Moments

Moments I'm thankful for...

“What if we really figured it out - the gratitude for the seemingly small and insignificant?
This is the seed that plants the giant miracle in the midst of it all.
So count the ways that He loves, a thousand more.
Never stop.
So that when you wake in the morning you can't help unfold your hands to the heavens.
And though you grieve and though you wonder, though the world is ugly - it is beautiful.
And though time moves on, its moments are holy.
And though the planet spins - a blur, you can slow and you can wake.
You can trust and you can pay attention to the moment with this offering of thanks.
Because this is how you spend your one life well,
receiving each moment for what it really is -
holy, ordinary, amazing grace, a gift."


~ Ann Voskamp

Today's Through The Lens of Worship post was inspired by Ann Voskamp and this video...




Head on over to Through The Lens of Worship to read more and share your moments.

Soar

Yes this is a photo blog, but this post won't have a picture. I just want to tell you about something that has blessed me as a photographer and as a child of God in 2010.
I can hardly believe it has been a year since I applied for the Soar scholarship.
The excitement over Soar is back on because its happening again.
If you don't know what Soar is you can check it out here.

Maybe you should even apply. (The deadline is this Monday.)

As I have been supporting Soar 2010, I have been thinking about all that Soar has been to me in the past year. And I have to say that I wouldn't be who I am as a photographer today without it. One of my favorite things about Soar is that it is designed to empower and grow anyone who wants to follow along. And the more you participate the more you grow. I believe there are several of us women who didn't "win", but actually have won so very much as a result of Soar.

I never cease to be amazed at what I learn and how I grow from the photo exercises. The funny thing is, every time there has been an exercise posted, I think about the images that I have already done that would be good to turn in, but I determined at the beginning of the year to participate fully, which meant doing the exercises again, being purposeful - and it has grown me.
Everything I've learned about running a business, marketing, pricing, etc. has all come about as a result of Soar.
Early on in the year, Karen and Fay (the business coaches) asked us to consider "what is so."
My "what is so" list has moved forward because of Soar.
And the list of friends I have made - friends who share my heart for worship - still amazes me. God has really used Soar to bless me in this area. I just LOVE how something that was started because of a Godly calling in MeRa Koh, but is not about God (it's about photography), has become a place where God is glorified regularly, where His people have a safe place to ask for prayer, where He provides support and encouragement through His people. It's pretty cool. And I'm blessed to be a part of it.

I want to encourage you (if you are female) to join the Soar community. Even if you don't apply, you can still be a part of Soar. I'm sure you will be blessed by it. 

Rescued From the Junk Pile

I praise You, O Lord!

You have rescued me from the junk pile and clothed me in Your righteousness.
I am nothing without You.

I praise You, O Lord!
All glory and honor belong to You.

Go to Through The Lens of Worship for more of this post.
And then link to your post of praise.

Sweet Sophia

Remember this baby?
Well she's not a baby any more.
In fact, she's going to be 1 this week.

Sweet Sophia, thank you for the impromptu photo session.
Sophia's mommy, thank you for your friendship!!!

Malachi

As promised, here is Malachi...

Poor little guy has such bad gas and it makes him really unhappy.
This was our second attempt at getting some pictures, because the first day he cried the whole time I was there - 5 hours.

At first it seemed we were going to have the same experience this day.

But he eventually wore himself out crying and fell asleep.

He gave me 10 solid minutes of deep sleep and I was able to capture these...

When he woke up, he gave me a few more minutes before crying, so we could get a few with his eyes open.
When he started crying this time though, it was because he was HUNGRY.

Waiting patiently

I'm really behind in posting some of the photoshoots I've done lately, but I'm working on getting caught up.

Meet my beautiful friend Emily.

We took these pictures before my family vacation to Seattle.

I was sure she was going to have a baby while I was gone, but that cute little baby waited for me.

He was born 2 days after I got home (2 1/2 weeks after we took these pictures).

I'll post his newborn pictures tomorrow.

For now here are a few more from Emily's maternity session....

See what I mean?

Beautiful!

Eric + Jamie

Bruce and I hold a special place in our hearts for these two.
They were part of our ministry and great friends when we lived in Lakewood.
They have a love story that resembles a Nicholas Sparks novel, only with a happy ending.
What a privilege to be able to be a part of their special day.

The ceremony was so special
and even tech-savy (notice the minister using his iPad?)

Here are a couple of reception and detail shots...

When Eric & Jamie drove away from the church, they went and changed their clothes and headed to the real reception - a beach bonfire. I'm sure they would have been happy if this had been the only reception.

Jamie and Eric, thank you for letting us be a part of your day. We pray for you as you settle into your new life in Alaska.
xoxo

Being a mom AND photographer

Bruce and I had the honor of photographing the wedding of some dear friends a couple of weeks ago.
The kids were invited to the wedding, but we opted to not bring them since we would be working. Well, what's the saying?... The best laid plans of mice and men go awry.
My sister got very ill with meningitis and ended up in the hospital so my mom was unavailable to keep the kids for the weekend. We managed to farm the boys out so they didn't have to miss school, since the wedding was on Friday and we had to travel to Southern CA for it. But we ended up having Molly with us. She was a trooper. We had lots of friends at the wedding, including Jason and Janira, whom Molly knows well and loves (thanks guys!), and she hung out with them while we worked. (She slept through most of the ceremony.)

She did however come with us to the park to take some of the formal pictures.
Most of the time she played happily with the doll house we brought to keep her entertained, but she did have to get in on some of the action...

Bruce took this one. She was holding onto my leg trying to look around me and watch.
It got a GREAT smile out of the bride.

Here is the image I was taking...

More wedding pictures tomorrow!

Psalm 29:2

A few more images from the redwoods for Through the Lens of Worship.

How Great Is Our God!

Share your worship experience through photography at Through The Lens of Worship.

Psalm 25:4-10

Show me the right path, O Lord;

point out the right path for me to follow.

Lead me by Your truth and teach me,

for You are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in You.

Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love,

which You have shown from long ages past.

Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.

Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love,

for You are merciful, O Lord.

The Lord is good and does what is right;

He shows the proper path to those who go astray.

He leads the humble in doing right,

teaching them His way.

The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness,

all who keep His covenant and obey His commands.

Psalm 25:4-10

Join me and share your photos of worship this week over at Through The Lens of Worship.

Friends

Do your friendships cause you to give God praise?
Read more on this week's Through The Lens of Worship post.

Being still

Sometimes, in order to sense God, to hear His voice, to know His leading, we have to slow down.

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act."

Psalm 37:7

Check out Through the Lens of Worship for the rest of this post and to join in if you'd like.

How is your perspective?

Check out Through the Lens of Worship to see where my perspective is this week and maybe even share yours.

Derek & Stephanie {maternity pictures}

I have been anticipating the day my brother and his wife would give me a neice or nephew to love on for a long time. And I'm soooo excited that the day that will finally happen is just around the corner.
I always knew that Stephanie would wear pregnancy in a beautiful way.
And does she ever.



I'm so excited that I got the opportunity to take some maternity pictures too!!!



If you live in Orange County, Fashion Island was a pretty fun place to take some pictures while we waited to be seated for dinner.



And it just wouldn't be right if I didn't include one that tells you about my brother's personality... he was always the fun one!



Derek & Stephanie - I'm so excited for you!
I can't wait to meet little Holly Jo

Maddox

I took these pictures awhile back, but it's never too late to post pictures of a cute baby is it?











{Hanford Photographer}