Grateful for:

♥  Sweet friends heading back to Indiana from Ukraine with their baby girl so soon! (see: The Boswell's)
♥  My garden. I'm in super love. Going out in the late afternoons and coming back with a bowl of vegetables. Blessed life.
♥  Almost fall time! Tights and sweaters and the smell of campfires (my favorite thing.)
♥  House hunting! Hopefully with a kitchen big enough to bake for all the neighbors. :)
♥  Nashville & Bloomington shoots in a few short weeks!
♥  Piano in the quiet of the mornings, with hot tea on the stove and prettiest light all over.

things I love.

Psalm 27

PSALM 27:
"...that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his holy temple."

I was in Psalms this morning and this particular verse spoke to my heart. When I graduated highschool I had a preeeettttty cool teen dream for my life... I would be married by age 23. Have kids shortly after. I'd take pictures for cute lifestyle magazines (only a few times a month) (because I would be way too busy homeschooling, duh) ... I'd live on a 'farm' and have some cuuuteee baby animals, a family band, music playing nonstop throughout the house, windows open, garden growing, pies cooling.. Cute, right? All of us get captured by what we want, what we feel, and what we have determined we need.

We are worshippers. We're always living for something. Something is always laying claim to the affection and rulership of our hearts. Something is commanding our dreams. There's something we look to give us identity, meaning, and purpose. The Bible says that there are two choices: (Romans 1:25) You're living in pursuit of the creation or the Creator. You're looking for your satisfaction and meaning in the created world or you're finding it in the Lord.

So in Psalm 27 we see this amazing beauty. What's David's dream for his life? He says, "I want to spend my life in worship of the Lord. I want to dwell in his temple and gaze upon his beauty." The shekinah glory presence of the Lord filled the holy place of the temple, like a cloud. It was a physical picture of God dwelling with his people. David was saying, "I want to be where God is. I want to do what I was created to do."

His plan and pursuit is for a life that's shaped and directed by daily worship of the Lord. David knows who he is; a creature created for worship. He knows who God is: the only 'thing' in the universe that's truly worthy of worship. His dream is the greatest that could ever be.

We cant see the things we will do in ten years. We can't dream of what all God is going to do through us. He's placed us in the exact right places to teach us what we need. Going through broken relationships, family stress, sickness, discouragement, insecurity, seasons of joy, celebrations, encouragement...they're all teaching us. We simply have to be faithful to the task or situation at hand. Just like David who probably thought 'Is this all my life will be... just a shepherd boy?'... not knowing down the road the huge battles he would win with God.

♥

Andrew + Allee

Engagement shoot with Drew + Allee!
Wedding one month away! Cutest.

♥ Liz

This makes my heart explode every single time!

the longing

I love the reflection on this song.
It's something I've been thinking about a lot lately.

C.S. Lewis calls this feeling of longing ‘joy,‘ an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction."  Our hearts long for God. Because God, who is love, created us.  St. Augustine wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." God gives us this longing...for Him. It keeps us in pursuit of our creator. It keeps us in pursuit of kingdom things!

We see this in the bible too. I love this verse: "Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above. Here Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died. And your life is now hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your LIFE, appears, you also will appear with him in Glory!

To put everything in one, there is nothing you can want, there is nothing you can ask for, there is nothing you can need in time or in eternity, there is nothing living, nothing dying, there is nothing in this world, nothing in the next world, there is nothing now, nothing at the resurrection-morning, nothing in heaven which is not contained in this text—”I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

-Charles Spurgeon

Jackson Falls

Jackson Falls on the Natchez Trace. Wandered miles through pretty winding trails and up steep hills and could see the most amazing Tennessee countryside forever & ever. Past the animal sounds and the most beautiful falling water, it was the sweetest quiet I've ever known. There's something that feels so right about being among these majestic things. Moments that make my heart sing to the one whose hands formed them.

He holds in His hands the depths of the earth, and the mightiest of mountains. The sea belongs to Him, for He made it. His hands formed the dry land too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker, for He is our God!
 
                                                                                         -Psalm 95

birthday too

  
Birthday post #2! Had to share just two of the adorable gifts my sweet friends got me this year. Vintage wood lithograph of a cute candy store, pink paper beads (necklace and bracelet) from Kwagala and yummy chocolates! + soooo many unicorn pony cards! Not pictured was a lovely hand knit headband earmuff thingy with crocheted bow, and a gigantic tea mug with hearts everywhere.  Love you friends! We went rollerskating and it was the bomb. There were a million children face planting in front of me every second and I didn't fall once!  Slurped chocolate malts, went on the most beautiful hike to find waterfalls (pictures coming!), strawberry cake at Joe Natural's farm store, puppy loving at the nashville humane shelter, leipers fork adventures, etc, etc. It was the best best birthday week!

Happy Valentines Day! I love today. I will always love today. I think the people who try and bum it out are so silly. It's so cute! Today the littles and I got heart donuts and heart pizza! ♥

Cookies!

Finally getting around to posting these little lovies.. a month late! I know they look like regular ol boring chocolate chip cookies... but they're not! Think delicious chewy cookie pillows! Has anyone ever put corn starch in their cookies before? Apparently it’s the magical ingredient for soft puffy things. Who knew! Love the difference it makes!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Jams

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened  (1 & 1/2 sticks)
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chocolate chips

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the sugar and butter. Add egg and vanilla and blend.
3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate.
4.  Put in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  The cookie will look kinda undone, and that is what you want. I took mine out at 9 minutes.

nashville

Well oh my goodness. Eight months later and I'm finally updating this little blog of mine. February is coming!! (My birthday AND valentines day!) so I'm feeling inspired to share here again. A whole lot has happened since May! All of those magical holiday moments, and eight months of Nashville adventures! Picnics on top of giant hills, baby farm animal hugging, watching the most amazing fireworks show of my whole entire life over the 4th of July (at riverfront park!), square dancing for the first time (danced with at least 2 grandpas), ate a whole lot of Jenni's icecream, wandered the old natchez trace trail, went to a fall harvest party at a pretty vineyard, walked around tiny adorable country towns, drives through Franklin hills/countryside (the most beautiful place in the south?) What a year! I hope this one brings lots of baby pandas into my life, and less homesickness, and more strawberry macarons, and loving well. <3

p.s. if you're ever in the Nashville area these are the places to go!

- Leipers Fork  (adorable little country town)
- Arrington Vineyards  (pretty place for a picnic)
- Baja Burrito  (little burrto shack. SO good.)
- Holler & Stomp (dancing with tons of strangers!)
- Frothy Monkey  (only coffee shop I go to)
- Nashville 4th of July Fireworks  (I still dream about this night. So perfect.)
- Franklin Farmers Market  (buy veggies and honey here!)
- Jenni's icecream.  (oh my gosh)
- Silly Goose  (best dinner of my life here!)
- Lucky Ladd Farm  (baby farm animals you can hug and giant hay slides!)
- The Pharmacy  (cream sodas and black bean burgers. holy moly.)
- Belcourt Theatre  (saw moonrise kingdom here. three times. eek!)

-Liz

little lady

Avery's 4th birthday was this past week! Such a fun week! We took a day trip to the childrens zoo, fed some goats, pet a snake, sat and watched the sea lions underwater for-ev-er, rode like every single ride there, and relived every last bit of my little girlhood. This was the same zoo I went to growing up!  Nostalgia nostalgia.
Then we had a pb&j lunch and came home and opened presents from me! This girl is too precious. She says the sweetest things at the most random times. Or tells some cute story. The other day she said "You know, when humpty dumpty fell off the wall and broke himself, God came and fixed him! He healed him right Liz? Because God can heal us when we get hurt!"....  So sweet.

♥

little bird

Wow. I am a terrible blog person these days. Things are so wild and busy! Most of my time is spent hanging out with these cool kids and I love it! This is Rylee. Isn't she just a peach?! This was right before she busted out singing a  song for the whole neighborhood to hear! So awesome! She has such a tender heart and is a super gifted singer and artist. Recently found out she quit piano because of a mean teacher. Well heck naw! Back to the piano she goes! We've been practicing some songs. She's got Heart & Soul down like a super pro. Gonna miss these lovies a whole lot. Did I mention I'm moving to Nashville in a couple weeks? So thankful.

Family of Six!

Oh my golly do I love these people!! And now a fourth little peach will be coming!! The story is so  endearing and wonderful and can only be best shared by the lady herself so please go visit her blog and read all about it! The Lord has already provided much of the cost for this little lovehead so only travel expenses are left! Around $2000 is the need. If you feel like your heart may burst with joy and want to be a part of their lives in this way by supporting financially, you can donate below! ♥

- Jade's Blog
- Nathan's Blog

I don’t need to know how God is going to make it all come out all right in the end, but it is God, not us creatures, who will see to the coming of the Kingdom…. God be in my thoughts, and in my heart. In my left hand and in my right hand. Atone me. At-one me with you and your love. Help me to pray for those I fear as well as those I love, knowing that you can take my most ungracious prayers and give them grace.

—	Madeleine L’Engle

 

I finally got to visit some of my sweet friends for a tea lunch and hear all about the Uganda trip yesterday! Oh my soul was blessed to hear how the Lord has worked in their lives before/during/after that journey. I just adore these ladies! And one returned with this beeeeautiful necklace. It's not quite orange, but a stunning burnt apricot color. Oh I love it! Not sure if it was made at The Kwagala Project, but I believe so! For those that don't know, these necklaces start as recycled paper which is then cut up and hand rolled into small beads and formed into a necklace. And it's the livelihood of many of the women there! So incredible. If you'd like to read up more on the trip and see some really beautiful video clips, go to Jade's blog here at: In Awe Of Your Grace.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

I could listen to these two men sing this blessed song every day of my life.

A couple instagram shots from my wild 11 hour day today! Woosh! This little lovie is Avery. Look at those pink converse! She's 3.5 and a ball of wonderful. The Lord provided this precious opportunity to help out this amazing family in town...which means I get to hangout with cool kids all day! It's been the sweetest time getting to know them and encouraging them. My day today consisted of: singing in the car, watching sprout, fingerpainting, reading stories, playing in the park, shooting baskets, peanut butter and jellies, bird watching, flower picking, and trying to prevent multiple meltdowns from a girl who wouldn't take a nap. So awesome! And the part that I love the most is that we get to talk about Jesus. The other day in the car Avery said out of nowhere: "Jesus and God live in my heart, but Jesus's friends can't... not enough room in there, sorry!"....Oh my word, so dang cute! And today she fingerpainted the story of when Jesus calmed the storms and told me all about it! So grateful for her little heart that loves to talk about these things!

There's this little french inspired place in my town called Madeleines Bakeshop, and they make the most AMAZING little macarons. Every flavor under the moon! Lavender, pumpkin, strawberry, chocolate, key lime, blackberry, mango, lemon poppyseed, etc etc yummmmm! Had to take a picture of their adorableness. Little wonders.

love in Africa

My heart is exploding with joy at seeing what my beloved friends are doing in Uganda!!
These pink totes were just in my living room a few days ago and now on the arms of these incredible ladies! Love it! Of all the places in the world I wish I could be right now, it would be serving the Lord alongside my friends here. So many tears seeing these women rejoice at getting BIBLES! I cannot get over their smiles!! Thank you Lord for the gift of introducing the Kwagala Project to my prayer life, for your faithful loves who travel to the ends of the earth to share your beauty, and for the hearts of these women who desire your word so eagerly. Such a wonderful beautiful way to start my Saturday.

♥ Liz

(photos by: Jade Metz)

spring love

Can we all take a minute to be so happy that spring is coming soon?! Yesterday morning I woke up to birds singing outside my window! Birds! It was one of those super dreamy disney moments. You know, like when they come in your open window and make the bed and fly your apron on? Cinderella guys, geez!  I am just freaking out that soon very soon I'll be able to ride my ol zero speed bike every single day again. The hills are torture but it's purple and kinda rusty and just a gem! Lots of memories with this bike. All the country people in my town growing up had lilac bushes in their front yards and so the scent swarmed me on rides during the summer. So magical.

Favorite things this week:

- Chobani apple cinnamon greek yogurt. So crazy delicious.

- Cutting hearts out of burlap last night to make gift tags for the kwagala girls! My grandpa proceeding to tell the story of how he forgot about valentines day one year when they were just young little loves...so he came home, took a newpaper, cut two huge hearts out of it and pasted them on the wall. Oh goodness.

- Speaking of! (his name is Rex) Thank you for your prayers. The Lord is working in his body and mind and it is SO evident. He is doing so much better! Coolest thing is that his new doctor gave them books as homework and they're all nutritionally based for reversing heart disease! 100% all vegan/veg recipes! Yesss! My grandma asked me what hummus was tonight. Oh man she has no idea what she's missing!  I kinda talk about my grandparents a lot huh? They are just super special people and so dear to me!

- The Wonder Years on netflix. Pretty much wanted to be winnie cooper growing up.

- Bosphorous Cafe. Turkish food! Favorite restaurant in Indy. If I had a flying car I would be here for lunch every single day. It is so.so.good. 

- Wooden heart necklace gifts from friends!


   
      
                         

♥ Liz