GOODBYE 2012... HELLO 2013!

2012 was quite an adventure... one that I knew would require courage.

Like last year (and any year, really), whatever 2013 holds for me is a total mystery.  All I know is that there are many changes coming, big and small, some that I'm choosing to make and others that are not my choice but simply a part of life.  However, through it all, I will strive to remember this one thing: God is good.

I'm ready to take on this new year and I am so thankful that I have Kurt by my side to celebrate the successes, endure the failures, and have a few good laughs along the way.  Here's to more kisses, deeper faith in God, and lots of glitter in 2013!

GRATITUDE

If you follow any of my social media feeds you'll have noticed by now that I've been posting a daily photo via Instagram with the hashtag #30daysofgratitude and have probably wondered what that is all about.  Well, in honor of Thanksgiving being this month, and because there are 30 days in November, I wanted to challenge myself to stop at least once a day and document what I'm thankful for.  That's it, nothing fancy.  It hasn't always been easy but somehow, everyday, before the clock has struck midnight, I've remembered to stop and share something!  It has forced me to realize how much there is to be grateful for and how much I take things for granted or somehow feel entitled to them because I have never had to go without them.

This wasn't some original idea I had, I saw it on the instagram feeds of a few of my amazingly inspirational friends and naturally was inspired to join them in expressing my gratitude everyday.  Hopefully you've also been able to learn a little bit more about my life these past 22 days (and beyond) and what fires me up too.

Today I will be enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with my family and thanking God because He is the one to whom I owe my gratitude.  And He has been so incredibly generous and kind to me this year: in my marriage, in my journey into photography, and in my own personal growth this year.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! -Psalm 107:1

Happy Thanksgiving from me to you!

MEET MY SWEET LITTLE SUCCULENT

At the start of the summer, I adopted a succulent plant! I've decided to take on the extra responsibility of tending to this cute little plant. I'd like to think I'm learning how to be nurturing... Or how to just keep something alive! It sits on my desks so I get to glance at it in between projects. It is a good reminder of God's amazing creativity. God is definitely my number one inspiration as an artist! I've only had to water it a few times and it's definitely grown since we first brought it home! It's pretty low maintenance... my kinda plant!

Without further ado, I am pleased to introduce my sweet little succulent:

WONDERFULLY MADE SEMINAR: BETROTHED

Beauty.  That is what I beheld all around me at the Wonderfully Made Spring Seminar.  The first time I photographed this group back in March to provide them with promotional images for the seminar, I was blown away with their beauty.  Last month, when I photographed this year's seminar, Bethrothed, I again was blessed by the inner and outer beauty and creativity of this wonderful group of young women.

Dozens of pretty little details filled the hall where the seminar was hosted by the Santa Clara University chapter of Wonderfully Made.  The room was filled with sunshine, fresh flowers, homemade desserts, and so many gorgeous smiles.

It was a real gift to be able to document this event because I was not only given an abundance of beautiful things and pretty people to photograph, but I was also personally touched by the powerful testimonies of these girls.  I found myself holding back tears several times as I snapped away, because of the sweet truth about God's grace that they shared with the group.

Here are some of the pretty details that capture the spirit of this beautiful event:

Below is the poster that promoted the event around campus and online... and it featured two of my photos! Pretty sweet!

 One word: YUM!

Aren't these cake pops adorable?! 

 Truth.

In between speakers, girls could do a little shopping for books, shirts, jewelry, etc...

One of my favorite parts of the seminar was the cardboard testimonies. Each girl would present one side of the cardboard, which stated a few words about her deep struggles and then flip the cardboard over to reveal the life-transforming work that Jesus has done in her life. Powerful stuff!

 Most of the lovely group!

Lastly, one of the attendees, Katie, happens to be engaged to be married. After the seminar, a few of the other girls placed the flowery veil on her head and passed her a bouquet, and start cheering her on about the upcoming wedding. A very sweet moment for a beautiful, blushing bride :)

Wonderfully Made: This beautiful seminar impacted my heart. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.  It was a gift to photograph you all and to be reminded of God's deep love for me at the same time.

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value than they?

-Jesus

FLOWERS FADE

Are you living to know God and dying to make Him known?

In the grand scope of all that you are endeavoring to achieve in life, do not forget what matters eternally: God and His glory being made known to all the world through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

SILVER + GOLD

Today is my husband's golden* birthday. Lunch is a silver wrapped burrito from Chipotle. I'm keeping this post brief to spend maximum time with him :)

Kurt has asked in lieu of gifts that friends would watch this video:

Happy birthday my love. I know you'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold.

*A golden birthday is when you turn the same age as the number of your birthdate, i.e. Kurt turns 23 on the 23rd of January.

BLOODLINES

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I am taking the day off from blogging my thoughts to share this documentary with you all. 

This is an exclusive video documentary featuring Pastor John Piper as he walks through his personal story of growing up in the segregated South. His personal story boldly champions the transforming power of the gospel and the beauty of racial diversity and harmony in Christ.

Thank you Jesus, "for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" 

Revelation 5:9