Emma | Senior 2014

The day my little sister graduated and got her diploma was a day I don't think I'll forget. I was almost as excited as she was. It made me remember the day I got my diploma and felt so accomplished finishing high school. I felt like a big shot. It was so much fun to see her experience the same thing and celebrate that with her.

Of course, it is generally accepted in our family that I take any graduation, birthday, anniversary, party, (or any other great occasion) photos. But I've discovered over the last year that photographing family or dear friends adds a whole new dimension to storytelling. Knowing a person so well presents an extra challenge in truly capturing their personality. 

Emma is quite a character, filled with joy, jokes that don't make sense, and a love for laughter. Her personality has blossomed into one with a love for entertaining. She loves to bring joy to people's hearts. I knew that it wasn't going to be a challenge to get a good picture of Emma, but I wanted to see Emma in the picture I took of her. I wanted her quirky personality to show through. See for yourself how beautiful, weird, lovable, and goofy my little sister is.

Love ya, Em. Congratulations on finishing high school. Don't let this first semester of college drive you crazy just yet. Work hard, get sleep, and have fun during this time that Mama says "is the most time you'll have in your life." You are crazy... and you drive us crazy, girl. And we love you for it.

At this point, we began skipping across the park singing The Sound of Music at the top of our lungs. She looked quite like an East Tennessee version of Maria Von Trap. Yes, people stared, and no, we did not care. :)

to market to market

Jalynn, fruits and vegetables, people, fried pies, coffee, street musicians, green and growing things, flowers, peaches, and Urban Outfitters. Two genuine, photographer, artsy, childhood friends together for some chill time. It was beautiful, relaxing, and happy. I bought a little succulent plant. I also walked past this one booth that had peaches. Tons of peaches. And I walked past it three times trying to make up my mind whether to buy some or not. 3 times. And then I caved and bought some for a cobbler...and now it's in the oven...and it smells so. good.

Now I'm obsessed with the Farmer's Market. Homegrown. Real. Natural. Honest. Family. Good.

I love it. And now I want to go every week.

In the paraphrased words of Audrey Hepburn, "The Farmer's Market is always a good idea."

Happy Saturday, enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

 

and p.s. we found this in Urban Outfitters. And they are gettin' it right! ;) hehehe

so far in spring

springtime, so far, has been full of sun.

early morning rays sneak through the curtains.

heat filled beams reach down from the sky.

the hills glow golden at dusk.

but spring days are also full of rain.

thunder roars so loud your head pounds.

raindrops splash relentlessly against the window.

cool refreshment brings healing and life to the soil.

the last few weeks have been full of sunshine and torrential downpours.

my heart has grown, my soul has groaned, and joy has sometimes eluded me.

i've been tested, challenged, corrected, and i'm sore.

but love, encouragement, and growth have faithfully followed - only by grace.

but knowing it's good for me doesn't make the climb easier or ease ache.

trusting that God has a plan is comforting, but it's hard just the same.

i found myself in the doldrums of confusion and worry more than once.

its wasn't a good place, and i knew i wasn't happy or at peace.

and then i remembered my happiness isn't found in me - or my circumstances.

my joy is a gift that's given to me, and based in someone greater, so much greater than I.

i have the opportunity to daily trust, to daily grow, and to daily be loved.

there is no greater joy to be found. anywhere.

it isn't all about me, but i do have my part to play.

and i plan on playing it.

or trying, at least.

Sometimes it's the pain we can't explain
that hurts the most,
The pain that wears the soul brings together
struggling hearts,
The ache we can't soothe away
wells tears in our eyes.

Nothing can wish away
the pain inside,
No one can hold us
long enough,
And we find ourselves
crying "Why?"

We can't rationalize,
we can't sleep,
We don't want to
either.
All we want is to feel
whole again.

But pain won't be
around forever.
Ache will remain but the sting
won't be as strong.
Arms will be strong enough
to hold us while tears stream down.

The storm will move on but clouds
will never leave.
Those arms that hold us while
sorrows overflow
Will stay around our waist
while needed.

But will we ever say
"no" to love?
Oh, friend, no. For it is love
that binds the broken heart.
And love will be the
remedy.

daring to dream

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
//Corrie Ten Boom

Dreaming is hard.

It's hard to indulge the dreamer inside. To totally let go and just love thinking about big ideas.
It's scary. Pangs of fear hit me right in the stomach.
It's exciting. Not letting stereotypes bar you, or realities crush you.
It's waiting. There's adventure around that next turn.

The last week or so, my dad has been challenging me to dream. To think about who I am, who I want to become. To find out what I really want to do with my life. To think about what I want to study in school... and eventually, what I want to pursue as a career. And it's hard to stand up, be honest about what I feel and say "I want to do ____!" and be confident about it. Because honestly, there are days I don't even know whether or not I want to get out of bed, brush my teeth and get dressed...much less being able to decide what I want to do with the rest of my life.

But... I was talking with a friend and something I said during that conversation surprised me. I said I want to live everyday to the full in light of eternity. I want to live in the moment - so much so that each and every day just spills over with happiness and memories, and love, and tears, and laughter, and hurt, and some more love - with the rest of my life and eternity in mind.

It shocked me when I actually started listening to myself.

So, I have a new philosophy. Each day I want to look forward to evaluate some things. Does what I'm doing now matter right now? How about in the long run? How am I using my gifts to serve? Am I a joyful person? Am I sharing life, joy, Jesus, and love with others?

I want to live every moment of every day thinking about the rest of my life.