A quick, "Hello!"

{Just because I promised several of my loyal readers back home 

that I would past some pictures while vacationing out West}

Greetings from Driggs, Idaho!

  Our temporary two week residence...

My window view when I awoke...

 Grand Tetons completely surrounding us!

 Walking a trail and enjoying the views!

[unedited pictures uploaded here...:)]

Will check in later, I am too busy soaking in the wonder and beauty

of the majestic Tetons.

HIS timing:

Spring is finally here, everything is green, and the flowers are abloom!

I love spring!

A couple of weeks ago it seemed as though it would never come...

Sometimes, I feel the same way about things in my life.

It is one of my biggest struggles...doubt and impatience.

You would think I would learn, but time after time I find myself impatiently questioning God.

Wanting to take matters in my own hands and solve my own problems.

Instead of letting the Lord make things beautiful in His timing.

Faith is letting go and letting God.

True faith drops its letter in the post office box,

and lets it go.  Distrust holds onto a corner of it,

and wonders that the answer never comes. 

-

True faith hands its case over to God, and then He works.

"Commit thy way unto the Lord, trust also in him,

and he shall bring it to pass." (Ps. 37: 5)

 

Faith is the evidence of things not seen.

When I go for walks, with just my camera,

and God, I am reminded...

that just as God brings Spring in his timing,

 

so he will work out all my life's loose ends-

in HIS timing.

Of graduations past...

It has been a very busy and eventful week...

Last night my baby sister graduated from high school.

Six years ago yesterday I graduated from high school...

I can remember the day like yesterday and all the emotions

I felt.  I was so excited yet so afraid to leave high school, 

where I had been the top dog and enter the big scary world of

 COLLEGE!

{may 19th, 2005}

{my high school graduating class}

Growing up in a small private school made me very

close with my classmates.  My senior year was filled with

several great memories, but that night six years ago, I knew

that never again when I have those high school days back.

But, life went on.  And as a matter of fact, college life was even better!!

I made some new friends and before I knew it my little sis, Brooke was graduating 

from high school and would be joining me for the one semester I had

left in college!

 {Brooke & Tim- a little boy whom she babysits

and whom this past semester I have been able to tutor}

{may 15th, 2008}

{my 8th grade English students}&

{my 9th grade Keyboarding students}

My senior year flew by and before I knew it,

I had finished my student teaching, and was gearing

up for college graduation!

 {fun college friends}

 During dress rehearsal I managed to get my own ovation 

when I tripped up the stairs, landing flat on my face!!

At least I got that out of my system before the real thing! :)

{the original '05 alma matter}

 It was a bittersweet evening...

saying, "Goodbye" and wondering, "What next?"

 {may 14th, 2009}

The next year went quickly and I was offered a couple teaching positions

in Christian schools, but God did not give me complete peace about

any of them.

Instead He allowed me to stay at home and watch yet another graduation 

of Liz- a sweet young lady who had recently became very close to me.

{may 20th, 2010}

And now we have come to 2011 and the youngest 

LaBate girl is now a high school graduate...

Wow, where have the years gone?

My sanguine, bubbly sister is about to enter COLLEGE!

And although, I do not miss it, I wish I could experience it again with her...

 {Lauren and her childhood best friend who came all the way

from Utah to share a part in this special day...}

 {Grandparents came from Texas}

 {may 19th, 2011}

Well, the celebration is not over quite yet...

Two open houses to go!  :)

{more pics to follow}

real joy

 

I am hungry...

so, I thought I would write about the meal my sisters and I made

for Mother's Day per request::

Fettuccine with Vegetables & Prosciutto

{ingredients} {4 servings}

[8 oz. fettuccine broken

1 lb. bias sliced asparagus into 1 1/2"

1 T. oil

4 chopped Roma tomatoes

3 oz. prosciutto cut in thin strips

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese

*optional: Alfredo sauce of choosing*]

Cook fettuccine, drain, and keep warm.

Meanwhile in large skillet cook and stir asparagus in hot oil for about

4 minutes or until nearly tender.

Add tomatoes and prosciutto.

Cook about 2 minutes or until heated through.

Add to fettuccine, stir gently.  Add optional 1/2 jar

of Alfredo sauce.

Sprinkle with Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

Are you hungry yet?  :)

Puffs of cotton

The sun is shining, the skies are blue, birds are singing, and signs of new life are all around!

I just want to drink in every ray of sunlight and be enveloped by the blue skies

and fluffy clouds...

It is amazing how circumstances, like the weather, have such an effect on people.

Suddenly I feel a renewed energy to be outside, I feel a spring in my step, and 

I could almost just burst out in song!  :)

Hello, Spring!

{life is good & warm sun textures applied}