A Trim?

As you can see in the above picture my hair was in need of a trim due to the damage on the ends. I went in hoping for a small trim since I’m trying to grow it out…

I’ll tell the truth: I was not happy with the way it turned out. A lot more was taken off then I had been planning on. Did I not communicate well with the hair dresser? or was my hair really that damaged? Thankfully I have loving family and friends that set me straight and a God that calls me beautiful, as long as I strive to reflect the image of his Son!

 

Thank you Bethany for taking these wonderful pictures!

Change in appearance

If anyone is still reading my blog, you have probably noticed some changes Please be patient as I continue to remodel around here!

IN IT to END IT

IN IT to END IT

http://enditmovement.com/

3 Gifts for Today {4~3~13}

Some pictures I took this evening for today’s joy dare… These versions have been “messed with” so go check out my Photo blog to see the originals!

Orange blossom

Yellow leaf

Dove’s eggshell

3 Gifts White {April Joy Dare}

My family has taken on the Joy Dare over at A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp. Each day we are given 3 specific gifts to find. Today is 3 gifts white. I posted on my Photography blog yesterday and plan to for the rest of the month.

Today I want to share with you my brother’s 3 gifts:

COCONUT!

1. Coconut MANNA

2.  Coconut the Chicken

3. Coconut FLAKES!

Unexpected Love by Julie Zine Coleman

A book review by Kim Newhouse (my mom )

I was intrigued by the title of Unexpected Love: God’s Heart Revealed in Jesus’ Conversations With Women. It’s often difficult to understand exactly what we should take from various Bible stories because of our extreme cultural and historical differences from that place and time, so I hoped this would help clear that up some. I didn’t hear much in the way of new insights (from previous books, sermons, and articles examining these characters) and was not real comfortable with some of the conjecture that took place as the author tried to breathe new life into “old” stories. ie I was reading some aloud to my daughters and found myself stopping to say “well we don’t know if he or she REALLY thought (or said or did) that”.

 

But on the other hand, I did like the format of the book very much. After the brief reiteration of the story, we are given a bit more historical and theological information, an application section entitled “For Today’s Woman”, then some questions to think about, and finally some journaling prompts. My favorite part was the application section, especially the one on Martha. It zeroed in on what Jesus was truly admonishing her for—not her actions or busyness, but her attitude. It was her critical spirit, her focus on self, and her need to control things that got her into so much trouble. And yet Jesus loved her and extended grace to her at each interaction, gently drawing her into deeper relationship with Himself.

 

Unexpected Love makes a great devotional book, particularly if you invest plenty of time on the journaling section, but it would also be good for Bible study or discussion groups.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Books

Right now everyone in my family is at a HUGE book festival while I sit at home feeling under the weather. And that feeling is getting old. I’ve been in this state for a week slowly getting better. And that process for me includes a lot of time in bed, which means I’ve spent a lot of time reading! So since my family is going to come home all excited about books I thought I would excite myself and you with what I’ve been reading this week. Sound good?

Preparing to be a Help Meet

by Debi Pearl

This was a great book with fun stories, wonderful words of wisdom, and new angles. Of all the relationship books I’ve read this one is the best. It gave me something to do now and in the future. This book encouraged me to strengthen my prayer life and look at where I am here and now as an amazing training ground that will prepare me for my future, wherever it may be.

~~~

Borders of the Heart

by Chris Fabry

I only set this book down about four times! The story line was incredible and the writing was terrific (and the Author’s just plain amazing, I know him!)!  I do have to say that it was pretty creepy to read about crazy people running around with guns in scenes that took place in Tucson around buildings and streets I know. This book contained many surprises and was definitely hard to put down.

~~~

A Passion for the Impossible

by Miriam Huffman Rockness

(Still in process of reading this one)

The life of Lilias Trotter has intrigued me so far. She’s a very gifted artist who tosses away fortune and fame to spend a life with the lost and unsaved. And that’s pretty much all I know… so far…

My Gramma and Papa Newhouse gave this book to me for my birthday and I can’t wait to read it through! In many ways this lady’s life is very similar to mine and I’m excited to watch and learn from her life.

You might notice the word passion in the title. This book was part of the reason I chose that word as my word of the year. I’ll hopefully have more to share after I finish the book!

~~~

A Wild Goose Chase Christmas

by Jennifer AlLee

Part mystery, part romance, with a few spins that make you laugh and cry at the same time. I really enjoyed this book (which was given to me by Chris Fabry!). The back cover didn’t get me too excited to read the book so I was all the more surprised by the great story line and intriguing characters.

~~~
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No Greater Love

by Levi Benkert

This story started in America but quickly uprooted to the heart of Ethiopia, Africa. It followed the calling God placed on the Benkert family and how they started the ministry Bring Love In. I could see the children’s faces as I read and it definitely pulled at my heart strings!

I encourage you to take a look at the website for Bring Love In and learn more about this unique ministry…

EDIT: I’m linking up to the March of Books over at Kindred Grace!

American Heritage Festival – 11/23-26/12 {Flashback Friday}

2012′s American Heritage Festival was amazing and thanks to the Paulsen family I got to participate all three days! My family came up on Sunday and brought my camera, so for the first time I got the chance to capture scenes from years ago…

Enjoy! (all pictures are taken by me unless I’m in them )

 

Cellphone pictures from the first two days… We got a breathtaking sunset Saturday night. I was amazed I caught it so well with the iPhone!

 

Lining up for the morning parade…

 

I could not get enough of these guys in their red coats. The details and color of this era are so fun to capture!

 

In between battles there was lots of time for books, cards, writing and hanging out with friends!

 

 

Union photo-bomb ^ (click to view larger)

 

My favorite battle was when the confederate army set up camp not knowing their enemy was planning an attack by surrounding them!

     

It was an incredible, fun, and tiring weekend. Let’s just say it was good to have my own bed back with no loud trains passing through multiple times in the night!

Citizen Way – 10/12/12 {Flashback Friday}

Citizen Way is very gifted in the way they praise and worship God through music. Their concert was amazing and I wanted to take home some of their music, but they didn’t have an album yet. Now they have an album coming out in April!

Beth and Me with Ben Calhoun the lead singer

I hope to see them next time they come through!