Giving Around The World

I knew it was about time to get the Samaritan's Purse catalog in the mail and it came this past Friday!  I love looking at it and seeing how we can give to the needy around the world.  When I was in Brasil, my heart really went out to the hurting children who had no homes, were making an income by selling drugs or prostitution and those that just needed loved.  This is one of my passions.  I know that some how the Lord will use For Him Photography to help those around the world.  Here are a few of my favorites from their site...

Gift #15, Clothing for those in need,  $25

Gift #30, Hot Meals, $7

Gift #3, Give An Orphan a Month of Loving Care, $35

Gift #8, Rescue a child from bondage and abuse, $75

Baby Stuff!!

The other day i went with my sister-in-law Hannah to look at baby supplies at Babies R Us! She's got a lot of friends with kids, so it was nice to have her give me insight on items! :) I found a stroller and car seat that i like, for some reason i thought this would be the hardest to find! Here they are, i plan on registering for them! :) They match each other and are charcoal grey with silver cubes on them... the Chicco series!

Tag - You're It!

So, I've been tagged by my friend Maureen!!  I've got to share 7 random or weird facts about myself!  This ought to be fun!  

1.   I have a cat named Bob (ok, it's really my brother's cat) that thinks he's a dog and wants to be a human.  I love him!!!

2.   I'd really like to get my hair cut differently, but most days I'm too afraid to even though I know it will grow back!

3.   The only things I've craved since being pregnant are fresh fruits and veggies and soups!

4.   I've lived in over 7 different cities/towns including Rio de Janeiro Brasil.

5.   I LOVE the change of the seasons!  Everything from the spring rains to fresh flowers to colored leaves to blankets of snow!

6.   The person who has had the biggest influence on my life would be my dad.  I learned so much from him.

7.   When I'm at work with Beth, I tend to sing out loud and LOUDLY too! :)

I actually only have one blog to tag!  J*, you're it! :)

Fall family session

This past Sunday, i had the chance to photograph Jerod's cousin Jody and her family!  It's such a pretty time of the year now, with the leaves changing color! :)  Here is a photo from the session, i'll post more soon!!  **Straight out of the camera shot.**

Eye Opener

Last night Jerod and i has supper with some great friends from Brasil that were back in town.  Jeff and Diane are missionaries in Rio and have been there for a few years now.  Jerod and i met them for the first time when we were in Brasil in April and stayed a few extra days at their home. We all instantly got along and they are so much fun to be around!!

After supper we walked through the mall and my eyes were once opened again.  Diane had received a pair of Keen sandals in exchange for a pair of Brasilian Haviannas.  (Which are THE best flip flops in the world!)  So, in Brasil, these little flips can cost anywhere from $6 - $35 American dollars.  Diane's sandals were pretty nice so they were on the higher.  The mall had a Scheels inside so we went in to find out how much these Keens were.  When we went down the escilator, Jeff looked in front of him at the racks of cloths and sporting goods and said, "Do we really need all this?"  Now i had to remember that they've been in Brasil for a while and anytime you come back into the states, even if it's your home country, you will have culture shock.  His statement got me thinking and remembering what it's like in other countries.  The luxuries we have here are endless but yet so often taken for granted and people are left with wanting more.  

We found the Keens and they were exactly $95.  Diane had been blessed!  But really, she had been blessed regardless of what the price was.  

One of my favorite pictures i took in Brasil was of this little old ladies feet.  I could tell a lot about her by her feet.  And my eyes were opened again.  

Decisions

It seems like there are so many decisions to be made lately...

Jerod and I went to the first doctor appointment yesterday for our new baby!  The location we went to doesn't do ultrasounds, we'll get one next week, but we were able to hear the baby's heart beat!  It was amazing!  I didn't expect to tear up when i heard that but i did.  :)  Because of this little addition (or maybe two, still hoping for twins!) we need a bigger house!  As Mariah said, "I think we outgrew it before we moved in!"  I think she's right!  Moving all my stuff in after we got married 2 years ago was a task, but then cleaning out the farm house because mom moved was a whole nother project.  There are many things that i have now of my dads, and some you don't know what to do with but you know you're not ready to part with them.  So our basement is full and we need more than 2 bedrooms!  But, we are believing and praying for a new home!  God will make it clear to us for our next steps! :)

My next decision has to do with the photography business.  With limited money at the moment, it's critical that i wise decisions on what it's spent on.  But i think i'm going to go ahead and get the Totally Rad Actions.  I really like some of the things you can do with them on photos and it would save time, which i like.  i see they are having a sale until tomorrow, so i need to get that done.  

My logo is still in the process.  i've firmly decided on what to use, no second thoughts on that.  the next step is getting my idea in my head onto the computer screen.  i've been in contact with my old graphic art teacher from college and she's given me some great insight.  so i'm going to use what i know and what i've learned and get started at it.  

i also need to make the decision to post more.  this is hard for me to do.  could be because i'm on the computer most of the day at work, so when i come home i don't want to get on it again, i'd rather be outside.  or it could be because i was never much for keeping a diary or journaling, so this comes difficult to me.  but whatever the reason, i need to do a better job at it!  because i know, the blogs that i check and don't post for a while, i tend to overlook the next time!  and i don't want people to do that with mine! 

So, it's time to act on some decisions. 

Homework

Once I got out of school, I didn't think I would ever see homework again!  Boy was I wrong!  :)  When I left the Free To Succeed workshop, Jasmine Star sent me home with homework!  She and DJ did such a great job that night speaking!  It was so worth the trip down to Kansas City and I am so thankful that I attended while my photography business is still in the making!  Because of the things I learned, I can make sure that I do them right the first time!  

So back to the homework, J* discussed the importance of branding and finding out who you are.  It reminded me of some assignment that I had in English class with Mr. Waldron.  :)  So I've been thinking about branding the past few weeks and importance of it.  Starbucks has a brand that is known all over the world.  The same goes for the photography industry.  J* just rebranded her image and it looks great!  Same idea, with just a different twist.  

The other morning as I was getting ready for my day, I was praying and talking to the Lord about what brand should be used for the for Him photography business.  And instantly, it came to me.  It's so perfect and as soon as it came to me I though, "of course!"  God is cool!  I won't be saying what it is yet, right now I'm working on colors for it, but once it's ready, I'll be sure to let you all know!  So I guess I could say that my homework is almost completed! :)  

Here are some pictures from the night of the workshop!

ok, for some reason an ERROR keeps showing up when i try to load the pictures.  And since i don't feel like being in front of the computer much today, i'll have to try again some other time!