katee's perspective...

New Blog

2011-08-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Thank You for following and stopping by Katee Grace's Blog but we have moved!

Don't miss all the exciting and beautiful glimpses into this journey of life with Jesus, loved ones, new and old friends and clients...

http://kateegrace.wordpress.com | Katee Grace's Official Blog

http://kateegrace.com | Katee Graces's Photography Website

Please follow on the above blog and let's connect! :)

Much Love + Peace to your heart | xoxo, katee grace

Keefe + Suzanne Engaged | Santa Barbara, California

2010-08-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Congrats Keefe + Suzanne | Santa Barbara August Wedding

Don't Miss Keefe + Suzanne's Rad Slideshow!!!

click here

xoxo | katee grace

Kelsey + Jacob's E-Session | Santa Barbara, California

2010-08-06T11:45:00.001-07:00

Kelsey + Jacob Engaged Santa Barbara, California | Idaho Wedding 10.10.10

Don't miss Kelsey + Jacob's killer slideshow!!!
click here

xoxo | katee grace

photographing savannah :: the deep south

2010-06-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Katee Grace goes to the other coast of los estados unidos.
beautiful + hot savannah, georgia

I'm in Savannah, Georgia. I am about to head to Zach + Kara's Rehearsal Dinner tonight and their beautiful and wonderful wedding tomorrow.

Here's a sneak peak of my adventures in Savannah. I am so stoked to share Zach + Kara's beautiful wedding with you next week... http://kateegrace.com

xoxo :: katee grace

capturing + loving life

wedding season is in full swing

The Meadth Family

2010-05-03T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Meadth Family :: amazing what can happen in just a few minutes of photographing :: love love love this family!

xoxo :: katee grace
capturing + loving life

more than a number | faces :: people :: hearts :: His desire is for them

2010-04-19T17:38:00.000-07:00

human trafficking | true life | sacrifice

Matthew 25:35-40 "For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me. I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me. Then the just and upright will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcomed and entertained You, or naked and clothed You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You? And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least, in the estimation of men, of these My brethren, you did it for Me."

2 Corinthians 5:17 for the love of Christ compels us because Christ died for all

Not for Sale Campaign :: Baan Emmanuel

:: may christ receive the full reward of His suffering and may we truly be vessels of honor and love for Him ::

xoxo :: katee grace

happy easter

2010-04-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

I hope your Easter was wonderful and filled with joy and peace in knowing the price that Christ paid to purchase our freedom from darkness and the life that we find in Him. Here's some photographs of my friends and I from Easter. It was a simple yet extremely long and full day, filled with sweetness and I'm so thankful.

Here's a few snapshots I grabbed (and of course made my friends go in front of my camera for mini photo opts) :: ENJOY! ::

thanks for stopping by! i hope your weekend is filled with goodness and miraculous + divine appointments. please visit http://belleinnocence.com or http://kateegrace.com for photographic needs concerning your wedding photography, family portraits or senior portraits. i'm traveling to the midwest and the east coast (Tulsa, Oklahoma :: Savannah, Georgia :: Nashville, TN :: NYC) this Spring and look forward to seeing you there.

xoxo :: katee grace

the Smith Family Portraits | Sneak Peak :: xoxo, katee grace

2010-03-14T21:56:00.001-07:00

Absolutely love this family... Okay, true, what family don't I love. There's something about families and friends and people themselves that are so inspiring, beautiful and wonderfully amazing to me! The uniqueness, the relationships, the life...

Here's a sneak peak of the sweet sweet Smith Family. This afternoon we captured this and some other beautiful images... but had to share this one with you I was so excited!!!

capturing snips + snails :: sugar + spice | xoxo | katee grace
http://belleinnocence.com | http://kateegrace.com

forever 27 :: my birthday

2010-03-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

I turn 27 this month and all I can think of is the poster "forever 27" with Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Kurt Colbain and Jim Morrison... I remember a time when a) this poster was alluring and beautiful b) I lived as if I didn't want to live beyond 27... God has been so gracious and powerful in showing me His love these past few years I'm really allowing myself to be humbled and receiving His love recently in a depth and manner my flesh has resisted, but my inner self so longs for...
I am encouraged to say "I will live through my 27th year of life with freedom and by His grace & strength, abiding in Him..."
This afternoon some of my dearest girlfriends got together and we enjoyed life and each other :: I love bridging gaps in my friends

so blessed & thankful | xoxo | katee grace

times + seasons

2010-03-08T16:40:00.001-08:00

To everything there is a season, a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.

a time to be born & a time to die :: a time to plant & a time to pluck up what is planted :: a time to kill & a time to heal :: a time to break down & a time to build up :: a time to weep & a time to laugh :: a time to mourn & a time to dance :: a time to cast away stones & a time to gather stones together :: a time to embrace & a time to refrain from embracing :: a time to get & a time to lose :: a time to keep & a time to cast away :: a time to rend & a time to sew :: a time to keep silence & a time to speak :: a time to love & a time to hate :: a time for war & a time for peace

happy monday :: cherishing each season of life :: xoxo :: katee grace

Big Bear Weekend

2010-03-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I was invited by some sweet friends up to a family cabin at Big Bear and it was filled was laughter, tears and so much delicious (and super healthy) food.

Here's the slideshow!!! Enjoy! :) Big Bear Slideshow!

:: xoxo | katee grace ::

freedom :: love146

2010-02-23T17:37:00.001-08:00

Diana's Love Story from LOVE146 on Vimeo.

Before photography I am passionate about people and the work and motivation of this organization reaches a deep place in my heart as they reach into the depths to rescue women and young girls from slavery... sex slavery

: praying : praying : praying for freedom from Christ :
:: may we be His hands to love this world and be on our knees beyond our comforts ::
xoxo :: katee grace

Joe + Rachel

2010-02-22T14:16:00.000-08:00

Congrats Joe + Rachel on your engagement!!! Summer 2010 here we come...

Absolutely beautiful day in the middle of winter as we headed to 3rd Street Promenade last week and here are a few of the beautiful photographs that we captured.

Thanks for the wonderful afternoon Joe + Rachel!
Check out their sweet slideshow HERE.

| The experience was so fun & so beautiful!!! |
xoxo | katee grace

The Strong Family Photographs | 2010

2010-02-19T07:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday!!!

I am so excited to share these photographs with you!!! I met this precious family last year and am so blessed by them and would love it if you took a few minutes to head over to GwendolynStrong.com and read a bit of their courage and journey with their precious daughter Gwendolyn.

I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon yesterday at the park with the dear Strong's and Victoria's sister, Elizabeth, and her two boys and I had to process a few and share them with you this morning!!!

much love & my best,
katee grace

Katee Grace Photography Traveling Schedule

2010-02-10T12:41:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to be traveling and meeting new families!!! I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you and your friends and capturing beautiful photographs to be cherished and enjoyed... both in the capturing and displaying.

Please contact me at katee@kateegrace.com to schedule your fabulous Katee Grace Portrait Session

xoxo | katee grace

Haiti Part 2 of ??

2010-02-02T16:59:00.000-08:00

Looking for a wonderful and reliable and effective organization to contribute to with prayers or monies or supplies... Please check out my friends over at Child Hope.
http://childhope.org
by His grace we live & love those around us | xoxo | katee grace

strength

2010-02-02T08:33:00.001-08:00

I look at strong women and I wonder... so I ask.

What is the secret to your strength. Now they are not strong and stoic with no emotion, oh NO, that is not strength, that's just denial. They are strong with this conviction of God's reality and though they've faced some of the most unimaginable pain and heartache they are still convinced, still strong, not on auto-pilot but truly engaged with life and God. You know those people, they aren't trying to talk themselves into anything, they just KNOW Him and His strength... :)

As I ask the secret to their strength I get one predominating answer... "It is only in my TOTAL brokenness that I emptied myself of me so God could take over. I faced my greatest fear... I found God was sufficient!! His strength is what got, and gets me through each day."

Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give unyielding and impenetrable strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace."

| xoxo | happy tuesday | love, katee grace :) |

The Hidden Garden | Valentines Contest

2010-02-01T11:04:00.001-08:00

Check out this Awesome Contest that the amazingly talented Amy of The Hidden Garden is conducting this Valentines.

Ever been disappointed on Valentine’s Day?
Was yours the most romantic Valentine’s Day ever?
Either way, we want to hear from you.

The Hidden Garden announces a Valentine’s Day Contest

Share your most memorable Valentine’s Day story (the good, the bad & the
ugly) and you could win a Valentine’s Day arrangement worth $200 to be
delivered to your home or office on February 12th. Entries will be judged
on humor, romance & fan comments.

How to Enter: Become a fan of The Hidden Garden on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/thehiddengarden) & post your most memorable Valentine’s Day
story on our wall. We want to hear the best, worst and everything in
between! We encourage entrants to post photos and video – be creative,
funny and interesting!

Judging: The Hidden Garden Romance Committee will select five finalists and
post their entries on the Facebook page Thursday, February 11th. Entries
will be judged on creativity, humor, romance & fan appeal/comments. The five
finalists will be notified and contacted for their delivery address. On
Friday, February 12th one lucky winner will be surprised with a huge
arrangement just for them!

Rules:
All entrants must live or work in our service area, which includes Los
Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Westlake Village. No purchase is
necessary. All entrants must become a fan on Facebook of The Hidden Garden.
All entries must be posted to the Hidden Garden Facebook page no later than
12:00 pm PST on Thursday, February 10, 2010. Finalists will be announced on
Thursday, February 11, 2010. Winner will be surprised on Friday, February
12, 2010. Grand-prize winner will receive a floral arrangement with a
retail value of $200 delivered to the address of their choice (within the
designated service area.)

I hope one of my friends wins! xoxo | katee grace :)

Seniors 2010 | Making Your Mark

2010-01-28T09:23:00.001-08:00

communion & reality.

2010-01-25T10:21:00.001-08:00

I couldn't take communion today.
I was at church, I earnestly and sincerely and biblically prayed for Haiti in the small groups that we prayed in but when worship started something happened...
I went up after a little while and thought for sure if I got communion and got on my knees and began to beseech the Lord on behalf of my own hard heart that He would meet me...
I picked up the cracker and dipped it in the juice, I moved back and knelt down and became sick at the thought of taking communion. How is this possible? What is wrong with me? I couldn't do it... I sat there and became increasingly uncomfortable and slid the communion in my pocket (grosse) and walked back to my seat.
As I drove this afternoon with tears I apologized to Jesus, I believe He loves us, I believe He died and rose again and conquered Satan but in all honesty I believe that I will pay for my sins for the rest of my life, it's the consequences of sin that pastors have taught, as I write this I cry... I don't know why I couldn't take communion, I don't know why I feel so dramatic.

| please pray for Haiti | please pray for me | please pray for your friends | please love Jesus, even if we pay for our sins in the form of consequences on earth, we will be free one day |

xoxo | katee grace

Elizabeth | Musician + Mentor + Friend + Daughter

2010-01-22T12:41:00.000-08:00

Time | Moments | Memories | Value | The Malloy Family | Santa Ynez Valley

2010-01-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

“Time is at once the most valuable and the most perishable of all our possessions." (John Randolph)

Even more-so I'm learning to value moments with people and those moments captured in photographs, of those we love, more and more. After photographing some of my nieces and my nephew over the holidays I've been so ecstatic about the photographs and brainstorming how to display them, store them, share them, etc... I love capturing the memories of my clients and I'm gaining even more appreciation of the value of photographs of those we love, and those timeless expressions...

I'm planning some traveling for this coming Spring / Summer 2010 and I'm getting so excited about the people I'll be meeting and the beautiful and wonderful moments and memories I'll be so privileged to capture for them.

:: dreaming about the east coast :: dreaming about irreplacable capturing moments ::

xoxo | katee grace | http://belleinnocence.com | http://kateegrace.com

Here's a sneak peak at the Malloy Family, who I had so much fun with January 1st and honestly couldn't think of a better way to start off the New Year!!!

Katee Grace Photography Booking East Coast

2010-01-05T08:46:00.001-08:00

Oklahoma Christmas 2009

2010-01-04T14:48:00.001-08:00

Here's some of the photographs I captured over the Christmas Holiday as I visited my wonderful family in Oklahoma. I have a handful of sweet and talented and funny nieces and nephews and enjoyed seeng almost all of them and photographing them almost to my heart's content... I could probably photograph them each for hours on end without tired but thankfully for them the cold weather impeded my consuming creativity.

My Brother and Me!!
My nieces & Aunt Katee (ME).
The Girls!

My niece!!

One of my favorites of all time! :) My nieces & Aunt Katee (me).

My Mom & Me!!
The aftermath of the blizzard that ushered in Christmas 2009!!

Happy New Year!!! What a wonderful feeling a new year gives us. Time for reflection, remembrance, looking with hope and significant goals and goodwill toward the future.

xoxo | katee grace | happy happy NEW year

My Lord | My Father | My Husband

2009-12-24T20:07:00.001-08:00

The more I've read the Bible the more I've found out how importance the covering of a father and a husband are, and how regardless of whether they're "right" it's of the utmost importance to submit to them. Sometimes it's hard because making decisions and doing some things in life I just imagine how wonderful, and character producing, it would be to have a husband to just give me clear direction and instruction, or even that guiding. I have neither a father nor a husband and I've really been frustrated as I look around at so many of my friends and see how they have this protection and this "spiritual" aspect that I don't have, and it sucks, but the Lord's been teaching me something.
The Lord's been showing me that He truly is my Husband, my Father, my Maker. I'm His garden, His mare and He takes care of me, with or without the covering of a husband. I'm especially learning this as I'm primarily alone in Oklahoma, in a place where I feel un-guarded and yet guarded, alone yet surrounded... independent yet entirely dependent... even moreso than normal...
Not only am I sent out into life by no man but by Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:1), I am also completely covered by the Lord because He is now and always will be my Maker and my Husband. Married or Single, my life is in the Lord's hands and I hope I learn ultimate submission during this season of my life...

| xoxo katee grace |

Mr. + Mrs. Eschleman

2009-12-21T10:20:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Mr. + Mrs. Eschleman!!!! I totally cried during your beautiful beautiful ceremony! What a wonderful relationship you have and what full relationships you share with your loved ones!

| so blessed to capture memories for you! | xoxo katee grace |
| more to come! |

SURPRISE!!! Shells 30th Birthday Celebration!!!

2009-12-17T20:43:00.001-08:00

It was my friend Shelly's 30th Birthday last Saturday and we surprised her in style! It was wonderful and she was so so excited and surprised and happy! We are so so thankful for your life Shells!

xoxox | katee grace :)

Breast Cancer Resource Center | 2009 Annual Tea Party & Fashion Show

2009-12-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for the lovely slideshow of the Breast Cancer Resource Center's 2009 Annual Tea Party & Fashion Show

Last Saturday I had the honor and privilege to be part of a wonderful collection of ladies who are coming alongside one another through a very challenging and possibly terrifying experience in life but through their love and encouragement for one another are opening the way for hope and joy in the midst of this suffering.

The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara hosted a wonderful Tea Party and Fashion Show, showcasing Coldwater Creek's Beautiful Winter line. The wonderful celebration was under the coordination of Monica Wells of "A Beautiful Day Events" at the Hotel Mar Monte.

xoxo | katee grace | don't waste a day

Holiday Cheer | Christmas Cards by Belle Innocence

2009-12-01T22:58:00.001-08:00

The snow IS falling at http://belleinnocence.com and so are the Holiday Cards!! :)

| 5 Sessions Remaining for Holiday Family Portrait Sessions | xoxo katee grace |

cherishing life...

2009-11-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

Our lives are a vapor... Paul warns us in the Epistles to make the most of every opportunity, for the days are evil...

I pray this holiday season the Holy Spirit will lead each of us to cherish each moment and make the most of every opportunity... whether to love through deed or love through prayer may our heart's be sincere and washed clean to love fervently from a pure heart.

May faith & love in Him have it's thorough work in our hearts and lives... freedom in Christ, freedom to Christ.

xoxo,
katee grace

loving the details...

2009-11-19T20:36:00.000-08:00

only when we hold people dear to our hearts do we truly notice and appreciate the often unnoticed details...

| capturing + loving life | xoxo | katee grace |

WestSide Pregnancy Clinic | Outpouring of Love

2009-11-18T12:15:00.000-08:00

That phrase reverberates in my head more times a day than I could imagine. I’m so overwhelmed…”freely you’ve received | freely give.”

I know budgets are tight and finances are strained but I want to ask you on behalf of my friends at West Side Pregnancy Clinic and on behalf of God who reminds us to care for the orphans and windows… This group of people are wonderful and sincere and well-focused but seriously being attacked by the world, where God would have justice and mercy prevail the world wants to bring destruction. Would you be able to help, or maybe team up with a friend and help create a very meaningful and powerful gift for a woman and her child or a woman healing from the loss of her child… I’m not a mother but I can only imagine the pressure, heartache and fear that must accompany a woman in the situations these women at West Side Pregnancy Center are finding themselves. Please just think about it and pray… If you are able to be involved in creating one of these baskets please contact me or West Side Pregnancy Clinic directly…Or if you would like to donate Christmas money for a basket for one of these ladies that would be so so so wonderful too!!!
Love Baskets:

-The “basic essentials” and includes one pack of diapers and one pack of wipes.
-The “my favorites” and it includes the persons 3 favorite things that they used with their child and a little note about each:)
-The “recovery box” and this is for each woman that joins either the post-abortion or post-adoption support groups. It can include a journal, a bible, candles, etc.

Micah 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?”

I’ll be creating a “recovery box.”

Happy Happy Day!

xoxo | katee grace :)

Check out WestSide Pregnancy Clinic Information Video (4min)

http://vimeo.com/7512496

Families from WestSide Pregnancy Clinic that I was privileged to photograph:

http://belleinnocence.com/#/wpc2009/

| I will be taking baskets to the families of WestSide Crisis Pregnancy Center DEC. 6th & the 22nd so please email me regarding how you would like to be involved katee@kateegrace.com |

I am already so so blessed by "A's" response to this opportunity... "Thanks for sharing this opportunity, it just touched my heart this morning and brought me to tears here at my desk. Women in these situations must know that they are loved and cared for and are so deserving to feel that way." and the Lord's call and graciousness to these women to bless others so we can bless them...

much love,
katee grace :)

Belle Innocence | Princess Tea Party

2009-11-16T18:23:00.000-08:00

Belle Innocence hosted our first annual Princess Tea Party last Saturday and I am so so so excited to share some of the beautiful children with you! It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday and even more special to see the excitement of the little ones and their mommies and daddies as they walked into the backyard so artfully prepared (graciously and beautifully by J Designs) as Belle Innocence's Princess Tea Party.
There were big princess girls...

...and there were babies

I'll be posting some of the beautiful details so stay tuned! :)

CLICK here for the fabulous fabulous fabulous slideshow!!!

eternity and real value

2009-11-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

It's interesting to look back on life and see the intensity with which God reveals things. Sometimes it seems so gentle and like a leading, the object being revealed still held a bit at arms, while other times it's like being thrust into a reality that is not just right in front of your face but overwhelming my entire person.

| Heaven & Hell | Eternity | Time | Vapors | Seizing the Day | Purposeful | Powerful |

The last few weeks (or maybe months) the Lord has been really revealing to me the reality of eternity and of how temporary is this time we have on earth. My selfishness is glaringly in front of me and I pray pray pray that the Lord leads me out of it and into receiving His grace and His love and pouring out to those around me. The selfishness that seeks to protect and serve myself... no more no more no more!!! I don't want fear of man to rule my life, only fear of God and love for God and love for man...

I went from the Lord leading me into this reality to being thrust into it with the suicide of my dear and long-time friend Jordan... I pray her death will no just leave me grieving but that my life will change, my priorities will change, my loves and passions will grow and crescendo from this point on through the rest of my days...

| Every prayer matters | Let no person's prejudice, opinion, fear or speculation dictate our lives, prayers, relationships, or obedience to the Lord (loved ones or our own) | May we depend wholly on our Lord, cling steadfastly to His Word, Love & Serve Passionately and Pray like there is a war that we do not see (Ephesians 6)

Seize the day because we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

xoxo,
katee grace

Jordan's Prayer...

2009-11-05T22:05:00.000-08:00

I’ve been thinking of her so often these past few days…. wondered how she was and sort of asked the Lord about her… I didn’t pray… Should I have prayed? I don’t know… I’ve prayed so many times. Oh God did I ignore your call? I wondered the heaviness… but there are so many things right now… I cannot change that but I can change how I respond to this…

| Christian School Girls | Childhood friends | Exploring the unknown | 4 of us |

So often I felt that Jordan had more care for other than I ever dreamed I could have. Her depth of care as well as her depth of hurt were fathomless and genuine. Jordan's life was hard and though my communication with her the last few years has been extremely limited the impact of her life upon my own as well as her death are powerful. Jordan took her life tonight... violently and tragically... h-e-a-r-t-b-r-e-a-k-i-n-g...

(here's a poem Jordan gave me when we were 17, as the beginning of our lives of boys & drugs began to heighten)
| Jordan's Prayer |
Give comfort to her weary soul
Please heal her blinded eyes
Replenish all her faith tenfold
Don't let her sin be her demise
Please give her sight to see
The darkened path that lies ahead
Just let her see she has strength to desist the way in which she's led
Please let her know you cherish her
much deeper than perceived
And you are hut so badly
when you watch your child being deceived
You see her drown within this world
that she tries to escape
But she can't see, that soon in time
It will be much too late
Too late to finally see that
she's been blinded by her fall
That everything she does to numb her pain
won't help at all
Instead, it steals from her
The very last of breath she'll bear
Spitefully it grins upon
The prey within it's snare
I fear the violent means by which
She'll have to go to find her way
Please send Your angels 'round about her
Keep her safe Lord, this I pray
Please show her that she hurts herself
In raged attempts to find relief
And give her faith to overwhelm
her built up disbelief
Show her that she's loved by many
more than she can see
And let her know I love her
so much deeper than she can heed.

heidi & emily.

2009-10-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

beautiful baby.
sweet mommy.
faithful savior.

happy monday!

xoxo,
katee grace

boldness and humility...

2009-10-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

size me up boy... size me up...

- For God has not given me a spirit of fear but a Spirit of Power, Love & Self-Discipline. -
2 Timothy

crazy love...

2009-09-29T22:24:00.000-07:00

humbled... compelled...

"Worry and Stress reek of arrogance." -Francis Chan

Lord please still our anxious thoughts, humble us before you to fully and truly trust You. May we truly "do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble ourselves and walk humbly with You God?" (Micah 6:8)

xoxo,
katee grace

Please continue to PRAY FOR DAISY!! A little girl who wants to be either an astronaut or a warrior for the Lord when she grows up...

Daisy Love's Father Shares Why He Has Hope...

2009-09-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

In the midst of pain and the fires of this world, the father of precious Daisy's father shares where our hope comes from during the midst of pain, when our heart's are overwhelmed...

The difference in faith theoretically and faith truly lived out and experienced...

I believe you will be compelled, encouraged, and humbled by the love and power of God.

When My Heart Is Overwhelmed from Reality on Vimeo.

xoxo,
katee grace

Pray for Daisy...

2009-09-22T19:36:00.000-07:00

Prayer for my Pastor's LIttle Girl... http://prayfordaisy.tumblr.com/
Yesterday afternoon the unexpected happened... my Pastor's little girl fell and what seemed to be a ruptured kidney turned out to be a tumor...
Their oncologist said that he is 80% sure that Daisy has a Wilms’ Tumor.
That is a malignant tumor. It is cancer but a highly curable form.
They will operate thursday and depending on the size of the tumor they will either take it all out or just some of it.
Daisy will have to have chemo therapy either way.
The doctors have determined that it would be better skip the biopsy and go strait to the surgery to remove the tumor. The tumor is the size of a large orange. The good news is that the tumor has not involved the vena cava, but it is not clear how much or if it involves other organs or arteries. It appears close to the Aorta. The surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning at 7:15am. Reality Carp will be hosting a prayer meeting all day on Thursday beginning at 6am. Daisy is in good spirits considering. Britt and Kate are experiencing supernatural peace that only Almighty God can give.

Please pray that…

The tumor would shrink away from any organs and arteries

Daisy would continue to be stable while awaiting surgery

The surgeon would be able to access and remove ALL of the tumor

Continued peace for Britt & Kate

juveniles | part 1

2009-09-19T10:50:00.001-07:00

*more than 2 million juveniles are arrested each year

*approximately 2,300 juveniles are serving life without parole

*80% of juveniles released will re-offend

*most are more violent than they were before

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?

Hebrews 7:25a

Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost, completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity those who come to God through Him…

xoxo,
katee grace

Mr. & Mrs. Sklar

2009-09-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!! | Thank You for your patience! | Presenting---

Sweet Slideshow!!! | http://kateegrace.com/#/sklar/

Much Love & Many Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Sklar!!

xoxo,
katee grace

East from West...

2009-09-16T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've been doing this really remarkable study through the book of Esther with Beth Moore and her in depth study series... I have been so blessed!!

Today we're studying about shifting from "self-preservation to brave determination."
"Esther had a CHOICE. 'She [Esther] had to overcome herself in order to do what God had created her and positioned her to do."

We're not born brave... and moving bravely and steadily forward again fear is not easy, that's why bravery is a virtue. Every step we take in the things of our lives that bring fear we become stronger... The strength of the Lord becomes ours as we follow Him boldly, knowing that He made a bold and public display of the enemy at the cross and we know that He has all power to keep our lives and protect us and move us beyond ourselves and our self-preservation into brave determination... May you receive the reward of your suffering Jesus... in every area of our lives!

holy humility---

East to West:
Here I am Lord,
And I'm drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I dont want to end up where you found me
And it echoes in my mind,
Keeps me awake tonight

I know you cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before you now as,
As though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the east is from the west
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest,
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other.

I start the day the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again your truth is drowned out
By the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away,
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me,
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
'cause you know
Just how far the East is form the West
From one scarred hand to the other.

I know you've washed me white,
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through,
To get me through this night
Cant live by what I feel
But by the Truth your work reveals,
I'm not holding on to you
But you're holding on to me,
Youre holding on to me

Jesus you know
Just how far the East is from the West
I don't have to see the man I've been,
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
'cause you know just how far the East is form the West,
From one scarred hand to the other.

Just how far
The east is from the west

much love,
katee grace

Forever...

2009-09-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

Last week we sang that song "Jesus I will never let You go..." and I just began to weep... and I remember that verse in Song of Solomon where after going through the winds of adversity and hardship we come to know that we are truly the Lord's and He is truly ours...
Song of Solomon 5:1
"...I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends [feast on, O revelers of the palace; you can never make my lover disloyal to me]! Drink, yes, drink abundantly of love, O precious one [for now I know you are mine, irrevocably mine!"

Just to share...

Happy Saturday!!

xoxo,
katee grace :)

It Wasn't Easy

2009-09-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

I love Pandora... I hear music / songs that I wouldn't ordinarily stumble upon and it's wonderful! I love music so I love this expanse of my musical experiences. :)

This morning I was listening to Raymond & Co. radio, which offers a wide variety but a variety I really enjoy! I heard this remarkable song by CeCe Winans titled "It Wasn't Easy" and it incited thankfulness and a greater depth of appreciation for Jesus' trip to earth & the cross... Lord....

Don't think for a moment
I never felt the pain
You can't imagine
the hurt and the shame
They put the nails through my hands
Pierced my side please understand
It wasn't easy
But it was worth it

It wasn't easy

I didn't have to do it
But I did it anyway
Cuz I really love you
So much I took your place
I died for your sins
Yes, I'm the one
Don't take it lightly what I've done

It wasn't easy
But it was worth it

It wasn't easy...

I left my throne
My purpose was the cross
Shed innocent blood I paid the cost

Alexandra + Matt | Solvang, CA

2009-09-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

Oh just a sneak peak but I am so so so excited about Alexandra & Matt's wedding photographs from last Saturday that I had to share a sneak peak with you! I wish I could show you the full slideshow right now but there just hasn't been enough time! OH SHEESH!!! BUT I hope these yummy pieces of beautiful eye candy will tide you over until then... I had the pleasure and honor to shoot this wedding with Janelle Stephanie and boy is she a doll! :)

Chris + Genevieve Engaged | Santa Barbara, California

2009-09-08T10:02:00.001-07:00

Oh My.. I laughed so hard shooting with Genevieve and Chris yesterday! We headed to the bluffs and grabbed some beautiful photographs! I absolutely loved the bicycle time and resting in the tall grass!

I had a few ideas for this sweet couple as I wanted their engagement photographs to really speak of them... we brought in a few props, snuck away from Labor Day festivities and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine and captured these images!!!

They're sweet slideshow was wonderful to put together and I know you'll ENJOY! :)

Genevieve + Chris' Sweet Sweet Slideshow!!

I am so so so excited about your engagement photographs and being such a special part of your October wedding!!!

xoxo,
katee grace :)

Oh How He Loves Us...

2009-09-05T12:21:00.001-07:00

I absolutely love this worship song... I mean LOVE!!! I saw this video for the first time this morning and I had to share! This is intense and chilling and powerful and wonderful...

Yeah Lord, may we truly know you're love is more powerful, more amazing than anything, ever... oh to know You Jesus.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

xoxo,
katee grace :)

freedom... and beauty :)

2009-09-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

Freedom + Beauty= Life in Christ

And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it.

Psalm 90:17

flame of love...

2009-09-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Lord we set you as the seal upon our hearts; your love is as strong as death (give us your love for You and for others). Your love is like flashes of fire, oh the flames of the Lord… (SS 8:6 “Katee’s translation”)
Lord light the flame of your love afresh in our lives… in our very beings… truth in our inner-most being… You Jesus, We love You so much. Your love is better than life.

life...

2009-08-31T16:30:00.000-07:00

Without Him I know for sure that I have no life...
He is everything...
His love is so powerful...
He is my life...
He is the Truth...
He is the Way... the only way...

I pray we will truly taste and see and know that He is good. May we know His love through experience in ways that we hadn't... True Humility and True Obedience, in the little and the big, moment by moment... May we be compelled by your love Jesus. All of our lives are Yours.

xoxo,
katee grace

Happy Monday! :)

Brittany & Rod (& soon to be baby Asher)

2009-08-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

Last night I enjoyed a wonderful dinner and evening with Brittany and Rod and a couple of their friends. Before dinner Britt and Rod and I headed to a park a couple blocks from their house and captured some beautiful photographs of Brittany still pregnant (she's due any day now!!!)....

It was such a neat time spending the evening with Brit and Rod. They met in Haiti and both have such sweet hearts of love for God and people... They are back in the states for a season and such a neat picture for me that the Lord may have us in extremely different facets in various seasons of our lives. Brittany & Rod were working at an orphanage and teaching at a Haitian Christian School for the past three years but are now living in Southern California while preparing to have a child as Rod works in his educated profession of engineering... Two vastly different lives but when we're submitted to Christ and living in Him we transition to various season with peace and joy in each season. Godliness with contentment is great gain...

Much Love & Happy Weekend!!!

xoxo,
katee grace

Happy Birthday Michael!!!

2009-08-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

(Belated...)
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Everyday of the year may you feel Jesus near... Happy Birthday to you and the best one you've ever had...

Oh my sweet friend Michael is one of those people that draws out freedom in all those around him... You know those people that you can't help but be yourself around, who are so accepting and there's just something about them... He's is one of the kindest people that I know, and I'm so grateful to celebrate his life this week! :)

Thanks for being such an amazing friend!!

Happy Birthday Dude!!! :) :)

xoxo,
katee grace

The Zoo with Asher...

2009-08-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

Oh man... Asher is such a fun kid! Oh Man! We built an amazing train route at his house with these fabulous wooden train tracks, with sweet ramps and all! Then we headed to the Zoo and watched the penguins swim (so many times!!!) and we saw snakes and the elephant!

Here's a few sweet shots I wanted to share with you from our adventure! :)

much love,
katee grace :) :)
xoxo!

Happy Birthday Amy!

2009-08-23T07:11:00.000-07:00

The next 7 days I get to celebrate three very important people to me....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!!!
xoxoxo

My sweet friend Amy and I have been friends since high school. Starting our friendship off was the easiest start of anything I've ever done! (You know typically starting ANYTHING is way challenging). At the end of our first week of school Amy asked me what we were doing that weekend, I had just met her and was still pretty shy and quiet but I feel like from that moment on when she so naturally included me our friendship began to grow. Every friendship has it's challenges and those challenges only serve to strengthen the bond of love and friendship.

Thanks for being the first person to make me laugh so hard I peed my pants, for including me in that first week and so many weeks following, for being my friend through so much, for making so many of us laugh at our silliness and embrace the joy in every detail of life... I pray the Lord would draw you to himself so deeply this year and infuse your entire being with Himself and with peace and truth and healing. I pray the Lord does amazing miracles in this year of your life...
Celebrating Your Life Amy Khalid

Happy Birthday Amy! My BFFIWWW!

May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love....Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]-- To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Ephesians 3:17,20-21

xoxo,
katee grace

The Gibbons Family

2009-08-22T20:45:00.001-07:00

The more I get to know this family the more I love them...

Shelly is a really creative and has a beautifully artistic vision and she had the idea to bring this beautiful white couch to the backyard and TA-DA!!!!!! These are a couple of my favs! I had to share with you! :)

xoxo,
katee grace

| Haiti | Part 1 of ??

2009-08-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to go to Haiti for years... I am muddling through why I want to go, if the Lord wants me to go but often when I'm alone and I thank God for my food I like to remember the children living in the ravines in Haiti and ask that He please feed them as well... Gosh that sounds so cheesy but it's true and gosh it's so real...

I swiped this from Child Hope's Website (http://childhope.org)

"One of the sad realities for children living on the streets in Haiti is that they get used to going days without food. Because of their sporadic eating patterns and the lack of nutritional food, malnutrition is rampant. Children with orange hair can be seen everywhere and are living evidence of the malnutrition on the streets. That is why Child Hope International also seeks to feed the starving children of Haiti in the region.
Child Hope International provides meals to children in the neighborhood of the homes who are too poor to eat or suffering from malnutrition. The meals are served by the children of Maison de Lumiere who provide a warm, family atmosphere where the children can feel assurance that someone nearby cares. In addition to the meals, the children will sing songs, hear a Bible story, make crafts, play games, and watch puppet shows that offer hope and spiritual encouragement. Children who attend these meals may even transition into our residency program, depending on space availability. Others may get sponsored to attend school.
This program strongly supports Maison de Lumiere’s mission to be a “Lighthouse” to the local community and offer a powerful tool for sharing the love of Christ and the message of His Gospel." -Child Hope
“...I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.” Matt 25:35

I love kids but I have a huge heart to for the women and young girls of this ravaged country... okay of many countries, but our focus is Haiti.

Child Hope is an incredible group of people and their work for the children and people of Haiti is truly out of a response to the love of Christ they've received and I hope that you'll have a minute to cruise over to their website and give it a prayerful look.

Please remember the children of the ravines in Haiti who are alone and hungry and please pray that God will send people to feed and love them in purity and truth.

xoxo,
katee grace

Meehan's Indian Princess Shower

2009-08-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

Click HERE for the RIDICULOUSLY FABULOUS Slideshow!!!! The Indian Music combined with these beautiful Indian elements for sweet Meehan take you right to India to experience for yourself!

Meehan's Indian Princess Slideshow--- Feel the Experience!!!

xoxo,
katee grace

| Country with a Cause |

2009-08-07T12:23:00.001-07:00

I was super honored to be part of this amazing grass roots fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as well as the honored guest, Rebekah Malloy. Lauren Stewart and Ashley Alleman along with the beautiful hospitality of the Barracks at Piocho Ranch in Santa Ynez hosted this amazingly heartwarming, humbling and super fun event filled with a Polo Game, games for the kids, a delicious BBQ and wine straight from the Happy Canyon Vineyard.
Here's a sneak peak at the fun that was had last Saturday...

And here's to being connected in our communities and being filled with love and joy at opportunities for generosity and hospitality everyday! May we freely receive & freely give love & grace...

xoxo,
katee grace :)

From Carnal to Spiritual

2009-08-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

I am in love with the teachings of Andrew Murray!!! I can only pray that his simplicity of faith, humility, surrender to the unlimited power of God would permeate my life as I hear the spirit of God through his words, and your life!
I started reading "The Master's Indwelling" this morning and was struck with the reality of certain thoughts and feelings of carnality that I had limited to simple being partly unreachable by the Lord, oh not true!
"Spiritual men are not called so because there is no flesh in them, but because the Spirit in them has obtained dominance."
For some reason in my being a single girl I've found this annoying competition that I'm constantly repenting of with regards to competing against other girls, and it's so grosse I just scream some days. I'm so encouraged by this instruction from the Lord with regards to this being carnal... (Everyone's experience with envy and factions and competition is different of course... mine is as a single girl and all that entails :)
I Corinthians 3:3
For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?
AHHH!!! LORD DELIVER ME!
"Believe that Christ who accepted you once, at conversion, in His wonderful love, is now waiting to say that you become a spiritual man, entirely given up to God. If you will believe that, your fear will vanish and you will say: "It can be done. If Christ accept and take charge, it will be done... if you will come and give your whole life into His charge, Christ Jesus is mighty to save." (p. 23, 24 "Master's Indwelling)

waiting at your feet, in your arms Jesus, humbly and with child-like trust I pray...

xoxo,
katee grace :)

Meehan's Indian Princess Shower... SNEAK PEAK :)

2009-08-02T18:07:00.001-07:00

India Sneak Peak...

I am so so so elated about these images and this beautiful and amazing celebration that I couldn't resist not sharing a few images with you today.... :)

xoxo,
katee grace

more to come...

heart of the matter...

2009-07-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness. Psalm 147:11

Of course... when I don't hope in His mercy and loving-kindness I should not only remember that He has not only revealed His mercy and loving-kindness throughout scripture through the centuries!!! but was also revealed the moment I began to say yes as He called my name... And then fix our eyes on Jesus, not the circumstances, not a doctrine as proclaimed by man, but the face of Jesus as He reveals Himself in scripture... Only through intimate, humbled, personal union with Him (John 17 & Ephesians 3) will we recognize what power we live our lives in and through. For truly in Him we live and move and have our being.

Take Pleasure. Oh how we love the Lord and of course we want Him to find pleasure in us as we respect and fear Him and hope in Him. Oh to know that surely we are no longer slaves to sin but children of the Most High God, that though we see only our sin and our darkness (Song of Solomon 1) that He reveals to the world our loveliness through Christ's redemption and salvation of our lives... may we know true humility and sincere devotion (2 Cor. 11:3) and fervent and pure love (1 Peter 1:22) .

much love & happy thursday,

katee grace
xo!!!

Meehan's Yellow Bird Shower!!!

2009-07-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

One of my sweet sweet friends, Meehan, has asked me to be a part of a series of showers that are celebrating her coming marriage and I am overjoyed to share these beautiful images representing a beautiful love. So excited for her wedding day and the joy and love that fill each occasion I'm around her and her marriage is being celebrated!!!
Shower was designed and coordinated by J Designs in Santa Barbara.
"If it's not far over an above all you could ask, think, hope or imagine, then it's not the Lord..." (quote regarding romantic relationships leading to marriage, extracted from Paul's exhortation in the New Testament).
Click HERE for Meehan's Yellowbird Shower Slideshow!!!! www.kateegrace.com/#/meehanyellowbird/
Enjoy and be inspired sweet brides and friends of brides! :)

xoxo,
katee grace :)

fragrance...

2009-07-26T18:34:00.000-07:00

"You have called me a garden, [she said] Oh, I pray that the cold north wind and the soft south wind may blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out in abundance for you in whom my soul delights. Let my beloved come into his garden and eat its choicest fruits..." Song of Solomon 4:16

"...Drink, yes drink abundantly of love, O precious one, for now I know you are mind, irrevocably mine! With his confident words still thrilling her heart, through the lattice she saw her shepherd turn away and disappear into the night." Song of Solomon 5:1

"...for we are the sweet fragrance of Christ unto God..." 2 Corinthians 2:15

"The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness." Psalm 147:11

Regardless of the firey ordeal or harsh winds or unbearable storms that come into our lives, I hope our prayer and constant cry comes back to the Lord receiving His reward and eating the choicest fruits in our lives, may we realize His love and sovereignty in the difficulty and impossibilities... May we be realize that we are like the tuberose and our scent is aromatic, divine in fact (because of our amazing CHRIST!!!) and is a pleasant smell to the Father because we are washed with His word and blood from all the filth of sin and our flesh...
And since we love you Lord we want you to delight in us... oh what a joy it is to delight and take pleasure in something... and that something is us as we look to you in hope in your mercy and loving-kindness. :)

Much Love & Happy Sunday,

katee grace
:) :)

The Passion for Christ Movement

2009-07-22T18:17:00.001-07:00

I accidentally ran across this girl, Blair--- I was looking for the exact quote "Contentment lies not in what is yours, but whose you are." But somehow I quickly stumbled on this precious girl--- whew after hearing the truth and passion from this precious girl I was encouraged and strengthened in what the Lord has been speaking to me so much during this season.

So I had to share this video with you!!! So important to look to Jesus and recognize and reject the voices of the enemy---

Blessings to you in Him, in truth and the fullness of His Grace!! Lord may we truly reject the enemy and stand firm in Jesus-- Jesus may you receive the reward of your suffering in our lives!!!

Tatter Pages... Repair?

2009-07-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

My Bible has seen better days, well easier days at least....

I've been wanting larger margins for quite some time now, for the sake of recording important revelations, notes, historical important facts, etc... Guess I can create my own! :) When my Bible first began to fall into pieces only the concordance fell, easy enough to hold on to, now 5 pieces including the main binding... I should be able to create excellent note pages within... I will update you on my progress!

I read Spurgeon this evening and began weeping.... Oh the Lord's goodness and the enemies accusations... LORD?!?!?
Spurgeon Evening
Rejoice even while passing through the furnace. Make the wilderness to blossom like the rose! Cause the desert to ring with thine exulting joys, for these light afflictions will soon be over, and then "for ever with the Lord," thy bliss shall never wane.

"Faint not nor fear, his arms are near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe and thou shalt see,
That Christ is all in all to thee."

peace,
katee grace :)

Joel + Christie Boyd

2009-07-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to check out Joel & Christie's beautiful slideshow of their wedding from this past weekend at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu.

Carpe Diem

2009-07-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

I feel like my life is racing by so fast some days... I just can't believe how much is happening all the time! Between keeping the quiet and still moments still and organizing the events of the future and attempting to truly be living in the moment I look back and see so much!!!

The Lord has done so much in me and yet I'm still so needy! LOL! He who began the work sees it to completion as we keep our eyes fixed on Him--- Lord please keep our eyes on You. We just love you so much and want your Will and Your Kingdom and You to be the Purpose and Center and Intoxicating fragrance of our lives, being the theme of everything.

Yesterday was a beautiful beach day with two kids that I just adore--- here's a sneak peak at our time.

Happy Saturday Friends!!!
much love,
katee grace xo!

The power of Adoption and the Power of Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth

2009-07-16T23:08:00.000-07:00

Who would've thought the "700 Club" would have Jason Upton on their show ?(okay at least one of you is not suprised but I am!) And what a wonderful word follows this wonderful song...

and Lord, please keep our faith pure and sincere in devotion to Christ...
2 Cor. 11:3
"But now I am fearful, lest that even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted and seduced from wholehearted and sincere and pure devotion to Christ."

I want my faith and love to be pure... and as the New American Standard refers to it as the "simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ," this is what I want, and what I think you want too--- This is what we were created for!!!

Simple and Pure devotion to Christ!
Lord we don't want to perform for you or for your glory but we want to truly just be the people you've created us to be for you glory---
being who you created us to be----

much love---

Warrior Room | Around the World with Jesus

2009-07-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Okay these are photos of our leaders of this year's VBS "Around the World With Jesus." This year we are in Africa!!!! (Oh I want to go!!!!!! Lord! Here I am... send me!?!?!? Or maybe there are other Harvesters we should pray for... remember He says the harvest is ready but the laborers, they're few).
Back to VBS --> This is the Warrior Room
Learning that The Word of God is the Sword that the Spirit wields but that without the Spirit we lack the power to use the Word of God rightly... righteously.
"The weapons of our warfare are not of this world, they are mighty through God for the destruction of strongholds..."

A fun week of face paint, sweet prayers for the Lord to reach beyond and use everything in our room from the rotting sod to the enthusiastic accents of our Massai warriors to instill in the kids the reality of warfare and the vital importance of being submitted to the Lord and under His care and Kingship through the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word of God.

It's been a sweet week and tomorrow is our last session with the kids--- Your prayers for miracles in the kids hearts and the power of God present and active along with your prayers for our hearts and minds being one with His and in accord with His purposes... these prayers and more as the Spirit leads are greatly appreciated.

love,
katee grace

Focus.

2009-07-15T22:11:00.000-07:00

I had a good reminder today... Something that my heart has been longing for for a while now... I want to be so consumed with Jesus and so in love with Him and loving towards His people and Him receiving the reward of His suffering in their lives that I entirely loose thought of myself.

So often we have a tendency to downplay our identity or focus on ourselves too much when really when you're in love with someone you loose thought of yourself entirely and begin to seek their good... His good truly IS our good! :)

Lord that's what we want and we need you Spirit to come and lead us in truth and give us such grace that we could truly live lives that are in you Christ, because only in You do we find our life, only in You do we ever want to live. Please capture our attention and our hearts so fully that we would truly live in a way that is free and able to truly love you and other and receive your love and their love with humility and grace.

Oh to remember that Jesus Is the Way, The Truth and The Life!!! Grace please Lord... Your perfect Grace.
We just want to do life rightly in Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness Lord---

Abide in Christ 1 of 100

2009-07-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

I have been learning, with many others in my immediate circle, the reality, importance and necessity for life to abide in Christ Jesus, truly.

I have many thoughts on the issue and the idea of abiding in such union with Him that we know beyond the thinking that we are in Him... that we are so caught up in Him that everything we do and everywhere we are is a continual being caught up in Him and experiencing His love in a way beyond words but into experience (Eph. 3:19) I want to truly abide in Jesus in such a way that I don't even really have to think about connecting but just BEING in Him... doing all the tasks of the day and all the relational endeavors in a constant BEING IN Him. I think I want my faith to flow from the inside out and His presence to so be my vital necessity that I truly cannot go on without Him... Christ is my life.
I love how Andrew Murray pens it in his book "Abide in Christ." Murray states "In ordinary life, we have abundant illustration of the influence of a supreme affection reigning in and guarding the soul while the mind concentrates itself on work that requires its whole attention. This of the father of a family, separated for a time from his home, that he may secure for his loved ones what they need. He loves his wife and children and longs to return to them. There my be hours of intense occupation when he has not a moment to think of them, and yet his love is as deep and real as when he can call up their images; all the while his love and hope of making them happy urge him on and fill him with a secret joy in his work. Think of a king, in the midst of work and pleasure and trial, he all the while acts under the secret influence of the consciousness of royalty, even while he does not think of it... And can it be thought impossible for Everlasting Love to so take and keep possession of our spirits, that we too will never for a moment lose the secret consciousness: we are in Christ, kept in Him by His almighty power!"

Peace + Love to your hearts and minds as we abide in Him--- Spirit please guide us, guard us, remind us--

xoxo!

I Still Believe...

2009-07-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

God is my refuge and strength-- He is always present with me...
Because He is with me I will not fear, even if the earth became molten lava and the United States of America ventured from a socialist to a communist nation I will still be safe in Him.
There are streams of God's goodness and His Spirit flows in places I don't see because I am part of His Kingdom, and this makes me happy.
God is in the midst of my life, not on the peripheral or in just one aspect but in the very midst of each detail that I allow Him and His Kingdom in...
Money comes and goes, control seems lost with a birth of poverty but He utters His voice and the work of my hands and my heart remain steadfast in Him.. he purifies the dross of my false humility and makes beauty from the ashes that I make--- The earth is subject to Him.
The God of Jacob is my REFUGE and HIGH TOWER, He is where I resort for safety, He is always my security!
He makes the wars to cease and He cleanses me with fire of the things that tied my hands in bondage.. He burns the false sources of my trust in the fire (the chariots).
I will be still in my inmost being and know that He IS GOD... He WILL be glorified in my life and throughout the nations.. His purposes are above mine so I submit and I trust and I humble myself to His infinite wisdom and outstretched hand waiting to save me...
My Lord is with me. The God of Jacob (from of the ages and ages beyond) is my Refuge and Stronghold...
Thank You Lord for the fire... And thank you for bringing me our without the chains--- thank you for continuing your faithfulness to me... Your Love is greater than I could ever imagine... I pray I respond rightly and fully to you.

My prayer adapted from Psalm 46

(I posted the video though it is the beautiful song I wanted to share with you...)

Why big Government?

2009-07-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

Is it a power struggle between two different viewpoints which can be argued and fought to a final victory? Or is politics really more spiritual...

Proverbs 28:2
"When a land transgresses, it has many rulers.."

EEK!!!

What Now?

2 Chronicles 7:14 perhaps?
"If my people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heave, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

I think our sincere prayers of repentance as well as thankfulness and prayers for our leaders. I hope the Lord teaches me to pray for "us" and not just "them." (In 1 Timothy 2 Nero was in power and he was burning Christians at the stake and yet this is what we are exhorted to do...) I am in no way against politics but I do hope that we will constantly be walking in the spirit and not using the strength of the flesh.

Proverbs 22:1
"A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust."
How do we bring down strongholds? Lord please show us the reality of THIS TRUTH

Much Love To you and yours this beautiful Summer Weekend! :) May it be filled with peace and joy in His Presence.

-katee grace

Bethany + Green + Pink!!!

2009-07-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the new blogpost over at my photo blog!
www.kateegrace.blogspot.com
Had a sweet time shooting with Bethany + Julia working on color schemes to inspire brides and planners and here's a glimpse of some fun and lively colors!!! :)
YaY for Summer!!! I love the bright colors and the freedom and tranquility of the shots of Bethany... a picture is worth a thousand words... I only have a few though :)

Amazing Worship Leader | Jason Upton

2009-07-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

Reading this morning I was reading through this verse that finally opened up:
"For the Lord God helps me; therefore have I not been ashamed or confounded. Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame... Who is among you who reverently fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of his servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor in his heart? Let him rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord, and let him lean upon and be supported by his God." Isaiah 50:7,10
Then I sought for a fresh song to worship... He give us new songs and I'm constantly in need of worshipping Him... Getting my eyes on Jesus, Jesus IS REALITY... I was so blessed by this worship lead by Jason Upton.

He is truly the God Who Sees and He is our Hope + Life---

Only Jesus

Prayer--- Lord teach us how to pray, please.

2009-07-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

I believe in prayer and believe that through prayer we open the way to bring the Kingdom of God to earth--- Through prayer people's lives are changed and saved and Jesus receives the reward of His suffering, our lives.

As much as no one like to be annoying in prayer we are urged to be persistent, like the woman who kept "bothering" the King and he answered her because of her persistance, calling night and day--- Maybe it's not even that God is taking so long to answer our prayers but maybe like when Daniel prayed God sent the Angel immediately but the answer didn't arrive until 21 days later due to his run-in with the Prince of Persia... Satan and his forces. Lord please teach us to pray!

"When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words than thy words be without heart."
John Bunyan

I love this next quote because this is the truth! Praying for others has saved me so much heartache and anger... Whether it's someone we love or someone we would like to love, praying for others truly opens the way for the Lord to create a space in our hearts to sincerely and fervently love people. When we are willing God will show us how to pray for others, even others who we aren't particularly fond of or have animosity or discontent against, if we so desire to be rightly related to people and to God--- God honors our prayer is such a radical way, not only do our prayers move mountains into seas and bring sons of God into true sonship with Him but when we pray God creates real love in our hearts for others (because without love nothing matters)--- Lord teach us to pray.

"There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him." William Law

Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in, being vitally united to the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much abundant fruit. However, apart from Me, cut of from vital union with Me, you can do nothing. John 15:4-5

"The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray."
Samuel Chadwick

Waiting on God... or not?

2009-07-01T23:53:00.000-07:00

There can be no good but what God works; to wait upon God, and have the heart filled with faith in His working, and in that faith to pray for His mighty power to come down, is our only wisdom. Oh for the eyes of our heart to be opened to see God working in ourselves and in others, and to see how blessed it is to worship and just to wait for His salvation!
-Andrew Murray

Presenting Baby Jaiden!

2009-07-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

Taking a break from Weddings for a few minutes to enjoy new life---

Presenting Baby Jaiden!!! And His sweet Momma Catherine. The other day I met up with Catherine and Jaiden at their home and enjoyed shooting Jaiden's first photoshoot post-hospital. What a precious and calm little boy! Jaiden is 1 month old in these photos--- So Fun! Blessings to you Catherine, you'll be a wonderful mother!

"A baby is God's opinion that life should go on." -Carl Sandburg

click here for Baby Jaiden's slideshow!!!

much love + peace,
katee grace :)
xo!

p.s.
Did you know that for a society to continue every family needs to reproduce 2.1 children? Americans and Christians are reproducing at a rate of 1.8 (average) and Muslims worldwide at 8.1

worship... letting go... contentment...

2009-06-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

My newest favorite--- Just to share...

A Grateful People

"There is a kind of worshipper who "always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (I cor. 13:7), and who gets through the storms of life with a heart still blazing....fix our eyes on the circumstances or to cling to God and choose to worship Him, even when it hurts. The heart of God loves the offering of a persevering worshipper. Though overwhelmed by many troubles, they are even more overwhelmed by the beauty of God." -Matt Redman "The Unquenchable Worshipper."

I've found that often when I long to worship the Lord I am held back by my own fear and anger and need to protect myself. My lips become almost unable to utter a word without tears overwhelming me, not just a few tears but that heaving, that uncontrollable vulnerability and helplessness exposed with nowhere to go from there.

But the Spirit comes to help in our weakness and continuing to take steps and open my mouth and heart in worship---

Much Love + Happy Monday!!

letting go | surrender

2009-06-27T23:11:00.000-07:00

The Lord's goodness and mercy truly turns us into grateful people. But what do we do when we're in the midst of walking in faith and there's no evident goodness? Look back, because He's saved us and if that's the last good thing He ever does in my life I want to be okay with that, I want to live a grateful life seeking His face and seeking after His presence.

Do I truly work for the Lord? When my job and a paycheck are removed does my work ethic or ambition change? When there is no fruit of provision through my labor does my attitude change? I think I'm finding out if I am willing to truly work for the Lord and not for money. Do I really believe that the Lord sets my feet in a wide place? Do I really believe that He will provide for my every need? Do I truly believe that He will use my gifts for His glory? Will my life honor Him?

oh Time will tell--- Time Will Tell...

Though Abraham died without ever seeing the fruit of his faith but still he had faith.

Okay.... I believe.

letting go,
-katee grace

He Can Shake the Mountains--- Find Rest In Him.

2009-06-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

Though things are unclear one thing is not, Jesus. He is not a thing either. Though the mountains fall into the midst of the sea, though I fall and fail time and again, He never leaves, He never fails, and He is never lost.
When things are unclear, keeping our eyes on Him--- INTENTIONALLY--- is crucial. I just love Jesus so much... I often hear myself saying that when my choices are so confusing and the things I pursue are confusing... I think God honors our desire to love and serve Him rightly--- I think that He's working His Word into my life. You remember those gnarly revelations you have of scripture and though you know you believe them they are not actually PART of you... I think that's where I am--- I am so tired, never have I been so tired... But I can tell He is perfecting my faith in Him.

I don't really know anything but I just really love Jesus, a lot.

You Can Shake The Mountains - Lifehouse (Blyss)

Freedom comes in the morning time
As the sun begins to shine
On my face
And even in the dark i'm not alone
You guide me by the hand
You won't let go
And i know you'll carry me when i can't walk

And you can
Shake the mountains with a whisper
And you, you speak
And i fall at your feet again

You burned the chains off of my feet
That held me to the ground
You let me rise
Don't ever let me come back down
Or even live a day apart from you
'Cause you lifted me
Higher than my doubts and fears

And you can
Shake the mountains with a whisper
And you, you speak
And i fall at your feet
And you are so beautiful
And i am so in love with you
You, you lead
And i will follow close behind

Now i'm waiting here for you
And don't be far away tonight
Lead me to the place where i can go and find rest
'Cause i'm so tired
And now let me feel your breath on my face

You can
Shake the mountains with a whisper
And you, you speak
And i fall at your feet
And you are so beautiful
And i am so in love with you
You, you lead
And i will follow close behind

You...(la di di di)
You...(la di di di)

Save Me!

2009-06-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

Today as I was on my walk I saw something---

Then I began to remember---

Then I heard the Lord begin to tell me how I want to save myself, I always want to save myself, I don't want the Lord to save me, I want to show the fruit of the Lord in my life, I want to be a big girl--- But when my best efforts prove to fail us and my sowing yields no harvest I begin to realize that I cannot save myself... Learning to surrneder and learning what I truly need. I need Jesus. When Jesus is all you have He is all you need. I'm entitled to freedom because Jesus died for me, and I'm entitled to His Love because He is Jehovah. bottom line. The Lord maintains my lot and He Alone is my Savior.
Proverbs 16:33
"The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him. "

much love,
katee grace
XO!

The Islands | Photography Connecting

2009-06-20T13:03:00.001-07:00

Living life on purpose... Doing Live Together...
Being Who We Were Created to be...

We are the body of Christ + learning to truly BE that!
Living in His Freedom!!!

Go Check out the slideshow!
http://www.kateegrace.com/#/islandgirls/

Child Hope.

2009-06-15T22:51:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had the incredible honor to meet a gathering of people who love the people of Haiti. Child Hope is an organization that rescues children from the ravines and slums of Haiti where they've lived a life of begging and slavery. Driving down to Manhattan Beach with a photo album capturing the images of laughter and peace that these precious kids have experienced since calling Maison de Lumiere home are such a testimony to the impact of love and attention of the staff, as well as the love of God.
We ate traditional Haitian food consisting of beans and rice and a chicken stew and listened as Bill and Suzette, family running and living Maison de Lumiere, shared stories of triumphs and miracles. Meeting the numerous people who love Haiti and love God was such a wonderful experience, for which I am so grateful...

This is an amazing organization that is doing wonderful things for the families of Haiti.. Educating, feeding, housing, loving, comforting, rehabilitating, etc... This is a wonderful wonderful wonderful organization to be involved with!!! :)
Go check out their website www.childhope.org and see where your heart moves you.

Summer Lovin' Inspiration!

2009-06-13T16:19:00.001-07:00

Working on the details of any dinner table can be a taxing yet extremly fun and creative venture!

As a wedding photographer I want to provide my brides with ideas and inspiration in creating their day.

Hope you enjoy the images. :)

Love of Beauty is Taste. The Creation of Beauty is Art.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Created Differently.

2009-06-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just love how God has created us each different. As a photographer I really really appreciate every person's unique and amazing and intricate and beautiful features. I just love it!!!

One feature that I notice on some people and really love it is when their cheeks get this rosy coloring I think from physical exertion or excitement but it's not just where the whole face is rosy but just around the cheekbone down toward their chin... I don't know why I just love this! I am so funny.

Also I love freckles, freckles coupled with the above description is sweet too! :)

Happy Sunday!!
much peace.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's own handiwork His workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew

Girls Inc. & Mentor Program

2009-06-01T17:58:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the wonderful privilege to work with Girls Inc. on their altruistic and passionate endeavors to strengthen and encourage girls to be the women they were created to be through their program "Take Our Daughters To Work." It was really incredible! I was paired up with two really sweet and talented girls whose view of the business of photography had been much like mine at their age so it was really neat to just give them guidance and encouragement to do what they are passionate about as well as ardently pursuing how to bless people through their passion.

After I had lunch with Stephanie and Jocey we headed out to meet our fun-lovin' and super cute couple Evan + Laura. I set up a mock engagement session with this couple who though they are not engaged are very sweet and super fun and knew they would be the perfect couple for this endeavor.

Encouraging these two sweet girls to just pursue those things that they were created for and that they were created for something as well as sharing my own experience and love for photography was truly an honor and something that I'll always cherish and pray that they will live the lives they were meant to live, in freedom and passionately. Being able to share with these girls just the love I've found through serving people in photography needs and the greater love I gain for each couple as I meet with them and talk with them and photograph their moments, really inspiring to me just to share the joy and love I experience in my work.

Here's Stephanie & Joceyln's beautiful work with Laura & Evan, so cool that they were up for just about anything, including pretending to be part of the Swiss Family Robinson's climbinb in trees! I love that they honestly do goof around and climb trees even before "J" suggested they take a climb! (Me and the girls talked about trying to bring the people's personalities out in the photographs we take of them... so cool to see their imagination and creativity!!)

I am so impressed and thankful for this program and look forward to working with their mentor program in the future and encourage you as well to share and connect with Girls Inc or another local mentor program that's reaching out to the kids of our communities so they can feel loved and valued and encouraged in their dreams... Encouraging one another in our dreams and those things we were created to do is so so necessary!!! Encouraging our friends and others in our communities makes a vital difference.

Kenyon Sports Conditioning

2009-05-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

The last couple months I have been meeting with Jenny of Kenyon Sports Conditioning for some training sessions. Having fun and working out hard are two things that don't often go hand in hand for me, but the over the course of these training sessions Jenny has really pushed me beyond what I thought I could do and my body is so grateful as well as the mental clarity that comes when the blood and muscles of my body are functioning correctly!

Jenny does Sports Conditioning for athletes as well as people like you and me. She's so stinkin' funny and kind yet really pushes me at the same time! Fabulous workouts, what an oxymoron huh? I think her approach with athletes is a bit more intense though, ha!

"The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little." -Thomas Merton

Jenny Kenyon

805.708.7171

kenyonsports@gmail.com

Alex + Amanda

2009-05-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

I am working on a little project, I will be keeping you updated when the final project comes! But for this project this sweet couple, Alex + Amanda, came and hung out with me and my videographer Nicholas for a bit, so much fun!

I've posted a blog over at www.kateegrace.blogsot.com but I wanted to share with you as well a few shots from our time together-

Thanks guys for such a sweet time---

And to all my blog readers, Enjoy your beautiful weekend and I look forward to sharing my "project" with you soon! :)

Are you brave enough to say hi? :)

2009-05-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Beginning relationships is a tricky situation, it takes a lot of gumption to approach a girl in the beginning... Little Alec here seems to have it all nailed down. Maybe we could learn a bit from him!
Check out his book "How to Talk to Girls" at your local bookstore or online.

Ellen interviews sweet Alec below... SO PRECIOUS!! She and her team actually is the reason "How to Talk to Girls" by Alec Greven was published.

And here Alec talks about his book after Ellen helped him get it published.

Do you have any relationship advice for those unsure of their next step?

love stories...

2009-05-16T22:14:00.000-07:00

I love to hear peoples love stories!

meetings | introductions | uncertainty | pursuit | falling in love | personal journeys in love

Whether it's my brides and grooms or novels or personal friends just sharing their love stories I absolutely adore hearing about the journeys of two hearts and lives joining--- I love love stories!
Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors, his books are sappy and wonderful! Though his books are all love stories, each couple is a bit different with their love, expression and journey unique to them.
I just finished reading "The Wedding," and want to give it a ***** (5-star) rating!

What's your favorite romantic movie or book???

Community...

2009-05-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

The scriptures tell us that where we live is on purpose...

Acts 17:26-27
And He made from one common origin, one blood, all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definately determined their allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation, So that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after Him and find Him, although He is not far from each one of us.
v. 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being...

The people God has surrounded around us are on purpose, in the various areas of our lives... Lord please show us your purposes and enlarge our hearts to allow you to knit us together with those around us...

I pray we will celebrate what God is doing in our lives at each moment and embrace those around us, cherishing and being intentional about every opportunity God has given us to bring His Kingdom to live in our lives, our spheres of influence...

Farmer's Market & Locally Living.

2009-05-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

Community: a unified body of individuals; an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location

As Donne and Merton both asserted throughout their work, "No Man is an Island." They spoke the truth!!! We need each other and living in intentional community is a life-giving experience, but if we pretend we can live without one another then we will go without one another.

In Santa Barbara we have a Farmer's Market 6 days of each week which not only allows for local farmers to sell to their neighbors and provides us as a community to knit ourselves together and support one another as well as nourish our families and friends with goods that are reliable and local.

Among various vendors above click here to contact Rancho San Julian Beef to supply your next bbq event!

Here's to living locally... and living in the moment.

Happy Mother's Day Momma!!!

2009-05-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Mom--- I LOVE YOU! You're an amazing woman and the song below is dedicated to you! Thanks for being a wonderful and caring and personally concerned mother always believing in me... and for being the same to other girls who've needed your love and faith. You are heroic in more ways than I feel I could ever grasp... thanks for your courage and love.

Mom's all around... I respect Mother's and am happy we have a day to honor you!

Somebodys Hero - Jamie ONeal

Santa Barbara Jesusita Fire

2009-05-07T15:36:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know, we are experiencing another round of terrible fires in Santa Barbara.
I pray that those who have lost their homes would be comforted and that we as a community would come alongside one another and really come together for our neighbors. I personally evacuated to some friend's home though my home is thankfully in no harm, I was in an evacuation warning. Due to the ash falling like snow from the sky and the terribly loud noise of helicopters flying overhead to load up with water I found shelter among friends.

And Lord we ask that you would please protect the fire fighters and give their families peace and encouragement to pray and love them...

Wonderfully Made

2009-05-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

Today I dropped into the Wonderfully Made Spring Conference in Santa Barbara this afternoon and I thought I was just going to grab some shots for them but as I was shooting and listening, I was so blessed! As Jennifer Strickland began to share her story I held my camera but as I listened it took everything within me to hold back the tears that were filling my eyes, thank God for auto-focus! :)
Here's a quick video about Jennifer Strickland, one of the speakers to the girls today. She was so sincere and very beautiful, inside and out. She began to share how we try to fill ourselves with so many things in this world (she put various items such as pills, lipstick, sunglasses, photos of boys, etc... into a vase and showed how there were still empty spaces, those things doesn't fulfill us or satisfy us... but then she began pouring water into the vase, representing the water that Jesus gives (remember woman at the well) and the more water she poured into the vase the water filled in the empty spaces and the volume of the water began to push the other things out of the vase and when she was finished the vase was filled with water...)

Wonderfully made is the vision of Allie Smith, a precious and true woman of God, with such an incredible and humble and determined heart for women... for women to be the women they were created to be...
Here's Allie:

Summer Dinners and dear amigos.

2009-05-02T21:58:00.003-07:00

thankful.

laughter.

love.

peace.

unity.

Acts 17:26.

Thanks for the fun fellowship, sweet friendships, hearty laughs and basically walking through life together... XOXO... whether pictured above or not, God has knit us together in love and I'm so stoked and thankful!

Sheesh I'm Blessed!

our past is just that "PAST"

2009-04-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

It's so funny how we sometimes try to pretend that our pasts don't exist. Though the moment that we received Christ's love and forgiveness we became new, we still have a past that we should find no shame in, because we are new, Jesus is restoring our lives back to what He intended them to be in the garden.
The other day I was telling a friend something and almost out of nowhere he replied "Katee, don't pretend that your past wasn't your past..." In some shock I responded and said, "I know..." It was totally the Holy Spirit because I've been sort of reliving some things from my life before Christ and sort of wondering how on earth God was going to work that out.. I think instead of putting God in a box of what I understand and can personally manipulate I should just let go and trust Him and be free in Him. My friend and I went on chatting and I realized that God knew from the foundations of the earth the decisions that I would choose and has been preparing the man to be my husband for me and me for him since the beginning of our lives.
So funny because our friends are put in our lives for a reason, often they keep us accountable to not only our actions but our inner turmoils and decisions. This friend totally called me out as he asked if I've been going over this dilemma for the past few weeks, of course my answer was yes. The Holy Spirit has such a neat and real way of knitting us together as the body of Christ, truly we live and move in Him.
God so graciously and kindly gave me this song, really dropped it into my lap by Watermark called "Mended." I just have to post the lyrics because they are just beautiful... then go listen here
Mended
You repair all that we have torn apart and
You unveil a new beginning in our hearts and
We stand grateful for all that has been left behind and
All that goes before us

Chorus:
You've got all things suspended
All things connected
Nothing was forgotten
'Cause your love is perfect
You are our healer
And you know what's broken
And we're not a mystery to you
(to you, oh Lord, to you)

We will dance 'cause you restore the wasted years and
You will sing over all our coming fears and
We'll stand grateful for all that has been left behind and all that goes before us

-Chorus-

Bridge:
Lord, you mend the breech
And you break every fetter
You give us your best, but what we thought was better
And you are to be praised
You are to be praised (4x)

-Chorus-
(to you, oh Lord, mender of the broken)

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

Trevor + Bethany's Journey

2009-04-26T00:11:00.000-07:00

Today we began to celebrate the wedding of Trevor + Bethany and I had the wonderful privilege of being a part one of Bethany's showers.
Yummy food, sweet company to honor a wonderful girl! Couldn't beat that for a Saturday afternoon!
Click here to view her sweet slideshow!