baby Brylee.

Some dear friends recently welcomed an adorable daughter into the world. Meet Ms. Brylee!

She is the sweetest, smallest bundle of joy and was such a great baby to work with. It's been such a long time since I have had a shoot but it was great to get the chance to capture some newborn pictures for her Mom & Dad.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..."

-James 1:17

15 days in...

November sure started out with a rocky start. My dad losing his job sure wasn't how I pictured it but it happened and we dealt with it as best we could. As soon as it happened I clung to the Lord.

I prayed my heart out for God to receive the glory and for God to give my father hope because I could tell he had none. I also prayed that God would show him the love He has for him and that he would turn to something you can put your hope in and not be disappointed.

After three long, stressful days we got news that he got a job! I was amazed and immediately gave God the glory He so deserves. The words "praise the Lord..." just flowed from my mouth, over and over. My God did this and my God is bigger than pain, than hurt, than job loss, than ANYTHING.

Looking back at this situation and past week makes me smile. Something horrible happened and I instantly turned to my Father for hope and peace. I prayed through every frustration, thought and worry. I held on to him...and He provided!

Words cannot explain how great our God is or how much I love Him! Thank you, Lord, for your love, mercy and amazing grace. Thank you for providing for my father, my family and myself. Thank you for being my hope, my rock and my strength. Thank you for being the one thing in life than never disappoints and never lets go.

ALL THE GLORY TO GOD. Amen.

stress of this life.

The last time I posted I was so happy and full of joy. Looking back at a wonderful month and seeing how God is working in my life and I see it so clearly like a reflection in the mirror. It is something I am very thankful for.

With a swift goodbye to October, I was anxious to see what November had in store. My high expectations were soon smacked to the ground with heart breaking news. Three days ago my Dad lost his job. I know, most people think:

"It's okay, he'll get another one."

"God will provide."

"God has something better-don't worry."

All of that is true, but what hit me so hard is seeing a strong man, who has gratefully been in my life since I was born, be broken down and hurt. My father is a wonderful man. He has a heart for his family. He does anything and everything for us. Although he may struggle and sacrifice he does it for us. My brothers and I are blessed to have a father who would do anything in his power to give us a wonderful life.

But what takes me back a step is that he hurts. If you know me well, you know I have a heart for people in my life. I cannot bear to see or hear of loved ones in pain. I would do anything for my Dad. God is showing me a lot in life but this is all so new and different. Not being able to literally do anything for him is hard. But as I have been dealing and processing this, all I have heard is this:

Trust.

Patience.

Faith.

God has been teaching me that I walk but it is He who guides my steps. I must have trust, patience and faith in EVERY aspect of my life and He is showing me that very clearly through this situation and others. It took this situation for the point to really hit home but it's not that easy.

I share this because I need prayer. I share this because my Dad needs prayer. He is a strong and very selfless man but does not have a relationship with Christ. I pray for it constantly and I hope God uses this situation to bring him closer to my heavenly Father. My family also needs prayer. With job loss comes worry, frustration and stress. Not too much in my family life is easy, but this is a whole new ball game.

But, what I do know is what's getting me through this:

God is faithful and God is love. God is my strength and is always there.

So I am trusting in Him and trying not to worry...my God has a plan.

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has worry of its own. Todays worry is enough for today."

-Matthew 6:34

10.2010

Octubre.

What a month...

It is definitely one for the record books. So much joy and happiness packed into 31 days. When you look at it like that it seems so short, but this month seemed to last forever. I cherish time like that as I get older. Time seems to pass us by without even noticing. I am trying to hold on to what really matters in life. You could say that was the theme of October.

With only a two week notice, I was off to the Dominican Republic once again. My heart was overwhelmed with excitement and anxiousness. With all that I brought home from my first trip, I could not believe I was going back and was curious to see what God has planned. I wrote of my feelings before I embarked on my second trip.."...one spot left." I couldn't believe it and still can't when I look back. I can only give my God the glory and marvel at his wonderful ways.

Needless to say, I was in my element. Being there is the only time and place I have ever experienced true happiness and joy in life. God has taught me so much through what I have learned there. I love and have loved people I barely knew who spoke a language different from my own. I worked harder physical labor than I ever thought I would. I have relationships I will cherish forever. God is still showing me a lot when it comes to La Represa. That community is still heavy on my heart. His plans are nothing short of amazing and exciting.

Once home from La Represa, life once again changed drastically. Being content in this world was and is a struggle but I hold on to the promises of my Savior and live life day by day. I spent a lot of time just enjoying life with dear friends who are closer than my own family.

The month continued with celebrations of this wonderful season (my favorite) and welcoming change as God is working in our church and community.

Our Smyrna church campus has recently moved to the new Boys & Girls Club facility. It's an amazingly beautiful place with so much more room to outreach and minister to the community. We had a fall festival to celebrate the opening and it was a huge success! Music, food and lots of people I love.

Another community in Murfreesboro that my church is working in is called Franklin Heights. I have been working alongside the director and have seen how I don't have to travel far to love the unloved.

The first annual fall festival was put on for the community and it was an awesome time to see families and followers of Christ come together to share love and laughter.

As the month came to an end and November came faster than I wanted, only one thought

came to mind: thankful.

I am thankful for my Savior. I am thankful He can get me through every day, every mess up and every blessing in my life. I am thankful for what He has given me and the amazing journey He has put me on. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Him on a daily basis. I am thankful for what He has done in my brother's life and cherish him dearly. God has grown him and is growing him to be a man of God that excites me. We spend most of our time serving together and what a precious sight it is.

Goodbye October and hello November.

Psalm 23.

My relationship with the Lord is number one priority.

He gives me all that I need.

He gives me rest.

He refreshes my spirit.

He heals my heart and soul.

He shows me which path to take.

He gives my life purpose and meaning.

I may be tested and go through trials,

but He takes care of me and is faithful.

He never leaves me.

He gives me discipline and hope.

He gives me the most abundant life full of His blessings.

I am secure and satisfied in Him forever.

How He loves me.

new beginnings.

Since its beginning, this blog has been an outlet to slightly open ideas and thoughts of my heart, faith and the amazing journey God has me on. Lately, God has continued to break my heart for La Represa. Not a day goes by without numerous thoughts or ideas concerning my second home. Dreams of living life with my brothers, sisters and the children I could spend the rest of my life with. God is showing me big plans and they're completely beyond any of my expectations, but He is slowly showing me how to achieve the goal He has broken my heart for.

I have had two very different, very amazing trips to La Represa. I have spent a total of 17 days there. I can say without a doubt that they have been the best days so far of my 23 years. I long for many more like them. God knows that and I have a feeling that through my amazing God, I not only will be back but will be there much longer.

Though I am not there yet, the mission has already started. I am praying and looking into fundraising options. Most of them will be a huge undertaking and a lot of stress added to my already hectic schedule but my heart is set on that community. All I have to do is stop, close my eyes and I get a reminder of what God has shown me. I see faces; I hear voices. I am reminded of a life I long to live. I am overwhelmed with passion and comfort. I am driven to be there and love "the least of these." Once that precious moment in time is done I am back up and running. Praise the Lord for the brokenness within me and the plan He has for me. I ask that you pray for the path the Lord has set me on and pray that I can gather support from my family, my church and my community.

I will never forget the moment I set foot in the Dominican. I went down there with this preconceived notion that I'd do some hard labor, grow closer with my friends and have a good week. I spent the last night there in the arms of someone who is dear to my heart and he told me, "Don't worry, you'll be back here." I couldn't believe I had fallen in love but I wasn't sure if I would be returning. I was overwhelmed and uneasy going home. I longed to stay and to go back once I returned but just prayed to God for wisdom and His will...and the next thing I know seven months go by and I am back again. Familiar faces, sounds and emotions. After an amazing yet heart-wrenching seven days I boarded a plane back to United States...and cried the entire time.

It's been 14 days since returning to the United States...Please pray that God continues to guide me on this journey and return me to my home. I am trusting completely in Him for strength, guidance and wisdom. I have an extreme distaste for this place but I know it's only time before I am there again. God's timing is always better than ours. Please pray for me as I embark on this journey. Our God is an awesome God. All the glory to you, Father!

"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." -Jeremiah 29:11

Heavy heart.

I've been back in the U.S. for four days now. It feels wrong even calling this place 'home.' God has again broken me for La Represa and the people in that community. Words cannot begin to express the heaviness of my heart, the longing to be there or the distaste for this world I've called my home for 23 years. Since returning I have tried numerous times to get a post finished but each time they've been interrupted and have gone unfinished. No words can explain my heart or my mind or where God is leading me. I feel very broken and the only explanation to start with is this:

La Represa, you have my heart.