the things I'm not confident in

I find it easy to volunteer things that I know I can do...  things I know I'm "good at".  

But what about the things that I don't want to do?  Or the things that I'm not confident in? What does it say about me if I don't volunteer those too?  

I'm challenged to offer areas of myself I'm not confident in, areas I don't know I'll succeed in.  I'm excited to invest because there's a need.  Not because it's something I like to do.

It's a good place to stand.  A place I'm not confident in.

... a picture is worth how many words ...

I've wondered lately about the passion for photography... what is it about pictures... and taking them that sparks LIFE?

we get to be a part of

Moments of Beauty.
Moments that take one's breath away.
Moments that remind of deep love and passion.
Moments that bring tears.
Moments that bring joy.
Moments that capture growth.
Moments that will never be had exactly that way again.
Moments to remember.

There is something so fulfilling in the interpretation of a moment. capturing it. then giving it to someone to enjoy for as long as it is around - for generations.

Photography is capturing history. A personal history. Whether it's engagement shots. weddings. pregnancy. new life. families. sr. pictures. etc.

I'm thankful whenever we're asked to be a part of someone's history.

(Photo Blog coming soon.)

My Blog

so... if you're reading this - you should push the "follow" button at the bottom of the page.

honest - I'm feeling a bit insecure that I only have 4 "followers" as of today So if you like what I write - you should "follow me" (weird to write "follow me") but seriously. Hope you enjoy!

to sacrifice for what you love is essential.

to settle is not an option.

a thought similar to this came from a friend who is engaged and looking to buy their first home. the search had felt endless. looking at house after house. people said that she was being too picky...


can you be too picky when you are looking for something that you love? she was not looking for or asking for perfection.

she would sacrifice certain things - but she would not settle for something when she knew that there were more houses out there. they didn't have to decide today. they could wait (should wait) for the house that was "right" for them.

...

the day we had this conversation they found a house they fell in love with. it has all the things that they NEED - and most of the things they wanted. she could sacrifice wants for needs.

the analogy of her story is as big or as small as you'd like.

too often in life we settle. maybe i should just speak for myself. too often in life i settle. for whatever the reason.

the thing is: SACRIFICE is essential when you love something/someone. it's a part of life. a part of love. you HAVE to give. you GET to give.

are we too afraid of sacrifice? are we too afraid of giving up our own rights, that we choose to not put another person or thing in front of ourselves? am i too afraid of sacrifice - to pursue a dream?

the price of sacrifice today is worth the promise in tomorrow. the cost of settling today will never be worth the heartache of tomorrow.

can i make you smile today?

just a thought.

Change

Can't be known until you're faced with a situation where you would act a certain way... and then you don't.

You're not the same.

True changed has occurred.
It's pretty sweet.

a girl who doesn't have much

But what I have I want to give.
I have to give.

We are each responsible for our own lives. Making sure that we're healthy - on all levels. Beyond that we are responsible for each other also. We need each other. We were created that way. To need community. To crave community. To thrive in community.

No one wants to go through hard times. No one wants to go through what seems like hell on earth. No one wants their heart broken. No one wants their dreams crushed. But in those times we see what we're made of. We see and know who our friends are. We get to experience a level of love, community and blessing that we may have never known with out the unthinkable pain.

I have a friend who is going through something that I do not know how I would survive. He has depended on God's strength and his friends and family around him. His story has wrecked me!

It is amazing to me how God uses our deepest pain to bring about the most overwhelming joy. I'm believing that for him. I'm thankful that when we don't have strength on our own - God provides people in our lives to give what we need, to remind us of His love.

I don't have much. But what I have I'll give. We'll see what God will do with it!