God works in mysterious ways

We never really know the extent to which we impact other people's lives. It was just this morning that I was thinking how true that is and thinking back over the last couple of days many moments seem to show just that.

This morning was no exception and I wanted to share the testimony with you.

While visiting my grandparents this morning my grandpa handed me a $5 bill and began to share the story behind it.

He knows a lady who is very poor, has many health conditions and lives in a very run down house. A member from James River Church recently went to her house to help her clean up and fix things up. The lady is not a believer but she later gave my grandpa that same $5 bill and told him that she had been carrying it around in her pocket for several weeks and wanted to give it as payment for the help she had received even though she knew payment was not required. She was very persistent that my grandpa take the money even though it was all she had.

My grandpa tells me all this with tears in his eyes and I can't help but think of the impact that she is going to have on the world, whether she knows it or not.

I can't tell you why she gave my grandpa that $5 bill but I do know that God works in mysterious ways.

Furthering God's kingdom may not always work out how we plan it to but people around the world will be touched by the gift from this woman because it is going to the Speed the Light offering at church.

I can't say that I would be able to share this testimony with you today had the man from the very church I go to not helped this lady out. It really goes to show that we never know the extent to which we impact the lives around us.

She may not even be expecting to reach the lives of people across the world but because she was touched by someone else she is doing just that.

I think this also goes to show that its okay to not know all the details. Had the man who went to help her been told by God that he would be helping missionaries across the world he probably would have been confused and given up because it didn't seem logical that by helping this woman that he would be helping missions. God truly does see the bigger picture and He knew that the effects of caring and helping would go far beyond just one person.

Learning

Ever find yourself in that place where you have a lot to say but you just aren't sure how to say it?

I find myself there a lot and being shy doesn't seem to help the situation. I can say that I have grown a lot the past few month as I am being shaped by Jesus and through friends and family He is teaching me what it means to change that.

I find myself simply observing and taking everything in during most situations and through that I have learned that every one has their own thoughts, pieces of advice, and wisdom to offer. All of it being equally important because a few simple words can often spark something in your own heart or even change it; and if nothing else what is being spoken is meant to be heard.

I know I have been given the blessing of patience and a listening ear for a reason. One of these days God is going to allow me to invest in others and share all that I am storing up. Such a cool thought when I take the time to think about it :)

I am growing, changing, and learning to stand on my own and I am blessed to have Jesus and some amazing friends on my side.

*Out of habit I have been uploading a new picture taken by me with each post. I really wasn't sure what picture I was going to upload but when I came to this one I figured I could tie it in somehow. My thought being- though in constant motion its okay to take the time to see beauty in things that we may not normally see beauty in. Look at something with an open heart and new perspective and most of all take chances. Now explanation on the picture- it was taken while standing on the moving train that goes to the different concourses through the Denver airport. I couldn't find how fast the train goes but the speed advance very quickly and it was a challenge to stay standing and capture the shot. I wasn't expecting much but just taking the chance to capture something different turned out to be something worth keeping. :)

Wedding and Vacation Fun :)

My sister and I were blessed to have the opportunity to be bridesmaids in our aunt's wedding. Though there were a few rough spots along the way this weekend has probably been the closest thing to a vacation that our family has done.

Here is a rough overview of our trip. :)

• Our journey started at around 11pm thursday night. We packed up the car and headed out to KC so we could catch our 4am flight to Denver. We got to the north side is Springfield and had to turn around and go back to Nixa because my mom's truck was still having problems (it had been in the shop 4 times that week). So we got home and reloaded everything into my little Geo. We left Nixa...again...at around midnight.
• We landed in Denver around 7am and went to breakfast with the rest of the family before our 2 hour ride up the mountain to Vail. Memories were definitely made during breakfast because my family was exhausted and slightly delirious from getting such little sleep. A new name was made for the bride and groom (Shane and Jamie are now Shamie and Jane) and it has stuck ever since.
• The Condos in Vail were like castles. I have never seen or experienced anything close to them before. There were at least 9 rooms all with 2 or more beds and the upstairs have 5+ beds in each room. On the second night we had the entire 3 floor rented out. The view of the mountains was amazing!
• Preparing for the wedding was slightly chaotic but in the end the wedding was beautiful. My sister and I were escorted by the tallest groomsman which made for a funny moment that will be remembered.
• I had a little bit of a rough time being at 8000 feet since I was sick before I left for the trip and the air is so dry and thin up there. Started on my second round of antibiotics and hoping they will do the trick. Since I wasn't feeling well I didn't get any pictures the first night and I was a little disappointed with the quality of some of the pictures I took- I think there is a little lesson within it all though because I was reminded that I have to look at all situations and pictures with an open mind and open eyes. Sometimes I have to remind myself to step back and not be so hard on myself.
• I got the chance to visit a little with the wedding photographers there and since they were shooting with canon also I was able to help them out. They filled up ten 4gig cards while shooting raw but they forgot their cable reader. Luckily I had mine so they were able to dump the card to their laptop and continue shooting. They also had a photo booth type set up and they were asking for someone who could "jump" so just for fun I did a ring leap and they captured it perfectly (not many I have come in contact with can capture that) so I am super excited to see their pictures. It was really fun doing pictures with them as part of the bridal party.
• Our plane ride home was definitely a stretch of my comfort zone since it was so chaotic. One of those moments where I had to remind myself to breathe. There were so many people at the Denver airport and many of the flights were messed up because of high winds. Our flight had a gate change and we had to wait on another plane to come in before we could leave. It was a very bumpy ride but we got to KC around 1am and we were home around 5am.

Thankful to be home and for all the beautiful memories. Can't wait to see all my lovely friends :)

Above is a picture I took of my mom and sister getting ready and below is a picture my mom got during the wedding of my sister and I.

The Sweet Soul of a Child

Children seem to remind me of the simplicity and love that is important in life. Their innocence makes for some very sweet moments.

Today I had the privilege of photographing the 2 year old twins I watch. We had a great time racing around the yard, exploring, playing with scarves, and taking pictures.

My heart smiles every time I hear 'ee-ah' because I know they are calling out to me. It amazes me how much they comprehend and understand. They tell me "good bye" and "safe home" when I leave them and I am usually greeted by hugs and kisses.

I absolutely love being around these two precious souls and I love how unique they both are.

These pictures are just two of the many from our fun afternoon.

The rest of the pictures can be found on facebook under Allecait Photography.

God Be Praised

I find myself writing out of excitement and energy. This is the first night in a while that I have actually felt well. Sunday afternoon naps are the best. :)

So much has gone on in the last few weeks and there is so much more to come.

My family flies out at 4am friday morning for my aunts wedding and starting the packing process today made me realize how excited I am for the trip. Then I also realized how nervous I am about flying. Hopefully all will go smoothly will the flight as I am sure God will have his hand on everything.

It has been kind of crazy this past week trying to get ready for our trip and then finding out that I perforated my other eardrum which means both of my ears are now perforated. We are planning on getting a second opinion once we get back from our trip and hopefully they will provide some insight as to any other option besides surgery. For now it is antibiotics to hopefully get rid of the infection. It felt nice to actually have a little bit of my energy back tonight.

It was a lovely afternoon visiting a friend at his graduation party and then spending some time chatting with a new friend that God has placed in my life. I went home smiling after talking with her.

Not to mention I think I am actually truly liking someone for the first time...perhaps that has something to do with making my heart feel the way it does. Its so crazy to be in the position I am now; a lot of heart searching has made me realize some things and by realizing that I can be loved I actually find myself in a place where I am okay with liking someone else. :)

I have seen so many opened doors of opportunity for photography and I am amazed at God's blessing. So happy that He works even in the smallest of details.

Thanks to God and his provisions I find myself in a genuinely happy place. I am learning I can stand on my own and that God will provide strength and blessing at just the perfect times.

He has surrounded me with people who love me and are very dear to my heart.

So much more that I don't even know how to put into words. Perhaps eventually all that tumbles around in my head will find a way to make sense and then I will share it with you.

Christians Can Have Fun Too

Whoever says that christians don't have fun is definitely wrong.

This evening Echo life group went to the Springfield Victory Mission to help out. Not only did we have a great time but it is such an amazing feeling to know that God is working within those very people we were connecting with.

I think that by merely going in with smiles on our faces and just a happy attitude for Jesus really brightened the place up and allowed the people there to see Jesus through us.

Though not every verbally expressed their thanks I think most were moved on the inside by the simple act of caring.

It was so fun to serve them dinner and spend time with friends; our lives were touched in the process as well.

Not to mention the many laughs on the car ride there and back home. I guess that is just what happens when you squish four girls in the back seat of a mini van because you are carrying 8 passengers in a 7 passenger van.

God is so good and it has been one amazing evening.

I am also very excited to say that I have been asked to show again for art walk next month! Wow. Such a blessing from God.

Here is one of my latest photos. Beauty frozen in time. So perfect and lovely!

So This Is What It Feels Like To Live Life

The last couple weeks of my life have carefully guided by Jesus. I have witnessed Him moving in my life in so many different ways that it just leaves me in awe. That isn't to say that there aren't down moments....they just seem to be easier to get through with Jesus on my side.

Discipleship through the church has definitely made me stronger and I have witnessed how God can use somebody small like me to do big things.

Echo life group is going strong and God has allowed me to connect with some of the students there. I am finding that I have a lot in common with a new friend and I am so thankful that she has come into my life. God has big plans for her and I think he is allowing me to invest in her. It's really cool how by investing in others you also invest in yourself. (I was also given the opportunity to take senior pictures for one the students of my life group and they turned out great!)

Art Walk this past weekend went great. It was such a blessing from God to get the opportunity to show some of my photography and I was even asked to show again next month. So cool! Throughout the night I heard positive comments and everyone seemed to really enjoy the photos. I love that God is allowing me to show the beauty of the world through my eyes.

A new website is up and running @ www.allecait.com. Some of my work can be found there and as more kinks are worked out more photos will go up.

I am also really excited to have the privilege to be a bridesmaid in my aunts wedding in a couple of weeks. Of course the camera is going with me and I can't wait to see what shots I can get. :)

So many other little moments in my life that are definitely Jesus moments. Even the little things seem to matter so much more as I know they are little gifts from God.

One of those moments being at our life group cook out when one of my leaders sat down next to me and we sat together sharing a quilt. She is an amazing woman of God and I am thankful for her influence on my life.I was especially touched by this small act that might go unnoticed by most but since things like that don't normally happen it is something I will remember.

Everyone needs those extra little moments that shows them they are love and it just goes to show that sometimes it is the little things that touch the hearts of those around you the most. :)

A Heart Touched by God

Lately my heart has been touched by the little blessings around me. God is definitely moving in my heart and as I surrender it to Him I see him show up more and more. I look around and I see God's hand moving in everything I do. :) It is such a cool thing to witness and even though I find it hard to put into words it always seems to make my heart smile.

This week has been a week of boldness, courage, and sweet moments that I will hold onto forever.

I know that God is big especially after I saw how He used me this week and changed lives of those who were broken.

I was also very touched by some of the friends God has placed in my life and their sweet actions. :)

The photo above was themed around the thought of sitting down and taking the time to talk to God. When my sister said that she was talking to coach I felt my heart catch. She lost a a mentor, a coach and most of all a friend this year and my heart was touched by the innocence of her thoughts.

My sister and I shared a moment of remembrance today for a friend, knowing that she has gone to be with Jesus and that was all part of his plan.