“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

I can see my dad holding up our bright orange dog food scoop in the middle of a sermon illustration. At that point in life, he had been my preacher since the day I was born. I honestly can’t remember too many sermons from childhood, but that one stuck. I can’t even remember what he started with. I know there was a progression. Maybe a spoon, then a ladle, and there may have even been more than a dog food scoop (we had a very large German Shepherd), but that bright orange scoop sticks out in my mind: “whatever measure you choose to use, the same will be used on you.”

Fast forward 30ish years. The scriptures taught in childhood have been tested, tainted, and questioned. While I know in my heart they haven’t failed (or even been tainted), because of the harsh realities life brings, sometimes my heart struggles to believe the simplicity of the words. It is a battle to remain steadfast. A long war (2 Sam 3:1). There is a very real enemy that thrives off of stealing, killing, and destroying the life the Lord longs to bring (John 10:10). An enemy that whispers doubts, fears, and lies. An enemy that twists His words (Gen 3:1).  An enemy that steals our hope in them. His words are life (John 1:1-4). His words are our guide in this life (John 16:13). They don’t return void (Isa 55:11). The same Jesus who whispers in Mark 5:36 “don’t be afraid…just believe” whispers those same words to you and I as well…”don’t be afraid, just believe”. There is so much encouragement found in His words. Read His words. Hang onto His words with everything you have. And when you can’t hang on anymore, trust that He still holds onto you. When you surrender to Him, nothing can separate you from His love (Rom 8:39).

A few weeks ago, friends text me about the northern lights in Alabama. I was skeptical. It had been predicted before. I didn’t give it much thought. The week had been a rough one. The tragic loss of a neighbor in a car accident, a couple of patients at work who were struggling, and some health issues in my own family exhausted my soul and hit my heart hard. I heard John Eldredge say in a podcast today actually, “joy is always opposed.” My heart ached in the losses and the unknowns. I was so thankful the weekend was finally here. My heart was also expectant and hopeful. I knew the weekend would soon bring a sunrise, breakfast, the beauty of a lake, nature, and the refreshment of companionship. Companionship...something I've continually brought before the Lord. Something others have brought before the Lord on my behalf. The battle of alone and loneliness is something I've fought since before my divorce. An early morning meet up with this wonderful man was the only chance that week we could find to see each other. The possibility of northern lights the night before really wasn't a major thought in my mind until I walked out of my front door onto my doorstep about 9p to take out the trash. I was met by the most beautiful glow of purple above the houses across the street. The purple oscillated between green and pink. The sky danced. I yelled at the kids to come outside and we watched mesmerized. How incredible is our God?!?! It’s so easy to “just believe” in those moments standing in the presence of His beauty. 

The lights lasted about an hour. There was prediction for more in the early morning hours. I texted my friend. We agreed to meet earlier that morning. We waited and saw nothing. I was about to pack up my gear but first decided to take a camera photo. The camera revealed the purple glow. As we watched, the sky again began to change. The incredible beauty of it all…the northern lights, something he and I both have on our bucket lists, were visible here in Alabama!!!!! Thanks to auto timer I captured the photo below. My heart melted. It still brings tears. My hands in his, surrounded by beauty, and a shooting star darted across the sky (upper right). But what caught my attention the most…the Big Dipper to the left above us. My mind…brought back to those childhood years sitting in a church pew and hearing scripture. That big orange scoop. I most definitely have NOT always used a large measure of love, joy, peace, justice, mercy, forgiveness, etc. What even was this lesson coming back into the front of my mind? I knew there were so many instances where I haven’t done my part. But the continual image of the Lord pouring out incredible blessings using so much more than an orange scoop wouldn’t leave my mind…

I can’t hide my heart. My prayers. My faith in Him. The whispers of Him “don’t be afraid…just believe”. As this friend and I navigate the newness of a dating relationship together there are pieces of our hearts that have been given new life. Do we know the outcome?? Not totally. But we both rely on the Lord to be our guide through His Spirit. We both trust Him. Surrender and mountains of prayer is what brought us here. Surrender and mountains of prayer is what we will continue to do. We will continue to praise Him giving thanks for His steadfast love knowing we don’t deserve it but also knowing we are His kids. This song by Benjamin Hastings is a favorite. Take time to listen. Choose to believe. Continue to remind yourself you are His and He loves you so very much. He’ll “never leave” you “abandoned.” 

“…Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” - Joshua 23:14.

I included this verse towards the end of the last blog I wrote months ago. Reminders of a God who keeps His promises and one who makes a way in wildernesses. The question posed in that same writing: “Is it possible to take these big emotions of thankfulness, hope, and gratitude through even more wilderness?” In the months that would follow of uncertainties and unknowns, the answer is definitely yes! 

A verse of scripture has been on my heart for years. Psalms 37:3 - “trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.” Sometimes maybe we intensify our own wildernesses by not realizing the places the Lord has us. Dwell in the land…wait…hold…trust...enjoy. Reading further to the next verse. Delight in Him and He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4). But how hard is it to step back, stop, and dwell in a place where unmet desires exist? Where heartbreak still exists? Where my desire is to do anything but sit in the continual struggles and wait in them. "Lord if you have placed me here, or if you have led me here, where are you?" Taking the scripture to heart, my intentions were to continue to dwell and feast on His faithfulness. The only explanation I have of how that is possible in spite of difficult situations is asking the Lord to help. Asking the Lord for the eyes to see. In that the Lord granted a tremendous perspective shift followed by continual provisions. There are not other words or answers other than "because of Jesus and the gift of Holy Spirit" is joy in difficulties possible. My attitude has been anything but joyous at times, but He is still so faithful. Isaiah 30:15 - “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength but you would have none of it...” The words jumped off the page. It isn't a magic step by step but when you ask the Spirit to open your eyes, He is faithful. Those words were what I needed to hold onto. I didn’t want to be in the “have none of it” group. Read what happens in chapter 30. Refusing to wait isn't good although the Lord's response is incredible. And when you ask the Spirit for the words YOU need, He may give YOU different words. His word is alive and active (Heb 4:12). The encouragement is to spend time with Him. To dwell. He will provide the safe pasture as you seek Him. 

Today I passed the sign posted below on my way home from a beautiful place of refreshment with a wonderful friend. The Lord truly “leads beside still waters. He restores my soul…” - Psalm 23. This reminder. Leave room for Him to work. Leave room for Him to write His story. Surrender your heart to Him. He isn't wasteful or careless. His love for us will endure forever. 

As I read the one year Bible the day I wrote this I smiled. “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” I actually thought it was the verse I wrote about at the first of the year until I looked. Today’s read was Joshua 21:45. Apparently multiple times in Joshua these words are written. Multiple times in Joshua the words are also written - “Be strong and courageous." "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." "The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." 

The Lord is with you wherever He leads you. The mountains, the valleys, the fires, and floods. He is by your side. He is in you. Psalms 139:8 - “If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Spend time with Him. He is able to walk you through anything. He will keep showing up with more. Take time to listen to this fun song by Brandon Lake and Benjamin Hastings! Continue to praise Him. His love endures forever! "The wilderness will rejoice and blossom!" - Psalms 35:1 He is faithful! 

“The wilderness will rejoice and blossom” - Isaiah 35:1

I hadn’t picked out my verse for 2024. The last few years, I’ve had a verse printed on a small calendar magnet along with an image or images taken throughout the previous year. Simply a remembrance of the previous year's beauty and then hope and encouragement for the year ahead. 2020 - “The Lord Himself goes before you." - Deut 31:8. For 2021 - no verse and no word and a misplaced focus at the beginning if I’m honest. In the Lord’s tremendous goodness, 2021 would bring an unbelievable year where the Lord would stay close to my side, reveal His presence in incredible ways, and recenter my focus. My relationship with Him would forever be changed in a beautiful way.

2022 - “In all your ways acknowledge Him…” - Proverbs 3:6

2023 - “Delight yourself in the Lord…” - Psalms 37:4.

2024…I’ve been stuck. It’s been in the back of my mind this need to pick a verse but nothing resonated. And maybe not even pick a verse, but spend time with the Father in reflection and anticipation. There has been a hesitancy, maybe even a fear. The Lord has done some BIG things in just these past couple of months. Big things that increase my hope as He answers prayers. He is truly a God who sees and hears. I want to hope in what I’ve felt and know. The past month has been incredible. The Lord has provided and taken care of every need. He’s shown up in ways I’ve specifically asked for and in ways my heart has desired but I haven’t asked for. He's read my heart. Imagine that! Even in some of the silly little details, His love is so evident. When I opened up this gift from Addi I knew. THIS was the verse and it also brings to mind the whole chapter. “The wilderness will rejoice and blossom…water will gush forth...a highway will be there...” - But what if it all stops? What if there is so much more hardship ahead? Is it possible to take these big emotions of thankfulness, hope, and gratitude through even more wilderness? What if I fail at listening, and hearing, and seeing? What if I go the wrong way? 

The wilderness. So much of what this crew has experienced has felt like wilderness. But in the midst of that, there have been so many reminders and moments to rejoice. I was listening to a message at some point between Christmas and now. The speaker was referencing John the Baptist sending two followers to ask if Jesus is “the One” or should they expect someone else. Jesus responds with what is presently taking place. “the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed…” - (found in Luke 7:18-35). Bill states - “John is in prison. He prepared the way for the one who delivers people from prison. And he’s not being set free…You can be encouraged every day of your life if you keep your attention on what God’s doing. You can be discouraged every day of your life if you keep your attention on what He’s NOT doing….a whole bunch of things we are crying out for that haven’t happened yet…”

There may be things in your life you are crying out for that haven’t happened yet. I know it’s true in my own heart. I’m continuing to lean into the Lord with those desires. I refuse to give those things the ability to distance me in bitterness or anger or doubt or whatever lie the enemy may throw up to put distance between my heart and the One who created it. Jesus wants all of my heart. Especially the hurt and disappointed pieces (Psalms 51:17). As I look back on 2023, it hasn't been easy, but goodness I’ve seen Him move so many times and it stirs my heart. It brings joy. He stirs my heart. He brings joy. "The Lord Himself goes before" me. I want to "acknowledge Him" in all my ways. I want to "delight in Him"...And that is how the wilderness rejoices and blossoms. It’s not in our ability. It’s in His. In 2024 may you find so many opportunities to rejoice and blossom because He is with you. As a Jesus follower He lives in you! Continue to set your focus on Him. May you experience the ability to see Him in 2024. Happy New Year from part of my crew to yours! 

* This part is personally for me to remember...I wrote this on 12/30. It has been in my heart for longer but I put the words on paper to pray over them before I posted and I still had to take one more photo. This photo of the kids and I, on my “doorstep”. We talked about it last night. We would take it after church thanks to my camera's 10 second delay. Today, 12/31, listening to a message before we left for church. “It’s doorstep day”. Just wow. (Hopefully not the type where I fall off of it lol...been there, done that, and a neighbor witnessed it all haha). Pastor Blake continued. He used Joshua 1 and then 23:14. Scriptures my mom and I had discussed days before. The presence of the Lord is such a beautiful thing. There is no promise He won’t fulfill. He will provide in every step you take with Him. He is faithful. He is so alive and active!!! He gives joy in the wilderness :) The very last chapter and verse of Psalms in the One Year Bible read today - "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord" - Psalms 150:6. 

Tonight at the family farm, also still on my heart...Entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. (Psalms 100:4) There was a beautiful moon bow in the sky. After taking a few pictures and looking through the images I looked up the different references of moon in the Bible. I was led to Psalms 136. An entire chapter dedicated to thanks and His "hesed" love. So beautiful. Give thanks! Remember you are so very loved. Happy Thanksgiving from Journey Steps Photography!

There is absolutely no way to free and cleanse our hearts from the past. It isn’t in our power. We must bring those moments to Jesus. There isn’t a sinless one among us. Without Jesus we can't do anything good. We are filthy rags. (Romans 3:10-12 & Isaiah 64:6). Those words I identify with. It's much easier for me to identify with filthy rags rather than daughter of a king. It's sometimes easier to live as a slave than in freedom. The transition into beauty and freedom promised is one that I struggle with. I know the Bible says we are new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Sons and daughters of the king (2 Cor 6:18). I know I’m an heir, but life has not always exactly felt that way. I know I can’t bring anything of value. But I also know the Bible says I'm incredibly valuable in Jesus. He paid his life to prove it (John 10:18). I was created in God's image (Genesis 1:27). What does it look like to truly walk towards what we’ve been given in Jesus?  Have you ever asked that question? What does it look like to be a son or daughter of the King today? How do I remind my heart I am chosen in spite of circumstances? How do I feel this in my core? What does it look like to be a daughter of the King in a world crammed full of confusion, pain, and chaos? What does it mean to walk towards His promises (2 Cor 3:17)? I don't want to miss out on anything. What does it look like to be fearless warriors like Joshua and Caleb and step into something I've already been given but maybe never experienced before? A couple of weeks ago I asked the Lord those very questions.

I don’t have a complete answer to those questions yet. What I do know is the night after I prayed those words, a friend who works in prison ministry shared with me a message she felt the women of the prisons needed to hear. She had no idea what I had asked the Lord the night before. Those women in prison were not filthy rags. They were daughters of the King and she proceeded to provide scriptural proof. I was blown away. I knew He had heard my prayer. I knew He was using a friend to unknowingly speak the encouragement and reminders I needed from his Father heart. I asked the Lord to set me free from those filthy rag thoughts that sometimes held my heart captive. Back to Isaiah 61. (See previous entry if interested) But the Lord didn't stop there. He is such an incredible Father. 

After the plunge in the water, the sun came out. It was soft and beautiful. I love the sunshine. The Lord had reminded me of the gift in sunshine days before. I felt the Lord say I’ve got you. Keep walking into my promises. My friends also were given words from the Lord. He is such an individual God. That night we met up with the rest of my work crew. We were each gifted journals. They were so incredibly personal to each individual. I don’t know if I will ever write in it more than what I wrote on the first page. The beautiful soul that put them together only knew a few details about us but we were told these journals were prayerfully pieced together. I guarantee you she had no idea a couple of weeks ago I asked the Lord to show me what it looked like to be a daughter of the King. I still don’t know how that plays out in my life, but I do know the unique theme of my journal was “daughter” and "beauty". Just about every page had something about a daughter or an heir on it. My "miracle" song lyrics were on the very first page. The details on every page were so personal and unique. How in the world? Only God. He is a God who sees. 

Just the first two pages...

Tucked in the last page of my journal…Your crown has been paid for. All you have to do is put it on. Joshua and Caleb again came to mind. The promised land. They were given an inheritance. Joshua and Caleb were willing to trust and step into what was promised. The other men were not and the other men missed out on their inheritance. I know the Lord is so good and I trust Him. I don’t want to miss out on experiencing the fullness of what He has promised because I walk in fear or because I long for security found in "Egypt".  A clip from one of my favorite scenes of “The Chosen”…He sees you. He hears you…I know I’ve been invited into redemption. I know you have too. Let Him pull you out of your blindness. Let Him remove the filthy rags (Zech 3). Plunge into His goodness. Let Him lead you into promises of His rest (Matt 11:28-30) regardless of what the world may look like around you. He is faithful. He loves you so very much. Trust Him. You are no longer a slave to fear, you are a child of God. I pray that if you are struggling with being His child, He steps in and reminds you in an amazingly beautiful way that you are His. He did just that for me. He will do that for you too. Talk to Him.

One of my favorite songs. (Zach Williams - No Longer Slaves)

“It’s gone” - words texted by my mother a couple of weeks ago. She was referencing a barn that has been on my parents (and my grandparents before them) property for about a hundred years. My heart sank. I had known it was coming, part of it was dismantled a few months ago. I’d known insurance determined it a liability almost a year ago. I knew even before that others had also said it probably wasn’t salvageable. Deep down I always hoped maybe the right person would come along and restore, rebuild, or preserve it. Staring at the rubble a few days ago, reality had proven otherwise. I know it may sound silly. It’s just a barn. The loss is so minimal in comparison to so many other things, but my heart still hurt.

I intentionally set out determined, and maybe even a little dramatically (yes I brought yellow flowers), to invite the Lord into this place of visual destruction that represented places in my heart. The first image above was taken a little over a year ago. A friend met me in Montgomery (close to where my parents live) and gave me this beautiful bouquet of yellow roses for my 41st Birthday. Isaiah 61 had been a passage on my heart at the time. The outpouring of the Spirit. Beauty for ashes. Joy for mourning. Restoration of devastation. The yellow roses (read Hinds Feet for High Places), the deteriorating barn (soon to be ruins), and the beauty the Spirit continued to bring into my life during that time inspired the photo and has since marked my heart.

Isaiah 61 is such a beautiful passage. It also brings to mind my mother. I see the way the Spirit of the Lord in her exhibits a living example of what the Spirt of the Lord came to do in the hearts of all believers. The Spirit speaks life to our hearts. He then gives us those words to encourage others. As I sat a few days ago reflecting in the rubble on Isaiah 61, the yellow rose photo that now hangs in my mother's house, the Spirit of the Lord….”the heart” came to mind. The heart is what He is after. The heart is what He came to heal and set free. The heart is what He longs for a daily relationship with. The heart is what I’ve heard Him ask for…”bring me your heart. Bring me all of it. Bring it to me daily”.

It doesn’t matter what it is or how silly it may seem in comparison to whatever the rest of the world is going through. The Lord cares about YOUR heart and YOUR reality. He wants YOUR heart healed in the places it’s broken. Sin has broken us all. Unless you bring whatever it is to Him, it can’t be covered by His blood, healed by Him, or used by Him. There are so many times we can’t control what causes joy and pain. And then there are probably just as many other instances where our actions of obedience or rebellion lead to the places we find ourselves in. He wants you to invite Him into all of it. Ask Him when the disappointment surfaces. Literally say the words…”Lord, Jesus, Father, Daddy (whatever you would personally use here)...just ask Him, “Will you come with me here?” “Will your heal my heart here?”

I took this next image to remember the moments. To remind myself of what I’d heard from the Lord. To know He will comfort, He will provide, He will rebuild, He will restore. It may not always look like what we want it to look like, but that doesn’t change His faithfulness. His words do not return void (Isaiah 55:11). I knew I’d invited Him in. I had named my disappointment and heart ache (more than a barn). I honestly wasn’t sure what He was going to do with that and honestly in that very moment, the countenance of my heart didn’t change a whole lot. I was still standing in ruins. I walked around, took a few more photos, thought “ok, I’ve paid my respects to what my heart feels, I’ve brought it to you Lord, now what??”

As I was headed back to my parents' house, the open gate caught my attention. The verse that came to mind first was Matt 7:13 and 14. What followed was “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” I then was reminded of words I’d heard in a sermon. The sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). Here on earth is where we get to offer a “sacrifice” of praise. To speak the name of Jesus in all circumstances. There won’t be death, sorrow, or crying in Heaven (Rev 21:4). Here on earth is the only place we get the chance to praise Him and walk with Him in our disappointments. I thanked the Lord for His beauty, the sunset, the gate and everything it brought to mind. I later looked up the verse. "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Psalms 100:4. The end of the passage - “The Lord is good, His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Hesed).” I love that He drew my attention to the gate after sitting with me in the ruins. 

The next morning, want to know what my daily devotional reading was from? Isaiah 61:1 and an encouragement to bring the Father our broken hearts. (Restoration Year: John Eldredge) I listened to a sermon on the way home that day as well. Want to know what he quoted from? Isaiah 61. And then in a podcast by Emily P Freeman, she says these words: “Be gentle with yourself. When it comes to life with God, there’s no wrong way to be together…After taking an honest moment of reflection, after naming my disappointment, no matter how silly it kinda seemed, I was actually able to sort of laugh at myself. That’s what a life of reflection can do. Rather than avoiding the emotion I let it rise, and in the rising there was release, and in the release there was freedom…” 

How incredible is our Lord? He sees us. He knocks on the door of our hearts. He gives us a safe place in His presence to let our disappointments rise. Honestly walk with Him through the destruction of your heart. Don’t ignore what causes it pain. Ask Him to heal those places, give those places to Him, name them, walk into them, surrender…do not give the enemy a foothold by hiding any part of your heart. Trust Him. He will walk with you through the ruins. He will restore the places of devastation and then gently lead you to His gate towards green pasture. He’s the only one that can truly open the right gate (John 10:7). The gate to freedom where hope and praise overflow. Where goodness and love will follow all the days of our life (Psalm 23). Where we can find rest for our souls (Matt 11:29). Where we are held in His hesed love. 

The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom for the captives
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,
² to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
    and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³     and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
    instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
    instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.

⁴ They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.
⁵ Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
⁶ And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.

⁷ Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

⁸ “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
⁹ Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

¹⁰ I delight greatly in the Lord;
    my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
    and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
    and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
¹¹ For as the soil makes the sprout come up
    and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
    and praise spring up before all nations.

“In the morning Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”  - Psalms 5:3.

These blooms met and totally surprised me this morning. “Consider the lilies…” (Matt 6:28). I heard this verse included in a worship service Wednesday evening. My world had been rocked earlier that day. An unexpected but definite answer to prayer that left me speechless. Have you had those moments? I’ve had them more than I care to admit. Those moments when the direct answer to your months and months of prayers isn’t exactly how you imagined it playing out. You question His leading. You question your ability to hear Him. “Lord why did you lead me here? I followed you here with every part of my heart I was capable of giving You. I trusted You. I saw you answer prayer after prayer that I prayed, some in evident miraculous ways. I have given you my heart and trust You, but I wasn’t prepared for this.”

The Lord has brought Exodus 14:14 to my heart so often lately. That Wednesday evening worship service message started with Exodus 14. The tears fell. Beauty in the heartache. He is so alive and active in our lives. He confirms what He places in our hearts. In chapter 14, Moses had led the Israelites from Egypt and they were up against the Red Sea. The journey out of Egypt for Moses included one internal battle after another. Moses had told the Lord from the beginning he wasn’t the guy but the Lord continued to equip and prepare. Now Moses found himself against a Red Sea, a multitude of doubting people, and an army in hot pursuit of them.

The Journey To and Through the Dead End

The Lord's people had witnessed miracle after miracle. Assurance after assurance. Promises and desires of freedom were ignited. Hope in their hearts stirred. The leading and path to freedom seemed promising. Again, they had watched the Lord work MIRACLES. And then the Red Sea changed all of that. “...You brought us in the desert to die???” (Ex 14:11)

There is so much hope and encouragement in Exodus 14. Moses's words - “do not be afraid…Stand firm…you will see deliverance…the Lord will fight for you.” And then the Lord - “Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the seas to divide the water…”

Do you need a miracle? Do you need the Lord to part the waters and lead the way to the promises in His word? Do you need Him to lead you through your doubts? Do you believe He is able?

Moses was a tremendous leader and an intercessor for the Lord’s people. Today the Lord hasn’t just given us tremendous. He’s given us miraculous perfection full of all power and all authority to intercede on our behalf. He has given us His Son and His Spirit if we choose to follow Him. When we keep our eyes on Him and where He leads, if we stand firm, He will fight for us. He will raise his hands when the time is right and encourage us to “move forward” into the promises He has waiting on us. But even in that, we will probably continue to trek through the wilderness like the Israelites. We are so human. Their journey to the promise land is worth the read. The Lord is so incredibly faithful in spite of our faithlessness.  (2 Timothy 2:13)

Earlier this week I had taken a photo of these two birds. “Look at the birds…” (Matt 6:26). A desire from Ecc 4:9-11 on my heart when I noticed these two birds taking shelter from the storm. Little did I know the Lord was preparing my heart for what I would hear and desperately need on a Wednesday night from Matthew 6. "Look at the birds...Consider the lilies...Do not worry...Seek first His kingdom." Even being in that room on a Wednesday night, also a prompting from Him. It’s not somewhere I normally would have gone. He surrounded me with other believers full of His Spirit. He truly goes before us. He is so beautiful to confirm His words following the experiences He gives. Thankful for the lilies this morning. Thankful for the birds of the air. Thankful for His promises to meet our needs and heart's desires. Thankful for His presence and love. 

Do you look for Him? Do you listen for Him? Do you trust Him? Do you see Him?

I’d encourage you to seek Him every morning. Wait for Him. He’s in the waiting. It brings to mind the lyrics of this beautiful song. Take time to listen.

“I will choose life even in darkness. Your truth lights a beautiful spark in this heart and soul. Be still and know. My fear is gone. Here in your presence. A new song rises to heaven. This heart and soul will be still and know.” - Red Rocks Worship

Spend time in His presence today. “Seek first His kingdom…” Matt 6:33 - He is so faithful.

“Your words feel meaningless” - those thoughts along with so many others I brought before the Lord the night before seeing this rainbow one summer evening in 2022. The struggle was real and probably one of the hardest nights I’ve had wrestling with the Lord. This “walk by the Spirit” thing (Gal 5:16) felt like a harsh joke. I was hurt, angry, and knew the Lord was “just sitting there watching it unfold.” Have you been there? Have you searched with all of your heart and come up empty handed? Have you struggled with thoughts you wish didn’t exist? Have you experienced those moments you wish you could just will yourself to believe things about the Lord you didn’t feel? Have you begged to believe, hear, and see? 

The next morning the patient Father reminded me He was still with me. The next page in my devotional was everything I’d been leaning on and walking in in the days before. It was all packaged up in a couple of paragraphs written in black and white by an author who had written decades earlier having no idea the Lord would bring those scriptures to MY mind together. The description God uses of himself in the Bible came to mind. “Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” - Ex 34: "Hesed" in the Hebrew text. 

Sometimes all we need to continue in steps of faith during a struggle is knowing He’s with us. But in other times knowing He’s with us and just watching us struggle makes Him feel incredibly harsh and distant. I can’t explain it. I can only say I’ve experienced it. I know of others who have experienced the same. If you experience harsh feelings in a diligent search, tell Him. He can handle it. He loves His children. It says in His word to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. It is God who works in you. - Philippians 2:12&13. Come to Him. Bring it to Him. Before Him. In His presence. He’s a good Father. He will comfort you with His love. "God is love" - 1 John 4:8. And "perfect love drives out fear" - 1 John 4:18. For me, the answer was found in my daily habit of reading. He left me humbled and in awe. I’d encourage you to be persistent in your search through scriptures and in your conversations with Him. 

The Lord also pursues our hearts. As the sun was setting and in the quiet moments of reflecting on the battle the night before along with the humbling words read that morning, I looked out of my upstairs window and gasped. The most beautiful sunset rainbow was glowing. I grabbed my camera and ran outside. ”slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness”… Rainbows are one of my absolute favorite things to see in the sky. 

The Lord set the rainbow in the sky as a promise to never destroy the earth again with a flood. Isaiah 54:9 also references this sign and Him holding back his anger. I knew the Lord owed me no explanation. I knew I was wrong. This sunset rainbow wasn’t a one time thing either. In less than two weeks we would see 6 different rainbows. The last 3 each brought revelations because of their divine timing. He is faithful in His promises. He is the God who sees. He is so intimate and personal. He surrounds us with other Christ followers. 

“He Who Promised is Faithful”. Hold on to that. He’s got you. He sees you. He has chosen you and desires a relationship with you. He is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.” I pray you see Him today in the ways that speak to YOUR heart. I pray you feel His love. And if it’s been a minute since you’ve seen Him or you realize you are not following Him, I pray you call out to Him today. "Put your hope in God alone. Take courage in His power to save" - Shane and Shane (I Will Wait for You) Beautiful song. Click the link to listen. 

I took the first set of images back in October. I wrote most of this then as well. I'd never seen the creek so dry. Normally there is a waterfall with water pouring over the ridge too. On this day there was barely a trickle. I knew I was supposed to spend time in the woods alone with the Lord but I didn't expect everything to be so dry. The trees still green, but the leaves were beginning to fall. As I walked down the creek bed normally flowing full of water, I thought of Joshua. I know this is a small creek but I wonder what the Jordan River bottom looked like as they stepped across on dry ground (Joshua 3:17). Were there pools of water around reminding them of what was once covered? Did they cross over in fear wondering when and if the water would crash on them like they had witnessed earlier when the Egyptians drowned in the Red Sea? Was it familiar? Were they full of trust? Were they still surprised at the miracles and the Lord's protection and provision? 

The Lord had commanded them to step and the waters would part. The Israelites obeyed. They stepped. The waters parted. They walked in step with a miracle. Can I have some of that trust please? If you want honesty, I asked for it. I sat down right in the middle of this dry creek bed and asked the Lord to make the way. Part the waters. Give faith to step. I also asked for the dry ditches to be filled (2 Kings 3:16-19). To make streams in the wilderness (Isaiah 35:6). To do a new thing in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19). In prayer sometimes and in my time before the Lord, I struggle to know which season I'm in. Can I have it all? Can You part the waters in some areas and fill the dry places in others Lord? Both require a miracle. Both are needs at times in the journey through a wilderness. Have you been there before? Have you struggled to know what season you are walking through the wilderness in? 

Walking out of the canyon there is a set of stone stairs. They wind around and you can't see them all. Another reminder that by faith we don't always know where we are going. The Lord has it. Our job is to keep in step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25). Finishing my hike, you can't see him really well, phone photo, but in the next image is a deer. 3 crossed my path on the hike. One came back and looked at me. He stopped, we stared at each other, and he started to inch my way. "He makes my feet like the deer" came to mind. Habakkuk 3:19 is one of my favorite passages. It can also be found in Psalms 18:33. If you are in the wilderness with no water, find a river you can't cross, or a mountain you can't climb, know that your Sovereign Lord is your strength. He will "make your feet like the deer." He who calls you is faithful (1 Thess 5:24).

I went back with my family months later. The creek flowing with water. The waterfall over the ridge was beautiful. And there was so much life and laughter as part of my family played and enjoyed the Lord's creation. He is a faithful Father. He gives good gifts. He brings life. So thankful for His many blessings. 

March 9th around sunset to March 10th at sunrise...such a contrast. Addi and Joe joined this adventure while Nathan stayed home not feeling too well. The storms were coming in and I asked Addi if she wanted to go to the docks not far from our house to watch and take photos. She agreed and off we went. I had looked at the weather and knew there would be such a contrast between sunset and sunrise. I explained to Addi my thoughts. She got it and was actually excited to get out of bed this morning in hopes of a beautiful sunrise. The storms...we've been warned they are coming (John 16:33). Storms are forecasted and guaranteed. The sun sets, the skies go dark. The storms rage. In this darkness however, there is still good work being done. God is still in control even when we can't feel Him or see Him in the darkness...and then the sun rises. It's sunrises that bring hope. The sun is faithful to rise every morning. God is faithful in our own darkness as well. There was still a layer of fog this morning out over the water however the waters were calm, the skies beautiful, the atmosphere peaceful. It isn't always like this. Sometimes it takes a whole lot longer than 12 hours for the atmosphere to change, and sometimes the periods of darkness are so difficult on our hearts and emotions. He is faithful however. He is light. He will shine through the darkness and calm the storms. Thankful for the beautiful reminders in nature that point to Him, especially when needed most.

"Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him..." - Lamentations 3:22-25

I literally prayed for this view...The stormy photos from the night before as I posted earlier. I wanted this to be the story and I've never seen the water this peaceful. An officer stopped by to talk to Addi and I and he commented the same. He couldn't believe how peaceful the water was, "It's amazing how calm it is....This is a river...it flows"...but the water was like glass with fog in the distance and then the fog rolled in. I have so many other wants and desires, but this morning...this was enough. 

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalms 37:4. Here's to the start of a new week!

(Both written and photographed on March 9&10, 2019)

2 Corinthians 4:6-18

"Unless we honestly find God to be beautiful or enjoyable we will have nothing worth saying to the people around us. Until we see Him aright, we will have no genuine desire to fill the world with the knowledge of our God" - Daniel Hames/Michael Reeves (God Shines Forth)

The simplicity and magnitude of that quote. Read the words again. Do you find the Lord beautiful? "Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalms 139:14 

"You traded heaven to have me again"- Hillsong United. Such a beautiful song. Listen here. 

Spend some time reflecting on His beauty today. He is present even in the storm. He is faithful. He is alive and active. He keeps His promises. You can "know that full well". 

From Psalms 18 and the tug in my heart to take a quick detour on the way to work this morning.

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. - 1

You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. - 28

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. - 30

Sure footed as a deer (hinds feet) - 33

The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted!- 46

Praise His name today! Take time to listen to this great song from Corey Voss

Praise Your Name

The enemy has to flee!! James 4:7 and this word from the Lord

"Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only." - Matthew 4:10

Rise Up!!  (song by Cain) You've been set free!!

Praise Him and reflect the light He's placed in YOU as a believer today!! His Hope is not put to shame. (Romans 5:5) 

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest command.” - Matthew 22:37 and 38. 
 

My Facebook memory from a year ago today...Needed the encouragement today and maybe you could use a little encouragement too. He's got this!

When we agree to step in the plane we relinquish all control to the pilot…

“When we have not learned to live by faith God will hang out till we get the message. He’ll keep us hanging out, circling the airfield, in the neighborhood of the promise until He’s ready to land us because we’ve grown…Some of us are in Gods waiting room. There is probably no harder discipline in the Christian life than waiting.” - Tony Evans 

I love this photo from a couple of weeks ago. We had climbed out of and above a storm. I struggle to fly. A leap of faith. But flying opens up a whole new world. And in this past month personally, a world I could have never predicted I’d get to experience. I’m so ready to stop circling this season in life. But oh.my.goodness some of the experiences have been absolutely incredible. I wouldn’t trade them for an easier journey. Trusting the pilot. Enjoying the views. Overcoming fears. Knowing in my heart He’s got all this and He is good. His timing is perfect. I also know He loves you too. He has your journey. Trust Him and step…

“The heavens are roaring the praise of Your glory”  - Jonathan Traylor

Listen to the whole song!! We WILL see a victory!!!  See A Victory

The storm before take off...

A sunrise rainbow we saw on the trip. 

There is power when we worship!!

These photos showed up in my Facebook memories from a couple of years ago. The sun had just set, a comet barely visible (to the left beside the tree line), the stars were shining, and my kids were laughing in the background. It was July 2020. The year of so much change but so much to be thankful for too. The Lord has created so much beauty found only in the darkness. 

“Unveiling beauty is our greatest expression of love, because it’s what the world needs most from us…we offer beauty so that their hearts might come alive, be healed, know God. That is love…” - Stasi Eldredge. What is one way we can unveil beauty? Worship Him in the darkness. Give thanks in the darkness. Rely on His promises in our toughest moments. The Lord used the night sky to make a promise to Abraham. He got Abraham outside of his tent, outside of his place of comfort, and said look up (Gen 15:5). It didn't mean easy for Abraham. In fact the journey would become a lot harder. Worship would involve sacrifice. But the Lord gave a promise in the darkness and a visible reminder to trust. We are the continued fulfillment of that promise. 

There is power found in worship. Will it relieve your immediate situation? Maybe not, but it brings your heart to the One who can grant peace and courage to walk through life’s difficulties. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalms 22:3) If it’s been a minute since you’ve looked up, said “thank-you Lord”, and taken time to reflect and remember, then get outside. Isaiah writes in chapter 40 “Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing…He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”. And if you look up and see a bunch of clouds blocking your view. Keep the faith. Those clouds will eventually pass and the stars will be visible again. The stars are there even when you can’t see them. Your Father in heaven is also very much alive and faithful. He exists in the darkness even when we can’t seem to find Him.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12

"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name." - Hebrews 13:15

There is power when we worship....take a minute to listen to this song!

Rainbows are my absolute favorite. I love seeing them in the sky or in the spray of a waterfall. If there is sunshine and rain, I’m looking up and opposite of the sun trying to find a bow. A couple of weeks ago I saw this cloud while driving. I knew it had promises of a rainbow in it. I was close to a familiar county road so I drove to where I could pull over. I waited and prayed. It had been the type of weekend where I just needed a little assurance from the Lord. As I waited, a text from my daughter “its so pretty” and a picture of a rainbow. I realized we were looking at the same cloud. She could see from where she was standing what I knew was there but couldn’t see with my own eyes. I actually drove down the road, slightly jealous, to get a different angle after her text but never saw anything. I did get to witness a beautiful sunset and as the sun was setting, I thanked the Lord that she could see. It's one of my greatest prayers. "Lord these kids have been through a lot. May they always be able to see evidence of Your goodness." 

I posted both of these cell phone shots to my social media and went to my meeting. Afterwards I checked to see multiple notifications. Friends had posted images of their rainbow view. My heart smiled. Isn’t this how the body of believers should work? When a fellow Christian struggles to see the Lord (who we know is there), other Christ followers can come alongside, encourage, and point out evidence of His existence. Chapter 6 of Galatians is so good. "Carry each other's burdens". "Let us not become weary in doing good". "As we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers". 

Rainbows and shooting stars are God reminders for me. In 13 days my crew saw 7 rainbows in the sky. He is good. He is faithful. He is slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Whatever reminders you need from the Lord, I pray He gives them. If you’ve waited and waited to get a glimpse of Him and just can’t see the evidence with your own eyes, I pray there is someone who comes along side you and says: "look, He’s right here!! He see you and He loves you so much." 

Take time to encourage someone today. It can be as simple as texting a few words or an image of their favorite thing. You just might be the glimpse of the Lord they needed to see. "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." - Colossians 3:16
 

Like the Dew

My daily Bible reading this morning finished with this Proverb. I looked up from my cup of coffee and noticed the dew on the blades of grass. I went back inside to get my camera. In the way the sunlight hit, there were thousands of tiny beads of light. As I was appreciating the beauty of thousands of tiny sunlit rainbows of color too, I smiled. I'm sure I looked pretty ridiculous. I was literally laying on the ground, on my belly, covered in grass. And then it hit. Isn't that how we find ourselves sometimes before we ever notice the light? Isn't this where we end up sometimes before we will ever allow the Lord to refresh us with His living water? 

The "valley of the shadow of death" (Psalms 23) is and feels like every bit of that description. But He is with us even there. The first part of Proverbs 19:12 - "A king's rage is like the roar of a lion"... and sometimes we experience that too before we are ever in a position to experience His favor. Choose to follow Jesus. He will "love freely" and turn away "his anger". He will "be like the dew" - Hosea 14:4&5 (also a great chapter). Let Him refresh you with His love today. 

First Sunrise of 2022First Sunrise of 2022

It's been over 2 years, March 6, 2020 actually, since the last time I’ve shared a “blog post”. I had no idea at the time just how much that date would impact my life. I actually forgot about this little part of my website in the chaos until earlier this year when an eHarmony “match” found it and shared his favorite post. Total embarrassment by the way…the internet has a way of keeping up with things we forget about if we leave our marks in writing (and photos). I quickly went back through and deleted MULTIPLE posts, insert facepalm emoji, but for the most part, I left the page intact. This page has been nagging at me ever since. When do I start it back??? Do I start back??? How…what to say…why??? But the nagging hasn’t subsided. So here’s to the sharing of words and photos again from this platform. 

He sees you and I hope through the use of these images, words, quotes, lyrics, verses etc, you can get a glimpse of Him too. The image above is from the first sunrise of 2022. So many resolutions are made with the start of a new year, but we can start over at any time. He doesn’t change. He gives strength and courage regardless of where we may find ourselves. He loves us always. He walks with us. He's in our "journey steps". I’m so thankful for His constant love and the hope He instills in our hearts. Hebrews 10:22-25

“We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” -F. Scott Fitzgerald

And I hope if you've struggled in your relationship with Him, you find the courage to trust Him one more time…He "is able” - Ephesians 3:20 

June 2022 Sunsets in the Shoals

"My favorite of the night...the bottom of the photo is a mess with debris...life is messy. The sky across the water is stunning. But there is so much water between the two. Today the water was calm. Sometimes it's stormy. Other times it's so foggy you can't see to the other side. But tonight, the sky was stunning and I could see it; hope of something beautiful in spite of the mess in front of me. I know my God will get me there, to this beautiful place from this mess created. Sometimes He builds bridges...board by board and it's a slow process. Other times He parts the sea at a dead end He's led us to and we miraculously walk safely on dry ground or He just calms the storm with His voice and we safely sail to the other side...and even other times He calls us through the crashing waves, says come to me, and we walk for a few moments with miraculous faith only to be caught again by His hand. Regardless of the method He chooses, maybe a combination of all of them, the destination may not be known this side of Heaven, I know without a doubt He's got this, He is good, and that will always be enough..." - March 5th, 2019

I wrote this a year ago yesterday with the above photo. I love how the Lord gives reminders and moments of reflection. I love this place. It wasn't far from our house and there were so many times we'd just jump in the car and spend a few moments breathing in the fresh air and taking in the beauty of the river. I hold to the truth of the words today and thought I'd share them here with a few more (ok maybe a lot more) of my favorite images. And yes...He's still got this, I see the fingerprints, and that will always be enough.

 
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God...Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:1&2, 18&19.

I absolutely love this quote. Monet is my favorite painter. He studied light. He painted the same scenes numerous times with different interpretations of light. He appreciated change, perspective, color, and the unique ways thoughts and emotions were brought to a particular setting. Our mental state has an effect on what we see.

These photographs posted are taken from the same place but the atmosphere was so completely different from the top and bottom. They are all beautiful in their own way. I never grow tired of visiting my favorite places in nature. Each time something different can be seen causing reflection, refreshment, or simple appreciation of the beauty experienced. In the lush green image above, there isn't a lot of water flowing. In the photographs below, I love how the barren cold brought with it the most water I've ever seen at this location. Looking at the falls from a different angle also revealed a rainbow. We had to wait for the clouds to pass, but once they passed, the sun could reflect off the water and there was a faint rainbow in the waterfall. Day made. I love rainbows.

Sometimes the Bible feels the same way when I sit down to read. Different verses may speak differently depending on where my heart is. Yes, there are certain solid truths, but the scriptures may convict our hearts, bring confirmation and encouragement, or simply reaffirm the love of the Lord depending on where we are in our journey and where our heart is at when we read. There are times when I've read familiar passages and find encouragement I've never experienced before. If I'm 100 percent honest, there are also times I've opened my Bible and felt empty. There have been moments when I tell the Lord I just can't right now, it's too much, but it doesn't change the fact that I still believe the Lord speaks. And that doesn't make my perspective right but the struggle is still so very real. I do know He is continually drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him.  Regardless of where you are in life, take the time to read. The Bible speaks of hope and life. If you read two verses and it's too much or it's empty, talk to the Lord before you read. I'm so thankful for His patience when I struggle. Keep searching, keep reading, keep choosing to follow, and sometimes just be still...He knows your heart.

"We never receive a complete knowledge through mere research with our minds. Knowledge of God comes through our hearts - the windows of our souls." - Charles Spurgeon.

The heart. The "wellspring of life" - (Proverbs 4:23). Choose to daily give your heart to Him and be amazed at the "true value" He gives to life. The "atmosphere" of His love opens up a whole new way to see and experience the journey (Ephesians 1:15-23).  

This hike was brutal. I mean it's not that far, but you have to find your way through so many thorns, brush, and stickers. The area had recently been burned in an attempt to clear some of the underbrush. The smoke was still lingering and the thorns still remained. There is no trail at all in sight and it looks like the thorny terrain is unending. The payoff though...The most beautiful wild canyon and pristine waterfall. It's my personal favorite. I've been here 3 times and have never been disappointed. The day started out with over an hour drive in the rain to meet friends. We drove through rain to get to where we park and there was still a drizzle as we set out through the briars. But this...it was worth every bit of the thorns.

As I sat at home editing photos from the day and reflecting, I realized I didn't get a single photo of what all we traveled through to reach this beautiful destination. I sent my friend Amanda (she led this little expedition) a text asking if she took any photos of the journey. She took a video and a few photos (shown above). Of course she took photos. She's hiked off trail for years. Me however...last year with Amanda and a few others would have been the first time I'd ever wandered into the woods with no trail, no map, totally reliant on people I met on the internet to take me on an adventure and get me safely back to the car. We still tell stories of my first off trail adventure.  So while I now have a few off trail hikes under my belt I still get nervous at the overwhelming nothingness of thorns, brush, and briars we enter into to get to these beautiful destinations. I don't always document the entire journey, but eventually I'm going to learn how to navigate through it all and maybe take a few photos along the way. 

My thoughts turned to my own personal life and then to life in general...the struggles and moments when we can't seem to find our way. The moments we don't document. The ones where it's all we can do to put one foot in front of the other. In those moments, I pray you can look up and find someone who is comfortable and confident enough to help show you the way to something incredibly beautiful. I also pray that once you've experienced the incredible beauty they can also help you look back and see just how far you've come and the terrain you were able to cross.

I was reminded in a very real way of the Lord's love, protection, and provision. How he takes us through the unknown, dark, and sometimes even painful places but He knows just what's on the other side. He knows the beauty we will encounter if we continue to follow. He knows the destination of the journey through the wilderness. We just have to trust Him. One of my favorite scripture reminders that I've shared before from Deuteronomy 31:8 - "He goes before us". Here's to trusting Him one step at a time. Here's to this wild adventure we call life.

This next photo is what I had planned for my early morning start to the week. A Bible, alone, and the sounds and smells of freshly roasting beans. The photo is totally deceptive though. (a photo on social media that's deceptive?!?!) You cannot hear what is actually taking place. There is this incredibly loud and annoying squeaky sound from a drum bearing that needed attention. I attempted to continue to roast through it since everything was all heated up and then tend to the noise afterwards. I didn't make it as long as I had planned. The noise wasn't hurting anything in its current state but wow was it interfering with the reverent stillness I desired in my brain. If left unattended for a long period of time however, this squeaking would eventually cause grinding of the bearings and damage to the machine. Transfer that thought process to my faith. Psalms 139, particularly verse 23 when David asks the Lord to search his heart and reveal if there is any offensive way in him. Sometimes there are other issues that must be addressed and tended to before our hearts can experience the fullness of what it desires. It's so important to ask the Lord to search our hearts. When we ask Him though, we'd better be prepared for Him to answer, and to tend to the things He shows us (with His help). So much easier said than done. This cut deep this week...unintended, not so fun, convictions roasting coffee :) The whole chapter of Psalms 139 is so good by the way. The Lord "knows" us. 

"You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in your bottle." - Psalms 57:8

I love the imagery David uses here. I love his profession of faith in this whole chapter. Quotes, words, images...it's how I relate.

As the raindrops fell this weekend my excitement in anticipation grew. I have a love hate relationship with rain. The clouds hide the stars. A recent example being I missed a great meteor shower the other night. Perfectly timed rain and the right conditions however can also mean incredible waterfalls.  We had already planned to photograph a local favorite waterfall at night. A waterfall that has actually been witness to many tears of mine (personal side note). Cane Creek is my go to for solitude and reflection. The rain poured. This rainy Friday morning also included an Oswald Chambers reading. "Jesus came as the Light of the World, to perform a work of grace in the hearts of individuals."- Chambers. Light, grace, tears, Jesus, rain, waterfalls, darkness, weekend plans, and the images started coming together with the words. Adding to those words another scripture about the heart from Proverbs. "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." - Proverbs 4:23

This...isn't it incredible what raindrops, perfect timing, and a little light in the darkness can create?

He saves our tears, our sorrows, our heartaches. He sees you. Guard your heart. Trust Him. When the timing is right, through His grace and mercy, springs of beautiful life and light will flow through the darkness. The streams that flow just might help refresh someone else along the way as well. Thankful for a beautiful night under the moon and stars. Thankful for the people this experience was shared with too. An unspoken part of my own personal story as well. What an incredible night at Cane Creek.  

"Many men walk by day; few walk by night. It is a very different season." - Henry David Thoreau

So thankful for "a very different season."

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13

These verses... my naive 22 year old self picked these verses to write in sharpie marker on my wooden handmade bunk bed in Malawi, Africa. We were encouraged to write a verse that would be left behind for the future missionaries who would occupy those beds. We were the first. Almost 20 years later, I have no idea if that bed still remains. What I do know is at 22, I had a strong desire to find contentment in the Lord and this photo sits by my desk as a reminder. I spent almost 6 weeks one summer and 2 weeks the following summer with beautiful smiling faces that may have lived in poverty but their souls revealed a joy that inspired. I wanted that. I missed however, a word recently discovered in those verses that changed everything for me. "Learned"

In her book Relentless, Michele Cushatt quotes Timothy Keller "this is a dark world. There are many ways we keep that darkness at bay, but we cannot do it forever. Eventually the lights of our lives- love, health, home, work - will begin to go out. And when that happens, we will need something more than what our own understanding, competence, and power can give us " This hit home... "more than our own understanding, competence, and power". Michele's book encourages readers to identify the presence of the Lord throughout their own lives. She referenced Joshua and encouraged readers to identify 12 different markers, a chapter dedicated to identifying each marker, where we truly see the Lord. These 12 "stones" create a memorial altar testifying to God's relentless presence with us.

As encouraged by Michele's book, the photo from Malawi is one of my altar stones. It's a reminder of very real moments where I determined to always find joy. That however is not exactly how life has played out and has proved to be so much easier said than done. Attempting in my own power, I know I have often forced life with a determined attitude to be positive. Throughout these past couple of years however, the "lights have gone out" which has led to a reliance on something outside of my own power. "Sometimes you can't bootstrap yourself to health. Sometimes, broken is all you have to offer" - Cushatt. Brokenness is so very real and brokenness is ok. Sitting in a Sunday school class, discussing the wandering Israelites, the discussion led to contentment. That wooden bunk bed with that verse flashed through my mind. It required a reread of scripture when I got home. I'd never focused on the word "Learned" - Webster's definition: "to gain knowledge or understanding of, or skill in, by study, instruction, or experience". Adding to that C.S. Lewis' view of experience - "Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn."

The reread of scripture, classroom discussions, Michele's book, and reflections on life, brought the realization that the years following desires in Malawi are full of reminders that God has continued to prepare, equip, and teach. I haven't always seen the good. It is such a process and some of the most difficult lessons being that contentment comes through the Lord, not in our own power to create joyful moments for ourselves. It also requires a faith that survives doubt and as she describes "for the men and women who feel beat up by a faith that has failed them and a God who has disappointed them". My own faith has felt these very things and failure has been a very real word in my own thoughts. Reflecting on these 12 stones gives joy through a whole lot of tears. Not only is there contentment, but Paul also describes earlier in chapter 4 a "peace of God which transcends all understanding". I can't explain how. I can't say there isn't fear at times. I can't say there isn't a struggle, but I can definitely share this peace has stood "guard" over my "heart and mind" in the most difficult moments as promised in scripture. It's every bit of a journey, both good and bad. He teaches and guides...we "learn". If you found yourself in a difficult place in your own journey this holiday season, I'd encourage you to grab a copy of Michele's book Relentless. Let her help walk you through the difficult places and see the Lord once again. When you can see the fingerprints of the teacher, know He loves you, and know He's with you, you really can find joy in the journey. The "peace of God"..."in Christ Jesus". C.S. Lewis also writes "Can we do it if God helps us? Yes, but what do we mean when we talk of God helping us? We mean God putting into us a bit of Himself, so to speak. He lends us a little of His reasoning powers and that is how we think...When you teach a child writing, you hold its hand while it forms the letters: that is, it forms the letter because you are forming them. We love and reason because God loves and reasons and holds our hand while we do it." God is with us and He holds our hands. 

I honestly wrote this a couple of weeks ago after reading Michele's book without knowing what the second photo would look like only knowing where it would come from. The contents didn't matter, only what it represented in how everything worked out. I also knew this second photo may not ever happen. I was ok with that too. Life changes in an instant and we are never guaranteed tomorrow. I am so thankful for these memories. Clayton really wanted to see us and I just didn't know how that would work. He's at an Airforce base over 18 hours away in the middle of New Mexico and can't take a lot of leave. Flying 6 people to see him wasn't an option. Clayton isn't one to ask for a whole lot and this crew has missed him so much too. He asked more than once and I finally agreed still not knowing how it would all work out. We drove a little over halfway and he met us in an area of the U.S filled with incredible beauty that I never knew existed. Oklahoma actually has mountains and canyons and not just plains. Who knew??? More photos from this adventure soon. The Lord continues to work things out for our family. This family photo, yet another precious reminder of the Lord's constant provision and the latest altar stone. So thankful. Humbly and maybe a little cautiously, because my faith still struggles at times, walking into 2020 doing my best to let the Lord hold my hand, look for Him in the journey, and embrace the learning process. He always goes before us. He promises to. Daily steps...Here's to 2020 and hopes of many more fabulous adventures! Happy New Year from our crew! 

I decided last night this had to be my waterfall Wednesday for today. We discussed in Sunday School class the Israelites wandering for 40 years...40 years. For those that know the story, sometimes there is quick judgment on their grumpiness wandering in the desert. Let me tell you though, I'm a few years into this praying for freedom and direction thing, and had I known it would look like this I would have opted out and never strung up a hammock in the woods years ago and prayed for my intended version of it. I'm not even in the desert either. I have been so guilty of grumpy. 40 years....and then it was also brought up about the journey, about a relationship built in the desert, not just the destination of the promised land they were headed for. Enter the "Walls of Jericho" hike in my brain. It is rated as the most difficult hike in Alabama. During my second hike the waterfall was dry. I've been 3 times and only seen water running into the bowl that first time. It is incredible standing at the bottom of the falls when it's running. Disappointment must have been so obvious that second hike because a friend commented about the look on my face as we took a break at the waterless pit. As we were hiking back out the question was asked, "What is the most important: the journey or the destination?" My vote was on the journey and my rationale...You can't always control the destination, might as well enjoy the journey. That speaks so much now. How in the world do we bring joy to this journey in miserable conditions? The answer is in the relationship. Moses had this relationship with the Lord. Exodus 33 states that Moses talked with the Lord "as a man speaks with his friend"...what an incredible relationship to have with the Lord. The Lord asked a whole lot of Moses, but Moses was also able to experience the Lord in such a rare way. Burning bush?? Cleft of a rock?? Can you even imagine??  It has always been about a relationship. I played ball growing up. What makes conditioning and sprint after sprint bearable? It's the relationships with your teammates, the future experiences you hope for as a team, you are in it together and you trust the coach. How did my boy survive basic training in the military? Probably a healthy fear for his superiors, but also the comrodery built among his crew. What made what is rated as the most difficult hike in Alabama fun even though there was no waterfall at the end? It was the people we were with (and probably the fact that we didn't lose anyone this time haha). When the Lord asks you to walk through the wilderness, He goes with you. King David echoes the same in Psalms "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me". The joy in the journey is found in the relationship with the One you are with. I'm still going to be guilty of complaining even though I know the outcome...I mean the 3rd time I hiked this trail I knew what I was in for and definitely still talked about how rough it was as we hiked out. Look at the photos at the end though, it was still beautiful even though it was again dry. It isn't always easy. There will be moments where you are grasping for air and it hurts deep. Keep hanging in. Express the realities of your emotions to the One by your side. He's a big God, He can handle it, and then watch in amazement as He he knows exactly what you need. He encourages, provides, carries, comforts, or my least favorites...He might even let you struggle in your stubborness or maybe convict and encourage you to step your game up a bit. Trust Him to know what's best. He's been there before and He knows. I honestly wouldn't trade this journey. There have been some absolutely amazing experiences along the way. 

“We shall not cease from
exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”

“For last year's words belong
to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.” -
T.S Eliot

I was nervous about driving out here again. This place is incredibly beautiful but there are bittersweet memories tied to it. Exactly one year earlier I had dropped my oldest boy off at the recruiters office to board a bus for a day of briefing. He would be officially sworn into the United States Air Force the following day and fly out to Texas for 8 weeks. Our family spent the day of briefing with friends off discovering new places in North Alabama. We showed him pictures of how we spent our day while he was being prepared to head out to basic training. He instantly stated "that's not fair, you guys go see places like this without me. When I get back home we are going back here."

Exactly one year later here we are and we brought Clayton with us. This year hasn't been an easy one. It is no secret that I find refreshment and comfort in nature. I also enjoy reading. Wild at Heart (written for guys but I loved it) is authored by John Eldredge who has written a few other books as well. Desire by Eldredge discusses a view of heaven and also quotes T.S. Eliot which meant I had to read T.S. Eliot's work in its entirety because I'm weird like that. The closing of "Little Gidding" is beautiful. Go read it...Eliot talks about waterfalls, rivers, and exploration but he eludes to something even greater. Perhaps a view of heaven.

Every time I have been to this waterfall I have had a heaviness in my heart for unspoken reasons. Every. Single. Time. Whether good or bad, we all bring our perspectives and our hearts with us when viewing some landscape. The scene speaks to each of us in different ways. As I looked out over this waterfall (after taking the vain 10 second auto-delay selfie shown lol), I thought of Eliot's words. At this point, I was only familiar with Eldredge's quote of the first four lines above. I wouldn't read the entire work until a few days ago. Isn't it true though, that something so familiar can feel totally new and different when circumstances change. I imagined what it would be like to gaze upon scenes such as these without an ache in my heart. When I hit the play back of my camera to view the vain selfie, I immediately noticed the leaves covering up the waterfall and another quote came to mind. This one by C.S. Lewis... “At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in.”

And then it hit...it's just not meant to be yet. The ache will always be there. Some days it's more intense than others, but this world is not our home. One day, we will be complete with our Lord. The longing for heaven is a good thing and there isn't a single thing on earth that can satisfy it. So for today, after the brief moments of reflection, I captured the scene the best I could and then enjoyed time with 4 of my precious kiddos. We made more memories in these beautiful surroundings and went home exhausted and happy with the stories, videos, and photos to show for it. I love these kids and their laughter. I love their sense of adventure and desires to explore. So thankful for places of refreshment like these. Thankful for the ability to capture and experience moments of beauty. Thankful for the hope that one day we truly get to "mingle with the splendours we see" "And
know the place for the first time".

Confession...it has been so long since I've added anything to this website blog. Life has not gone quite according to planned. Priorities needed to shift for a little while and that's ok. The goal is to get back to sharing perspectives behind the images. A new series is set to be released soon as well.

I love this first view. It's a reminder of this journey. We could hear the falls before it was visible. We knew we were so close. Our first attempt did not lead us here however. We literally spent hours of wondering, no trails, no blazes, nothing but wilderness, creek, and I was with a group of strangers that I had just met. There was fear in the unknown. In that wondering however, we were able to see and appreciate things we would have missed out on had we hiked directly to the falls. I also was able to spend more time with a great group of people that I now consider friends.

My life lately has paralleled this little hike in so many ways. Things haven't gone according to planned but that is ok. I still have hope in the destination being incredible. I have been allowed to see glimpses such as this first photo that remind me I'm one step closer. Glimpses of beautiful, but it's still not the right perspective to really appreciate the fullness of beauty. I have to believe in the progress made one step at a time...we all need to believe in the ultimate goodness of difficult journeys. I know I have chosen to submit to the Lord as my guide even though sometimes I don't always follow well. I know He has promised a helper in "weakness". I know "all things work together for good" - Romans 8 is such a great read full of life direction, conviction, and hope.

As we continued in this journey, climbing down and over a few more rocky places, everything opened up and we were finally able to see the treasures we had been looking for. I will forever remember this little hike and the beauty of hidden treasures found in North Alabama. May you always remember to never give up in the wilderness and never yield to the doubts that can so easily entangle you along the way. "To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield" - Alfred Tennyson

     I had a wordy blog written...it's been an interesting  month of reflection...but I erased it all. This photo is painted with light, a headlamp actually...so many thoughts, memories, parallels, etc but nothing can compare to 2 Corinthians 4, especially verse 6, which is actually from Genesis (fascinates me)... "Let light shine out of darkness"...the only way this photo/life is possible is because the light shines out of darkness. The perspective is totally different when these flowers are lit by the sun in the day time, or simply as a silhouette in the darkness among the stars. Only when the light shines out of darkness, does it create this stunning, unique perspective.

"Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. ² Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. ³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶ For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. ¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians Chapter 4

     So grateful for the perspectives He gives, even the hard convictions...definitely thankful for the light He has given and continues to give us through the darkness, and the ways He daily provides renewal. We aren't granted exemption from troubles...but we are guaranteed "an eternal glory that far outweighs them all".

     This photo was taken with a Canon 5diii and a 50mm 1.4 lens. ISO 3200, f/7.1, 25 second exposure on a tripod. Flowers lit/painted with a backpacking headlamp...no idea which one, I have several in my bag lol. Always be prepared :) :) :) 

And one more time :) :) :) 

   Most of the time, shots are carefully planned. I know the location I'm wanting to shoot, the time frame I want to shoot it in, and I have the image planned out in my  mind. Sometimes it goes according to planned, more often than not however, it requires multiple trips to the same location. This shot however, was a spur of the moment, 3 images on a quick walk back to the car, and has since been featured by a couple different Alabama instagram feeds.  You just never know...

    I was downtown doing a senior photo session. This senior happened to be the big sister of one of my girls best friends. My little girl joined in as well as her friend and we walked the streets of downtown Florence taking senior photos. Carlie Rocked her session and I'm pretty sure everyone had a great time, in fact, I totally lost track of time. I realized my little girl was about to be late for a choir performance at church. We were almost finished taking photos anyway, just not even close to where we had parked :) Addi (my little girl) and I rushed to our car...relative term, I was only about a month post op from knee surgery. Along the way I happened to look at the sky as we crossed Mobile street and saw this...I had no idea what my camera was set on but I took 3 quick photos, framing up the best I could, and we were on our way.

(these girls...and then just a couple of Carlie, more from that session here)

     When I got home, downloaded these photos I couldn't believe what how incredible the sky was over Mobile street.  This was such a beautiful view of Florence and the small town that I love. I love the stone part of  Mobile street between Legends and the Shoals Theatre.  You can see mainstreet/Court street and the sky...just look at that sky. I am so thankful for these moments and pieces of beauty. Not every day ends this way, nor does a spur of the moment shot become a favorite. In this instance however, I was so grateful to have captured this view of downtown Florence and thankful for time spent with my little girl doing what I love. May you always take a few moments to look up.

Taken with a Canon 1-DSii and Canon 100mmL-lens. f/3.2, 800ISO and 1/8000 shutter shot in aperture priority mode

     Fresh air is fabulous. I've tried to instill in my kiddos the same appreciation for the natural refreshment of the soul that can be found in nature. Sometimes it involves them waiting on me to photo the perfect moment, but most of the time, they have just as much fun as I do. This week's highlight, part of the first 2018 release found at Reclaimed Spirit, (in downtown, Florence) was taken along a favorite little walking trail that begins at the Old Railroad bridge. I have multiple photos in the 2018 release from different places along this trail at different times. It just communicates  "this is the Shoals" at so many points along the trail. We brought a friend along for this one...a good friend, who probably gets just as tired as my kiddos get  sometimes with my slight photo obsession ;) The kiddos played, throwing and skipping rocks in the river while I watched and waited on the sunset.

     Sunset from this spot...beautiful as always. It doesn't matter if it's cloudy, partly cloudy, the sky lights up as the sun sets, fades to pink and purple as it goes away, or on evenings such as this one where there isn't a cloud in the sky. The unpredictable show is part of the glory and refreshment found in the watching. Favorite quote by Monet, who painted the same scenes multiple times in different light....“For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.” - Monet

"the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life"...the light, the weather, the people you are with or if you are a witness alone..."true value" is found in the simplicity of the experience. Appreciate and enjoy the changes...Get outside and explore :)

Taken with a Canon 5diii, 24mm L lens. ISO 100, f/20, and a 1.0 second shutter on a tripod :)

(weekly favs found here)

     This week I chose to highlight a favorite taken this week that we almost missed out on. My kiddos talked about taking a little hike to watch the sunset somewhere and we debated where to go. The sky was partly cloudy and looked promising. We were still undecided as to where we wanted to go but as it got closer to time to leave, the sky was totally overcast and completely filled with gray clouds. We didn't really have motivation to go but my husband came inside from working in the yard and said let's just go, we need to get these kiddos out a little bit. We chose a local view of the river in Killen where the kiddos enjoy skipping rocks from the dock. The river water level was down so we ventured off to the right where a little creeks enters the river. We found a rope swing!!! The kiddos had fun swinging out over the water and thankfully neither of them let go :) It is way to cold to swim lol.

     The clouds began to part when we got there and the sky transitioned from the beautiful golden sunset colors to firey pink, then the purples and pinks shown above, and finally the beautiful blue photos where I finally turned the camera from the sky to my kiddos. So thankful we made these memories that we almost missed out on. Always go...reminds me of a favorite quote :)

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You (I actually had Mark Twain, but read where this quote has been misattributed to Twain...who knows)

     This photo was taken with Canon Mark iii and 24mm L lens. ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/13 shutter speed. I should have slowed down the shutter just a bit but I had already taken the camera off the tripod to photo the kiddos and the sky started to turn purple. I quickly placed it back on the tripod and snapped just two photos before the color in the sky was gone. It all happened so fast. So thankful we decided to get outside!!! 

     Welcome to the Shoals...love it! The TVA trail is a local favorite of mine. There are actually quite a few side trails and paths along the TVA trail. These aren't really wilderness trails, but a great place for a quick breath of fresh air. This particular photo is taken off the paved path leading to the Rock Pile waterfall. I noticed a flat little area to the left off the trail, down the rocks, along the rivers edge. I honestly forgot my tripod for this one but it actually ended up being a great thing. Sometimes you just use what nature gives you. This time it was a flat little rock barely above the water. The water gracefully flowed around the rocks in this little area sheltered from the Tennessee river by larger rocks. You could see them dam in the distance, a definite Shoals landmark, and the sun had just started to peep over the bluff to the right. I sat there on the rocks for a bit watching minnows, listening to the river roll by, and then took a few photographs.

     This particular photo was taken with a Canon 1-ds ii, 24mm L lens, at ISO 100, f/18 and a 1 second exposure with a neutral density and polarizing filter attached. It was taken in the morning, but I don't remember around what time. It takes the sun some time to rise above the bluff and I'm not sure just how late it was. I sat there for a little while before and after photos... didn't really think about the time.

     So thankful for simple places to get away...places where you can crawl down rocks, find solitude, disappear, pray and reflect, even in the business of the Shoals. 

"I think it's very healthy to spend time alone. You need to know how to be alone and not be defined by another person" -Oscar Wilde 

**This weeks highlight is an image from the 2018 premier collection at the studio...weekly favorites from this week here. 

     Florence, Alabama and the surrounding Shoals area is blessed with diverse local beauty that is easy to access. There are places to bike, swim, hike, kayak...all outside and close by. On this particular evening colder weather was moving in to the area, like dropping into the teens, and I am just not a fan of cold weather. The kids and I explore often and found this quiet little rock bar with an amazing view of the Old Railroad bridge and O'Neal bridge. We've since been to this spot a few times. The clouds in the sky were promising a great sunset and my kids were off on an adventure of their own.  I asked my husband David to take me back. You never know...you just never know what the sky will do until you are there in the moment. Sometimes you simply get the experience of being outdoors with someone you love, which is fabulous in itself,  and then sometimes you get this...a phenomenal and rare view of a familiar location.

     The water had receded even further than a few days earlier, more than I'd ever seen it, and we were able to walk quite a ways out. The colors in the sky and reflections in the water had changed from the blues with white clouds to beautiful yellows and oranges with a mixture of blue and white. I took photos of that too...those photos will be for another day, I took a whole series of keepers on this evening. I set my tripod up in a few different locations. Here I attempted to frame up the bridge, the docs, and the rocks below with the incredible sky.

     The sun set, the canon fired, and we were cold. I told David to hold on for just a little bit longer...the sky is still going to turn, it's not finished yet. We waited, I felt guilty for making him wait, knowing we still had to walk back to our vehicle on the trail, in the cold, possibly in the dark, knowing he was ready to make the hike back...and then the pinks and purples began to appear. They lasted only a few minutes, but a few minutes was all that was needed to capture this photo with my hubs along with this weeks highlighted image of the incredible sky over O'neal and the Railroad Bridge.

     The TVA trail...it goes from the Old Railroad bridge all the way to Wilson dam. You can bike it, hike side trails, walk/run it. This view is from one of the side trail and the closest access is the Old Railroad Bridge parking lot. Adventure awaits...views like this await and it doesn't require walking very far to experience them. Love the Shoals!!!

Taken with a Canon 5D iii and 24mm L lens on a tripod. ISO 100, f/20, 4.0 second shutter.

“There is so much beauty in these moments He is giving you. And even when you already know it to be true, sometimes it is the little things that remind you His never-ending goodness has never left you.” – Morgan Harper Nichols

...But you knew there would always be the spring, as you knew the river would flow again after it was frozen..." - Ernest Hemingway

  I love what I get to do. Looking through all of these and compiling them together brings tears to my eyes. The miracle of life is such a beautiful thing. Thank you to all of those that allowed me in the delivery room. Being in the delivery room with a camera is one of my favorite places to be. I love being a birth photographer! 

Mini Sessions...I am definitely not a fan. They stress me out. Being a mom of 5, I cannot imagine the stress of prepaying or agreeing to pay up front for a session, getting a crew of kiddos ready, and then praying that they perform perfectly for 15 to 20 minutes. For those photographers that thrive off of this type thing and can get a family to perform, props to you, we all have our strengths :) I am not that girl...I prefer engaging in the lives of the people I am photographing for about an hour. I want to photograph the character of my clients. I want them as relaxed as possible for photos (no session fee or payment up front). And not just spend any hour, but a perfectly timed hour with the sunlight. I'm also a landscape photographer, which means outside...not a studio girl either. I shoot natural light...I find the light...and I love being outside. Problematic when it's 20 degrees outside, yes I know this, but if you plan for it and know business will die in January and February except for a few brave souls, it's all good. Thank goodness I'm a birth photographer too :) Those take place inside, and again, I love capturing the story of the moment with those too.

With all that being said, two years ago I offered my first set of mini sessions. They were offered to friends who really wanted sessions at the Christmas tree farm. As I said earlier, I love to engage in the lives of those I photograph. That is so easy with friends. The best of friends at that and a 20 minute session with the purpose of tree farm photos is fine with people you know. It was a stressful busy time of year, it rained, we took photos in the drizzle and breaks in the drizzle. I only had one day to get them in and we didn't have a choice. We still had a great time and the photos were still a success. The unimaginable took place shortly after however. My dear friend's little boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away a few months later. The tree farm mini sessions are the last family photos of them all together. Needless to say as a friend I took it hard, as a photographer I took it hard as well. I should have photographed more moments, more expressions, more smiles as this family interacted with each other. When approached by a few to do tree farm sessions the following year I said no. There was just no way. I went to Shell's with my family, but no way could I go and take photos for others.

Fast forward another year later to this year. Again approached to do tree farm sessions and this time I said yes. Again for a group of friends and people I know. I cannot express how thankful I am that we took these. I LOVE them. Loved them enough to offer a second date, and time has run out for a 3rd but next year I will plan better. There is just something about the season, the tree farm, being outside, and families interacting together that makes my heart smile, especially with lessons learned from two years ago. Yes these are quick, not my style because I'd love to spend an hour with everyone, but the lighting or timing doesn't allow it. I shoot the light. Each of these sessions has a slightly different look based on the sun. I like to shoot in the "golden hour" and the only way to do that or get close to it, is to stack sessions back to back and limit them to 15 minutes so everyone gets a piece of that time frame....the Mini Session :) :) :)   

So my favorites this week come from the tree farm (minus one family who is using tree farm photos as a gift) followed by a few from the first tree farm mini sessions in honor of Cooper...I picture him just like he is in some of these...running around enjoying life in heaven. I'll post next week from the other sessions I did this week (loved those as well, and the families I was able to interact with). Included in next week however, taken this week though, photos announcing the pregnancy of my sweet friend (Cooper's mom). This baby has been handpicked by his or her big brother in heaven :) We also say God sometimes lets Cooper paint the sky...and take a look at the sunset the last night I was at the tree farm :) Love it!!! The emotions of this week...this week has been such a blessing to my soul. This week I am so thankful for the blessings seen behind the lens of my camera. I truly love being a photographer and love the families I photograph. 

Cooper and his family :)

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” - Hebrews 12:28, 29. 

Photography by H. Sumner: Florence Alabama and Shoals area landscape, portrait, and birth photographer

Birth sessions booked between now and December 1st are now $75.00 off. Full Birth Story packages booked between now and December 1st are $125.00 off. Deposits must be paid by December 1st in order to receive the discount. Please message for booking instructions. Check out the Birth Photography section of the website for more information. Enjoy these few images from previous sessions :) 

Birth Announcements

Gender Reveal

Maternity

Birth

Fresh 48 hospital sessions

Maternity

Birth

(one day hopefully ECM will allow photographers in the operating room!!! I still love these though!!!!)

The day after birth

I mean she really is absolutely perfect!!! 

The first photo is definitely a favorite, slide show and gallery link to follow...attitude and sass...may we all have it, in just the right way, and in just the right amount, whenever we need it :) :) :)  

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” - Winston S. Churchill 

Slideshow :) :)

Gallery Link

"With an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy, we see into the life of things." - William Wordsworth

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy, is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be." - Anne Frank

True stories...I just love quotes and reading the works of others. Changes happening soon. For now...a little late, and only a few photos from each session, here are August's favorites! (which includes a preview to a post coming in October) 

"Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough" - Emily Dickenson

Once in a while, when it's good
It'll feel like it should
When you're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark

Singing, stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know, I can't
'Cause now I see I'll never stop this train - John Mayer

Births

Prom and Leadout

Families

A Little bit of Newborn Love

A Little Bit of Senior Love

And finally...Adventures :)

And if you've hung in this long go and visit Reclaimed Spirit in Florence, Alabama where my Florence, Alabama landscape artwork is for sale on wood, bamboo, and fine art prints :) This is my baby boy holding up my 16x20 matted and framed (20x24 frame) of Havasu Falls as well as an 11x14 wooden print of Mooney Falls. The hubs and I backpacked to this beautiful place. Blog here...and if you want photos of Havasu for your walls you can download here. I LOVE printed photo artwork!!!!

     Havasu falls, just google it...all kinds of info out there I won't rehash. In looking at the images and reading all the experiences online, I knew I wanted to do this. It didn't take a whole lot of convincing...Dave agreed. I couldn't wait. I had a backup campsite in a campground near the Grand Canyon National Park just in case we couldn't get permits (you have to get permits to camp, read on that too...almost impossible to get). We secured permits on the second day they went on sale before the internet booking system crashed. I was so so so excited. It was starting to become a reality. I won't continue in the planning details, but my pop became very ill. We talked of not even going, and even in all that, comfort was given and we made the decision to fly out. We landed in Phoenix. The best two options to the Hualapai Hilltop are from either the Phoenix airport or Vegas airport. You drive 4 to 5 hours to the trailhead. The drive itself is beautiful for someone who has never been to that side of the United States...and the speed limit was 75...yes, I took a photo of that too! And a rainbow cloud...needed that cloud :) We camped the first night at Grand Canyon Caverns, about an hour from the trailhead.

I can not say enough about the people of this campground. I had read mixed reviews. We left here later than planned. It was on route 66 towards Indian Road 18 (the road that dead ends into the trailhead) where we got enough signal that a message came through my phone. I could not get enough signal to call out. We went back to the campground. She let me call home. I knew the news, mom told me what she'd post if she had to leave, but the sweet sweet lady who worked the desk let me use her phone. After I took some time outside with Dave, because even knowing the news, it doesn't make it easy to hear, again discussing options, the lady asked who my cell provider was and told me where we could drive to get signal. I could have made all my phone calls from that desk, but I wanted the privacy and she helped me get it. Yes it's camping (they also have a lodge), yes it's in the middle of nowhere, but I will always have positive things to say about the campground.

After rearranging, talking to the airline and knowing our options, talking to friends, my mom...we decided to cut the trip short a day meaning we hiked in on day one, out on day two. It isn't ideal, maybe a little selfish...maybe a lot selfish instead of going home immediately to be with family and get my kiddos. I do know however, for what it's worth...I am so incredibly thankful for all those that allowed me the chance to see the waterfalls and for my husband, who knew he was giving up that day of rest in between, but still willing to hike to the falls :) We set out...even the roads out here are beautiful.

It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to get to the trailhead from the campground. Again, I can't express the beauty of the canyon...and now for the photos...they can speak for themselves although I'll explain a little. God is so diverse in His creation and so thankful to be able to see a part of it I'd never seen before.

This is the view from the hilltop in the morning. It looks totally different in the afternoons. The sun falls behind this part of the canyon as it sets. The sandy trails in the middle are the trails towards Supai. They break to the right and follow down the canyon. The ground looks semi flat towards the right at first glance. But if you look (very right of photo is the best place to tell) you can see where it narrowly dips into even more canyon. This is where the trail goes. In between the narrow canyon walls.

The terrain changes as you walk the trail...You start out with narrow switchbacks that drop you 1000 feet in the first mile. Mule and horse trains use these as well and you definitely want to be cliff side when they pass. Everything, even the mail, is carried by the horses or helicopter.

This next photo I should have studied going in...I should have studied what the canyon wall really looked like after we descended and were on the sandy flat. It looked slightly different on the way back. The sun was on the opposite side. But after the almost 2 miles in the heat on the sandy trail (9 total), and then seeing that canyon wall, a dot of a helicopter landing on top of it, with no apparent trail, even though you see the signs that you are on the right path (footprints, horse poop, etc). You doubt...(and your husband doubts), and you are alone. I knew I saw the signs, but that canyon wall, not remembering how it looked, did we approach it wrong...it is so intimidating. There is a lesson in that, now that I'm out of it. 

You descend ever further into the canyon and again the terrain changes a bit. It's absolutely beautiful. I read a lot before going (although I'm sure now I should have paid more attention) and some didn't appreciate the walk in compared to the falls. I loved every bit of it. I thought it was all beautiful

We reached the sign to Supai meaning not a whole lot further. I only took the two following photos in Supai...I know other people take all kinds but for me it was a respect thing. I wouldn't want my life on display all the time every time I went outside. I'm not sure these people do either.

After checking in Supai, getting our permit bands, resting a bit, we continued to last two miles to our campground. On the way to the campground you pass 3 waterfalls. 50 foot falls, Little Navajo Falls, and Havasu falls. There was a trail leading to 50 foot. David waited while I walked down it a bit but I turned around before getting to the end. We were tired. We were able to see if from a lookout point at Little Navajo. I did walk down to the bottom of Little Navajo. Absolutely beautiful.

After these two falls you get to Havasu falls...but I'm saving those photos. I took them on the way in, but because of the sun, the images on the way out look so much better :) We made it...I can't put into words just how beautiful. We set up camp, rested a bit, and then without a whole lot of daylight left, decided to walk down to Mooney falls (the 4th waterfall) without the weight of our big ole backpacks :) We brought packable day packs...the plan was to explore without the full load on day two. I think packable day packs is a fabulous idea btw...even though we didn't get to use them much since we cut the trip short, it was so much better than lugging around a pack.

We only descended about halfway down Mooney. There are two tunnels and a series of chains and ladders to get you to the bottom. From Mooney you can go another 4 miles to Beaver....on the bucket list for next time ;) We took a few photos, enjoyed the view a bit, and then back to camp. We camped between two streams of water and slept better here than any other night, even the hotel the next night after we were exhausted. Those who know me know I love the sky. Well, this was planned at the wrong time for the night sky, but the only time I could get permits and we had a free few days to go. I did take some images of the night sky against the canyon wall and the waning moon.

Camp life was fabulous. Short, but fabulous...We slept, I took a few photos about 2a, slept some more and then we prepared for the journey home. There is a spring that runs called fern spring with drinkable water. On occasion they post to filter the water anyway. We brought a katydyn base camp filter and filtered the water anyway. It holds 10 liters. We filled our 3 liter each camelbacks, liter empty powerade bottles that we added dry powder propel to (because I left my others on the kitchen sink lol), cooked breakfast, broke camp in the process, and headed out. We stopped by Havasu on the way out and had the waterfall to ourselves. LOVED it. I didn't want to leave.

We stopped by the pools of little Navajo as well. And then the next collage of photos is from Havasu to Supai and then slightly further on the trail. The helicopter in Supai. It's a 10 minute ride out of there. 10 minutes...that thought taunts you the entire way back (however it quit flying when we were under the rock...the winds were horrible and I'm guessing too rough to fly. It started back up shortly after we left the rock). Dave and I may or may not have had a discussion about flying out...I may or may not have listened...the fact that we ended up under a rock with a mile and 1000 ft climb to go lets you know the answer to that. But we got out of the canyon without flying out...and I would go again if given the opportunity with a little experience and lessons learned under my belt.

I have never been more thankful for a Walmart gallon jug of hot water that we left in our vehicle waiting for our return :) You can use a trekking company to get here, they guide you, supply permits, you carry daypacks, they take care of gear, etc. but it's expensive...You can also fly in, stay at a lodge in Supai, hike two miles to the falls, hike two out, fly back out...and we saw a lady with her two kids in flip flops, sling bag, who I'm guessing did similar. In fact she had the nerve to say to us (probably meant nothing by it, we were just tired) as we were walking to Supai with our packs and we took a break at little Navajo already winded "what we are like just a mile in"...we saw this same lady celebrating after her helicopter ride out (the helicopter landed close to where we park, which also means that line to get out was long, they give preference to locals, supplies, and then hikers. Sometimes it can't fly either due to winds which we noticed as well) She was giving her kiddos high fives that they did it. Initially it made me so angry if I'm honest. No ma'am...you didn't do it. And then the more I've thought about it, the more it's ok. If I had the means, I might give my kids the same experience, or wait til they are older and work for it...who knows, they may not ever have the desire. However, I do know, she'll never have the same appreciation for the journey that we have. We chose it...and I'll be forever grateful for those that let me choose :) I also know that everyone has their own journey...I'm sure so many other people are in much better shape, more prepared, and find humor in our struggle. I know there are far worse struggles than choosing to struggle on a hike in the canyon...The struggle was real for us though, just like the success of that lady was to her and her two kids. And these photos are so real too. I'm so thankful we have them and the stories to tell. My 53 year old hubs does have bragging rights :) We did it, maybe after 10 hours to get out, but we did it...and well, we won't tell my age lol. I took a photo almost at the top of the trail of something that has meaning to Dave and I and then the sunset on route 66 after we'd traveled off Indian Road 18. I can not say thank you enough to my parents and friends who allowed this experience to happen.

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks" - John Muir

and maybe a little dramatic...but I love this song....

"A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life with the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand" - Frances Jane Crosby

 

and for real...anyone who wants to offer up a few prayers next week feel free!!!

I only posted two birth photos....because there were so many amazing images. You can see what has been shared by the family here. :)

and then 10 hours later....missed sunrise and sunset because I had places to be :) but this just shows what hours can do to a scene. The same is so true for life...everything is so different.

This is late and the grammer is terrible. Be forewarned. It's two weeks worth of photos actually. I got a day behind this past week and then so much happened in between so I never posted. This is a random photo set for sure but they all represent the above quote. I need a photo of my hubs and other kiddos, parents, and brother's family but for the most part these past two weeks are photos with so much meaning to my world. Photography is my outlet...some days capturing what God has placed in front of me is the only thing that makes sense. He knows what I need...the rainbow in the waterfall, a reminder of His solid promises (last photo, it's my favorite)...a representation of hard work and what this country survived on for so long; we've definitely gotten away from what it means to work...a reflection of how amazing the growth of a child is in the first year of life (I did Annslee's birth photos and have watched the miracle of growth unfold from birth to this one year session)...time with 3 of my kiddos both in nature and on the playground...the darkness and stormy weather that must also be accepted with the sunshine...a friendship I would struggle so hard to live without (she is going to kill me for posting this. I still can't believe I got her to take this photo by this new wall where we work as nurses. The lighting is terrible. It won't ever happen again lol, but the photo was part of these two weeks and is a friendship that means so much in my world)...and even walking by the UNA fountain, scouting out a photo request representing new beginnings. I couldn't get that photo yet, the water will be up and running soon, but the intent was there and I still love the photo. Never take advantage of the little things...never take advantage of the coincidences in life. I'm so thankful for all photography has allowed me to experience, feel, remember, and grow from.

"Whatever you do in life, think higher, feel deeper" - Elie Wiesel...google Elie Wiesel if you have no idea who he is by the way :)  

my crew minus the oldest boy who was taking his ACT. It was a perfect day for a hike in the woods!

" ¹ Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
² In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat

for he grants sleep to those he loves." - Pslam 127: 1 and 2

It is so very important to keep the Lord as the center focus and He definitely gives us what we need when we need it most. So proud of my boy and his courage to present this message in song in front of so many people.

     January and February...difficult months for this little photo business of mine, depending on how you look at it. I have been doing this for 5 and a half years and these two months are without a doubt the slowest. I do not own a studio (I'll never own a studio, not my thing) meaning most people will not embrace the cold weather which I totally understand. I hate the cold too. Aside from a few birth sessions, or a portrait or lifestyle/home session here and there, these two months see little business activity. At first, this would frustrate me. I would try and figure out how I could make these months "business" productive. I still try and push birth sessions a little, but I now embrace the cycle and actually enjoy the break. While I'm always reading and learning, these two months allow the freedom to really process, reflect, and learn. There are always ways to improve and learn from those who are more seasoned/experienced in the art of photography. January has actually been a fabulous photographic month. Despite the cold, I've enjoyed getting outside and shooting images that make my heart happy.

     Last year towards the middle of the year, I began sharing weekly favorites. I totally let it slide by the end of the year. This time I'm going to stay committed to posting and sharing weekly (yes I know I'm already almost 4 weeks into 2017) These are mostly scenic photographs from nature, but I did mix in a few here and there of my brother's family and my own. January: Weeks 1-almost 4.

​(look midway between the bottom and top of this photo towards the left hand side and you can see two faint dots...Venus and Jupiter. This is the closest the two of these will appear in our sky for another 10 years.)

My favorite poem or short story, or whatever the correct term from this week following the photos.

“At birth, we boarded the train and met our parents. We believed that they would always travel on our side; however, at some station our parents stepped down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.  As time goes by, other people boarded our train and they are significant such as our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of our life.
Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum.  Others will go so unnoticed that we do not realize that they vacated their seats.  This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos,  goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

The mystery to everyone is: we do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.  So, we must live in the best way: love, forgive, and offer the best of whom we are.  It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave, we should leave behind beautiful memoires for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

I wish you a joyful journey on the train of life.  Reap success and give lots of love.  More importantly, thank out God for the journey.  Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train.”     Author Unknown

​(and if anyone knows the author feel free to message me. There are so many variations and I could not find the author to credit...thank you)