adventures-of-joy

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I have a knack for taking maternity pictures just days before the baby's arrival! This would be the third time, in a row, the child has come within the week of the shoot. Take note: If you are pregnant and are in need of delivery, schedule a photo shoot with yours truly!

(Photos taken April 10) Joel Zachery Thomas was born April 11, 2014 at Sarasota Memorial. At a whopping 6lbs 7oz he comes into this world as a healthy, loved, perfect little baby boy! He makes me an Auntie for the first time!!! I can't wait to share some new born photos because he is the cutest little guy, but one thing at a time.

PS: In the photos, they are looking for shark's teeth. It's a family tradition thanks to our mother! Let's just say, some of us are better at it than others. And by some I mean Nate... and by others... I mean me.

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The last few months of my life have been filled with round large saucers from heaven. I have been traveling with The Amish Baking Co. this season making hot fresh doughnuts and hot fresh pretzels. Luckily, I didn’t gain an exuberant amount of weight, so I feel as if I’m walking away a winner.

There were many miles traveled, some good and some not so good hotel experiences, one night in a hammock, one purchased hammock, two burnt finger tips on a 450 degree pretzel pan, 3 new colorful bandanas, 49 thousand times singing “Say Something” at the top of our lungs, a pretzel that spells “love” followed by a Valentines day spent working with 8 single ladies, a plane ride, an ice bath, 6 Blue Angels, a pair of new rain boots, free shirts, one broken down car, creepy festival workers, not so creepy grandpa like festival workers, coffee, coffee, and more coffee, Steak Tips, broken Dutch conversations, “Are you actually Amish?”, and a whole heaping of laughs with friends that are now like my family.

I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you the reading and my fingers the typing.

This has been a wonderful few months. I have never been so overwhelmed with how real God’s love is for His children. I love people. I love stories. I love hearing people’s stories. I would listen to these strangers talk about their lives, their families, their hurts, their joys and it would bring me to those silent tears no one sees but one more sentimental thought and they will come bursting forth from my eyeballs like a water cannon. I stood in amazement at the beauty God created in such a diverse group of humans. Overwhelmed by the truth of His everlasting, unchanging love for them.

Judgment is not the seat I have been given. God, let me love better. Let me love like Jesus. Let me see like Jesus sees. I want to be light!

Jesus fed the five thousand. I’d like to think He would enjoy giving out 5000 Amish doughnuts.

So here’s my tribute to my carni life! An unexpected life, but an adventure filled life!

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"My house will be called a house of prayer..." What makes a house a home? I was reminded a couple months ago I wrote what I want my home to be like. I think His house will look similar. Lots of love. Lots of laughter. Lots of people. Time well spent together. Moments that make memories and moments that reveal the true love God gives freely through His son Jesus. #home #love #livetoday

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Madysonn. What a wonderful human.

She makes me laugh. A lot. I want everyone to know Mady.

We like to adventure. We like to laugh. We like to have fun. We like life! And I consider it a joy to be living life with her!

If you don't already... know Mady. She's a gem and a beautiful person!!

Love you Mads!!

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Ann Voskamp

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Dreaming Bigger.

There has been a lot of chatter amongst my friends about our destinies and our dreams. I can honestly say, with next to no pride at all - actually negative pride - I have never written out any of my dreams. I've never, ever made a goal list - unless forced by my middle school language arts teacher. With how much I love living life to the fullest, I am surprised I've never taken the time to do so. Well, tonight is my night. I came to the realization if I have no short and long term goals, what am I living for and moving towards?

Ultimately in my life, I want to know the true character of God. I want to adventure into the depths of His unconditional, mysterious love. I want to live life with beautiful people and enjoy new moments with them. I want to love fully, live fully, and be fully engaged.

So with that in mind, where the heck am I going? What the heck am I doing? And who's coming with??

For the two people that may read this blog, one of which is probably my mother... I will display three of my goals for this year: - Attend Bethel School of Worship in the summer time. (Cali here I come! Feel free to donate!) - Buy a van (feel free to donate!) - Learn the key of A on my guitar

In the fine words of Bill Murray, "Baby steps." Baby steps to California (might take a while). Baby steps into my van. Baby steps with my guitar.

I am learning the things that stir my heart. Things I was created for. When I start to dream about the possibilities I get really excited! God knows my heart. He sees my desires. He birthed the dreams inside of me. He created me. When I walk in the dreams, callings, giftings, passions he placed inside of me, I am worshiping Him! How awesome!

So, I am ready. I'm all in. I want to be all in where God is. I want to see His perfect beauty. I want to adventure with Him. He's the leader! And He's telling me to dream bigger. I trust He is good and in that place there is security and rest. There is a breeding ground for an increase of faith.

I was listening to a sermon from Bill Johnson this week about dreaming. Here is what he said: "A father without vision raises children without destiny." I want to dream bigger. I want to live my dreams/goals/visions now so my children can walk in their destiny. So I can raise worshiping warriors that will bring heaven to earth as we seek to know the true character of God and live out His dream for us.

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North Carolina Part 2

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North Carolina Part 1:

My heart is full of warm fuzzies when I look at these photos. Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I love exploring new lands. I love being with people I enjoy. I love being surrounded by God's creation.

I think I took it for granted when I woke up by that waterfall Wednesday morning. It's hard to soak it all in when it's right in front of you. The fire the night before. The hotdogs and make-shift s'mores. Laughs, stories, talks about Jesus and the disciples, afraid the car might get towed, the hike in the afternoon and jumping off the edge with a waterfall below our feet.

After waking in the brisk morning mountain air we fed our bellies at a quaint cafe. Laughed some more. Argued some more. Brushed our teeth in the parking lot and off the the next destination. Near death and near arrest experiences make adventuring worth it.

I can still hear it. The sound of the fall. If I ever forget the sound... You'll know where to find me. In the middle of no where and God; sitting by the water that seems to forever flow

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I love this. #falladventures #nofilter

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Love thoughts - Sept. 9

God's love is perfect. Forever.

God's love is the most pure. It's never tainted. Forever.

Eternal. There was and is no beginning or end.

Unconditional. No strings. The most constant. There is nothing that compares to it.

His love is not contingent on my belief in it or my acceptance of it. It still is.

He never sees me any differently. No matter my belief or understanding - or lack there of.  He loves me.

He loves. Forever.

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When God wanted to redeem a world that has come into the hands of satan, he did not use spiritual warfare, he used love.

Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp

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Even though I have given up my coffee addiction. Yes. Your eyes do not deceive you. I'll repeat it. Even though I've given up my coffee addiction, Eliza and I went adventuring and landed at Perq Coffee Bar in Sarasota.

With little convincing, I got coffee. It was decaf mind you, but coffee none the less. Eliza got some sort of delicious, exotic sounding loose leaf tea. It was extremely steamy, but wonderfully tasty.

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Love thoughts on Friday.

Love. It all comes down to love.

"Do everything in love." -1 Corinthians 16:14

Love. God is love.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love. Never. Ends." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love never ends because our Savior's love for us never ends. It's eternal.

Selfless. Forgiving. Unconditional.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:12-13

Not assuming, but hoping for the best. Not judging, but extending grace and mercy; understanding we are all works in progress and none of us have arrived. Not giving up, but pressing in. Loving in and through pain - not to gain, but to give. Give your life away so you may find it. (Matt. 10:39) The fullness comes when we lay lower. Get lower. Preferring another above ourselves. "Love lets go of plans - to hold onto a person." (Ann Voskamp)

To love is a choice. To love takes sacrifice. To love is to be present. To love, the way the bible talks about love, is absolutely and unmistakably the most beautiful way to live.

We were all created to love and be loved. Yes, it does require something of you. Your life. Yes, it is hard work. God, the living God, Abba, Jesus, Yeshua is inviting you to live a life bigger than yourself. A life more full. Fuller than anything you think might be better based on what our society tells us will satisfy the longing in our hearts.

Love. Messy. Vulnerable. Simple. Beautiful. Love.

They will know we belong to Him by our love. They will know Him by our love. He chose us. Us! To reflect His love. To represent His love to a broken and estranged world. To love the least of these.

To you fellow brothers and sisters: Do you love in a way that someone would recognize Jesus? Do people know Him by your love? Do they see Him by your love? By your actions, words, decisions?

I'm preaching to the choir on this one friends. God has me on this laid down, selfless, emptying yet fulfilling journey to love. In my actions, words, thoughts, friendships, family, money, time... etc. In the process of emptying myself of myself and choosing to fill it with Jesus, I find more and more joy. More and more peace. A clearer and clearer sound of heaven.

This is definitely not the end... but just the beginning.

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I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his priestly house, and they will minister before my anointed one always.

1 Samuel 2:35

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Love does. My new book. Wonderful.

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A coffee shop, a book stores and a good conversation. Wonderful start my Monday. Thank you @kathrynbuncik

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The rain is coming