Peace oh my soul

Yesterday started as a typical day at work... slow. It ended as a typical day at work... slow. On days such as yesterday I am presented with many opportunities to either sew to the flesh or to the Spirit. On slow days my mind is filled with thoughts wondering if we will make it, if we will be profitable, what would happen to my parents if we didn't and so on. I can choose to be overtaken with this worry or I can choose to rest in the peace and knowledge that 'my Savior will provide all of my needs'. Although it is not a pleasant place to be it is a glorious place.

Last night my dear friend Meredith came home from Russia where she has been student teaching since January. Jess, Amber and I decided to surprise her at the airport and be there when she came off the plane. On my way to the airport I was retained in traffic. Her plane came in at 5:30pm and as i watched the time go by on my car stereo 5:30, 5:40, 5:50, 6:00... the thoughts again started to flow. I so wanted to be there when my friend came walking off the plane. I wanted to hug her neck and catch up on the past semester. I had a choice... I could either begin to stress and get angry at a situation I could not control, or I could rest once again the knowledge of my Savior. I had my moments of worry and sadness at the possibility of missing this experience, but an overwhelming peace came over me and I began to worship. 

It is in moments such as these, when the Spirit reveals to me yet again... if My God provides peace for the little moments in my life, HOW MUCH MORE will His peace surround me in times of true testing and trails. 

'Then sings my soul, my Savior, God the Thee.

How great Thou art. How great Thou art.'

'It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul.'

Barbados

As many of you know I am moving to Barbados in January for three months to help build a strong Christian community in a church. The closer it gets the more excited I am for several different reasons. 

I am excited to simply see what the Lord has in store. I am going with a goal and a vision but I know the Lord sees the big picture and I am so excited to see how he uses this experience. I am looking forward to building relationships with believers in another country. I am always amazed how the bond of the Holy Spirit connects people across continents. 

Traveling is my wine. I love to experience new cultures, meet new people and just take in all the unique things the Lord has created! I can only imagine the stories I will hear, the things I will see and the memories I will make. 

Shutter Fun

My sister Virginia has been kind enough to model for me as I brush up on my portrait skills. I am shooting a wedding in April so I want to be positive I am ready.

Here are a few of my favorites from the most recent shoot.

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Isn't she just beautiful?

Virginia Leigh

Here are a few frames from my latest photo shoot. This is a wonderful field across the street from my office. 

Check it out.

How beautiful the simple...

Today is one of those days you wish you could blow off work and go frolic in a meadow, take a walk down Memory Lane and snap a shot of an old man buying a newspaper from a newspaper stand. It's the perfect to day sit out on your porch, sip a cup of iced green tea and write a letter to a dear friend on old fashioned stationary. 

Days like today put me in the mood to write a song or create something out of nothing. 

It brings out the inner child in me and inspires me to play "lost kids" and make chicken soup out of tree bark once more. 

Days like this give me courage to try things I would not normally try... makes me feel like anything is possible.

It brings to the fore front of my mind the dreams which have been put up on a shelf, shoved off to the side, buried under a pile of to-do lists... dreams that can still come to pass. 

 A day like today reminds me of how the simple things really are the most beautiful. 

My Dedication

I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the little people I had to step on to get here. It has been a hard road, a long road, but it has been worth it. I have grown in many ways, I have discovered who I truly am and I am so grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank my fans; if it wasn't for you I would never have made it. Thank you to everyone who has helped me succeed. 

Okay, so I totally just pulled that out of no where. Several of you have bugged me about getting one of these for some time now, so here it is! I do not promise to be diligent but I will try.