good things

I am in a better place after venting, crying, and hosting my very own pity-party last week. The Lord's joy comes in the morning; or as the case may be, after reading scripture, eating a batch of cookies, and two days later. But who's counting?! ;)

Please accept my deepest and sincerest thanks for all of your uplifting comments on my last post. I am owning my feelings and not feeling guilty about them. Ya'll are correct, this is MY journey and I should not judge myself for it (I would never be that hard on someone else, so why do I do it to myself?).

I am also keeping very busy with the relaunch of my photography/design business!
Last April, I received this quote by Leo Buscaglia in a daily, inspirational email, "Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God."
Those words touched my heart and forced me to realize that I was not living up to my potential.
And, the wheels started turning...

Ten months later, I feel like I am getting closer to the goals that I established last spring and summer. It has taken longer than I had anticipated, but it seems that most good things in my life do.

I am creating a new website, new marketing materials, investing in new equipment, and stacks of books to aid me in this process. Things are progressing nicely, and I am blessed to be able to use my God-given talents as a means of income. I have also been praying about giving back to the community via my photography, and there are a couple of opportunities that have been presented to me.

I'm really looking forward to living in the present, and embracing all of the emotions and positive changes that are coming my way.

Several of you covered me in beautiful scriptures, and I wanted to share one of them with you. My best friend had not yet spoken to me after my snot-fest, or read my emotion filled blog post when she sent this. God uses all people for His message, and in His perfect timing.

After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will restore, support, and strengthen you, and place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10

And, because posts are always better with pictures, here is an image from my maternity shoot over the weekend.

In case you were curious, her shirt reads, "Baby Makes the Belly Go Round."