I have desperately missed this little community the past several months. There has not been a single day that’s past when I haven’t longed to be here. A new home and call to motherhood needed my full attention, but now several months later I can see clearly how good it was for me to step away from writing for a bit. To absorb, pray, rest, and give deeply thoughtful consideration to where my heart (and therefore this blog) is headed. A Sabbath rest, of sorts.
But I must confess: It is wonderful beyond words to be back!
For one, story telling is my passion. It’s woven into the deepest part of my being. Capturing beauty in word and picture is the thing I lie awake at night dreaming about, my great love. It is unyielding and relentless. There isn’t the slightest exaggeration when I describe it as my ‘calling.’ And secondly, I have a renewed, clear vision concerning where this blog is going, how it’s evolving. I have so much to update you on and share, a slew of fun new features and giveaways lined up, but the single truth that echoes loudest from the depths of my heart is this:
This blog is to be a place of offering.
It’s a place I hope you’ll want to visit often because you know you’ll leave encouraged. It’s a place to find inspiration and hope, encounter truth, and experience joy.
Life giving. It’s to be a place of giving, speaking, and sharing life.
My heart and intention is to offer you something with every written word. Whether that’s encouragement in the form of scripture, a recipe to nourish your family, beautiful travel photos that inspire your affection for our Creator, or even confessions of my own failures… it’s all an offering. To the world, to you, to Him.
I cannot and will not write simply for the sake of writing. Not anymore. Motherhood has changed me. Life has changed me. And with every new chapter, with every new season of working out my salvation with fear and trembling, my hope is to reflect a little bit more the heart of my Savior.
Consider this post an invitation. In the same manner I hope to be an encouragement, I need encouragement. We all need each other. It does my heart great good to hear your thoughts, comments, questions, opinions. Your stories matter. Please feel free and welcome to share them here, always.
I’m so excited to be back again. I’ve missed you all.
Cheers to a fresh new chapter!
I’m sure you noticed our new look, too! You like? I couldn’t be more in love with it. Beautifully organized (see the ‘categories’ page), soothing colors, it’s like a little trip to the spa. (or Athropologie, but those are one and the same in my book) Commenting is made easy, as is connecting via social networking thanks to an easy click in the upper right corner. (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, etc.) Feel free to browse around. There’s lots to see!
Consequently I’ve also fallen head over heels for my ‘big’ Nikon camera, as well. Josh bought it for me as an anniversary gift 3 years ago. I was so terribly intimidated by it that it’s been sitting in a closet all this time. A few weeks ago a dear photographer friend introduced me to the basics and now, well, I’m smitten! I have years worth of learning ahead of me, but as with anything, starting is always the hardest part. All of that to say, you can expect lots of photos in the months to come. Trial and error is the best way to learn, and I’m draggin’ you with me for the journey!