For months now, a group of 13 of us have been meeting every week, to prepare for our trip/mission to Spain next week.
Spain holds a special place in my heart for reasons unknown to me.... what I do know is that I love the culture, the food (after hating it of course!), the people, and the diverse beauty of the landscapes and cityscapes.
In 2001, I lived in Valencia, Spain for a summer studying business half of each week and traveling the rest. We went to Madrid, Toledo, Ibiza, Barcelona, and other small cities closer to Valencia. After I thought I'd had a taste of Spain, a few of us ventured off to Paris for a week and Dublin, Ireland for another week. That's before the Euro was in place and the dollar still had tremendous value over there.
Every night, we enjoyed dinner at 9 or 10pm and sat outdoors for hours until the wee hours of the night. Some nights, we'd walk the mile from where we lived to the beach and danced the night away, learning new native dances with fancy footwork from my friend Imane from Casa Blanca, Morocco. We arrived home just in time for breakfast in the cafeteria at 5am. Siestas every day were normal - the shades in the room blocked out the light completely and the beds were hard as a rock, but we didn't care. Life was slower in Spain... people cared most about spending time with other people.
That was a long time ago and I expect much has changed....
Now we're embarking on a mission to go over and support our new friends in Seville, Spain. They started a church there under a tree in a park ... it's one of the only Christian churches in Spain and one of the largest now too with just about fifty members. This will be my second mission trip in just as many years. This one is so different though because we won't be putting on a conference or building anything. It's taken a LOT of time, prayer, and support preparing for it and we are all SOOOO excited for our departure on Tuesday and some events we have planned this weekend.
Here is a pic of all of us up in Rome, GA a few weekends ago -- we had a pretty interesting team-building retreat up there and they even got me up on the tightropes 30 feet in the air - yikes (yep, I'm scared of heights).
I leave with a weight off my back as I've had ample time to get "caught up" per-say these past few weeks. Thousands of emails and tasks down to a final few that I'll have time for this weekend. Sara is here and will be taking care of everything while I am away of course. Thank you to everyone who is involved in supporting this movement in all the ways that you are!!
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Friday, February 29, 2008
Mission, Spain: 5 Days Away
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Mrs. Confused Mother Nature
I can't believe it ... on Monday we were SURE Spring was here early... then I woke up and came down stairs to see SNOW sitting out this morning!!
Mother Nature can't make up her mind!!
Grace has been EXTRA curious lately. She can now jump straight onto the counters. Mikey told me I'd need to "get a holster for the kitty-modification device" (aka Water Sprayer) now that they're being extra bad. Hahaha. 
Apparently her fur coat just isn't QUITE warm enough for her!
Post a CommentTuesday, February 26, 2008
Whatever you do for the least of these....
Everyone has a story. Everyone has a voice. It's time to let that voice be heard.
(press play above on left)
Friday, February 22, 2008
My 2008 Resolution Unveiled
Previously posted HERE:
Okay, okay... in all seriousness, I'm here to tell you the REAL reason why I've been MIA in 2008. I've got something in my life for the FIRST TIME since I've been an adult. Actually, I don't remember a time I had this since before I was in JR High School!! It's something very foreign to me and has been a gradual change for 2008. It's actually my MAIN 2008 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION. (No, I haven't posted it yet!) There is an surprisingly small percentage of working Americans who have this.
Can you guess what it is??
Yes - MARGIN is the answer!!
I came to realize recently that my body has slowly been breaking down... trying to tell me something... fighting against me. Trying to tell me that I need to SLOW DOWN and JUST SAY NO more often. Perhaps it's the long list of things I've kept busy with lately ... or the fact that I can't remember the last time I've been 100% healthy ... or when I realized that this week and next is the first time I've been home for two-three weeks at a time in a year!! WOW.
While my resolutions could cover many areas.... loose weight, eat right, get more sleep, stay home more, read more, dance more, give more, save and invest more, spend more time with friends and family, etc, etc.... they're all simply ailments of one root cause: Not Having Margin in my life.
I honestly don't remember the last time (if ever in my life) that I didn't have stuff all scheduled out. Between school, dance 6 days a week when I was little, working since I was a teenager, then all the extracurriculars and volunteer work I always take on..... time to Just Be Available has been slim to none.
Articles like this back my theory that it's an increasingly prevalent problem in the culture we live in, and not just me. For example: "When surveyed, Americans report that they have only sixteen and a half hours of leisure a week, after the obligations of job and household are taken care of. Working hours are already longer than they were forty years ago. If present trends continue, by the end of the century Americans will be spending as much time at their jobs as they did back in the nineteen twenties."
Andy Stanley puts it plainly and spells it out well in the "Take it to the Limit" 6-part series which you can listen to here. You can also download the free podcast on iTunes I think.
January ended up being a LOT busier than anticipated but I've finally found some Margin this past week and am looking forward to some EXTREME MARGIN in April. In fact, I've purposefully NOT scheduled ANYTHING for April yet. Even part of March. SO from MARCH 20 through MAY 1 I'm going to do the impossible and just See What Happens.
Opps...I do have to amend my previous statement. I have a single afternoon charity commitment that I made back last fall. But that is it. I'm tempted to schedule a Boot Camp and a bunch of photo shoots for then... but I think I may just play it by ear... let each day hold a new surprise. Slow down. Practice saying "no" more often.
What would YOU do with SIX WEEKS of UNSCHEDULED time??
EDIT: I almost forgot about the contest! I've already got days off, a new house, an IRA, and a savings account. Mike is the only one that said "Margin" and was first so I guess it goes to him since not even he knew my resolution. Since he already has my copy of new favorite book (The Traveler's Gift)... guess he gets the new Dave Ramsey one instead!! Muaaahhhhaaa! Congrats! Fitting into size 2 jeans would be SUPER cool too.. or a horse... hmmmm.... possible '09 resolutions?!? Contests are fun... I think I'll do more!!
More of My Sister's Engagement Pics
Here's a few we took in this cool restaurant in downtown Raleigh, NC. 
They'll be getting married up in Ohio late this summer and I'll actually be on the OTHER side of the camera (well, most of the time) as I'm IN the wedding. LOL. Sara and Shyla are the photographers we're lucky enough to have covering the event officially.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Hope and Tragedy
It's with great sadness that I post this.
Caroline had such hope in her voice a week ago when I spoke with her on the phone about her husband, Bill. He'd been diagnosed and was recovering from an operation on a tumor they found in his brain weeks earlier, then unexpectedly suffered from a severe stroke. But there was still such hope in her voice. 
After his successful surgery, they'd talked fondly of their memories of Cabo and hopes to return on their 5 year anniversary to renew their vows. Life had taken a sudden turn for their family, and they had new eyes to see the importance of what we do as professional photographers. 
Just over a year ago, I'd had the pleasure of spending time with Bill and Caroline Johnson in Cabo San Lucas during the Xtreme Seminar Jess and I put on there. Bill came for the business and Caroline was excited about the photography. One of the highlights of the week was watching the transformation Caroline had one day during their free time.... she'd stayed up while Bill napped and made a bunch of spreadsheets...crunching numbers! He reported this to me amongst Caroline's excitement and was so proud of her he glowed. There was whale-watching trips for them with fellow photographers and first-dance re-enactments while Jess demonstrated her lighting techniques. We adventured the streets of Cabo together on a portrait bio-shoot and photo-safari. One thing was clear between them... the support and love they had for each other. 
It seems nothing but a pure tragedy that he passed this weekend... I cannot imagine what Caroline, their daughter, and family are going through. Please pray for comfort and healing as they grieve such a great lost. You may leave messages for Caroline HERE. 
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Why have I been MIA in 2008 ?? CONTEST!!!
Dear faithful blog readers,
I have been a blog-slacker in 2008. Yes, I admit it. That's step #1 of the ten-step recovery plan for being a blog-slacker.
Okay, okay... in all seriousness, I'm here to tell you the REAL reason why I've been MIA in 2008. I've got something in my life for the FIRST TIME since I've been an adult. Actually, I don't remember a time I had this since before I was in JR Hight School!! It's something very foreign to me and has been a gradual change for 2008. It's actually my MAIN 2008 NEW YEARS RESOLUTION. (No, I haven't posted it yet!) There is an surprisingly small percentage of working Americans who have this.
Can you guess what it is?? 
Some things I've been up to in the first 50 days of 2008 (that I'll be blogging between now and when I leave for Spain in early March):
Travel to/through:
- Miami and Sarasota, FL
- Honduras
- Belize
- Mexico
- Grand Caymen
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Denver
- Vail
- Seattle
- Detroit
- Rome (GA)
Books Reading/Read:
- The Traveler's Gift
- Meatball Sundae
- Redeeming Love
- Spanish Dictionary ;)
- The new Dave Ramsey Book
Tried for the 1st Time:
- Zip-lining through the jungle
- ATVs in jungle mud
- Cave-Tubbing
- Belizian beer - ick!!
- Photographing chickens en Mexico
- Surviving Montezuma's Revenge
- Driving for 18+ hours in less than 24 hours
- Going to Vail and NOT skiing
- Speaking for 8 hours in one day in front of a larger audience
- Walking across a tightrope 30 feet in the air
- A new portrait-book lab
- Shopping at an indoor Farmer's Market
- "Fluidity" dance class
- Wearing sexy black dress that sister shipped me for her wedding this August
- Eggplant croquets
- Macaroni and Cheese Pizza - ick!!
- UGG boots
- A lunch place called "Lettuce Souprise You!"
- Whirlyball
- Getting DISC-analyzed
Some other things I've been up to:
- Taking a vacation
- Visiting my grandma
- Transitioning house between roomies
- Teaching THREE Photo Biz Boot Camps and speaking all day at TWO PPA state winter conventions in less than 30 days!!
- Practicing my Spanglish at dinner with mission group and guests from Spain
- Trying to keep my teenage kittens from mutilating the furniture with their nails
- Working on Extreme Bedroom Makeover
- Fund-raising
- Volunteering
- Painting
- Cooking Again
- Contemplating being able to give up fast-food and start eating before 1pm again
- Unlimited Classes at Dance 101
- Taking Pictures ;)
- Going to The Ballet for V-day
- Cooking large vat of Noodle Soup for me, BF, and all friends who are fighting nasty winter flu-bugs
- Checkin' In with Design Team to see about album and photo-progress
- Victoria-Secret-Like fashion/portrait shoots
- Going to the Movies
- QT with BF who is currently at 102-degrees temperature, poor guy!
- Chilling at home by the fireplace
- Working on TOP Secret project for a convention next month in Vegas ;)
Check back Friday to find out what my 2008 RESOLUTION is and what I've got in my life for the FIRST time since I've been old enough to drive!!! The first person to guess what it is gets a free copy of my new favorite book mailed to them next week!!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Jump into Greece
this monster canvas resting against the wall (it's a 40x60 inch print
from a picture I took in Zante Greece this past summer). I kept
hearing funny noises only to discover the kitties seemed to want to
jump into the picture. Hahaaaa!
To minimize further kitty-abuse, I decided to hang it again right
away. Grace STILL found a way to admire (and try to jump into) the
art! LOL. I think she would rather be a Greek kitten..... Hmmmmm....
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Romeo and Juliet Ballet
day :) Happy Valentines Day!!!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Bath Time
I'm finally home for a while and am trying to take it easy as I've
been fighting being sick for a while now. I'm looking forward to
doing normal stuff again like going grocery shopping and sleeping in
for a change this weekend :)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Belles of the Ball
awards ceremony but I prefer the term 'the ball'!!). Here's a self
portrait of me and my new friend Shonna on our way ...
Monday, February 4, 2008
Pretty Woman
posch Mariott up here in Michigan (I'm speaking at the PPM winter
convention tomorrow) and was bombarded by my new photographer friends
with ideas on what to wear for the banquet tonight. You see, I didn't
know there is a banquet nor that its semi-formal so they wisked me
upstairs and put together an ensemble to wear. The fab Deb Sportel
lent me these amazing shoes :) off to the ball....
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Honduras Boy and Jungle Highs
The water was only a few degrees cooler than my preferred bath-water-temperature... but the sun was blazing by two in the afternoon so it was perfect, and clear.
A little boy ran down the small hill of sand into the ocean with a ball as his floaty... waving off his mother and aunt who sat in the shade of a tree a few hundred yards away.
I was still getting over the high of swinging from the trees of the jungle canopy... attached by some wires, hooks, and ropes.... watching my life flash before me while simultaneously trying to enjoy the beauty that came with whizzing through the air at such heights. Trees made way to small views of the ocean below... then across lakes and bridges and people playing in the sand.... at one point my safety could not be attached because it would stop me from accelerating. I had to go without, knowing if the wire broke, that was it.
I look back, a month later almost, Honduras was by far my favorite of the destinations of the trip (yes, it even beat out Belize!) Maybe it was the pictures I took in my head going across the jungle canopy, hundreds of feet in the air... or perhaps the memory of the Honduras Boy that sat peacefully in the ocean, reminding me to slow down a bit... 
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Charlie Bit My Finger
.... nope, not my Kitten (soon to be cat!) Charlie.... (though he does bite my finger on occasion!)
.....it's the adorable rugrats in this YouTube video. We were in a funny mood up in the mountains last week and watched this repeatedly for tear-jerking laughs. Somehow I don't think this would be 1/2 as cute and funny if it were American lads....
This Time Last Year
I just got home from an INSANE first few weeks of 08.... vacationing, teaching, speaking, meetings, volunteer work, and photo shoots. It's AWESOME to be home for a few days!!
Mike and I were out to dinner tonight and chatting about where we were this time last year. Crazy how quick a year goes and how much has changed.
This time last year I was in Cabo San Lucas teaching the Xtreme Seminar with Jess, enjoying amazing views from our Villa.
Jazzy, JD, and the Florins came to help, as did mom and sis.
Jazzy trying to avoid the Cabo school busses
the Super Haut Photo Pair, Kristin and Steven Florin
And thanks to our neighbors for the week (Porsche was having their convention next door) we had a fireworks display every night right in front of our infinity pool.
Last but most importantly, if you could please say a prayer for the Johnsons. They are amazing photographers out of FL that we were lucky to get to know this time last year. They found out this week that Bill has a brain tumor and is undergoing surgery today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
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