More Focus

   Life has thrown me some serious curves that brought about major life changes during this past year. I never knew before how quickly our lives could turn. But during this time of loss, hardship and pain I have had my eyes opened. I didn't even know they were closed. Do we ever? I now see how easily we can deceive ourselves.  I began to question everything in my life as if it were all under a microscope. But through it all I felt unlike ever before the gentle guidance of my Heavenly Father as I looked for Him in the situation. For every person ripped out of my life he replaced with people who brought me closer to Him. For each area of lack or loss He brought restoration and directed our steps and gave provision. I had trials and tribulation in every area of my life. And when I wanted to quit, He wouldn't allow it! He loved me that much! He loves us all that much! We can all say we trust God...but until you have no place to turn, when it feels all answers are hidden and the darkness covers you...and you cry out to God, not in want but a simple prayer in your brokenness of "Lord YOUR will be done! No matter what happens I CHOOSE to follow YOU and not my own path." I KNOW I would not have made it through without God pouring out His love for me and revealing Himself in ways I never imagined possible.
   After much prayer I find myself with a new love and respect for life and photography. I have been given a new vision even in photography, but one thing remains the same. When I look through the lens I find myself in even more awe of the God who gave me the passion and love for this. I get a glimpse or reminder of just how big God is! Bigger than any turmoil in our lives. I hope I can continue to stretch myself and grow in every area as I draw closer to Him. I hope this year I can inspire others to prioritize and focus on the one part of our lives that really matters...our relationship with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus. I hope you'll join me on this journey and see Him in my work as well.

  
On June 13, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it even outside to see the "Super Moon" much less shoot it. As always, I made my plans and at every turn the time drew closer and my opportunities slimmer. At last I was able to run out without tri-pod and shoot it. I didn't get the shot I envisioned, but I did suddenly feel small. All of the distractions and problems of the day and plans failing all leading up to this still, quiet moment. Here was this HUGE moon shining its light down from the sky on me. Another good reminder that if we set ourselves with a purpose to focus on Him that He will shine upon us in such a way that we can see how big HE is! I set my camera, focused and hoped I had at least one I would like later when I viewed them. A "Super Moon" to remind us we are loved in a big way.
  
   We may see ourselves or our circumstances as big, but in reality they are minute compared to our God.

  

No Room For Timidity

There is so much to learn in life. But I am learning an important lesson lately. There is no room for timidity!

In photography, if you are timid you risk missing a great capture. I have always been afraid to shoot at different times and always regretted missing the shot and especially if I viewed another photographer that got it. Things like candids of people on streets or events, or an accident or house fire type of tragedies. I always wondered how anyone could shoot them during someone's most painful moments. Recently, I learned how.

It is actually something I am learning from God through his Word. Spiritually, he doesn't want you to be timid. He said to come BOLDLY to the throne! He wants us to be fearless and walk in faith. Not to cower, so that we can succeed. When we are bold, we see how we are trusting in Him because we know He has our back. He is our protector, deliverer, guide, comfort and teacher among many other things.

So from now on I strive to put my fears aside, trust that God has my back, and step out and try to accomplish whatever task He has set before me. Whether it be spiritually, or simply using the gifts he has given by taking photographs so that others can hopefully see His grace, power and love through a great capture.

Have a Blessed Easter

Flower God, God Of The Spring by Robert Louis Stevenson

FLOWER god, god of the spring, beautiful, bountiful,
Cold-dyed shield in the sky, lover of versicles,
Here I wander in April
Cold, grey-headed; and still to my
Heart, Spring comes with a bound, Spring the deliverer,
Spring, song-leader in woods, chorally resonant;
Spring, flower-planter in meadows,
Child-conductor in willowy
Fields deep dotted with bloom, daisies and crocuses:
Here that child from his heart drinks of eternity:
O child, happy are children!
She still smiles on their innocence,
She, dear mother in God, fostering violets,
Fills earth full of her scents, voices and violins:
Thus one cunning in music
Wakes old chords in the memory:
Thus fair earth in the Spring leads her performances.
One more touch of the bow, smell of the virginal
Green - one more, and my bosom
Feels new life with an ecstasy.

Spring Forth

"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations." Isaiah 61:10-11

Everything around us has been changing with spring edging it's way into our days. Slowly it is taking over the cold days and turning them into warmth and changing the dull winter into an array of colorful shapes and patterns. This year I have been noticing all of springs wonders unlike ever before. From the beginning buds to the current business of blooms, insects and birds appearing to feast on the bounty bursting before them. It leaves me in awe of all of God's creation!

There is something about photography that pushes me to explore the world HE created and see it in different ways than ever before. I would NEVER stand in two feet of weeds loaded with bumblebees, spiders, and snakes if it weren't for the passion I have in seeing and producing my own view through a lens of the world He has created. It has really allowed me to see things closer that I wouldn't normally notice and some things I would probably even be running from!

I don't know how it happened, but this year I went out to take a picture of a grouping of flowers that just appeared in one day. They are thorny, red and produce a hard pear shape of fruit but I didn't know what it was. It has been here since we moved here. But this year, after seven years of living here, something new sprang forth! One...just one grouping of white flowers right in the middle of the bush! I was told it was a flowering quince. I looked it up in the dictionary on my Mac. These come in either white or red. I can't explain why after seven years the one single branch with one grouping of white appeared, but it got my attention. It was beautiful surrounded by all of the red. For me it was as if God wanted me to stop and take notice. That just as these white flowers appeared in the center that I should remember that He is the center of my life. And just as these have sprung forth, so will I in spring forth with joy and praise for the One who created them!

Reflection

A fellow photographer posted a photo of her grandbaby and stated he was "A reflection of the love that lives in the hearts of our family". It was a nice reminder that our children are the best reflection of us that there is. Which made me wonder how I am reflecting God? We are His children. He is our Heavenly Father. Do I reflect His love as in I Corinthians 13? No, not always. But I strive daily to allow Him to manifest Himself through me. To "Reflect" Him. His love. For He IS love.

Have you ever seen a child with hurt in their eyes with a pain that goes deeper than the physical? I have. This is a reflection of how or what they have been exposed to. We are accountable as parents to see that our children not only reflect us, but God. To expose them to Godly living by example. I was "told" a lot of things growing up, but I didn't see a lot of it reflected in my parents. What I did see left a mark that only God could replace.

So I strive diligently to live by example and not word only. I pray I can reflect that perfect love to my children, family, friends and strangers along my path, so that they too can experience it as well.

Happy Valentines Day

Today is a day of sharing love and sweetness with others...so I thought I would share a few photos from a recent shoot with Sarah. Talk about sweetness.

Passion With a Promise

I have been attempting to get to this for a while now. Not an easy task with a toddler and a newborn, but here I am...finally! I have been passionate about photography ever since I can remember. But only recently have I made it a priority in my life and I am blessed more each day as I push forward to finish projects and learn more. (There is ALWAYS more to learn with photography)! I don't know where it will take me but I sure love the journey.

With that said, I hope to take my passion this year and use it in whatever ways God sees fit to bless me in...and in return I promise to trust Him to direct my steps and lead me on the paths that I can best use it to bless others.