Evrist Wedding

On October 23rd, I had the privilege of shooting with Amy Conner (check out her blog here).  We got to photograph Joel and Lauren Evrist's wedding.  It was a beautiful day here in Tennessee and the weather was perfect!  I spent the entire morning with the guys; after doing some formal shots we headed over the the YMCA and did some fun shots!  I'm very excited about how the images turned out.  Here are a few of my favorites from the day!  Thanks Joel and Lauren for getting married, and thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

 

I love this picture because it shows all ages and stages worshiping God.  Taylor, the flower girl is 6 years old.  When I see kids worshiping with all their heart, my heart melts.  So that is why I put this picture up here. ;)

 

Small Joys

I have some friends that adopted 2 boys from Ethiopia.  They have been home for 7 months now, and their oldest started playing soccer this season.  He is so good!  I think he has scored something like 30 goals this season.  Anyways, I've been meaning to get out to the soccer field more times than I can count, but it never worked out with my schedule... until this past Saturday!!!  I was so excited to go and support this family and love on this boy by supporting his team and game.  I'm sure he probably won't remember me, but that is ok.  I love this family and can't wait to post about their family portrait session (which should happen soon... depending on my foot-that's another post, for another night).  Back to the point of this post.  On Saturday I got the privilege to go watch Tyce play soccer.  I grabbed my sweatshirt and camera, and off I went.  Here are a few shots from his game.  Good job Tyce!!

Olivia's Golden Birthday!

Tonight we celebrated a dear friend.  Here is just a sample of the pictures I took tonight (except I didn't take this picture... Ian Collins did.

Irish Dancing

I had an amazing opportunity today.  I was asked to set up a photobooth for an Irish Feis.  It was amazing!  My amazing friend Kendra came with me and assisted me and we had a blast!  There were so many fun sights and colors!  (And not to mention tons of cute kids!)  Here is  just a preview of some of the shots I took!

 

Meagan Fernandez {Preview}

Ok, I know it has been a long time since I last blogged. There has been a lot going on, and I have neglected my blog. Sorry for all those (or those 2) who follow me... I recently had a photo shoot with a great girl. I will write more about her when I post more pictures, but I wanted to put up a preview of the day!

Outdoor lighting

When I was in California a week ago, I got a job offer to do some shooting for a landscaping company in Franklin. I've never done this type of shoot before, but I felt like I was to take the job. So, I accepted and when I got back into town, I went out a did some shooting.

Perspective

I've been sitting in a hospital waiting room for a week now. My grandpa is in the ICU and is fighting for his life. Being here has brought up a lot of emotions; there have been a lot of tears shed, and yet my faith seems to be rising. There are times where I don't feel like I have faith, but I know that no matter what, God is still good. I have had to take a step back and get the Lord's perspective on the situation. What is the Lord wanting to do through this situation? How is He going to be glorified?
While I've been sitting here with my family, we have met a few other families as well. We have gotten to know them some, and know their situations. I was able to pray with one woman...her friend is no longer in ICU. I've met another woman who took her significant other off the machine that was keeping him alive, and another family who is going through that tonight. Meeting these families has given me perspective. My grandpa is really sick, but at least I have him still: for now. I don't have to make that determination to remove him from life support. I also have the comfort of knowing that if he does pass away, he is going to immediately be in the presence of the Lord! I'm excited about that! That is why I feel my faith is raising.

Please continue to join me in prayer for my grandpa, as he has a long road of healing to travel, and he still has a lot of hurdles to overcome.

Seasons of Life

I'm sitting here, looking at where different people in my life are. I find it interesting how at one moment you are walking so closely with someone and then perhaps you aren't. Reading friend's blogs, and keeping "up to date" with people from college (via facebook), I have realized how we are in very different seasons; and yet that is ok. It makes me look back at my college years, my college relationships, and if I give an honest assessment, I truly keep in touch with a handful of the people I knew. And that is okay. Some are off traveling the world, some are married, some are engaged, some have kids, some are making long distances work. Each one of us is walking exactly where the Lord has us for this season. We must not look at each other and wish that we had what they had. For those of us that are still single- embrace it! The Lord is wanting to do so much through our singleness, don't waste time dwelling on the wishes of being married. For those who are married- embrace it! Press into the Lord so that you can be the best husband or wife you can be in the Lord! For those who have children-embrace it! They grow up fast. You truly have a short amount of time. We wise, train them up in the ways of the Lord. Whatever season of life you find yourself now, don't jump ahead to what the next season may hold. Be still, know that He is God and that He has a perfect and wonderful plan for your life!

It's interesting, I would bet that if you asked any of us 2 or 3 years ago, (when we were still in college) if we thought we would be where we are today, I am pretty sure we all would have laughed in disbelief. But, I LOVE where I am. I love the city I am in, I love the people I am surrounded by, I love walking with the Lord so closely that my entire days plans can change in a moment because the Lord has something else planned. I love being single. I love being in the perfect will of the Lord for this season.

Another year...

It's funny to me. Normally you write these types of things at the end or beginning of a calendar year. Instead, I am writing on the date that I moved to Nashville. It's been 2 years since I said yes to what the Lord called me to. Moving to Nashville was the biggest step of faith I have ever taken, and the Lord has not failed me once in it. In a short recap, here are some pictures, and events from this past year.. (read the rest of my blog to see more of the year!)

- I walked with my dear friend and spiritual mother, through a battle with cancer and chemo treatments. This journey lasted from April 2009-May 2010. I am so glad to say that she is cancer free now. The Lord truly is our healer!
- In Aug. 2009, I joined the Student Intern Program at New Song. Such and amazing opportunity for me to walk through discipleship in such an intense way and to grow with the Lord. The Lord has taught me so much, and I still have quite a bit of time left in the program. I absolutely love my brothers and sisters in the program. This picture is all of us at New Song's leadership Christmas party.
- Olivia and I carved some pretty sweet pumpkins this year... They were Disney themed- I went to my first Preditors game with Melissa this year! So much fun, and Free!!- I went back to California to celebrate my parent's 25th wedding anniversary. Such a great celebration!
- Went to my first dance competition. Robyn's sister, Salena, had a comp down in Nashville. It was so fun to go and watch her compete!

- it snowed sooo much this winter. We had multiple days where we were snowed in. Then, after a couple weeks, we got another huge snow, and Carrie helped me build my first snowman... and this thing was massive..

- I got baptized!!! Feb. 21, 2010!- I finally became a Tennessee Resident. I traded in my CA driver's license for a TN one... and switched my CA license plate for a TN one.. So weird, but so good!

Laughter really is the best medicine

I had the privilage of photographing an amazing group of women this weekend. This group of girls have walked a lot of life together, and let me tell you, they know how to have fun! One of the reasons I love photographing them is because there is NEVER a dull moment... EVER! Here is just a preview of the shoot.

Sturgill Family

Let me just tell you about this family. They are a family full of the Spirit. I've had the honor and privilege of knowing them for 13 years; I've been mentored by them, watched (and still watching) their kids grow up, and watched the Lord grow our relationship into something so precious!
The way this shoot came about was that when I was spending time with the Lord, He dropped it in my heart to bless them with a photo shoot. They have poured so much into my life, this is THE LEAST that I could do for them. I love you guys! Enjoy the pictures!

A word from Abba

Ask, that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of me...your Lord, fully pleasing me.
All things were created by Me, through Me and for Me. I am before all things and in Me, all things consist. All fullness dwells in Me- I have reconciled you to Me, My cross-My blood brings peace.
Continue in the faith my daughter, be grounded and stand steadfast in Me- do not move away from hope-hope of the gospel you have heard-the gospel you know. You have received Me as your Lord. You have declared Me your master-Savior. Walk in Me, you are rooted in Me, you have been and are being built up in Me- EMBRACE IT! All fullness dwells in me.
You are fully complete in me.

You have been baptized with My Spirit. You have been baptized in water- buried with Me, but also raised with Me.
Tha old things of your flesh were left in that water. When I rose from the dead, it was just that; no death was upon Me. When i was in the grave-when I was buried, I wasn't chillin'.. I was disarming principalities and powers, making them a public spectacle and triumphing over them
YOU CAN DO THE SAME!
You are my elect. I have special things in store for you my daughter. Put on the things of Me though. Take off the rags you keep putting on yourself.
All fullness dwells in Me. Let My words dwell in you.
Do all that you do unto Me. Stop trying to please your leaders, friends, strangers.. I am the One who deserves your worship, and everything you do has the potential to be worship unto Me-if your heart is in it. Submit to Me, what I am doing in you-then submitting to others will come naturally.
I love you.
I am NOT disappointed in you.
I TREASURE YOU
I desire you.
You will make it through this time of trials, of suffering.
But you won't just barely make it, you will stand strong through it.
Don't doubt Me-I am faithful
I am strong and I will not- WILL NOT- ever become weak.

You are MINE
You are PRECIOUS TO ME
You are WORTH EVERYTHING TO ME!


Love,
your Father

Photos through my day...

So, I got an idea the other day from an online forum that I was on. Basically it is documenting your day through pictures. So I started... I will update my blog as I continue to take pictures.. Enjoy the first half of my day!

7 AM Made my bed

8 AM- Family Worship

9 AM- Pastor Dale's Prophetic Download (PD's PD) (sorry it is sideways)

10 AM- Video Editing

11 AM- More video editing

12-1 PM- LUNCH!

2 PM- KIDMO! Answering calls

3 PM- Entering online orders

4 PM- Working on ideas for my next photo project

5 PM- Cashing of paycheck

6 PM- Dinner/Dessert at the Duncans (I didn't eat dessert, but took a picture anyways)

7 PM- Listening to music and chillin' until LOST

8 PM- probably the 2nd best part of the day (1st was seeing Rachel Empey)... LOST!!!

9 PM- time for some freedom before bed

That was pretty much my day... Keep an eye out for my next photo projects, their going to be good!

some cool stuff coming

Ok, I know it has been not just a little while, but A LONG TIME since I have last posted. But I wanted to let you know that I am still alive and I have some fun, creative ideas rolling around in my head. I will let you in on them soon enough, just be on the lookout!!!!
Great stuff coming soon!

Just stand.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."

When I have stood and I have done all I know what to do, and have no clue what to do anymore I stand.

Get out of the boat

When I read the account of Peter walking on water towards our savior, I can't help but wonder what was going through his mind. Look at it with me...

²⁵ "Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. ²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” ²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

I would like to think this would be my first, natural response as well, but did Peter really believe that if the Lord told him to come, it would be possible? Or were those words, just the quick reaction of Peter?

²⁹ So He said, “Come.”

I can just imagine Peter saying.. "wait... did He just tell me to come out to Him? to actually walk on this water? Really? Any amount of mass sinks when put on water... I'm human, I'm most likely going to sink...hmmm.. am I really going to do this? He sure looks far away..."

And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous,^b]">[b] he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

When Jesus told Peter to "come", Peter was faced with a choice. Do I trust the what I know to be true about masses and water, or do I trust the Lord? Do I trust that the Lord knows what is going to happen?

I'm sure Peter was thinking.. If I step out of this boat, I am going to sink.-
but I think a huge part of this story is that Peter stepped out. He got out of the boat. HE TRUSTED. Then, after the initial step of trust, he lost sight of the Lord and that is when he started to sink.

I feel like I am standing in the boat right now, and the Lord is calling me to step onto the water and walk to Him. I'm scared... I think I am going to sink. I have a choice to make- Trust what I know (what i think i know), or trust the Lord?

The walk is going to be..
painful...
not easy...
potentially long...
emotional...

But, I know that the purity and wholeness the Lord wants me to walk in is so worth it. He is in the process of redefining my character so that I will look more like HIM.

weekend

This past weekend was so much fun! I know it is practically a new weekend, but I just needed to blog about this before I head out to CA! Last Saturday started out with a fun frisbee game! IHS won, which is great!

After that, Mitch came down to the hill to help me repaint my office at KIDMO! When I arrived, it was this nasty green...

when we got done, it turned into this beautiful brown!

After that, I met Kim and we went out to Huffs! We got our sandwiches and sat on the back porch. I of course, tried to hit the stop sign with rocks (unsuccessfully i must sadly admit). Then, we picked up Rachel and went out and had our impromptu photo shoot. What a great day!

Then, Sunday was the Academy Awards!! I watch 2 award shows a year, the Academy Awards and the Tony's! Congrats to Sandra Bullock who was named best actress in a leading role this year, and Katherine Bigelow whom made history this year in winning Best Director. She is the first woman in Academy Award history to win this!

Things that bring you rest

We all have those things that the Lord has given us to bring us joy, peace and rest. For me, one of those things is photography. I have been doing photography for 12 years now.. starting out with a point and shoot camera, but learning what it means to compose a shot. All through high school and college I have used photography as an outlet for "stress relief". I have been pursuing photography as a form of income lately, but the past few months, I realized that I haven't been doing photography just for fun. It is something that the Lord has provided for me to get rest through, yet I have not been doing it. SO, the other night, I was talking with Kim and we decided to go out and do a shoot for fun! We called Rach up and out we went. No agenda, just my friends, me and my camera! Here are a few of the shots from our day!!