Make it a Good Monday | Matthew 6:26

Emma Claire is a walking girl! | Children’s Portraits | Swansboro, NC

If you have been following my blog over the past year, you are very familiar with Emma Claire. I have been photographing her since she was in her mama’s belly. In fact, I shot Ray & Stephanie’s maternity portraits in the very same place as Emma Claire’s one year session. I am currently designing Emma Claire’s first year storybook album and I love how it will come full circle. Especially when the sessions were at such a special location.

Stephanie’s family’s home on the sound offers a beautiful backdrop and lots of walking room, which we really needed! I should really say running room. Emma Claire is in that stage when she just wants to go, go, go! And she’s all-smiles. I just love it! See Emma Claire's other sessions here, here, here and here.

Ray and Stephanie, thank you so much for hosting our little family at your beach house for the holiday. Emma Claire is just a doll and I have loved documenting her growth this past year. I look forward seeing her grow into a beautiful young lady!

Make it a good Monday | 100 Years of Style

This, I love! It is just enjoyable all around. I found this via Pinterest and Adweek. I hope it inspires creativity and makes you smile. Have a good Monday!

More than pictures | Kinston Women of Vision Shoe Drive | Samantha blogs

In December 2010 Kinston Women of Vision partnered up with Samaritan’s Feet for a Shoe Drive at the GATE, and it was simply amazing. I, Lindsay, was given the gracious gift of capturing the event (see the photos here). I was moved nearly to tears several times, and I almost put my camera down so I could get in there and wash some feet. This year, Samantha had the opportunity to cover the event. She did an amazing job, don’t you agree!? Please leave her a comment of encouragement! 

“Hey! Look at my shoes!” It was the exuberant exclamation of a five year old girl, hiking her pant legs up just a little, so that I could get a closer look at her new shoes. She and two of her friends were running around the tables at the GATE, excitement on their faces.

It was December 1, around 5:00 P.M. when families began to congregate the waiting room of the GATE. The Women of Vision of Kinston and the GATE of Kinston had partnered together and with over thirty volunteers prayed up and ready to serve, the night began. Children only a few months old, fifth graders, and teenagers all came to receive free shoes. The energy in the room was high as the activity was organized, yet a chaotic sort of organized. There were children, parents, and volunteers everywhere, runners weaving in and out of the room as they brought in shoes to the foot washers.

I was able to capture many precious moments as the night continued on. The children had their feet measured, then went into a room to hear the Gospel message of God’s great love for them. Then, a foot washer washed their feet, put new socks on them, and finally a brand new pair of shoes!

My favorite part of the whole night was watching the foot washer pray over each child. Some children traveled from station to station in silence, a passive expression upon their faces, while others could not hide their joy. It was amazing to see over one hundred children come through the GATE. And it was even better to see the volunteers bent over in their chairs, or even sit on the floor, to wash the feet of those in need. What better way to celebrate the Christmas season then to give back and serve!

A New Start | Personal

2012 is the first year that the New Year has actually felt like a new start. 2011 was full of stress, especially the last two months. I mean stress to the point of tears and wanting to give up. I just about reached my limit (see what all the fuss is about here). A strong undertow that was completely out of my control was dragging me under, but it was things within my control that I allowed to nearly drown me - things that should not be weighing me down. In 2012, I will choose to swim with the current instead of trying to swim straight to the beach. As any good beach goer knows, that is the only way to survive when you are swept out to sea.

I have been trying to attain something that is unattainable for any human. Perfection. So over the past few days, I took a few steps back. Hence, I am posting this over a week after the New Year began.  Normally I would be fretting over this and feeling inadequate. But, no more.

My number one goal, or really, resolution for 2012 is to give up control and give myself a break. That is, to let the house be a mess (I do have two children under the age of three), to let go of the idea that I have to accomplish every single goal I set in the time I have marked down in my head to complete it, to stop giving myself guilt trips if a day doesn’t go as I planned (as it rarely does), and to be realistic when I do set goals and make agendas. The result of this will be a liberating and more enjoyable environment for my entire family, a lot more laughter and a better attitude toward everyone around me. Sounds good to me!

The bottom line is I need to focus less on myself and MY to-do list and start everyday with this statement and question “I am your servant, Lord. What would you have me to do today and how would you have me do it?” This doesn’t mean I won’t plan or prepare, just that I will have an open mind to God’s guidance in my everyday life. I know I cannot do this without God, so I ask you to pray for me. And I would love to pray for you if you would like to share your resolutions in the comments below.

With the first resolution always in mind, I hope to work toward the following resolutions in 2012:

Time Management: eliminate time wasters, organize details for efficiency, spend less time multi-tasking, and focus on one thing at a time.

Spiritual Disciplines: Complete the five challenges from David Platt’s book Radical with our house church, read the entire Bible (One of the challenges), pray for a different country every day (also one of the challenges), learn about God because I love him, make sure “Quiet Time” is not just another “to-do,” and pray, really pray.

My Marriage: speak more respectively to and about my husband, remember that he is a “good-will person” (Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs), and set aside time for dates at least once a month.

My Children: spend more one-on-one time with each, give them more focus and attention, laugh with them more, and lead by example.

Ministry: minister out of my comfort zone (one of Platt’s challenges), give more money locally and internationally, and volunteer more time and services as a photographer.

Business: rethink my business plan, reevaluate my aspirations for this year, set realistic goals, and put a plan in place for the future.

Home: make it a fun, comfortable and safe place for my family, simplify our lives by getting rid of clutter and stuff, spend and save more wisely. 

We were so blessed and saw God’s hand in our lives in such a unique way in 2011. I am so thankful to him and know these trials are only for his glory and our growth. He has really shown my husband and I that we have limits, but he is limitless. He supplies our every need through so many ways. It is just amazing. I am excited to see what lies ahead for us this year.

January goals coming soon.