My God Sighting

This year I decided to stretch myself a bit and sign up for VBS......with preschoolers. Even though I have never really worked much with that age this was my rationale: I have free time because it's summer vacation so why not use it, I think it is always good to try new things and seek growth/see what it's like to serving in other areas, and last of all the preschool section needed more helpers than any other section on the day I signed up. The first two real days I had to miss because I got the flu....BOO! But today I got to go. I was slightly nervous, but also very excited. When I first met my group they were very quiet, which I don't blame them. I don't open up to most strangers right away so why should they. As the day went on though, it didn't change much and they just didn't seem to respond much when I asked them questions and they seemed to be more content being engaged by observing an activity instead of doing it. All kids are different, so I also thought, I'm not going to smother them. I decided I would pursue them with opportunities and let them come out of their shell in their own time, because there are in fact quiet/shy children. I was one of them. Shocker, I know. :) It was down to our last session and I was really just hoping my kiddos at least enjoyed their time today. We were told to ask our kids what reminds them of God's love/shows them that God loves them. I asked my group as a whole, and of course no one answered. So I asked two individuals, and received no answers. I gave one child examples and she said yes to one and I ecstatic! Then I asked my last kiddo, and he didn't say anything. I started asking about examples, like being outside, or his parents, etc. When I stopped talking, he turned and looked at me and said, "You." (Sound of my heart melting) Needless to say, it was a sweet and quietly fulfilling morning.

Un-rusting a passion

This past year I have gotten myself back in the groove of photography......and my heart and my heavenly father are happy. When there isn't a photo class where there is a consequence to turning in work or when there isn't a chunk of time that is a priority, it is hard to make it happen. A big reason is we don't always give our passions priority. If it doesn't pay bills, provide insurance, or give you notoriety/advancement we seem to label it as unimportant. This is a false reality, our passions are gifts God has wired us with to keep us engaged and energized to get through the mundane. My passion (at least one of them) is photography. God opened a whole new view to his creation's beauty and the beauty of people for me through photography. My favorites are real moments, when people are being people and capturing minute and overlooked details in the world around me. I've walked by many things for the past few years and thinking "that would be an amazing photo," but sadly I didn't make time to take them. That's changing.