Throwback Thursday, July 31st, 2014

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Well, it's almost that time...school time.  As for the next 5 days, though, it is summer, and I will make the most of it!  However, I am a strong believer that we should go back to school in September, not the hottest and most summer weather month of the year.

I wanted to share this picture I made last year as a reminder to myself and hopefully an encouragement to lots of other people to remember that we are lucky to be here.  Each and every town and life has its bad spots, that's for sure, but we also have to remember how miniscule those things are in the grand scheme of things.  God has given us life to live to bring Him glory.  He said, "..I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." in John 10:10. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, God's will for our whole life is spelled out in the most simple way it can be put:  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  This words in my picture are from a song by Jason Gray called Good to be Alive.  It is kind of a throwback song, too, but it is wonderful! 

I just found this picture on my mom's phone yesterday.  On the 4th of July, it would be "un-American" if there were no fireworks.  Actually, it would be un-American to not have fireworks for the whole week before and after July 4th.  It is so strange that my dog will go nuts over a storm that is so far away that we can't even see clouds yet, but fireworks don't even phase him.  Sophie, on the other hand, is not bothered by storms, but does not like fireworks!  That night we had to let her inside the house because she stood at the back door crying and scared, wanting to come in.  I am not a late night person, so I was in bed.  Sophie doesn't care.  If she sees that door to my room closed she actually sees neon lights that say, "Come in!  Kenzie would love for you to wake her, purr, and walk on her face!"  My room is the first place she heads every time.  I love her, though!  Mom came in my room when she heard me talking to Sophie and took a picture of us cuties. 

Fun on the Fourth

 

Let's start off Independence Day with a little throwback and arts and crafts.

Several years ago, I decided that I was going to paint a watermelon.

It's like carving a pumpkin for Halloween, just a different season, holiday, and food group!  

 

Now for this year!

 Magan, Erika, and I made a plum and pineapple sandwich.

With Will added in, we all had someone to match!

Laying out on the dock waiting for dinner time

The weather felt more like fall than summer:  dry, windy, cool, but sunny.

 I tried a new drink!  I got one at Ingles last week, and I am going to have to get more!  This Trop50 flavor is Pomegranate Blueberry. 

We had a big cookout with burgers, beans and beef, and other little sides and desserts before hanging out some more!

A little bit different colors, but the same old place I've spent (and loved) every summer of my life!

The Longs and Greens went to the fireworks at Cherokee Park, but we didn't take our boat out through the cold wind and rough waters.  Dad and I also wanted to get in bed.  This was a good idea, because they didn't start until almost 11:00, and we heard that it was not a good show...

Poor little Sophie was afraid of the fireworks around home, and Mom is a sucker for her baby, so she got to come inside.

Sophie loves Daddy, too.

Now this isn't July 4th anymore, but it's still the weekend!  Thank goodness!  I keep having to remind myself of what day it is each day this week.  I have been so messed up with that.

This morning I went on a long road run on the highway through town, then came home and made this stack of miniature pumpkin pancakes for breakfast/lunch!  I was exhausted from this week, so I was determined to sleep in at least some.

 

Life is Beautiful Project

There is a great song by The Afters that I have come to love.  It is a great reminder of all the amazing blessings God has given us.  We have every reason to be joyful each and every day.  I got the idea earlier during break to make a collage for each line of the bridge.

Life is Beautiful!

 

"The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.  I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."  John 10:10

 

 

A father's love

A wedding dance
(a couple are from a wedding, the rest just dance!)

New Year's dreams

A toast with friends

A soldier coming home from war
(my friend Aly and her boyfriend Michael, who goes to my church and just entered the army after graduating last year; a plaque my Aunt Fran received from her service; See You at the Pole 2013 at my school)

The faith, the hope for so much more

Brand new life

A mother's prayer
(My mom and me on top; youth pastor's wife, Lindsey, and daughters on bottom)

Shooting stars

Ocean air

A lover's kiss

Hard goodbyes
(top:  going-away party for my friend Kasey in middle school-Kasey is the one on top
bottom:  One of my best friends Samantha, far right, has made a couple moves since elementary school, but now she is fairly close, just past Knoxville.)

Fireworks

Christmas lights

 

These are the things that make us feel alive;

These are the things that make us realize

Life is beautiful