day 01. favorite song(s).

Alright... here we go. For many of the days... I may have more than one 'favorite.' Hope that's okay. :) These are a few current faves. :)

kutless- what faith can do.

brandon heath- love never fails.

kim walker- how he loves us.

leeland- follow you.

project : 30 days of blogging.

Check back for each of these items daily.

Fun chance to get to know me! :)

30 Days of Blogging:
Day 01 — Your favorite song
Day 02 — Your favorite movie
Day 03 — Your favorite television program
Day 04 — Your favorite book
Day 05 — Your favorite quote
Day 06 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 07 — A photo that makes you happy
Day 08 — A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 09 — A photo you took
Day 10 — A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11 — A photo of you taken recently
Day 12 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13 — A fictional book
Day 14 — A non-fictional book
Day 15 — A fanfic
Day 16 — A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17 — An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19 — A talent of yours
Day 20 — A hobby of yours
Day 21 — A recipe
Day 22 — A website
Day 23 — A YouTube video
Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Day 27 — This month, in great detail
Day 28 — This year, in great detail
Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy

funday. monday. (thanks to my sis)

Life is too short to dread any day of the week or to get stuck in such a life routine that you can't get out or to miss out on doing the things you love or to feel purposeless or to be too busy for people. I am convinced that the world will do anything to sap the life and joy out of you... trying to turn you into a person you were never created to be. Today was wonderful. I got started back into pilates... I've missed it! I went to coffee with my incredible Aunt. My office was the Library today... with a peanut butter puddle. These are the days and the moments that make up Life. I feel like for the past year I have overlooked too many wonderful things... I've been pretty focused on my business... which is important... but, there is so much more to life. I'm not willing to let that happen again. It's so true that if you don't manage your time, your time will manage you. When you don't feel out of control, it's much more exciting to get out of bed in the morning and rest well at night. Life isn't always exciting... sometimes you have to do hard things or be a big person... but, I'm convinced that a fun attitude can take you a long way... why not grab a latte or take a friend along for the ride or take a mid-day break for a pilates class. I've learned that life is miserable when you do it alone... stay connected to people. I've learned that life is miserable when you live for yourself... learn to see God in the details. So, here's to funday monday and tuesday and wednesday and.... :)

oh how times change.

It's amazing how the priorities of your heart can change as you go through life experiences and draw closer to God. This has been added to the list of what I'm praying for.

"Occasionally, if God so wills, He sends to an excellent woman an excellent husband who has the grace to be a lover and the anointing to be a friend. Occasionally, He sends someone to sing the songs that her heart longs to hear. Occasionally, He sends a strong arm to wrap around her feeble body and give her a moment of rest and tranquility. But, none of these experiences will ever take the place of the ultimate experience. For the greatest source of strength she will ever know is the moment she knows her Lord." T.D. Jakes [The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord]

oh to truly live.

How incredible is the expression in this photo?! :) Nice capture, Hona. :) God is doing something deep, deep, deep in my heart. It's one of those "learning and growing" times in life... the times we would just rather pass by or hurry through... the critical times that shape us... and without... we won't be prepared to handle the next season of life to which God takes us. It's times like these when we become fidgety, antsy, and just want to wiggle in our skin. :) We sense that God is up to something new... and it takes everything within us (and a strength not of our own) to be still and know that He is God.

I feel like this past week (as always) has really had God's favor upon it. About two weeks ago, a recent contact with the Metropolitan Bride magazine contacted me and said there was an opening to be in the bridal expo... huge God-opportunity! There are typically 6+ photographers on the waiting list for these! I have met photographers and wedding vendors in the past couple of weeks (including today) that I could have never planned to meet on my own... and in the details... I see God working and setting things up. It's truly incredible how He places the right people in your life at just the right time... providing you with the resources you need to carry out something greater than you thought possible. But, that's God for you. :) Sometimes I wonder and contemplate how I am right where I am... but, I'm quick to remember that it's God's doing... He sees way down the road... knowing why I take photos, why I have my own business, why the creative ideas won't stop flowing in my brain, why I love to sing and lead people in worship, why I love to see students' lives restored, why I love to host and entertain guests, why I can't stop thinking about working with Hispanic people. He has my full attention.

living and learning. lessons from 2009.

At the beginning of 2009, I decided I would keep a list of life lessons I learned throughout the year by personal experience or the observation of others. I had no idea I would learn so many things. J Some are funny… some are serious. It ‘s always best to learn from others so that you don’t have to learn the hard way. This is worth reading… I hope you can grab a couple of them to take with you and apply to your life. I have by no means mastered them… still on the life-long journey.

1. If you don’t manage your time, your time will manage you.

2. Going to bed at 10pm makes life better. J

3. Fake nails are the remedy for nail-biting. J

4. Investing in one person IS significant- they could be the one to change the world.

5. Always keep learning and reading.

6. Treasure family.

7. It’s good to make a plan, but don’t get ahead of God.

8. Ice storms just might be God’s way of saying, “stop, rest, think, dream.” J

9. You don’t want to find out what you missed by simply not asking God. So ask.

10. People may actually remember what you said a year ago. Good or bad.

11. It’s worth it to go out to eat with friends after church… even if you can’t get out of bed the next day. J

12. Do something you are afraid to do every day.

13. Look for the people who are serving when no one else is watching… they are the real leaders.

14. Be the friend that’s present in both the tragedy and the mundane.

15. It’s worth it to spend money on fresh flowers… even better, grow your own.

16. Invest time, money, energy into the next generation… change history.

17. Read different translations of the Bible every once in a while… you will fall in love with reading it all over again.

18. Journal and take photos… live your life and document it.

19. When you say that you will pray for someone, write it down and actually pray.

20. Bless someone every day… loneliness results from thinking too much about ourselves.

21. Time at the altar seeking God and soul-searching is never wasted.

22. When it’s freezing cold outside, wear the warmest coat you have… cute or not. J

23. Hang on to the birthday cards with the long letter of wisdom from grandpa… you may need it.

24. Do two things you don’t want to do every day.

25. “Success comes to those who are working too hard to look for it.”

26. Hang on to the friends who tell you the truth you don’t want to hear.

27. People will make decisions based on your outlook on life.

28. It’s a good thing to live at home with your parents when you can. J

29. When family comes to visit, cancel everything to spend time with them.

30. We may not know ourselves as well as we think.

31. Sitting outside and watching the stars at night can put life back into perspective.

32. It’s okay for Mom and Dad to have Facebooks… they need friends too. J

33. Don’t spend lots of money on clothing/accessories… you WILL want to get rid of them someday.

34. Everyone has a background/story that affects their outlook on life. Don’t judge.

35. Time reveals a person’s true character.

36. Don’t make determinations/decisions about life when you are tired or at night.

37. Make family your priority… they will still be there when everyone else fails you.

38. Invite people to church… they’re waiting for you to ask.

39. Invest your self, time, energy, and resources rather than simply spending them.

40. You don’t have to understand it all in order to take the next step forward.

41. Stay close to Jesus… and He will take you where you never thought you could or would go.

42. When it seems like God is holding out on you, He is actually protecting you and setting you up for something great.

43. Don’t settle for cheap substitutes or to walk the easy road… they don’t last.

44. God HAS to be the first place you run to share your joys, sorrows, fears, and doubts.

45. Don’t hold on to your life tightly… live with your hands open… freely giving and receiving as God sees fit.

46. When life is hard, don’t turn up the noise and speed up the pace… it’s good to think and process with God.

47. Love and cherish the people in your life… because they may leave before you realize that you need to.

48. See people with their potential- not as they are now… or you may miss out on having them in your life.

49. When you invest your finances in things that are God’s priorities, He will provide and meet your every need.

50. Life is not going to slow down, so stop waiting for it to… jump on board and start living.

51. Don’t allow your mind to think too far ahead or you will miss the moment in which you are living.

52. When a car is parked in the garage, don’t park behind them- they may forget you are there and back into your vehicle. J

53. Don’t marry the flirt… some things just don’t change. [observation.]

54. When you have people in your life depending on you and looking up to you, it causes you to live to a higher standard and be more thoughtful making decisions.

55. Welcome people into your family who have no family… that’s the heart of Jesus.

56. When you are having a bad day, look at yourself in the mirror and force yourself to smile and smile and smile… bet you can’t stop. J

57. Have multiple backups of your computer data… trust me. J

58. Learn from the mistakes of others so that you don’t have to make them yourself.

59. If vehicles aren’t needing repairs, they need maintenance… save accordingly.

60. You will begin to talk like and act like the people you spend the most time with… choose wisely.

61. Don’t be in relationships with people who tell you what you want to hear but rather those who throw you overboard into greatness.

62. Take as many trips/vacations with your family as you can- the memories will last a lifetime.

63. Let God be the one to fight for you- He responds when you live like you need Him.

64. “The biggest moments in our lives are so small compared to what God wants to do.” –hona

65. Eating healthy and exercising is good stewardship of the life and body God has given you… preventing sickness and disease… be wise.

66. There is always something to be happy about… it’s a matter of finding or noticing it.

67. Owning your own business has its advantages and disadvantages… ask me before you do it. J

68. “Go as far as you can see, and when you get there you will see farther.” – hona

69. Some things are not worth crying over… but some things are.

70. Keep your spouse first… then the kids… so, when the kids are gone, you will still have your best friend. [observation.]

71. It’s okay to be open and vulnerable with your life… your stories may be someone’s answers or source of inspiration.

72. Sometimes all you can do is believe.

73. Every birthday is worth celebrating… you are alive! J

74. Growing old is a way of thinking… embrace change and stay forever young.

75. If you find yourself doubting the nearness of God, spend time in nature, and you will see Him everywhere.

76. God is the ultimate creativity… He has some good ideas for you… ask Him.

77. Sometimes you have to be away from the ones you love, but it doesn’t mean you love them any less… usually makes you love them more.

78. Don’t be afraid to open your home to orphans… after all, God adopted us as His own and changed the course of our lives.

79. When you talk to people, ask yourself, ‘What is their present need and how can I help meet the need?’

80. The more you give your life away… the more you will want to keep giving.

81. We have no reason to complain about inconveniences… we live such comfortable lives.

82. Sometimes the things God requires of us don’t make us happy at the moment, but God is working behind the scenes to set us up for greatness.

83. Don’t carry your camera on your shoulder… risky business. J

84. When we encourage people, it is important to point them back to God’s Word and their need for Him- our words don’t change hearts and lives.

85. Faith can cause silent prayers to be answered… He knows the desire and needs that we have never put to words.

86. If you don’t take risks and step out in faith, you may never know what God can do… and what it is to really be alive.

87. Beautiful looks different to everyone.

88. “Unless God is with me, I don’t want to go.”

89. “God uses nobodies to do His work.”

90. You must pull yourself together one the inside- the rest of the world is losing it and falling apart.

91. We all dream of going and changing the world… rarely the communities in which we already live. [guilty of this.]

92. No one likes to do the “dirty work”- be the one to pick up trash, work behind the scenes, and have the tough conversations.

93. Create margin in your life- it allows you to relax and be available for people and God.

94. “When you are close to Him, you can hear a whisper.”

95. “God is outside of time and knows how to put everything in order.”

96. When it seems like God is not answering our prayers, He is taking us on a journey that is changing our lives.

97. There are some worthwhile things in life that simply deserve our commitment.

98. It is worth it to clean your room for 20 minutes a day so that you don’t have to spend a week doing it. J

99. Not every Christian loves Jesus as much as I do.

100. God gives us time so that everything doesn’t happen at once… He knows what we can handle.

Here is to a Happy New Year. 2010 will hold many incredible opportunities, challenges, joys, and sorrows. The future is bright. God is with us and for us. Stay close to Him.

Heather

a dream is a wish your heart makes...

and sometimes they are from God... and He sends seemingly 'strange' reminders at 'strange' times to remind us that He has not forgotten. And, sometimes it's difficult to verbalize these things at the risk of being vulnerable or fear of the realities. I saw the movie 'The Blind Side' with my family on Christmas Day... great movie! I really didn't expect it to impact me like it did. I sat there the entire movie... bawling... a broken heart for the inner city teens in the movie. It was the same emotions I felt on two of my occasions of leaving Mexico on a plane... with a broken heart for the people... tears running down my face. I felt in my heart that someday God will take me back there... with my love for Spanish and the people. I don't know why I feel this way and God has placed these emotions in my heart.... but He has... I want the lost everywhere to know His saving power... and to see the course of lives changed. About 2 years ago, God placed the idea in my heart of going into inner cities and partnering with Christian organizations to take senior photos for graduating students... I have no idea what this would look like... maybe an incentive for good grades or attendance... or simply graduating... maybe partnering with a store or company that would provide a new professional outfit to the student for their pictures and interviews... all to create a platform to share Jesus and provide the student with a view of life and themselves beyond their present circumstances. I believe God will continue to orchestrate connections with the right people and give me creativity and ideas to carry out this dream of His. [It's amazing how God creates us a certain way as individuals so that we will have favor with the specific people we may need in our lives to carry out His purpose.] Back to the movie... I want to be that person who is sensitive to the needs and cries of others... who sees beyond the comforts of present life... and invests everything to better the lives of others, point them to Jesus, and ultimately change the course of their lives. I believe for that. I definitely want to give birth to children someday... but, I also want to claim lost and forgotten babies, children, or teens as my own... I believe that's what Jesus would do... I know that's what He has done for me... claimed me as His own. I don't know how all of these things will unfold... I just know He's stirring something deep in my heart... and I'm listening.