A Night Out

So one night my parents decided to go out to dinner at a pizza place that we had never been to so we could hear some friends from our church play live music.It was wonderful. The weather wasn't too hot and the music was great! The pizza place was called Jonah's pizza and we had only hear good thing about it. YUM!

I wore my rainbow that I just got :) what great shoes!!

~ my parents. aren't they cute? ;)

 

Ah, it was beautiful downtown and the sunset was great.

It was a fun night!!

Maddy K.

Hello Again!

Happy Almost Fall! I am so excited for cooler weather, jeans and sweatshirts! Now that I have started to adjust to my new school schedule, hopefully you will be hearing a lot more from me.

I took these pictures last week of an egg one of our chickens laid. One of the chickens lays spotted eggs (those are my favorite).

To you Bloggers out there:

hey, bloggers, I need your feed back. I just want to know. I'm curious as to where you get your inspiration to blog. How do you think of what to blog about. I've always wondered where people get their inspiration. Comment and give me your answers. Blogger- to- Blogger.

Where Have I Been?

Gee, Where have I been?
I have been in North Carolina working in a camp kitchen for the last 2 weeks. I had such a great time and made lots of fun friends! There is my excuse for neglecting this blog. I'm back now and school is almost in full session!!
So instead of giving you the details of my life from the past 2 weeks (which would take forever, by the way) I am just going to jump right into the details of now. This post may be all over the place but we'll just see what happens!

I am excited to jump right into school and see what new and exciting things I will learn this year and how I will grow and stretch as a student. I'm also a little bit nervous as I am starting a new school this year and I will be taking some harder courses. Even though summer sporadic-ness is nice I think a school schedule will be just as much appreciated :)
The last week of summer I managed to squeeze in some friend time. On Saturday my church youth group went downtown and handed out hot dogs and hamburgers to people and then we went swimming. Doesn't summer just scream swimming? I think it does. So that was definitely a summer-feeling day.
Here is a picture I took of one of my friends with my waterproof point and shoot:

You know what else screams summer? Ice cream for dinner. That's right I did that. Well, actually it was frozen yogurt so that's healthier right? We recently got a new frozen yogurt place in town. It rocks! I also went there with some friends last night.
It's sad to think that summer 2011 is over. You don't realize how fast it goes until it's over and you are trying to figure out where the time went. Now it's time for school year 2011-2012. And I'm ready... I think?

Happy school days,
Maddy K.

Where Trust Comes From

You know what I haven't done lately? Blogging just for the sake of blogging. Blogging just to give my followers a peek into my mind. So here I go. I'm gonna blog just for the sake of blogging :)
I know that there are no pictures and I know that over half of you won't even read this, but this is more of a post for me. 

Gosh, when I think about the past 3 weeks of my life a flood of memories fills my mind. Mainly memories and events that have taught me something. Usually when I learn something in a situation it means that things didn't go my way and I had to learn to let go, or wait, or just plain give up.
Often times I find myself talking to God like this 'Lord, I know that you know what you are doing here, but if you would just do things this way (my way) I am certain that things will turn out great!' Boy am I wrong. And that's the frustrating part. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a time in life where everything and everyone was predictable? You knew what was coming so you could just prepare yourself and everything would be fine and dandy. Well that's not the way this life thing works.
You see, God designed it so that we walk around blindfolded. Not knowing where we are going or where he will take us next. When I think about that it makes me kind of mad. Why wouldn't he let me see what is up ahead?
But, then you think about it more and you get more into the details. Like if you knew what was coming next there would be no trust, no surprises, no faith to jump out on. It'd be like going on a roller coaster and knowing every twist turn and spin- it would lose it's excitement.
And if we really knew what was coming next we would try to get out of it. Life would be lived in anticipation. If we see something great up ahead we would rush through all the not-so-great parts of life. And most of the time those not-so-great parts of life are really what make life better. They make you, you, they make you cling to the only constant thing in this life, they set your eyes not on your circumstance but on the One carrying you through life. And suddenly, when your focus is back on the One, the not-so-great arts of life seem not-so-bad anymore. Because you know that whatever you go through in this life- weather you see it coming or not- you know that He will always be holding you and he will never let you go. That's where trust comes from. And that is why I will go through this life blindfolded, but clinging to the One who knows where we are going.

Turtle Back Falls!

I get to go somewhere pretty awesome tomorrow. I've only been there once before and I've been itching to go back ever since. It's a place called Turtle Back Falls.
If I tried to explain to you in words what turtle back falls is, you would get a very strange image in your head. Thank the Lord for pictures. So, alog with my strange description of the phenomenal place I get to go to tomorrow I will share a picture (but you have to promise not to laugh, because this was taken last year and I look like a goober).
Turtle Back falls:  Is a place where water runs off of a natural curved rock shaped like the back of a turtle's shell (hence the name). The rock is smooth enough so that you can slide off of it, along with the water into a deep pool of water. Along with the turtle back shaped rock is other rocks of different sizes and shapes that you can jump of if you so desire. Even if you are afraid of heights, it's still a fun place to go.
I'm like SO excited! A group from my church is leaving tomorrow morning around 8:00 am. We are gonna drive up and pack a lunch for when we get there. After all the fun is had we will change, have a nice dinner and head home. We hope to be home around 11:00! Should be a long, but fun day! If I haven't mentioned already, I'm REALLY excited :)

Now, here is the picture so you can get an idea in your head. (remember, no laughing)

you can tell by the look on my goobery face what a great time I am having :)

What adventures are you up to this fine weekend?

Maddy K.

A Baby

I babysat a sweet, sweet baby boy from my church this morning. I took it as an opportunity to snap some pictures, but this morning also reminded me of a very simple principle...

A baby. It depends on it's mother for food, it's trusts it's parents to keep it safe. It feels secure in their loving arms. It never doubts that it's mother will care for and love him or her. The baby trusts it's mother to provide for it's every need. From the day it's born, a baby is soothed by the sound of his mother's voice. As it grows, it learns to obey it's parents because it trust their guidance.
We, as Christians are told to have Childlike faith. When you think of a child, those are some of the things you think of. The Lord tells us to trust Him like a child trusts it's mother. We can depend on him, trust him and find our security in him. Their is no doubting his love for us. He calls us to grab a hold of his hand and follow him. With no worries, no doubts, no cares, just trust.

My hair- 'hair fixin'

I usually don't do any cosmetic posts, but it's always nice to try something new... sooooo...

About my hair: Typically described by me as having a mind of it's own. I'm too impatient to blow-dry it, and if I do I only do it partially, giving up. Most mornings I wake up wondering if it will be wavy, kinky, straight, everywhere, or just perfect so I don't hardly have to run a comb through it (and on those days I am thankful). One quick look in the mirror and the mystery is solved.
Then comes my next mystery. What in the world am I gonna do with it? A lot of times most of the time I just leave it down, settling for the fact that is doesn't look 'that bad', on rare occasion I will straighten it (depending on where I'm going that day), often I give up fighting my poor hair that can't make up it's mind and just put it up in a pony tail.
Something you should know is that I am very unskilled in the area of 'hair fixin'. I can't french braid, part of me is too afraid to try anything new, and when I do try something 'it just doesn't look right'. Does anyone feel the same way? Well, one day I was in the mood to try something new with my hair. And when that opportunity arises, I jump on it. I had nowhere to be, so I wasn't racing the clock. I made myself go to my room and just t.r.y.
After a bit of frustration and tweaking, to get the look I wanted... THIS is what I ended up with. These are SOOC.

from the side

from the front-ish

And one more.

Now, it may not look like much, but for my it was a big deal. I was really excited!! It was nice because it kept my hair out of my face, and it looked pretty cute ( I think).
Now, since this day I have tried new things, and I have tried to recreate this 'hair fixin', but haven't been quite as successful. If any of you guys have any quick and easy 'hair fixins' that doesn't take much skill leval then I would be so grateful to hear about it or read a blog post. Please let me know!!

Thanks for reading, Maddy K.

How we do life

So today I got to hangout with some friends, unexpectedly. I hadn't seen them in a longgggg time and I ran into them at lunch and we hung out for a while. It was nice to catch up with them. I love it when you make one decision- like where you will go for lunch- and your whole day changes for the good.
One of my friends, Mary Helen is an aspiring photographer too, and we always like to take pictures together. Check out her blog! She asked me to take a picture for her that she had in mind so we headed outside before I left... did I mention that I got my driver's license? It is wonderful to be able to drive places!!
Here are a few pictures that we took today :)

I kinda sorta have a thing for feet pictures. Have I mentioned that?

She's so cute :)

 

I love that smile, I love that laugh. Warms my heart. Now, go check out her blog. really. You don't know your missing! http://mhdouglas.blogspot.com/

I had a good day. How was yours?

Maddy K.

Blog Interview with Ali!

I have been following Ali's blog for a while, and I have always been interested in her blog and creativity. I contacted her to be interviewed and I have really enjoyed getting to know her more through email. She is a really encouraging blogger and I definitely suggest that you follow her blog :) She will have you smiling in no time!

Ali's interview:
Thanks so much Maddy for interviewing me on your blog! It means so much! :)

 1.What made you start a blog? I originally started a blog with my best friend and cousin, Haven and the blog is called Naturally More.  At that time we knew absolutely nothing about blogging, but we wanted to do it together. Then I decided I wanted to start my own blog-Livin My Life 4 Jesus-because my cousin, Haven wasn't posting as much as I was on our blog, and mostly all that I was posting was just about me. I decided to create my own blog because I loved doing it so much!

 2.How do you choose what to blog about? The pictures I take determines what I blog about. If I take pictures of a bunch of flowers-I'll post about flowers. ;)

3.What inspired your blog title- 'Livin my Life 4 Jesus'? What inspired me to title my blog the way I did was because the one and only reason I am blogging, and living this life is because JESUS made me, and died for me. I want to live every day for him, I want to live my LIFE for Him. My blog is about every day that I live, living it for Him!

4.After following your blog for a while, I know that you love photography. What first got you interested in it? I first got interested in photography when I turned 13 almost a year ago. I got my point and shoot from my family for my birthday, and ever since then, I've been capturing beautiful moments of life as much as I can! :) What got me interested in it was seeing people on blogs taking pictures of such incredible/pretty things! I wanted to be just like them and be a photographer. So I started experiencing with my camera, and I'm trying to make my point and shoot work. ;)

5. As you take a picture what goes through your mind? When I take a picture lots of things go through my head. But just a few are: 1. I'm an idiot. Is this picture really gonna turn out? 2. I can't wait to edit this, and share it! and 3. Does anybody see me kneeling on the ground taking these? I hope not. ;)

6.Is there a certain photographer that inspires you most? Oh, lots and lots of photographers inspire me. But I would have to say Kiley from Click and Capture does most. I know her in real life and she is one of my best friends. I hang out with her often, and I love to see her click and capture with her SLR. I would go check out her blog, because she rocks at taking pictures. She has the cutest baby sister that she takes pictures of too, and she knows exactly how to take unique shots! :) This one of Kasandra is my favorite of all the pictures she's taken. I love it! :) 

7.What is your favorite season to photograph? I love to photograph spring! Spring is just a pretty season and has the best weather for photographing! I love to capture flowers, and nature outside!

8. What camera do you use? Lens? I use a Fujifilm. A black one to be exact. And it's a point and shoot. So no, there is no lens. I try to be unique with my photos to make them good, but right now I don't need an SLR. Not quite yet. ;)

9.If you could travel anywhere in the world and stay there for a whole week (cost covered) where would you choose to go?
Hmm, If I could go anywhere for a whole week I would go to Paris. Wow. I can't believe I just wrote Paris down. I would usually put Hawaii or something, but just the thought of going out of the US, and seeing the wonderful Paris, would be amazing!

10.What other hobbies do you spend your time enjoying? I also love to bike, play volleyball, hang out with friends, go to youth group, and just hang out with family! I'm not just a girl who loves photography, I also love to be active and stay outside and go biking or something! :)

11. What other hobbies do you spend your time enjoying? My advice for bloggers or photographers? Well, for bloggers: Just be yourself! On your blog make sure you post what you want to post, and say what you want to say, and if people like your style they will follow you! And if not, then you can't do anything about it! Don't change you because of other people! Just let people choose if they want to follow you! And photographers: be unique with your photos! Try to do different things with your camera that you see no one else doing! :)

Thanks again, Maddy! Now everyone go check out my blog! Livin My Life 4 Jesus!

Birthday!!

I just wanted to post and mention that yesterday I turned 16 years old!! Crazy, I can't believe it. I feel like I have learned and grown so much since last year. I have met new people and experienced so many more adventures. 15 was a great age, but I am so glad to see what 16 will be like- with the freedom of driving!! I will post pics soon!

No excuses

Hello, Fellow bloggers!
I hope you have all had a great summer so far! I know I have. It has been exciting, busy and fun all rolled into one. I really am sorry that I haven't blogged in a long time. I wish I could give you a list of excuses as to why I have been slack blogging, but why don't I just tell you what I have been up to instead. OK!

Well, this past week was VBS at my church. There was lots of action going on in that building. I was signed up as one of the leaders for the 4k class. So that meant that I was co-in charge of 17 four and five year olds. There was a lot of them, but I really enjoyed getting to know them and love on them. There are some really sweet little kiddos out there!

Some days after VBS me and some of my friends that helped out too, went out to lunch and then hung out. We went swimming, bowling... it was fun! After a full week I was worn out! --So much, that now I have a cold. YAY BOO! Hopefully I will be better by my birthday in 2 days! I'm so excited about that :)

I will be blogging a lot more now that things have slowed down a bit around here. I have some blog ideas and also a blog interview that I need to post (Ali I will get on that!)!

Now that I have blabbed on typed on about my life, I will end this post with a picture.
I took this a while ago, but I thought I'd share it now. Just goofin off with the camera. I love doing that!

What has been on your summer schedule?

~Maddy K.

Tale as Old as Time

Tonight was our third performance of Beauty and the Beast! I can't believe it is almost over. It makes me sad! These past couple weeks have been so much fun! We put on this amazing show in just 2 short weeks!
I have made some great friends and really learned a lot about the makings of a play. I wish all of you could see it! We have a great cast! A great dance number for 'Be Our Guest' and 'Gaston'- my two  favorites!
Man it has been so fun! I don't want it to end!!

Have a good weekend,
Maddy K

Beach Pics

Hello! Man this past week has been crazy, but without further ado- here are the pictures from the beach! We went with some of our friends for my mom's birthday. We all had a really great time! It was fun laying out and getting a good tan, going out for dinner, watching sunsets. Ahhh. I could live there.

When we go to the beach we like to take a 'break' from lying around and we go take walks down the beach. There was a man that built sand sculptures and when we took a walk each day he would have a new sand creature built. It was awesome! We talked to him and it turns out that he is a retired Cop. haha. Who would have thought?-- not me!

The mermaids were especially neat!

 

I just love shells. And pictures of feet... odd, but I do. So I took a picture of my feet In shells!

Here is a pictures of us all dressed up for dinner :)

Afterwards we walked down to the beach to watch the sunset. -This was not a posed picture. I love it when that happens!! Cute mother-daughter moment :)

I

I can't decide if I like this picture... but I though it was interesting. What do you think?

There is nothing like a Siesta Key sunset!

 

Enjoy your summer days, 

Maddy K.

Bubble :)

Yes, I am still alive. This week has just been much crazier than I had anticipated. I am still working on editing pictures from the beach. I have done over half of them, but I want to post them all at once. I hate waiting so long after fact to post them, but...
Lately I have been rehearsing every day to be in a play at a local theater in town. We are doing Beauty and the Beast. I have been having a lot of fun with it. We have a great cast! If you live near me you should come see it. The performances are next weekend the 10th-12th. I think you would really enjoy it!
So to tie you over until I can get the rest of the pictures done... here is a picture of me blowing a bubble. Me and some of my friends were goofing of- taking funny pics and I thought this one turned out pretty cool! :)

How is your summer??
-Maddy K.

Pictures soon!!

 I'm really excited to start editing pictures from the beach soon! I think I got some good ones:)
But the editing will have to wait until tomorrow. We got home earlier tonight and I just need some chill/unpack time. So, I'm sorry my friends... you will have to wait!
Until then,
Maddy K :)

Hey!

Hello, faithful followers!
Have I mentioned that I am at the beach? Well I am, and as of Monday I have been absorbing the Florida sun. Ah, such bliss. My mom, me and some of our friends came down for the week to celebrate my mom's birthday. So far the weather has been marvelous!
Since this is the beach and quite a hoppin place to take pictures I will try to post some as soon as I get back!

Enjoy the beginning of your summer as well,
Maddy K.

Love Stands Out Concert

On Thursday Night I went to a Wayne Kerr Band Concert for their world tour for their new Album- Love Stands Out. The concert was held at a local school and you got a free CD upon entry. I'm usually not a huge concert person, but over time I have grown to love them. I was oober pumped about this one because I had heard the band several times at a Youth retreat I had gone to. Their songs are great, and they do a great job making worship songs modern. There wasn't a ton of people at this concert because it was mainly just for our church, so not only did I get a front row seat, but afterward we got to hangout with Wayne Kerr and the band. We got autographs and pictures. It was really fun!

I was close enough to just stand on my tip-toes ans snap a picture.

This picture was taken by Wayne Kerr from the stage. Me and my friends are up front. Out hands spell out 
W-A-Y-N-E-K-E-RR-!-! It was great :)

There is us afterwards with the Wayne Kerr Band!
-my friend on the end got them to autograph her face. haha!

And here we are hanging out with RAZ- base guitar and Noland- guitarist... I'm not sure where the drummer went. They were hilarious though :)

So, there you have it. The Wayne Kerr concert in a nutshell. I've been jamin to the tunes from his new CD. Love it!
Have a fantastic Weekend,
Maddy K.

Film IS fun!

A few other photographers and I went downtown to photograph a model. She is gorgeous and we had fun with the different dresses she brought to wear.
This is my first roll of film that got sent off to the lab. I am very pleased with the results! I did absolutely nothing to these pictures- no editing, cropping- nothing. I wanted you to experience with me first hand the wonders of the lab!

We started inside:

---This is the picture (above) I entered into a contest. It was picked to be in the group of finalists.---

Then we headed outside after she changed into my favorite dress. I love the colors in it: