following grace

A year ago today i posted here  about my great grandmother going to be with the Lord. Today as i drove home from church i remembered seeing her picture on facebook and i broke down inside. God has called us to be his light to the world. to shine his light in the darkness. My great grandma was just that. She lived her life for JESUS. She had a givers heart, she reached out to her community and she knew that God had a master plan and did what she needed to follow it. Even though we don't have her with us today. Everytime i think about my future and the plan God has for my life i can't help but remember her always encouraging me to follow his wishes for my life. There are some days i feel him talking to me and i just get instant joy thinking about her words to me and i know that she is smiling down on me. We miss you Momoe! I know Jesus is preparing a wonderful birthday party for you next week! May you dance in his arms and live happily in peace and free from pain...

Wow. this week was hectic. I survived and that's the important thing. With VBS all week during the day i did best to run errands and accomplish much needed packing for camp this upcoming week. on Sunday after months of no talking me and one of my good friends got together and hung out. When i got home i looked at my clock and it was this late. Felt like such a party animal ;) On Monday i spent the day at home cleaning up and such and making this cd for my car. Haven't stopped listening to it since. :) Tuesday i ran errands and got to go and spend the evening with my princess and take her to VBS. SO sad my days with her and her family are over but i am sure i will be back soon to play. on Wednesday we had a beach day. it was so needed and such a good time with friends. on Thursday me and this little man went shopping. after about a million stares and im sure confused brains i got what i needed and he got a cat nap. Both of us were happy :) ...

For a few months we've had these boys come to our church. Three cousins. that all live together. They're a handful but oh so much fun. Recently i've had the oppurtunity to become really close with one of them. He's lived a rough life and he is on the path to success. Yesterday as we were driving one of the cousins heard me beep at a dumb driver and said to me "Austyn, your a christian. you can't do that" It got me thinking. If the simplest things like beeping show my love for Christ or lack there of than WHAT on earth kind of example do i really set. Scary. Here these boys are, coming from inner cities and living the life that i could never imagine. They don't know God's love, they don't know how to live in his light. To serve him and love him. I've stepped into that at a glimpse. I could never. I would never survive. Here i am complaining that i don't have $50 to fill my gas tank. But i have a beautiful house, lots of ...

Happy Fathers day to the best hard working, cashew lovin, truck driving, goofy, spoiling, giving, strong willed, wise, precious father of mine ♥ Love, Austyn

These are all beach pictures; be warned. I just couldn't skip a week. On Sunday we went to my cousin Taylor's birthday cookout and also celebrated her going away to a HUGE university in the fall. :) On Monday we took a nice walk to the market after a day at the pool. On Tuesday we went out to eat for my cousins 15th birthday. WHEN did we grow up!? On Wednesday after yummy spaghetti we headed out for a late night swim. on Thursday after watching the 2nd half 3 times we decided to watch High School Musical 2 in full. on Friday we took a trip to the pier and the strip after dinner. Love the nightlife! And yesterday we had a yummy lunch before heading home! Have a wonderful week! Lots to do this week.. job interviews, VBS, fun with friends! Can't wait to keep you posted!! -Austyn :)

After the school year that was had, vacation was MUCH in order. Although i didn't really participate much this year, i relaxed and that was just what i needed. A perfect vacation entails.. siblling UNO. The Beach at sunset. toes shoes in the sand. waking up at 5am with your Aunt. seeing beautiful masterpieces from the One true Master. lots and lots and LOTS of phone pictures. sleepy 5am faces. plenty of jumping pictures. and joy for the morning. birthday cookouts with family. walks to the straw market. listening to precious conversations. staying in the best beach house. walking on Cottage Beach Dr. huge straw hats. one too many trips to the market place. many many ice cream treats. birthday celebrating for 15 year old cousins. silly mommies and brothers. going out to dinner with the birthday boy. fish stew and key ...