the gratitude collection: {august 5, 2014}

Grateful for the love I receive from this child.  He is bookish and mischievous, precious and quick-witted and soul-bearing.  He is entirely destined for amazing things, and I feel complete when he is near.  He is my eldest, and I hope he forever knows he is loved beyond words.

Sharon | Arrow Creek Photography

The definition of success to me is not necessarily a price tag, not fame, but having a good life, and being able to say I did the right thing at the end of the day.
-Jeremy Luke

Indira Klotzer | Indira Klotzer Photography

The soul is healed by being with children.

-Fyodor Dostoyevsky

April Burns | April Burns Photography

The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.  -Wyland

Ken Gehring | Ken Gehring Photography

I'm thankful for God, that when I need Him,
He is there and that I can do what He needs of me.

Robin Chavez | Robin Chavez Photography

So very thankful we finally have our own space we can call home. So so grateful!!

Amber Carbo Privizzini | Privizzini's Passion Photography 

guest contributor:

Yesterday was one of those days that my heart overflowed with gratitude. I remember the anxiety I experienced moving home just over three years ago. We had lived on a military base almost exclusively since we got married and it was all I knew. We left our comfort zone; friends that were family and a life that was very special. I worried nonstop in the months leading to our move. Where would we live? Where would we go to church? Who would we have as friends? Who would our children play with? Would homeschooling really be a good fit for us? (And so many other questions.) I prayed a lot and I slowly learned to let go and let Him. I am so glad we do not see God’s plans for our life all at once. Sometimes it involves growing pains, sometimes it means letting go of something, and often His plan is so different from ours. I was reminded in so many ways of God's Provision as I watched our children in the lake yesterday.

Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat—they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food—for your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.
-Mathew 6:26

Ginger Unzueta | Ginger Unzueta Photography