night owl.

they say that the average person needs 8 hours of sleep a night, and i'm running off of 4 right now. that can't be healthy, right? i've been trying to get myself on a regular sleep schedule, but it's difficult, because it seems i like to have fun mostly at night time...i've always been a "night owl". when i was little, i would wake up in the middle of the night and find my dad rocking the hinges off of the recliner watching tv. i'd jump up in his lap, and those are some of the best memories i have with him. haha, i guess i get my tendency to stay up there. sometimes, i feel like my brain works best after everyone else is asleep.

i headed to the "for such a time as this" conference today. my plane took off from dallas love field this morning at 6:20a and arrived in birmingham around 8. im a traveling machine. from there, i jumped in my rental car and drove through the beautiful mountains of good ole' tennessee. it's been a breath of fresh air to get away. i have an expectant heart today.

i have a little time to catch some z's before the conference begins. staying in hotels is one of my favorite things to do (silly i know). when i checked in, i made friends with the lady at the front desk. she is the prettiest little indian lady...and has the kindest spirit. her eyes look sad though. i am praying that somehow the Lord touches her life through me while i'm here. i wonder what her story is.

anyways, the shades are pulled tight now, and the weather is perfect. im gonna try to make up for some of the lost hours last night.

my heart is expectant. i feel joyful and so excited for the weekend. i love that the Lord longs to give "good gifts" to me and to you (Luke 11:13).

here are some pics from a recent photoshoot with aaron and regan (some of my favorite people)

through His eyes

Amazing Grace..Will always be my song of praise.
For it was grace, that brought me liberty,
I do not know, just why He came to love me so.
He looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary,
To view the cross, where Jesus died for me
How marvelous, His grace that caught my falling soul
He Looked beyond my faults and saw my need.

-dottie rambo

photoshoots at age 25 are more fun than ever.

tip of the day: sometimes it's good for the soul to let loose and act like a kid.

this one thing i know.

whew, im tired tonight. just a bit ago, i shared some laughs over dinner in arlington with great friends. i was introduced to mercy blaire hahn for the first time. mercy is the new baby girl of one of my closest, best, and most loyal friends ever, crystal. i got to see her and andrew, jessica and nick, and my good ole' "sidekick of the century" becs. hands down, that's one of my favorite hobbies-sitting down over a good meal, an iced tea, and a load of good people that i share a little history with...along with some good conversation...and im a happy camper.

this has been one incredible week. this one thing i know. God is good...from the inmost parts of me, i'm saying He's good. last night on my jog, i prayed and reflected on my week and told the Lord how much i loved Him. from the depths of my soul, i felt so grateful for His grace and love in my life that He continues to lavish on me, even though i don't deserve a single drop. I read this verse today and loved it.

I John 2:28
And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we'll be ready for him when he appears, ready to receive him with open arms...

that's exactly what i want to do...always stay with Christ....REMAIN in Him...live DEEPLY in Him. it's then, others can see Him in us. somedays i love thinking back to the basics. here i am, Lord, a willing vessel. send me. i'll go for You.

one last side note [you knew it was coming] here are some pics of you guessed it..."my favorite kids of all times". jb and ag.