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. :)

glimpses of grace: {to thrive}

God is love. Three simple words that mean so much. How does one even begin to describe it? The age haunting question...what does it mean love?

Recently for a journaling assignment as part of a group I am in at school this year we were asked to write a picture of what we see when we say, "God is love."  The Bible tells us that God is love. But what is? and what is love? My analytic mind can go round and round. It seems like a definition way too large.

As I searched through definitions, this one caught my eye: love - to thrive in {example: the rose loves to be in the sunlight} and while we're at it thrive - to grow or develop successfully, to flourish or succeed. 

When we reach toward His face and let His grace, love, faithfulness, patience and pursuit fall onto us we can flourish. When we delight in the relationship He pursues with us, we can grow.

To thrive in. To flourish. Isn't that just a beautiful picture of God as love? When we let his love into our life, we will thrive. Become fully alive. We weren't called to survive this life, we are called to THRIVE in this life. A journey I have a lot to learn in. "I have come that you might have light and have it more abundantly."

do we matter?

"Our mattering doesn't depend on a stellar performance. We matter because we are children of the living, breathing, reigning God of the universe. We matter because we were bought with the blood of the Son of our Father God...We matter because He says we matter." - Jennie Allen

We have been created in the image of God. Any and all humans matters. Wealth, achievements, performance does not make us matter one bit more to God. He loves what He has created. 

He cares about us because He made us. We have worth in His eyes. 

And He gave us salvation, restoration and relationship with Him. 

photography {niece & nephew}

Remember how I warned of more pictures of my adorable niece and nephew? Here you go. :)

Getting to spend time with them is such a highlight. The oldest one, Yoanna, is smart yet full of mischief and giggles. Matthias is tenderness, boyhood, cars, trucks all wrapped in hugs. They both adore their younger sister which is so fun to see.

A few shots from our recent visit with them....

let them be little 'cause they're only that way for awhile

Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day

Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle

Oh, but let them be little

Talitha

hello little one....

Recently I got to meet my adorable new niece, Talitha. What a dear little girl she is. On our past trip, my husband and I got to spend a few days with my sister's family. She has 3 adorable children and what fun it was.

The older two can talk a mile a minute making life very interesting and fun. Oh, the ideas that run through their heads! I will have more pictures coming but for today here are a few of the littlest one....

I'll show my eyes for a little bit 

this is making me tired

Needless to say I love being an aunt though I wish the little people didn't live quite so far away from me. :)