Phra Nang, Thailand

I swear Phra Nang beach is the one they use on every postcard and travel poster for Thailand. 

The crystal clear blue waters, 

the giant rock soaring out of the water, 

and the long boats with the colorful flags waving in the gentle breeze. 

I don’t blame them…

who wouldn’t want to lose themselves in that paradise? 

So yeah, we discovered this beach one night as we decided to “explore” the peninsula. 

There were literally two people on the beach, which blew my mind. 

I asked both of them (at separate times) to take pictures of Kev and I. 

One was an older woman who was the wife of the owner of the huge resort on the beach, 

and the other was a british tourist who was quite obviously high on life (and other things). 

Anyway, as we sat on the beach that night we just reveled in how amazing God is, 

that he created this paradise and how undeserving we were to get to soak it all in! 

One day we spent the whole day swimming in the ridiculous waters, 

reading, and ordering food from the floating snack bar. 

As I sat chomping on my grilled corn and sipping coconut juice, 

I literally told myself that I could now successfully die and go to heaven. 

It was just that amazing:) 

There is only one resort on Phra Nang, and it costs your entire life savings to stay there. 

Just kidding…but it’s expensive. 

So just stay on Railey Beach, and walk the pretty 15-minute jaunt over to Phra Nang! 

Night pictures of Phra Nang are here.  

Happy Monday friends...

and if you think of it, please pray for me today.... 

I'm speaking at a ladies event tonight at my home church! {on transformation}

thank you so much!! 

love you all,

Katie 

Fall is....

This fall season is especially special for me. 

It is the first Fall that i've lived in northern california in many years. 

Fall in southern california is hard to see, as the weather stays the same blazing hot and palm trees do not change color. 

For that reason, being up here in my hometown reminds me of all that Fall is to me now, from the many memories sewn into my mind during my childhood. 

Fall is,

leaves bursting into rich hues

long days for farmers {of which I can now count myself a part of!}

a big pot of apple cider on the stove with cinnamon sticks

my mom's beautiful Fall wreaths on the door {and this year a "give thanks" banner made of burlap}

crisp mornings that turn into sunny afternoons 

golden rice swaying in the wind

pumkins, pumkins, pumkins!

back to school

scarecrow contests

mom humming away on her sewing machine making our halloween costumes

harvest parties where we thank God for the good rice crop that came in!

ordering hot beverages at coffee shops

heart to heart talks with friends while walking through the park in the gorgeous fall colors

jumping in piles of leaves

new beginnings

racking leaves! {much to our chagrin!}

football games

and thanksgiving...one of my most favorite holidays! 

I know everyone says this, but Fall is truly magical. 

It's like God paints autumn across the trees and grass and fields, 

and everything is dipped in a reddish vibrancy. 

It reminds me that every day is a new beginning of grace. 

Fall is grace. 

The ability to start afresh:)

how I love that! 

What does Fall mean to YOU? 

...and...

on Oct 15th we'll be doing another Photo-Shoot Link-Up. 

The theme this month is FALL, of course:) 

Spend some time snapping your favorite fall landscapes/themes! 

And if you want, share your favorite Fall memory from childhood! 

Happy Autumn! 

love Katie

Free Ad-swap for the month of October!!

Yeah!

in honor of October,
I thought it would be fun to offer you all a little ad space on my blog:)
you guys are all such inspirations to me, and I want to let others know about your space!

i love you guys, what can I say! 

if you would like to swap ads with me for the month of October,
here's what you need to do:
first, follow Hope Engaged on Bloglovin, facebook, and GFC

then, email me your ad, size 200x200

you can either grab my button on my blog, OR send me a specific size you need for your blog
easy peasy, right? 

now....

 if you are currently sponsoring me, don't you worry your pretty little face...

i'm giving YOU a free month too. 

your current ad will run one month longer than you paid for, giving you more traffic!

and...your ad will still be on top! 

it's a win, win for us all! 

happy fall dear friends! 

so thankful for you, my readers!! 

love Katie