Sometimes....

 ....I just grab the camera and wander around outside, snapping away. I just can't get enough of being outside enjoying the simple, refreshing glories God has made. Especially this time of year! I want to capture it all. 

Sometimes Jonathan buys me things like these boots that I really wanted. And then I put them on and wonder if this was a good or bad fashion decision for Fall. But I end up liking them after all.

(I think)

Sometimes, when the local restaurant we wanted to go to is closed for the day, we end up having Subway down by the river. And I don't complain, because (sometimes) unexpected plans are best of all. 

Sometimes I get *intense cravings. This time it was for baked goods. Muffins, scones, doughnuts. I wanted them all. NOW. So Jonathan was a dear and stopped on the way home (after working all night) and brought me doughnuts. And then sometimes we try new things like making scones! Yay, homemade scones! Which are uuhhmazing with coffee of course :)

 

Sometimes (actually all the time) I get really excited about getting things in the mail. Like photo books and prints of our photography. 

 And sometimes? It's hard to admit, but I have bad days. Like, tear-stained and exhausted kind of days. And I cry to Jonathan because, even though I don't understand why, I sometimes doubt that he really loves me.  It's not because he doesn't show it (trust me, the man bringing me doughnuts on demand is barely scratching the surface of the ways he shows me his love). He is a wonderful, tender husband and it's not his fault. It's mine. 

And then sometimes God shows me that when I doubt Jonathan's love for me, I'm ultimately doubting that He loves me. That's what it all boils down to: the sin of not trusting God. He loves me way more than I deserve in a fierce, intimate way that I often toss aside and fail to see. All the blessings of new boots and sunsets and baked goods and time with my love and little beauties everywhere are all a testimony of His good, wholesome love for me. I simply need to repent of trusting my fickle emotions and claim God's empowering truth that He sings over me. 

I am loved by I AM.

Not sometimes. Not some days.
But every day. Yes, even on hard days.

All the time.

I am loved by I AM.

The Lord your God is in your midst,

a mighty one who will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness;

He will quiet you by His love;

He will exult over you with loud singing. 

(Zephaniah 3:17)

*Intense cravings are not an indication that Breanne 
pregnant. When and if Breanne ever becomes pregnant
she will not drop subtle hints. She will be open and excited
to share the news with everyone. So, until you hear directly
 from Breanne, do not assume that Breanne is pregnant. 
Thank you. 

Early Autumn Meander

The change in weather has resulted in it being much more pleasant for us to go for walks in the nearby park and farmland. I love simple, quiet walks with Jonathan, nothing like it really. We explore, take pictures, act like children, and sometimes just enjoy the level of friendship we have that allows us to be quiet without having the pressure to talk. 

At the end this day, we felt the chill of on coming Fall as we walked along. The air was crisp and smoke-flavored. All around, we could feel the waning light giving way to a rich, cool evening. So simply beautiful. I hope you enjoy the images we made together and maybe think about taking time to worship your Creator with a walk outside. It's a glorious way to appreciate His handiwork. 

Honestly? I just need to be outdoors at times. I feel smothered after being inside for too long. It's hard to explain, but there's something therapeutic that happens inside me when I'm able to get outside. Being as far away from man-made creations as possible and breathing in the open wide for awhile is something I value greatly. I'm praising Jesus that I married a man who understands this and relates to that part of me. I'll never grow tired of being able to experience the wonders of God's creation by exploring with my own two feet, my hand safely tucked in Jonathan's and a camera slung over my shoulder.

Aviation Day

Last weekend, we got up early (after Jonathan had worked all night, poor thing) and took his grandfather with us to Aviation Day at a local airport. They both have a long-lasting love for all types of airplanes and it's a wonderful way for them to relate to each other. The weather was phenomenal, crisp-blue clouds,  chilled air warmed by clear sunlight, and only the slightest hint of clouds along the fringes. I so enjoyed following these two guys and photographing the moments of them chatting about the makes and models of the different planes (ok, and taking selfies in plane propellers). I know these images are something we will treasure for years to come. I hope will enjoy them as well. 

Family is so important to us and we try to put in the time needed to stay connected and involved with both sides. It's not always easy, and we're far from being able to do it perfectly. We honestly have much to learn about truly loving those in our life but we've found that it's well worth the effort. I encourage you to invest richly in the people that God has placed in your life, you won't regret it. I promise.