changing seasons

So we are officially in the dead of winter here in Pittsburgh, and I have been dreaming of warmer weather and springtime. :)  It is freezing outside though, and I'm afraid I'll be waiting for a while.  But I've been thinking about the seasons we go through in life, and how often I miss the beauty of the season I'm in because I'm too anxious for it to pass.  I'm finding, however, that every season is beautiful in it's own way - it may not be as exciting or as full of life as another, but the little moments of beauty are always there.

What path are you walking...what season of life are you going through right now?  Is it spring?  Has God's faithfulness just seen you through a difficult time, and are you on the brink of a new adventure?  The world seems to come alive again, and the beauty is getting easier to see.  "Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.  Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth..." {Isaiah 42:9-10}

Maybe you're walking through the long, golden days of summer...life is truly beautiful, and you can feel it pulsing with joy and energy throughout each day.  "Oh how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for them that fear You; which You have wrought for them that trust in You..."  {Psalm 31:19}

Autumn comes along, and all of a sudden the air starts feeling a little cool.  Your path seems to be leading away from people and things familiar and dear to you, and you sense that change is inevitable.  You know that summer is leaving, and that goodbyes are coming - goodbyes to dear friends, to precious memories..."Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." {Joshua 1:9}

If the path you're walking now is through a season of winter...your heart feels cold and dead, and you wonder what God is doing...remember that as we wait upon Him, He is working life in us, and is in the process of making all things new.  "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you...I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." {Is.43:2,19}

May God's peace fully cover you today, whatever season you are walking through.  And may He give us the grace to find the beauty in this moment, in this step along the path of life.  Blessings to you my friends,

Rachel Elisabeth

...beautiful life

I've considered starting a blog before.  But I always used excuses to justify my laziness...there's already too much information out there...does anyone really want to follow another photography blog??  The more I thought about it, however, I realized that each of us has a story to tell.  Each person walking by faith in God is living a beautiful life, and His faithfulness in my day to day life is a story worth telling.  It may not feel beautiful at times...it may not look beautiful...but I know for sure that His thoughts toward me and plans for my future are beautiful, and good.  

"Thus says the Lord, 'Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work,' declares the Lord....'There is hope for your future'."  {Jeremiah 31:16-17}

So my goal for this blog is to share a little part of the beautiful life God is working in me, and give you hope in His plans for you.  I love photography because it gives me the chance to capture glimpses of His beauty in the little things...in special moments...

...in the eyes of a laughing child...

...in reflective times...

...and even in our confusion and wondering...

The photos in this post were from my trip last year to the Dominican Republic.  I've been thinking about it a lot lately, as it's been almost exactly a year, and there is a small group from our church going back down soon.  I look at these pictures and remember that even in the midst of unbelievable poverty, God's beauty can be found.  His people are still loving Him, still praising Him...and inspiring me to look beyond my circumstances and remember my source of true Life.

Thanks to those of you who take a few moments to read what God is doing in my little corner.  To be honest, I kind of started blogging for selfish reasons too. :)  I need some motivation to keep practicing my photography and to work on my editing skills (which are sadly lacking, I'm afraid...).  And it's always good to take some time to sit and remember what the Lord has been doing...too often I keep rushing forward without taking a few moments to look at the good things He's done.  I'm very grateful for each of you, and for the blessing of your friendship.  

"Praise the Lord!  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast 

love endures forever! {Psalm 106:1}

Rachel Elisabeth