Introducing: Meditation Monday

I’ve played around with the idea of “Meditation Monday” for a while now. Ever since I started this blog, actually. I know, I’ve done so well with photography Friday so let’s add something else, huh?

Basically here’s what it is: me digging into the Word. I'm not necessarily trying to bring up anything mind-blowing, but the point of it is to give me a reason to put my thoughts into words about what I read and study and hear. I'm pretty good at doing my daily Bible reading (I have used this Bible for my daily reading for years and I love it!), but I'm not always great at actually looking deeper into what I'm reading. I'm hoping that sharing what I learn will keep me more accountable.

So Meditation Monday starts tomorrow! I've spent the last week going over some notes I took during one of Pastor's sermons and digging into the Word for myself. See ya tomorrow!

Bright and Sunny

top: Dillard's | skirt: TJ Maxx | shoes: Ross

I recently housesat for a couple in our church and they had the most beautiful backyard. I loved going out and sitting in that swing while I did my Bible reading and watched Angel (the precious pup) prance around the yard. Well, not exactly prance. She's an old lady now and doesn't move quite so well, but she's sweet as can be. 

Oh, I bought myself a present—photoshop actions from A Beautiful Mess! They were half off since they will be discontinuing them. I got the Fresh Collection and used Chloe to edit these photos. I love how bright they turned out! Actions make for a quick editing job. Perhaps one day I'll be better at editing photos without actions, but they sure make it easy and the photos turn out beautiful!

Proud to be an American

How grateful I am to live in the United States of America! I'm thankful for the freedoms so many have sacrificed for me to have. I pray I never take those freedoms for granted.

Usually Rachel and Julianne get on to me for not dressing patriotically on the fourth, so I made sure to wear red, white, and blue on Sunday. And guess what... Rachel wore green! I did, however, match her sister, Sarah, so we made sure to take a photo.

The next day, I joined Rachel's family at the farm. It was so much fun! I made an apple pie (I love making pies) and, for the first time, made a lattice crust. Everyone said it was delicious. (It was.) We launched rockets, rode the four wheelers, visited all the animals (pigs, sheep, cows, geese). I also took some photos for Sarah and her boyfriend Aubrey. Trying to improve those photography skills!

All in all, it was a very happy fourth, and I'm glad I got to spend it with people I love!

 dress: Dainty Jewell's | shoes: Verona | belt: borrowed