{whiter than snow}

Purge me with hyssop, 

and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be 

whiter than snow.

Let me hear with joy and gladness;
let the bones you have broken rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart,
O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore me to the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being. 

{psalm 51:7-13, 6}

- photo courtesy of Pinterest -

let the bones you have broken

 let the bones you have broken rejoice

:: psalm 51:8

- photos courtesy of the interwebs -

new beginnings {behind the lens}

FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER,  I've dreamed of having a camera. It wasn't really something I ever vocalized to anyone, I've just always wanted to save up enough money one day to buy one to capture moment and memories.

About a year and a half ago, this group of people gave me a gift that I could have never imagined receiving, one I use literally everyday, hardly go anywhere without, and something that has allowed me to discover that behind the lens is truly one of my favorite places to be. It was something I wanted to be able to buy someday, yet something I never would have asked for in this current season with my health.

Because of this, I was floored. I could not believe my eyes, Christmas Eve with my husband exchanging gifts between the two of us before joining our families, when I came to a camera box that I was sure could not have had a real, actual camera in there.

I found out my husband, knowing how much I loved taking pictures, at that point on a little point and shoot from the early 2000's and a non-smartphone, also knowing there was no way with all our medical bills we could afford to make a purchases like that, so he went to his family and they also knew of how much I loved taking pictures, so they all banded together to go in on one big gift for me that year, this camera.

I could never thank my husband for his heart and this idea, all his work behind the scenes, or the love and generosity of my family in even doing this. I've talked myself out of it a million times, but I'm finally doing this, even if just for me.

I'm posting all the pics I take and starting a new adventure called "behind the lens," it's basically just going to give me a place to put all my pictures and have them all in one place.

Part of why I love talking pictures so much is it forces me to stop and be fully in the movement. Ever since my life changed when I first got sick four years ago, my eyes have been opened to this world all around me I never knew existed. Taking photos reminds me that nothing is small, nothing is ordinary, and beauty is everywhere.

Thank you all for giving me something so much more than a gift, supporting and encouraging one of the ways in which I was made. I love you all. Today marks the beginning of a new journey, here are glimpses of life from my view behind the lens.

He is the Light

I feel the nations of the earth are shaking
There is no power that can match His grace
Lift up your head
Lift up your eyes to see

All of creation is waiting and longing
For sons and daughters to declare this truth
Lift up your head
Lift up your voice and sing



He is the light, shining in the darkness
He is the hope, Hope of all the nations
He is the light, He is the light
For all the world to see

I feel the faith across the earth is rising
We prophecy about his kingdom come
Just like heaven
All across the earth

Great,
Great is The Lord
Praise His name
Praise His name

:: Bryan and Katie Torwalt, "He Is The Light"
:: Stock photo courtesy of the interwebs ages ago, not an original photo at top of post

there's no place like {home}

We love California. As best we know we're supposed to be there right now. 

But there are no words to describe how healing and refreshing coming home has already been. We needed this. Thank. you. Lord. Family selfie on an evening stroll with the rest of the fam, I love this man to pieces.

God could not have provided a better partner to travel the roads of this crazy thing called life. Getting to live and share life with this man is a gift; one I do not take for granted. Thank you Jesus for your grace.

.:deeper than my feet could wander:.

Unedited, stream of consciousness, five to six part tweet turned mini-blog post from earlier today:

I'm still floored by the words from Rick Warren's sermon yesterday that pierced my heart and a God who relentlessly pursues me and places me in another family that cares for my sanctification, my heart, and helping me follow and love Him more each day of my life.

Saddleback LA is beyond an answer to prayer in our lives. I can't tell you the tears in my eyes when we found out they were coming to LA. This last year has been one of the hardest years of my life, yet also one of the most life-changing.

Through the sorrow, through the hardship and heartache, through the grief, and through the moments of beauty, awe and wonder, times and seasons of joy, He has never not been faithful. And He has never left our side.

Blown away by this God, our Father, who will stop at nothing to win our hearts. This God who has carried me and taken me deeper than my feet could ever wander, this God who has never once left my side.

Thank you, God, for Your faithfulness. Thank you for your unfailing, everlasting love.

-- photo courtesy of one of my trips to ocean, under the manhattan beach pier

.: a new day

It's a new day, y'all, and today I am feeling good. I love summer! Happy Friday!!