My Summer Summary

Goodness, it's been a while! Last time I stopped in to write, VBS had just finished and I was only halfway through one of the busiest months of my entire life. What have I been doing since then? Good question!

I had my first experience as a wedding photographer! Since I'm practically part of the bride's family, I ended up helping with way more than just the photos... It was exhausting, but worth seeing the couple so happy.

After the wonderful chaos of the wedding died down, my family went to the zoo!.

It was blindingly bright (harsh on my sensitive eyes!) and one of the hottest days of summer, but we had fun and hope to go back again later this month.







A few days ago, I went on a photoshoot at a local park with a couple from my church. I've been wanting to improve my portrait skills and they wanted to get some nice photos of them together before he leaves for school, so it worked out perfectly.






There have been a lot of church events, fun days with friends, and learning happening too! Though I'll refrain from rambling on about all of them. ;) Hope your summer was as blessed as well and that your fall is joy-filled! 

Smile, Jesus loves you!

This week was vacation Bible school at my church. For me, that meant five days of getting up early so I could get myself and my sisters ready and out the door... Ideally before the church bus arrived.

It meant working with three different age groups every morning in the craft room and becoming very adept at tying knots in twine, convincing kids to "let me put the glue on", and keeping marker caps where they should be.

It meant talking with the kids while everyone arrived, keeping them quiet while the pastor was speaking, and cheering for them when they accomplished something.

It meant listening to one of the little boys explaining that smiley faces are "my mark" not just because I always add one to my signature, but because you always usually have a smile. And I bet it's because Jesus loves you, because I have a bracelet that says that and it sounds like something you would tell us.


It meant being reminded of God's provision by little things like chairs, paperclips, and ribbon.

It meant serving in extra ways like taking pictures and allowing a giant water balloon to be burst over my head as a reward for bringing visitors.

It meant getting to spend time with one of the godly ladies I look up to but haven't really been close with.

It meant seeing the Lord working in more lives than I could count over the course of five days.

And now it means that I have to go get ready to watch the kids that've stolen my heart be recognized for their accomplishments this week. Here's hoping I don't cry when I say goodbye! :)

Let the countdown begin...

I'm going to be photographing a wedding exactly two months from today. 

With no experience, questionable people skills, and a very basic (and finicky) point-and-shoot camera, I was pretty terrified by the idea when it was first proposed. Since the bride's younger sister is my best friend, I'd been vaguely involved with things concerning the wedding... But taking the official wedding pictures?

My worrying over things is nothing new, but the approach I took to them this time was: instead of waiting until my concerns started to overwhelm me and then going to God with them, I started by giving them up to Him before I even agreed to the job.

Three days later, I was given a short-term job staying overnight with one of the seniors my mom takes care of while the woman's husband is in the hospital. After just two nights of this, I already have over half of the money I need to buy this:

So here I am, the official photographer of Eric and Michelle's wedding. I will hopefully be able to purchase my long-wanted Canon by the end of the week. People have already agreed to let me practice taking portraits with them. I have two months to work on overcoming some of my social awkwardness.

And above all, I know that God is good.