It’s been one of those days. 
My heart is aching for South America.
[Looking at pictures probably didn't help that fact either...]

I miss this darling little guy.
He is an orphan. 

I still wonder about him. 

I wonder if he still smiles all the time, if he is cared for, loved, hugged and if someone plays hide-and-seek-tag with him.
I wonder if he has someone to run up to and hug them by the legs and then run away with his mischievous grin.
I wonder if someone there prays for him and makes sure he is all tucked in at night…
I wonder if I will ever see him again and get to hold him in my arms. 

I still wonder…

 

Life is never quite what we expect, I think.
It is always an adventure, even when it may not seem like one. It is always about perspective. 
I was expecting to spend a week in Missouri with a third of my family, namely Dad, Mom and Jeremiah serving with our church

Instead, I found myself in bed over Thanksgiving with bronchitis which delayed the plans a bit. Dad ended up staying back with me, so kind. 
Once I was a bit better, he and I road tripped out to Missouri to join Mom and Jeremiah for the last half of the week. 
Our mission was serving the staff at Child Evangelism Fellowship for their “Spiritual Renewal” week. 

This included working in a huge-wonderful-commercial-kitchen, making meals, cleaning dishes, wiping tables, etc.etc.etc.
This also included working with the ministry of CEF and grading the Bible lessons that they do through the postal system. 
Certainly that was one of the highlights of my afternoons at CEF, grading and writing “huggy” notes on countless lessons.

I was reminded, yet again, of the incredible simplicity but overwhelming power of the Gospel. 

All sorts of lessons were graded.
As young as 1 years old up to Adults and even Prisoners. 
All studying the Word of God. All learning Truth. 

Powerful. 

Our final mission was putting on the yearly Christmas banquet that our church provides for CEF staff and families. 
It was a joy and soooo much fun to assist my dear friend Anna who was coordinating all the desserts and decorations. 
This included howevermany hundred cupcakes (made from scratch), a dozen cheesecakes and endless other sugar filled goodness. 
It also included cutting over 100+ pine branches from the woods to use for the table center pieces which became my project. 

I love ministry. 
I love ministering. 
I love the Body of Christ. 
I love seeing the power of the Gospel. 
I love the joy of the Lord which is my strength. 

It was a wonderful few days. How good it does one’s heart to serve and minister and be the hands and feet of Jesus in practical ways. 
Already I am praying, plotting and planning a return trip to CEF next year, if not sooner. 

On the return trip home we were able to stop by the St. Louis arch. Lord Rillian was quite thrilled, one more exciting place to have seen!
Sadly, we weren’t able to go to the top… after waiting in line for over half an hour, there was maintenance issues and we couldn’t go up. 
But it still was a lovely almost-seventy-degree day to walk outside and enjoy the fresh air under the largest structure in America. 

Have I mentioned recently that I adore adventures?
Have I also mentioned recently that I adore Christmastime?

And it is here!!!

Even though it has been practically like spring outside, the Christmas music has officially started, twinkle lights are appearing…
and generally I cannot stop thinking about the most Precious Baby the World has ever witnessed. God becoming flesh.
Choosing humility and filth instead of everything He deserved… glory, honor, praise and adoration. 

When I think of how I have been hurt, wronged, sinned against… it pales compared to Jesus. 
How often I need to lift my eyes and see Him. See Jesus and love Him. Love Him more!

“Even Christ pleased not Himself…” [Romans 15:3]
Consider Jesus, friends. Consider Him!! 

Oh, life is so much sweeter because of HIM. 

“Christmas should remind us that God makes good on His promises.” [Pastor Mark Vrogop]

-KM

PS- As you will see evidenced in pictures, my family is getting rather used to a Penguin accompanying us everywhere. 
Their opinions on the matter range from “Cute” to “You are crazy” to “Only Kristi would…” *grin*
Well, only the random-crazy people have the best kinds of fun, or so I am told. hehe

 

It is no secret that I simply adore fall, autumn… the season following summertime. 
It is also no secret that one of the reasons I love it so much is because the season has an intentional bent on gratefulness and giving thanks. 

“But thanks be to God… who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” [1 Corinthians 15:57]

Personally, I have started a tradition for myself several years ago, of writing out a list of 100 things I am thankful for. 
However large that number may sound, it truly isn’t that difficult. Think of how many “little” things we have to be grateful for?
Going out of the country three times this year has cause me to be grateful daily for toilet paper, flushing toilets, hot water, clean water, etc. 

You may have heard the question:
“If all you had today was what you thanked God for yesterday… how full would your life be?”

[Insert hearat-rending conviction]

For myself, it isn’t a challenge to make “list” of things as much as it is to be intentional about verbalizing my thanks to Jesus in every moment of life. Part of me thinks that you can go overboard, thanking God for every little thing: “Jesus, thank you for gas that my car is running on, thank you for water to drink…”

But then, who says it’s wrong to go overboard?
I mean the Gospel itself is rather… “overboard”!

After all, isn’t the very air I breathe or the fact that I *am* breathing a gift and mercy of God?
Isn’t Jesus everything? Isn’t He *the* reason for living?

So my new challenge for myself is verbally thanking Jesus, daily for things. 
Little things. Big things. Beautiful things. Hard things. All. Everything. Constantly. 

“The thanksgiving we offer here is really just a dress rehearsal, a practice, for what we will spend all eternity doing in heaven!” [Nancy Leigh DeMoss]

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends. 
May your hearts be filled with 10,000 reasons to love Jesus everyday. 

-KM 

1. Jesus.
2. Grace.
3. Mercy.
4. Joy unspeakable.
5. God’s Word. 
6. Fresh flowers. 
7. Old books. 
8. Organic meats. 
9. Gluten free foods. 
10. Homemade Granola. 
11. Bible Study Fellowship.
12. Simple beauty. 
13. Talks with my brothers. 
14. Smiles. 
15. Hugs that wrap you all around. 
16. Quotable movies. 
17. Hand written letters. 
18. The US Post office. 
19. Moleskin journals. 
20. Sharpies. 
21. Hot tea. 
22. Ricola Cough drops. 
23. Kleenex. 
24. Toilet Paper. 
25. Hot water. 
26. Running water. 
27. Drinking water. 
28. Flushing toilets. 
29. A beautiful home. 
30. A vacuum.
31. Our piano. 
32. Listening to littlest brother composing on said piano. 
33. Chick-fil-a. 
34. Hobby Lobby.
35. Wireless internet. 
36. Exercise. 
37. New style. 
38. Everlasting promises. 
39. Christmas carols. 
40. Hymns. 
41. Keith and Kristyn Getty.
42. Millbrook.
43. College Park Church. 
44. Backup harddrives. 
45. A working cell phone. 
46. Beautiful soundtracks. 
47. The wonderful midwest. 
48. Favorite parks. 
49. Favorite pens. 
50. Prayer with friends. 
51. Email and skype. 
52. Lord Rillian.
53. Facebook [keeping up with international friends, especially]. 
54. Adventures in Bogota, Colombia
55. Adventures in an Orphanage in Colombia.
56. Adventures in England. 
57. Adventures with Gram.
58. Adventures in Ecuador [which has yet to be blogged]. 
59. Being an International Wedding Photographer after the England wedding.
60. Rainy days. 
70. Sunshine.
71. Macbook pro. 
72. Surprises and traditions
73. Teal. Red. Yellow. 
74. Girl night. 
75. Long talks. 
76. Clearance shopping. 
77. Hope and a future in Jesus. 
78. Post it notes [try living without them, it doesn't work. at least for me]. 
79. A working sewing machine. 
80. Random projects. 
81. Long walks. 
82. Creamy light. 
83. Falling asleep with the moonlight coming in my window. 
84. A star-filled sky. 
85. Healing in worship. 
86. The Gospel that changes lives. 
87. The power of the Cross. 
88. Truth to battle lies. 
89. Family. 
90. Dates with littlest brother. 
91. Dates with Cowboy brother.
92. Anticipating perfect glory in Heaven with Jesus. 
93. Knowing this world isn’t my home. 
94. Lemonade. 
95. Tights. Skirts. Boots. Sweaters. Scarves. Mhmmm. 
96. Healing in grace which enables you to let Jesus love through you. 
97. A comfortable bed and soft pillows. 
98. Photographs. 
99. My camera and equipment. 
100. Fresh country air. 

 

In case you haven’t noticed…
I’ve been quiet. 

Blogging has been sparatic.
Photography jobs few and farinbetween.
Health is a continued challenge. 
Life’s been hard. 
I’ve been waiting. 

Waiting is hard. Sometimes I just want to say that. Not spiritualizing it or making it sound all peachy keen… it is hard. 
But hard things are what produce the most beautiful most rewarding things. It is a Kingdom Principle.

Out of sorrow comes joy.
From ashes beauty will rise.
Out of pain comes healing.
From death there will be life. 

The Kingdom… so opposite of my own ideas and thinking, and yet the only way to truly live. 
There are things I learn while waiting that I don’t get any other time in my life. It is hard, but worth it. Promise. 

Back in the Spring, right around the time I was leaving for Colombia [still can hardly believe I've been there and back again, let alone to Ecuador and England. Someone pinch me?] I prayed a “dumb prayer”. There will be a blog post on “dumb prayers” in the future, but for now, the basic definition is a “prayer you don’t expect God to answer”. This fall, God has been answering “that” prayer… the one I didn’t expect Him to answer and actually, quite frankly, had totally forgotten about. But how wonderful that Jesus never forgets. How comforting to know that His timing is perfect and that prayers are never wasted. 
 
My character is being developed, I am seeing who I really am, how much I need to let go but really how perfect Jesus is. 
It is the most mind blowing thing ever that it is HIS righteousness alone that has power and forgiveness. 
So I’ve been waiting, trusting, learning and basically taking it one day at a time.

That is often when: “Once upon a time” things happen. Usually they come out of nowhere…

Like, Once upon a time, this last Tuesday, I received an email asking if I would be interested in creating an image for the cover of a book that is to be republished. Yes, I was kind of wondering if that was even a question. *grin* The deadline? One week. So that night I went out on a self-portrait session [first time for that] to practice and get some images to start with. Twilight has always been my favorite times of all the 24 hours in a day. Tuesday night, twilight was perfect, though freezing cold. It was fun and a challenge to capture “myself” and to think through things backwards. 

Then the excitement of talking with the publisher about her ideas, what she wants more specifically, viewing her work so far… it has brought me so much joy. 

God knows what His children need. He plans the best ideas, the best surprises, the best opportunities… so in the midst of waiting, God sometimes brings along “Once upon a time” stories. 
They aren’t the romances. In fact, the best “Once Upon a Time’s” are the real life stories unfolding daily as God works. Oh the joy of the journey… the hope and wonder of following Jesus. 

So I am still kinda quiet. 
I am still very much waiting. 
Waiting for God to give the “answer”. 

Until then, what? 
The answer: yes, keep waiting…

-KM

 ”Next to faith this is the highest art – to be content with the calling in which God has placed you.” – Martin Luther

“They that wait on the Lord… shall renew their strength.” [Isaiah 40]

“Wait on the Lord, be strong, take courage… all you who hope in the Lord.” [Psalm 27]

“Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” [Ps 33]

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” [Isaiah 30:18]

“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job,
and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” [James 5:11]

“Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land…” [Psalm 37]

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not disappoint.” [Romans 5:3-5]

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” [Psalm 62]

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might,
for all endurance and patience with joy.” [Colossians 1:11]

Trusting…
like the grass of the field. 

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, Kristi? O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, Jesus, what am I going to have to eat? or, What am I going to have to drink? or, What am I going to have to wear?

…your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.”

[Matthew 6, Amplified/Personalized]

 

Things have been pretty sloooww on the photography shooting front since returning from my world-wide adventures. 
Usually fall time is full of Senior pictures and a bunch of family shoots. Instead it has been really sporadic and quiet this year.  

As I have mentioned previously, I completely love Senior sessions. I enjoy asking questions, getting to know an individual and capturing their personalities. Alison was no exception.

Alison and I have been emailing about her Senior shoot since sometimelastspring. She is good friends with one of my 2012 Brides and saw their engagement pictures and the rest is history.  
At that time she was getting into photography herself and so was very into and excited about her Senior pictures.

Alison loves Jesus, she is completely lovely and beautiful. She loves to smile and laugh. She plays the Banjo, enjoys reading, loves her family, just started sponsoring a little girl through Compassion, is studying photography, has the cutest outfits [and shoes] ever, and even brought a costume and “set” inspired by her favorite book: “Little Women”. How happy does that make a photographer? Very happy. Promise. As I spent time with Alison, we quickly found we had a lot in common and enjoyed conversing the entire afternoon. I love my job. Truly. 

We met at one of my favorite places to shoot. And the weather was completely gorgeous. Warm golden sunlight. Beautiful colors. A delightful breeze. Yes, it was wonderful. 

So enjoy some lovely Senior.ness. I am off to go vote, see my chiropractor and run all sorts of random errands. 

“Faith means loving Jesus so much, that you are willing to do whatever, whenever! You are simply open handed… ‘willing’ to trust and obey. Without question, simply love.”

-KM

Some Saturday mornings you wake up at 5am. 
What else but an adventure would bring you to do so… *grin*

This morning, I accompanied my Cowboy brother to a Wild Mustang and Burro Adoption in Southern Indiana. 
Purpose? To adopted a wild Burro. Yes, just a normal Saturday occurrence…. you never know what will happen next living out in the country. 

I am not a huge morning person. I try. I wish. I want. But it still has yet to become reality consistently.

This morning I bundled up, realizing winter is around the corner as I could see my breath in the air and was shivering even with three layers on.. we arrived at the Hoosier Horse Park and yes, I fell in love. Burros are seriously the cutest little creatures. Timothy had us get there early since it is a first-come-first-serve basis. It was so much fun to look at them, talk over ideas, which ones we liked, what colors, etc. My favorite part is Timothy explaining and telling me information. Timothy’s dream is to ride across country on horseback. Yes, truly. He has already road to the Ohio River and back in over a week and a half. Horses, even wonderful Mustangs, can only carry so much weight… so cute-as-a-button-burros are wonderful for carrying the back and gear. 

He knows so much about four legged friends. Seriously. Also, he had his grin on the whole morning, which I love. Double win. 

After we looked for a while, we had almost an hour to wait till it actually “opened”. There was a gorgeous sunset. Random conversations with other horse people [some of which knew what they were doing, like the lady who drove all the way from Pensylvania and there were others in which Timothy graciously said: "They are gonna be in for a shock... they think taming a wild horse is no big deal... well, wait till the horse tries to kill them." *ahem*]. and then a beautiful rainbow in the dark, still sunless sky. First time seeing a rainbow in the morning… 

Then he bought her. He almost bought two. But knew he would only have time to invest in a relationship with one. 
She is a two year old “Blue Burro”… as cute as can be. I am already thinking photoshoot ideas, once she is gentled… 

So yes, we began talking names…  I suggested Belle. 
Timothy liked it. So her name is Blue Belle. 

She is darling. So darling. 

Ah, life in the country.
Always an adventure. 

Time for a nap,
KM

“No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.” [Romans 10:11]

 

 

One week in England. 
Already it seems like forever ago. 

A precious gift of a week, but truly, it isn’t *nearly* long enough to even get a glimpse of our Mother-country. Anytime a wedding is involved, you can be sure that things are a constant-happy-whirlwind. I went to England with a heart already thankful for the mere opportunity to set foot on its beautiful shores and to capture the events leading up to and the most wonderful wedding of Hannah and Jon. It’s a good thing I brought my laptop. My memory cards were constantly full. Aren’t you surprised! *grin*

The flights were long. Truly long. I can now say that one of my top dreams is to fly first class overseas sometime [yes, I know... I can dream, right?]. In the back half of the plane, I was all cozied up, telling my cramping knees… “This is worth it, we are going to England.” Lord Rillian did quite well, he doesn’t mind being squished in the least. It was super fun and so nice to travel with my great-aunt Debbie (who is an expert at overseas travel) and my great-gram (who used to be a travel agent). Traveling solo as much as I do, I forget how pleasant it is to have someone else thinking of all the details and checking up on you. Gram is so funny, and throughout our entire trip, she never ceased to make me laugh with her random comments or her spunk and excitement… yes, at 90-years-old.

Favorite story of the trip:: I met up with Aunt Debbie and Gram O’Hare airport, we were checking in our bags and waiting for a wheelchair for Gram to make things move faster. Upon the arrival of said wheelchair, Gram exclaimed: “Oh, darlings, I don’t need that thing! I am perfectly fine.” We attempted reasoning with her. After a few minutes she looked at me carrying a carry on bag and my camera bag. Her eyes twinkled as she said: “Kristi has all those bags to carry, let her ride in it!” Oh my face probably said so many things at that moment. I laughed. nothankyougramiloveyou… I do NOT need to ride in a wheelchair. We finally convinced her to sit down and away we went to security with an escort from the airline pushing Gram. As usual, the line for security was SUPER long. We weren’t in a rush, we had plenty of time. But, wait! We had a “handicap” person with us… so forgive us all you people who sat in line for who-knows-how long as we walked passed them all and got through security in less that five minutes. On the other side, Gram, realizing the miracle that just occurred, got the biggest mischievous grin, grabbed my arm and exclaimed: “I think I need this wheelchair now!” *laughs*

Yes, so traveling with my great-gram saves BUNCHES of time and brings plenty of laughter. 
I told her I would take her with me traveling anytime. We have agreed upon visiting Scotland and Rome next summer. *mischievous grin*

Of course there were plenty of favorite moments throughout the trip::

• Reading “The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe” in the window seat of an English hotel. 
• Exploring Oxford and eating fish and chips with Gram at the Eagle and Child. 
• Riding in a Mini-Cooper with the top down, driving on the “wrong side of the road” through the countryside. 
• Experiencing life [washing dishes. meals. etc.] in the most lovely English Flat. 
• Falling in love with the flower shops at the train station and yes, buying Gerber Daisy. 
• Walking around London realizing I could spend years there and never see everything. 
• Blue skies and sunshine for like three days straight in “rainy England”. 
• Beautiful evening at a Castle with my most wonderful cousins. 
• Not only being photographer on the wedding day, but also hairdresser for the bride and a bridesmaid. 
• Crying as I photographed one of the most precious and profound wedding ceremonies I’ve ever been to. 
• Riding in a classy taxi-cab in downtown London. 

Just to name a few. The most precious thing was experiencing all those things with my family! Second cousins. Great Uncle, Great Aunts, Great-Grandma… seriously!? We could have never planned that to happen if we tried… and every moment was so special to be with them all creating memories together. Yes, I still smile with a heart of thankfulness for the memories Jesus gave me. 

My camera was completely overwhelmed with the photographic possibilites. Endless in England. So endless. And yet there was only so much time to be able to capture the beauty, depth and richness of the Mother-country. So here are like a dozen or so [ok, more than that. *grin*] views of the adventure. I cannot wait to go back to England and run through the countryside with the rain and feel the wispy breeze through my hair as I explore castles, see sheep grazing in the pasture and come home to a good cup of tea. Ah yes… its gonna be good. 

So until then, England I love and miss thee. ♥

Meanwhile, it is November! I can hardly believe it. But I’m excited… because in the midst of questions, longings, waiting and desires… gratitude overrides any worry or fear. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Phil 4:6-7]

Happy first day of thanksgiving-month, everyone.

-KM 

Last view of the shores of America. 

First cup of English tea. 

In the back of the Mini-Cooper… taking in the English Countryside. 

“Peter, what time does our train arrive…” [Chronicles of Narnia, anyone?]

I was pretty sure I was dreaming. For real. 

Best decision I ever made was to bring my English Boots… I wore them practically everyday. 

Someday, America needs a flower shop in our Airports like this. Seriously!

Ah, the loveliness of an English garden outside a flat. 

I hope someday I can grow Lavender outside my front porch so I can pick it and use it all the time. 

AHHHHHHHHH! Be still my heart… yes, a real live Castle. 

And still… there is nothing like a beautiful sunset in America. 

“I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.
I should think so – in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures.
Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner.” [J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit]

 

This is me and my Gram. 
I love her so much.

Yes, she is my great-grandma. 
I hope one day she will be a great-great grandma. 

She turned ninety this year, still lives on her own, loves the library, walks every day, goes to church, volunteers…
she doesn’t lead a very slow life. She will even still send us birthday cards in the mail with $5 to get an ice cream. [Yes, she is darling]. 

She is a WWII veteran, has been a wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma and is probably one of the most loyal, steadfast souls I know. 
She truly shows me what it means to be there for her family… through very difficult situations. She isn’t perfect. She is simply real. 
When people would have told her to leave, she stayed and persevered and loved. The hard choice. 

Gram loves Jesus. 
I love praying with her. 

Sometimes, I will just call her out of the blue to talk and see how she is doing. 
Sometimes I have to remind her exactly who she is talking to because my voice sounds weird on the phone. *grin*
She calls me “Kristi, dearest” and “Darling” and “Sweetheart”… my heart does happy dances. 

This week I called her and left a happy voicemail. Three days later, she called me back.
I laugh and smile so much when talking with Gram. 
She says the funniest things…

“You know, darling, I never blame anything on my age!” 
*eyes twinkling*

We had so much fun together in England… being silly, laughing. 
We actually were kinda like two little girls at times… whispering secrets, making friends with all sorts of people, walking arm in arm,  
going on walks, taking naps, sharing fish and chips at the Eagle and Child, had our first cup of tea and first apple-something-that-was-amazing together.
We both love to dance… Gram was on the dance floor more than I was at the wedding. [But then again, I was the photographer]. 

I still am so in awe of the precious of the memories I will have with her in England of all places. 
Thank you, Jesus… it’s a gift my heart doesn’t even know how to express my thankfulness. 

This weekend we have another family wedding, no… not in England, in Tennessee. 
I can’t wait to hug, laugh, smile and dance with Gram again on Sunday.

-KM 

Fall, I love thee. 

I will sadly miss picking apples this year as the crops were not very good with the weather being a month ahead of schedule this year. Currently, I am craving a cup of foamy-wonderful apple cider, but a cup of Peppermint tea will have to do instead for the moment. There is something enchanting about Fall. I confess that I do enjoy Spring and Summer as well [Winter is simply winter, I love Christmastime and that is about it. I could even do with only one snow. Yes, truly.] but Fall has always captured my heart.

There is something about colors that take your breath away as your are driving down country roads… something about the vivid blue skies, the smell of the fresh-cool-fall-air… something about the sound of crunching leaves under your shoes and the sunshine on your face… something about the deliciousness of pumpkin, apple, spices and chili in a crockpot. 

Yes, I love fall. 

I’ve been thinking a lot recently. Having a lot of quiet time on my hands [long story, but currently in another waiting season] as I work on lots of editing, I’ve been having lots of thoughts, questions, prayers and wonderings. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said: “Don’t believe everything you think.” Um. yes… so true! Every thought that comes into my little mind is certainly not truth or fact. I’ve been reminded over and over how much I truly need the Gospel… daily. What do you think about? What consumes your thoughts and dreams?

Lately, my thoughts have been consumed with two things: Now and the Future. 
Now:: a job. a car. money. new computer hard-drive. questions. decisions. headaches. becoming well. projects. editing. 
Future:: a job. a car. money. photography. decisions. what-ifs. desires. responsibility. missions. my dark-chocolate-eyed-kiddos.

Intermixed between those two ever present thoughts are many thoughts about Jesus, the promises of Scripture, pondering new Truths, etc. 
Then, last week… it occurred to me: “Kristi, your thoughts are so consumed with the temporary and splashed with moments of Truth… what would happen if it flipped?”

All consumed with Jesus. 
All consumed with Truth. 
All consumed with the Eternal.
All consumed with the Kingdom. 
All consumed with serving others .
All consumed with making others successful. 
All consumed with becoming more like Jesus. 
All consumed with HIS complete faithfulness.

What if?

It sounds kinda impractical, doesn’t it? I used to think so. But I should know better by now. It is impractical, but that is because it isn’t world-like thinking… it is Kingdom living. Pretty much the opposite of what comes naturally. If your enemy strikes you… let him strike the other side. If your debtor owes you forgive him. If your enemy is hungry feed him. If you want to be greatest you must be the least. Paradoxes are the way of the Kingdom. 

So the question is raised… if I became all consumed with Jesus, how do I pay my bills, how would I find a job, what about the future, how will I know when and where and what?

The answer:: Jesus. 

He knows all. He is all. He will give all. He is always faithful, He has never failed. Think on that… He has NEVER failed… ever. The end. Period. His record is perfect. Spotless. That fact in mind, being consumed with Him, I surely wouldn’t be so tempted to worry, to fear or to dread what I cannot control, nor would I be likely to be so inward focused as to miss out on the joys, blessings and fruitfulness of the abundant life and easy yoke He promises. This doesn’t mean sitting around and waiting for Him to mail you a check to cover your bills. But it does mean to live in obedience… if He says “Be still and wait”, you had better listen. If He says go apply for jobs, go for it. If He simply says take things one day at a time… I will supply your needs, embrace it and live it to the fullest. Do the dishes for His glory. Smile and worship as you pray through the difficulties in your day. Choose to ask Him for guidance even as you drive and do things you are “completely able to do on your own”. 

Do life with Jesus. 

He will never leave nor forsake you. 
He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly. 
He who clothes the lilies of the field will not leave His children in want. 
He who knows all things and owns the cattle on a thousand hills is My Heavenly Father. 
He will always, always be faithful.

Yes, I will choose to trust Jesus. 
I will do life with Him. 

“We have to be continually reminded what we believe.” [C.S. Lewis]

-KM

[Last weekend I went to an English Country Dance. Littlest brother was kind enough to capture me in my Jane Austen attire.
The dress was made by an adopted sister for my birthday several years ago. Isn't it lovely?]