Praying Specifically :)

Dear Friends & Family:

I have a request that you all would pray for concerning my future. As of May 7^th, 2011, I will be walking in the commencement ceremony at Illinois State University and officially receive my degree in August of 2011. In the entire job searching fiasco, I’ve come up short. However, in walking with the Lord for the past 18 years, I come to understand that this is where the Lord delights to show himself.

                It is absolutely imperative that I find a job to help support the beautiful little house we were blessed with late last Fall whilst Jar finishes up his last couple semesters at ISU. After having a wonderful conversation with my friend Sarah Frank this past Saturday, she encouraged me to specifically pray for the Lord to move directly in my life and that he delights in this! So I posted this blog to ask you to come alongside me in prayer, if you feel so lead. The areas in which I’m praying specifically for in the job searching is the following:

·         30k+
·         involve something that I am good at
·         By June
·         Building up of photography clientele to eventually become a full-time photographer...

thank you all for your love and prayers :)

Julie

Warm Thoughts of Spring

Sometimes I just have to stop and remind myself how grateful I should be in life. Honestly. I've got probably the best, most exciting months ahead of me. There is something about the spring semesters of college that get me excited. Maybe its because I know that warmer, more delightful weather is coming my way so there seems to be a "spring" in my step. (Pun on the word intended). Maybe it's because this particular spring semester is my last one of college.  or just maybe it's because Jared's parents were gracious enough to help us buy a house that we get to work on all semester. hmm but it also could be because I'm getting married to my best friend and man of my dreams after this semester. [yes, i think thats it :) ]

I have finally stepped back and realized how incredibly blessed I am at this very moment. Honestly, there is so much going for me right now... I don't want to mess it up. But all of this means nothing unless I point it all to God and say "I'm extremely humbled, Lord. Thank you."

Spring is so inviting. So exciting. Fresh air. Warmer weather. Jeans and a blouse or maybe even a tank top embellished with these cute little flowers that I'm going to learn how to make before long...

This Spring will be the best one yet. My most disciplined season yet. A season of expectation and hope. 

So, I get caught up with the ideas of Spring and look at the calendar and remember that it's only the beginning of January. Spring semester hasn't even started yet (only 4 more days of break). And I lean to get my blanket, fleece, and cozy up on the couch until my hot chocolate is done warming up.

She's at it again, folks!

Goodness, life is hard...
txt that I got from my sis today: "You'll make the choice to forget today and then make the same choice tomorrow or the next day but only in the power of the Holy Spirit will you overcome."

I'm starting over a couple of things this new year. For most of this past year I have relied on myself to try to fix problem-areas. Relying on self and determination, I thought I could get anywhere I wanted to be. Oh how this is NOT TRUE! I had a perfect little picture of what my life was going to look like when I graduated college when I was a senior in high school. I was going to go to Bradley to study multimedia, I was going to be a straight A student, and be married by a certain time. Well, the Lord had other plans for me and THANK GOD he did! Now, here I am, a senior at Illinois State University, celebrating my very last semester of formal academic education. I'm getting ready to marry the man of my dreams. Although it isn't always easy-- in fact, it's mostly hard-- I know that the Lord has put us together for a high and mighty calling that will blow our minds and glorify His Kingdom.

But on top of everything, I'm mostly looking forward to get back into routine and schedule. Last Spring was a really good semester for me, and I hope this upcoming Spring semester will be the same. I haven't really told anybody this and no one will still know because no one reads my blog lol.. but I've decided to sign up for the 12-Week Challenge at Gold's Gym. The winner gets a cash prize for their age group and are entered the win the national golds gym challenge-- which is $75,000! I'm cutting back on hours at my two jobs (Aerie & Oakwod) so that I can make time to hit up the gym during the evenings and shape up my lifestyle. I have a gut feeling that this is it. That this is will be the time that I can finally do it. Finally make my goals. Go after what I know I need to do and do it! Like I said -- I haven't told anyone really about this. Like honestly, no one knows. I've kept it quiet in case I fail - which is kinda of odd. But I'd like to surprise friends and family with results rather than say what I'm doing and see no results. But anyways, with this challenge, I get to meet with trainers for weekly weigh-in's to keep me on track for the next 12 weeks! I'm so excited!

Honestly, my prayer has been that I could thoroughly enjoy these next 5 months as a single woman and not wish away the time! I pray that I am intentional with my time here on earth and understand my life is NOT about me -- it's about HIM.

To Him be the glory.
Julie

Art of Love

it's not perfect
but it's worth it
and its always getting better
its gonna some time to get it right...

I'm still learning the art of love
I'm still trying to not mess up
So whenever I stumble let me know.
you need to spell it out
cause i'm still trying to learn the art of love

Sailing Admist Storms

We're adrift on a sailboat
My love is the sea
Yours is the horizon
Constant and steady

You set my limbs locked hard afloat
Lifted my lonesome sails
The tide is out, the moon is high
We're sailing

Darling, your love is healing
It makes the bitter sweet
Warms the winter to spring again
Secures the colds defeat

We're cutting anchor
Casting out into the glorious deep
The tide is out, the moon is high
We're sailing

When we've succumb to decrepitude
Still our love will remain in its youth

The tide is out, the moon is high
We're sailing



-Brooke Fraser-

Cutting Back to the Essentials

I'm beginning to frustrate myself -- too many things that I get involve in that stretch me too far... don't get me wrong ... getting out of your comfort zone is good.. but that's not the kind of stretching that I'm talking about. I'm talking about trying to do everything that you think might be a good idea and then leaving yourself dry and empty by the end of the day with nothing accomplished.  Lately, I've tended to be a bit spastic. just ask Jar, he'll tell you. Some days I don't feel like myself-- like I'm in a funk.  It's so funny how matter of fact Jared is... totally balances me out. I have to have a drawn out explanation for why I do every single thing and he's like "just do it" or "don't do it--bad idea"

I get frustrated with myself because I need nothing more right now then to sit down (preferably at Starbucks with a grande hot Peppermint Mocha) and finish clients photos and hone down my vision for Jared & Julie Morr Photography and my worship team... But alas, other obligations are calling me and I never have enough time in one day to finish everything that I need to get done. Help! How do you cut back and get down to the essentials? Knowing that God has allotted you this certain amount of time and do what we can with it? Any ideas and suggestions are welcome... my sanity and future husband thanks you.

Can I ask you to pray with us?

Jared and I are praying hard. We have an opportunity to purchase an amazing, beautiful little house in Tremont that is going up for auction this Saturday, between 10a-12p. After going through the open house last weekend, it is so incredibly perfect for Jared & I. However, we do know that the Lord may have other plans for us, but we believe that this. could. be. it.

It could be our home for the next 10 years, if the Lord allows. The basement is perfect for an in-home studio for our photography business.

So, anyways, I write this to ask those of you who are reading this (if any lol) to partner with Jared and I in prayer this last week before the auction -- we would love your support!!