Just do it.

I can't be something I'm not. I'm a God-lover, a Christ-follower, a filled-to-the-top Christian just bursting with joy...and I can't be silenced. God is among us and not everyone knows him yet! Spread the good news. Leave no one behind! God can change generations, heal broken lives, revamp hearts, hug the desperate, and comfort and heal the sick---he makes all things new. God...is the healer and lover of all people. God is all that you need.

He's just all of it.

All of it.

What in this world are you waiting for? Tell someone about his love and mercy!

He's not finished here yet. What does he want to use YOU for?

The Lord, my friend, is a gracious, forgiving, and humble God. I deserve nothing that he has given me, yet he gave it to me anyway because he is so full of love.

Leave your comfort zone this week and talk to someone. Maybe it's the person that cuts your hair, or maybe it's the mailman, the girl that checks you out at Target, or the barista and Starbucks. Maybe you should talk to your mom, your sister, or your next door neighbor. Maybe you should tell your 5 year old nephew about Jesus or just take the time to sit with someone who feels alone and unloved and love them with your presence. What do you need to do? I challenge you to find out...and do it.

The best house

My cousin Jami found this incredible home. What were they thinking anyway? They must REALLY love nature. I can't say I blame them though--original and awesome.

A picture worth 1,000 words.

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Roasted Tomato-Basil Soup

You will need:

2 cans (28 oz. each) peeled whole tomatoes, drained & liquid reserved

2 1/2 Tbsp. packed dark brown sugar

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 c. tomato liquid (saved from above)

3. c. chicken broth

3 Tbsp. tomato paste

1/4 tsp. groud allspice

1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk

1/4 c. shredded fresh basil (this is no problem if you have a nice neighbor like Mr. Biggs!)

salt and pepper

1. First, preheat oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Spray the baking sheet with nonstick spray and arrange the tomatoes in a single layer and sprinkle with brown sugar and onion.
3. Don't forget to save your tomato liquid--there is quite a bit!
4. Bake 25-30 minutes or until they start to get dry and brown.

5. Let tomatoes cool slightly and then finely chop.

6. Put all other ingredients in a crockpot (except evaporated milk, basil, and salt and pepper).

7. Cook on low 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

8. Add remaining ingredients and cook for an additional 30 minutes.

Yum!!

Larissa

Once in a while, a friend comes along that isn't like any of the rest. First of all she's drop dead gorgeous, but besides that, Larissa has always been that one friend that I know will make me laugh in any circumstance. Love you L. (I know you hate your picture being taken...so lucky me!)

new photos comin soon...check back!

Evan + Andrea...sneak peak!

Andrea and Evan are great friends of mine. I've known Andrea since college and we've been friends for about 8 years now, so her wedding this November is extra special. It was such an honor to take their engagement pictures! I can't wait to stand with her as she walks down the aisle!

Made me cry

I was reading some of my favorite blogs, and this one made me cry...in a good way. It's not like this is on my mind, but I just be warned that someday this is going to be me. I might not hold it together as well as this brave mom, but I'm sure gonna be this proud. I always used to make fun of the moms when I was in school--thought they were crazy. Now I'm not sure I'll be able to help but be a crazy fanatic about my kiddos. I'm sure it just comes naturally.

I guess I just got in the mood to talk about this after I talked to my sweet mom tonight. She's the absolute best, and she loves me and told me sweet things exactly like this growing up. She still tells them to me. I'm just so thankful for her. I always knew I was so deeply loved. I still am, and I know it. That in itself is a gift.

Matt + Kaylea

People like Matt and Kaylea are why I love photography so dang much.

They are so fun!

I want this + that

So, I want twins. I'll get them these beds...

With this wallpaper.

Thanks Sarah for the pics. Visit her blog here.

I'm just not sure how the weekend is slipping through my fingers so fast. I'm literally going to have like 1 hour with Jonathan before he leaves for Haiti and all I want to do is sleep. I'm not sure why I'm a Debbie Downer. It's pretty unusual for me to feel this way and I can't get out of this funk! Pray a little extra for me today? I sure would appreciate it.

3 things

What are your favorite 3 things in this picture? I'll go first...I love the window shades, the chandelier, and the white table! Your turn!

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Hey blogger friends,

You're probably hoping I'll post about interior design with way cool pictures, but I can't! I don't have time because I'm redoing my own!

::Michelle

You may or may not care

...but tomorrow, I'm using my precious Saturday to

workout

make pancakes

plant fall flowers

love other people

paint the office

play with my dogs

read books

journal

laugh with friends

go to church (you can always join me at 6:30pm!)

praise God for how wonderful he is

How about you? Saturday plans?

Today is that day

Sometimes, when I have a hard stressful moment in my day, I make 2 lists:

5 Reasons to hate life.

1. I woke up at 8:03 (usually 6:30) and couldn't find my keys to my car...so I got to work (25 min) away by 8:36.

2. Plus, I didn't get to take a shower, so strike 2.

3. I can't find my wallet (Day 5--don't worry, no delinquent charges...yet)

4. I can't find my phone (I had it an hour ago)

5. My car is out of gas and I can't buy more because I can't find my wallet!!

25 Reasons to love my life

1. I have a wonderful husband

2. I have an amazing job

3. I have a great new car, even if it can't go anywhere right now ;)

4. I had the best time at book club tonight!

5. I have the best friends in the world

6. My perfume smells good tonight! yum, I never wear this one but I like it!

7. I am going to read a book in a second and it's going to make me smile

8. I got asked to shoot a wedding today. that's always a good feeling.

9. My dogs are always happy to see me, no matter how I greet them

10. I haven't had any delinquent charges on my card, so if my wallet is at a store, there are still some honorable nice people in the world

11. I have freedom

12. I drank a $4 coffee tonight and didn't bat an eye. Some people would call that a month's salary.

13. I have 13 pairs of shoes

14. I don't really need anything in my life to be happy. I am happy with exactly what I have.

15. My family is amazing.

16. I'm going to Hawaii next year

17. I get to go skiing this December!

18. God made me cry on the way home...in a good way

19. I got to laugh really hard with Sarahbeth

20. My ice maker finally works!

21. I get to go to the justin bieber concert in November. (already counting down)

22. I didn't have to clean the kitchen tonight

23. I have a free weekend and lots of plans

24. When I think about coming home, I think about happiness

25. God is all that I need, and he's in charge

...and that's just how it's going to be. See ya crazy moment. You are not welcome here anymore.

Focus up

I'm not really that funny. I'm not really that brilliant. I can do a few things really well, and I'm proud of that, but for the most part, I'm just normal. What is normal anyway? Who would want to be more than normal? Well...me. I want to stand out. Me...over here. Me.

I love my life. I love my job. I love my husband. I love my dogs. I love my side projects and all of my fun hobbies. I love my family. I love my favorite coffee mug. I love my stories. I love love love.....you get the point. I'm so lucky. Did anyone out there just get jealous of my life? I hope not---that's the last thing I would ever wish...because I hope that you love YOUR life, but if you thought it for a split second...keep listening.

Do you love your life?

Today I was inspired at work by a really great speaker that came and spoke a message for an upcoming series. I'm not going to repeat everything that he said, because he is gifted with speech and I don't need to try to reproduce everything he said. However, I will tell you a couple of life-changing things that made me nod and say, "Yes, in fact sir, you are EXACTLY right."

So, like I said, are you tired? Of your life? Yes, you. Or are you just tired in general? Same thing, isn't it? Well if you're unfulfilled, tired, or frustrated, take a moment to hear some wonderful words...

Focus on the Eternal. "You won't fix your problems by focusing on them. You'll fix your problems when you stop focusing on them and start focusing on the one who is bigger than your problems." (Thank you Chris Hodges) He said it perfectly! I want to freakin frame this quote and hang in my house!! How many times a day do I get caught up in my own problems? When they do come, it's easy to become so distracted by them that I forget the one who is so much bigger than anything I ever deal with in my life.

Didn't he prove that to me this last year and not only bring me a job that I love, but one that was better than I ever could have imagined for myself in a million years? And didn't he provide just enough hope the entire year I was unemployed? And wasn't it him who sent me promise after promise just when he knew I needed encouragement? Didn't he prove that to me last year when we couldn't pay some unexpected bills and someone deposited the exact amount that we needed into our checking account? Didn't he prove that to me yesterday when Jonathan and I shared the perfect day together after 2 years of an up and down relationship? Didn't he heal my marriage? Didn't he send the exact people that were on my mind into the store I was shopping in so that I could talk to them? Wasn't he the one that healed the sick and brought them back to church another Sunday? Isn't he the great physician? Isn't he the almighty creator of the Universe? Isn't he the beginning of life and the end of it? Doesn't he care about your every small problem? Yes, he does! God rocks my world.

There was a time in my life, about a year ago, when I can't say that I trusted God to fix my problems, but my how he has proved me wrong and how dare I stand here and not tell everyone how amazing he is! He IS my life. Today was such an awesome reminder and an "uh huh" moment for me. God is bigger than any problem you face. Leave it there...let him worry about it, won't you? Quit holding on already. He's not going to take it from you. God has manners--he'll wait for you to give it to him, so give it up already.

Life is too short, and far too wonderful, to hate another day.

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Focus up.

If you have a problem, and don't have anyone to talk to, call me. I can't guarantee I have the answers, but I'll help you find the one who does...

Trip to Nebraska

Jonathan's parents live in Nebraska, and they just opened up the coolest little coffee shop called Destinations in Lincoln right across the street from Nebraska University. We made a trip down there to capture the day a couple of weeks ago. Here are some of my faves! Enjoy! (Maybe have a cup of coffee while you do?)

This is their building, which used to be an old fire station.

This is Wes, Jonathan's dad. He greeted all the guests at the Grand Opening.

And Mendy came!

And Tomy too!

And then of course, my better half, who captured video.

This was Jonathan's creative little pic...

See those awesome garage doors? They open...

Bookcase Love

These bookcases are polar opposites, and I love them both--maybe not equally, but they both have a place in my heart. I sure do love the one above because I'm a fan of white white white (of course), but I have to give props to the ladder creativity below. Look at that cute functionality!

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Car lashes

Yes, car lashes are a real and ridiculous thing. Am I dreaming?

Regardless, you can get them here.

Amazing Dog

Check out this darling dancing dog. You'll literally wonder, aren't his legs tired yet?!

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Before//After Project

Dear bloggers,

I am going to show you how to do a home makeover for $100 or less. Can't be done? I will prove it to you with pictures--from my house. Stay tuned as I redo our home office in September! (This project funded by my loving aunt Carol!)

::Michelle