Skirts Ahoy!

Libby and I are holding a sale at Winsome Skirts…a great big sale :)  

Perhaps your new favorite skirt is in stock, and just waiting to be discovered!  Better go check :)

xoxo,

Elise

Earlier this spring...

Just a handful of pictures I took earlier this spring.  I was really pleased with how they turned out!  

I feel like I've hit my stride with photography :)

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

 Praise the LORD!" 

Psalm 150:6

xoxo,

Elise

"there are FLOWERS down here!!!!!"

I went through a time last month when I was extremely discouraged.  In the midst of this, my family randomly showered me with gifts!  It was such a sweet reminder of God's knowledge of my struggles, His love for me as His child, and His plans for my ultimate good.

"But now, thus says the LORD, your creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel,

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  

When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you."

Isaiah 43:1-2

One night, Dad came home with a ruby-red bunch of my favorite Ranunculus flowers!

Ellie surprised me one afternoon with this sweet note on my wall :)  She is so creative!

Even more ranunculus!  This bunch was from Ellie.

My favorite roses--ORANGE!  From Libby, who knows me so well.

My joke during this time became, "One nice thing about being at the bottom of the barrel 

is that there are FLOWERS down here!"  :)

xoxo,

Elise

light in darkness

"But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD;

I will wait for the God of my salvation.  My God will hear me.

Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy.

Though I fall I will rise;

Though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me."

Micah 7:7-8

Better late than never, right? Of course right!

2013 is over!  I can't help but add "Hallelujah!" :)  It was a busy, productive, and hard year for my family, and while I'm grateful for all the lessons we've learned, I'm also glad 2013 is over.  

Let's look through some highlights, shall we?

I…

Gained a sister (and a sweet and beautiful one at that!)...

Spent many joy-filled hours with children...

Worked, laughed, and learned with these two, whom I love really much...

Got glasses with this girl...

Witnessed the wedding of one of my oldest and dearest friends...

(photos courtesy of Libby's Lens)

(image courtesy of Forrest Rowell Photography)

Spent many hours listening to this girl play organ….

...in this breathtaking church...

Got an accordion for Christmas(!!!!!!!!!)...

Expanded my crafting skills...

Delighted in the vigorous camaraderie and encouragement of these friends...

Honed my photography skills (has it only been one year since I started?!)...

Helped a few young men acquire some facial hair...

And enjoyed my family more than ever!

(last three pictures courtesy of Libby's Lens)

May the LORD prosper our ways in 2014 as we seek to serve Him and advance His Kingdom!

xoxo,

Elise

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