Day 12. January 12th, 2012.

Journey.

Isn't it a lil wild, life? I mean. Did you really think a year, a few years, maybe even just a week ago, that you'd be where you are right now? Maybe you did have some sort of idea. But maybe you didn't. In my life, I never have an idea. A year and a half ago I would not have guessed in my wildest of dreams that I'd be where I am now. With that being said, who knows where I'll be in another year and a half. Each day is a journey. Sometimes it's dark and everything feel backwards, sometimes it seems too good to be true. But so long as there is a beat in your heart, there's a reason for your journey, and I think that's just pretty darn amazing.

Day 11. January 11th, 2012.

This morning Toulouse, France was as the same temperature as Palmer, Alaska. 

Just because I don't prefer the cold weather, doesn't mean I can't take it. At least, it wasn't enough to stop me from running a couple miles.

Being Alaskan: Short of God's love and my loved ones themselves, is the biggest blessing in my life. Sorry to those who simply can't understand because they are not indeed, Alaskan.

Day 10. January 10th, 2012.

Because amidst a blurry and jumbled mess there's one thing that stands true and strong: His word, His love. 

Suffice to say, my day and the days to come will be fairly chaotic...literally for another month. {This is a so-so picture of my bed, during some packing...} Started the chaos today, but I was too filled with joy and serenity from the remembrance of just how great is our Lord, to be brought down by stress.
(Wish I could live every day like this...)

"I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God." ~Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NIV)

 


 I just really do not like this photo...hahahaaaa....
Alas, it does represent a blessing of my day, well enough...

Day 9. January 9th, 2012.

Notice the creases on my thumbs. They crease, differently. One, left, with various lengths, while on the right they crease straight across. I've no idea why; just always noted this difference. Maybe it's normal, maybe it's not. Comparisons.

These aren't always a blessing. They can be a discouragement, the cause of jealousy, judgement or even self-loathing at times. To feel compared to another can be the worst feeling one is able to experience. But what is a blessing, is that God doesn't compare us. God doesn't wish that we were as pretty as a model or as talented as a music legend, so why should we dare compare our unique life to another's? Out of those moments of distress when the feeling of comparison overwhelms, one I know quite well, we have the distinct blessing to know that we're loved for who we are, not who we wish to be. The songs "Forgiven - Reliant K" and "What Love Really Means - JJ Heller" come to mind here. Two of my favorites.

Day 8. January 8th, 2012.

How blessed are we with the ability of sight? 

Disregarding potential visual issues, the fact that with sight comes automatic judgment of others, and the constant taking for granted of this ability; it sure is one to remember and be thankful for, as it could be taken from us at any moment through the simplest of accidents. 

Be it an old cathedral in France or the ability to see the faces of our loved ones, sight is a blessing never to be taken lightly.

Day 7. January 7th, 2012.

Patience is a virtue.

Coming home this afternoon, we cut through the local park right at closing time. Unfortunately, our desired gate was already locked shut, but we were able to wait for the keeper of this kid's play-ride to finish up for the day and unlock the gate, allowing us to exit the park as he did. Now, he could have unlocked the gate right away, for the group of us waiting. But no... he closed up his whole shop first... Not that big of a deal, besides the fact it was raining and chilly out. I had two choices for how I could to view that moment: complain about waiting in the cold rain, or pull out my camera and just observe the surroundings in a night setting, opposed to how I normally see it, during the day. Ian and I chatted baseball while I took pictures and pleasantly passed the time. Nice moment, nice choice. Patience, is always a blessing.

Day 6. January 6, 2012.

Coffee. {Can you imagine how much I LOVE my coffee maker?}

Some may not agree, but many will - Coffee is huge blessing in my life! I love how much detail God put into how our bodies react to certain things, and how coffee just creates the best start to my day. Sure, I'm able to live without it, but why would I want to do that?

Day 5. January 5th, 2012.

Orange nail polish. Who wears orange nail polish, especially in winter? (I do :) )

I was thinking about this today, and that how I as a person am very eclectic. Which got me thinking about all the amazing people I have in my life. Such differences among my friends in personalities and interests, odd passions and inspiring talents. It's so awesome! I'm immensely blessed to know so many unique people.

Day 4. January 4th, 2012.

Challenges. Life isn't without them.

They can be frustrating, scary, sometimes just downright annoying. But in conquering challenges there comes growth and maturity, not to mention feeling awesome about yourself. Lol. What lays ahead may not be clear, but your first step is all you need to be sure of! In some way, there's always light at the end of persevering through hardship, even if we don't see that light during this lifetime. Reminds me of the Third Day song 'Tunnel'. (Dark staircase, light at top...makes enough sense to me! ;) )

Day 3. January 3rd, 2012,

I often wonder, to a fault, if anyone notices that my legs are crooked. I suppose not abnormally so, but still...

One of my favorite stories is when I was getting fitted for a dress in Brazil and the lady said "Your legs are beautiful, thick, but beautiful." Um...thanks?

What right would I have to complain? They get me where I need to be, they're strong but not overly so, they're long(ish) and fairly toned. Most of all they're healthy. H.E.A.L.T.H.Y. What more is there to desire?

 

Day 2. January 2nd, 2012.

Time: Fleeting, ever-present, personal, insufficient yet somehow capable of forever.
A blessing;
Not a guarantee.

There's a reason it's called the present, because every second is a gift.

Day 1. January 1st, 2012.

I let my handwriting do its own thing. I want the focus to be on literal knowledge and capability, not the frills of how 'well' it's practiced. If you noticed I wrote 'illiterate' incorrectly, remember how blessed you are to read that word; and to know the difference between incorrect and correct spelling. "I've only one New Year's resolution this year, 2012: Count my blessings. Looking back on 2011, I remember my attempted "365 photo album". I lacked the motivation to post a photo each day. This time I'm taking a different approach: A years worth of photos, each expressing a different blessing in my life. Do you know almost 17% of our world's adult population is illiterate? How blessed are we to have this knowledge; some of us, in more than one language. For this, I'm thankful."