Graced with Grace

At the beginning of the week, Tyler and I went to the Mediterranean sea in Tel Aviv to enjoy the sun, beach, and water. It was a beautiful day to walk barefoot in the sand and the water wasn't too cold either. This is an odd sort of boat. We really aren't sure what it is for, so I took a picture of it. I love seeing all the boats. In one direction you face the city and all the buildings. On the other side is water as far as the eye can see.

If you did not notice already, I do most of my blog writing at my new blog. But Weebly is not really great for posting pictures, so I thought I would do a picture post here on this blog. Here are several pictures from my most recent adventures to Masada with my husband and our Historical Geography class. It was so refreshing to get out of the city and be in nature even though it was very desert like, dusty, and hot. Enjoy the photos and if you wish to read about more of my adventures in Israel, random thoughts, Poems, journalings, etc, go to my other blog here . However, if you don't care for reading, but do enjoy all the pictures, I may continue to post pictures here from time to time. The Sunset was so beautiful over the city. One of the Roman camps surrounding Masada. There wasn't a chance of Winnie the Pooh missing out on our most recent adventures at Masada, so here you find him basking in the sun among all the ancient ruins. The...

  Colors of calm quietude, Dreamy waters, The still evening air, Closing an another summer day.   Skies of soft purple hues, Sun slipping behind horizon, Gentle whispers of the wind, Another day's end.   Perfect tranquility, Reflections, Grace from the heavens For this day's beginning to end.  

Short moments away I will no longer be single....     ...at last joining hands and becoming one with this man. On May 25, 2018 I married my best friend and only a week before that, I graduated from Bethlehem College and Seminary. A lot of people warn the bride and groom that their wedding day will be a fog, a whirlwind. But although the day was full, from getting ready in the morning, pictures, the ceremony itself, greeting all the guests, and at last leaving, yet my husband and I look back on that day with pure delight. Everything was beautiful and in my eyes it was perfect. I will love looking back for years to come on that beautiful hot yet happy spring day. I will want to tell my children all the little details of that wedding, from the sunflowers and daisies, to the food and the root beer floats, the family and friends that surrounded us. Now here I am a couple weeks later, sitting quietly in my first little apartment with my husband, satisfied tha...

These are a few of my favorite things......     uncrowded roads     snowy days in North Carolina     tea parties     puzzles     Christmas dinner     cozy warm fires on cold winter days with a good book and hot chocolate     friendly older ladies at Southbound Sandwich Works

I haven't written too much lately, but that doesn't mean that nothing is happening, although life does seem to be kind of slow right now. I am trying to find a job for the summer, but already more than half the summer seems to be gone. Summer has had it adventures and highlights and also lows, so I thought I would share a few of them with you and because everyone loves pictures, I will share some pictures that go along with some of my favorite moments of this summer so far. ;) The first highlight of my summer was going home for a month to visit my sisters and parents. The low about going home was getting my Wisdom-teeth pulled (of which you shall have no pleasure in seeing the pictures of my chipmunk face because I am not going to share that with you. Muwahahahaha!) But there were several highs to my visit. One sister graduated high school and another sister I got to watch at her violin recital. I was able to visit with several friends, read several good and ...

Coffee and book       coffee and Greek And always a lot of grace.....  

    there might not be rest for the weary, But there is always time for tea.       

  Waves crash against the shore, Waves sink back to the ocean floor. Like rhythmic music or a heartbeat. Steady and sure with every wave and retreat.   The sun rises in the east, sets in the west. Hidden behind the waters where it’s laid to rest, Certain that tomorrow it will rise upon the ocean crest. Reappearing like yesterday, to continue its quest. You can’t stop the waves, you can’t stop the sun, Just like its creator, the unchanging One. His faithfulness unwavering, his love will endure. Redemption and forgiveness he can ensure.

  Reading One Thousand Gifts. Sandy toes and dirty feet. Resting in the shadow of His wings.   gnarly roots. Ancient tree by the river. Picturesque moment.   Tranquil moments  held for eternity. Pausing in a life full of hurry. The blue sky peaking behind clouds. Train chugging down tracks. Sand along river. Mississippi water. Color in nature. A friend by my side. Giggles and laughter. A moment etched in our hearts forever.

Teach my heart, Lord, To sing your praises Because troubles of life Invade my soul. Teach my heart, Lord, To see your beauty Because life is full Of dirty broken jars. Teach my heart, Lord, To trust in your faithfulness Because all else in life Fails to be faithful. Teach my heart, Lord, To love like you love Because your love Is persistent, unfailing, and true. Teach my heart, Lord, To hold fast to your truth Because Satan will tempt me To despair.     *photo credit goes to an awesome friend of mine. ;)

I am sitting here at my kitchen table with the sunshine streaming through the window and surrounded by some of my favorite things. For the past couple hours I have been writing to friends from far away, friends who I have neglected, I must confess. School should not be an excuse for forsaking and neglecting good friends, so, my dear friends, I must apologize for neglecting you for so long. I am much grateful for lovely fall breaks that provide a time for recovering and an opportunity to remember once again my awesome friends and write numerous letters to dear ones around the world. So with colorful pens and paper I begin to write, a candle flickering and my tea cup of coffee (yes, I drink coffee from a tea cup and this is NOT the oddest thing I do.) within reach. I feel that the only thing I am missing is Peter Rabbit sitting on the table to cause a little mischief ( Beatrix Potter reference) and a quill pen with a bottle of ink to dip it in, but I...

Sometimes its the little things in life that make one happy, such as...a leaf! My roommate and I were very excited to find a brown leaf on the ground today in downtown Minneapolis. For your information, this is a rare and precious sight for this time of year.  

So I don't normally post a bunch of pictures, but I just thought these were some nice pictures and decided to share them with ya'll. Hope you enjoy! ;) Elisabeth picking blackberries. Blackberries are not quite ripe yet. Lydia in a bush. Beautiful Elisabeth Hannah and Lydia My pretty sock that  I have had since I was probably six years old! ;) I hope you have an outstanding day filled with the joy of the Lord!