the B-I-B-L-E.

yes, that's the book for me.

i stand alone on the Word of God.

the B-I-B-L-E.

my grandma gracie taught me that song in sunday school many years ago. i was humming this song, and it got me thinking about how much of a blessing it is to have the Word of God. God gave us this book full of wisdom, instructions, promises, and tips. yet most bibles sit on the nightstand and collect dust.

having a quiet time with the Lord is a tremendous privilege you’ve been given. it's a necessity in growing your relationship with Christ and transforming yourself into His image. we live in a country where we have the freedom to read the bible and proclaim how awesome our God is. yet we give every excuse in the book about how busy we are, how this and that need to be taken care of, how we need more hours in the day. truth is, we spend our time on the things we desire deep down. we make time for the things we want to do.

whether you spend 10 minutes or 10 hours studying God's word, it's better than no time at all. where you spend your time is where you shape your character. the people you watch on tv, the music you listen to, the website you visit, the books and articles you read -- those things shape your character. and spending time in the word shapes your character. would you rather have the character of that reality star who made a sex tape and profits from her body or would you rather have the character of esther, mary, or Christ?

i am reading through the bible using youversion's "the bible in a year" reading plan. they have a lot of different plans and devotionals you can use to help you study the bible. i also suggest any bible study by beth moore. i've done her esther bible study and am now working through her daniel bible study.

the bible i use is the NLT study bible. (tyndale) i can promise you won't be disappointed with this. 

"all scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. it corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." -2 timothy 3:16-17 (NLT).

God has made everything beautiful for its own time.

here are some shots from one of my daily walks over the weekend.

pretty.

 there is NO editing on this picture. SOOC.

 i love bokeh.

 berries.

 really love this.

 by the water.

 these don't normally sprout up til march. it's been so nice, that they decided to start early.

weekly digs.

• hp external hard drive. the motherboard in my computer completely crashed earlier this month and had to be replaced. i lost everything: pictures, photoshop, ps actions & textures, etc. last year, one of my brother's friends suggested i buy an external hard drive to backup all my pictures just in case. it's funny how we always say "just in case" without thinking it will actually happen. well, it did folks. and every picture, action, and texture i have was saved on the little device. i was able to restore everything. motherboard: 0. external hard drive: 1. 

• slouchy beanies. i don't wear hats...like, ever. but i decided to give the slouchy beanie a try. verdict: if i could wear a beanie everywhere, i would. 

 beanie: forever 21

•  grilled chicken caesar wrap from naifeh's. i could eat this everyday and be perfectly content. 

• naked juice smoothies. i love buying random things at walmart.  

flashback friday.

it's the little things in life, like getting panties on your 4th birthday.

"a room without books is like a body without a soul."

hi, my name is amber, and i am a book nerd.

i luuurve books. i remember when we would be assigned required reading in school -- i would be one of the few that not only read the entire book, but enjoyed it. book reports weren't homework; they were fun.

there is always a book in my purse. i buy books even though i have 10 more waiting on my shelf for me to get lost in. i've read books in one day. i read on friday and saturday nights. i even read at work when no one is looking.

a few of my favorite books are:

• redeeming love by francine rivers
• the hunger games by suzanne collins
• loves music, loves to dance by mary higgins clark
• twilight by stephenie meyer

i am a firm believer in reading the book before seeing the movie, but i rarely like the movie version. i love getting book recommendations! there's a cool website that keeps track of the books you've read, want to read, or are currently reading. you can follow other people and see what they're saying about the books they're reading. it's called gooodreads.

last weekend, i finished the hunger games series. oh, mylanta. it was so good. if i had to pick between the hunger games and twilight, there would be no hesitation: the hunger games. don't get my wrong, i really like twilight, but the hunger games is better.

mockingjay.

yesterday i started reading "the help" by kathryn stockett. i hear the movie is spectacular, but first, i must read the book. so far, it won't stay outta my hands! 

 

what are you reading right now?

mid-week randomness.

i got my computer back yesterday. had to edit a picture to make sure it worked okay.

fun flashbacks. (my cousin, jenni, and i many Christmases ago)

two awesome outfits in one week. winning.

every detail.

   the LORD directs the steps of the godly.    

He delights in every detail of their lives.

though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the LORD holds them by the hand.

-psalm 37:23-24.

weekly digs.

• king's witness. i was browsing in a christian bookstore recently and stumbled upon a display. it had mugs, t-shirts, key chains, etc. it wasn't the product that caught my attention, but the symbols. they mean: "He came. He died. He arose. He ascended. He's coming back." how awesome is that? 

•  origami heart bookmark. i found the cutest DIY bookmark over at the cheese thief. the tutorial is super easy and it takes less than 5 minutes to make. seriously, look how adorable it is! (i spy hunger games!)

•  colton dixon.  last year, colton went home way too soon on american idol. this year, he came back to support his sister. the judges found out he was there and made him sing. (shocker)  they both ended up leaving with a golden ticket. score! i really like colton. he can sing, and he's easy on the eyes, but more than that, he loves Jesus. 

so, what are you diggin' this week?

happy penguin awareness day!

today is penguin awareness day!
and you best believe i am celebrating.

i wore my awesome penguin shirt to show my undying love for this adorable creature that has captured my heart. 

  

oreo's and milk in my penguin cup.

rockin' the penguin onesie.

my love for this flightless bird is borderline obsessive. (okay, it is obsessive). i have penguin t-shirts, pants, cups, mugs, figurines, stuffed animals, socks, jewelry, posters, books, movies, bracelets, and yes, i have a pair of penguin underwear. (no shame).

if i could, i would have pet penguins. i would build an ice house in the pasture so they could live comfortably. we could play and hang out. i'd watch them waddle around for hours. it would be a grand ol' time.

i will visit a zoo someday that has penguins.
and i will take 82314976 pictures.
and i will beg and plead for the zookeepers to let me pet one. or, ya know, take one home with me. 

now that y'all see how dedicated crazy i am, happy penguin awareness day!

outside the comfort zone.

top of the mornin' to ya!

so... i did something last night that was scary, funny, awkward, and exciting all at the same time. after much thought and questioning myself, it hit me. "what are you doing, silly girl? it's not this big of a deal." sometimes i have a great idea, and then i decide it's embarrassing or someone might not like it. well, here's to not caring what anyone says or thinks about me. i'm tired of questioning myself based on what others might think.

so, here it is: my first vlog! i am weird and awkward and giggly and rambling on...but i do not care. this is me.

little notes.

dear peanut butter:
me love you long time.

dear alisia mae:
thank you for loving me just the way i am. your friendship keeps me sane. and Jesus loves you, my dear.

dear readers:
thank you for your interest in this little blog. your comments make me happy.

dear tax season:
so far, so good. keep it up.

dear liam neeson:
you intrigue me. i am not afraid to admit that i have a tiny crush on you.

dear dave barnes:
thank you for coming out with a new album in march. 

my dearest Savior:
Your love knows no bounds. in You i find protection and strength. thank You for sunsets like the one below. i love that i can find You everywhere i look.

amber kanady photography

[via]

instagram.

instagram: joyfulamber

love.

 unsure why i love this so much.

 i crocheted that scarf! :)

 oklahoma sunset.

 yes, i eat my oreos with a fork.

 sunroof open in january? yes, please!

 i heart you.

 fav. shoes.

weekly digs.

• crocheting. my grandma gracie was teaching my how to crochet when she got sick and went home to be with Jesus years ago. i have read books, watched videos, and tried to have other people show me how to crochet, all with no results. until now! christina over at little fashion diary posted a chunky winter scarf tutorial last month on her blog. you guys... i was crocheting a scarf after watching it twice. yes, twice. i cannot tell you grateful i am for that video. i feel like my grandma gracie would be proud. she was known for her crocheted animals and knick-knacks.

instagram: joyfulamber 

• my new mustache mug. this fun little mug from urban outfitters is just plain awesome. there is nothing more to say. (nails: sally hansen's nail salon effects nail polish strips)

 

• craftgawker.com. it's similar to pinterest, but it's still cool. i really like this new site. there is also a foodgawker website. it may be better than the craftgawker. i mean, who doesn't love food? 

•  zooey deschanel & joseph gordon-levitt's video. they should just get married and have 25 adorkable babies. yes, please! 

 
what are YOU diggin' this week?  

the first snow of twenty-twelve.

it snowed last night! the wind was insane with 30 mph gusts. 

waking up to see the ground covered in pretty white snow was marvelous.

[all photos shot with iphone 4s]

instagram.

instagram: joyfulamber 

(i got the new iphone 4s over the weekend. the new camera = love)

 {edge of the pond}

 {winter nature}

 {pine cones}

 {berries}

 {ripples}

 {proverbs 18:20-21}

 bunny tracks.

ponderings of the heart.

• i have weird dreams. they are odd and crazy and often hilarious. i once dreamed i went to mexico with the jonas brothers to adopt a little mexican boy. see what i mean?

• sometimes what we want isn't what we get; sometimes what we get ain't really what we want. (thank you, dave barnes) you know when you reeeeally want something, whether it be an object or a person, and you would give anything to have it? you pray and wish for it all day long. and then it happens -- you get it... and you realize you don't really want it. or in my case, you realize you don't need it (him). it's (he's) not good for you. sometimes we get caught up in what we want that we don't look at what we need. we put things and people on a pedestal, and that's wrong. the bible says "you shall have no other gods before me. you shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below." -exodus 20:3-4. ouch. conviction, anyone?

• tim tebow is awesome. say what you want about him, but the guy is using the platform of the NFL to share and spread the love of Christ to others. from "tebowing" to thanking his Lord and Savior in interviews and press conferences, he is not ashamed. people want to say he's taking it too far and talking about it way too much. did you know that one time when he wore "john 3:16" painted under his eyes, millions of people googled that verse? millions. the guy is doing something right. (although i am still a little bitter about that BCS loss to the gators a few season ago) 

instagram.

instagram: joyfulamber

{pine cones}

 red.

 AMEN. (that's a toilet, in case you were wondering)

 nature in the pasture.

 it may be dead, but it's still pretty.

 where the sidewalk ends.

 {dandelion}

 mug from anthropologie.