Trying

I feel like writing, 

but can't compose any thoughts to make sense enough for what I'm feeling.

So then I thought I could share something very real.

I hardly ever never do this,

but here's exactly what I wrote in my journal this morning.

I've become such a strong person in the last couple of years. As I've dealt with some stuff lately I've realized how resilient and determined I am. I am trying to grow into who God wants me to be. I am trying to stand for what's right. I am trying to love people who continue to hurt me. I am trying to fight past sin and it's path of destruction. I am trying to make my wrongs right. I am trying to love others and show Jesus along the way. I am trying to be the woman God has called me to be. I am trying to look past what my family and the world says to be. 

I am trying.

I don't always succeed but I make an effort and that's worth something. All I know is that my efforts will change my life and God's plan will be played out despite my shortcomings. 

Praise you, Father, for a chance at a dream bigger than this girl could ever imagine.

Fortune Come True

Every one loves a good fortune. 

I seem to keep ones that mean more to me, but never really expect or see them come through for some

miraculous life change or wealth or good fortune. 

I got this fortune on April 23, 2012.

It struck a different cord with me so I tucked it away in my journal.

Two days later, I met someone who at the time just seemed like a cool someone

who, like a lot of people, come in to your life as fast as they are out.

But not this one.

Let's just say this is a fortune come true.

And blessed?

I certainly am.

Game Changer

Last week I was privelged with the chance to experience another Orange Conference in Atlanta.

This was my third year to attend, and here's a look back at last year's trip.

I was excited for another year of Orange, but as we got on the road 

I was super stressed and distracted with life at home. 

I got to Atlanta and asked friends who came along to pray for me because I felt so out of place

and like I couldn't concentrate on why I came to Orange in the first place.

Luckily the next morning came with a new and refreshed spirit.

The next few days were spend listening to some amazing speakers,

growing in my knowledge of ministry

and more so, figuring out exactly why God put me on this earth. 

I knew I'd get a lot out of the sessions and the keynote speakers,

but I heard from God more than anything. 

I now know exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.

Getting to that goal is a work in progress,

but I'm thankful to see the bigger picture in it.

It was funny to me that the theme of the conference was 'game changer.'

It doesn't matter what we do in life,

but what matters is how we are going to change lives and show people the love of Jesus.

The gospel needs to be lived out to others and knowing exactly how I'm supposed to do that is a huge undertaking but a massive blessing that I'm humbled to be given.

I can't wait for what the Lord has ahead for me and this ministry.

Big things are going to happen and a owe a huge thanks to Orange and everyone involved.

If you'd like to see what Orange is really about, go here.

If you'd like to read a great recap of the conference, read this.

And here's a few photos from the week and great resources/organizations you should check out!

Rafiki Mail

Land of a Thousand Hills

These were amazing.

Gotta love these ladies.

Too much fun at ROAR.

 Winning stuff from Stuff You Can Use!

Easter Weekend

I love Easter.

Not only because of the meaning behind it,

but because of what it means to my family.

Easter was always a big deal for my grandparents. 

My grandfather had the greenest yard in the world-no lie.

And my grandmother made every single dish known to our family.

I have fond memories of eating rolls until I was sick

or eating boxes of Peeps with my aunt.

Although they're in heaven, it's still a great holiday.

Any time spent with family is good time.

Hope you and your family had a blessed Easter.

Here's a look into ours.

Marigrace had her first vegetable...

And my aunt and I kept with tradition.

We thought MG would love to try one, too.

She's my new, most favorite photography subject.

And I think she knows how much I love her.

My favorite people on the planet.

Little Reminders

The picture below is from the corner of my grandparent's porch.

For many years my grandmother would walk out there and a dove would be sitting in one of her hanging ferns. The dove would lay her eggs and would sit there for hours.

My grandmother slowly gained her trust and was soon able to pet her.

I can remember standing in a chair at this very spot to see her.

I can remember the awe in the fact that she would always keep her eggs there

and that she always came back.

It was a fond memory of my childhood and of my grandmother.

This morning I walked on my back porch and saw this.

I was in shock but so happy.

She just sat there and I stared at her for what seemed like forever...

then I realized I needed to grab my camera.

I opened the door and just gazed at her.

I was immediately reminded of my grandmother and our fond memories.

It also reminded me of the peace I have that surpasses all understanding.

I just soaked in her beauty and the fact that she was two feet away from me.

And she sat there and just stared back.

Love little memories and grateful for reminders.

Holy Week Beginning

Yesterday began a very sacred and holy week. It was Palm Sunday and began the momentous occasion of our Lord's last week on this earth. Palm Sunday is to remember and recount his entrance into Jerusalem.

He began his last week by coming to Jerusalem. He rode in humbly on a donkey and the people laid palm leaves on the ground for him to walk on. I find it interesting how he rode in on a donkey. It reminded me immediately of how Mary rode a donkey while she held Jesus inside of her womb. As he came into the city, people waved branched, laid down their coats, and yelled "Hoseanna!," as our Savior entered in. They needed to be saved and were yearning for someone to save them.

They would soon find out that he would indeed not be the king that they had hoped. He would soon die an unbelievable death and their hopes of a mighty king, in their eyes, would die.

What they didn't see was how his dying on the cross would save and give life to so many.

His death saved me and continues to save.

Every day I'm given life because of his death.

I'm in awe as I write, 

but read the account of his humbled entrance.

1 As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead.2 "Go into the village over there," he said. "As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me.3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will immediately let you take them."
4 This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

  5 "Tell the people of Jerusalem,*
  'Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—
  riding on a donkey's colt.'"*

  6 The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.7 They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.*
  8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

"Praise God* for the Son of David!
  Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!
  Praise God in highest heaven!"*

  10 The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. "Who is this?" they asked.
  11 And the crowds replied, "It's Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
(Matthew 21)

April Daze

Happy April Fool's Day!

I'm so happy to see April come.

It's a new start and a month closer to May.

I've been looking at this a lot lately.

More than just my birthday, I cannot wait for May 23rd to start off the best summer ever.

I wrote before (here) about Winshape and getting the job,

and I never thought I'd be so excited to get it started.

This summer, in 52 days, I'll be traveling as a photographer and teaching photography to children.

Words cannot explain my excitement.

It's what I want, and I didn't know it until God laid it in my lap.

Such grace.

I'll be traveling from May 23-August 7.

10 different cities in 5 different states.

The Lord has something amazing in store and I can't wait to experience it.