Styled Shoot~ Wedding Theme

As you saw in my last post, I took some pictures. Actually I took a lot of pictures. But they all make up a bunch of posts, so stayed tuned for more post. [They may or may not involve confetti and glitter!]

So last Saturday a friend [the same friend who invited me to this] invited me to a photo shoot she had set up with some friends. This was styled shoot, not a wedding! The couple has been married for 6 years and have 2 kids. Both are photographers and you can visit their website here.

**Please remember, all photos belong to me, and may not be used without my permission.**

Just a Peek

I took some pictures yesterday! Wanna peek? I have 450+ photos. So it may be a while before an in-depth post. :) 

Rejoice

Today was a big day! I am very excited to announce that the first half of my mission trip payment has been raised! And... 16 days before I needed it!

I must say that my biggest "issue" (if you can call it that, more like a worry) with this trip was the funding. I had no idea how to raise money. I started with support letters which was kind of hard for me because I hate asking people for things, especially money. But I went ahead and sent a whole bunch of them out, and now I am ready for my first deadline! Also, my new passport arrived last week which was very early for what the passport people told me! 

I have a conference call tonight for my mission trip and I am super excited to get more information! PLEASE continue to pray for my trip and fundraising, i'm about to go into Phase 2 as I call it, openly fundraising at my church. God has been SO good, and very clear about this trip, I am excited to see what it next!

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

{Ephesians 2:8-10}

Family Photos

Last month we got our family pictures taken by a family friend. Her website is here.

Anyway, we last minutes decided to get family pictures because Aaron was leaving for Guam. (He left Feb. 28th) So for this somewhat impromptu shoot, things went pretty well. Lets just realize that it was 30 degrees out with strong wind. Oh, and Lily refused to smile.

Here are some of my favorites! 

When New Doors Open

       Last year I went to Haiti, (i'm sure you know because I won't stop talking about it) this year my church is going back... but i'm not. Gasp What!? This is no more a shock to you, than it is to me. I was a different person when I came back from Haiti, it changed my life. So why am I not returning?

When my church announced the first "Haiti 2014" trip meeting I attended. I sat, I listened, and I was reminded of my time spent there a few months before. But something was missing. The "feeling". I can't explain it, but I always have this feeling when I'm supposed to do something. It was there the year before, and it was there before our China trips. Where was it now? There was no excitement, no longing, and I wasn't thinking about it... at all. I knew I wouldn't be going, I wasn't supposed to go.

        So, what now? China. I've always wanted to serve in China on a mission trip, but nothing really stuck out.. at the time. I sent a couple of interest emails to Shepherd's Field and New Hope Foundation. The door was closed immediately on SF but New Hope seemed like the answer. I applied to volunteer over the summer, but the door was shut. That's it. I told myself it just wasn't going to work. My mother, however, suggest to try Show Hope. The deadlines for Show Hope mission trip applications was last month, I told her. 

      But, I emailed the mission coordinator anyway and asked if they accepted late applications.Hours later, she emailed back. Someone dropped out of the August trip to China... yesterday. I filled out the application and sent in many papers with a check for $500. I then received a pre-trip handbook and visa paperwork. I was accepted. 

        I don't think it really sunk in that I am going to China until I put 30+ support letters in my mailbox. But trips like this do not come easy, I have to raise $2000 by April 18th, and then another $2000 by June 20th. Every time I find myself getting overwhelmed by those number (which is often) I try to remind myself of Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

       From here the door on Haiti is shutting. Its sad, but I'm ready to walk through this new door that has been so clearly opened for me. It's genuinely difficult to say good-bye to Haiti, but I pray in faith that later there will be another door back to Haiti. I miss my Neila, but I will bring her with me to whatever country I serve in.

Until next time Haiti <3

If you want to learn more about my mission trip to China with Show Hope or financially support my trip you can read my Mission Support letter. For security reasons, the letter is private, so please leave a comment or email me to let me know you'd like to read it and I will send you the link. 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus {Philippians 4:19}