On being the intern.

As you may have read here, I had the opportunity to intern with Life Action for 6 weeks this summer.

I. loved. it.

There are so many reasons why, but here are some highlights.

1. The media department took their creative license seriously. This sign may have appeared outside the department one Friday afternoon after we all left early. An average day may have included games, pranks, and "Hot Dogs Plus" for lunch, just because they could. I had once imagined that there were creative teams out there like this...
Did you do any work at all? you ask. This environment (and a steady supply of Starbucks coffee) is very conducive to work. This website is one of the projects I helped with.

2. The Gospel is central. One of the first things I noticed during my tour of the building is that on the name plates, where the prestigious title belonged, were only Bible verse references. Prayer, chapel and conversations about the work God was doing in your heart happened regularly.

3. The people. Though I learned much in regards to graphic design, the real learning happened from being with people who were just living their life in service to God. My main purpose for going was to see how graphic design and serving God mixed, practically speaking. I saw it first hand. Those are the lessons that Hennepin Tech can't teach me. Those are the lessons that money can't buy. And for those lessons, I am eternally grateful.

About 4 weeks into the internship, I was surprised and delighted when they offered a position on the team. The weeks (months?) following the invitation were an assortment of tears, hopes, desperate prayers for direction, and the struggle to surrender. Long story short, the answer came. And the answer was no.

I don't understand why, but I do trust my Saviour. I am so thankful for a God who speaks, for a God who doesn't give second-best... I have no answers for my future beyond graduation, but God, who has directed me so clearly thus far will continue to do so.

As a photographer, I took precious few pictures around the media department that I spent most of my time at, but here are some pix of the camp that I bunked at. Looking for a GREAT family camp? Check it out.

They have a blob!
Met with God many times by that lake. It just seems right for that, doesn't it?Another major highlight was being with the college (and younger) age girls and guys who travel with Life Action, staff the camp, and just love the Lord.
I could go on and on, but suffice to say that the summer of 2010 will go down as one of the best yet. Such a gift from God.

Forrest and Emily

Okay, what to say about this wedding? I feel so privileged to be able to attend these kind of events... I'll just let the pictures do the talking. But if I had to sum it all up, I'll say what I said to my family when they asked- "The whole wedding was Christ-honoring". And thats something!

Before the craziness of the day started, they had a girl brunch. No wedding talk, just enjoying each other! There was lots of laughter, some tears, great looking food and a special devotional given by a good friend of Emily's.

I can't think of a better way to start the day!


Doesn't she look beautiful!
The ladies. Trust me, their faces looked even better than this, but I just love this shot!
Forrest, looking pretty good himself...
Love this!
Then we come to the ceremony. The first few minutes of the ceremony were worship time. A time to thank God for His faithfulness. I had "Jesus Paid it All" in my head for days afterward.
First things are still first. Even on the wedding day. Wooee! It did my heart good just to be there and soak it up.


Forrest requested that everyone remain seated as his bride came down the aisle so he could actually see her walk down the aisle... how sweet! Here she comes.
HERE SHE COMES!!!
Pronounced Mr. and Mrs.
They seem happy about that!
The whole gang.
Married!
Love the feel of this one.
And this one.
You may remember from their engagement pictures. They rock this look. :)
my. favorite. and it becomes even more so every time I look at it.
First dance.
Love the happiness in this one.
Honeymoon bound.
May He continue to bless you two as you run after Him. Thank you.

Taylor and Janna in Stillwater

I was privileged to join a small, immediate-family-only ceremony last week in Stillwater, Minnesota. Janna is sister-in-law to two of my brothers... Her and Taylor are two of the kindest, most giving people that I know. Living in Minnesota for these past few years, I have often benefited directly from their generosity with time, resources and energy. THANK you guys for all you do.

When I heard that Taylor and Janna were getting married in Stillwater, I was excited. Stillwater is a must-see next time you are in the twin cities. Its a small town situated on the river front with sailboats, festivals, sodas at the soda shop and family picnics going on all the time. (Okay, maybe not all the time, but thats the feel of the whole town. :))

But then when I heard that she was wearing teal shoes, that sealed the deal.

At the Stillwater riverfront.
Isn't Stillwater cool?
Who are the movie stars in town?
Sweet.
Love the feel of this. And they are as sweet and beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside.
Favorite! Love pretty much everything about it.
A quiet little ceremony outside a bed and breakfast, in front of their families.
Mr. and Mrs!
Many blessings to you guys! May your generosity be abundantly returned to you two in your life together!

And its high time to blog about my summer apart from weddings. Coming soon!

Joel & Stacie and a few of my favorite things

Every once in a while, wedding photography becomes a job, just like everything else (shocking, I know). :) Then along come couples like Joel and Stacie... There were many times throughout the day where I thought to myself, "that is one of my favorite things about weddings".

I liked Joel and Stacie right away. Down to earth and sincerely interested in other people, even though they are completely into each other. Joel is so attentive to Stacie and makes her so happy. Stacie is sweet and laid back as can be. That would be enough right there, but there's more! A few of my favorite things...

1). A FUN wedding party. This is at the rehearsal dinner.
Joel and many of the wedding party played football together, hence the football theme.2). Awesome wedding shoes.
3). Sweet "first meetings"...
Did I mention the fun bridal party?
4). Cool churches with big stained glasses.

5). Great venues! If anyone is getting married in the Goshen area, check out the Spohn ballroom. Just beautiful.
6). Some couples dance their first dance and then barely see each other throughout the rest of the evening. Not so with Joel and Stacie. They hardly left each others side, having so much fun together. Another one of my favorite things.
7). Marvelous get-aways. This picture might be might be my desktop right now. I love it that much. (is that weird?)
Thank you so much Joel and Stacie. I and my fantastic assistant, Christine, had such a good time. I pray that your lives together are blessed as you bring so much life and joy to everyone around you!