Reliving Precious Moments

This past summer I have really experienced God taking my small photography business to a bigger level than I had imagined.  My photography business actually didn't start out as a business at all.  It started as a sophomore girl in college enjoying the hobby and creativity photography had to offer.  I started out taking nature shots, selfies, detail shots, and doing free portraits of friends.  I slowly began having people ask to pay me to take their photos and then last summer I got asked to do three weddings.  I was scared out of my mind but I felt it was the next step I needed to take.  

The risk was huge!  A wedding day is not a time you want to "experiment" around so I watched many you tube videos and asked every wedding photographer I knew for tips.  I had many councilors and I truly feel that is what helped my first wedding (and the rest of the weddings) go so smoothly.  Here I am just one summer after my first wedding photography gig and I'm starting to feel comfortable and excited about the potential opportunity ahead!

I wanted to showcase a few photos from the wedding photographs I just completed editing!  You can view these photos on my Facebook Page.  You can also view the full blog post on my Photography Blog .  If you're interested in having me photograph your wedding let me know!

Zenith Vineyard's provided the perfect backdrop for photographs.

Sometimes it's the details that often go unforgotten but are so beautiful.

Her hanger was so cute!

The groom wrote Helen a note on her shoes.  I get the best wedding ideas from the couples I photograph :D

The bride's first look of herself was precious!

Favorite part of wedding is the first look.  It's so special, intimate and candid!

We found this old barn out in the vineyards!

Flower girl and groom bearer, so sweet!

Although thunderstorms interrupted this couples outdoor wedding venue, no storm could stop the smiles and love between these two.  The venue was quickly moved inside!

This little guy loved the spotlight. He kept smiling and looking at me until... he hit the cake table.  A roar of laughter from the crowd and an embarrassing look on the boy, but the show went on and I had a huge smile on my face :D

 I followed the couple down the hall right after they left the ceremony and snuck this picture of them kissing!

 The couple had fun smearing cake on each other's faces.

Toasts were of course, hilarious!

First dances with dad and mom are always a tear jerker.

The bride and groom had a romantic first dance...

And then broke out into country swing dancing as the crown cheered and eventually joined them on the dance floor!

I had a blast photographing this couple's wedding!  Thanks for enjoying the night again with me through photographs :D

Real Pieces of Wisdom

The morning started off a little sweeter than the others.  I made my favorite coffee with two tablespoons of raw honey and a splash of milk.  Cooked up some farm fresh eggs from our chickens and paired that with two potato pancakes.  I took my yummy brunch to the kitchen table and began to journal and read the living word of God; now that's what I call a GOOD morning.  The family had left to run errands so it was just me with my breakfast and God.  It's times like these that I rest, enjoy and savor.  As I begin reading and writing I quickly forget the busy world around me and sink into the arms of my heavenly father, my savior.

When I read the Bible I generally read a chapter or two a day moving through the books of the Bible in Old and New Testament order but this morning I felt like randomly opening the Bible and seeing what the Lord had for me there.  I opened up to Proverbs 16 and was reminded of all the Godly pieces of wisdom.  I was able to dwell on my experiences as I read certain proverbs and I'd love to share some of the advice that stood out to me.

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. 14:23

This verse reminded me of the hope I am to have when doing work the Lord has called me too.  It is easy for me to become overwhelmed with circumstance and to forget that God sees the whole picture.  It is easy for me to focus on a detail and forget that God what God wants me to accomplish.  I need to remember to have hope for the work God is calling me to do.  After reading this verse I was reminded that the hard work we do for God will end in profit, even though it might not be in this lifetime.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

15:1

Once again I am reminded how important our communication with others is to God.  He wants us to be wise in how we respond to others.  Often times I speak on behalf of emotion, (and sometimes this is a good thing because it shows my passion) but I need to remember to seek God's provision over my conversations to make sure I am speaking how Jesus would speak.  Maybe you can relate to me on this?  We have all had those conversations that have taken us off-guard.  Maybe it was with a close friend who was going through a hard time.  Maybe it was with a parent who was angry about leaving the house a mess.  I've realized that when people are very angry, it is often a personal problem such as a bad day, a growing spirit of bitterness, or stress the person is undergoing.  It is important to remember that responding with a harsh word will only stir up more anger.  If we are to be wise people, we will respond with gentleness and self control.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

15:22

Sometimes it feels awkward to accept advice or council from others, but the Bible says that the successful people will have many advisers.  This is something that I have to remind myself of daily.  I have gained so much help and motivation every time I have sought out council.  I also have to remind myself who I ask council from.  If I turn to a nonbeliever and ask them for relationship help with my boyfriend, I probably won't get a wise response.  But if I turn to many woman who have been married and who love Jesus I can weigh their advice and give it to Jesus and end up in a better spot than I was before.

Proverbs is one of my favorite books of the Bible because I always learn so many practical pieces of advice.  I challenge you to read through Proverbs this month with me and dwell on the verses that you feel you need to work on.  Who knows, God might do some amazing things with your life this month by just changing a few things :D

Random Thoughts Friday

I would love to share with you a few of the random thoughts that have passed through my mind this morning.  Maybe you can relate with me on one of them?! :)

Random Thought #1- It's Friday!  Even though it's summer, I still get excited when it's Friday!  What do you like to do on the weekends?  I have a wedding dress rehearsal to go to but then i'm thinking about watching tangled while eating homemade kettle corn, yummy!

Random Thought #2- While I was reading the word this morning I was thinking and praying about my last year of graduate school.  I feel slightly tired beginning this second leg and stretch to the end.  While praying I remembered a time in my life where I sort of felt the same way...

Most of my life i've ran track as a sprinter.  I loved the adrenaline rush of the gun firing and the quick sprint to the finish.  It's as if I didn't even have a chance to get tired because it all went by so quickly.  Everyone told me I was a great starter, but to me the race was so quick it felt like the whole race was a "start".  One day I was asked to run an 800 (2 laps around the track) because a girl had to drop out and they needed someone to fill her spot.  Slightly nervous about the distance I agreed and walked up to the starting line.  As the gun fired I took off, slightly slower than a sprint but faster than the other runners.  After the first lap I was a good 100 meters in front of the other runners and I felt good... until I hit the "runners wall".  It's as if my body just quit.  My lungs began grasping for breath and every step felt like I was carrying a bag of bricks.  One by one the different runners passed on either side.  I mustered everything I had to push out and finish the race.  That was the day I realized that running required strategy and a strong mental attitude.

This uncomfortable memory reminded me that I need to be a strong finisher this year.  I need to pray and ask God to give me the mental determination and stamina to pace myself so that I can finish the graduate school race strong and confidently.  "Dear Jesus, I feel that I am growing tired and that this last year of school will be hard.  I know you have given me this opportunity to go to graduate school not because of what I've done, but because you want to bless me with this gift.  I ask that you will equip me with the everything I need to finish out the year strong and confident.  I ask that my thesis research will flow smoothly and quickly and that I will remember to pace myself throughout the process!  Thank you for your promise of peace and rest when I embrace you as my savior!  Amen."

Random Thought #3- Do you ever have those weeks where you feel like you are doing so much and you're not sure how it will all get done?  When I am busy, I usually feel like my to do list will never get done... but this week is different. This week I have a new, positive, mental attitude and I am loving it.  I have a laundry list of things to do today but I feel like God has equipped me with everything I need to get it done!  It's a great feeling and I want to continue this next year of school with this new hopeful and positive mental attitude!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

An Electrifying Wedding & A Flexible Faith

It's not everyday that a lightning storm strikes just hours before your outdoor wedding.  Helen & Evan could not have guessed that a blue sky, warm morning would quickly turn into an electrifying show lighting up the sky and shaking the vineyard grounds.  Lights began to flicker as the power was overtaken by the storm.  The couple stepped out onto the back porch veranda and looked out at the perfectly set-up chairs, trees, barrels and altar realizing that they were going to have to be flexible throughout the rest of their day.

Being a wedding photographer automatically puts the pressure to capture the highlights of the day.  I immediately began praying that this couple would have the coolest lightning bolt picture and that they would feel happy in this seemingly devastating moment.  5 clicks of my camera and the Lord answered my prayers.

A lightning bolt struck just 200 meters away from us.  Everyone looked at the photo and were amazed. Many were proclaiming that God was in our presence.

Within minutes the wedding venue was set up inside the beautiful ballroom.  The storm could have ruined Helen's day, but because she was flexible she not only had a wonderful wedding indoors, but had one of the coolest wedding photos!

I can't help but relate this analogy to our life.  There are times in our life when we plan to do things one way, just like Helen planned to have her wedding outdoors.  We become so set on this plan that if anything were to change we run the possibility of having a breakdown.  Throughout my life I've noticed that God often doesn't run on my plans.  He is constantly stretching and stretching my faith, making me more flexible and reliant on him.  But if you have ever began to stretch your muscles, you know there is a brief period of discomfort.  There is a moment when you feel that your body might break if you push it any further.  There are also times in our faith where we feel worried or uncomfortable.  We begin to feel anxious and overwhelmed.  But God says to not be anxious but to present our requests to him and when we embrace God's presence he will give us a peace that transcends all understanding.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

This is an amazing promise from Jesus.  Just like Helen & Evan had to be flexible on their wedding day, God requires us to have a flexible faith.  He wants to bless and take care of us.  We just need to trust the spirits leading of our life so that we can step into that blessing!

I invite you to ponder these questions with me today.

Have there been areas in my life that I have held onto that the Lord wants me to give up to him?

What does it look like in my own life to have a flexible faith?

PS: To see more photos as they are posted from this wedding, please "like" my Facebook photography page HERE !

Relax. Breathe. Pray.

Sometimes I feel like life is on fast forward.  I have alarms set to be at different places at different times throughout the day.  I always have a laundry list of tasks to complete.  I want my meals quick and my time seems un-reachable during these fast pace seasons of life.  I haven't always struggled with this.  Most of my life I have been a type B, laid back, go-with-the-flow kind of gal.  It wasn't until I entered into graduate school that I found myself rushing from meeting to meeting, and ultimately feeling worn out and stressed at the end of each day.  {It's as if I am a slave to my seemingly important priorities.  There is always another task to be done, person to make happy, and project to work on.  When I complete each task, I never feel as fulfilled as I thought I would.}  I was filling my life with good things, but I was missing the most important thing of all...  time with Jesus.  During these times I felt like I was running through life putting friends, relaxation, and sometimes even God on hold.  Do you ever feel this way?

This summer I have returned home with my family finally been able to take a deep breath, relax and realize what my ultimate priorities are.  I've realized that each good thing in my life has been a blessing given to me from Jesus.  Realizing the gifts in my life, make me realize my mistake of sometimes being too busy for Jesus.  I'm sure I'm not the only one in the 21st century who struggles with being busy... right?

Reflecting during my quiet time today has brought me to a state of needing repentance.  "Dear Jesus, Thank you for blessing me with every good thing in my life.  As you communicate in James, I know that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  I ask for forgiveness for sometimes choosing busyness in my life over my time with you and I ask for help in setting aside time to spend alone with you.  Thank you for hearing my prayer and for continuing to draw near to me when I draw near to you.  Amen."

I always feel so much better after I lift up things to Jesus.  It's as if a weight is lifted off of my shoulders!

So what does it look like for a person to follow Christ in the 21st century?  I am not sure I have the time or space to answer this question in full, but I know God has something to say about Christian living in his word.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:6

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Keep this book of the law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Mark 1:35

In the 21st century time and busyness is praised and sometimes even worshipped and idolized.  Idolatry is a matter of priority, which is demonstrated when we love, trust, or place our hope in something other than Christ and in what he has done.  As millennials, we need to be aware that busyness tries to take a higher spot than God.  We need to put God above all other tasks.  One way we can do this is by spending time with him each and every day.  I realize that Christ loves me enough to spend time with me, so I need to show my love for him by spending time alone with him.  I ask that if you so feel lead that you would join me in prayer this week that we would be reminded daily to spend time with Jesus.

I invite you to think about these questions with me today:

What does it look like for a person to follow Christ in the 21st century?

What do I fill my time with?

Am I giving God as much time as I should each day?

You may not know, but I'm also a wedding photographer!  I began photographing people 4 years ago.  I began photographing weddings last summer so this job is fairly new yet thrilling and exciting at the same time :D  I truly believe God has called me to be a wedding photographer, at least for a time.  Each wedding, I feel an inescapable feeling that I need to cover the couple in prayer.  It's an honor to have a front row seat to a couple's most special day and to try to make them the mostly beautiful they can be :D Here is a glimpse at my latest work. To see more, view my photography blog here!