Day 31 {farewell chai date...}

To close out this 31 day blog challenge I am supposed to write this as if we are sitting at a coffee shop sipping coffee and having a nice chat. I, however, do not like coffee so we will be drinking chai. You from your house (or wherever you might be) and I from mine. 

I am most certain that you have learned things about me that you never knew before. There were plenty of things to learn over the course of 31 days. Out of all the things you learned and read though, I hope the main thing that stuck out to you was this...

{Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me} 

It's really all about Him and what He is doing. I hope you see that point running through every post I write on this blog. Like my blog title states I, the adventurer, am truly blessed. 

James 1:17 KJV

[17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

{God is so good}

I enjoyed this blog challenge, though some posts were hard...like the post {10 things I like about myself} or {personality types}. I would definitely consider doing another blog challenge again, perhaps in the very near future. 

I must thank my sisters {mrs.} and {yella rose}. It was definitely nice to have people to do this with and also have people to converse back and forth about each post. You guys are the greatest...not just blogging partners, but the most amazing sisters. I'm so blessed. 

My least favorite post was {10 things I like about myself}. One of my favorite posts was {17 things I'm thankful for}...though there were many others. 

I hope you have enjoyed taking a glimpse into my life everyday. For all of you who corrected me on my {small} errors, I express my gratitude. 

I must be running along. I have an appointment and other things to do. Please come back often!!! 

{farewell}, 

Erin

{the blessed adventurer} 

Day 30 {one thing I could never tire of...}

If I would even start to make a list of things I could never tire of, we would be here all day, so I have picked one.

I could never  tire of 

||adventuring|| 

Whether heading to...

{the lone star state} 

{the majestic peaks of Colorado} 

{a foreign mission field} 

{a church activity} 

{the hills of the south} 

{or a place I've never been before} 

I may get tired while adventuring, but never will I be tired of adventuring. 

Day 29 {blogging resources and beginning tips}

I don't really have "blogging resources", the only place that I normally go to for blog stuff is Shabby Blogs...they have free backgrounds, buttons, etc. A lot of my blogging inspiration just comes from reading other peoples blogs. 

Some tips for new bloggers: 

{be creative} 

{don't feel obligated to post} 

{let people know about you, but not all your personal information} 

Day 28 {highs and lows}

|LOWS|

{being apart from family} 

{spiritual failures} 

{failing to give my best} 

|HIGHS| 

{celebrating 11 years of salvation} 

{teaching junior church all month} 

{babysitting church kids every Monday night} 

{fall} 

{my violin student playing in church} 

Day 27 {wish list}

I don't really have much of a wish list. Everything I'd like to get is expensive...

{plane tickets to travel abroad} 

{my sister and brother in law in Texas to make it to my graduation} 

{to live in Colorado once again...ok this more like a dream...} 

{vintage cameras} 

{a pair of Frye boots} 

Day 26 {how I've changed...}

I'm not sure how much I've really changed in the past year. I hope I've been changing more and more into His image. Here's some other ways:

{I've learned to appreciate teachers} 

{I've earned a new title, and that is music teacher} 

{I've realized the value of family} 

{I've learned to appreciate the simple things} 

{I've become a licensed driver} 

Day 25 {Guest Post}

I'm Erin's middle sister, Yella Rose. I post things over atwww.daughterofjudah.blogspot.com. Today's post is supposed to be a guest post, so that's why I'm here instead of on my own blog. For today's post on Erin's blog I wrote a special poem.

{Erin and I}
There never could be another pair
Like my sister Erin and me.
Not even Beth and Josephine March. 
Not even Jane and Lizzie.
For Erin and I are different.
We bring diff'rent parts to our story
Because she and I are so unique
From our feet to our crowning glory.
She wears a seven, and I a five,
In shoe sizes, not in dresses. 
She tries new styles while I try to match.
She has straight and I've curly tresses.
She has opinions and speaks her mind.
I have opinions but hide them.
I was born in winter, and she in spring.
But we have some things of the same.
For instance, we both have Jesus
In our hearts and I hope on our minds.
We both like the Waltons and Christy.
We both have our dad's hazel eyes.
My favorite thing about us, though
Is that bitterness never stays.
We'll fight about something, argue a bit,
Then both go our separate ways. 
In an hour or so we're together
Horsing around as of old. 
No words are said of forgiveness, 
But in each our hearts it is told,
That we have forgiven each other.
Life's too short to stay mad. 
We move on and then we forget it. 
Both of us so very glad. 
That's my favorite thing about sisters; 
That they realize life is so short.
So make all the memories you can 
And don't waste your time with remorse.
So Erin and I are unique, I say,
We're not sisters like others. 
Because I am Erin's and Erin is mine,
And Erin and I are each other's. 

Day 24 {fall bucket list this year...}

I don't really have a bucket list for this fall...here's some things I guess I could count for my 2014 fall bucket list. 

{have some fall photo shoots} 

{complete the gratitude challenge} 

{go to a bonfire} 

{visit North Carolina} 

{enjoy the nice weather as much as possible} 

Day 23 {a guide to my town...}

This week actually marks one month since I moved with my family to this town...

I'm not a town person at all...Take me out where my neighbors are acres away and I'm good. For now though, I live in town, because that's God's will right now. 

{My towns twin city is in France}

{there are lots of thrift stores around} 

{you don't have to go far before you're in another town} 

{this town is so small there isn't even a Walmart} 

{there's a farm down the road that has amazing chocolate milk} 

That's about all I've discovered in my little town. Not too much to explore or see...nothing compared to our old town, BV...

Day 22 {5 blogs I read regularly...}

My sisters blogs:

{The Adventures of Working Man and Young Housewife}

My oldest sister. My fellow aspiring photographer. 

{Downright Domesticity}

My second born sister. An amazing writer. 

My friends blogs:

{Yet He Abideth Faithful}

Part of my church family. She has a crazy life and lots of stories to go with it! 

{Oh How Love I Thy Law} 

My friend out west. She too is an adventurer and missions lover. 

{Thoughtful Pages}

Another church family member. She's a great friend! 

Day 20 {a day in the life...}

Sunday, October 19th, 2014

{7:00-7:15} wake up and get a shower

{7:15-7:50} devotions 

{7:50-8:15} get ready for church 

{8:15-8:30} breakfast 

{8:30-8:45} last minute things before leaving

{8:45-9:05} drive to church 

{9:15-9:25} young ladies ensemble practice

{9:30-10:15} Sunday school 

{10:15-10:30} set up for junior church and get violin ready to play 

{10:30-10:45} morning worship 

{10:50-11:40} teach junior church

{11:40-12:00} rejoin with the congregation for the baptismal service 

{12:00-12:10} practice with the other violinists for the pm service 

{12:10-1:05} lunch with those serving at Colonial Lodge. Good fellowship with friends. 

{1:15-2:00} church service with the residents of colonial lodge 

{2:15-2:40} drive home

{2:45-4:45} relax in the basement...watch the Walton's and take a nap 

{5:10-5:25} get ready for church 

{5:25-5:45} drive to church 

{5:45-6:00} get ready for the pm service

{6:00-7:50} evening church service with two guest missionaries 

{7:50-8:40} fellowshipping after church 

{8:40-8:55} drive home

{8:54-10:10} feast and talk with the family 

{10:10-????} get ready for bed. Read some, and fall asleep at some point!! 

**all the times are rounded and some are off I'm sure. That's just a guesstimate :)**

Day 21 {Fall Favorites}

{beautiful colors} 

{boots} 

{fall fellowships} 

{sweaters}

{bonfires} 

{memories of days gone by} 

{Thanksgiving} 

{photoshoots} 

Day 19 {Advice}

When serving God , 

remember that 

{good enough} 

is never 

{good enough}. 

Day 18 {a trip I've taken...}

I've taken many trips...

And I'd like to take many more. 

There are so many to choose from, and my sister actually chose the one I was going to write about. That's probably because it was one of the best trips ever!! 

The trip I'll write about is one of my most recent adventures...and most favorite! 

{my journey at Bearing Precious Seed}  

I'll just highlight some things that are very vivid in my mind:

{airport travels} 

Most people would have made it down there pretty fast, but for me and the other two I was traveling with, our adventure started the minute we were dropped off at security. I'll never forget walking back from searching for food and hearing one of the guys I was flying with tell me this..." Our flight has been delayed..." I remember that long night in Houston. Finally we made it after 6 hours of delays.

{music} 

There's so much music going on down there. Singing special music, playing violins, singing/playing on off weeks for fun, singing on the bus. Singing on the bus is one of my favorites. I don't think you'll really understand til you've been on one of those BPS buses, the wind blowing on your face, the excitement for what God will do or has done, and everyone singing melodious tunes about the One who is worthy!!...

Count your blessings name them two by two, 

Count your blessings name them four by four, 

Count your blessings name them by the score, 

And it will surprise you there are many more. 

{lessons learned} 

I could write a lot here. There was so much to learn, so many to learn from. God is a good God and He does good things. Prayer is key. So is faith. God wants to use ME!! God always gets the victory and the devil always gets whooped!!! Your eye affects your heart. 

{the people} 

The staff at BPS is pretty great!! Heroes of the faith. Being able to hear their stories and testimonies is amazing!! Then there are the people you are working with...by the end of the time there, goodbyes are hard and new friends are made. Finally the people who are reached. Those brown eyed Mexicans receiving their very own Bible for the first time...coming from all over just to hear what's being taught, not knowing that it could change their life. And the Navajo Indians. Some of the dearest people I've ever met. Being able to lead some to The Lord is one of the most precious things. It never gets old thinking about those moments. 

This was by far one of the greatest trips I've ever taken. Definitely a life changer. 

{so much of what you are is where you've been} 

Day 17 {S E V E N T E E N |things I'm thankful for|}

{O N E | Jesus Christ |}

My Saviour. My Rock. My Redeemer. My Salvation. My Strength. My Healer. My Defender. My Very Best Friend. 

{T W O| family |}

Dad. Mom. Sisters. Brother. Brothers in law. Friends.  Cousins. Grandpa. Grandmas. 

{T H R E E| friends |}

Sharpeners. Encouragers. Pray-ers. Crazies. Besties. Family. Edifiers. 

{F O U R| memories |}

Old ones. New ones. Crazy ones. Sad ones. Big ones. Small ones. 

{F I V E | simple things |}

Mason jars. Rays of sun. Laughter. Old pictures. A cup of chai. Falling leaves. Notes from kids. Smiles. Hand written letters. 

{S I X| church |}

A place to worship. A place to serve. A place to grow. A place to fellowship. 

{S E V E N| America |}

Freedom. Security. Heritage. Forefathers. History.

 

{E I G H T| adventures |}

Boarding planes. Reaching destinations. Traveling miles. Seeing new things. Meeting new people. Learning new things. 

{N I N E | salvation |}

A blood bought life. A personal relationship. A home in Heaven. A story to tell. A future with hope. 

{T E N| God's Word |}

Good news. Commands. Promises. History. Records. Letter. 

{E L E V E N| photographs |}

Captured moments. Preserved times. Stories told. Lives remembered. Beauty captured. 

{T W E L V E| ministries |}

Teaching. Singing. Helping. Building. Encouraging. Playing. Working. 

{T H I R T E E N| heroes |}

Missionaries. Pastors. Teachers. Parents. Siblings. Friends. Grandparents. 

{F O U R T E E N| opportunities |}

Missions trips. Teaching. Travels. Service. 

{F I F T E E N| children |}

Students. Buddies. Future. Note-givers. Smile givers. Friends. 

{S I X T E E N| time with God |}

Devotions. Learning about Him. Pouring my heart out to Him. Being heard. Sharing struggles. Walking and talking with Him. 

 

{S E V E N T E E N| dainties |}

Cooking. Plane tickets. Photographing events. Making music. Creating memories. Making plans. Surprising and being surprised. 

Day 16 {most people don't know this...}

{Goldilocks and the Welchs Commercial} 

Once upon a time there lived a young girl with springy curls...

{Goldilocks} 

...some would call her. Of course that wasn't her real name...just one of the {better...right sisters?!?!} nick names she earned as a girl. 

A family friend once suggested to her parents that she should be on a 

{Welchs commercial} 

Or take a box of chocolate and sell them on the streets...

Confident that just one look at her would have business booming. 

I'm sure you've gathered by now that this girl was me a long time ago. I'm so thankful my parents never did that to me!...

I am confident that it would have never worked anyways...I most likely would have just ran down the street and got into mischief...

I'm fairly certain no one other then family knew about this?!? 

Day 15 {Mood Board}

My moods or interests of late, have  been the following...

{collecting recipes and trying them out} 

{improving photography skills} 

{collecting poses for upcoming photoshoots} 

{storing helpful tips} 

{getting junior church material}

{gathering craft ideas to do soon} 

{dreaming about the future :) } 

Day 14 {when did you start blogging and why?}

My first blog post was published on

{January 2, 2012} 

Two, almost three years ago. I can't believe it's been so long ago already!!! 

I had no sense of blogging when I first started, matter of fact I've thought about deleting the old posts, but figured it may be something I can look back on and laugh about!!! Right now I just look at it and cringe at the horrible pictures!!! 

I hope my blogging skills and photography skills have since improved!!! 

I started blogging after reading my oldest sisters blog for years. It was just something I wanted to try out...and I really like it!!! 

I started {Snapshots By Erin} over a year ago, so I could have a place to share my photography. If you don't want to look at pictures, I recommend not going there!!! 

Day 13 {Relationship Status}

As most of you know...

I'm not in any sort of relationships.

{Right now I am waiting}

I truly believe God's timing is perfect and when He deems it best for me to be in a relationship that's headed somewhere, He will show me. 

My relationship with Jesus, however...

{oh! It gets sweeter every day} 

I have a lot of growing to do, and I always will, but God is a patient, loving, and merciful teacher that doesn't give up on me, no matter how many times I fail!!!! 

Each day that I live should be drawing me closer to my Saviour.

They say that you become like the people you spend time with...

And I do believe it's true. 

As I continue to grow, I want people to see 

{more of Jesus. Less of me} 

Day 12 {Family Traditions}

This seems kinda hard to think of a family tradition...

Maybe I'm just so used to our traditions that doing them just seems like a normal thing to me. 

One of my favorite family traditions takes place on Sunday nights...

{feast after church} 

So maybe it's not a feast, but that's what my sister and I call it. 

We basically just come home from church on Sunday night and eat whatever left overs are in the fridge...

And chips and salsa. 

You can't forget that!! 

Then we just all sit around the table and talk. 

I like that...

some of the best conversations come from these Sunday night talks while we feast. 

It's even better when all the family is here and we're jam-packed around the table.