He's HERE!!!//Emmett Ross Sweatt

At 1:15 am on Monday, September 16th I knew my life was about to change...and soon! I had my first contraction and within 3 hours was checked in at the hospital and already halfway done with labor. 4 hours later I held my heart in hands when at 8:01 a.m. my husband and I met our son for the first time. He was perfect--beautiful and healthy, and already more than I ever imagined. As I finally held in my hands what we watched grow inside my belly and prayed for without ceasing...I bawled like a baby and embraced every moment. Only God can give the kind of joy I have experienced since I heard that first beautiful cry. I have learned more and loved more than I ever thought possible in such a short amount of time. I'm going to wrap this up because I am probably about to cry as it is...(apparently I'm a bit more emotional these days! ;) So for the first time ever, meet Emmett Ross Sweatt!  Thank you for praying with us through this whole journey, every prayer and blessing was heard, received, and gratefully appreciated!

Old Photos + Happy Memories

Obviously I have a love for photography. But I have an even greater love for good memories! There is just something about pictures that bring back the fuzzy feelings and warm thoughts of the past that makes my job SO important. And I love that. I love looking back through old pictures and remembering a special season in our lives and how blessed this journey has been. It makes me sad when people tell me, "We have never had our picture taken together," or "We just don't keep photos around." There is so much JOY to be had in documenting every season of life, and even more to be had cherishing it as a sweet memory.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on photos and cherishing all seasons of life! Do you make photos of your life (professional or non) a priority? 

*Here's a photo that just makes me smile from our engagement pictures in 2011. CRAZY that we have already been married for two years, and even crazier that I am so much more in love now -- which I didn't think was possible then. :) 

Photo Cred: Lissa Anglin

Fun Mini Trip

After church on Sunday we got to run away to Dallas with some of our family to watch a Rangers game. I LOVE watching the Rangers play live and can't wait until Emmett is old enough to take him. :) There are so many things I'm excited about and am looking forward too when he's here, from watching my husband hold him and love him like no one else will to watching him play baseball or whatever it is he will like to! Right now, however, I am most excited about just holding him for hours, in my arms rather than my belly. Which I have absolutely loved but am so ready for September as each day ends. :)

What are some things you're looking forward to?! Ha, I feel like the last three years I've lived in a constant state of excitement for what's ahead, and I love it!

Here's a few pictures from our trip! Unfortunately in our rush to leave I forgot my camera so these are just from my nifty iphone and instagram--@rachelsweatt. Happy Wednesday!

*My handsome husband, my baby bump and I! 32 weeks! #8weeksuntilEmmett

**Photos edited with the ABeautifulMess App that I am in love with, then uploaded into instagram and filtered. 

LPM Siesta Scripture Memory

One of the most important things I have learned thus far in my walk with Christ is that it is CRITICAL to memorize scripture. Memorization is how we apply the Word to our lives, transforming the world around us with the Truth. How can we expect to change with world with the Truth if we do no know it ourselves? I've also had SEVERAL instances where I have been blessed with the opportunity to share my faith and why I believe what I believe and had the scripture and the apologetics to back it up. And trust me, never on the face of this earth could I do that on my own. That victory came straight from knowing the Word and being filled with the Spirit. In Ephesians 6 Paul writes about an armor of God, and one of the pieces is the sword of Truth. He is referring to the Bible and the wisdom and power God gives us through His word. The Sword (Scripture) is the ONLY offensive weapon we have. Why on earth do we think we can defeat the enemy is we walk out every day to do battle completely unarmed? I have no idea, but I also know that I am guilty of the ignorance of doing that, way too often. Which is why when my mom told me about the LPM Siesta conference I jumped in! We log a verse that we are to memorize every 2 weeks for the whole year, beginning January 1st, and in return (in ADDITION to writing the Word on our hearts and being transformed by the Truth) we get to attend a conference led by Beth Moore! I meant to be sharing verses on the blog since day 1, but, well...that didn't happen. So now I want to catch up and share the verses God laid on my heart to commit to memory. I hope they encourage you as much as they have me! Hopefully I'll be able to share the verses I learn every two weeks as was my original intent, and maybe we can learn them together?!  It's amazing how God gives up specific scriptures for specific seasons in our lives to give us victory. Feel free to share encouraging verses that you've committed to memory or used to fight the enemy! We have already won the war brothers and sisters, but we still have to fight our battles every day. Here's to knowing the wisdom of God through his Word and standing firm in the faith!

P.S. If you want to join me in the LPM Scripture memory challenge and attend the conference you can STILL get in on the action! Click here for more info, and go back and log verses through Jan. 1. 2013! :)

Be blessed!
--R.

January.1.2013
Good sense makes one slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
--Proverbs 19:11

January.15.2013
You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit. Yet these things you hid in your heart; I know that this is your purpose.
--Job 10:12-13

February.1.2013
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
--Romans 8:5

February.15.2013
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle."
--1 Samuel 3:10, 11

March.1.2013
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
--2 Corinthians 10:5

March.15.2013
For am I now seeking the approval of man? If I were still trying to please man I would not be a servant of Christ.
--Galatians 1:10

April.1.2013
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin."
--John 8:34

April.15.2013
To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to preach to the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
--Ephesians 3:8

May.1.2013
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
--Phillipians 3:8

May.15.2013
Seek the Lord and his strength;
Seek his presence continually!
--1 Chronicles 16:11

June.1.2013
For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth the strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
--2 Chronicles 16:9

June.15.2013
Plans are established by seeking advice; so if you wage war, obtain guidance.
--Proverbs 20:18

July.1.2013
Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and which God has called him.
--1 Corinthians 7:17

July.15.2013
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
--James 5:11

So much guidance and truth in the Word. Happy Monday!

2nd Year Lovin'

We just got back from one of my FAVORITE trips of all time. On June 10th, we celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary! It is unbelievable that we have been married two years already! It absolutely flew by, and I love my handsome husband more now than I did the day I said "I DO" *Which by the way, I would have said was not even possible on the day of our perfect wedding!  It's amazing to me how God orchestrates our lives so beautifully that while we are glorifying him through our lives, everything just gets BETTER. We start dating, we can't wait to get married. We get married, we can't wait to just get to wake up every morning together. We get to find out we're having our first BABY (!), we can't wait to hold him. Our God consistently not only provides for our every need, but longs for us to live abundantly, and my my my--we sure have these last two years! God has been SO incredibly good to us. We have learned so much about each other and ourselves, but most importantly about God's love for us. Through the victories and struggles in marriage the love and character of Christ is to be reflected, and this is what it is to be truly blessed. Here's to another year of life with my best friend, as we come to a close on the best season of my life so far--as we begin to get ready for a completely new and just as wonderful season with our little man. You're everything I want him to grow up to be, and I love you every day--even more than this preggo lady loves mexican food currently. Which is a lot. :)  Thanks for loving me and our son as Christ loves his church, and celebrating each God given day with me.  :)

New Blog + Late to the Party

Welcome to the new blog!! Along with the new look, I'm excited about new sessions that I have coming up and will soon be posted! Along with sessions, I will post more personals,  good finds, and just generally things that I am currently enjoying and/or excited about. Beginning with...

Yes, my name is Rachel and I am an instagramaholic. I love the quick avenue to a creative resource that partners with my love for capturing life through the lens of a camera, even if it's just my iphone camera. Sadly, I am joining this febphotoaday party LATE. I am usually running late or behind on whatever anyways, it's a struggle.  I feel like I can relate to this I found on Pinterest...

So, despite my failure to start at the beginning of February, I decided to join in anyways! I love the daily creative challenge, it really changes the way you see things that normally wouldn't get a second glance. I totally recommend joining in, who cares if it's a little late?!  ;)