Live to LIVE.

I don't believe many people appreciate the beauty of gloomy days. Rain coming down in soft tip toeing fashion or rushing, powerful. Clouds soft,gray or dark, thrilling. The wind in all of it's beauty. These days make make me stop and slow down. Make me think,feel close, feel alive. Days like this remind me to Live to LIVE.

“I firmly believe that the moment our hearts are emptied of selfishness and ambition and self-seeking and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Spirit will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit, ambition and self-seeking, pleasure and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. I also believe that many a man is praying to God to fill him, when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray that He would empty us. There must be an emptying before there can be a filling; and when the heart is turned upside down, and everything that is contrary to God is turned out, then the Spirit will come...”
― D.L. Moody

That last part especially.

Always remember, there is nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name.

Friday November 1st.

My siblings playfully fighting over a game. My older sister telling me about her day.The excitement in my younger sisters voice as she asks me about a show we are both watching. Texting my parents who are at the grocery store to get chocolate chip ice cream.Yelling at the siblings,because it's now become more than playful fighting.Thinking of my middle brother, and feeling guilty about still being on the second chapter of the book he keeps asking me to read.Typing these words on my phones notes because unlike normal people I can't sit, think and write.Thinking  of my  oldest brother as I listen to music he introduced me to.Knowing the comfort I have in my family. The comfort of being a child with parents who love me and still make decisions for me.Thanking God that he allowed me to be born into the perfect family. That I have two strong, godly ,loving parents. Two people who love each other so very much. I hear it in their voices each morning. In their teasing and laughing.Knowing they aren't perfect.. Loving and serving one another despite their imperfections.That is love.Wishing to find a love as strong as theirs someday. To be the kind of parents they are to me and my siblings.Love. Knowing this is what makes a family. This is what makes my family.

Find your ordinary.

Maddy

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." — A.A. Milne

I couldn't say anything that would express how much my best friend means to me. She is gorgeous, caring, loving, brave,an amazing volleyball player.She is always building me up and encouraging me. She makes me laugh so hard. She makes me feel so special. I love her so very much. I couldn't thank God enough for creating her and letting me have her as a best friend and cousin.As i get older i am reminded how much relationships really matter. I encourage you today to cultivate the ones you have and make new friendships. Life needs more hard to say goodbye relationships.

Find your ordinary. 

Madeline

This picture was taken by my sister Jordan(http://jobekahphotography.com/) We both were emotional because this was taken at her last highschool volleyball game.

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, does the heart find its morning and is refreshed." — Kahlil Gibran

Oh this girl made me laugh.

  For as long as I can remember,my family has been going to Tuttles- a family owned orchard in my parents hometown. Last Monday, we took off school and visited the orchard for the afternoon. We didn't get to pick apples at the u-pick because the trees were bare, but we did visit the orchard store and bought some delicious apples, yummy candy, and THE best apple cider! Me and my sister Leah took my younger siblings and cousin through the corn maze. I've haven't been through a corn maze before, so it was fun to chase after the little kids as they tried to find the way out! Each visit there brings back memories and finds me leaving with many new. 

 







































Find your ordinary. Madeline

The Future of Now

  Often, I find myself longing to go back to the past. Back to how everything used to be. When everything in my  life was carefree and comfortable. Today, as I was standing alone in the stillness of the church sanctuary, my thoughts filled with memories; and I had a strange realization. Something that brought a small smile to my face at first; yet shocked me. I saw a glimpse of who I should have been (according to what i wanted) and I despised myself. It was as if God said look and in one instant it was all there. Why should I so fear a full future and cling to an empty past. Why when He has changed me from being so miserable and selfish, and made me free! Here I was again, holding on to something I didn't want to let go of. In a small way I understood. I understood the change. In a moment, it was freedom. A trampling of the past, and a marching on of one foot at a time towards the future. Change: Embracing the past to fully accept the future. The future of now. 

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21



Madeline

I wrote this post two Sundays ago on my phone's notes and thought I would finally share it.

 

The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they are still alive. Orlando A. Battista

So here I am posting some ordinary pictures of my week.(Beth you may like this :) ) I guess they aren't so bad considering the laughs and good times I had.

More summer fires.Which are getting me super excited for Family Camp!



Me and little Miss Kyndall Jane



Braden excited for ice cream.



My brothers searching for a car jack on a gorgeous country road at 7:30 a.m.



I've been enjoying my morning walks with my siblings. It's good to just talk sometimes.



Pizza night! My sister Leah helped me make it tonight. I tend to be... Well lets just say I can be a bit bossy/ controlling when it comes to cooking. :) I'm sure she really appreciates that.



Find your ordinary. Madeline

Secrets

Her thoughts came rushing in, the rain dropping lightly on the windowpane.

“Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.” Brian Andreas

Here's a little glimpse of what my beautiful summer has been filled with. Through pictures of course.

Drives in the country





Summer nights with family













Spending a day  with my sister Jordan and cousin Sawyer in the country

“Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”

A.A Milne



















 









These are things that make us feel alive,
These are the times that make us realize.
Life is beautiful.   - The Afters

Find your ordinary-                                   Madeline