I have been trying for what seems like hours to put last week into words.  But each time I try, it all seems so fake and superficial.  Which is exactly the opposite of what last week was.

For whatever reason, it wasn’t until Thursday morning that I felt full there… when Lara Casey, Emily Ley and Gina Zeidler led us through a shortened 3 hour version of Making Things Happen.  And that’s when I began to feel and see things changing… I put my fears onto paper.  I said them out loud.  Then I let God take them away.  For real this time.

I can’t tell you when it started to grab a hold of me, but the fear of losing Ben had started to settle in.  I was afraid of losing him because we didn’t find each other until we were through our twenties and also because I lost my dad when I was 14 which only made this fear more real and viable.  I’d gone through the same fear with losing my mom after my dad passed away and struggled with it again in college.  No, we aren’t promised tomorrow, nor are those we love most in this world, but that doesn’t mean we let that take hold of us.

An old boss of mine once said that fear and faith have the same definition… think about it.  In either case, you’re faced with a future of things unseen.  So are you going to be fearful of it or have faith that God will walk you through it?  So last week, in a circle of 50 other bold women, through tears that I couldn’t hold in, I said NO to this fear.  I said NO to letting it grip me.  I said NO to Satan trying to hold me down and keep me back from the things God wanted to use me for!  And it was such a sweet release…

The rest of that day, as Mary Marantz and Katelyn James got up to speak, was nothing but confirmation from the Lord that not only was I right where I was meant to be, but I was reassured through the words of these amazing ladies that our future was going to be amazing.

I’m more excited than ever to dive into work.  I’m more excited than ever to walk through engagements and weddings with our couples.  I’m more excited than ever about mine and Ben’s marriage.  I’m more excited than ever about our church, our ministry, and life.  I’m more excited than ever to see how God is going to work in and through all of this.

“We have this hope as an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast.”  Hebrews 6:19

My hope for each of you reading this is that you know about this hope.  Because as the waves and currents that ARE life throw us around, our anchor can be in Christ who is solid, steadfast, and trustworthy.

I’m so thankful for everyone who poured out into all of us last week.  If you’re a woman in a creative field and would like to attend next year’s conference, I’d love to see you there!!  (Check out the website here and the Facebook page here.)

Welcome to Winshape…

Bob Goff – the author of Love Does (which is now on my reading list!)

We had a 30 minute posing lesson with the ever lovely Mary Marantz.

And this is my new accountability partner, Makenzie!  Check out her work!

Wednesday afternoon some of us took a hayride to see more of Berry College’s campus.  It was a perfectly fall southern thing to do!

And if there are any brides that want to get married at the Frost Chapel, I would LOVE to photograph you there!  So beautiful!

Loved getting to see Anna and spend time with her last week!  We met at The Fix early last year and then attended Katelyn’s workshop not long after that.

Karen Stott… I’ve written you several notes in the past few months but now the world will know how much I adore you, how huge your heart is for the Lord, and how amazing you are for founding Pursuit31 and getting this conference together.  To put it in just a few words, I’m SO thankful for you.

This was just outside my window… so when I left my room Wednesday evening, my camera was in hand and ready to go.

Winshape as a whole is so beautiful and you feel like you’ve taken a step into the south of France…. aka a piece of heaven :-)

Each building even has a French name!

Hannah has a way with words like no one I’ve ever met…

After feeling a bit disconnected on Wednesday, I realized I needed to get up before breakfast and have some quiet time by the lake with nothing but my journal and bible.

Mary, thank you for helping us release our grips.

Katelyn, thank you for reminding us that our businesses don’t exist without Him.

Thursday afternoon Katelyn walked us through a mini-details shoot to show us how she goes about capturing details on a wedding day.  Not only do I love watching her work, but she is so genuine, caring and giving of her time and knowledge.  Love her.

This is my sweet friend, Caroline.  She was at Katelyn’s workshop with Anna and me last year.  She’s also the youngest wedding photographer I personally know.  And she’s SO talented!

Just loved the details and the gorgeous flowers by Gertie Mae’s Floral Studio.

Yay for mini-workshop reunions!
(Amanda is on the far left and you can check out her work here)

My two Carolines :-)

Caroline and Promise are hair twins.  No lie.

So thankful for these new friends…

Karen is due with their third little one on Christmas Eve, so we threw her a surprise baby shower Friday morning!  It was the perfect way to close things and tell her thank you.

No better way to leave than loaded up with hugs :-)
Laura Yang, center and Jessica Chavez, my roomie on the right!

So many thanks to these amazing sponsors!

Epiphanie | Think Tank | Kelly Moore Bags | JoTotes | LowePro | FotoStrap | Black Rapid |The Organic Bloom | ProPhoto Blog | Justin & Mary | Jeremy Cowart | Michelle Moore |Ashley Barnett Mitchell (Jen + Ashley) | Hannah Brencher | Jasmine Star | Galer.ee |Beautiful Photo Props | Kraft & Jute | MyPhotoApp | SiteHouse Design | Southern Wedding Magazine | Totally Rad Actions | Blogstomp | Fiducia | Bob Goff | Gina Zeidler |Katelyn James | Denim + Grace Magazine | Chic Critique Forum | L&S Lockets (Lukas & Suzy VanDyke) | The Mason Bar Company | PASS | Pixifi | Jordanne Marie Paper and Design Boutique | Mandipidy Art & Design | Daane Promotional Products