I got the opportunity to photgraph my beautiful children, nieces, and nephew before Christmas but I had to wait to share them because some of them were surprise Christmas presents. Soo…now that the holidays are over and the New Year is upon us, I get to share with you my favorite clients ever!
I pray this New Year finds you all with hope and excitement about what possibilities are around the corner. I know for me personally, I love the New Year and the fresh start that comes with it! I wrote a poem I would like to share with you below.
New Beginnings
Three years ago today, I gave my life away.
It was a life that was barren and lacking. A life not worth living to some, Barely a life at all, so many things left undone.
A new day came my way,
A new year by definition.
My slate was wiped clean, my heart finally seen.
By the One who I’d almost forgotten.
I sat by a fire, fighting for life.
Who’s flames had reduced down to embers.
With my breath I ignited, a spark that survived.
And the spark then became a fire.
Now my heart is ablaze.
Once again full of praise.
For the One who takes my heart higher.
So lift your glass, lift your head.
Lift your heart up instead.
Here’s to the King of this fire!
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Matthew 25:35
According to The FEED Foundation 350 million children go hungry everyday. Everyday! Through this organization and specifically, FEED Projects, they are helping to change this number. You too can help by donating to their cause directly, or by purchasing one of the many, very cool products they have to purchase that help feed millions! Go check out their website now for some really inspiring and meaningful gifts that include: FEED bags, bears, t-shirts, and other accessories. FEED Projects’ mission is “to create good products that help FEED the world and by creating an impact of each product sold. FEED takes great pride in using environmentally-friendly and artisan-made materials, along with fair-labor production, in creating all FEED products.”
Here are just a few of the gifts you can purchase from FEED Projects:
FEED was founded by Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson in 2007 and the website states, “we stand behind our brand and the organizations and humanitarian programs each FEED product supports. Ultimately, we believe that everyone has the right to basic human necessities, such as healthy and nutritious food. FEED is proud to help FEED the world, one bag at a time.”
FEED also has a fund set up called Help Haiti which began in response to the devastating 7 Richter scale earthquake on January 12th, 2010. The UN World Food Program has been operating in Haiti in 1969. In emergencies like these, funds have to be withdrawn from long-term development programs, like school feeding, to provide immediate support for victims. So they still need much help there. On Day 3 of this 12 Days of Giving Series, I wrote of another organization that is working hard in Haiti, and for Haiti. If you want to check it out, click here.
I know there are many organizations and charities that work hard in the fight against hunger. We should all do our part in helping them in any way we can. Check your local food bank to see what you can do in your area. Here in Lubbock, TX, we have The South Plains Food Bank who always host the U Can Share Food Drive to collect food and funds for those who may be having to go without. Let’s do our part. Remember your neighbor and be like the Good Samaritan who didn’t pass him by, but instead offered him assistance.
I work on my computer-a lot. Sometimes so much so that my computer gets overloaded, or full, and I have to re-boot it to get it to function properly again. I feel that as human beings, sometimes we can get overloaded and bogged down, just like my computer does. We can get so caught up in the day to day things to do, and places to be that suddenly our lives become too full. Sometimes it becomes necessary for us to stop…and reboot, in order to continue to function and continue to be productive.
Today I had the opportunity to do just that. Reboot. I got to sit and talk with a good friend over coffee and talk about what’s important in life. We talked about how each of us goes through life with certain expectations that are placed on each of us, (sometimes we place them on ourselves). And sometimes when you break it all down, the things we place heavy importance on, really aren’t that important at all. My friend told me it was when a good friend of hers got cancer that she began to really weigh what was important to her in her life. If we all truly lived like we had a day…a week…or even a year to live, I’m sure our lives would look very different. Needless to say, I left the coffee shop with a renewed outlook on my life and what I want to get out of it…and what I want to put into it, as well.
Continuing on with the theme of this series of giving back and evaluating what’s important to you, I ask you this question. If you had less than a month left in this life, what would you do with it? I know this is a question we’ve all been asked at one point or another, but it’s a good question to come back to. I know people that have dedicated their lives to serving others. Not all of us were meant to live in another country helping those less fortunate, but I think we all have something to give, don’t we? We all have the ability to give a little time to someone who just needs a friend. For me, I know I need to give more of my time to my husband and children. It doesn’t cost much, and yet it really is our most precious commodity, isn’t it? Just watch the movie In Time and that will really put it in perspective for you. And for those of us that have been blessed with more…we can give back. “…to whom much is given, of him shall much be required…” Luke 12:48
I mention in my bio on this website that I have loved photography ever since I was little girl. One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to get down my Mom’s old photo albums from the top of the closet and look at pictures for hours. My favorites were the old family photos and pictures from my parents mission trips from before I was born. I was always especially drawn to the photos of their time in Africa. I loved the rows and rows of colorful beads and jewelry the women wore. This may have also had something to do with the fact that I was conceived there. I have always joked that I was “Made in Africa”. But sincerely, Africa tugs at my heartstrings, and I truly desire to go there one day.
My brother, Nat, was able to Uganda a few years ago and here are some of the drawings he drew while he was there. He hooked up with a ministry called Favor of God that started in 2005 in response to the most horrific war in African history. They work in Gulu, Uganda, and their goal is to “see revival in all areas of life – spiritual, physical, social, emotional, economic, academic, and moral…and to continue to reach out throughout northern Uganda and in the neighboring countries of southern Sudan and D.R. Congo where the LRA are again very active and causing unimaginable devastation.”
Another amazing organization that has sprouted in Gulu, Uganda is Zion Project, who’s goal is to liberate girls and women survivors from the destructive environments of sexual exploitation and to aide in their healing. They help protect the lives of girls and women that otherwise might be exploited by the global sex trade. They then educate and empower these women and girls through alternative employment. Out of Zion Project has come Imani. This one is really cool because not only do you get to help support these girls and women, you get to bring home amazing, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry! You have got to check it out to see for yourself! These pieces are amazing! And you can actually still order them until Dec. 19th or 20th and receive them in time for Christmas! How cool is that?? I think this would make amazing last minute Christmas gifts for your Mom, sister, daughter, friend…any lady would love them!
If you are unable to order any jewelry right now, but would still like to support them, you can make a donation, or another really cool opportunity, you can join the Imani Club. This is a win-win opportunity because you get to send support to these girls in the form of $25 a month and you get huge discounts off this beautiful, hand-crafted jewelry, free shipping, and gifts in the mail in return. SO COOL! And I mean come on, $25 a month is less than a soda or coffee a day, less than one meal eating out, less than getting your nails done…the list goes on. SO worth it.
I just got through reading the most beautiful post by my sis-in-law called Love Came Down on a women’s blog she writes for. It brought tears to my eyes and caused me to *stop* for a moment and think about what’s important right now. Ahhhh…sometimes it’s so nice to pause (even if just for a moment) and allow life to freeze frame, if you will. It makes me think of the song Stop this train by John Mayer. The chorus says “Stop this train. I want to get off and go home again. I can’t take the speed it’s moving in…” I just spent a little time sitting in front of a roaring fire with my two sons. It’s in moments like this, when you are glad life stops for a minute and you get to ponder on what is most important in this life.
What is the meaning of Christmas? This is a question that will continue and be debated on through the ages. I think one appealing thing about Christmas is the magic it brings for so many children and sometimes you still catch a glimpse of that as an adult if you let yourself.
In the blog post I read today, Kacey wrote, “I have seen some Christmas decorations in the stores that simply say “Love Came Down…” and, every single time I read it, my heart skips a beat. That is really what Christmas is about, isn’t it? God packaged up all of His love for us and sent it down to earth as a baby.
Wow. That idea takes my breath away…
Sure, I love dancing around to Christmas songs or having hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies with my kiddos just as much as the next person, but the thought of God loving us so very much….
Well, it leaves me speechless.”
And that is exactly what reading her post did to me….left me speechless for a minute. It’s as if the train stopped and I got to breathe for a moment. John 3:16 pretty much sums it up, but I love how Kacey put this into perspective with her own life.
Jesus said, “Whatever you do unto the least of these, you do unto me.”
On Day 2 I talked about Samaritan’s Purse and all the good they do across the board, around the world. The truth is, we all have a greater calling to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Each and every one of us have needs. Each of us has someone right in our backyard, so to speak, who might need need something a little more than life has given them right now.
I really hope you watched the video above. According to Spare Some Change the movement, there are currently 1.8 million homeless youth living on the streets in America! That’s a lot, folks. I’m not proud of that number at all.
My all-time favorite band, Switchfoot, has an annual concert for the homeless youth of America called Bro-Am. They campaign with StandUp For Kids to help raise awareness and money for these kids living on the streets right in our backyards. One really cool thing they are doing right now is asking that people Bring A Backpack for the homeless youth to their fall tour that they are on right now with Anberlin (one of my hubby’s favorite bands). If you happen to catch a show, be sure to bring a backpack with you! Switchfoot wrote the song Dark Horses for the homeless youth of America. Check it out. It packs a strong message.
It’s not just youth that struggle, though. There are all kinds of people, from all different walks of life who struggle.This summer I met an amazing woman in Colorado who told me all about a program they are doing in Old Colorado City, CO. where instead of the homeless flying signs, people can put spare change into old meters around the town and the money goes into a fund and is distributed to the homeless in the area. To the right here is one of the meters we saw in the busy shopping area.
On Day 1 of this series, I talked about The Salvation Army and all they do for homeless people. Giving directly to them is one way to help, for sure. At this time of year, they always need hats, gloves, scarves, warm socks, hand and feet warmers, and any other items that can help keep them warm.
Lastly, specifically, here in Lubbock, TX, I got to meet some of the individuals that live in an area here called “Tent City”. No one can live there under the age of 21 so this is a different demographic of people than the youth I mentioned above but they still have needs such as the hats, gloves, scarves, warm socks, hand and feet warmers, and other protective items fromthe cold. Cliff, (Below in the middle), is a resident of Tent City.
In January 2010 there was a devastating earthquake in Haiti where many Haitians lost their families, homes, and jobs. Just like most major disasters you see on the news, it’s all over the news when it first happens, then it becomes yesterday’s news and we hear of it no more. Sadly, almost 2 years later, not much has changed in Haiti. There is still debris from fallen buildings lining the streets. There is still a huge need for jobs, homes, new buildings, clothing, shoes, water, and a renewed sense of hope. To see actual video footage during the earthquake click here.
My good friend, Josh Groves, has been working hard to bring hope and new buildings to the Haitians. There is an opportunity to help change their lives. Josh has formed a team that constructs and plants house churches in extremely impoverished and overpopulated neighborhoods in PortAu Prince. These churches are the hope the people have been waiting and praying for over the past months.
My close friend, Jeni Groves, has had the opportunity to go to Haiti with her brother Josh, and work on this project with him. She writes, “This project is from God. He connected the dots. God requires this team to rely and trust Him. He wants to recruit you to help. God will continue to connect the dots. Don’t make a donation, make an investment in the Kingdom of Heaven. Make an investment into the lives of each team member. Invest in the lives of the Haitian people who are hurting daily and that don’t know God. The team also provides for the needs of 2 Haitian orphanages.”
Jeni has put together a shoe drive with Soles for Soulsand JamCruise 10. It would be incredible if you could please donate new or used shoes for Haiti in conjunction with Soles for Soulsand JamCruise 10. If you are in the Lubbock, TX or Abilene, TX area please help her out by taking a few minutes to donate a pair (or two) of (matching) shoes at the following locations to be delivered to Labadee, Haiti. Thank you for giving! Go grab a pair now because they need to be there by tomorrow or Friday!
Drop off locations for shoes:
Lubbock: 6809 Nashville Avenue, until Thursday December 15th
Abilene: 625 EN 22nd Street, until Friday December 16th
★ If you don’t have time or cannot donate shoes at this time, but would still like to help out this amazing team of people making a difference across the world, you can make monetary donations to: Monterey Church of Christ (6111 82nd St, Lubbock, TX 79424) or National Center for Parenthood Enrichment
(PO Box 94505, Lubbock, TX 79413)
Attention: Rebuilding Haiti Mission: Josh Groves.
Please watch the video below to see what this amazing team has been up to! ★
Today I wanted to talk about an organization that does a mountain of good for a multitude of people all over the world. Just like the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37, this organization takes care of those who may have had others pass them by who could have helped, but decided to turn a blind eye instead. Jesus said to those listening to the parable of the Good Samaritan to “Go and do likewise”. The Samaritan’s Purse has done just that for the past 40 years.
I first heard about one of the gifts from Samaritan’s Purse when a family member requested that his gift from his parents was a donation for a goat instead of a gift for himself. To see more about this, check out this video.
If that’s not cool enough, one way you can still put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas is with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Build-A-Box program. It’s not too late! Just click on this link to check it out. You can bring a smile to a child’s face across the world. As a matter of fact there are more than 45 ways you can bring a little hope to someone through Samaritan’s Purse. Just check out their Gift Catalog and choose one or more ways to give. Sometimes it’s worth forgetting about the hustle and bustle this season can bring, and remember the joy you can bring to someone with just a little gift.
You can also go to Samaritan’s Purse‘s website to learn more about how they provide “spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural disaster, and disease.” This is just one more of the many fantastic organizations doing more for others this holiday season and all year round and one more way that it is better to give than to receive.
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” Proverbs 9:22
What does it mean when people say it is better to give than to receive? This is a question I have been mulling over the last few weeks. Christmas is in the air and so is the retail push to buy things. I think some people get so caught up in how many people they have to buy for and how much it is going to cost them that they forget the joy that can come with giving! I know that it is easier for some to give than others, but I believe there is a natural law that exists (just like the law of gravity) that brings a whole new meaning to what goes around comes around. ”Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38
I went to a store the week of Thanksgiving and saw my first volunteer this season from The Salvation Army ringing the bell. It always take me back to my childhood when I see those red kettles. I remember walking hand in hand with my Granddad who liked to take me shopping to pick out a present. He always stopped at the red kettle and deposited some money whenever we passed one. He told me that I should always put money into them when I came across one because The Salvation Army had helped him at one point in his life in a time of need. I have been affected by what he said ever since. I can honestly say that I do not pass a red kettle without depositing something (even just spare change) unless I have absolutely no cash on me. I do not say this for any other reason than to let you know that I will be forever affected by what my Granddad taught me that day. I am always in awe of the people that give of their time and stand in the cold ringing that bell. I am thankful for the stores that still allow The Salvation Army to stand in front of their stores ringing their bells with the red kettle, because to me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without them.
Below are a just a few of the amazing people that stand in the bitter cold ringing those bells, usually with a smile on their face and a “Merry Christmas” on their lips. People like Wayne, who I watched stand outside on one of the coldest days we have had in Lubbock this year (the first snow) opening the door for patrons and smiling as he did it. He has rang the bell in the cold for The Salvation Army for the past 3 years. The Salvation Army is always looking for bell ringers. If you are interested in helping, check out their website or contact your local Salvation Army.
I visited with Rudy last week just before he and others from The Salvation Army along with volunteers went out into the city of Lubbock for “Survive the Night”. They delivered gloves, hats, scarves, socks, hand and feet warmers, and soup to those who were getting ready for a night filled with snow, wind, and forecast with a low of 9°. They brought any that they could to the shelter and did everything they could to help all “survive the night”.
The Salvation Army does many things for many people in need…nearly 30 million Americans each year. So when you put money in this online red kettle, or any red kettle you see this season, expect change. The money donated to The Salvation Army changes lives for the better. I would love if you would consider joining me in supporting TheSalvationArmy’s online Red Kettle 2011 by making a donation to our kettle today. Together we can brighten the holidays of millions of people in need by helping provide them with clothes, meals, shelter, and more.
Who says blondes have more fun? Just look at these two redheads! I had a blast with Sean and Colleen and I have to say, it was really fun watching them interact with each other. They definitely have a great relationship that is so refreshing to see between a mother and son. This photoshoot was playful and fun and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I got to head to downtown Lubbock with these two cuties for a fun urban-style shoot. There were a lot of laughs…a lot. I had a great time photographing these two and I especially loved their ugly Christmas sweaters! Wouldn’t that make a fun Christmas card? I mean, who doesn’t love a tight red snowflake sweater or a sweater with a cat in a wreath? Who? Maybe they should have saved them for their next ugly Christmas sweater party. Happy Christmas Colleen & Curt. :]
On October 28, 2011 my husband’s Grandmother got hitched. It was so much fun, and such a sweet wedding to be a part of. I am truly grateful to be a part of such an amazing family. Grandmother was one of the first ones to make me feel right at home in the Stevens family and I will forever be grateful to her. She is lovely woman inside and out, and has a great fashion sense! I love her through and through and am so happy she has found a man to make her happy.
I have always joked that I was “Made in Africa”. But sincerely, Africa tugs at my heartstrings, and I truly desire to go there one day.
As a matter of fact there are more than 
