Dusting & Cleaning of a Hashtag.

(Are we friends on Instagram? @ GloriousWithin)

In case you haven't quite figured out my love of photography yet, its obvious that Instagram & I are practically long lost friends.

I love sharing life through pictures. 

So here are a really really small few of my week.

I may even dust off break out the 

#gloriousangelmoments

hashtag as its Fall and this Summer girl needs encouragement. 

See you over there! And Happy Weekend friends! 

Those Slower Moments.

I have been making a habit lately to enjoy the little moments in my day.

I just finished work for the day, our home is peaceful and quiet with no sounds or distractions.

My parents are sleeping the other side of the world a mere few hours away from boarding a plane to come see us. Then quiet will have to be sought out, and that's ok.

The more I sit and just listen, the more I appreciate these moments.

While working I get the privilege of watching two precious little girls who continually teach me things.

And I am learning to appreciate the little moments with them in their curiosity.

Like figuring out why things work the way they work, or just why in general as it is the current favorite question.

And appreciating the snuggle moments with a baby who is definitely a toddler now and growing so fast. 

I'm learning to be thankful when she lets me hold her and give her a bottle. 

Admiring her precious little fingers and toes and kissing her sweet cheeks. 

Even on those days which are 'teething days' and seem hard, she just wants me to hold her.

And I'm really trying to love those days too, because there will be a day when she won't let me hold her anymore. 

So I am learning to appreciate the here and now.

Those little moments, the fleeting parts of the mundane days.

The parts that make up almost everyday and seeing beauty in those moments.

Much Love,

L

A darkened Sanctuary.

Press play :) 

The lights went down in the sanctuary last night, and stayed down as a person moved onto the stage and lead us in worship. It was an amazing way of helping everyone in the room see upward and look within at whatever is fighting to take the place of God in our lives. 

Never before have I been at a concert where the artist desperately wanted everyone to focus on God, not them. It was like a breath of fresh air. 

And the lyrics to these songs.

'You can sing all you want to, and still get it wrong. Worship is more than a song.'

How often do I sing to the Lord and focus on singing instead of worshiping  How often do I think of needing to be in a sanctuary to be worshiping God.

My 'Angel Moment' this week was here. In a darkened room, hearing God speak through a willing soul. Calling us to Him, reminding us how much we are loved.

How much you are loved by Him too. 

My thoughts on everything that evening are still a bit of a jumble.

But I wanted to share this precious gem with you, Jimmy Needham. 

I pray that His lyrics will bless you and touch your soul so that you might know how much you are loved by Jesus.

Much Love friends!

L

How about you share with me how you saw God this week? 

I love it when we encourage one another!

Use the hashtag #GloriousAngelMoments on either twitter or Instagram (@GloriousWithin)

Glorious Angel Moments.

I was blessed this weekend friends.

Before the hubby returns back to work after being laid off for the winter, we were able to go skiing one last time. I am so thankful he was patient enough to teach me to ski this winter.

He's a pretty gifted teacher too I'll have you know. Very patient and good at explaining things too.

So my #GloriousAngelMoments moment this week, was the gorgeous views from the ski hill.

There is nothing like riding that ski lift up to the top of a peak and seeing God's creation from up there. The view from a plane is pretty amazing, but there's something about seeing it lower down and from every angle, no airplane interior blocking your view. 

Amazing right? Its crazy how many things on this earth I will probably never see in my lifetime which are just as spectacular as this. God is amazing! Like I just can't even begin to think about how so many beautiful things could just happen without a God making them.

On a lighter note, how many of you iphone owners out there knew about the panorama picture option?!?!?

This girl discovered it while waiting to take pictures of the hubby doing a jump.

In.Love.

(With the panorama option & the guy below)

How about you share with me how you saw God this week? 

Use the hashtag #GloriousAngelMoments on either twitter or Instagram (@GloriousWithin)

Much Love,

L

instagram: @GloriousWithin

31 days of Thankfulness.

Alright. If I was being real and honest with you, which I try and do here, I would 

tell you that it's been a rough few weeks.

I'm not really sure I can even explain why, just a series of events that caused a difficult season.

If we were talking over coffee I would probably explain to you how silly I have felt

at being overwhelmed at the thought of blogging or replying to emails.

And we may even laugh over the fact that I named the pile of laundry in our house Mt. Everest and cried when it wouldn't go down as fast as I would have liked.

It's been a draining two weeks. Not for one particular reason.

I feel like this happens often when Fall officially kicks in.

I'm the girl that likes to call May officially summer. I love my warm weather....

yes unfortunate for one in the Midwest I know.

So perhaps this 'funk' as I've called it, is to do with the fact that although the beautiful Fall season is upon us here. It means that cooler weather and longer days of being indoors are on the way.

And part of me does a little freak out. 

So when a friend told me this morning, yes only this morning guys....

about an awesome linkup going on where over 800+ bloggers are sharing 31 days of blogging about the same topic.

See all the amazing topics here.

I really wanted to participate in the community with the other ladies, and thought that a focus on Thankfulness might change my heart issue around it being Fall already.

So for the next 31 days, the focus around here at least is going to be:

Thankfulness.

So today I am thankful that there are beautiful seasons like Fall happening here in the Midwest, where the leaves change color and turn the trees into breathtaking works of art.

If any of you would like to join me in being encouraged to pursue an attitude of thankfulness this month, grab a button and join me.

Oh and let me know you also are doing it =)

Cause I totally want to see what you are thankful for.

Much Love,

L

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Influence Meet & Greet.

Well hello everyone! I'm so sorry about forgetting to set this post up, 

as I did know about it a few days ago.

Truth be told, I am still relating to Winnie-the-Pooh with feeling as though my head is made of fluff. Therefore, I am trying to lie low as I am due to fly to England this upcoming weekend to perform Maid of Honor duties for my sister's wedding. 

(Whilst trying not to think of all the things that have to happen before then)

So cold ~ Be gone!!!

However, in October...my plan is to attend the Influence Conference along with several awesome girls I have met through this beautiful community. 

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am, 

and nervous as it does seem weird to be heading to a blogging conference right? 

(Well maybe to those who don't blog)

It also hasn't full sunk in yet that God actually opened the door for me to go, and to join several of my closest blogging friends! What an amazing blessing!! 

I am still working on the final projects which have helped me pay my way to the conference.

My Etsy products have been such a help. (Store here)

So even though it seemed like a pipe-dream....the money was provided and it is actually becoming a reality.

3 get-to-know-me things:

1. I have been married for 2 amazing years to my wonderful husband, A. It has been such an adventure and such an eye-opener at learning how sinful I am. Marriage has definitely been one of the biggest refining processes I have ever been through. 

2. I am actually British by nationality. But I don't have an accent so it's unlikely you would have ever figured this out unless I told you. 

(Or you traveled with me and saw my passport)

3. I have a heart for encouraging others, especially younger girls. I led a Jr high small group just after graduating high school and fell in love with encouraging them and sharing Jesus with them. I long to see other girls falling passionately in love with Jesus. 

(Picture taken of some of the group this summer, 6 yrs later!) 

2 things I’m looking forward to about the conference:

1. Meeting all the wonderful ladies whose blogs I have been reading and who have been such an encouragement in the past 7 months of blogging!

(Including driving on a mini-road trip with my roomies to Indianapolis and having tons of fun hanging out in person with those girls!)

2. Learning more about how to blog to further God's kingdom! I feel there is so much wisdom to be gained from the sessions available and the ladies hosting this conference, I can't wait to hear all about what they have learned in their adventures with God.

1 thing I can’t leave home without:

My camera!!!

Because I know I will want to remember the memories and wisdom gained from this trip for a very long time!!

And I can't wait to share about the conference! 

Much Love,

L

Life, A story worth Living.

This past weekend we got to attend two grad parties.

This is a relatively new thing for me these last few years.

In England, no-one has Grad parties. 

But I do love the exciting anticipation that surrounds graduation, whether it be from college or high-school.

That elated feeling of wondering where the Lord will take you next. 

The slightly scary part of not-knowing.

Then feeling the need to trust Him.

And relearning the need to trust with every difficult situation.

There's something about this time of year which holds much promise.

Something so exciting about all the change in plans of so many people.

Even since leaving school, this time of year has continued to hold so many exciting changes. 

I have been able to see the Lord answer so many prayers from Springtime through graduation.

Visa provisions, places to live just being provided, job provisions. 

He never fails to amaze me.

But then again....

the provisions are there throughout the year.

Maybe I am just better at seeing them at this time of year.

I feel like life is a bit like a story.

With many plot changes occuring at this beautiful time of year.

This year promises to be the same.

A big move coming up.

And praying for breakthrough in several other areas.

The only thing I hope as time goes by.....

is that the story my life continues to tell.....

is one where the main character is Jesus,

and Not me.

That others see Him through my life & not me.

Then it will be a story worth living.

Much Love,

L