What A Blessing...

I love those times when you hear God speaking so clearly in your heart that you feel like you just might  explode with excitement! Those times when you know without a doubt that he has filled your insides with well planned skills, ideas of creativity and focus, ideas so strong & sure, it's as if the floodgates have just busted wide open! It's so exciting, you just can’t seem to get on it fast enough!  While I am so truly blessed each and every day, I never tire of those really stand out times that almost take my breath away! 

Recently I was approached by The Reverend Richard Burden of The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Richmond, KY to shoot pictures for an article he had written and magazine cover for the Seminary he graduated from in California. Richard and I visited and discussed his expectations and schedule; we would only have 7 days to pull this shoot off so we need to get right to work!  As we threw around ideas for his shoot, Richard shared with me one of the neat things he does in his ministry which is something the Episcopal Church calls “The Blessing of the Animals”. Immediately I was hit with an overwhelming idea that I would have to keep to myself until I could confirm its possibility. I made arrangements to visit with my friend Karen Bailey at Central Kentucky Wildlife Rehabilitation and Summer Wind Farm. I was so pleased when Karen (and her furry friends) told me that they were happy to help us capture Richard blessing not only her domestic animals such as the broodmares, foals & barn dog but also her rescued wildlife!  She expressed her concern however, because her wild animals don’t necessarily work on command but it was worth a try at capturing a modern day “St. Francis” image!  I let her know that I understood her concern BUT I had an overwhelming feeling about this one and wasn’t worried! Richard loved the idea of shooting with the animals and in the days that followed we established a plan of action!  Sunday morning would be spent in Richmond observing him in his church setting, sitting in on a class he teaches as well as the service and then he would come to Georgetown to shoot with the animals in the afternoon. 

Sunday greeted us with cool air and a beautiful blue Kentucky sky!  As I always do before a shoot, I spend some time visiting with God, asking for his peace as well as the ability to do HIS work, capture the images and story HE wanted me to tell.  I have never been more sure that we were setting out on a journey that would prove to be fully for the grace of the one who had blessed me with this opportunity!  By days end I had met wonderful, welcoming people at Richards church,  and was pretty sure this day was about a lot more than photography. I was more than elated to have had complete obedience; OK mostly obedient animals cooperate as I most certainly GOT just what we set out  for out on Summer Wind Farm, THE Blessing of The Animals!!!

 

 I would like to extemd a very special thank you to Richard and The Episcopal Church Of Our Saviour and its members as well as Karen and her crew, Central Kentucky Wildlife Rehabilitation & Summer Wind Farm!

Oliver!