God With Us

I love this time of year...a time to reflect on all that God has done for us.
He left His throne in Heaven, became poor, so that we could be rich in HIM!
He is our EVERYTHING!! Our Deliverer, our Savior, our Strength, our Hope, our Redemption, our Peace...the list goes on & on!!! I've done nothing to deserve this but He gave any way! I'm humbled by His sacrifice and struggle daily to live a life glorifying to Him. My heart is that I will do what it takes to know & love Him more each day...it's the least I can do, right?!?

I'm thankful for His gift of His Holy Spirit...by Him we get to live in His presence daily...we don't have to face this world alone! I hope I can be mindful of the fact that I'm standing in His glory...He is Emmanuel, God with us...not just at Christmas but ALWAYS!

I pray this song blesses your spirit the way it has blessed mine. I pray it helps you prepare your heart for this Advent Season.

You've come
To bring peace
To be love
To be nearer to us

You've come
To bring life
To be light
To shine brighter in us
Oh Emmanuel
God with us

Our Deliverer
You are Savior
In Your presence we find our strength

Over everything
Our redemption
God with us
You are God with us

You've come
To be hope
To this world
For Your honor and name

You've come
To take sin
To bear shame
And to conquer the grave

You are here and
You are holy
We are standing
In Your glory (Lord)

Mentor Session

I'm an aspiring photographer and I have the most amazing story of how the Lord truly is pointing me in that direction. Last year for my birthday a few dear friends started a camera fund for me without me ever knowing until the day we got together to celebrate. At the time of the reveal they had raised $800 to go toward a new camera. When it was all said and done my friends had raised $1,200!!!!  You can read more about it here. I was overwhelmed to say the least.

This year, on a trip to San Francisco with some dear friends, the Lord literally sits us next to this sweet young lady, named Shannon.  Amy, sitting next to me, overhears her tell our friend Regan that she's a photographer.  And it true Amy fashion she makes sure Regan & I switch seats so I can talk shop with Shannon.  I'm pretty sure the entire plane was hating all of us at that moment...it was five o'clock in the morning and we were THOSE PEOPLE with our lights on and the conversations not ceasing until we landed in San Fran....sorry to anyone on that flight...but God was making a divine connection!  :-)  I mentioned that I was going to take a class and Shannon said, "you don't need to take a class...I'll teach you!"  This is a gift considering I had approached a local photographer about mentoring but they weren't interested in teaching someone in the same area.  Which is totally understandable.  Shannon just really wants to see others grow in their craft and if she can help in any way...she will!  I'm thankful she's willing to come along side me and help in that way...especially since she has two little kiddos to take care of on top of her very busy photography life!

Shannon told me to pick one of my friends and we'll take them out in a field to shoot...so between all three of our crazy busy schedules we found time last week to do just that.  I learned so much about posing, how to read when the kiddos are done for the moment and to move on so they can have a break and so much more.  I know I have lots more to glean from her and I look forward to more time with her. You can see her amazing work here.

Regan graciously agreed to bring her four gorgeous children (who I happen to really adore) to this training session.  Here are some pictures of these adorable children and their stunning mom!  Dad had to work...booooo...but can't wait to shoot this family again when he can join in the fun.

 Look at that gorgeous hair...isn't she beautiful!

 I canNOT

 TAKE

 his CUTENESS!!!

 Stunning mama & daughters

 Handsome big brother

 The baby!

 Mama & her gentlemen

There HAS to be a silly pic, right?!?!

I'm thankful for this new journey the Lord is leading me...can't wait to see what's ahead!

Sweet Mindi and Baby Elliette in the Making

Awaiting the arrival of sweet Elliette...I had to snap some pics of this beautiful mama. Sunflowers are her favorite & what her hubby brought to her when they went on their first date...I just had to pick up a bundle for this shoot! She also mentioned "Sunflowers are what he picked up when I went into labor with Titus! Sunflowers are sentimental for a bajillion reasons to us!" Too cute! :-) We drove until we found this gorgeous field without a fence, pulled over to the side of the road & got to snappin'! The weather & light couldn't have been any better.

Kenya Dig It 2013 in Pictures