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!

The Eckerle Family

 

The Rogers Girls

What a fun afternoon with the Rogers girls! With her due date rapidly approaching, Jamie was really looking forward to her maternity session! It was a blast shoot the girls as their excitement was obvious, they were so excited about the upcoming arrival of their new baby sister Baylee Ann!!

Virginia Newsome

                                                                

I was elated when asked to do this fun session with my 15 year old cousin Virginia! Virginia is really involved and had has an enormous love of the arts so it was really fun coming up with some creative locations to shoot! Throughout our session I found myself constantly being reminded of how quickly Virginia has grown up, 

she's  no longer the precious little flower girl from my wedding but a wonderful 

and talented young lady with an amazing future ahead of her.

Kendall & Dapple Apple

                                                        

A Blue Ribbon Day

A few days ago my friend Tracie informed me that her sweet daughter Kendall would be competing in her first horse show! I grew up riding horses and showing for as long as I can remember so I didn't waste any time asking if Blair and I could come watch her. Tracie said she would love for us to come support Kendall but I was honored when Tracie said, "I was gonna ask if you'd come take pictures."!  For the past several months Tracie has shared with me Kendall's great love of horses. Her desire to spend hours on end mucking stalls, grooming, riding and basking in the unspoken bond, a friendship & love that can only be felt between a girl and her horse. The sights and smells sent me back to my childhood days I will forever cherish. Countless days at the barn taking lessons and cleaning, sharing carrots, summer days that seem to go on forever, a love that will always run so deep to my core and forever engraved in my bones. There is no doubt that Kendall shares that same love for horses...and if you look close, her young eyes are like a window revealing the desires of her heart! Kendall rode well and earned herself a blue ribbon in Cross Country and a 5th in Dressage & though not as proud as her parents, Blair & I were proud of her too, as her trophies weren't the ribbons she had acquired by days end, but the victory of hard work paying off and a swollen heart from simply "having fun"!  Congrats!

Saying Goodbye to a Friend

Dear friends, Mom and Harriette

This was written to go with a bracelet I made for my mothers best friend before she moved to Denver. The bracelet is similar to the one above but was all green stones...It had a disc charm hand stamped with a tree and a bird at it's base. There was also a Giraffe charm.

For Harriette,

As you venture on to this new chapter, I would like to send you off with this bracelet I made especially for you! While I know green is your favorite color, this bracelet says more than you know! To begin with, you will see that the disk has been stamped with a scripture verse:

Be strong and of good courage;

Be not frightened, neither be dismayed;

For the Lord Your God

is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Along with that is a picture of growth! The tree symbolizes so much! The strong roots that were long ago planted in the grounds of the home that will be left behind, but never forgotten. Like all grand trees, this one is a tree that has stood strong through the years of treacherous storms that have unsuccessfully tried to bring her down. It has rejoiced in the cool spring days where children have swung from her branches or laid in the grass beneath her enjoying her shade. Friends and family have gathered around her and fashioned memories that whisper in the breeze…Her trunk stands tall…her branches reach out with open arms, full of blooms and ready to embrace what’s yet to come! A bird rests at her base in preparation, for the time has come and she is ready to take flight…and just as precious birds do, they sing their sweet song…and they soar!

“”She cast her hearts whisperings and wishes

onto the wings of a butterfly

and felt them soar free and brave”

"Amazing Grace" adorns these charms and makes us feel close to you. She is not just a majestic animal with neck stretched high, she is a giraffe that has a special story that lies with in her. Her story is that of unique sisterhood friendship with bonds that will never be broken by time nor by distance. She truly is “Amazing”! Her most important quality is Grace, a grace that fills us to the depth of our souls and is a grace that can only be offered by the Lord alone. When you wear this bracelet I pray that it will offer you peace and protection, strength and closeness to those who hold you so dear! A reminder that the one who paid such an ultimate price, is the one who surrounds us and blesses us with sisters in Him and a bond that can never be broken!

I really don't like to say goodbye, rather "see you soon"... 
 I am sharing this because it's a reminder of those wonderful women, girlfriends I am so lucky to have in my life, the sisters in Him that have enriched my life in so many ways. The "Sisters" with such strength and grace...I am so blesses to have such a diverse group of women in my life, women of all ages that are spread across miles or close to home!