enjoying the small things

Steam rose lazily up from our iron, the swish and spray of the washing machine was heard, flowers were gently placed on the table, small fingers tapped the key board, pencils bobbed up and down, someone lay curled up on the couch reading a good book, ducks quacked, and warped shadows and golden lighting smothered the walls, and while all this happened I captured some of this beauty. 

{linking up with: Paper Heart}

What is your favorite thing to take pictures of?

also linking up with:

wordless wednesday but with words

wordless wednesday

wordless{ish} wednesday 

wordless wednesday

wordless wednesday

{semi} wordless wednesday

eucharisteo.

Running.  Breathing.  Praising.  Sobbing.  Laughing.  Rejoicing.  Thanking.  

Jesus gave me this life so I'm going to use this life for Him.  Every breath I take is from Him, so every breath I take should be for Him.  Every step I take is a gift from Him, so I'm going to use every step I take for Him.  

I'm going to shout praises to Him.  Give Him thanks.  Rejoice.

Eucharisteo.

Eucharisteo–Greek.  yoo-khar-is-teh’-o. Verb. Definition: 1.To be grateful, to feel thankful. 2. Give thanks

-- walking home, humming tunes, laughing, smiling, rejoicing, drenched with rain, after picking blackberries.

-- coming home, rising, preparing blackberries.

-- bubbles adorning dishes.  Bubbles with color and life.  

-- Swollen clouds.  

--The sun braking its way through clouds... the sun shattering light.  

--rain pouring.  Drenching the earth.  

-- reflections on iPods

-- dried roses

via

-- and life.

What is one 'eucharistio' -- or one thing you're grateful for -- you can mention in a comment today?

--acacia

{ linking up with ann voskamp }

a myriad of things

"I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string." 

— L.M. Montgomery




blurry.

Chandeliers hang, sparkling, gleaming, shimmering.

  Light spills into rooms and forms pools of sunlight on the ground.  Tables are waited on.  Giggling is heard from a small table in the corner and heads are thrown back in laughter -- laughter that sprays joy into the room.

I glance outside: it's warm, hot, sunny.  70 degrees.  Sun never ceases to spill over the window panes and unto the ground.  Wind ruffles curtains and they quiver in its breeze.   Blessed.  Blessed.  Blessed.  That word runs through my head over and over again.

Running outside, spotting bees that drone over flowers, finding soft, lavender-colored flowers standing in the moment.  I stand in the moment, and hold on to it.

linking up with kate's photo challenge ll macro 

beautiful places and guesses.

I went somewhere very lovely.  But you, yes you! have to guess where.  The above picture is a hint.

{{I'll post on 'where I went' soon}}

churches.

Aren't they beautiful?

beaches

I was completely and utterly amazed when I saw flowers growing through a roof... so pretty, no?

yum!

pineapples  + strawberry-flavored lollipops = scrumptious

summer

Summer, with your arms open wide, I run into you're embrace.  I catch the sunshine, soak it in.  

 this summer, make sure you:

Swim, 

spray hoses, 

mow lawns, 

garden,

play,

take photographs,

write,

 read,

stay up late,

be an early bird,

or just

 do what you love to do!

both photos are disclaimers. 

what will you be doing this summer?

much love!

acacia

P.S.  poll results: most of you like photography posts the best!  (approx. 40 votes... thanks, y'all for voting!)

P.P.S.  If I don't post in a while, it's because I'm going to/will be in Barcelona, Spain.  *squee!* (so excited). :)  And yes, I will be bringing my camera... I can't wait to share some of the pictures with you!

capture, embrace, live fully

the next couple pictures were taken in Germany

linking up to lovely photo wednesday

I've been wanting more and more to,

   Embrace Jesus. Capture moments, life.  Live fully. 

How do I do that?  How can I be fully alive for Christ and cope with all the hardships in this world?  How can I be grateful in the midst of storms? 

The answer:  Christ. 

 I'm going to Him and asking Him for help.  Help in the midst of the raging storms.  Help in the midst of war.  Help in the midst of life. 

Will you go to Him, too?  -- And only to Him?  Because I know that sometimes we go to things that won't give us help.  We look for help in the wrong places.  But can we just chose that right place to go to, please?  That right place is Jesus Christ.  He's the Healer of all, redeemer of all.  Explaining how much He helps transform your life is beyond explanation.  As soon as you enter His presense, you will be transformed.  Enter!  Enter into His gate! 

through Him you'll live fully.