My family drove up into the beautiful (little) mountains outside of Boone to pick out a Christmas tree for my mom and sisters. It was a chilly fresh morning with gorgeous light breaking out over the trees.
We loaded up into a wagon and rode up to the top to select our tree. It was bumpy and cold and way too much fun.
Binding up the tree so it would fit on the roof of the car 
Tree hugger!
Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Luke 1:30
And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, and the virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27
Our Thanksgiving Day was a bit small this year. My brother Josh wasn’t able to make it down from college as he was the stay in RA, and John’s sister spent Thanksgiving with her in laws. It felt small but it was still lovely. We crowded around my mom’s little table and decorated a stack of sugar cookies in the blink of an eye. Which of course were absolutely delicious with that hint of almond.
Of course most of the afternoon consisted of making our Thanksgiving feast.. and then we all gathered in my mom’s apartment to enjoy it and be together.
Sometimes simple and small is beautiful.
The evening was spent in games and just being together as a family. How be it not the entire family.. but I’m just grateful we could be together at all. So many people can’t be together and so many people wouldn’t even have enough food to share around if they did. I hope I never lose perspective.
So many things to be thankful for..
John and I celebrated the day by giving the gift of hope to girls who have been rescued out of sex slavery.. to help them build a new life. I don’t ever want to lose sight of how I’ve been blessed so that I can bless in return. If you would like to join me in giving a future and hope to hurting children around the world, visit my gift catalog with World Vision by clicking HERE.
I hope you all had a very lovely Thanksgiving surrounded by the people you love. -Bethany
Our life group had an easter egg hunt and party last week. It was a lot of fun, and the kids loved it. The excitement as they dashed around picking up eggs was enough to make you laugh.. it was so cute.
And the hunt begins!
After all the eggs were picked up and deposited in their darling little baskets, they took turns holding the cutest little chicks.
The guys took a liking to the chicks too.
Then the discovering of treasures inside of the eggs; chocolate, candy, bracelets and other little delights.
And last but not least.. the Easter bunny!
I think Baby wanted to eat the bunny…
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
And then that darkest of nights, and the fiend we call DEATH were powerless.
And my Beloved…
AROSE.
-beth
i don’t have a photo for day 42, and this makes me sad. so early into the project and i miss a day. i don’t have a good excuse. we were traveling but we stopped at a cute coffee shop where i could’ve snagged a picture. i didn’t realize i hadn’t taken one all day. not even an iPhone pic. this is sad. oh well.
these were my valentines gifts for my sisters and mom. can you guess whose is whose?
and this is what i found on the coffee table after john left for work yesterday. nothing like that to brighten my morning. =} did you guys get any cute or creative valentines treats from your love? tell me about them!
-beth
Thanksgiving this year was wonderful. John’s family came up from Florida and so we got to celebrate all together with both our families. It was so special to have everyone all together.
I didn’t take many photos this year.. rather, hardly any at all. Sometimes I enjoy life more behind the lens and sometimes I need to set it aside and just be with people. That’s what I did this year. We had a relaxed day of just being together, cooking, playing chess tournaments and shooting arrows..
As always, the cooking is divided among all of us according to what we make the best.
This year I was overwhelmed with things I’m thankful for. That Jesus lives in me, makes me alive, makes me everything I am. For my family who are always there for me and love me unconditionally. Friends who are always there when I need them. Love, happiness, the incredible food we eat, the warm houses we all have, the beautiful clothes.. that John still has his eye with some vision. I hope to never take this all for granted.. ever.
