An opportunity and blessing

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go take pictures of a ranch in Cornville.  A client of my husband's called him up and asked him if I would go take pictures for them and they would pay me for driving out there and then pay me for each picture of mine that they choose to use in their projects for their ranch.

I was so excited when I heard the news.  I called her up and set a time and that was that!  Yesterday I drove to Cornville to take pictures.  On the drive over I found myself talking to God about the whole thing.  I was feeling a little nervous because I don't have what I would call a good camera with all the different lenses, like a telephoto lens.  They had already seen some of my pictures from their ranch before when I went to visit my husband on the job and they liked them.  I have a digital camera and I use it to take pictures. 

I love taking pictures.  My passion is in photography and writing.  If I could make money doing the things I love that would awesome!  After talking with God I decided that it was okay that I didn't have a "good camera".  I just needed to have some faith, some confidence and enjoy doing what I do and just do it.  I still found myself extremely excited about the whole thing that I think in the end the excited won out and I was fine and ready to go.

This ranch is amazing.  Its very old and its hidden.  Its been a cattle ranch for 200 years.  It has such history.  To look around you in Cornville it doesn't look any different than any other dessert like area until you come upon this ranch.  Its hidden in a valley type area and its so big and beautiful.

I was blessed by this opportunity because the more I walked around gazing and looking for perfect shot to capture I was inspired.  I couldn't help but be inspired and in awe by the beauty that surrounded me.  I couldn't find the right words to express myself to the couple that invited me out to take pictures.  I was so thankful for the chance to take pictures of such a perfect scenic background.

I ended up taking 307 pictures but only a handful will make the cut for the projects.  I have a meeting on Monday to figure out which ones will be used.

This opportunity may lead into other projects with this same couple but we'll see God leads.

More than a field trip

On Tuesday I packed a lunch for Sara and I and gathered things up to go with her on her class field trip.  She rode the bus and I rode with two other ladies.  I enjoyed the day spending it with my daughter and her friends.  It was funny to see how many adults with cameras trying to chaperon the kids and take the opportunity to take pictures of the sights we saw.  The teachers were even trying to sneak in a snap shot here and there.  It was a fun day.

By the end of the day I realized that it was much more than a field trip with my daughter.  God has his ways of placing people in each others lives for his purpose.  At first the two other ladies and I started off with small talk.  I sort of felt like there was an under current of some sort in the back ground, not a bad one or anything just something there.  I'm not sure how it happened but next thing we knew we all said we Christians.  Once that was said then the direction of the conversations totally changed.  There was an excitement and happiness in the vehicle that is a little difficult to explain (maybe it was that under current I had been feeling)

The driver was from Virginia and has only lived here in Flagstaff for a year.  She is married and with two boys.  The other woman has lived here in Flagstaff all her life and is divorced with two girls.  I have lived in here for 2 years now going on the 3rd one, divorced and remarried with 3 kids and a step son.  So you can see that we are an interesting group of women in one vehicle.

We have christian music on in the back ground and we excited and sharing some our stories with each other.  We all at some point made the comment about how nice to was to not feel alone and realize that we all have gone through similar and different things in our lives.   God is amazing.

The woman from Virginia shared her story of grace, faith and trust about losing her 3rd son.  She carried him knowing that he was not going to be in this world very long.  He lived two weeks.  I think parts of my story showed faith, trust and strength of a few situations in my past and the present process my life is in now with being remarried and blending two families together.  The third woman is the one that I felt myself and the other woman (from Virginia) were reaching out to and our words were coming from God.  The third woman has two businesses that she runs from her home.  She cuts hair and cleans houses, apartments and a few office buildings.  She has two girls, and is in a relationship with a man that has 4 kids and lives next door to her ex-husband.  She is struggling and their are so many changes for her and her girls around the corner.  She is seeking and searching and holding on to hope that she has found with Christ.

Every time we found ourselves driving to the next stop our converstaions would go deeper into encourging one another and up lifting each other.  It was amazing and undescribable....three complete strangers.

We returned to the school and exchanged phone numbers and told each other that we would pray for one another.  We said that as busy as life gets we would try hard to keep in touch with each other.

It was more than just a field trip :)

Now for some pictures from the day.  Wupatitk National Monument and Sunset Crater

A view of the San Francisco Peaks

Sara

Below is a song that the woman from Virginia played for the 3rd woman and I knew instantly which song she was talking about, I have the same CD and this is a good song.

I know you must be wondering now....well there was this lady there that was visiting and sight seeing like we all were.  She walked around with her walking stick and we noticed she had a huge lump on her back.  She walked ahead of us and we all were quite curious.  Later the kids got really loud and excited and there she was standing on a hill introducing her monkey and telling all the kids about her friend.  This lady really had a "monkey on her back" :)

A rough start but a nice afternoon

Today started off a little rocky.  My step-son and I exchanged a few ugly words and then he left to go to work with his dad.  The other three kids were out and about with friends and busy.  I had decided that I was finally going to go on my scenic drive and take some beautiful fall pictures.  I couldn't wait to find a group of tall colorful aspen trees to take pictures.  So I was all ready to head out and drive by myself to the Snow bowl.  I was almost there when Micah text me and asked if I had left yet.  He said that Dillon didn't want to work and he wanted to go with me.  I turned around and drove to the other side of town to get Dillon. 

We grabbed a bit to eat at Jack in the Box and then headed to the Snow bowl.  We turned on to the road and I began my journey up the road and was soon sadly disappointed to see a bunch of naked trees!  Every Aspen tree that we saw was bare with no leaves.  I drove all the way to the top.  Dillon laughing thinking it was funny listening to me complain about the darn naked trees.  We got to the top and then headed back down.  He tells me that he knows of a place that would have some trees.  I tried to tell him that if the trees up here were naked then all the other trees elsewhere would be naked too.

We drove out for awhile and then I saw a sign that said San Francisco Scenic Route.  Dillon was telling me that this place was where he went on several field trips in elementary.  I wasn't sure he was going to remember what he was talking about but I kept driving anyways.  Then he saw the place to turn and told me to turn, so I did.  We saw a several signs that told about the area.  It was called the Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife....I don't know something like that.

By now I had to get out, all that driving was making my body stiff and ache.   We get out to the cool refreshing breeze and beautiful wooded surroundings.  Dillon and I decide to walk on the trail and look around.  Our surroundings were quite pretty.  The view of the San Francisco Peaks was nice.  On our walk further in on the trail we did find a few Aspen trees that weren't quite so naked so I was happy.  I made the most of it despite being surrounding by naked trees.

Dillon and I had a nice afternoon.  I was nice to have his company.  I discovered that I don't give him enough credit at times.  He is like a walking map.  He really knows where places are and remembers where he has been quite well.   I enjoyed our time talking about different things.  It was a big difference compared to this morning.   I really think I can see God's grace woven through the whole afternoon.  Thank you

Getting this Fibro thing figured out!

Having Fibromyalgia is the one of the most frustrating things to deal with.  The worst is when its cold.  I have figured out that when it comes to drinking my favorite hazelnut coffee it needs to be decaf now. There are times that sugar bothers me, so I watch and limit the sweets.  I love pizza but now it will have to be those fancy gourmet white pizzas without the tomato sauce.  Potatoes don't like my tummy anymore.  I love tacos but I will have to do flour instead of corn.  Pita chips are good, or I fry up flour tortillas as chips and sprinkle chipotle on them, they are quite yummy.  I"m eating more fruits and veggies and drinking green tea and lots of water.

As far as exercise, well that is still a struggle for me.  I have discovered that yoga does well with my body and actually seems to give me some energy too.  I go for walks when I can.  I was walking on the treadmill at the gym but that was not agreeing with me either.  I plan on trying out swimming.  If swimming works then I will do that and yoga.

My emotions are all over the place at times.  My energy level goes up and down too.

I don't sleep well and I take melatonin to help with that.  Its frustrating if I don't get enough rest because when I'm tired that affects how I feel over all.  There are times I find that the best thing I need is to lay down and take a little nap. (not too long because it will affect my sleeping later at night)

I take a multi-vitamin, MSM (which helps with the pain), B-12 to help with energy and stress, calcium.  Those seem to get me through the day.  I have my most energy from about 10 am to 3 pm, I've noticed. 

I'm along way from having it all figured out but enough to feel somewhat better at times and that helps.

My Marriage One Word Prayer

Micah & I

UNITY

oneness with Christ

in harmony together

working together for one purpose

complete

Lord I pray for unity in my marriage. 

I pray for completeness with You Lord.

One Word Prayers

The other day I came across this in one of my online devotionals.  I wanted to share it with you all.  It also made me think of how I could pray for my children using one word to focus on with God.  So below you'll find the words I chose for each of my children to pray on. 

 (I did not write the beautiful words below in the poem)

I just breathe the name of "Jesus"

when my heart is filled with fear.

And though I cannot see His face,

I know that He is near.

When I whisper "Jesus" softly

I'm admitting I'm in need.

By calling out that precious name,

my stress-bound soul is freed.

It's a one-word prayer I utter 

when I'm not sure what to pray.

It's a prayer of sweet surrender

when I'm weary of "my way".

I pray "Jesus" when I'm worried

or when I'm depressed.

I say "Jesus" when my mind's confused

or when my life's a mess.

It's a prayer He always answers

as He gives me eyes to see

evidences of His presence

and His tender love for me.

Dillon.  His word will be Revelation

1.  God's vast love for him

2.  God's amazing plans for his life

3.  His identity in Christ not in his circumstances 

Kyle.  His word will be Crave

1.  God's word will become known and sought after in all areas of his life.

2.  God is the truth and His truth will live in his life.

3.  God is the way and His way will shine through his life as he grows closer to Him.

Karlee.  Her word will be Comfort
1.  God is with her always.
2.  God is the one who teaches, guides, soothes, and stands with her in her life as she grows.
3.  God will bring peace, hope, joy and love to her always.

Sara.  Her word will be Seek
1.  God will provide for all her needs.
2.  God is always with her and does not leave her side.
3.  God will provide her strength and power as she leans on Him.

A Heavy Heart

These are some verses that have helped me lighten my heart, have comfort and peace knowing that the Lord our God is with me during times in my life I feel like my heart is heavy.  They encourage me and give me hope too.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

    Philippians 4:6

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;    Philippians 1:6

Psalm 91: 14-16 (The Msg)

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,

"I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the care

if you'll only get to know me and trust me.  Call me and 

I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;

I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.  I'll give you a

long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"

What more is there really to say.... except comfort and peace, thank you Lord.