A Christian photographer, sharing her story of life, love, faith, and family from behind her lens.

January 25, 2012

Gratitude

…that it’s not all perfect, but God is good and He sustains me.

…that just because exam week hindered me from doing project 365, I can resume it without shame.

…that Amazon had the Canon 60D on sale and my father helped me order it.

…that I have the opportunity to go on several mission trips this year.

…that the Lord led us to a church where there are people who are wholeheartedly devoted to Him.

…that I get to be a “big sister” to a really sweet little girl.

…that there are so many people and teachers in my life who have come along to teach and encourage me.

…that Jesus reveals more and more everyday of the wonderful plans He has for my life.

…that the Lord already has my future husband set apart, and that I don’t have to go search him out.

…for a mom whom I can teach how to use my old DSLR.

…for a mom who has taught me more than I could ever say.

…for a sister I can share a room, closet, inside jokes, and 14 years worth of secrets with.

…for a father who doesn’t have to travel very often and has raised me to be confident and protected.

…for wonderful friends, who send me the sweetest cards, the most hilarious messages, and have memorable skypes.

…for the ability to meet those friends at our school’s End of the Year Gathering.

…for the opportunity to love on a brother and watch him grow into a man of the Lord.

…for all of you, dear readers.

“Give thanks to Yahweh, call on His name;
proclaim His deeds among the people. Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell about all His wonderful works! Honor His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek Yahweh rejoice.”

Psalm 105:1-3, HCSB

Filed Under: Blog | 2 Comments

January 16, 2012

Project 2012: Week 2

8:365

I spent time with Jesus tonight. Praying, contending, listening. I love it.

9:365

This week has been all about staying relax with exams fast approaching. I chilled out with a hot, bubbly bath.

10:365

Watched Titanic with a sweet friend for class. We cried. And it was amazing.

11:365

My latest endeavor - praying through the countries.

12:365

I love this thing, and am oh so grateful for her…but if she went away, then so would all my exams and emails and calendars. And how nice would that be?

13:365

Dog-sitting little Sammy Boyd!

14:365

I never, ever stay up late at sleepovers. I’m typically one of the first to crash. But the other night I made it until 1:15 AM reading through old journals. We’ve been friends since 2nd grade.

It was so weird driving my friends around. When we were little, we’d pretend like we were teenagers who could drive and had cell phones. And now, here we are…

Enjoy your week! I’m going to try and not drown in these exams…

Filed Under: Project 365 | 2 Comments

January 13, 2012

I’m not a big resolution person. It’s like resolutions are created just to be broken. However, one thing I’ve committed to doing in 2012 (and for the rest of my life) is become more diligent and consistent in prayer. Before Christmas, I was given the parable in Matthew 25 about the Ten Virgins as a word for my life. There are many different contextual and original Greek symbols in that parable, but the word for me was that fasting and contending prayer will be my source of oil. That is, if I stay strong in contending for other people and fasting for them, that my metaphorical lamp will always stay lit and I’ll be ready for the Bridegroom (Jesus) when He returns.

Recently, a friend gave me the idea to pray through the countries. With my recently fabric world map completed and my newfound heart for missions, it seems like the perfect place to start for consistent contending prayer. I copied a list of all the countries in the world down and have begun to take each one and pray for the specific needs of that country. Ultimately, my hope in doing this is not only will I become strong and consistent in my prayer time, but also that in praying through the countries that the Lord may reveal to my heart where it is I am being called. I’m thinking that as I pray for each country, there will be certain countries that my heart breaks for, that I don’t want to move on from, that I can’t stop praying for.

The first country was Afghanistan.

It definitely helps in praying for a country to know what the needs are, and a great place to find accurate information about that is the CIA World Factbook. It tells the poverty, the health/clean water, the diseases, the religion, and more. Because I’m not focusing on one specific country, this site gives a great starting place for knowing the needs of the country. I typically look up the facts before my prayer time, write them on a notecard (i.e. 99% Islam, 52% people have unimproved water sources), and then take my journal, my bible, the notecard, and my prayer list with me to pray. Like with Afghanistan, a verse came to mind while I was praying for the country and I put the notecard in my Bible, at that reference. Hopefully, any time I turn to read that chapter or verse, I’ll be reminded to pray for the needs of Afghanistan.

It’s just a practical way I’m learning to be obedient in “wrestling God” for breakthrough in people’s lives and around the world. Jacob did it in Genesis 32, Jesus did it in John 17, and I want to grow into and become a woman of relentless and empowered prayer.

Have a beautiful Friday and a blessed weekend! I’ve got a Project 365 post in the works for Sunday!

Filed Under: Devotions | 3 Comments

January 8, 2012

Project 2012: Week 1

I feel like I should re-introduce this blog.

I took an unannounced sabbatical from my blog for the past month. The whole thing was perplexing me. I was 99% unsure of exactly what I wanted this blog to be and what I wanted the design to represent. I spent this past month thinking and praying, not only about my blog, but about my life in general. I was also 99% unsure of what my future looked like, which was a huge reason my blog was so scattered. If you have no idea what your passion is, how are you going to write a blog about it? Besides the fact that you love Jesus…

I’ve come to the realization that I want to do ministry, most likely in a cross-cultural setting. Despite the fact I’ve never actually been on a “mission trip,” I really feel called to live out Mark 16:15 within the global context. Specifically what this looks like, I don’t know. I’ve also learned through several words given to me and through Carissa Alma’s book that right now is a season of preparation for my future in ministry. Of course, you never stop learning, but I feel like the Lord is saying that this is the time for me to focus my attention on learning. Learning from others, learning from Him, learning about Him – just learning anything and everything I can. And really cultivating relationships – both with Jesus and with others in my life.

I have a newfound vision for my life and for my blog. This is my journal. This is my outlet to tell you all that I’m learning, what I’m struggling with, things that God is doing. Posts should be more frequent, now that I know what I want to share. Posts should also be more me.

In addition to hypothetical re-launching of my blog, I’ve also opened a photography website called MNM Photography. This isn’t my photography blog. This isn’t my design blog. Technically, this is just a vessel to be used by the Lord. And I for one can’t wait to see what He’s going to do in 2012.

Oh, and I decided to do Project 365. Again. Maybe I’ll make it past July this time.

1:365

Driving to a new friend’s house, the sun was setting right before me. Sure, it made it hard to drive (I have a terrible habit of always forgetting sunglasses), but it was beautiful.

2:365

I’ve taken on a new project – a world map made of fabrics.

3:365

My amazing un-biological big sister/mentor sent me this for my birthday. Technically, it arrived late; but really it was right on time. All of the different pieces mean something. So. Special.

4:365

Still working on it. There is fabric ALL over our room.

5:365

One of the highlights of every week. It’s called Kids Beach Club and we do it in a local elementary school. We get to love on some of the sweetest (and some of the most broken) kids and tell them about Jesus! Right now, I’m leading the K-1st girls. I can’t even tell you how much I love them. My sister snapped this of us during worship.

6:365

I’ve been journaling and reading my Bible a lot lately. The Lord’s revealed to me that I’m in a season of preparation, and I’ve been soaking up all the knowledge I can.

7:365

My brother’s birthday is January 8th! I got some cute photos of his face but I thought this capture was different. He’s into more “urban” looking outfits, so he took the old pocket watch my grandfather gave him and put the chain around his pocket. So him. Modern, and yet still classy. I love that boy!

Enjoy your Sunday, friends.

Filed Under: Project 365 | 2 Comments

November 27, 2011

Third Family Photoshoot

When people come up to me and ask me to shoot their family (camera kind), I can’t tell you what it does to my heart. I get all giddy inside. I’ve yet to really market myself as a photographer, and so to have people pursuing my photography without having really given them a reason to amazes me.

The family wanted pictures for a Christmas card. This is my first shoot with more than 2 young children. It is surprising what a difference the 3rd child makes. It was another wonderful learning experience. I’m also looking to shadow a professional photographer, as I’m realizing running a “candid” shoot is harder than it would seem.

^ this is what the majority of the pictures looked like.

I’m off to youth group – enjoy your Sunday night, friends.

Filed Under: Portrait Photography | 1 Comment

November 10, 2011

Just Because You’re Young

Lately I’ve been struggling with the tension of my age. Satan’s been using the fact I’m not technically an adult against me recently. Things like “the rules say you’re not allowed to lead a small group because you’re not 18,” “you aren’t old enough to come with us,” or “everyone else your age isn’t spiritually mature so we can’t think that you are.” It is the society we live in. My age shouldn’t discredit me from doing what it is the Lord has called me to do at 16. And yet in this culture, it does. As a teenager I’m expected to be immature and selfish, and it shocks people when I say that I actually enjoy reading my Bible, hearing from the Lord, and serving others (I mean, not all the time, but you get the picture). Thus the standards of age seemingly inhibit me in doing what the Lord asks.

The other night I was struggling with this particularly, feeling like people see me within the boundaries of my age (not that I should be caring about how people see me…). So I turned to the Bible. I know there are people God called at a young age, but I wanted to delve deeper into that. I wanted to know that beyond the social norms of that time, that God was using teenagers to accomplish his purpose. Here’s what I found…

•Joseph

“Joseph, a young man of seventeen…” Gen. 37:2

At seventeen, Joseph was receiving prophetic words from God about both his future and the future of Israel. It was those prophetic dreams from his teen years that caused his brothers jealousy and lead Joseph to ultimately become Pharaoh’s advisor and save the people from the famine.

•Gideon

“How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15

Even as the least in his weak family, Gideon hears and speaks to God , which ultimately leads him to defeating the Midianites and showing God’s power in that. God uses Gideon to save Israel.

•Samuel

“The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord…” 1 Sam. 3:1

Samuel was just a boy when he began hearing and speaking to the Lord. It was the relationship the Lord set up when Samuel was a boy that allowed Samuel to recognize the call and voice of the Lord throughout his life. Samuel was a prophet and also anointed the future kings of Israel.

•David

“There is still the youngest but he is tending the sheep…” 1 Sam. 16:11

David was called to be king as a youth, and as the youngest of his family. God recognizes him as a man after God’s own heart as a young boy and gives him victory over Goliath and king Saul. God also gave David wisdom and understanding that David poured into his Psalms, which we love and study today.

•Josiah

“Josiah was eight years old when he became king and he reigned Jerusalem.” 2 Chron. 24: 1

Talk about social norms, most of the previous and future kings of Israel and Judah were in their twenties and older when they inherited kingship. Josiah was eight. He wasn’t even a teenager. The Bible said he began seeking God in his eighth year of reign (probably when he was 16). He was one of the few righteous kings of Israel and he did right by the Lord.

•Jeremiah

“Ah Sovereign Lord, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” Jer. 1:6-10

In Jeremiah 1, the Lord anoints Jeremiah’s lips and commands him to speak and go where the Lord commands him. Jeremiah began speaking prophetically for the Lord and speaking directly to the Lord. Jeremiah’s prophecy’s are still being read today. Jeremiah also stood bravely in the face of persecution.

•Timothy

“To Timothy, my true son in the faith…” 1 Timothy 1:2

Paul calls partners in his ministry “brothers and sisters,” and so the fact that he calls Timothy “son” coupled with Paul telling him to “let no one look down on you because of your youth but set an example for believers in life, in love, in speech, and in purity,” gives the impression that Timothy was young, probably in his teens. Timothy was an incredibly effective missionary, spreading the Gospel of Jesus at an early age.

And of course, the best example of all…

•Jesus

“When he was twelve years old…” Luke 2:42

We all know the story of Jesus learning and teaching in the temple. Jesus was only twelve. The Bible says that Jesus spoke with wisdom and understanding the amazed the teachers. God used Jesus to teach others even before he became a teenager.

Of course there are more examples of young people God used. We know from history that Esther, Mary, and John (the disciple) were all probably in their teens when they were called by God to do amazing things. I’ve only pulled people out here that the Bible specifically mentions their age. God has clearly made the point that he spoke directly to young people, and used them in their youth to do amazing things for His kingdom. Who am I to worry about my age? The Lord has plans and words to speak to me now, even at 16. Society may tell other people not to trust the wisdom of a 16 year old – God says differently. And His words and commands have precedence in my life. Just like Joseph, Gideon, Samuel, Josiah, Jeremiah, Timothy, Titus, and even Jesus (among others), I’m being spoken to and called by God now to do and say things, and I’m done not saying or doing them because of my age. The amazing thing? When I stop worrying how other people are viewing or limiting me because of my age and just do and say what the Lord is calling me to, they start to forget that “I’m only 16…”

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’

‘Alas, Sovereign LORD,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am too young.’

But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the LORD.Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.’” Jeremiah 1:4-10, NIV

I love you all. Have a wonderful day. And embrace your youth…

Filed Under: Devotions | 7 Comments

November 8, 2011

Camera for Sale

My sister is selling her camera! She’s been saving up for a DSLR for years and now is only a couple hundred dollars away. If anyone is interested, you can contact her here.

It is in perfect condition (probably the biggest sign of use is the wear on the camera strap) and is truly an amazing camera. I’d say it’s like a DSLR without having to pay all the money. There are a bunch of different settings where you can get different, quality pictures without all the editing, including is a fisheye setting (fish eye lenses for DSLR go for over $2,000). It is a 14megapixel camera, which is more than most low-end DSLRs. It’s got 30X optical zoom and HD cord. My sister has all the accessories for it (charger, cord, neck strap, lens cap, and even a cute little black case) and have taken impeccable care of it. It is the ideal camera for anyone who doesn’t feel they have enough money or experience to handle a DSLR. If you are wanting an almost-DSLR camera, this is a steal. She is selling it for $200. New Olympus SP-800UZs sell for between $300-350, so you are getting a serious deal on a like-new camera!

If you want more info or know of someone who might be interested, don’t hesitate to contact her! I know she’d appreciate it!

laneymac2@gmail.com

Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

Filed Under: Blog | 3 Comments

November 7, 2011

Second Family Photoshoot

I know. I haven’t posted since October 18. Moving on…

I had my second “official” shoot on Saturday night. It was very different from my first because I was shooting a family with teenagers instead of younger children. I’ve found there are distinct challenges with shooting different age groups, even within family photography. It was a great learning experience. And the family got some cute pictures to use for their Christmas card!

I was really nervous going into the shoot, and during it I felt like I struggled to embrace the difficulties of shooting teenagers. Looking back, there is a lot I can learn. And even in the midst of my lack of confidence, I got some nice shots (at least, I think so). I’m really glad people are offering experiences like this at 16. Hopefully in a few years I’ll have a full portfolio and experience shooting every different genre and age group! For now though, I’ll concentrate on blogging more consistently, giving people beautiful blog designs, and learning from anyone who asks me to take their picture!

Have a beautiful Monday, friends.

Filed Under: Portrait Photography | 5 Comments

October 18, 2011

I Still Love Ya

If you hadn’t noticed, I was trying to set a new record – how long can I go without posting before no one visits my blog? I haven’t posted in a month and yesterday I had 22 hits. Even when I don’t post, you guys still love me, you really love me (isn’t that from a movie?). Ok, so I wasn’t trying to set a record. My poor, little, neglected, but beautiful blog has fallen on the prioreties list yet again (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing…)

Has anyone noticed life has been going uber fast lately? Wasn’t last night Sunday night? When did Tuesday come upon us? And are we really halfway through October? Craziness. If you want an excuse from my lack of posting, that’s it. I say I’m going to post about *insert many topics I could have blogged about over the past 3 weeks here* tomorrow, and then tomorrow turns into 4 weeks later.

My blog isn’t the only thing that has been sorely neglected recently. My poor camera has been collecting dust on the shelf the past month. The only time I’ve picked it up was to take pictures of a visiting missionary family at our church. Reminds me of this shot from March…

He’s got a pitiful neglected look, does he not? Like the “puppy dog face” for a camera. Poor guy. He just wants some love.

I hope to give it to him. I’ve got a plan to force some photography out of me.

Every Week:

-Take 1 black/white photo

-Take 1 photo of myself

-Take 1 photo of someone on a “bench”

-Take 1 macro photo

-Take 1 photo that tells a story

That is only 5 photos…so even if I take a photo a day, I get 2 days off. This should be manageable, right? Hopefully, next week you’ll be seeing the week 1 results of this little photography adventure.

Have a beautiful Tuesday, friends.

Filed Under: Blog | 5 Comments

September 27, 2011

This is Church.

I think this says it better than I could.

Who are you discipling? Who is discipling you?

Have a beautiful Tuesday, friends.

Filed Under: Blog | 2 Comments