Here are a few pictures from Jody & Matt’s wedding at the Peak, the Lodge. It was so beautiful. Truly, if you can have an outdoor wedding and get the right weather, there is nothing like it!!

More to come

haha – i love that one

Hey all – I’m on vacation with my family right now after an awesome trip to DC with Biz and an amazing engagement photo shoot. It’s been warm and wonderful here — blooming, spring TOTALLY…. i can’t wait for it to come into Erie.

Anyway – I just wanted to blog an update on our family. I was going to keep this personal with some close friends, but more prayer is never BAD, and my Grandma Koos especially is very open about her situation.

My dad’s mother (in England-Nan, Grandma Mason) died semi-suddenly last Thursday night. I say semi because she’s been struggling for a while, and the last few months have been rough, but I don’t think anyone expected it this suddenly. My father is flying to England on Tuesday and the funeral is this week. It is a tricky one because we feel very disconnected from it, but just pray for my dad and the family, … it’s tough being so far away. I am sad it’s been years since I’d seen her, and I feel conflicted about the grief in this situation.

Also, we’ve gotten a few recent updates on my grandmother’s (Betty, mom’s mom) health…. her lymphedema and pain level, cough has been increasingly worse and worse. She is on 3x a week physical therapy for her legs. Anyway, about 2 weeks ago a doctor shocked us with the news that she thinks her time is very limited – in fact, not sure if she’ll make it another 6 months due to the speed the cancer is spreading through her lymph nodes and the amount of pain she is in. Then on Friday, they had an appointment with a diff cancer doctor – this one’s prognosis was worse – not sure she’ll make it through the summer, maybe more like 3 months. I think we are all reeling with this information, it hit me particularly hard last night. If her legs, hard and swollen and painful from the lymphedema caused by radiation/chemo could improve, I believe her last months could be lived out in much greater comfort. Hospice has been called in and I believe have started attending to her already – and they are beginning to make some funeral plans. I know the family and all of us who love her want to spend as much time with her as humanly possible… and that will be hard and overwhelming. Pray for her legs to improve so her last months can be better.

This is all so confusing… weird, thinking that we have been blessed enough to not lose any grandparents, and now it’s sort of happening all in the same year. Although nothing is set in stone, who knows how much time God really has for Gramma Koos. She is so incredible, so amazing, I just want to spend every moment I can with her now. I love you Gramma!!!!

And yet – here’s what I can say. My family are Christians – and therefore I know where they will be. And my Gramma Koos is ready for the Lord, and her faith is what started my entire family on the journey we’ve been on – and thinking of her in heaven with Christ is one of the most joyful things I can think about.

I don’t want to jump ahead of myself – there is still time – she’s still here! And we’ll spend our time together with joy – no matter how much is left. And who knows, I could die tomorrow. …. none of us know what time we have here on this earth. Let’s make the most of it, and know that we are secure in our Maker.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXh44eXaMsQ]

The precious blood of Jesus Christ redeems
Forgiven I’m alive, restored set free
Your Majesty resides inside of me
Forever I believe
Forever I believe

Arrested by Your truth and righteousness
Your grace has overwhelmed my brokenness
Convicted by Your Spirit
Led by Your Word
Your love will never fail
Your love will never fail

I know You gave
The world Your Only Son for us
To know Your name
To live within the Saviour’s love
He took my place
Knowing He’d be crucified
And You loved
You loved
A people undeserving

________________________________________________

If you don’t have plans for Good Friday, come out to Grace to truly experience the love Christ has for You on this day we remember his sacrifice.

This weekend is looking CRAZY BUSY. If you are my client and you are waiting on me – I promise, you will be getting something from me this weekend. I haven’t forgotten you!

Everyone else… have an awesome weekend!

Anyway not much longer to keep up this pace, and I’m ready for it to be over….

Other randomness:

• I finished the Host, and it was sooooo good. I mean, it’s no Twilight saga, but it is a really really entertaining and page turning piece of fiction, and I really loved it.
• It is so cold here right now, but not a lick of snow
• I am totally behind on LOST this year, I’m trying to catch up
• I’m trying to figure out how to transition out of the job I’ve been in for five years… it’s going to be interesting
• I tried taking a multi-vitamin a few weeks ago and I felt terrible from it. This does not bode well for me lol
• March is the “MONTH OF BIRTHDAYS!” Kristin Hesch, Kristin Lynch, Lexi, Danielle (30th!), Amy (25th!), Biz, my cousin Michael, my cousin Kaitlyn …. and my 27th isn’t far behind coming up April 2!
• Our worship band led by my wonderful husband has an actual out-of-town gig coming up! It’s going to be exciting. Although I just realized that I’ll have to miss the Twilight DVD Borders release party on the 21st.
• My sis is growing spiritually like leaps and bounds lately, and I am so honored to be part of her life and watching it all happen. I don’t know where all this will lead, but I can see the hand of God in the situation and I trust He will lead her down the right paths.
• I know a few people who’s jobs have either downgraded or laid them off and its a very scary time. All we can do is pray and wait, its going to be a while before the country gets back on its feet. And I think we all need to stop being so scared . . . I pray that I can do the same.

And lastly, if you are a reader, please leave a comment and say hi, I’d love to know who’s out there. Thanks

On that note, my personal new years resolutions this year are:

To lose the 20+ lbs I’ve put back on
To get into a real regular devotional schedule with my new ESV Study Bible (waiting for the leather bound to come in)
To spend more time with my grandparents, especially my grandma
To complain a lot less, and go out of my comfort zone to be with others, do things I may not want to do, and help and love as Christ loves me
To really really really stick to our gazelle/dave ramsey plan and pay off our student loans by this summer.
To sign up for PNC virtual wallet
To establish a great personal/business balance in working from home
To volunteer at an animal shelter or some animal organization around town 
Babies/talking/thinking/maybe 

My business new years resolutions this year are:

To increase my pricing confidently (it’s almost ready to go) and push puremotif, my freelance business in every direction, everything I can do
And on that note, to continue to expand my business, and not say no to any work that comes my way because of guilt or fear I can’t do it,shouldn’t do it, someone else is doing it or i don’t deserve it. I studied hard and went through four years of college in graphic design, art and photography to do all the things i love
To alter my contracts and make sure I’m covered legally in all my business ventures
To learn the ins and outs of my new camera
To not break any more lenses
To learn and become excellent at using my flash
To network with other photographers and designers and create great working relationships
To spend my business money wisely and only on essentials
To keep business and friendship completely separate

What are your new years resolutions? If you blog about them, link to them in the comments!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

But it’s true, kingdoms and crowns
A God who came down to find you
It’s true, angels on high
Sing through the night

alleluia

You’ve heard it told; you think it’s odd
The whole thing fraught with complications
The play begins with a baby God
And all his blessed implications

But it’s true, kingdoms and crowns
A God who came down to find you
It’s true, angels on high
Sing through the night

alleluia

-Sara Groves