{thirty.}

wow.

thirty.
yep.  i turned thirty this month and let me tell you... i'm pumped about it.

for real.

most people i've talked to get so freaked out by thirty years old, but i've had a phenomenal first thrity years and am so excited for what's to come.  as i approached thirty years i started thinking back about what i've walked through and i can't be help but be overcome with gratitude of where God has lead my steps and the opportunities i've been given and experiences i've been able to have.

just in the last year i've been to haiti four times.  what the heck?!?  how'd that happen?  what an amazing gift to go and experience this country and love on her people.  this shot is from my last time there and man i love it.  i love those haitian babies.  can't get enough of them!!

i think my time spent in haiti is one of the most special things i've done in my thirty years.  maybe it's the humanity of it all... the sheer depravity of the situation in haiti is overwhelming, but the hope and love that exudes from the people overwhelms my soul.  the way that place pulls on my heartstrings and causes me to ask myself the question "does anything else really matter but loving these people and sharing what i've been blessed with?"  God's truth, education, wealth (yes if you live in this country you ARE wealthy), my time and love... it's all worth it!!  

...and guess what??... haiti gives me SO much in return.  my heart is so full when my feet are dirty and on haitian soil! i love the beautiful community of people down there. whether it's the team i lead down to mission of hope, the other teams that we have the pleasure of meeting and working alongside, or the haitians that i get to meet and have started developing friendships with, the community overwhelms me with gratitude every. single. time.  

without a doubt i have grown in my confidence as a child of God,  as a woman who can travel the world and trust that no matter what, God has me in His loving care as i love on my neighbors.  this makes all my worries and fears just melt away and joy abounds.

welcoming thirty and thinking on the past has made me so grateful for life.  the life i'm living definitely does not look like the life i had "planned," but man i'm so glad it doesn't.  the life the Lord has allowed me to live has been a beautiful one so far.  one filled with laugher and love mixed with heartache, struggles, and tears.  yet i've had more blessings in this life so far than my heart and mind can take in.  

gratitude.  it's the stance i take when looking back over my life so far.  gratitude for so many things.  for family, for friendships, for education, for joy, for creation that speaks to me in beautiful ways, for hard experiences that stretch and grow me, for hard work that does the same, for grace, for experiences, for adventures, for the church.  there are so many things that my mind continues to list of things i'm grateful for and i think that's where God wants our attitudes and our hearts.  grateful.

so as i enter this 30th year of life i'm reminded of this post from March of 2011 and continue to move forward with open hands, living adventurously expectant, & asking with child like faith as best as i can, "what's next Papa?"

::this resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!::  romans 8:15-17 {the message}

{with.gratitude}

aw

{a friday afternoon drive to my favorite place :: beech mountain}

a little rainy, foggy afternoon drive up to my beloved beech mountain.

worth the drive just for the sunset from the couch...

 it's amazing how quick God's masterpiece can change...

 {happy.weekend.friends}

aw

{it's a love haiti relationship}

"i have learned that something happens when one makes herself available to God: He starts moving in ways no one could imagine. God began doing things in me, around me and through me as I offered myself to Him. I began each day saying, "Okay, Lord, what would you have me do today? Whom would you have me help today?" And then I would allow Him to show me. I would like to say that I had all kinds of great ideas about what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. I would like to say my ministry was born out of a carefully thought-out plan. These things simply aren't true, though. I was walking through life one moment at a time, blown away by what God would do through me if I simply said yes."

-excerpt from "Kisses from Katie"

i said "yes" and i have fallen in love...

with Haiti.

i know i haven't blogged much this year, but i'm going to make it a goal of mine next year to start writing again.  i've experienced and processed A LOT this year and haven't shared most of it here.  now instagram may be another story as i feel like that's been my mini blog for 2012, but i miss writing.  i miss dumping out what's floating around in my brain and processing it through the art of "wordsmithing."

i was blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to go to Haiti THREE times this year and i'm going back in February to take another team from my church.  the first opportunity to say "yes" to Haiti presented itself earlier this year, seemingly out of nowhere and without hesitation i jumped on board and said "yes," and this seemed to happen for july and november too.  each trip was not in my "plan" per say  but the opportunity arose and out of obedience i said "yes" and i was beyond blessed..  each time that i traveled to Haiti this year, the experience was uniquely different, but one thing is for sure...i developed a love Haiti relationship.  (you can thank MOH for that fun statement.  i even have a tshirt that says it... or maybe 2 :)

i love Mission of Hope and am grateful for the vision God has given them to serve and come alongside the people of Haiti.  it has been wonderful to gain an understanding of the Haitian people and their beautiful culture.  their seemingly slow pace of life, deep community, amazing worship even in the tough circumstances...  and the kids!  oh the kids, i love the kids.  they come out of the wood work when we head into different villages and i love it.  they're so open just to love on you and play with you even when we don't speak the same language.  

i'm so excited for this journey the Lord has me on and i can't wait to spend more time in Haiti in 2013.  for now here are a few photos from my time spent in Haiti last month.

my morning view every day.  beauty, beauty, beauty.

  glorious!!!  that's the ocean and the mountains ya'll.,  another one of the phenomenal MOH views.

 our team touring the MOH Bercy campus where MOH has a school now, but will eventually be home to a resort that MOH has plans to build that will provide Haitian jobs and an elderly care facility as well.

 the church in leveque that will be finished soon!

  my wonderful team.

 we had a wonderful work day in the warehouse putting together new chairs and cleaning.  the warehouse will also be home to all the MOH offices as of January 2013! can't wait to see it all in action when i head back in Feburary.

 i got to make CHALKBOARD SIGNS for the warehouse aisles. seriously?!?  what a blessing to be able to be crafty in Haiti.

 ya'll... Haiti is BEYOND beautiful!

 playing a little kick the can in one of the villages.

 nothing like being invited in to a family's home and them cutting down coconuts for all the blancs (aka white people)  one of the best experiences hands down.

 His promises remain.

 the team painting houses in leveque.

  heading into another village. glad i'm not afraid of heights!

 patty cake is most definitely universal.

 precious lovies.

 a happy new homeowner in leveque.

 me and my mama with this sweet ray of sunshine. (yes my MOM got to come!!  so grateful)   Jesus just leaked out of this little lady as soon as she walked by.  the smile on her face was unmistakable and i hate we didn't get that in a photo.  what a blessing she was.

Glory in the Highest!!!  Creation most definitely reveals God's majesty and Haiti's open skies blow my mind every morning and night!  what a beautiful reminder that God is with us.  

i pray you and your family have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 {aw}

{december photo a day :: instagram challenge}

december is here and i'm BEYOND excited!!

i love this month.  

it's full of life, joy, anticipation, celebration, and so much more.

i hope you stop and take the time this month to notice all the little things around you to be ever so grateful for, regardless of your circumstance, and i hope our little photo challenge can help you do that.

erin and i have been SO grateful for all those that have participated in this challenge this year and i can't believe we made it to the last month!!  it's been so fun seeing your world through your instagram lens and i can't wait to see what this month brings!!

{happy.shooting}

aw

{free.christmas.music :: yes please!}

you can't go wrong with Christmas music, especially when it's $free.99!

i highly recommend downloading both of these available right now at noisetrade.com

Over the Rhine :: click here

Fireplace Songs :: click here

you can never go wrong with anything from Over the Rhine and the fireplace songs is a collection of songs from artists such as Ben Rector, JJ Heller, Green River Ordinance, Trent Dabbs, and many more!  your happy ears will thank me for all this goodness!

{happy.christmas.listening}

aw

{inspiration + creating = joy}

i love to create.

i love to be inspired.

i love to make things.

chalkboard paint is my weakness.

i long to have my own little workshop filled with tools (a girl can dream, right?) 

so i can cut, build, paint, draw, design... the list goes on and on.  

remember that dream of making my own furniture??  

it WILL happen one day.

creating brings me joy, so i'm a little excited about a few projects i'm 

dreaming up for the holidays thanks to these pinterest inspirations!

i REALLY want to do a wall in my bedroom like the one shown below.

fingers crossed i can make that happen in the next few months!

{happy.creating}

aw

{new music to make you swoon :: phillip phillips}

helllooo phillip phillips.  

this boy, his guitar, and his breathy, raspy voice make me SWOON.

*sigh*

(ahem... where's my boy and his guitar?)

check out his new album today on itunes!

lots of musical goodness here

{aw}

{november photo 366 :: instagram challenge :: #novphoto366}

::it's november!::

my favorite time of year!  the air is getting colder, the holidays are coming.  i start reflecting on the year that's been and try to squeeze in all the things i want to complete before the new year arrives.  i have so much going on the rest of this year and i most definitely want to capture it.  so grateful i have instagram to do so!!

join me and bringing up burns for this month's {photo::366} 

challenge as we finish up the 11th month of the year!!

{happy shooting}

aw

{october photo 366 :: instagram challenge :: #octphoto366}

hello fall! hello october! hello #octphoto366!!

{happy shooting}

aw

{hopeless wanderer}

as i typed the title of this post i mindlessly typed "hopeful wanderer" instead of the new mumford and sons song title "hopeless wanderer." i think it was my subconscious.  let me explain...

the new mumford & son album "babel" was released today and it just so happens i was at home this morning to meet the time warner cable people.  this morning was a sweet, refreshing time for me.  fall is in the air here in north carolina. the windows and doors in the house were all open while i cleaned and waited.  i juiced, drank coffee, and listened through the new album in it's entirety.  it was glorious.

mumford has blown my mind again and to be blunt i was in DIRE NEED of new music.  new inspiration.  sometimes i feel like my soul connects with music in such an awe inspiring way and this album is just what i needed.  their lyircs never disappoint and one song that stuck out this morning was "hopeless wanderer"...

i've felt like that hopeless wanderer these last few months.  wrestling with my faith, not really knowing where i'm headed or if i'm going in the right direction.  traveling to poverty stricken countries and not understanding the things of this world.  listening to stories of friends lives and hearing choas, love, confusion, joy, hurt, and hope.  fighting my own loneliness and struggling with that unmet desire i have of falling in love. feeling my hope for those desires growing smaller.  that light of hope dimming. feeling called to make courageous decisions and being confident in the direction i was heading.  started walking that path and totally overlooking the unseen road block ahead.  running smack into that road block and coming to screeching halt.  pain.  oh the pain.  begrudgingly turning 180 degrees and making more  hard and painful decisions to go the other direction... all the while clinging to my faith and hope that all is as it should be... with a whole mess of emotions in the midst of it all.  hopeless. to be honest i felt hopeless.  i was a mess. i doubted it all...

then came the gentle and quiet whisper...

"i am with you.  do not fear.  seek me. 

abide in me.  turn to me.  lean on me.  

i love you my child.  i will care for you. 

you have all that you need in me. you lack nothing."

oh the Lord, so sweet.  He is love and of that i have no doubt.  even though days may be rough, they still continue to come and go, and i feel that flame of hope growing again.  the light in the darkness.  there is a new season ahead and i will not let my heart grow cold.  i am begging the Lord to "hold me fast," because how quickly i can become that hopeless wanderer. i am learning as i go to love this sky i wander.  the hard parts of life where God asks me to take one step closer to Him.  i have felt like the "hopeless wanderer" during this season of my life, but i think my soul knows different even when some days i don't feel it.

my soul knows i am truly the hopeful wanderer.

and that is faith.  that is hope.

i'm grateful for a God who is love.

i'm grateful for music inspiration.

i'm grateful for the raw talent that is mumford and sons.

{aw}

{september photo a day :: #septemberphoto366 :: instagram challenge}

we're almost 9 months in folks! that's 244 days guys!!  let's give it our best shot (bad pun intended) this month as we move into the beginning of our fall routine.  look for the beauty in the everyday and make sure you share with your friends on instagram! join me and erin aka @bringingupburns as we start another month towards our 366 goal!!

happy shooting

{aw}

{august photo 366 :: instagram photo a day challenge}

it's august 9th.

i'm late.

here are august's prompts.

 so fun to see all of you already playing!!

happy shooting!!

and don't forget your 

#augustphoto366 tag!

{aw}

{mission of hope haiti :: july-aug 2012 :: gimpy chickens style}

"how beautiful are the feet of 

those who bring good news"

romans 10:15

last week as we walked through haiti with dirty, dirty feet, my sweet friend micah spoke truth to us.  "when i look down at my dirty feet, i can't help but think of romans 10:15." ... and let me tell you our feet were nasty, but i loved it!  i would trade my clean feet any day for walking life in haiti, dirty feet and all!!

i spent the last week leading a small team to haiti, serving and love on the people there through mission of hope.  an organization that is literally empowering haiti to change haiti.  an organziation, following jesus christ, they exist to bring life transformation to every man, woman, and child in haiti... 

MOH has 5 resolutions in how they plan to accomplish the vision that God has given them.

1. Relational Proclamation: Intentionally modeling Christ’s love through relationships.
2. Evangelistic Saturation: Repeatedly sharing the Gospel message in targeted geographies.
3. Indigenous Mobilization: Strategically developing national leaders to carry the vision to the nation.
4. Holistic Transformation: Continuously pursuing God’s physical, mental, social and spiritual destiny for every man, woman and child.
5. Excellent Implementation: Responsibly utilizing all resources and talents to their fullest potential for God’s glory.

...and i got to experience all of that first hand for the last week and what a blessing it was to be a part of that.  we loved on kiddos in VBS, painted houses in the neighboring villages, cheered on soccer games, worshiped together in english, creole, and sign language (what a sweet glimpse of what heaven will be like!)  we lived in sweet community, camp style, eating meals and playing games with about 215 others for the week.

come saturday, not one of us wanted to leave haiti.  God is doing great things in reaching that nation and no doubt in my mind that He has a pretty stinkin' awesome plan up his sleeve in reaching His people that He loves so much. 

i didn't want to leave.

i didn't want that haitian dirt off my feet.

i wanted to stay and do life in haiti.

maybe one day i'll get the chance...

 until then here are some photos from our amazing week!

sweet friends haley and micah. what a blessing they are to me!

 hanging out in MOH 500 in leveque

  morning coffee+the word

 haiti sunrise

 what's better than loving on babies!!

  what an awesome intern, sweet tiffany, and her fabulous mama karen!

  evening on the MOH campus

 the gimpy chickens spending a day at wahoo bay!  

the 6 of us spent the whole week together. 

 what a gift from above. these girls are amazing on so many levels!!

 oh hello crazy storm.

 the GCs "bonswaaaaaa"ing with our fab intern andrew!

 orevwa haiti...

see you in november!

{aw}