This says it ALL for me and where I am TODAY!!!!

If you follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. I say follow your bliss and don’t be afraid and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be."

      What do I mean by "This says it All for me and where I am TODAY?"  Do I mean that I am following my bliss?  Am I living the life I ought to be living?  Are doors being opened for me in areas that I did not know existed?  Well,  I would say yes to some of these things.  The rest I am still working on.  I am eager to live the life I am meant to live.  I am trying to do that without forcing things.  I would say that in many aspects I am definitely living the life I was meant to live but I also know there is so much more growth out there for me and so much more I have to share with others that it almost overwhelms me.

     Sometimes though, being a somewhat impatient person, I find that things do not always go at the pace I want to them to.  I then have to remind myself that I am not the one in charge here and I have to exercise some humility and slow down a little bit so that I can really experience LIFE. 

     After going on this mission trip to Costa Rica, I find that I truly am a changed person.  I am changed as a wife, mother, photographer and overall spiritual human being.  I have different goals than I had before leaving.  I want different things out of life.  I do not see these new goals changing a whole lot.  Actually, they feel rock solid to me.  Since coming home I have had people tell me that I am different…that I am more calm.  I see that in myself.  I love it!  I have been searching for more inner peace for a very, very long long time.  I think I am getting there.  I look forward to change and what it brings about.  I never really understood why people are so afraid of change. 

     I encourage all of you who read this to make every attempt possible to go on at least one mission trip in your lifetime.  Yes, it may be out of your comfort zone.   How cool is it to help others though.  You will find that you are the one more blessed in the end even when that was not your intention.  I assure you that you will not be disappointed.  How truly blessed we are here in America.  I do not think you can really comprehend it until you travel elsewhere for a period of time and live in someone else’s culture(and I am not talking about an all-inclusive resort).  Go and dedicate your time, love, and talents to others and see what truly being blessed is all about.  I promise you cannot come out of it unchanged without a new perspective on life.  You will see that "things" really do not matter.  It is "people" who matter.  That is the bottom line for me.  I am eager to go on my next mission trip.  I cannot wait to find out where it will be and how I can contribute to it and the people I meet. 

     I am sure many of you who read my blog thought it would be one of many photographic images and me talking about different photo sessions with clients.  That will be part of it but I see it going more in the direction of sharing thoughts with you on different journeys that I take.  That may involve my family, clients, travel, missions, or just simply life experiences whatever they may be. 

    Are you living the life you were meant to live?  Are using your gifts and talents wisely and to their fullest potential?  I am working hard at that.  I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me and I know that in the short time we are here,  we have to go all out.  GO FOR IT!!!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???

~N

Here are a few of my team members that went on the trip to Costa Rica. For those of you who do not already know me…I am the one in the hat and turquoise shirt. Then there is Matt(notice the one sleeping). What can I say about Matt…unbelievable musician who could sleep anywhere at anytime. He was the Christian Rockstar of Costa Rica for the week. Everywhere we went he got constant ooooooos and awwwwws. He looked better in my jeans than I did, my hats than I did, even my girly little camera bag than I did. NOT FAIR!

Then there is Marty, aka. Mart—eeee–aaacheeee! He is the one beside the nasty PIG HEAD in the market. He was my body guard and mentor for the week. You can learn a lot from this guy by just observing him. The epitomy of strength and FAITH is what this guy is all about.


Miss Andrea. What a great little CHICKA. She was so cool to hang out with and the only way to describe her is to say that she is an “absolute breath of fresh air” I mean it. She brought such a sense of humor to the group and has the most infectious laugh you will ever hear. “That’s HOT!!!”

These two were a great team. Pastor David of Bay Valley Christian Church, Bay City and Pastor Rene of Glory Christian School, Costa Rica. Each one of these men taught me a great deal about faith and life in general during the trip. Pastor David is such a father figure and amazing speaker. He got sick the first day and did not waiver one bit. He had to do endless sermons and speaking engagements and just kept right on going even when he did not feel well. His sense of humor is awesome and without sounding like a dork….he is just a really cool guy. I have to remind myself that he is only 43 because he is wise beyond his years.
Pastor Rene is a super great Pastor, teacher, father and husband. His dedication to his school, church and family are apparent. He was so good at translating our English into Spanish for the people of Costa Rica and has such a passion for what he does that you cannot help but be a better person when you are around him. Okay what else can I say about Pastor Rene….he calls his wife “AMORE” OMG!!! It does not get any better than that. I want to be called “AMORE” I just LOVE THAT!!!!





This is Miss ” L” I just loved her. You can take one look at her and see what a soft soul she is. After I photographed her she went over to her mom and told her she was mad at her for not doing her hair that day. I do not think she could be anymore beautiful.

This was a wash sink on the children’s playground. It just goes to show you how blessed our children are in America, however, I see a great deal of beauty in this image.

They had these cool hand made signs hanging along the walkways of the school. I loved each one of them. They make you think.