...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