A Lot of Lemons...

     After so many wonderful ups this weekend with my family being here, finding my wedding dress, and acing my finals; I've equally been handed a basket full of life's lemons. I definitely cried more than once today over a few "lemons". To be blunt and transparently honest,  I believe the Lord is working on "loosening my grip of the reigns" so to speak. Everything difficult and disappointing that is happening around me hasn't been a result of something I've done but rather something I literally have absolutely NO control of. Control is a huge issue for various people. It's a comfort to those who live life by planning things out. Half of who I am is exactly what I just described. I can't stop my friends from dating people who ultimately strip away their moral values and drag them farther from Christ. I can't stop my fiance from getting his hopes up about a house that we no longer are in the running to rent. I can't convince a person to remove them-self from a program they no have business being in under the influence of a drug. I can't stop my father from decaying spiritually from his bitterness and hatred. I can't I can't I can't.
     Only the Lord CAN. It is just so frustrating and disappointing to watch these things play out in front of your face but have no "Control". At the end of the day, I have to remind myself that The Lord works out everything according to his perfect timing and will. Those friends wasting their lives on men who steal their identity in Christ will be dealt with by the Lord. The hopes of my fiance finding the place we will start our family will be given to us by the Lord in His perfect timing. The person who risks his future and the future of others for the sake of a drug will be dealt with by The Lord. The bitterness and hatred of family can only be cured by the Lord. That being recognized, Lord, I lay these worries, disappointments, and doubts before your feet. I graciously ask for your powerful hands to move and work wonders in all of these situations because I do not have control. Thank you for the lessons learned through these hardships. I pray your will be done without delay within all of these unfortunate circumstances. Help them grow me. Help them grow the people involved and may the glory  reflected back to you. Amen.

Kelly Thomas
(Set Sail Author)

Flesh vs. Spirit

        
     My heart breaks for people who have been broken. Watching others be hit with tragedy and tribulation always without fail sends me back to remembering my own battles with brokenness. Life's most ugliest circumstances can turn you into either a spiritual warrior or bitter poison. I struggled so long with fighting off resentment towards people in my life who have wronged me. I would bring my concerns to the Lord confessing to Him that I know I should no longer wish unhappiness on those who harmed me, but confessing isn't a cure. It's only a step in the right direction. To push the envelop further I needed to constantly remind myself that I CANNOT and DO NOT have what it takes within me to love my enemies apart from God. Who does?! It's a working of the spirit within you and me that acting in love towards an enemy can ever occur. I so greatly detest the part of my flesh that desires revenge and the cultivation of hatred yet in my weakest moments a tend to give into it. The flesh is at war with the spirit. What side will we choose to serve? More importantly, who will we choose to serve? The greatest example ever in the history of mankind regarding these life altering questions is Jesus. Our Lord was talked about heinously by the Pharisees, accused of being a liar and a trickster, spat in the face, torn and mutilated beyond recognition,  
mocked, betrayed by one of his own disciples, and murdered.... He died to take the sins of the betrayer, the mocker, the abuser, and the murderer. The God that came to save the sin infested human race with love in His heart has a place in my heart and GREATER is HE that is in ME and in YOU that is in the world! Do not be overcome with bitterness, resentment, hatred, pity, and remorse. You are called to a higher standard and with Christ warring against your flesh IT IS POSSIBLE to find victory in this fleshly battlefield! You might never receive an apology, you might continue to be talked about, looked down on, or even hated but as Christians ( little Christs) we are overcomers! Let God deal with those who have hurt you and continue to live in the example he set for us on Calvary. This subject was so heavy on my heart this week and I hope that in some way that it will encourage those of you who are at war with your flesh. Stay strong in faith and STAY IN THE WORD.

With My Deepest Affection To The Broken,

Kelly Thomas (Set Sail Author)

Emily Sneak Peek Photo Sample

 Words cannot express how happy I was to do the last Senior photoshoot for the Penberthy family! A few words come to mind when I think of Emily; Gorgeous, Natural, & Down To Earth. Just like her big sissy, Emily has fantastic naturally beautiful features that I was eager to capture on camera. She was incredibly easy to work with and nailed the poses on her first shot.

 The scenery really enhanced the atmosphere we wanted for the photos. We decided to go with Bowditch Point Park on Fort Myers beach. Because I only work with natural lighting we started pre-sunset when the lighting was softest and most forgiving for the editing process.

 About an hour before we headed out to our shoot location I was able to snag this wooden chair from an evicted apartment furniture dump! I wasn't planning on using it but because it was in my car I figured "What the hay! lets try it!" I was incredibly pleased with the outcome of prop usage during our session and cannot wait to finish editing the others and put them up.

 The outfits Emily picked out went hand in hand with the different areas I had her pose in. I was able to use the colors of her outfit and the environment to make those blue eyes pop!

 I have to say that Emily was a trooper! She tried everything I suggested and did it 100% perfect. Most people don't realize that sometimes the best photos are the ones where you have to get "down and dirty". I had Emily in some pretty interesting areas where I asked her to either lay down or scale some rocks with me for the sake of the perfect shot. She didn't hesitate once and her confidence won her some gorgeous captures!!

You Rock Emily! Hope everyone enjoys your pictures!

Till Next Time,

Kelly (Set Sail Author)

Adventures Pending...

 It feels like an eternity has passed since I had the desire and will power to do a blog post! I've literally been filling my days with crafting, venue shopping, packing for our next vacation, preparing for the full-time student load, and putting together makeup looks and outfits for 1 of 2 engagement photo-shoots. Why 2 you ask? Well If you haven't already heard, my cousin Joy, of Joy Michelle Photography, is the bees knees when it comes to themed photography shoots! we've both been infected with photo bug syndrome and love to shoot things whenever we can! The pictures that she captures will be used on and all over  our wedding website!!!  Our second photo-shoot will be done by local photographer Collette Marie Thrasher of Collette Marie Photography. Collette and I went to high-school together and since then she has married, become a mother, and one talented photographer!! Her editing is to die for and I couldn't imagine not having an engagement album taken by her. She also took my nieces baby photos and took the family's breath away! In other news,

 it feels like only yesterday my Joybee was days away from getting married and this month marks her one year anniversary. So Happy Anniversary you two! May God bless you even more this second year of marriage! I have to say I've been learning a lot about priority focus these last few months. At times I can feel myself putting others and especially wedding planning before my quiet time with the Lord. What's the result you ask? It has left me worn out, anxious, and unfulfilled. Even the blessings HE gives us can become too high on the priority scale and end up turning into a negative process. Without God I have NOTHING. Everything I "have" belongs to Him and I need to thank Him daily and devote the majority of my time to Him. In this way life becomes balanced, fulfilling, and credit goes to where credit is due. If God is not the center of our marriage then it will be lack luster and not up to its full potential. On a less thought provoking note,

Literally just five seconds ago my dad agreed to our venue of choice! (BIG DEAL) This means the wedding website is a week away from publishing all the details for friends and family. Welp, I've been running around all day and am feeling a little anxious so I think I'm going to call it a night and take a walk with my momma. Till Tomorrow Lovlies!

Kelly Christina Thomas
(Set Sail Author)

Back At It...

Welcome back! I've had such a long hiatus from blogging! It's so refreshing to come back to it though with loads and loads of new stories and special moments to rehash for you all. If it hasn't been obvious to you through my other social media, Thomas is back!!! We've been enjoying every minute of being able to spend time with each other again. I've never been so proud of him! The courses were fully photographed and I could tell already that I didn't fully comprehend how extreme it was when he initially described it to me. The activities looked strenuous but the scenery was spectacular! I was almost mildly jealous of how Thomas got to trek all over these beautiful landscapes. Here are a few pictures taken by another coursemate of his.

 In other unrelated news I've been doing a little traveling of my own so far but into less extreme territories. Manders, Charisa, Marina, and I decided to do a Disney parks girls trip and had a fantastic time living it up like princesses for three days. I had forgotten how crazy the parks get during the summer but it was an adventure to say the least!

 After our adventure was at its close it was back to reality. Reapplying to the education program in hopes my test scores from my GK went through was at the top of the priority list. I am so utterly happy to notify you that I have been accepted into the school of Education at Edison! I'm finally going to have a graduation time frame! Words will not do justice to the relief that is to me. All I have to do now is register for orientation and get ready to finish school! EXCITING!  I'm also extremely excited to be traveling to Iowa for my boyfriends sisters wedding. It's something I've been looking forward to for a while. I love weddings! This week has been incredibly busy to boot. I feel like everyday is someones birthday and this month is just one long celebration without end. Today we celebrated amanda's birthday at fort myers beach. Tomorrow Charisa will also turn 22 and we'll celebrate with a night at the movies. Other than that I'm counting down the days till our trip to Deleware . I want to see my cousins so badly. It has been way too long. almost another year has gone by. So crazy.
Till Next Time,
Kelly
(Set Sail Author)

Blessed On My Birthday...

Thank you all so very much for all the calls, texts, and wall posts yesterday. I am blessed by you! My birthday (22 years young) was a good one! Granted, the other half of my life wasn't present and that was saddening but my friends and family really filled the void with all the love. Manders and I decided to trek to the beach for a few hours. Traffic was insane but we were patient enough to find the golden goose of parking spots! We were joined by my sister and caught the spring rays while we could before eating lunch at a restaurant that was only 20 feet behind us. I totally cheated my diet in the amount of food I ate and gained a pound this week instead of losing it BUT it was worth it!!!! I'm back on track this morning and have all my meals tracked and ready to go :) Anyways, when we finally arrived home the oven was overflowing with the smell of prime rib! My parents know how to break out the good stuff ;) We invited another dear friend of mine over and feasted on moms deliciously prepared meal till we were full. After the candles were lit and the last piece of cake had been consumed, my brother joined us and we started a competitive game of settlers of catan. Michael owned us all but it's the fun that matters.  




All in all, It was a really nice day. No math to study, no worries, and lots of sun tan. It looks like today might bode the same since dad is taking us boating. In other news, I don't have any updates on or from Thomas. =[ I completely understand that there is no reception and even if there was who would take out there cell phone while white water canoeing down the green river in Utah??? Nevertheless, I still miss him like the dickens and am greatly anticipating the next phone call or text message that comes through. There's only 45 days till he gets back!!! Just keep praying for him please. That is all I ask. Thank you! The only other news I have is that I'm applying to graduate (with AA) and I take my GKT test April 10th to finally be admitted into the elementary education program at Edison. I NEED TO PASS THIS WRETCHED MATH SECTION!! Now you know how to pray for me this week and next. Math math math math math.....
In Him,
Kelly (Set Sail Author)

In Like A Lion...

In like a lion is right! March has pounced upon us once again with it's sweet promises of springtime and excitement including my Birthday (P.S YAY for Sephora Birthday gifts!). March has also been filled with massive changes to my life style. I've recently sent in my two weeks notice to my employer of 5 years. Five years I have watched my little 1st and 2nd graders grow up into pre-teeners. The children I have worked with have taught me more valuable lessons than some of the adults that fill my circle. There is blessings in both. Furthermore, It was probably the hardest thing to do because I love those kids so much, but I also couldn't deny that my path was to focus more on finishing up the dangling ends of my degree with gusto. After I very awkwardly dropped the bomb on my boss lady; I strode away with an immense burden off my shoulders. I didn't expect to feel so freed from something I loved doing! I thought it would have an adverse effect, but the promise of getting my degree, teaching certification, and getting ready for the next phase of my life was all the more positive, adventurous, and exciting. The Lord has been very faithful to my family even amidst the current issues that swirl around us constantly and for that I am grateful. It's through the observance of how the Lord uses others that I harvest a bounty of faith for my own struggles. Hebrews is filled with accounts of martyrdom of faith. It's powerful simply put. Unfathomably powerful people!!!

Another March blessing was having my Grandma and Grandpap come to visit us in Fort Myers! They hail all the way from Lancaster, Pennsylvania where I grew up half my life. They came down to finally meet their little great grandaughter (my niecey-poo) Emma! Oh, was she excited! She instantly took to her great grandmother's beautiful singing. Growing up around my Grandma is such a wonderful memory! She is a songbird to say the least and I will always have memories of coming to visit her with the family and hearing her daintily singing a show-tune or an old classic in the kitchen. So easily can she uplift your spirits! 

My Grandpap is equally memorable. He has such a vast area of knowledge and I love listening to him talk to people and learning from him. I admire and respect him for all he has done for his family and mine; For his big heart and his hilarious stories! Emma seemed to give Grandpap the most sincere smiles as she stared at him from the floor. I'm so glad they came and got to meet Emma!

In other lifestyle news, I've lost 7.2 lbs on weight watchers 360* online and Zumba. I'm at a healthy weight right now but desire a more defined look in my muscles. It's still hard for me to sometimes stick with it but when I see results it's all the more motivation to stay within my margins. If you are just tuning into my blog, my ultimate goal is to weigh 120 lbs . My weight watchers goal is starting me "small" and shifted my goal to 123 lbs. Either way I'll be smaller. If anyone knew me from a few years back I weighed 170 lbs at 5'2 inches. Now, 170 works for people who are like 6'2 , so I was both rotund and unhealthy. I still got my natural woman curves but I am not a beach ball anymore! Praise the Lord! I would love to be that itty bitty person that you could fit into your pocket one day. We shall see how far I can go. So far, in complete total over the years, I've lost 43.2 lbs! Keep following me along my journey and see what happens!

In other news,

Baby finally made it to Utah! (Thomas Downin Photo Credit) He'll be doing his river course training next and might be out of contact for another 45 days! :( However, he still has reception thus far so we shall see what happens. After two weeks of no communication I finally got a call at work and dashed to the corner of the room to answer. He's doing very well everyone! I am so proud of him. He's really enjoying the company of his team and bonding well with them. Not being able to shower for long periods of time seems to be what he dislikes the most, but he is loving the outdoors. He and a few of the other guys went shopping at a gas station and got these "Boone" looking hats for the river course. He is slowly turning into the mountain hermit image I originally pictured haha!

Oh that beard! and its only been a month! I'm worried about the three month mark on that no shave thing. Anyways, off to The House! hope to see you all there! It starts at seven in the Gym of First Assembly Fort Myers!!!!
In Him,
Kelly (Set Sail Author)