Retraction

Wow, here I said a few posts back that I would, EVERY time I post, list three things that I am thankful for and in the last three posts, I failed to do so once. So, to make up for it, here are some things I have been thankful for recently:

~ A short, relaxing vacation in San Diego with my Mom, Emily, and Erin. I particularly enjoyed swimming in the ocean for the first time this year, watching the surfers and the gorgeous waves at San Clemente on the way home, and for just a fun time hanging out with three amazing people!

~ A fresh reminder of where my dad is and most importantly, WHOM he is with. Is that right? Whom? or Who? I never know. It made me long to be with Jesus more.

~ I am still enjoying those Kindergarteners. They bring so many smiles to my face. I enjoy going to work each day.

~ God reminding me of how much I need to depend on Him alone.

~ Sisters and Mothers. I mean, I only have one of each obviously, but sisters and mothers are wonderful in general.

~ Cooler weather.

~ Becky and Hannah. They are so fun to work with! And drive to San Diego with! And yes I am ending my sentences with prepositions! Is that not grammatically correct?

San Diego

This past weekend I went to San Diego with some people I love! Here is a smattering of pictures I took. I could't stop, it was so beautiful there. Lately I have been obsessed with Alicia Bock's photography. Her pictures have a vintage feel. From what I can tell she likes to use a polaroid. Or else she gives her photos a polaroid feel. Either way I love the light, pastel colors in her photos and I must admit they influenced my editing of these shots.
The weekend was so nice and relaxing! A perfect chance to get away, think on God's power by watching and swimming in His mighty waves and to look at His dazzingly beautiful creation! He is so awesome and I long to see the Creator face to face!

Surfer Em

I LOVE my cool sister!

Dany and Thomas

As I have said in the past, I am by no means a great photographer, but I have always loved photography and enjoy any opportunity to practice. So I was extremely excited when Thomas agreed to Dany's plan for me to take their engagement pictures.
Dany is from Germany and I first got to know her eight years ago when she came here to live with us my senior year of high school. Dany wanted to live with a Christian family with daughters that went to a public school. So, our family was a perfect fit. I was devastated when Dany went back home because I felt that she had become a sister to Emily and me. Thankfully, God provided for her to come to Master's two or three years later. She would stay with us over summer breaks and she has been living with us again since she started the teaching credential program. She now teaches German to Kindergarteners!
Dany and Thomas met at Master's and started dating over two years ago. Thomas is from Zimbabwe and they plan on going there after he finishes seminary at TMS. They are getting married in December, most likely in Germany. I'm still attempting to make it there, but we'll see.
Dany and Thomas are both very kind and humble people. I learn so much from their gentle spirits and I am SO GLAD that God has brought them together and has allowed them to get married!
Here are the pictures. I promise this is not becoming a photography blog. I feel ridiculously pretentious enough posting these. :)

Direction

I recently noticed that my frequency in blog posting has significantly decreased within the last few months. There are various reasons why this is the case, but one of them is the fact that there is not much direction or point to this ol' blog. Not that every blog has to have a main focus, but still, as I was reminded today at church, we are to do ALL to the glory of God, and this little blog is no exception.
So, I was doing some thinking. I don't think I ever explained the title of my blog. I guess it's pretty self explanatory, but for those of you who may not know, a "red letter day" is one to celebrate. As believers, every day is one of celebration because we have been saved! Christ has risen and is ALIVE and is preparing a place for us. No matter the trial, no matter the circumstance, we have much reason to celebrate.
So from here on out, I plan to have this blog be a reminder to myself and to you that we have much reason to rejoice. I'm going to start out with listing a minimum of three things I am thankful for each time I post. Whether it be major or minor. We have much to be thankful for.

Today in particular, I thank God that/for:

1) He has blessed Becky and me with a relatively obedient group of kids this year. These Kindergarteners seem excited about school, they are sweet and of course, funnny. The older brother of one of the boys in our class came up and tapped me at night church to say hi and I was reminded of how much I enjoy them.

2) A chance to encourage a high schooler with some verses and some ways that God has provided for my mom and my sister and me. 1 Corinthians talks about comforting others with the comfort that we have from God and that verse was made more clear to me today.

3) A wonderful lunch at Egg Plantation with Megan, Jessica and Ashleigh. Jessica and Ashleigh are sophomores in high school. They bring much joy to my life with their quirky, fun humor and desire to grow to be more like Jesus! And who doesn't like a delicious Strawberry Cream cheese stuffed french toast! MMm MMM...!