Thursday, January 16, 2014
Long Exposure
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Project Aledo
I get to take pictures of things in Aledo for the Christ Chapel's west campus. I'm really excited to take pictures of still objects for a change. I went out about 4:30 so the light was pretty flat and I didn't get some pictures that I wanted to, but here are the few that I thought were pretty cool. I'm excited to get to show people different sides of Aledo that might get over looked. Of course, I took Landon with me. That kid goes with me everywhere, even when he doesn't necessarily want to.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Carried Work
I have never been one who gets really excited about New Years. I've just never thought it was a big deal. I have never had a New Years resolution. Okay that's a lie. I did one year. I'm not a very flexible person and I wanted to do the splits so I told myself that I was going to stretch everyday. However, that lasted about two days. Other then that, I am a New Years resolution virgin. WAHOO.
Staying up till about 3:30am and staying in bed till 2pm gives someone time to thing. I realized two things this morning as I was still laying in bed. #1 Do not leave your expensive camera at the foot of your bed because you will forget about it. Then, you will throw your expensive computer on top of it and then dent it. (I'm handling it very well, if I might add). #2 I have learned so many things this year and it has caused me to feel and act like a different person.
I got my journal February of last year (2013) and for some reason every month I have continued to add to a list. The whole entire year of 2013 I listed out what God had taught me that month. I think it is important that we remember what God has taught us so we do not fall back and run to old habits.
February/March~ letting God have control of the things I want control of most. (it hurts)
April~ understanding love that surpasses knowledge
May~ what are my convictions? why do I even have them?
June~ Galatians 1:10. My actions should be to bring Glory to God, not myself
July~ He delights in me
September~ I am crawling with sin
October~ struggling with humility and pride
November/December~ Dwell in His presence {always}
Presently~ abound. [isn't that best word ever?]
For me this year was probably my most worst year, but entirely in the best way. Looking back, I love 2013.
This year was the first time God really captivated me and got my attention. I never realized how stubborn and hardhearted I can be, until 2013.
february/march- This was the time that I was still spiritually dead. I don't recall ever reading my Bible, but I am sure I did a couple of times. Deep down, I really desired to walk with God, I just never did anything about it.
june/july- at the end of July was when I was craving relationship with Christ so immensely that I started to read my Bible. "Reading" is the wrong term... I started to pour over the scripture like a thirsty dog runs to it's water bowl. I began to read it without any predetermined ideas about what it had to say.
Change began.
september- I had always known that I was in need of a savior. However, this is when I realized how desperate I was without Him and how indescribable He was to pick me up and hold me through life.
october- I struggled with humility mightily. It had always slightly been there, but for some reason, it decided to flare up. Maybe it was all the pollen and the season change...okay maybe not. It was really inspiring to be walking through the school hallways and to just feel God helping me through the day with little things people would say or thoughts that crossed my mind. I learned that He is always there and when you are thinking about His presence constantly, then you begin to literally walk with Him. I believe that pride might be my thorn. Something that always turns me back to the foot of the cross. However, as of right now my thorn is not in my side. It has been amazing to watch God help me through the pride filled time of my life. I know He is real because He stands beside me all day and I see Him. I think it was Paul who talked about having a thorn in his side. He asked God not to remove it, because he needed something to always turn him back to the cross. The fascinating part about the story is that we never learn what Paul's thorn was. How intriguing it is to me. I really hope that I will be able to talk to Paul in heaven because he is my absolute favorite.
november/december- I go through periods where I read my bible everyday and then other times when I struggle to do so. According to late night conversations with my friends, I am not the only one who struggles with this. That was a relief. However, I watched God still speak to me even when I failed to pick up my Bible. I'm not saying you don't have to read your bible. That is entirely the wrong idea. But, what I have learned is that reading your bible is not the only part of your walk with Him. You have to sit in silence with Him.
I tried to sit in silence with Him just on the floor of my room because I read my bible on the floor. That however, presented too many distractions. I then decided to put my love of the night sky and my love for sitting in silence with Him together. It has been such a reality check for me. When I sit there and look up at His face, I realize how small I am. I see His face in the stars. How incredible is the night sky? There is nothing like it in all of creation. It's always changing appearance is always a new land waiting to be discovered late at night. I also start to talk to Him alone at night underneath the stars and that is when I really hear Him speak to me. Honestly, I doubted the whole "God will talk to you if you just listen" idea. IT IS REAL and you will never look at life the same once you experience it.
currently- Currently I am as happy as I have ever been. I am enjoying life's details. My camera lens has helped me discover the indescribable beauty of life. Go outside and look at the details of anything. Even cement is cool, when you really look at it. Look how detailed and smooth it is, even though it is extremely hard.
abound [uh-bound]: to be filled {to be filled with ____}
This word has appeared so many time in my life recently I decided I should take a hint. It first started when I was writing in my journal and I wrote down a thought that hasn't left my mind since.
|| Peace abounds in my heart, therefore joy is external ||
It then showed up about 4 times when I was reading my Bible one night. Can we just go...WOW?
I abound with Christ.
I am filled with Him. Because of the peace that he has restored inside of me, I am incredibly joyful. Honestly, I haven't had a bad day in months. It's because of the indescribable peace that He has taught me.
Throughout this year I have become different in the way I think and I spend my time differently.
I believe my photography and relationship with God is connected. I have learned the importance of my family. In fact, this week I found the bracelet my dad brought me back from Afghanistan. I now wear it because just like my dad was taken away from me for months, it reminds me that anything at any moment could change. Life is precious and we must treasure it's insignificant details because we do not realize their importance. It reminds me of the lessons that God has taught me in the past and what He will teach me in the future. I now hold close the treasures of life.
In a way, it is my modern day Ebenezer.
One of the reasons I am so excited about 2014 is I get to watch God carry out the work He started in my heart in 2013.
Fun fact: There is a meteor shower friday.
I got my journal February of last year (2013) and for some reason every month I have continued to add to a list. The whole entire year of 2013 I listed out what God had taught me that month. I think it is important that we remember what God has taught us so we do not fall back and run to old habits.
February/March~ letting God have control of the things I want control of most. (it hurts)
April~ understanding love that surpasses knowledge
May~ what are my convictions? why do I even have them?
June~ Galatians 1:10. My actions should be to bring Glory to God, not myself
July~ He delights in me
September~ I am crawling with sin
October~ struggling with humility and pride
November/December~ Dwell in His presence {always}
Presently~ abound. [isn't that best word ever?]
For me this year was probably my most worst year, but entirely in the best way. Looking back, I love 2013.
This year was the first time God really captivated me and got my attention. I never realized how stubborn and hardhearted I can be, until 2013.
february/march- This was the time that I was still spiritually dead. I don't recall ever reading my Bible, but I am sure I did a couple of times. Deep down, I really desired to walk with God, I just never did anything about it.
june/july- at the end of July was when I was craving relationship with Christ so immensely that I started to read my Bible. "Reading" is the wrong term... I started to pour over the scripture like a thirsty dog runs to it's water bowl. I began to read it without any predetermined ideas about what it had to say.
Change began.
september- I had always known that I was in need of a savior. However, this is when I realized how desperate I was without Him and how indescribable He was to pick me up and hold me through life.
october- I struggled with humility mightily. It had always slightly been there, but for some reason, it decided to flare up. Maybe it was all the pollen and the season change...okay maybe not. It was really inspiring to be walking through the school hallways and to just feel God helping me through the day with little things people would say or thoughts that crossed my mind. I learned that He is always there and when you are thinking about His presence constantly, then you begin to literally walk with Him. I believe that pride might be my thorn. Something that always turns me back to the foot of the cross. However, as of right now my thorn is not in my side. It has been amazing to watch God help me through the pride filled time of my life. I know He is real because He stands beside me all day and I see Him. I think it was Paul who talked about having a thorn in his side. He asked God not to remove it, because he needed something to always turn him back to the cross. The fascinating part about the story is that we never learn what Paul's thorn was. How intriguing it is to me. I really hope that I will be able to talk to Paul in heaven because he is my absolute favorite.
november/december- I go through periods where I read my bible everyday and then other times when I struggle to do so. According to late night conversations with my friends, I am not the only one who struggles with this. That was a relief. However, I watched God still speak to me even when I failed to pick up my Bible. I'm not saying you don't have to read your bible. That is entirely the wrong idea. But, what I have learned is that reading your bible is not the only part of your walk with Him. You have to sit in silence with Him.
I tried to sit in silence with Him just on the floor of my room because I read my bible on the floor. That however, presented too many distractions. I then decided to put my love of the night sky and my love for sitting in silence with Him together. It has been such a reality check for me. When I sit there and look up at His face, I realize how small I am. I see His face in the stars. How incredible is the night sky? There is nothing like it in all of creation. It's always changing appearance is always a new land waiting to be discovered late at night. I also start to talk to Him alone at night underneath the stars and that is when I really hear Him speak to me. Honestly, I doubted the whole "God will talk to you if you just listen" idea. IT IS REAL and you will never look at life the same once you experience it.
currently- Currently I am as happy as I have ever been. I am enjoying life's details. My camera lens has helped me discover the indescribable beauty of life. Go outside and look at the details of anything. Even cement is cool, when you really look at it. Look how detailed and smooth it is, even though it is extremely hard.
abound [uh-bound]: to be filled {to be filled with ____}
This word has appeared so many time in my life recently I decided I should take a hint. It first started when I was writing in my journal and I wrote down a thought that hasn't left my mind since.
|| Peace abounds in my heart, therefore joy is external ||
It then showed up about 4 times when I was reading my Bible one night. Can we just go...WOW?
I abound with Christ.
I am filled with Him. Because of the peace that he has restored inside of me, I am incredibly joyful. Honestly, I haven't had a bad day in months. It's because of the indescribable peace that He has taught me.
Throughout this year I have become different in the way I think and I spend my time differently.
I believe my photography and relationship with God is connected. I have learned the importance of my family. In fact, this week I found the bracelet my dad brought me back from Afghanistan. I now wear it because just like my dad was taken away from me for months, it reminds me that anything at any moment could change. Life is precious and we must treasure it's insignificant details because we do not realize their importance. It reminds me of the lessons that God has taught me in the past and what He will teach me in the future. I now hold close the treasures of life.
In a way, it is my modern day Ebenezer.
One of the reasons I am so excited about 2014 is I get to watch God carry out the work He started in my heart in 2013.
Fun fact: There is a meteor shower friday.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Filament light
Filament is my new favorite word. Filum in latin means thread. It is used for several thread like structures. Such as the wires in a lightbulb that glow. It's really cool if you think about it. The lamp beside my bed has always fascinated me, but it is even more intriguing when I look at it from the ground. Don't ask me why I was laying on my floor looking at my light because I won't have a reasonable answer; I just was. Therefore, I took a picture of it and I cannot stop looking at it.
The second picture is of the street light coming through my kitchen window tonight. I've never noticed it before, but I enjoyed the fact that it illuminated the window frame.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Extravagant Beauty
Every time I go to a field and take pictures I am refilled. I am reminded why I love life. I smile very often, but I smile the most genuine when engrossed in natural beauty. I capture things and give them immortality. A picture never changes; it is still and true. For christmas I received a AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:4G ED lens and I now know what love feels like. I can see things differently through it. It's like my own personal telescope. I see tail lights, feet, detail, and patterns from over 100 feet away. So this means I can spy on all my neighbors and know all of their secrets now, right?
I took my brother into a field I recently found and made him a model. I love that boy in a very special way that I cannot begin to describe.
I enjoy the fact that fields lend themselves in very unexpected places. Behind an old or new building, school, or even Church. To find them you must be aware of life. Hidden gems don't flaunt themselves. They are hidden.
The best pictures are the unplanned and raw moments that are captured. That genuine smile that appears when someone laughs and crinkles their nose. It is true beauty. Beautiful things don't ask for attention, but are always present. When recognized, your lens can capture a beautiful thing when it is not looking.
My lens and myself seek this hidden beauty of life.
~One of the extravagant things about God is that He created an entire planet full of hidden beauty for me to spend the entirety of my exsitense exploring~
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