No Words of My Own

 I have been trying for weeks to get it all down on paper, in words or just simply to have it all make sense. But God is bigger then my finite mind or my measly thoughts, and I can take comfort in that.

As a result, I am going to let someone else talk for a change. This is Stuart's view point on our trip to Ireland and I am glad I didnt taint it with my words.

(If it is too small to read, click on it and it will become bigger)

For more Moments Captured and even more

Most used phrase running through my mind

"The diet will start tomorrow"

Today, I need to learn self control and stop being lazy.

Getting back from vacation is hard.

Im hungry.

Captured

     My love of images started young. I got my first big girl camera when I was at the young age of 11. It was under the Christmas tree and I was oblivious to the eye that would develop from that one gift. My parents were wise (as usual) and decided to give me my dads old 35mm camera from college. To them, it might have been more of a financial stick that caused it, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I learned how to place the new roll of film in the back of the case and turn the nob just so,waiting for the clicking sound to tell me it was ready to go. I learned that manual focus is tricky and sometimes its necessary to get in uncomfortable positions to capture the perfect image. Overall, I was pretty terrible, but I loved it. I would walk around our neighborhood, barefoot and wide-eyed, taking pictures of strangers gardens and any bug or creature I could find. Through high school and college my active pursuit came and went, but the eye was always there. Taking mental pictures in my mind and having crazy ideas of what would be if I had a willing friend and a camera at my side.

All that to say, 11 years after my first taste, I am still that barefoot, wide-eyed girl who looks for possible moments captured. I guess somethings are always there.

Overflow

My moleskins are full of notes and observations. My heart is overflowing with a mixture of feelings and emotions. My head is swarming with memories and sometimes I find myself giggling out loud- even when I am alone. Needless to say Ireland made an impression.

Its only been a few days the processing of the trip has taken place and I can feel it all coming together soon. I am still trying to get my head back to Tallahassee and my life here. Ten days away in another life makes it difficult to come back to reality.

I will have stories and images and laughter coming soon. For now, enjoy a moment captured.

Past Excitement

Six days from now I will be on a place heading over the Atlantic Ocean embarking on another adventure. This one, however, is a bit different. This time, I one of the adults. However terrifying that may be, especially to the 6 High School students whose parents are trusting us, I am past excitement. I past the excitement and entering into the anxiousness of not being able to fall asleep the night before. The anxiousness to see what in the heck God is going to do. Not only for the country of Ireland, but in our hearts as well. I cannot wait to see the awakening that will happen, the veils that will be lifted and the utter amazement that will take place. Cause you see, there is no reason why any of us should be going. The team consist of 4 broke adults in their 20s and 6 17-18 year olds. Yet here we are, 6 days out and ready to go. God even worked past my selfishness and provided a camera for me, that ultimately just put the icing on the cake.

(You see I love traveling, but if I cant capture it through the view finder of a Canon or Nikon, I become bitter. Wrong? Yes, but its one of many faults that I have. Yet- here I am, drooling over the camera that is in front of me, dreaming about all the wonderful images I am hoping to capture.) 


Pray. Updates and pictures will be coming.

If I won

..the lottery, and there werent starving people in Africa, Haiti and all over the world I would buy something. Ok, ok i would tithe and give some to the family. BUT, even if I didnt win the lottery and just had a few extra grand laying around (cause you know, it happens) I would get this:

and this:

and schedule to work out with them.. every day!

Ok. Back to the budget.

My Fleece

Gideon was a man of valor. He was a smart warrior and a mighty man who was used in the bible to bring God's people victory.

He was also a doubter. He hid in the winepress and threshed wheat. God asked him to do something he saw as impossible. Gideon questioned the path God had put before him. He wondered how, when and why. Gideon doubted, but he was honest about it.

He doubted and then sought after an asnwer.

“Before I lead any attempt at conquering the Midianites, I must be filled with Your Spirit, Lord. I lay out my life as a fleece before You. Saturate me. Drench me.

Flood me with Your Spirit, or I cannot go.”

Gideon laid out his fleece and God proved himself in might, yet Gideon still had doubt and once again he prayed,

“Lord, I want a second understanding of this situation. Even should my own life become dry, I want the ground round about me, the lives next to me, the work connected to me to go on in the anointing and power of Your Spirit. Even if I should dry out, dry up, or fail, Lord I want Your name to be glorified and Your work to be done.”