August 13, 2011

Trying to find me.

My heart and soul yearn for something more.

A new path.

An awaited journey.

Planned before I was born.

I anxiously wait.


Blessings!
Shay

August 12, 2011

A beautiful little, hidden creek I found this morning. I've driven by this spot thousands of times and never noticed it.

The flow of water can be amazingly beautiful and peaceful.

Blessing!

Shay

August 11, 2011

My oldest son is an artist, with great ability, I just don't think he believes in himself yet. He prefers pencil and charcoal. To see him step out of his comfort zone was amazing. A simple canvas, but with a HUGE message for his younger brother.

Hung in a place where his brother will see this message from the book of Ephesians daily. (We all need the Armor of God.)

My prayer is that he stays on this artistic path to glorify God through art and spread His message.

Blessings!

Shay

August 9, 2011

I saw myself in this particular sunflower this morning. I have a tendency to draw myself in. To protect my feelings, to stay safe. I guess some of the hardships I have faced in life have taught me to do just that. A sunflower is beautiful in full bloom. And turns itself towards the sun. When we are in full bloom, total faith, we lift our faces towards the Son. I know when life is hard, struggles overwhelming, my instinct is to fold my petals back down, to cover myself in safety. But I am trying to see and understand that being in full bloom, open and facing the Son, laying my hardships and struggles at His feet, is when I will receive His full nourishment for my soul. Then and only then will I shine beautifully like the sunflower.

Then and only then, after I have opened my heart completely, will I receive the nourishment I need. He is waiting for me to lift open my petals.

Blessings!

Shay

August 8, 2011

18 years ago today, my father walked me down the isle, something I am so thankful he was here for, and I promised my soul mate to love him and give myself to him, the good and bad. Our love has stood strong up and over mountains. We climb together. I am so looking forward to spending the rest of my life with my best friend. He brings out the best in me.

Blessings!

Shay

August 7, 2011

May we always strive to see beauty in every living thing. God's beauty is all around us, and His kingdom awaits us. Focusing on the good in people can be difficult when there is so much negativity consuming them. I am around people like this everyday. We all are. But perhaps if we focus on the good, look deep within them and find something beautiful, it may be just the thing to turn their actions, their words around. Make the lost found. We all have opportunity to witness, to share God's love, make a person feel loved and wanted, a person might just need that one small gesture, that one kind word to bless them beyond measure. We are all looking for acceptance from those around us. Not one of us can say we aren't. It's human nature.

So make an effort to share the love of God and truly bless someone today, someone you may normally pass up.

Blessings!

Shay

August 6, 2011

My mother loves 'Queen Anne's Lace'.

As I was driving home from work this morning, I noticed for the first time this summer it is growing in abundance right now. I am loving that part of this 31 shots in 31 days project.

It makes me more aware, draws my eye to little things that we normally zoom by everyday unnoticed.

So I veered off my normal path and took the back roads home, looking for a large patch of them.

Some stages of the flower looked like little bird nests to me, I think they made me smile more than the lacy flower. After a little research I found out that the fruit of the flower is the part that looks like a nest and is sometimes call the 'Bird's Nest Weed'.

Photographing these little lacy flowers this morning brought me great joy, but also sadness. I miss my mother terribly. She is one of my best friends. We finish each others thoughts. We love the same things. When we are together, creative ideas just bounce off of us. ~Love you mama~

Blessings!

Shay