Giving Thanks

It's no secret Thanksgiving is pretty much my favorite holiday ever! Don't get me wrong, I loooove Christmas, who doesn't. I just love that Thanksgiving is simply about being grateful and giving thanks for all God's goodness and His blessings.

I feel like everyone complains way tooo much about what they don't have or what they want or what they hate, we so easily forget our manners and we forget to show any sign of gratitude. And it seems like we're never content. But if we take one step back, and take a look at all the love and blessings we have in our lives, it all makes up for what we lack.

 I've got a million things to be thankful for, and a million people to give thanks for, here are just a few.

I'm so thankful for mi madre, 'Beauty is her name'. And the more I grow and the more I learn, the more I appreciate who she's been to me; a best friend, a confidant and a teacher. I hope I make her proud daily, and as cheesy as it sounds, I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for her.

I'm thankful for my big sister who I'm sooooo grateful to see her happy and in love and blessed, because she deserves all of it. She's so self sacrificing, and hardworking, and so caring ... attributes I know she learned from my mama, and I'm sooooo proud of her.

This guy, I could not be more thankful for this guy ... who takes pictures like these:

Because he's just that awesome.

But seriously I'm soooo completely blessed and grateful to have Tim in my life.  Besides being my boyfriend, Tim's been the greatest, no the BEST friend I could ever ask for. He's been my biggest fan, and my encouragement, he's my heart.

And he takes me on some awesomely amazzzing date!

"You'da best" babe!!!

I'm sooo thankful for mi familia. Allllll of them. Not everyone understands the dynamic of my family, or how crazy silly we are or how different we all are, but when we're together it's perfect and we complete each other. As my familia is continuing to grow and I looove it!

I'm also thankful for love. If it weren't for love, I won't have the job that I have. The love of a husband and wife, the love of a family, platonic love, the love or parents, it's the reason why I'm even needed to take pictures. And I love love, there's nothing grater than love.

I'm also thankful for pictures. Yeah go figure right? But really, not just because they give me a career, but because moments like these are sooo fleeting they should be charished for ever.

I can go on an on, but the last on my list for now is salvation. I am forever grateful for God's amazing grace, because when I look at my life and how many times I've messed up and how sinful I am, I'm awestruck that He could love me so.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and "give thanks in all circumstances".

Let us fall more in love with You

Week after week it's been a rollercoaster ride. I've practically been living out of my suitcase, packing and unpacking and repacking again, always on the move ... always on the go. I've been in serious need of some 'down time' and I finally got some. Instead of resting in bed and at home, I got to rest in the Lord and in His words, and fall more in love with Him as I went off to Fall Retreat with my Tim and Cru. I've never felt more rested and though there's tons more to share, I still have California adventures to blog about. PTL for awesome adventures and for rest.

Sing out to God, Sing hallelujah ...

... with all we are. We will worship You

Holy is Your Name. Holy is Your Name

Oh God

I've been overwhelmed by the goodness and graciousness of God lately, that all I can do is sing out. Saying the words Thank You will not ever suffice, worship is the best way I know how to show my gratitude and forever I will sing out.

He's never fails to hear my heart's cry, my needs, my dreams and my desires ... even if they take time in being answered, still He listens. He listens, then goes an extra mile turning all that I hoped and dreamed of into a beautiful reality, always blessing me beyond my own imagination.

Some time early this year, in a short but powerful conversation me and one of my sisters {Ate Rachelle} proclaimed God's goodness and said "God's gonna do big things year. For you, for me, and for all of us."

And because God never lets me down, and heard our hearts cry that night ... He showed up, and has since been doing big things for all of us. There are not enough letters on this keyboard for me to use to explain just how good God has been, and it would be nearly impossible to share every "big" thing God has done for me, and for the people I love this year without writing an entry the length of an entire Harry Potter book, and still the year is not over.

If you want to see for yourself just how good God's been to me check here or here ... because all of it was not accomplished on my own, only with God am I able to any of these things. And to be frank, I honestly don't think I deserve such favor, but that's why they call it amazing grace right?

The wonder of Your love
Will break the chains that bind us
The power of Your touch
Releases us to worship

Sing out to God Sing hallelujah
With all we are. We will worship You
Holy is Your Name. Holy is Your Name
Oh God

We are His {poiema}

{poiema} - the Greek word meaning "poem" or work of art.

"We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus

for good works, which God prepared beforehand

that we should walk in them." —Ephesians 2:10

I woke up this morning and the first thing God reminded me was that I am His workmanship. I am His "poem". I am His work of art. I was well in need of an artistic revelation ... putting into perspective what I think is beautiful art. I'm always on the search for beautiful and inspiring art work, yet still there is nothing more beautiful than His masterpieces, His people.

We are not to be the kind of muesum pieces that sit silent on display, for the world to marvel at or admire. We were created to do good. We were created to move and move people. To show God's beauty, not our own, through acts of kindness and of love. We are His poiema, His poem, His work of art.

Happy Weekend to you!

None but Jesus

In the chaos in confusion
I know You're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will
When You call I won't delay
This my song through all my days

Encouragement is free

Share some.

How many times in a day do we stop thinking about ourselves and start thinking about others?
Answer: Not enough.

Here is a little encouragement for you ... hope these make your day because they did mine. And if you want more find some or share some from HERE and HERE.

You paid it all, upon the cross

"There is love that came for us.
Humbled to a sinner's cross
you broke my shame and sinfulness.
You rose again victorious."

"You are stronger.
You are stronger.
Sin is broken you have saved me
it is written Christ is risen
Jesus you are Lord of all."


I am still so undeserving and am lost for more to say.
Thank you for the cross Lord.

"No beginning and no end. You're my hope and my defense.
You came to seek and save the lost. You paid it all upon the cross"

Make you feel my love

I love sharing stuff, especially stuff I really love or enjoy and I love posting them here on my blogs so that other's can enjoy them too. But every so often I find things that I'd rather not share so that I can keep to myself till I'm ready to share it, or till I find a perfect opportunity to share it.

This song has been of those. I love this too much that I haven't been ready to share it ... silly I know, a little selfish .. that too ... but now I feel the need to share it.

It's been a emotional weekend, and I've been struggling because a near and dear friend of mine has been broken almost to the point where he nearly gave up on himself, on life, on God, on me ... but I wouldn't let him.

God is to good and to great of a God to give him more than he can handle, though I know at times it seems like what we go through is unbareable, even then God is there to sustain us with His perfect love, strength and guidance. I wrote an entry all about it, but I wanted to write one more with a help of one of my favorite tunes.

Though I mean this with a platonic love, I hope feel my love dearest friend.
{But don't forget .. God loves you much more than I ever could}

For A Monday Morning

It's been quite a weekend. Emotionally and spiritually I am full and blessed. It hasn't been the easiest of weekends but God is good and forever worthy to be praised. I know I've seen some "rainy" days in my life, but a good friend of mine is currently going through a "storm" and I know he could a little more encouragement.

I woke up this morning and opened up an email from our Praise and Worship Leader who linked us new songs to learn and enjoy. This song spoke out to  me the most.

With all that we are, even with all that we lack, even in our brokenness the Lord will still take us at His feet. His "sustaining love" is really all we need, even when it feels like our whole world is falling apart ... We are still loved, we are still His children, we are still in His favor ... and for that we should worship Him for ever.

The Lord will never leave us, just as the sun can never leave us. Even when it's pouring outside and the storm clouds are heavy and blue skies and sunshine are no where to be found. Behind those clouds the Sun forever stands, waiting for the storm to pass so that we are able to feel it's warm again. But even more so with God. The Lord will carry us through each storm ... never leaving our side. Even in our brokenness we can offer up to God what we have knowing He'll be there forever.

22 Candles

Sigh, I'm getting old. I might not look the part ... yet ... but I'm slowly getting there.

Haha. Today marked another year to add to the number of candles on my birthday cake. And though I didn't have a cake this year, I did have a cupcake tower made my none other than my beautiful sister and I did manage to blow out some candles at midnight.

Also I didn't get to do it one by one like I did last year and I'm not even certain if I had 22 candles to begin with ... still I want to say 22 things I am grateful for. {I could honestly go on forever if I didn't have some sleep to get to} But anyways ... here it goes.

22. 22 beautiful and wonderful trying years.

21. My left hand ... silly maybe, but I'm a lefty ... but I do have ambidextrous tendencies sometimes.

20. The Spicy Pickle

19. Hugs ... who doesn't love hugs.

18. My job ... could have lost it but by God's grace didn't.

17. Lip balm & Chapstick ... I gotta take care of my big lips some how

16. Midnight candles and phone calls from people who care.

15. My new phone

14. My two ears ... to be able to hear beautiful things with or use my phone with .. haha

13. Laughter .. it's good medicine

12. Trials, they make you stronger, they make you persever and grow

11. Cupcakes ... any kind really

10. Forgiveness & Salvation

9. Glasses, to see life a little more clearly

8. The Bible, to see life a little more clearly

6. Friends who have hearts the size of Texas

5. Tim, who helps me keep sane and keeps me smiling

4. A sister who's love never ceases to amaze me. She's the best !!!

3. My mom, who teaches me how to be a strong Godly woman everyday.

2. Blogs, photography and notebook paper to help me document this life I've been given.

1. Sleep ... which I take for granted and need to get to soon.

I've been soo extremely blessed, and though this was probably the quitest birthday I've ever had it was very becoming of me. Growing up makes you look at life with more appreciative eyes, making the little things count just as much as the big things. And this day was filled with little blessings I'd hold near and dear forever.

Thank you Lord for each and every blessing, You are so great and so steadfast in your grace and love I pray that everyday I make you proud and bless Your name with my life.

There is no one else for me

Before I rest my little head and get me some sleep, I feel the need to share this, or else my day would not be complete. I know that I have neither the eloquence nor the poetry to write a song of this beautiful, but if I did ... I believe this song would be the song in my heart. I've never sang words more true than these.

In the quiet, in the stillness I know that You are God

In the secret of Your presence I know there I am restored

When You call I won’t refuse Each new day again I’ll choose

There is no one else for me

None but Jesus

Crucified to set me free

Now I live to bring Him praise

In the chaos, in confusion I know You’re Sovereign still

In the moment of my weakness You give me grace to do Your will

When You call I won’t delay This my song through all my days

All my delight is in You Lord

All of my hope, all of my strength

All my delight is in You Lord Forevermore

Valentine's Day ... a day set aside to celebrate love ... may have been yesterday, but each and every day should be a day to celebrate a love so great and abundant by a God so perfect. We should choose Him daily over anything or anyone else. And though I am extremely blessed by the love of the most amazing people around me, the sweetness of their love still pales in comparison to the sweetness of knowing the love of a Savior. "All my delight is in You Lord All of my hope, all of my strength ... forevermore."

Parables for breakfast

Every second of the past three days something wonderful happened and God's blessings continued to pour out like a steady stream. Though I haven't entirely grasped why, what I do know is that God's love is immeasurable and to great for description. With His love also comes His goodness, and man is His goodness in my life so undeserved. I'm dying to share stories of God's blessings over the last few days but the first thing I wanted to talk about and share are not my own stories, but a story from God's word. I love God's word and the wonderful stories and lessons He has to teach me. May we all have teachable hearts, and "who ever has ears, let them hear" as it says in Matthew 13:18

The Parable of the Weeds: Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from? 'An enemy did this,' he replied. The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up. 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn." {Matthew 13: 24-30}

Growing up, and even now every spring and summer my uncle makes me and my cousins help weed out his garden so I know very well what it's like, but maybe not to the extent of an entire wheat field. This parable is such a colorful reminder to not be a weed in the harvest, but a "good seed". This worship song was the first thing that came to my mind after doing my devotion because for "the harvest" ... "He is coming back again".

Have a great week,

and I hope and pray that God blesses you more than He can me

.. for His favor is so sweet it must be shared and tasted!

Busy busy busy

I praise God for He keeps me busy.

And praise God for people who keep me busy as well.

{headband orders were to the max today, as well as other business}

The past 24 have felt like 48 because soo much has gone on, and soo much has been soo good and though it may be overwhelming, God is so good. Too good really. His blessings never seem to stop, and though I am surely undeserving of such things His love is steadfast.

Maybe it's me, maybe God's been growing me so much my eyes are more aware of His blessings and goodness all around me, or maybe His blessings are just that much more than usual, either way I am so delighted to be in His favor. None of this has been my own doing, none of it, it's all been God's grace and provision and I praise Him for the lot of it!

New York city here I come!! Please don't freeze me to death or eat me alive for I have work to do and only two days to do it. Praise God for weekend trips, headshots and actor friends who give me reason to travel and shoot!

Please keep me in your prayers, I'll be taking on the Big Apple by myself for the first time ever and in the dead of winter, but I know God's got me safe in His hands. Have a wonderful, possibly white weekend {east coast} and keep warm!!!

Share the love of being JesusBranded

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and the love of design to others. Tees and long sleeves are only $10, hoodies $15!!!

***edit: I didn't have much time to elaborate early this morning but now that I do I hope you take the time to visit JesusBranded.com. Speaking as a sister in Christ as well as a fellow artist, I have been so blessed as well as proud to see these guys use their amazing talent to help others as well as share the love and beauty of Christ with simple t-shirts. Help them stay afloat and "if its within your means, to please visit www.jesusbranded.com and buy even a single t-shirt."***

A holly Jolly Christmas

I hope your Christmas was Jolly for you,

spent with the ones you love and the ones who love you.

Though the trees are bare, I hope your heart is full

Of loving,

and laughter,

with a full stomach too.

Surprises for everyone in cards ..

or big boxes.

And of course a big party down at the Laxa's.

There were trees trimmed in lights,

And Family time ...

And awesome presents from love ones of mine!

Enjoying good company,

and games like Taboo.

Singing, and smiling and Christmas cheer too.

Though Christmas is long gone and the year's almost over,

God's love and blessings, a simple thanks can not cover.

It was the birth of a child away in a manger

that still moves and inspires my life forever.

Hope your holidays were bright, and this new year much brighter ...

May God bless you fully with "happy ever afters"

Two days to Surgery Day

This week is a pretty big medical week around here.

My mom and Kuya Bang are both going in for surgery in two days.

The last few weeks have been both a blessing and a testing of faith for my family. God's amazing provisions have made a way for my mom to get the help she needs, and health wise He's been more than gracious. {I guess I can go ahead and get it out in the open since we now know what it is.}

My mom is having surgery this Thursday because there is a mass on her back that is going to be removed. After a few medical tests and a negative biopsy, they diagnosised my mom with Lipoma {by definition: A benign fatty tumor.} It's not as serious as it may sound, the word tumor totally gives off the wrong vibe because it's none cancerous, but my mom still needs to go in for surgery as a safety precaustion to her health. To be honest, for awhile we were holding our breath and we were semi nervous, praying that the mass wasn't cancerous but now we know it isn't. Praise God!!! My mom is still pretty nervous about the surgery but I know all will be fine. God's goodness and mercy has seen us through all the hard times, and I know for certain He'll see us through this.

As for Kuya Bang {my godson, Nathan's dad} has been having heart problems. It's pretty serious since he's been having trouble going up and down a flight of stairs and is not able to even carry his son. Kuya Bang is still relatively too young to be having heart problems such as these, so I pray that this surgery goes well not just for him but for the family too. I can't begin to fathom how it must feel to not be able to hold your son because your heart can't take it. I know everything is in the Lord's hands so in all these thing we are all trusting in Him completely. Everyone at church have been soo loving and so gracious to both our family and Kuya Bang's, I am just sooo blessed to call them my church family and to have their love and kindness in my life.

Please keep my mom and Kuya Bang in your prayers.

And for everyone who's been there along these last weeks

thank you from the bottom of my heart.

PG Rated!

Ben: last night your name came up on our way home
from Rein's party... we were just talking about how your
life and spirit-filled attitude is so encouraging...
you are rated PG... PG for Praise God!!

It's been what's felt like ages since I've gotten my daily dose of the Bratchers and today I just so happen to finally meet my Bratcher quota of the day with a conversation online with Mr. Ben himself. I've missed Ben & Ruby all summer long but I know God's kept all of us busy as bees. Every time I speak with the Bratchers it never ceases to amaze me at how blessed I am by the end of every conversation and of course today was no exception. I heart the Bratchers.

The Work Of Your Fingers

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

what is man that You are mindful of him,

and the son of man that You visit him?” (Ps. 8:3-4).

Today's devotion reminded me that of all the pretty things I can make with my little hands I am nothing compared to the "work of {His} fingers". Even the rain that is gently falling on ground outside is the work of His fingers.

Happy Friday.

Ica's got ...

... a new job! YAY! Praise God!!

Need new shoes?
hehe

Morning by Morning

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue,
to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning,
wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

Isaiah 50:4-6