Love is HardCore

People these days have all the wrong ideas about love.
They think it's something that can be fallen into, jumped into, created, or even bought.
They think love is a feeling, a mushiness around your heart slowly melts away like snow.
They think love is lust, passion that burns hot, then fades to ashes.
They think love doesn't exist, that its a word used to manipulate others.
They think love is an idea for those living in a fantasy land.
They think love is overrated.

Well. I'm here to tell you they are wrong. Love isn't selfish, it's selfless. Love isn't a feeling, it's an action. Love exists, because God IS love, and He is everywhere. Love isn't lust, because when one person truly loves another, they want what's best for the other person. Love can't be overrated, because it's one of the most powerful forces on earth.

Love fights for what is right, but never judges.

Love gives, but doesn't expect payment or returned favors.

Love speaks the truth, but without cruelty or malice.

Love can melt hearts, mold souls, and change lives.

So on this Valentines Day of 2012, remember that the point of love isn't chocolate, roses, and teddy bears because love is much BIGGER than that. It's a force that can change your life, and the lives of others. So spill out your love today and be a force for good!

And never forget, the ultimate expression of love, which was the death of Christ on the cross, where he bore the sins of the WORLD. The world. All the sins of all time that anyone ever commited, in thought, word, or deed. Can you even imagine the pain he endured? Everyone always emphasizes the physical pain Jesus endured. But can you even imagine what He was going through mentally and emotionally? God Incarnate, covered in the filth of humanity, so drenched in the sins of man that the Father, a part of Him, a part of the Trinity, turned His face away from Him. I couldn't imagine anyone having to deal with that kind of pain. And He was completely blameless. Utterly.  All for us.

And half of the time, we forget about it completely. We forget to thank Him for what He did for us.

So I propose, that this Valentines Day, we remember who taught us what love meant in the first place.

LOVE,

Ariana

Praising Jesus

Sometimes I forget how large God's plan is, and how small i am within it. How big He is and how much He knows, how well He knows me, inside and out. I mean, He created me. He knows me better than I know myself.
How easily I forget that.
But sometimes all it takes is just one little thing, one gesture, to make me realize how much He loves me. It sounds so cliche, but I mean it. It makes me feel so unworthy. What  have I dont at all to deserve to be so blessed? I havent done anything. In fact, many times I've done the exact oppasite of what He tells us to do. I don't understand why he continues to love and bless me so much. It doesn't make any sense.
Yet He does.

Every situation in my life somehow plays into it too, that's whats so amazing. Sometimes, about half way through the year, I'll look back on my list of New year's resolutions, and i'll be amazed by how many have come true even after I completely forgot about them.

I forgot, but He always remembers.

And somehow, He always provides at the right time. Like when I was looking for a photographer for my senior pictures, I discovered a woman I used to babysit for at my church is a photography major. It just blows my mind how He works like that, sometimes without my even asking.

So That's my tidbit for today.

God is awesome.

The end.

Love,

Ari

God in the Overcast

My.

I am quite thrilled that picnik is now allowing me to use the premium features for free.

Of course I am VERY sad that they are closing in April...but I am so glad I can use the premium features until then!

It's been a good day. A nice, overcast, take-pictures-and-drink-tea kind of day. 

Praise God, Who created beauty in the days with sunshine and the days without, and is creating a Home for those who are believers far more beautiful than anything on this earth. 

Seek Him, His Kingdom, and His Righteousness FIRST, 

Ari

Matthew 6:33

Skies Hold Secrets

These are my two favorite edits of the week, and I think they turned out fantastic, but the first is definitely my favorite. It's my goal to use my photography as a means of making people think, to have them look into the photo, and then into themselves, to make them ponder and contemplate. I think that first photo is a step in the right direction to making that dream come true :)

Oh how I wish I had an snocone right now!! That would be the best :)

So here's a little taste of the bygone summer for you guys, I imagine at least a few of you live up north and are currently buried in snowdrifts--enjoy the green grass and amazing summer lighting!

sigh....

I do so love it out west. These photos were all taken in Utah and Idaho, and I really believe Utah is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The hills seemed to swallow me up, but in a warm way, like a hug rather than intimidating. If God wills it, maybe I'll be out there someday, in a little town with cute thrift stores and a farmer's market, surrounded by hills and an everlasting sky.

Ari

Escape to the Unknown

So I kind of love this photo. Not only because yours truly took the photo annnndd edited it, but also because it really expresses the kind of editing I've really been into lately. Unusual, yet  innovative and thought provoking.

Mwaha.

I really like this one too!!

I also have a few pictures from pinterest to share!!

This hair is sooo pretty.

I kind of really want this poster...hehe just sayin!

Ooooooooooh. Pretty cooolors.

You could kind of say I like multicolored hair

Awwwwwwwww

....Favorite :)

Have a great rest of the week girlies!!!

Love,

Ari

Look what I found! A blossom! In the middle of January! Only in Florida...

And some pictures from this past summer that I never got to share with you guys...

Look at her sticking out her tongue!! Isnt she just adorable??

Anyways...

Yeah. I don't really have alot to say.

But have a great rest of the weekend guys!!

Love,

Ari

Floral

If I could choose any location to take my senior pictures, that field of poppies would be it. Speaking of which, I found a photographer, and lucky for me, a girlfriend from church is a photography major, so she's going to be taking my pictures!! I just need to find a location...and I can't figure it out! The beach is too cliche...and my dream is to have my senior pictures in a field, so maybe I'll go out somewhere that is more country, so maybe there's an awesome field out there that we take pictures in!

Anyway, here are some pictures from pinterest that I love, some room decoration ideas, and other awesome stuff :)

I want to implement this idea, so so much.

I kinda want to make all of these pillows and then put them on my bed, and yeah. It'll look really cute.

So cute!!

Cutest picture ever!! I just love red squirrels, they are so much better than grey squirrels!!

This is what I want when I'm older. To still be in love with my husband, still totally and madly in love.

Love,

Ari