So --

I don't know what's happened to me.

I used to blog so much...so often...so enthusiastically!

I still want to blog. I think about it quite often...but when I click new post I find myself staring for who knows how long at a blank box. A box with no words. A box with endless possibilities of words...but I just don't know which ones to use.

I am a very communicative person. I want to speak the Truth at all times. And I want to share my heart. I want to open myself up to others, and build relationships.

But then again, I'm also learning to be cautious. Part of this lifelong process of learning is learning how to build relationships -- healthy, blessed relationships that have the potential to last a lifetime. And I'm realizing the way to do that is to not always play all your cards at once.

When a person plays with fire, they get burned. Eventually, they learn that if they keep playing with fire, they keep getting burned. For some, it takes longer to learn this lesson than others. I'm beginning to. Yes, it's taken quite a while. Probably longer than it should have. But what can I say? Sometimes it takes a heck of a lot to get concepts through my thick head.

My heart is scarred.

Everybody's is. Some more than others, some less. I'm know my heart is more whole than a lot of people's. But it's also more damaged than others'. But I'm finally learning to stay away from the flames. At least, the ones that are not mine to be near.

And sometimes I overcompensate, and I don't share enough. Sometimes I still fall into my old patterns and share too much. But I believe, slowly, I'm getting to a point of balance. It's only the Lord's doing -- He gets ALL the credit and the glory. Because if it was just me, I can guarantee I'd do a lot more stupid things than I've already done. Praise the Lord He is faithful, He is true, He is my Shield, and He is my Balm of Gilead. He is LOVE. And I'm thankful beyond measure for that.

So all that to say...yeah, I would love to communicate more here on my little blog. But my heart, my life, my mind, everything in and about me is undergoing major construction right now...and a lot of times, it just leaves me a little bit quiet. I'll be back eventually.

Praise the Lord.

I have returned :)

Wow is all I can say.


Wow, I've been gone a long time. And wow, am I glad I was!


It's been an awesome "vacation". Everyone should take one once in a while. :) You get a new perspective, a new outlook...and a lot of exciting things can happen while you're gone, as was the case with me!


The Lord has used this sabbatical to "prune" my spiritual life, so to speak. He is constantly breaking the old "us" and making us into something more beautiful, isn't He?? Preparing us to be used to His glory. Making us into vessels fit for the Master's use! Amen! Thank You, Lord!


At any rate, I'll be writing a longer post in the near future -- but for now, while I'm getting my thoughts together :), I wanted to leave you all with a link -- my Mom and I's homeschool-book store! We had a huge load of books given to us by our friends at Keepers of the Faith. We are blessed to be neighbors up here in the beautiful Northwoods, where we get so much of our inspiration for photography!

So, if you're interested in taking a look at all kinds of books and videos all for $3/piece -- click here! They are all so wonderful!

At any rate, hope you all had a great summer, and are having a wonderful early fall! :)


More to come soon! Stay tuned! :)

Taking a sabbatical...

Hello Friends,

I know it's already been an incredibly long time since I've posted, but I'm going to have to tell you it'll be at least another 30 days before I post again...the Lord has laid on my heart to take a 30-day internet "vacation". While it's going to be somewhat difficult for me, I believe it'll bear good fruit. The Lord has been doing so much in my heart lately, and I believe that this is going to be just another step toward fullness in Christ!

In the meantime, keep the faith, brothers and sisters!

Many, many blessings to you!

~Noelle

Ava at play

Hey guys!

I am SO sorry! I have been so bad at keeping up with this blog. Well, what can I say? I was away for almost 3 weeks (and didn't have time to do much of anything with the computer!), got the "48-hour-flu" (yes, the "throw up" kind -- blah!), then caught a bad cold/cough thing. And I'm still recovering from it. ICK!

So I guess that's my excuse?? No, wait, I was here at home from January 31st to about February 21st or so -- huh?? Oh no! My excuse has been shattered before my very eyes! :) Well, there is no excuse. Sigh. I'm just a bad, bad person. Take me or leave me! :)

For now, I have to run. There's a whole sinkful of dishes (who feels like doing dishes when everybody in the family is sick??) to be done, and in an hour (or less), Ava is coming! From 1:00PM to 10:00PM! YIKES!

Here is a little collage I made up of this sweet little one...

She's such a sweetheart...such a good girl!

Blessings to you all...and thanks for putting up with my bad posting habits! :S

Talk to you soon, hopefully!

New post in progress...

My dear blogger friends! How could I be so neglectful of you?! :) I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since I've last posted...please except my humble apology as I bow my head low in shame!

And as this post title implies...

...there is a substantial post in progress.

Until then, folks, please be patient with me! :) I'll talk to you soon!

Random-ness...

What's up with me? Let me begin the list...

• Eighth grade. That's what's up.
• I got their newest CD a couple weeks ago and have been loving it.
• I have been journaling like crazy. (Like I told my Dad, the second my pen hits the journal, it gets stuck on rapid-fire. And I'm not kidding.)
• Mom & I got a new camera -- ((...drum roll, please...)) a Rebel XT!!! (Yes!!!)
• I've been toning and training my voice. More on this later.
• Helping Mom get ready for her trip. More on this later.
• Washing dishes, sweeping floors, watering gardens. Cooking. Laundry. Cleaning.
• Keeping in touch with the Lord, repenting when I fall short, praising Him for His amazing mercy, love, and all the miracles He shows us every single day!
• Computer techie stuff.
• Rescuing stunned birdies.
• Talking. (Really?!) Thinking. (No kidding!)
• Preparing for piano lessons hopefully to begin soon.
• Swimming in Lake Superior. (Yes, September 16th -- and I won't even say Brrr.)
• Doubling over laughing in the middle of the road, when walking with my Mom in the evening.
• Finding little furry gentlemen that won't bark locked in the car.

So there is a glimpse into my days. Hope you enjoyed yourself. I'll try to get a picture-post together soon. And please bear with me -- I'll get back to blogging! Don't worry!