{family love}

|most recent family picture. Grandma included|

The love you have for your family grows...but it always has been and always will be. It begins before you are born, and your parents are the ones that start it when they find out they are having you. And then you are born into that love, and as you get older you realize that you can't remember a time when you didn't love your family. You've just always felt this love for them that you really can't explain to anyone but your family. And they only understand because they feel the exact same way about you. I'm pretty sure God planned on it being that way and I can't think of a better plan. How very blessed we are to have grown up knowing this kind of love. 

{family love} as in the words of my sister, Olivia. 

{Merry Christmas}

On this Eve of Christmas our family would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and season filled with merriment!!! 

{Wyoming trip}

Two Saturdays (the 13th) ago I took a trip out west...

I spent a week with these wonderful folks...my Wyoming family :) I met them in 2011 after going on a mission trip to their church to help with VBS. We've stayed in contact through the years and I finally made it back out to see them again!!! It was a wonderful trip and full of so many good memories!!! 

Though things didn't always go according to our plans, it was still such a blessing to be out there. They made me feel right at home and we had some wonderful, much needed fellowship. 

We went to basketball games. Had a Christmas party. Made lots of food. Played card games. Went shopping. Talked a lot. Rang bells for the Salvation Army and sang. Went on a short trip upstate. Worked. Took lots of pictures. Went Christmas caroling. But mainly we just fellowshipped together. 

It was definitely a fun time and I believe we are all looking forward to seeing each other again soon. Goodbyes are hard, but they don't last forever, and for that I am so thankful....

{u p d a t e}

Update coming soon...

But for now...

{more laughing} 

{more talking} 

{more memory making} 

{more adventuring} 

{q u o t a t i o n}

"In contrast to the wise woman, the foolish woman is not content to be a keeper at home. She is not satisfied with where God has put her. One of the things the feminist movement has done so successfully is to stir up discontent in women with being homemakers and to convince them that other pursuits can increase their sense of self-worth… Fueling discontent and pushing women out of their homes in search of greater meaning and satisfaction has resulted in off-the-chart stress levels for many women who can no longer survive without pills and therapists… The greatest spiritual, moral, and emotional protection a woman will ever experience is found when she is content to stay within her God-appointed sphere. This does not mean that she never leaves her house, but rather that her heart is rooted in her home and that she puts her family’s needs above all other interests and pursuits."

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

{ r e c a p p i n g }

For those of you who have been waiting-- if any one still reads here!-- I'm finally taking the time to post. 

{Thanksgiving}

It feels like that was so long ago, but it hasn't been too long...we had a very laid back holiday |down south with my sister and brother in law| lots of eating and relaxing. It was a lovely trip...

{Discovering}

I came across this while at my sisters. To most the paper in this picture has no value, but to my sisters and I it brings back loads of memories...you see about 10+ years ago we were "The March Sisters"...we had big imaginations and great ideas-we would hold missions conference and this is just one of the bulletins from our "meetings." 

{Packing} 

Something I've been doing a good bit of lately...and something I need to do VERY soon...it seems I always go on multiple trips around the same time of the year...always adventuring...

{Creating} 

For those of you so curious to know why I would save a lid out of the trash can [before remembering my love of mason jars]...

...this is why I saved the lid...to make a mason jar snow globe.

{Collecting} 

I'm always collecting mason jars...this one is the newest in the collection...a blue glass mason jar from either the 20's or the 30's...

{Rejoicing}

♪♫ it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go...♫♪

...including my house as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Saviour. Above is a chalk art I created of my favorite Christmas carol, and then of course some Christmas lights photographed below.

{Traveling} 

As mentioned above, I need to pack very soon...my flight leaves this weekend!! I'll be going a few states away to visit some friends, then returning the week of Christmas...I like traveling though, because

{adventure is out there}. 

Erin

|the blessed adventurer|

          

{Thanksgiving Day 2014}

{Happy Thanksgiving}

I wanted to post for Thanksgiving, but wasn't sure what I wanted to post about. 

I think I have finally decided. 

While Thanksgiving is a day set aside to give thanks, let it not be the only day you count your many blessings!! It is God's will that you give thanks!!! 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

This morning I recorded 50 things right off the top of my head that I'm thankful for. 

The list could be much longer...there is so much more to say about my abundantly blessed life, but God is so good, the list would go on forever…

So here it is…

{fifty things I'm thankful for} 

1. This precious thing called life 

2. My Fathers unspeakable gift 

3. The precious blood of Jesus Christ 

4. The perfect family for me 

5. Being created with a purpose 

6. Hope in the midst of darkness 

7. Freedom to worship my Saviour 

8. The best friends in the world 

9. Always having more than enough

10. Opportunity to serve--though I'm so unworthy

11. A family who follows God 

12. A life full of adventure 

13. A godly heritage

14. My God who is so amazingly good 

15. The foundation of this land 

16. Simple pleasures in life

17. My very own copy of the Word of God 

18. Memories past and memories to come 

19. A closet full of clothes 

20. Never once going hungry

21. Parents who raised me to follow Christ 

22. A godly home 

23. My sisters--my heroes, my role models, my friends

24. A brother who wants to do right 

25. Two brothers-in-law who follow where God  leads

26. The beauty of God's creation 

27. Examples to follow 

28. A God who works for our good and His glory

29. A church to worship and serve in

30. Knowledge in the kitchen

31. Teaching violin to a girl who wants to use her talent for God 

32. Worshipping God through song 

33. God's will isn't hidden

34. A daily quiet time with my Father 

35. A Father who hears and answers 

36. Friends who sharpen

37. Being forgiven by God 

38. Men and women who fight for freedom 

39. Ways of communication 

40. When family gathers together 

41. Coming to Jesus at an early age 

42. A place of employment

43. God never gives up on me 

44. Hard learned lessons 

45. Lovely weather each season

46. Learning homemaking skills 

47. A faithful pastor 

48. Godly influences in life 

49. The privilege to serve God 

50. Too many blessings to count 

That's 50...not in any order, and definitely not the only things I'm thankful for...just a glimpse. 

{Happy Thanksgiving!} 

Soli Deo Gloria {glory to God alone}, 

Erin 

{November |twenty-fourth| two thousand and fourteen}

{Outside my window} a pond with ducks sitting on the ripples 

{I am thinking} I can't wait to see my friend :) 

{I am thankful for} my God who is sooooooo exceedingly good. 

{I am wearing} a jean skirt, an Under Armour shirt, and Under Armour sweatshirt, glasses

{I am creating} a to do list for an upcoming trip

{I am going} to the grocery store and thrift store 

{I am wondering} why some people think 20 is such a terrible number? 

{I am reading} the Gospel of John 

{I am hoping} to finish Christmas shopping before my trips in December 

{I am learning} we eat way too much food when we visit my sisters 

{In the kitchen} my ma and sister making grocery store plans 

{A favorite quote for today} You must be emptied in order to be filled 

{I am pondering} what type of weekly post to do for December (any suggestions???) 

{One of my favorite things} holidays with family 

{A few plans for this week} thrift shopping. Photo shoot. Making lots of food. Eating lots of food. World Market :). Heading home. 

{A peek into one of my days from this past week} Sunday. 11/16. Sunday school. Morning church service. Singing with the teens. Excellent preaching. Practicing special music. Serving at the luncheon. Having services at Colonial Lodge. Going home. Taking a nap. Heading to church again. Singing with the teens who went to BPS. A helpful message on prayer. Fellowship. Home to feast.

November 17,2014

{Outside my window} a cold rain

{I am thinking} how exciting 2015 will be :)

{I am thankful for} a good start to the week- a wonderful day at church with opportunity to serve, worship, and fellowship.

{I am wearing} culottes, a NC t-shirt, and an Under Armour sweatshirt

{I am creating} nothing yet...but possibly something with a mason jar this afternoon 

{I am going} nowhere today...just work tomorrow

{I am wondering} why some people don't like airplanes? 

{I am reading} a recently found blog

{I am hoping} to see my friend in WY soon! 

{I am learning} how much I need to work on my photography skills...

{In the kitchen} lunch- left over lasagna that I made 

{A favorite quote for today} for in him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28

{One of my favorite things} the Gospel of John

{A few plans for this week} work. church. violin lessons. company coming over. maybe some Christmas shopping?

{A peek into one of my days from this past week} Saturday. 11.15. Visitation in the morning. Run home to eat some pizza for lunch. Get ready for the rest of the day. Meeting at DD. Head to church. The Turkey Bowl- frisbee football. A campfire with wonderful fellowship and great conversations. Head home. 

Photo Challenge {Week T W O}

 {E I G H T} music

 {N I N E} in the mirror

{T E N} a hobby

 {E L E V E N} books

 {T W E L V E} scenery

 {T H I R T E E N} sunrise out the window

 {F O U R T E E N} recent project

{F I F T E E N} in the kitchen

:)

{just a favorite picture of my oldest sister and I}

{ J O N E S photoshoot}

I recently took pictures of a family of four from our church...

we had a short session due to the fact that the sun was going down,

but I did manage to take a good bit of pictures.

|the Jones family|

November 10, 2014

{Outside my window} Crisp, fall air.

{I am thinking} ...I have a lot to do today.

{I am thankful for} new opportunities 

{I am wearing} A jean skirt, a tan long-sleeve shirt, and an Under Armour jacket

{I am creating} nothing right now! 

{I am going} to have a photo shoot this afternoon 

{I am wondering} what I should post about this week :) 

{I am reading} One Thousand Gifts

{I am hoping} to travel somewhere soon.

{I am learning} how small and miniscule my trials are compared to what Christ went through for me.

{In the kitchen} a stack of dishes that I need to deal with.

{I am pondering} what time I should call my sister.

{A favorite quote for today} On every level of life, from housework to heights of prayer, in all judgement and effort to get things done, hurry and impatience are sure marks of the amatuer.

{One of my favorite things} rays of sunshine pearing through my window.

{A few plans for this week} Photo shoot this afternoon. Work tomorrow. Church and lessons on Wednesday. Visitation and a teen activity on Saturday. School all week. 

{A peek into one of my days from this past week} Friday. 11/07. Breakfast as a family. A trip to Cabela's. Looking at RV's. Going to teen night.

Photo Challenge {Week O N E}

{O N E} Self Portrait

 {T W O} Seasonal 

{T H R E E} An apron

{F O U R} Vintage 

{F I V E} A decoration

{S I X} A gift

 {S E V E N} Something that makes you smile