-m-o-s-t there!

And the block by Christian Armour!  He's a great player!

Brother against brother.  Uh-oh!  :)

Thanks for reading.  :)

Have a blessed week, y'all!  May it be filled to over flowing with evidences of God's goodness and mercy.