Fatherly Love

This is the second time I have had the joy of shooting Nate and Griffin.    I must say I just adore their bond: playful, sweet and filled with love!  And I have to admit, if it were legal to kidnap a kid…I would choose Griffy.  Common, look at that face!  We went to my favorite downtown spot for a morning shoot…here are a few moments we captured. 

'Send Me'

A manager at my work was going on a trip to Jerusalem and offered to take our written down prayers to Jerusalem’s Western Wall.  So excited at the opportunity, I wrote on a little yellow post-it, with two simple words: ‘Send Me.’  While I know the Lord hears my prayers, I think He used the little yellow post-it in a major way….

Since high school I have had a weird attraction/pull to Africa, anytime someone would speak of Africa, or a news channel would cover a story on Africa I would find myself completely captivated.  I have always desired to serve internationally to experience and understand other peoples view on who God is, how they worship and love Him.  I have watched and greatly admired many peers go and be sent out on many great adventures, crazily following God’s call.  But I lacked the belief/confidence that God had something that incredible for me.   I don’t have a degree, or a valuable trade like medicine or a background in construction that would be valuable on mission trips.  I have always felt like I wasn’t equipped, talented or skilled enough to go.  However, the truth is God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.  I believe that God has called me into a season that requires me to get off my knees and pray, to be courageous enough to go boldly in the direction of my dreams and pray God will bless the journey.  By no means can I afford to go to Africa to serve on my own, but living by faith alone I know God will open doors and provide. 

Is it scary, HECK yea!

Self-Doubting, been there.

Am I right where God wants me to be, ABSOLUTELY. 

As I blew out the candles to my 27^th birthday cake, my wish was to “ always be in God’s Will,”  what a beautiful feeling to know I am there….

Sweet Spot

It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited for a shoot!  But last night I was SOO wound up I couldn’t go to sleep.  You see I was early to a birthday party last night, so I decided to drive around downtown to look for new locations to shoot and found this gem!!  It’s a welding building that is currently for rent and it just so happens to be me new FAVORITE place to shoot.  I literally felt giddy  when I drove past it….as I circled around the location I knew it would be perfect for Greg and Nellie’s sweet family.    Here are a few shots from this sweet little family.  Enjoy!

 

Black, White and Gold….Oh my!

What girl doesn’t love the simple elegance of Black and White.  Today’s choice was a black and white color blocked, button up blouse.  This top features a fun coat tailed back and color blocking right along the waist line.  I find a color blocking adds structure to any outfit, just make sure you are adding emphasis on the right areas.  This top gives the illusion of an A-line for my body type that works perfectly!   Another great thing about black and white is the endless array of colors you can wear it with.  I chose to stay with the beautiful black and white theme…however a pop of red, turquoise or chunky silver would have work too (experiment with fun pieces) . Pair with a wide leg trouser jean with a simple peep-toe heel and  you have a casual yet classy wear to work look.  

El Jardin

One of my ongoing goals in life is to ‘Serve Joyfully.’  I couldn’t ask for a better model than Dan and Val Naish.  I have been attending Bible study at their home roughly 8 years now.  One of Dan’s passion is gardening.  After a trip down to Mexico to an Orphanage named ‘Esperanza para los Ninos’ (Hope for the Children)  he discovered that the kids and their caretakers could majorly benefit from a vegetable  garden.  For going on three years now he has been taking down supplies, manpower and giving his time and money to plant and maintain a garden at the orphanage!  I have been blessed to be a ditch digger beside him….watching, learning and fully enjoying his skill, passion and servants heart, what a blessing!  

In  Matthew 13 Jesus tells a story of a farmer sowing seed.  The scriptures discuss a farmer planting his seeds on four different types of soil: along a path, rocky soil,  among thorns, and good soil.  The path, birds came and ate the seeds, the rocky ground the plants sprang up quick but their roots weren’t deep or strong so the plants quickly withered.  The seeds that were planted among thorn got chocked out, but the seeds planted in good soil grew healthy, strong and steadfast.  I was reminded of this story that Jesus shares in the book of Matthew while working on the garden this weekend.  Producing good soil is hard, laborious work.  It is completely exhausting and will take every bit of energy you have.    But, it is the good soil that produces the good fruit (or veggies in our case).  For me, seeing amazing people like Dan and Val Naish that remind me of why it is so important do the work it takes to make my life the, “good soil,” because I see the incredible fruit in the lives of Dan and Val and know I want the exact same for mine. 

Here are a few photos of the garden. This season we relocated the garden to the old sheep stable.  So excited to see what this soil will bring J!  

Matthew 13: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13&version=NET

Esparanza para los Ninos:  http://esperanzaparalosninos.com/ 

Lopes Up!

I work as an Administrative Assistant at Grand Canyon University!  One of my recent responsibilities was to plan an appreciation dinner for our Ken Blanchard Executive MBA staff, as we were celebrating starting the largest cohort class the program had ever seen, quite an accomplishment!   Every fiber of my being was excited to plan this event.    The dinner took place at The Capitol Grille at the Biltmore in their beautiful wine room.  Remarkable food and exceptional staff.    But the food wasn’t even the best part….for me it was crafting the printed invitations and place card (they matched :0), designing  the floral arrangements, purchasing the recognition awards and choosing the menu.... what a blast (I get paid for this!!!)!  Here is a just a few photos from our evening.  

LOPES UP!

The Blues

Majority of the time an outfit will pop in my head simply from seeing a fantastic accessory piece: Hats, Scarves, Necklaces, earrings, or  rings…..YES PLEASE!   That was exactly the case for today’s outfit…..I purchased these blue pieces of wonderful (earrings, that is) at a late night rendezvous to Arrowhead mall last night.  I simply couldn't wait to rock these little gems!!!  While traditionally, I am not a fan of matching my outfits and accessories today it worked!   A blue flouncy blouse topped on a white camisole, pair with trouser jean and cowboy boots!  Yeehaw

STYLE YOU: When you are buying loud or busy accessory pieces you can take one of two approaches.  First, only buy the piece if after seconds or minutes you can put an outfit together (in your mind)  to wear it with.  Second, if you LOVE it, buy it.... but, then be  intentional to buy two different pieces that you know it you will wear it with!  Jewelry is intended to decorate you…not the inside of your jewelry box  J  Happy Accessorizing!