Isaiah 42:16 Devotional

(You can click on the photo to enlarge it...There wasn't a great way to make it "big enough" with out bleeding over and being covered by the font on the side!)

 

As I was searching for barns the other day, I walked past this frozen area in the grass. Anything the sun was shinning on had defrosted, but this rut in the grass was still frozen. I noticed it, kept on walking, and then had to turn around. It struck my heart with a comparison to life. Sometimes we find ourselves in a rut, in a funk, in a mess and we don't realize how close the light is that can defrost us. When I came home, I wanted to find a verse that could go along with the feelings I had as I saw this rut and thought about the light. I found a website with "25 verses about light," and I started to read through. When I got to Isaiah 42:16, my eyes actually filled with tears. I knew it was the one. It wasn't exactly what I had thought or processed while I saw the rut, but it is so true to my life right now. I am walking through some unfamiliar paths right now, and have some rough places that I'm trying to get through. I was SO comforted by the truth that HE WILL turn my darkness into light, he WILL make rough places smooth and He WILL guide me in His way as I seek Him.

 

I so love the way that the Lord speaks to me through nature and uses photography as a tool to "bring things home" in my heart. I'm thankful for the promises of His Word and His heart for me and I'm excited to see where He brings my family and I'm trusting for the smoothing and the guidance through unfamiliar territory!

Barns & Cow Love...

I LOVE shooting barns, and I'm always "on the lookout" for them. These are two recent finds on my photography adventures. Today, while on a barn finding adventure with a friend, I stopped to give these cows some love. I ended up getting more love than I had bargained for! I LOVE the photo and I'm so happy my friend Sandra had her camera ready to snap it!

Joe's Puffer Fish...

Joe has a way of surprising me with his artistic design. He used one of those shape tracing rulers to create the eyes and mouth and decided to make it a puffer fish. Before he wrote the name, he brought it to me, to see if I'd know what it was... He smiled SO big when I said, "It's a puffer fish for sure!" I love that he's old enough that I know what the drawing is and he gets to feel proud of his accomplishment. For years, it was only a guess what he had drawn... sometimes he loved what I said so much, his drawing turned in to what I had said. I love this little puffer fish. :)

Wedgies for Breakfast...

"I'll let you once if you let me once." (I'm hearing from the livingroom)... I peak around the corner to see what they are talking about.... Giving each other wedgies. I smiled and went back to making breakfast. Then I heard, "OH MAN, YOU RIPPED MY UNDERWEAR!" Ha ha ha... Oh the joys of raising boys!

Photo from the Exploritorium in San Francisco.

Goodbye 2012...

I just realized, it's 11:54 on New Year's Eve and I haven't done my "last entry" for the year. If I don't do it before the end of the year, when I go to print my blog book for the year... it wont be right! Ha ha

So, here I am, not feeling all that thought provoked, but wanting to put a cap on this year's blog book! I'm thankful for so many things, as always and this year has been pretty crazy. My business has grown and I have SO enjoyed learning and growing as a photographer. I've met so many fun families and gotten to be a part of making their memories.

This year..... Matthew started school. That is a big deal for so many reasons. He's our last, so it's the last time for this and that all the time. We're just about at the end of pullups at night too! Actually, he used the last one and didn't want me to buy more... so, my hope is that I've washed a wet bed for the last time too! Ha ha ha (Sorry buddy, when you're older that wont be funny to you, but it's my life right now!)

I'm thankful that we were able to pay off my heart medical bills, and even our credit cards! There's always something to pay, but it's fun to be able to say we've "paid off."

THE PRESSURE... I'm down to 3 minutes to finish! LOL

This year, we're looking forward to all that God has for us! We're looking forward to keeping the peace we love so much in our home and the joy in our boys' eyes! I love my man and my boys and I'm so thankful for the life God has blessed us with. It's not always easy, but I love the ones I'm walking this life with!

Ugh, I gotta go! Happy New Year!!!!!..... Nicole

Definition of Lazy Bones...

Matthew had a lazy day in his PJ's with "Chocolate" the cat. I laughed when I looked over and saw the cat laying on his back. These two were the perfect lazy pair today. :)

Battery Science...

Dada and Joe were enjoying some time working on Joe's new book about the energy science using batteries. It was a fun find at the Exploritorium. He ended up making a fan. :) Joe really enjoyed the time with Dad being scientists!

"I couldn't help it."

Joe was up before the rest of us. He told me, "I couldn't help it, Mama!" My sweet boy has a sweet tooth. :)

Rainy day fun at Armstrong Redwoods!

We had a fun day visiting Armstrong Redwoods with Nana and Papa while they were visiting for Christmas! The boys and I happen to be wearing our rain boots and had fun stepping in just about every puddle. ;) I love adventures with my boys!

"What's that Mama?"

Matthew had no idea what "this machine" was! Aaron and I cracked up, and I had to snap a shot... of course!