Ordinary to Extraordinary: Rose photo shoot

"Extraordinary is when you take something ordinary and give it a little extra"-Ramona and Beezus

The conversation went something like this: "Hey look there's a rose on the table. I love roses. Let's go outside and take dramatic pictures with a rose!" My friend (her brother and I have been friends since we were babies) came a stayed with us last week during our church's missions conference. She is so sweet and my 3 sisters and I had so much fun with her. One of days during her visit we were walking a round the house looking for something to do and found a pink rose on the table. I have always loved roses and this rose was radiant with beauty. My younger sister is very good at taking pictures and asked if we wanted to go take pictures with the rose out in the yard. She graped a camera and so did my friend and I was nominated model. We had a blast taking these dramatic, creative pictures. We took something as ordinary as a flower and made a whole photo shoot out of it! :) Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

my younger sister is such an amazing photographer (as older sister, I totally have all bragging rights ;)! )

"Quit making me laugh! These are suppose to be dramatic!"

In His great & awesome love,

***Katie***

Valentines day: A day of love

I've always loved Valentines day. Getting the warm and fuzzies looking at all the hearts and flowers makes me happy. :) Love is such a beautiful thing. As a girl, it's natural for me to long for it. But sometimes people take their longing a little too far. I think it is sad that a lot of singles think of Valentines day as S.A.D. Singles Awareness Day. I do admit that when i see those sweet commercials on tv i think "I wish someone special would send me a dozen roses and chocolate! That girl is soooo lucky!" First of all, I don't even like chocolate!! Secondly, I don't need to be dwelling on guys right now. I want my focus to be on Christ, not on who likes me and who doesn't. For valentines day I try to focus on God's love for me. I will never feel a greater love then this. I also pray for my future husband. My someday valentine. :) A day focused on love is not a bad thing. Actually it's wonderful! Focus on Jesus Christ's love for you, that's better then any warm and fuzzy Valentine could ever ever be!

In His great & awesome love,

***Katie***

CALEB

I LOVE music. Christian music is so uplifting. I listen to music all the time. I can wear out an mp3 battery faster then most anyone else I know. If you were to ask me what my favorite song is, my response would probably be something like, "Do you have a few hours?" My love for Christian Artist and bands are probably just as long of a list. I am a music fanatic! ;)

When I think about favorite bands one that immediately comes to mind is CALEB. This is the band of Caleb Chapman (Yes, Steven Curtis Chapman's son). Also in this band are Will Franklin Chapman and Scott Mills . I first heard the band after reading Marybeth Chapman's book Choosing to See (I totally recommend this book! It's wonderful.) In the book she had mentioned that her son Caleb was into music. I thought it was interesting but didn't give it much of a thought. Well just days after reading the book my family and I hear on the Christian radio station that the band was coming to our area. It was a free concert and we were all interested in hearing the band. So my mom, my sisters, my sissy (friend/twin 3 days apart/etc.) set out for the concert. After an adventure of going to the wrong sanctuary, getting lost, asking for directions (It was a BIG church!), and all that fun stuff, we finally got to the right place. The band was amazing!!! They were very inspiring and talented. It was neat getting to meet the band in the lobby afterward get autographs, talk to them, and get a picture. Our family bought 2 of their cds. I love their music. My favorite songs are Kingdom of Me and Learning How to Love. I really want to get their newest cd To the End of the World. It looks awesome. You can check out Caleb at their website http://calebmusic.com/ .

What is your favorite band? I'd love to hear from you!

In His great & awesome love,

***Katie***

ooh la la!

ooh la la! :)

For those of you who know me, you know that I want to someday visit Paris. It looks so beautiful. I don't know what it is that I love so much about it. It's just that feeling of ooh la la... ;) (I'm not sure that anyone has ever used that to describe their feelings before... I can just see it "How are you feeling today?" "I'm feeling ooh la la.") Most all my friends know about my love for Paris. That's actually one of the top things I'm known for. I have such sweet friends who take care of me and my dreams. For my birthday a wonderful friend of my moms (and a fellow Paris lover) got me a lovely Eiffel tower decoration for my room. For Christmas my Oma (Grandma) gave me a shirt she got when she went to the louver and a gift bag from a shop in Paris. It is wonderful. So now you know about my true love... Do you feel ooh la la now too? ;)

In His great & awesome love,

***Katie***

10 relaxing comforts

Ten of my top relaxing comforts

1. Hot chocolate (I'm drinking it even as I make this post)

2. listening to music

3. playing piano and singing

4.snuggling under my covers with a good book (I just read Unsinkable on my kindle)

5. A warm shower.

6. watching chick flicks with my best friends

7. Playing games with my family (well, Dutch Blitz it's very relaxing... but it's fun!)

8. Starbucks Carmel frappuccino

9. Chick-fil-a need I say more... ;)

And my favorite...

10. talking to my heavenly Father and spending time with Him in prayer and Bible reading.

What are your relaxing comforts? I'd love the hear about them!

In His great & awesome love,

***Katie***

Good bye 2011, Hello 2012!

Au Revoir, 2011! Bonjour, 2012! 2011 was an amazing year. It had many ups and downs, happiness, and sadness, and many unexpected turns. But as with most roller coasters I get off saying I'm glad I rode. Now it's time to get on to my next crazy ride... The BIG 2012!!! I have many hopes and dreams for 2012. Here are a few...
1. Grow even closer in my walk with God.
2. Find new ways to glorify Him.
3. Reach new heights in my singing
4. Get my left split all the way down (I HAVE MY RIGHT SPLIT NOW :)!!!)
5. Go on a missions trip (which looks like it will probably happen!)
6. Start running/walking at least 30 min. on the elliptical 2 or 3 nights a week
7. Right a letter a week
8. Write in my journal everyday.
9. Grow in my friendships I have and make new ones! :)
10. Let Christ's light shine through me. :)
What are your hopes and dreams for 2012?
Praying that have one has a wonderful new year!
In His great & awesome love,
***Katie***

Lifeline

lifeline by mandisa

Here I am drowning in

A sea of my own choices

Fear pulls me down

When the waters rush over my head

___________________________________

You are my lifeline

You are my rescue

Strength in my weakness

Light in my darkness

You are my safety

Lifter of my head

The air that I need when

I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline

You are my lifeline

_________________________________

How many times, how many turns

will it take 'till I learn

You reach for me in my need

And when I cry I know that I'll

faithfully find you

when life comes crashing on me

_________________________________

You are my lifeline

You are my rescue

Strength in my weakness

Light in my darkness

You are my safety

Lifter of my head

The air that I need when

I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline

You are my lifeline

________________________________

You're there in my brokenness

in my distress

My rock when I'm strong

or when I'm powerless

You hole me in rushing tides

when waters rise

And I'll always find

___________________________

You are my lifeline

You are my rescue

Strength in my weakness

Light in my darkness

You are my safety

Lifter of my head

The air that I need when

I can't seem to breath in

You are my lifeline

You are my lifeline

_________________________

I'm so glad that Jesus Christ is my lifeline.

In His great and awesome love,

*Katie*