Thoughts on my way to Dallas | Dallas Wedding Photographer

Blog Post Dallas Trip One:

Rain trickles down the roof above my head as I lay staring at the ceiling. I open my groggy eyes, and stare at the low light peaking through the drapes. It’s 4:00am. Reluctantly I throw back the comfy warmth of a down comforter and sit up. Slowly walking into the bathroom, I quietly close the door behind me, hoping not to wake the others sleeping in the house. I gaze into the mirror through sleepy eyes and smile. Today I head out to my first destination wedding… “How amazing is this,” I mutter under my breath. Outside rain makes it crescendo against the window, adding to the cool rhythm of the early morning. As I apply make-up and attempt to put my hair into place, I smile at myself in the mirror. Despite the past through weeks full of stress, fear, grief, and exhaustion, I am suddenly energized. This is what I love to do. I say a silent prayer of thanks as I sweep blush onto the apples of my cheeks, thanking God for everything I have and all the ways I have been blessed. I’m honored to head to Texas, to photograph the wedding of a dear friend, who like me, understands a mother’s bond and true friendship. Being linked by faith in this great big world always amazes me and I love riding this wave of life, sitting back and watching His plans for me unfold. So many times I’ve felt lost in my broken world, and always I remember that His plans for us are what is best for us, that He plans only love and good and the best for us. Through pain and trials we are brought closer to His love and the depth of its vastness.

Eagerly we make our way to the airport. Not only am I blessed on this trip, but also my sister Katie was kind enough to join me on this adventure. I can’t imagine a better person to spend this time with. These past few years have brought Katie and I so much closer, through so many trials including the death of my son Leo. There is nothing else like a sister’s bond, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity of sharing this experience with her.

God works in mysterious ways. I don’t know His plans for me, but I know and trust He knows what is best for me and for His Glory. I fully trust in Him, despite the rocky road ahead in this life we all live. Every tear I shed and every moment of fear and despair I encounter brings me even closer to His love and clarity that only He can provide us.

These past two years have been the toughest of my life. I have experienced so much of life in such a short amount of time. All the happiness, pain, and fear have created who I am today. I can’t say that I would change any of it, because I know that it is His will and that I am who I am for all the situations I have endured and persevered through. Though our bodies may fail us, and loved ones may fail us, He will never falter, He will never leave us. His rod and His staff comfort me and I find hope that wherever I end up in this world, He is all I need.

In everything I do, I seek to be used for His Glory and the work of His hands. When I first started this business, I handed it completely to God. My faith in His plans for me has led me to where I am today and I am so blessed for all that I have been able to experience. Each day brings new opportunity and all is from Him. This is a tough business, and I have been met with so much opposition, especially from those I should be able to trust most. I am so thankful for the strength I have been blessed with to set aside my need for validation in order to work towards His plan for me.

Daily I am reminded of the gifts I have been blessed with. More and more often I realize how alone I am in this notion when so many in this world aren’t able to see the beauty in daily life and trials. The Lord has blessed me with the strength and moral compass to lead my family. He has blessed me with the ability to never falter from my ways, despite the trials faced in both personal and professional matters. I am open with my faith, because that is who I am, and all I am is because of Him. Each person that crosses my path is from Him and part of my journey. It is exciting to sit back and see where this amazing plan will lead.

As I sit here flying the 2^nd leg of my flight to Texas, I am relaxed and happy. I’m doing what I love, and I’m not just traveling to shoot a wedding, but to capture moments for a friend who is also rooted in faith and understands life through the eyes of one who trusts in His plans. What a blessing to be part of this miracle story of life and love.

God brought Angelia and I together through blogging. From the beginning we had a connection and we both knew that our online relationship would become a great friendship. I was honored when she said she had to have me as her wedding photographer. In that moment, I realized that being the “true” me in my online presence is exactly what I needed to do. Some frown against sharing personal information within their business, but I think it is an integral part of creating lasting relationships with people. My goal isn’t just money and success. It is about making a difference for others and for sharing their stories through my own creative eyes, that He might be glorified and use me and my talents as He sees fit.

I am overwhelmed by the outpour of love I’ve received from friends, family, and clients by my ability to share my real life stories with the public. I openly share my trials, laughs, heartaches, and loves; because I am a real person, just like you. I’m not a famous photographer well known by everyone, but those who know me, know who I am and like me for not just my talent, but for who I am as an individual. I couldn’t ask for more than this. I give thanks daily for so many profound encounters I’ve been blessed with and I can’t wait to see where 2011 takes me on my journey.

As we make our decent to Tulsa and then head to Dallas, I’ll be enjoying the scenery and company of my sister. I can’t wait for the wedding festivities to begin and am so excited to experience life in this incredible way.