Two Thousand Fourteen... In A Nutshell

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. 

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. 

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

Living For God Conference {and other happenings}

Early in July we were able to attend a conference called 'Living For God' Wow!! So many profound words spoken and so many deep thoughts shared. Steve Deace, Scott Brown, Kevin Swanson, and Phil Kayser were the four main speakers for the three day conference. 

There wasn't a HUGE turnout but God always uses small things to bring big changes.

"History is the work of God in judgement and redemption."

::Kevin Swanson::

There was such a dynamic difference in the way each of the speakers presented their messages. From calm and gentle to #thereisnowayanyoneisgoingtosleep... Kevin Swanson was definitely the latter. :]

His messages are always so inspiring!!

Yep, he's pretty much the definition of "dynamic"

"No man can rise above his worldview."

::Steve Deace::

I have to say... I was prepared to not have a lot to glean from Steve Deace's message but... wow!! He has changed the way he delivers the truth so much in a VERY positive way!! I very much enjoyed his messages. So insightful!

"Failing to learn the lessons of grace has greatly ruined our nation."

::Phil Kayser::

This man... #somuchwisdom I enjoyed every bit of it. Even the parts that flew over my head. :]

Some of my favorite people are the ones years younger than me. 

I had so much fun with this lil' boy and his sister. 

Cause every post needs an awkward selfie.

This kid. #nowordsneeded

Aaaaand sometimes you really can't distinguish the ten year age difference.

Yours Truly turned another year closer to becoming a immature  mature adult.

It was such a blessing to have some of  my girls over to celebrate. We had a whole cartload of fun and I love each one of them to pieces!!

 Thank you so much ladies for a fun-filled birthday and for gracing me with your dear presence!

As I look ahead on the rest of my seventeenth year I pray fervently that Christ would use me for His glory.

There are so many things that I regret of my sixteenth year. So many things that I said and did. But with God's grace, I fervently hope and pray that this year will be a year of unmeasurable grace and exceeding mercy. I would be so humbled if you all would offer up a prayer for the direction of my seventeenth year. That God would use it fully for his glory.

It's almost intimidating thinking about all the things that I need to learn and so many character traits I need to acquire. #lifeishard But isn't God so good? Mmmm... I believe very much that He is!

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Have a G O R G E O U S   Thursday, lovlies!!

In a nutshell... Full of pictures

A LOT has happened this year... and I haven't even begun to catch up with the events in photos.

But nonetheless, here are a few that I managed to sneak in on my "pretty consistent lack of photos streak.":]

This was such a darling wedding! So God honoring and sweet. One of the groomsmen fainted. It definitely startled everyone. You only hear about those things. You're hardly ever in the midst of it. It was kinda cool  interesting. :]

One of the tables at the reception. Isn't that darling?

SPEECH!  Where do I begin. This is the major reason why I haven't posted much the beginning of the year. We've traveled more in this year than we've ever traveled in two years! #nojokepeople 

We traveled to Minnesota 3 times, Kansas, and Omaha Nebraska.

Above is a picture taken during a speech presentation. I think this was the semi final round. 

One of the things that made the Tournaments so fun was that ALL the competitors wore business suits.

So cool seeing all the young men in suits with ties and the girls with a-line skirts and suit jackets. We all looked VERY professional. (Which is the point. :])

Another highlight was meeting new friends. There's something about being surrounded by a bunch of other competitors that know how you're feeling. The butterflies, the jitters you get when you're waiting for your turn to walk into the room decked with three judges. The adrenaline rush you get when someone yells "POSTINGS!" the lack of sleep experienced the night before the Awards Ceremony. Let me tell you, I have grown SO much from being a part of speech. The above picture is of a fellow competitor. She was only twelve and she made it to semi's! There certainly was TALENT at those tournaments.

During the tournament in Omaha Nebraska, the darling Beasley family graciously hosted us. It was such a blessing not to have to worry about hotel costs. After the tournament we spent some time with them. Oh man! We had a B L A S T scoping out pizza places that were actually open at 10:00 ish at night, eating pizza at 11:00 at night, and then playing Dutch Blitz past midnight! 

I try to deny the fact that I'm short but... this picture prohibits me from even entertaining the thought that I'm not short. :]

 After speech Josie and I were able to go on a road trip to Chicago with these ladies. EB's mother drove us. We had such fun! I'm pretty sure we solved most of the world's problems. It's amazing how much you can cover in a drive to and back from Chicago. Random: The hotel we stayed at was absolutely UH-dorable. It had a loft! #garretsandloftsforthewin!

While EB and Amanda were photography a wedding Josie and I got to hang out with Mrs. A. See the above photo. (I do realize how perfectly unflattering my face looks in that photo.) We had a blast! We were all over the place! And we came back with fun stories to tell EB and Amanda. 

We spent some time with this lovely family of five.

Love her!

Tis the season for open houses! 

It was such a lovely time at this Open house. Barn dancing! #iwasjazzed!

Aren't they adorable! Josie and I have been working at the Cory's farm. It has been a blessing and actually pretty fun! By the way, the lovely Wissmann family will be having a concert at the Cory's farm. June 14th. Contact them if you have any questions. 

And I'll end with a picture of the Bontrager ladies. I can't get enough of these girls! Love you ladies!

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This post doesn't even cover half of the things that have happened these months but it was a start. 

How has your year been going? Do tell all!