What's coming? || Personal

Over the last year, a lot has changed.

I'm moving to Chicago in less than two weeks [ahhhh!!] and starting to study the Bible and counseling at Moody Bible Institute. I am beyond  excited...mixed with a little nervousness. This is a big, new chapter of life and it's been a long time coming. I never would have thought that the Lord would bring me here, but looking back, it is SO clear! 

Photography will always be a part of my life and I will always pursue to make beautiful images for beautiful people. But, my homework won't include photo shoots or color correcting anymore. My homework will include a lot more papers and studying. That being said, I will have a lot less time to focus on photography. As sad as this is, it's a new chapter of my life! 

This doesn't mean that I'm "quitting" or "taking a hiatus" by any means. It's just going to a bit of an adventure ;) I will be booking sporadically throughout the fall and winter [woohoo!] & I'm so excited to see where this takes us. 

Love each and every one of you. So blessed by your love and beautiful lives you lead. You inspire me.

On Faith and life changes | Personal

Move to Chicago. Two Months.
Start all over in school. Two Months.

Life is changing oh, so quickly. It's exciting. But really scary. I know that the Lord has called me to a lifestyle that is not at all how I imagined. But...oh, is it good. I know that things are not turning out how I had thought or even hoped. But the truth is that this is becoming my hopes and this is becoming my dreams. The Lord has invited me in. For awhile, I think I was saying no. Because I was afraid. I was afraid to say yes to this brilliantly extravagant life He had for me. And eventually I reached a dead end. It was either this way or that way. And I picked this way. And I am so happy I did.

It's going to be beautiful and wonderful and exciting and new and fresh. I know that there will be times of despair. Maybe even doubt. But I can trust and hope in that I have been invited by the One and I have said yes. Yes to this brilliantly extravagant life that is unfolding before my very eyes.

Back in September, I chose to say yes to pursuing my buried dream of counseling. The gears started turning and I realized this has been it all along. Everything made sense and it was so beautiful to see everything in the past lead up to this point. God had been planning it all along and if I could have only seen it. Taking a leap of faith, I applied to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago to study Counseling. I really had only planned on studying photography (which I did and this Spring, I received my Certificate in Photography!) To my surprise (seriously, I was shocked!) I was accepted into MBI.

It still baffles me and I can't quite wrap my mind around it. But I am blessed. His plan is better.

Weekend Whimsy || Personal

I like weekends full of days off, sleeping in & hikes. Days full of the chance to pick up my camera just because. Moments that allow me to photograph in the snowy light. Hours of important and heart-challenging conversations. I like productivity and reading a book because it's good and has the potential to change my heart. 

This is one wildly extravagant life gift.

To New Beginnings

The past six months have been a whirlwind, an adventure, a journey. Sometimes when we're in the storm we don't see the beauty of it until we're looking back on it. Six months ago I thought I would be done with school for good and pursue my photography business full force. Little did I know that the journey that God had placed me on would lead me to apply to Moody Bible Institute. Throughout this whole process I have been completely undone and overwhelmed by God's grace and mercy in my life. How amazing that the Lord is leading me to pursue full-time ministry and counseling.

In six months I'll be living in Chicago.

In six months I'll be starting all over.

Moral of the story: Life is really crazy and God is so good.

Worrying Will Never Change The Outcome

(via Pinterest)

The beginning of the semester always freaks me out. Starting a new routine and getting in the swing of things takes awhile. 18 credits (15 of them being photo) and finishing my program is putting me in a little bit of worry-mode. Night classes aren't my favorite. I don't particularly like finishing the day when the sun is gone and it's way too cold. Sacrificing joys to get it done is not the most appealing thing. But I know that this impatient girl is going to have to stick it out and it will be worth it in the end. Late nights, way too much coffee and a whole lot of encouragement. 

This is a season of change. I'm saying goodbye to one chapter and saying hello to a new one...and it's scary. I've worried, I've journaled my thoughts late at night, I've gone over the scenarios in my head. But most of all I've been completely in awe. I realize that this life isn't my own. I realize how amazing it is that God would involve us in His plan. I've been completely overwhelmed by His grace and mercy in my life. And after all, how good is life?! Why worry...it's going to be amazing

Love,

Alison

13 DIYs for 2013

I don't really do new years resolutions. Just like everyone else, I end up disappointed that I don't accomplish them. The only sort of resolution I make is "doing more projects." After finishing Project 52, I feel like I need to get my hands on something new. I'm notorious for pinning a million DIY's on Pinterest and barely accomplishing any of them. So 2013 is a DIY kinda year. I decided to pick out 13 projects that I could accomplish this year. My resolution for 2013 is "make more things."

1. Jewelry Display Branch

2. Wipe-off To-do List

3. Sharpie Mug

4. Paint Sample Calendar

5. Scrabble Tile Coasters

6. 2013 Memory Jar

7.  Instagram wall/canvases

8. Modern wall art with paint swatches

9. Candles

10. Framed Jewelry Display

11. Best Friend Wall Art

12. Cork Board

13. Planning Marker Board

Pretty stinkin' excited to get moving on these projects! They will simplify my life and get things organized. Always good :) Do you have any new years resolutions? Are there any DIYs that you've been putting off? Share them with me!

Alison

Week 48 || Project 52

This is week 48...meaning there are only 4 weeks left of the year, meaning there are only 4 weeks left of Project 52. I will hold my nostalgia until the final week of this project but it's kinda crazy that I only have 4 weeks left of this adventure. 

Week 48 held Thanksgiving : one of my very favorite holidays. Family, friends, feast, fellowship, thankfulness, love. November and December are my two favorite months because they hold so much joy and life. Thanksgiving was spent baking an apple pie, cooking some dishes and loving my family. The next day we woke up to snow covering the woods and our windshield's. 

Week 44 || Project 52

"I love Your voice,

singing over me every morning.

I love Your voice,

calling out my name every morning."

-Your Voice || The Royal Royal

There's something about waking up before the sun even rises to spend some time with the Lord. Nothing like it. I woke up at 4:30AM this morning. Thankful for a pot of coffee, deer sightings in the suburbs, a warm home, another day. It's so easy to get stuck in the daily grind and take life for granted. But when you think that we are not even worthy of one day, it puts everything back in perspective. Whether the world seems quite and still or loud and busy, the Lord is always there.