Proverbs 27:17

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." {Proverbs 27:17}

I have the dearest of friends. And Heather, she lies in the category of longest and dearest of the dear. She has a heart of gold and would do anything in her ability to help a friend. She will always have your back and as loyal as they come. So, this exactly how I knew I could sucker her into letting me use her as a test subject today.

And, she graciously played along as I drug her through the woods with my entry level camera and basic lens. She let me act like a real photographer telling her where {and how} to sit, where to look, what face to make. She was SUCH a good sport. 

I'm currently learning how to focus correctly, how to angle well, and basically how to do everything except click the button to take a picture. But, practice makes perfect. And these are far from perfect. But they will forever be special to me. 

{Don't hate me for the last one Heather, you're just too cute!}

Thankful for dear friends that support me no matter what crazy plan I come up with. And thankful for the time and energy they are willing to put into my crazy plans.

Joy Does Not Depend On Circumstance

{Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.} James 1:2-4

Joy, as with beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It is easy to look at our circumstances and think of what it could be, should be, or what we want it to be. To look at others circumstances and feel ours are not up to par. To wish our circumstances could be what they used to be. 

Looking at others, wishing for something else, not appreciating what we are, what we have, where we are. These are joy thieves. Though, we should not allow them to be. We let these let things creep in and blind us from where true joy comes from. Joy is not dependent upon our job, financial status, relationship status, location, or anything aside from knowing our status in the arms of Christ's grace and mercy. 

When we begin to look at all we have been given that we don't deserve {life} and what we haven't been given that we do deserve {death}.. THAT is when we begin to find joy {true joy} in the every day life, because we have just that.. LIFE!

I personally let too many things steal my joy. I often find myself not content with all that I am truly blessed with {I shamefully think I deserve more} Joy and contentment come hand in hand. When we are content in what we DO have day to day and don't let what we don't have cause discontentment, we are on our way to true joy. My prayer for this week is to find joy in the everyday {in the little things} The things that show I am blessed just to be a live. I pray you may try for the same. 

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." {Philippians 4:11}

What I Want

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal.”

Paulo Coelho's words of truth run especially deep in my life.

I fear routine, a mundane life off working a 9-5 {or dreadfully earlier AND later hours} 

Doing the same thing day in and day out.

This is perfect for some people though, some people find beauty and peace in knowing exactly what's going to happen in each coming day.

{I wish I were one of these people at times, life would be easier}

I, though, I do not crave such a life. I crave adventure. Change. Travel. Inconsistency. 

Spontaneity is what I find to be most fantastic. 

I hate plans. I enjoy  last minute decisions. 

Life is a constant adventure, and I am constantly craving more adventure.

In the last year I have climbed and conquered many mountains. 

{take your pick, figurative or literal.. I've done both}

And I know I have many more mountains to come..

I have a silly dream of starting my own business.

Of taking pictures for fun and a living.

This will bring me adventure. Inconsistency. Mountains.

And I am excited for all of the struggles this will bring me.

Every {adventure, mountain, issue, lesson} will be beautiful.