San Diego here I come!

Well, it's official. Next week I will pack my things and head for the west coast until May. I was accepted for an internship in the art/creative department for the most wonderful organization- Invisible Children!

CAUTION: This gets spiritual. ;)

This has been the longest process for any position that I have ever applied for and also the most moving. I first applied in November, completely last minute, and not thinking much of my decision. I was encouraged by a few people in my life to do so, so the day the applications were due(yea, talk about last minute!), I submitted my information not knowing what lie ahead. See, I'd applied for another internship only to be turned down a month later. I wasn't up for another rejection but I figured, heck...what do I have to lose? Well, the waiting process was quite longer than expected. I was eager and became increasingly impatient after the new year hit and I still had not heard a final word. Needless to say, spiritually I was becoming incredibly frustrated. This was something that I'd prayed about consistently since November...several times I found myself saying "God, where are you?!" But one thing is for sure-God's timing is ALWAYS perfect. I asked God since the beginning to shut the door if this was not His will. Yet the door was never closed. I'd hear one thing one week..then nothing for several weeks. It was as if God kept my hopes just high enough to keep me pushing toward this goal.

About three weeks ago I became incredibly worried. Most of my conversations with the Lord went something like this:
"God...hello? Are you there? Look, I've prayed and prayed and I'm getting nothing down here. I'm mad and impatient now. I asked you to slam that door shut. WHY DO I STILL NOT EVEN HAVE JUST A 'NO'? I NEED AN ANSWER...LIKE TODAY!"
Yeah, I was a big brat. Luckily, God knows I'm human.

Anyway, throughout the following weeks I would receive tidbits of information. Again, just enough to keep my hopes up. Finally the last two weeks God revealed a stirring in me about a particular "situation" taking place in my life-one totally separate from the internship. I even had a voice of affirmation a week ago telling me "Abby, it's time to move on". Brushing it off as best I could (although it pretty much consumed my thoughts) I went about the next week hoping for the IC answer and thinking of nothing else. Finally, this past Monday I reached a breaking point with the internship. During my lunch hour I walked to my car, looked to the sky and said "God, I'M DONE! I'm not holding onto this any longer!!!" (yes, three exclamations are necessary at this point)

5 minutes later I get a call from Invisible Children.

God would do that.

I'd given up and He came rushing in. Always on time. However, even Monday I did not receive the final answer. Well, that particular "situation", ya know the one totally separate from the internship? Well it came to surface that very night, was approached and it ended. The situation was over. Settled. The relationship done. And as much heartache as I felt that night, it dawned on me.

This was why the waiting process with Invisible Children was taking so long. I knew God wanted to strip me of particular relationships to do HIS work. It was no longer about me or Invisible Children's timing. It was solely Gods. And to my amazement, I had the most overwhelming sense of peace. I know this is going to be okay.

and the following day....I was accepted with Invisible Children.

Funny how God works, huh? I give up, I deal with issues in my life, and there He is. Where He was, waiting all along for me to take the burdens from me. I let go and finally let God and He delivered. (You'd think I'd get that this is how it works after years of believing in Jesus)

I tell you this long, drawn out story to give a testimony to fervent prayer and the moving of the Holy Spirit. Ever since high school I've had a pull toward the west coast. I even used to tell people that one day I'd live in California. I just knew.
My junior year of college I was introduced to Invisible Children and their amazing documentary. I had never looked outside America's borders until I saw the video and from them on, I was open to the idea of going overseas. A year later, the opportunity came along for me to go to Africa. And the year after. Now...3 years later, not only am I moving to the west coast, I am working for the very company that opened my heart and eyes to the very place I left my heart in 2007.

I know without a shadow of a doubt, God protected me throughout this waiting process. He wanted a situation to be confronted and he wanted to strip me of every fiber that could possibly hold me back in this upcoming adventure. I am so excited for the opportunities. I know the Holy Spirit is guiding every inch of this process!

My past is a testimony...my present is a testimony...all of Gods perfect timing.

I am so thankful. I've been SO humbled by this process (no more demanding of God!)
So undeserving!

Just wanted to share with any believers out there:)

In other news...I ask you to please say a prayer for my sweet grandma- my "Nanny". Her husband of a year and a half passed away Friday. I won't be able to see her (she lives in Louisiana) since I leave next week. I just ask you pray that God remove her loneliness and heartache.

Nan & me

Thanks for reading! Hope your day is BLESSED!
-Abby

Uncle Abby

There's something to be said about the amount of joy that enters ones life when babies are brought into the equation. The love is just indescribable. I am seriously obsessed with my beautiful niece and nephew. I thought I couldn't possibly love another baby as much as I love Owen until Ellie came along. Now, I can't imagine life without them...the thought of it just breaks my heart! Hopefully the Lord will take my life long before theirs so I don't have to live with that pain. Anyway, despite the hard work that comes with babies, I really can't wait to have my own. I mean, don't get me wrong...I totally can...but I look forward to the experience one day. LOOOONG down the road! Until then, I will continue to love on my little Oman and Ellie bean:)
Here are two pics of my little pride and joys. This is the first time I used my Christmas gift- Photoshop CS4! Woohoo! Diggin' it!


Owen & his missing tooth...oh the joys of little boys.


Ellie bean...isn't she gorgeous?

Happy Saturday!
-Abby

I carry you in me and in the dust on my feet

My good friend Jacquelyn and I decided to venture on a random, last-minute road trip to Austin, Texas about two weekends ago. I don't even think I realize how much of a getaway I needed until I was already home. We had SO much fun! Luckily, my awesome cousin Drew allowed us to crash at his place for a few nights. I had never gone to Austin before, and although we didn't get to see a whole lot, we visited the UT campus (don't be fooled, I'm a Sooners fan), walked around campus & the shops along the outside, visited 6th street at night and had fun on 4th street the last night we were there. Drew happened to know all the hotspots for nightlife so that was pretty sweet! We had so much fun. While there I decided to get a little...ahem..tat. I say this so cautiously because sometimes, in the Oklahoma conservative mindsets, it is taboo. Or so it seems. BUT, before you are quick to judge, let me tell you that this was not something I just up & did out of nowhere. I've been thinking about this for a year & a half (I even had advice from my mom to wait a year...which I did!) and the opportunity came so I did it. I just did it! And it hurt like nothing ever before..but I'm glad I did it finally.

After my first trip to Africa in 2007, my friend Hayley introduced me to musician, Brooke Fraser. At that point in my life I was in a very vulnerable state with my relationship with Christ. Now, I am not one to come on here & get all holy on you, but I will tell you that Africa completely changed my life. COMPLETELY. DRAMATICALLY. FOREVER.
On Brooke's cd there is a song titled "Albertine". She wrote the song about a child she grew close with during a mission trip to Rwanda. This song, much like my trip, instantly pierced my heart and I've favored it ever since the day I heard it. It is seriously my life letter to Africa and all that it means to me. I couldn't have written it better. A lyric in the song that has always struck me is "I carry you in me and in the dust on my feet". This line and the song in general has inspired me and touched my life so much that I wanted to remember it forever. I want to remember my experiences in Sierra Leone, I want people to know what it means to me and I want the opportunity to share with others in a unique way.
All this to say...here is my new ink! I edited the photo and mixed in part of the song so you can get an idea as to how it inspired the tat...although it's pretty much a given.

"I carry you in me and in the dust on my feet...
Now that I have seen, I am responsible, faith without deeds is dead. Now that I have held you in my own arms, I cannot let go til you are...I will tell the world, I will tell them where I've been".

Albertine is the first song on my playlist on here so listen to the words, if you will.
Also, check out the music video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGx-xU6TnU8

peace,
Abby

Zach, Aubrey & Gage

I was fortunate enough to be referred to Aubrey through my sweet friend, Celesta (previously shot photos of her with her mom). Aubrey is such a sweet heart and needless to say, the energy between these three pours through the photos! I was friends with Zach in high school but haven't kept in much contact since so I was thrilled to find out I'd be shooting photos of him and his little one, Gage! As you can see, Gage is too cute for words! I had so much fun shooting these photos...thank you Aubrey for the opportunity! Hope you all enjoy!:)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

-Abby
PS- HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cora

I was asked by my good friend Tmonster (aka Tristan) if I could shoot some photos of his beautiful little niece, Cora, for Christmas gifts. This means that this slideshow must be kept top secret! We don't want the word to get out to Tristan's parents so if you see this and you happen to know them, please keep quiet! :)
Cora is another facebook baby I would stalk, one day hoping someone would let me take her picture. She is absolutely gorgeous! And such a fun little being to be around. T wanted photos downtown so we headed there then to the wonderful Paseo District! I just love that area. Anyway, here she is ladies & gents...the little beauty...Miss Cora Shutt!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

PS-The song on the slideshow is my favorite Christmas song right now...."It Wouldn't Be Christmas" by Jaci Velasquez.
I highly recommend her Christmas album!

Merry Christmas!
Abby

Light A Candle

Light a candle
for the old man who sits staring
out a frosty windowpane

Light a candle
for the woman who is lonely
and every Christmas is the same

For the children who need
more than presents can bring

Light a candle
light the dark
light the world
light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

Light a candle
for the homeless and the hungry
a little shelter from the cold

Light a candle
for the broken and forgotten
may the season warm their souls

Can we open our hearts
to shine through the dark

Light a candle
light the dark
light the world
light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you

And in this special time of year
may peace on earth surround us here
and teach us there's a better way to live
and with every flame that burns
we must somehow learn
that love's the greatest gift
that we could ever give

Light a candle
light the dark
light the world
light a heart or two
light a candle for me
I'll light a candle for you.
-Avalon

I've been listening to this song a lot tonight and couldn't help but post the words. I don't typically write a lot of personal stuff on here, but I really felt like sharing a few words about something I've been feeling this holiday season.

First of all, I've YET to buy Christmas gifts. I've hardly had time in-between holiday shoots and temp work to even think about what to buy everyone. I know I want to buy gifts that will benefit, but I'm coming up blank this year.

After hearing this song tonight I couldn't help but stop and think about the true meaning of this season. I'm part of a "mission group" that meets on Wednesdays. We are currently learning what it means to be a community and how we can live out our lives the way Jesus TRULY wants us to together without selfishly interpreting the bible to fit our needs. Anyway, last nights discussion really got me thinking about what it fully means to "sacrifice" my life for the Lord. I got to thinking about Christmas and all that it means for the world of believers. This season represents the best gift of unselfish love, for a world that is hurting and a people who yearn for truth and meaning. It represents every bit of good that one can offer to humanity and in the most non-material way. So why do I, as a believer, drown in the disappointment (mostly caused by myself) when I have yet to find the best "present" for my friends and family? Why do I struggle so much with the fact that consumer America spends more on Christmas crap than we do on giving things that go much further in humanity? How did we ever get so far into gift giving, rather than the sacrifice of ourselves and physically helping others, and of all times at Christmas?

Don't get me wrong. I'm no grinch...I love giving to my friends and family. I'm just deeply convicted this year about the KIND of gifts I give. I mentioned before that I'd like to give gifts that benefit organizations. My first thought is "what can I get that will benefit and in turn be a physical gift I can hand to my people come Christmas day?" But why does it even have to be that way? Why can't I NATURALLY ask myself "What can I give that will benefit humanity?" and end there. I want to give and I want a physical gift. But is God calling me to sacrifice in the sense that I give every non-material part of me to help people who need it way more than any present ever could? And how does He view the time I spend shopping for material items and the money I spend on them? Could I really be sacrificing myself so much more?

Sometimes I wish we just took the time to light a candle for the world. For the widow, for the poor, for the hurting, for the starving. And I wish that would be satisfying enough.

I encourage everyone to listen to this song and think about how you can help a person in need this holiday! And think outside the box...give things that will help and make a much more lasting impression than anything material ever would.

God Bless! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Love, Abby

Dustin, Lindsay & Ethan Ash

I had the honor of shooting holiday photos for the amazing Ash family this season! Lindsay Ash is the sister of my best friend, Hayley, so I've known her about 5 years (almost 6...wow, has it really been almost 6 years since I was a freshman in college?!). Hayley and I were roomies at OBU for a semester so I got to know her family pretty well. Aside from the fact that they are like family to me, Ethan, Hayley's nephew, was born just one week after my nephew, Owen. So I feel our blonde haired, handsome, June baby nephews are just one more common link in our wonderful friendship:) Anyway, I must point out that Lindsay's red coat made these photos "pop" and made editing so simple. I couldn't help but feel the holiday warmth with this family. I hope you do too! And I hope you enjoy their holiday slideshow!:)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
-Abby