Kendall

Sometimes, when God brings people into your life, you don't always expect to love them as much as you do. Ends up, this girl means the world to me. I met Kendall at her 13th birthday party as well as her sweet mom Cindy. Cindy mentored me and I began hanging out with Kendall over the summer. Well, it's safe to say that we're much more than friends now. She really is one of the sweetest girls on this big blue earth. I know God is proud of her life.

Kendall, my sweet little sister, if you read this, you go girl! You don't sit around and wait for people to love on others--you do it yourself! You're beautiful, you're kind, you're humble, and you're way better at working a GPS than me! Don't ever forget that God is all that you need. I'm so proud of your choices and for living out your favorite bible verse every day.

1 Timothy 4:12

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

What a great memory we made yesterday.

Sarcasm

Right before I ran an errand this morning I said (in complete sarcasm) to my husband, "When I come home, I would like to be greeted with a smile and a hot cup of coffee. I would also like for my dog to be brought to me, and for my car to be valet parked in the warm garage. That's not too much to ask is it?" I laughed a little to myself, but said it in complete seriousness, and then I left.

Jonathan, being the sarcastic man he is, decided that I, in fact, did need all of those things. So, when I pulled up to the driveway in my sweats, my crazy hair, and no makeup on my face, he approached me in his suit coat, tie, my dog, and a piping hot cup of fresh Kona coffee in my favorite mug. "My lady, I am here to park your car."

Lol. Never a dull day at the Meisners eh?

I'm a sucker

It's true. I'm a sucker for unbelievable laundry rooms...
Completely white OR BLACK kitchens...
Chandeliers over bathtubs...
And houses like this that contain all of these things...
Check out the full house here at House and Home.

Must Read

Don't know what to read? Do yourself a favor and warm your heart by reading Heaven Is for Real (the following is directly from the book):

A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven. Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear. Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us. Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

I was skeptical of this book, but not after I read it. It's incredible. I bought the ebook for a little under $8 and it will definitely be a reread. I absolutely loved this book and it was worth every minute of my time!

Read this

Today you need to go read my friend Neely's blog, Coming From Our Experience. I'll be praying for her and her family. You should join me...because we take care of our own.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Things I want in 2011

More family.

I want awesome memories, new experiences, more laughing, and yes, even more love.

More photography.

I can't wait to open up my lens cap and get to work. Enough said.

Reading.

I want more of the Bible. I want it every morning, afternoon, and night. I want to eat it, breathe it, live it. I want God's word to saturate my life.

Writing.

I want my life experiences on paper.

That being said, in 2011, I will only choose one new year's resolution, and it will be the one most important to me-- to become a better friend of God. He's my drug, and I just can't get enough of him. I hope you call me selfish, because I have to have more. More more more. Of him.

Shameless Audacity

Romans 6:13

"Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God."

Use your whole body! What does that mean anyway? You mouth, in thankfulness to him? Your feet, your hands, your heart, your smile, your everything? Are you thankful for whatever it is going on today? I mean, truly truly thankful. God showed so much mercy on me, and on mankind, that it's really a privilege to give it back to him, and to others, isn't it?

Galatians 6:9-10

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Isaiah 25:1

"O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago."

He knew what I would be doing on the 21st of December before my life ever started, and he had a plan. Because he is mighty and because he is powerful, and yes, because he is God, he'll take care of my needs today. That gives me lots of hope on days when I don't have all the answers. Let him show you his glory this week. He always shows up, and if you ask with a longing and seeking heart, God will answer you. I'm not just saying that, he said it himself in the book of Luke.

Luke 11:5-10

Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.' And suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of your friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

I love that part about shameless audacity. Just because we're friends with God, doesn't mean he'll give us everything we ask for or want, but he promised us that if we ask with shameless audacity, he'll get up and listen. Those that seek him will find him! That's a good promise right there! God will answer you. Why not tell God exactly how you feel? Tell him what you need. Sure, he already knows, but he wants you to tell him like someone who shares a secret with their best friend. Tell him what you really really need today.

John 21:25

"Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written."

I haven't always prioritized my life to where God was first. But let me tell you, when I seek him and make him first in my life, the floodgates of blessing open up so wide that there is too much to even take in. Let him bless you in the same way! Don't wait to find out what I'm talking about. God is anxiously waiting for you like a kid on Christmas morning. He's crazy about!

Merry Christmas!

Oh my goodness, could you not just sit in this room and read for hours on end?! Look at that yummy tree...and that gorgeous natural light!

Ceiling Obsessions

Sometimes the ceiling makes the room...

Make your own Wallflowers

These adorable wallflowers are made out of napkins! So yes, pretty much everyone can do it! If you guys think these wallflowers are cute, and want to learn how to make them, do yourself a favor and follow this link to Made blog and check out the awesome tutorial! I won't even bother duplicating her instructions because she's awesome like that!

Cutest baby

McKennon could ask me for anything, and I think he'd get it. I have the cutest nephew in the world!

All I want for Christmas

I know that I'm getting older. I can tell...because instead of wanting things for Christmas, all I want is love. I know that sounds so incredibly cheesy, but I can't describe it any other way.

I love to give gifts to people. Absolutely love it, but I just don't even hardly know where to begin because I get so excited and overwhelmed that I want to buy like 5 things for each person. I'm really not kidding. I think it's going to be bad whenever we have little kiddos (I will need a budget for sure).

This Christmas, more than anything under the tree, more than Christmas music, Christmas lights, hot chocolate, warm fuzzy feelings, watching a classic Christmas movie, or hanging out at an ugly sweater party, I just crave Jesus. He is the only thing that truly makes me happy deep down inside, and it's his BIRTHDAY!

So beyond all the Christmas tree decorating and the gift-wrapping, don't forget to celebrate that child in a manger that came so long ago and knew you before you ever knew yourself. Let him bless your heart this Christmas, because if you truly give him the chance, he sure will!

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matthew 2:2

Holga pics

Here are some pictures from my first roll of film. :) Kind of excited about it. This is from the Macy's Day Parade in NYC this year. It's hard to get used to this different kind of picture, but I actually love them a lot. :)

And oh yeah, Merry Christmas!

My personal mission statement

I didn't understand myself very well at first, but luckily, God understands me better than I know myself and he's helped me through it. Looking back, I'm not sure I understood myself at all, or what I was doing in life. It's taken a lot of searching, praying, and self-reflection before I have clearly understood what I was put on this earth to do...and then actually start doing it. So, as a way to completely state the mission of my life, I've basically narrowed what I believe to be my life purpose to one sentence (through the Chazown experience).

To live a transparent and resilient life that mirrors God's fiercely generous love by leading others to understanding and self-discovery.

I have a short amount of time on this earth, and I'm going to honor the Lord with every living breathing second. Praise be to the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and all things seen and unseen. Who gives life, and takes away, to him be the glory and honor forever and ever...

Impossible Pumpkin Pie

If you have 5 minutes or less, you can make this pie. Listen...

• Ingredients:
• 2 eggs
• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup biscuit/baking mix
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• whipped topping
• 
  

Get out your blender, and blend up all of the ingredients below, pour the mixture into a 9 inch pie plate, and bake at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve with whipped topping.

DONE! There is no reason cooking can't be easy AND good. :) Happy cooking!

Abby + Sam

This couple is a-mazing and so sweet. I don't think they can help it either. :)

All the time

I can be a woman, but that doesn't make me a supermodel.

I can have long hair, but it doesn't make me pretty.

I can have a great husband, but it doesn't make me a great wife.

I can sleep 8 hours a night, but I don't get any younger.

I can drink milk, but I don't turn into a cow.

I can fly in a plane, but it doesn't make me a pilot.

I can love Massachusetts, but it doesn't mean I can live there.

I can tell people I love them, but it doesn't mean they'll believe me.

I can hug my dogs, but it doesn't mean they understand why.

I can say hi to a stranger, but it doesn't mean they understand my caring nature.

I can love, but it doesn't mean I'll be loved in return.

I can ask God, but it doesn't mean I'll get what I'm hoping for.

We deny him, and God forgives us 77x7.

We reject him, and God loves us the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We don't deserve him, but he calls us his own children if we will only call on his name.

Nations are like dust to him, but he still cares about our sick dog and our house payment.

Thank him.

Serve him.

Love him.

And most importantly, don't forget to do it...all the time.

Laura Kimsey Designs

Meet my friend Laura Kimsey. If you want an incredibly meticulous, detail oriented designer, who takes great pride is creating something unique that you will cherish forever, be sure to visit Laura's website at www.laurakimsey.com or visit her on Etsy! She does absolutely beautiful work. I have one sitting in my house, and I love it!

Sharae + Ade

Had the BEST time with this fun fun couple. Can't wait to show you more.

Top 5 Moments of the week

1. Boston Beauty

2. Macy's Day Parade with Grant and Lindee
3. Spending a week with my best friend, Jonathan
4. Unexpectedly seeing Justin Bieber on the Today show
5. Spending time with my family

I need your help

I've been in such a book slump lately! Can someone recommend some great new reads for a poor girl?

Top 3

Top three things from yesterday:

1. Buying a Holga (which by the way, I ruined my whole roll of FILM TODAY from all of pictures from Boston!!!!! Trust me, this will not happen again.)

2. All things pictures happened.

3. Walking through little Italy and eating a fancy Italian Restaurant with Jonathan.

Top three things from today:

1. Seeing Harvard

2. Singing Christmas Carols walking home (even though it's not even Thanksgiving...who cares)

3. Fire & Ice with the Ledbetters (Definitely try out this restaurant if you visit)

On another note, this city is so far (and I have traveled to about 40+ states, so I'm not just saying this) is my very favorite. The old school charm, movie-like homes, and restored buildings & shops are absolutely dreamy. But...I won't judge quite yet, cause I haven't seen NYC yet. :)

Boston

Friends, I meant to blog BEFORE I left, but luckily, technology is wonderful and sitting here resting my feet, I can't think of anything else I'd love to do quite as much. :) So...let me tell you about the top 3 things from today. I'll try to post pictures when I get back, but for now, every once in a while, I'll try to let you in the loop.

1. When our friends, the Bradleys, came and picked us up at 5:45am dressed up as a limo service--including suit/tie, door services, chilled drinks with STRAWS, candy, assorted nuts, a SIGN on the door of the car, and a specially mixed CD for a Meisner/Bradley dance party on the way to the airport. We have the best friends!

2. Running across the street holding Jonathan's hand, laughing uncontrollably.

3. Leaving the camera at home...and taking in the memories :) So worth it.

YouVersion Bible App

Have you heard of YouVersion? If not, today is your lucky day! This free app is sweeping the world with it's easy to use online bible translations where you can easily post verses or thoughts to Facebook or Twitter. It offers online reading plans, which you can read right from your phone, computer, or ipad, and allows you to easily comment on scripture, interact with others, and so much more. In January alone, YouVersion is hoping to have an awesome 1 billion minutes read. Can you even imagine how awesome that would be for people to be reading the bible that much?!

Goal or not, lets reach more people for Christ. Maybe consider what you can do to help spread the word. Maybe you can tweet a verse or encourage a free download of the app to a friend in the month of December. Lets get it out there!

Wild love

Sometimes I think about my life, and about what God has done in it, and I really can't help but cry. I'm going to be completely honest and just say that I am a baby when it comes to God. I usually don't cry during sad movies, I can sometimes make it through Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but when it comes to God, I'm a goner. I can't pray, I usually can't talk about Him, and I certainly can't write this blog without...tears. I love Him so much. If He were sitting here with me, I'd probably lean over and squeeze His face until He told me to stop. He means everything to me, and no one can ever take Him away. He's my best friend and He loves me enough to show me discipline, give me knowledge that I don't feel like I deserve, and hope for a lifetime. I've learned to love His still small voice and He shows me the way to go if I just stop and listen. I really really love quiet times with Jesus before bed, in the car, and in the morning before anyone in the house is up. He's my quiet friend. If you ever want to talk, email me. Love you all. Praying for my readers tonight. God is insanely wild about you. :)

The Jacobsons

Here is a sneak peak of the Jacobson Family. I've loved this family since the first day I ever met them. If you know them, you know what I mean don't you?