Intentional Adventure || Personal

Yesterday I had an hour to kill. My days are a little crazy this spring so having an hour to kill is a miracle of sorts. Within that hour I had some thinking time. So as crazy as it was to go for a walk in the trails in 19 degrees, I did it. And it was beautiful. 

I admit I get in the habit of doing the daily grind. I don't live each day as if it's my last and I'm not always full of joy everyday when I wake up. Being in class 9 hours everyday and having to go to work after is not my favorite thing. But doing the daily grind is easy because there's no question. It's just what you do. Get up, drink the coffee, learn, grow. But what if it doesn't have to be that way? What if you could pack your bags and go halfway across the world for a few months and do something that changes the world? What if you really did what you born to do? I don't know about you, but I don't feel like I was born to work retail. Maybe I'm naive and silly, but why not? 

Maybe there's an orphanage in Haiti that needs some volunteers. Maybe there's a single-mom in the inner city that could use a baby sitter. Maybe there's a child who hasn't eaten in days and would really love a warm meal. There are 27 million people trapped in slavery. And maybe you could help.

When we look beyond ourselves, we realize how corrupt our perspective is. Even those of us who are not considered wealthy by America's standard are among the wealthiest people who have ever existed in all of history. Step outside of your walls. God is a father to the fatherless. But we are His hands and feet. We are a part of His body. For Him to truly be a Father to the fatherless, He must be one through us. Ask God to show you where to start.

I don't want to do anything in this life without intention. This life is all about adventure and intention. Make your adventure beautiful, bursting with intention to change the world. 

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

Just to know, "thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Love Does || Recently Read

I used to read a lot. Like, 5 books a month A LOT. Then life happened and it can take me 3 months to get through one book. So when I got through Love Does in 2 months, it was a miracle. I'm a big fan of Don Miller. I've read all of his books. There's just something about him. So, when I heard that Don Miller wrote the forward to Love Does and Bob Goff is pretty cool too, I was in!

Love Does, similar to Don Miller's books, is a memoir, a journey & a "do something" kind of book. Bob doesn't merely "study" Jesus in the Word through Bible study, he has Bible doings. The way his mind works is whimsical. Bob lives a better life, a bigger life with a greater love.

One of my favorite stories from the book was in the chapter called Wow, What a Hit! Bob talks about how he played n a Little League baseball team in elementary school. He wasn't the greatest player and always closed his eyes when he swung the bat. Somehow, his team miraculously got to the playoffs. He was up to bat and he actually got a home run! A little while later, he got a card from his coach. The card said "You are the apple of my eye. Wow...What a hit, Bob! You're a real ball player. Love, Coach." Bob writes that this is how Jesus sees us. "...His name for us is His beloved. He hopes that we'll believe Him like I came to believe what the coach said about me. He hopes we'll start to see ourselves as His beloved rather than think of all the reasons that we aren't."

How fitting...I finished this book the day before Valentine's Day. Honestly, I learned a lot about love, life, and living. Love isn't just a word. It's an action. Love is serving, helping, getting out of your comfort zone, denying yourself and what you want. Most of all love is loving someone because. Not to make them "better" or what you think they should be. But just to love them. Because love does.

I highly recommend this book. It's challenged me and changed me.

Bob Goff is a really cool guy. Check him out.

Weekend Whimsy || Personal

I like weekends full of days off, sleeping in & hikes. Days full of the chance to pick up my camera just because. Moments that allow me to photograph in the snowy light. Hours of important and heart-challenging conversations. I like productivity and reading a book because it's good and has the potential to change my heart. 

This is one wildly extravagant life gift.

January in Instagrams

January was a great month. I rang in 2013 in Georgia, celebrated my birthday, there were lots of hikes, accepted to Moody Bible Institute for Fall 2013, a trip to the art museum, a new semester (last one as a photo student!) and lots of blessings. Life is just good and God is unbelievably gracious. Here are some great moments from January:

(stay tuned till the end for some important info!)

Most of the instagrams from this month were from Passion 2013. Easily one of my favorite parts of the year. So beautiful to spend a week with college-aged students seeking the Lord and raising our voices for those trapped in slavery. Human-trafficking breaks my heart. Did you know that there are 27 million people trapped in slavery right now? That's more today than at any other point in time. Please go to www.enditmovement.com to learn more about it and what you can do. I'd also encourage you all to go to slaveryfootprint.org to find out how many slaves work for you. This is a great resource to see how you affect the world and what you can do. 

Thank you. I just really appreciate all of you and your love. You're so wonderful! I hope your January was phenomenal. Follow me on instagram and I'd love to follow you back.

Love,

Alison 

Wipe-Off To Do List || DIY 2013

I am a list maker. I love writing lists. Lists for the week, the day, the grocery store, a project. Give me something and I'll make a list about it. I'm a little organization crazy. So when I found out I could make a cute Wipe-Off To Do List, I was all in! This is the first of 13 (or maybe more...) DIY projects I'm going to do in 2013. You can check out the full list here and make them all with me!

So let's get started!

 Total cost: $29.17

You can buy your supplies here :

Spray Paint, Markers, Hanging Strips, Frame, Scrapbook Paper (found at craft store)

I love this project because you can do virtually anything with it. Use it for a menu board, love notes or just a to-do list! Put a magnet on the back of it and put it on your fridge or just hang it on your wall! I'd love to see yours. Make one and send it to me, comment below, or Instagram it with the hashtag #13diysfor2013. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Love,

Alison

To New Beginnings

The past six months have been a whirlwind, an adventure, a journey. Sometimes when we're in the storm we don't see the beauty of it until we're looking back on it. Six months ago I thought I would be done with school for good and pursue my photography business full force. Little did I know that the journey that God had placed me on would lead me to apply to Moody Bible Institute. Throughout this whole process I have been completely undone and overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy in my life. How amazing that the Lord is leading me to pursue full-time ministry and counseling.

In six months I'll be living in Chicago.

In six months I'll be starting all over.

Moral of the story: Life is really crazy and God is so good.

Yach Family || Portraits

I just LOVE this family. From Adelyn's chubby cheeks and Tim & Tracy's sense of humor...what's not to love?! Tracy and Tim have been a part of the high school youth ministry at my church for years and Tim had the awesome opportunity to be an Associate Pastor at another church plant of Harvest in Kansas! Sometimes God calls us to take big steps of faith and the Yach family has definitely done that! They made the trek to Kansas just days after Christmas but we snapped these pictures just before. They will be missed from good ol' Chicago very much but I am just so excited about the path that God has them on.

Aren't they just wonderful?! Leave some love for the Yach family below!

Love,
Alison