For the Love of Summer

I'm loving the long days of swinging, farmer's markets, going to the beach as much as possible. Happy summer! 

Enough

It's been almost a year since my last days of my job in Michigan. And it has been a crazy year. A friend and I were joking that I decided to try everything I have been talking about for a decade in the last 365 days. 

It has been a stretching time. It turns out that talking about risky things is easier than doing them. But it has been good, and I'm learning to jump and face a new wave of fear that surfaced when I stepped out of my comfortable life. 

I have been reading the story of when God gives the Israelites manna in the wilderness (exodus 16 and deut. 8). When you step back and think about it, it is so strange that they were collecting bread from the ground. But what is fascinating is that they always had enough. If they didn't collect quite enough for that day or if they were greedy and grabbed more than they needed, it came out the same. And that was enough to sustain them. 

In this period of the unknown and the uncertain, what I can say is that there has been enough. Some dark and unknown days it felt like there wasn't a bit extra. But I am finding that there is always enough grace and mercy to sustain me for the present day, and new mercy for every day that comes next.  

Over and over, God has provided for me in unexpected ways; the kindness of friends, new opportunities to try. I'm learning to be  thankful, to live in today without always having a plan for the future. Although plans are good, I often lived so much in the future that I forgot about today, forgot about savoring the moment I am in, forgot about seeing things to be thankful for right now.    

And as I look back on the year, I've realized that most days have felt like more than enough. It's easy to forget these days, the gloriously happy days, discovering a beautiful hike and the perfect wild blueberry pancakes in maine with my brother. Or the laughing, sun-kissed swinging days in uganda, and four of us squeezed onto a tiny motorcycle on an adventure. It's easy to forget about meeting new little friends in liberia, the wide open spaces of the safari lands, and the grand canyon stop with a kindred friend. 

 

One of the reasons I love photographs is because they remind me of all the ways God has cared for me, all the ways I have been given more than I deserve, all the ways I have enough. 

The Spring Sessions: The Vanderweys

This family session was a blast, running around on the Vanderwey property, looking for places to take fun shots. I love this first one, the hugs and love and the amazing front porch. Doesn't it make you want to hang out and laugh and have some lemonade? 

I wish I could remember what they were laughing about....but if anything sums up a perfect sunshiny day and the goodness of brothers - this is it. 

Loved hanging out with you guys! 

The Spring Sessions: The Saunders

I was laughing a lot as I edited these photos...this family is so fun. One of the worst parts about moving is leaving people you love, and especially leaving kids as they are in the midst of so much change. I miss this family a ton, it was great to hang out and capture these sweet moments. 

Jon and Vanessa have seen me at my worst, yet somehow love me still, and that is an incredible quality in people. Thankful for you, friends! 

The Spring Sessions: The Pruemers

This has been the year of eternal spring for me...hitting california, illinois, and michigan all in of their flowering goodness. 

We had a beautiful, sunny day to play in the park with the Pruemers. Last year, we did this shoot - it's so fun to see how the boys are growing up. They are sweet - even picked wildflowers for their mom completely unprompted by me!