Creating, for the sake of creating

It’s funny, I actually started off taking pictures of myself.  If you’ve ever seen my Flickr stream, it’s filled with photos I took behind my house on self timer.  Why in the world did I do this? Sometimes I want to slap my forehead in regret.  But, really I don’t regret the time i spent quietly taking these photos--and there was reason for them.  For one, there wasn’t always someone around to take pictures of.  I wanted to capture light, mixed with life, and I wasn’t going to sit around and wait till I found someone.  Also, I didn’t mind being alone.  This was high school for me. Looking back, the pictures I took were special to me then, and are special to me now.   

I don’t think I realized it then, but I was expressing something in these pictures.

I was searching for more in life, more of God and more of who I was in God.  It was hard to know where he was. Everything in my community and at school seemed trivial.  But, I did feel alive when capturing shifting light across my face. Looking back, he was there.  With me in my aimless, quiet walks around my neighborhood.  With me while I silently chased light.  

It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I realized how important these photos were to me.  My friend Pedro and I were jokingly looking at my Flickr stream. I was shocked when he liked some of my old photos.  Being the honest critic and friend that he is, he actually scolded me for not taking more photos like I had in the past. He liked the photos because they were unique.  Instead of waiting for someone to express what I wanted to express, I had just gone ahead and did it myself.  In a way, I agree. I often find myself copying other people’s style of photos.  It is one thing to be inspired by others, but I don't want to blindly reproduce carbon copies of our culture's idea of trendy art. 

I don't want to lose moments of where God is, in the still, silent moments of creating just for the sake of creating.  

For in him all things were created: 
things in heaven and on earth, 
visible and invisible, 
whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; 
all things have been created through him and for him.

-Colossians 1:16

Moving Onward

Waco, TX

This dear friend, Paige, recently graduated.  She's moving back to Chicago and will be dearly missed.  She is lovely, kind and refreshingly goofy.  

I am so excited to see where life takes her. :) Love ya Pae! 

Waiting

Are you already here?
Did i miss your arrival? 
Am I learning patience, or am i not digging deep enough? 
Am I learning faithfulness, or searching in the wrong place? 
When will you come? 
Where are you? 
Who are you? 
What am i waiting for? 
why are you so hard to find? 

------------------ Or,   is it 

               in the waiting,
               in the silence,
in the honest frustration
           in the searching,

 that i find you

as I am.

Accepted

loved

and looked upon with pleasure.

Kate Ross

Waco, TX

These are friends I've gotten to hang out with every thursday afternoon.  I've been so lucky to get to go to kids club since my freshman year. Some of these kids I've known for 4 years! 
I love these pictures and I hope you do to.