church

It was a day I had been dreading for months.

It was a rush, almost a panic leaving the house this cold and dreary Sunday morning.

We found a parking spot in a an unfamiliar parking lot.

We entered through unfamiliar doors.

Change.

Smiles. People. A lot of people. Confusion.

I wanted out. I wanted to run as fast as I could back to my comfort, the place I had called home for the past six years.

I gave my children's information. I received information. My children were whisked away. A lump in my throat formed as I mourned the thought of not worshipping together as a family this morning.

We found seats among friends. Familiarity. Comfort.

"Out of the darkness you shine, out of the ashes we rise."

I love this song. I run to this song. Tears pricked my eyes.

"there's no one like you, none like you."

So many people. How can I possibly get to know all these people? And I know there are so many more...

I started thinking. What is church?

Family. Intimacy. Loving. Sharing. Living. Experiencing God's grace together. His love.

So thankful for friends and family who have come alongside us on this journey.

So thankful for God who will meet us anywhere, whether it's in a large church, or a small group of people getting together in a home.

So thankful that God has a wonderful place for our family. That He will bring many amazing people into our lives. And that He is with us always, even in these hard times.

May you experience the wonders of God this week... and share it.

Much love,

larajane

Eleuthera {Freedom}

2012

A new year breaks open and my canvas is blank.

For the paint has yet to be spread, and the ink has yet to form words.

The feeling of uncertainty is slightly overwhelming this day, but the hope I have in God over rides all fear and anxiety I am experiencing.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This verse resonates through every fiber of my being this cool, damp morning.

I put on my running shoes.

I need to trust.

I need to obey.

I need to be faithful.

My hands are cold as I turn down the road past the mailboxes.

I need to forgive.

I need to pray.

I have yet to see a car drive past.

I need to love.

The road is wet, the fog is lifting.

I need Jesus.

This year I want to experience the freedom found only in Christ's love.

I have read a lot lately how people give each a year a "name."

I want this year to be a year of freedom. Eleuthera is the greek word often given to the word freedom. So I am naming 2012 Eleuthera. Here's to the year of freedom!

much love,

larajane

green goodness

After a wonderful Christmas Day, I was desperate to get my run on and detox after all the rich food that was consumed yesterday.

I present to you my breakfast this morning...

much love,

larajane

Christmas Blessings

I awoke to the rain pounding on our roof. It was still dark. But this Christmas Eve I was to meet some of my closest friends for a walk through the forest at first light.

I have been on quite a journey this fall. God has revealed Himself to me in ways I could never dream. His grace has been abundant and His mercies new every morning. Today and everyday I need to give thanks for all the amazing gifts I have been given.

So today I am thankful for the amazing women God has brought into my life

For the beautiful trees that surround my home.

For the laughter that is shared.

The sun broke through just after 3:00 this afternoon as I was surrounded by my amazing family. The fog was glorious and the light shining through was breathtaking.

I watched my two five year old nieces dance together on the back porch with sunlight filtering through there hair.

I listened to my brother in law excitedly show me the incredible gift he had created for his wife.

Two sister in laws sat side by side with their pregnant bellies.

It was cold this evening as my little family stood amongst our neighbours and friends.

The sky was clear.

We were singing songs of joy.

Songs of love.

Songs of our Saviour's birth.

Hot chocolate and coffee were warming our hands.

Hugs were being given all around.

This Christmas may God's love shine on you and yours.

much love,

larajane

200th post!

Oh blog, how I have ignored you this summer.

Can it really be only two weeks left until school starts? Actually 12 more days? Ahhhh!

I have to say this is the first summer where I haven't been itching for school to begin. Maybe it's because the kiddos are so much more independent, or maybe it's because the summer weather has finally showed up. I also look at my list of "to do's" for the summer and realize that hardly any of them have been accomplished! So what is it, you may ask that has kept me from this list (or maybe you just really don't care!)

Right now I cannot say a lot. I can say that God has moved in an incredible way and pretty much turned my life upside down. Okay, perhaps that is a little dramatic... but doors have been opened and many prayers answered. I am in a place that a year ago, I would have never thought I would be in. Let me assure you that all is good, actually all is great! The blessings God has poured out and is continually pouring out is phenomenal.

I will write more, but it may not be for a bit yet. Still working out some details.

xoxo

larajane

Hello seven year old

I will do a more "formal" post full of photographic delight on my Photography blog tomorrow, but for today I just wanted to relish in the last day of having a six year old.

Okay, actually, I wanted to blog about the tough love that has been going on in our house of late.

Having two children, one boy and one girl, we have always been able to keep things fairly even. El goes out for breakfast with dad, Connor gets snuggle time with mom (and really doesn't care about going out for breakfast) Connor does Legoland for his birthday, Elissa does American Girl.(This has just happened once! We're not those parents) But things have always been equal and the kiddos have always been happy with how things have gone. Until this week...

I'm not sure what happened. I'm not sure what changed. But something did.

So Wednesday night I was supposed to have a shoot. When we booked this shoot we had envisioned beautiful, warm setting sun that was casting lovely light on the children. Well, Wednsday happened, and there was no magical light to be found... until 7:00 when said shoot had been scheduled (but was re-booked) So I grabbed my little 6 year old and said lets do a shoot! He agreed and as we always do on our "birthday shoot" we go out for a treat after.

So we did the shoot and enjoyed the 2 minutes of filtered sun and then headed out. Well Elissa semed to think that she should be able to go as well, but Connor said he just wanted to go with me on a date. So we left Elissa in the arms of her daddy and in tears.

So, fast forward to today. Elissa is at a friends house and runs home to ask if she can go to the candy store with her friend. I say okay. Elissa returns from the candy store with a lollipop. A big lollipop. Connor bursts into tears saying it's not fair... Ahhh, really, life is just not fair. And that is okay. It's been a good week of lessons.

Anyway, here is a shot from the other night.

the perfect day

pender island. a morning run. sunshine. swimming. great friends. my amazing family. the beach. boat rides. impromptu games of football. pancake breakfast. summer. ice cream. laughter.

I feel so blessed.