//sibling photo shoot//

I have to correct myself on my last post.

 This wasn't my first photo shoot of 2015...

it was actually my last of 2014.

My friend asked me if I would take pictures of her and her siblings before she went back to college. 

I really like the way these turned out...

even though it was //freezing// cold!! 

//about time//

I guess it's about time I took the time to post again...

my sister keeps nagging reminding me to post...

so- I'm posting. 

2015 has been pretty busy, it's hard to believe we are nearing the end of the month already. 

I have a hard time finding a happy-medium when posting...

meaning I try to keep it exciting and not become a boring, run-of-the- mill blogger, while at the same time try not to go on and on about //life// around here.

I guess I'll start with most likely my newest "adventure"

//geocaching// 

I've been wanting to do this for awhile, but just kept putting it off for a warmer day. My brother and I finally decided to do it-- and the sun was bright, cheery, and warm. Hidden behind the clouds. In other words by the time we were done, I was freezing and unable to feel my fingers. I found it though!! I am definitely looking forward to doing this again when it is {hopefully} warmer! 

While thinking about the cold, there is one thing that I love about the cold winter days, and that is the lovely, picturesque //sunrises// and //sunsets//...

I was just reading this, this morning in my devotions-- The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1 

On Saturday we had a //birthday party// for my Grandma, who turned 87 today. Of course we had a "party" before the party- doing some shooting...

...this gives you a glimpse of what my family and I are like. Let's just say our roots run deep in the hills of the south. For those of you wondering if I shot or not, of course I did... I shot lots of pictures :) 

Finally we all gathered together-- family from around the state, some who I haven't seen for years-- and we celebrated this womans life:

An amazing wife, mom, grandma. Leaving a godly legacy for us all. God is so amazingly good and I am so //blessed// to call her my grandma. 

Our party in the garage...lots and lots of food, noise, and people!! 

Grandma with 6 of her 9 children. 

I could go on, but...

my cup of tea has been long gone and there are other things to do. Before I go though, I'll tell you about this tea cup. My sister {Olivia} gave me a whole set of this toile print china. They're made in England. Here is a dialogue about my other sisters {Anna} thoughts on me drinking out of a tea cup:

A- "Never really took you for a China type person. Mason jars and China...hmmm." 

{Because if you know me well enough you know that I always drink out of a mason jar instead of a glass.} 

E- "I was thinking that elegance in the morning and hick the rest of the time." 

A- " There you go...New blog title: the elegant hick ;)" 

For now though, I've decided to keep my blog title the same :) Be watching for some change on here soon. Also I have yet to post the pictures of my first photo-shoot of 2015. Hopefully soon!! 

//one year//

I can't believe it's already been one year since I've earned the new title "violin teacher." It has been a joy to teach Racheal violin. I couldn't ask for a better student--she is such a blessing. Here are a few excerpts from letters she has written me about playing violin:

I just wanted to say thank you for being my violin teacher. I can't wait to play in church...You're the best violin teacher EVER! :) 

I want to serve the Lord with my violin, in any way that I can.

I just wanted to say thank you for all you do to help me...in violin. I really enjoy playing in church. 

When Mrs. ________ mentioned about how you are helping me and Abby play in church, there is nothing I could do to thank you enough. :) Thank you so much for helping me and Abby achieve better in violin. 

Since the beginning she has wanted to use her violin playing for the Lord. What a testimony for this young lady!! She is indeed using it for the Lord and has become my violin partner in church each Sunday!! She impresses me so much! 

She probably gets tired of hearing me tell her "Keep practicing",  "Keep working",  "PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!" but I like to remind her that playing violin is about 

1% talent and 99% hard work!!

 I couldn't be prouder of her using her ability for the Lord and His glory!!! 

//2014//

How do I sum up such a wonderful year in a {hopefully} short post?

God is so great! As I was reflecting on 2014, I couldn't help but think of the many blessings of 2014...far too many to count. I am thankful for all the opportunities God has given me this past year. He doesn't have to use me, but He chooses to! Each year with my Saviour gets better and better!!!

Here are the top 14 things of 2014.  

||O N E|| Surprise Trip to Texas

Tears. Talking. Fellowship. Laughing. Reminiscing. Togetherness. Reuniting.

||T W O|| Going on a family vacation to Texas

Car rides. Traveling. Adventure. Memories. Family. Laughter. Good times. Talks.

||T H R E E|| Going to camp

Preaching. Activities. Craziness. Fun. Friends. Decisions.

||F O U R|| Going to North Carolina

Fourth of July. Fireworks. Family. Food. Fellowship.   

||F I V E||  3 week missions trip

Serving. Opportunity. LEADING THREE PEOPLE TO THE LORD. Growing. Cooking. Cleaning. Taking the Word of God to the lost. Impacting eternity. Being Changed. Prayer. Faith. Learning lessons.

||S I X|| My sisters coming home for a week

Photoshoot. Sibling time. Making memories. Laughter. Just like old times. 

||S E V E N|| Moving

Packing. Boxes. Traveling. Changes. Goodbyes. Hellos. New Chapters.

||E I G H T|| A week with my grandma

Learning. Time Together. Hallmark movies. Stories. Cooking together.   

||N I N E|| North Carolina--again! 

Family. Thanksgiving. Thrift-Shopping. Celebrating. Eating. 

||T E N|| Going on a trip to Wyoming

Friends. Talking. Games. Bell-ringing. Shopping. Visiting. Laughing. Cooking and baking. Memory-making. 

||E L E V E N|| Serving in Church ministries

Junior Church. Violin Playing. Special Music. VBS. Visitation. Fellowships.

||T W E L V E|| The whole family (all 8 of us) home for a week

Laughter. Joking. Eating. Remembering. Together. Talking. Playing games.

||T H I R T E E N|| Photo shoots

Families. Weddings. Siblings. Singles.

||F O U R T E E N|| New accomplishments

Teaching violin. Getting my license. Starting my senior year.  New responsibilities. Learning.  

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and thy truth's sake.

//Psalm 115:1//

{Soli Deo Gloria}  

  

30 Thoughts for ||2015||

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God? 
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year? 
3. Whats the single most important thing you could do this year to improve the quality of your family life?
4. In which spiritual discipline do  you want to make progress this year and what will you do about it? 
5. What is the single biggest time waster in your life and what will you do about it this year? 
6. What is the most helpful way you could strengthen your church? 
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently for this year? 
8. What is the most important what you will by God's grace try to make this year different from last year
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity? 
11. Whats the most important decision you need to make this year?
12. What area of your life most needs simplifying and whats one way you could simplify it?
13. Whats the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?
14. What habit would you like to establish? 
15. Who is one person you most want to encourage this year?
16. What is your most important financial goal this year?
17. Whats one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor?
18. Whats one thing you could do this year to enrich the Spiritual legacy you will leave to your children?
19. What book in addition to the Bible do you most want to read this year?
20. What one thing do you most regret about last year and what will you do about it?
21. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?
22. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?
23. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?
24. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?
25. Whats the single most important thing you could do to improve your commute this year?
26. What one biblical doctrine do you want to understand this year and what will you do about it?
27. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice what would they say? Would they be right? What would you do about it?
28. Whats the most important new item you want to buy this year?
29. In what area of your life do you most need change and what will you do about it? 
30. In what area of your life do you most need growth and what will you do about it?