It has been such a long time since I blogged last. A new baby and a new home have been taking up my time since 2013. It has been a very long two years- full of many blessings and many heartaches. That is how life is. Some days it seems like the rain won't end and then the sun breaks through and gives you the strength to go on and lift up your head. I heard a pastor say once that  you are either going into a valley, in a valley or coming out of one. Those are very true words. There are days I feel like my faith can move a mountain and other days it wouldn't budge a tiny rock. Life is HARD and no one tells you this. Being a mother and wife is HARD. I pray and cry and still feel no relief. I just don't know what to do anymore except to rest in him. In him I will make it through one day at a time.

It amazes me at how many changes can take place in a year! Brandon is stationed in Japan and the day before he flew to Japan, we welcomed Amya Faith to our family. This past year has been a whirlwind! I am a very proud mom of a U.S. Navy Sailor!

Gratitude

Today I am grateful for all the many blessings that God has given me. They are too abundant to count. I am definitely not where I thought I would be in my life at this point, yet I am still grateful for where God has placed me. It has been a hard few months but I am making it one day at a time with Jesus on my side. I feel at times that he is my only friend. I am grateful that I have him as a friend. So, even though I may be tired and battle-worn, I am grateful that he is my STRENGTH!

Our Purpose

Sometimes I struggle with what exactly my purpose in life is. Is it being a mom? Is it being a wife? Is it being a photographer? None of these sum up my true purpose. I feel that everyone's purpose in life is to bring God glory. That's the very reason we were created. I know that so often my life does the exact opposite when I am being selfish, angry or worldly. I want God to be glorified in my life. I want to have a closer walk with him. So often, in life, we tend to get very discouraged because our live did not turn out like we planned. God's plans are far better than our plans because he can see bigger and farther than we can. I am so glad that he has plans to prosper us and use us for his glory. What can we do to bring God glory in our lives today? We must first start by spending time at his feet and adoring his face. After this, we must spend time in his Word. Then, we must be OBEDIENT to what he tells us. Let's start living out our purpose because there are people all around us that need to see the light of JESUS in us.

Snow Days

We took a drive and Chloe was amazed by the snow last week! i love this picture of her! It reminds me that we should be childlike and be amazed by the simple things! Thank you, Lord, for giving me my kids to remind me of this!

Fruitful or Busy?

I love to hear Dr. Charles Stanley preach so my DVR is set to record him. The message he just preached on was very powerful! He asked us were we being fruitful or being busy. Reflecting on this very important question I realize that my answer is not what I would like it to be. I am busy-super busy but I am not being very fruitful. I spend too much time watching TV, on the computer and other unimportant things that are not helping to advance the Kingdom of God! I plan on changing that because I do not want to waste the time that God has blessed me with to do his will. Our Sunday School lesson was about this very same topic so I believe that God is talking to me regarding this. So today instead of doing what AMY wants to do I will seek GOD and ask him what he wants me to do. Not my will, Lord, but yours!

Project 365

I purchased the Project 365 kit last year! I think it is an absolutely wonderful idea. I love Becky Higgins' approach to scrapbooking. I take a ton of pics and with such a busy life I do not get to scrap as many of them as I would like. This kit allows me to do that. I am so excited about this project. I have started my album and will post pics soon as I work on it throughout this year. If you want to keep a current record of your photos and memories easily, click on the Project 365 button on the side of this blog to learn more. Have a super day snowed in with your loved ones.