|| happy fourth of july! ||

|| national day of prayer ||

It's Thursday, early afternoon and I'm cleaning house. 

My phone goes off, letting me know I have a text message. 

I continue to clean and leave the text to be read when the work is done.

It's from my sister, Olivia...

"Did you know today is national day of prayer?" 

{Thursday, May 7th, 2015 is National Day of Prayer}

if you're like me, you had no clue.

I'm so thankful my sister informed me. 

It's then I made the decision to choose an amount of time, leave all distraction behind, and go pray.

What a sweet time it was.

walking. talking. thanking. praising. asking. confessing. seeking. pouring. rejoicing. 

when i finished i felt refreshed and really like i had grown so much in a little amount of time.

as Christians, every day should be our national day of prayer, 

but if you're like me, 

you might need this day.

to remind you of how sweet prayer is

and how vital it is to life.

[the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much] james 5:16

4th of July Travelings...

This past weekend my family and I headed down to land of the ducks, guineas, horse, llamas, zebra ...ok we went to my oldest sisters house in NC to spend the 4th of July with them. 

{ Happy Belated Independence Day!!! }

We got down there Thursday morning and did some running and then went to there midweek service. 

Friday morning we started our day of events with one of the most painful events for me...

senior pictures.

Anna kept asking me if it was painful for me to smile for the camera and I kept replying with a very confident "yes!" 

I like to be on the other side of the camera,so this was hard.

Anyways...here's a few.

 I have been warned that this is only the beginning of pictures. I am supposed to return again in the fall for more. This time was kinda a last minute thing. 

Banana puddin' that I made

We went over to friends from the church down there. We had lots and lots of food. We ate around a campfire and then sang some songs about our Nation. After that we played volleyball.

writing stars 

"July 4" 

Anna and I making a heart for our dear sister,Olivia.

These are some first attempt pictures at capteruing sparklers on camera. Anna's turned out better,but I'm using the excuse that she had a tripod and I didn't!! :) After we were done with the sparklers,some of us younger folks played kick-the-can til it was time to go. 

This is a pile of stuff that we got on Saturday. The guys went kayaking and caneoing with some of the other guys from church,so mom,Anna,and I went shopping. We went everywhere-from multiple thrift stores,to World Market,the mall,and Rite-Aid. We all got a good bit of stuff,and I think we enjoyed ourselves!! :) We spent enough time shopping for a year,I think!! 

This is why we went to World Market. Olivia thought I'd like this measuring cup set,and after looking it up Anna said they had a World Market store down there,so we went in so I could get one for my ever-expanding hope chest.

 It's pretty neat. It's glass measuring cups that turn into a mason jar. It's multi-functional--measuring cups and decoration! 

Sunday was our last day down there,we went to church,relaxed in the afternoon,and went back to church that evening. After the evening service some of us played our instruments together,others sang,and the rest of them listened. It was a great time of fellowship. 

We left this morning and headed home. 

Another summer trip off the list... 

Home for awhile before packing up again.

Patriot's Honor

Patriots Honor
1.We're a nation built on freedom,
but freedom isn't free.
We're a nation built on sacrifice,
a land of liberty,
and the crosses on a thousand fields
around the world today,
are a testimony,
to the price great soldiers had to pay.
*And so I'm thankful
for those who stand up for
the red,white,and blue.
For those who put their life on the line,
and I'm proud to say
that I live in the USA,
this is the Land of the free,
this is the Home of the Brave,
this is the Land of liberty,
the USA.
2.So as time has come and time has gone
in the land of the free,
we've had soldiers come,
and soldiers fall for our right to liberty,
and so we honor them and their families,
for the sacrifice they made,
cause now our nation stands as a citadel,
for the price that they paid.
3.Many times these days
we raise the flag of surrender in this land
to devices brought by Satan's woes
we become a yielding land,
for those who laugh at God
and reject His Son must hear of Jesus saving grace,
so that this land we love might know the truth
 that our sins He can wash away.
*And so I'm thankful
 for those who stand up for
 the Bible and for truth,
for those who put their lives on the line,
I will stand and say "God save the USA."
This is the land of the free,
this is the Home of the Brave,
this is the land of liberty the USA.
God save the USA!

~Matt McMorris

May we never forget...

(This picture was taken by me on the way out to WY,with my mom and sisters,we were headed out on a missions trip.It is in Macon,MO)

Memorial Day Adventures

Today my family and I (including my brother-in-law and sister) went hiking/swimming/fishing!It was tons of fun,and nice and relaxing!Here are some pictures:

creek

this is an old train trestle

train trestle

Liv walking on the trestle

Liv walking on the trestle

waterfall

pathway

Dad,Mom,and Anna relaxing/fishing

Liv,Anna,Si,and I playing around in the water

creek

creek

rocks and trees

The Star Spangled Banner

1.O say,can you see,by the dawn's early light,what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?Whose broad stripes and bright stars,thro' the perilous fight,O'er the ramparts we watched,were so gallantly streaming?And the rockets red glare,the bombs bursting in air,Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.O say does that Star-spangled Banner still wave,O'er the and of the free,and the home of the brave?
2.ON the shore,dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,What is that which the breeze,o'er the towering steep,As it fitfully blows,half conceals half discloses?Now it catches the gleam if the mornings first beam,In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:'Tis the Star-spangled Banner,O long may it wave O'er the land o f the free,and the home of the brave.
3.O thus be it ever when free men shall stand Between there loved homes and the war's desolation!Blest with vict'ry and peace,may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!Then conquer we must,when our cause it is just,And this be our motto:"In God is our Trust!" And the Star-spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free,O'er the home of the brave.
*Francis Scott Key

The Price Of Freedom

1.Our Fathers made the sacrifice,though the fight was long,

They shed their blood they paid the price,

Singing freedom's song.

chorus:Remember,Remember the price that was paid,

 Remember the sacrifice American's have made,

 Be faithful to that vision,though others turn away;

 
Never forget the price of freedom.

 2.Come guardians in this sacred trust,

 Keep our Nation free,

 Our duties clear,Our cause is just;

 Fight for liberty.
*Ron Hamilton

America quote

I just cam across this quote and thought it was really good!

“Let us pray for our nation. Let us pray for those who have never known Jesus Christ and redeeming love, …[and] for our national leaders. Let prayer be our passion. Let prayer be our practice.”
—Robert E .Lee