Today, I Like Lists

11AM. The dog, Clyde, woke me up. Weather status: raining.
2PM. Hijacked Lori's TV to watch Disney Channel instead of PBS kids. Weather status: raining.
3PM. Ate Mac&Cheese lunch. Weather status: raining.
5PM. Parent's got home from errand running, tackled Clyde, and talked to my best friend, Laura, on the phone. Weather status: raining.
6:30PM. Still wishing I could walk outside without getting drenched. Weather status: raining.

Today's been a bit, well, wet. This has given me time to do some online looking though. If you're trying to stay dry and looking for some distractions: enjoy!

1. Blog find. todaysletters has such a cute writing style. Don't be surprised if you see their writing style surface here some day. It looks fun!
2. For some reason, I'm a big fans of owls lately. I'm not as big of a fan of dishes, but this dishtowel has a cute little owl on it.
3. This is a short wedding dress that I think is very lovely, but it wouldn't my final pick for a wedding. I'd definitely wear it for another occasion though.
4. Headpieces are something that are simply darling. This little headpiece I found at an etsy shop is such a great whimsical one.
5. Cristoph Niemann is a genius. He has a fantastic little blog on the NYTimes called Abstract City and does some really interesting artworks such as working with legos or cookie dough.
6. I haven't actually finished reading through this although it's been open in my tabs since before Christmas. I've watched the video though and read a little about it on another website. This muppets proposal has definitely got to be one of the cutest things ever.
7. There's a pledge out to buy handmade. I suggest purchasing these earrings because they are handmade and make me want to don a gown.
8. Interesting article on cheating and college. There's not really anything else to say. Or is there?
9. How cute is this photography sequence of all the adventures that a dreaming baby can have?

I'll leave you there to search on with your own adventures.

Merry Christmas Y'all!

I stumbled across this on twitter and I really thought it was such an interesting way to picture the birth of Christ. Hope it makes you think and gives you a new perspective on the reason behind the season of Christmas itself.



Merry Christmas y'all! I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
I'll be spending the day with family and friends. I hope y'all are too!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Just got home from spending Christmas Eve with my parents, sister, Uncle Jim and Aunt Polly. It was a lovely evening of chili, presents, love and laughter. We ended the night early so that my aunt and uncle can head to Austin to visit more relatives in the morning. We also tried to beat the storm that is brewing outside. It's almost like a white Christmas, just a little clearer and wet rather than white and fluffy.

Now we're sitting around watching old claymatian favorites. It's such a joy to see The Year Without a Santa Clause rather than the new animated stuff that was on earlier. It's just not the same as the old stuff that I grew up with. I have already seen this classic as I now own it on video, but it's not the same as when it's on TV. Weird, right?

I'm piddling around the internet as we watch and ran across these cute little gingerbread houses on etsy. Aren't they precious? Some of my friends and I tried to make one of our own earlier in December, but ours pale in comparison to this village of beauty. By pale in comparison, I'm pretty sure the roof caved in while making it so many times we finally turned in our icing spreaders and gave up. My favorite is the airtram, but really, who wouldn't have thought that?

three sixty five thinking.

There's a photography project called Project 365 where one takes a picture every single day of the year to share. It ultimately makes you a better photographer as the year progresses and makes you see life from a different perspective. It seems like fun. I've been wanting to do it for awhile now, but I wasn't really sure about starting in the middle of the year.

I'm hoping to start on January 1, 2011. Now, there's going to be some catches during this year as I will be studying abroad during the summer and that will slow down some photo posting for sure. I'm hoping to still post from overseas, but I will be on my Canon Powershot, so the quality will be different. I'm also not planning on posting every day as that may get tedious after awhile. If there aren't any pictures for a few days, it will be okay, I will be posting several pictures at once eventually.

Now, should I choose a theme for my 365?
So far, I don't have one. Well, I have an idea for a possible idea: unseen beauty. It would be focusing on details that might not be seen otherwise but are still beautiful.

Any ideas?

Winter Break

The school semester is over. That's pretty much all I care about right now. I've been enjoying some blog reading. It's been great to just relax, watch some TV and look at some pretty and unique things online.

I've run away back home for the break.

I wish my pancakes looked a bit more prehistoric.

Sometimes, I wish I had a mustache and a beard. Now I can!

This semester has come with lots of engagements and this ring is simply precious.

New store discovery: Madewell with a scarf I love and a jacket to die for!

It may be my love of travel, but globes have captured my heart.

twentysomethings.

A prison testimony a friend of mine sent me earlier this semester.

Officially obsessed with this super cute and fun wedding!

What a great use of space with this little "igloo" bookcase/room.

Bike thieves? No problem. Here's one way to keep your bike from being stolen.

That's enough for now. Heading out for some lunch and to wrap some presents.

Thankful

It's a few days past Thanksgiving, but I thought I'd share with y'all what all I'm thankful for (or at least the things that come to my mind in this instance):

+ My family
+ True friends that will be there through thick and thin
+ Podcasts and beautiful Texas scenery
+ Lovely ASC girls who are willing to hold me accountable even when it's tough
+ The opportunities that God has given me - Brazil, Nicaragua, reconnecting with old friends, attending Texas A&M, etc. etc.
+ Laughter
+ Ponkeys and Teal Jaguars
+ Working with some of the best youth ever
+ Roommates whom I love
+ Aggies beating Longhorns in football
+ Photography and creativity in the world

There are so many more things, but this is a small glimpse of what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving season. What are you thankful for?

Guess I Should Update y'all?

...But not with my life just yet. I don't really feel like hacking away at the keyboard just yet, but I did find this unpublished post filled with fun things:

There's nothing like a tall glass of sweet tea and reading some blogs to find fun things to share with my friends...

One day my prince will come and he will like traveling, baking and lazy Sundays...

Art and music will keep the family together.

Canoeing makes me wear my heart on a string.

Keeping the wheels turning all the way home.

God created Australian flora to be beautiful.

Just 'getting them'. Them = youth.

Even Mario likes to get some shopping done.

Please buy me all these cameras/artwork. They are gorgeous.

Happy Halloween!

I'm (hopefully) headed home to celebrate with family and friends tomorrow. It's all up in the air right now as my tummy is a bit too rumbly to be comfortable on the road. (If you want that cleared up a bit more, I haven't felt too swell today.) Halloween will be fabulous either way! (Even if I'm just sitting on the couch in our living room watching movies and studying all weekend.) I really hope I get to see my family and friends though!

My sister, Lori, and I are Dalmatians in that picture NOT cows. That is all.

You can have your cake...

...but you may never be able to eat it if it's this cute:

Thank you yourmindblown.com, for showing some awesome cakes that not only make me want cake, but a cake that will be incredible.

La Chureca Is Holy Ground

Tonight at Disciple, we spoke about the part in Exodus where God speaks to Moses in the burning bush. Moses takes off his sandals because he is on holy ground and hides his face in reverence. Laurinda, our pastor and leader of the study, asked us if there has ever been a time we were on holy ground. Tongue-tied is the only way I can describe that moment as I saw the faces of those that I passed by in La Chureca, the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua, the faces of those that I spoke with, tarped houses for and generally enjoyed. Our team claimed La Chureca in the name of the Lord as his holy ground. Tonight, as Laurinda spoke about holy ground and us being on it, I began to read part of Exodus as if the Lord was speaking directly about La Chureca in the passage.

The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in [La Chureca, the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua]. I have heard them crying out because of [the situation they are in], and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the [oppressors] and to bring them up out of that land [known as La Chureca] into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey ... And now the cry of the [Churecans] has reached me, and I have seen the way the [government] are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you ... to bring my people the [ones I adore] out of [that filth and grime]." - Exodus 3:7-10 NIV

God said, "I've taken a good, long look at the affliction of my people in [La Chureca, the city dump in Managua, Nicaragua]. I've heard their cries for deliverance from [the situation they are in]; I know all about their pain. And now I have come down to help them, pry them loose from the grip of [those who oppress them], get them out of that [dump] and bring them to a good land with wide-open spaces, a land lush with milk and honey ... "The [Churecan] cry for help has come to me, and I've seen for myself how cruelly they're being treated by the [government]. It's time for you to go back: I'm sending you ... to bring my people, the [ones that I adore], out of [the dump]."- Exodus 3:7-10 Message

The Lord is crying out for his beloved people who are living in this filth, grime and oppression as the world turns, having the knowledge of this and yet living life as if it is not a reality but just a fact of life.Wake up, for it is real and Jesus Christ desires to redeem his beloved people of La Chureca.

Great Mornings Start With Photography

I woke up to go get my senior portraits done at A&M today. Loved the photographer they had! He's from Columbia and got his start on photography when he moved to the U.S. with his dad over 20 years ago. It was fun to just talk to him about Spanish and Photography. He let me in on a few secrets on how to fully get into the field and emphasized the necessity of experience. Definitely could use some more of that. It was a wonderful chat and a great start to an extremely hectic day.

& Clyde has absolutely nothing to do with anything,
but he's cute and probably one of my best photography subjects.

Bad Bull

At Texas A&M, when something's bad it's called "bad bull" Well, let me introduce you to something that I would consider to be bad bull. Skechers has decided to become social justice friendly and sell shoes in order to give another person shoes. Sound familiar? No? What about TOMS Shoes? Does that ring a bell? I hope it does. The Skechers shoes are called Bobs and are a direct rip off of the alpargata style of shoe from Argentina that TOMS has made famous.

I'm excited that Skechers has decided to branch out and become more inclined to social justice issues, I'm just not thrilled they decided to do this with ripping off someone elses' idea.

I found this not so fun fact out thanks to Brad Ruggles' blog where he shed some light on the truth of the issue and provided several links. If you go explore it, be sure to read the comments as they are rather insightful.

Praying to one day have TOMS if they ever fit me...

Mongooses, Cobras & Dragons

The following items have absolutely nothing to do with each other, they are just two things that I have seen and loved this week. It's Saturday. My Saturday hasn't been completely cohesive, yet it has been threaded together just as this video and this quote aren't cohesive but are held together by the fact they are both about animals. Just go with it...

Fairy Tales are more than true;
not because they tell us that dragons exist,
but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.
-G. K. Chesterton

Not My Typical Blog Post

There's a crispness in the air that one can just feel as October creeps towards us. For the last few nights, I've gotten home with a chill in the air, a feeling that my fleece will become a permanent piece of my everyday wardrobe soon and a pumpkin spice latte on my mind. (I've never had one, but I really enjoy the smell.) Another thing fall makes me think of is the countless football games I've gone over the years to see my friends play or watch a game with my friends.

Most of my friends know I'm not a huge football fan. I don't go to many sports event period. I do however enjoy going from time to time. I went to the Aggies football game a couple of weeks ago with Elley, our new student director at the church. That game was simply delightful. For those that don't know, Elley is from Kentucky and still learning about Aggieland, which made the game even more enjoyable.

I'm pretty sure no one expected me to write about football this morning. For those of you who don't know, I have a twin sister with down syndrome. Her name is Lori. Lori isn't a big sports girl herself and certainly would never play football, but I saw an article on yahoo the other day that warmed my heart. This is the story of Ike, a boy with downs, and his Varsity football touchdown. Watch the video and read his story. This brought tears to my eyes this morning as it is simply beautiful. These are the football stories I enjoy.

Stephamiah!

Get ready for a photography intensive blog! After months of not having all the pictures edited from Stephanie and Jeremiah's wedding, I have finished! This was such a fun wedding and I'm incredibly happy for these two friends of mine. First, the rehearsal!

Excitement was in the air!

Maybe some nervous butterflies too?

Some preciousness....

And some fun dancing down the aisle after the rehearsal...

The next day started out with some getting ready and being silly
before the wedding commenced!
(Pictures are in no particular order, because I've got to make it to youth soon!)

Something To Really "LIKE"!

For those of you who are not yet aware, I am a youth counselor at A&M UMC. I also love photography and missions. When you put this all together, there's this unique mathematical equation:

youth counselor + love for missions + photography
= joye photography missions fundraising!

Through my photography, I want to express God's creativity in the world around me, as well as introduce the world to things that often go unseen. joyephotography is not a business. It may one day be one, but right now God doesn't have joyephotography or myself in that place. Who knows what he has as far as the future, but for the moment this is not.

Having said this, I am a youth counselor at A&M UMC in College Station, Texas. We are currently trying to raise funds for our Spring Break Youth Mission Trip. All of my photography "proceeds" for the moment will be going directly to this mission trip, either to fund students to get there or for supplies once we are there.

If you'd like a photo session*, I would love to shoot one with you. It doesn't matter what kind of session it is! Portraits, engagements, bridals, weddings, friends, families, kids, newborns, every day life moments, events, sports, retreats, etc. *Each photo session is for a $50 minimum donation for the A&M UMC Spring Break Youth Mission Trip! Get excited! :)

joyephotography is now on facebook if you would like to "like joyephotography" or invite a friend, a dozen friends, or all of your facebook friends to support this cause and get some neat pictures made in the process.

Embark

I'm embarking on an adventure.

This will be an unspoken adventure for the time being.
I'm not really sure where it will take me. (Shocked? Ha!)
This adventure begins with a necessity for this:
wix.com/stegokarlen/joyephotography

Todos se murieron.

School started back up. I'm still not on the side of being super excited about it, but I'm at least adjusting. I only have 12 hours as of right now: 2 communications classes, a sociology methods class and a Spanish class on the Mexican Revolution.

One of my friends asked how classes was today. My reply was, "It was good. Everyone got shot." I forgot that they didn't know I was in a Mexican Revolution class and unsurprisingly, the majority of people I know do not have an extensive knowledge about the revolution. All the leaders of the revolution end up dying by gun shot either in assassination, battle or by another revolutionary leader. Our professor ended our class today telling us how everyone got shot and then said "Todos se murieron." That's that. What's the moral of this story? My classes aren't that much different than in semesters past.

I'm excited about Aggie Sisters for Christ starting up again. We start back on Monday. I'm incredibly excited about that. The other big thing I'm excited about is youth, which should be a given. I'm starting to get a bit more ecstatic about my group of friends' bible study now that we've looked at a few book options.

It should be a good semester overall. I just wish there was a way I could take a Portuguese class.

School's started.
I think the way to describe my feelings towards it is way less than excited.
Actually, I'm rather anti-excited.

Internet Finds Are Intriguing

I've been looking at some blogs on my study breaks and just saving neat things to share. This may be long, but it ranges from being creative to wildly entertaining. Enjoy.

The perfect indoor igloo.

Graffiti your way to your loves' heart.

Yes! No more losing my wallet/keys/phone.

The Kea fascinates me.

Take me to this airplane hotel, please!

Hot air balloons and planes? My walls will be happy.

I'm a big fan of coffee facts.
So much a fan, I have different lists of facts.

My kitchen counter was never so jealous.

Compassion and softball. That's a beautiful game.

Reasons to not let your parents pick out your date.
(No offense Mom! I know you wouldn't do this anyway!)

Star Wars and Cereal. I love breakfast.

True character.

Now, that's a proposal!

I guess I'll stop there... :)

Surprise Phone Call

I got an excellent phone call yesterday. It was my brother, Jason, who rarely calls me and when he does it means something special is happening. That sweet special surprise yesterday was the birth of my niece, Mackenzie Catherine!

I am so excited to meet her. My parents and sister have both gotten to meet her and see the proud parents and older brother. I can't wait to get that opportunity!

One of the cutest moments was when I was on the phone with my Dad and he was telling me about Mackenzie. He told me that he was a grandfather, a granddad, granddaddy, grandpa-pa. He's still working on his new title.

Lord, please cradle Mackenzie Catherine in your arms as she begins to grow. Please teach her your ways and help guide her towards you in all that she does. Allow her to see who you have created her to be. Help her parents, family and friends to come beside her and help her to be the woman you one day desire her to be. Lord, thank you for this precious gift.

Adventure, Plan B & Being Deadline Oriented

This summer has been crazy in ways that I never would have thought of when I was between study abroad, summer school and looking for a job. God's taken my scraggly plans and made them blossom into something that I would have never expected or deserved even. This summer, I've been on the go between cities and even countries as I've traveled with two different youth groups as a volunteer counselor. In addition to that, I've been doing summer school. (It was a success by the way!) The following is a journey through part of my July facebook status updates that I just think are really funny and indicative of what's been going on.

AK would gladly start hardcore training for a marathon or triathlon if she just never had to think about summer school again. She's talking about the real deal complete with the diet and getting up at 5AM to run.

AK To be responsible... or not? Ashley Karlen is on her way to a mystery location with a bag packed full of mystery items. L-O-V-E it's a mystery.

AK ‎"You have 4(.5) years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember tme you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay (up) late. (Go to UM ARMY) with your friends when you have (3) papers due (Monday and a test). Spend (time) you don't have. (Have fun) 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but (online classes do)..." UM ARMY for the week? Yes.

AK Dear summer school, we only have a short while left together. Not so sad. & You will not defeat me. Thank you and never come back. Ashley Karlen is very conflicted over whether she wants to study and take a math test today or if she wants to write a research paper. She'd rather go camping.

AK ‎"It's not procrastination, I'm just deadline oriented." Truth. Math class? 1 week? 94! What? What? Now... 24 hours to write 3 papers. Bring it, summer school, bring it.

AK does not think anything could motivate her to write these papers. 2 more papers. 9 hours. & Still no sense of urgency...

AK ‎3 math tests in one day? Check. 3 papers written in one day? Check. Running on coffee, tea and little sleep? Of course.


And before all of those statuses (plus a few that didn't make it over to the blog) this was put up:
AK thinks this summer is all about the Plan B's of being in transit or repacking a suitcase to be in transit to a new adventure. This just may be the best summer of my life.
Now that my friends, is the truth.

1, 2, 3, Throw!

The next time I get on an airplane, this is what I want to happen.

Parabéns Rodrigo & Katie!

This picture has been taken from one of the Harrison's facebook pages. Today is their wedding day and I, along with the rest of our team, are incredibly excited about this and wish we could be with them for this celebration. I have never met Katie, although I do hope to meet her in the future whether it is on earth or heaven. Rodrigo was our translator from the Brazil trip and he is an awesome friend. I am incredibly excited to see where God will take these two adventurers in their lifetime. I'm praying for y'all! Congratulations! Parabéns!

Floating around in my Mind

I really like youth ministry... maybe too much?
I am not the biggest fan of summer school, but it will soon be over.
I am incredibly behind on photography. Never fear, Stephamiah is next!
I want to blog about a myriad of subjects, but I don't seem to have the time.
Time budgeting will be a huge part of my life over the next few weeks.

I believe humans get a lot done,
not because we're smart,
but because we have thumbs so we can make coffee.
- Flash Rosenberg

Poetry Makes Me Gloomy

I'm currently writing part of a paper about the following poem. Although, I want to strangle poetry in general and set it ablaze, this is the first poem that I have written about that I haven't completely hated in every aspect. Yes, I have a very gloomy outlook on summer school. No, I don't think that's going to change much. However, this poem states why perfectly. (Also, when I came downstairs this morning, Barney was singing about obligations versus fun on TV. Isn't that a great way to start your day?)

Stopping by Woods on a Snow Evening
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sounds the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Oh golly, what fun!

I've got a lot to say about Brazil, but before I can spill about the trip I've got to study. Of course after some transit time, I need to unwind by finding great videos sent to me via twitter. Oh golly, what fun!

Exhausted and Excited

I'm back from Brazil. There is so much to say, that I can't even narrow down what to share first. I love and miss my new friends and family in São Paulo. I'm extremely tired and I don't want that to water down my experiences or those of my teammates on the trip. Instead, I would like to invite you to look at Brian Coats' blog as he blogged two of the days we were in Brazil. Here is Obrigado and God of this city.

Even though we're not in Brazil any longer, our hearts and prayers will forever be with them. I'm personally incredibly excited to see what greater things God has in store for São Paulo, Brazil.

Heading To Brazil

This past week and a half has been filled full of adventure. It all started with a text message about an open spot on a mission trip with my home church to Brazil. I really wish I had the time to go in and explain everything that has gone on, however, it is 9:35 the night before I leave and I have a lot of summer school, picture editing and packing to get done before I go. I'm hoping to find some time to type it out, but I'm not sure when that will be. (My goal, which I know isn't feasible, is to not pull an all-nighter. Ha!)

Just know, that it's a bit crazy how everything came together in just 8ish days.
And with that, I'll be leaving on a plane to Brazil tomorrow!

Want to pray? Splendid! Here's how you can be praying:
I'm going to attach the list of what the team needs prayer for, but to pray for me personally it would be great for y'all to be praying for no stress as I will still be doing summer school stuff, just from Brazil; an open mind/heart receptive to whatever God has in store; my heart to not be complacent (hope that makes sense!)

Now on to how to pray for the entire team!
Sunday, June 13: Pray for God to prepare each team member to be a vessel for Him to use this week; pray for rest before traveling.

Monday, June 14: Pray for safe flights and for unity between the youth and adults; pray for the team’s rest and energy after a long flight; pray for an outpouring of God’s spirit on the team and those we will serve.

Tuesday, June 15: Pray for open doors and relationship with the families we will be serving; pray that we will be light in the darkness and the presence of God in people’s lives.

Wednesday, June 16: Pray for attitudes to be Christ-like and for God’s favor with the local people.

Thursday, June 17: Pray for the lost in Sao Paulo to hear God’s word; pray for the Holy Spirit to move in the evening outreaches.

Friday, June 18: Pray for God to open new doors and give us boldness and confidence to share His message.

Saturday, June 19: Pray for our team to bless our host families and the church, to help meet their needs.

Sunday, June 20: Pray for powerful worship and for some of the new families to come to church; pray for safe travel to Rio.

Monday, June 21: Pray for a fun day of sightseeing and time together; pray for great closing worship and a plan to bring what we have learned back home.

Tuesday, June 22: Pray for safe travel to Sao Paulo and a safe flight home.

Single Ladies

I know I said I'd let you in on what's going on soon. Soon isn't in this post either though. There's something about Beyonce's "Single Ladies" video that I love. What's better than a Christian parody to it?

Side Effect Is Death.

I have gotten four shots within the 48 hours earlier this week. I can't tell you I braved it like a true soldier. I can tell you there was no tears and much to my dismay no lollipops to ease the pain.

The shots weren't the most painful part though, although my arms still hurt and every now and then a sharp shooting pain finds it way into my lower right forearm and my left shoulder. No, this is not what has left a painful mark on me. It was something my mother said. She didn't mean it to be painful, but it was. Why? Because it held a truth that I needed to hear.

She was talking to my doctor and she told him that I wasn't very patient. I don't know what she was talking about. Me, impatient? 110%, yes. Certainly I am impatient. I want things to go my way, on my timing. When they don't, I get a little frustrated. I get a little impatient.

Jonathan Mountainstreams of Stuff Christians Like wrote a blogpost that resonated this idea for his serious Wednesday post. It focuses on how he wants things to move fast and how Jesus might have the steering wheel puttering along on the feeder road, but he's crushing Jesus' sandaled feet under his as he hits the gas pedal hoping Jesus will accidentally swerve onto the 70mph highway. This is how I feel!

Right now, I should be on the road to Houston. I should have my car loaded with an array of clothing that stretch from work clothes to Sunday morning attire, winter jackets and shorts for sitting out by the pool. (This will make sense shortly, but that day isn't today.) I should be thinking about buying a cheap computer already having printed out millions of sheets of paper so that I can do my online summer class reading from anywhere. (And I mean anywhere!)

So where am I? I'm sitting in Langford, the architecture department at Texas A&M reading about patience. About how sometimes, Jesus wants to just putter along with us in the car instead of driving off like a maniac. My sweet roommate, Zara, just got up here to try and help me out with everything. Hopefully we can figure out this whole printing mess and I can be on my way... to begin packing.

One of the side effects of one of the shots I got was death. That may be a side effect of the shot, but the likelihood of that happening wasn't very high on the sheet if I remember correctly. However, the likelihood of my impatience killing me seems to be much higher. Because when I'm impatient, I'm wrapped up in myself. I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me, or who is around me and what they are struggling with. Worse of all, I'm not trusting that Jesus really is fully in control. It's definitely time to fully be sitting in the passenger seat and not crushing Jesus' foot down on the gas pedal.

He knows what He's doing and doesn't need my help whether I like it or not.

Summer Plan #134252-1B

Last weekend, God started doing some crazy works that I'm not quite ready to speak of on here. Either way, I'll let y'all in on exactly what crazy out of this world plan God has for me. We'll call it Summer Plan #134252-1B. I'm excited about this plan. I'm wary of this plan at the same time though. I won't know for sure until Friday at the earliest if this plan will pan out. Please be in pray for this plan. Y'all can shorten it to Plan B in your prayers if y'all like. God knows about it, it's His plan in His hands. Plus, Summer Plan #134252-1B is kind of a mouthful. Please pray for trust and relying fully on Him, against sickness/exhaustion, knowing that either way God will allow things to work out in a way for His glory to shine.


Since you'll already be praying, click this to learn more about and see how you can pray for Achille.

Summer Plan #134352-1

This past month of May has been a time of waiting and celebrations. I've celebrated the arrival of summer, Hanna and Alexis' graduations, and Jeremiah and Stephanie's wedding. I've also done my fair share of waiting to figure out what was going to happen this summer.

The time of waiting is pretty much over. After what seemed like 21 phone call messages just left on one individuals' answering machine at HCC, countless phone calls to others, days of waiting for returned phone calls, everything is solved. How? Hanna and her Mom took me to HCC today and we pulled a few strings and I'll now be in classes this summer. Yay! :)

For the record, that means Summer Plan #134352-1 is a go.

Cascades of Ruffles

Somehow over this past semester, I've fallen in love with the way that ruffles well, ruffle. I love how they just cascade out. I did a little shopping around of some things that are cute and ruffly. Enjoy!

Probably the thing that born this love of ruffles in me was my XA fall formal dress. It is black lace ruffles. Gorgeous. I found this wedding dress, which I'm not in the need for a wedding dress in any way, but I think it's cute. It's from a cute little wedding shop on etsy called yourfairytalewedding. To clarify, I didn't search for a wedding dress with ruffles, I just typed "ruffles" into the main etsy search and this dress found me.

J Crew, I do love you. I love vests. I love ruffles. This is perfect.

I think my favorite ruffle-y things are from etsy shops. There's something about an independent designer/creator that makes my heart happy. Elizaandaxel is one of these shops. I love how the ruffle on this fades from color to color and the spontaneity of a ruffle of this luxurious beauty being on a tshirt.

Cascades of ruffles next to the sound of cascading water of a cool shower on a hot summer day sound like a peaceful moment straight from heaven. Urban Outfitters has this cute little shower curtain that I'm not sure why, but it captured my heart when I clicked across it.

This necklace would never adorn my neck because I'm not sure how it would look on me, but there's something about it that is simply elegant. This piece is also from an etsy store which called Cobblestone Lane. I wish I could see someone wear this.

This is probably one of the most adorable ruffled items. It's a hedgehog pillow! There's also several others on the etsy shop WinckNCrane. They are so fun!

Cascades of ruffles! Haha! Urban Outfitters carries four colors of these ruffles, but I really like the soft grey color pictured here. This bed looks so comfy. I kind of just want to curl up in it and take a nap! (Too bad I'm a horrible napper!)

I've seen several cute banners lately, but they are always themed. Themed banners are cute and I'm sure they serve a purpose but once the event is over, what do you do with that banner? Throw it in the back of a closet and forget about it? I love the simplicity and versatility of this simple white and ruffly banner at 31vintageroad. At this point, you should know it's a cute shop on etsy!

Supervision

I've got a problem with creativity.

It's everywhere around me: photography, painting, arts and crafts, music and Be Kind and Rewind. What's Be Kind and Rewind? It's a film that I'm not even sure what's really intriguing me to still watch it. It is about a video store that all the videos get rewound and erased. These films are redone by the citizens of the town. There's a lot of creativity in this film that is very different than what seems to come out of Hollywood nowadays, except it's from 2008. I'm enjoying it despite it being very different than what I normally watch.

So what's the problem with creativity?
I have the desire to paint a mural on the couch over my wall. It's not a good idea. My roommates aren't here. My neighbors are all at work or out of town. I feel like I should have someone supervising this situation so there aren't colors on the wall that weren't there this morning.

Maybe I should go find a coloring book...
Maybe it's a good thing I still can't find my paints?

Photoshoots, Design, Music & Cute Things

I'm in the process of back reading blogs. I unintentionally gave up blogging, or at least reading, during the hoopla of finals, UTXA formal, Stephamiah's wedding and Hanna's graduation. In catching up, there's some awesome things I've missed over the past couple of weeks. I am in no way through reading as I can only read so much when I'm down at Grandmom's between working and pretending to work. Here are some of the finds I thought I'd share (but beware! they're mainly photoshoots, design, music and cute things):

My friend, Calli, alerted me to this photoshoot which I fell in love with because I do love the movie UP!

I'm thinking if I randomly decide to do a themed birthday party, Where the Wild Things Party might be an option.

This photoshoot is from a long time ago, but it is precious. My favorite photographer + little kids + the wild wild west = fantastic!

I don't know if I'd wear this as a wedding dress, but how fun would this be for a '40s themed party? Since we're on the subject for dresses. I somehow fell in love with lace and this dress.

My friend, Kathy, alerted me to Straight No Chaser. This is an acapella mens' group and I love their sitcom medley.



I'm not really sure how I found out about Johnny Stimson, but I sure do like his '60s feel.

I must be in a music-y mood today but I can't not share with you my love for Miracle by the Robbie Seay Band. I'm pretty sure that I just sit for hours with them on repeat.

If you've ever had fast food with me, you know I'm not a McDonald's fan to say the least. I'd pretty much rather not eat than have to put one of their cheeseburgers in my mouth. Want to know why?

Some things in life are just ridiculous. Bumper stickers are sometimes one of the most ridiculous, but these may take the cake.


I'm not sure what to say, but I really do like videos shot in black and white, although both of the ones being on here just happen to be shot in black and white. That wasn't planned.

There's something about trailers that I love. It may be the traveling aspect they make me think of, but who knows? I also really enjoy food. The combination? Awesome.

Not that I'm in need of planning a wedding anytime soon, but this is a really cute backyard wedding photoshoot that I am in love with.

Neck ties versus bow ties is not an argument I usually get into, however this neck tie wins.

Finally, dreams can be achieved.

& In other news, I'm in the process of ordering my Aggie Ring! :)

Hello Summer!

Hello Summer,
I sure did miss you during the school year. I can't wait to see what adventures we'll have together and other shenanigans we'll get ourselves into when I'm in College Station this summer. It would have been good if we could have gone to Costa Rica, Spain or Argentina together, but I'm okay with our plans. I'm just glad you are back in my life right now.
Love,
Karlen

Calli

I feel like this should have been posted a long time ago. I had a wonderful friend named Calli whom let me kidnap her for a day a few weeks ago. We road tripped, ate and did portraits all over the area. It was a fun day, albeit not very sunny. Here's a few of my favorites from that day (which by the way, "a few favorites" is really hard to choose from the multitudes of pictures Calli let me take of her. Without further ado:

Special thanks to Jeremiah Johnson for the logo.