What a triumph!

Libby rarely gets caught on the other side of the camera, and when she does, she usually dislikes the result.  So, I have been looking for an opportunity to take some pictures of her with which she would be happy.  At last, a few days ago, I got my chance :)  

 In other news, I finally finished my quilt!  *cue fireworks* :)

Enjoy this beautiful autumn weekend the LORD has given us!

-Elise

If thou but suffer

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
 

And hope in Him through all thy ways,


He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee, 

And bear thee through the evil days.


Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
 

Builds on the rock that nought can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee,


These never-ceasing moans and sighs?


What can it help, if thou bewail thee


O’er each dark moment as it flies?

Our cross and trials do but press

The heavier for our bitterness.

Only be still and wait His leisure

In cheerful hope, with heart content

To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure

And all-deserving love hath sent,

Nor doubt our inmost wants are known

To Him who chose us for His own.

God knows the time for joy, and truly


Will send it when He sees it meet,


When He has tried and purged thee throughly


And finds thee free from all deceit,


He comes to thee all unaware


And makes thee own His loving care.

Nor think amid the heat of trial


That God hath cast thee off unheard,


That he whose hopes meet no denial


Must surely be of God preferred;


Time passes and much change doth bring,


And sets a bound to everything.

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
In all thy labor faithful be,

And trust His Word, though undeserving,

Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.

God never yet forsook at need

The soul that trusted Him indeed.

-Georg Neumark

Small Things

"Wherever you are, be all there!
Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."
-Jim Elliot

I have been listening to some messages by Paul Washer this week, and the Lord has been showing me that although my circumstances would not be considered ideal from a human perspective, His will--to conform me to the image of His Son--is being accomplished.
Trials are what God uses to sanctify us.  As I learn this, I am encouraged to live each day to the hilt, to not only tolerate, but embrace sanctification, and to appreciate the small things.  

-Elise

A Dappled Afternoon

The Flowers of Twenty-Thirteen

Ellie is our flower girl.  She dreams of flower gardens, reads the 15 lb. flower encyclopedia like it's a thriller, spouts latin flower names, wanders our property in search of fresh blooms, and brightens our home with her findings.  This past year, she has kept me in near-constant supply of flowers.  My desk and table almost always have a bouquet (or three!).  

Flowers are Ellie's way of saying "I love you," so they are especially nice to have around :)

Ellie's floral gifts have been a constant source of photography inspiration for me, so here you find the flowers that have adorned my room for the last seven months.  

Drink them in, as Anne of Green Gables would say :)

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."  

Isaiah 40:8

-E

The Business of Play

One afternoon last month, Libby and I had the immense pleasure and important duty of sharing in the playtime of two young friends.  John and Timmy briefed us in the art of war...and fishing :)

This was John's handcrafted version of "Axis and Allies," only he called it "Eks and Allies."

The Eks, you must understand, are a fiercely ruthless and barbaric people whose one goal in their short and bloody lifetimes is to conquer the world.  Notice John's creativity in coming up with new lands--my favorite being Zeklink and New Zeklink--and incorporating them with the globe as we know it.

Whether studying how to mobilize your forces and defend your land, or how to jab your fishing rod into a rapidly passing fish's mouth before your opponent can slosh him into HIS bucket, you are constantly kept on your toes when around active youngsters.  Libby and I learn so much whenever we have opportunities like this, and love to enter wholeheartedly into their games.

Happy Independence Day to you all!

xoxo,

Elise

Big Skies

Hello!  During my stay in Montana, I have been feasting on Psalms and contemplating God's majesty each day.  You simply can't help it...this is Big Sky country after all :)

"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore."  Psalm 125:2

I love being between the trampoline and the sunset...

 "The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men."  

Psalm 115:16

I hope you are inspired to spend some time meditating on God's power and strength today.

xoxo,

Elise

Westward Ho!

Hello from Montana!  Last week, I was sent on a last-minute trip to visit some dear friends, and things have finally settled down enough for me to pause and post :)  I've been taking pictures like mad, and within 4 days of arriving, I had already taken 500 shots!  During that time, I spent time in 4 cities, went on 2 long walks, got lassoed into taking pictures of not one but two graduations, played softball, got injured (do those two always go together??), and ate way too many protein bars.  

Ah, life.  :)  

I hope you enjoy a sampling of my 500 pictures :)  Don't forget, you can zoom in!

Newlyweds (and newly pregnant!) Aaron and Sarah...

A walk with Kaitlin...

Lilacs...be still my heart :)

A girl next door caught a hummingbird in her house!  Isn't it amazing?

Annika's graduation!

Sisters...

After Anni's graduation, I took pictures of the graduates with their families in an amazing setting--one of the ladies in the church owned all this awesome photography equipment, and I just set up my camera and went to town :)  Here, my chief assistant Rebecca poses so I can get my settings right.

Annika and Tivoli!

Anni and I, laughing as usual :)

All the girls.  4 homegrown Angles and 2 adopted ones :)

We had some shocking news in the photography alcove...

Rebecca and Jameson...

To my family and friends, I miss you much!
Love from Montana to wherever you are,

Elise