Recovery Begins...

So I have been thinking alot lately about struggles. Some people struggle financially, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and the list could go on. You know what it all comes back to??---Jesus. It's easy to say that to someone isnt it? When you see someone struggle and too tired to fight---you tell them---have you prayed about it? Have you asked God to help you? I have said that before to others and they just stared blankly at me. I am reminded that to some people its not that easy...they can't just sit down and pray. They need help. They need someone to sit down and pray with them...they need someone to turn to Jesus with them. They need someone to care and someone to be that person that they need to get them through the dark. Because everything looks bigger in the dark. Sometimes...things are personified for those that may not know about hope. Everything seems like it would be that painful, be that bad-forever.....no hope. I have hope. And although i have my struggles and things that bring me down...I have hope.

I just encourage everyone to stop and look around them for those that are struggling and see how you could help them. Take a step back and instead of judging that person for all their struggles and burdens...HELP them. I am sure that someone might have come to mind while reading this. Depression and confusion constantly walk among us--and we know it but we want to ignore it because it makes us uncomfortable. Silent battles are everywhere and we need to do more than pray for that person--we need to help them see that there is hope. When a person believes they have hope that is when recovery begins.


This is an amazing song by Fireflight...if you have never heard of them or listened to them...I really recommend that you look them up. They have some great stuff. I thought I would share the lyrics of the song RECOVERY BEGINS. Some really great stuff. Okay, I will stop babbling now. :)


I talk, I talk too much
I never open up
To what You need to say
My words get in the way

I search for stillness
But worry kills it
I need to clear my head
I'm tired, I need to rest

It all comes down to this
The quiet in the end
I listen for Your voice
Recovery begins

The times I hear You most
Are when You bring me close
I'll follow as You guide
While darkness turns to light

Whisper to me, whisper to me
Whisper to me, whisper to me

...you make me wanna be brave..

This is my little man. I can't believe he started 3 year old preschool today!! Talk about a weird day for me! I was so sad that my baby is growing up and so proud at what an amazing little boy he is becoming. I have to tell you...I cried more that he did. In fact, he did not even cry. lol. He was a little apprehensive at first and wanted me to stick around a minute. I watched at how brave he was this morning and I was just taken back by how confident and grown up he seemed. He is only 3 people! :) I watched as his friends took his hand and he walked off...for my benefit I'm sure... he said, "I will miss you, mommy. I love you." ...then he went on his way. This is a familiar place he is at..he was there last year in the Terrific Twos...but this is something new..something different..its 3 year old preschool!! :)

I thought about this..and how I deal with things in my every day life..and I realize that is how God wants us to be with His plans (not ours)...He wants us to follow His plans because they are perfect...and be brave...and be confident..because He has already given us the tools to do these things for Him..we just have to be willing to do them. Sometimes I wish I could be as brave as my 3 year old. :) We could learn a lot from our kids. Just something to think about. Be brave.

"I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall..."


Love and Blessings
Amanda

Good Morning, Radfords. :)

Yes, when I go somehere I am always "that girl" that carries her camera with her. You never know when you might get a cool shot. While I was at the beach, I got the opportunity to do a photo shoot with a really awesome family. I thought i would share some of the shots I got while on the beach one beautiful morning. :)

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea. :)

We got to visit Litchfield Beach this summer for vacation. I don't think I can say enough how much I LOVE that beach. This year was a little different for me...because I actually made a strong effort to take in the beach alone...and really reflect on what God was showing and giving me through my quiet time every morning. I would wake up at 5:00 AM (yes on my VACATION) and rode on the golfcart to the ocean. I would walk up and down the beach...and would only see a handful of people..and i loved it. I loved it because I felt like it was really just me and God...and God showing me what amazing things he creates and how much of nature is beautiful art. I think that is one of the reason's I love photography so much...because I can capture an image that I can save forever if I wanted to...and image that was created for me by Him.

Some people think its silly but I have a special love for sea turtles..i always have. I just think they are so unique and the idea that they were around when dinosaurs were is pretty cool. :) They are just unique and beautiful and I love to follow their deveolpment and nests, etc. Is that nerdy? :) So anyways, I got up every morning also in hope that I would get to witness a sea turtle laying her nest or one going back into the ocean. I also really wanted to find a nest and experience the process of protecting and preserving it. Every morning, I was able to see something new on my walks... I saw an amazing sunrise (not sure who that dude was but I thought it was a cool picture) :)...


... sting ray washed up, found huge seashells without a crack, tons of starfish, and even a shark. :) But, I was getting so aggravated that I had not seen anything regarding turtles..not even a false crawl in the sand. The 6th day I was pretty tired and almost decided not to go out...it was our last morning there and I figured since I hadnt seen it before I wouldnt now...but I'm glad I decided to go out because I walked out and found 3 sea turtle crawls and got to help the S.C.U.T.E organization check the eggs, get a DNA sample, and mark the nest. It was such a great experience. One that I know was something God blessed me with...the S.C.U.T.E leader told me I was lucky and that this was a once in a lifetime thing for someone to see..kinda neat.

Like I said, people might think its silly...:)

For my birthday, my husband took me to the Sea Turtle Rescue Hospital where I got to learn about several turtles that were being treated there...it really changes your perspective on things. I wanted to share some photos from my sea turtle time. I guess one point I am trying to make out of this long blog is to find something that you enjoy and run with it....even if you are running by yourself. And find out how you can connect it to God-because he wants you to share it with Him too. :)

Yah, yah...i know :)

So, I keep changing the purpose of what this blog is for..originally I started out with it being a regular blog about every day life..then I changed it to being a photography blog..then I decided I wanted to go back to putting a little of everything. So I guess that is what I will do...a blog about everything. :) Whether it be showing you guys some snapshots I took...talking about life and family...or ideas about creative mommy things, etc. That is what this will be. :) haha. SO, there you go. I am not always indecisive!

Before I leave you.. I guess I should share the meaning behind the title of my blog in case you don't already know. For the longest time, Psalm 139 has been something I hold on to..something to remind me that God has made me perfect in His image. I don't always look in the mirror and see that...so I have to be reminded by the sweet words in this Psalm. I struggled with an eating disorder for several years of my life..and without that reminder..the reminder that I was a treasured, beautiful child of God...I'm not sure how I could of pushed through that...and I still struggle and mess up. If it were not for my family and God's amazing grace......hmmm...I wouldnt be so brave about things. If you have never read that Psalm please do...and I hope you find the treasures in it that I did.

Love and Blessings.