I am so glad you're here!  This is my little corner where I get to share some of my most favorite images from engagements, weddings, births, my travels and my own little family from time to time.  Hang out, look around, and please reach out to say hello!

explore:

welcome to my

home on the web

Weddings

births

Engagements

Families

Photography

December 1, 2015

2015 Pursuit Conference | Winshape Retreat Center

I have no idea how it’s December already.  This time last year we were waiting for the new year to come because that meant Catherine would be joining us soon!  And now she’s already been with us for 9.5 months!  The other thing this means is that it’s been 2 months since the Pursuit Conference… and I’m just now blogging about it.  It’s embarrassing actually.

October was busy so I thought for sure I’d get this blogged in November.  But it seems November came and went more quickly than ever.  But to go back, two months later, to these photos and my notes has been a sweet reminder of many things…

  • this conference is always good for my faith and my soul
  • these women who were once “online friends” are now real life friends
  • the vulnerability that takes place at the Pursuit Conference (shoot, at Winshape really!) is incredible and incredibly freeing
  • God always goes before us to prepare our hearts for whatever it is He has in store for us that week
  • taking Greenville friends this year was more fun than I imagined!  And now they understand why I keep going back :-)

At the beginning of the week, I was asked why I was there.  And it took me a few minutes to realize that I needed rest.  Not just sleep, but REST from everything that had the ability to take my attention away from Him.  And I can see even more clearly now that a week away at the beginning of a jam packed couple of months was preparation for what was coming.  How perfect is His timing!!

Towards the end of the week, I had a brief conversation with the wonderful Julie Story (the beautiful and talented woman who designed my website last year!)… not only is Julie one of the most encouraging people you will ever meet, but she has the gift of digging deeper to figure out – or help you figure out – what’s going on inside.  And as she asked me what God had been teaching me during the week, I realized that what He wanted me to know, to remember, to take home, to not forget is that I am a daughter of the King.

He loves me.  He protects me.  He gives me strength.  He gives me courage.  He gives me peace.  He gives me hope.  He gives.
And all because I am His child.

All of which is an amazing reminder for the beginning of this holiday season.  He gives ALL of us ALL of this not because we deserve it, but simply because He loves us.  And He’s able to give it all to us because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.  It’s an incredible gift!

Karen Stott founded Pursuit several years ago and she talks about the why for the conference in this year’s video (watch it here!).

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-101

The ever wonderful Mary Marantz :-)

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-102 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-103 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-104 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-105

Jess Connolly is amazing.

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-106

And then came one of my favorite parts of the conference… eating dinner with friends as we watched the sun set!

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-107

I mean, how beautiful is this??

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-108

But first, there were photos to be taken :-)

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-109 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-110

The adorable red head in the center is Katelyn James and the lovely girls around her are some of her brides.  And they’re all wonderful!

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-111

I’m pretty sure I’m the oldest person in this photo by at least 5 or 6 years.  But I’m ok with that because these girls are amazing.  They’ve done so much for my faith and my business and the ones I’ve gotten to know over the years have encouraged me SO much.  I just love them.

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-112 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-113 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-114 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-115

These three ladies?  Well, Kristy, Kendra and Kim all made the drive with me from Greenville.  Somehow I finally convinced them to come with me and I LOVED LOVED LOVED having them there!  These girls are a part of my photography community at home and I’m pretty sure if it wasn’t for them and several others in Greenville that I may have closed the doors to my business ages ago.

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-116 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-117 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-118

I had not met or heard of Carlos Whittaker before the conference, but he was incredible.  And HILARIOUS!

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-119 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-120 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-121 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-122

This is Lindsey Lenae who shot the video this year.  Isn’t she adorable??

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-123

And, as always, it’s difficult to go to Winshape and not photograph the beautiful campus.

PursuitConference2015-Winshape-124 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-125 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-126 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-127 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-128 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-129 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-130 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-131 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-132 PursuitConference2015-Winshape-133

  1. Kendra says:

    Gosh I’m so thankful I got to go to the conference this year and be there with you!! This post has me all sorts of wanting to be back there!! I know you’re only just down the highway but I do miss you friend and looking forward to when life slows down a tad to catch back up with you and Kim & Kristy!! <3 so glad you posted this!! Needed a reminder of what God did that week and continues to do in my life and in the lives around me!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.