an end...

The last while this little place has been quite quiet. The reasons for that are several....school studies, Thanksgiving vacation, house projects and more. But it has also been becuase of questions I have had in my own life.

What is the place of this blog? Is this really what I want to be doing? Do I really love blogging? I love the connections but is this what I am suppose to do? I am so blessed by many blogs out there. I love writing but is this my place? I struggled with finding my place. Blogging was robbing my joy and more time. Time. What is best for me with my time? A blog like this is something I know I won't be able to keep up for many reasons in the future. So was it best for me?

I have been thinking, praying, discussing with others and going over lots of pros and cons. In the last year I have been encouraged (by my husband and others) to find some things that make me come alive. To find what it is that makes me refreshed and ready to engage. It's a journey but a few things have become clearer. And one of those interests is photography.

but a beginning....
A dream that I have had for a long time has begun to be awaken again. Delving deeper into photography. There's still lots to be figured out, lots of questions to answer and much work to be done but already it is so much more enjoyable. I don't know what all is going to happen and where it will lead (or not lead. :) ) It is a slow process for me but one I am quite excited about.

It's scary. It's freaky and I have a long ways to go but I am also quite delighted about it.

So to the few of you who have left sweet comments and encouraged me here, thank you! May God bless you in your journey of discovering His grace in life!

**if you follow me else where on the internet world there will be announcements eventually about what is happening - keep your eyes open for more info on Charis Elisabeth Photography (Like I mentioned about it will be a slow process). And if you need a photo shoot, I would be happy to oblige as for a limited time I am doing free photos of any who is willing. :)

our {new} life

Earlier this year, we saw God begin to open up tiny steps towards the big dream He has given us. It seemed like a million things needed to fall into place to even start on the first part but He has been faithful. It's exciting to see my husband light up as God has opened doors for his vision.

We dream of living in another country as disciples of Jesus. And that means actually working as an every day person. It has been a vision slowly coming together in the past few years as we desire to live in everyday life with people showing them the life of Jesus.

Part of starting towards that is schooling. My handsome man is pursuing a business degree (& some other exciting adventures) while I get to take a few classes here and there while trying to pursue some other interest.

Enter school life...a long road that feels a little overwhelming. Our first few years are going to be a small school in NW PA with continued college education after that. For now we are learning to explore, appreciate and learn in a rural area of Pennsylvania. We have hopes of where we want to keep going believing that God is leading our dreams.

Life in the eastern part of the US is sure a change for this Midwestern girl!

But it's good and full of adventures. 

glimspes of grace: {un}intentional blogging break

No internet. A computer that will not cooperate. A move. Travels. Packing up all of one's belongings for a long ride across the country. Starting a new life. No internet. No phone service. More travels. School. A computer crash. Still no internet. Or in a rare chance of it's appearance, a billion things that new to get done, one computer between the two of us and hence no blogging.

Meet the unintentional blogging break. I hope it will be over soon but no guarantees.

Yes, folks that is my life the last few months.

First move in June. No internet and preparing for a cross country life change made blogging start taking a back burner.

Moved to NW PA and since then getting internet has been a rare occurrence. No phone service and no internet has made for feeling rather left in the boonies. It has been a bear trying to get our internet service set up (due to the former renter trying to port their number.)

Then there has been a new home. A new life. New friends. New schedule. New everything.

Can't wait to share more of the God-size dreams He is allowing us to pursue. Some of it is really scary and shaking but at the same time it's good.

Life in the eastern part of the US is sure a change for this Midwestern girl! :) But it's good and full of adventures. 

anniversary getaway: Branson

Living not far from Branson, MO, it was an easy choice for our first anniversary. Branson boasts a large amount of attractions - from Sight & Sound (a theatrical presentation of the Gospel), to singing groups, comedy shows and amusement parks. We had a great weekend - of course since we love being together that wasn't too hard. :)

I'd highly recommend the city for great fun and lots of adventures. Please excuse all the low quality ipod pictures but hopefully you can get a small glimpse into our delightful weekend. 

One way we made the weekend less inespensive was using AirBnB for lodging. This little place was perfect. Clean and close to where we wanted to be. 

Mini golf is a favorite activity of ours and we made good use of the courses there. (and yes, we won 3 free games. We rock! :) ) 

Sight & Sound - Jonah! Having heard great things about this place from my husband and others, I knew I was in for a treat. If you head to Branson be sure to take in a Sight & Sound show. The acting, music, coragraphy, LIVE animals all combine for a excellent experience. 

I love the mission of Sight & Sound to produce quality shows that share the Gospel of Jesus. 

The next evening we went to Shepherd of Hills. A historical story set in the Ozarks that comes to life before your eyes. I'm glad I read the book a few years back as it helped to keep up with the story a little better. This show has been going for 50+ years and should be on your list of must sees.

Adventure, celebration and daily routine all make life with this man a gift!

coffee date {April}

Why don't you pull up a chair, grab a hot drink and take a minute while I share a few thoughts....

Sugar or Cream? I'll take mine black, thank you.
French Pressed or Drip? or maybe you're in the mood for iced?
Or maybe you don't like coffee? Excuse me, I have plenty of tea around too.

If we were having coffee....

- I would tell you what a wonderful trip to several Eastern states, I enjoyed with my husband.

- Seeing my new niece and spending time with my nieces and nephews (#picture alert!) is a treat.

- That this spring weather is making me garden crazy.

- Runs in warm weather are just awesome.

- That I love the fact that my man and me try to find local coffee shops when we travel. We have seen several really cool ones in the last few weeks.

- That a vinegar and oil store can cause you to want to spend a ton of money.

- Road tripping as a married couple just rocks.

- Long talks with friends about hard things are gifts.

- That I have officially fallen in love with NYC. Yes, it's full of people and shops and languages and dirt and beauty. And it's a culture all of it's own.

- That growing into an adult means some really hard decisions and missing things you sure wish you wouldn't have too

- God is teaching me a lot about trust as we make a big step in the direction of our lives

- I adore French pressed coffee!

- I got some things together so I can make pillows for some different places around the house. (long overdue project)

have a lovely weekend friends!

weekend snapshot {3.30}

We've been having spring weather this week and it is simply gorgeous. Thunderstorms rolling through and refreshing rains. Some days I just want to dance with feeling alive! Spring is such a beautiful reminder of God's living grace and redemption. He makes us alive!

A few snapshots from our weekend....

Icy weather cancelled our Valentine outing weeks ago so we got to celebrate twice! I am blessed to have a man who goes shopping with me (celebrates good deals), takes me to new coffee shops and gets me fro-yo. Yep, it was a good weekend.

taking selfies - or is it twofies? Even if it isn't great lighting and we laugh so hard they're blurry. 

this man lights up my world - his love, his care, his passion for me, life and Jesus - I am so rich!

this handsome guy is the best! 

Together with my favorite man + gorgeous weather + my some of my favorite stores (hello Ross!) + good deals (hello $1.80 shirt from Khols and half price bargains from Goodwill) + new stores + a picnic + coffee = a lovely Saturday.

We found a Home Good while we were out and about and now I have too many things I want for my house. Oh and Pottery Barn too. Seriously why do they have such cool stuff? Feeds my ideas for hunting at thrift stores this summer. 

How was your Saturday? 

snippets of grace

"Good means I never mess up. Good means I weigh the perfect amount. Good means I can handle everything. I don't look like a foll and I never lose my patience...Good means I am enough. My goodness is all about me." - Emily Freeman

Do you ever get tired of trying to be good? I do. Of living with checkmarks and rules that you measure by?

My goodness is all about me - ouch that hurts! When I try to be good, it's me. It's my measure up. Not about God.

"When we believe that God expects us to try hard to become who Jesus wants us to be, we will live in that blurry, frustrating land of Should Be rather than trust the One Who Is."

For years, I lived as a "try hard good girl".  I believed in Jesus, I loved Jesus. But I had an image I created (by the standards, opinions and thoughts of others) that made me work hard. Mistakes were not included. I wanted to live in God's grace but I worked for it.

I longed to live in the freedom and joy that Jesus speaks of. But I still clamored on seeking to live this life perfectly. I still strove to be a good Christian girl. (to be honest, I strove to be a perfect Christian girl cause that's what others wanted, right?)

This was not God's desire for my life...

"But Jesus is calling us to a deeper, truer, freer identity. All he wants is simply you - minus your good works, minus your perfect attendance, minus your politeness. When you really believe that, you may discover that all you want is Jesus, simply Jesus. Not just to get to heaven or to help you be a good person or do the right thing, but to simply love and be loved by Him."

To love and be loved by Him. Love. Rest. Trust.

Jesus had a lovely, freeing picture that He was offering to me....and the journey to be fully alive in His grace continues. It's a long journey but these beginnings give hope of a beautiful picture.

The thoughts were inspired by quotes from the book Grace for the Good Girl (Emily Freeman) - read it!

making me happy

It's a gorgeous day here in my little corner of the world with sunshine, singing of birds and frogs and warm air swishing through the open doors. The kind of day that makes you want to dig your hands deep into soil. Warmth that makes you want to go plant seeds.

It's good to be alive! I can't wait for picnics, exploring - all the the good things that spring brings. So with that here are a few things that are making me happy!

...the chorus of frogs and birds that I hear when I step outside
...awakenings of spring
... new adventure awaits with this coming of spring
...warm air
...several days with my man where we enjoyed being together, discussing and digging deep into things that God is showing us #letslivefullyalive
...discovering Jesus
...believing the truths of who I am
...living fully alive

...foggy morning runs
...new recipes that turn out well (don't ask about my recent crepe disaster)
...soup for rainy evenings

...crocheting my first real adult hat
...finally finishing a project that's needed done forever
...my darling new niece
...books that make me think (like Daring Greatly)
...blogs like this one and this one
...direction

a {Sunday} quote

the following quote I read last week links in well with thoughts my man and I have been talking and discovering about living fully alive in this world...

"We must see God’s gifts of creation as windows into his glory and opportunities to praise him. But we must also find pleasure in them....Attention given to creation is not stolen from its Creator. The more we enjoy God’s gifts for their own sake, the more we can appreciate him. And thank him for, and love him with.

 Thank God for the privilege of being human and of being here.                         Then go have some fun. " - T.C.

inspiration...

when icy rain and snow changes your plans for the day, you cuddle up for hot drinks, games and relaxing with your favorite man...it's a good life, folks!

A question for you today....What inspires you? I would love to hear.

Honestly, I struggle to know what to write. Cooking? Well, others are better at that or the recipes disappear. (and for those wanting the blueberry muffin recipe - the link that was the original recipe disappeared on me. Weird. So it will come when I make them again to make sure I remember the ingredients right. Sorry!)  

DIY projects? Umm, well those happen about as rarely as you'll find the ocean in Kansas. (Okay, maybe not quite but why do I get so many ideas and do not do a one of them?) Lessons I'm learning? That's raw. 

*reading alert - this is a very honest post*

To my readers, what gives you inspiration for your blogging, passions and life? 

As I try to chart new roads with this blog, I'm seeking to find just where I want to be. First, I want this place to glorify my Jesus and be a channel for others to see His grace. But I'm scared to write often. I really haven't had much experience in life. I'm still learning. I have a long ways to go in living a life driven by His grace, not my performance or regulations. Living a life embracing joy and the adventure of living.

Should I blog? How much longer will I blog? There are so many beautiful places out on the internet. 

Why do I write? Because words speak to me. I am encouraged, blessed and inspired by the ladies who share their lives and thoughts here on this internet world. But those ladies are brave. Am I brave? 

Where is balance between sharing and saving? There's such a need for authenticity in this world. But there's also a line to not just spill it all.

So my friends thank you for coming along. This blog will likely never have a clear theme. I want to be real. Which means that off line life is the most important (um, yes that's why the new blog design isn't done and posts are not regular), which means that things will change from time to time. 

This blog is also a place for me to experiment in learning design.

God is doing beautiful things showing me the joy that is in this life and the beauty of living it full. But it's a long journey. Lessons, photography, stories, books - here you will see snippets from my passions, from what I'm learning and discovering in this adventure into discovering His beauty and grace. 

4 months ago...

...it's been 4 months since I became a Mrs.

...4 months ago I became His.

And a gift these last 4 months have been! Laughter, adventure, challenges, tears, joy and lots of love and grace have filled the days. I am grateful for this delightful and growing journey so far and can't wait for more days ahead with this man I love. God is good.

As I told my man the other day, "I love being your wife!"

yep, I like this life. :)

snippets of fall

snippets from fall through my ipod camera :)

it's been a beautiful fall...leaves and cool weather...

...pumpkins and adorable candles...

...the coolest coffee shops on rainy afternoons 

...wind blown faces while enjoying the weather - I love this man!