Well... lately I've been going through that awkward stage between birth and death called "life".
A life that I have been so blessed with.
There has been so much brokenness, healing, laughter, love, friendships and grace. It just makes you want to take a moment and breathe it all in. Isn't God so good to us?? No... just really think about it. The Thesaurus.com uses the word satisfying as a simile to good. God is satisfying. Hmm, when you put it like that...
So, here is a big a little conglomeration of photos illustrating my 2014 in no particular order.
Friendships. I loved that part of this year. So many beautiful kindreds, so many exquisite memories made together. There are so many faces not posted here. Friends whom emails have been exchanged back and forth to, un-recorded visits, last minute conversations. Aren't friendships beautiful?
Annie. The new 2014 Annie production is DELIGHTFUL!! All of us girls in the fam went to see it and all fell head over heels in love with it!
Talent. Talent flows in our little church and it is most prevalent during our spring and winter programs. So many children and adults endowed with beautiful voices. Dess, Reba, Cal and others at LCBC (you know who you are ;}) I admire your voices.
I don't have a picture (only a video... yeah, no way.) but my sisters and I sang a number at our Christmas program. It definitely was a stretch of my comfort zone but it was fun.
Speaking of talent... meet the world's best actress! Lil... You rocked.
We welcomed in the Christmas season by watching a play. The classic, 'It's A Wonderful Life'. Let me tell you... the two boys that played the character George... they were UH-mazing. They had James Stewart's voice down to the T. #sogood
And Lil! I actually think she made a better Clarence than the actor in the movie.
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| Just look at this picture... how can you not be overwhelmed by that cuteness!?!? |
Josie and I bought this outfit for this adorable lil' girl. #i'mwrappedaroundherlittlefinger
She brightens up our days, this little girl! The things she says keep us in stitches.
Sisters. Sisters who ask you to take their senior pictures. Sisters who have faith in your amauter photography skills. What would this world be like without sisters? #seniorpicspostcomin'up #getexcited
These last two Christmas' I've been really getting into being creative in my gift wrapping. It's so much fun. I still haven't reached the "pinterest worthy" level yet, but I'm way excited to get there. Isn't life beautiful!? #becreative
Did I mention friendship? :] I love this part of Christmas!! Love seeing all these darling friends whom we love.
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| darling photo taken by EB |
Talking about stretching comfort zones, my sistahs and I put on a 25th anniversary celebration for the parents. (They helped out for the majority of it) but it was still definitely stretching planning and organizing everything. #lookforthisupcomingposttoo
Outings. The make for exciting days, don't they? Josie and I traipsed around the Iowa State Fair together. The sights, smells, sounds... whoo! Overpowering! But somehow we managed to have a delightful little sisterly bonding time together.
We love the pork chops! #you'vegottahaveone
So many vibrant colors, so many unique people, so much to take in. It was interesting being on our own without older sister or mother to handle the maps and the directions. Our legs were sore by the end of the day from so many wrong turns and loops around the large grounds. :]
Yes, there is a story behind this. My dad works for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dad had a booth up at the fair. And thus this picture was born. (Don't you just love the turkey leg touch?)
Inspiration. The Family Economics conference. (This was the only picture I took during the three days. Enjoy. :]) This was a very long three days. I mean that in the best possible way. There was so much wisdom handed out, so many inspiring teachers/speakers/mentors. Wow! Our family came back home bursting to the seams with new ideas to forge.
Family. Family camp was a most definite highlight of the year. Loved each and every moment spent there. Do you ever just smell or feel something that reminds you of a place? Well this is the place where so many of my memories run back to.
Wissmann's and Bontrager's thank you for putting together this! We love you! EB has some more memories captured from family camp here.
So beautiful. That smile gives me butterflies!
Elizabeth Telfer! I love you to pieces! Thanks for being the calm in my crazy! :]
Btw, Mr. Telfer has a neat ministry. As well as an awesome and thought provoking documentary. Check it out here.
Tessa!! I love this kindred. Isn't she stunning?
Turning Hearts. We love going every single year. The old friendships revisited, new ones made, the inspiring speakers. We just love it! Shout out to the Bontrager's for keeping this going every year!
Seriously... it never gets old! Aren't they just adorable? :]
This picture. I love seeing daddy's with their daughters. Beautiful.
Modesty Monday. I had fun posting these! Hoping 2015 will bring around some more posts!
The above picture was supposed to be a Modesty Monday titled "What to wear to the State Fair"
Well here it is! :] So in 2015, if you're having trouble trying to decide what would be most comfortable to wear, pick the jean skirt! It always wins! :]
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Guys, there are so many more adventures and events that happened this year. But I didn't preserve the memories in a picture. But the memories are still very much there!
This year I was stoked to finally give my bedroom a much needed make over. I'm tossing around the idea of doing a post on it. After you see the pictures, maybe you'll agree with me that it was much needed. :]
Speech. Josie and I participated in another tournament this autumn.
Speech is such a stretching experience. Writing, editing, memorizing, and practicing over and over and over. I know I'll be glad when it's finished but I also know I'll be blessed with the experience.
God. This year I was overwhelmed with my sinners state of heart. I am such a sinner, but isn't He such a Savior???
Forgiveness. My family constantly showed me God's grace by forgiving my faults and shortcomings over and over again. I've learned the healing power of being forgiven, and the joy of forgiving. My friend, Hannah, picked HOPE as her word of 2014. I think If I had a choice, FORGIVENESS would be my word. Maybe for the next ten years actually. :] There is still so much I have to learn. Soften my heart, Lord.
I've found that I've entered that interesting/bittersweet stage in life where my friends, whom I've grown up with, are embarking on a new path of life. The path of marriage. Part of me is beyond stoked for them. I mean I've been trying to find them matches for a long time!! And yet, a part of me wishes life would just slow down a little. But I know that it can't. It won't. I know think that's been part of my growing up experience this 2014.
Work. Josie and I very much enjoyed working for the Cory's this year. Yes, there were a couple of days where the early mornings didn't look very inviting, but I went anyway. Responsibility is another thing I'm learning and still will be learning years to come. But for the most part, we ENJOY work. After all, not everyone gets to have these cuties as their constant companions! We love the Corys to the moon and back!
Elizabeth Elliot. That woman, that good, Godly, beautiful, and inspiring soul! She has become such an example to me. Check out My pinterest boards and you'll know what I mean! That lady is so full of wisdom. Ladies, I encourage you to look up some of her quotes. You will be inspired. I promise.
Music. Chris August's 'The Upside of Down' album has refreshed me this year. Man, that guy knows what powerful lyrics mean.
Bible. I love that Book. "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man..." Romans 2 starts off that way. Talk about getting your attention. So much power in four words. "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man". One of the things I've been learning. Trying to learn, Is that judgement should come slowly. I rush to judgement SO much! So this passage really leaped out at me. >>>>>>
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Romans 2:1-3
Wow. And that's only one of the many convicting verses I've discovered in 2014!
This year wasn't a perfect year, but I choose to love this year of my life.
I have learned so much, enjoyed, loved, and adored so much of it.
My God has been so faithful! Faithful to meet me at the end of my floundering, weakness, and insecurities. I will never stop asking this... Isn't God SO good to us?
Well to wrap it all up... I leave you with this.
Embrace 2015. Purpose to make this year better than the last. Make a difference. Shine a light. And remember... God is SO good.
A happy new year to you and yours!
Your friend,
Kaylee
