Family photo session

Here is a sweet family I had the pleasure of taking pictures of earlier this year and they called me back for more!  I guess I did good.

This little girl is a total doll and should be a model!  A very curious 6 year old, as they all are.  The older brother has the "smolder" down pat.  Watch out girls!  And mom, she's a timeless beauty and sweet to boot!  So taking their pictures is a fun and not work at all!  Can't wait to work with them again in the future.

Here are some of my favorites from their photo session...

Less money, more memories...

So my last post was about how I wasn't stressed about money and I was in a good place.  Man, did I get emotionally attacked after that.  I started feeling really depressed about our financial sitation.  Not because we can't make ends meet, but because we can't provide what we want for our son.  We can't just get up and go and do whatever we want and eat where ever we want.  It hit hard mostly because of the Christmas season that's here and how we're only going to be able to get my son 1 gift.  We're going to forgo gifts for each other (Fifo and I) and make it 1 GOOD gift.  But still.  While I see others out shopping till they drop on black Friday, I am out grocery shopping cause that's what all I have money for - and thank God for that!  So Fifo and I were really depressed and finding it very hard to get into the Christmas spirit.  Feeling very sorry for myself and our financial situation I vented with some good friends of mine.  And can I just say, I thank God for them?  I do!  They didn't tell me I was being ungrateful.  They didn't tell me there are people who had nothing.  What they did was give me (HUGS) and tell me that even though we didn't have the money, we still could make wonderful Christmas memories.  They offered great suggestions on things that were free or cheap that we can do.  How we can create new memories.  And I did just that!  I sent Fifo a text that said:
Things to get us into the Christmas spirit that are free or cheap:

- Christmas movie night

- Making our own decorations with Christian

- Making Christmas cookies

- Decorating the house while playing Christmas music

- Look for events around town

We have to remember that Christmas isn't about us or the money and enjoy the holiday season.

He texted me back and said "Let's decorate tonight!"  And it was an awesome night.  We put on some good Christmas music and decorated.  I made some hot chocolate and Christian had an absolute blast.  He even put some decorations in his room.  He was SO excited!  So here we were, feeling sorry for ourselves when our son doesn't even know what is happening.  Thank God for their innocence.  He was happy just to help decorate.  We have planned to get a small tree this weekend and decorate that.  We also have planned a cookie baking night with my family.  I'm hoping to finally see my favorite Christmas movie, A Muppet Christmas Carol, if Christian would just indulge me!  haha...  But its just small things that helps us. 

So, another lesson learned...  Christmas is more about the memories and less about the money.  I'm going to try to make it all about memories. 

To all my friends and family...

I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving day and you eat to your hearts content.  I have so many things to be thankful for.  God is so good to us!  And I know next year will be better!  Love you all!

We have persevered...

“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11

This verse has really hit home to me lately. We started out the year pretty shaky. We moved out of my parent’s house in March and were back on our own. Fifo was working part time doing graphics from home and it wasn’t a steady income. Then he was getting no work. He had to go back to work full time at a company. I was so nervous about our situation. I carried such tension in my neck. I was breaking out on my face. I was living in complete stress. About 2 months ago we had a preacher come to our church and his message was about Financial Wellness. About our God’s Economy vs Our Economy. And he named off verse after verse of how God wants to bless us. How God will NEVER let us down. He delights in blessing us. He said he doesn’t remember one time he was without. And it was like a light bulb turned on in my head. I knew that already, but I didn’t believe it. I decided then and there not to stress over our money anymore. I refused to be sucked in by those numbers AGAIN. And you know, we haven’t been overflowing with money, but one way or another we have enough to buy food for our family and a roof over our heads. We may not have enough to go out to eat all the time and my shopping is pretty non-existent, but God has been good to us. We are blessed. And more recently I have had this feeling that a BIG blessing is on its way. Like I’m excited cause I feel it! I have no idea what it is or when it’ll come, but it’s coming and soon! 2011 may not have been the best year, but it served its purpose. We aren’t the same people we were a year ago. We’re growing and learning and trusting in God. I hope and pray my photography takes off this next year. (Help me pray for that!) and that Fifo finds a job where he is happy. I’m thankful for 2011, but I look forward to what 2012 has to offer us! Or rather, what Jesus has to offer us in 2012!

Here is the preaching if you want to hear it:
"God's Economy vs Our Economy."
http://sc.fhview.com/sc_customplayer/seriesitems/1/114821

Photography

So... I started doing photography!  I've been doing it for about a year or so now. My husband bought me my first DSLR 2 years ago for my birthday.  I was very intimidated by that thing, haha!  But I finally took a couple classes to help me understand my camera and how to work it and I LOVE it!  I can't go back!  So anyway, my original intent for my camera was just to take nice pictures of my son and the things I love.  Well... that turned into "I want to do this all the time!".  While I cannot quit my job and just go shoot people (ha!) everyday, I am doing it as a side thing for now.  I have no plans to go full-time, but who knows what the future holds.  So you will be seeing more photography posts from me on here, besides our everyday life posts.  I'll probably start with past photoshoots that I've done, just to share with y'all.

So with that said, let me show you a recent photoshoot I did for some close friends of ours who just had their third baby, a beautiful boy!  He is an angel and did very well for his first photoshoot!  :)  I also got some pictures with his rambunctious and adorable older sisters.  They made for a fun and interesting day!  PS, this was my first "newborn" shoot and I was nervous.  But, oh what fun!  And I get to hold that bundle of love and breath him in.  <3  Now that's a perk!

So, without further ado, the Turner kids.... 

Letting go.

Letting go of something I want SO badly, with all that I am, is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.  EVER.  How do I do that?  How do I just let go?  Everyone is telling you wait, hope, don’t give up.  But everything is against me; even time.  And when time and time again nothing happens, it hurts.  It hurts so much.  Never in my life did I ever think I would be HERE; never crossed my mind.  I’m so sick of tears.  I’m sick of heartache.  I’m sick of emotions.  I just want to let go.  But at the same time, I’m afraid to.  Which is why I’m stuck in this emotional roller coaster of torture.  Sometimes I momentarily forget.  I smile.  I’m good.  But it consumes me.  Unless you've been there, you won't fully understand.  I want to let go, but I can’t.  And what does this all say about me???  Do I not believe enough??  I don’t have faith enough??  Is the answer a “no”?  Because if it is, I just want  P E A C E.  Peace that surpasses all understanding.  

Not a fake movement

Its been a while. I just haven't felt like posting. But I'm feeling stirred today...

God is doing something in these last days that you don't want to miss out on! Don't get me wrong, there is and will be devastation, famine, disease, and so much more.

"But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." Luke 21:9-11

But He also said there would be an out pouring of His spirit like never before seen!!

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:" Acts 2:17.

I want to be a part of that! But not just me, I want everyone who can and wants to, to be a part of that!! Its not meant for me alone! It's not meant for the "saints" who have been in church for 50 years already.... Its not about US!!! Every ear needs to hear this. Every eye needs to see. Every spirit needs to experience it! I've tasted and I've seen that GOD IS GOOD! I want YOU to taste and see! I want you to EXPERIENCE it! This is no fake movement. This is real. And its now. Don't miss out and don't say I didn't tell you so! Love you guys!! You haven't heard the last from me yet...

Updates...

Lots of new adventures going on in our lives!

First, Fifo decided to venture out on his own and start a graphics business and also go into the cleaning business with my mother. It's a leap of faith, but we have full trust in God that both of these business will take off! He already has 2 accounts that are using him regularly for graphics. And today they got their first call for the cleaning business! See, the blessings are pouring in already!

Second, we are trying to find a house... this is the hardest thing! It's so hard to wait on God's timing. Do we do our own part? Do we get out there and look for a house ourselves or do we wait for something to fall in our laps? Ack! I just want a place of my own. That's it.

On the Christian front, he turned 4 in December and is a little smart aleck! I wonder where he gets it from....? I cannot believe he's going to start VPK (voluntary Prekindergarten) in the fall. Where did the time go? For now he continues in daycare, but his daycare lady does an amazing job with him! He is writing his numbers and his letters. He already knows how to spell and write his name. He loves for us to read him books. He's very active and loves all sports, in our backyard of course. I'm telling ya, he's a smart kid!

On the ministry front, we've been very busy with our church youth group and our church music. But God is so good. He continues to pour out His spirit and showing himself strong in our church. We are seeing lives changed. What an awesome thing to be a part of. We are being tested, that's for sure. But trying to steer through it all and see what is God's will and what is not. But just continue to pray for the Velazquez family as we continue on in our journey to Glory!! It's not without it's trials...

Happy New Year!!

Better late than never!! I hope and wish everyone has a blessed new year!!

As my pastor has been preaching, it's going to be a year of third days. A year of resurrections! Renewal, new blessings, new life... I'm excited for what this year has in store! But we cannot have renewal without death. Death gives way for new life. We are going through some strong battles right now, but we will come out victorious in the end. This season of our lives is almost over, but we are getting ready to start a new one and as this one ends, we are being tested. You can't reach a new level without being tested and tried. We want to be found worthy. Thank you Lord for third days and for victory!