One of the primary reasons God sent His Son to earth was to bring tender salve and relief to those whose hearts were broken.
~ Beth Moore

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,
and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.
Psalm 34:18 {NCV}

A child has been born to us;
God has given a son to us.
He will be responsible for leading the people.
His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God,
Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.
Power and peace will be in his kingdom
and will continue to grow forever.
Isaiah 9:6-7 {NCV}

I’ll be forever thankful for the saving power found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

For His joy.

His strength.

His grace.

His mercy.

His blessing.

His peace.

And His mighty love.

Wishing you all the merriest and most blessed Christmas ever!

These girls are beautiful souls.  They fill me.  They sustain me.

We have a long way to go in our journey together … and I don’t know four better gifts to walk it with.

I love you ladies … more than words would ever do justice … I love you.

I’ve never really talked about Taylor’s boyfriend on the blog before … but I think it’s time.  I took these photos of them last week and sure, I’d like to show the beauty of them to you … but what I’d like to share, is the beauty inside these two kids.

We met KP and his family over a year and a half ago in Exuma.  While on our sabbatical for the month, I was determined to make sure we got to church on a regular basis.  Turns out the church we found and attended was founded by KP’s family.

They were regular folk {yes, folk} living in the northeast when they felt God place a calling on their lives.  So they obeyed and started a ministry planting churches in the islands and as divine planning would have it, the first church they started was in Exuma!

This family has been the most incredible blessing to me.  I love, love, love how God, in all His infinite wisdom, works!

I’m thinking I don’t have to explain how Tay and KP were attracted to each other … :)  But what I love, love is the beauty these two possess inside.  They both realize that God has a plan for their lives and they strive to follow that plan everyday.

You know how in relationships you should seek to be with people that make you better?  I see that in these two.  But even a step further than that, I’m so thankful they both have a relationship with God and help each other be better in Him.

I’d like to share something …

I wasn’t ready for this relationship.  I wasn’t intentional in talking to Taylor about my expectations of when she’d be allowed to have a boyfriend.  In all honesty … it happened much sooner than I was prepared for.  And sure, technically I’m the parent and could’ve put a stop to it … but there was something too special about this boy … and his family … that I fell in love with.

I wrote this post about them over a year ago and their character and values couldn’t be more true today.  In fact, I feel like they’ve only deepened that commitment.

I believe that God has ordained this relationship … and although I don’t know what the future holds for them, I’m so thankful they have the high standard of each other to live up to.

Anyway … this week, I’m reposting and sharing some of my thoughts on parenting and I wanted to include these thoughts as well.

In the end, it turns out I’m thankful for this sudden, unprepared and unexpected relationship.

KP has been a rock for Taylor during these last few months.  His family has been interceding in prayer on our behalf.  Taylor’s sisters can see, and maybe measure what a relationship with a godly boyfriend looks like.

That said … the other thing I’m thankful for and have now learned … is that I need to be intentional with the little girls in what our expectations are for them in future relationships.  I’ve realized that I need to have small, but intentional conversations with them starting now.  I also need to be better about praying over their future spouses.

I trust God has a plan for each of my girls lives … and it’s my job as their parent to pray over that plan, to disciple them in that plan, and to continue to hold fast to that plan.

There is a time for everything,
and everything on earth has its special season.
There is a time to be born
and a time to die.
There is a time to plant
and a time to pull up plants.
There is a time to kill
and a time to heal.
There is a time to destroy
and a time to build.
There is a time to cry
and a time to laugh.
There is a time to be sad
and a time to dance.
There is a time to throw away stones
and a time to gather them.
There is a time to hug
and a time not to hug.
There is a time to look for something
and a time to stop looking for it.
There is a time to keep things
and a time to throw things away.
There is a time to tear apart
and a time to sew together.
There is a time to be silent
and a time to speak.
There is a time to love
and a time to hate.
There is a time for war
and a time for peace.
{Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NCV}

The time has come for me to close {tsj} photography.  The actual business that is.  My photography business.  Trust me … it’s not been without much prayer and consideration … but right now, it’s the best thing for me and my family.

I’ve decided to keep the business name on my blog {and URL’s}, but I’ll be closing down the actual portfolio/information links on my main website.  Over the next couple of months there may be some glitches here and there, and I’m praying you’ll hang in there and continue to follow me on this journey … this next, next chapter that God is leading me to.

What ultimately is leading my decision are some changes my family is facing right now, as well as the stress said-changes are playing out in my body.  Particularly related to MS.  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago about a relapse of optic neuritis … well, it’s back … again.  In the other eye.  And I started another round of more aggressive IV steroids yesterday.  My vision is quite blurry.  Praying that it comes back, but it could take up to 3 months for that to happen.  With MS when the nerves die, they die … so even glasses won’t get my vision back to normal.  Given this, I just can’t guarantee {or feel the pressure} I can deliver quality, clear images … not to mention the burden of editing images with blurry vision.

Anyway.  So I’ve decided to pursue photography for fun right now.  Who knows? maybe some day I’ll be back.  But for now … a long, much needed break from the responsibility of a career to focus on my health and family.

I’ll also be closing my studio and selling some of my props, etc.  If anyone is interested, please feel free to contact me …

Thank you, dear readers.  I feel so blessed to have this space to connect with all of you … this little outlet that has given me the opportunity to get to know some of you … praying we can continue on this journey together!

Wishing you all a blessed and happy weekend!

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