I see lots of people with their cameras in front of their faces and I think it says a lot what is inside. I save memories with my camera-it is by my side everyday. It is my eyes-I see the world through this lens-my camera gives me a perspective and I like the perspective-

No-you can’t see my eyes-but I do.

I dreamed a dream a long time ago–and it keeps on coming true.

These two keep giving me all of my dreams and to think it all started with just a dream-a thought-that maybe-maybe-we could make a difference–but really–they are the ones who made the difference–

Adam’s STORY is thrilling to me–and Catie’s STORY–a miracle in and of its self–read their stories and you will see why I dreamed a dream…

I really do love a theme to follow with my picture a week goal for this year. It gives me focus and a goal. I knew immediately what I wanted to use for this weeks photo.

I am going to be a Nana for the first time in just a few weeks-the due date is February 6-and I have been working on this quilt for him. All my kids were ‘blankie’ kids and I wanted him to have one from his Nana.

As you can see, I am still working on it-there are a lot of seams to cut–here is the tutorial I found on Pinterest(Gotta love). It has been a fun project and it is certainly-Made With Love–

A picture-a memory

I want this verse in my memory-to recall when my soul gets too noisy and the waves come crashing in–Jesus says, ‘Come unto me–’ I tend to go other places for soul rest. I want this verse in my memory for when I am drawn away–

We are at our home away from home-it is amazing and dream-like to wake up to sunshine everyday. I love my home state from about April-November and even a while into December–but then somehow she turns into this dark place where the sun only makes a rare appearance. This is the sunshine state.

We have this great dock off the back of the house on a canal. There are a lot of canals here-last year we fed an Alligator(I know-I know-we’re not supposed to do that)–and this year–it is fishing-no alligators. It first started out as a casual affair. A little fishing here and a little fishing there with complaints that there must not be any fish in there. I would lecture about patience and try to teach a life lesson-but experience is the best teacher.

After this catch-things have become more heated around here.

My Hero-also knows how to filet a fish-among all the other things he knows! My girl wanted to watch-but it was her beloved fish he was dissecting–but she did manage to video the whole thing.

This was her first bite of her beloved catch–

And then her reaction to the first bite! Not so much loving her first catch. But…

…My Hero and I thought it was the best fish we had ever eaten–nothing like fresh fish–
*For anyone interested-we believe it was a large mouth Bass–at least 2 feet long–

Every-time I turned around this dock was getting a work-out. Fishing-Fishing-Fishing…

And this one time there was this fish on the line that was huge–we were in strange territory here–you never know what you could catch in South Florida–there could be a gator on the line–the pole bent over–

But…we are pretty sure this was just a Carp–we call those junk fish in Michigan. It was fun to catch–but this fish was one of those that got away–it was too big to pull up–and the string broke…

No fish dinner for tonight–but I am sure when I ask where the kids are-I will hear, “GONE FISHING”!!

It is a new year-actually it is the 5th day into the new year.  It came very fast for me and as most people have their resolutions for 2012 solidified in their day planners-I am still running mine through my head.  A new start-a clean slate–really?

A photo challenge spurred me to think about my resolution for 2012-what do I want to do better?  -well-  everything-  -so that was out–I don’t do well with goal setting.  I want to do everything-how do you choose just a few things to fix?  Eat better?  Exercise?  Be a better person?  –who doesn’t want those things?  I knew I had to seek deeper-and that in itself can be a little scary.  I don’t like change–plain and simple–I will put it out there-it is good for me and in the end-I am happy for the change, but I fight it like a cat fights water.

I want to change inside-those things that are unseen-I want more courage-I want to see the unseen in my life.  My soul is noisy-I have just realized this–and noise in my soul will rob me of joy and peace-why this noise?  My God is calling to me-He says, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.”

My resolution for 2012-                 B.e.l.i.e.v.e

A belief is what you accept to be true.  I think I have made so much noise by pushing truth out and allowing so much noise to drown out the voice of He who gives truth–I want to Believe–

Believe God is enough–be willing to lay down the noise makers in my soul–and Believe that only He is enough.

It will be quite a journey–this year of 2012–I believe God will change me–I believe He will give me that soul rest.  I believe, Lord-help thou my unbelief.

Week One of my 2012 P52 project-Resolution

]]> http://followingsplendor.com/2012/01/06/week-1-resolution/feed/ 17 followingsplendor project 52 p52 weekly photo challenge my3boybarians.com P52-Resolution copy http://followingsplendor.com/2011/12/31/hitherto/ http://followingsplendor.com/2011/12/31/hitherto/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:46:04 +0000 followingsplendor http://followingsplendor.com/?p=2210 ]]>  

The word ‘hitherto’–is a look into the past for me.  A lingering on the events over the past year that are now gone.  I can look back with gratefulness to a year full of God’s graces and mercies.  I tend to swing here and there-as do most people who live in this body of flesh.  I can look back at times of sickness and see God’s healing hand and gentle touch of guidance when I have gone out of the way.  In my trials and in my triumphs-the Lord has been right by my side.  He truly is my very best friend.  I can look back down memory lane and see his lovingkindness and faithfulness.

This has been a year of changes-and I am so grateful also that hitherto–I did not stay stumped and without growth.  The growth at times was painful.  The growth at times was glorious-the most glorious is knowing I will be a Nana soon–my son-and his wife-will have a son.  That changes me inside.  I see that all my hopes and dreams and all the toils of raising children is to see them raise their own children-and because of the toil and the pain and the growth and the hopes and the fears-all that I loved-all the prayers will be passed on now.  My grandson will be raised-and prayed for and hoped for and toiled for-in the hopes that his life will glorify God.

So–this year doesn’t mark an end because ‘hitherto’ also points to the future–more toils, more strength, more battles, more victories, more prayers, more trials, more temptations, more victories!

Is it over now?  There is more yet–He who has helped me hitherto will help me on my journey all the way through–

So to these children(sorry Jenna, you left too soon)–we toil, we pray, we hope, because the joy that is yet to be fulfilled is our hope in you.  Glorify God with your lives–for your joy and the joy of hitherto-yet to come–it is He who will help you–hitherto.

“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (Samuel 7:12)

*my thoughts on a devotion by Charles Spurgeon

December has come as quickly as I can remember this year. Time keeps forcing me on. The time of celebrating the birth of my Savior is here. May all your days be merry and bright-from our family to yours-

Merry Christmas!

This is actually the video for my Sign Language Blog-but I thought it would be nice to put it here. One of my favorite songs of Christmas.

The last of leaves have fallen-Thanksgiving feast with thankfulness done. We are on to brisk winds and the short cold days of December. Christmas is in the air-but today-I am still holding onto November.

Linking up with Texture Tuesday-and so thankful for so many things…

A look at my layers palete in PSE 10

Here is the before-