Yesterday since the band and I never took real pictures, we played around instead...and here's a few of the results.

I think Tino was trying to make Jordan feel awkward. Play, Tino, play. And watch out for trains.Somebody stole my camera at one point and got a shot of me half playing the djimbe, half looking at something on Russell's computer. Hello Andy! Jordan hung himself...on a coat hook. How desperately sad. They all have such a "band" look about them...I think it's the hair.

Anybody want to take a guess as to what's going on here? I didn't think so...

Yay for friends who are okay with taking silly pictures all afternoon! :)

Much love,

Caroline

P.S. I got to go to the Shane and Shane concert on Wednesday and it was beyond wonderful! Afterwards was great too because Megan, Davey, and I went to eat at Bueno which turned into sitting there for two hours talking and laughing. YAY!

Another post for November 7th!

Ok, yes, I do have another post today! (I'm really procrastinating the homework.) But I just had to share a couple of things with you!

First of all: If you need a little "Life is beautiful" moment, I've found one for you! Head over to the Lyon's photography blog and check out their brand new baby boy! You'll have to scroll down a couple of posts I think, but man...you need to go look. You'll laugh, you'll smile, you'll feel better about your life. :) Here's a picture to entice you. I'll say no more :)

Second up, real quick (and then I've got to get on the homework!): Everybody who is a bottled water drinker should start drinking Ethos water. Why? Because it is their mission to get clean water to children around the world and to raise awareness about the world water crisis (which my roommate Megan has been telling me all about recently too). 4,500 kids die every day because of a lack of clean water. Only 8 billion US dollars would make this problem non-existent (to put this in perspective, about 17 billion dollars are spent annually on overdraft charges from the bank in America). But not much seems to be happening. So support those who are making things happen!

Can't we just live?

Before I even jump into everything I feel I could write, I just want to marvel at how God created our minds and emotions and everything that makes us "us." It is mindblowingly complex. It's cool to look at the big picture and know that God is the God who created mountains and galaxies, but I think it's even more incredible to see His attention to detail. Each breath. Syllables. Shadows. The color red. Such tiny things that he gives His attention, all while keeping the big things in order. We serve a God who is everything.



Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Rom 11:33



These past few days, my mind has not been on the things of God. I've wanted God's leading, but my heart has not put forth the effort to seek Him with all my heart. It's a lesson I've learned a million times, but all my frazzled-ness is calmed when I am in the Word. I finally let down and just read and thought out loud to God a little bit ago...the peace makes it seem like I was never freaked out. And my heart is absoluteley welling up with the love that God must have for His children to offer such peace again and again. So good. So beautiful. And so sweet.



Since my mind hasn't been on God these past few days, my mind has been on myself. Selfishness was the name of the game (and IS the name of the game alot of the time). I do not want it. I want to wake up every morning and ask myself why I am so selfish when I've been given so much. Father please help me get it in perspective.



I was talking to Kassie last night at the NSO paramount movie showing and we were talking about how worrying and selfish thoughts can get us stuck and we miss life. She was telling me that Chase (her boyfriend) always asks her, "Kassie, can't we just live?"



If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you are probably thinking, "Is this an entry from last month. Because it sounds the same." :) You would be right. I get selfish, then realize how dumb and dangerous that is, then come back to the Lord with such joy that He is yet again taking me back. I wish I was a perfect person so that I could give God a great rap on earth...but did anyone catch something wrong with that sentence?



God can make His own great rap. Sorry Caroline.



I don't really understand the mastermind plan of God :) but this I know-- 1. I can't understand it fully (Isaiah 55:9 go look it up), and 2. God is good anyway (Psalm 84:11, go read it. And notice it says "Blameless" which means forgiven...not perfect).



Anyway, I hope you are all having wonderful days and I hope that somehow the Lord uses this to inspire you to Him. As always, I'm greatful to you for reading. :)







Seriously, go look up those verses.

What are you doing?

Here's a post that will be changing alot. It's kind of more for me than you readers...but that's okay sometimes :) These are just some of my goals for the time being. I'm really doing them!!



1. Ride a real horse.

2. Get a bludomain website by January.

3. Go to Six Flags with people I love (I haven't been in years...I used to go every year!).

4. Find a church and use my gifts there (hopefully with music and youth).

5. Give 5% of my photography earnings to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation and give another 5% to a ministry that either combats AIDS in Africa or gets clean water to children in Africa.

6. Call a friend I haven't talked to in a while each month.

7. Babysit baby Justus for my friend Cherith!

8. Attend a photography workshop (preferably with The Image is Found).

9. Encourage people around me instead of fearing what they think of me.

10. Convince my parents to get a puppy :)

11. Read the rest of Don Miller's books.

12. Get stamina- not just in shape, but freakin' able to snowboard down a mountain without getting tired! So I guess that means work out.

13. GRADUATE SOON (obviously)

14. Second shoot for a top photographer that I admire.

15. Start a monthly gathering of local photographers to shoot for fun, encourage eachother, and share ideas etc.

16. Go to a Vienna Boys Chior performance (or some other awesomely prestegious chior).

17. Train to run a marathon.

18. Play music at a local venue.

19. Work a Summer Camp.

Life is sweet

Just wanted to share this quick picture of one of my best friends, her hubby, and their almost 3 month old baby! So beautiful! The Lord makes wonderful things. :)

November's Top 5!

Am I seriously already writing another Top 5? This month flew!! Okay, well here's the Top 5 for November (Top 5 is made up anything that catches my eye if you were wondering.)

1. Raise your hand if you were looking for a PLAID coat this winter! Look no further than American Eagle! They even come in different colors and have a detachable hood. You can bet your bottom dollar that I asked my parents for this one for Christmas. :)

2. Chilly? Go buy some really cute thick tube socks (or knee socks), pour in a few cups of long grain rice, sew the end shut and you've got yourself a new best friend: a heatsock! Once you make yours, put it in the microwave (NOT the oven) for 1 or 2 minutes. The things stay warm forever! I use mine (or, um...actually my roommate's) when I go to bed to keep my feet warm. They also feel great on your neck (or anywhere else). You'll have your own little heating pad- no plugs required!

3. I love free stuff. And I love Mars Hill Church in Seattle. So it stands to reason that I love their free podcast on iTunes! Rob Bell is an amazing teacher, and I'm so excited about his sermon lineup for Christmas! Make sure you subscribe by December- it will be a four week Advent series (sermons by week will be: Do Not Be Afraid, Joy, Glory, and the Peace of God). What a way to get ready for the glorious celebration of Christmas!

4. Looking for a sweet gift or something to make stellar invitations? Look no further than Angela Adams! These stationary designs are simple and balanced, but retro-fun and colorful! Totally mix and match-- anything goes! I especially appreciate her little slogan, "Shouldn't you be inspired by the thing that you use everyday?" :)

5. Ready for some ultra-lounge Christmas music? Grab a copy of Christmas Cocktails-- some of the jazzy-est and most classic Christmas songs ever. The best part? It's on iTunes! More good news? There are three (maybe more) volumes, so you won't get tired of the same ol' songs. Another Christmas music recommendation: Michael Buble's 5 song EP "Let it Snow!"

There ya go!

On a more heartfelt note, it's been a rough past couple of weeks for me dealing with stress and school, and I'm sure it's been that way for lots of other people out there. It's just that time of the semester when everyone seems exhausted. I was flipping through my Bible the other night and came across these few verses that spoke peace to me, and reminded me that we have a heavenly home that we will soon see. This is a truth that cannot dim: I will see God!

Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered...but be glad and rejoice in what I will create. For I will take delight in my people. The sound of weeping will be heard no more. Never again will there be an infant who lives but a few days or an old man who does not live out his years. Isaiah 65:17-20 (a bit paraphrased)

Much love,

Caroline

Week Review

What a week! Two projects, Two tests, One research paper...and on top of all that I had a stomach virus and sinus infection! SICK! I know...but it's ok because I'm finally feeling better.


Life is beautiful despite everything crazy that happens. Tonight was Emily and Josh's engagement party and it was so wonderful! I got to spend time with plenty of dear friends I've known forever, and meet lots of new people. It was awesome to see people, especially after being couped up all week.

My mom blessed me yesterday! She took me shopping to buy a really nice outfit for the party. It was incredible! It may seem small or silly, but it was so nice to be able to get really nice clothes. I can't remember the last time I got to buy really nice clothes. One word: college. So I never get to do that kind of stuff. THANKS MOM!!!! :)

Oh yeah...now this is exciting! My dad hired someone out at the store which means that I get to move up to the "penthouse office." Okay, so all that really means is that I get the upstairs office with the windows overlooking the showroom. But it's exciting! I moved all my stuff in there today and I'm feeling pretty good about it! It's so cool to have an office instead of a cubicle. Wahoo!

It's NOVEMBER! How did that happen? Break out the Christmas music :)