H Family Photo, Fox River, Elgin, IL

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt...
        ~Dave Barnes 'God Gave Me You'


What I've Learned: Blessings Reverberate.
Happy September, dear Reader!  Last week, while praying for guidance and God's wisdom as I prepare to shoot my first wedding in October, I felt Him nudging me to contact a few friends via Facebook and offer them free family portraits in exchange for the chance to practice shooting with my new gear.  I was super excited when all three agreed. 

Casual Couple's Shot

 This past Sunday, Brother (my official photography assistant) and I went to a service at the Joy River Baptist Church, in Elgin.  Joy River is 'home church' for VH, a dear high school friend that I haven't seen in over 15 years.  She invited us to the service and we arranged to shoot photos with her, her husband and their three adorable children after that.  After some wonderful fellowship and a great message given by Rev. Cynthia Hill, we walked outside and down to the newly re-landscaped banks of the Fox River in downtown Elgin. 

Love is a fine thing.

Brother, who was very professional and helpful, assisted in getting everyone posed and smiling broadly.  Then I got into the 'photo zone' and just enjoyed using my gear to capture the H family's natural joy.  What a pleasure!  Afterwards, I thanked my friend, promised to drop by her bible study later in the week and went home to see what kind of shots I'd gotten.  After working the editing magic, I was very pleased with the resulting 25 photos.  Here are my very favorites from that batch for your enjoyment, Reader.

Soon to be tickled...

 What a blessing this opportunity turned out to be!  Not only did I get to take (and give) great photos, but also got the chance to reconnect with my friend and build a wonderful new friendship--as Christian women.  I went to VH's bible study earlier this evening and found that God has provided an ideal opportunity for me to study His word with like-minded fellow believers.  The blessings of that simple request for a photo op continue to reverberate through the new lives I'm encountering and certainly, my own. Can't wait to see where they will lead next!

In Love

         
There’s more here than what we're seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me...
          ~Dave Barnes 'God Gave Me You'

Today's Joy: Reconnecting with Old Acquaintances.
Been a crazy day, Reader! Worked a hectic day at both jobs. Somewhere in between, I got a phone call from a former coworker informing me about a retirement party scheduled this afternoon for another old friend. I had just enough time between shifts to stop by.

So, I did and surprised all my favorite old work-mates. Haven't seen any of them since I moved to Texas and now that I'm back, it was nice to catch up. Amazing how so many lives have changed this past year--some in disappointing ways, but others in positive ones. I made plans to attend church with one and photograph her next civil war re-enactment for another. In all, was reluctant to leave when the time came, which is always a sign of time well-spent. So glad I took the chance to reconnect.

Who would you like to catch up with Reader? Have you been putting it off for some reason? Too busy? Too much effort to reconnect? Feeling like you aren't in as good a place as you'd like to be right now? Or that your renewal of friendship may not be well-received?

Whatever the reason, if it's on your heart, take the time and reach out to that person (or family). That little nagging sensation in the back of your mind is God nudging you. Something in your reconnection will bring a blessing. It might be in your life, the other person's, or perhaps in a life you wouldn't expect. But your simple act of reaching out will likely have ramifications beyond your expectations.

Me, B & Leaky Bucket

Faith is reason grown courageous. ~Sherwood Eddy

Today's Joy: New Beginnings.
I took a step out in faith tonight, Reader. I attended my first women's community group through church. While God has blessed me tenfold since I've been home, I confess I miss the day-to-day closeness of my best girl friends (all of whom live in other states). Now that I'm attending a church I really like, it feels like the perfect time to reach out in search of fab new local female friends to share this faith-journey.

Over the last 14 years, I've been blessed with several lifelong women friends. We've met while living in a treehouse and while studying physics. Two started out as my boss and another as my editor. Over the years, they've been my conscience & spiritual guides, my personal beauty advisers, my cheering squad and (when needed) a gentle reality check. They've been generous beyond measure and once even crawled through mud to get my car un-stuck so I wouldn't get my dress filthy.

K & J

P.S. They can rock any look from purple alligator-print stilettos to pink-lined camo gear.

D at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden

Whatever we go thru in this life, it's my pleasure to remind them I still see the bold, young women underneath the mommy, wife and career roles they've taken on. What a joy to watch them grow and mature into better versions of themselves! I suppose I feel about my girl friends the way some women feel about having children--there's always room for more!

S & her new HHR

Anyway, I had a good time tonight and met some fascinating and honest women. Can't wait to get to know them better. Have that feeling of being right where I'm supposed to be--you know the one I mean--where you can clearly feel God working in your life. Something special is beginning. Can't wait to see how it will unfold.

As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit. ~Emmanuel

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.