//of trips, and projects, and new things, and blessings//

I have the tiniest feeling that this post will be full of random information, therefore

where do I begin?

Last Thursday we left in the early hours of the morning to head to the sunny south to visit my sister and her working man. I only took 2 pictures, but 2 are better than none, right? 

these two always have to venture out on the pond when they're together. Oh and using a duck house as a raft...that's not a problem! 

making lots and lots of pizza for supper

It was a quick trip, arriving on Thursday and returning home on Saturday evening, but I'm glad we took it. We managed to jam-pack it full of things. Thursday my sister took my senior pictures- she did an excellent job and I'm so happy with her work-- not to mention her prices are GREAT!!!! ;) ;) 

this is one picture I requested that she take after seeing a friend do this pose...it's very adventurous...to make it better the map is open to Colorado 

We had church, tried some new thrift stores, had a family from the church over, went to huge flea market, laughed, talked, and ate. These kind of trips are always too short, but definitely full of memories.

Oh did I ever mention every time we get together with family we “exchange” things with each other? You know clothes, and things we pick up or make for each other. It just so happens my sister made me this apron:

by the way I just love the sunlight in this picture...

and also managed to sew this new camera strap for me in a matter of minutes:

Really her creative abilities amaze me. Don't you wish you had a sister like her? I do so enjoy the homemade gifts I receive from her.

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As of Tuesday, March 24^th, I finished my last assignment for school! Hooray!!

I've been working on things for graduation for most of the week and normally my thoughts about “What needs done” always run back to graduation prep.

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I felt a bit of a cold coming on so I decided to try something natural and healthy... if you know me well enough you know this is not normal... Ask my mom, sisters, and even my pastors wife. I'm not against natural and healthy, but I'm not the first to try new things that my family finds-- especially since probably the most talked about, shared about, and used recipe that my mom and family use is something called “fire water”... a mixture of vinegar and spices... just the thought of it makes me quiver...

 Anyway this is a simple recipe just honey and cinnamon mixed together. If you like candy fireballs or red hots you'll more than likely like this- I do.

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I received a blessing this week. 

The Lord continues to provided exceeding abundantly above that which I ask or think. A dear friend of mine that I met last summer while working at BPS sent me a prayer card for her upcoming missions trip this summer. Along with that was a very sweet note attached to a check. She felt the Lord prompting her to give towards my missions trip this summer and hoped to be a blessing. Her words were so dear... really the check could have been made out for $10 {which it was far greater than this} and it would have meant SOOOOOOOOOOO much to me. I am so thankful for her and her being a vessel through which the Lord can flow. I am again reminded of Ephesians 3:20, this wasn't something I was asking for or thinking about, and in all reality something I didn't need.

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I am half tempted to not post about this project since it has to do with 2013, but maybe it will make some of you feel less guilty for starting projects and not finishing them until years down the road.

 In 2013 I decided to keep a memory jar. Just writing down memories that happened throughout the year on little scraps of paper to look over at the end of the year. I decided towards the end of the year that I would make a brown paper bag scrapbook to keep them in. I did everything but one page in the book. I meant to post about it a long time ago, but was waiting til I finished. Time moved on and the book got shoved in an empty place in the top of my closet. It wasn't until I cleaned out my closet for a project in the house that I came across it again. Well, I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but the last page that needed done took all of about 5-20 minutes to do. So here it is. My memory book:

I had more pictures from when I made it, but I must have deleted them thinking I would never finish it!

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New adventures are coming soon...

My family and I are headed to the Lone Star State in about 5 days to go on a missions trip, present our ministry, and spend time with my sister and her mechanic man. I'm not sure how well I will post updates about the trip, but I promise I'll at least post once about it- even if it is a few weeks later :)

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I think I am going to do a photo challenge with my friend in April, and post the pictures on my blog so keep checking back for posts about that!!

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Well, I'm off to do some cooking and try some new recipes. I believe that covers some of the things that have been going on around here!