Happiness

A month ago, a Marine vet in Illinois pulled a beautiful photo off my friend's Instagram and put it on a facebook site, ridiculing my friend's partner for being a gay 1stSgt. The post was quickly removed but as you can likely imagine, my friends had to work hard to brush off the negativity from that experience.

I just want to say, I am so proud that I live in such a open and wonderful community and it warms my heart to see more people be warm and welcoming, even when they personally disagree with another's lifestyle. Oh yes, we can always improve but at least here, we truly live the american dream, "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

See more of my photos here and here.

Wedding Photographer-To The Rescue

God works in mysterious ways

A friend of my Ex-husband referred a wedding client to me. After meeting with the couple and learning about their needs, I discovered that they only really wanted coverage of the ceremony because our mutual friend didn't mind covering the reception. In order to keep the price of my services within their budget, I offered to shoot at an hourly rate instead, really, that's almost unheard of and certainly not recommended to do for weddings as it takes away from your bottom line when calculating editing, gas, daycare and other such expenses. There was just something about this couple that spoke to me and I wanted to do this for them.

The rain held out for until after their outdoor ceremony and we got back to their reception venue to find that our mutual friend, who was going to shoot the reception, wasn't there. I was now off the clock, and they were not about to let a lack of reception photographer rain on their parade, BUT I didn't feel right about it. I told them I'd stay until after they cut their cake. I am so glad I did.

Those are some good lookin' blobs!

Something about letting strangers "borrow my camera (for a sec)" just makes me nervous. None the less, that's exactly what I let one of the amazingly fun guests at the wedding reception do last night. The gentleman who took these pictures isn't a photographer, and I ended up giving him (and the lady I'm talking to in these pictures) a quick rundown on how to use a camera. EXPENSIVE CAMERA TO LEARN ON GUYS!!! It was great fun.

Getting better

Hey, you've got the hang of it!

I enjoyed rubbing elbows last night. I genuinely enjoyed these people's company. One of my new acquaintances is a real sweetheart, even offered to bring Justin and I up to golf as his guests. After being seated at his table and getting to know him, and a few other business men and their wives, a few them mentioned they were in need Of photography for portraits, upcoming projects, and advertisements. One of my other new acquaintances runs a bachelor/bachelorette/private party service in San Diego and they were in the market for a promotional photographer. Don't mind if I do!

I'm thankful my ex's friend didn't choose sides and felt comfortable enough to refer me (he is a photographer who worked with other photographers, I wasn't his only choice). I am thankful that my clients were amazing souls. I am thankful that our mutual friend was unable to make it to the ceremony and that I chose to stay. Everything happens for a reason. I got some great images that my clients will treasure for the rest of their lives and I made some awesome new friends and contacts. You just can't put a price on that.

Dang, I'm a good teacher. ;-)

Stop Talking About The Bible? (X-Post)

News Link here,
You know what really grinds my gears?

In this age of tolerance and diversity, public school educators seem to be under the impression that they can bully and intimidate Christian boys and girls. I'm a dedicated advocate for celebrating diversity and expressing what individuals view to be important. Celebrating diversity is allegedly promoted in schools, and yet there is no tolerance for members of the Christian faith to express their views in school. 

I could have sworn this country was built on the pursuit of religious freedom. I am Christian, I am open to the discussion of other beliefs (yes, even in schools). This is not the first time I've heard of our educational system denying Christian religious freedoms. If the school had this same situation play out with a child of any other faith, there would be an uprising of scrutiny on the media.

I respect all Muslim people, Christian people, and Buddhist people. I respect J.W's, LDS, Atheist, Agnostic, and Wiccan people and I even respect satan worshipping people. You know what I don't respect? People who try to deny constitutional rights. And guess what? Any policy that suppresses free speech violates our constitutional rights.

~TheStigMom (one Butthurt-Christian-American)

Beautiful But Sad Things.

I usually only read books that are scientifically/mathematically based with the exception of poetry. The last two years, however, my heart has been in search of new foundations and I've been inclined to step out of my comfort zone to try new things.

I picked up this book and read in one day. Of all the words, of all the passages, I found a piece of myself in this sentence; "I’ve always had a terrible weakness for beautiful but sad things." (Sylvain Reynard, Gabriel's Inferno)

How true to me. I try to help homeless when I can, my career path is to help children in bad situations and all my life I've always tried to heal the broken and help the lost find purpose. Doing those things for others is actually quite selfish of me. You see, those little acts that help bring light to others, helps keep my own demons at bay.

Everyday I wage an all out war on loneliness. Most days I win the battle, still I wonder, not IF, but WHEN my war will end.

My God is faithful. My God doesn't just love, he IS love. I know I am never alone.

Let's talk God.

John Fugelsang delightfully articulates our shared view on God. What an entertaining, friendly conversation between two individuals with differing opinions. 

I enjoy conversing, exchanging personal beliefs and ideas in open forums, so please, if you're easily offended by what I post on my page, realize that YOU alone are responsible for your reactions. Please realize that will never push my personal views on anyone. My only intent is to share my views and experiences. Please feel free to turn this into a friendly conversation, whether you agree or disagree.

I believe in and seek God, NOT specific religions. I do believe in the holy trinity and I do find comfort in certain books of the bible, the same as I do reading the Torah, Quran, Avesta, The Vedas, and Pali Canon collection.

The bible, over time, has been mistranslated and changes dictated by those in power. Reading the bible in it's original text is quite an eye opener, and while I recommend it, I also recommend reading with the consideration that it was written by MEN, it has biases and illustrates views and laws of the times the books were written.

I believe in Jesus, but most people have the Sunday school version of a dude who died for sins and we celebrate birth and death, and that is just the surface of the guy I have come to know. In my youth, I read everything I could about the son of God. Whether you believe Jesus is the son of God or just a fictional character who is supposed to set a good example, the fact remains, the "character" of Jesus is that of a man did more than simply tolerate the outcast of his society. He shared meals, he washed their feet, he served them, he healed them, he never judged them, You know what he DID? LOVED them.

Do you want to know what made Jesus mad?

Those who hurt children. “If you harm one of these little ones, better for you that a millstone be draped around your neck and you be dropped into the depths of the sea” (Luke 17:2).

Self-righteous judgmentalism. As He drove out the money-changers from the spaces normally dedicated to prayer for Gentiles as well as Jews, overturning their tables, He cried out the words of Isaiah: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Oh... I'm sorry... Did you get that... ALL NATIONS.

Essentially, the example Jesus sets for us to follow is, be a light to the world, love your brother, take care of children, and don't be an asshole. Religious sects of all kinds could learn a thing or two.

*steps off pulpit* Happy Tuesday Y'all!