AFRICA

Image via Google

It has been way too long since I have posted...I have had several people asking me to update this over the past few weeks and since I am on Christmas break I actually have the time and motivation to update=] 

Bare with me. 

I forget how to navigate this blog and I pray that it is not difficult for you navigate my page!

Phew...there is so much to catch up on...but I want to start with explaining the map I posted above. 

In less than two weeks I am traveling to Ethiopia, Africa with two of my best friends...

We are staying with the Benkert family who founded the organization Bring Love In (http://bringlove.in/)...

I have cabin fever big time and I can't tell you how excited I am to explore this part of the world..

I love learning about different cultures and loving on people from all over the world...it is a passion of mine. 

This inspires me daily.

With all of the excitement of my Africa trip on my mind, I keep forgetting that Christmas is right around the corner. 

I struggle with this time of the year a lot...

Let me vent for a minute...

I HATE how society has skewed our view of this holiday. 

Now, I absolutely LOVE giving gifts, in fact it is something I do all year round because there are so many things that remind me of people in my life then I can't resist getting them those gifts but I hate that this time of the year brings a whole different pressure of gift giving.

I challenge you to think about what your motives are behind your gift giving this season and really think about what the meaning of Christmas is and what it means to you.

 End of vent session =]

I want to thank everyone who has supported me thus far in regards to my Africa trip...I have been so blessed with support and prayers...it is amazing...

I am not sure if I will be able to post while I am on my trip but I will figure that out later...

Now time to get back to planning my trip. I will update more later

xo

Life in phone pics..

It is Summertime!!! 

The last few weeks filled with finals, graduations, etc.. are now over & it feels good to be on break =]

I'm excited for the opportunity to post more frequently...I am so inconsistent with this blog but I love it when I am able to post often so that is my goal. 

Hope you all are good...

My Aunt Vanessa is engaged!!!!!!! (Top right pic from L to R...My Aunt Vanessa, Me, My momma!)

Enjoyed the first day of summer with some of my fave girls! 

I modeled this look for my roomy Missy (on the right) for the Goodwill Fashion Show in Cleveland, OH...she did an amazing job! You can see more pics from the show on her blog http://www.myconcretecatwalk.com/

My boyfriend John & I at the show!

Snuggling with baby Grant who fell asleep in my arms! I got to celebrate my boyfriend John's Graduation as well as my Aunt Vanessa's in a matter of 2 days! Congrats to both of you!

Matthew 6:33

Life Lately...

3 weeks. Just 3 weeks until the end of Spring 2012 semester..phew!

So much has been going on lately, I am really behind on posts like usual

3 weeks. Just 3 weeks until I can hopefully become more consistent with this... 

Above is a little snapshot of life lately...

lots of homework

beautiful sunny days (except for today)

lots of goofy faces shared between my man & I

{this pic was taken at an Ethiopian restaurant we went to with friends to celebrate the adoption of their 2 Ethiopian boys into their family over the past few years...I love the boys so much & was honored to celebrate with them.

 It was a fun experience & surprisingly I enjoyed the food despite how picky I tend to be.

John had a little harder time accepting the idea of using our hands as our only utensils to eat the food...fun memories forsure!}

Lastly, a picture of my endless piles that are accumulating everywhere in my room...

 I've been re evaluating some things in my life over the past few weeks and realize how many items I purchased over the last few years that where so unnecessary and unfortunately for the most part expensive. 

I've overhauled my closet and am on a selling spree...

It has been a learning experience & at times not an easy one.

 Isn't it crazy how much stuff we accumulate!?!

It's a huge reality check & I am excited to simplify my life & to be smarter with my money.

On another note...my Great Grandad passed away last weekend on good Friday...his funeral was today & unfortunately I was not able to attend. 

I wasn't super close with him mainly due to how far away he lived but I always admired a lot about him. 

Grandad had an inspiring work ethic, so much love for his wife (Gram, who passed away a few years ago), love for his family, he was very smart & a very classy man of God. 

It is sad that he has passed but I am happy he is in a much better place now. 

I recieved the text from my Marmee stating that Grandad passed away at 7:36pm...

exactly 2 hours later at 9:36pm I received another forwarded text that my Uncle Seth sent...

Him & his pregnant wife Nikki where in a good Friday church service when they heard the news of Grandad...30 minutes later, Nikki's (who was due in about a week) water broke & they began to prep to bring a baby boy into the world!!

 Meet Gavin Henry!

What a beautiful baby boy!! 

I have heard stories like this before but it was so crazy to have so many different emotions in one day.

There was death...then there was life.

I can't wait to meet this sweet boy & love on him!

I hope you all had an awesome Easter celebrating Christ's resurrection! 

More updates hopefully soon...here's to busting out these last 3 weeks!

1st Corinthians 15

Ephesians 5:1-2

Baby baby baby...

Sorry I am behind on posting but life is starting to get kinda crazy busy

Hope to be back up to speed here soon

In the meanwhile...my Aunt had her baby boy yesterday!!

Grant Rylan is the newest addition to the fam...

Sorry about poor quality of photo =]

Welcome to the world Grant

Such a precious baby boy..

What a great way to spend a Tuesday!

=]

 {Tuesday Ten}

 I hope you all had a great weekend!

I enjoyed some great fellowship with friends & learned how to ski!

I actually really enjoyed skiing

 {despite my biased love for snowboarding =P}

What fun did you have this past weekend!?!?

As I continue to update this blog & work on it I really appreciate all of the positive feedback from those of you who have commented or emailed..

Who knew that there could be so much quality love & support via the internet!
___________________________________________________________________________________

So here I go with the top ten thoughts on my mind here on this kinda gloomy Tuesday...

{1} 

I love blogging & have learned a lot about updated my page etc.. in the last month 

however, I know there is still a lot to learn...

so feel free to help me out with tips, etc..

I'd love some feedback !

O and I have my email set up now so you can contact me at

beautiful.broken.amore@gmail.com

{2} 

I miss my siblings...

for those of you who don't know, I am the oldest of 5 kiddos

I love being an older sister

at this point in my life however I feel like I am kind of not needed

I know that is not true but I loved when my siblings where young 

& looked to me for help etc...

this brings me to my # 3...

{3} 

Speaking of siblings...meet my little sister Maddie 

 {who is not so little anymore}  

She texted me today...{I love it when she does}

She wants to color her hair like this..

Source: google.ca via Maddie on Pinterest

She has such a unique, bold, outspoken personality

 & could SO rock this look

I love how bold she is....

 & sometimes wish I had an ounce of the guts that she does

{Love you mads!!}

{4}  

It isn't the prettiest of days {in Ohio}...

but there was a split second this morning as I walked to class

& the snow was coming down

that I stopped & thought hmm...

it is kind of gloomy but this snow is actually pretty right now

Oo Ohio..

{5} 

Verse my boyfriend {John} sent me today...

"In our hearts we felt the of death. 

But this happened that we might not rely on

ourselves but on God,

who raises the dead.

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril,

and he will deliver us.

On him we set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

as you help us with your prayers.

Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious

favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

{2 Corinthians 1:9-11}

Encouraging huh.

{6}

Been on my mind...crazy overwhelming how much he loves us...

 

Source: 30.media.tumblr.com via Brianna on Pinterest

{7}  

Another thought thanks to pinterest...

Source: love-remains-the-same.tumblr.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Working on it!

{8} 

Cute outfit for a semi snowy day like today...

Source: lookbook.nu via Brianna on Pinterest

{9}

In our strive to imitate Christ's love..something to live by...

Source: luxefinds.com via Brianna on Pinterest

{10} 

How I feel at the current moment...

Source: uppercasemagazine.tumblr.com via Brianna on Pinterest

Lots of random thoughts on my mind today...

Mainly just trying to stay awake and be productive...

Hope you have a wonderful night =]

2nd Corinthians 1:9-11